Tag First in a series

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

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

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff #fantasy #horror #thriller #vampires #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to share my review today of Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff. This is the first book in the series and one that I bought last year but just got to. I do have the second book to read from NetGalley so I wanted to read these in order.

From holy cup comes holy light;
The faithful hands sets world aright.
And in the Seven Martyrs’ sight,
Mere man shall end this endless night.

It has been twenty-seven long years since the last sunrise. For nearly three decades, vampires have waged war against humanity; building their eternal empire even as they tear down our own. Now, only a few tiny sparks of light endure in a sea of darkness.

Gabriel de León is a silversaint: a member of a holy brotherhood dedicated to defending realm and church from the creatures of the night. But even the Silver Order couldn’t stem the tide once daylight failed us, and now, only Gabriel remains.

Imprisoned by the very monsters he vowed to destroy, the last silversaint is forced to tell his story. A story of legendary battles and forbidden love, of faith lost and friendships won, of the Wars of the Blood and the Forever King and the quest for humanity’s last remaining hope:

The Holy Grail.

MY REVIEW

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I can definitely say it will not be the last. This is the first book in the Empire of the Vampire series, the second book is due at the end of this month(Feb 2024).

The story is about Gabriel de León, Gabe is a half-breed and is taken from his home to train as a Silversaint. His mother was human and his father was a vampire. He is not the only half-breed in this book but he is slightly different to the others. Most have a special gift, yet, Gabe doesn’t seem to have one. He is looked down upon, and he must make an extra effort every stage of his training. He is deemed to be worthless and from peasant stock.

The story of Gabe, his time before going to the Silver Order Brotherhood, and his battles against monsters and other enemies. It is not told in the usual way, instead he is relating history to another. The scribe he is dictating to is a vampire, they are enemies but Gabe has no choice but to divulge his story.

This was a fabulous read and I am so glad I eventually came to reading this one. The story is of family, friendship and serving a higher order. This is a story of how Gabe found and then lost his faith but also of how he has become the feared man he is known as.

The author gives a huge amount of detail to Gabe and those he gradually befriends. A mix of mystery and murder with horror and paranormal aspects to it. It is not a straightforward fantasy novel but one that mixes a lot of things into it. This in some ways gives it a historical fiction feel but it is obviously fantasy as there are the vampires! Mentions of knights, grail, secret orders, and inquisition, give it knights templar-style, but a darker and definitely a lot more dangerous.

The vampires do have some things that are an accepted version of how they can be killed but the author takes it a lot further. The world in which he sets this story is one where the darkness is taking over, the sun is not as bright as it used to be and the tie of dark days and darker nights give vampires an extra edge. This does not mean that the silver order is without power, they have their own powers, and they can fight and kill.

Gabe is a character who comes across as a loner, secretive and also an angry character. There is not much about him that you like as such, but that does not mean he is completely unlikeable. The further I read about him the more I was able to get to understand him. His story is one of fights, flights, battles, and secrets and every step of his journey is full of action, adventure, revenge, determination and there is a lot more as well.

After reading this first book I cannot wait to get to the next one. I will also be looking at other books by this author and I am so happy to add another fantasy author to my list. A brilliant start to a series and if you are a fan of high fantasy then this is one you should have a look at. I adored this and I would definitely recommend it.

About the Author…

Jay Kristoff is a #1 international, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. He is the winner of eight Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, has over two million books in print and is published in over thirty five countries, most of which he has never visited. He is as surprised about all of this as you are. He is 6’7 and has approximately 12,000 days to live.

He does not believe in happy endings.

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

Grieving Gold by Daniel McDaniel @makk_daniel #fantasy #action #adventure #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to share my review today of Grieving Gold by Daniel McDaniel. This is the first book in the series and it is a brilliant start. Loved this a lot and cannot wait to get the next one. My thanks to Daniel for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Find your strength in the light, or lose your chains in the darkness.

Three sun gods bathe the city of legends, Luminocity, in their blessed light. The city stands on the decaying ruins of an ancient civilization. Skeletal skyscrapers guard their solemn secrets of forgotten technology and past tragedies.

But under the surface the light dies and shadows began. It is a dark god’s domain, even caged. And he holds his grudges through the eons.

Five fates intertwine, thrown onto the currents of destiny, played like puppets. Will they be able to tear free from their strings?

Laxerion Tama, disowned noble son and heist group mastermind, finds his leisurely life turned upside down. Both his estranged family and an enemy from the past test his strange ability to find lies in the light.

His brother, Val-Gustus Tama, general and golden son, is forced to take responsibility for threats to the city, as war brews on the horizon. Intrigue and betrayal test his resolve and character.

New and outlandish technologies emerge that push the boundaries of morality and the conscience of a young scientist, Ilumi. She arrived in Luminocity from the far north, carrying a dark secret.

A huntress of the depths, Aiana, struggles with her inner demons and the chains of her past.

Dawb, a young urchin struck by grief, searches for monsters prowling the short nights.

And deep down, below all, eldritch things stir in the dark.

MY REVIEW

This is the first book in The Luminocity Seed series and what a brilliant start to the series this book is. The story is set in an ancient civilisation and it is run on the power of light. There are five main characters and how they are connected is gradually emerging.

I like all five main characters and at this point, I can’t say if I will have a favourite as they are all unique and have different characteristics. There is a set of brothers, Lax and Val but they have different agendas and have only been brought back together due to their father’s ailing health.

Ilumi is a young woman from one of the outer tribes who has been invited to the city to work with a professor of light creating new inventions. While in the city she meets Dawb, an urchin who lives by his wits and works with a gang (similar to an Oliver Twist-style person). Then there is Aiana, she is another one from outside the city and she is training to be a huntress, she is probably the most different to the others due to where she lives.

All five have different abilities and not all can channel the power of the light. Light is something that some have used to not just illuminate and power the city but can it to give them an extra edge. With the light, there is also the opposite – darkness. This is something that is starting to creep in and it gives a creepy, tense and edgy nervousness to the story. It also adds suspicion and a thriller feel to the story as this darkness is something dangerous and fatal.

Each of the main five has their own agenda as such, or task if you will. One will be trying to get a position in a political circle, another looking for a lost family fortune, trying to become a huntress, looking for answers to how light can be used and looking for the shadows and the monsters. There is a lot more than this, but I am not going to go into much detail about what happens.

The author has created the start of a series with a fabulous intro to the characters, some of the ways of his world and the city that this is focused around. There are politics and some history and things that are reminiscent of the ancient world. But also there is a lot of action and adventure which adds to the fast-paced feel of the overall story. Knowing that this is the first in a planned series is great, but it also means that I knew this first book would leave me waiting and desperate for more.

This is a book that gives the basis of what I think is going to be a very good series. The author has laid out a good base to build from and I am excited to see where he will go with this.

If you are a fan of fantasy genres then this one may well appeal. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am eager to read the next book. Brilliant start and one that I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hungarian author Daniel Makk (writing as Daniel McDaniel) achieved his dream of becoming a writer after years of working in finance. Daniel always had a love for fantasy and sci-fi but was often unable to obtain the works of his favourite authors in his mother tongue. Twelve years ago, Daniel began to improve his English on his own in order to consume more works from his favourite authors, first of all Brandon Sanderson. The language opened new doors, and Daniel saw an opportunity to follow his true passion: writing. With the growth of self-published authors, Daniel realized that there were new ways of achieving success. Despite the steep climb he faced as a self-taught English learner, Daniel is now a published author with his debut Luminocity – Grieving Gold, the first in his Luminocity series. Daniel lives with his fantastic wife-and dedicated beta reader-who shares his passion for fantasy. Their young son also shows a great love for books and stories, and Daniel proudly hopes that one day he can share his own work with him.

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

The Guernsey Girls by Mary Wood @AuthorMary @PanMacmillan #historicalfiction #romance #bookreview

yvonnembee 14 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Guernsey Girls by Mary Wood. This is the first book in the series and it is a fabulous story of family and friendship.

My huge thanks to Chloe at Pan Macmillan for arranging a copy and for my spot on the Blog Tour.

January 1936. After the hard work of being a maid at Wallington Manor in the lead-up to Christmas, Annie is very excited at the prospect of going home to Bethnal Green. She has missed her family, but the money she earns keeps them all afloat.

Harriet, is from the island of Guernsey and is visiting her aunt at Wallington Manor. When she has to leave for London Annie is asked to look after her. On the train journey a friendship blossoms.

And when an accident happens their friendship is made even stronger. A friendship that would see both girls through pain, happiness, marriage and death. A friendship that would see them both united in Guernsey. But this is just the beginning of their incredible journey . . .

MY REVIEW

This is a fabulous book about family and friendship. Beginning in 1936, Annie is a maid and is due to travel from Guernsey back to her family in London. Olivia is also due to travel so plans are made for them to travel together. Annie is to be the maid and companion to Olivia during the journey. The train crashes and Annie manages to get out and take Olivia with her. Due to her heroic actions, Annie is given the chance to change her life and not just be the maid but become a friend to Olivia. They both rely on each other and have shared an experience that has brought them close. This friendship provides not only Annie but also her family a chance to improve their way of life.

This is another fabulous story from this author and I have read many of her books. This one shows the differences between two social classes and how one accident can change their relationship in the future. Olivia has a fiance and he is nervous about what is going on in Europe as he is a German by birth. Annie has an admirer who knows her from when she was younger. Relationships blossom and plans are in the making for their futures.

If you have read any of this author’s books then you will know that her romances never run straight, there are always kinks and obstacles in the way that need to be overcome. This book is no exception, the train brought the girls together but they will need each other many more times in the following years during this story.

The author brings the way of life at the time to life, exploring the past and giving voices to her characters. There are several characters and you just can’t help but adore some of them. You soon become concerned about what is happening to them and what they have to go through.

This is a fabulous story and one that fans of historical fiction, family drama and romance books. It is one I would happily recommend.

About the author

Born the thirteenth child of fifteen to a middle-class mother and an East End barrow boy, Mary Wood’s childhood was a mixture of love and poverty. Throughout her life, Mary has held various posts in office roles, working in the probation services and bringing up her four children and numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An avid reader, she first put pen to paper in 1989 while nursing her mother through her final months, but didn’t become successful until she began self-publishing her writing in 2011.

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

Warrior Prince by J.C. Duncan @BoldwoodBooks #viking #historicalfiction #Netgalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Warrior Prince by J.C. Duncan. This is the first book in the series that is based on Harald Sigurdsson and it is brilliant.

My huge thanks to Boldwood Books who accepted my request to read this via NetGalley, my opinion is my own.

1030 AD Some men are gifted a crown. Others have to fight to claim it. Exiled from Norway, Harald Sigurdsson, brother to murdered King Olaf, must battle mercilessly for survival in the lands of the Kievan Rus. His brother’s legacy gifts him a warband of hardened warriors and entry to the court of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. By his wits, sword and skill in battle, Harald must learn not just to survive but to triumph. He fights for glory, for fame, and to regain his family’s battle-stolen throne. But his greatest challenge may not come from battlefield foes but from those who stand by his side. The first instalment in a remarkable story of an exiled boy’s incredible journey to become Harald Hardrada; The Hard Ruler and The Last Viking.

MY REVIEW

This is the first book I have read by this author and is a brilliant book based on Harald Sigurdsson. The book is set in 1030AD and is the story of Harald after being exiled. It is told by Eric, an older character as he looks back and recounts his life with Harald the battles they fought, and the people they met it is full of facts, and information and it is a brilliant historical fiction book to sit down and read.

Eric is an adviser to Harald and the author uses him to great effect as he can get the reader into the thick of things, being a witness to events and hearing of Eric’s views. Harald was exiled after his brother King Olaf was killed, he takes a war band with him as he journeys to Kyiv and fights for Prince Yaroslav.

The author brings the story of Harald’s early years into life with his writing and while this is very factual in its content the research that has gone into this is great. It is not dull for a moment and this is what makes this such a good book, it is also the first in the series and I cannot wait to continue Harald’s saga.

Some things have been changed to make it fit within the context of the author’s timeline and this is nothing major but keeps the action and the adventuring of the war band at a great pace.

If you are a fan of Vikings, European history and historical fiction then this is a book you want to be looking at. It is a fabulous historical fiction that I would definitely recommend.

About the author

James C Duncan is a debut author fascinated with history and fantasy. He writes historical fantasy/fiction based on our world, but in an alternate timeline, past, present or future, where each book or series asks and tries to answer a question of ‘What if?’ His first series ‘The Light of the North saga’, asks the question ‘What if the Norse didn’t convert to Christianity, and instead the Viking raids continued.’ And posits the answer, which you will have to read the book to find out! James does not create new worlds, he messes with the history and future of ours, grounded in our own history and the laws of our universe, but tweaked in events and often adding a soft sprinkling of the divine or fantastical, resulting in relatable historical and future fantasy.

Upcoming books include the questions:

‘What if the black death was actually a coverup of something much, much worse.’ An alternate history of the time of the black death, based in southern Europe and the Middle East.

‘What if the human race develops a race of gene engineered worker drones, but they are turned against us.’ A post apocalyptic fiction set in the 22nd century in Poland and Hungary

James is a professional engineer, and splits his spare time writing, reading, and being an amateur bladesmith.

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

Atoned by Steve J. McHugh @SteveJMchugh @ZooloosBT #scifi #crime #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Atoned by Steve J. McHugh. I have read some of this author’s books before and loved them, they were urban fantasy novels, but Atoned is a sci-fi and it is fabulous. The first book in The Wardens series and one I am definitely looking forward to.

My huge thanks to Zoe at Zooloos Book Tours for arranging my copy of the book and for my spot on the Blog Tour.

Civil War tore across the Union Empire, leaving countless dead in its wake. It was a war started by one man, once beloved by the Empire. His betrayal still lingers in the memory of those who lived through it.

Decades later, his son, Felix Drake, is a Warden tasked with both protecting the ruling members of the Union Empire and its Council, and bringing those powerful and influential people to justice should they break the law.

Drake protects the very Empire his father sought to destroy.

When two members of a Council family are murdered, Drake and his team investigate, only to uncover corruption, resentment, and yet more death.

As the case deepens, Drake is forced back into a life he’d left long ago, bringing with it the same disdain and anger from the very people he’s sworn to protect.

However, he’s no longer a helpless child, and the people who try to intimidate him now are about to discover that Drake is so very much his father’s son.

Purchase Links – HERE

MY REVIEW

I do like this author and have enjoyed his urban fantasy books but this is the first time I have read one of his science fiction ones and I loved it. If I was to break it down, it is a crime thriller that follows a procedural route but it is a science fiction story. The Wardens are essentially the police, but there is so much more to them than that, especially Drake!

When two members of the Council are murdered it is up to Drake and his team to try to discover what has happened. This takes him into an underworld environment with gangs and those wanting to alter or change things for more power. Who the actual leaders are is a mystery, and one step forward seems to lead to more questions and answers are not easy to come by.

An attack against the Royal household is an indicator that there is something more going on that people realise. Drake is joined by another team and with some influential backing they are tasked with using what they can to discover what is going on with any means necessary.

There are several characters in this book and these are listed at the front. I did a quick scan over these but I was too eager to get to the story itself. Drake is the main character, but only just as several others have an equally important role to play. I have to say I really liked the character of Bokk, they are brilliant and while they come across as a little naive there is something more to them than you first realise.

While there is an investigation going on, this is also a science fiction story. The author has not used too many technical terms and what he does use is introduced and explained enough so the reader can keep up. Some of the armaments and augmentations make the mind boggle but they also fit well with the characters. His world-building is great and the author gives descriptions where needed to explain the scenery and also the political and power structure. In any world, there is going to be a level of hierarchy and this one is no different.

The characters in the story have pasts and the author has given us a glimpse of some of those and I do think there is more to reveal as this series continues. While the author has given some indication as to Drake’s past there is something that Drake himself is made aware of towards the end of this first book.

A fabulous start to a series and it was a brilliant story. Full of action and it is one I would definitely recommend. I cannot wait to see where this series goes next.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Steve is a bestselling author of Urban Fantasy and Science Fiction books. His novel, Scorched Shadows, was shortlisted for a Gemmell Award for best novel. He was born in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, but now lives with his wife and three young daughters in Southampton.

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The Man Who Didn’t Burn by Ian Moore @Duckbooks #NetGalley #crime #mystyery #murder #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Man Who Didn’t Burn by Ian Moore. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it was interesting to see how the French Police set up their rural crimes and investigations.

My huge thanks to Duckworth Books for accepting my request to read and review this title via NetGalley.

A KILLER. A SAINT. A TOWN FULL OF WHISPERS

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When an English expat is brutally murdered, his charred corpse left on a Loire Valley hillside, the police turn to juge d’instruction Matthieu Lombard to find the perpetrator.

Instead, Lombard discovers a wealth of secrets, grudges and feuds in the idyllic town of Saint-Genèse-sur-Loire. He begins to suspect that the remaining members of the Comité des Fêtes know more about the death than they are letting on.

But rather than towards an arrest, each clue he uncovers seems to point in one, unexpected Joan of Arc. Is the answer to the murder hiding in the barroom gossip of the Lion d’Or? Or in another century altogether?

The thrilling new crime series from The Times -bestselling author of Death and Croissants

MY REVIEW

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it was a thoroughly enjoyable book. This is the first book in the Juge Lombard Mystery series and it is set in France. Lombard is called back to oversee a crime and it is the first case he is attending since the death of his wife.

The French Police system is different to ours in the UK, and this made for interesting reading in itself. It is interesting to see how other countries’ departments work. Lombard is not like others, rather than sit behind a desk he likes to be out investigating, much to the annoyance of police officers and others. Lombard is sarcastic, often found to be mulling and keeping his thoughts to himself, being vague and going off on a different tangent. I liked him.

When a body is discovered disguised as a scarecrow, but crucified, then Lombard has his work cut out. There is little in the way of clues, but there is a link, this is one that becomes longer and longer as the case continues and another body is found. What starts as a coincidence, now becomes something that is almost a hindrance. Too much is fitting too well together, but does that mean the team are being sidetracked, set up or being led too well?

I really liked the pacing of this story, the mystery and investigation are not too fast-paced and there are some interesting locations and some history mixed into the storyline. Having mentions of bureaucracy, ways of doing things, councils, mayors and other positions of office makes for interesting reading. There is also the murder and the accompanying investigation, as I said a different style compared to UK or US styles and this is what I have read most so it was great to see.

This is a murder mystery and also crime and police procedural, there are some wonderful twists and I do like Lombard, he is a little bit like Poirot and Morse, or at least he reminded me of them! Not a brutal and bloodthirsty thriller, but more than a cosy mystery. Very enjoyable story and I am looking forward to picking up more by this author. I would happily recommend this one.

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

#Committed y Chris Merritt @DrCJMerritt @Wildfirebks @headlinepg @RosieMargesson #crime #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Committed by Chris Merritt. This is the first time I have read a book by this author but I have seen good reviews about his books. So, what better way to start than with the first book in a new series.

My huge thanks to Rosie at Wildfire for arranging my copy of this book for me to review.

Six days to stop a deadly attack. And no one else believes it’s real.

Former CIA undercover operative Ellen McGinley is battling to overcome PTSD when she stumbles upon a domestic terror plot. The deadly attack is due to take place in six days and will strike at the very heart of her homeland.

For Ellen, it’s a chance to find redemption for her greatest mistake – one she will never allow herself to forget.

But no sooner than she alerts the authorities, she finds herself diagnosed as delusional and locked in a psychiatric ward. No one believes her story.

She’s the only one who thinks the danger is real, which means she’s the only one who can stop it.

Ellen must draw on all her old skills to escape, stay alive, protect her family, and find those responsible – before all hell breaks loose.

Committed is the propulsive thriller you won’t want to miss this summer. Perfect for fans of Lee Child, David Baldacci, JB Turner and Robert Dugoni.

MY REVIEW

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and what better way to start than with the first book in a new series? Ellen McGinley is a mother and wife, she suffers from PTSD and is on high alert when she thinks she is being followed. She did work for the CIA as an undercover agent in Paris, it is this period that has resulted in her being diagnosed with PTSD.

The story is broken down into the present and the past, the past is Ellen’s time with the CIA and the events gradually unfold over the course of the book. The present is one that has Ellen in danger but from whom and why she is not entirely sure. She is arrested and questioned and her story about being an ex-CIA agent is not believed. She is given a psych evaluation and held in a clinic.

This is set in the US and it is an action-packed story from start to finish. The author has cleverly created a character in Ellen that makes her look vulnerable and this adds to the disbelief that she is delusional and not quite living in the real world. I do like Ellen, she is a real firecracker and the way she is put into situations and the way her story is pulled apart by others makes this addictive reading. I did wonder if she was for real and again this is down to the author and his clever plot lines.

Having a stay-at-home mum as a key character worked so well, but given that she has had other training, there is more to her than you realise. The fact that she has no one she can really turn to for help, means she is on her own.

I liked how the author switched between past and present and gradually built up more to Ellen’s character, filling in blanks and also showing a systemic failing that seems to be following her from authorities.

I am a big fan of thrillers that involve government agencies, in my eyes they are always the bad guys but this one was not as clear cut as that. There are some unknown players in the background and there are strings being pulled but why and for what ends is not obvious. The strings for this story though could be catastrophic putting lives in danger and having repercussions that would spread further afield.

If you are a fan of fast-paced, action-packed thrillers then this is a fabulous book. It soon became obvious to me that as I started this I would not put it down and read it in one sitting. For my first time reading anything by this author, I have to say this was great. I am looking forward to seeing more in this series as there was a bombshell dropped at the end! Brilliant story, a great character and one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hello! I’m a British author whose crime thrillers combine psychology, suspense, and characters you care about.

All my novels are set in London, where I live. My first trilogy starred Zac Boateng and Kat Jones, two detectives motivated by family, who tackle organised crime and police corruption. LAST WITNESS, the second Boateng and Jones book, reached #13 in the UK Kindle chart in 2019.

My second series features detective Dan Lockhart – an ex-soldier with a missing wife – and psychologist Dr Lexi Green, an American living in London. These novels are darker, more psychological serial-killer cases, with romantic relationships as a central theme.

I began writing fiction in 2014, after previous careers as a diplomat, based in Iraq and Jerusalem, and later as a psychologist working with victims and perpetrators of crime. I specialised in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which sparked my interest in telling stories about how people cope when faced with extreme adversity.

Now, I spend most of my time writing novels and drinking coffee while ‘thinking’ about writing novels. When I’m not writing, I love climbing and playing basketball.

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