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

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

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 

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

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

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.

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.