Tag: RATED 5/5

Summer at The Ice Cream Cafe by Jo Thomas

Synopsis: t’s time for a fresh start… After a decade of building her career in the city, Beca is ready to escape the humdrum. When she sees her dream home for sale in her hometown, it starts to seem like fate. But when she arrives and visits her grandparents’ ice cream parlour, Beca is horrified to find out that the new owner, her ex-boyfriend Ed, has stripped the heart out of it. Determined to honour her family’s legacy, Beca decides to follow in their footsteps and make delicious ice cream with the help of a long-forgotten recipe book and boat house. As a fierce rivalry develops, Beca must rely on her oldest friend, Griff, to help her make the parlour a success. But when disaster strikes, is Beca about to discover that true happiness has been right in front of her the whole time?

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: I have read a few of Jo Thomas books and have to say I have yet to be disappointed in any way! This latest book of hers I have read is absolutely no exception. Beca Valentino is ready to leave city life and return to her hometown. When the perfect house goes up for sale she jumps at the chance and is so happy when her dreams become a reality. However, when she arrives home she realises that a lot has changed since she was last home, including the presence of her family’s ice cream café now replaced by a wine bar run by none other than her ex-boyfriend.

It soon becomes clear that Beca’s reasons for returning home are to fulfil her dreams of fostering children, however she wasn’t quite prepared for it to happen so quickly. When she is put on the spot and asked to take in two teenage boys she agrees but unknowing whether she is remotely prepared for it. Her old school friend Griff still lives in the area and is a fisherman so luckily for Beca she has some familiarity. As with all her other books I have read the characters Jo Thomas creates are so likeable and easy to read about, these characters included.

I read this in just two sittings and absolutely adored it. Her books seem to have a way to transport you into their lives and the towns they live in and I admit I was sad that I had read it so quickly. This was a real feel good book that was a joy to read!

Find The Girl by Helen Phifer (Morgan Brookes #5)

Synopsis: The tent door flutters in the warm breeze, opening towards the silent woods beyond. A silk eye mask lies on top of the empty sleeping bag, blood-red spots ruining the cream fabric…

When a woman disappears from Forest Pines campsite, Detective Morgan Brookes scrambles a search party. Sara Fletcher has never missed a lunch date with her best friend and when Morgan finds a large rip in Sara’s tent, she knows that something terrible must have happened. About to lose hope after hours combing through the acres of dense forest, the excited bark of a tracker dog leads Morgan to female remains, partially covered by leaves and dirt – but the bones don’t belong to Sara.

Morgan trawls through missing persons files until she finds three cold cases with chilling similarities – three other victims dating back twenty years who were taken from campsites while they slept, by a killer the police called the Travelling Man. The post-mortems indicate he kept them alive for 72 hours, meaning every second is crucial to find Sara alive.

Morgan’s team is terrified that this twisted murderer has returned. But Morgan also can’t ignore the fact that a merciless killer from her own past has recently escaped from prison… Could they be chasing the wrong man? If she’s correct, how deep will she have to dig to save Sara and other innocent women like her before time runs out for them all?

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: I am now on book 5 of the series having read them back to back and wasn’t sure which was this next book would go. This time around a woman Sara Fletcher, disappears from Forest Pines campsite. Her friend reports her missing and when Ben and Morgan show up and see the rip in Sara’s tent they fear the worst. When sniffer dogs get to work they come across female remains but they don’t belong to Sara…and so the case is off and running.

Once they start working on the current missing case, alongside the case of the remains they soon get wind of a retired detective that is convinced this is the work of a killer he named The Travelling Man. That unravels a whole new avenue for they to look into and the possibilities are endless. During the investigation a third murder of an older woman keeps them all on their toes and worrying that they wont catch the person responsible.

I have said that in previous books not EVERY storyline can involve Morgan being the link to it all. Although this isn’t necessarily the case in this book we see an element of her personal life be played into the story which totally made sense. This latest book was very fast paced and I absolutely loved it. We see the return of all my favourite people and the end of the book meant there was no time to waste and I just had to move onto book 6!

Voice of Rage by Kerry Barnes (Rage #2)

Synopsis: First there was the Voice of Reason, but now there is the Voice of Rage Harley Mason, you may love her, or hate her, but never underestimate her. As the Masons settle down to a more normal life following the death of three family members, a shocking discovery of a schoolgirl found dead in nearby woods starts the finger-pointing once again.
Lewis Sanders, the detective on the case, struggles to believe that a teenage girl is capable of such a horrific crime. Yet the discovery of a second body could put Harley Mason in the frame.
Is the evidence staring at him in the face or is there more to it?
Proving a link between the Gemini Gene and higher functioning psychopaths had been Dr Katherine Renee’s sole purpose until she had to discontinue the study. Now, she questions her own sanity.
So, desperate to convince the police that Harley is the killer, is Dr Renee harbouring a dark secret of her own?
Katherine remembered nothing of her childhood, until she was sent to the orphanage and eventually saved by a nun. But now the lost research file has been found, and the truth is out.

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: First off, for anybody that hasn’t read this author I would hugely recommend her. She is a massively under rated author who has some serious talent. It’s been a while since I last read one of Barnes books and picked up Voice of Reason, with this book as the follow on. In my opinion you need to read book one to get a full understanding of all the characters in play, although there is still introduction to those that choose to read this as a standalone.

Harley Mason is a high functioning teenager along with her twin brother Hudson. They are now living with their grandmother and trying to get on with their life as best they can. However, when a young girl is found murdered in the woods Harley seems to be the prime suspect. Featuring heavily along with Harley is the psychiatric doctor Katherine, who has worked with the twins in her study. We also get to see Agnes, Katherine’s housekeeper and long time live in and as such is treated like family by Katherine.

The way this latest story unfolds is certainly shocking in parts, very descriptive but absolutely captivating. This is definitely a departure from the usual type of stories Kerry Barnes writes but I absolutely loved it. This most definitely falls into the psychological thriller category but I would suggest starting with book 1 Voice of Reason and then go straight onto this one. A magnificent read which took me out of the norm and into the slightly disturbing world of the Mason twins.

The Magnificent Mrs Mayhew by Milly Johnson

Synopsis: Behind every successful man is a woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

Sophie Mayhew looks like she has the perfect life. Wife of rising political star John F Mayhew, a man who is one step away from the top job in the government, her glamour matches his looks, power, breeding and money. But John has made some stupid mistakes along the way, some of which are threatening to emerge. Still, all this can still be swept under the carpet as long as Sophie ‘the trophy’ plays her part in front of the cameras.

But the words that come out of Sophie’s mouth one morning on the doorstep of their country house are not the words the spin doctors put in there. Bursting out of the restrictive mould she has been in since birth, Sophie flees to a place that was special to her as a child, a small village on the coast where she intends to be alone.

But once there, she finds she becomes part of a community that warms her soul and makes her feel as if she is breathing properly for the first time. Sophie knows she won’t be left in peace for long. Now she must decide: where does her real future lie?

STAR RATING: 5/5

My Review: The last MJ book I read I think I ended up either not finishing of feeling disappointed with which is highly unusual. However, when scrolling through my endless to read list I noticed this one and decided my last attempt must have been a one off, and I am thrilled that I was right.

Sophie Mayhew is our main lady and she is married to John who is a rising political star. It’s totally clear from the first few chapters that John Mayhew and the whole family (including Sophie’s) are just vile people that only care about John’s rise to fame. Sophie on the other hand is a woman that you can just adore, and it’s very clear that she is the backbone of what John has built. When sordid secrets hit the press of course the spin doctors working for John plan what they all need to say and Sophie is due to stand alongside her husband as his pillar of support. Sadly for all of them they had just no idea of what was going to happen, and it seemed neither did Sophie.

As she stood on the steps with all the cameras facing her she did the complete opposite of what was expected of her and subsequently flees from John and the rest of the family. She ends up in a small village near the sea close to the School she once loathed as a child. This story is pure warmth from your head to the very tip of your toes. Sophie is a wonderful character, as are the people she meets when she moves away and is in hiding. This whole story was an absolute joy to read and everything about it made me want to make sure I had no other hidden gems from this author lurking in my unread pile.

Hard Power by J B Turner (Jon Reznick #12)

Synopsis: Hard Power ―the follow-up to the electric Hard Exit ―is a riveting new thriller from bestselling author J. B. Turner. When Amy Chang, partner of NSA hacker Trevelle Williams―a friend of Jon Reznick―is found dead on a Manhattan subway, everyone says it was a suicide. But Trevelle knows that someone had been watching Amy’s every move, and he isn’t about to let them slip away. Trevelle calls on Jon Reznick to help him uncover what happened to Amy and protect Amy’s brother, Kevin Chang, a Hong Kong student-activist living in New York. Before long, two government organizations are hunting them, forcing the trio to go on the run. Will Reznick be able to pull himself out of another mess, or have things finally gone too far? As his pursuers close in, Reznick reaches out to Martha Meyerstein, FBI assistant director, for help―but with so many political forces at play, people are not always who they seem to be. With friends’ lives on the line, Reznick will have to summon all his black-ops skills, tradecraft, and killer instincts to keep both Trevelle and Kevin alive…but he might have to sacrifice his own life to do it.

MY RATING: 5/5

My Review: I absolutely love this series and this latest release is no exception. Jon Reznick’s friend and hacker Trevelle is the one who calls Jon for help this time, a far cry from the norm. However, the situation Trevelle finds himself in is far from the ordinary. Trevelle’s girlfriend Amy Chang is found dead and he is convinced, along with Amy’s brother Kevin, that it was no accident. Although Jon has no jurisdiction he as per the norm sticks his nose in to try and get to the bottom of what has gone on. It becomes clear pretty quickly that the situation Jon, Trevelle and Kevin find themselves in proves the theory that all is not right!

There is plenty of action pretty much from the off with this latest book and as usual Jon is determined for the truth even if it means falling out with the FBI assistant Martha (which he does plenty of)! I was a little on the fence with how the Jon and Martha relationship has played out but a part of me also understands the need for it. That aside I loved the pacing of the story and there was plenty of corruption and action top keep you entertained. Although there is a slight swerve into the arena featuring Chinese politics, I can forgive it as it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. I just hope we don’t see the author going politics heavy in future books.

Overall this is a fast paced and action packed story with a character you can’t help but love. A great series which I am thoroughly enjoying and would happily recommend.

After That Night by Karin Slaughter (Will Trent 11)

After That NightSynopsis:

Sara doesn’t think about that night.

About the attack.

About the way it tore her world apart.

About the man who did it, now safely behind bars.

She thought that night was over. Until a new victim appears…

And now a young woman’s life depends on Sara uncovering exactly what happened after that night…

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: Will and Sara are back and unfortunately for Sara when she sees to a young rape patient named Dani Cooper she has no idea that it will unleash her own tragic past. When Dani dies from her injuries Sara is determined to get to the bottom of who was responsible having no clue that she would be directly in the firing line. She ends up testifying against Tommy McAlistair and soon realises that there are links between Dani and her own brutal rape many years before.

The end result is that Will along with his partner Faith go behind their boss Amanda’s back to try and get to the bottom of it all. This also opens old wounds for Will as he is faced with speaking to his Aunt Eliza whom he loathes but has to work with to help Sara. The story progresses with multiple moving parts and frankly I didn’t want to put this one down. This was pretty gut wrenching in parts but was very well written and I found myself just continuously turning pages and getting completely lost in the story.

Whilst the underlying theme throughout the book may not sit well with some people (sexual assault/rape) I feel like it was done well and as this is something that has formed part of Sara’s character over many years it is fitting to see her working through this element of her past. Overall another brilliant book which I thoroughly enjoyed

The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter

The Good Daughter Synopsis:

Twenty-eight years ago, Charlotte and Samantha Quinn’s childhoods were destroyed by a terrifying attack on their family home. It left their mother dead. It left their father – a notorious defence attorney – devastated. And it left the family consumed by secrets from that shocking night.

Twenty-eight years later, Charlie has followed in her father’s footsteps to become a lawyer. But when violence comes to their home town again, the case triggers memories she’s desperately tried to suppress. Because the shocking truth about the crime which destroyed her family won’t stay buried for ever…

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: This has been sitting in my to read pile for some time and I decided to finally opick it up and boy am I glad I did. The story starts by looking back in time to the loves of Samantha and Charlotte (Charlie) Quinn. Their Dad Rusty is a lawyer well known around town as he defends murders and rapists , and their mother Gamma is very unique but a doting and loving Mother. What happens to the family on night years ago leaves their Mother dead and the two girls devastated and traumatised.

Fast forward nearly 30 years later and we see Charlie still living near to her father and working as a defence lawyer. Something bad then happens to Charlie and she is literally catterpaulted into a horrendous situation which not only affects her, but the town she lives in and the people living there. I admit the first quarter of the book I was trying to get to grips with everything going on but as each element of the story unfolded I became utterly absorbed in the book and literally couldn’t stop reading. This truly does pack a punch and seems to pack suspense, drama, fear, adrenaline and sadness all into one story!

This story itself is pretty complex but is done in such a way that you are completely invested in the characters and their own battles that emerge. I can honestly say this was an exceptionally good read and one that I finished and was left wanting more. I sincerely hope we get to see these characters again as they were quite simply amazing!

Finding Family at The Cornish Cove by Kim Nash

Finding Family Cornish Cove Synopsis: Family is everything…

For years, Gemma has been running her late mother’s café with devotion, and when an opportunity comes to buy out her next-door neighbour and expand, she jumps at the chance.

She knows she will do her mother proud – keep her legacy going strong – but deep down she knows there’s still something missing.

But sometimes family are those you choose, or those who choose you! With a growing community of supporters cheering Gemma on, will she really spend the rest of her life alone? And with some new faces at her blossoming bistro, perhaps romance may also be on the cards?

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: Urghhh I wish I could just continuously read about this village and never stop it just lifts my spirits every time I read a book by Kim Nash! Her last book introduced us to Meredith who impulsively brought a lighthouse in Driftwood Bay in Cornwall. That first book not only introduced us to Meredith and Clem (the guy that renovated the lighthouse for her), but to other villagers and one of those was Gemma.

Gemma is the main focus of this book but even from the beginning I loved the fact we got updates on all the other characters living in Driftwood Bay. Gemma owns a cafe which was once owned by her Mother and she has the opportunity to expand. It’s a big leap but one she is willing to take. She didn’t quite bank on the issues she would run into when trying to get her dream to reality. There uis a newbie in town, Jude Adams and his daughter Occy ends up working for Gemma. Occy was a brilliant character and one that I warmed to instantly.

We get to learn a lot more about Gemma’s own life and her close relationship with her sister Lucy, who runs the local B&B with her husband. This book truly was an absolute gem. I read it in one day and around two sittings and rarely stopped for breath. An utterly enchanting read and I am absolutely gutted that I have to wait to read the next one. If you need a big fat hug and a feel good read this is the one for you!

Hopeful Hearts at Cornish Cove by Kim Nash

Hopeful HeartsSynopsis:

A perfect new start in Cornwall…

Meredith’s life is at a standstill. She’s stuck in a dead-end job, approaching fifty, and her dating life is a string of disasters. But one evening, while browsing the internet, she sees an ad for a lighthouse, and in a moment of impulsiveness, she makes a ridiculous bid for it.

With the help of local handyman Clem, she sets about renovating. And as they work together, a bond begins to form. But when Meredith finds out that Clem is keeping a secret from her, it changes everything. Will they find a way to build something more meaningful together?

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: I am primarly a crime and thriller reader but I adore this genre as its more escapist and light hearted and although I don’t read this genre often I certainly have my favourites and go-to authors. For more than 25 years I have relied upon authors such as Carol Matthews, Jill Mansell and more recently authors such as Paige Toon and Jo Thomas. However, Kim Nash is now pretty much the top of that list now. Her books are guaranteed feel good reads and somehow I ending up falling in love with the places she writes about and the people living there. Hopeful Hearts is absolutely no different.

Meredith is your average and ordinary woman but as she approaches fifty she makes one rather rash and impulsive decision which sort of changes everything for her. She brought a lighthouse without even seeing it and it means a move down to Cornwall. First off I really loved Meredith, I think as a fourty something woman I am sick of reading about women in their twenties! It is so refreshing to see women my own sort of age as the lead in a book. Meredith is very likeable but as soon as she moves down to Cornwall you just know she has made a mistake.

Once she arrives a whole manner of things of happen from having a disagreement with a local as soon as she gets there to realising she has to work on this lighthouse from top to bottom. The characters that make appearances throughout this book from Clem who ends up renovating the lighthouse with Meredith, to Lucy and Gemma, to Violet….all the locals make an appearance and they all form part of this amazing story set in Driftwood Bay.

I was completely engrossed with the story and characters and soon realised that I had read the book in a day and a half and felt bereft. Thankfully I had book two ready to go also set in Driftwood Bay and featuring characters we have already met (thank goodness). I really can’t explain why but these books are a sheer joy to read and just have that magic touch which enable you as the reader to completely lose yourself. I absolutely LOVED this book and would highly reccomend it to anybody.

BAD BLOOD BY ANGELA MARSONS (KIM STONE 19)

Bad BloodSynopsis: The victim is lying under the trees, arms lifted above his head, unnaturally still. His muscles are slack. His eyes are empty. There are no signs of life. But he is not quite dead…

When Detective Kim Stone races to the crime scene, there is no body waiting for her: the paramedics are desperately trying to save the victim’s life. But there is something very strange about the way the man was found, his arms raised above his head, his legs spread apart. When he dies on the way to the hospital, Kim is certain she’s on the hunt for a killer… but all evidence at the scene has been destroyed.

The dead man, Eric Gould, seems ordinary, until the team dig into his past. As a teenager, he was locked away for attacking his girlfriend, and Kim suspects he was hurting his fiancé now. Was someone trying to stop history repeating?

Then another man is found on the verge of death, his bones broken to force him into an unnatural shape. The team realise the killer is sending a message – the victims’ bodies are spelling out their sins. As boys, they were both part of a group of six who bragged about their terrible crimes. But they were children then, and when she sees the grief on the faces of their loved ones now, Kim swears to find answers.

Is someone finally getting revenge… or do they think these men are still dangerous? The killer is threatening to strike again, and the only way Kim can crack the case is by tracking down the rest of the six first.

But then a revelation about what one of her team is suffering makes Kim understand why people take the law into their own hands. Do these victims deserve what’s coming to them? Or is there even more to fear from their brutal killer?

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: I am not quite sure how Angela Marsons has managed and continues to produce such engaging stories with Kim and the team at the 19 books in stage! Many series tend to run their course and people tire of the characters or feel there is nowhere else to go. I feel like there is still plenty of life in this series and I am continuing to love every book as much as the last with this latest book being no excpetion.

This latest storyline and its crime scenes were bordering on the disturbed with vicitms being left not ‘quite’ dead. Yes you read that correctly. Although the first victim does end up dying it opens pandoras box into why a killer would leave somebody ‘not quite dead’ and in addition to this they seem to be laid out in a certain way. Kim and the team have their work cut out for them. In addition to the latest scene they are working I was keen to see how the storyline featuring Stacey panned out in this latest book.

I don’t want to say too much as I don’t want to spoil it for other people but Kim really does love her team members that is all I will say. I read this in record time and then once again berated myself for reading it too early. This now means I have a longer wait until the next one….an absolutely cracking series that shows no sign of slowing down.