Willnot by James Sallis

Willnot by James Sallis
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 192

Publisher - No Exit Press

Blurb from Goodreads

In the woods outside the town of Willnot, the remains of several people have suddenly been discovered, unnerving the community and unsettling Hale, the town's all-purpose general practitioner, surgeon, and town conscience. At the same time, Bobby Lowndes--his military records disappeared, being followed by the FBI--mysteriously reappears in his hometown, at Hale's door. Over the ensuing months, the daily dramas Hale faces as he tends to his town and to his partner, Richard, collide with the inexplicable vagaries of life in Willnot. And when a gunshot aimed at Lowndes critically wounds Richard, Hale's world is truly upended.


My Review

By reading the blurb, I took this book to be a crime/murder/who done it with the effects it has on the small town. It isn't that kind of book at all really, whilst there are bodies found and shootings, the book is not primarily about that. It is more centered on the ripples the bodies found has on the town and the main character, who he is, what he does for the town, flashbacks to things that happened in his life.

I have found this to be the case before, reading the blurb sets a bar and raises expectations of what said book will be about, as a result I didn't enjoy this book. I think had I picked it up and just read it I would have liked it far more as most readers loved it and it has high praise indeed. Instead I found there was a lot of characters that I couldn't quite see what part they would play in the crime aspect of the book and looked for plots and skulduggery where there weren't any.

A book that focuses on relationships, how events from the past can shape us as people and how a small town accepts folk quirks and all. It has quite a bit of medical talk in it being as the main character is the town doctor/surgeon I actually quite enjoyed these bits and it kept me reading. Not badly written at all however when you go into a book thinking it is one thing and it ends up being something entirely different it does dampen the enjoyment and raise expectations. Sadly 2/5 for me, I would read this author again however I would skip the blurb next time. Well written and enjoyed by many so give it a bash, it just wasn't for me.

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The Last of the Bowmans by J Paul Henderson

The Last of the Bowmans by J Paul Henderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - on and off for 4 days

Pages - 288

Publisher - No Exit Press

Blurb from the back cover

After an absence of seven years, Greg Bowman returns home from America to find his father lying in a bamboo coffin, his estranged brother Billy stalking a woman with no feet, and his 79 year-old Uncle Frank planning to rob a bank. While renovating the family house, he is unexpectedly visited by the presence of his dead father and charged with the task of 'fixing' the family. In the course of his reluctant investigations, Greg discovers an unsettling secret of his father's, and one that brings him face to face with the consequences of his own past.



My Review

Lyle Bowman was 83 years old when he died, bringing his son Greg back home from America to attend the funeral. Greg has always been a bit of a loose canon whilst his brother Billy has been a straight laced hard working family man. Greg aims to renovate his fathers house before heading back home and leaving it all behind him, however, Lyle has other plans. He died leaving behind unfinished business that Greg will now need to sort, from his stable brother who is harboring a secret and stalking a colleague to his 70+ year old Uncle Frank who is planning to Rob a bank. Greg has his work cut out for him, dealing with the nosey neighbour, his family problems, his fathers ghost telling him what to do and self exploration, Greg is about to embark on quite a journey.

If I had to use one word to sum up this book it would be bizarre but not in a bad way. The book is laced with humour despite starting with a death. A ghost whose choice of clothing itself raises an eyebrow, a family that is in crisis albeit hilariously so at so many points, it also deals with some big serious issues. It depicts a dysfunctional family that are forced back into each others lives after a loss and learning to be there for each other and the value of having a relationship with loved ones.

The writing is easy to slip into, I generally hate reading books over the course of a few days as you often forget things or miss parts, not so with this book. The characters, whilst not all likable, make an impression and stay with you. A quirky wee read and the first time I have read or in fact heard of this author, I would read more of his work. Thanks so much to RealReaders for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review, you can buy your own copy from January 21st, 2016. If you like something a wee bit different with humour, serious issues intertwined and very easy to follow, this is the book for you!

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The New Woman by Charity Norman

The New Woman by Charity Norman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2.5 days

Pages - 374

Publisher - Allen & Unwin

Blurb from Goodreads

Luke Livingstone is a lucky man. He's a respected solicitor, a father and grandfather, a pillar of the community. He has a loving wife and an idyllic home in the Oxfordshire countryside. Yet Luke is struggling with an unbearable secret, and it's threatening to destroy him.

All his life, Luke has hidden the truth about himself and his identity. It's a truth so fundamental that it will shatter his family, rock his community and leave him outcast. But Luke has nowhere left to run, and to continue living, he must become the person - the woman - he knows himself to be, whatever the cost.


My Review

Luke Livingstone is about to end his life, he has it all planned. He must save his family from his shame, he cannot live with his secret any longer. However, a chance encounter on a train makes Luke confront his demons and embrace his life long dream. In doing so and living the life he has always wanted, he may hurt everyone he loves and ruin everything he has ever known.

This is honestly not a book I would normally have picked up, just the title wouldn't grab me and I haven't heard of it before. This is the story of Luke Livingstone, coming to terms with what he has always known and embracing it. It is told through his voice and excerpts from Eilish, Luke, Kate, Lucia & a small part from Simon. How one mans actions and journeys can impact on a whole family and how they each deal with it.

It is a very emotive story, dealing with a subject that touches so many lives yet is still something we hear not very much of. Funnily enough, it isn't too long ago Caitlyn Jenner embraced the world, maybe this book and positive media may make it a more acceptable world so people aren't having to hide for years from who they really are.

The book examines relationships, friendships, love, fear, violence, marriage and trans gender related issues to name only some of the themes touched upon on this book. I found it hard to put down and I felt for most of the characters having to deal with such a huge issue it evoked empathy and really makes the reader think. 4/5 for me this time, this is my first time reading this author and I would read her again. Thanks so much to RealReaders for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review and introducing me to a new author.

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Blood Axe by Leigh Russell

Blood Axe by Leigh Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Publisher - No Exit Press

Pages - 317 (proof copy)

Blurb from Goodreads

Blood Axe is the latest crime novel by bestselling author, Leigh Russell. 'Silently dipping his oars in the water he made his escape. It was a weary journey, with few spoils to show for it. Next time he would do better. He looked back over his shoulder. The bridge had disappeared, swallowed up by the darkness. From its walkway he too had become invisible. Only the bloody body of a woman showed he had been roaming the streets that night.' DI Ian Peterson investigates a series of gruesome and brutal murders in York. As the body count mounts, the case demands all Ian's ingenuity, because these are murders seemingly committed at random, and this is a killer who leaves no clues. If you love Jeffery Deaver or Lee Child, you’ll love Leigh Russell!


My Review



Firsty, on the page across from the opening of the story is a glossary of acronyms, I love this. There are so many books that have them and even if it tells you early on, sometimes you forget what they stand for, this aids the reader and enjoyment of the story, well it did for me.

The tale opens with the warrior, on the look for his target, any target that meets the requirements - with his axe. He finds a target and launches a brutal attack before carefully and silently slipping into the darkness, leaving blood and horror in his wake. DI Ian Peterson is on the case, soon another body is found and it becomes clear someone needs to stop this maniac and soon. Whilst dealing with a killer and trying to discover a motive, Peterson is having some marital troubles to contend with also. Can he find and stop this killer whilst simultaneously managing his personal life or will it all prove too much for DI Peterson?

I have read a few books from Russell although they have been the Steel series, whilst this is the third in the DI Peterson series I don't think I am at a loss starting here. The chapters alternate between the killer and his hunt to the police and their investigation. It works well and the story runs smoothly, the murder weapon is an axe so if you have a weak stomach this may be a tad much for you, it is not overly gory however I feel an fyi is warranted.

The pace is well set, you not only have the investigation, the murder and any related characters linked to both you also have the personal side of DI Peterson. Moving to a new town has strained his relationship and from the off you pick up on that. It gives insight into what goes on out with a serious police investigation and what officers have to contend with and still remain focused. It doesn't detract from the story, in fact I think it helps to give more connection to your characters. There are some twists and shocks along the way which just gave some more oomph to the story I feel. 4/5 for me this time, I must say I have enjoyed this book the most of all the ones I have read & may even seek out the earlier ones in the series. Thanks to RealReaders for offering me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review, this book is available to buy now from all good retailers.

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Robert B Parker's Cheap Shot by Ace Atkins

Robert B Parker's Cheap Shot by Ace Atkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Publisher - No Exit Press

Pages - 223

Blurb from Goodreads

The iconic, tough-but-tender Boston PI Spenser returns in an outstanding new addition to the New York Times bestselling series from Pulitzer Prize-nominated author Ace Atkins. Kinjo Heywood is one of the New England Patriots’ marquee players — a hard-nosed linebacker who’s earned his reputation as one of the toughest guys in the league. When off-field violence repeatedly lands Heywood in the news, his slick agent hires Spenser to find the men who he says have been harassing his client. Heywood’s troubles seem to be tied to a nightclub shooting from two years earlier. But when Heywood’s nine-year-old son, Akira, is kidnapped, ransom demands are given, and a winding trail through Boston’s underworld begins, Spenser puts together his own all-star team of toughs. It will take both Hawk and Spenser’s protégé, Zebulon Sixkill, to watch Spenser’s back and return the child to the football star’s sprawling Chestnut Hill mansion. A controversial decision from Heywood only ups the ante as the clock winds down on Akira’s future.


My Review

If you haven't read a Spenser novel you don't have to to pick it up and jump right in. I believe this is number 3 in this series, there is 4 so far by this author however the series was started with another author so there are more.

Spenser is a private detective, not too sure if he was a police officer prior t that as he has an extensive list of contacts and a few men who assist him on the team. Kinjo Heywood is a big time star on the New England's Patriots team. He had an incident two years prior where someone lost their life in a night club, now his nine year old son has been kidnapped are the two related? Kinjo is surrounded by a team that don't want Spenser involved however Spenser is on the clock and won't stop till he finds the boy or Kinjo fires him.

The book took a wee it to get going but once it starts it kept my interest. The kidnapping reminded me of a successful movie plot after a while and that sometimes irks me when the rest of the story is original. Otherwise though I did quite like it, I enjoyed the team dynamics and the story got there eventually. 3/5 for me this time and I would read this series again. Thanks to RealReaders for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

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Killer Plan by Leigh Russell

Killer Plan by Leigh Russell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 319

Publisher - No Exit Press

Blurb from Goodreads

Caroline’s husband is killed, but she can’t turn to the police without implicating herself in his murder. When one of her 10-year-old twins is kidnapped, the desperate mother is forced to resort to drastic measures to get him back. As time runs out, and a second body is discovered, Geraldine realises she has a secret that might just help solve the case. But the truth could destroy her career. Faced with the unenviable decision of protecting herself or the widow she barely knows, Geraldine must grapple with her conscience and do the right thing before the death count mounts any further.


My Review

Caroline Robinson is our opening character, a chance encounter with an old school friend finds her telling him of her woes at home. Mum to two twin ten year old boys and a philandering husband. When Brian reaches shows understanding, he has been there himself, and comes up with a plan to make her husband take notice of her she agrees. When he is murdered and Brian reveals exactly what he wants, Caroline finds her world turned upside down and thats just the beginning of it all. Her son is kidnapped and the police know there is more to this story than Caroline is telling. Then another body turns up, this time DI Steel knows something that could blow open the case however, revealing what she knows may ruin her career. Time is running out, a young boys life is at stake and Geraldine Steel must act before it is too late.

Firstly, at the beginning of the book before the tale starts, we have a wee glossary of acronyms which I loved. Sometimes there are so many titles and initials with the police it is hard to keep up with who is what, you can just flick to the beginning of the book and find what they are, just a wee thing I really appreciated.

This is a busy wee book, you have the murder, then a kidnap, then another body shows up and and affair with a married man. Geraldine Steel is still having issues from previous books with her birth mother and deciding if she should trace her although it is mentioned only briefly within this book. She has a lot going on in her personal life and some of the story focuses on this, there is a big investigation into Caroline's husbands murder however this tappers off and all attention is focused on the second body that is discovered. When her child is kidnapped she cannot get the police to take her seriously although she is erratic by this point.

The story goes along at a decent pace, you know from the beginning who the murder is and why he did it however the story takes a turn and keeps you interested. My biggest beef is the way the police behave, toward each other and their lack of ability to perform investigations and or listen to their colleagues when they make valid points about a case. In some aspects, not all but one or two points I had to suspend belief as I couldn't honestly see police allowing certain actions or lack of them. That said we do read about investigation blunders in the news so perhaps the author is taking the path of fiction reflecting reality. With a massive change to the police force I am hoping that in the next book, assuming there is more to come and I hope there is, that we will see the police having a massive shape up and functioning much better than they have done.

There is a lot of emotion throughout the story as well as action and drama. None of the scenes are gory so if you like crime without all the blood and guts then this is a good series for you although I would suggest going back to the beginning than starting with this one. 3/5 for me this time, thanks so much to RealReaders for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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RRR - Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Publisher - Penguin Books (UK)

Source - RealReaders

Blurb from Goodreads

Top ten bestselling author Liane Moriarty returns with another gripping read.

She could hear men and women shouting. Angry hollers crashed through the soft humid salty summer night. It was somehow hurtful for Mrs Ponder to hear, as if all that rage was directed at her . . . then she heard the wail of a siren in the distance, at the same time as a woman still inside the building began to scream and scream . . .

When a harmless quiz night ends with an act of shocking violence, the parents of Pirriwee Public School can't seem to stop their secrets from finally spilling out. Rumours ripple through the small town, as truth and lies blur to muddy the story of what really happened on that fateful night . .


My Review

Set in a small town, three mums bond and have a friendship strengthened over their kids being at the same school/kindergarten, they all have issues within their private lives. Loud mouth, opinionated and just turned 40 Madeline MacKenzie, her ex husband has moved to her town with his wife and child in tow. Jane is a single mum, very protective of her only child Ziggy, she is young and has always kept her little boys fathers identity quiet. Celeste has it all, beautiful, two boys, super rich and successful husband but is all as it seems? Celeste and Madeline were friends when Jane moves to town already and accept Jane into their duo. After a shocking first day Jane's son gets in such trouble that Jane finds herself and Ziggy ousted by a lot of the parents and subject to lots of negative attention. When a trivia night at the school sees all of the tension to a head, a murder follows and secrets are no longer able to stay hidden.

I have read this author before, The Husbands Secret and I really liked it. It was slow to start and this one took a while, for me anyway, to get right into it. You have people being interviewed after the incident, initially, their name and then what they have spoken, then the book goes back to months before that fateful night and the back story and build up begins. Parents behaving shockingly, bad behaviour from a few of the characters and you are left hanging for a long time to actually learn what happened that night.

I loved reading the slow build up, I wasn't sure I was going to like it and felt this way initially about her last book. However it mirrors reality in that you never know much about a person when you initially meet them. You have to chip away and get familiar with each other before you find out who they really are and Moriarty portrays this with her writing.

Initally, things seem a tad mundane, parents, school, the kids, opinions and such however it all works to setting up the scene and why events come to play. The book has some humour, violence, secrets, friendships and family dramas to name but a few of the themes within this story. Once I got into it I couldn't put it down. I really enjoy this authors writing, despite it taking me a bit to get into it so a 4/5 for me this time. Thank you to RealReaders for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is available to buy from the 31st of July, 2014.

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ARC - The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me by Lucy Robinson

The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me by Lucy Robinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Source - RealReaders

Publisher - Penguin books

Pages - 488 (uncorrected proof)

Blurb from Goodreads

Sally is an incredible singer but she sings only in her wardrobe where nobody can hear her. She'd rather join a nudist colony than sing in public.

That is until she ventures to New York where a wild and heady summer of love and loss changes her forever. No longer able to hide in the shadows, Sally must return home to London to fulfill a promise she cannot break - to share her voice.

But just as she's about to embark on her new life, a beautiful man turns up on Sally's doorstep bearing a sheepish smile and a mysterious hand-written message.

How did he find her? Why is he here? Does he hold the truth to what happened back in New York? And, with him back on the scene, will she still have the courage to step into the spotlight?



My Review

Sally Howlett is our quirky main character, we meet her in the opening chapter with her teddy, after hiding out most of the day in her wardrobe. Sally does that, flees to her wardrobe when she is worried, needs time or is doing her number one thing in the world, singing. Coming from an estate, a family who like no fuss or standing out, it has been hard for her to sing anywhere else but the safety of her wardrobe. However, events have brought us to this moment and Sally is panicking, she has signed up to go to college and sing opera, she has an amazing talent and beautiful voice but has always had to shut it away. After a traumatic event in her past, she is bound by her word to share her talents and pursue it but there is so much in the way. Things from her past she would rather let go, always pleasing everyone but herself, her families utterly against such a pursuit and the biggest of them all, her crippling fear of anyone hearing her sing. Can Sally keep her word and do her diploma at the Royal College of Music, can she utter a note outside her wardrobe? Any why now, of all times, has the man from her past shown up to turn her world upside down. Sally will need to dig deep to deal with all the challenges she is faced with or forever hid in the safety of her wardrobe!

I honestly didn't think reading the blurb that I would like this novel. I was intrigued about the beautiful gentleman from her past but the whole music thing just didn't seem like it would interest me. I was wrong, very wrong! It is funny how you can relate to someone or something in a book that you, at first glance, could never imagine any comparison with at all. Sally grew up in an estate, opera is not something you expect one to be interested in let alone be able to engage with or produce the beauty that it is. Sally has such negative experiences and attitudes by those she loves she must lock it away, almost as a dirty secret. So now as an adult, to embrace it, to do something that goes against her core, pleasing everyone but herself, it is unthinkable. However Sally has depths and is learning and growing whilst having to face some of the most hurtful moments of her past, to deal with her promising future.

This book was a delight to read, there are so many levels to it, self growth, love, hurt, family dysfunction, betrayal, talent and that is only some of the themes. You will find yourself laughing out loud at some of the scenes, especially one or two with the fabulous Jan Borsos, it is naughty, funny, tongue in cheek and despite some mentions of sex, there is a beautiful innocence to some of the story. Sometimes the language they use toward each other felt, to me, a little out of place or young as they are performers, talented, educated and it just seemed like how a younger generation communicate rather than adults. However that said, it does work especially for Sally who is quite innocent despite being the mother role for Fiona, her hell raiser cousin, sister and best friend.

The time frame jumps around so it takes a while to discover what happened with Sally and the beautiful stranger who turns up at her door. To peel through the present day and some of the issues Sally carries with her and why she behaves as she does now. It is quite well signposted so you can follow the jumps in time well and slowly the back story is revealed. I have read this author before and would read her again, you can get your hands on this book from the 19th of June, 2014. Thank you so much to RealReaders for sending me this book, which I would certainly have passed over and missed out on a lovely tale, don't make that mistake and deprive yourself.

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ARC - Fatal Act by Leigh Russell

Fatal Act by Leigh Russell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - dipped in and out over 5 days

Publisher - No Exit Press

Pages - 319

Source - RealReaders

Blurb from Back cover

A glamorous young TV soap star dies in a car crash. Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel is baffled as the driver of the second vehicle miraculously survives - and vanishes. Another young actress is murdered and, once again, the killer mysteriously disappears. Geraldine unwittingly risks her sergeant's life in their struggle to track down a serial killer who leaves no clues.

My Review

Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel is on the case, a young actress has died in a car crash yet there is no sign of the other driver. Soon another up and coming star dies and the police realize they have a very crafty murderer to find and one who leaves no traces. In the search for a killer and trying to prevent any further deaths, Steel puts her sergeant at risk and maybe even herself before the case is through.

The opening chapter is brilliantly done, it pulls you into heart stopping scene of cat and mouse and the story goes from there. The killer leaves nothing at the scenes and the police are scrambling around trying to work out who is guilty and grill their suspect. The story then has a bit of a lull, then picks up, then lulls again until the last leg when it kicks up the pace. This was a bit of a let down considering how attention grabbing the opening chapter was however it kept me interested enough to read on.

The story focuses on the relationships within the unit, particularly between Steel and her sergeant Sam Haley. Haley is junior and in parts of the story this is abundantly clear, however she has a good relationship with Steel which drives some of her behavior. Also there were a few situations when I felt their actions and behavior didn't quite fit with the titles of sergeants.

There are lots of questions raised throughout the story but thankfully the author ties doesn't leave you hanging. Overall I liked it but felt some parts dragged and would have enjoyed it more if the pace kept up with how it started and ended. Overall a good 3/5, I have read this author before and would read her again. I think I may snap up the previous books I haven't read, get more of a picture of Steel and the relationship dynamics within the team. Thanks to RealReaders for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, available to buy from May 2014 from all good retailers.

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ARC - Beautiful Day by Kate Anthony

Beautiful Day by Kate Anthony
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2.5 days

Publisher - Penguin

Pages - 384

Source - Realreaders

Blurb from Goodreads

Rachel is looking for her beautiful day. She's worried about everything: being a good mother, money and starting a new job.

Philip is a lost soul in the world and he could do with a friend.

They are just about to meet and when they do everything will change. Rachel and Philip don't know it yet, but they each have what the other needs. They can save one another, and not in the way you might expect.

This is a story about finding happiness and love in all their forms. And how sometimes you can find them in the most unlikely of places.



My Review

Rachel is finding life challenging to say the least. She is starting a new job as a resident care assistant working with vulnerable adults. Her children and her are trying to adjust to the new routine of her being out the house, her husband has left them and he has a new lady. The live in au pair is a nightmare and thats just the start of it. When Rachel is flung in at the deep end with a new resident, Philip, Rachel finds herself out of her depth but determined to help and stick at it.

The story covers a lot of ground, a failed marriage, trying to cope with the aftermath, learning to do the mum thing without an active partner. Her job is challenging, fulfilling and she loves the residents but people in the job aren't quite as helpful as one might have hoped.

The book presents many challenges, achievements, tears, upsets and a beautiful relationship with Philip and Rachel. It also demonstrates how actions can impact on another persons life. I really enjoyed this book, for a debut novel it is very well executed. Anthony draws on her experience as a residential social worker which I think adds to the realism of the story. The characters are very well portrayed as you switch emotions, especially with Rachel, as you learn more about her as see her behaviors and actions.

I could have read this in one go I think, had life permitted as it's an engaging tale where you want to see how the characters and plot develops. This is my first time reading this author and I would definitely read her again. I hope she gives us more care based stories and maybe follows up with Rachel. 4/5 for me this time, thanks so much to RealReaders for providing me with an ARC of this book. You will be able to get your own copy from 10th April 2014 from all good retailers.

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RRR - Robert B Parker's Wonderland by Ace Atkins

Robert B. Parker's Wonderland: The New Spenser Novel by Ace Atkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Publisher - No Exit Press

Pages - 192

Blurb from Goodreads

Henry Cimoli and Spenser have been friends for years, yet the old boxing trainer has never asked the private eye for a favor. Until now. A heavy-handed developer is trying to buy up Henry's condo on Revere Beach and sends thugs to move the process along. Soon Spenser and his apprentice, Zebulon Sixkill, find a trail leading to a mysterious and beautiful woman, a megalomaniacal Las Vegas kingpin, and plans to turn to a chunk of land north of Boston into a sprawling casino. Bitter rivals emerge, alliances turn, and the uglier pieces of the Boston political machine look to put an end to Spenser's investigation.
Aspiration, greed, and twisted dreams all focus on the old Wonderland dog track where the famous amusement park once fronted the ocean. For Spenser and Z, this simple favor to Henry will become the fight of their lives.


My review

Spenser is out main character and a private eye. His friend Henry is an old man who trains boxers and is getting pressure to sell up his condo. He enlists the help of his old friend to find out who is behind it and why. Before long things get violent and out of hand, Vegas big wigs are involved and murder is a foot. Will Spenser get to the bottom of it before he and his friends end up in peril danger?

So this is the first I have ever read this author. The series has over 40 books however this author has only been in place for two (the third is now available), taking over the series after the last author died. This is my first introduction to the series and I did enjoy the banter between the characters however I felt there were a lot of people introduced. Not all had massive parts however it was a lot to take in and try to keep up with what was happening. The story starts up about Henry being forced into giving up his condo however things take a deadly turn and the story becomes much more complex with lots of twists and turns.

Spenser has a sidekick who is referred to a lot but is not in this story and Z aka Zebulon Sixkill is seemingly new to the team or at least still training. He is a troubled character, nothing outrightly obvious but a few things hinted at. I think I need to go back and find out more about these characters in order to fully appreciate these books and the characters relationships with each other.

That said I did get into the story quickly, it has lots of twists and turns and your not too sure what is coming next. It goes a long at a good pace and by the end your questions are answered which I always like in a crime story. 3/5 for me this time, thanks to Realreaders for introducing me to a new author and sending me a copy to review in exchange for an honest review. I will definitely seek out the earlier books in this series and see the difference between the authors and learn more about the characters.

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RR - The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison

The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Publisher - Headline

Pages - 372

Blurb from Goodreads

A chilling psychological thriller portraying the disintegration of a relationship down to the deadliest point when murdering your husband suddenly makes perfect sense.

Todd Gilbert and Jodie Brett are in a bad place in their relationship. They've been together for twenty-eight years, and with no children to worry about there has been little to disrupt their affluent Chicago lifestyle. But there has also been little to hold it together, and beneath the surface lie ever-widening cracks. HE is a committed cheater. SHE lives and breathes denial. HE exists in dual worlds. SHE likes to settle scores. HE decides to play for keeps. SHE has nothing left to lose. When it becomes clear that their precarious world could disintegrate at any moment, Jodie knows she stands to lose everything. It's only now she will discover just how much she's truly capable of...


My Review

The story opens and introduces us to Her, Jodie Brett, common law wife of Him, Todd Gilbert. With an intro of who Jodie is and a declaration of "a few short months are all it will take to make a killer out of her". Their routine and lives shared together are spread out between chapters, the past and leading to present that brings us to the murder itself. Jodie has always turned a blind eye to her philandering husband however this time is different, this time she is going to loose everything and Jodie cannot allow that to happen.

This story flips between the two and their views points of their relationship, past and present. Jodie is a bit of a cold fish, she likes control, is a psychologist working her own hours from home with a selective client list. He is a business man, his own boss who restores or builds, makes a profit and has a roaming eye for the ladies.

The story is very well done, the smallest detail described to what keeps Jodie going to keep from seeing what her husband gets up to. the book also flips back to Jodie revealing things from her past whilst she is a trainee which gives the reader a possible reason for how she is and all she accepts and refuses to see.

We get some insight into Todd's past too which count attribute to his philandering ways but ultimately the story pushes to Todd's betrayal and Jodie's reaction to it. Even when has two lives on the go Jodie still seems in denial until she is pushed to drastic action. I found quite a bit of it unbelievable, how easily the idea of murder comes up and how acceptable and docile Jodie is to it.

Some of it is very realistically done as even in this day and age some women will do anything to keep their husband and what happens when that is threatened. I can't say I liked any of the main characters however the author does a fantastic job in hooking you into wanting to see how it plays out. It goes at a sedate pace after the initial murder is mentioned however it builds a vivid picture of their relationship and interactions as well as how they end up on the paths they do.

It is quite a compelling read although some of it found me wanting and quite frustrated at times which is why it gets a rounded 3/5 rating. Thanks to Realreaders for providing me with a review copy and introducing me to yet another new author.

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ARC - The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

Time taken to read - 6 hours

Publisher - Penguin Books (UK)

Source - RealReaders

Blurb From RealReaders

The One Plus One is the beautiful, poignant and utterly compelling new novel by the internationally bestselling author Jojo Moyes.

Jess Thomas wants . . . . . . to be more than a single mum getting by day after day . . . to do her best for her gifted but sensitive daughter Tanzie . . . to find a way back from the loneliest place on earth

Ed Nicholls is hoping . . . . . . he won't go to jail . . . there's a way back from the biggest mistake of his life . . . something or someone will make it all go away

Jess and Ed are . . . . . . two strangers looking for a little kindness . . . two lost souls with a lot to learn from each other . . . about to find out that one plus one makes more - so much more - than two The One Plus One is Jojo Moyes' brilliant new heartbreaking novel about two people learning to take a chance on each other.

My Review


We open up the tale with Jess & Nathalie, Jess is our main character, well one of them, and Nathalie as they go about their job, cleaning. They are chatting and giving the reader an insight into Jess's life. The next few chapters bring in Tanzie, Ed and Nicky, each chapter has a name underneath the chapter so you know which person it is coming from or focusing on. The view point alternates between first and third person, this is done with ease though and actually adds to the joy of the story.

Jess is struggling to make ends meet, her husband is trying to sort himself out at his mothers whilst Jess keeps the home, finance and kids going. Working herself to the bone with two jobs, lack of time with the kids and money worries she still manages to maintain a positive outlook. When she gets an opportunity for her daughter Tanzie, to better her life, she will do anything she can to make it work.

Ed is our other big character, he has money, homes, cars and everything a geek could ask for. When his life and routine come to a halt whilst he is investigated and everything he knows is at risk, he meets someone in their hour of need. What follows is a journey that will highlight strengths and weaknesses in each of them and force them to question their chosen paths in life.

Oh.My.God I love this book! I thought after Me Before You I wouldn't be able to 5 star another book by this author as it was their peak book. I was wrong, although this is a totally different kind of book it stirred up a lot of the same responses as Me Before You. Gasping out loud (always a tad mortified when this happens, especially if people are around), smiling, laughter and tears, everything a great book should do. The ARC I got is 436 pages, I devoured it in 6 hours and it would have been quicker but I had to do some things to do in between. I was loath to put it down, I couldn't wait to find out where it was going, what else would come to light and how it played out for the characters. When I read the first few chapters, I wasn't convinced I was going to love it as I thought there might be too many characters. There are 4 centered ones, Ed & Jess are your big characters and Nicky and Tanzie feature heavily too, as well as their daft dog Norman, but as I said, the chapters are titled with their names and it is really easy to follow.

I didn't want it to end, I loved the characters and think there is someone for everyone to relate to. If not someone personally then at least one of the situations. The book covers a host of issues, single mum struggling to make ends meet, misfit kids, the misconception and judgments people make on each other, betrayal, honesty, love and loyalty to name but a few.

I try not to do big long reviews but I could talk about this book for ages. Sadly it isn't out to buy until the 27th of February 2014 which is a bit of a wait but it will be worth it. I will be buying at least two copies as gifts and this one, for me is a keeper. Thanks so much to RealReaders for sending me a paper copy of this in exchange for an honest review, it has brought a smile and keeper for me, 5/5 this time and I will continue to buy up all of this authors works.

ARC - The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Publisher - Penguin

Blurb from Goodreads

From the author of the critically acclaimed What Alice Forgot comes a breakout new novel about the secrets husbands and wives keep from each other.

My Darling Cecilia
If you're reading this, then I've died . . .

Imagine your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret - something so terrible it would destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others too. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive . . .

Cecilia Fitzpatrick achieved it all - she's an incredibly successful business woman, a pillar of her small community and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia - or each other - but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband's devastating secret.


My review

This story revolves around three separate characters, we start with Cecilia Fitzpatrick, suburban mum/wife and organizer. She finds a very old letter addressed to her from her husband, to be opened in the event of his death. He passes it off as nothing and Cecilia decides to discard it, however events lead her to change her ,mind and everything about her organized, happy life is about to be turned upside down.

Tess O'Leary has a business with her husband and her cousin who is also her best friend. A revelation is about to rock their world and send waves of hurt and anger through their lives.

Rachel Crowley is an older lady, who years after her teenage daughters murder, is still stuck in the past and wondering who done it and why?

These three ladies will be brought together by the events that have turned their lives upside down whilst working through their own issues. This is a story of betrayal, lies, secrets and repercussions.

The story doesn't really pick up, I felt, until over 100 pages in but it really is worth sticking with. The long lead up takes a while as you are introduced to the back story for all three characters. The chapters are fairly short which is always good, especially if your busy so you can drop in and out of it. The author has a nice way of introducing the authors and luring you into their lives and the drama. The end really picks up and at one point I actually gasped, I hate when this happens in public btw, I honestly didn't see it coming. A really enjoyable tale, if a tad slow to warm up but worth it in the end. I would definitely read this author again, 4 out of 5 for me this time. Thanks to RealReaders for sending me and ARC (available from 29th of August 2013) of this book, and introducing me to a new author.

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RR - Dead Men and Broken Hearts by Craig Russell

Dead Men And Broken Hearts by Craig Russell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time Taken to Read - 5 days

Publisher - Quercus

Blurb from the back cover

Investigator Lennox just can't stay out of trouble. Lennox is looking for legitimate cases - anything's better than working for the Three Kings, the crime bosses who run Glasgow's underworld. So when a woman comes into his office and hires him to follow her husband, it seems the perfect case.

And, unusually for Lennox, it's legal.

But this isn't a simple case of marital infidenlity. When the people he's following start to track him, once more Lennox must draw on the violent, war-damaged part of his personality as he follow this trail of dead men and broken hearts.

My Review

This is my first encounter with this author. The main character is Lennox, private investigator turned legit, he was previously linked with Glasgows big crime bosses. His first case in the opening seems straight forward, a wife suspects something fishy going on with her husband and wants Lennox to check it out. Case number 2 is the Union looking to locate a member who has disappeared with something important and the Union want him found. Soon Lennox finds there is more to the cases than first appears and his safety and freedom may be on the line!

Lennox is quite an amusing character, some of his statements had me laughing out loud. The story itself for me seemed to take a wee bit of time to really get going. The story is build up and played out for a fair while before things really pick up. A lot of people like that but I felt it a bit slow going for the first half of the book but once things pick up it is quite interesting.

The book is set in Glasgow in the 1950s which, being from the city, I found really enjoyable as there are places I know and places I have never heard of. Twinkletoes is another character worthy of note, I haven't read any of the previous novels so I'm not sure if he has appeared before. He is a hardman, on the wrong side of the law but such an endearing character you can't help but love to read about, I would love a standalone book on him to read!

The book is filled with twists, turns, deception and secrets. The story is written in first person narrative and the chapters are fairly short which I love. Everything gets covered, explained and played out which I always enjoy in a book but I felt it took an age to get to some of it. The end has a big twist that I didn't see coming and as much as I felt the book dragged at a few parts I found myself picking it up every spare minute I had. I think I may pick this author up again and will start from the beginning. Thanks to RealReaders for giving me the chance to read a new author in exchange for an honest review, 3/5 for me this time.

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ARC - Stop Dead by Leigh Russell

Stop Dead by Leigh Russell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time Taken to Read - 4 days

Publisher - No Exit Press

Blurb from back cover

When a successful businessman is brutally murdered, the police suspect his glamorous wife and her young lover. But when the victim's business partner suffers the same gruesome fate, and yet another body is discovered, seemingly unrelated to the first two, the police are baffled. The only clue is DNA that leads them to two women: one dead, the other in prison. With a steady stream of bodies arriving at the morgue, can DI Geraldine Steel find the killer before the killer stages another deadly attack?

My Review

I never comment on covers as they are not a big part in my choosing process however I must pass comment on this one. The actual cover itself is made from high quality, almost feels like, laminate of some kind. Smooth, shiny and made up of dark greens with bold red writing, the books title. The back cover is of lighter colour with black and red text and 4 small pictures of the previous books.

This is book number five in the series, this is my first time reading this author and you can easily pick this up as a one off. Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel is our main character investigating the brutal murder of a local businessman in London. Suspicion falls upon his widow and her young lover, before another another body is found with the same gruesome mutilations. The clock is ticking for D.I. Steel to solve the case and stop the murderer before they kill anyone else.

I quite enjoyed this story, the action starts from the opening chapter and the body count goes from there. I felt the pace slowed down at some parts and some of the storyline was a bit of padding. For example something from Geraldine's family is revealed in this book and she ponders on it briefly in different sections of the book however nothing really comes of it.

The investigation casts out a few suspects and I thought early on I had it worked out, I was wrong. Your kept guessing up to the end and the story goes from slow and plodding along to full swing all is revealed. This is a great book to read when you find your struggling or have a lot on as everything is explained, what they say, why they say it and of course the how and why of the crime at the end. Thanks so much to RealReaders for introducing me to a new author and supplying me with this ARC. I think I may go back and read the earlier books to connect better with the characters. This book will be available from 30th of May, 2013 from all good retailers.

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ARC - A Passionate Love Affair With A Total Stranger by Lucy Robinson

A Passionate Love Affair with a Total Stranger by Lucy Robinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time Taken To Read - 2 days

Blurb From Goodreads

A Passionate Love Affair with a Total Stranger by Lucy Robinson, author of The Greatest Love Story of All Time, is a hilariously funny and gorgeously romantic story about falling in love when you least expect it. Charley Lambert has put considerable effort into achieving a perfect life. She has The Job. The Wardrobe. And The Flat. Her womanising, junk food-loving housemate Sam lowers the tone a bit but that aside, things are peachy. Then she breaks her leg in three places, watches her unrequited love propose to someone else and - worst of all - is forced to hand over her job to her nasty deputy while she recovers. Workaholic Charley fears that she will soon go mad. Desperate for something to do, she discovers her talent for helping the lovelorn online. And then William arrives in her inbox. Within hours of his first email, her world starts to change. Helpless, she watches herself fall in love with this man and begins to realise that she's not who she thought she was. But will she be brave enough to turn her back on her old life - all for a total stranger?

My Review

High powered business woman, ,Charlie Lambert, is all about her job. She loves what she does and it comes second to nothing in her life, it doesn't hurt that she has been lusting after her boss for 7 years. She flat shares with Sam, her complete opposite. He hasn't managed to land his big break, lives on junk food as opposed to her organic strict food regime. He has a different woman on the go practically daily whilst she hasn't been with anyone since her fumble with her boss years ago. When an accident keeps her from her beloved job she starts up a business, helping out people online to find their perfect partners. William arrives in her inbox and before she knows it she is questioning everything and forgetting about her boss.

This is a story that has giggles, tender moments and the realization that sometimes the things you take for granted are the most important and work isn't the be all and end all. Charlie is a hard character to like, I felt, she is a workaholic and her life is mostly focused on her job and obsession with her boss. After the accident and "meeting" William she becomes very bunny boiler like and obsessive to the point where before she had been so professional and business like then puts her new business at risk with her ridiculous behaviour. I warmed to her nearer the end when she assesses everything in her life and seems to have an epiphany but for the most part I disliked her. Sam is a great character, he is fun, caring, sweet and loyal - I liked him from the get go.

The story is well written and when I got to the emails part I was totally hooked. I also loved the letters from the past, sorry to be vague but I hate spoilers. I disliked being left hanging after the big scene at the office, I like clarification and what happened after. It had no reflection on what then happened with Charlie but I would have loved to have found out how it followed up.

This was my first time reading this author, I found her writing style unique in that I can honestly say she didn't remind me of anyone else I had read before. I would read her work again. Thanks for RealReaders for sending me an ARC of this. The book is out on the 31st of January 2013 from any good retailer.

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