Their Little Secret by Mark Billingham

Their Little Secret by Mark Billingham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 400

Publisher - Little Brown

Source - Netgalley

Blurb from Goodreads

When DI Tom Thorne is called to conduct a routine assessment at the site of a suicide, he expects to be in and out in no time. But when he arrives at the metro station, where a woman named Philippa Goodwin threw herself in front of an underground train, Thorne inexplicably senses something awry and feels compelled to dig deeper. He soon discovers that she was the victim of a callous con-man who preys on vulnerable women, and whose deception plunged Philippa to her end. Thorne enlists DI Nicola Tanner to help him track down the swindler and bring him to justice. But the detective duo gets more than they bargained for when a young man's bludgeoned body turns up on the shore of a nearby seaside town. The two cases come together in a way that neither of the detectives could have foreseen. Brilliantly plotted with a shocking psychological bent, Their Little Secret is another masterful thriller from one of Britain's most beloved crime writers. With twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the final page, this is Mark Billingham's most chilling novel yet.



My Review

Phillipa Goodwin's life is ended under a train, there is zero doubt it is suicide. DI Tom Thorne is on the case and won't just let it go. Someone is responsible for what Phillipa done and with a little digging Thorne has a name. A conman who is well versed in his trade and Phillipa isn't the first nor will she be the last. When he escalates from conning women to violence/murder can Thorne convince anyone and will he catch the bad guy?

I haven't read Billingham for ages and not in sequence, he is a good guy, married to the job and see's his personal relationships suffering. This book has small links to relationships outwith the job but the main focus is on the case and hearing from the bad guys. The conman targets women and is pretty callous in his approach and endgame. Nothing is out of bounds to use, for a sob story, to get these woman to give him what he wants. Just when you think he can't stoop any lower.....

The book gives us a few view points, the cops, their personal lives, the case/investigation and we also hear from the bad guy and what is happening on their end. The opening chapter is quite graphic, not in extreme details but what we are given is enough to give a vivid picture, suicide by train :( it kicks off from there and drags you into a story so off the scale you can't help but wonder where it will go next. I have read Billingham before, I will read him again 4/5 for me this time, it was nice to catch up with Thorne and I really need to go back and read the books I have missed.

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An evening with crime writers at Waterstones

I love book events, I haven't been to many of late but I managed to hobble along last night, my o/h and friend came too. My o/h reads very few authors/books and usually on when on holiday, he came last night more as a "carer" for me but actually really enjoyed the evening.


Last night was Steve Cavanagh and Mark Billingham chaired by Christopher Brookmyre, these guys are hilarious. I had no idea Cavanagh was irish and could listen to that accent all night!





James introduced the guys, went over the safety as per and opened a great evening. If you aren't familiar with Sauchiehall street Waterstones they are now sporting a wee bar. So you can enjoy the events with a wee wine, soft drink or a water if that suits you. They also have a Harry Potter section, it is like a wee Harry Potter common room, I dind't get any pictures, I was so sore by the time I got there I beelined for my chair. I have took pictures previously, I am sure they are on my Insta, next time I am in I will get more.





Neither of the guys read out of their books, they just chatted, shared some stories, had a laugh and spoke about the books. Mark's book "The Killing Habit" is ook 15 in the Thorne series. There has been a lot of chat in the clubs about this one as the perp is killing animals and hasn't yet moved onto humans. I really hate animal cruelty and struggle to read books that contain it, however listening to Mark last night I am hoping it isn't actually too huge in the book, or too graphic. I may get my o/h to read it first for me though, just in case lol, inspired by the "Motorway cat killer" and discussing how many of these poor animals have been killed by this maniac.





Steve spoke about his new book Th1rt3en it is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. This will be my first book by this author, if you haven't got it yet, Tesco is doing a promotion for the next week I think where if you buy The Sun paper you get it for £2.





The guys talked about Cavanagh and Luca Vestes podcast, I have neverlistened to a podcast before but I think I will check this one out. They also chatted about their "band" and they will be playing in Bloody Scotland, if you haven't already you may want to check it out. Pictured is Mark reading out some of his one star reviews from Amazon, I LOVE when an author takes something negative and makes a positive from it. We all laughed at the daftness of some of them, brilliant!


I didn't get a chance to say hello or hug half the people I wanted to, there were so many great bloggers and authors in the audience. We had to leave pretty much as soon as it was over, I was just too sore. However we had a great night, the beautiful and talented Sharon from Chapter in my Life brought me a bookmark to cheer me up. I thought she had got it from the author for me, no, this talented beaut actually made it, have fantastic and thoughtful! I am honestly so blessed to have so many beautiful humans in my life.





My other friend brought me a book and some candles, spoiled! xxx

August Pre-Loved Giveaway is From The Dead by Mark Billingham

Quite a thick book at 470 pages. This book has been read a few times so it is showing signs of pre-owned (normally my books are in great condition).

The spine is heavily creased and the cover film is starting to lift but otherwise is good condition and no loose pages.

You can now contact me/enter the giveaway via my new form Fill out my form!

Below is my review

From The Dead by Mark Billingham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Blurb from the back cover

THE BODY
A decade ago, Alan Langford's charred ramins were discovered in his burt-out car. His wife Donna was found guilty of conspiracy to murder her husband and sentenced to ten years in prison.

THE LETTER
But just before she is released, Donna receives a nasty shock: an anonymous letter containing a photo of her husband. The man she hates with every fibre of her being - the man she paid to have murdered - seems very much alive and well.

THE RACE AGAINST TIME
How is it possible that her husband is still alive? Where is he? Who sent the photo, and why?

My Review

Imagine going to jail for the murder of your husband, losing your little girl and spending a decade behind bars for your crime. Imagine getting photographic proof your husband is still alive and well, what would you do?

This is what happens to Donna Langford who hires a private detective to find out the truth behind the photo(s) and letter. We follow her journey as the investigation reveals all the answers and flings up a few suprises, twists and unexpected turns.

Before long detective Thorne gets involved and the findings open up cases past and lead them to some shocking revelations.

Great paced, Thorne is his usual thrilling self but I felt the ending was very rushed and over too quickly (which isn't always a bad thing but just a tad too quick for me). 3/5 this time round.





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You can now contact me/enter the giveaway via my new form Fill out my form!

Review - From The Dead by Mark Billingham

From The Dead by Mark Billingham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Blurb from the back cover

THE BODY
A decade ago, Alan Langford's charred ramins were discovered in his burt-out car. His wife Donna was found guilty of conspiracy to murder her husband and sentenced to ten years in prison.

THE LETTER
But just before she is released, Donna receives a nasty shock: an anonymous letter containing a photo of her husband. The man she hates with every fibre of her being - the man she paid to have murdered - seems very much alive and well.

THE RACE AGAINST TIME
How is it possible that her husband is still alive? Where is he? Who sent the photo, and why?

My Review

Imagine going to jail for the murder of your husband, losing your little girl and spending a decade behind bars for your crime. Imagine getting photographic proof your husband is still alive and well, what would you do?

This is what happens to Donna Langford who hires a private detective to find out the truth behind the photo(s) and letter. We follow her journey as the investigation reveals all the answers and flings up a few suprises, twists and unexpected turns.

Before long detective Thorne gets involved and the findings open up cases past and lead them to some shocking revelations.

Great paced, Thorne is his usual thrilling self but I felt the ending was very rushed and over too quickly (which isn't always a bad thing but just a tad too quick for me). 3/5 this time round.





View all my reviews