Dark Rooms by Lynda La Plante

Dark Rooms by Lynda La Plante
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - < 3 days

Pages - 336

Publisher - Zaffre

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Helena Lanark is the only one who knows about the horrors which once occurred in her family's house. The heiress of an immense family fortune, she now resides in a luxurious care home; her mind and memory fading fast. Jane Tennison is leading a murder investigation into the recent brutal death of a young girl, her decomposed, starved body discovered in an old air raid shelter in the garden of the Lanark's now derelict house. Initially the focus is on identifying the victim, until another body is found hidden in the walls of the shelter. As the investigation and search for answers intensifies, Jane travels to Australia. There she discovers the dark secret that the Lanark family has kept hidden for decades. A secret that not only threatens to bring down a family dynasty, but also places Jane Tennison in mortal danger . . .


My Review

Welcome to book eight in the Tennison series, you can read it as a standalone but the series is so fab and you would miss so much backstory/character development if you start here. Jane is into yet another new team but this time she will be the lead on a case her superiors aren't enthusiastic about. During work being done on an older wealthy owned estate a body is found chained up in an air raid shelter not on the building plans. Jane being the lead heads down and uncovers another body, this one causing more annoyance from Janes "superiors". Jane is like a dog with a bone and will stop at nothing to find out what happened and get justice and as always to the truth.

This book is really busy, it has a lot going on, the investigations, dealing with the original owners - the attitudes, more inappropriate attitudes, sexism, abuse of position, inappropriate conduct from Janes male counterparts. Honestly I feel in this one we see a different side to Jane, we get the usual where she is absolutely dedicated to the job and victims and regardless of who she may annoy or upset she is getting to the bottom of her case(s). I feel she was a bit more almost wreckless this time, in some of her behaviours, speaking freely about her case to the guy she has in doing work on the house.

We also see Jane dabbling with a relationship and maybe it was ripples from her previous relationships and why she is a bit different/guarded this time. Yet that being said there was also an incident within her home and something she did that I was shocked. Nothing overly major but just from what we know of Jane I felt it was so out of character, she seemed to have a different side showing this time. Not bad but just risks that I didn't expect from her, character development maybe, response to all she has been through, age, I don't know but it is certainly interesting to see her flash a bit off the straight and narrow so to speak.

Family secrets, scandals, touching on some horrific themes, SA, murder, abuse of power/status, police investigation and as always Janes metal at not being badgered or bullied into dropping something or behaving a certain way. I think that is why we are big Tennison fans, she has some flaws (don't we all) but she comes from a good place and always an advocate for the victims who can no longer speak for themselves, 4/5 from me.

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The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 5 days

Pages - 422

Publisher - Viking

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Shocking news reaches the Thursday Murder Club.

An old friend in the antiques business has been killed, and a dangerous package he was protecting has gone missing.

As the gang springs into action they encounter art forgers, online fraudsters and drug dealers, as well as heartache close to home.

With the body count rising, the package still missing and trouble firmly on their tail, has their luck finally run out? And who will be the last devil to die?



My Review

This is book four in the series and I would say you will get more out of it by reading the previous books and getting the backstory(s) of the characters. The books are centred around older characters who have a Thursday Murder Club and they set out investigating crimes/murder(s) and they are actually pretty good at it.

One of the things I love about these books is how quirky the characters are and whilst that is present in some of this one there is a sadder/dark streak in this book I wasn't expecting. I get that the characters growth/arcs need to go a in certain directions but sometimes when you are caught off guard it can impact in your enjoyment of a story. That being said I also know that it might be more of a me thing than the story/author thing.

On the lighter side there is more of a couples theme in this one and Ron puts his foot in stuff as he does, set in his ways stubborn but still. Skulduggery, drugs, murder and investigating, the opening chapter kicks us into the thick of it straight off.

Friendship is quite often at the heart of these stories and it is strong in this one. We obviously have the police investigation, the gang doing their thing, criminals old and new and everyone is looking for the same thing just for different reasons. It is a good story, engaging just not my fave of the series and has some dark/sad themes involved so for me 3/5 this time. Will I read more of the series? Absolutely, I love the characters and their antics just found this one had a bit more sadness than I was expecting.

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Let Me Go by Chelsea Cain

Let Me Go by Chelsea Cain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 358

Publisher - Minotaur books

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Detective Archie Sheridan is about to receive a birthday present from the last person he ever wants to see again: Gretchen Lowell.

The investigation into Jack Reynolds's drug enterprise is heating up and has Archie heading off to attend a masked Halloween party on Jack Reynolds's island, where Susan is a reluctant guest. But the next morning one of the guests is found murdered, and Archie quickly realizes that nothing is what it seems. Only one thing is clear: Gretchen is back, and she's been closer than anyone thinks. On Halloween Eve, with time running out, Archie will have to risk everything, and choose wisely whom to trust, if he and his loved ones are going to live through the night.

My Review

I really enjoy (if that is the right word) the Gretchen/Archie series but read them out of order so this was me going back the way. I think the thing with these books is the psychotic killer is a beautiful female but she is beyond dangerous, she can take out whole teams of trained killers. Her obsession with Archie is something else, gave me Hannibal/Clarise vibes to be fair.

Gretchen is on the loose, there is a killer out there and Archie knows Gretchen is stalking him. He has a "relationship not relationship" with his neighbour and he is just trying to get through yet another day without pills. Poor Archie is really put through it in this book, embarrassed, used, humiliated and always trying to do the right thing.

Mobsters, killers, threats, violence, abuse, sa, the books has just about a bit of everything. Gretchen is ruthless and brutal as usual and we see another glimpse of her madness/obsession levels with Archie, 4/5 for me. Absolutely not for the faint hearted though guys, graphic and brutal!

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Light as a Feather by Zoe Aarsen

Light as a Feather by Zoe Aarsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Pages - 385

Publisher -

Source - I think this was a competition win

Blurb

Riverdale meets Final Destination in this fast-paced and deliciously creepy novel about an innocent game that turns deadly at a high school sleepover.

It was supposed to be a game…

Junior year is shaping up to be the best of McKenna Brady’s life. After a transformative summer, McKenna is welcomed into the elite group of popular girls at Weeping Willow High, led by the gorgeous Olivia Richmond. For the first time in a long time, things are looking up.

But everything changes the night of Olivia’s Sweet Sixteen sleepover. Violet, the mysterious new girl in town, suggests the girls play a game during which Violet makes up elaborate, creepily specific stories about the violent ways the friends will die. Though it unsettles McKenna, it all seems harmless at the time.

Until a week later, when Olivia dies…exactly as Violet predicted.

As Violet rises to popularity and steps into the life Olivia left unfinished, McKenna becomes convinced Olivia’s death wasn’t just a coincidence, especially when a ghost haunting her bedroom keeps leaving clues that point to Violet. With the help of her cute neighbor, Trey, McKenna pledges to get to the bottom of Violet’s secrets and true intentions before it’s too late. Because it’s only a matter of time before more lives are lost.


My Review

So how many times when you were younger did you engage in games at a stay over? For us we used to play spirits, in this book it is almost like that but huge vibes from The Craft movie. The girls are a mixed bunch Olivia is the popular girl, money, location, beauty, McKenna has kind of just made it back into the fold and new girl who is quite quiet/reserved Violet has also just made it in. The game is simple, one lies on the ground, the others around, fingers underneath and someone, Violet, leads and tells them one by one in graphic detail a story about how they will die. Spooky and creepy but it is just a game right? Until one of the stories comes true, lots of questions, was it a coincidence, did Violet somehow know? Is the rest of the stories going to happen?

So this is absolutely young adult, teen with horror type vibes going through. So there is a lot of the angst and issues that are important to the youngsters, having a date for prom, getting judged for not, mean girl vibes within the popular clique and then the spooky story/game. McKenna has the cute guy next door neighbour but he is thought to be weird so much as McKenna does like him their friendship is under the radar.

The book is a little bit all over the place as we have McKenna liking the brother of cool girl Olivia, the secret friendship with mchottie next door. Then the turn of the supernatural now I loved that and you would absolutely be diving into where did she actually come from, whats her history, how did this happen, how can her story be so close to what happens. I did love that, some of the bitchy and teen behaviour/choices did annoy me but I think it reflects of the age group of those involved (for the most part to be fair).

I wasn't a huge lover of how we rounded up and I get that there are more books in the series so the need for it and I will most likely read them because I am nosey and want to know. Some bits riveting, some were just ok and I was annoyed at a few bits but the book kept me engaged a good bit. Apparently there is a tv show too so think I will have a nosey at that, absolutely going to rewatch the craft movie, 3.5/5 for me.

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Angel Falls by Tracey Sinclair

Angel Falls by Tracey Sinclair
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - as able over 2.5 days

Pages - 210

Publisher - Indie

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

It isn't easy to surprise Cassandra Bick. When you run a human-vampire dating agency, your colleague is a witch who is engaged to a shifter and your business partner is one of London's most powerful (and sexiest) vampires, there's no such thing as a normal day at the office.

But when a mysterious Dark Dates client brings a dire warning of a new threat to the city's supernatural community, Cass and her friends realise they are up against their deadliest foe yet – and that this time, the danger is far closer to home than they could ever have imagined.

Sexy, snarky and with more bite than a crypt full of vampires, Angel Falls is the latest in the Dark Dates: Cassandra Bick series.


My Review

If you haven't read the previous two, stop here and go check them out, this can be read as a standalone but I am going to mention something from the previous book so stop.

Okies good, so we left off with Laclos being saved by Cain stepping in and as a result Laclos is "off his nut" super charged on the best blood flowing through his veins. If you haven't read the previous and are still here, Laclos is a vampire, Cain is a warrior angel, Cassie has dating history with them both. Currently with Cain, Laclos is mr inappropriate and always talking in sexual innuendos to both Cassie and Cain- he loves winding Cain up. Anyway Laclos is killing vampire seniors left right and centre, he is out of control, Cain is recovering from the last book. Cassie is trying to sort out her dating business (mortals, vampires - she has a special dating service).

We see some of the players from the previous book(s) and some new faces. The banter, the attitudes, sex, danger, fighting, disasters and Cassie - the human with her gift, a sense that helps her deal with her supernatural clients and the insane scraps she finds herself in.

It is a busy book, unresolved issues from the previous book, storylines picking up from where we left them. Cassandra's love *triangle* if you will, although this isn't nearly as central an issue but ever present, she is a lucky girl.

If you like your books with vampires, angels, witches, shapeshifters and that is just some of the mysticals that feature. Sarcasm, sex, bantz, jealousy, relationships ooft the book, for being just over 200 odd pages, keeps on giving. I read book two three years ago and then hung off because I didn't have another after this. I have the next instalment waiting and it won't be three years (unless I find out it ends on a cliff hanger) lol, 4/5 for me this time.

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The Caller by Chris Carter

The Caller by Chris Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 480

Publisher - Simon & Schuster

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

The terrifying new thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of I AM DEATH.

After a tough week, Tanya Kaitlin is looking forward to a relaxing night in, but as she steps out of her shower, she hears her phone ring. The video call request comes from her best friend, Karen Ward. Tanya takes the call and the nightmare begins.

Karen is gagged and bound to a chair in her own living room. If Tanya disconnects from the call, if she looks away from the camera, he will come after her next, the deep, raspy, demonic voice at the other end of the line promises her.

As Hunter and Garcia investigate the threats, they are thrown into a rollercoaster of evil, chasing a predator who scouts the streets and social media networks for victims, taunting them with secret messages and feeding on their fear.



My Review

Imagine getting a video call from your loved one, restrained and captive of a psychopath. The threat is real, you have to answer two questions, just two, and your loved one will be freed. You have five seconds to answer, any failure to comply or wrong answers results in brief but brutal violence to your friend/family/partner. Can you imagine?

Hunter and Garcia are on the case, the killer leaves no traces and is brutal. What connects the victims if anything, how are they being chosen? Who will be next. Each killing is brutal, I mean really graphic in the details, none repeated ooooft not for the faint hearted.

As you know, this is book eight so if you have read the previous you know what his work is like this book doesn't differ. The chapters are short (which I love), the story has multiple threads and even though we are eight deep into the series Carter manages to keep it fresh, us on our toes and surprises along the way.

I feel we got a wee bit more of Hunter in this one too, a personal aspect as we are always so case focused and he keeps himself from interacting with others, out with work. I hope we get more of this in the books to follow, I have three more I think still to read. Hunter is one of my fave characters, he is super intelligent, faced multiple killers who are the devil incarnate and a loner by choice. We get wee nuggets of his past, him as a person as the books progress, I love it, 4.5/5 for me this time!

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Her Last Breath by Alison Belsham

Her Last Breath by Alison Belsham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 304

Publisher - Trapeze

Source - Netgalley

Blurb from Goodreads

He leaves his victims fighting for life,
And with the mark of death...

After old remains resurface in a heatwave, a young woman is attacked and left fighting for her life in hospital. 24 hours later she dies and a deadly tattoo is discovered on her body.

When another young woman disappears, Detective Francis Sullivan and his team fear a serial killer walks the streets of Brighton.

His team identify a suspect, Alex Mullins, son of his lover, Marni. Can Francis forget their shared past and save the next victim before it is too late?


My Review

Marni Mullins is still a bit rage from unfinished business from book one with Detective Francis Sullivan. Marni is a tattoo artist and helped out with a previous case that got a wee bit personal and dangerous, she is done with the cops. However when a young girl is horrifically attacked and then another and her son Alex becomes a person of interest Marni finds herself having to look to Francis for help. With a sadistic killer, her son looking like the prime suspect Marni has to put aside person feelings of distrust and anger with the police to try and clear her boys name.

The attacks on the young ladies are shocking and horrific but very unusual and the amount of crime fiction I read it takes a bit to find a new method. The book kicks of pretty quickly then we head into police investigation, the personal side from Marnie and Francis, the police treatment of their suspect. I haven't been so angered at fictional characters in ages! The police and their pursuit of their "suspect" was absolutely infuriating and shocking but makes for compelling reading. You want the bad guy caught, you want the police to be called to task for some of their shady behaviour/pursuit of the case.

We also see the personal side between Francis and Marnie, Marnie and her husband and the family dynamics as well as Marnie's past creeping back in throughout the book. Really good pace, racism (so expect to be angered), danger, police investigation, relationships, murder and that is just the beginning. 4/5 for me this time, very much looking forward to seeing the next in the book series!

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Lover Enshrined by J R Ward

Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 560

Publisher - Piatkus

Source - Gifted from a friend

Blurb from Goodreads

In this "frighteningly addictive" paranormal romance saga there's a war raging between vampires and their slayers. Here are the stories of a secret band of brothers like no other—six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. And now a dutiful twin must choose between two lives...

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body, but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love....



My Review

So this is book six, by now you know what you are getting, vampires - The brotherhood doing what they need to to keep their legacy alive and fight/kill the evil Lessers. Each book tends to focus on one specific person but all the others still feature, nip in and out and as always there is sex dottered throughout and body fluids. Phury had in the last book stepped up for his brother, he will be the Primale, the one to impregnate the chosen ones, to keep the species going. The Lessers have their own plan, the Omega has a secret weapon that will help sway the war against the vampires in their favour. The war continues, Phury is battling his inner demon, his love of the smoke, trying to do the right thing by himself, his promise, the race, something has to give.

So, I actually think this is my fave of the series so far, yes there is still all the raging physical side, sex, non stop sex drives of the vamps etc however I found this book had so much more story involved. Things that have been in the past books come to a head or are addressed, the story lines developed, shock turns and twists, I gasped out loud a few times and my poor o/h I kept telling him OMG guess what has happened now. Or right I think this is going to happen, oh no I hope this isn't going to cliff hanger, oh where is this going! I love when a book does this to you!

Plenty of developments, character growth and some of the things I didn't love in the previous book have been tackled in this one, fab! Normally when I finish a book from a series I genre switch, I actually am going to pick up book seven, the next in the series. I have had a bit of readers block and even though my mojo is coming back, normally I would read a book I am enjoying in 4-6 hours I am still taking days to get through a book. This has been much easier to sink into so I cannot wait to see what is next in store for these guys! Father Mine is book 6.5 and a novella next in the series, I cannot find it on Amazon (UK) and can't get it delivered from US. So book seven I think next for me. Normally I would say you can pick up just about any book and head in but due to all the things that have passed I would say read the previous ones so you get the jist and feel for all the characters and what has transpired. If sex, graphic sexual content, blood/violence isn't something you read then skip this series because whilst this book doesn't have as much as the previous books it still has quite a bit! 4.5/5 for me this time, also, a character has appeared in this book that I would like to read more about so I need to see her other series and see if it is a crossover or just a new character!

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The Soul Collectors by Chris Mooney

The Soul Collectors by Chris Mooney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 4 days

Pages - 468

Publisher - Penguin

Source - Bought copy

Blurb from Goodreads


Charlie Rizzo has his family at gunpoint and when Darby arrives to defuse the scene, she finds him horrifically mutilated, with a mask of human skin sewn in place over his own face. Within minutes, a group of men disguised as SWAT officers bursts in and releases deadly Sarin gas, killing the Rizzo family outright and leaving Darby herself barely alive.

Where has Charlie Rizzo been held all these years? Who are The Twelve who have been executing this gruesome torture? And why are the FBI running scared in the face of this particular, chilling episode? Darby is facing the toughest case of her career...and, as the body count rises, one that will bring her into great personal danger and leave her in fear of losing her mind, if not her soul.



My Review

Darby has been called to a hostage situation, a kid that went missing years ago has apparently resurfaced and is now holding his family hostage. Bizarre in itself Darby heads in, backed up by SWAT and nothing goes as planned. As Darby investigates, the stakes are high, the killer will stop at nothing and noone could have guessed how deadly and dark things get.

Murder, abuse, danger on every corner and Darby is up against it trying to keep focused on the case, stay alive and not get too wrapped up in the issues in her personal life. The thought of something so cruel and organised out there is creepy and I hope we get more insight or back story in a future book.

Darby is super tough in this one but has a softer side when we see a glimpse into her personal life. Otherwise she is a bit of a one man band because she seems to be hitting walls at almost every turn. I defo wanted to see where it was going so a page turner from that perspective but a little unsatisfied with how some of it went and hoping to get more closure from the next in the series - I have it ordered. 3/5 for me this time, I don't remember much of the previous books that had relevance to this one so you could pick this book up and read as a standalone but I would read the previous ones if you are able.

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Carved in Blood by E R Fallon

Carved In Blood by E.R. Fallon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 211

Publisher - Endeavour press

Source - bought copy

Blurb from Goodreads

That happens when your mother kills your best friend, then goes on to kill other young men.

Wanting a clean break, Evelyn joins the Navy and afterwards goes to college.

It is around that time that Evelyn becomes Evan Lane and fully embraces being a man.

Now, Evan lives in Seven Sisters, a big city a few states over from Freedom Village, where he grew up.

He has a lovely girlfriend Sammie, a dog named Paige and a job cleaning up crime sites.

No one knows he’s transgender, or that his mother was the serial killer Alice Lane.

And that’s just the way he wants it.

Until the bodies of young men start showing up and Evan learns they have a message for Evelyn carved in their flesh.

But Evan’s mother is in prison.

So who is killing young men in Seven Sisters?

One day Evan wakes to find that someone he thought he could trust has sold his story and also divulged information about the investigation.

When it goes viral, Chief Gilani is furious and he is suspended.

With time on his hands, Evan figures he can clear his name before things get any worse…

He travels to his hometown of Freedom Village seeking answers.

For the first time in twenty years, Evan sees his mother and learns she might be innocent after all.

And he might be in the killer’s sights.

Carved in Blood is the gripping first installment of the Evan Lane Mystery Series .


My review

Evan is no stranger to dead bodies, he has a team that goes in and cleans up crime scenes. He also happens to be the off spring of a serial killer. As an adult Evan has nothing to do with his mother and has long since left the town he grew up in. Evan is in a happy relationship with Sammie, has a wee dog and quite happy with his lot. When bodies of young men start appearing in his area and he finds out one has a message relating to his old life Evan has to consider is the killer speaking to him? Is he in danger and will he need to face his past to survive his future?

So, as this is in the blurb it isn't a spoiler, Evan is transgender and with bodies piling up he needs to confront his past. His estranged mother has no idea Evan is transgender, in fact she knows nothing of his life. Evan finds himself having to "come out" deal with issues from the past and consider was there more to his mothers crimes that he initially knew?

The book has a few layers, the crime, Evan's personal life, trans phobia, relationship issues, unresolved issues with his mother, his past and how it all impacts on his current life plus a killer who seems to have Evan in their eye!

This is the first book I have read, I think, with a transgender character, it really makes you think about the issues, ignorance, hate and general vileness the trans community face just for living their lives as their true identity. All of this in among a killer on the loose and trying to keep a semblance of a normal life with the past ripping its way into Evan's present. For the start of a series I think it is a good paving stone for book one, I look forward to what is next for the characters and where the author decides to take the series, 3.5/5 for me.

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Random by Craig Robertson

Random by Craig Robertson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 329

Publisher - Simon & Schuster

Source - Bought (bookstore I think)

Blurb from Goodreads

Glasgow is being terrorised by a serial killer the media have nicknamed The Cutter. The murders have left the police baffled. There seems to be neither rhyme nor reason behind the killings; no kind of pattern or motive; an entirely different method of murder each time, and nothing that connects the victims except for the fact that the little fingers of their right hands have been severed.
If DS Rachel Narey could only work out the key to the seemingly random murders, how and why the killer selects his victims, she would be well on her way to catching him. But as the police, the press and a threatening figure from Glasgow's underworld begin to close in on The Cutter, his carefully-laid plans threaten to unravel - with horrifying consequences.


My Review

Told in first person narrative we open with the killer, awaiting his next victim, people watching but instead of usual intrigue and being nosey he is lining up his next victim. We watch him zone out his date and hone in and assess/dismiss whether this could be the person to be murdered. We follow the killer follow his prey until the moment he strikes. We read about his killing via a newspaper which reports every so often throughout the story.

This book is the start of a series, the heart of the book is around the killer, his life, thoughts, routine and eventually we get a better understanding on who he is as a person. It will be interesting to see where the path of the other books go as the police input is flashes between the news clippings and small interactions.

Set in Glasgow which is always nice to read about a place you know and I don't think I have read many books set here. I think this is a good start to a series and I am looking forward to the rest of the series, I have book six I think it is so I need to go buy book two now.

I think this one stands out, for me, as a bit different from the copious amounts of other books I have read like this is the killer is pretty human. Yes yes I know all of them are but some are sadistic, void of humanity but this killer is different, I thought, as he IS pretty human. Yes he is brutal in his killings and at one scene I was like oh God no no don't do that but as we follow him in his mission and learn more about him dare I say you feel a bit sorry for him. He isn't like so many of the other serial killers created in books and once you read this I think you will get what I mean. 3.5/5 for me this time, a good start and I will be buying book two, my first dance with this author it won't be my last.

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The Nightingale Girls by Donna Douglas

The Nightingale Girls by Donna Douglas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 2 days

Pages - 512

Publisher - Arrow

Source - Bookstore

Blurb from Goodreads

Three very different girls sign up as student nurses in January 1936, while England is still mourning the death of George V. Dora is a tough East Ender, driven by ambition, but also desperate to escape her squalid, overcrowded home and her abusive stepfather. Helen is the quiet one, a mystery to her fellow nurses, avoiding fun, gossip and the limelight. In fact she is in the formidable shadow of her overbearing mother, who dominates every aspect of her life. Can a nursing career free Helen at last? The third of our heroines is naughty, rebellious Millie -- aka Lady Camilla -- an aristocrat on the run from her conventional upper class life. She is doomed to clash over and over again with terrifying Sister Hyde and to get into scrape after scrape especially where men are concerned. This utterly delightful novel brings a London pre-war hospital vividly to life.


My Review

Dora is an unlikely candidate to succeed and train as one of The Nightingale Girls, she isn't polished, poor and has a secret. Helen is avoided by almost all other nurses/students as the daughter of one of the hospital leaders she cannot be trusted and she has priors but is all as it seems with Helen? And Millie, a lady of worth who really doesn't need to do nursing yet she loves it and wants to see it through despite her grand mother just wanting to marry her off! The three are thrown together under the strict rule of the matrons, their superiors and nurses who run a tight shift and take no nonsense. Pass with flying colours, keep your nose clean or you are out!

Nurse training in the 1930s, surnames only, no fraternising with males, starched uniforms and rules rules rules. Learning on the job and knowing your place, we follow the story through three of the main characters, each with their own problems. Helen wants to be the best she can be but lives in a very minimal existence with her mother controlling every aspect of her life. Dora is escaping abuse and poverty to learn how to nurse and make something of herself and Millie just wants to be Millie and not have to worry about catching someones eye and giving the estate and heir.

Whilst there is a lot centred around nursing the heart of the book is on relationships, the girls, their colleagues, their families and why they behave the way they do. Abuse features in the book, not in great detail but enough for you to be livid and disgusted. This is the first book in a series and I cannot wait to see what is in store for the characters. Love, personal growth, courage, recovery, family and of course nursing. I do enjoy books like this and look forward to the next, I have a few in my tbr, and ordered another, 4/5 for me this time.

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Celebrating Publication Day with Angela Marsons

Book 9 is out today to buy, grab yours HERE

Thanks so much for taking some time out to answer questions for us, the Crime Book Club family are very excited and a few also wanted some questions popped in.




As you know I am new to the series this year, despite the CBC members raving about them for so long. I LOVE DI Kim Stone, she is such a loyal character, a true copper who is the victims voice. How did it come about creating her and getting into actually writing them?

I spent many years writing books I thought editors would like. They were all character driven emotional stories which I loved writing but I’ve always loved reading crime. I never thought I could write a crime book so I kind of sat down with the intention of writing the book I wanted to with the character who was in my head based in an area I know well. I totally expected to hit a wall due to plotting issues but as soon as I gave Kim Stone a voice she ran away with my pencil. No-one was more surprised than me when I realised I had finished the book and Silent Scream had been born.


Is Kim Stone based on anyone?

She isn’t based on anyone but her voice had been in my head for many years. I didn’t let her out as she didn’t sound all that likeable in my head so I thought well if I don’t like her, no-one will. It wasn’t until I started writing about her in Silent Scream that I realised she had many good points too and although not the most socially adept person she was passionate and driven to fight for the underdog.


As a Tolkien fan I squealed when I read “that” line, just how big a fan are you and will we see any other references?

I do love the films but what I loved more was the inference that such a dark, desolate land was based on the Black Country. It really helped me to give people the tone and atmosphere that I wanted to portray in the books.


How did it feel getting your first book published and how does it compare to getting a book published now, years later?

Ooooh, this is a great question. I don’t think anything compares to that first experience of fear mixed with excitement mixed with stress and more excitement. I had no expectations when Silent Scream was published and was just so grateful to Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to give Kim Stone a chance. When Silent Scream was published and hit the #1 spot on Amazon I was working 12 hour night shifts and would ring my partner, Julie, on my lunch break (at 2am) for an update on the charts!! I just couldn’t believe the amazing response to the book. But, I have to say that each new book is just as exciting to publish as each novel is a different journey and you never lose the fear of people hating what you’ve done. I’m still a mix of excitement and fear waiting to see what people think. Neither the fear or the excitement ever goes away.


How do you come up with the stories? They are fantastic and so fresh, what inspires them?

Every story is inspired by a subject or an idea that I want to explore or research. Silent Scream came from a memory of walking past a children’s home and wondering about the occupants. It always stayed with me. Evil Games came to be because I wanted to explore the true nature of a sociopath and their capabilities and I loved the idea of a psychological battle between two equally intelligent women. With Lost Girls I wanted to explore the psychology and effects of having to choose the life of one child over another.


When are you coming to a book festival *hint hint* Edinburgh?

Unfortunately I’m not good with festivals. Two bouts of depression have left me with Social Anxiety which can be crippling at times. I do try to push myself to do smaller things and have swung by my local libraries for low key coffee and cake chats with readers but who knows what I might be able to achieve in the future.


What is the creative process and how long does it normally take to complete a book?

I write two books each year which are normally released Spring and Autumn so each book is a six month process from beginning to end. I normally take the first four months to research and write the first draft and the other two months to work through draft 2 and draft 3 before sending it to my editor. This isn’t straightforward by any means as during this time I will be receiving edits/copy edits/proofs to work through and read for the previous book written so there’s always swapping from one story to another which can become a little confusing at times.


Do you have any rituals, favourite pen (if you write by hand), clothes, somewhere you must write?

I still write the first draft with pencils and A4 notepads. I’ve tried a couple of times to write straight on to the laptop but it just doesn’t work for me. I have to feel the lead of the pencil scratching against the paper. It taps directly into my creative brain. I have to use the Bic Original automatic pencils and I only ever write on the right hand side of the page. I leave the left hand side blank to write myself notes as I go. I never interrupt the flow to go back and change something. Instead I’ll scrawl myself a note for second draft like ‘this is awful, do better’ or ‘add more action here’ or ‘not enough emotion’ but I just keep moving forward on the first draft.


Where is the best place for fans to connect with you?

I’m always around on social media as I love chatting and interacting with people who are reading the books so I can be found


https://www.Facebook.com/AngelaMarsonsAuthor

https//www.Twitter.com/@WriteAngie

https://www.AngelaMarsons–Books.com

We are all patiently waiting for the new release, what date in October is it coming and more importantly HAVE YOU STARTED WRITING BOOK 10? :P

Yes book 9 – Fatal Promise is out on 19th October and absolutely yes Book 10 is cooking quite nicely right now.

Anything you would like to answer I haven’t asked?

Great questions and nothing I’d like to answer but I would like to say a massive THANK YOU to the love and support from CBC. It’s a very positive place to be and there’s still nothing like just seeing a post from someone recommending one of your books. It truly does make an author’s day.

Darker by E L James

Darker by E.L. James
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 546

Publisher - Vintage Books

Source - From another blogger

Blurb from Goodreads

E L James revisits the world of Fifty Shades with a deeper and darker take on the love story that has enthralled millions of readers around the globe.

Their scorching, sensual affair ended in heartbreak and recrimination, but Christian Grey cannot get Anastasia Steele out of his mind, or his blood. Determined to win her back, he tries to suppress his darkest desires and his need for complete control, and to love Ana on her own terms.

But the horrors of his childhood still haunt him, and Ana’s scheming boss, Jack Hyde, clearly wants her for himself. Can Christian’s confidant and therapist, Dr. Flynn, help him face down his demons? Or will the possessiveness of Elena, his seducer, and the deranged devotion of Leila, his former submissive, drag Christian down into the past?

And if Christian does win Ana back, can a man so dark and damaged ever hope to keep her?


My Review

Most people picking up this book would, I imagine, already be familiar with the Fifty Shades trilogy, originally told from Anastasia's point of view. Darker is book two, told from Christian's point of view. I really liked the original books and didn't get the outcry from so many about stalker, abusive etc etc. After reading this, as well as the first book from Christian's point of view, I can understand a bit more why readers may be annoyed.

Christian is very possessive of Anastasia, whilst there are flashes on this in the original books there is no doubt in these. Christian has many issues and I am surprised after reading both books that he actually only has one counsellor. The image of Christian that many readers had I think may be darkened, destroyed, tainted, pick a word that suits. He is very childish at points, MINE he is either thinking or actually saying out loud. He grates me in these books and I didn't get that at all with the other books.

What I did like was we get a bit more understanding of his character than we did in the originals. For me, the interactions with Mrs Robinson was welcomed as I think we all wanted to know what was said, more about their interactions. Book three obviously has a huge interaction with him and her so I really hope James focuses on that and gives us the chat we all want to know how it went down.

The helicopter, the stuff with Jack Hyde again information or interactions from the original books we get a different glimpse from Christian's point of view. Book three was probably my favourite from the originals as it had more story than all of the sexual stuff that was more in depth in book one and two. I hope she keeps the books focused on that angle, more story and a better look into Mrs Robinson's character and relationship with Christian. This book had a bit more understanding and maybe even sympathy for Christian despite him still annoying me. I think if you like the series originally you will enjoy these books from his side as we do get some of the knowledge gaps filled in. 3/5 for me this time, when book three comes out I will read it, I need closure, I have read the other five books and I hope there will be more with Mrs R!

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