Category One From My TBR Shelf

Crow Moon by Suzy Aspley @OrendaBooks #thriller #crime #debut #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Crow Moon by Suzy Aspley. When I saw this book a while ago I knew it was one I wanted to read so I pre-ordered the paperback. What a good decision that was as this is a wonderful, chilling and dark tale.

I also want to mention what an amazing cover this is ❤

A Martha Strangeways Mystery

Set in the fictional village of Strathbran (Glen of Ravens) in Stirlingshire, Scotland, an area steeped in folklore and impenetrable mists, Crow Moon features ex-journalist Martha Strangeways, who discarded her career when her young twins died in a fire. Stricken by guilt that she was not there to save them, Martha carries their remains in a matchbox and struggles to find purpose in her life … until she stumbles across the body of a teenager, strung up on a tree, with a poem about crows inked on his back. Martha is soon drawn into the investigation into his death, teaming up with DI Derek Summers when another teenager goes missing in the remote landscape. With a plot that becomes darker, ever-more paranoid and increasingly enthralling with each page, Crow Moon is also a moving tale of grief and an exploration of psychological damage.

MY REVIEW

This is a wonderfully atmospheric and eerie book. It has a fictional setting, but the author does a great job of describing it and the area, that she had me convinced it could be real!

The setting works so well for this story as the Crow Moon is on the 21st of March, it is the time of year when we are still in the cold of winter but seeing the dawn of spring. The days tend to be damp and overcast with foggy or misty layers. This time of year fits so well with the eerieness of the story and the folklore that has been woven in.

The main character is Martha, she had been a reporter but after her twins died she stepped away. Only when one of her son’s friends disappears does she become interested enough to start looking for her own clues. She thinks there is more to the disappearance, and her fear is palpable.

This is such a tense story that mixes the feel of a gothic thriller with a modern setting. The folklore is brought into play and a supernatural feel that sends shivers, the author uses this to great effect and it makes you wonder just how much truth there is behind the fiction!

The cast of characters is enough, for it was anyway. They had a role to play and there is an unknown character that appears in italics. I do love a mystery italicised cast member! The character of Martha has a fragility to her, but she is tough and when she believes in an idea she will follow it through. She does have the support of a DI Derek Summers, who is investigating the case and this makes for a great bit of teamwork, well when they share information that is.

While this is a story about death and grief it is also about moving on and taking a breath to make another step forward. Being stuck in a rut or routine, hiding away is all well and good, but sometimes you need something to steer you out. The author does this for Martha and as I got to know her I could see there is much more to learn.

This is the first book and one that lays down the basics of Martha, her family and those in her life. As the story progresses, the author takes darker and more mysterious turns adding a brilliant sense of nervous tension, with a sense of anxiety and stress as the story gains more intrigue.

If you are a fan of eerie thrillers then this is one for you, I adored the creepy feel and the psychological edge to this book. Brilliant debut novel and one I would definitely recommend.

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

In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callahan #fiction #crime #mystery #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callahan. I had seen many great reviews about this book and finally bought myself a copy when it was released in paperback. It is a brilliant book and I can see why it has gone down so well with many fans. It is thought-provoking, to say the least!

In the Blink of An Eye by Jo Callaghan

In the UK, someone is reported missing every 90 seconds.
Just gone. Vanished. In the blink of an eye. 

DCS Kat Frank knows all about loss. A widowed single mother, Kat is a cop who trusts her instincts. Picked to lead a pilot programme that has her paired with AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detective Entity) Lock, Kat’s instincts come up against Lock’s logic. But when the two missing person’s cold cases they are reviewing suddenly become active, Lock is the only one who can help Kat when the case gets personal. 

AI versus human experience. 
Logic versus instinct.
With lives on the line can the pair work together before someone else becomes another statistic? 

In the Blink of an Eye is a dazzling debut from an exciting new voice that asks us what we think it means to be human. 

MY REVIEW

I have recently bought this book and I did wait until it came out in paperback. I have an advance copy of the next book I wanted to read, In the Blink of an Eye, to see if it was as good as people said. It definitely is and I am so eager to read the next one.

Kat is DCS Kat Frank and Lock is AIDE Lock, (Artificial intelligence detective entity). Kat has been asked to lead the pilot program for this new tech that will hopefully help the police and if all goes well to go further. Kat is very anti AI and the reason why is not known until much further into the book. Her reasons are justified when you do learn. Even though she is not a fan she does start to see that there are some advantages, but there is also a lot for Lock to learn. He may know the rulebook inside out but he does not know people.

The pilot is to look at some cold cases, there are several to choose from unfortunately and two cases are chosen. One is based on knowledge and the other on fact. given that the cases are cold, it comes as a surprise to find that these are not as cold as they think. Some shocking revelations and some real soul-searching for those involved in the cases.

There are two other detectives involved with this book, one meek and uncertain the other confident and I think you could call him a go-getter. They have their own stories and these also emerge I liked this as often you find that it is only the main characters that have details of their home lives revealed. I think because Kat’s side-kick is an AI rather than a person it does give the author the scope to include details of the other human members of the team.

The book is laid out in chapters and these do vary in length, but another voice is heard occasionally. I thought I was on the right path with who this voice is but I was completely wrong about the context. A fabulous revelation when it finally dawned on me!

This is a great story and one that would be brilliant for a book club discussion, there are things in the story that show prejudice and stereotyping but these views do differ as the story continues. Even though Lock is an AI he does have a good role in the story, and he does have some very awkward moments which does enamour him to the reader.

A story that mixes science and technology with good old-fashioned hunches and gut instincts. It is so well done and because of the mentions of the progress of AI in the news you can see this being a possibility. This then begs the question… will it happen and when!!!

This is one for fans of crime, thriller, and mystery books that have something different, it is a police procedural but it also looks into the lives of its main characters and how these could impact a case or are perceived. So, in some ways, it does have a psychological edge to it as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book and it is one I would definitely recommend.

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

Finding Family at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash #romance #contemporaryfiction #romcom #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review of Finding Family at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash. This is the 2nd book in the series and it is a wonderful book to cosy down to read.

For years, Gemma has been running her late mother’s café with devotion, and when an opportunity comes to buy out her next-door neighbour and expand, she jumps at the chance.

She knows she will do her mother proud – keep her legacy going strong – but deep down she knows there’s still something missing. But sometimes family are those you choose, or those who choose you!

With a growing community of supporters cheering Gemma on, will she really spend the rest of her life alone?

And with some new faces at her blossoming bistro, perhaps romance may also be on the cards?

MY REVIEW

What a delight it was to return to Driftwood Bay, this is the second book in the series and you could read it as a stand-alone as it works well. Having read the first book though, and loving it, I would suggest reading it as it was another gorgeous story.

Gemma has been running her Mum’s cafe after the death of her Mum. She has put a lot of hard work into it and it is time to make a new step forward. Gemma has been through a lot in the past and it is with some trepidation she decides to expand. Always in the back of her mind is the memory of her Mum and she often wonders what she would have thought of Gemma’s ideas.

There is a newcomer into the Bay and he has his own bag full of problems, they are not as straightforward or as obvious as you would first think. Then there is Lucy, Gemma’s sister who is also thinking of the future. Behind all of this is a secret that Gemma has been holding onto. Letting it out could be heartbreaking, but this is something she wants to keep to herself.

It was great to be able to reconnect with some of the characters from the first book, Clem and Meredith pop up regularly and add to the overall friendly feel of this gorgeous-sounding bay. gemma’s cafe sounds wonderful as does the new look extension.

This is a story from Gemma’s point of view, it is her story and brings up things from her past. She has not put them to rest and there are things that she does need to deal with, these sorts of things tend to arise at the most inconsiderate of moments. But it will give her the chance to meet them head-on, even though at the time she would rather avoid them.

I adore this author’s books, they are full of warmth and with this one, family is well and truly at the centre. There are various family issues from various sources and this made for interesting reading. I did kind of work out connections, but the lightness of the story made the reading enjoyable. If you are a fan of cosy family and romance novels with a few chuckles thrown in then this is one for you. Some great new characters that liven up the Bay. Looking forward to the next one and I would happily recommend this one.

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

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods @0neMoreChapter_ #NetGalley #fantasy #contemporaryfiction #histfic #bookreview

yvonnembee 9 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for a gorgeous story – The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is an amazing story. I have read a story from this author before under her other name Evie Gaughan -The Story Collector is a gorgeous book and you can see my review HERE.

I originally requested this title from One More Chapter via NetGalley and I didn’t get to it for publication Day, but then I saw it being reviewed and bought myself a copy.

On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…

For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.

But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.

MY REVIEW

This is an amazing story about books, love, a vanishing bookshop and discovery and I loved every word. This is not the first time I have read anything by this author, the first time was The Story Collector which was another beautiful story.

The Lost Bookshop is something Henry has been searching for, he has followed manuscripts, links, leads and rumours to find its whereabouts yet to no avail.

Martha is also trying to hide and finds herself working for Mrs Bowden as her housekeeper. She has found her own version of a new life and yet keeps her head down.

Opaline is a character who is from the past, she works in France for the Shakespeare and Company bookshop, another one who is trying to escape from her past.

While these three are the main characters, there are some amazing others that the author has drawn into her storyline. Opaline’s story is of her brothers’ trying to force her into an arranged marriage, but being the 1920s Poaline has other ideas. Henry is struggling with something that has happened in his past, just as Martha is but for different reasons. These three characters tell their story in their own voices so you do get a personal sense of narration.

As well as having three different voices there are also two timelines, this may sound as if it starting to become a little complex but it honestly is not. The author has woven it brilliantly and I soon found myself automatically recognising the different voices and timelines.

The story is about finding your own future and having the confidence to take the steps forward on that path. Sometimes a little nudge is needed. The Lost Bookshop is a character in its own right, it is an amazing sounding place and it becomes what it needs to be when it is needed. A truly fantastical-sounding place that I would love to visit.

A mix of historical fiction, romance, fantasy and contemporary fiction. I adored this one a huge amount and I would highly recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Evie Woods is the pseudonym of Evie Gaughan, bestselling author of The Story Collector, The Heirloom and The Mysterious Bakery On Rue De Paris.
Living on the West Coast of Ireland, Evie escapes the inclement weather by writing her stories in a converted attic, where she dreams of underfloor heating. Her books tread the intriguing line between the everyday and the otherworldly, revealing the magic that exists in our ordinary lives.

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

Wish Upon a Cornish Moon by Amanda James @amandajames61 @OneMoreChapter_ #contemporaryfiction #family #romance #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Wish Upon a Cornish Moon by Amanda James. I do love this authors books and her latest one is just fabulous. A mix of past and present set in a wonderful Cornish cove.

‘I can see you don’t believe me, girl, but I’m telling you that there’s magic in the moon and that big sea out there.’ 1938
One midnight in June, 15-year-old Lamorna Williams throws a message in a bottle into the Atlantic at Magic Cove, hoping to meet her one true love – and someone writes back. 1997
On the other side of the world, Lamorna tells her story to her 16-year-old great nephew Ethan inspiring him to do the same. But this time, his message isn’t found for over twenty years… Present day
Single mum, Merrin Pascoe, is told of the legend of Magic Cove. In a moment of madness, Merrin wishes on the moon, and next day she finds a bottle in the sea. Will the cove cast its spell once again…

MY REVIEW

Not many people believe in magic or love at first sight, but not many live at Chapel Porth Cove in Cornwall—an area of magic, mystery and wonderous things. Over the years there has been a young woman who wishes for something more and to find her one true love. It has happened over generations and whether you believe in magic or not, if you don’t try, you will never know.

Merrin is a hard-working single mum, who helps out where she can and is not looking forward to her daughter leaving for university. When she meets Morwenna, she tells Merrin of how the cove is also known as magic cove and if a message is placed in a bottle and the words are spoken on a June night when the moon is full your true love will find it and you will meet.

Merrin has not had much luck with true love, she has in fact had her heart broken so is not looking for anything else in life. She is happy with her life, work and family.

The author has laid her story out over several timelines, these are easy to follow as are the different places where she sets her story, although the majority of it is in Cornwall. Mixing the past event with present situations is a great way of telling a tale as it gets pieced together gradually.

The story of Morwenna and her sister Lamorna is a sad one, but one that also makes sense when you realise what was going on in each of their lives at the time. A chance for a new exciting adventure with the man of your dreams is something that most girls want, but not everyone gets that chance, and some, they miss their chance.

Mixing the historical aspect of the story with a present-day one is a great way of drawing similarities between characters of many years of difference. It also makes for a tantalising read, I could see some things coming but not always in the way I expected them. The way the family dramas were worked in was great and it was a way of bringing different perspectives and experiences.

The romance side of the story is one that I adored, it was a mix of drama, adventure, daring and taking the chance when it appears. Set over different generations, it was a great way of showing how the magic of the cove and the message in the bottle could work in many different ways. Some things happen quickly, and some take a little more time, but things happen for a reason.

If you are a fan of romance, historical and contemporary fiction then this is one that you may well be interested in, there is a wonderful sense of warmth and hope throughout and with a message of taking a chance and doing what is right for you. I adored this one a huge amount and I would definitely recommend it, fabulous story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda James has written since she was a child and even asked her parents for a typewriter for Christmas. She never imagined her words would ever be published. In 2010 the dream of becoming a writer came true when she had her first short story published.

Originally from Sheffield, Amanda now lives in Cornwall and is inspired every day by the wild and beautiful coastline. She can usually be found playing on the beach with her family, or walking the cliff paths planning her next book.

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

Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch #RiversofLondon #fantasy #mystery #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for the 2nd book in the Rivers of London series. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch sees Constable Peter Grant investigating the deaths of Jazz Men under the leadership of his mentor DCI Nightingale.

The song. That’s what London constable and sorcerer’s apprentice Peter Grant first notices when he examines the corpse of Cyrus Wilkins, part-time jazz drummer and full-time accountant, who dropped dead of a heart attack while playing a gig at Soho’s 606 Club. The notes of the old jazz standard are rising from the body—a sure sign that something about the man’s death was not at all natural but instead supernatural.

Body and soul. They’re also what Peter will risk as he investigates a pattern of similar deaths in and around Soho. With the help of his superior officer, Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the last registered wizard in England, and the assistance of beautiful jazz aficionado Simone Fitzwilliam, Peter will uncover a deadly magical menace—one that leads right to his own doorstep and to the squandered promise of a young jazz musician: a talented trumpet player named Richard “Lord” Grant—otherwise known as Peter’s dear old dad.

MY REVIEW

Having read the first book in the series, I knew I wanted to continue with this. Book 2 follows on from the first book and continues with the same humour and madcap antics of Constable Peter Grant. He is not only a constable but also an apprentice with one of the force’s most minor departments. It is run by one man who is supposed to take it easy.

Peter’s wingman was left with a large section of her jaw missing after being caught in a magical crossfire. While on leave, she offers to help Peter with his latest case. It has family connections. Jazz men are being murdered, and Peter can detect the remnants of music on their bodies. He has been brought in because of this and works alongside the ‘standard’ officers in the MET.

Once again this is a fabulous read, it is fast-paced and brings back some characters that I had met in the first book, those being the relations of Mother Thames. As Peter investigates he comes into contact with wanna-be Jazzmen, this is where his father’s love of Jazz comes into its own and it is why Peter is an invaluable asset in this case.

Where there is one body another will follow, and another and yeah you guessed it another. As the bodies line up the mystery deepens and some wonder what is behind these murders. It is a dark force and one that Peter is not equipped to stand up to, although he does try, dear of him! He is still in the early stages of learning his magical craft, and this is proving something that does need a lot of practice.

I think one of the things that I enjoy about this series is the way the magic sits side by side as such with the normal everyday stuff. Only certain people are aware of the department and it works well. Peter is not a mixer so he is rather suited to working with one other person.

I also really enjoy the journey around the streets of London, its back alleys, its dodgy areas and also all the other weird and wonderful things that the author brings into his story.

As I mentioned I am enjoying this series and it is one that fans of urban fantasy and mystery genres will most likely enjoy. I do think that reading this series in order is good as the first book gives a great basis for the characters and the way things work. Fabulous second book and I am looking forward to the next one. I would definitely recommend this and the first book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ben Aaronovitch’s career started with a bang writing for Doctor Who, subsided in the middle and then, as is traditional, a third act resurgence with the bestselling Rivers of London series.

Born and raised in London he says that he’ll leave his home when they prise his city out of his cold dead fingers.

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

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett #suspense #mystery #bookreview

yvonnembee 6 Comments

I am delighted to share my review of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett. I had seen so many good things about this book I bought a copy to see just how good it was. And, yes it was very good indeed 🙂

Open the safe deposit box. Inside you will find research material for a true crime book. You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you destroy them? Or will you take them to the police?

Everyone knows the story of the Alperton Angels: the cult-like group who were convinced one of their member’s babies was the anti-Christ, and they had a divine mission to kill it – until the baby’s mother, Holly, came to her senses and called the police. The Angels committed suicide rather than go to prison, and Holly – and the baby – disappeared into the care system.

Nearly two decades later, true-crime author Amanda Bailey is writing a book on the Angels. The Alperton baby has turned eighteen and can finally be interviewed – if Amanda can find them, it will be the true-crime scoop of the year, and will save her flagging career. But rival author Oliver Menzies is just as smart, better connected, and is also on the baby’s trail.

As Amanda and Oliver are forced to collaborate, they realise that what everyone thinks they know about the Angels is wrong, and the truth is something much darker and stranger than they’d ever imagined.

This story is far from over – and it won’t have a happy ending.

MY REVIEW

I have seen this book around so much since its release and I decided to jump on the bandwagon to see if it was as good as it looked. It most definitely was and so much more than I realised it would be. I will mention that this is not a straightforward book, the story is made up of emails, messages, transcripts, post-it notes, emails, documents and reports. I have read several books that have been written this way and enjoy this style.

For a book that is written via messages, pieces of text and no conversations as such, the flow of this story is amazing. Two authors are pushed together to write a book each about the infamous Alperton Angels, a small cult that ended when the leader was arrested for murder, two of the cult got away, and three if you also include the baby. Oh, and the three other members are also dead and mutilated. And further murders have happened in recent times to add even more confusion and mystery for the two authors to dig through.

This is a cleverly laid out and written book, it had me going in circles along with the fictional authors as I was gradually drawn into a story that already sounded bad but then turned into something more evil and extreme. The mystery is amazing when it is finally realised, and I did not see that from the beginning of the book. There are things that are red herrings, but then they are not, people who are what you think they are and then they are not, places and dates are confusing and even though this who thing sounds very confusing, while you are reading the book it isn’t. This is why I think this has been very cleverly done, if it hadn’t been, well… it wouldn’t have worked.

The story involves several people as they give their information, some can be trusted, others not so much. There are many twists and I am finding it really difficult to write a review that makes sense. So what I am going to say is, if you like a murder mystery that is dark and just throws twists left, right and centre, then you really do need to read it.

Brilliant book and I have a feeling this might be worth listening to as an audiobook. It definitely kept me occupied and I would definitely recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janice Hallett is a former magazine editor, award-winning journalist, and government communications writer. She wrote articles and speeches for, among others, the Cabinet Office, Home Office, and Department for International Development. Her enthusiasm for travel has taken her around the world several times, from Madagascar to the Galapagos, Guatemala to Zimbabwe, Japan, Russia, and South Korea. A playwright and screenwriter, she penned the feminist Shakespearean stage comedy NetherBard and co-wrote the feature film Retreat. The Appeal is her first novel.

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

The Last by Hannah Jameson #dystopian #apocalyptic #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for The Last by Hannah Jameson. I have seen this book around and then was lucky enough to find a copy in our local community book swap.

THE WORLD HAS ENDED IN NUCLEAR WAR.

You and nineteen other survivors hole up in an isolated Swiss hotel.

You wait, you survive.

Then you find the body.

One of your number has blood on their hands.

The race is on to find the killer…

BEFORE THE KILLER FINDS YOU.

MY REVIEW

I enjoy dystopian or near-future novels, and The Last cover definitely caught my eye. A hotel in Switzerland is the setting, news of nuclear bombs exploding over certain parts of the US, and Europe and the decision about what to do next is the main premise for this story.

Oh, I also forgot to mention that a body is discovered under suspicious circumstances!

While this book is set in the aftermath of a nuclear explosion the focus of the story is on those who decided to remain at the hotel rather than risk the unknown. News reports, social media, internet are all gone, all people have to go on is the last things that were sent as bombs landed. Not knowing all the facts make sit very hard to work out what to do next.

With the discovery of the body though, the story focuses on one man’s decision to try and discover who was responsible for the death while at the same time keeping a journal of what is happening over the course of the following days. This gives the air of a locked-room mystery as the hotel and the suspects, or guests as they should be referred to, are isolated.

The author has done a wonderful job of giving a sense of isolation and also coming to terms with the fact that the world they once knew has gone. There are mentions of things being organised such as food, hunting parties, and basic stuff like that, but this is mentioned in the form of the journal notes.

This is a story that has many twists and I did enjoy the style of the book and the mystery element to it. Yes, it is dystopian but actually more mystery with a good suspense vibe to it. If you are a fan of murder mystery stories in isolated settings that do have a thriller sense to them rather than a cosy mystery then this is one that you may like. I enjoyed it and I would happily recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hanna Jameson’s fourth novel, part murder mystery and part post-apocalyptic thriller – THE LAST – is out early 2019, with Viking UK and Simon & Schuster – Atria Books US. The Last is the story of an American academic searching for the truth about a girl who has been murdered in his Swiss hotel in the aftermath of a nuclear war that has destroyed most of the Western world.

Jameson had written the first draft of her debut, award-nominated novel – SOMETHING YOU ARE – at just seventeen. Something You Are and two further novels in the series – GIRL SEVEN and ROAD KILL – are available now in the UK, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands.

She lives in London currently, and is working on screenwriting projects. She likes whiskey, history, and emotionally taxing TV shows.

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

Crow 27 by Matt Johnson @Matt_Johnson_UK #thriller #mystery #policeprocedural #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Crow 27 by Matt Johnson. This is a police procedural and is set within a barracks where there is another investigation going on. The book is inspired by true stories and it makes an intense story to read. It sees the return of Robert Finley and it was great to catch up with this character.

A crime thriller inspired by a series of true stories.

Four young women soldiers.
All are victims. All want justice.

When veteran cop, Robert Finlay, is sent to a military barracks to investigate the source of weapons found in the possession of London gangsters, he is given strict instructions not to get involved in a suicide enquiry into the recent death of a young recruit soldier. The army partners him with an ambitious military policewoman who is determined he will.

When an undercover police officer goes missing, Finlay identifies a cabal of soldiers – led by a narcissistic training sergeant – who exploit young recruits for sexual and criminal purposes. What appears to be a routine investigation soon takes on a life of its own as he finds himself in a struggle with powerful forces – both criminal and from the military establishment – who know that, inside the wire, they make the rules.

What begins as a fight for justice will end as a battle for survival.

MY REVIEW

OH WOW! This is an amazing book and one that I devoured in one sitting. Anyone aware of institutional abuse within the military may probably be aware of the Deepcut Barracks. If not search on the internet for reports about the suicides of young soldiers training there. The author does take great pains at the end of the book to state that Crow 27 is a work of fiction and that his approach is one that does have some factual events.

When Finley is asked to look into two missing rifles from an army barracks, he is told that it is nothing to do with the suicide of a soldier. Sgt Floria McLaren is his liaison while working on this case.

It was so interesting to see two different approaches to the investigative approaches of Finley from the MET and the way the Military Police handle things. The subtitle of the book ” Behind the wire, we make the rules” is something that is very important to remember and the author does show how what happens on a camp remains there. Secretive and not altogether helpful is what comes across, but also one of being part of a large military family. The only problem with this approach is that things are swept under the carpet, accusations are not taken seriously and the result is the death of a soldier.

The military has a distrust of the police, and the police have the same for the military police. This is evident from the very outset, but there is one thing that Finley has to his advantage before he came to the force he was military, he knows all the tricks in the book. I will add here that this is also where the author has a great perspective, being in the military and also the police!

Starting with the basic search for missing guns that turn up in London takes Finely to the barracks. Keeping his past to himself provides an advantage, but with the military wanting to cover their own backs it is difficult for Finley to keep his past hidden.

Floria takes time to warm up to Finley and doesn’t trust his motives. As she begins to understand him they are able to investigate more effectively. As they do investigate things of a darker nature start to reveal themselves. There is far more to this story than first meets the eye. There are several other characters in the story that adds to the mystery and the suspense. From those just arriving at the camp for their training, to those higher up that has been there for a while and those who are using this as a stepping stone to further their careers, no one is above suspicion.

This is such a riveting story, it deals with some tough subjects and while nothing is overly graphic, there is a sense of what has happened. The author has got the balance right in my opinion, not sharing too much but providing the reactions of others to convey the awful nature of acts committed.

This is a book that explores institutional abuse at several levels. The author uses his knowledge of the military and police to great effect and gives the reader an amazing story. Even though this is fiction, it is based on some true events. It doesn’t take much to search on the internet for examples of abuse not just in the military arena but across many workplace establishments. This is what adds the fear and suspense element to this story, unfortunately, this makes it feel all too plausible.

This is a story for those who like a procedural approach to their crime thrillers. It is dark and it had me absolutely hooked. It is one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matt Johnson served as a soldier from 1975-78 and Metropolitan Police officer from 1978 -1999.

His debut novel Wicked Game – a crime thriller – was published by Orenda Books in March 2016. The sequel Deadly Game, was published March 2017.

Wicked Game was listed for the Crime Writers Association John Creasey Dagger award, has topped the Amazon and WH Smith KOBO charts in several categories and at the end of 2016 was listed by Amazon UK as the highest-rated ‘rising star’ novel of 2016.

Deadly Game tackles the current and sensitive topic of people trafficking – it is told from the authentic view that only a former cop could achieve.

Peter James, the international best-selling novelist said of Matt’s first book “Terse, tense and vivid writing. Matt Johnson is a brilliant new name in the world of thrillers.”

Sir Ranulph Fiennes said of Wicked Game – “From the first page to the last, an authentic, magnetic and completely absorbing read.”

Such endorsements would be serious praise were Matt to have been trained as a writer and have come though a traditional route. But he didn’t. In fact, his journey from the military, through policing to eventual publication might be described as unique.

In 1999, Matt was discharged from the police with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Whilst undergoing treatment, he was encouraged by his counsellor to write about his career and his experience of murders, shootings and terrorism.

Matt was eventually persuaded to give this a go, and one evening, he sat at his computer and started to weave his notes into a work of fiction that he described as having a tremendously cathartic effect on his own condition. He used his detailed knowledge and recollections to create what has been described by many readers as a fast paced, exciting and authentic tale of modern day policing and terrorism.

I could be argued that Matt Johnson is living proof PTSD is a condition that can be controlled and overcome with the right help and support. He has been described by many fans as an inspiration to fellow sufferers.

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

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill #gothichorror #ghoststory #thriller #atmosheric #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for the wonderfully atmospheric The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. I have had this one on my shelf for a while and it was a brilliant book to read. Ideal for fans of gothic horror and thriller books.

Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor in London, is summoned to Crythin Gifford to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, and to sort through her papers before returning to London. It is here that Kipps first sees the woman in black and begins to gain an impression of the mystery surrounding her. From the funeral he travels to Eel Marsh House and sees the woman again; he also hears the terrifying sounds on the marsh.

Despite Kipps’s experiences he resolves to spend the night at the house and fulfil his professional duty. It is this night at Eel Marsh House that contains the greatest horror for Kipps. Kipps later discovers the reasons behind the hauntings at Eel Marsh House. The book ends with the woman in black exacting a final, terrible revenge.

MY REVIEW

This is a story that is told from the perspective of Arthur Kipps, he recounts his visit to Eel House when he was younger and a junior solicitor. His boss Mr Bentley had asked him to go to sort out the affairs of Mrs Alice Drablow who had died and it was up to the solicitor to put her papers in order.

The story is a fabulous one that has so much atmosphere. The author has injected so much eerie and chilling scenes into this story. A mysterious house that is only accessible at low tide by way of a causeway. The old woman lived alone and had no family. The locals won’t talk about her and don’t visit the house. It is an unmentioned place and one that worries everyone for some reason.

The arrival of Kripps to finalise the affairs does not bring any sense of relief, the locals worry and they are quite right as it turns out. The mystery of the owner is realised when Kripps discovers some letters, but it does not hold all the answers and there are still some things that are left unknown.

Having a ghost story that is not totally finalised leaves the reader with a certain suspense. I did enjoy this book a lot and having such a mysterious presence adds to the suspense. It definitely has that Victorian Gothic horror feel to it and there are events that leave the reader a little unnerved.

I do like the classic style of this story and I am so glad that I finally got around to reading this book. It had been sitting on my kindle shelf for far too long.

If you are a fan of stories that have that classic literature feel and of course ghost stories then this is definitely a book for you. I thought it was brilliant and I would definitely recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1942. Her hometown was later referred to in her novel A Change for the Better (1969) and some short stories especially “Cockles and Mussels”.

She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr’s Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King’s College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a “schoolgirl”.

Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I’m the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.

In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.

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