Adrift 3: Rising by K R Griffiths

Description from Goodreads:

“Dan Bellamy has lost everything: his wife, his home, his country; perhaps even his sanity. The only thing he has left is vengeance for the creatures who took his world away, and he intends to visit it upon them, no matter the cost.

As the eyes of the world turn to the destruction in England, Dan believes that his presence in the United States will provoke an immediate response from the vampires.

He thinks he knows what that response will be.

He's wrong...

With the fate of the nation - and perhaps the entire world - hanging in the balance, Dan believes he must understand the visions which torture him, and which might be key to humanity's survival, but he'll have to do it fast. Because darkness is coming.

And the vampires are rising... “

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This is the third and final instalment in this series of books and a thoroughly enjoyable series it has been. I was lucky enough to have received the first two books direct from the author but I enjoyed them so much I actually bought this one!

This final book provides a very satisfying conclusion to the story of the fight against the “vampires” and it has moved from a cruise ship in the first book, to London in the second and finally to the USA. Once again, the author creates a vivid story which grips you from start to finish. The characters are excellent, particularly the main protagonist “Dan” who we have seen develop over the course of the 3 books into a strong and engaging personality. There is a certain amount of blood and gore but it’s not gratuitous or overdone.

This series of books is excellently written, flows well and is a unique spin on the usual vampire stories. To get the most out of them, you really do have to read them in order otherwise you will miss out considerably on what is a great read and somebody needs to snap these up and make them into a film or series; with good actors, it could be as good as Alien or Predator!

I highly recommend you read this author’s work - I haven’t been disappointed yet.

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Author website: KRGriffiths where you can subscribe to his newsletter for new releases and bonus content.

Author twitter: KRGriffiths1 

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Other books I have read and reviewed by K R Griffiths:

Read my review here

Read my review here

Read my review here

Read my review here

The Art Teacher by Paul Read

“A gritty, thrilling debut”

Description from the book:

“Patrick Owen managed seven years at Highfields Secondary School without punching a pupil in the face.

Unknowingly drawn into a war against his own pupils, Patrick's patience finally snaps as he finds himself the number one target with the boy the school just can't seem to expel.

When one of his art students needs his help, she unwittingly pulls Patrick further into the line of fire, altering their lives forever.

With the media circling and rumors of his involvement reaching new highs, Patrick must escape the world he lives in, or face the consequences.”

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With an opening line of “Patrick Owen managed seven years at Highfields Secondary School without punching a pupil in the face” you just know this is going to be an “interesting” read and it doesn’t disappoint.

Paul Read captures magnificently Patrick’s disillusionment with teaching, the daily grime of teaching disinterested students in a tough part of the city, the difficulty he has in coming to terms with his failed marriage and separation from his young son and the struggle he has with just getting up in the morning but when he gets involved with someone he probably shouldn’t, things become a whole lot worse.

The story captured me from the very first line and didn’t let up until the very end. The style of writing is natural and easy flowing. The characters are interesting, well developed and believable, scarily so in some cases, with the setting of the school and its surroundings feeling authentic. The story is quite a dark and sombre one but the author pops in humour which made me laugh out loud several times and provided a little light relief from what is a gritty thriller.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely seek out further work by Paul Read in the future if this debut is anything to go by and I must thank the publisher, Legend Times Group via the Legend 100 Club, for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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Author twitter - @paulreadauthor

Publisher website - Legend Times Group

Legend 100 Club

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The Darkest Secret by Alex Marwood

"Full of people you love to hate"

Description from Goodreads:

"Apologies for the general email, but I desperately need your help.

My goddaughter, Coco Jackson, disappeared from her family's holiday home in Bournemouth on the night of Sunday/Monday August 29/30th, the bank holiday weekend just gone. Coco is three years old.

When three-year-old identical twin Coco goes missing during a family celebration, there is a media frenzy. Her parents are rich and influential, as are the friends they were with at their holiday home by the sea.

But what really happened to Coco during her father's 50th birthday weekend?

Set across two weekends - the first when Coco goes missing and the second, at the funeral of Coco's father, where at last, the darkest of secrets will be revealed..."

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This is a subject matter that is any parent’s worst nightmare; their 3 year old child goes missing but, in The Darkest Secret, that is only the beginning of the story and when money and reputations are at stake, it becomes something even more sinister.

The story builds from the first page and takes a very firm grip on you. It covers 2 main timelines - the days leading up to Coco’s disappearance and the days leading up to her father’s funeral some years later. It’s told from various perspectives which, I think, was very clever as it provides different views of the same events and how each of the characters explain and, at times, justify their actions.

We meet some of the most thoroughly abhorrent and loathsome characters you are ever likely to meet but, on the other hand, we meet 2 sisters who, despite their childhood and upbringing, turn out to be half decent human beings. There are characters that you dislike at the beginning but develop sympathy for and their are others you take an instant aversion to which grows in intensity as the book develops, the story unfolds and the shocking truth starts to emerge.

I can’t recall having read anything by Alex Marwood before but after reading this, I will certainly read something by her again. If you enjoy dark, twisty stories that are full of people you love to hate, then this is the one for you.

I want to thank the publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for a copy of this engrossing book in return for an honest review.

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Author website - click here

Author twitter - AlexMarwood1

Author needs help

"Author needs help"

Hi everyone

I am asking for help on behalf of an author, Kevin R. Doyle, who has been let down by people who have said they would review his book and they are never heard from again.

He has given me permission to pass on his email address to anyone who would be willing to read and post a review of his book on Amazon and anywhere else.

I have read it and you can find my review here - The Litter

Is anyone interested? If so, please contact Kevin direct and he will arrange an e-copy is sent to you; his email address is kevinrossdoyle@gmail.com.

Thank you.


Hazel

x

Hidden by Emma Kavanagh

"A great read but keep your wits about you!"

     

Description from Goodreads:

“A gripping psychological thriller by a former police psychologist. Perfect for fans of Nicci French, Tana French and S. J. Watson.

HE'S WATCHING

A gunman is stalking the wards of a local hospital. He's unidentified and dangerous, and has to be located. Urgently.

Police Firearms Officer Aden McCarthy is tasked with tracking him down. Still troubled by the shooting of a schoolboy, Aden is determined to make amends by finding the gunman - before it's too late.

SHE'S WAITING

To psychologist Imogen, hospital should be a place of healing and safety - both for her, and her young niece who's been recently admitted. She's heard about the gunman, but he has little to do with her. Or has he?

As time ticks down, no one knows who the gunman's next target will be. But he's there. Hiding in plain sight. Far closer than anyone thinks…”

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I haven’t read anything by Emma before but I was drawn by the blurb so requested a copy via NetGalley and was provided one by the publisher Random House UK, Cornerstone Digital in return for an unbiased review and I am thankful for that as I really enjoyed it.

The story starts with a mass shooting in the lobby of a hospital - this is chilling stuff especially given tragic events in past months. The story then goes back some days before and provides a background and insight into the leading characters including the killer whose identity is not divulged until almost the end. I think this was brave - setting out the ending at the beginning but then, isn’t that what happens in real life? A horrific event occurs and we then go backwards and try to develop a timeline of events leading up to it?

I am aware that other readers have found the time-switching a little confusing but I loved the format and found it really helped to build the tension, introduce the characters and create the sub plots within the main story which were as absorbing as the main story itself. I admit that if you don’t keep your wits about you, it’s easy to get a little lost but, bear with it and just go with the flow.

The characters are interesting and believable with each having to carry their own baggage of problems whilst trying to carry on with their “normal” lives. This, I feel, is the major plus side to this novel - the complex characterisation and delving into the psyche of each person.

One negative - I didn’t really get a sense of the location and although I’m aware the book is set in Swansea, there was nothing in the story that set it apart from any other city or town in the UK which I think was a little disappointing as I like to be transported to new, interesting or intriguing places when I read and this just didn’t do it for me.

Overall though, I found this a riveting read and would recommend it to people who enjoy a great psychological thriller with great characters, sub-plots and red herrings which keep you not only enthralled with the story but guessing who the perpetrator is to the end.

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Author twitter: @EmmaLK

Whilst you're here, why don't you download a free copy of "The Affair" - a short story by Emma featuring and introducing one of the main characters from this story, Charlie.

Amazon UK

Amazon US

WHSmith (UK)

Go on .... what have you go to lose?!?

The Line Unseen by Joe Hart - Free download

"A good quick read"

Description:

“From the author of LINEAGE, SINGULARITY, and EVERFALL comes this short story of supernatural horror.

A man, walked on his entire life by others, discovers his wife's infidelity, and decides to do something about it. After a deadly encounter in an alleyway he must look into the depths of himself to find the line unseen, and face the horror beyond.”

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This is a short story I picked up for free from Amazon and, to be honest, because it’s free I didn’t expect too much but was actually pleasantly surprised. Although it’s short - about 28 pages on my Kindle and around 9,000 words - it packs a lot into a short space of time.

The book is well written, the characters believable and well developed and the story is interesting with just the right amount of gore. There is tension and atmosphere with a twist at the end which leaves you wondering where your line is and where it will take you.

Overall, a good quick read and a good introduction to the works of this author which I would highly recommend especially as I have read one of his full length novels - The River is Dark - which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I would also like to mention how great I think the cover is - it’s really eye-catching and ominous - well done to the person who came up with that.

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

Author twitter:  @AuthorJoeHart

You can still download a free copy of this short story from Amazon UK and US, Barnes & Noble, WHSmith and others … go get it and enjoy!

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

Last Resort: A Novella by K R Griffiths

Description from Goodreads:

“For Shane Clifford, things can't possibly get any worse. What should have been an idyllic vacation - a week of snowboarding at one of Canada's most beautiful ski resorts - becomes toxic when his wife tearfully confesses her infidelity.

Overcome with grief, all Shane wants is to get away, but a freak storm has closed the roads, and it seems there will be no escape from his torment until the weather clears. Yet when Shane snaps and tries to leave the resort against all advice, he soon discovers that there is more on the mountain than just snow and trees.

And things can always get worse…”

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This is a short read (81 pages on my Kindle) but it packs a punch. It has everything you could want in a horror book - atmospheric and sinister, tension and thrills and imaginative “killers”. K R Griffiths is adept at drawing you in quickly by creating and developing characters that you care about which is just as well as this is a quick read. However, unlike many short horror stories I have read, it’s really well written and doesn’t just rely on gratuitous blood and gore - now don’t get me wrong there is blood and gore in there but it’s there for a purpose and not just for the sake of it.

The story grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go until the last and the only complaint I have is that I didn’t want it to end. I loved the ending but it came too soon for me … I wanted more; I want a full size novel … am I greedy? You bet when it comes to a good read!

I have been a fan of Mr Griffiths since reading Survivor: A Horror Thriller, I then went on to read Adrift, followed by Adrift 2 and every one has been brilliant and I can safely say that I am a fan and would most definitely recommend him to anyone who likes a good scare or that feeling of trepidation when you are alone in the dark!

Thank you Mr Griffiths for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Author website: http://www.krgriffiths.org/ where you can subscribe to the newsletter for new releases and bonus content.

Twitter: KRGriffiths1

Bite by Nick Louth

Description from Goodreads:

“Tomorrow should be the greatest day of Erica Stroud-Jones's life. In just 24 hours this brilliant young scientist will present her secret work to a conference in Amsterdam - research that promises to revolutionise the battle against a deadly tropical disease. Millions of lives could be saved; a Nobel Prize beckons.

Arriving to watch her are sceptics and rivals, admirers and enemies. Erica's own eyes will be on sculptor Max Carver, her American new love to whom she will dedicate her achievement.

Tomorrow never comes.

Erica vanishes during the night. Max, desperate, terrified, sets out to find her, descending into an underworld full of malice and cunning. But even he is shocked by the dark terror he finds in the heart of the woman he loves.

Discover the massive number one bestseller that thousands of readers have said is the most addictive, page-turning novel of the year. “

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I really quite enjoyed this book. I have never read anything by this author before so took a punt and requested a copy via the publisher, Sphere an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group, and NetGalley. Now it does purport to be “the most addictive, page-turning novel of the year” and "the most gripping thriller you'll ever read" and although I would disagree with this as I have read a few books which are better, I was entertained by this novel and gripped from start to finish. I admit that it is a little OTT at times but books aren’t always supposed to be believable and sometimes it’s nice to just go along with it and enjoy the ride!

The storyline has a few threads to it and once you get your head around them, everything slots into place. The main themes are malaria and the hunt for Erica and in amongst all that is a glimpse into Erica’s past. I did particularly like the entries from Erica’s diary when she was in Africa and feel this could have made a pretty good novel in itself albeit rather disturbing. The pace is pretty relentless from start to finish with some twists, turns and surprises along the way.

The characters are an interesting bunch of people some more likeable than others but all are well described and believable … well mostly … that is where the OTT comes in as Max seems to go from a normal bloke to a superhero and what he does goes slightly beyond the realms of possibility but don’t let that put you off reading this, like I said … just shake your head and go along for the ride.

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Author website - http://www.nicklouth.com/

Twitter - @NickLouthAuthor 

The Orphan Uprising by James and Lance Morcan

Synopsis from Goodreads:

“In this explosive conclusion to The Orphan Trilogy, the ninth-born orphan’s dramatic story resumes five years after book one, The Ninth Orphan, ends.

Having eluded his former masters at the Omega Agency and escaped his past life as an operative, Nine has married his soul mate, Isabelle. They’ve carved out a new life for themselves, off the grid, in the remote islands of French Polynesia.

The contented couple have a five-year-old son, Francis, who is a chip off the old block and who has inherited his father’s unique DNA. Francis will soon have a sister as Isabelle is about to give birth to a baby girl.

Their idyllic lifestyle is shattered when Francis is abducted by operatives in the employ of the Omega Agency, the shadowy organization that brought Nine into the world and once controlled every aspect of his life. The terrified boy with the unique DNA is dispatched to one of Omega’s underground medical laboratories for scientific testing and experimentation.

Nine is desperate to find Francis before Omega can harm him. He soon finds he’s up against his fellow orphans – all elite operatives as he once was – who are under orders to kill him on sight. To overcome them, he must call on all his former training and skills. His search takes him around the world – from Tahiti to America, Germany, Greenland and the Congo.

To add to Nine’s worries, he has a serious heart condition that requires immediate surgery. The clock is ticking and he knows he’s on borrowed time. It’s a race against the clock to find his son before Omega can harm the boy – and before his heart gives out.”

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As the synopsis says, this is the final book in the trilogy and, I have to say that I am a little sad about that as I have grown to really like Nine and Seventeen and I will miss their exploits which have been expertly written about by James and Lance Morcan. I feel you really need to have read the first book - The Ninth Orphan and the second - The Orphan Factory - to really appreciate this one but you won’t be disappointed and I would highly recommend that you buy all three.

The description of this, the third book, says it all so I won’t go into the ins and outs of the story but will say “what’s not to like?” You’ve got brilliant characters, a fantastic story which is excellently written and is easy to read with flowing text that seamlessly changes from the different perspectives of the main characters. The locations are expertly described as are the various unsavoury characters that Nine utilises to help his cause in the search for his son which include a motorcycle gang from Greenland, African Militia and the American Mafia. These may be shady people but are nothing in comparison to the Omega Corporation that Nine is going up against who think that horrendous experiments against children are perfectly acceptable!

The entire book is just great and although it’s a traditional story of good against evil; hope against despair it's so well written that it feels fresh, new and exciting and I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone and would encourage you, yes you who are reading this, to go and buy the trilogy right now … you won’t be disappointed and if you are, well you wouldn’t know a good book if it came up and hit you in the face!



Disclaimer: I was sent an eBook copy of this book direct from the authors in return for an unbiased and honest review - this in no way influenced my review whatsoever.

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Authors Website:  http://morcanbooksandfilms.com/

Twitter:  MorcanJames and sterlinggate

Adrift 2: Sundown by K R Griffiths

Description from Goodreads:

"1 night. 1 city. 8 million people. No warning. No safety...

Having survived the massacre aboard the doomed cruise ship Oceanus, all Dan Bellamy wants is peace; a chance to go home and attempt to put his life - and his mind - back together.

He's not going to get it.

Dragged back to the UK by the remaining members of the Rennick family, Dan finds himself once more pitched into a nightmare. Vampires are rising, gathering in force for an assault on London which could blow the secret of their existence wide open, and Dan's captors are convinced that he alone holds the key to defeating them.

Dan knows he has some strange connection with the creatures. Trouble is, as chaos erupts on the streets and the bodies begin to pile up around Dan, it looks like the vampires know it, too…"

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I am fast becoming a fan of Mr Griffiths’ work having read 2 of his previous novels - Survivor and the first in this series, Adrift. I highly recommend you read Adrift as it introduces the main players and background to the story; I wouldn’t say it was essential but you would lose out massively on a highly entertaining read.

As with Adrift, this is excellent from start to finish. The pace is flowing and it is very well written and easy to read. The characters are interesting and believable and the “monsters” are so well described, they could be in the room with you! Be warned however, there is a smattering of blood and gore throughout so if you don’t like that sort of thing, that’s a shame because you will be missing out on what is a fabulous book and I for one can’t wait to read the next installment - hint hint Mr Griffiths ;)

This and Adrift - need to be made into a film or series of films as I definitely feel that with good actors on board, they could be as good as the Alien franchise.

Disclaimer: I received a free eBook copy from the author in return for an unbiased review.

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Author website: http://www.krgriffiths.org/

Click here to join Mr Griffiths free mailing list and be the first to discover new releases, launch-day discounts and bonus content

Twitter: KRGriffiths1

Only The Brave (DS Allie Shenton #3) by Mel Sherratt

Description from Goodreads:

"When one of the notorious Johnson brothers is murdered and a bag of money goes missing, a deadly game of cat and mouse is set in motion.

DS Allie Shenton and her team are called in to catch the killer, but the suspects are double-crossing each other and Allie has little time to untangle the web of lies.

As she delves deeper into the case, things take a personal turn when Allie realises she is being stalked by the very same person who attacked her sister seventeen years ago and left her for dead.

Set over forty-eight tension-filled hours, Only the Brave is the latest gut-churning book from acclaimed author Mel Sherratt."

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I feel very privileged to have been invited to review this book by the author and duly received my copy from Netgalley and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer/Amazon Publishing and, yet again, I was most definitely not disappointed and I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost amongst the words of Mel Sherratt.

This is the 3rd installment in the DS Allie Shenton series and although you don’t have to have read the previous 2 novels, I would certainly recommend reading at least 1 of them as there is a thread that runs through all 3 novels and I feel that you would miss out on the understanding of Allie and her motivations and character development. Having said that, don’t let that put you off; I have only read 1 previous novel “Follow the Leader” and I was able to become totally engrossed very quickly which is a testament to the skill of Mel as the author.

This story is different to the previous novel in that you don’t know who the murderer is. There are many clues and red herrings thrown in which keeps you guessing and on your toes and I just love that in a book especially when I guess wrong. It is also told over a 48 hour period which, for me, lent an authenticity to the way in which the police investigation was told and meant the pace was fast and constant from the beginning to the very end … and what an ending!

The characters in this book are fabulous; particularly the more colourful residents of the flats and despite some of them being a tad shady, you quickly become drawn into their world. I admit that there were a few notable male characters that I took an instant dislike to and a couple of the female characters that irritated me but this only added to my enjoyment and total immersion into the story.

DS Allie Shenton is an excellent female character. She is strong yet vulnerable and not afraid to show both sides. She is driven to find justice and has a “nose” for rooting out the answers. I believe Mel has found a truly distinct and interesting character that has reams and reams of potential for further development and some fantastic storylines to come and I, for one, look forward to reading more.

I would most definitely recommend this book to people who enjoy a fast, paced, thriller with interesting and believable characters which just flows and is a pleasure to read.

Crash & Burn by Lisa Gardner

Description from Goodreads:

"My name is Nicky Frank.

I'm in hospital after crashing my car. I am afraid. The only thing that I can think about is Vero. I know I have to save her but why couldn't I find her? She's just a little girl.

The man standing in my hospital room tells me we are married but there is no Vero. That six months ago I suffered a traumatic brain injury which caused changes to my personality. I have dramatic mood swings, an inability to concentrate and large gaps in my memory. I'm much easier to anger these days. And I drink. All of which he says explains the car accident and my confusion.

Now a Sergeant Wyatt Foster is investigating. He has questions about the car accident. He has concerns about my husband. And he's worried about a missing girl.

He would like to know what happened to me. So would I.

My name is Nicky Frank. This is my life.

Watch me crash and burn."

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I have read a few of Lisa Gardner’s books and have enjoyed them all but this was something different and equally as good. This is the third story in the Tessa Leoni series but you definitely don’t have to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this and it can be read as a standalone. I would however like to add a caveat to this as I do believe it would be beneficial to read the other books in order to get an insight into Tessa as Lisa touches on this in this book and I did feel I was missing out on something from previous stories but, as this book doesn't focus on Tessa that much, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.

This book centres around Nicky and delves into her fractured mind, her unreliable memories, disturbing past and her relationship with her husband, Thomas. In the beginning, there are so many questions and you never really know if what Nicky is thinking is real or not but gradually clues are drip-fed and you start to put 2 and 2 together but sometimes you make 5! Enter Police Sergeant Wyatt and Private Investigator Leoni who struggle to piece things together and try to discover just what the heck is going on but it becomes clear that Nicky has a traumatic history and a history that, unfortunately, is only too real and is happening to someone today.

The pace of the story is excellent with twists and turns thrown in on a regular basis and it doesn't let up right to the breath-taking conclusion. It is told mainly from the point of view of Nicky and, I think, it captures her confusion and fear extremely well. It is also told from Wyatt’s perspective and he is the calm and measured voice of the book. All of the characters are complex, interesting and believable.

Lisa Gardner tackles a difficult subject in Crash & Burn with sensitivity and respect and does not glorify it or go into graphic detail which I applaud and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, psychological thriller that has you not knowing whether you are coming or going.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Headline, for the copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Normal by Graeme Cameron

                        

Description from Goodreads:

"He lives on your street, in a nice house with a tidy garden.

He shops at your local supermarket. He drives beside you, waving to let you into the lane ahead of him.

He also has an elaborate cage in a secret basement under his garage.

The food he’s carefully shopping for is to feed a young woman he’s holding there against her will – one in a string of many, unaware of the fate that awaits her.

This is how it’s been for a long time. It’s normal…and it works. Perfectly.

But this time it’s different…"

Publish dates:  Hardcover - 31st March 2015 / Paperback & Kindle - 9th April 2015

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This book messed with my head!

The story is written from the point of view of a serial killer and takes the reader on a chilling journey. Not being a serial killer myself, I am not sure how accurate the narration is but it seemed to be quite believable to me - it is cold, devoid of empathy or guilt and terrifying in its detachment from the horror that he is inflicting.

The main character remains nameless throughout - there isn't even a good enough description where you can envisage what he looks like. I found this quite disconcerting as my thoughts on what he looked like changed throughout the story depending on what was happening at the time but I still didn't have a clear picture by the end. I have a sneaky suspicion that this was intentional by the author. There were also times when you start to feel something for the guy (not quite sympathy but hope possibly?) but then he does or thinks something that makes you remember what he is and what he has done and those feelings go out the window. I suspect though that this was the author’s objective. History has shown us that serial killers can go about their normal lives and have normal relationships whilst carrying out the most unspeakable acts against fellow human beings … you just have to look at Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy for example. This is how serial killers become serial killers - they are skilful at outwardly appearing “normal”.

I didn't expect the killer to behave normally - how could you when he is what he is - but I was surprised by some of the other characters. I can’t go into much detail as I don’t want to give anything away but what the hell happened to Erica? For those who have read this book, you will know what I mean, for those who haven’t … be prepared she doesn't react as you expect. The police are portrayed as totally inept however, again, history has shown us that the art of being a serial killer is manipulation and the ability to evade capture; they hide in plain sight and sometimes it is just a gut feeling and determination from the police that ends in their capture.

I liked the pace of the book and writing style and I particularly enjoyed the snippets of dark humour that made me laugh out loud at times. However, I do think that to make this a 5 star book there needed to me more about why he did what he did and what made him become what he became. You get glimpses of his past but nothing which explains or sheds much light on this but as I type, I am left wondering if again this was the author’s intention? Could the ending point to another book which could explore this more? Hmmm … I wonder … if that is the case, then I would very much like to read it.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Harlequin (UK) Ltd., for sending me an e-book advance copy in return for an honest review.

The Doll's House by M. J. Arlidge

Blurb from Goodreads:

"The Doll's House is the new twisting and terrifying thriller in the Detective Inspector Helen Grace series from M.J. Arlidge.

Arlidge is the author of Eeny Meeny and Pop Goes the Weasel, and has been dubbed 'the new Jo Nesbo'.

A young woman wakes up in a cold, dark cellar, with no idea how she got there or who her kidnapper is. So begins her terrible nightmare.

Nearby, the body of another young woman is discovered buried on a remote beach. But the dead girl was never reported missing - her estranged family having received regular texts from her over the years. Someone has been keeping her alive from beyond the grave.

For Detective Inspector Helen Grace it's chilling evidence that she's searching for a monster who is not just twisted but also clever and resourceful - a predator who's killed before.

And as Helen struggles to understand the killer's motivation, she begins to realize that she's in a desperate race against time . . ."

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This is the third book in a series but the first I have read. I think I was at a slight disadvantage not having read the first two but not so much as it spoiled things for me because I was highly entertained by this book.

The story starts off as it means to go on with a terrifying description of a young woman’s realisation that she has not woken up in her own bed after a night out. It continues with the account of an idyllic family trip to the seaside which quickly descends into terror with the discovery of a young woman’s body buried in the beach. Enter the hero of the book, DI Helen Grace, who you quickly realise has her own demons to deal with which, from the glimpses provided by the author, follow on from the two previous books.

The book is written from several perspectives and this all helps to see and understand things from each of the viewpoints of the main characters including the killer, suspects, victim and police officers. The story is written at a great pace, particularly the ending, which keeps you on your toes throughout and, in my case, my fingers swiping my Kindle screen with enthusiasm and reading deep into the night unable to stop. One thing I didn’t like was the bitching and back-stabbing that went on between police officers but, unfortunately, this is probably quite close to real life.

I really enjoyed this and would recommend to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, thrill from start to finish but I feel it would be better to read the previous novels first as I feel this would add extra dimensions to the overall story.

Thank you to the publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and Netgalley for the uncorrected advance proof copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Follow The Leader by Mel Sherratt

"A man’s body is found on a canal towpath. In his pocket, a magnetic letter in the shape of an E.

Days later, a second victim is found, this time with the letter V tucked into her clothing.

As the body count rises, the eerie, childlike clues point to a pattern that sends DS Allie Shenton and her colleagues into full alert.

The race is on. Allie and the team must work quickly to determine where the killer will strike next. The rules are simple but deadly—to catch the killer, they must follow the leader."

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Wow. What a great read. I am unable to give this anything less than top marks … it was that good. I was not aware of Mel Sherratt before reading this but I certainly am now and I will most definitely look out for her books in the future.

This is the second in the DS Allie Shenton series but I don’t feel it essential that the first one is read - I hadn’t read it - but the author has written this so well, that I didn’t feel I was missing something and it can be read as a standalone.

I think it’s a real skill that an author is able to give away who the killer is at the beginning and keep the reader on their toes throughout. This author manages this with ease but not only that, she also gives us the “why” and the “who” as well and still makes the story full of suspense and anticipation.

The story is written from the point of view of various characters but rather than this causing confusion, it really made the book as it brought those characters to life. It is also written in the past and present with the author providing snippets of the past life of many of the characters whilst also shedding light on the motivations behind the murders.

This book is not just a great story about a serial killer or about the police investigation, it is so much more than that. It highlights the potential outcome of abuse and bullying in childhood which resulted in me jumping between abhorrence and sympathy not only for the killer but also the victims.

The ending makes you want more … I shouted out “no” after reading the final words as I didn’t want it to end and I am so looking forward to the next instalment.

I would like to thank the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in return for an honest review and for introducing me to another fabulous British author.

The Litter by Kevin R Doyle

"A novel of dark suspense concerning a band of feral children terrorizing the residents of an inner city."

Description from Night to Dawn Magazine & Books website - http://bloodredshadow.com/

"They kept to the shadows so no one would know they existed, and preyed on the nameless who no one would miss. Where did they come from, and who was protecting them? In a city that had seen every kind of savagery, they were something new, something more than murderous. And one woman who had thought she had lost everything there was to lose in life would soon find that nothing could possibly prepare her for what would come when she entered their world."

300 pages

Expected publication: February 13th 2015 by Night to Dawn Magazine and Books

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I was sent a copy of this book by the author, prior to it being published, in return for an honest review. I have read and reviewed another of this author’s works - The Group - which I enjoyed but The Litter is very different.

The main premise of the story is about a band of feral children however, it could quite easily be about any gang terrorising any community and I feel, whether intended by the author or not, that it has a deeper message about the consequences of the breakdown of society and how those living on the fringes of society are outcasts and invisible to the majority of the population. I was saddened by the experiences of the young boy and know that young people all over the world are in similar, horrendous circumstances but this isn’t just a story about young, homeless people.

The Prologue set the scene and described the setting so well it could have been any rundown and impoverished area in any city or large town. The excellent descriptions of the people and places continued throughout the book and really brought it to life.

The main characters are well developed and interesting with the relationships between some of the characters providing another aspect and depth to the story. In the main, the characters are believable however I do think that one of the main characters, Karen, was a bit like one of those cliché actors in a horror movie who doesn’t respond as you would in normal life - like going into a scary, run down and dilapidated basement when you know damn well you wouldn’t do that in a million years! However, because her personality and makeup is so well told, the author just about gets away with it but I did find myself “tutting” at her a couple of times.

Overall, it is well written, has good suspense with some gruesome and stomach churning descriptions and generally a good read.

The Mysterious Miss Mayhew by Hazel Osmond

"Tom doesn't need any more women in his life. He already has his hands full with his five year old daughter, an estranged wife who keeps blocking his efforts to get divorced and a mother who might be having an affair with the vicar. When Fran Mayhew turns up - years younger than him and with all the tact of a dinosaur with its backside on fire - she's just another tricky person to deal with.

And what's she doing in his remote part of Northumberland crawling around in graveyards anyway?

But soon Tom discovers that there's more to Miss Mayhew than meets the eye - and it's not just his heart he's in danger of losing."

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This book is quite a large step away from what I normally read. I think it was the cover design that first drew me to it and then the description made it all the more appealing with the phrase “the tact of a dinosaur with its backside on fire” bringing a smile to my face and thoughts that this could be right up my alley for a change …. and it was.

The characters were excellent; a real mixed bag and totally believable - some of which I am sure I have come into contact with over the years although I won’t say which ones!

Tom - the main character and the one whose point of view the story is mostly told - is a single father who, from my perspective anyway, seems to be doing a pretty good job although he does have his faults (don’t we all) but who is trying to hold everything together under intense pressure from his ex-wife, Steph (a truly horrible person) and the owners of the magazine he runs, the Mawsons (equally as horrible). I think telling the story from Tom’s perspective is genius and a refreshing change from the norm.

Hattie is Tom’s 5 year old daughter and who, in my opinion, is the star of the book. She is not your typical 5 year old girl - she has a love of wrestling and pirates and is so innocent and truthful with her observations it makes her totally believable. Hattie is funny and caused many a “laugh out loud” moment for me (the testicles incident being just one of them!) but she also provided some of the heartbreakingly sad moments … did I mention how truly horrible Steph is?!!

Fran - the Mysterious Miss Mayhew - an unconventional and straight-talking lady who, initially, comes across as being a little uptight but despite only getting to know her through her 10 point “Things I have learned today” diary entries, she very quickly grows on you. It’s amazing how much you can get to know a character just from 10 points and I applaud the author as I imagine this must have been very difficult to write having to condense the information into those 10 small chunks.

The story flows easily with a great mix of mystery, humour, tension and romance. Humour is a very fickle thing - everyone has their own tastes and preferences so I think it’s particularly difficult to appeal to the masses but I feel it was done so naturally by the author that it should appeal to anyone with even a tiny sense of humour.

Overall, I am really pleased that I took a punt and requested a copy via www.netgalley.com and am grateful for the publisher, Quercus Books, for sending me it and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a great story with fantastic characters.