by Jess Lourey

Pub Date: 16 Aug 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 06 Apr 2022

My Recommendation

 

It’s 1977 and Heather and her fiends live in a small town, which when built had a series of tunnels connecting the whole town underground.  Al the local children love playing in the tunnels and escaping the souring heat above.  However, one night, Heather, her younger sister Julie and some of close friends open a door to one house in the tunnel and see something they shouldn’t have.
With one girl missing, then one of Heathers gang goes missing and late found dead, Heather knows the town she grew up in is not what she thought, nor the people close to her.  Pantown is full of secrets, and Heather needs to know who to trust.
A spectacular, compulsive read which keeps you wanting more.  You really sympathised with Heather and the girls of Pantown.  5 stars!!

 

by Robert Dugoni

Pub Date: 23 Aug 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 06 Apr 2022

My Recommendation

 

Detective Tracy Crosswhite is in the cold case unit and is asked to looked into the disappearance of a report, Lisa Childress nearly 25 years ago.  Lisa disappeared without a trace one night leaving behind her young daughter and husband.  Running through old details, Tracy comes across a drug running enterprise that may have been linked at the time.  However the nearer she gets, the more danger Tracy faces.
An enjoyable book, first in the series for me, not sure if I have missed any previous essentials but read well as a standalone.

 

by Sharon Bolton

Pub Date: 26 May 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 01 Apr 2022

My Recommendation

 

Great to have PC Lacey Flint back in this latest from Sharon Bolton.  After a baby is snatched and thrown into the Thames, Lacey witnesses the scenario and rushes into the canoe to rescue the baby.  A series of events follow and a new woman hate group is prevalent in the city on the dark web.  DCI Mark Joesbury heads up in investigation and needs to identify the leaders behind this new terrorist group.
It’s becoming harder for Lacey to conceal her troubled past, and nearly comes to surface in this instalment.  Can’t want to see how 
Lacey deals with this going forward.  This can be read as the series or standalone as goes into detail on past events.

 

by Cameron Ward

Pub Date: 23 Jun 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 01 Apr 2022

My Recommendation

 

Ex-marine, Sarah French is given a once in a life time opportunity to provide security on a super-yachts maiden voyage across the Atlantic.  However, some teething problems occur, which then turns into pure sabotage.  Someone is board is not who the claim to be and other crew members start to disappear.  Sarah needs to work out what is going on before it is too late.
An enjoyable thriller, but slow to escalate and then an explosive ending.

 

by Helen H. Durrant

Pub Date: 24 Mar 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 25 Mar 2022

My Recommendation

 

An introduction to DCI Alice Rossi, and I already have warmed to this new DCI.  Rossi receives another message from her nemesis, The Mad Hatter who taunts Alice via Twitter over the murders committed.  Rossi is brought in a lead detective on a missing persons case which soon turns out to be murder in a tranquil country retreat.
Simultaneously, pieces start falling into place with the mystery surrounding her husband’s death.  Rossi needs to identify and catch the Mad Hatter before it’s too late. 
A really enjoyable read, and the start of an interesting new series.  Can’t wait for more adventures with DCI Rossi.

 

by Sarah Goodwin

Pub Date: 23 Jun 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 25 Mar 2022

My Recommendation

 

Lucy Townsend recently discovers she is pregnant, and her husband is ecstatic but Lucy is not so pleased and can’t figure out how it has happened.  Then out of the blue, the press reveals Lucy’s hidden identity and Marshall and his parents are shocked, though as a politician, seem more concerned about his fathers reputation.  Lucy was the sole survivor of a cult which also dabbled in prostitution and exploitation, after a tragic fire.  Lucy is packed off for a while while Marshall and his parents deal with the media.  
Lucy is injured while sent off to a place near where the cult used to be based.  She is injured and taken to hospital.  Then things take a chilling turn and nothing is now what is seems.  Lucy needs to escape but her past won’t let her go.
A disturbing sub plot which send chills up your spine reading this.  An enjoyable plot which takes many turns.  I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend.

 

The People Next Door

by Tony Parsons

Pub Date: 31 Mar 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 25 Mar 2022

My Recommendation

 

Lana and Roman Wade move into the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside, to a residential area called the Gardens.  The neighbours provide a warm welcome to the new arrivals.  One day Lana finds trespassers in the garden taking photos and turns out the previous owners were brutally killed in a murder/suicide.  Lana finds the story difficult to believe and finds some disturbing features in the new house,.  When she starts asking questions, the neighbours and Roman start questioning her sanity.  
Then events take a nasty turn and Lana can’t even trust Roman and suspects the neighbours would do anything to keep the road so idyllic.  
A great psychological thriller but the ending didn’t quite match the first 3/4.