Hitler’s Secret – Rory Clements

Autumn 1941. The war is going badly for Britain and its allies. If Hitler is to be stopped, a new weapon is desperately needed.

In Cambridge, professor Tom Wilde is approached by an American intelligence officer who claims to know of such a weapon – one so secret even Hitler himself isn’t aware of its existence. If Wilde can smuggle the package out of Germany, the Third Reich will surely fall.

But it is only when he is deep behind enemy lines that Wilde discovers why the Nazis are so desperate to prevent the ‘package’ falling into Allied hands. And as ruthless killers hunt him through Europe, a treacherous question hangs over the mission: if Hitler’s secret will win them the war, why is Wilde convinced it must remain hidden?

My thanks to Zaffre for my review copy and to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for allowing me the opportunity to host this leg of the blog tour.

War time action thrills are the order of the day in Hitler’s Secret. In 1941 the war is dragging on and Germany, fighting a war both to the East and West, are firmly under control of Adolph Hitler and his National Socialist party. The British and their allies know success in their campaign relies upon toppling Hitler – if the figurehead of the Third Reich could be removed then Germany would surely step down from their fighting.

Clearly the Germans also knew the importance of keeping Hitler safe and also in protecting his image. One man held a position of power and influence which exceeded that of Hitler’s Generals and closest advisers – the “Gatekeeper”. This man, Bormann, worked alongside Hitler in his offices and was responsible for his diary, his appointments and for deciding which telephone calls Hitler would receive and which party members would be granted access to meet with him. Bormann is a powerful man who kept out of the spotlight but a man who would do whatever it took to protect his Leader and his own position of importance. He knows a secret, one which very few people know. He has information which cannot be shared with anyone else; the British cannot have the information as it would be used to damage Hitler. Hitler’s allies cannot know the information as it would undermine his authority and Hitler himself doesn’t even know this information – for him to learn the truth may also cause him to lose focus on the matters at hand. The secret must never be known and if people have to die to ensure the truth remains hidden – so be it.

The problem with secrets is that, invariably, truth will out. As we begin Hitler’s Secret, the British know of the highly sensitive information and they are sending Tom Wilde undercover behind enemy lines to recover a package which will expose Hitler’s Secret to the World. Bormann is also taking decisive steps to have the package destroyed – anyone who comes into possession of the package must also be removed. The chase is on and with everything at stake it’s a mighty story.

Described by the Sunday Times as a “What If” story, I find the Tom Wilde books to be great action thrillers from one of our darkest times. Rory Clements builds on events from the War and weaves his stories into the events of 1941. Familiar people and places will appear and the characters Clements introduces will phase in and around them, it gives the story a feeling of authenticity and makes scene setting very realistic.

Wilde is putting himself against one of the most resourceful figures in the Nazi party. He will need to place his trust in a select few individuals and the feeling of David vs Goliath was ever present as I read Hitler’s Secret.

I don’t read many thrillers set during WW2 but I have read a few books by Rory Clements and each has been a satisfying experience. Perhaps the best way to articulate this would be trying to describe how, after each reading session, I found I was mentally adjusting back to 2020 life and popping the world of 1941 into the background. Clements built the world around me as I read and after putting down the book I could still easily picture the environments he had described.

If you enjoy spy thrillers and stories of wartime heroics then this book is for you.

Hitler’s Secret is published by Zaffre on 23 January 2020 and is available in hardback, digital and audiobook format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07VV5RLP8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

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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 13

Black 13 – Adam Hamdy

It has been too long since I last had the opportunity to welcome a guest to my blog so I am utterly delighted to be joined today by Adam Hamdy, Co-Founder of the Capital Crime festival and author of the terrific Pendulum series.

There is a review of Black 13, Adam’s new thriller, further down this post. Before we get there I wanted to share this short Q&A, when you see which books and authors Adam makes reference to when contemplating his influences it may give you an indication why I was totally hooked on Black 13.

I would be keen to hear the novels which you feel shaped your own writing.

The authors who influenced me most growing up were John Wyndham, Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Alexander Dumas, Michael Crichton and Thomas Harris. More recently I’ve learned a great deal from the works of Anthony Horowitz, Mari Hannah, Deon Meyer, Kate Rhodes, Michael Connelly, Candice Fox, Peter James, David Mitchell and James Patterson. Individual novels that really stand out for me are The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas, The Stand by Stephen King, Crimson Lake by Candice Fox, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, and Black Sunday by Thomas Harris.

What is it about each of those particular books which makes them memorable. Is it a plot device, the twist, a character journey?

The Count of Monte Cristo is a brilliant tale of revenge. Neuroscience is unlocking the secrets of our brains, and it seems that humans are born with an intrinsic sense of right and wrong. Studies carried out on groups of babies show they have a strong sense of justice. The righting of wrongs appeals to some ancient part of our minds and it may be why there is such a strong appetite for revenge stories in literature and on screen. The Count of Monte Cristo is a vengeance epic, packed with twists, turns and adventure. The scale and scope of The Stand was simply mind-blowing when I first read it as a teenager. It redefined what a book could be for me. I love Crimson Lake by Candice Fox. The story centres on two misfit investigators and the characterisations and their journeys were brilliantly executed. Cloud Atlas is a work of immense ambition. The plot device of multiple timelines all linked by an idea of past lives repeating the same journeys resonated because of the way David Mitchell brought the characters to life. Epic and imaginative, it’s one of my all-time favourites. Black Sunday was another book I read as a teenager. It’s a brilliant study of a man who perceives himself to have been wronged and the devastating consequences of his misguided quest for vengeance. Thomas Harris handles the ticking clock and the action brilliantly.

Which recurring characters do you look forward to reuniting with?

I’m currently working on the next book in the Private series with James Patterson, so I’m somewhat biased towards Jack Morgan, the main protagonist of the series. I’m also a big fan of Roy Grace, Peter James’ wonderful detective and I love Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch.

“What If” time…You receive a panicked telephone call from the director of a large book festival – travel carnage has meant all the guests for one panel will not make the event. You need to step in and discuss the works of one author – is there one body of work you could wax lyrical about to save the day?

I’d do a pretty good job with the Private series by James Patterson. I also have a good grasp of most of the authors I’ve mentioned above, but if I had to pick one, it would be Tom Clancy. Clancy’s American editor recently posted on Twitter challenging people to spot a mistake in the blurb of the most recent continuation novel, and I got it immediately. I devoured Clancy’s books as a teenager and have uber-nerd level knowledge of his work.

Many thanks to Adam for taking time to answer my questions.

The timing of Adam’s guest appearance today is not entirely coincidental as his new book, Black 13, is due to release next week. Publication date is 23 January. Thanks to the kindness of his publishers I received a review copy and I share my thoughts below.

Black 13 – Adam Hamdy

Black 13 is the brilliant first novel in the Scott Pearce series from Adam Hamdy. In this addictive and fast-paced thriller, ex-MI6 officer Pearce is about to show us that in a world where there is no loyalty to the nation state, it’s time to burn the espionage rule book.

An exiled agent. A growing threat. A clandestine war.

The world is changing beyond recognition.
Radical extremists are rising and seek to enforce their ideology globally.
Governments, the military and intelligence agencies are being outmanoeuvred at every step. Borders are breaking down. Those in power are puppets.
The old rules are obsolete. To fight this war a new doctrine is needed.
In a world where nothing is at it seems, where trust is gone, one man will make the difference.
Meet Ex-MI6 agent and man in exile, Scott Pearce.
It’s time to burn the espionage rule book.
Watch Pearce light the fire.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy of Black 13 and to Tracy Fenton a Compulsive Readers for the chance to join the Black 13 blog tour.

As we waved goodbye to 2019 and ushered in 2020 I was reading a very entertaining crime thriller. Just to be clear – I wasn’t reading as the bells chimed the New Year – the book I was enjoying was started on Hogmanay and I was about a quarter of the way through it. Well, one week later I was STILL a quarter of the way through that book as on New Year’s Day I picked up Black 13 by Adam Hamdy and I got hooked. Every opportunity I had to sit down with my book it was Black 13 I was seeking out – what a start to 2020’s reading!

Black 13 is an action packed adventure, the kind of tale which zips from action sequence to action sequence and you never feel the lead characters are safe. It is such a refreshing change of pace when I have been on a run of reading police procedurals and whodunnit murder tales. Suddenly I am caught up in a book where mid-conversation of the two parties may whip out a concealed blade and try to wipe out the other…this never seemed to happen to Inspector Morse. The unpredictability was very welcome.

Black 13 kicks off with an undercover operative trying to infiltrate a secure site. He is after information for his employers and as a highly skilled former operative he is confident in his abilities. However all does not go to plan and things do not end well. New talent is required and that is were Scott Pearce comes in.

Pearce has been working undercover for months but his work is undone in a matter of moments when a British lawyer tracks him down to the remote tourist spot in the southern hemisphere. The lawyer has been followed and led some very dangerous people to Scott’s door. Fortunately for Pearce is is also a “very dangerous” person and is able to escape and place some distance between his unknown pursuers and himself. But now Pearce needs answers and the lawyer is the only person who can provide them, can he get her safely back to the UK? That’s what it is going to take as until he sees her home in one piece the lawyer isn’t prepared to risk losing her new asset.

What follows is a relentless chase, a deadly game of cat and mouse where Pearce and his trusted colleagues must take on unknown enemies who have a reach and resources far beyond what a few lone operatives can muster. But Pearce is the best at what he does and he takes on everything that they throw at him.

As I mentioned, Black 13 was the first book I read this year and it was a real page turner. A summer blockbuster in the waiting, this is a must read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling action packed adventure.

Black 13 is published on 23 January 2020 by Macmillan and can be ordered in Hardback, Digital and Audiobook format. You can order your copy through this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Scott-Pearce-Adam-Hamdy-ebook/dp/B07TGJQTJY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1578872770&sr=1-2

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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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January 9

The Stone Song (Audiobook) – Tom Bale

A dystopian sci-fi thriller set in a small Sussex village.

On a sweltering summer’s night, teenage siblings Jack and Lily witness a helicopter crash on the main road between Brighton and London. The next morning they wake to find their village has been sealed off from the entire world. A terrorist cell is holed up in Stenhurst – or at least that’s the official story, put out by sinister government agent Wynter and his vicious sidekick, Major Kellett.

But later that day, Lily and Jack stumble on the truth: the authorities are hunting for a mysterious creature, labelled CatX, who escaped during the crash. Together with their friends, Erin and Oliver, Lily and Jack take it upon themselves to defy the lockdown and protect the creature, no matter what the risks.

The stakes are raised still further when a team of American agents arrive with their own unique technologies. Nobody who sees the CatX must be allowed to survive, and yet it soon becomes clear that there is a much bigger secret here…one that threatens the entire world.

With four teenagers pitted against deadly opposition, this is a story of supernatural menace that will appeal to fans of Stephen King and Stranger Things.

I received a review copy from the author in exchange for a fair an honest review.

First review of 2020 and I get to chat about the audiobook which kept me company through what was a challenging festive period. Apologies to Tom Bale for taking slightly longer than anticipated to listen to this Audible Exclusive story – I had to take a few unexpected breaks from bookish things.

Now the New Year is in full flow and I am able to give my focus back on the stories (a very welcome treat) and I can share my thoughts on this delicious science fiction thriller. Delicious? A strange choice of words perhaps but I savoured the time I had listening to the plight of an alien creature which escaped captivity and sought safety in a small Sussex village.

I am very much a fan of rooting for the underdog (I think we Scots need to be born with this trait) and from the first chapters I found myself rooting for the CatX as, following the crash of a military helicopter which had been transporting CatX, it fled from the military and tried to escape from the only life it had known. CatX sought refuge in secure locations but became trapped in the chimney of a large house in the village of Stenhurst. Help would soon appear in the form of 4 teenage kids and a deadly game of hide and seek begins.

The children soon realise that CatX can communicate with them and an alliance is formed. CatX needs the help of the children to continue to hide from the military forces who are souring Stenhurst to find it. The village is shut down and a total media blackout has been imposed. But tracking an alien life form which is small enough to hide in a rucksack and climb down a chimney is no easy task and the longer the government take to locate their lost asset the more attention they bring to their activities in Stenhurst. Naturally desperation begins to set in and the arrival of American government agencies the pressure to get a prompt resolution to the situation leads to an overspill of aggression from the soldiers on the ground.

The Stone Song is a David vs Goliath tale which kept me thoroughly entertained. Tom Bale sets a vivid scene as he depicts the military oppression of a seemingly sleepy English village. There was a slow reveal throughout the story of what CatX may be, some clever clues passed me by as the story progressed and it was only with the benefit of hindsight I realised I should have been a bit quicker to spot some of the surprises which interweave through the book.

As with every audiobook review I need to comment on the narrator. In this case we are treated to the skills of Raza Jeffrey and he delivers a great performance. There is quite a large cast for The Stone Song and a range of accents are required – all handled perfectly. Raza is very “listenable” which is a trait you would expect to be found in all audiobook narrators but (sadly) this is not always the case.

The Stone Song is only available in Audiobook format and it clocks in at around 11 hours (slightly vague on the run time as the download includes an interview with Raza Jeffrey as a bonus for the listener). I always assess the success of a story on whether I would pass it to my family to read. My teenage son is looking for more fantasy type stories to enjoy and I have recommended he tries The Stone Song. The balance of adventure, alien life, military intervention and the conspiracry theories thrown out to deflect the world media tick all his boxes. First finished book of 2020. A good start!

The Stone Song is and Audible Original and only available as an audiobook. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07XVPLLFK/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3

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December 31

Favourite Reads 2019

Hogmanay seems a good time to share my 2019 favourites list.

My blog and it’s my rules – the books I include in my list do not need to be published in 2019, but if I read them this year they get considered. I don’t have a top 10 this year. I reviewed far fewer titles in 2019 and if I compiled an audiobook list and a Top Ten it would almost make it harder to be excluded than included. Mental note to get more reviews written up in 2020.

I have selected five of my favourite reads, the stories which I had most fun with or the books which made the biggest impression on me as I read them. After the five (not in any order) I have selected the three best audiobooks I listened to this year and I wrap up my selections with the best debut – the first title in what will be an ongoing series. I hope you enjoy my choices and, fingers crossed, you may find some new books to enjoy.

The Five Favourites

Blood Orange – Harriet Tyce

Just released in paperback and a book you should be adding to your 2020 shopping list! A nasty and unsettling story which had me hooked.

My gob was smacked in all the right ways and despite this being one of my reads from early in 2019 the story still sticks with me. It had to be included in this selection.

Review here: https://grabthisbook.net/?p=4093

Changeling – Matt Wesolowski

I love the Six Stories series by Matt Wesolowski and this, the third installment, was a chiller. These books are the perfect blend of thriller/horror and much of the lasting impact comes through my overactive imagination long after the book has been read.

The podcast narrative style used in these stories is a wonderfully effective device and it does mean that Matt’s books are terrific audiobook listens too.

Review: https://grabthisbook.net/?p=4045

The Ringmaster – Vanda Symon

#YeahNoir is seeping into my reading lists more and more. I am thoroughly enjoying the new exposure to New Zealand crime fiction and Vanda’s books are helping to lead the charge. The Ringmaster is a great thriller and is included in my selection because it had the most memorable scene from any book I read this year (sadly). Yup – THAT scene. *sobs*

Review: https://grabthisbook.net/?p=4145

Death at the Plague Museum – Lesley Kelly

Another book which features recurring characters. The Health Enforcement Team are a mis-mash of terrifically entertaining characters tasked with monitoring the health of the residents of Edinburgh after a brutal virus devastated the population.

I seldom know which books are being published until other bloggers start talking about them but I always have my eyes peeled for the next book in the Health Of Strangers series. Great books and this, for me, was the best yet.

Review: https://grabthisbook.net/?p=4174

Your Deepest Fear – David Jackson

This was my page turner of the year. The book I didn’t want to finish, the one I just couldn’t put down.

The full review is here: https://grabthisbook.net/?p=4217 but quite simply, I loved it.

Best Audiobooks

Violet – SJI Holliday

This was listening bliss. The wonderful Imogen Church brought Susi Holliday’s words to life in the most incredible way. When you listen to an audiobook you want a good narrator – Imogen is astonishingly good and nailed every accent to deliver what felt like a full cast production.

Obviously a good audiobook needs a good story and Violet is terrific. Twisted and shocking but deeply engaging and compulsive. I don’t really have enough good words for Violet.

Review: https://grabthisbook.net/?p=4440

Bad Memory – Lisa Gray

Another brilliant terrific narrator, Amy Landon, who delivered Lisa Gray’s Bad Memory in a gorgeous accent which I could have listened to all day.

This is the second Jessica Shaw thriller and I put up my hand to confess I could not see how Lisa could possibly find a way for Jessica to get any wiggle room for her client after I had read the opening chapters. Great story telling and a wonderful listen.

Review: https://grabthisbook.net/?p=4435

The Lost Plot – Geniveve Cogman

Audiobooks take much more of a reading investment than a paperback or kindle title. I could have read my paperback copy of The Lost Plot in 3 or 4 hours but I wanted a fun listen and I knew that this would deliver! So I turned to Audible for a joyous 10 and half hours of listening pleasure.

Geniveve Cogman’s Invisible Library series are my go to titles when I want a fix of dragons, faye, adventure and magic. Irene, the Librarian, can open doors into many worlds and as a member of The Library she is tasked with recovering rare books which may only exist in a single realm or reality. The stories are hugely fun and carry engaging political drama as different factions try to outsmart each other.

If you enjoy fantasy stories these books really need to be on your radar.

Best Debut

See Them Run by Marion Todd

Regular visitors will know I love getting into a series of books and seeing recurring characters develop. My selection for best debut reflects the fact I loved this story, the characters were well established and I want to know them better. The location was very well represented – St Andrews is probably best known for two institutions, neither featured in See Them Run and that was perfect. I suspect both will appear in future but keeping the University and the golf course out of the action in the first book let the rest of the town shine.

As soon as I finished See Them Run I pre-ordered the next title in the series. To put that in context, I only pre-ordered two books in 2019 – both the authors to achieve this rate feat feature in these selections. I strongly urge you to seek out See Them Run!

Review: https://grabthisbook.net/?p=4415

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December 17

Cast A Deadly Shadow (audiobook) – Roger Granelli

With Cast a Deadly Shadow Roger Granelli has followed his exciting series of Palermo Stories with a full-length novel that is a fast-moving tale of murder, betrayal and lust.

Continuing their never-ending fight against the Mafia, detectives Carpanini and Bracchi have captured their longtime target, the gangster Bardolini, setting off a dramatic chain of events in which dangerous men of the Sicilian underworld get involved – each one with his own agenda.

Carpanini’s marriage is on the rocks, and Bracchi has a heart-rending choice of devotion over duty, and the redoubtable duo are in their tightest spot ever – threatened by three different Mafia entities, all trying to gain the upper hand, as the story twists and turns towards an explosive final climax.

My thanks to Anna at Midas PR for the opportunity to join the blog tour and for providing a review copy of the story.

Cast A Deadly Shadow is only available as an audiobook and I listened through the Audible App. I did receive a review copy for the purpose of the tour but when the book released last week I also picked up a copy through the Audible Store (I like to nudge up the narration speed through the app).

Although I read a lot of crime stories I seldom get to enjoy a tale about the Mafia families so I took to Cast A Deadly Shadow with huge anticipation and I splurged on the book. Running time is over 8 hours, I got through it over two days. To put that into perspective, at present I normally only listen to an audiobook for around 30 to 45 mins per day. I got a bit caught up in this one!

Italy is the setting and we are in the company of detectives Carpanini and Bracchi. They have secured the arrest of one of the Mafia’s biggest thugs who had turned his fists on his girlfriend only to have her call the police and reveal his location. Carpanini and Bracchi are escorting their prisoner back to Palermo when the Mafia henchmen catch-up with the cops on the train. A shoot-out ensues and the fallout has repercussions for the rest of the book.

After the incident on the train one of the shooters targets the police to get revenge for the twarted plan. Carpanini and Bracchi have to deal with the emotional fallout and we see how high tension events (a staple of crime thrillers) should and does have ramifications for those involved and hos it impacts upon those they are close to.

But organised crime doesn’t stay quiet for long and soon the police are dealing with a robbery – protagonists heavily armed and casualties high. A kidnapping, which made for quite uncomfortable listening as we follow the kidnapper narrowing in on his target and there needs to be a rescue attempt to have us racing towards the end of the story.

I found Cast A Deadly Shadow to be well paced and nicely told. It held plenty of twists and thrills but the quieter moments were well covered too and the author made the characters engaging and well defined for a new reader/listener.

As ever an audiobook is reliant upon the narrator. Cast A Deadly Shadow has Andrew Wincott taking us through the tale. No complaints over his skills to deliver a well told and dramatic story – as I indicated I got caught up in this story and listened for hours in a single sitting. One thing which did strike me as odd was the fact all the Italian gangsters had a broad (thick?) London accents. It slightly distracted from the fact events were taking place in a totally different country; when locations were mentioned it brought the anomaly back to my attention. Minor quibble and, as I previously stated, the narrator is very good.

All in – good fun was had. Enough action to hold me, not too many characters and events to make it confused and over the top. Definitely a thumbs up – enjoyed my time with this listen.

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December 12

A Window Breaks – C.M. Ewan

If your family was targeted in the middle of the night, what would you do?

You are asleep. A noise wakes you.
You stir, unsure why, and turn to your partner.
Then you hear it.
Glass. Crunching underfoot.
Your worst fears are about to be realized.
Someone is inside your home.
Your choices are limited.
You can run. Or stay and fight.
What would you do?

I received a copy of A Window Breaks from the publisher through Netgalley.

Reading A Window Breaks is like riding a rollercoaster. You purchase your ticket (buy the book) and climb into the car (start reading). As your rollercoaster car starts to move you are filled with the anticipation of the shocks, twists and surprises that will soon follow.

But rollercoasters don’t just launch you into those breakneck speeds or hurl you round a sharp twist – there is a period of build up as you winch up an incline, the car getting ready for that point where you are tipped over the edge of a shocking drop and the real rush begins.

When reading A Window Breaks there is the same steady winch period where the reader gets introduced to the family at the heart of the story. You have time to take in your surroundings and get comfortable while out of sight there are cogs whirring and slowly drawing you to the top of the incline.

Then in the story A Window Breaks.

That is the point where this book tips you over the edge of that first rollercoaster incline and you, as a reader, are plummeting forward on an unstoppable thrill ride of twists, shocks and surprises. It is an adrenaline filled rush and you will not want to get off the ride are you are now fully committed to the whole experience. You can’t stop, you are compelled to keep moving forward, drawn along by the events which are unfolding and you want to be there at the end so you can proudly proclaim “I did it” and then you will recommend to your friends that they make the same journey and read A Window Breaks. It’s a rush.

So what’s the story actually about? Well I can tell you some of it but not too much as that takes us too deep into spoiler territory and I am not keen to do that. A Window Breaks follows a family who have endured too much personal trauma of recent times. The Sullivan family were originally a family of 4, the eldest son has recently died in a car crash (the car taken before he was legally entitled to drive). Parents Tom and Rachel are devastated and start to drift apart, their young daugher is keeping them together. Then further trauma occurs – a mugging as they leave a work event sees daughter, Holly, receive a nasty injury and the fragile family security takes another impact.

To allow healing time Tom, Rachel and Holly are invited to spend a few days in a remote lodge in the Scottish Highlands. The idyllic retreat will allow them time to relax and hopefully repair some of the cracks which have appeared in Tom and Rachel’s marriage. All seems well…until A Window Breaks.

I really, really enjoyed the latest thriller from C.M (Chris) Ewan. He can take the reader through an emotional wringer and his plots always carry a satisfying punch. Definite five star read for me, a proper page turner.

A Window Breaks is currently available in digital format and will release in paperback on 20 February 2020. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Window-Breaks-Nerve-shredding-Pulse-racing-Thriller-ebook/dp/B07S1TS6L6/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1575661790&refinements=p_27%3AC.+M.+Ewan&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=C.+M.+Ewan

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December 1

The Sound of Her Voice – Nathan Blackwell

Detective Buchanan remembers every victim. But this one he can’t forget.

The body of a woman has been found on a pristine New Zealand beach – over a decade after she was murdered.

Detective Matt Buchanan of the Auckland Police is certain it carries all the hallmarks of an unsolved crime he investigated 12 years ago: when Samantha Coates walked out one day and never came home.

Re-opening the case, Buchanan begins to piece the terrible crimes together, setting into motion a chain of events that will force him to the darkest corners of society – and back into his deepest obsession…

My thanks to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for the chance to join the blog tour. I received a review copy from the publishers.

Over the last couple of years I have been invited to read some really great New Zealand based thrillers and it has opened my eyes to a wave of crime writing talent perviously not on my radar. Add the name Nathan Blackwell to that list – The Sound of Her Voice was a terrific read.

The story is led by Matt Buchanan, he is a cop in Auckland and he is called to investigate when human remains are found. The body (as is) has been in place for over 10 years and to investigate Matt will be required to revisit many incidents from the past.

As the blurb aludes to, every cop has a case which they will not let go. For Matt that is the unexplained disappearance of a young girl who simply vanished with no trace and has haunted Matt since. He keeps in touch with her family and refuses to accept he will never find the missing girl. However the discovery of the murder victim will bring that cold case back to focus and a sequence of disturbing revelations will follow.

Nathan Blackwell makes very effective use of multiple timeline narratives. We will be in present day, back to significant events in Matt’s early days of being a member of the police force and we touch into several key elements of his developing career. It allows the reader to understand what drives Matt and to watch him find his place. The action flows well and characters are likeable (if appropriate), plausible and I wanted to read more about them.

The Sound of Her Voice was another #yeahnoir treat – to find more great New Zealand crime thrillers I highly recommend searching #yeahnoir online – so many gems to discover.

The Sound of Her Voice is published by Orion and is available in digital, paperback and audiobook format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sound-Her-Voice-addictive-thriller-ebook/dp/B07JX57RBG/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1575196261&refinements=p_27%3ANathan+Blackwell&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=Nathan+Blackwell

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November 26

Violet – SJI Holliday

When two strangers end up sharing a cabin on the Trans-Siberian Express, an intense friendship develops, one that can only have one ending … a nerve-shattering psychological thriller from bestselling author SJI Holliday

Carrie’s best friend has an accident and can no longer make the round-the-world trip they’d planned together, so Carrie decides to go it alone.

Violet is also travelling alone, after splitting up with her boyfriend in Thailand. She is also desperate for a ticket on the Trans-Siberian Express, but there is nothing available.

When the two women meet in a Beijing Hotel, Carrie makes the impulsive decision to invite Violet to take her best friend’s place.

Thrown together in a strange country, and the cramped cabin of the train, the women soon form a bond. But as the journey continues, through Mongolia and into Russia, things start to unravel – because one of these women is not who she claims to be…

My thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for the chance to join the Violet Blog Tour. I received a review copy of Violet from Orenda Books, my thanks to Karen. I also listened to the audiobook (Isis Publishing) through Audible.

From the opening chapter the reader knows that Violet is going to find herself in an extremely unwelcome position. Her predicament is unclear but the reader knows she is in a foreign country, far from home, alone and in whole lot of trouble. Obviously you want to know what has happened and that’s just the first of the claws Susi (SJI) Holliday will use to drag you into Violet’s story.

Rewind the clock though. Violet’s opening chapter predicament takes place several hundred miles West of where we join her story. First we have to see her splitting from her boyfriend in Thailand. Sick of his lack of attention and his desire to remain in Thailand (to party), rather than continue traveling with Violet she makes the decision to dump him and continue her journey alone.

At the travel centre Violet arrives too late to secure a booking on the train which will take her West as she had intended. As the ticket office closes for the evening Violet heads to a bar to drown her sorrows and take stock of her situation. In the bar she meets Carrie. The two had briefly met at the ticket office and as two British girls alone in a strange city they struck up conversation. It transpires that Carrie was meant to be traveling with a friend, however, fate threw a spanner in the works and Carrie’s friend was back in Scotland with a broken leg. With a spare ticket for the journey that Violet wanted to make Carrie suggests Violet travels with her.

We join the two girls as they form a friendship and get to know each other. Carrie is much more outgoing and vivacious than Violet and this can be challenging for Violet to accept. We know this as the story is mainly viewed from Violet’s perspective. Carrie’s voice is also heard but through a clever use of emails she sends back home. Some emails are to her friend Laura (she of the broken leg), others to her parents and also messages to Carrie’s sister. The picture of Carrie’s background is uncovered through these emails and we know that she has left a relationship in Scotland for reasons she is not keen to discuss with those close to her.

Both Violet and Carrie are keeping secrets. Carrie notices some odd traits in Violet’s personality and does not fully accept Violet is being honest with her. Violet is clearly disturbed by Carrie’s erratic and outlandish behaviour but Violet also finds she is attracted to Carrie and is prepared to forgive the irritations. Particularly as Carrie is picking up the tab for much of their journey.

Susi Holliday makes the characters so real for her readers. We are traveling with Carrie and Violet as they head through Mongolia and Russia and we watch the relationship between the two develop. Violet becomes possessive of Carrie when other travelers try to join their adventure. Too much drink, not enough food and the pair bounce from drama to drama – it is engrossing. Then comes Russia and things take a dramatic turn. It is from this point you simply will not put the book down…try not to hit that point too close to your normal bedtime or you will be reading into the wee small hours.

Violet is Susi Holliday on top form. This is a wonderfully devious tale and I loved it.

I also need to give a huge, huge shout to Imogen Church who narrated the Violet Audiobook for Isis Publishing. This was an incredible performance, I could have sworn I was listening to a dramatization with multiple actors performing the roles. Her Scottish accent for Carrie was perfection and she conveyed the more reckless elements of Carrie’s character with a wildness which contrasted so well with the more uptight and restrained portrayal of Violet. Holliday’s words with Church’s vocal talents was a match made in heaven for this reader.

Violet is published by Orenda Books and is available in paperback, digital and audiobook format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QW4CK9Y/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

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