2021 – Best Crime Books and More

Perfect Death by Helen Fields (DI Callanach 3)

Synopsis: There’s no easy way to die…. Unknown to DI Luc Callanach and the newly promoted DCI Ava Turner, a serial killer has Edinburgh firmly in his grip. The killer is taking his victims in the coldest, most calculating way possible – engineering slow and painful deaths by poison, with his victims entirely unaware of the drugs flooding their bloodstream until it’s too late. But how do you catch a killer who hides in the shadows? A killer whose pleasure comes from watching pain from afar? Faced with their most difficult case yet, Callanach and Turner soon realise they face a seemingly impossible task…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I have read the last two in the series back to back and HAD to move straight on to book 3 especially after the ending of book 2. If you plan on reading the books in order maybe don’t read on as there will inevitably be some spoilers! In this latest book Ava has been promoted to DCI meaning the relationship between her and DI Luc Callanach is no longer the same. Not only does Ava now have a whole new set of responsibilities but she has to adjust to this new chain of command. What may have once been a potential blossoming friendship or even better a relationship, just got a little further away for both of them.

In addition the latest case appears a bit of a head scratcher. A young girl is found dead and naked with no apparent injuries. This first point is a complete change from some of the grisly murder scenes in previous books. In addition to that murder, Ava and the team have to deal with the suicide of DCI Begbie. This story although not as gruesome as others, is no less thrilling. I absolutely love DS Lively as well as the appearance of Lance Proudfoot again. It’s great seeing the characters grow and become more involved as the series continues. The various plot threads were slow burners, but ones that made you wonder no less. Considering I hadn’t picked up one of these books by this author before a few weeks ago this series is fast becoming an obsession. A truly brilliant series that I am thoroughly involved in.

Perfect Prey by Helen Fields (DI Callanach 2)

Synopsis: Welcome to Edinburgh. Murder capital of Europe. In the middle of a rock festival, a charity worker is sliced across the stomach. He dies minutes later. In a crowd of thousands, no one saw his attacker.

The following week, the body of a primary school teacher is found in a dumpster in an Edinburgh alley, strangled with her own woollen scarf. D.I. Ava Turner and D.I. Luc Callanach have no leads and no motive – until around the city, graffitied on buildings, words appear describing each victim.

It’s only when they realise the words are being written before rather than after the murders, that they understand the killer is announcing his next victim…and the more innocent the better.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I read book one in this series and just knew it would be a back to back catch up session so as soon as book one was done I moved straight on to book 2. This time around the story starts with the murder of a man in broad daylight in the middle of a packed crowd. It is certainly a great opener for the book and we see both DI Luc Callanach and DI Ava Turner return. In addition to murder there is also a cybercrime investigation going on which brings another dimension to this story as well as a couple of characters to throw into the works.

This was an absolute belter of a book and I read it in record time with very little breaks. I felt very invested in both Luc and Ava as well as absolutely loving the character of Lance a journalist who becomes part of the story. Once again the story is told in a way that will have you feelink a little icky with how graphic it can become as well as doing a little peeking out of curtains every time you hear a noise….no? Just me then! The story doesn’t need to be expanded on because I refuse to give readers spoilers. Suffice to say I am moving straight onto book 3 and am ecstatic that I have so many books to catch up on as this series has me seriously hooked!

Perfect Remains By Helen Fields (DI Callanach #1)

Synopsis: On a remote Highland mountain, the body of Elaine Buxton is burning. All that will be left to identify the respected lawyer are her teeth and a fragment of clothing.

In the concealed back room of a house in Edinburgh, the real Elaine Buxton screams into the darkness…

Detective Inspector Luc Callanach has barely set foot in his new office when Elaine’s missing persons case is escalated to a murder investigation. Having left behind a promising career at Interpol, he’s eager to prove himself to his new team. But Edinburgh, he discovers, is a long way from Lyon, and Elaine’s killer has covered his tracks with meticulous care.

It’s not long before another successful woman is abducted from her doorstep, and Callanach finds himself in a race against the clock. Or so he believes … The real fate of the women will prove more twisted than he could have ever imagined.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have to be totally truthful and say I had no clue about the book or the author, all I knew was that it had been sitting along with hundreds of others on my Kindle since its debut in 2017. I promised myself I would start to read some of the older books on my Kindle and I am thrilled that I chose this one. I now have a new series to binge on…yay! Meet DI Luc Callanach who has come over to Edinburgh from France under somewhat of a cloud. He meets a mixture of colleagues including DI Ava Turner who is also a very readable and interesting character. The first thing that struck me about this book is how dark and gritty it is from very early on. The author is holding no punches when a missing persons case turns to murder. This is certainly not for the faint hearted but I have to admit I absolutely devoured it. I loved the characters, the storyline, the suspense, pretty much everything. I knew I was in trouble even before I finished as I downloaded book 2 (so much for reading my backlog books first) and just know there is a good chance I will read every book in this series until I am up to date.

Faking Friends by Jane Fallon

Synopsis: Best friend, soulmate . . . backstabber? Amy thought she knew everything about her best friend Melissa. And she also thought she was about to marry the man of her dream. Until she discovers he has been having an affair . . . and Melissa is The Other Woman. In one disastrous weekend she has lost her home, her fiancé and her best friend. But instead of falling apart, she is determined to get her own back . . .

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Well my first book by this author and to be honesty probably won’t be my last. I won’t bore readers with the synopsis as that can be found in the book description, however what I will say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! No it isn’t a totally original idea and it’s a tried and tested formula that works…but for a reason. Amy is our lead character and she is extremely likeable if a little naïve. Her best friend Melissa along with Amy’s boyfriend Jack form the main storyline. In a nutshell (and trust me it’s not a spoiler) Amy finds out that Jack is cheating on her with her best friend Melissa. Amy decides that revenge is the order of the day and this is where the book comes into its own. Continue reading “Faking Friends by Jane Fallon”

The Alibi by Jamie Raven

Synopsis: A perfect crime needs a perfect alibi… Crime reporter Beth Chambers is committed to uncovering the truth – and she’s not afraid of bending the rules to get there. When troubled soap star Megan Fuller is found stabbed to death in her South London home, all eyes are on her ex-husband – the notorious gangster, Danny Shapiro. Determined to expose Danny as a cold-blooded killer, Beth obsessively pursues him. But in her hunt for the truth, her family are set to pay the ultimate price…

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: My first book by this author and one that I thoroughly enjoyed! Megan Fuller is found murdered in her own home. The police open an investigation and the first person of interest is Megan’s ex-husband, Danny Shapiro. Danny is a known gangster the most obvious person to look at first. Beth is a crime journalist who stops at nothing to get the story and this one is no different. Beth is an easy character to read and she is extremely tenacious as a reporter, however her ex-husband Ethan also happens to be part of the investigation into Megan’s murder.

Ethan is certainly not a straight copper and reading about his shenanigans’ made for some interesting reading as did the life that Danny Shapiro was leading. There was plenty going on in this storyline to keep me interested and the last quarter of the book was absolutely brilliant. I didn’t see the ending coming or the outcome and I was left feeling like I certainly needed to pick up another one by this author. Incidentally this author also writes under James Raven, JP Carter and Alex Pine.

Continue reading “The Alibi by Jamie Raven”

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

Synopsis: Carmen has always worked in her local department store. So, when the gorgeous old building closes its doors for good, she is more than a little lost.

When her sister, Sofia, mentions an opportunity in Edinburgh – a cute little bookshop, the spare room in her house – Carmen is reluctant, she was never very good at accepting help. But, short on options, she soon finds herself pulling into the snowy city just a month before Christmas.

What Sofia didn’t say is that the shop is on its last legs and that if Carmen can’t help turn things around before Christmas, the owner will be forced to sell. Privately, Sofia is sure it will take more than a miracle to save the store, but maybe this Christmas, Carmen might surprise them all… Continue reading “The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan”

Left You Dead by Peter James (Roy Grace 17)

Synopsis: Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, creation of the CWA Diamond Dagger award-winning author Peter James, faces his most engrossing case yet in Left You Dead.

Niall and Eden Paternoster start their Sunday the same way they always do – with a long drive, a visit to a country house and a quick stop at the local supermarket on the way home.

But this Sunday ends differently – because while Niall waits and waits in the car park for Eden to pick up supplies, Eden never returns. She’s not waiting for him at home, and none of their family or friends have heard from her.

Gone without a trace, Niall is arrested on suspicion of her murder. When DS Roy Grace is called in to investigate, it doesn’t take long to realize that nothing in this case is quite as it seems . . .

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: Okay I am still really on the fence with these last couple of Roy Grace books. I love this series but I have to say the decisions made in this book I think were a cop out! I don’t want to use filler to pad out a review to make it seem longer, most people will read the synopsis for more details of the storyline. However, a lot of the pull of this series are the recurring characters.

The main storyline around a missing woman to me fell a little flat and it all felt a little unrealistic and forced. However, pushing that to one side you can always rely on character development and Roy Grace’s home life is always the main start of the show. I will not put too much in my review as I cannot bear spoilers. However, what I will say is that the decisions made for certain characters in this book shocked me, I had an idea they may go in a completely different direction as there was so much scope. Sadly, the authors decision in this latest instalment felt like an easy option and not one that sat well with me. I am now wondering where the series goes from here, and the way I am feeling after the last two books I am not entirely sure whether I will continue reading them.

Find Them Dead by Peter James (Roy Grace 16)

Synopsis: Detective Superintendent Roy Grace unearths a powerful criminal network in the sinister crime novel Find Them Dead, by award winning author Peter James.

Ending his secondment to London’s Met Police, Roy Grace gets a tip-off about a drugs mastermind operating out of Brighton. On his first day back in his old job, he is called to a seemingly senseless murder. Gradually, Grace’s investigation draws him into the evil sphere of an utterly ruthless drug dealer on trial. A man prepared to order the death of anyone it takes to enable him to walk free from court.

Sitting in the jury is Meg Magellan, whose daughter’s life is being threatened by a stranger who tells her that if she ever wants to see her alive again, it is very simple. At the end of the trial, all she has to do is make sure the jury says just two words . . . Not guilty.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: This book left me feeling a little bit meh, it just felt lacklustre to me. The last book in the instalment was enjoyable but it too lacked something, this book even more so. I recall a time when I first read Dead Simple and was blown away. At 16 books into a series, I can imagine it must be tough to keep things fresh but this book just left me feeling disappointed.

The storyline had potential as a juror is being threatened and blackmailed, however even this failed to capture my attention. The writing seemed very padded out and ‘fillerish’…yes I know it’s not even a real word…but you know what I mean. The characters fell flat and there were things that I never understood about certain things within the storyline (such as how were the bad guys watching Meg?). Small details like that kind of bug me and it gave me an overall sense of dissatisfaction. I really hope that Peter James ups his game with the next Roy Grace as something needs to change!

Dead at First Sight by Peter James (Roy Grace 15)

Synopsis: Detective Superintendent Roy Grace exposes the dark side of internet dating in the intriguing crime novel Dead at First Sight, by award winning author Peter James.

A man waits at a London airport for the love of his life to arrive. Across the Atlantic, a retired cop waits in a bar in Florida’s Key West for his first date with the lady who is his soulmate. The two men are about to discover they’ve been scammed out of almost every penny they have in the world – and that neither women exist.

In the same week, Roy Grace is called to investigate the suicide of a woman in Brighton, that is clearly not what it seems. As his investigations continue, a handsome motivational speaker comes forward. He’s discovered his identity is being used to scam eleven different women online. The first he knew of it was a phone call from one of them saying, ‘You don’t know me, but I thought I knew you’.

That woman is now dead. Continue reading “Dead at First Sight by Peter James (Roy Grace 15)”

Little Bones by Patricia Gibney (Lottie Parker Book 10)

Little Bones Synopsis: When Isabel Gallagher is found murdered on the floor of her baby’s nursery by her mother, it’s a gruelling case for Detective Lottie Parker. Isabel’s pyjamas have been ripped, her throat cut and an old-fashioned razor blade placed in her hand. As Lottie looks at the round blue eyes and perfect chubby cheeks of Isabel’s baby daughter, she can’t understand who would want to hurt this innocent family.

That very same day she receives a call with devastating news. Another young mother, Joyce Breslin, has gone missing, and her four-year-old son Evan has been abducted from daycare. Lottie is sure that the missing mother and son are linked to Isabel’s death, and when she finds a bloody razor blade in their house, her worst fears are confirmed. Desperate to find little Evan, Lottie leaves no stone unturned as she delves into Isabel and Joyce’s pasts and when she realises the two women have been meeting in secret, she knows she must find out why.

But when Joyce’s body is found in a murky pond and some little bones are found on a windy hillside, it feels as if this merciless killer will stop at nothing. The bones aren’t Evan’s but can they give Lottie the final clue to find the innocent child before more lives are taken? Continue reading “Little Bones by Patricia Gibney (Lottie Parker Book 10)”