It's Always the Husband by C.L. Taylor

Description from Goodreads:

"The school gates have never been so dangerous…

When newly divorced Jude arrives in the small town of Lowbridge, she is soon drawn to the enigmatic Will, father to her young daughter's best friend.

But Will's devastating past holds questions that nobody knows the answer to – and after two tragedies tore his life apart in just a few short years, gossip and rumours abound about what really happened to the women he loved.

Because whilst one dead wife is tragic, two starts to look like murder…"

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I have read a number of C.L. Taylor's books and have enjoyed 99.9% of them and this is one to add to that number.

I quickly became invested in the lives of the school-run parents and the mystery of various events surrounding them including blackmail, infidelity and possible murder.  It's a complex but riveting story told at a steady pace using short chapters told from multiple points of view and whilst this could be confusing, I didn't find it to be so and was able to follow things with ease.

With great characters and an intriguing plot, I enjoyed this one and many thanks to the author, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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Chasing Shadows (Detective Erica Foster #9) by Robert Bryndza

Description from Goodreads:

" In a deadly game of cat and mouse, Detective Erika Foster confronts her greatest nemesis—where the lines of justice blur and secrets unravel.

A collapsed ceiling. A dead body. What starts as a routine 999 call takes an unexpected twist when Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster arrives on the scene and discovers the body of a woman in an empty flat, with all DNA evidence scrubbed away. When forensics find cocaine residue coating every surface of the ceiling, Erika calls in the drug dogs, who lead her to a mysterious parcel locker on the outside wall of the property. Chasing down the locker’s owner leads Erika back where she never expected to be – staring into the eyes of Jerome Goodman, the drug dealer who murdered her husband, Mark, ten years ago.

She arrests him on the spot, but there’s just one problem. His passport and his solicitor say his name is Kieron Bagshaw, and his record is squeaky clean.

With top brass demanding she take leave to deal with her PTSD and even her closest colleagues questioning her sanity, Erika decides to use the time off to do some digging of her own. Trawling for clues through old newspapers, encrypted messages, and secret underground passageways, Erika makes a series of shocking discoveries that move Mark’s murder from cold case to active investigation, all while flying under the Met’s radar.

The revelations will push Erika to the brink, forcing her to confront the trauma of her past and the truth about what happened the day Mark died – and who among her friends was involved from the shadows."

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Yet again, Robert Bryndza has created a peach of a book to go with what is a fantastic series.

This might be the ninth in this series but don't let that put you off; it reads well as a standalone and whilst you have missed some of the character development, Mr Bryndza's writing is so good that it's not really an issue.

Ten years ago, Erica was injured, her husband and colleagues murdered during a police raid with the culprit never being caught.  Erica is now investigating a suspicious death when she comes face to face with the man she believes is responsible for their murders but his name is different however, she's convinced it's him even when told that he's dead.  Erica is put on stress leave but that doesn't stop her investigating with the help of her trusted colleagues and partner but at what cost?

The characters are really strong, the plot riveting and the pace perfect from the very start.  This is a gripping and tense read for fans of police procedurals and crime thrillers and one that I can highly recommend along with the rest of Robert Bryndza's work.

Many thanks to the author, Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the latest in the excellent Erica Foster series.

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The Countdown Killer (Major Crimes #4) by Sam Holland

Description from Goodreads:

"A MAN MURDERED, LIVE ON CAMERA

When a DVD is delivered in the dead of night, DCI Cara Elliott hits play on a horrifying showreel of violence… This is death, on demand.

A KILLER COUNTING DOWN

Avid viewers are paying for the killings, with twisted specifications. A request, an abduction, a murder. And always in a forty-eight-hour pattern.

A MISSING DETECTIVE

But when the killer finds out they’re being investigated, they reveal their next target. In forty-eight hours, a police officer will be the one in front of the camera. The hunters have become the hunted, and the clock is ticking…"

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A sure-fire 5 star read for me and another excellent addition to this brilliant series.

This is the fourth in the Major Crimes Series and the fourth I have read and I have found that they have just got better and better.  I really do feel you need to have read some of the others in the story -at least the first in the series, The Echo Man, to keep up with it however, it's not essential and, I think I would have enjoyed this even if it was my first and it would have made me go back and read the others.

It has everything you would want from a dark and gritty serial killer story; it's full of excellent characters, it's non-stop pace with plenty of action, tension, suspense, thrills, twists and a sick serial killer.  This is definitely not for those who don't like reading graphic scenes of death - there were definitely bits that made me shiver and wince and it takes a lot to do that so be warned!!

Highly, highly recommended and I must thank the author, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this riveting book.

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The Ruins in Which We Bleed by Steve N Lee

Available on 12-June-2025

Description from the author:

"A story of courage and a fight for survival like none you have ever read. Guaranteed!

Inspired by a previously untold true story.

Following the Nazi invasion of Poland, 13-year-old Helena is imprisoned in the Warsaw ghetto, a squalid hellhole rife with disease and starvation. Yet, although the Nazis have destroyed her home, her life, and her future, they haven't destroyed the only thing that truly matters — her family. Helena might be just a child, but she's a fighter, and she'll do whatever it takes to help her loved ones.

Making sacrifices no child should ever have to make, seeing horrors no child should ever have to see, Helena bravely battles on as her world crumbles amid random killings, slave labor, and deportations. And through it all, her compassion helps to protect her family. But then the Nazis unleash new horrors.

With the ghetto a raging sea of flames, explosions, and gunfire, Helena runs for her life only to hurtle straight into an unimaginable hell from which there seems no escape. And the Nazis are closing in. Can her love for her family give her the strength to survive?

Inspired by a heartbreaking true story of unbelievable courage, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit, The Ruins in Which We Bleed reveals that, even in the darkest of times, one person can make a difference through the greatest power of all — love.

If you didn't know this was inspired by a true story, you would never believe it possible. Read The Ruins in Which We Bleed now."

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Just WOW ... what a story that is inspired by real events and people but with elements that have been fictionalised which, in this case, is because the information doesn't exist anymore.

I have read a couple of Steve's books before, To Dream of Shadows and A Song of Silence, and was blown away by them both and this was no different.

It invoked so many emotions for me that not many books have done from fear, dread, horror but also love, loyalty bravery and hope. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure.  Helena is a remarkable teenager and one I'm sure her family would have been proud of.  Her tenacity, bravery and spirit were beyond her years.

Brilliant story, excellently written, this is one story that should be made into a film as, in my humble opinion, Helena's story rivals that of Anne Frank's and if I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

Many thanks must go to the author, Steve N Lee, for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this remarkable book.

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The Devil's Smile (The Yorkshire Killings #2) by Daniel Sellers

Due to be published 21-August-2025
 

Description from Goodreads:

"October, 1995. Adrian Brown's second year at Leeds University is a blur of throbbing bass line and neon-lit nights out. However, a violent encounter with a man he met in a basement club has the power to sober him up.

Sheila Hargreaves, who has grown fond of Adrian following their brush with the infamous Lollipop Man, has written a book about the murders and is busy with a new TV show, Yorkshire Crimetime. And then her erratic co-presenter Tony Tranter goes missing, and his body turns up riddled with stab wounds. Could his death be linked to several violent attacks on men?

Moving from dark city corners to the glare of the TV studio lights, Sheila and Adrian find themselves on the trail of another killer."

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I dived right into this as soon as I finished reading the first in this series, The Lollipop Man.  I was curious as to where Adrian and Sheila were in their lives and how they had developed and I wasn't disappointed.  This is the second in the series and I do think you need to have read the first to understand the back story of Adrian in particular but you might just get away with it as the author does provide some history.

The book takes place in Yorkshire in the 1990's and has a real eclectic set of characters which works really well.  There a two story lines, each of which were equally as intriguing as each other and kept me guessing as to whether they were related or not.  It is well paced and kept me reading to the end.

A good psychological thriller that I would recommend and thanks to the author, Allison and Busby and NetGalley for enabling me to read this, the second in a developing series.

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The Lollipop Man (The Yorkshire Killings #1) by Daniel Sellers

Description from Goodreads:

"When a young girl is snatched from a West Yorkshire town there are eerie similarities with a cold case from many years earlier. It can't be the same killer, can it?

Yorkshire, 1994. Eighteen-year-old Adrian spends his days working at the local newspaper, and his evenings in his local pub. But under this ordinary surface lies a haunting story. Aged ten, Adrian was kidnapped by a shadowy figure known as The Lollipop Man, who had abducted three children before. Adrian was the only one to escape.

The Lollipop Man might well have returned when another missing child whips up a media frenzy. Journalist Sheila Hargreaves, troubled with memories of her own involvement in the reporting of the previous abductions, is determined to dig deeper, atone for what she did nearly a decade ago and bring the Lollipop Man to justice."

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I haven't read anything by Daniel Sellers before but, once again, I have discovered another great British author.  This is the first in a new series and one I am very much looking forward to getting my teeth into if subsequent books are as enjoyable as this one.

After a bit of a slow start, this book gradually drew me in and by the end, had me hooked.  There are a lot of characters to get your head round so you need to keep your wits about you but I loved Adrian and Gav's friendship; it was a breath of fresh air to read about a male friendship rather than the usual female one.  The story is intriguing with plenty of twists, some of which I saw coming but others caught me unaware, together with tension and atmosphere.

Overall, a pretty successful start to a new series and I must thank the author, Allison & Busby and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the first in a new series.

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Psychosis Diagnosis by Nikki Minty [Audiobook]

 🎙🎙🎙 Narrated byJodie Harris, Karen Chilton, James Fouhey,

Ari Maza Long and Tamblyn Lord🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"Welcome to The Church of Salvation, where your soul checks in but never checks out.

Raised by his drug-addicted mother in the small town of Coraki, Australia, Monroe Morgan is determined to escape a life steeped in misery. With dreams of a better future, he has secured a job at his brother-in-law’s pub in Coffs Harbour and is set to start as soon as he turns eighteen.

However, a month before his departure, Monroe’s life takes a drastic turn when his neighbour, Indi, appears at his doorstep, battered and scared for her life. She reveals harrowing details about her upbringing in The Church of Salvation and declares that she is being forced to marry the church’s pastor against her will. Concerned for Indi’s safety, Monroe plans to take her with him when he leaves. But on the morning of their escape, he is jolted awake by blood-curdling screams coming from next door. A violent confrontation with Indi’s father ensues, resulting in Monroe’s arrest and a year-long stay in Rozelle Hospital for drug-induced psychosis. In a cruel twist of fate, Indi’s father denies her existence, and the doctors and authorities dismiss her as a figment of Monroe’s imagination.

After a year of treatment and recovery, Monroe returns to Coraki determined to find Indi and prove she is real. However, the visit to his old neighbourhood soon unearths a web of dark secrets, and he finds himself at the centre of a decades-old cult conspiracy. He’ll have to summon all his strength to discover not only where Indi went, but who he truly is, before more young women mysteriously wind-up dead."

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A good book that was really quite creepy to listen to.  

This is a mix of all sorts of genres including horror, supernatural, witchcraft, the occult and a cult all thrown in for good measure.  I think this is more geared towards the Young Adults so a bit off the mark for me however, I still quite enjoyed it as it was something different to read/listen to.

The narration was ok but not the best but I did like there were different voices which helped to distinguish between the characters and there were dual timelines which, I found, a bit confusing and difficult to keep up but overall, a decent creepy book and thank you to the author, BooksGoSocial Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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The Perfect Psychopath by Alice Hunter

 

Description from Goodreads:

"THE PERFECT PSYCHOPATH HIDES IN PLAIN SIGHT…

Dr. Eleanor Spencer is a respected forensic psychologist with a seemingly perfect life. But when a series of women start to vanish, she’s haunted by the memory of her sister’s disappearance and she finds herself drawn into the chilling investigation.​

​As the body count rises and her paranoia deepens, Ellie is forced to delve into the mind of a monster to uncover the truth. Her work leads her to Lucas Hayne, a notorious serial killer now behind bars. But when Lucas cryptically hints that the key to the killer’s identity lies buried in her past, Ellie’s world begins to unravel. ​

Because now she faces a terrifying the real monster might just be closer than she ever imagined.​

And with time running out, the price of uncovering the truth may be her own life…"

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I enjoy reading Alice Hunter's books; she clearly knows her stuff when it comes to the inner workings of the mind and this book shows it really well.

I'm not going to go into the plot as the description summarises it perfectly but I will say that it is intriguing and kept me guessing how it was all going to play out.  The pace is steady, with the middle being a little slow but ramping up towards the end.  The characters are well developed and an eclectic bunch from Ellie herself to the serial killer she is interviewing.

It has some great twists and it definitely kept me reading towards the end.  I can quite happily recommend this to lovers of psychological thrillers and many thanks to the author, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for this intriguing book.

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Missing (Detective Bonnie Hunter #1) by Catherine Lee

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Eva Seymour 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"Sydney, Australia.

Bonnie Hunter is done with creeps who treat their families like possessions. Sidelined and angry after a domestic violence call-out went horribly wrong, the detective finds herself seconded to a team tasked with finding a missing young woman.

According to her husband, Juliet Keller went to the grocery store and never returned. The husband demands action, but his violent outbursts and controlling behaviour have Bonnie’s family violence radar on high alert. Convinced he’s responsible for Juliet’s disappearance, Bonnie is single-minded in her mission to disprove his story.

Outsmarted at every turn, and questioning her worth to her new team, Bonnie finds herself in a cat-and-mouse chase to uncover the truth. Because whatever happened to Juliet Keller, it’s soon clear her life is not the only one on the line."

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I haven't read anything by Catherine Lee before but I certainly won't be making that mistake again if this book is anything to go by.  I listened to the audiobook and from the very beginning, I was absolutely hooked.  

Everything about this book is exceptional ... the story, the writing style, the dual timeline, the pace, the characters, the tension, the emotion, etc., etc., is second to none, especially given the difficult subject matter of domestic violence which I think the author captured accurately but without sensationalising it.  And lets not forget the narration which was one of the best I have listened to so far; Ms Seymour's voice drew me into the story with ease and kept me listening long after I should have stopped.

Like I said, this does cover the heinous crime of domestic violence so if that is a trigger for you, I would definitely pass this book by but otherwise, I would highly recommend it to others who enjoy gripping thrillers.

This is the first book in a new series and I very much look forward to reading or listening to more in the future and my thanks must go to the author, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this excellent book.

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One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter

Description from the Publisher:

"Ferrara, Italy. 1940. Lili Passigli is studying at the University of Ferrara when Mussolini’s Racial Laws deem her of ‘inferior’ Jewish descent, blindsiding her completely. As Hitler’s strength grows across Europe, Lili’s world begins to shrink around her, with the papers awash in Fascist propaganda and the city walls desecrated with anti-semitic slurs. When Germany invades northern Italy, Lili and her best friend Esti find themselves on their own in Nazi-occupied territory.

With the help of the Resistance, Lili and Esti flee with Esti’s two-year-old son Theo, in tow, facing a harrowing journey south toward the Allies and freedom. On this trek through war-torn Italy, they will face untold challenges and devastating decisions."

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I do read quite a few books, both fiction and non-fiction, that are set during World War II but I have read very few that are set in Italy so have little knowledge of what it was like during that time in that country and whilst I know this is a work of fiction, I have no doubt that a lot of what is written about closely matched what it was like during that horrendous time.

I am not going to go into the ins and outs of the book but will say that it grabbed me from the start and didn't let go until the very end; I read it in a few days such was my need to find out what happened to Esti, Lili, Theo and others.  I was so invested in their story that time just flew.

This book is compelling, riveting, heart-breaking and full of tension but also hopeful and full of courage, resilience and the importance of friendship and trust and one that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Thanks to the author, Allison & Busby and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this excellent book.

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Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey

Description from Goodreads:

"What would you do if you thought your coworker was getting away with murder—literally?

Dolores dela Cruz has been dying to spot one in the wild, and he fits the mold: strangler gloves, calculated charm, dashing good looks that give a leg up in any field . . . including fields of unmarked graves.

The new office temp is definitely a serial killer.

Jake Ripper finds a welcome distraction in his combative and enigmatic new coworker. He hasn’t come across anyone as interesting as Dolores in a long time. But when mere curiosity evolves into a darkly romantic flirtation, Jake can’t help but wonder if, finally, he’s found someone who really sees him, skeletons in the closet and all.

Until Dolores asks Jake’s help to dispose of a body . . ."

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This is a book that has left me saying "ok ... what the heck was that?" but in a mainly positive way and, ultimately, I enjoyed it although it was a tad confusing.  I also don't usually do romances but this is a romance with a massive difference!

I'm not going to go into any of the plot but will just say that you need to keep your mind and brain open and switched on at all times.  It's full of dark humour, tension and great characters; Jack and Dolores are only what I can describe as being odd, strange, eccentric but great; in fact, as I said, the book is full of great characters - some easier to like than others!  

Very cleverly written and with twists, turns and moments where you scratch your head; I applaud Jane Posey for a unique and well written debut and thanks to her, Atlantic Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this intriguing book.

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The Serial Killer Support Group (Secret Vigilante, Book #1) by D B Stephens

Description from the Publisher:

"Justice will be served…

Therapy just got deadly

When Jess Pendle agrees to attend a support group to meet other women who have lived similar experiences, she doesn’t expect much.

The group has been set up for like-minded women to come together, but when their therapist leaves, they close the blinds and find a new, and altogether more deadly way to support each other…"

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I love a good serial killer book and I wasn't disappointed with this one.  This book deals with domestic violence, control and coercion so if this is a trigger, I would probably stay away.   

Despite moments where it is a little slow in pace,  "The Serial Killer Support Group" is a gripping and thought-provoking story of a group of resilient women, domestic violence survivors let down by the police, who find solace and support in their shared experiences. The story takes a dark turn as the mysterious Caretaker intervenes, seeking revenge on their abusers in rather graphic ways.

This is a powerful exploration of social injustice and the desire for revenge which, whilst the subject matter was difficult to read (but sadly all to familiar for thousands of women), I enjoyed it and was rooting for the women and the Caretaker.  The major twist wasn't a surprise for me but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of this book and I am eager to find out where the next one takes us.

Many thanks to the author, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the first book in a new series.

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The Gardeners' Club by Marnie Riches

 

Description from Goodreads:

"Gardening is dirty work – but should it be deadly?

When Gill Swanley decides to take up gardening to fight a midlife malaise, she never expected it to become quite such a dangerous hobby.

Pushing herself to 'get out there', Gill picks herself up the secateurs and joins the Bromley Botanists. Here she finds a seven-strong group whose main agenda is how to win the coveted Golden Trowel for best community club of the year.

But when a dead body turns up in the community greenhouse, they suddenly have more serious matters to consider than victory. They must uncover whether their arch-rivals, Croydon, are taking things to another level or whether someone more dangerous is targeting their rag tag group.

Can they dig up the truth before someone else is left pushing up the daisies?"

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Oh my word ... I can't put into adequate words how much I absolutely loved this book!  I absolutely devoured it in quick time such was the quality of the story I was reading.

I'm not going to go into the story line as the blurb says it all but what I will say is that it's full of fantastic characters each of which are unique and 'special' in their own way but, equally, they could be your neighbour, work colleague or family member such is their relateability and how well they have been written and developed.

The story is much more than a cosy, murder-mystery; it's about life and everything that is thrown at us and gardening of course!  I cannot rate this book highly enough and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Many thanks to the author, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this excellent book.  This is the first in a new series and I can't wait for the next instalment to find out what is in store for The Bromley Botanists' Golden Trowel gardeners' club.

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The Great Decay by Steven Jenkins

 

Description from Goodreads:

"Like so many towns and cities, the giant walls around Camberwood stand as silent reminders of humanity's darkest hour—The Great Decay: a zombie invasion that nearly wiped-out mankind.

For seventeen-year-old Ruby and her friends, these walls are nothing more than relics of a history they're too young to remember, monuments to their parents' trauma.

Ruby dreams of a better life away from this small, soul-crushing town. Away from her alcoholic mother who still grieves the loss of her husband.

But boredom suddenly lifts when Ruby and her friends discover what seems impossible: a lone, emaciated zombie, perhaps the last of its kind, trapped in an abandoned coal mine. The creature appears docile, almost pitiful—a living artifact begging to be studied. Against all reason, they keep it secret, drawn to this rotting piece of forbidden history.

But their dangerous game of friendship with the undead is about to shatter their safe, uneventful world.

As a new wave of infection erupts within Camberwood's walls, Ruby faces a devastating realization: she and her friends haven't just unearthed a scientific curiosity—they've unleashed the very nightmare the last generation barely survived.

As the shadows of the past rise again, Ruby must fight to prevent a second Great Decay—or watch everything she loves crumble into ruin."

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I do love a good Zombie story and this is one of them and another hit from an author I enjoy reading.

The Great Decay is everything you would expect in a zombie story and more; great characters, great setting, horror, humour, action, suspense and all written at a great pace with a satisfying ending.

Another cracker from Steven Jenkins ... if you haven't read anything by him before, you won't be disappointed if this is the first book of his you read.

Many thanks to the author for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this great book.

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The Tenacious Nurse Nichols by Eileen Yanoviak

 

Description from Goodreads:

"There is only one known image of Lucy Higgs Nichols, a Civil War nurse who escaped slavery. In this captivating photograph dated to 1898, the elderly Lucy is the sole female and the only person of color. She stands stately in the middle of a large group of war veterans at a reunion that she diligently attended every year. Some of these soldiers were from the Indiana 23rd Regiment, the men who fiercely advocated for her Civil War nurse's pension in the 1890s. 

Her story is remarkable—a journey from enslavement in Tennessee, to freedom and service among the ranks of the Union Army, and finally to independence and national recognition from the press, the Grand Army of the Republic, and even Congress.

Despite considerable obstacles and unimaginable pain, Lucy achieved notoriety, nobility, and self-sufficiency in a post-Civil War era that often denied black Americans and women justice and opportunity."

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This is an inspirational and amazing story of a former slave and how she came to be a nurse during the Civil War and her fight to receive a pension and all whilst having to deal with prejudice and the hardships of life for a Black person in 1800's America.

This is a very informative book that has clearly been well researched.  It's easy to read and flows well and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the American Civil War, Black history or those who enjoy opening their minds and learning about history.

Thanks to the author, The Globe Pequot Publishing Group, Inc. and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this informative book.

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The Webs You Weave by Shade Owens [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Kaden Catalina and Jay Parker 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"MEGHAN

My husband is a cheating bastard.

If it weren't for my daughter, I'd have gotten rid of him years ago. But I don't want my sweet Hazel growing up the way I did. So I've continued putting up with Cole's indiscretions. But this time around, Cole crosses a line that he can't come back from. And I'm going to teach him a lesson he'll never forget.

COLE

I love my wife dearly, but she needs some serious help.

Ever since her traumatic brain injury, she hasn't been the same. She's constantly accusing me of cheating on her. Yes, I've made mistakes, but that's in the past, and I've apologized for those. Now, I think she might even be following me to work. She's taking things too far. I don't know how much more of this I can handle. The only problem is, I'm afraid that if I try to leave her, she'll kill me."

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Ooooo ... the title of this book is absolutely perfect ... so many webs are woven in this gripping audiobook.

I have read one of Shade Owen's previous books, Death Row Games, and really enjoyed it so didn't want to miss the chance to grab another and I wasn't disappointed.

This audiobook is intriguing in that you have no idea which of the main characters you can trust - Meghan who is recovering after a brain injury or her husband Cole, you also have their daughter, Hazel, and a mystery 'diary entry' person.  This does sound a little confusing and whilst it could be if you were reading a physical book, this was not the case with the audiobook with the excellent narrators who brought the characters to life.

A great book that's full of tension, misdirection and red herrings and one that I am happy to recommend.  Many thanks to the author, Red Raven Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this book.

 

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In the Footsteps of the Holocaust by Ainslie Hepburn

 

Description from the Publisher: 

"This is a story of 'ordinary' people – ordinary people who were caught up in the cataclysm of events in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. A discovery of letters that had been carefully kept for decades since that time led to the uncovering of a family story that took the author on a journey in the footsteps of her husband's grandparents through Germany, Belgium, and France.

Hermann Hartog (1887–1942) was a Jewish teacher in the north-west of Germany at a time of increasing anti-Semitism. He and his wife, Henny (1897–1942) recognised that Germany was becoming an unsafe place for Jews and sent their daughters to England for safety. As a leader of his community, Hermann stayed for as long as he could.

After 'Kristallnacht' in November 1938, Hermann was arrested with other Jewish men and sent to the concentration camp at Sachsenhausen. He was later released on condition that he would leave the country. Hermann and Henny fled Germany for Brussels, but when Belgium was invaded in 1940 they were sent to Paris, and then found refuge in a village in the south-west of France. Here, 'ordinary' people gave them shelter, work and friendship – and shared their lives during the dark days of 1941 and 1942.

When French police – acting on the orders of the Vichy government and the Nazi occupiers of France – arrested Hermann and Henny, it was part of a round-up of Jews to deport them for extermination. After a long journey, they were murdered in Auschwitz in September 1942.

An active memory of the Hartog family lives on. In France and Germany, 'ordinary' people remember their names, commemorate their legacy, and work to build communities where tolerance, acceptance, and friendship can thrive."

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This is clearly a well researched book that sheds light on an area of this horrendous period in our history that I was not fully aware of.  

We follow the story of the Hartog family which has been pieced together following the discovery of letters and postcards sent during that time.  Henny and Hermann had to make the difficult decision to send their daughters to England and then try and survive all that was happening around them whilst trying to make arrangements to leave.  I admit to struggling to understand why other countries wouldn't accept people trying to flee especially when they had an inkling of what was going on!  I don't know how they could live with themselves knowing that they could have saved so many people once the full horror or what happened came to light.  However, what came through strongly was that there were many people who were kind and went out of their way to support the Jewish refugees despite having very little themselves and at great risk and whilst it didn't save Henny and Hermann, it did make a huge difference to them.

This is a book that needs to be read by everyone if only so that we don't repeat what happened and that we continue to remember the names of those who didn't survive.

Thanks to the author, Pen & Sword and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts on this powerful book.

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The Secret Room (Maeve Kerrigan #12) by Jane Casey

 

Description from Publisher:

"A closed door.

An impossible murder.

2:32 p.m. Wealthy, privileged Ilaria Cavendish checks into a luxury London hotel and orders a bottle of champagne. Within the hour, her lover discovers her submerged in a bath of scalding water, dead.

At first glance it looks like an accident. No one went in with her. No one came out. But all the signs point to murder.

For DS Maeve Kerrigan, the case is a welcome distraction. But when shock news hits close to home, affecting her partner, DI Josh Derwent, she faces the toughest challenge of her career. And if she fails her world will never be the same again…"

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Yet another cracker from Jane Casey in her excellent Maeve Kerrigan series that never gets stale and I absolutely devoured it.  I find myself sounding like a broken record in that I haven't got enough different words to describe how much I enjoyed it and despite it being the 12th in the series, it continues to feel fresh with the partnership of Maeve and Josh being a particular highlight of mine and one which I absolutely adore.  

I definitely recommend you read at least a few of the previous books before getting into this one, you won't be disappointed, but I think it's essential to get the character development and the important relationships in this series.

This is yet another gripping read and kept my grubby little eyes reading as fast as they possibly could.  At the end of the book, Jane asks to keep from mentioning any spoilers so I will keep schtum and say nothing about the plot or anything else but I will highly recommend this and the whole of the series ... believe me you will become as hooked as me! 

Thank you to the author, HarperCollinsUK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this excellent addition to a brilliant series ... roll on the next one.

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The Rest is Death (DCI Tony McLean #14) by James Oswald

Description from Goodreads:

" A macabre ancient artefact. An innovative biotech company connected to the highest levels of government. And the trail of bloodshed in its wake.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony McLean is called to investigate a break-in at Drake BioTech, a trendsetting Edinburgh start-up. It's well below McLean's pay grade, but given the extensive political connections of its eccentric owner Nathaniel Drake, he doesn't have a choice. Even if nothing appears to have been stolen.

A missing person case turns complicated for DI Janie Harrison when a body is found half-buried in woods outside the city. The missing man shows no signs of trauma, the cause of his death a mystery. But when another man - linked to the break-in - is discovered dead in similarly mysterious circumstances, the police suspect there may be some connection between the two.

McLean is convinced the answer lies with the strange ancient artefact clutched in the second dead man's hands. But when the two bodies are stolen from the mortuary, and the artefact goes missing from evidence, the race is on to prevent yet more death."

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This is the 14th instalment in the DCI McLean series and I have read quite a number of them but it can be successfully read as a standalone although I would recommend you delve into previous books to get the backstories of the main characters and an understanding of the nuances of their individual stories.

Once again, this book has the usual brilliant characters, great plot with all the twists and turns you would expect and with a touch of the supernatural thrown in to make this more than the usual police procedural that all blends together seamlessly to give an engaging read.  I admit that it didn't grab me as much as his previous books and it took me a bit longer to read than it normally would because of this, but I enjoyed it nevertheless and would recommend.

Thank you to the author, Headline, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book and I look forward to the next instalment.

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Judy Tudor is Not a Psychopath by Jennifer Holdich [Audiobook]

 🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Clare Corbett 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath.

Julie Tudor is 49 and has it a fantastic job (well-maintained spreadsheets are the lynchpin of an efficient office), a beautiful house (some may wonder how she got the money for it, but nothing has been proved) and the man of her dreams.

Julie Tudor is Not a Stalker.

Sean is 25 and the love of Julie's life. The only problem is, he thinks he's in love with someone else.

And Julie Tudor is definitely, definitely not a serial killer.

But Julie has found herself in a similar situation before. And if there's one thing Julie knows, it's how to get rid of the competition...

After all, what's a little murder in the name of true love?"

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Judy Tudor is most definitely a psychopath!!

Well that was a really fun but dark book to listen to.  The entire book is told from Judy's point of view which gave a disturbing insight into her warped and unhinged mind and completely at odds with the majority of the population.   

Judy is a great character made all the better by the fantastic narration by Clare Corbett; she was perfect and really brought her to life and, to be honest, I don't think I would have enjoyed it quite as much if I had read the physical book.

What a fantastic debut this is and definitely recommended to those of you who enjoy dark stories that make you laugh out loud, cringe and gasp.  This audiobook isn't released until 05-June-2025; I would definitely recommend you pre-order it.

Thanks to the author, Hodder & Stoughton Audio and NetGalley for enable me to listen to and share my thoughts of this excellent book.

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