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.

Vegas Lies by Andrew Cunningham

18th January 2022. While this is another excellent adventure novel for Del and his girlfriend, Sabrina, the subject matter is darker than the previous two novels in the series. It ...
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Thin Air by Ann Cleeves

18th January 2022. The sixth book in the series is as beautifully crafted as its predecessors, bringing the harsh, but stunning landscape and lifestyle of the Shetlands to life. DI ...
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The Woman in the Wood by MK Hill

13th January 2022. This is an enjoyable story based around Danny 'Abs' Cruickshank, a reality TV star whose fallen on barren times, thanks to a disastrous holiday with three friends ...
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The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths

12th January 2022. I’ve always enjoyed Elly Griffiths’ books and the first novel in the Dr Ruth Galloway series is no exception. The characterisation is excellent, with sharply drawn characters ...
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Panic Button by Charlie Gallagher

5th January 2022. In this second novel in the DS George Elms series, all hell breaks loose in Langthorne when a killer starts to murder police officers. He presses the ...
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Murder at Work by Faith Martin

4th January 2022. This is another engaging and colourful story in the trials and tribulations of DI Hillary Greene. Due to retire in a few weeks, her governor assigns her ...
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Murder on High by Paula Williams

28th December 2021. A gentle humorous tone underpins the story of Kat Latcham, who struggles with various issues in the village of Much Winchmoor. Reduced to three part time jobs, ...
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Dead Water by Ann Cleeves

28th December 2021. The fifth book in the Shetland series is another story of secrets about to be exposed and one person’s attempt to prevent this. It starts with a ...
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A Killing at the Track by Janet Dawson

21st December 2021. This is another superlative entry into the Jeri Howard series, which I love. It’s time to saddle up for a look into the world of horse racing, ...
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Broadland by David Blake

20th December 2021. DI Tanner escapes London for the tranquillity of the Norfolk Broads. On his first day, a body is found, bringing him into conflict with an existing detective ...
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Blue Lightning by Ann Cleeves

15th December 2021. Wow, what an amazing read, with such a powerful and emotional ending, beautifully written. It proves that crime fiction isn’t simply about murders and police procedures. Like ...
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Red Bones by Ann Cleeves

8th December 2021. In the third of the Shetland series, DI Jimmy Perez is called out to investigate the shooting of an elderly woman at night. It appears to be ...
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Stranger in the Woods by Anni Taylor

8th December 2021. I’m not a huge fan of psychological thrillers, but the writing and characterisation drew me into this one from the first page. Australian photographer, Isla Wilson, lands ...
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Burying Bad News by Paula Williams

29th November 2020. In the third Much Winchmoor mystery, part time reporter, dog walker and barmaid, Kat Latcham once again finds herself investigating a dead body. But this seems to ...
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White Nights by Ann Cleeves

28th November 2021. The second novel in the Shetland series sees local inspector, Jimmy Perez, at an art gallery when a stranger bursts into tears and seems to have lost ...
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Run and Hide by Alan McDermott

27th November 2021. This is the first Eva Driscoll thriller and what a pulsating read it is. By the end I felt quite breathless. Push the accelerator to the floor ...
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Blood Diamond by Bill Kitson

22nd November 2021. In another fast paced thriller in the DI Mike Nash series, the story starts back in 1986 with the hijacking of illicit diamonds and a couple of ...
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Kept Secrets by Shawn McGuire

20th November 2021. The idyllic community of Whispering Pines is rocked by a second suspicious death, only a few weeks after a murder. Once again, Jayne O’Shea draws on her ...
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