Category Books

Dry Lands by Elizabeth Anne Martins @flametreepress @RandmTTours #dystopian #postapocalyptic #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to be opening the Blog Tour and share my review today of Dry Lands by Elizabeth Anne Martins. This is a fabulous story set in a world where sea levels have risen dramatically and a mother is trying to survive.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of the book from the publisher Flame Tree Press.

After a cataclysmic flood submerges half the world underwater, cannibalistic gangs and corrupt encampments become a constant threat to the remaining dry lands. Liv and her precocious three-year-old son Milo are some of the lucky ones who have survived.

With the company of a lonely horse seeking a loving home, Liv is determined to protect Milo from the encampments, even if it means destroying what little is left of civilization. Amidst it all, she learns to embrace love and her own worth. Dry Lands is a gripping journey showcasing the resilience of humanity, parenthood, and the sacrifices we make for our children.

MY REVIEW

The cover is just perfect for this book!

We live in a world that is changing, so when I saw this book I was definitely intrigued. Sea levels are rising, a shift in the Earth is causing changes and there is a race to keep on the dry lands of the country. This is a story that is set in the US and follows a woman and her son who are making a journey to a place of refuge with one of her relations.

The story of Liv shows how far a mother will go to make sure her son can survive. Her husband Filipe was a survivalist and had things stored and stocked up, but this does not count for anything as things suddenly change. It is Liv who has to make the decisions for the survival of herself and her son Milo, he is three and still needs a lot of her time and patience. The author does an amazing job of showing this woman living on the edge, trying to hold everything together and still be a good mother.

Walking miles is not something that Liv can do continually, and it is a horse that becomes her companion for a while. Mosey is a lifeline for Liv and Milo, it allows them to travel quicker so they can move closer to their destination.

While they travel they are aware of marauders, cannibals and of being picked up and taken to encampments. All of the scenarios that a mother and son want and need to stay away from. Again the author does a great job of showing the dangers and how Liv can explain it to Milo so he will understand.

The landscape has a bleak and barran feel to it and the few characters that there are in this story are great. It definitely has an apocalyptic feel to it, but having an end destination gives a sense of hope to the story. There are dangers and situations in the book that you would expect in a story of this sort and they are well worked.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is character-led and is very addictive. It is a slower book as such, but it is filled with details and thoughts from the characters. A brilliant book to read and one I would definitely recommend.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

DRY LANDS – Blog Tour

14 May My And My Books @yvonnembee
15 May Runalong The Shelves @runalongwomble
16 May Cats Books And Yoga @catsbooksandyoga
17 May Jo Scho Reads @jo_scho_reads
20 May Curling Up With A Coffee and a Kindle @CurlingUpWithaC
21 May Worm Talk Book Club @worm_talk_book_club
24 May Salbo Reads @salboreads

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

No Time For Doubt by Robert Crouch @rcrouchauthor #crime #mystery #murder #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of No Time For Doubt by Robert Crouch. I have read and enjoyed every book in this series and this latest one is the 10th. This one is another wonderful story and things are personal once again for Kent Fisher.

My huge thanks to Rob for inviting me to read and review this book. My review is my own and unbiased.

Can the wounds left by the past ever heal?
The decomposed remains of a murdered woman are found in a bedsit. Forced to confront a past he’s tried to forget, Kent Fisher discovers crimes that were brushed aside and hidden almost thirty years ago. Crimes that could destroy what’s left of his family.
When more murders silence those who know the truth, only one person remains to reveal what happened all those years ago.
Can Kent find her before the killer makes one final strike? Or will she die, taking the truth with her?

MY REVIEW

It is always great to pick up a new Kent Fisher book and this one is twisted, and devious and took me back into Kent’s past. If you have not read any of these books, I would suggest reading them in order, but they would work as stand-alone as the author does give background information.

Kent is a complex character and he has an interesting backstory, this is expanded upon in this latest book. As always Kent manages to find himself in an investigation, this one will test Kent more than some others have. He is still trying to sort out what he feels about Gemma while working out this latest murder and wondering what his future looks like.

The author really has nailed this one and there were more twists and turns, red herrings and misdirection. I will say that this is something that he does well, but this particular one seemed to take it up a notch. The murder victim comes with a whole load of questions and the answers do not come easily, when they do are they the answers Kent is looking for? He does have the help of Francis and Belinda and he does fall back on his contacts from his days working as an Environmental Health Officer.

As well as being an ex-environmental health officer, he also runs an animal sanctuary, it started small but then expanded and took on a different route. It has been run by various people and volunteers if you have read the previous books you will know how this has come about. He also solves murders and has done so since his time as an EHO, dead bodies and unhygienic premises seem to go hand in hand for Kent!

This story is intense for Kent and he does question what he knows against what he is discovering. He still needs to work out who is who, sort the truth from the lies and finally get to grips with what is going on. This one is a dangerous one for Kent and those around him and it has repercussions for many.

If you are a fan of crime and mystery books with a difference then have a look a this series, I have read and enjoyed each one and this is another that I would definitely recommend.

About the author…

Robert Crouch combined his love of murder mystery novels with his extensive experience as an environmental health officer to create a new kind of private detective.

Motivated. by desire for justice and fair play, Robert wanted to show how an ordinary person could solve complex murders. Inspired by Sue Grafton’s irreverent detective, Kinsey Millhone, Robert crafted an investigator who’s rooted in the classic whodunit, but firmly set in the contemporary world.

When he’s not creating complex mysteries, Robert can be found among the gentle hills and coastline of the South Downs with his camera.

You can find out more about Robert at his website, https://robertcrouch.co.uk, where you can also join his Readers Group for more news, insights and giveaways, including a free short story. 

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

The Silverwood Promise by James Logan @QuercusBooks #NetGalley #fantasy #fiction #bookreview

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Before I share my review today, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all of you who shared my Blog Posts over the last couple of weeks while I was on Annual Leave. It has been nice to have a break but I am back and hoping to catch up with you all again. 🙂 xx

I am delighted to share my review of The Silverwood Promise by James Logan. This is the first book in The Last Legacy series and this book is a brilliant start to it.

My huge thanks to Quercus Books who granted my request to read this book via Netgalley.

Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and―thanks to a duel that ended badly―the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. His days consist of cheap wine, rigged card games, and wondering how he might win back the life he threw away.

When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered in strange circumstances, he finds fresh purpose. Deprived of his chance to make amends for his mistakes, he vows to unravel the mystery behind his father’s death.

His search for answers leads him to Saphrona, fabled city of merchant princes, where anything can be bought if one has the coin. Lukan only seeks the truth, but instead he finds danger and secrets in every shadow.

For in Saphrona, everything has a price―and the price of truth is the deadliest of all.

MY REVIEW

Lukan is a disgrace to his family name, but when you realise his grandfather was similar as far as gambling goes is it any wonder Lukan is following in his footsteps? Well, there is more to Lukan than that, his mother died when he was 11 and he and his father have gradually grown apart. Lukan is sent to train but a duel that ends badly means Luan is further alienated from his family than ever.

When his father dies, Lukan discovers more than he realised and it leads him on an amazing adventure. His father left a note with three words. He travels to Saphrona to see if he can discover the answers that are held in the note. There he meets some interesting people, who come from different backgrounds and he finds himself mixing with the elite and the waifs.

This is a fab story that is a great start to this series, introducing Lukan and his background as well as the people he meets is great. he learns more about his father and I think he also learns more about himself.

The journey he makes is full of peril and danger and he navigates from one event to another. He seems to have the knack of falling into trouble as well as still seeming to get through things. But, then he does bring a lot on himself with his quick mouth, and constant backchat. It doesn’t endear him to others, but thank goodness the author decided that this was a trait for Lukan as it gets him into some serious trouble at times.

I really enjoyed the word building with this, the names and places are manageable and pronounceable, always helpful when you have to remember them! The imagery of the setting is also great, from opulent towers and palaces to basic rooms and inns. There is more to this book than is the beginning and I think there are some things that have a lot more to reveal, especially The Faceless, there are some indications as to who they are but nothing solid yet. this leaves me looking forward to the next books and following Lukan on the next part of his story.

If you are a fan of fantasy that has a mix of sorcery, corruption, deviousness and double-crossing then this is one you should have a look out for. It was a fabulous book to read and it didn’t take me long before I was hooked and read it over a couple of days. It is one I would definitely recommend.

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

The Shadow Key by Susan Stokes-Chapman @havillsecker #NetGalley #mystery #histfic #gothic #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of The Shadow Key by Susan Stokes-Chapman. This is a fabulous eerie historical mystery that I adored.

My huge thanks to the publisher Harvill Secker for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Just look at this amazing cover 😍👇

There’s something mysterious about the village of Penhelyg. Will unlocking its truth bring light or darkness?

Meirionydd, 1783. Henry Talbot has been dismissed from his post at a prestigious London hospital. The only job he can find is as a physician in the backwaters of Wales where he can’t speak the language, belief in myth and magic is rife, and the villagers treat him with bewildering suspicion. When Henry discovers his predecessor died under mysterious circumstances, he is determined to find answers.

Linette Tresilian, the unconventional mistress of Plas Helyg, lives a lonely life. Her father is long dead, her mother haunted by demons which keep her locked away in her room, and her cousin treats her with cool disdain – she has had no choice but to become fiercely self-reliant.

Linette has always suspected something is not quite right in the village, but it is only through Henry’s investigations that the truth about those closest to her will come to light…a truth that will bind hers and Henry’s destinies together in ways neither thought possible.

MY REVIEW

If you are looking for a gothic-style mystery then this one may well interest you. Set in Wales, in 1783, Henry Talbot arrives in a small community to start work as the local doctor. He had worked in London and been successful and taught. There is a shadow over his head though and this has prevented him from finding work, so this one at the village of Meirionydd is ideal.

He arrives at a rather grand house, Plas Helyg, where he is due to meet the Lord of the manor, Julian. Also living there is Julian’s cousin, Linette, who manages the tenants and her mother who keeps to her rooms. The previous doctor was treating her, and this now falls to Henry Talbot.

Arriving in the area is not a welcoming endeavour for Henry, an Englishman arriving in a Welsh village where memories still remember past events. They are not friendly, ignore him, he is challenged and in general, made to feel very much like the outsider he is. Linette tries to calm the situation but even she has to admit there is something in the air that feels off.

This is such a twisted story and one that took routes that did not occur to me as I started reading the book. There are some great characters to get to know and to be honest, I was soon able to see why Henry felt like a leper. The author manages to create a wonderful air of distrust and this is something that continues throughout the book. It does have a gothic vibe to it and this adds to the general eerie feel of the story.

This is set in Wales, so there are some Welch words and phrases, these are explained through the story as Henry learns them, then so did I. Some of the names of the characters are ones that I have not come across before and the odd one I would not even attempt to try and say. This gives credence to the story and it also shows the differences between Henry Talbot and the working people of the village. There are English speakers, these tend to be the wealthy, rich, lords and the like. So, again it adds to the distrust shown to Henry.

If you are a fan of historical fiction then this is a book that you might want to have a look at. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I found it very addictive. It is at times creepy and eerie and also very mysterious as the threads are gradually unwound. I liked this a lot and I would definitely recommend it.

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

One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole @alyssacolelit @RandomTTours @Harper360UK #mystery #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole. This is an interesting mystery and thriller story about a woman with multiple personalities, it is one that I enjoyed.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for arranging my copy of the book and my spot on the Blog Tour.

From the critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author of When No One Is Watching comes a riveting thriller about the new caretaker of a historic estate who finds herself trapped on an island with a murderer—and the ghosts of her past.

Years after a breakdown and a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder derailed her historical preservationist career, Kenetria Nash and her alters have been given a second chance they can’t refuse: a position as resident caretaker of a historic home. Having been dormant for years, Ken has no idea what led them to this isolated Hudson River island, but she’s determined not to ruin their opportunity.

Then a surprise visit from the home’s conservation trust just as a Nor’easter bears down on the island disrupts her newfound life, leaving Ken trapped with a group of possibly dangerous strangers—including the man who brought her life tumbling down years earlier. When he turns up dead, Ken is the prime suspect.

Caught in a web of secrets and in a race against time, Ken and her alters must band together to prove their innocence and discover the truth of Kavanaugh Island—and their own past—or they risk losing not only their future, but their life.

MY REVIEW

This was such an interesting read, it focuses on Ken and her others, the others being personalities that are part of her Dissociative Identity Disorder, often referred to as DID system. I have read books about characters having multiple identities but I think this is the first time I have read a book that has as many identities as Ken does.

Ken is such an interesting one to get to know as she has been dormant for 6 years, when she resurfaces and becomes the main identity she finds that one of her other personalities has set her up in a job as a caretaker on an island. In the past, the other personalities have been more aware of what has been happening, but this time they are at a bit of a loss. The journey to the island reveals a little of the history and when she finally arrives she is given a little more information.

This book took me a little while to get to grips with as there are several characters, many of which are Ken’s other identities. The author does make things clear as I was taken between identities and given more insight into this disorder. The mystery of the island is a dark one and does not become fully evident until a bit further into the story. This trickles through and gradually adds more mystery and at times more confusion.

The setting of the island is good because it gives that locked-in mystery touch, the island becomes isolated, there is no outside communication and there is a murder, so it does give you the right vibes. The way the murder is solved is given a twist because of Ken and her other identities. The stability of Ken’s mental health is something that the author uses to good effect, juggling identities, personalities, the stress of the island and trying to work out the answers adds a different twist to this genre.

This is an interesting and at times dark read. I enjoyed the identity disorder side of this book and I think I came away with a slightly better understanding of a disorder I haven’t really read much about. The mix of psychological and mystery with dashes of historical elements made for a story that felt different and it is one I would happily recommend.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

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

The Last Guest House by Caroline Mitchell @emblabooks #thriller #mystery #netgalley #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review of The Last Guest House by Caroline Mitchell. This is a fabulously dark and twisted thriller that I adored.

My huge thanks to Embla Books for accepting my request to read this book via NetGalley.

Guest House Rules

No smoking in the rooms.

No loud music.

No phones

No leaving your room after 9pm

DC Nicola McKenna is meant to be resting following her last case, so she lets her boyfriend to take her to the Isle of Skye for the weekend. But what’s meant to be a getaway to see the aurora borealis soon turns into a nightmare when they discover that their hotel has double booked.

In desperation, they check into the only hotel with rooms available nearby – The Loch House.

But from the moment they step foot in the guest house Nicola knows something is very wrong.

And as snow starts to fall, and night closes in, she begins to wonder if they will ever leave here alive…

The absolutely gripping, action-packed new thrilled from bestselling author Caroline Mitchell. Perfect for fans of The Sanatorium and The Hunting Party.

MY REVIEW

What a deliciously dark story this was, it has two different storylines and while I wasn’t sure how they would join, they were both interesting in their ways.

Alex, her son George and her partner Matt had not meant to be staying at the guest house they ended up in. It was a surprise that Matt had organised, everything that could go wrong did. Instead of a lovely warm hotel, they are in a dark, gloomy guest house where the owner has a series of rules. The owners are as creepy as their house. Other guests are staying and each of them is not exactly pleased with the rules, but as the snow is now coming down thick and fast they have no choice but to stay put and abide by the rules.

The author does such a good job of describing the house, and the owners and also giving a back story to this creepy house. It is the 10th anniversary of a murder and once those staying there find this out there is some tension and edginess. The author has created a locked room mystery within the house and the setting of the Isle of Skye adds even more remoteness to the scenario.

I did mention two storylines, one is the main bulk of the story and the focus with Alex trying to put things together and Matt getting annoyed that she cannot leave her “police head” on holiday mode. The other is a podcast, short sections that are dropped in between the main story. This one left me puzzled and it was not until much later in the book when it suddenly dawned on me what and how it was connected. It caught me completely unaware!

The author definitely knows how to gradually increase tension and suspicion and she does this with great effect with her characters. There is a sense of distrust and because each of the chapters is from the perspective of alternating people you are never quite sure who can be trusted. I do like this way of telling things as you get little snippets of a character’s darkest secrets or motives.

This is a wonderfully paced story that increases its pace and keeps me turning the pages. I wanted to know and found that the answers were gradually given but more questions arose. There is a dramatic conclusion and it was a satisfying one as well. Great for readers who like a tense, atmospheric, locked-room mystery and thriller story. Addictive and creepy and one I would definitely recommend.

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

Talking with Psychopaths – A Journey into the Evil Mind by Christopher Berry-Dee @Tr4cyF3nt0n @bonnierbooks_uk #nonfiction #psychopathy #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of Talking with Psychopaths

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of this book from the publishers – Bonnier Books.

LOOK AROUND YOU, BECAUSE THE PERSON SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO YOU COULD BE A COLD, HEARTLESS MURDERER.

In Talking With Psychopaths and Savages, bestselling author and criminologist Christopher Berry-Dee takes readers deep inside the dark minds of some of the most pitiless and dangerous people alive. Having spent years interviewing imprisoned criminals – including notorious serial killers – he discovered that the lack of remorse these people showed was in many ways even more terrifying than the crimes they had committed.

Yet in the course of these conversations, the author also had the chance to interview his subjects’ psychiatrists and, in doing so, uncovered a terrible truth: a monster can be hidden behind a friendly face. Some of these experts, he found, proved to have more in common with their patients than he would ever have expected.

This book examines horrific crimes committed by some of the most remorseless and merciless people ever to have lived, revealing a mindset wholly alien to most people.

Talking with Psychopaths and Savages will inevitably shift the reader’s view of those capable of the most heinous murders, and in doing so reveals that horror can be much closer to us than we think.

A noted writer and criminologist of many years’ standing, Christopher Berry-Dee is also the author of the bestselling Talking to Serial Killers.

MY REVIEW

This is the 2nd book I have read by this author and he makes his books very easy to read. Not full of jargon, but instead more of a layperson’s view. The opinions in this book are the author’s own and he does make this very clear at the end.

This book looks at serial killers and what makes them tick. It is not a comprehensive look into each of those he has chosen to include, but a snapshot of their mindset and how they express themselves when asked for their account of the crimes they committed. The author has been in contact with serial killers in person and also through other forms of correspondence, he has also interviewed family members.

The author shares his findings and thoughts, he often refers back to earlier sections or forward to future sections. It may sound a little disjointed but it did actually help to highlight a key point he was trying to make. He does reference some of his other books as well.

This is an interesting book and one for those who maybe want to start reading about true crime as it does give several killers to look at. For me it is interesting from a morbid curiosity stance, wanting to know a little bit more about them how they could conceive of getting away with what they did and how they validated their crimes.

If you are looking for a more reference or researched book then this is not the one for you, although it is still good reading.

Interesting for true crime, and non-fiction readers and one I would be happy to recommend.

About the Author…

Chris was a former Royal Marine intelligence officer. He is now a criminologist who has interviewed over 30 serial killers.

Check out the other stops on the Tour…

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

My Week In Books (w/e 25th Feb 2024) #booknews #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Welcome to another weekly update of books I have read. What an awful lot of weather we have had down here in Cornwall, sunshine, showers, downpours, hailstorms and wind all over just a few days! This month also saw the last full moon of the winter, it is known as a Snow Moon so that obviously meant we had to have a swim in the local harbour, we also had a dip earlier in the day. Saturday was glorious, Sunday was an absolute wash-out with wind and waves that were a bit too rough for swimming safely in.

Here is what I have read this week…

The Long and Winding Road by Lesley Pearce – this is an autobiography of the author and she is very candid in her life and choices she made. Full review out soon, Publication Day is due on 29th Feb 2024.

The Escape Room by L.D. Smithson – this is a book that blew me away, if left my brain tangled and twisted in such a good way and took me 24hrs to get my head write to even think about writing a review, which will follow as part of the Blog tour. Publication Date – 14th March 2024

Empire of The Damned by Jay Kristoff – a brilliant 2nd book in the series and full of supernatural, fantasy horror suspense, fast paced and fabulous reading. Full review will follow soon. Publication Date – 29th Feb 2024.

Have a wonderful week ahead,

Happy Reading

Yvonne xx

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

The Fury by Alex Michaelides @MichaelJBooks #crime #thirller #suspense #murder #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of The Fury by Alex Michaelides. I do own his previous books but this is the first time I have read a book, I will get to his other ones.

My huge thanks to Michael Joseph and Random House publishers for granting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Totally original and utterly compelling, with a voice all of its own, this is the outstanding new thriller from the no.1 internationally bestselling author of The Silent Patient, Alex Michaelides.

This is a tale of murder.
Or maybe that’s not quite true. At its heart, it’s a love story, isn’t it?

One spring morning, reclusive ex-movie star Lana Farrar invites a small group of her closest friends for a weekend away, on her small private island, just off the coast of Mykonos.

Beneath the surface, old friendships conceal violent passions and resentments. And in forty-eight hours, one of them will be dead.

But that was just the beginning…

You may think you know this story. Think again.

MY REVIEW

I still have to read The Silent Patient and I have two copies so there is no excuse, but when I saw this one I liked the synopsis and it turned out to be a very enjoyable read. This is a dark slow burner of a thriller and one that focuses on a small group of friends.

Told from the perspective of Eliot, one of the group the whole narration comes from him. He tells of those involved, the past and the present and takes the reader on an enigmatic journey through to the final scene. The story is laid out in acts and this does work well as the story is about theatre, an actress, movies and the connections between the characters. It is a tragedy as such but one that is not as straightforward as it first appears.

I really enjoyed this story and I liked how devious the characters become. The story lays out the scenario and then the fun begins, getting to know the characters and how they all came to be on the Greek Island. You don’t immediately know why there was a death but you know there was one. It is the journey to the answers rather than the answering of questions that makes this a good read.

The isolation of the island gives it an atmospheric air, especially with the mythological histories and also the strong Hitchcock presence in the story, he is mentioned a few times and is a muse as such. Again this adds to the atmosphere and intrigue.

Having a group of people in the story is good, but having just one narrator was ideal for this story and it worked so well. It gave a one-sided view of events, but then it changed and became a battle and turned into a psychological thriller as well.

This is a story that has a lot going on but it is told in a well laid out way and this is what made the story so addictive. Watching the twists develop and appear was great. It is a whodunnit and there is a lot of misdirection, the characters are flawed and not really that likeable if I am honest. The end of the story came in a whirlwind with a frenetic feel as the truth finally emerged.

A mix of psychological, thriller, mystery, whodunnit, murder, suspense and a very, very good read. It is one I would happily recommend.

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

Dark in Different Ways by J.D. Patterson @_JD_Patterson @SpellBoundBks @Tr4cyF3nt0n #thriller #psychological #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of Dark in Different Ways by J.D. Patterson. This is a fabulous thriller that is set mainly in Australia and the first for me to read anything by this author.

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of the book from the publisher – SpellBound Books.

There are dark secrets beneath the Australian sun…His troubled past behind him, Thom is happy living in Sydney with his lover, Craig and dreams of being a journalist.

When the death of a teenager causes a riot, Thom thinks he’s found his perfect story. But when he starts asking questions, he attracts the attention of Rob Morton, a corrupt detective with something to hide. Before long, he’s ensnared in a twisted game of cat-and-mouse with the psychopathic Morton, who will go to appalling lengths to stop him.

In mortal danger – and with his new life unravelling – Thom finds he can trust no-one. Not even himself. In a high-stakes world where he doesn’t belong, what can he do to survive?

Tense and atmospheric, Dark in Different Ways is a haunting odyssey through the murkier side of Sydney.

MY REVIEW

Thom moved to Australia to study journalism there. It was a way of escaping his past and giving himself some distance from the ideologies that initially got him into trouble in the UK. Now in Sydney, he is living with Craig and is doing well for himself. He comes across a story about the death of a teen involved in a riot. Thinking this could be something, Thom decides to follow it up and finds himself in a whole lot of trouble in a country that he is only just starting to understand.

This was such a good book and one that soon became one that I could not put down. A fabulous thriller that has a great psychological edge to it as there are so many mind games that the author has brought into this story. While it is the story of Thom and what he thinks is right, it is also about his naivety and, what some may call, his recklessness.

It is when he becomes the focus of Detective Rob Morton’s eye that things start to become more twisted, devious and dangerous. It makes for an addictive and adrenalin-fuelled read.

Thom is one of those characters who feels like he is doing the right thing when he decides to delve into the story of a dead teenager, but he doesn’t realise that there are so many things he just doesn’t understand. He thinks he is an adult but his 20-odd years haven’t really equipped him for what he finds himself in the middle of.

The author has done such a good job of giving Thom security with his partner Craig and in some ways, this makes him naive as Craig is a lot older and more worldly wise. It is a bit of an eye-opener when Thom starts to doubt what he knows and suddenly he finds himself, not the truthful wannabe-journalist, but someone who does not understand or see the bigger picture.

When he does start to learn what is going on, he realises the danger he is actually in.

This is a dark and brilliant psychological thriller that twists and weaves through Sydney. It is a brilliant book to introduce me to this author and I will be looking forward to reading a lot more. It is one I would definitely recommend.

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