The Girls on Floor 13

by Helen Phifer

Pub Date: 30 May 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 3 May 2024

Detective Maria Miller and partner Frankie are called to the Parker hotel where 2 teeanager girls are discovered dead, with their feet missing. Perplexed as this doesn’t seem a supernatural case, however, soo the Parker hotel reveals a nasty shadow that is our to get Maria. The hotels history relays years of strange encounters on the 13th floor and this isn’t the first murder either. Can these cases be linked?
I really enjoy this series, slightly off the mainstream route, but provides a well written paranormal plot, with likeable main characters that have history together. I hope to see more books in the series.

 

If Something Happens to Me

by Alex Finlay

Pub Date: 6 Jun 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 3 May 2024

Ryan Richardson and his girlfriend, Alison are at lovers Lane when they are attacked. When Ryan wakes up, the car and Alison are gone. For 5 years he fights his innocence. Now under a new identity, Ryan is trying to start life again and studying abroad.  
The book also tells the tale of gangster Shane O’Leary and the tragedy of his son, Anthony. The relevance of this soon unravels and provides complexity to Ryan’s situation.
Now the missing car is discovered in a nearby lake, and Detective Poppy McGee needs to find out who the men submerged in the car are and understand the cryptic note also found.
There is a lot going on and told from various points of view, but all comes together to the most delightful story. Really enjoyed this book and warmed to Poppy’s character as she pulls it all together.

 

Guilty Mothers (Detective Kim Stone Book 20)

by Angela Marsons

Pub Date: 30 May 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 3 May 2024

Detective Kim Stone and the team are back to investigate the murder of a mother, savagely stabbed to death, with her grown up daughter sitting at the murder scene with the knife. Case closed. However, another mother is murdered and the autopsies reveal trinkets from both daughters childhood pageant days. There is a killer out there with reasoning behind their revenge and the clock is ticking before another victim is found.
As always, this book delivers a great plot and the camaraderie within the team is first class. Kim’s dry humour keeps them in check and closely knit. Any fan of this book should defo treat themselves to reading the entire series. Superb!!

 

Three Drowned Girls

by Emily Shiner

Pub Date: 22 Apr 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 3 May 2024

What a start to a new crime detective series! Detective Freya Sinclair comes back to her home town after leaving under a cloud when her parents were discovered to be serial killers. Now back, she is all guns blazing when the body of a girl is discovered in a river, but when trying to identify her, finds there are a number of local girls missing. Soon another body is found and the race is on to find our what is happening to these girls and who is behind it.
A powerful pinch of a book that I devoured in one sitting. Slowly the background of Freya revealed the details of her past and reluctance of the town to welcome her back. She makes some allies on the team and together they bring justice to the town. You are never let down with a Emily Shiner book and this one certainly didn’t disappoint.

 

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.