Murder in Myrtle Bay - Isobel Blackthorn

When feature writer Ruth Finlay and her elderly neighbour Doris Cleaver visit an antique and collectibles market in the small town of Myrtle Bay, they get a lot more than they bargained for.

After Ruth's old tennis coach is found dead, they discover that there's no lack of people who harbour a grudge against the victim, and a tangled web of family ties and lies begins to unravel. But can Ruth and Doris find the killer in time to avert a second murder?

A quirky feel-good mystery laced with intrigue, Murder in Myrtle Bay is the first book in Isobel Blackthorn's 'Ruth Finlay Mysteries' series. Set in small town Australia, it is a sure pick for any fan of classic whodunits and cozy mysteries!

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Myrtle-Ruth-Finlay-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0B5VRZX2Q/

US - https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Myrtle-Ruth-Finlay-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0B5VRZX2Q/

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoy a cosy mystery (even ones full of recipes) and this definitely entertained me, although it took me a few chapters to settle into it, especially with so many characters to get my head around. Set in Australia, we meet Ruth and Doris who suddenly find themselves in the middle of a 'situation' and get stuck in solving this murder mystery. Amateur sleuths at their best!

A pair of fab leading characters, mouthwatering recipes and descriptions of food, you better have a snack or two handy! A good plot with fun characters led to this keeping me invested all the way, I was desperate to know everything and almost wanted to race through to find out. I love to see if I can figure it all out, but I didn’t quite manage it this time.

I have never read anything from this author but I am now a fan and will look to be reading more. The first in a series, I shall look forward to more sleuthing, A must read for mystery fans!

Author Bio:

Isobel Blackthorn is a prolific novelist of unique and engaging fiction. She writes across a range of genres, including gripping mysteries and dark psychological thrillers.

The Unlikely Occultist: A biographical novel of Alice A. Bailey received an Honorable Mention in the 2021 Reader's Favorite book awards. A Prison in the Sun was shortlisted in the LGBTQ category of the 2021 International Book Awards and the 2020 Readers' Favorite Book Awards. Her short story 'Nothing to Declare' was shortlisted for the Ada Cambridge Prose Prize 2019. Her dark thriller A Legacy of Old Gran Parks won a Raven Award in 2019. The Cabin Sessions was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award 2018 and the Ditmar Awards 2018.

Isobel holds a PhD in Western Esotericism from the University of Western Sydney for her ground-breaking study of the texts of Theosophist Alice A. Bailey. Her engagement with Alice Bailey’s life and works has culminated in the biographical novel The Unlikely Occultist and the full biography Alice A. Bailey: Life and Legacy.

Isobel carries a lifelong passion for the Canary Islands, Spain, her former home. Five of her novels are set on the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. These standalone mystery novels are setting rich and fall into the broad genre of travel fiction.

Isobel has led a rich and interesting life and her stories are as diverse as her experiences, the highs and lows, and the dramas. A life-long campaigner for social justice, Isobel has written, protested and leant her weight to a range of issues including asylum seekers and family violence. A Londoner originally, Isobel currently lives in rural Victoria, Australia.

Social Media Links –

https://twitter.com/IBlackthorn

https://www.facebook.com/Lovesick.Isobel.Blackthorn/

www.isobelblackthorn.com

https://twitter.com/IBlackthorn

Murder At The Summer Fete - Victoria Walters

 

A fete worse than death…

After finding the killer of Lucy Roth six months ago, life has settled back to normal for bookshop owner, Nancy Hunter, and her grandmother, Jane. The annual Dedley End village fete is just around the corner, and Nancy is delighted when bestselling author, Thomas Green, agrees to launch his first new novel in ten years there.

But then a series of sinister events lead Nancy to realise someone is trying to sabotage their fete, so she, along with Jane and their journalist friend Jonathan, must turn detective to discover who isn’t at all thrilled about the return of Thomas Green.

When a body is discovered at the summer fete, the death scene mirroring that in Thomas’ latest bestseller, they realise that there’s another killer in Dedley End, but can they outsmart someone who appears to have pulled off the perfect crime?

The clues are right under Nancy and Jane’s noses, if only they can find them. Because the answers to life’s questions can always be found in a book…!

A twisty, unputdownable cozy mystery that fans of Richard Osman, S.J. Bennett and The Marlow Murder Club will love.

Purchase Links

AMZ: https://amzn.to/3HE7928  

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3JLSUtX

Apple: https://apple.co/3zDUyte

 My Review:

I loved Murder at the House on the Hill, so I’ve been excitedly awaiting this next instalment and it has not disappointed at all. Victoria Walters has created the perfect cosy murder mystery series here, I hope we have many more mysteries to solve (via Nancy and co!)
Bookshop owner, and amateur sleuth, is hosting her first author event during the annual village fete. She’s excited as the author is a famous best seller and former local, although this excitement dims slightly when she starts receiving threats against him. When a body is discovered during the fete in the very same circumstances described in the authors latest book, all eyes look to those close to him to discover who did it and why.
After their previous success in murder mystery solving and feeling responsible for the death taking place at their event, our favourite trio – Nancy, Jane and Jonathan leap into action once again, despite several warnings from the local police officials. Nancy is keen to figure out who had it in for popular writer and knows that time is of the essence.
Not everyone is happy that the sleuths are getting involved, making it clear they should keep their noses out. This time a lot more is at stake, lives are on the line.

I love trying to figure it all out along with Nancy and her Gran, this time did seem to have less suspects than the first book although I did have an inkling who might be the culprit, I was unsure as to why. It kept me entertained throughout, mystery, drama and a lot of fun.
It well written, good plot and interesting characters. Love this series and I cannot wait for the next book for more detective work!

Author Bio:

Victoria Walters writes up-lifting and inspiring stories. She's the author of the bestselling GLENDALE HALL series, which continues with its third book HOPEFUL HEARTS at GLENDALE HALL in September, as well as two other standalone novels - SUMMER at the KINDNESS CAFE, and THE SECOND LOVE of my LIFE. She has been chosen for WHSmith Fresh Talent and shortlisted for two RNA awards. Victoria was also picked as an Amazon Rising Star, and her books have won wide reader acclaim.

Victoria is a full-time author. She lives in Surrey with her cat Harry, and loves books, clothes, music, going out for tea and cake, and posting photos on Instagram.

Find out more about Victoria by following on Instagram at @vickyjwalters, on Twitter at @Vicky_Walters or by visiting her blog at:https://victoria-writes.com/

Every Little Breath - Keri Beevis

 

How much could one phone call change your life?

‘Only you can save her. If she dies, it is your fault.’

When radio presenter, Casey Fallon, answers a call she assumes it is a prank. But then a woman’s body is discovered, and she finds herself up against a cruel and calculating killer who wants her to find his victims before they take their last breath.

Fifteen years ago, Casey was a key witness in the trial of serial killer, Steve Noakes, and her evidence helped put him behind bars for the murders of five women.

Someone remembers what happened that summer. Someone who is desperate for revenge. Someone who won’t stop until Casey has been punished.

‘You saved a life once. Can you do it again?’

The game is just beginning…

Number one bestselling author Keri Beevis is back with a breathtaking new psychological thriller which is simply too good to miss. It's the perfect read for fans of authors like Clare Mackintosh, Cara Hunter, Paula Hawkins.

 

My Review:

This is the first book I’ve read from Keri Beevis but I’m definite tat it will not be my last. Wow, what an incredible read.

Gripped from the start, this book took me on a thrilling, twisted journey to the very last page. There were moments I was holding my breath with anticipation or fear. The plot is complex and quite dark in its descriptions in places, I think there was a good balance between the descriptive, harrowing scenes where it was grim to imagine to the rest of the book.

I liked the pace of the storyline, nothing seemed to drag on at all and I was kept on my toes. I found it so engaging I read it completely in one fantastic afternoon. Very well written, I felt a vast range of emotions from disgusted to mortified, sympathetic to scared and intrigued.

A cast of characters so different and unique; there are nice, likeable characters, worrying and troublesome characters, honest characters who support Casey throughout, and those out to cause trouble. There are some real shocks in the latter part of the book, I didn’t see them coming, well except perhaps that final twist at the end.

I won’t go into depth regarding the plot as I think the beauty in this is not knowing and the synopsis sums it up perfectly.

I hope this is the start of a series as the ending left me wanting more, please say there will be more.

Dramatic, twisted and captivating. A must read!

Purchase Links

PAPERBACK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Every-Little-Breath-Keri-Beevis/dp/1913942295
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1913942295

KINDLE
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Every-Little-Breath-psychological-thriller-ebook/dp/B092DMJPQC
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092DMJPQC

AUDIO
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Every-Little-Breath/dp/B091BHWGND
https://www.amazon.com/Every-Little-Breath/dp/B091BHTWK5

GOODREADS
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56822669-every-little-breath

 

Author Bio:

Keri Beevis is the internationally bestselling author of Dying To Tell and Deep Dark Secrets. Her new psychological thriller, Trust No One, was released November 2020.

Keri lives in Norfolk, England, with her two naughty kitties, Ellie and Lola, and a plentiful supply of red wine (her writing fuel). She loves Hitchcock movies, exploring creepy places, and gets extremely competitive in local pub quizzes. She is also a self-confessed klutz.

 

Social Media Links – www.facebook.com/allaboutbeev

www.twitter.com/keribeevis

www.instagram.com/keribeevis/

The Babysitter - Phoebe Morgan

On the hottest day of the year, Caroline Harvey is found dead in Suffolk. Her body is left draped over a cot – but the baby she was looking after is missing.  

Hundreds of miles away, Siobhan Dillon is on a luxurious family holiday in France when her husband, Callum, is arrested by French police on suspicion of murder.

As Siobhan’s perfect family is torn apart by the media in the nation’s frantic search for the missing baby, she desperately tries to piece together how Callum knew Caroline.

What happened that night? Was Caroline as innocent as she seemed – or was she hiding a secret of her own?

The thrilling new book from the number one digital bestselling author of The Doll House and The Girl Next Door.

My Review:After reading Phoebe Morgan’s previous books I have become a firm fan and was very excited about this release.

Caroline is found murdered and the baby she was watching has disappeared. Prime suspect is Callum who had been having an affair with her. Callum and his family have just arrived in France on holiday when the police call to arrest him. Wife, Siobhan, daughter Emma and sister-in-law Maria are astounded and return home under pressure from people demanding answers. It soon becomes clear that everyone has their own secrets, some are just more deadly than others.

The story is told from several viewpoints, which I like as you get to see things from different perspectives and points of view, makes it quite exciting. You also get to know what happened in the run up to her death as well as the aftermath. There are clues as you read through, but you only get an inkling of what really happened – the twists in this were unexpected.
I was adamant I knew who had killed Caroline and what had happened to the baby, but I did keep changing my mind throughout.

The book is very well written and nicely paced, you don’t feel as though it is being rushed nor goes too slow. Phoebe Morgan has a great writing style, with stories that thrill and keep you hooked from start to finish. 

I highly recommend The Babysitter for fans of thrilling, dramatic reads. 

About the Author:Phoebe Morgan is an author and editor. She studied English at Leeds University after growing up in the Suffolk countryside. She has previously worked as a journalist and now edits crime and women’s fiction for a publishing house during the day, and writes her own books in the evenings. She lives in London and you can follow her on Twitter @Phoebe_A_Morgan.

For Better, For Worse - Jane Issac

Stuart Ingram was once a respected local councillor...

The first time the police knocked on Gina's door, they arrested her husband.

The second time, they accused him of child abuse.But he died a guilty man.This time, the police are here for Gina – to tell her that her husband is dead. Murdered, just two weeks before his trial.Gina always stood by her husband. Even when everyone else walked away. She believed the trial would clear his name. But now Stuart is dead.And his wife is the suspect.It's a race against time for DC Beth Chamberlain to uncover the truth – especially when a second man turns up dead.

Domestic noir meets police procedural in this pacy thriller from Jane Isaac, perfect for fans of Samantha Downing, Fiona Barton and K.L. Slater. Previously published as Presumed Guilty.

My Review:


The second book featuring DC Beth Chamberlain, as I hadn’t read the previous book I was going in blind. I didn’t know anything about who she was etc, but I don’t think it mattered that much really.

Disgraced ex-local councillor Stuart Ingram, is run over and murdered just before his case goes to trial. He was fighting to clear his name in child abuse allegations. The main suspect is his wife Gina, until another victim is discovered, and it is very clear someone more sinister is at work and needs stopping.


Admittedly I found it a little slow going at first – but I found once we got into the ‘action’ the pace picked up and I was fully on board.


I liked Beth’s character. She is hardworking, dedicated and genuine in her approach to apprehending the murderer although not always the one to ‘tow the line’, she is wanting the right result.


It’s an action packed read, I’m not necessarily one for police procedural type books but this one caught my attention. It is dramatic, has a few twists that leave us readers with a whole host of possible suspects that we must eliminate one by one as the story progresses.


There is a good balance between Baths having to solve these heinous crimes whilst also sorting out her own personal problems. I enjoyed getting to know this character and would welcome reading about her again in another book.


One to recommend for sure, with drama, crime and a host of complex characters, this is a brilliant book with realistic and understandable police investigation at its heart. With such fantastic writing by the author you will be hooked in and will not want to put it down until the case is solved.

Pre-order links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2GWY5IE

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2GSHMfT

iBooks: https://apple.co/2ucWb3Q

Google Play: https://bit.ly/382jhIP

About the author



Jane Isaac is married to a serving detective and they live in rural Northamptonshire, UK with

their daughter, and dog, Bollo. Jane loves to hear from readers and writers. You can reach her via her website at www.janeisaac.co.uk Sign up to her book club at http://eepurl.com/1a2uT for book recommendations and details of new releases, events and giveaways.

Follow Jane:

Facebook: @JaneIsaacAuthor

Twitter: @JaneIsaacAuthor

Website: www.janeisaac.co.uk

The Prized Girl - Amy K. Green

From debut author Amy K. Green comes a devastating tale of psychological suspense: a teen pageant queen is found murdered in a small New England town, and her sister’s search for answers unearths more than she bargained for.

Days after a young teenager named Jenny is found murdered, her small town grieves the loss alongside her picture-perfect parents. At first glance, Jenny’s tragic death appears clear-cut for investigators. In the murder of a former pageant queen from a safe and loving family, the most obvious suspect is a fan who got too close for comfort. But Jenny’s sarcastic, older half-sister Virginia isn’t so sure of his guilt and takes matters into her own hands to find the killer.

But for Jenny’s case and and Virginia’s investigation, there’s more to the story. Virginia, still living in town and haunted by her own troubled teenage years, suspects that a similar darkness lay beneath the sparkling veneer of Jenny’s life. Alternating between Jenny’s final days and Virginia’s determined search for the truth, the sisters’ dual narratives follow a harrowing trail of suspects, with surprising turns that race toward a shocking finale.From debut author Amy K. Green comes a devastating tale of psychological suspense: a teen pageant queen is found murdered in a small New England town, and her sister’s search for answers unearths more than she bargained for.

Days after a young teenager named Jenny is found murdered, her small town grieves the loss alongside her picture-perfect parents. At first glance, Jenny’s tragic death appears clear-cut for investigators. In the murder of a former pageant queen from a safe and loving family, the most obvious suspect is a fan who got too close for comfort. But Jenny’s sarcastic, older half-sister Virginia isn’t so sure of his guilt and takes matters into her own hands to find the killer.

But for Jenny’s case and and Virginia’s investigation, there’s more to the story. Virginia, still living in town and haunted by her own troubled teenage years, suspects that a similar darkness lay beneath the sparkling veneer of Jenny’s life. Alternating between Jenny’s final days and Virginia’s determined search for the truth, the sisters’ dual narratives follow a harrowing trail of suspects, with surprising turns that race toward a shocking finale.
From debut author Amy K. Green comes a devastating tale of psychological suspense: a teen pageant queen is found murdered in a small New England town, and her sister’s search for answers unearths more than she bargained for.

Days after a young teenager named Jenny is found murdered, her small town grieves the loss alongside her picture-perfect parents. At first glance, Jenny’s tragic death appears clear-cut for investigators. In the murder of a former pageant queen from a safe and loving family, the most obvious suspect is a fan who got too close for comfort. But Jenny’s sarcastic, older half-sister Virginia isn’t so sure of his guilt and takes matters into her own hands to find the killer.

But for Jenny’s case and Virginia’s investigation, there’s more to the story. Virginia, still living in town and haunted by her own troubled teenage years, suspects that a similar darkness lay beneath the sparkling veneer of Jenny’s life. Alternating between Jenny’s final days and Virginia’s determined search for the truth, the sisters’ dual narratives follow a harrowing trail of suspects, with surprising turns that race toward a shocking finale.

My Review:


A fantastic debut from Amy K. Green, I thoroughly enjoyed this tense, thrilling drama. I will look forward to what comes next from Green.


With the whole town morning local beauty queen, 16-year-old Jenny, we read on as her sister, haunted by her own childhood issues, seeks the truth about what happened.


 The story is told from both Jenny’s point of view and that of her much older sister, Virginia. We see that Jenny isn’t the happy, sweet and innocent girl people think she is whilst Virginia isn’t the selfish, loner we may have initially thought. The different perspectives help the story unfold in a brilliant way, and as we got further into the book, I realised there would be more twists and turns more than I thought would. 


The characters are not the most ‘likeable’ but I didn’t mind that at all with this book, in fact in was interesting to see the flaws or issues with each one. I did sympathise for some of them and it was clear to see they were only the way they were because of the actions and treatment from others. 


It is a real, interwoven, dark story that kept me gripped. It was very well written and paced nicely, not much given away too soon but just enough to keep me interested throughout.

The ending – oh the ending! Not at all what I expected, and if I’m honest still not entirely sure what I think but it was different. Also left me wondering if we would be seeing some more from this set of characters.


A book I will happily recommend to others. 


Thank you to HQ for a copy of this book to read and review honestly.  

The Other Mrs - Mary Kubica

Propulsive and addictive, The Other Mrs. is the twisty new psychological thriller from Mary Kubica, the New York Times bestselling author of The Good Girl

She tried to run, but she can’t escape the other Mrs.

Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to small-town Maine when their neighbour Morgan Baines is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie.
But it’s not just Morgan’s death that has Sadie on edge. And as the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of what really happened that dark and deadly night. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light.

My Review:

A dark, atmospheric mood which is emphasised by the writer’s description of their location. The reminder of how isolated they are just adding to the tension throughout.

I have not had the pleasure of reading anything from this author before, I didn’t know what to expect but I can’t wait to read more.

The Other Wife teases with the gradual release of information, teasers that at first read may seem of no relevance but at the end make total sense, nothing feels too rushed and this adds to the drama.

We are taken through the story from various points of view by Sadie, Camille, who had the affair with Will, and a young girl called Mouse. It is unclear at first who the Mouse character is and I was confused trying to figure things out. I wanted to know, and this is what had me reading on with such enthusiasm.

I think the action really takes place in the second half of the book, the more I read the more I wanted to find out. I was on the edge of my seat and loved the twists thrown in as it neared its conclusion.

I enjoyed the characters, they are well written and interesting, I wouldn’t say they are likeable although my alliances changed throughout.

Dealing with some deep issues; death, grief, suicide – The Other Mrs is quite the roller coaster and I recommend this read for thriller fans.  

Available to purchase - here!

Recent Read Round-up

The Rumour - Lesley Kara
Published 25 July 2019 by Corgi 

The Rumour is a gripping, psychological thriller that really gives you something to think about. The theme is based around something most people are guilty of at some point – gossiping and/or sharing a rumour.

Main character Joanna is trying to fit in, she’s moved back to the quiet town and wants to fit herself but more so for her son Alfie. With a rumour rife about a child killer living in the community, Jo uses this to garner attention with the other school Mums.

With rumours snowballing and innocent people being victimised, Jo finds herself at the centre of some unwanted and scary attention. With threats to her son, Jo wishes she could find a way to stop the rumour mill before disaster strikes.

I have to say I was hooked from the start, I read it in one sitting. It had some interesting twists, along with some classic misdirection that really kept me on my toes. I thought I had it nailed early on, I’m usually pretty good at generally figuring things out but I was surprised this time.

It is a thought provoking read, the tension slowly builds throughout culminating in a fantastic turn of events.  I enjoyed the writing style and the characters presented; at the beginning I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of different characters being introduced but it worked out fine as I continued to read.

If you enjoy a good thriller than I would recommend. I will look forward to more by the author.

The Night You Left - Emma Curtis
Published July 22nd 2019 by Transworld Digital

Nick disappears just hours after proposing to Grace. She goes through the motions but slowly starts to realise everything may not be as it seems – will her secrets be kept whilst she’s uncovering those of the people around her?!

Such an enjoyable read, the story moves around from present day to the past and from different characters perspectives. I always enjoy this- when done in the right way and this was good. I never felt confused or not sure whose perspective I was reading. I think the inclusion of different character’ POV and scenes from their old lives really helped move the story along quickly.

Grace is obviously emotional, urgent and wanting answers – this leaps from the page and you feel the frustration in not knowing what has happened and if anyone she knows has got the answer. I must admit I worked out some aspects of the story, but they were quickly addressed and there were plenty of additional twists that took me by surprise. The ending – well, crikey me, I did not anticipate that at all.

This book is well-paced, lots of drama happening throughout to keep you entertained. I enjoyed the elements showing Nicks past – especially as we hadn’t had chance to garner opinion of him before he went missing – and we get to see everything he has had to go through.

This book will grab you from the off, I was engrossed and on the edge of my seat until I finished it. I’ve never read any of Emma’s books but I will definitely be rectifying that.

Highly recommend. 

The Library of Lost and Found- Phaedra Patrick 
Paperback - Published June 27th 2019 by HQ

A gorgeous, charm of a book. Some absolutely beautiful moments throughout this book.

Martha Storm is quite the character; putting everyone else before herself she is unable to say no to anyone and crikey me, they do take such advantage of her.

Her world starts to change after being left a copy of a book; full of familiar stories and a special dedication to her. The dedication comes from someone unexpected and it starts Martha on the quest for answers. This quest gives her answers but more than she bargained for.

A wonderful tale about someone breaking out and becoming the version of herself she was destined to be; of doing something for yourself. Martha is a lovey character and I love how she was written; we were on her side and I know I was frustrated for her at times. I was so sympathetic at all that she sacrificed and the moments she missed out on.

This is a lovely, heart warming read that will restore faith in people. Full of characters – some will annoy, some are funny and some just do the best they can for someone they clearly care about. This isn’t a predictable read at all so you may be surprised at times.

I definitely recommend for a cute, quick read.