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.
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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
which I was going to do some more of tonight but I think time might be against me! As I need to do some relaxation before Andrew gets home and then sleep!
A Story About A Girl 