It’s time for some great book reviews again, from our lovely hosts, Debbie, Donna, Sue and Jo {And Anyways}. As you can see my feature photo is my iPad – my title should be what’s on your iPad this month!
“Do you read reviews before you read the book?”
I am notorious for doing this if I am unsure about a book. I have read so many brilliant reviews from the professional writers and start reading the book, only to find that it really isn’t as good as stated. So I then go to the readers’ reviews to get a better idea, I’ll plod on if the majority say it gets better, but put it on the DNF shelf if not!
This month I’ve got psychological thrillers and a historical saga written by some new authors for me. I missed last month, so there’s a few here!
This is a good one to start with as it takes place the night before Halloween. I enjoyed this thriller of a ride, but you do have to suspend belief as you travel back in time. I’ll definitely be reading more from Gillian McAllister. 4/5
As Jen watches through the window, she sees her funny, seemingly happy teenage son stab a total stranger. Who the victim is she doesn’t know, only that their lives have now irrevocably changed.
The morning after expecting to go back to the police station, Jen sees Ben come out of his bedroom! It is the day before. She realises now she may be able to stop the murder from happening.
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Tash, a failed journalist, searches for a playgroup for her son in one of London’s wealthiest suburbs. She hears of a young nanny that has died in mysterious circumstances and thinks this may be the answer to putting her back in print again, if she can find the answers. Another mystery surrounding affluent and wealthy mothers and their kids. As Tash begins to investigate, she realises she’s very close to finding the answer. Mysterious and compelling. 4/5
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I’ve read The Last Mrs. Parrish and thought it was riveting, so I saw this one pop up on my kindle and gave it a go.
Set in New Jersey and Boston told from Addison and Julian’s points of view, it is the story of a woman who has lost the last few years of her memory. Quite creepy in parts and I couldn’t wait to finish this book. Who is Addison really? Why does she keep having flashbacks of something terrifying? Who can she trust? Another good read. 4/5
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Detective Inspector Matt Lockyer is currently working cold cases in Wiltshire, UK. 14 years ago he put away a woman who is still in jail. Out of the blue she contacts him and asks him to visit. He has always felt guilty about this but at the time was 100% sure he had the right person… but what if he was wrong. I loved this book from start to finish and am waiting for the second in the series. So many red herrings, twists and turns. A wonderful debut. 5/5
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An Australian crime thriller, set in Northern New South Wales. Heavily pregnant and a week away from maternity leave, Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is exhausted and counting down the days. But a violent hold-up at a local fast-food restaurant with unsettling connections to her own past, means that her final days will be anything but straightforward. Gripping and on the edge of your seat drama. A brilliant debut from Dinuka McKenzie, hopefully a start to another series. Fantastic descriptive writing that had me hooked. 5/5
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Set in 1781 in Deptford, London. An unidentified body hangs upon a hook at Deptford Dock – horribly tortured and branded with a slaver’s mark. Captain Harry Corsham, a war hero, later finds out that this was his once great friend, Tad. He determines to find out what had happened to Tad. Graphic in places but well worth reading. About the slave trade between Africa, the Caribbean and England. Although slaves were not allowed in England, slave trading was allowed. There were so many characters in this novel that I did have to keep going back. This is probably better read as a book, because of the maps. It was certainly an eye-opener and there were certain elements that were true to fact. A fantastic historical page turner. 5/5
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So many books now have the same titles, it must be hard for authors to think up new titles that are catchy.
I hope you will enjoy one or a few of the novels I have reviewed for this month.
