REVIEW: 20 Minutes in the Desert by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes in the Desert (20 Minutes #12) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Quick Read, Novella

Read: 28th February 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 6th May 2021

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

The 20 Minute Series continues at dawn in the desert...

Set just nine hours after the events in Las Vegas, the fates of several characters will be revealed as the sun comes up over the Mojave.

There is plenty to do in Sin City. And there are a lot of places to hide a body in the desert...

MY THOUGHTS:

Just nine hours after the events in "20 Minutes in Las Vegas", we pick up as the sun rises over the Mohave desert and the bright lights of Sin City. But with the rising sun is the rising bodycount of this series. But who will fall victim to Hurst's pen this time?

Jelena watches the sun rise from the balcony of their suite in The Bellagio whilst Bogdan enjoys an early morning helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. 

Fireman Curtis and his wife Karen are also on the joyflight which soon takes a horrifying turn. 

Black Jack dealer Nancy returns home after her long shift at the casino to the secrets she has buried there but stops short when her house shudders and she sees black smoke on the horizon. 

Ethan is only a step away from winning with $10 million in the poker tournament. But can he do it? He knows he has a good hand, but is his opponent bluffing?

Lindsey is at the airport with a throbbing hangover awaiting their flight back home to the UK but where is Diego? 

Louise is enjoying having her brother in her life and although they are returning under a bleak circumstances, she squeezes his hand to let him know she's there.

Harry found himself in some mischief getting lost in the maze of underground sewer tunnels the night before but his friends scarpered leaving him lost and scared, until Betty helps him back to daylight.

Jill's new habit of saying yes to everything has landed her in a world of trouble and now she must try and dig her way out.

Tom is hot on the trail of Valentin and Kelly is hot on his tail...but will he manage to learn enough to take back to his boss in the UK?

April is still thinking about the medium from the night before and does a little digging using the name she was given. But is it enough?

There were a few others peppered throughout and only one new face this time given they were all returning from the previous book or beyond - Betty, who helped Harry out of the tunnels. 

I actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would given it's locale and I am eager for the return to the UK to see how life will pan out in the aftermath of all that took place in this one. As usual, a lot going on but still Hurst manages to keep us entertained and invested in most of the characters' lives as we follow their respective, and interconnected, lives. I devoured this quick read in an afternoon.

Next...20 Minutes on the Road

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: 20 Minutes in Las Vegas by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes in Las Vegas (20 Minutes #11) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Quick Read, Novella

Read: 27th February 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 29th April 2021

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

The 20 Minute Series heads Stateside for a dramatic Saturday night on The Strip!

In a city of bright lights, big bankrolls and scorching heat, several characters will return in a place where dreams are made or crushed on the spin of a wheel or the turn of a card. For some, it will be their lucky night, but for others, their fortunes are going to fade faster than the sunlight sinking behind the desert mountains...

MY THOUGHTS:

It's been two months since the events of "20 Minutes to Change a Life" and everyone involved has travelled to Las Vegas to partake in whatever event has lead them there. And once we got past the requisite gambling, then the stories did get more interesting.

After winning the lottery at the end of the last book, Jelena and Bogdan are enjoying one of the last stops on their holiday with their new-found wealth. Their humble beginnings are not lost on them and while £20 million is a lot of dosh, they are not frittering it away willy-nilly. After buying their new home in London, giving Jelena's mum a comfortable amount to live on and this their impromptu holiday, they will return to the UK with a new purpose and a new appreciation of life.

Many of our favourites return for their trip to Vegas with a couple of new faces added to the story. Lindsey and Diego are there for their respective hen and stag dos; Tom is on another stag do with his wife Kelly stalking him (please may she fall into Valentin's sights!); Harry getting up to his usual mischief; Will is there with girlfriend Chantelle and sister Louise but moments before he takes the stage, receives some devastating news; Mark has raised the funds for his 9 year old son to receive this potentially life-changing treatment; April is holidaying with friends and still getting blotto, but this time her story comes with a twist that is interesting (though I don't subscribe to such nonsense in the real world); Valentin is lurking but just as a spectator this time...that is, until he returns to the UK; and then there is Carol, still here with hubby Steve, enjoying the sights Vegas has to offer.

New faces are in the form of a father of child who had been under the same treatment Mark's son is, though it didn't help her and the father is now set on making the clinic pay. There is also the Black Jack dealer who suddenly finds herself on a losing streak. There is also the Black Jack dealer Nancy who has a secret. Boxer Leon takes to the ring tonight  to fight Russian Dmitri. And Jill has taken a gamble and jetsetting where ever the travel agent chooses for her. Ethan who joined last book also returned for his poker tournament, though it wasn't very interesting. And Ronnie also pops up, unfortunately.

So many stories in just 20 minutes in a snapshot of time. The next book takes place just nine hours after these events which, considering how things ended for many of those this time round, will be interesting to see how they will all pan out.

In true Hurst fashion, I am turning the pages as quick as I can to see what's coming next...!!

Next...20 Minutes in the Desert

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

EXTRACT: My Son's Girlfriend by Kerry Wilkinson

 

My Son's Girlfriend by Kerry Wilkinson

Genre: Psychological thriller

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 24th February 2025

DESCRIPTION:

‘Is that you, darling?’ A second of silence before her son replies. ‘It wasn’t me’. Her heart breaks at the pain in his voice – he sounds like a little boy again. Thirty minutes later, the police knock at the door. ‘Your son’s girlfriend is dead.’ And Dan has disappeared.

It’s almost midnight when Jennifer sees her son’s name flash up on her phone. Away at university, she’s normally so happy when he calls. But something is terribly wrong…

Jennifer is devastated for poor Ella’s family – losing their precious girl, so young. She knows her sweet son, just twenty years old, would never, ever harm anyone. But the police are looking for him. And if Dan is innocent, why has he run?

When Jennifer hears how Ella died, her blood runs cold. Because Jennifer’s best friend was murdered twenty years ago the same way. In the same place. Jennifer hasn’t been back since… but now, she has no choice.

She would do anything for her son. Any mother would. But how far will she have to go – what secrets in her own past will she have to confront – to prove Dan is innocent?

And what if the truth is worse than she ever imagined?

An absolutely gripping thriller you won’t be able to put down! Fans of John Marrs, The Perfect Marriage and T.M. Logan will be totally addicted.

EXTRACT:

Daniel was calling. 

Jennifer’s son was twenty-one, of the generation brought up on texts, WhatsApps, and probably some other messaging thing his mother had never heard of. He didn’t really do phone calls, let alone when it was almost eleven at night. 

Late-night calls could only mean something was wrong. Something bad. 

Jennifer slid the green button sideways to answer, then held the phone to her ear. 

‘Dan?’ 

Silence at first. Someone was breathing hard, as if they’d been running. Maybe they still were. 

‘Daniel?’ Jennifer tried. His full name. Things were serious. 

The breathing continued, then something more. A man’s voice. Her son’s voice.

‘Mum?’ 

It was one word, though so much more. There was anguish, a million cries for help that only a mother could make out. Something terrible really had happened. 

‘What’s wrong?’ Jennifer asked, though she was barely able to hear anything over her own racing heart. She pushed forward until she was sitting on the edge of the sofa. It was gloomy in her living room, no big light, only the lamp at the back. 

The silence was an agonising second and then: ‘It wasn’t me.’ 

For a moment, Jennifer wondered whether she’d heard her son correctly. Her ‘What wasn’t you?’ sounded as confused as she felt. 

She waited, though there was only silence. It took her a few seconds to realise the screen was blank, that the call had cut out. Jennifer stared at the phone, trying to ignore the way her stomach seemed to be squeezing itself. 

‘What wasn’t you?’ she repeated, knowing she would get no answer. 

Daniel had gone.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Kerry Wilkinson has had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.

As well as his million-selling Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - a second crime series featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.

Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.

When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.

Social Media links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Bookouture by following them on these social media accounts.

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

REVIEW: 20 Minutes to Change a Life by Daniel Hurst

 

20 Minutes to Change a Life (20 Minutes #10) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Quick Read, Novella

Read: 26th February 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 4th March 2021

★★★★ 4 stars 

DESCRIPTION:

The halfway point of the 20 Minute Series!

Set over one 20 minute period on a busy afternoon, the tenth book in the series sees familiar characters return for a day that highlights just how quickly things can change.

Success. Failure. Wrong decisions. Chance encounters. And plain bad luck.

It only takes a second for life to change. So imagine what can happen in 20 minutes...

MY THOUGHTS:

We have hit the halfway mark in the series! Taking place two weeks after "20 Minutes of Valentine's Day", this one is a whole lot of foundation setting up for the next book in Las Vegas.

Lots of returning characters. Jelena kicks things off again and I'm happy that things are back to normal for the young couple. I was devastated when she walked out on Christmas Eve that I actually scanned through the next few books to see if they got back together! lol She and Bogdan are so wonderful together and while they may not have much, they have each other. But then something is just around the corner that is about to change their lives. After all, wasn't what this book was all about? 20 minutes to change a life? And that's exactly what happens...to more than one person here.

I'm glad to see Harry do something that doesn't see him end up in some kind of trouble. I was so thrilled for him. Especially as my dad's football team is also West Ham having been West Ham born and bred, so the team kind of holds a special place in my heart, as does Harry.

I'm getting a little tired of Carol's medical appointments for her and Steve. So it was refreshing to see something different this time round, even if it was reminiscent of a season of Dexter about the motivational speaker he then killed because of his penchant for taking what he want because he believed it to be his. The guy they listened to at the event reminded me of him. Seeing it believing? No, believe it and you'll see it! I'm not saying it rubbish, but they do tend to just make money off of people who are looking for something more by spouting a bunch of motivational quotes. This chapter may have been a refreshing change from Carol's normal narratives, but it was somewhat more boring.

Tom's wife Kelly. She's just nuts. Petty and insane. She didn't want Tom until she realised he had found someone else. Now she wants him back.

I'm loving the building story between Louise and Will. I don't know what I never noticed they had the same surname before, considering they have both been in the series from the start.

April may have lost her drinking buddy, so what does she do? Take the alcohol to the cemetery and drink her way to oblivion there! Sorry, but all she seemed to do was drink and get blotto before and nothing's changed. She's just more depressed so she's drinking more.

Lindsey is wedding dress shopping because Diego has sprung the wedding date on her and she's in a tizz trying to find something perfect in time. The woman is mad marrying him, but until she sees him for who he really is, I guess nothing is going to change there.

And then there is Valentin...and the team investigating his murders. I can't wait to see how that all pans out for the Russian.

A lot of slightly boring stories this time round. But then as I said at the start, it is all building up to the one is Las Vegas. Great. Sin City. Just what I've always wanted. I hope it is better than I anticipate.

Not the strongest in the series but reasonable. First of them all I have rated a 4. Bring on the next!

Next...20 Minutes in Las Vegas

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Quiet Wife by Diane Saxon

The Quiet Wife by Diane Saxon

Genre: Psychological thriller

Read: 18th February 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 20th February 2025

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

I want to be ordinary. To fade into the shadows where no one notices me and live a quiet life. A normal life.

But I am not ordinary. Not anymore.

I’ve been keeping a secret. From my colleagues, my friends and most importantly, my husband - who knows nothing of my past life.

Twenty years ago, at college, a boy became obsessed with me. Craig Lane believed he could make me love him back if he just tried harder. When I rejected him, he did something so horrifying, it’s the stuff of nightmares. All my nightmares.

Now I’ve been informed by Victim Support Services, that boy - now a man - has been released from prison. The news terrifies me.

Am I safe? Or does Craig still carry the same obsession he did when we were seventeen? I don’t know. I’ve ignored every letter he’s ever sent me.

Now strange things have started to happen: flowers have been left on my doorstep, my cat keeps going missing. Someone is watching me. Knows where I live. I am sure.

Worse, something even more sinister could be stalking me from the shadows. Because I have another secret...

My past is coming to get me. One way or another.

MY THOUGHTS:

Trigger warning: rape, sexual assault and stalking

A secret past that comes back to haunt her...

I wasn't sure what to expect from the rather demure title but it certainly wasn't this! What a rollercoaster of a ride this dark and disturbing tale of obsession is.

Soriah is a quiet wife living the quiet life with her husband Marcus. But her life is thrown into turmoil when she receives a letter from Victim Support Services. And suddenly, her past come rushing back to haunt her all over again. The nightmares, the claustrophobia, the sleeplessness, the fear, the panic attacks...all relative to a deep dark secret from her past. Something she has barely shared with Marcus, not that he'd show any interest anyway. But she's never really completely trusted another man again - not after what happened to her over twenty years ago.

When she was seventeen, Soriah survived a terrible ordeal after becoming the obsession of another student. Despite her protests that she wasn't interested, he persisted - mainly at the insistence of her best friend Gilly. And then one night, she was kidnapped and held for days while starved and raped repeatedly...all while he was professing his undying love for her. Soriah vowed she would never trust another man again.

Now two decades later, Craig is being released and Soriah is beside herself with panic. Suddenly flowers are being left on her doorstep and text messages from an unknown number. It could only be Craig. But how does he know where she lives? How does he know her number? And surely it's a breach of his licence that he even comes near her, let alone contact her? Soriah, who has never let anyone else remotely close to her in all these years, has no idea who to turn to. Who can she trust? Her family? But they have their own worries, so she doesn't want to trouble them.

Then when Marcus goes away for a work event, she begins to get the sense she is being watched. Items disappearing from her house. Her key safe unlocked. Luna being locked in the one place Soriah would never open. Is she losing her mind? Or is someone out there watching her again?

The story unfolds in the past and present between Soriah, Craig and an unknown narrator calling themselves "the Fox". It was interesting reading Craig's narrative, as entitled and arrogant as it were. And none of the characters were at all endearing. In fact, I found the story rather depressing for the first several chapters as all Soriah seemed to do was lament about her past or about Marcus and how little he seemed to care for her. Craig's behaviour was delusional and Gilly was a complete b****. Again, none of them were at all endearing. Except maybe for Soriah's parents but they didn't play a huge part. Then when things started to pick up, those chapters were indeed harrowing reading, both chilling and disturbing. It's these that will be triggering for some, hence my warning above.

Diane Saxon has the ability to pen a tense yet gripping tale that is as real as it is shocking. She keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout despite predictability (though that could just be me knowing what to look out for and suspect) and leave you wanting more. I devoured this book in a day, such was its fast pace.

Another entertaining thriller taking the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions and leaving you breathless by its end.

I would like to thank #DianeSaxon, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheQuietWife in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Diane Saxon lives in the Shropshire countryside with her tall, dark, handsome husband, a retired policeman. She has two gorgeous daughters, a Dalmatian, two cats, numerous rare breed chickens, and a black Labrador called Beau—a name borrowed by her hero in For Heaven's Cakes.

After working for years in a demanding job, Diane gave it up when her husband said, “Follow that dream.” She subsequently has 12 Romances published for the U.S. market.

Inspired by her long, lonely walks in atmospheric woodlands, Diane has gone over to the dark side to write British psychological crime thrillers. With a four-book deal through Boldwood Books, her first in series Find Her Alive was published October 2019 followed by Someone's There in February 2020 and What She Saw is due in September 2020. 

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter | BookBub | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

 

REVIEW: 20 Minutes of Valentine's Day by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes of Valentine's Day (20 Minutes #9) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Quick Read, Novella

Read: 25th February 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 3rd February 2021

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

Love is in the air as the bestselling 20 Minute Series continues on the most romantic day of the year!

Set over one 20 minute period on Valentine's Day, the ninth book in the series sees familiar characters return for a night of romance, passion and second chances.

First dates. Old flames. Heartbreak. And one very dangerous villain...

MY THOUGHTS:

Now six weeks after the events of "20 Minutes Before Christmas", the festivities of the holiday season have been and gone and now love is in the air for Valentine's Day. And once again, our favourites are back with a few new ones to pepper the pages but will their stories continue? Or were they just here for the day?

Jelena has been our starter in each of the books and she kicks things off once again. Now settled in Belgrade and working as a waitress and though she misses Bogdan, she knows she did the right thing in leaving. But while other couples are celebrating the day of love, how will Jelena's end?

Amongst the Valentine's day revelers are Lindsey and Diego as well as Harry trying his best to impress his secret crush. Newcomer Sam has a plan to win back girlfriend Rachel while Tom receives a surprise at the station. And Will is on a search of his own with Chantelle's help. Meanwhile, a murder investigation is looking into unsolveds and now still missing people for links that could tie them to the spate of killings in the bustling city.

Many of the characters are well established now as they pop up throughout the series while others have been and gone with more popping up along the way.

While this wasn't the strongest of the series (and I see I'm not the first to say that), it was still rather enjoyable as we watch our favourites' stories unfold...some of the spectacularly.

As always, an entertaining read and I look forward for what's in store for our friends in the coming installments.

Next...20 Minutes to Change a Life

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: 20 Minutes Before Christmas by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes Before Christmas (20 Minutes #8) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Quick Read, Novella

Read: 23rd February 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 10th December 2020

★★★★ 5 stars 

DESCRIPTION:

It's a magical time of year. But not for everyone...

It's Christmas Eve, and London is still reeling from the events on Bonfire Night. But time waits for nobody, so what fresh drama is in store as the presents are wrapped, the turkeys are cooked, and the clock counts down to the most wonderful day of the year?

Mistletoe. Mince Pies. Mulled wine. And murder...

MY THOUGHTS:

Taking place about seven weeks after "20 Minutes Around the Bonfire", this one is exactly as the title suggests - it's literally 20 minutes before Christmas...on Christmas Eve. This time the Christmas spirit is captured amidst some of our favourites we have been following from almost the beginning alongside some more new faces, here for the holidays, some maybe beyond.

Opening once again with our favourite Jelena, this time there's a twist to their story which I shall refrain from mentioning so as to not spoil it for the reader. But it was one that made me go searching through the following books after for any clues as to what will happen there.

Another favourite is Will who is struggling with his blindness and also the tragedy that rocked him at halloween. And then there is Harry, still mischievious, this time setting off his house alarm on Christmas Eve. April continues to drown her sorrows months after learning the truth about Joe, this time going home with a handsome stranger. For the first time, we get a chapter from her bestie Katie who finds her own handsome stranger to celebrate with. We see Lindsey await Diego, who is busy "working" late and then we get Diego's perspective and where he really is. Helen, the woman saved from stepping off Waterloo Bridge, is enjoying Midnight Mass with her family. Kathryn, whose daughter was languishing in a Peruvian prison, has the best reason to celebrate. Mark, whose little boy has leukaemia, knows this will be their last Christmas with him so makes it extra special. Valentin is on the prowl for his next victim. We also see the return of policeman Tom, Carol, Chantelle, Curtis, Bogdan and a surprise regarding Louise.

New faces to the mix are Nina, a reporter outside Belmarsh prison; Jimmy, a prisoner inside Belmarsh; Paula, heading up a murder investigation with MIT; and Tracey and Zoe, mums preparing for the big day respectively.

I am thoroughly enjoying this series and while some of the faces only appear for the one book, even though I feel some have more story to tell, I am fully invested in those that have been with us from almost the start. Like that of Jelena and Bogdan, Will and Chantelle, Tom, cheeky Harry and even this new twist involving Louise. Some regulars I could do without like April who just drinks herself stupid in each book, Diego who is just deplorable and Lindsey I could take or leave. Valentin is like a car crash you can't look away from. I don't like him and would love to see the back of him, but his story is gripping as we follow his exploits and what he will do next.

My only complaint is with the recapping for each regular comes a bit of repetition in each of the chapters, like when it's mentioned several times for several characters about the events on bonfire night in Battersea Park (from last book). It could be recapped without the repetition while just alluding to events. But still an addictive series.

Next...20 Minutes of Valentine's Day

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: 20 Minutes Around the Bonfire by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes Around the Bonfire (20 Minutes #7) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Quick Read, Novella

Read: 22nd February 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 1st November 2020

★★★★ 5 stars 

DESCRIPTION:

Fireworks. Flames. Fate.

Set five days after the events on Halloween, the citizens of London descend on Battersea Park for the annual 5th November celebrations.

With everybody in one place, and the mood in the park high, what could possibly go wrong?

MY THOUGHTS:

Just five days after the events in "20 Minutes at Halloween", several characters return alongside a few new ones as the people of London gather for the annual bonfire night. And we catch a glimpse of another 20 minutes in the lives of those people.

After recent events, Jelena has grown suspicious of boyfriend Bogdan's secretiveness and tonight she is following him as he kissed her goodnight for another shift working security. But instead of heading in the direction of work, he is heading south as she tails him into the crowded confines of Battersea Park and to the stage area overlooking the huge bonfire. She sees him meet the gangster and hand over an envelope.

Bogdan has done it. He has finally got the money to pay off his debt to Ronnie and tonight he hands over the rest of the cash that will see the end of their business. With that done, he just wants to return home to Jelena and move on with their lives.

Will's life was turned upside down five nights ago when he returned home after performing to a sea of adoring fans. A tragedy which rocked his world and only adding to his already existing feeling of depression. 

Valentin is not in Battersea park to enjoy the fireworks but to claim his fourth victim thus crowning him with the status of serial killer.

Curtis returns with his colleagues as they are on hand should there be any emergency. We first met him in the second book as he doused the flames of the flat in which Jelena had been kept prisoner for four months.

Tom is also on patrol at Battersea Park tonight with his colleague Lizzy, to help keep everything under control. But a scream from the food stalls hails their attention.

Carol, Lindsey and Diego also return along with Harry who told his mum he was at a sleepover at a friends in order to stealthily scarper to south London for the fireworks. April and her friend Katie also return, getting drunk as per the norm while Joe and Louise round of the regulars of this story.

New faces include 18 year old Scarlett, who is working the burger van at Battersea Park tonight but is struggling to meet the demands of customers without her colleague Lucas who stole a few minutes for a cigarette; Zara, the event organiser for the event in Battersea Park; Jonny, who is in charge of the fireworks; Melanie, there with her Syrian boyfriend Jamal not for the fireworks but for another plan they've set in motion; Archie, the sixty-something stall holder who cons the money out of unsuspecting players to his stall, intent on making a killing tonight; Rose, a quiet mouse of a woman who is set on gambling her way into winning at Archie's rigged stall and Faye, an Armed Response officer deployed with her team as they descend on Battersea Park looking for the suspected terrorist in their midst. And that ending? Wow! Didn't see that coming! Let's just say I would have much preferred Diego to be caught up in those fireworks of a different kind!

All play a part in this series of interconnected stories that is skillfully plotted. It is so hard to review without giving too much away. So if you are here reading this you are either taking this journey with me or you are considering doing so. If so, then you need to go back to the prequel "20 Minutes Earlier" and start from the beginning because, while the author does recap some of each characters' backstory, these books are not standalone and all are connected. Each book is novella and a quick read. I devoured books 6 and 7 in one day! Meanwhile...onto the next!

Next...20 Minutes Before Christmas

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: 20 Minutes at Halloween by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes at Halloween (20 Minutes #6) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Quick Read, Novella

Read: 22nd February 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 1st October 2020

★★★★ 5 stars 

DESCRIPTION:

Set over one 20 minute period in London, the sixth book in the 20 Minute Series captures all the thrills, frights and drama that Halloween promises each year.

Trick-or-treaters calling at every home. Costumes concealing identities. And a masked murderer roaming the streets...

On a night when you can be anyone, who will you be?

MY THOUGHTS:

Set six weeks after the events in "20 Minutes on the Thames", we rejoin many of our favourites and some more new ones in this sixth installment of this unique and exciting series.

When we left Jelena, she was enjoying a riverside walk with Bogdan while, unbeknownst to them, the pair of them were followed. Now after noticing how hard Bogdan has been working and being granted legal resident status, Jelena has gotten herself a job to help out with living expenses. However, little does she know that Bogdan's worries are far greater than she imagines as he works long hours to pay back the money he borrowed two months ago. And when some of his shifts are cancelled, he becomes even more anxious as to what the loan shark will do to him should he not show up tonight with the full amount.

Carol returns, this time trick or treating with her grandson while her thoughts remain on her husband Steve who is undergoing more tests tonight. Only time will tell if she has something more to worry about. Meanwhile, her grandson is trying to eke out more time trick or treating before heading home for bed.

Louise answers the door to Carol and her grandson trick or treating, enjoying the quiet comfort of her flat on this bustling evening of madness. After her confrontation with Joe six weeks ago, she never expected that he would hand himself in and confess all to the police.

Joe has wrestled with his conscience since that awful drunken night and after that confrontation with Louise, he handed himself in. Now he can only await what sentence will befall him.

When April heard the confrontation between her boyfriend and his ex on the riverfront that night, she broke up with him on the spot. Now she is single and destined to always be, as she drowns her sorrows at a comedy club with best friend Katie.

Abdul, the bus driver we met last book, returns this time taking the stage in a comedy routine. He's a natural and is enjoying the laughs he is bringing the audience until the fire alarm goes off, evacuating the venue.

Harry is celebrating his 13th birthday with his friends and the girl of his dreams. But giving in to peer pressure in the hope for some dutch courage to speak to her, he instead makes a spectacle of himself in front of everyone...including the girl he so wanted to impress.

Diego is back...worse luck. Least said about him, the best.

Lindsey is spending the night in with her housemates watching "Scream" and wishing Diego was with her but he had to work late.

Will's career is heading into stratospheric heights as he prepares to perform for the Halloween Big Bash on live TV. But moments before taking the stage, he receives some disturbing news that will shock him to the core.

Will's mother Ruth is at home with her TV turned up to watch her son perform tonight. She has been lucky enough to retire from her job as an office cleaner as with Will's success, he has enabled her to do so. But still a secret from her past continues to haunt her.

Wealthy market trader Valentin, arrogant and narcissistic to boot, has killed twice and has a third victim in his sights. And halloween is the perfect time to disguise himself as he enters the house of his next victim.

Tom is back, this time dealing with Eve, the grandmother of missing Olivia (Valentin's first victim), and hoping for a place on the Major Investigation Team, doing what he joined the police for. To serve and protect the public. But will he be sucessful? And romance is in the air in the midst of his divorce from the awful Kelly.

We also meet 15 year old Gemma, a bored teenager hanging out with her friends in a park; Stephen, a recluse who lives in an old gothic Victorian house on the edge of the park the girls knocked on the door of as a prank; Mark, whose son has leukaemia as he turns their house into a haunted house for his son; Alex, a door to door salesman who I couldn't care less for; Eve, the grandmother of missing Olivia who has fronted up to the police station searching for answers as to her disappearance; and Ronnie, the loan shark Bogdan loaned money from.

As usual, so much is going on within the snapshot of 20 minutes in each of these peoples' lives. How do they interact with the others and where do they each lead? Given that the next book is set just five days after this one, there isn't a huge time gap to find out what happens next in the lives of each of those who we have become invested in. Some more than others.

There is an awful lot of drinking in these books. Is that really how people deal with whatever comes their way? Drown your sorrows. So many of them do it, it does become a little tedious. But then there is also a lot more going on. Dark secrets, trauma, sex clubs, mental health, narcissism, serial killing and loads of other nefarious individuals. Can't wait to see what's in store next!!

Next...20 Minutes Around the Bonfire

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads