Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy and spot on the tour 🌟🌟🌟🌟
THE BLURB: When Janette answers the door to a potential customer looking to board his dog, she never imagines he has nefarious plans.
But minutes later he’s dead and in her cellar.
Weeks later she realises she’s pregnant.
And so she becomes Mother and the baby Child, and a hidden life begins.
But all secrets come out eventually . .
MY REVIEW: Woah… This book gets pretty dark. There are so many trigger warnings, and it makes for very uncomfortable reading. The plot starts off as a slow burn, but if you can get through the opening pages, it becomes a gripping and intriguing read. I wasn’t sure if I ‘liked’ the characters as such, but they really added to the suspense in the plot. As my first Anita Waller book, it was a strong introduction to her work, and I look forward to more.
BlogTour #TheGirlwiththeEmeraldFlag by @kathleenmcgurl
Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy and spot on the tour 🌟🌟🌟🌟 THE BLURB: A country rebelling It’s 1916 and, as war rages in Europe, Gráinne leaves her job in a department store to join Countess Markiewicz’s revolutionary efforts. It is a decision which will change her life forever. A rebellion is brewing, and as Dublin’s streets become a battleground, Gráinne soon discovers the personal cost of fighting for what you believe in…
A forgotten sacrifice Decades on, student Nicky is recovering from a break-up when a research project leads her to her great-grandmother’s experiences in revolutionary Ireland. When Nicky finds a long-forgotten handkerchief amongst her great-grandmother’s things, it leads to the revelation of a heartbreaking story of tragedy and courage, and those who sacrificed everything for their country. MY REVIEW: I have loved Kathleen McGurl’s dual timeline novels, and I really enjoyed her latest book. Set in revolutionary Ireland, in 1916 as well as modern day, the story follows a part of history I’m ashamed to say I know little about. Now that’s changed, thanks to this book. Both timelines are given equal attention, and I enjoyed both but I looked forward to Nicky’s chapters a little more, I suspect because she reminds me of myself! McGurl shows the reason I love historical fiction perfectly with this book. To raise awareness to a lesser known part of history through wonderful, powerful characters who you support and want to succeed.
#BlogTour #TheWidow by @valeriekeogh2 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy and spot on the tour
THE BLURB: Grieving or guilty?
When Allison’s wealthy and charming husband Peter is found dead, she appears distraught, devastated….delighted?
Because despite an apparently picture-perfect marriage, Allison knows it was all built on a bed of lies.
And as the truth regarding Peter’s life and death are revealed, Alison must try to keep her own dark past buried.
Because if Peter was keeping secrets, then his widow is too…
MY REVIEW: Wow. I’ve read Valerie Keogh’s books before, and enjoyed them. But this book… its something else entirely Wow. It starts off really well, enticing the reader into the story But as the story moves on, it takes you somewhere you just couldn’t have foreseen. The plot is so fast-paced, you fly through it. The twists are unreal. Fascinating characters really helps this book appeal to every thriller reader. There’s the character development as well as the gripping plot. Amazing.
Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy and spot on the tour! THE BLURB: October 1840. A young woman staggers alone through a forest in Shropshire as a huge pair of impossible wings rip themselves from her shoulders.
Meanwhile, when rumours of a ‘fallen angel’ cause a frenzy across London, a surgeon desperate for fame and fortune finds himself in the grips of a dangerous obsession, one that will place the women he seeks in the most terrible danger . . .
THE GIFTS is the astonishing debut adult novel from the lauded author of BEARMOUTH. A gripping and ambitious book told through five different perspectives and set against the luminous backdrop of nineteenth century London, it explores science, nature and religion, enlightenment, the role of women in society and the dark danger of ambition. MY REVIEW: This is a beautifully written novel that blends several different genres- historical fiction, mystery, literary fiction, with a little fantasy thown in. The structure of the novel is challenging, and lends itself to needing complete focus by the reader, but if this isn’t a problem, the book is an intriguing and gripping novel that is extremely enjoyable. The writing is wonderful and really adds to the historical feel to the novel, and for me this is my favourite part. There are several layers to the book, that I thought deserved further exploration than we were given, but I feel this is admirable on the author’s part- to leave things open-ended and mysterious. An enjoyable read that I would recommend.
#BlogTour #DyingBrearh by @liz.mistry Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy and spot on the tour! THE BLURB: The killer is closing in… can she find him before he finds her? When Detective Nikki Parekh receives a set of threatening postcards, she knows it can only mean one thing… The man who escaped arrest after murdering her mother two years ago is back. Each postcard has a similar message: You’re next Parekh. As the post marks on the cards gradually get closer to Bradford, Nikki must do everything she can to protect her family and catch the killer before it’s too late. But when human remains are found in a remote barn on the icy Yorkshire moors, Nikki’s attention is pulled away from her family. When a tattoo on the victim’s arm – the only means of identification – leads nowhere, the team have already met a dead end. Will the team be able to make a breakthrough before someone else gets hurt, and can Nikki finally get justice for her mother’s tragic death? Don’t miss the next utterly gripping crime thriller from the Queen of Northern Noir! Fans of Angela Marsons, Patricia Gibney and JD Kirk will love this nail-biting read. MY REVIEW: I have previously read ‘Unjust Bias’ by this author and loved it. I was unaware this book was book 5 in the Nikki Parekh series, but I feel it is helpful to readers if they know they can jump into the series later. With this book, I feel like readers are given enough of the backstory to be able to enjoy the story from hereon in. The plot is fast-paced and oozing drama and suspense, which I think seems to go side by side with Mistry. I was gripped as much as Unjust Bias, and I am beginning to see why Mistry is so well recommended. Nikki Parekh is a strong and interesting character to base a series around, and I look forward to seeing what she gets up to next.
Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy and spot on the tour! 🌟🌟🌟🌟 THE BLURB: It takes a thief to catch a thief… Charley Glass arrived in her family’s lives like the hurricane she’d escaped. But she hadn’t run far enough: the ruthless Giordano family are on her tail and want two things – her life, and the return of the property she stole from them. No matter how many bodies stack up.
After years of longing, Charley finally has the family she’s always wanted, but now she’s going to have to tell them the real reason she came looking them. There is only one way she’s going to stay alive, and that is to employ the muscle of the notorious Glass Family.
The head of the family, Luke, has become embroiled in a dangerous political plot and isn’t sure they’re strong enough to take on one of New Orleans’ biggest crime gangs. But he’d put his life on the line to protect the empire they’ve built – even if they’ll have to take on an enemy hurting enough to cross an ocean for revenge. MY REVIEW: My first Owen Mullen but I can see why is he is so well loved! This is the fourth book in the Glass family series, and I do think it would be more beneficial to get used to the characters and their backstories, so the reader can just enjoy the ride of the plot! Once you are fully introduced to the family, the plot takes off and is a thrilling and gripping novel that I really enjoyed! The characters are fascinating and are great people to base a story around. There is drama and suspense throughout to ensure you don’t put the book down, and I would love to continue this journey with these interesting characters if this series continues!
Thirty years ago Anthony Mailer was a seven-year-old boy trapped in Dr Galbraith’s basement. Now he’s a journalist, a husband and a father. But no matter how far he’s come, at times he’s still that scared little boy.
In order to save his marriage, he has to stop hiding from what happened and deal with it once and for all.
But digging into the past holds dangers Anthony never imagined . . .
A note from the author: While fictional, this book was inspired by true events. It draws on the author’s experiences as a police officer and child protection social worker. The story contains content that some readers may find upsetting. It is dedicated to survivors everywhere. MY REVIEW: I really enjoyed my first outing with John Nicholl! When I started The Father, I admit to being a little confused. The author’s note blended with the opening chapter so seamlessly, that I thought it was still the author’s note! Once I went back to reread it, I was able to grasp what was happening. That said, I was able to follow from thereon in and I didn’t feel like I needed to read the first two books in the series, but it would have probably enhanced my enjoyment. I definitely prefer reading series in order! The characters are clearly established, but I loved how there was such a big time gap in between the books so we saw how childhood trauma affects people as they grow older and build lives of their own. The plot was fast paced and absolutely chilling at times. They are rather poignant too, and sheds light on people battling their demons from their childhood. A surprising and multi-layered story that crime and thriller fans will love.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 THE BLURB: A killing like no other. A killer more twisted than he’s ever seen before. A case that will test him to the limit. Has Robert Hunter finally met his match?
‘Do you believe the Devil exists, Detective?’ the officer at the end of the line asks. ‘Because if you don’t . . . I’m sure you will once you get here.’
Robert Hunter is called to the most vicious crime scene he has ever attended. It is made even more disturbing when the autopsy reveals a poem, left by the killer, inside the body of their victim.
Soon, another body is found. The methods and signature of the murder differs, but the level of violence used suggests that the same person is behind both crimes. Hunter’s fears are confirmed when a second part of the poem is found.
But this discovery does more than just link the two killings – it suggests that this is the work of a serial murderer.
With no forensic evidence to go on, Robert Hunter must catch the most disciplined and systematic killer that he has ever encountered, someone who thrives on the victims’ fear, and to whom death is a lesson that needs to be taught. MY REVIEW: GOOD GRIEF. I was stupidly excited for the next Robert Hunter book, and I was not disappointed one bit. Chris Carter himself was marketing it as ‘his darkest book yet’, and he was NOT kidding. Some of these crime scenes are just unreal. I am a big fan of dark books, but readers will need a strong stomach for this one. It will take me a long time to get them out of my head. Books this dark are exactly why I have an 8pm curfew for reading thrillers before I have to switch genres, or I have nightmares! Robert Hunter is a wonderful character. So clever, he sees clues that the reader or his colleagues never notice, and I am fascinated by his observational skills. I can see why he has insomnia too, having to deal with cases like this! The ending was just superb, I thought I had it figured out too, and I wasn’t far off but Carter does throw some surprises in! I absolutely loved it, and I am now on the wait for the next one. Chris Carter is a thriller writer in a class of his own.
I hadn’t read any Ross Greenwood up to this point, although I do have some of the previous DI Barton books on audio still to read. So, I did think this can be read as a standalone as I wasn’t left confused or left behind at all. The plot takes you straight into the drama and literally doesn’t let up. You can easily read this in one sitting if the opportunity arises. It is that good. DI Barton is the perfect character to carry this series through, and I am now desperate to go back and read the first books to see his full character development!
Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle 