4.5 stars. I’ve had a run of great books lately. This is the fifth book in the DCI Craig Gillard series. I have read 3 of the previous 4 books and I t4.5 stars. I’ve had a run of great books lately. This is the fifth book in the DCI Craig Gillard series. I have read 3 of the previous 4 books and I think this is the best one yet. Happily it can be read as a stand alone although you do get context from the earlier books.
Someone seems to have it in for Gillard. A series of baffling crimes leaves the police in Guildford reeling. A 25 year old up and coming violin prodigy disappears. She is the daughter of the German justice Minister, so resources are thrown at the investigation as politics overtakes policing. But it doesn’t help. It soon becomes apparent that the investigation is being hampered by a devilish piece of ,misdirection. Eventually two bodies are recovered from a vehicle in a flooded river. One of them just doesn’t make sense, it seems impossible. Gillard gets some threatening emails but his world implodes when someone close to him disappears and another taunting message is left. The clock is ticking.
The suspense became almost unbearable towards the end. As police started to get a handle on the devious and manipulative killer I had real concerns this would not end well. The Body Under The Bridge was a riveting a page turner that was all the more enjoyable for depicting characters that seemed likeable and realistic. Thanks to Netgalley, Canelo and Nick Louth for my review copy.
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4.5 stars. I’ve had a run of great books lately. This is the fifth book in the DCI Craig Gillard series. I have read 3 of the previous 4 books and I think this is the best one yet. Happily it can be read as a stand alone although you do get context from the earlier books.
Someone seems to have it in for Gillard. A series of baffling crimes leaves the police in Guildford reeling. A 25 year old up and coming violin prodigy disappears. She is the daughter of the German justice Minister, so resources are thrown at the investigation as politics overtakes policing. But it doesn’t help. It soon becomes apparent that the investigation is being hampered by a devilish piece of ,misdirection. Eventually two bodies are recovered from a vehicle in a flooded river. One of them just doesn’t make sense, it seems impossible. Gillard gets some threatening emails but his world implodes when someone close to him disappears and another taunting message is left. The clock is ticking.
The suspense became almost unbearable towards the end. As police started to get a handle on the devious and manipulative killer I had real concerns this would not end well. The Body Under The Bridge was a riveting a page turner that was all the more enjoyable for depicting characters that seemed likeable and realistic. Thanks to Netgalley, Canelo and Nick Louth for my review copy....more
Although I gave it 3 stars, it was a really good and believable story. Nothing fantastical here, just a lot of gritty realism. Nevertheless It seemed Although I gave it 3 stars, it was a really good and believable story. Nothing fantastical here, just a lot of gritty realism. Nevertheless It seemed (to me) to be lacking something and I can't even put my finger on what it might be. I just know I wasn't totally engaged with it.
Other reviewers have rated it highly and I suspect Collett is a pretty good author. I might even try another book as they seem to rate well. I think this was a case of "its not you, its me." Sigh.
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Although I gave it 3 stars, it was a really good and believable story. Nothing fantastical here, just a lot of gritty realism. Nevertheless It seemed (to me) to be lacking something and I can't even put my finger on what it might be. I just know I wasn't totally engaged with it.
Other reviewers have rated it highly and I suspect Collett is a pretty good author. I might even try another book as they seem to rate well. I think this was a case of "its not you, its me." Sigh....more
The kidnapping of a very young baby from a very wealthy couple goes horribly wrong when things get out of control. Everyone is looking for the kidnappThe kidnapping of a very young baby from a very wealthy couple goes horribly wrong when things get out of control. Everyone is looking for the kidnapper, who proves quite elusive, and the baby which becomes a pawn in a deadly game worth millions. The FBI is on the case but so is the Russian mob.
Where do I begin? We have murder, kidnapping, lies, betrayals, secrets, even bigger secrets, corruption, cat and mouse chases, money laundering, the Russian mob - this book has it all. And that was kind of the problem for me. I love a convoluted plot, a large cast of characters and a few twists as much as the next person but it was all a bit much and, well, messy. Don’t get me wrong, I turned the pages quickly enough and was keen to see how things ended. But towards the end it felt like twists were being thrown in willy-nilly for the sake of it without really adding much to the story. I thought it was a good story that could have been better with a bit more finesse..
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The kidnapping of a very young baby from a very wealthy couple goes horribly wrong when things get out of control. Everyone is looking for the kidnapper, who proves quite elusive, and the baby which becomes a pawn in a deadly game worth millions. The FBI is on the case but so is the Russian mob.
Where do I begin? We have murder, kidnapping, lies, betrayals, secrets, even bigger secrets, corruption, cat and mouse chases, money laundering, the Russian mob - this book has it all. And that was kind of the problem for me. I love a convoluted plot, a large cast of characters and a few twists as much as the next person but it was all a bit much and, well, messy. Don’t get me wrong, I turned the pages quickly enough and was keen to see how things ended. But towards the end it felt like twists were being thrown in willy-nilly for the sake of it without really adding much to the story. I thought it was a good story that could have been better with a bit more finesse.....more
I picked this book because I really enjoyed the author’s Charlotte Savage crime thriller series. I didn’t know this was book 2 of a new series until aI picked this book because I really enjoyed the author’s Charlotte Savage crime thriller series. I didn’t know this was book 2 of a new series until after I had finished it but it was not necessary to have read the first book. In this new series Sennen turns his hand to the shadow world of spies and international intrigue and does a great job with it. The book came across as very realistic and plausible, particularly the desire to cover up any dirty secrets.
The book opens with a surface-to-air missile being fired at an aircraft taking off from Heathrow by a terrorist. It was only the hasty targeting and the skill of the pilot that saved most of the passengers from certain death. The Security Service, MI5, is certain that a man known only as Taher is behind it, the have been chasing him for a long time but he has proved to be extremely elusive. And so the powers that be set about putting in motion a series of increasingly risky operations to try and neutralise the man. Former special forces sniper Rebecca da Silva and her spotter Richard Smith are drawn into the web under false pretences and when things go pear shaped, through no fault of theirs, they are to be thrown under a bus, scapegoated.
But a dedicated MI5 operator, Stephen Holm and his sidekick Javed are still committed to neutralising Taher and thereby taking the heat of Silva and Smith. Of course things don’t go according to plan - again, and as desperate times call for desperate measures another hasty plan is put together. Will this be any more successful or will the protagonists fall to the ultimate betrayal?
As I said, I found the book to be quite plausible and the moral dilemmas to be quite real. I liked that things weren’t portrayed as being just black and white and that sometimes good people did bad things for the right reasons. But they also did bad things for the wrong reasons at times. It was an interesting and contemporary look at the modern world of espionage and counter terrorism. I think the book will have a wide appeal to readers of action, drama, thriller and even spy genres. Thanks to Netgalley, Canelo publishing and Mark Sennen for the opportunity to read this advance copy. My opinions are my own.
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I picked this book because I really enjoyed the author’s Charlotte Savage crime thriller series. I didn’t know this was book 2 of a new series until after I had finished it but it was not necessary to have read the first book. In this new series Sennen turns his hand to the shadow world of spies and international intrigue and does a great job with it. The book came across as very realistic and plausible, particularly the desire to cover up any dirty secrets.
The book opens with a surface-to-air missile being fired at an aircraft taking off from Heathrow by a terrorist. It was only the hasty targeting and the skill of the pilot that saved most of the passengers from certain death. The Security Service, MI5, is certain that a man known only as Taher is behind it, the have been chasing him for a long time but he has proved to be extremely elusive. And so the powers that be set about putting in motion a series of increasingly risky operations to try and neutralise the man. Former special forces sniper Rebecca da Silva and her spotter Richard Smith are drawn into the web under false pretences and when things go pear shaped, through no fault of theirs, they are to be thrown under a bus, scapegoated.
But a dedicated MI5 operator, Stephen Holm and his sidekick Javed are still committed to neutralising Taher and thereby taking the heat of Silva and Smith. Of course things don’t go according to plan - again, and as desperate times call for desperate measures another hasty plan is put together. Will this be any more successful or will the protagonists fall to the ultimate betrayal?
As I said, I found the book to be quite plausible and the moral dilemmas to be quite real. I liked that things weren’t portrayed as being just black and white and that sometimes good people did bad things for the right reasons. But they also did bad things for the wrong reasons at times. It was an interesting and contemporary look at the modern world of espionage and counter terrorism. I think the book will have a wide appeal to readers of action, drama, thriller and even spy genres. Thanks to Netgalley, Canelo publishing and Mark Sennen for the opportunity to read this advance copy. My opinions are my own....more
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 - I’m a bit ambivalent about this one. When Janey Markham’s husband, Isaac, tells her he has been offered a new job with man3.5 stars rounded up to 4 - I’m a bit ambivalent about this one. When Janey Markham’s husband, Isaac, tells her he has been offered a new job with many benefits, more time at home and almost double the pay - it sounds too good to be true. And when that happens, it usually is. But Janey knows that money is tight and Isaac seems so pleased with the opportunity that they embrace the change..
Soon Janey, Isaac and son, Rowan, are installed in a swank, large home in a posh neighbourhood and life seems perfect. Of course it never is. The cracks soon start to show. Janey has to work at becoming accepted by the other “Buckingham mums� and Isaac spends even more time at work than before. By the halfway point you are sure there is something fishy going on but you can’t quite put your finger on what.
At the same time Janey is still dealing with the terrible secret her mother finally divulged, literally on her deathbed, just a couple of months ago. This secret, which is not hard to guess, is doled out in tiny morsels throughout the book. While the writing was very good and Janey was a credible chief protagonist (I’m not so sure about some of the others) and she wasn’t whiny or too stupid to live, the story didn’t have quite the drama or pace I would have liked. Enjoyable but not memorable. If you’re a fan of character driven domestic noir and/or K.L. Slater this should be right up your alley.
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3.5 stars rounded up to 4 - I’m a bit ambivalent about this one. When Janey Markham’s husband, Isaac, tells her he has been offered a new job with many benefits, more time at home and almost double the pay - it sounds too good to be true. And when that happens, it usually is. But Janey knows that money is tight and Isaac seems so pleased with the opportunity that they embrace the change..
Soon Janey, Isaac and son, Rowan, are installed in a swank, large home in a posh neighbourhood and life seems perfect. Of course it never is. The cracks soon start to show. Janey has to work at becoming accepted by the other “Buckingham mums� and Isaac spends even more time at work than before. By the halfway point you are sure there is something fishy going on but you can’t quite put your finger on what.
At the same time Janey is still dealing with the terrible secret her mother finally divulged, literally on her deathbed, just a couple of months ago. This secret, which is not hard to guess, is doled out in tiny morsels throughout the book. While the writing was very good and Janey was a credible chief protagonist (I’m not so sure about some of the others) and she wasn’t whiny or too stupid to live, the story didn’t have quite the drama or pace I would have liked. Enjoyable but not memorable. If you’re a fan of character driven domestic noir and/or K.L. Slater this should be right up your alley....more
That was heart stoppingly tense! DS Maddie Ives has a new boss to break in after DI Harry Blakey endured a personal tragedy (in the previous book I asThat was heart stoppingly tense! DS Maddie Ives has a new boss to break in after DI Harry Blakey endured a personal tragedy (in the previous book I assume) that saw him finally return to work training new recruits rather than being at the pointy end in Major Crime.. the new DI is inexperienced in detecting and is also a total nob. So when Maddie is told to close a case as solved that she feels is far from solved who does she turn to for advice? None other than Harry. He initially sends her packing but has a sudden change of heart when he realises he is bored senseless with the training work and is soon back in the saddle as Maddie’s boss.
The case is a tricky one! A man named Adrian Hughes walks into the station one night, announces that he killed ‘her� and demands to be arrested. He won’t say much, just enough for the police to find the body and the evidence implicating him. He makes very sure of that. Maddie is convinced there were others involved. There is no doubt Adrian was at the scene but there is no evidence that he actually killed woman. The body had been there a week before Adrian went to the place to leave his ‘evidence� behind.
At this point, we the readers, know what is going on - not everything of course, but we know a lot more than the police do. And that spoiled it a little bit for me. The book also dragged at the start. But it soon picked up the pace and as the police catch up with us in the knowledge stakes the story becomes much more interesting. I won’t say any more as I don’t want to spoil it for you but, as the story progressed the pace and tension became relentless and it was a race to a nail biting finish with many lives in the balance. I’ve read some of the earlier books in the series and they were all very good. I recommend this one to all thriller fans. It can easily be read as a stand-alone. Many thanks to Netgalley, Joffe Books and Charlie Gallagher for providing the book for me to review.
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That was heart stoppingly tense! DS Maddie Ives has a new boss to break in after DI Harry Blakey endured a personal tragedy (in the previous book I assume) that saw him finally return to work training new recruits rather than being at the pointy end in Major Crime.. the new DI is inexperienced in detecting and is also a total nob. So when Maddie is told to close a case as solved that she feels is far from solved who does she turn to for advice? None other than Harry. He initially sends her packing but has a sudden change of heart when he realises he is bored senseless with the training work and is soon back in the saddle as Maddie’s boss.
The case is a tricky one! A man named Adrian Hughes walks into the station one night, announces that he killed ‘her� and demands to be arrested. He won’t say much, just enough for the police to find the body and the evidence implicating him. He makes very sure of that. Maddie is convinced there were others involved. There is no doubt Adrian was at the scene but there is no evidence that he actually killed woman. The body had been there a week before Adrian went to the place to leave his ‘evidence� behind.
At this point, we the readers, know what is going on - not everything of course, but we know a lot more than the police do. And that spoiled it a little bit for me. The book also dragged at the start. But it soon picked up the pace and as the police catch up with us in the knowledge stakes the story becomes much more interesting. I won’t say any more as I don’t want to spoil it for you but, as the story progressed the pace and tension became relentless and it was a race to a nail biting finish with many lives in the balance. I’ve read some of the earlier books in the series and they were all very good. I recommend this one to all thriller fans. It can easily be read as a stand-alone. Many thanks to Netgalley, Joffe Books and Charlie Gallagher for providing the book for me to review....more
Oh wow, this could have been so much worse but in the hands of Nesley Clerge a book on infidelity became a delicious and compelling mystery. This is nOh wow, this could have been so much worse but in the hands of Nesley Clerge a book on infidelity became a delicious and compelling mystery. This is not a book to read for cheap thrills, rather it explores the impacts and consequences of infidelity - particularly those unintended consequences you never think about beforehand. You know, the ones that jump up and bite you on the bum.
Chelsea Hall is a woman on the edge. Her philandering husband, Garrett, has philandered once too often and she is on the brink of doing...something. She meets a writer, Luke Thompson, whose books she has reviewed (be careful who you have coffee with Nesley) and feels an instant bond. But Luke is also married. Ah well it all adds spice. Doesn't it??
What starts of as a mind-blowing affair eventually enters more dangerous territory. Who will suffer the fallout? This story was not predictable and, as the reader, I felt less comfortable as the book progressed. Something was bound to go horribly wrong.
This was a departure for Nesley Clerge. I have read and loved his other books set in a prison. I also liked that he didn't moralise and that the Frederick Starks from the prison books had a cameo in this one. I guess one thing they do have in common is a focus on choices and their consequences. Excellent work.
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Oh wow, this could have been so much worse but in the hands of Nesley Clerge a book on infidelity became a delicious and compelling mystery. This is not a book to read for cheap thrills, rather it explores the impacts and consequences of infidelity - particularly those unintended consequences you never think about beforehand. You know, the ones that jump up and bite you on the bum.
Chelsea Hall is a woman on the edge. Her philandering husband, Garrett, has philandered once too often and she is on the brink of doing...something. She meets a writer, Luke Thompson, whose books she has reviewed (be careful who you have coffee with Nesley) and feels an instant bond. But Luke is also married. Ah well it all adds spice. Doesn't it??
What starts of as a mind-blowing affair eventually enters more dangerous territory. Who will suffer the fallout? This story was not predictable and, as the reader, I felt less comfortable as the book progressed. Something was bound to go horribly wrong.
This was a departure for Nesley Clerge. I have read and loved his other books set in a prison. I also liked that he didn't moralise and that the Frederick Starks from the prison books had a cameo in this one. I guess one thing they do have in common is a focus on choices and their consequences. Excellent work....more
This was an excellent follow up to the first book Where the Truth Lies. DI Ridpath is still working for the Coroner. He is returning home from a two wThis was an excellent follow up to the first book Where the Truth Lies. DI Ridpath is still working for the Coroner. He is returning home from a two week course when a half naked man runs in front of his car on the M60. He just manages to stop when the man looks to his left, there is another man on the side of the road with a gun. The half naked man panics and runs further into the speeding traffic where he is promptly splattered by an articulated vehicle. Ridpath makes himself unpopular by closing the road and declaring it a crime scene. Unfortunately there is nothing to back up his version of events, no one else saw the man with the gun so Ridpath becomes persona non gratis for a while.
There is also a postponed inquest into the death of another man in a lake - an apparent suicinde. But is it? More deaths follow and a gang war is predicted for Manchester as the dead are all scions of crime families. But Ridpath has serious concerns about all of these killings and as he investigates further it becomes clear that all the deaths are somehow linked. But proving it is another thing altogether.
This was more tautly plotted than the first book. It was a very good read and there are clues at the end that there may be another book or so in the series. I hope so because the Ridpath character who works at the intersection between the police and the coroner is interesting and different. The stories are both plausible and realistic with 'real' characters populating the pages.
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This was an excellent follow up to the first book Where the Truth Lies. DI Ridpath is still working for the Coroner. He is returning home from a two week course when a half naked man runs in front of his car on the M60. He just manages to stop when the man looks to his left, there is another man on the side of the road with a gun. The half naked man panics and runs further into the speeding traffic where he is promptly splattered by an articulated vehicle. Ridpath makes himself unpopular by closing the road and declaring it a crime scene. Unfortunately there is nothing to back up his version of events, no one else saw the man with the gun so Ridpath becomes persona non gratis for a while.
There is also a postponed inquest into the death of another man in a lake - an apparent suicinde. But is it? More deaths follow and a gang war is predicted for Manchester as the dead are all scions of crime families. But Ridpath has serious concerns about all of these killings and as he investigates further it becomes clear that all the deaths are somehow linked. But proving it is another thing altogether.
This was more tautly plotted than the first book. It was a very good read and there are clues at the end that there may be another book or so in the series. I hope so because the Ridpath character who works at the intersection between the police and the coroner is interesting and different. The stories are both plausible and realistic with 'real' characters populating the pages....more
4.5 stars. Reading this book is like climbing aboard an express train that takes off before you have even sat down. The pace is relentless. As I thoug4.5 stars. Reading this book is like climbing aboard an express train that takes off before you have even sat down. The pace is relentless. As I thought after book two, Stammo and Cal Rogan have teamed up to form a Private detective agency. Now in a wheelchair, Stammo does the research and calling on favours from the police and others while Cal does the leg work. Only Cal still tends to go ‘off the reservation� which gets him into all sorts of trouble.
They are juggling cases. Cal takes on a new client - a wealthy woman whose daughter has been kidnapped. Cal is also still beholden to Walter so needs to help with security for a couple of political electioneering functions. Not his style at all. Because one of the candidates is promoting legalising drugs he is sure to invoke the anger of drug dealers so Cal is there to keep an eye out for anyone he recognises from his days as a drug addict. Unfortunately he does spot some red flags so his services are still required while he would rather be searching for the missing child.
Meanwhile Stammo is approached by an old friend who is concerned that his adult son has gotten mixed up in the wrong crowd (read drug dealers). Could these three cases somehow intersect? You betcha, and that’s when the express train goes seriously off the rails. This is another stellar book in the Cal Rogan series, and it, too ends on a cliff hanger so I will be looking for book 4 very soon.
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4.5 stars. Reading this book is like climbing aboard an express train that takes off before you have even sat down. The pace is relentless. As I thought after book two, Stammo and Cal Rogan have teamed up to form a Private detective agency. Now in a wheelchair, Stammo does the research and calling on favours from the police and others while Cal does the leg work. Only Cal still tends to go ‘off the reservation� which gets him into all sorts of trouble.
They are juggling cases. Cal takes on a new client - a wealthy woman whose daughter has been kidnapped. Cal is also still beholden to Walter so needs to help with security for a couple of political electioneering functions. Not his style at all. Because one of the candidates is promoting legalising drugs he is sure to invoke the anger of drug dealers so Cal is there to keep an eye out for anyone he recognises from his days as a drug addict. Unfortunately he does spot some red flags so his services are still required while he would rather be searching for the missing child.
Meanwhile Stammo is approached by an old friend who is concerned that his adult son has gotten mixed up in the wrong crowd (read drug dealers). Could these three cases somehow intersect? You betcha, and that’s when the express train goes seriously off the rails. This is another stellar book in the Cal Rogan series, and it, too ends on a cliff hanger so I will be looking for book 4 very soon....more
Angela Marsons has another hit on her hands with this, the 12th book in the DI Kim Stone series. After initially considering the death of a young womaAngela Marsons has another hit on her hands with this, the 12th book in the DI Kim Stone series. After initially considering the death of a young woman as suicide, Kim has another look at the scene and realises that it was murder. The next day a young man’s body is found at a lake with the same manner of death. It is not long before police link the two cases - both young people had been members at a retreat called Unity Farm. But, as Kim soon finds out, the farm is not as benign as the leader wants them to believe. It is, in fact, operating as a cult. And so begins the sense of creeping menace that pervades the rest of the book.
Kim sends a young policewoman, Tiffany (call me Tiff) to the farm undercover to find out more about the cult.hut staying in touch with Tiff is proving difficult. Marsons is at the top of her game with this instalment that was tightly plotted with plenty of tension, Our favourite characters are back and we meet Kane, who rescues people from cults. The cult angle was interesting and well researched. I really enjoyed reading this. Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture for providing me with a review copy.
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Angela Marsons has another hit on her hands with this, the 12th book in the DI Kim Stone series. After initially considering the death of a young woman as suicide, Kim has another look at the scene and realises that it was murder. The next day a young man’s body is found at a lake with the same manner of death. It is not long before police link the two cases - both young people had been members at a retreat called Unity Farm. But, as Kim soon finds out, the farm is not as benign as the leader wants them to believe. It is, in fact, operating as a cult. And so begins the sense of creeping menace that pervades the rest of the book.
Kim sends a young policewoman, Tiffany (call me Tiff) to the farm undercover to find out more about the cult.hut staying in touch with Tiff is proving difficult. Marsons is at the top of her game with this instalment that was tightly plotted with plenty of tension, Our favourite characters are back and we meet Kane, who rescues people from cults. The cult angle was interesting and well researched. I really enjoyed reading this. Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture for providing me with a review copy....more
That could very well have been the best book yet! By now I feel that I have really got to know Josie Quinn and her family, so when her twin sister, TrThat could very well have been the best book yet! By now I feel that I have really got to know Josie Quinn and her family, so when her twin sister, Trinity, got kidnapped I was devastated.
Following an argument and the receipt of a mysterious package Trinity leaves Josie’s place in a huff and a hurry. She is headed for a holiday cabin for a ‘sabbatical�. After Josie’s repeated calls and text messages to Trinity go unanswered for weeks she heads up to the cabin to confront her sister face-to-face. Trinity’s car is at the cabin, all packed up as if she were about to leave, but there is no sign of Trinity herself. A note to the landlord inside the cabin indicates she planned to please three weeks ago. Josie searches frantically and makes a shocking discovery outside - skeletal remains arranged on the grass in a strange tableau. Josie recoils in horror thinking it is Trinity. But wait, bodies take longer than three weeks to decompose, don’t they? But if it’s not Trinity, then who is it?
And so begins Josie’s descent into hell as she tries to follow the scant and very opaque clues left by Trinity, and to follow in her footsteps to find a serial killer like none other. Hoping against hope to find her sister in the process. Preferably alive. This was like a bullet train from page 1. I really, really enjoyed this. Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Lisa Regan for my review copy.
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That could very well have been the best book yet! By now I feel that I have really got to know Josie Quinn and her family, so when her twin sister, Trinity, got kidnapped I was devastated.
Following an argument and the receipt of a mysterious package Trinity leaves Josie’s place in a huff and a hurry. She is headed for a holiday cabin for a ‘sabbatical�. After Josie’s repeated calls and text messages to Trinity go unanswered for weeks she heads up to the cabin to confront her sister face-to-face. Trinity’s car is at the cabin, all packed up as if she were about to leave, but there is no sign of Trinity herself. A note to the landlord inside the cabin indicates she planned to please three weeks ago. Josie searches frantically and makes a shocking discovery outside - skeletal remains arranged on the grass in a strange tableau. Josie recoils in horror thinking it is Trinity. But wait, bodies take longer than three weeks to decompose, don’t they? But if it’s not Trinity, then who is it?
And so begins Josie’s descent into hell as she tries to follow the scant and very opaque clues left by Trinity, and to follow in her footsteps to find a serial killer like none other. Hoping against hope to find her sister in the process. Preferably alive. This was like a bullet train from page 1. I really, really enjoyed this. Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Lisa Regan for my review copy....more
This is another excellent instalment in Lisa Regan’s Detective Josie Quinn series. As the book opens, Denton is being inundated by a flood of biblicalThis is another excellent instalment in Lisa Regan’s Detective Josie Quinn series. As the book opens, Denton is being inundated by a flood of biblical proportions. Police and SAR officers are rescuing people from flooded homes. Josie and Detective Gretchen Palmer just manage to get an old woman aboard their boat before the house collapses when a body shaped package wrapped in a blue tarp seems to pop out from under where the basement was.
The body is soon identified as Beverley Urban who was in Josie’s year at high school. Everyone thought that she and her mother had just up and left at the end of the school year. Clearly that wasn’t the case. But why is Beverley wearing Ray Quinn’s precious letter jacket (Ray is Josie’s former husband who died five years ago. But Beverley has been dead for 16 years, and where is Vera Urban, Beverley’s mother? The Denton detectives follow a twisty and tortuous trail to get closer to the truth but no one could have foreseen what actually happened. Some big scalps are on the line.
I don’t think Lisa Regan has written a single bad book. This series is reliably good, this particular book was maybe not quite as dramatic as the previous one but still gets a well deserved 4 stars.
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This is another excellent instalment in Lisa Regan’s Detective Josie Quinn series. As the book opens, Denton is being inundated by a flood of biblical proportions. Police and SAR officers are rescuing people from flooded homes. Josie and Detective Gretchen Palmer just manage to get an old woman aboard their boat before the house collapses when a body shaped package wrapped in a blue tarp seems to pop out from under where the basement was.
The body is soon identified as Beverley Urban who was in Josie’s year at high school. Everyone thought that she and her mother had just up and left at the end of the school year. Clearly that wasn’t the case. But why is Beverley wearing Ray Quinn’s precious letter jacket (Ray is Josie’s former husband who died five years ago. But Beverley has been dead for 16 years, and where is Vera Urban, Beverley’s mother? The Denton detectives follow a twisty and tortuous trail to get closer to the truth but no one could have foreseen what actually happened. Some big scalps are on the line.
I don’t think Lisa Regan has written a single bad book. This series is reliably good, this particular book was maybe not quite as dramatic as the previous one but still gets a well deserved 4 stars....more
A body, showing evidence of neglect, malnutrition and torture, found in a wheelie bin poses a problem for the Cumbria constabulary. The dead woman hadA body, showing evidence of neglect, malnutrition and torture, found in a wheelie bin poses a problem for the Cumbria constabulary. The dead woman had been reported missing 3 months ago yet was only killed recently. Where has she been kept? And by whom? Detectives are now concerned about another young woman who was reported missing more recently as the women have quite a bit in common. As the investigation progresses yet another woman disappears. Authorities are now fairly certain the three disappearances are linked. DI Kelly Porter and her team are working closely with DI Craig Lockwood, based in Barrow. Between them they cover Cumbria but it seems that between the two stations some important information has fallen through the cracks.
Kelly’s team, as ever, is dedicated and works hard at cracking the case. Kelly herself is pregnant but is still not quite sure how she feels about it. A new DS from Glasgow, Dan Houghton, is an excellent addition to the team. Finding a suspect proves elusive although the Grasmere village gossip is convinced a young man, Kevin Flint, who is very socially awkward is responsible. Kelly is sceptical but police do uncover crimes of a different nature when the investigate the goings on in Grasmere.
This book had a lot of characters in it and quite a busy plot so concentration was needed. Nevertheless it was a great police procedural with excellent and plausible characters that you get to know and like through the series. Many thanks to Netgalley, Canelo and Rachel Lynch for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review.
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A body, showing evidence of neglect, malnutrition and torture, found in a wheelie bin poses a problem for the Cumbria constabulary. The dead woman had been reported missing 3 months ago yet was only killed recently. Where has she been kept? And by whom? Detectives are now concerned about another young woman who was reported missing more recently as the women have quite a bit in common. As the investigation progresses yet another woman disappears. Authorities are now fairly certain the three disappearances are linked. DI Kelly Porter and her team are working closely with DI Craig Lockwood, based in Barrow. Between them they cover Cumbria but it seems that between the two stations some important information has fallen through the cracks.
Kelly’s team, as ever, is dedicated and works hard at cracking the case. Kelly herself is pregnant but is still not quite sure how she feels about it. A new DS from Glasgow, Dan Houghton, is an excellent addition to the team. Finding a suspect proves elusive although the Grasmere village gossip is convinced a young man, Kevin Flint, who is very socially awkward is responsible. Kelly is sceptical but police do uncover crimes of a different nature when the investigate the goings on in Grasmere.
This book had a lot of characters in it and quite a busy plot so concentration was needed. Nevertheless it was a great police procedural with excellent and plausible characters that you get to know and like through the series. Many thanks to Netgalley, Canelo and Rachel Lynch for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review....more
Up until the 50-60% mark this was looking like a three star book. Let’s not beat around the bush. It started very slowly. It didn’t have much action. Up until the 50-60% mark this was looking like a three star book. Let’s not beat around the bush. It started very slowly. It didn’t have much action. But what it did have was a beautifully exquisite portrayal of a woman on the edge. Rachel is middle aged, has been married for over 20 years, has one son at university and a daughter having a gap year to explore her options in the beauty industry. Her husband doesn’t seem to notice her anymore, they don’t talk, they don’t cuddle and the family seems to take her for granted. She feels invisible. As an older woman myself I could really relate to this portrayal and I know what it means to feel invisible. Not so much now but a while ago. The point I’m making is that Rachel was pitch perfect.
The narrative takes the form of interviews with a forensic psychiatrist interspersed with transcriptions of interviews with Rachel’s husband Mark, her daughter Katie, best friend Lisa and newish neighbour, Ingrid. Apart from feeling invisible, Rachel is going through menopause and feels the weight of the world on her shoulders. She takes to walking late at night with the dog to calm her feelings of loneliness and rage. She has so much rage. She talks to complete strangers and invents stories about their lives. She thinks they all have their own personal hell. For these people she feels so much love. Her emotions and hormones are raging. When she hears on the news one morning that a young lady she had been speaking was brutally attacked with knife the night before Rachel is beside herself. She wonders if she could have done this. This happens again and again until Rachel breaks and, convinced she is a murderer, She confesses to the police. Enter the forensic psychiatrist. And that is where I must leave my review.
It is rare that such a story keeps me engaged but I was totally transfixed with Rachel’s story and her journey and how she dealt with the many issues (some you only learn about much later) that life threw at her. This is the first S.E. Lynes book I have read but this author is a class act and I will be reading more. Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy of the book. My opinions are totally my own.
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Up until the 50-60% mark this was looking like a three star book. Let’s not beat around the bush. It started very slowly. It didn’t have much action. But what it did have was a beautifully exquisite portrayal of a woman on the edge. Rachel is middle aged, has been married for over 20 years, has one son at university and a daughter having a gap year to explore her options in the beauty industry. Her husband doesn’t seem to notice her anymore, they don’t talk, they don’t cuddle and the family seems to take her for granted. She feels invisible. As an older woman myself I could really relate to this portrayal and I know what it means to feel invisible. Not so much now but a while ago. The point I’m making is that Rachel was pitch perfect.
The narrative takes the form of interviews with a forensic psychiatrist interspersed with transcriptions of interviews with Rachel’s husband Mark, her daughter Katie, best friend Lisa and newish neighbour, Ingrid. Apart from feeling invisible, Rachel is going through menopause and feels the weight of the world on her shoulders. She takes to walking late at night with the dog to calm her feelings of loneliness and rage. She has so much rage. She talks to complete strangers and invents stories about their lives. She thinks they all have their own personal hell. For these people she feels so much love. Her emotions and hormones are raging. When she hears on the news one morning that a young lady she had been speaking was brutally attacked with knife the night before Rachel is beside herself. She wonders if she could have done this. This happens again and again until Rachel breaks and, convinced she is a murderer, She confesses to the police. Enter the forensic psychiatrist. And that is where I must leave my review.
It is rare that such a story keeps me engaged but I was totally transfixed with Rachel’s story and her journey and how she dealt with the many issues (some you only learn about much later) that life threw at her. This is the first S.E. Lynes book I have read but this author is a class act and I will be reading more. Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy of the book. My opinions are totally my own....more
Seventeen refers to the number of the current pre-eminent assassin in the murky world of black ops. Let’s call him Jones as it the onlyA spy thriller!
Seventeen refers to the number of the current pre-eminent assassin in the murky world of black ops. Let’s call him Jones as it the only name he uses although we know it’s not his real name. He gets an assignment in Berlin to kill some VIPs, it’s a walk in the park for him. When he calls his handler, known only as Handler, he gets another job at short notice. He is to intercept a ‘brush pass� at the Berlin Tiergarten (basically the zoo). This job is not so neat but he gets it done as he is a consummate professional. Only as he is decompressing in the hotel after a busy day he nearly succumbs to a beautiful woman who turns out to be an aspiring Eighteen!
His next assignment from Handler sets his spidey senses tingling though. He is to kill Sixteen - the top assassin before him who dropped completely off the radar 8 years ago. If he doesn’t accept the job he will be finished anyway and someone will be gunning for so him he has no choice but he doesn’t understand why this has to happen now, after all this time.
Jones takes his time in tracking down Sixteen and getting the lie of the land. I enjoyed this part of the story a lot. A successful spy/assassin is more than just a killing machine, they have to be logical, analytical and make connections between disparate sets of data. It reminded me a lot about how Jack Reacher thinks. Jones knows Sixteen is a formidable opponent but even so he is shocked at just how formidable.
The two have a few run-ins, neither getting the upper hand, until they have a frank discussion and realise perhaps they are both being played and the stakes are potentially world changing. Who is gaming who? Who can they trust? Will either of them actually live long enough to find out?
I’m on a real roll here, this was yet another rather different, very entertaining, action packed thriller. I also loved the writing style - short, sharp and blunt. The dialogue is crisp and quite snarky in places which I love. You can’t help liking this bad boy and rooting for him as his motives become slightly more righteous. Action junkies should love this one! Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Merged review:
A spy thriller!
Seventeen refers to the number of the current pre-eminent assassin in the murky world of black ops. Let’s call him Jones as it the only name he uses although we know it’s not his real name. He gets an assignment in Berlin to kill some VIPs, it’s a walk in the park for him. When he calls his handler, known only as Handler, he gets another job at short notice. He is to intercept a ‘brush pass� at the Berlin Tiergarten (basically the zoo). This job is not so neat but he gets it done as he is a consummate professional. Only as he is decompressing in the hotel after a busy day he nearly succumbs to a beautiful woman who turns out to be an aspiring Eighteen!
His next assignment from Handler sets his spidey senses tingling though. He is to kill Sixteen - the top assassin before him who dropped completely off the radar 8 years ago. If he doesn’t accept the job he will be finished anyway and someone will be gunning for so him he has no choice but he doesn’t understand why this has to happen now, after all this time.
Jones takes his time in tracking down Sixteen and getting the lie of the land. I enjoyed this part of the story a lot. A successful spy/assassin is more than just a killing machine, they have to be logical, analytical and make connections between disparate sets of data. It reminded me a lot about how Jack Reacher thinks. Jones knows Sixteen is a formidable opponent but even so he is shocked at just how formidable.
The two have a few run-ins, neither getting the upper hand, until they have a frank discussion and realise perhaps they are both being played and the stakes are potentially world changing. Who is gaming who? Who can they trust? Will either of them actually live long enough to find out?
I’m on a real roll here, this was yet another rather different, very entertaining, action packed thriller. I also loved the writing style - short, sharp and blunt. The dialogue is crisp and quite snarky in places which I love. You can’t help liking this bad boy and rooting for him as his motives become slightly more righteous. Action junkies should love this one! Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly....more
4.5 stars. That was freaking fantastic. That, right there, is how you write a police procedural.
DCI Craig Gillard looks into the reported disappearanc4.5 stars. That was freaking fantastic. That, right there, is how you write a police procedural.
DCI Craig Gillard looks into the reported disappearance of Elizabeth Knight; a middle aged, well educated, respectable, well-to-do woman. A woman he just happened to have a brief relationship with in his late teens. As her husband, Professor Martin Knight, is well published and well connected this investigation will go by the book. Martin, who has been away, is finally contacted and doesn't seem concerned. He thinks he knows where she is and will check it out and let the police know. Well, she's not there and after that Prof Knight appears to have vanished also.
Eventually Gillard finds some evidence that indicates Elizabeth was likely murdered (although a whole body is still being elusive) and everything heats up. The missing professor becomes a suspect but as evidence is collected from a variety of sources some things don't appear to add up. But what does it all mean? Gillard follows Martin's trail to France and then Spain but while there are many clues they don't point in any logical direction. Of course, as usual, nothing is as it seems.
It was a very dogged investigation, and while the book was not exactly a thriller, it was most engrossing. Gillard had never quite gotten over being dumped by Liz all those years ago and pursues every clue relentlessly to find her killer. Eventually he finds a thread he can pull - but lo, what is this? Its a freaking big twist that changes everything. You will be amazed at the sheer detail in this book. Normally that would slow things down but I found it riveting. I am getting stuck into the next book right now.
As a side note I apologise if I have offended anyone with my use of the word 'bloody' in some of my reviews. Apparently, I learned today, Americans find it offensive, whereas we Australians bandy it about ubiquitously as being less offensive than the F bomb, which I have been trying to avoid. To us its almost a term of endearment- for example 'bloody dog' could mean 'yes he's a nuisance but we still love him to bits.' Or in my case - her, she has an annoying habit of baying when the table is being set - go figure. I don't mean to offend anyone and am on this forum because it so polite and friendly and, yes, supportive. Sorry for the bloody rant. Oops, but that is how we talk. Alright, I'm going now.
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4.5 stars. That was freaking fantastic. That, right there, is how you write a police procedural.
DCI Craig Gillard looks into the reported disappearance of Elizabeth Knight; a middle aged, well educated, respectable, well-to-do woman. A woman he just happened to have a brief relationship with in his late teens. As her husband, Professor Martin Knight, is well published and well connected this investigation will go by the book. Martin, who has been away, is finally contacted and doesn't seem concerned. He thinks he knows where she is and will check it out and let the police know. Well, she's not there and after that Prof Knight appears to have vanished also.
Eventually Gillard finds some evidence that indicates Elizabeth was likely murdered (although a whole body is still being elusive) and everything heats up. The missing professor becomes a suspect but as evidence is collected from a variety of sources some things don't appear to add up. But what does it all mean? Gillard follows Martin's trail to France and then Spain but while there are many clues they don't point in any logical direction. Of course, as usual, nothing is as it seems.
It was a very dogged investigation, and while the book was not exactly a thriller, it was most engrossing. Gillard had never quite gotten over being dumped by Liz all those years ago and pursues every clue relentlessly to find her killer. Eventually he finds a thread he can pull - but lo, what is this? Its a freaking big twist that changes everything. You will be amazed at the sheer detail in this book. Normally that would slow things down but I found it riveting. I am getting stuck into the next book right now.
As a side note I apologise if I have offended anyone with my use of the word 'bloody' in some of my reviews. Apparently, I learned today, Americans find it offensive, whereas we Australians bandy it about ubiquitously as being less offensive than the F bomb, which I have been trying to avoid. To us its almost a term of endearment- for example 'bloody dog' could mean 'yes he's a nuisance but we still love him to bits.' Or in my case - her, she has an annoying habit of baying when the table is being set - go figure. I don't mean to offend anyone and am on this forum because it so polite and friendly and, yes, supportive. Sorry for the bloody rant. Oops, but that is how we talk. Alright, I'm going now....more
Since his wife and son died in a random accident Pritchard’s mission in life has been to drown his sorrows. He is well on the road to alcoholism when Since his wife and son died in a random accident Pritchard’s mission in life has been to drown his sorrows. He is well on the road to alcoholism when a chance encounter with a teenage girl in trouble offers him a chance at redemption. His wife always told him to put his best foot forward. He’ll certainly need to do that to help the girl as the mob she’s in trouble with are not letting up and there is a whole of them. Pritchard knows how to look after himself, he used to be a boxer. But the question is - can he take a walk on the dark side without losing himself?
This was a short and sweet novella. It was really quite heartwarming in a dark and gritty kind of way. Martin Svolgart like to explore the grey areas between the black and white ideas of good and bad. He does a does a good job of it too. His heros have a few rough edges and his bad guys (well some of them) have some redeeming qualities. Pritchard will be back apparently and I will be keen to what is next for him. This was a great little story that was fun to read.
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Since his wife and son died in a random accident Pritchard’s mission in life has been to drown his sorrows. He is well on the road to alcoholism when a chance encounter with a teenage girl in trouble offers him a chance at redemption. His wife always told him to put his best foot forward. He’ll certainly need to do that to help the girl as the mob she’s in trouble with are not letting up and there is a whole of them. Pritchard knows how to look after himself, he used to be a boxer. But the question is - can he take a walk on the dark side without losing himself?
This was a short and sweet novella. It was really quite heartwarming in a dark and gritty kind of way. Martin Svolgart like to explore the grey areas between the black and white ideas of good and bad. He does a does a good job of it too. His heros have a few rough edges and his bad guys (well some of them) have some redeeming qualities. Pritchard will be back apparently and I will be keen to what is next for him. This was a great little story that was fun to read....more
I didn't realise this was written by James Carol (the author of the excellent Broken Dolls). I think plenty of other reviewers have covered the plot sI didn't realise this was written by James Carol (the author of the excellent Broken Dolls). I think plenty of other reviewers have covered the plot so I won't bother but, what a way to ruin lunch.
What the author did really well was to put us in the shoes of the hapless restaurant patrons as they tried desperately to stay alive, often being forced to make impossible choices about who the gunman should shoot next - Sophie's Choice style. What was particularly unnerving was the absence of any apparent motive for the siege and the absolute coldness with which victims were dispatched.
As the hostage crisis drags on, publicist JJ starts to wonder is she is the real target of the gunman but she's never seen him before. It got quite harrowing towards the end when you were wondering if there was any way to stop the madman, whether anyone would make it out alive.
If there was a moral to the story its that all actions have consequences and you never know if and when you will be held to account for something you did or didn't do. This was a quick but very good read.
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I didn't realise this was written by James Carol (the author of the excellent Broken Dolls). I think plenty of other reviewers have covered the plot so I won't bother but, what a way to ruin lunch.
What the author did really well was to put us in the shoes of the hapless restaurant patrons as they tried desperately to stay alive, often being forced to make impossible choices about who the gunman should shoot next - Sophie's Choice style. What was particularly unnerving was the absence of any apparent motive for the siege and the absolute coldness with which victims were dispatched.
As the hostage crisis drags on, publicist JJ starts to wonder is she is the real target of the gunman but she's never seen him before. It got quite harrowing towards the end when you were wondering if there was any way to stop the madman, whether anyone would make it out alive.
If there was a moral to the story its that all actions have consequences and you never know if and when you will be held to account for something you did or didn't do. This was a quick but very good read....more
I was very happy to receive this book for review. I have read most, if not all, of the previous books. This is number seven. Natalie Ward is now a DCII was very happy to receive this book for review. I have read most, if not all, of the previous books. This is number seven. Natalie Ward is now a DCI and Lucy Carmichael has been promoted to Natalie’s old DI position. The first case for the new team is the depressing murder of a teenage girl, most likely working as a prostitute. On the next day the body of another teenage girl is found, also strangled. The only person that may know anything about these deaths is the girl’s boyfriend (or pimp), Tommy, who is known to be rough with them. Bit Tommy is nowhere to be found.
On the next day another woman is found murdered. But this one is different. She is older, in her 20s, well dressed an wealthy. Oh...and she had the word GUILTY written on her forehead.. The police are now struggling with this case. There are similarities between all the deaths but a few differences too. And what is the woman guilty of? Are there two killers out there? Or is one just escalating? More deaths follow. There are no obvious motives. How are these deaths linked? Are they linked?
It was complicated, which I love, and messy and twisty but Lucy is in danger of being taken off her first case as SIO if she doesn’t solve this soon. Painstaking work finally delivers a glimmer of hope and a rather sordid and tragic tale emerges. In the end it all makes a kind of twisted sense. I didn’t think this was the author’s best book but it was still a seriously good read.
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I was very happy to receive this book for review. I have read most, if not all, of the previous books. This is number seven. Natalie Ward is now a DCI and Lucy Carmichael has been promoted to Natalie’s old DI position. The first case for the new team is the depressing murder of a teenage girl, most likely working as a prostitute. On the next day the body of another teenage girl is found, also strangled. The only person that may know anything about these deaths is the girl’s boyfriend (or pimp), Tommy, who is known to be rough with them. Bit Tommy is nowhere to be found.
On the next day another woman is found murdered. But this one is different. She is older, in her 20s, well dressed an wealthy. Oh...and she had the word GUILTY written on her forehead.. The police are now struggling with this case. There are similarities between all the deaths but a few differences too. And what is the woman guilty of? Are there two killers out there? Or is one just escalating? More deaths follow. There are no obvious motives. How are these deaths linked? Are they linked?
It was complicated, which I love, and messy and twisty but Lucy is in danger of being taken off her first case as SIO if she doesn’t solve this soon. Painstaking work finally delivers a glimmer of hope and a rather sordid and tragic tale emerges. In the end it all makes a kind of twisted sense. I didn’t think this was the author’s best book but it was still a seriously good read....more
This is a tricky review to write because I’m still not quite sure how I felt about this book. I mainly liked it but I thought it belaboured some thingThis is a tricky review to write because I’m still not quite sure how I felt about this book. I mainly liked it but I thought it belaboured some things too much. It was (almost) creepy which I did like but it still didn’t creep me out. Rowan Blake is a has-been writer. He’s written one true crime book which was a critical success but a commercial failure. In deciding to focus on writing books he has let a lot of other opportunities slip. And when shocking injuries to his hands hamper his ability to write he turns to his big sister, Serendipity, who is always ready to rescue him. She puts him up in a crude cottage off the beaten track and makes her young daughter, Snowflake, available to help act as her uncle’s hands.
But Snowflake has other ideas and eggs him on to find a story and research it, she thinks of herself as a cub reporter. To be fair, she is quite helpful to him. Rowan soon zeroes in on a story about 3 teenagers who disappeared from a local “alternative� school in 1991. Two girls returned but still claim they can’t remember what happened during the 3 days or so they were missing. The third girl is virtually never spoken of again. It’s all very mysterious. There’s also talk of a boy who was at that school before the girl’s time who was totally off the rails and “evil�. No one seems to know where or how he is either.
The book details Rowan’s search for answers which was interesting but I got tired of his constant uncertainty about his life, his writing, his “goodness� or otherwise. He is portrayed as a bit of a lad who just can’t help “colouring outside the lines�. I’m getting sick of this line of thinking which is often used to excuse inexcusable behaviour by men - boys will be boys, it was just a joke, he didn’t mean any harm, he’s basically a good bloke who made a mistake - blah blah. Guys - grow up! The dialogue was initially entertaining but then I wearied of it, nothing was ever serious for Rowan. Until he nearly loses his life! And I did think the book could have been creepier. Nevertheless I was keen to see how it all turned out. This will appeal to those who like ‘mild� horror or dark thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley, Aria and Aries and David Mark for providing a copy for me to review. My opinion is my own. 3.5 stars rounded up.
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This is a tricky review to write because I’m still not quite sure how I felt about this book. I mainly liked it but I thought it belaboured some things too much. It was (almost) creepy which I did like but it still didn’t creep me out. Rowan Blake is a has-been writer. He’s written one true crime book which was a critical success but a commercial failure. In deciding to focus on writing books he has let a lot of other opportunities slip. And when shocking injuries to his hands hamper his ability to write he turns to his big sister, Serendipity, who is always ready to rescue him. She puts him up in a crude cottage off the beaten track and makes her young daughter, Snowflake, available to help act as her uncle’s hands.
But Snowflake has other ideas and eggs him on to find a story and research it, she thinks of herself as a cub reporter. To be fair, she is quite helpful to him. Rowan soon zeroes in on a story about 3 teenagers who disappeared from a local “alternative� school in 1991. Two girls returned but still claim they can’t remember what happened during the 3 days or so they were missing. The third girl is virtually never spoken of again. It’s all very mysterious. There’s also talk of a boy who was at that school before the girl’s time who was totally off the rails and “evil�. No one seems to know where or how he is either.
The book details Rowan’s search for answers which was interesting but I got tired of his constant uncertainty about his life, his writing, his “goodness� or otherwise. He is portrayed as a bit of a lad who just can’t help “colouring outside the lines�. I’m getting sick of this line of thinking which is often used to excuse inexcusable behaviour by men - boys will be boys, it was just a joke, he didn’t mean any harm, he’s basically a good bloke who made a mistake - blah blah. Guys - grow up! The dialogue was initially entertaining but then I wearied of it, nothing was ever serious for Rowan. Until he nearly loses his life! And I did think the book could have been creepier. Nevertheless I was keen to see how it all turned out. This will appeal to those who like ‘mild� horror or dark thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley, Aria and Aries and David Mark for providing a copy for me to review. My opinion is my own. 3.5 stars rounded up....more
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