Following on from the first book in the series, The Hill, the story continues as the original bachelor party—well, those still alive—make their way inFollowing on from the first book in the series, The Hill, the story continues as the original bachelor party—well, those still alive—make their way into the nearby village.
Ryan and brother Aaron now find themselves in the village, a remote Sottish Village that has all the basics but also some of the same fungi-covered humans that they had left behind at the cottage. There are also the same corkscrew-type devices that seem to be the origin of the oil, fungi and four-legged insects!
Ryan and Aaron make their way to the church where they see there are survivors, Aaron doesn't make it and has to take care of himself. Ryan tries all he can to get to his brother and he is sort of helped by Cameron a big Scotsman with a hatred of "the English", a vicar, and a handful of others.
Things in this book take a turn for the worse, the danger of infection from this mutant fungus stuff is still very evident. The chance of being cut and infected becomes an increasing possibility as when humans have been infected they do morph into something other world.
Again the sense of dread and fear is abundant throughout the book, there is a sense of doom as the group try to survive and also piece together any little hint or reason behind this attack or what may work to stop it.
Will help come? Is this a country-wide problem or is it isolated? In any case, how can this be stopped before more people are infected?
Another quick read at less than 200 pages but still addictive and fast-paced. There is a sense of horror to it and I am really enjoying this book and look forward to seeing what happens next. I would happily recommend this book. ...more
I got this book for my Kindle in the summer and have not got around to reading it. I have seen this author's books on various platforms and decided toI got this book for my Kindle in the summer and have not got around to reading it. I have seen this author's books on various platforms and decided to give this one a go.
A bachelor party in a remote part of Scotland should be a chance to celebrate friendships and get back together again to share stories, drink a lot and have a laugh. After a long drive, the five friends arrive at the cottage that sits within the shadow of a hill. It is during their first night that they hear a sound like a thump and decide to investigate. Climbing the hill in the dark and while drunk is not the best idea, tempers are frayed and then there is the object.
Sean is the most daring, annoying and gobby one of the bunch, it is he who decides to see what this object is, he doesn't see what the bother is about or what the item could be. it is not until he gets back to the cottage that he discovers there is some sort of green fungi on his hands. And so it begins...
This is a great start to a series that I believe is currently standing at 6 books. This first one is a quickish read, well it is only 162 pages. I decided to read just a couple of chapters before going to bed, Big, Big Mistake! I rad it in one go as I could not put it down.
This is a book that looks at the relationships that have changed over a few years, but it is the introduction to the series and it is a good starting point.
As I write this review, this book is on Kindle Unlimited and I have just got the 2nd book and will be reading it next.
This is a good one for fans of mystery, science fiction, dystopian and otherworldly genres. I really enjoyed this one and I would recommend it. ...more
I adored the original Robert Van Gulik Judge Dee mystery books. Qiu Xiaolong has taken over writing more in this series and trying to keep the originaI adored the original Robert Van Gulik Judge Dee mystery books. Qiu Xiaolong has taken over writing more in this series and trying to keep the original author's style and prose.
Judge Dee is getting on, he has more aches and pains than he cares to admit to. He would prefer to be settled rather than travelling the countryside solving mysteries and crimes. Empress Wu, however, has different ideas and sets hi the task of locating a poet who roused the rebels with a poem "A Call to Arms".
There is very little for Dee to go on and soon discovers that the poet, Luo Bingwang, is more of an enigma. There have been rumours some saying he died in the battle or that he has just disappeared into the wind.
As Dee travels, asks questions, ponders life and remembers poems from his past and of those told to him on his journey, he is gradually piecing together things he comes across. There is something more sinister that follows his path though and he is soon aware that there is something more sinister afoot.
This was such a good read and one that reminded me of the Gulik version of the stories. The author chose a story that he felt would fit with Gulik's style and mentions at the end of the book how he was surprised that Gulik never used this one. The stories are based in fact and there is a good amount of historical notes at the end and this adds more information to the era of the time the stories are set.
This is another wonderful read, the narrative is broken up with lines of poetry. This is part of a series, it can be read as a follow-on from the Gulik novels or just with this author's novels. This is more of a whodunnit style of mystery, there is not the overabundance of drama, high-tech wizardry or fast pacing. It is a book and a series I would happily recommend as it gives a glimpse into the way of life during the Tang Dynasty. ...more
While I have not read all of the books in this series, picking up another DI Barton thriller has been great. The Village Killer is an intense crime thWhile I have not read all of the books in this series, picking up another DI Barton thriller has been great. The Village Killer is an intense crime thriller that sees Barton and his team chasing and trying to put together a myriad of clues, hints, rumours and secrets.
Barton has been at a desk and is given the opportunity to return to Major Crimes, he has a chance to get back together with some of his old team and meet some newcomers to the team. It is with his wife's approval that he returns, over the years he has missed spending time with his family, but now they are growing up his wife gives him the push he needs to return. Wanting to solve another case, he is looking back at what he has achieved and wants more to look back on.
With a missing teen and a threat against a woman, he is soon back in the thick of things. There is a problem though, nothing adds up, nothing makes sense and he is wondering what is going on. Things take a turn for the worse when a body is discovered soon to be followed by another.
This is a tense and quite dramatic thriller, I really liked the way the author brought the team together and the way the case is worked, giving those new to the team a chance to prove their worth and supporting those who have had a change in family circumstances.
The case sees Barton and the team back and forth to the village of Castor. Wealth is in evidence in the area with large houses, pools and cars, but beneath the facade, all is not as it seems. Trying to work out who is telling the truth and not bending it or out and out lying is a task and a half. It certainly had me scratching my head. The author does a great job of skewing the readers' opinions and perspectives as the case unfolds. Keeping an open mind and being open to suggestions encourages the team to think outside the box but also work together to a conclusion.
This is another fabulous thriller in the series and does read well as a stand-alone, it is obviously better to read in the order of the series as you do get to understand the pasts and experiences of the team, although references are made to previous events.
If you are a fan of tense police procedural crime thrillers then this is one to have on your list. I would definitely recommend it. ...more
This is the 12th book in The James Ryker Series and this one works very well as a standalone. I have not read all of these but this one is fast-paced This is the 12th book in The James Ryker Series and this one works very well as a standalone. I have not read all of these but this one is fast-paced from start to finish.
James Ryker is a pain in the proverbial for his sort of boss Winter and this is a constant in this story. While Ryker is good at what he does, he is also very focused on trying to pin down the Syndicate, a group that he believes runs countries, politics, and business and will do anything to keep their power and money. Ryker finds out that there is more at play than just what he is being told.
Ismail Karaman is on the most wanted list but seems to be able to come and go as he pleases. Ryker wants him as he may be the ticket to getting more info on the syndicate. He is not the only one who wants him, Angel wants him and she wants him to suffer for how he ruined her life.
This is definitely one for fans of the Reacher style of book and I can see why this James Ryker has been likened to him. Ryker is a moody, Bond/ Reacher character but with some sense of right and wrong, but he is blinded by his focus on the syndicate and Karaman. Angel coming along causes problems but she is only the start of the problems.
In the world of espionage, politics, power and money there is never going to be complete trust and this becomes more and more obvious as the story weaves its way around Europe. The story is tense and dramatic and I could pretty much visualise this as I was reading the book, the author has a great way of describing things and setting the scene, painting the picture and with his characters.
There is some violence as you would expect and this is all in keeping with the story, it is on point and works so well within the context.
This is a fast book, it doesn't let up and there are some brilliant dramatic scenes. This is one for fans of crime, thriller, action and adventure books and one I would definitely recommend....more
I saw this book doing the rounds and decided to give it a try. It is a fun book to read and kept me entertained.
Jeannie takes over the running of theI saw this book doing the rounds and decided to give it a try. It is a fun book to read and kept me entertained.
Jeannie takes over the running of the Pumpkin Spice Café in Dream Harbor. She has spent most of her life working hard, and the chance to run the café may help her mingle with others. It is not the start she hoped for as there seems to be something amiss with the café. She almost takes out a delivery guy, odd sounds and some random things are going on.
Luckily for her, the delivery guy is a local farmer, Logan, he brings fresh produce to the café and he is single. While there is some initial attraction between the two of them, the locals are very wary of anyone who may want to break Logan's heart again.
This is a fun read and one that is very easy to while away an afternoon with. Some underlying storylines gradually emerge and on the whole, it is a good read. There are some obvious stereotypes and tropes in this book that give it that cute, sweet, will they/ won't they vibes.
This is the first book in the series and I will be reading the next one. This is a cosy autumnal read that has some spicy scenes and will be ideal if you are looking for a quick easy and cheeky read. Happy to recommend this. ...more
This is the first time I have read anything from this author and I already have the second book in this series lined up to read!
The Burning Men is theThis is the first time I have read anything from this author and I already have the second book in this series lined up to read!
The Burning Men is the first book in the DI Alex Finn series. Alex Finn has just lost his wife and returns to work rather quickly, some think too quickly, but this is how he deals with the grief. He is in charge of the case of a man who has burned to death. He was a fireman and was part of a close-knit group that worked together in the London Fire Brigade.
Joining the team is DC Mattie Paulson, she has been transferred and no one seems to really know much about her. She does keep to herself which is not going to go down too well with the rest of the team.
As the investigation starts it is up to the team to join the dots and try to discover what happened when a second body is found burned to death. There is a link but quite what that is and how things are connected takes a lot of working out for the team. With crime, not everyone tells the truth and there is no exception with this crime story.
It is always great to start a new series and I do like characters that have some interesting aspects to them. Finn and Paulson definitely have some unique traits and there is also Ojo who works with them and helps to shed light on what it is to be a female working within the male-dominated team within the Met.
The author has brought some great angles to the story with his characters and also how he eventually links things together. There are suggestions as to what has happened or may have happened but not everything is clear until the author is ready to reveal the final results.
There are some dramatic scenes in this book, but these are not dwelt on too much. I don't really want to read about a body burning so I am grateful that the author only placed the basics there and it was enough for me to imagine but not feel as if I have lived through it.
This is a great start to a new-to-me crime series. This is one for those who like police procedural, crime, mystery and thriller reads. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and I would happily recommend it. ...more
I am a big fan of this author's Washington Poe series and thought it was about time to look at this series. Born in a Burial Gown is the first book inI am a big fan of this author's Washington Poe series and thought it was about time to look at this series. Born in a Burial Gown is the first book in the DI Avison Fluke series.
Set in Cumbria, the body of a young woman is found by a homeless person who was taking shelter on a construction site. Without this man witnessing the body being deposited, no one would have known she was there. With no clues to go on, Fluke and his team of misfits are tasked with discovering and solving this grim case.
The team Fluke leads is a mix of characters. His main sidekick is Towler, and like Fluke is ex-military. While Fluke is the leader, his team know their stuff and he leads only by name as he can trust his team to follow their initiatives.
This is such an interesting intro to this series and while there is a lot to pick up on with a new series, it has been done so well. Things are introduced gradually so that they follow an order that makes sense to the reader, well it did this one! Fluke is an interesting character and has secrets up his sleeve, one of which is his health and the other is the crime he committed to return to work. While he tries to balance that with the investigation there are times when things do start to unravel.
The murder case is full of mystery and intrigue. The victim is unknown and trying to discover her identity takes time, resources and the scarce details they have to go on rely more on the team's experience and intuition. This makes the plot of the story evolve and takes the reader on different thought routes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so many different ideas have been brought into the story. It is different to the POe books and I am so glad I picked this one up, definitely looking forward to reading the next book to get to know these characters more.
This is a fabulous author who edges towards the more grim side of crime and police investigations. He goes into good details and they fit in well with the story and the genre.
Fabulous book for those wanting to try a new series, for fans of crime, thrillers, murder and suspense. It is one I would recommend. ...more
This is another fabulous book in the Cornish Cove series, I love this series; this latest book has some new faces and some old ones.
Nancy had wanted This is another fabulous book in the Cornish Cove series, I love this series; this latest book has some new faces and some old ones.
Nancy had wanted to open a bookshop, and after receiving an inheritance from her Aunt she has her dream come to fruition. One problem though, is that she is not exactly business-minded and there is more money going out than coming in. Dennis is stopping with his Grandmother, Vi. If you have read the previous books you will certainly remember this "says exactly what she thinks" character.
Dennis meets Nancy and while there is a sort of attraction they are two very different people, Dennis is a business analyst and thinks about money and making the most he can. Nancy is a dreamer, believing in fate and what will be, will be. A clash of personality and opinion doesn't make the best first impression, but Dennis has a very good reason for wanting to help Nancy turn her bookshop around.
This is another fun read and it had me chuckling on a few occasions. But there is something more serious for our characters to overcome and that is very much to do with their pasts and also how they perceive things to be. It doesn't help that Nancy's brother has also been kicked out of his house again and it seems to prove that relationships are not something that everyone can have or make work.
There is a lot of tension simmering through the story and this has been done very well with the other subplots the whole thing comes together wonderfully. Opinions and observations are shared, and some soul-searching is required for several of the characters and the residents of Driftwood Bay are eager to help out where they can. I do like how the author has brought in new ideas for the bookshop and it fits in so well with Nancy and the way she sees life.
I really enjoyed this book and it was wonderful to be back at Driftwood Bay with the characters and the community. A fabulous story and one for fans of contemporary fiction and romance. I would definitely recommend this one. ...more
This is the 3rd book in the Alias Emma series, and while it can be read as a stand-alone I would recommend reading these books in order as they are faThis is the 3rd book in the Alias Emma series, and while it can be read as a stand-alone I would recommend reading these books in order as they are fabulous.
Emma Makepeace has been sent to Edinburgh as there has been a threat to the upcoming G7 summit. The threat is from Russia and an FSB director has been seen entering the country. He cannot be stopped due to diplomatic immunity, but this does not stop him from being followed. This is where Emma and the rest of the officers and agents are engaged. When I say agencies, I do mean the various British Agencies, the MI ones, the Secret Service, intelligence and all under scrutiny from not only politicians but also the Press.
Trying to keep things undercover is hard, there is always a way of things slipping out. Control is the key to this operation and if that is not enough, there is a deadline.
Once again the author has done an amazing job of slinging Emma right into the thick of things, not only does she show Emma's softer side she also adds some of her reservations. She is unsettled during this operation and the source is something of a shock, especially for Emma.
She is partnered by Mack, a Scottish officer who says what she thinks which is why she has been moved. Initially, she is not impressed with being pulled off her case to "babysit" Emma and it is obvious from the very moment they meet.
The action is full-on throughout this book, it is addictive and dangerous. There were unexpected moments and times when I was really on the edge of my seat. Once I had started this book I knew I didn't want to put it down. It was just as well that I was on annual leave so I could keep reading until the end.
A fabulous story with great characters, a tense storyline, dangerous situations and a cracking read from start to finish. It is one for those who like conspiracy and espionage reads, female leads, crime and thriller genres. I would definitely recommend it....more
Oh my goodness this was a fabulous and also emotional 3rd book in the Hedgehog Hollow series. I have adored each book as I have followed the journey oOh my goodness this was a fabulous and also emotional 3rd book in the Hedgehog Hollow series. I have adored each book as I have followed the journey of the characters.
This story focuses on Sam and Chloe, their story alternates and fills in some important events in Chloe's life, it also goes a good way to understanding her behaviour and gradually why she has upped and left her husband landing on Sam's doorstep with a baby in tow.
How Sam has the patience and energy to deal with all that is going on in her life is beyond me! The woman never stops and never thinks of herself, always there for others. With the running of the hedgehog rescue centre, additional family staying in the house and then Chloe's arrival she is run ragged. Something is going to give, quite how and what I will leave you to discover.
Over the course of the series, Chloe has been the demanding princess type, everything has been about her and how important her life is. This latest chapter of the series shows that there is more to Chloe than anyone realised and this is based on events in her teens. A secret that is so big that it threatens to tear her marriage apart.
Sam has her own problems and the author gives her quite a lot to cope with. Sam is a character who is always busy has miles of patience and she is a character that can take a lot of pressure. The author got the balance right for when the pressure gets too much.
This is another gorgeous instalment of the series and it is one that has a much more serious tone to it. Once again the author has created a story that is truly addictive and of course has gorgeous bundles of hedgehog-iness! A fabulous read and one for fans of contemporary fiction and stories about families and their trying times. And we have been left with such a tantalising teaser for the next book!!! It is a series and a book that I would definitely recommend.
Merged review:
Oh my goodness this was a fabulous and also emotional 3rd book in the Hedgehog Hollow series. I have adored each book as I have followed the journey of the characters.
This story focuses on Sam and Chloe, their story alternates and fills in some important events in Chloe's life, it also goes a good way to understanding her behaviour and gradually why she has upped and left her husband landing on Sam's doorstep with a baby in tow.
How Sam has the patience and energy to deal with all that is going on in her life is beyond me! The woman never stops and never thinks of herself, always there for others. With the running of the hedgehog rescue centre, additional family staying in the house and then Chloe's arrival she is run ragged. Something is going to give, quite how and what I will leave you to discover.
Over the course of the series, Chloe has been the demanding princess type, everything has been about her and how important her life is. This latest chapter of the series shows that there is more to Chloe than anyone realised and this is based on events in her teens. A secret that is so big that it threatens to tear her marriage apart.
Sam has her own problems and the author gives her quite a lot to cope with. Sam is a character who is always busy has miles of patience and she is a character that can take a lot of pressure. The author got the balance right for when the pressure gets too much.
This is another gorgeous instalment of the series and it is one that has a much more serious tone to it. Once again the author has created a story that is truly addictive and of course has gorgeous bundles of hedgehog-iness! A fabulous read and one for fans of contemporary fiction and stories about families and their trying times. And we have been left with such a tantalising teaser for the next book!!! It is a series and a book that I would definitely recommend....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
After reading and adoring this author's last trilogy I was eager to get into this one. It is set in a world that is set in a future, a war has split tAfter reading and adoring this author's last trilogy I was eager to get into this one. It is set in a world that is set in a future, a war has split the world and there are two sides. Hakara and her sister Rasha are caught up in this ever-changing world. Gods are roaming and people are being forced to choose sides. It is not guaranteed who will live and who will survive. The sisters are separated and one enters a new version of the world whereas the other manages to escape to remain in what is left of the old world. The dilemma for everyone in this world is that not everyone can transition to the new and will die.
Living together, the sisters make a meagre life, living in poverty and living by their wits. Hakara is the elder and keeps an eye out for Rasha, but when change comes looming overhead, the decision as to what to do is somewhat taken out of their hands. Rasha remains, and Hakara is taken into what is left of the old.
This is a story that is about change, giving with consequences and also about adapting to the way of life as it is now. Rahsa is adapting to her new life and those around her and the religion that she is now to follow.
Whereas Hakara is trying to continue with a life without her sister, she feels guilty for not being with her and is trying her hardest to find a way back to Rasha.
The author creates another fabulous world, full of action and adventure and a mass of characters. There are lots of cast but they do gradually become memorable and the author introduces them gradually. There are religions, beliefs, hierarchy, ways of life and the ins and outs of the two worlds.
Several other stories are also involved in this story, one involves searching for an old route into the Hollow world, another channels the magic of ems from the mines, the gods and also the symbiotic relationships that are also a good part of the story.
This is the first book in this trilogy and the author has included a lot of details and has set the scene for what is to follow. The author has created a fabulous world and one that I soon found myself absorbed into. I am definitely looking forward to the next in the trilogy.
This is one for those who like their fantasy reads with plenty of world-building, imaginative characters and creations. It is one I would definitely recommend.
Over the past couple of years or so I have been avidly reading The Love Heart Lane series by this author. This had recently ended but I was aware of aOver the past couple of years or so I have been avidly reading The Love Heart Lane series by this author. This had recently ended but I was aware of a new series and here is the first book in that series. A Postcard from Puffin Island has all the feels of a close-knit community and it was a wonderful way to meet the islanders of this island that has more Puffins than people.
Verity was supposed to be on the ferry to Amsterdam to spend six months travelling with her friend. Before she leaves home she gets the house ready for the tenants that will be renting it from her. One of the requirements is that the old postbox is removed. It has been there for years and is sealed, when she decides to have a quick look inside she discovers a postcard. It is to her grandmother from someone on Puffin Island. In all the years that Verrity listened to the stories of Puffin Island that her grandmother told her, she never once realised that it was a real place.
Serendipity plays a role in this story in many ways and the author has made the most of the mystery of the postcard. Making a spontaneous decision, very un-Verity-like, she decides to stop at Puffin Island en route to Amsterdam. Like Loveheart Lane, Puffin Island has its draw, drama and magnetism.
This is such a fabulous story and I devoured it. I started this early evening knowing I would not be putting it down until I had finished. The story revolves and evolves around Verity arriving on the island and immediately feeling a sense of belonging, this is down to the stories from her grandmother who told Verity all the wonderful details of the houses, the lanes, the shops and the people she met... well almost all of the people she met. There is a mystery to be solved as the sender of the postcard never revealed his name, but does mention a secret!
Oh my goodness the way the author just brings all the elements of this story together is just wonderful. There is romance, humour, old secrets, old memories and forgotten or unknown facts. There is also a good amount of tension and it all just blends together perfectly.
If you are already a fan of this author then you are going to absolutely adore your first trip to Puffin Island as much as I did. In case you had not realised... I would definitely recommend this book....more
Oh my goodness! Where to start with this latest DI Bliss book...
I have been with this series from the very start and each book has been fantastic. ThiOh my goodness! Where to start with this latest DI Bliss book...
I have been with this series from the very start and each book has been fantastic. This is now the 12th in the series and it sees Bliss going in a different direction, well sort of. He has been off work for a few weeks, he is now ex-police, due to retirement, but is going to be part of a new squad that will look in a cold case. The four-person team soon realise why the case is cold as they start to look at the evidence. As they get to know each other, Bliss has to leave them to their own initiative as he has also been called in to be the SIO of a murder case.
So wearing two hats now, Bliss is looking into an old murder with a new team and also a new murder with his old team. While it sounds a bit bizarre this author knows his characters well enough to know how well this sort of challenge will be for Bliss in particular. The new case is brutal, it involves the horrific discovery of two bodies, and it takes a while to identify them. Even when they do there is still a lot of uncertainty as to why they were killed.
Now, as if these cases are not enough, the author also decided to inject some outside help or interference! It all depends on how you see it, one thing for sure is that they come from surprising angles and both are dangerous partnerships for very different reasons.
I adored Bliss as an active copper, he and his team have been brilliant. It was with some trepidation that I entered this new part of his life but my goodness the author has nailed it. There is a new team as well as still having the connection to the old. Personally, it would not have felt right if Bliss had walked away from his old mates. Working it the way he has, there is still the banter and the friendships that will, I hope blend further in the future. Although I am not sure where the author will go next.
The cases are not the same as each other but have its' own dangerous elements to them. As Bliss is a character who thinks on the hoof, he still has the spur-of-the-moment "bright ideas!" These are tense and it adds a level of suspense to an already suspense-filled story.
While there is time in this book for memories, and thinking back on the past, there is also a nudge to the future and what comes next.
This is a tense book, it is exciting and dangerous and sees people in the crosshairs on several occasions. But it also shows the loyalty between the new and the old. I for one (I know I am not alone in thinking this) am so glad there are a few more miles left in the old dog yet!
If you are a fan of crime, thrillers, and police procedurals then this is a great book. It could be an interesting one to start with as you would be meeting a new team, then it would give you the chance to backtrack to the beginning and read more amazing titles in the series. If you are already a fan of Bliss then you are in for a real treat, I have always adored these books and this one is another one that I would definitely recommend. ...more
Oh my goodness, this is another fabulous book in the Cesare Aldo series. This is book 4 and it just gets better and better. The setting is Florence inOh my goodness, this is another fabulous book in the Cesare Aldo series. This is book 4 and it just gets better and better. The setting is Florence in 1539.
Aldo has been demoted so he is back to being a Constable, even worse is that he is on night patrol. He and his immediate boss, Bindi, do not get on. Strocchi, who used to be Aldo's second, is now his boss. During one of the night patrols, Aldo chases someone out after curfew. Before he can apprehend him though, he comes across a body in one of the many squares of Florence.
The author uses a wonderful blend of fact and fiction in this series of books and he weaves them together so well. At the end of the book, there is a mention of what he has taken a liberty with or who he has created to fill the part. I will say that the author's love of this era is apparent in his writing as it is addictive and full of life.
As Bindi piles the pressure on Strocchi to find the murderer he is also frustrated that Aldo has shown his face and is going to be part of the investigation. Also has been Strocchi's teacher and they still do work well together but let us just say Strocchi still has quite a lot to learn when it comes to standing his ground.
With the murder still fresh, there is a second, talk about adding more pressure! The MO is the same and to make sure of their facts, Aldo uses his friend Saul, a doctor, to help out. If you have read the previous books you will be aware of Saul and also his assistant Rebecca and how they are all connected. If not the author does fill in enough detail.
The case leads them to a church where an exorcist is in residence, he is not popular with everyone and there is something about him that feels dangerous. But then this is Florence in the mid-1500s and there is a lot of backstabbing, political shenanigans and power rivalries. Just to add more fuel to the fire there are mentions of the spy rings that operate as well. Talk about danger, intrigue and suspense!
Given this is a story that is set several centuries ago and the pace at which things are done is very much slower than in todays fast paced world, the author does inject a great pace to the story. There is always something happening and something for the investigators to look at or ask about.
Aldo is fabulous, he is a real pain in some ways but he has a nice knack to getting to the crux of the problem, not necessarily immediately, but eventually. This is something that the author has worked well into the character and it makes him a bit of a lone wolf, but also part of something. Although things in the future are a changing!
This is a great 4th book and the case is intriguing, has some amazing twists and manipulation. A fabulous historical fiction story that I would definitely recommend , along with all the others in the series. ...more
I absolutely adored this book, it is a debut by this author and I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
It is set in the futurI absolutely adored this book, it is a debut by this author and I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
It is set in the future and is a dystopian novel but it does read like a fantasy. There are mentions of the old days when people's inventions destroyed the earth. Lark is the main character in this story and she has a secret. She has the ability to communicate with people who can be miles away, she is considered to be an unhuman. She has songlight in her and this acts like telepathy, but it is considered to be illegal, unwanted and a blight on the people of Northaven.
Lark has kept her secret for many years, and she is not the only one. There are several of these special people and if they are caught then they have a choice, they can use their powers to hunt for others like them or be operated on, basically lobotomized!
Northaven has its rules and it sticks by them, they are at war and some things are in place that are followed. Such as young women marrying the soldiers who return from war. They may be a first wife or a second wife, or there is the third wide scenario which none of the girls want.
Lark is a fabulous character and the author has brought her out to be quite stubborn but equally as loyal. Along with Lark, there are several other characters consisting of friends, family and enemies. They each have a role and while you may not always be aware of where they stand, they do on the whole leave a mark. Working out the truth from the political deception is an interesting one and there are several dilemmas for the characters to overcome.
I enjoyed this book, it does have a young adult reader feel to it, but I would suggest the older end of it. I enjoyed it immensely and I liked that there were no unfathomable names or places, things make sense and it has all the right feeling of the first book in a trilogy and has left me eagerly awaiting the next one. There is a lot of imagination in this novel and it flows wonderfully.
If you are looking to start a new fantasy trilogy then this one may be of interest to you. I adored it and would definitely recommend it.
This is the 13th book in the David Raker series and I have only read one other. This one works so well as a standalone thriller and is intense and comThis is the 13th book in the David Raker series and I have only read one other. This one works so well as a standalone thriller and is intense and complex, but it flows so well that it is not confusing during the reading.
Raker has been asked to investigate a case that sees a father, son and son's girlfriend have gone missing. Sarah is wife and mother and only dropped off to sleep for a moment and when she suddenly woke she discovered her family missing from the kayak they were in on a lake in Dartmoor National Park. The police have not really learned anything and Sarah is now wanting to see if there is anything that has been missed. Hence the reason for hiring Raker.
While Raker is working on this case, he gets a call from a security advisor at a casino complex. A man they had detained has gone missing from secure cells and they don't know how. Raker has a reputation for looking into cases such as this but while he cannot investigate directly he has decided to call on ex-police officer Healy to help.
Having two cases is one thing but then there is another case, or series of cases that are also included in this story. The deaths of people over several years in the US, there is a tenuous link as one of the casinos where one of the people disappeared is also owned by the same people as the one in London. What, if and how these cases may be connected is unknown but my goodness the author does weave a wonderful plot throughout this story.
as I mentioned this is a complex case, but not while I was reading the story. The author managed to keep his storylines clear and not showing any links until much later on. The synopsis hints at there being secrets, and yes there are several and they are not at all obvious until the author allows you to start to see them emerging. This keeps the story tense and tight and leans towards the dramatic as things are revealed.
I adored this book and I did enjoy the flitting from one case to another and also across the Atlantic as well. The US section does have a little of going back and forth in time. See... I told you it was complex, but there was such a good flow between all the different aspects that it made for fabulous reading.
This is a story that has so many different things and themes that it makes for addictive reading. I did read this over a couple of days simply because I had work, if not fo that I think I could or would have read it happily in one sitting.
Even though this is part of a series there is enough information given about characters that have appeared in pervious books (at least I am assuming they have) that I didn't feel I was missing out on anything.
An intense crime, mystery thriller and one that involves several crimes. Brilliant book and one I would definitely recommend. ...more
Mensch is a Yiddish term for a person of integrity and honour (according to Google). Could you call a gangster a man of honour or someone with integriMensch is a Yiddish term for a person of integrity and honour (according to Google). Could you call a gangster a man of honour or someone with integrity?
In this final book in the Alex Cohen series, the author takes a glimpse, at times of the past, of Alex. From his beginnings when he arrived at Ellis Island to where he is in 1965. He started in The Bowery's and has gradually emerged into a name that is revered i8n the gangs of the US. The author has had him in the mix and rubbing shoulders and swapping stories with Alfonse Capone, The Kennedys, Fidel Castro and Frank Sinatra.
As the years have passed, Alex has become a husband and a father, he has a close-knit group of friends and business partners. He has worked hard and has put himself in danger many times. and occasionally the lives of his family. He has known a vast number of people and some of them have walked away unharmed!
In this final book, Alex is contemplating his future. He has always said that certain parts of his business will become legitimate and others will go to his oldest and closest business partners and friends. As the author gradually approached the 70s, the once feared name of Alex has started to lose some of its impact. The FEDs have been around for many years, but recently the noose is tightening around the old-style gang bosses. Eager to remain free, there are some who are not averse to turning witness.
Alex has always had a motto and it is one that has been mentioned several times in each book. In this final book, it is mentioned even more. If you have followed the series then you will know to what I refer.
I have enjoyed this series from the very start, following the highs and the lows. The Mensch is a book that feels slower, and it sort of makes sense to me as Alex is starting to slow down. But, that does not for one moment mean he is relaxing and taking things easy. He is getting things in order and this means huge amounts of travelling for face-to-face meetings. I think by slower, I mean he is spending time thinking over the past, the present and the future. Life is going to change, what and when that change will be, well you are going to have to read this one to find out.
This is a series that is one for those who like historical fiction that is based around the gangsters of the US. From an unknown immigrant to one who has associated with the rich, the famous and the notorious. A fab series and a brilliant finale in this final book. It is one I would definitely recommend.
Merged review:
Mensch is a Yiddish term for a person of integrity and honour (according to Google). Could you call a gangster a man of honour or someone with integrity?
In this final book in the Alex Cohen series, the author takes a glimpse, at times of the past, of Alex. From his beginnings when he arrived at Ellis Island to where he is in 1965. He started in The Bowery's and has gradually emerged into a name that is revered i8n the gangs of the US. The author has had him in the mix and rubbing shoulders and swapping stories with Alfonse Capone, The Kennedys, Fidel Castro and Frank Sinatra.
As the years have passed, Alex has become a husband and a father, he has a close-knit group of friends and business partners. He has worked hard and has put himself in danger many times. and occasionally the lives of his family. He has known a vast number of people and some of them have walked away unharmed!
In this final book, Alex is contemplating his future. He has always said that certain parts of his business will become legitimate and others will go to his oldest and closest business partners and friends. As the author gradually approached the 70s, the once feared name of Alex has started to lose some of its impact. The FEDs have been around for many years, but recently the noose is tightening around the old-style gang bosses. Eager to remain free, there are some who are not averse to turning witness.
Alex has always had a motto and it is one that has been mentioned several times in each book. In this final book, it is mentioned even more. If you have followed the series then you will know to what I refer.
I have enjoyed this series from the very start, following the highs and the lows. The Mensch is a book that feels slower, and it sort of makes sense to me as Alex is starting to slow down. But, that does not for one moment mean he is relaxing and taking things easy. He is getting things in order and this means huge amounts of travelling for face-to-face meetings. I think by slower, I mean he is spending time thinking over the past, the present and the future. Life is going to change, what and when that change will be, well you are going to have to read this one to find out.
This is a series that is one for those who like historical fiction that is based around the gangsters of the US. From an unknown immigrant to one who has associated with the rich, the famous and the notorious. A fab series and a brilliant finale in this final book. It is one I would definitely recommend....more
It has been a while since I have read a Eddie Flynn book so I have missed a few in the series. This latest one, Witness 8, reads well as a standalone It has been a while since I have read a Eddie Flynn book so I have missed a few in the series. This latest one, Witness 8, reads well as a standalone book and some things have happened that the author mentions but doesn't go into detail about. This does not spoil the reading of this addictive courtroom and investigation thriller.
Eddie Flynn has made an enemy, it won't be the first and I don't imagine for a moment that this will be his last. He discovers he has a target on his back, and while it will hamper his latest case, it will not stop him from doing all he can to represent his client. Eddie has a past and while it should not shine well on his career as a lawyer, it does stand him in good stead for what he is going up against now. He generally keeps his past in the past, but it does crop up occasionally.
A surgeon is accused of killing a woman, and the murder weapon is found on his premises. John Jackson is not someone who you would associate as being a murderer, his wife stands by him and they try to protect their son and also their reputations and standing in the local community.
Ruby, she is a witness but she is not truthful. She is manipulative but in her head, there is a good reason for bending the truth the way she has. It is only a matter of time before the truth comes out, but who will remain standing?
This is another amazing book in the series and it reads so well, I wish I had kept up with the series, but at least I have managed to read the latest one so it's still good. The author has such a good way of using his characters. The main one of Eddie is great, he is devious and sly in the way he approaches things, but he only supports innocent clients. That makes him special.
This was such a quick book to get into, a dramatic start and one that kept me hooked. There are many twists and turns and some unexpected moments that I didn't see coming. I think this has been very cleverly put together, with some great characters and some shady ones as well. Even though this is a murder story, there is a strange sense of doing the right thing wound within this one, it makes for an exciting read.
If you are looking for a courtroom and investigative thriller then this is one to keep an eye out for. I adored this book and I would definitely recommend it.
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