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BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Leave No Trace (Kat and Lock, Book 2) by Jo Callaghan

Published March 28th, 2024 by Simon & Schuster UK
Psychological Thriller, Science Fiction, Book Series

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this riveting and nerve-shredding thriller. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Simon and Schuster UK for the proof copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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SYNOPSIS:

DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock return in the provocative new thriller from the author of In the Blink of an Eye.

‘A smart, agile, immaculately plotted and moving thriller that is unswervingly gripping and scary, and at the same time beautifully tender and humane’ NICCI FRENCH 
‘Chilled me to the bone and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Callaghan writes with such intelligence; interspersing humour with moments of utter heartbreak’ NIKKI SMITH
 
One detective driven by instinct, the other by logic.
It will take both to find a killer who knows the true meaning of fear . . .
 
When the body of a man is found crucified at the top of Mount Judd, AIDE Lock – the world’s first AI Detective – and DCS Kat Frank are thrust into the spotlight as they are given their first live case.
 
But with the discovery of another man’s body – also crucified – it appears that their killer is only just getting started. With the police warning local men to be vigilant, the Future Policing Unit is thrust into a hostile media frenzy as they desperately search for connections between the victims. But time is running out for them to join the dots and prevent another death.
 
For if Kat and Lock know anything, it’s that killers rarely stop – until they are made to.

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MY REVIEW:

DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back thrust into the spotlight when they finally get to investigate their first live case in the second instalment of this gripping crime series. The pair are called to an unusual crime scene where a man has been found crucified at the top of Mount Judd. And when the body of a second man is found crucified it seems that their killer is just beginning. Local men are warned to stay vigilant as the Future Policing Unit face a race against the clock to find and stop the culprit before they kill again. 

Compelling, tense and surprising, I couldn’t put this one down. This time around the duo find themselves embroiled in a case that makes national headlines, putting them under even greater pressure. While the first book focused more on the sci-fi aspect of an AI detective, this time around there is less sci-fi and more crime, allowing Jo Callaghan to showcase herself as a crime writer to watch. I enjoyed the darker tone she took this time around and this is exactly the kind of twisted thriller that sings to me. After enjoying the audiobook last time I decided to listen again and loved it. I particularly enjoyed how the killer’s pov is told in an echoey way that is so eerie it sent chills down my spine every time I heard it. Even just thinking about it is making me shiver. 

I loved being back with the Future Policing Unit. Kat and Lock are a unique and fascinating detective team and I loved their banter and camaraderie, which has grown since their rocky start in the first book. But it is only their second case and they are still learning how to work together, something that can be tricky when one of them is driven by instinct and the other by logic. I like how well they balance each other out; one’s weaknesses being the other’s strengths, and how they both were learning to be better officers by including some of each other’s methods. I also really liked that Lock is no longer treated as a perfect detective. We see some of his limitations and flaws, which kind of humanises the AI detective a little. It certainly made me warm to him more this time around. 

Riveting, pacy, and filled with nerve-shredding tension, Leave No Trace is an action-packed thriller that will keep you on your toes. Now I just have to wait impatiently for book three. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. You can listen, too, with 2 months free listening with my affiliate link. Click here*

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Jo Callaghan works fulltime as a senior strategist, where she has carried out research into the future impact of AI and genomics on the workforce.She was a student of the Writers’ Academy Course (Penguin Random House), was long listed for the Myslexia Novel Writing Competition and Bath Novel Competition. After losing her husband to cancer in 2019 when she was just forty-nine, she started writing IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, her debut crime novel. Published to critical-acclaim, it selected by Val McDermid for her New Blood panel of the best debuts of 2023 and for BBC Two’s Between the Covers Book Club. TV rights were sold in a major acquisition.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024

PUBLICATION DAY REVIEW: The Darkest Hour by Mark Edwards

Published April 16th, 2024 by Thomas & Mercer
Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Police Procedural, Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction

Happy publication day to this dark and sinister thriller. Thank you Mark Edwards for the gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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BOOK DESCRIPTION:

In this chilling thriller from the bestselling author of Keep Her Secret, if you don’t take your dark secrets to the grave, maybe they’ll take you there first…

Calvin finally owns the bakery of his dreams, in an idyllic village in the Lake District. After reluctantly following his wife Vicky’s advice to promote it on social media, he’s thrilled when a viral clip makes him a legend overnight. But then the creepy DMs start flooding in―all from a stranger who claims she’s his biggest fan.

Meanwhile, a local recluse is found on a nearby beach, buried to his neck and left to drown, and the community goes into shock. Why would anyone want him dead? And who exactly was he? Detective Imogen Evans, new to the Lake District, is under pressure to find out before the killer strikes again.

As the murder hunt gathers pace, Calvin’s obsessive admirer turns up right on cue after his assistant is injured in an accident, and to Vicky’s horror she’s here to stay. As events begin spiralling into darkness, is there anyone in this quiet backwater Calvin can trust―or have his mistakes already put him, and everyone he loves, in terrible danger?

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MY REVIEW:

He’s done it again! The King of domestic horror is back with another sinister story fueled with adrenaline. Just make sure you don’t have other plans, because you’ll be cancelling them to read this once you’ve started. I inhaled it in one sitting; shackled to the pages by the scalpel-sharp tension and my desperate need for answers. 

The body of local recluse Leo James is found on a beach in the Lake District buried up to his neck and left to drown. The shocking murder rocks this small, idyllic village to its core and puts its new detective, Imogen Evans, under pressure to find the culprit quickly. It is soon clear that some of Elderbridge’s residents are hiding dark secrets. But which of them will kill to keep it that way?

Mark Edwards never misses and The Darkest Water showcases why his books are a highlight of my reading year. Expertly written, shrewdly choreographed, and darkly atmospheric, this was a masterclass in misdirection. As part one came to a close I was sure I had it all figured out. But I was wrong. Moving between the dual timelines, dark secrets and surprising connections were unveiled piece by piece until the full, shocking picture emerged. 

The story is told by multiple narrators, one of whom is a blast from the past for fans of this author. Detective Imogen Evans, first seen in Edwards’ book The Lucky Ones, is the detective charged with solving Leo James’ murder. I loved revisiting a loved character in a new world as it felt like the ideal mix of standalone and series; some familiarity for fans but also not excluding new readers. The characters are all compelling and richly drawn, however briefly they appear on the pages, and you get a real sense of community in this picturesque village, which was the ideal backdrop for this story. Idyllic but also isolated and bleak, Elderbridge has a sense of danger simmering under its surface, while foreboding hangs in the air. Its idyll is fractured by the crime and the horror is compounded by the reminder that these things can happen anywhere, even in the most beautiful and seemingly safe places. 

A dark and brooding thriller filled with breath-sucking tension, The Darkest Water is a must-read for fans of this genre. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

From Amazon:
Welcome to my Amazon Author Page! I write books in which scary things happen to ordinary people, the best known of which are Follow You Home, The Magpies, Here To Stay and The Retreat. My novels have sold over 4 million copies and topped the bestseller lists numerous times. I pride myself on writing fast-paced page-turners with lots of twists and turns, relatable characters and dark humour

I live in the West Midlands, England, with my wife, our three children, two cats and a golden retriever.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Readalong

READALONG REVIEW: Five Bad Deeds by Caz Frear

Published April 11th, 2024 by Simon & Schuster UK
Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Domestic Fiction

Welcome to my review for this deliciously dark thriller. Thank you to The Likely Suspects for the invitation to take part in the readalong and the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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BOOK DESCRIPTION:

FROM THE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SWEET LITTLE LIES COMES A DARK AND TWISTY THRILLER ABOUT SECRETS, LIES AND REVENGE. 

ONE WOMAN’S SECRET
TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY
THREE DEADLY BETRAYALS
FOUR POTENTIAL SUSPECTS
FIVE BAD DEEDS

‘A big high five for Caz Frear’s Five Bad Deeds – a page-gripping, nail-gnawing good read’ Cara Hunter

‘A deliciously dark story of how one woman’s life of seemingly domestic bliss can unravel faster than she ever thought possible. I predict it will be one of the big hits of 2024 – I loved it’ Nikki Smith

‘Deliciously waspish, twisty, and relatable’ Claire McGowan

Ellen Walsh has done something very, very bad. If only she knew what it was . . .

Teacher, mother, wife, and all-around good citizen Ellen is juggling non-stop commitments, from raising a teen and two toddlers to job-hunting, to finally renovating her dream home, the Meadowhouse. Amidst the chaos, an ominous note arrives in the mail declaring:

SOONER OR LATER EVERYONE SITS DOWN TO A BANQUET OF CONSEQUENCES.

Why would someone send her this note? Ellen has no clue. She’s no angel – a white lie here and there, an occasional sharp tongue – but nothing to incur the wrath of an anonymous enemy.
Everyone around Ellen – her husband, her teenage daughter, her sister, her best friend, her neighbours – can guess why, though.  They all know from bitter experience that while Ellen’s intentions are always good, this ultimately counts for very little when you’ve (unintentionally?) blown up someone’s life.  Could the five bad deeds that come to haunt Ellen explain why things have gone so horribly wrong?

As she races to discover who’s set on destroying her life, Ellen receives more anonymous messages, each one more threatening than the last . . . and each hitting closer and closer to home and everything she cherishes.

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MY REVIEW:

Ellen Walsh is a busy mother juggling the demands of raising her teenage daughter and toddler twins with her teaching job and renovating her dream home. Out of the blue she receives an ominous note that reads ‘Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences.’
Who sent the note? What did she do to incur such malice and vengeance? As Ellen tries to answer these questions, those around her have no such trouble understanding why someone may want to bring her down. Because while she may be full of the best intentions, Ellen’s deeds are not as good as she’d like to think and there are five bad deeds that could be the answer why her life is falling apart…

Five Bad Deeds is a nail-biting story of secrets, lies, frenemies, scandal and suspicion filled with tension and foreboding. I devoured this book in one sitting, handcuffed to the pages and so desperate for answers that I didn’t even notice the time and read through the night until the sun was about to rise again. Skillfully written and cleverly plotted, Caz Frear showcases her storytelling expertise as she drops clues into prose like hidden breadcrumbs for us to follow as we try to identify the culprit from the multiple suspects. But who has the biggest motive for wanting to destroy Ellen’s picture-perfect life? 

I love it when you aren’t sure if someone is the good or bad guy and when you don’t know if you can trust a character, and this has both those things in abundance with an array of frenemies, backstabbing, frayed relationships and dark intentions woven into the plot. Even Ellen was potentially untrustworthy and I enjoyed that I could never be sure if she deserved all the chaos and torment coming her way. The story was told from multiple points of view which allowed us to not only get an insight into Ellen’s perspective, but also that of the people around her, and we soon discover just how differently she sees herself compared to the people around her. But who is telling the truth? I loved that it was so hard to predict and how every time I was sure I had things figured out another revelation would pull the rug from under me and make me reassess my predictions. 

Deliciously dark, twisty, chaotic and venomous, this riveting story is a must-read for any thriller lover. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Caz Frear grew up in Coventry and spent her teenage years dreaming of moving to London and writing a novel. After fulfilling her first dream, it wasn’t until she moved back to Coventry thirteen years later that the writing dream finally came true.

She has a first-class degree in History & Politics, which she’s put to enormous use over the years by working as a waitress, shop assistant, retail merchandiser and, for the past twelve years, a headhunter.

When she’s not agonising over snappy dialogue or incisive prose, she can be found shouting at the TV when Arsenal are playing or holding court in the pub on topics she knows nothing about.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD REIVEWS: Prima Facie by Suzie Miller

Published March 14th, 2024 by Hutchinson Heinmann
Literary Fiction, Political Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

Prima Facie is one of our SquadPod Featured Books. Thank you Hutchinson Heinmann for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

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SYNOPSIS:

‘Bold, fearless and heartbreaking’ Elle Magazine

‘It has been an absolute joy to return to Tessa’s story . . . My hope is that it will reach the widest number of people . . . I’ve personally enjoyed delving into her story again’ Jodie Comer

‘Bold, fearless, heartbreakingly timeless. Written with skill, humour, despair and hope, Prima Facie is a deeply rewarding, absolute must read’ Chris Whitaker

‘Enthralling and sharp-witted . . . Highly recommended’ Karin Slaughter

‘Miller’s star shines as brightly as a novelist as it does as a playwright. Prima Facie the novel gives us what novels do: the intimacy of interior life. A great read’ Anna Funder

From the Olivier award-winning playwright of Prima Facie Suzie Miller comes her first novel, where power, patriarchy and morality diverge.

‘This is not life. This is law.’

Tessa Ensler is a brilliant barrister who’s forged her career in criminal defence through sheer determination. Since her days at Cambridge, she’s carefully disguised her working class roots in a male-dominated world where who you know is just as important as what you know. Driven by her belief in the right to a fair trial and a taste for victory, there’s nothing Tessa loves more than the thrill of getting her clients acquitted.

It seems like Tessa has it made when she is approached for a new job and nominated for the most prestigious award in her field. But when a date with a charismatic colleague goes horribly wrong, Tessa finds that the rules she’s always played by might not protect her, forcing her to question everything she’s ever believed in . . .

AS SEEN IN ROISIN KATE KELLY, SUNDAY TIMES, ROUND-UP OF BEST BOOKS COMING IN 2024

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MY REVIEW:

“It’s not emotional for me, it’s simply the game of law.”

Fearless, impassioned, bold, and affecting, Prima Facie is a piercing novel that explores patriarchy, power, justice and fem. Debut novelist Suzie Miller draws back the curtain on the mysterious world of the law and criminal defence, exposing the flaws of a system ruled by men, and influenced by who you know.

The story is told by Tessa, a successful criminal defence barrister who is passionate about the law and justice. But everything changes the night she is assaulted by a colleague after a date. Tessa discovers that the rules might not help her find justice after all, forcing her to reconsider everything she holds true…

“Am I going to let him get away with it? That’s not who I am. Is this what I think should happen to women? That they should stay silent? No…What about justice? What about believing in the law to get it right?”

Told in multiple timelines we start by getting to know our protagonist, Tessa, who has worked her way up from her working class roots to read law at Cambridge and established herself as a brilliant barrister through sheer grit. She’s caught between these two worlds and never quite feels like she fits into either of them. Fierce, strong and steadfast, Tessa is a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom, and you can feel her passion and belief in the system she loves leaping from the pages. Then, that terrible night causes a seismic shift and you can feel her coming undone; her heart cleaved in two and filled with despair as her whole world unravels. But what stands out even more is the fire it ignites inside her and I was rooting for her at every step as she fought against the odds in the hope of finding justice.

“I don’t want to be a victim. I want to be a survivor.”

From the first pages of this book, you feel yourself in the hands of a master storyteller, and the level of literary fiction, drama, and psychological suspense is perfectly balanced, creating an unforgettable novel that is emotionally wrought, heart-pounding, tense, and enraging. Miller starts the book with a dedication that reads, “For all the women who compromise the ‘one in three’” and, as one of those women, I was deeply touched by how she keeps us at the forefront of the readers’ consciousness throughout. Complex, layered, raw, and emotionally resonant, Miller raises thought-provoking questions and moral dilemmas while also reminding us that anyone can become a victim of sexual assault and the flawed and broken legal system, even someone who has dedicated years to defending it.

Though I have a physical copy, I listened to this one on audiobook after it was recommended to me by a few people and I am so glad that I did. Jodie Cromer is a compelling and evocative narrator. She brings the story and characters to life and I was totally invested at every step. The veins of anger and devastation that were threaded through her voice during the aftermath of the assault were particularly powerful and will stay with me long after reading.

UCourageous, challenging, compelling and outstanding, Prima Facie is a story that demands to be read. Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

TW: Sexual assault, rape

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Suzie Miller is an Australian-British playwright, librettist and screenwriter. Her plays include Prima Facie, which was premiered in Australia in 2019, and had its UK premiere in the West End in 2022.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These links are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Bride and Groom by Rona Halsall

Published April 5th, 2024 by Bookouture
Psychlogical Thriller

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this ominous and compelling thriller. Thank you to Bookouture for the invitation to take part and the proof copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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SYNOPSIS:

Walking down the aisle in the packed church, sunlight glints off my ivory silk gown. This should be the happiest day of my life. But as I carefully lift my veil and greet my husband-to-be, my heart is pounding with fear. Does someone out there know what we’ve done?

Ethan gently squeezes my hand as he slides the golden ring onto my finger. But I know we aren’t worthy of happiness.

As I look down at my wedding ring, in a blistering flash, I suddenly remember another piece of that pitch-black, rainy night… but I try to focus on Ethan’s gorgeous blue eyes. I know exactly what he’s thinking. We can never tell.

All our family, friends and loved ones smile as they watch Ethan and I promise to be together until death us do part. But only we know what that really means…

Because we have already killed someone.

My dear, sweet new husband isn’t quite all he seems…

But then again, neither am I.

An incredibly addictive psychological thriller that will keep you up all night, gasping at the truly mind-blowing twists! A completely unputdownable, edge-of-your seat page-turner for fans of The Perfect Marriage, Freida McFadden and Shari Lapena.

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MY REVIEW:

When Nicci and Ethan make their vows to one another on their wedding day, only they know the real meaning and weight behind them. Underneath her smile, Nicci’s heart is pounding with fear because she and Ethan have just vowed to never reveal that they were responsible for the hit and run that took a man’s life. But Nicci can’t shake her guilt. Or the worry that someone else might know their secret. And she’s beginning to wonder if her new husband is who she thinks he is…

Well, Rona Halsall did it again. She jumps straight into the intense action and a feeling of foreboding hovered over every page of this story. I will confess that I thought I had this all figured out and it seemed like it was a predictable read. I should have known better. Ms. Halsall pulled me in hook, line and sinker, and just as I totally relaxed in the knowledge that I knew where this was heading…Bam! I’m smacked in the face by a delicious curveball that changed everything I thought I knew and reminded me why she’s the queen of misdirection. Rona, I am sorry I ever doubted you. From that moment on it was a tense rollercoaster ride where I held on for dear life as she took me from one shocking revelation to another. 

There are some deep topics explored in the story such as toxic relationships, coercive control, and, of course, moral dilemmas. And this story provided one of the biggest moral dilemmas Ms. Halsall has written yet: should Nicci confess that she and Ethan were responsible for the hit and run that night to ease her torment, or should she keep her vow of silence? Halsall expertly wrote Nicci’s internal torture over her dilemma and I felt everything alongside her at every turn. A people pleaser who struggles with anxiety, Nicci was easy to relate to and I was cheering her on as she found her inner strength as the story went on. But this is a dual narrative and Ethan’s voice was very different. Just as brilliantly written, I loathed this manipulative man. He was a great, but stark, contrast to Nicci and as his secrets were slowly revealed he got more and more chilling. 

So if you want a compelling, unpredictable and ominous thriller, this is the book for you.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Rona is the #1 Best Selling author of psychological thrillers published by Boldwood and Bookouture. She loves to turn domestic storylines on their head to keep her readers guessing what the heck is going on.

Her 2023 release, THE BIGAMIST, has been short-listed for the International Writers Awards 2024, for Best Original E-Book, which is probably the peak of her writing career to date!

She has been a bit of a nomad during her adult life, moving around the north of England, before settling in Snowdonia, North Wales where she brought up her family while working as a business mentor. She lived on the Isle of Man with her husband and mad little Border Collie, Maid, for several years before returning to Wales. Recently, she has recruited a new member to the writing team – a Romanian rescue dog called Evie.

She is an outdoorsy person, who loves nothing better than stomping up a mountain, walking coastal paths and beaches and wadering round forests and woodlands while she’s plotting her next book. She has three children and two step-children who are all grown up and leading varied and interesting lives, which provides plenty of material for new stories.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon*
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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the tour.

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book reviews Squadpod Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD REVIEWS: Island in the Sun by Katie Fforde

Published February 15th, 2024 by Century
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Adventure Fiction

I’m finally sharing my review for the charming and uplifting Island in the Sun, which was a SquadPod Book Feature in February. Thank you EdPR and Century for the proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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SYNOPSIS:

A tale of friendship, courage and romance, the latest novel from bestselling author Katie Fforde is here.

‘The queen of uplifting, feel good romance’ AJ PEARCE
‘Top-drawer romantic escapism’ DAILY MAIL
‘Warm, brilliant and full of love’ HEAT
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When Cass is asked by her father to take on an unusual photography project in the Caribbean Island of Dominica, she really can’t see a reason to say no.

But the remote island has just been hit be a severe hurricane, leaving destruction in its wake. Cass is travelling with Ranulph who is searching for the rare stone carvings her father wants her to photograph.

Their hunt leads Cass down a path of bravery and self-discovery, and she soon falls for Ranulph, who has been by her side every step of the way.

But does he feel the same way about her?

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MY REVIEW:

Twenty-five-year-old Cass is about to enjoy her last summer of freedom before embarking on her teacher training course when her father, a famous wildlife photographer, asks her for a favour. He wants Cass to go to the Caribbean island of Dominica to take a fragile and faded hand-drawn map to help his friend’s son, Bastian, find a rare petroglyph and photograph it. Ranulph, a well-travelled journalist, offers to accompany Cass. She knows she mustn’t fall in love with him but can’t shake her growing feelings for her handsome travel companion even though she knows he can’t possibly feel the same way. Can he?

Uplifting, feel-good fiction and a dose of pure escapism, Island in the Sun was the ideal read to pick up on a cold, rainy March day in England. Katie Fjorde transports us to the sun-drenched shores of Dominica, a mountainous island populated by natural hot springs and rainforests where the Atlantic and the Caribbean meet, for a story filled with friendship, love, adventure and self-discovery.

Cass is a likeable yet sometimes frustrating protagonist and there were moments I wanted to give her a good shake. She’s the youngest in a family of high achievers and has always struggled to voice what she really wants in life rather than allowing her father to decide her path. Throughout the book we see her confidence slowly grow in all areas of her life, but I think her lack of confidence regarding her relationship with Ranulph made it hard to feel invested in their will they/won’t they romance at times. The escapades surrounding the petroglyph provided something a bit different for a romance novel that I really enjoyed. I found myself caught up in the race against the clock to find and document the petroglyph so that Bastian could finish his research paper and submit it for the prize that meant much-needed money for the island. I was rooting for him at every step, particularly as Austin, the loathsome villain of the story, meddled at every step to try and win the prize for himself. I hated this man! He is brilliantly written and my blood would boil every time he was on the page, Fforde expertly using him to raise the tension and keep the reader on guessing.

The island itself plays a key role in this story and Cass’s visit in the wake of a devastating hurricane included a lot of helping the community as they tried to recover from the destruction. Fforde gives the reader a real sense of the way of life on the island and how it feels to see your home torn apart in this way, the hard reality of life after a natural disaster, and the fear that lingers in its wake. But despite all of this the beauty of Dominica and its people shines through and I could understand why Cass fell in love with this place. The people who populated Dominica were some of my favourite characters, with Bastian and Delphine finding a special place in my heart. They played a big part in helping Cass to find her confidence and inner strength, and I found their spirits infectious and inspiring, especially in the face of such hardship.

Charming, fun, adventurous and immersive, Island in the Sun is another winner from Ms. Fforde.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

From Amazon:

Dear readers, thank you for visiting my Amazon Page.

I live in the beautiful Cotswold countryside with my family, and I’m a country girl at heart.

I first started writing when my mother gave me a writing kit for Christmas, and once I started I just couldn’t stop. Living Dangerously was my first novel and since then, I haven’t looked back.

Ideas for books are everywhere, and I’m constantly inspired by the people and places around me. From watching TV (yes, it is research) to overhearing conversations, I love how my writing gives me the chance to taste other people’s lives and try all the jobs I’ve never had.

Each of my books explores a different profession or background and my research has helped me bring these to life. I’ve been a porter in an auction house, tried my hand at pottery, refurbished furniture, delved behind the scenes of a dating website, and I’ve even been on a Ray Mears survival course.

I love being a writer; to me there isn’t a more satisfying and pleasing thing to do. I particularly enjoy writing love stories. I believe falling in love is the best thing in the world, and I want all my characters to experience it, and my readers to share their stories.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*

*these are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

*These links are affiliate links

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Read Christie

BOOK REVIEW: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Poirot) by Agatha Christie

Published June 1926
Mystery, Detective Novel, Crime Fiction, Classic Fiction

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SYNOPSIS:

Think you know whodunnit?
Think again.

Poor Roger Ackroyd. He knew the woman he loved had been harbouring guilty secret. And then, yesterday, she killed herself.

But guilty secrets rarely stay secret. Who had been blackmailing her? Had it really driven her to suicide? Sadly, Roger Ackroyd wasn’t going to live long enough to find out . . 

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MY REVIEW:

“Everyone had a hand in the elucidation of the mystery. It was rather like a jig-saw puzzle to which everyone contributed their own little piece of knowledge or discovery. But their task ended there. To Poirot alone belongs the renown of fitting those pieces into their correct place.”

King’s Abbot is a hotbed of secrets, rumours, and suspicion surrounding the widow Mrs. Ferrars. After her husband’s death the year before, there were whispers that she was responsible, and now, after her own death from an overdose, there is talk that it wasn’t by her own hand, but revenge for killing her husband. Roger Ackroyd is one of those who believes she was killed and confides his suspicions to Detective Hercule Poirot. Not 24 hours later, Ackroyd is murdered. Could the two cases be linked? And did the secret Mrs Ferras was hiding have anything to do with them?

My choice for Read Christie in February was The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, which is widely regarded as her greatest novel. Again I decided to listen on audiobook and was pulled in by the narration from the start, transporting me back to 1920s England and the quaint and peaceful village of King’s Abbot. A compelling whodunnit filled secrets, suspicion and murder, I can see why this is a favourite for many readers. I was captivated, listening on tenterhooks as I waited to learn if my predictions were correct and thrilled when I learned I’d got it right. 

Tense, gripping, and atmospheric, I highly recommend The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. I’m loving finally discovering Agatha Christie’s books in all their glory and can’t wait for next month already. 

Rating: 🔎🔎🔎🔎🔎

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Born in Torquay in 1890, Agatha Christie began writing during the First World War and wrote over 100 novels, plays and short story collections. She was still writing to great acclaim until her death, and her books have now sold over a billion copies in English and another billion in over 100 foreign languages. Yet Agatha Christie was always a very private person, and though Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple became household names, the Queen of Crime was a complete enigma to all but her closest friends.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxx


Categories
Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: The Playgroup by Leah Mercer

Published March 21st, 2024 by Bookouture
Thriller, Suspense, Psychologial Thriller, Mystery

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this gripping psychological thriller. Thank you to Bookouture for the invitation to take part and gifted proof copy.

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SYNOPSIS:

Breath catches in my throat and terror grips me as my daughter’s favourite jumper slides into focus. Time slows. Helpless, I watch my precious little girl run into the road. Screeching tyres slice through the quiet afternoon. Days from now, my friends will say the worst day of my life was all my fault…

A bright and welcoming haven, the playgroup sits at the heart of the town, tucked away inside a red-brick building. The Nest should have been the safest place for my rosy-cheeked, pink-obsessed daughter, Florence. Run by mothers like me, I trusted my newfound friends – Alice, Beth and Georgie – to take care of my child. But now my choice has left Florence fighting for her life.

My heart pounds thinking about what I will tell my husband, James. He stayed with me through the darkest times, and I thought some space would bring us closer. But as I watch our little girl sleeping in a hospital bed, I know our relationship may never recover from this.

How can I tell James what really happened if I don’t know myself? I can’t shake the feeling the other mothers are lying to me; they know I’d never let Florence leave the nursery by herself. We’ve all got dangerous secrets we want to protect, but if they expose mine, will anyone, including my husband, believe me when I say I didn’t harm my daughter?

A completely gripping psychological suspense about the dark price of protecting your family, perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Adele Parks and Sally Hepworth.

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MY REVIEW:

Lenore is finally starting to feel more herself after months of crippling postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Florence. But her husband, James, still doesn’t seem to trust her with their child, so she decides to take some time away by herself with Florence so they can both learn to trust her as a mother again so she moves to a house in Mappelstow, just outside London. In the heart of this town sits The Nest, a playgroup run by a co-operative of the town’s parents which seems like the ideal place for not only her daughter to socialise, but for Lenore to begin working again. Lenore soon settles in and begins to see the other women working there as her friends. Until that terrible day.

Lenore stands helpless, paralysed by horror as her little girl runs into the road. Tyres screech and Lenore’s scream pierces the air as she races to her daughter’s side. Little Florence is alive, but only just, and is rushed into hospital. Lenore and her husband, James, begin a vigil by the unconscious little girl’s bedside hoping for a miracle. But their nightmare gets even darker when the other women tell Lenore the accident was her fault. Could they be right? Could her PPD have clouded her mind and she really put her child in danger? Lenore is sure it wasn’t her fault. But why would her friends lie? What might they be hiding?

Tense, twisty and surprising, Leah Mercer had me in the palm of her hand as I devoured this book in just 24 hours. Narrated by Lenore, Alice, Georgie, and Beth, this is a story where everyone has something to hide. It explores topics such as postpartum depression, drug addiction, chronic illness, and coercive control, spinning a twisted web of secrets and lies that is cleverly woven together. Fast-paced and addictive, I could never be sure of the truth and when the truth was revealed it left me speechless. I did not see that coming! 

A suspenseful and surprising thriller, I’d highly recommend The Playgroup to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Leah can’t remember a time when she didn’t love writing. From creating fake newspapers to writing letters to the editor, scribbling something was always on the agenda. Even the rejections she received after completing her first novel at age 13 didn’t dent her enthusiasm.

So it makes sense, then, that she pursued a career in anything but writing. Public relations, teaching, recruitment, editing medical journals — even a stint painting houses — until she finally succumbed once more to the lure of the blank page. 

Whe she’s not being jumped on by her young son or burning supper while thinking of plotlines, Leah can be found furiously tapping away on her laptop, trying not to check Twitter or Facebook. 

Leah also writes romantic comedies under the name Talli Roland.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024 Support Debuts

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Crow Moon (A Martha Strangeways Investigation, 1) by Suzy Aspley

Published March 14th, 2024 by Orenda Books
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Hardboiled, Noir Fiction, Police Procedural, Supernatural Fiction, Crime Series

It’s a few days late, but today I’m sharing my review for the dark, beguiling and shadowy gothic thriller. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and Orenda for the proof copy.

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SYNOPSIS:

An investigative reporter gives up her job when her young twins are killed in a fire, but when she stumbles across the body of a missing teenager, she’s thrust into a chilling investigation that will leave no one unscathed…
 
 ‘An extraordinary debut: intriguing, unsettling, heavy on atmosphere and with a formidable leading lady … Suzy Aspley is one to watch’ Mari Hannah
 
‘A gripping piece of contemporary gothic, Crow Moon signals the arrival of a hugely promising new talent’ Kevin Wignall
 
‘A nerve-tingling thriller that both enchants and terrifies. Aspley weaves sinister folklore into a tense murder investigation that has you looking over your shoulder as you turn each page’ Eve Smith
 
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When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed…
 
Martha Strangeways is struggling to find purpose in her life, after giving up her career as an investigative reporter when her young twins died in a house fire.
 
Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, her life changes when she stumbles across the body of a missing teenager – a tragedy that turns even more sinister when a poem about crows is discovered inked onto his back…

When another teenager goes missing in the remote landscape, Martha is drawn into the investigation, teaming up with DI Derek Summers, as malevolent rumours begin to spread and paranoia grows. 
As darkness descends on the village of Strathbran, it soon becomes clear that no one is safe, including Martha…
Both a nerve-shattering, enthralling and atmospheric thriller and a moving tale of grief and psychological damage, Crow Moon is a staggeringly accomplished debut and the start of an addictive, unforgettable series.

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MY REVIEW:

When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed…

Dark, shadowy, eerie and beguiling, Crow Moon is an outstanding debut gothic thriller steeped in folklore, dripping with suspense and pulsing with fear. It centres around Martha Strangeways, a former investigative journalist who gave up her job following the death of her young twins in a tragic house fire. But her journalistic intrigue is awakened when she stumbles across the body of a missing teenager, his body covered in a strange poem about crows. When another teenager goes missing Martha teams up with DI Derek Summers to investigate and soon discovers there is more to this than they first thought and no one in the village of Strathbran is safe…

There’s a new queen of gothica in town. Suzy Aspley’s chilling debut is the apex of suspense writing and a spectacular start to an exciting new series. Filled with folklore, fear, loss and grief, the dark horror instantly gripped me; the atmosphere charged with dread and emotion as Aspley held me in a vice-grip, drip-feeding information and rationing the reveals to keep me guessing. The evocative imagery she draws plays an important role too, transporting me to this small village in the Scottish Highlands where whispers of witchcraft provide a dark heartbeat that lurks under the surface of this ordinary place. With each page I fell further and further into this eerie tableau of horror and mystery and was on the edge of my seat from start to finish, breathless with anticipation as I awaited the big reveal. 

“People believed there was magic in these woods, and local tourist guides still told tales of witches. They knew nothing, he thought. But the stories meant they didn’t want to be here after dark, which was just as well.”

Legend and folklore play a central role in this story and provide a lot of the story’s eerie ambience and nerve-jangling fear. When Martha discovers Fraser’s body she notices writing on him which she later learns from DI Summers that this was the second of a four verse poem called Feannag Dhubh, a strange legend that originated from the Scottish witch trials of the 17th Century about a local woman who could turn herself into a crow. As she investigates Martha finds more and more links between the ancient story, her former home and current occurrences. While she doesn’t believe in the folklore, it is clear that there is someone who does, and as the crow moon gets closer the danger escalates and there’s a race against time to find this person before it’s too late. 

Martha Strangeways is a compelling new protagonist. The investigative journalist lives with her teenage son, Dougie, and is still trying to wade through the darkness of her grief after losing her twins in the fire. She hasn’t worked in the time since the tragedy but can’t shake the intrigue that is sparked by the disappearance and terrible murder of her son’s friend. As someone of a similar age with sons near to Dougie’s age, I found Martha easy to connect with, and my heart broke for her after the loss of her other children. Throughout the book we also have the perspective of Fraser’s kidnapper. They are written like a murmur and the man’s desperation to rid himself of whatever haunts him is palpable. Danger radiates from him as we see he will go to perilous lengths to make that happen and this menacing villain sent chills scissoring up my spine each time he was on the page. 

So, if, like me, you enjoy stories that are hauntingly atmospheric, drenched in gothica, gleaming with malice, and radiating tension, this is for you. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Originally from the north east of England, former journalist Suzy Aspley has lived in Scotland for almost 30 years. She writes crime and short stories often inspired by the strange things she sees in the landscape around her.  She won Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect in 2019 with the original idea for her debut novel and was shortlisted in the London Capital crime festival’s new voices award. In 2020, she was mentored by Jo Dickinson as part of the Hachette future bookshelf initiative. Her novel Crow Moon was also long listed this year for the Caledonia Novel Award. She’s currently working on the second book in the series featuring journalist Martha Strangeways. When she’s not writing, she’s either got her nose buried in a book, or is outside with her dogs dreaming up more dark stories.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These links are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024

BOOK REVIEW: Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland

Published March 21st, 2024 by Pan Macmillan
Historical Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, Fairy Tale, Norse & Viking Mythology

Happy Publication Day to Song of the Huntress, the dark and fierce feminist historical fantasy by Lucy Holland. Thank you to Bookbreak, Pan Macmillan, and NetGalley for my proof copies.

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SYNOPSIS:

FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SISTERSONG

‘Lucy Holland’s lyrical prose and powerful storytelling will lure you in’ – Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne

A must-read for fans of Circe, Song of the Huntress recasts the folklore behind the Wild Hunt into a dark, feminist fantasy set amidst the legends and beauty of ancient Britain.

Britain, 60 AD. Hoping to save her lover and her land from the Romans, Herla makes a desperate pact with the Otherworld King. She becomes Lord of the Hunt and for centuries she rides, reaping wanderers’ souls. Until the night she meets a woman on a bloody battlefield – a Saxon queen with ice-blue eyes.

Queen Æthelburg of Wessex is a proven fighter, but after a battlefield defeat she finds her husband’s court turning against her. Yet King Ine needs Æthel more than ever: the dead kings of Wessex are waking, and Ine must master his bloodline’s ancient magic if they are to survive.

When their paths cross, Herla knows it’s no coincidence. Something dark and dangerous is at work in the Wessex court. As she and Æthel grow closer, Herla must find her humanity – and a way to break the curse – before it’s too late.

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MY REVIEW:

“Tonight, Herla will give them a monster.”

Happy Publication Day to Song of the Huntress, the dark, fierce, feminist historical fantasy retelling of the folklore behind the Wild Hunt. This propulsive fantasy novel transports us to ancient Britain and introduces us to Herla, who has been cursed to be Lord of the Wild Hunt after making a desperate deal with the Otherworld King. For centuries she has ridden, reaping the souls of those she has slain in battle. When she meets Queen Æthelburg of Wessex on a bloody battlefield, Herla knows that her meeting with this fierce warrior Queen is no accident as there is danger lurking,, whispers about Æthel are louder than ever in court, the King is fighting his own brother, tensions between Christians and Pagans are at an all time high, people are dying strange deaths, and the Otherworld is getting ready to strike. Can Herla find a way to break her curse and help the Queen?

This was a gorgeously woven tapestry of history, folklore, fantasy and magic. I listened to this on audiobook, and was immediately captivated by the riveting narration. And, despite the fact it was quite a long story, the quality of both the storytelling and the narration never faltered, keeping me completely immersed in its pages from beginning to end. It is expertly written, richly drawn, and meticulously researched, Lucy Holland’s knowledge and passion for the myth evident in every word. Her evocative characters leaped from the pages and I was caught up in the emotions of these ferocious women and their unique love story.

Powerful, savage and striking, Song of the Huntress is a must read for anyone who enjoys stories filled with history, myth and magic. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

*You can listen to this book on Bookbeat as part of your free 60-day trial via this affiliate link*

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

I’m a writer living in south-west England on the red shores of the Jurassic Coast. It’s a beautiful, mysterious part of the country, steeped in myth and folklore. And so unsurprisingly, it’s a perfect place in which to make up stories.

In the vein of most writers, I’ve been making up stories for a long time. Despite attending theatre school for six years, books were my first love. My parents read a lot to us as children – I guess it’s their fault my sister and I both turned out as authors!

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These links are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx