Leonard And Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession (Audiobook)

 

Leonard and Hungry Paul are two young men, friends, who don't quite fit in with society's norms. They are happy with the life they lead and the support they have from family.

Leonard And Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession is one of those engaging, gentle stories that envelop you like a warm hug. You can't help but be drawn in by the charm of the characters and the all-pervading sense of "niceness". 

Both Leonard and Hungry Paul have always lived at home. Leonard was brought up by his mother and is now coming to terms with her recent death. He's a quiet and unassuming young man, content with his life, never wanting to be the centre of attention. Hungry Paul, Leonard's best friend, is "different" and his parents have always been protective of him. He's one of those people who is a little naive, open and trusting of others.

A chance encounter at work opens Leonard's eyes to the possibility of romance, although being new to dating he does discover there are some pitfalls. He also takes a look at his career options, realising that he is more than capable of writing a book himself, rather than just doing all the research and ghostwriting for someone else.

With Hungry Paul it's entering a competition that opens doors. Hungry Paul is more than happy with the status quo, it's the rest of his family that wants things to change, particularly his sister, Grace. Grace is worried that Hungry Paul is becoming a burden upon their aging parents and worries about how he will cope when they are no longer around. 

The audiobook is narrated by John Hopkins, whose tone, pace and pitch are perfect. He is able to narrate each separate character so you know exactly who is speaking without resorting to silly voices. The narration matches the story line to perfection, I could have listened all day.

This isn't a story of cataclysmic change, it's about the ordinariness of life. However, there's nothing wrong with being ordinary if you focus on what you are good at and treat everyone with kindness.

The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman

 

When a friend is murdered The Thursday Murder Club looks into connections with the local heroin trade. Knowing their friend well, they are convinced he wouldn't be involved in the distribution of drugs, so there must be more to the case.

The Last Devil To Die is the fourth outing of The Thursday Murder Club from Richard Osman and by now we know the characters so well. Each one displays the characteristics that we've grown to love, but this time around a couple of them step out of their comfort zone. I'm not claiming this as "a refreshing change" as the characters were perfect as they were, the change is driven by the story and is a reflection of what happens in life.

Events take place just after Christmas. I love the fact that thanks to a bit of IT the residents of Coopers Chase celebrated New Year three hours early so they didn't have to stay up late, I think I might take this idea on board myself. When they learn that their friend, and local antique dealer, Kuldesh Sharma has been murdered because of involvement with a heroin deal they are shocked. Everyone is adamant that Kuldesh would not get involved with the drug trade. They are also sure that if Kuldesh's shop was being used as a place for a consignment of drugs to be dropped off and collected he would simply do as asked and not cause any fuss. The fact that Kuldesh was murdered on a quiet country lane and the drugs have disappeared convinces the four pensioners that there is far more to the case than the police can see.

Involvement in the local drug trade brings a host of new characters, all of whom are caricatures of what we would expect those who run drug rings to be. As the drug lords hunt for the missing consignment of heroin, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are trying to uncover why Kuldesh would act out of character. At times these new characters give our gang of four a run for their money, seeming to be one step ahead of them at times. I chuckled at the way the drug dealers described the gang of four, "a dodgy cockney, a coke dealer, some old bird with a shooter, and ..... Joyce". 

The local police, Chris and Donna, have their noses put out of joint when the NCA moves in to take over the case. The friction between Chris, Donna and the new head of the case offers humor as petty office politics are used to best each other. Fans of the series will know that being told they are off the case will make no difference to Chris and Donna as they do what Elizabeth tells them.

There is another crime, one on a smaller scale, that the group gets involved in. One of the new residents of Coopers Chase is the target of an online romance scam but refuses to believe it's a scam. Ron and Ibrahim, aided by another new resident, Computer Bob, delve into the case.

It's the non-crime aspect of the story that really elevates the book and causes some people to take on different roles. No-nonsense Elizabeth is struggling as her husband, Stephen, has fewer and fewer lucid moments because of dementia. Elizabeth is finally coming to terms with the fact that she can no longer look after her husband at home. The fleeting moments when Stephen is aware of everything are heartbreaking as he knows exactly what is happening to him and the burden he is becoming. The choices made make this a very philosophical read and will tug at the heartstrings.

With Elizabeth taking a back seat in the case it is Joyce who steps up. Joyce is still as ditzy as ever but when needed takes on the commanding role we normally see from Elizabeth. It is the changes in both Elizabeth and Joyce that I felt are a reflection on what we see in life; as one person retreats, another rises to the occasion. 

As everything comes together at the end, we discover that there was far more at stake than the initial shipment of drugs and that members of The Thursday Murder Club were right in their knowledge of Kuldesh's character. This is a fitting fourth installment in the series, but this time around the poignant story feels very personal.

 

The First 48 Hours by Simon Kernick

 

The Vanishers are a skilled team of kidnappers. After they abduct their victim they demand a ransom, stressing that the abductee will be returned unharmed as long as the family does not contact the police. To date, they've kept their word. When Henry Day is kidnapped his parents turn to the police, breaking the rules set by the kidnappers.

I vividly remember reading my first Simon Kernick book. Back in 2007 Relentless was picked as one of the Richard & Judy summer reads and I couldn't put it down, I loved the action-packed story that never let up for a second. This set me off reading anything else the author published. It's only as I turned to  The First 48 Hours that it struck me that it's been a while since I've actually read anything by Simon Kernick, simply because there are so many other books out there.

While this is more of a police procedural than anything else, we learn very early on that it's a little different. The Vanishers pick their targets carefully, demand payment by Bitcoin and release their victim unharmed. It has been impossible to identify the criminals as they've left no clues. The reason they've been so successful is that the person organising everything is police officer Keith "Fish" Fisher. Not only is he a police officer, he's actually the head of the NCA Anti-kidnap team. 

The fact that the person masterminding the kidnappings is also trying to find the kidnappers means that Fish is aware that the family of the latest victim has contacted the police. This contact results in devastating consequences. Both the police and the public are made clearly aware that the kidnappers will follow through with their threats.

The book then moves to a completely different character, Becca Barraclough, a successful defense barrister who believes that everyone deserves the best defense possible, no matter what they've been accused of. It's her job to try and plant reasonable doubt in the jury's mind. You immediately wonder how Becca's storyline is connected to the Vanishers, and then her daughter is kidnapped. This time around it isn't money that the kidnappers demand.

There are very few redeeming qualities among the array of characters that feature in the story. Many of the characters come across as caricatures of criminals, their driving force is self-preservation and they are more than willing to double-cross each other if that means they'll escape. 

Despite the short time frame of the storyline, I felt that the pacing was erratic. It was only towards the end that I felt it picked up and there was an element of danger. Thankfully, the conclusion was very satisfying.

The First 48 Hours by Simon Kernick will be published on 9th November 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for a review copy.

The Fake Wife by Sharon Bolton

Olive Anderson, wife of an MP, is dining alone at a hotel when a mysterious stranger begins to flirt with her. Unable to resist the stranger's charm they return to Olive's room from where Olive is abducted. Michael Anderson, Olive's husband, becomes worried when he can't contact his wife and approaches the local police to help track down her movements, all the while trying to keep the situation out of the glare of the media.

When I started reading The Fake Wife by Sharon Bolton I really wasn't sure about the book. The first few pages seemed a little strange, the situation almost surreal. However, I'm not the type of person to give up on a book after just a few pages so decided to give The Fake Wife a little longer to embed itself. Alongside this, I've read and loved all the previous books by the author so why should this one be any different. I'm so glad I did persevere, I was gripped by about a third of the way through.

As the book opens we have two alternating stories. Olive Anderson is staying in a hotel alone. She's initially put out by the stranger who sits at her table but ends up flirting, leading to a night of passion. It then turns out that the stranger had planned the whole thing so as to be able to kidnap Olive. Leaving the hotel they end up driving through a snowstorm and crashing. With the car upturned in the middle of nowhere, the abductor dead and the storm raging, it is a race against time for Olive to free herself before she catches hypothermia.

Alongside this, we also meet PC Garry Mizon, a traffic officer from a long line of police officers. Unfortunately, Garry isn't as successful in his chosen career as his ancestors and tonight is no different. Garry makes a disastrous error of judgment during a raid, resulting in him being sent back to the station. This means Garry is the only officer available to drive DS Lexy Thomas, newly arrived at Cleveland Police, to meet with Michael Anderson when he reports his wife missing.

I loved the interactions between Garry and Lexy. Garry is a true gentleman, old beyond his years and a fish out of water as far as the police force is concerned. Being new to the area Lexy hasn't heard any of the stories about some of Garry's disasters so is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. She also finds his local knowledge invaluable and many of his hunches pay off.

While Garry and Lexy try to track down Olive, not knowing if she's left the hotel of her own free will or been abducted, the story switches back to Olive. You have a real sense of the panic she is going through, knowing that unless she is able to free herself she will die. You also begin to wonder if there are links between the abduction and the police raid at the start of the book. Olive's husband has always been vocal about the prosecution of organised crime.

As the two threads become entwined we slowly learn about the death of Michael Anderson's first wife and it becomes clear that neither Michael, nor Olive, have been entirely truthful. The story becomes like an onion as layer upon layer is peeled back, revealing shocking events and the whole reason behind Olive's abduction.

One of the reasons I loved the book was the setting. It was great to read a story where the places it takes place are familiar. My hometown plays a central part in the story and I found myself smiling along as I read.

I am so glad I stuck with this book. As the conclusion rapidly approaches all of the plot lines come together and you can feel yourself cheering some of the characters on. You are also holding your breath, hoping against hope that the outcome for one or two of the characters will be favourable.

The Fake Wife by Sharon Bolton will be published on 9th November 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for a review copy.

 

Silent Waters by L. V. Matthews (Audiobook)

 

Police diver Jen Harper is struggling with her latest job. A woman, Claudia Franklin, has gone missing. Jen should really inform her boss that she knew Claudia years ago, however, there are lots of secrets involved in her difficult relationship with Claudia. More importantly, Jen has started sleepwalking again and the night Claudia disappeared she woke in the river she's now being asked to search.

Silent Waters by L. V. Matthews is one of those thrillers where there are so many secrets you really have to keep your wits about you to stay on top of the story. Just when you think you've figured out what has happened, another twist turns up.

As a teenager, Jen Harper was an aspiring diver with ambitions to perform at the Olympics. Claudia Franklin was her friend and rival. Jen's Olympic dreams never came to fruition and she went on to join the police force, Claudia, however, was successful. 

While Jen made her way in the police and became a single Mum, Claudia married their diving coach and moved abroad. It is years later when the lives of the two women become tangled again.

The first secret to be revealed, one which has an impact on all the relationships in the story, is the identity of the father of Sam, Jen's son. It is hardly surprising when it is revealed that Claudia's husband, the dive coach, is the mystery man. This is a secret that Jen has protected for seven years. Another secret, one which is hinted at now and again but not revealed until late in the story involves the two women as teenagers and Jen's brother, Bill. Something devastating happened one summer and the trio agreed never to reveal it, promising to protect each other.

Now that Claudia is missing, presumed dead, you have to wonder if it is to protect this secret, or has Claudia discovered the identity of Sam's father; or is it something completely different? There are lots of secrets coming home to roost in this gripping thriller.

The Short Straw by Holly Seddon

 

During a storm, sisters Nina, Lizzie and Aisa run out of petrol close to the tiny village where they spent their early childhood. They decide to take shelter in the abandoned Moirthwaite Manor, a place that holds mixed emotions for the women. As they struggle to find help strange things begin to happen in the old house.

The Short Straw by Holly Seddon has got to be one of the creepiest books I've read in a long time, to the point where I really didn't want to read on late at night. The author signals early on that the story will have an ominous tone; the dead of night, a storm, an abandoned manor house miles from anywhere; many of the elements needed to give a sense of menace.

The sisters are well-fleshed out. The eldest is Nina, she's the responsible one, the one who looks after everyone else, the one who makes the decisions. Middle sister Lizzie doesn't like to assert herself, she worries a lot and is more than happy to let others make decisions for her. The youngest sister, Aisa, is a rebel, she knows no fear and refuses to put down roots. Unfortunately, the relationship between the sisters is strained. They have little contact with each other so have no idea of the different pressures and decisions each is facing in life.

Alongside the story of the sisters sheltering from the storm is the story of their mother who worked as a maid and then housekeeper at Moirthwaite Manor when it was occupied. It is this storyline that gives you possible clues to the strange things that are now happening in the abandoned house. The drip feeding of elements of the past, together with current events make for perfect pacing, slowly teasing out the eerie and menacing threat. As I read I desperately wanted to know more but the coward in me was apprehensive about turning the page. If you like your thrillers with a side order of fear then this is the book for you. 

The Short Straw by Holly Seddon will be published on 14th September 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for a review copy.

The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard (Audiobook)

 

Twenty years ago The Nothing Man murdered Eve Black's family. By writing a book about the killer she hopes to flush him out.

Catherine Ryan Howard has written some of the twistiest thrillers I've read and The Nothing Man is no different. The story is a book within a book and this works exceptionally well as an audiobook. Having two narrators also means it is easy to distinguish between the two protagonists.

At the age of twelve, Eve Black's father, mother and sister were murdered by a serial killer that was terrorising Ireland. It was only by a twist of fate that Eve survived. The Nothing Man was meticulous in his planning, leaving no forensic evidence. Eve decides to write her book in the hope that she can uncover new evidence about the identity of The Nothing Man.

When supermarket security guard Jim Doyle, a retired police officer, discovers the newly published book he becomes obsessed with it since he is The Nothing Man. The more Jim reads, the more frustrated he becomes, eventually deciding that he needs to kill Eve before she uncovers the truth.

Alana Kerr Collins does a fantastic job narrating Eve's sections of the book. The narration is done with a calm and even tone, there's no hysteria or drama. These sections cover the background of The Nothing Man's killing spree, showing how he escalated. The descriptions aren't particularly graphic but do have a shocking effect. The episode where Eve's family is murdered is exceptionally chilling. We also find out about the research carried out, including people connected to the other attacks by The Nothing Man and possible witnesses.

Jim Doyle is narrated by John Keating. Keating does an amazing job voicing the character. We learn early on how controlling and manipulative Jim is, he clearly has no empathy for anyone but has high self-esteem. The more of the book he reads, the more frustrated he becomes and we can sense him slowly unraveling.

By the conclusion Eve has taunted Jim enough to act and there are a few extremely tense moments leading up to the final face-off. The "postscript" in the updated version of Eve's book at the end also sheds new light on some of the events that have happened. 

I've no idea how well The Nothing Man works as a novel but it is an excellent audiobook which will keep you gripped throughout.

Murder In The Family by Cara Hunter

 

Director Guy Howard is given the opportunity to produce a true crime documentary looking at the unsolved murder of his stepfather twenty years previously. By bringing a group of specialists together he hopes that a fresh look at the case will uncover new information and possibly identify the killer.

Having seen a lot of buzz on Twitter around  Murder In The Family by Cara Hunter I decided to see for myself. I love this style of storytelling, using a variety of mixed media to describe events. A mixture of transcripts, text messages, images, message boards, emails and voice messages grab your attention and move the story on rapidly.

I tend not to watch the type of true crime documentary that is described in this book, however, I understand that many of them are simply a rehash of the case, with little or no new evidence to impart. This is why the premise of the documentary featured in the book works so well; bring in a group of new specialists to re-examine everything to see if they can shed any new light on the murder. Alongside this is the fact that forensics have moved on considerably in twenty years.

From the very beginning, it's obvious that some of the group are hiding secrets. The way in which the author reveals the secrets adds to the shock factor, just as if you were watching the documentary series and each episode ends on a cliffhanger. This technique, combined with the actual murder itself keeps the reader gripped.

The sameness of many true crime series is covered, pointing out that viewers don't just want a repeat of the known facts, they want new revelations and answers. However, presenting the case this time around  as a "reality TV" style program opens up ethical issues. In reality TV programs we've become aware of the way in which the production is edited to manipulate the viewers or get across a particular storyline. This time around the production crew is manipulating the investigative team to get specific reactions or send them down a particular path of investigation. There is also the issue of when the TV audience stops being viewers and becomes voyeurs.

I had an idea of who was responsible for the murder early on. Thanks to the many red herrings and twists in the tale I doubted myself frequently. I had enough doubt to make the final reveal a satisfying conclusion.

The Stranger You Know by Jane Casey

 

When a third woman is murdered, police link the murders because of the way the killer mutilates and displays the bodies. Maeve Kerrigan is part of the task force investigating and is given strict instructions not to pass any details on to her partner, Josh Derwent, because the crimes bear striking similarities to a murder in Josh's past.

The Stranger You Know by Jane Casey is the fourth book in the Maeve Kerrigan series, a series which just keeps getting better and better. Right from the start we see the usual interactions between DC Kerrigan and her partner, DI Derwent. If I'm honest, Derwent actually seems even more obnoxious than usual. He certainly knows how to push Kerrigan's buttons and delights in doing so throughout the book.

Kerrigan is still trying to establish herself within the team. As a lowly DC, she is regularly undermined, however, her instincts often lead to breakthroughs in the case, the problem being that she sometimes has to ignore instructions in order to follow her hunches.

The way in which the serial killer is killing and displaying the bodies is quite gruesome, but what makes the story more terrifying is the way in which the women are targeted. It is chilling to learn how easy it is to identify people, their habits, details, etc via social media. We also see how trusting we are, believing what people in authority tell us. As I was reading I couldn't help but think about real-life events in recent years and be shocked when I realised that Jane Casey wrote this book over ten years ago.

Much of the story-line revolves around an incident in Josh's past. It was great to learn more about Josh in his late teens and how events in the past molded him into the person he is today. There is also an incident that shows clearly how seriously Derwent takes his job when he puts his own life at risk.

Maeve is conflicted throughout. She knows she needs to do her job and follow the instructions of her superiors. However, she's also convinced Derwent would not be capable of the crimes he's a possible suspect for. It's not a question of loyalty, it's down to how well she knows her partner.

Diligent investigation finally allows Kerrigan to narrow down the field of suspects as past and present events eventually merge. There's a heart-stopping moment as Kerrigan pursues the killer, thankfully she's uninjured, setting me up for book five in the series.

August 2023 Reads

 

August was a month of thrillers where my reading was concerned. I did manage a couple of audiobooks outside of this genre to give me a little bit of a break though. If you use Twitter you’ll see that quite a few of the books I read in August have been featured quite regularly, I was really pleased to be fortunate enough to get review copies.

First book of the month was intriguing. In Trust In Me by Luca Veste we meet Sara Edwards, a therapist whose happy family life is threatened when a new patient recounts a murder she’s hidden, the details fit exactly with an incident Sarah was involved in eighteen years before in another country. Desperation sinks in as Sara tries to track down the young woman while trying to keep her family safe.

Next up was the cozy crime Mrs Sidhu’s Dead And Scone by Suk Pannu. Mrs Sidhu is a caterer who manages to worm her way into police investigations. This time around it starts with a murder at an exclusive wellness retreat. As Mrs Sidhu, ably assisted by the police, investigates it turns out that there are links to a cult that existed in the village years before. It was assumed the cult no longer existed as the leader died in South America, however, it appears to have risen from the ashes. Mrs Sidhu is one of those characters who refuses to take no for an answer, speaks her mind and manages to get people to do her bidding.

Anna O by Matthew Blake is all over Twitter so I was really keen to read this tale of a young woman who commits murder while sleepwalking. It has been impossible to convict her of the murder as she has been unconscious for the four years since the murder. This is one of those stories where you make assumptions about what’s happened but never with any certainty. Lots of twists keep you guessing and hooked right up to the end.

The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett sees a return to the amateur dramatics group, The Fairway Players. Misunderstandings, misdirection and a lot of undermining had me chuckling from beginning to end. The Christmas panto, and the events leading up to it, are farcical. You’ll be gasping with shock at the ludicrous ways in which some of the events are handled.

Author Gillian McAllister puts a novel spin on a missing person story in Just Another Missing Person. Just how does a young woman disappear into thin air? One moment Olivia Johnson is seen entering an alley and then nothing. She doesn’t walk back out, the alley is a dead-end and has no doors or windows. DCI Julia Day is determined to find out what happened, desperate to give the family closure. Julia is a mother and knows the lengths that parents will go to in order to protect their children.

When a celebrity chef is murdered at an exclusive cookery school in Belgravia suspicion falls on his friend and replacement in Knife Skills For Beginners by Orlando Murrin. Keen to prove his innocence, Paul Delamare has to uncover the secrets each student is obviously hiding, as well as dealing with his own stalker, in this cosy crime mystery.

I loved The List Of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey. Don’t let the title and cover make you think this is a cosy mystery, it’s anything but. Set in a Yorkshire town at a time when the whole country was terrorised by the thought of the Yorkshire Ripper, two friends decide to try and uncover the identity of the man responsible. Their innocence leads them into some dangerous situations but also brings together some of the isolated members of their community.

Day One by Abigail Dean is harrowing. The story of the aftermath of a school shooting and the effects on a small community that is harassed by conspiracy theorists. This is very emotive, your heart goes out to the families impacted by the tragedy. Over an eight-year span, we discover that local girl and small-town hero Marty hasn’t been entirely truthful about what she did on the day of the shooting.

It was great to be able to read another book in the Callanach & Turner series by Helen Fields. This time around a religious zealot is targeting young women with questionable pasts in Perfect Silence. I always find religious overtones add a seriously creepy element to thrillers and this is no different. Being book four in the series we really see the way in which the relationship between the main characters is developing as well as some shocking office politics.

The Four by Ellie Keel is another book that is all over Twitter, so I was keen to get my hands on a copy. This is a dark and disturbing story about older teens at an exclusive boarding school. Tragic events and a host of secrets put loyalties to the test. (Note, I haven’t posted my full review for this yet).

First audiobook of the month was Us Three from Ruth Jones. An uplifting, and at times bittersweet, story of the friendship between three women. We see how the friendship grows, and is sometimes strained, from the age of five. We experience all the major life events and you are reaching for a tissue on more than one occasion.

Fans of the Jonathan Creek TV series will enjoy the baffling locked-room murders in Three Card Murder by  J. L. Blackhurst. A policewoman and her con artist half-sister have to work together to solve three murders before someone makes public a crime they carried out fifteen years ago. The ingenious crimes will have you scratching your head trying to figure out how the murders were carried out.

Another audiobook chosen as an antidote to all the thrillers I’ve been reading was Dear Mrs Bird by AJ Pearce. Set in London during WWII we follow Emmy Lake who dreams of being a war correspondent and accidentally ends up as a junior to an agony aunt, Mrs Bird, on a woman’s magazine. Mrs Bird refuses to deal with any letters about relationships, so Emmy secretly begins answering them. The tone and narration are perfect for the era.

Publication dates to watch out for are:-

Trust In Me by Luca Veste will be published on 14/9/23 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Mrs Sidhu’s Dead And Scone by Suk Pannu will be published on 12/10/23 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett will be published on 26/10/23 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Anna O by Matthew Blake will be published on 1/2/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Knife Skills For Beginners by Orlando Murrin will be published on 1/2/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The List Of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey will be published on 15/2/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Day One by Abigail Dean will be published on 28/3/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Four by Ellie Keel will be published on 11/4/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.