Blind Faith

by Alicia Beckman

Pub Date: 11 Oct 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Jul 2022

My Recommendation

 

The disappearance then murder of priest Father Michael Leary has always stayed with the people of Billings.  Then twenty years on, his wallet is found in an old house.  Prosecutor Lindsey Keller is shown the wallet and recognises the photo of a young girl tucked away inside.  It brings back memories of her childhood and two sisters that briefly stayed in Billings, but then disappeared as quickly as they arrived.  Could they be the link to what happened to Father Leary?
Told from multiple points of view over several timelines, the books keeps you on your toes but is extremely addictive.  Excellent writing by Alicia Beckman and will keep you wanting to know the truth.

 

Trapped

by Camilla Läckberg; Henrik Fexeus

Pub Date: 26 May 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Jul 2022

My Recommendation

 

When a woman is discovered killed in a magician’s box with swords penetrating the body, Detective Mina Dabiri calls upon ‘mentalist’ Vincent Walden for insight on the case.  The another body is found in a similar magicians prop and they then discover markings on the bodies that could prove important.  A labyrinth of a story winding between past and present, revealing details of Vincent’s past that he has tried desperately to distance himself from.  
An intriguing storyline with well thought out twists.  You learn a lot about the characters and their past and what makes them tick now and the eccentricities that surround them.  Overall a long, but enjoyable read.

 

And There He Kept Her

by Joshua Moehling

Pub Date: 14 Jun 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Jul 2022

My Recommendation

 

When Josh and Jenny break into to elderly neighbour, Emmet’s house to steal drugs, they were startled to see him on guard with a gun.  Emmet has a dark secret and now needs to make use of his cellar dungeon, years after he thought he had put those secrets behind him.  
Sheriff Ben Packard is looking all over town for the missing teens, and needs to find them before time runs out.
A new author to me, but Joshua Moehling has a writing style that will keep you turning those pages and reading just one more chapter to find out what happens next.  I can see a series here for Sheriff Packard and would love to read another instalment.  Packard has plenty of his own secrets to unveil.

 

Hope to Die

by Cara Hunter

Pub Date: 18 Aug 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 Jul 2022

My Recommendation

 

The much awaited return of DI Adam Fawley and the team following the fatal shooting of an intruder in an elderly couples home.  The intruder has no ID or phone and they struggle to identify him.  However, when the victim is finally identified leads to a case over 15 years old, when a young Camilla was accused of killing her baby.  A fact she has maintained is completely untrue.  Now Fawley and the team need to put all the puzzles pieces back together to make sense of both crimes.  
A fast paced, gripping yet unique storyline.  The main characters are well developed and likeable.   They make easy work of a rather complex situation.  It is the sixth book in the series but isn’t a necessary to have read the previous books to enjoy this one.

 

The Sinner

by Caroline England

Pub Date: 16 Jun 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 24 Jun 2022

My Recommendation

 

The Sinner is centred around the lives of 3 people, Dee, her sister Mari and friend/lover Cal in a domestic noir.  Dee married her older, Reverend husband after falling pregnant as a teen, her life is mundane and controlled by both her husband and mother in law.  Mari is a professional and her partner is about to have their baby.  Cal is a childhood friend with a secretive side and not all is as it seems.  Each persons has secrets and sins from their past which until now has remained private.  
A slow burn, but an enjoyable read.  Lots of twists and secrets to keep the intrigue levels high.

 

Fatal Witness

by Robert Bryndza

Pub Date: 7 Jul 2022

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 22 Jun 2022

My Recommendation

 

Detective Erika Foster returns when a true crime podcaster, Vicky Clarke,  is found murdered.  Though her identity causes confusion initially.  Erika looks into the sexual predator case Vicky was investigated and wonders if there is any connection.  Though as the investigation deepens, not is all what it seems.
Another corker of a book by Robert Bryndza.  Full of great characters, details and twists that make an epic read.
Can be read as a standalone or part of the series.

 

The Ex-Husband

by Karen Hamilton

Pub Date: 19 Aug 2021

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 22 Jun 2022

My Recommendation

 

When Charlotte met Sam, he introduced her to the con-artist lifestyle.  They seek out targets while on a cruise ship.  As time goes by, Charlotte is uncomfortable with Sam’s tactics and they separate.  Then Sam goes missing and Charlotte receives threatening messages from someone that knows more than they should.  Who on board could know about Charlottes truth?
Told from Charlottes point of view in the present and when she first met Sam.  An interesting book, more suspense than thriller.  
Bit of a slow starts but picks up towards the end when you need to understand the who and why.