A new series by Liz Mistry - what's not to get excited about? As always, the author delivers a cracking, fast-paced read with the BEST characters! I lA new series by Liz Mistry - what's not to get excited about? As always, the author delivers a cracking, fast-paced read with the BEST characters! I loved Jazzy, but I think Queenie takes top spot as my favourite. Newly placed together, Queenie knows lots about Jazzy, but the same can't be said from Jazzy's perspective. And is it any wonder when a grisly - proper grisly - murder scene evolves into something personal for Jazzy, something she'd rather not share with everyone at work, but something, nonetheless, that will prove vital in catching this killer. The connections are, at first glance, subtle: Jazzy's shared birthday with the murder victims' daughter. A coincidence, you might think until Jazzy is obliged to share details of her stalker, and then it gets very, very personal. I loved how the author drip-feeds the reader details of Jazzy's past, sprinkles in snippets about Queenie's life, and then has the inspiration to create The Jazz Queens (a much better name for the D team who do not deserve the "dunce" label given to them by their odious boss - Dick by name and dick by nature. Great characterisation, sublime banter, a fast-moving plot, and a serial killer on the prowl. Bring on the next book! ...more
This story held my attention for the most part... until it got very dark and required a level of suspension of belief as regards the main character thThis story held my attention for the most part... until it got very dark and required a level of suspension of belief as regards the main character that seemed unrealistic. It seemed as if the author had a checklist of character types and personalities to work through and threw everything bar the kitchen sink at the characters without too much development. Consequently, there was a lot of misdirection that, rather than being a spectacular plot twist, felt over the top and unnecessarily complicated. That said, I felt the DCI's storyline was well-written and her situation handled sensitively, and would read more about her. Not an easy read, and certainly not what I expected but it lives up to its description in providing a quick read and a story intended to thrill....more
This was a refreshing change in murder mystery crime for me, straddling the genres of a police procedural with a grittier take on a cosy mystery by viThis was a refreshing change in murder mystery crime for me, straddling the genres of a police procedural with a grittier take on a cosy mystery by virtue of its protagonist and principal sleuth being a male, investigative journalist. Intriguing, indeed.
The story begins dramatically with the shooting of the victim at the theatre only minutes after having introduced himself to journalist, Nick. That said, why the victim felt the need to explain why he was occupying said seat 97 felt a tad forced, but regardless, that information is the catalyst that compels Nick to stick with the case along with the certainty of what he and his wife witness of the presumed killer’s actions. Suspicions are raised, and quickly dismissed by police, which only makes Nick more determined to confirm those suspicions. However, doing so, is not as simple and I enjoyed seeing the facts unfold as Nick puts the pieces of the puzzle together, despite being encouraged to stay out of it by the police. It felt like a race to the finish to see whether he would be proved right or whether he’d been on a wild goose chase all along.
Well-paced and full of intrigue, Seat 97 is a compelling read that kept my attention throughout, and now knowing more about the author I’m keen to check out his other books – a win-win for me!...more
Wow! Two fabulous locked room mysteries in one book, and my first encounter with Washington Poe. It won't be my last. Clever, puzzling, complex and thoWow! Two fabulous locked room mysteries in one book, and my first encounter with Washington Poe. It won't be my last. Clever, puzzling, complex and thoroughly entertaining mysteries made even better by the wonderful team of Poe and Tilly - what a duo! It's a fast-paced, intelligent, and well-crafted story, complemented by Poe's dry, sharp wit, Tilly's refreshingly innocent gullibility and a whole host of personalities who bring the story to life. Can't wait to go back and read the rest. ...more
I must admit to not having read all of the previous books in this series – and that’s on me (so many books, so little time) – but despite that it was I must admit to not having read all of the previous books in this series – and that’s on me (so many books, so little time) – but despite that it was so simple to dip back into the series and I was able to quickly get up to speed with Nikki’s and Saj’s lives in and out of work. That said, I’m planning to go and fill in those gaps soon because reading End Game reminded just how good this series is.
Why is it so good? Author talent aside (because, doh! - that’s a given, right?) this particular book was so on topic with two very timely themes: grooming gangs and the trust people have – or don’t have - in the police.
Years before, a young girl, stewing over an argument with her parents, disappears and is never found. But Marnie isn’t dead, and she’s not alone either. The case has gone cold.
Meanwhile, in present times, a family of four, in the midst of an innocent game of Monopoly, is found brutally murdered at the table with little sign of them putting up any resistance. With a fifth player clearly taking part, and not accounted for among the dead, the question arises whether player five was the perpetrator or the one that got away.
And back at the station, Nikki Parekh, now officially a DI, is determined to prove herself, despite having one of the best clear-up rates on the force. Yet her bosses seem willing to throw her under a bus when the press call the police out for being “woke”. Nikki and her team come under further pressure to perform well. As has been said frequently of late, “a fish rots from the head”, and there’s a real stink coming from the station.
In combining these threads (how did she do that?), the author has created a tense, thrilling, often horrifying story that gallops at such a pace to its inevitable conclusion (no spoilers, but it’s incredibly addictive – you won’t be able to stop reading). On the way, the story is peppered with the stuff of life, from family challenges to planning a stag-do for Saj’s wedding. These (comparatively) lighter moments only endear Nikki and Saj’s families to the reader more, not forgetting the rest of their team with their own private revelations but who very obviously have their boss’s back regardless of the flak being hurled at them.
Compelling, chilling, and unforgettable – this is a story that will stay with me for quite some time. Definitely the strongest police procedural I’ve read in a long, long time. Kudos to Liz Mistry. ...more
This is the second book I’ve read by Mary Grand and, as before, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve never been to the Isle of Wight, though I recall my mum This is the second book I’ve read by Mary Grand and, as before, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve never been to the Isle of Wight, though I recall my mum having fond memories of it. The author really brings it to life, showing off its history and tourist attractions. With some beautiful autumnal woodland scenes a well as the windy beach setting, it’s no wonder Susan, the main character, and her dogs love their daily walks.
Susan is getting used to her husband’s rapid and rather insensitive departure, and has taken a lodger – Colette – for company. She's delighted that Colette is fitting in so well, especially with her dog-walking group. So, when Colette is found dead at Castle Cove, Susan feels bereft once more. And she finds it difficult to accept the police’s report of accidental death – she knew Colette too well to believe the conclusions the police come to. Nor does it help that only hours before her death, Colette had confronted the dog-walkers with some very serious allegations regarding missing valuables belonging to her Gran. Many of the group had worked at the care home where Colette’s gran lived, and they don’t take lightly to being accused of theft. But is that all Colette is implying? She infers she has “information” on each of them that could implicate them in the theft. But surely, no-one in the dog-walking group could have killed Colette to silence her could they?
Try as she might, Susan cannot simply ignore a comment of Colette’s – that she would be forgotten easily – and makes it her business when sorting through Colette’s belongings to make sure justice has been served. Needless to say, the other dog-walkers are not as interested in Susan’s theories, suggesting she move on. Could it be they have something to hide? Susan will not rest until she knows for sure what happened to Colette that night.
Each member of the dog-walking group comes under suspicion as Susan investigates, and she discovers lot of facts about them that they wouldn’t want to be made public. However, the pieces of the puzzle don’t seem to fit, and Susan makes mistakes that put her in danger. Nonetheless, she grows ever more determined to get to the truth.
Running alongside her investigations, Susan’s family life has its own dramas – her divorce from Steve comes through, and her daughter wants her to leave the island and move closer. These family matters have their own impact on Susan and do their part in influencing her actions. She won’t be told what to do by the man who left her, and nor is she ready to play the part of the little old lady on the hill as her daughter seems to think she is.
This is a well-paced novel, with many twists and turns that had me second-guessing my own conclusions, as well as shouting at my Kindle for Susan to be safe. It’s a story of many parts – a new start for Susan as a single woman with her dogs, a tale of a sad and damaging childhood, a community of people with secrets, and of bonds that though fragile at times are stronger than they seem. Added to that, it’s an engaging and satisfying mystery with a stunningly atmospheric setting.
(Can I just add that as, a furmum, it was wonderful to see the dedication of the dog-walking group to their furry families – so many stories use animals as props, forgetting even their basic needs. Not here, Susan’s dogs are as much a part of the story as their human counterparts)
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance reader copy, which I have read and reviewed freely. ...more
I've read and enjoyed the political thrillers this author has written, and happily signed up for her newsletter, receiving this prequel as a thank youI've read and enjoyed the political thrillers this author has written, and happily signed up for her newsletter, receiving this prequel as a thank you freebie. I do love UK based crime fiction, and the idea of having a new series to get stuck into appeals greatly. In this story, the DS has to investigate the death of a retired colleague, his former boss really, and also a sounding board in recent months. The outcome - and the coroner's subsequent report - goes against everything he thought his boss stood for, but the evidence points to it being a suicide. Like the DS, I'm not convinced, and expect to find this case crop up further in the series. For me, it's not a closed case, regardless of what the annoying Superintendent says, and he's definitely still on my suspect list. Looking forward to this series and the Zoe Finch one. ....more
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