BookwormBurrows: January 2025

Friday, January 10, 2025

36 Hours (Detective Kim Stone Book 21)

by Angela Marsons

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 10 2025

36 Hours is another masterpiece from Angela Marsons. DI Kim Stone and the team are back, when nemesis journalist, Tracy Frost receives a cryptic email instructing her to enlist her help carefully, she knows exactly who to ask. Together they must solve the clues by the time deadline otherwise people will die. Time is ticking and the clues are getting more cryptic. The team work tirelessly to beat the perpetrator and put their differences with Frost aside.
Cleverly written, the wit and camaraderie of the team shine through in this gritty thriller. A likeable group, that always put their work first. You are never disappointed with a Kim Stone read. 5 stars!

Sunday, January 5, 2025

The Lollipop Man

by Daniel Sellers

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

When young Sarah is taken, the locals feel it’s by the Lollipop Man who terrorised their town over ten years ago. Three children were taken and killed, with another that was lucky enough to escape. Several saw a Road crossing, Lollipop Man at the time of the abductions. Adrian is working for a local paper and starts to investigate Sarah’s disappearance, unbeknown to anyone else, Adrian has a insider’s knowledge of the previous abductions and is desperate to seek out the truth and Sarah’s whereabouts.
There are multiple layers to the plot and a twist that keeps you hooked. As a new author to me, this book will you leave you wanting to read more. An excellently executed thriller with first class writing.

Our Holiday

by Louise Candlish

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

After enjoying the author’s previous novels, the synopsis for the book was appealing, and the first part held promise with an interesting setup, but as the story progressed, it diverged into multiple scenarios and introduced numerous characters, none of whom I felt a strong connection with. While the slow-burn pacing can be appealing in some cases, I found this one to be excessively slow for my taste.

Cover Image: The Mistress

The Mistress

by Valerie Keogh

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

The plot is centred around two women, Hannah and Susan. Hannah is someone who always gets what she wants, she is current married to an older man who uncovers her deceit. She decides to move on to an old flame, Mark, the only trouble is, he is married - to Susan. Susan notes the change in Mark and discovers his affair. Susan contacts Hannah directly but gets caught up in her web.
I felt the lot a little thin and took a different return when you thought you knew what was really happening. Not the fastest paced book which it needed to be in order to retain my attention.

Cover Image: The Midnight Feast

The Midnight Feast

by Lucy Foley

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

The latest Lucy Foley book was much anticipated, but this one fell flat for me. It is the opening weekend of ‘The Manor’, a wellness resort, and the celebrations are in full swing. Unbeknown to the guests, the land harbours dark secrets. The next morning, the body of a female is discovered, then there is a fire. The truth of the murder and fate of the retreat starts to unravel.
There are too many characters to keep track of and confusing narrative made it hard to keep pace. Sadly, not as enjoyable as anticipated

Nowhere to Hide

by Keri Beevis

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

Duncan Stone, a movie star and known eligible bachelor shows a love interest in meek Callie, who can’t believe her luck. They quickly move into together and the mental abuse and gaslighting starts. The belittling and control escalates and makes Callie’s life a misery. Luckily, Callie recognises this and tries to leave, but Duncan is not having any of that. He shows his true colours and Callie has to fake her own death to start a new life. However, Duncan soon catches up with her and her life is in danger again…..

Cover Image: Her Final Secret

Her Final Secret

by Paul J. Teague

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

Detective Holly Turner is back in the fifth book in this series. Twenty five years ago, Holly’s friend, Moira disappeared one night without a trace. It was put down as a runaway case, but Holly was never convince Moira would without speaking to her first. Now, a retired superintendent of the police is found murdered at a funfair and evidence has emerged of historical abuse at a children care home, coincidentally, where Moira lived. Then a body is discovered and Holly is convinced it is Moira and she has to advise superiors of her connection to the case.
Holly is allowed to continue investigating this gripping cold case, determined to get answers and what really happened to Moira all those years ago.

Nothing to See Here

by Susan Lewis

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

Christy Ward and her colleagues are true crime podcasters and reevaluate the Kellon Manse Murders which have remained unsolved for 16 years. Lexie was killed in a triple murder, along with her mum and therapist and her 10 year old sister, Amelia has disappeared. Lexie’s husband was the main suspect, but no one was ever convicted.
The investigation gains traction but it seems someone is determined to keep the truth hidden. A fast paced thriller, with lots of red herrings and twists.

The Girls Next Door

by Anita Waller

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

The 4 girls born on the same road, in the same year a destined to be best friends. They know each other so well and keep each others secrets. Thirty years later, they are still friends and always looking out for each other. When one has a life emergency, the others are always there for support.
Jess was raised by her Grandparents after her mother disappeared and desperate for her own child, Chantelle discovers her husband is having an affair, Melissa wants to leave her toxic job and Erin is running a bookshop.
WhenChantelle’shusbandisfounddead,theothersallrallyroundtosupporther. Otherthan the group, no one knows about his affair. Was it an accident or is someone looking out for this close knit friend group as the death toll increases.
A clever and witty plot, but not really a true thriller. An enjoyable read nonetheless.

Cover Image: The Girl in the Basement

The Girl in the Basement

by Eoin Dempsey

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

Seventeen year old Ellie meets the new boy at school, Josh at a party. Rumour surround Josh as his previous girlfriend was murdered. Ellie is kidnapped and kept in a basement. She is found and the kidnapper is convicted.
Twenty years later, Ellie has a daughter, Jessica and Josh is back in town. History seems to be repeating itself, when Jessica goes missing.
I felt misled by this book, the majority of the book starts with Ellie meeting Josh, an unnecessarily long build to the kidnapping. The blurb didn’t live up to the content and found it tough wanting to finish the book. Quite a slow burner.

Beautiful Ugly

by Alice Feeney

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

Another masterpiece from Alice Feeney, full of twists. Grady Green finally gets a call from his publisher with the news he has been waiting for. He calls his wife, Abby who is driving home, to share the news when he hears her veer off the road. The car is found by the cliff edge, but no sign of Abby, she has complete disappeared.
Grady goes to a Scottish island to recover from the trauma of losing his wife, but a lot of the locals are acting strangely, they never disclose how he can get off the island and hindered by no Wi-Fi signal. To add to Grady’s confusion, he keeps seeing a figure remarkably like Abby...
There is something quite sinister about the island, lots of layers and unanswered questions which makes Grady begin to doubt reality. An eery read for any Feeney fan and definitely worth a read.