Stop Them Dead

by Peter James

Pub Date: 24 Oct 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 16 Aug 2023

My Recommendation

 

Great to see Roy Grace and the team back.  This time for quite an unusual investigation.  A farmer is woken in the night by his dogs barking, and is killed by the intruders whilst defending the puppies they are stealing.  Meanwhile, young dog lover, Bluebell is promised a puppy by her parents and when viewing the puppies, she is nipped on the nose by one.  Bluebell then falls ill and is hospitalised, the doctors are amazed to learn she has contracted rabies, an eradicated disease.
Whilst Grace and Branson are investigating the farmers death, his own dog, Humphrey is taken.  They are led to a dubious character called Grecko who has a trait of dognapping and stealing dogs to order from his boss.  
The investigation leads to a nail biting standoff between Grace, Potting and a brutish puppy farmer.  
Though not the usual killer storyline, a very thought provoking and eye opening plot on topics which are not always brought to the forefront.  
Nothing to fault on this book, a perfect 5 star score.

 

The Nail Salon

by Natalie Tambini

Pub Date: 6 Jul 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 11 Aug 2023

My Recommendation

 

A powerful thriller.  Melinda runs a nail salon and offers a sympathetic ear to many of her clients.  However, you should be careful what you tell Melinda as there is a dark side to her, hiding in pain sight.  By night she ‘helps’ teenage runaways and wants to ‘mother’ them.
DCI Sue Fischer is investigating the disappearance of a teenage girl, Anna and the rush is on to find her.  The investigation brings her to the nail salon and events then spiral as secrets are unraveled.
A gripping read with lots of triggering topics such as child abused, sexual abuse and grooming.  Appearances are not always as you first see.  This book will take you on an incredible journey, trying to find Anna in a dark world.

 

The Girl at the Party

by Danielle Stewart

Pub Date: 12 Jul 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 11 Jul 2023

My Recommendation

 

Old friends come together under the guise of a podcast to see to talk about what happened to their friend Stephanie 4 years ago the Igbo she was murdered.  This story starts off straightforward but found the different character points of view and timelines quite confusing at times.
A twisty thriller that comes together at the end after plenty of lies, secrets and coverups are discovered.

 

The Couple Across The Street

by Anita Waller

Pub Date: 20 Jun 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 11 Jul 2023

My Recommendation

 

Claire, recently widowed, is clearing her husbands desk out and stumbles upon a secret drawer. Inside is an envelope with a Father’s Day card signed Jed and a photo of a child she doesn’t recognise.  Did her husband have a secret child?  Claire does her best to track Jed down, until he tracks Claire down.  Meanwhile, Claire’s best friend across the road leaves her husband Rob after her beats her up.  Claire and Vic go to gather some of Vics clothes and discover a body in the house.
A compelling tale of two halves that become entwined.  Anita Waller always impresses with her writing technique and cunning plots and this book is no exception.  The main characters have empathic traits and really feel for their situation.  You will be hooked from the beginning on this thriller.

 

Out of the Ashes

by Louisa Scarr

Pub Date: 6 Jul 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Jul 2023

My Recommendation

 

Louise Scarr never fails to provide gripping books, but what a way to bring the Robin Butler and Freya West series to a climax.  Robin returns to help on an arson case that links his area and his old area.  Meanwhile, Freya is on stalking case that is becoming more volatile.  Soon they realise a connection between the arson and Emily replying harsh messages to the stalker.  The severity soon escalates and they need to stop this person before anyone else gets harmed.  Meanwhile, Robin and Freya are battling their personal lives and their feelings for each other, suppressed for so long.
A corker of a read, and Out of the Ashes is the perfect finale and a fantastic series. Highly recommended.

 

DEAD REAL

by Helen H. Durrant

Pub Date: 26 Jul 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Jul 2023

My Recommendation

 

Bayliss and Calladine are back to investigate when the body of 16 Noah Crosby is found, with links to drug and gang activities.  The post-mortem identifies a mark left by a serial killer called The Shadow who attacked the same estate twenty years earlier.  But with gangs, no one will talk and the pair face a wall to identify the killer.
Worth while reading previous books to fully understand the detectives and their relationship.  An enjoyable read and part of a great series.

 

The Perfect Girlfriend

by Hayley Smith

Pub Date: 20 Jul 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Jul 2023

My Recommendation

 

Lauren meets Jay at a festival and after a whirlwind romance, she moves into his rundown cottage to live a self sufficient lifestyle.  However, Jay’s very cagey about his past and gaslights Lauren into selling her possessions.  When she finds a children’s bike and toys in the shed, he won’t give a straight answer about their origins, despite say the cottage belonged to his friend, Rick’s grandmother.  Lots of things don’t add up and Lauren finds items hidden that are disturbing.  However, Lauren has her own secrets and hidden past, is she really the perfect girlfriend?
A fantastic debut novel and completely gripping.  So many layers and secrets to each character, really hooks you in, wanting to know their truth.  Highly recommended.