REVIEW: The Girl in the Photo by Sam Carrington

The Girl in the Photo by Sam Carrington

Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense

Read: 31st July 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 20th July 2023

★★★★ 3.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

Her child is missing. And she’d do anything to find her…

Every Friday Mercy Hamilton goes to the same supermarket. She doesn’t go to buy groceries, instead, she shows a fading photo of a little girl to anyone who’ll look – begging for help to find her daughter.

One Friday, Erica Fielding comes across Mercy, and touched by her story, Erica agrees to help.

As Erica is drawn deeper and deeper into Mercy’s life, she discovers there is no record of Mercy’s daughter. In fact, there’s no record of a child at all.

But who is the girl in the photo if not Mercy’s missing daughter? And what danger will Erica find herself in by pursuing the truth?

The pulse pounding psychological thriller that will leave you totally breathless. Perfect for fans of Gone Girl, Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena.

MY THOUGHTS:

You think you know who she is…You’re wrong…

I really don't know where to start. This is essentially such a sad sad story. It is heartbreaking in more ways than one. It is about the loss of a child, mental illnes, IVF sand yet so much more. There is not a lot I can say without giving anything away so I will just keep it brief.

Erica is lonely married woman struggling to conceive and in her marriage. She journals on Instagram sharing her struggles where she is an inspiration to many. Whilst at home, her marriage crumbles. She has rehearsed over and over what to say to her husband Jamie to end their marriage and yet she can't bring herself to say the words. And every evening he returns home from his work as a forensic psychologist working with prisoners as grumpy as ever. It's clear things are taking a toll on their marriage.

Every Friday, Mercy Hamilton goes to the same supermarket. But she doesn't buy groceries. Instead she shows a fading photograph of a little girl to anyone will look begging for help to find her daughter. She has become a nuisance to staff and shoppers alike but one Friday Erica is there and is aghast that no one will take her seriously. Touched by Mercy's story, Erica agrees to do all she can to help. But not all is at it seems.

The police are aware of Mercy. But there's never been a record of a missing child matching the description of the girl in the photo. In fact, there's no record of the child at all. Everyone believes Mercy to be suffering from some kind of delusional disorder. So what exactly can Erica do? The closer the two women get, the closer Erica comes to uncovering the disturbing truth.

The story was an incredibly slow burn and took some time to build. A little too slow for my liking but I stuck it out and was rewarded. There is so much to this story that I can't even begin to reiterate without inadvertently letting something slip. I really didn't see the twist coming but when it did I was like wow...but saddened at the same time.

Overall, an enjoyable psychological thriller that was a little too slow to start but came together nicely. A compelling tale.

I would like to thank #SamCarrington, #Netgalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #TheGirlInThePhoto in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Sam Carrington lives in Devon with her husband and three children. She worked for the NHS for 15 years, during which time she qualified as a nurse. Following the completion of a Psychology degree she went to work for the prison service as an Offending Behaviour Programme Facilitator. Her experiences within this field inspired her writing. She left the service to spend time with her family and to follow her dream of being a novelist. 

Social media links:

Wesbite | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Silence by Katerina Diamond

The Silence by Katerina Diamond

Genre: Psychological thriller

Read: 7th June 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 8th June 2023

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Gail wakes in the middle of the night to everyone’s worst nightmare.

She can’t move, can’t speak and a stranger is standing over her. Then everything goes black.

Gail knows she didn’t dream it. Or him. But the police don’t believe her.

That was two years ago. She has tried to move on, forget what happened.

Until she meets his next victim.

This woman’s story is identical to hers. And the attack happened exactly one year later.

There is one week left until he will strike again.

Now the silence is broken, there is no telling what he will unleash…

A totally gripping and twisty crime thriller that will take your breath away. Fans of K. L. Slater and Rachel Abbott will be hooked from the very first page.

MY THOUGHTS:

He's got away with it...but now time is up...

I am a big fan of Katerina Diamond so was excited about the prospect of reading her latest book. But for the purposes of a clarity and awareness I feel a trigger warning is appropriate.

**TRIGGER WARNING**

It needs to be said that this book is about rape and features incels (involuntary celibates)

While rape features heavily throughout the story, it is sensitively done though the entire concept of it does come across with a sense of brutality and even violence, though to be fair this book is a lot less graphic than some of Diamond's other thrillers. I think out sensitivity it is less so. But some readers may find it confronting so if this is an issue for you then maybe pass on this one.

The story begins three years previously with Gail returning home after a tiring shift at work. She falls asleep after some mindless TV, awaking only to find a stranger on top of her raping her. She cannot move, she cannot see for something was draped across her face and she cannot do anything to stop what this monster is doing to her. Afterwards he makes her wash with bleach and takes everything he use from the scene, leaving no trace of evidence behind. It is like nothing ever happened. Except Gail knows that it did. She can feel it, she can remember every waking moment, she can taste it. 

In the morning, she reports the assault to police where she is interviewed by DS Shona White. But when she takes it to her supervising officer, she is told that this is not the first time Gail has reported a rape that was deemed to be a false allegation. No one would believe her, the case was untenable and so Shona was told to bury it and let it go. And so Gail leaves feeling as though she has been raped all over again. Just like last time - they didn't believe her.

Three years on, Gail has tried moving on with her life but instead lives in the shadow of some semblance of what was once her life. She has been unable to hold down a job, becoming unreliable and unmanagable, even going as far as slapping a customer on one occasion. Now she has a night shift position at a hotel on the front desk and running room service because she only feels safe at home during the day when her neighbours are awake.

Gail frequents sexual assault support groups several times a week and it is there she meets Martha whose story of her own ordeal mirrors her own. As Martha tells her story Gail feels as if it is her own, reliving every horrifying moment. They decide to make a stand and not be victims any longer and so they try to draw out other survivors to his brutal assaults...because one thing they know - they were not the only ones. The police have washed their hands of it as there is no physical evidence not only linking a perpetrator to the assault but that that an assault even took place! Together they discover more consistencies that bring them closer to finding out who did this to them and the significance of the date on which they were raped two years apart.

THE SILENCE is a very dark read that can be quite uncomfortable to read at times. But it is compelling, addictive and held my attention throughout. Firstly, I must commend Diamond for tackling what is essentially a difficult topic to feature in plots. She did it with sensitivity, honesty and care. Her thrillers are known for being brutal and featuring graphic scenes but for the purpose of this one she reigned it in here. 

The story unfolds through three main perspectives - Gail, Shona and the perpetrator. Gail's narrative is unusual in the sense that it is written with an almost second person narrative...like a diary to her attacker. She keeps referring to "you" meaning her attacker throughout her narrative. Shona's focuses on the investigation from when Gail first presented to her three years ago to now when she is now a DI. The perpetrator's retells his story from that of a child, the unjustness and unfairness of his peers and pretty much everyone around him, leading up to the present. 

Unfortunately I found Gail rather irritating and barely likeable at times. I did sympathise with her but I liked her less as the story progressed. I get how she doesn't want to be seen as a victim any longer but the transition into vigilante was a tad far fetched and I felt took away from the main purpose. I liked Shona but felt she was made to tow the line when really she wanted to pursue the investigation from the start. She believe Gail, but no one else would.

I story as a whole was dark but cleverly told throughout. There are sufficient twists to keep you guessing but I had it all figured out by about chapter 5...although admittedly I was only guessing but it was my theory at the time but the more I read the more I was convinced I was right.

The ending I thought was a little abrupt and while I was engaged throughout I did feel there was something lacking that is usually present in Diamond's thrillers. But that aside, it is quite a good read despite its subject matter. A tense and chilling read from start to finish.

I would like to thank #KaterinaDiamond, #Netgalley and #AvonBooksUK for an ARC of #TheSilence in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Katerina was born into a large Greek family in Weston-super-Mare. She lived in several places including Northern Greece, South Devon, Cyprus, Derby and East London before settling down in East Kent with one husband, two children and three rats.

As a child, Katerina was an avid reader from an early age, with a particular affection for Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie.

Katerina is a big fan of television dramas, movies and world cinema. This led to her writing and co-writing several screenplays before joining a novel writing group. After beginning her first novel in 2013, Katerina entered a local writing competition and won. She is now the Sunday Times and Amazon bestselling author of a series of psychological crime novels set in Exeter. 

Katerina burst onto the crime scene with her debut The Teacher, which became a Sunday Times bestseller and a number one Kindle bestseller. It was longlisted for the CWA John Creasey Debut Dagger Award and the Hotel Chocolat Award for ‘darkest moment’. The Teacher was followed by sequels The Secret, The Angel, The Promise, Truth or Die and Woman in the Water, all of which featured detectives Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey. The Heatwave is her first standalone thriller.

Katerina now lives in the East Kent Coast with her husband and children. She is a Sunday Times and Kindle bestseller.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: Christmas with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker

Christmas with the Cornish Girls (The Cornish Girls #2) by Betty Walker

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW2

Read: 27th March 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 25th November 2021

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

1941. The bombs still fall, but in St. Ives Christmas is finally approaching for the Cornish Girls…

With the war ongoing, Lily is feeling anything but festive. That is, until Eva asks if she’ll join her in working at an officers’ convalescent home, lifting her spirits no end.

Eva came to St. Ives to be near the man who almost gave his life to protect hers. But will the wounded pilot ever help to heal himself by opening his heart to love?

Rose suspects the local orphanage is mistreating its charges – and it’s her job to uncover the truth before it’s too late…

Can the Cornish Girls help one another through the darkest days in order to give everyone in St. Ives the sparkling Christmas they so deserve?

The second in the uplifting wartime Cornish Girls series, perfect for fans of Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas.

MY THOUGHTS:

Another Christmas with whoever I'm reading about! This time I'm back with Cornish Girls and naturally I've enjoyed my time with them once again. Whilst the previous one focused on Violet and her two young nieces escaping the East End for the sleepy confines of Cornwall and thensome, this one follows her eldest niece Lily and their friend Eva who have transferred to St Ives where they are nursing convalescing soldiers at Symmonds Hall.

As soon as Eva had heard that Max Carmichael, the Flight Lieutenant who was injured pushing her to safety during the raid in London that saw her leave the capital for Cornwall was alive, she took herself off to St Ives to become a nurse so that she could be nearer to him. Unfortunately, Max didn't want her sympathies or her care. His injuries meant that he could no longer offer her all that she deserved and no amount of cajoling or caring from her ministrations would change his mind. Well we'll see about that, Eva thought. But first she must ensure she escaped Sister's notice or she will be in danger of being put on a disciplinary charge. 

After receiving news that Eastern House must let go one of their domestic staff, Lily decides to take Eva up on her invitation to join her in St Ives as a nursing assistant. Despite having never nursed before, Lily finds she enjoys it and develops a soft spot for a young soldier with horrific burns. The young soldier, Danny, takes an obvious shine to her but she's still haunted by the dark event of her past. And then Eva volunteers her for organising the Christmas party for the home which is held every year to help keep spirits up. But she hasn't the first clue as to how to go about it! But at least it might help keep her mind off things. But it's not until one day during a raid that something happens to give Lily new direction, making her rethink her options.

And then there is Rose, known on the wards as Sister Gray. She is a formidable presence to all those under her but beneath her tough exterior is an insecure woman just trying to do her best amidst a war. It's no secret she carries a torch for Dr Lewis but he is spoken for...by none other than her younger sister who upped and left to work in a munitions factory but will no doubt be back to stake her claim on the dashing young doctor. Then one day Rose sees a sad little face from the window of the orphanage next door and over the ensuing days and weeks, comes to learn that all is not as it seems behind those closed doors. Children just skin and bone being made to march in a circle in the cold without so much as a coat or a scarf to warm them which was explained away as exercising. When she looks for the young boy she has befriended she is told he is isolating as he has measles. But the more things she sees and the less she does of young Jimmy, Rose becomes suspicious. But no one will take her concerns seriously. Until an air raid brings secrets crashing down.

This book was quite different to the first one and took a little getting into as I was expecting to remain in Porthcurno with Violet, Hazel and co. They still feature here but it's Lily, Eva and Rose that shine this time round. We share in all the joys and sorrows, lifes and loves all under the bombing of the Germans.

I thoroughly enjoyed this installment and wonder where the next one will take us. It will be interesting to find out. But I'll leave that for another day.

A perfect heartwarming read for fans of Pam Howes, Rosie Hendry and Fenella Miller.

I would like to thank #BettyWalker, #Netgalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #ChristmasWithTheCornishGirls in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Born in Ilford, Essex, author Betty Walker now lives in Cornwall with her large family, where she enjoys gardening and coastal walks. She loves discovering curious historical facts, and devotes much time to investigating her family tree.

Betty also writes under other names! She writes atmospheric contemporary thrillers as Jane Holland, light-hearted romances as Beth Good, and YA fantasy and Tudor historicals as Victoria Lamb.

Social media links:

Wesbite | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 

REVIEW: The Younger Woman by Mandy Byatt

The Younger Woman by Mandy Byatt

Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense

Read: 25th March 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 2nd February 2023

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

The unputdownable new thriller from Mandy Byatt that will leave you reeling after the final twist…

She knows him better than anyone.

She doesn’t know him at all…

Lottie and Nick once had a dream marriage, but a series of failed IVF attempts has left Lottie feeling insecure, and her paranoia is further stoked by the arrival of a new starter at Nick’s firm. Tasha is the spitting image of a younger, more attractive Lottie, and Nick is paying her a lot of attention…

But then Lottie discovers she’s pregnant. A surprise getaway to their country cottage to celebrate Nick’s birthday will provide the perfect backdrop to give him the news and start to heal the rifts in their relationship.

Then, on the eve of Nick’s birthday, Lottie goes into the cellar, and what she finds makes her question everything. Because there, in the corner of the cellar, is the body of a young woman.

A young woman who looks just like Lottie…

A gripping, suspenseful thriller with a killer twist you won’t see coming! Perfect for fans of Adele Parks and Liane Moriarty.

MY THOUGHTS:

"You shouldn't play around with people..."

What a delightful tension-filled twisted thriller THE YOUNGER WOMAN is! And definitely not what I expected at all. The author has cleverly constructed a complex plot that will have even seasoned readers like me fooled with each turn of the page, leaving us more stunned than Nick with Lottie's anniversary surprise.

Forty-somethings Nick and Lottie are off to Fairview, his parent's holiday cottage (which is anything but a cottage, I might add), to celebrate their tenth anniversary and Nick's birthday the following day. After several years of failed IVF attempts and their desperation to have a child, nothing has worked and Lottie's biological clock is ticking. But now Lottie has a big surprise for Nick...however, she is in for an even bigger surprise of her own.

Filled with excitement at Lottie's news, Nick braves the lashing rain and heads to the village for some champers. But an hour later and he still hasn't returned and Lottie is getting worried. Even more so when the storm cuts the lights in the cottage and she must use her mobile phone's flashlight (with its failing battery) to brave the cellar and its feisty inhabitants of the rodent kind in search of the fuse box (and hoping it is just a tripped switch). Of course she clocks a bottle of champagne on the shelf down there, but Nick claimed not to have known where the key to the cellar was. Yet Lottie found it on his own key fob. Strange? Or had he forgotten about it?

When she tries to retrieve the bottle, she unintentionally discovers the body of a young woman. A woman with red hair, like her own. Like Nick's new PA. Surely not?

Lottie's head is filled with questions. All those text messages; all those late nights "at the office"; his moodiness and snappiness; the lies she has uncovered and questioned him about...all of this and more. How did she get here? Why is she here? Did Nick meet her here? Were they having an affair?

But nothing will prepare Lottie for the answers when they are eventually revealed. Skeletons buried so deep, uncovering the lies and deception as the secrets of the past begin to resurface. And at the end of it all...what does it mean for Nick, Lottie and the baby they so desperately wanted?

With a handful of characters, a cleverly woven plot and a twisted tale that will keep you guessing who to believe and who not to, THE YOUNGER WOMAN is a psychological thriller that will have you second guessing everything. Even the characters all seem a little untrustworthy. One in particular is just deviously nasty. But the story as a whole is just really well-plotted and by the end you will be left pondering what exactly you've just read. Because it will make you second guess how you perceived everything. Not confusing, when really you think about it, just complex and very cleverly done.

THE YOUNGER WOMAN was nothing like I expected and I enjoyed every minute of it! Figuring out the twists and reveals never spoils the story for me, but when you get one that comes along and still has the ability to surprise and shock you, then you know you have a winner! I love the complexity of the story and its subplots that when I look back at it and see just how cleverly the author has woven the tale, I am just so impressed I'm speechless.

Overall, a thoroughly twisted tale and an enjoyable psychological thriller with plenty of tension and an abundance of secrets that are so cleverly hidden not even the seasoned reader will pick them! 

I would like to thank #MandyByatt, #Netgalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #TheYoungerWoman in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Born and raised in the Staffordshire Moorlands, Mandy studied languages at university and spent a year in Munich where she refined her German-speaking and Stein-clinking skills.

Mandy has been shortlisted in the Gransnet/HQ novel competition and Woman & Home short story competition as well as longlisted in the HWA/Sharpe Books Unpublished Novel Award and Orange Pathé screenwriting competition. She was also a winner of a Radio 5 Live monologue competition. Just Another Liar was her debut novel, The Younger Woman is her second.

Mandy's love of writing led to a day-job in marketing and a night-job in novel writing. She lives in Cheshire and is currently studying for an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, whilst working in marketing communications. 

Social media links:

Wesbite | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park by Molly Green

Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park (The Bletchley Park Girls #1) by Molly Green

Genre: Historical fiction, Wartime fiction, Sagas

Read: 29th January 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 28th April 2022

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Her code breaking will save lives.

But will it save the man she loves…?

September 1939. London is in blackout, war has been declared, but Dulcie Treadwell can think only of her heartbreak over American broadcaster, Glenn Reeves, who didn’t say goodbye before leaving for Berlin.

Posted to Bletchley Park, Dulcie must concentrate on helping the war effort by cracking the German Enigma codes. The hours are long and the conditions tough, with little recognition from above. Until she breaks her first code…

Dulcie finally settles into something she was born to do. But just as she’s proving her worth, a shocking betrayal leads to Dulcie’s brutal dismissal. Is it too late for Dulcie to prove her innocence and keep helping to save innocent lives?

The new sweeping WW2 historical series from Molly Green, set at top secret Bletchley Park…

MY THOUGHTS:

Having read Molly Green's previous serious of the Victory Sisters, I was excited to dive into The Bletchley Park Girls. However, I went to read the second book before realising I hadn't yet read the first one so I quickly sought out this one to enjoy. And enjoy I did. Though I have tired of many wartime reads, there are still the odd few that I enjoy, particularly those that are more sagas involving stories within with the war as a backdrop. And SUMMER SECRETS AT BLETCHLEY PARK is something of a heartwarming romance amidst wartime.

We meet Dulcie (Dale) Treadwell, a junior reporter on a local newspaper, as she meets American broadcaster Glen Reeves at Westminster Bridge the day war is declared and London is plunged into darkness as blackout begins. It's love at first sight and the couple plan to meet the following day. But Glenn is then posted overseas to Berlin without a word of goodbye and is unable to let her know and so Dale thinks he was a just a chancer and is left heartbroken.

After entering a crossword competition, her unique skills see her recruited to Bletchley Park where she signs the Offical Secrets Act and begins work on the enigma machines. She finds the work exciting and soon hopes to gain a promotion as a cryptographer. But no amount of work stops the nagging questions of why Glenn stood her up. Will they ever be reunited?

There's a lot more I could say about the story but I won't. Let's just say it's an enjoyable and entertaining read, though the market is similarly flooded with similar tales. But Molly Green's style is easy to read making it an enjoyable read. The story did move along at a steady pace and I was pleasantly surprised to find its focus was more on Dale and her romance rather than the wartime regime which many a book has been written so this made a pleasant change and an easy read. Too much factual accounts tend to bog readers down in history rather than a light read.

The ending was a little abrupt but I look forward to catching up the characters in the next book which I intend to read next.

I would like to thank #MollyGreen, #Netgalley and #AvonBooksUK for an ARC of #SummerSecretsAtBletchleyPark in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Molly Green is the pseudonym for Denise Barnes.

Denise has travelled the world, unpacking her suitcase in a score of countries and working at more jobs than she cares to remember. Mentionable events include selling lipstick in a Denver department store to top English model of the day, Jean Shrimpton; typing on a French keyboard for the UN Narcotics Director in Geneva; chauffeuring a lonely Swiss multi-millionaire lawyer in Zurich; being the first fashion model in Atlanta to dance to pop music; working as a PA to a film producer and delivering a film script to Richard Harris in Rome and not recognising him (he was not amused); and cooking in a vegetarian sanatorium in Bavaria, which gave rise to her first hilarious memoir.

Back home in England, Denise reluctantly trained as an estate agent - and loved it! Juggling the running of her chain of eight offices in Kent with taking an Honours Degree with Open University, Denise had difficulty finding the time to pursue her life-long passion for writing. 

To give herself the freedom to write she sold her business after 17 years, but unfortunately to the wrong buyers, namely a couple of tricksters, which resulted in a second, more serious, memoir. Buying back the business and after six years selling it once again, she is now able to resume her love of fiction writing, under the pen-names of Fenella Forster and Molly Green.

Having completed two books under her own name, Denise wanted to use a pen name for her historical fiction. She chose Fenella as she felt it was a more romantic name, and Forster after her true, but unknown, maternal grandfather.  When signing with Avon Books, Denise chose the pen name of Molly Green where she has now written at least half a dozen books under the pseudonym, proving to be very successful with two of them reaching #1 on the Amazon Kindle chart.

Denise now lives in Tunbridge Wells in Kent with her husband Edward.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

 

REVIEW: In the Dark by Claire Allan

In the Dark by Claire Allan

Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense

Read: 25th January 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 19th January 2023

★★★★ 4.5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

I don't know what happened to my daughter. Only that she's missing – and I was the last person to see her…

My name is Nora Logue. You’ve probably heard of me – most people have.

I am the mother of Daisy Logue. Seven years ago, I took her for a walk in the woods. Only I came out.

I have no memory of what happened that day.

I have tried to rebuild my life. Met a man, had another child – Luca. But I can’t let go of Daisy, or give up hope of seeing her again.

And now, I have the chance to find out what happened to her.

But what if pursuing the truth about my daughter risks my son’s life?

A whiplash-inducing, unputdownable crime thriller from the author of The Nurse, perfect for fans of CLARE MACKINTOSH and LISA JEWELL.

MY THOUGHTS:

Ok...so a true crime documentary in the making I wondered which angle this tale would tell. I'm not a fan of journalists and the media frenzy that leeches off other people's misfortune all to get the biggest and best scoop. Sensationalism at its best. But IN THE DARK is different and not what I expected. I should have known...it's Claire Allan and nothing is ever what it seems under her pen.

Everyone knows Nora Logue. She was the mother of four year old Daisy who went into the woods one day and never came out. Nora, on the other hand, did. And to this day, seven years later, she has no recollection of what happened there or to that of her little girl who just simply vanished. But as with all cases such as this, everyone has an opinion and most have no problem airing them. And as a result, Nora has been plagued by hate and vitriol from the public at large because really, how could she not remember what happened in those woods? Or what happened to Daisy? Surely she knows exactly what happened and is playing at the whole disassociative amnesia thing.

Did she see where Daisy went? Did she kill her little girl and try to cover it up? But if that were the case, surely the police would have found her body by now? After all, where else would Daisy's body be but in those woods? Which was painstakingly searched at the time. So what happened to Daisy? And what, or did, Nora have to do with it?

Seven years later, Nora has married Brendan and has a little boy, Luca. Together they are trying to move forward but stil Nora cannot forget Daisy. And, until she knows what truly happened to her, she never will.

Now Nora is approached by true crime documentary filmmaker Izzy Devine, who wants to feature Daisy's case and speak to Nora about her recollections of that day. Together, can they uncover the truth of what happened that day? And reveal what really happened to Daisy? Or will Izzy discover what everyone already suspects - that Nora killed her little girl?

As soon as word gets out that a true crime documentary is being made about Daisy Logue, true crime fans jump on the case and begin to theorise their own ideas and hypotheses about the cold case. And then newcomers join the forum with their own ideas and begin to point the finger at Nora...with hate and malice. 

Until a photo surfaces that could change everything...

IN THE DARK is a deep dark psychological thriller that really keeps you in the dark right up to the final pages. Unless you are clever enough to piece the jigsaw together beforehand. The story is tightly plotted and keeps you guessing throughout. Just when you think one thing, along comes something to make you second guess your theory.

The story unfolds through Nora and Izzy's perspectives mainly. Though there are a couple of chapters narrated anonymously by "The Four". Nora is a completely unreliable narrator that we can't trust what she thinks or says as she borders upon delusional, so unhinged by not knowing what really happened in those woods seven years before. She certainly sounds like a candidate for the asylum with her dreamlike imaginings and trances, not to mention her behaviour. But then some of the other characters are unreliable also. I didn't trust either Tom or Brendan though I couldn't quite put my finger on why. I just didn't.

I love missing child thrillers, but IN THE DARK puts a completely different spin on it that it is somewhat unique and easily stands out from the rest. The true crime documentary angle was also an original aspect and interesting plot point.

Overall, a pageturning thriller that even the title will keep you guessing until the very end when you'll then appreciate its meaning.

I would like to thank #ClaireAllan, #Netgalley and #AvonBooksUK for an ARC of #InTheDark in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Claire Allan is a bestselling author from Derry.

A former journalist, she published eight contemporary women’s fiction titles with Poolbeg Press in Ireland, establishing herself as a multiple Irish Times Bestselling Author.

Her novel 'The First Time I Said Goodbye' - based on a true story of a love affair between a Derry girl and a US marine became a US Kindle Top Five bestseller.

However in 2016,  Claire decided to change genre and to write domestic noir  - this secured her her a book deal with Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins.

Her debut thriller Her Name Was Rose has sold more than a quarter of a million copies and has achieved bestseller status around the world.  

When not writing thrillers, she can be found penning romantic comedies under her alias of Freya Kennedy.

Claire is currently working on a TV adaptation of her 2020 novel ‘The Liar’s Daughter’ with Hat Trick productions, and as a story consultant for the new BBC cop drama ‘Blue Lights’.

Her sixth thriller ‘The Kindling’ is scheduled for publication in January 2022.

 

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 

REVIEW: Wartime with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker

Wartime with the Cornish Girls (Cornish Girls Saga #1) by Betty Walker

Genre: Historical fiction, Wartime fiction, Sagas, WW2

Read: 7th December 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 29th April 2021

★★★★ 4.5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

1941. The Blitz rages over London.

And even in Cornwall, the war is being fought…

When Violet loses her sister in the Blitz, she must take her nieces to safety in Cornwall. On the coast, she meets carefree chorus girl Eva, who is also running from the dangers of London.

But Porthcurno hides a secret military base, and soon Violet and Eva realise there’s a battle to fight in Cornwall, too.

Together with local Hazel, who works on the base, they must come together to help the war effort. But will their friendship be enough to keep them safe?

The perfect uplifting wartime read for fans of Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have all but exhausted the genre for wartime fiction but there are still a few I enjoy, preferring those that war is simply a backdrop to a saga od stories. But WARTIME WITH THE CORNISH GIRLS is also a little different and I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did, since the market is flooded with similar tales. But then, I'm always a sucker for Cornwall.

The story begins in London during the Blitz with Violet and her two nieces, Lily and Alice, fleeing the capital for the confines of sleepy Cornwall in the hope of escaping the nightly raids and keeping safe. However, their idyllic dreams of sunswept sands and paddling in the crisp blue waters is shortlived upon arrival. They have taken refuge with Violet's mother's sister and her husband, but Margaret is a manipulative tyrant and her husband a lech and after a shocking confrontation, Violet and the girls flee the farm and yet have nowhere to go.

High-spirited Eva is a chorus girl in London and has caught the eye of American flight lieutenant Max. Until one night a raid sees them seeking shelter nearby, killing many with Max pushing Eva to safety with no thought to for his own. After recovering from near death, Eva is summoned to Cornwall by her father where he heads up a top secret mission on its sleepy coasts. 

Hazel is born and bred Cornish who, as a teenager, was in love with one boy but fell pregnant to another and thus marrying said father, Bertie Baxter, who ended up being an abusive tyrant with far too much love of alcohol than for his wife and son. But now Bertie is off serving King and country leaving Hazel to keep the home fires burning and their 15 year old son Charlie with a who has a wanderlust to follow in his father's footsteps.

After a chance meeting outside her aunt's farm, Violet seeks out Hazel (the only other person she knows in Cornwall) in the hope of garnishing jobs for the three of them at Eastern House where Hazel works as a domestic. There they meet Eva who finds life in Porthcurno somewhat sedate and boring after the excitement of London. They become friends and are soon planning a dance to keep spirits up while maintaining a level of fun and excitement amidst the doom of war that overshadows them.

But they soon discover that nowhere in England is safe during the war, not even sleepy Cornwall. And when a nasty surprise turns up threatening to spread rumours about her family amidst her superiors at Eastern House, Violet fears her time in Cornwall and the friendships she has found may be coming to an end. Meanwhile, Eva develops starry eyes for Professor Templeton but feels sure he is keeping secrets. While Hazel harbours her own secret that is bound to change her life, but not as much as the news she receives shortly after.

How will things turn out for these three women?

I liked Violet and her sparky nieces, Lily and Alice. After her sister is killed in the Blitz she decides to take her nieces to Cornwall to keep them safe but has no idea what lay in store for her there. Hazel had my sympathies with a brute of a husband and a moody teenage son who tries to stake his place as the man of the house in his father's absence. But her life shows promise by the end and I look forward to seeing what happens for her. The only thing I liked about Eva was her name. The woman did what she want without a care or thought for anyone else. 

I really enjoyed WARTIME WITH THE CORNISH GIRLS which had the right balance of war and life on the home front for me. I enjoy saga stories and following the lives of favourite characters without being bogged down by technical or historical facts. And of course, I love just about everything set in Cornwall.

I don't know where the stories will go from here but I look forward to catching up with the girls in future installments...all of which I have waiting on my kindle.

Perfect for fans of Lizzie Lane, Rosie Clarke, Pam Howes and Nancy Revell.

I would like to thank #BettyWalker, #NetGalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #WartimeWithTheCornishGirls in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Born in Ilford, Essex, author Betty Walker now lives in Cornwall with her large family, where she enjoys gardening and coastal walks. She loves discovering curious historical facts, and devotes much time to investigating her family tree.

Betty also writes under other names! She writes atmospheric contemporary thrillers as Jane Holland, light-hearted romances as Beth Good, and YA fantasy and Tudor historicals as Victoria Lamb.

Social media links:

Wesbite | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: Friends Don't Lie by Nell Pattison

Friends Don't Lie by Nell Pattison

Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense

Read: 2nd October 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 29th September 2022

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

The new addictive, compelling and immersive thriller from Nell Pattison, with enough dark twists to give you whiplash…Fans of Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell will be hooked.

My name is Isabel Butterworth. Your name is Isabel Butterworth.

We’re around the same age. We live in the same town.

But your life is more exciting than mine, isn’t it? Richer, dramatic, more fulfilling.

Imagine if I’d never found out about you…

But I have. Because someone mistook me for you.

And now I can’t stop thinking about you because I know you’re in trouble. You need my help.

And I need a way to get to know you.

To save you.

To be you…

MY THOUGHTS:

Friends don't keep secrets...friends don't lie...

We've all heard of doppelgangers but what about someone not only the same name as you but who lives in the same town and is relatively a similar age? You wouldn't read about it...or would you? I guess I just did. Because we have not one but two Isabella Butterworths living in Lincoln, a great cathedral city of England. But that is about where the similarities end. Because the two women have equally separate lives vastly different from the other. And one woman would never have found about the other had she not been mistaken for her in the first place.

Izzy Butterworth lives a quiet and isolated existence. She once had a circle of friends at uni with whom she has since grown apart, made especially clear when Izzy began to lose her hearing and socialising became something she dreaded. A misheard word turned into an entire missed conversation and Izzy found it easier to stop frequenting those places she found it difficult to follow conversations, despite her hearing aids.

Then one day, an email lands in her inbox that is addressed to her but is obviously not for her as the email attachments contained photographs that were clearly not her nor the husband and family she doesn't have. But this isn't the first time she's received an email for Isabella Butterworth - another Isabella Butterworth - and she's just binned them, citing them having been sent to her in error. 

And then something strange happens. As she leaves her flat to grab a takeaway for dinner, she is accosted by a stranger demanding to see Isabella Butterworth and threatening to kill her. The incident shakes her to the core as he obviously believes the woman he seeks to be living in her flat. He obviously knows the other Isabella Butterworth which is why he didn't mistake her for the other woman. So why is he so desperate to find her? And why did he say he wanted to kill her?

Izzy is so intrigued by the turn of events that she uses the emails sent to her in error to learn more about this Isabella Butterworth. And what she discovers is that the other Isabella has everything that she doesn't. A handsome husband. Two beautiful children. And a gorgeous palatial home. But what should she do with this information? Warn her that she is in danger? But what if she doesn't believe her? And what if her attacker comes back looking for her? Is she putting them both in danger? No...she befriends her. And discovers that she likes this woman called Bella and through her finds a new confidence she was otherwise lacking in her own lonely and isolated life.

What an amazing read this is! I certainly never expected things to play out as they did when I started it last night. In fact, a few of the reviews left me feeling a bit "meh" about it and wondering if this was going to be a waste of my time...but it most certainly wasn't. I absolutely loved this psychological thriller that is so unique but well played from start to almost the finish. The one thing letting it down from being a five start read was the ending. Without giving anything away and my reasons why I feel this way, I just felt a little cheated at the end. But aside from that, it was an outstanding read.

I have read one other of this author's thrillers, "The Silent House", but have yet to read the rest of that series. I like the fact that it factors in hearing loss and the deaf community and how something like that may hinder one's ability in such a story. But the author uses it as an aid rather than a disability, which I find refreshing. Although in this story, Izzy's hearing impairment is really only featured in the beginning and doesn't actually play in the bigger picture...you will understand why that is in the end.

The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of both Izzy and Bella, but in blocks of several chapters rather than an alternating chapter each. I think maybe the author should have thus divided the book into Part One - Izzy, Part Two - Bella and so forth for easier identification for some. I didn't have a problem with the alternating perspectives and actually found Bella's life a lot more interesting than Izzy's, for good reason I expect. Though I hated Bella's husband Ian with a passion. The man was a self centred git. And I could sympathise with Izzy as well because I could relate to her in some ways also...and found her somewhat sad.

There are a couple of twists even I didn't foresee coming - one is just over halfway through and the others are closer to the penultimate climax. The first twist I was like...what?? I did not see that coming! The other couple I figured out just before they were revealed. But wow! I really loved this read. And I can see why it is compared to Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell because the style is so very similar to the dark tone which is found in their writing.

The plot is very intricate and complex but not confusing. You always know at which point you are and whose narrative you are reading. But equally so, both characters do appear to be unreliable and there is that air of not knowing how much you can really trust them.

FRIENDS DON'T LIE is a dark psychological thriller that has a creepy and often sinister edge to it. I wanted to read it one sitting but I was too tired to finish overnight, completing it this morning. An outstanding thriller that's only flaw is the ending, for which I knock off a half star. Some readers may love it, but not me. But it still didn't ruin my overall enjoyment of this exceptional and intriguing read.

I would like to thank #NellPattison, #NetGalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #FriendsDontLie in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Nell Pattison is the USA Today bestselling author of THE SILENT HOUSE, SILENT NIGHT and THE SILENT SUSPECT, the crime thriller series featuring British Sign Language interpreter Paige Northwood, and two standalone psychological thrillers, HIDE/NOWHERE TO HIDE and FRIENDS DON'T LIE.

After studying English at university, Nell Pattison became a teacher and specialised in Deaf education. She taught in the Deaf community for 15 years in both England and Scotland, working with students who use BSL. 

Nell began losing her hearing in her twenties, and is a strong believer in the importance of disability representation in fiction. She lives in North Lincolnshire, England, with her husband and children.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Last House on the Cliff by Anne Wyn Clark

The Last House on the Cliff by Anne Wyn Clark

Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense, Gothic

Read: 6th September 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 18th August 2022

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

When a young widow’s little girl vanishes, could a dark family secret hold the answer?

On the death of her aunt Gwyn, Lowri returns once more to Gwyn’s home on the remote island of Anglesey, Wales, with her young daughter Ruby in tow. Lowri hadn’t seen her aunt in years, but this beautiful island offers a fresh start.

Yet right away, strange things begin to happen. Ruby insists an old woman is visiting her when no one else is watching, and a tattered old doll keeps being left for Ruby to find.

Then Ruby goes missing. Desperately seeking answers no one seems to have, Lowri looks to her dark family past for clues. But the secrets she uncovers suggest that Ruby is not the only one in danger, and time is running out – for both of them…

A terrifically dark and twisty tale that asks: can you ever really trust those closest to you? Perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Cass Green and C.J. Tudor.

MY THOUGHTS:

"A secluded island. A missing child. A home built on lies."

Firstly, that cover. Blue is my favourite colour and its hues incorporated with the seemingly stormy aspect of a house on a cliff made for an atmospheric cover that pretty much called to me alone. I love it.

And then there is the setting. I don't know what it is with books I have chosen these past few days but the last three in order were all atmospheric and set on an island off one of each of the UK's countries. First Scotland, then Ireland and now Wales. And I love Wales. I've not been there but I love the scenery, the coastline and oh the accent. So naturally, what with the cover and the setting, I was totally drawn to this book.

And then there is the story. A missing child, a creepy house, family secrets and a tangled web of lies. What more could I ask for?

Well, namely, for the pace to be a little quicker and though the vivid descriptions added to the atmospheric ambience, a little less wordiness would have been better. I'm not a huge descriptive nature fan and prefer dialogue but having said that, descriptive narratives are imperative to a story as atmospheric as this one. I just wish it was a little less drawn out in that respect. However, the story is dripping with atmosphere and tension as it delves into loss, grief and family. And of course, all the lies upon which it was all built.

Lowri was raised by a Welsh father and a Midlands-born mother, both from whom she felt something of a distance. Her mother didn't appear to be the maternal type and dismissed her more often than not, and though her father doted on her his first love was her mother above all else. Lowri fell somewhere below that par. Apart from her desolated childhood, Lowri eagerly looked forward to the summers she spent on the island of Angelsey in North Wales with her Aunt Gwyn who ran a funeral home. But then suddenly, her father and her aunt had a falling out and she never saw her aunt again.

Some two decades later, Lowri is raising her own daughter Ruby single-handedly after first the death of Ruby's father and then the acrimonious divorce of her money-grabbing leech of a second husband Darren, when she receives the devastating news that her aunt Gwyn has died and her presence is required for both the funeral and the reader of the will. It seems odd to be returning to Wales after so long where she reconnects with her aunt's cousins Awel and Elis, who live in the house which she has fond memories of. Lowri has memories of a cold and aloof Awel but age seems to have mellowed the woman who appears to welcome them with open arms - Ruby especially. Elis, who lost his hearing to meningitis as a child, hasn't changed and welcomes Lowri and her daughter.

But strange things begin to happen almost from the very first day. There's the eerie appearance of a dirty old rag doll that seems to continually turn up for Ruby to find, a mysterious hooded figure and some very strange noises. Added to that, there is a locked door from which sounds emanate. A door which has been locked for as long as Lowri can remember, her aunt citing rotten floorboards and old furniture within. Lowri is unnerved and beginning to wonder if returning to the old house was a good idea.

The reading of the will brings a few surprises afterwhich is the funeral. And then...Ruby disappears. Lowri is frantic. Her disappearance sparking memories of the mysterious disappearance of another young girl some twenty years before who has never been found. Has Ruby met the same fate? Or is it just a coincidence?

Oh, there was so much going on in this atmospheric tale of gothic proportions that it almost felt a little Daphne du Maurier. The house was a character all of its own with its gothic rooms and locked doors and creepy noises, not to mention its setting upon a cliff. You could almost feel the wind whipping around the exterior and rattling the windows.

Despite its very slow start, THE LAST HOUSE ON THE CLIFF did redeem itself with a stellar mystery within a mystery. It was twisty, it was complex and rather intricate...and deliciously dark to boot. Told mostly from Lowri's perspective in the past and present interwoven with a couple of other voices, the story unfolds almost like a supernatural tale that is incredibly gothic in nature.

And when the twists and truth are finally revealed, Lowri discovers some dark and disturbing secrets about the past. But the question is...will she accept all that has been revealed and go along with it? Or will she walk away from it all? I did find that a little unbelievable to be honest but the final twist at the end...that was the most delicious part. Epic!

A very original and unique thriller, THE LAST HOUSE ON THE CLIFF is a dark tale of family secrets with a very gothic atmosphere. Very compelling indeed.

I would like to thank #AnneWynClark, #NetGalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #TheLastHouseOnTheCliff in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Anne Wyn Clark lives in the UK, in the Midlands, with her husband, son and a feisty chinchilla. She has three (now grown-up) children and five grandchildren. She is particularly partial to Italian food, decent red wine (or any coloured wine come to that...) and cake - and has been known to over-indulge in each on occasions. She is passionate about animals and their welfare. Whilst she has enjoyed writing for many years, a love of all things gothic inspired her to try her hand at producing something dark and twisty, culminating in the haunting Whisper Cottage.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Goodreads