Disclaimer - Renée Knight

Imagine if the next thriller you opened was all about you.

When an intriguing novel appears on Catherine’s bedside table, she curls up and begins to read.

But as she turns the pages she is horrified to realize she is a key character, a main player.

This story will reveal her darkest secret. 

A secret she thought no one else knew…

What did I think?

This was such a brilliant book and I raced through it a lot quicker than I expected, mainly due to the fact that it was almost impossible to put down.  I only managed to convince myself to put it down as it was a week night and I had work the next day.  I had seen quite a few reviews comparing Disclaimer to Gone Girl and I have to say that I didn't really enjoy Gone Girl so, for me, Disclaimer was so much better.

It was such a chilling storyline - Catherine reads a book where she recognises herself within its pages when it goes on to describe something that happened to her 20 years ago.  Where did the book come from?   Who wrote it?  What do they know about the events of 20 years ago?  All of these questions will be answered along with many more questions that you find yourself asking along the way.  My mind was going haywire as I tried to guess what could have happened and I have to say that I was a teeny bit right but at the same time so completely wrong.

As Catherine’s husband and son receive their own copies of the book and some damning photographs to go with it, they are so hurt and upset as they jump to conclusions and don’t allow Catherine to explain.  Catherine’s family implodes and the creepy author lurks around every corner, pulling strings like a puppet master that lead to a tragic turn of events.  Then just when I thought all of the secrets had been revealed, we are left with a negative of a photo that wasn’t developed.  That gave me goosebumps!

A chilling, disturbing and twisty thriller that had me hooked from start to finish.  I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to psychological thriller fans.

I received this book from the publisher, Black Swan, in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Life Swap - Carol Wyer

Take a chance on a new life and maybe you’ll find your happy ever after. Because true love isalways worth the risk… 

Handsome prince, beautiful house, fabulous job? Polly has none of these. All she has to her name is a string of failed relationships and she’s up to her ears in debt. She sees herself as a hopeless case and would do anything to change her luck. 

Simon is approaching the big 50. He’s off his game at work, his kids don’t seem to notice he exists and his wife seems to think he’s made of money. As for sex …what’s that? 

So when the opportunity comes for both of them to swap their lives for a life of luxury, they jump at the chance. For Simon a life of helicopters, fast cars and hot babes beckons. For Polly, it’s all diamonds, spa days and celebrity parties. What more could they want? 

Trouble is, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Is life in the fast lane more than either of them can cope with? 

A witty, heart warming read, perfect for fans of Fiona Gibson and Carole Matthews. 

What did I think?

I’ve always enjoyed films where people swap bodies, like Freaky Friday or 13 Going on 30, but I’ve never read a book where this happens.  This was a lot better than any of those body swap films - it was a real treat and it’s going to be really hard to review without giving anything away.

Polly and Simon are both unhappy with their lives.  Polly is an unlucky in love shopaholic who is being sued for money she doesn’t have; and Simon has just lost his job and dreads going home to tell his wife.  They both wish they could swap lives with somebody else and happen to come across an agency called Mission Imp-ossible.  Mission Imp-ossible is run by demons and imps and all Polly and Simon have to do to swap lives is to condemn a soul to hell.

This was such a fun read and it really didn’t turn out the way I was expecting.  There are lots of laughs, many surprises and also some sobering thoughts – you might think you hate your life but it’s only when you don’t have it anymore that you realise what you have lost.

Life Swap is such great fun and hugely entertaining with an amazing twist at the end that I didn't see coming at all.  Be careful what you wish for – other’s lives aren’t as great as they might appear and nothing is ever what it seems.

I received this e-book from the publisher, Bookouture, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Released 22nd April 2016 - preorder from Amazon

Don't Tell - Karen Rose

They tried to escape him, but he wouldn't let them: DON'T TELL is a gripping thriller in the Chicago series by the Sunday Times bestseller Karen Rose.

Desperate Mary Grace Winters knew the only way to save herself and her child from her abusive husband was to stage their deaths. Now all that remains of her former life is at the bottom of a lake.

As Caroline Stewart, Mary Grace has almost forgotten the nightmare she left behind nine years ago. Slowly she has learned to believe that her new life, and new identity, is here to stay.

Then her husband uncovers her hidden trail. Step by step he's closing in on her and everyone she loves. Now Caroline must decide whether to flee again or whether the time has come to stay and fight...

What did I think?

After picking up a few Karen Rose books at a local church fair, we started to collect the whole series as I do like to start at the beginning, even when the books are not necessarily linked.  So I contentedly started at the beginning with Karen Rose’s debut novel from 2003, Don’t Tell.

This is a really riveting debut based around a story of domestic violence and police brutality.  Although it is a difficult subject matter, it is told with courage and strength that I believe would give hope to many abused women.  Mary Grace Winters took her final beating from her husband, Rob and hatched a plan for her and her son, Robbie, to escape.  With the help of a woman’s refuge, Mary Grace and Robbie became Caroline and Tom and started their new lives.  Rob thinks they are dead until Mary Grace’s car is recovered from a lake but there are no bodies.  Rob then goes on the hunt to find his wife and son, and God help anyone who gets in his way. 

It was difficult to read sometimes as we learned of Mary Grace and Robbie’s past and I must admit that if it was a film I would have closed my eyes at times.  Karen Rose has created a truly detestable character in Rob Winters; he doesn’t have an ounce of compassion in his body.  What I did find interesting was when Rob’s colleagues were asked if they noticed any injuries to Mary Grace.  It is true that sometimes people choose what they want to see; they don’t see it because they can’t believe that a policeman who has sworn to protect and serve would use his wife as a punch bag.  Unfortunately there are probably many violent people who hide behind masks of respectability.

I rocketed through this book as it was so fast paced and gripping.  I am so pleased that I have many more Karen Rose books to look forward to.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

The Unusual Possession of Alastair Stubb - David John Griffin

The turn of the last century and Theodore Stubbs' manor house resides in the quirky village of Muchmarsh. A renowned entomologist, he is often within the attic adding another exotic specimen to his extensive collection of insects. But Theodore is also a master hypnotist, holding the household in thrall to his every whim. Theodore's daughter-in-law Eleanor returned from the sanatorium two months before is a haunted figure, believing that her stillborn child Alastair lives and hides in the shadows. Then she falls pregnant again, but this time by the hypnotic coercion and wicked ravishment of Theodore. A dreadful act begets terrible secrets, and thirteen years later the boy Alastair Stubb begins to lose his identity. It is not long before mystery, intrigue and murder follow gleefully in his wake. The Unusual Possession of Alastair Stubb is a gothic terror of the highest order, delivering a dream-like and hallucinatory reading experience that promises to reveal secrets both disturbing and astonishing. Do you dare meet the Stubbs?

What did I think?

I was drawn to this book by the amazing gothic cover of butterflies, moths and bugs and the amazing font inside further enhances the gothic atmosphere.  The Stubbs are indeed a very strange family – when I say strange, I mean stark raving bonkers.  I wasn’t sure what was going on or who was who for most of the book, but that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it.  I certainly enjoyed the second part of the book more when Alastair appeared.

There’s a murder, or is there?  Where is the body?  There’s a pregnancy – but who is the father?  I loved the play on words of the title as Alastair’s possession is two-fold - he is given a most unusual possession by a crazy lady but is also possessed by the spirit of Theodore.  There are also some splendidly named characters in the book that added to the craziness, my favourite being Mr Fishcake.

This book really reminded me of a Tim Burton film; it’s dark and wacky but it’s not everybody’s cup of tea.  Unusual, quirky and a little bit wacky, it’s a book to read beside the fire on a cold winter’s night with a little glass of port and then let your imagination run away with the Stubbs.

I received this e-book from the publisher, Urbane Publications, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Buy direct from Urbane Publications

Bone by Bone - Sanjida Kay

Laura loves her daughter more than anything in the world.

But nine-year-old daughter Autumn is being bullied. Laura feels helpless.

When Autumn fails to return home from school one day, Laura goes looking for her. She finds a crowd of older children taunting her little girl.

In the heat of the moment, Laura makes a terrible choice. A choice that will have devastating consequences for her and her daughter...

What did I think?

I was so impressed with this book; I don't think I have ever experienced such a broad spectrum of emotions in one book.  It seemed to encompass every emotion; fear, anger, sympathy, dread, contempt, empathy, embarrassment, hatred, vulnerability and guilt, to name but a few.

Alternating between chapters from the perspectives of Laura (mum) and Autumn (daughter) we read the feelings of a child being bullied and a mum who will do anything to protect her daughter, even if that means going a step too far.  Laura has to live with the consequences of her actions and the resulting frosty reception from the school gate crowd.  My heart really went out to her as the parents turned into a gang who were actually bullying Laura themselves.

As the book progressed, I felt an increasing level of hatred towards Levi, who was bullying Autumn.  There was absolutely no reason for him to pick on her and I was positively raging when the bullying reached social media.  Levi's father didn't help by taking his son's side and turning the other parents against Laura.  I didn't think I would feel anything but contempt for Levi, but Sanjida Kay managed to cleverly turn my emotions around in a way that I seriously didn't expect.

It was actually a sobering read as I realised that appearances can be deceptive and nothing is ever quite what it seems.  I have no time for bullies but I can now see that perhaps there is an underlying reason for their actions.

It's certainly an emotional rollercoaster and an outstanding debut from Sanjida Kay that is sure to be a big hit in 2016.

I received this book from the publisher, Corvus, in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Published 3rd March 2016 - preorder now from Amazon

A Deep Purple Hue - Mark Hudson

In A Deep Purple Hue, a worldwide conspiracy that will change the balance of power and bring down America is in motion. Will former Army ranger and current CIA agent Gordan Hudde be able to unravel the mystery and stop the plan or will the world be forever changed? Ripped from todays and tomorrows headlines, a fast paced thriller with a hero you hope is really out there, protecting your country.

What did I think?

The fast pace of this novella is set from the very first page with Gordan Hudde in Syria on a mission to rescue Navy Seal Jim Foster. On their way back home, Foster tells Hudde that he saw the president's chief of staff, Crewbon,  and a CIA agent, Kinkade, meeting with Number 2 on the Most Wanted list.  This information puts Foster in grave danger and Hudde, now with a target on his back, must try to uncover a conspiracy that goes deep into the heart of the White House.

I absolutely whipped through this book at lightning speed.  As each strand of the conspiracy was untangled my reading pace, along with my heartbeat, quickened.  My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I learned just how far Crewbon would go to get the result he wanted.  

With an extraordinary conspiracy story, this book is perfect for fans of 24 as Hudde reminds me of a bearded Bauer - he doesn't always play by the rules and never bows to authority.  I was so engrossed in the story that I guiltily pumped my fist in the air as the baddies got their comeuppance.  It's a fast paced thriller with an explosive ending that left me thirsty for more.  I'm sure it won't be long before I pick up the next book in the Hudde series: An Angry Orange Sky.

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Mortom - Erik Therme

Andy Crowl barely knew his recently deceased cousin, Craig Moore, so he’s especially surprised to be named as the sole beneficiary in Craig’s will. Not that there’s much to inherit: just an empty bank account and a run-down house.

Once Andy arrives in the town of Mortom, however, he’s drawn into his puzzle-obsessed cousin’s true legacy: a twisted and ominous treasure hunt. Beckoned by macabre clues of dead rats and cemetery keys, Andy jumps into the game, hoping to discover untold wealth. But unsavory secrets—and unanswered questions about Craig’s untimely demise—arise at every turn, leading Andy to wonder if he’s playing the game…or if the game is playing him.

Something’s rotten in Mortom. And this dead man’s game might not be all that Andy is doomed to lose.

What did I think?

I really enjoyed this book; I was immediately hooked by the clues that Craig had left for his cousin, Andy.  As each clue leads Andy more into danger, my reading appeared to speed up in tandem with my heart rate.  The book drew me straight in as it launched into the first puzzle and I was so engrossed that I really felt as if I was in Mortom with Andy and his sister, Kate.

I found this book to be quite unusual and something a little bit different from a standard murder mystery.  As each clue was revealed, my mind was racing to try to discover what the 'prize' would be and it quickly became clear that there was more than one puzzle to solve.  I had so many questions whirring round in my head - How did Craig plant the clues?  How did he die?  Who is his father?  What will Andy find at the end of the game?  Thankfully, Erik Therme pre-empted all my questions and answered them all with a few little twists thrown in.

A delightfully dark debut novel - I will be looking out for more from Erik Therme.

I received this e-book from Booklover Catlady Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon