A summer festival that is notoriously difficult to get tickets to forms the backdrop to the events in Luise Mumford’s latest. A thriller that, at timeA summer festival that is notoriously difficult to get tickets to forms the backdrop to the events in Luise Mumford’s latest. A thriller that, at times, strays into melodrama territory but it is an entertaining read. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review it before publication. Libby has always lived a safe life. Forgoing university to care for her mother, it is Libby’s friend Dawn who urges her to take risks and try new things. This determination to take a risk proves costly for Libby, though it does ultimately offer some respite. When she wins tickets to the exclusive Solstice festival, Libby takes it as a sign to try something new. Things start well but odd events create a growing sense of unease. When Dawn goes missing and Libby is ejected from the festival things become increasingly fraught. I won’t give details but there’s a story behind this. A story that is beyond what you’d imagine. ...more
Last Seen Online is the kind of book that you’ll want to make time for. Hard to put down, and a fascinating premise. It felt like something of a deparLast Seen Online is the kind of book that you’ll want to make time for. Hard to put down, and a fascinating premise. It felt like something of a departure for Lauren James, but thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this. Our main character Delilah wants to be an actress but she is mortified when a school audition ends badly and the pictures taken and posted online go viral. The embarrassment is bad enough, but the person auditioning opposite her was Sawyer, the son of a celebrated actress. The two become friendly, and in conversation happen to become entangled in an old murder case involving someone close to Sawyer’s family. Showing skills way beyond those I’d expect from a teen, Delilah uncovers some damning evidence and quickly finds out someone has a vested interest in stopping her from finding out more. From start to finish this was exaggerated but such great fun to read. The use of mixed media offered a different experience, and the closing stages threw up more than one or two unexpected twists. This definitely has me curious to read more....more
The Summer Love Strategy is one of those books where we as readers seem to get what’s going on before the characters do. Hayley and Talia have been besThe Summer Love Strategy is one of those books where we as readers seem to get what’s going on before the characters do. Hayley and Talia have been best friends since they were born. They know everything about each other, and have a seemingly rock-solid friendship. When they make plans for the summer they decide they are going to make a concerted effort to get dates and fall in love. What follows is rather inevitable. The Summer Love Strategy seems to be working, but neither Hayley nor Talia seem to be that excited by its results. In fact, they both seem to be struggling with things…and, of course, it’s because they each have a crush on the other and aren’t sure how to deal with it. From start to finish this was a book that made me feel so old. Their attitudes to dating and life in general are unfailingly positive and accepting. Their angst stems from insecurity - which I’m sure many will identify with - but their everyday experiences of dealing with their identity were a long way removed from what I think the reality is for many. It shouldn’t be that way, so perhaps books like this are part of moving towards a less intolerant society....more
The Silence Factory is a troubling read, slowly drawing us in. There’s a lyrical quality to the writing which made reading feel a little slow on occasThe Silence Factory is a troubling read, slowly drawing us in. There’s a lyrical quality to the writing which made reading feel a little slow on occasion, but as the story progresses it becomes quite mesmerising. The main part of the story focuses on audiologist Henry Latimer who is tasked with visiting the home of Sir Edward Ashmore-Percy in order to try and help his daughter to hear. Sir Edward is heir to a fortune, but his business is focused very much on his family history. Alongside Henry’s increasingly disturbed experience in Telverton we also, through a diary found in the property, learn more about how the Ashmore-Percy fortune was made. We see the obsessive hunt for this fabled spider, whose silk has properties that are much in demand (though it comes with great risk). The story behind the silk was intriguing, but I also found myself caught up in the intricacies of the story in the present. The silk factory, with its rather grotesque experiments, owed much to the Gothic genre and it was fascinating to see how the focus on madness linked to notions of submissiveness. None of the characters were particularly likeable, but it was hard not to feel sympathy for those caught in the spell of the very thing they were trying to control. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this in advance of publication....more
Psychiatrist Meredith McCall is in a fragile state, struggling to deal with the guilt she feels over an accident in which her husband killed two pedesPsychiatrist Meredith McCall is in a fragile state, struggling to deal with the guilt she feels over an accident in which her husband killed two pedestrians. She didn’t write him the prescriptions after his doctor refused to, but she suspected his growing drug dependency and said nothing. When she sees Gabriel Wright, the partner of the murdered woman, he is happy. She follows him, desperate to see how he has achieved this. Her unease when he turns up as a new patient doesn’t stop her from continuing their sessions. So many boundaries are crossed here, and it’s hard to work out why she feels compelled to do this. As the story unfolds we start to sense things are not quite what we think. Meredith seems incapable of leaving things alone, and we venture into dangerous territory. We are led down the proverbial garden path and eventually come to see just how much so. Unsettling and deeply disturbing. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication....more
Bodies is a dark twisted read, and it is not until we get close to the end that we fully realise what’s going on. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me thBodies is a dark twisted read, and it is not until we get close to the end that we fully realise what’s going on. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication, and I’m fairly certain this will be a big hit upon its release. Our main character is Charlotte, a young woman seemingly seeking validation through her sexual encounters. Johnny is her first. Then there’s his brother, Lars. We have her first serious boyfriend, Dave, and university roommate Kyle. And then there’s married man, Con. However, it’s not until the end of the book that we realise the significance of Charlotte’s recounts. I’m not sure what to make of Charlotte. This felt, at times, like an extended version of the video for Smack My Bitch Up by The Prodigy. Unsettling, but definitely memorable....more
A quirky romcom is not what I was expecting from Adriana Mather, and it isn’t exactly what we get. The Break-Up Artists tells the story of Valentine aA quirky romcom is not what I was expecting from Adriana Mather, and it isn’t exactly what we get. The Break-Up Artists tells the story of Valentine and August and their business - being hired to help people get out of a bad relationship. Their success rate is impressive, but the case they are working on for the duration of the book messes things up. Although their dating break-up business is a key focus, this book felt so much more. As we follow their story, we learn how they came to be doing this. We learn about the grief August is living with after his sister is killed. We follow Valentine as she comes to realise that her hot next-door neighbour may be sincere in his attempts to gain her interest. And we watch as they each come to terms with the things that they are scared to address. I don’t want to give too much away, but this book had me very envious of both characters and the relationship they share. It made me laugh and, yes, it made me get a little emotional. A read I’d highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication....more
A fast-paced story, rather predictable in some ways, but the pages keep turning as you try to work out exactly what’s going on. Camp Lost Lake is infamA fast-paced story, rather predictable in some ways, but the pages keep turning as you try to work out exactly what’s going on. Camp Lost Lake is infamous for the three murders that took place and the mysterious witch figure who is thought to be responsible. Olivia has always known she was born on the night of the tragedy, but she is determined to find out what her mother isn’t telling her when a paternity test indicates her father may well have been one of the victims. As part of her quest she ropes her good friend into visiting the site in order to try and find clues as to what really happened. Unfortunately, Olivia is not aware that someone is using the site. Andie and her sister, Regan, have their own ties to the area and are hoping that they can turn the area into something positive. It’s just a shame that as both parties converge on Camp Lost Lake someone who knows what happened that night is also present. After some confusion as to who was who, we realise that this hunt is not going to plan. Someone is hunting them, though we’re not entirely sure why. We do eventually get answers as to what happened that night, and an explanation for how they each come to be involved. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication....more
Sharp Glass is a strange read. We open with a woman realising she’s being held hostage in a cellar. We don’t know who’s holding her, or why. Over the Sharp Glass is a strange read. We open with a woman realising she’s being held hostage in a cellar. We don’t know who’s holding her, or why. Over the course of the novel we come to realise exactly who she is and who has taken her, and how it links to the disappearance of a young girl in the area. Initially told through the eyes of our female character, it’s evident she’s hiding something but we’re never quite sure what. Then the book switches to the view of Dan, the man who was holding her. Once we know how he links to the story we are then given the story as they both experience it. And we realise nothing is quite what we thought. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication. It was not what I expected, and I’m not sure whether the structuring made it harder to engage with....more
My first book by the author under this name…and it probably won’t be the last. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review thMy first book by the author under this name…and it probably won’t be the last. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication. Amy Gibson runs a true crime podcast. She began it as a way of coming to terms with the murder of her lawyer mother at the hands of a partner. However, it soon becomes suggested that someone close to Amy might be hiding their own secrets. Amy has always looked up to her half-brother, Owen, once they’d reconnected following her mother’s murder. When he is questioned by the police about the suspicious death of his ex wife, and then implicated in an attack on his current girlfriend it’s hard to know who to believe. Amy continues to investigate, even at risk to her own safety. As things continue Amy herself is placed in an incredibly difficult situation, and I could not wait to get to the end and work out exactly what was going on....more
When Daphne gets fed up of rejection for her writing she drunkenly makes the decision to submit her manuscript to a publisher under a pseudonym. With When Daphne gets fed up of rejection for her writing she drunkenly makes the decision to submit her manuscript to a publisher under a pseudonym. With a male author's name to it, she's suddenly on the receiving end of a book deal, major money and potential for more to come. The only problem she has is what to do about the fact that it is not under her name. Her friend Vi - who happens to know of someone in need of extra cash as they are dealing with the fallout from a bad business partner - suggests she pays someone to become the face for her book. Step forward Vi's accountant Chris, who is more than happy to take on the role of Zane Remington in order to make sure he doesn't have to live in his car! From their first interactions these two have chemistry. The premise - while dealt with in a fairly happy-go-lucky way here - actually makes some very interesting points about the publishing world and the way writers are perceived by those who claim to be supporting them. As their attempts to get through their initial commitments become more bizarre, it is clear that these two have become more than business partners...but will Daphne's readers forgive her the deception? Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this. A feelgood romance with some interesting thoughts on writing and its world....more
Threads That Bind was a fantasy rich in world building, with a cast of characters that are complex yet appealing, and a plot that draws you in. The enThreads That Bind was a fantasy rich in world building, with a cast of characters that are complex yet appealing, and a plot that draws you in. The end hints at a very interesting second part…and I’m grateful to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review both books. The descendants of the gods are, in the right circumstances, given some of their powers. Born in threes, each has their own talent and the relationship between the Ora sisters was fundamental to the success of the book. Io, the youngest of the sisters, is a cutter. This means she can see the threads that bind people, but is able to sever a thread if necessary. She teams up with the young man who she is tied to, but is adamant that she will not exploit her knowledge and impact their friendship. Their strengthening bond is a key part in their investigation. When Io is hired she does not know what to expect. Someone is abducting women, damaging their life-threads and setting them loose to kill. Certain figures seem to be a target, and it is up to Io to establish who is behind this. As we follow her through the investigation we learn of the history of Alante and the story of the characters living there. This was a book that got better as it went on, and I’m excited to see what comes next for Io....more
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this. As I started reading Ghost Camera I was struck by how exaggerated the scenario sThanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this. As I started reading Ghost Camera I was struck by how exaggerated the scenario seems to be, with minimal attempt to develop characters or make things seem plausible. Everything happened at breakneck speed. Then I realised it was a short story, which may have explained the pacing issue. The remainder of the collection was a mixed bag. Some of the stories were entertaining, though none really grabbed me. I feel this may have been a case of not really knowing what I was getting before I started....more
Heiress Juliette Willoughby is remembered as a painter who died a tragic death in a fire in Paris. A footnote in the life of her more famous lover, OsHeiress Juliette Willoughby is remembered as a painter who died a tragic death in a fire in Paris. A footnote in the life of her more famous lover, Oskar. However, Juliette is also known as painter of Self Portrait with a Sphinx, a Surrealist painting of repute which was also thought to be destroyed in the fire. Our timeline focuses on three periods. Juliette as a young woman, two young art students who discover the painting and believe that it tells a sinister story about the circumstances of her death and the present where a second copy of the painting is discovered and sold. There are common threads to the three strands - namely the characters and the home belonging to the Willoughby family. After a fairly slow start things start to come together in a way that slowly reveals the details that are shared by each time period, and offers hints as to the story behind each mystery. This is a process that takes its time, but we are most definitely rewarded for sticking with it! Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this....more
A Rom-com writer who’s afraid to open herself to love and a divorce lawyer who’s hoping for his happy ever after. Our two main characters - Molly and A Rom-com writer who’s afraid to open herself to love and a divorce lawyer who’s hoping for his happy ever after. Our two main characters - Molly and Reuben - were childhood sweethearts who broke up before college. They meet at their High School reunion, and end up spending the night together. From the outset we can see these two should make a great couple. There’s the expected blips along the way, but it’s clear that they have chemistry. When they place a bet on which five couples will last, we wonder which will be right. Much as I enjoyed the idea, I found Molly a hard character to warm to. She recognised some of the things that impacted her, but did nothing to address them. I also felt the closing stages of the apology/rom com idea were unlikely, and can’t believe that such a close group of friends as these are meant to be would not have intervened sooner....more
A topic that I cannot help but get riled up about, but told in such a way as to highlight the hypocrisy and bigotry that seems to be behind such movesA topic that I cannot help but get riled up about, but told in such a way as to highlight the hypocrisy and bigotry that seems to be behind such moves. Lula is outraged at the material available to loan at her local library, so she starts a committee to get worrying books banned. Naturally, she hasn’t read any of them but she is convinced it is her role to be the moral compass for the town. As part of this, she establishes her own library on her property full of books that she believes to be wholesome. Unfortunately(only not, it’s the best thing ever) a local girl all too aware of the bigotry around swaps the books inside for those on the banned list. We follow a number of characters as they loan one of Lula’s books, and see how the experience impacts them. Parts of this had me laughing out loud. A lot of the characters are racist bigots, and I found myself increasingly angry at their behaviour. However, there’s plenty of characters who challenge these ideas. There needs to be more. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication....more
There’s always a bit of a risk with reading a book in a series without having read anything else, but I don’t think that unduly affected my experienceThere’s always a bit of a risk with reading a book in a series without having read anything else, but I don’t think that unduly affected my experience here. I may have known a little more about the detective duo and their relationship, but enough is revealed to help piece things together. The story begins in rather macabre fashion. A fire is discovered in a hotel that is renowned for unusual events taking place there. As this is dealt with, there is then the discovery of the bodies of two teenage girls whose feet have been removed. Our detectives are called in to the scene (though it seems they’re acting out of their jurisdiction) and soon learn that the hotel has a chequered history. Known for numerous suicides and gruesome deaths, there’s also rumours of a woman in blue haunting the area - and if her body is seen, someone will die. Before we know it, there’s strange dream attacks and exorcisms. It became hard to tell what was happening in what time frame, and exactly how things were unfolding. As long as you don’t like things neatly tied up, this might be the kind of story you’ll enjoy. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this....more
A good heist story can’t fail to entertain, and McManus has thrown everything at this. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and rA good heist story can’t fail to entertain, and McManus has thrown everything at this. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication. Such Charming Liars focuses on Jamie and her daughter, Kat. For years they’ve moved from one job to the next, and depend on each other. In what is meant to be Jamie’s final heist her past comes back to catch up with her…with increasingly dramatic consequences. Jamie’s final heist is meant to take place at the birthday party of billionaire Ross Sutherland. Things don’t quite go to plan, Kat becomes embroiled in a situation she was never meant to be a part of…and we learn that more than one or two of the characters we come across is hiding things. I don’t want to give away specifics, but I could easily see this on screen. The characters are a mixed bunch. You might not like them, but they make for a highly entertaining story. As little details get revealed it becomes even more audacious than you could dream of....more
What do you do when the people meant to protect you are the ones breaking the law? When Becky Lawson finds a burner phone and messages that implicate What do you do when the people meant to protect you are the ones breaking the law? When Becky Lawson finds a burner phone and messages that implicate her husband in a series of rapes, she blows the whistle. Unfortunately a lack of evidence means there’s nothing to support her claims and she ends up leaving the force. But she’s not given up. When, some time later, she receives news of her ex’s upcoming promotion she decides it’s time to try again. She enlists the (begrudging) help of a couple of ex-colleagues and tries to reach out to her ex’s new partner. Things don’t go quite to plan and it seems his reach is further than she ever thought possible. The story might seem improbable, but the topic is one that you can’t help but be caught up in. There’s a few surprises in store, and not everything is neatly resolved by the end, but there’s enough to keep you satisfied that some elements of the story are tied up. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this....more
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