Dead Man's Prayer by Jackie Baldwin

Dead Man's Prayer by Jackie Baldwin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - on and off over 3 days

Pages - 344

Publisher - Killer Reads

Blurb from Goodreads

Ex-priest DI Frank Farrell has returned to his roots in Dumfries, only to be landed with a disturbing murder case. Even worse, Farrell knows the victim: Father Boyd, the man who forced him out of the priesthood eighteen years earlier.

With no leads, Farrell must delve into the old priest’s past, one that is inexorably linked with his own. But his attention is diverted when a pair of twin boys go missing. The Dumfries police force recover one in an abandoned church, unharmed. But where is his brother?

As Farrell investigates the two cases, he can’t help but feel targeted. Is someone playing a sinister game, or is he seeing patterns that don’t exist? Either way, it’s a game Farrell needs to win before he loses his grip on his sanity, or someone else turns up dead.



My Review

A priest is murdered, D.I. Frank Farrell is named as the officer in charge of the case. Farrell is not just a police officer, he was a priest and in the same community as the the priest who has been killed. Farrell has links to the old priest, a connection that he doesn't think is relevant and doesn't want to dredge up his past. As the case unfolds, Farrell is forced to look upon his own past, why he had to leave the priesthood and why his mother no longer speaks to him.

You would never know this is a debut novel, it is well written and has strong police procedural themes. Farrell ends up investigating two cases, the murder of the priest and the disappearance of twin boys. Things start to seem personal and Farrell is battling his own demons whilst trying to focus on the cases and keep on top of the inner team issues.

A great book that looks at many themes, battling inner demons, secrets, mental health, relationships, police procedures and a deranged killer. The chapters are short which I love in a book, makes it easier for dipping in and out of especially if you are busy & working in between. You know early on something is a foot and Baldwin keeps you gripped page after page desperate to know what it is, or maybe that is just me because I am a nosey reader. Relatively fast paced, you have a murder in the first chapters and the investigation and introduction to the team goes from there. A fantastic and gripping debut, I will certainly be on the watch for more from this author and hope this is just the beginning of Farrell's story, 4/5 for me this time.

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Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline

Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days on and off

Pages - 496

Blurb from Goodreads


Psychologist Dr Eric Parrish is unwittingly under threat.

Recently separated from his wife, Eric is learning to become a single parent to his seven-year-old daughter, and life is far from straightforward.

Now Eric has a new patient who could be a severe danger to others. And he must make a decision that will leave deadly consequences in its wake.

The clock is ticking, and someone is hell bent on destroying Eric's practice, his family, his life.

But how can you defend yourself against an enemy you don't know?

And can you ever win a game you don't even know you are playing?



My Review

Dr Eric Parrish is a psychologist, life as he knows it is about to be turned up side down. Separated from his wife but living in hope they will get back together Eric doesn't realise how bad things are about to get. He is referred a troubled young man who fantasies about hurting the object of his affection, when his beloved grandmother dies Eric worries his fantasy may become a reality. In trying to protect his patient, Eric unwittingly puts his career on the line, his freedom and his chances of keeping his daughter in his life. Things go from bad to worse as someone wants Eric to pay and what is a little murder when it means getting what you want.

I really liked the introduction to this book. The first chapter is the sociopath talking to the reader, we hear from this individual every so often through the book. It drew me in immediately, then we meet Eric and find out what is going on in his life. To be honest, for me, it took almost 200 pages before anything really started happening. It was a big focus on Eric, his relationship breakdown with his estranged wife and actions he takes to fight for his daughter and work issues he is facing. When it eventually all kicks off everything happens really fast and there are a few twists along the way. A few I didn't see coming and even questioned if I missed anything as it seemed quite out of the blue.

An intriguing read with quite a bit of relationship angst, workplace issues and of course how far a doctor will go to protect his patients confidentiality. I would certainly read this author again, 3/5 for me, thanks to Bookbridgr for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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