Book 5 - Someone Else's Skin - Sarah Hilary

> Kindle Edition Cost: 1.99 Publisher: Headline Published: 27/02/14 Amazon uk link: Here Goodreads Link: Here

The Blurb

Introducing D.I. Marnie Rome, this powerful novel that will enthral fans of Val McDermid and Mo Hayder.

Called to a women's refuge to take a routine witness statement, D.I. Marnie Rome instead walks in on an attempted murder.

Trying to uncover the truth from layers of secrets, Marnie finds herself confronting her own demons.
Because she, of all people, knows that it can be those closest to us we should fear the most . . .

My Thoughts

I promised myself that if I was going to write a Blog I would be honest but try to be constructive, But then who the hell am I to give a writer constructive criticism? I struggle to write a review.
I need to be honest or whats the point?
I struggled with this book. It took me several attempts to start it, I just couldnt garner the interest to carry on. The subject matter held no interest for me I started to skip lines, then paragraphs and then pages to finish the book.

It's not that the book is bad or badly written, I just found it a boring topic, maybe the book wasn't aimed at my demographic. The plot was a bit colour by numbers and as a reader I was always ahead of the plot.

Book 5 - Someone Else's Skin - Sarah Hilary

> Kindle Edition Cost: 1.99 Publisher: Headline Published: 27/02/14 Amazon uk link: Here Goodreads Link: Here

The Blurb

Introducing D.I. Marnie Rome, this powerful novel that will enthral fans of Val McDermid and Mo Hayder.

Called to a women's refuge to take a routine witness statement, D.I. Marnie Rome instead walks in on an attempted murder.

Trying to uncover the truth from layers of secrets, Marnie finds herself confronting her own demons.
Because she, of all people, knows that it can be those closest to us we should fear the most . . .

My Thoughts

I promised myself that if I was going to write a Blog I would be honest but try to be constructive, But then who the hell am I to give a writer constructive criticism? I struggle to write a review.
I need to be honest or whats the point?
I struggled with this book. It took me several attempts to start it, I just couldnt garner the interest to carry on. The subject matter held no interest for me I started to skip lines, then paragraphs and then pages to finish the book.

It's not that the book is bad or badly written, I just found it a boring topic, maybe the book wasn't aimed at my demographic. The plot was a bit colour by numbers and as a reader I was always ahead of the plot.

Book 4 - Dead Lucky - Matt Brolly

Kindle Edition Cost: 2.99 Publisher: Carina Published: 11/01/16 Amazon uk link: Here Goodreads Link: Here

The Blurb

"A fast-paced crime-thriller, full of chilling twists, turns and grisly surprises, Matt Brolly’s Dead Lucky will have you gripped from beginning to end!
DCI Michael Lambert is back…

When a woman is murdered, the twisted killer forcing her husband to watch her slow and painful death, DCI Michael Lambert knows that his next case might be his toughest yet.

And when a second set of killings are discovered, with exactly the same MO, the race is on the find the lethal sociopath before he strikes again.

But Lambert never expected to receive an anonymous call from the killer. This time, it’s personal: if Lambert doesn’t find the murderer soon, his own loved ones will be next…"

My Thoughts

This is the second book in the DCI Michael Lambert series and the first that I have read. You dont need to have read the first one to enjoy this, and enjoy it I did. I will definatly be buying the first book and anymore that Matt Brolly writes. The plot was well thoughtout and well written, it kept me guessing and most of all kept me interested. I loved the character of Michael Lambert and all the supporting characters were well written and belivable.

Loved it.

Book 4 - Dead Lucky - Matt Brolly

Kindle Edition Cost: 2.99 Publisher: Carina Published: 11/01/16 Amazon uk link: Here Goodreads Link: Here

The Blurb

"A fast-paced crime-thriller, full of chilling twists, turns and grisly surprises, Matt Brolly’s Dead Lucky will have you gripped from beginning to end!
DCI Michael Lambert is back…

When a woman is murdered, the twisted killer forcing her husband to watch her slow and painful death, DCI Michael Lambert knows that his next case might be his toughest yet.

And when a second set of killings are discovered, with exactly the same MO, the race is on the find the lethal sociopath before he strikes again.

But Lambert never expected to receive an anonymous call from the killer. This time, it’s personal: if Lambert doesn’t find the murderer soon, his own loved ones will be next…"

My Thoughts

This is the second book in the DCI Michael Lambert series and the first that I have read. You dont need to have read the first one to enjoy this, and enjoy it I did. I will definatly be buying the first book and anymore that Matt Brolly writes. The plot was well thoughtout and well written, it kept me guessing and most of all kept me interested. I loved the character of Michael Lambert and all the supporting characters were well written and belivable.

Loved it.

Book 3 - Follow Me - Angela Clarke

Kindle Edition Cost: 0.99 Publisher: Avon Published: 03/12/15 Amazon uk link: Here Goodreads Link: Here

The Blurb

The ‘Hashtag Murderer’ posts chilling cryptic clues online, pointing to their next target. Taunting the police. Enthralling the press. Capturing the public’s imagination.

But this is no virtual threat.

As the number of his followers rises, so does the body count.

Eight years ago two young girls did something unforgivable. Now ambitious police officer Nasreen and investigative journalist Freddie are thrown together again in a desperate struggle to catch this cunning, fame-crazed killer. But can they stay one step ahead of him? And can they escape their own past?

Time's running out. Everyone is following the #Murderer. But what if he is following you? ONLINE, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM …

My Thoughts

Freddie Venton is a London based aspiring journalist who is struggling to get her foot in the door of her chosen career. She lives on a sofa with 2 flatmates and works in the Espress-ohs Coffee shop. A chance meeting with her school time best friend Nas leads to a chase to find a serial killer.

For me there were a few things that I had to really suspend reality in able for me to enjoy it. The Police reminded me of the characters in the Simon Pegg film Hot Fuzz. Superintendent Gray belonged in the 1940s, and the secret between Freddie and Nas was a bit wishy washy.

However putting all this aside, the characters are enjoyable, the story is an original one that flows with a good ending. I really did enjoy it and would recommend it.

Book 3 - Follow Me - Angela Clarke

Kindle Edition Cost: 0.99 Publisher: Avon Published: 03/12/15 Amazon uk link: Here Goodreads Link: Here

The Blurb

The ‘Hashtag Murderer’ posts chilling cryptic clues online, pointing to their next target. Taunting the police. Enthralling the press. Capturing the public’s imagination.

But this is no virtual threat.

As the number of his followers rises, so does the body count.

Eight years ago two young girls did something unforgivable. Now ambitious police officer Nasreen and investigative journalist Freddie are thrown together again in a desperate struggle to catch this cunning, fame-crazed killer. But can they stay one step ahead of him? And can they escape their own past?

Time's running out. Everyone is following the #Murderer. But what if he is following you? ONLINE, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM …

My Thoughts

Freddie Venton is a London based aspiring journalist who is struggling to get her foot in the door of her chosen career. She lives on a sofa with 2 flatmates and works in the Espress-ohs Coffee shop. A chance meeting with her school time best friend Nas leads to a chase to find a serial killer.

For me there were a few things that I had to really suspend reality in able for me to enjoy it. The Police reminded me of the characters in the Simon Pegg film Hot Fuzz. Superintendent Gray belonged in the 1940s, and the secret between Freddie and Nas was a bit wishy washy.

However putting all this aside, the characters are enjoyable, the story is an original one that flows with a good ending. I really did enjoy it and would recommend it.

Book 2 - Follow You Home - Mark Edwards

Kindle Edition Cost: 1.49 Publisher: Thomas & Mercer Published: 30/06/15 Amazon uk link: Here Goodreads Link: Here

The Blurb

It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, a final adventure before settling down. But after a perfect start, an encounter with a young couple on a night train forces Daniel and Laura to cut their dream trip short and flee home. Back in London, Daniel and Laura vow never to talk about what happened that night. But as they try to fit into their old lives again, they realise they are in terrible danger—and that their nightmare is just beginning…

My Thoughts

Daniel and Laura are on a dream European tour before settling down and having kids. Laura wanted to spend a little bit more for a sleeper cabin on the train, Daniel didn't. Somewhere in the backwaters of Romania this decision bites them on the backside. On a near empty train they meet Ion and Alina an there lives are changed forever when they along with Alina are thrown off the train by the Police.

The story alternates between present day London and the events after they are thrown from the train. Daniel and Laura fail to cope with the goings on and spiral into a dark place with consequences for everyone, Friends included.

I enjoyed the first half of the book, it was dark and left me wanting to find out what had happened, But then it all went a bit wrong. Daniel went from a drunk depressed mess to Sherlock Holmes in a matter of pages. He worked it all out by drawing a venn diagram. I loved the Alina character and thought her story would have made a good book on its own.

Although the middle of the book left me a bit cold and you really have to suspend belief because it does get a bit silly and too unrealistic the ending was good and unexpected. Its a well plotted book and easy to read. It was worth the £1.49 for the Kindle version and I would recommend it.

Book 2 - Follow You Home - Mark Edwards

Kindle Edition Cost: 1.49 Publisher: Thomas & Mercer Published: 30/06/15 Amazon uk link: Here Goodreads Link: Here

The Blurb

It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, a final adventure before settling down. But after a perfect start, an encounter with a young couple on a night train forces Daniel and Laura to cut their dream trip short and flee home. Back in London, Daniel and Laura vow never to talk about what happened that night. But as they try to fit into their old lives again, they realise they are in terrible danger—and that their nightmare is just beginning…

My Thoughts

Daniel and Laura are on a dream European tour before settling down and having kids. Laura wanted to spend a little bit more for a sleeper cabin on the train, Daniel didn't. Somewhere in the backwaters of Romania this decision bites them on the backside. On a near empty train they meet Ion and Alina an there lives are changed forever when they along with Alina are thrown off the train by the Police.

The story alternates between present day London and the events after they are thrown from the train. Daniel and Laura fail to cope with the goings on and spiral into a dark place with consequences for everyone, Friends included.

I enjoyed the first half of the book, it was dark and left me wanting to find out what had happened, But then it all went a bit wrong. Daniel went from a drunk depressed mess to Sherlock Holmes in a matter of pages. He worked it all out by drawing a venn diagram. I loved the Alina character and thought her story would have made a good book on its own.

Although the middle of the book left me a bit cold and you really have to suspend belief because it does get a bit silly and too unrealistic the ending was good and unexpected. Its a well plotted book and easy to read. It was worth the £1.49 for the Kindle version and I would recommend it.

Book 1 - In a Dark, Dark Wood - Ruth Ware

Kindle Edition Cost: 4.99 Publisher: Vintage Digital Published: 30/06/15 Amazon uk link: Here Goodreads Link: Here

The Blurb

Nora hasn't seen Clare for ten years. Not since the day Nora walked out of her old life and never looked back.

Until, out of the blue, an invitation to Clare’s hen party arrives. A weekend in a remote cottage - the perfect opportunity for Nora to reconnect with her best friend, to put the past behind her.

But something goes wrong.

Very wrong.

And as secrets and lies unravel, out in the dark, dark wood the past will finally catch up with Nora
I read an article titled something along the lines of "The best 15 books to read in your book club" and the blurb written about this did its job and made me spend 4.99 on the Kindle version.

My Thoughts

I liked the writing style it was easy to follow and flowed well but its plainly obvious how its going to end from a quarter of the way through, there are no twists, turns or shocks and it left me a bit disappointed. A few of the characters were just pointless page fillers and added nothing to the plot, although I would imagine they were in there to put you off the scent of the killer, they didnt.

Would of made a great episode of Midsomer Murders.

Book 1 - In a Dark, Dark Wood - Ruth Ware

Kindle Edition Cost: 4.99 Publisher: Vintage Digital Published: 30/06/15 Amazon uk link: Here Goodreads Link: Here

The Blurb

Nora hasn't seen Clare for ten years. Not since the day Nora walked out of her old life and never looked back.

Until, out of the blue, an invitation to Clare’s hen party arrives. A weekend in a remote cottage - the perfect opportunity for Nora to reconnect with her best friend, to put the past behind her.

But something goes wrong.

Very wrong.

And as secrets and lies unravel, out in the dark, dark wood the past will finally catch up with Nora
I read an article titled something along the lines of "The best 15 books to read in your book club" and the blurb written about this did its job and made me spend 4.99 on the Kindle version.

My Thoughts

I liked the writing style it was easy to follow and flowed well but its plainly obvious how its going to end from a quarter of the way through, there are no twists, turns or shocks and it left me a bit disappointed. A few of the characters were just pointless page fillers and added nothing to the plot, although I would imagine they were in there to put you off the scent of the killer, they didnt.

Would of made a great episode of Midsomer Murders.