Little Sister by Isabel Ashdown Book Review

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After sixteen years apart Jessica and Emily are reunited. With the past now behind them, the warmth they once shared quickly returns and before long Jess has moved into Emily's comfortable island home. Life couldn't be better. But when baby Daisy disappears while in Jess's care, the perfect life Emily has so carefully built starts to fall apart.

Was Emily right to trust her sister after everything that happened before? 


MY THOUGHTS 

Little Sister is the first book by Isabel Ashdown which I have read. I have seen this book a lot on social media and I couldn’t wait to start reading it. Set in the Isle of Wight, Isabel tells the story of a family whose life is ripped apart when their young daughter Daisy goes missing.  

When Emily and James return home from a night out at a party on New Year’s Eve, their world is turned upside down when they discover that their daughter, Daisy is missing. Emily’s sister, Jess was babysitting for the night and is distraught to learn that Daisy disappeared in her care. Jess’s memory of that night, before Emily and James returned home is patchy. What happened in those missing hours that she struggles to put together? What happened to Daisy and where is she now?

This is a powerful novel by Isabel Ashdown. Isabel deals with the trauma of a family in the wake of a tragedy in her latest novel and she does this incredibly well, particularly when she explores Emily’s trauma after losing her daughter. I also thought that Isabel painted the scenery really well. I last went to the Isle of Wight eleven years ago on a school trip and reading Little Sister brought all the memories back. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go back to.

I thought that Isabel explored the relationship between Emily and Jess brilliantly and I found it interesting to learn about their past and how it has affected them in the future. She delivers a brilliant ending to this book. I won’t say too much more about the plot here but the direction the book takes really will take you by surprise. There are some shocking revelations in this book and one twist in particular made my jaw drop open, only a small handful of books have been able to do that.

Isabel hooks her reader from the first page, I was quickly absorbed by the story and it didn’t take me long to finish. A real page turner, I can’t wait to see what Isabel does next. 

Publisher: Trapeze

Publication date: 27th April 2017

Print length: 384 pages


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Fire Damage by Kate Medina Book Review

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To find a killer, she must unlock a child's terror . . .

The first in an exciting new crime series featuring psychologist Dr Jessie Flynn - a brilliantly complex character who struggles with a dark past.

'The girl knows,' he whispered . . .

Four-year-old Sami is deeply traumatized, and its up to psychologist Dr Jessie Flynn to unlock his terrifying memories. She needs to find out who 'the girl' is - but nothing can prepare her for the truth about what haunts him.

Meanwhile, Jessie's former patient Captain Ben Callan, is investigating the suspicious death of an officer in Afghanistan - the problem is the only suspect refuses to talk.

When a dead body washes up on a Sussex beach, Jessie's and Ben's cases converge. Soon it's clear that the mystery in Afghanistan began with a secret much closer to home. And a desperate killer will do anything to keep it buried . . .

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve had Fire Damage by Kate Medina on my TBR list for a while but because of other commitments I haven’t been able to get round to it as quickly as I would have liked, so I was so pleased when I finally started reading it last week.

Fire Damage is the first book in the Jessie Flynn series. Psychologist, Jessie Flynn has been assigned to a case where it is her job to get to the bottom of a little boy’s trauma. Four-year-old Sami’s father, Sergeant Major Scott has been seriously burnt whilst he was serving in Afghanistan and seeing his father in this condition has left Sami seriously traumatized. Jessie is left feeling frustrated when his family come forward with little information and sometimes she has to resort to desperate measures to get that information, to understand what is going on in Sami’s world. But what she does not realize is how big this case really is, is it possible that the discovery of a burnt corpse, washed up on a Sussex beach could be linked to Sami’s case?  

I really liked Jessie’s character in this book. She has an interesting back story which she finds difficult to re visit and I thought that Kate wrote her emotions really well, particularly when she was reliving parts of her earlier life. I thought that this was particularly well done when Kate explored Jessie’s relationship with her mother. I liked as well her determination to get to the bottom of Sami’s case, no matter what it’ll cost her in doing so.

The ending of this book was brilliant; Kate had me on tenterhooks as I was waiting to find out what happened next, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Really excellent writing.

This was a brilliant first book in the Jessie Flynn series. Original and intriguing characters and a twisty plot that’ll keep you hooked. This is a crime novel that you do not want to miss. I can’t wait to read the next book!  

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication date: 24th March 2016

Print length: 384 pages


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Little Boy Found by LX Fox blog tour

I'm thrilled to be taking part in the Little Boy Found blog tour today. Little Boy Found is an e book only publication published by Quercus.


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WHEN HE FOUND HIS LITTLE BOY, NICK THOUGHT THE NIGHTMARE WAS OVER . . . IT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING. 

One rainy morning, just after Nick drops off his young son Gabriel outside the crowded school gates, he has a minor collision with another car. The driver won't surrender his insurance details, so Nick photographs the licence plate. When he gets home, he enlarges the shot on his phone and spots something odd about the picture - Gabriel in the back seat, being driven away by a stranger. Nick needs to know what happened to his little boy, but losing Gabriel turns out to be far less terrible than the shock of finding him. Now, to discover the truth, he must relive the nightmare all over again . . . Be warned, this is not another missing child story: what happened to Nick and his son is far more shocking.


MY THOUGHTS

This novel is an unusual take on the "missing child" story, it is a psychological drama filled with suspense that will keep you turning the pages.

When Nick drops his eight year old son, Gabriel off at school, his car is hit by another vehicle. The driver does not want to share their insurance details so Nick takes a photograph of the number plate. When Nick returns home he enlarges the picture on his phone and sees something, his son Gabriel in the back seat of the car as he is being driven away by a stranger. But the truth of what happened to Gabriel that day is far more shocking, and as Nick strives to find answers is he prepared to find out the truth about what happened to his son?

The novel is told from two perspectives, Nick and Ella. I really liked both of the stories here, although I found Ella slightly more engaging than Nick. The author made me want to understand how the two stories were connected and there are some shocking revelations. I liked how he intertwined the two tales and it was interesting to see how they would develop as the book progressed. I was sad to say goodbye to Nick and Ella after I finished, I was intrigued to learn more about what happened to Ella after the final page. It's difficult to say too much about the plot without giving away the story but it makes for a riveting read.

This was a captivating read from LX  Fox, I would recommend it to fans of psychological thrillers and suspense, I'll be interested to see what he does next. Thank you to Alainna Georgiou at Quercus for sending me a copy to review and for organising the blog tour.

Publisher: Quercus

Publication date: 6th July 2017 (E book only)

Print length: 270 pages

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Good as Gone by Amy Gentry Book Review

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Eight years ago, thirteen-year-old Julie Whitaker was kidnapped from her bedroom in the middle of the night.

In the years since, her family have papered over the cracks of their grief - while hoping against hope that Julie is still alive.

And then, one night, the doorbell rings.

Gripping, shocking, and deviously clever, Good as Gone is perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train and The Ice Twins - and will keep readers guessing until the final page.


MY THOUGHTS

Good as Gone is the debut novel by Amy Gentry. It is a fast paced novel which will grab you by the throat and you won’t want to put it down until you have finished it.

The book opens with a shocking scene which pulls you into the story. Julie Whitaker is thirteen when she is kidnapped by knife point from her bedroom in the middle of the night. Her sister, Jane, is powerless and she has to live with the guilt that she didn’t do more to save her sister that night. Eight years later and Julie’s family are still searching for her but they are stunned when one night the doorbell rings, Julie has come home. But is everything as it seems and when Julie’s mother, Anna begins to have doubts she fights to find out what is really going on. But is she prepared to find out what really happened the night her daughter disappeared?

What I really liked about Amy Gentry’s writing is its addictive quality. Amy knows how to hook her reader. There are some scenes in the novel, however, which I did find confusing. Amy tells the story from different perspectives, it was difficult to tell how these scenes connected to the story at first and occasionally I did have to go back and re read a few paragraphs so I could make sense of what was happening but as the plot unravels everything did begin to pull together.

Amy has created some intriguing characters in this book. As I started reading I wanted to find out more about Julie and her sister Jane, what would their relationship be like now that Julie has come back and how this would affect their family.

A really enjoyable read, perfect for fans of Helen Callaghan’s Dear Amy and the BBC Drama The Missing. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy to read in exchange for a review. 

Publisher: HQ

Publication date: 6th April 2017

Print length: 384 pages

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The Night Stalker by Robert Bryndza book review

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If the Night Stalker is watching, you're already dead...

In the dead of a swelteringly hot summer's night, Detective Erika Foster is called to a murder scene. The victim, a doctor, is found suffocated in bed. His wrists are bound and his eyes bulging through a clear plastic bag tied tight over his head.

A few days later, another victim is found dead, in exactly the same circumstances. As Erika and her team start digging deeper, they discover a calculated serial killer - stalking their victims before choosing the right moment to strike.

The victims are all single men, with very private lives. Why are their pasts shrouded in secrecy? And what links them to the killer?

As a heat wave descends upon London, Erika will do everything to stop the Night Stalker before the body count rises, even if it means risking her job. But the victims might not be the only ones being watched...Erika's own life could be on the line.

MY THOUGHTS

The Night Stalker is the second book in the DCI Erika Foster series by Robert Bryndza. I was so pleased when I finally got round to reading it as I loved The Girl in the Ice and The Night Stalker didn’t disappoint. Although The Night Stalker is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone, but you'll definitely want to read more once you have finished.

Erika and her team are called to the scene of the shocking murder of a doctor, they believe the murder is a one off but when the body count starts to rise they realise that they are looking for a new serial killer who is stalking the streets of London. Erika and her team race against the clock to try and find the killer before they strike again.

I love the characters in this series; Erika is one of my favourite fictional police detectives and she continues to prove that she is at the top of her game, even though she doesn’t always follow orders or stick to protocol. And that is what I like about her that she sticks to her guns which is a great way of adding to the tension.

Robert’s writing is hugely addictive and I raced through this installment in just a couple of days, he draws you into Erika’s world and into her character, so much so that I didn’t want the book to end.

Another excellent book in the Erika Foster series which I highly recommend. I’m off now to buy the next book in the series which I can’t wait to get started on. This is proving to be a gripping and very addictive crime series, worthy of all the praise it is getting. 

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 2nd June 2016

Print length: 382 pages

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An Act of Silence blog tour Q&A with Colette McBeth

I'm delighted to be taking part in the An Act of Silence blog tour today, featuring a Q&A with author Colette McBeth.


ABOUT THE BOOK 

These are the facts I collect.

My son Gabriel met a woman called Mariela in a bar. She went home with him. The next morning she was found in an allotment.

Mariela is dead.

Gabriel has been asked to report to Camden Police station in six hours for questioning.

Linda Moscow loves her son; it's her biological instinct to keep him safe. But if she's not sure of his innocence, how can she stand by him? Should she go against everything she believes to protect him?

She's done it before, and the guilt nearly killed her.

Now, the past is catching up with them. As old secrets resurface, Linda is face with another impossible choice. Only this time, it's her life on the line...


Q&A



Hi Colette, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. To start things off, can you give us your one line pitch for your new novel An Act of Silence?

It's about a mother faced with an impossible choice to save her son, and the lives destroyed by the decision she makes.

An Act of Silence has a very intricate plot, I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit about how you plotted the novel and how long it took you to write it?

With great difficulty! I'm a plotter and find it hard to write anything without having a clear sense of where I'm going. What tends to happen is that I have an idea for a novel and then spend about six months or more trying to pin it down while it's constantly changing. Then I get to the point where I can draw it all out, chapter by chapter, usually on a roll of wallpaper. It changes all the time but that's my road map. If I don't have it all laid out I can't remember what I'm supposed to be writing!

In the beginning of the novel, your character Linda Moscow is faced with an unprecedented situation when her son is accused of murder and she must decide if she will protect him. Did this every make you think how you would react if you were in Linda's situation?

Absolutely. I think we all believe we're essentially good people, and that we'd do what's right and proper in certain situations but sometimes life presents you with impossible choices. Linda was forced to make one such choice years before, and while I don't agree with what she did, as a mother I know I'd do anything to save my children.

An Act of Silence is your third novel, I was wondering if you could tell us how that feels to have your third novel out there and how life has changed for you since you became a published author?

When I was working full time, I used to dream of spending my days writing in a shed at the bottom of my garden without a care. The reality is somewhat different; I don't have a shed for starters (I have a study) and while it is a wonderful job, the truth is it can be quite tough mentally. Sitting on your own every day for a year and a half and producing a book you have no idea anyone is going to like or buy is terrifying. The benefit of having written three novels is that when I'm struggling to fix a story down, and the voice in my head is telling me it won't work, I now know from experience it will, but it takes time and thought.

I also have a great group of author friends who I chat to online (way too much if I'm honest) so when it's not going well I have twenty people telling me that it will be fine, and to just get on with it!

The other truth I've discovered is that writing tends to happen between the cracks of family life. There's always a meeting or a sports day or something happening that trumps my work so I end up writing a lot at night. Then again, there are amazing times, like publication day last week, where I can sit back and enjoy the achievement. 

Once your book is out there in the world, have you ever wished that you could go back and redraft it or change any other aspects about the plot?

Yes, always. No book is perfect and I think authors are way more critical of their work than most reviewers. But that's why it's a learning curve, and the beauty of starting a new book is you have a chance to do it better.

When I read An Act of Silence I was surprised by the direction it took, without trying to give too much of the plot away, did you always know how the story was going to develop?

Not when I had the inital idea of the mother son dynamic but as soon as the characters began to emerge I saw very clearly what had happened. If I'm honest I shied away from the subject matter at first and I do think it was absolutely right to be cautious. The last thing I wanted was for it to be gratuitous, but I also wanted to show the personal tragedy caused by such an abuse of power.

Who are your favourite authors in the crime fiction genre at the moment?

I'm a big fan of Liz Nugent and I loved Susie Steiner's Missing, Presumed. I'm hoping Rachel Rhys' Dangerous Crossing will be massive this summer. It's incredibly good.

Do you stick to a writing routine? Do you have a limit for how many words you write a day?

I'm a terrible procrastinator particularly at the plotting stage so my writing happens in stages; I don't seem to achieve much in the first six months and then I work flat out for the next six. When I'm at the writing stage I'll try and do 1,500 words a day.

What advice would you give to any aspiring authors?

Your book isn't going to write itself. No matter how great your idea is, how wonderful your prose, unless you find the time and make yourself do it, your novel will only ever be a dream. Set yourself a weekly target but don't stress if life gets in the way, it's not the end of the world.

And finally, what are you reading at the moment and what are you looking forward to reading this year?

I'm reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine right now for a break from crime fiction. I'll be downloading Persons, Unknown onto my kindle next.


Thank you Colette, for taking the time to answer my questions. And you can purchase her latest novel, An Act of Silence now by clicking HERE.

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Dying to Live by Michael Stanley blog tour

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The body of a Bushman is discovered near the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and the death is written off as an accident. But all is not as it seems. An autopsy reveals that although he's clearly very old, his internal organs are puzzingly young. What's more, an old bullet is lodged in one of his muscles . . . but where is the entry wound? When the body is stolen from the morgue and a local witch doctor is reported missing, Detective 'Kubu' Bengu through a confusion of rhino-horn smugglers, foreign gangsters and drug manufactures, the wider and more dangerous the case becomes... A fresh, new slice of 'Sunshine Noir', Dying to Live is a classic tale of greed, corruption and ruthless thuggery, set in one of the world's most beautiful landscapes, and featuring one of crime fiction's most endearing and humane detectives.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Michael Stanley is the writing team of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip. Both were born in South Africa and have worked in academia and business. On a flying trip to Botswana, they watched a pack of hyenas hunt, kill, and devour a wildebeest, eating both flesh and bones. That gave them the premise for their first mystery. A Carrion Death, which introduced Detective 'Kubu' Bengu of the Botswana Criminal Department. It was a finalist for five awards, including the CWA Debut Dagger. The series has been critically acclaimed, and their third book, Death of the Mantis, won the Barry Award and was a finalist for an Edgar award. Deadly Harvest was a finalist for an International Thriller Writers' award, and book 5, A Death in the Family, was an international bestseller.


MY THOUGHTS

Dying to Live is the sixth book in the Detective Kubu series by Michael Stanley. Although this is the first book by Michael Stanley which I have read, I didn’t have any trouble in getting into the story and it can be read as a standalone, if you are new to the series as well. But once you have finished this one, you’ll want to go back and read them all. It reminded me of the television show Death in Paradise on BBC One and I could instantly see the series appeal as a TV drama.

In the latest installment, the discovery of the body of an elderly bushman stumps detectives assigned to the case. An autopsy report reveals that the man’s organs are surprisingly young which can’t be possible. Detective Kubu does not believe in medicines and ‘magic’ created by Witch doctors but the autopsy revelations trouble him. But when the body is stolen from the morgue and a local witch doctor disappears he knows that this is going to be much more than a simple case. And who is the mysterious American anthropologist who also disappears under a shroud of mystery?

Dying to Live is another corker of a read from Orenda books. I really liked Detective Kubu and he seemed like a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of fictional police detectives out there. I also liked his colleague Samantha, and in my personal opinion, she was my favourite character from the book. She was the first woman detective on the team and she often has to stand up for herself. I liked her determination to see a case through, even though, if perhaps, it is one she would rather not be investigating.

This novel is packed with plenty of twists and turns, I also found Kubu’s family life interesting and heartbreaking at times. Kubu’s daughter was born with HIV and he and his wife are left at their wits end when she falls dangerously ill. Kubu must manage to keep track of what is happening with the investigation whilst worrying about his daughter and his own family at the same time.

A really enjoyable read, the detective Kubu series is definitely one to watch. Thank you to Anne Cater and Orenda books for sending me a copy to read and for organising the blog tour. 

Publisher: Orenda Books

Print length: 300 pages

Publication date: 12th July 2017

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