One Last Breath

by P S Cunliffe

Pub Date: 16 Jan 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 16 Feb 2024

Jessie returns to her hometown to help find some answers after her friend, Amy’s murder 15 years ago. She is attacked and wakes up at the bottom of a well, that she knows all too well. Her phone rings to find a 999 dispatcher trying to reassure her help is on the way after their previous call cut off. Jessie doesn’t remember dialling 999. Help doesn’t come, but the dispatcher won’t let her call off. Time is running out as the water level rises.
An interesting plot and potential to be a great psychological thriller, but so many things screamed out as unrealistic as the plot went on. Jessie’s naivety really grated on me and saw the twist coming from the outset. A good read, but lots of plot improvement recommended.

 

The Gathering

by C. J. Tudor

Pub Date: 11 Apr 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 16 Feb 2024

Wow what a corker! C.J Tudor never disappoints but The Gathering really pulls out all stops. A completely different stand alone novel based on a small town with a history with a particular colony of vampires. The colony were driven away after a boy was killed 25 years ago. The colony are back and another boy has been killed. The locals want a cull, but Detective Barbara Atkinson is called in to investigate as part of the Forensic Vampyr Anthropology Dept. The more Barbara discovers about this town and the locals, the more she is convinced the colony were not involved.
A completely compelling read and thoroughly enjoyable. I loved Barbara’s character and her steeliness against all those opposed to her work. The setting and townsfolk are really well described and the background into each character helps with the suspense and intrigue.
5 stars without hesitation.

 

Only If You’re Lucky

by Stacy Willingham

Pub Date: 1 Feb 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 16 Feb 2024

Margot is a quiet wall flower and hasn’t made many friends at uni. Then Lucy takes her under her wing, a complete extrovert. They share a house next to a fraternity house, and Margot is surprised to see Levi there, a boy from her small hometown and her dead best friends boyfriend. When Lucy goes missing, after one of the fraternity boys is murdered, suspicions fall straight to Lucy.
Told from Margots perspective, this story involves layer upon layer of background information and really builds up to the climax. Margot is very timid, but seems to attract a lot of drama, I enjoyed the characters and the plot. Perhaps not to the same high bar of intrigue built up in other Stacy Willingham books but certainly a gripping read.

 

The Mind of a Murderer

by Michael Wood

Pub Date: 28 Mar 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 22 Jan 2024

Michael Wood introduces a new character, Dr Olivia Winter, who is the daughter of an infamous serial killer, but does all she can to keep that secret. Especially as her job is to study their behaviour. When best friend and detective, calls upon her services, knowing Olivia doesn’t work on live cases, her arm is twisted when someone close becomes the latest victim. At the same time, she is persuaded to visit her sick father in hospital despite never wanting to see him after her tried to kill her as a child. However, she needs to understand the mind of this latest killer, and her father knows this detail best of all.
A very powerful read which you will want to devour in one sitting. Completely compelling. This introduction will hopefully be the start to another gripping series.

 

The Girl on the News

by Elisabeth Carpenter

Pub Date: 29 Jan 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 22 Jan 2024

Rosie is only 12 years old when she is convicted of killing her best friend. Sadie, a reporter, is the only one that stands up for Rosie’s innocence. Now 25 years later, Rosie has a new identity and family, and is distraught when social media falsely reports her daughter, Mia. Who would do such a cruel thing. Sadie has been investigating similar murders, and has narrowed the real killer down to 2 people very close to Rosie.
A really gripping thriller, that builds up suspense and intrigue. A cleverly written plot and you really warm to Rosie’s character and wish her the happy ever ending she deserves. A first class read.

 

Her Silent Bones (Detective Delaney Pace Book 1)

by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

Pub Date: 16 Jan 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 22 Jan 2024

Detective Delaney Pace is adjusting to loosing her brother and sister in law in a car crash and looking after her niece. A killer is on the loose and needs to keep her safe from harm. When a body is found, Delaney is shocked as she recognises the victim, her sister in law that was supposed to have died in the car crash.  
Quite a dramatic introduction to a new character. The plot was quite involved and have to keep a mental track of what’s going on. A good twist a the end which is not predictable.

 

The Guest

by B.A. Paris

Pub Date: 20 Feb 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 22 Jan 2024

The excitement levels always rise when reading a B.A Paris book and this one doesn’t disappoint. When Laure first comes to stay with her friends Iris and Gabriel, no one knew their worlds were about to implode. After hearing her husband, Pierre, has fathered a child years ago, Laure has come back to England for some rest bite Laure goes back to Paris to discuss their marriage, but Pierre is not there and Laure ‘s stay with Iris becomes long term. She starts a fling with the gardener. Soon all the secrets start overspilling and has dire consequences.  
There are several characters with their own sub plot and secrets. Together they blend well into a great read. Full of suspense and intrigue, I found this psychological thriller hard to put down, especially towards the end when the secrets are exposed and the situation escalates out of control.