BLOG TOUR: Shotley Bridge Murders (Shotley Bridge Thrillers Book 1) - Bobby Cussens

Four bodies. Two weeks. One secret that's waited forty years to surface.

This is the case that could cost Detective Heather Hudson everything.

When DC Heather Hudson finds Boz's throat-slashed body on a frozen riverbank, she's plunged into a chilling murder case. As the body count rises and winter storms batter County Durham, Heather spots a pattern nobody else can see.

With DS Roberts undermining her at every turn and a team of sceptical detectives dismissing her theory, Heather must race against time to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.

The case seems solved—until it spectacularly unravels.

In a violent final confrontation, Heather risks everything to stop a serial killer seeking revenge.

A gripping British detective series powered by a female sleuth, filled with authentic Geordie voices, workplace drama, and cold cases that refuse to stay buried.

Perfect for fans of Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, and LJ Ross who love police procedurals with complex female protagonists and the atmospheric beauty of England's North East.

SHOTLEY BRIDGE MURDERS is Book 1 in the Detective Heather Hudson series. One killer is caught—but in the chilling epilogue, another threat emerges...

What did I think?

I absolutely loved this fantastic debut novel by Bobby Cussens.  Shotley Bridge Murders is such a good read and it is set in my local area, although I have to say that I have never actually been to Shotley Bridge but I really enjoyed my virtual visit (despite all the murders).

This is an outstanding police procedural that hooked me from the start and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.  The chapters are date and time stamped so I really felt as if I was part of the police investigation, although I would have been suspended for giving DS Roberts a piece of my mind.

DC Heather Hudson is the real star though, both in terms of being the main protagonist and the brains behind the police investigation.  DS Roberts seems more interested in putting Heather down and bigging himself up than solving the murders.  He's a character that I loved to hate and it just goes to show the author's talent when such feelings are evoked in the reader.

The village of Shotley Bridge is beautifully depicted through Bobby Cussen's vivid writing and it is easy to imagine the scenery, even if you've never been there.  I was completely gripped by the hunt for the murderer and I enjoyed virtually meeting all (well, most) of the villagers.  I am so pleased that there are more books planned as there is some unfinished business in this book and I am keen to see how it plays out.

Gripping, authentic and atmospheric, Shotley Bridge Murders is an amazing debut novel and a very impressive start to an exciting new series.  I can't wait to read more and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the release of Shotley Bridge Revenge.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Waterstones

Amazon

About the author:

Bobby Cussens lives in County Durham with her husband and Stan, their labrador. When she’s not dreaming up ways to despatch characters in her novels, she’s hiking or cycling across Muggleswick Moor and around Derwent Reservoir.

Bobby has been an aspiring crime writer for decades, but this is her first novel. She's also written an anthology of poetry and two other books, which will be available soon. The next instalment of Heather Hudson’s adventures is nearly complete and scheduled for publication in the summer of 2026.

Website: https://www.bobbycussens.com/

Instagram: @bobbycussens

Facebook: BobbyCussens

TikTok: @bobbycussensauthor

Follow the tour:

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:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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.

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: The Corpse Bell - Ian McFadyen

 

The last thing Penny Carmichael expected when she joined the local bellringing group was for her debut to be thwarted by the discovery of a body just yards from the belfry door. As her husband and his loyal team painstakingly sift through the evidence and delve deep into the dead man's past, it's clear that solving Peter Mackenzie's murder may prove a challenge, even for someone with DCI Carmichael's renowned detective prowess.

What was a man who'd lived for decades in North London doing in Moulton Bank?  Was his chequered past a factor?

And what about the other members of Penny's bellringing group. Did any of them have a reason to do Peter harm? 

As the case unfolds, DCI Carmichael and his trusty team seek answers to a complex puzzle which leads them along various paths and, at times, way outside the comfort zone of their rural Lancashire surroundings. 

This fast-paced, cleverly crafted whodunit is the eleventh murder mystery in the gripping Carmichael series from the pen of Ian McFadyen.

What did I think?

The Corpse Bell is the eleventh book in the DCI Carmichael series but it's my first and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so it can definitely be read as a standalone.

The village of Moulton Bank is a dangerous place to live when there's a killer on the loose.  As it's the first book I have read in the series, I was suspicious of everyone but I wasn't even close to guessing who it actually was.

There's a bit of a powerplay among the bellringers as only one person is allowed to ring the corpse bell at funerals.  This puts all of the bellringers under suspicion as they all have motive, although DCI Carmichael should be able to rule out Penny, the newest addition to the bellringing team, as he is married to her.

I loved the inclusion of the police lists which made me feel like I was part of the investigative team.  It was great to see things being crossed off the lists and new items being added and I thought it would have felt a bit repetitive but it gave me the chance to run through the clues again.  Not that I was even remotely pointing in the right direction of course!  Well played, Mr McFadyen!

Entertaining, intriguing and immersive, The Corpse Bell is a brilliant murder mystery that makes the reader feel like they are part of the police team.  I will definitely be looking to read the earlier books in the series as I loved this one.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

Ian McFadyen was born in Liverpool and enjoyed a successful career in marketing before becoming a writer. Ian’s titles are available in Italian and Czech and, although the author isn’t totally convinced it’s true, he’s been favourably compared with Wilkie Collins and Colin Dexter. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife but spends a great deal of his time writing in his bolthole retreat on the Norfolk / Suffolk border. The Corpse Bell is the eleventh in his series featuring DCI Carmichael.

Social Media Links – 

Facebook:  Facebook.com/ianmcfadyenauthor

Twitter / X :  @ianMcFadyen1

Instagram : @ianwmcfadyen

Website: https://www.ianmcfadyenauthor.com/ 

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Fatal Shot (DC Mel Cotton Crime Series Book 6) - Brian Price

Pleasure or murder?

Was journalist Jenny Pike seeking extreme pleasure or was she murdered? Mexton police and her partner are suspicious. Things just don’t add up. Who would want Jenny killed and why? If she was murdered, then why was there no trace of the killer?

Deadly weapons

A mystery gunman is injured as his weapon blows up in his face. Someone is making blank weapons lethal. Mexton police are baffled. Meanwhile, a ruthless gangster is after a stolen laptop, and he will stop at nothing to get it back. What is on that laptop?

A dangerous turf war

Soon Mexton is in turmoil with illegal firearms, a vengeful crime boss and an impossible crime to solve. A turf war between drug dealers looms and the police seem powerless to stop it. Can DC Mel Cotton and her colleagues solve the riddles facing them without getting killed? Can a lethal conflict be prevented, before someone gets seriously hurt? 

What did I think?

After the tantalising cliffhanger in book 5, Fatal Image, I couldn't wait for the next instalment in the DC Mel Cotton Crime Series and once again Brian Price delivers a cracking page-turning thriller. Whilst you could read it as a standalone, it works much better when read as part of the series and I highly recommend every single book so far.

There's a lot for Mel and her team to investigate after the accidental death of journalist Jenny Pike doesn't quite add up and gun violence ramps up on the streets of Mexton.  I was completely riveted by both storylines, despite Jenny being someone I have loved to hate in the previous books.

As always with a Brian Price book, the police procedural side of the plot is incredibly authentic and I felt as if I was part of the investigation devouring every word as I followed the clues to the dramatic and satisfying conclusion.  I love Brian's epilogues that read like a 'where are they now' and I have to remind myself that I am reading fiction.

With short and punchy chapters and carefully crafted words, I flew through Fatal Shot and even though it had a satisfying ending, I am like Oliver Twist and still want more!  Long may this fantastic series continue.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Hobeck Books

Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: The Hidden Eye (The Merseyside Crime Series Book 4) - Malcolm Hollingdrake

The Hidden Eye is the breathtaking fourth novel in the thrilling Merseyside crime series from Malcolm Hollingdrake, author of the best-selling Harrogate crime series.

Antisocial behaviour is on the rise on the streets of Liverpool. Swift and silent, a sinister gang is patrolling the city on electric motorbikes, scouting for opportunities to steal.

DI April Decent and her trusted team of detectives are facing a complex series of crimes including the cold case of a young woman who died almost a year earlier. The perpetrator remains in the shadows, a traumatised past leaving them hell-bent on atonement, hoping to find a way to cleanse their soul of guilt.

‘The Controller’ of the gang pulls their strings, their orders becoming ever more ambitious and demanding, until a robbery goes wrong, and a gang member is arrested.

Can DI April Decent’s trusted police team manage to piece together the fragmented trail of evidence and track down this malevolent puppet master? Can they make Liverpool’s streets feel safer once more?

The Hidden Eye is ideal for fans of Simon McCleave, J M Dalgliesh and Ian Rankin.

 

What did I think?

The Hidden Eye is the fourth book in The Merseyside Crime series but I think you can read and enjoy it as a standalone, however, you will definitely want to read the earlier books once you have read it.

DI April Decent is the main character who links the series together but the crime itself is a self-contained storyline and what an absolute belter it is.  It had me riveted from start to finish as April and her team scour the streets of Liverpool in search of the mastermind behind the latest crime wave.

The city of Liverpool is brought to life and feels almost like a character itself.  I have been to Liverpool, although I'm not familiar with a lot of the places mentioned in The Hidden Eye, but I could easily visualise it in my mind.  

Filled with intrigue and packed with suspense, The Hidden Eye is an outstanding crime novel in a magnificent series.  I love Malcolm Hollingdrake's descriptive writing; he creates such vivid scenes with such carefully considered words and it's a real joy to read his books.  A 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:

Buy it from:

Hobeck Books

Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOGATHON: Crucified (DC Jack Warr book 5) - Lynda La Plante

Detective Jack Warr should be resting on his laurels. He's just put sadistic serial killer Rodney Middleton behind bars and he's ready to enjoy some time at home with his young family.

Instead, Jack is having violent nightmares that leave his wife Maggie terrified.

What Jack needs is a break, but instead he finds himself sucked into another grisly case as a man is found horrifically murdered in an art-framer's shop. Jack becomes fascinated by the elaborately staged killing - especially coming straight after the surprise reappearance of charismatic forger Adam Border.

Could Adam be the victim?

Or the murderer?

Finding the truth will unveil a shocking portrait of a corrupt art world - but will it also expose the secrets Jack is so desperately trying to keep hidden?

 

What did I think?

Crucified is the fifth book in the fantastic Jack Warr series and I absolutely loved it.  It can be read and enjoyed as a standalone but I loved the references to previous cases so I think it is outstanding when read as part of the series.

If I thought Jack Warr couldn't be more flawed in the previous books then I was wrong.  He is at breaking point and there is so much going on at home and at work that's it no wonder he is having nightmares.  It's great to have a less than perfect main character as it's much more realistic and it only makes me love Jack more.  I think if I hadn't read the earlier books though I would think Jack was well dodgy.

I loved the art forgery storyline and the highly imaginative crime that made me feel a little queasy.  Even just thinking about it now is making me grimace!  As it says in the synopsis, Jack isn't sure whether his old nemesis/acquaintance Adam Border is the victim or the murderer, so that gives you a clue as to the state in which the body is found.  Yikes!

As with all of the books in the series, Jack's personal life drives a large part of the narrative and I almost feel like part of the family as I'm so eager to see how they're all getting on.  They certainly have a lot of challenges to face in this instalment and Maggie's patience is severely tested but, as the saying goes, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Incredibly compelling and impossible to put down, Crucified is gripping from start to finish and after his surprising announcement I can't wait to read what Lynda La Plante has in store for Jack.  I loved this book (even the grisly parts) and would highly recommend it.

I received a gifted ARC to read and review as part of the Compulsive Readers blogathon and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the blogathon:

BLOGATHON: Pure Evil (DC Jack Warr book 4) - Lynda La Plante

It was supposed to be a simple case: a young man arrested for armed assault.

But it was just the beginning.

As Rodney Middleton awaits trial, Detective Jack Warr is warned by his mentor DCI Ridley that they have only scratched the surface of the man's crimes.

Then DCI Ridley is suddenly removed from his post. No one is to contact him - and no one will say why.

As Warr digs into Middleton's past, Ridley calls pleading for help, now accused of a murder he insists he didn't commit.

To catch a monster and exonerate his friend, Warr must weed out the lies. But what awaits Warr if he uncovers the truth?

 

What did I think?

Pure Evil is the fourth book in the Detective Jack Warr series and although it does have its own self-contained crime storyline, I wouldn't particularly recommend reading it as a standalone.  The magnetism of the Jack Warr series for me is the man himself (and his family and colleagues) so whilst the crime part of the plot is gripping (and grisly) it's the personal storylines that kept me turning the pages.

Jack's life seems to be getting more complicated with each book; he has a young daughter, a busy doctor for a wife and a widowed mother at home as well as being run ragged at work.  Then he gets himself involved in his boss's mysterious problems and he barely has time to sleep.  Oh Jack, you've spread yourself too thin - I really wasn't sure how this one was going to turn out.

So Jack is very busy and the book is too.  There is an awful lot going on and I found it a little difficult to grasp onto each thread and keep track with the various stories.  The crime part of the plot is very good but I found I was more interested in Jack's and Ridley's personal lives, which forced the crime into the back seat for me.  I'm just too invested in these characters now and I can't wait for book 5.

Dark, gripping and intriguing, Pure Evil is an intricately plotted police procedural that is an integral part of the outstanding Jack Warr series.  I am on tenterhooks to see where Lynda La Plante takes this series next and there's not long to wait as Crucified is released next month.

I received a gifted copy to review for the Compulsive Readers blogathon and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the blogathon:

BLOGATHON: Vanished (DC Jack Warr book 3) - Lynda La Plante

KILLERS DON'T JUST DISAPPEAR . . .

The unmissable brand new thriller from the Queen of Crime Drama, Lynda La Plante - now available in hardback, eBook and audiobook.

When an eccentric widow claims she is being stalked by her former lodger, Detective Jack Warr is the only person who believes her wild claims.

Days later, she is found brutally murdered in her home.

When the investigation uncovers an international drugs operation on the widow's property, the case grows even more complex. And as the hunt for the widow's lodger hits dead end after dead end, it seems that the prime suspect has vanished without a trace.

To find answers, Jack must decide how far is he willing to go - and what he is willing to risk - in his search for justice. Because if he crosses the line of the law, one wrong move could cost him everything . . .

What did I think?

Vanished is the third book in the Detective Jack Warr series and I am absolutely loving the series so far.  You can read Vanished as a standalone but it's better when read as part of the series to fully understand the foibles and flaws of the characters that are developing in each instalment.

This was a bit of a strange one for me as I was more interested in the characters' personal lives than the actual crime story in Vanished.  I was interested in the murder and intrigued by the mystery of the disappearing lodger but I was absolutely riveted by the events in the lives of  DS Jack Warr and his family, as well as his boss DCI Simon Ridley.  I have come to know and love the characters over the course of the series and I just can't get enough of them.

The murder mystery is very good and there are lots of shocks and surprises in store for the reader.  It's also a little grisly as Lynda La Plante paints such a vivid picture of events with her masterful words.  I just love Jack Warr and his inability to focus on anything but the case in front of him, even if that means disappointing his family or lying to his boss.  Jack gets results but you perhaps don't want to look too closely at how he got them.

Filled with mystery and intrigue, Vanished is another fabulous instalment in the Detective Jack Warr series.  They don't call Lynda La Plante the Queen of Crime Drama for no reason and I highly recommend this whole series.

I received a gifted copy to review for the Compulsive Readers blogathon and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the blogathon:

BLOGATHON: Judas Horse (DC Jack Warr book 2) - Lynda La Plante

SOME KILLERS CAN'T BE TAMED . . .

The brand new Detective Jack Warr thriller from the Queen of Crime Drama, Lynda La Plante - now available in hardback, eBook and audiobook.

'Do you know what a Judas Horse is? When the wild mustangs are running free, you corral one and train it. When he's ready, you release him and he'll bring his team back into the corral - like Judas betraying them...'

Violent burglars have been terrorising residents across the English countryside. But when a mutilated body is discovered in a Cotswolds house, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary group of opportunist thieves.

As Detective Jack Warr investigates, he discovers locals with dark secrets, unearths hidden crimes - and hits countless dead ends. With few leads and the violent attacks escalating, he will have to act as audaciously as the criminals if he hopes to stop them.

When Warr meets Charlotte Miles, a terrified woman with links to the group, he must use her to lure the unsuspecting killers into one last job, and into his trap. But with the law already stretched to breaking point, any failure will be on Warr's head - and any more blood spilled, on his hands...

What did I think?

Having recently been introducted to the Jack Warr series I couldn't wait to read the second book, Judas Horse, and it was every bit as good as I expected it to be.  

Jack has more balls to juggle than ever now that he is a dad but he becomes laser focussed when a new case lands on his desk.  It's just as well that Maggie knows and loves him as he would test the patience of a saint when he forgets his family responsibilites.  It's great to have such a flawed character though as it really brings Jack to life.

This book is set in the Cotswolds where the peace and quiet of the idyllic countryside has been disrupted by a gang of burglars who always seem to be one step ahead of the residents and the police.  The burglars didn't account for Jack Warr though as he pushes the boundaries of his official role to solve the case.

Clever, gripping and twisty, Judas Horse had my pulse racing and my palms sweating as I galloped through the book as fast as I possibly could.  I absolutely loved it and I'm totally hooked on this series now.  Very highly recommended. 

I received a gifted copy to review for the Compulsive Readers blogathon and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the blogathon:

BLOGATHON: Buried (DC Jack Warr book 1) - Lynda La Plante

The gripping first book in a brand new thriller series by the Queen of Crime Drama, Lynda La Plante.

DC Jack Warr and his girlfriend Maggie have just moved to London to start a new life together. Though charming, Jack can't seem to find his place in the world - until he's drawn into an investigation that turns his life upside down.

In the aftermath of a fire at an isolated cottage, a badly charred body is discovered, along with the burnt remains of millions of stolen, untraceable bank notes.

Jack's search leads him deep into a murky criminal underworld - a world he finds himself surprisingly good at navigating. But as the line of the law becomes blurred, how far will Jack go to find the answers - and what will it cost him?

In BURIED, it's time to meet DC Jack Warr as he digs up the deadly secrets of the past . . .

What did I think?

I'm a little embarrased to say that Buried is the first Lynda La Plante book that I have read but what an absolute cracker it is.  I couldn't put it down and I can't wait (and won't wait) to read the next one as I am well and truly hooked on the Detective Jack Warr series.  

Jack Warr hasn't quite embraced his new life in London and although his boss thinks he should go for the sergeant's position, Jack just doesn't know what he wants.  I think if you cracked open Jack's head it would look very messy and it doesn't get any tidier thoughout the book as he crosses the line so much he wouldn't be able to see it with a pair of binoculars.

There's a very intriguing case to investigate that links an unsolved train robbery to a fire at a remote cottage.  Jack sees an opportunity to do a bit of digging for himself when he starts to look for his birth father and his personal investigation puts quite a strain on his family relationships.  I could understand Jack wanting to find out where he came from but I did grimace a little as I think his timing could have been better.

Buried is a perfectly plotted police procedural novel and a fantastic start to a new crime thriller series.  Jack Warr is a fabulously flawed character and I was often shaking my head in disappointment at him but I still loved him and I can't wait to read more of the series.  Very highly recommended.

I received a gifted copy to review for the Compulsive Readers blogathon and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the blogathon:

BLOG TOUR: Private Investigations (Lara Arden Crime Series Book 2) - Rob Gittins

A young girl is in a coma after a tragic road accident. Another young girl has washed up on a remote beach, her identity unknown. An old man is murdered and hastily buried in a makeshift grave. A tormented pastor is unable to erase old misdeeds.

Different souls, but with one common link – the past.

Detective Inspector Lara Arden has her own demons to deal with. But as she investigates this raft of seemingly disparate crimes, she begins to suspect there’s a further common link at work here – her own past.

When all roads lead back to a former children’s home called Kenwood – and a macabre half-size windmill sited in its grounds – suspicion hardens into conviction.

Lara always believed that Kenwood had to be destroyed. Its old stories haunted it too strongly, like spirits yet to find their voice.

But do the tendrils of its past cling to everyone associated with it, too?

And do they need to be destroyed as well?

 

What did I think?

Wow! I really enjoyed this fantastic book.  Private Investigations is the second book in the Lara Arden crime series but you can read it as a standalone as it has its own contained storyline.  I was introduced to DI Lara Arden in the first book of the series, I'm Not There, and I absolutely loved it, so I was looking forward to virtually visiting the Isle of Wight once again.

The bodies are mounting up for DI Lara Arden and her team and Lara thinks she sees a link, one that is very personal to her.  This is where it is beneficial to have read the first book in the series, but enough of the story is recounted for anyone who hasn't read it.

As well as the gripping storyline of the former children's home and anyone with links to it, I was completely hooked by the intriguing story of Amy Waite who was involved in a hit and run and left in a coma.  Amy has a special link with her brother Aaron and my heart totally went out to Aaron as he felt the severing of that link so severely.  The big question is what or who was Amy running away from?

There are so many layers of intrigue in this story that keep the pages turning so rapidly it's a wonder I didn't end up with a million paper cuts.  Even though it's only the second book in a series, the characters of Lara and her team are so wonderfully developed that I feel as if I know them well.  They all have their own demons to contend with whilst fighting crime on the Isle of Wight.

Incredibly intriguing, blisteringly fast-paced and completely unpredictable, Private Investigations is a stunning crime thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.  I absolutely loved it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Hobeck

Amazon

Follow the tour:

My Brother's Keeper (DCI Rohan Roy Crime Thriller Book 1) - M.L. Rose

A missing child.

A killer on the loose.

A Detective with a deadly secret.

Detective Chief Inspector Rohan Roy is close to burning out. He works night and day in London to bring a human trafficking gang to justice, but when he unleashes his own particular brand of the law, his superiors take notice. He is ordered to take a sabbatical. To his horror, he is dispatched to Sheffield, a place he knows only vaguely. But this isn't any ordinary sabbatical. A child has gone missing in Sheffield, and the kidnapper has left a ransom note with a white Lily attached...

It seems the dreaded Lily Man is back, the brutal killer who took children, and sent white lilies to the parents. The Lily Man was never caught, and his victims were discovered dead.

But one victim, a seven year old boy called Robin Roy was never found. He was DCI Rohan Roy's brother. No one knows what happened to Robin. The guilt sticks to Roy like a second skin.

After twenty seven years, has the Lily Man returned?

Over the years, Roy has made a name for himself, tracking down child abductors. It's the only way he knows to atone for his guilt. Now, he must seize the chance for a final retribution. But nothing turns out to plan. Despite Roy and his new team's best efforts, there is no sign of the missing boy. Frictions spark up in the local community, and nothing is what it seems behind closed doors.

As the days slip by, Roy begins to fear the worst. Then another little boys disappears. Once again, a note and a white lily is left for the parents. The Lily Man strikes again, taunting Roy and his team.

Roy's sense of reality begins to unravel as the stress worsens. Will he catch the Lily Man before the town loses another child?

My Brother's Keeper is the riveting first book in the Rohan Roy Series. Written by the author of the Arla Baker Series, this gripping tale will keep you turning the pages late into the night. If you like deep secrets of the past, white knuckle plot twists with a sprinkling of humour and romance, you've come to the right place.

 

What did I think?

My Brother's Keeper is a very intriguing start to an exciting crime thriller series and it's a great contender for the Kindle Storyteller Award 2023.  I have to get one small niggle out of the way first though.  Whilst I really enjoyed the storyline and the tantalising thread that runs throughout that makes you want to read more of the series, it could do with a proofread as the errors were rather distracting.

I do love a flawed main character with secrets and DCI Rohan Roy certainly fits the bill.  Rohan blames himself for his brother Robin's disappearance 27 years ago when he was just a teenager.  It inspired him to join the force but the guilt and not knowing what happened to Robin have given him anger issues and he is sent to Sheffield to investigate a young boy's disappearance that bears a striking resemblance to his brother's cold case.  

I thought that I had worked out what was going on quite early on, but I am delighted to say that I was completely wrong.  I really like Rohan Roy, although I certainly wouldn't like to cross him, and I am keen to continue the series, especially the way that the book ends.  The ending is nicely done; it's not a massive cliffhanger that leaves you feeling unsatisfied as M.L. Rose finishes the main story nicely but leaves you wanting to know what happens next.   

Incredibly gripping, disturbing and fast paced, My Brother's Keeper is a riveting read and a tantalising start to an intriguing new series.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon