Tag: RATED 5/5

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo (Kate Burkholder #1)

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My Review: 5/5

Wow, what can I say? I picked up this book after reading the jacket info and let me tell you, it gives you no clue as to how good a read this book really is. The story is set in Painters Mill, a sleepy town which is both English and Amish. Kate Burkholder was born and raised Amish and then went against the grain and ended up as acting Police Chief in the same town that she was born and raised in. One night they get a call that is par for the course in a town like Painters Mill saying there are cows running loose. When one of Kate’s colleagues arrives he doesn’t find just loose cows on the road.

When Kate arrives on the scene she is greeted with a crime scene so horrific it will have the hairs on your arms standing on end. Kate isn’t sure whether she can deal with a case like this but vows to catch the killer. John Tomasetti is a cop that has had to deal with his own demons and he is drafted in to help with the case. When he meets Kate, he realises that not only is this case a reason to drag himself out of the hole he has been in the last year or so, but a time to delve into the troubled past of Kate Burkholder.

Together they work at not only solving the case and finding the killer, but dealing with their own secrets and troubled pasts. I can honestly say that I had no expectations for this book but was thoroughly engrossed (to the point that I missed my train stop because I was too busy finishing it). I loved the writing style and because of the Amish angle, found it quite a refreshing read as I haven’t read a book quite like this one before. The characters were good but maybe it would be nice to get more insight into Kate Burkholder but this still didn’t stop my enjoyment of the book. The last few chapters made for a fantastic ending too. Wonderful book and I look forward to the next one.

BLACK WIDOW BY JESSIE KEANE (Annie Carter #2)

My Review: 5/5

 This second book in the follow up from book 1 (Dirty Game), starts out in Spain with Max and Annie living the perfectly quiet life with their daughter Layla. Annie Bailey is now Mrs Annie Carter and she loves her life as a happily married woman. Max’ brother Jonjo is also there and they are all enjoying the sun until everything goes blank for Annie. When she comes round there is no sign of Max, Jonjo is dead and her daughter missing. Armed with nothing but her determination and her passport, a phone call sends her on a plane and back to London.

She resorts to staying with her good friend Dolly who runs a brothel to try and work out the mess she is in. Staying there is a dangerous game as it is also in the middle of the Delaney’s patch. With the Delaney’s being the Carters enemy and arch rival Annie has to carve out her own niche with her husbands firm. Annie has to gain respect from all the boys on the firm to stand a chance at getting her daughter back. Will she be able to, or is it already too late?

Jessie Keane has created a book with characters that you end up loving and loathing in equal measures. I found that the book was so easy to read and follow. The plots were all linked together without being too intricate and it was a very exciting read from start to finish. The opening few chapters are explosive. We pick up from where the previous book left off and this book left me wanting to find out what happens next for Annie Carter. This was certainly left with room for more and that’s exactly what I am now waiting for. Am eagerly anticipating her third book and would highly recommend Jessie Keane. If you are a Martina Cole, Mandasue Heller or June Hampson fan this is something you will love.

Gold Diggers by Tasmina Perry

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My Rating: 5/5

My Review: I have read Tasmina Perry’s first book and before I give you the low-down I need to explain about the Genre of this book. It is a typical `Bonkbuster’ which reminds me of the type of books Jackie Collins writes. This style of book isn’t everybody’s cup of tea but for those that do like it and were mad fans of Dynasty and the like will absolutely LOVE this type of book. It has everything a good Chick Lit book should have. Lust, Greed and most importantly glamour!

Based in London we meet Adam Gold who owns the hugely successful Midas Corporation. He is the type of man every woman could only dream about. He is successful, handsome, sexy and extremely powerful. What he doesn’t realise is he is about to meet the `Gold Diggers’. The `Gold Diggers’ come in the form of Karin, Erin, Molly and Summer. Karin is a successful swimwear entrepreneur and the thought of having handsome Adam on her arm is almost too much to bear. She is a woman who is known for getting what she wants and is always the boss. Her biggest rival is Molly who was a huge star in the 80’s but her success is now fading. The only thing she is gaining as time goes on is an expensive drug habit and lifestyle that she cannot keep up with. Could Adam be the answer to her prayers? Molly’s daughter Summer has never had a great relationship with her mother, due to the fact that Molly sees her as a burden. The tables are turned in Summer’s favour when she lands a big contract that promises to make her the next `big thing’. Last but not least we meet Erin. She is the country girl who decides to move to London and ironically ends up working as a PA to the one and only Adam Gold. The story is the contest of a lifetime. Which one of the girls will finally snare the illustrious Adam Gold?

The book was an absolute corker! The writing was fantastic with the author taking up to the exotic locations of Monte Carlo, Lake Como, St Moritz and St Barts. We get to plunge head first into the world of the rich and famous. The thing I also love is that the author doesn’t skimp. Tasmina Perry books are always pretty meaty and you get a real feel for all of the characters. This book is absolutely fantastic and I have no negatives about it at all. Just remember, Gold Diggers is like Marmite. You will either love it or hate it.

Relentless by Simon Kernick

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My Rating: 5/5

My Review: Having never read Simon Kernick this book was lent to me. I have to say this story grabbed me from chapter one and didn’t let go. It normally takes a couple of chapters to really engross yourself in a book but not in this case.

Tom Merron is playing with his children in the garden when a phone call comes in that will change his life forever. All he hears is his old and close friend Jack in agony and panting down the phone. He hears jack mutter the first two lines of his address and at the same time he realises he has just heard his friends final words. He knows then that his life along with his children and wife will never be quite the same. With fear in his heart he grabs his children before dropping them with his family and racing to his wife. When he arrives at his wife Kathy’s place of work at a University he realises that something is very wrong. He isn’t alone and when faced with somebody with a knife he has no clue whether his wife is safe or if this person is out to kill him. He escapes the University but gets arrested by the police who think he is the killer. When he has finally persuaded the police to release him he begins to wonder if it was a wise move. He is worried that he and his family’s life are in serious danger but wonders how he can stop it from happening. We also meet the DI Bolt who is on the case and trying to work out what on earth is going on and who is responsible.

The book is so fast paced and thrilling that I literally couldn’t put it down. I had that feeling that I just HAD to keep reading.Fantastic book with all the right ingredients. Will definately be reading more of his stuff.

Daddy’s Girls by Tasmina Perry

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My Rating: 5/5

My Review: I decided to read this debut Novel by Tasmina Perry because the jacket description was appealing. I would describe it upon first glance as Chick Lit although later I think this theory will appear slightly incorrect.

Tasmina’s first novel features the Balcon sisters. Serena, Cate, Camilla and Venetia are used to a world where money can buy you anything but the four sisters are completely different. The four sisters all have different careers. Cate is a magazine editor, Camilla is a barrister, Venetia is a designer and Serena is the spoilt actress. The sisters all love each other despite their differences but all seem united in the one problem they all have, their father. Lord Oswald Balcon is never pleased, least of all with his daughters. When he is found dead one morning, the sisters decide to find out who is behind his murder. All four sisters have the motive, so is one of them the killer?

This book was in my opinion a great first novel. The thing is, you will either love this or hate it, and for me I definitely loved it. I am a fan of all things cheesy and this book is certainly along the Jackie Collins Genre of book. Although this is probably still considered Chick Lit I thought the storyline was well written and thorough. There are quite a few plotlines so you have to keep track of them all but for me the experience was thoroughly enjoyable. This is the sort of book that you can fully absorb yourself in. Highly recommended, especially for Jackie Collins fans. The only negative I can say is that Tasmina Perry only writes a book a year at the moment. In one respect I like the fact that she doesn’t just churn them out, but at the same token it means having to wait quite a while for a great book!

Rumour Has It by Jill Mansell

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Synopsis: When newly single Tilly Cole impulsively quits her London job for a fresh start in the small town of Roxborough she finds she’s arrived in a hotbed of gossip, intrigue and rampant rivalry for the most desirable men. Tilly has no intention of joining in – she’s just happy with her new Girl Friday job. Then she meets Jack Lucas. Jack is irresistible… and he’s got his eye on Tilly. But there are shocking rumours about his wicked reputation. Tilly doesn’t want to be just another notch on anyone’s bedpost. But is she being mature and sensible – or is she running away from the love of her life?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: The last book I read by JM was great, and I didnt think that her books could get any better. I was wrong! This story starts with Tilly walking home to find that Gavin her live in boyfriend has done a bunk. Moved out without so much as a backward glance. Although hurt (but slightly relieved) she visits her friend Erin in Roxborough to cheer herself up. Little does she know that this visit would change her life completely. She ends up applying for a “strange sounding” job advertised in the local rag and before she can blink has set up home in Roxborough and is thrown in to a whirlwind of a new life. The new life involves Max (the gay but formerly straight interior designer), his teenage daughter and Max’s best friend Jack. The story is funny and such a pleasure to read. The only thing I was dissapointed in was that I finished it too quickly. If you are a big Chick Lit fan you cannot get better than this so get yourself a copy.

Dead Simple by Peter James (Roy Grace #1)

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My Rating: 5/5

My Review – This book was passed to me by my Mum who claimed that it was “un-put-downable”. At the time I had just finished another book and decided to give it a go.

In this book, Michael Harrison is left in a life or death situation after four of his friends wind up dead after a Stag night prank gone wrong. The lead detective Roy Grace is on the case and with only three days until Michael is due to get married urgency is of the highest order. he starts with Michael’s distraught fiancee Ashley Harper. Roy Grace has his own demons as his own wife went missing a few years ago. The one person who should know Michael’s whereabouts, is the one person who seems to be avoiding the situation at all costs. Roy Grace is hot on the heels of any lead he can find and his only mission is to return Michael safe and sound in time for his wedding.

The first thing that struck me about this book was that the storyline (although maybe a little exageratted) was so unusual. It’s the first time an author has come up with something so different. Some of the scenes that are written had me holding my breath with fear, which is always a good sign for me. The book was fresh and new and the story line gripping and a complete page turner. I read the book in a matter of hours and must say it is one of the best books I have picked up in a long time. I would highly reccommend this book to anybody as I think it’s gripping. Peter James has me hook line and sinker!

Hide by Lisa Gardner (DD Warren #2)

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My Rating: 5/5

 Lisa Gardner has written many books and has quite a following for a series that features FBI Profiler Pierce Quincy. This book is part of the DD Warren series of books however.

Detective Bobby Dodge is introduced to us again in this new thriller. When the discovery of six bodies is made in an abandoned hospital, he feels the fear creeping up on him. Is this the return of his worst nightmare and is it coming back to haunt him?

Annabelle Granger has been running for years. Never knowing why but just trailing along behind her family. Always changing name and identity, and nearly 30 years later she is still doing it and can’t quite work out why. When a body is discovered with wearing Annabelle’s locket and she is named as the dead girl in the paper she decides she will no longer hide in fear, but that it’s time to confront her past. Before long she realises that this may be what her family were running from and now they are after her.

With Bobby’s discovery of the bodies he realises that he can’t face this challenge alone and asks his old time lover and partner DD Warren from Boston PD to help him. They quickly realise that this could be a copycat murder or it could be something more sinister than that. Unfortunately for Bobby, his past isn’t leaving him alone and is more tied up in this case than he could imagine.

As usual Lisa Gardner has produced a fantastic book with edgy writing and a great character. The story keeps you interested enough to keep turning the pages and before you know it your nearly finished. She is fast becoming one of my top ten authors and I would recommend her books to anybody who likes reading the thriller/crime type of book. I also think that if she carries on producing books this good, the following for the Bobby Dodge series could well be as good as the following for the Quincy series.

Gone by Lisa Gardner (FBI Profiler #5)

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My Rating: 5/5

 Lisa Gardner has written many books and her first in the Quincy series is ‘The Perfect Husband’. There are also follow on books which I will detail below.

 For this book we again meet ex-FBI profiler Pierce Quincy. His worst nightmare is quite possibly coming true. There is a car abandoned, with the engine still running and no sign of the owner. The problem is the car belongs to his estranged wife Rainie Conner who was an ex-cop. When Quincy starts to receive ransom notes he decided to call in help in the form of his daughter Kimberly who is an FBI agent and her partner Mac to help him find Rainie. Quincy is well aware that he is racing against the clock as he tries desperately to find Rainie and the person responsible. There is one man who also knows what happened that night and he has his own plans. He has already contacted the media and is intent on money and power. Can Quincy and Kimberly stop him or is it too late?

I have read and followed the Quincy series of books that Lisa Gardner has read but this book can be read on its own as the characters and past are explained in summary to you. However, Lisa Gardner’s style of writing is great and she has a real knack for drawing you in and becoming really familiar with the characters and their flaws. This is what I love about the way she writes the series. I will be honest and say that my only worry is that other authors who have tried to do follow on series have sometimes gone off the boil. Lisa Gardner certainly hasn’t followed suit and I can only hope that she continues to write her books as well as she has done up until now.

This particular book was a fantastic read and had me hooked from chapter 1 and I highly recommend not only this book but the whole Quincy/Rainie series.

An Offer You Can’t Refuse by Jill Mansell

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Synopsis: Lola has no intention of accepting when her boyfriend Dougie’s snobbish mother offers her 10,000 to break up with him. Then she discovers a secret that makes her think again. Dougie would probably have broken up with her in the long run, and this way she can help one of the people she loves most in the world.

Ten years later, though, when Lola meets Dougie again, her feelings for him are as strong as ever. But she broke Dougie’s heart and he’s about to discover that she was paid to do it. She can never tell him the truth, so can she get him back? Well, Lola’s very attractive and very persuasive. But even she’s got her work cut out this time

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I got a bit tired of Jill Mansell books for a while but when her new one came out I thought I’d give it a try and I’m glad I did. The story is about Lola, a young girl who falls in love and then moves abroad after getting herself in a situation. When she comes back her life takes an unexpected turn and her first true love is back in her life with a bang. Lola is a great character and one that any girl can compare in some ways to a close friend. This book was warm, heartfelt and funny. The perfect combination. Couldn’t put it down and thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. Yes, it’s a typical ‘Chick Lit’ book but I will definately by buying Jill Mansells new releases in the future. Any book that makes me laugh on the train on my daily and dreary commute deserves 5 stars! Highly recommended and guaranteed to cheer you up!