Two Kinds Of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh

 

Social media influencer Elly Parker thought things couldn't get any worse when she found her husband and best friend in bed together, then she was arrested for their murder. All her hopes are pinned on Eddie Flynn, but Eddie has problems of his own to deal with.

Social media influencers are now a fact of life, and most don't come across well. Elly Parker is a little different. Yes, she documents every second of her life with James, her husband of six months, but she also tries to use her reach for good by carrying out a random act of kindness each day and encouraging others to do the same. In Two Kinds Of Stranger, author Steve Cavanagh highlights how an act of kindness can backfire with devastating consequences.

The opening of the book gives us a glimpse of Elly's day-to-day life and her bubbly personality as she streams to her millions of followers, unfortunately, she doesn't realise that she's about to live stream finding her husband and friend in bed together. Two weeks later, Elly is trying to rebuild her life and doesn't hesitate to help a stranger on crutches who is struggling with luggage. The encounter results in Elly waking up in the hospital four days later and being accused of the murder of her husband and friend.

Fans of the series will be aware of Eddie Flynn's talent for defending clients who seem to have no hope and the fact that he is willing to skirt around the edges of the legal system to get the right result. We are given a glimpse of this early on in the book. All of Eddie's trademark skills are really put to the test in his defense of Elly. Eddie is supported by his usual team of Kate, Harry, Bloch and Lake. Everyone's expertise is needed as they try to track down the stranger Elly helped.

The story moves at a blistering pace as the narrative jumps between various characters, including Logan, the stranger Elly helped. We learn that Logan is a sociopath who delights in killing people undetected. As Logan's character and actions are revealed, I kept getting a hint of American Psycho's Patrick Bateman.

To make things even more difficult, Christine, Eddie's ex-wife, and her family find themselves in the middle of an inheritance case, which initially puts their lives in danger. Events take a shocking turn, and the two cases end up merging. Eddie is faced with a dilemma; he can't defend both cases and knows he's too close to represent Christine effectively. Eddie has to put his trust in Kate and Harry.

Everyone's experience and abilities are truly put to the test as they seem to be fighting against a ghost. Some of the scenes are adrenaline-fueled, my heart was racing as lives were put in danger. Twist upon twist leads to a thrilling conclusion, and then Steve Cavanagh gives us a deliciously wicked ending.

Two Kinds Of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh will be published on 31st July 2025 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for a review copy.

Author Details

Steve Cavanagh was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and for twenty years he practiced civil rights law. All of his novels have been nominated for major awards and many are international bestsellers. His third novel, The Liar, won the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year 2018. Thirteen won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2019. Fifty-Fifty was a Richard and Judy Book club choice, and was also selected for the BBC Between The Covers book club. Twisted, Fifty-Fifty and The Devil’s Advocate were all Sunday Times Top 10 bestsellers.

A Box Full Of Murders by Janice Hallett

 

Siblings Ava and Luke discover a box marked "Top Secret" hidden in the loft. Inside the box are papers relating to murders that happened forty years ago during a local scout and guide camp. The papers claim that the murderer has never been caught, so Ava and Luke are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.

I'm a huge fan of Janice Hallett, the style of her books really appeals to me, and once you begin one, they are impossible to put down until you are finished. Hearing that the author had written a book for children, I knew I wouldn't rest until I'd read it. For other fans of the author wondering if they should give the book a go, I can heartily recommend it; all the things you expect from Janice Hallett are included. A Box Full Of Murders is aimed at the 8 to 12 age range, but don't let that put you off, there's something for everyone in the book.

The set-up is a little unusual. Ava, 11, and Luke, 10, are siblings who are living apart following their parents' recent separation. To stay in touch, the pair are sending messages back and forth. The discovery of the mysterious box in the loft ignites their interest. Determined to get to the bottom of the unsolved crime, they decide not to share what they've discovered with either parent.

Ava and Luke are very modern children; the vast majority of their interactions revolve around their phones. This is in contrast to the setting for the scout and guide camp which takes place in 1983, when mobile phones didn't exist. The contrast between the two groups of children is quite pronounced. Today's children are holed up in their bedrooms staring at screens and living on takeaway food, whereas those of forty years ago are camping out, climbing trees, wandering unaccompanied and eating whatever food is put in front of them. All of the children have just the right level of precociousness, innocence and lack of filter so that none of them come across as annoying.

As Ava and Luke uncover more and more documents, they delve deeper into the events of the past. It is funny when they have to look up things that are mentioned because they are now obsolete. I really enjoyed this nostalgic element of the story. One constant for both generations is the preservation of nature. Saving natural habitats and endangered species is a common issue today; the novel highlights that it is nothing new.

The exploits of the scouts and guides in 1983 reminded me of a much simpler time, and even reminded me of epic adventure stories such as The Famous Five. Janice Hallett has managed to convey the perfect level of mystery and danger so as not to frighten any children reading the book. The chopping and changing between different forms of media, avoiding chapters completely, means that interest is held, but it is easy to put the book down at any point.

Both sets of children manage to solve the crimes they are involved with, however there are still unanswered questions for Ava and Luke. How did the box end up in their loft? Why is their father denying all knowledge of the box? What is in all the other boxes in the loft? No doubt we'll find out more in the sequel!

Author Details

Janice Hallett is the author of five best-selling novels. Her debut, The Appeal, was awarded the CWA Debut Dagger of 2021 and was a Sunday Times’ Bestseller, Waterstones’ Thriller of the Month and Sunday Times’ Crime Book of the Month. Her second novel The Twyford Code was named Crime & Thriller Book of the Year in the British Book Awards 2023. It was also a Sunday Times’ Bestseller and a Financial Times book of the year. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels was an instant Times and Sunday Times bestseller on its launch in January 2023 and a Richard & Judy Book Club pick.

The Christmas Appeal, a fast, fun and festive novella, was launched in October 2023. It was a Times and Sunday Times bestseller.

Her latest novel The Examiner, was an instant Times and Sunday Times bestseller on its launch and is out now.

Janice is a former magazine editor, award-winning journalist, and government communications writer. As a playwright and screenwriter, she penned the feminist Shakespearean stage comedy NetherBard and co-wrote the feature film Retreat.

A Case Of Mice And Murder by Sally Smith (Audiobook)

 

When the Lord Chief Justice is discovered murdered in the grounds of the Inner Temple, London, eccentric barrister Gabriel Ward is asked to investigate.

A Case Of Mice And Murder by Sally Smith is such an engaging tale, I loved every second of the audiobook. Thanks to the narration of Matthew Lloyd Davies, you are immediately drawn into the exclusive domain of Inner Temple, one of the Inns of Court in central London. The story is set in 1901, and little over a hundred years later it is difficult to believe how much has changed since then.

The story features two threads. Firstly, there is the murder of the Lord Chief Justice, the country's head of judiciary. Not only is the murder shocking, particularly as the grounds of Inner Temple are locked overnight, but the body is also discovered without socks. The idea of what is considered to be scandalous at the turn of the twentieth century is amusing and is a recurrent theme throughout the story. Since the police do not have jurisdiction over the Inner Temple, it is barrister Gabriel Ward who is tasked with investigating the murder. It was fascinating learning about life in the Inner Temple, particularly the peculiarities that set it apart from the rest of London.

The second thread consists of a case that Ward is defending. A publisher found the manuscript for a children's book, which has proved extremely successful. Someone has come forward, claiming to be the author, and is suing the publisher. For me, this thread was the more entertaining of the two storylines. I loved hearing about Millie The Temple Church Mouse, the way in which the story was used as a teaching tool for children and the mystery around the identity of the author.

Gabriel Ward is a fascinating character, one I am sure will be part of a long series of books. Ward is set in his ways and keeps very much to himself, where possible. His life revolves around routines, something that today would immediately be identified as neurodivergent, but in 1901, is considered "odd". Ward's "oddness" means that he's very observant, extremely knowledgeable and doesn't judge other people.

As Ward grapples with both cases, we meet a range of characters, some of whom become immediate suspects in the murder as they are only interested in furthering their own careers. It is the servants that really bring the story to life, the way in which they know everything that is going on and keep things running smoothly. As for the conclusion of the two cases, I didn't have a clue, but thoroughly enjoyed the way in which the storylines were eked out to keep you in suspense. If you enjoy cosy crime, then this audiobook/book is definitely one to check out. I'll certainly be investigating the sequel, A Case Of Life And Limb, very soon.

A Case Of Mice And Murder by Sally Smith is available in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury UK for a review copy.

Author Details

Sally Smith spent all her working life as a barrister and later King's Counsel in the Inner Temple. After writing a biography of the famous Edwardian barrister, Sir Edward Marshall Hall KC, she retired from the bar to write full time. A Case of Mice and Murder, her first novel, was inspired by the historic surroundings of the Inner Temple in which she still lives and works and by the rich history contained in the Inner Temple archives. A Case of Mice and Murder is the first in a series starring the reluctant sleuth Sir Gabriel Ward KC.

Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner

 

Frankie Elkin is trying to track down Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who has recently arrived in America with her husband and young child. The only person who seems concerned about her whereabouts is the friend who is helping the family settle in the area. When CCTV shows Sabera leaving the scene of a brutal murder the pressure is on Frankie to find her before others do.

I've read a lot of Lisa Gardner's books but only discovered the Frankie Elkin series last year when I read the third book in the series, Still See You Everywhere (you can read my review here). Having enjoyed the previous book in the series, but not the coconut crabs that are part of the story, I jumped at the chance to read book 4, Kiss Her Goodbye. Both books can easily be read as standalone stories.

Frankie works on missing person cases, specialising in ones that others aren't interested in or have given up on. She has been persuaded to travel to Tucson, Arizona to help find a recent immigrant from Afghanistan. Sabera Ahmadi never returned from work one day and her friend knows that she wouldn't leave her young daughter behind. Frankie isn't convinced until the police suddenly become interested, believing Sabera is a suspect in a brutal double murder.

From this point on we have an intense story, very much a cat-and-mouse chase as Frankie tries to track down Sabera. Time is of the essence as other parties are also hunting for the missing woman. There is a deepening mystery around why other people are trying to find Sabera, alongside how she is involved in a double murder. Any evidence found simply throws up mixed messages.

There are some very memorable characters who certainly added to my enjoyment of the story. I didn't think it was possible for Lisa Gardner to increase the fear factor after the coconut crabs of the previous book but she certainly tried. If you're snake or lizard phobic you might want to give this book a wide berth (the lizard is really sweet by the end though).

Part of the reason I enjoyed the book so much was because it was also extremely informative. Focusing on Afghan refugees we are offered a stark reminder of the scenes we witnessed on TV when Kabul fell to the Taliban only four years ago. The author weaves some of those images into the storyline and builds upon them by tracing life for those who became refugees. Life in the camps was horrific; hunger, disease, overcrowding and assault were daily occurrences.

Everything builds to a thrilling climax where your heart is in your mouth wondering how Frankie, Sabera and friends can survive. And that ending! The author succeeded in fooling me, I'm sure a lot of readers will be the same.

Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner will be published on 14th August 2025 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Century for a review copy.

Author Details

A self-described research junkie, #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner has parlayed her interest in police procedure, criminal minds and twisted plots into a streak of internationally recognized novels. Her 2010 novel, THE NEIGHBOR, won Best Thriller from the International Thriller Writers. Most recently, she was honored with the Silver Bullet Award for her work with at-risk kids and rescue animals.

Lisa's latest series features Frankie Elkin, an everyday average woman who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge from finding a disappeared Haitian teen in Mattapan (BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED), to a vanished hiker in the wilds of Wyoming (ONE STEP TOO FAR), to a possibly kidnapped younger sister of a serial killer on a remote island in the Pacific (STILL SEE YOU EVERYWHERE) to a missing Afghan refugee in the broiling streets of Tucson (KISS HER GOODBYE).

Her other series include the FBI Profilers, Detective D.D. Warren and PI Tessa Leoni. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, travel the world, and yes, read, read, read!

Slough House by Mick Herron

 

Something strange is happening to the failed spooks of Slough House. Their existence has been wiped from MI5 databases, and they are being followed. Why would anyone want to surveil the MI5 rejects, and are the events linked? 

In Slough House by Mick Herron, book 7 in the Slough House/Slow Horses series, the residents of Slough House are still coming to terms with the events at the end of  Joe Country. The author gives a quick snapshot of each character to show how much the shocking events at the end of the previous book have impacted everyone.

It is the most deluded of the group, Roddy Ho, who notices that they've ceased to exist as far as Regent's Park, MI5 HQ, are concerned. Coinciding with some of them being followed, the slow horses begin to wonder what is happening. Jackson Lamb can always spot when Diana Taverner is meddling, and this time is no different, however things take a drastic turn when two ex-slow horses die unexpectedly, and an old face makes a shocking reappearance.

The book makes for unpleasant reading. We see how politics, lobbyists and the media manipulate what the general public sees and try to influence how we think. The hold that some of the media organisations seem to have over individuals in power is terrifying, particularly when some of the events and characters in the book bear a striking resemblance to real-life events and people. Mick Herron also uses the real events of the Salisbury poisonings as another thread in the story, showing how tit-for-tat retaliations can escalate.

Much of the book focuses on the political machinations of those who really hold the power in the country. This doesn't stop us from witnessing Jackson Lamb at his best, or is it his worst? There are even times when Lamb becomes physical. There are also some action scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat, terrified for the characters involved. And as for the ending - all I wanted to do was move straight to the next book in the series to find out what happens next. 

Author Details

Mick Herron is the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of the Slough House thrillers, which have been published in over twenty-five languages and are the basis of the award-winning TV series Slow Horses, starring Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb. Among his other novels are the Zoë Boehm series, also now adapted for TV starring Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson, and the standalone novels The Secret Hours and Nobody Walks. Mick’s awards include the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and the CWA Gold, Steel and Diamond Daggers. A fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, he was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, and now lives in Oxford.

#BlogTour My Husband's Lies by Maryann Webb

 

Aria can't shake the feeling that her husband, Ethan, is cheating on her. When a friend is murdered during a night out she begins to wonder if it was a case of mistaken identity and if she was the intended target.

I am very pleased to be taking part in the Blog Tour for My Husband's Lies. The novel (previously published as How Well Do You Know Your Husband?) by Maryann Webb is a psychological thriller that really focuses on how a person's doubts and mistrust can completely take over their thought processes, leaving them questioning everything around them, to the extent that paranoia sets in.

Aria and Ethan had a whirlwind romance, resulting in them eloping to get married. A couple of years later cracks in the marriage are beginning to show. Aria originally put this down to the stress of her not being able to get pregnant but Ethan's recent behaviour has sown a seed of doubt in Aria's mind. Frequent business trips and unexpected changes of plan have Aria wondering if her husband is having an affair.

It is during one of these business trips that Aria's friends persuade her to join them on a night out. You immediately see the red flags, Ethan's behaviour has become controlling, dictating who she can see and what she can do. During the evening one of the friends is murdered, a shocking event but not one that initially triggers any suspicion. Later, discussing her fears with her best friend, Aria realises that the friend who was murdered bore a striking resemblance to her. Combining this with her suspicion of her husband's affair and being unable to contact him sends her spiraling out of control.

Understandably, Aria's thoughts and behaviour become extremely erratic. She doesn't know who she can trust, feels her life could be in danger, is convinced someone is watching her and has even been in their apartment, and, worst of all, is being ghosted by the husband she is frantically trying to contact. I did feel that far too much of the narrative focused on Aria overthinking everything but appreciated why someone would react in this way, particularly as the mystery deepened and there were subtle hints of events in Aria's past.

When Aria was finally able to confront Ethan some of the mystery surrounding the strange events was solved. I was shocked and angry at the way in which lies and manipulation had been used against Aria. What I didn't expect was the couple of big twists that the author had saved for the end, leading to a distressing conclusion.

My Husband's Lies by Maryann Webb is available in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to Embla Books and Tracy Fenton (www.compulsivereaders.com) for a review copy.

Author Details

Maryann Webb (M. Q. Webb) writes psychological thrillers and suspense novels, including the Oscar de la Nuit series. Her books have hit the Amazon best seller chart in the US. She studied psychology and business.

My Husband's Lies (previously published as How Well Do You Know Your Husband) is a stand alone psychological thriller, and her third release.

Party Of Liars by Kelsey Cox (Audiobook)

 

During a sixteenth birthday party, a body falls from a balcony. Was it an accident or murder? Or could it have been "The Mother", the legendary ghost who haunts the house?

Author Kelsey Cox has packed a lot into Party Of Liars, from the supernatural element, through revenge, jealousy and desperation to keep secrets hidden. As I listened, I was constantly changing my mind about the direction the story was taking. The story is told from multiple perspectives, and the use of a variety of narrators really helped me to understand clearly whose narrative we were hearing.

The book opens with a sixteenth birthday party for Sophie Matthews. The party is being held at her father Ethan's mansion, a once rundown property that Ethan has completely modernised. Right from the beginning, we know that someone has fallen to their death from an upstairs balcony. The author keeps the reader in suspense throughout as who has fallen isn't revealed until the very end.

Since the setting is a party, there is a wide range of characters. Alongside Ethan and Sophie, there are Ethan's first wife, Kim and his new wife, Dani. Both women are struggling in their own ways. Sophie's best friend Mikayla feels out of place because of the cheerleaders present and daren't tell Sophie she likes her ex-boyfriend, the boy Sophie is desperate to get back together with. There's also the nanny Ethan hired to help Dani, who is struggling with being a new mother, a nanny who acts a little strangely.

There are lots of other guests; friends and colleagues from the well-to-do enclave of Bulverde, Texas. Over the course of the day, we learn that Kim is looked down upon because of her drinking problem and Dani is considered to be struggling with her mental health. As people mingle and the alcohol flows, secrets are uncovered and grievances aired, all leading to the cataclysmic ending. By the conclusion, I'd just about figured out what was happening, but events were still shocking, and even more secrets were then revealed.

Party Of Liars by Kelsey Cox is available in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a review copy.

Author Details

Kelsey Cox received her MFA in fiction from Purdue University and works from home in the Texas Hill Country. You can often find her writing at Mammen Family Public Library, chasing around her two young daughters, or watching British mysteries with her mom and aunts. On nights when bedtime goes as planned, she enjoys curling up on the sofa, glass of wine in hand, and a book with complicated characters and a killer twist in her lap.

Mr Lynch's Holiday by Catherine O'Flynn

 

Dermot Lynch turns up unexpectedly to visit his son, Eamonn, and his partner, Laura, in the Spanish resort of Lomaverde. Upon his arrival, he discovers that things are not as he expected.

A few years ago there seemed to be a spate of books about Brits abandoning the rat race and relocating to France and Spain. In these books, the main characters found that not everything was as easy as they expected but through perseverance and integration with the local community, they were able to solve their problems and find the lifestyle they were seeking. In Mr Lynch's Holiday, my book group read for June, author Catherine O'Flynn has written the antithesis of these stories.

Retired and recently widowed Dermot Lynch makes an unannounced visit to his son in Spain. Eamonn and his partner had decided that relocating to Spain would offer them the work/life balance they truly wanted. They could both work remotely from the newly established resort of Lomaverde. When Dermot arrives he discovers that things aren't as rosy as he had expected. The resort is a half-built ghost town, populated by a few Europeans who had sunk their money into buying property they now couldn't sell. Eamonn is also alone as Laura has walked out and returned to the UK. A despondent Eamonn has buried his head in the sand, refusing to accept what is happening around him.

I found the story quite sad, there is a clear message that the grass isn't always greener. The thought of investing all of your money in a property that becomes virtually worthless is daunting. While the few residents remaining have tried to make the best of the situation you feel that it is a mask to try and cover up how they really feel. Eamonn in particular feels a sense of hopelessness and inertia.

Thankfully, Dermot is of a different generation. He's one of those characters who refuses to be beaten by life's adversities. If Dermot can't solve a problem immediately he'll do research or seek help. He's also willing to get involved and not be judgmental about people.

Over the fortnight of Dermot's visit, we see a father and son who struggled to communicate slowly realise that they are both quite similar and dealing with similar issues, just at different times in their lives. The conclusion was a fitting solution for both father and son.

Author Details

Catherine O’Flynn grew up in a sweet shop. She is a former child-detective who failed to ever solve a crime. Catherine lives in Birmingham with her husband and two daughters. She’s the author of three novels for grown-ups and her adult novel What Was Lost was the winner of the Costa First Novel Award and the Newcomer Award at the Nibbies.

June 2025 Reads

 

Can you believe we're halfway through 2025 already? June started well, I managed to read five books in the first half of the month. The second half didn't fare as well but I was expecting that. I'm marking GCSE exams and the work can be pretty intensive. Now that I've marked my allocation I'm hoping to get back to doing what I love - reading.

First book of the month was The Protest from Rob Rinder, the third book in the Adam Green series. This time Adam is helping to defend a young woman who was carrying out a stunt as part of an anti-war protest. Unfortunately, the stunt resulted in a famous artist dying. I’ve loved watching the characters developing over this series of books.

Female serial killers are a popular sub-genre at the moment. I assumed The Six Murders Of Daphne St Clair by MacKenzie Common would be in the same vein, filled with dark humour. Instead, it’s more of a mystery; why would a ninety-year-old who has gotten away with murder for seventy years suddenly confess? We learn about Daphne’s reasons, from abuse through to the desire for wealth, through a podcast.

Georgina Moore’s debut novel gained lots of praise so I jumped at the chance to read her second novel, River Of Stars. A dual time frame story featuring Jo and her grandmother, Mary, set on an island in the Thames. I was engrossed by Mary’s story as a wild child of the sixties but couldn’t warm to Jo. The setting, based on real-life Eel Pie Island, was fascinating.

TV presenter Steph McGovern has certainly written about what she knows in the thriller Deadline. During a live TV interview at a top-secret location, presenter Rose Steedman’s feed is hijacked. The voice in her ear informs her they have kidnapped her wife and son and if she wants to see them again she must do exactly as she’s told.

When Ethan’s business trips become more frequent and last longer, his wife Aria begins to wonder if he’s having an affair. Maryann Webb delves into the suspicions and paranoia that develop in a rocky marriage in My Husband’s Lies. Aria’s uncertainty isn’t helped when she thinks she’s being followed and then a close friend is murdered.

Kiss Her Goodbye is the fourth book in the Frankie Elkin series from Lisa Gardner. Frankie is a wanderer who takes on difficult missing-person cases. This case involves a recent asylum seeker from Afghanistan. A friend is convinced there must be foul play involved as the young woman wouldn’t abandon her child. Frankie is helped along the way by some memorable characters in this informative and exciting thriller.

My book group read for the month was Mr Lynch’s Holiday by Catherine O’Flynn. A few years ago there were lots of novels about Brits relocating to Europe and discovering themselves, this book is the antithesis of that. Elderly Dermot Lynch suddenly decides to visit his son Eamonn in Spain. When he arrives he discovers that the idyllic life Eamonn had hoped for has become a nightmare.

The only audiobook this month was the wonderful The Light A Candle Society by Ruth Hogan. Witnessing a funeral without mourners, George McGlory learns about public health funerals. These are ones organised by local councils when the deceased has no known relatives or friends. Saddened by this, George is determined to try and attend any in the future. As word spreads friends and colleagues do their bit to help. Despite the sombre theme, the author avoids despondency by giving us brief glimpses of the deceased when their lives were filled with happiness.

Publication dates to watch for are:-

River Of Stars by Georgina Moore will be published on 3/7/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Deadline by Steph McGovern will be published on 3/7/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner will be published on 14/8/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.