BLOG TOUR: Firewatching - Russ Thomas

ONE FALSE MOVE 

Someone is setting fire to Sheffield. It starts with small things – dustbins and abandoned sheds so people don’t notice at first. But the calling card is there if you look for it. 

WILL IGNITE 

Soon the fires spread to offices, homes, people. The Firewatcher’s followers are growing and they have one particular blaze in mind – one that the police would do well to pay attention to. 

THE CITY 

But DS Adam Tyler is distracted by a case, one that he is unknowingly connected to. And if he can’t discover the link between the fires and himself, he will burn – along with the entire city. 

What did I think?

Oh my word!  Firewatching is an absolute firecracker of a novel; what an astonishing debut from Russ Thomas.  It's so outstanding that I had to triple check that it was in fact his debut and I'm already so excited to find out what Russ Thomas has in store next for DS Adam Tyler.

Russ Thomas completely captures the readers attention with his engrossing story in this impossible to put down thriller set in Sheffield.  I was gripped from start to, not just the finish but, beyond the finish as I'm chomping at the bit to read more.  That's not to say that it ends on a cliffhanger by any means but along with the main story and a couple of sub-stories there is also Adam Tyler's personal story, resulting in multiple layers of intrigue.  With more hooks than a coat rack, this book really is impossible to put down.

With such a blistering pace, I absolutely raced through this scorching novel.  Please excuse the fire related puns but they really do describe the book perfectly.  I loved the character of Adam, even though I didn't take to him right away.  He's so very flawed and guarded that we're not even close to seeing the real him right now.  I'm looking forward to getting to know him so much better over what I hope will be a long running series.

There's so much I could write about this book as there are so many areas for discussion, but I don't want to give away any spoilers of the outstanding plot.  Russ Thomas is a fresh new voice in the crime thriller genre and I have no doubt that he will hold his own against so many brilliant well-established authors.  Established crime writers beware, there's a new voice in town and it's magnifique!

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Russ Thomas was born in Essex, raised in Berkshire and now lives in Sheffield. He grew up in the 80s reading anything he could get from the library, writing stories, watching large amounts of television, playing videogames, and largely avoiding the great outdoors. He spent five years trying to master playing the electronic organ and another five trying to learn Spanish. It didn’t take him too long to realise that he’d be better off sticking to the writing.

After a few ‘proper’ jobs (among them: pot-washer, optician’s receptionist, supermarket warehouse operative, call-centre telephonist and storage salesman) he discovered the joys of bookselling, where he could talk to people about books all day.  

His debut novel Firewatching is the first book in the DS Adam Tyler series. 

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BLOG BLITZ: The Cornish Retribution - Amanda James

After a tragic car accident, Samantha is left widowed and bereft.  Her husband Adam was everything to her. But at least the home they shared together in Cornwall provides her with some security. Or does it?

Upon returning from a school reunion in Sheffield, where Sam met her old friend, Penny, and an old flame from her school days, Dan, she discovers that Adam had invested money unwisely and she is now penniless.

When Penny and Dan, who are now married, arrive in Cornwall to visit Sam, Dan comes up with a way in which Sam can keep the house. He suggests she turns it into a writing retreat. And he is willing to invest.

Despite his wife’s reservations, Dan gets his way but at what price?

Why is Dan so keen to help? Has Sam put herself in harm’s way?

Some relationships are built to last. Others are deadly.

What did I think?

I am a huge fan of Amanda James books; not only are you guaranteed a gripping and suspenseful storyline but the dramatic Cornish landscape is woven into the story as if it's a character in its own right.  I have never been to Cornwall but it's definitely somewhere I want to visit after reading Amanda James' fabulous books.

I loved the story of Sam going to her school reunion, the thought of which gives me goosebumps as everyone tries to compete to see who has become the most successful.  Recently widowed, Sam makes the decision to go up to Sheffield to face her demons in the form of old flame Dan and ex-best friend Penny who are now married.  I could feel the sexual tension between Dan and Sam as the years seemed to melt away as if they were teenagers again, then the temperature plummets when Penny arrives on the scene.  Despite their tempestuous history, which they all seem willing to forget, Sam decides to let Dan and Penny invest in her writing retreat...but is this a decision she will regret?

I really worried for Sam as I felt as if she was a fly caught in a spider's web with so much suspense and tension written into the story.  Dan seemed too good to be true, swooping in like a knight in shining armour to rescue Sam's home, but I feared he had an ulterior motive.  The whole story had me balanced on a knife edge as it spun off in different directions and I wondered who would be left standing at the end.

I am never disappointed by Amanda James books and The Cornish Retribution is no exception.  In fact, I think it is one of my favourite Amanda James books; it's suspenseful, gripping and utterly engrossing.  A highly recommended read.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon



About the author:

Amanda has written since she was a child, but never imagined that her words would be published, given that she left school with no real qualifications of note apart from an A* in how to be a nuisance in class. Nevertheless, she returned to education when her daughter was five and eventually became a history teacher. Then in 2010, after many twists and turns, the dream of becoming a writer came true when her first short story was published. Amanda has written many short stories and has six novels currently published. 

Amanda grew up in Sheffield but now has realised her lifelong dream of living in Cornwall and her writing is inspired every day by the dramatic coastline near her home. She has sketched out many stories in her head while walking the cliff paths. Four of her mystery/suspense novels are set there, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, Summer in Tintagel, Behind the Lie and Rip Current. The Cornish Retribution is also set in Cornwall and will be published by Bloodhound Books in October 2018.

Amanda, known to many as Mandy, spends far more time than is good for her on social media and has turned procrastination to a fine art. She can also usually be found playing on the beach with her family, or walking the cliff paths planning her next book.

Links:

Amanda's blog: http://mandykjameswrites.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @akjames61

Facebook: mandy.james.33

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