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Taunting The Dead by Mel Sherratt (Allie Shenton #1)

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Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: How far would you go to protect the ones you love? And how much further would you go to betray them?

Nine out of ten murders are committed by someone the victim knows. So when Steph Ryder has her head bashed in within earshot of her family and friends, DS Allie Shenton begins her investigation close to home.

Soon the lies, backtracking, and secrets multiply as each of the suspects tries to cover up their actions on that fateful night. Before long, Allie homes in on Steph’s ambitious and powerful husband, Terry. Convinced he’s hiding something, she interviews him again and again—only to find that she is falling, despite herself, for his smooth charms.

As the trail grows hotter, along with Allie’s feelings, the web of deceit pulls tighter and more bodies begin to pile up. Allie must race against time to uncover the shocking truth before she becomes the killer’s next victim.

Kat’s Review: I have read one of Mel’s Estate Series books as well as Watching Over You. With her imminent release of book 2 featuring DS Allie Shenton I figured I should read book 1 to familiarise myself. I am pretty glad that I did now as I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I also find it’s an added bonus that I have the next book as the ending was brilliant, albeit a cliff-hanger! Allie Shenton is a good character and easily likeable. She’s a copper who is working in Stoke, the place she was born and bred. The story itself was a bit of a slow burner, but by the second third I was well and truly gripped and read it right through to the end.

Steph Ryder and her dodgy husband Terry are the main focus of this book. Steph was frankly a rather despicable character. A virtual alcoholic we get to know exactly what are whop are relevant in her life. Terry Ryder, although an obvious gangster with a legit front, had a rather endearing character! We also meet additional characters that are all added to the mix such as Phil Kennedy who works for Terry, Steph’s friend Carole and her husband Shaun as well as Terry and Steph’s daughter.

The layers of the story are put there, and at times I thought they were maybe too much but I realised by the end that there is a method to Mel’s madness, namely the next book. As well as all the colourful characters, we get to know a bit about Allie, we meet her husband, her boss and her sister. All of this becomes a lot more relevant as the story continues. When Steph is murdered, nobody (including me) could work out what on earth was going on. It certainly added another layer of intrigue as each time I thought both they and I had figured it out, I was wrong!

This book certainly had me well and truly gripped, especially the last quarter of the book, and frankly the last chapter had me screaming in frustration. Luckily, the new book is already on my Kindle (due for release 10th Feb 2015) so I could get stuck straight back in. I think Mel Sherratt is definitely an underated author and I for one am starting straight on book 2. I think if you haven’t read Mel Sherratt before this book (or one of the Estate Books) is a fantastic place to start. Now if you don’t mind…I have another Allie Shenton book to read!

Never Say Goodbye by Susan Lewis

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My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: How would you cope with the threat of losing someone you love? Josie Clark is a loving wife and mother. She and her husband Jeff don’t have much and it’s often difficult to make ends meet. But Josie will do anything to protect her family and keep them safe. Bel Monkton is a successful property developer, living in a beautiful house by the sea. She seems to have everything going for her, but she’s lonely. And she’s let the shadows from her past cloud her future. Josie’s life couldn’t be more different to Bel’s. But three years ago, tragedy tore Bel’s life in two. Now it’s happening to Josie. And faced with uncertainty and heartbreak, they come to treasure their growing friendship.

Kat’s Review: I have been reading Susan Lewis for many years and the majority of the time I love her books. Many of them are moving and downright sad but they still make for an excellent (albeit a little more serious) read. This latest book’s synopsis if I’m being honest is a little vague and rather than add any plot spoilers I will say very little in the way of plot too. However, I think it needs to be said that this book features heavily on cancer suffering, which is something that maybe a few people would rather not stomach. With that said, I cannot think of a better author to tell this story as she has done it with sympathy and clearly a huge amount of research.

Josie Clark and her husband are struggling to make ends meet but they just about manage. Her and her husband Jeff don’t always agree on family decisions that may or may not involve their two grown up children but they clearly love each other and want to make the best out of everything. Josie was a likeable character and in a strange way so was the stubborn and gruff husband Jeff. Her two children are at very different stages in their lives and it added another layer to the story.

We also meet Bel Monkton whose life couldn’t be more different to Josie and Jeff’s. Her house is beautiful but she is extremely lonely. Thankfully her niece and nephew fill her time but they also distract her from the real issues she has. I also really liked Bel and thought she was a really interesting character to read about.

The two women will eventually meet and forge a lifelong friendship. The journey there is a tough one and also pretty emotion filled (so keep the tissues handy if you are a weeper!). The main focus of this story revolves around family and friendship and if I’m honest could be any number of people out there. I loved this latest book although it is also extremely sad. An absolutely absorbing read and as always I will look forward to another Susan Lewis.

Burn by James Patterson (Michael Bennett #7)

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Synopsis: Detective Michael Bennett finally returns to New York City – and to the most unsettling, horrific case of his career. At last, Detective Michael Bennett and his family are coming home to New York City. Thanks to Bennett, the ruthless crime lord whose vengeful mission forced the Bennett family into hiding has been brought down for good. Back in the city that never sleeps, Bennett takes over a chaotic Outreach Squad in Harlem, where he receives an unusual call: a man claims to have seen a group of well-dressed men holding a bizarre party in a condemned building. With no clear crime or evidence, Bennett dismisses the report. But when a charred body is found in that very same building, he is forced to take the caller seriously – and is drawn into an underground criminal world of terrifying depravity.

Kat’s Review: Mmmmm, I’m feeling a bit weird about this one. On the one hand the return of Michael Bennett and his clan was brilliant and fast-paced and all the usual descriptions. However, on the other hand there is a part of me that is a little bit disappointed in this latest release. Michael Bennett is fast becoming my favoured Patterson lead, and when he and his 10 kids and the nanny return to New York it seems like life is finally returning to normal. However as is always the case (especially in a Patterson book), normal is when you are managing a murder case or multiple killers!!! What threw me initially was Bennett’s re-assignment to a chaotic ‘outreach squad’ in Harlem.

The outreach squad consists of coppers that aren’t wanted anywhere else. What happened though was the story and the characters were heating up nicely and I really started getting into the book. The initial storyline consisted of a bizarre complaint they had received from a man claiming to have seen a very bizarre party involving some well-dressed men. What at first seems like a complete waste of time, turns into the closest thing to a nightmare you could imagine. Now so far, so good right? Er, yes…but that is where it ends.

To my surprise, Patterson and Ledwidge then decide to throw in another case back on the Major Organised Crime desk involving some robberies that are rapidly getting bigger by the day. Add in some lovely romance between Bennett and Mary Catherine and finally a sick grandfather, and Bob’s your Uncle…your book is too crowded! Well, at least that how it seemed which is why I only rated it middle of the road. Lose the robberies, and the sick and ageing grandparent and the book would have been another belter? Instead it seemed like they had to cram in as much as humanly possible and then wrap it all up neatly with a bow on top.

Unfortunately this latest Bennett just didn’t hit the spot. This is too busy, but with essentially a fantastic main storyline (Such a shame). I will as always look forward to the next one and just hope it’s not as disjointed as this one.

An Evil Mind by Chris Carter (Robert Hunter #6)

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Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: A freak accident in rural Wyoming leads the Sheriff’s Department to arrest a man for a possible double homicide, but further investigations suggest a much more horrifying discovery – a serial killer who has been kidnapping, torturing and mutilating victims all over the United States for at least twenty-five years. The suspect claims he is a pawn in a huge labyrinth of lies and deception – can he be believed? The case is immediately handed over to the FBI, but this time they’re forced to ask for outside help. Ex-criminal behaviour psychologist and lead Detective with the Ultra-Violent Crime Unit of the LAPD, Robert Hunter, is asked to run a series of interviews with the apprehended man. These interviews begin to reveal terrifying secrets that no one could’ve foreseen, including the real identity of a killer so elusive that no one, not even the FBI, had any idea he existed …until now

Kat’s Review: Robert Hunter is back, only this time his partner Carlos Garcia is missing and Robert is on his way to Hawaii for a much needed break. The series featuring Hunter and Garcia is now onto it 6th book and the previous 5 have seen Robert and Garcia go through the mill, so although I realised from the synopsis Garcia wouldn’t be around I wondered how much of an impact it would have on the current book. Thankfully it seems like it had little impact on the actual book or sheer writing skills, but as a reader I confess I missed him.

As usual Carter pulls no punches when throwing the reader into the dark and frankly disturbing world of killers. A rather vile accidental discovery means that Hunter is pulled from his trip and into a rather surreal situation. It seems that Hunter is the only man for the job and we see quite early on a link to his past which is always nice as it adds to what you already know about the character.

I had no clue how the story would play out, and had rather conflicting feelings on it all for a while. However with sheer finesse the reader realises that the game has begun. Although there are many thousands of talented writers in this genre out there, sometimes certain authors will stick in your mind. Chris Carter is one of those authors for me. Firstly there is nothing to dislike about the characters and his talent for transporting you so you are literally breathing down the necks of this guys is pretty amazing. Many of his books have a very creepy feel to them, and I’m almost certain that this is credited to Chris real life previous career experience (a criminal psychologist).

There was certainly tension galore as the stakes for the dreaded game are upped with each step that arises. I had no clue how things would pan out and thoroughly loved every single page of this book. I would strongly recommend that if you haven’t already read Chris Carter that you give him a try. I can only hope that we see the return of Garcia as Hunter doesn’t feel quite the same without him.

The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alex Brown (Tindledale #1)

Synopsis: Heartbroken after being jilted at the altar, Sybil has been saved from despair by her knitting obsession and now her home is filled to bursting with tea cosies, bobble hats, and jumpers. But, after discovering that she may have perpetrated the cock-up of the century at work, Sybil decides to make a hasty exit and, just weeks before Christmas, runs away to the picturesque village of Tindledale.

There, Sybil discovers Hettie’s House of Haberdashery, an emporium dedicated to the world of knitting and needle craft. But Hettie, the outspoken octogenarian owner, is struggling and now the shop is due for closure. And when Hettie decides that Sybil’s wonderfully wacky Christmas jumpers are just the thing to add a bit of excitement to her window display, something miraculous starts to happen…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Continue reading “The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alex Brown (Tindledale #1)”

As Good As It Gets by Fiona Gibson

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: “Midlife crisis? WHAT midlife crisis?!”

Charlotte Bristow is worried about her husband Will. Their fourteen years of marriage have been rather lovely so far, but things have been a bit odd lately. With their stunning 16-year-old daughter Rosie newly signed to a top modelling agency and Will recently out of a job, Charlotte can’t help but notice that things are changing in their household. As Will dusts down his old leather trousers and starts partying with their new, fun neighbours, Charlotte begins to wonder what on earth is going on. So when Fraser, Charlotte’s ex – and father of Rosie – suddenly arrives back on the scene, Charlotte starts to wonder what might have been…

Kat’s Review: Charlotte is a typical Mum to her kids Rosie and Ollie. She and her husband Will have been married for fourteen years and with Will unemployed life at home has become somewhat different. I liked Charlotte and instantly warmed to her. Life just ticks along and she constantly has to think about everybody else apart from herself.

When new neighbours move in across the road her husband’s behaviour changes and at that point Charlotte isn’t really sure what is going on. In addition to that Rosie, who is a typical 16 year old gets signed to a modelling agency and suddenly its all about the latest colour palette that’s in style.

This book had its funny moments and also some moments where I was sure the ending would be very predictable. Thankfully the ending was just right and the story certainly kept me entertained. I liked the characters and Fiona Gibson has managed to make it light-hearted enough that the characters are very real. Having said all of that there was something that was maybe missing from this latest book that has been there for previous ones. I’m not sure what it was exactly but certainly lacking its usual oomph. Even though that may sound like a negative it was still a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Final Minute by Simon Kernick

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Availability: Hardcover, Kindle & Nook (15.01.15), Paperback (21.05.15)

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: The lights are on, and I’m standing outside a half-open door. Feeling a terrible sense of foreboding, I walk slowly inside. And then I see her. A woman lying sprawled across a huge double bed. She’s dead. There’s blood everywhere. And the most terrifying thing of all is that I think her killer might be me …’

A traumatic car-crash. A man with no memory, haunted by nightmares. When the past comes calling in the most terrifying way imaginable, Matt Barron is forced to turn to the one person who can help. Ex Met cop, turned private detective, Tina Boyd. Soon they are both on the run .….

My Review: As a seasoned Kernick reader he has a pretty tried and tested formula which keeps us readers happy. Thankfully his latest release is no different and you end up feeling like you’ve just done an hour long workout just reading the first few chapters! Matt Baron takes centre stage in this latest Kernick novel as a man that is suffering with a form of amnesia. He has been told he was involved in a car crash, and is being cared for by his sister. As Matt starts to slowly recover his memory starts to play tricks with him when he suffers a recurring dream.

Matt knows that his dreams are showing him a dead woman, and he also knows that he has some connection to the killing, but just isn’t sure how. The story dragged me straight in and point blank refused to let me go until the last page. The character Matt was likeable but not all that nice if I’m being 100% honest. I had the feeling that he may not be what we first thought and as the story progresses my opinion of him see-sawed violently from one chapter to the next.

The one thing I loved was the re-introduction of a great character Tina Boyd. She has appeared in The Crime Trade, Relentless, Deadline, Target, The Last Ten Seconds and Ultimatum. She is a great character and in this latest book she at first seems like she has taken the safer career option, which is until she meets Matt! As always the plot and pace are fast and frenzied and you are engaged from start to finish. There is plenty of action and you are constantly wondering when Matt’s chances are going to run out. This was certainly a great read and one that Kernick fans will enjoy. It’s also great to see Tina Boyd back in the saddle. I will as ever, look forward to the next hair raising book by Mr Kernick.

The Two by Will Carver (January David #2)

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My Rating: 3/5

Availability: Paperback, Kindle, Audio, Nook and Kobo

Synopsis: They Kill Without Mercy. Disappear Without Trace. They are The Two.

And now the stakes are raised once more for Detective January David. 5 lie dead, brutally murdered – the first taken on the night of Halloween and as autumn bleeds into winter more ritualistic murders are discovered. January must battle his demons, for in his mind lies the clue to stopping a ruthless murderer.

But his worst nightmares have literally come true when he discovers there’s not one but two twisted killers on the loose …

My Review: Okay firstly I need to point out that if you aren’t into the supernatural element then this book may not be for you. But having said that, it’s still clear that Will Carver is a great author and one that I want to carry on reading, despite the fact this wasn’t maybe my favourite type of book. If you plan on reading book one first (which I would recommend) then don’t read on as the review will inevitably contain spoilers.

January David is the lead character and in the first book in the series and we meet him once again following his harrowing case from book one. In this second book, its clear he is still battling demons and coming to terms with the things his mind portrays to him. The synopsis makes it clear that January is chasing two killers, however the leading few chapters can be a little bewildering. If you go with the flow, eventually the reader sees the distinction between the two but its certainly not easy.

The writing, as with the first, is fantastic and I really like the unusual style Carver uses. As the reader we get to see the chapters written from the first person whether that be the killer, January himself or the victims. There is something very refreshing about this style of writing and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The parts I didn’t enjoy so much were the sometimes muddled descriptions of January’s visions and the supernatural element is certainly clear to see in book 2.

Because of this, and the fact that this isn’t my favourite type of story, it maybe lessened the enjoyment for me. That aside, I really like reading about January and you feel like he is trying to find his way. Jan’s two colleagues Murphy and Paulson return as well adding to the continuity of the series. The book certainly had talent and pace, but it felt like the story jumped around too much and if I’m honest I didn’t feel that it was anywhere near as good as the first story. I will certainly go on reading Will Carver and this series, with the hope that book 3 is a little less frenzied. Of course like I said in the beginning, if you are a fan of the supernatural, maybe this will be more to your taste.

The French for Christmas by FIona Valpy

My Rating: 4/5

Availability: Paperback, Kindle, Nook and Kobo

Synopsis: Evie used to LOVE Christmas, but this year she can’t wait for the tinsel and presents to be a distant memory.

When her best friends offer the use of their cottage in the beautiful French countryside, Evie jumps at the chance. With her soon-to-be-ex-husband, celebrity chef Will Brooke, plastered over the news with his latest ‘love interest’, leaving the country seems like the perfect plan.

Armed with her French grandmother’s tattered notebook of recipes, Evie is determined to ignore Christmas altogether and bake herself back to happiness.

And when Evie meets her next-door neighbour – the très gorgeous doctor Didier she finds a very willing taste-tester. But is it possible that he could be interested in more than just her Tarte Tatin?

My Review: I recently read on of Fiona’s other books The French for Love and really enjoyed it so was looking forward to reading this book. The main character Evie seems like such a sad and forlorn character in the beginning I wondered if life could ever look up for her. When her friends offer her their cottage in the rural countryside of France, Evie jumps at the chance to take some time out. Although it’s Christmas she wants to spend some time alone and recharge her batteries and try and get a fresh perspective on her life.

Although the reasons for Evie’s sadness are extremely sad Fiona Valpy manages to make this book more about hope and survival rather than a ‘poor me’ kind of book. She also does a wonderful job of making the reader feel like they are right next to Evie as she takes in her new surroundings. Her neighbours in France are not quite what she was expecting but the introduction of Didier the local doctor, and the elder couple Mathieu and Eliane are a pleasant addition.

In addition to the beautiful descriptions of this idyllic French house and area, we also get the mouth-watering descriptions of the beautiful food that Evie cooks. I did spend quite a bit of the time whilst reading this feeling extremely hungry! The story is a very happy and uplifting one which has the festive touches guaranteed to make for a wonderful Christmas read. It has everything you could want from a book for this time of year, all you need is the time to read it and a warm and cosy fire to sit in front of.

Girl No 4 by Will Carver (January David #1)

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My Rating: 4/5

Availability: Paperback, Kindle, Audio, Kobo and Nook

Synopsis: Detective Inspector January David has always put his professional before his private life, but now his two worlds clash horrifically as he visits his latest crime scene. Confronted with a ghostly figure suspended ten feet above a theatre stage, blood pouring from her face into a coffin below, it’s clear this gruesome execution scene is the work of an elusive serial killer.

But Girl 4 is different: she is alive – barely. And January recognises her.

Three women from three different London suburbs, each murdered with elaborate and chilling precision. And as January stares at the latest body, the most beautiful corpse he’s ever seen, he detects the killer’s hallmark. If he wants to save his own neck and prevent there being a Girl 5, January must get inside the mind of a serial killer and beat him at his own game…

My Review: How can a book you didn’t want to put down annoy you just as much? I am still somewhat confused as to how I felt about this book. Having said that, this is the first in the series and as I have learnt with other authors sometimes you just need to go with the flow. No doubt Will Carver has a plan for January David and I am hoping that as time goes on I will understand a bit more.

January David has a name you certainly won’t forget, but his personality seems a bit mixed in this book. He is a good copper that much is obvious, but there are elements to him that I am struggling with, namely his ‘supernatural’ abilities. I try not to judge but as this isn’t a favourite theme of mine I tend to struggle with it. We also meet Jan’s wife Audrey and if I’m honest I didn’t take to her at all from the beginning. What I did take to was the very unique and unusual style of writing. The chapters are written from various characters points of view, whether that be January, the victims or the killer. This was such a novelty to me and the way the victims describe their last few hours was frankly quite chilling.

The murders themselves leave nothing to the imagination with brutal and grisly scenes described in vivid detail. I found myself wondering whether I knew who the killer was or not, and then less than a few pages after I would feel like I was back at square one. This was by no means a perfect book and if I am being 100% honest I don’t know how I will fair with the series. But….there was so much I really loved about this book. Yes it was weird, but it was also gripping, engaging and a whole lot more. I think the main issue I have is the stretch between believable fiction, and personal belief in terms of the supernatural.

This book certainly won’t be fore everybody but it was so unique that I really didn’t want to put it down. I will move straight on to book 2, to see if I can form more of an understanding of January David. Hopefully this character will grow on me as I think the writing itself is fabulous.