Category: Crime, Thriller, Mystery

WATCHING THE BODIES BY GRAHAM SMITH (JAKE BOULDER #1)

Synopsis: When Jake Boulder is asked by his PI friend to help investigate the vicious murder of Kira Niemeyer, he soon finds himself tracking a serial killer who selects his next victim in a most unusual manner.

As the body count rises, Boulder has to work with the police to identify the heinous killer before more lives are taken. What ensues is a twisted game of cat and mouse, that only Boulder or the Watcher can survive. But who will it be?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I was really looking forward to reading a new series featuring a new character by Graham Smith. Jake Boulder is the polar opposite of Smith’s previous character Harry Evans. Jake is not a police office, nor is he ex special forces, he is actually a normal bloke that works on the door of a local bar, but he most definitely comes across as the dark and moody type that’s for sure.

His long-term friend Alfonse is an Investigator who has been hired by the family of a murder victim Kira Niemeyer. Jake works alongside him using his own methods and they inadvertently manage to annoy the local police. With this small town in Utah, it’s no wonder that happened and it soon becomes apparent that the local police also have a reputation as lazy, so with a new Chief in town he happily takes help on the investigation meaning Jake and Alphonse get to see a lot more than they bargained for.

The Watcher is the person behind the spate of killings and as we see chapters interweaved among those featuring Jake, you get to see him plan and execute all the while just waiting to be discovered. I think writing a series set in the US is very risky for a Brit, but think Graham has done a stellar job and created not only a great series but exceedingly good characters that go with it. I loved the method the killer had to choose his next kill and found myself thoroughly entertained with this book from start to finish. I think there is more to come with this series but an absolutely blinding start!

Blog Tour: Deadly Friendship by Tara Lyons (Hamilton #3)

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Synopsis: Who can you really trust?

Detective Inspector Denis Hamilton is dragged into a gruesome murder investigation, while on annual leave at Lake Windermere. A handwritten note, with a woman’s name, is found inside the corpse.

When a direct link to London is identified, Hamilton must race against the clock to make the connection before the body count rises.

Meanwhile, four friends with strained relationships, are reunited. What past event do they want to keep buried and is there something linking them to the murders? 

Then, when a person from Hamilton’s past returns, he must ask himself: how well do we really know our friends?

Kat’s Rating:4.5/5

Kat’s Review: I really enjoyed book 2 featuring Denis Hamilton and was thrilled to get my hands on an early review copy of book 3. DI Hamilton is on holiday with his wife Elizabeth when lo and behold he stumbles across a murder scene. Denis being the type of man he is, decides to give the local police a helping hand. As his holiday quickly turns to a distant memory it becomes clear than Denis wants this case for himself and his team. Lucklily his boss pulls some strings and before you know it their wish is granted.

The dead man was a relatively well known celebrity Warren Speed. The discovery of his body uncovers the dissapearance of a close friend of his in the same spot some a couple of years prior to his body being found. That gives the team two angles to work with. It was lovely to see the return of Hamilton’s team all of whom are quickly becoming integrated in my mind as one unit. Rocky, Fraser and Clarke return along with the newest member Dixon. The interaction between the team was what made this book for me, and the storyline a close second. Now I know that sounds strange but for me it’s crucial that your  become involved with all the characters and this third book in the series encompasses all that I want from a book like this.

Although the main storyline focuses on the what starts with the death of Warren Speed, I also liked the sub plots that appear and it keeps the book fresh and interesting. Hamilton is a character I am quickly becoming quite attached to and I love how close the team are and they all have their place firmly in this series in my mind.

The Detriment by David Videcette (Jake Flannagan #2)

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Synopsis: “The truth costs nothing, but a lie can cost you everything…” 

June 2007: a barbaric nail bomb is planted outside a London nightclub, a spy is found dead in his garden, and a blazing Jeep is driven into Glasgow airport. Three events bound by an earth-shattering connection that should have remained buried forever. 

From the author of ‘The Theseus Paradox’, the smash-hit 7/7 thriller based on true events, comes the sequel about a real-life mystery that threatens to destroy a nation. Detective Inspector Jake Flannagan must uncover how a series of astonishing events are inextricably linked, before the past closes in on him. 

We all have secrets we say we’ll never tell… 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5 Continue reading “The Detriment by David Videcette (Jake Flannagan #2)”

Remember Me by Lynda Renham

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Synopsis: A new neighbour becomes a new friend. She looks up to you. She admires you, but is it you she wants? You begin to wonder if she wants your husband, or even your child. But then you realise, she wants your life. 

When Sharni and Tom move into 24 The Pines, it seems like Clare and Chris have the perfect neighbours. Sharni is always there to help, especially with childcare for Clare’s two-year-old, Ben. But Clare can’t shake off the feelings of anxiety that assail her whenever Sharni is near. Is Clare just being overprotective, or are her feelings justified? As Sharni‘s influence touches everyone around her, Clare finds herself fighting for her sanity as well her family.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have read a few of Lynda Renham’s books and loved them, however this is the first foray of hers into a different genre (to my knowledge anyway) and I was unsure what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised and found myself totally engaged with this rather dark story Involving Claire and a new neighbour named Sharni. It’s very clear from the outset that Claire is not your average person. She seems incredibly highly strung and it doesn’t take long before as a reader you are questioning why she is like that. Then add in to the mix the new neighbour Sharni who instantly made me feel like Claire should be on guard. Sharni was over familiar from the outset and it’s clear there is more to her introduction to Claire than just being a friendly neighbour.

Although Claire was slightly edgy as a charcter I still quite liked her and as we see her interact with her husband Chris and young son Ben. Sharni and her husband Tom very quickly seem to make themselves part of Claire and Chris life and there is always an underlying question mark as to why. As the story progresses, more and more things start to go wrong and it doesn’t take long before you are questioning who is at fault.

Towards the end, we then see the same events but from Sharni’s point of view. I understand the reasoning for this but at times it felt a little bit of a chore. Maybe it might have worked better by mixing the chapters up by time frame and character rather than by repeating the same time frame in one hit. That small niggle aside I loved this book and just had to get to the end to find out what the truth was. I was surprised by the ending, but at the same time it was always a possibility in my mind. Overall, a hugely enjoyable book and I will look forward to reading more by this author in this genre.

Blog Tour: Each Little Lie by Tom Bale

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Synopsis: Single mother Jen Cornish is just trying to hold things together for the sake of her seven-year-old son Charlie. Until the day when she does an impulsive good deed to help a neighbour, setting off a terrifying chain of events that quickly spirals out of control…

When she is arrested for a crime she didn’t commit, Jen quickly starts to wonder if someone is playing a cruel game with her – or is she losing her mind?

Desperate to clear her name with the police, she must first untangle a chilling web of lies. But someone is watching her every move – and it isn’t just Jen who is in danger.

They’re watching her child as well.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Jennifer Cornish is a normal single mother working a job and looking after her boy Charlie, until one day she makes a really stupid decision! What Jen thinks is a sensible a neighbourly thing to do, ends up being the thing that sets off a chain of events that puts her and her sons life in danger. The start of the book lets the reader dive straight in  and almost instantly I realised that one small mistake would not lead to anything good.

I liked Jen, even though I thought her decision was stupid. That said, I had no clue how the story would unfold and exactly what it all lead up to. Pretty soon when the police arrive at Jen’s door with all sorts of accusations things seem to spiral pretty quickly. The one element I loved about this latest was just how far the deciept went. Jen’s ex Johnny seems to be a pathetic and rather delusional character but written in a way that left me thinking he was just weak. HIs father Gerard however is a whole other ball game and a character that I think readers will love to hate.

Conspiracy and lies lay at the heart of this latest Bale book and although it has a slightly different edge to his others it was certainly no less enjoyable. His last book was a little more up my street as it seemed a lot more fast paced than this one. However, once I had reached the end I realised that this was just a different type of suspense and one that has the reader questioning every single character. Another enjoyable read and I will be interested to see what he comes up with next. Tom Bale has a rather clever edge with his writing in making it seem like the extraordinary could literally happen to the ordinary person!

BLOG TOUR: Two Sisters by Kerry Wilkinson

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Synopsis: They told us he had been missing for nearly two days, that he probably drowned. They told us a lie.

Megan was ten years old when her older brother, Zac, went missing among the cliffs, caves and beaches that surround the small seaside town of Whitecliff. 

A decade later and a car crash has claimed the lives of her parents.

Megan and her younger sister Chloe return to Whitecliff one summer for the first time since their brother’s disappearance. Megan says it’s to get her parents’ affairs in order. There are boxes to pack, junk to clear, a rundown cottage to sell. But that’s not the real reason. 

Megan has come to confront her family’s past after receiving a postcard on the day of her parents’ funeral. It had a photograph of Whitecliff on the front and a single letter on the back.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: The opening of this book introduces us to Chloe and Megan as they return to their family home in the area of Whitecliff. Following the death of their parents, Megan suggests that the reason for their visit is to sort out their parents affairs. It becomes clear pretty quickly that the real reason is linked to the disappearance of her brother Zac when Megan was just ten years old. I have only read one other Kerry Wilkinson and enjoyed it so was looking forward to reading a standalone. The opening of the book was interesting enough but it was a little slow to get into.

Once I had settled and got over my initial niggle the story started to take some curious turns and I was a lot more engaged. The one thing that I thought was incredibly well done was the descriptive and creepy feel that Wilkinson gives to the town. That undeniable feeling that all may look okay on the surface but underneath there is a lot more bubbling away. Initially I wasn’t overly keen on Megan but as the story progressed I found her sheer determination warmed how I felt about her. Wilkinson also tackles the subject of Megans eating disorder incredibly well.

The story captured me more in the second half and I would certainly say this fits the bill as a creepy psychological thriller. By the time I got to the end I was surprised at how quickly I had read the second half of the book. This reminded me that I really must take a look at the incredibly popular series that Kerry Wilkinson writes featuring Jesssica Daniel. A thoroughly enjoyable read with plenty of grit and creep thrown in!

BLOG TOUR – Betrayed by Casey Kelleher (Bryne #1)

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Synopsis: Jimmy Byrne is one of the biggest faces on the Soho scene. Equally feared and respected, he’s clawed his way to the top. Money is his game, and he’ll make it by any means necessary. 

When Jimmy sets his sights on shy young Colleen Walsh, she is quickly seduced by his sweet words and the life of luxury he offers her. But behind the diamonds and fur coats lies the reality of gangland violence – and by the time she realises the truth, she’s already in too deep. 

Like her father, Jimmy Byrne, Nancy Byrne is strong, opinionated – and ruthless. But when Jimmy is murdered. Nancy vows to find the killer and make them pay for their actions. 

Only the perpetrator is someone close to home. Someone she trusted. Someone who betrayed them all.

Blood is thicker than water – but Nancy is not afraid to spill some to get the truth.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5 Continue reading “BLOG TOUR – Betrayed by Casey Kelleher (Bryne #1)”

Liar by K L Slater

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Synopsis: How far would you go to protect your family? 

Single dad Ben is doing his best to raise his children alone, with the help of his devoted mother Judi. Life isn’t easy, but Judi’s family means everything to her and together, they manage. 

Then Ben meets Amber. Everyone thinks this is a perfect match for Ben but Judi isn’t sure … there’s just something about Amber that doesn’t add up.

Ben can’t see why his mother dislikes his new girlfriend. And Amber doesn’t want Judi anywhere near her new family. Amber just wants Ben and the children. 

The further Judi delves into Amber’s personal life, the closer she gets to shocking secrets that could change everything. And Judi must make a decision that could lead to the most disastrous consequences.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Ben is a widower and is raising his two sons alone with the help of his parents. His mum Judi plays a big part in both Ben and her grandsons lives so when a new woman appears on the scene she realises that she may well be not as needed as she first thought. The opening chapter places us firmly at the end of story only the reader is unaware of who is the killer, only that one of the two women involved doesn’t walk away. It’s a great opening and certainly sets the scene for the book.

Amber comes into Ben’s life not by accident and although the reader doesn’t know her intentions, it’s clear that Ben has fallen for her. She soon integrates herself into their lives which is not a good thing in the eyes of Judi. Things seem to rapidly fall apart on front of Judi’s eyes and it seems there is nothing she can do to stop it. There is certainly a great deal of tension in the book and because the reader knows that something is amiss it seems that each event seems even more underhand than the last, but you never know quite what the end game is.

For that reason alone your attention is captured and I certainly read this book in a very short space of time. There is plenty of pace and a lot going on. Towards the end I thought I had it all figured out but it seems I was way off and that pleased me immensely. The only thing that grated on me was the complete lack of support Judi gets from her husband and son. Although the story sets the scene for exactly that, I couldn’t help but think that most people who have been married that length of time would have a better sense of support for each other. That small niggle aside this was a fantastic read and I didn’t see the end coming. Another great read by K L Slater and I will as always look forward to reading more of her stuff in the future.

Ruthless by Kerry Barnes

Synopsis: 1964 – London 

Dolly Vincent is born to an East End gangster but is sent away for her own protection. Mad Mick is hell bent on his revenge and will stop at nothing to kill her. Estranged from her family, she becomes a successful barrister, but after defending a young Italian man she finds herself caught up in a secret held by a high court judge. Tortured and left for dead she flees London and heads to New York. Only the Vincents know where she is, but even they don’t know the truth.

1990 – Francesca is back to face her demons but this time she is not alone. One woman three names…

Kat’s Rating: 4/5 Continue reading “Ruthless by Kerry Barnes”

Love Me Not by M J Arlidge (Helen Grace #7)

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Synopsis: He Loves Me

A woman’s body lies in the road. At first it looks like a tragic accident. But when Helen Grace arrives on the scene it’s clear she’s looking at a coldblooded killing. But why would anyone target a much-loved wife and mother?

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Across town, a shopkeeper is killed while his customers are left unharmed. But what lies behind the killer’s choices?

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Who lives? Who dies? Who’s next? The clock is ticking.

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If Helen can’t solve this deadly puzzle then more blood will be shed. But any mistake and it might be her own …

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I was hooked with this series from book one and after the drama of book 6 I wasn’t sure where the series would go. However, fast forward a few months and we see DI Helen Grace trying and struggling somewhat to fit back in following her stint in prison. Helen is trying to come to terms with the fact that her now colleague DS Joanna Sanderson was instrumental in helping put her behind bars. This means she is largely relying and falling back on her trusted colleague Charlie Brooks. It’s pretty clear from the outset that Helen is struggling to trust anybody in her team and that sets an uneasy feeling throughout the book.

The team is on the hunt for a pair of killers with a Bonnie and Clyde feeling to it. The one thing I really liked about this latest book was the style of writing which included the times. It really gave a feel to how the plot was moving and gave an extra edge to the reader, knowing how fast-moving the crimes were. Within one day the pair indulge in a killing spree and the team are struggling to keep up so the book managed to keep up great pace throughout. The only thing that was slightly lacking for me was Helen herself. Don’t get me wrong, she is generally a moody and suspicious character anyway but something was missing in this latest book. Her mistrust, and her seemingly skewed judgement made me feel like she had changed too much. Part of me wonders if this is due to what happened in the last book, however it didn’t feel quite right.

However, that aside the series still appears to be going stong and with the end of this book having a rather monumental event take place, I feel like we may well see the return of a stronger and new and improved Helen in book 8. As ever this is still a fantastic read and read in two sittings so certainly still a great read, just not one of my favourites in the series. I will as ever eagerly await the next book, and can’t wait to see where M J Arlidge takes the team next.