So. I was positive I had read all of the titles in this series. Including the novella鈥檚/prequels. (I think they may be undergoing a change of publisheSo. I was positive I had read all of the titles in this series. Including the novella鈥檚/prequels. (I think they may be undergoing a change of publishers atm) Which of course I had, they just predated me being on goodreads so now that I鈥檝e rectified that, on with the review.
Dervla McTiernan is at her finest with the Cormac Reilly series, and the much anticipated fourth book in the series did not disappoint. If you follow my reviews you鈥檒l know I鈥檓 prone to falling in love with fictional men, Cormac is definitely hovering somewhere at the top of the list, and on finishing this title I鈥檝e got a definite soft spot for Pete. I鈥檒l leave you to discover why.
This time around Cormac is dealing with what initially seems like a very cold case, a historical murder preserved by the peat bogs of Athen Rye, that is until they notice the Dunnes Stores underpants the victim is wearing - got to have some humour with your gore. The historic detail provided in the unravelling of the story is excellent, and I think McTiernan excels in this area, it鈥檚 not just a regular police procedural.
Emma鈥檚 back too, pregnant, but only for Cormac鈥檚 help in finding her missing husband.
There are a few stories running alongside the main theme each of them well played out, there are obviously trigger warnings in this type of novel, particularly for me there鈥檚 one of stalking/domestic violence, incase that鈥檚 a particular trigger for you.
Aoife McMahon is one of my favourite audio narrators and as usual she鈥檚 given a brilliant performance.
Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC in return for an honest review ...more
Firstly, huge appreciation to the author for the content warning 鈿狅笍
I really enjoyed I鈥檓 Here To Help, it was a fast paced and quick listen.
Frankie iFirstly, huge appreciation to the author for the content warning 鈿狅笍
I really enjoyed I鈥檓 Here To Help, it was a fast paced and quick listen.
Frankie is pregnant with her second child, her mother in law may well be a nightmare, but she has encouraged Russ to employ a nanny for Olivia while Frankie is struggling. Frankie is less than delighted by the prospect, yet she relents because she really does need the help.
Things are all a bit grim, Olivia loves Jasmin, but Frankie鈥檚 sickness isn鈥檛 improving, in fact things are getting worse, add to that the suspicion that Jasmin is more than a bit keen on Russ and the continual convenient accidents that Frankie is having, it all points to Jasmin and her want to take over Frankie鈥檚 life鈥︹€︹€�
This was well written, well researched and had a killer twist.
The narration by Elizabeth Bower was fantastic ...more
You know that weird high feeling that only comes from no sleep? Throw in a horror steeped in history that you finish at 5 am because you鈥檝e not been aYou know that weird high feeling that only comes from no sleep? Throw in a horror steeped in history that you finish at 5 am because you鈥檝e not been able to step away and maybe you鈥檒l be half way to understanding why it鈥檚 taken me almost 12 hours to still have no clue how to review this.
I guess horror is at its most terrifying when it鈥檚 believable, and with the true horror of history it hits hard, the author has left no holds barred with the traumatic history. I really appreciated having to work to understand the language in places.
This was absolutely excellent. However I have to be really honest and say that while it may seem obvious. It鈥檚 graphic, and really quite unsettling. IThis was absolutely excellent. However I have to be really honest and say that while it may seem obvious. It鈥檚 graphic, and really quite unsettling. I鈥檇 caution triggers warnings for graphic suicide references, Sexual violence, rape, brutality and murder. We also get insight into the killers thoughts which made me want to crawl out of my own skin.
The storyline is fabulous. The writing is excellent and I loved the scouse accent throughout. I鈥檇 be really keen to read further instalments in the series.
Distressing. Disturbing but fantastic. An amazing debut.
The narration was brilliant.
Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC ...more
Excellent! A jam packed story featuring Avery, a tv broadcaster keen to be first on the story and even more keen to land her tv show as a permanent fiExcellent! A jam packed story featuring Avery, a tv broadcaster keen to be first on the story and even more keen to land her tv show as a permanent ficture. Hot on the heels of a story coming out of a New York lab, avery gets a lot more than she bargained for when she chases the story.
I do love a novel that begins with the what and then plays out to give us the why, and the journey to the why was completely gripping, this was smart,I do love a novel that begins with the what and then plays out to give us the why, and the journey to the why was completely gripping, this was smart, dark, and interesting, my mind was played with a little by the book within a book- another love, it meant I kept reminding myself it was fiction.
From the outset, we know we are unfolding the story of how Danny came to crash his plane killing himself and his co pilot. Through the work of journalist Carly, we meet Danny鈥檚 nearest and dearest, Izzy his sister, and Grace his wife, through the three women we travel back through his life, his family and the ties between the three and their families. Whilst the content is serious, I found the author skilled at adding subtle dark and comedic elements sporadically and I really appreciated it, it always concerns me when I find the psychopath endearing for a time, but equally shows great depth and fabulous characterisation.
No complaints. I loved this.
The multiple narration from Eilidh Beaton, Louise Amos and Amy Noble was fantastic each portrayed their characters brilliantly.
Huge thanks to WF Howes LTD and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook ...more
Inspired by her own ancestry, Emma Cowing skilfully transports us back to Scotland in the early 1900鈥檚. We meet Lena, who upoAll the fun of the fair!
Inspired by her own ancestry, Emma Cowing skilfully transports us back to Scotland in the early 1900鈥檚. We meet Lena, who upon the death of her father is advised that she must sell the families beloved carousel and go and find a life outside her community. Lena is bereft and struggling her way through until Violet turns up with big hair a big mouth and a big plan, they should go it alone with their own Travelling show.
After recruitment the little group consists of Lena, Violet, little Rosie and Carmen, each has a past, secrets and a reason to run, but the past has a habit of turning up in the present. There is trouble ahead, trouble mixed with solid friendship, true love and female solidarity and a massive sense of sisters doing it for themselves.
Thought provoking. Inspirational uplifting and upsetting. Perfect for women鈥檚 history month.
I had so much fun with Julie, but she鈥檚 definitely a psychopath. I love a story delivered from an inner monologue, especially from not only an unreliaI had so much fun with Julie, but she鈥檚 definitely a psychopath. I love a story delivered from an inner monologue, especially from not only an unreliable narrator but a delusional one. None of what you read is Julie鈥檚 fault you see. She鈥檚 just looking for love.
A quick, binge worthy and darkly funny novel, I鈥檇 like to meet the character again. An excellent debut.
Clare Corbett鈥檚 narration is excellent.
Huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio snd NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC ...more
Dare I say that this is a classic in the making? Yep, I dare. What a fantastic children鈥檚 book. For me a great children鈥檚 book is one that the adult rDare I say that this is a classic in the making? Yep, I dare. What a fantastic children鈥檚 book. For me a great children鈥檚 book is one that the adult reader can enjoy as much as the child, and I thoroughly enjoyed this. If you can listen to the audiobook, do.
Suitable for all ages really, but this would make for a brilliant first chapter book, it鈥檚 full of excitement, has lots of lovely sentiments about friendship, self discovery and freedom. It鈥檚 also wordy, wordy in a wondrous 鈥淚鈥檝e never heard this word before鈥� type of way. How better to learn than to be excited by words ...more
Cath Staincliffe is a new to me author, and this police procedural/cold case drama has made sure I need to change that.
A cold case or detective serieCath Staincliffe is a new to me author, and this police procedural/cold case drama has made sure I need to change that.
A cold case or detective series are really nothing new, and I find it鈥檚 hard to always expect something fresh, something different, yet the author has not only managed that but completely surpassed my expectations in the process.
What I loved about this novel is that it鈥檚 provided from 4 points of view. The victim, the victims mother and both detectives working the case.
From the victim, Vicky, we hear exactly what happened when she disappeared in 1997. From the victims mother, Elizabeth, we learn how she鈥檚 coped with Vicky鈥檚 disappearance, the pain that she鈥檚 endured, and the way she plans to bring some closure and move forward, through Elizabeth we also learn the fate of those close to her daughter at the time. From Detectives Donovan and Young we learn their thoughts on the cold case, the suspicions, the work being put into the case, the shortcomings of the past investigation and the dedication they both have to the job.
The story flips back and forward effortlessly between characters and timelines, while I had a fair idea on who done it, the journey to get there was smart, it was intriguing, thought provoking, and emotional, the story played out really well, in fact the whole book, including the ending were extremely believable, which can be hard to get to I feel.
In regards to our two detectives, this was a perfect start to a new series, both have enough life going on on the sidelines and enough back story to make sure you don鈥檛 want to miss the next instalment,
The audiobook narration worked really well being performed by 4 different people, Mike Roger鈥檚, Laura Brydon, Francesca Waite and Kerry Bennett. Each gave a fabulous performance.
Huge thanks to WF Howes Ltd via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook which is available to buy now ...more
This was actually a huge surprise. Remarkably good.
A solid mystery. Jammed with warm, endearing characters, a horribly tragic backstory, the storylinThis was actually a huge surprise. Remarkably good.
A solid mystery. Jammed with warm, endearing characters, a horribly tragic backstory, the storyline plays out beautifully, I guessed the twists then doubted myself only to be right all along but I had a hell of a lot of fun getting there and that鈥檚 what really matters!
The narration by the author was good, but there were a few little sound quality issues that I鈥檓 sure will be corrected in time for publication ...more
After some confusion, I wondered had I already listened to this title, given that it was originally published as Taken From Home, and that it is the fAfter some confusion, I wondered had I already listened to this title, given that it was originally published as Taken From Home, and that it is the first in a series of 12 I was convinced, however as the story progressed I realised I hadn鈥檛, but it鈥檚 very reminiscent of another series, I wish I could remember which one ...more
Two woman are about to collide in a shocking and spectacular way. Nina is a grifter born to a mother who longs to give her all the pretty things in liTwo woman are about to collide in a shocking and spectacular way. Nina is a grifter born to a mother who longs to give her all the pretty things in life. Vanessa is a wealthy heiress, Instagram famous, possesses all the pretty things yet is discovering that when you鈥檙e all alone in the world, they really mean nothing.
For Nina, Vanessa is the mark, for Vanessa Nina seems like what may be a much needed friend.
When we discover that the pair have history, the fallout is devastating for both. In a world where you can be anything - trust no one, because pretty quotes do not a good person make.
I loved this one, the story and plot were really well formed. The narration was fantastic ...more
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