The Seventh Victim

by Michael Wood

Pub Date: 30 May 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 29 Mar 2023

My Recommendation

 

Twenty years ago a number of young boys disappeared and their bodies were found in white sheets, in shallow graves not far from where they were taken.  However, when Zachary Marshall disappeared, he was never found, dead or alive.  His mother, Diane believes convicted serial child killer, Jonathan Egan-Walsh took Zachary and begged by letter to reveal where he was buried.  Jonathan never spoke of his crimes, but when he died, he left a letter for Diane admitting his crimes, but that he never took Zachary.  Diane tries to get the police to reinvestigate the case, but they don’t see enough evidence to warrant it.  Diane seeks help from a novelist and ex-Dectective from the original case to look at the case with fresh eyes.
Another masterpiece by Michael Wood.  A gripping standalone.  You really felt emerged in Diane’s world and wanted her to find Zachary and the truth what happened that fateful day.  5 stars!!

 

The Woman Who Lied

by Claire Douglas

Pub Date: 6 Jul 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 29 Mar 2023

My Recommendation

 

Emilia Ward is a best selling author when an incident on a bus starts a series of events that replicates the detective series she has written.  If that is the case, Emilia fears she will be the next to die.
The characters are well described and developed, you can picture each one and the relationship between Emilia’s family and friendship group.
A rollercoaster of a plot, having a book within a book with plenty of twists to keep you reading. 
A first class read with a refreshing approach.  I wouldn’t expect any less from Claire Douglas!

 

The One Who Fell (A Whitecliff Bay Mystery Book 1)

by Kerry Wilkinson

Pub Date: 17 Apr 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 29 Mar 2023

My Recommendation

 

Millie is living under a dark cloud since her affair was broadcasted and her parents died and the gossips pointed fingers at her for having some handling in their deaths.  Millie volunteers in a care home and one resident tells her she saw a woman on a neighbouring rooftop and was pushed off.  No one has reported an accident.  Millie, with the help of Guy start investigating the sighting, but there is someone trying to put a stop to their questions.
An intriguing plot that leads you to want to know the truth behind the sighting.
Like any other book by Kerry Wilkinson, you will not be let down by this one.

 

All Of Us Are Broken

by Fiona Cummins

Pub Date: 20 Jul 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 18 Mar 2023

My Recommendation

 

Christine is taking her teenage daughter, Galen and younger son Tom on holiday to Scotland after trying get used to live without their dad.  However, they coincide with a Bonnie and Clyde duo, Missy and Fox.  A young couple on a self destruct killing mission, causing carnage their wake.  By the time their paths cross, Missy and Fox have killed numerous innocent people and DC Saul Anguish is hot on their trial.  They force Christine to made to make the worst ultimatum decision any mother can be asked to make.  
The plot is cleverly written, revealing extra snippets of detail as the story develops.  A dark yet gripping plot that will have you reaching for the  tissues before the end.  Another winner by Fiona Cummins.

 

The Catch

by T.M. Logan

Pub Date: 30 Apr 2020

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 18 Mar 2023

My Recommendation

 

Ed is looking forward to meeting his daughters boyfriend, Ryan.  But there is something off about Ryan that Ed can’t pinpoint.  No one else sees it.  He is worried for his daughters safety and doesn’t trust Ryan and the wedding is ever looming.  Ed starts investigating Ryan’s past but blows up in his face.  Ryan really isn’t “the catch” Abbie thinks he is.  
Highly engaging and fast paced. This book will hook (!) you in, keep wanting to read the next chapter.  Top marks.

 

The Trap

by Catherine Ryan Howard

Pub Date: 3 Aug 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Mar 2023

My Recommendation

 

Lucy goes out in the dead of the night, dressed like she has been out drinking, hoping to snare the person who took her sister, Nicki a year ago.  With a series of girls disappearing, she is desperate to find out what happened to Nicki.  Hope is fleeting when one girl escapes her encounter but is knocked down by an oncoming vehicle and dies before she can elaborate more than “the pink house”.  
Compelling writing by Catherine Ryan Howard with the fast paced plot, up her the usual high standards.  Highly recommended read.

 

The Serial Killer’s Sister

by Alice Hunter

Pub Date: 11 May 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Mar 2023

My Recommendation

 

Anna and Henry escaped a drug using, neglecting mother and step father and end up in a care home, which itself presented many issues for the pair.  They stay connected by playing a game they invented called The Hunt, hiding a precious item of the other and leaving a series of riddles to its location.
Twenty years on, a detective calls on Anna to advise Henry is a serial killer, leaving riddles with each victim and always in certain dates and the date for the next killing is only days away.  Anna needs to think back to her childhood for links to the clues and help find Henry before he attacks again.
A true masterpiece, the ending is just keeps giving, with twist upon twist.  You could easily divulge this in one sitting with the compelling storyline.  Would recommend this to any crime fiction fan.

 

In The Dark

by Claire Allan

Pub Date: 19 Jan 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Mar 2023

My Recommendation

 

Nora Logue’s daughter, Daisy went missing 8 years ago under circumstances that has cast a dark cloud on Nora.  Nora has remarried and has a son, Luca, a smear campaign now focuses on her care towards Luca.  Izzy and Tom film makers approach Nora to re tell her story and helps recollect the events of the time Daisy disappeared with the input of amateur sleuths true crime blog.  Soon some new revelations are made the truth makes some shocking revelations.
Never let down by a Claire Allan book.  A unique plot that will keep you captivated.

 

The Slumber Party

by Shannon Hollinger

Pub Date: 22 Mar 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Mar 2023

My Recommendation

 

Four best friends, Liz, Mo, Amy and Sami celebrate Graduation and turning 18 by having one of their slumber parties.  But this night ends in tragedy and the death of one of the group.  Friends who thought they would always be in each other’s lives then going their separate ways and to now only start to speak to each other 10 years on when Liz starts to receive notes from the grave.  Told from the 4 friends points of view, the story engages in lies, cheating, abuse, jealously, sabotage and toxic friendship.
A fast paced book with short chapters, each leaving you wanting to know what happened next in their characters life.  With plenty of twists and surprises, this book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotion.  5 stars to Shannon Hollinger.

 

THE SCARECROW KILLER

by Margaret Murphy

Pub Date: 23 Feb 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Mar 2023

My Recommendation

 

Detective Cassie Rowan investigates a case with a body hanging from the trees and a hit a run.  Soon a link between the bodies and the effigy foretelling the death builds up.  A killer is on the loose and Cassie needs to work out who it is before any more bodies are discovered.  
Second in the series, but can be read as a standalone book.  Some great characters and look forward to seeing Cassie grow in future instalments.