The Whole Truth

by Cara Hunter

Pub Date: 29 Apr 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 14 May 2021

My Recommendation

 

DI Adam Fawley is back to investigate a sexual assault at a nearby college, with the tables being turned and it is a male victim and female abuser who is also a senior member of staff.  When questioned, both parties claim to be the victim.  Fawley needs to find out who is really telling the truth.
Meanwhile, Fawley’s 8 month pregnant wife is nervous as her attacker from 18 years ago, Gavin Parrie, is now out of prison.  A similar sexual attack and murder takes place and the victim is known to them. The race is on to find out if Parrie has reoffended or there is a copycat out there.  It comes very personal to Fawley and needs his teams support. 
A great read, with plenty of twists throughout.  This book is fifth in the series but could be read as a standalone.

 

The Rule

by David Jackson

Pub Date: 01 Jul 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 11 May 2021

My Recommendation

 

Daniel is a giant physically, but a young boy mentally.  Daniel is soon to be 23 and looking forward to his chippy chips, caterpillar birthday cake and new superhero toys for his special day.  However, one day, Daniel breaks The Rule and his strength ends up killing a stranger.  His parents just want to protect Daniel and their actions spiral out of control and now the whole family is in danger.  Parents will do anything to protect their child.
An enjoyable, easy to read in one sitting book characters you really sympathise for.  Some great twists that will keep you turning those pages.

 

The Embalmer

by Alison Belsham

Pub Date: 12 Nov 2020

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 11 May 2021

My Recommendation

 

When a newly wrapped mummified body appears overnight at the Museum of Natural History, DI Francis Sullivan and team are brought into investigate.  At the same time, the Museum Director disappears, but the mummy cannot be her, then a string of gruesome murder victims appear over the city.  Sullivan must unmask The Emblamer before another body is discovered and the target now seems personal.   
Another great read from Alison Belsham.  With underlying story with Marni & her son, Alex Mullins carrying on through the book.  This can be a stand alone book, but is part of a trilogy and as ways good to read the previous books first.

 

False Witness

by Karin Slaughter

Pub Date: 24 Jun 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 04 May 2021

My Recommendation

 

A new standalone from Karin Slaughter.  Leigh Collier is a defence lawyer and brought in to represent a rape defendant at the last minute.  She soon realises she knows this defendant and is worried a deep dark secret from over 20 years ago is going to unravel her world.  Leigh has tried so hard to step aside from her abusive, dysfunctional childhood and is now a successful lawyer with daughter and technically, still a husband.
Leigh enlists her estranged junkie sister, Callie when she realises the defendant knows what they did all those years ago and is seeking revenge.  
True to form, a gripping thriller from Karin Slaughter with some hard hitting characters.

 

All Your Little Lies

by Marianne Holmes

Pub Date: 22 Oct 2020

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 28 Apr 2021

My Recommendation

 

Annie lives a quiet life and likes to keep in the shadows.  She is happy and content, but no one sees this side of Annie.  Then one night, a young girl called Chloe disappears and Annie is the last person to see her.  This is Annie’s opportunity to prove she is someone worth listening to.  That is, until she becomes a suspect.
An interesting storyline and well paced.  I enjoyed the flashbacks too Annie’s childhood which helped enhance the book.

 

The Murder Box

by Olivia Kiernan

Pub Date: 22 Jul 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 27 Apr 2021

My Recommendation

 

Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan is sent a murder mystery game on her birthday, but soon realises this is not a game but a real life murder mystery.  Lydia Callin has been murdered and the clues are within The Murder Box sent to Sheehan.  The team link crimes across the city that are now all related to this Murder Box.  Sheehan and the team are battling the clock as time is quickly ticking away and need to solve the game to solve the case.  It takes a personal twist at the end and Sheehan really is under pressure to win.
This is the first Frankie Sheehan book I’ve read and quite happily read without needing to have read the previous books.  A well paced storyline with likeable characters.  Looking forward to reading more.

 

Left You Dead

by Peter James

Pub Date: 13 May 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 27 Apr 2021

My Recommendation

 

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is back!  Eden Poternoster is reported missing by her husband, Niall after popping into a supermarket but fails to return.  However, Grace soon suspects this story is a cover up for the fact Niall has murdered Eden and committed the perfect murder - no body, no crime.  But nothing is as it seems as the plot then takes another twist.  
There is another major storyline that Grace has to deal with, but that would be too much of a spoiler to mention here.  
An emotional read, where the crime is not always the main focus.  But true as ever, another epic read by Peter James.