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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