#ClassMurder by Leigh Russell Book Review @LeighRussell @1stMondayCrime

First Monday Crime is nearly upon us and there is another stellar line-up for next month’s panel. But before I give you all the details, here’s my thoughts on Class Murder by Leigh Russell who will be appearing at next month’s panel alongside three more brilliant crime writers.

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With so many potential victims to choose from, there would be many deaths. He was spoiled for choice, really, but he was determined to take his time and select his targets carefully. Only by controlling his feelings could he maintain his success. He smiled to himself. If he was clever, he would never have to stop. And he was clever. He was very clever. Far too clever to be caught.

Geraldine Steel is reunited with her former sergeant, Ian Peterson.

When two people are murdered, their only connection lies buried in the past. As police search for the elusive killer, another body is discovered. Pursuing her first investigation in York, Geraldine Steel struggles to solve the baffling case. How can she expose the killer, and rescue her shattered reputation, when all the witnesses are being murdered?

Look out for more DI Geraldine Steel investigations in Cut Short, Road Closed, Dead End, Death Bed, Stop Dead, Fatal Act, Killer Plan, Murder Ring and Deadly Alibi

Don’t miss the DI Ian Peterson series: Cold Sacrifice, Race to Death and Blood Axe

MY THOUGHTS

Class Murder is the tenth novel in the Geraldine Steel series by Leigh Russell and I can’t believe that I have only discovered this series now. I started reading this book during my lunch break at work and I did not want to put it down, if I could have stayed reading all afternoon I would have.

Geraldine has recently relocated to York after she was forced into a position to leave the Metropolitan Police in London. She knows that she has no chance of promotion and is now working alongside her old colleague, DI Ian Peterson, but their roles have switched. As she is beginning to adjust to her new life in York, she is thrown into a murder investigation when a young woman is found dead. And soon more bodies begin to turn up. The suspect continues to evade them and the police come under fire from the media for their lack of progress. As the investigation progresses a link emerges that binds the victims together. Could the killer be specifically targeting people, and if so, why? Are there more victims on their hit-list to come?

When I started reading this book, I found the reversal of roles between Geraldine and Ian an interesting idea to explore. I was curious to see how this would work out between them and if there would be any tensions from Geraldine’s side, as she is the one who is now taking orders. It left me wondering how Geraldine would get on working up in York and if, whether or not, she would stay to stick it out. I’m intrigued to see how this will develop in future books.

I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this book, and I’m sure that I’ll return to previous books in the series as Leigh raised plenty of questions about Geraldine’s life which I want to find out more about. Geraldine is definitely the kind of officer who you would want working on your case, she is determined to see results and she is willing to put all other matters aside, including her own family who become increasingly frustrated with this idea.

The plot of the novel was engaging, although it is primarily told from Geraldine’s viewpoint Leigh also writes from the minds of the characters who are being targeted. She also tells the story from the viewpoint of the killer who remains in the shadows. When it becomes clear that the killer is targeting them they come together to try and work out who it is that is behind this and what they can do to try and protect themselves. This is where the tension in the novel escalates as they begin to fear for their lives. And under immense strain, they begin to make rash decisions.

Leigh’s writing is highly engaging. Class Murder was a really enjoyable read.

Publisher: No Exit Press

Publication date: 29th March 2018

Print length: 320 pages

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FIRST MONDAY CRIME

And if you haven’t got any plans for Monday, 9th April, First Monday Crime is the place to be if you are an avid reader of crime. The event takes place at City University and it starts at 6.30 p.m. For next month’s panel, alongside Leigh Russell we have: John Connolly, author of ‘The Woman in the Wood’s’, Rachel Abbott, author of ‘Come A Little Closer’ and Stuart Turton author of ‘The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.’ The panel will be chaired by Barry Forshaw. Tickets are FREE, and you can reserve your space by clicking the link below.

RESERVE YOUR SPACE

The Date by Louise Jenson cover reveal @bookouture @Fab_fiction

I’m really excited to be able to share the cover of Louise Jensen’s fourth psychological thriller The Date with you this evening. But before I reveal the cover, let’s take a look at what her latest thriller is about.

ABOUT LOUISE JENSEN

Louise is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, children, madcap dog and a rather naughty cat.

Louise’s first two novels, The Sister and The Gift, were both International No.1 Bestsellers, and have been sold for translation to sixteen countries. The Sister was nominated for The Goodreads Awards Debut of 2016. Louise’s third psychological thriller, The Surrogate, is out now.

Louise loves to hear from readers and writers and can be found at www.louisejensen.co.uk, where she regularly blogs flash fiction.

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Something bad has happened to Alison Taylor.

Her Saturday night started normally. Recently separated from her husband, Ali has been persuaded by her friends to go on a date with a new man. She is ready, she is nervous, she is excited. She is about to take a step into her new future.

By Sunday morning, Ali’s life is unrecognisable. She wakes, and she knows that something is wrong. She is home, she is alone, she is hurt and she has no memory of what happened to her.

Worse still, when she looks in the mirror, Ali doesn’t recognise the face staring back at her. She can’t recognise her friends and family. And she can’t recognise the person who is trying to destroy her…

From the no. 1 bestselling author of The Sister, The Gift and The Surrogate, The Date is a gripping page-turner that will keep you awake until the early hours. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train and Before I Go To Sleep.

And so without any further ado, here’s the cover for The Date. Can I have a drum roll please . . .

 

The Date is published by Bookouture on the 21st June 2018 but you can pre-order your copy now by clicking the link below.

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#EndGame by Matt Johnson Blog Tour @Matt_Johnson_UK @OrendaBooks

I’m delighted to be joining the blog tour for End Game today, the third and sadly, final book in the Robert Finlay series by Matt Johnson.

Source: Review Copy

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Robert Finlay seems to have finally left his SAS past behind him and is settled into his new career as a detective. But when the girlfriend of his former SAS colleague and close friend Kevin Jones is murdered, it’s clear that Finlay’s troubles are far from over. Jones is arrested for the killing, but soon escapes from jail, and Finlay is held responsible for the breakout. Suspended from duty and sure he’s being framed too, our hero teams up with MI5 agent Toni Fellowes to find out who’s behind the conspiracy. Their quest soon reveals a plot that goes to the very heart of the UK’s security services. End Game, the final part in the critically acclaimed Robert Finlay trilogy, sees our hero in an intricately plotted and terrifyingly fast-paced race to uncover the truth and escape those who’d sooner have him dead than be exposed.

MY THOUGHTS

End Game is the third and final book in the brilliant Robert Finlay series by Matt Johnson and it is a series which I highly recommend to any thriller seekers. I’m sad to see this series come to an end as I will definitely miss these characters. Matt also writes really well and so I am sure that I’ll be picking up what he writes next as I really like his style. Before you pick up End Game I would recommend that you read the first two books in the series, which began with Wicked Game, although they can all be read as standalones, I feel you would get more enjoyment out of them if you read all three.

It seems that Robert Finlay will never quite be granted his wish of enjoying a quiet life with his wife and two children. He has put his military days behind him; however he has since joined the Metropolitan police as an Inspector. But when his friend’s girlfriend is murdered he is thrown into a chaotic mess as he tries to prove his friend’s innocence. He can’t believe that his friend had any involvement in this woman’s murder. But his friend only makes matters worse when he escapes from jail. And as Robert struggles to clear his name, he learns that someone is plotting to kill them both. Will they both manage to survive?

What I really like about these books is their authenticity. Matt Johnson is a former soldier and police officer, and his own, personal experiences feeds into the Robert Finlay novels. He offers us a fascinating insight into the worlds of policing and spies at the very highest level of security. Although the Robert Finlay novels are works of fiction, Matt does refer to real, historical events which only occurred in this country a few decades ago and this is another part of the plot which I found really interesting and it compelled me to research them.

One of my favourite characters from this series, I would say, would have to be Toni Fellows. She is a force to be reckoned with and I really liked the working relationship that she has with Finlay. If you are on her side, she is a friend who will do anything for you.

End Game is a fitting end to a fantastic series. If you haven’t yet discovered these books and if you’re a fan of action packed, spy thrillers, then you definitely need to add them to your TBR pile. Thank you to Karen Sullivan at Orenda Books for sending me a copy of the book to review and to Anne Cater for inviting me to take part in the blog tour.

Publisher: Orenda

Publication date: 6th February 2018

Print length: 340 pages

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Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh Book Review @LittleBrownUK @claremackint0sh

Source: Netgalley

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The police say it was suicide.
Anna says it was murder.
They’re both wrong.

One year ago, Caroline Johnson chose to end her life brutally: a shocking suicide planned to match that of her husband just months before. Their daughter, Anna, has struggled to come to terms with their loss ever since.
Now with a young baby of her own, Anna misses her mother more than ever and starts to ask questions about her parents’ deaths. But by digging up the past, is she putting her future in danger? Sometimes it’s safer to let things lie . . .

The stunning, twisty new psychological thriller from number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh, author of I LET YOU GO and I SEE YOU.

MY THOUGHTS

If anyone ever asks me for a book recommendation, I always recommend I Let You Go, Clare Mackintosh’s debut novel. Nearly three years after I’ve read it, I still can’t rave about it enough. So I was very excited to hear that Clare had a third book coming out and it went straight to the top of my TBR pile. Clare Mackintosh knows how to tell a good story. In her latest novel, Let Me Lie, she weaves an intriguing tale centering on the suicide of a young woman’s parents and her quest to find out what really happened to them, she is determined to prove that there is more to her parent’s death than what meets the eye.

Anna Johnson has never believed that her parents committed suicide. She has spent the last year racking her brains, trying to think of the reasons why they would do this, but when someone drops a card through her mailbox, telling her to think again about her parent’s deaths, her whole world is turned upside down. Was it possible that her parents were murdered? She enlists the help of retired police officer, Murray Mackenzie and in his spare time he begins to look into her parents deaths again. And even Murray soon has to admit that there is something odd about the case, and that certain elements don’t ring true. What really happened to Anna’s parents?

Although Let Me Lie isn’t as fast paced as her previous book, I See You, I did enjoy the slow reveals and I wanted to get to the truth about what had happened to Anna’s parents, this was the burning question that I kept asking myself as I was reading, what was Anna going to discover? What really happened to her parents?

This book is very much a character driven novel, although the plot is intriguing and keeps the suspense going, I felt that I engaged much more with the characters as the story progressed. The tension really builds as we race towards the climax and as I have come to expect from Clare Mackintosh, she does pull some shocking twists out of the bag.

Let Me Lie is an enjoyable read. Clare is a fantastic writer who knows how to hook you into a story, I’m sure I will be reading what she writes next. Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with an advance review copy.

Publisher: Sphere

Publication date: 8th March 2018

Print length: 416 pages

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Dark Lies by Nick Hollin Book Review @Bookouture @vonmaraus

Source: Netgalley

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Don’t trust your friends. Don’t trust your family. Don’t trust yourself…

When a young mother is found dead in her home with a mysterious symbol drawn on her body, DI Katie Rhodes is shaken to her core; it’s a perfect match to the birthmark she once saw on her old partner, Nathan Radley.

Formerly one of the best criminal psychologists on the police force, Nathan was renowned for getting deep into the minds of the murderers he hunted. But for the past year he has lived in isolation, terrified of losing control over his own dark desires…

Katie swore she’d never knock on Nathan’s door again, but when another woman’s body is found, she knows she doesn’t have a choice.

As the body count rises and the calling cards get increasingly personal, Katie and Nathan realise that someone very close to them is playing a dangerous game. Who can they trust, and how many more innocent lives will be taken before they can crack this disturbing riddle?

MY THOUGHTS

Dark Lies was an enjoyable debut by Nick Hollin. It follows Detective Inspector Katie Rhodes and her former partner Nathan Radley, a criminal psychologist, as they investigate the death of a young woman which may be linked to a previous case they both worked on. This brings back haunting memories for them both, but they soon realise that the best chance they have of catching this killer, known as ‘The Cartoonist’ is by working together and facing their fears. There is plenty of intrigue in this book to keep readers engaged.

I’m always excited to start a new crime series. I have to admit that when I first started this book, I did have reservations about the main characters, it did take me a while to connect with them, but as the novel progressed, Katie and her former partner grew on me. Dark Lies is very much a character driven drama, rather than a straight forward police procedural and this was one of the reasons why I really liked it. I enjoyed getting to know Katie and Nathan as Nick slowly peeled back their layers and I found his writing really addictive, he did keep me engaged throughout the story and I wanted to find out who the killer was, and what connection the killer had to Katie and Nathan.

I am interested to see how Nick will develop Katie and Nathan’s characters, they are pair who work well together and their personal relationship will be interesting to see explored further. Katie’s relationship with her father was also intriguing; her father is a retired police officer and a very much respected one amongst Katie’s colleagues, and this is something that Katie is often pulled up on as she fights to make her own mark. But there is something in their past that has built up a barrier between them, and this is something that I hope we’ll find out more about.

Overall this was a good start to a new series and I’m looking forward to seeing where Nick will take Katie and Nathan next. Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me with a copy to read.

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 26th March 2018

Print length: 275 pages

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The Murder List by Chris Merritt blog tour @bookouture @DrCJMerritt

Source: Netgalley

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The lifeless body sat, hands bound, silver tape over his mouth. Patches of blood had soaked into the cheap carpet around him. Zac had spent years gaining scientific insight into the mind: human motivation and behaviour. And this scene wasn’t right…

It’s been five years since Detective Zac Boateng’s daughter was murdered and her killer was never found. Now Zac is back working for the Metropolitan Police and is more determined than ever to bring the city’s killers to justice.

When a man is found brutally murdered in a rundown south London shop, all fingers point to the highly intelligent and manipulative Darian Wallace. Two years ago, the victim helped send him to prison. And he’s just been released.

Still grieving, Zac knows it will take everything he’s got to catch this dangerously clever killer. But just as he feels he’s getting closer, he realises all is not quite as it seems and he makes a devastating personal discovery.

Zac has a choice to make – risk letting this killer escape or watch his daughter’s murderer get away again…

An absolutely gripping thriller for fans of Mark Billingham, Peter James and Lee Child. The Murder List is one fast-paced thriller you won’t be able to put down.

MY THOUGHTS

Detective Zac Boateng’s world is crushed when his daughter, Amelia is killed in a hit-and-run. Five years later and Zac is investigating the brutal murder of a man in South London. Their only suspect is a man who has just been released from prison, Darian Wallace. And he knows how to play the police. But Zac isn’t the only person who is after him. As he and his team try to track Wallace down, Zac’s own, private investigations into his daughter’s murder takes an unexpected turn. Is he about to uncover the identity of his daughter’s killer? But at what cost?

The Murder List is an exhilarating debut novel by Chris Merritt. From the emotional, opening scene, in which Zac witnesses the murder of his daughter, we follow the characters on a pacy and tense ride. This book has all the ingredients that make a good crime novel, and I really enjoyed it. Zac’s personal life was one of the main focuses of the book as he is still grieving the loss of his daughter. The grief that Zac feels is portrayed very well in Chris’ writing, and I really liked the relationship that he had with his wife and son which gave his character a very human and relatable touch. Zac was a fantastic protagonist, and I’m interested to see how his character will develop in future books, especially as Chris does leave us on a cliff hanger.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the characterisation; I really connected with Zac’s character, especially as he attempts to find out who killed his daughter and I could feel his anger as he fights to get justice. We also step into the mind of the suspect, Darian Wallace, and in these scenes, I really felt the tension rise.

The Murder List is a strong debut by Chris Merritt. The plot makes for a hugely gripping and exciting read; I was kept engaged all the way through. If you enjoy dark crime thrillers with plenty of suspense and intrigue then I highly recommend this book.

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 21st March 2018

Print length: 318 pages

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#TheDevilsDice by Roz Watkins blog tour @RozWatkins @HQstories

Source: Netgalley

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A white-knuckle crime debut introducing DI Meg Dalton, perfect for fans of Broadchurch and Happy Valley.

This game can only end in murder

A SHOCKING DEATH

A lawyer is found dead in a Peak District cave, his face ribboned with scratches.

A SINISTER MESSAGE

Amidst rumours of a local curse, DI Meg Dalton is convinced this is cold-blooded murder. There’s just one catch – chiselled into the cave wall above the body is an image of the grim reaper and the dead man’s initials, and it’s been there for over a century.

A DEADLY GAME

As Meg battles to solve the increasingly disturbing case, it’s clear someone knows her secrets. The murderer is playing games with Meg – and the dice are loaded…

 

Q&A WITH ROZ WATKINS

 

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. To kick things off can you tell us a little bit about what your novel is about?

The Devil’s Dice is the first in a new series set in The Peak District where I live. It features DI Meg Dalton, who’s recently returned to Derbyshire to make a new start. When she’s assigned a suspicious death, it’s her chance to prove to her sceptical colleagues that a slightly chubby vegetarian with a limp can make a great cop. But it’s a sinister case – a poisoned corpse has been found in a cave, and on the wall there’s a centuries-old carving of the Grim Reaper and the dead man’s initials. The man’s relatives blame a curse dating from the times of the witch trials, and locals claim the cave is haunted. Meg’s sure there’s a rational explanation, but with talk of an underground labyrinth where teenage girls go to hang themselves, the case is triggering flashbacks and memories of her dead sister. It takes all her brains and a good bit of brawn (not Meg’s strong suit) to solve the mystery and stop her own family falling victim to the curse.

Some of the themes in your book focus on local folklore and the legends in Derbyshire? Is local folklore something that you have always wanted to write about?

I do love a good creepy folk tale – I suppose they are the urban myths of the past, and some of them are irresistible. I like to make up my own versions of them which tie in with the themes of the book.

And have you always wanted to write a police procedural novel?

Absolutely not! This wasn’t at all what I intended. The book started out more of a psychological thriller, with the detective not being the main viewpoint character. But her voice ended up coming through really strongly and in the end she took over the whole book! This gave me a load of additional problems, because I knew absolutely nothing about police procedure, and I constantly worry about inaccuracies. Luckily I had a friend who was a SOCO and whose husband was a detective, so they helped me out (over large quantities of booze!)

Parts of the novel are set in caves, which can be found in and around the Peak District. Did you ever venture into similar caves as part of your research?

Yes, I went into the caves at the Heights of Abraham, which are quite similar to the Labyrinth in the book, and in the past I’ve been into the caves around Castleton, some of which you have to access by boat. Being trapped in a cave and having to swim out underwater is one of my nightmares! I’ve also explored caves abroad in Thailand and Malaysia (where I’ve encountered cave snakes and spiders, as well as a lot of bats!)

Did your characters surprise you at all when you were writing the book?

Definitely. As I said, Meg took over the whole book without permission. And the murderer changed half way through the story. Also Meg’s mum ended up having a more prominent role than I’d expected. And the character Mark had a few rants that seemed to come out of nowhere!

Did you have the story planned out before you put pen to paper or did the plot evolve during the writing process?

The plot evolved. I had no clue when I started, and I began by just writing a few scenes. Then I realised I didn’t know what I was doing, so I read books on how to write a book, and I analysed successful books (Thank you, Anne Cleeves – I chose one of Vera’s stories to pick apart forensically). As I did this, I started planning a bit more and trying to put structure into my ideas. I read a lot of screenwriting books to learn about character arcs and story progression and I devoured anything I could find by agents and editors about what makes a good, commercial novel.

How long did you spend working on your novel before you started looking for an agent?

I’d been working on it about eighteen months when I went to the York Festival of Writing. The book wasn’t ready to submit but I had a one-to-one with Claire McGowan and she said she liked my first chapter and would pass it on to her agent, Diana Beaumont, to look at. Diana liked it and said to send it to her when it was finished. I did this and she liked it. We talked and clearly saw eye-to-eye about the book (and life in general!) and she offered representation. I realise this is an annoyingly easy path to getting a brilliant agent, and I’m very grateful to Claire and the Festival of Writing!

If there was one piece of advice that you could pass on to aspiring writers, what would it be?

Write something you feel passionate about, but also accept that writing a commercial book is a craft that needs to be learnt, so invest in books and courses and conferences to learn that craft.

If your novel was to be made into a television series, who would you like to see cast as the main characters?

Oh, blimey, I’m rubbish at this. The book has been optioned and when ITV asked me this, I said maybe someone like Katherine Parkinson for Meg, as she’s great with adding humour to serious roles. Jodie Whittaker was also on my list but then she became a mega-star! Carey Mulligan’s another one I like. All these are probably a bit too good-looking, but I suppose you have to hot-up the characters for the screen 🙂

And finally, is there anything that you can tell us about what you’re writing next?

The second book in the series is nearly finished. A man is found with this throat cut and it seems to have something to do with the nightmares his daughter’s been having after her recent heart transplant. Again there are aspects which seem a little supernatural, and Meg’s belief system gets challenged big time!

MY THOUGHTS

This was such a good debut. I loved that witchcraft was a theme in this book which added a spooky, creepy atmosphere to the writing. This theme, for me, really made the book stand out. The author, Roz Watkins, had me googling the local myths in this book which I was absolutely fascinated by. I’m excited to see that this is the first book in a new series; it’s a series that I’m keen to read more from.

Roz Watkins opens her novel with the discovery of the body of a lawyer in a cave in the Peak District. When Detective Inspector Meg Dalton arrives at the scene, strange markings are found on the stone wall and an eerie tale concerning the caves emerges. As the investigation progresses, unsettling details surface about a curse which has plagued the family. But what makes the case all the more perplexing is when another body is found. Could such a curse really exist?

I really enjoyed getting to know Meg as a character in this novel. She faces many obstacles in her path as she tries to bring the killer to justice but she is absolutely determined to do so, whatever the cost to herself and her career. She isn’t a character without her own problems and Roz explores some interesting themes in her backstory, I won’t go into too much detail here, but these themes I’m sure will prompt plenty of discussion in book groups. Ethical and moral issues do play a huge role in this book.

I also really liked her relationship with her side-kick, Jai. There were times when I did think that perhaps their working relationship wouldn’t work but as the novel progressed I did think that Meg would be lost without him, not as a colleague in particular, but as a friend.

The pace of the novel is excellent and exciting. As I finished each chapter I really wanted to find out what was going to happen next and Roz managed to expertly conceal the final truths in this book. She is an exciting new writer who I can’t wait to read more from. I’m sure her first novel in this series will win her lots of loyal, new fans. She is a talent to watch out for. Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of the book to read.

Publisher: HQ

Publication date: 8th March 2018

Print length: 384 pages

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My Sister’s Bones by Nuala Ellwood Book Review @NualaWrites

Source: Purchased Copy

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If you can’t trust your sister, then who can you trust?

Kate Rafter has spent her life running from her past. But when her mother dies, she’s forced to return to Herne Bay – a place her sister Sally never left.

But something isn’t right in the old family home. On her first night Kate is woken by terrifying screams. And then she sees a shadowy figure in the garden…

Who is crying for help?
What does it have to do with Kate’s past?
And why does no one – not even her sister – believe her?

The ‘shocking’ ‘haunting’ and ‘riveting’ thriller about the secrets even those closest to us keep, this book will keep you turning the pages late into the night. For fans of Clare Mackintosh, C L Taylor and Erin Kelly.

MY THOUGHTS

My Sister’s Bones, is a dark, atmospheric, twisty debut novel by Nuala Ellwood. We follow war reporter, Kate as she returns to her home in Herne Bay, England, after hearing about the death of her mother. Kate has an estranged relationship with her sister, Sally, who still lives in the town, and tries to make amends with her, even though Sally doesn’t want to hear anything more from her. But whilst she is home, Kate believes she has stumbled on a sinister secret, but how can she prove it when no one will listen to her?

Kate is haunted by the events that she has witnessed in Aleppo. She is suffering from PTSD and begins to hallucinate; she has dark dreams and visions about her time spent there. I found this aspect of the plot of My Sister’s Bones, absolutely harrowing, as we see Kate begin to crumble, and the scenes that she replays in her mind are very vivid and disturbing. Nuala Ellwood takes us into the heart of the troubles that have been going on in Syria and she brings them to the forefront of your mind and in these sections of the novel, the writing is very powerful. We also learn that Kate has been arrested, but we don’t yet know what it is that she is supposed to have done. Here the intrigue kept me turning those pages as I wanted to find out what had happened to Kate and why she was in a police station.

As well as Kate’s backstory as a war reporter, we also learn of the trauma that she and her sister faced in their childhood. Nuala peels back the layers of their relationship as the novel develops and there are some shocking twists and turns that will leave you reeling.

My Sister’s Bones is a very well written, multi layered novel. Nuala’s writing pulls you into Kate’s troubled world and it makes for an engaging and intriguing read. She is certainly a writer to watch out for and I can’t wait to see what she will write next.

Publisher: Penguin

Publication date: 7th September 2017

Print length: 400 pages

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#29Seconds by T.M. Logan blog tour @TMLoganAuthor @BonnierZaffre

Source: Purchased Copy

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The sensational new page-turning thriller from the number 1 bestselling author of LIES. Perfect for fans of FRIEND REQUEST by Laura Marshall and I AM WATCHING YOU by Tessa Driscoll.

Give me one name. One person. And I will make them disappear . . .

When Sarah rescues a young girl in trouble, she expects nothing in return. But her act of bravery puts a powerful and dangerous man in her debt. He lives by his own brutal code, and all debts must be repaid – in the only way he knows how.

He offers Sarah a way to solve a desperate situation with her intolerable boss. A once-in-a-lifetime deal that will make all her problems disappear.

No consequences. No comeback. No chance of being found out.

All it takes is a 29 second phone call.

BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS A NAME TO GIVE. DON’T THEY?

MY THOUGHTS

Earlier this year I read T.M. Logan’s debut novel, Lies which I really enjoyed, so his second novel had a lot to live up to, and I wasn’t disappointed, it only took me a couple of days to finish it. As I have come to expect with T.M. Logan’s writing, it is fast paced and quite simply unputdownable.

There is always one person, in the lives of many of us, who really gets under our skin, it may not necessarily be someone we know personally, it could be someone who is frequently in the news. So if you had the chance to make them disappear, off the face of the earth, would you take it? This is the question posed to Sarah, our lead character; one name forms on the tip of her tongue, but she can’t just bring herself to say it, she knows that it is morally wrong and there could be disastrous consequences for her, but what happens when she is pushed over the edge?

The idea for T.M. Logan’s latest novel, 29 Seconds is so intriguing, it seems quite simple at first but he broadens it out into an action packed thriller which kept me turning the pages. When we first meet Sarah, she really doesn’t know who to turn to for help as she finds herself cornered by her boss’s advances, her boss seems to quite clearly think that he can treat her however he likes. I really felt angry as I read these scenes and I couldn’t believe that he was able to get away with it. It’s here that the story takes a surprising turn and she is made the offer that will change her life. What makes the idea in this book really interesting is that it really did get me thinking, would I choose to accept the offer made if I was in Sarah’s shoes? I can imagine that it will prompt lots of discussions in book groups.

29 Seconds was an absolutely riveting read. If you’re looking for a tense, exciting thriller, then I would highly recommend this book. I’m really looking forward to seeing what T.M. Logan writes next. Thank you to Emily Burns at Bonnier Zaffre for inviting me to take part in the blog tour.

Publisher: Zaffre

Publication date: 8th March 2018

Print length: 432 pages

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Anaconda Vice by James Stansfield blog tour @jestansfield @BooksManatee

Source: Review Copy

BLURB

When Lucas Winter, a retired professional wrestler, runs out of gas on a dark and desolate road, his only thoughts are on getting to the lights of the small town up ahead, getting some gas, and getting out of there…only things aren’t quite what they seem in the tiny town of Anaconda.

Before he has a chance to solve his transport problem, Lucas finds himself in trouble with the law after a local man picks a fight with him…and then ends up dead. Innocent, Lucas fights to clear his name, tangling with the local law enforcement and the family of the dead man, who seem set on taking their revenge. Can Lucas get out alive? And just what is it that the residents of Anaconda are hiding….

“A tense and gripping thriller with a compelling new hero. Great stuff.” – Mason Cross

MY THOUGHTS

Anaconda Vice is a taut, action packed novel from debut author James Stansfield and I really enjoyed reading it.

Lucas Winter is a retired professional wrestler, as he is making his way home from an event, his car runs out of gas. Seeking help he ventures into the nearest town, Anaconda, a seemingly forgotten neighbourhood in America, which is slumbering peacefully. No aid comes to Lucas and with little options left available to him, he hunkers down and tries to get some shut eye. But his perception of the town quickly evaporates when he wakes up the following morning to find his vision blocked out by the barrel of a gun, and a rather angry resident. Not quite the welcome he was hoping for. And from that moment on, things only seem to go from bad to worse for Lucas.

James Stansfield’s writing draws you into the setting; he really does make you feel as though you are trapped in this town alongside Lucas, especially when it seems that there is little hope of him escaping. In some places  it does feel very claustrophobic and some of the characters in this book really got under my skin, especially a few of the cops in the town. Lucas does find solace with one character and I particularly enjoyed the scenes in which they were alone together. He is a brilliant lead character and as the novel progressed I found myself rooting for him. I wanted him to get his life back on track and I was on tenterhooks throughout the story as I waited to find out what would happen.

Anaconda Vice is a really strong debut from James Stansfield with brilliant and well developed characters and a strong sense of place. He’s a writer who I will be watching out for and I am interested to see what he does next. Thank you to Liz Barnsley for inviting to take part in the blog tour and for sending me a copy of the book to review.

Publisher: Manatee Books

Publication date: 22nd February 2018

Print length: 245 pages

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