Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell

Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 480

Publisher - William Morrow

Source - Amazon

Blurb from Goodreads

Dr. Kay Scarpetta is working a suspicious death scene in Cambridge, Massachusetts when an emergency alert sounds on her phone. A video link lands in her text messages and seems to be from her computer genius niece Lucy. But how can it be? It’s clearly a surveillance film of Lucy taken almost twenty years ago.

As Scarpetta watches she begins to learn frightening secrets about her niece, whom she has loved and raised like a daughter. That film clip and then others sent soon after raise dangerous legal implications that increasingly isolate Scarpetta and leave her confused, worried, and not knowing where to turn. She doesn’t know whom she can tell – not her FBI husband Benton Wesley or her investigative partner Pete Marino. Not even Lucy.

In this new novel, Cornwell launches these unforgettable characters on an intensely psychological odyssey that includes the mysterious death of a Hollywood mogul’s daughter, aircraft wreckage on the bottom of the sea in the Bermuda Triangle, a grisly gift left in the back of a crime scene truck, and videos from the past that threaten to destroy Scarpetta’s entire world and everyone she loves. The diabolical presence behind what unfolds seems obvious - but strangely, not to the FBI. Certainly that’s the message they send when they raid Lucy’s estate and begin building a case that could send her to prison for the rest of her life.




My Review

This is book 23 of the Kay Scarpetta series, I haven't read them all nor in order, I generally pick them up as I go. Kay is still struggling with recovery from a previous assault/injury which impacts upon her physical and dare I say mental state? Called out to a dead body, daughter of a famous star the team are making sure it has been an accident and no foul play. Scarpetta gets sent a link to a video to her mobile phone whilst at the scene and views it. Is Kays past coming back, is a killer tormenting her? Can she concentrate on the job at hand and why are the FBI at her niece Lucy's home searching and ripping it apart?

Well it has been ages since I read Cornwell and as I said I tend to just read the books as I find them so the timeline jumps a fair bit. So much has transpired and Kay seems so preoccupied with an encounter with a serial killer and the attack on her life. Lucy is under investigation by the FBI and as usual has an attitude about it. The book is drenched in a negative feel and tone, there is a whole long of throwbacks and Kay internal thoughts and kickbacks to things that have transpired. Her relationship with Lucy, Benton, Mario all the problems and issues or the past. A lot seemed like re telling of previous books which for me isn't an issue because I have been out of the loop. I think if you have been reading the previous books you would feel a bit short changed as there wasn't a huge focus on the actual current case.

3/5 for me this time, I do like the writing of this author and as I hadn't read the last few books so it was nice to catch up. I know it has irritated fans because there hasn't been a lot of input or investigation to the actual case at hand. More raking over old ground and lots of focus on a previous killer in another book (or possible books). I would read more by this author as I do like her but it would be nice to see Scarpetta go back to who she was in the earlier books and more in depth focus on the investigation at hand rather than internal thoughts and throwbacks.

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Police, Lies and Alibis: The True Story of A Front Line Officer by John Donoghue

Police, Lies and Alibis: The True Story of a Front Line Officer by John Donoghue
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - over 3 days

Pages - 235

Publisher - Matador

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Discover what REALLY happens in the police.
Is the discovery of a headless corpse the work of a serial killer?
When do police & paramedics fall out?
Who killed Yoda?
What is a Death Fart?
Why do some criminals think they are ‘worth it’?
Who invented the Crying Machine?
How do you beat the burglar?
Why do the police have to pay particular attention to boobs?

Come on patrol with PC Donoghue and get the answers to all these questions and more.

Police, Lies & Alibis is the fascinating and hilarious account of a year in the life of a front line police response officer, and the only humorous police book written by a serving officer who is not hiding his identity. It is the follow-up book to Police, Crime & 999, a book which still remains hugely popular today, with over 250 5-star Amazon reviews, and which garnered positive feedback from a number of national publications



My Review


Have you ever wondered just what happens in the day of a police officer? You need wonder no more. Donoghue gives a hilarious, honest, brutal and at times very un pc account of the times and trials police officers face whilst trying to perform their duty. From ridiculous call outs, criminal daftness, violence, the harsh and at times terrifying moments officers have to face, the reader is given short honest bursts into the days of a copper.

There are some really cringe moments in the book, you think surely no human being could or would behave in such a manner but yes they can and they do, sorry no spoilers. Donoghue has a knack for capturing the events with frank and brutal honesty, writing that will have you hiding behind your hand mortified or laughing out loud at folks antics.

As with his previous book there will be some folk who are outraged, thinking it un pc and even poor taste discussing some of the tales in the book. The reality is this is what the officers have to face day in and out and if you didn't have humour I doubt our officers would be able to go back out every day. I love the antics of folks but also how the police manage to cope in the face of danger, anger, loss or just inappropriate behaviours by some members of the public. Books written by folk working within the public sector are brilliant if you like that kind of raw undiluted honesty, I bloody love it. Donoghue writes as if he is in the room gabbing to you, giving you a vivid picture of what he has experienced! 4/5 for me this time, I have read this author before and will read him again. Thanks so much to the author for providing me with a review copy!

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The Given Day by Dennis Lehane

The Given Day by Dennis Lehane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2.5 days

Pages - 734

Publisher - Black Swan

Source - Amazon

Blurb from Goodreads

1918. Boston. A city in turmoil as soldiers return home from World War One, bringing with them an epidemic of Spanish influenza.

Danny Coughlin is the son of one of Boston's most powerful police captains. An undercover cop, he is hunting for revolutionaries and anarchists who, in the aftermath of war, are pledged to overthrow the city's ruling classes. But Danny soon finds his ideals compromised as, drawn into the conflict, his family starts to question where his loyalties really lie.

Luther Lawrence is on the run. Having survived a murderous confrontation with a crime boss, he lands a job in the Coughlin household. But it isn't long before his dangerous past and his tenuous present are on a life-threatening collision course.

As the city goes into meltdown, Danny and Luther must confront the storm of violence that threatens to engulf them if each is to survive...


My Review

The book is split into three main characters timelines and points of view, well two main ones Luther Lawrence, Danny Coughlin and Babe Ruth gets a few chapters (yes the Babe Ruth!). Set in 1918-1919 in Boston we cover a few periods of time with big history. The Influenza epidemic, the Boston police strike and civial unrest and not forgetting the time period where racism is strong. Luther is a black gentleman trying to make a living in conditions where he is treated horrifically because of the colour of his skin. Danny is a white Irishman, police officer who has his own struggles at the time, the police aren't valued and have terrible working conditions. The two males have different problems and we see how they tackle them having very different opportunities and trying to survive a horrible time period. The book is historically correct, from what I have heard as history is not one of my strong points. I aim to read more about on the political unrest, the riots, the influenza that killed so many. The racism is ugly, heartbreaking and at times makes you very ashamed to be a human being. Whilst the book is fiction it portrays many true events and mirrors the attitudes of society at a time when poverty and race was rampant.

My workie David had been telling me about this book last year when we started working together, it is his favourite book of all time. It took me ages to get to it and I wish I had picked it up earlier, I love a book where you learn something. I read so much fiction and really need to learn more about the world we live in, we have such a dark history with the worst and best of humanity documented.

Baseball is not something I have ever been interested in however I would like to read more about Babe Ruth. I don't think the book would have lost anything had his parts not been in the book but it was interesting and I would like to read more on his history is not the actual team.

It took me a wee bit to settle into the book, it is a huge read and we flip between the three characters with very stark differences. Once you get into it it makes for riveting reading however be prepared going in to this to read some horrible aspects of human behaviour and complete disregard for human life. From what I can see this is the first book in a trilogy, I will certainly be getting the next one to see what is next in store for our characters, 4/5 for me this time.

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Maestra by L S Hilton

Maestra by L.S. Hilton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 343

Publisher - Zaffre

Source - Bookshop

Blurb from Goodreads


A shockingly original thriller - the launch title of Zaffre, the new fiction imprint of Bonnier Publishing Fiction

Judith Rashleigh works as an assistant in a prestigious London auction house, but her dreams of breaking into the art world have been gradually dulled by the blunt forces of snobbery and corruption. To make ends meet she moonlights as a hostess in one of the West End's less salubrious bars - although her work there pales against her activities on nights off.

When Judith stumbles across a conspiracy at her auction house, she is fired before she can expose the fraud. In desperation, she accepts an offer from one of the bar's clients to accompany him to the French Riviera. But when an ill-advised attempt to slip him sedatives has momentous consequences, Judith finds herself fleeing for her life.

Now alone and in danger, all Judith has to rely on is her consummate ability to fake it amongst the rich and famous - and the inside track on the hugely lucrative art fraud that triggered her dismissal.

Set in the exotic palaces and yachts of Europe's seriously wealthy. With a heroine as wickedly perceptive as Amy Dunne and as dangerous as Lisbeth Salander, this marks the beginning of a sequence of novels that will have readers around the world on the edge of their seats and holding their breath.



My Review

So, firstly the blurb has it as "an original thriller" guys this is an EROTICA thriller, whilst there is a thriller/murder story there is a lot of graphic sexual content. I think had I realised what the book was before I started reading it I would have been better prepared and possibly liked it better. My problem is, if I go into a book expecting horror and get chick lit I won't be happy. Not the authors fault but you expect one thing and get another it does impact on how you enjoy and take the story.

Judith works in an auction house and I learned a wee bit about art but it isn't the heart or focus of the story but worth mentioning. She is skint, underappreciated and ends up working extra hours as a "hostess" kicking off a chain of events leading to murder, lies, conspiracy and being on the run. The action side is actually quite good and a strong female character who is ruthless is certainly a breath of fresh air. However, it is a bit fantastical especially some of the events that transpire but makes for good reading. Judith uses sex to unwind and get what she wants, seeing her end up in group parties and I felt some of the sex scenes where gratuitous and maybe even just for shock value. I have read the 50 shades books so no stranger to erotic and or graphic scenes but really some of it I just didn't feel was in keeping with the rest of the content.

I know some folk have really loved this book so would absolutely say to give it a go if you aren't easily offended and don't mind graphic sex scenes. There is a lot of action, bit of crime, thriller, retribution and it keeps your interest. There is another book to this series which I will read and hopefully get on better knowing what is potentially in store. The blurb on that also reads "thriller sensation" but as Judith is in it and we know how she likes to de-stress and blow off steam I think we can assume "erotica" will feature. 2.5 out of 5 for me this time, if you have read it I would love to hear your thoughts.

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Reborn by Katie Price

Reborn by Katie Price
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 368

Publisher - Century

Source - Amazon

Blurb from Goodreads

Katie Price is one of the most talked-about women in the UK, and she has had an explosive couple of years. Her new autobiography holds nothing back. In it she will talk about:

• Her controversial marriage to stripper Kieran;

• Their very public split after he slept with one of her oldest friends;

• Her difficult pregnancy and the fear she felt giving birth to her fifth child prematurely;

• The continued joy and challenges of looking after her severely disabled son, Harvey;

• Her public battle with Peter Andre, and the truth behind his allegations;

• Why she forgave her third husband Kieran Hayler, and the truth behind his affair with Jane Pountney;
And much, much more.




My Review

I know immediately people sigh with exasperation at yet another book from the "Pricey" however if you like a bit of celeb gossip then she does not disappoint. I am not sure how many books she has now written but I have read them as I came across them, she is most certainly a no holds barred type.

This book covers her relationship with Kieran, current husband at time of writing. She covers how they met, his betrayal when she finds out he betrayed her with her closest friend and leaves no details out. A warts and all insight into what Katie has endured with large focus on the cheating, how she got to the truth and the aftermath. She has some family photographs in three sections I think it was. Very much easy reading, scandal, cheating, real life, heartbreak, celeb gossip covering her stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house and much more.

If you have read and liked the previous books you will love this. I think no matter what she says or does she will have her lovers and haters. I like when you get a peek behind the curtains of a celeb personality and I love that she acknowledges the use of ghost writers. Call her what you like but she is a successful business woman who isn't afraid of having her say. 4/5 for me, I know this won't be her last book and I look forward to seeing what her next explosive writing will cover.

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The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse

The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - dipped in and out over 2 days

Pages - 290

Publisher - Lake Union Publishing

Source - Netgalley

Blurb from Goodreads

What would you do if you learned that the life you lived was a lie?

Nina McCarrick lives the perfect life, until her husband, Finn, is killed in a car accident and everything Nina thought she could rely on unravels.

Alone, bereft and faced with a mountain of debt, Nina quickly loses her life of luxury and she begins to question whether she ever really knew the man she married. Forced to move out of her family home, Nina returns to the rundown Southampton council estate—and the sister—she thought she had left far behind.

But Nina can’t let herself be overwhelmed—her boys need her. To save them, and herself, she will have to do what her husband discouraged for so long: pursue a career of her own. Torn between the life she thought she knew and the reality she now faces, Nina finally must learn what it means to take control of her life.



My Review

You live in a gorgeous house, the neighbourhood is dripping in money, perfect husband, two beautiful boys - life for the McCarrick's is good. However when an accident rips Nina's life apart she thinks mourning her loved one is the biggest challenge, Nina is wrong. What she thought she knew and her life is about to change, drastically. Going from never having to think about finances, the kids private education, food, mortgage, to counting every penny, Nina needs a reality check. Caught in the waves of grief, having to protect her kids as best she can and get her head around her new life and circumstances the whole family and their relationships are to be pushed to the limits.

I have read Prowse before, she has a certain style of writing, quickly drawing the reader into the life and emotions of the characters. I can't say I liked Nina hugely when I first met her however as her story unfolds, her background and her relationship with her husband we are given a window to seeing how she became who she is. A tale of grief, loss, strength, lies, love, materialistic possessions, family, relationships and much more. The main characters, mainly mother and the sons all travel on a very personal journey of self exploration and growth. It is in parts hard to read due to the realistic scenarios and reactions created by Prowse, the pain they each suffer, more so if the reader can relate which I think many will . Who hasn't been thrust into unforeseen circumstance and or grief and loss.

Human nature can go either way when our world is shaken, we can fall apart, go down the route of destruction or we can power through. Prowse examines the human response to such events and the various reactions we experience when stability and normality are threatened. A very human story with so much emotion, strength, love and a 'you never know the moment' type and the waves that follow. 4/5 for me this time, I have read Prowse before and will read her again. I actually have a few of hers on my tbr. Thanks to Netgalley for sending me a review copy.

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Aloha I am home

We went on holiday to Benidorm and the internet there wasn't great so I didn't take my laptop, hence the lack of updates and reviews on here. I did manage to read seven books though, one being over 600 pages and my workie had been on at me for ages to read, "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane (author of Shutter Island). That book was rather brutal in some of its content, racism, and I think one that will stay with me. I hope to catch up on my reviews over the next few days however I have a mix of days and nightshifts at work and heading to Liverpool at the weekend for Horrorcon with a friend!



So, home from holiday and a fair bit of post. However I absolutely have to share my fav with you. I won a competition before I went away on author C L Taylors Facebook page. I won a pen and a usb stick, I absolutely love usb sticks and when I opened the parcel I thought oh, they have only sent me a pen.





However, the pen is actually a pen AND a usb stick, how awesome is that! If you are an uber geek and love gadgets like me then you will appreciate my delight. So I decided I would do a wee post to show the fabulous post, plus it has been a week since I shared any pictures of Princess so I figured you want one of her too. And I will do a wee giveaway too as it is nice to give something back don't you think?


I also got a fabulous signed bookmark.






I also got a wee postcard with the previous book covers, if you haven't read them and you like psychological thrillers you really need to check them out.










So, celebrating my wee win and to highlight an author who deserves it I am doing a wee giveaway for an Amazon voucher for one of C L Taylors books. Her new YA one, out in October is pre - order but can be chosen if the winner so wishes. The winner will pick the ebook they would like to win and I will send the voucher for it. To be in with a chance of winning just use the Rafflecopter below to enter. The more entries you complete the more times your name goes in, open worldwide, you DO need an Amazon account as the voucher is for Amazon.



a Rafflecopter giveaway