Sleeping Dolls (Detective Morgan Brookes Book 6)

by Helen Phifer

Pub Date: 13 Jun 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 9 Dec 2022

My Recommendation

 

DC Morgan Brooks is back at work following a previous serial killer case.  Soon a call comes in of a death of an elderly lady alone in her flat.  On the scene, Brooks surmises that something is off with the scene and it is finally agreed to be murder.  Soon another body is founds, killed with a knife from the first victims house.  With other similar characteristics at the scene, Brooks and the team are hunting down another killer against the clock.
This is my first instalment, this being book 6, but will be going back to read the books in order.  A great team and love story on the side.  The crimes scenes are descriptive and gritty to keep you wanting to know who could possibly be behind the killings.  A really enjoyable read.

 

Her First Child

by Sheryl Browne

Pub Date: 24 Nov 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 9 Dec 2022

My Recommendation

 

Eve, new mother to son Kai, had a very unhappy childhood and is disturbed when her mother she has had no contact with for years, turns up again.  Then Kai is taken to hospital and Eva relives her childhood, when her baby brother is in and out of hospital then tragically dies.
Told from various points of view including friend from childhood, Chloe, the book did jump around quite and lot and sometimes difficult to grasp the timeline.  Lots of secrets and not everyone are quite as they seem.

Updated Netgalley Review Badge

 

The Prisoner

by B.A. Paris

Pub Date: 3 Nov 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 23 Nov 2022

My Recommendation

 

The Prisoner centres around Amelia, when she and millionaire husband, Ned are kidnapped.  Told from two points in time, the present when the kidnapping is taking place and the past, explaining Amelia’s tragic past when she is orphaned, living on the streets of London, then befriended by Carolyn, who takes her in and helps build up her life.  Soon, the 2 parts starts to interlink and will Amelia to escape from her kidnappers.
A really gritty tale and on par with B.A Paris’s normal standard.  An excellent read.

 

The Family at No. 12

by Anita Waller

Pub Date: 29 Nov 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 23 Nov 2022

My Recommendation

 

Jannette lives alone and a recluse with several anxiety issues.  New day, a man comes to the house under the premises to board his dog at Jannette’s dog boarding house, when he brutally rapes her in the kitchen.  Janette hits the attacker over the head and kills him and puts him in the cellar.  Janette soon discovers she is pregnant and decides to keep this a secret.  When the baby is born, she feels no love and can’t even name the baby.  The baby is kept locked in their room almost as a prisoner.
Part 2 and 3 is told through from the now older baby’s side and how she is adjusting to her new life.  But there is a dark side to her.
Quite an unusual and graphic storyline, but so very intriguing.  There is more to the characters than first implied and gets quite dark in places.  I really enjoyed this and would like to read more by Anita Waller.

 

Into The Woods

by Lorraine Murphy

Pub Date: 21 Aug 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 12 Nov 2022

My Recommendation

 

Karen is holding together a broken marriage, then one evening her deaf 8 year old daughter, Scarlett goes missing and her world collapses.  Karen fears Scarlett’s cochlear implant’s battery will soon run out and she will be plunged into silence as well as being lost.  They call the Garda and start looking closer at Scarlett’s drawing which shows her friend Hope, who Karen always thought was Scarlett’s twin who didn’t survive but now fear Scarlett has been kidnapped by this women who also features on cctv with Scarlett.
The clock is ticking and as time goes by, secrets begin to unravel and the reason for Scarlett’s disappearance becomes clear.  
A fast paced domestic thriller.  With self absorbed parents, Scarlett is a resilient, resourceful young lady.  An enjoyable read.

 

The Midwife

by Victoria Jenkins

Pub Date: 14 Nov 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 12 Nov 2022

My Recommendation

 

Lauren is expecting her first baby and full of worries about it being still born.  She meets midwife, Jackie and fellow mum-to-be Amber at anti natal classes.  Both Lauren and Jackie hold their own secrets, with Jackie plotting her alternative motive for getting so close to Lauren.  
Told from both point of view, background details build up to reveal a past story which is pertinent to the current situation.
A gripping psychological thriller that draws you in wanting the know the truth behind Lauren and Jackie.   Highly recommended and looking forward to reading more from Victoria Jenkins.