The Haunting on West 10th Street

by Helen Phifer

Pub Date: 19 Oct 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 27 Sep 2023

This supernatural detective novel provided an easy and enjoyable read. NYC Detectives Maria and Frankie, facing their own personal life issues, are called into help revisit a cold case from three years ago where a body, minus the head was found in a room with satanic materials all around. It turns out this mirrors a crime from the 1950s and is too much of a coincidence to happen again in the exact same room. The story flips from present day to the 1950s where the original murder took place and sets the scene for what is happening in the present. A light read that will keep you entertained and turning those pages. There is also the potential for more from Maria and Frankie and hope to read more in the future.

 

The Nice Guy

by Sarah A. Denzil

Pub Date: 30 May 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 27 Sep 2023

A powerful read from Sarah Denzil and could involve some trigger subjects for some. At a protest, Laura falls into the crowd and injures herself, and a talk, dark and handsome stranger comes to her rescue. Ethan is the dream package and after a one night stand, he starts to reveal his true, controlling colours. Laura tries to distance herself from Ethan, but he is not a man used to being told no. Months later, after blocking his harassing messages, Laura discovers she is pregnant. While tolerating Ethan’s demands and mood swings while pregnant, things escalate when Christopher is born and Ethan and his mother go to a whole new level of crazy. A fast paced domestic thriller, with several dark and sinister moments. I enjoyed reading this and really felt for Laura time and time again, willing a positive outcome.

 

Her Husband's Mistake

by Daniel Hurst

Pub Date: 30 Sep 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 27 Sep 2023

A family holiday to New York, celebrating their children’s milestone birthdays (18 & 21) goes horribly wrong for Jack and Lorna. The children wanted to see the city where they grew up and reluctantly, the couple agree. At separate events, the children go missing. They both fear the worst, knowing the true reason why they fled New York and scared it has come back to bite them. Mainly told from the parents point of view, the secrets they hold are gradually revealed and who exactly is seeking revenge. A fast paced, gritty psychological thriller, Daniel Hurst never disappoints in this genre. There are some unbelievable moments, but skim pass that!

 

Jackdaw

by Daniel Cole

Pub Date: 10 Oct 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 22 Sep 2023

Daughter of a murderer, Detective Scarlett Delaney is involved in a mysterious case. Victims are left with scratch marks and killed in public view, the killer is nicknamed the Jackdaw. Circumstances led to an introduction to the charismatic Henry Devlin who helps work out some of the impossible details of these cases. With her boss and father like mentor, DS Frank Ash being skeptical of Henry, Scarlett goes off on her own with drastic consequences. The characters were rather likeable and could relate to their feelings and actions. Some graphic details really help set the scene. Fast paced and easily devoured, I can see a new series centred around Scarlet.

 

Trust No One

by Keri Beevis

Pub Date: 24 Sep 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 22 Sep 2023

Olivia Blake starts to receive some sinister notes, referencing something bad in her past. She seeks comfort in her boyfriend Noah and lodger, Molly. As an estate agent she meets a client at a derelict house and finds a man tied to a chair on fire. It turns out to be an old school acquaintance. Soon, other school friends of Olivia meet a grizzly end and Olivia fears her own life is in danger. Olivia knows that tragic events led to a friend dying on a school trip and now, someone is seeking revenge. You know you are in for a ride when reading Keri Beevis and this book is no exception. A rollercoaster of a read, full of twist and turns. 5 stars!

 

The Family Guest

by Nelle Lamarr

Pub Date: 21 Sep 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 22 Sep 2023

Tanya, daughter of a British diplomat, comes to stay as an exchange student with Natalie, Matt, and teenagers Paige and Will. Tanya has a striking resemblance to Annabelle, Natalie’s recently deceased daughter. She seems the perfect guest to start, but shows her true colours to Paige by stealing her boyfriend and crashing her car. It seems Tanya isn’t who she first appears and has an alternative motive for staying. It seems this is a family trait. A gripping domestic psychological thriller. Some characters are quite unlikeable, which adds to the sinister nature of this read. A new author to me, but will be looking out for more books by Nelle Lamar.

 

The Launch Party

by Lauren Forry

Pub Date: 22 Jun 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 15 Sep 2023

A fantastic sounding blurb – murder in a locked room, based in a luxurious hotel on the moon. Ten strangers won a trip of a lifetime, but as soon as they arrive, things do not seem quite right. The staff are nowhere to be seen, then one of the guests is murdered. With no one else on board, the question is who is the murderer. However, I found the whole plot rather untrue, no mention of the effects of gravity. The whole setting was implausible, it would have been more believable not being set in space., perhaps an isolated island.

 

The Fake Wife

by Sharon Bolton

Pub Date: 9 Nov 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 15 Sep 2023

Olive Anderson is an oncology nurse, living with her new husband of six months, Michael, his two children and his first wives mother. While dining alone, Olive is joined by a stranger, but the evening takes a turn and Olive is kidnapped. PC Garry Mizon and DS Lexy Thomas are called in to investigate Olive’s disappearance and turns out there is a pattern of Michael’s significant others going missing. The case takes them to a missing Maddy Black and eventually come full circle. A gripping psychological thriller demonstrating that revenge is a dish best served cold. An enjoyable standalone book that will keep you wanting to know what happens next. Doesn’t disappoint.

 

The Girl Who Lied (Chief Maggie Riley Book 1)

by Shannon Hollinger

Pub Date: 2 Aug 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 13 Sep 2023

Chief Maggie Riley stumbles upon a body in the woods on her run, just as teenager Heather comes out from the clearing. Is Heather connected to the body? However, soon the reason for Heather being in the woods is discovered. Then Heather is kidnapped and the race is on to save her life. A new introduction to Chief Riley, provides a twisty police procedural. Told from multiple points of view, the plot soon unravels layers of secrets. A great new series and looking forward to reading the next instalment already.

 

The Boat House

by Keri Beevis

Pub Date: 24 Aug 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 13 Sep 2023

You are never let down by a Keri Beevis read and the Boathouse didn’t disappoint. Max and Emily are going to a holiday home in the Norfolk Broads, staying at the Boathouse. With the house being so isolated and items appearing that neither of them brought, Emily is really unnerved, but Max is trying to be more practical about the events. Soon the are both spooked and want to leave. With flashbacks to past, it is clear both Max and Emily have their secrets and they start to unravel during their weekend away. A creepy read with chilling aspects will keep you wanting to read one more chapter! The characters and sub- plot are well thought out and provide plenty of detail for you to become submerged in their action. A perfect standalone thriller book.

 

The Puppet Maker

by Jenny O'Brien

Pub Date: 17 Oct 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 13 Sep 2023

An abandoned toddler is left at a supermarket with a well loved rabbit soft toy and a note asking for Casey to be looked after and that it wouldn’t be safe to look for the mother. Alana (Alan) Mack is the detective in charge and takes Casey under her wing. Alan has recently been recovering from an accident, leaving her wheelchair bound. She asks her ex-husband, an child psychiatrist to analyse Casey using art therapy. Meanwhile, another case of discarded organs discovered in an alley suddenly becomes linked to Casey, as DNA shows a familial match. A great start to a new series, I can see a strong future for Alan Mack and her team. A gritty and graphic plot, and involves a lot of abuse triggers. Looking forward to the next instalment already.

 

The Wife in the Photo

by Emily Shiner

Pub Date: 7 Sep 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 13 Sep 2023

Police Chief, Evan Warner has recently lost his wife, Lola. To help run the house, provide meals and look after tea age daughter, Jessica, the Warner household take on home help and Ariel is employed. Ariel makes a great impact of keeping the house clean, but becomes clear that there is a huge ulterior motive for Ariel wanting to be in the Warmers household. Ariel is looking for proof to back her suspicions. A domestic suspense thriller, full of twists and turns. Some aspects of the ending took an unrealistic turn which let the overall rating down for me. But remains an entertaining read.