Holy Island by LJ Ross (Audiobook)

 

When a young woman is found murdered on Lindisfarne DCI Ryan, who is living on the island, cuts short his sabbatical to investigate. Markings on the body suggest ritualistic overtones requiring the help of a civilian consultant, Dr Anna Taylor. Taylor has connections to the island and could prove invaluable to the investigation.

I'm a recent convert to audiobooks. To date all the ones I've listened to have been reviews via NetGalley, this means that I don't always have an audiobook on the go. I stumbled across Borrowbox which allows people to borrow and download ebooks and audiobooks from their local library. Holy Island from LJ Ross is my first audiobook using this service.

The DCI Ryan books have been on my periphery for quite a while as I'm from the north east and the books are set around Northumberland, the only thing that put me off starting the series is the sheer number of books, twenty to date. The idea of being able to listen, rather than read, gave me the impetus to start the series. 

The setting for the murder was ideal. Lindisfarne has both Christian and pagan links so there were lots of historical references. The fact that the tides cut the island off from the mainland gave an added twist in that only one of the residents could have been responsible for the murder. With less than 200 residents on the island this meant that almost everyone from the tight-knit community was a suspect.

DCI Ryan is a bit of a cliche; tall, dark, handsome and brooding. Right from the start we know that there is an issue in his recent past because of the sabbatical. It takes a while for the true horror and tragedy of these events to be revealed. Once I'd heard about the case leading up to the sabbatical I did wonder why this wasn't used as the first book in the series as I felt it would have been more impactful.

Cliches continued once Dr Anna Taylor arrived. Ryan and Taylor didn't hit it off, Ryan dismissed her because of her appearance and was incredibly sarcastic towards her at times. Unsurprisingly they became romantically involved very quickly.

Having already realised that almost any of the residents could be the murderer there was a bit of a scatter-gun approach where virtually everyone seemed to have means, motive or an alibi that collapsed. Added to this was the "Circle" of people who were part of the pagan cult on the island.

The best part of the story was the epilogue, not because it was the end but because of the content, the teasing comments that not everything had been solved completely.

The Space Between Us by Doug Johnstone

 

Following a series of unusual lights above Edinburgh a group of people suffer severe strokes and die. Three people manage to completely recover overnight. Lennox, Ava and Heather can't understand why they survived but come to realise that they have a mission, to rescue an alien from outer space.

I'm a big fan of Doug Johnstone's Skelf series but haven't read any of his stand alone novels. I approached The Space Between Us with a little trepidation as I don't really read science fiction (although I'm a big fan of Sci-Fi TV and films). I have read a lot of sci-fi but that was probably 30 years ago.

Thankfully Doug Johnstone's style and humour is front and centre in this story of how an alien race makes contact with Earth. I found myself chuckling at times as the characters came across as very real and genuine. Each of the main characters is struggling in some way. Teenager Lennox is an orphan who is regularly bullied because he's different. Pregnant Ava is in a coercive relationship with a man who wields a lot of influence locally. Heather is still grieving the death of her daughter and has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Individually they are fairly powerless but when they team up they discover strength, and more importantly, that they have worth.

Working together they realise that the whole is greater than the individual parts and they have allies who are willing to support them, no matter what. This reminds us of all the different connections we have with the people in our lives, connections that make us the people we are and spread far and wide.

This is a joyful read that reinforces your faith in humanity but does make you question what the human race has done to nature in the name of scientific investigation. I would love to see this developed for the screen.

The Clearing by Simon Toyne

 

When a young women goes missing on the summer solstice the only person who seems concerned is her sister. Local police show little interest in investigating. Dr Laughton Rees becomes involved when a missing person report is eventually filed and there are links to local folklore about The Cinderman.

From the opening chapter there is a creepy and sinister vibe to this novel. Thanks to Simon Toyne you'll be wary of wooded areas in the future. The storyline gives you an uneasy sense that you are constantly being watched, that there is something lurking just out of sight.

The Clearing is set in a small community in Gloucestershire, this setting makes it difficult to decide who is trustworthy and who is working against those searching for the missing girl. As the story progresses you begin to realise how much power and control those in authority wield in such small communities.

The other question raised is why are those in power so reluctant to believe a young woman has been abducted? The stakes are raised when Rees begins to dig deeper, aided from afar by DCI Tannahill Kahn, and discovers that almost 50 women have gone missing in the area over a twenty year period.

We see a much more dynamic Rees in this novel, she refuses to be fobbed off, misdirected or threatened in her quest to find the missing girl and discover why so many young women have gone missing. My one disappointment with the book is that we didn't see much of DC Kahn. Hopefully a third book in the series will have Rees and Kahn working side by side again.

The Clearing by Simon Toyne will be published on 20^th July 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a review copy.

The Last Thing To Burn by Will Dean

 

Jane is a victim of human trafficking. Held captive at a remote farm for seven years she dreams of escaping but knows that doing so will put her sister's life at risk.

Will Dean has written a disturbing tale in The Last Thing To Burn. We see the power and control one human can have over another but alongside this there is a glimmer of hope as we learn of the strength a person has to survive.

This intense and horrific story shows how “Jane” is stripped of her identity. As punishment for anything her captor decides is wrong she has to sacrifice one of her few possessions, items which will be burnt in front of her. This degradation, along with the constant blackmail that her sister could be deported, constantly chip away at her identity. In the end “Jane” simply becomes a possession herself.

When Jane becomes pregnant her will to survive is renewed. The tenacity and protectiveness of a mother are clearly shown through the fact that Jane is willing to do anything to shield her child. It is easy for us to assume we'd do things differently but author Will Dean has shown a person who has been ground down, beaten in to submission and controlled emotionally every single day for seven years. After this length of time the human spirit would be crushed and existence the only option left.

None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

 

Celebrating her 45^th birthday podcaster Alix Summers bumps into Josie Fair who's also celebrating her 45^th birthday. Josie feels that they have a connection and persuades Alix to use her life as a theme for her next project. Little does Alix realise the disturbing secrets that are about to be revealed.

Author Lisa Jewell has written a complex thriller that reads like one of those Netflix crime documentaries that you can't help but binge watch. Part of the storyline of None Of This Is True is based on a podcast that becomes a Netflix series titled “Hi, I'm Your Birthday Twin!” and this premise works really well.

The story alternates between events as they happen and excerpts from the documentary series which is made afterwards. The constant switching between present and future really add to the mystery.

From the start it looks as if this is a story of jealousy. It's obvious that Josie isn't happy with her life and she feels as if Alix has a perfect existence. As the story develops you begin to doubt much of what Josie reveals, particularly when this is followed by interviews with people who knew her. In terms of an unreliable narrator this raises the bar, at times we never know if we're hearing the truth, a half truth or a complete fabrication. It becomes clear that instead of being a victim Josie is an expert manipulator.

Part of Josie's skill as a manipulator is what she chooses to reveal. There are extremely disturbing elements to the story which garner sympathy from other characters and the reader. However, as we delve deeper into the background you begin to doubt everything read.

None Of This Is True is one of those stories that you devour in one sitting, constantly question what you've read and by the end want to go back to the beginning and re-read everything to see what you missed first time around.

None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell will be published on 20^th July 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for a review copy.

Arthur And Teddy Are Coming Out by Ryan Love (Audiobook)

 

At the age of 79 Arthur finally decides he has to be truthful to himself and admit to the world he is gay. His wife of 50 years is very supportive but the rest of his family struggle with the news, apart from grandson Teddy who is frightened to tell his family about his own sexuality.

It is refreshing to hear a coming out story from the perspective of the older generation, particularly a character who has been happily married for 50 years. As Arthur summons up the courage to reveal the news to his family we learn that his parents forced him to hide his sexuality and his marriage was one of convenience that saved both him and his wife from a future they didn't want. It is not difficult to imagine that marriages of this type existed and the prejudice that prevailed 50 years ago. What is surprising, and is clearly displayed in this story, is that prejudice still exists in society today meaning that young people do not feel able to be open about their sexuality.

The prejudice that still exists today is shown through the story of grandson Teddy who is frightened to be open with his family. His closest friends are aware he's gay but no-one else knows. Spurred on by his grandfathers bravery, Teddy comes out to his family.

As both grandfather and grandson come to terms with the modern world of dating we see that it is Arthur who is the braver of the two and this bravery makes him a hero for many people. He also becomes something of a target for people he has thought of as friends for many years.

I was engrossed by Arthur's story and the support he had from his closest family and friends. Teddy's story really didn't engage me, I felt he was a bit whinny and the route his story took was a little obvious.

Overall I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the different generations but feel depressed that we still live in a society where people are still afraid to be themselves.

Arthur And Teddy Are Coming Out by Ryan Love is available in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a review copy.

The Last Girl by Jane Casey

 

When a mother and daughter are brutally murdered at home the police investigation turns to the husband and father, Philip Kennford QC. Potential suspect or has his family been targeted because of his role as a criminal barrister. DC Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent investigate and find a dysfunctional family.

The Last Girl by Jane Casey is the third book in the Maeve Kerrigan series. When I reviewed book 10, The Close, I was shocked to discover this series had passed me by and vowed to catch up, hopefully before book 11 appears.

This book is a little different to the first two books in the series as there's no serial killer element for the team to hunt down before there's another victim. This time around the police are investigating a double murder, a pretty gruesome one. I really enjoyed the focus being on solving a single crime and how the police turn over every stone in the hope that they'll find some clue. The story clearly shows that there are times when there are no obvious clues and it's sheer hard work that results in a break in a case.

The relationship between Kerrigan and Derwent is still hostile but you can see there is a thawing in their relationship. Lots of barbed comments pepper their interactions but at times there is genuine humour between them.

Philip Kennford is extremely unlikeable. He is written to elicit little sympathy from the reader. As a possible target, we deplore his role in defending criminals; as a victim he comes across as cold and uncaring. His reluctance to engage with the police make him even more of a suspect.

Alongside the murder the team are also investigating a battle between two organised crime groups over territory. This has links to characters in the previous book, The Reckoning, and it's great to see that these characters and crimes still have an impact on the team. There may even be links to the current crime.

Cover Reveal - Mrs Sidhu's Dead and Scone

For all fans of cosy crime, I have the pleasure of taking part in the cover reveal of Mrs Sidhu's Dead and Scone by Suk Pannu.

You can pre-order the book using the following link https://smarturl.it/DeadAndScone

About The Book

Mrs. Sidhu – unofficial Aunty to everyone, caterer, and amateur sleuth from Slough – spices up the lives of Berkshire's elite with both her mouth-watering dishes and her sharp detective skills. But when she stirs up trouble among the rich and ruthless, she finds herself an outsider in her own community.

Banished to the kitchen by her boss and sentenced to an endless loop of aubergine bhajis, Mrs. Sidhu seizes the opportunity to whip up a new recipe for success – getting a job as a private chef at an exclusive celebrity rehab retreat. But when a therapist is found dead in the quiet village, Mrs Sidhu’s appetite for mystery is rekindled.

As the plot thickens, it becomes clear that the killer is picking victims through a twisted raffle at the village fete. Is a vengeful spirit returning to exact a horrifying revenge, or is there an impostor among the residents hiding a deadly secret?

About The Author

Suk Pannu wrote for Goodness, Gracious, Me and five series of the Emmy Award winning Kumars at No. 42. He’s written for BBC’s My Family and is a regular contributor to TV and Radio sketch and topical shows with spells on The News Quiz, Swinging, Armando Iannucci’s Charm Offensive.

His debut cosy crime novel, Dead and Scone will be published by HarperCollins in late- 2023.

One Good Deed by David Jackson

 

Late one evening as Elliott Whiston is returning from a quick shopping trip he is approached by a young woman, Rebecca, asking if she can walk with him as she is being followed by an ex-boyfriend who refuses to accept their relationship is over. Elliott's good deed turns in to a nightmare as the ex-boyfriend, Darren, refuses to accept Elliott's version of events and threatens violence unless he helps Darren find Rebecca.

This is one of those adrenaline fuelled, read in one sitting books that grips you and refuses to let go until the end. The opening chapter is full of creepiness, black humour and has a shocking ending. It's hard to believe that this is only a prelude to the even more shocking events that play out in the rest of One Good Deed. 

Main character, Elliott, is mild and unassuming. He leads a lonely existence, having missed the opportunity to go to university because he looked after his ailing mother. He's now in a rut, questioning his life. The chance to help a "damsel in distress" gives him the occasion to play hero for a brief time. Little does Elliott realise the consequences of his actions. Even when things start to unravel he still believes in doing the right thing.

As events spiral out of control we learn more about Rebecca and Darren. Darren is controlling, refusing to accept anything other than his own view of events. Initially Rebecca comes across as a character you have a lot of sympathy for, particularly after one scene in particular where she meets Darren. However, as the story progresses you lose all sympathy for her and begin to wonder if this is all some strange game of cat and mouse with Elliott as the poor, helpless creature stuck in the middle.

Threats soon escalate in to violence as Darren's demands become more extreme. It becomes a race against time, leading to a conclusion that is brutal. It really does make you wonder if you should ever do a simple good deed for a stranger.

One Good Deed by David Jackson will be published on 6th July 2023 in paperback and ebook format. My thanks to NetGalley and Viper Books for a review copy.

Perfect Death by Helen Fields

 

A young women dies of hypothermia on Arthur's Seat, early indications are that it was a tragic accident. When her sister realises she's not wearing a treasured piece of jewellery DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach begin to wonder if they have a murder on their hands. While the investigation is taking place the team have to come to terms with the suicide of their recently retired boss. Turner refuses to accept her ex-boss would contemplate taking his own life. As she digs deeper she discovers links to organised crime.

Perfect Death is book 3 in the DI Luc Callanach series by Helen Fields. Having stumbled across book 7 in the series I decided to work my way through the rest of the series. 

As the novel opens we discover that newly promoted DCI Ava Turner is struggling with her new role. She's more than capable of carrying out the job but is finding it difficult to come to terms with the distance she now has to maintain between herself and the rest of her team. Her relationship with DI Luc Callanach is still a little strained after the events of the previous book, however he's the one person who really understands what she's going through.

The opening crime is handled in a very understated way, to the point where it isn't obvious that a crime has even taken place. The story then jumps to a new set of characters and you begin to wonder how there can be any connection. This subtle story-line really draws you in and is slowly revealed giving us an extremely manipulative killer who feeds on the grief of others.

A second thread involving the suicide of the teams previous boss really brings out the characters of Turner and Callanach. We see how they are willing to risk everything to ensure the memory of someone they had a lot of respect for isn't tainted. Unfortunately the more they dig, the greater the links to organised crime seem to become, resulting in a lot of conflicted emotions. 

It's great to see the return of some very familiar characters in the team. When I read book 1 I really didn't like DS Lively but by book 3 he's become one of my favourite characters and towards the end of this book I was very worried about his future, along with a number of others.

Helen Fields has produced an engrossing dual story-line that mixes a slow and insidious thread with one featuring menace and stomach churning violence. I can't wait to get to the next book in the series.

All Of Us Are Broken by Fiona Cummins

 

As Christine Hardwicke and her children head north to visit family, little do they realise that they are on a collision course with a couple on a killing spree. Will DC Saul Anguish and Dr Clover March be able to get to them in time and prevent a mother from having to make the most difficult decision ever.

This is going to be an incredibly difficult review to write as I don't want to give away any spoilers at all. There is so much happening in All Of Us Are Broken, layer upon layer of narrative that all build up to a fantastic story, that even the slightest hint could change a readers perception of events.

Right from the very first chapter you know this is going to be a brutal story with cataclysmic results. We are placed right in the middle of mayhem and forced to witness a stark choice.

Before we learn of the decision that is made we cut to Christine Hardwicke and her children Galen and Tom. The family are setting off on the long drive to Scotland to visit family. We slowly learn that things are strained between Christine and her daughter. Fiona Cummins has used very ambiguous language to describe the family situation, even though I'd figured out the basics of what had happened it was still a shock when everything was revealed thanks to the subtle way the story developed.

At the same time as the Harwicke's are setting off a young teacher, through inaction, causes one of her pupils to be badly injured. Rather than face the consequences she walks out of school and makes contact with an ex-boyfriend. The ex-boyfriend is bad news and they bring out the worst in each other. The couple go on the run, their one aim is to become infamous.

From the opening chapter you know the two story-lines are going to converge but it's the way in which we jump from one setting to the next that really builds the tension. As we switch from the quiet and contained family suffering and trying to rebuild their lives to the mindless brutality of lovers on the run from the police. Amid all this is DC Saul Anguish and his darkness, his strange sense of morality.

It's the events that happen when the two story-lines finally meet that are the most shocking. Not just in the violence but in the decisions that have to be made and the bravery shown. I could feel myself holding my breath, dreading how things were turning out, almost wanting to stop time. Even when we reach the conclusion there is still a little bit of mystery to be revealed.

All Of Us Are Broken by Fiona Cummins will be published on 20th July 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for a review copy.

April 2023 Reads

 

April started so well, I really felt as if my reading mojo had returned. Unfortunately this also coincided with some building work at home which seems to have taken over every room in the house and I've had three bouts of illness. On their own they were minor but all at once has left me drained and I'm still not 100%. As a result my reading has really suffered. Thankfully I did finish a couple of audiobooks and have almost finished a third one.

The month began with the latest book in the Nosey Parker series from Fiona Leitch. The series falls into the cozy crime genre thanks to an eccentric cast of characters and a lead who has given up working for the Met Police to become a caterer in Cornwall. However, Jane 'Nosey' Parker keeps stumbling into mysteries. In A Cornish Seaside Murder the focus is all on police work as Jane begins her role as an auxiliary police officer investigating a murder which seems to be linked to a local legend about Sirens luring fishermen to their death. I did miss the humour that comes from the supporting characters in the series but there are enough twists in the story to keep you guessing.

Stepping away from crime my next read was The Invisible Women's Club by Helen Paris. This features an elderly woman who is determined to fight bureaucracy to save her beloved allotments. By the end of the first chapter I really wasn't sure this book was for me. I thought the language, content and style was a little "stuffy" but I am so glad I persevered. That opening chapter gives us an insight into the main character, Janet. Intelligent, aloof, prickly and lonely. Janet is full of good intentions but really struggles to connect with people. Janet's neighbour, Bev, is the complete opposite and she forces herself into Janet's mission to save the allotments. By the end I was cheering the pair on. This is a book that will resonate with many women. This isn't simply a book about a lonely old woman, it's about the way in which women become sidelined and dismissed as they age. 

Back to thrillers with The Trial by Rob Rinder. I'm not really sure why I requested this book from NetGalley. I'm aware of Rob Rinder as a TV personality but couldn't really tell you much about him. Initially I thought this was going to be another cozy crime novel, however I was pleasantly surprised by this well plotted legal thriller that shows trial proceedings from the point of view of a trainee barrister. Adam Green is on a mission to find evidence to prove his client is innocent, even though his client seems reluctant to help. Adam's mentor is lazy and pompous, you really do begin to loath him the more you read. As Adam investigates you begin to question who are the criminals and who are the law abiding citizens.

Last book of the month was Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena. When a young girl goes missing from a small community almost everyone becomes a suspect. I loved the way in which everyone had secrets. Suspicion fell on different members of the community at various times, usually as a result of malicious gossip. You then begin to ask yourself if the people behind the gossip are trying to deflect attention from their own secrets. You have a sense of voyeurism as you learn little snippets about each persons life. Unfortunately I couldn't get behind the twist that happened about halfway through the novel.

I really enjoyed the two audiobooks I listened to this month. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice For Murderers by Jesse Sutanto works perfectly in audio format. When a body is found in Vera Wong's tea house she decides that the police are incompetent and turns her hand at investigating. The family and friends of the murder victim find it difficult to say no to Vera as she insinuates herself into their lives. As you are drawn into the story you learn what a formidable character Vera is and that the friends and family are all suspects in the murder.

Something New At The Borrow A Bookshop from Kiley Dunbar sees a return to the holiday rental bookshop at Clove Lore. This is everything you want from gentle romantic fiction. A beautiful location that is familiar (thanks to the first two books in the series), a heroine who is hiding from her past, a hero who respects the heroine's personal space and feelings, and a host of eccentric characters determined to meddle. You know exactly where the story-line is going but that is part of the joy, seeing what the meandering route will be.

Publication dates to watch out for are:-

A Cornish Seaside Murder by Fiona Leitch will be published on 8th June 2023 in ebook format and on 31st August 2023 in paperback.

The Invisible Women's Club by Helen Paris will be published on 22nd June 2023 in hardback and ebook format.

The Trial by Rob Rinder will be published on 22nd June 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena will be published on 6th July 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format.