Their Little Secret (Tom Thorne #16) by Mark Billingham

 

Description from Goodreads:

"She says she's an ordinary mother. He knows a liar when he sees one.

Sarah thinks of herself as a normal single mum. It's what she wants others to think of her. But the truth is, she needs something new, something thrilling.

Meanwhile, DI Tom Thorne is investigating a woman's suicide, convinced she was driven to do it by a man who preys on vulnerable women.

A man who is about to change Sarah's life."

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This is my first foray into the world of audiobooks and I am so pleased I chose one of Mark Billingham's books to introduce me to the world of audio because, once again, he and Tom Thorne did not disappoint.

I was engrossed from the start and this didn't let up until the end.  I never thought I would be able to get into a book that I wasn't actually physically holding but there was no such problem with this and I took every opportunity to put my headphones in and get lost in this book of intrigue.

I am already familiar with many of the main characters so it was like putting on a pair of comfy slippers being back amongst some good friends that I have grown quite attached to over the years.  The narration is done by Mark himself and whilst he changed the voices slightly, he didn't put on a female voice for those particular parts (thank goodness!) so it did make it a little more difficult to distinguish between them but this didn't last long and didn't detract from my listening experience.

The plot is complex and compelling - what is it about a suicide that has Thorne intrigued?  How is a murder in Margate connected? What does this have to do with a conman?  Where does Sarah and her son Jamie come into this?  So many secrets, so many lies and so much intrigue.

I admit that I was worried I wouldn't enjoy an audio book quite as much as an actual book but Mr Billingham removed that doubt with this excellent story that I would definitely recommend to lovers of crime thrillers and I have to thank Hachette Audio via Secret Readers Project for my audio book in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

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Other books by Mark Billingham that I have read and reviewed:

Rabbit Hole

Cry Baby (A Tom Thorne Thriller)

Die of Shame

The Dying Hours (Tom Thorne #11)

Time of Death (Tom Thorne #13)

Love Like Blood (Tom Thorne #14)

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Click here to learn more about the Secret Readers Project

Nine Elms (Kate Marshall #1) by Robert Bryndza

Description from Goodreads:

"Sixteen years ago, Kate Marshall was a rising star in the London Metropolitan police force. Young, ambitious and driven, with a talent for getting into the minds of criminals, she solved several high-profile murder cases.

But when Kate was tasked with tracking down a vicious serial killer, even her instinct and ability to immerse herself in violent worlds couldn't help her find him - until he found her.

Now, years after her narrow escape, Kate lives a quiet life on the English coast, though her years with the police are still with her. And when one day she receives a letter from someone in her past, she is pulled back into the twisted mind of a murderer she knows only too well - and into a case only she can solve."

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Oh my goodness ... you have GOT to read this book!!

It is amongst one of my all time top reads!!

Just brilliant from start to finish!!

I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book from the very first to the very last page.  I loved everything about it; the characters (all of them ... which is unusual for me), the plot, the story, the tension, the pace, the writing style ... everything and I absolutely devoured it and can't wait for the next instalment in this series.

Read it ... you won't be disappointed.

Thank you to the Secret Readers Project for giving me the opportunity to read this book and for introducing me to a new author that I will definitely read more of.

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Secret Readers

"Secret Readers is backed by Hachette UK, one of the UK’s biggest book publishers. We want to understand more about how our readers read, and what they think of the ebooks we’re about to publish.

As a Secret Reader, we’ll make a range of ebooks available to you on a rotating basis throughout the year from different genres. You can browse the available ebooks, and then access them for FREE via our specially designed website or app – so you can read the ebook on a PC, laptop, tablet or phone.

Once we make new ebooks available, you’ll have 7 days to take a look and pick one you like, and then 2 months to read it. The website and app will let us know how you’re getting on with the ebook, and we’ll also ask you to take a short survey about the ebook you selected.

We will consider that you have chosen your ebook to read once you have read 10% of an ebook from the selection.

To become a Secret Reader, you have to be aged 18+ and based in the UK."

Click on the picture 🠟🠟 to learn more and join for free

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The Murder Game (Stephanie King #2) by Rachel Abbott

Due to be published in April 2020

    

Description from Goodreads:

"A year ago today, we all gathered for Lucas's wedding at his glorious Cornish home overlooking the sea.

But no one was married that day.

Now Lucas has invited us back to celebrate the anniversary. But the anniversary of what? The wedding that never happened, or the tragedy that occurred just hours before the ceremony was due to begin?

He's told us that tonight he has planned a game. We have our costumes, we have our parts, and everyone must play. The game, he tells us, is about to begin.

What does Lucas want from us? What are we not being told? And what's going to happen when this terrible game is over?"

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What a great read this is!  I haven't read any of Rachel's books before but I certainly will in the future if this book is anything to go by.  This is the second in the series featuring Stephanie King but I don't think it essential to have read the first ... I haven't and it didn't detract from my experience at all so I feel this can be read as a standalone but will definitely think about reading the first to get some additional background.

In this book, a group of friends gather for a "celebration" but this is not going to be a normal get-together because a year ago someone died when there should have been a wedding but was it suicide, a tragic accident or something altogether more sinister?  Lucas, the host, has devised a "murder game" where everyone has their part to play and if they don't go along, secrets will be revealed.

With excellent characters, a fast pace and interesting story line, this book kept my interest until the end.  The book drip-fed information and clues in such a way that you were but a passenger going along for the ride - one minute you think one way and then something happens and you think another.  This was very well done and kept me guessing until about two thirds through the book when I had an "aha" moment.

There were a couple of niggles that prevents me from giving this a five star rating; for the first couple of chapters, it wasn't made clear whose perspective the chapters were from and you had to work it out yourself as the chapter progressed.  I did find this confusing but, thankfully, it didn't continue throughout the book.  The second thing that irked me somewhat was the end ... it just didn't have the impact that I was hoping for and seemed to be a bit rushed and quickly wrapped up which was a bit disappointing given the complexities of the story line.

Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite the niggles.

Thank you to the "Secret Readers Project" for the opportunity to read this book prior to its release.

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Secret Readers Project

Information about the Secret Readers Project taken from the terms and conditions published on the website:

In brief, Secret Readers is backed by Hachette UK, one of the UK’s biggest book publishers.  They want to better understand how consumers read e-books and what appeals to them when it comes to browsing, choosing and reading e-books.  During the time frame of the Project (from 10 December 2019 to 10 December 2020), they will be collecting comprehensive personal data about you and your reading habits.  For full information on what “Personal Data” they are collecting and using, please go to the website.

The Secret Readers Project is open to individuals from the UK who are 18 years old or over. You will need to access the Secret Readers Project through the website or iOS or Android app on a computer, mobile tablet or phone device.

A range of books from different genres are made available throughout the year on a rotating basis.  Once new books are made available, you have 7 days to pick one you like and then 2 months to read it via the website or app.  Once finished, there is a very short survey to complete.

If you are interested in becoming a Secret Reader too please click here to read more and sign up but you MUST sign up by 23:59 on 7th January 2020 ... what have you got to lose?