Oh, my giddy Aunt The Mercy Chair without a doubt is the darkest book in the series yet! Mike Craven is a brilliant storyteller, but this time round aOh, my giddy Aunt The Mercy Chair without a doubt is the darkest book in the series yet! Mike Craven is a brilliant storyteller, but this time round and from the off it’s got a very different vibe. The story comes straight from ‘the horse’s mouth ‘ or in this case Poe’s. As he shares his story, an overwhelming sense of unease grows. OMG, does Poe have a story to tell as the themes explored are disturbing, to say the least! I kept wondering why the book is told from Poe’s POV? But as the story progresses, the reason for this becomes clear. If you are as clever or have a mind that’s as twisted as Mike Craven, you may work out some of the subtle but perfectly placed clues within the story.
So not to spoil the read I will keep it simple. Poe and Tilly are investigating a disturbing murder, which leads them to a religious commune and from there on in the plot takes an alarming turn. It’s not only the story that’s told differently, it’s Poe himself in The Mercy Chair. We see a different side to him, a side that will trouble regular readers of this series. The fantastic Tilly continues to entertain with her unfiltered comments. This humour is much needed as it gives the reader time to catch their breath between the more disturbing and intense moments. Mike Craven, without a doubt, is a master of manipulation and misdirection, just as I thought I had it all worked out he threw in the mother of all twists. As for the ending, what a shocker! I am really excited about the next book in the series and can’t wait to see what he has in store for Poe and Tilly next. Definitely one of my top reads this year.
I’m a huge fan of Chris Carters and although I enjoyed it I didn’t love it as much as previous books in the series. The author is known for his graphiI’m a huge fan of Chris Carters and although I enjoyed it I didn’t love it as much as previous books in the series. The author is known for his graphic, gory crime scenes but I thought this book was missing these more graphic scenes. The plot is still very dark and does cover the subject of child abuse which some readers might find disturbing. The plot was an intriguing one though and as usual the author delves into the mind of his killer which is disturbing to say the least, more so when their motive is revealed. Garcia and Hunter are great leads and I love the relationship between the two. All in all I really enjoyed this book and flew through it with its short, snappy chapters ...more
I love my gritty gangland crime thrillers, so whenever I’m looking for such a read one author I turn to is Mandasue Heller. As she’s one of my favouriI love my gritty gangland crime thrillers, so whenever I’m looking for such a read one author I turn to is Mandasue Heller. As she’s one of my favourite author’s in this genre and delivers time and time again. The Family is now firmly one of my favourite reads thanks to skulduggery, and the goings on of a toxic crime family. One of Mandasue’s strength is her ability to bring each character to life. So much so that you’re living their story alongside them. Fuelled by treachery, lies and betrayal, The Family begs to be read in one hugely satisfying sitting.
Cheryl is one of the good guys, kind, lovable and unfortunately for her, she’s very gullible! When she meets ‘perfect’ Dale Moran its love at first sight. But as the old saying goes, ‘If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is’ and once she’s introduced to the Moran family, alarm bells start ringing. It’s obvious to the reader that Cheryl is being manipulated at every turn, I wanted her to ‘wake up and smell the coffee’. The Moran’s idea of family loyalty is twisted to say the least! So unfortunately for Cheryl, the story takes a chilling turn, which is one of the reasons I found The Family to be such an addictive read. Highly recommended.
My favourite author on the planet Robert Bryndza has done it again! What an entertaining heart in your mouth read The Last Victim turned out to be. InMy favourite author on the planet Robert Bryndza has done it again! What an entertaining heart in your mouth read The Last Victim turned out to be. In case you have read the Kate Marshall series, this is book five. Yes, you can read it as a standalone, but I would urge you to read the books in order just because they are all so good. The Lost Victim adds a stellar addition to this unmissable series. As always, Robert Bryndza writes with razor-sharp precision, authentic narrative, great characterisation, and a fascinating plot.
Kate’s past comes back to haunt her when Peter Conway The Nine Elms killer’s name is linked to the cold case of School girl Janey Macklin who vanished in 1988. Kate and her partner Tristan are hired to investigate the case. It’s clear from the opening chapter that Janey’s disappearance is unlikely to have a happy ending. I found this added to the tension tenfold as I raced to the story’s conclusion, hoping for a positive conclusion.
Kate and Tristan are intricate and engaging as the crimes they unravel. They are both interesting characters with strengths and weaknesses. With no body, little evidence, and unreliable witnesses, there’s little to go on. But Kate and Tristan are determined to solve the case. Throughout the complex plot, they meet various witnesses. All of them appear to be hiding something with their half truths and lies. With well hidden clues peppered throughout and just as many red herrings, The Last Victim is one that I will guarantee will keep you guessing.
What I particularly like about this series is how original each book has been. The author thankfully has a very vivid imagination, and each story offers something unique, which is why Robert Bryndza continues to be one of my all-time favourite authors. The Last Victim is dark, disturbing and most definitely a gripping read. Highly recommended.
Written by M.J. Arlidge in collaboration with Julia Crouch The Wrong Child plays on every parent’s worst nightmare, child abduction! collaborati4.5 ⭐️
Written by M.J. Arlidge in collaboration with Julia Crouch The Wrong Child plays on every parent’s worst nightmare, child abduction! collaborations can sometimes feel disjointed and the reader can distinguish which author contributed to each chapter. But I’m thrilled to say that’s not the case here! The plot moves seamlessly between parents Sarah and Jake, whose 3- month-old son Max has been abducted. And travellers Jenna and Gary Starr and their daughter Willow who are celebrating baby Blaze becoming their fourth child.
Max has neonatal diabetes, and without regular treatment, he will die. This immediately gives the plot a sense of urgency. Sarah and Jenna are both mothers, but that’s where the similarities end! Jenna isn’t a character you will warm to. She’s manipulative, calculating, and a mass of contradictions. Her parenting skills leave a lot to be desired, but she’s fascinating. Sarah, on the other hand, pulls on the heartstrings and the authors lay bare her every emotion, guilt, anger, fear and heartbreak. I felt uncomfortable reading about the police, media and public perception of Sarah, especially how quick they were to judge, embellish and speculate. And don’t get me started on Sarah’s despicable Husband Jake, he made my blood boil!
Fifteen-year-old Willow has come to the age where she begins to question Jenna’s parenting skills and the narrative she’s been spoon fed since she was a child. This leads to her making a shocking discovery. What is the truth about her family? And how far will they go to hide their deadly secret? As The Wrong Child progresses, there’s an impending sense of danger and escalating tension. Navigating complex themes such as identity, family, motherhood, and mental health. I found this book to be a cracking read and one I would highly recommend to those who enjoy a character driven thriller.
WOW HOLY MOLY!!!! I can’t believe Guilty Mothers is the 20th book in the Kim Stone series! And yet here we are! Twenty books in and you would expect sWOW HOLY MOLY!!!! I can’t believe Guilty Mothers is the 20th book in the Kim Stone series! And yet here we are! Twenty books in and you would expect some repetition, or even a dud book now and then in the series, but not in the more than capable hands of Angela Marsons. God, this woman knows how to write! She always brings something fresh to each book she releases, which makes this series such a MUST read.
Three women are brutally murdered, and the investigation leads Kim and her team to the controversial and toxic world of Children’s Beauty Pageants. If that wasn’t enough for the reader to get their teeth into, there’s a subplot involving Tiff investigating the death of a man found dead in a nearby lake. Tiff is a welcome addition, and I’m hoping she’s going to become a permanent member of the CID team. Both cases explore the complex themes of motherhood, the good, the bad and the downright ugly, so it’s understandable that Kim and her team find themselves reflecting on their own relationships with their mothers during childhood.
I always find it amazing that Angela Marsons can address dark themes, and yet she can inject just the right amount of humour to lighten the mood. The banter between Kim and her team is one of the highlights of this series, as are the team themselves. Each character fits into the team like a pair of well-worn gloves. They look out for each other; they lean on each other and work tirelessly to bring the victims of murder justice. I have loved seeing how their characters have grown and developed.
I’ve always felt uncomfortable seeing young girls being paraded on stage like mini adults, but after reading about the jealousy, rivalry competitiveness, and the damage they can do to impressionable young girls, I’m definitely in the ‘against them’ camp! The sporadic chapters, told from an unknown source, are desperately sad and highlight the lengths to which some mothers will go to satisfy their own narcissistic needs. They also add a sense of dread to the overall plot. As you would expect, the plot gains momentum and the suspense never wavers. And DAMN Angela Marsons (in a good way) as once again I stayed up way too late reading since I couldn’t put down this addictive read. Guilty Mothers is another stellar addition to this unmissable series, and it’s one I would highly recommend to all crime thriller junkies.
A short story that lacks a punch. If you haven’t read any of the Kim Stone series it’s a great introduction to Kim who’s a real kick ass! She doesn’t A short story that lacks a punch. If you haven’t read any of the Kim Stone series it’s a great introduction to Kim who’s a real kick ass! She doesn’t suffer fools gladly and that’s what I love about her. ...more
Karin Slaughter ramps up her storytelling skills to explore a family’s dark past in This Is Why We Lied. From the start, she wastes no time in presentKarin Slaughter ramps up her storytelling skills to explore a family’s dark past in This Is Why We Lied. From the start, she wastes no time in presenting the reader with a complex plot that’s twisted and extremely dark. Will Trent and Sara Linton investigator and medical examiner are on their honeymoon at McAlpine Lodge: a remote mountain getaway. Mercy McAlpine, the manager of the lodge, is found murdered following a family argument where she threatens to expose long buried secrets, turning the honeymoon of Will’s dreams into his worst nightmare.
Anyone who has read a Karin Slaughter book will know she doesn’t shy away from exploring dark themes. This Is Why We Lied is no different as it explores drug addiction, child cruelty, domestic abuse, and alcoholism. The plot relies on a closed circle of suspects which in the wrong hands could have made the narrative somewhat predictable. Thankfully, This Is Why We Lied is far from predictable. Set in an isolated location, the plot feels intense and claustrophobic from the off, which adds to the overall tension.
Marcie’s family brings a whole new meaning to dysfunctional! They’re the worst kind of humans, users, abusers, manipulators, liars and the list goes on and on... Karin Slaughter pulls no punches in sharing Mercy’s tortured life with the reader. I felt a desperate sorrow for how her so-called family and husband treated her so badly. Their lack of empathy for her death made my blood run cold. This Is Why We Lied is the perfect title for this book, as there are so many betrayals and dark secrets shrouded in lies and half truths!
Will and Sarah remain two of my favourite characters in a crime series they complement each other perfectly. Thankfully Karen Slaughter never takes the obvious path and as the plot gains momentum, it takes a dark twisted turn that I never saw coming. Although I guessed who had killed Mercy, when the ‘why’ was revealed, it surpassed anything my imagination could conjure up, in terms of horror! This Is Why We Lied is everything a thriller should be: dark, multilayered, suspenseful. Highly recommended.
The Book Review Café
>
Books:
Read
(1148)
Loading...
