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Smile of The Viper by Harry Dunn

My Rating: 4/5

Availability: Paperback, Kindle, Nook and Kobo

Synopsis: London private investigator Jack Barclay is on the trail of financier Tom Stanton who has disappeared with £1million of clients’ money, leaving his desperate wife and children behind.

Stanton’s Parisian mistress, Danielle, is also involved with the boss of a drug smuggling cartel and Stanton is seduced into laundering money for them. When £4million of drugs cash goes missing and Tom is the suspect, he and Danielle go on the run.

The stakes are raised with the kidnapping of Stanton’s daughter, and Jack finds himself in a race to find Stanton before the mob do. As he hunts him down, he uncovers a nightmare world of torture, betrayal and murder, putting his own life in danger.

My Review: I have to be honest and say that the cover of this book didn’t appeal to me. Don’t ask me why, I can’t put my finger on it but it just doesn’t sit right with me. What I can tell you is that it does NOT do the book justice and if I had one major criticism to Mr Dunn and his Publishers it would be to look at changing the style of cover for his next book. The synopsis of this sounded good and the opening chapters were enough to reel you in.

Jack Barclay is a Private Investigator and things have been pretty slow recently. When Jill Stanton comes in asking him to try and trace her husband Tom, Jack had no clue what sort of chase he would have on his hands. It seems that Tom Stanton who is a financier has done a runner with a million pounds worth of clients’ money. In addition to this, it seems that Tom has got himself involved with some very nasty people.

I liked the writing style and the character Jack Barclay was a likeable guy. There was also quite a lot going on in terms of plot threads and layers and certainly enough to keep you keen to continue reading. The addition of Tom’s mistress Danielle and her antics involving the Cartel also add another dimension to the story. It was certainly paced well and a pretty good debut novel. However, if I am being really picky there were a couple of things (aside from the cover) that I didn’t like.

Jack was far too ‘familiar’ with the client, and that led me to get that ‘first time author’ feel. There was also too many loose ends for me, I like to know what happens after the fact too (even if it’s just a short epilogue). Having mentioned the negatives, I still really liked this and think I will really look forward to the next book (especially if it features Jack Barclay again). A pretty impressive start from Harry Dunn and I will look forward to the next book.

CHRISTMAS AT CARRINGTON’S BY ALEX BROWN

Synopsis: Georgie Hart loves Christmas time at Carrington’s Department store. Running the luxury handbag department, Georgie adores helping customers in the hunt for the perfect gift for the perfect someone. And this year is no exception – now she has the hunky Tom, Mr Carrington himself, to spend the special day with.

But when Tom springs a surprise, Georgie’s plans are thrown into chaos. Carrington’s is getting a fresh lease of life in a hot new reality TV show, featuring formidable retail guru, Kelly Cooper. As the first show airs, Georgie is shown in a far from flattering light. Worse is to come when Kelly’s vile daughter appears to get her claws into Tom. Georgie fears this will be the worst Christmas ever, but Santa still has a little surprise for her stocking this year – she’ll just have to wait until Christmas to find out…

My Rating: 4/5

My Review: I read the first book in this series back in December and decided it was high time to catch up with the second in the series. If you intend on reading the first book, maybe don’t read my review as it will inevitably give away spoilers for the first book. I really like Georgie Hart and when I had finished book 1 I knew that I would want to see what happened next for her. Luckily we are now back at the department store Carrington’s and Georgie is now loved up with her new man (who also happens to be her boss) Tom Carrington.

What starts off this latest story is when Georgie turns on her TV to see that her own booty shaking antics in store are being aired to the nation. It seems that Carrington’s is home to a new Reality TV show and this was the first Georgie was hearing about it. Along with Georgie we see Sam, her best friend who is now married to hubby Nathan, and her GBF Eddie. All three of these characters are brilliant and I really enjoyed getting to see what was happening to them too.

The whole reality show has literally taken over the store and its entire staff. Very quickly I realised that I had already devoured nearly half the book in one sitting. I was surprised as I figured I had just got started?!? As usual Georgie manages to get herself in hot bother by adding 2 and 2 and coming up with 25. Maybe this is one of the reasons I like her so much. She is a typical woman her age, and she is far from perfect. Yet somehow she’s also not a patronising character.

The added bonus for me was that we get to see all the Carrington’s staff in small snippets and you always feel like you are right in the middle of the action. There are some very funny moments in this book, as well as some slightly sadder one. As usual Brown has down both with ease and managed to make it light-hearted but sensitive too. The one big plus for me too was the extra part of learning and getting to know Georgie’s Dad. This was an excellent addition to an already great story. Another book that I devoured loved and didn’t want to put down. This was the perfect accompaniment to a long flight, or a rainy evening. I can’t wait to start the next one.

Continue reading “CHRISTMAS AT CARRINGTON’S BY ALEX BROWN”

Rory’s Proposal by Lynda Renham

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My Rating: 5/5

Availability: Paperback, Kindle, Nook and Kobo

Synopsis: When 29-year-old Flora Robson reversed her car into Tom’s Audi she had no idea who he was. Only after she has started to fall in love with him does she discover the gorgeous blue-eyed Tom is the man who is trying to close down her hairdressing business. It seems that Tom will stop at nothing to get what he wants, but Flora is not giving in to anyone. Can she win the battle against her multimillionaire enemy or will her feelings for him get in the way? Follow Flora’s hilarious journey of love, hot chocolate and marshmallows, and the man who changes everything.

My Review: Having not read any of Lynda Renham’s previous books I went into her new one with an open mind. I must say that within a few chapters I had fallen in love with the lead character Flora Robson. Flora’s boyfriend Luke is frankly a bit of an idiot. As we get to know Flora you soon realise that any woman that has to stash her chocolate in a Tampax box, so the boyfriend doesn’t find out, seriously needs to look at her relationship. Flora has her own hair salon and she finds herself fighting against the big Supermarket who want to buy her shop and put her out of business.

With all of that going on she has no idea that what seems like an innocent prang in her car with the delectable Tom will make her life go from bad to worse. The wonderful thing about this book is without a doubt the characters. Not only is Flora (or Flo as she is more commonly called) a brilliant lead, she is surrounded by hilarious characters that just add to the story. Her work colleagues Sandy and Ryan add their flavour as well as Flo’s mum (who IMO was the funniest character out of all of them), and they make the story so much more engaging.

Now don’t get me wrong, there will no doubt people out there that will be looking for a moral to the story (there’s always one!), and I hate to say it…this doesn’t have one. Hurray! This is a good ol’ fashioned fun and light hearted wonderfully amusing book that will keep you entertained from start to finish. It has everything I want in this sort of book, funny characters, a good storyline, romance, tears and laughter. I mean what more can you ask for? I read this in one day and there are certain parts of the book that had me really laughing out loud (all I will say is that when you hear the Bio-freeze mentioned, you’ll know what I mean). This is the perfect book to take on holiday, read on your commute, or generally just put a smile on your face. Class act Lynda Renham, and I can’t wait to read the rest of your books now!

Dead Scared by Sharon Bolton (Lacey Flint #2)

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My Rating: 5/5

Availability: Hardback, Paperback, Kindle, Audio, Nook and Kobo

Synopsis: Now face your darkest fears . . .

A spate of suicides. Each one a female university student. Each one more shocking than the last. The police know it cannot be coincidence. But they can’t prove it. The only way to investigate is to send someone undercover. A young policewoman, as vulnerable as the others. As unprepared for the nightmare that will greet her. Don’t close your eyes, Lacey Flint . . .

My Review: Sharon Bolton only just released the 4th book in this series so luckily I am not that far behind. Having read the first in the series last month I was raring to go with book 2, and what a ride it turned out to be. Lacey Flint is a somewhat damaged character, but not a weepy pathetic one, nor a demonically strong and independent one either. She is bang in the middle and probably the closest to what reality would be I would imagine. She has strengths and weaknesses but I really like her. She has a little bit of attitude and is bright without being portrayed as Miracle Woman!

In this newest case her senior officer Mark Joesbury calls Lacey in on an undercover job. As a somewhat junior copper (albeit experienced, after book 1!) she is pulled in to the job with the minimum amount of information. All she knows is that she is to pose as University student, due to the sudden high levels of suicides happening in and around the college.

Lacey immerses herself in student life and has to portray herself as vulnerable which it soon appears is not that easy for Lacey. However, from the early stages you get the sense that things aren’t ‘quite right’ at the University . There is an undercurrent to the writing which is very dark and gives you that ominous feeling. I also loved the fact that we are seeing the progression of the relationship between Lacey and her senior Joesbury.

At around the halfway mark I realised that never before has a title been so aptly named. I was Dead Scared! Not on the whole gory, violet and descriptive front. The worse kind…you know when the hairs stand up on the back of your neck type of fear. I raced through this and fluctuated between thinking I knew who was to blame and why and how, to knowing absolutely nothing. It was absolutely fantastic rollercoaster of a read that had me scared, thrilled and desperate to read more. I mean what more could a reader want? By the end I was chomping at the bit to get started on book 3, but resisted and am hoping to get to book 3 VERY soon. A great series that I would highly recommend.

One by One by Chris Carter (Robert Hunter #5)

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: ‘I need your help, Detective. Fire or water?’ Detective Robert Hunter of the LAPD’s Homicide Special Section receives an anonymous call asking him to go to a specific web address – a private broadcast. Hunter logs on and a show devised for his eyes only immediately begins.

But the caller doesn’t want Detective Hunter to just watch, he wants him to participate, and refusal is simply not an option. Forced to make a sickening choice, Hunter must sit and watch as an unidentified victim is tortured and murdered live over the Internet.

The LAPD, together with the FBI, use everything at their disposal to electronically trace the transmission down, but this killer is no amateur, and he has covered his tracks from start to finish. And before Hunter and his partner Garcia are even able to get their investigation going, Hunter receives a new phone call. A new website address. A new victim. But this time the killer has upgraded his game into a live murder reality show, where anyone can cast the deciding vote.

My Review: I have to say that after reading the previous books in this series I was pretty sure I knew what was coming in terms of the shock factor and gore. I was wrong! The opening of this book alone was enough to make my skin start crawling and the book only got more graphic and descriptive as time went on. I don’t say this as a negative as in my opinion it adds to the fear factor which always gets my heart racing. That aside, people who aren’t fans of this type of thing may not want to read this series.

Detective Robert Hunter of the Homicide Special Section is back and this time a killer like no other is out on the prowl. He calls Robert Hunter and asks for his help. All Robert has to do is choose Fire or water, a seemingly simple decision. However, when it becomes clear that the killer wants Robert to choose the victims method of death the story takes a serious and nasty turn.

The story starts to unravel and the killer becomes bolder with each victim and pretty soon the kills are being seen live on the internet. Hunters partner Garcia is a favourite of mine too and he becomes more involved than usual in this latest story. The plot is cleverly crafted and the suspense is at the highest I imagine you get with a book like this. The book takes you down a very dark and twisted road that layers plot threads as the story progresses. I found myself feeling every type of emotion possible when reading it.

In addition to the excellent writing and story line Carter has created characters I care about. By the end of this book I felt my heart sink as repercussions for the next book could go either way. I am so pleased that I have managed to get up to speed with the series, meaning I can get ready for the next and most recent installment of the series, An Evil Mind which was released 31st July 2014.

The Death Sculptor by Chris Carter (Robert Hunter #4)

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: ‘Good job you didn’t turn on the lights . . .’

A student nurse has the shock of her life when she discovers her patient, prosecutor Derek Nicholson, brutally murdered in his bed. The act seems senseless – Nicholson was terminally ill with only weeks to live. But what most shocks Detective Robert Hunter of the Los Angeles Robbery Homicide Division is the calling card the killer left behind.

For Hunter, there is no doubt that the killer is trying to communicate with the police, but the method is unlike anything he’s ever seen before. And what could the hidden message be?

Just as Hunter and his partner Garcia reckon they’ve found a lead, a new body is found – and a new calling card. But with no apparent link between the first and second victims, all the progress they’ve made so far goes out of the window.

Pushed into an uncomfortable alliance with the confident Alice Beaumont, Hunter must race to put together the pieces of the investigation . . . before the Death Sculptor puts the final touches to his masterpiece.

My Review: I am on a roll with the Hunter series by Chris Carter and started this immediately after I finished the previous one. Having said all of that, these books can still be read stand alone, but where’s the fun in that? The latest release starts with (in true Chris Carter style) a particularly gruesome and bloody scene. A student nurse finds her patient brutally murdered. By the time Robert Hunter and his colleague Carlos Garcia get there they realise that the calling card alone singles out this latest psychopath as somebody they need to catch…and quickly.

One thing that makes this series great is both Robert Hunter as well as the recurring characters we see. His partner Garcia is absolutely brilliant, and although he isn’t as clever as Hunter (who is, the guy has a Mensa level IQ) he makes their pair complete. Throw the descriptive and sickening death scenes and you have yourself a classic Carter novel. The killer continues his killing spree and the case quickly becomes more and more complex.

These books have been an absolute pleasure to read and they continue going from strength to strength. This latest book didn’t have quite the oomph that the last one did, but I guess you just tend to set the bar really high when you enjoy a series of books. The book was still a fantastic read and kept me turning the pages well into the night. Another corker from Mr Carter, and as usual I cannot wait so am moving straight onto the next book in the series ‘One by One’

Night Stalker by Chris Carter (Robert Hunter #3)

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: An unidentified female body is brought into the Los Angeles County morgue. The cause of death is still unclear. Her body bares no marks; except for the fact that her most intimate parts have been stitched shut. But what shocks the pathologist the most is that the killer had left something inside her. Something so monstrous Detective Robert Hunter, of the Los Angeles Homicide Special Section, has to be pulled off a different case to take over the investigation.

Within days a new body surfaces. Like the previous victim, she’s also been stitched shut and something has been left inside her. Something as ingenious as it is grotesque. And the killer isn’t done yet, not by a long shot.

When his inquiry collides with a missing persons’ case being investigated by the attractive, razor-sharp Whitney Meyers, Hunter suspects the killer might be keeping several women hostage. Soon Robert finds himself on the hunt for a murderer who is much more monstrous than he ever could have expected; a predator whose past hides a terrible secret, and who won’t stop until each of his victims has brought forth the awful truth that lies hidden deep inside them too.

My Review: Well, well, well! Mr Carter has been a treat I have been depriving myself of that’s for sure. It’s been a while since I last read a Chris Carter and I decided with his most recent release that it was high time I caught up. Robert Hunter is the main lead in this series along with his partner Garcia. Having read the two previous books, although Hunter is the clear leader I’m beginning to love his partner Garcia just as much. When this story kicks off it involves a body being brought into the morgue although her cause of death is unclear. It doesn’t take long to realise though that this woman had suffered horrendously as certain parts of her body has been stitched shut. The first thing I must say is that as a reader if you are squeamish then maybe these aren’t the books for you.

Within a few days another body appears and although the stitches are there, her method of death is something else. I have a pretty strong stomach but I must say Mr Carter has an ingenious way with grotesque descriptions that literally have your stomach churning. When Carter’s investigation crosses with a missing persons case an investigator by the name Whitney Myers comes into play. I always kind of hope that Robert may get the chance to have a personal life, but sadly is seems there are too many psychos and not enough time for the man.

The story itself was intriguing and had numerous plot layers going on. The suspense is ratcheted up with each body that is discovered and the pace in turn picks up too. I felt myself experiencing more than one emotion whilst turning the pages from fear to loathing and then back to fear. By the time I had finished my heart was in my mouth and I went straight onto book 4 in the series. I really do feel like Chris Carter is a bit of an unrecognised author. There certainly isn’t enough press about the guy but I am certain that his book deals will continue to get bigger and better until every last reader out there knows about him. A brilliant book that had me gripped and highly recommended.

Continue reading “Night Stalker by Chris Carter (Robert Hunter #3)”

One Kick by Chelsea Cain

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My Rating: 5/5

Availability: Released 14^th August 2014 Kindle, Paperback

Synopsis: Kick Lannigan, 21, is a survivor. Abducted at age six in broad daylight, the police, the public, perhaps even her family assumed the worst had occurred. And then Kathleen Lannigan was found, alive, six years later. In the early months following her freedom, as Kick struggled with PTSD, her parents put her through a litany of therapies, but nothing helped until the detective who rescued her suggested Kick learn to fight.

Before she was thirteen, Kick learned marksmanship, martial arts, boxing, archery, and knife throwing. She excelled at every one, vowing she would never be victimised again. But when two children in the Portland area go missing in the same month, Kick goes into a tailspin. Then an enigmatic man Bishop approaches her with a proposition: he is convinced Kick’s experiences and expertise can be used to help rescue the abductees. Little does Kick know the case will lead directly into her terrifying past.

My Review: I have been reading Chelsea Cain’s series featuring Archie and Gretchen and absolutely love it. However, I had a serious issue with the publishers and their release dates for the last in that series. The last book in the Archie/Gretchen series entitled Let Me Go was released late 2013. However as an avid Kindle reader, I didn’t want to get a big bulky book for my commute. I decided to wait for the Kindle version, and believe it or not I’m still waiting!!! I was so annoyed to learn that the Kindle version wouldn’t be released until over a year later?!? Because of that when I got the new Chelsea Cain book featuring a new character, I put it further down the list than usual out of principle! Of course after trying to convince myself that I was right, I relented and got started on the new one. All I can say is thank god I did!!!

The first thing you need to know about this latest release is that the characters are the furthest thing you can get from the ordinary. I don’t say this lightly and I know it’s a bold statement to make but it’s true. Kick Lannigan is the star of this latest book and she is possibly the most damaged, off the wall and disturbing character I have read in a long time. Of course I absolutely loved her and from the very start I knew this book would be different. Kick is actually a survivor, having been abducted at the age of 6 and found alive 6 years later. Now being in her early twenties we get to see a woman who has some serious issues (obviously) but which makes an absolutely compelling character to read about.

Now Kick is older she has spent her teenage years learning how to protect herself. However, her obsessive and compulsive traits mean that when two children go missing it’s like a trigger for her behaviour to turn a little wild and off key. Add to the mix another intriguing character, meet John Bishop. Initially he approaches Kick to ask for her help in locating the missing children. These two meeting is like putting lit matches in a Firework box, you never quite know what the outcome will be.

One thing to note is that this book will definitely not be everybody’s cup of tea. It’s a little like Marmite me thinks, you either love it or hate it. I absolutely loved it and read it in a matter of hours. The characters had my hairs standing on end, the crime scenes had me cringing in horror and the story, plot and pace were pure magic. I’m chomping at the bit to know when the second book will be released, although I may have to sulk (momentarily you understand) regarding the last Kindle release of CC’s which was a bit of a disaster! That aside a class read which I for one will be putting high on my list of reads from 2014!!

Cop Town by Karin Slaughter

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My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Atlanta, 1974. As a brutal killing and a furious manhunt rock the city, Kate Murphy wonders if her first day on the police force will also be her last. For life is anything but easy in the male-dominated world of the Atlanta Police Department, where even the other female cops have little mercy for the new girl.

Kate isn’t the only woman on the force who is finding things tough. Maggie Lawson followed her uncle and brother into the ranks to prove her worth in their cynical eyes. When Maggie and Kate become partners, and are side-lined in the search for the city’s cop killer, their fury, pain, and pride finally reach boiling point.

With the killer poised to strike again, will Kate and Maggie have the courage to pursue their own line of investigation? And are they prepared to risk everything as they venture into the city’s darkest heart?

My Review: I was surprised to realise that this was a stand-alone novel by Karin Slaughter. I was also quite excited at the synopsis as she has gone for the same geographical setting but in the 1970’s. It features Maggie Lawson and Kate Murphy as our two main characters. It took me a little longer than her usual books to settle in, but I wasn’t surprised as this wasn’t part of a series that I had become familiar with over time. As police officers in the Atlanta are in the seventies things are certainly not easy on them. Karin Slaughter has made the book authentic and believable from the outset. I certainly realised very quickly that working in this line of work back then, was tantamount to being a wanted criminal.

Out of the two characters Kate is introduced as the new girl to the police force. With Maggie having experience as well as having her brother and Uncle on the force, she is naturally the one Kate looks to for advice. Maggie seemed initially like the force to be reckoned with but Kate developed as a character and by the end of the book I found myself hoping that Karin may well continue this theme on featuring both these women.

The main storyline features the Atlanta police force launching a massive manhunt for a killer known simply as The Shooter. There are some absolutely awful characters featuring in this story but I guess for that era they were pretty much the norm! What this latest Slaughter novel does is highlight the serious issues that were around back then such as racism, sexism and homophobia. That aside the story is weaved with intellect and keeps the reader guessing until the later part of the book.

Although I wouldn’t say this was my favourite KS book, it kept me intrigued with its setting, characters, story and pace. As ever she has shown how versatile an author she is and has given her readers another set of characters that they will no doubt want to see more of (I can always hope). A great read which I think many fans will be pleasantly surprised by.

Don’t Look Back by Gregg Hurwitz

My Rating 3/5

I was really quite excited when I received an early review copy of the new Gregg Hurwitz. The synopsis had all the key ingredients to make a perfect Hurwitz belter. Daniel Brasher is a counsellor who lives a reasonably ordinary life. His job dealing with affected individuals who are usually on parole keeps his day to day work interesting. His longer term plan is to jack in the public stuff and start his own private practice. With that in mind, he aims to enjoy his last few weeks with his current group. As he leaves work one evening he finds a letter in his pigeonhole, only it’s not for him. It’s too late as Daniel has already read the note which declared that the recipient has until midnight on November 15^th to admit what they have done or they will bleed for it.

The first part of the book was typical Hurwitz with descriptions of each of his group, and the discovery of the note. It’s all pretty high tension stuff and you realise that Daniel is in a pretty awkward position. However, when he informs the police what is going on and they intervene, it seems like they just miss the killer each and every time. It seems that with each note Daniel receives, he has to figure out the puzzle. Who is the victim and what have they done. I admit that the first few chapters flew by and I was totally engrossed, and then something weird happened. The book sort of took on a weird, disjointed kind of air to it. I felt like the middle of the book hit a bit of a stumbling block and I struggled to get through the pages.

However, having read and loved many of his books I carried on. Towards the last third of the book, the pace picked up again and once again I was taken down the smooth road of taut and tense scenes created by Mr H. Towards the end of the book I was still none the wiser about who the murdered was, but when all was revealed I kind of felt like there was a major piece of the puzzle still missing from the book. This review may sound slightly strange, but in all honesty that’s kind of what the book was like. If I read it not knowing the author I might have guessed it was a new author who had it 60% right?!?

Overall it was an average read, but for Gregg Hurwitz it definitely wasn’t up to his usual standard. I have no idea if this was due to maybe the mood I was whilst in reading it, or whether other people will agree? I just feel like there was something missing that his books never normally miss. I will always look forward to reading a Hurwitz book and can only assume that this story just wasn’t for me, of maybe it just isn’t as good as his others? Either way, I still eagerly await the next book.