I have read and loved a lot of books by David Jackson so I was really keen to read his new one no Secrets. This was pretty different to his other bookI have read and loved a lot of books by David Jackson so I was really keen to read his new one no Secrets. This was pretty different to his other books, in that it was more of a character driven story than a dark and messed up crime story. Don’t get me wrong, there is still that element there, but this had a more in depth look at our main character Izzy.
Izzy was an interesting character. She has the ability to know when someone is lying and is empathetic. She can read people like a book, and she works in a bookstore
Merged review:
I have read and loved a lot of books by David Jackson so I was really keen to read his new one no Secrets. This was pretty different to his other books, in that it was more of a character driven story than a dark and messed up crime story. Don’t get me wrong, there is still that element there, but this had a more in depth look at our main character Izzy.
Izzy was an interesting character. She has the ability to know when someone is lying and is empathetic. She can read people like a book, and she works in a bookstore...more
Everyone's favourite accidental hitwoman is back and don't we love it! This book is everywhere, and with good reason - it is fabulous! I fell in love Everyone's favourite accidental hitwoman is back and don't we love it! This book is everywhere, and with good reason - it is fabulous! I fell in love with Finlay and her partner in crime, her babysitter/assistant, Vero, in book one and have be impatiently awaiting the follow up. Finlay Donovan certainly has knocked 'em dead once again and I can't recommend this series more.
Finlay certainly knows how to find trouble doesn't she? She is once again trying to write her next book, with her agent and editor breathing down her neck. Luckily for her, somebody is trying to kill her ex-husband Steven, which has given her a starting point for a story. It is also keeping her busy, trying to find out who wants to kill him, besides herself. Turns out that there is quite the list. All this whilst trying to be a mum, work out what secrets Vero is keeping from her and work out if she wants a relationship with the young hot law student or the hot cop - yep they are both back again too.
Of course, nothing ever goes smoothly for this duo and hilarity ensues. It is fun and wild and very addictive. You have to jump on the Finlay train - it is a bumpy but funny ride.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. Released in Australia February 8th, it is a must read.
Merged review:
Everyone's favourite accidental hitwoman is back and don't we love it! This book is everywhere, and with good reason - it is fabulous! I fell in love with Finlay and her partner in crime, her babysitter/assistant, Vero, in book one and have be impatiently awaiting the follow up. Finlay Donovan certainly has knocked 'em dead once again and I can't recommend this series more.
Finlay certainly knows how to find trouble doesn't she? She is once again trying to write her next book, with her agent and editor breathing down her neck. Luckily for her, somebody is trying to kill her ex-husband Steven, which has given her a starting point for a story. It is also keeping her busy, trying to find out who wants to kill him, besides herself. Turns out that there is quite the list. All this whilst trying to be a mum, work out what secrets Vero is keeping from her and work out if she wants a relationship with the young hot law student or the hot cop - yep they are both back again too.
Of course, nothing ever goes smoothly for this duo and hilarity ensues. It is fun and wild and very addictive. You have to jump on the Finlay train - it is a bumpy but funny ride.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. Released in Australia February 8th, it is a must read....more
You all know that I love a good police procedural. When I read the synopsis for In The Blink of An Eye I was certainly intrigued. And my goodness, didYou all know that I love a good police procedural. When I read the synopsis for In The Blink of An Eye I was certainly intrigued. And my goodness, did I love this book! This is a debut novel from Jo Callaghan, but it read like she had been writing these books for years. It was clever, unique and funny. There was a cast of characters that totally worked together, and I really really really hope that this will be the first in a series with a Kat and Lock ...more
How on earth do I review this book without spoilers? You just need to read this book� go in as blind as possible. If you have read The Kind ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How on earth do I review this book without spoilers? You just need to read this book� go in as blind as possible. If you have read The Kind Worth Killing (and seriously, who hasn’t, you will have some idea what to expect.
There was much excitement as well as fear when picking this book up. The Kind Worth Killing is one of my all time favourite books, and one that I am forever recommending and gifting to people. It is amazing. We have some characters returning from the first book, firstly, Harry Kimball. After what happened in the first book, he is a now working as a private eye. And then we have Lily� how could anybody forget Lily.
All I am going to say is enjoy. There are plenty of twists and games happening throughout, and who do you trust? Who do you believe? Read it and find out, you will not be sorry.
Publishes here in Australia on February 28th. A massive thank you to the team at Allen and Unwin for for a very early Christmas present with this ARC. Another must read for 2023....more
John Marrs brain never ceases to amaze me. How he comes up with some of these futuristic storylines over and over again is just crazy. And the scary tJohn Marrs brain never ceases to amaze me. How he comes up with some of these futuristic storylines over and over again is just crazy. And the scary thing is that, it always feels like it could happen in the not so distant future. Always entertaining and surprising, The Marriage Act is another winner for me.
Set in the same worlds as The One and The Passengers, The Marriage Act looks into a world where the government controls marriages.. those that sign up for a smart marriage are rewarded with tax breaks, better housing and schools. It also comes with a range of monitoring devices that pick up any issues with your health and relationships. And once you are in, you cannot get out. We follow multiple characters, from both sides of the argument and see how their choices control their lives.
For a long book, it certainly flew by for me. I loved all the different storylines, and how each character dealt with this new world. Not sure I would want this level of monitoring in my life. There are some characters that you will love to hate and those you will want to buck the system.
Thanks to Macmillan for another fantastic read from a go to author for me....more
Another twisty, hard to put down read from Anna-Lou Weatherly. I have read all the books in this series and have loved them all. Now while this is bilAnother twisty, hard to put down read from Anna-Lou Weatherly. I have read all the books in this series and have loved them all. Now while this is billed as a series, all of them can easily be read as stand alone books. The recurring character of the detective is the thing that links them.
This time he is hunting down the killer of a beautiful, 22 year old Instagram model/influencer who has been found in a river. Everybody loved Angel, so why would anyone kill her. And what does this have to do with Maggie and Len, who are at the same time, celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary? Well you will have o read it to find out.
We hear the story from both Dan and Maggie, and get an understanding of what the police are looking at and what Maggie is thinking . There are, as always, plenty of secrets, lies and assumptions and it all leads to the thrilling ending.
Thanks again to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy to read. The Lie in Our Marriage is published January 18th....more
Oh Bob Mortimer, you funny, funny man! This book made me laugh out loud so much. I am a big fan of this silly man. His appearances on Would I Lie to YOh Bob Mortimer, you funny, funny man! This book made me laugh out loud so much. I am a big fan of this silly man. His appearances on Would I Lie to You often making me cry in laughter. He is so funny, no matter what he turns his hand to. If you like British humor, you have to read this book. I was thrilled when I received an early copy from Simon and Schuster Australia in the mail. My husband grabbed it and started to read it straight away.
The Satsuma Complex is the story of Gary. He is a 30 something legal assistant. His best friend is his elderly neighbour, and he likes to talk to squirrels in the park. One night he agrees to meet a work colleague, Brendan, in the local pub for a drink. Shortly after they meet up, Brendan has to leave after a work call. Gary stays in the pub and gets talking to a girl who is sitting there reading a book called The Satsuma Complex. They get on really well, but she leaves without saying goodbye and he hasn't even got her name. So, she becomes Satsuma. The next day, he learns that Brandon has gone missing, and he tries to track Satsuma down to see if she saw or heard anything.
There is something for everyone here - missing people, murder, a love story and so many funny lines and plot twists. I highly recommend grabbing this book on January 4th and having a good laugh to start the new year. And check out Bob Mortimer on Would I Lie to You - you can thank me later....more
I have always enjoyed Claire Allan’s crime thrillers so I was excited to get an advanced copy of In The Dark. As always, I powered through it in a dayI have always enjoyed Claire Allan’s crime thrillers so I was excited to get an advanced copy of In The Dark. As always, I powered through it in a day, each chapter leaving me needing more. The main characters were not particularly likeable, Nora was a mess as you would expect her to be. The ending was a bit over the top for me but Instill really enjoyed the story.
Nora Logue is infamous. 7 years ago, her daughter Daisy disappeared whilst playing in the woods. Nora has no memory of what happened. She is now remarried and has a son, Luca. But she never stops thinking about or looking for Daisy. So when she is approached by Izzy, a journalist who is filming a true crime documentary on her case, she sees it as a chance to find more information and hopefully what really happened. But it leads her down a dark and dangerous path, putting herself and her family in danger. So what happened to Daisy and is she still alive?
Thai’s was an addictive page turner that will keep you guessing. Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy to read. Published on January 19th...more
It was an early Christmas present when I heard that there was a new Amy Winters book coming, and I was so excited to receive an early copy from the loIt was an early Christmas present when I heard that there was a new Amy Winters book coming, and I was so excited to receive an early copy from the lovely Caroline Mitchell herself. I have been reading her books for a long time now and they just keep getting better. Di Amy Winters is one of the most interesting police series I have read, with her being the biological daughter for serial killers. And she was the one who called the police on them! Tell me that doesn't make you want to read this series!
In Cold Blood is the 5th book, and Amy has a really rough deal this time. She is 5 months pregnant, and only her partner knows. She is still suffering with morning sickness and working on finding a couple who kidnap and toy with their victims before they dispose of them. And now Amy is the latest victim. Her team will do anything to get her back alive and stop these sadistic killers. Even contacting Amy's mother, who is the worst of them all.
An absolute page turner that I would have read in one sitting had real life not gotten in the way. You have to pick up this series and read them all. They are all on Kindle Unlimited so what are you waiting for. Thank you, Caroline Mitchell, for sending me this copy to read....more
Talk about a suspenseful thriller! AJ Campbell had me hooked right for the start with this page turner. I love it when I cannot see how a story will eTalk about a suspenseful thriller! AJ Campbell had me hooked right for the start with this page turner. I love it when I cannot see how a story will end, and throw in many a curveball and you have got me good. If you haven’t read this author before and you love face paced reads, get onto AJ Campbell books.
When Steph is asked by her boss to travel from the UK and work in the firms New York Office for a few months, Steph is hesitant. Her daughter is about to turn 18 and is waiting on her exam results. She wants to be there for her. But her daughter Ellie gets in the plane to NY with her mother for a trip of a lifetime. Mother and daughter both meet nice men and things are going well for a while…and then it all falls apart. Not going to tell you how but it does in a big way. They are both in danger and don’t know who to trust.
You just have to read it to find out. I could not read it fast enough, not knowing what was going to happen next. A fantastic read that I highly recommend.
Thanks to the author for sending me this book to read and having me on her blog tour....more
I love a small town murder mystery. Something about everyone knowing everyone’s business, but at the same time plenty of secrets are being kept. In HeI love a small town murder mystery. Something about everyone knowing everyone’s business, but at the same time plenty of secrets are being kept. In Her Blood is set in a small town in New Zealand called Everly. At the centre of it all is the Gilmore Family…this one messed up family.
Jac Morgan vowed to never return to her hometown after leaving under a cloud of suspicion. But when she gets a text from her estrangement father telling her that her sister, Charlie, has gone missing, she drops everything to come back to find her. Her arrival is met with hostility and sadness, and nobody is talking about Charlie. She takes a job cleaning at the Gilmore Hotel, a run down hotel, that opens once a year for an open day. Iris Gilmore is I’ll,and being looked after by her daughter Lisa. 21 years ago, the eldest daughter, Paige,went missing without a trace. Could there be a connection? What secrets are this family and this hotel keeping?
This was an intense page turner. With dual timelines, we learn about the Gilmore family before Paige disappears and see just how evil Iris could be. There were plenty of secrets and ways that this story could have toned, and it kept me up late into the night to finish it.
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for my copy of this book to read. In Her Blood is out now...more
I really enjoy a good dual timeline mystery and The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey absolutely fit that bill. What's not to love - there are books, missiI really enjoy a good dual timeline mystery and The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey absolutely fit that bill. What's not to love - there are books, missing, presumed murdered people and the mystery of who Abby's father was. I was enthralled, really enjoyed a step back to the 1890's.
1898 England - we meet inspiring writer Evelyn, who marries writer William Aubrey. Life is good, she is happy. Until William gets writers block and becomes abusive and nasty. To top things off, he steals her book and passes it off as his own. Now Evelyn wants revenge....
2006 California - Abby lives with her grandparents after the death of her mother. She never knew who her father was. But one day she comes across a clue hidden at her grandmother's home, that starts her off on a quest to find her father. She finds a lot more than she bargains for.
Learning how few rights women had back in Evelyn's time was frustrating to say the least. So thankful to be alive in a time where we are treated equally - mostly anyway!
Thanks to Harlequin Australia for my copy of this book to read. An interesting read, broadening my reading journey....more
Having loved previous books by SA Cosby, I was keen to go back and read his first book, My Darkest Prayer, which is being republished. This man can ceHaving loved previous books by SA Cosby, I was keen to go back and read his first book, My Darkest Prayer, which is being republished. This man can certainly write! Once again, we have a gritty and very dark crime story, full of dodgy characters and plenty of violence. I couldn’t get enough. The narrator was fantastic on the audiobook, his switching between characters was flawless. I got a vivid picture in my head of Nate as he read the story to me as ai drove to and from work. If you have not read this author before what are you doing? seriously.. he is a brilliant storyteller and you will be thinking about his books long after you finish them.
Thanks to Headline audio and NetGalley for my audiobook and o read and review. Throughly enjoyed it....more
So, despite hating the main character, I really enjoyed this book. I read it over 2 nights and got caught up in the mystery. There was a lot of questiSo, despite hating the main character, I really enjoyed this book. I read it over 2 nights and got caught up in the mystery. There was a lot of questionable decisions made by Petra and the way she justified them was pretty terrible. But hey, it is fiction so just go with it.
Petra is a journalist and has been made redundant more times than she likes to remember. And it appears that it is about to happen again, until she bluffs an idea to her boss. He gives her 2 weeks to make it work. Now she needs the information. She has told her boss that she has a big lead in the murder of You Tube influencer, Olivia Anderson. Only she really doesn’t. Then begins the hunt for clues and interviews. Oh and the boss wants a podcast.. no biggie right.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published January 17th...more