Category: Uncategorized

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The Kim Stone series (book 13) ‘Deadly Cry’ is yet another brilliant read.  I have been a huge fan of Angela Marsons since the first book in this series and the author seems to get the balance spot on every time.  Human interactions combined with gritty plots which never pull punches. 

I would say that having read the previous twelve novels my enjoyment is enhanced as I understand the characters and the sub-plots surrounding them but this can easily be read as a stand-alone.

It begins with a young girl found, without any parents, in a shopping centre clutching her teddy bear. Her mother, Katrina, is missing and her body is found hours later in an abandoned building, with her neck snapped. She has scratches on her arm.

A few days later the second victim is found, with her neck broken in the same way although no scratches this time. However, her son is missing, assumed kidnapped by the murderer. Why the change?

At the same time as DI Kim Stone is investigating these murders after receiving letters directly addressed to her from, what appears to be, the killer, Detective Stacey Wood is looking into an old rape case where nobody was charged.

Cleverly plotted, numerous twists and turns with some unpleasant, devious characters littering the sub-plots.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Angela Marsons for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Another exceptional read and highly recommended.

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I have read all of K L Slater’s previous novels and have thoroughly enjoyed them. ‘The Girl She Wanted’ is no exception and I would put it as one of the best so far.

The story revolves around Alexa, married to Perry who frequently works away and her sister Carrie, who is living with the couple along with their daughter Florence as her marriage has broken up.

Carrie is the nurse in charge at a busy A&E department in the local hospital and recently two deaths have occurred even though the patients seemed to be recovering. An investigation is instigated by a junior doctor and Carrie finds herself in the middle of it all.

Clever characters, all with something to hide, along with excellent, fast-paced plotting. There were many twists, turns and sub-plots and a brilliant ending.

Another great read and highly recommended.  Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and KL Slater for the ARC in return for my honest review.

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Another brilliant read from Cara Hunter in the DI Adam Fawley series. The main characters continue to develop and add to the read although it is easily a stand alone novel. It is no secret that I love Cara Hunter novels and they seem to be getting better and better.

There are two investigations running parallel although it is not clear, at first, what is happening. Much is left to the reader’s imagination, which I love. DI Fawley is called to a local university about a complaint of sexual assault where the accuser is a sporty, good looking student who is blaming his professor, a well-known and well-liked woman.

In addition, a body of a woman is found on a railway line, initially indicating suicide but soon to be discovered as a murder. This is a friend of the Fawley family and the indications are that Adam knew more about this than he told the investigators.

A compelling read which had me totally engrossed with the twists, turns and a mind-blowing ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Books UK and Cara Hunter for my ARC of ‘The Whole Truth’ in return for an honest review.

Another brilliant read and highly recommended.

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I have read many of Ian Rankin’s novels before and most of the Rebus series finding the central character witty and clever.

We begin with Rebus and his dog, Brillo, moving downstairs to a smaller, garden flat in the same building. DI Siobhan Clarke is helping with the move and has taken a few days holiday to assist although she cannot stay away from Major Crimes where an investigation is taking place into the murder of a rich playboy, Salman bin Mahmoud.

The first night in his new flat Rebus receives a call from his daughter, Samantha, who is worried that her partner, Keith, is missing. Rebus goes to the assistance of his daughter and soon become embroiled in the investigation even though he and his daughter do not see eye to eye about many things.

Both investigations develop and somehow overlap.  This is an engaging, compelling read, put together with the usual Ian Rankin skill.

Thanks to NetGalley, Orion Publishing and Ian Rankin for the ARC of ‘A Song for Dark Times’ in return for my honest review.

Excellent read and highly recommended.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Books UK and Richard Osman for my ARC of ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ in return for my honest review

This is based on four residents who live in an affluent retirement village on the south coast: Elizabeth (ex-spy chief), Joyce (former nurse), Ibrahim (retired psychiatrist) and Ron (ex-trade union boss). They amuse themselves by trying to solve cold case murders.

Then two real life murders happen to people they know who are involved with the retirement village so the four of them, who belong to the Thursday Murder Club, decide to find the truth.

I struggled and nearly gave up a few times, but I always feel obliged to finish the books I receive on NetGalley. I was pleased I hadn’t paid for this.