Sarah
I love to find books about profilers, I'm obsessed with Criminal Minds and have always loved true crime and the whole nature vs nurture debate so any time I see a book with a profiler I have to get it.
It's a good book and a good story, someone kidnapping 1-2 year old children from single parent families and leaving behind a broken wooden clown puppet. CS David Mallory and DCI Gary Falcon bring Dr Hannah Nightingale in despite not really putting much stock in profilers and they have to work together to find out who's kidnapping these children and why.
Well written story with likeable characters, slow release of information about the current case and the backgrounds of the main characters. Hints dropped here and there to keep you guessing and invested in the story and it's outcome.
Book #1 in the Dr Hannah Nightingale series.
Huge thanks to Roy Chester, Joffe Books and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
When I got this book I thought the premise sounded good and was excited to read it but when I got it and found out it was set in Nottingham I was even more excited as it's where I'm from and I love to picture myself watching whats happening in places I know!!
I'm not too sure what to think of Anna, she doesn't have a high opinion of people and believes that everything she does is correct, she always convinces herself that she is perfect. You'll know what I mean when you read it.
It's a really good story that makes you feel uncomfortable at times and I felt unsure of who to root for. As you get further into the story the author drops clues and hints of what's going on to pull you further in and not let you go until you get to the conclusion.
I loved it.
Huge thanks to K.L. Slater, Bookouture and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
I picked this up and hoped it was a ‘creature feature' book, I started to read it and even though it didn't turn out that way I just couldn't put it down, it gripped me from the beginning to the very last page and even now, as I type this, I still get the same feelings I had when I read it.
The biggest oil tanker in the world is built in Russia, it's called Bennkah and it's on it's maiden voyage filled with oil, something goes wrong in the engine room and before you know it there are fires and explosions all over the ship, the tanker tips and is grounded. Sonny and his salvage crew race to the site to be the ones who can claim it as theirs while Sonnys nemesis Dans team races to get there before him.
All is not as it seems with the Bennkah though and it holds secrets as does Sonny.
What are they I hear you cry but that, my friends, is for me to know and YOU to find out. READ IT!!!
Huge thanks to Shawn Corridan, Gary Waid, Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
The ideal time to read a book about snow is when its snowing but I couldn't wait that long to read it and it would've meant I wouldn't be going out into the snow for a while in case I got attacked and eaten!
That's what happens in this, a body is found that looks like it's a ritual murder and pretty soon after the snow fall gets heavier and the snow monsters come out to play!
It's a well written story with well rounded characters and creepy coldness, i read this wrapped up warm in my blanket and shouting at random people in the book. Good times.
Huge thanks to Mary SanGiovanni, Kensington Books, Lyrical Underground and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
I LOVE ‘creature feature' books so when I saw this I knew I HAD to read it. Does it have animals? Yes Does it have evil animals? Yes Does it have gratuitous violence involving said evil bats? Hell yeah!!
The characters are likeable, although they make friends and get into relationships very, very quickly, the story moves at a good pace, violence increases well and I loved the ending.
I will definitely be looking for more books by this author especially if they're ‘creature features' too.
Highly recommend!!
Huge thanks to William W. Johnstone, Kensington Books, Lyrical Underground and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
Ruby Day is a YouTube vlogger, with 2 million subscribers she is a rising star then suddenly she goes missing, her family is frantic trying to find out where she could've gone when they see a video of her on YouTube being tortured.
Enter DCI Kate Riley and DS Zain Harris who work together to find out where she is and who has taken her, they interview the people closest to Ruby and a line of suspects makes itself known.
This book shows the darkside of social media and vlogging, about how companies can take advantage of the vloggers themselves and only think of their needs while abusing the position of support and protection over these, sometimes, underage vloggers.
Its not all about that though, that's just what I got out of it about the subject. There are very horrible people in this story, you will likely want to punch some of them in the face multiple times and be quite happy about it.
There are secrets and lies, an extremely horrible man who thinks he owns all women and misdirects, twists and turns that make this a really good story.
Huge thanks to Alex Caan, Bonnier Publishing and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
It took me a while to get back to this book and I have no idea why!! I really enjoyed it and ended up writing 8 pages of notes, all of which are potentially spoilery so I can't use them but one thing I can say is that the job Criminal Defense Attorney sounds like one of THE worst jobs ever!!!
There's death, secrets, courtroom scenes and a really good core group of characters who you root for and want to learn more about.
I have the second book in the series on my kindle ready to read and I hope to get to it very, very soon!
I highly, highly recommend this book, it's so good!!
Huge thanks to Marcia Clark, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
Gorgeous pictures, mouth-watering recipes, interviews with some of the main staff and the owner and an introduction by Stephen Fry makes this a wonderful addition to your cookbook collection.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!
Huge thanks to Nuno Mendes, Andre Balazs, Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all the opinions are my own
As you can see it took me about 6 months to finally get this one read, I just couldn't get into it, which is a surprise considering this is the sort of book that I love.
Set in Prince George's County Homicide Department, Washington DC, we follow 5 squads: M-30, M-10, M-40, M-20 and M-90, as they try and solve the murders that occur that month and how they go about it.
Filled with cop humour, which can be quite dark and some people wouldn't appreciate it, we get to know the detectives, some of their background and how they cope when a case doesn't get closed or they have to tell a family their child/husband/wife/sister/brother etc is dead. Its a wonderful insight into their world that I thoroughly enjoyed once I actually sat and read it.
Huge thanks to Del Quentin Wilber, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
Whether Mark Edwards works on his own or with Louise Voss he is a bloody good writer, the slow build of tension, the suspicion, how well he explores his characters and the steady was the pace builds towards it's eventual conclusion.
I now keep my eyes open for his name when chosing books to read as I know I will enjoy the ride and won't be able the put the book down until I know how it all ends.
Huge thanks to Mark Edwards, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
I've got into supernatural and paranormal books in the last year or so and always look for new ones to read so when I saw this I knew I had to give it a go.
It was interesting and creepy which was all I really wanted in a book about hauntings.
I enjoyed it and would add it to my bookshelf.
Huge thanks to John Klann, Schiffer Publishing LTD and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
Is it always the stepmother who's evil?
Jeanie marries Matthew, they have 3 children between them Frankie, Scarlett and Luke, Jeanie becomes the stepmother to Scarlett and Luke and moves into their house.
Things seem to go well to start but then strange things start to happen, Jeanie thinks she's going crazy and Matthew doesn't believe her stories. What's really happening in the house?
Told in two perspectives Jeanies and her sister Marlenas, throw in Matthews ex-wife and her new partner and more strange goings on and you're on track for a book you don't want to put down until you've reached the end.
I enjoyed this book, it gives a different twist on the usual stepmother stories and is well paced with good characters.
Huge thanks to Claire Seeber, Bookouture and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
Quick read, well written characters and an intriguing mystery.
Classic cosy mystery, it is the 8th in a series and I didn't realise that when I picked it up but I did still enjoy it.
If you like pumpkins and recipes including pumpkins then you'll love this book.
Huge thanks to Lee Hollis, Kensington Books and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
Although I didn't go to Australia as a backpacker this did bring back memories of when I went!!
Funny, interesting and full of alcohol is how i'd describe this book and think it's a pretty good description to be honest. Steve's adventures Down Under are pretty typical of lots of backpacker stories but the difference here is his, slightly, higher age and the job he gets on the crime beat of a newspaper when he's there.
I really enjoyed this because of the humour and the memories it brought back as I was reading it, if I'd have been there when he was I would've liked to go for a night out with him!!
Will be picking up his second book, Baring All Down Under: The East Coast Road Trip, in the next couple of days to follow along with the rest of his adventures.
Huge thanks to Steve Deeks, Troubador Publishing Ltd, Matador and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review
This is the 2nd book in the Imogene and the Boys series and the first one I've read.
Imogene, her sister Agnes, her son Billy, her son-in-law Jackson and their bulldog Goose, have been invited to Florida to go to the famous Mermaid park, when they arrive they meet some interesting characters who need a good slap in the face and, while on a glass bottom boat ride, notice a dead man floating under the boat, one thing leads to another and Billy is arrested for murdering him.
Jackson, Imogene and Agnes are then tasked with finding out who actually killed him and why they're framing Billy.
Its a very fast paced story filled with humour and nasty people but set in the beautiful surroundings of Florida. Really good read and one I'd recommend.
Huge thanks to Hunter Murphy, Rolltop Publishing, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Memebers Titles and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review
This is the 5th book in the Happy Hoofers cozy mysteries series and the first one I've read. From what I can gather each other focuses on a specific member of the team, this one focuses on Mary Louise, her husband George and Mike, a gentleman she met previously, who she's become very, very close to.
That's the backstory of this as the mystery part starts when the Happy Hoofers are asked to dance with The Rockettes over the Christmas period, their first day there is marred with tragedy however as the leader of the Rockettes, Glenna, is found dead as they come back from their lunch. We then follow Mary Louise as she tries to work out what happened when they hear troubling news from some of the other Rockettes.
The characters are well developed, its a funny and fast paced story mainly set in New York and full of recipes and places to visit in the city.
I will be keeping my eye out for the rest of the books in this series as I want to learn more about these ladies and see what other trouble they get themselves into!!
Huge thanks to Mary McHugh, Kensington Books and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest revies
This took me a while to read, I put it down sometime in August and only picked it up again a couple of days ago, as I began reading again I wondered why I'd put it own in the first place as its turned out to be a really good read!
Fiona is a flawed and different character to any I've read recently, she does what she wants and doesn't really let her bosses tell her what to do nor does she really apologise for doing things her way regardless of what they say.
Set in Cardiff and the area surrounding the Brecon Beacons, Fiona is dropping a colleague off a road traffic accident when they receive word of a body found a few miles away, Fiona goes to investigate and finds the young woman in the ‘Dead House' of a building and so begins the story of who she is and what's happened to her.
Along with that case Fiona is trying to work out if the disappearance, years ago, of a young girl called Bethan Williams is related to this case and if Bethan is alive or dead.
Fiona is a really interesting character and the book is very well written, the rest of the characters are well developed and the setting is wonderful. I will definitely be looking to read the first book in this series to see how it all starts.
Huge thanks to Harry Bingham, Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review
This took me AGES to read and I really don't know why. Once I picked it up again I flew through it and enjoyed it.
It may have been the ‘seeing dead people in his sleep' bit that threw me and made me put it down but I'm still not entirely sure. Don't let that put you off though as it's a well written and exciting story filled with sneaky violent people and the people who want to stop them.
PC Donal Lynch and his journalist brother Fintan are on the trail of a killer and are led to an underworld boss and his ‘gentleman's club', add in their IRA embroiled father coming to stay and Donal's burgeoning relationship with forensics lady Zoe and you have a fun-filled jaunt through early 1990's London.
Huge thanks to James Nally, HarperCollins UK, Avon and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review
Another exceptionally good book by Robert Bryndza! Each one makes me love the series even more!
I love DCI Erika Foster, I'm so invested in this series that I got sad at the beginning when I realised she'd been transferred to another police station and taken away from the team she had around her in the first two books but I needn't have worried, Robert ain't gonna do that to us or Erika!!
As always there are sneaky people and secrets scattered through this and I wouldn't want it any other way!! I always, always look forward to read more about Erika and the crimes she solves with help from her friends and colleagues.
When is #4 due to come out? I need my fix of Erika!!
Keep it up Mr Bryndza, keep it up.
Huge, huge thanks to Robery Bryndza, Bookouture and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own
I love manga so when I saw manga classics on NetGalley I KNEW I had to read them all!!
The story is wonderfully imagined with the beautiful manga illustrations and is a joy to read. I really, really need a physical copy of all of these.
I can't say much more than I LOVE these editions. That is all that needs to be said.
Huge thanks to Charlotte Bronte (obvs), Stacy King, SunNeko Lee, Crystal S. Chan and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review
I love Dean Koontz and when I saw this available I thought I'd give it a go as I haven't read his Frankenstein novels yet.
The artwork is wonderful, the story is fun and I loved the humour. I will definitely read more graphic novels in this series as I really enjoyed it.
Huge thanks to Dean Koontz, Chuck Dixon, Rik Hoskin, Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review
I love this book! I've read it over the past couple of weeks, dipping in and out of it, savouring it.
Michael Booth, along with his wife Lissen and their 2 children Asger and Emil, travel around Japan to see why it's the preeminent food nation on earth, along the way they try every food available and see how Japanese food should be prepared, cooked and eaten and see how their diet can be improved by learning from the Japanese.
Meeting Sumos, Ninja Warriors, the Ama divers, huge crabs and having more adventures as they eat their way across the country sounds like such an amazing experience and makes me want to visit Japan even more than I did before!
I will reread this over and over again and will be searching for Japanese cookbooks to try and change my diet and live a healthier life.
Huge thanks to Michael Booth, Macmillan-Picador and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review
This was a very quick read as it's, obviously, more pictures and instructions about making each thing than anything else.
I would like to try to make a few things in this but it's not really my cup of tea.
Huge thanks to Bonnie Burton, Quirk Books and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review