Reviews
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You are Mine by Diana Wilkinson
I’m not a fan of psychological thrillers, as they’re usually more suspense than thrills. But I spotted this, read the first few pages and found myself drawn to the characters and their lives. I continued to read, being pulled into their relationships and the fracture points where their behaviour could overstep the mark. It’s a story of lost love between five people, who’s lives are linked by friendship, love and jealousy. For Rebecca, who lost Mitch ten years earlier, it’s a case of no one else will do. Which isn’t quite how Arthur thought things would go. Throw in a jealous friend, Oliver, who lies, cheats and much more. Then…
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Vicious Crimes by Michael Hambling
It’s been a while since the last book in the series, so I was looking forward to reading this latest instalment. The team are back, led by DCS Sophie Allen, who’s more of a manager than an officer out in the field. Not that she misses a chance to get out there and lead from the front. The investigation begins with a body found in the harbour by a Special Constable. The victim was beaten before being dumped in the tidal river. It looks like he was dumped upstream, but where? The second victim, an artist, lived a life of solitude in a remote house in Exmoor. The team struggle…
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Where the Silent Screams are Loudest by John Pye
When a story grabs you from the first page and refuses to loosen its grip until the last, you know you’ve read something special. This is a police procedural with a difference. Written by a former detective, everything about it has an authentic ring. You feel you are there in the briefing room, or in pursuit of the killer. The level of detail makes all the difference. Nothing is skimped as DS Brennan is tasked with finding whether missing Poppy Hunt is still alive. The review of the case is prompted by eight year old Jason, who bears a striking resemblance to her. He was abandoned as a baby, only…
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Death Sentence by Damien Boyd
Another original and complex murder investigation begins when the body of a Falklands War veteran is found in a pillbox beside a local canal. DI Nick Dixon is soon on the case, but the lack of clues, evidence and motive stifles his inquiries. It’s a slow slog that eventually bears fruit as the death is linked to others, who share a common thread, linking back to the war. From here, Dixon and his team are in a race against time before the killer strikes again. It’s an intriguing mystery, based around events in the Falklands War in 1982. As with previous books in the series, the plot is intricate and…
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The Hollow by Agatha Christie
In another complex case, Hercule Poirot is faced with a murder where all the clues and evidence seem to lead nowhere. John Christow, a Harley St doctor, is found dead at the side of a swimming pool at the countryside home of the Angkatells. His wife, Gerda, stands a few feet away, a pistol in her hand. Yet Christow’s final word is ‘Henrietta’, referring to a lover of his, also at the house. It soon becomes clear that all the people at the house have a motive to either dislike or kill Christow. Even the next door neighbour is an actress, who was in a relationship with him fifteen years…
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On Cold Ground by DS Butler
Is there a serial killer on the loose in Lincoln? When a body is found by DS Karen Hart in the cathedral, there’s a cross carved into the forehead. Then DI Morgan receives a threatening note before another body is found, bearing the killer’s hallmark. Another note suggests the killer is taunting the police. But is it that straightforward? DS Hart is already convinced corrupt officers remain in the force, despite the suspension of one detective inspector. An internal investigation is making slow progress. Karen has suspicions about the new DI, drafted in take control of the murder inquiry. His attitude towards her is abrasive and derogatory. The running corruption…
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Mystery at Lovelace Manor by Clare Chase
In another enthralling and colourful mystery, obituary writer Eve Mallow is once again on the trail of a murderer. Adventurer and celebrity, Cammie Harington, takes off in a hot air balloon as a climax to the open day at Lovelace Manor. But a fire in the basket of the balloon leads to an explosion and her death. It all looks like a tragic accident until evidence reveals foul play. Determined to uncover the truth, Eve starts to piece together a number of minor and seemingly unconnected events that reveal secrets, affairs and arguments among the well-heeled of Lovelace Manor and those connected with the estate. Narrowing down the list of…
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Rise to the Fly by Cheryl Rees-Price
A couple of ramblers are found dead in woodland near the Usk Reservoir in Wales. While their deaths make little sense initially, the family that owns the woodland soon becomes the focus of police inquiries in the 6th novel of the Winter Meadows series. The murder of Madog, a popular and much loved family member, is linked to the other murders when fishing flies are found in the mouths of all three. With an annual fishing competition and fish farm nearby, police have a lot of potential suspects to interview. Yet it’s family issues that become the primary focus when a will and codicil go missing, followed by more murders.…
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K is for Killer by Sue Grafton
In her 11th outing in the series, Kinsey Millhone is asked to investigate the death of Lorna Kepler by her mother. While a thorough police investigation was carried out at the time, the mother believes Lorna was murdered. After a few initial inquiries to find her bearings, Kinsey is intrigued enough to take on the case. Slowly, she learns that Lorna was a feisty loner with quite a few secrets. Smart, intelligent and beautiful, she kept to herself, chose her few friends carefully and enjoyed life to the full. The trail takes Kinsey to San Francisco, a water treatment plant where she worked and various clubs and hotels as she…
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The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith
A model falls to her death, but her brother refuses to believe she took her own life. He employs private detective Cormoran Strike to investigate further to seek out the truth. But Strike has troubles of his own, including a physical disability, debts and nowhere to live since he split with his long-term partner. But Strike is resourceful, teaming up with temp Robin, who soon has his office and affairs organised. She’s tactful, smart and eager to learn, proving to be a useful and imaginative assistant. Strike is soon interviewing the main players and witnesses, picking apart their testimony and recollections. Little by little, he starts to piece together what…
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How Not to Murder your Ex by Katie Marsh
Drunk and disorientated, you arrive back at your mobile home to find your ex lying on the steps. Then you notice the blood and realise someone’s killed him. Earlier that day, you confronted him a café and said you would kill him for what he’d done. Did you do it? For Clio, this is a birthday she won’t forget in a hurry. She’s soon the prime suspect in the eyes of the police. But her friends since school, Amber and Jeanie, have no intention of seeing her go to gaol for a crime she didn’t commit. They resolve to track down the real killer of her ex, Gary, who made…
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Guilty as Sin by Bill Kitson
Another baffling and complex investigation awaits Mike Nash and the team when skeletal remains are discovered by accident in a remote location in the Yorkshire Dales. When another body is discovered close by, Nash wants the whole area scanned for more remains. When more bodies are discovered, it looks like there’s a serial killer on the loose. Attention falls on Demetra Sinclair, who went missing 16 years ago. Has her body been found? Her husband, Nicholas is serving life for her murder, and that of her alleged lover, but protests his innocence. It also looks like he could have killed the others until tests reveal some of the remains were…