Jack McEvoy #1, Bosch Universe #5: Crime reporter Jack McEvoy feels he has to write the story of his cop brother's suicide and this sees him take a clJack McEvoy #1, Bosch Universe #5: Crime reporter Jack McEvoy feels he has to write the story of his cop brother's suicide and this sees him take a closer look at the crime scene, where he realises that it might not be a suicide. Meanwhile a 'professional' paedophile is caught by police but they can't find any evidence of his crimes, and may have to let him go. And pulling strings and taunting the police is The Poet, a deadly and remarkably smart serial killer! Jack teams up with the FBI to investigate. [image] What, when how? How does Connelly churn out so many high quality reads at the rate he does! Such a great creation is The Poet, and if you read this book, you'll understand why this serial killer has that moniker. What makes this book special is the deep-dive into how a professional paedophile would work illegal data and media management wise; and also the ingenious way The Poet killed without anyone noticing! A book full of interesting concepts and ideas and a pilot to die for, literally. The last quarter of this book is un-put-downable! An 8 out of 12, Four Star jam, I toast Mr Connelly. [image] 2024 read...more
Amos Decker No 5. The awkward with photographic memory Amos Decker returns to his home town and gets caught up in investigating a case, a case where tAmos Decker No 5. The awkward with photographic memory Amos Decker returns to his home town and gets caught up in investigating a case, a case where the wrong man may have been convicted. Guess who led on the case back in the day... Amos Decker! Another interesting and well thought out Decker and colleagues investigation, where Amos is seeking redemption. Baldacci is so much better than his other American commercial writing peers, I very much recommend reading anyone of his series. 7 out of 12 Three Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
She was 18 died on a Tuesday and has had limited movement ever since. She was a national story, the comatose victim of a hit and run driver who was deShe was 18 died on a Tuesday and has had limited movement ever since. She was a national story, the comatose victim of a hit and run driver who was dead before being revived. Many years later when a world famous singer is implicated and arrested the story explodes all over the media Victim support officer Vanessa feels strongly that sins of the past are paid for. Like the book blurb says "there's the story that everyone believes, and then there's the truth. Jane Cory can sure write a story! And a realistic compelling story with so many poignant little touches that add to the reading pleasure. An 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
Karen Pirie #2: Investigating a missing miner who has just been declared missing from 25 years ago; Karen finds herself directed to focus on another cKaren Pirie #2: Investigating a missing miner who has just been declared missing from 25 years ago; Karen finds herself directed to focus on another case from the exact same year, of the richest man in Scotland's daughter and grandson's kidnap where the child was never seen again! Every time I read a McDermid book I am reminded of just what a superb write of characters, plot and mysteries she is. The non-nonsense and un-intimidate-able Pirie is one of my favourite fiction police detectives. This is an artfully most splendidly cold case investigation and mystery. [image] 2024 read...more
That wonderful cast from the Four Star One of Us is Lying and not-as-wonderful cast from the Three Star One of Us is Next have their hands full this sThat wonderful cast from the Four Star One of Us is Lying and not-as-wonderful cast from the Three Star One of Us is Next have their hands full this some as one of them has a big secret from 'One of us is Next' and one of the antagonists of 'One of Us is Lying' is back with vengeance in mind! [image] It's all about the realism of the cast for me, their behaviours, interactions and most of learning from their mistakes. This book is as good as the first and the big bonus we get to see more of Simon K's shenanigans. A fun series with a deliciously dark heart set in near idyllic reality that hides multiple and seemingly endless secret histories :) 8 out of 12, Four Star jam! [image] 2024 read...more
"Twelve secrets, a small town, a shocking crime!" As a child, now an investigative true crime reporter, Ben's life was changed forever, with the globa"Twelve secrets, a small town, a shocking crime!" As a child, now an investigative true crime reporter, Ben's life was changed forever, with the globally reported, double murder of his teenage brother Nick and his friend by two teenage girls. His family trauma was increased later when his mum committed suicide. When a new crime shines a light not only on his mother's suicide, but the double murder! [image] I first began reading the second book in this series and liked it so much that I went and bought and read this, the first in the series. With sympathetic and realistic characters in a well created contemporary London reality this book ticked all the boxes for me. I insist that a solid realistic reality with multi layered characters sets up mysteries, horror, urban fantasy perfectly. It's why so many of Stephen King's books works so well, he spends as much time, if not more setting the base reality before eviscerating it! It might be the Londoner in me, but I get so embedded with this reality. It's the little things, the primary female detective having a partner in a wheelchair (attacked on duty as police); the friendship between two five-year-old kids of the supporting cast; Ben's boss being so pragmatic, that she's hear to generate engagement = money and not really to spare his feelings etc. etc. It's all in the detail. Oh, and the overall mystery and plotting is top drawer, but I feel maybe because of all the peripheral detail. Rambling? Am I making sense, solid well thought out reality, sets everything up to work? A storming 8 out of 12, Four Star jam :) [image] 2024 read...more
"Seeing Dead a sci-fi mystery set in Scotland, and it focuses on the mysterious disappearance of a schoolboy in the 1980’s.".. now there's a problem w"Seeing Dead a sci-fi mystery set in Scotland, and it focuses on the mysterious disappearance of a schoolboy in the 1980’s.".. now there's a problem with this book blurb as I found this book a supernatural mystery, and I rarely find a supernatural story I like! And wouldn't normally pick one up. The writer Edgar D. Jackson very kindly sent me a preview copy of his book in exchange for a fair review. I loved the mystery aspects of this book following a strange girl, an outlier boy and a teacher still struggling with the events around the disappearance of his son, ten years earlier. Scotland, the town of Gealblath is the primary location for this well written, superbly plotted with a great supporting cast of characters, lightly supernatural themed mystery read. For this read I would rate a 7.5 out of 12, but as no one else has Three Starred this, I presume this is a must-read for lovers of supernatural mysteries. :) [image] 2024 read...more
DC Ffion Morgan book 2: This very much Summer read thriller has all the right ingredients; set in North Wales in a small community that unwittingly plDC Ffion Morgan book 2: This very much Summer read thriller has all the right ingredients; set in North Wales in a small community that unwittingly plays host to a national phenomenon of a reality TV show called Exposure, where the winner takes it all, and each loser will have had a huge secret revealed on air in what is essentially a ‘Game of Lies’. With so much at stake, what lengths will the contestants go to, to protect their reputations? [image] Perfectly weighted with its characterisations, tension, humour, mystery and action, this is a perfect Summer read. It came as no surprise to find out the writer Claire Mackintosh, was a former police officer. 7 out of 12 Three Star read, [image] 2024 read...more
The blurb of this book says (and yes, it is in capitals!: "FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT THAT CRIME NOVEL", and after reading this I musThe blurb of this book says (and yes, it is in capitals!: "FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT THAT CRIME NOVEL", and after reading this I must concur! Got to thank Chris Brookmyre. for rightly determining that this one would work for me. Imagine a maverick L.A. police detective working with a Scottish septuagenarian woman crime solver, as they both look to prove a seemingly dead-cert suicide is anything but! [image] The Cracked Mirror is a screenplay that the creative who allegedly committed suicide was working from to produce a film of the same title. This starts of as an interesting and intriguing detective thriller that draws our protagonists to the same wedding in Scotland; but that's just the start of this awesome read. Brookmyre has absolutely written 'not that crime novel'. I can't say much more without spoiler-ing, but anyone looking for truly innovative and well written read this is it! I was hugely surprised and entertained at the turns this book took. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world Mr Brookmyre. This is easily in the top 10 of the ARCs I have been sent. I should say, get out and grab a copy the book was published in July :) [image] 2024 read...more
Harry Bosch #6, Bosch Universe #7: Angels Flight in LA., the 'world's shortest railway' becomes a crime scene when two passengers' murdered corpse areHarry Bosch #6, Bosch Universe #7: Angels Flight in LA., the 'world's shortest railway' becomes a crime scene when two passengers' murdered corpse are found. It turns out that one of the victims is a prominent African-American lawyer who already beaten the LAPD in court many times was about to nail them again for the torture of black criminal when he was thought to have been involved with a paedophilic kidnap! With the police themselves as suspects the powers that be need someone who looks independent, the recently married Bosch. They never learn, Bosh and his two Black detectives turn over stones that the LAPD don't want turning over. As the city is on the brink of city wide rioting Bosch and co. race to show justice will be served! [image] This series really does well at tracing an LAPD's detective (Bosch's) career to the backdrop of real events like Rodney King and the corrupt workings of the LAPD. This one's pretty good, portraying the post-Rodney King LA in a realistic and seemingly starkly honest way. Six books in. the complex and at times difficult to work out Bosch, is really humming now, with the writer comfortable with his take on LA and his great maverick cop; maverick, because he genuinely wants to protect and serve! 8 ou to f12 for this insightful look at 1990s Los Angeles. [image] 2024 read...more
A surprisingly entertaining and endearing story of a trainee legal officer getting stuck as the main support for the defence of the the very much presA surprisingly entertaining and endearing story of a trainee legal officer getting stuck as the main support for the defence of the the very much presumed guilty, ex-convict Jimmy Knight, alleged to have poisoned, super-cop and part time celebrity Grant Clivedon! This was a joy to read, a down to earth tale of a possible miscarriage of justice and one young man's fight to give an ex-convict is fair day in court, a gripping crime story without guns, violence or gore of any kind. A fun crime fiction mystery read that I have rated an 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
Big Man in small county, Judge Atlee is on his death bed, so he sends out a Summons for his two sons, one is an alcoholic and drug addict; the other wBig Man in small county, Judge Atlee is on his death bed, so he sends out a Summons for his two sons, one is an alcoholic and drug addict; the other who actually turns up is law professor Ray Atlee, who return to his childhood home to be at his father's bedside. His father's legacy is unexpected and turns out to be very dangerous. Another interesting Grisham thriller suspense read that took me along many oaths I did not expect! 7 out of 12, Three Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
I struggled with this sequel throughout as I felt that I didn't really understand the first book; and it was only on writing this review that I realisI struggled with this sequel throughout as I felt that I didn't really understand the first book; and it was only on writing this review that I realised I had bought and read the wrong sequel; the book I read was The Maid and not 'The Housemaid'! D'oh! [image] What I will say, is that the main character in this book seems like a twin to the The Maid, including some of her life story. That asides, this mystery centred around a caring pro-woman housemaid who helps woman escape toxic relationships as a side-hustle, was OK, although I found it chock full of plot-holes so I would say that this has to be read with a huge pinch of salt. 7 out of 12, Three Star jam. [image] 2024 read...more
In a South West England coastal town (St Ives), pillar of the community police officer DS Sophie Keane is called on to investigate a murdered corpse tIn a South West England coastal town (St Ives), pillar of the community police officer DS Sophie Keane is called on to investigate a murdered corpse that turns up after the opening might of glittering new art exhibition. The case feels like it has stirred up the community's dark past and maybe Sophie's as well! There's also the complication of Sophie kind of feeling attracted to one of the suspects! [image] My first ever read by best selling writer L.J. Ross, comes as a pleasant surprise in as how much I much I liked it. Very much a Hallmark day-time mystery drama, but well written with simplistic, yet interesting characterisations and plotting. This book series appears to very much meet the expectations set by the series' name. A perfect light summer mystery read, a 7 out of 12, Three Star jam from me. [image] 2024 read...more
Molly Monroe woke up with a blazing hangover with a partially dressed hot dude in her bed; what she didn't know then was that she was trending worldwiMolly Monroe woke up with a blazing hangover with a partially dressed hot dude in her bed; what she didn't know then was that she was trending worldwide on social media having been filmed performing a sex act in public in Central London; oh, and her best friend lay dead in the bathroom! 'Teen mag' journalist Molly refuses to believe her fellow journalist and flatmate died in an accident and sets about investigating the death whilst her name and image are trending like crazy and she is being vilified and ridiculed on multiple aps, and being dissected in the mainstream media! [image] The narrative voice was one of the few things I really liked with Katy Brent's How to Kill Men and Get Away With It, but this book blew off my face, what a ride. Another great narrative voice alongside a story, a plot, a mystery that I just couldn't put down. A very much recommend 21st century read. I enjoyed this on multiple levels; I feel that the last piece of the writing jigsaw now for Katy, is a bit more flesh on her supporting characters. All-on-all, I am very much queueing up for her next book; indeed I would very much like another book on Molly Monroe off-key woman investigative journo! [image] 2024 read...more
Bee-keeper and happily exited from toxic marriage Olivia loves her life and her son Asher. Well adjusted, polite and caring Oliver loves his girlfrienBee-keeper and happily exited from toxic marriage Olivia loves her life and her son Asher. Well adjusted, polite and caring Oliver loves his girlfriend the enigmatic and beautiful Lily Campanello. One day Oliva gets a call... Lily is dead, and her son was the person who found her! The story them travels to different times in the family's lives as the past, present and trial are brought together and the truth slowly unveiled as secrets are exposed or shared... things is, secrets are kept for a reason. [image] So a 21st century Picoult 'dilemma-drama' so not only chock full of feints, half-truths and delightful plot twists but a cast across races and genders. I feel Picoult overreaches in this one, the core dilemma of a mother refusing to see darkness in her child despite contrary evidence rings true and is very very good, but the domestic violence, societal condemnation, gender fluidity, transphobia, rebuilding lives etc. arcs were all paper thin and felt considerable less-researched despite the trans co-writer Jennifer Finney Boylan; it's my person opinion and feel that all that was good about this read came from the highly experienced mind and pen of Picoult. Still, overall, for the range of topics and scenario, a very much worthwhile mystery read, which had me hard-trying to work out what really happened throughout; sadly the court case plays a not as substantial role as I would have liked. 7 out of 12, Three Star read. [image] 2024 read ...more
Joy Delaney, one-time very successful tennis school and trainer with her husband, with four grown up kids and now in her seventies, has gone missing, Joy Delaney, one-time very successful tennis school and trainer with her husband, with four grown up kids and now in her seventies, has gone missing, leaving zero trace or trail of where she has gone , or indeed of any foul play. This story shares the tales of the family members as memories and incidences are brought up in the police investigation of her disappearance. [image] From the wrote that gave me the gem that is comes another beautiful layered and graduated read set in Urban middle-class Australia, with multiple interesting characters and character journeys tied to numerous mysteries that all feed into the core 'mum is missing' story. Some of the sub-arcs feature characters pondering whether a damaging negative trait of a forebear will pass on to them, hence the the book title. [image] I am fast becoming a fan of Lianne Moriarty's modern mystery-dramas with her near perfect take on interpersonal and intrafamily relationships, as well as between the sexes. This book has a pretty cool take on sibling rivalry as well. She also give great dialogue; that expertly uses speech and human interactions to tell the reader as much as descriptive chapters do in other books. On top of this all, she has a great sense of humour that is deftly used throughout this compelling with a hint of farce or satire. A recommend writer and book, I gave this one a firm 8 out of 12, Four Stars. [image] 2024 read...more
I really enjoyed Twelve Secrets, so jumped into this sequel immediately after. Using the same cast and location as the first book we get another mysteI really enjoyed Twelve Secrets, so jumped into this sequel immediately after. Using the same cast and location as the first book we get another mystery routed on this past except this time it is the past of main character policewoman Dani. This one didn't feel as organic as the first book, and felt disjointed at times. Still, this a constructed reality that I like, especially the way that antagonists are portrayed in such a multi facetted way. [image] 2024 read...more
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