Monday 26 December 2016

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lepena Book Review



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PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF ALMOST ANYTHING.

‘2016’s most talked-about new thriller’ Stylist

‘A twisty, utterly riveting tale that will send readers on a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions. Shocking revelations kept me turning the pages like a madwoman’ TESS GERRITSEN

Fast-paced and addictive, THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR announces a major new talent in thriller writing.

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You never know what's happening on the other side of the wall.

Your neighbour told you that she didn't want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn't stand her crying.

Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you only live next door. You'll have the baby monitor and you'll take it in turns to go back every half hour.

Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realized. She's gone.

You've never had to call the police before. But now they're in your home, and who knows what they'll find there.

What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit?


MY THOUGHTS



The Couple Next Door is Shari Lepena’s debut novel. I was drawn in by the opening pages, in what seemed to be a hostile and tense atmosphere between two couples having dinner. After reading the opening pages on Amazon I was intrigued to know how the story developed and it didn't disappoint.

Anne, and her husband Marco, are celebrating their neighbours fortieth birthday. Their babysitter has cancelled on them at the last minute and they have left their six month old baby, Cora, alone, (a decision which Anne isn’t comfortable with.) They are checking on the baby every half an hour and when Anne makes the last check she finds that her baby daughter is missing, taken from her crib. We can all relate to making bad decisions, some people may not be able to even comprehend leaving their child alone, even if they are only a few feet away. But their are definitely people out there who see no harm in it without realising that they are living life on the edge.   

Detective Rasbach arrives on the scene and he immediately suspects the parents. I was put off a little by his accusations and ideas in the opening pages and I didn’t particularly like him as a detective, but his character grew on me as the novel progressed and by the end I was rooting for him to get to the truth.

Anne is definitely an unreliable narrator, a trend which appears to be taking the psychological thriller market by storm in recent years. I did feel though, that the idea of Anne's illness wasn't explored to its full potential. This idea had huge dramatic potential and it was a shame that the author didn't decide to explore this further, there are definitely a lot of exciting ideas here. 

About half way into the book I did guess the major plot twist, but that didn’t put me off reading further. Shari still had lots of surprises up her sleeve; I still can’t get the last few pages out of my head.

Although The Couple Next Door was not one of my favourite books this year, I did however find it enjoyable and I would recommend it if you are looking for an easy and satisfying read, perfect to take away on holiday. 


Publisher: Bantam Press

Print Length: 304 pages

Publication date: 14th July 2016



Thursday 22 December 2016

Quieter Than Killing by Sarah Hilary Book Review



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Sarah Hilary, winner of the Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year, returns with a new Marnie Rome novel, QUIETER THAN KILLINGThe Daily Mail heralds Sarah as one of 'Britain's best new crime writers' - For fans of Val McDermid and Mo Hayder.

Sometimes staying silent is the only way to survive

'You only ever ask that. Why did I do it? You never ask what they did.'
The winter cold is biting, and a series of assaults is pulling DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jake out into the frosty, mean streets of London far more than they'd like. The attacks seem random, but when Marnie's family home is ransacked, there are signs that the burglary can have only been committed by a child - and someone who knows all about her. It will take a prison visit to her foster brother, Stephen, to help Marnie see the connections - and to force both her and Noah to face the truth about the creeping, chilling reaches of a troubled upbringing. For how can a damaged child really leave their past behind them?


MY THOUGHTS 


Quieter Than Killing by Sarah Hilary, is quite simply superb. It is the kind of novel that you could quite happily lose an afternoon to and I read it in a heartbeat.

In the latest instalment in the Marine Rome series, Marnie and Noah are investigating a series of assaults. Each victim has been convicted of a serious crime and no matter how hard they have tried to move on it appears that someone isn’t ready to put the past in its place.

Sarah’s writing is second to none. I love her writing style and descriptive techniques which she uses expertly to build Marnie’s world and you really feel as though you are seeing London through her eyes. In her latest book, Sarah introduces us to DCS Ferguson who has been drafted in from Manchester whilst Marnie’s boss, Tim Welland is on temporary leave. Undoubtedly there are tensions between Marnie’s team and her new boss. I thought that this was a great idea for Sarah to explore and it added something fresh to the series as well which I liked.

Marnie’s relationship with her foster brother Stephen is also explored further in this book. For those of you who have not read Sarah’s previous novels, in the opening pages of Someone Else’s Skin (book one) we learn that Stephen Keele, murdered Marnie’s parents when he was only fourteen-years-old. The scenes with just the two of them talking really have me on the edge of my seat and hanging on every word that is said. As the reader I really felt Marnie’s pain, she is still fighting to understand what made Stephen do what he did. It makes you wonder why she keeps going back to see him it’s almost as though he is a drug to her.

Another reason why I was looking forward to reading this book was because I was featuring as a character in the story after winning an auction this year for the CLIC Sargent charity for children with cancer. I felt that I couldn’t finish this review without mentioning my character. Sarah, I loved my role in the story, there were several moments where I had to chuckle to myself, particularly when I meet Marnie for the first time.

Once again, Sarah has proved herself to be at the top of her game. Her books always leave you with a hunger for more and I’m already looking forward to the next installment in the series.

I can’t recommend Quieter Than Killing highly enough. And if you haven’t read the previous novels in the series, Someone Else’s Skin, No Other Darkness and Tastes Like Fear are available to buy now. Thank you to Headline and Netgalley for the review copy. 

Publisher: Headline

Print length: 416 pages

Publication date: 9th March 2017





The Missing Hours by Emma Kavanagh Book Review



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'Prepare to have your mind well and truly twisted' - Heat

A woman disappears 

One moment, Selena Cole is in the playground with her children and the next, she has vanished without a trace. 

A woman returns 

Twenty hours later, Selena is found safe and well, but with no memory of where she has been. 


What took place in those missing hours, and are they linked to the discovery of a nearby murder? 

‘Is it a forgetting or a deception?’


MY THOUGHTS


Emma Kavanagh has just been added to my list of top favourite authors. The Missing Hours is the first book by Emma which I have read. What a riveting read it was, I loved the characters in the book; especially Leah who I have to say was my favourite.

When Selena Cole, a mother of two young children vanishes whilst on a family trip out, Detective Constable Leah Mackay is drafted in and she is desperate to bring Selena home. Has she been kidnapped or have the trials of her life finally taken toll on her, leaving her to walk out on her two girls? But Leah is amazed when twenty hours later, Selena walks back into her life, confused but seemingly fine. For Leah there are still many unanswered questions as to what happened in those missing hours but when the body of a solicitor is discovered, Leah is forced to wrap up the case into Selena’s disappearance quickly. A murder takes priority. And the police know that this case is going to be big.

As the investigation into the murder of solicitor, Dominic Newell progresses, Leah becomes more and more convinced that there is a link between Selena’s disappearance and Dominic’s murder. Can she work out what that link is and bring a killer to justice?

The novel is told from multiple viewpoints; I loved the idea that the two police detectives working on the case, DS Finn Hale and DC Leah Mackay are brother and sister. This adds a lot of potential ideas, both in their working relationship and in their personal life. I loved the dialogue between them. I hope this won’t be the last we hear from Leah and Finn.

I loved the ending which was so clever, Emma has an expert eye for detail and I thought it was brilliant how she pulled everything together. I can’t wait to see what she does next.


Publisher: Arrow

Print length: 400 pages

Publication date: 17th November 2016





Wednesday 21 December 2016

Tall Oaks by Chris Whitaker Book Review



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For fans of Twin Peaks and The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair, this brilliant debut is dark yet hilarious, suspenseful but full of joy.

"I always know when a book has completely blown me away - as a reader, I want to weep because I've finished it and I will never again get to experience it for the first time, and as a writer, it makes me want to weep because I wish I had written it myself. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BOOKS."
Lisa Hall, author of the No.1 Bestseller Between You and Me

When three-year-old Harry goes missing, the whole of America turns its attention to one small town.

Everyone is eager to help. Everyone is a suspect.

Desperate mother Jess, whose grief is driving her to extreme measures.

Newcomer Jared, with an easy charm and a string of broken hearts in his wake.

Photographer Jerry, who's determined to break away from his controlling mother once and for all.

And, investigating them all, a police chief with a hidden obsession of his own . . .

In Chris Whitaker's brilliant and original debut novel, missing persons, secret identities and dangerous lies abound in a town as idiosyncratic as its inhabitants.


MY THOUGHTS


Tall Oaks is an exceptional debut by Chris Whittaker that I found myself completely sucked into. I have never felt myself immersed by so many different characters in one book which gave the story a very Broadchurch feel but American style.

At the heart of Tall Oaks is the investigation into the disappearance of three-year-old Harry. The book opens with Harry’s mother describing how her son disappeared. The descriptions of the clown gave me chills.

In one moment, America turns its attention on this seemingly quiet, crime free neighbourhood. Jim, the detective investigating Harry’s disappearance, is desperate for a breakthrough in the case and to reunite Harry with his mother, Jess. How could such a thing have happened here? Is the person behind Harry’s disappearance one of them, someone who they see and talk to every day?

As well as the investigation into Harry’s disappearance, Tall Oaks focuses on a small, close knit community as they struggle to come to terms with what has happened in their neighbourhood and try to move on with their lives even though the person who took Harry is still at large. Chris Whittaker takes us inside their lives which he has woven intricately with excellent detail. Each person had their own well developed character and reading more about them and their lives kept me turning the pages.
One character who I think deserves a special mention is Manny, a teenager who is desperate to be known as a gangster. Manny had me in stitches throughout the book; I loved the dialogue in the scenes he took part in, particularly with his best friend Abe and mother, Elena. He was definitely one of my favourite characters from Tall Oaks.

There was one twist in Tall Oaks which particularly left me gasping. This was a real knock out moment but it makes so much sense when I look back on the story now. And then there was that killer ending, a final twist that I certainly didn’t see coming. Chris did a really clever job of weaving everything together in the end to a very neat and satisfying conclusion. I feel that I’m really going to miss all the characters in Tall Oaks and I know that I won’t be forgetting about them anytime soon.


I don’t want to say anything more about the plot as I don’t want to spoil the story for future readers, but I can’t recommend Tall Oaks highly enough, it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. 


Publisher: Twenty7

Print length: 368 pages

Publication date: 8th September 2016


Wednesday 14 December 2016

Tattletale by Sarah J Naughton Book Review

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For fans of Disclaimer and I Let You GoTattletale is the debut psychological thriller you can't miss.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who believed in fairytales. Now she is out to get your happy ending.

One day changes Jody's life forever.
She has shut herself down, haunted by her memories and unable to trust anyone. But then she meets Abe, the perfect stranger next door and suddenly life seems full of possibility and hope.

One day changes Mags' life forever.
After years of estrangement from her family, Mags receives a shocking phone call. Her brother Abe is in hospital and no-one knows what happened to him. She meets his fiance Jody, and gradually pieces together the ruins of the life she left behind.

But the pieces don't quite seem to fit...


MY THOUGHTS

I absolutely loved this book. In Tattletale, Sarah J Naughton’s debut in adult fiction, Mags is trying to find out who has put her brother, Abe, in a coma. The police believe it was suicide attempt but is there perhaps a more sinister reason behind his fall? Who is really telling the truth? Who can Mags trust?

You never really know what to expect in this book. Sarah takes you on a ride filled with plenty of twists and turns that leave you gasping. I can’t say too much without revealing the plot and spoiling it for readers but I think the character who I liked the most was Jody. Jody lives next door to Mag’s brother in a block of flats and she has not had a good upbringing as a child. There were times when I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and give her a hug.

Sarah expertly drew you into her character’s lives and she definitely knows how to create tension. The story did bring back memories of watching What Remains on BBC back in 2013 which had a similar feel.

Some of the themes in Tattletale are very dark and I did find some scenes a little uncomfortable but they were important in unravelling the story.


I found it impossible to put this book down. I found myself immersed in Sarah’s storytelling and she is definitely a writer who I would like to read more from. I’m sure this book will do very well next year. I highly recommend it. If you love a twisty psychological thriller, this book is for you. Special thanks to Trapeze and Netgalley for the advance review copy. 


Publisher: Trapeze 

Print length: 336 pages

Publication date: 23rd March 2017 


Saturday 10 December 2016

My top ten reads of 2016

For me, 2016 feels like a bit of whir. That seems to be the case every year and they only seem to be getting faster. Scary. So, here we are, approaching 2017 which looks like a corker of a year for brilliant book releases but I've read some pretty terrific books this year and below you'll find my top ten, in no particular order:

The Widow by Fiona Barton



One word for this book: stunning, The Widow was one of the first books I reviewed when I set up this blog back in April. I still haven't forgotten THAT ending. If you haven't read it yet, you can purchase it by clicking HERE.


Tastes Like Fear by Sarah Hilary



Sarah Hilary's, DI Marnie Rome series just keeps getting better and better. I'm super excited for her next book, Quieter Than Killing which will be released in March next year. To purchase Tastes Like Fear, click HERE


Lie With Me by Sabine Durrant 



Set in a hot summer in Greece, you'll completely lose yourself in this story. Lie With Me was magnificent and for me it certainly lived up to its expectation. I had heard great things about this book and it didn't let me down. click HERE to purchase.

Watching Edie by Camilla Way



I read this book in two days flat. Watching Edie is seriously good and the story of Heather and Edie has stayed with me for a long time. Click HERE to purchase.

Saving Sophie by Sam Carrington



Sam Carrington is an author to watch! I read Saving Sophie in a heartbeat. A real page turner, I can't wait to read Sam's next book. Click HERE to purchase.


Ragdoll by Daniel Cole 



Ragdoll is certainly going to be a HIT when it is released next year. Thanks to the team at Trapeze, I received an early review copy. I devoured this book in one setting. Ragdoll is a book with a stunning cast of characters and brilliant humour. Click HERE to pre-order now!

Defender by GX Todd 



Defender is the first in four part series by GX Todd, a dystopian world set in a futuristic version of America. It is a masterpiece. Click HERE to purchase.


Blood Lines by Angela Marsons 



I'm a huge fan of Angela Marosns Kim Stone series. The series stars with Silent Scream which was an e-book phenomenon, selling over a million copies. If you haven't discovered Kim Stone yet, what are you waiting for? Click HERE to purchase.


Sirens by Joseph Knox



I was luck to receive an early copy of this book to review. Sirens kept me turning the pages, I'm hoping that this is the start of a fantastic new series. Click HERE to pre-order.


Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner



I thought DS Manon Bradshaw was one of the best new characters in crime fiction this year. Missing, Presumed had me gripped from its opening pages right to the end. I can't wait to see what Susie has next in store for Manon. Click HERE to purchase.


And that's a wrap. These are the books that have definitely been my top favourites this year. Have you read any of them, or would you like to? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, I'd love to hear them.

Saturday 3 December 2016

Defender by GX Todd Book Review

Defender: The Voices Book 1 by [Todd, G X]

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Defender by G X Todd is an imaginative thriller that draws on influences from Stephen King, Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman to create a new world - where the biggest threat mankind faces is from the voices inside your own head. If you loved The Stand, you'll love Defender, the first in a four part series.
'Compelling, suspenseful, and altogether extraordinary' Lee Child
'So accomplished that it's difficult to believe it's a first novel, Defender is already worthy to take its place alongside The Stand in the canon. An absolute gem of a book' John Connolly
'On the cusp of sleep, have we not all heard a voice call out our name?'
In a world where long drinks are in short supply, a stranger listens to the voice in his head telling him to buy a lemonade from the girl sitting on a dusty road.
The moment locks them together.
Here and now it's dangerous to listen to your inner voice. Those who do, keep it quiet.
These voices have purpose.
And when Pilgrim meets Lacey, there is a reason. He just doesn't know it yet.
Defender pulls you on a wild ride to a place where the voices in your head will save or slaughter you.

MY THOUGHTS

Wow, what can I say about Defender? What a brilliant debut novel by GX Todd, and one I am sure will hit the bestseller charts next year!
Defender is not the sort of book I would usually read, but I was intrigued by the story after hearing a lot about it on Twitter and the cover definitely made up my mind. I dived in and I am so glad that I did. The author is a master at storytelling! I was sucked into the story from page one and I was kept hooked right up until the very last page. Defender is a story that I’m sure will stay with me for a long time.
Defender is a dystopian novel set in a post apocalyptic version of the United States. In the opening pages we are introduced to Pilgrim, who hears a voice and when he comes across a girl, Lacey, who is selling lemonade, he has no idea how much his life is going to change just by one chance meeting. I loved Pilgrim’s voice who was often very witty and lightened up the book.
Lacey is desperate to reach her sister, Karey and the rest of the family after the death of her Nan. I loved Lacey’s character, and I really liked the relationship that she built with Pilgrim afterwards, even though Pilgrim was reluctant to help her out in the first place. He is not especially welcoming to people, other than to the voice inside his head. I didn’t like Pilgrim at first but I grew to like him as the novel progressed, he would be a great friend to have around.
GX Todd keeps you gripping the edge of your seat as Pilgrim and Lacey try to reach her sister. Lacey is desperately hoping that her sister has survived, against all the odds as her sister is the only future she can see for herself.
You really get a sense of the world that you are in within these pages and GX Todd has done a fantastic job of crafting the landscape. I really liked the fact that the author kept some elements of the world we live in, in this book and she made it feel as though the story was set in the not too distant future.
Defender really surprised me, I can’t wait for the next book in the series, there are a lot of ideas here that I am desperate to know more about! Defender took me on a journey that I will not be forgetting quickly and I really became attached the characters who I can’t wait to hear more from. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for the early review copy!
Publisher: Headline
Print length: 464 pages
Publication date: 12th January 2017