The Bone Field by Simon Kernick

Description from Goodreads:

“From the best-selling author of Stay Alive, The Final Minute and The Witness.

When the bones of a 21-year old woman who went missing without trace in Thailand in 1990, are discovered in the grounds of an old Catholic school in Buckinghamshire, an enduring mystery takes on a whole new twist. Her boyfriend at the time, and the man who reported her missing, Henry Forbes, now a middle-aged university lecturer, comes forward with his lawyer and tells DI Ray Mason of the Met’s Homicide Command that he knows what happened to Kitty, and who killed her.

So begins a hunt for the truth that will focus on a ruthless crime gang, a rich, dysfunctional family with a terrible past, and a highly ambitious man so cruel and ruthless that he must be brought down at any cost…”

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Once again Simon delivers a fast-paced, gritty novel with strong characters and an intriguing story line that forces you to read on into the night and I thank the publisher, Randomhouse UK Cornerstone, and NetGalley for my copy in return for a review.

As the blurb above indicates, the story follows the investigation into the disappearance of Kitty Sinn who went missing in Thailand in 1990’s but whose bones are discovered in Buckinghamshire; there’s no trace of her coming back into the country so how did they get there? And so it begins … the roller-coaster ride that is Simon Kernick’s books.

For me, one of Simon’s great gifts is to create characters that you care about and DI Ray Mason, in this second outing, is fast becoming one of those; there is a depth to DI Mason that makes him believable and I look forward to getting to know him more. Tina Boyd needs no introduction; she is my favourite female character EVER. She is feisty, brave, unorthodox at times but always with the best of intentions and the perfect person to have on your side. However, where Tina goes trouble is usually not too far behind.

I admit to being a fan of Simon’s work and always look forward to his next outing; the way this book ended has me chomping at the bit for the next one.

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

Author's Twitter - @simonkernick

Publisher's website - Randomhouse UK, Cornerstone

Flytrap by Simon Kernick

Description from Goodreads:

“THE EXCLUSIVE NEW SHORT STORY YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP READING

Also includes a sneak preview of Simon Kernick's blistering new thriller, The Bone Field.

Him

He has an addiction that he cannot quench. His solitary life sailing the Caribbean is the only way he can survive. That is, until, he meets…

Her

A widow with nothing left to lose, she finds herself on his sleek forty-foot yacht. He’s handsome and charming; exactly what she’s been looking for.

But the night doesn’t go exactly as they had planned, and only one of them will get out alive.”

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A great short story that I wish had been a bit longer but even though it’s only 40 odd pages, it had me hooked which I think is the skill of the author who, I admit, I am a big fan of.

The book is written with short, succinct chapters written alternately between “Him” and “Her” perspectives. I can’t say too much without giving the game away but they are both not particularly nice people and you just know it’s not going to end well for one of them! Despite its shortness, it’s full of twists with the major one being at the end … I actually let out a “noooooooo” because I didn’t want it to end so if Mr Kernick has any plans to flesh this out a bit or continue where it leaves off … I would read it.

As an added delight, we are treated to a preview of Mr Kernick’s new novel The Bone Field, which I have read, thoroughly enjoyed but have yet to type my review … I am a bit behind!

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

Author's Twitter - @simonkernick

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Other books of Mr Kernick's that I have reviewed:

Click here for review

Click here for review

Click here for review

Click here for review

I really would recommend reading Mr Kernick's work, I have never been disappointed yet.

The Two O'Clock Boy by Mark Hill

           

Description from Goodreads:

“TWO CHILDHOOD FRIENDS...ONE BECAME A DETECTIVE...ONE BECAME A KILLER...

One night changed their lives

Thirty years ago, the Longacre Children's Home stood on a London street where once-grand Victorian homes lay derelict. There its children lived in terror of Gordon Tallis, the home's manager.

Cries in the fire and smoke

Then Connor Laird arrived: a frighteningly intense boy who quickly became Tallis' favourite criminal helper. Soon after, destruction befell the Longacre, and the facts of that night have lain buried ...until today.

A truth both must hide

Now, a mysterious figure, the Two O'Clock Boy, is killing all who grew up there, one by one. DI Ray Drake will do whatever it take to stop the murders - but he will go even further to cover up the truth.

Discover the gripping, twist-filled start to a fantastic new London-set crime thriller series starring morally corrupt DI Ray Drake - the perfect new addiction for fans of Luther.”

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This is the debut novel for Mark Hill and, I think, a successful one and I want to thank the publisher, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.

I admit to being a crime book addict so I can be hard to please but I really enjoyed this one. The story is a familiar one of past misdemeanors coming back to haunt you but it’s told in a quite unique way. The characters are great particularly DI Ray Drake who is far from perfect and isn’t afraid of bending the rules; I found him compelling and I was desperate to find out how far he would go to hide the past. DS Flick Crowley has recently been promoted and is the lead investigator into the gruesome murders of people from Ray’s past and their families but she finds herself hampered by Ray who wants to keep the past buried however, it becomes clear that this is not going to be possible as the killer, named The Two O’Clock Boy, has him and his daughter in his sights.

This is a compelling read with great characters, an intricate plot which is well written at a great pace and, I think, will be enjoyed by readers who enjoy a dark story with twists and turns and a satisfying ending.

Mark Hill has created an interesting and complex character in DI Ray Drake and I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the series.

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Author website - http://markhillauthor.com/

Author twitter - markhillwriter

Publisher website - Little, Brown Book Group

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

Beneath The Ashes by Jane Isaac

Description from Goodreads:

“The floor felt hard beneath her face. Nancy opened her eyes. Blinked several times. A pain seared through her head. She could feel fluid. No. She was lying in fluid.

When a body is discovered in a burnt-out barn in the Warwickshire countryside, DI Will Jackman is called to investigate.

Nancy Faraday wakes up on the kitchen floor. The house has been broken into and her boyfriend is missing. As the case unravels, DI Jackman realises that nothing is quite as it appears and everyone, it seems, has a secret.

Can he discover the truth behind the body in the fire, and track down the killer before Nancy becomes the next victim?”

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After I read “Before It’s Too Late” by Jane Isaac, I said that I would certainly read more as I had enjoyed it so much so imagine my delight when I was offered to read "Beneath The Ashes" in return for an honest review by The Legend 100 Club. I wasn’t going to say no was I?

We are quickly immersed in a riveting crime story being investigated by DI Will Jackman. I have said it before and I will say it again, I really like Will as a character. He is a really interesting, complex and likeable Police Officer who, despite carrying a lot of baggage around in his head, is methodical and driven to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding Nancy and her missing boyfriend.

The story moves at a good pace and flows really well so is easy to read. The story is told from the perspectives of DI Will Jackman and Nancy in alternating chapters which, I think, works really well. There are twists, turns, secrets, lies and red herrings before the reveal at the end which I didn’t see coming.

This is a great book and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great mystery with very likeable characters and if you haven’t read any of Jane Isaac’s work before, I would suggest you give her a go - she certainly doesn’t disappoint and I for one can't wait to read the third book in the series - The Lies Within - which is due out in May 2017.

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Author Website - Jane Isaac, Crime Fiction Author

Author Twitter - JaneIsaacAuthor

Publisher website - Legend Press

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Book One

Click here for my review

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Book Three due May 2017

Picture taken from The Legend Press website

Click here to read the blurb