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The Game by Scott Kershaw @HQstories #NetGalley #mystery #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for The Game by Scott Kershaw. The cover and the snappy synopsis definitely caught my eye when I requested it.

My huge thanks to HQ for granting my request to review this book via NetGalley.

The rules are simple. To save their life, you have to play.

[text message]

DEAR PLAYER,

THE PERSON YOU LOVE MOST IS IN DANGER.

TO SAVE THEM, YOU MUST PLAY THE GAME.

THE RULES ARE: THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE WINNER.

IF YOU LOSE, YOUR LOVED ONE WILL DIE.

ALL PLAYERS ENTER ALONE.

DO NOT SHARE THIS MESSAGE. DO NOT SEEK HELP.

WELCOME TO THE GAME.

YOU’VE JUST STARTED PLAYING.

[end of message]

MY REVIEW

I have to admit it was the cover that first caught my eye with this book. Snappy title, simple graphic and the line – The rules are simple. To save their life, you have to play.

This is a mystery thriller, that does have a crime element to it, but it is more about the mystery of The Game. What is The Game, who runs it, why is this being done and what would you do to keep those you love safe and alive!

There are 5 players in this game, they are unconnected, they are oblivious to each other and they have travelled from the US, France and Uk to meet up so they can learn more about The Game. The consequences are not as clear cut as I originally thought they might be. There was a curiosity to both stories but I was never fully aware of what was occurring until further into the story. The author does pace this story so well, it is one where some players are on a time limit, and this increases the tension of the story.

There is a lot more to this story than the synopsis gives away. The suspense of wondering if any of the players will do something stupid or brave is an ever[present one.

The players are normal people, with normal lives. Because they have been drawn from different countries it makes any connection unlikely. I liked how the author introduced each player and then kept referring back to things in the past. I soon found that I got to know who was who especially when they do meet up to actually continue The Game.

This is intriguing, I liked the time element and the mystery that was underlying all the way through. It is a thriller and I really enjoyed the story. The characters are not all likeable, but this is down to how the author portrays them. I look forward to reading more by this author and I would happily recommend this book.

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

The Haven by Amanda Jennings @HQStories #psychologicalthriller #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Haven by Amanda Jennings. This is a fabulously addictive psychological thriller.

My huge thanks to HQ Stories for granting my request to read this book via NetGalley.

Two decades ago, Tara and Kit leave everything behind to join a group living in a tumbledown farm on a glorious expanse of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. For Kit, it’s a chance to break away from his wealthy family and the soulless upbringing he loathes so much; for Tara, the chance to give their young daughter Skye everything she never had – a childhood full of nature and freedom. Breathtakingly beautiful and remote, Winterfall Farm provides them all with an idyllic home, a new family and the opportunity to work and live off the land. At first, it seems too good to be true.

But as the seasons change, the behaviour of Winterfall’s charismatic leader, Jeremy, becomes increasingly erratic. Rules and discipline are imposed. The outside world seems increasingly further away, and as new faces arrive at the farm, tensions rise with devastating consequences…

The Haven is a compelling new novel from Amanda Jennings, author of The Cliff House. 

MY REVIEW

What an addictive read The Haven was. It really didn’t feel like 400 pages! The synopsis lays out the basics very well for the story. A couple leaves the rat race and try to live off-grid. Tara, Kit their 6-year-old daughter Skye and good friend Jeremy buy an old farm on Bodmin Moor. Along with a few others with a similar ethic, they start their own commune of sorts. Trying to create their own utopia in Cornwall.

This was such a fabulous story to disappear into and the beginning of the book introduced me to the characters. Then the author delved into their lives and how they decide to make the move to the tranquil Cornish landscape. Leaving behind luxuries that many of us see as necessities.

While many of us may love the idea of living off-grid, I also know that it would be a very real struggle. Having lived a week without a washing machine or vacuum because they have broken, not having heating in the middle of the winter is tough. I live in Cornwall and I know first-hand how bitter the winds can be, how driving the rain can be and how exposed you are to the elements. Bodmin Moor is definitely exposed and it is also beautiful.

I think the author has done such a wonderful job building up this idyllic sounding community. People with similar views want to create something ethical, environmental and most of all free from politics, bureaucracy and rules. The thing is that when people get together, they bring their own shared beliefs but they also bring opinions. For Tara and Kit, their daughter is the only youngster in the group, they are the only parents. They have their own ideas as to what is best for Skye.

Things seem fine until Jeremy brings in another person to the farm. She is an important character and one that comes with her own past. The decision for her to live at the farm divides opinion. This character along with Tara are two of the narrators of the story. Their voices are used to give their perspective of what is happening and it gives insight into their thoughts and feelings. The is a third voice, Kit’s, but this is told in the third person point of view. Kit keeps his feeling close to his chest and this makes for a good balance of opinions.

I adored how things started so well but then the author gradually started to incorporate cracks. She then widens these cracks and soon things start to turn. Views and opinions become more challenging and there are some serious consequences. I also loved how the ending of this story fell.

This is a fabulous read, it is a thriller that gradually increases the suspicions and doubt. As a reader it is good to see things from a distance, it felt as if I was seeing a larger picture while the characters were more tunnel-visioned. This made for an exciting reading experience. There are some shocks and some twists.

This is one that readers of contemporary fiction, thrillers and psychological thriller genres. I thought it was excellent right from the start to the finish and I would definitely recommend it.

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

Other Parents by Sarah Stovell @HQstories #PublicationDay #contemporaryfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for Other Parents by Sarah Stovell. This is a brilliant book and one that is so addictive. It is a contemporary fiction that definitely gets darker as the story progresses.

My huge thanks to HQ Stories for my copy of this book. Also, Happy Publication Day to Sarah and the HQ team.

They all have opinions.
They all have secrets.


In a small town like West Burntridge, it should be impossible to keep a secret. But the problem with having your nose in everyone’s business is that you can miss what’s staring you in the face.

Rachel Saunders knows gossip is the price you pay for a rural lifestyle and outstanding schools. The latest town scandal is her divorce – and the fact that her new girlfriend has moved into the family home.

Laura Spence lives in a poky bedsit on the wrong side of town. She and her son Jake don’t really belong, and his violent tantrums are threatening to expose the very thing she’s trying to hide.

When the local school introduces a new LGBTQ+-friendly curriculum, Rachel and Laura find themselves on opposite sides of a fearsome debate. But the problem with having your nose in everyone else’s business is that you often miss what’s happening in your own home.

MY REVIEW

This is the first time I have read a book by this author, although I do have a couple of books on my kindle waiting to be read!

This is a dark read that consists of various parents and their opinions, views, the way they live and how they interact. The school gate is shown as quite a vicious arena for the parents in this story. What one parent see’s as wrong another see’s as being ok. Opinion divides and it also cements in this story.

The parents, well the focus is on the mothers and what a cross-section they are. Set in a rural area where the school is outstanding and therefore the pressure of fitting in with what is seen as “the norm” is very apparent. So when one parent bucks the trend and does something that doesn’t go down well.

There are various themes dealt with in this book, one is based around a same-sex couple and the views of bigotted parents with regards to teaching an all-inclusive curriculum that also includes LGBTQ+. While this is a large focus of the story it is done from various perspectives, that of the couple involved, the family dynamics and also the opinions of others.

This is sort of the crux of the story but one that is gradually expanded as other characters are drawn in. The story is told from the viewpoint of these characters and so it did take me a while to get all the characters set in my memory. This meant it had a slower start for me but then suddenly I was completely hooked.

This book explores the opinions and views of the characters and each one is entitled to their own opinion. However, their opinions go from private to public and this leads to some interesting interactions. There are times when you need to make a stand, times when you need to wait and see what the larger picture is and once battle lines are drawn then you stand up for what is right.

This story deals with social and class issues. It shows very different sides to parenting and how people deal with bringing up their children and how they support them. This almost had a noirish feel to it, there was subtle intimidation feel giving it a slight psychological feel to it.

I really enjoyed this book, it is tense, dark and focuses on 5 women. It is one for those who enjoy contemporary fiction and one that I would definitely recommend.

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

The Unravelling by Polly Crosby @HQStories #contemporaryfiction #mysterious #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Unravelling by Polly Crosby. I read this book a while ago and loved it, the publication day was delayed and so now this gorgeous story is now available for purchase.

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Tartelin has been employed by Marianne Stourbridge to hunt for butterflies, but she quickly uncovers something far more intriguing. The island and Marianne share a remarkable past, and what happened all those years ago has left its scars.

The island has a strange effect on Tartelin, too, finally allowing her to confront her own, painful, memories. As she does, Marianne’s story begins to unravel around her, revealing an extraordinary tale of two girls, an obsession with pearls, and a truth beyond imagination.

Atmospheric and deeply emotional, The Unravelling is a captivating novel about the secrets we can only discover when we dare to look beneath the surface.

MY REVIEW

The Unravelling is such a great read, it has the haunting atmospheric feel that the synopsis mentions. The story is based on a small island, Dohhalund and only one house is inhabited, Dogger House. This island and house have been in the ownership of the Stourbridge family for generations. Marianne is the current resident, she has employed Tartelin to help her with her work documenting the changes don’t the island and of the butterflies.

Once a community of herring workers worked here, and the family also used to collect the pearls from the oysters. They then moved into the silk business. It is the silk that occupied a young Marianne’s time as she cared for the silkworms.

The story alternates between timelines and tells the life of a young Marianne and the people in her life at the time. What happened years ago and why was the island taken over by the military in 1955. This is something that nags a Tartelin’s conscience. As does the mystery of why a wheelchair-bound Marianne has returned after all these years.

This is really a stunning story that almost has an ethereal feel to it, the memories and events of the past just sit out of sight of Tartelin and she must indeed unravel the mysteries of the previous decades. Marianne is not forthcoming with information, but there are hints and clues. Marianne is not the only one to return to the island, there are visitors such as birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

This is one of those stories that I was able to completely lose myself in. The story and the characters flitted back, forth and around like the butterflies. There is a gentle ebb and flow to the story which is reminiscent of the tide as one thing is solved for another to take its place.

As Tartelin discovers more about the island and of Marianne she starts to see changes in herself, she is taking more risks and is coming into her own. For me, she was very much like a butterfly as it transforms.

This is a gorgeously written story, atmospheric and hauntingly beautiful. Captivating and totally immersive. It is one for those that like delving into mysteries of the past, to discover more about a family and to discover the secrets.

This is a book I would definitely recommend.

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

The Silent Friend by Diane Jaffrey #TheSilentFriend @dianefjeffrey @HQstories #Paperback #PublicationDay #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to be re-sharing my review today for The Silent Friend by Diane Jeffrey, this was a book I read as part of the Blog Tour with the lovely Emma at damppebbles blog tours. Today is the Paperback Publication of this fab book and it is one I would definitely recommend.

Tragedy brought them together. The truth will tear them apart.

It’s supposed to be Laura’s dream holiday: a trip to France with a group of friends to see their favourite band play live. But the holiday quickly turns to disaster, and Laura is left haunted by terrifying images from the worst night of her life.

When Laura finds an online support group for victims like her, she’s not convinced it will help. But then Sandrine replies to her message, and she seems to understand what Laura’s going through, in a way that no one else can.

Soon, Laura and Sandrine are sharing their deepest thoughts and feelings with each other. But one of them has a terrible secret – she isn’t who she says she is. And once the twisted truth is revealed, there’s no going back…

MY REVIEW

I love it when you get a book that gives very little away in the synopsis. It’s like going in blind and for The Silent Friend, this was perfect. I got a story that pulled me in very quickly and led me on a journey that I didn’t expect at all.

Given the slim synopsis, my review will also be a bit on the vague side. The story is told from two perspectives. One from a woman who has lost two of her friends and the other from a mother. The two characters share their experiences of an event that happens in France. Both are victims. Both are suffering. Both feel guilty.

The story is told over a timeline that is shown over the course of a few months before the event, the event itself and then onwards. It gives the thoughts and feeling of both women and of those who are in immediate contact with them. This keeps the character list small and gives a more intimate account.

There is a psychological aspect to this, but not the usual crime thriller one. Yes, a crime was committed, but it is the psychological impact that the women deal with that becomes the major thread of the story for me. The author very craftily draws the reader into the lives of the women and then delivers some wonderful heart-stopping moments. Things suddenly linked and left me shocked as I didn’t really see them coming.

This was such an addictive read. From initially not really knowing what story was going to unfold I soon found myself flying through this. The author wove a story that is full of intrigue but from different perspectives. It gives an idea of what people go through after a traumatic event and how they cope with living afterwards.

I loved this story so much. It had me with my heart in my mouth at times and also with the odd tear in my eye as the full picture was brought out. This is one for readers who like a crime mystery read and it is one I would definitely recommend. 

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

Midnight In Everwood by M.A Kuzniar @HQstories #fantasy #MidnightInEverwood #PublicationDay #bookreview

yvonnembee 10 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for a gorgeous story, Midnight In Everwwod by M.A Kuzniar. Also, I would like to wish the author a very Happy Publication Day for such a wonderful book.

I virtually attended an online event and saw an interview with this author. I immediately knew that this was a book I wanted to read and so immediately popped it on my wishlist. The amazing folks at HQ Stories sent me a surprise copy through the post!

A spell-binding retelling of The Nutcracker, filled with enchanted toys, decadent balls, fierce feminine friendships and a forbidden romance. For fans of The Toymakers, Caraval and The Bear and the Nightingale.

There’s nothing Marietta Stelle loves more than ballet, but after Christmas, her dreams will be over as she is obligated to take her place in Edwardian society. While she is chafing against such suffocating traditions, a mysterious man purchases the neighbouring townhouse. Dr Drosselmeier is a charming but calculating figure who wins over the rest of the Stelle family with his enchanting toys and wondrous mechanisms.

When Drosselmeier constructs an elaborate set for Marietta’s final ballet performance, she discovers it carries a magic all of its own. On the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, she is transported to a snowy forest, where she encounters danger at every turn: ice giants, shadow goblins and the shrieking mist all lurk amidst the firs and frozen waterfalls and ice cliffs. After being rescued by the butterscotch-eyed captain of the king’s guard, she is escorted to the frozen sugar palace. At once, Marietta is enchanted by this glittering world of glamorous gowns, gingerbread houses, miniature reindeer and the most delicious confectionary.

But all is not as it seems and Marietta is soon trapped in the sumptuous palace by the sadistic King Gelum, who claims her as his own. She is confined to a gilded prison with his other pets; Dellara, whose words are as sharp as her teeth, and Pirlipata, a princess from another land. Marietta must forge an alliance with the two women to carve a way free from this sugar-coated but treacherous world and back home to follow her dreams. Yet in a hedonistic world brimming with rebellion and a forbidden romance that risks everything, such a path will never be easy.

PURCHASE LINK – Amazon UK –

MY REVIEW

This is a retelling of the Nutcracker story, I am always a little dubious when it comes to retellings. The story of the Nutcracker always reminds me of Christmas, especially Christmas Eve, it is a fantasy, magical fairy tale that I adore. So, did Midnight in Everwood live up to my expectations? It most definitely did!

Straight from the outset, this book felt right, Marietta is a young girl who lives a life of privilege. Her parents have allowed her to attend ballet classes, but it has been known that this will not be something that they will support her in. She is, after all, a young woman with responsibilities, who needs to marry into the right position that will allow her parents to live in the upper echelons of society.

There is a newcomer to the neighbourhood, a mysterious and enigmatic man, an inventor of toys and mechanical creations of wonder. Mr Drosselmeier is enchanted by Marietta and he wants her to become his wife. Through one of his creations, she is transported into another world, where she is trapped.

I absolutely adored everything about this story, it has a gorgeous magical feel to it with wonderful descriptions that gradually built a vivid image in my mind as I read the story. Everwood is all glittery, sugary sweet with magic. All this glamour and glitz is a front, there are whispers, rumours and hints that all is not as it should be within this wonderland. The King is tyrannical, overbearing and greedy.

The story of the Nutcracker is one I love, there are hints of the original story and I could see the inspiration in this version. If you have not read the Nutcracker, well, it really doesn’t matter as this is a retelling of the story.

The author uses Marietta so well in this version, a strong upright young woman who has dreams of a future. She does not want to be wed to someone who will dictate to her or see her as a possession. She does not want to become a pawn for her parents to rise up through the ranks of society.

This is a wonderfully magical story. It is an adult fairy tale, a fantasy and I loved it. It was everything I hoped it would be, and dare I say a bit more as well. I would very definitely recommend this one.

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

We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza @HQstories #contemporaryfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride & Jo Piazza. I was sent an advanced copy of this book via the publisher HQ Stories and my thoughts are my own.

Not every story is black and white.

Riley and Jen have been best friends since they were children, and they thought their bond was unbreakable. It never mattered to them that Riley is black and Jen is white. And then Jen’s husband, a Philadelphia police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed black teenager and everything changes in an instant.

This one act could destroy more than just Riley and Jen’s friendship. As their community takes sides, so must Jen and Riley, and for the first time in their lives, the lifelong friends find themselves on opposing sides.

But can anyone win a fight like this?

We Are Not Like Them is about friendship and love. It’s about prejudice and betrayal. It’s about standing up for what you believe in, no matter the cost.

MY REVIEW

I have been looking forward to reading this book since watching an online event. This book is quite a powerful read, it brings together two characters who have been friends from childhood and now find themselves doubting each other.

This book is about race and racism as well as murder. When a 14-year-old boy gets shot by a police officer, it hits the headlines. The boy, Justine is Black, the police officers are white. The news reporter, Riley, is Black. One of the police officers wives is Jen, she is pregnant and white. Riley and Jen are friends and this is going to test their friendship.

This is a very addictive story. Firstly there is the murder of Justine, an innocent boy on his way home. Then there is the story of the police officers, well more of Kevin who is Jen’s husband. Also the story of the friendship between Riley and Jen.

I really liked the story of the friendship of the closeness that had built up between the two girls. Over the years they had drifted apart but are still close. Jen does think she is racist, and Riley doesn’t confront people when comments are made about colour.

The story is a very timely one, showing bias, injustice, prejudice, social differences and perceptions. The story has a great flow to it, it is emotional and poignant. Given that this is a co-written book, I thought the authors did a fabulous job and it didn’t feel like a co-written book as the authors gelled together so well.

This is is a poignant, powerful and emotional read. I found it very difficult to put down as I needed to know how everything would pan out for the women and for their friendship. Would justice be served, would the right thing be done and how would the story end. This would make a good book club read as I do think there are several talking points, and the book does have some great questions at the back.

If you are looking for a story that is very relevant, one with great characters and is emotional and addictive reading then you might well want to look this one up. One for those who liked, mystery and thriller as well as contemporary fiction storiers. . I really, really enjoyed it and I would definitely recommend it.

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

The River Between Us by Liz Fenwick @liz_fenwick @HQStories Also: Liz’s Top 10 Tips- For visiting Cornwall #contemporaryfiction #NetGalley #histfic #bookreview

yvonnembee 5 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The River Between Us by Liz Fenwick. I also have an added extra as Liz is sharing her “Top 10 Tips for visiting Cornwall. As I live in the same area as Liz, I couldn’t help but smile and nod knowingly as I read through her tips! Some of these are quite relevant to any where people holiday!

My thanks to Izzie at the HQ PR team at Harper Collins for my spot on the Blog Tour and for my e-copy of this book.

Following the breakdown of her marriage, Theo has bought a tumbledown cottage on the banks of the river Tamar which divides Cornwall and Devon. The peace and tranquillity of Boatman’s Cottage, nestled by the water, is just what she needs to heal.

Yet soon after her arrival, Theo discovers a stash of hidden letters tied with a ribbon, untouched for more than a century. The letters – sent from the battlefields of France during WW1 – tell of a young servant from the nearby manor house, Abbotswood, and his love for a woman he was destined to lose.

As she begins to bring Boatman’s Cottage and its gardens back to life, Theo pieces together a story of star-crossed lovers played out against the river, while finding her own new path to happiness.

The River Between Us beautifully explores the mystery and secrets of a long-forgotten love affair, and will be loved by fans of Kate Morton.

My Review…

What an amazing and beautiful book The River Between Us is. The title is also quite clever as it provides not only a geological divide but also one that shows the divide between the classes.

This is a dual timeline story that is so easy to follow. Theo is the present-day character and it is through her unseen purchase of an old cottage on the River Tamar that gives the introduction to the tale from the past.

Theo discovers old letters that had been hidden, they tell a tale of forbidden love, of sacrifice, and of times just before and through the first world war. This is a time when women’s suffrage is being spoken about more. When the country and the world is changing as are peoples attitudes. Some attitudes can never be changed and when it comes to having the right marriage then that is what matters. This is the case for Lady Alice.

The author uses her knowledge of the South West to create a mesmerising and beautifully written story. It is mainly set in the earlier timeline of Lady Alice, this is something that worked so well as some events of the past become quite relevant to the present day.

I do adore the author’s descriptions and this time gardening, flowers and wildlife play a good part. Using the flora and fauna to great effect in expressing emotions is wonderful. The days Lady Alice spent fishing and her time on and around the river are gorgeous.

The present-day timeline is also quite emotional, but for very different reasons. Theo’s move and purchase of a cottage open up a mystery and one that has many links to the past. So, while this story is very much contemporary fiction it is also a mystery. It delves into family, secrets long forgotten and hidden things.

The author paces this book wonderfully, it makes the reading extremely addictive and so effortless. I found myself transported with her descriptions. It was emotional and heartbreaking with the revealing of the past through the earlier timeline and also through the forgotten letters.

It was a wonderful book to read. Mesmerising, beautiful and I adored it very much. It is one I would definitely recommend. 

Check out the other stops on the tour…

So here are the Top 10 Tips…

Coming to Cornwall this summer especially if you’ve never been before. Here are my top tips for a successful visit!!

1. The roads are more like lanes and in many cases paths or bridleways, but they are two-way for traffic, really.

2. This leads to passing places…yes passing places and not parking spaces.

3. Do not come to Cornwall with a car if you cannot reverse (seriously)… And not just a few feet. It can be necessary in some cases to reverse half a mile, especially if someone has parked in the nearest passing place

4. Locals are mostly friendly…except when you won’t reverse. They know the roads inside out…they know when you’ve just passed a passing place…reverse willingly. Locals love their Cornwall so please leave it as you found it, free of litter. Especially those old single-use barbecues, plastic bags…

5. Be kind to the serving staff…they are locals who are doing the best they can with all the new regulations…your pint, pasty or plaice may take a bit more time. Be patient

6. Walkers on roads…it’s local custom for the walkers to make it easier for vehicles to get past, not the other way round

7. Tractors…be patient. They still have a job to do while you enjoy your holiday. Also note they generally don’t reverse…see above

8. Beaches…be careful. There are rip currents, rapid tides, weaver fish… Always know the tide times…always.

9. If you are on the water in a speed boat…respect others on the beaches and don’t swamp other small boats, kayaks, paddle boards with your wash

10. Sunblock! The sun is strong here even when it isn’t hot, or clear. Don’t be fooled by overcast skies and forget to apply sunblock because of the cooling breeze…

Most important, take the time to enjoy the unique beauty of Cornwall whether on the coast or inland. It is a place of constant contrast especially in variable weather. It offers wonderful people, wild landscape, magical folklore and divine food. 

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

The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson @HQstories #NetGalley #crime #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 5 Comments

I am delighted to share my review for The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson. This is one for crime thriller fans who like their reads to be on the gritty side.

My thanks to HQ Stories for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…

When body parts are found on the banks of the River Thames in Deptford, DI Angelica Henley is tasked with finding the killer. Eerie echoes of previous crimes lead Henley to question Peter Olivier, aka The Jigsaw Killer, who is currently serving a life sentence for a series of horrific murders.

When a severed head is delivered to Henley’s home, she realises that the copycat is taking a personal interest in her and that the victims have not been chosen at random.

To catch the killer, Henley must confront her own demons – – and when Olivier escapes from prison, she finds herself up against not one serial killer, but two. 

My Review…

If you like gritty crime thrillers then this is a book that should be on your radar. Not for the faint-hearted as there are some pretty brutal murders. If, however, you do like your crime to be a bit more bloody then give this a go.

This is the first book in the Inspector Anjelica Henley series and I loved it. The story begins really well and has a strong hook to it. The main character is Anjelica, aka Anj or Helnely. She has been on office duty after the brutal case of Peter Olivier, a man that she helped hunt down and resulted in injuries to herself.

There is a new wave of murders and body parts are being discovered around the London area. This looks to be the same sort of modus operandi as Olivier, but with some slight differences. Some of the similarities were only known to a select few people. How to catch the copy cat of an already incarcerated killer? Well, you go to see the incarcerated one!

This is a very addictive crime thriller that starts the series but gives a background to its main characters. There is a good amount of detail on the main players and they soon become very recognisable. Given this is the start, there is already a nice vibe going on between some of the characters and their backstories and working relationships are filled in to give a bigger picture.

This story also has a psychological edge to it in respect to Henley and her previous run-in with Olivier. I do like how the author did play on this a little but not too much. Trying to juggle work, family and having a trainee detective with her, she has a full plate, to say the least.

This novel has a good amount of twists, when you think things are going in one direction the author deftly turns and takes you on another route. This is a great intro for a new series and also for me to this author. I will be keeping an eye out for more Henley books in the future.

This is one for crime fans who love a good, gritty and at times brutal police procedural thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I would definitely recommend it.

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

The Island by C.L. Taylor #TheIslandBook #YAThriller @HQStories #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Island by C.L. Taylor. It has been a while since I read one of Cally’s books, so I was really looking forward to this one. Aimed at Young Adult Readers it also works very well for Adults as well.

Here’s more…

Lost meets The Hunger Games in the thrilling new young adult novel from C.L. Taylor, the Sunday Times and million-copy bestselling author.

Welcome to The Island.
Where your worst fears are about to come true…

It was supposed to be the perfect holiday: a week-long trip for six teenage friends on a remote tropical island.

But when their guide dies of a stroke leaving them stranded, the trip of a lifetime quickly turns into a nightmare.

Because someone on the island knows each of the group’s worst fears. And one by one, they’re coming true.

Seven days in paradise. A deadly secret.

Who will make it off the island alive?

My Review…

I really enjoyed this YA book and how the author approached fears and phobias through a group of teens alone on an island near Thailand.

The group of 6 have known each other all their lives, they have holidays every year. As they have grown up they have drifted apart somewhat, dynamics between each of them have altered. Tragedy has hit more than one of the group and this leads to a small void starting to encroach on the group.

A holiday on an island, a chance to get away under the supervision of a guide should be good for the group. However, when the guide dies things that had been kept hidden or controlled start to unravel. A sense of seeing beyond the mask if you like as the situation the teens find themselves in changes dramatically.

I really enjoyed the tense suspense of this novel and how the author explored the changing and challenging dynamics of the group. As they find themselves in disarray they also start to suspect that there is a danger stalking them. What or who this is they are not sure, who is to blame, who is playing games and what is to happen are questions that I needed to know the answers to as I read.

The isolation of the island adds to the sense of loneliness and separation. As I got to know each of the 6 better I began to realise that there is more than meets the eye, they are not quite the stable group I initially thought they were.

This is a really good tense, suspense ridden YA thriller and one that I really enjoyed. A good deal of mystery, intrigue and suspicion across the novel gives it that page-turner addiction. One I would recommend.

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