Category: Crime, Thriller, Mystery

Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes by Karin Slaughter (Short Story)

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Synopsis: A missing girl in the news reminds Julia Carroll of herself: nineteen, beautiful, blonde hair, blue eyes.

Julia begins to dig deeper and plans an article for her college paper. She becomes gradually more obsessed with the case, never imagining how close she herself is to danger.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: First off the best advice I can give is to read Pretty Girls, which gives the basis for this short story featuring Julia Caroll, a 19 year old girl. It certainly was a short story and the 8- pages flew by, however I absolutely loved Pretty Girls and this was a fantastic short story to tie in with that book.

Julia is absent in the book Pretty Girls but this gives you a real insight into the character of Julia and how that ties in with the previous full length book. It certainly turned the pages for me but can only give it 4 stars as I am really not a fan of short stories, and felt this could have been built into the original book somehow. Still a typical ‘Slaughter’ style book and I would highly recommend the reading of Pretty Girls

Blood Axe by Leigh Russell (Ian Peterson #3)

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Synopsis: ‘Silently dipping his oars in the water he made his escape. It was a weary journey, with few spoils to show for it. Next time he would do better. He looked back over his shoulder. The bridge had disappeared, swallowed up by the darkness. From its walkway he too had become invisible. Only the bloody body of a woman showed he had been roaming the streets that night.’ DI Ian Peterson investigates a series of gruesome and brutal murders in York. As the body count mounts, the case demands all Ian’s ingenuity, because these are murders seemingly committed at random, and this is a killer who leaves no clues

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: There is a warrior lurking around York and within the first few chapters we have the most grisly crime scene played out in all its gory glory. The first few chapters are pretty absorbing and I would imagine quite a draw for a reader who maybe hasn’t read any of Leigh Russell’s books in the Ian Peterson series. Clues are lacking at the beginning although the only thing that seems to make sense is that the murder is somehow linked to a Viking Museum.

I like Ian Peterson and his spin off series has in my eyes been a total success. I sometimes feel like I want Ian to return to the Geraldine Steel, which is the series in which we meet him originally. We do see very brief glimpses of Geraldine as Ian and his former boss have stayed in contact. One of my most irritating issues within this series actually revolves around Ian’s wife Bev. Although this certainly isn’t a predominant feature in the series it still forms part of Ian’s life. Thank god Leigh Russell decided to deal with this issue in this current book and I am thrilled at the way the book was left.

The murderer seems to elude Ian and his colleagues and as bodies pile up, there seems to be less and less evidence and clues for them to work from. I liked Ian’s colleague Ted, but was less keen on Naomi. Having said that, the team plod on and work the case to the best of their ability. I was certainly engrossed and read this in two sittings. It still doesn’t quite pull me in like the Geraldine Steel series, but after this latest book I have a feeling that might all be about to change. Another solid read in the Peterson series.  Can’t wait for book 4 now!

A Twist of The Knife by Peter James (Short Story)

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Synopsis: With each twist of the knife, a chilling new journey begins . . . From a woman intent on bizarre revenge, to a restaurant critic with a morbid fear of the number thirteen; and from a man arranging a life-changing assignation, to a couple heading for a disaster-filled vacation . . .

In multi-million-copy bestselling author Peter James’ collection of short stories we first come to meet Brighton’s finest detective, Roy Grace, and read the tale that went on to inspire James’ hugely successful novel, Dead Simple. James exposes the Achilles heel of each of his characters, and makes us question how well we can trust ourselves, and one another. Each tale carries a twist that will haunt readers for days after they turn the final page . . .

Combining every twisted tale from the ebook bestsellers Short Shockers One and Short Shockers Two, with a never-seen-before collection of new material, A Twist of the Knife shows Peter James as the undisputed grand master of storytellers with this sometimes funny, often haunting, but always shocking collection.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I’m certainly, like many others, a fan of Peter James and his infamous Roy Grace Series. I’m not however a fan of short stories. Thankfully this was a great collection and I was actually impressed by how much I enjoyed them. I just re-read that and don’t mean it to sound condescending, it’s just in terms of how much I dislike short stories…that’s what I meant!

This series of stories totals thirty and there are 2 featuring Roy Grace. IN addition to the fictional short stories there are some which are factual accounts just told by Peter James. I wouldn’t want to go into the details of all the stories, there seems little point. What I would say is that this is a nice way to read many stories by the man himself and get a feel for his style of writing.

Although I still am not a fan of short stories and collections, this was pretty good. It was an added bonus that a couple featured Roy Grace, but even those without show the skill and talent that have kept Peter James up there as a Bestselling British Author.

The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid

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Synopsis: When a skeleton is discovered hidden at the top of a crumbling, gothic building in Edinburgh, Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie is faced with the unenviable task of identifying the bones. As Karen’s investigation gathers momentum, she is drawn deeper into a dark world of intrigue and betrayal.

Meanwhile, someone is taking the law into their own hands in the name of justice and revenge — but when present resentment collides with secrets of the past, the truth is more shocking than anyone could have imagined . . .

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kats’ Review: For some reason I have only read one other Val McDermid book, so I made sure to put this on my to read list. I actually picked this up a couple of months ago but after the first couple of chapters put it back down. Sometimes, I know I’m not in the mood for a book so I go back to it and in this case I’m glad that I did. The story features an introduction where a skeleton is found hidden iside an Edinburgh building. Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie is called to the scene and takes the case hoping to draw some sort of a conclusion.

Karen and her colleague Detective Constable Jason Murray were quite likeable and although at times Murray seemed somewhat unpredictable. In addition to this discovery there are a couple of story threads that at first glance are just additional parts to the story that garner no links. IN all honesty I wondered in the early stages of the book why these were here . However, the latter part of the book certainly made up for the slow start because the plot threads start to make a little more sense and all seemingly come together.

I certainly like McDermid’s writing style and I was certainly immersed in the story. For me this particular book was a little bit slow to start with but the second half of the book more than made up for it and it is certainly worth a read. I have heard so many good things about Val’s series featuring Carol Jordan and Tony Hill I really must make a start on catching up on this series.

The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die by Marnie Riches (George McKenzie #1)

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Synopsis: HE’S WATCHING HER. SHE DOESN’T KNOW IT…YET

When a bomb explodes at the University of Amsterdam, aspiring criminologist Georgina McKenzie is asked by the police to help flush out the killer.

But the bomb is part of a much bigger, more sinister plot that will have the entire city quaking in fear. And the killer has a very special part for George to play…

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: This book has had rave reviews and seeing as I had an early copy of book 2 I figured I had better get an idea of book 1. This was certainly a slow burner for me and about a quarter of the way in I was wondering what was going on. The main character George is certainly readable as is the Detective Van den Bergen, but in the beginning I was struggling to keep up with all the unconnected characters, let alone the Dutch pronunciations. The main scope of the story involves a bomb that explodes in Amsterdam, drawing George into the investigation.

However, as the story progressed I became more engrossed and wanted to know what part the additional character Ella in London played. The story was a bit of a slow burner for me but as time went on it became more thrilling and I found myself absorbed in wanting to know what had happened. In addition there is another plot thread concerning George but I found myself not as concerned by this thread until later on.

For me the book was good, but still not as good as it could have been. Because of that I felt like I should rate it somewhere in the middle. I am certainly with the minority of people on this book, but maybe it was just me. I know that character names shouldn’t make such a difference, but sometimes for me they make a book that it harder to read if they aren’t that memorable or are particularly difficult to pronounce. Having said that, I am actually really looking forward to book 2 and now feel like I know George and Van de Bergen that bit better. Hopefully, I will be absorbed from page 1 with the next book.

Fifty Shades of Roxie Brown by Lynda Renham

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Synopsis: Roxie Brown loves erotica and her friend, Sylvie, loves crime … novels of course. On a girls’ night out they meet The Great Zehilda, the tea leaf reader, and suddenly Roxie’s Fifty Shades fantasies about her millionaire boss, Ark Morgan, look about to become a reality. But then she looks through the telescope and her life is turned upside down. Roxie and Sylvie, with help from Sylvie’s flatmate, Felix, set out to crack the case. Can Ark Morgan save her or is he the man she should be running from? Then enter Sam Lockwood and her heart is shot with another arrow. Come with Roxie Brown on her hilarious crime-busting romantic adventure and discover if the love of her life is the man of her dreams or if the man she loves is her worst nightmare.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: First off, if you want some serious reading with a hidden meaning and some serious fiction to make to evaluate things (why would you but each to their own) then this book won’t be for you. If you want something funny, ridiculous, entertaining and downright pleasurable then this may tick the boxes. It is pure escapism with a big fat capital E!

Roxie Brown is absolutely wonderful. She’s a normal girl, doing a mundane job as a Chambermaid but it pays the bills. Her layabout boyfriend Darren is a complete waste of space but her friends Sylvie and Felix are enough to keep her happy. Roxie is obsessed with a certain erotica type fictional book, so much so that much of her working day is spent fantasising over her boss Ark Morgan. Her friend Sylvie on the other hand is obsessed with fictional Crime and reckons she could be the next Jane Tennison.

Things take a bit of a strange turn when she is home one night following some shocking news and happens to peer through Darren’s telescope and witnesses a murder. This is the start of a hilarious and outlandish story involving every one. In addition to Ark Morgan, we meet Sam Lockstone who happens to be a rival of Ark Morgan’s. At this point Roxie does the only thing she knows…turns to her friends. Cue a hilarious tale while the three of them become determined to solve the crime.

Nope this book is not serious one little bit, and yes don’t get me wrong there are parts that are farfetched…but that’s what makes it so funny. Sylvie and Felix make an absolutely brilliant addition to Roxie and the situations they get themselves in to had me belly laughing on more than one occasion. I came to the end of the book and decided that I need a couple of friends like these; my life would certainly be a lot more interesting. A feel good and funny book that is perfect for cheering yourself up!

The Mistake I Made by Paula Daly

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Synopsis: We all think we know who we are. What we’re capable of.

Roz is a single mother, a physiotherapist, a sister, a friend. She’s also desperate. Her business has gone under, she’s crippled by debt and she’s just had to explain to her son why someone’s taken all their furniture away. But now a stranger has made her an offer. For one night with her, he’ll pay enough to bring her back from the edge.  Roz has a choice to make.

Kat’s rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: This latest release by Paula Daly although not a crime or thriller, is certainly one that delves into the dark and seedy world some people find themselves involved in. Roz is a single Mum and by all accounts the first few chapters introduce her and she is a very likeable character. What I liked about this was that she was ordinary, by that I don’t mean boring, just that lots of people know a woman just like Roz. She works hard to make ends meet, but in the end there is always something that crops up meaning she is left to make decisions that people wouldn’t like ot make such as feeding her son or paying her rent.

As a physiotherapist, she meets all sorts of characters and it was easy to fall into the routine of her life where she does the mundane and boring day to day thing, all the while her situation getting that little bit more precarious. As the chapters progress we also learn a little more about the last few years for Roz and why she finds herself in this current dilemma. What she didn’t bank on was her sister being the catalyst for her meeting a man that wants to make her an offer. Cue the Indecent Proposal moment where he offers her an easy way out.

It’s all well and good reading a book and passing judgement, but do you ever really know what you are capable of until you are faced with that exact situation. This is how the book is written and it’s portrayed incredibly well. Not only did I find myself sympathising with Roz, I was questioning what I would do if I was in the same situation.

As Roz makes a seemingly simple choice, she starts to see the knock on effect this has to her life. It also sets off a number of other events which make the book becoming even darker. Although this book may not be the most fast paced thriller I have read, it kept me gripped with the sheer ordinariness of Roz’s situation. I finished the book quickly and thoroughly enjoyed it. This book is certainly one to watch out for.

Dead Set by Will Carver (January David #3)

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Synopsis: Detective Inspector January David doesn’t love me. He loves his missing sister. He loves his job. But he doesn’t love me. Not in the way he should. I am his wife. I am still his wife. And I will do anything for him. No matter what I have to sacrifice.

Kat’s Rating:4/5

Kat’s Review: Okay my head hurts! I picked up Will Carver’s first book in the series Girl 4 and really enjoyed it. However what I realised very early on is that Carver writes in an unusual way. I have struggled with this since book one but ironically at the same time fallen in love with it a little bit. I know that may not make sense but if you have read one of his books you will know what I mean. I also think that this categorically does not work as a standalone, you HAVE to read the first two books in the series for this to make any kind of sense!

January David is a copper that has not just one issue but many. He drinks too much and is currently on sabbatical following the devastating events of the last book. His wife no longer even lives in the country yet she still haunts his thoughts. He also still obsesses over his missing and presumed dead sister. In addition to this, he has these visions. Yes, I know it sounds ridiculous, and there is one part of me that feels the same. But to describe them is just too difficult. They are more like dreams as well as visions when in reality they seem to be his past, present and future all haunting him. This is the element of these books that drives me crazy. However, as much as they drive me crazy the writing style makes you want to read, hence the reason I always end up enjoying them to a certain degree.

Whilst January sets off to New York to face a seemingly duplicate set of murders like the ones he has already solved, his colleagues are working on their own case involving the discovery of a young girls dead body. In terms of storyline that’s all I’m prepared to say but believe me when I say Will Carver gives you anything but straightforward.

There are many things you have to wrap your head around and there are no shortcuts around the gruesome nature of any of the murders. In addition to this Will Carver managed to write a chapter about a character in the present but talking in past tense (if that makes sense). Never before have I struggled to articulate so much on a book I have read. This one is certainly challenging to describe (to say the least). What I will say is this, I loved this book and much as it messed with my brain. I really, really like January and as for the ending, well don’t get me started.

Just when things are wrapped up and we finally start getting some answers, Will Carver throws a dose of uncertainty to the mix and left me wondering how long it will be until the next release. Overall this book is clever and brilliant, maybe a little too clever for me at times; but magnificent all the same. Sadly for me the parts where I am wrapping my head around ‘The Smiling Man’ (I’m not even going to go there and try to explain) mean that it just cannot get a 5 star from me. Other than that cannot fault it and in THE weirdest way I cannot wait to read the next book.

Killer Smile by R C Bridgestock (Jack Dylan#6)

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Synopsis: A killer with a macabre passion for human teeth stalks the residents of Harrowfield.

Three linked murders means Assistant Chief Constable Wendy Smythe is brought in to take ultimate charge of the serial murder investigation, and she is adamant on managing the task akin to a drama. Dylan has to dig deep to remain professional.

Chilling, ultimate and full of menace. There is dark suspicion that nobody is safe until the perpetrator is apprehended. Will the ring of steel wrapped around Harrowfield bring the psychopath to justice?

Coupled with the fact Dylan and Jen’s daughter Maisy is hospitalised with an undiagnosed serious illness; Jack is under pressure on all fronts.

On a happier note Jen’s dad Ralph, introduces the pair to his new lady friend but all is not as rosy as it seems three hundred miles away on the Isle of Wight, when her son brings the police to their door.

Dylan shares intelligence with The National Crime Agency which brings back a deep seated anguish of fallen colleague DS Larry Banks. Can he help them capture the boss of an international drugs cartel, and if so will it bring Dylan closure?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: Well if you ever fancied being a copper and never got the chance, read this book. I loved it, as it was like your very own 2 weeks work experience with a Murder Squad. I was a little disappointed to realise this was the 6th book in the series. My followers know I love to read a series but like to start at the beginning and play catch up. I recently realised it isn’t humanly possible for me to always do this so took the plunge with this RC Bridgestock book. Luckily it didn’t seem to make too much difference that I hadn’t read the previous 5 in the series, although certain parts of me wish I had.

There is a real authenticity to this and it’s very clear that the two writers (husband and wife) both have the knowledge and experience of working within this sort of world. There are no revelations, visions, or lucky breaks…just pure police work. I liked the fact you got a decent balance between Dylan’s personal and work life, it was just enough to be 100% believable.

Dylan and his team are chasing a murdered who has an obsession with teeth. The descriptive police work and blow by blow accounts of the Post-mortem’s are refreshingly different (if that makes sense). The only criticism for me is that sometimes I felt it was lacking that extra oomph; however there was something original and refreshing about the real life approach (hence the ‘not quite’ 4 stars).

By the end, as much as I enjoyed reading this I (as usual) felt a bit disappointed I hadn’t read the previous 5. Don’t get me wrong you can certainly come in at this stage of the game and not miss anything, but I feel like following a series gives you time to connect with your characters. This is certainly a series I will be looking out for in the future. I actually think this would be a fantastic book for True Crime fans who maybe want to read something not too far fetched!

My Kind of Justice by Col Bury

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Synopsis: Newly-appointed DI Jack Striker, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, has a dark secret, one that would land him in prison.

Striker’s first case seems a straight-forward gang-on-gang slaying, until a notorious youth is found hanged. Before any chance to investigate, bodies begin stacking-up.

With the hot breath of the brass burning his neck, including hard-faced DCI Maria Cunningham who’s onto him, Striker knows this case will make or break him.  The media-dubbed ‘Hoodie Hunter’ mixes MO’s, leaving few leads, and Striker recognises the work of a highly-skilled vigilante killer. When Striker’s nephew is put into a coma, it becomes personal. Desperate, he runs an unofficial op’ with trusty colleagues, stunning DC Lauren Collinge and un-PC DC Eric Bardsley, placed in the line of fire.

The killer’s trail leads Striker into his own shady past, but will he catch the Hoodie Hunter before he or a colleague becomes the next victim?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I love finding new authors and I must say I will certainly be looking out for book 2 in this series. Jack Striker (LOVE this name) is a copper who as it seems throughout this book does a real job of a copper.  He doesn’t have visions, or a problem with authority…he just does his job. He sometimes doesn’t listen but other than that you get a real sense of a coppers job, even with the boring stuff thrown in. I really liked his colleague Bardsley, although I’m a little more unsure about Lauren Collinge.

It seems that in the North of England a vigilante of sorts is taking it upon himself to rid the city of the local hoodlums. However, before long it seems the killer is constantly one step ahead of Striker and he has to tread carefully as his past hasn’t always been so squeaky clean. Col Bury has been careful to make Striker not entirely without fault, but not a Superhero either. It makes for a great balance and makes him an incredibly easy character to read.

The story had pace from pretty early on and there were a few plot twists thrown in when trying to figure out the who and the why. I was pretty engrossed from early on and found myself hoping it stayed that way. Thankfully it did and I found myself racing through this book in a day and a half. I wouldn’t say it’s ground-breaking new story as sadly with this genre the story has been done in some sort of way by somebody already. However, what it was is a solid read and one that made me want to read the next instalment. Another new author for me to add to my list that’s for sure and I’m really looking forward to reading the next one.