Thursday, 30 June 2022

BLOG TOUR: Hostage - Clare Mackintosh


Save hundreds of lives. Or save your child?

You're on board the first non-stop flight from London to Sydney. It's a landmark journey, and the world is watching.

Shortly after take-off, you receive a chilling anonymous note.

There are people on this plane intent on bringing it down - and you're the key to their plan.

You'd never help them, even if your life depended on it.

But they have your daughter . . . So now you have to choose.

DO YOU SAVE HUNDREDS OF LIVES? OR THE ONE THAT MATTERS MOST?
 

What did I think?

WOW! What a book!  This is one of those books where I want to tell you to stop reading my review and just buy the book now - it's THAT good.  So for anyone still with me, I'll try to sum up my thoughts of a book that left me completely speechless (and incredibly tired as I really couldn't put it down).

The moment I opened this book, I knew I was going to be hooked.  The prologue is an emergency call transcript that is so chilling it made all of the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.  It haunted me throughout the book and I couldn't read fast enough to get to that point but also felt terrified of reaching it.

Mina is in the middle of a marriage breakdown so she signs up to be a flight attendant on the first ever non-stop flight from London to Sydney, even though this means she will be separated from her daughter Sophia for several days.  Someone on the plane knows all about Sophia and they're banking on Mina being willing to do anything to keep her safe.  Can Mina really sentence hundreds of people to death just to save one life?  That's all I'm going to say about the outstanding plot that kept me reading late into the night.

There is a lot going on behind the scenes of Mina's life and I was very intrigued as to how she ended up becoming a flight attendant.  Clare Mackintosh very cleverly weaves a story into the main thread that shows we can be physically held hostage but also metaphorically held hostage to our past.  This felt like a pearl of wisdom from the Dalai Lama; how often do we hark back to something we wish we'd said or done differently?  Let it go!  It's holding you hostage.

Claire Mackintosh scoops all the stars as well as all the adjectives in her exceptional new novel.  Hostage is breathtaking, jawdropping, awesome, stunning, gripping and terrifying; it's an absolute must read and very highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; all opinions are my own.

My rating:

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About the author:

Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of five Sunday Times bestselling novels, including I Let You Go, which was the fastest-selling debut thriller in the year it was released.

Translated into forty languages, her books have sold more than two million copies worldwide, have been New York Times and international bestsellers and have spent a combined total of 64 weeks in the Sunday Times bestseller chart.

Clare spent twelve years in the police force, including time on CID, and as a public order commander. She left the police in 2011 to work as a freelance journalist and social media consultant and is the founder of the Chipping Norton Literary Festival. She now writes full time and lives in Wales with her husband and their three children.





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Wednesday, 29 June 2022

BLOG TOUR: The Bay - Allie Reynolds


The waves are to die for. It's a paradise they'd kill to keep.

There's a darkness inside all of us and The Bay has a way of bringing it out. Everyone here has their secrets but we don't go looking for them. Because sometimes it's better not to know.

Kenna arrives in Sydney to surprise her best friend, shocked to hear she's going to marry a guy she's only just met. But Mikki and her fiancé Jack are about to head away on a trip, so Kenna finds herself tagging along for the ride.

Sorrow Bay is beautiful, wild and dangerous. A remote surfing spot with waves to die for, cut off from the rest of the world. Here Kenna meets the mysterious group of people who will do anything to keep their paradise a secret. Sky, Ryan, Clemente and Victor have come to ride the waves and disappear from life. How will they feel about Kenna turning up unannounced?

As Kenna gets drawn into their world, she sees the extremes they are prepared to go to for the next thrill. And everyone seems to be hiding something. What has her best friend got involved in and how can she get her away? But one thing is rapidly becoming clear about The Bay: nobody ever leaves.
 

What did I think?

Don't be misled by the gorgeous cover; something dark and dangerous is lurking inside The Bay.  I really enjoyed it; it's action-packed, gripping and hugely entertaining.

Kenna and Mikki have a puzzling relationship; they've been best friends since school in England but Mikki is not exactly thrilled when Kenna turns up on her doorstep in Australia.  Kenna is determined to stop Mikki from rushing into marrying Jack, although Kenna didn't even receive an invitation to the wedding.  Strange - something is definitely afoot!

Jack invites Kenna to join him and Mikki on a trip to Sorrow Bay, a secret part of the coast that only a few people know about.  The tension really begins to mount when Kenna meets other members of the group who really don't like sharing their waves with strangers.  Just what has Mikki got herself tangled up in?

I absolutely loved all of the different characters in this book; everybody is hiding something and I couldn't read fast enough to uncover all of their secrets.  The surfing and extreme challenges they partake in had my heart racing and I even found myself holding my breath at certain points as if I was underwater too.

The characters and the scenery are so vividly drawn by Allie Reynolds that I felt as if I was on the beach with them.  The Bay is one of those books that you can easily imagine being made into a film or series and I would definitely want to watch it.

Tense, gripping and thrilling, The Bay is a brilliant thriller that not only has you on the edge of your seat, it has you gripping the armrests and holding your breath.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Thursday, 23 June 2022

BLOG TOUR: The Sinner - Caroline England

 
EVERY SAINT HAS A PAST

To the unsuspecting eye Dee Stephens has a perfect life as the vicar's wife: a devoted marriage to her charismatic husband Reverend Vincent, an adoring congregation and a beautiful daughter.

EVERY SINNER HAS A FUTURE

But beneath the surface, Dee is suffocating. Vincent is in control, and he knows her every sin. Desperate, Dee escapes into a heady affair with Cal, an old schoolmate.

EVERY CONFESSION HAS A PRICE

But is Cal the saviour she thinks he is? What dark secrets does he harbour? And to what lengths will Vincent go to when he uncovers the truth?


What did I think?

The Sinner is absolutely riveting.  It is filled with secrets, lies and deception so it is just the kind of book I love: a book that's difficult to put down and impossible to predict.

Dee is a very interesting main character; she really dislikes her role as vicar's wife, almost as much as she dislikes her mother-in-law.  The fractious relationship between the two women was beautifully described by Caroline England and I could totally see why Dee felt the need to escape into Cal's arms.  It's really difficult to talk about the plot without releasing any spoilers, so that's all I'm saying about it.

From the front cover design to the writing inside, The Sinner is completely flawless.  I was captivated from start to finish by both the intriguing characters and the compelling plot.  I absolutely raced through it as I just had to wring out every last secret hidden within the pages.

I've read a few Caroline England books over the years and The Sinner is definitely one of her best, although the others are all brilliant too.  I really wasn't expecting some of the twists and turns, and there are a lot of them, which will surprise and delight thriller fans.  The Sinner is a hugely enjoyable novel and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Friday, 17 June 2022

The Silent Brother - Simon Van Der Velde

 
The Past Never Dies

When his beloved little brother is stolen away, five-year-old Tommy Farrier is left alone with his alcoholic mam, his violent step-dad and his guilt. Too young to understand what has really happened, Tommy is sure of only one thing. He is to blame.

Tommy tries to be good, to live-up to his brother’s increasingly hazy memory, but trapped in a world of shame and degradation he grows up with just two options; poverty or crime. And crime pays.

Or so he thinks.

A teenage drug-dealer for the vicious Burns gang, Tommy’s life is headed for disaster, until, in the place he least expects, Tommy sees a familiar face…

And then things get a whole lot worse.


What did I think?

Wow - what a book!  The Silent Brother left me speechless, breathless and completely stunned.  Simon Van Der Velde has written a gritty, poignant, dark and disturbing masterpiece.  Set in the east end of Newcastle, this is what it would have been like if The Sopranos and Shameless had been set here.

Tommy Farrier has had a tragic life and oh how I felt for him.  His mam cares more about booze than she does her own children, so it's no surprise when Tommy's younger brother is taken into care.  This harrowing event shapes Tommy's whole life and the shadow of it hangs over his every move.  To survive, Tommy joins the Burns gang and this sets him on a dark and dangerous path with seemingly no escape...

Simon Van Der Velde has captured the heart and soul of Newcastle in this breathtaking book and the unique voice of Tommy is portrayed beautifully.  It's heartbreaking to read at times, especially as you start to care for the characters, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page.  Poverty and crime often go hand in hand, like two sides of the same coin, and the story is very true to life as so many children will have followed in Tommy's footsteps.

Beautifully written, The Silent Brother is a raw and gritty thriller that really has the wow factor.  Do not miss this one!  It's an absolute masterpiece and I don't have to think twice before awarding the full five stars - I'd give it more if I could.  I'll definitely be reading it again and I really can't recommend it highly enough.

I received a digital ARC from the author and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Wednesday, 15 June 2022

BLOG TOUR: WAKE - Shelley Burr


EVERYBODY THINKS THEY KNOW MINA McCREERY.
EVERYONE HAS A THEORY ON WHAT HAPPENED TO HER SISTER.
NOW IT'S TIME TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH...

Mina McCreery's sister Evelyn disappeared nineteen years ago. Her life has been defined by the intense public interest in the case. Now an anxious and reclusive adult, she lives alone on her family's destocked sheep farm.

When Lane, a private investigator, approaches her with an offer to reinvestigate the case, she rejects him. The attention has had nothing but negative consequences for her and her family, and never brought them closer to an answer.

Lane wins her trust when his unconventional methods show promise, but he has his own motivations for wanting to solve the case, and his obsession with the answer will ultimately risk both their lives.
 

What did I think?

WAKE by Shelley Burr is a brilliant debut novel and a worthy winner of the CWA Debut Dagger award 2019.  The writing is so accomplished that it's hard to believe it's a debut, but it definitely is - it's got the award to prove it, after all.

The mysterious disappearance of one of the McCreery twins in Australia remains unsolved, with many people speculating about what really happened to Evie McCreery.  People can be so cruel as all of the McCreery family comes under the public spotlight.  It's no wonder that the remaining twin Mina dislikes people so much!

Evie's case is still fascinating to many and a stranger rolls into town who convinces Mina to let him investigate Evie's disappearance.  Lane thinks he knows what happened to Evie but he needs to gather evidence to prove it.  What does Lane know that Mina doesn't?

WAKE is so cleverly plotted that I couldn't have predicted any of it.  I was completely hooked by Evie's disappearance and intrigued by Lane's obsession to solve the case.  The characters are flawed and complex, making them so multi-dimensional that I felt as if I could have reached into the book and touched them.  I also loved reading the excerpts from the 'MyMurder Forums' and it adds another dimension to the story.

Completely gripping and hugely atmospheric, I will be very surprised if WAKE isn't made into a film or series.  Highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; all opinions are my own.

My rating:

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Monday, 13 June 2022

BLOG TOUR: Aurora - David Koepp


When the lights go out no one is safe…

A planet without power.
When a solar storm hits the earth, the lights go out across the planet. But this time the blackout won’t be over soon – it could last for years. Aubrey and her stepson now face the biggest challenge of their lives.
 
A society without rules.
Soon they hear rumours of riots, the struggle for food becomes real, and even within their small communities, the rule of law is collapsing. Aubrey’s estranged brother Thom, a self-made billionaire who abandoned her years ago, retreats to a gilded desert bunker where he can ride out the crisis in perfect luxury.
 
A race to build a better world…
But the complicated history between the siblings is far from over, and what feels like the end of the world is just the beginning of a personal reckoning long overdue…

 
What did I think?

Aurora by David Koepp stood out as being something a little bit different from other books I have read and I really enjoyed it.  I started out thinking it was science fiction but it is scarily realistic and a thriller element is added to keep the pages turning at lightning speed.

The main part of the story is a coronal mass ejection (CME) hitting earth and taking out the power.  The book starts by telling us about The Carrington Event, the CME that hit earth in 1859, and expected to occur every 150 years.  Three little words at the end of that section chilled me to the bone: "We are overdue."

The scene is set and I was already thinking how real this could be.  Scientists check and double check their data, governments refuse to believe the scale of the event, and billionaires race to their bunkers.  Aubrey and Thom are siblings but their lives couldn't be more different.  When the world goes dark, Aubrey is stuck in Aurora, Illinois with a layabout stepson and Thom is in his state of the art bunker in California.

I love how the different character storylines flow and intermingle; I thought I wouldn't remember who certain characters were but they each have a role to play and fit into the story perfectly.  Just seeing how different people react to such massive challenges is so interesting to read - it's amazing how people can react to change and it's heartwarming to see that instead of being selfish, it's better to work together.  Of course, some people are only looking out for themselves and they will never change.

The writing is so vivid and the storyline is so gripping that I'm not surprised it's being made into a film.  I could have read so much more than the 400 pages included in the book, in fact I was disappointed to reach the end as I wanted to find out more.  

Scarily realistic, Aurora is gripping, thrilling and eye-opening; I can't wait to watch it on the big screen.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Friday, 10 June 2022

BLOG TOUR: Parklife - Lucy Nichol


Dumped, drunk and desperate for oblivion…

It’s 1996. Emma’s been rejected by the man she loves and sacked from the job she hates. Feeling like she’s hit a new low, she finds herself serving ice-cream and phoney smiles at the park.

Best mate Dave’s loved up, and her dad’s finally emerging from years of unemployment. Everyone’s life is on the up while Emma’s plummeting towards rock bottom. 

Every day she gives a free ‘99 to the lonely old man who sits on the park bench and reminds herself that life could be much worse.

But soon, even sprinkles and monkey’s blood can’t hide the truth. She’s in deep trouble and losing sight of the edge. Who will help her up when she falls?


What did I think?

Sometimes you know you want to read a book without even reading the blurb and that was definitely the case for me with Parklife.  I mean, just that dropped ice cream on the cover sums up the feeling of the book as Emma is definitely down on her luck.

I was delighted to catch up with Emma again after reading and loving The Twenty Seven Club so it was heartbreaking to see her in such a bad place.  Emma is an addict, hooked on booze and pills, but she doesn't think she has a problem.  Her boyfriend John has broken up with her and even her whippet Trev would rather stay with Emma's best mate Dave.  When she loses her job too, she thinks she can't sink any lower...but unfortunately she can.

I love Lucy Nichol's writing; it's proper Yorkshire as she says it how it is.  I felt very emotional reading Emma's story as there are so many people like her in real life, many of whom won't be lucky enough to have a support network around them.  Although it's quite a dark storyline, it's lightened up with Emma's blossoming friendship with Les, who visits the park each day to feed the ducks, and some musical entertainment down The Angel.

Of course, I couldn't miss Trev out of my review and it always puts a smile on my face to read about my favourite whippet.  It's almost like you could feel how worried he is about Emma too.  Best mate Dave and landlady Dor are on fine form and their affection for Emma is heartwarming to see.  I absolutely loved reading this book and could write so much more about it but I urge you to experience it for yourself.

Raw, honest and hopeful, Parklife is a sensitive portrayal of addiction and how it can hurt those you love the most, but they never stop loving you.  It's so beautifully written and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Lucy is a mental health campaigner and PR consultant, and a former columnist with Sarah Millican's Standard Issue magazine.  She has written for The Independent, The I Paper, NME, Red Magazine, Den of Geek, Men’s Fitness, Metro and Huff Post.  Lucy has worked with several mental health and recovery charities over the years including Recovery Connections, The Road to Recovery Trust, Mind, Time to Change and Action on Postpartum Psychosis.

You can also sign up to Lucy’s author newsletter.








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Thursday, 9 June 2022

BLOG TOUR: Cat and Mouse (DI Helen Grace Book 11) - M.J. Arlidge


THE LATEST COMPULSIVE AND GRIPPING DI HELEN GRACE THRILLER BY THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER MJ ARLIDGE 

When you think you're safe,
When you think you're all alone,
That's when he'll come for you...

A silent killer stalks the city, targeting those home alone at night - killing without pity or remorse.

As panic spreads, Detective Inspector Helen Grace leads the investigation, but is herself a hunted woman, her every step dogged by a ruthless killer bent on revenge.

As she tracks the murderer, Grace begins to suspect there is a truly shocking home truth that connects these brutal crimes...

Check the windows, lock the doors - this is a twisted page-turner that will prey on your darkest fears, in the way only M.J. Arlidge can.
 

What did I think?

I jumped into the DI Helen Grace series at book 10, Truth or Dare, and it finishes on a such a brilliant cliffhanger that I couldn't wait to read book 11, Cat and Mouse.  You can read this as a standalone novel, however, as it does follow straight on from the previous book, I would recommend reading Truth or Dare first.

I always set myself a reading target when I start a new book, allowing myself five days to read Cat and Mouse, but I couldn't put it down and finished it over a period of 48 hours.  It's so fast paced and gripping that I'm sure I was reading a lot faster than I usually would, widening my eyes to devour as many words as possible in the shortest timeframe.

I love motorbike driving detective Helen Grace and the whole team in Southampton, although one in particular is definitely a love to hate as he wants rid of Helen.  Helen doesn't think twice about throwing herself in the path of danger when a murderer is on the loose and I thought she was a goner on several occasions as the suspense and tension reached its peak.  Although it's not just Helen's life that is in danger, it's her whole career...

I cannot even begin to describe how good this book is - it's just brilliant from start to finish.  It's one of those books where you're enjoying it so much you don't want it to end, yet you can't read it fast enough.  Even though it's only the second book in the series that I have read, it's definitely the best DI Helen Grace book I have read (so far).  

Blisteringly fast paced with a razor sharp plot, Cat and Mouse is an outstanding addition to the DI Helen Grace series.  So very highly recommended and one I'll definitely be reading again when I find the time to start the series.

I received an ARC from the publisher to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Matthew (MJ) Arlidge has worked in television for the last twenty years, specialising in high-end drama production, including prime-time crime serials Silent Witness, Torn, The Little House and, most recently, the hit TV show Innocent. His debut thriller, Eeny Meeny, was the UK’s bestselling crime debut of 2014 and has been followed by nine more DI Helen Grace bestsellers including the latest, All Fall Down. In 2015, his audiobook exclusive Six Degrees of Assassination was a number-one bestseller.




Social media links:
Twitter: @mjarlidge
Instagram: @m_j_arlidge
Facebook: @MJArlidge




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Tuesday, 7 June 2022

BLOG TOUR: The Gin Sisters' Promise - Faith Hogan


Three estranged sisters. Six months to come back together.

When Georgie, Iris and Nola's mother died and their father disappeared into his grief, the sisters made a pact: they would always be there for one another, no matter what.

Now, decades later, they haven't spoken for years and can barely stand to be in the same room. As his health declines, their father comes up with a plan to bring them back to one another. In his will, he states that before they can claim their inheritance, they must spend six months living together in their childhood home in the village of Ballycove, Ireland, and try to repair their broken relationships.

As the months progress, old resentments boil over, new secrets threaten to come out and each sister must decide what matters more: their pride, or their family. Can they overcome their past and find a way to love each other once more?
 

What did I think?

I absolutely love my virtual visits to Ballycove, courtesy of Faith Hogan, and The Gin Sisters' Promise is my third visit to this beautiful Irish village.  It's a gorgeous warm hug of a book and I really enjoyed it.

It's just heartbreaking to see the fractured relationships between the three sisters but as they say: "blood is thicker than water", so there's hope for them yet.  Georgie, Iris and Nola are so very different but they all have something in common: they lost their mother at a very young age and their father's dying wish is that they live together for six months in the family home in Ballycove.

Wow, these sisters sure do rub each other up the wrong way.  There are so many assumptions and misunderstandings as they snipe at each other instead of talking honestly.  Although each sister appears to have the perfect life, they are all hiding their own problems so there's really nothing to be envious about.  As the magic of Ballycove does its work, the cracks in their relationships are gradually filled and it's really heartwarming to see them become fiercely protective of one another.

I loved the mention of The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club and also Corrigan Mills from The Place We Call Home - the previous two novels set in Ballycove.  All of the novels are standalone, the only link being the location, but it's like remembering an old friend when you have read all of them and see a reference or character that you recognise.  

The Gin Sisters' Promise is such a beautifully written novel; it's warm, poignant and uplifting.  It's a wonderful portrayal of often complicated sibling relationships and all the petty squabbles and jealousies that come with it.  An enjoyable, entertaining and recommended read.

I received an ARC from the publisher to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Faith lives in the west of Ireland with her husband, four children and two very fussy cats. She has an Hons Degree in English Literature and Psychology, has worked as a fashion model and in the intellectual disability and mental health sector.

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Sunday, 5 June 2022

BLOG TOUR: The Girls - Bella Osborne


In the 1970s, the girls were best friends sharing a house and good times: Zara, the famous diva actor; Val, the uptight solicitor; Jackie, the wild child and Pauline, the quirky introvert. Now they're in their twilight years, and Zara suggests that they live with her to support each other through old age. 

Initially, being housemates again is just as much fun as in their heyday. But then Zara reveals the real reason she asked them to move in with her, and suddenly things take a sinister turn. 

As the women confront their demons, they come under the spotlight of the press, the police and an angry parrot. With their lives spiralling out of control, can they save their friendships and each other?
 

What did I think?

The Girls, written by Bella Osborne and narrated by Julia Franklin, is a fabulous addition to the Isis Audio catalogue.  I was so deeply affected by the story of four old friends that I couldn't prevent tears rolling down my face at the end.  

It's such a refreshing change to have older characters, with this wonderful cast being in their 60s, 70s and 80s.  They have so much history, both together and individually, and I loved all of them, although I particularly wanted to reach out to introvert Pauline to give her a massive hug.  Jackie often made me laugh as she speaks before she thinks and Val is the sensible one who loves spreadsheets (like me).

Pauline, Val and Jackie all receive an invitation to their old friend Zara's surprise 80th birthday party.  Zara is a famous actress so the invitation is met with varied feelings: delight from Jackie so she can rub shoulders with the stars, indifference from Val as she is as cool as a cucumber, and horror from Pauline who doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere.  Also horror from Zara when she turns up as she doesn't want everyone to know her age!  The party, however, is set to change all of their lives.

The story is wonderful and it went in a direction that completely surprised me.  Listening to the characters interacting with each other is like putting on a comfy pair of old slippers as they all get on so well.  It's not all air kisses and compliments though as each character has some deep issues to work through, but a problem shared is a problem halved and there's nothing they won't do for each other...or is there?

The narration is stunning.  Julia Franklin brings each character to life with their own unique voice; I am so impressed as it sounds like each character is actually speaking and each voice is so consistent that I could recognise who was speaking.  Julia Franklin's talent is astonishing, although I have to say that her own voice is so soothing that I couldn't listen to the audiobook in bed as I kept dropping off to sleep before the chapter ended.

Bella Osborne is an author who is new to me but I'll definitely be looking out for more of her books.  There's an exquisite line in The Girls that describes the glinting light on the sea as being like paparazzi flashes and I just thought that was so beautiful and fitting for the story.

The Girls is poignant, heartwarming and surprisingly thought-provoking.  I'm going to miss the girls terribly, now that I have finished listening to the audiobook.

The Girls is narrated by Julia Franklin and is out on 1st May on Audible and other trade download platforms, on the digital library platform ulibrary, and on physical CD and MP3 both in libraries and from the website The Reading House: https://thereadinghouse.co.uk/

I chose to listen to an audiobook received from the publisher; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Wednesday, 1 June 2022

BLOG TOUR: Dirty Little Secret (Louise Miller Crime Series Book 1) - Jonathan Peace


March 1987

Ossett, West Yorkshire
A town of flower shows, Maypole parades and Sunday football games. Behind all the closed doors and drawn curtains live hidden truths and shameful lies.

A body is found
WDC Louise Miller’s first case as detective in her hometown is hampered by the sexism and misogyny of small-town policing. Her four years on the force in Manchester have prepared her for this. Along with ally WPC Elizabeth Hines, the pair work the case together.

What truths lie hidden?
As their inquiries deepen, the towns secrets reveal even darker truths that could lead to the identity of the killer. But when a second girl goes missing, Louise realises that some secrets should stay hidden.


What did I think?

Dirty Little Secret is the first book in a new police procedural series and what a brilliant start; thankfully, there's not a long wait for book two as I'm already looking forward to reading more.

Set in Yorkshire in 1987, when policing is still very much a man's job, WDC Louise Miller is first on the scene when the body of a young girl is found in a phone box.  Remember those red boxes?  Jonathan Peace has captured the era perfectly, not just in the setting but in the misogyny of the police force.  It's shocking to think that this wasn't that long ago but I love how Louise gives as good as she gets.

The characters are so well developed that I could easily picture them in my head and I was as hooked by the characters' interactions as I was by the plot.  Some of their interactions alternated between making me cringe and making me furious as it's quite unbelievable that people got away with saying such things in the not too distant past.  I mean, just that fact that they felt the need to identify a police officer as a woman is jawdropping, but we wouldn't have thought there was anything wrong with it in the 80s.  Thankfully, things have changed!

The police procedural element of the novel is brilliantly done and I really enjoyed seeing how the investigation progressed.  I had no idea what direction it would go in and the ending is fantastic - it has certainly made me even more keen to catch up with Louise and her sexist team again in the near future.

A great start to a new series, Dirty Little Secret perfectly encapsulates the area and the era whilst keeping the reader entertained and on the edge of their seat.  Recommended reading for fans of crime and police procedurals.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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