Deliver Me by Karen Cole

When Abigail Brooke (Abby or Abs) visits the local doctor and discovers that she is two months pregnant she can't believe it because she claims she has not had sex for over a year. Ever since breaking up with her boyfriend Ben and moving in with her older sister Ellie and brother-in-law Rob she's been concentrating on her job while licking her wounds. When she counts backwards from her EDC, she guesses that something happened on New Years Eve. Abby was at a party and got super drunk and can't remember much about the evening and she sure doesn't remember having sex with anyone. Could she have been drugged and raped? So starts this psychological drama and mystery -- Abby is determined to find out what happened that night and WHO is the father of her unborn baby.
Although there are some twists along the way, most readers will be guessing madly as each "suspect" is accosted and questioned about that evening. NO SPOILERS but I don't think the identity of the baby daddy will be too much of a surprise though the red herrings are dangled throughout.

This was an OK read but I got rather annoyed with Abby and can't say that I was very empathetic or that I identified with her. The other characters are stereotypical and one-dimensional for the most part. The narrative had a lot of internal angsting going on with Abby dithering about and going off half-cocked most of the time. The conclusion was not unexpected and I wasn't really happy with how it ended after all. I've not read other books by this author and I could be persuaded to give her another go.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Publishing for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

In the Silence by M.R. Mackenzie

 "The ones that say nothing are as guilty as the ones doing it."

Dr. Anna Scavolini returns to Glasgow, where she grew up, in mid-December to stay with her old best friend, Zoe, and Zoe's brother, Victor. She's been living in Rome for the past 10 years and hasn't been home since. Out celebrating Zoe's birthday, Anna runs into a man she had a mad crush on when they both were in school together. After a few drinks, he disappears, and Anna later discovers him dead in a nearby park. Murdered. And he's just the first victim. Anna gets caught up in her own investigation to find out why these particular persons are being killed and by whom. It happens that this might be a vendetta for something that happened during Anna's school days. NO SPOILERS.

Well, if you can apply a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief while Anna is playing at being Nancy Drew, and if you can get past the fact that the character of Anna is so terribly unlikeable with her pontifications, self-righteousness and holier than thou attitude toward everyone, and maybe if you can ignore how Anna acts and the ludicrous things she does, perhaps you will enjoy this debut novel. For the most part, I couldn't overcome all of those detractors and only read to the end to find out who the killer was. And it all made so little sense even then. I found the Glaswegian dialect inserted to be completely annoying because it was so hit and miss sprinkled around some of the characters and not others. The rest of the characters in the book were not very convincing and could be lumped into the stereotypical category of "bad" guys. I just could not buy into the story, feel any empathy, and got tired of all the soap box proselytism on the subject of consent and rape. And why did all this just happen to come to a head when Anna returns?

I did like the setting, the descriptions of the town and the climate made me feel COLD. Couldn't understand why Anna never seemed to eat or bathe or take her medication. It seemed at complete odds to her supposed level of education. I guess there was something within the pages that made me at least finish it, but I can't say that I found much to recommend this. That being said, I realize this is a first novel, I understand this is a man writing about a real hot spot of an issue of paramount importance to women, and I get that there's probably some sort of takeaway meant to be there. I think I missed it. I just never could buy into how Anna got herself so involved in the mess, her antipathy to the police, and her behavior.

That doesn't mean, however, that I won't read another book by this author. I do thank NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for an e-book ARC of this to read and review. I'm sorry I didn't find it a gripping crime thriller. And lastly, I wish someone would explain that Prologue to me.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Anonymity (DI Gravel #4) by John Nicholl

OK. I can breathe again. What a tense and thrilling serial killer chiller!

Mia, a single mom with a 4-year-old daughter, is at home as usual and working on her next book when she receives the first message. The email indicates that the sender knows where she lives and asks her to declare her love for her "number one fan." Mia, a bit shaken, ignores it but that doesn't deter the sender from escalating with additional messages that threaten her and her daughter. She's constrained from contacting the police but she seeks help from her older sister, Ella. The two of them decide to enlist the help of an old family friend, DI Gareth Gravel, who's home on sick leave after his most recent heart attack. It becomes very clear that the person stalking Mia knows everything about her activities and has the photos to prove it. Things are about to get harrowing especially since Mia has no idea who she can trust. NO SPOILERS

What a suspenseful read that made me tense and kept me glued to the pages as I couldn't get to the end fast enough. Even though the reader knows who the stalker is and wants to shout out at Mia to stop being so stupid, and even though you're screaming at her NO NO NO, you have to wait to see if anyone will figure it out before it's too late. Definitely had my heart racing.

I've read all 3 of the previous books in this series and would urge you to begin at the start for maximum enjoyment. DI Gravel is one of the last of the old school, good old time detectives and knows that this is probably his last case as the boss wants him retired. He wants his old job back.

Thank you to the author for an e-book ARC of his novel for me to read and review. I look forward to John Nicholl's next book!

Book 4 of the DI Gravel series. Read in order.

Before She Falls (DI Anna Gwynn #3) by Dylan Young

 A new internet "game" is inducing minors to commit suicide. Known as the BLACK SQUID, play involves completing 20 tasks that culminate in a suicide act. The game is especially designed to appeal to troubled children in fragile circumstances. One such girl is Kimberley Williams who leaps to her death from a cliff top.

The death of Kimberley and the news about BLACK SQUID are brought to DI Anna Gwynne and her team at Avon and Somerset Constabulary's cold case unit because of her relationship to convicted killer Hector Shaw. Hector's 13-year-old daughter was believed to have committed suicide, but now there's evidence that she was a victim of the BLACK SQUID. Will Anna have to interact again with Hector in order to get more information about those administering the game? Indeed. NO SPOILERS.

This third book in the series brings back Anna, her new boyfriend Dr. Ben Hawley, and DCs Justin Holder and Ryia Khosa. In addition, a new man from Major Cimes, DS Phil Dawes,  is brought over to liaise with the squad as the case becomes much more complex. And complicated it is with a new focus on Ryegrove Hospital, a secure unit for those needing mental health services -- especially the criminally insane who are sectioned and housed within.Two bodies are discovered buried right outside the fence of the hospital. Anna is sure that one of the victims must surely have been involved with the BLACK SQUID, but no one has any idea why or how the other one got there. There must be some connection between the institution and the suicide game...

The investigation moves slowly because of the many characters involved and the scope of the linked cases. I read this quickly because I was quite desperate to get to the end and find some answers. There are still some loose ends that I expect will be tied up in the next book -- of course I can hardly wait. I really like this series and the character of Anna though I feel she is more on the spectrum than simply a bit of INTJ psychometric. (I can say that because that is also my profile.) Yes she's focused, cynical and definitely antisocial but she sure gets the job done and seems to be able to have good relationships with her team and her boyfriend. Oh, and the dog. I like the writing and the excellent descriptions of the area that Anna and her team work around. Good crime drama and police procedural detail as well.

Can't wait for the next book but I do think it's a good idea to have read this series of three (so far) from the beginning as there is a lot of backstory to understand. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This book is part of a series and is #3.

Tell Me No Lies by Alex Sinclair

Is Grace grieving -- or losing her mind?

Grace watches as her husband, John Dalton, is the victim of a hit and run. They had been out celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary when he's hit and killed in the middle of the street. Grace sinks into despondency and depression with only her friend, Jennifer, sticking by to try to help her through the funeral and the visit to the lawyer about John's estate. They'd barely been making ends meet as Grace was working as a nurse and John in residency at the hospital. So, it's a total shock when she's given the news that John had bought a life insurance policy with money he'd kept in a secret bank account. And then, other strange things begging to happen as Grace tries to figure out what is going on and who John Dalton really was.

Well. I read this in a couple of hours and must say it wasn't very thrilling or suspenseful. The very predictable psychological drama has been told before and was mostly a cliche in terms of the setup, the action and the conclusion. No surprises here. I actually detested Grace and couldn't for the life of me understand where her parents were throughout all this affair. I just wanted to shake her until her teeth rattled -- oops, that's not very nice of me with her being a new widow and all. Lots of repetition and internal stream of consciousness angst while the other stereotypical characters played out their roles. In all honesty, I was very disappointed as I've read other books by this author that I've enjoyed so much more. I'll just chalk this as a one off miss.

I'd like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for providing the e-book ARC for me to read and review and look forward to Mr. Sinclair's next book.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Closer by Kim Slater

Ending a marriage, especially when you have a 10-year-old daughter, is difficult. It's hard to see your former spouse moving on, and moving IN with a new woman who has a daughter the same age. And even more so when your man's new love is YOUR BOSS. Emma is finding the separation difficult, even though she wanted it, but she is becoming increasingly concerned for the safety and welfare of her daughter, Maisie. Soon-to-be ex husband Shaun and Joanne are playing happy family with Piper now. So what does that mean for Maisie? Emma is absorbed in her job and making her own adjustments but eventually she does notice the changes in Maisie. But what can she DO to get Shaun to see what is obvious to her. Joanne and Piper are not good for Maisie. How will this end? NO SPOILERS.

Psychological thrillers tend to focus on a lot of internal angst, and this novel is no different. The characters often seem oblivious and either take action that most people would never attempt or they ignore huge red flags that scream out for immediate intervention. I can't say that I could relate to any of the characters or their behavior within the pages of this story, but I had enough questions about how everything was going to be resolved that I kept reading. There were several characters who I actually despised (can we say Emma's mom talking about her to Shaun behind her back?) and of course the villains because we were suspicious about them from the start anyway given the setup. There were some surprises and a twist but you know it's coming even if you don't know specifically what it is. I like to play a game with myself to see how far off I am as I sort of lay it all out mentally before I start a book. Even in its attempt to be shocking, the conclusion came as no surprise after all said and done. Sure it's set up to be ambiguous and some may feel let down without a concrete finale.

I think this book was meant to focus on mother-daughter relationships and a few other issues that I won't list out here in case some would consider naming them to be spoilers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I've read most of the books by this author and will continue to look for her new titles.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Perfect Silence (Callanach and Turner #4) by Helen Fields

"Human beings don't have any limits when they're broken. It's the damage you can't see on the surface that's the most dangerous."

DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner with MIT are busy with the Babydoll Killer. A monster who makes dolls from skin cut from the bodies of young women who are kept alive while it happens. With few clues, the investigation keeps stalling out even as the death toll mounts. The killer seems to be a religious nutcase with a peculiar mandate and each victim is selected with care. Can they find this psychopath and get justice for the dead girls?

In addition, Callanach and Turner are running a parallel case involving random attacks on homeless drug users. Because they're high on "spice", they aren't reliable witnesses to their own assaults -- but then one victim dies. When information leads the team to a surprising perpetrator, all hell breaks loose within the police. Will Turner keep her job or has she gone too far this time with her arrogant disregard of orders from higher up?

I absolutely love this series. The setting, the characters, the cases -- it all rings with the authority of an author who knows the business. The story is immediately absorbing, quite chilling and the action interspersed with great dialogue and human interaction. Both police procedural and crime drama, this fourth in the series ticks all the boxes. I love the relationships between the members of the team and enjoy glimpses into their personal lives. I've been quite happy, however, that no romance has come into full bloom and hope it stays that way!

Now, unfortunately, I have come to the end of the available installments in this series. While I wait impatiently for #5 (PERFECT CRIME) to be released, I'll just keep all my new friends in Police Scotland in mind. I think it's best to read them all in order and I highly recommend the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, for the e-book ARC to read and review.

Perfect Death (#3 Callanach and Turner) by Helen Fields

"There were different types of pain...the pain of loss...shocked pain...the slow dull ache of reality...followed by the mewling baby, self-pity."

There's someone in Edinburgh who enjoys sharing grief that others experience. An evil serial killer is wanting to get up close and personal with those who've experienced the death of a loved one. This sociopath wants to offer comfort -- so much so that maybe that monster is responsible for the deaths in the first place?

DI Luc Callanach and the newly promoted DCI Ava Turner are busy in the MIT. They've got a couple of poisoning deaths on one hand and a possible corruption case on the other. The teams divide to conquer and come quite close to blowing it all up as they face off some very dangerous people. These investigations are going to require tons of time and their best efforts as leads are met with dead ends and danger is lurking on every call-out. Callanach and Turner face some threats to their tenuous and fragile personal relationship as well. But Turner is Callanach's superior and she won't let him forget it. Both struggle with their own demons as they work to bring some justice in these two, big unrelated cases.

I love this series. So much so that I had to buy this one so that I could read it before downloading and reviewing the next installment, PERFECT SILENCE. I've read all 3 so far, in order, and would urge you to do the same so that you get the full picture of the two main characters. Both are quite unique and are becoming more real with each book. I really enjoy the camaraderie between them and enjoy their friendship and mutual respect. I almost feel as if I know them and I can't wait to see what happens next. Though the story is full of action, police procedural detail, and suspense, I feel so tense worrying about how things are going to play up that it creates a lot of tension. Instead of speeding up to get to what I hope is a successful conclusion, I slow down because I'm too worried that some member of the team will be hurt or lost and I don't want to face that. Anyway, if you're looking for great crime thrillers, this series has it all and I recommend it.

Don't Let Go by Michel Bussi

Deliver us from evil...

On holiday, Martial and Liane Bellion and their six-year-old daughter, Sopha, are enjoying the tropical paradise that is Reunion Island. This particular day will not end well. When Martial goes up to their hotel room to check on Liane, she's missing, there's blood everywhere and all of her personal effects are gone. The police are on the scene immediately. They know that the husband is the immediate suspect. Witness testimony places him at the scene and a there's a knife  with his fingerprints all over it. In a seeming panic, Martial flees with his daughter. There's more to this than meets the eye...NO SPOILERS.

This fast-paced novel kept me glued to my map of Reunion Island and had me sucking up every detail of its history and geography. I can't even tell you readers how much I enjoyed this mystery and crime thriller. There are so many unanswered questions, twists and turns, suspects and characters. I loved them all and have to admit to a tear or two when tragic events occur. The writing is top-notch, my only complaint is that my French is rusty and the footnotes weren't always helpful in explaining the terms in translation. The description and detail about the island enthralled me and I could not get enough. Do you know that I never even knew that this place existed? I totally love a book that takes me to a new setting, draws me in, and brings out the researcher in me!

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this, but totally recommend. Thank you to Edelweiss and Europa Editions for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

The Stranger Game by Peter Gadol

"The world was a world of strangers, and all anyone wanted...was to be seen and to be known, truly known."

Rebecca is alone and lonely. Her long-time boyfriend, Ezra, has disappeared without a word and even the police can't find him for her. After awhile, she finds an essay on Ezra's desk. The author of the piece wrote that he was quite disenchanted with his life, was lonesome and bored, had little human interaction, and no meaningful relationships. He started first watching people and then began actually following them as he yearned to connect. Anything but to go back home alone. The transformation he experienced was further developed into a scheme that was mostly voyeur on his part and fairly benign. As things often do, this essay was read and shared and changed until it became a craze. More like stalking than any kind of "game", it evolved to have three rules but was basically meant to see how long you could follow a person without getting caught. Many people lost themselves in the game and vanished while following random people that crossed their path. Rebecca, assuming that this is what happened to Ezra, begins to play the game herself. Soon Rebecca is caught up in something she doesn't understand with people she cannot believe or trust, and finds that it has evolved into a far more dangerous activity than the essayist ever imagined. NO SPOILERS.

This was a very strange but interesting book. Part existential, part social commentary, and mostly confusing, my overwhelming feeling while reading was probably exactly what the author meant for it to be -- I felt disconnected and longed for intimacy as I read about Rebecca's situation. Her reactions weren't on par with anything I would have done, but I was swept up in her desperate responses to her isolation. I can definitely see this "game" as a consequence of the way that society has changed to be more about things than about relationships. The detachment observed when seeing photos on social media where everyone is looking at a screen instead of at their companions, the distrust of others manifested by labeling and categorizing beliefs and behaviors rather than seeking understanding, and the seeming lack of permanence in the way people lead their lives. All great stuff for a book club discussion! If others want to be connected to people in a real way, how in the world would following strangers around make that happen? In that question is the main issue I had with the book. It is dark and twisty and sad.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin - Hanover Square Press  for the e-book ARC to read and review.

"Following" has a whole new meaning in this dark and twisty novel. It is a standalone and not part of any series.

Finding Eva by J.A. Baker

 "Some things are best left tucked away in the recesses of your brain; kept as unremembered images which only wreak havoc if toyed with and set free."

This is psychopathy at its worst -- or best -- depending on your predilections for genre fiction. I have never 'met' such a cast of dysfunctional characters in a very long time and my head is reeling after the revelations and the conclusion of this psychological thriller. I don't usually care for books where all the "action" is in the psyche of the characters in a stream of consciousness, but I stuck with it and raced to the end as I was filled with a sense of dread as to what the outcome would be given the beginning chapter.

I knew that there were dead bodies, just didn't know WHO they were as I began reading. Eva Tweedie has gone to Whitby to finally confront the parents who gave her into care when she was a child. She has questions, wants answers, and won't back down this time. She's fresh off a breakup with her boyfriend, Gareth, and it seems that she has told him something that makes reconciliation impossible. In addition, her best friend from the old days in care, Celia, is worried about Eva, has cautioned her about raking up the past, and is set on stopping her from further heartbreak.

The narrative unfolds from the perspectives of Eva, Celia and Gareth. The reader has no clue if any of them is reliable as each tells his or her version of the story. All seem a bit overwrought with emotion and there is a LOT of anger underlying their actions. The pace is slow by sure as all of them come to Twinby for answers -- seeking out Eva's mother as the source and wanting her to pay for the sorry mess that is their lives. Unfortunately, one of them is a total psycho...NO SPOILERS

Despite my misgivings at the internal angsting all were experiencing and the repetition of the emotional turmoil, I ended up enjoying this because the conclusion, though somewhat expected, was quite satisfying. I'm glad I finished it despite wanting to chuck it initially. If you want to read a novel about 3 really messed up young people, then this is the book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

So, you say you want to go on a wellness retreat? Nine people sign up for our the 10-day program that promises that they "will leave Tranquillum House feeling happier, healthier, lighter, freer."

The "guests" arrive at the beautiful compound, are escorted to rooms in the restored Victorian mansion and prepare to meet the director and team who will guide them in the personalized processes designed so that when they leave on the last day, they won't be the same person who entered. They certainly get a transformative experience during their stay NO SPOILERS.

The characters are totally engaging, each one so well-drawn that they feel like old friends by the end of the book. Quirky, prickly, obsessed, neurotic, depressed -- the nine have all had some very specific life events that have led them to Tranquillum House in need of, desperately seeking SOMETHING that will allow them to move beyond their pasts and resume living with a different attitude. A writer, a teacher, a midwife, a young woman focused on her social media, an ex football star, a lawyer, a divorced mother of 4, a man in love with his Lamborghini, a girl about to celebrate her 21st birthday -- all are about to meet the driving force behind this extraordinary resort -- Masha Dmitrichenko. She and her team (Yao and Delilah) have planned the 10 days down to the last detail. None of those attending this session will ever be the same again. But not in the way they had imagined.

I can't say which of the characters was my favorite as each had quite a unique presentation and I enjoyed the changing point of view through the narrative. Although it starts off a little slow as the reader is introduced to the characters, the pace picks up and becomes so engrossing that I found it impossible to put down and so had to finish it basically in one sitting. I loved it and I think you will too. It would make a great choice for a book club as there are so many themes to discuss and I know I'll be thinking about the story for a long time.

Where the Truth Lies (DI Tom Ridpath #1) by M.J. Lee

"We seek evidence, it's all that counts. The truth always lies. Only evidence is clear."

DI Tom Ridpath has been temporarily seconded to the coroner from Manchester Police. He's just returned to work after a 9 month absence for treatment of his myeloma. He's now in remission and has been cleared, but he has to smooth over relationships between the coroner's office and the constabulary before he can resume his previous position. His first assignment is to deal with the family of the murdered Alice Seagram. It seems they don't believe that the man who was found guilty and imprisoned for the crime, James Dalbey, was really the killer. It's been 10 years and an exhumation of the body is ordered. The problems begin when the coffin is unearthed and is found empty. And then, the body of a woman is found and the wounds are reminiscent of circumstances surrounding that of Alice Seagram. Ridpath, working with Coroner Margaret Challinor, and trying to liaise with the police, finds himself somewhat at odds in his new job and the nature of the investigation forces him to examine the very same case that put him on the fast-track to inspector years ago. NO SPOILERS.

This was a high-octane crime thriller that kept me guessing and completely engrossed until the very satisfying conclusion. I don't think I've ever read a book where the main character has this particular job title and I found it all very interesting. It's a great mix of police procedural and forensic investigation. I really liked the character of Tom Ridpath and it seems that, considering the last chapter, he may be continuing in that role for the next book -- I hope so, and I can't wait.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo Publishing for the e-book ARC to read and review.

#1 in series DI Tom Ridpath

The Warning by Kathryn Croft

Absorbing and fast-paced psychological thriller with a conclusion you won't see coming. What really happened that night at the river?

Three years ago, Jake and Zoe Monaghan get the worst news that parents can ever hear -- their 14-year-old son, Ethan, and his best friend Josh drowned in the river near their home. Even though their deaths were ruled as accidental, the lives of the Monaghan's and that of their surviving older son, Harley, have not gone so well though they've been working at trying to be a family again. Their fragile peace is shattered when Zoe receives an email and subsequent text messages that hint that they did not know the truth about what happened to their son and his friend. Who is tormenting them -- Zoe can't be stopped from trying to find out and she may lose everything else in the process of finding out the real story.

With great characters and narrated from the point of view of several of them, this thriller takes off at a speedy clip and left me racing through to get to the answers I wanted as much as did Zoe! The author juggles a large cast of characters and a complex plot but it all comes together in a satisfying conclusion. Sort of left my head reeling with all the details and information about relationships, secrets, lies, obsession and revenge. I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I'll definitely want to read more books by this author.

Standalone and not part of any series.

Our Little Lies by Sue Watson

"Our present is informed by our past, the fears, the insecurities -- the loss"

I dare you to put this psychological drama down once you've started! The narrative, driven by the voice of Marianne Wilson, creates incredible tension and a sense of foreboding as the story evolves. Marianne --  wife to Dr. Simon Wilson, "the dashing and brilliant cardiac surgeon", stepmother to 17-year-old Sophie, and mother of 6-year-old boy twins -- has been married for 10 years. The family lives at the prestigious Number 5 Garden Close and seems to have a perfect life. Things are not so golden behind closed doors, however, and Marianne struggles daily to hold everything together. She has a history of mental health problems and a police record because she's not alway been able to have all under control. Simon has some high expectations and Marianne knows she's not doing her part to be the perfect wife and mother. But her medication makes her a bit foggy and...NO SPOILERS. Just read it and see if you can figure out where it's all going.

I really enjoyed this as I dissected the characters and made some guesses. I usually don't care for books that have a character spending a lot of time in his or her own mind, but this time I really got into it. Of course I was expecting a twist, you read enough of this type of thriller and you KNOW one is coming, but I liked how the revelations came out and found the book to have a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review. I look forward to reading future books by this author.

Riveting standalone psychological drama. Not part of a series.

Dead End (DI Kelly Porter #3) by Rachel Lynch

Family secrets, murder, and mysterious disappearances keep DI Kelly Porter busy in the Lake District. In the meanwhile, she's trying to navigate her new relationship with Johnny Frietz of the mountain rescue team.

I love this series and the character of Kelly Porter. She's sensible and pragmatic, but also has a good heart and strong loyalty to her family and team. I've read both previous books in this series and always look forward to a new installment as I get to know her better. The police procedural and crime thriller elements combine to make a compelling read that I have a hard time putting down. I like the description and detail of the location along with the pace of the narrative. Occasionally told in alternating viewpoints, the main plot here hums along with enough clues to keep you guessing at the identify of the criminal despite the red herrings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo Publishers for the e-book ARC to read and review. I look forward to #4 in the series and hope I don't have to wait too long!

Series -- read in order for best enjoyment.

Never Say Goodbye (DI Tom Fabian #1) by Richard Parker

The names of the victims match city streets -- WHY?

DI Tom Fabian faces off with a killer on a mission in this first of a series, originally titled MURDER MAP. This is police procedural with a bit of personal drama thrown in, and focuses mainly on the investigation surrounding the murders of completely unrelated people though the same signature is present. Since the victims have nothing in common, it's been hard to get a feel for the case. The team is frustrated at their lack of progress and they can't seem to predict what or who might be the next intended. Why is this killer selecting these particular victims? The clues are slim and it's only with dedication to detail that the pieces finally start to come together. NO SPOILERS.

Tom Fabian is an older guy and is handed this case after the original DI died so the stakes are high and he wants and needs to solve it. He's not risk averse, but he's also sensible. He still seems to care for his ex-wife who has her own issues and he has a daughter who has now gone off to school so he worries about her well-being. It seems that there is a lot of room for character development if this series continues and I hope it does as it sort of ended with a walloping cliffhanger! At times it seemed to move rather slowly and the secondary characters definitely need some fleshing out in order to get that "team" feel. The main other character is DS Natasha Banner who seemed rather enigmatic. I'm looking forward to see where this goes next.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-book ARC to read and review. 

First in a new series. 

Something Wicked (Andrew Hunter #1) by Kerry Wilkinson

"If you decided you believed in something and chose to live according to that, then it became your own truth."

What a deliciously sinister novel featuring a new character, Andrew Hunter, who is a private investigator. He, along with his assistant, Jenny (a likely sociopath to some degree or "empathy deficit" as was said in the book), are tasked by Richard Elaine and Carr to find their son who had disappeared on his 18th birthday over 9 months prior. The police found 3 of Nicholas's fingers in a wooded area but even though they dug up a bit of the forest, the body was never found. Andrew accepts the case with no idea that the strange world he's about to enter will put him and Jenny in serious danger. NO SPOILERS.

The plot had an unexpected theme, and the narrative moved along with Wilkinson's trademark snark and his talent for description. The characters evolved along with the story as the reader learns more about Andrew's background and I can see great potential for further development as this series continues. I enjoyed the introduction to both Andrew and Jenny and am quite eager to see where this leads next. They are similarly unconventional as a detecting duo and I enjoyed their interaction. I admit to being surprised by the twist and the conclusion. Well done!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. Can't wait for #2 in the series!

First in a new series.

The Affair by Sheryl Browne

"...love could drive a person to acts of despair or even madness...cold-blooded murder might have its basis in love, or unrequited love."

More a family drama than a thriller, this book touches the on familiar theme of deceit. Alicia is married to Justin and they have two children, a teenage daughter, Sophie, and a newborn son, Lucas. When tragedy strikes the family, all of the lies and secrets come spilling out from unexpected sources and in very damaging fallout. NO SPOILERS but when all is said and done, the truth will be revealed and the consequences may hard to face. Can this family be saved?

A very quick read with a few surprises but if you read books in this genre, you won't be far off the mark if you predict what is likely to happen early on in the book. The narrative shifts between the points of view of Alicia, Justin and Sophie and the story is easy to follow. There is a lot of internal angsting going on in the narration and plenty of blame to go around between the main characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

The Lies We Told by Camilla Way

Oh my, what a wild ride. I read this compelling psychological drama over a couple of hours because I simply could not put it down -- I HAD to know how this sordid tale turned out. I was so tense while reading as the author stoked my unease with subtle hints about where it was all going but I didn't quite have it all figured out correctly though a couple of my guesses proved spot on. I'm glad that I took the advice of the other reviewers who warned not to read anything about the book beyond the synopsis before diving right in. NO SPOILERS so I won't even give the main themes away.

This is definitely a tale of secrets, lies, betrayal and horrible mistakes. I'm not sure that I really liked any of the characters but perhaps felt that Clara was at least somewhat decent as a person. She was so dedicated in trying to find her missing boyfriend even when she discovers some disturbing information.

The story is told via two points of view with one narrator the voice of Beth starting from 1986 and the other voice is that of Clara in present day. Even though it seems that these are separate stories, you can be sure that it's all going to come together and in a very explosive manner. The whole of it left me glad that I don't know those people! I guess there are some things that are really unforgivable. And choices you can't put right.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing (an imprint of Penguin Random House) for this e-book ARC to read and review. I definitely enjoyed the couple of hours spent with this novel. I've also read the author's previous book, WATCHING EDIE, and can't way to see what Camilla Way does next!

This is a standalone and is not part of any series. Recommended.

Eye for an Eye (DI Jessica Daniel #12) by Kerry Wilkinson

Oh, Kerry Wilkinson, how cruel you are to end your books with a cliffhanger and then force us to wait endlessly (it seems) for the next in the excellent Jessica Daniel series!

DI Jessica Daniel is as busy as ever! Based at the Longsight Police Station in the Manchester area, she has a caseload that keeps her working day and night. In this outing, Jessica teams up with DCI Lewis Topper as they monitor and work a bit behind the scenes while the rest of the team gets the groundwork on.

After the serial killer known as "Jaws" is released from a secure hospital after 17 years and is relocated in protective custody, the former Damian Walker who attacked 5 young women (only 4 died), is meant to be known as Eric Seasmith. Fitted with an ankle bracelet and monitored by 2 witness protection officers, Millie Evans and Clayton Gordon, Eric is set up in a house for his own safety as the public outcry escalates when it becomes known that he's been released. Supposedly well away and in the company of the two WPOs, the city goes nuts when 2 women are found killed in the same way as done by "Jaws".  NO SPOILERS.

The second case Jessica becomes involved with has to do with a visiting rocker, Blaine Banner, who claims he is receiving death threats. In addition, a young woman named Ellie Scanlon, is picketing the station and clamoring for the police to find her missing fiancé. Whew! Jessica has a lot on her plate and it's just as well because she has to face some serious decisions in her personal life especially since she's back to living alone since Bex has gone.

As always, the author juggles all of the parallel plots and keeps the action moving forward. The great interplay between the team members, the snarky dialogue, and the personality of the characters is always entertaining. Jessica has calmed down with age and maturity no longer such a liability with her reactions and impulses. I love seeing how the team is changing and evolving. The police/crime elements are there as well, and I'll continue to eager await the next installment in this gripping series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review. Hey, when can I expect to see #13??????

I had to find and read #11 before I could start this one. Best to read this series from the beginning, in order!

Nothing But Trouble (DI Jessica Daniel #11) by Kerry Wilkinson

DI Jessica Daniel of the Longsight Police Station for the Greater Manchester Police is BUSY. There are multiple investigations going on simultaneously leaving Jessica without sleep and ratcheting up her trademark snark. Top brass has her running all over interviewing crime bosses about a couple of murders while she's also trying to figure out who is sneaking into an old man's home as well as finding a con woman who poses as a cleaner to clean out valuables of pensioners. Jessica is also having some personal issues with occasional lover and fellow police, Archie Davey, and there's trouble brewing with her live-in sort of ward, 18-year-old Bex. WHEW! NO SPOILERS but this book starts off with a shocker and you'll have a hard time forgetting about that beginning as you race through the novel trying to figure out what's happened.

I almost made a big mistake and was about to start book #12 in the series, AN EYE FOR AN EYE, as I have it from NetGalley to review -- then, I realized I had not yet read #11 so had to scramble to find it and read it first. I apparently missed out on the ARC!!  This is definitely one of those series that you have to read from the beginning, in order, as each book builds upon known facts, people, issues, and relationships from the past.

I love this character and the rest of the team at the station. Their interplay and their strengths and weaknesses make each member of them memorable and pertinent to the action and the crime solving. Their interactions can make me tear up as well as laugh out loud. I'm still hopeful that Jessica will get some HAPPY resolution with the most critical personal issue that she's been dealing with over the last couple of books. I keep wondering how long this series can go on, but the author has a great way of telling a good story and he's still keeping it fresh. Now, I'm off to start #12 to see what trouble -- I mean, case -- Jessica will get involved with next.

If you like crime and detective thrillers with a strong female protagonist, you'll not want to miss Jessica Daniel.