The Secrets We Buried

by Becca Day

Pub Date: 5 Sep 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 17 Nov 2023

Four friends Zara, Nadine, Geneva and Frankie enjoy getting together for their wine club. After one session, Geneva’s body is found on the beach and suspicion point directly to the husband but no one is ever arrested for the crime. Five years on, Geneva’s husband returns to the area and locals still feel he is guilty. Coincidentally, true crime podcaster, Juniper Rose comes to town and determined to solve this cold case. She is like a dog with a bone, quizzing everyone over their alibis and motive.  
I did enjoy this book, and found some aspects comical, in this light heated mystery. A clever plot that comes together at the end with plenty of twists along the road. A new author to add to my favourites list.

 

The Doctor's Widow (The Doctor's Wife Book 2)

by Daniel Hurst

Pub Date: 23 Aug 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 17 Nov 2023

The Doctors Widow follows closely to the first book and would recommend reading the books in order. After Fern has killed her cheating husband Dr Drew, framed his mistress, Alice for his murder then killed Alice’s husband who was in cahoots, Fern is trying to live the lie she has created. But Drew’s old friend Greg is convinced that Fern was responsible for Drew’s death and sets out to find out the truth and goes undercover as Ferns new boyfriend, Roger. Will Fern her her comeuppance?  
A fast paced psychological thriller that you can easily read in one sitting, wanting more. You want to hate Fern, but love her at the same time, she is conniving and evil but you want her to continue getting away with her crimes. Tension is kept high and cleverly written. Looking forward to the next instalment!

 

Stolen Souls

by M.L. Rose

Pub Date: 1 Sep 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 17 Nov 2023

Detective Nikki Gill has moved back to her home town of Oxford and about to start her new role, when she hears screams from the university grounds and discovers a professor has been murdered. She is plunged straight into the deep end. Soon another professor meets a similar end and links are made to allegations of abuse at a children’s home. Nikki neglects to advise, her brother was at that children home and was tragically killed.  
ML Rose handles the delicate topic of abuse well and is a key feature in the underlying plot. Nikki’s character is well thought out and can see an engrossing series ahead. I would recommend this book to any crime fiction fan.

 

The Night of the Sleepover

by Kerry Wilkinson

Pub Date: 23 Oct 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 17 Nov 2023

Leah and her three friends were the best of friends when one evening at a sleepover, four went to bed, but only one woke up. Leah’s three friends disappeared in the middle of the night and have never been seen since.
Twenty years on, she still hears locals saying she must know what happened that fateful night. One of the girls younger brother, Owen is a filmmaker and is determined to find some answers.
A gripping psychological thriller, wouldn’t expect any less from Kerry Wilkinson. The story builds up into a page turning conclusion, where secrets are revealed and the truth is finally discovered. I really liked Leah’s character, and you really felt for everything she has endured, spurring on her need to find the truth. I can’t wait to read the sequel ‘After the Sleepover’.

 

The Lodge

by Sue Watson

Pub Date: 24 Oct 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 17 Nov 2023

A power punched dysfunctional domestic locked-room thriller that does not disappoint! To celebrate her birthday, Angela books a isolated lodge with her son, Scott, newly married daughter-in-law, Danni, two granddaughters, grandson and her son’s former wife, Fiona. Naturally, there is tension between Fiona and Danni. They are stranded at the lodge after a bad storm and Danni goes for a walk and doesn’t return. 
Told from Danni and Fiona’s point of view, there are many hidden family secrets that start to unravel. Just when you think the story concludes, the twists keep on coming. Sue Watson is the master of thrillers and The Lodge is another fantastic read.

 

THE PERFECT FAMILY

by Anya Mora

Pub Date: 7 Sep 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 17 Nov 2023

Emery and Mark’s world falls apart when their daughter, Betsy is brutally murdered while trick or treating. Prime suspicion falls onto Holden, their adopted son with behavioural issues. Determined to find the truth, Emery enables the help of old flame and Sheriff, Cooper to discover the truth of that fateful night.
Told from multiple timelines, Holden is made out to be a monster invited into the house in this dark psychological thriller. The truth is finally revealed in a page gripping twist. A new author to me, but already looking forward to read more from Anya Mora.

 

The Girls Left Behind

by Emily Gunnis

Pub Date: 1 Aug 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 17 Nov 2023

Forty years ago, Jo Hamilton, a young PC at the time is called to a domestic disturbance which turns into a house fire and death of the parents of Holly and Daisy. The two girls are put into a Childrens Home, with Daisy being adopted and Holly left in the system. The girls are denied any contact. Holly disappears from the Childrens Home and Daisy has been wondering all these years about what happened to her. Forty years on, just before she retires, Jo Hamilton is called to a site where bones are found, and is determined to find a resolution for her sake, as well as to Daisy about what really happened to Holly.
A cleverly written piece, Emily Gunnis, structures the story over several timelines and from different character points of view. The plot tackles sisterly bonds, deceit, friendship, guilt, abuse and secrets and builds up to a dramatic conclusion. With several guesses over who the guilty party was, I really enjoyed the suspense and the clues finally falling into place.