Nobody True by James Herbert

Nobody True by James Herbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - On and off over 3 days

Pages - 373

Publisher - Tor Books

Source - Bought from Amazon

Blurb from Goodreads

James True was not there when he died.

He returned from an out-of-body experience to find that he'd been murdered and mutilated. He had no body to go back to.

But who murdered him? The serial killer terrorizing the city--or someone closer? True had no enemies, at least none that he knew of.

To discover the truth, James True must track down his killer. The initial horror of True's experience is followed by an even greater terror . . . . his family are the murderer's next targets.

Without a body, True has no substance and no real power. No one can see him, no one can hear him, and no one except his murderer even knows his spirit still exists.

How can he save his family?




My Review

James "Jim" True has OBE (Out Of Body) experiences, astro projection, can leave his body behind and head out and about. This is exactly what he is doing when he is brutally murdered, fitting the killing of a serial murdered. Jim is still around, trying to figure out why he hasn't passed on and why he is drawn to the serial killers layer and whats more is the killer aware of him?

This has a lot to this book, we have a serial on the loose, Jim's ability to OBE at will and a look back and when it all came about. His job, his life and then we look into the killer, as Jim follows the killer and experiences his life through his eyes. How can he stop a killer, keep his family safe when no one can see him, he can't physically manifest and still needs to figure out why he is left behind, what is his purpose?

The thing I loved about this book is, anytime I read a ghost story I always think Ghost, mediums, all the avenues you would try to be seen and heard. Herbert examines these and more and explains why they would or would not work. He takes you on the emotive journey of not only a murder victim, a good guy, a family man but someone trying to work out how to fix things being in a horrendous predicament. You have no idea where the story is going to go and had I not been ill I would have sank this in one sitting. 4/5 for me this time, I have read Herbert before and I absolutely will read him again!

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Faking Friends by Jane Fallon

Faking Friends by Jane Fallon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 448

Publisher - Penguin

Source - Given by a random stranger on holiday

Blurb from Goodreads

Best friend, soulmate, confidante . . . backstabber.

Amy thought she knew everything there was to know about her best friend Melissa. Then again, Amy also thought she was on the verge of the wedding of her dreams to her long-distance fiancé.

Until she pays a surprise trip home to London. Jack is out, but it's clear another woman has been making herself at home in their flat.

There's something about her stuff that feels oddly familiar . . . and then it hits Amy. The Other Woman is Melissa.

Amy has lost her home, her fiancé and her best friend in one disastrous weekend - but instead of falling apart, she's determined to get her own back.

Piecing her life back together won't be half as fun as dismantling theirs, after all.



My Review

Amy has been working away from home for months on a tv show and heads home early to surprise her fiance Jack. She finds evidence of another woman living there and can't believe her eyes, Amy decides to find out exactly who and why?

Oooh this is my first dance with this author and it won't be my last. Amy thought her relationship with Jack was perfect but to find he is cheating AND putting up a front that all is fine isn't sitting with Amy. Getting help from an old friend she decides to find out who it is and get her own back. Keeping up the pretence all is well whilst conducting her own investigation with a little help from her friends, Amy discovers the true betrayal and won't take it lying down.

I raced through the first 200 pages on the flight home, I loved the whole cat and mouse type situation and Amy extracting her revenge. The latter part of the book changes a bit as we get narration from another main character and the feel of the book changed a bit for me. Still good but the pace and direction changed for me. A page turner, looking at infidelity, friendship, betrayal, love and loyalty. It also has a dual timeline, the present and flipping back to the past with Amy's relationships with others that help show the relationship dynamics she has in present day. Good pace, characters you are drawn right into, both ones to love and hate, revenge, sass, attitude it gives the reader a bit of everything, 4/5 for me this time!

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Can't Get You Out Of My Head by Sue Shepherd

Can't Get You Out of My Head by Sue Shepherd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 450

Publisher - Corazon Books

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Amazon

A moving and funny story about sisters, secrets and second chances.

Twin sisters Beth and Lisa do everything together, so what will happen now they both want a life of their own?

Beth has a secret she's kept from everyone except her sister. But it's time to get on with her life. Could a seductive Italian, a smooth-talking charmer or backpacking around Australia be the answer?

Lisa feels she's always lived in her sister's shadow. Maybe now it's her turn for some fun, whatever the consequences. But will her drunken antics land Beth in trouble?

And when it comes to the crunch, will one sister have to give up what she wants so the other can have what she needs?

Another entertaining page-turner from the No.1 bestselling author of Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret? – where things, and people, are not always as they first appear!



My Review

Twin sisters Beth and Lisa could not be more different, Beth is pretty much meek, a people pleaser and relatively submissive. Lisa is opinionated, forth right, will seize the day at any given opportunity and life and soul of any party given half a chance. We open with the girls as children then flip to adulthood, the frustrations sisters endure that we all know too well and maybe a few new ones too!

This is a pretty unique read and can I just say until I checked Amazon for the pages count (I always add that) I can't believe the book is 450 pages it certainly didn't seem that long! I would have read it a lot quicker if life didn't get in my way.

I always write non spoiler reviews, seriously what book "lover" does that and ruins a book for other readers, ugh. Anyways, certain things are hard to discuss because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. Relationships are at the heart of the story, mostly centred around Beth, Lisa and their family, boyfriends and friends. Sibling relationships can be a nitemare the girls provide a fresh take on the old sibling rivalry. There is humour in some of the scenes and some heart wrenching moments too, love, loss, life, personal growth, self discovery and I feel like I am harping on but relationships/family are everything with this tale. Someone you love making you second guess yourself, manipulating, scathing and yet the sisters are so close.

I think we all have a relationship or know someone who has someone like that in their life. I went through periods of mixed feelings for both Beth and Lisa. Like, hate, dislike, sadness and it is hard to say why in any great detail. Beth is very doormat like, I just wanted her to have a backbone and rise up, I felt so sorry for her at times though and frustrated on her behalf. Lisa I disliked quite quickly but as the story progresses I flip flopped a bit there too. As we learn more about the characters and what they have experienced/endured you can't help but reevaluate your feelings and ideas about them both.

It is a story that flings curve balls that you really don't see coming. You are pulled in quickly with a childhood incident and then wonder what is coming next, where is the story going. As Shepherd teases out the details you are absorbed in their world before you realise you are a quarter of the way through the book and the rug has been pulled again. 4/5 stars for me this time, I can't believe this is my first dance with this author but it certainly won't be my last!

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Class Murder by Leigh Russell Blog Tour

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Class Murder by Leigh Russell (an author who has fabulous taste in colours, her favourite colour also happens to be mine, purple!).





Class Murder by Leigh Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 353

Publisher - No Exit Press

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

With so many potential victims to choose from, there would be many deaths. He was spoiled for choice, really, but he was determined to take his time and select his targets carefully. Only by controlling his feelings could he maintain his success. He smiled to himself. If he was clever, he would never have to stop. And he was clever. He was very clever. Far too clever to be caught.
Geraldine Steel is back for her tenth case. Reunited in York with her former sergeant, Ian Peterson, she discovers that her tendency to bend the rules has consequences. The tables have turned, and now he's the boss.

When two people are murdered, their only connection lies buried in the past. As police search for the elusive killer, another body is discovered. Pursuing her first investigation in York, Geraldine Steel struggles to solve the confusing case. How can she expose the killer, and rescue her shattered reputation, when all the witnesses are being murdered?



My Review

This is the 10th book in the Geraldine Steel series, I have picked some of the previous book sup out of reading order however I advise starting at the beginning. There is so much history that is relevant to this book I think to enhance enjoyment of the book I would definitely go back to the beginning.

Geraldine finds herself trying to settle after relocating in York, happy to be reunited with fellow officer Ian Peterson, now her superior, there are mixed emotions. Geraldine's private life has in recent times proven to be challenging, having a knock on effect on her job and she is trying to deal with that, new living arrangements, changes at work and now a vicious killer is on the loose.

We open to the killer as a child and flip around in modern day with the police investigation, insights from the killer and the victims. The police need a link, they need a motive and maybe then they can get a break on the case. Some aspects of the book are frustrating from the police point of view and what they come up against with the people they are investigating. I guess that is a true representative of what some of the force come up against in any investigation, let alone one so serious.

I said in my review of book 9, the family side of the story really hit me from an emotional stance, this book, whilst is does refer to family, the drive is more on the killer, victims, police investigation side f things. I always mention this with Russell's book but I love the Acronym glossary she uses at the front of a book. How many times do we read acronyms and forget what they mean and you are back tracking on the pages to find what they mean. May not be a big thing to some but I love it. Class murder itself is a riveting story, pulling the reader in from page one, 4/5 stars for me this time. I really need to go back and buy the couple of books I missed from this series! Have read more than a handful of Russell's work I can say, hand on heart, she is going from strength to strength and I cannot wait to read what is next for Geraldine Steel.

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The Fear by C L Taylor

The Fear by C.L. Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 6 hours

Pages - 400

Publisher - Avon

Source - Netgalley

Blurb from Goodreads

‘Grabs you by the metaphorical throat right from the start and doesn’t let up until the end.’ Heat

When Lou Wandsworth ran away to France with her teacher Mike Hughes, she thought he was the love of her life. But Mike wasn’t what he seemed and he left her life in pieces.

Now 32, Lou discovers that he is involved with teenager Chloe Meadows. Determined to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself, she returns home to confront him for the damage he’s caused.

But Mike is a predator of the worst kind, and as Lou tries to bring him to justice, it’s clear that she could once again become his prey…

The million copy Sunday Times bestseller returns with a taut, compelling psychological thriller that will have you glued to the edge of your seat.



My Review

Imagine being in love with an older man, thinking he loves you, only to realise you had been groomed and abused. That is what happened to Lou as a child, now 32 and still living with the effects from everything she survived Lou finds herself confronting her past. Upon returning home Lou finds out Mike is still up to his predatory ways and Lou won’t allow him to get away with it any longer.

Oooh I wasn’t too sure where this book was going to go, so much kicks off quickly you are left guessing what will happen next. Four main characters, three real view points coming from Lou, Wendy and Chloe. Chloe is Mike’s latest interest, Wendy we aren’t too sure who she is or what her part will be and Lou you know from the outset. We learn about Mike from their outlook and what is transpiring when it is their chapters, clearly marked as you head into each chapter.

I sank this story in six hours, I would have got through it quicker had I not had to stop for wee tasks throughout the day. Taylor carves out characters that, whether you like them or not, you are drawn to what happens next in their stories. Whilst the book covers paedophilia there aren’t any scenes that are heavily graphic although enough to make you uncomfortable, especially the glimpses of manipulation and control used. It does a fantastic job of hooking the reader, dark, suspense but also a look at the emotive side from the victims. It shows the reader how something like that in childhood can have lasting effects as an adult and impact on so many aspects of the persons lives. I have read all of Taylor’s books I think she just goes from strength to strength, an absolute page turner 4.5 stars out of 5 for me this time. Thanks to Netgalley for sending me a copy, if you enjoy intrigue and a book that keeps you on your toes then this is absolutely for you!

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Tony and Susan by Austin Wright

Tony and Susan by Austin Wright
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - Over two days

Pages - 384

Publisher - Warner Books

Source - Waterstones

Blurb from Goodreads

Receiving a manuscript and request for feedback from her vengeful ex-husband of fifteen years, Susan Morrow is drawn into the life of the story's fictional character and confronts a devastating parallel darkness from her own past.

Austin Wright's novel is a disturbing and dazzling work: it describes a special reading experience, combines the suggestiveness of a thriller and the depth of a psychological novel. He talks about fear and regret, revenge and maturation, marriage and failure.


My Review

This book splits into two, Susan receives a manuscript from her ex husband for some feedback. We slip between the story within the manuscript and Susan herself as she readies herself to read it, absorb it, her thoughts on both the story and all it conjures up. Her past, her life with Edward (ex husband), her current husband and really her thoughts on everything from the past to the present and what the stories conjures up in her. The manuscript story itself "Nocturnal Animals" started off really strong and pretty frightening because of how easy you could see it happening to anyone.

The pace threw me a bit, Susan's story is such a different pace as you aren't too sure what is the significance of getting the manuscript. I'm still not if I am honest, I got a bit lost within the stories, I followed the manuscript story so much easier and then the closer it came to an end I was a bit lost as to where it was going. I think Wright was trying to do something with both these stories and I personally just didn't get it. I was left with so many questions, I found some of the dialogue with the characters clunky, not flowing as other characters interactions did.

I would say, looking at other reviews and feedback on this book I think I am in a minority as so many loved or really enjoyed it. I think that is possibly more about me as a reader than the actual authors writing, sometimes a book just isn't for that specific reader and I think this may be what happened here. I went back and forth on if this was a two or three star for me, I think I have to go with a 2.5 as I didn't get the book, I didn't enjoy most of it. I think the message or what the author was trying to do was completely lost on me and I am happy to blame the reader in this case. I would say give it a try, see how you get on with it and I would love to hear your thoughts.

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Dead North by Joel Hames

Dead North by Joel Hames
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and our over 3 days

Pages - 280

Publisher - Mainsail books

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Once the brightest star in the legal firmament, Sam Williams has hit rock bottom, with barely a client to his name and a short-term cash problem that's looking longer by the minute. So when he's summoned to Manchester to help a friend crack a case involving the murder of two unarmed police officers and a suspect who won't say a word, he jumps at the chance to resurrect his career.

In Manchester he'll struggle against resentful locals, an enigmatic defence lawyer who thinks he's stepping on her toes, beatings, corrupt cops and people who'll do anything to protect their secrets. On its streets, he’ll see people die. But it's in the hills and valleys further north that Sam will face the biggest challenge of all: learning who he really is and facing down the ghosts of his past.

He’s working someone else’s case and he’s in way over his head. But sometimes you need the wrong man in the right place.



My Review

Two police officers killed, one suspect arrested who isn't talking and a case that had no leads and pretty much no evidence. That is what Sam Williams has been called in as an adviser to help with, Sam is a lawyer who really needs an influx of cash. With money problems and one client business is not good so he really has nothing to loose. When he gets to Manchester he is met with resistance, hostility and that is just the staff on the case he is there to help! With a race against time, Sam starts digging to get answers, finds himself in danger and trodding on toes with dangerous consequences.

This is my first dance with this author, whilst it is a serious crime and we run into violence and aggression there is humour laced throughout the book. Sam is a bit of a character, down on his luck and at times adding more problems than he is helping to solve. The suspect we know quite quickly there has to be more to, silence is suspicious and he is saying nothing. As Sam digs and stumbles about the case he has bitten off more than he can chew. I found myself questioning everyone and trusting no one. That said I had no idea why the crime had happened, I kept going chapter to chapter patiently (or impatiently) waiting to see what was coming next. You have the human aspect of the book too, Sam has a lot going on, money worries, career worries and when the cat is away.............temptation can rear its ugly head. Sam is, I thought, an interesting character, flawed but not a cliche of a guy a bit down on his luck.

Interesting characters, lots of issues covered, teamwork, police procedure, relationships, pressure on individuals working the case, working relationships, politics within the force and those helping. And whilst it is busy with all of that, it doesn't overshadow the main parts of the book, the murder case, it just ties in nicely. I did enjoy this and I think (hope) there will be more in the series, I would quite like to see what is in store fr the characters next. A story that keeps the reader on their toes, engaging from the get go and I think even those readers who can guess the plot will have their work cut out for them this time. 4/5 for me, if you like crime but with focus on the characters and relationships side with some humour then I think you will love this book. On a wee additional note, there is swearing in the book, nothing over the top but just a heads up!

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