Book reviews

Authors are readers too. Avid readers.

We also know what it’s like to write a book, so I only post reviews for books I finish. If a book’s not for me, I stop reading and move on.

At all times I aim to be constructive and fair, but it’s only my opinion. I no longer give ratings or stars, except on Amazon, Bookbub and Goodreads.

My tastes are almost exclusively crime fiction, though I venture beyond murders from time to time.

I hope the reviews will help you discover new authors and novels to enjoy.

Rough and Deadly by Paula Williams

23rd September 2021. In the second Much Winchmoor novel, Kat’s thrown into another murder investigation when Margot Duckett-Trimble is killed and left in a vat of cider. As she was ...
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The Hour of her Death by Rebecca Rane

21st September 2021. I enjoy discovering new authors and books, especially those that offer something original. Kendra Dillon is only as good as her next podcast. And after a successful ...
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Laptops Can Kill by BL Faulkner

18th September 2021. If you’re going to steal a laptop, make sure it doesn’t belong to a deadly and ruthless criminal. Unfortunately, for two thieves, it’s too late. For Detective ...
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The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths

16th September 2021. This beautifully written and crafted murder mystery has a ghost story at its heart and a killer in the shadows. It’s narrated by three characters: Clare’s an ...
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Belle Manor Haunting by Cheryl Bradshaw

14th September 2021. In the fourth book in the series, Addison finds herself at the heart of another mystery from the past. This time it’s the death of a young ...
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Dead Man’s Prayer by Jackie Baldwin

12th September 2021. This is an intense and complex story where the past forces its way into the present with devastating effects. At its heart is DI Frank Farrell, a ...
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All Lies by Andrew Cunningham

This hugely enjoyable adventure of discovery begins with the murder of Del Honeycutt’s date. Before he has time to catch his breath, he’s plunged into a race to discover ‘hidden ...
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The Man in a Brown Suit by Agatha Christie

3rd September 2021. This is an interesting early book by Agatha Christie, featuring Anne, a young woman seeking adventure in her mundane life. She gets it when she witnesses someone ...
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30th August 2021. Once again, Bill Kitson delivers another fast paced and exciting thriller in the sleepy Yorkshire countryside of Helmdale. Original, offbeat, imaginative and intricately plotted, I couldn’t put ...
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Ruthless Crimes by Michael Hambling

27th August 2021. I’ve loved the previous eight books in the series. The characters in the team and their relationships are the backbone of the stories as they investigate some ...
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A Credible Threat by Janet Dawson

26th August 2021. In the sixth novel in the series, Oakland PI, Jeri Howard, investigates a dangerous stalker. It starts with hostile phone calls, moves on to damaging plants and ...
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Murder in the Garden by Faith Martin

23rd August2021. In the ninth outing for Hillary Greene, she’s got two investigations on the go. After two months compassionate leave following the murder of her boss and friend, she ...
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How I Sold 80,000 Books by Alinka Rutkowska

18th August 2021. As an independent author who’s still learning, I’m always interested in anything that can give me a better understanding and new ideas to improve marketing what I ...
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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

17th August 2021. When I first read Sherlock Holmes as a teenager, I didn’t fully appreciate or understand his character or the subtleties of his relationship with Dr Watson. These ...
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How to Win friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

14th August 2021. I first read a copy of this book when I was about 19 or 20 years old. It contained a lot of interesting and useful advice, much ...
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Let’s Do It by Jasper Rees

12th August 2021. I’m a huge fan of Victoria Wood and couldn’t wait to read this biography to find out more about her life and her work. On the whole ...
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The Winter Mystery by Faith Martin

The second book in the series sees roving caterer Jenny Starling taking a Christmas booking at a remote farm run by Stan. He’s an aggressive bully who rules with a ...
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Blackthorn Manor Haunting by Cheryl Bradshaw

3rd August 2021. I’ve enjoyed the previous two Addison Lockhart outings, liking the combination of murder mystery and the paranormal. Like all the author’s books, they’re easy to read, well ...
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