Month October 2022

Betrayal by Kerry Kaya @KerryKayaAuthor @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #crime #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for Betrayal by Kerry Kaya. I have read a few books by this author and really enjoy them. Betrayal is the first book in The Tempests series and if you are a fan of gangland crime thriller books then this is a great place to start.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of this book via NetGalley from the publisher Boldwood Books.

Meet the Tempest family – and get ready for the storm.

Tracey Tempest adores her husband, Terry. But when on his 50th birthday, tragedy strikes, Tracey must face the terrifying prospect of a future without him. Desperate for answers and boiling with rage, Tracey wants revenge…

Together with her beloved sons, Ricky and Jamie, the Tempest family dig deeper into Terry’s past – who would want to kill him, and why?

But what they discover changes everything they knew about the man they loved and risks tearing their own family apart.

Can the Tempests weather the storm or will the past destroy them all?


Purchase Link – HERE

MY REVIEW

What a brilliant start to a new series by this author. I have read a few of her books and she doesn’t hold back when she writes her gang-style stories.

Tracey Tempest has a bit of an eye-opener when she discovers exactly how her husband has made his money. Even though his sons, Ricky and Jamie are part of the family business there is a lot they don’t know about either. While they are coming to terms with the death of Terry, their husband and father, the family also discover some really shocking news. It isn’t the boys who are out for the truth, in fact, it is their Mum, Tracey. She has really got the bit between her teeth and she has no care about who she confronts. Ignorance is bliss for her, and allowances are made.

From the outset I really took to Tracey, she is the stay-at-home wife and Mum, always looking out for the men in her life. She has a nice house, and a great lifestyle and then suddenly the rose-tinted glasses are destroyed. I have a feeling the author really had fun with the character and it was great to see Tracey become the force I have a feeling she was always meant to be. I will admit that she did come across as naive, but no more so than her sons.

Having a character like Tracey was great, as she doesn’t know any of ” the baddies” she has no fear about asking hard questions, this played out well when she discovers an ally. Believe me when I say she will need an extra set of muscles for this story and it is the start of what I hope will be a business arrangement, or maybe more!

This is hard-core as far as some of the storylines are concerned. There are aspects of gangland crime that you expect to see in this style of story, and the author definitely includes some of them. I am not going to mention what they are, but I will say that there are some very unsavoury characters that have no consideration for others.

The main storyline for this book was great, combing grief with unearthing some awful truths was a great way to bring a close family even closer together. I am really looking forward to seeing where the author takes this series. I am sure there will be more shocks and secrets to be unearthed.

This is one for those who like their crime thrillers on the hard-boiled side, with a strong gang-related thread and what better way to read a book by this author than with the start of a new series. This is a cracker and one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kerry Kaya is the hugely popular author of Essex-based gritty gangland thrillers with strong family dynamics. She grew up on one of the largest council estates in the UK, where she sets her novels. She also works full-time in a busy maternity department for the NHS.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing:) xx

February’s Son by Alan Parks #crime #historicalfiction #policeprocedural #bookreivew

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for February’s Son by Alan Parks. This is the second book in the Harry McCoy series and it now means I am up to date with this series. There are five books published so far and I am eagerly awaiting the next one.

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Bodies are piling up with grisly messages carved into their chests. Rival gangs are competing for control of Glasgow’s underworld and it seems that Cooper, McCoy’s oldest gangster friend, is tangled up in it all.

Detective Harry McCoy’s first day back at work couldn’t have gone worse.

New drugs have arrived in Glasgow, and they’ve brought a different kind of violence to the broken city. The law of the street is changing and now demons from McCoy’s past are coming back to haunt him. But vengeance always carries a price, and it could cost McCoy more than he ever imagined.

The waters of Glasgow’s corruption are creeping higher, as the wealthy and dangerous play for power. And the city’s killer continues his dark mission.

Can McCoy keep his head up for long enough to solve the case?

Bruised and battered from the events of Bloody January, McCoy returns for a breathless ride through the ruthless world of 1970s Glasgow. 

MY REVIEW

After reading the first book a while ago I was really looking forward to seeing how things progressed. I should mention that I have read the books that follow this one, the author is currently up to book 5 in the series.

Detective Harry McCoy is a copper with dubious friends. Having recently been injured he is back to work as a new brutal case rears its head. This isn’t a pleasant one as the body has a word carved into the chest. As the team is getting their heads around this murder another body turns up.

This is set in the tough 1970s Glasgow area. Gangs, drugs and prostitution are rife, life is tough and for some, it is going to get tougher. The fact that Harry has dubious friends can at times work to his advantage. At others though these friends test the patience of Harry’s boss. Wattie finds himself in the midst of things as well.

This is one tough one to read at times as there is a lot of violence in it. If you are a fan of hard-boiled crime then you are going to want to read this one. This is a tough area, people do not hold back and if you find yourself on the wrong side then you had better know how to disappear or find yourself in a fight for your life. The book, the language and the storyline are, well colourful to say the least. It is all in context and having anything softer would not work.

The cases and the evidence does start to stack up and another storyline is introduced, this one though is one that McCoy is going to try to sort out with his old friend Stevie. The author does like to give these two a battering.

As I have read the next few books I am aware of things that are going to happen, but coming back to the start of the series is great as I get to find out more about the main recurring characters. McCoy seems to court trouble at every turn and it is Wattie, his colleague who is starting to keep an eye on McCoy a little more. While he is naive he does what is best.

If you like tough, gang-related, crime fiction then this is a book you are going to enjoy. This one also has a great psychological edge to it and this makes it very twisted and dark. Pasts are brought up, egos are bruised, names are made and things are changing. Fabulous 2nd instalment and one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alan Parks has worked in the music industry for over twenty years. His debut novel Bloody January was one of the top crime debuts of 2018 and was shortlisted for the prestigious international crime prize the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. He lives and works in Glasgow.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Go Here Instead – The Alternative Travel List by D. K. Eyewitness #nonfiction #travel #bookreview

yvonnembee 7 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Go Here Instead – The Alternative Travel List by D. K. Eyewitness. D. K. Witness are a well-known publisher of travel guides, and D.K is known for their many other non-fiction books. Their titles are often found in most non-fiction genres and are a good intro to topics and interests.

Bursting with beautiful photography, this alternative bucket list takes some of the world’s best-known sights, experiences and destinations – everything from over-visited national parks to crowded museums – and reveals more than 100 fascinating alternatives.

Planning a trip to Rome’s Colosseum? Why not try the ancient amphitheatre in Nimes instead. A visit to the Grand Canyon is on everyone’s bucket list – but how about adding Namibia’s spectacular Fish River Canyon to yours? And while Japan’s cherry blossoms are hard to beat, the seasonal display of hydrangeas in the Azores is just as beautiful.

Featuring expert advice and practical tips, Go Here Instead will open your eyes to a wealth of new, and more sustainable, travel ideas. We’ve organized the book by types of trip, so whether you’re a wannabe art critic, an outdoor adventurer or you’re into your history, this epic bucket list has an alternative adventure for you. So, why not give Machu Picchu a break and travel beyond the crowds. Go Here Instead: The Alternative Travel List is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime.

Inside Go Here Instead: The Alternative Travel List you will find:

– 100 entries each focusing on an alternative to a well-known destination/sight/experience
– Stunning photography throughout with colour-coded maps and chapters
– Stylized locator maps pinpointing the alternative sights, experiences and destinations.
– A beautifully designed gift book that showcases inspiring alternatives to the world’s most popular sights, experiences and destinations.

MY REVIEW

I love to travel vicariously and especially to other countries. I don’t have a passport so reading books and looking at photos is the next best thing. I know it isn’t the same as actually being there in person though.

This is a lovely hardback book and it is great for perusing through, discovering new places and learning new things. This book is laid out in sections after a brief introduction it then goes on to the sections –

Ancient & Historical Sights
Festivals & Parties
Great Journeys
Architectural Marvels
Natural Wonders
Art & Culture
Captivating Cities

This is then followed by the INdex and the Acknowledgements.

Let me give you a couple of examples –
The alternative to Everest Base Camp in Nepal is to visit Annapurna in Nepal.
The alternative to the Sagrada Familia in Spain is to visit the Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro.

From these two examples, you can see that not all the alternatives are in the same country. Now for some who are planning visits to certain countries, I could see this being a bit annoying, but for me, it makes it really interesting. It is showing me other places that have similar features, conditions, terrains or architecture.

Each page has a photo that shows a particular feature of the place mentioned. These are clear and look great as they are accompanied by basic information about the area, region or history. There are suggestions for other similar things for further research or reading as well.

I really like how this is laid out and it makes a great book for flicking through. I think this is more of a coffee table book and it would make a great talking point for people that have actually travelled or those that want to compile a wish list. While I may not have a passport I do have a bucket list of places I would like to see if money were no object.

Lovely book, with loads of information and one I would happily recommend.

ABOUT D.K. EYEWITNESS

At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides. Named Top Guidebook Series at the 2020 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, we know that wherever you go next, your DK Eyewitness travel guides are the perfect companion. 

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Hike by Susi Holliday @SJIHolliday @AmazonPub @RandomTTours #mystery #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Hike by Susi Holliday. This is a fab mystery thriller that had me hooked from the first few pages.

My huge thanks to Tracey and Anne for arranging my spot on the Blog Tour and for my e-copy of this book.

Four hikers enter the mountains. Only two return. But is it tragedy? Or treachery?

When sisters Cat and Ginny travel with their husbands to the idyllic Swiss Alps for a hiking holiday, it’s not just a chance to take in the stunning scenery. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with each other after years of drifting apart—and patch up marriages that are straining at the seams.

As they head into the mountains, morale is high, but as the terrain turns treacherous, cracks in the relationships start to show. With worrying signs that someone might be following them, the sun begins to set and exhaustion kicks in. Suddenly, lost high on a terrifying ridge, tensions spill over—with disastrous consequences.

When only two of the four hikers make it down from the mountain, the police press them for their story—but soon become suspicious when their accounts just don’t add up.

What really happened up on that ridge? Who are the survivors? And what secrets are they trying to hide?

MY REVIEW

What a wonderful setting for a story about two couples trying to sort out their problems while on a hiking holiday in the Swiss Alps. Cat and Ginny are sisters and not so close and their respective husbands Tristan and Ollie are not known to get on that well either.

This story is set more from the viewpoint of Cat, organising is what she does best and her job as an events organiser helps. Ginny is a social media influencer so a lot of time is taken up with the setting and taking the “perfect” photo. Tristan had to work from home during lockdown rather than in the city and Paul has been dealing with stress.

Rather than just dealing with this story as a couples holiday, the author has focused on them as individuals as well. This is great for building up the bigger picture of their characteristics and their traits. But when you have been concealing your true thoughts and opinions for so long, it is difficult to allow anyone else to see the real you!

This is a story that starts with a prologue, and it is fabulous when you then start the story. It gives some really tantalising glimpses into the story that then follows. This story is one that had me hooked, it twisted and weaved around and the author just dropped a few crumbs along the way to steer the path. She has very cleverly allowed information to drip into the story with a glance or barbed comment from a character, it makes the reader’s mind work over time. Well, it did mine as I tried to work out how this was going to resolve itself and who did what and why.

This is a tense mystery thriller that had me on the edge, just as the characters had to occasionally edge along the mountain path. Taut and dramatic with an addictive tale. Full of suspense and a whole lotta guesswork from me. I didn’t work it out until the author allowed me to see the wider scenario.

Fabulous and intriguing. A one-sitting read for me and it is one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Also writes under the name S.J.I. Holliday.

Susi (S.J.I.) Holliday grew up near Edinburgh and spent many years working in her family’s newsagent and pub before studying microbiology and statistics at university. She has worked as a statistician in the pharmaceutical industry for 20 years, but it was on a 6-month round-the-world-trip that she took with her husband several years ago that she rediscovered her passion for writing.

You can find out more at www.sjiholliday.com, or on Twitter and Facebook @SJIHolliday.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e 9th October 2022) #bookupdates #inthegarden #booknews #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Hello and welcome to another weekly book round-up. Before I get to the books, I have had the week off work and it was a gorgeous week to take off. Me and He had a day out in Falmouth and had Fish and Chips, we can’t remember the last time we had this!

I also managed a couple of days out myself and took myself down to a local beach. Kynance Cove is a site run by the National Trust, a nice stroll down to the cafe overlooking the beach is great on a windy yet sunny day. Not too many people and great to blow a few cobwebs away.

I also spent some time in the garden, and there are still so many flowers in full bloom, especially the Dahlias. I also noticed some of my roses have started to bud up again. It was a great chance to re-establish one of the borders and get the bed back under control again.

Now let’s have a look at the books I have read…

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The Empire by Michael Ball – (yes THE Michael Ball) is a fabulous debut book and one that I adored. The stage, behind the scenes, the rivalry and so much more make the theatre known as The Empire such an addictive book to read. I am so glad I spotted the Blog Tour for this one and managed to get a spot. Full review in a couple of weeks.

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February’s Son by Alan Parks – is the second book in the series and it now means I am up to date, there are 5 books published by the way. This is another fabulous story and one that has Detective Harry McCoy in the thick of gang rivalry. Full review to follow soon.

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The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho by Paterson Joseph – is a fictionalised look a the life of a man who made history by being the first Black person to vote. Ideal for fans of historical figures, a full review to follow soon.

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The Night Watch by Neil Lancaster – this is the 3rd book in this series and true to form, this is the first one I have read! This is an amazing story set in Scotland as the death of a lawyer and a man recently given a “not proven” verdict. A crime thriller and police procedural. Full review to follow soon.

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Keeping the Christmas Promise by Jo Thomas – I know better than to start one of this author’s books when I go to bed! Once started I could not put this one down until 2am because I had run out of book to read. This is a wonderful adventure story and one that has avalanches, power cuts and friends having to look at what they want to do with their lives. Full review to follow soon.

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The Botanist by M.W. Craven – this is an amazing read in the Washington Poe series, and yes I have read all of the books in the series and in the right order 🙂 This one is about people being poisoned, a close friend being arrested and a killer who can get past the tightest security. Full review to follow soon.

WOW! 6 books this week, I don’t know how I managed that 🙂 just shows what having a week off work can do 🙂

With the exception of The Empire, all these books are from my TBR, a mix of owned and NetGalley ones. All very interesting and I will get the review posted over the next couple of weeks.

Have a fabulous week ahead,

All the best

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Now You See Me by S. J. Bolton #crime #thriller #polioceprocedural #onefrommyTBR #bookreview

yvonnembee 7 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Now You See Me by S. J. Bolton. This is the 1st book in the Lacey Flint series, but it is the 2nd one I have read!

One night after interviewing a reluctant witness at a London apartment complex, Lacey Flint, a young detective constable, stumbles onto a woman brutally stabbed just moments before in the building’s darkened parking lot. Within twenty-four hours a reporter receives an anonymous letter that points out alarming similarities between the murder and Jack the Ripper’s first murder—a letter that calls out Lacey by name. If it’s real, and they have a killer bent on re-creating London’s bloody past, history shows they have just five days until the next attempt.

No one believes the connections are anything more than a sadistic killer’s game, not even Lacey, whom the killer seems to be taunting specifically. However, as they investigate the details of the case start reminding her more and more of a part of her past she’d rather keep hidden. And the only way to do that is to catch the killer herself. 

MY REVIEW

This is the 1st book in the Lacey Flint series, but it is not the first one I have read. I recently read the 5th book, The Dark, and decided I needed to start this series at the beginning. Some of the things mentioned in The Dark have their origins in this first book and even though I was aware of future events it didn’t spoil the story at all.

Lacey Flint is a brilliant character, she isn’t one that likes to be the centre of attention, she prefers to stand back. Not much of a chance of that with this case though. She is the one that comes across a victim, the woman has been stabbed and dies in Lacey’s arms. What sets alarm bells ringing however is a note that is sent. It is something that looks similar to the historical Jack the Ripper letters. The day of the stabbing is also the same as one of the Ripper victims.

This is a brilliant story and it was great to start this at the beginning. Knowing what I know of Lacey, it was so interesting to see her first foray into an investigation. There is however something about Lacey that doesn’t quite sit right. While she is very good at her job, she is also holding something back. As she is a loner it takes a lot for her to trust others and she can be stand-offish and abrupt at times, and also just plain stubborn.

Her past will have some part in this present case. The author has left wonderful snippets and breadcrumbs along the way and finally more of Lacey’s past will emerge. As I have read The Dark I was aware of her past, but it was great to see this storyline from the beginning of the series. It means that I have seen a progression the wrong way around but it is still a fabulous read.

The story itself is gritty and dangerous, there are many twists and red herrings. Not all the clues are obvious and not everyone lets on what they know. This makes it suspenseful and so intriguing.

This is one for those who like a darker crime thriller, it is a police procedural and it is fabulous to read. I adored this and I would definitely recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sharon J Bolton was born and brought up in Lancashire, the eldest of three daughters. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an actress and a dancer, studying ballet, tap and jazz from a young age and reading drama at Loughborough University.

She spent her early career in marketing and PR before returning to full-time education to study for a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Warwick University, where she met her husband, Andrew. They moved to London and Sharon held a number of PR posts in the City. She left the City to work freelance, to start a family and to write.

She and Andrew now live in a village in the Chiltern Hills, not far from Oxford, with their son and the latest addition to the family: Lupe, the lop-eared lurcher. Her daily life revolves around the school run, walking the dog and those ever-looming publishing deadlines.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen by Jane Linfoot @janelinfoot @rararesources #contemporaryfiction #romance #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen by Jane Linfoot. This is the 3rd book in the series and they can be read as stand-alone.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-cp[y of this fabulous book.

St Aidan: a cosy Cornish village where friendships are made for life and it’s always cocktail hour somewhere…
A clean slate in the world’s cosiest cottage by the sea…
When Gwen Starkey and her best friend, Ella Simpson, arrive in St Aidan to take on a cottage renovation, it’s the fresh start they both so desperately need. But when their new adventure begins with them unintentionally breaking into their neighbour, Ollie Lancaster’s cottage – thinking it’s their new home – and Gwen accidentally flashing the gorgeous Ollie before they flee, the life-long friends realise that life in Cornwall is going to be anything but quiet!
They also quickly discover that they’re in over their heads and it’s going to take a village to turn their cottage’s narrow walls into the luxurious hideaway of their dreams. St Aidan is full of colourful characters just waiting to welcome them, if only Gwen and Ella can find the courage to start leaving the past behind them…
Purchase Links – e-book – paperback

MY REVIEW

What another gorgeous read from this series. It was great to be back in St Aiden. The previous books gave a wonderful welcome and this one does the same.

The small village of St Aiden is by the sea, the community is helpful and supportive. Just what Ella and her friend Gwen need when they decide to take on a cottage that needs renovating. After submitting a slightly exaggerated proposal they are accepted into this small and surprising little nook.

They are not the only ones who need a little St Aiden TLC, their neighbour Ollie is also a newcomer. Between them, they work through various stages of grief and loss. A the same time recovering some of what they have lost.

The main focus is on Gwen as she gradually comes out of her shell and starts to mingle. Offering help when needed she discovers what it is she used to love to do. The author tentatively tests the waters with this character as she dangles tantalising food-orientated challenges in front of her. Never happier than when looking after other people Gwen starts to help herself without realising it.

Ollie is an abrupt and in-your-face but cheeky sort of way. Instead of immersing himself in the community, he finds his solace in disappearing for days at a time to deal with his grief.

The author has not disappointed at all with this story. It is a chance to catch up with the goings on in St Aiden and catch up with Clemmie, the Mermaids and the singles club. Having new characters come into the village is great as it shows the best of what a community can offer.

I really enjoyed the way she tentatively coaxed the main characters out and gave them the opportunities they had. I did at times want to shake them and tell them to open their eyes and see the bigger picture, but actually, the slower route the author took was a much better one. It felt more natural and it made for a wonderful will they/ won’t they scenario.

The gorgeous storyline, wonderful characters and another excellent instalment in this series. It is a book I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I write fun, flirty fiction, with feisty heroines, and lots of heart. Writing is fab, because I get to wear pretty shoes instead of wellies. I live in a cottage up the steepest hill in Derbyshire, where my family and pets are kind enough to ignore the chaos. Happily, we’re in walking distance of a supermarket. I love hearts, flowers, happy endings, all things vintage, most things French. When I’m not on Facebook, and can’t find an excuse for shopping, I’ll be out with my two Old English sheepdogs or in the garden. On days when I want to be really scared, I ride a tandem.

Social Media Links – Instagram – Facebook – Author Page – Twitter – Pinterest

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Everybody Pays by H. Max Hiller @HMaxHiller1 #crime #policeprocedural #mystery #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for Everybody Pays by H. Max Hiller. I adore this author’s Cadillac Holland series and this latest one is the 6th and is my latest favourite. This is a series that I do think is better to read in order as you do get the background on the various regular characters.

Detective Cadillac Holland finds himself performing a dangerous dance, staying a step behind a mobster’s missing diaries and a step ahead of the criminal factions who want them.

Marion ‘Sunset’ Puglisi’s diaries go missing on the eve of the mobster’s release from prison and place Detective Holland in the middle of a brewing gang war between the remnants of New Orleans’ Italian mobsters and outside criminal factions, which includes the nearby Dixie Mafia and an ambitious Russian gangster.
Everyone is prepared to pay whatever it costs to possess the diaries, and even Detective Holland finds the price higher than he expects.

MY REVIEW

This is the 6th book in the Detective Cadillac Holland series and I have read and loved each one. This series just goes from strength to strength and this time around the author has really upped the stakes for Cadillac, Tulip, Katie and Tony.

This is a series that I would definitely recommend reading in order as it sets out the relationships between the four I have mentioned above.

When Sunset is released on parole there is something fishy about it. The rumour is that Sunset has diaries that go back several decades. These diaries could end the careers of politicians, police, and lawyers and also end their lives as well as the lives of some local mob guys as well. This book is set deeply in the world of mobsters, gangsters, criminals and pretty much the worst of the worst. Not happy just having one mobster, the author brings in several along with their lawyers and various agencies such as local police, and the FBI. Now with this mix you know there is going to be at least one or two that are going to let the chance of gaining more power, respect and money got to their heads. It seems to me that pretty much everyone has something that they need to keep secret and so the race is on to find the diaries and discover how they can be used.

Oh my goodness the author really has upped the stakes on this story. There are so many different threads with this book, I did lose myself a couple of times, but found myself back on track as I kept reading. The twists in the story just keep coming and I think the author has done an amazing job of keeping them separate until they are needed to join up[, and when they do… well it comes with a Wow!

Having Cadillac and Tony with their pasts, and then bringing them back into play again was a good move. It adds a little more detail and jogs the memory as to who Tony was and what he is capable of. Luckily having two supportive women with Tulip and Katie, the men do have the expert advice to work their way through any legal problems, they also try to keep the men on the right track. Not always successfully.

This is such a tense story and one that really kept me hooked. It does go into the pasts of some characters and others are brought to the front. As I read this I knew I was never going to see how it was going to end. As there are a few players in this book, they need their own endings. Once again the author brought them successfully and convincingly to where they needed to be.

I do think this series gets better. I do love the inclusion of food, this is one of the author’s passions and it is great to see one of his interests getting a mention.

This is a complex story and case for Cadillac, and it really stretches him on a professional and personal level. It also involves his family as well as his friends and for some, it may actually be a step too far for them. The title is very apt for this book as Everybody does pay in one form or another.

Cracking story and if you like crime thrillers then this is a series you really do need on your radar. Set in New Orleans and full of references to food, districts and streets that tantalise the tastebuds as well as building a vivid image of the area. The author’s knowledge of the area really does shine through, he has his characters running back alleys and shortcuts in their quest for the truth. This is a brilliant series and this latest book is amazing. It is one I would absolutely recommend. Expect to see this on my Top Reads of the Year list!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Image and info are taken from Authors Amazon Page.

H. Max Hiller’s restaurant hospitality career began with a cooking job on Bourbon Street at the age of seventeen. His resume now includes many of New Orleans’ iconic dining and music destinations. Max uses a lifetime of characters and anecdotes to add depth to his Detective Cooter Holland series. He now divides his time writing between his home overlooking the Mississippi River and working as a chef aboard a boat travelling America’s inland waterways.

Social Media Links – Twitter – Facebook – Amazon Author Page

– Indies United Publishing House Author Page

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Thief by Owen Mullen @owenmullen6 @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #ganglandfiction #crime #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for Thief by Owen Mullen. This is the 4th book in The Glass Family series and it is a series I am loving.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of this fabulous book via NetGalley from the publisher Boldwood Books.

It takes a thief to catch a thief…
Charley Glass arrived in her family’s lives like the hurricane she’d escaped. But she hadn’t run far enough: the ruthless Giordano family are on her tail and want two things – her life, and the return of the property she stole from them. No matter how many bodies stack up.
After years of longing, Charley finally has the family she’s always wanted, but now she’s going to have to tell them the real reason she came looking them. There is only one way she’s going to stay alive, and that is to employ the muscle of the notorious Glass Family.
The head of the family, Luke, has become embroiled in a dangerous political plot and isn’t sure they’re strong enough to take on one of New Orleans’ biggest crime gangs. But he’d put his life on the line to protect the empire they’ve built – even if they’ll have to take on an enemy hurting enough to cross an ocean for revenge.
Page-turning, gritty, and utterly compelling, Thief is Owen Mullen’s best book yet. Perfect for fans of Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers, and Mandasue Heller.
Purchase Link – HERE

MY REVIEW

This is the 4th book in the Glass Family series and I would suggest reading these in order as you get more of a sense of who is who. There are several main characters, Luke, Nina, Charley, George and Felix and some from previous books. This story, however, brings a whole new family to the pages and they are not a friendly family.

Charley is a relative newcomer to the series, she is a Glass but one that has just made herself known. She has the Glass determination and stubborn streak and knows how to survive. To be honest, if she didn’t have this then Luke would have seen her as a threat and therefore she wouldn’t be around to have a story of her own.

She has proven her worth and does a great job of running the LBC, a club with a hefty subscription fee. This is where the rich and famous hang out, where the politicians and Heads of businesses and corporations get to mix business and pleasure in various forms.

Luke has been approached for a favour, not something he is unused to, but this one is political. He hasn’t really had to deal with this but the way he is approached is not respectful. It is abrupt and screams of entitlement and expectation. Trying to work out the unknown players and the real money men is something that Luke is good at. It may take time but get there he will.

With this going on Charley’s past suddenly makes an entrance. There is a short piece about this at the beginning of this story, it gives the basics and then jumps to the present day. No one knows the full s
story of Charley’s past, but they are aware she has not been completely translucent.

With a new family on the scene from the US, Luke’s backyard starts to become overcrowded. The Giordano Family want Charley, they don’t care who they have to go through to get her. They, however, do not understand how the Glass Family and others work.

This is my new favourite book in this series, I said it about the previous one, I think! I adore the Glass family and it is a chance to get to know more about Charley. While she does have a more prominent position in this book, it doesn’t mean she is the only focus. I think this is what I like about this series, the author features and focuses, but he doesn’t limit this book to one aspect. Each of the three siblings have their own sub-stories, and each one demands attention. Thank goodness the author manages to wrangle and twist all of the threads together to create such an amazing fast-paced tale.

The Glass family are not exactly legit, there are some legit aspects, some illegal aspects and quite a bit of grey in between. They are a gang family, they have their position in London, their own areas and while things run smoothly all is fine. So bringing in another family was a brilliant move and it showed how someone from a different culture brings their own ideas as to how things work. But at street level, things are different and grassroots are where you learn your lessons and your trade.

Flitting between individual stories of Luke, Nina and Charley was great to see them as individuals and what they have been going through. They are strong but they are also vulnerable. This is a book that is addictive and at times brutal, it is also devious and twisted and at times just very in your face. Brilliant crime thriller in the back streets and clubs of London. A book I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Owen Mullen is a highly regarded crime author who splits his time between Scotland and the island of Crete. In his earlier life, he lived in London and worked as a musician and session singer. He has now written 11 books and his first gangland thriller for Boldwood.

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My Week In Books (w/e 2nd October 2022) #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 1 Comment

Welcome to another week of books I have read. It is just going to be a quick one this week as I am on annual leave and as the weather is so nice I don’t want to be stuck inside on the computer.

It has been a productive week on the book reading front, I have managed to clear through some of the non-fiction books that have been on the go and dotted around the house. This has bumped up my Goodreads tally, and briefly, for Saturday, I was on schedule, of course by Sunday I was back to being 1 behind again 🙂

So here is what I have been finishing off and reading…

The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide by Lia Leendertz – this is a fabulous hardback book of everything seasonal for next year. From moon phases, planting times, important dates and so much more. I loved this book and it’s one I would definitely recommend, the full review will be in a couple of weeks.

Observing Our Solar System – A Beginners Guide by Tom Kerrs – is a wonderful little book that is full of tips, advice and information about the basics of looking into the night sky. Great for those starting out as it gives info on using the naked eye, through to computer-guided telescopes. Happy to recommend it. Full review to follow.

Everybody Pays by H. Max Hiller – I have read and loved all the books in this series and this one is amazing. This is the 6th book and the title is so appropriate. I would suggest reading this series in order as there is a lot of information that will help in the later books. This is a tough, gritty, mob-related and police procedural style series. Full review this week. Highly recommended.

Go Here Instead – The Alternative Travel List – as an armchair traveller I do like books that show the different areas and sought of the world. This is a really interesting book that I enjoyed reading through. Rather than the tourist-ridden sights, this book offers alternative destinations. These may not necessarily be in the same country or even on the same continent. This is one I really enjoyed and I would happily recommend it. Full review to follow.

Betrayal by Kerry Kaya – This is the 1sy book in The Tempest series, the Tempests are a family under change as husband and father Terry has recently died. Not knowing quite how he made his money is something that his wife Tracy, and sons Ricky and Jamie have to work out. This is a brilliant intro to this family, it is a gang-related story and one that does get dark and gritty, with some hard-core action. Great read and a full review as part of the Blog Tour.

There we go, a week of nature, the natural world and crime. A really interesting and different week for reading and my current read falls into neither of these categories. You will have to check back next week to see what it is 🙂

Have a great week

Happy Reading

All the best,

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx