August 2018 – Grab This Book

Crack Apple & Pop – Saira Viola

Tony is a handsome young boxer is forced into a life of crime after suffering a vicious blow in the ring.

Seduced by the glitz and glamour of London and mentored by charismatic gang lord Don March he rises rapidly up the crime ladder until he spies an opportunity to start a semi-legit Natural Highs business.

Bank-rolled by an eccentric British dandy and accompanied by a cast of starry misfits including a 3ft tall blue-haired money man, an Etonian drug mule, two dominatrix debt collectors, a dodgy lawyer and a host of demi-celebs, Tony carves out a life for himself in a city where money creates its’ own morality.

All seems to be going well until in the shadows, a Bollywood mobster threatens to derail their plans.

Chaos ensues, of course it does – wonderful, beautiful, visceral chaos.

The deft wit of Hammett meets the vivid poetics of Chandler: Crack Apple and Pop is slick smart and razor sharp. A gritty and sometimes metafictive slice of London noir.

A city of artful dodgers, yardie gangsters, kinky aristos, cocaine dusted starlets and social thrill seekers where everyone’s hustling and everyone’s getting high.

Whether it’s law, finance, the music biz, or the boxing ring: money is king. And only the ones prepared to risk everything will survive…

My thanks to Emma at Damppebbles for arranging the blog tour and to Fahrenheit Press for my review copy.

Fahrenheit Press release books which are dark, edgy, “noirish” and their regular readers love the unpredictable stories on offer.

Crack Apple & Pop is not going to be to everyone’s taste. It is cleverly written, loaded with lives and stories, anecdotes and glimpses into the lives of colourful characters but cosy crime fans will not embrace the darkness on offer here.

As a Scottish blogger I review a fair few Scottish crime thrillers – the biggest gripes I see about Scottish books I love is that “local dialect” upsets some of Middle England. Crack Apple & Pop is pure London (and not the pleasant BBC Radio 4 London voices). There is slang, drug references, gang culture and dozens of vulnerable lives being manipulated by the powerful.

The reader is taken to snapshots of different scenes, a return to the lead characters then an aside to a random encounter. Everything feels 100mph and there are so many incidents which may shock or amuse. I find it hard to do describe how it feels to read (as you can clearly see).

An example: the opening chapters are about a developing boxing career. The rhythm of the writing is amazing in that it is punchy, it weaves and bobs and bruises the reader then it is over and all slows and the pattern of writing changes.

This happens over the story – fast scenes are sharp, stacatto or spiked. Then slower, calmer scenes are detailed and comfortable. It is very cleverly done as it changes the feel of the story.

If you want to read a character driven book this has to be a contender. It is lives laid out for our inspection – these may not be happy lives so proceed with caution.

Crack Apple & Pop is published by Fahrenheit Press and is available in digital and paperback format. You can order a copy here: http://www.fahrenheit-press.com/books_crack_apple_and_pop.html

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August 29

Keep Her Silent – Theresa Talbot

Oonagh O’Neil is back with another dark and chilling investigation.

‘Do that which is good and no evil shall touch you‘

That was the note the so-called Raphael killer left on each of his victims. Everyone in Glasgow – investigative journalist Oonagh O’Neil included – remember the murder of three women in Glasgow which sent a wave of terror through the city. They also remember that he is still at large…

When the police investigation into the Raphael killings reopens, Oonagh is given a tip off that leads her straight to the heart of a complex and deadly cover-up. When history starts to repeat itself, it seems the killer is closer than she thinks. Could Oonagh be the next target…?

My thanks to the publisher for my review copy and the opportunity to join the Blog Tour.

I am very excited to join the blog tour for Keep Her Silent as I loved the first Oonagh O’Neil thriller and have been dying to see what Theresa Talbot had in store for us this time.

Housekeeping: Oonagh first appeared in The Lost Children which was originally entitled Penance. You can order a copy of The Lost Children by clicking on the title and I highly recommend that purchase. Reading the first novel is not essential to reading and enjoying Keep Her Silent but there are one or two references early in the book to past events so just remember that Oonagh had a life before the events in Keep Her Silent began.

Oonagh is an investigative reporter and as such there are a number of interesting and upsetting cases brought to her attention. Readers get some background detail on the two cases which will dominate the story – Theresa Talbot makes good use of flashback sequences to show crimes being committed then spins back to Oonagh and the investigations she is conducting. A very efficient and satisfying way of keeping events ticking along at a high pace.

Blood contamination and the impact upon innocent hospital patients is very much in the spotlight in Keep Her Silent. Oonagh is made aware of the corrupt nature in which blood was aquired and the lack of regard paid towards the risk of contamination. It makes for chilling reading and the lengths which officials and governments went to in covering up the practice will have your alarm bells ringing.

Closer to home and Oonagh is also looking into the conviction of a Glasgow wife and mother who was institutionalised years earlier for killing her husband and young son. The Glasgow police are also reviewing this double killing as it connects to a cold case which the Powers At Be want closed.

The underlying reasons and practices behind both these investigations are complex. As a reader I felt my perceptions of many incidents being challenged and Theresa Talbot does a fantastic job of showing how unfortunate victims continue to be undermined by those in positions of power or authority. Those they should have been able to trust or to rely upon for help.

Keep Her Silent is a brilliant read. Oonagh is a great lead character who really could do with cutting a break – her personal life also makes for tricky reading and you just want her to do well and confront some of her inner demons.

I have no hesitation in recommending Keep Her Silent – it is a five star read.

Keep Her Silent is published by Aria and is currently available in digital format. You can get your copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keep-Her-Silent-gripping-thriller-ebook/dp/B07DWXW76X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1535493303&sr=8-3&keywords=theresa+talbot

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August 23

The Aladdin Trial – Abi Silver

An elderly local artist plunges 100 feet to her death at an overstretched London hospital and the police immediately sense foul play. The hospital cleaner, a Syrian refugee and loner, is arrested for her murder. He protests his innocence, but why has he given her the story of Aladdin to read, and why does he shake uncontrollably in times of stress?

Judith Burton and Constance Lamb reunite to defend a man the media has already convicted. Together they uncover not only the cleaner’s secrets, but also those of the artist’s family, her lawyer and the hospital.

A new Burton and Lamb legal thriller from the author of the acclaimed The Pinocchio Brief.

My thanks to Lightning Books for my review copy

This review is long overdue. Now that summer holidays are over, my kids have returned to school and “normal” is slowly returning I can try to catch up on writing reviews of my summer reads. I wanted to start with a good one so The Aladdin Trial was an easy choice in that regard.

The lead characters, Judith Burton and Constance Lamb, first appeared in Abi Silver’s The Pinocchio Brief. While reading the first book will give you a little extra detail on their background (and give you a great story to enjoy) you will not be disadvantaged in coming “cold” to The Aladdin Trial which can easily be read as a stand alone thriller.

In this story we have a distressing tale of an elderly artist taking a tumble from a hospital balcony and falling to her death. Suspicions are raised that this may not have been an accident and the police turn their attention to a hospital cleaner, a refugee from Syria, who had befriended the woman during her stay.

Judith and Constance will represent the cleaner in court but evidence is mounting up against their client and he is not providing his legal team with any reliable information with which they can defend him.

Away from the legal fact-finding and court preparations the reader also gets to see the children of the artist coping with the fallout of her death (and I assure you that no pun was intended there). Unbeknown to her children the artist had accumulated some personal wealth down the years and has drafted a will which requires certain conditions to be met before her children will inherit. Those conditions, while not unreasonable, show that the woman expected certain duties or responsibilities to be met by her offspring before they can inherit. Watching two adults (and their partners) trying to change their ways made for fascinating and frequently awkward reading.

Lots of twists and turns through the story made The Aladdin Trial a great story to spend time with over my holiday. If you like a courtroom drama then add Abi Silver to your reading lists – two goodun’s…and counting!

The Aladdin Trial is available in paperback and digital format and you can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aladdin-Trial-thriller-acclaimed-Pinocchio-ebook/dp/B07C8BB466/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534798231&sr=8-1&keywords=the+aladdin+trial

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August 22

Akea – The Power of Destiny – Elizabeth Jade

Akea is born into a family of sled dogs and a life that follows a predictable path, but from the day she first sees the lone wolf, Kazakh, Akea knows her future lies beyond the safety of her home. Kazakh is well aware of Akea’s destiny and the pack laws he will break to help her reach it. Regardless of the challenges ahead, he must make sure this young husky will be ready, even if it means his life.

My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my review copy and the chance to join the tour.

This is a father/son review. Well that was the plan, my 8yo was keen to read Akea when I showed him the cover and description and we agreed that we would make it our book of choice when we did bedtime reading.

Didn’t quite work out that way. After the first chapter my co-reviewer decided that Dad didn’t read quickly enough and that he wanted to get more of the story each night. So I was dumped and my wee bookworm cracked on with reading Akea The Power of Destiny all by himself.

And he tore through it.

Then came the tricky bit…”can you tell me what you liked about the book so that I can put your review online?” I shall share his observations as best I can. He really liked the fact the dogs were speaking and chatting like they were people. He thought the story was fun, exciting and “good to read” each night.

A definite hit with my young bookworm. He may not be the best at writing out a full review for me (unfortunately) but he clearly enjoyed reading Akea and the story definitely held his attention.

I read a bit of the book too and it is an easily accessible story for young readers – a good book to get a confident reader to try to tackle on their own. There are many nice illustrations throughout the book which break up the text to make it seem less daunting for kids who may be anxious at the prospect of reading lots of full pages of text.

A charming story which my wee bookworm happily read through and has been chatting positively about since he finished it.

Akea The Power of Destiny is available in paperback and digital format and can be ordered here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Akea-Elizabeth-Jade-ebook/dp/B072FG4C2N/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534886042&sr=8-1&keywords=akea

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August 19

Stitch Up – William McIntyre

Everything is coming up roses for Robbie Munro, newly married and living in the country with wife and child. That is until his wife takes up employment abroad just as old flame, Jill Green, asks him to investigate the unexplained death of her partner.

Suspecting foul play, Jill insists Robbie turns poacher to gamekeeper and does whatever it takes to find the killer – with no expense spared. Another killer on the loose is child-murderer Ricky Hertz, whose twenty-year-old conviction is under scrutiny.

Was the evidence at his trial fabricated? Suspicion falls on Robbie’s father who now faces a criminal prosecution. The only way to prove ex-Police Sergeant Alex Munro’s innocence is for Robbie to show there was no miscarriage of justice.

My thanks to Ceris at Sandstone Press for my review copy and the chance to join the blog tour

Any time spent reading the Robbie Munro (Best Defence) books by William McIntyre is time very well spent.

Robbie is a criminal lawyer who will usually find himself in opposition to the police as he defends the people they are trying to have convicted for crimes committed. This doesn’t make Robbie a bad guy but he is good at his job and we know he has past form of highlighting the police may have made an error when his clients are concerned.

Away from work Robbie is newly married and his family ties remain strong. His young daughter, Tina, is highly entertaining and she features quite frequently in Stitch Up as Robbie is technically on a short holiday and looking after his 6yo. “From the mouths of babes” is an old saying which Robbie would do well to remember as Tina shares her opinion and makes indiscreet observations with amusing frequency.

Stitch Up concentrates on an old crime which rocked Robbie’s hometown of Linlithgow some 17 years ago. A child killer has been released early from his custodial sentence when a doubt was cast upon the original conviction. The arresting policeman was Robbie’s father and he is now in the spotlight as questions are being asked about the legality of the arrest and evidence obtained. Robbie needs to stand by his father to ensure justice prevails and ensure his dad does not become a scapegoat.

Stitch Up is a cracking read, cleverly plotted, engaging characters, humorous and it is clear William McIntyre knows his subject matter well. The authenticity makes the book much easier to get into and enjoyable.

The Best Defence books are a fabulous series and are fast becoming one of my favourites. Stitch Up can easily be read as a jumping-on point – you will want to go back and read the others though!

Stitch Up is published by Sandstone Press and is available in paperback and digital format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stitch-Best-Defence-William-McIntyre-ebook/dp/B07D7K4Q92/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1534637409&sr=8-1&keywords=stitch+up

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August 17

Creature – Hunter Shea

The monsters live inside of Kate Woodson. Chronic pain and a host of autoimmune diseases have robbed her of a normal, happy life. Her husband Andrew’s surprise of their dream Maine lake cottage for the summer is the gift of a lifetime. It’s beautiful, remote, idyllic, a place to heal.

But they are not alone. Something is in the woods, screeching in the darkness, banging on the house, leaving animals for dead.

Just like her body, Kate’s cottage becomes her prison. She and Andrew must fight to survive the creature that lurks in the dead of night.

My thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for the chance to join the Creature tour. I received a review copy from Frame Tree Press.

Horror novels should make the reader feel tense as the pages turn or we should be anxious for the wellbeing/survival of the characters. Creature delivers in every aspect in that regard.

Kate and Andrew are living a frustrating life – Kate is plagued by chronic pain and her medical conditions leave her heavily reliant upon Andrew. She spends much of her day home alone with their elderly beagle for company watching daytime shows, classic movies and clock watching to her next round of medication.

To give Kate a boost and a change of scene Andrew arranges a three month break for them both. A remote cabin deep in the New England woods. Peace, tranquillity and alone time – just what the pair need.

However their escape to their beautiful woodland retreat is not going to give them the relaxation they are seeking – deep in the woods there is something lurking. Something large, dangerous and it knows where Andrew and Kate can be found – isolation can be a blessing and a curse!

I loved Creature – a proper chilling read. The small cast of characters gives the story an intimate feel. The isolation Kate faces, in their home and also in the woodland cabin gives a vulnerability to the character and I genuinely was worried for her when the ‘unusual incidents started.

Hunter Shea spends a while establishing Kate and Andrew’s characters, their routines and their marriage feel very real and I was completely drawn into their world. Kate’s medical conditions are brutally and honestly depicted and we are left in no doubt as to how she struggles. Character depth adding to my buy-in to their story.

The story builds up the tension brilliantly and by the time the true horror of their situation became apparent I was not putting down this book until the last page had been turned.

Horror fans- this is a good’un.

Creature releases on 6 September 2018 in paperback and digital format. You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creature-Fiction-Without-Frontiers-Hunter/dp/1787580210/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1534454584&sr=8-6

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August 13

Pieces of Her – Karin Slaughter

You’ve known her your whole life…
Andrea Oliver knows everything about her mother Laura. She knows she’s always lived in the small town of Belle Isle; she knows she’s a pillar of the community; she knows she’s never kept a secret in her life.

but she’s hiding something…
Then one day, a trip to the mall explodes into a shocking act of violence and Andy suddenly sees a completely different side to Laura.

and it could destroy you both…
Hours later, Laura is in hospital, her face splashed over the newspapers. But the danger has only just begun. Now, Andy must go on a desperate race to uncover the secrets of her mother’s past. Unless she can, there may be no future for either of them…

My thanks to Heidi Bland for the chance to join the blog tour, I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

Pieces of Her is a dual timeline thriller. Our focus is mainly on Andy who finds herself thrust into danger when she is caught up in a shooting incident. Andy and Laura, her mother, come face to face with the gunman – they are the last two standing but Laura steps in front of her daughter to confront the shooter.

She tries to persuade him to shoot her in order that Andy may go free. As she speaks to the gunman Laura is also urging Andy to run for freedom. There is a flurry of activity and before Andy can know what is happening the shooter is dead and her mother stands over his body. Self defense she claims yet the incident has been caught on film and any suggestion that Laura may have been a vulnerable victim is gone – it looks like she has used combat skills to eliminate a threat.

This all takes place very early in the story but Andy finds herself querying if she even knows who her mother is. There are clearly secrets which Laura has buried deep and of which Andy has no knowledge. Andy’s story is uncovering the pieces of the puzzle as to who her mother really is.

I mentioned this was a dual timeline story. Alongside Andy’s flight from a crime scene on a quest to understand Laura better there is also a story thread running which introduces new characters – this part of the tale is set in 1986.

Readers will know that the two story threads will eventually intertwine and that there will be some overlap to explain why an industrial accident in the 80’s has an impact on a random shooting in the present day.

While you read it can be perplexing to randomly spring to a different story and you have to trust in the skill of the author to know that everything shall make sense in the end. But when the author is Karin Slaughter you know that the author has all the skills to weave a deft tale which rewards the reader.

Pieces of Her was often surprising and a highly enjoyable reading experience.

Pieces of Her is published by Harper Collins and is available in Hardback, digital and audiobook. You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pieces-Her-stunning-thriller-bestselling-ebook/dp/B0796VNPPX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534101709&sr=8-1&keywords=pieces+of+her

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August 11

Nothing Bad Happens Here – Nikki Crutchley

“She looked away from his face and took in the clear spring night, full of stars. Her last thoughts were of her mother. Would she finally care, when one day they found her body, and a policeman came knocking at her door?”

The body of missing tourist Bethany Haliwell is found in the small Coromandel town of Castle Bay, where nothing bad ever happens. News crews and journalists from all over the country descend on the small seaside town as old secrets are dragged up and gossip is taken as gospel.

Among them is Miller Hatcher, a journalist battling her own demons, who arrives intent on gaining a promotion by covering the grisly murder.
Following an anonymous tip, Miller begins to unravel the mystery of the small town. And when another woman goes missing, Miller finds herself getting closer to the truth. But at what cost?

My thanks to Craig Sisterson at the Ngaio Marsh Awards Team for my review copy and a chance to join the celebration of #YeahNoir for 2018

Nothing Bad Happens Here. But what if something bad *did* happen here? Well in the first pages of Nikki Crutchley’s debut thriller something bad does happen and it turns out not to be an isolated incident. When journalist Miller Hatcher starts digging for a story someone will have to take steps to keep their secrets.

The town where “nothing bad happens” is Castle Bay in New Zealand. It appears a sleepy, idyllic place where all the residents know each other, the town mayor also doubles as a real estate agent and gossip is currency for the residents. As with all small towns there are a few bad eggs who people know to avoid but overall life seems uncomplicated and peaceful.

Until an English backpacker, traveling alone, goes missing – last seen in Castle Bay. The small police force conduct searches but to no avail. The reader, however, does know what happened as Nothing Bad Happens Here opens with a sequence which outlines exactly what happened to the backpacker on the night she disappeared. The main story then picks up events several weeks later when her body is found.

Sent to Castle Bay to report on the resulting investigation, Miller takes up residence in a home which acts as a retreat for women who need space, understanding and the opportunity to speak freely to discuss concerns. Run by Delta, described as an American Hippy, Miller finds that the other guests all have stories to tell (although not all want to).

In her debut novel Nikki Crutchley focuses on Miller’s pursuit of her story and it makes for engaging reading. The characters in the town display the best and worst of people and Miller tries to establish confidences whilst simultaneously abhorring the gossipy nature of some of the residents. As Miller gets closer to understanding what happened the night the backpacker disappeared another girl vanishes from the town. The author builds tension more and more and Miller finds herself in jeopardy when she realises how close she is coming to uncovering the truth.

A fun debut read which captures the claustrophobia of a small town suddenly confronting the discovery that their safe haven is not as safe as they had believed. A strong cast of well established characters makes this an engaging and enjoyable read.

Nothing Bad Happens Here is published by Oak House Press and is available in digital and paperback editions and you can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nothing-Happens-Here-Nikki-Crutchley-ebook/dp/B074V4HTSL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533939383&sr=8-1&keywords=nothing+bad+happens+here

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August 10

Kiss of Death – Paul Finch

Don’t let them catch you…

A Deadly Hunt
DS ‘Heck’ Heckenburg has been tasked with retrieving one of the UK’s most wanted men. But the trail runs cold when Heck discovers a video tape showing the fugitive in a fight for his life. A fight he has no chance of winning.

A Dangerous Game
Heck realises that there’s another player in this game of cat and mouse, and this time, they’ve not just caught the prize: they’ve made sure no one else ever does.

A Man Who Plays With Fire
How far will Heck and his team go to protect some of the UK’s most brutal killers? And what price is he willing to pay?

My thanks to Sabah at Avon for my review copy which I received through Netgalley

The seventh Mark “Heck” Heckenburg thriller from Paul Finch. Having read all the books which precede Kiss of Death I was more than a little excited at the prospect of reuniting with Heck – I love these stories and Paul Finch always delivers on thrills.

Suffice to say that I was not disappointed.

Kiss of Death is another corker and, if anything, the action is bigger, louder and more shocking than ever before. Heck is still working under Gemma Piper his current boss but his former lover. Although the pair work well together there is always an undercurrent of tension between the two and it is clear that Heck would love the chance to rekindle the relationship the pair shared at the start of their careers. Unfortunately for Heck his cavalier attitude clashes with Gemma’s “by the book” approach and she has kept him at arms length. Making things worse is the addition to their team of a new blue-eyed-boy who Gemma seems to favour and who is very much a “by the rules” player.

Trying to ignore the frustrations of seeing Gemma’s head being turned by another cop Heck throws himself into the latest investigation. There is a push to track down missing criminals but some shocking evidence will come to the police which throws their investigation into a new direction. Heck is not adverse to cutting corners to get a result but such is his desire to succeed that he will find himself exposed and taking too many risks. It makes for terrific reading.

Paul Finch always makes excellent use of shock tactics to keep me gripped when reading his books and Kiss of Death was no exception. The story builds and builds and the stakes creep ever higher. By the time the endgame had been reached I was lost to the outside world – the book was my sole focus and I was oblivious to everything else. Just when I thought it was done…a sucker punch. Oh my days what a finale – no spoilers but WOW.

If you have not had the thrill of reading a Paul Finch “Heck” novel you have missed a treat (well 7 treats now). These books are brilliant examples of top class crime fiction and I urge you to hunt them down. Kiss of Death nets Paul Finch and Heck another five star review from me – I cannot get enough of these books.

Kiss of Death is published by Avon and is available in paperback, digital and audiobook. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kiss-Death-Detective-Mark-Heckenburg-ebook/dp/B0796W5MPQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533848174&sr=8-1&keywords=kiss+of+death+paul+finch

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August 9

The Puppet Show – M. W. Craven

Welcome to the Puppet Show . . .

A serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District’s prehistoric stone circles. He leaves no clues and the police are helpless.

When his name is found carved into the charred remains of the third victim, disgraced detective Washington Poe is brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of.

Reluctantly partnered with the brilliant, but socially awkward, civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, the mismatched pair uncover a trail that only he is meant to see. The elusive killer has a plan and for some reason Poe is part of it.

As the body count rises, Poe discovers he has far more invested in the case than he could have possibly imagined. And in a shocking finale that will shatter everything he’s ever believed about himself, Poe will learn that there are things far worse than being burned alive …

I bought The Puppet Show on Audible and also had a reading copy which I received from Constable through Netgalley.

I listened to The Puppet Show through the Audible app – usually while driving to and from work each day. I say “usually” because I also make efforts to find ways to listen to The Puppet Show at other times too, walking round the shops, tidying the house etc. This is something I NEVER normally do – my audiobooks are for the commute to work only, it takes something special for me to break that pattern.

I felt The Puppet Show merited that change to my routine, it was special enough to make me want to keep listening when my “normal” listening time was over. In short – I loved it.

Washington Poe (and the author does explain the name) is called back to work to investigate a series of murders in Cumbria. Poe has been suspended from duty pending investigation into an accidental release of a suspect’s name to a victims family. An accident which had serious repercussions for those involved. Why is Poe recalled from suspension? Well his name has been carved onto the body of a victim and it looks like the killer has named Poe as a future target.

Poe accepts a return to duties and finds himself paired with a brilliant but awkward crime analyst who has never worked “in the field” before. The pairing of Poe and Tilly (his analyst) is great reading. Tilly is an expert at tech, stats and probability while Poe is a seasoned cop with sharp instincts and street savvy. He also bucks at authority and has no time for bullies so the entitled and arrogant people who cross his path in The Puppet Show are in for a bit of a shock!

This book has been one of my standout reads of 2018 (thus far). The perfect blend of police procedural, serial killer and engaging characters with a well balanced supporting cast made it a joy to read.

As I mentioned, I read The Puppet Show as a talking book so I need to address the “listening experience” too. The audiobook is narrated by John Banks. He gave Poe a wonderfully booming and confident voice which now defines how I imagine the character. He also made Tilly sound vulnerable and innocent which contrasted her perfectly with Poe. The story was expertly handled under his care and this is easily one of the best titles in my Audible library.

A five star review is a certainty. I was hooked by the story, loved the characters and I just did not want it to end.

The Puppet Show is published by Constable and is available in Hardback, Digital and Audiobook versions. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Puppet-Show-Washington-Poe-Book/dp/B07D5G642H/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1533498247&sr=8-1

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