The Shadow People (Patel and Pardoe #3) by Graham Masterton

Description from Goodreads:

"Det. Sgt. Jamila Patel and Det. Con. Jerry Pardoe have reluctantly acquired a reputation in the Metropolitan Police for their ability to tackle bizarre and apparently supernatural crimes. Now they have been called back together after three bodies are found in a London basement... bodies which have been taken apart, roasted and eaten.

The markings on the wall suggest this might have been done by some kind of religious cult – and as more people are kidnapped and cannibalised, Patel and Pardoe realise they are dealing with a group of devil-worshippers invoking an ancient god who has not been worshipped since the Neolithic age..."

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A creepy horror

This one has been sitting patiently on my to-be-read pile since 2022 and I have finally got round to reading it. I have been a huge fan of Mr Masterton since my teenage years and have read loads of his books over the years so I was really looking forward to this. Sadly, it just did not really do it for me this time around. 

The story follows DS Jamila Patel and DC Jerry Pardoe as they investigate a bizarre and brutal cult operating in London that sacrifices people to mysterious shadow entities hiding in the dark.

The initial concept is brilliant and genuinely unsettling. There is no denying that the author still knows how to create a deeply creepy atmosphere and there are some incredibly graphic, stomach-churning horror scenes that will satisfy hardcore gore fans. The idea of the shadow people themselves is fascinating and there are moments of real tension early on.

However, as the book progressed, the plot started to feel a bit disjointed and repetitive. It felt like the story moved from one gruesome set-piece to the next without giving the characters or the mythology enough room to develop properly. The pacing dragged in the middle and the ending wrapped up far too quickly and easily given how powerful the threat was supposed to be. 

It is a decent, fast horror read if you love classic Masterton violence, but it did not quite live up to many of his other books although it won't put me off reading more of his work in the future. 

A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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Every Silent Thing by M.R. Madonna [Audiobook]

🔥🔥🔥 Publication date: 13 October 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"A mother and son each harbor a plot to save the other—unaware their colliding plans threaten to unearth a secret that will destroy them both.

At thirteen, Levi Tallon is already running out of options. Trapped between a father's escalating violence and a mother who keeps waiting for God to save them, he lives in constant fear of the next drunken rage. Then he meets Doley—a juvie-scarred loner and prime suspect in a woman's disappearance. What starts as an unlikely friendship hardens into a dangerous alliance sealed in blood: together they'll kill Levi's father and free his mother for good.

But Levi has misjudged the woman who raised him. Maggie struck her own pact long ago, and the secret she's been hiding within her marriage will twist his plan inside out. As her truth unravels, so does Levi's faith—sending him on a search for answers that will tear apart everything he thought he knew about his family, his new friend, and himself."

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An atmospheric and gripping thriller

I was intrigued by the premise of Every Silent Thing and it proved to be a dark, tense and captivating listen that held my attention from start to finish.

Please note that the story touches on some heavier, darker themes—including trauma and abuse—which might be triggering for some readers, so it's definitely worth keeping in mind before diving in.

M.R. Madonna crafts a  chilling atmosphere that builds gradually as the story unfolds. The narrative is full of subtle suspense, secrets and quiet dread, making it very easy to get completely absorbed in the mystery. The plot moves along at a steady pace with plenty of twists to keep you guessing as the truth comes to light.

The narration was good and really enhanced the overall listening experience. The narrator delivered a well-balanced performance, capturing the moody tone of the story and giving distinct voices to the characters without ever feeling overdone. Listening to the story play out added an extra layer of tension that worked brilliantly for a thriller like this.

While there were a few minor moments where the pacing slowed down a touch in the middle, the overall mystery made it an enjoyable listen.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to an advanced audio copy and share my honest thoughts.

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Blood on the Snow (DI James Walker #7) by Alex Pine

🔥🔥🔥 Publication Date:  22 October 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"Nicola and Emily, friends taking a holiday break, have become victims of a frenzied attack. With no signs of forced entry and their phones missing, DCI James Walker is stumped.

As he delves deeper into the case, James uncovers a tangled web of betrayal involving a jilted lover, a vengeful carer, and a business partner with a deadly agenda.

Each suspect has a motive fit for murder, but can James unravel the mystery before there are more victims this holiday season?"

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Another fantastic festive murder mystery with DI Walker

As someone who looks forward to getting my DI Walker fix every year, I was thrilled to dive into Blood on the Snow. Having read and reviewed every book from book two right up to book six, I had high expectations for this seventh instalment and it certainly did not disappoint.

The story drops you right back into the familiar, atmospheric surroundings, bringing all the festive tension and clever plotting that Alex Pine does so well. The mystery keeps you hooked right from the start with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing as the team works to untangle the case. I love the characters and the dynamics within the team, which make returning to this series feel like catching up with old friends every winter.

And just to reassure people, the murder rate in Cumbria is exceptionally low especially around the area covered by DI Walker and his team so you don't need to worry if you're thinking of coming to my neck of the woods for Christmas!! 

It's a brilliant, fast-paced and thoroughly entertaining festive crime read that I couldn't put down. If you enjoy a great Christmas police procedural, this series is an absolute must.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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You Are Mine by Alex Lake

🔥🔥🔥 Publication Date:  22 October 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"Mary Jordan is walking along the street when she spots a sign.

If you are reading this, I am watching you.

You are now part of my collection.

You will be mine, and your life will never be the same again.

Mary is horrified. Her skin crawls at the idea of being watched.

She searches the buildings, looking for a face at a window.

But only for a moment. There’s nothing to fear. It’s obviously just a harmless prank.

She could not be more wrong…"

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A decent psychological thriller 

Having read several of Alex Lake's previous books over the years, I was really looking forward to picking up You Are Mine. While it wasn't quite up there with her best work for me, it was still a solid read with a few good moments.

The premise had plenty of potential, but I found the execution a little slow and not quite as gripping than I thought it was going to be especially given the start. Parts of the narrative felt quite repetitive, which slowed down the overall momentum and made it feel less tense than I was hoping for. I usually love a fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but this one felt a bit more stretched out.

That being said, the story picked up towards the end. The final chapters delivered a good conclusion and I liked how it all played out. It brought everything together and made the slower sections worth sticking with.

Overall, while it wasn't my favourite by this author, it was still an okay read that will appeal to fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read an advanced copy and share my honest thoughts.

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Final Dawn (Mackenzie Reynolds #3) by D.V. Berkom

🔥🔥🔥 Expected Publication: 1 October 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from the author's website:

"A kill list. A missing father. A nation on the brink.

When a messianic terrorist puts a target on the federal justice system, elite close protection operative Mackenzie “Mac” Reynolds is all that stands between order and total chaos.

Mac Reynolds knows how to read a room, spot a threat, and keep a client alive. But when a ruthless domestic terror network begins executing judges, senators, and intelligence officers, even her elite training is pushed to the absolute limit.

Victor Hale has activated sleeper cells, breached government networks, and turned the Pacific Northwest into a blood-soaked battlefield. But for Mac, the nightmare becomes deeply personal when her mentor and her father suddenly vanish—straight into Hale’s trap.

To save the men she loves, Mac must hunt down Hale’s shadow financier and dismantle his network before sleeper cells ignite across the country. But the deeper she digs, the darker the conspiracy becomes… and the closer she gets to a terrifying truth:

The real enemy isn’t at the gates. It’s already inside."

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An outstanding and action-packed series finale

Having read the first two books in the Mackenzie Reynolds series and plenty of D. V. Berkom's other books over the years, I had high expectations for this one and it did not disappoint in the slightest. Final Dawn is a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy, delivering high stakes, non-stop action and brilliant character moments from start to finish.

The story hits the ground running and keeps the momentum going all the way through. Mackenzie is such a tough, relatable heroine, and watching her face her biggest challenge yet kept me completely hooked. I particularly loved the  appearance from Leine Basso although I would have liked her to meet Etta!! Having followed Leine's own adventures for so long, seeing her step into Mac's world was such a fantastic treat and added an extra kick to an already thrilling plot.

It feels like a fitting finale for the series, but I am certainly keeping my fingers crossed that this isn't the last we see of Mackenzie. Even if it is just a brief cameo in a future Leine Basso novel, I would love to see her make a comeback at some point down the line.

If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with fierce female leads, you definitely need to pick this one up and, to be honest, any of D.V.'s work.

Once again, thank you to D.V. for accepting me as a member of her ARTeam and for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Final Dawn and my hungry eyes can't wait to read her next outing whoever that may star!

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The Interview by C.M. Ewan

Description from Goodreads:

"It’s 5 p.m. on a Friday.

You have been called to an interview for your dream job.

In a stunning office thirteen floors above the city below, you are all alone with the man interviewing you.

Everyone else has gone home for the weekend.

The interview gets more and more disturbing.

You’re feeling scared.

Your only way out is to answer a seemingly impossible question.

If you can’t . . . what happens next?"

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A tense setup that loses its way in the second half

This is another book that has been sitting on my to-be-read pile since 2022 and I have finally got round to reading it now. Having already read A Window Breaks and One Wrong Turn by the same author, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed, I was really excited to dive into this one. Unfortunately, it did not live up to those for me. 

The story focuses on Kate, who arrives at a sleek, high-rise office building for a late-evening job interview that quickly turns into a terrifying locked-room nightmare.

The first half of the book is brilliantly done. The claustrophobic atmosphere inside the empty building is incredibly tense and it really captures that unsettling feeling of being trapped. It reads like a fast-paced action movie early on and the suspense kept me turning the pages quite quickly to find out what was going on.

However, once the true motives are revealed in the second half, the plot starts to fall apart a bit. It felt like the story stretched the boundaries of believability too far, relying on some highly unrealistic action sequences and massive coincidences. The pacing slowed down significantly during these sections and the characters started making decisions that just did not make sense, which ruined the initial tension. 

It is a decent, quick thriller if you want something fast and dramatic, but it just did not hit the same high standard as his other novels for me however, it won't put me off reading more in the future.

A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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The Christmas Killer (DI Barton #9) by Ross Greenwood

Description from Goodreads:

"The winter holidays finally look set to bring a white Christmas, but the beautiful snow hides horrors beneath. When a man is found cruelly tortured and murdered, the Major Crimes team is already stretched thin through illness and stunned by an internal corruption investigation.

DCI John Barton hesitantly leaves his sabbatical to take the case, immediately confronting the same dark secrets that forced him away. The dead man was a loner and the perfect target, but when there is another savage murder, Barton begins to suspect that the killer is delving into the victims' pasts for a very specific, terrifying reason. And time is running out.

As the blizzard isolates the city, Barton realises they aren't pursuing a festive fanatic; they are hunting something far worse. With the department gripped by ice and paranoia, Barton knows he is getting closer to the truth, but will he be fast enough?

Because if he isn't, not everyone will make it home for Christmas."

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An absolute cracker of a festive crime thriller

Having really enjoyed reading The Village Killer back in 2024, I was so excited to dive into another case with DI Barton. Somehow I managed to skip book eight in the series, but I am pleased to say it didn't affect my enjoyment at all. The story reads brilliantly, and it was so easy to jump straight back into the world of Barton and his team.

The setup is brilliant and gets you hooked straight away. Ross Greenwood has a real gift for pacing, keeping the narrative moving along at a rapid speed without losing any of the tension. What I love most about these books, though, are the characters. DI Barton is such a fantastic lead, and the dynamics within the team feel warm, authentic and grounded. You really get invested in their lives as well as the central mystery.

The plot itself is hugely engaging and kept me guessing all the way through. There were a few false starts and twists that threw me off the scent, and it actually took me quite a while to figure out who the killer was, which made the final reveal so satisfying. It is clever, atmospheric and packs plenty of festive suspense.

If you love a well-crafted police procedural with fantastic character chemistry and plenty of twists, this is an absolute must-read and don't leave it until Christmas!

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my honest thoughts.

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Hidden in Plain Sight (The County Cork Killings #2) by Michelle Dunne

Description from Goodreads:

"A migrant crisis. A corrupt harbour town. Who will stand for those who have become invisible to the rest of the world?

People have become one of the world's most valuable commodities. Trafficked on the promise of a new life only to be hidden away as modern day slaves. When Lena, a raped and badly beaten Syrian woman, literally falls into Lindsey Ryan's life, she's left with no choice but to find her part in this new war and play it as best she can.

But before she can work out a safe plan to get Lena away from her very own hell at the hands of Patrick Adebayo, Lindsey hears of an unconscious child being smuggled into Patrick's building just two doors up. Despite having Patrick's unwanted attention, she has to help the child and get Lena to safety regardless of the cost. In doing so, she finds herself face to face with the worst of humanity.

Added to her own private battle with PTSD, former soldier Lindsey Ryan is in a race against time and must once again fight for her life. But if she fails to protect those around her, what if anything, will that life be worth?

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A compelling Irish crime thriller that holds its own

Having previously enjoyed two of Michelle Dunne's books, I was really looking forward to diving back into her writing with this one. Hidden in Plain Sight is the second instalment in The County Cork Killings series, and even though I haven't read the first book, it didn't hinder my enjoyment at all. While I missed out on some of the earlier backstory and character development, the book stands firmly on its own feet and reads very well as a standalone.

Dunne has a fantastic ability to build tension but what really stood out for me was the sheer emotional weight surrounding the plight of the people she rescued and kept hidden. The harrowing situations these individuals were escaping made their struggle feel deeply personal, and watching Lindsey risk everything — facing a very real threat to her own safety just to keep them protected — added a powerful, high-stakes layer to the story.

Adding to that emotional depth is Lindsey's ongoing plight with PTSD. Her internal struggle is written with such empathy and realism that it really grounds the narrative, making her quiet bravery feel all the more impactful as she pushes through her own trauma while trying to safeguard others.

The plot moves along at a steady and engaging pace.  The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it very easy to root for them as the drama unfolds with my particular favourites being Eileen and Frank.

It's a tense, clever and immersive read that kept me hooked from start to finish is definitely one to add to your reading list.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my honest thoughts.

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To All the Men I've Killed Before (Kitty Collins #3) by Katy Brent

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Victoria Morrison and Imogen Front🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"If a man hurt your best friend – like, really hurt her – what would you do?

Key his car? Broadcast what a scumbag he is to everyone in his life? Hunt him down and chop him into little pieces? If you picked number 3, I think we could be friends. Because that is exactly what I intend to do.

I've tracked this lowlife to LA and brought my little sister Antoinette along for the ride. It's like a girls' trip, only with more knives.

It won't be the first time I've killed for revenge. But it will be the sweetest."

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A brilliant finale packed with dark humour 

I listened to this as an audiobook, and I have to say the narrators did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. Their performances captured all the sharp wit, chaotic energy, and underlying tension perfectly.

Kitty Collins is back, and this time she is taking her unique brand of vigilante justice across the Atlantic to sunny LA. The setting swap from rainy UK to chaotic Hollywood adds such a fun, glamorous backdrop to all the gory carnage. Escorting her on this trip is her younger sister Antoinette, who turns out to be quite the apprentice in murder, even if her messy tendencies leave Kitty doing plenty of cleanup. The dynamic and banter between the two sisters was easily one of my favourite parts of the entire story.

The plot moves at a relentless pace as Kitty sets out to avenge a friend, only to find herself mixed up in even more twisty chaos over in California. Katy Brent balances absolute bloodthirsty revenge with laugh out loud comedy so effortlessly. It is dark, unapologetic, and packed with that satisfying girl power energy where terrible men get exactly what is coming to them.

I am honestly quite sad that this is the final book in the series. I am going to miss Kitty terribly, as she has been such an iconic character from start to finish. Having said that, with Antoinette bringing so much chaotic potential to the table, it makes me wonder if we might get a new spin-off series featuring her in the future.

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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