Gemma

The book starts with a bang! A murder has been committed and you are very aware of who has committed the crime, a mother and her daughter. I was hooked straight away. As you read on it becomes apparent that Lily is mute; a traumatic event from her past has caused her to lose her voice. This part of the story line in itself was so intriguing and I couldn't wait to find out more.

Grace is a very powerful character who dominates and manipulates not only her daughter Lily but others around her. She is a complex individual who also has a disturbing back story and I loved how the novel weaved its way from the past to present day to reveal both Grace's and Lily's childhood.

The Cry Of The Lake is a book where nothing is quite what it seems at the beginning, I loved this about the novel as it kept me guessing the whole time. I was very intrigued by the character's past lives as this held such relevance to the present story line and I loved how the plot unfolded. Although Grace was such a manipulative character I did actually feel sorry for her as her story is one of sadness, heartache and exploitation. The ending for me was perfect, all the loose ends were tied up and I loved how the last two chapters in particular, paid tribute to ‘the lake'. I found it very symbolic, calming and a beautiful way to round up the novel.

This book has everything: murder, revenge, love, loss, family secrets, mental health issues, cruelty - to name just a few. It is a dark, twisted tale with lots of suspense and has a gorgeous front cover to draw you in. Many thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me to join The Cry Of The Lake blog tour.

This was such a unique read, narrated by Evil, about a killing spree in a small community mainly targeting young children and mothers; definitely not for the faint-hearted. I loved the way the story was structured and set-out on the page, it made for a quick read although the content was quite hard due to the nature of the brutal attacks. If you have read Will Carver's previous Detective Sergeant Pace novels then you will be familiar with the character DS Pace and the internal battle he is facing. If you haven't read the previous book Nothing Important Happened Today then you are kept well informed about Pace's mental turmoil as you read Hinton Hollow Death Trap which can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

I must confess there were quite a few scenes in the book where the writing was so vivid I had to take my eyes away from the page to bring me back to the present. These scenes did cause me some distress as they were harrowing, unprovoked attacks that left me saddened. I applaud Carver's writing ability as I was completely captivated by this novel and it became a nightmare that I couldn't escape. What was really clever was that the book was set in an ordinary town, Hinton Hollow, where a community of ordinary people lived and the crimes taking place had a profound effect on everyone. This made it feel personal where no-one was safe. I very much become emotionally involved with the story and it felt like a very realistic scenario, which was both alarming and spine-chilling.

I can honestly say this book completely pushed my buttons and left me with all sorts of different emotions whilst reading. As a reader and blogger you are always looking for that one unique book to shine out from the others and to challenge you, and I have to say this book is definitely the one to do just that. Simply put, this is a chilling tale that you just have to read.

Having read Shari Lapena's debut novel The Couple Next Door a few years ago I jumped at the chance to join The End Of Her blog tour. What I love about Lapena's writing is that it hooks you straight away and draws you in. There is something comforting about the domestic drama that starts to unfold as you turn the pages but before you know it you are caught up in a chilling thriller where the pace doesn't let up.

The characters were well developed and I was completely at a loss as to who to believe. Every character had their own set of secrets which made the lies and the truth become very blurred at times. This made it every bit the twisted psychological thriller which I adored. I had no idea where the plot was going, who the reliable characters were or how it was going to end but oh my, just like her previous books, what an ending! It left me breathless with a huge smile on my face.

When I first read the synopsis of this book I knew I just had to read it. It sounded dark, twisted and scary and that is exactly what this book was.

This book was actually very terrifying. Thomas is a ruthless killer who loves the thrill of the hunt. We do see cracks in his facade on occasions but the other voice in Thomas's head allows no remorse or time for reflection. In fact, it just encourages Thomas to do the unthinkable. I loved the concept behind the book; a serial killer on the loose, hiding in people's attics. That thought alone is enough to scare you half to death. What was really interesting was getting to know the residents of those three houses which Thomas had access to. The first, the lovely Elsie, an elderly women living on her own with the aid of carers who visited twice a day. Elsie's and Thomas' relationship was actually very touching. She was the only resident to see Thomas as he entered her house during the early morning hours and it is through Elsie that we see a softer side to Thomas.

The second residents, Jack and Pam, a married couple who argued constantly. It soon became clear that Thomas needed to avoid visiting this house after a close call of nearly getting caught. The last set of residents, Martyn and Colette, a young married couple who were out working most of the day which allowed the perfect opportunity to enter their house. Martyn and Colette soon became Thomas' obsession and the next targets, he would spend hours watching them and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

I thought this book was very clever and well written. Because the story line was so credible it amped up the fright factor. There were times when I was literally on the edge of my seat. The ending for me was just brilliant, I can honestly say I had no inkling as to what might happen but for me it was the perfect ending. The Resident is a gripping psychological thriller that I couldn't get enough of.

Many thanks to Serpent's Tail for inviting me to join the blog tour and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

This was such a charming book and so much more than I anticipated. Although the subject matter surrounding the novel was extremely sad and heart-wrenching it was surprisingly an uplifting story, one of hope, grief and moving forwards. Based on a real life natural disaster you are immediately drawn to the families that have been affected and cannot help but feel their pain and grief at losing love ones. The way they manage to still function is absolutely astounding and this is where the book's focus is, on the ones left behind learning to carry their pain and put one foot in front of the other day by day.

The story centres around Yui, who has lost her own mother and her young daughter. As a radio DJ she hears about a phone box where people from all over are travelling to to talk to their love ones. Yui decides to visit and meets a whole host of characters who are also grieving. Some who have lost love ones in the tsunami, others from natural illness or old age. All who find not only comfort in the ritual of visiting the phone box but a place to morn their love ones as part of their grieving process.

The story is told in such a beautiful way, almost poetic at times and I found it moving and humbling. The individual stories of the other characters were very touching, as well as following Yui on her own journey of self discovery after losing the most precious things in her life. This book made me reflect on my own life, my hopes, my dreams, my anxieties and on how blessed I truly am.

Many thanks to Bonnier Books for my gifted copy of The Phone Box at the Edge of the World.

Wow, what a cracker of a book.

From the opening chapters you are thrust head first into the action and are met with a gruesome murder scene. What was so surprising was that within those early few pages the serial killer was identified. not what I was expecting but a welcomed addition to this extraordinary thriller.

The story then moves on fifteen years from the incarceration of the serial killer. I absolutely loved this first twist, it not only hooked me but left me wanting more. I needed to know the direction the book was going and I loved it.

The fact that we meet the killer in prison, meet his mother and his ‘fan' was such a thrilling concept, especially as they are plotting his escape.

What Bryndza does best is keep his reader captivated by his brilliant writing and unexpected twists and turns. His characters are vibrant, realistic and definitely provoked emotion from me.

I particularly enjoyed the settings portrayed in the novel. Having spent all of my childhood in and around South London, Crystal Palace Park was a great location for the crime scene. Bryndza's description of the park was spot on and really resonated with me. Having moved to the West Country a few years ago I could really visualise where Kate was now living and the locations of the murders.

If you are looking for an intense thriller, with a cannibal serial killer then look no further, Nine Elms is definitely the book for you. It is gutsy, fast-paced and an unpredictable read.

Jenny is six years old when she is snatched in broad daylight as she goes to visit her friend a few doors away from her own home. Twelve years later she returns...

What I loved about this book was the way it jumps straight into the story line basically giving you an outline of what has happened in the aftermath of Jenny's disappearance. It's pacey, to the point and is a great start to this thrilling read. Chapter one continues in the same way signalling Jenny's arrival back home after having been missing for twelve years, once again taking you straight to the action and immersing you into the mystery surrounding her disappearance. The book focuses on the characters rather than on the police investigation into her kidnapping which made for a great read.

All the characters had an air of mystery about them and lies were rooted deeply into the story line. I didn't know who to trust or what was going to happen next. I have to say I didn't become emotionally involved with any of the characters which is rare in a novel of this nature. Don't get me wrong I had a lot of sympathy for Jenny and her family, especially after all they had been through and the horrifying recounts of the emotional, physical and sexual abuse that took place. But because I wasn't drawn to the protagonist in an emotional way it really helped me understand her actions and thoughts better making the book, in my opinion, all the more complex and stronger, which I adored.

Without giving any spoilers let me just say this is not your typical thriller. Like other thrillers there is an air of unpredictability, many twists and turns but there is also a uniqueness about it which sets it apart from other novels in the same genre. It has some shocking revelations and leaves you breathless at times when you realise you have no idea where this book is going. It is dark, twisted and harrowing and I loved every moment of it.

Marie and Nina are best friends, they do everything together and are inseparable, until Nina dies through a terminal illness. In her final days she asks Marie to make sure her children are looked after and Marie is only too happy to step into Nina's shoes, after all, this is what she has always wanted.

This was a really twisted psychological thriller, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Marie was the perfect creepy character, I questioned her integrity from the opening chapters and her own mindset. It was heartbreaking that she was desperate for her own child and husband, and when her boyfriend left it seemed the natural choice for her to move in with her best friend's grieving family. Although initially to help support them and for a short period of time you just knew she had no intention of moving back out. As she crawled her way into Nina's life you got a real sense of how manipulating Marie could be.

However, as the novel evolved I began to wonder if Marie was the only unhinged character. There certainly seemed to be a lot of secrets coming to the surface and things didn't appear as they first seemed. It was at this point that I started to wonder who were the reliable characters and began to feel some sympathy towards Marie, was she truly as bad as I first perceived?

I loved the way the focus of story changed with the arrival of Camilla, a mutual friend to Nina and Marie. It was clear that Nina had been in contact with Camilla before she died and an air of mystery surrounding why added to the story line. This also allowed you to have a glimpse of Marie's past which helped to understand how certain events had influenced and shaped her.

Hamilton definitely knows how to keep you hooked as the tension builds with each chapter. This was a really interesting and chilling read. Many thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours and Wildfire for inviting me to join The Last Wife blog tour.

This was such a thought-provoking book. What would you do if you only had 3 months to live? With the support of her best friend, Jennifer writes letters to those who have let her down in the past and who she would like to reconnect with or tell a few home truths to. She also buys a calendar to count down her final few months.

I loved hearing about her acts of recklessness and how liberated she felt by telling people what she truly thought of them. How free she felt in the lead up to her final months. I found it interesting to see how the people around her changed as well, they all embraced the notion of a second chance at making amends and putting the past behind them. However, I did question their integrity as they had the knowledge that they would only have to keep up their pretence for a short while.

Although the subject matter was morbid and quite intense it didn't feel sad. Yes there was an element of sadness surrounding terminal illness but the author added humour to her writing and gave it an air of lightness to prevent it being too emotionally heavy and draining.

This novel was actually very uplifting and champions female relationships. Jennifer's best friend Olivia is loyal, compassionate and extremely supportive. I absolutely adored her. I also liked the message portrayed by Jennifer when she said that sometimes the worst thing to happen to you can also be the best thing. It's not often that we have time in our busy lives to reflect and take stock, but by reading this book it actually allowed me to do just that.

Many thanks to Midas Publications for inviting me to join the blog tour and Random House Transworld for the ARC.

This is such a delightful book. Not only are the illustrations bright and fun the story is told through rhyme which makes reading it such an enjoyable experience. My daughter and I had lots of fun trying to predict which minibeasts Dave had found using rhyming couplets, turning this reading session into a game.

I love the premise behind the book, to encourage children and adults to get outside more. This book definitely encouraged us to get outside and go on our own minibeast exploration.

This book also gives you information about each of the minibeasts Dave finds which would be a perfect teaching tool for all you teachers out there. I would have loved to have used this book with my EYFS and KS1 classes and will definitely recommend this to my colleagues in those year groups.

We loved the Fact File in the back of the book which has prompted our own minibeast fact finding, a great opportunity to promote writing.

Overall I was extremely impressed and enraptured by this book. A book I know we will re-read over and over again, perfect for my reluctant reader with such strong educational links and opportunities to explore, whether by parents or teachers.

This is a heartwarming tale of a strong and brave princess who breaks the mould of the stereotypical princesses we normally read about in fairy tales.

The story in told through rhyme which adds pace and makes it fun to read. It is a mixture of George and the Dragon verses Cinderella, which I loved. The illustrations are bright and colourful adding depth to the story.

It begins with an almighty dragon terrorising the villagers, when the soldiers and Prince cannot defeat the beast they admit defeat. However, shortly after the dragon slinks away, the warrior responsible leaves behind their shoe. The Prince is desperate to find the owner of the shoe and in true Cinderella style holds a party. When he meets the warrior she is a girl and is wearing the matching brace. They fall in love and marry. The story doesn't stop there it continues by discussing the prejudices others have about the Prince marrying someone with a disability and in their quest to rid the dragon forever.

This book is both humbling and empowering. I love how the lead role is a strong, brave female and how the way disability and sexism are explored. What a powerful and thought-provoking message you are left with at the end. We definitely need more books that champion and are inclusive to different disabilities not only to bring about awareness but to normalise disability.

What a great debut novel by Vicki Bradley, I love the fact that Bradley is an actual detective in the MET this inside knowledge adds so much depth and realism to her novel making it far superior to some other crime fiction books.

There are so many lies that are weaved throughout this book that it makes it harder for the reader to determine who are the reliable characters, this in itself adds a great deal of suspense to the novel and always keeps you guessing. I was intrigued by Jenny Hughes' story although it was very heart wrenching and traumatic. I loved how you were given short bursts of Jenny's story allowing it build up in your mind and question the significance it had to play in the main investigation of Mark's disappearance.

There are a lot of themes to focus on within the story such as, drug abuse, money laundering, cheating, gambling as well as murder, secrets and lies. This helped add to the complexity of the story and kept you truly guessing which direction the book was going to go. There were quite a few twist and turns along the way and a real sense of satisfaction towards the end of the novel.

I loved the relationship between Loxton and Kowalski, what an unstoppable force, I would love to see more from these characters in the future.

This is such a quirky book which will definitely appeal to both children and adults. I love the concept behind the book and the powerful message it is portraying, that there are two sides to every story and that we cannot always see things objectively. As a primary school teacher and a mother to a 7 year old this is exactly the book I want my class/child to read. Learning through books is such a powerful tool and this book encourages and promotes children to see that situations will look differently to different people. This opens up a great discussion point for the children to explore, promoting empathy, fairness, and general awareness of other people's feelings.

The book features rhyming couplets which makes reading fun and pacey. The illustrations add to the story making it accessible for younger children who can follow along with the reading by using the picture cues to support. What I particular love about the book is that the author uses everyday situations, such as brushing your teeth, walking to school and bath time which every child can relate to. This helps provoke empathy towards the characters and allows them to reflect upon their own lives.

The hardback version of this book, I'm told, actually flips over at the midpoint to explore the next narrative. This extra feature sounds divine and would add an additional air of excitement and wonder to this physical book. There are also free downloadable activities on the website: www.lollipoplodge.com.

As this is the first picture book in the Monstrous Me series I cannot wait to find out what else Natalie Reeves Billing has planned, I for one will be collecting the future releases.

Just WOW!!!

This novel has had a profound effect on me. It is very rare that a book can touch ones heart so unreservedly and I am truly grateful to Charity Norman for taking me on this amazing roller coaster of a journey. This book will be treasured, re-read and remain ingrained on me for decades to come.

From the opening chapters my heart was literally jumping in my chest, you are aware that these innocent characters walking into the cafe may not walk out again, as soon an armed gunman will be walking in and holding them hostage. Terrifying!

What Norman does so well in this novel is to hook you into the story line, create normal, likeable characters and draw you in emotionally. There is always an element of fear awaiting in the background and you just cannot predict what the outcome will be.
I cannot recommend this book enough; totally terrifying, heartwarming and surprising.

The Glass House is a really special book. It is one of those novels that you will keep thinking about long after you have turned the final page. It is written in a dual timeline and from the perspective of three main characters which I loved.

Rita - 1971, a nanny for the Harrington family.
Hera - 1971, the eldest daughter in the Harrington family.
Sylvia - present day, a make-up artist recently separated to her husband and mother to Annie

I loved the way the story weaved between the two eras,

I was so caught up in the lives of these women that I found it extremely hard to put this book down. From the synopsis you know that a body will be found in the forest and I was wracking my brain to try and guess who that body would belong to. The added mystery surrounding Sylvia and how she ‘fit' into the 1970s story line was also very intriguing and made me want to keep on reading. When the pieces of the puzzle slowly started falling into place I was shocked but also delighted by the connection.

Eve Chase writes with such elegance and beauty as her descriptive writing not only draws you in but allows you to visualise and immerse yourself within the novel. She explores sensitive issues with care and empathy which pulls on your heartstrings. I found this an atmospheric, emotional read and I loved every moment of it. This is definitely a book I will be recommending to family and friends

It has been a real pleasure to read and review this book and I will look forward to future novels by Eve Chase. Many thanks once again to Gaby Young, Michael Joseph and Netgalley for a copy of this eBook.

The Creak On The Stairs is a debut novel by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir, and what an amazing start to this new nordic noir series. It hooks you straight away, as does the Icelandic setting and you know you are in for a thrilling read with a darker side emerging as you turn the pages.

The characters are well developed although with an air of mystery surrounding them, leaving you intrigued and wanting to know more.

The story line was fascinating and is written in a dual timeline; a mysterious young child telling her chilling, dark story and Elma's investigation into the body found by the lighthouse. I loved how the story was written and was completely captivated by the descriptive imagery, the emotive language and plot as it unfolded. The pace quickened as the story was told, revealing more layers and depth.

There are some very dark and twisted moments in the book that really haunt you and evoke emotion yet it is balanced beautifully so that you can enjoy the novel without being weighed down with the harrowing and disturbing story line. There is plenty of suspense and a lot of surprises that I didn't quite see coming.

Many thanks to Orenda Books and Anne Cater for inviting me to join the blog tour.

This book will definitely evoke memories of your own experiences of school, whether you loved or hated it. The colourful mixture of characters within the novel are not only realistic but relatable. This book explores the effects of bullying and how it can eat away at you even in adult life, both from the perspective of victim and perpetrator.

I loved the structure of this book with the inserts from the original Yearbook, this allowed you to get to grips with the multiple characters in the novel very quickly. I loved the idea of a reunion 20 years on (I would personally hate this and probably wouldn't attend

This book not only tugged at my heartstrings but also shocked me with the actions that occurred. The dual timeline switched seamlessly from Sofia's early life to her adulthood and was captivating, I couldn't read fast enough to satisfy my hunger for this novel.

I was honestly on the edge of my seat the whole time reading this novel and didn't have a clue what was going to happen next. I was always fearing the worst, hopeful that circumstances would change for the protagonist and a happy ending would occur.

I loved the historical setting which not only added to the atmosphere of the novel but provided a real depth to the story. I adored the strong female characters; the ending was perfect and it is definitely a 5 star read from me.

This was the perfect page-turner and a great comfort read as I love thrillers.

Jessie, finds a room to rent in the bustling seaside town of Brighton. Her flatmates: friendly Lauren, vegan Sofie and the recluse Marcus all seem like the perfect housemates and just what Jessie is looking for, to make a fresh start away from her abusive ex-boyfriend. However, the mystery surrounding the woman who previously occupied Jessie's room and the strange noises in the night become unsettling for Jessie (and the reader!). Unfortunately, Jessie's new start doesn't go quite the way she hoped and she finds herself fleeing Brighton to escape the horrors that occur.

I loved the setting as I am very familiar with the streets of Brighton so I could really picture where Jessie was living. The tension builds on each page and you quickly realise that things are not as they first appear. You start to question everything and everyone and have a sickening sense that something bad is about to happen. The recipe of a great thriller.

There are a lot of subtle twists and surprises keeping you engaged in the story line and compelled to read on. The characters are realistic and intriguing; they all seem to have their own secrets and although the story was predominantly about Jessie I longed to know the backstory of the other characters. I was pleased that the author did reveal the mysteries surrounding the other characters which added to my enjoyment of the novel as a whole.

This is a novel where you can't help but become involve. You want to shout out at the characters, warning them of the potential dangers, scolding their actions, hugging and comforting them as well as shaking them. For me the book totally worked and the ending was another surprise that I did not anticipate. A great read to escape our current situation and to lose yourself in the winding lanes of Brighton.

This was a beautifully written novel; poetic in places and utterly absorbing. I was completely transported to the world of the theatre. Having been to theatres as part of the audience I truly got a feel for what goes on behinds the scenes, and it made me appreciate how unique and special a place theatres are.

For me there were two elements of the book, the supernatural aspect and the magical world of the theatre. I have to say I loved both parts equally. Although a work of fiction, I long to see the performance of ‘Dust' on stage as well as ‘She Haunts Me'. Both these fictional plays were portrayed in such a glittering, magical light and really captured my imagination. I too was fascinated by the supernatural elements that were prominent throughout the novel and of course was intrigued by the mystery surrounding the death of Morgan Miller.

This book is not for the faint-hearted; it not only tugs on your heart-strings but scares you with the ghostly going-ons. There is a seriously spooky undertone to the novel as well as a deep sadness. The main character Chloe is lost, she self-harms to cope with rejection and loss: loss of friendship, love and the person she wanted to become; her emotional and physical scars forever a reminder that she wasn't good enough. You cannot help be drawn to Chloe, to feel her pain and hope that her dreams of performing on stage come true.

The ending was an emotional one, atmospheric and very fitting. I loved the way it was written in a dual timeline, this helped create tension and pace within the novel and helped me truly understand each of the characters and their history. Everything about the novel worked for me and I was entranced reading it like I would be watching an exceptional performance on stage. This is definitely a 5 star read for me and my favourite book so far this year.

Many thanks to Louise Beech for writing such an overwhelming novel, which captured my heart and left me breathless. Thank you to Anne Cater and Orenda Books for inviting me on the I Am Dust blog tour.

I was first attracted to Trembleath because it is set in Cornwall, written by a British author and is a paranormal thriller. The front cover is dark and sinister, which I love, very atmospheric.

Amelia Scott arrives in Creek Bay alone; she was supposed to be moving with her boyfriend. Shortly after arriving Amelia thinks she sees someone struggling in the sea and calls the emergency lifeguards. Running down to the beach to see if she can help she becomes stuck in the quick sand and needs rescuing herself. Mortified at finding herself in this predicament and her rescuer being the swimmer she thought was drowning, Amelia becomes friends with Seth and he offers her a job in his bookshop.

What seems to be a cosy village is quickly turned on its head with the disappearance and murder of a teenage girl. Soon after another teenage girl goes missing and the villagers are in lock-down over a strange beast that seems to be patrolling the area in the evenings and a murderer on the loose.

The mystery surrounding the ‘beast' and the murders that took place intrigued me and kept me wanting more. I was desperate to know what happened to the girls and was fearful for Amelia as she was no doubt the next victim. What perplexed me was the relationship between Seth and William. William on the face of it seemed a handsome, rich bachelor who was interested in Amelia, she in turn found him very attractive. Amelia also found herself drawn to Seth who constantly warned her off of William. It was not clear at first if it was because he had his sights set on Amelia or whether there was something truly sinister about William. This love triangle was not something I was expecting from the book but it added to my enjoyment. I was biased towards Seth and felt he was the ‘safer' option, regardless of what the local Detective Inspector had to say about him.

I enjoyed how the paranormal aspect built up but was expecting more horror to the novel. I think the author could have pushed for more horror without it affecting the overall plot, I would have welcomed it. I was not anticipating the book to end in quite the way it did and can see how this would hook readers to reach out for the next book in the series. I guess it did answer some of my questions but left me with more questions.

Many thanks to damppebbles blog tours for inviting me on the Trembleath blog tour and introducing me to this debut novel and author.

MacLeary paints a very vivid picture of her characters and setting which allowed me to fully immerse myself into this novel. I love the Scottish dialect that weaved throughout the pages and the colourful character of Wilma. Her feistiness and straight-forward talking made her a larger than life character who you would definitely want fighting your corner. I loved how Maggie's personal life was explored in this novel from her financial affairs to her emotional state; it felt raw, realistic and made me warm to her immediately.

At the beginning it felt like there were two story lines running parallel: the ones the police were investigating and Maggie's private investigation into the missing cat. As the two stories and characters came together the pace increased with lots of hidden twists that I didn't see coming.

Although I haven't read the other books in the Harcus & Laird series it didn't dampen my enjoyment and it was easy to get to grips with the characters. There were also brief outlines from the previous series, important events that were relevant to this novel so I didn't feel I was missing out on any key information.

Overall an enjoyable read with likeable characters and a great story line.

This book was simply a page-turner. I was drawn to the story line told from multiple points of view of women from three generations.

Each woman's story was painfully heart wrenching but compelling. I was so immersed in their individual stories that I couldn't put the book down.

Harriet: a strong woman reunited with her husband after the war who is suffering from PTSD. Harriet finds herself in an abusive relationship and consequently loses her life at the hands of her husband's violence.

Rebecca: at the age of thirteen witnesses the death of her mother Harriet and also loses her father that same fateful night. Determined to become a doctor so that she can save others she suffers from anxiety at juggling motherhood and her career. Consequently she allows Jessie to be raised by her father and his new wife.

Jessie: During her own pregnancy she is suffering from anxiety and a deteriorating mental health. Having heard that her birth mother Rebecca also had some mental health issues, after she was born, Jessie decides to look closer into her past. After giving birth Jessie is so worried that the hospital staff will harm her new born that she escapes the hospital with baby Elizabeth. Unfortunately, Elizabeth needs medical treatment and as the clock is ticking her family, the police and the doctors need to find them both before it is too late.

I cannot express how much I really enjoyed this novel it was everything I needed to get my reading mojo back. Highly recommend.

Firstly, let me say how brilliant this book was. It was dark, atmospheric, barbaric and a very clever crime story. I highly recommend it.

The novel is set in a quiet Scottish town where a gamekeeper is found hanging from a tree. On first glance it appears to be suicide, likened to a historic case of a woman found hanged from the same tree. However, on closer inspection an intricate clockwork mechanism has been rigged up, causing the death. As DI Corstorphine and DC McKenzie investigate they are drawn to the case of the woman found dead on the same tree, having been warned off of digging into the past by the Assistant Chief Constable, Corstorphine is more determined than ever to get to the truth of her supposedly suicide. As the death count increases the DI and DC are thrown into finding a serial killer. Can they catch the killer before anymore murders occur?

This was a very cleverly written novel, which pulled me in emotionally and left me wanting more. I was invested in the characters, the story line and in finding out the truth behind the murders. I definitely would like to read another novel by this author, especially one that featured Corstorphine and McKenzie.

This book!! What an absolute ripper of a psychological thriller! Dark, Creepy and chilling.
From the opening pages you just know this thriller will knock you off your feet. I was totally captivated by it, scared witless and couldn't read it fast enough. All I craved for was for the world to freeze so I could ingest it in one sitting.

Elissa is abducted in a car park and taken to a dilapidated cabin in the woods somewhere. Her abductor brings her food but she is chained in the basement unable to see him. During her time locked away Elijah visits. He refers to the woods as The Memory Woods as others before her have been captivated and killed. Elissa is determined to survive and her only hope of getting out alive is to befriend and outwit Elijah.

This was such a harrowing read. I loved how the chapters were dedicated to the different characters: Elijah, Elissah, and Detective Superintendent Mairead. The chapters span over 7 days but don't always follow chronological order. This allows you to get snippets of what is to come and kept me very intrigued and interested. I have to say I loved everything about this book. It provoked so many emotions in me and was mind-blowing. To think that this is a debut novel is astonishing, I cannot wait for what Sam Lloyd has in store for us next. I for one will be pre-ordering my copy of The Rising Tide out on 5th August 2021.