The Killer Inside

by Matthew Frank

Pub Date: 22 Jul 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 29 Mar 2021

My Recommendation

 

DC Joseph Stark and DS Fran Millhaven are made to case of serial killer Julian Sinclair when his conviction is thrown out of court.  Upon his release, Sinclair is attacked and whilst in hospital under police watch another girl is killed.  The pair were convinced they had the right man, but it now appears they were wrong.
A very descriptive and complex plot that keeps you reading and guessing.  I had not read the first two in the series but that didn’t hinder enjoying this instalment.

 

Safe and Sound

by Philippa East

Pub Date: 18 Feb 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 23 Mar 2021

My Recommendation

 

Jennifer Arden is a Housing Manager in London, one for her tenants is in arrears and she has to visit with the bailiffs.  They can hear a radio on but not answer.  Jennifer uses her key to gain access and they discovery the decomposing body of the tenant.  With no relatives to contact, Jennifer can’t let go of the tenant having no one in her life and starts her own investigation.  
There is also the narrative of a young girl in flash back telling us her story growing up and the events of when her cousin comes to stay. 
The two stories interweave and create great suspense.  Are all the characters as they seem, or is there something dark in their past?
Really enjoyable and easy to read in one sitting.

 

Deadly Harm

by Owen Mullen

Pub Date: 23 Mar 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 23 Mar 2021

My Recommendation

 

Mackenzie Darroch has a wealthy husband who loves her, close family, but Mackenzie is far from happy.  Mackenzie also has a problem with alcohol and admitted to having an affair.  No one believes Mackenzie when she tells her family about being stalked.  Then suddenly, Mackenzie disappears, with family believing she has gone off with  her new lover.  No one knows she is in trouble and being held in a cellar ina derelict house. 
There is of course a twist, being a psychological thriller.  But it’s keeps you guessing.  An enjoyable read and new author to explore.

 

Last Place You Look

by Louisa Scarr

Pub Date: 08 Apr 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 16 Mar 2021

My Recommendation

 

DS Robin Butler and partner DC Freya West are brought in to look into a death in a hotel room where it appears a sex game has gone wrong. Upon closer examination DS Butler suspects foul play starts to investigate into the circumstances of this death.  However, it turns out the deceased has been having affair with DC West, a fact she keeps hidden.  The wife, Amy doesn’t appear the normal grieving widow, there was more to this marriage then appearances perceive.  
DC West is not the only partner to have hidden secrets.  As information over the culprit causing DS Butlers sisters death comes to light.  

What a debut for Louisa Scarr!!  A great police procedural, with flawed characters that are well developed.  A well paced a gripping read.

 

Inside Out

by Chris McGeorge

Pub Date: 29 Oct 2020

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 14 Mar 2021

My Recommendation

 

Cara Lockhart, aka The Butcher is transferred to a brand new prison called North Fern.  North Fern has state of the art technology, all prisoners have a wrist cuff allowing them in certain areas of the prison, there are no windows, just illuminated views.  Despite this technology a prisoner is shot while locked in her cell, no one entered or left and Cara, the other call mate never moved.  Cara need to clear her name...
A real page turner, with an unusual plot.  I really enjoyed the pace of the storyline and characters are well developed.  Lots of twists and I will certainly be looking for more to read by Chris McGeorge.  5 stars!

 

In a Deep Dark Wood

by Tina Pritchard

Pub Date: 28 Feb 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 11 Mar 2021

My Recommendation

 

When you go down to the woods today... what Fran wasn’t expecting to see was the murder of a teenage boy.  After reporting the event to the police, progress catching the culprits is slow.  Fran then encounters the boys mother and befriends her.  However not all is as it should be, the mother is not a sobbing or grieving, and acts quite strangely.  There is more to this family and Fran starts finding out....
An enjoyable storyline, although a little slow in paces, but enough twists to keep you wanting more.  A new author to me and keen to read more.

 

Stolen Daughters (Detective Amanda Steele Book 2)

by Carolyn Arnold

Pub Date: 06 Apr 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 06 Mar 2021

My Recommendation

 

Detective Amanda Steele returns to investigate when a teenage girl is found murdered in a burning house.  When other teenage girls are found in similar circumstances, Steele knows they have a serial killer on their hands.  With a very personal note left for Steele, the race is on to solve the case before more girls are found murdered.
The slow start soon picks up, and gravitates towards a gripping, read-in-one-session book.

 

I Lie in Wait

by Amanda Brittany

Pub Date: 28 Aug 2020

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 01 Mar 2021

My Recommendation

 

Amelia’s mum has terminal cancer and wants one last holiday with the family, daughters Amelia, Lark, boyfriend Jackson and ex-husband Robert, son Thomas and his career Maddie.  They go to Drummondale House in the Scottish highlands.  One night Lark and Jackson disappear into thin air.  Despite searches, the pair are never found.  Amelia’s mum sadly passes away never knowing what happened to Lark and Jackson.
One year on, to mark the anniversary, the family returns to Drummondale House and hope to find out what really happened.  Things take a turn when the  accommodations owner is found dead and a family friends daughter goes missing.  They are snowed in and emergency service’s cannot access the area.  
A plot told from different character perspectives both one year ago and present day.  A gripping read you will want to get though in one sitting.  A new author to add to my favourite list!