by Helen H. Durrant

Pub Date: 24 Mar 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 25 Mar 2022

My Recommendation

 

An introduction to DCI Alice Rossi, and I already have warmed to this new DCI.  Rossi receives another message from her nemesis, The Mad Hatter who taunts Alice via Twitter over the murders committed.  Rossi is brought in a lead detective on a missing persons case which soon turns out to be murder in a tranquil country retreat.
Simultaneously, pieces start falling into place with the mystery surrounding her husband’s death.  Rossi needs to identify and catch the Mad Hatter before it’s too late. 
A really enjoyable read, and the start of an interesting new series.  Can’t wait for more adventures with DCI Rossi.

 

by Sarah Goodwin

Pub Date: 23 Jun 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 25 Mar 2022

My Recommendation

 

Lucy Townsend recently discovers she is pregnant, and her husband is ecstatic but Lucy is not so pleased and can’t figure out how it has happened.  Then out of the blue, the press reveals Lucy’s hidden identity and Marshall and his parents are shocked, though as a politician, seem more concerned about his fathers reputation.  Lucy was the sole survivor of a cult which also dabbled in prostitution and exploitation, after a tragic fire.  Lucy is packed off for a while while Marshall and his parents deal with the media.  
Lucy is injured while sent off to a place near where the cult used to be based.  She is injured and taken to hospital.  Then things take a chilling turn and nothing is now what is seems.  Lucy needs to escape but her past won’t let her go.
A disturbing sub plot which send chills up your spine reading this.  An enjoyable plot which takes many turns.  I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend.

 

The People Next Door

by Tony Parsons

Pub Date: 31 Mar 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 25 Mar 2022

My Recommendation

 

Lana and Roman Wade move into the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside, to a residential area called the Gardens.  The neighbours provide a warm welcome to the new arrivals.  One day Lana finds trespassers in the garden taking photos and turns out the previous owners were brutally killed in a murder/suicide.  Lana finds the story difficult to believe and finds some disturbing features in the new house,.  When she starts asking questions, the neighbours and Roman start questioning her sanity.  
Then events take a nasty turn and Lana can’t even trust Roman and suspects the neighbours would do anything to keep the road so idyllic.  
A great psychological thriller but the ending didn’t quite match the first 3/4.

 

by Shelley Burr

Pub Date: 09 Jun 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 25 Mar 2022

My Recommendation

 

Evelyn McCreery disappeared one night after the town fair, from a farm isolated for miles.  No one saw her, no traces of an intruder and what happened has remained a mystery for 20 years.  Lane Holland arrives in town with the purpose of solving the cold case, he is faced with hostility and scepticism but slowly Mina, Evelyn’s sister, warms to Lane and his mission.  Lane also has a personal reason to find out what happened to Evelyn.
A really gripping read and hard to putdown.  I warmed to the main characters and really hoped for a happy ever after ending.  The ending took a  twist I wasn’t expecting (or hoping for) which made it bitter sweet.  But would highly recommend this book and will be looking for kore to read by Shelley Burr.

 

The Serial Killer's Girl

by L. H. Stacey

Pub Date: 27 Apr 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 10 Mar 2022

My Recommendation

 

Lexi Jakes is dreading this day, the anniversary of serial killers, Peter Graves last murder.  Peter is actually her father, but no one knows this secretive past.  Then she hears a woman has been found murdered, red ribbon round their neck and holding a chess piece, just like how her father killed.  The identity of this woman shocks Lexi.  As the killer comes to close to home, she escapes to her Foster mums sanctuary.
An amazing books, great plot and characters you really warmed to and an ending that is not obvious.  5 stars to L. H. Stacey and look forward to reading more.

 

This Might Hurt

by Stephanie Wrobel

Pub Date: 03 Mar 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 10 Mar 2022

My Recommendation

 

This Might Hurt is a story told from 3 peoples perspective.  Natalie, her sister Kit and an unknown person.  Kit has gone to Wisewood retreat for 6 months when Natalie receives a mysterious email and goes to Wisewood to check her sister is safe.  Wisewood turns out to be more of a cult than a tranquil retreat.
Not entirely sure I really got this meaning of this story. After reading Darling Rose Gold, I had high expectations for this read but couldn’t gel with the plot.

 

Vanished

by Lynda La Plante

Pub Date: 31 Mar 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 10 Mar 2022

My Recommendation

 

DS Jack Warr is called to Avril Jenkins, a widow in her seventies, after calling in an intruder in her house.  Warr discover she suspects her ex-lodger and they her frequently breaks in and steals items.  The next time he is called to Avril’s house, she has been killed and dismembered.  Warr and team needs to urgently find the ex-lodger, meanwhile the body count keeps rising.  The house reveals there was more to Avril than first meets the eye, what other secrets was she keeping?
Another gem by Lynda La Plante, a great series which is well written and you really get to know Warr’s personal life as well as his professional one.  Can’t wait for the next instalment,