BOOK REVIEW: Freefall by Jessica Barry

Surviving the plane crash is only the beginning for Allison.
The life that she's built herself- her perfect fiance, their world of luxury- has disappeared in the blink of an eye. Now she must run, not only to escape the dark secrets in her past, but to outwit the man who is stalking her every move.
On the other side of the country, Allison's mother is desperate for news of her daughter, who is missing, presumed dead. Maggie refuses to accept that she could have lost her only child and she sets out to discover the truth.
Mother and daughter must fight- for survival and to find their way through a dark web of lies and back to one another, before it's too late...

Publisher: Vintage

Pages: 351

Freefall is Vintage's lead debut thriller for 2019 and I think it's going to be be big! I flew through it in just over a day, it has the feel of a good thriller/adventure story. A relentless pace is set from the beginning and it is packed full of twists and turns.
Allison has survived a plane crash which is pretty terrifying on its own but we soon learn that she is still in grave danger. She knows that someone is after her with the objective to killer her, she must get to a place of safety if she is to survive.
Allison's mother, Maggie has not spoken to her daughter for two years when she hears of the crash. She will not believe that Allison is dead and starts investigating herself.
She is stunned to learn about the person her daughter has become, she is a stranger. Determined to get to the truth, Maggie continues delving into matters, unwittingly putting herself and Allison in danger.
Jessica Barry has written a fantastic debut. The chapters alternate between Allison and Maggie and we build up a picture of what happened in their past to lead them to be estranged. Both women hit their lowest points in this book which was interesting as the author showed them dealing with it in very different ways.
Barry is looking closely at the bond between  mother and daughter; Maggie and Allison's relationship has totally broken down  but that link is still there holding them together.
Freefall keeps you guessing, it was a very satisfying feeling when it all slotted into place. The clues are all there and Jessical Barry ties it all together beautifully at the end.
I want to say that this felt like a good, traditional thriller and I do not mean that in a derogatory way. I felt as though it had all of the perfect elements without trying to hard or relying on a shock-factor and so on.
Freefall is a brilliant debut from Jessica Barry and I hope that she writes many more.

Many thanks to Vintage for sending me a copy of the book to review, Freefall is available now!  

BOOK REVIEW: Mine by Susi Fox

The baby in the cot is not your baby
You wake up alone after an emergency caesarean, desperate to see your child. But when you are shown the small infant, a terrible thought seizes you: this baby is not mine.
They say you are delusional
No one believes you. Not the nurses, your father or even your own husband. They say you’re confused. Dangerous. But you’re a doctor- you know how easily mistakes can be made. Or even deliberate ones.
Everyone is against you; do you trust your instincts? Or is your traumatic past clouding your judgement? You know only one thing. You must find your baby.

Publisher: Penguin

Pages:340

Mine is the debut book by Susi Fox who is also a GP, it’s a gripping thriller, designed to keep you turning the pages.

Sasha wakes up in hospital after an emergency C-Section and is presented with a baby she is sure isn’t hers. As a doctor, she knows mistakes can happen and she is certain they have given her the wrong baby. We follow as Sasha tries to convince those around her that a terrible mistake has taken place, she is desperate to get to the truth and her real baby.

I enjoyed Mine, the plot was well paced and the use of an unreliable narrator was very clever. You are never too sure if Sasha is revealing everything, has she really been given the wrong baby or is something else going on?

I appreciated some of the medical infMine was unexpected but it did make me think that I would be very interested to read another book by this author in the future.

ormation which the author is obviously well placed to use but I felt it was a little heavy in places and detracted from the plot slightly. The ending of

Many thanks to Penguin for sending me a copy of this book to review.

BLOG TOUR: Not a Sound by Heather Gudenkauf

I'm on the blog tour today for Heather Gudenkauf's latest book, Not a Sound, here's the idea behind this fantastic book:

When a tragic accident leaves nurse Amelia Winn deaf, she spirals into a depression that ultimately causes her to lose everything that matters- her job, her husband David and her step-daughter Nora. Now, two years later and with the help of her hearing dog, Stitch, she is finally getting back on her feet. But when she discovers the body of a fellow nurse in the dense bush by the river, deep in the woods near her cabin, she is plunged into a disturbing mystery that could shatter the carefully reconstructed pieces of her life all over again.
As clues begin to surface, Amelia finds herself swept into an investigation that hits all too close to home. But how much is she willing to risk in order to uncover the truth and bring a killer to justice?

Publisher: HQ

Pages: 352

Heather Gudenkauf has kindly written a piece about Thrillers for my stop on the blog tour:

Growing up, my initial love for thrillers came from watching Friday and Saturday night television with my dad and five brothers and sisters. My mom would spread an old sheet across the television room floor and we'd gather around a big bowl of popcorn to watch shows and movies like Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Unsolved Mysteries, The Hand, and The Sentinel (I still have nightmares about this movie). At the beginning of the evening, much to the dismay of my siblings, I'd park myself directly in front of the television set and as the suspense and tension grew I'd slowly inch away from the screen until my back was pressed against the door. As much as I loved watching scary I'd inevitably pay for it with sleepless nights with visions of all sorts of evil lurking beneath my bed.

As a child after my frequent visits to the public library I'd come home with stacks of Encyclopedia Brown, Boxcar Children and Nancy Drew books. In my teen years I discovered VC Andrews' FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC and Richard Peck's absolutely terrifying ARE YOU IN THE HOUSE ALONE? When I became an adult my dad and I started passing suspenseful novels back and forth and to this day we still swap our current reads.

Over the years I found that while each thriller writer has their own style and unique way of bringing a story to life, every gripping thriller has a few things in common: an engaging premise and characters the reader cares about.

Like most writers, I’m a collector of possible topics for my novels. I scan newspaper headlines, listen to talk radio. Interestingly, as a writer of suspenseful, domestic dramas, I am constantly asked by well-meaning people about the awful childhood I must have experienced but I'm relieved to have had a blissfully uneventful childhood with two great parents. However, it is perfectly okay to infuse life experiences into the creation of your suspense novel. For example, in my new release, NOT A SOUND, the main character, Amelia Winn, is profoundly deaf and discovers a body while paddle boarding along the river. I also have a significant hearing loss and got the idea for the novel while paddle boarding with some friends. Thankfully we found no dead bodies but did see a man digging a hole along a particularly isolated section of river and the idea behind NOT A SOUND was born.

The characters in your thriller need to capture the hearts and minds of your readers. It's important to develop characters that your readers instantly care about. Once readers become invested in what happens to those who inhabit your books, they will stick around to the very end. Early readers of NOT A SOUND said they immediately fell in love with flawed, feisty Amelia and her service dog Stitch. I hope Amelia and Stitch capture your hearts too!

I was very impressed by Heather Gudenkauf's previous book Missing Pieces so I jumped at the chance ti be part of this blog tour and review her latest book, Not a Sound. 

Amelia Winn is the protagonist  and I immediately liked her, she's quite feisty and determined but with a deeply caring side. Heather Gudenkauf takes the reader straight into the thick of it and we see Amelia involved in a hit and run accident which leaves her friend dead and Amelia profoundly deaf. Gudenkauf shows how she spirals after the accident, losing her job, her husband and her step-daughter Nora. She does eventually get a hold of herself and we see her two years later trying to get on with her life. She has a new job and her hearing dog, Stitch is helping her negotiate the world without her hearing. The book takes a dramatic turn when Nora discovers a body by the river; she becomes disturbed to learn that the woman murdered was also a nurse. She starts to spend a lot of time with Jake who she knows from childhood and he is now the police detective in the town where she is living. Amelia becomes convinced that she knows the identity of the killer and she becomes focused on bringing them to justice. But doing so could mean risking everything all over again.
Not a Sound is fast paced and well plotted, I loved that the author went straight into the thick of it. Once Amelia discovers the body there are so many twists and turns and Gudenkauf successfully keeps the reader guessing. 
As with Missing Pieces, the author has created very well rounded and believable characters. I found Amelia and her situation to be completely realistic. I really enjoyed the relationship between Amelia and her hearing dog Stitch. They are very much a team and the love and respect they develop for each other adds a different element to the book. 

I would highly recommend Not a Sound, there is a lot going on in the book to raise it above the standard, cliched thriller, don't miss it! 

BOOK REVIEW: Missing Pieces by Heather Gudenkauf

1985
Lydia Quinn is found bludgeoned to death in the cellar of her family home. The local community is rocked by the brutality of the seemingly senseless attack.
Twenty years ago
Jack escaped from his hometown, leaving behind memories of a childhood cut short by his mother's murder.
Now he must return
Sarah joins her husband at his beloved aunt's hospital bed, her first chance to meet the mysterious Quinlans. It is clear that this is a family bound by secrets and someone is prepared to go to extreme lengths to ensure that the truth of what happened to Lydia stays buried.

Publisher: HQ

Pages: 343

Missing Pieces by Heather Gudenkauf is a tense, fast-paced thriller. Jack is called back to his small hometown of Penny Gate when he learns that his aunt is gravely ill in hospital. His wife Sarah goes with him; she's not met his family before, all she knows is that Jack's parents died in a car accident and he and his sister were raised by their aunt and uncle. So Sarah is extremely upset and unsettled to discover on her arrival that Jack's mother was not in an accident but instead was brutally murdered in the cellar of Jack's family home. Jack's own father was the main suspect but he too went missing that day and has not been seen since. Questions are now being raised about Jack's aunt's injuries, did she really fall or was she pushed?
Sarah feels like she has woken up in the middle of a nightmare. Why did her husband lie to her? Who did kill Jack's mother and are they still out there?
The author chooses the perfect setting for this book; the small town of Penny Gate is integral to the story. Everybody knows everyone's business and Sarah can quickly see why Jack wanted to get out of there. I really enjoyed the different local characters she presents; especially Margaret who works in the Sheriff's office. She puts her job on the line in order to help Sarah find more information,
Heather Gudenkauf infuses her book with an extremely unsettling atmosphere. Everything about Jack's hometown seems off. Sarah suddenly has nobody to trust, including her own husband and several characters are clearly holding information back. This all helps to build the tension which becomes more and more intense.
I very much enjoyed Missing Pieces, the plot was clever and the pace perfect, I would highly recommend this author.

Many thanks to HQ for sending me a copy of this book to review. 

BOOK REVIEW:Mr Mercedes by Stephen King

'Who is going to be the fish in this relationship and who is going to be the fisherman?'
BILL HODGES, retired cop, tormented by 'the Mercedes massacre', a case he never solved.
BRADY HARTSFIELD, perpetrator of that notorious crime, and preparing to kill again.
Now each is closing in on the other in a mega-stakes race against time from world-wide, best selling master of suspense, Stephen King.

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Pages: 405

This is the first Stephen King novel I have read and I loved it! I know that Mr Mercedes is not like his other books; it is more of a thriller than a horror but I thought it was fantastic. I can see why Stephen King is so well respected, reading this was like being given a master-class in story-telling.
Bill Hodges is retired and bored. He is thinking back over old cases he had to leave unsolved; the most important being 'the Mercedes Massacre'. Someone drove a Mercedes into a big group of people in the early hours of the morning. These were desperate people, queuing in the early hours to attend a jobs fair; the driver killed eight and seriously maimed many more. The fact that the killer was simply able to drive off into the fog has frustrated Hodges as he feels he has failed to get justice for the victims.
Brady Hartsfield was the Mercedes Killer; he still can't quite believe that he got away with it. He is ready to kill again and he wants Bill Hodges to know about it. Here begins a game of cat and mouse, will Hodges be able to identify Brady before he strikes again?
Mr Mercedes is beautifully written and expertly plotted. Brady Hartsfield is a vile creation and truly believable, he's terrifying. There is a follow up to this book which I will definitely be reading but it has also made me want to try some of King's horror novels so let me know if you have any favourites or suggestions of what I should begin with?

BOOK REVIEW: The Spider in the Corner of the Room by Nikki Owen

What to believe
Who to betray
When to run...
Plastic surgeon Dr Maria Martinez has Aspergers, convicted of killing a priest, she is alone, in prison and has no memory of the murder.
DNA evidence places Maria at the scene of the crime, yet she claims she's innocent. Then she starts to remember...
A strange room. Strange people. Being watched. As Maria gets closer to the truth, she is drawn into a web of international intrigue and must fight, not only to clear her name but to stay alive.

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 368

The Spider in the Corner of the Room was such a different take on the thriller and I really enjoyed it. It is book one of the Project Trilogy which is very exciting as we know that we will get at least two more books from this exciting new author.
Dr Maria Cruz-Martinez is a Spanish consultant who has just been convicted of the brutal murder of a priest. However, she cannot remember the murde
r even though forensic evidence has placed her at the scene. In the first chapter we meet Maria as she begins her new life in prison; terrifying for most I would imagine but someone with Aspergers it is hell. Maria having Aspergers makes her even more interesting as it makes the reader look at things differently as that is what Maria does. It is a very large focus of the book but it in no way infringes on the fast-paced nature of the story. The writing reflects Maria's Aspergers; there are times when it goes back and forth and there were times when I wasn't sure if Maria was having a flashback or if it was something she had imagined.
There is a lot going on in this book and the pace is extremely fast, you feel as though you are being taken along for a ride and you need to hang on,
The Spider in the Corner of the Room is original and well written. Nikki Owen makes it all entirely believable and you want to invest your emotions in the character and plot. I really, really liked Maria and it will be so interesting to see what happens in the next instalment.

Many thanks to the people at Mira for sending me a copy of the book to review.  

Book Review: The Girl Who Wouldn't Die by Marnie Riches

HE'S WATCHING HER. SHE DOESN'T KNOW IT YET.
When a bomb explodes at the University of Amsterdam, aspiring criminologist Georgina McKenzie is asked by the police to help flush out the killer.
But the bomb is part of a much bigger, more sinister plot that will have the entire city quaking in fear.
And the killer has a very special part for George to play...
A thrilling race against time with a heroine you'll be rooting for, this book will keep you up all night!

Publisher: Maze

Pages: 326

I haven't read a lot of 'Euro Crime' but I think that Marnie Riches is definitely a new talent to look our for in this genre.
George McKenzie is on an exchange programme from Cambridge University when a bomb blows up the library at the university in Amsterdam where she is studying. The police, Detective Van Den Bergen in particular asks for George's help to find the killer. As a student of criminology she is fascinated by the case but as she delves further it becomes clear that the killer intended George to become involved from the very beginning.
The Girl Who Wouldn't Die packs a real punch; the pace is fast and the story lines gritty and realistic. I did like George's character, not that she's perfect but there's enough to like in order to find her believable. The relationship between her and Van Den Bergen is really interesting. You can feel the connection between the two characters but you do wander what each of them wants from the other one?
Marnie Riches does not shy away from the gory details; she very much tells it like it is. I did enjoy the occasional humorous parts of the book; they didn't feel forced and they took the edge off the tension occasionally.
I believe that there are two more books to follo
w this one; we learn a lot about George McKenzie in the first instalment but I would say there is much more about her that we don't know yet.
I thought Marnie Riches kept the momentum up throughout the book. There were a couple of occasions when I thought I had it all worked out, only to have my theory quashed by some new development in the plot. If you are looking for a refreshing read in this genre then check out Marnie Riches, I'm already excited about her next one.

Many thanks to the author for allowing me to review this book via Netgalley.

Book Review: Die Again by Tess Gerritsen

In Boston, Detective Jane Rizzoli and Forensic Pathologist Maura Isles are investigating a bizarre murder. A man has been found gutted and hanging in his home. When the remains of another victim are found, it is clear that this murderer has been a work for years, and not just in Boston.
Six years ago, a group of travellers set off on an African safari. None of them are seen again- apart from one woman who stumbled out of the bush weeks later, barely alive. The only woman to have seen the killer's face.
Has the 'safari killer' resurfaced in Boston? Jane is sent to Africa to find the one link between the two cases- the only survivor- and convince her to face death once again...

Publisher: Bantam Press

Pages: 352

This is the 11th book in the Rizzoli and Isles series, it had a slightly different feel to some of the others but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. As with most in this series, some of the action takes place in Boston but a large part of this book took place in
Africa and this was really refreshing.
Jane Rizzoli is called to a murder scene where a hunter and taxidermist has been gutted and left hanging upside down. Maura helps with the investigation and when another body is discovered they soon realise that the victims are linked and that there may be many more. Jane is led to the disappearance of a group of travellers in the African bush more than six years ago. Only one woman survived and now Jane think she may hold the clue to identify the killer.
I felt that Die Again focused much more on Jane than Maura and in this particular book the author was looking at the pressures Rizzoli has out of work. She has a very stressful and demanding job and on top of that she is a wife, mother and daughter, all three positions pulling her in different directions.
I found Tess Gerritsen's writing style as gripping as usual; the plot was fast paced and very clever. I thought I had it all worked out at one point and I loved the plot twists along the way. This series of books never disappoints and I urge you to read this one.

Book Review: The Sudden Departure of the Frasers by Louise Candlish

My name is Amber Fraser. I've just moved in at number 40, Lime Park Road. You'll come to think of me as a loving wife, a thoughtful neighbour and a trusted friend.
This is a lie.
When Christy and Joe Davenport are handed the keys to number 40 on picture-perfect Lime Park Road, Christy knows it should be a dream come true. How strange though that the house was on the market for such a low price. That the previous owners, the Frasers had renovated the entire property, yet moved out within a year. That none of the neighbours will talk to Christy.
As her curiosity begins to give way to obsession, Christy finds herself drawn deeper into the mystery of the house's previous occupants- and the dark and shocking secret that tore the street apart.

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 500

Publication Date: May 21st

Ooh this book was good! Louise Candlish is so good at drawing you in and then not letting go. The story is told from Amber and Christy's perspective. Amber is the previous owner of 40 Lime Park Road and Christy the present-day owner with her husband, Joe. Joe and Christy are so excited and cannot believe their luck at getting the house for such a bargain price. It is one of the most coveted addresses in the area and they are full of excitement to have found their family home. However this all changes when none of the neighbours will socialise with them and none will explain why the Frasers left so suddenly. Christy become
s obsessed with finding out the truth, she convinces herself that she could be in some kind of danger and that something awful must have happened to Amber.
I loved the suspense that the author created. We gradually build up a picture of Amber through her chapters and the tiny snippets of information that the neighbours pass on to Christy. We don't get the whole truth until the very end though and I felt like I was holding my breath for the last few chapters.
The premise of the book is very clever, Louise Candlish takes an ordinary suburban street and turns it into a terrifying mystery. I loved Christy's chapters where she is watching everyone from her bedroom window; as she says so herself, it is very Rear Window.
As the saying goes, 'you never know what goes on behind closed doors'. The Sudden Departure of the Frasers is the perfect example of this. Louise Candlish has written a superb, modern day thriller and I urge you to read it.

Many thanks to Penguin for allowing me to review this book via NetGalley

BOOK REVIEW: Stranger Child by Rachel Abbott

One dark secret. One act of revenge.
When Emma Joseph met her husband David, he was a man shattered by grief. His first wife had been killed outright when her car veered off the road. Just as tragically, their six year old daughter mysteriously vanished from the scene of the accident.
Now, six years later, Emma believes the painful years are behind them. She and David have built a new life together and have a beautiful baby son, Ollie,
Then a stranger walks into their lives and their world tilts on its axis.
Emma's life no longer feels secure. Does she really know what happened all those years ago? Any why does she feel so frightened for herself and her baby?
When a desperate Emma reaches out to her old friend DCI Tom Douglas for help, she puts all of their lives in jeopardy. Before long, a web of deceit is revealed that shocks both Emma and Tom to the core.
They say you should never trust a stranger, maybe they're right. 

Publisher: Black Dot Publishing

Pages: 356 pages

This is the first book I have read by Rachel Abbott but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Emma is happily married to David and they have a baby son Ollie. David tragically lost his first wife in a car accident; the same accident that saw his daughter go missing, more than 6 years ago. Until now, when Natasha reappears in their kitchen with no explanation of where she's been or why she's back. Emma has so many conflicting emotions; she is overjoyed to see David reunited with his daughter but on the other hand she doesn't trust this girl who seems so full of anger and who realistically is a complete stranger. When Natasha's reappearance threatens the life of Ollie, Emma feels she has nowhere to turn; she feels her only option is to call DCI Tom Douglas, he's an old friend but she feels sure that he will know what to do. She has no idea of the danger she is about to place him in,
Rachel Abbott sets a relentless pace from the very first page. I was initially worried that it would nose-dive at some point but she sustained the tension and I really struggled to put this book down.
The author plays on every parent's fear of their child being threatened or taken from them. There were times when I found this book quite uncomfortable to read as thinking of the same thing happening to my own daughter made it all very realistic.
All of the characters in this book are battling with their emotions and this made it all the more interesting. All involved have something to gain and something to lose and you do wonder who is going to come out the worst off.
DCI Tom Douglas is a good, solid character and I liked the way his story was woven into the case. It is clear that the case is personal for him but you just know that he is one of the good guys who always goes above and beyond.
Stranger Child is a gritty, fast-paced read which I would highly recommend. I am definitely going to read more from this author in the future,

Many thanks to Alexandra for providing me with a review copy of this book. 

Book Review: Silent Scream by Angela Marsons

Even the darkest secrets can't stay buried forever. Five figures gather round a shallow grave. They had all taken turns to dig. An adult-sized hole would have taken longer. An innocent life had been taken  but the pact had been made.  Their secrets would be buried, bound in blood... Years later a headmistress is found brutally strangled, the first in a spate of gruesome murders which shook the Black Country. But when human remains are discovered at a former children's home, disturbing secrets are also unearthed. D.I. Kim Stone fast realises she's on the hunt for a twisted individual whose killing spree spans decades. As the body count rises, Kim needs to stop the murderer before they can strike again. But to catch the killer, can Kim confront the demons of her own past before it's too late?

Publisher: Bookouture

This book was a fantastic read and a complete breath of fresh air. I may be biased as I am a very proud Brummie but it was so refreshing to read a crime book that wasn't set in London or Manchester!
Angela Marsons doesn't hold back, she takes you straight into the thick of it, five people standing round a shallow grave. These pe
ople thought that their secrets were buried but a spate of murders linking staff at a children's care home mean that people are going to start asking questions.
D.I. Kim Stone is called to the first murder which leads her to the care home connection and the remains of a child buried in the grounds. I really liked this character, I felt that she was very believable and even though she had a very hard shell, she does care deeply about her job and getting justice for those who can't get it for themselves.
This case particularly resonates with Kim as she is a product of the care system. Throughout the book we learn more about her past and her story is heartbreaking.
Silent Scream hits the ground running and has a relentless pace. There are more murders and more secrets revealed. Then ending completely threw me and I loved that it was so unexpected.
Anglea Marsons is writing more D.I. Kim Stone books which I am chuffed about as she is an excellent creation. This book has been sitting at the top of the Amazon chart for a while and it is clear to see why,

Many thanks to Bookouture for allowing me to review this book via netgalley.

BOOK REVIEW: Trust In Me by Sophie McKenzie

When friends tell lies, who can you trust?
Julia has always been the friend that Livy turns to when life is difficult. United eighteen years ago by grief at the brutal murder of Livy's sister, Kara, they've always told each other everything  or so Livy thought.
When a fresh tragedy strikes, Livy cannot accept what Julia is supposed to have done. But little does she realise that digging into her best friend's private life will tear the very fabric of her own existence apart. 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 440 

This book was so good! I read it in just two days, the story was so compelling that I didn't want to put it down. Trust In Me is the first book I have read by Sophie McKenzie but I have already ordered her first as I think she is a very talented thriller writer.
McKenzie does not waste any time in ra
mping up the tension. Within the first few chapters Livy has discovered her friend Julia's body. It very much looks as though she committed suicide but Livy will not accept this. Brought together by Livy's sister's murder, they have been incredibly close over the years, sharing everything, or so Livy thought. As Livy begins looking for answers about Julia's death, she discovers that her friend had many secrets. These secrets are related to Livy's past and her sister's murderer but they have dire consequences in the present, especially for herself and her beloved family.
Trust In Me had me guessing throughout. Sophie McKenzie is simply brilliant at throwing in red herrings, there were so many times when just one word would convince me that I had worked it all out, only to discover that I was nowhere near.
The ending of this book was terrifying and so well written , the last few chapters kept me up very late as I just wasn't prepared to go to sleep without knowing the conclusion.
Trust In Me is thriller writing at its best, sharp, clever and gripping, you need to read this book.

Many thanks to Jamie at Simon & Schuster for sending me a review copy, Trust In Me is out now. 

Book Review: The Unquiet Grave by Steven Dunne

The Cold Case Unit of Derby Constabulary feels like a morgue to DI Damen Brook. But in disgrace and recently back from suspension, his boos thinks it's the safest place for him.
But Brook isn't going down without a fight and when he uncovers a pattern in a series of murders that date back to 1963, he is forced to dig deeper. Howe could a killer stay undetected for so long? Could it be luck or are more sinister forced at work?
Applying his instincts and razor-sharp intelligence, Brook delves deep into the past of both suspects and colleagues, unsure where the hunt will lead him. What he does know for sure is that a significant date is approaching fast and the killer may be about to strike again...

This is the first book I have read by Steven Dunne but I thought it was brilliant. It's the third Damen Brook book but I still enjoyed this one without having read the others.
The Unquiet Grave is set in Derby which made for a refreshing change as I find that most crime novels are set in a large, well-known city. I am from the Midlands myself so it was good to hear familiar names of towns and villages.
DI Damen Brook is an interesting main character, he is obsessed and consumed by his job and he is very aware as to how much his career has impacted on his personal life. I liked the very human aspect of him; he openly discusses the way his job has affected the way he feels towards people and the way in which he views the world.
Brook's work in the Cold Case Unit becomes tangled up in the current investigation of a local teenage boy who is missing. Steven Dunne weaves a highly intricate plot between the past and the present and I was very quickly immersed in the plot and its many characters.
I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the police force. Dunne does not paint a rose-tinted picture. Brook as to fight against the force's hierarchical structure and the derision from lower ranked colleagues. The loyalty between police officers is also explored in great depth. Brook and his close colleagues look out for each other but it becomes clear that there are situations where this goes too far.
The Unquiet Grave is dark and intriguing. DI Damen Brook is a character you will want to invest your emotions and I'm really looking forward to reading more of this interesting and page-turning series.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Pages: 448

Publisher: Headline

Book Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Who are you?
What have we done to each other?
These are the questions Nick Dunne finds himself asking on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary, when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. The police suspect Nick. Amy's friends reveal that she was afraid of him. He swears it isn't true. A police examination of his computer shows strange searches. He says they weren't made by him. And then are the persistent calls on his mobile phone. So what did happen to Nick's beautiful wife?

There has been so much hype about this book and I am pleased that I have finally got round to reading it. I think the hype is very much deserved and I am extremely excited about the movie being made, especially as Gillian Flynn is on board to write the screen-play.
Gone Girl is about Nick and Amy. Amy disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary. The police suspect Nick and soon the evidence is mounting up; her friends say Amy was frightened of Nick; his Internet search history is highly suspicious and why does he have a secret disposable mobile phone?
Gillian Flynn has written such a clever book, it becomes clear that Amy and Nick are unreliable narrators. I felt like I had just worked everything out when it all changed again and I was just left with more questions. I don't think I have ever read a book with so many twists and turns, the ending completely blew me away.
Gone Girl examined so many different ideas; how well we really know those we love, relationships within a family and how our childhood shapes us plus the lengths people will go to in order to keep a secret.
I found the first third of the book really difficult to get into but it soon became more and more intriguing. I began to enjoy the unreliable narration as it was such a challenge to work out what was real or not.
Gone Girl is a fantastic read, it is dark, gripping and leaves you with a lot to think about.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4.75/5

Publisher: Phoenix

Pages: 496

Book Review: Poppet by Mo Hayder

The Maude is outside. It wants to come in.
It wants to sit on your chest.
The mentally ill patients in Beechway High Secure Unit are highly suggestible. A hallucination can spread like a virus. When unexplained power cuts lead to a series of horrifying incidents, fear spreads from the inmates to the staff. Amidst the growing hysteria, AJ, a senior psychiatric nurse, is desperate to protect  his charges.
Detective Inspector Jack Caffery is looking for the corpse of a missing woman. He knows all too well how it feels to fail to find a loved one's body. When AJ seeks Caffery's help in investigating the trouble at Beechway, each man must face a butter truth in his own life. Before staring pure evil in the eye. 

I have been trying to read more books in the crime/thriller genre but I've struggled as it's hard to find good authors  as I find many books in this genre extremely predictable. I have no such problem with Mo Hayder, I think she is extraordinary, Poppet absolutely terrified me! It is part of the Jack Caffery series, I have only read one other book involving this character but I think he is a very interesting creation.
Jack is trying to find the corpse of a missing person, her family think she may still be alive but Jack knows for certain that she's dead; he just needs the body to prove it. It is during this case that Jack gets a call from AJ, he is a senior psychiatric nurse at the Beechway High Secure Unit. AJ is used to dealing with extreme situations and complex characters but a number of incidents at the unit have led him to ask questions. There have been a series of power cuts and during these some patients have mutilated themselves or even died. They talk of a featureless figure called The Maude, she is apparently the ghost of the hospital's Victorian matron. She is a dwarf in a white dress who sits on their chests and makes then inflict terrible injuries on themselves. Whilst trying to calm the situation down, AJ begins to wonder whether the patients are really hallucinating or does The Maude really exist, when do you start taking the crazy people seriously?
Poppet had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up from the very beginning. Mo Hayder is a master of dropping in macabre and sinister details into her story which play on your mind, she is continually ramping up the tension. Hayder has obviously done her research, her presentation of Beechway and it's patients seems highly realistic. The patients' description of The Maude are chilling and I found myself constantly questioning whether they have any foundation or are they just the ramblings of the mentally ill?
I loved the plot twists towards the end of the book, Mo Hayder is certainly not predictable. I didn't see what was coming at all but when I thought back, I could see all of the clues that Mo Hayder had scattered the story with.
Poppet is a terrifying, gripping read which I highly would recommend, Mo Hayder has reminded me how much I enjoy reading this genre.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Many thanks to the lovely Alison Barrow for sending me a copy of the book, Poppet is available now.

Book Review: Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer

'The dead can't speak to us.' Professor Madoc had said.
This was a lie.
Because the body Patrick Fort is examining in anatomy class is trying to tell him all kinds of things.
Life is already strange enough for the obsessive Patrick without having to solve a possible murder. Especially when no one believes that a crime has even taken place. Now he must stay out of danger long enough to unravel the mystery- while he dissects his own evidence.
But as Patrick learns one truth from a dead man, he discovers there have been many other lies rather closer to home. 

This is the second book by Belinda Bauer that I have read and I thought it was brilliant and completely different from other books in the crime genre.
Rubbernecker revolves around Patrick Fort, he has Aspergers so looks at the world in a totally different way to most people. He wants to know what happens when people die. He saw his father die in front of him and he needs to know what happens afterwards. So Patrick enrols on an anatomy course at a medical school in Wales. The story is then joined by other plots and characters. We have cadaver number 19 who Patrick and his fellow students are dissecting; Patrick is sure that this man was murdered by no one will believe him. Part of the book is also told on the neurological ward where cadaver number 19 came from; the reader is given the story from one of the terrified patient's perspectives and one of the ward nurses who is less interested in patient care and more interested in bagging one of her patient's husbands. These plot lines gradually come together as Patrick's actions become more and more drastic in order to prove that cadaver number 19 did not have a peaceful end.
Rubbernecker is extremely dark and macabre but hugely entertaining. Patrick is a fascinating character and it was so interesting to see the world through his eyes. Most of the characters in this book have secrets and the consequences are mixed as they are revealed. All Patrick wants to do is reveal the truth; I was left questioning whether this was due to his Aspergers or just the need in him to do the right thing.
Rubbernecker is a crime novel but it is so much more than your standard thriller. Belinda Bauer gives the reader so much to think about without losing humour and also providing a gripping plot. I highly recommend this book.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

This book is published by Transworld is available now.

Book Review: Evil Water by Inger Wolf

Two women disappear without a trace, and the same autumn a farmer on the outskirts of Arhus finds them murdered in suitcases under a heap of stones.
The skin of one woman is filled with the letter 'Y' and the other has a rare flower in her hair. Inspector Daniel Trokic is leading the case which goes in several different directions: to a tribal population in Africa, religious insanity and a horrifying meeting with leeches. When a third woman disappears, Trokic is under pressure to find out what the killer wants to say with his macabre scenery and rituals. 

I really didn't know what to expect when I was sent this book to review. However, I was pleasantly surprised as this story completely gripped me.
Evil Water is set in Sweden; two bodies turn up in suitcases, they are the bodies of two women who have been missing for some time. Inspector Daniel Trokic is called in to investigate, all he knows is that these women suffered a terrible ordeal; they were bled to death in a bath full of leeches.
The search for the killer intensifies when another woman goes missing, Daniel knows he only has limited time to save another innocent woman's life.
Inger Wolf creates a terrifying atmosphere. The deaths of the women are described in detail, you get a real sense of their desperation to escape. The leeches were a particularly sinister element of the book; they literally suck the life out of their victim. The victim is aware of what is happening but they quickly become powerless to stop it.
As Daniel leads the team, many different avenues are explored. They have to get into the mind of the killer, they need to understand why the leeches are used; why women with a particular hair colour and what would make him stop?
It was very interesting to see how Daniel's team worked, they don't have much to go on so every possible lead has to be explored.
I had a couple of problems with Evil Water, I didn't feel as though I got to know Daniel Trokic very well which is a shame as I think he has the potential to be a very interesting character. My only other issue is that Inger Wolf makes several references to what song is playing in the background and who is singing it. I know it sounds petty but I found it a little annoying and I felt that it had no relevance.
Criticisms aside, I would very much recommend this book. Inger Wolf has written a gripping thriller, the plot has just the right pace and I would definitely read more by this author.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Many thanks to Melanie from Black Cat for sending me a copy of the book to review, Evil Water is out now.

Book Review: The Killing Place by Tess Gerritsen

Something terrible has happened in the snowbound village of Kingdom Come, Wyoming. Twelve, eerily identical houses stand dark and abandoned. The people who lived in them appear to have vanished, seemingly into thin air.
Maura Isles is driving through the area with a group of friends when they find themselves trapped in a snowstorm. They stumble into the abandoned village to take shelter. Their nightmare has only just begun.
Days later, Jane Rizzoli flies to Wyoming to search for her missing friend. A crashed vehicle has been found with four badly burned bodies still inside. Can one of the corpses be Maura's?
Jane's hunt for the truth leads her to Kingdom Come. Where the person who was watching Maura now lies waiting for her...

This series of  books never fails to grip me, The Killing Place was no different, I raced through this book in two days.
I think out of all of the books in this series that I have read so far, this one is the most chilling; it really played on my mind when I turned the light off at night. The story is pretty sinister and dark, it felt as though everything is working against Maura and Jane.
Maura is the main focus of this book; she is attending a medical conference when she bumps into an old college friend. Her invites her to join him, his daughter and some friends to do a spot of sight-seeing before they head home. She sets off full of excitement but it soon turns into a nightmare when they encounter a huge snowstorm. They take shelter in a deserted village. They are just relieved to have found somewhere warm with a fire. But they are actually staying in Kingdom Come which until recently has been a fully functioning religious cult. Maura and her companions do begin to wonder where the village's inhabitants have gone and why did they leave in such a hurry? A series of incidents lead Maura to realise that they are being watched, why does this person not reveal themselves and help them? Are they safe to stay in the house where they though they had found sanctuary?
Tess Gerritsen is so good at creating suspense. I experienced goose bumps several times when reading this. The snow really creates a sinister atmosphere; it has caused them to be trapped and then magnifies any noise or movement around them.
I like the focus being on Maura as I didn't feel that I knew her as well as Jane. This book explores how she functions and she she chose the job she did. Her relationship with Father Brophy is laid bare in this book; she has fallen in love with a man she can't have, their relationship can never be an honest and open one. Is she happy to live like that?
The Killing Place is an excellent read and a perfect example of thriller writing from one of the best.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Book Review: Never Tell by Alafair Burke

When high school student Julia Whitmire is found dead in the bathtub of her family's Greenwich Village townhouse, her left wrist slashed  and a suicide note resting on her bed, Ellie Hatcher and her partner J.J. Rogan, initially write the case off as a suicide. Julia's parents insist that their daughter would never take her own life, but Ellie knows all too well that family members can be the last to accept the truth.
But when Julia's mother appeals to her with the evidence- including the hand-written suicide note she believes her daughter would never have composed- Ellie is confronted with the possibility of a troubled young girl's murder. 

This is the second book that I have read by Alafair Burke and it was just as good as the first. I particularly like how she presents you with the crime scene and the bare facts only; it feels like you almost go along collecting the clues with the detectives.

It appears that Julia Whitmire has slit her wrists in the bath, Detective Ellie Hatcher and her partner Rogan see it as a clear-cut suicide but Julia's mother is adamant that her daughter would not have taken her own life and would never have written the suicide note left behind.

The Whitmires have a lot of money and this means power, Ellie and Rogan have to investigate even though it goes against their instincts. They begin to discover that Julia may not have been as sweet and innocent as her parents believed but does this mean that she was murdered?

Alafair Burke writes with quite a fast pace and you are given a lot of information to take in and analyse. If you can keep up with it then it does add to the reading experience. You are only given a little bit of time to think about something before Burke is hitting you with something else. 

Never Tell is a good, solid thriller. I really enjoyed how the author set the story up, she has you intrigued from the very beginning to end and I look forward to reading more from Alafair Burke in the future.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Many thanks to Avon for sending me a copy of the book, Never Tell is out now.

Book Review: Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

Memories define us.
So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep?
Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love- all forgotten overnight?
And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story.
Welcome to Christine's life.

There was so much hype surrounding this book when it was published and this strangely put me off. I wish I hadn't been though as Before I Go to Sleep is a stunning book.
Christine wakes up every morning knowing absolutely nothing. Not her name, her past, her hair colour, her house and her husband Ben. She relys on Ben for everything, he patiently explains it all to her every time she wakes up. He holds all of her memories and past experiences. How does she know he is telling the truth though, she has no memory so how can she be sure that he is not lying and why would he lie?
Before I Go to Sleep is a very sinister book but it's such a good read. Christine is so incredibly vulnerable and you begin to gain a picture of how terrifying it must be each time she wakes up.
S.J. Watson is very clever at building up the tension and suspense . I was constantly guessing at the outcome and I found myself analysing everything the characters said to see if I could catch them out.
I think this book works so well as it is entirely plausible, that makes it even more frightening.
Before I Go to Sleep is an excellent book and I was totally captivated by Christine and her terrifying situation. I would urge anyone to read this book, it is compulsive reading as soon as you start the first page.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5