The House in the Woods

by Mark Dawson

Pub Date: 27 Apr 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 May 2023

My Recommendation

 

On Christmas Eve, DCI Mackenzie Jones is called to a house after Ralph Mallender can see his dad lying dead and believes the rest of his family has suffered a similar fate.  He can’t get in and soon the police gains access and confirms his fears.  However, now facing trial for the killings, Ralph’s wife calls upon the services of Private Investigator Atticus Priest to evaluate the evidence and help get her husband off the charge.
A new character that brings lots of gusto into this police investigation.  The background between Atticus and Mack is detailed and helps build up their connection and now face each other again in a professional capacity.  A little slow in places, but still found this a refreshing read and any Mark Dawson fan will not be disappointed.  I can see a great series ahead featuring Atticus.

 

The Bride

by John Nicholl

Pub Date: 28 Jun 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 5 May 2023

My Recommendation

 

Daisy is a newlywed and pregnant.  However, her husband, James is now dead and Daisy is now on trial for murder.  How has Daisy’s life spiralled into this crazy situation?  Daisy tells her story of how she met James, the wedding and honeymoon, getting their first home and all the events that has led to her sitting in a prison cell.
An engrossing tale that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of Daisy’s young life so far.  With only a few characters, you get to know them quite well and twists keep you reading.  A short story but well thought out and an engaging plot.

 

Go Seek

by Michelle Teahan

Pub Date: 1 Jun 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 1 May 2023

My Recommendation

 

Maeve loves her family, husband Christopher, and daughters Abbie and Sarah.  Maeve’s worst nightmare becomes reality when her youngest, Sarah is taken in broad daylight.  But Maeve knows who is behind this and knows she has to play the game.  She sharply heads to Ireland to become the other Maeve she used to be and head for the gang lands, determined to get her daughter back.
A fast paced, gritty action thriller.  I liked Maeves many characters, certainly not one to mess with!

 

The Girls on Chalk Hill (Detective Lexi Bennett Book 1)

by Alison Belsham

Pub Date: 26 Jun 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 1 May 2023

My Recommendation

 

Detective Lexi Bennett is out for a run before starting her new post back in the UK, after being at Quantico for 4 years.  She stumbles across 2 teenagers, dead, with their throats slit.  When identified, the 2 girls are actually triplets and the third girls is still missing.  Lexi is taken aback, as she too is a triplet, and 17 years ago she and her sisters were taken, and sadly one sister never escaped.  With this raw memory, Lexi is determined to find the missing triplet and catch the killer, who has to be the same person that attacked her all those years ago.
An exciting start, to what I hope is a new series.  Lexi is a great character, her background resonates in the strong persona she portrays now.  Lots of detail and thought has gone into developing a tough but likeable character.  A very enjoyable and gripping read. Can’t wait to read more Lexi Bennett stories.

 

The Only One Left

by Riley Sager

Pub Date: 4 Jul 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 30 Apr 2023

My Recommendation

 

‘Leonora Hope, hung her sister with a rope’.  Everyone knows the childhood rhyme about the tragic events of one evening in 1929 where Leonora slayed her entire family, but no evidence to convict her.  Now 50 years on Kit, a caregiver, who just back from job suspension can’t afford to turn down the appointment to care for Leonora, now paralysed and bed bound after polio and a series of strokes.  Kit and Leonora form an unlikely bond and Kit encourages Leonora to use the typewriter with her one hand she has control of, and Leonora starts to tell the story of what happened that dreadful night.  There is more to this family than meets the eye.  
This book will leave you thinking about the characters long after you finish reading.  Layer upon layer of twists and unexpected turns, another epic read from Riley Sager, a true gothic thriller,  I completely devoured this book, needing to know what happened next and the truth about what really happened at Hope Ends.

 

The Good Patient

by Alex Stone

Pub Date: 22 Mar 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 30 Apr 2023

My Recommendation

 

Lauren wakes up in hospital after a jet ski accident, she is soon questioned by the police to the whereabouts of her boyfriend, Josh, Lauren doesn’t understand as she was alone on the jet ski. It seems Josh is now missing and everyone is looking at Lauren for answers.  Dr Menon asked if she finally did it?  The storyline flips back 6 months, where it seems Lauren is prone to ‘accidents’ that lad to medical attention, Josh is not the charmer and loved up boyfriend he portrays.  Josh was Lauren’s saviour after a very unconventional childhood and a mother with munchausen by proxy.  Dr Menon befriends Lauren and work to find out where Josh really is and what happened that morning.  
An interesting psychological thriller, with a few predictable moments but plenty of twists too.  Switching from past and present timelines, some areas had lots of detail, some seemed a bit rushed.  Overall, a good read.

 

The Hotel

by Louise Mumford

Pub Date: 22 Jun 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 30 Apr 2023

My Recommendation

 

Ten years ago, teenagers Bex, Richard, Leo and Oscar decide to explore and film a trip to the long abandoned Ravencliffe Hotel on the Welsh rocky costal edge.  Unexplained events lead to only three of them surviving that night and the footage taken that night has become cult viewing and there is a huge Ravencliffe following.  Ten years on, now recluse Bex is coerced into a reunion back at Ravencliffe with the ulterior motive of finding out what really happened to Leo that night.  Strange and deadly events take place, it seems the hotel wants revenge.
The Blairwitch meets The Shining influenced storyline is very compelling, and the eerie background to the hotels origin helps build up suspense and intrigue in a very clever plot.  Plenty of tension and twists, an enjoyable read and well recommended.