This is Why We Lied

by Karin Slaughter

Pub Date: 20 Jun 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 2 May 2024

Medical examiner Sarah Linton and GBI Agent, Will have recently married and enjoying a mountain retreat for their honeymoon. When host, Mercy is found fatally attacked, all eyes immediately go to her ex-husband who still helps at the retreat. Will calls Amanda, the GBI boss who send Will’s partner Faith to assist with the investigation. Not all is as it seems with Mercy’s unconventional family, an abusive, wheelchair bound father, dismissive mother along with her brother and son all help run the retreat.  
Mercy’s ex-husband Dave, knows Will from their time at the children home, and his character doesn’t help prove his innocence.
With graphic descriptions of the post-mortem and the pain Mercy was put through, you are desperate to know who would do this to her.  
A dark mystery that any Will Trent fan will love. To really appreciate the background to the sub-plot and characters history, it would be beneficial to have read previous books - which are all great reads!

 

The Teacher's Secret

by Lauren North

Pub Date: 23 Feb 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 2 May 2024

Lexie is called in a supply teacher in sleepy village school after teacher, Kate and her son disappeared after walking home the previous week. Kates husband, Oliver is still working despite Kates disappearance. There is an alternative motive for Lexie desperately wanting to keep this posting, but holds this reason secret. Lexie starts her own investigation into Kates disappearance and causes a stirring within the community and starts getting threatening notes.
A clever plot, which evolves as the layers are removed into the characters backgrounds and true self. This fast paced book will keep you hooked, wanting to know more about Lexie’s motives and the truth about what happened to Kate.

 

Middle of the Night

by Riley Sager

Pub Date: 2 Jul 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 2 May 2024

10 year old Ethan and best friend Billy are camping in the back garden, but when Ethan wakes up the next morning, Billy has vanished and is never seen again. 30 years later, Ethan returns to the neighbourhood when messages are left for him like Billy used to when they were kids. Ethan questions if Billy is actually alive and tries to solve the mystery.
As with all Riley Sager books, you won’t be disappointed with this standalone offering. Detailed setting and characters build up a scene you can really see and feel. You long for Ethan to find out the truth of that fateful night. With flashbacks to Ethan and Billy as children and the events leading up to that night. You start to suspect all residents with some involvement, but the truth is finally revealed in the anticipated twist.. 5 star plot and writing style.

 

Her Lost Soul

by Helen Phifer

Pub Date: 28 Feb 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 8 Apr 2024

Four high school friends enter the abandoned hospital as a dare. It has been boarded up for years. As the four move around the corridors, they separate and Riley hears a noise upstairs, but when she investigates there is nothing there. Reunited again, the four friends see something that makes them run for their lives. Outside, there is now only three of them, Riley is nowhere to be found.  
Detective Maria Miller and partner Frankie are called in with her experience in the supernatural. They discover they need to address an issue in the last to help with the present dilemma and time ticking quickly, a true race against the clock.
Another compelling and eerie tale with a supernatural twist. I love this series, which is refreshing but completely gripping. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

 

They Thought I Was Dead: Sandy's Story

by Peter James

Pub Date: 9 May 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 8 Apr 2024

The most anticipated book in my opinion. Sandy has always held intrigue in the Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series. Why did she disappear, why move to Germany, is Bruno Roy’s son? The book finally put some meat on bones, providing detail and reasoning behind a lot of unanswered questions.  
Sandy’s life is complex and full of secrets which all catch up with her. With several white knights that aren’t all as they seem, she has not had an easy time of things.
5 stars to Peter James and thank you for finally giving us the story we have all wanted!

 

A Lesson in Cruelty

by Harriet Tyce

Pub Date: 11 Apr 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 8 Apr 2024

Three appearingly separate tales of three women, their scenario and problems. It is hard to see how they are connected but eventually they do. I found this book was quite put together in quite a blunt style and didn’t like the suddenly move to another character to another. The twist was not as expected and made a confusing conclusion. The narrator was not easy on the ear which didn’t help. Not quite what I was expecting after enjoying other books by Harriet Tyce.

 

I Let Her In

by Maria Frankland

Pub Date: 19 Mar 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 8 Apr 2024

Cassie, husband Jon and son Teddy move into Jon’s childhood home after left to him by his parents. However, Jon never revealed what happened in this house when Jon was a teenager or why he wasn’t close to his family. Cassie, starting a new job, hires local, Amy to walk the dog while at work. Amy has an alternative reason for helping out. A regular domestic setting soon turns in to a psychological nightmare.
A fast paced thriller that doesn’t disappoint. A few red herrings put you off the true twist. Perfectly written and throughly enjoyable. I listened to the audio book and found the narrator pleasant to listen to.