Murder on Line One by Jeremy Vine [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙Narrated by Jeremy Vine🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"The first in a brand new murder mystery series now!

There's a killer on the airwaves … and they're calling for you.

Darkness looms over sunny Sidmouth, when an unsolved murder comes to the attention of late-night radio talk show host Edward Temmis.

Recently sacked from his beloved job after a devastating tragedy, Edward is cast adrift – until he meets Stevie, whose grandmother, a devoted listener, died in a suspicious fire last year. Well, nobody hurts his listeners and helping Stevie might just give him the purpose he needs.

Joined by his old fling, Kim, they discover Stevie's grandmother wasn't the only one of his listeners targeted – this is just the tip of the iceberg.

But who is pursuing his ageing audience and why? And can Edward, Stevie and Kim get to the bottom of this mystery before it’s too late?"

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Unfortunately, this was a 'did not finish' book for me. I just couldn't get on with Jeremy Vine's voice as the narrator - I found him stilted and didn't project the characters very well. I don't mind listening to him on the radio but he shouldn't have narrated this book which ruined it for me. As a consequence, I couldn't get into the story or the characters so had to stop listening.

Unless the narrator is changed, I will not be following this series but thank you to the author, HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this book.

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The Train That Took You Away by Catherine Hokin [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Sarah Durham 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"Berlin, 1938. I wipe the tears streaming down my darling son’s face, my heart shattering into a million pieces. “I promise I will find you, my love. No matter what…”

Ever since the Nazis came to power, violence has spread through the city Esther Spielmann once called home. Each night she prays her family will be spared. But when her husband and father are murdered alongside fellow Jews during Kristallnacht, she has no choice but to send her beloved son, Sascha, to safety.

Esther’s heart breaks as she watches his thin legs trembling in the cold as he is ushered with the other crying children towards the Kindertransport. As the train leaves in a cloud of smoke, she thinks of the painting of the two of them hanging in their house. In it, they are tightly embracing and laughing, everything just as it should be. She vows that she will hold him like this once again. But has Esther made a promise she can’t possibly keep?"

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This is a heartbreaking but powerful story of the intertwined stories of Esther, a Jewish mother, and Amalie, an art conservator.  

Esther Spielman, loses her family and sends her son away during Nazi occupation; she has to fight for survival in the hope that she will be reunited with her son.   Amalie, driven to protect art from Nazi looters, remains in Berlin, going against her family's pleading to return home to England; her experiences there fuel her continued fight for justice when she is forced back home.

I'm not going to go any further into the story but will say that it had me riveted from the very beginning with the narration of Sarah Durham being second to none and really bringing each of the various characters to life.

Highly recommended for people who enjoy reading books from this time period and many thanks to the author, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this excellent audiobook.

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Making a Killing (DI Fawley #7) by Cara Hunter

Description from Goodreads:

"When Nick Vincent, producer of true-crime show Infamous, hears about an explosive new angle on a high-profile case—the 2016 murder of an eight-year-old girl in Oxford—he leaps at the chance to send a researcher to verify the claims.

Two months later, a dog walker discovers a woman’s body, bound and buried in a shallow grave in the woods. Forensic evidence links the corpse to the disappearance of that same child.

DCI Adam Fawley, the original investigating officer, is called in to run the enquiry. And he remembers the case well—he arrested the child’s mother for murder. A murder he now knows she didn’t commit.

The investigation raises more questions than answers. What connects the two crimes? Where has the dead girl been all these years? How did she manage to disappear? For Adam Fawley, this is personal..."

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This is a follow-on from Book One of the series, Close to Home, however, you don't have to have read it as the author provides enough of the back story to get you up to speed.  Also, whilst this is the seventh in the series, you don't have to have read any of the others however, I would recommend it as you are missing a treat.

What we have is an enthralling and intriguing read told from the perspective of various characters in the book.  Once again, Cara Hunter uses different media to give the story more relevance however, the articles reproduced did not work well on my Kindle.  This may have been because I received an advance copy but is something to be aware of.

The story is a bit of a slow-ish burn to start with but you become totally engrossed in the story as it's told and it becomes faster paced the more you get into it and totally gripping by the end.

Highly recommended to lovers of police procedurals with twists and turns that keep you guessing ... roll on number 8!  Many thanks to the author, HarperCollinsUK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this enthralling book.

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Evil Families: A History of Bad Blood by Martin Knight [Audiobook]

 

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Maya Grant 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"Is it true that the apple never falls far from the tree?

Throughout history, you see examples where criminality seems to run in the family. From the Ptolemaic dynasty that terrorized Greek Egypt to the modern mafia, familial ties often dictate your relationship to violence, cruelty and the law.  Evil Families examines just this, using case studies from across history. These include the Qing Dynasty of Ancient China, the cannibalistic Beane family in 15th century Scotland, the Stafflebacks of Kansas and the Messina brothers of London's West End. This book is about murder, madness, lust and ruthless ambition, as well as those devastating cases where family members gang up and cause harm other relatives.

Everyone strives to protect their own family, but what cruelties are concealed by these bonds of blood?"

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A very interesting but shocking and disturbing look at evil and depraved families from Ancient Rome to more recent times. 

It is clear that the author has done an awful lot of research and it must have taken ages to write; it is full of facts and information from some crimes I haven't heard of before, and I have read and watched a lot of true crime, and new information from crimes I have some knowledge of which was very interesting and enlightening.  It never ceases to amaze me how evil some people can be to their fellow human beings.

I applaud the narrator for her professionalism whilst reading some of the most heinous crimes over the years however, it was a bit monotone and without any feeling at all which detracted from the book somewhat but I definitely recommend the audiobook as I would imagine the physical book would be very dry.  I listened to it in the car in short bursts so this kept my interest.

Overall, an interesting book for people who enjoy reading about true crime but beware, there are some horrendous stories.  Many thanks to the author, Arcturus Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this disturbing but enlightening book.

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The Promise She Made by Julie Hartley

 

Description from Goodreads:

"As our ship starts to sink, I see flares lighting up the midnight sky. ‘Hold on tight. I will keep you safe. I promise,’ I say to my terrified little sister as I hold back my tears. But I know I can’t hold on for much longer and as she slips away, my heart breaks. Will I ever see her again?

York, 1942. On the night of the Blitz, Ruby returns to her beloved hometown with her heart shattered. She couldn’t keep the one promise she made to her dying mother, to keep her little sister Eliza safe from harm. The Germans have taken everything from her – her family, her fiancé Antoine, and now, her home. When she finds her family home destroyed, she falls to her knees in tears. Among the ruins of her life, she wonders if she has the strength to carry on. But then, she finds a mysterious note which gives her a flicker of hope.

Eliza is alive. I’ve seen her. You must find her…

Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Ruby joins the Special Operations Executive keen to defend all that she has left and fight against the Nazis. Whilst there, she is tearfully reunited with Antoine, who believes he may know what happened to Eliza that dark night on the ocean. Can they reignite their love after all the loss they’ve suffered, and will Ruby ever see her little sister again?"

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This is a compelling and emotional roller-coaster WWII fiction book that had me completely hooked.

The book follows the story of Ruby, a young woman from Yorkshire who has seen her fill of tragedy even before she gets out of her teens.  Ruby promised her mum that she would look after her little sister so when war breaks out, she seizes the chance to get her sister on a transport to Canada where she will be safe but to do this, she has to go against her family and the love of her life.  Little does she know, that more tragedy is to hit which compounds Ruby's feelings of guilt.

Existing rather than living, Ruby vows revenge and so begins the next chapter of her life but will treachery, misogyny and people from her past get in her way and will Ruby and those she love survive?  

With excellent, strong characters, a riveting story line written at a good pace, this is an excellent read that I thoroughly enjoyed and one which I would recommend to others who enjoy this genre. 

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this emotional roller-coaster.

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The Perfect Mother by Claire Allan

 

Description from Goodreads:

"All I wanted was to help women become mothers. When I met Alice Monroe, we instantly connected. She was as passionate about motherhood as I was, and I couldn't wait to support her through this life-changing experience.

But the day that should have been Alice’s happiest, turned into a nightmare. And after Alice’s dreams were shattered, she blamed me. Even though there was nothing I could have done, she wanted to ruin me. I lost my business, my reputation. My world fell apart.

Then, I discovered I was pregnant. That’s why we moved hundreds of miles away to the remote Derry countryside. Now, with this beautiful baby, we can have a fresh start.

But then Alice sends me a message. She knows where we are. And I realise, it doesn’t matter how far we’ve moved, I am not safe from her. My baby is not safe.

She would have been the perfect mother. But if she can’t have her happy family, she's not going to let me have mine."

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I have read and thoroughly enjoyed a couple of Claire Allan's previous books so didn't want to give up a chance to read her next outing and I wasn't disappointed.

Whilst this was a difficult book to read due to the subject matter of death in childbirth/stillbirth, it was still a riveting read that I was totally invested in.  The characters are great and whilst the pace dropped off in the middle and became a little repetitive, it kept me reading so I finished it in double-quick time.  I enjoyed the twists which I didn't see coming but the ending was a little disappointing and left some questions unanswered.

Overall though, a good quick read that is perfect to dive into on these dark, winter nights when there is little on the tv!  Many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this difficult to read but riveting book.

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I Bet You'd Look Good in a Coffin (Kitty Collins #2) by Katy Brent

 

Description from Goodreads:

"My name is Kitty Collins and I’m a serial killer.

I don’t want to kill. It’s just so hard to resist. Some men really, really deserve it.

Men like Blaze Bundy, an anonymous influencer spreading misogyny online. He’s making it very hard for me to control my murderous urges.

Meanwhile I’m in the South of France to watch my mother marry a man I’ve never met. I should be drinking cocktails and focusing on my tan, not plotting a murder.

But a woman’s work is never done. Surely one more teensy little kill wouldn’t hurt, would it?"

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I have read and listened to a couple of Katy Brent's books and thoroughly enjoyed them so I certainly wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to read the latest outing of Kitty Collins and I am so pleased I didn't because, once again, Katy Brent has produced an outrageously funny, wicked and addictive story which, whilst implausible, is great fun to read.

This is the second in the series and whilst it does work as a standalone, it works so much better having read the first, How to Kill Men and Get Away with It - it will make so much more sense.

I loved everything about this book ... the story, the characters, the twists, the pace ... everything.  Kitty is a very flawed character but she is written in such a way that you can't help rooting for her; she does and says things that I don't agree with absolutely however, it doesn't stop me rooting for her and wanting a happy ending.

Full of dark humour, wit and misogynistic men getting their comeuppance, this is a book that I highly recommend and it most definitely is a 5 star read for me.  Katy Brent can't write the next one fast enough for my liking!!!

Many thanks to the author, HQ and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the latest in the Kitty Collins series and I can't wait for the next.

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Daughters of the Fatherland by Jericho J Johnson [Audiobook]

 🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Alyona Popova 🎙🎙🎙

Description from NetGalley:

"In this griping true-to-life historical novel, Berlin-born Rosa is abandoned as a baby during the height of Germany’s Great Depression but rescued by an elderly couple in a passing Gypsy caravan. Ten years later, on the brink of World War II, Rosa is the unwitting cause of her adoptive Romani family being incarcerated: Rosa and her mother are sent to the Women’s Gypsy Concentration Camp in Austria, while her father is sent to the Men’s Gypsy Camp in Berlin. The women’s camp despises her rebellious spirit, so Rosa vows to escape to rescue her beloved father. However, before she can enact her escape plan, Rosa and thirty other Romani children are conscripted to appear in Nazi Director Leni Riefenstahl’s ill-fated movie about a Gypsy Queen, Tiefland.

Daughters of the Fatherland highlights the plight of the children during World War II with a special focus on the Romani Holocaust, Porajmos (devouring or destruction). Wars tear families apart, with children being left to fend for themselves in a chaotic world. During war, the conflict between and within nations can result in the loss of humanity; however, in Rosa’s case, love and peace ultimately restore her community allowing personal redemption for Rosa." 

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I have read quite a lot of fiction and non-fiction books that are set and about this era of history but very few focus on the Romani and their experiences so felt this would provide some information given it is billed as "true-to-life" and whilst I'm sure there are aspects that are just that, it just left me feeling a bit like the author was trying to put too much into it to cover all bases which resulted in it becoming OTT.

It's not a bad book but it's not the best I've ever read or listened to.  The narrator was good and I think she managed all the characters well.  

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this book.

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Your Child Next by M.J. Arlidge and Andy Maslen

Description from Goodreads:

"THEY'VE FAKED YOUR CHILD'S DEATH. AND IF YOU DON'T GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT, THEY'LL MAKE IT A REALITY.

Things have been difficult for Annie since her husband left; her teenage daughter, Isla, has become a ghost of her former self. Annie's terrified that Isla might do something desperate, and she'll lose her, too. So when Annie receives a video of herself crying at Isla's funeral, her blood runs cold.

Confused and horrified, Annie races upstairs to check on Isla, who is alive and well. The video has been faked. But who sent it and what do they want?

One dark truth soon becomes clear: Annie is the latest in a string of parents being blackmailed, and Isla will be killed if Annie goes to the police or if she fails to give the sender what they want. Annie has a deadly choice: comply with the demands, or try to unmask the dangerous criminal."

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I admit to being a fan of Mr Arlidge's work both on his own and when co-writing books with other authors and this is another to add to the ever growing books that I have enjoyed.

With excellent characters and an intriguing story line, this is a gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller that pulled me in from the start and didn't let go until I had swiped the last page.  An excellent story with twists and turns that worked well. 

As well as being a cracking read, this book also makes you think how much information is shared online with not a thought from most but if this book doesn't make you go and check your settings or stop and think before you post, nothing will!

Highly recommended and thanks to the authors, Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this thrilling book.

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Family Doctor by J.M. Dalgliesh

 

Description from Goodreads:

"I have three days to kill a patient. If I fail, my daughter will die…

As the only doctor on a stunning remote Scottish island, I finally feel safe and happy. Here, nobody knows about my troubled past except my teenage daughter Lauren. As a single mother, it’s just the two of us now, and Lauren is my world.

Caring for every person on the island from birth to death, I know all their fears and secrets. But they don’t know mine, and for the sake of my daughter, I must keep it that way…

Everything is going perfectly until I am sent a link to a live video stream of my beautiful daughter Lauren, her wide blue eyes terrified. And there’s a voice:

‘Three rules. Three days.

You must murder one of your patients.

You must not tell another soul.

You must not get caught.

If you fail, your daughter dies…’"

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I haven't read anything by this author before but if this is an example of his work, it won't be my last.  Family Doctor was a great psychological thriller that I enjoyed.

With great characters, an excellent story that I quickly became immersed in and with some great tension-filled scenes, this is a book that I found hard to put down.  It was written at a fast pace and the location of a remote Scottish Island really provided a sense of isolation and claustrophobia that fitted really well with the story.  

Written at a good pace and with some great twists, this book questions how far you would go to protect your flesh and blood and I would recommend it to those who enjoy a fast-paced thriller.

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

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A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Georgia Tennant and Kyle Soller 🎙🎙🎙 

Description from Goodreads:

"The couple that kills together stays together...

Hazel and Fox are an ordinary married couple with a baby. Except for one small thing, they're ex-serial killers.

They had it all. An enviable London lifestyle, five-star travels, and plenty of bad men to kill. Not many power couples know how to get away with murder.

Then Hazel fell pregnant and they gave it all up for life in the suburbs; dinner parties instead of body disposal.

But recently Hazel has started to feel that itch again. When she kills someone behind Fox's back and brings the police to their door, she must do anything she can to protect her family.

This could save their marriage - unless it kills them first."

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This was totally unexpected and not what I thought it was going to be but I totally loved it!  What a ride and one that I would very much like to get back on and have another go.  Would I have felt the same had I read the physical book rather than listened to the audio version? I don't know but I actually think the brilliance of the narrators made this book more enjoyable; they were excellent.

From the very first words, I was hooked; I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved the pacing, I loved the sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek moments ... actually, I loved everything about it and made every excuse to listen to it.  It certainly made my Christmas Day preparations more enjoyable especially peeling the sprouts!!!

Absolutely recommended especially the audio-book and I look forward to reading/listening to more of this author in the future and so much thanks go to her, Headline Audio, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this really enjoyable book.

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Murder for Busy People (Max Wolfe #7) by Tony Parsons

 

Description from Goodreads:

"Emma Moon is out.

She's served nine years hard time for an armed robbery that killed two men and enriched many more.

But Emma’s never talked; she's never revealed who was with her on the day of the robbery or who killed both men. And she's never given up the money.

And now she's free. But everything has her family; her share of the money and her faithless loser of a husband.

So now Emma Moon is in a hurry. Because it's payback time and, after nine years inside, she has friends and she has disciples - people who will do anything for her.

As the bodies of the innocent and the guilty pile up, one detective stands between a career criminal and her quest for revenge.

Max Wolfe, single parent of a teenage daughter, a fiercely independent detective who owes nothing to anyone and who has own very particular form of justice ..."

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I have read and enjoyed quite a number of books written by Tony Parsons both from this series and his standalone ones but I am really unhappy to say that this fell a bit flat for me unfortunately.

I love the character of Max Wolfe, his relationship with his daughter, dog and colleagues and I love the style of Tony's writing but this just didn't seem to have the thrill or tension that I was expecting nor did it have me gripped like his books usually do.

Whilst the main story was intriguing and had me guessing, there were times when I felt it was quite repetitive and, I'm sad to say, boring.  I did however finish it and it certainly won't put me off reading Tony Parson's work in the future or more in the Max Wolfe series as I am rarely disappointed.

I may be in the minority here if other reviews are to go by so don't take my word for it and give it a go and I must thank the author, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the latest outing for Max Wolfe.

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