When nine-year-old friends Cecily, Amelia and Hilary became blood sisters in the railcar they had claimed as their very own cubby house, they swore thWhen nine-year-old friends Cecily, Amelia and Hilary became blood sisters in the railcar they had claimed as their very own cubby house, they swore they would remain sisters forever. The beginning of the school holidays were no different as they made their way to the railcar again, excited and happy about the upcoming games and mischief they would get into. But that day would change their lives forever – a young guy was inside and the brutality of the attack on Hilary while the other two girls cowered in the corner, unable to move, created a bond of guilt, laced with a desire for vengeance which never left them.
Twenty years later the three girls were still as close as ever, but Hilary was in and out of rehabilitation from drink and drugs, her only coping mechanism – Cecily was a lawyer, an assistant DA with commitment issues and Amelia had no trust of men, seeing a different man every night, never allowing herself to form a relationship. So when Amelia picked up yet another young guy at a nightclub one night, Cecily didn’t think anything of it. Imagine her shock when she received a call from an exceedingly distraught Amelia in the middle of the night. She had recognised a tattoo from the past….but the police wouldn’t reopen the case, basically laughing at them.
Hiring a Private Investigator, Cecily determined they would find the evidence themselves – no way was he getting away with it again. But as she dug deeper and deeper into the past, she discovered horrifying secrets. She couldn’t let it go, she wouldn’t let it go; the danger escalated at a frightening speed and suddenly the worst happened….
What an absolutely fantastic thriller from debut author Patricia Hale! I couldn’t put it down, and when I had to I found myself thinking about it continually, talking about it and wondering what would happen next. The twists were amazing, I was in the grip of the plot from the very beginning. I have no hesitation in highly recommending this novel, and I’ll be watching out for more from this author.
Merged review:
When nine-year-old friends Cecily, Amelia and Hilary became blood sisters in the railcar they had claimed as their very own cubby house, they swore they would remain sisters forever. The beginning of the school holidays were no different as they made their way to the railcar again, excited and happy about the upcoming games and mischief they would get into. But that day would change their lives forever – a young guy was inside and the brutality of the attack on Hilary while the other two girls cowered in the corner, unable to move, created a bond of guilt, laced with a desire for vengeance which never left them.
Twenty years later the three girls were still as close as ever, but Hilary was in and out of rehabilitation from drink and drugs, her only coping mechanism – Cecily was a lawyer, an assistant DA with commitment issues and Amelia had no trust of men, seeing a different man every night, never allowing herself to form a relationship. So when Amelia picked up yet another young guy at a nightclub one night, Cecily didn’t think anything of it. Imagine her shock when she received a call from an exceedingly distraught Amelia in the middle of the night. She had recognised a tattoo from the past….but the police wouldn’t reopen the case, basically laughing at them.
Hiring a Private Investigator, Cecily determined they would find the evidence themselves – no way was he getting away with it again. But as she dug deeper and deeper into the past, she discovered horrifying secrets. She couldn’t let it go, she wouldn’t let it go; the danger escalated at a frightening speed and suddenly the worst happened….
What an absolutely fantastic thriller from debut author Patricia Hale! I couldn’t put it down, and when I had to I found myself thinking about it continually, talking about it and wondering what would happen next. The twists were amazing, I was in the grip of the plot from the very beginning. I have no hesitation in highly recommending this novel, and I’ll be watching out for more from this author....more
Bill Black was deeply involved in the drug culture in Macon, Georgia, when he went with a small time con man to stand watch at a house, while a burglaBill Black was deeply involved in the drug culture in Macon, Georgia, when he went with a small time con man to stand watch at a house, while a burglary took place. But the house belonged to Lena and Jared, both Macon cops and when gunshots were fired, Black raced inside. Bill Black was actually Agent Will Trent from the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) and had been undercover for some time. But with Jared shot, close to death, and Lena traumatised, by his bedside in the hospital, Will struggled to maintain his cover.
Dr Sara Linton had immediately driven to Macon when Nell, Jared's mother, had phoned her. Once again Lena had led someone Sara loved into danger. But what Sara didn't know was that Will, the man she knew she loved, was working the same case that Sara had now become attached to. Danger was following Bill Black and while he tried to remain in tough con mode, being beaten senseless made it difficult...
Unseen is the 7th in the Will Trent series by Karin Slaughter and it was another intense, electrifying thriller, hard to put down. Corruption was rife, danger was close at hand. Will Trent is an admirable character and I'm looking forward to #8 soon. Recommended....more
Hillary Greene was about to begin her second cold case after returning to Thames Valley Police on the Crime Review Team (CRT) with the murder of a youHillary Greene was about to begin her second cold case after returning to Thames Valley Police on the Crime Review Team (CRT) with the murder of a young Rowan Thompson her focus. He was a student, living in a home with three other students, plus the woman who owned the house was also on site, though separated from the young people. Now ten years after his murder, Hillary, Jimmy, Sam and Vivienne, and their boss Steven, were focused on discovering his killer.
Meanwhile, Hillary's stalker was gaining momentum. She'd been aware during her last case, but this time it was worse. She told her boss, and they came up with a plan. But would it work? Was Hillary about to face the worst danger she'd been in since joining the force?
Murder of a Lover is the 13th in the DI Hillary Greene series by Faith Martin and it was excellent! I'm looking forward very much to #14, with a spectacular finish to this one... Highly recommended....more
Eddie, the bookmobile cat. Chilson, Michigan librarian Minnie Hamilton had managed to persuade her boss Stephen to include a bookmobile in their budgeEddie, the bookmobile cat. Chilson, Michigan librarian Minnie Hamilton had managed to persuade her boss Stephen to include a bookmobile in their budget, to cater to the communities well out of town. When Stan Larabee, wealthy recluse, heard, he donated the money so the bookmobile could happen. And Eddie, well, he claimed Minnie as his own, and snuck onto the bookmobile, determined to stay by Minnie's side. When they arrived at one of the stopping points and Eddie took off, Minnie followed. Eddie led her to a body in a nearby, run down cottage.
The detectives didn't seem to be doing much about the case so Minnie decided to discover who the killer was. And of course, that led her into danger. Would she live to fight another day? Would Eddie come to her rescue?
Lending a Paw is the 1st in the Bookmobile Cat Mystery series by Laurie Cass and it was lots of fun! Eddie is an intelligent, furry, loveable menace, and Minnie couldn't imagine life without him. I'm looking forward to more adventures with Eddie and Minnie. Recommended....more
Annette (Netty) and Gerald Feldwick arrived at their new home – La Sanglier, nestled in the woods of the Dordogne in France – and Netty’s heart sank. Annette (Netty) and Gerald Feldwick arrived at their new home – La Sanglier, nestled in the woods of the Dordogne in France – and Netty’s heart sank. This was the first she’d seen of it as Gerald had done the buying, assuring Netty it was perfect for their needs. They were escaping Oxford, escaping a tragedy that Netty couldn’t reconcile herself with – her grief a constant. Gerald, pushing, bumbling Gerald, was positive this would be the change they needed to resurrect their marriage. But the old house was not a home, even after the work done on it…
Gerald and Netty met and befriended many French people in the area and while Gerald seemed at ease, Netty was not. The house terrified her and when Gerald returned to England for business, Netty ventured to the house of the Professor at the bottom of the hill. She couldn’t be alone in that old mausoleum. It was while Gerald was away that mistakes were made and the trajectory path of life went off track.
The Chase is a strange, melancholy rambling by Lorna Fergusson and I’m afraid it wasn’t for me. Secrets, lies, deep, dark woods, fetishes – you name it. I need something light after this one. ...more
It was 1974, and twelve-year-old Eeva, fourteen-year-old Anja and their Mamma and Pappa left Finland – and Eeva’s beloved grandmother Saara - for SwedIt was 1974, and twelve-year-old Eeva, fourteen-year-old Anja and their Mamma and Pappa left Finland – and Eeva’s beloved grandmother Saara - for Sweden. Stockholm was very different and while the girls didn’t take long to settle in, their parents were different, especially Pappa. The fights between Mamma and Pappa came often, with Pappa’s elevated drinking much of the problem. When Eeva’s world shattered, everyone’s lives changed…
When, in 2004, Eeva received a tentative phone call from her father, her first in thirty years, she was shocked to hear her grandmother was ill in hospital and asking for Eeva. They had been corresponding by letter ever since the family left Finland, but Eeva had been becoming worried as she hadn’t heard from her for three weeks. On her arrival in their old hometown, her Pappa looked old, tired and sad. But Anja was also there. What was going on? As far as Eeva was aware, Anja hadn’t seen their father either. In the days that followed, Eeva decided she needed to discover all that had happened thirty years prior.
Coffee and Vodka by Helene Halme is set in two timelines and concentrates on Eeva’s life throughout that period. I must admit I was disappointed in the amount of editing errors in this book which could easily be fixed by a good editor. My favourite character was Saara, followed by Mamma. It’s a difficult book to review as I liked it, but sometimes I didn’t! ...more
When Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder was called to a bad vehicle smash, she wasn’t expecting the carnage that faced her. The buggy was shattered intoWhen Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder was called to a bad vehicle smash, she wasn’t expecting the carnage that faced her. The buggy was shattered into pieces; the horse was dead; the Amish family were scattered around in the darkness. Katie was shocked and horrified; the witness could tell her nothing. Was it a dreadful hit and run? Or something far more sinister?
As Kate does all she can to find the killer, she also tried to comfort Mattie, once her best friend when Kate was still Amish, and they were fourteen. Now Mattie was the grieving widow who’d lost all bar one of her children, and David was badly injured. Kate and her Painter’s Mill team, along with nearby jurisdictional police, searched with a fine toothcomb, but they were frustrated. The killer seemed to be one step ahead – but Katie was determined to find the answers.
Her Last Breath is the 5th in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo, and it was a brilliant read. Intense, gritty, chilling – plus it was great to have Tomasetti as Kate’s sounding board. Their relationship is gradually becoming a ‘thing’ with Kate still uncertain. The usual police officers are good to catch up with again – Glock is terrific, he often makes me laugh. I’m loving this series on my second way through it, and am looking forward to #6 in July ...more
Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and agent John Tomasetti of the BCI are headed for a weekend at a B&B an hour from Painter’s Mill. The autumn foliage Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and agent John Tomasetti of the BCI are headed for a weekend at a B&B an hour from Painter’s Mill. The autumn foliage and beauty surrounding them catches their eye – they are looking forward to spending two days away from the stresses of policing. But when they arrived at Maple Creek Inn the two running it fill John and Kate in on the ghost mystery in the area. It seems a young woman disappeared twenty years previously and nothing but bloodied clothing was found. Unable to help themselves, they ask questions of the locals – but would they find any answers to the disappearance of Angela Blaine?
Long Lost is #4.5 in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo, and it was a great read. Quick and easy, fast paced and mysterious, the short story filled a spot between #4 and #5 (which I’ll read next month). I’m enjoying the evolving relationship between Kate and John – two wounded souls who have worked together for around three years now. Highly recommended. ...more
Jade Calhoun was looking forward to her new life in New Orleans. She’d moved into an apartment above a strip bar, and it didn’t take her long to make Jade Calhoun was looking forward to her new life in New Orleans. She’d moved into an apartment above a strip bar, and it didn’t take her long to make friends with the dancer and partner of the bar, Pyper and Kane, her landlord and Pyper’s business partner. But her sense of peace was shattered when a ghost decided to keep close to Jade, freaking her out immensely. Jade was an empath, and it was only her best friend Kat who knew. But it wouldn’t be long before she needed to use her abilities to save Pyper from the darkness which hovered around her…
Haunted on Bourbon Street is the 1st in the Jade Calhoun series by Deanna Chase and I quite enjoyed it. The magic, spells, ghosts and spirits were intriguing, and the characters played their parts well. I needed a book with an alcohol in the title, so this one fit perfectly. And visiting the French Quarter in New Orleans for the second time in a week (How to Mend a Broken Heart) was pretty good – about the only way I’ll do it, anyway! Recommended. ...more
Carlos Delmar returned to Chicago at his mother’s request after he’d run out eleven years prior, wanting to have nothing more to do with his drunken, Carlos Delmar returned to Chicago at his mother’s request after he’d run out eleven years prior, wanting to have nothing more to do with his drunken, abusive father. Now he was dead but it looked like his younger brother was heading in the same direction. When Carlos discovered what Raffy was into, he was determined to get him out of it. But would he be able to keep him alive?
When Carlos came face to face with Sydney Brooks again, he knew he had to keep it professional. They’d parted eight months prior and although his heart said otherwise, he wanted nothing to do with her. But they were tied together with the hit and run of Sydney’s best friend Macy, who was in hospital in a coma, with her distraught parents by her side. Could he help Sydney find the answers to Macy’s ‘accident’? And was Raffy mixed up in that as well?
Hit N Run is my first by Yvonne Harriott and I found it fast paced and fairly intense. There are some editing errors which need addressing, but overall the scenario was a good one. Sydney was a strong character in the main, though she made some mistakes and Carlos was a tough guy trying to do the right thing. Recommended....more
Thirteen-year-old Frank Drum, his kid brother Jake and older sister, Ariel lived with their parents in New Bremen, Minnesota the summer the boys lost Thirteen-year-old Frank Drum, his kid brother Jake and older sister, Ariel lived with their parents in New Bremen, Minnesota the summer the boys lost their innocence and everything changed. Their father, Nathan, was a Methodist minister while mother Ruth was a beautiful singer and pianist. Their many friends and neighbours formed a happy group, but that summer tragedy would strike more than once…
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger is a poignant, heartwarming but shattering novel narrated by Frank forty years after the events told in the novel. His memory remains vivid and his tale of the summer of 1961, where, as well as his family, we meet Gus who was a good friend of Nathan Drum’s from the war days. We meet and form opinions of the local cop, Doyle, of the Sioux Indian, Warren Redstone. We meet Emil, and his sister Lise, both damaged people but integral to the story. But mostly we learn Frank and Jake’s story, and of the torment that Jake endures over his childhood. This novel was recommended to me after I had read and loved This Tender Land, and I’m very grateful to those people. This is an amazing novel, breathtaking in its gentle movement toward the conclusion, which I highly recommend. ...more
When the Pet Sitter arrived with the small Great Dane puppy, Bean, Honey, also a Great Dane, was disgusted. She didn’t want to put up with a puppy in When the Pet Sitter arrived with the small Great Dane puppy, Bean, Honey, also a Great Dane, was disgusted. She didn’t want to put up with a puppy in her domain while her human was away. Olivia though, soon left the house and the Pet Sitter, Bean and Honey were together. Honey soon became used to Bean and when she introduced her to her doggy friends; Tyson, Ruffster, Suka and Biscuit, they had great fun.
But when Bean disappeared, along with other puppies that had been stolen in the past few days, Honey and her friends decided to search for her while the scent was fresh. But could they find her? And who was the dog called Max? Was he friend or foe?
Curse of the Scarab is the first in the Big Honey Dog Mystery series by Aussie author H.Y. Hanna and it was light and entertaining, but with a decided tension as the dogs came across much more than they’d bargained for. Narrated by Honey the Great Dane, soft hearted but determined; the dogs were all excellent characters and I’m looking forward to book 2 in the not too distant future. Highly recommended. ...more
Captain Cat was a trader, sailing the seas from port to port – his companions were cats, along with his crew. He didn’t just have one or two cats – orCaptain Cat was a trader, sailing the seas from port to port – his companions were cats, along with his crew. He didn’t just have one or two cats – or even three. There were more cats on board than his crew. Caught in a storm and blown off course, his discovery of a remote island led to new adventures and treasure for Captain Cat.
What a delightful, beautifully illustrated children’s book! I read this one to my granddaughters last night and we were all captivated. Entertaining with a subtle little message about friendship being more important than material possessions was blended through the story. Recommended....more
