BookwormBurrows

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Nowhere to Hide

by Keri Beevis

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

Duncan Stone, a movie star and known eligible bachelor shows a love interest in meek Callie, who can’t believe her luck. They quickly move into together and the mental abuse and gaslighting starts. The belittling and control escalates and makes Callie’s life a misery. Luckily, Callie recognises this and tries to leave, but Duncan is not having any of that. He shows his true colours and Callie has to fake her own death to start a new life. However, Duncan soon catches up with her and her life is in danger again…..

Cover Image: Her Final Secret

Her Final Secret

by Paul J. Teague

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

Detective Holly Turner is back in the fifth book in this series. Twenty five years ago, Holly’s friend, Moira disappeared one night without a trace. It was put down as a runaway case, but Holly was never convince Moira would without speaking to her first. Now, a retired superintendent of the police is found murdered at a funfair and evidence has emerged of historical abuse at a children care home, coincidentally, where Moira lived. Then a body is discovered and Holly is convinced it is Moira and she has to advise superiors of her connection to the case.
Holly is allowed to continue investigating this gripping cold case, determined to get answers and what really happened to Moira all those years ago.

Nothing to See Here

by Susan Lewis

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

Christy Ward and her colleagues are true crime podcasters and reevaluate the Kellon Manse Murders which have remained unsolved for 16 years. Lexie was killed in a triple murder, along with her mum and therapist and her 10 year old sister, Amelia has disappeared. Lexie’s husband was the main suspect, but no one was ever convicted.
The investigation gains traction but it seems someone is determined to keep the truth hidden. A fast paced thriller, with lots of red herrings and twists.

The Girls Next Door

by Anita Waller

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

The 4 girls born on the same road, in the same year a destined to be best friends. They know each other so well and keep each others secrets. Thirty years later, they are still friends and always looking out for each other. When one has a life emergency, the others are always there for support.
Jess was raised by her Grandparents after her mother disappeared and desperate for her own child, Chantelle discovers her husband is having an affair, Melissa wants to leave her toxic job and Erin is running a bookshop.
WhenChantelle’shusbandisfounddead,theothersallrallyroundtosupporther. Otherthan the group, no one knows about his affair. Was it an accident or is someone looking out for this close knit friend group as the death toll increases.
A clever and witty plot, but not really a true thriller. An enjoyable read nonetheless.

Cover Image: The Girl in the Basement

The Girl in the Basement

by Eoin Dempsey

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

Seventeen year old Ellie meets the new boy at school, Josh at a party. Rumour surround Josh as his previous girlfriend was murdered. Ellie is kidnapped and kept in a basement. She is found and the kidnapper is convicted.
Twenty years later, Ellie has a daughter, Jessica and Josh is back in town. History seems to be repeating itself, when Jessica goes missing.
I felt misled by this book, the majority of the book starts with Ellie meeting Josh, an unnecessarily long build to the kidnapping. The blurb didn’t live up to the content and found it tough wanting to finish the book. Quite a slow burner.

Beautiful Ugly

by Alice Feeney

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jan 05 2025

Another masterpiece from Alice Feeney, full of twists. Grady Green finally gets a call from his publisher with the news he has been waiting for. He calls his wife, Abby who is driving home, to share the news when he hears her veer off the road. The car is found by the cliff edge, but no sign of Abby, she has complete disappeared.
Grady goes to a Scottish island to recover from the trauma of losing his wife, but a lot of the locals are acting strangely, they never disclose how he can get off the island and hindered by no Wi-Fi signal. To add to Grady’s confusion, he keeps seeing a figure remarkably like Abby...
There is something quite sinister about the island, lots of layers and unanswered questions which makes Grady begin to doubt reality. An eery read for any Feeney fan and definitely worth a read.

Friday, October 11, 2024

A Violent Heart

by David Fennell

Pub Date:

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 11 Oct 2024

A Violent Heart is the 4th book in the DI Grace Archer series, and would be beneficial, not essential to read the books in order. A sex worker, Elena Zoric is found dead and the last call on her mobile is to Archer. Archer is desperate to investigate the murder of Elena as had known her and helped her out in the past. However, she is told it is out of her jurisdiction.
Then a body of a female is discovered wrapped in a carpet in the attic of an abandoned house but has been there for over 30 years. It turns out that both Elena and the body in the attic were killed in the same way and Archer is determined to find out how the two are linked and who is responsible. When another body is discovered, Archer is keen for these victims to have the care and time investigating their deaths as sex workers are often lower down on the police’s priorities.
A real gritty novel that doesn’t shy aware from the realities of sex workers and how they are portrayed in society. Archer is a caring, determined character, backed up by a highly skilled team, always determined to find out the truth. A twisty and fast paced plot, like with all David Fennell books, will keep you reeling, desperate to read one more chapter!