Baby Doll by Hollie Overton

"An enjoyable and entertaining read"

What’s it about?

“You've been held captive in one room, mentally and physically abused every day, since you were sixteen years old.

Then, one night, you realize your captor has left the door to your cell unlocked.

For the first time in eight years, you're free.

This is about what happens next ...

Lily knows that she must bring the man who nearly ruined her life - her good-looking high-school teacher - to justice. But she never imagined that reconnecting with her family would be just as difficult. Reclaiming her relationship with her twin sister, her mother, and her high school sweetheart who is in love with her sister may be Lily's greatest challenge. After all they've been through, can Lily and her family find their way back after this life-altering trauma?

Impossible not to read in one sitting, Baby Doll is a taut psychological thriller that focuses on family entanglements and the evil that can hide behind a benign facade.”

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Having read a number of scathing reviews of this book, I have to admit that I was a little worried - I really dislike having to give someone’s hard work a poor rating but, fear not, it was quite good although as many have said, it could have been better which just goes to show that us readers are fickle human beings and what one person dislikes, another will absolutely love … well, if we all liked the same things, it would be a pretty boring world!

Unlike many other reviewers, I haven’t read anything quite like this before so it was unique for me. What I thought was good was that the story started when Lily escaped from her prison rather than go into the disturbing details of what it would have been like for her all these years being a child held prisoner in a cellar being used and abused at her captor’s whim; there were snippets of course but these didn’t dominate as the focus of the book is what life was like for Lily outside her prison.

The story is told from four different perspectives - Lily, her twin sister Abby, her mum Eve and the perpetrator Rick. I was torn as to whether this was a good idea or not; on the one hand it was useful to see the situation from all of the perspectives but on the other, I think this diluted the impact of the story a little and weakened the characters. I would have preferred it to have been written just from Lily and Rick’s perspectives - this would have made it more powerful. However, having said that, the parts devoted to Abby and Eve gave some insight into the terrible impact on the family.

The book is easy to read; the pace is good and there are a few twists and unpredictable moments but there are also some annoying parts which had me almost flicking forward many of which involved Abby … my goodness, she’s one annoying character! Overall though, a classic it may not be but an enjoyable and entertaining read it most certainly was for me and I will look out for future books by Hollie Overton.

Thanks, again, go to the publisher RandomHouse UK, Cornerstone, via NetGalley for my e-copy in return for an honest review.

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Publisher website - click here

Author on twitter - click here 

Author website - click here 

For information about NetGalley - click here

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Baby Doll by Hollie Overton

"An enjoyable and entertaining read"

What’s it about?

“You've been held captive in one room, mentally and physically abused every day, since you were sixteen years old.

Then, one night, you realize your captor has left the door to your cell unlocked.

For the first time in eight years, you're free.

This is about what happens next ...

Lily knows that she must bring the man who nearly ruined her life - her good-looking high-school teacher - to justice. But she never imagined that reconnecting with her family would be just as difficult. Reclaiming her relationship with her twin sister, her mother, and her high school sweetheart who is in love with her sister may be Lily's greatest challenge. After all they've been through, can Lily and her family find their way back after this life-altering trauma?

Impossible not to read in one sitting, Baby Doll is a taut psychological thriller that focuses on family entanglements and the evil that can hide behind a benign facade.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Having read a number of scathing reviews of this book, I have to admit that I was a little worried - I really dislike having to give someone’s hard work a poor rating but, fear not, it was quite good although as many have said, it could have been better which just goes to show that us readers are fickle human beings and what one person dislikes, another will absolutely love … well, if we all liked the same things, it would be a pretty boring world!

Unlike many other reviewers, I haven’t read anything quite like this before so it was unique for me. What I thought was good was that the story started when Lily escaped from her prison rather than go into the disturbing details of what it would have been like for her all these years being a child held prisoner in a cellar being used and abused at her captor’s whim; there were snippets of course but these didn’t dominate as the focus of the book is what life was like for Lily outside her prison.

The story is told from four different perspectives - Lily, her twin sister Abby, her mum Eve and the perpetrator Rick. I was torn as to whether this was a good idea or not; on the one hand it was useful to see the situation from all of the perspectives but on the other, I think this diluted the impact of the story a little and weakened the characters. I would have preferred it to have been written just from Lily and Rick’s perspectives - this would have made it more powerful. However, having said that, the parts devoted to Abby and Eve gave some insight into the terrible impact on the family.

The book is easy to read; the pace is good and there are a few twists and unpredictable moments but there are also some annoying parts which had me almost flicking forward many of which involved Abby … my goodness, she’s one annoying character! Overall though, a classic it may not be but an enjoyable and entertaining read it most certainly was for me and I will look out for future books by Hollie Overton.

Thanks, again, go to the publisher RandomHouse UK, Cornerstone, via NetGalley for my e-copy in return for an honest review.

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Publisher website - click here

Author on twitter - click here 

Author website - click here 

For information about NetGalley - click here

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Swerve by Vicki Pettersson

"A little implausible but certainly entertaining"

Description from Goodreads:

“It’s high summer in the Mojave Desert, and Kristine Rush and her fiancé, Daniel, are en route from Las Vegas to Lake Arrowhead, California, for the July Fourth holiday weekend. But when Daniel is abducted from a desolate rest stop, Kristine is forced to choose: return home unharmed, but never to see her fiancé again, or plunge forward into the searing desert to find him…where a killer lies in wait.”

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What a great thriller this is from start to finish but it most definitely isn’t for the faint hearted. It all starts out so innocently with a happy couple making a road trip for the 4th July celebrations but who knew a spilt coffee could be the start of a nightmare that goes from bad to worse.

The story is told from the point of view of the main character, Kristine. Kristine is a single mum who has had a traumatic and difficult upbringing. Periods of Kristine’s life are dotted throughout the book and these provide an insight into her character and why she is a strong as she is and crikey, is she strong; she’s like an Amazonian! The trials and tribulations she is made to go through to rescue her fiancé, Daniel, within 24 hours are extreme and put her and those around her at great peril. The violence to which she is exposed to is severe and graphic so if you don’t like that sort of thing, I would steer clear.

The book is written with great pace and with tension oozing from the pages, it makes for a gripping read. There are surprising twists which change the whole feel of the story which make it more than your usual ‘cat and mouse’ fare and yes, it may be a little implausible but it certainly is entertaining.

How would I put this book into a genre …. absolutely no idea! It’s loads of genres mixed into one highly engaging and absorbing book which I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers, horrors, suspense and stories about survival in extreme circumstances but, as I said before, it’s not for the faint-hearted so if you don’t like blood and gore, don’t even go there.

Thanks to the publisher, Gallery Books, via NetGalley for introducing me to another new author to look out for and for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.

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Author website: http://www.vickipettersson.com - to keep up with the latest news, releases, signings and the occasional exclusive giveaways

Author twitter:  VickiPettersson

Publisher:  Gallery Books 

The Body Market by D.V. Berkom

Description from Goodreads:

“A retired assassin is called in when a celebration south of the border turns into a nightmare.

Former assassin Leine Basso is hired by a wealthy Beverly Hills power couple to find their missing daughter, Elise, who was last seen partying with her boyfriend at a club in Tijuana. At first, police believe the two teenagers are the victims of a carjacking. But when Leine finds their missing vehicle with the boyfriend’s mutilated body inside, and the local cartel warns her away, she knows if Elise isn’t already dead, she will be soon, or worse.

In the lethal world of organized crime, there’s always a worse.

As Leine races the clock to uncover the reason behind Elise Bennett's disappearance, she must also battle the powerful interests fighting to keep her from the truth.”

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Oh my goodness, I can’t even begin to explain how much I enjoyed this book from start to finish so before I try, I want to thank the author, publisher (Duct Tape Press) and NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

I have never read anything by D.V. Berkom before and therefore have not read the first 2 books in this series but I really didn’t feel I missed out at all. There is a back story to the main character, Leine Basso, which, although is touched upon in this book, I felt the author gave enough of it to give me a good insight into her motivations and strength. Leine is a very strong character but with a soft and caring side and you see all of these in this story. Now don’t get me wrong, she is not so perfect that she becomes unbelievable rather that she has flaws that make her more plausible.

The other main character in this story, Elise, is not your usual victim. Despite her going through some horrific experiences, she maintains a strength and fighting spirit throughout which was unexpected given where she comes from and although not the most likeable character at the beginning, I did start to warm to her as her plight deepened.

The secondary characters add other dimensions to the story with each one being expertly developed and none feeling superfluous or an afterthought.

The story is a difficult one to cover, that of kidnapping, murder, organ theft and trafficking but D.V. Berkom writes without sensationalising those subjects. The pace of the story is fast and it’s very difficult to stop reading even though you have to get up for work the next morning!

Overall, a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and now I’m off to get the first 2.

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Author website: http://www.dvberkom.com/

Twitter: @dvberkom

Nowhere Girl by Ruth Dugdall

Description from Goodreads:

“A psychological crime novel from an author with 10 years experience as a probation officer in high security prisons

When Ellie goes missing on the first day of Schueberfouer, the police are dismissive, keen not to attract negative attention on one of Luxembourg’s most important events, its annual city fair. Probation officer Cate Austin has moved for a fresh start, along with her daughter Amelia, to live with her police detective boyfriend, Olivier Massard. But when she realizes just how casually he is taking the disappearance of Ellie, Cate decides to investigate matters for herself. She discovers Luxembourg has a dark heart. With its geographical position, could it be the center of a child trafficking ring? As Cate comes closer to discovering Ellie’s whereabouts she uncovers a hidden world, placing herself in danger, not just from traffickers, but from a source much closer to home.”

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I haven’t read anything by this particular author before but because I had read and reviewed Before It’s Too Late by Jane Isaac for the Publisher - Legend Press via NetGalley, I was invited to read this one by the same Publisher. Well, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I accepted but unfortunately I was left a little disappointed.

Although the book is well written and easy to read, it was also easy to put down and didn’t have that “just one more chapter before I go to sleep” moment which I found a little bit sad because I hate it when that happens. Unfortunately, I did not feel a connection to any of the characters which is a shame and, in addition, none of the characters seemed to have much of a connection with each other either particularly Cate and Olivier. Now I got the impression that Cate and Olivier are a fairly new couple and should still be in the stages of ‘dreamy-eyed love’ but I didn’t get that sense at all … don’t get me wrong, I’m not one for romance and gushing love but they just seemed to be on totally separate wavelengths to me … it’s really hard to explain but it felt unnatural.

The story itself is interesting and whilst parts are scarily believable and there were a couple of twists I didn’t see coming, the way it played out felt a bit too contrived for me and how it was all wrapped up at the end felt rushed and a little far-fetched. I did however like how the story was told from different perspectives and I particularly liked Amina and found her the most interesting character in the book.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad read but rather I found it a bit frustrating and it just didn’t grab me as much a I would have liked. From reading other reviews, I get the feeling that to get the most out of this particular book, you need to have read the previous one which introduced Cate - “Humber Boy B” - so I would recommend to anyone thinking of buying this, to buy and read that one first.

Before It's Too Late by Jane Isaac

Description from Goodreads:

“I concentrated hard, desperately listening for something familiar, the sound of life.

I heard nothing.

Just my own breaths and the wind, whistling through branches above... The thought made me shiver.

I am buried alive.

Following an argument with her British boyfriend, Chinese student Min Li is abducted whilst walking the dark streets of picturesque Stratford-upon-Avon alone.

Trapped in a dark pit, Min is at the mercy of her captor. Detective Inspector Will Jackman is tasked with solving the case and in his search for answers discovers that the truth is buried deeper than he ever expected.

But, as another student vanishes and Min grows ever weaker, time is running out. Can Jackman track down the kidnapper, before it's too late?”

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I haven’t read any of Jane Isaacs’ books before but after reading this, I will certainly read more by her and I feel very privileged to have been invited to provide an honest review by the publisher, Legend Press, via NetGalley. This invite in no way influenced my thoughts on the book and I say it as I read and feel it!

Before It’s Too Late introduces us to a really interesting, complex and likeable Police Officer - DI Will Jackman. He is thorough, methodical, logical and driven and is the sort of Police Officer that I would want looking for me if I had been kidnapped but, if I was a miscreant, I would be quaking in my boots. Will is also a troubled man with a huge amount of guilt being carried on his shoulders following a car accident which seriously injured his wife. Jane excellently delves into Will’s mind and describes his thought processes and reasoning as well as his frustrations with the investigation in a way that feels natural. I really like Will and feel there is quite a lot of mileage with him and his colleagues.

The victim, Min Li, is another great character and I love the way the Chinese culture is brought to life and explained by Jane in an interesting way without being cliche or patronising. I found the sections told from Min’s perspective when she was in the pit were so well described that I really felt like I was in there with her and I could really feel her absolute terror.

The story moves at a good pace and kept my interest from start to finish. There are some red herrings and twists and despite me guessing what was going on when the 2nd person was kidnapped, I still enjoyed how it all played out to the end. I’m not sure I would go as far as to say that this is a psychological thriller, well not for me anyway, but I do think it’s a good crime thriller and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre.

One last thing, this is the first fiction book I have read that mentions THE greatest motorcycle rider EVER - the Doctor himself - Valentino Rossi - this alone adds a star to my rating ;)

Time of Death by Mark Billingham

Description from Goodreads:

“The astonishing thirteenth Tom Thorne novel is a story of kidnapping, the tabloid press, and a frightening case of mistaken identity.

Tom Thorne is on holiday with his girlfriend DS Helen Weeks, when two girls are abducted in Helen’s home town. When a body is discovered and a man is arrested, Helen recognizes the suspect’s wife as an old school-friend and returns home for the first time in twenty-five years to lend her support. As his partner faces up to a past she has tried desperately to forget and a media storm engulfs the town, Thorne becomes convinced that, despite overwhelming evidence of his guilt, the police have got the wrong man. There is still an extremely clever and killer on the loose and a missing girl who Thorne believes might still be alive.”

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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. This book is ace as are all previous 12 novels. I am usually one of the first to the bookshop when a new one comes out but this time I was lucky enough to have been sent an eBook copy via NetGalley and I want to thank the publisher, Grove Atlantic, for this in return for an unbiased review.

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

This book deals with some pretty despicable crimes but does so in a way that is not sensationalised or gratuitous but rather in a thought-provoking and sensitive manner. Now don’t get me wrong, this book isn't all about the heinous crimes, there are some laugh-out-loud moments to lighten the mood particularly when the unorthodox pathologist Phil Hendricks appears from London to lend a hand. He is like a breath of fresh air and his relationship with Thorne is just fantastic and so natural as is Thorne’s budding relationship with Helen.

The story moves at 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 … you know it’s coming but are still surprised when it does.

This may be the 13th 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 will quickly become an old friend who you love to get reacquainted with with each new book.

Would I recommend this to anyone else? Hell yes - go and buy it now :)