Down Among The Dead Men – Kerry Wilkinson

Down Among The Dead Men 

I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book as an ARC and first of all thanks go to the author for the pleasure and privilege. 

Down Among The Dead Men is due for release on 22nd October 2015

Blurb

‘I’m going to do you a favour: I’m going to tell you my name and then I’m going to give you thirty seconds to turn and run. If any of you are still here after those thirty seconds, then we’re going to have a problem.’

Jason Green’s life is changed for good after he is saved from a mugging by crime boss Harry Irwell. From there, he is drawn into Manchester’s underworld, where stomping into a newsagents and smashing the place up is as normal as making a cup of tea.

But Jason isn’t a casual thug: he has a plan that doesn’t involve blowing his money on the usual trappings. That is until a woman walks into his life offering one thing that money can’t buy – salvation.

My review

Wasn’t sure what to expect when I received this book for review but have to say Kerry has done it again.  This is an excellent stand-alone read and one that has allowed me to get my reading mojo back (have been picking up books and reading them and enjoying but this author yet again as usual had me HOOKED).  

Jason Green would be the guy you walked past in the street, a normal guy who doesn’t stand out in a crowd. He is ordinary but unbeknown to some inhabits a shady criminal underworld and therefore does not want or wish to be noticed.  He doesn’t make friends easily and has a group of people he relies on.  

However, someone has noticed him and someone will go out of their way to ensure Jason helps them. 

The story is told across a period of 11 years and you are treated to flashbacks in the story behind Jason Green, the boy he was and the man he is becoming. 

You have his rescuer, Harry Irwell (who is a name you know through organised crime), Harry’s right hand man “Carter” along with other people that Harry relies on.  You have Harry’s rival (or are they) Richard Hyde along with Jason’s brother Chris and his mum.  You are made to feel sorry for Jason in one step and unsure of where your loyalties will lie in another.  

The book had me hooked and has been read in a week (which lately with a family and a full time job) can be hard work.  However yet again Kerry Wilkinson has done it and yet again I am left waiting patiently for the next book.    Kerry has a flare for (in my honest opinion) of providing books with unexpected endings.  I have questions which are left unanswered and left to draw my own assumptions of how things conclude.  This is a book that has the potential to be made into a series but is excellent as a stand-alone read. 

My rating is 5 / 5. 

Madeline’s Kiss – Peter Gilboy

 

 

 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Madeleines Kiss

Synopsis 

 "THIS WON'T BE YOUR USUAL MYSTERY OR THRILLER READ."

                             Madeleine is missing.

                      Adam Snow says he didn't do it.

                                        Sure.

            Now, as he awaits the jury's verdict, Adam Snow 

                       reveals the truth about Madeleine.    

                                           . . .

                              "Uniquely Gripping"   

                        "Riveting and eye-opening"  

         "This won't be your usual mystery or thriller read." 

                            -- Midwest Book Reviews

My review 

I would rate this book as 3 out of 5 stars

Not sure how to describe this book.  I have read 51% and am still none the wiser about the story or how this is going to develop and therefore I am afraid to say I have given up on this. 

On what I have read I would say that this was an enjoyable book and I was enjoying it, just didn’t feel the story was flowing enough to keep me going.  On reading other people’s reviews though it is a good book but obviously just not one for me at the present time. 

I would like to thank www.bookhippo.uk for allowing me to read a copy of this book.

One Mile Under – Andrew Gross

 http://www.amazon.co.uk/One Mile Under Andrew-Gross

Synopsis from the book

The heart-pounding new thriller from the co-author of five No. 1 James Patterson bestsellers including Judge and Jury and Lifeguard, and the Sunday Times bestsellers The Blue Zone and Reckless.

Leading a tour down the rapids outside Aspen, Colorado, white-water guide Dani Haller comes across the body of a close friend. Refusing to believe it was an accident, Dani uncovers evidence that backs up her suspicions and takes her case to Wade Dunn, local police chief and her ex-stepfather.

Wade insists the case is closed but Rooster, a hot-air balloon operator, claims he saw something that Dani needs to know. Before she can find out, however, Rooster plunges to his death in a fiery crash. Dani threatens to go public with her evidence, and finds herself thrown in jail.

When ex-detective Ty Hauck receives word that his god-daughter is in trouble, he immediately jumps to her aid. Together he and Dani step foot into a sinister scheme running deep beneath the surface of a quiet, Colorado town that has made a deal with devil to survive.

My Review

I enjoyed this book and would rate it 4 stars!

The story starts off with Dani Whalen (Ty’s god-daughter we learn) and her job on the river rapids as a white-water guide.  Dani gets a thrill from this job despite gaining a major in geology this was the job she decided to do and loves.

During one of her guides Dani finds the body of a close friend (Trey Watson) amongst the Cradle’s rapids in a section known as “Baby’s Rattle”.

Chief Wade Dunn, the Sheriff in the small town of Carbondale, who has a history of mixing pills and bourbon and who also happens to be Dani’s stepdad is sent to investigate the matter.  The pair do not see eye to eye (Wade having been married to Dani’s mum before she died, which Dani blames him for).

Rooster (Ron) a balloon operator opens his mouth in the busy pub not long after Trey’s body is found shouting out that it wasn’t an accident but murder!

Shortly after this, whilst Rooster is in the middle of showing a family the scenery in a hot air balloon trip early one morning, he is killed. 

Dani already suspicious of Trey’s death had begun to investigate this by looking into things without the police knowing and ends up landing herself in jail instigated by Wade.  Dani’s biological father is informed of this and asks Ty to go down and check that Dani is fine and keep her company (i.e. out of trouble).  Dani’s dad and Ty are old friends.  Upon Ty checking into the town and speaking to Dani and with a bit of gentle persuasion Ty and Dani start looking into the death of her friends to see if there is / was anything suspicious surrounding the incidents. 

Upon investigating in the way Ty does, he stumbles across a link between the Alpha Group (members being Colin Jerrod Adrian, John Robertson and Randall McKay).  Things go from bad to worse then and things start to be uncovered which involve Ty’s life being put in danger.

Dani is a feisty girl and like a dog with a bone.  Ty is pretty much the same and therefore the partnership works well together. 

Want to know more then I suggest you pick the book up and read. 

Just hope there isn’t another 5 year wait before the next instalment of Ty Hauck!