Tag: RATED 4/5

The Guilty Girl by Patricia Gibney (Lottie Parker #12)

Synopsis: Something whistling through the door behind her caused her to turn. A shadow spread across the opening. She clasped a hand to her mouth, stilling the fear that was rising. The menacing shadow was followed by a face that sent a cold shiver down her spine…

When the call comes in about Lucy, a seventeen-year-old girl murdered after the secret party she held in her parents’ home, Detective Lottie Parker is first on the scene. As she picks her way through the smashed glasses and the blood spatter on the perfect cream carpet, she is horrified to see Lucy’s angelic face, silvery-blue eyes forever closed.

As Lottie breaks the news to Lucy’s heartbroken parents and the devastated partygoers, she discovers that hours before her death Lucy had revealed a terrible secret about her friend Hannah. And when Lottie finds Lucy’s bloodstained clothing hidden in Hannah’s bedroom, she has no option but to bring the shy, frightened girl into custody.

But Hannah claims to have no memory of the night Lucy died and Lottie begins to question her guilt. Then a fifteen-year-old boy who also attended the party is pulled from the canal. And as Lottie investigates, she discovers something shocking. Her own son Sean was at the party. Why did he lie to her? Is her beloved child a witness or a suspect… or is he now in the killer’s sights?

My Rating: 4/5

My Review:

It’s been a while since I have read about Lottie and Boyd so I was keen to get a little more caught up and started back in on book 11. I have read all the books in the series and although like many books I am sure you can read as a standalone I think its always worthwhile having the background on all the characters and what they have been through. Lucy, a seventeen-year-old girl has been murdered after a party she held in her parents’ home. Detective Lottie Parker along with her colleagues are now investigating the murder.

One of the partygoers a supposed friend of Lucy, a young girl named Hannah is instantly put into the mix. Hannah has no memory of the party but when blood soaked clothes are found in her bag she has to be pulled into the station. Things then take another sordid turn when a 15 year old who attended the party is pulled from the canal. in addition to now working two murders Lottie finds out that her son Sean also attended the party.

It was nice to be back with the team and seeing how they are all getting on. Boyd is also back albeit ow with his son which makes for another interesting thread to this series. The team is certainly given the runaround with these murders but it was an enjoyable enough read. I did notice that Lottie seems a lot more brash in this book, maybe a lot less caring than I remember? However, still an enjoyable read.

Thirteen Weddings by Paige Toon

Synopsis: A year ago, Bronte left Sydney for a wedding in England, where she met newly single Alex . After one amazing night together they parted ways.

Now working on the picture desk for a glossy magazine in London, Bronte is about to meet a new colleague – who turns out to be all too familiar. Alex is now engaged, but the memory of the spark they felt when they met hasn’t died. As Alex’s wedding day looms, it is clear that he and Bronte have unfinished business…

My Rating: 4/5

My Review: It’s been a while since I read any Paige Toon and with a very recent binge on a crime series I needed something to break the monotony of death! Enter this PT book and one day later I can certainly say I definitely broke the cycle. Bronte is our main character and we see her attend a Hen Night in England following her departure from Australia. On that fateful night she met Alex and they experienced an amazing night together, and she thought that was the end of it.

Fast forward and Bronte is now working for a magazine in London, and is about to meet a new colleague! Turns out that Alex is her new colleague and despite the amazing night they once had he is now engaged. Bronte is a very likeable and relatable character and it’s clear from the outset that things are not all as they seem with Alex’s engagement. Alongside the magazine job Bronte becomes involved in her passion for photography and ends up assisting at weddings (hence the title) where she meets Lachie.

This book (albeit a little cheesy) was the perfect recipe for the sort of book I needed. It certainly didn’t follow the pattern or storyline ending I expected which made it all the more enjoyable. A very light hearted and easy book to read which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Silent Angel by Helen Phifer (Morgan Brookes #7)

Synopsis: The girl’s head is bent as if in prayer, her hands bound tightly together at the wrist. Her bare feet are still against the cold sand, the last thing she ever felt before she breathed her last…

When the body of a teenage girl is found in Rydal Falls’ churchyard, Detective Morgan Brookes abandons her own birthday to attend the scene. In the dim evening light, Morgan can just make out the girl wrapped in a pristine white sheet and is certain she’s been left here for them to find.

The autopsy identifies the girl as sixteen-year-old Shea Wilkinson, and Morgan’s heart cracks with sorrow. The beautiful teenager has been missing for weeks, could she have been suffering all this time? When she learns the sand on Shea’s feet is from a nearby island, Morgan leaves immediately, determined to find the killer’s hiding place and stop them in their tracks.

But scouring the windswept beach, Morgan can’t find any sign that Shea was ever there. And then her phone rings with devastating news. Another girl has gone missing, a young nurse called Milly with the same blonde hair and blue eyes as Shea.

Morgan won’t rest until she has returned the kind, cheerful girl to her distraught parents. But Milly was last seen chatting to one of Morgan’s colleagues on the force… Refusing to think the worst, can she trace the clues and get inside the mind of the most cunning killer of her career, before another innocent life is lost?

My Rating: 4/5

My Review: I am now firmly into this series and although certain elements of the character Morgan is a little annoying I am still thoroughly enjoying this series. The current book starts out on Morgan’s birthday and along with her partner Ben they have plans to relax and celebrate. As per the norm for this series they have no chance of that happening when they receive a call to say a body has been found. When they arrive on scene they are met with a horrific scene and the body is identified as missing 17 year old Shea Wilkinson. The return of the usual and loved characters that make up the team all make their appearances alongside Morgan and Ben with Cain, Amy and Des all making up the numbers while investigating the murder.

The local Vicar Theo is new to the area and Morgan gets her usual gut instinct that something isn’t quite right with him. The team work tirelessly and are devastated when another young girl Milly goes missing. This story certainly has a lot of action in it and there are a lot of threads and leads for the team to work on. I must admit this book certainly held an edge over other books in this series as I read it in record time. There are certainly shocking moments that caught me on the back foot with this book and I found myself genuinely shocked (always a good thing!). This book was a great addition to the series and I would definitely recommend the series.

First Girl to Die by Helen Phifer (Morgan Brookes #4)

Synopsis: Morgan shudders as she leans out of the window and takes in the familiar blonde curls and clear blue eyes of the fallen girl below. She knows this woman, and she realises with sickening certainty that her friend is now gone forever…

When Detective Morgan Brookes is called to the scene of a suicide, she’s devastated to recognise the young teacher sprawled out on the grass like a broken doll. She hasn’t seen Brittany for years. Not since the tragic death of Morgan’s high-school boyfriend ripped their friendship group apart. But when witnesses describe Brittany’s erratic behaviour and jumbled speech that morning, Morgan is convinced the fearless, life-loving girl she once knew didn’t jump of her own accord.

Traces of poison found in Brittany’s blood prove Morgan’s theory right, but no one can find the source. Then Morgan uncovers a distinctive jar in Brittany’s home filled with toxic herbs, and the sight of it turns her blood to ice. She has a jar just like it, a handmade gift from her aunt. Is this a coincidence, a set-up, or could the only person she’s ever trusted with her damaged past be capable of murder?

Then another woman from Morgan’s past is found, close to the scene of that fatal teenage party. Has Morgan been looking at this all wrong? Are these deaths connected to that deadly night? And how could someone from her own family possibly be involved?

With her aunt’s freedom and more innocent lives at stake, Morgan must dig deep into her painful memories for answers. Who else was there that night, and what exactly did they see? She must stop this twisted killer before any more of her old friends become new victims – but at what cost?

My Rating: 4/5

My Review: Having read all three of the series back to back I was ready for book 4 and was pleased to say this one started off very well with a strange and gruesome scene. Detective Morgan Brookes is called to the scene of a suicide and is devastated to realise that she knows the victim. Morgan’s school friend Brittney it seems had taken her own life but listening to how this happened Morgan along with the team agree things aren’t as they appear at first glance. Before long the team discovers traces of poison in Brittney’s system and the case changes direction.

Once again Morgan’s personal life is never far from this series especially when they find that Morgan’s aunt may well be involved in selling the herbs that may well contain the poison. There is a part of me that absolutely loves the fact that Morgan is consistently pulled into cases, however I am wondering for how many more books we can see Morgan be the focus of it all. I love the other characters and think there could be some more storylines which don’t involve Morgan directly whether that be a family member, or a friend…

Again this book was well paced and I certainly still enjoyed it so I will definitely move straight onto book 5. I would also like to see more development with Ben and maybe Amy…

The Hiding Place by Helen Phifer (Morgan Brookes #3)

Synopsis: The little girl peers down the dark alleyway. She isn’t supposed to take this shortcut, but it’s raining and all she wants is to get home quickly. She steps forward. But she never makes it home…

When nine-year-old Charlotte Standish goes missing from her street, it sparks a media frenzy in her small Lake District town. Her distraught parents are desperate to have their little blonde darling back, and Detective Morgan Brookes leads a frantic hunt for the girl. But Charlotte seems to have vanished into thin air.

Chasing up a lead at Charlotte’s school, Morgan is chilled to learn that another girl disappeared from the same street fifteen years ago. But the moment she begins to investigate the link, another local child goes missing. Ten-year-old Macy loves chocolate, her mum and her dog in that order, and Morgan’s heart twists at the thought of anyone harming this precious child.

The missing girls all lived close to each other so Morgan is sure that someone in this tight-knit community must know something. Going door to door, she is closing in on the truth when she gets a call that fills her with guilt; Charlotte’s lifeless body has been found in a local park, with distinctive scratches on her pale arms. Morgan has let one girl down, but she cannot give up on Macy and she’ll tear this town apart to find the final clue in her disappearance. But can Morgan solve this case before any more innocent lives are taken?

Rated: 4/5

My Review: The Hiding Place is the third in this series and I have so far read the books back to back which for me gives me a real insight into the characters. Detective Morgan Brookes is of course back with the team and this time around they are investigating the young girl Charlotte Standish who has gone missing. It seems its not the first time a young child has disappeared from these streets with the previous case being nearly 15 years prior. Charlie along with her boss Ben Matthews are back alongside other team members I have come to know and enjoy reading about such as Amy, Des and Cain.

The main plot line to one side we also see a young journalist Fin Palmer arrive in town and show an interest in Morgan which makes for interesting reading. The plot is well paced and the the storyline moves along well enough to keep you interested in it as the reader. The characters are what always keep me coming back though. Although many readers say that these storylines in this series go outside the realms of possibility (and I don’t disagree) they don’t do it enough to put me off at the moment. I certainly enjoyed this installment and will once again move onto the 4th book in the series to keep the momentum going.

The Killer’s Girl by Helen Phifer (Morgan Brookes #2)

Synopsis: The little girl reached for her mother’s face with one pudgy hand. But the eyes stayed closed, and the blood continued to trickle across the floor.

When the body of a young woman is found, tied to her bed and the victim of a brutal attack in her own home, Detective Morgan Brookes is sickened by what she finds as she searches the house. And unprepared for the nightmares it inspires about her childhood.

When the DNA collected gives a positive ID, Morgan can’t wait to put the attacker behind bars. But the person it matches to is already in prison. How could the DNA of someone who has been locked up for over twenty years have shown up in Morgan’s crime scene? And then they make another close match. To Morgan herself.

Faced with the impossible proof that she is somehow connected to this case, Morgan delves deep into the crimes of a killer who stalked the Lake District two decades ago. But distracted by the old case, she misses the signs that he has found a new victim. And when he strikes close to home, Morgan finally realises that she has been living on borrowed time. To find this killer, it’s clear she must confront the nightmares in her past…

My Rating: 4/5

My Review: Having read the first book in the series and engaging with the characters I was keen to read the whole series and play catch up. Morgan Brookes is part of the team run by DS Ben Matthews and although at 23 she young and relatively inexperienced she has fit right into the team.

When the body of a young woman is found Morgan attends the scene and shockingly the DNA found at the scene links to a killer already but he is already behind bars and has been there for 20 years? It becomes clear very quickly that the DNA also links to Morgan somehow.

Once again this book is well written with short sharp chapters that keep you hooked. There are once again issues if you prefer your fiction to be by the book like it is in real life. For me it’s a minor issue and the story and characters mean more so for me I enjoyed catching up with the team and how the relationships developed among them. The only downside for me was that I saw where this was going early on but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book, so it’s straight onto book 3 for me!

One Left Alive by Helen Phifer (Morgan Brookes #1)

Synopsis: A gentle breeze blew her blonde hair across her face, her glazed eyes staring blankly into the sunset. Her small frame looked lost hanging from the large oak tree. On the branch next to her was a worn child’s rope swing. She looked too young and beautiful to be dead.

When the body of a woman is found hanging from a tree in her front garden, rookie Detective Morgan Brookes is first on the scene. But Olivia Potter is past saving. And when her husband and daughters cannot be traced, Morgan knows there is more to this tragedy. And then she finds them. Lying huddled together in the dark basement, each of their faces covered with a small cotton cloth, their bodies cold to the touch.

But as Morgan kneels beside the family, she realises that one of the girls is still breathing. As she holds Bronte’s fragile hand in hers, begging her to hold on, she vows to find out who has done this.

Every day Morgan wakes at 4.25 a.m., her old insomnia now mixed with a new fixation on the case. But every clue about the murdered family leads to a dead end. Until, trawling through old files, she discovers a link to a cold case from years ago. Another family was found murdered, their innocent faces covered with white cloths.

When Morgan returns to the scene of the crime to discover more about this forgotten case, she finds another body. With Bronte still unconscious in hospital, Morgan must act fast to solve this case before the killer returns for the girl left alive…

My Rating: 4/5

My Review: *currently shaking head into hands* You know that feeling when you read one book of a series you haven’t even looked at…and then as soon as you finish you realise that any other book doesn’t stand a chance until you are up to date…yeah that!

In book one of this series we meet Morgan Brookes a rookie copper who while out on patrol answers a call and finds the body of a woman hanging from a tree in her front garden. Made even worse when Morgan discovers the rest of the family locked in the basement, until she realises that one of the daughters is still alive. That alone is a great opener for a book and I was already dragged into the storyline. Morgan is quickly pulled into the team and now works for DS Ben Matthews alongside other members of the team such as Amy.

The storyline was interesting and I really loved all the characters making this a super easy read. I have to be honest and say there were a few times it seemed procedure went out the window for this piece of fiction in comparison to real life, but I guess that’s why I am a book lover (sometimes rules don’t play out as they do in real life). This first book in the series definitely made for an enjoyable and easy first read and in all honesty suspending belief aside I was totally ready for book 2. You can totally expect all of t

Voice of Reason by Kerry Barnes (Rage #1)

Synopsis: When Dionne married a nightclub owner, Luke Mason, a whisper in her ear told her she would have it all – the money, the house, and the luxury lifestyle. But she never expected her life to turn upside down the day they became parents to twins.

After a Mason family member is murdered, a psychiatrist is asked to assist with the investigation.

Dr Renee, a research psychiatrist, has spent her life’s work studying the existence of the ‘Gemini Gene’ – a gene believed to exist in a few high-functioning psychopaths.

Little does she know that she is not alone in her quest. In the shadows lurks someone who also has a special interest in the gene. However, the trial that they are conducting is so much more sinister.

Will Dr Renee discover if the Gemini Gene really does exist, or will it be the voice of reason who has the answers?

MY RATING: 4/5

My Review: Okay, so it’s been a while since I have read a KB book that I figured I’d give this one on my to read list a go and boy am I glad I did. This latest book by this author I felt wa sa bit of a departure from other books of hers I have read but still a thoroughly enjoyable read as always. This story was centred around Dionne who got her ultimate wish which was to marry the nightclub owner Luke Mason

She expected the life full of money, the house, and a luxury lifestyle to follow. What she wasn’t prepared for was giving birth to a pair of borderline pyschotic twins! When one of the Mason family member is murdered, a psychiatrist brought in to help the investigation. Dr Renee, joins the story and the reader can see that she has spent her life’s work studying the existence of the ‘Gemini Gene’ – a gene believed to exist in a few high-functioning psychopaths.

What everybody doesn’t realise is that Dr Renee is not the only person interested in the Gemini Gene. The whole storyline is very interesting and the characters engaging. I read this book in just under two days and absolutely loved it. A definite must read…

Anything Could Happen by Lucy Diamond

Synopsis: A chance encounter in New York City. A great love story on the cusp of beginning. And then he was gone.

For Lara and her daughter Eliza, it has always been just the two of them. But when Eliza turns eighteen and wants to connect with her father, Lara is forced to admit a secret that she has been keeping from her daughter her whole life.

Eliza needs answers – and so does Lara. Their journey to the truth will take them on a road trip across England and eventually to New York, where it all began. Dreams might have been broken and opportunities missed, but there are still surprises in store…

Anything Could Happen is a warm, wise, funny and uplifting novel about love, second chances and the unexpected and extraordinary paths life can take us down.

MY RATING: 4/5

MY REVIEW: I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the begining to the very last page. Lara is a single mother and her grown up daughter Eliza is soon to turn 18. What she didn’t account for was Eliza questioning more details on her birth Father. As far as Eliza is aware Steve is her Father and he is largely absent from her life. When Eliza gets a bombshell dropped regarding her real father it sets off a chain reaction and both her and Lara have no clue how things will turn out.

Now don’t get me wrong I have read this kind of story over the years in a variety of ways and there was absolutely nothing wrong with this story, but it’s just wasn’t a book that I was blown away with. That small niggle aside Lucy Diamond has a real knack with storytelling and I was absolutely compelled to find out what happens with both Lara and Eliza. I wasn’t overly keen on Eliza as a character which is unusual (normally I am a fan of characters LD creates) but the story and writing totally made the book worthwhile.

Overall a very enjoyable and escapist kind of read, and it’s made me ensure all my unread Lucy Diamond books get pushed further up the ‘to-read’ pile.

The Girl in The Dark by Zoe Sharp (Blake & Byron)

Synopsis: The woman falls. Her body begins to shake. Her brown eyes turn upwards, showing a mix of panic and desperate hope. She takes a deep breath and says one ‘Blake.’ Then her eyes close, her face pales, and she goes still forever…

The victim: Shannon, a woman who went out of her way to help the lost and hopeless, left abandoned to die by the side of the road. Where was she in those last few days before her death, and why was she so frightened?

The avenger: Blake Claremont, who knows only too well how it feels to be alone on the streets of a big city. Blake survived, thanks to Shannon. She’s determined to find out who killed her friend, and why.

Before she died, Shannon was searching for answers. She knew that people were going missing… never to be seen again. Now, with the help of Detective John Byron, Blake must take up Shannon’s investigation. She knows these streets and the predators who walk in the darkness. She will follow in Shannon’s footsteps until she finds her target: the ruthless men and women who steal people’s lives and will do anything to protect their secrets.

And then, they will pay.

MY RATING: 4/5

MY REVIEW: I recently read the first new book in this series and thoroughly enjoyed it so was pleased to be able to pick up where we left off and see what happened next! The two characters couldn’t be more different and that’s what makes them very enjoyable to read about. Blake Claremont is a young woman who in book one reappeared at her family home following a long period of being away. She is a feisty character that really does have her own mind and trust literally about two people! This latest book sees her living on the streets, which at first I didn’t understand but it soon all became clear.

Blake is determined to find out what happened to Shannon who was one of the few people that made sure Blake was okay. Now Shannon is dead and Blake feels an intense sense of loyalty to find out what is going on and why. On the other end of the spectrum Detective John Byron is now working in a specific role looking into potential police corruption.

This latest book delves into a world where the homeless are being victimised in a terrible way but with Blake not giving an inch, god help them all! Both Blake and John are brilliant characters and I especially love Blakes friend Lex Vaganov! Between Lex and John’s old boss Shamshi Daud they make an awesome team. This whole book and storyline I thoroughly enjoyed and I cannot wait to see where the series goes.