The Sleepover by Carol Wyer is the fourth installment of the Detective Natalie Ward series and I can honestly say that, in my opinion, it is the best The Sleepover by Carol Wyer is the fourth installment of the Detective Natalie Ward series and I can honestly say that, in my opinion, it is the best yet. I will even go a step further and say that, to my mind, Ms Wyer can do no wrong. Brilliant.
Fourteen year old Roxy Curtis tells her mother that she is heading to a sleepover at the home of a friend. But she will never return. The following day, the body of a young girl is found burned beyond recognition. Detective Natalie Ward leads the investigation with her usual efficiency and no-nonsense approach, and the novel is a well-executed police procedural that will have you completely engrossed from the very first page. But, for me, it is Natalie's home life with husband David, son Josh, and daughter Leigh that really connects the reader emotionally with our central character. Detective Ward is a protagonist that we can really empathize with as she struggles to maintain a balance between her upwardly mobile career in policing, and her rapidly disintegrating family. I love the author's inclusions of both facets of Natalie's life, and find her to be a compelling and fleshed out character who is worthy of much further investigation and consideration. I cannot wait for the next chapter.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
Merged review:
The Sleepover by Carol Wyer is the fourth installment of the Detective Natalie Ward series and I can honestly say that, in my opinion, it is the best yet. I will even go a step further and say that, to my mind, Ms Wyer can do no wrong. Brilliant.
Fourteen year old Roxy Curtis tells her mother that she is heading to a sleepover at the home of a friend. But she will never return. The following day, the body of a young girl is found burned beyond recognition. Detective Natalie Ward leads the investigation with her usual efficiency and no-nonsense approach, and the novel is a well-executed police procedural that will have you completely engrossed from the very first page. But, for me, it is Natalie's home life with husband David, son Josh, and daughter Leigh that really connects the reader emotionally with our central character. Detective Ward is a protagonist that we can really empathize with as she struggles to maintain a balance between her upwardly mobile career in policing, and her rapidly disintegrating family. I love the author's inclusions of both facets of Natalie's life, and find her to be a compelling and fleshed out character who is worthy of much further investigation and consideration. I cannot wait for the next chapter.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC....more
The Last Wife by Nicola Marsh is the second novel that I've read from this author, but I must say that this one fell a little short for me. While the The Last Wife by Nicola Marsh is the second novel that I've read from this author, but I must say that this one fell a little short for me. While the premise is intriguing, I found that it was difficult to either empathize or connect with any of the characters, most of whom are drawn as spoiled and entitled. As such, the novel reads as more of a soap opera, with the players portrayed as mere caricatures and lacking in any real depth or dimension. Kudos, however, to the author for a final twist that caught me completely by surprise. I remain a fan of Ms Marsh's writing, and will certainly seek out her work in the future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC
Merged review:
The Last Wife by Nicola Marsh is the second novel that I've read from this author, but I must say that this one fell a little short for me. While the premise is intriguing, I found that it was difficult to either empathize or connect with any of the characters, most of whom are drawn as spoiled and entitled. As such, the novel reads as more of a soap opera, with the players portrayed as mere caricatures and lacking in any real depth or dimension. Kudos, however, to the author for a final twist that caught me completely by surprise. I remain a fan of Ms Marsh's writing, and will certainly seek out her work in the future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC...more
The Secret Within by Lucy Dawson is another gripping thriller from a talented author who has quickly established herself as a personal favourite. ThisThe Secret Within by Lucy Dawson is another gripping thriller from a talented author who has quickly established herself as a personal favourite. This is a fast-paced, insightful read that promises to keep you turning the pages.
Julia Blythe is a plastic surgeon who has just relocated with her family in response to the fallout that came from being a whistleblower in her previous position. When history begins to repeat itself at her new hospital, Julia finds herself plunged into a scenario that will put not only herself at risk, but also the lives of those around her.
I very much enjoyed this latest offering from Ms Dawson, and was quickly able to immerse myself in the sometimes sinister side of human nature as it pertains to modern medicine.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
Merged review:
The Secret Within by Lucy Dawson is another gripping thriller from a talented author who has quickly established herself as a personal favourite. This is a fast-paced, insightful read that promises to keep you turning the pages.
Julia Blythe is a plastic surgeon who has just relocated with her family in response to the fallout that came from being a whistleblower in her previous position. When history begins to repeat itself at her new hospital, Julia finds herself plunged into a scenario that will put not only herself at risk, but also the lives of those around her.
I very much enjoyed this latest offering from Ms Dawson, and was quickly able to immerse myself in the sometimes sinister side of human nature as it pertains to modern medicine.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC....more
When You Were Mine by Kate Hewitt is a heartbreaking read that explores the question of just how far a mother will go in the best interests of her chiWhen You Were Mine by Kate Hewitt is a heartbreaking read that explores the question of just how far a mother will go in the best interests of her child. Ms Hewitt can always be relied upon for a powerful and emotive story, and this one proves to be no exception.
Beth adores her seven year old son Dylan, but admits to feeling the stress of being a single parent. When she one day grabs Dylan's arm with what is perceived as excessive force by an onlooker, the Department of Child Welfare Services is contacted and Beth's worst nightmare as a parent begins; her child is removed from her care.
Ally has always wanted to foster a child, and manages to convince her husband that it is the right thing to do. When Dylan is temporarily placed in her care, Ally feels a deep connection with the troubled child from the very start. Which of the two women will be of greater benefit to a little boy in desperate need of a loving home?
This is an addictive read, told from the alternating perspectives of Beth and Ally. Each woman evokes empathy in her own way, and will demonstrate the true strength of a mother's love.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
Merged review:
When You Were Mine by Kate Hewitt is a heartbreaking read that explores the question of just how far a mother will go in the best interests of her child. Ms Hewitt can always be relied upon for a powerful and emotive story, and this one proves to be no exception.
Beth adores her seven year old son Dylan, but admits to feeling the stress of being a single parent. When she one day grabs Dylan's arm with what is perceived as excessive force by an onlooker, the Department of Child Welfare Services is contacted and Beth's worst nightmare as a parent begins; her child is removed from her care.
Ally has always wanted to foster a child, and manages to convince her husband that it is the right thing to do. When Dylan is temporarily placed in her care, Ally feels a deep connection with the troubled child from the very start. Which of the two women will be of greater benefit to a little boy in desperate need of a loving home?
This is an addictive read, told from the alternating perspectives of Beth and Ally. Each woman evokes empathy in her own way, and will demonstrate the true strength of a mother's love.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC....more
The Girl Who Couldn't Leave by Catherine Miller is a beautifully uplifting story about what it means to finally find home in the most unconventional oThe Girl Who Couldn't Leave by Catherine Miller is a beautifully uplifting story about what it means to finally find home in the most unconventional of ways.
Fiona has not left her home for five years, building a wall around herself as protection from an often cruel world. Working as a ghost writer out of her house, Fiona is caught by surprise when, approached by single mother Bethany asking her to watch her two year old daughter Evie, she finds herself opening her carefully contained world to the two strangers. But as little Evie charms the reclusive Fiona, she begins to imagine a world where she can find love and happiness in being with others, and a friendship is formed that will forever alter the life that she has constructed as a means of self-preservation.
This is a wonderful read that will leave you feeling hopeful in the possibility of new beginnings.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.
Merged review:
The Girl Who Couldn't Leave by Catherine Miller is a beautifully uplifting story about what it means to finally find home in the most unconventional of ways.
Fiona has not left her home for five years, building a wall around herself as protection from an often cruel world. Working as a ghost writer out of her house, Fiona is caught by surprise when, approached by single mother Bethany asking her to watch her two year old daughter Evie, she finds herself opening her carefully contained world to the two strangers. But as little Evie charms the reclusive Fiona, she begins to imagine a world where she can find love and happiness in being with others, and a friendship is formed that will forever alter the life that she has constructed as a means of self-preservation.
This is a wonderful read that will leave you feeling hopeful in the possibility of new beginnings.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC....more
Do Her No Harm by Naomi Joy is a fast-paced read that pulled me in almost from the very start. I was virtually propelled through the pages and fully aDo Her No Harm by Naomi Joy is a fast-paced read that pulled me in almost from the very start. I was virtually propelled through the pages and fully absorbed in the mysterious disappearance of Tabitha Rice from the outset.
On August 21, Tabitha Rice goes missing and is presumed to have been murdered. Her husband seems to be the most obvious suspect, but there is no evidence that would link him to the crime. Annabella, Tabitha's best friend, is determined to find out what really happened that fateful day, and will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.
Told from alternating perspectives, and with a timeline that shifts between past and present, I was immediately invested in the quest to determine, definitively, what really happened to Tabitha Rice.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria for this ARC.
Merged review:
Do Her No Harm by Naomi Joy is a fast-paced read that pulled me in almost from the very start. I was virtually propelled through the pages and fully absorbed in the mysterious disappearance of Tabitha Rice from the outset.
On August 21, Tabitha Rice goes missing and is presumed to have been murdered. Her husband seems to be the most obvious suspect, but there is no evidence that would link him to the crime. Annabella, Tabitha's best friend, is determined to find out what really happened that fateful day, and will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.
Told from alternating perspectives, and with a timeline that shifts between past and present, I was immediately invested in the quest to determine, definitively, what really happened to Tabitha Rice.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria for this ARC....more
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