REVIEW: Cold Justice by Katherine Howell

Cold Justice (Detective Ella Marconi #3) by Katherine Howell

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction

Read: 28th April 2017

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★★★★ 4 stars

It's been a while since I read Katherine Howell and thought it was about time again. As always, a pleasure reading such a setting as Sydney - all the places, names and areas all familiar.

As for the story...I enjoyed it greatly, except for Ella's parents and her controlling boyfriend. I suspected the killer about halfway through and the why of it. But even so, that never takes the joy out of a good story.

REVIEW: The Woman Before Me by Ruth Dugdall

The Woman Before Me (Cate Austin #1) by Ruth Dugdall

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction

Read: 20th April 2017

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★★★ 3 stars

I actually enjoyed this book and kept turning the pages devouring each for more. But it was the ending that I found anti climatic and that let it down. You get the feeling all the way through the book that Rose is innocent only to have but one final tragedy twisted to be even more tragic. The whole tale was sad and tragic but the ending made Rose seem even more twisted. I had hoped she was just a poor grieving mother who'd known no real love in her life, obsessed with trying to hang onto the one person she loved but didn't really love her. It was a sad tale in all. And I can safely say the only person I liked in the whole story was Cate.

I didn't like Rose all that much but I liked her more than Jason who just took her for granted while remaining in love with his ex wife and sleeping with her still, fathering her new son whose murder Rose was imprisoned for. I didn't like Emma, Jason's ex wife and Rose's new friend, who complained about her lot in life when she had everything Rose ever wanted and took it all for granted. And I didn't like Dominic who was just an angry controlling husband who seemed somewhat put out that a baby disrupted his and Emma's life. I may not have liked Rose much, but I felt sorry for her and the hand she'd been dealt. And then the ending ruined that for me...

REVIEW: In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Read: 17th April 2017

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★★★★ 4 stars

** spoiler alert ** Nora...not Lee. And Lee...not Leo.

I don't know why so many said they didn't like this book or any of the characters. The only ones I didn't like we're Flo and Clare. Flo because she was unhinged where Clare was concerned, practically worshipping her. And Clare because she seemed too perfect. Somewhat fake. I wasn't disappointed in the ending either because I didn't like her to begin with.

I wondered if I was the only one to pick up the "text" sent from James breaking off with Nora ten years before as not being from him at all. Long before Nora picked up on it towards the end. I picked up on it right away when it began "Lee..." James only ever called her Leo.

I wasn't disappointed that I guessed who was behind the whole charade. I thought it was a good read. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from this author.

REVIEW: Random by Craig Robertson

Random by Craig Robertson

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery

Read: 15th April 2017

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Purchase: Amazon

★★★★★ 5 stars

Wow! Wow! Wow! I have just finished RANDOM and it was by far one of the best reads I have read in some time! I read the complete second half of the book tonight...as I could not put it down till I found out how it ended. Brilliant. Not 5 stars - 10 stars!! Loved it.

I thought when I started it that from the perspective of the serial killer might get a little tedious but it is anything but! The continual monologue from the killer's perspective is both fascinating and eye-opening as well as very different. It is one of those books where I keep telling myself "just one more chapter" and then keep reading beyond that and more! And I read generally when I go to bed so I can be up till 3am still reading, unable it put it down....as I was last night. Until my eyelids began drooping and I was getting weary - given the hour that was to understandable - and I closed at the end of the chapter. But it is then a case of when I wake in the morning I have to pick it up again to find out more! With each chapter more about the killer is revealed in small yet significant ways. It is incredibly well written to be solely from the perspective of the killer, with the police and the investigation taking a backseat to the killer's motives, and what makes him do what he has. And the process he undertakes in selecting his victims. And we see him more than a killer - but a father, a husband - and we begin to feel sympathy towards him. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book...though I didn't think I would.