REVIEW TOUR: The Light in Her - Reem Kadry

Alexis Adel is burning up…

In Cairo, she works long hours as a trainee reporter and teaches English most evenings. Under Hosni Mubarak's rule, Egypt is a land where most struggle against fear, poverty and extremism, with only their faith to sustain them. Alexis is determined to become the best news reporter she can be, to make her mark in a world that doubts her. But before long, she will be fighting for her life.

She throws herself into her work in the hopes of improving and being given more serious news reports. The intense workload and a short-lived affair with a philandering news anchor bear heavily, bringing exhaustion and insomnia. But then she meets Hisham, an aspiring diplomat – their mutual attraction is instant.

Alexis’ reports on a bombing at a rural church land her a position as a fully-fledged reporter. But the horrors she has reported on are plaguing her mind and taking a toll on her health. She leaves everything behind to escape to London, hoping to find healing. Yet, there is a voice within that is urging her back to Egypt, will she listen?

 

What did I think?

Inspired by true events, The Light in Her is a heartbreaking yet hopeful story of a young women on the cusp of landing her dream job only to find herself lying in hospital fighting for her life.

Alexis Adel has always dreamed of being a news reporter and she has worked hard to get to where she is today.  She has been working so hard that she has ignored the warning signs that things might not be quite right healthwise.  My heart was breaking as I feared Alexis had left it too late but she is such a strong character and she is determined to fight with all her might.

It is a stark reminder that you should never put your career before your health, even though lots of us do (I have been guilty of this myself in the past).  When something so life changing happens it's a chance to take stock and reprioritise and it's interesting to see what ends up being most important to Alexis in the end.

Beautifully written, The Light in Her is a stunning debut novel from Reem Kadry with an inspirational and unforgettable main character.  It's well worth a read.

I received a gifted ARC for the Literally PR Online Book Review Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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INSTAGRAM TOUR: What We Leave Behind (Sammy and Facey book 2) - Siôn Scott-Wilson

A gripping tale of redemption and the power of love set against the backdrop of a historical crime-ridden London...

In this highly-anticipated sequel to Some Rise By Sin, Sammy and Facey are pulled back into the gritty world of London's criminal underworld. This time, the stakes are higher than ever as the fate of Sammy's young adopted son hangs in the balance. Coerced into the hunt for a notorious gemstone, Sammy and Facey are torn between their moral code and their desperate desire to save the boy.

As they navigate the dangerous streets of London, they are forced to confront the weight of their actions and the legacies they will leave behind. Will they make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the stolen child—and can they rise above the sins of their past?

 

What did I think?

Wow! Siôn Scott-Wilson has really raised the bar with What We Leave Behind, the fantastic sequel to Some Rise By Sin.  I think you could read it as a standalone and still enjoy it though.

I love this little group of characters and it was great to catch up with my favourite resurrection men once again.  Sammy and Facey may have run from their past but they cannot hide and they are forced back into their old ways when John, Sammy and Rosamond's adopted son, is kidnapped; the ransom is a rare gemstone that has been buried with its owner.

As I had read the first book, I was familiar with Siôn Scott-Wilson's amazing ability to write so colloquially.  It really immerses you into the story and brings to life the Regency period of the early 19th century.  I absolutely loved some of the words and phrases used and even though I didn't know what some of the meant, I could guess.

The action is non-stop as the clock is ticking to save John and the tension ramps up until it is as taut as a bow string.  I simply couldn't read fast enough to reach the breathtaking conclusion and although I was sad for the book to finish, I am delighted that there is a third book, What Mortal Flesh has just been published.

Historical fiction fans, do not miss this outstanding book!  What We Leave Behind is incredibly atmospheric, gripping and entertaining.  I can't wait to read more!

I received a gifted paperback for the Novel Tours instagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: Murder at the Tower (DCI Viv Lee Mystery Series Book 1) - Stacey Murray

For seven hundred years, Yeoman Warders have guarded the Tower of London, where their homes are inside the walls and where the gates are locked at night.

One of them, Tony Warboys, is on night watch duty, patrolling the ancient grounds. But he won't live to see the sun rise. When his body is found on the cobbles by the peculiar figure of the Tower Ravenmaster, the Met quickly discover that Tony had no shortage of enemies.

As they navigate the intriguing world and hierarchy of the Tower, and public fascination with the case mounts, DCI Viv Lee uncovers shocking secrets which could rock the place to its foundations.

But can she catch the killer before she kills her career?

Murder At The Tower is a classic whodunnit set in the present-day Tower of London.

 

What did I think?

WOW!  Murder at the Tower is an absolutely cracking murder mystery and there is no better location for a locked room mystery than the fortress that is the Tower of London.

You don't need to be familiar with the Tower to enjoy the story as there is a map at the front of the book and I do love a map!  I did visit the Tower about 30 years ago and of course you can see images online but Stacey Murray really brings the location to life with her wonderful descriptions. 

I don't think anyone is that bothered about the victim as Tony Warboys ruffled more than the ravens' feathers.  It literally could have been any one of his colleagues as they all had motive through their dislike of him and means, being ex-military, but who had the opportunity?  

Enter DCI Viv Lee and what a fabulous character she is.  I am so excited that this is just the first book of hopefully many starring this sharp, witty and tenacious female detective.  I simply couldn't read it fast enough and raced through it in two sittings.  I didn't have a clue 'whodunnit' and I think I had every single character under suspicion at one point or another.

Filled with mystery and suspense, Murder at the Tower is a whodunnit that Agatha Christie would have been proud of.  A high bar has been set for book two and I can't wait to see how Stacey Murray follows this magnificent book.  It's an absolutely superb murder mystery and a very highly recommended read.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BOOKSTAGRAM TOUR: The Way Home - Amanda Prowse

What if a stranger threatened to take away a lifetime of cherished memories?

Lilly-Bob loves her home by the River Thames in the heart of London. Throughout her childhood, it echoed with music and her father’s love, and for seventy years it’s been her sanctuary through a life well lived. These days, the familiar walls and treasured memories keep loneliness at bay.

But for months she’s been ignoring letters from a building developer, and now a compulsory purchase scheme threatens to take her home by force. Seventeen-year-old Lilly-Bob didn’t fear change, but present-day Lilly refuses to let go.

As the pressure builds, Lilly feels increasingly alone. But as her neighbours rally together, she finds herself drawn into the fold―making new friends, finding purpose, and glimpsing the possibility of something new.

Torn between the comfort of the past and the call of progress, Lilly-Bob must decide: is home made of bricks and mortar, or is it a place inside ourselves?

 

What did I think?

Amanda Prowse books are always a guaranteed five star read for me and The Way Home is no exception.  Amanda never fails to make me cry and I thought I had gotten away with it this time as my tears didn't appear until about 80% through.  You got me again, Mrs Prowse!

I had never heard of compulsory purchase orders before and it must be very upsetting to be on the receiving end of one.  That's what happens to Lilly-Bob when she is being forced to leave the only home she has ever known.  All of her memories are in her home and it feels like losing her parents all over again. 

With a past and present timeline, there are flashbacks of heartwarming and heartbreaking events from Lilly-Bob's life in between battles with the developer and her blossoming friendships with her neighbours and a mystery man she meets on the banks of the River Thames.

It really made me think about how much we attach memories to places and things when really the memories are inside ourselves all along.  I completely understood why Lilly-Bob wanted to hang on to her home, but for some people it can be difficult to return to a place after the loss of a loved one as it reminds us that they're not there anymore.  It's also a stark reminder that there are two sides to every story and it was this revelation that made me cry.

Filled with friendship, love and warmth, The Way Home is an incredibly emotional and heartwarming story that lingers long after the final page has been turned.  All the stars once again for Amanda Prowse.

I received a gifted digital copy to read and review for the Love Books Tours bookstagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BOOKSTAGRAM TOUR: Some Rise By Sin - Siôn Scott-Wilson

1829 is a tough year to be a body snatcher. Burke and Hare have just been convicted of killing people to sell their bodies, to widespread outrage—but despite the bad press, doctors still need fresh corpses for medical research.

Sammy and Facey are a couple of so-called ‘resurrection men’, making a living among society's fringe-dwellers by hoisting the newly departed from the churchyards of London whilst masquerading as late-night bakers. Operating on tip-offs and rumours in the capital’s drinking dens and fighting pits, the pair find themselves in receipt of some valuable intelligence: an unusual cadaver has popped up on the market, that of a hermaphrodite.

For any medic worth his salt it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—a medical curiosity and rara avis—and famous anatomist Joshua Brookes commissions the two men to obtain the body, at any cost. But some corpses hold secrets, and before long the enterprise becomes a deadlier and more complex undertaking than either man could ever have imagined.

Some Rise by Sin is a rich, authentic and absorbing historical narrative with a darker edge, a story of surviving on the outskirts of respectability. With echoes of Michel Faber’s The Crimson Petal and the White, it is meticulously researched and suffused with the dark and grimy atmosphere of Regency London, and explores what ambition can mean for poor people in a society that conspires to grind them down at every turn.

What did I think?

I didn't expect a book about body snatchers to be so funny and I absolutely loved reading Some Rise by Sin by Siôn Scott-Wilson.  I couldn't put it down once I started reading and read it in two sittings.

You've heard of Burke and Hare, now meet Sammy and Facey who provide the medical profession of Victorian London with fresh corpses to dissect.  It's always interesting to read how fascinated the Victorians were with bodies so it's no wonder that dodgy gangs of body snatchers saw a gap in the black market; it's all about supply and demand.

The story is entertaining and action-packed as Sammy and Facey track down the body of a hermaphrodite which several parties are interested in acquiring.  I sometimes couldn't hold in my laughter at their hilarious escapades that are vividly described by Siôn Scott-Wilson.  The pair are a cracking double act who reminded me of Blackadder and Baldrick; Sammy is the thinker who comes up with his cunning plans whereas Facey dives straight in with his fists flying.

It is written colloquially that really adds colour and depth to the story, although I did have to keep stopping to look up some of the unfamiliar Victorian words.  I didn't always know what they meant at first but I still found it incredibly funny.  I think the book would have benefitted from a glossary of terms at the back as I really didn't want to put the book down to look them up.

Incredibly atmospheric and wonderfully entertaining, Some Rise By Sin is a gripping and amusing novel.  I am delighted to see that it is the first book in a series and I can't wait to see what Sammy and Facey get up to next.  A very highly recommended read.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the Novel Tours bookstagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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The Light Years (The Cazalet Chronicles Book 1) - Elizabeth Jane Howard

1937. Every summer, the Cazalet brothers – Hugh, Edward and Rupert – return to the family home in the heart of the Sussex countryside with their wives and children. There, they are joined by their formidable parents and unmarried sister Rachel to enjoy two glorious months of picnics, games and sun-drenched excursions to the coast. But not even this idyllic setting can soothe the siblings’ fears and heartache.

Hugh, haunted by memories of the Great War, is terrified at the looming prospect of a second. Edward, charming and handsome, is torn between his wife and his latest infidelity. Rupert, a talented painter, is in turmoil over his inability to please his demanding new wife. Meanwhile, Rachel’s unflinching loyalty to the family means risking her one chance at happiness . . .

 

What did I think?

The Light Years by Elizabeth Jane Howard was first published in 1990 and I'm surprised I haven't read it until now but it's definitely a case of better late than never.  It's the first book of The Cazalet Chronicles and I am completely invested in the lives of this quirky and privileged family.

The book starts with a family tree and a cast of characters that are both very useful and I referred to it a lot until I got to know the characters.  It's such an honour to see into the lives of each branch of the family tree as they return to the family home for the summer.  With England on the brink of war, they are very fortunate to have another home outside of London although one of the brothers would perhaps prefer to stay in London where his wife can't see what he's getting up to.

I think this is the first book I have read where I have really appreciated the short time between the two world wars.  Those who fought in 1914-18 are still carrying the scars and their loved ones have barely got over the worry of their husbands and sons never returning home.  Even though this is a wealthy family, they have been touched by war.

Elizabeth Jane Howard writes so beautifully and vividly.  I could easily imagine the various scenes that played out and I don't think I have ever made a note of so many favourite quotes from the exquisite prose.  There are some disturbing scenes as the family negotiate the rollercoaster of life but they are handled very sensitively.

Compelling, immersive and evocative, The Light Years is a wonderful introduction to the Cazalet family and I can't wait to see what is in store for them next.  Very highly recommended.

I received a gifted ARC for the Book Break readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: A Nantucket Fling - Kathryn Freeman

Can a no-strings attached holiday fling really just stay casual?

Olivia is a fiercely independent woman climbing the ladder of corporate finance. But when her family demands she take time off to go to her niece’s bachelorette and wedding in Nantucket, she reluctantly agrees.

On the island, she catches the eye of Connor: a handsome, cocky, playboy type—also ten years her junior. Olivia’s sisters egg her on, encouraging a summer fling, but she’s more interested in catching up on her finance reading. Except…he’s funny and sexy, and doing her ego a world of good.

As their attraction steadily grows, Connor gets Olivia to relax her tightly held control and indulge in the fling she won’t admit she needs. But too soon, the holiday is over and they’re back home, living two very different lives.

And yet, neither can ignore the intense chemistry that didn’t go away after the summer. Are they just a Nantucket fling… or something much more? 

What did I think?

I don't think I will ever get tired of reading a Kathryn Freeman book and I loved my virtual trip to Nantucket in her latest romantic novel, A Nantucket Fling.

Olivia knows what she wants from life and it's to succeed in her career so she doesn't have time for romance and she has barely enough time for her family.  Olivia does book some holiday from her job in London to celebrate her niece's wedding in Nantucket and whilst she's on holiday there's no harm in having a fling.  

Oooh Connor is a bit of an enigma as it looks like he's young and fancy free but he has a completely different life back home in England.  The chemistry between Olivia and Connor virtually sizzles off the page and in an unusual twist at the end of the holiday it's Connor who wants more than just a fling with Olivia.  Olivia stands her ground though and puts her career before her personal happiness once again.  

Olivia's work/life balance is completely unbalanced and that’s a personal choice that she has made.  It must be something to do with jobs in finance as I was exactly the same back in my youth.  I'm glad Connor persisted, with a little help from Olivia's family, and helped to balance that scale back to where it should be.

Incredibly romantic and heartwarming, A Nantucket Fling is a fun and flirty romance that reminds us that, although careers are important, there really is more to life than work.  

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

My rating:

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About the author:

A former pharmacist, Kathryn now writes romantic comedies. Feel good books that are sexy and sweet, funny yet heart-warming. Mr Right Across the Street won the RNA Award for Romantic Comedy in 2022. 

With a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), the romance in her own life is all in her head. Then again, his unstinting support of her career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links 

Twitter: @kathrynfreeman1

Facebook: facebook.com/kathrynfreeman

Instagram: kathryn.freeman_author

Website: http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk 

GIVEAWAY

Giveaway to Win a paperback copy of A Nantucket Fling (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Win a paperback copy of A Nantucket Fling (Open Internationally)

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BLOG TOUR: Festival Days (The Clapham Trilogy book 3) - Julie Anderson

May 1951

Celebration is in the air with the Festival of Britain and for the first time in years the mood is one of hope rather than hurt.

For Detective Constable Faye Smith, London is not as safe as it seems. The criminal underworld is gaining strength, enjoying a lively existence below the surface. Then two bodies are found in the war-time shelters, a man and a woman. Who are they?

What’s their story? Why were they murdered and how did they end up in the shelters?

Meanwhile, Ellie Peveril is busy with a celebration of a different kind. Ellie does all she can to support her friend but has her own worries, with ex-fiancé Patrick Havistock looming in the shadows. Faye, keen to unravel the mystery of the double murder, finds herself tangled up in crimes that stretch far beyond a simple killing.

Faye and Ellie must face their toughest case yet as their lives change, irrevocably, for the future.

What did I think?

Festival Days is the third and final book in The Clapham Trilogy and it's a real firecracker.  I only joined the series at book two so I enjoyed catching up with DC Faye Smith again but you can definitely read it as a standalone and still enjoy it.

Set in 1951, Faye is a woman in a man's world and it's unheard of to have a woman on the force in the 1950s but her colleagues are more accepting of her now.  Faye's latest case that this book centres around is quite tricky as it looks like a gangland execution so she needs all the help she can get.  

Faye's friend Ellie should be looking forward to her wedding day but she is convinced her ex-fiancé will turn up to ruin her day.  Even with all her own worries, she finds a way to help Faye but it puts her in grave danger.  What a wonderful friendship they have!  It makes me quite sad that this is a trilogy and not a long-running series as I could read more about these amazing characters.

Incredibly atmospheric, gripping and tense, Festival Days is a fantastic conclusion to an outstanding trilogy.  Whilst I'm sad it has come to an end, it does give me the opportunity to read book one for the first time and experience the trilogy in its entirety.  This is a highly recommended read that is sure to pick up new fans to the series.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Hamilton's Deepcatch (The Catch Series Book 3) - Douglas Roberts

A raging Atlantic storm batters a deep-sea oil rig – the perfect place to murder enemies, smuggle contraband, and bribe officials without leaving a trace. Beneath the surface lies a network of corruption as vast and dark as the ocean itself.

At the heart of this nefarious conglomerate are two piratical masterminds, operating with near impunity. Their ambitions know no limits: sinking ships, destroying oil rigs, and eliminating anyone who threatens their pursuit of unimaginable wealth. But this time, their greed and violence have triggered a deadly investigation.

As Detective Inspector Patricia Eyethorne OBE and her partner Justin hunt for the truth, their investigation explodes into a life-or-death chase across violent seas. With corrupt politicians like Maurice ‘Bloody’ Hamilton MP entwined in the conspiracy, the question remains – will justice finally catch up with them, or will these masterminds escape into the shadows once more?

 

What did I think?

Hamilton's Deepcatch is book three in The Catch Series and, whilst you could read it as a standalone as the main story is self-contained, it is much better when you've read the earlier two books, simply because you know more of the background of the characters. 

If there's anything dodgy going on, you can bet your bottom dollar that Maurice ‘Bloody’ Hamilton MP will be up to his neck in it.  The plot is very clever and intriguing so the security services have called on DI Patricia Eyethorne OBE to help them uncover the conspiracy.  It's a very dangerous mission as people have already been killed in their search for the truth.

I love the character of Patricia; it's so good to have a strong female protagonist who is more than a match for any man.  Maurice Hamilton knows that only too well and he is as obnoxious as ever in this instalment but his past deeds are about to catch up with him.  It was great to see some familiar faces, to the reader at least, and I couldn't read fast enough to see if Hamilton would finally get his comeuppance.

Hamilton's Deepcatch is a fast-paced, gripping and intriguing novel that is filled with adventure and danger.  The whole series is well worth a read and I think it would be brilliant if it was made into a TV series.

I received a gifted paperback for the Literally PR Online Book Review Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: In the Name of the Reich - Ian M. WIlliamson

London, 1969. Great Britain has flourished under National Socialist rule since its integration into the Third Reich after the Second Great War – a war Great Britain lost – and the nation is at peace.

Or so it seems.

A psychedelic drug named Yonder has taken the working class population by storm, and has become a figurehead for a “silent protest” against the Nationalist Socialist regime. It is now the single greatest threat to social order, and must be stopped.

British-born Detective Sergeant John Highsmith – an officer in the Metropolitan Police’s Drug Enforcement Squad – is a member of the Task Force dedicated to achieving just this. But the job is not so straightforward, and when John is confronted with violence, torture, and death, only his stead-fast loyalty to National Socialism will protect him as he puts his life on the line – in the name of the Reich.

A harrowing tale of what might have been, In the Name of the Reich examines how Nazi rule would have warped British society and a young man raised under it. It is uncompromising in its depiction, and aims to revolutionise this genre of fiction.

 

What did I think?

I didn't write a single note in my reading journal when I was reading In the Name of the Reich because I couldn't put it down!  I had to double check that it's a debut novel as the writing is so accomplished and it's absolutely fantastic from start to finish, with a breathtaking conclusion that deserves a chef's kiss.  

The alternative history feels so realistic; it doesn't read like a 'what might have been' it's more of a 'this is what is actually happening in an alternate reality'.  To cope with the National Socialists ruling the country, the British people are turning to a drug called Yonder to escape from their grim reality.  As with all drugs though, Yonder has a darker side and the police need to find the source to prevent the flow of it into Britain.

DS John Highsmith is about to become a father for the first time but his investigation into Yonder puts him in increasing danger.  John is a bit like a cat with nine lives as he has so many near misses that had me on the edge of my seat.  Just how long will his luck last?

Highly original and scarily realistic, In the Name of the Reich is a magnificent debut novel from Ian M. Williamson.  With a razor-sharp, compelling plot and blistering pacing, it is unmissable, unforgettable and unputdownable.  I will be raving about this book for a very long time and I can't recommend it highly enough.  A well-deserved five stars.  Wunderbar!

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours virtual book tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Ian M. Williamson graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2015 after studying History and Hispanic Studies, where his historical interests were based largely in 20th century world politics. These studies fostered a lifelong intrigue in what might have been, and provided an insightful basis for his work on an alternate history narrative.

Website: www.ianmwilliamson.co.uk

Instagram: @ianmwilliamson

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BLOG TOUR: The Catch Series - Douglas Roberts

A minor crime deserves a minor punishment and a serious crime a more serious punishment. But you have to get caught first and it certainly helps if you get someone else to do your dirty work for you. Then there’s the question of who is going to catch you, and if caught, one has to be particularly devious to be able to get away with it. Even if one is as powerful a Member of Parliament and cabinet minister as Maurice Hamilton.

Abhorrence is a way of life for those with such a black heart which feeds off the goodwill of others but vengeance is a two-edged sword which can cut you down in the blink of an eye.

What did I think?

Catch of the Day is the first book in The Catch Series and it certainly got me well hooked as I couldn't put it down.  I absolutely loved it and I don't even like politics but MP Maurice Hamilton is one of those detestable characters that you love to hate.

The first couple of chapters set the scene and it soon becomes clear that there are a lot of people who would want to kill Maurice 'bloody' Hamilton.  Getting close enough to do so when he's a Member of Parliament needs an ingenious plot and this one is sublime.  

DI Patricia Eyethorne is a talented young detective who teams up with Justin Crawford from Hamilton's security team to try to foil the plot.  I loved seeing the romantic relationship between Patricia and Justin blossom despite being put under so much stress in their jobs.  It definitely made me want to read the next book in the series to see where life would take them next.

Catch of the Day is tense, suspenseful and action-packed; it's a cracking political espionage thriller and I couldn't put it down.  I almost forgot to breathe near the end as Patricia and Justin race against time.  Brilliant!  Well worth a read.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Is the assassin manipulating the world price of platinum and how many has he murdered? Many such questions challenge Inspector Eyethorne OBE and her Fiancée who haven’t yet decided upon a name for their detective agency and neither have they had the time to fix a wedding date. Their pan-European investigations reveal that the answers are connected and despite Special Branch directing operations, they find themselves being pursued by ruthless gangs across London. Their only options are high-level escapes. Cabinet minister Maurice ‘bloody’ Hamilton enters this toxic mix and he’s out to make a killing; in both senses of the word.

 

What did I think?

Having read Catch of the Day, I raced straight on to Slipscatch to continue The Catch Series.  It's difficult not to compare the sequel to the first book as I absolutely loved Catch of the Day but Slipscatch didn't grip me as much.  It's still a good thriller though.

I loved catching up with Patricia Eyethorne and Justin Crawford as they investigate a platinum mining conspiracy.  Of course if there's something dodgy going on, you just know that Maurice 'bloody' Hamilton is in thick of it (spoiler alert: he didn't get killed in the first book).

The plotting is very sharp and the action is fast-paced as danger increases with every turn of the page.  I didn't quite find my reading rhythm for various reasons so I didn't race through it as quickly as the plot perhaps warranted.   

Slipscatch is like a cross between Spooks and 24 so it would be great to see it made into a series.  It is very tense and suspenseful and I can't wait to read the next book, Hamilton's Deep Catch.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOGATHON: Anything For Her - Jack Jordan

For my stop on the Compulsive Readers blog tour, I am reposting my review of Anything For Her from July 2015, updated with the stunning new cover.  

The unputdownable debut from bestselling author Jack Jordan.

Sometimes the past comes back to haunt you.

Louise Leighton's life has fallen apart, all because of one fateful night. Her husband is an adulterer, her sister is his mistress, and soon, Louise will lose everything she owns. But she never imagined she would lose her daughter.

Eighteen-year-old Brooke Leighton is missing. It's up to Louise and the Metropolitan Police to find her. Has Brooke run away? Or has she been taken against her will? And can Louise aid the investigation without mentioning the night where all of her troubles began?

If she mentions that night, she will incriminate her daughter for heinous crimes. But if she doesn't, she may never find Brooke; and if she has been abducted, the person who took her may come for Louise, too.

Sometimes the past comes back to kill you.

What did I think?

Louise Leighton is happily married to Michael with two happy carefree children, Brooke and Dominic, when an unfortunate event shatters her world.

Wow!  This book fell through my letterbox and didn't even hit the bookshelf - once I picked it up, it refused to be put down!  It gripped me from the very first page when Michael revealed that he had been having an affair with his sister-in-law.  He blames his actions on Louise, as she has changed after “that night”.  “That night” is the hook that had me turning page after page, long after I should have been asleep and dreaming of books, beer and cheese.

Jack Jordan has very cleverly chosen a mindless act for “that night” that sets in motion a series of events with cataclysmic consequences, resulting in a shared secret between Louise and her daughter, Brooke.  The tension was palpable as more details of “that night” emerge and the past doesn’t just come back to haunt them, it comes back to get even.

This is an exceptional debut novel; the writing is sublime with an abundance of magnificent metaphors that had me mentally applauding on every page.  This is definitely a contender for my book of the year.

I received a copy of the book from the author; this is my honest and unbiased opinion. 

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