2022 – Page 3 – Best Crime Books and More

RETREAT TO THE SPANISH SUN BY JO THOMAS

Synopsis: Eliza has a full house! When her three children grew up and moved out, she downsized to a smaller property… but now they’re all back. Every room in the house is taken and Eliza finds herself sharing her bed with her eldest daughter and her daughter’s pug. Combined with the online course she’s trying to finish, plus her job to fit in, there just isn’t the peace and quiet that Eliza needs.

So when an ad pops up on her laptop saying ‘house-sitters wanted’, Eliza can’t resist the chance to escape. She ends up moving to a rural finca in southern Spain, looking after the owner’s Iberico pigs, learning about secret gastronomic societies… and finding a new zest for life and love along the way.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: Eliza is a mum with three grown up children, however Eliza has had enough and needs a break from real life. She decides on a whim to sign up to be a house-sitter and as luck would have it somebody is in need of a house-sitter for a farmhouse in Spain. Eliza packs up her things and leaves her adult children to it, determined to make the most of the few weeks of peace enabling her to finish an online course she is currently working on.

When she arrives to the house, the owner is somewhat abrupt but Eliza sees him off and is left in charge of the beautiful house and two dogs. Eliza is a nice enough character to read about, and I have certainly enjoyed all the Jo Thomas books I have read before this one. However, for some reason there was an element of disbelief to this story. Don’t get me wrong it didn’t make the book any less enjoyable it just didn’t quite live up to her other books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed.

There are a few funny moments as Eliza manages to get herself into quite a predicament whilst doing something as simple as house sitting. Stolen prized hams, ex-pat Spanish language classes and tapas bars make for some amusing scenes and likeable additional characters. This was still a reasonably enjoyable book that is perfect getaway material, maybe just not quite as enjoyable as some of her other books.

THE DEATH FILE BY J A KERLEY (CARSON RYDER 13)

Synopsis: Two psychologists are murdered 2000 miles apart – one in Phoenix, Arizona, one in Miami, Florida.

Amazingly, both have noted down the name of Carson Ryder – a detective with the Florida Center for Law Enforcement who specializes in catching psychopathic killers.

Carson joins forces with troubled Phoenix Detective Tasha Novarro to trace a ruthless killer whose advantages include an uncanny talent for persuasion, an utter lack of remorse, and the horrifying ability to predict their every move. A killer even Carson might not be capable of stopping…

Kat’s Rating: 2/5

Kat’s Review: I have sporadically read the Carson Ryder series on and off for some time and finally got around to catching up with this book 13 in the series. Sadly, I was left feeling a little deflated by the time I completed it. Carson is called to a murder where a card with his name on it has been left at the scene. He doesn’t know the woman so his partner Harry takes the lead so there is no effect on evidence or conflict on interest. At the same time another murder is linked in Phoenix so Carson decides to use his vacation time and fly out there. Whilst there he works alongside Detective Tasha Novarro to work on the case.

The story itself seemed average by comparison to some of his other books. I cannot even put my finger on exactly why, it just didn’t have the same feel as his other earlier books. I struggled through the book but didn’t feel the same excitement when reading a Ryder book and for some reason it felt like a chore. I am certainly a fan of Kerley’s previous books but but sadly this one just didn’t hit the mark for me so it’s a pass I’m afraid.

DEAD TO ME BY STEPHEN EDGER (KATE MATTHEWS BOOK 1)

Synopsis: How do you catch a killer who knows your every move?

The woman lay flat on the table, her face to one side, her wrists bound with thick tape. Deep scratches marked the wood beneath her fingers, now resting cold and still…

When a woman’s body is found in an abandoned bar near the Southampton docks, Detective Kate Matthews is called in to lead the investigation. She must solve this case to prove she is coping with the death of a close colleague.

Kate knows a pile of ripped up newspaper cuttings discovered at the victim’s house must be a piece of the puzzle, but her team keep hitting dead-ends… Until she finds a disturbing clue that convinces her of three things: The murder is linked to the body of a man found hanging in a warehouse, she is on the hunt for a calculated serial killer, and the killer is watching her every move.

Kate realises there will be another victim soon, and that her own life is in grave danger, but no one else believes her theory. Can she find and stop the most twisted killer of her career, before another life is lost?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: This is the first in this series featuring Kate Matthews and now I’ve completed it I can say with certainty it was a great read and a good start to a series which is new to me. Kate Matthews has moved from the Met Police following and incident (more is revealed on that later in the book) and is currently working in Southampton on a new Murder Case. Kate is a character people will no doubt love or hate in equal measure, myself included. She clearly has insecurities but takes her work incredibly serious, maybe too much sometimes. As she works a murder case alongside new colleagues it is clear she will have struggles working with some of those around her. I liked her connection with her colleague Laura though and this seemed to balance out her mis-trust of everybody else.

The storyline was strong and well paced with plenty going on. In some respects Kate’s borderline personality although being revealed slowly makes for a really interesting read. Clearly her history has hampered her personal life and as you see interactions with her daughter it will begin to make sense. I was happy with how the story unfolded and although I had some doubts over Kate, this introduction to the series has made me curious so I am already on to book 2. A solid book and a great start for a series I hope I continue to enjoy.

ESCAPE TO THE FRENCH FARMHOUSE BY JO THOMAS

Synopsis: Del and her husband Ollie moved to a beautiful village in Provence for a fresh start after years of infertility struggles. But six weeks after they arrive, they’re packing the removal van once more. As Del watches the van leave for England, she suddenly realises exactly what will make her happier…a new life in France – without Ollie.

Now alone, all Del has is a crumbling farmhouse, a mortgage to pay and a few lavender plants. What on earth is she going to do? After discovering an old recipe book at the market run by the rather attractive Fabian, Del starts to bake. But can her new-found passion really help her let go of the past and lead to true happiness?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I am a recent fan of Jo Thomas books and was pleased to see another one I had yet to read. Del is our lead character and she has been living in France with her husband Ollie. She has a moment of realisation as she decides that their relationship is over and she wants to make a go of it in France on her own. Once alone she wonders what on earth she has done.

Jo Thomas has an amazing knack of being so descriptive that you are in the place with the character. As we see Del start to tackle her current predicament we also get to meet other people living in her village. Del slowly starts to become a part of the village and creates new and lasting friendships. Stefanie becomes another character that has a huge impact in Del’s life along with Fabien and a number of other characters.

This story is escapism at it’s finest and was a pure joy to read. It transported me to somebody else’s world where village life and the farmhouse along with its lavender became the focal point. I really am a true JT fan now and will look forward to reading another book by this great author.

THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS BY MICHAEL ROBOTOHAM

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Synopsis: Everyone has an idea of what their perfect life is. For Agatha, it’s Meghan Shaughnessy’s.

These two women from vastly different backgrounds have one thing in common – a dangerous secret that could destroy everything they hold dear.

Both will risk everything to hide the truth, but their worlds are about to collide in a shocking act that cannot be undone.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I absolutely love the books created by Michael Robotham featuring Cyrus Haven. This book is a standalone (yet weirdly we do see Cyrus as a cameo role). Agatha and Meghan are the lead characters in this book and they are both seemingly in the same boat as expectant mothers. However their worlds couldn’t be further apart. Meghan already has two children and is a ‘Mummy’ vlogger alongside her dashing tv sports presenter husband. Agatha on the other hand is a loner who has a supermarket job and a boyfriend in the Navy.

The chapters are told from both Agatha and Meghan’s viewpoints making the story flow well and give you a real idea of each person’s story. Agatha is a strange woman and that is clear from the outset, although it also becomes just as clear before long that both women are sitting on huge secrets. The book is pretty well paced and there was certainly enough going on to keep you interested. However for me, this book just wasn’t as good as others of his I have read.

The characters although readable, just left no impression on me either way and I couldn’t care less what happened to them. It’s such a shame as this book by Robotham seems such a departure from the norm which can sometimes be exciting but for me it just didn’t leave any lasting impression. It certainly isn’t a ‘bad’ book it just wasn’t one from this author I particularly loved.

DAISY IN CHAINS BY SHARON BOLTON

SB DAISY IN CHAINS

Synopsis: WOULD YOU FALL FOR A SERIAL KILLER? THREE OF HIS VICTIMS DID…

Famous killers have fan clubs.

Hamish Wolfe is charming, magnetic and very persuasive. Famed for his good looks, he receives adoring letters every day from his countless admirers. He’s also a convicted murderer, facing life in prison.

Who would join such a club?

Maggie Rosie is a successful lawyer and true-crime author. Reclusive and enigmatic, she only takes on cases she can win. Hamish is convinced that Maggie can change his fate. Maggie is determined not to get involved. She thinks she’s immune to the charms of such a man. But maybe not this time…

Would you?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have read the first 3 books of the Lacey Flint series by this author and absolutely loved them. With this being a standalone I was curious to see how it fared in comparison. The three main characters are Hamish Wolfe, a man imprisoned for crimes he claims he didn’t commit. Maggie Rose, a lawyer and writer who is known for overturning convicted killers and then Detective Sergeant Pete Weston the copper that got Hamish Wolfe convicted.

The writing was just as good as her previous books and it took a mere chapter or two to get into the swing and the pace of this story. However, although I was enjoying it, I can honestly say it didn’t grab my attention quite as much as her other books I have read. That aside, there are plenty of layers to this tale and as each element is revealed there are a number of questions raised the more that comes out. I found myself wondering who within the storyline was the person causing all the harm and chaos.

I finished this book over the course of a few days and I can honestly say it is a solid thriller from a great author.

THE NEW WIFE BY SUE WATSON

SW THE NEW WIFE Synopsis:

You can never truly know what goes on behind closed doors…

My darling son, Sam, is marrying his childhood sweetheart and I couldn’t be prouder of the man he’s grown into. Walking out on his abusive father all those years ago was the best thing I ever did. And today he stands, tall and handsome, saying ‘I do’ to my dream daughter-in-law. If I hadn’t pushed them together all those years ago, he might never have found a girl as perfect as Lauren. It’s true what they say, mother always knows best.

But weeks later, Lauren is dead and police cars fill the driveway of their idyllic countryside home. As they question Sam, I sense he’s hiding something. Why won’t he look me in the eye? And who does he rush off to meet as soon as the police are gone?

Desperate, I do what every good mother would do: I let myself into Sam and Lauren’s bedroom. What I see, I will never be able to forget. My son’s beautiful new wife was hiding a dangerous secret. Can I clear my son’s name? And could my life be in danger now too?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Sam Moore and Lauren Jackson are a newly married couple. The two of them met at school and have been joined at the hip since. Sam’s Mum Georgie feels like part of the family too as Lauren’s mum and Dad Helen and Tim treat her like family. You get a feel for how close and involved all the characters are very early on in the book. When Sam and Lauren buy a house in the remote moors of Dartmouth both Georgie and Helen start to wonder if everything is as rosy as it seems. In a matter of weeks following the wedding Georgie receives the phone call that changes everything. Lauren is dead in what looks like an accident.

This started slowly but built on the tension and drama as events unfold following the death of Lauren. Of course like most would expect Sam is the number one suspect. The reader gets to see the whole family fall apart from start to finish. This was definitely a gripping read and I thoroughly enjoyed it although for some reason I once again didn’t like the main character Georgie. I don’t know what it is but for some reason the characters that Sue creates in this genre I struggle to like? Thankfully that has no impact on the book and I was kept guessing right until the end

I Found You by Lisa Jewell

Synopsis: Everyone has secrets. What if you can’t remember yours?

‘How long have you been sitting out here?’

‘I got here yesterday.’

‘Where did you come from?’

‘I have no idea.’

Lily has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from work one night, she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one.

Alice finds a man on the beach outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, no idea what he is doing there. Against her better judgement, she invites him into her home.

But who is he, and how can she trust a man who has lost his memory?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I find with Lisa Jewell books I either love them or I feel indifferent, there never seems to be an in-between…until now! Alice is our first introduction and she sees a man sitting on a beach. What starts as a mere conversation to check on his wellbeing turns into a mission to help this man who has lost his memory! I liked Alice but found the whole storyline a little incredulous and that sort of put the mockers on it for me.

Aside from not liking the idea behind the story, the writing itself and the characters I had no problem with. As time passes Alice and her new found friend ‘Frank’ start to try and uncover his past and this seems to happen in stages. In another are entirely waits Lily a newly married woman whose husband failed to come home.

Now it didn’t take a genius to figure out which element of the story fitted in where however the reasoning behind it was not something I was prepared for. I would say this book is a little out of the ordinary and certainly not a bad book, just one that I didn’t entirely gel with.

Dead Mercy by Noelle Holten (Maggie Jamieson 5)

Synopsis: A brutal murder…When a burned body is found with its teeth missing, DC Maggie Jamieson discovers that the victim may be the husband of one of her probation colleagues.

A dark history…As the body count rises, the team becomes increasingly baffled by how the victims could possibly be connected until a clue leads them to a historical case that was never prosecuted.

A terrible secret…In order to catch the killer, Maggie must piece together what happened all those years ago before it’s too late.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I absolutely loved this latest instalment of this series! DC Maggie Jamieson is back along with her colleagues Nathan, Kate and Kat and this time around the case starts with a man being found among the ashes following an office fire. That office belonged to the husband of a character we have seen before, probation officer Sarah Hardy. It’s clear pretty quickly that this is not a straightforward arson that went wrong but more a sadistic killer.

The subject matter is a little sensitive but is skilfully dealt with and incorporated into the storyline extremely well. The killer was probably the most intriguing part of this story for me and gives it an edge in my opinion. As more bodies turn up the tension cranks up another notch and that continues throughout the book. I have a nagging feeling about Maggie’s brother and am wondering where that element of the story will go. It was nice to see family member’s still included in the series and it’s always great to know the personal side of the characters. I also cannot wait to see where the author takes the storyline with the journalist Julie Noble!

This most recent installment certainly kept me turning the pages and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!

The Friend by Dorothy Koomson

Synopsis: What secrets would you kill to keep?

After her husband’s big promotion, Cece Solarin arrives in Brighton with their three children, ready to start afresh. But their new neighbourhood has a deadly secret.

Three weeks earlier, Yvonne, a very popular parent, was almost murdered in the grounds of the local school – the same school where Cece has unwittingly enrolled her children.

Already anxious about making friends when the parents seem so cliquey, Cece is now also worried about her children’s safety. By chance she meets Maxie, Anaya and Hazel, three very different school mothers who make her feel welcome and reassure her about her new life.

That is until Cece discovers the police believe one of her new friends tried to kill Yvonne. Reluctant to spy on her friends but determined to discover the truth, Cece must uncover the potential murderer before they strike again . . .

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: It’s been a while since I have read a Dorothy Koomson and I am now very glad I decided to pick this one up. The main storyline focuses in the beginning on Cece who has oved to Brighton with her three children following her husbands job opportunity. Cece is so easy to engage with as our main character and she is desperately trying to find her feet and meet new people in the area. She meets some of the school Mums namely Maxie, Anaya and Hazel but she soon realises there is something going on. All she knows is that it involves their other friend Yvonne.

What starts out as Cece just trying to meet new people seems to start a chain reaction that has consequences for everybody involved. I don’t want to say too much more about the storyline for fear of spoiling it for other people. What I will say is that this absolutely gripped me. As the chapters went by there seemed to be only more questions raised and the intensity seemed to rise with each chapter I read.

By the time I finished this I was truly sorry I had read so quickly. This was an all encompassing read that was absolutely brilliant and I would highly recommend