Long Weekend - SM Thomas

An exclusive invitation to a luxurious island resort should be the holiday of a lifetime for Emma. But beneath the lavish settings and indulgent amenities, lies a sinister plot waiting to be uncovered.

Emma's boss, Rebecca, gifted her the ticket to Hotel Horizen's grand opening, but Emma has her own agenda - to write a tell-all article about the rich and famous guests. Little did she know, this weekend would become a nightmare she never could have imagined.

As she delves deeper into the secrets of the elite, Emma realises she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Will she uncover the truth and make her mark as a journalist, or will she become the next victim in this twisted game of power and deception?

If you enjoyed "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley or “One by One” by Ruth Ware, you won't want to miss this gripping thriller.

 

What did I think?

SM Thomas draws the reader into Long Weekend from the very start as it is clear from the first page that something terrible has happened.  Now that's what I call a hook!  So put on your virtual running shoes when you pick up Long Weekend as you're sure to race your way through this book like I did.

Journalist Emma is clearly the odd one out on the guest list for the opening of Hotel Horizen as all of the other guests are rich and famous.  They are so self-centred that they don't seem that bothered about who Emma is and why she's on the plane with them.  The guests had to hand over their mobile phones on arrival but Emma has a hidden camera but it becomes increasingly clear that her photos might never make it off the island...and nor might she.

Oh the suspense is palpable and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough whilst sitting on the edge of my seat and biting my nails.  I had no idea how the story was going to play out and I loved every minute of it.

Gripping, addictive and thrilling, Long Weekend is filled with secrets and suspense.  It would make a fantastic holiday read as you're lying by the pool but beware of any rustling in the bushes.  Eeeek!

Many thanks to the author for sending me a digital ARC to read and review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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The Mystery Guest (A Molly the Maid mystery) - Nita Prose

A new mess.

A new mystery.

Molly the maid returns . . .

Molly Gray wears her Head Maid badge proudly for every shift at the Regency Grand Hotel, plumping pillows, sweeping up the guests’ secrets, silently restoring rooms to a state of perfection.

But when a renowned guest – a famous mystery writer – drops very dead in the grand tea room, Molly has an unusual clean-up on her hands.

As rumours and suspicion swirl in the hotel corridors, it’s clear there’s grime lurking beneath the gilt. And Molly knows that she alone holds the key to the mystery. But unlocking it means thinking about the past, about Gran, and everything else she’s kept tidied away in her memory for so long.

Because Molly knew the dead guest once upon a time – and he knew her . . .

 

What did I think?

After the success of The Maid, I'm absolutely delighted that Nita Prose decided to write another book starring my favourite maid, Molly Gray.  The Mystery Guest is one of my most eagerly anticipated books of 2023 and I loved it.  Whilst The Mystery Guest can be read as a standalone, I would advise reading The Maid first as there are some returning characters and we also find out more about Molly's childhood.

We return to the Regency Grand Hotel in The Mystery Guest where Molly is now Head Maid and she's preparing for a big event as a bestselling author is hosting a press conference in the hotel.  This isn't the first time that Molly has met author J.D. Grimthorpe and this leads on to the wonderful flashbacks of Molly's past.

I adore the relationship between Molly and her Gran and even when Gran isn't with her, Molly  hears Gran's wise words in her head.  There are so many brilliant Gran quotes but my favourite is: "A tissue for your issue."  I'm definitely adopting that and using it whenever I can.  

Molly is such a delightfully quirky character and I feel that she has really grown up since I last encountered her in The Maid.  She's in a sweet relationship with Juan Manuel (who disappointingly doesn't make an appearance as he is away visiting his family) and she has been promoted at work.  Even this new encounter with Detective Stark sees Molly eventually being treated with more respect.

Cosy mysteries don't get much cosier than The Mystery Guest and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Once you have met Molly Gray you will never forget her; The Mystery Guest will delight fans of The Maid and introduce Molly into the lives of many more readers.  

I received an ARC to read and review for the Tandem Collective readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel (A Helen Dexter Cosy Crime Mystery Book 3) - Glenda Young

In the charming Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough, a killer game is being played . . .

Helen Dexter is enjoying the new four-star status of the Seaview Hotel. But she begins to wonder if this accolade is cursed when a series of disasters strike.

It starts when a crazy golf team arrive to play in a Scarborough tournament. Their odd behaviour heightens when the rival team captain turns up. Yet, there's worse to come for Helen when one of the guests is murdered playing crazy golf.

Then the Seaview's prize-winning cook Jean quits, leaving Helen devastated. And so, as Helen's fiftieth birthday approaches, the last thing she's in the mood for is a celebration. However, mysterious invitations arrive to a party that Helen doesn't want.

Can Helen unmask the crazy golf killer, save the reputation of the Seaview, win Jean back and solve the mystery of the party invitations? With her rescue greyhound Suki by her side, Helen Dexter is on the case.

 

What did I think?

Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel is the third book in the Helen Dexter Cosy Crime Mystery series and it's an absolute cracker.  This amazing series is going from strength to strength and I always love my virtual visit to Scarborough, even though it appears to be the murder capital of North Yorkshire (but that's just in Glenda's books, of course).  You can definitely read this book as a standalone but I highly recommend the whole series.

Helen Dexter is all set to welcome a new group of guests to her newly rated Four Star Seaview Hotel.  Her guests are a crazy golf team competing in a local tournament and it's clear that they take the game very seriously indeed.  Helen also finds herself with an unexpected guest: the team captain of a rival team and his arrival causes tension above and below stairs.  The days are numbered for one of the guests and they're about to find themselves checking out...

This is a brilliant 'whodunnit' - I suspected even the most unlikeliest candidate at one point or another.  I love how the story is self-contained so that readers new to the series can pick up  this book and enjoy it, but there's some wonderful character development to delight established series fans.

Although I haven't been to Scarborough for many years, Glenda paints such a vivid picture with her wonderful writing and her love for the seaside town shines through every word in the book.  It was also lovely to see local brewery Wold Top getting a mention in the book as I've tried a few of their beers and loved them.

Hugely entertaining and as drama-filled as your favourite soap opera, Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel is a fantastic cosy mystery.  Very clever misdirection and perfect plotting keep the reader on their toes from start to finish and I loved every second of it, so much so that I will definitely be reading it again.  It’s absolutely brilliant and I really can't recommend it highly enough.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Confetti at the Hummingbird Hotel - Daisy James

Welcome back to the Hummingbird Hotel!

When Abbie Coleman is asked to organise a Dance & Desserts retreat for a group of exhausted schoolteachers, she decides to pull out all the stops. With line dancing, flamenco and the Charleston on the agenda, along with a whole host of delicious themed desserts, it’s her chance to prove to everyone that she has – at last – gained the skills needed to be an accomplished hotelier. This time she’s determined there will be no “unfortunate incidents” that make the Hummingbird Hotel look like Corfu’s Comedy Central.

With her big fat Greek wedding to the gorgeous Nikos Angelopoulos only three weeks away, will she finally be able to deliver a retreat without the habitual chaos and calamity the hotel has become famous for? Can she turn a clunky chicken dance into a classy Charleston and a boogie-woogie into a beautiful ballet? Or will she be boot scootin’ it back to London and life as a floundering florist?

Let Daisy James whisk you away to gorgeous Corfu with a feel-good holiday read filled with sun, sea and a sprinkle of romance. Perfect for fans of Mandy Baggot, Sue Roberts & Sandy Barker

 

What did I think?

Confetti at the Hummingbird Hotel is the sixth and final book in The Hummingbird Hotel series but you can definitely read it as a standalone.  Before jumping in at book six, I had only read the first book in the series so I was already familiar with the main characters, but enough of their background story is covered so that any new readers are not disadvantaged.

It was an absolute delight to escape to the Hummingbird Hotel once again.  This time, Abbie and her team are running a Dance & Desserts retreat for some school teachers.  The dancing and the desserts are described so exquisitely by Daisy James that I wanted to try the moves out for myself (and I always want to try the desserts).  It had my foot tapping and my stomach rumbling, that's for sure!  

There is some tension in the group of teachers and some mysterious goings-on but the very future of the Hummingbird Hotel is at stake unless Abbie can get to the bottom of it.  As if Abbie doesn't have enough on her plate, with her upcoming wedding to vineyard owner Nikos.  Abbie has so much going on and so many things going wrong that it's a wonder she doesn't feel dizzy, but with a little help from her friends I had every confidence that things would turn out alright in the end.  

Guaranteed to put a smile on your face, nothing makes me happier than reading a Daisy James book.  Filled with sunshine, smiles, delicious food and a sprinkling of lighthearted mystery, Confetti at the Hummingbird Hotel is pure escapism.  So, grab your sunglasses and head out into the garden with your kindle; you don't need your passport to escape to Corfu courtesy of Daisy James.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

Daisy James loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. She especially likes to create sunshine-filled settings in exotic locations - the Caribbean, Tuscany, Cornwall, Provence - so she can spend her time envisioning her characters enjoying the fabulous scenery and sampling the local food and drink.

When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea - china plates and teacups are a must.

Daisy would love to hear from readers via her Facebook page or you can follow her on Twitter @daisyjamesbooks, or on Instagram @daisyjamesstories.

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009889775019

Twitter: https://twitter.com/daisyjamesbooks 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daisyjamesstories/ 

Website: https://daisyjames.co.uk/ 

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The Maid - Nita Prose

 

I am your maid.

I know about your secrets. Your dirty laundry.

But what do you know about me?

Molly the maid is all alone in the world. A nobody. She’s used to being invisible in her job at the Regency Grand Hotel, plumping pillows and wiping away the grime, dust and secrets of the guests passing through. She’s just a maid – why should anyone take notice?

 

But Molly is thrown into the spotlight when she discovers an infamous guest, Mr Black, very dead in his bed. This isn’t a mess that can be easily cleaned up. And as Molly becomes embroiled in the hunt for the truth, following the clues whispering in the hallways of the Regency Grand, she discovers a power she never knew was there. She’s just a maid – but what can she see that others overlook?

Escapist, charming and introducing a truly original heroine, The Maid is a story about how the truth isn’t always black and white – it’s found in the dirtier, grey areas in between . . .

What did I think?

What an amazing debut!  There has been a lot of buzz around The Maid on social media so I couldn't wait to read it and I was not disappointed; I absolutely loved it.  I'm really not surprised to learn that it is being made into a film and it's definitely one I will want to watch.

Molly is such a brilliant character; she is so literal and socially inept that you can't help but root for her, especially when she is mocked and taken advantage of.  After the death of her beloved gran, Molly is completely alone in the world - she has no family or friends, all she has is her job as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel.  A job in which she takes great pride and excels at.  

When Molly discovers a dead body in the hotel one day, there's nothing in her mental rule book that tells her what to do so she inevitably does things that make the police take a closer look at her.  The police interviews with Molly are absolutely hilarious and this is where Molly's charm really comes through; she may be naive but she is totally honest...or is she?

The Maid is so easy to read that I would probably have read it in one sitting if I hadn't been participating in a Tandem readalong.  It's a charming cosy mystery but it also makes you think about people who are seemingly invisible.  I think this is possibly more apparent in the hospitality industry where hotel guests treat doormen, maids and cleaners etc as servants but they're all important cogs in the machine.

A delightful cosy mystery, The Maid is an outstanding debut from Nita Prose.  It's warm, funny, original and unforgettable; an absolute must read from an author who is definitely one to watch.

Many thanks to Tandem Collective and HarperCollins for sending me a copy to read and review for the readalong.  This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Amazon

Murder at the Seaview Hotel (A Helen Dexter Cosy Crime Mystery) - Glenda Young

 

In the charming Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough, a murder is nothing to sing about . . .

After the death of her husband Tom, Helen Dexter is contemplating her future as the now-sole proprietor of the Seaview Hotel.

There's an offer from a hotel chain developer to consider, but also a booking from a group of twelve Elvis impersonators, a singing troupe called Twelvis. Tom loved Elvis and for Helen this is a sign that she should stay.

But the series of mysterious events which follow, suggests that the developer is not going to give up easily. Then, shortly after Twelvis arrive, one of the group disappears. His body is found floating in a lake, with his blue suede shoes missing. Could the two be connected?

With the reputation of the Seaview on the line, Helen isn't going to wait for the murderer to strike again. With her trusty greyhound Suki by her side, she decides to find out more about her guests and who wanted to make sure this Elvis never sang again.

What did I think?

I'm a huge fan of Glenda Young's historical sagas set in Ryhope and Glenda shows that's she's not a one trick pony by changing location and genre in her debut cosy crime mystery set in Scarborough.  Murder at the Seaview Hotel is the first in a new series starring hotel owner Helen Dexter and what a fantastic start it is.

Firstly, I have to say that the location alone is breathtaking to behold through Glenda Young's vivid and descriptive writing.  I felt as if I was there, walking along the promenade with a bag of chips in my hand and seagulls gliding overhead.  I could really tell that Scarborough is a place close to Glenda's heart and her love for the seaside town shines through every beautifully written word.

Murder at the Seaview Hotel has a bit of everything in its outstanding plot: murder, dastardly underhand dealings, grief, friendships and mystery but above all, it's a great fun and entertaining read.  It's like a soap opera in a book with a Mrs. Bucket-like character running the hotel next door to Helen, a dozen Elvis impersonators ingeniously named Twelvis and a hotel chain determined to get their hands on Helen's hotel by fair means or foul... with the emphasis on foul.

Hugely entertaining, Murder at the Seaview Hotel is a fantastic murder mystery and an absolutely wonderful start to a new series.  With a sprinkling of humour, Glenda Young writes with such warmth and vivacity that Murder at the Seaview Hotel is an absolute delight to read.  An easy five stars from me and I can't wait for the next one!

I chose to read a digital ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: Escape to the Hummingbird Hotel - Daisy James

 

Welcome to the Hummingbird Hotel!

When florist-to-the-stars Abbie Coleman catches a glimpse of her boyfriend through the window of Tiffany’s, she couldn’t be more excited. Keen to share her happiness, she organises a huge surprise party for all their family and friends… except things don’t quite work out as she expected, and instead of planning a flower-filled wedding, she finds herself single, and fired from a job she loves.

Desperate to escape her heartbreak, she jets off to her aunt’s quirky Hummingbird Hotel on the gorgeous island of Corfu. Little did she know that instead of spending her time lounging by the pool, drinking cocktails, and soaking up the sun, she’d be stepping into the role of the island’s newest hotelier.

The arrival of unexpected guests sends Abbie into a tailspin of panic, and she’s forced to turn to snippy, but charismatic, vineyard owner-turned-chef, Nikos Angelopoulos, for help. Why does the kitchen fill with smoke whenever she makes coffee? Why is there a naked man swimming in the pool? And why do the hotel’s toiletries turn their guests’ hair pink?

Despite all the chaos, the Hummingbird Hotel works its magic on Abbie, and she finds herself with a decision to make. Will she return home to the drizzly grey skies of London? Or will she take a leap of faith and embrace the new opportunities that little corner of paradise has to offer, and maybe, just maybe, discover a sprinkle of romance along the way?

What did I think?

Reading a Daisy James book is a real treat for the senses and I loved my visit to Corfu in her twentieth novel Escape to the Hummingbird Hotel.  You don't need any sunscreen or vaccine passports for this trip!

What an introduction to the wonderful character of Abbie Coleman!  Abbie is expecting a proposal from her boyfriend as all the signs are pointing in that direction but she couldn't be more wrong.  Although it's pretty hilarious, I did feel a bit mortified for Abbie when the proposal went horribly wrong but Dan is clearly not the man for her.  An invitation to visit Corfu couldn't come along at a better time but will it be more business than pleasure for Abbie?

Abbie soon forgets about the non-proposal from Dan as she suddenly has a hotel to run and she really has her work cut out with guests arriving any day.  With a little help from the locals, the visiting hen party have a wonderful time (apart from the hen ending up with pink hair!) and Abbie reconsiders her plan to sell the hotel and return home.  Home is indeed where the heart is and Abbie's heart is beating to the beat of Corfu.

Located inland away from the beaches (and the crowds), The Hummingbird Hotel sounds like my kind of place: a quiet and relaxing retreat a stones throw away from a vineyard.  Vineyard owner Nikos is quite the man of mystery, he's standoffish but charming and he's a dab hand in the kitchen, which is just as well as Abbie could burn water.  I couldn't stop my mouth from watering as Nikos rustled up some delicious treats in the kitchen and I think I might have to treat myself to some baklava soon.  

With a dash of mystery and a dollop of romance, Escape to the Hummingbird Hotel is a truly gorgeous novel.  It's a virtual hug in a book and a ray of sunshine escapes from every page to plant a firm smile on the face of every reader.  I can't wait for another virtual visit to Corfu and I don't have to wait at all as the next book in the series (Summer at the Hummingbird Hotel) is already out! 

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 UK

Amazon US

About the author:

Daisy James loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. She especially likes to create sunshine-filled settings in exotic locations - the Caribbean, Tuscany, Cornwall, Provence - so she can spend her time envisioning her characters enjoying the fabulous scenery and sampling the local food and drink.

When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea - china plates and teacups are a must.

Daisy would love to hear from readers via her Facebook page or you can follow her on Twitter @daisyjamesbooks or on Instagram @booksdaisyjames.

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Witch Dust - Marilyn Messik

For Sandra, daughter of illusionists, Adam and Ophelia, life’s never been run of the mill! But when Adam’s wandering eye lights on yet another conquest, Sandra’s caught in the reverberations of her parents acrimonious parting. Coerced into restoring her depressed Mother to the bosom of a family Sandra never knew existed, she’s sucked into a situation that even for her is unnerving. 

From being without a single relative, she suddenly acquires several she’d rather do without. Ophelia, it appears, has not been entirely honest about any number of things. There’s no doubt in Sandra’s mind, the sooner she puts as much distance as possible between herself, the newly discovered nearest and dearest with their peculiar tendencies and failing hotel business, the happier she’s going to be.

There are just a few things to sort first including a possessed chef; a hanged housemaid; a fly-on-the-wall documentary and a doppelgänger. Things slide swiftly from bad to farce and then get a hell of a lot darker. One minute she’s saving the family business the next, battling to save their lives. Turns out, some darknesses, once buried, are best left undisturbed.

What did I think?

I've read the first two books in the Strange Series (which I highly recommended) so I know that Marilyn Messik spins a good yarn and standalone novel Witch Dust is a hugely entertaining story.  It starts with a bang and rather like a boulder rolling downhill it seems to gather pace with the turn of each page; I was turning pages so fast I'm surprised I didn't end up with a load of paper cuts.  I also have to say that the cover is completely awesome; it looks like the Bates Motel and that fits perfectly with the story actually.

Sandra's parents, Adam and Ophelia, are famous illusionists and for them all the world is a stage.  In typical showbiz fashion, Sandra's real name is Serenissima but she is happy to stay behind the curtain and out of the limelight.  Over the years, Sandra sees a few strange things going on in the show that appear to be more than an illusion but magic isn't real, is it?

After a fight with Adam, Ophelia turns up in Sandra's living room and asks Sandra to drive her to her family home.  There's nothing odd about that except Ophelia has always told Sandra that she was adopted and had no real family.  Finding out that she has family she never knew about comes as quite a shock for Sandra but there are many more shocks and surprises in store for her when she meets them.  Let's just say that they make The Addams Family look normal.

Much like a disturbance in the force, Sandra and Ophelia arriving at the family home, which the family have turned into a hotel, results in a lot of interest from the local community.  It's not a spoiler to say (as the title is Witch Dust after all) that it could be seen as a 'gathering' and with so many strange things happening, I was reading with a growing feeling of unease and a sense of impending danger.  The story is so compelling, and Marilyn Messik has a knack of ending her chapters with cliffhangers, that you can't help but read 'one more chapter' that turns into about ten more chapters until suddenly you've read the whole book in no time at all.

Witch Dust is such a magical, spooky and unique book; it's like an episode of Supernatural, Bewitched and Charmed all rolled into one.  Prepare to expect the unexpected and you'll still be shocked and surprised; I absolutely loved it.  If you're looking to read something different for a change, you won't get more different than Witch Dust.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

AUDIO TOUR: Sleep - C.L.Taylor

All Anna wants is to be able to sleep. But crushing insomnia, terrifying night terrors and memories of that terrible night are making it impossible. If only she didn't feel so guilty.... 

To escape her past, Anna takes a job at a hotel on the remote Scottish island of Rum, but when seven guests join her, what started as a retreat from the world turns into a deadly nightmare. 

Each of the guests has a secret, but one of them is lying - about who they are and why they're on the island. There's a murderer staying in the Bay View hotel. And they've set their sights on Anna. 

Seven strangers. Seven secrets. One deadly lie. 

Someone's going to sleep and never wake up.... 

What did I think?

I read and reviewed the amazing Sleep by C.L. Taylor earlier this year and it has become one of the books that I continually recommend, so I was intrigued to find out how it would compare in audiobook.  The answer?  As gripping, intriguing and even more scarily chilling!

I'm a bit of an audiobook virgin as, although I have tried them a few times, I found that I would quickly get distracted by whatever I was doing whilst listening to the book and not have a clue what was going on when I finally tuned back in.  This most definitely wasn't the case with Sleep with the audiobook keeping me as wide-eyed and alert as much as the paperback did.  

Clare Corbett is the narrator and she has such an amazing range of voices.  I admit, it did freak me out a bit at first when the voices changed, especially from female to male, but I soon got used to it.  The different timbres and accents in Clare's voice made the characters very distinct and easy to identify during conversations; it actually sounds like more than one person is narrating.  I also love the slight huskiness to Clare's voice and her ability to read with such clarity that every single word is enunciated clearly.   I was amazed at Clare's ability to project a range of emotions through the power of her voice; I was surprised that I could actually hear emotions such as fear, anger, despair and concern being made tangible by the stunning narration.

Having scooped a myriad awards, it goes without saying that Sleep is a superb book to read but it has been taken to another level in audiobook, with perfectly paired stunning narration for a stunning book.  Having listened to every single word during the 8 hours and 55 minutes of Sleep, I'm now well and truly hooked on audiobooks!

I chose to listen to an audiobook and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Audiobooks



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Underbelly (A Taryn Winter Crime Thriller Book 1) - Karen Crawford

A popular Las Vegas hotel and casino is undergoing a billion-dollar renovation, and a killer is operating in the construction zone. The Square is open for guests, but they are unaware that a predator is lurking below the facade of luxury. One woman’s death will draw attention to the murders and spark an investigation.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department retired detective Taryn Winter, her former partner, Daniel Brady and FBI Special Agent Jenae Shannon are on the trail, risking everything to bring a killer to justice. But their opponent has become obsessed with one of them and is on the hunt. Will they find the killer first or be the next victims?

What did I think?

This book does exactly what it says on the cover as Karen Crawford transports the reader to the dark and seedy underbelly of Las Vegas.  Although I've seen it on TV, I've never been to Las Vegas but, through Karen Crawford's descriptive and immersive prose, I actually felt like I was seeing the twinkly lights of the strip and hearing the jangle of coins in the slots whilst reading Underbelly.

Karen Crawford has created a flawed yet empathetic character in the protagonist of Taryn Winter.  Taryn is a very intriguing woman; she has retired from the police force but still works as a consultant so it's almost like she hasn't left at all.  I love the relationship she has with her ex-partner, Daniel and how she really cares about the community, especially the ladies of the night.  I could go on more about the amazing character of Taryn, and I have so many questions regarding her past, so I hope this series continues for a long time to come in order to answer them.  

Where there is prey, there are predators and that is so very true in Las Vegas.  Gamblers, drunks and prostitutes are there for the taking and a killer is using a luxury hotel as their personal kill room.  It should be an easy collar for the Las Vegas MPD with so many CCTV cameras around but this killer seems to be invisible.  The hunt for the killer reaches fever pitch after a wealthy patron's wife becomes one of the victims.  The increased media interest puts the police under more pressure to catch the killer and increased pressure leads to a higher risk of mistakes being made.  This is one very confident and arrogant murderer who always seems to be just out of reach of the long arm of the law.

The feel of the book reminds me of Michael Connelly's Bosch, both in the complexity of the main character and the outstanding quality of writing.  What Bosch does for Los Angeles, Winter does for Las Vegas and I can't wait to continue her story in Atone.  Karen Crawford is a breath of fresh air in the over-saturated crime genre.  I'm a huge fan of crime fiction but I'm finding it a little predictable these days; this fast-paced, gritty and outstanding debut kept me guessing from beginning to beyond the end.  Underbelly is simply extraordinary and I can't rate it highly enough; 5 stars just doesn't do it justice!  A very highly recommended read.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

BLOG TOUR: Sleep - CL Taylor

All Anna wants is to be able to sleep. But crushing insomnia, terrifying night terrors and memories of that terrible night are making it impossible. If only she didn’t feel so guilty…

To escape her past, Anna takes a job at a hotel on the remote Scottish island of Rum, but when seven guests join her, what started as a retreat from the world turns into a deadly nightmare.

Each of the guests have a secret, but one of them is lying – about who they are and why they're on the island. There's a murderer staying in the Bay View hotel. And they've set their sights on Anna.

Seven strangers. Seven secrets. One deadly lie.

Someone’s going to sleep and never wake up…

What did I think?

Oh she's only gone and done it again!  CL Taylor continues to write excellent books which result in my exclaiming that each one is her best book yet.  Well I repeat myself gladly because Sleep is simply outstanding and most definitely her best one yet; I fail to see how this can be bettered.  With a first sentence that may very well be the hook of the century, this book grabs the reader from the start and doesn't let go until the final page is turned.

Events in Anna's past result in her leaving her job and relocating to a remote Scottish island to work in a small hotel.  Unfortunately, her memories travel with her so she continues to be haunted by her past.  If Anna thinks past events were bad, she hasn't seen anything yet.  When seven guests arrive at the hotel for a walking tour, they all have something to hide but one of them hasn't come for the walking tour; they've come for Anna.  Like a game of Cluedo, the reader must gather the clues and work out who the killer is but good luck with that as it could be absolutely any one of them.

I loved delving into the psyche of each character; seeing what made them tick and unearthing their deepest darkest secrets.  One of the guests is ahead of the game though; only letting us see a little part of the real person underneath, but they are so cleverly masked that I was completely thrown off the scent by CL Taylor's amazing art of deception.  

With all the perfect ingredients for a gripping murder mystery, CL Taylor has crafted a superb whodunnit.  Sleep is a completely addictive modern day murder mystery which the great Agatha Christie would have been proud to have written.  I couldn't read Sleep fast enough and it's so very well named as I didn't want to put it down to catch up on my own sleep until I had devoured every single word.

Breathtaking, enthralling and almost too brilliant for words, Sleep is well deserving of every one of the five stars I don't hesitate in awarding it.  A very highly recommended read and if you haven't discovered CL Taylor yet, make sure you put Sleep on your wishlist; you won't regret it but be prepared to be up all night reading!

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon



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BLOG TOUR: A Little Christmas Faith - Kathryn Freeman

So I'm reading an email: there's a new Kathryn Freeman...YES! Count me in!  Book, blog tour, bank holiday...whatever it is, I'm on board.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kathryn's books and I wouldn't even say that I'm a huge chick lit fan, but they are so down to earth and filled with insecurities and misunderstandings that they always manage to leave a smile on my face.  So the email wasn't for a new Kathryn Freeman bank holiday (bah humbug), it was an invitation to join the blog tour and I am unbelievably thrilled to be kicking off the tour along with 27 Book Street.

Is it time to love Christmas again?

Faith Watkins loves Christmas, which is why she’s thrilled that her new hotel in the Lake District will be open in time for the festive season. And Faith has gone all out; huge Christmas tree, fairy lights, an entire family of decorative reindeer. Now all she needs are the guests … 

But what she didn’t bank on was her first paying customer being someone like Adam Hunter. Rugged, powerfully built and with a deep sadness in his eyes, Adam is a man that Faith is immediately drawn to – but unfortunately he also has an intense hatred of all things Christmassy.

As the countdown to the big day begins, Faith can’t seem to keep away from her mysterious guest, but still finds herself with more questions than answers: just what happened to Adam Hunter? And why does he hate Christmas?

What did I think?

Well I certainly don't have to think twice about snapping up a copy of a Kathryn Freeman book.  There may be snow on the gorgeous cover, but I just knew I was going to end up with a warm glow inside...and I was not disappointed.  Kathryn has a knack of creating down to earth characters that you can easily identify with.  Her characters aren't perfect but more true to life and it's not all moonlight and roses, it's more drizzle and dandelions but that's why her books are so special.  This is real life, warts and all with a dollop of romance and a huge helping of humour.

Faith Watkins' dream has come true: ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of owning her own hotel.  Now after all her hard work, the doors are open and Faith is welcoming the first guests.  Ok, it's her Mum and Dad but how lovely is that?  They are so supportive and family is clearly very important to Faith - she has even employed her troubled niece to work on reception.  Faith's first real guest is Adam Hunter and there is just something so mouthwateringly delicious about him.  Faith has been working so hard that there's been no time for men but Adam is just so alluring - she can't fraternise with a guest, can she?  It's her hotel, she can make up her own rules but surely a guy looking like Adam isn't single?  

Adam is tall, dark and very troubled.  He is SO damaged and so very deep that I didn't think Faith would ever crack his shell and release all his demons.  His story is so heartbreaking, not only the things he has gone through but how guilt has eaten him up.  Thank goodness that fate saw fit to steer him in Faith's direction but when Christmas is over he'll be checking out and going back home.  After tasting the sweet fruit of love, can Faith swallow the bitter pill of loneliness when Adam leaves?

A Little Christmas Faith is a festive delight from Kathryn Freeman.  Make sure you put it on your Christmas list.  It's so much fun with characters that you instantly warm to, I laughed and cried with them but felt that familiar uncontrollable smile creeping on to my face as the final chapter drew to a close.  I'm going to call it my Kathryn Freeman smile as she NEVER fails to put a smile on my face, sometimes after putting me through the emotional wringer of course!  So wrap up warm, snuggle under your blanket beside the fire and pick up a copy of A Little Christmas Faith.  It's guaranteed to leave you with such a warm glow and a huge smile on your face.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Follow the tour: