Category: Crime, Thriller, Mystery

Behind A Closed Door by Mel Sherratt (Estate #2)

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Synopsis: Housing office Josie Mellor loves the community spirit of the notorious Mitchell Estate – when it doesn’t involve benefit cheats, aggression, or murder and mayhem, that is. 

But it isn’t exactly a party for some of her tenants. Kelly Winterton thinks Josie is sticking her nose in where it’s not wanted. Her partner’s just been packed off to prison and she’s left worrying how to fend for herself and her young daughter. Charlotte Hatfield has fled from her violent partner. With four children in tow, she lives in fear of him finding her again. Amy Cartwright has learning difficulties. She finds it hard enough looking out for herself and her six-month-old baby without being taken advantage of. 

In the midst of it all, Josie has secrets of her own. Trapped in a loveless marriage, she struggles to escape her controlling husband and, as her home life deteriorates, she realises only a thin line separates her from the people she’s trying to help. Can Josie save herself and return the estate to relative normality when a spate of burglaries causes havoc and deadly violence erupts? Or will both she and her tenants become victims of violence that no one will see?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: It’s funny how when you haven’t read something for a while you forget the reason you loved it in the first place. I am certainly a fan of Mel Sherratt, however when I realised book 4 was due for release I caught up with book 3, only to realise I also hadn’t read book 2! Thankfully all the reasons I like these books came rushing back and this one was no different. Book one I thoroughly enjoyed, book 3 was an absolutely brilliant read as was this (although book 3 has the edge). Josie Mellor seems to be the heart of these books (although not necessarily the main focus of stories). As the Housing Officer for the Mitchell Estate where these books are set, she is a pretty central and important character.

In addition to Josie in this book we meet Kelly Winterton who is a charming woman although young and a little naïve. She and her daughter are now fending for themselves after her boyfriend is sent to prison. Her boyfriend, is certainly a character you can love to hate. However, I liked the way that multiple stories are told and we get to see another Tenant Amy Cartwright try to make her way as a young mother with learning difficulties. Add on top of this the death of a resident and multiple burglaries on the estate and you have lots of drama at every turn.

The nicest thing about this particular book is that Josie actually plays a larger part in it than in book 3, and you get to see a lot more about her personal life, which makes for an exciting plot line on its own. It took me only a couple of sittings to finish this and I really did enjoy immersing myself in the gritty worlds of the tenants living on the Estate. I think the only thing that made finishing this book less depressing, was knowing that I have book 4 lined up and ready to go.

24 Hours by Claire Seeber

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Synopsis: My best friend, Emily, is dead – killed last night in a hotel fire.

But it was meant to be me.

Now I have 24 hours to find my daughter.

Before he finds out I’m still alive.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I haven’t read any of Claire Seeber’s previous books but had seen positive things about her new release 24 hours so was looking forward to reading it. The title says it all, and the book is set over a 24 hour time period featuring Laurie who is racing against time to get to her daughter. This 24 hour time period is set over half the book, and the other half is spent in the past featuring one of each for alternate chapters and this is done incredibly well.

From the early stages we know that Laurie is running, from what becomes clearer with each passing chapter. There is a reason the synopsis is short, and I won’t really say any more about the story itself as that is half the suspense of the book. From the very early stages of the book the tension is ratcheted up and there is a real sense of urgency about everything. It really is quite addictive to read, even with the minor flaws of Laurie making some ridiculous decisions. Somehow though, it kind of makes sense why she is being irrational and certainly didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book.She write the male characters well and I was so glad that conclusions were drawn at the end, as sometimes not knowing about secondary characters and what happened to them can really irritate!

There is certainly a lot of punch packed into this book, although there were parts in the middle that dragged a little bit. With that aside, the reader is kept guessing and it seems every person in this story appears guilty of something, making it very absorbing. I also really liked her writing style and found I was swept along with the pace of the story and my reading speed seemed to match the speed of the story (well after all I read it within 24 hours!). Although I haven’t given it a full 5 stars this is a solid 4 star read and one that is pretty gripping. I will certainly be keeping my eyes open for the next Claire Seeber.

Death Trap by Dreda Say Mitchell (Rio Wray #2)

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Synopsis: Teenager Nikki Bell is the only witness to the brutal murder of two members of her family and their cleaner. She’s lucky to be alive. But the murder isn’t a one-off. It’s part of a bigger, more violent attack planned on affluent families in the area – and now Nikki, as the only living witness, is a dangerous threat to the well-orchestrated scheme.

As the net draws tighter around the killers, DI Rio Wray must do whatever it takes to keep Nikki alive. But when you’re dealing with criminals, there’s no line they won’t cross… In a kill-or-be-killed-world, who will be first to pull the trigger?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5 Continue reading “Death Trap by Dreda Say Mitchell (Rio Wray #2)”

What Remains by Tim Weaver (David Raker #6)

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Synopsis: Missing persons investigator David Raker specializes in finding the lost. Whether dead or alive, he brings home the truth to the families left behind. But there’s one person he’s never been able to save.

Colm Healy was one of the Met’s best detectives – until the unsolved murders of a mother and her twin daughters consumed his career, his family and his life. For him, there can be no redemption without justice.

Re-opening the case together, Raker soon learns the hard way how this puzzle breeds obsession. But the worst is yet to come.

Because, at the end of this trail of tragedy and darkness, an elusive killer watches, waits – and prepares to bury the truth forever…

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I’ve not read any previous Tim Weaver books and although you can read this on its own I think I would have preferred to have read the previous books in the series to get a better feel for David Raker. That said, I certainly enjoyed this book and will almost certainly be looking out for future books by Tim Weaver. David Raker is a Missing Persons Investigator and in the early stages we see him help his old friend Colm Healy. Healy used to be one of the Met’s best Detectives but he has had a fall from grace and is now homeless, penniless and obsessed with his last unsolved case.

The writing is absolutely fabulous and I was instantly drawn into their world seamlessly and effortlessly. Although I hadn’t read any previous Raker books there is enough background given that you have an idea of his history and it certainly didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. Raker’s past seems very tragic and complicated and he is currently learning how to adjust to having a daughter in his life. It made Raker an altogether more endearing character as we see him battle with keeping everyone happy.

The plot line is very intricately weaved and extremely well thought out. There were avenues that surprised me as they were not immediately obvious and whether this was the characters strengths coming through or just superb plotting I couldn’t tell. What I did know was that I thoroughly enjoyed this and will definitely be reading more in the future. Maybe not reading the first few books put me at a slight disadvantage but if anything it just makes me more determined to go back and read them all in order now. I can see now why Tim Weaver has such a loyal following, looks like ANOTHER series I need to keep up with.

Those Girls by Chevy Stevens

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Synopsis: How far would you go to protect the ones you love?

Life has never been easy for the three Campbell sisters. Jess, Courtney, and Dani live on a remote ranch where they work hard and try to stay out of the way of their father’s temper. One night, a fight gets out of hand and the sisters are forced to go on the run, only to get caught in an even worse nightmare when their truck breaks down in a small town. As events spiral out of control they find themselves in a horrifying situation and are left with no choice but to change their names and create new lives.

Eighteen years later, they are still trying to forget what happened to them. But when one of the sisters goes missing, followed closely by her niece, they are pulled back into the past. And this time there’s nowhere left to run…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “Those Girls by Chevy Stevens”

Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton

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Synopsis: What’s the worst thing your best friend could do to you?

Admittedly, it wasn’t murder. A moment’s carelessness, a tragic accident – and two children are dead. Yours.

Living in a small island community, you can’t escape the woman who destroyed your life. Each chance encounter is an agonizing reminder of what you’ve lost – your family, your future, your sanity.

How long before revenge becomes irresistible?

With no reason to go on living, why shouldn’t you turn your darkest thoughts into deeds?

So now, what’s the worst thing you can do to your best friend?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have recently read Sharon Bolton’s series featuring Lacey Flint and really enjoy those books so was looking forward to reading a standalone. Catrin, the lead character is a dark and disturbed woman and its clear from the beginning that her past totally and utterly consumes her. The location for this book was the Falkland Islands and to be honest this for me was one of the highlights of the book. Sharon Bolton almost takes you there and her descriptive narrative sets the scene perfectly. With Catrin’s two small children dead her life has little meaning, however it soon becomes apparent that her sole focus is on that of the person she holds responsible for her children’s death.

In one respect there is a depressing element to this book but although that impression is built the level of tension, pace and sheer atmosphere keeps you engaged as a reader. The book is told from the perspective of not only Catrin, but also Callum and ex-soldier and Rachel, Catrin’s old best friend. We see an investigation take place with another small child gone missing on the island as well as Catrin’s determination to seek revenge.

To say any more would ultimately ruin the storyline, so I guess you will have to read this for yourself to find out. I enjoyed the book and it was certainly different, however in my opinion still not as engaging as the Lacey Flint books. This certainly has a completely different feel to it and is an extremely absorbing read which I enjoyed.  I will certainly look forward to another Lacey Flint book, but will also now be keenly looking out for any other standalone books in the future by Sharon Bolton.

The Stranger by Harlan Coben

Synopsis: The Stranger appears out of nowhere, perhaps in a bar, or a parking lot, or at the grocery store. His identity is unknown. His motives are unclear. His information is undeniable. Then he whispers a few words in your ear and disappears, leaving you picking up the pieces of your shattered world.

Adam Price has a lot to lose: a comfortable marriage to a beautiful woman, two wonderful sons, and all the trappings of the American Dream: a big house, a good job, a seemingly perfect life.

Then he runs into the Stranger. When he learns a devastating secret about his wife, Corrine, he confronts her, and the mirage of perfection disappears as if it never existed at all. Soon Adam finds himself tangled in something far darker than even Corrine’s deception, and realizes that if he doesn’t make exactly the right moves, the conspiracy he’s stumbled into will not only ruin lives – it will end them… 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I’ve only read a couple of Harlan Coben’s books but was looking forward to this as the synopsis sounded very intriguing. Adam Price is a normal guy and within the blink of an eye a complete stranger turns everything upside down. Within the first few chapters I was completely drawn into the story and my mind was buzzing with questions. Why would a stranger approach Adam and tell him a secret that could potentially ruin his whole life. Well thankfully Adam has the same questions and he starts to do his own investigating into the Strangers statement.

The story unfolds with The Stranger making even more elaborate statements to other people and before long the plot has more than one thread, and certainly more than one victim. I liked reading about Adam and found myself compelled to carry on, even though at times some of the things were verging on the incredulous! The suspense is ratcheted up enough to hold your interest and the pace was pretty good too so all in all it was a very easy read.

Although I certainly enjoyed this book, I wouldn’t say it had a lasting impression on me. It still merits a 4 star rating but I found that it was one of those books you could take or leave depending on your mood. I have read a couple of other books by Coben and thoroughly enjoyed them so will continue to read his work, and hopefully catch up on the Myron Bolitar series, of which I am a huge fan!

Liar, Liar by M J Arlidge (Helen Grace #4)

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Synopsis: In the dead of night, three raging fires light up the city skies. It’s more than a tragic coincidence. For DI Helen Grace the flames announce the arrival of an evil she has never encountered before.

Because this is no Firestarter seeking sick thrills, but something more chilling: a series of careful, calculating acts of murder.

But why were the victims chosen? What’s driving the killer? And who will be next? A powder keg of fear, suspicion and dread has been laid. Now all it needs is a spark to set it off…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: Having only recently (from Nov 14) starting to read M J Arlidge books this series is brilliant and fast becoming a firm favourite. This is book 4 in the series and features DI Helen Grace who is a fantastic character and one that I have been looking forward to reading about again. Alongside Helen is her colleague Charlie who is also another favourite of mine and I think the series works well with both of them in it.

Charlie is back at work following the birth of her daughter and we see her juggling both career and Motherhood. In addition Helen is working alongside a new boss who I really like and think he makes a good fit it the series. When they are called to the scene of a fire, it’s clear pretty quickly that this was no accident. The reader sees glimpses of the killer and their rambled thoughts by way of a Blog, and these small snippets actually worked really well.

I must say that I am a little squeamish when it comes to fire and MJA does a cracking job of being extremely descriptive when writing the scenes of the victims in the moments when they realise what they are faced with. The story seemed to pick up extreme pace for the last quarter and I had no idea what was going on or who was responsible. The one thing I will say is that I had a shock when it was revealed who it was but in a good way as I love that surprise element.

However there are two loose threads that have been left wide open meaning the next book is bound to be explosive. My absolute favourite thing happened with this book. Just when you think it’s all sorted out that very last sentence that makes you shout out “Nooooo”. Yep, that! M J Arlidge you have seriously raised the bar with this latest instalment and I am literally on tenterhooks waiting to see what the next book will bring. Thankfully we don’t have too long to wait as ‘Little Boy Blue’ is due out in March 2016. This was a tense and heart stopping read that got better with each page!

The Girl Who Broke The Rules by Marnie Riches (George McKenzie #2)

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Synopsis: When the mutilated bodies of two sex-workers are found in Amsterdam, Chief Inspector van den Bergen must find a brutal murderer before the red-light-district erupts into panic.

Georgina McKenzie is conducting research into pornography among the UK’s most violent sex-offenders but once van den Bergen calls on her criminology expertise, she is only too happy to come running.

The rising death toll forces George and van den Bergen to navigate the labyrinthine worlds of Soho strip-club sleaze and trans-national human trafficking. And with the case growing ever more complicated, George must walk the halls of Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, seeking advice from the brilliant serial murderer, Dr. Silas Holm…

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: George McKenzie is back, and this time she is flitting between London and Amsterdam. We also see the return of Chief Inspector Paul van den Bergen. The actual storyline was very engaging and I found myself falling into the storyline very quickly. As usual George is being pulled in different directions and its clear from the outset that her current personal set up isn’t all that great.

With the request from Van den Berg for her to help him with his current case everything else get moved down the list of importance. Paul starts a murder investigation which quickly escalates into so much more. In addition to this we see George interviewing convicted sex offender as research for her studies. Her conversations with the offender for some reason gave me the heeby jeebies. I think that’s always a sign that the writer is ‘getting it right’. The pace picks up as the book moves on keeps at a steady pace inching up as the ending nears.

There is plenty of action, drama along with moments where I thought I knew who was doing what, but no I was wrong. The book certainly touches on issues involving the sex industry and at times is unsettling. There is a gritty realism to her books which I love and I was absorbed right up until the end. The only thing for me that was lacking was my ability to like  George more than I do. Paul is a great character and although not without his issues is incredibly likeable. It’s just a shame that I don’t feel like that about George, however this may be because she is written as such a brash character due to her tendency to self-protect.

I really enjoyed this book and am certainly looking forward to reading what happens next. Luckily there isn’t too long to wait with the third part being released in October 2015 entitled ‘The Girl Who Walked in The Shadows’. I would certainly recommend this although it’s probably an idea to read the books in order. 

Snatched by Dreda Say Mitchell

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Synopsis: Mac is back in this thrilling novella following Vendetta, available exclusively as a digital ebook. You’ll find the same characters in Death Trap, the compulsive new novel from Dreda Say Mitchell, coming in October 2015.

In a respectable Victorian terraced house, a young child is discovered behind a panelled wall in a bathroom. He has been hidden there by dangerous criminals.

For DI John ‘Mac’ MacDonagh, the case opens up a raw wound from his past. The child’s mother is the woman who seduced him and then double-crossed him. There’s more: DNA tests reveal that the child’s father is none other than Mac himself.

This is Mac’s chance to rescue his son and have the family he’s so longed for. But will his desire for revenge blind him to the terrible danger surrounding them both?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: First up, there is absolutely NO point in reading this if you haven’t read Vendetta! I read Vendetta and loved it, although had no idea that Dreda would give us this amazing short story featuring the very same character Mac.

Now seeing as this is only an 87 page novella, I truly cannot talk at all about the story other than what you can read in the synopsis. All I will say is that I certainly didn’t see this coming for Mac, and I had no idea of what the outcome would be.

I’m not really a fan of short stories or novellas, but this one I read with a cup of tea and frankly was a little bit gutted when it finished. Although short, this was packed with action, intrigue and cerainly loads of drama! It reminded me why I loved DSM as a writer so much. Captures your attention and demands you to finish reading…fantastic!