November 2018 – Grab This Book

The Burning House – Neil Spring

It was a victimless crime…

Estate Agent Clara is struggling to make a sale. With her abusive ex-husband on the brink of finding where she’s hiding, she needs to make a commission soon or lose her chance to escape.

Boleskine House on the shores of Loch Ness has remained unsold for years, and Clara is sure that an ‘innocent’ fire will force the price down. But the perfect crime soon turns into the perfect nightmare: there was a witness, a stranger in the village, and he’s not going to let Clara get away with it that easily…

My thanks to Millie at Quercus Books for my review copy and the chance to join the blog blast

Many years ago I lived in the Highlands of Scotland – I spent a large part of my teenage years just a few miles away from one of the most famous stretches of water in the world…Loch Ness. The loch offers an amazing combination of stunning beauty surrounding a dark foreboding stretch of water – home (of course) to The Loch Ness Monster.

If you have lived in urban areas all your life it is hard to understand just how remote, isolated or atmospheric some areas in rural Scotland can be. Neil Spring captures the sense of location in The Burning House perfectly – the majority of the book is set by the Ness and Neil Spring is terrific at conveying tension and atmosphere in his writing.

We are brought to the Highlands by Clara. We first meet her as she is trying to secure the sale of Boleskine House – a large unloved property on the banks of Loch Ness which has a dark and unpleasant history. Clara works for the local estate agents. In a bid to try to improve the chances of selling Boleskine House (and get her commission) Clara has set a small fire in one of the rooms…some fire damage will bring down the asking price and her dire financial situation will be improved.

Unfortunately for Clara someone has seen her set the fire and she will find herself at the mercy of their whims. Having fled London to the Highlands to escape a violent and abusive marriage Clara is no stranger to being at the mercy of another but she will not accept her situation without a fight.

Meanwhile in London Clara’s husband is unwilling to accept that his wife has gone forever. Even though months have passed since she fled their unhappy home he remains determined to track her down.

Clara finds herself a resident at the creepy Boleskine House and it is not long before strange incidents start to occur. It makes for engrossing reading and Neil Spring is a master at captivating readers with his chilling narrative.

The Burning House offers a delicious combination of large ominous house, remote location and a nearby small village (small communities always have the best secrets). The author spins a wonderfully dark tale around Clara and I just could not get enough of this story.

I had been very much looking forward to reading The Burning House as I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Neil Spring’s previous books – it did not disappoint. If you want an author who delivers on the chills – look no further.

The Burning House is published by Quercus Books and is available from today in paperback, audio and digital format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Burning-House-Shocking-Thriller-Based-ebook/dp/B077P3LMWH/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543428990&sr=8-3&keywords=neil+spring

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November 27

The Sorrows – Jonathan Janz

The Sorrows, an island off the coast of northern California, and its castle have been uninhabited since a series of gruesome murders in 1925. But its owner needs money, so he allows film composers Ben and Eddie and a couple of their female friends to stay a month in Castle Blackwood. Eddie is certain a haunted castle is just the setting Ben needs to find inspiration for a horror film.

But what they find is more horrific than any movie. Something is waiting for them in the castle. A malevolent being has been trapped for nearly a century. And he’s ready to feed.

My thanks to Flame Tree Press for my review copy and to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for the chance to join this tour.

I find horror tales to be the most unpredictable reads in my tbr pile. With a crime thriller you generally know what to expect, adventure stories feature the “untouchable” heroes and psychological thrillers are twisty unexpected tales where the lead character will usually prevail in the end. In a horror story – all bets are off.

My favourite chilling tales are the haunted house stories where the menace is hidden, subtle and is slowly revealed. But there is very much a place on my bookshelves for a “schlock horror” where everything is bloody and brutal and the story has zero subtlety.

So what of The Sorrows? This one evolved as the story developed. Early indications were that this would be a subtle read. Four key characters in a remote location. Each brings their personal demons to a large lonely castle on a quite island off the coast of California. The aim is to produce the score for a forthcoming horror film – the creepy location to inspire the creative process for the composers.

At first the castle seems to be tormenting each of the residents, apparitions or memories will surface. Footsteps stopping outside a locked bedroom door but no sound of the person leaving again. The castle has a dark history and it soon becomes apparent that our residents are in grave danger. However, it is hard to feel too sorry for one of the guests as he really does not come across as a nice guy. Heavily in debt and unable to convince his father to bail him out of his latest predicament – the castle presents a haven to escape the unwelcome attentions of the debt collectors. If something bad were to happen to this chap it may make for entertaining retribution!

Happily Jonathan Janz knows how to deliver the chills. The subtle chills give way to monster perils, the danger full and bloody and very much in your face. The tone of the story changes up once the scene has been set and the back stories established. Danger escalates, terror increases and the psychological chiller gives way to a brutal battle with a demonic entity.

The unpredicability of the story kept me reading, I wanted to see which of the characters may survive and which would meet a grim fate. It is the eternal lure of a horror tale – we know there is a “big bad” out there and that not every character will make it to the end of the story…the fun is seeing what may happen.

The Sorrows is published by Flame Tree Press and releases on 30 November 2018 in paperback and digital format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sorrows-Fiction-Without-Frontiers-ebook/dp/B07JGDX81V/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543257520&sr=8-1&keywords=the+sorrows+janz

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November 24

The Lingering – SJI Holliday (Audiobook)

Married couple Jack and Ali Gardiner move to a self-sufficient commune in the English Fens, desperate for fresh start. The local village is known for the witches who once resided there and Rosalind House, where the commune has been established, is a former psychiatric home, with a disturbing history

When Jack and Ali arrive, a chain of unexpected and unexplained events is set off, and it becomes clear that they are not all that they seem. As the residents become twitchy, and the villagers suspicious, events from the past come back to haunt them, and someone is seeking retribution…

At once an unnerving locked-room mystery, a chilling thriller and a dark and superbly wrought ghost story, The Lingering is an exceptionally plotted, terrifying and tantalisingly twisted novel by one of the most exciting authors in the genre.

My thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for the opportunity to review the audiobook of The Lingering for the blog tour.

I was lucky to receive an early review copy of The Lingering and my review of the book is reproduced below. Spoiler…I loved it. But when I was invited to join the blog tour I asked if I could review the audiobook of The Lingering.

Over the last 12 months I have become an audiobook convert. While the reading pace is frustratingly slow I am finding I get so much more from my books when every word is carefully articulated by an array of excellent actors. The Lingering really emphasised the difference between two reading experiences and the audio Book is incredible.

Knowing the story made no difference to my enjoyment, the dual voice narrative was a treat and, while I did not think it possible, it is was a more eerie and chilling experience to have the story told to me.

The Lingering has been one of my favourite stories if the year. Outstanding and capitvating in equal measure – to listen to the audiobook rubberstamped that opinion. Whether you elect to read or listen to this book you need to make sure it is one you grab as soon as you can.

My original review:

I spent most of my teen years pouring over all the ghost stories and horror books I could get my hands on but I do feel that there is currently a lack of good new ghostly tales for readers to enjoy. This is why, when I first heard that Susi Holliday was writing a spooky thriller, I was beyond excited and The Lingering instantly became my “most anticipated” book.

The wait was entirely worth it as there was no Lingering over this story. I was flicking pages so fast I am surprised the pages didn’t burst into flame.

The setting for The Lingering is a large creepy house which was once used as a psychiatric hospital. Within the house is a commune, the residents are odd collection of characters who live a seemingly simple and self-sufficient life. Into this mix come Ali and Jack Gardiner – they bring secrets and their past is a mystery but it is clear to the reader that the couple are trying to escape a troubled past and get a fresh start.

Jack and Ali discover that their new home is rumoured to be haunted and it is not long before Susi Holliday starts to unsettle the reader with odd occurrences and strange sightings. The constant ghostly undertone to the story is a joy and when chilling incidents arose I found myself drawing deeper back into my chair and scanning the dark corners of the room to ensure I really was alone.

As with all her previous books the characters in The Lingering are wonderfully defined so you will get drawn into the lives of Ali and Jack and also that of “Fairy” Angela (the resident self-appointed ghost hunter) and Smeaton, the commune leader. Strong characters give me much more of a personal investment into a story and this meant when unpleasant things started to happen I felt an anger/outrage and upset that I don’t normally expect to get from books.

The joy of The Lingering is that Susi Holiday sets up many mysteries throughout the story and it is the desire to uncover the truth which will keep you reading. Make no mistake this is a dark, dark story and there are some deeply unpleasant events to be uncovered but discovering these secrets is an absolute joy.

I am reluctant to share too much about what happens within Rosalind House and its occupants past and present. Suffice to say that The Lingering is a brilliantly chilling tale and that Susi Holliday is on top, top form delivering a story which feels like an instant classic

The Lingering is published by Orenda Books and is available in digital, paperback and audiobook format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lingering-S-J-I-Holliday-ebook/dp/B07DFVXVDX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543010848&sr=8-1&keywords=the+lingering

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November 20

Stoned Love – Ian Patrick

Detective Sergeant Sam Batford has been lying low at a remote safe house in the highlands of Scotland. He’s doing his best not to attract the attention of the enemies he made, on both sides of the law, during his last under-cover operation but Batford knows he’s just killing time.

Inevitably the sharks begin to circle and as Batford is called back to front-line action in London he’s thrown into a deadly game of cat and mouse where it seems everyone is out to get him.

After having to endure a frustrating resolution to their previous undercover operation together DCI Klara Winter from the National Crime Agency is determined to prove that Batford has crossed the line into criminality and finally bring him to face justice.

All Sam Batford wants is to outwit his enemies long enough to stay alive and come out ahead of the game.

My thanks to Kelly at Love Books Group for the chance to join the blog tour.

After an outstanding debut appearance in Rubicon, Sam Batford returns for another outing in Ian Patrick’s Stoned Love. Another ripper lies ahead.

Batford has been hiding out in the Scottish Highlands, a terrific place to keep off radar. Events in Rubicon have made life tricky for Batford – he needs to lay low and shift some of the drugs he stole when we last met him. But his escape to the country will be short lived as he is summoned back to London to take on a new assignment.

We are thrust straight into the action. As Sam makes his way South he realises he is being followed and a pursuit through Edinbugh ensues. Ian Patrick writes a good chase scene and I felt the tension of Sam’s plight as I followed his dodging and weaving through the city.

On eventual arrival in London we see Batford being thrown back onto the front line. A new undercover assignment awaits and the chance for another profitable venture if he can pull it off. However there are dangers awaiting. A contract on his life for crossing a drug dealer. His own police force have suspicion Sam is not being entirely honest with them. Plus Sam is haunted by ghosts from his past.

Keeping one step ahead of everyone around him will be a huge strain on Sam. Reading about Sam trying to keep one step ahead of everyone is extremely entertaining. Once again Ian Patrick delivers an edge of your seat adventure – this is a terrific story and I highly recommend it to anyone that has ever enjoyed an action adventure tale.

More stories like this would be most welcome, this is a good’un.

Stoned Love is published by Fahrenheit Press and is available in paperback and digital format here: http://www.fahrenheit-press.com/books_stoned_love.html

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November 18

Wasp Latitudes – Allan Watson

Against a background of brutal attacks on people and property by a rag-tag group of homeless men whom the media quickly dub Berserkers, DI Will Harlan is juggling with a head-in-a-bucket patricide, a lethal wife-swapping session, a sex-tape scandal involving the Royal Scottish National Orchestra – and perhaps most discomfiting of all – a spate of late night phone calls from his favourite serial killer, Howie Danks.

As the wife-swapping investigation spirals into a glut of cold-blooded slayings carried out by a mysterious pair of killers known as the Wasp Queen and the Priest, Harlan has to look into the past where a cold case may contain uncomfortable answers. But it’s in the present where the real danger lies as he follows a twisted path of mind control and madness leading to a cruel land some call the Wasp Latitudes.

My thanks to Sarah Hardy for the chance to join the blog tour

My introduction to DI Will Harlan was Wasp Latitudes – the second book to feature Harlan. It was clear as I was reading that there had been an earlier book but it didn’t stop me from enjoying Wasp Latitudes.

Harlan is having a busy old time of it – multiple incidents are commanding his attention and it seems his colleagues are not the cohesive and united team which he may hope them to be. Of course disruption in the masses and professional rivalries (along with hopeless careerists) make for entertaining reading.

Entertainment is high if you are not after a genteel story. A wife-swapping party goes horribly wrong for one couple. Just down the road a man is found dead with his head in a bucket and a foreign object inserted into his…erm, well lets just say, into him. A gang is terrorizing Glasgow with random violent acts and a young woman has been publicly shamed when a video recorded while she was enjoying a drunken evening in company goes viral.

With dogged determination and a great deal of people manipulation Harlan will split his attention to each of these crimes. His input is not welcomed and attempts will be made to ensure he does not look into the “bucket man” investigation – other forces are interested in that death and Harlan is warned to keep away. Of course that is not how Harlan works and, if anything, he becomes more determined to uncover the truth.

Police politics, fascinating investigations, dark murders and lots of dry Glasgow humour – this was a cracking read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Another series I will enjoy following and that can only be a good thing.

Wasp Latitudes is available as a digital download here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wasp-Latitudes-Will-Harlan-Book-ebook/dp/B07GZYY6D1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542541330&sr=8-1&keywords=wasp+latitudes

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November 15

Kill it With Fire – Adam Maxwell

They say revenge is a dish best served cold but some like it hot.

Double-crossed and with her reputation as a master criminal compromised,
Violet Winters means to fight fire with fire.

She doesn’t play by other people’s rules, or any rules so hell’s fury is about to rain down.

Furious, fearless and fighting mad she is ready to risk her life to save her name.

Time for a quickie? Of course you do – especially when I want to tell you about the fabulous Kill it With Fire.

Earlier this year I raved wildly about a brilliant heist story I had enjoyed. It was called The Dali Deception and was written by Adam Maxwell. If you click the link on the book title you can see my 5* review. I took to Twitter and proclaimed my love for the brilliant story telling and urged Mr Maxwell not to keep us waiting too long for another adventure for Violet Winter and her motley crew. Happy Days, he answered our pleas and Kill it With Fire is here.

I mentioned this was a quickie – Kill it With Fire is a novella which comes in at around 130 pages. A nice bite size read with loads of fun, action, scrapes and twists crammed into an entertaining evening’s reading.

It’s tricky to do a review of Kill it With Fire (as it was with The Dali Deception) as the enjoyment of the stories comes from not knowing what Violet and her gang have planned. They have a target or, in KIWF’s case, a mission to accomplish. It is hard to see how the different members of Violet’s team all can contribute to the chaos she has planned but with flawless planning and terrible execution this story takes us on a trip into destruction.

How vague was that? Sorry, but I don’t want to spoil too much as I really want you to read the book. All the fun comes from not knowing what is about to happen next or how a seemingly impossible feat can be conned to work to Violet’s advantage.

Adam Maxwell will give you just a glimpse as to what Violet has planned but the best laid plans seem to come unstuck. Can Violet think on her feet fast enough to save her life? Lets hope so as I want more books in this series!

The Dali Deception and Kill it With Fire are “Kilchester” books – they rank highly among the best stories I have read this year. Clever, funny, exciting and brilliantly readable. A crime novel where the bad guys are our good guys and there are badder bad guys to boo. Perfect.

Kill it With Fire is available in digital format and you can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KKP33WM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1542320298&sr=1-1

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November 13

Think Yourself Lucky – Ramsey Campbell

David Botham just wants a quiet ordinary life—his job at the travel agency, his relationship with his girlfriend Stephanie. The online blog that uses a title he once thought up has nothing to do with him. He has no idea who is writing it or where they get their information about a series of violent deaths in Liverpool. If they’re murders, how can the killer go unseen even by security cameras? Perhaps David won’t know until they come too close to him—until he can’t ignore the figure from his past that is catching up with him…

My thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for the chance to join the blog tour.

This one is going to split the jury I feel. On one hand the story has a series of nasty killings, seemingly instigated by someone that takes exception to their victim’s anti-social or unacceptable behavior. Good horror novel fare and a fun hook that shows bad behaviour is not going to be tolerated by our killer.

On the other hand I didn’t find the story flowed as easily as I needed and I found the narrative a bit cumbersome.

We see a scene as David Botham which ends with David being frustrated/thwarted or vexed by the situation. Then the killer relives the same scene (or is it David’s perception) and this time the irritating individual that David encountered is permanently silenced.

The mystery behind the story is who is responsible for a series of brutal deaths? The anecdotal narrative of the murders is uploaded to a blog. It is made quite clear that David is no writer and distances himself from any suggestion that he may be. However, there are too many overlaps and coincidences for random chance to be a factor so, over the course of the story, the reader has to puzzle out what is happening.

I liked the premise of this story and there were some nicely dark touches throughout, however, this has not been my favourite Ramsey Campbell title but it would be one I suggest you pick up if you are a fan of revenge/retribution thrillers.

Think Yourself Lucky is published by Flame Tree Press on 15 November 2018 and you can order a copy in paperback or digital format here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Think-Yourself-Fiction-Without-Frontiers-ebook/dp/B07JGGC5JV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541974475&sr=8-1&keywords=ramsey+campbell

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November 9

Perfect Bones – AJ Waines

Is the killer on the loose…or standing right beside you?

When art student, Aiden Blake, witnesses a gruesome attack on a London towpath, the police need him to identify the assailant without delay. But there’s a problem: refusing to leave his canal boat and traumatised by the shock, Aiden is rendered mute by the horror of the event and can’t speak to anyone.

In a desperate bid to gain vital information before Aiden’s memories fade, The Met call in Clinical Psychologist and trauma expert, Dr Samantha Willerby, giving her only seven days to get a result. When Aiden finally starts to communicate through his art, however, the images he produces are not what anyone expects and before Sam can make sense of them, another murder takes place.

With her professional skills stretched to the limit and the clock ticking, Sam strives to track down a killer who is as clever as she is – someone who always manages to stay one step ahead.

My thanks to Emma at Bloodhound Books for the chance to join the blog tour.

It’s the third Samantha Willerby novel from AJ Waines. Don’t worry there is no need to have read the first two books (though I’d recommend you do as they are great) Perfect Bones can be easily enjoyed as a stand-alone read.

Sam Willerby finds her holiday plans are thwarted at the last minute when the police try to engage her assistance. A violent attack on a young woman has left the only witness deeply traumatised and unable to speak. The police need Sam to try and help their witness (Aiden) to recover sufficiently to provide a description of the attacker or share what he saw.

Sam knows that the shock Siren experienced cannot just be brushed off in a day or two, however, she is given just 7 days to work with Siren and try help him to cope with his shock.

Matters are further complicated by the fact Sams younger sister knew both Siren and the attack victim. This places Sam in the midst of a police investigation which touches on her family life. As time is right and Aiden in such a poor mental state Sam takes the unorthodox step of moving into Aiden’s home (a houseboat) to spend more time trying to help him.

Sam’s natural desire to help means she forms a protective bond with Aiden and it is fascinating reading as her treatment and protectiveness progress. Initially asked to help the police we see Sam coming into confrontational situations with officers who are pushing for an investigation result- not caring for the care of their witness.

A separate timeline story (a few weeks prior to the attack) is also running through the book. An intriguing series of episodes where women are isolated and “pounced” on by person or persons unknown. The reader knows bad things are happening..why and what remain a well kept secret.

As with previous AJ Waines books I have read I found Perfect Bones to be a clever and engaging read. I love recurring characters and Sam is a great protagonist with the perfect blend of professional competence, self doubt and a natural inquisitive nature.

Another great read which I strongly recommend.

Perfect Bones is published by Bloodhound Books and is available in paperback and digital format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Bones-psychological-thriller-Samantha-ebook/dp/B07K33XVJ2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1541716500&sr=8-3&keywords=perfect+bones

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November 2

Hydra (Six Stories) – Matt Wesolowski – Audiobook

A family massacre. A deluded murderess. Five witnesses. Six stories. Which one is true?

One cold November night in 2014, in a small town in the north west of England, 21-year-old Arla Macleod bludgeoned her mother, father and younger sister to death with a hammer, in an unprovoked attack known as the Macleod Massacre. Now incarcerated at a medium-security mental-health institution, Arla will speak to no one but Scott King, an investigative journalist, whose Six Stories podcasts have become an internet sensation.

King finds himself immersed in an increasingly complex case, interviewing five witnesses and Arla herself, as he questions whether Arla’s responsibility for the massacre was a diminished as her legal team made out.
As he unpicks the stories, he finds himself thrust into a world of deadly forbidden ‘games’, online trolls, and the mysterious black-eyed kids, whose presence seems to extend far beyond the delusions of a murderess…

Dark, chilling and gripping, Hydra is both a classic murder mystery and an up-to-the-minute, startling thriller, that shines light in places you may never, ever want to see again.

My thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for my Audible books review copy.

I have seen early copies of Changeling reaching readers this week. Changeling is a Six Stories thriller from Matt Wesolowski and I am very much looking forward to seeing what it will bring (mainly because of this review by Kate at Bibliophile Book Club).

Why am I so excited about Changeling? Well recently I had the pleasure (a chilling pleasure) of listening to Matt’s second Six Stories book Hydra. If ever a series should be enjoyed as an audiobook then it must surely be this one.

Six Stories is a podcast produced by Scott King. He revisits a crime or an event and over a six part series of podcasts he interviews guests who will cast new light onto the known/established facts and listeners are challenged to reconsider the “official” findings or outcome of events.

As the books in the Six Stories series are each recreating a podcast show it makes complete sense that Wesolowki’s books are best enjoyed as an audiobook listen. It also helps that the actors/narrators who contributed to Hydra were exceptional and brought this creepy tale to life in a way I don’t normally experience with an audiobook. It is possibly more accurate to consider the Hydra audiobook as a dramatization than a reading.

How to do Hydra justice without spoiling the story? Hydra focuses on a family murder – Arla Macleod killed her mother, step father and her sister. There is a suggestion that her fascination with supernatural may have influenced her actions – Arla suggests that on the night of the murders she opened the door to mysterious Black-Eyed Kids. Could these ghostly children have brought about the death of three innocents?

Arla’s story (and that of her fellow contributors) are chilling, tragic and desperate tales. I got too involved in the stories and became enraged at stories of bullying, frustrated at the ignorance of children and happy when the underdogs tried to stand up for themselves. The author has done a fantastic job of capturing the best and the worst of human behaviour.

Hydra was wonderfully interlaced by dramatic events away from the podcast too. No spoilers, however, the Six Stories host will come to realise that not everyone appreciates his work. The local community does not like three brutal murders being brought back to the attention of a wider audience and a mysterious stranger certainly does not welcome the nature of discussions which are being broadcast.

Hydra is a wickedly chilling read. It takes a very clever narrative style and delivers a dramatic punch. I urge you to try the audiobook but you really should ensure you read this story. A five star score from this reader.

Hydra is available in paperback, digital and (my recommendation) audiobook format. You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hydra+matt+wesolowski&sprefix=hydra+matt%2Caps%2C151&crid=2LDXHENNPTBB3

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November 1

The Mystery of Three Quarters (New Hercule Poirot Mystery) – Sophie Hannah

The world’s most beloved detective, Hercule Poirot – the legendary star of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and most recently The Monogram Murders and Closed Casket—returns in a stylish, diabolically clever mystery set in 1930’s London.

Returning home after lunch one day, Hercule Poirot finds an angry woman waiting outside his front door. She demands to know why Poirot has sent her a letter accusing her of the murder of Barnabas Pandy, a man she has neither heard of nor ever met.

Poirot has also never heard of a Barnabas Pandy, and has accused nobody of murder. Shaken, he goes inside, only to find that he has a visitor waiting for him — a man who also claims also to have received a letter from Poirot that morning, accusing him of the murder of Barnabas Pandy.

Poirot wonders how many more letters of this sort have been sent in his name. Who sent them, and why? More importantly, who is Barnabas Pandy, is he dead, and, if so, was he murdered? And can Poirot find out the answers without putting more lives in danger?

My thanks to the publishers for my review copy which I received through Netgalley.

Happy oh happy day. Hercule Poirot is back for a third outing under the care of Sophie Hannah.

Over 20 years ago I read, what I had assumed to be, the last Poirot novel. I had worked my way through all the Poirot novels and short story collections and knew that when I finally finished Dead Man’s Folly I would be done. Sadly I found I had left one of my least favourite Poirot stories to the end and this only increased my disappointment.

Spin forward to 2014 and Sophie Hannah brings Poirot back in a whole new adventure – The Monogram Murders. I had to read it. I did read it. I loved having a whole new Hercule Poirot murder story to enjoy…would there be more books to follow?

Yes!

2016 saw Sophie Hannah release Closed Casket and 2018 brings us The Mystery of Three Quarters (by far the most intriguing title to date). Poirot is accused of writing to a number of people and suggesting that one Barnabas Pandy was murdered. Furthermore the recipient of these letters are accused of murdering Pandy.

When first confronted with one of the letters he sent Poirot is perplexed – he has never heard of Barnabus Pandy. Has no idea who the recipient of the letter is either and most certainly does not know if Barnabus Pandy was murdered. But of course Poirot must now find out!

Who would dare bring the attention of the world’s greatest detective to an accidental death? Who would presume they could send out letters in Poirot’s name and not expect him to uncover the truth behind the death of poor Mr Pandy? And why is M. Poirot being force-fed cake every time he visits a local tearoom?

Sophie Hannah takes on all these questions and breathes new life into the much loved Belgian detective. She captures Poirot magnificently and fans of the series can delight in the knowledge that our favourite character is being well cared for in his new adventures.

The mystery is nicely played out and there are plenty of clues and red herrings to keep readers on their toes. A cast of quirky, eccentric supporting characters give us plenty of options to ponder when we try to work out if there is a killer in their midst. Poirot manipulates and questions everyone as he digs to uncover secrets and possible motives and it is remarkably easy to become engrossed back into his world.

More Poirot would be very welcome but, for now, The Mystery of Three Quarters is a very pleasing addition to the collection.

The Mystery of Three Quarters is published by Harper Collins and is available in Hardback, digital and audiobook.

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