Crime, Thriller, Mystery – Page 8 – Best Crime Books and More

THE DEATH FILE BY J A KERLEY (CARSON RYDER 13)

Synopsis: Two psychologists are murdered 2000 miles apart – one in Phoenix, Arizona, one in Miami, Florida.

Amazingly, both have noted down the name of Carson Ryder – a detective with the Florida Center for Law Enforcement who specializes in catching psychopathic killers.

Carson joins forces with troubled Phoenix Detective Tasha Novarro to trace a ruthless killer whose advantages include an uncanny talent for persuasion, an utter lack of remorse, and the horrifying ability to predict their every move. A killer even Carson might not be capable of stopping…

Kat’s Rating: 2/5

Kat’s Review: I have sporadically read the Carson Ryder series on and off for some time and finally got around to catching up with this book 13 in the series. Sadly, I was left feeling a little deflated by the time I completed it. Carson is called to a murder where a card with his name on it has been left at the scene. He doesn’t know the woman so his partner Harry takes the lead so there is no effect on evidence or conflict on interest. At the same time another murder is linked in Phoenix so Carson decides to use his vacation time and fly out there. Whilst there he works alongside Detective Tasha Novarro to work on the case.

The story itself seemed average by comparison to some of his other books. I cannot even put my finger on exactly why, it just didn’t have the same feel as his other earlier books. I struggled through the book but didn’t feel the same excitement when reading a Ryder book and for some reason it felt like a chore. I am certainly a fan of Kerley’s previous books but but sadly this one just didn’t hit the mark for me so it’s a pass I’m afraid.

DEAD TO ME BY STEPHEN EDGER (KATE MATTHEWS BOOK 1)

Synopsis: How do you catch a killer who knows your every move?

The woman lay flat on the table, her face to one side, her wrists bound with thick tape. Deep scratches marked the wood beneath her fingers, now resting cold and still…

When a woman’s body is found in an abandoned bar near the Southampton docks, Detective Kate Matthews is called in to lead the investigation. She must solve this case to prove she is coping with the death of a close colleague.

Kate knows a pile of ripped up newspaper cuttings discovered at the victim’s house must be a piece of the puzzle, but her team keep hitting dead-ends… Until she finds a disturbing clue that convinces her of three things: The murder is linked to the body of a man found hanging in a warehouse, she is on the hunt for a calculated serial killer, and the killer is watching her every move.

Kate realises there will be another victim soon, and that her own life is in grave danger, but no one else believes her theory. Can she find and stop the most twisted killer of her career, before another life is lost?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: This is the first in this series featuring Kate Matthews and now I’ve completed it I can say with certainty it was a great read and a good start to a series which is new to me. Kate Matthews has moved from the Met Police following and incident (more is revealed on that later in the book) and is currently working in Southampton on a new Murder Case. Kate is a character people will no doubt love or hate in equal measure, myself included. She clearly has insecurities but takes her work incredibly serious, maybe too much sometimes. As she works a murder case alongside new colleagues it is clear she will have struggles working with some of those around her. I liked her connection with her colleague Laura though and this seemed to balance out her mis-trust of everybody else.

The storyline was strong and well paced with plenty going on. In some respects Kate’s borderline personality although being revealed slowly makes for a really interesting read. Clearly her history has hampered her personal life and as you see interactions with her daughter it will begin to make sense. I was happy with how the story unfolded and although I had some doubts over Kate, this introduction to the series has made me curious so I am already on to book 2. A solid book and a great start for a series I hope I continue to enjoy.

THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS BY MICHAEL ROBOTOHAM

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Synopsis: Everyone has an idea of what their perfect life is. For Agatha, it’s Meghan Shaughnessy’s.

These two women from vastly different backgrounds have one thing in common – a dangerous secret that could destroy everything they hold dear.

Both will risk everything to hide the truth, but their worlds are about to collide in a shocking act that cannot be undone.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I absolutely love the books created by Michael Robotham featuring Cyrus Haven. This book is a standalone (yet weirdly we do see Cyrus as a cameo role). Agatha and Meghan are the lead characters in this book and they are both seemingly in the same boat as expectant mothers. However their worlds couldn’t be further apart. Meghan already has two children and is a ‘Mummy’ vlogger alongside her dashing tv sports presenter husband. Agatha on the other hand is a loner who has a supermarket job and a boyfriend in the Navy.

The chapters are told from both Agatha and Meghan’s viewpoints making the story flow well and give you a real idea of each person’s story. Agatha is a strange woman and that is clear from the outset, although it also becomes just as clear before long that both women are sitting on huge secrets. The book is pretty well paced and there was certainly enough going on to keep you interested. However for me, this book just wasn’t as good as others of his I have read.

The characters although readable, just left no impression on me either way and I couldn’t care less what happened to them. It’s such a shame as this book by Robotham seems such a departure from the norm which can sometimes be exciting but for me it just didn’t leave any lasting impression. It certainly isn’t a ‘bad’ book it just wasn’t one from this author I particularly loved.

DAISY IN CHAINS BY SHARON BOLTON

SB DAISY IN CHAINS

Synopsis: WOULD YOU FALL FOR A SERIAL KILLER? THREE OF HIS VICTIMS DID…

Famous killers have fan clubs.

Hamish Wolfe is charming, magnetic and very persuasive. Famed for his good looks, he receives adoring letters every day from his countless admirers. He’s also a convicted murderer, facing life in prison.

Who would join such a club?

Maggie Rosie is a successful lawyer and true-crime author. Reclusive and enigmatic, she only takes on cases she can win. Hamish is convinced that Maggie can change his fate. Maggie is determined not to get involved. She thinks she’s immune to the charms of such a man. But maybe not this time…

Would you?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have read the first 3 books of the Lacey Flint series by this author and absolutely loved them. With this being a standalone I was curious to see how it fared in comparison. The three main characters are Hamish Wolfe, a man imprisoned for crimes he claims he didn’t commit. Maggie Rose, a lawyer and writer who is known for overturning convicted killers and then Detective Sergeant Pete Weston the copper that got Hamish Wolfe convicted.

The writing was just as good as her previous books and it took a mere chapter or two to get into the swing and the pace of this story. However, although I was enjoying it, I can honestly say it didn’t grab my attention quite as much as her other books I have read. That aside, there are plenty of layers to this tale and as each element is revealed there are a number of questions raised the more that comes out. I found myself wondering who within the storyline was the person causing all the harm and chaos.

I finished this book over the course of a few days and I can honestly say it is a solid thriller from a great author.

THE NEW WIFE BY SUE WATSON

SW THE NEW WIFE Synopsis:

You can never truly know what goes on behind closed doors…

My darling son, Sam, is marrying his childhood sweetheart and I couldn’t be prouder of the man he’s grown into. Walking out on his abusive father all those years ago was the best thing I ever did. And today he stands, tall and handsome, saying ‘I do’ to my dream daughter-in-law. If I hadn’t pushed them together all those years ago, he might never have found a girl as perfect as Lauren. It’s true what they say, mother always knows best.

But weeks later, Lauren is dead and police cars fill the driveway of their idyllic countryside home. As they question Sam, I sense he’s hiding something. Why won’t he look me in the eye? And who does he rush off to meet as soon as the police are gone?

Desperate, I do what every good mother would do: I let myself into Sam and Lauren’s bedroom. What I see, I will never be able to forget. My son’s beautiful new wife was hiding a dangerous secret. Can I clear my son’s name? And could my life be in danger now too?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Sam Moore and Lauren Jackson are a newly married couple. The two of them met at school and have been joined at the hip since. Sam’s Mum Georgie feels like part of the family too as Lauren’s mum and Dad Helen and Tim treat her like family. You get a feel for how close and involved all the characters are very early on in the book. When Sam and Lauren buy a house in the remote moors of Dartmouth both Georgie and Helen start to wonder if everything is as rosy as it seems. In a matter of weeks following the wedding Georgie receives the phone call that changes everything. Lauren is dead in what looks like an accident.

This started slowly but built on the tension and drama as events unfold following the death of Lauren. Of course like most would expect Sam is the number one suspect. The reader gets to see the whole family fall apart from start to finish. This was definitely a gripping read and I thoroughly enjoyed it although for some reason I once again didn’t like the main character Georgie. I don’t know what it is but for some reason the characters that Sue creates in this genre I struggle to like? Thankfully that has no impact on the book and I was kept guessing right until the end

Dead Mercy by Noelle Holten (Maggie Jamieson 5)

Synopsis: A brutal murder…When a burned body is found with its teeth missing, DC Maggie Jamieson discovers that the victim may be the husband of one of her probation colleagues.

A dark history…As the body count rises, the team becomes increasingly baffled by how the victims could possibly be connected until a clue leads them to a historical case that was never prosecuted.

A terrible secret…In order to catch the killer, Maggie must piece together what happened all those years ago before it’s too late.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I absolutely loved this latest instalment of this series! DC Maggie Jamieson is back along with her colleagues Nathan, Kate and Kat and this time around the case starts with a man being found among the ashes following an office fire. That office belonged to the husband of a character we have seen before, probation officer Sarah Hardy. It’s clear pretty quickly that this is not a straightforward arson that went wrong but more a sadistic killer.

The subject matter is a little sensitive but is skilfully dealt with and incorporated into the storyline extremely well. The killer was probably the most intriguing part of this story for me and gives it an edge in my opinion. As more bodies turn up the tension cranks up another notch and that continues throughout the book. I have a nagging feeling about Maggie’s brother and am wondering where that element of the story will go. It was nice to see family member’s still included in the series and it’s always great to know the personal side of the characters. I also cannot wait to see where the author takes the storyline with the journalist Julie Noble!

This most recent installment certainly kept me turning the pages and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!

No Way Back by J B Turner (Jack McNeal 1)

Synopsis: When the people he loves most are in danger, Jack McNeal will get revenge…or die trying.

NYPD detective Jack McNeal is used to asking the tough questions. But a late-night visit from the Secret Service lands Jack on the other side of the table—as a suspect in the disappearance of his estranged wife, Caroline, a prominent reporter on the White House beat. When her body is found floating in the Potomac, Jack is overcome by disbelief and despair.

Her death seems eerily similar to the suspicious fatality of a young socialite years before. Is the similarity of the two tragic incidents simply a coincidence, or could it be a sign of a murderous orchestrated plot to protect those in the highest echelons of the American government?

To avenge Caroline’s death, Jack embarks on a journey into the darkest recesses of power. Suspects abound—from haunted Special Forces soldiers to ex-CIA to the president’s own body man. Along the way, Jack will be forced to decide: Is there a line he won’t cross to expose the killer?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I am a huge fan of this author and especially the Jon Reznick series. I was excited to see he had a new series out featuring Jack McNeal. I admit I started this book and a chapter or two in I put it down again as I just couldn’t get into it. I went back a few weeks and a few books later and thankfully that changed. I soon got into the world of Jack McNeal and was pleasantly surprised. This is certainly not as great as the Reznick series but I always find that getting into a new series sometimes takes a while to do.

The story centers around NYPD Detective Jack McNeal, and the main aim of his job is investigating corrupt and dirty cops. Late one night he gets a visit from the Secret Service who are there to ask questions about his estranged but missing wife. The story is well paced and there is certainly a lot going on. When Jack decides to investigate what has happened to his wife it soon becomes apparent that he will have to break lots of rules to get the answers he needs.

I can see why many reviewers are not that impressed as if you take the character and story at face value its been done a million times before with a straight shooting guy going off the rails. However, I think the writing is just as good as ever from this author and this makes for a great starting point for a series. No this wasn’t as good as the Reznick books but it’s definitely a well written and engaging story like all of Turners books are and I am looking forward to the next one in this series to see where he takes the character.

Crazy House by James Patterson

Synopsis: Becca Greenfield, 17, disappeared one morning on her way to school.

Everyone from her town, including her twin sister, is desperately searching for Becca.

They won’t find her.

Becca is being held prisoner in the crazy house.

She’s on death row, but is completely innocent.

No one has ever gotten out of the crazy house alive.

But there’s always a first time.

Kat’s Rating: 2/5

Kat’s Review: I will be honest and say that when it comes to books such as the Alex Cross and Bennett series I consider myself a Patterson fan. However, I HAVE had a few books which I have really not liked by him. Sadly this is one of them! I am aware this is a YA book and is different from the usual Patterson style of writing. However, once again it calls into question just how much input he had and whether this was more a book written by Gabrielle Charbonnet and just maybe contributed to by Patterson.

The story itself is okay, but even that as a description is maybe stretching it a little. Having said that it takes skill to even write a book, let alone make it amazing! I don’t want to re-hash the storyline to pad out a review because the general synopsis can be found in many places. What I will say is I didn’t particularly like the characters, and this mirrored the Hunger Games too much for my liking. Some of the dialogue was cringe-worthy and I just found myself completely un-interested in what would happen. I completed the book out of sheer will rather than anything else and although there is a follow up book I don’t care too much about it that I want to read any more. Not recommended by me I am afraid!

Until I Find You by Anna Smith (Billie Carson 1)

Synopsis: WHEN YOU’VE LOST EVERYTHING, YOU’LL STOP AT NOTHING

Billie Carlson left the police force under a cloud. Once a promising young officer she now works as a private investigator, rooting out insurance scams and spying on cheating spouses.

One morning a distraught young woman comes into her office saying that her baby has been stolen. Her story seems unbelievable, yet something about her makes Billie want to help – Billie knows what it’s like to lose someone too.

To get to the bottom of the case Billie must rattle some dangerous cages and rely on old police friends for inside help. Soon she discovers a network of crime deeper and far more twisted than she ever could have imagined. But is she in way over her head?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I was devastated when Anna Smith’s series featuring Rosie Gilmour finished, that was until she released her Kerry Casey books, and now I am thrilled to add another amazing character and series to my list of ‘must read’ books. This new series features Billie Carlson. Billie used to be a copper until her boy disappeared and her life changed. Now she is a private investigator and when a woman comes into her office saying her baby has been stolen it’s a story that’s too close to home to let go.

There is plenty of action in this book from the outset pretty much through until the end. There is plenty to the plot including drugs, people trafficking and murder to name a few. The only downside to a new series is that it takes me a while to catch onto the additional characters that will feature as the series progresses. I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in close to two sittings. I am even more thrilled to realise that the next installment is due out in under a year. Another belter of a book from Anna Smith and an author that I would highly recommend you try!

I’ll Never Tell by Casey Kelleher

Synopsis: When we were young, Sarah and I did a terrible thing – but it was only me who paid the price. Now, just when I thought no one from my old life would ever find me, a note is slid under my door: I haven’t forgotten. I haven’t forgiven. FOUND YOU.

My best friend Sarah and I used to spend all our time in a place we called the Doll House. It was just an old, abandoned cottage in the woods behind our house but it was heaven to us. Until one of our games went wrong. And someone ended up dead.

It was an accident, or at least Sarah told me it was. But when I tried to tell the police that I wasn’t involved, they didn’t believe me. When the Doll House Girls were splashed across the newspapers, it was my face they showed under the headlines. I’m the one who stood trial.

Now, twenty years on, I’ve made a new life with a new identity. I have a wonderful husband, Carl, and Jacob, our adorable son. Despite everything in my past, I’m happy.

Then the first note arrives. FOUND YOU. Soon other threats start coming, and the person behind them is clear they’d be willing to hurt my family – to hurt Jacob – to get to me. I know who they are. And I know what they’re capable of. The other doll… The girl who got away with murder.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I am a huge fan of Casey Kelleher books and was looking forward to the latest one however I have to be totally honest and say this wasn’t one of my favourites by this author. It is absolutely NOT a bad book it’s just a slight departure from her normal type of storyline. The story is based around Alessia who is married to Carl and has a young son Jacob. Alessia is extremely happy with her life until a brick through the window with a note saying ‘I Found You’ kicks off the start of some awful things happening. Alessia is convinced its her old school friend Sarah. It is hard to be very specific about the book without inevitable spoiling it for people so I will say little about the actual storyline. However, what I will say is that the narrative is split between now and then which although it works, just didn’t have the same flow as previous books have had. I think this book is definitely a great psychological thriller and it’s certainly well written however for me I just didn’t gel with the story or characters like I normally do with this authors books .