The Half Burnt House

by Alex North

Pub Date: 30 Mar 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 2 Nov 2022

My Recommendation

 

The half burnt house belongs to professor Alan Hobbs, his body is found in the house, but has been murdered.  Chris Shaw is seen leaving the premises and holding something in his hands.  Chris was attacked as a teen and left with dramatic facial injuries.  His sister, Katie hasn’t seen Chris lately after he spiralled into drugs and crime after his attack.  Now Katie is determined to help her brother as she feels guilty over his childhood attack.
A rollercoaster ride of a book, slowing down then picking up again.  Another fine book by a talented writer.

 

The Couple in the Cabin

by Daniel Hurst

Pub Date: 1 Nov 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 2 Nov 2022

My Recommendation

 

Grace comes home early from a work event to discover clothes shed throughout the house, including ladies underwear.  When she goes into the garden Hitoshi her husband, Dominic’s prized garden cabin, she catches him in a very uncompromising position with Camilla, a 20 something work colleague.  In her rage, Grace locks them in the cottage and leaves them, naked.  Later, Dominic can hear Grace screaming and trashing the house and discarding his possessions.  Unbeknown to Dominic, Grace has previous form on locking adulterers away in sheds and flashes back to when Grace was 10 and catches her dad in a similar position.
A really intriguing storyline and the flash backs provided such insight to Grace’s current state of mind.  An amazing book and highly recommended.

 

Behind Closed Doors

by Carol Wyer

Pub Date: 6 Dec 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 2 Nov 2022

My Recommendation

 

5 stars to Carol Wyer for this treat!  30 years ago, Stacey, a 13 year old at the time, was kidnapped and tortured by her capturer for her father, a judge, did not pay her ransom.  Stacey was finally rescued by a passing member of the police.
Now 30 years later, her ex-husband, Jack asks for her help after his daughter, Lyra is also kidnapped and receives a ransom demand.  Jack makes Stacey promise not to contact the police.  As an investigative journalist, Stacey uses her skills and contacts to help locate Lyra.  Previously regressed memories start coming back and a whole heap of secrets and unravelled from her past.
With a gripping plot, well developed characters and a mega twist, this book will make you want to consume this story in one sitting.

 

The Last House on the Cliff

by Anne Wyn Clark

Pub Date: 18 Aug 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 23 Oct 2022

My Recommendation

 

Lowri spent the school holidays with her Aunt Gwyn on the island of Anglesey.  When Gwyn passes away she goes back to the old house, taking her daughter, Ruby.  At the wake, Ruby disappears and Lowri fears the worst.  When she visited as a child, another girl disappeared, never to be seen again.  Lowri is about to discover her family may not necessarily be all that they seem as the skeletons come flying out of the closet.
A gripping read and really detailed characters made you feel for Lowri throughout the book.  As a new author to me, looking forward to reading more books by Ann Wyn Clark.

The Winter Killer

by Alex Pine

Pub Date: 13 Oct 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 23 Oct 2022

My Recommendation

 

It is New Year’s Eve and DC Jessica Abbott is attending the wedding of her fiancé’s friends.  When the maid of honour, the brides sister goes missing.  Everyone is looking for her when her bloody glasses and bag are found by the lakeside.  Jessica calls in DI James Walker and soon Rachael’s body is found and the wounds indicate murder.  Is the killer a guest?!
The Winter Killer is the third book in the series, and a good addition.  Lacks the grip of the first two, but still a fantastic read with a very unexpected twist

 

Silent Victim

by Michael Wood

Pub Date: 28 Oct 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 23 Oct 2022

My Recommendation

 

DCI Matilda Darke is back with a bang!  Just when you think there are no more cliffs to hang off, this instalment leaves you dangling right there!
14 year old Tilly Hall is brutally raped and left for dead after the attacker slashes her throat and throws her from the van.  But Tilly isn’t the first victim, three women have been attacked and killed by this monster.  DCI Darke is brought back from retirement by the Chief Constable Ridley and gathers together most of the team from the recently disbanded specialist unit.
The killer is meticulous and has carefully not left any trace of DNA in all the attacks.  DCI Darke has little to go on but she is determined to bring justice to Tilly and the other victims.  DCI Darke bonds with Tilly as both survivors of brutal, life defying attacks.
You can easily read this book in one sitting as you won’t want to put it down.  Fast paced, gritty and horrifically detailed, this tension-filled story will leave you on tenterhooks, waiting for book #11!

 

The Institution

by Helen Fields

Pub Date: 2 Mar 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 9 Oct 2022

My Recommendation

 

A novel, set in The Institution, a hospital for the criminally insane.  Dr Connie is brought in with a secret mission to discover the killer of a pregnant nurse, who stole her baby.  None of the other staff or patients know Tara has been killed.  Her colleague, Braada is also at The Institution as inmate, patient B.  The pair need to conduct a covert investigation, they have 5 days to find out who committed this heinous crime.
Lots of detailed characters and scene setting, you can really picture everyone clearly.  Very different to Helen Fields previous books.  A very dark, atmospheric read,