From The Bookshelf – Page 13

King of the Crows – Russell Day

“Ocean’s Eleven meets 28 Days Later.”

2028, eight years after a pandemic swept across Europe, the virus has been defeated and normal life has resumed.

Memories of The Lockdown have already become clouded by myths, rumour and conspiracy.

Books have been written, movies have been released and the names Robertson, Miller & Maccallan have slipped into legend.

Together they hauled The Crows, a ragged group of virus survivors, across the ruins of London. Kept them alive, kept them safe, kept them moving.

But not all myths are true and not all heroes are heroes.

Questions are starting to be asked about what really happened during those days when society crumbled and the capital city became a killing ground.

Finally the truth will be revealed.

I received a review copy from the publisher.

By the time you read this King of the Crows should be available to buy. Go get it. Right now. Is shall wait for you to come back before I continue. There is a handy purchase link at the foot of this review – got you covered.

Okay – have you bought your copy? Brilliant decision. The King of the Crows is likely to be the most memorable book I shall ever review here on Grab This Book. Well it’s a book about a global pandemic which I read during a global pandemic. If that’s not memorable then I am scared to know what could top it.

So you may be thinking that a book about a pandemic isn’t the story for you at the moment. That’s your choice obviously but if you are happy to accept that this is a work of fiction and isn’t meant to ever happen then sit down, strap in and get ready for an unforgettable ride.

A virus has spread across much of Europe. It started with cats (totally vindicating my abhorrence for the feline species) and it spread to humans. The author spends time showing how the early stages of infection were noticed by some of the key players in the story and it is soon very obvious that this virus is unforgiving and deadly. Those infected will keep functioning while their minds are destroyed – the virus keeps the body moving even when when it is badly deteriorated. The image I had throughout was of the zombies from the Resident Evil videogames.

In London there is a major tipping point in the attempts to combat the spread of infection. Troops open fire on a busy city bridge with the intent of stopping the infected crossing the Thames. Innocent and uninfected civilians die and those cutoff from ‘safety’ are forced to do whatever it takes to survive. With safety in numbers being key the story will track one group at a critical period in their travels around London.

The group in question have gained fame. After the viral outbreak society does return to a form of normal and a blockbuster movie was made (based upon the book written by one of the survivors). His name was Robertson and he became known as King of the Crows. I am not telling you why as that revelation is one of the many great elements of the book.

Robertson is one of the key characters the book will follow. Through London’s streets at the height of the crisis and in the future element of the story when the film has made him a celebrity but he is sitting in a police station being interviewed by two cops. They feel Robertson is a criminal but exactly what he has done is not immediately made clear. The interview scenes help link the action elements when the pandemic was at peak.

In addition to London we spend time in France. They had a worse infection than the UK and this element of the book tracks an American banker who gets stuck in a Parisian guest house as the city enters lockdown. Her flight to safety is very much a solo affair and has a different feel to the team efforts in London.

Also keeping the story flowing are urban dictionary explanations of new pandemic terminology. Chat room extracts where online debates rage about actual events which shaped the movie. These punctuate action sequences and allow us to keep abreast of events as scenes change and time passes.

The book is described as Oceans 11 meets 28 days later. It is not immediately obvious why those two films are singled out – all becomes clear. It’s wonderful to finally understand what has motivated some characters. The endgame blew my mind – did not expect what Russell Day meticulously plotted. So very good.

I remember last year when publishers Fahrenheit Press started to crow (sorry) about a manuscript they had received – Zombies and gangs and banks. They made it sound exciting, daring, like nothing you would get anywhere else but from Fahrenheit. It is all those things. You did buy your copy didn’t you? Good.

King of the Crows is published by Fahrenheit Press. It is available in limited edition hardback, paperback and digital format. As with all of Fahrenheit’s books, buying a physical copy will net you a free digital copy too. Order link here: https://fahrenheit-press.myshopify.com/collections/fahrenheit-press/products/king-of-the-crows-russell-day

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April 14

Power Play – Tony Kent

THE ENEMIES AREN’T AT THE GATE
THEY’RE ALREADY INSIDE

When a plane explodes over the Atlantic Ocean, killing hundreds of passengers, including controversial US presidential candidate Dale Victor, it appears to be a clear-cut case of terrorism. The suspect has even confessed to the bombing. But as criminal barrister Michael Devlin is about to discover, everything is not as it seems.

Also suspecting there are other forces at work, intelligence agent Joe Dempsey is driven to investigate. Who would have wanted Victor out of the way – and would commit mass murder to do it? As the evidence begins to mount, everything seems to point to the US government itself, all the way to the top. And now someone is determined to stop Dempsey and Devlin from discovering the truth. At any cost.

With countless more lives on the line, Dempsey must find a way to prove who’s pulling the strings, and free the White House from the deadly grip that has taken hold of power.

I received a review copy from the publisher. My thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for inviting me to join the blog tour.

Tony Kent gives Power Play an explosive start (quite literally) which commands your immediate attention. He then spends the next 480 pages treating the reader to one of the best action adventure/political thrillers I have ever encountered. At a time I have been struggling to read and concentrate on any one title, Power Play arrived and nothing else has had a look in.

There is a large cast of characters so my normal approach of summarizing the story is not really an option – this is a story which is supported by the players. It is not easy to single out one or two names and try to explain their role as that only touches on small elements of a big adventure. Power Play is very much that, persons unknown have a vested interest in ensuring one narrative is kept secret. There is a second series of events which the opposing faction would like to know about but at the start of the book they don’t even know there is a secret to uncover. Watching two powerful forces trying to outmaneuver each other and gain control is wonderfully entertaining and Tony Kent pitches it perfectly.

The early chapters had me thinking “Hollywood Blockbuster”. The aforementioned explosive start, followed by an intense life-or-death chase scene. A covert special ops teams taking out a house full of bad guys and American agents conducting unauthorized activities on the streets of London. It was a reading rollercoaster with twists, turns and the story shooting me off in unexpected directions. The action was taking place in the US, in the UK and there was the real feeling this was going to be a “big” story – with The White House on the cover the suggestion is that we are looking at incidents which will have a global impact.

Soon I am thinking “not Hollywood” as a big blockbuster film would need to lose so much of the detail which makes Power Play so damned unputdownable. This is a grand story in terms of players and characters with key roles to play who drive the action and suspense. Power Play needs to be dramatized for television and played out over a number of episodes. This would allow the layers of intrigue Kent has built into the story to be given the chance to establish before Joe Dempsey (Intelligence agent) or Michael Devlin (barrister) can begin to unpick the lies behind the “official” sequence of events.

So many elements of the book just cannot be discussed as they would leave clues and spoilers. Frustrating from a review viewpoint as I’d love to champion some of my favourite elements. Suffice to say the author keeps a fast pace story zipping along by excellent use of tight and punchy chapters, numerous character viewpoints to keep events moving and the constant threat of discovery or exposure keeps the villains of the piece edgy and dangerous whilst keeping our heroes in regular peril (even if they don’t know it).

Power Play should appeal to fans of action thrillers and espionage thrillers. Although I mooted Hollywood adaptation or Television Dramatization for Power Play there is one golden rule which should be remembered…the book is ALWAYS better. This book needs to be read, you need Power Play in your life – you will not be disappointed.

Power Play is published by Elliott and Thompson and is available from 16 April in paperback, audio and digital format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B081QYVHKD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

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April 10

She Who Lies – Alex Kane

Blood is thicker than water, the family bond stronger than any other.

They think it’s all forgotten.

But I don’t forget.

The Laird-Shaw family live a life most only dream about. Self-made millionaires Gavin Shaw and Stevie Laird built their business from humble roots to global turnover, Stevie’s wife – and Gavin’s sister – Eva is never out of the style pages, while daughter Carla has used her huge following as an Instagram influencer to shine a spotlight on mental health issues.

But behind the glamour lies a web of lies; hidden secrets so explosive that they would bring this family dynasty crashing down. But someone out there knows the truth…and now they’re stepping out of the shadows to reveal the dark heart of the Laird-Shaw family. Because when the truth comes to light, there’s nowhere to hide…and all the money in the world can’t save this family from themselves.

My thanks to Sarah Hardy at Book on the Bright Side for the chance to join the blog tour

She Who Lies was a brilliant read – getting my wrap up in early as I like to leave no doubt over my enjoyment of a story which I got totally immersed in.

This is a story of family secrets, they always give great potential for unexpected revelations and spectacular fireworks when certain facts which were meant to be kept quiet suddenly gain exposure.

The family in She Who Lies are the Laird and Shaw families. Three generations of a Scottish family who have enjoyed fame and success for a number of years but behind the public facade life is not as rosy as they present to the world.

Gavin Shaw and Stevie Laird run a garden and landscape firm. They are both handsome and personable guys and early in their business venture they worked on a project for a client who was well connected to the Great and Good of society. Soon Stevie and Gavin are rubbing shoulders with film stars, minor royals and the richest in the land.

Gavin’s sister married Stevie before their rise to fame. Eve is the darling of the media and seems to act as the goto point for the media to get to the family. The reader sees how Eve is battling addictions and revelations in She Who Lies will push her to a breaking point. Eve is hooked on Stevie, their marriage is another dependency she feels she cannot do without. So if Stevie has been accused of infidelity how will Eve cope?

Eva and Stevies daughter, Carla, is an Instagram influencer and does lots of great charitable work. She has worked hard to promote good causes and is launching a mental health charity just as news breaks her father is cheating on her mother and her uncle has been accused of rape.

At the head of the family is the matriarch Brenda – Eva and Gavin’s mum. She will do whatever it takes to protect her family and is ruthless to the core. Eva and Brenda do not get on well as Eva believes her mother always favoured Gavin.

A family used to success and with a lifetime of secrets to cover up are about to be fully discussed and debated on the front page of the papers. How are they going to cope?

It should also be remembered – if there are accusations there are also accusers or victims. Their story shall also be told.

She Who Lies is narrated from several viewpoints which allows Alex Kane to share the fears and insecurities of each character as the story unfolds. She does this brilliantly and handles difficult situations with care while not undermining the effect and damage which is caused.

Powerful and compelling storytelling. This is very, very good.

She Who Lies is published by Hera Books and is available in digital format and can be ordered here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B085G7HWZ5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

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April 2

The Familiar Dark – Amy Engel

‘In other places, the murder of two little girls would have blanketed the entire town in horror. Here, it was just another bad day’

Eve Taggert’s life has been spent steadily climbing away from her roots. Her mother, a hard and cruel woman who dragged her up in a rundown trailer park, was not who she wanted to be to her own daughter, Junie.

But 12-year old Junie is now dead. Found next to the body of her best friend in the park of their small, broken town. Eve has nothing left but who she used to be.

Despite the corrupt police force that patrol her dirt-poor town deep in the Missouri Ozarks, Eve is going to find what happened to her daughter. Even if it means using her own mother’s cruel brand of strength to unearth secrets that don’t want to be discovered and face truths it might be better not to know.

Everyone is a suspect.

Everyone has something to hide.

And someone will answer for her daughter’s murder.

My thanks to Niamh Anderson at Hodder for my review copy and the chance to join the blog tour

We are just two days in to the second quarter of 2020 and already I know The Familiar Dark will make it into my Top Ten Reads of the Year. It’s that good!

The story opens with a murder. Two murders actually and the reader hears the thoughts of the victim as her life ebbs away. Two 12 year old girls are dead, Junie and Izzy, murdered by person or persons unknown in a small park in a not so nice small town. As the blurb says “Just another bad day”.

The story follows Eve. Junie’s mum. She was a single parent, struggling to keep herself and her daughter fed, trying to do the right thing and to leave the demons of her past behind her. And Eve had some demons! Her trailer-living mother favoured Eve’s brother, Cal, but both kids had tough upbringing under her care. Eve’s tempestuous relationship with the local meth dealer who would beat her if the wind changed. So on it went with Eve striving to overcome life’s challenges and make Junie the best she can.

Eve is no longer in contact with her mother but her brother is always around to help if he can. Cal is one of the local cops, hard but fair, which is a welcome trait when compared to some of his colleagues. It is Cal who comes to Eve to break the news about Junie’s death.

Eve feels she has had her world taken away from her and avows to avenge her daughter’s murder.

Amy Engel’s story is often harrowing, brilliantly characterized and one of the best types of story as it dragged me into Eve’s world and held me gripped. Eve’s driving determination will see her confront many the issues which have caused her problems in the past. Her love for her daughter is unwavering and she will put herself wherever she needs to be to get to the truth.

Small town stories always have the best secrets and the stakes seem to be so much higher for the players involved. Eve will take on Drug Dealers, corrupt cops, stake out strip clubs and meth dens and she will even face down her controlling mother.

I cheered her on through every page.

There is nothing more rewarding for a reader than a story which gets into your head in the way The Familiar Dark got into mine. Brilliantly written. A “must read” book!

The Familiar Dark is published by Hodder & Stoughton and is available in Hardback, digital and audiobook format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07T5XP5VQ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

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March 21

Mexico Street – Simone Buchholz

Hamburg state prosecutor Chastity Riley investigates a series of arson attacks on cars across the city, which leads her to a startling and life-threatening discovery involving criminal gangs and a very illicit love story…

Night after night, cars are set alight across the German city of Hamburg, with no obvious pattern, no explanation and no suspect.

Until, one night, on Mexico Street, a ghetto of high-rise blocks in the north of the city, a Fiat is torched. Only this car isn’t empty. The body of Nouri Saroukhan – prodigal son of the Bremen clan – is soon discovered, and the case becomes a homicide.

Public prosecutor Chastity Riley is handed the investigation, which takes her deep into a criminal underground that snakes beneath the whole of Germany. And as details of Nouri’s background, including an illicit relationship with the mysterious Aliza, emerge, it becomes clear that these are not random attacks, and there are more on the cards…

My thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for my review copy and to Anne Cater at Random Things Blog Tours for the chance to host this leg of the Mexico Street Blog Tour.

Reading a Chastity Riley thriller by Simone Buchholz is an intense experience. Not a word is wasted in the tight, punchy writing. Yet, as I highlighted in my review of the previous Chastity Reily book, there is a lyrical beauty in the writing.

Reilly is back and investigating a case which has seen a body found in a burnt-out car. The burning car is not a new crime, there have been cars set alight across Hamburg over many previous nights. For a burning car to be occupied this is new. Further problems arise when the identity of the deceased is established – the estranged son of one of the prominent gangster families.

Chastity is present when Nouri’s family are told of his death. Their reaction is strange and unnaturally withdrawn. The son was not considered part of the family, he had sought a life away from the influence of his family and they had closed the door on him. So was Noiri’s death a random incident or was he singled out because of who he was?

As Reilly and her colleagues try to unpick the background on their victim and his family the reader gets glimpses (very small glimpses) into Chastity’s life. I feel she is such an enigmatic character as she appears in a constant spiral of drinking, smoking and mourning changes in her life.

There is a retrospective element to the story too. Two adolescents growing up, drawn together and facing the world despite knowing their lot in life is not one either would want. I found this part of Mexico Street most compelling. The boy and girl were such vivid characters and their stories and the challenges they faced kept me hooked – I had to know how they could overcome their hardships. If they could!

I previously highlighted the lyrical power in Mexico Street (and the previous titles) so a huge shout of praise goes to Rachel Ward for the phenomenal translation of the text from the original German. During the recent Orenda Roadshow event in Glasgow Buchholz also went out of her way to praise the incredible work which was done on the translation, moving her words from the “clumsy” German into English. English translation was described by the author as being a “Holy Grail” in publishing, this series really is a rare treasure.

Mexico Street is published by Orenda Books and is available in paperback and digital format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mexico-Street-Chastity-Simone-Buchholz-ebook/dp/B07XBVQ95Q/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1584719807&refinements=p_27%3ASimone+Buchholz&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=Simone+Buchholz

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February 18

Bury Them Deep – James Oswald

When a member of the Police Scotland team fails to clock-in for work, concern for her whereabouts is immediate… and the discovery of her burnt-out car in remote woodland to the south of Edinburgh sets off a desperate search for the missing woman.

Meanwhile, DCI Tony McLean and the team are preparing for a major anti-corruption operation – one which may raise the ire of more than a few powerful people in the city. Is Anya Renfrew’s disappearance a co-incidence or related to the case?

McLean’s investigations suggest that perhaps that Anya isn’t the first woman to have mysteriously vanished in these ancient hills. Once again, McLean can’t shake the feeling that there is a far greater evil at work here…

My thanks to Jennifer at the publishers for my review copy and to Anne Cater at Random Things Blog Tours for the chance to join the Bury Them Deep blog tour.

When a James Oswald book opens with an extract from a book of Myths and Legends which discusses the story of Sawney Bean you need to suppress a shiver of anticipation. Tony McLean clearly has a troublesome case awaiting.

For those not familiar with Sawney Bean and wonder why I anticipated a challenging time for Tony; the intro contains the following words “gruesome”, “incestuous”, nurtured on human flesh”, “burned” and “executed”. This is all before page one! James Oswald never shies away from the darker side of crime thrillers and for the 10th Inspector McLean novel he is not giving his hero any respite.

As the story opens we are with an unnamed woman venturing out as she prepares to participate in an activity she both anticipates and hates herself for seeking. We then cut to McLean as he also prepares for a major (and secret) cross-agency operation – the brilliantly named Operation Caterwaul. However Caterwaul cannot start until a key member of the Police Scotland team turns up and the normally dependable Anya Renfrew is missing.

Could Renfrew be the woman we observed in the opening chapter? If it is the same person then how will Tony and his colleagues track her down? As we read deeper into Bury Them Deep we learn woman we saw heading out in chapter one has placed herself in real peril and the chances of her surviving are slim. Very slim.

The police step up efforts to track their missing colleague but as they look into her life away from work they find they don’t really know her as well as they may have believed. Renfrew has been living a double life and McLean is going to have to take unusual steps to get to know her better. He will be distracted from this by the re-introduction of Norman Bale, a prisoner in a secure unit who also claims to be a childhood friend of McLean but a friend McLean believed died at a young age.

With numerous demands on his attention and a personal life which is not as robust and secure as he would like Bury Them Deep will challenge McLean in a way readers will love.

I am a big fan of this series and find it hard to believe we are already at book 10. James Oswald has built a cracking character base to surround McLean and he keeps the compelling stories spinning around their lives despite the darkness he pits them against.

I don’t want to discuss too much of the detail behind Bury Them Deep as the joy in reading this shouldn’t be dimmed by reading spoilers. It’s a wickedly dark tale and there are clues to the bigger picture which I totally missed until I reached the endgame. Love when that happens.

Highly recommended – James Oswald never fails to deliver the thrills and Bury Them Deep is excellent.

Bury Them Deep is published by Wildfire and is available in hardback, digital and audiobook format. You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07T6YDYPW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

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February 2

Going Rogue – Neil Lancaster

Tom Novak is back.

When a spate of deadly terrorist attacks hit the streets of London, Tom finds himself thrust into the middle of a fight for the survival of all he holds dear.

When the attackers hit closer to home than he could ever imagine, Tom is forced to make a choice between his duty or his conscience. In doing so, he enters a series of increasingly dangerous worlds, in the darkest corners of humanity.

Can Tom and his colleagues get to the bottom of a plot which threatens the very fabric of society?

Will they stop the terrorists before it’s too late?

When faced with the ultimate choice, which way will Tom go?

After all, as Cameron always says: “Always do right, boy…”

My thanks to Emma at Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to join the blog tour and for ensuring I received a review copy of the book.

Over the last few weeks I have been mainly reading police procedurals or books which tell “life stories” pulling plot threads together into a surprise reveal rewarding the reader for engaging with the lead character and their predicament. This is not a complaint as these are very much the type of stories I enjoy. However, I also like a tale which gives a bit of high tempo/adrenaline filled action – one that keeps the pages turning themselves as the chapter flies by…one like Going Rogue!

The book opens with readers watching an act of domestic terrorism unfolding. We are with the instigator and we see him placing and priming the explosives which will target his victims. A direct attack on Muslims as they went to prayer, targeted only because their religion was not that of their murderer.

The aftermath of the tragedy sees Tom Novak called into action, he is a member of the Covert Policing Advice Unit and a highly effective member of the team. Novak is skilled in armed and unarmed combat, has tactical knowledge, is fluent in several languages and is prepared to work undercover to bring down the bad guys. In this case the bad guys he needs to speak with is in prison so Novak needs an alter-ego, a convincing back story and he also needs to get himself arrested.

I am reluctant to give too much detail about what happens in Gone Rogue as this is a brilliant action adventure which I’d strongly recommend you read. Novak manages to infiltrate the group which planned the bombing but he discovers this was just the first in a series of planned events. Now the challenge is not just to bring down the perpetrators but ensure no further bombings can be allowed to take place – in this he will have mixed success and the increased pressure on all those involved becomes increasingly clear. There comes a tipping point in the investigation when Novak’s inclusion in the team becomes an issue – he hasn’t shared one vital piece of information which he should have disclosed (but in doing so he may have missed the chance to be involved in any form). As a consequence of his failure to reveal key information Novak is removed from the investigation.

Novak will not accept being benched – particularly as he knows where to go to get to the head of the organization which planned the bombing. Left with only one option Novak and his colleague, Buster, are Going Rogue and heading to Eastern Europe to take down the culprits themselves. A move full of danger and one which will not go smoothly.

As I indicated at the start of my review, this is a full on action adventure and a terrific read. If you have enjoyed the Scott Mariani (Ben Hope) thrillers or Matthew Reilly’s Scarecrow books then I know you would enjoy Neil Lancaster’s Tom Novak books. Novak is more human and less bullet-proof than Reilly or Mariani’s heroes but his adventures are just as compelling.

Going Rogue is published in Digital and paperback format and you can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07YVLMKR2/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

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January 30

Alice Teale is Missing – H.A. Linskey

YOU HAD A SECRET. ALICE FOUND OUT.

Alice Teale walked out of school at the end of a bright spring day.

She’s not been seen since.

Alice was popular and well-liked, and her boyfriend, friends and family are desperate to find her.

But soon it’s clear that everyone in her life has something to hide.

Then the police receive a disturbing package.

Pages from Alice’s precious diary.

Who could have sent them? And what have they done with Alice?

My thanks to Sriya at Penguin RandomHouse who provided me with a review copy and invited to join the blog tour.

Alice Teale is Missing – she left school late one evening after she had completed her after-school clubs. A teacher saw her leave the school grounds but Alice has not been seen since.

The police are investigating but the officer running the enquiry is offered (and grabbed) early retirement as part of the latest round of cost cutting. He gets out just before a tricky missing person has the opportunity to (maybe) escalate into murder investigation.

We meet DC Beth Winter, sent to join the investigation to assist Lucas Black – the experienced officer to guide Beth through her first major case. However Black has a reputation for being difficult to work with. A loner, bad tempered and with a huge incident in his service career which has caused colleagues to question his ability to continue in his role. Black and Winter are a brilliant pairing as events are viewed from Winter’s viewpoint so we experience her anxiety and frustration as she tries to show her value to a new colleague. Black makes this harder than she would like.

The missing girl, Alice, is a well known and popular figure in the small town where she lives…or should that be lived? There are rivals for her attention, best friends who rely upon Alice’s support, teachers who may have been paying her too much attention and the police soon learn of a mystery man who may have been in her home without anyone else knowing. Her family seem overwhelming and Alice’s life looks to be more busy than she could cope with. In short there are many possible suspects who may know about her disappearance and they all have a different opinion of Alice.

Readers know Alice kept a journal as we get to read Alice’s thoughts on many issues and the people in her life. Soon the police know them too as someone is sending pages from Alice’s journal to Black. The burning question is who? Is it Alice herself? Her abductor? Her killer? And why send the journal pages at all?

Alice Teale is Missing is a wonderful piece of storytelling. No gimmicks, no forced and unrealistic cliffhangers, H.A. Lindley can deliver suspense and page turning drama in the best way possible…just telling an engrossing story.

This is easily one of the finest police procedurals I have read for some time. Real world just slipped away as I got back to the pages with Winter and Black. Highly recommended – easy 5 star score.

Alice Teale is Missing is available in digital, paperback and audiobook format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alice-Teale-Missing-H-Linskey-ebook/dp/B07PJ48XWG/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1580337703&refinements=p_27%3AH.+A.+Linskey&s=digital-text&sr=1-2&text=H.+A.+Linskey

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January 14

Her Last Goodnight – Michael Scanlon

Eddie stands at his door anxiously waiting for her to arrive, touching the box in his pocket for luck. He doesn’t hear the footsteps behind him until it’s too late…

Detective Finnegan Beck is called to a violent crime scene – a remote house near the rural Irish town of Cross Beg – where a dog lies whimpering beside his beloved owner’s body.

At first it looks like a burglary gone wrong. But Beck spots something his colleagues didn’t. The victim, Eddie Kavanagh, was wearing his smartest clothes. He’d brushed his hair. And, on closer inspection, a small velvet box containing an engagement ring is discovered in his pocket, along with a letter to a nameless woman, which seems to suggest she’s in danger.

Those who knew Eddie have no idea about a female friend though – there’s been no one in his life since a girl who he’d loved and who’d broken his heart decades before.

So who was the woman Eddie was waiting for? And did his connection with her ultimately lead to his murder? When a beautiful young woman is then found beaten to death, murdered exactly as Eddie had been, Beck has to ask – is the danger over? Or is it just beginning?

I received a review copy from the publishers through Netgalley.

The third book to feature Detective Finnegan Beck but my introduction to the series. It’s always a bit of a worry to jump into a series and not be sure if you need to know the background of the characters to enjoy the newest title. Having not read the first two books I can honestly say I didn’t feel there were aspects of the stories where I had no idea what was going on. Important facts and characters were introduced in what felt a natural way so I didn’t feel detail was being shoe-horned into the plot to ensure newbies like me could keep up. Naturally I will expect there are some subtle or less critical details which will slip by unnoticed and I have no doubt a returning reader will pick up on them.

Her Last Goodnight opens with a violent killing of an elderly man. He is in his good clothes, has an engagement ring in a box in his pocket and police find a letter to a lady-friend which suggests the victim (Eddie) was hoping to save someone from a life he did not feel she should be leading. Eddie’s friends are bemused – they had no idea he had a companion and the manner of his death is deeply shocking to the whole community.

Beck is an experienced police officer but Eddie’s death leaves him deeply troubled and Beck isn’t going to be on top of his game during this investigation. The reasons for his discomfort are revealed through the story and as Beck turns to a bottle to help him cope with events the author handles his situation very well. I found Beck’s situation upsetting and the support his colleagues tried to offer was heartening.

While trying to find a murderer Beck uncovers a seedier side to his small town and I was highly amused by the revelation of how two local residents would supplement their income. Their information led to a peek behind the curtains of a quiet suburban house where all was not as it seems.

But for Beck the real mission was to track down a murderer. For the murderer the stakes have been raised and more proactive action is required to keep their secrets safe. The one thing you can count on in a crime thriller – secrets will out.

I read Her Last Goodnight over 2 days, thoroughly enjoyed my introduction to a new series and will be picking up the earlier books to catch up. That’s a sure sign this was a hit with me – I want more.

Her Last Goodnight is published by Bookouture and is available in paperback and digital format. You can order a copy of the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B081576NZB/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

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January 10

Backlash – Marnie Riches

Keep your enemies close and your neighbours closer…

When Private Investigator Beverley Saunders is tasked with going undercover, she relishes the chance to disguise herself as a cleaner in order to get close to Manchester bad boy Anthony Anthony, aka 2Tone. Anthony’s neighbours are suspicious of his wealth and sick of his anti-social behaviour, and Bev’s just the woman they need to find out what’s going on behind closed doors.

As Bev begins to infiltrate Anthony’s world, she soon realises she’s in danger – and this time, she might be too far in to get out. Alongside her sidekick Doc, Bev must fight to discover the truth – but when people begin to die, she has to ask herself – is exposing Anthony worth risking her own life?

I received a review copy from the publishers via Netgalley.

PI Bev Saunders is back. Fresh from her exploits in Tightrope Bev now enjoys a degree of minor celebrity. The case she broke in her original outing was newsworthy and as a consequence Bev’s name and reputation is familiar to many of the residents of the North West.

Unfortunately for Bev, fame alone doesn’t pay the bills and she needs work but cannot afford to be fussy. So when a couple turn up at her door asking for evidence to help them calm the excessive disruptions of their noisy neighbour Bev cannot turn down the case.

The neighbour in question is a local businessman who is well known for the excellent work he does for charity. But his building/landscaping business brings him into daily contact with a number of more “earthy” workers and these guys are not the fine upstanding members of the community that their boss aspires to be. It becomes clear to Bev that her target (the amusingly named ‘2Tone’) is not the most pleasant of fellows – but is his behaviour over the top or are her clients prudish NIMBYs?

Early investigations don’t go well and Bev has an alarming brush with death which sees her resort to taking drastic action – undercover work in 2Tone’s house. It ain’t a glamorous job but Bev is determined to know more about 2Tone’s unusual activities.

Away from the domestic dispute is a darker tale. A Romanian man is looking for someone. His life has been horrific. Trafficked into the UK and hooked upon the increasingly popular and dangerously damaging drug spice, he is looking to find and save a family member. He also wants to identify the man at the root of his suffering and bring that life to an unpleasant end.

His path will cross with Bev’s and she will find herself drawn into a second investigation. Can the impulsive investigator keep herself safe from harm and prevent a desperate man from killing someone?

All these challenges and Bev still has to deal with her ex who continues to make her life as awkward as he can. At least her daughter is safe from all the madness…isn’t she?

Backlash is another great read from Marnie Riches. Bev is a strong, energetic and engaging lead character. She makes terrible life choices and I just want to read more about her. The story is well paced, darker scenes and action sequences nicely interspersed with lighter/funny interactions.

Backlash is available in paperback, digital and audiobook format and can be found in all the usual places.

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