Blog Tour: Dead in the Water @SimonBowerBooks @MiddleFarmPress @damppebbles

Dead in the Water

Was it murder, suicide or an accident? Who will be next to die?

Six international friends all appear to be successful, albeit to different levels. A human rights’ lawyer, an IT geek, a businessman, a waitress, a phone guy and a physiotherapist. None of them are known to the police.

One of them must know what happened that fateful night on the catamaran.

Agent Georges Fournier is assigned the case in the French resort town near Antibes. He’s short on time, with a growing health problem and a District Attorney who just wants the case closed as accidental. But he’s not letting go.

Chrissie is a single mother and respected flight attendant in New York. When she finds out who her father is, she’s ecstatic and wants to meet him.

But within a week she’d wish she’d never known.

My Thoughts

Dead in the water starts with a bang, with a character floating in the Mediterranean and we read her last dying thoughts until she sinks to the bottom. We then zip five months back and we are introduced to the story through the character Charlie who seems to be telling the story. The chapters then go on to introduce the other characters Chrissie, Ana, Scot, Len, Mia and Agent Fournier.

The story jumps around a bit between the characters, locations and where we are in the timeline of the story. I found the beginning of the book a bit confusing as I struggled to grasp what was going on and who was who. Once I worked out what the formula of the book was I began to enjoy it more and tore through the pages.

The story is told in 1^st person through Charlie’s eyes and 3^rd person for the other character’s. Simon has carefully woven a novel out of seven different strands, seven character’s stories and their views on the what happened and why they did what they did. Simon has more or less written seven different stories and then spent time weaving them into a novel. Simon makes you feel that you were there with the character’s and at every location in the story.

This book involves some time invested in the beginning but once you get used to this unique and different way of story telling you’ll be flying through the book. I am very interested and keen to see what Simon does next.

***

Simon Bower is a British and Canadian author born in Berkshire in 1973. Since 1998, he’s adopted a global lifestyle, setting up home at times in Europe, Africa and North America.

In 2016 Simon turned to writing full time, which led to his first published work, Dead in the Water, being released in paperback and eBook by Middle Farm Press in 2018.

Simon currently lives in France, near the Swiss border, where his young family, mountains, acrylic paint and sharpened skis keep him in regular mischief.

 

Simon Bower Books          Simon Bower Books Author Page             Author Page

Get Dead in the Water free from

UK site            .com site

 

My Thanks to Emma at Damppebbles and Simon Bower for giving me the chance to read Dead in the Water.

Book Review: Friends Request by @laurajm8

Friends Request

Maria Weston wants to be friends. But Maria Weston is dead. Isn’t she?

1989. When Louise first notices the new girl who has mysteriously transferred late into their senior year, Maria seems to be everything the girls Louise hangs out with aren’t. Authentic. Funny. Brash. Within just a few days, Maria and Louise are on their way to becoming fast friends.

 

 

2016. Louise receives a heart-stopping email: Maria Weston wants to be friends on Facebook. Long-buried memories quickly rise to the surface: those first days of their budding friendship; cruel decisions made and dark secrets kept; the night that would change all their lives forever.

Louise has always known that if the truth ever came out, she could stand to lose everything. Her job. Her son. Her freedom. Maria’s sudden reappearance threatens it all, and forces Louise to reconnect with everyone she’d severed ties with to escape the past. But as she tries to piece together exactly what happened that night, Louise discovers there’s more to the story than she ever knew. To keep her secret, Louise must first uncover the whole truth, before what’s known to Maria–or whoever’s pretending to be her–is known to all.

My Thoughts:

This book needs to be read by everyone as it has such a big message in it, that everyone needs to hear and believe in. This book tells us what we have already known for years but that have it printed in front of us is a different matter.

The way Laura writes the character’s you believe that you know them and you either fall into one group or the other. The popular kids who had it all and those who were struggling to get by day by day and I know where I fell.

Louise is carrying around the guilt of what she did when she was back at school in 1989 to Maria Weston. The story is told from present day 2016 and back in 1989 and the main star of the show is of cause Facebook. I am so glad I didn’t grow up in an age when everyone used social media and I worry for my children’s future. The worst I got was when someone used to phone me up and ask them why I kept phoning them (wtf!)

Since leaving school Louise has got married, had children, split from her husband and started her own business. Things are going great until she gets the friends request from Maria Weston, but she’s dead isn’t she. Louise decides the best thing to do would be to contact her past friends to see if they’ve had the same request thus starting a chain of events that unravels everything that went on before. Who those people are now, that she knew in her school days and what they have achieved and are still hiding in some cases. I love that during this novel that somewhere inside of her Louise believes that maybe Maria is still alive and over analysis everything Maria’s brother says to her.

At times in the story you want to scream and shake Louise, but then it wouldn’t make sure a good story would it?

A book about social media has been along time coming since Angela Clarke’s social media series, I am yet to read a book like this that deals with what went on at school and who we are now.

I can not recommend this book highly enough, though at points you need to suspend your beliefs but all the same if you didn’t it wouldn’t make such a good read would it?

COVER REVEAL – The Trailing Spouse by Jo Furniss

The Trailing Spouse – Jo Furniss

Amanda Bonham moved halfway around the world to be with the man she loves. Although expat life in Singapore can be difficult, Edward Bonham is a dream husband and a doting father to his teenage daughter, Josie.

But when their maid dies in an apparent suicide—and Amanda discovers the woman was pregnant and hiding a stash of drugs prescribed to Edward—she can’t help but wonder if her perfect husband has a fatal flaw. And if he can’t resist temptation under their own roof, what does he get up to when he travels?

Camille Kemble also has questions for Edward. Recently returned to Singapore, Camille is determined to resolve a family mystery. Amid a jumble of faded childhood memories, she keeps seeing Edward’s handsome face. And she wants to know why.

For one woman, the search for answers threatens everything she has. For another, it’s the key to all she lost. Both will follow his trail of secrets into the darkness to find the truth.

Anybody else loving the blue bird in this picture? It is very striking and immediately catches your eye!

Pre order the book from:

UK                 USA

 

 

 

Barnes and Noble

 

After spending a decade as a broadcast journalist for the BBC, Jo Furniss gave up the glamour of night shifts to become a freelance writer and serial expatriate. Originally from the United Kingdom, she spent seven years in Singapore and also lived in Switzerland and Cameroon.

As a journalist, Jo worked for numerous online outlets and magazines, including Monocle and the Economist. She has edited books for a Nobel laureate and the palace of the Sultan of Brunei. She has a Distinction in MA Professional Writing from Falmouth University.

Jo’s debut novel, All the Little Children, was an Amazon Charts bestseller.

 

www.jofurniss.com

 

JoFurnissAuthor @Jo_Furniss

Book Review – The Things We Need to Say – @bookish_yogi @rararesources

The Things We Need to Say

Sometimes the things we never say are the most important.

Fran loves Will with all her heart. They had a whirlwind romance, a perfect marriage and a wonderful life. Until everything changed. Now Fran needs to find her way again and teaching a yoga retreat in Spain offers her just that. Leaving behind a broken marriage she has some very important decisions to make.

Will needs his wife, he needs her to open up to him if they’re to ever return to the ways things once were. But he may have damaged any possibility he had of mending their relationship and now Fran is in Spain and Will is alone.

As both Fran and Will begin to let go of a life that could have been, fate may just find a way of bringing them back together.

Perfect for fans of Katie Marsh, Amanda Prowse and Sheila O’Flanagan

My Thoughts:

I consider Rachel Burton to be an online friend and mentor, so when the opportunity arose for me get an advance copy of “The Things We Needs To Say” I jumped at the chance and I was blown away. I also cried lots and lots at the story of Fran, Will and the minor characters who pop up in order to carry to story forward, so be warned you will need tissues and lots of them and maybe hugs to.

The story is told in two main sections, we learn the story of Fran and Will’s relationship and how they have got to the point they are at in their relationship. Rachel uses these revelations help us understand what is going on now in their lives and what has made them live the way they are.

At the beginning of the story we learn that Fran is going to Spain to lead a Yoga retreat for her current students and friends. Fran and Will have planned everything out to the last detail of her stay as she travels abroad alone for the first time. The night before Fran is due to leave we are hit with the first plot twist that leaves Will begging Fran not to go to Spain and for her to stay at home. They are both now alone in two different countries needing each other but at the same time wondering if the love they feel for each other is enough.

Yoga features quite heavily in this story with every character being on a journey and Rachel uses her passion and enthusiasm for yoga to show us that by having the time to reflect and relax almost everything can be worked through and out.

As the story progresses Rachel’s attention to detail makes you wish that you were either there with the characters or remembering the last time you rode down the hill on a bike or past holidays in the area.

As we learn about what Fran and Will’s story, you’ll want to be there to comfort the character’s, I personally cried enough tears for two fictional characters and the circumstances they found themselves in. Though at times I also wanted to be there to smack them round the face and tell them to pull themselves together.

Rachel cleverly puts other characters into the story that makes the decisions that Fran and Will are making even harder. The Ex who appears out of the blue, making you remember how things used to be or the person that stands and listens to you when you thought no one else would.

I can honestly say that I haven’t cried this much at a book since “I Let You Go” by Clare Mackintosh and I having never read in this genre I am glad that I gave it ago.

Go out buy this book, have a good cry and then go back and read more.

I would like to thank Rachel, Netgally and Rachel from random resources for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

Rachel Burton has been making up stories since she first learned to talk. After many false starts she finally made one up that was worth writing down.

After graduating with a degree in Classics and another in English, she didn’t really know what to do when she grew up. She has worked as a waitress, a paralegal and a yoga teacher.

She has spent most of her life between Cambridge and London but now lives in Leeds with her boyfriend and three cats. The main loves of her life are The Beatles and very tall romantic heroes.

Her debut, The Many Colours of Us, was an Amazon Kindle bestseller. Her second novel, The Things We Need to to Say, is released on 11 May 2018. She is currently working on her third novel in which the heroine follows the love of her life to live in a city in northern England. It has no autobiographical elements at all…..maybe.

Rachel Burton Author

Bookish Yogi

http://rachelburtonwrites.com/

Bookish_yogi

Rachel is always happy to talk books, writing, music, cats and how the weather in Yorkshire is rubbish. She is mostly dreaming of her next holiday….

Buy her books HERE

Needle Song by Russell Day Cover Reveal!!!

Needle Song by Russell Day

Spending the night with a beautiful woman would be a good alibi, if the body in the next room wasn’t her husband.

Doc Slidesmith has a habit of knowing things he shouldn’t. He knows the woman Chris Rudjer meets online is married. He knows the adult fun she’s looking for is likely to be short lived. And when her husband’s killed, he knows Chris Rudjer didn’t do it.

Only trouble is the police disagree and no one wants to waste time investigating an open and shut case.

No one except Doc.

Using lies, blackmail and a loaded pack of Tarot cards, Doc sets about looking for the truth – but the more truth he finds, the less he thinks his friend is going to like it.

Want to read a free short story from Russell Day?!

FREE RUSSELL DAY SHORT STORY IN EXCHANGE FOR A TWEET:

Russell Day came to Fahrenheit Presses attention when they asked for submissions for their NOIRVILLE short story competition.  A panel of judges placed Day’s stories in first AND SECOND place!  Only one of the stories features in the NOIRVILLE anthology which means we’re giving the second story away for FREE, you lucky people!…….(well, free in exchange for a tweet!).

To receive a copy of Russell Day’s award-winning story, make sure you’re following @damppebbles (so you can receive the DM with the download links) and then tweet the following:

“NEEDLE SONG by Russell Day (@rfdaze) published by @fahrenheitpress in eBook on Monday 30^th April! #NeedleSongBook | @damppebbles.

http://www.fahrenheit-press.com/books_fahrenheit.html“

No retweets, it has to be a shiny new tweet otherwise it won’t count!  Any problems then please contact @damppebbles.

 

Russell Day was born in 1966 and grew up in Harlesden, NW10 – a geographic region searching for an alibi. From an early age it was clear the only things he cared about were motorcycles, tattoos and writing. At a later stage he added family life to his list of interests and now lives with his wife and two children. He’s still in London, but has moved south of the river for the milder climate.

Although he only writes crime fiction Russ doesn’t consider his work restricted. ‘As long as there have been people there has been crime, as long as there are people there will be crime.’ That attitude leaves a lot of scope for settings and characters. One of the first short stories he had published, The Second Rat and the Automatic Nun, was a double-cross story set in a world where the church had taken over policing. In his first novel, Needle Song, an amateur detective employs logic, psychology and a loaded pack of tarot cards to investigate a death.

Russ often tells people he seldom smiles due to nerve damage, sustained when his jaw was broken. In fact, this is a total fabrication and his family will tell you he’s has always been a miserable bastard.

    @rfdaze

Silent Victim – Book Review

Silent Victim by Caroline Mitchell

Silent Victim by Caroline Mitchell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I recently finished Caroline Mitchell’s latest offering, having read The Silent Twin and Witness and having two different reading experiences I was keen to read what was on offer.

This book deals with someone abusing their duty of care for their students. The book doesn’t go into graphic details but you know from the way Caroline describes things and drip feeds you information you know exactly what is going on.

Though you can understand how the victim, Emma in this case feels for her abuser you also kind of feel sorry for her. Though her crush is her teacher we have all been there with boys at school who we used to fancy the following, the getting hold of their timetables etc.

The story is told over three different time periods and three different POVs and I found that unless you read the title of the chapter you could easily become confused as to what was happening.

I agree with some other reviewers who said that this book dragged on a bit and I did feel the same way in parts, but I was still keen for the next instalment on my commute to work.

As always there is the twist at the end, which I kinda felt wasn’t necessary and just added another story line to the book that you hadn’t originally paid any attention to. Did we really need to know this? I did wonder if the author was low on her word count and had to add it in.

At parts in this story I was a bit like FFS support your wife, and in the end Alex does come round but I kinda felt in parts he should of done more to believe and support her.

I didn’t hate that books, but I didn’t love it. Caroline seems to write a mixture of books I love and some that weren’t so great which is what I like about this author as she strives to write books her audience will love but also branches out to bring in new readers.

I am going to give this four stars out of five, following what I previously reviewed The Silent Twin as and I look forward to reading future novels from Caroline and hope she gets a print deal soon! As I would love to have some of her novels as paperback on my shelves.

View all my reviews

2017 – Books

Evening,

According to Goodreads I have read 21 books, 9 from the 30 I said I would aim to read. This year I didn’t have a holiday abroad, drove to and from work on several occasions and my time off work was shaped by the wife’s fire training.

So here is my review of the year when it comes to books!

The Hunger Within – J M Hewitt  

I am a huge fan of J M Hewitt and eagerly await her next book in hope that it is as steeped in history as her past two books.

“Each scene in this book is imaginable and believable. Though this is my first book at 2017 J M Hewitt continues to earn her place as one of my favorite authors!” – My Goodreads review Jan 2017

Watch Me – Angela Clarke

I was so glad when the follow on from “Follow Me” arrived and quickly snapped up this book and won a signed copy too! During the reading of this book I was lead up many wrong avenues trying to work out who was doing it! I THOUGHT I had worked Angela’s formula out, I was very wrong.

“Another rollercoaster ride from Angela Clarke!! Just make sure you remember to breathe! ” Goodreads review Feb 2017

The Girl Next Door – Mel Sherratt

Along with the Watch me I also won a book my Mel Sherratt, and being new to this author I decided I would start at the beginning of her Detective Eden Berrisford series. I was in for a pleasant surprise! The story opens with a girl suddenly finding herself in the middle of a stabbing, she is the only witness or was it her idea all along? There are so many intertwining threads in this story that will keep you turning the pages to keep up.

“You think you have figured it out but them wham comes the shock that it is not all that it seems.” Goodreads review Feb 2017

I Let You Go – Claire Mackintosh

What can I say about this book, other than it now lives in the bottom draw of my bedside draws safely hidden away from itself. I had heard about the “twist” in the middle but when I got there I hadn’t seen it coming at all. I sobbed so much reading this book I dread to think what the people on the bus to work must of thought! Nevermind the extra 5 / 10 minutes I had to take outside of work to stop crying before I went in. A beautiful heartbreaking story I recommend everyone reads.

The Theseus Paradox – David Videcette 

I was added to a twitter group were David was also a member of and I began to follow him and I really took an interest in the book he had written. We all know something about 7/7 or think we know something. I remember where I was at the time like we all do for 9/11. So the fact he had written a book about such a big event as 7/7 I was interested and I am glad that I gave it a read.

Wow! This is what you think you know about 7/7 and here is the story I am going to tell you about 7/7. This is certainly one author I would love to meet and chat to about his past lives.

“Very enjoyable and I look forward to hearing what happened to some of the other characters mentioned in this story! Because I am more or less hooked!” Goodreads review March 2017 (pst you know you’ve had it in life when an author quotes you on his website ; ) )

Someone Else’s Skin – Sarah Hillary

2016 had been a winning year for me when it came to books as I also won the first three books in Sarah’s DI Marnie Rome series so it was time to give one ago.

I kinda struggled reading this book, as I wasn’t very sure about it. I tried to seek out people in the world of twitter to discuss this book with. There was just something about this story that I just couldn’t put my finger on. I didn’t hate it but I also didn’t love it.

I still have the other two books in my TBR pile which I am sure I will get to soon enough in hope that it might grow on me.

The Sister – Louise Jensen

Louise is one of the most humble and nicest people I have met in the world of the internet! I had chatted to her briefly via someone possibly her’s launch party so knew I had to read one of her books and I was not disappointed.

Though some of you will know I am attempting to write a novel myself, I started reading this book and was a bit like, I could never write this well or good!!! Louise’s writing is a standard I would like to be to be held up against and be as good.

“I think that the book was left nice and tidy at the end with there not being any questions left in answered. And I had a good sob to at the end too” Goodreads review April 2017

Witness – Caroline Mitchell

Having read one of Caroline’s books last year, I was keen to give one of her new ones a go. This story moves away from the ghost and sprits to a girl trying to escape from her violent ex.

I was happily reading along with this book, feeling sorry for the main character and wanting her to succeed and then the plot twists come in!

“I was left pleasantly satisfied, though I think I might need to go back and read the last couple of pages!!! ” Goodreads review May 2017

He said / She said – Erin Kelly (has disappeared from twitter)

Having heard Erin talk at an event I was really excited to read this book, which centre’s around the events during an Eclipse. The story switches back and forth from present day events and what happened back then.

I am afraid though I finished this book, I was disappointed with it and felt it wasn’t as great as I thought it was going to be.

Out of my Depth – Anne Darwin & David Leigh

This book kept coming up every time I viewed certain website, as I remember this story breaking and wanting a break from fiction books I decided to give it a go.

I found the book really interesting to hear “the full story” from someone who was there and lived it. Some say this book is full of lies but you know what I enjoyed the ride and gave me a welcome break from the stories I had been reading.

Most certainly recommended

The Teacher – Katerina Diamond

The two main character’s in this story completely broke my heart, their stories are so heart breaking that you come to understand why they are doing what they have done.

This story is told in several POVs and when you come to understand why the character is doing all the grusome murder’s he is you kinda understand why. Getting past the shock horror of this book there is a strong under tone that I noticed more than anything in this story.

I contacted the author after reading this book and I must admit was upset when she told me that the two main character’s didn’t live happily ever after, because they deserved to! After everything they had both been through.

A great read, it isn’t all shock horror there is a strong undertone that shouldn’t be missed or ignored!

Dark Trade – Helen Durrant

Having been a big fan of the two DI Greco books I read last year, I hate to say this book really disappointed me. When I got towards the end I couldn’t understand how I was at 90 something % and there was still so much more of the story I felt was to be told.

The DI Greco serise sadly has come tumbling down in my expectations. This books to me just seemed to fizzle and die 😦

Before I let you in – Jenny Blackhurst

Last year possibly I read Jenny’s How I lost you to which I enjoyed so I was keen to continue to read something by this author. I also brought this book in paper back so it had been sat looking at me for a while.

I enjoyed this book, it is a good story and show how crazy things can get when you are trying to protect those that you love. Though I “accidentally read” some of the pages further along in this book I still managed to enjoy the story and look forward to future reads.

The Detriment – David Videcette

Continuing my interest in this author I was keen to read the follow on from the The Theseus Paradox and this book did not let me down. Though I knew little about the car bombs at Glasgow airport this story made it interesting and made me keen to learn more.

David is also able to intwine other threads into the story about the other character’s in DI Flannagan’s life that keeps you reading on as it’s not totally focused on the bombings. A skill I look forward to David continuing as he tells us the stories behind his past experience and the character’s in his story.

“Though I look forward to David’s next outing, I am afraid of what he might uncover next and whether we need to be calling Mulder and Scully?” Goodreads Review Aug 2017

See me Not – Janelle Harris

Janelle’s previous book last kiss goodbye was undoubtedly amazing! So once I heard she had a second book out there I was keen to read! Janelle is a very busy lady as it turns out she was writes romance novels and in a none stalker way it look me years to track her down.

I really enjoyed the puzzle in this story, of trying to figure out the all important question of why! Though at times I got frustrated with the husband I am glad to continued to stick it out for the ride and by the looks of it, Janelle has a new book coming out soon!

Trust Me – Angela Clarke

How could I miss the third in Angela Clarke’s social media series.

The team is back after the events of “Watch Me”  Angela has managed to take her two main character’s Naz and Freddie in a new and different direction from previous books so instead of relaying on each other they both had their own paths to follow.

I don’t use live streaming so this story wasn’t as prominent to me as previous stories but I was glad of the ride all the same!

“After taking time to reflect on this novel, I have been torn between 4 or 5 stars. Purely on the “ride” this book gave me I will be rewarding it 5 stars.” Goodread review Sept 2017

The Women in Cabin 10 – Ruth Ware

I had heard good things about this book an suddenly found it on my book shelve waiting to be read and I am glad I did. I told a friend of mine who was off on the same cruise to make sure she didn’t read the book before she left.

Though I was a bit confused by the ending, there was alot of lose ends that hadn’t been tied up. I enjoyed the journey and will look to this author in the future.

Dead Souls – Angela Marsons

Continuing with being a fan of Angela and my winning streak I won this book when it was released. I had been waiting for a long time to read it knowing how much I had enjoyed Angela’s past books and I wasn’t disappointed!

In this story, Angela had many different story lines that came together at the end to a final conclusion. Like Lost Girls and Play Dead before this book did not disappoint and I am equally as glad she now has a paper back deal! I have Silent Screams on my book shelf waiting to be read and hope I get to it soon.

Murderabilia – Craig Robertson

I had heard an interview on “Two Crime Writers and a Microphone” with Craig about this book so I was keen to know more and I am glad I did.

The mysterious world of the dark web and ebay type websites but this isn’t where you can buy dvds or books this is where you can buy items that have been present at murder scenes. Souvenirs if you like.

DI Narey is confined to bed, so begins to search the internet and then the dark web, while her boyfriend / partner Tony Winter is out in the field being a journalist and  the eyes to Narey’s investigation.

They say you can buy anything on the web and this story shows what you can.

I can’t wait to read more by Craig.

The Escape – C L Taylor

When I started to read this book, I kinda judged it to soon and was very much like “great another book where the husband fails to support his wife.” but how wrong was I.

Cally for sure knows how not to disappointing, this book also told an historic element to it just like J M Hewitt’s that I read at the beginning of the year. How far would you go to protect your child if you thought she wasn’t safe.

“As of all of the other C J Taylor books, this book will probably be in my favourites. ” Goodreads review Dec 2017

I Am Watching You – Teresa Driscoll

I picked this book up by accident on Kindle 1st and I am so glad I did, the story starts off during a train journey that Ella is on. Then zooms to a year later, this story most certainly leaves you guessing until the end.

When you think you know who “did it” and then ten seconds later they are ruled out this is a ride that you don’t want to miss, I look forward to more of Teresa’s books in this genre and will be one I will be looking out for.

***

So that ends my review of the books I have read this year, hands down my top ten reads of this year have been…

• The Hunger Within – J M Hewitt,
• Watch Me – Angela Clarke,
• I Let you go – Clare Mackintosh
• The Theseus Paradox – David Videcette 
• The Sister – Louise Jensen
• I Am Watching You – Teresa Driscoll
• The Teacher – Katerina Diamond
• Dead Souls – Angela Marsons
• Murderabilia – Craig Robertson
• The Escape – C L Taylor

Books that I am looking forward to reading in the New Year include The Gift by Louise Jensen (i’m already part way through) Fighting Monsters by Rebecca Bradley and the sequel to The Magpies, Murder of a Magpie by Mark Edwards. Plus all those that now sit on my book shelves waiting to be read.

Oh yeah and my WIP ; )

X

 

 

 

 

Book Review – Trust Me

Trust Me by Angela Clarke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trust Me, having read both Follow me and Watch me and being a massive fan of Angela’s I had high hopes for this book.

The Gremlin task force are investigating the Spice Road gangs, which Freddie has been incidental in investigating with her online investigations. When Kate comes to her having seen a girl raped and killed on by watching a live stream, Freddie is automatically drawn to the investigation. Once it gains media attention more people come forward having watched the live stream and an investigation begins.

We are reminded that, police forces don’t just investigate one crime at a time, as the main story is interlinked with the hunt for Paul and Amber Robertson.

The Gremlin team of course is back, Nas is still hung up on her one night stand Burgone, Saunders is as difficult as ever! Chips and Green are there to provide more depth to the story and personal relationship and don’t forget Freddie!

I felt that this story had many avenues that weren’t explored such as the MPs story line which seemed to of been thrown in for good measure. Maybe he will appear again in one of Angela’s future novels.

After taking time to reflect on this novel, I have been torn between 4 or 5 stars.

Purely on the “ride” this book gave me I will be rewarding it 5 stars.

View all my reviews

Book Review – The Detriment

THE DETRIMENT: A compelling detective thriller based on true events (DI Jake Flannagan Book 2) by David Videcette

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, where do I even start!?

I had a particularly long train journey to take at the weekend, so decided to take my Kindle along for the ride. Well, David Videcette’s The Detriment was the reason I didn’t want to communicate with my family or get off the train in London.

The book starts, as always with our favourite detective Jake Flannigan, who is being punished for issues that happened in the previous book The Theseus Paradox. Don’t panic though, this story isn’t going to be all about life working from your desk, as Jake can’t ignore a potential terrorist attack and throws himself into defusing a potential car bomb. This more or less ends up with him in more trouble and sent to see Occupational health!

When I started reading this book, I was a bit concerned as I didn’t have prior knowledge of the car bombs or much knowledge of the car that drove into Glasgow airport. Compared to what I thought I knew about 7/7, but I need not panic, as there is much more to this story than those two incidents.

David has successfully managed to write something, that isn’t totally focused on a terror attack and has more depth than just the attempted attack.

Claire is of course back, and there is much more to her than we possibly realised from The Theseus Paradox, but those of us that hoped this story would start with them meeting up for a cream tea in Devon, will be sorely disappointed. As she continues to lead Jake astray and into more trouble than he could possibly navigate out of.

The ex-wife Stephanie is also back, and though we don’t know the ins and outs of their relationship prior to the books, it is nice to know that Jake is the kind of man, that will still drop everything for her, to come to her rescue. Even if one good deed, still had consequences, but some of the detail about their relationship I could really feel and understand. Especially when Jake and her hug and the power of that moment, fingers crossed that book three gives us more and even a reconciliation.

Detective Lenny, who really needs to take a holiday away from Jake! Adds depth to this story as a kind of partner to Jake, who goes along with Jake’s hair brain plans, giving us a sense (we hope) that someone thinks Jake is doing the right thing, so it will all work out okay in the end. Honest!
This book also addresses some of Jake’s issues with alcohol and sex, drugs and rock and roll which are cleverly brought to light using the occupational health doctor, showing us that all those years on the front line have had lasting effects on our hero. Like any other addict, he still manages to slip off the bandwagon at least one or is that twice?

The wtf comes as always at the end, and how Jake manages to cleverly get himself out of the mess he has once again found himself in.

The shocker also comes from reading the fact file at the end, as to how everything links together. David’s books are fast becoming as loved as J M Hewitt’s books. Though you may not realise it or even believe at the time, his stories are based on real life events and it’s not just a clever marketing ploy. Clearly, having taken a hell of a lot of research to connect the dots in such an engaging way.

Though I look forward to David’s next outing, I am afraid of what he might uncover next and whether we need to be calling Mulder and Scully?

*I am also glad he is now writing books I can spell, shame about his name though ; )

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A Life in Books

I did an interview with “A Life in Books” earlier this year and it is being featured on Juliet’s blog this evening.

So take a look..

“This evening I welcome fellow blogger Claire Sheldon to my blog to discuss A Life in Books