Short hiatus

I am having to take a break from reviewing as I've broken my arm and can only type one handed and it's taking forever!  So only doing short reviews on Goodreads and NetGalley for now but I will return.

The Lucky Winners by K.L. Slater

Description from Goodreads:

"You’ve won the house of your dreams. It’s about to become a nightmare…

When Merri and Dev buy a ticket on the last day of a national draw to win the house of their dreams, they never, in a million years, expect to win.

Less than a week later, they’re receiving the keys to their new Lake District mansion.

For Dev, it’s a dream come true – no more stressful rent negotiations, or waiting for the landlord to finally fix the damp. Of course he’s delighted to be interviewed about their good luck.

But Merri feels a little uneasy. Dev doesn’t realise there’s a reason she’s never wanted to put down roots, always trying to run away from the memories of what happened the day her little sister died.

At first it’s easy to think she’s imagining the shadowy figures in the lakefront garden. It’s silly to think that someone is watching her through the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

And then a body is found in the lake. And Merri’s new perfect life is about to come crashing down…"

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As a long-time reader of K.L. Slater, I've yet to be let down by one of her thrillers and this one was no exception. 

The plot focuses on Merri and Dev, a couple struggling to make ends meet in their rented semi in Nottingham. A lottery ticket changes everything, landing them their dream house and a huge bank balance. They quit their jobs and move into their new home but soon find that their luck may have run out. As things start to go wrong, they are forced to wonder how lucky they really are.

With well-developed characters (some more likeable than others!), short, punchy chapters and plenty of tension, this is a great thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to the author, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this great thriller.

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The Final Vow (Washington Poe #7) by M.W. Craven

Description from Goodreads:

"An invisible killer with a 100% success rate. No one is safe. Not even those closest to Washington Poe . . .

A shooting at Gretna Green. A bride is murdered on her wedding day, seconds after she slips on her new ring. It's brutal and bloody but she isn't the first victim and she won't be the last. With the body count now at 17, people are terrified, not knowing where the sniper will strike next.

With the nation in a state of panic, the police are at a loss and turn to Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw - the only team who just might be able to track down a serial killer following no discernible pattern and with the whole country as his personal hunting ground. Can Poe and Tilly stop an unstoppable assassin, who never misses his mark and never makes a mistake? Or will he find them before they find him..."

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Mr Craven certainly knows how to pull you in and keep you there until the end; that has got to be the best start to a book I have read and I would have read this in one sitting had it not been for work getting in the way!  What a book!

Yes, this is the seventh in the series and yes, they keep getting better and better and yes, this works as a standalone but the impact is likely to be less if you haven't read any of the others so I would urge you to seek them out and get reading however, make sure you don't have a life for a few weeks as you won't want to put them down!

There are going to be no spoilers from me about the plot or any of the events that happen in the book but what I will say is that it's just brilliant 😊  The pace is fast, the tension is palpable, there's humour (some of it black) that made me laugh out loud, it's emotional and, at times, I found myself holding my breath and reading so fast my brain couldn't keep up with my eyes.  The cast of characters is just excellent; Washington is a breath of fresh air, he is a bit grumpy but likeable nonetheless and someone you definitely want to be on your side.  I absolutely adore Tilly; she's sweet and innocent but tells it like it is with no holds barred - I need her in my life and would love her to spend just one day in my office - oh the carnage! 

Well you've probably already guessed that I enjoyed this book but just in case I haven't been clear ... it is absolutely brilliant and is one of those books/series that you tell people to read because it's that good.

Thank you so much to the author, Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this brilliant (have I already said that once or twice?!?) book and I can't wait to see what the future holds for Washington and Poe.

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Kill Code (Wolf Six #2) by Alex Shaw

Description from Goodreads:

"Taking a life isn't hard, when you've already given your own.

Ruslan Akulov, the legendary Ukrainian assassin known as Wolf Six, wakes to find the plane he’s on plummeting, and with no real memory of how he got there…

Surviving the crash, only to be detained by a small-town sheriff and accused of two murders, that for once he didn’t commit, Akulov must piece together the fragments of his concussed memory to understand how his last mission in Canada as a black asset for the CIA went so catastrophically wrong.

Yet far darker forces are hunting him. A growing number of relentless adversaries including Triads baying for his blood, and the mysterious organisation known only as the ‘Syndicate’, determined to keep the truth buried.

With danger closing in, Akulov is alone on a sea of deceit and betrayal, and when Martin Basson, Akulov’s former colleague turned nemesis, enters the fray, Wolf Six is forced to fight his darkest fears, and the trained French assassin hell bent on destroying him."

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I haven't read anything by Alex Shaw before and am disappointed that I didn't read the first in this series, Wolf Six, but that in no way affected how much I enjoyed this, the second in the series which I loved.

I admit to struggling to get into it at first due to the chopping and changing of time lines however, once I overcame that and got used to the writing style, I was on the edge of my seat ... it's engaging, exciting, thrilling, fast-paced and totally entertaining.  Ruslan Akulov (aka Wolf Six) is a brilliant character and I was completely drawn into his story and can't wait to read the next instalment.

If you like Jason Bourne, you will love this and with plenty of action, violence and scenes of peril; this is a book that didn't disappoint.

Many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this action-packed book.

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Kill Them With Kindness by Will Carver [Audiobook]

Description from Goodreads:

"The threat of nuclear war is no longer scary. This is much worse. It's invisible. It works quickly. And it's coming.

The scourge has already infected and killed half the population in China and it is heading towards the UK. There is no time to escape. The British government sees no way out other than to distribute 'Dignity Pills' to its citizens – one last night with family or loved ones before going to sleep forever … together.

Dr Haruto Ikeda, a Japanese scientist working at a Chinese research facility, wants to save the world. He has discovered a way to mutate a virus. Instead of making people sick, instead of causing death, it's going to make them ... nice. Instead of attacking the lungs, it will work into the brain and increase the host's ability to feel and show compassion. It will make people kind.

But governments don't want a population in agreement. They want conflict and outrage and fear. Reasonable people are harder to control.

Ikeda's quest is thoughtful and noble, and it just might work. Maybe humanity can be saved. Maybe it doesn't have to be the end."

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I have listened to one of Mr Carver's previous audiobooks, Good Samaritans, and absolutely loved it, in fact it was one of the best audiobooks I had listened to in 2023 so when the chance came up to listen to another of his books, I jumped at the chance.  Alas, this just didn't do it for me this time.

The narration was ok but I just found the story very dry which came across in the narration unfortunately.  There seemed to be too many facts that made it feel more like a non-fiction book that was about a pandemic; conspiracy theories and all.  The chapters were short but the characters just didn't resonate with me in any way, shape or form.  

It's a shame because I like Mr Carver's work however, this one just didn't grab me at all and whilst I think I will be in the minority with this one, it will appeal to some.

I am disappointed I didn't enjoy this but it certainly won't put off looking out for more of Mr Carver's work and I must thank him, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this book.

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How to Slay at Christmas by Sarah Bonner

✴✴✴ Publication date 07-August-2025 ✴✴✴

Description from Goodreads:

"Jessica Williams loves the food, the drink, the fairy lights, the opportunities to take out all the miserable people who ruin the festive season for others. And what better cover for her murderous intentions than taking a job as Mrs Claus at the Ellsbury Christmas Market grotto? After all, who would possibly think Mrs Claus could stab a man through the eye with a Phillips-head screwdriver?

Fearne Dixon hates Christmas. As the long-suffering wife of the Ellsbury Christmas Market’s manager, she’s sick to the back teeth of it and it’s still only November. But then the bodies start piling up, an old rival arrives back in her life, and Fearne reaches breaking point.

When the lives of the two women collide, who will end up on the Naughty List?"

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I absolutely loved this book; yes it might be a little implausible but I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless and it's a great, deliciously dark and really quite amusing story.

It's got everything you could want ... murder, serial killer, strong female characters, cute animals, friendship, a bit of romance, drama, tension, dark humour and, of course, Christmas with all the trimmings.

It's well written, fast paced and a perfect quick read and, as I said, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys something a little different.

Thank you to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this festive book that's not just for Christmas 😊

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The Singer Behind the Wire by Shari J. Ryan [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Emma Powell 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"Auschwitz, 1943. Ella tries to ignore the coughs and crying, the whispered prayers. Her eyelids grow heavier, but then a melody floats though the block as if on a breeze. Her lips open on a gasp, joy making her heart sing even as it shatters. She would know that voice anywhere…

Sitting bolt upright, Ella rubs at her eyes and concentrates on the music. Is she dreaming? She’d fallen for Luka’s voice the first time she heard him singing on the street corner near her house, with his kind smile and joyous laugh. He was her first love, and the pain of being torn apart still slices at her.

He’s alive. But even as hope swells in Ella’s heart, terror threatens to swallow it. Luka is Jewish. If he’s here, he’s in grave danger—even more than Ella faces for sneaking into the ghetto to see him back in Warsaw… But she will never regret it. They had fought every day for their love, even knowing where it might lead…

Despair tears at Ella as she battles to find the strength to keep going, to search for Luka even on the days when the bitter cold whips through the camp—the days when her body feels weaker than ever and her friends are lost to the cruel regime. At night, she listens desperately for the sound of Luka’s voice as he’s forced to perform. Knowing he’s still alive even if she can’t see him is the one thing that brings her peace.

Until one night when, as his first haunting notes reach her bunk, an angry shout splits the night sky, the music stops, and there is only resounding, terrifying silence…"

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This is another great book from an author I enjoy reading and listening to and the narration only makes it better.  

Set in Poland during World War 2, Luka is Jewish and a talented singer but social gatherings have been banned so when a group of soldiers try to break up and arrest those listening to him sing, Ella, whose Polish, goes out of her way and risks her own life to rescue Luka from inevitable arrest and so begins their remarkable story.

Emotional, heart-breaking, heart-warming, tense, horrifying, gripping and totally engaging and enthralling ... these are just a few of the superlatives I can use to describe this book.

The characters feel authentic and believable and I was completely transported into their lives and was totally invested in them and whilst this is a work of fiction, I have read many non-fiction books relating to similar subject matter and a lot of the experiences that Luka and Ella endured, are a good representation of what  'real people' went through during that horrific time.

If you enjoy historical fiction, I would highly recommend this book and many thanks to the author, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this emotional story.

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No Safe Place (Detective Liz Field #1) by Hannah Brennan

Description from Goodreads:

"There’s no one more deadly than the killer you know.

A man is found brutally stabbed and left for dead.

A young woman is killed in a frenzied attack in the middle of the night on a quiet residential road.

Detective Liz Field is brought in to lead the investigation. The first victim was a well-respected child psychologist. The second victim was once his patient. But that was fifteen years ago. Why is someone targeting them now?

Field is under pressure not just from the top. There are those who would happily see her fail if it means they can take her place. Something about this case feels too close to home.

And the killer is escalating.

Field is in a race against time to solve the case and confront her own buried past – before the they strike again."

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What a great debut and with this being the first in a series, there is more to come.

A child psychologist is murdered and the first page from a study he did 15 years ago was found with his body.  Why?  When the body of one of his patients from that study is found with another page from the original study also being found at the scene, Detective Field has an intriguing case on her hands and one that she must solve before there's another victim but is the murderer one of the study subjects or is it someone unconnected but he is a respected psychologist so why?

Full of great characters, twists and turns and all written at a good pace, this is a really good thriller but what makes this stand out for me is the way the author incorporated the mental health condition of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).   I have some knowledge of this condition from my work and I felt the author dealt with it with compassion and whilst she revealed her own diagnosis at the end, there has clearly been a lot of research undertaken.  This added another layer to the story.

No Safe Place is a great start to a new series and I am very much looking forward to the next in the series and many thanks to the author, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read this excellent debut.

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The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards

✴✴✴ Publication date 31-July-2025 ✴✴✴

Description from Goodreads:

"Summer 1999. Will joins five other idealistic graduates working for an eccentric psychology professor. They’re going to launch a website to change online dating forever.

No-one expects it to end in tragedy.

Twenty-five years later, Will gets an invitation: a dinner party. A chance to see the old gang again.

But as soon as he arrives, something doesn’t seem right.

There’s an unexpected guest. The hosts are clearly keeping a secret. And on the way in, Will is sure he heard crying.

Everyone has something to hide about what really happened that summer.

But only one of them is willing to kill to find the truth…"

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This intriguing story is set now and in 1999.  In 1999, six graduates were working with an eccentric professor on a project for a new dating website. Fast forward 25 years and the professor has passed away.  To commemorate this, two of the graduates decide to reunite the six at a dinner party.

From the start, there is definitely an unsettling vibe. One guest hears what sounds like crying upon arrival, then catches glimpses and sounds of someone moving around just out of sight and who is the stranger that says they are connected to the professor but his story just doesn't add up. The hosts are noticeably cagey, which only adds to the tension. Things escalate, turning violent, and suddenly, everyone's fighting for their lives. It all points back to a secret from 1999 when the project was shut down suddenly but what is it and who holds it?

Whilst I enjoyed it by the end, it was a slow burn for me and it took a while for me to get into it.  I liked the twists, the characters were interesting and well developed and the story was complex and intriguing and whilst it pushed the boundaries of plausibility at times, I still enjoyed it.

I haven't read anything by Mark Edwards before but I enjoyed his writing style and the complex story he created so will look out for more from him in the future.

Many thanks to the author, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this intriguing book.

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Two Kinds of Stranger (Eddie Flynn #9) by Steve Cavanagh

🌟🌟🌟 Publication date 31-July-2025 🌟🌟🌟

Description from Goodreads:

"SHE HELPED A PERFECT A STRANGER. SHE DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS THE PERFECT KILLER...

Ellie Parker had everything.

Perfect husband. Perfect apartment. Perfect friends and the perfect job.

As an internet celebrity - famed for her random acts of kindness - everyone knew it.

So when a betrayal causes her to lose it all, millions of people are watching.

But even at her lowest, Ellie will always help someone in need.

Which makes her the perfect target for a sadistic game.

Because as she soon learns, you can never trust a stranger - and a seemingly random encounter plunges her into a nightmare worse than she ever imagined.

The only person she can turn to is conman turned trial lawyer Eddie Flynn, who must take on a case where nothing is what it seems. With the most cruelly ingenious mind manipulating events from the shadows, everyone is in danger - including Eddie and his family."

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Wow ... just wow!!!  One of the best books I've read this year and one I can't recommend highly enough and even though this is number 9 in the series, don't let that put you off because you can absolutely read and enjoy this delight as a standalone but I would recommend you go back and read the rest, you won't be disappointed.

I am a fan of Mr Cavanagh's incarnation of Eddie Flynn having read a few of his previous outings but, I have to say, this is the best one I have read so far - an absolute peach of a story that had me on tenterhooks and devouring the pages as quick as my little eyes could manage.

With excellent characters, fantastic story and side story, perfect pace, the right amount of twists and thrills, I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who loves a great thriller.

What are you waiting for?  Go get it!

Thanks to the author, Headline and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, a fantastic addition to this brilliant series.

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The Hanging Dolls (Zoe Storm #1) by Ruhi Choudhary

✴✴ Publication date:  30-July-2025 ✴✴

Description from Goodreads:

"The little girl’s body rests gently against the trunk of an old fir tree, her small hands laid delicately in her lap. From the day she became a Special Agent, Zoe Storm vowed to seek justice for the innocent. And for this little angel, her promise burns brighter than ever.

When the body of young Lily Baker is found in the sprawling woods behind the close-knit town of Harborwood, Washington, Special Agent Zoe Storm and her partner Dr Aiden Wesley rush to the scene. Nearby, three symbolic nooses hang from a branch and Zoe feels certain that it’s a warning that two more lives will be taken.

Witnesses spotted Lily talking to an unknown man, and she was given candy shortly before she disappeared. Then, another girl vanishes from her bed in the middle of the night. The only link between the girls is that they were from broken homes. Did the killer promise them safety?

With time running out, Zoe uncovers a cryptic note with a clue pointing to the name of the next child and an abandoned greenhouse on the outskirts of town. Zoe knows the killer has set a trap for her. But with two lives hanging in the balance, she will do everything to bring her home."

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I have never read anything by Ruhi Choudhary before but the title of this book grabbed my attention straight away; the cover, not so much but you know the old saying "don't judge a book by its cover."

This is a pretty good introduction to a new series.  I find the first book is not usually the best as the scene, characters and back story is being set down and I felt this was the case with this book and it made it a little slow at times.  This, along with the multiple strands of the story dealing with the abduction, Zoe's past, flashbacks and misdirection did, for me, make it hard going at times.

The story is told from multiple points of view with flashbacks from Zoe's past which were a story in themselves.   The characters are really interesting and I am looking forward to getting to know Zoe some more and I’m definitely looking forward to future instalments exploring her past.  The writing style was easy to read, the main story was intriguing and the ending was a bit of a shocker and I love it when that happens. 

Overall, whilst it might not have been the best book I have read this year, it has certainly made me look forward to the next in the series if only to get to know what happened to Rachel. 

Thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts on this the first in a new series.

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Beneath These Walls by Shade Owens [Audiobook]

Description from Goodreads:

"Six months ago, my husband tried to kill me.

Now, my sons and I are living in an old Victorian house passed down to me by my uncle. The house may be big, but the town is small... it's safe, which is something I haven't felt in a very long time. And best of all, it's very far away from my ex.

As soon as we move in, however, I discover that this house has an eerie reputation. Rumor has it my uncle was a mysterious man accused of atrocious things, which is drawing a lot of unwanted attention our way.

And the last thing we need is attention; we need to stay invisible if we want to stay alive.

But how can we remain invisible when things keep happening in this house? Strange things. Horrific things that has the whole town watching. Maybe even him. We were supposed to be safe here, but it's becoming glaringly apparent to me that we're in real danger.

Then I remind I'm a mother.

And a mother will do anything to protect her children."

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I have read/listened to a couple of Shade Owens' books before and enjoyed them and whilst this wasn't as good as the others, it still kept me engaged.

Alice/Emma have managed to escape her controlling and abusive husband with her two boys and is living in a large house she inherited from her uncle however, she doesn't feel safe and is paranoid and terrified that her husband will, eventually, find her.  This, together with a horrifying discovery in the basement and of mysterious handwritten notes left in the kitchen does nothing to ease Alice/Emma's fears.

Told at a steady pace and with flash backs into Alice/Emma's past, this is a tense listen.  The narrator did a great job of capturing the tension and whilst I did find Alice/Emma to be a little annoying at times and overly suspicious of everybody and everything, overall, it was a decent story that I enjoyed.

Many thanks to the author, Red Raven Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to listen and share my thoughts of this intriguing audio book.

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Love, Mom by Iliana Xander

Description from Goodreads:

"A best-selling author. A mother. A murderer…

Mackenzie Casper is a brilliant student. But she is best known for her mother, a best-selling author whose dark, twisted thrillers have a dedicated worldwide fanbase.

When her mother dies in an accident, fans across the world are left grieving, and the investigators are asking: Was that really an accident?

The day of the memorial service, Mackenzie gets the first mysterious envelope, signed,

From #1 fan. XOXO

Inside are the pages of her mother’s diary that start with the lines:

Want to know a secret?

Love, Mom.

What Mackenzie reads leaves her in shock.

But then comes the second letter.

And the third...

Mackenzie starts her own investigation and stumbles upon secrets that her family has lived with for years.

Quickly, she realizes that her mother's path to stardom was etched with sinister lies that might have caught up with her.

Sometimes fame is worth a murder. Or worse.

Soon, Mackenzie will come to find out that there are worse things than murder…"

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This is one of those books that you will either love or hate; me?  I didn't love it and I didn't hate it but I did find it enthralling.

This is a hard book to review as it did take me a while to get into it but once I was used to the writing style, I became totally invested in the story and desperately wanted to find out who was sending the letters.

The story cleverly unfolds through dual perspectives and multiple timelines, slowly revealing a family falling apart under the weight of trauma, secrets, and lies. While I did see a couple of twists coming, others completely caught me off guard. 

Whilst this book might not be everyone's cup of tea, I really enjoyed it and many thanks to the author, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this intriguing and enthralling book.

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Daughter, Missing by Jill Childs

Description from Goodreads:

"A mother will stop at nothing to save her daughter...

When Kate Grosvenor’s daughter embarks on a gap year, Kate’s worst nightmare becomes a reality. A frantic call from an American woman reveals that their daughters, traveling together, have gone missing.

Desperate and determined, Kate’s search takes her from London to Europe, and finally to America. What she doesn’t know is that her daughter’s disappearance is linked to a stepson she hasn’t seen in years – a man who was disinherited after his father’s death and now harbours a dark desire for revenge.

As Kate’s past and present collide in a terrifying twist, she must race against time to rescue her daughter from a vengeful stepson’s deadly pursuit. But how far will she go to protect her child when the stakes are this high?"

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I haven't read anything by Jill Childs before (I know, where have I been living?!!?) but if this book is anything to go by, I won't be making that mistake in the future.

This is a tense and atmospheric psychological thriller that is full of twists and turns many of them unexpected.  It's written at a steady pace with excellent characters and whilst not all of them are particularly likeable, they are well developed and really interesting.  

The plot is enthralling and had me reading way longer into the night than I should and whilst there are bits that are a little implausible, it didn't ruin my enjoyment of this book and I have no hesitation in recommending it to lovers of psychological thrillers that aren't full of violence and gore.

Thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this absorbing book.

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Dead Reckoning (Simon Peake #) by Rob Sinclair

Description from Goodreads:

"The most dangerous people are those with nothing to lose. Who don't care if they live or die.

Simon Peake does care… he just isn’t sure about what right now. The ex-soldier’s life is as close to rock bottom as it gets.

He needs a job and he needs a quiet life.

What he gets is a whole load of mess working for New York-based Irish mobster Harry Lafferty. A job that requires him to use his special skills on some very unsavory people. His relationship with Harry’s niece isn’t exactly conducive to a quiet existence either…

As Peake tries to walk the fine line between surviving in this new life, and atoning for his old one, he struggles on both counts. And when his past comes back to bite him, and those closest to him are threatened, the reckoning will be merciless for anyone who stands in his way."

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I have read a few of Mr Sinclair's books now and can safely say that I am a fan; this, the first in a new series, has cemented that fandom 😉

Simon Peake is ex-UK special forces living in New York; he has recently been released from prison, he is a loner, doesn't always make the right choices and is desperately in need of work.  With few options, he starts to work for an Irish mob-boss which gets him into all manner of scrapes and dodgy situations.  There's also the small matter of him having started a relationship with the mob-boss' niece and he lives opposite a working woman who is not treated well by her clients. 

Told over two timelines - one the present and the other in the past when Peake was on a mission in the Middle East - both as riveting as each other, Dead Reckoning is full of action, violence, fantastic characters and tension and all told at a fast pace that had me absolutely hooked from the first page.

Definitely recommended to those of you who enjoy reading action/thrillers and I am looking forward to following Simon Peake's trials and tribulations in the future.  Many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the first in what is likely to be an explosive series.

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What the Night Brings (Tom Thorne #19) by Mark Billingham

Description from Goodreads:

""Three dead coppers, Tom, maybe four by lunchtime."

The targeted murder of four officers is only the first in a series of attacks that leaves police scared, angry and, most disturbingly of all, vengeful.

As Tom Thorne and Nicola Tanner dig into the reasons for the violence, a deeper darkness begins to the possibility that these murders are payback. The price paid for an unspeakable betrayal.

To uncover the truth, Thorne will be forced to question everything he stands for. He can trust nobody, and the shocking secrets revealed by one terrible night will fracture his entire world."

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I am a massive fan of Mark Billingham and I absolutely love his character - Tom Thorne - neither have ever disappointed me and, after reading this, they still haven’t. 

I won’t go into any details about the story-line as the description above says it all but I will say that it is captivating, thrilling, absorbing, exciting, shocking and all the other superlatives that you normally use to describe a brilliant read.

The story moves at a great pace with an easy to read style of writing which makes this book difficult to put down. There are twists and turns aplenty and just when you go “aha, I know who did it”, Mr Billingham goes and throws a spanner in the works again.

This may be the 19th instalment in the Tom Thorne series and you might think that Mr Billingham couldn't think of new and innovative scrapes, crisis, crimes and miscreants for Tom Thorne to get involved with and in but he seems to be able to manage it with ease and still he makes it feel fresh and new. You can get away with reading this as a standalone but I would highly recommend reading the others as Thorne and his team will quickly become old friends who you love to get reacquainted with with each new book.

Would I recommend this? Heck yes - go and buy it now 🙂

Many thanks to the author, Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this another excellent addition to a brilliant series.

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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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