BLOG TOUR: Blood Spots (Steph Grant Murder Mystery Series Book 5) - Lin Le Versha

Lin Le Versha is a writer not to be missed, the brilliant new talent on the British crime writing scene. Each dark murder mystery in her fabulous crime series will keep you guessing until the very end when the final shocking twist is revealed. If you love Rachel McLean's Dorset Crime series and Ann Cleeves's Shetland series, then you are going to adore Lin Le Versha.

Summer 1989

Their post-show party stretched into the early hours. As the flames of their beach fire danced, the young cast and crew of a brilliant production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream all hope they’ll be propelled to fame and theatrical fortune. But jealousy and betrayal simmer behind their smiles …

Summer 2019

Former police officer Steph Grant is a reluctant volunteer. Stage-managing the new production of Brecht’s Mother Courage within the ruins of Covehithe Church in Suffolk is not her idea of fun, not when the director is the county’s resident drama queen, Beverly Elkin. But there is the excitement of the return of Hollywood and West End star, Jessica Marlowe, to her hometown to consider, thirty years after she made her name at the same venue.

Old jealousies never die

The production does not run smoothly. The show’s star and director can’t agree on anything. Jessica’s return stirs old memories too, sharpened when a body, hidden for thirty years, is exposed by a cliff fall. And Steph’s life is also turned upside down. Her partner, DCI Philip Hale, is acting oddly. He’s distant, irritable, and appears to be hiding something. Can Steph ensure the show goes on – both on stage and at home?

Steph Grant returns in Blood Spots, fifth book in the thrilling Suffolk murders series by Lin Le Versha.

 

What did I think?

Blood Spots is the fifth book in the Steph Grant Murder Mystery series and it's an absolute cracker that I couldn't put down.  I think you could read it as a standalone although it is so much better when read as part of the series.

I loved catching up with Steph Grant, her partner DCI Hale and Derek the dog again.  These fabulous main characters are so strong that I could enjoy reading a book about them simply going about their daily lives but there is of course a murder to solve for Steph and Hale.

The amateur theatre setting is wonderful and it adds extra drama to the plot, especially when emotions run high and tempers are frayed among the cast and crew.  Steph has been roped in to help with the production and it's well outside her comfort zone but it helps to keep her mind off the apparent cracks that are appearing in her relationship.  

Lin Le Versha creates larger than life characters that virtually pop out from the page and the past and present double mystery kept me turning the pages as fast as I possibly could.  I love having no idea whodunnit and Lin always keeps me guessing until the big reveal.

Filled with mystery, suspense and drama, Blood Spots is a superb crime thriller that is impossible to predict and difficult to put down.  This series is already brilliant but it just keeps on getting better and better.  Very highly recommended.

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

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BLOG TOUR: Blood Ribbons (Steph Grant Murder Mystery Series Book 4) - Lin Le Versha

 

Arnhem 1944

British paratroopers launch one of the most audacious plans of the Second World War – Operation Market Garden. Private Duncan Shaw records his experiences as his unit fights desperately to capture a vital bridge from the Germans.

Arnhem, Present Day

Duncan’s great granddaughter Zoe retraces his steps as part of a college project to accompany veterans of the battle and record their experiences. What Zoe doesn’t anticipate is uncovering a series of disturbing family secrets, some with deadly consequences.

Another dangerous case for Steph and Hale

A body is found tangled in the rushes on the banks of the Rhine, close to the river boat where former police officer, Steph Grant, and her partner, Chief Inspector Philip Hale, are chaperoning students from the college where she now works. Working with Dutch police, the pair investigate further, and quickly discover that no one is safe – be they pupils, veterans or staff.

What did I think?

Blood Ribbons is the fourth book in the Steph Grant Murder Mystery series but it can be read as a standalone.  Although the characters are familiar to fans of the series, it has its own contained storyline and it's a real good 'un.

The college that Steph works at are planning to write a book to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, which was the World War II battle for the bridge at Arnhem that inspired the film A Bridge Too Far.  One of the students has a personal link to the battle and she shares poignant extracts from her great grandfather's journal.

With Steph and Hale around, there's bound to be a dead body or two and the pair find themselves investigating once again.  The plot is very clever as Lin Le Versha catches the reader in a pincer movement with both a present day and a past mystery to solve.  I was completely riveted by both strands of the story and I simply couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

Of course it wouldn't be a Steph Grant book without an appearance from Derek, her faithful hound.  Derek may not make an appearance until towards the end of the book but it's definitely quality over quantity as he has a big part to play in the story.

Blood Ribbons is an outstanding murder mystery that had me on the edge of my seat throughout.  The historical element is beautifully and sensitively portrayed and I found it quite emotional and poignant.   A highly recommended read.

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

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Blood Ties (Steph Grant Murder Mystery Series Book 3) - Lin Le Versha

 

Hector Percy appears to have it all. He shares his magnificent home, Glebe Hall, with his beloved wife Esme and son Jack, alongside their two closest friends and their daughter. But beneath the veneer of entitlement, Hector lives in fear of those who might snatch away his inheritance. Esme suspects he's right; they'd created the perfect existence but now the arrangement is crumbling. If that happens their blissful life at Glebe Hall would be over.

Then tragedy strikes, forcing Hector and Esme to confront their future far sooner than they expected. One moment tearing the two families apart. Is this the end of their dreams?

Former detective Steph Grant finds herself embroiled in the family dynamics as she, along with partner and former boss, DI Hale, are pulled into the investigation. Delving into the history of the two families and the Hall, Steph and Hale unearth buried secrets - secrets that shake the very foundations of Glebe Hall, secrets that will change the future forever.

What did I think?

Hobeck have scored a hat-trick!  Blood Ties is the third book in the Steph Grant series and I've now read a trio of third books published by Hobeck that have all been outstanding.  Lin Le Versha has clearly had a cup of that magical Hobeck No.3 blend tea as Blood Ties is absolutely brilliant.

It's very fitting that everyone's favourite Hobeck canine Derek gets the first line in Chapter One and what an absolute cracker it is.  I burst out laughing as it's just so Derek.  Derek provides some humour and light relief in what is otherwise a dark and chilling murder mystery.  

I loved the setting of Glebe Hall, although it's a bit of a strange set up with two families living there as well as the many skeletons hiding the closet.  The Percy family are well-connected so any scrapes they get into can be brushed under the carpet with just a quick phone call to the Chief of Police.  

Steph Grant and her partner DCI Hale don't take privilege into account when they investigate an alleged accident on the estate.  This is no accident and it's no coincidence that it happened on Percy land.  Oooh there's just so much mystery and intrigue in this book, Steph and Hale keep scratching away at the surface to reveal the darkness underneath.

Entertaining, gripping and intriguing, Blood Ties is brilliant from start to finish.  I loved everything about this book: the stunning cover, the intricate plot and the impeccable writing.  It's an easy five stars and a book I can't recommend highly enough.

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

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BLOG TOUR: Blood Lines (Steph Grant Murder Mystery Series Book 2) - Lin Le Versha

Set within the mysterious beauty of coastal Suffolk, this gripping new crime series is a dark murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end when the final shocking twist is revealed. Lin Le Versha is not to be missed, the brilliant new talent on the British crime writing scene.

Eighteen year-old Darcy Woodard appears to have it all – intelligence, good looks and artistic gifts. His teachers adore him, as does former policewoman Steph Grant, who is now the receptionist at Darcy's college.

But beneath the surface - all is not as it seems.

Adopted and mixed race, Darcy is convinced he doesn't fit in. He tries to ignore the racial taunts.

There's Darcy’s dysfunctional mother Esther who is trapped in a literary time warp.

Then there's his sister Marianne, who Darcy desperately wants to protect from the dark forces that surround her.

Then tragedy rocks Darcy’s life when a drugs gang forces its way into his life and all the people he cares for.

What can Steph and her former boss DI Hale do to protect the local community? And can they really trust Darcy to help them defeat the county lines gang?

Blood Lines is the second thrilling book in the Steph Grant murder mystery series by the brilliant Lin Le Versha.

 

What did I think?

Blood Lines is the second Steph Grant Murder Mystery book and although I haven't read Blood Notes, the first book in the series, you can absolutely read this as a standalone as I really enjoyed it.

Set mainly on a college campus, it's pretty dark in places as Lin Le Versha takes her readers on a tour of the dark and dangerous drug underworld.  Drugs are rife in the college and the principal decides to take action, with the help of former policewoman and college receptionist Steph Grant and her partner DI Hale.

I love how the Woodard family are incorporated into the story.  Steph knows Darcy and Marianne from college, but she just happens to meet their mother Esther when they are both visiting the local cinema on their own.  Steph soon becomes a friend of this incredibly dysfunctional family but when Darcy seems to turn up at every strange event, Steph realises there's more to this family than meets the eye.

Dealing with drugs, the plotline is quite dark but Lin Le Versha injects (no pun intended) an element of lighthearted humour in the form of Steph's dog Derek.  I mean just him being called Derek made me smile and I loved him tagging along with Steph as she tries to bring down the leader of the drug gang.  I also really enjoyed the college setting with the inevitable power struggles as some tutors vie to show their authority.

Blood Lines is a gripping, fast-paced, dark and twisty murder mystery; it's entertaining and surprising and I definitely want to read more of Steph Grant's story.

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

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