I have read all of Gillian McAllister’s novels and always find them compelling. This is no exception and the twists and turns just kept on coming.
This novel revolves around the Plant family. The main storyline is between the three siblings, Frannie, Cathy and Joe. Not only do they work together running a successful vet practice, they live next to each other in the same street. It all feels a little claustrophobic.
‘That Night’ centres on a holiday they took to Verona, staying in their villa. The three siblings plus Joe’s wife, Lydia, and Frannie’s son, Paul, had taken a break from the vet’s practice, leaving Evan in charge. Frannie calls her two siblings in the early hours of one morning, careful to exclude Lydia, as she has run over a man.
They begin the cover up and, despite being questioned by the local police they are allowed to return to the UK. The story investigates the relationship between the three of them and their parents and how it all changes as they believe the body will be found any time. There are some clever dialogues and some evil situations.
At the beginning Freddie, a teenager going through some issues at school, comes home late (early hours of the morning) to tell his parents, Sarah and Tom, that he has killed somebody.
Sarah and Tom are totally different characters and the story goes through how they met, the lies they told to each other and the secrets they kept from the other one. Cleverly plotted with numerous sub-plots, twists and turns. The narrative is split between the present and past, the latter showing the path both parents have taken to end up where they are.
Another great read from this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin General UK and Jane Corry for my ARC of The Lies We Tell in return for an honest review.
I have read most of the novels by Adele Parks and love them. This is no exception and I think this is up there as one of her best. I couldn’t put it down.
Leigh Fletcher is married to Mark and loves him and her two stepsons, who lost their biological mother to cancer. She appears to work hard for a management consultancy firm, as Mark runs a landscape gardening company, trying to ensure everyone is happy. She faces difficulties with the oldest son who is at the age where he is rebelling. When she doesn’t return from a work as expected Mark is sure something bad has happened. Fiona, Leigh’s best friend, helps out with the family and tries to help them through the crisis.
Kai Jannsen, married to Daan, lives with him in a luxury apartment and seems to have it all. She doesn’t need to work, and they live an affluent lifestyle. When Kai doesn’t return from visiting her mother in Newcastle Daan becomes concerned.
Both husbands report their wives missing to the police and DC Clements begins to investigate the disappearances as they are only a few days apart. Her boss tells her she is wasting her time.
Great plotting and clever characterisations throughout with a few bombshells which had been astute crafted.
Many thanks to NetGalley, HQ General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers and Adele Parks for my Arc of Both of You in return for my honest review.
I am a huge fan of Jane Casey’s novels especially the Maeve Kerrigan series, and this standalone read is the best so far. I tend to avoid claiming that it is the best novel I have read but this is up there and the best I have read this year. Utterly compelling and disturbing so make sure the windows and doors are locked if you read this alone in the house.
Ingrid Lewis is a barrister and used to dealing with difficult situations and tricky clients. She defended John Webster against a stalking charge. A police officer, Adam Nash, warns Ingrid that John Webster is evil, and this proves to be the case as he stalks her and her fiancé, Mark.
The story is narrated by Ingrid who is a feisty, intelligent woman and turns into a private investigator to try and find out who is responsible for her colleague, Belinda’s, ‘murder’. Belinda had borrowed Ingrid’s umbrella and ends up under the wheels of a lorry.
Superb plotting and amazingly dynamic characters with a great ending.
Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Jane Casey for my ARC of The Killing Kind in return for my honest review.
Anna Robinson hasn’t been seen since she went on a night out with her four closest friends.
She has a loving husband and a son she adores. Surely she wouldn’t abandon them and her perfect life.
But what has happened to her?
At the school gates, it’s not long before the rumours start.
Anna’s oldest friend is beside herself with worry – desperately searching for answers and certain that someone is hiding the truth.
With each day that passes, Anna’s life is under increasing threat. And as the pressure mounts, it won’t be long before something cracks…
My review
I have read all of Heidi Perks novels so was delighted to receive the ARC of The Whispers in return for my honest review. Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone and Heidi Perks for this opportunity. I was also pleased to be part of the blog tour.
Anna and Grace had been best friends in their childhood until Grace emigrated to Australia with her parents. In fact, they had been inseparable.
Grace returns home to Clearwater, near Weymouth and arrives at Anna’s door expecting the friendship to continue as before. However, Anna is now married with a young son and a group of close-knit friends, Nancy, Rachel and Caitlyn, who seem to be over-protective of Anna.
Anna Robinson’s disappearance leaves so many questions and all of those involved in her life have different reactions. Something definitely doesn’t add up as surely she wouldn’t leave, walking out on a devoted husband and a son she loves dearly without a word.
The story is told from Grace and Anna’s perspective between the present and the past. I became hooked immediately as there are so many secrets and lies. As usual this author keeps the reader guessing and the final outcome is superbly crafted with a clever portrayal of the women.
Another outstanding read from Heidi Perks and not to be missed.
About Heidi Perks
Heidi Perks worked as a marketing director before becoming a full-time mother and writer. Her first novel, Now You See Her, was a Sunday Times bestseller and a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. Heidi is also the author of Come Back For Me, which was another Sunday Times bestseller and the highly acclaimed, Three Perfect Liars.
Heidi is a voracious reader of crime and thrillers and endlessly interested in what makes people tick. She lives in Bournemouth with her husband and two children.
