Book Review – Page 9 – Best Crime Books and More

THE RESORT BY SUE WATSON

49DE8550-459A-4BE8-BCFD-8ECDAD03A489_4_5005_c SYNOPSIS:

When a dream trip becomes your worst nightmare…

You’ve been excited about this getaway for months – at last, a chance to reconnect with your husband at a secluded island resort. But when he unexpectedly calls you from the beach, you hear the urgency in his voice. Something is very wrong.

The beautiful waitress from the restaurant last night has been found lying dead in the sand. And the police want to question your husband about it.

Sure, you saw him glance at her over dinner a few times, but you know he didn’t have anything to do with the poor girl’s death. So why is he asking you to lie to the police that he was with you all night? And where did he go in those missing hours?

When he returns to your beautiful sea-view suite, things get heated and he accuses you of being jealous, just like he always does. Yes, the waitress was overly flirtatious with your husband, but you didn’t actually wish her any harm. Not really.

Can you trust the man you married… or are you the one who can’t be trusted?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: This latest book by Sue Watson is a weird one for me. There were elements of it I just didn’t like but it still kept me reading enough that I had to see what happened. The basis for this latest book is three couples that are on holiday on a remote island and somehow get embroiled in a murder investigation. Daisy and Tom are one of those couples and they have seen their share of tragedy having lost a child. This holiday is an attempt to get back to a better place for both of them. Becky and Josh are another couple who have spent many years together and have children. At first their reason for this holiday come across as sinister but within the book the reasoning behind it become clear. Lastly there are Sam and David and these characters were the ones I just loathed. They had dated for a very short while and they are there on their honeymoon.

When a waitress from the resort is found dead the three couples become heavily involved in all trying to work out who the killer is, after all they could still be on the island. David is a character that I loathed from the very beginning and in truth Sam wasn’t much better. The middle part of the book was probably the slowest but it was still interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. A reasonably solid read from an author that I absolutely love!

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

Perfect Silence by Helen Fields (DI Callanach 4)

Synopsis: When silence falls, who will hear their cries?

The body of a young girl is found dumped on the roadside on the outskirts of Edinburgh. When pathologists examine the remains, they make a gruesome discovery: the outline of a doll carved into the victim’s skin.

DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach are struggling to find leads in the case, until a doll made of skin is found nestled beside an abandoned baby.

After another young woman is found butchered, Luc and Ava realise the babydoll killer is playing a horrifying game. And it’s only a matter of time before he strikes again. Can they stop another victim from being silenced forever – or is it already too late?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: This story goes to new depths with it’s macabre descriptive narrative (which doesn’t bother me one iota) however be warned…it’s not for the faint hearted. This latest Callanach installment has two main threads running through the story. The first is young women getting kidnapped, mutilated and then murdered. The second is the attack and slashing of homeless people in the community. Both Luc and Ava have their hands full and the story puts the pedal to the metal from the very beginning.

I have absolutely loved getting into this series and each book I read makes me want to read another (which is always a good sign) and this book was another brilliant read. The relationship between Callanach and Ava is messy and complicated but draws you in, as well as (my personal favourite) seeing more of both DS Lively and Overbeck. The descriptive murder, mutilation and slashing scenes are suitably chilling and combining that with the characters and writing skill these books are the type you don’t want to put down for too long. An absolutely riveting read and a book and series I would highly recommend.

Little Bones by Patricia Gibney (Lottie Parker Book 10)

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

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

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