The Third to Die by Allison Brennan | Blog Tour | Book Review

On 11th Feb 202010th Feb 2020 By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, NetGalley, Thriller2 Comments

I am delighted to join the holiday blog tour for The Third to Die by Allison Brennan today! My thanks to Harlequin Publishing for the invitation to join. I was gifted a copy of The Third to Die to read in exchange for my honest review.

Book Info and Rating

Published: February 4th 2020 by Mira Books

ISBN: 9780778309444
Genres: fiction, thriller, suspense

Rating: 5 stars

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Book Summary

New York Times bestselling author and gifted storyteller Allison Brennan’s new standalone thriller features a troubled female police detective and an ambitious FBI special agent who wind up at the center of a ticking-clock investigation into a diabolical serial killer.

Brennan’s novel will launch a book-a-year series featuring a fabulous cast of recurring characters. It’s the story of a troubled female police detective and an ambitious FBI special agent who wind up at the center of a ticking-clock investigation into a diabolical serial killer; and the bond they forge in this crucible sets the stage for the future books in the series.

Detective Kara Quinn is visiting her hometown of Liberty Lake, Washington, after being placed on administrative leave by the LAPD, when she comes upon the mutilated body of a young nurse during an early morning jog. The manner of death is clearly ritualistic; she calls it in. Meanwhile back in DC, special agent in charge Mattias Costa is meticulously staffing his newly-minted Mobile Response Team. One of his first recruits is the brilliant FBI forensic psychologist Catherine Jones. When word reaches Matt that the Washington state murder appears to be the work of the Triple Killer–it will be the first case for the MRT. Jones has done the only profile on this serial killer, but she is reluctant to join the unit, still shaken by the death of her sister a year ago under circumstances for which she holds herself responsible. But only she holds the key to understanding the killer’s obsessive pattern–three murder victims, three deep slashes a piece, each three days apart, each series beginning on a March 3rd–3/3, then a three-year hiatus before he strikes again.

This time they have a chance to stop him before he claims another victim strikes, but only if they can figure out who he is and where is is hiding.

I Thought…

Golly, what an impressive read this little gem turned out to be!

The Third to Die is the first book in a new series by Allison Brennan centring on the FBI’s Mobile Response Team. This newly formed part of the FBI consists of highly specialised agents who are top in their field, be it forensics, crime scene specialists or investigators. They are operational primarily in rural areas and this is their first case.

A serial killer has resurfaced whose preferred method of attack is to kill on March 3rd, 6th or 9th, every three years. Enter FBI special agent Mathias (Matt) Costa who has been advised that a body of a young nurse has been found in Liberty Lake and the murder fits the profile of the compulsive so-called ‘Triple Killer’.

Detective Kara Quinn, on enforced leave from the LAPD and out jogging in her hometown, made the gruesome discovery and offers her help in solving the case, which Matt readily accepts.

This story is zhooshed up by the addition of Kara who is a curious character, and fiercely independent with a strong sense of justice. The chemistry between her Matt is electric and they also share mutual respect for one another. The reader is privy to glimpses of ambitious Matt’s past involving his reluctant profiler, Catherine Jones. Not all is explained, but it involves a prior case that led to the death of Catherine’s sister. Matt himself is shrewd and makes a marvellous leader.

The mystery element in The Third to Die is magnificent and totally engaging, although not particularly offbeat. The tight time-frame keeps the plot rolling, with no opportunity to become mired in tediousness. The procedural aspects are solid with the exasperation of the team, hampered by bureaucracy, coming through winningly.

The Third to Die is wonderfully written in a style I relish and I’m in my reading element when a percipient perpetrator emerges to challenge a talented, super-smart team. This is a great start to what is sure to be a stellar series.

I enjoyed The Third to Die so much that I’m reading the books from Brennan’s other series’ and cannot wait for her next in this one.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin - MIRA and the author, Allison Brennan for the complimentary copy. This is my honest and totally voluntary review.

Meet the Author:

Allison Brennan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of three dozen thrillers and numerous short stories. She was nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by International Thriller Writers, has had multiple nominations and two Daphne du Maurier Awards, and is a five-time RITA finalist for Best Romantic Suspense. Allison believes life is too short to be bored, so she had five kids. Allison and her family live in Arizona. Visit her at allisonbrennan.com

Social Links: Website//Facebook//Twitter//Instagram//Goodreads

Purchase at: Barnes & Noble // Kobo // Books-A-Million //Amazon // IndieBound // Applebooks // Google Play

Until Next Time,

The Telephone Call by Michael Pakenham | Book Review Tour | Giveaway

On 29th Jan 202028th Jan 2020 By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Crime, Mystery, Thriller1 Comment

@rararesources @BookGuild @michaelpakenham

I am delighted to join the review tour for The Telephone Call by Michael Pakenham today! My thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for my stop and the review copy!

This post is part of a review book tour organised by Rachels Random Resources, a 360 page thriller available now.

Michael Pakenham will be giving away 5 x Paperback copies of The Telephone Call (UK Only) to randomly drawn winners via Rafflecopter during the tour.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post and enter the giveaway for a chance to win 5 x Paperback copies of The Telephone Call (UK Only). Thanks for stopping by and lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!

See below to sign up for the GIVEAWAY.

About the Book

When Rosemary Sherwood overhears a disturbing conversation between her husband, Harry Sherwood and an unknown caller, she has no idea that her life’s about to change forever. Fleeing to France for fear of her own safety, Harry threatens to kill their son if she ever dares to breathe a word of anything she overheard.

Torn between hiding out in France and re-connecting with her estranged son, Rosemary returns to England twelve years later believing that she and her son are now out of danger…

A web of deceit and lies has been woven over the years to cover up the antics of Harry and his friends, who are no strangers to violence and murder and who will stop at nothing to ensure they aren’t exposed.Private Detective Daniel Appleman takes on the case, but can he track down these men before they wreak havoc on the Sherwood family?

My Thoughts…

Combine a good sprinkling of mystery, heinous crimes, long-held secrets, despicable acts, and lies and you end up with The Telephone Call by Michael Pakenham.

Not having read the first book in this series (Fatal Obsession) I had no real expectations beyond the description outline. I am pleased to say that I found it completely intriguing and compelling!

There was an extremely large number of characters to get to grips with and the story was split into two parts and told from many perspectives and different time-scales. Part one was mostly told through the eyes of Harry Sherwood, and his friends Jason Duckett and William Harrison, with contributions from Rosemary Sherwood (Harry’s wife) and their son Tom. In part two, apart from Ex-DCI Daniel Appleman himself, and Harry and his friends, the reader was provided with narrative from Daniel’s wife Rachael, as well as Mo Salter, ‘rescued’ by Harry Sherwood when she was a very young woman; Mo’s daughter, Carol; members of Hampshire Police; Rosemary’s sister, May; The Magnificent Four and a whole host of others. They all had a place and a role to play and were important to the story. With its short, snappy chapters and great deal of effort, I managed to keep up with the wicked pace and evil goings-on!

I loved the sections of the book that featured happily married private detective Daniel, and his ex-copper wife, Rachael. The couple have a son, Arty (age 5), daughter Charlotte (4) and a brown terrier named Avo(cado). The loved-up newly-weds live in a house in the Itchen Valley, bought for them by his father-in-law. These sections provided a welcome diversion from the malice and horror of the main story. Although Daniel didn’t get along with all of his ex-colleagues from his time with the Hampshire Police Force, I appreciated that he kept in touch with his some of his former workmates, namely newly promoted DCI Paul Flower, his previous partner-in-crime and long-time friend, and that there was still a strong sense of camaraderie between them.

Cleverly crafted, the air of foreboding deepened with every chapter and I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I loved the unfolding of the long-held secrets and lies in this gritty, gruesome detective thriller. The Telephone Call incorporated some hard-hitting subjects of physical and emotional abuse, extreme violence, revenge, and prostitution to name only a few.

The plot is self-contained, making The Telephone Call an ideal standalone read. The ending was surprising and fulfilling. Private Detective Daniel Appleman was a thoroughly likeable character and I’m curious to see what Michael Pakenham has in store for him, next. I have no hesitation in recommending The Telephone Call to fans of the genre, although it is not a book for the faint-hearted.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Rachel’s Random Resources and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

About The Author

Michael Pakenham is part of a well-known Irish literary family. Generations of his family lived at Langford Lodge on Loch Neagh outside Belfast. His father was killed in the Second World War and the estate was sold. His mother then took Michael and his sister to Tucson Arizona until the end of the war. On returning to England, his mother bought a farm in Hampshire and Michael has lived in the county ever since. Having served in the Grenadier Guards – the fourth generation to do so – Michael returned to take over his mother’s farming enterprises until he sold his farming interests in 1990 and started his writing career. This will be his eighth book and the second in the Daniel Appleman series. He lives outside Winchester with his wife. He has three children and a string of grandchildren.

Author Links: Website | Goodreads |

Book Links: Amazon US * Amazon UK * Book Guild * Waterstones * Foyles * Goodreads *

Giveaway!

Giveaway to Win 5 x Paperback copies of The Telephone Call (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

Click below to enter and good luck!

Don’t forget the other stops on the tour!

Until Next Time,

You Kill Me by Holly LeRoy | Book Review Tour | Giveaway

On 14th Jan 202013th Jan 2020 By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Mystery, Thriller15 Comments

I am delighted to join the review tour for You Kill Me by Holly Leroy today! My thanks to Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish Promotions for my stop and the review copy!

This post is part of a virtual review book tour organised by Goddess Fish Promotions, a 250 page mystery/thriller available now.

Holly Leroy will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card! Come back every day to interact with Holly and to increase your chances of winning. Thanks for stopping by and lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!

See below to sign up for the GIVEAWAY.

About the Book

LIEUTENANT EVE SHARPE should have seen the avalanche of trouble headed her way but events had dulled her edge and crumbled her foundation of toughness. With the press and politicians all coming for her, Eve begins to question whether she is really a cold blooded murderer or simply losing her mind. Was it an officer involved shooting gone wrong? An honest mistake? Or, something much, much worse?

There’s one thing for sure, it has turned the Chicago Police Department upside down, and Lieutenant Eve Sharpe’s life along with it.

Excerpt

It only took a couple of minutes to get to the scene. The Chicago Grand Hotel sat half a block from the Mag Mile near the museum. Built in the 1890’s it was restored in 2001, covered in glitzy looking polished brass and white marble. Even though it usually gleamed in the daytime, the sleet sweeping in off the lake made it looked gray and blocky, more like a Soviet prison. In front, a garish, fully involved crime scene revealed itself in stark contrast. Flashing blue lights, yellow tape, a couple of cruisers. Uniforms directing traffic. Battery operated lights blasted through the snow swirls, lighting up the scene like a movie set.

I headed over to the body while Walt went to talk to the first on the scene. The ME, a photographer, and a tech crouched over the dead girl while a couple of other uniforms erected a blue plastic tent in an effort to shelter the body from gawkers. I touched the ME on the shoulder and Harold Slezak glanced up at me. “One of yours?” he said and turned the girl’s face to the light.

I knelt and felt my stomach lurch as I looked down. A deep, bloody skull depression on her forehead, her arms were twisted around the wrong way and zip-tied at the wrist. Yellow bile stained her pink sweatshirt.

“Yes. It’s Debi Miller.”

Her blue eyes open, flecks of snow had begun to stick to her face. She was already starting to freeze.

My Thoughts…

This mystery-thriller by Holly LeRoy is not short on surprises, as well as having more than its fair share of suspense and tension!

In You Kill Me, my first foray into the depths of Holly Leroy’s explosive writing, the author uses an effective style of storytelling to unveil the narrative. Told mostly from Lt. Eve Sharpe’s viewpoint and with whirlwind speed, anecdotes about the leading characters are revealed.

The narrative delves into the psyche of Eve, who the reader learns, is edgy and tough and has worked hard to establish herself in her current role as a respected lieutenant in the Chicago Police Department.

I found Eve to be caring, street-wise and resourceful. I loved the banter between her and her partner-in-crime, Detective Walt Ferguson who both clearly had a great deal of time for each other, which provided some much-needed light relief from the guts and gore of the story. It was obvious that Holly Leroy knows a lot about police procedures and investigations and the compelling writing and continuous excitement ensured that I was riveted to the story for the entirety of the book. The pacing was relentless, and the tension soon escalated to nail-biting, suspenseful levels. This was an absolute cracker of a mystery-thriller that held no disappointments. The author’s characterisation was superb with an eclectic blend of fascinating, though in many cases despicable characters, and the cocktail of wit, sarcasm and repartee blended with the thrilling and absorbing plot, really made this a special read for me.

All in all, You Kill Me is an action-packed page-turner with a superb plot leading up to an exciting, exhilarating finale. Very highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Goddess Fish Promotions at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

About The Author

HOLLY LEROY has been an actor, amateur boxer, NASCAR journalist, expert witness, Santa County Substance Abuse Commissioner, and patrolled with the Drug Enforcement Unit of the San Jose Police Department.

He lives in the Sierra Nevada mountains with his wife, four cats and two dogs.

Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads | Blog

Book links:

Amazon * Amazon UK * Goodreads

Giveaway!

Holly Leroy will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

Click below to enter and good luck!

Don’t forget the other stops on the tour!

December 31: Enchanting Reviews
December 31: Shelleen’s Musings
January 7: Dog-Eared Days of Summer
January 7: Hurn Publications
January 14: Our Town Book Reviews
January 14: Brianne’s Book Reviews
January 21: Face Painting for World Peace
January 21: Lost in a Book After a Day of Social Work
January 21: Fabulous and Brunette

Until Next Time,

After You Fell by J. S. Lark | Blog Tour

On 5th Dec 20194th Dec 2019 By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Paranormal, Thriller1 Comment

@janelark @rararesources #Afteryoufell

I am delighted to join the blog tour for After You Fell Affair by J. S. Lark today! My thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation to join. I was gifted a copy of After You Fell to read in exchange for my honest review.

Book Summary

Creepy, disturbing and genuinely thrilling, this is one page-turner you won’t be able to forget!

As one life ends

Louise’s Lovett’s death was a tragedy. But questions still swirl about exactly what happened to Louise that day. Did she fall…or was she pushed?

A new life starts

Helen Matthews’ donor heart saves her life. But as her new heart beats inside her, Helen feels the pull of its previous owner–despite what everyone is telling her, Helen is certain she has one final message to pass on.

And a dark obsession begins

As the lives of Helen and Louise become ever more entangled, Helen’s obsession gets increasingly out of control. And the fragile new life she has built begins to fall apart…

I Thought…

WOW! What a brilliant thriller!

Helen Matthews believes she has the ability to communicate with the dead, but her family and friends think otherwise, as she is also bipolar. Having been unwell all her life with a heart condition, she finally receives a donor heart that saves her life. Helen has always known she possesses psychic talents, being able to see the aura of others and to sense their spirit around her, but she has learnt not to share this knowledge with her nearest and dearest – particularly her brother, Simon and her best friend, Chloe. But what caused heart donor, Louise Lovett to fall from a car-park to her tragic death, and was it an accident… or was she pushed? As Helen feels the pull of its previous owner, she becomes increasingly obsessed with Louise and the family she left behind.

Compelling writing and continuous tension ensured that I was riveted to the story for the entirety of the book. Told from Helen’s perspective, I really appreciated the narrative and the vivid imagery Jane Lark conveyed. The pacing was comfortable, and the tension soon escalated to nail-biting, suspenseful levels. This was an absolute cracker of a thriller that held no disappointments. The author’s characterisation was superb, with an eclectic blend of fascinating characters, most of whom were unlikable, though this did not affect my enjoyment of the story.

After You Fell was a cleverly plotted page-turner complete with jaw-dropping twists leading up to an exciting, exhilarating conclusion.

Full of atmosphere, creepiness, jealousy, harboured secrets, and nefarious and questionable intentions, I would recommend this unsettling and unpredictable novel for anyone who enjoys eerie psychological thrillers with a strong paranormal element.

Thank you to JS Lark, Harper Impulse and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read After You Fell. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

Buy Links:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About The Author

Jane is a coffee, chocolate and red wine lover, and a late-night writer of compelling, passionate, and emotionally charged fiction. Jane’s books may contain love, hate, violence, death, passion, a little swearing, and an ending you are never going to forget.

Social Media Links –

Facebook * Website * Twitter

Be sure to check out the rest of the bloggers on the tour!

Until Next Time,

The Last Affair by Margot Hunt | Blog Tour

On 29th Nov 201928th Nov 2019 By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, NetGalley, Thriller, Women's FictionLeave a comment

I am delighted to join the blog tour for The Last Affair by Margot Hunt today! My thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the invitation to join. I was gifted a copy of The Last Affair to read in exchange for my honest review.

THE LAST AFFAIR
Author: Margot Hunt
ISBN: 9780778309222
Publication Date: November 26, 2019
Publisher: MIRA BOOKS

Book Summary

Gwen Landon—poster woman for perfect wife, mother, and suburban bliss—is found brutally bludgeoned to death behind her Floridian McMansion.

Beautiful and beloved by her community, Gwen makes an unlikely victim. But just a scratch below the surface of her perfectly curated world reveals one far more sinister. When looking back over the six months leading up to her death, the question of, “who would do this?” quickly shifts to, “who wouldn’t?”

Commercially successful food blogger and mother of three, Nora Holliday never imagined she would have the nerve, let alone time, to get involved an affair. Trapped in an unhappy marriage, she does whatever it takes to keep it all together. But when Nora runs into Gwen Landon’s husband at a hotel in Orlando, his easy kindness and warmth proves too tempting to resist. As their affair spirals dangerously out of control, it seems things can’t get more complicated—until Gwen turns up dead.

I Thought…

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

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About The Author

BIO: Margot Hunt is a critically acclaimed author of psychological suspense. Her work has been praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist and Kirkus Reviews.

SOCIAL:

TWITTER: @HuntAuthor

FB: @AuthorMargotHunt

Insta:@margot_hunt

BUY LINKS:

Until Next Time,

Trail of Secrets by Nora LeDuc | Review Tour

On 7th Oct 20197th Oct 2019 By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Mystery16 Comments

@NoraLeDuc @GoddessFish #TrailofSecrets

I am delighted to join the review tour for Trail of Secrets by Nora LeDuc today! My thanks to Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish Promotions for the chance to join and the wonderful review copy!

About the Book

Who killed the vivacious, Emily McGuire and laid out her body at the water tower? Orderly, rule-follower Mia McGuire is the least likely person to answer this question. Mia’s life has taken a downward spiral with her sister Emily’s murder, the breakup with her boyfriend, and losing her editing position. But when the homicide investigation crawls, Mia can’t stand by doing nothing. She hires the problematic Lucas Davis to help her find the truth.

After suffering trauma from a shooting on the job, Lucas Davis resigns from the local force. Once known as a daredevil in his small Florida town, he has become an embarrassment to his dad, the police chief. When Mia offers him investigative work, he quickly accepts the job to prove he still possesses the skills and guts to solve the case. Together, these two unlikely sleuths form an intimate bond and are determined to beat the odds. They set out to bring a terrifying killer to justice before he targets them next.

I Thought…

If your favoured reading material is a compelling tale with a good sprinkling of mystery, duplicity, manipulation, obsession, anger, hatred, violence and murder, then feel free to read Trail of Secrets by Nora LeDuc.

Mia McGuire’s younger sister Emily has been found dead but who killed the vivacious, fun-loving young woman? Amenable, sweet, and reliable Mia is the least likely person to answer this question. Mia’s life has taken a downward spiral since Emily’s murder as she struggles to cope with the breakup with her boyfriend and losing her editing job. But with the murder investigation moving at such a slow pace, Mia feels the need to chivvy things along. She hires the problematic but charming Lucas Davis to help her find out the truth.

Lucas has resigned from the local police force after suffering from trauma resulting from a shooting. He has become an embarrassment to his police chief dad so he accepts the investigative work offered to him by Mia, to prove he still possesses the grit, skills and nerve to solve the case. Together, the two unlikely sleuths form an intimate bond and work together to try to identify the perpetrator before they become the next victims.

The novel was told from the perspective of Mia and I was drawn into this novel by Nora LeDuc’s clever writing. I was never bored but instead, was lured deeper and deeper into this really engrossing tale.The author managed to turn whatever I was thinking completely upside down as I tried to guess the murderer’s identity. The plot and the storyline were both fascinating in themselves but the sizzling romance between Mia and Lucas really made this a special read for me. I fully appreciated the skill shown by the author in creating a perfect balance between the mystery and the spiciness and tenderness of the story.

Packed with nuance and superb twisty moments, I really didn’t know where the story would end up and the solution, when it came, was terrific and hugely satisfying. Trail of Secrets is a book that is certainly well worth reading.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Goddess Fish Promotions at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

About The Author

Nora grew up in rural New England where she currently lives with her family. She enjoys visiting and spending time with her friends, the Winettes, in Florida, where she continues to write. Trail of Secrets is her sixteenth book. Her next story is already in progress.

You can find Nora on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook and her website: Noraleduc.com. She also contributes to the Romance Gems’ Blog every month.

Amazon buy link:

Giveaway!

Nora LeDuc will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Click below to enter and good luck!

Don’t forget the other stops on the tour!

October 7: Brianne’s Book Reviews
October 7: Sharing Links and Wisdom
October 14: Locks, Hooks and Books
October 14: Long and Short Reviews
October 21: Lost in a Book After a Day of Social Work
October 28: Fabulous and Brunette
October 28: writing is my oxygen

Until Next Time,

Chloe Never Forget by Dan Laughey | Blog Tour

On 13th Jul 201912th Jul 2019 By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Crime, Mystery, ThrillerLeave a comment

@danlaughey @rararesources #ChloeNeverForget

I am delighted to join the blog tour for Chloe Never Forget by Dan Laughey today! My thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for the chance to join and the wonderful review copy!

Book Summary

A missing student. A gunned-down detective. A woman in fear for her life. All three are connected somehow.

An off-duty detective gunned down. A dead woman. A student missing, feared dead. And now, a former policeman in search of his past. All these people, dead or alive, have one thing in common. D.I. Carl Sant must discover what it is.

A series of cold-case enquiries leads D.I. Sant and his colleagues to investigate a botched assassination plot dating back to the 1980s. The deeper they dig into the case, the more secrets are revealed, including shocking connections to the infamous National Front.

Meanwhile, the memory of former P.C. Tanner, survivor of the assassination horror, is beginning to recover. Sant must find Tanner, and find out who is behind it all – before his superiors lose their rag and more lives are lost.

Purchase Links:

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PH2MXQR

US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PH2MXQR

I Thought…

Author Dan Laughey has penned another fantastic mystery in the Carl Sant Murder Mysteries and Chloe Never Forget is book two.

I have recently read book one – Chloe Lost Girl – and Chloe Never Forget follows directly on from that one so I strongly recommend that the books are read in chronological order.

Chloe Never Forget begins where the threads of the story left off from book one though Dan Laughey has thoughtfully included a fair amount of back-story.

I loved being back with my favourite characters – the dedicated DI Carl Sant and his partner in crime, DC Brad Capstick.

Once again, the pacing was perfect and with an effortlessly transitioning plot-line and there was always plenty of action going on, allowing no opportunity for boredom to take root.

I was desperate to know how this enthralling crime thriller would end and was pleased with the jolting and fulfilling conclusion. I hope that Dan Laughey continues with his foray into this genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my own request from Creativia Publishing via Rachel’s Random Resources. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

About The Author

Dan Laughey is a lecturer at Leeds Beckett University where he teaches a course called ‘Youth, Crime and Culture’ among other things. He has written several books on the subject including Music and Youth Culture, based on his PhD in Sociology at Salford University. He also holds a BA in English from Manchester Metropolitan University and an MA in Communications Studies from the University of Leeds.

Dan was born in Otley and bred in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, a hop and a skip away from the Leeds setting of his Chloe novels.

His crime writing was purely academic to begin with. He’s written about media violence and tackled the age-old concern about television and video games influencing patterns of antisocial behaviour in society. After years of research and theoretical scrutiny, he still hasn’t cracked that particular nut.

He’s also written about the role of CCTV and surveillance in today’s Big Brother world, the sometimes fraught relationship between rap and juvenile crime, football hooliganism, and the sociocultural legacy of Britain’s most notorious serial killer – the Yorkshire Ripper.

All in all, Dan’s work has been translated into four languages: French, Hebrew, Korean and Turkish. He has presented guest lectures at international conferences and appeared on BBC Radio and ITV News in addition to providing expert commentary for The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph.

Social Media Links –

Twitter: @danlaughey – Facebook: fb.com/laughey

Be sure to check out the rest of the bloggers on the blog tour!

Until Next Time,

Chloe Lost Girl by Dan Laughey | Blog Tour

On 4th Jul 20198th Jul 2019 By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Crime, Mystery, Thriller2 Comments

@danlaughey @rararesources #ChloeLostGirl

I am delighted to join the blog tour for Chloe Lost Girl by Dan Laughey today! My thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for the chance to join and the wonderful review copy!

Book Summary

A missing student. A gunned-down detective. A woman in fear for her life. All three are connected somehow.

Detective Inspector Carl Sant and his fellow officers get on the case. But what links the disappearance of a university student, the death of an off-duty police sergeant, and a professor reluctant to help them solve the case?

Their only clue is a sequence of numbers, etched by the police sergeant Dryden on a misty window moments before he breathed his last. Soon it becomes clear that Dryden’s clue has brought the past and present into a head-on collision with the very heart of Sant’s profession.

Racing against time, D.I. Sant must find out what’s behind the mysterious events – before the bodies start piling up.

Purchase Links:

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PDLDS7N

US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PDLDS7N

I Thought…

What an explosive and exciting read!

As one of my favourite genres, I was so excited to be given the opportunity to read this shortish (286 pages) début murder/mystery by Dan Laughey. During a really exciting opening chapter, the action rocketed and the tension immediately soared as events moved along at a rapid pace.

The characters created by the author, Dan Laughey, were fascinating in themselves, particularly DI Carl Sant. I loved the banter between the dedicated DI Sant and his assistant, DC Brad Capstick and all of the individual players were well drawn with great personalities that befitted the story, whether they were either likeable or evil.

The author touched on the politics of the police forces during the 1980’s and this was referred to a few times in the later parts of the book.

The pacing was perfect and with an effortlessly transitioning plot-line, the suspense just built and built as the story progressed, right up until the cliffhanger ending. I just had to keep turning those pages as I was desperate to work out how all the various threads of the story linked together.

If you’re looking for a quick, great read and murder/ mysteries are among your chosen genres, then I heartily recommend Chloe Lost Girl. I am looking forward to the next book in the DI Carl Sant Murder Mystery series by this fabulous author, Dan Laughey.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my own request from Creativia Publishing via Rachel’s Random Resources. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

About The Author

Dan was born in Otley and bred in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, a hop and a skip away from the Leeds setting of his Chloe novels.

Social Media Links –

Twitter: @danlaughey – Facebook: fb.com/laughey

Be sure to check out the rest of the bloggers on the blog tour!

Until Next Time,

A Crafter Hooks a Killer by Holly Quinn | Blog Tour

On 19th Jun 20199th Jul 2019 By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Cozy, Mystery3 Comments

@hollyquinn @GreatEscapeTours #AcrafterHooksAKiller

I am delighted to join the blog tour for A Crafter Hooks a Killer by Holly Quinn today! My thanks to Lori at Great Escapes Tours for the chance to join and the wonderful review copy!

A Crafter Hooks A Killer (A Handcrafted Mystery) by Holly Quinn

About the Book

A Crafter Hooks a Killer: A Handcrafted Mystery

Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Crooked Lane Books (June 11, 2019)
Hardcover 274 Pages
ISBN-10: 1643850121
ISBN-13: 978-1643850122
Digital ASIN: B07MGS1XDW

Community Craft proprietor Sammy Kane suspects that a tantalizing thread links the deaths of her best friend and a bestselling author. But can she weave together the clues?
Samantha “Sammy” Kane is settling into her new life in idyllic Heartsford, Wisconsin, running her late friend Kate Allen’s craft shop, Community Craft when one early June day, bestselling crochet author Jane Johnson visits Heartsford. Captivated by Community Craft, Jane devotes a chapter in her new book, Behind the Seams, to the store. Sammy is honored, though satisfaction quickly turns to shock when she finds Jane strangled to death—her cold hands clutching a copy of her most recently published book, with the words “THE END” raggedly scratched into the cover.
Heavens to Etsy! Not only must Sammy contend with the author’s inauspicious demise, she has to untie some knotty details from her own past. It turns out Kate’s death was not what it seemed, and instead somehow hooked to Jane Johnson’s demise. Handsome Detective Liam Nash is on the “skein”, more than happy to see the shop owner again, if less than enamored by her sleuthing interventions. But this was Sammy’s best friend—she has to know.
Fortunately, Sammy has a “lace” in the hole. As a child, she formed the S.H.E. detective team with her cousin, Heidi, and her sister, Ellie. Having already reconstituted their partnership, the S.H.E. team searches for a pattern behind the latest death. As the case starts to unravel, will Sammy and team be able to sidestep Liam quick enough to stitch together the clues?

About the Author

Holly Quinn has published two stand-alone fiction novels in another persona. She graduated from Carroll University in Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in business and a minor in marketing. This is her second Handcrafted mystery. Visit her @ www.authorhollyquinn.com

Author Links –

Website – www.authorhollyquinn.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HollyQuinnbooks/

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7940795.Holly_Quinn

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – BAM – IndieBound – Powell’s Books – Walmart

My Thoughts…

I was so pleased I was given the opportunity to read this cracking cozy mystery. Initially I was lured by the wonderful premise as it had a little bit of everything on offer – a quaint setting in a quiet(?!) village, a cute craft shop, a B & B and a bakery selling delicious cakes. Perfect.

I loved the story-line. The plot was so engaging and the pacing was perfect. I was totally engrossed from the first few pages. Although this was book two in the ‘Handcrafted Mystery’ series, it wasn’t a problem as plenty of back-story was given where needed and this did not interrupt the flow of the mystery.

The writing style of Holly Quinn was great for me. There was a good combination of descriptive passages to dialogue. The characters were all very interesting with their own personalities and foibles. My favourites were the protagonist, Sammy and the handsome detective, Liam Nash, with his smouldering, chocolate-brown eyes. Sammy herself, came across as fun-loving, effervescent and very down-to-earth.

There was a good mix of general village life to mystery and I was with Sammy all the way, trying to guess the identity of the perpetrator. I remained in the dark until the very exciting and fulfilling ending.

I will be reading book one in the series – ‘A Crafter Knits a Clue’ – as soon as I get the opportunity.

If cozies are one of your genres of choice, you really must read A Crafter Hooks a Killer.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win a print copy of A Crafter Hooks a Killer by Holly Quinn

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The Killer You Know by S R Masters | Blog Tour

On 11th May 201919th May 2019 By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Mystery, NetGalley, Thriller3 Comments

@littlebrownuk @SRMastersAuthor @annecater #RandomThingsTours #thekilleryouknow

I am delighted to join the blog tour for The Killer You Know by S R Masters today! My thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for the invitation to join and the wonderful review copy received via NetGalley!

Book Summary

You need to kill at least three people, right? So that’s what I’ll do.

When Will jokes about becoming a serial killer, his friends just laugh it off. But Adeline can’t help but feel there’s something more sinister lurking behind his words.

Fifteen years later, Adeline returns to Blythe for a reunion of the old gang – except Will doesn’t show up. Reminiscing about old times, they look up the details of his supposed murder spree. But the mood soon changes when they discover two recent deaths that match.

As the group attempts to track Will down, they realise that he is playing a sinister game that harks back to one they used to play as kids. Only this time there are lives at stake . . .

Praise for The Killer You Know

The Killer You Know is one of my favourite reads of the year. I LOVED it. Pacey, nostalgic, excellent very well-developed characters, and a clever plot’

NIKI MACKAY, bestselling author of I Witness

‘I read and loved and HEARTILY recommend for any fans of Stand By Me. . . A thrilling, nostalgic twisty read’

CLAIRE ALLAN, author of Her Name was Rose

‘The Killer You Know has a fantastic killer concept… and is gripping and creepy to boot – loved it’

SAM CARRINGTON, author of Bad Sister

‘A twisty, clever exploration of claustrophobic childhood friendships and the darkness they can lead to’

DERVLA MCTIERNAN, author of The Ruin

‘A compelling, unpredictable thriller that conveys the changing nature of long-lasting friendships beautifully. How well do we know even our closest of friends? Highly recommended’

ELISABETH CARPENTER, author of 99 Red Balloons

‘An original and gripping thriller combined with an evocative coming of age story that will be achingly familiar’

LAURA MARSHALL, author of Friend Request

‘A gripping, compelling read with a brilliant premise and a wonderfully twisting storyline. An incredible debut’

TM LOGAN, author of Lies

‘A thrilling read and an exceptional debut novel’

RACHEL EDWARDS, author of Darling

‘Compelling, creepy, and brilliantly executed, The Killer You Know is an original new voice in the thriller world’

PHOEBE MORGAN, author of The Doll House

A gripping, atmospheric debut psychological thriller – perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Alex Marwood and Ali Land.

THE KILLER YOU KNOW

S.R MASTERS

2^{^nd} May 2019

Published in paperback by Sphere, £7.99

Ebook and Audio also available

Click here to buy The Killer You Know from Amazon UK now

I Thought…

The Killer You Know is a fantastic, dark and disturbing début psychological thriller written by author S R Masters. It features five friends that lived in Blythe while they were in their teens and spent the summers of 1997 and 1998 together. Each one has their own problems and issues to deal with.

They all move on and don’t see other again until, in 2015, a nostalgic reunion is organised, so they meet up with each other and reminisce about good times past. Adeline, a successful film pod-caster along with Xan and Jon returns and stays at a hotel because she has a strained relationship with her mother. Adeline is the main narrator, however, Steve, recently divorced Dr. Rupesh, teacher, Jen, and Will, the odd guy, all offer their own perspectives in both the past and the present.

When Will doesn’t show up at the reunion, the friends remember his preference for disappearing and the games they used to play about becoming an undetected serial killer and disguising murders as suicides.

The rest of the friends try to locate Will, however, two deaths that were deemed suicides have the four of them deeply concerned that Will may have carried out his grisly plan. Gradually, details of their pasts begin to emerge…

This was such a compelling read for me! It was so well plotted and a brilliant and fast-paced psychological thriller. Not only a thriller, it was also a coming-of-age novel with all the angst, issues and dynamics that are part of being a teenager. The intense emotions, the desperate need to fit in or at least be tolerated or accepted, the jealousies and feelings of betrayal.

For me, S R Masters’ characterisation was incredibly skilful, although none of the characters appealed to me, nor were they particularly reliable as narrators. This however complemented the story. Far from being an average psychological thriller, I found myself totally fascinated by this book. I think it was Will’s interest in serial killers that made it special.

I will be looking out for more by S R Masters in the future.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Little, Brown Book Group UK via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

About The Author

S. R. Masters studied Philosophy at Girton College, Cambridge before working in public health and health behaviour for the NHS. He is a regular contributor to UK short fiction anthology series The Fiction Desk, having won their Writer’s Award for his short story Just Kids. His story Desert Walk was included in Penguin Random House USA’s Press Start to Play collection and he continues to have short fiction published in a variety of magazines. He grew up around Birmingham but now lives in Oxford with his wife and son.

The Killer You Know is his first novel.

You can find him on Twitter @SRMastersAuthor or on his website http://www.sr-masters.com/

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT MILLIE SEAWARD, PUBLICITY MANAGER

Millie.seaward@littlebrown.co.uk |0203 122 6757 |@millieseaward