The Green Room – Faith Mortimer

The Green Room

The Green Room – Faith Mortimer

Ella is a nurse, leading a busy working life in a hospital’s trauma department.  Every day is hectic and she rarely gets chance to relax.  In the town where Ella lives, strange things begin to happen to young women who work in the theatre – “the Surrey Punisher” is on the loose.

The story is told in snappy chapters, each one headed with a name but all set around Ella.  The reader is drawn in with each page turned and left to draw their own conclusions.  It is a fast paced psychological thriller that had me wishing my commute to and from work was longer than it was!

The author has the knack of making the reader think the story is going one way, for you to think you know what is happening only to have the rug pulled from under you with yet another twist thrown in.

My thanks go to the author Faith Mortimer and (THE) Book Club #TBC for allowing me to read and review this book.

I look forward to reading more by Faith in the future, having already added to my wish list or kindle in readiness.

The Angel – (Isabella Rose #1)

The Angel - Mark Dawson

The Angel – (Isabella Rose #1) – Mark Dawson

Isabella Rose is the daughter of Beatrix Rose, has the traits and skills of her mother and is as determined as her mother!

This is a new book in a series all about Isabella.

Group 15 is an elite task force who are a bit of a secret group, and after a shaky start and a turbulent meeting which resulted in them being disbanded, the group leave their location and begin to head home.  Just as they are leaving a series of explosions occur in London, the first one being on the London Underground and “the hunt is on”.

This is a job for a special agent called “Pope” and he needs assistance.  He needs “The Angel”.

The book starts off in London, travels through other parts of the UK and then Morocco and Switzerland.  It is fast paced, gripping and leave the reader wanting to read just that one more page / chapter.

My thanks go to Mark Dawson for allowing me the opportunity of reading this and as usual a great book that draws the reader in. 

For Richer, For Poorer - Kerry Wilkinson

 

Jessica Daniel #10 

For Richer, For Poorer (Jessica Daniel #10) – Kerry Wilkinson

This story picks up a few months after the last one finishes.  Jessica is back at work trying to come to terms with what has happened and also head up an investigation into a series of burglaries that have taken placed in middle class areas.

Jessica deals with obstacles thrown at her every way she turns. 

Jessica is still working with her new partner Archie, as things still aren’t great with her older partner Dave (and the spark that was evident in the past between them is missing!).   Her colleague and friend Izzy is still around when Jessica needs someone.

I found myself transported back to the end of Book 9 and all those feelings I experienced when I had finished that book came flooding back.  I was eager to see where this book was going, eager to see how Jessica copes with the aftermath of that incident whilst continuing to investigate the series of break-ins and try to get back to normality.

Yet again Kerry gave me that “wow” factor and had me re-reading the last few pages to make sure I hadn’t missed anything, as I seriously wasn’t expecting that ending again.

My thanks go to Kerry for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book, along with the publishers and Netgalley.

This book is due for release on 11^th February 2016 and is well worth pre-ordering now!!   

Circle - The Diary of Stella Moore (Peter Dudgeon)

 

  

Circle - Diary of Stella Moore 

Circle – The Diary of Stella Moore (Peter Dudgeon)

First of all my extreme thanks and gratitude go to the author Peter Dudgeon for letting me read an advance copy of this kindle edition.  I was lucky enough to read the first book in this series Chance and you can read my review here http://beveaves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/chance-peter-dudgeon.html

Circle – The Diary of Stella Moore is the follow up to Chance and picks up the story approximately 7 years later.  For those that have read the first book this book continues with Cassie, who is living with Laura at presently but still experiencing those “visions”.   Cassie is now in her teens and has a new life with Laura.  They are trying to put the past behind them, trying their best to move on and start again.

Just as you get to understand some of what has happened in the past (for those that haven’t read Chance), you are then introduced to diary entries from a girl called Stella Moore. 

Who is Stella Moore? 

What is the connection between the diary entries and the story?

What is happening to Stella Moore?  

Detective Sargent Frank  Simmons who was in the last book, plays a major part in this one and enlists Cassie’s help with a case he is working on privately after being suspended from the police force.  The case is trying to figure out why Annie Mendoza mysteriously disappeared.

We are then as the book progresses introduced into the world of sado masochism, the horrible   world of domestic abuse, the way things are viewed by people on the internet who seem to thrive on seeing pictures of abuse.  This is however done in such a way that you are left wanting to read just one more page to see if you can suss out what is happening or what will happen. 

Circle is a darker more mysterious book than Chance was.  Peter has put a lot of thought and research into this book and I have to say that his writing skills and knowledge of the subject through research alone is impeccable and one he should be proud of.    

I would personally recommend that you read Chance before reading Circle as it will give you a better insight into the world of Cassie Janus and help you understand the hidden gift that she has that can help people. 

I am lucky to know another blogger who has also read this book and was lucky enough to get an interview with the author.  Her blog page is called The Haphazardous Hippo and she has kindly agreed to me inserting her link to her review and interview for you lucky readers.  Pop across and have a look and check out some of her other books she has reviewed.  (You will be in for a treat, there are some fab books on there, and some that I have even added to my own wish list).  Her link is http://thehaphazardoushippo.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/review-and-q-circle-diary-of-stella.html

Sycamore Gap – L J Ross (DCI Ryan #2)

Sycamore Gap (DCI Ryan #2)

 

 Sycamore Gap– L J Ross (reviewed 25.11.2015)

Blurb 

 
THE EXPLOSIVE SEQUEL TO THE UK #1 BESTSELLER HOLY ISLAND The past never stays buried for long... Detective Chief Inspector Ryan believes he has put his turbulent history behind him. Then, in the early hours of the summer solstice, the skeleton of a young woman is found inside the Roman Wall at Sycamore Gap. She has lain undiscovered for ten years and it is Ryan's job to piece together her past. Enquiry lines cross and merge as Ryan is forced to face his own demons and enter into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a killer who seems unstoppable. Murder and mystery are peppered with a sprinkling of romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit set amidst the spectacular scenery of Hadrian's Wall country in Northumberland.

My Review 

It may help the reader to read the first book, but in my opinion this book can be read as standalone read.  There are subtle references to the first book, however I would imagine the reader will be able to understand the story, the first book will enable you to understand the characters and some of their traits.   

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan is back and again with another case that grips you from the start.

The book starts off with us introduced to DCI Ryan and his team who are called in to investigate another “potential” murder again set in Northumberland, this time near Hadrian’s Wall.  A body of a young girl who has been missing for what becomes apparent is 10 years, found hidden deep inside the wall.   Ryan and his team recognise the girl once the initial forensic tests have been conducted due to Dr Kier (yes he’s back) having a photograph in his possession despite being incarcerated. 

Ryan is determined to be involved in this case and despite warnings from his boss Gregson continues to investigate and pursue this matter.  He has a personal interest in Dr Kier and quietly right!    

This book is set approximately 6 months on from the end of Holy Island (L J Ross’ first book). 

This is a dark murder mystery with plenty of twists to keep you enthralled.  The mysterious society known as the "Circle" is mentioned again, and as the story of Sycamore Gap grabs you, further members of the “Circle” are discovered and make you realise how large this group is and that the members include people who are in high powered positions. 

Relationships between Ryan and his colleagues keep the reader entertained.  His love of work; finding the right result for the right reasons comes across; his enthusiasm for his team including Phillips (who has a love of garish ties), MacKenzie (the female investigation officer who is an invaluable member of the team), Lowerson (who without giving anything away is now reunited with the team).  The love of his life Anna who again makes an appearance in the book. 

Again, as with the first, this instalment ends with a cliff-hanger, leaving you wanting the author L J Ross to write faster and quicker to put you out of your misery.  I for one want to know answers to some questions.

I will add that I don’t like doing spoilers in my reviews, I like to think that anybody reading the review wants to know what happens and therefore they will buy the book (and hopefully the first one as well) as they are intrigued as to what happens next!

If that person is you, and you want to know what this fantastic author has to offer then I’m afraid, yes you’ve guessed it you’re going to have to read the book.  If you don’t then you really are missing out on a gem of a read. 

I would like to say a special thanks to the author L J Ross who contacted me via my blog to ask would I like to review this book and again I am so pleased that I said yes!