Category Psychological Fiction

The Family Experiment by Johns Marrs @panmacmillan #NetGalley #dysotpian #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of The Family Experiment by John Marrs. I do like this author’s books and this one is a fabulous speculative fiction that I adored.

My huge thanks to Pan Macmillan for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

The world’s population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis. And in the UK, breaking point has arrived. A growing number of people can no longer afford to start families let alone raise them.

But for those desperate to experience parenthood, there is an alternative. For a monthly subscription fee, clients can create a virtual child from scratch who they can access via the metaverse and a VR headset. To launch this new initiative, the company behind Virtual Children has created a reality tv show. It will follow ten couples as they raise a Virtual Child from birth to the age of eighteen but in a condensed nine-month time period. The prize: the right to keep their virtual child or risk it all for the chance of a real baby . . .

Set in the same universe as John Marrs’s bestselling novel The One and The Marriage Act, The Family Experiment is a dark and twisted thriller about the ultimate ‘tamagotchi’ – a virtual baby.

MY REVIEW

Having read, some but not all of this author’s previous books, I was eager to read this one. He does do speculative and dystopian fiction well, making you stop and think. This one is no exception.

What if you wanted to become a parent but cannot afford to? How about a virtual child who lives in the metaverse, it will grow and learn, and it can be designed to have certain characteristics or features. Think about those games we had a few years ago where you had to keep a virtual pet alive, similar to this scenario, but this virtual child becomes more like real life than real life does.

The author has taken the concept of living in a virtual world to the next stage, not just popping in a headset and spending a few hours touring but feeling, and experiencing being a parent. The author uses a competition that selects various people who want to be parents to participate in a game show. They are allowed to experience parenthood over nine months. At the end of this, the child will be 18 years old. The winner will have a few options to choose as their prize.

This speculation as to how people could and maybe would behave is insightful and gives some unexpected challenges and ideas as to how the virtual child is seen. Are they real? Well, they learn, or the program allows them to learn and take on their mannerisms, emotions and reactions so it gives the idea that they are real. In the virtual universe, they feel real as well. It is only when the parent steps away back into the real world that the realisation that the real world does not have the same appeal as the virtual.

Before you think that this could not happen, how many of you disappear for a couple of hours into your phone and do not realise how much time has elapsed? What about the gamers who will go several hours without taking a break from their game? Not as far-fetched as you first thought, is it? Even simpler is how many of us have been absorbed by reading a book, same thing when you think about it!!!

The author takes this concept of virtual children to a very good place, one that shows the good and the bad and the possible. There is more to this, if you have read any books by the author then you will know there is another plot in play and this one was amazing! Nope, not saying anything about it.

What I will say though is that the author creates a scenario that plays to the vulnerabilities of people, especially those who want a child in a world where it is too expensive, where the NHS does not fund and gives the real world a bleak outlook for his characters. He does this well and it is not so much about the areas that the characters live in, but more about how they feel about themselves.

This is a brilliant book and the story spans several genres, speculative fiction, fiction, contemporary, thriller and there is a psychological feel throughout as the story focuses on people and their actions and reactions. Brilliant story and one I would definitely recommend.

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

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

The F-Word Reality Shopw by Chris Westlake @ChrisWestlake2 @RandomTTours #thriller #fiction #suspense #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The F-Word Reality Show by Chris Westlake. This is the second book I have read by this author and he certainly knows how to twist his psychological thriller stories.

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

Andrew Macintosh is one of fifty seemingly random individuals offered the opportunity to appear in a reality show, to be aired to millions of viewers across the world. There is only one the contestants must not – under any circumstances – tell anyone where they are going.

Before entering the show, each contestant chooses their F-Word reward for Fame, Fortune or Freedom. Transported to a giant glass hall in the middle of nowhere, guards patrol the hall and cameras watch their every move. There is nowhere to hide.

As the days pass and the events unfold, Andrew discovers that not only is he fighting for his freedom, but he is fighting to stay alive. The choice is brutally straightforward… Andrew must kill, or be killed.

The F-Word Reality Show is a compelling thriller that will leave you wondering whether the cameras watching your every move are your best friend or your worst enemy.

MY REVIEW

This is a story of two parts, one is of Andrew and his life prior to The F-Word Reality Show and the other part is his participation in the show. Just to clarify, the F-Word is not what you think it is! The reality show offers its winning contestant three choices – Fame, Fortune and Freedom. Only one out of the fifty can win, the others are eliminated and you can tell no one you are part of the show.

This is a slow burner and it took me a while to get going with it. It was around the mid-30 % of the book when things start to step up and you realise that this is not quite what you think it is.

The story alternates between Andrew’s story, the past and the present. It is not completely clear as to why he was chosen to take part, but by the end, it is revealed shockingly. Not what I was expecting at all.

This is a mad version of a reality show that has been taken to an extreme level, it is set in 2024 and there are mentions of Covid and people are waiting for a vaccine, hence the freedom option. It gives the winner the freedom to go to a covid free country.

This is one that I really enjoyed, it didn’t immediately grab me. It grew on me and then I found I could not put it down. In some ways, it reminds me of a study of people in extreme situations and how they react.

The show is bizarre and while it sounds like a good idea, there are some rather nasty developments. Andrew does become friendly with some of the others and they form a small group that supports each other. Andrew learns more about the lives of these people.

This is a thriller but one that is quite subtle. Once I got into the story and things began to open up and I realised what things were all about I find it very addictive reading. There is a psychological aspect to this and again this is not obvious at the beginning.

A mix of contemporary fiction, psychological thriller and suspense and there is a mysterious element to it as you wonder and try to work out where the author is going to take you. It is one I would happily recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris’s page-turning novels will make you doubt what happens next, but leave you in no doubt that you sure as hell want to find out. His thrillers toy with your mind and play with your emotions.
Chris has published five novels, including three thrillers. His latest novel, THE F-WORD REALITY SHOW, is a compelling thriller which will leave you wondering whether the cameras that follow your every move are your best friend or your worst enemy.


30 DAYS IN JUNE is a serial killer thriller, and I AM HERE TO KILL YOU is a psychological thriller, with a key focus on cults, the power of manipulation, and brainwashing.


After completing a Creative Writing course in 2010, Chris Westlake’s short story, Welsh Lessons, was awarded 1st place in the Global Short Story Award (not bad for the first writing competition he had entered). He followed this up with 1st place in the Stringybark Erotic Fiction Award and 2nd place in the HASSRA Literary Award.
Chris is determined to write many, many more novels – his main regret is that he didn’t start writing earlier. He is always looking to make his next novel even better than the last. He is continuously experimenting with different styles, different genres.


You can discover more about Chris on his website

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

A Psychic Subterfuge by J.P Alters @RandomTTours #horror #paranormal #psychologicalthriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to share my review today for A Psychic Subterfuge by J.P Alters. This is a fabulous book and I absolutely adored it.

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

Everything has a plan…

Mary Obosa Jameson, a diagnosed schizophrenic, attempts to take her own life and is admitted to a state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital.


Mary hears voices and has friends that nobody else can see… but what she does not know, is that she is actually a powerful medium and that everything, has a plan.


Whilst admitted to the hospital, Mary makes friends who uncover a fiendish conspiracy. Mary’s life, and the lives of her friends are in great danger and only she can save them, but does she believe?


They are her friends. However, when you are diagnosed with schizophrenia, how do you know what is real, and what is not?


A Psychic Subterfuge is the first book in a series of paranormal thrillers featuring protagonist Mary Jameson, by debut author: JP Alters.

MY REVIEW

I was really intrigued when I read the synopsis for this book and it was one I decided I really fancied. I am so glad I gave this a chance because it was brilliant right the way through. From an addictive and emotional start going through some amazing scenes, events, mysteries, terrors and suspicions to an amazing ending. It has left me wanting to read more in this series as soon as possible.

Mary has non-treatable schizophrenia, she has just been admitted to a world-class treatment centre after trying to end her life. This is top of the art, full of luxurious surroundings and a small group of residents that are helped by staff and nurses. All under the watchful eye of Dr Adelia Sinclair, she has been working on alternative treatments and therapies that allow her patients to go on to live lives out in the community.

Mary is nervous when she arrives, it is so different to the usual mental health units she3 has been in, it is quiet, and clean and she has her own room with nice clothes. There is one thing that she is missing though, and that is the voices of those who have followed her around, some for years. Many think Mary is crazy, but she isn’t. She has a gift and hasn’t yet realised it.

This is such an amazing book to read, it was emotional but not necessarily in the way you would think. The story focuses on Mary, her life, how she came to be in this unit and the people she meets there. In some ways, the author plays on some of the stereotypes of how people with serious mental illnesses are perceived. This works very well with how previous treatments were used. The approach that Adelia takes with her patients in this book shows of progressive modern thinking. This is where again the stereotype comes in, conspiracy theorists. Again it is something that fits with stereotypes and perceptions along with muttering, mumbling, rocking and unacceptable behaviours.

This is a mix of several genres, for me, the mystery was the main one along with a good thriller vibe. I would say this has a strong paranormal element, but within the context of the story, it is one that works incredibly well. I know some people will look at the genres and turn away from this style, but for me, it is the mystery of what is happening and why that makes this book so very good. But then I do lie the odd paranormal read from time to time.

This book delves into some tough issues that people have gone through, they can be tough at times but they are part of the story and one or two are particularly heartbreaking. By the end of the book, I was caught up in emotions that I didn’t expect from this genre. An amazing feeling, with many positives and a definite interest in wanting to read more in this series. It is one I would definitely recommend and I look forward to reading what the author comes up with next.

I also have to mention how brilliant the title is for this book!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A debut, indie author, J.P. loves writing, and in December 2022, self-published the first in her series of paranormal thrillers: A Psychic Subterfuge.
J.P. Alters writes under a pen name. A people person, J.P. has enjoyed many jobs throughout the years, working in either social care or mental health. Currently, she has two jobs, sharing her time between being a mum to three children, her role as a mentor, and working for a homeless charity.
J.P. hopes to write books that are accessible and appealing to many. Most of all, she plans to continue to enjoy the writing ride, and hopes her readers will too!
Subscribe to http://www.jpaltersauthor.com to stay updated, and follow J.P. Alters author on Tik Tok, Facebook or Instagram.

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

If She Wakes by Erik Therme @ErikTherme @ZooloosBT #crime #mystery #domesticthriller #psychologicalthriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for If She Wakes by Erik Therme. This is the second book in the Harlow series and it works as a standalone very well indeed.

My huge thanks to Zoe at Zooloos Book Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of this fabulous mystery, crime, thriller story.

Who do you trust when everyone is lying?


My name is Tess Parker.
Two days ago, I was in a car accident with my sister-in-law, Torrie. Before she slipped into a coma, she asked my husband and me to care for her four-month-old son, Levi.


Yesterday, a woman claiming to be Torrie’s estranged sister knocked on our door. But Torrie has no siblings . . . or so she said. She and my brother were only together a short time before he left, and Torrie has clearly been keeping secrets.


Today, another of Torrie’s “sisters” has come to town. Both say the other is lying about who they are.


Neither of them is telling the truth.
Both of them want Levi.

MY REVIEW

This is my first time reading this author and what a really good twisted crime, thriller mystery this book was. It also had a very good psychological edge to it.

The life of Tess hasn’t been the happiest, it has left her mentally and emotionally scarred. She has the support of her husband, and together they are existing in their marriage. When an accident leaves Tess’s sister in law in hospital it is down to Tess and her husband Josh to look after 4-month-old Levi until Torrie is able to leave the hospital.

This started well and the author quickly engaged me with a pretty fast-paced story. What appeared to be a simple story of an accident soon developed into something more twisted. The story of Tess is gradually incorporated into the story and it was definitely needed to explain her state of mind and also the dynamics of her relationship with Josh, Torrie and also baby Levi.

Tess comes across as quite emotionless but as I learnt more about her I realised why. It gave reason to her cold attitude and also to her mental health. This story does touch onto the mental health side of things in various forms and the author has done a wonderful job with this. It gives the overall story a psychological edge to it that makes for a gripping read. It also added several twists, some I saw coming but others I didn’t expect at all.

This is a fast-paced story, it is intriguing and one that I read in one sitting. I was able to see a different side to several of the characters and for some it made me change my view of them. Not everyone is as you think they are.

This is one for those who like a twisted crime thriller and mystery read. It is one I would recommend reading and I look forward to reading more by this author. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erik Therme has thrashed in garage bands, inadvertently harboured runaways, and met Darth Vader. When he’s not at his computer, he can be found cheering on his youngest daughter’s volleyball team or watching horror movies with his oldest. He currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa—one of only twenty-eight places in the world that UNESCO has certified as a City of Literature. Join Erik’s mailing list to be notified of new releases and author giveaways – HERE

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The Memories We Bury by Helene Leuschel @HALeuschel #PublicationDay #PsychologicalFiction #BookReview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Happy Publication Day to you Helene Leuschel for The Memories We Bury, and many thanks for my review copy for an unbiased review xx

Let me show you what this book is all about…

An emotionally charged and captivating novel about the complexities of female friendship and motherhood, from the author of Manipulated Lives.

Lizzie Thomson has landed her first job as a music teacher, and after a whirlwind romance with Markus, the newlywed couple move into a beautiful new home in the outskirts of Edinburgh. Lizzie quickly befriends their neighbour Morag, an elderly, resourceful yet lonely widow, who’s own children rarely visit her. Everything seems perfect in Lizzie’s life until she finds out she is pregnant and her relationship with both Morag and Markus change beyond her control. 

Can Lizzie really trust Morag and why is Markus keeping secrets from her? 

In The Memories We Bury the author explores the dangerous bonds we can create with strangers and how past memories can cast long shadows over the present.

As the title indicates, this book is about memories, and particularly memories that have been buried been mis-remembered.

The author has taken this story and woven such a compelling read. Lizzie had not had the best of childhoods and her memories are not the best. his leaves her vulnerable to stronger personalities like that of her husband Markus. The couple move next door to Morag, a woman who is lonely and who is eager to help out Lizzie. Her help is invaluable as Lizzie gives birth to her son Jamie.

Over the next few weeks Lizzie and Jamie find the help that Morag gives them to be wonderful, but gradually this help progresses into more. Lizzie is struggling with being a new mum, feeling insecure and it doesn’t help that her husband works away. While the help Morag provides is good, Lizzie would like more time with her son alone.

This is such a deceptive novel and starts quite innocently enough, a neighbour willing to help out and provide aupport when needed, but then the author does something quite special and adds such a good psychological twist to it.

The story alternates between Lizzie and Morag, it delves into their past and their present lives. It builds a bigger picture over the story and had me completely and utterly hooked.

If you are a fan of family life and relationship reads that have secrets and mistrust, deception and manipulation then you are going to love this one. I did! A fabulous read that I would definitely recommend.

Helene Andrea Leuschel gained a Master in Journalism & Communication, which led to a career in radio and television in Brussels, London and Edinburgh. She later acquired a Master in Philosophy, specializing in the study of the mind. 

Helene has a particular interest in emotional, psychological and social well-being and this led her to write her first novel, Manipulated Lives, a fictional collection of five novellas, each highlighting the dangers of interacting with narcissists. 

She lives with her husband and two children in Portugal.

Follow Helene on Twitter

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