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The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die by Marnie Riches (George McKenzie #1)

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Synopsis: HE’S WATCHING HER. SHE DOESN’T KNOW IT…YET

When a bomb explodes at the University of Amsterdam, aspiring criminologist Georgina McKenzie is asked by the police to help flush out the killer.

But the bomb is part of a much bigger, more sinister plot that will have the entire city quaking in fear. And the killer has a very special part for George to play…

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: This book has had rave reviews and seeing as I had an early copy of book 2 I figured I had better get an idea of book 1. This was certainly a slow burner for me and about a quarter of the way in I was wondering what was going on. The main character George is certainly readable as is the Detective Van den Bergen, but in the beginning I was struggling to keep up with all the unconnected characters, let alone the Dutch pronunciations. The main scope of the story involves a bomb that explodes in Amsterdam, drawing George into the investigation.

However, as the story progressed I became more engrossed and wanted to know what part the additional character Ella in London played. The story was a bit of a slow burner for me but as time went on it became more thrilling and I found myself absorbed in wanting to know what had happened. In addition there is another plot thread concerning George but I found myself not as concerned by this thread until later on.

For me the book was good, but still not as good as it could have been. Because of that I felt like I should rate it somewhere in the middle. I am certainly with the minority of people on this book, but maybe it was just me. I know that character names shouldn’t make such a difference, but sometimes for me they make a book that it harder to read if they aren’t that memorable or are particularly difficult to pronounce. Having said that, I am actually really looking forward to book 2 and now feel like I know George and Van de Bergen that bit better. Hopefully, I will be absorbed from page 1 with the next book.

Fifty Shades of Roxie Brown by Lynda Renham

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Synopsis: Roxie Brown loves erotica and her friend, Sylvie, loves crime … novels of course. On a girls’ night out they meet The Great Zehilda, the tea leaf reader, and suddenly Roxie’s Fifty Shades fantasies about her millionaire boss, Ark Morgan, look about to become a reality. But then she looks through the telescope and her life is turned upside down. Roxie and Sylvie, with help from Sylvie’s flatmate, Felix, set out to crack the case. Can Ark Morgan save her or is he the man she should be running from? Then enter Sam Lockwood and her heart is shot with another arrow. Come with Roxie Brown on her hilarious crime-busting romantic adventure and discover if the love of her life is the man of her dreams or if the man she loves is her worst nightmare.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: First off, if you want some serious reading with a hidden meaning and some serious fiction to make to evaluate things (why would you but each to their own) then this book won’t be for you. If you want something funny, ridiculous, entertaining and downright pleasurable then this may tick the boxes. It is pure escapism with a big fat capital E!

Roxie Brown is absolutely wonderful. She’s a normal girl, doing a mundane job as a Chambermaid but it pays the bills. Her layabout boyfriend Darren is a complete waste of space but her friends Sylvie and Felix are enough to keep her happy. Roxie is obsessed with a certain erotica type fictional book, so much so that much of her working day is spent fantasising over her boss Ark Morgan. Her friend Sylvie on the other hand is obsessed with fictional Crime and reckons she could be the next Jane Tennison.

Things take a bit of a strange turn when she is home one night following some shocking news and happens to peer through Darren’s telescope and witnesses a murder. This is the start of a hilarious and outlandish story involving every one. In addition to Ark Morgan, we meet Sam Lockstone who happens to be a rival of Ark Morgan’s. At this point Roxie does the only thing she knows…turns to her friends. Cue a hilarious tale while the three of them become determined to solve the crime.

Nope this book is not serious one little bit, and yes don’t get me wrong there are parts that are farfetched…but that’s what makes it so funny. Sylvie and Felix make an absolutely brilliant addition to Roxie and the situations they get themselves in to had me belly laughing on more than one occasion. I came to the end of the book and decided that I need a couple of friends like these; my life would certainly be a lot more interesting. A feel good and funny book that is perfect for cheering yourself up!

The Mistake I Made by Paula Daly

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Synopsis: We all think we know who we are. What we’re capable of.

Roz is a single mother, a physiotherapist, a sister, a friend. She’s also desperate. Her business has gone under, she’s crippled by debt and she’s just had to explain to her son why someone’s taken all their furniture away. But now a stranger has made her an offer. For one night with her, he’ll pay enough to bring her back from the edge. Roz has a choice to make.

Kat’s rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: This latest release by Paula Daly although not a crime or thriller, is certainly one that delves into the dark and seedy world some people find themselves involved in. Roz is a single Mum and by all accounts the first few chapters introduce her and she is a very likeable character. What I liked about this was that she was ordinary, by that I don’t mean boring, just that lots of people know a woman just like Roz. She works hard to make ends meet, but in the end there is always something that crops up meaning she is left to make decisions that people wouldn’t like ot make such as feeding her son or paying her rent.

As a physiotherapist, she meets all sorts of characters and it was easy to fall into the routine of her life where she does the mundane and boring day to day thing, all the while her situation getting that little bit more precarious. As the chapters progress we also learn a little more about the last few years for Roz and why she finds herself in this current dilemma. What she didn’t bank on was her sister being the catalyst for her meeting a man that wants to make her an offer. Cue the Indecent Proposal moment where he offers her an easy way out.

It’s all well and good reading a book and passing judgement, but do you ever really know what you are capable of until you are faced with that exact situation. This is how the book is written and it’s portrayed incredibly well. Not only did I find myself sympathising with Roz, I was questioning what I would do if I was in the same situation.

As Roz makes a seemingly simple choice, she starts to see the knock on effect this has to her life. It also sets off a number of other events which make the book becoming even darker. Although this book may not be the most fast paced thriller I have read, it kept me gripped with the sheer ordinariness of Roz’s situation. I finished the book quickly and thoroughly enjoyed it. This book is certainly one to watch out for.

Dead Set by Will Carver (January David #3)

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Synopsis: Detective Inspector January David doesn’t love me. He loves his missing sister. He loves his job. But he doesn’t love me. Not in the way he should. I am his wife. I am still his wife. And I will do anything for him. No matter what I have to sacrifice.

Kat’s Rating:4/5

Kat’s Review: Okay my head hurts! I picked up Will Carver’s first book in the series Girl 4 and really enjoyed it. However what I realised very early on is that Carver writes in an unusual way. I have struggled with this since book one but ironically at the same time fallen in love with it a little bit. I know that may not make sense but if you have read one of his books you will know what I mean. I also think that this categorically does not work as a standalone, you HAVE to read the first two books in the series for this to make any kind of sense!

January David is a copper that has not just one issue but many. He drinks too much and is currently on sabbatical following the devastating events of the last book. His wife no longer even lives in the country yet she still haunts his thoughts. He also still obsesses over his missing and presumed dead sister. In addition to this, he has these visions. Yes, I know it sounds ridiculous, and there is one part of me that feels the same. But to describe them is just too difficult. They are more like dreams as well as visions when in reality they seem to be his past, present and future all haunting him. This is the element of these books that drives me crazy. However, as much as they drive me crazy the writing style makes you want to read, hence the reason I always end up enjoying them to a certain degree.

Whilst January sets off to New York to face a seemingly duplicate set of murders like the ones he has already solved, his colleagues are working on their own case involving the discovery of a young girls dead body. In terms of storyline that’s all I’m prepared to say but believe me when I say Will Carver gives you anything but straightforward.

There are many things you have to wrap your head around and there are no shortcuts around the gruesome nature of any of the murders. In addition to this Will Carver managed to write a chapter about a character in the present but talking in past tense (if that makes sense). Never before have I struggled to articulate so much on a book I have read. This one is certainly challenging to describe (to say the least). What I will say is this, I loved this book and much as it messed with my brain. I really, really like January and as for the ending, well don’t get me started.

Just when things are wrapped up and we finally start getting some answers, Will Carver throws a dose of uncertainty to the mix and left me wondering how long it will be until the next release. Overall this book is clever and brilliant, maybe a little too clever for me at times; but magnificent all the same. Sadly for me the parts where I am wrapping my head around ‘The Smiling Man’ (I’m not even going to go there and try to explain) mean that it just cannot get a 5 star from me. Other than that cannot fault it and in THE weirdest way I cannot wait to read the next book.

Killer Smile by R C Bridgestock (Jack Dylan#6)

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Synopsis: A killer with a macabre passion for human teeth stalks the residents of Harrowfield.

Three linked murders means Assistant Chief Constable Wendy Smythe is brought in to take ultimate charge of the serial murder investigation, and she is adamant on managing the task akin to a drama. Dylan has to dig deep to remain professional.

Chilling, ultimate and full of menace. There is dark suspicion that nobody is safe until the perpetrator is apprehended. Will the ring of steel wrapped around Harrowfield bring the psychopath to justice?

Coupled with the fact Dylan and Jen’s daughter Maisy is hospitalised with an undiagnosed serious illness; Jack is under pressure on all fronts.

On a happier note Jen’s dad Ralph, introduces the pair to his new lady friend but all is not as rosy as it seems three hundred miles away on the Isle of Wight, when her son brings the police to their door.

Dylan shares intelligence with The National Crime Agency which brings back a deep seated anguish of fallen colleague DS Larry Banks. Can he help them capture the boss of an international drugs cartel, and if so will it bring Dylan closure?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: Well if you ever fancied being a copper and never got the chance, read this book. I loved it, as it was like your very own 2 weeks work experience with a Murder Squad. I was a little disappointed to realise this was the 6th book in the series. My followers know I love to read a series but like to start at the beginning and play catch up. I recently realised it isn’t humanly possible for me to always do this so took the plunge with this RC Bridgestock book. Luckily it didn’t seem to make too much difference that I hadn’t read the previous 5 in the series, although certain parts of me wish I had.

There is a real authenticity to this and it’s very clear that the two writers (husband and wife) both have the knowledge and experience of working within this sort of world. There are no revelations, visions, or lucky breaks…just pure police work. I liked the fact you got a decent balance between Dylan’s personal and work life, it was just enough to be 100% believable.

Dylan and his team are chasing a murdered who has an obsession with teeth. The descriptive police work and blow by blow accounts of the Post-mortem’s are refreshingly different (if that makes sense). The only criticism for me is that sometimes I felt it was lacking that extra oomph; however there was something original and refreshing about the real life approach (hence the ‘not quite’ 4 stars).

By the end, as much as I enjoyed reading this I (as usual) felt a bit disappointed I hadn’t read the previous 5. Don’t get me wrong you can certainly come in at this stage of the game and not miss anything, but I feel like following a series gives you time to connect with your characters. This is certainly a series I will be looking out for in the future. I actually think this would be a fantastic book for True Crime fans who maybe want to read something not too far fetched!

The Great Village Show by Alex Brown (Tindledale #2)

Synopsis: Tindledale is in a tizzy . . .

The Village Show competition is coming around again and after last year’s spectacular failure, the villagers are determined to win. Meg, teacher at the local school, is keen to help and to impose some much-needed order.

After a terse encounter with a newcomer to the village, Meg discovers that it is celebrity chef and culinary bad boy, Dan Wright. Meg thinks he is arrogant and rude but rumour has it that Dan is opening a new restaurant in the village which could really put Tindledale on the map.

As things come together, villagers old and new all start to come out of the woodwork, including new arrival Jessie who seems to have it all. But first impressions can be deceptive and Meg discovers that when it comes to Tindledale – and Dan – nothing is ever quite as it seems . . .

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “The Great Village Show by Alex Brown (Tindledale #2)”

A Sister’s Promise by Renita D’Silva

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Synopsis: Two sisters. Bound by blood. Torn apart by love. My sister – the glue that held our family together and the gatekeeper to the memories of our shared childhood. The girl I made a pact with – to protect each other for life. The woman who destroyed my family, my future. And the only one who can save my daughter. Set against the dramatic backdrop of India, A Sister’s Promise is a powerful, emotional tale of family secrets, love and the ties that bind sisters together.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: Wow! I wasn’t sure what I expected when I knew I had the new Renita D’Silver book to read. I certainly enjoyed the first one I read, but the synopsis for this latest book didn’t seem very enticing. Now I have finished the book, I can understand why it is written in the way it is. I picked up this book and to be honest for the first few chapters was wondering if this was the same author. It seemed disjointed, who were all these people and what on earth was going on? It turns out that Renita was doing what she was clearly born to do. She was weaving her web in your subconscious, waiting for the moment maybe 5 or 6 chapters in when you just knew anything you had planned for the next few hours was NOT getting done.

Like I say by the time Renita had me in her clutches I wasn’t getting out of it that easily. My dinner, ironing and anything else remotely housework like was discarded because I just couldn’t stop reading. We meet two sisters Sharda and Puja, both completely different, but with good reason. It’s extremely difficult to explain anything about this storyline without giving away far too much. Half the love of this story was the finding out part.

What I can tell you is that the book took me on a journey, one that was filled with love, laughter and sadness all wrapped up into one. Renita has a magic ability to transport you in this case from London to India. I could almost smell the smells and see the sights. From the moment I was collared I didn’t put the book down until I was finished. I can truly say I finished this book and felt breathless it left such an impact. I love the fact that you are reading about a different culture to the one here in England and the writing and storytelling was truly magnificent. With just over half the year gone, I am convinced that this will be one of my top 3 books for 2015 in this genre. This was an exhilarating and emotional read that will leave you wanting more.

I truly can’t explain just how wonderful this book was. If you want to read something a little bit different I would urge you to give this a go. At first glance it may not seem your thing, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the story Renita has in store. Wonderful!

In addition to this maybe check out the Publisher Bookouture, these guys are giving the Big Boy Publishers a run for their money with the amount of cracking authors they have producing first class books lately.

Summer Flings and Dancing Dreams by Sue Watson

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Synopsis: Laura Watkin’s heart isn’t broken, she’s just forgotten how to use it. After years on her own, the highlight of single mum Laura’s week is watching Strictly Come Dancing with a glass of Pinot Grigio and a large helping of imagination.

With her daughter Sophie going travelling, Laura knows the time is right to do something for herself for a change. One disastrous Zumba class later and Laura ends up at the feet (literally) of gorgeous dance instructor Tony Hernandez.

A natural dancer and inspiring teacher, Tony rekindles in Laura a passion she inherited from her ballroom dancer father – and with it comes a dream… to make him proud. But when Tony enters them to perform at the National Dance Festival, can Laura’s new-found confidence survive the test? And with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn Flamenco in Spain, could Laura truly learn to dance like nobody’s watching… and love like she’ll never get hurt?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I am a HUGE of Sue Watson and if you have a rather filthy sense of humour, and like a good giggle her books don’t fail to raise a smile. MAKE SURE you read the description of what type of book it is before you read it and then slate it…it clearly states it’s a funny and uplifting romantic comedy. Thankfully this does exactly what it says on the tin. Laura Watkins is your average divorcee who is working to make ends meet and is trying to ensure her daughter doesn’t go off the rails following a disastrous relationship. I know that quoting lines can be irritating for some people but I just knew that when I read the below lines within the first chapter that I would be laughing at quite a few lines in this latest book.

“I would be sending a very stiff email to ‘God.Com’ when all this was over, telling him and his staff to sort their s*it out. No wonder people were going to Supermarkets on a Sunday instead of going to Jesus”

When Laura’s daughter Sophie goes travelling and she realises her life consists of working and nights in front of Strictly Come Dancing, she is determined to make a few changes. And that is exactly what she does along with some wonderful characters. Enter Tony the Dance Instructor who is a hilarious character that has bucketful’s of attitude, glitter and stories to tell. He is determined to teach Laura to dance and for once do something for herself.

The journey they take from there on in is brilliant. The story is everything you want from this sort of book. I wanted Laura to become the person she could be and found myself wishing I could watch this in a film too! There is one particularly funny chapter entitled ‘Slut Dropping Zumba Queens and Someone Else’s Leggings’. Suffice to say it was a very amusing chapter that I’m pretty sure quite a few people can sympathise with.

By the time I finished this book I wanted to book myself on a trip to Grenada to see all the sexy Spanish men and women dancing Flamenco. This is a cracking book which had me smiling and laughing and it’s the perfect tonic for the everyday boring blues that most people experience. Some people may wonder why only 4 stars instead of 5, well Love, Lies and Lemon Cake was one of my favourite books of 2014 and Sue has to go some to top that. Another fantastic read and as usual I can’t wait to read the next one!

My Kind of Justice by Col Bury

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Synopsis: Newly-appointed DI Jack Striker, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, has a dark secret, one that would land him in prison.

Striker’s first case seems a straight-forward gang-on-gang slaying, until a notorious youth is found hanged. Before any chance to investigate, bodies begin stacking-up.

With the hot breath of the brass burning his neck, including hard-faced DCI Maria Cunningham who’s onto him, Striker knows this case will make or break him. The media-dubbed ‘Hoodie Hunter’ mixes MO’s, leaving few leads, and Striker recognises the work of a highly-skilled vigilante killer. When Striker’s nephew is put into a coma, it becomes personal. Desperate, he runs an unofficial op’ with trusty colleagues, stunning DC Lauren Collinge and un-PC DC Eric Bardsley, placed in the line of fire.

The killer’s trail leads Striker into his own shady past, but will he catch the Hoodie Hunter before he or a colleague becomes the next victim?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I love finding new authors and I must say I will certainly be looking out for book 2 in this series. Jack Striker (LOVE this name) is a copper who as it seems throughout this book does a real job of a copper. He doesn’t have visions, or a problem with authority…he just does his job. He sometimes doesn’t listen but other than that you get a real sense of a coppers job, even with the boring stuff thrown in. I really liked his colleague Bardsley, although I’m a little more unsure about Lauren Collinge.

It seems that in the North of England a vigilante of sorts is taking it upon himself to rid the city of the local hoodlums. However, before long it seems the killer is constantly one step ahead of Striker and he has to tread carefully as his past hasn’t always been so squeaky clean. Col Bury has been careful to make Striker not entirely without fault, but not a Superhero either. It makes for a great balance and makes him an incredibly easy character to read.

The story had pace from pretty early on and there were a few plot twists thrown in when trying to figure out the who and the why. I was pretty engrossed from early on and found myself hoping it stayed that way. Thankfully it did and I found myself racing through this book in a day and a half. I wouldn’t say it’s ground-breaking new story as sadly with this genre the story has been done in some sort of way by somebody already. However, what it was is a solid read and one that made me want to read the next instalment. Another new author for me to add to my list that’s for sure and I’m really looking forward to reading the next one.

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

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Synopsis: With a missing girl in the news, Claire Scott can’t help but be reminded of her sister, who disappeared twenty years ago in a mystery that was never solved.

But when Claire begins to learn the truth about her sister, nothing will ever be the same.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: After reading the first few chapters of the new Karin Slaughter I wondered what was going on. Although it starts with a very pacey opening, I just couldn’t get into it. This in itself is slightly unusual. However, having now finished the book I think Karin Slaughter decided that if she injected the same amount of terror into the start as she did at the end, her readers may not make it through the book alive!

First off you need to understand that even though this book is not part of her brilliant Georgia series, it is by no means any less compelling. It’s also not short on violence and degradation, so if this isn’t your thing you may want to give it a miss. If it doesn’t bother you in the slightest with fiction, you really do need to go and get yourself a copy as soon as humanly possible.

Claire Scott is constantly reminded of her sister who disappeared twenty years prior and was never found. However, her life now seems to be in perfect order with a loving and successful husband and more money than you can shake a stick at. Claire’s other sister Lydia no longer has a relationship with Claire and their lives could not be further apart. Initially Lydia was the character I was more compelled to read about, however when the story really starts to take a shift, Claire became just as compelling if not more so.

Although a slow starter, Karin Slaughter has once again written an absolutely outstanding book. I was literally on the edge of my seat and there were so many twists in the story I may as well have been on a real rollercoaster. There were times I actually held my breath, before realising I really wouldn’t make it to the end of the book if I did that. By the end of the book I realised that Karin Slaughter is quite simply a genius. This was without a doubt one of the most hair raising books I’ve read this year. It’s certainly a stomach churner (especially with content) but one that I wouldn’t swap for all the tea in China!!!! A MUST READ!!!!!