Category: Crime, Thriller, Mystery

Journey To Death (Lucy Hall #1)

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Synopsis: Lucy Hall arrives in the Seychelles determined to leave her worries behind. The tropical paradise looks sun-soaked and picture-perfect—but as Lucy soon discovers, appearances can be very deceptive. A deadly secret lurks in the island’s history, buried deep but not forgotten. And it is about to come to light.

As black clouds begin to gather over what promised to be a relaxing family break, Lucy realises that her father stands in the eye of the coming storm. A shadow from his past is threatening to destroy all that he holds dear—including the lives of his loved ones.

A dark truth is about to explode into their lives, and that truth is going to hit them right between the eyes.

KAT’S RATING: 4/5

KAT’S REVIEW::  I was in two minds about how to rate this book, however I think as a Leigh Russell fan (especially the Geraldine Steel series) you have to accept this is an entirely different type of book. This is not a gritty thriller, more a generic mystery type book. Once you get your head around that you can look at the book with fresh eyes (so to speak). Lucy Hall is a character that is easy to read, however at the moment not that memorable (well at least not for the right reasons). Her trip to the Seychelles to get over her ex-boyfriend along with her parents is meant to be a relaxing time for her, to enable her to get herself together. What actually transpires is a holiday nightmare that will leave Lucy and her family reeling in shock.

The story itself was okay and I feel like this is just a mere introduction to Lucy. The characters were probably the thing I disliked most about this book, just in terms of the way there were quite dismissive throughout the book. That aside, the writing flows well and you begin to get a feel for Lucy and her Mother Angela and Father George. It’s revealed little by little why George’s  history on the island is now coming back to bite them in the behind! There was certainly an element of suspense and in some ways I quite liked the way the characters were second guessing themselves. I guess in real life, this is more likely to happen than an automatic launch into becoming your very own Miss Marple.

I loved the island setting and this Leigh did an amazing job of getting the setting and scenery across to the reader. There were certainly a few gripes I had with the book, but not enough to warrant a lesser rating. I think overall if you take this book for what it is…a mystery, then it’s certainly an enjoyable read. I will certainly look forward to book 2 to see what Lucy plans on doing next.

Trust No One by Clare Donoghue (Bennett & Lockyer #3)

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Synopsis: A marriage is what you make it, isn’t it? It’s what you put into it. It’s not just about love, it’s about understanding another person’s point of view. Sometimes there are things you find out about yourself and each other which means the marriage has to end. Sad, particularly when kids are involved – but all pretty normal.

Normal that is, until there’s a murder.

DS Jane Bennett and DI Mike Lockyer are called in to investigate one of the South London murder squad’s most difficult and distressing cases yet – where family and friends come under scrutiny in the hardest of circumstances.

KAT’S RATING: 4/5

KAT’S REVIEW: Okay, so this series is relatively new and I felt like book one got off to a shaky start. Book 2 was a definite improvement and this latest release is another good read. It seems like the author is still finding her feet with the characters and I think this series will improve with each book that is written.  Mike Lockyer seems to be well on his way to being ‘back to normal’ following books 1 and 2. Jane on the other hand is in for a whole host of upsets especially involving her personal life.

On a work front, the death of Richard Taylor at first seems like death by natural causes; however it soon becomes clear that this isn’t the case. After the initial outcome of foul play the investigation makes a slow but steady start and we are introduced to all aspects of Richard Taylor’s life. The plot was a bit of a slow starter, but it seemed as the story progressed there were more suspects than it first appeared. Mike has been newly promoted to Senior Investigating Officer so both he and Jane are involved in the case.

Jane’s personal life then seemingly takes hit after hit, which in one respect I enjoyed. You certainly feel like you are getting to know the characters and their weaknesses and other elements to their personal life. Jane was again the stand out character for me, however the story works with both Mike and Jane involved and the loss of one may make for a weaker book.

Overall this was certainly an enjoyable book and the pace and plot kept me interested right until the end. I liked the fact I only guessed the culprit towards the very end and the story involving this murder was played out in stages. I am hoping that with each book the pace picks up as readers get to know the characters more and more. There is certainly a lot of ‘wiggle room’ for expanding storylines involving both Jane and Mike. This is definitely a series I will be keeping up with.

Find Her by Lisa Gardner (DD Warren #8)

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Synopsis: I escaped the box. The coffin that was both my prison and my lifeline. My prison as I waited each day for release. My lifeline as being locked inside meant being away from him. I escaped the box, but I didn’t escape its consequences. Now danger’s irrelevant. All I care about is making them pay. The other predators out there. Those just like the man who took me. And if someone tries to grab me again? I know how to protect myself. And when another girl is taken? Have no doubt: I will do anything, anything, to find her.

Escaped kidnap victim Flora Dane has once again disappeared. Has the self-proclaimed vigilante become a victim? Or is something far more sinister at play? D.D. will have to race against the clock if she is going to Find Her.

KAT’S RATING: 4/5

KAT’S REVIEW: I’m a pretty hard core fan of Lisa Gardner, especially the DD Warren series. However, words of warning…don’t start reading this late at night! It’s what I did, and not only did it keep me up into the early hours, it also scared me witless. We get to see both Flora Dane’s point of view as well as DD Warren’s. Flora is a survivor in her own right, kept hostage for more than a year we literally live through her ordeal as she goes back in time as the story progresses.

For this latest DD outing, it seems Flora has once again disappeared. The bigger question this story poses is whether Flora has once again been kidnapped, or is this part of a bigger plan. DD seemingly takes a back-seat and I couldn’t help but feel that Flora’s story captured me a lot more than DD’s turn of events! With that minor niggle to one side the story itself absolutely captivated me.

The story is well paced and from the very outset had me shivering in fear at the descriptive and harrowing tale of Flora. Momentum is built in stages and you are swept along with each turn of events. DD still holds her own in this book yet she just didn’t quite shine like she normally does. This was certainly another solid read in the series. We also see an unexpected, albeit brief, glimpse of the character Kimberley Quincy. Don’t get too excited, it really was brief, but still it made me realise how much I long for another book in that series.

Overall this book ticks all the right boxes, including leaving me sleeping a little uneasy the night I started the book. For some reason I didn’t feel like it was a five star read, maybe because of DD taking a back seat but still an undeniably good book!

Tainted Love by Kimberley Chambers (Butlers #4)

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Synopsis: Three Butlers.

Two weddings.

One funeral.

Times are changing in the East End, from bad to worse . . .Despite the love they share, Bella’s and Michael’s lives seem to be continually throwing grenades in their path to true happiness. Bella’s dark secret is threatening to spiral out of control – and has the power to destroy the Butler brothers’ bond once and for all . . .Meanwhile, Little Vinny has truly turned over a new leaf and is doing everything he can to be a good husband and father. He doesn’t want to follow in his old man’s footsteps, but the apple never falls far from the tree, and despite everything he’s done to wipe the slate clean, his past is about to catch up with him.Everyone knows the Butler family’s reputation – you don’t mess with them unless you’ve got a death wish. But there’s someone out there doing the unthinkable – and they are aiming for the heart of the family.It feels like the end of a golden era – could it finally be the end of the Butlers?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “Tainted Love by Kimberley Chambers (Butlers #4)”

No Place To Die by Clare Donoghue (Bennett & Lockyer #2)

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Synopsis: DS Jane Bennett takes charge of South London’s Lewisham murder squad following the temporary suspension of her boss, DI Mike Lockyer. His involvement with a female witness resulted in her murder. Mike returns to work but he’s a shadow of the detective he was a few months before. Bennett gets a desperate call from an old friend to say that her husband, retired colleague Mark Leech, has gone missing. Blood spatters found in the home suggest that she doesn’t have long to find him.

When Jane is sent to a site in Elmstead Woods she stumbles upon a sinister murder scene. A tomb has been created, and the body she finds is not Mark’s – as she dreaded and suspected – but that of missing university student, Maggie Hungerford. Her killer recorded her last moments, even providing an air supply which was only cut off when the game lost its thrill. Two men admit to having had a sexual relationship with Maggie. Both deny murder. Someone is lying. And Mark is still missing. When another tomb is discovered, an anonymous tip and mounting evidence suggest a disturbing link which threatens to derail both cases and let a murderer walk free. Lockyer is shocked into supporting Bennett in a case which becomes ever more ominous and dangerous as the investigation deepens. They know that their hunt is

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

KAT’S REVIEW: I read the first in the series entitled Never Look Back and only rated in 3/5. The majority of this surrounded how I felt about one of the main characters Mike Lockyer. Mike Lockyer is a DI and along with his colleague DS Jane Bennett, he certainly didn’t shine in the first book, and I would even go as far as to say he was a little dull. Having read the second book in the series a couple of things have slotted into place for me. Sometimes when you read about a lead character in a series they are somehow damaged, or have major issues over something that may have happened in the past. With Mike Lockyer, we didn’t have that as a basis to start with. What we did have was a reason in book 1 for him to become a damaged man. Looking back after reading book 2 I feel completely differently now and feel like as a reader we have seen him go through the worst experience, and instead of seeing him just bounce back like a miracle (as many characters seemingly do), we see him in all his damaged glory trying to rebuild himself and get back into work.

At the start of book 2, Mike has been instructed to take a back seat and Jane Bennett is now leading the team. The story itself surrounds Lewisham Murder Squad investigating the discovery of a body in an underground tomb. If you are claustrophobic, it doesn’t make for pleasant reading! In addition to this murder, the disappearance of a retired police officer also rears its head and we see Jane under an immense amount of pressure. We see both Jane and Mike at their best and worst and as a reader it makes you feel far more attached to them as characters and in turn the series. The multiple plot threads were cleverly done and keep you guessing.

This second book was a huge improvement on Book 1, and I can also see why Clare Donoghue felt the need for the story in Book 1 as it lays some groundwork and history on the two characters. This series has taking a brilliant upward turn with book 2, so much so that I may well have to change my order of books to read next and plough straight on to book 3. Book 3 entitled Trust No One is due for release 10 March 2016.

Killer Plan by Leigh Russell (Geraldine Steel #7)

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Synopsis: Caroline’s husband is killed, but she can’t turn to the police without implicating herself in his murder. When one of her 10-year-old twins is kidnapped, the desperate mother is forced to resort to drastic measures to get him back. As time runs out, and a second body is discovered, Geraldine realises she has a secret that might just help solve the case. But the truth could destroy her career. Faced with the unenviable decision of protecting herself or the widow she barely knows, Geraldine must grapple with her conscience and do the right thing before the death count mounts any further

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

KAT’S REVIEW: I have been a long standing fan of Leigh Russell’s but her last Geraldine Steel book left me feeling like something was missing. This latest book was certainly a more enthralling read but I still feel like Geraldine is missing something. In the early part of the series she worked alongside Ian Peterson (who has now moved away and has his own series of books). In her last book we see her new colleagues Sam and Nick a little more but that didn’t sit right with me either. In this latest release, things are a mixed bag for Geraldine.

Caroline is Mother to two 10 year old twin boys and an innocent day at the park turns her world into a living nightmare. When her husband is murdered she cannot turn to the police without putting herself firmly in the frame. With Geraldine working the case things quickly unravel and then before you know it a second body is discovered. The readers are also getting to see Geraldine’s personal life uncovered a little more. I must say I was nowhere near prepared for some of the events in this book, but they were a welcome surprise.

Overall I definitely think the story and writing is back with a vengeance from Leigh Russell, however there is still that nagging feeling. It feels like Geraldine is listlessly meandering through her own life and there is nobody by her side, whether that be a colleague or lover. Maybe that’s what it feels like? She has moved to London and aside from her colleague Sam who didn’t make much oif an appearance in this book she has nobody. Her sister and niece make a brief appearance but aside from that she seems a little lonely.

Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed this series to date and am looking forward to reading the next one which is ready on my Kindle, entitled Murder Ring.

Rough Cut by Anna Smith (Rosie Gilmour #6)

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Synopsis: When a young Pakistani bride falls to her death from a window, Rosie has to navigate the story with care, trying not to upset the girl’s devastated family or the local Pakistani community. After talking to the family, however, Rosie becomes convinced that there is more to the story than a tragic accident, and that something is being kept from her and the police. Meanwhile, on the other side of Glasgow, Nikki and Julie, two prostitutes, find themselves in trouble when a client dies during an assignment and it looks like one of them is to blame. Their problems become far worse though, when a briefcase they steal from the dead man turns out to contain some very valuable rough diamonds and several fake passports. It’s clear it belonged to some serious criminals, and now they have much more to worry about than a dead body. Investigating the Pakistani girl’s death, Rosie has been talking to Laila, another young girl from the community, who has voiced her fears of being forced into marrying a much older man in Pakistan. When Laila disappears, Rosie is sure her fears have been realised. Then Nikki contacts her asking for help, and Rosie senses a parallel with her current case. Sure enough, as Rosie flies to Pakistan to try and rescue Laila, it becomes clear that the ‘accidental’ death, Laila’s disappearance and the briefcase are all linked – and once back in Glasgow, she, Julie and Nikki discover just how much danger they are in…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “Rough Cut by Anna Smith (Rosie Gilmour #6)”

Buried by Mark Billingham (Tom Thorne #6)

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Synopsis: A MISSING BOY

Teenager Luke Mullen was last seen getting into a car with an older woman. No one can understand why he has disappeared. His father – a former police officer – knows all too well that the longer he is missing, the more likely he is to turn up dead.

A TERRIFYING VIDEO

Then Luke’s parents receive an anonymous video. It shows their son, eyes wide with terror, as a man advances towards him holding a syringe.

A RACE AGAINST TIME

DI Tom Thorne recognises a psychopath when he sees one. And the scene on the tape chills him to the bone – he knows that a child’s life hangs in the balance, and that every minute counts…

Kat’s Rating : 4/5

Kat’s Review:  I am slowly catching up with this series and I feel like the more I read of them the more I enjoy them. This is largely down to Tom Thorne as a character! I love the fact that Thorne is a disgruntled and weary copper that had his own strange personality quirks. In addition I love how his father is still a large part of his life and is written in as dialogue when Thorne is battling with many questions. Since Torne’s last outing which saw him on the streets Undercover, he is being pushed aside hence the move to the kidnap unit. This latest instalment sees teenager Luke Mullen go missing. Luke’s father also happens to be a former Police Officer which makes the case a lot tougher than usual.

In addition to Thornes colleague Holland we now meet DI Louise Porter who makes for some very interesting reading and interaction with Thorne. As usual these Billingham books are so easy to read and seeing as they are set in my neck of the woods, it’s always great to have a sense of familiarity as they are set in and around South London. All the necessary requirements are there with book 6, with plenty of suspense, and drama as well as characters I seem to have grown attached to.

I feel like there is still so much more to come with Tom Thorne and now I’m nearing the halfway mark, I am even keener than before to get up to date and find out what’s happening with Thorne and his colleagues. This is a cracking series and it’s easy to see why he has such a following. Looking forward to book 7 and would definitely recommend this series!

Down Among The Dead Men by Kerry Wilkinson

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Synopsis: ‘I’m going to do you a favour: I’m going to tell you my name and then I’m going to give you thirty seconds to turn and run. If any of you are still here after those thirty seconds, then we’re going to have a problem.’

Jason Green’s life is changed for good after he is saved from a mugging by crime boss, Harry Irwell. He is then drawn into Manchester’s notorious underworld, where smash and grab is as normal as making a cup of tea.

But Jason isn’t a casual thug. He has a life plan that doesn’t involve blowing his money on the usual trappings. That is until a woman walks into his life offering the one thing that money can’t buy – salvation.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: After finishing this book I am still a little undecided but have gone with a middle of the road rating because I’m still unsure. I have never read any Kerry Wilkinson books but do have a couple of his books in the Jessica Daniels series to get started on. This one was a standalone so I thought it may be a good place to start.

Okay, so why the middle of the road rating? Well essentially the writing was excellent in terms of story flow and getting into the book quickly. What didn’t work for me were the characters. I tried and persevered but even towards the end I still wasn’t entirely convinced of the main character Jason as well as his ‘boss’ Harry.  Jason was saved from a pounding when he was a young lad living on a rough estate. What he didn’t realise was that the man who saved him was Harry Irwell, a man who he would end up working for.

Jason was a pretty average character to read about, and even towards the end I didn’t like or dislike him, I was just indifferent. In addition to that there were a couple of occasions which involve Harry which also didn’t feel right. Harry came across as a very bland and stereotypical ‘Crime Boss’. The story itself was okay and there were times when I became engrossed, it just didn’t have enough of a pull for me to rate it any higher.

Overall I can certainly see Kerry Wilkinson’s talents as a writer, but think that maybe I should start the series featuring Jessica Daniels. If the reviews on this series are anything to go by, it should be a hit!

Never Look Back by Clare Donoghue (Bennett & Lockyer #1)

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Synopsis: Three women have been found brutally murdered in south London, the victims only feet away from help during each sadistic attack. And the killer is getting braver. Sarah Grainger is rapidly becoming too afraid to leave her house. Once an outgoing photographer, she knows that someone is watching her. A cryptic note brings everything into terrifying focus, but it’s the chilling phone calls that take the case to another level. DI Mike Lockyer heads up the regional murder squad. With three bodies on his watch, and a killer growing in confidence, he frantically tries to find the link between these seemingly isolated incidents. What he discovers will not only test him professionally but will throw his personal life into turmoil too.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5 Continue reading “Never Look Back by Clare Donoghue (Bennett & Lockyer #1)”