Category: Crime, Thriller, Mystery

Run by Mandasue Heller

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Synopsis: After being cheated on by her ex, Leanne Riley is trying her hardest to get her life back on track, which isn’t easy without a job and living in a bedsit surrounded by a junkie and a mad woman.

On a night out with her best friend she meets Jake, a face from her past who has changed beyond all recognition. Jake is charming, handsome and loaded, a far cry from the gawky teenager he used to be. Weary of men, Leanne isn’t easy to please, but Jake tries his best to break through the wall she’s built around herself.

But good looks and money can hide a multitude of sins. Is that good-looking face just a mask? And what’s more, what will it take to make it slip, and who will die in the process . . . ?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: It’s been a while since I have read a Mandasue book and I was looking forward to her latest release. I must confess having finished it I was a little surprised at the change in pace almost, it seemed to me that there was certainly a slightly different theme to her writing compared to other books she has released. That said, this was still a great read and I was certainly engrossed, although admittedly a little surprised.

Leanne Riley lives in a grotty bedsit, has little money, no job, and little prospects. Her life seemed to have taken a downhill turn after catching her bloke cheating on her and losing her job. Her friend Chrissie seems to be the only good and consistent thing in her life. When she goes on a rare night out she bumps into the very handsome Jake who it turns out she knew back at school. Her life suddenly looks a whole lot more interesting with a new man on the scene who is showing interest. Although she is wary of men Jake is literally a Prince Charming and it seems Leanne’s luck has finally changed.

Leanne and Chrissie were great characters and very easy to read, I especially liked their obviously close friendship. Ben and Jake’s friendship seemed a little one sided but I loved Ben and thought he was a real gem of a character. By the halfway mark I could have been mistaking this sort of book for one that fall sin the Romantic Suspense genre, however once past that point it all seems to change…and very quickly.

I won’t say any more as it will inevitably spoil some great threads in the story line, suffice to say I was hooked with the plot and thoroughly enjoyed this latest release. I finished the book in a little over one and a half sittings and realised that although this was a slight departure from her usual style of writing, I really liked it. It almost keeps the work ‘fresh’ and instead of getting a dose of the ‘usual’, you get a variation of the usual which makes for a very refreshing change. Another great read with this new release and one that will no doubt tick the boxes for all her fans.

Right Behind ou by Lisa Gardner (FBI Profiler #7)

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Synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Sharlah Nash knows that the first time her brother killed eight years ago, he did it to save their lives.

Now retired FBI profiler Pierce Quincy and his wife Rainie Conner have offered Sharlah a new life of safety. She desperately wants to believe this is her shot at happily ever after.

Then two people are murdered in their local convenience store and Sharlah’s brother is identified as the killer.

Telly Ray Nash is on the hunt for Sharlah and as the death count rises it becomes clear that nothing and no one, including Pierce and Rainie, will stop him getting to her.

Now, Sharlah has one chance to take control.

She can run for her life… or turn and face the danger right behind her.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I was THRILLED to hear that Lisa Gardner was bringing back Rainie and Quincy as it’s been at least 8 years. However, having finished the book I was hugely undecided about the rating and was decidedly underwhelmed by certain aspects of this latest release.  I have read all of the books in this series which I think always helps, however you could easily read this as a standalone and have no issue with what is going on. Previous books have always had me on the edge of my seat and this book did too to a certain degree. However, there was a lot of repetitiveness and it felt like going over old ground time and time again.

Sharlah has been living with Rainie and Quincy for some time and they are looking to adopt her and offer her a new life and secure family. Although Quincy is retired he still gets called to work on cold cases as one of the elite FBI profiler’s. When two people are murdered in a local convenience store Quincy and Rainie get dragged in when it soon becomes clear that the main suspect is none other that Sharlah’s older brother Tell Ray Nash.

Okay, irritation point one is the name of the suspect, for some reason it just didn’t sit right with me and grated on me from the beginning. I don’t let things like that bother me too much, but as I started to read there was a certain something missing from this book that was present in her others. It felt like the spark was missing and maybe that was due to the fact there was too long a gap between the last book and this one? The pace was good but the second half was much better and I found myself reading the second half in just one sitting.

I know I mentioned that something was missing which is generally pretty vague I know, but even though the second half was great again it felt like there was something not right. In addition there were elements to characters (such as Cal the tracker) which if I heard one more time I think I might have screamed. I mean how many times do you need to be told that Cal makes cheese??? I know that sounds petty but that, along with the name Telly, as well as feeling something wasn’t quite as it has been in other books just left me feeling a little let down. I am a huge fan of the DD Warren series and those books are amazing and seem to get better with each one released. For me this fell short and I couldn’t honestly say it stayed in my mind for any of the right reasons. A solid read, but far too middle of the road for such an accomplished author!

Death Trap by Anna Smith (Rosie Gilmour #8)

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Synopsis: A SADISTIC KILLER IS ON THE LOOSE IN GLASGOW. Thomas Boag escaped from his first court appearance facing charges on a brutal murder. He’s suspected in the disappearances of two other people. Now he’s out for revenge.

Rosie Gilmour, crime reporter, helped put Boag behind bars. It was her investigation that provided enough evidence to arrest him. Now she’s watching her back.

Rosie tries to distract herself with a new story: refugees trafficked into Glasgow and used as modern-day slaves – or worse. But this investigation soon leads her into dangerous territory as it takes her up against some of Glasgow’s nastiest characters, and all the while, somewhere out there, Boag is laying his trap…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

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Paradise Prison by Faith Mortimer

Synopsis: During a huge row, Gillian stands up to her abusive boyfriend. The consequences are horrendous and far-reaching. Terrified, she flees her home, seeking anonymity abroad while coming to terms with the outcome of her actions.

In Portugal, Gillian meets Harry, a yachtsman, needing crew for his Atlantic Ocean-crossing. She applies for the job. Half-way into the journey, after confessing to her crime, Harry offers her refuge on an uninhabited island in the Caribbean which he says he owns.

Confused and depressed, Gillian imagines this is the answer to her problems. She needs time to lie low and consider her options; confront the authorities or live in obscurity? Harry is offering the perfect hiding place…or is he? When things start going horribly wrong, she asks herself if she is alone on the island. But maybe the biggest question of all is why she gets the gut feeling Harry wants to keep her there at all costs? What happens when she says … no.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I read a lot of books and the majority of the time you get a real feel for the way a book is going. I also find that sometimes if I read too much of the same type of story, you attention wanders so having finished a decidedly fluffy and romantic book I decided to get stuck into this book which is the first of Faith Mortimer’s I have read. When I started reading I thought I knew where the book would go, however not only was I hugely incorrect in my assumption I was kind of blown away with where it did go. I won’t say too much as I don’t want to spoil it for anybody reading it for the first time as I was.

Gillian is our lead character and in the opening of the book we see how terrified Gillian is whilst in an extremely abusive relationship. When Gillian stands up to her boyfriend, she has no clue just how much she has changed the course of her life and she then decides to do the only thing she can…run! While in Portugal she meets Harry, who is a Yachtsman needing crew hands. Gillian manages to bag herself the ideal job and once aboard her and Harry get along famously. He then offers her the opportunity to spend time at an island in the Caribbean and it seems to be the answer to her prayers.

The book held my interest from the very beginning and the most striking thing was how original it was reading it. Partly down to great timing and having not read anything of this type for a while, as well as excellent writing skills and characters that were certainly memorable. Gillian was such an interesting character to read about and I think that was part of my real intrigue with this book as she was written in such a way that she was so readable. She has had some seriously damaging incidents in her past and I was rooting for her, with that added edge of wondering what sort of life she will end up leading.

There is a VERY dark edge to this book and I think although that edge was there from the beginning it crept up on me and as the book progressed I was pretty gripped. I felt like I was watching a film where you know the main character shouldn’t be going into a dark basement, especially when they start playing the music to accompany something terrifying happen. However, even though you have that sinking feeling you just HAVE to carry on watching, and this book manages to capture that feeling to a tee! This book really took me by surprise and I really loved it, and I would definitely recommend it for people wanting something a little bit different. I wouldn’t say its for the faint-hearted mind you, but it’s a cracking read!

I only have one minor criticism about this book and it’s the cover. The cover is not good enough to convey how great the book is. Even though we are in an age where everything is digital I still think covers are a huge part in books, and think that with a different cover it may well appeal to more readers.

Deadly Alibi by Leigh Russell (Geraldine Steel #9)

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Synopsis: Two murder victims and a suspect whose alibi appears open to doubt…. Geraldine Steel is plunged into a double murder investigation which threatens not only her career, but her life. And then her previously unknown twin Helena turns up, with problems which are about to make Geraldine’s life turn toxic in more ways than one!

*If you plan on reading the series in order please do not continue to read my review as it will inevitably contain spoilers*

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Finally! I have been reading this series since its release and would definitely consider myself a fan. However Geraldine has been through the wringer and back and this book seems to answer a lot of questions. Geraldine was adopted and has a good relationship with her adopted sister Celia. However, upon discovering her real birth mother and then losing her the addition of finding out she has a twin sister leaves her reeling. In addition her twin sister is the polar opposite of Geraldine, being a drug user and addict and somebody that is determined to get what she can out of Geraldine. People may question why this is the first thing I mention about the book, but followers of the series will understand. I have enjoyed the last few books but have had a nagging feeling that certain things were left unresolved. That feeling has now gone and been replaced with excitement and what could happen in future books.

As for the cases Geraldine is working on, this time around there are two murder victims and it seems like a simple cut and dried case where the prime suspect is in custody however Geraldine knows that something doesn’t sit right with her. As usual her colleague Sam is by her side and together they work the case both methodically and thoroughly. To be honest the murder cases felt more like the secondary thread for me and Geraldine’s personal life was something that needed dealing with and Leigh Russell certainly did that in this latest instalment,

Because Geraldine’s sister has appeared it means her work on the murder case is hampered somewhat and towards the last quarter of the book the reader gets to see just how far this hampers her work. As a Detective that is so conscientious it makes for compelling reading as Geraldine is faced with situations she has never had to deal with before such as supporting the only family she has, the question is how far she is prepared to go. The book was a great addition to the series but I can say with quiet confidence that I am super excited to see what book 10 brings as I am crossing my fingers and hoping it brings Geraldine back to where she should have been all along. I am going to be waiting rather impatiently for the next one in the series.

Witness by Caroline Mitchell

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Synopsis: To Rebecca it was a brave decision that led to her freedom from domestic abuse. To Solomon it was the ultimate betrayal.

It’s been ten years since Rebecca’s testimony saw Solomon locked away. Enough time for the nightmares to recede, the nerves to relax; enough time to rebuild her life and put the past behind her.

Then one day a phone rings in her bedroom—but it’s not her phone. Solomon has been in her home, and has a very simple message for her: for each of the ten years he has spent in jail, Rebecca must witness a crime. And, to make matters worse, she has to choose the victims.

Fail to respond and you get hurt. Talk to police and you die. Ready to play? You have sixty seconds to decide… As the crimes grow more severe, the victims closer to home, Rebecca is forced to confront a past she had hoped was gone forever.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: Rebecca has taken a brave decision and testified against her husband Solomon. With him safely tucked behind bars, she moves on with her life until ten years later when a phone rings in her bedroom. That phone call changes everything and her life and sanity are pushed to the edge. This is a departure for Caroline Mitchell as she normally writes paranormal thrillers so it was nice to see a slight change. The stand out thing for me was the gritty realism in terms of how you felt for the character Rebecca.

Domestic violence is not a nice thing and to manage to convey that all encompassing fear is no easy feat, however this author has done it with ease.

Rebecca finds herself in the middle of a sick and twisted game where she has to decided who the victim is of a chosen crime, and the worst part is that she has less than a minute to decide. As each threat is given you can almost feel the spiral for Rebecca as she battles to maintain her normal composure. It rapidly descends into a situation where even as a reader you are questioning her sanity. It’s extremely;y dark but exceptionally written in a way that draws you in and leaves you feeling anxious and bewildered. Maybe not the easiest reading subject but done in a way where the hackles on the back of your neck rise and you almost feel the tension, which  for me is an awesome experience as a reader.

The story is very fast paced but dark, terrifying and in short is the perfect psychological thriller. Mind games galore and a superbly written dialogue creates a need to turn pages faster than is possible. Although I absolutely love the other series Caroline Mitchell writes, for me this is her genre. She has created a genius book that had all the perfect ingredients and I sincerely hope we see more where this came from. Highly recommended by me!

Hard Kill by J B Turner (Jon Reznick #2)

Synopsis: A senior American security adviser is missing, presumed kidnapped for his top-level military intelligence. FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein needs to track him down before classified information gets into the wrong hands. She needs Jon Reznick on board.

The former black-ops assassin is supposed to be on vacation with his daughter, but when Meyerstein calls, it doesn’t pay to keep her waiting. Her elite team is convinced that the missing diplomat’s expertise in the Persian Gulf points to an Iranian terrorist cell, but Reznick isn’t so sure. His gut instinct tells him they’re all wrong. Never one to play by the rules, he finds himself working alone, following a lead that everyone else has dismissed. But to Reznick, the suspect seems a little too clean…

When the team comes under attack, the kidnapping is exposed as part of a much wider conspiracy, one far more dangerous than Meyerstein feared. Nothing and nobody is safe—and only Jon Reznick stands between national security and a campaign of unprecedented terror.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

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HARD ROAD BY J B TURNER (JON REZNICK #1)

Synopsis: Jon Reznick is a “ghost”: a black-ops specialist who takes his orders from shadowy handlers, and his salary from the US government. Still mourning the loss of his beloved wife on 9/11, he’s dispatched to carry out a high-level hit. Reznick knows only that it must look like suicide. It’s textbook.

 But the target is not the man Reznick expected. The whole setup is wrong. In an instant the operation is compromised, and Reznick is on the run with the man he was sent to kill. A man wanted by the FBI, and by a mysterious terrorist organization hell-bent on bringing the United States to its knees. FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein is determined to track him down, and to intercept whatever it is Reznick was sent to do.

When Reznick’s young daughter becomes a pawn in the game, he has to use more than his military training to stay one step ahead of those responsible. Meanwhile, he is the only person who knows the true extent of the threat to national security—and has the stealth and determination to stop it.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

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Blood Lines by Angie Marsons (Kim Stone #5)

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Synopsis: How do you catch a killer who leaves no trace?

 A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring mother and social worker lost to a senseless act of violence. But for Detective Kim Stone, something doesn’t add up.

When a local drug addict is found murdered with an identical wound, Kim knows instinctively that she is dealing with the same killer. But with nothing to link the two victims except the cold, calculated nature of their death, this could be her most difficult case yet.

Desperate to catch the twisted individual, Kim’s focus on the case is threatened when she receives a chilling letter from Dr Alex Thorne, the sociopath who Kim put behind bars. And this time, Alex is determined to hit where it hurts most, bringing Kim face-to-face with the woman responsible for the death of Kim’s little brother – her own mother.

As the body count increases, Kim and her team unravel a web of dark secrets, bringing them closer to the killer. But one of their own could be in mortal danger. Only this time, Kim might not be strong enough to save them…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

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Death Note by Caroline Mitchell (Ruby Preston #1)

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Synopsis: Twenty years ago you were forced to give your daughter up. Now she’s back. Or is she?

Women who’ve had to give up children for adoption are being killed. A knock at their front door begins a nightmare from which they will never wake up.

Detective Ruby Preston and her team must hunt down a disturbed individual before someone else is taken. But just when they think they’ve made a breakthrough, Ruby receives a sinister email, and the case takes a terrifying personal twist.

When bodies start turning up, staged in perfect, domestic scenes, Ruby realises they’re chasing the most frightening serial killer she has ever faced.

Can Ruby catch the killer before they strike again? Or will her troubled past catch up with her first?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Continue reading “Death Note by Caroline Mitchell (Ruby Preston #1)”