Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister

Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 377

Publisher - Michael Joseph Books

Source - Bought/Netgalley review

Blurb from Goodreads

22-year-old Olivia has been missing for one day…and counting. She was last seen on CCTV, entering a dead-end alley. And not coming back out again.

Julia, the detective heading up the search for Olivia, thinks she knows what to expect. A desperate family, a ticking clock, and long hours away from her husband and daughter. But she has no idea just how close to home this case is going to get.

Because the criminal at the heart of the disappearance has something she never expected. His weapon isn’t a gun, or a knife: it’s a secret. Her worst one. And her family's safety depends on one thing: Julia must NOT find out what happened to Olivia - and must frame somebody else for her murder.

If you find her, you will lose everything. What would you do?

This clever and endlessly surprising thriller is laced with a smart look at family and motherhood, and cements Gillian McAllister as a major talent in the world of suspense and a master of creating ethical dilemmas that show just how murky the distinction between right and wrong can be.



My Review

Ooooh get strapped in for a wild ride. Olivia is 22, gone missing and when the cops (Julia and co) investigate they find CCTV when Olivia goes down and alley and never comes out. Where did she go, her family is distraught and Julia is a straight laced cop who will stop at nothing to find her. HOWEVER when Julia is threatened with the thing most important to her and told she mustn't find Olivia she is between a rock and a hard place. Does she protect that which is most important to her whilst compromising Olivia and her own integrity or does she stay true to who she is, give Olivia her best chance/investigate whilst ruining her own life? Decisions decisions.

So basically we have a missing person, a cop being threatened/compromised plus the side line of her family life, issues with husband and teen daughter. Some shady and skulduggery behaviours and people, *gasp* and oh your are kidding WHY WHY would you do that. It is a perfect example of how you are just one decision/action away from spiralling your whole life.

Decent pace, page turning to see ooh where is this going to go, what is X person going to do now. This is maybe the 2nd or 3rd book I have read by this author and got another on my tbrm.

Crime, police investigation, family issues, morality, criminal activities, family ties and more, 4/5 for me this time. She is quite different to a lot of the crime/thriller offers we have so if you haven't read her before it is absolutely worth picking up and giving her a whirl.

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The Meaning of Matthew by Judy Shepard

The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed by Judy Shepard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 271

Publisher - Hudson Street Press

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

The mother of Matthew Shepard shares her story about her son's death and the choice she made to become an international gay rights activist

Today, the name Matthew Shepard is synonymous with gay rights, but before his grisly murder in 1998, Matthew was simply Judy Shepard's son. For the first time in book form, Judy Shepard speaks about her loss, sharing memories of Matthew, their life as a typical American family, and the pivotal event in the small college town that changed everything.

The Meaning of Matthew follows the Shepard family in the days immediately after the crime, when Judy and her husband traveled to see their incapacitated son, kept alive by life support machines; how the Shepards learned of the incredible response from strangers all across America who held candlelit vigils and memorial services for their child; and finally, how they struggled to navigate the legal system as Matthew's murderers were on trial. Heart-wrenchingly honest, Judy Shepard confides with readers about how she handled the crippling loss of her child, why she became a gay rights activist, and the challenges and rewards of raising a gay child in America today.

The Meaning of Matthew not only captures the historical significance and complicated civil rights issues surrounding one young man's life and death, but it also chronicles one ordinary woman's struggle to cope with the unthinkable.



My Review

I had heard of Matthew Shepherd before but only a little about what happened to him. This is written by his mum, she takes us over how she met his dad, their backstory and then onto Matthew. From birth until he was cruelly and horrifically taken from them.

We learn about Matthew as a child to early adulthood and mum goes into the troubles and mental health issues/difficulties he experiences and things he overcame. She takes us through how she found out Matthew had been hurt, the extent of his issues and the media frenzy that followed.

The court case I thought would have been more in depth however it isn't and focus is on her experiences. That being said we do hear about the assailants and what they did in the run up to, during and after the mindless violence they commit upon Matthew.

It is quite emotive, hard to read in parts (especially in the sections about what happened to Matthew), the book does cover some hard topics that may be triggering for some. Knowing what the book is about, homophobia raises its ugly head, assault, sa, violence but it also has resilience, love, strength and the love for Matthew is very evident, 4/5 from us.

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The Bedlam Cadaver by Robert J. Lloyd Blog Tour

Today is my stop on the blog tour for book "The Bedlam Cadaver" by Robert J Lloyd, for my stop I have my review. Here is the buy link from Amazon (UK).

About the author:

Robert Lloyd, the son of parents who worked in the British Foreign Office, grew up in South London, Innsbruck, and Kinshasa. He studied for a Fine Art degree, starting as a landscape painter, but it was while studying for his MA degree in the History of Ideas that he first read Robert Hooke’s diary, detailing the life and experiments of this extraordinary man. After a twenty-year career as a secondary school teacher, he has now returned to painting and writing, and is working on the fourth book in the Hunt & Hooke series. He lives in Crickhowell, Wales.

The book is out now, available to buy on Amazon.

The Bedlam Cadaver by Robert J. Lloyd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - In and out, as able, over 5 days

Pages - 432

Publisher - Melville House

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads



In late 17th Century London rich young women are being kidnapped, then murdered. Harry Hunt, formerly of the Royal Society but now a rich gentleman, is falsely accused. To clear his name, he must rely on his abandoned scientific expertise and battle the full force of the British aristocracy.

1681. London cooks in summer heat. Bonfires are lit in protest against the King’s brother, James, heir to the throne but openly Catholic. Rumours abound of a ‘Black Box’, said to conceal proof the King’s illegitimate son is really the rightful heir.

When a wealthy merchant’s daughter is kidnapped and murdered—even though a ransom was paid—the King orders Harry Hunt of the Royal Society to help investigate.

A second woman goes Elizabeth Thynne, England’s richest heiress. Her husband has a ransom letter from the same kidnappers.

Pressured by powerful men to find the killers and rescue Elizabeth, Harry uncovers a disturbing link to Bethlehem Hospital, better known as Bedlam.

But he is falsely accused of the crimes.

To prove his innocence, he must find the real culprits. Harry’s search takes him from Rotherhithe to Whitehall Palace, and to the house of Sir Peter Lely, the famous portrait-painter, in Covent Garden.

And back to Bedlam.

He has the Monarchy’s future in his hands.



My Review

This is book three in the Hunt and Hooke book series, I normally say you can pick up the book and start reading as a standalone but to be honest I think you need to read the others. Purely because you really have gotten to know the characters and how they have gotten to where they are now so when things happen it has more impact and meaning. An autopsy of a patient who committed suicide from the local mental hospital is halted mid way as the patient is recognised not as who it should be but a missing local well to do woman Harry's world is rocked. Not only does he know her but soon Harry comes under fire and suspicion for murder and things go from bad to worse for poor Harry.

So the book deals with some pretty dark things, suicide, murder, kidnap, false accusations and amongst all of that the questioning and championing of the King on the throne! Ooft it is a busy book, royalty, the rightful Aire to the throne, murder, kidnap and all manners of skulduggery I have hinted it. It is all very serious but I did chuckle a wee bit at poor Harry, dare I call him a bumbling fool? I don't think that is fair but it is close like he makes so many dodgy mistakes and blunders, almost Frank Spencer "ooh Betty" moments, well not quite but again close.

We m=have met him since book one and see him come up in the world both professionally and now financially and see him commit rookie errors for one who has found himself in money. To the point it impacts on his relationship(s) and how he is/was previously. I do love seeing character development and growth and with Harry he shows how you can go about it the wrong way.

Finding himself on the wrong side of the law Harry gets into some sticky moments, one or two gasp worthy and at one point I was thinking he is never getting out of this one! Interesting characters, well paced, different threads of adventure and some seriously shocking behaviours and "oh no" moments. I do hope this is a long series because I enjoy what they offer, bit of learning, lots of adventure, historical setting/drama and of course some murder to keep you on your toes, 4/5 from us.

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Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Slammed by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 354

Publisher -

Source - Think a friend gifted it

Blurb from Goodreads

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.

Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.

Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.


My Review

Layken is eighteen and her life is turned upside down, the sudden death of her father has meant her, mum and her little brother have had to move causing upset as you can imagine. However upon landing at the new house Layken meets her twenty one year old neighbour who look after his little brother. They hit it off as does their younger brothers and soon things are looking up, Layken can't believe how amazing Will is and unlike anyone she has met before. However things soon turn to dust when they find they can't be together and yet distance and circumstances keep throwing them together.

So we don't do spoiler reviews and it is hard to get into it when it would be a spoiler but what I can say is we watch two young adults go from falling for each other to having to stay apart. The book features topics that will evoke strong opinions, it is YA with very adult topics/controversy and triggering to some for sure.

I was pretty compelled to read it, page turning in some parts but I got a bit irked but the mature adultness of Layken to teen agnsty tones. The whole *gasp* topic of the book, it was interesting to come at it from different perspectives, Will, Layken, Layken's mom. Friendship, family, loss, love, family issues - it covers a lot of ground. It is book one of a trilogy, I have the other two in the series so it will be interesting to see what comes next as this book didn't hit me as a foundation laying book and I am surprised there are two more. Will see how it goes but for sure there is a heart of the story(line) that will raise eyebrows and tempers I'm sure, 3.5/5 for us.

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The Accidental Family by Rowan Coleman

The Accidental Family by Rowan Coleman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 416

Publisher - Arrow Books

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

A wonderfully warm and witty novel about starting again, from the author of The Memory Book.

Six months ago, city girl Sophie Mills gave up everything to move to Cornwall. All to be with the man she thinks she loves, and his two daughters who she knows she loves.

But adjusting to life as a semi-permanent mother in the countryside isn't quite as easy as Sophie imagined it would be. Designer shoes aren't nearly so readily available - not that she ever has any occasion to wear them - and her best pair of vintage Manolo's have already found their way into the girls' dressing-up box. Sometimes Sophie doesn't recognise herself; which most of the time makes her happy but every now and then scares her to death.

The hardest thing of all is making that final commitment to actually move in with Louis and the girls - she's been the longest paying guest of the Avalon B&B, St Ives in the history of the establishment. And as she tries to adapt to country life, her newly adopted family and discovering more about Louis's past, she begins to wonder if she's got what it takes to make it all work ...



My Review

It says book two on here but according to FantasticFiction this is book 3, I hadn't read the first two so this was my introduction to all the characters. So Sophie moved from everything she knew and loved for Louis and his two little girls. As I hadn't read the previous books I had quite a lot of catching up to do, for example the weans mum who died had been Sophie's bestie :O Louis is her husband (they were estranged ad he ran out on her and the kids after an affair), when she died Sophie had been left to care for the kids, he came back and they fell in love. Obvs there is a lot more to it but that woulda been covered in books 1 and 2. Anyways Sophie has issues fully commiting/moving in but all that will change when they are committed to each other and the weans can't wait. However when something from Louise's past comes to the forefront everything is turned on its head and Sophie isn't too sure where she stands.

I think my problem is Louis went from being super focused/in love and seemingly perfect to quite a character turn and I really didn't like him. I wanted Sophie to get a backbone and Wendy needed high fived in the face with a chair lol.

It has drama galore, perfect for poolside reading with my pina colada, I absolutely felt for those wee girls, they were absolute scones and you just wanted to hug them. They seemed quite mature for their age but they had lost their mum and had a lot of change in a short time period and I think it is a credit to the author to sculpt their characters to reflect that in their behaviours/attitudes.

A wee bit car crash tv, you didn't want to put the book down because you wanted to see what was coming next. I can't say I loved the characters, I found them to be infuriating at times but a bad character is open a good pull into the story. 3.5/5 for me, I would read the previous books if I came across them but I don't feel the need to go get them, I would be interested in a book 4 of these though.

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The Last interview of Ada Fenn by V A Rudys

The Last Interview of Ada Fenn by V.A. Rudys
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 301

Publisher - BLINKENLIGHT

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

ONE VULNERABLE VICTIM
When 84-year-old Ada Fenn was found dead, natural causes were easily assumed. But when the post-mortem revealed that her heart problems had nothing to do with it, a full-blown murder investigation was launched.

TWO DESPERATE DETECTIVES.
Morally indecisive DC Hugo Moreno and the veteran DS Ennis Henriksen try to work as a team to figure out what happened. Will their unorthodox measures break through the lies, misleading evidence, and secrets of...

THREE SUSPICIOUS WITNESSES
Kathleen - the loyal administrator... who stands to gain.
Tamara - the hard-working carer... who seeks a better life.
Adrian - charity worker... with a ticket to leave the country.



My Review

Ada Fern is eight four years old when she is found dead at home, age/health issues it is thought to be natural causes UNTIL the post mortem. Now we have a police investigation, three suspects and we hear from Ada through recorded interviews she gave to the charity worker Adrian. All seemingly have no motive or do they? We follow the story via the investigation into the murder and the characters are slowly revealed to have things hidden, don't we all?

A murder mystery but not quite the way conventional books tackle it. I liked hearing from Ada, learning more about this little lady who initially is just elderly, housebound and found dead. The charity worker Aiden who has interviews with Ada gives us more of who she was/is. Tamara and Kathleen, the other suspects along with Aiden the book teases out more information, personality reveals and dare I say motive as the investigation deepens. We also get to know the two cops a bit more personally through their approach in how they handle the case and interact with each other and the suspects.

I found myself getting pulled out of the story as it did jump about a bit with the different characters although they are all linked to Ada and it is all relative. Certainly from a who done it perspective it keeps you on your toes and guessing, I would be surprised if anyone said they had it worked out where the story was going, 3.5/5 from me.

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The Sixpenny Orphan by Glenda Young

The Sixpenny Orphan by Glenda Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 322

Publisher - Headline

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

'Please, sir, take us both. We only have each other. We don't know how to live apart.'

After the death of their parents, sisters Poppy and Rose are taken in by widow Nellie Harper. But whilst they have a roof over their heads, the young orphans are unloved, unwanted, and always hungry, with only one pair of boots between them. Keen to make money, Nellie hatches a plan to sell the girls to the mysterious Mr Scurrfield. But when the day comes for them to leave, Scurrfield reveals he will take only one of the sisters - and he will decide which it will be on the turn of a sixpence.

Ten years later, Poppy is married with three children. Not a day goes by when she doesn't think about Rose, but after many years of searching, Poppy has accepted that her sister is lost to her. That is until a letter suddenly arrives, revealing Rose's fate and breaking Poppy's heart. Determined to be reunited with her beloved sister, Poppy sets out to bring Rose home.

Mt Review

Two poor little girls being "looked after" by a widow, Nellie, who has little interest in them, the weans are barely cared for. When Nellie has the bright idea to make money and be rid of them both she feels she is coming into money and can say goodbye to her pitiful existence. However when the buyer takes only one of the girls, Poppy is heartbroken and will never forget her sister. Ten years pass and finally Poppy has the chance to try and get her sister back however Poppy is poor and struggling to make ends meet and Rose is very different to the little girl Poppy last seen ten years ago.

Ooft family drama/saga guys, classism, set in a time where people could sell off children to the wealthy and not an eyelid batted, ooft. The book is split really in two, the past when the girls are wee and just trying to get by day by day, starving, sharing a pair of boots and then ten years on and divided by class, money and unknown danger.

As well as issues surrounding the time period, poverty, classism we also examine the affects of family being torn apart, experiences and how that shapes character and interaction(s). Wee bit emotive in places, rage inducing and all the things we have come to expect from Young, we do like her books and perfect for stepping out of your own life into others, if only for a short time. 4/5 from us, we have a few of hers on the tbrm and look forward to reading them.

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