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: Rose Red Undead (Fablenoir book 2) - Vic Sinclair

After descending into the terrifying underbelly of magickal New York and uncovering unspeakable crimes, Detective Jackson Slade and the fierce outlaw Goldilocks must face a whole new level of death and destruction festering from a strange world below the earth.

Meanwhile in Los Angeles, an orphan nicknamed Snow White reunites with her black-winged guardian angel Lucifer as he appears during her shift in the night cafe. When the archangel convinces Snow her magickal abilities are needed to stop the darkness consuming New York City, harrowing memories are brought to the surface as she’s forced to face the demonic creatures from her past.

As paths of chaos cross and uncertain alliances are tested, the reanimated sorceress known as Rose Red stands at the center of a decaying world, leaving utter destruction in her wake.

With the wolves closing in and the butchered bodies piling high, it’s up to Jack, Goldilocks, and Snow to try and put an end to this nightmare of a fairy tale.

 

What did I think?

Having absolutely loved Fablenoir I couldn't wait to to read the sequel, Rose Red Undead,  and once again Vic Sinclair takes the reader on a dark and twisted journey with an unusual cast of characters.

The characters are all inspired by fairy tales, nursery rhymes and children's literature but they are nothing like the originals.  Jack (of beanstalk fame) is a detective who is addicted to magic beans and turns to outlaw Goldilocks to fight the powerful sorceress Rose Red, the sister of Snow White.

Although it's a different story to Fablenoir with some new characters, I would advise reading Fablenoir first as it's brilliant but also gives you the story behind the Jack and Goldilocks partnership.  I sometimes got a bit confused about the characters, especially those who had several names like Elizabeth Snow, who is also Lili and Snow White.  I was reading too fast though so part of the confusion was my own greed in devouring every dark and delicious word as fast as I could.

The plot is very dark and gripping and Vic Sinclair's writing is breathtakingly evocative, resulting in a book that is difficult to put down and impossible to forget.  Rose Red Undead is an original and imaginative urban fantasy novel that is well worth a read.

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

My rating:

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BOOKSTAGRAM TOUR: Fablenoir - Vic Sinclair

Fifteen years after climbing the beanstalk, giants are the least of Jack’s concerns…

Twisted fairy tale figures roam our world in this deliciously dark, exhilarating new Urban Fantasy series, featuring familiar characters from mythology and fables clashing and conniving in a metropolitan cesspit that runs on chaos.

Amid rumors of necromantic cults, children vanishing from the city's streets and men crying werewolf, down-and-out Detective Jackson Slade of the NYPD is at his lowest. Blacklisted by the corrupt department he works for, he finds himself winding up in the same grimy bars every night, nearly drinking himself to death and relying on mysterious magick beans to pick himself back up.

Until, one night, he stumbles upon a gruesome crime scene that will change the course of his life dramatically. When he finds the shattered corpse of egg-shaped billionaire media mogul Dick Dumpty, Jack finds himself reluctantly teaming up with the notoriously cold-blooded outlaw Goldilocks, and together they spiral into the horrifying magickal underbelly of New York City, caught in the middle of a war between the corrupt and the even more corrupt.

Coming up against forces such as the grizzly gang leader Papa Bear and the crooked giant-descendant head of the NYPD Chief Cole, Jack and Goldilocks set in motion an explosive chain of events that will change the world, for better or for so much worse…

What did I think?

Whoa! What have I just read?  Fablenoir is an urban fantasy fairy tale and I've never read anything like it before - I loved it!  This isn't a retelling but it is filled with recognisable characters from fairy tales, nursery rhymes and children's literature as you've never seen them before.  Prepare to fall down the rabbit hole into Fablenoir.

Jack (of beanstalk fame) is a detective in New York but his addiction to magick beans sees him fall from grace.  Talking of falls, that's what happens to Dick Dumpty and Jack is first on the scene.  It should be Jack's case but Chief Cole sends him packing...right into the path of Goldilocks who is doing her own unofficial investigation.  Jack and Goldilocks are such a great team and I loved how their (non-romantic) relationship developed over the course of the book. 

The writing is incredibly atmospheric and it's like watching an old black and white detective movie coming to life before my eyes as I read Vic Sinclair's evocative and immersive words.  I absolutely loved the refreshing and unique take on such well-known characters as they are rewritten very firmly into the dark side.

Dark, imaginative and atmospheric, Fablenoir is impossible to put down once you pick it up.  I was completely mesmerised from the very first page and loved ever second of this original, bumpy and wild ride.  I can't wait to continue the adventure in book two, Rose Red Undead.

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

My rating:

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About the author:

Vic Sinclair is a writer from the north of the UK. He spends most of his time curating ridiculously intricate character playlists and thinking up plotlines for them on long walks. This is how the grimdark epic urban fantasy series FABLENOIR was born.

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BLOG TOUR: The Ice Angels - Caroline Mitchell

Ten years ago, in the depths of the Finnish winter, Detective Elea Baker’s daughter was taken—and never found.

Now, in the quiet streets of Lincoln, girls are disappearing again. When one is found on the cathedral steps, clutching a chilling clue linked to the decade-old abduction, there’s only one person who can solve the case: Elea.

Dragged back into her nightmare, she’s determined to bring her daughter home this time—no matter the cost.

But is she chasing a ghost, or on the verge of uncovering a truth that will shatter everything?

 

What did I think?

I always set aside some dedicated reading time when it comes to Caroline Mitchell's books as they are impossible to put down and The Ice Angels is no exception.  The cover must be coated in virtual super glue as this fantastic book wasn't leaving my hands until I'd read every word.

It's the first book in the Detective Elea Baker series and what an absolute belter it is.  It has a dual timeline and a dual setting following Elea's daughter Liisa's abduction 10 years ago in Finland and the current police investigation into a spate of similar abductions in Lincoln, UK. 

Elea is linked in many ways to both cases, not just through her daughter's abduction but also through her estranged husband Richard Swann who is investigating the disappearances in Lincoln and invites Elea to consult on the case.  Oooh I loved the tangled, messy history between this pair that added an extra layer of intrigue to the already gripping storyline.

Caroline Mitchell's history in CID makes the storyline authentic and realistic and her talent as an author creates a razor-sharp and blisteringly fast-paced plot filled with drama, tension and suspense.  I am so excited to read more in this series and will definitely keep my eyes open for more. 

Unpredictable, incredibly gripping and completely unmissable, The Ice Angels is an exceptional police procedural and a outstanding start to an exciting new series.  An easy five stars 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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About the author:

Caroline Mitchell is a New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post and international #No. 1 bestselling author who has sold over 2 million books . She originates from Ireland and now lives in a woodland village outside the city of Lincoln. A former police detective, she has worked in CID and specialised in roles dealing with vulnerable victims, high-risk victims of domestic abuse, and serious sexual offences. She now writes full time.

Her books have won first place as ‘Best Psychological Thriller’ in the US Reader’s’ Favourite Award Contest, been shortlisted for the International Thriller Writer Awards in New York and been shortlisted for ‘Best Procedural’ in the Killer Nashville awards and the Audie awards. Her crime thriller, Truth And Lies is a No.1 New York Times bestseller and has been optioned for TV.

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BLOG TOUR: Saint Cuthbert's Curse - M M Hudson

A searing July heatwave. Four bodies.

When corpses begin turning up in abandoned County Durham coal mines, police detective Tony Milburn is pulled into a chilling mystery. All four dead within four days but can Saint Cuthbert’s ancient curse really be the cause?

Durham’s iconic Miners’ Gala suffers a bizarre disruption and, amid the chaos, several high value artefacts are stolen.

As the caseload heats up, the Major Crimes Team is understaffed and under pressure. Aided by the enigmatic surfer, Penfold, but suffering the obsessive attentions of DC Diane Meredith, Milburn comes up against his toughest investigation yet.

The fourth Penfold mystery novel digs deep into the north-east’s heritage, as long-buried church secrets and the legacy of coal intertwine in Saint Cuthbert’s Curse.

 

What did I think?

I love this series that is set in my local area so I was delighted to see a new book in the Penfold Mysteries.  Saint Cuthbert's Curse is the fourth book of the fantastic series that is set in Durham and I have somehow missed book three so I will be sure to rectify that omission.  You can of course read it as a standalone as it has its own self-contained plot as well as characters from the earlier books.

The plotting is razor-sharp and the writing is breathtakingly descriptive so, although I do know the various locations in the book, it's very easy to imagine walking the streets of Durham with DS Milburn and his Holmes-like friend Penfold.  They certainly need their wits about them when investigating this case.

The Miners' Gala is a huge event in Durham's calendar and it is beautifully depicted.  I loved the intertwining of our coal history and Saint Cuthbert's treasure.  Durham Cathedral is also incredibly vividly described so you feel as if you are right there amongst the action.  Although the story is fiction, it's always good to read about real places and streets that you know or can look up on the internet.

Incredibly gripping, sharp and clever, Saint Cuthbert's Curse is a fantastic crime novel in an unmissable series.  A very highly recommended read.

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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Miles Hudson

Amazon

About the author:

Miles Hudson loves words and ideas.

He’s a physics teacher, surfer, author, hockey player, inventor, backpacker and idler.

Miles was born in Minneapolis but has lived in Durham in northern England for more than 35 years.

www.mileshudson.com

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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.

My rating:

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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.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Cat and the Christmas Kidnapper (Conrad the Cat Detective Book 4) - L T Shearer

Join Lulu Lewis, a retired detective with a knack for uncovering secrets, and Conrad, her extraordinary talking cat, as Christmas cheer gives way to festive fear . . .

Hoping for a relaxing festive break, Lulu sets off with Conrad on her canal boat, The Lark, to the picturesque city of Bath to visit friends. But when the pair arrive, they learn of a ruthless kidnapping plot that is plaguing parents in the area.

As the kidnappers fuel panic with further demands, the pair must unravel clues faster than Conrad can charm with his witty banter. That is, if they are to stand any chance of bringing the criminals to justice in time to save the holidays . . .

The Cat and the Christmas Kidnapper by L T Shearer is a charming cosy crime read for fans of Richard Osman and S. J. Bennett.

 

What did I think?

As soon as I saw that L T Shearer had released a new book, I couldn't wait to read it as I absolutely adore Conrad and Lulu.  I actually started this series at book 3, The Cat Who Cracked a Cold Case, and you can definitely read The Cat and the Christmas Kidnapper as a standalone as it explains how Conrad came into Lulu's life.

Lulu is a former detective superintendent and she is spending her retirement living on her barge and travelling on the relaxing inland waterways.  Oh, and she has a talking cat called Conrad!  Or more accurately, Conrad has a human!  Lulu may have retired but she still has a nose for sniffing out crime with Conrad's help (he has a much better sense of smell, after all).

I couldn't put this book down once I picked it up and started and finished it on the same day.  I was really torn between racing through the pages as I was enjoying it so much and slowing down to savour every word and extend my time with Conrad.  The kidnapping story was too gripping though so speed reading won.

The Cat and the Christmas Kidnapper is an intriguing and compelling cosy crime that is impossible to put down.  It's beautifully written with a clever plot, well-developed characters and a gripping police investigation.  It's a wonderful, charming and original book that will be a delight to find in your Christmas stocking this year.  Very highly recommended.

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

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Fallen (Glasgow Southside Crime Series Book 4) - Maureen Myant

An errant crisp packet is all that stands between DI Alex Scrimgeour being murdered on his way to work. Who would want Alex dead? Or was it perhaps a case of mistaken identity? If the bullet wasn’t meant for Alex, then who was it meant for and why?

Alex’s journalist daughter, Kate, newly in his life and now happily settled in the same city, is obsessed with finding out more about a spate of apparent teenage suicides in the city. What do the deaths have in common, if anything? And who are the two mysterious ‘friends’ claiming that some of the teenagers were suicidal despite their families believing otherwise?

Despite pressing domestic issues, Kate can’t let the matter go, plunging her into a potentially dangerous situation.

When his would-be killer turns up dead, Alex is forced to look further back into the past to discover what motivated the shooting. Who is behind the vendetta? Can they be stopped before the next attempt is more successful?

 

What did I think?

You're always guaranteed a good read with a Maureen Myant book and The Fallen is no exception.  It's the fourth book in the brilliant Glasgow Southside Crime Series and, whilst you could read it as a standalone, it's absolutely superb when read as part of the series.

I was hooked from the moment I picked this book up when an attempt is made on Di Alex Scrimgeour's life.  He's certainly a bit of an acquired taste but he doesn't know who could possibly want him dead.  I really like Alex and his personal life plays a big part in the book; I loved seeing the relationship blossoming with his daughter Kate which is in stark contrast to the relationship he has with his dour niece Gillian.

Kate is a journalist and she has sniffed out a story regarding some recent teen suicides.  The families don't believe their children would take their own lives and it's heartbreaking for them.  Kate thinks there's something off too but getting close to the truth puts her in danger and my eyes were on stalks as I was reading.

The suicide storyline is very dark and disturbing but it is written sensitively and respectfully.  There's a lot going on in the book to keep the pages turning rapidly as the myriad strands of the plot weave in and out of the vivid prose.

Gripping, thrilling and fast-paced, The Fallen is an outstanding instalment in a magnificent series.  Very highly recommended.

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

My rating:

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Hobeck Books

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BLOG TOUR: Peter Miles Has To Die - Katie Collom

“What happens when three women decide to avenge the murder of their best friend? In her riveting debut, Katie Collum explores what we owe the ones we love, and how ordinary life can change in an instant. I couldn’t put this thriller down.”—Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters

Peter Miles has to die. And Dylan Darcy, Priya Shah, and Isabel Guerrero—a bartender, a nurse, and a student—have to be the ones to kill him. As they see it, this local cop deserves death for murdering their best friend and getting away with it. All they need to do to pull off the perfect crime is stick to their carefully prepared plan.

So that’s exactly what they do. Murder, it turns out, is surprisingly easy when you’re fueled by revenge. What comes after is the hard part.

As the dry Texas heat gives way to cooler weather, their blazing rage is replaced by a chill fear. Because there’s a fallout that comes from settling the score against someone like Peter, and it could cost them more than they’ve bargained for. When the lead investigator on the case starts sniffing around for a cop killer, the three friends are not feeling as confident as they did on that fateful night. And when they start receiving death threats, it weakens their resolve even further . . . but it’s too little too late.

What they don’t realize is that this detective has her own reasons for wanting to get to the bottom of Peter’s murder. Reasons that don’t involve them at all. The investigation ramps up, and so does the pressure, leaving Dylan, Priya, and Isabel to wonder if ending his life may end up costing them theirs.

As the guilt of what they’ve done settles in their bones, they realize there’s no going back. Someone is going to have to take the fall.

 

What did I think?

Wow!  I raced through this book and read it in two sittings as I simply couldn't put it down.  It's a page-turning thriller without a whodunnit as we know why Peter Miles has to die and we also know who killed him but what we don't know is who is in prison for his murder.

The story is told from various points of views over different timelines but it never gets confusing and it's very easy to follow.  Dylan, Priya and Isabel plan the murder of Peter Miles, who got away with murdering their friend Beck.  Peter Miles got away with it because he's a cop and cops stick together, even when one of them is rotten.

Bree is the detective who is investigating Peter's murder and it's not a straightforward case as there are so many people who would have wanted to kill him.  It obviously looks like Beck's three friends avenged her death but there is no evidence and that's when the intimidation tactics begin as some cops take the law into their own hands.  Bree's case just got a lot more complicated as the spotlight turns on her colleagues.

I couldn't read this book fast enough and although I wanted them all to get away with murder, I knew that one of them went to prison for it.  The abuse of power is infuriating as the cops think they can do what they want to the suspects (who are innocent until proven guilty) and unfortunately, this does sometimes happen in real life.

Blisteringly fast-paced and impossible to put down, Peter Miles Has To Die is an outstanding debut novel (I actually had to double check that this was Katie Collom's debut).  Take note, thriller fans: Katie Collom is definitely one to watch and I am excited to see what she writes next.

 

I received a gifted hardback for The Love Books Tours blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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The Book Lovers - Steve Aylett

The kidnap of a rebellious heiress leads Inspector Nightjar into a steampunk underworld of brain love, greed and revolution. Can the Raven Method uncover the big Truth? What powers Thousand Tower City? Why are books telling unfamiliar stories? How cosy is anarchy?

Steve Aylett, author of LINT (chosen by Stewart Lee on R4's A Good Read) and Slaughtermatic, returns in this fizzing caper about “the good sin of thinking for yourself”.

"In the whole of language there is nothing like Steve Aylett, and The Book Lovers is his most relentless assault yet on our prissy synapses. Every sentence is a nifty seizure that will slug his reader through the printed page into a better and less reasonable world, a fugue-state heaven of excruciating beauty that spends dazzling insight as though it were chocolate money. Utterly astonishing, and possibly some manner of police procedural. Read this now before it happens." — Alan Moore, author of Watchmen

"Every sentence is a wonderland, every phrase a treat. No one writes like Steve Aylett. I am so glad that he is back. With each book it is as if he changes the possibilities of our imagination and populates your mind with new shapes and forms." — Robin Ince, comedian, author, broadcaster and co-host of the award-winning Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage with Professor Brian Cox.

“Aylett is the greatest absurdist of our age and worthy of comparison with William Burroughs – elegant, witty and absolutely his own writer. Lay back and immerse yourself in this wonderful book. Wise – wonderful – hilarious! Entertainment for everyone who believes there is nothing worth reading any more!” — Michael Moorcock

 

What did I think?

Never has the phrase 'What have I just read?' fit a book more, as that's what I actually said (in a good way) when I finished reading The Book Lovers.  It feels just like falling down the rabbit hole into a wonderful wacky world created by the imaginative mind of Steve Aylett.  

The first line is an absolute belter and I just have to share it here: 

'A book is like you and me – glued to a spine and doing its best.'

There are so many other lines I could share as I noted down loads of favourites but I don't want to spoil the book for other readers.  The writing is incredibly poetic and hypnotic, drawing me in and holding my attention throughout.

 

The story revolves around the kidnap of heiress Sophie Shafto and Detective Inspector Nightjar who is investigating the case.  Steve Aylett takes the reader on a journey through a world filled with books, mystery and adventure as we find out what happened to Sophie.

Steve Aylett has a very unusual and unique writing style and The Book Lovers is like nothing I've ever read before.  It reminded me of a mixture of Lewis Carroll, William Shakespeare and a sprinkling of Spike Milligan as I didn't know what was going on most of the time but I also couldn't tear my eyes away from the page.  

It's impossible to describe The Book Lovers but you could definitely say that it is highly original and completely unique.  It is also bold, bonkers and incredibly mesmerising; it's well worth a read just to appreciate the incredibly poetic prose.

Many thanks to Steve Aylett for sending me a gifted copy to read and review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Marshal of Snowdonia Paperback – Simon McCleave

Living and working in Snowdonia was always retired detective Frank Marshal's dream. Until a phone call asking for his help turns it into his worst nightmare.

Retired detective Frank Marshal lives in a remote part of Snowdonia with his wife Rachel who is suffering from dementia. Working as a park ranger, Frank gets a phone call from close friend Annie, a retired judge. Her sister Meg has gone missing from a local caravan park and she needs his help to find her.

As Frank and Annie start to unravel the dark secrets of Meg's life, it seems at first that her disappearance might be linked to her nephew and a drug deal gone wrong. In a shocking twist, their investigation leads them to a series of murders in North Wales from the 1990s and a possible miscarriage of justice.

Can Frank and Annie uncover the sinister truth so they find her sister in time to save her? Or will a brutal serial killer add Meg to his list of victims?

Marshal of Snowdonia is the first book in the Frank Marshal Crime Thriller series from multi-million bestselling author Simon McCleave. If you like dark thrillers, psychologically complex characters and shocking twits, then you'll love Simon McCleave's pulse-pounding new novel.

What did I think?

Marshal of Snowdonia is the first book in a new series from crime thriller author Simon McCleave and what an absolute belter it is - I  raced through it and couldn't put it down.  It's the first book by Simon McCleave that I have read and it has certainly whetted my appetite to read more of his books.

Once a detective, always a detective - that's how I see Frank Marshal.  Frank may have retired but he doesn't hesitate to do a little investigating of his own when his friend's sister goes missing.  Annie is close to her sister Meg but there's a lot about her life that she doesn't know.  Uncovering Meg's secrets leads Frank and Annie into a web of danger and sheds new light on a series of murders that the police thought were solved.

This book is so good and I loved everything about it.  The plotting is exquisite as the story twists and turns to shock, surprise and delight the reader.  The character development is breathtaking as I really felt as if I got to know Frank throughout the course of the book, making me look forward to his next adventure.

Unpredicatable and unputdownable, Marshal of Snowdonia is an outstanding crime thriller novel and an electrifying start to an exciting new series.  Very highly recommended.

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

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