Friday, December 30, 2016

My Book Of The Year

To close the door on a year of reading here is my Book of the year. It wasnt an easy decision because there have been more than one outstanding books this year but my book of the year for 2016 is ........
See How They Run by Tom Bale

Kindle Edition

Cost: NetGalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Published: 06/05/16

Amazon uk link: Here

Goodreads Link: Here


Original Review Here
I first read this book 9 Months ago and I think its testament to how good the book is that even after 9 Months I can recall every detail of the book as clearly as when I read it. The story has everything a Thriller should, great action, great characters and a fast paced page turner of a plot. Its on Kindle for a ridiculously low £1.99. Buy it, you wont regret it.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Books By Numbers

I have enjoyed so many Books this year and loving spreadsheets as I do, I have kept a rather nerdy one with all the data from the books I have read and below is a sample of the results from my year of reading.

Average Pages per Book - 363

Books with Girl or Girls in Title - 6

Books beginning with The - 20

Publisher Most Read - Bookouture - 19

Publisher with most 5* - Bookouture - 11

Author most read - Angela Marsons - 4 (Which surprised me)

Male Authors read - 29
Female Authors read - 38

Male Authors 5* - 17
Female Authors 5* -15

5* reviews - 32 - 48%
4* reviews - 16 - 24%
3* reviews - 15 - 22%
2* reviews - 2 - 4%
1* reviews - 1 - 1%

Who says spreadsheets are boring!!

The Twelve Books Of Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my readers and thank you for taking the time to read my posts this year. Below are my twelve favorite books that I have had the pleasure to read this year, I had hoped to read a few more but what with real life getting in the way its not going to be possible.

January
Dead Lucky by Matt Brolly



My Review

Febuary

The Girl In The Ice by Robert Bryndza



My Review

March
See How They Run by Tom Bale



My Review

April
Song Of The Dead - Douglas Lindsay



My Review

May
Death Do Us Part - Steven Dunne



My Review

June
The Night Stalker - Robert Bryndza



My Review

July
The Stepmother - Claire Seeber



My Review

August
All Fall Down - Tom Bale



My Review

September
The Two Oclock Boy - Mark Hill



My Review

October
Ragdoll - Daniel Cole



My Review

November
Local Girl Missing - Claire Douglas



My Review

December
Losing Juliet - June Taylor



My Review

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Zero - Matt Brolly



Kindle Edition
Publisher: Little, Brown
Published: 20/04/17
Pages: 432
Amazon Uk Link: Here
GoodReads Link: Here
Given for an honest review via Netgalley

Zero - Matt Brolly

No crime will go unpunished

It is the near future. A zero tolerance policy results in the death penalty for all crimes, no matter how minor.

When a judge is kidnapped, and a ransom note demands the release of all prisoners awaiting execution,kleptomaniac Detective Inspector Kate Swanson is put on the case.

But soon her boss also disappears. Under increasing pressure from her superiors, and caught between the security services and the growing social unrest, Swanson must race to find a man whose murdered wife and daughter link the missing men.

Can she find him before it’s too late?

Set in a Zero tolerance to crime society in a Sci-fi/Dystopian world, sometime in the near future,Probally a few years after Brexit the story revolves around the kidnapping of a Judge and DI Kate Swansons attempts to find him.

I didnt enjoy the book, I felt it to lack a spark that would keep me wanting to read. It became a bit of a chore. I love Matt Brollys DCI Lambert series so I was a bit disapointed that I couldnt really get into this. I liked the concept, which is why I wanted to read it but I never got to grips with the characters at all.

It will appeal to readers who enjoyed BladeRunner and the like but it just didnt do it for me.

Zero - Matt Brolly



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Canelo

Published: 21/11/16

Pages: 290

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

No crime will go unpunished

It is the near future. A zero tolerance policy results in the death penalty for all crimes, no matter how minor.

When a judge is kidnapped, and a ransom note demands the release of all prisoners awaiting execution, kleptomaniac Detective Inspector Kate Swanson is put on the case.

But soon her boss also disappears. Under increasing pressure from her superiors, and caught between the security services and the growing social unrest, Swanson must race to find a man whose murdered wife and daughter link the missing men.

Can she find him before it’s too late?

My Thoughts


Set in a Zero tolerance to crime society in a Sci-fi/Dystopian world, sometime in the near future, Probally a few years after Brexit the story revolves around the kidnapping of a Judge and DI Kate Swansons attempts to find him.

I didnt enjoy the book, I felt it to lack a spark that would keep me wanting to read. It became a bit of a chore. I love Matt Brollys DCI Lambert series so I was a bit disapointed that I couldnt really get into this. I liked the concept, which is why I wanted to read it but I never got to grips with the characters at all.

It will appeal to readers who enjoyed BladeRunner and the like but it just didnt do it for me.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Losing Juliet - June Taylor



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Killer Reads

Published: 25/11/16

Pages: 343

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

You can’t escape the past…

Juliet and Chrissy were best friends until one fateful summer forced them apart. Now, nearly twenty years later, Juliet wants to be back in Chrissy’s life.

But Chrissy doesn’t want Juliet anywhere near her, or her teenage daughter Eloise. After all, Juliet is the only person who knows what happened that night – and her return threatens to destroy the life that Chrissy has so carefully built.

Because when the past is reawakened, it can prove difficult to bury. And soon all three of them will realize how dangerous it can get once the truth is out there…

My Thoughts


I found losing Juliet quite by accident. Whilst browsing twitter I happened upon a tweet from whom I dont remember. The tweet told me to forget my TBR pile and put Losinh Juliwet to the top. As I believe everything I read on twitter I had no choice. I had to do as I was being told by a faceless 140 character paragraph on the internet.

The book is told in alternating chapters through the eyes of Chrissy, who is reluctantly explaining to her daughter Eloise why she no longer speaks to her one time best friend Juliet. This comes about after Juliet, who is now a worldwide fashion designer, finds Chrissy and wants to rekindle their friendship. So we are taken back to France 1989 with the two of them working their way their summer break.

The second part of the book takes part in Italy where Chrissy, Juliet and Eloise are staying at a luxury getaway. This is where plans come to a head. Truth and lies are exposed until a quite fantastic last 20%, which left me on a few occasions breathless, quite literally.I hold my breath when im reading tense parts of a story. There are a few twists and I just didn't see the first one. It was marvelous. The kind that made me turn off my kindle to take it all in. My only tiny criticism of the book is the start of the second part felt like a tourist guide to Italy but that's me being extra picky. I loved this book and felt so so sorry for Chrissy. I have read some fantastic books this year and without doubt losing Juliet is in my top 10. Loved it.

Losing Juliet - June Taylor



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Killer Reads

Published: 25/11/16

Pages: 343

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

You can’t escape the past…

Juliet and Chrissy were best friends until one fateful summer forced them apart. Now, nearly twenty years later, Juliet wants to be back in Chrissy’s life.

But Chrissy doesn’t want Juliet anywhere near her, or her teenage daughter Eloise. After all, Juliet is the only person who knows what happened that night – and her return threatens to destroy the life that Chrissy has so carefully built.

Because when the past is reawakened, it can prove difficult to bury. And soon all three of them will realize how dangerous it can get once the truth is out there…

My Thoughts


I found losing Juliet quite by accident. Whilst browsing twitter I happened upon a tweet from whom I dont remember. The tweet told me to forget my TBR pile and put Losing Juliet to the top. As I believe everything I read on twitter I had no choice. I had to do as I was being told by a faceless 140 character paragraph on the internet.

The book is told in alternating chapters through the eyes of Chrissy, who is reluctantly explaining to her daughter Eloise why she no longer speaks to her one time best friend Juliet. This comes about after Juliet, who is now a worldwide fashion designer, finds Chrissy and wants to rekindle their friendship. So we are taken back to France 1989 with the two of them working their way their summer break.

The second part of the book takes part in Italy where Chrissy, Juliet and Eloise are staying at a luxury getaway. This is where plans come to a head. Truth and lies are exposed until a quite fantastic last 20%, which left me on a few occasions breathless, quite literally.I hold my breath when im reading tense parts of a story. There are a few twists and I just didn't see the first one. It was marvelous. The kind that made me turn off my kindle to take it all in. My only tiny criticism of the book is the start of the second part felt like a tourist guide to Italy but that's me being extra picky. I loved this book and felt so so sorry for Chrissy. I have read some fantastic books this year and without doubt losing Juliet is in my top 10. Loved it.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Dark Water - Robert Bryndza



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Bookouture

Published: 20/10/16

Pages: 368

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

Beneath the water the body sank rapidly. Above her on dry land, the nightmare was just beginning.

When Detective Erika Foster receives a tip-off that key evidence for a major narcotics case was stashed in a disused quarry on the outskirts of London, she orders for it to be searched. From the thick sludge the drugs are recovered, but so is the skeleton of a young child.

The remains are quickly identified as seven-year-old Jessica Collins. The missing girl who made headline news twenty-six years ago.

As Erika tries to piece together new evidence with the old, she must dig deeper and find out more about the fractured Collins family and the original detective, Amanda Baker. A woman plagued by her failure to find Jessica. Erika soon realises this is going to be one of the most complex and demanding cases she has ever taken on.

Is the suspect someone close to home? Someone is keeping secrets. Someone who doesn’t want this case solved. And they’ll do anything to stop Erika from finding the truth.

My Thoughts


Without sounding like a gushing fanboy I believe that Robet Bryndza will become one of the big "names" in the Crime / Thriller genre. The writing in the previous 2 Erika books has been fast paced with fluid story lines that are easy to follow, unpretentious and realistic, and with each book it gets better and better. This book is no exception.

I was afraid that like some of his peers who have found a formula that works, he would fall into the same trap of rehashing and repeating story lines from past books to cover for poor story lines. Needn't have worried because with this story we see a different side to Erika. A softer more human side to her. Personally I would have left the sex out of the book, didnt think the story needed it, but that is just a personal thing.

The case is different as well. This time it is a 25yr old cold case that Erika stumbles upon after searching a quarry for drugs in a case she was working on. There are new characters and a few old ones from the previous books. The ending is a good one and left me slightly upset for the perpetrators.

In the future I would love to see a longer, grittier story with Erika.

A great read which I highly recommend.

Dark Water - Robert Bryndza



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Bookouture

Published: 20/10/16

Pages: 368

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

Beneath the water the body sank rapidly. Above her on dry land, the nightmare was just beginning.

When Detective Erika Foster receives a tip-off that key evidence for a major narcotics case was stashed in a disused quarry on the outskirts of London, she orders for it to be searched. From the thick sludge the drugs are recovered, but so is the skeleton of a young child.

The remains are quickly identified as seven-year-old Jessica Collins. The missing girl who made headline news twenty-six years ago.

As Erika tries to piece together new evidence with the old, she must dig deeper and find out more about the fractured Collins family and the original detective, Amanda Baker. A woman plagued by her failure to find Jessica. Erika soon realises this is going to be one of the most complex and demanding cases she has ever taken on.

Is the suspect someone close to home? Someone is keeping secrets. Someone who doesn’t want this case solved. And they’ll do anything to stop Erika from finding the truth.

My Thoughts


Without sounding like a gushing fanboy I believe that Robet Bryndza will become one of the big "names" in the Crime / Thriller genre. The writing in the previous 2 Erika books has been fast paced with fluid story lines that are easy to follow, unpretentious and realistic, and with each book it gets better and better. This book is no exception.

I was afraid that like some of his peers who have found a formula that works, he would fall into the same trap of rehashing and repeating story lines from past books to cover for poor story lines. Needn't have worried because with this story we see a different side to Erika. A softer more human side to her. Personally I would have left the sex out of the book, didnt think the story needed it, but that is just a personal thing.

The case is different as well. This time it is a 25yr old cold case that Erika stumbles upon after searching a quarry for drugs in a case she was working on. There are new characters and a few old ones from the previous books. The ending is a good one and left me slightly upset for the perpetrators.

In the future I would love to see a longer, grittier story with Erika.

A great read which I highly recommend.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Book Of The Month - November

My book of the month for November is the fantastic Local Girl Missing by Claire Douglas

I have no doubt this award is the highlight of Mrs Douglas writing career and why wouldn't it be?



My original review is here.

Book Of The Month - November

My book of the month for November is the fantastic Local Girl Missing by Claire Douglas

I have no doubt this award is the highlight of Mrs Douglas writing career and why wouldn't it be?



My original review is here.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Hide and Seek - M.J Arlidge



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 08/09/16

Pages: 373

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

Detective Inspector Helen Grace has spent her whole life running.

From the past. From herself. From everyone who's ever tried to get close to her.

She's spent her whole life hiding.

Behind the badge. Behind her reputation as one of the country's best detectives. Until - framed for murder - she became one of its most high-profile prisoners. Now there is nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.

Because HMP Holloway is a place of dark days and long nights with dangers at every turn. Despised by the inmates and reviled by the guards, Helen must face her nightmare alone.

And then a carefully mutilated body is found in a locked cell.

Now Helen must find a ruthless serial killer. Before the killer finds her.

My Thoughts


A welcome return for DI Helen Grace and like The A Team she has been sent to Prison for a crime she didnt commmit; but unlike The A Team she cant turn an old Ford Fiesta and a few drain pipes into a make shift Cabbage shooting Tank to make her escape.

This book has a different feel to the rest of the series and unlike some series that stay within the same safe narrative we see Helen Grace in a tension filled, constrained, dangerous and alien surroundings. She no longer has the backing and safety net of her team and still she finds herself having to, unofficially, investigate the odd murder or two.

As with the rest of the series it is fast paced, easy to read and will keep you guessing right until the end.

Certainly a different Helen Grace Novel but still a sure fire winner that will keep old and new fans happy. Highly recommended.

Hide and Seek - M.J Arlidge



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 08/09/16

Pages: 373

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

Detective Inspector Helen Grace has spent her whole life running.

From the past. From herself. From everyone who's ever tried to get close to her.

She's spent her whole life hiding.

Behind the badge. Behind her reputation as one of the country's best detectives. Until - framed for murder - she became one of its most high-profile prisoners. Now there is nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.

Because HMP Holloway is a place of dark days and long nights with dangers at every turn. Despised by the inmates and reviled by the guards, Helen must face her nightmare alone.

And then a carefully mutilated body is found in a locked cell.

Now Helen must find a ruthless serial killer. Before the killer finds her.

My Thoughts


A welcome return for DI Helen Grace and like The A Team she has been sent to Prison for a crime she didnt commmit; but unlike The A Team she cant turn an old Ford Fiesta and a few drain pipes into a make shift Cabbage shooting Tank to make her escape.

This book has a different feel to the rest of the series and unlike some series that stay within the same safe narrative we see Helen Grace in a tension filled, constrained, dangerous and alien surroundings. She no longer has the backing and safety net of her team and still she finds herself having to, unofficially, investigate the odd murder or two.

As with the rest of the series it is fast paced, easy to read and will keep you guessing right until the end.

Certainly a different Helen Grace Novel but still a sure fire winner that will keep old and new fans happy. Highly recommended.

The Girls Next Door - Mel Sherratt



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Bookouture

Published: 27/10/16

Pages: 318

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

One warm spring evening, five teenagers meet in a local park. Only four will come out alive.

Six months after the stabbing of fifteen-year-old Deanna Barker, someone is coming after the teenagers of Stockleigh, as a spate of vicious assaults rocks this small community. Revenge for Deanna? Or something more?

Detective Eden Berrisford is locked into a race against time to catch the twisted individual behind the attacks – but when her own niece, Jess Mountford, goes missing, the case gets personal.

With the kidnapper threatening Jess’ life, can Eden bring back her niece to safety? Or will the people of Stockleigh be forced to mourn another daughter…?

My Thoughts


At last a Detective who is in a happy relationship, doesn't have a habit, gets on with people and doesn't have a passion for rare cars or motorbikes. It was nice to see a detective with less personal baggage than an easyjet cabin allowance.

Unfortunately that was the only positive I took from the book. Thats not 100% true, the prologue was a good read. I just wish the rest of the book had lived up to it. From the first chapter there was name after name thrown at me and I couldn't keep up with who was who and what they meant to each other. I started to take notes so I could reference who was who but this didn't make for an enjoyable reading experience. Judging from the 5 star reviews I have read I appear to be in the minority. I found no mystery or suspense and I was certainly nowhere near the edge of my seat.

I did finish the book but didn't enjoy it. I cant imagine myself reading anymore in the series. I really dont like writing reviews like this and If I had bought the book I wouldn't have written anything, just put it down to a bad choice. I could have given a gushing 5 star review but I promised to give an honest review in return for a chance to read it, so I have to be honest.

The Girls Next Door - Mel Sherratt



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Bookouture

Published: 27/10/16

Pages: 318

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

One warm spring evening, five teenagers meet in a local park. Only four will come out alive.

Six months after the stabbing of fifteen-year-old Deanna Barker, someone is coming after the teenagers of Stockleigh, as a spate of vicious assaults rocks this small community. Revenge for Deanna? Or something more?

Detective Eden Berrisford is locked into a race against time to catch the twisted individual behind the attacks – but when her own niece, Jess Mountford, goes missing, the case gets personal.

With the kidnapper threatening Jess’ life, can Eden bring back her niece to safety? Or will the people of Stockleigh be forced to mourn another daughter…?

My Thoughts


At last a Detective who is in a happy relationship, doesn't have a habit, gets on with people and doesn't have a passion for rare cars or motorbikes. It was nice to see a detective with less personal baggage than an easyjet cabin allowance.

Unfortunately that was the only positive I took from the book. Thats not 100% true, the prologue was a good read. I just wish the rest of the book had lived up to it. From the first chapter there was name after name thrown at me and I couldn't keep up with who was who and what they meant to each other. I started to take notes so I could reference who was who but this didn't make for an enjoyable reading experience. Judging from the 5 star reviews I have read I appear to be in the minority. I found no mystery or suspense and I was certainly nowhere near the edge of my seat.

I did finish the book but didn't enjoy it. I cant imagine myself reading anymore in the series. I really dont like writing reviews like this and If I had bought the book I wouldn't have written anything, just put it down to a bad choice. I could have given a gushing 5 star review but I promised to give an honest review in return for a chance to read it, so I have to be honest.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Blood Lines - Angela Marsons



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Bookouture

Published: 04/11/16

Pages: 388

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring, upstanding social worker lost to a senseless act of violence. But for Detective Kim Stone, something doesn’t add up.

When a local drug addict is found murdered with an identical wound, Kim knows instinctively that she is dealing with the same killer. But with nothing to link the two victims except the cold, calculated nature of their death, this could be her most difficult case yet.

Desperate to catch the twisted individual, Kim’s focus on the case is threatened when she receives a chilling letter from Dr Alex Thorne, the sociopath who Kim put behind bars. And this time, Alex is determined to hit where it hurts most, bringing Kim face-to-face with the woman responsible for the death of Kim’s little brother – her own mother.

As the body count increases, Kim and her team unravel a web of dark secrets, bringing them closer to the killer. But one of their own could be in mortal danger. Only this time, Kim might not be strong enough to save them…

My Thoughts


I love the Kim Stone series and believe that in a few years Angela Marsons can be a big name in the crime genre. As much as I was looking forward to the 5th installment of Kim Stones story, unfortunately, I didn't think it lived up to the previous 4.

The main story suffered form a lack of depth which culminated in a rushed ending with Google doing the work for Kim to piece the puzzle together. I was utterly frustrated reading this book and skip read big chunks of it because of its repetitive nature. If you have read Evil Games then you would be familiar with the returning Dr Alex Thorne. Her thread in this book, apart from being way beyond my ability to suspend belief, had nearly a whole chapter devoted to her back story from Evil Games this along with Kims back story being picked apart and retold made for a repetitive read and one that didn't hold my attention as I felt I had read it many times before.

Blood Lines - Angela Marsons



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Bookouture

Published: 04/11/16

Pages: 388

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring, upstanding social worker lost to a senseless act of violence. But for Detective Kim Stone, something doesn’t add up.

When a local drug addict is found murdered with an identical wound, Kim knows instinctively that she is dealing with the same killer. But with nothing to link the two victims except the cold, calculated nature of their death, this could be her most difficult case yet.

Desperate to catch the twisted individual, Kim’s focus on the case is threatened when she receives a chilling letter from Dr Alex Thorne, the sociopath who Kim put behind bars. And this time, Alex is determined to hit where it hurts most, bringing Kim face-to-face with the woman responsible for the death of Kim’s little brother – her own mother.

As the body count increases, Kim and her team unravel a web of dark secrets, bringing them closer to the killer. But one of their own could be in mortal danger. Only this time, Kim might not be strong enough to save them…

My Thoughts


I love the Kim Stone series and believe that in a few years Angela Marsons can be a big name in the crime genre. As much as I was looking forward to the 5th installment of Kim Stones story, unfortunately, I didn't think it lived up to the previous 4.

The main story suffered form a lack of depth which culminated in a rushed ending with Google doing the work for Kim to piece the puzzle together. I was utterly frustrated reading this book and skip read big chunks of it because of its repetitive nature. If you have read Evil Games then you would be familiar with the returning Dr Alex Thorne. Her thread in this book, apart from being way beyond my ability to suspend belief, had nearly a whole chapter devoted to her back story from Evil Games this along with Kims back story being picked apart and retold made for a repetitive read and one that didn't hold my attention as I felt I had read it many times before.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

The Keeper - Alastair Gunn



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 06/10/16

Pages: 432

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

Let the games begin.

A man is found buried in a secluded wood on the outskirts of London. Naked, beaten and bruised; forensics also show that he hasn't eaten in the 24 hours before his murder. To DCI Antonia Hawkins it looks like a vicious, targeted attack.

The hunt is on.

But as more bodies are unearthed in the same state, Hawkins struggles to find a pattern in the seemingly random killings as the body count continues to climb.

But who is the hunter?

unique kind of serial killer. One that is playing a twisted game. And so far the killer is one winning . . .

My Thoughts


Oh Look its another brilliant messed up Detective with a love of cars at loggerheads with their superiors about something that happened in their past, trying to hunt a serial killer whilst balancing their work, family, love life and past problems.

I adore reading Crime/Thriller novels. I have read hundreds of them and unfortunately this is one that I have read many times before. Its not a bad book by a long shot and I can imagine loads of people will adore it, just not me.

If you read a lot of this genre then the plot is quickly worked out and becomes a drawn out wait to confirm your theory was right. The twists were sign posted and totally expected for me and lets be honest, there wasn't much detecting to catch the Killer. It was given to them on a plate really.

I would much rather have read about the relationship between Rupert and Ash than Antonias sisters failing marriage. It lent nothing to the plot.

Not my cup of tea at all.

The Keeper - Alastair Gunn



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 06/10/16

Pages: 432

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

Let the games begin.

A man is found buried in a secluded wood on the outskirts of London. Naked, beaten and bruised; forensics also show that he hasn't eaten in the 24 hours before his murder. To DCI Antonia Hawkins it looks like a vicious, targeted attack.

The hunt is on.

But as more bodies are unearthed in the same state, Hawkins struggles to find a pattern in the seemingly random killings as the body count continues to climb.

But who is the hunter?

unique kind of serial killer. One that is playing a twisted game. And so far the killer is one winning . . .

My Thoughts


Oh Look its another brilliant messed up Detective with a love of cars at loggerheads with their superiors about something that happened in their past, trying to hunt a serial killer whilst balancing their work, family, love life and past problems.

I adore reading Crime/Thriller novels. I have read hundreds of them and unfortunately this is one that I have read many times before. Its not a bad book by a long shot and I can imagine loads of people will adore it, just not me.

If you read a lot of this genre then the plot is quickly worked out and becomes a drawn out wait to confirm your theory was right. The twists were sign posted and totally expected for me and lets be honest, there wasn't much detecting to catch the Killer. It was given to them on a plate really.

I would much rather have read about the relationship between Rupert and Ash than Antonias sisters failing marriage. It lent nothing to the plot.

Not my cup of tea at all.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

While You Were Sleeping - Kathryn Croft



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Bookouture

Published: 16/10/16

Pages: 286

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

Tara Logan adores her perfect little family: husband, Noah, and two children, teenager Rosie and eleven-year-old Spencer.

But her happiness is shattered when she wakes in her neighbour, Lee Jacobs’ bed, with no memory of how she got there or what happened between them. And worse – he has been stabbed to death.

Convinced she didn’t kill Lee, Tara flees home and stays silent, holding her breath as the investigation grips the neighbourhood. But as her daughter spirals out of control, and her husband becomes increasingly distant, Tara starts to wonder if someone in her own life knows what really happened that night. And when the police turn their questions towards her, Tara realises she has to find out.

But what will it take to uncover the real story, and can she survive the truth?

My Thoughts


So you wake up in your neighbours bed with no memory of how you got there and he cant tell you as he is stone cold dead after being stabbed in the bed. What would you do? Well, if you are Tara Logan, you get dressed sneek back home and hope for the best. That is until her daughter is made a suspect.

From here the story takes us on a thrilling page turning, head mashing journey until the quite fantastic ending. I changed my mind time and time again as to who the guilty party was and you wont be let down when you discover the Killer.It builds tension perfectly and you never know who to trust. Rosie was a great character, one who you could never trust whatever came out of her mouth.

My only negative point was the relationship between Tara and Holden. I didnt feel it had a place in the book and was a bit distracting. But then I suppose thats the point.

While You Were Sleeping - Kathryn Croft



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Bookouture

Published: 16/10/16

Pages: 286

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

Tara Logan adores her perfect little family: husband, Noah, and two children, teenager Rosie and eleven-year-old Spencer.

But her happiness is shattered when she wakes in her neighbour, Lee Jacobs’ bed, with no memory of how she got there or what happened between them. And worse – he has been stabbed to death.

Convinced she didn’t kill Lee, Tara flees home and stays silent, holding her breath as the investigation grips the neighbourhood. But as her daughter spirals out of control, and her husband becomes increasingly distant, Tara starts to wonder if someone in her own life knows what really happened that night. And when the police turn their questions towards her, Tara realises she has to find out.

But what will it take to uncover the real story, and can she survive the truth?

My Thoughts


So you wake up in your neighbours bed with no memory of how you got there and he cant tell you as he is stone cold dead after being stabbed in the bed. What would you do? Well, if you are Tara Logan, you get dressed sneek back home and hope for the best. That is until her daughter is made a suspect.

From here the story takes us on a thrilling page turning, head mashing journey until the quite fantastic ending. I changed my mind time and time again as to who the guilty party was and you wont be let down when you discover the Killer.It builds tension perfectly and you never know who to trust. Rosie was a great character, one who you could never trust whatever came out of her mouth.

My only negative point was the relationship between Tara and Holden. I didnt feel it had a place in the book and was a bit distracting. But then I suppose thats the point.

Local Girl Missing - Claire Douglas



Kindle Edition

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 18 July 2016

Pages: 368

Amazon Uk Link: Here

GoodReads Link: Here

Book given in exchange for an
honest review via Netgalley.



The Blurb

Twenty years ago 21-year-old Sophie Collier vanishes one night. She leaves nothing behind but a trainer on the old pier - and a hole in the heart of her best friend Francesca.

Now A body's been found. And Francesca's drawn back to the seaside town she's tried to forget. Perhaps the truth of what happened to Sophie will finally come out. Yet Francesca is beginning to wish she hadn't returned.

Everywhere she turns are ghosts from her past. The same old faces and familiar haunts of her youth. But if someone knows what really happened to Sophie that night then now's the time to find out - isn't it?

Except sometimes discovering the truth can cost you everything you hold dear - your family, your sanity and even your life . . .

My Thoughts


It may be because this Book reminded me of my youth, without the killing and weird stuff, but I really enjoyed reading this. I couldnt help but substitute the word Weston Super Mare for Oddcliffe everytime I read it and the characters I pictured in my head were all old friends. Not sure if thats weird or not, but I enjoyed it.

The story kept my interest all the way thorough and the secrets and twists were great. Not really sure how I felt about many of the characters really. I didn't take to them but it didn't really make that much of a difference to reading it as the story was strong enough. Could of done with out the romance between Daniel and Francesca though it felt a bit like reading a letter from Jackie of Just 17.

The ending was either a work of genius or a work of a A level English Student. Im leaning towards genius. Totally unexpected and it will hit you like a fly hits a windscreen on the M5.

A great and highly recommended read.