I do like a book that has a more speculative fiction style to it, The Last App slots nicely into that genre.
A service is available in the US and is mI do like a book that has a more speculative fiction style to it, The Last App slots nicely into that genre.
A service is available in the US and is making its way over here to the UK. Dr Mick Strong is the first person in the UK to sign up for this, it gives a projection of the data he may die. it does give a projection and not a prediction. Mick is wondering how long he has left and decides that he will try this and his son-in-law, Adam works for the company that owns this tech.
Imagine turning up to a relative's house to discover that they have this in place, and also they have got predictions for other family members without their knowledge or consent. Talk about a bombshell when they reveal this information!
This is a book that sits nicely within the realms of possibility, we already have tests for various life-threatening conditions or for family genes that can affect out life span. Using this the author has created a story around how a family handles this information and also how they come to terms with knowing that they have an envelope that has their projected year of death.
The author then takes things up a notch by embellishing the tech base of this novel and adds another feature that can give more information about lifestyle and living a healthier life. I think I found this more disturbing and then there is what follows!
This becomes a twisted story that has a sense of a psychological thriller to it as well as a mysterious element. It adds to the overall feel of the story and the sense that this could happen.
It is a book that I really enjoyed, the concepts and also the way it is used is great. An eye-opener to be sure. This would appeal to various readers and especially those who like speculative fiction, mystery, thriller and a slight psychological aspect to it. I would definitely recommend this one. ...more
This is a tough read and deals with 7 children who have not had a good childhood. At the start, they go to school, but their fanatical father graduallThis is a tough read and deals with 7 children who have not had a good childhood. At the start, they go to school, but their fanatical father gradually becomes more controlling and his children are forced to live in squalor.
One night Lex Gracie managed to escape her shackles and run from the house and is discovered by a passer-by. She becomes known as Girl A. The author takes the reader into the lives of the children, their lives growing up, what happened in the house and the point they are at in their lives now.
This is a book that I know will not appeal to everyone given the subject matter, I have had it on my TBR for quite a while before deciding to finally pick it up. The story is told from the perspective of Lex. A lot of it is told during her counselling sessions and also when she meets up with her siblings.
The author creates long chapters that deal with each child, their relationship with their parents and each other. Over the chapters, a bigger picture builds up and the bigger picture appears. The crux of the story is the death of her Mother, she had been arrested after Lex had escaped and Lex is named as the executor of the will and needs to speak to her siblings about plans for the house and what the future of the house should be.
This is a tough story, there are mentions of cruelty and it is not a pleasant read, but the author has done a very good job of showing how a person can survive, but also what it takes to do so.
This is one for those who like crime, mystery, thriller, psychological and contemporary fiction stories. I would recommend this one. ...more
Well, what an amazing introduction this book is to the author. This is a fabulous book that delves into the life of Beth and her husband Ian, but therWell, what an amazing introduction this book is to the author. This is a fabulous book that delves into the life of Beth and her husband Ian, but there is also another storyline and this one does take more of a prominent role at times. I am not going to divulge much about that one though!
Beth is nervous about going to visit the old cabin, it is isolated, and they can only access it on foot as the snowy weather isn't exactly ideal for a visit. When they get there they discover that someone has been living in it, it must be the caretaker Ryan. Employed by Ian to come in and make sure that everything is ok. Beth isn't so sure though, it looks like he has made himself very comfy in their cabin and not someone who may spend a night there to check things over.
This, as I mentioned, is one part of the story, the other is the one that has the biggest thriller factor to it, although when the dots begin to join the thrills are huge. You soon get to know the other storyline and the author does an amazing job with this and had me wanting to scream at the main character! Vague? Yep, this was always going to be as I am not going to reveal any spoilers.
The two stories are separate and they have a nervous energy to them. The characters are interesting and the predicaments they find themselves in are very edgy. As I said I wanted to scream at one of the characters, but then I could have quite easily done the same to the other as well!
This is a review that is very hard to write, but if you like very addictive and suspense-filled thrillers then this is a book that I would definitely recommend picking up.
Merged review:
Well, what an amazing introduction this book is to the author. This is a fabulous book that delves into the life of Beth and her husband Ian, but there is also another storyline and this one does take more of a prominent role at times. I am not going to divulge much about that one though!
Beth is nervous about going to visit the old cabin, it is isolated, and they can only access it on foot as the snowy weather isn't exactly ideal for a visit. When they get there they discover that someone has been living in it, it must be the caretaker Ryan. Employed by Ian to come in and make sure that everything is ok. Beth isn't so sure though, it looks like he has made himself very comfy in their cabin and not someone who may spend a night there to check things over.
This, as I mentioned, is one part of the story, the other is the one that has the biggest thriller factor to it, although when the dots begin to join the thrills are huge. You soon get to know the other storyline and the author does an amazing job with this and had me wanting to scream at the main character! Vague? Yep, this was always going to be as I am not going to reveal any spoilers.
The two stories are separate and they have a nervous energy to them. The characters are interesting and the predicaments they find themselves in are very edgy. As I said I wanted to scream at one of the characters, but then I could have quite easily done the same to the other as well!
This is a review that is very hard to write, but if you like very addictive and suspense-filled thrillers then this is a book that I would definitely recommend picking up....more
What another amazing and jaw-dropping book in the Savage Sisters series. If you have read the previous book then you will be aware that the three sistWhat another amazing and jaw-dropping book in the Savage Sisters series. If you have read the previous book then you will be aware that the three sisters are Savage by name and savage by nature. They are a force to be reckoned with, they take no prisoners and show no mercy if they are wronged.
After the death of their father, Alex, the sisters are feeling the grief, Rosie the youngest has her boyfriend, Jane her game and girlfriend and Carly, the eldest is feeling the loss. It seems that everyone has someone but her, she and Dean had started to become close but they are cousins so his father Eddie had warned him to back off.
Carly has been very wary of men since her split with Jack Alexander, he had slept with someone else to clinch a deal and it didn't go down well with Carly. Jack is a gang boss and has always wanted to get back together and has never lied to her about that.
There are rumours around Haghill in Glasgow, definitely, a place that sounds like a no-go if you are not known or welcomed there. It doesn't stop some from trying to make their own business there though and it seems that guns are being sold. No one convincingly who is exactly behind this new enterprise, but there is a lot of scheming going on.
The author has once again let the Savage sister run their lives on the pages once again, as much as they are vicious they are true and loyal to each other, family and friends. So when someone decides to threaten Carly you just know the author is not going to let it lie. She soon lets the intensity of the story and the characters show their traits, minds and ideas flow across the page. From one encounter to another, threats are ever present and the dangerous tension is palpable.
This one is just addictive from the start to the finish, what happens in between is amazing. hard-hitting, fast-paced and with violence that you would expect from gangs. From the get-go, you know there are going to be casualties and by the end, there are many twists and red herrings along the way to keep you on your toes.
Another fabulous book in the series and if you are a fan of tough, dark, gangland crime and thriller stories then this is one you want to have a look out for. It is brilliant and it is one I would definitely recommend. ...more
This was an interesting sci-fi thriller read, an AI-themed story with some interesting ideas mixed into it.
Henry is an agoraphobe, his wife Lisa is prThis was an interesting sci-fi thriller read, an AI-themed story with some interesting ideas mixed into it.
Henry is an agoraphobe, his wife Lisa is pregnant and they live in a hi-tech house. Henry has been working on a secret project, it is in the form of a half-built robot he calls William. William is unique and Henry has spent many hours with him. During a rare get-together with Lisa's friends, Henry decides to introduce them all to William. When things take a dangerous turn and there are tragic consequences.
With the house being hi-tech the author uses this to turn this into a locked room, well actually more of a locked house thriller. There is a definite sense of danger and it does tiptoe into the horror genre. The synopsis does mention these things but having a house that controls your movements and where you can go makes this an interesting read.
It is quite a quick read and is just over 200 pages long and this gives it a quick pace. This works well for this story and there are some shocking moments included. It does become tense and dramatic and kept me avidly turning the pages through to the end.
There are a couple of good twists with this one and if you are a fan of cyber, sci-fi thriller then this one may well appeal to you. I found it an addictive read and I would be very happy to recommend it to other readers. ...more
This is the 3rd book in the Detective Elin Warner series and another mind-twister from this author. The story is set over two timelines and the authorThis is the 3rd book in the Detective Elin Warner series and another mind-twister from this author. The story is set over two timelines and the author gradually links the two together. Along the way, there are some serious twists, plenty of shocks and a realisation that things are never what they seem.
Elin and her brother Isaac are on holiday in Portugal, it is a chance for them to reconnect and spend time together. Elin has been through some rough patches and needs time to get her head around things. Unfortunately for her, Isaac has misled her. He has been asked if he will take a look at an off-grid camp for one of his friends, he is worried about his sister who is missing.
The past is the story of the missing sister, Kier and her boyfriend Zeph have been together and seemed happy. But they had then split just before her brother's wedding. Disappearing off to Portugal and being seen at the off-grid camp.
Once again the author has created a fabulous story with so much tension, drama and suspense. It is such an addictive one and it was only a few page sin that I realised how much I was going to adore this one.
The themes the author touches on are serious, there is trauma, abuse and manipulation. Alongside this, there is also a crime, but how that crime became one and the journey to finding the answers is one that I never saw coming. There were times when I thought I had the answer only to find that my thoughts had been sidestepped by this clever author.
This story has a few characters, they have their roles but there is always the sense that some of them are guarded, hiding things and not letting on what they really know. Once you get to the end and understand the plot you realise why this is important and also how integral it is.
This is a tense and dramatic story, it is set in a secluded area and so this only gives a few options about the who, why, when and all the other questions that need answering. There is a lot of soul-searching for several of the characters and this adds a more personal touch to the story.
I adored this one and I am sorry to see that this is the end of this series, it has been a wonderful one. The other two books in this series are The Sanitorium and The Retreat. I am looking forward to what the author writes next.
If you are looking for a suspense-filled crime thriller then this is one that you may want to have a look at. I have enjoyed all three books and I would definitely recommend this one as well. ...more
This is a very twisted story and one that involves manipulation. The author has woven a story about two women, one with nothing and one who seems to hThis is a very twisted story and one that involves manipulation. The author has woven a story about two women, one with nothing and one who seems to have it all.
Sasha has a busy lifestyle, she has a corporate job that involves helping with branding and running campaigns. She is married with two step-children and wants to have a baby of her own, but is struggling with IVF.
Jenna applies for a job and gets it working as Sasha's assistant, she has recently arrived in London and has just found a box room to rent and with a second job she can just about make ends meet. Her lifestyle is very different from Sasha's.
Both women have hectic lives, but there is a bit more room for manoeuvre for Jenna, she can provide more support to Sasha thereby making herself more invaluable. The two become friends, but there is still that professional boundary and there are times when this is reinforced.
On the outside, it looks like the women are very different, but they are actually similar in their determination and stubborn doggedness. Working together things are let slip into conversations and one gets more of an insight into the life of the other.
The author has brought together two characters and I have to say I didn't really warm to one of them and it shows the manipulation at play, it also gives a good psychological angle. The book starts in the present and then flits back to when Jenna arrives for her interview and then leads up to the starting point, but then the author takes it further which adds another dimension to an already twisted psychological thriller.
Working in the corporate offices, the author takes a look behind the scenes as such. Showing the toxic work life and how the risk of failure is higher than moral standards. It is all about success, it is power and money. Walking over people is one way to achieve and retain your position. But, once that is gone you are on your own.
This is a brilliant story and one that gets under your skin. The manipulative tactics, the subtle events and the way the author has brought the elements together are very good. It is one for those who enjoy a twisted fiction story with a psychological thriller edge to it and one I would happily recommend.
This book is beyond awesome! What a devious author Barbara Copperthwaite is!
The synopsis, though brief, is intriguing and as I read it back after finiThis book is beyond awesome! What a devious author Barbara Copperthwaite is!
The synopsis, though brief, is intriguing and as I read it back after finishing the book I realise how clever it is. Just the merest of hints that give nothing away about what it contained inside the cover.
They say that you never know what truly goes on behind closed doors. Those doors in this this story belong to the family home, an office, a bedroom and a flat. The secrets that are contained behind those doors are the secrets of the individuals that occupy them.
I loved the dramatic way the story starts. Its Christmas Day and the police arrive. The story then backtracks for the members of the Thomas family painting a picture of them as a family as well as them individually. The author has cleverly spun a web and added more and more deception until things are brought up to the arrival of the police. Then things slot in place, well almost…
The Thomas family are: Benjamin, the father, an accountant that is in trouble. Dominique is the mum who isn’t quite a in control as she appears to be. Ruby, 15 year old daughter is being bullied and doesn’t tell her family and finally 8 year Amber the youngest, who prefers to hide in small spaces and is called “Mouse” because of this. What appears on the outside to be a successful family is one that behind the front door is one struggling. Their stories about their struggles are individual, but when they come together as a family the dynamic shown is one that is tense and edgy.
Keeping things to yourself and not admitting that you are struggling is something that is at the core of the story. These things become secretive and eventually controlling, it then affects your mood, decisions and how you interact with other people. This is where the author really has played her cards so well in writing this story. She has successfully woven a tale that had me on the edge of my seat and I was powerless to stop reading, I started this book mid evening and turned the last page in the early hours of the morning.
By the end of the book I actually punched the air! What an ending!
This is such a wonderfully wicked, deceptively devious and magnificently manipulative from start to finish. It is a book that I would absolutely recommend!
Merged review:
This book is beyond awesome! What a devious author Barbara Copperthwaite is!
The synopsis, though brief, is intriguing and as I read it back after finishing the book I realise how clever it is. Just the merest of hints that give nothing away about what it contained inside the cover.
They say that you never know what truly goes on behind closed doors. Those doors in this this story belong to the family home, an office, a bedroom and a flat. The secrets that are contained behind those doors are the secrets of the individuals that occupy them.
I loved the dramatic way the story starts. Its Christmas Day and the police arrive. The story then backtracks for the members of the Thomas family painting a picture of them as a family as well as them individually. The author has cleverly spun a web and added more and more deception until things are brought up to the arrival of the police. Then things slot in place, well almost…
The Thomas family are: Benjamin, the father, an accountant that is in trouble. Dominique is the mum who isn’t quite a in control as she appears to be. Ruby, 15 year old daughter is being bullied and doesn’t tell her family and finally 8 year Amber the youngest, who prefers to hide in small spaces and is called “Mouse” because of this. What appears on the outside to be a successful family is one that behind the front door is one struggling. Their stories about their struggles are individual, but when they come together as a family the dynamic shown is one that is tense and edgy.
Keeping things to yourself and not admitting that you are struggling is something that is at the core of the story. These things become secretive and eventually controlling, it then affects your mood, decisions and how you interact with other people. This is where the author really has played her cards so well in writing this story. She has successfully woven a tale that had me on the edge of my seat and I was powerless to stop reading, I started this book mid evening and turned the last page in the early hours of the morning.
By the end of the book I actually punched the air! What an ending!
This is such a wonderfully wicked, deceptively devious and magnificently manipulative from start to finish. It is a book that I would absolutely recommend!...more
This book reads like a dystopian but is set in 2010. It has a big brother feel to it and it is one that I found fascinating once I got to grips with iThis book reads like a dystopian but is set in 2010. It has a big brother feel to it and it is one that I found fascinating once I got to grips with it.
The author uses a few characters that gradually lead you through the story, it twists and is quite difficult to pin down initially. Soon I started to get to know the characters and discovered that not everyone is being truthful. In a seedy club, Dr Langlley is delivering a speech, it is quiet and not dramatic but it seems to enthrall people, it changes them, but not all. Peter seems to be immune to this message as does another woman.
While one starts to research Langley and what he represents the other goes back into his past to discover things he had forgotten about. The past holds secrets for him.
This is a twisted psychological thriller, it’s one of those that captured my attention while I was reading it, I understood it and it is now I come to write my review I am struggling to form the right words. It mixes AI with criminal gangs, psychopathy, research, power and corruption. The emphasis is on people being controlled and how they are made to do things from subliminal messages.
Before the internet, we were not as exposed to algorithms and our digital lives being tracked and monitored, but now if we look at one thing on the internet or a social media site, then we have multiple suggestions popping up. The author uses AI and how it can be used in nefarious ways and by contorting a person’s way of thinking.
This is such an interesting book and one that is so hard to review, it was a psychological thriller but in a sort of quieter way, there was an emphasis on things needing to be done in a certain time frame but it didn’t feel fast-paced or rushed. I think this is because the characters needed time to process and understand things that kept it more under control. Apologies for this convoluted review, I did say it was a hard one to review!
If you are a fan of psychological fiction, mystery, subliminal messages and a warped idea of control then this is a book you may well be interested in. It takes some getting into but once there it is definitely worth it, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I would happily recommend it....more
Having read, some but not all of this author's previous books, I was eager to read this one. He does do speculative and dystopian fiction well, makingHaving read, some but not all of this author's previous books, I was eager to read this one. He does do speculative and dystopian fiction well, making you stop and think. This one is no exception.
What if you wanted to become a parent but cannot afford to? How about a virtual child who lives in the metaverse, it will grow and learn, and it can be designed to have certain characteristics or features. Think about those games we had a few years ago where you had to keep a virtual pet alive, similar to this scenario, but this virtual child becomes more like real life than real life does.
The author has taken the concept of living in a virtual world to the next stage, not just popping in a headset and spending a few hours touring but feeling, and experiencing being a parent. The author uses a competition that selects various people who want to be parents to participate in a game show. They are allowed to experience parenthood over nine months. At the end of this, the child will be 18 years old. The winner will have a few options to choose as their prize.
This speculation as to how people could and maybe would behave is insightful and gives some unexpected challenges and ideas as to how the virtual child is seen. Are they real? Well, they learn, or the program allows them to learn and take on their mannerisms, emotions and reactions so it gives the idea that they are real. In the virtual universe, they feel real as well. It is only when the parent steps away back into the real world that the realisation that the real world does not have the same appeal as the virtual.
Before you think that this could not happen, how many of you disappear for a couple of hours into your phone and do not realise how much time has elapsed? What about the gamers who will go several hours without taking a break from their game? Not as far-fetched as you first thought, is it? Even simpler is how many of us have been absorbed by reading a book, same thing when you think about it!!!
The author takes this concept of virtual children to a very good place, one that shows the good and the bad and the possible. There is more to this, if you have read any books by the author then you will know there is another plot in play and this one was amazing! Nope, not saying anything about it.
What I will say though is that the author creates a scenario that plays to the vulnerabilities of people, especially those who want a child in a world where it is too expensive, where the NHS does not fund and gives the real world a bleak outlook for his characters. He does this well and it is not so much about the areas that the characters live in, but more about how they feel about themselves.
This is a brilliant book and the story spans several genres, speculative fiction, fiction, contemporary, thriller and there is a psychological feel throughout as the story focuses on people and their actions and reactions. Brilliant story and one I would definitely recommend. ...more
This was such an interesting read, it focuses on Ken and her others, the others being personalities that are part of her Dissociative Identity DisordeThis was such an interesting read, it focuses on Ken and her others, the others being personalities that are part of her Dissociative Identity Disorder, often referred to as DID system. I have read books about characters having multiple identities but I think this is the first time I have read a book that has as many identities as Ken does.
Ken is such an interesting one to get to know as she has been dormant for 6 years, when she resurfaces and becomes the main identity she finds that one of her other personalities has set her up in a job as a caretaker on an island. In the past, the other personalities have been more aware of what has been happening, but this time they are at a bit of a loss. The journey to the island reveals a little of the history and when she finally arrives she is given a little more information.
This book took me a little while to get to grips with as there are several characters, many of which are Ken's other identities. The author does make things clear as I was taken between identities and given more insight into this disorder. The mystery of the island is a dark one and does not become fully evident until a bit further into the story. This trickles through and gradually adds more mystery and at times more confusion.
The setting of the island is good because it gives that locked-in mystery touch, the island becomes isolated, there is no outside communication and there is a murder, so it does give you the right vibes. The way the murder is solved is given a twist because of Ken and her other identities. The stability of Ken's mental health is something that the author uses to good effect, juggling identities, personalities, the stress of the island and trying to work out the answers adds a different twist to this genre.
This is an interesting and at times dark read. I enjoyed the identity disorder side of this book and I think I came away with a slightly better understanding of a disorder I haven't really read much about. The mix of psychological and mystery with dashes of historical elements made for a story that felt different and it is one I would happily recommend.
What a deliciously dark story this was, it has two different storylines and while I wasn't sure how they would join, they were both interesting in theWhat a deliciously dark story this was, it has two different storylines and while I wasn't sure how they would join, they were both interesting in their ways.
Nicola, her son George and her partner Matt had not meant to be staying at the guest house they ended up in. It was a surprise that Matt had organised, everything that could go wrong did. Instead of a lovely warm hotel, they are in a dark, gloomy guest house where the owner has a series of rules. The owners are as creepy as their house. Other guests are staying and each of them is not exactly pleased with the rules, but as the snow is now coming down thick and fast they have no choice but to stay put and abide by the rules.
The author does such a good job of describing the house, and the owners and also giving a back story to this creepy house. It is the 10th anniversary of a murder and once those staying there find this out there is some tension and edginess. The author has created a locked room mystery within the house and the setting of the Isle of Skye adds even more remoteness to the scenario.
I did mention two storylines, one is the main bulk of the story and the focus with Nicola trying to put things together and Matt getting annoyed that she cannot leave her "police head" on holiday mode. The other is a podcast, short sections that are dropped in between the main story. This one left me puzzled and it was not until much later in the book when it suddenly dawned on me what and how it was connected. It caught me completely unaware!
The author definitely knows how to gradually increase tension and suspicion and she does this with great effect with her characters. There is a sense of distrust and because each of the chapters is from the perspective of alternating people you are never quite sure who can be trusted. I do like this way of telling things as you get little snippets of a character's darkest secrets or motives.
This is a wonderfully paced story that increases its pace and keeps me turning the pages. I wanted to know and found that the answers were gradually given but more questions arose. There is a dramatic conclusion and it was a satisfying one as well. Great for readers who like a tense, atmospheric, locked-room mystery and thriller story. Addictive and creepy and one I would definitely recommend....more
When four teens get the chance to attend a prestigious boarding school as part of a scholarship program, they are excited and apprehensive. They are jWhen four teens get the chance to attend a prestigious boarding school as part of a scholarship program, they are excited and apprehensive. They are joining other students, some of whom have been boarding the school for many years. The four are, Rose, Sami, Marta and Lloyd, they are naturally drawn to each other as they begin this new phase of their lives.
This story has some stereotyping, and the author uses it to good effect. The contrast between how those who live at boarding schools and those who have won scholarships starts to become a little more obvious as the story unfolds. There is very much an us and them type of environment, yet academically the four are just as, if not more so the ones who top the tables with grades.
The story takes a dark turn when an accident occurs. From this point, the four are more alone than they have ever been, but it also means they bond more and then learn more about each other. While they are trying to do what they feel is the right thing, others are still hounding them, marking them out and making them look over their shoulders constantly, although some of this could be down to a feeling of guilt as well.
The author does a great job of explaining the main four and also those whom they are in more contact with, so other teachers and students. The story is told from the perspective of Rose as she reflects on what happened and why. The story does merge fully but the journey from the beginning to the end is twisted, full of deception, friendship and loyalty.
This story deals with some dark themes and while it is a book that deals with teens, this is not a book I would suggest is aimed at teens. At times the author takes the plot a little too far, and I did think it started to become a little too much as keeping within the feel of realism, but not so much that it was wildly over the top.
This is full of drama, tension, teen angst, mystery, thriller, psychological and crime genres all rolled in together. It took a while for me to get into it, but after a few chapters I found I needed to know what was going to happen and soon found myself addicted. A good story and one that I would happily recommend. ...more
This is a wonderfully atmospheric and eerie book. It has a fictional setting, but the author does a great job of describing it and the area, that she This is a wonderfully atmospheric and eerie book. It has a fictional setting, but the author does a great job of describing it and the area, that she had me convinced it could be real!
The setting works so well for this story as the Crow Moon is on the 21st of March, it is the time of year when we are still in the cold of winter but seeing the dawn of spring. The days tend to be damp and overcast with foggy or misty layers. This time of year fits so well with the eerieness of the story and the folklore that has been woven in.
The main character is Martha, she had been a reporter but after her twins died she stepped away. Only when one of her son's friends disappears does she become interested enough to start looking for her own clues. She thinks there is more to the disappearance, and her fear is palpable.
This is such a tense story that mixes the feel of a gothic thriller with a modern setting. The folklore is brought into play and a supernatural feel that sends shivers, the author uses this to great effect and it makes you wonder just how much truth there is behind the fiction!
The cast of characters is enough, for it was anyway. They had a role to play and there is an unknown character that appears in italics. I do love a mystery italicised cast member! The character of Martha has a fragility to her, but she is tough and when she believes in an idea she will follow it through. She does have the support of a DI Derek Summers, who is investigating the case and this makes for a great bit of teamwork, well when they share information that is.
While this is a story about death and grief it is also about moving on and taking a breath to make another step forward. Being stuck in a rut or routine, hiding away is all well and good, but sometimes you need something to steer you out. The author does this for Martha and as I got to know her I could see there is much more to learn.
This is the first book and one that lays down the basics of Martha, her family and those in her life. As the story progresses, the author takes darker and more mysterious turns adding a brilliant sense of nervous tension, with a sense of anxiety and stress as the story gains more intrigue.
If you are a fan of eerie thrillers then this is one for you, I adored the creepy feel and the psychological edge to this book. Brilliant debut novel and one I would definitely recommend.
This is a book that took me quite a while to get into. I didn't seem to be able to get my head around it and did re-read the synopsis a couple of timeThis is a book that took me quite a while to get into. I didn't seem to be able to get my head around it and did re-read the synopsis a couple of times. I almost did think about giving up on it, but something told me to hang on and try for a bit longer. I am glad I did. It took me a couple of days to read around 30%, but then one day to read the rest!!!
The story is that of Edward, as the synopsis suggests he is living in a world he cannot afford. If you think of The Talented Mr. Ripley or Saltburn, then you will be on the right track. Edward is a tutor and has very rich friends, one is Stanza who he is a little bit fixated with. The other friend is Robert, Stanza's boyfriend, this didn't sit well with Edward, but things are what they are.
Edward is one of those guys who will do anything for his friends, to the point where they actually use him like a doormat. But, while he comes across as being affable not everyone likes him that much. Some are wary that others find him annoying and others creepy. Each to their own I suppose.
The beginning of the story is a slower plod along in the life of Edward, what he does, his conversations, what he thinks, who he sees and the like. But it is a way of getting to know him and the circle he mixes with.
As the story then deepens it becomes a bit more shady, well not dodgy shady but more, nervy I suppose. The sense of things going dark and not being completely above board starts to emerge, little whisps at the beginning, of things being not said but not unsaid. Sorry, it seems I am getting very random and abstract here! But this is how I feel about the story as I write this review and don't want to give things away.
My the end of the story, (yeah I am jumping forward) I found myself wondering how on earth Edward ended up as he did. Talk about shocking! The transformation from the Edward of before to the one at the end was gradual and it was also quite cleverly done. It gave it a psychological edge as things seem to ravel and unravel and circumstances change. This is a book that I think will be a hit with some but not all, a Marmite book if you like.
I liked this one, if I could have speeded the first 30% up it would have been good, but then would I have understood Ed2ward as well? Probably not.
A mix of genres for this one, some mystery and psychological aspects especially manipulation, a contemporary fiction that is character-led and one that I would happily recommend. ...more
This is the 2nd book I have read by this author and he makes his books very easy to read. Not full of jargon, but instead more of a layperson's view. This is the 2nd book I have read by this author and he makes his books very easy to read. Not full of jargon, but instead more of a layperson's view. The opinions in this book are the author's own and he does make this very clear at the end.
This book looks at serial killers and what makes them tick. It is not a comprehensive look into each of those he has chosen to include, but a snapshot of their mindset and how they express themselves when asked for their account of the crimes they committed. The author has been in contact with serial killers in person and also through other forms of correspondence, he has also interviewed family members.
The author shares his findings and thoughts, he often refers back to earlier sections or forward to future sections. It may sound a little disjointed but it did actually help to highlight a key point he was trying to make. He does reference some of his other books as well.
This is an interesting book and one for those who maybe want to start reading about true crime as it does give several killers to look at. For me it is interesting from a morbid curiosity stance, wanting to know a little bit more about them how they could conceive of getting away with what they did and how they validated their crimes.
If you are looking for a more reference or researched book then this is not the one for you, although it is still good reading.
Interesting for true crime, and non-fiction readers and one I would be happy to recommend.
I like to read books about true crime, especially ones that look at cases from the past and how treatments were performed. The author has brought all I like to read books about true crime, especially ones that look at cases from the past and how treatments were performed. The author has brought all these things together to look at cases from the past and also some of the more recent ones. American serial killers are most often represented on streaming shows and there is also a good amount from other countries as well.
I think there is an interest in how people's minds work, especially those of serial killers, a morbid curiosity if you like. So this book looks at cases, treatments and how the plea of insanity is used in defense. Sometimes it works and at others, it does not, the author does ask at the end of each chapter if you think the killer is mad, insane or just evil.
The author has quite a laid-back way of presenting his findings, the cases, the treatments and also how the trials went with the outcomes. At times he has quite a jovial manner and this is actually quite refreshing and it does lighten the mood of what could be an intense subject. This does not mean he is joking about the crimes or the impacts though. He does not rely on the heavy use of jargon which again is good as it means the book keeps the readers' interest as it is not to science or education.
This is the first book I have read by this author but I am aware of him writing others, these are referred to several times during the book. Others are also referred to and one of these I have read.
This is a well-laid-out book, it is the author's opinions and he does have a good background to be able to make the observations he does. He has a background as an Intelligence Officer and has interviewed many serial killers. This is an author who would definitely make an interesting conversationalist as a dinner guest!
I liked this book a lot and I will be looking at reading more of his books.
This is a book that will interest those who have a, yes I am going to use the phrase again, 'morbid fascination' with serial killers, insanity pleas, and want a more relaxed approach rather than a technical or jargon-laden book. It is one I would definitely recommend. ...more
This is the first book in the DS Ronnie DElmas series and what an amazing introduction this book is to Ronnie. The book focuses on the Slade family anThis is the first book in the DS Ronnie DElmas series and what an amazing introduction this book is to Ronnie. The book focuses on the Slade family and in particular Amie Slade. She lives with her older brother Andrew, her mum and dad Maeve and Stuart. The family is broken with Maeve being obsessive about having an orderly and tidy house, Andrew is always in his room and getting ready to go to university and Stuart is about to drop a bombshell.
Amie is a young teen who has had trouble in past. She was the victim of sexual abuse and this is something that hangs over her constantly as you would expect. She moves schools and has only one friend.
Ronnie (Veronica) is a hard-working single mum and also a Detective Sergeant, she has split from her husband and has two children. She has a secret from her past. Her second in command so to speak is Baz, he is someone whom she is not totally sure about and when an accusation is made about Ronnie she is not sure who made it. Ronnie has some very close friends and she will rely on these as this complex case gradually unfolds.
What is the case? Well, that is not really revealed as such until much later when the body of a woman is discovered. The author cleverly lays out the story and gives a lot of information leading up to the discovery of the body which occurs when a child goes missing.
This story will have you second-guessing yourself, well it did me for sure. I like it when an author can twist me around like this. One moment feeling sorry then suspicious and then guilty for feeling suspicious. This is something that I love in a psychological thriller and this definitely has a psychological theme to it.
The story starts out well and there was something about it that just kept me hooked and I found myself just reading one more chapter, and another until I got to the end. There were many twists and revelations to be had.
Seeing this is the start of the series I am looking forward to getting to know Ronnie a bit more. She is definitely a female lead that I like. If you are a fan of very devious and twisted psychological crime thrillers then this is one that will keep you on your toes. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book. ...more
This is a fabulously twisted and atmospheric psychological thriller. Anne O, the 'O' is for Ogilvy, her surname and 'Oh my goodness' and 'Oh, I didn'tThis is a fabulously twisted and atmospheric psychological thriller. Anne O, the 'O' is for Ogilvy, her surname and 'Oh my goodness' and 'Oh, I didn't expect that!'.
Anna O is asleep, she has been for four years continuously and the trial is on hold until she wakes. The trial is for the murder she committed, or maybe committed. Nobody seems to know what happened until she wakes and the case can finally close.
This is a book that is slower-paced as such and very deep, looking into several people and their interactions with each other. It is one where I was never sure where the story was going, well I thought I did, but then other things began to emerge and throw me.
Anna is moved to a sleep clinic where she comes under the care of Dr Benedict PRince, he is a lecturer and a forensic psychologist and he is tasked with trying to find a way of waking Anna up. He sort of has a connection to this case as it was his ex-wife who originally attended the scene, she is in the police and was first on the scene.
The story emerges and there are sections from a notebook Anna has kept. This gives you an insight into what was going on in her life before the murders and her falling asleep. Around that there is the main story of Ben, how he is trying to wake her, some psychological profiles, mentions of different diagnoses and all-in-all quite a lot of information relevant to the story. I really enjoyed this and for me, it really added to the story as it sort of added credence to the character of Ben.
Anna O was a real person, a search on the internet will give you information about her ( I should mention that this case was not something that the author has referred to, just something I have come across).
I have, however, seen an article from the author who based this book on real-life events, one is of people committing murder while sleepwalking the other is his study of resignation syndrome, which is where people fall asleep for years with no medical reason. Putting these two concepts together and then researching to create such an enigmatic story makes for addictive reading.
By the end of the book I found myself completely turned around, and so very far from where I thought this would go. I for one completely enjoyed this and it is one for those who like twisted thriller with a strong psychological premise, some great research and one that makes you think. There were a couple of times when I paused to think about what had just happened, to process the next twist or to just wallow in the eureka moment only to have another eureka moment later on!
Addictive, brilliant and one I would definitely recommend. ...more
Thom moved to Australia to study journalism there. It was a way of escaping his past and giving himself some distance from the ideologies that initialThom moved to Australia to study journalism there. It was a way of escaping his past and giving himself some distance from the ideologies that initially got him into trouble in the UK. Now in Sydney, he is living with Craig and is doing well for himself. He comes across a story about the death of a teen involved in a riot. Thinking this could be something, Thom decides to follow it up and finds himself in a whole lot of trouble in a country that he is only just starting to understand.
This was such a good book and one that soon became one that I could not put down. A fabulous thriller that has a great psychological edge to it as there are so many mind games that the author has brought into this story. While it is the story of Thom and what he thinks is right, it is also about his naivety and, what some may call, his recklessness.
It is when he becomes the focus of Detective Rob Morton's eye that things start to become more twisted, devious and dangerous. It makes for an addictive and adrenalin-fuelled read.
Thom is one of those characters who feels like he is doing the right thing when he decides to delve into the story of a dead teenager, but he doesn't realise that there are so many things he just doesn't understand. He thinks he is an adult but his 20-odd years haven't really equipped him for what he finds himself in the middle of.
The author has done such a good job of giving Thom security with his partner Craig and in some ways, this makes him naive as Craig is a lot older and more worldly wise. It is a bit of an eye-opener when Thom starts to doubt what he knows and suddenly he finds himself, not the truthful wannabe-journalist, but someone who does not understand or see the bigger picture.
When he does start to learn what is going on, he realises the danger he is actually in.
This is a dark and brilliant psychological thriller that twists and weaves through Sydney. It is a brilliant book to introduce me to this author and I will be looking forward to reading a lot more. It is one I would definitely recommend.
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