The Last Holiday

by Amy Sheppard

Pub Date: 30 May 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 24 May 2023

My Recommendation

No one wanted to be there, but a group of college friends and their children are camping on Cornwall to celebrate Rose’s 18th birthday.  Rose is there with her mum Annie, Jack and new wife Kelly and his son Oliver.  There is Stella and fiancé Nate and Charlotte with husband Tristan and young son Theo.  
The groups have been friends for a lifetime but there are some dark secrets holding them together and seems this weekend they will all come bubbling to the surface.  One of them will never leave the camp alive.
A really intriguing plot, with many layers of twists and secrets that lead up to a spectacular finale.  Just when you guess what happened that night, the twists keep on twisting!!! Another triumphant read by Amy Sheppard!

 

Listen To Me

by Tess Gerritsen

Pub Date: 7 Jul 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 19 May 2023

My Recommendation

 

Boston based homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles are back when the body of nurse Sofia Suarez is found in her home.  Investigating the scene, Rizzoli finds Sofia made a number of calls before her fatal attack.  It seems the killer wanted to certain secrets hidden.  Meanwhile, Rizzoli’s mum has some new suspicious neighbours and is keeping them under her radar.  
Great addition to the series, Rizzoli and Isles never fail to impress.  A brilliant series which two realistic characters.

 

The Girl in the Photo

by Sam Carrington

Pub Date: 20 Jul 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 19 May 2023

My Recommendation

 

Erica Fielding is in the supermarket when a frantic woman, Mercy approaches her, asking if she has seen her missing daughter.  The staff remove Mercy as they see her as a nuisance, in every week asking customers the same thing.  They remember the day Mercy accused her daughter from being taken, but no CCTV or witnesses caught any evidence of the girl.
Erica, although wary, becomes engrossed in helping Mercy much to her husbands resistance.  She even seeks the help of her neighbour across the road.  But Erica becomes suspicious of Mercy having an affair with her husband and events start to spiral out of control.
A refreshing read, with twist upon twist towards the end.  Erica is a likeable character and can understand her emotional rollercoaster ride.

 

The Isle of Wight Murders

by Pauline Rowson

Pub Date: 25 May 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 19 May 2023

My Recommendation

 

DI Andy Horton is taking a break on the Isle of Wight, which turns out to be more of a busman’s holiday when he discovers a young women in a disused bunker, holding a gun, standing over the corpse of a young man.  It turns out, the man is her brother.  Horton, much to the disgust of local police, becomes enwrapped in the investigation and the body count starts to rise.
A new series to me, I found Horton a bit of a loner and down on his luck in his personal life but a good detective.  The pace of the story was a bit erratic in places, where lots happen followed by a long lull.  Still an enjoyable read overall.

 

The Spirit Girls (A Rylan Flynn Mystery Book 1)

by Dawn Merriman

Pub Date: 9 May 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 16 May 2023

My Recommendation

 

Rylan is following the dark haired girl into the woods, then she sees where the girls is taking her to - the tree where the girls body is hanging.  Rylan has been following her spirit.  Rylan is in tune with the spiritual world and often communicates with the dead, but doesn’t often come across their bodies.  While the police conduct their own investigations, Rylan continues talking to the girl and tries to work out who hurt, but she cannot speak as a coin is lodged in her throat.  
A new genre for me, but found this book enjoyable, quite light heartened despite the darkness of the plot.

 

THE GIRLS IN THE CABIN

by Caleb Stephens

Pub Date: 8 Jun 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 16 May 2023

My Recommendation

 

Chris and his two daughters, Emma and Kayla are hiking in the wilderness when his youngest daughter badly hurts her leg.  Miles away from the car and any type of phone signal, they fear the worst until they find a house.  They are welcomed in by the owner, Carla and her son offers help, rest and a meal.  But are they really safe?  While cleaning up, Chris finds Emma has gone missing from the sofa, but she can’t walk.  Where has Emma gone, then the weirdness escalates when Miss Sydney is introduced to the group.  Can Chris find Emma and escape alive?
A engrossing psychological thriller that will keep you wanting me and will easily read in one sitting.  A new author to me, but will definitely be looking out for more by Caleb Stephens.

 

Slaughterhouse Farm

by T. Orr Munro

Pub Date: 25 May 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 10 May 2023

My Recommendation

 

CSI Ally Dymond is still on compassionate leave from the incident last year where her daughter nearly died at the hand of a predator killer.  She is asked to help out on a case where a lady, Miriam, is found in the middle of the night in the countryside, dressed in her nightgown, holding a blood dripping with blood.  Back at her farmhouse, her son, Gabe is dead, stabbed multiple times.  
Ally’s daughter is still friends with drug dealer, Jay, much to Ally’s dismay, but as his live takes a downturn when his father kicks him out after an altercation, Ally decides to help him out and let Jay live with them temporarily.  
When investigating Miriam’s family history, some dark truths are unraveled, but is it all as it seems.
A fast paced ride for Ally, and she starts investigating all the crimes, rather than sticking to her area of expertise, crime scene investigation.  I liked how this story follows closely to the first book, Breakneck Point and would be beneficial to read that book first.

 

The Woman in Carriage 3

by Alison James

Pub Date: 22 May 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 10 May 2023

My Recommendation

 

Hattie works as a temp in London, recently single and back living with her parents, who disapprove of her drinking, always catches the same train home, the 18:53.  One night, an incident on the train leads to conversation striking up between the usual commuters in her carriage, Bridget, Casper, Louis and Julian .  Hattie takes a liking to Casper and they soon start dating.  Though Casper has an ulterior motive for his relationship and starts gaslighting Hattie.  He convinces her not to go for the job she has her heart set on, instead the pair should start a new life in Mexico.  And Hattie, seemingly obliges.  What Hattie doesn’t know is who Casper really is and he true reason for going to Mexico.  
Quite a slow paced tale, with Hattie making some cringing decisions throughout.  But the storyline still keeps you interested and wanting to know how everything will pan out.