Girl A - Dan Scottow

 

Someone thinks they know who she is… and what she did.

But she insists it’s a mistake.

All Beth has ever wanted is a quiet life for her and her family. And that is what she has, until one evening a note is pushed through the door, with two words scrawled in menacing black ink; Found you.

As Beth’s neatly crafted life begins to unravel, an unseen menace torments her and those she loves. But who’s behind the threats?

Somebody is out to get Beth, but do they have the right woman?

Beth faces losing everything, and there is far more at stake than just her marriage…

Purchase Link

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-unforgettable-psychological-Dan-Scottow-ebook/dp/B08YZ7YR8K/

US - https://www.amazon.com/Girl-unforgettable-psychological-Dan-Scottow-ebook/dp/B08YZ7YR8K/

My Review:

Fantastic! GIRL A is a standalone psychological thriller by Dan Scottow. I’ve seen this is his second release – I am going to be reading the first now though, what brilliant writing!

The writing style helped this rollercoaster story flow and all the dramatic, brilliant twists and turns meant I just couldn’t put it down. I was on tenterhooks all the way through and although I thought I had it all summed up, I didn’t. There were moments that I did not see coming right until the end.

I’m not going too much into the storyline as I think you need to just read what happens to fully get the impact of each revelation and dramatic moment. Main character Beth, well, she is really very interesting. I didn’t really like her but then again I didn’t hate her either, she is a great character to read about though, I was fully invested in what happened.

A book full of suspense, thrills and drama, I highly recommend for fans of psychological thrillers. I will keep a look out for future releases from this author, if this is anything to go by Dan Scottow will be a -must-read-author. 

Author Bio:

Dan grew up in Hertfordshire before moving to London in his early twenties. After more than ten years living there, he decided enough was enough, and packed his bags for Scotland in search of a more peaceful life. Dan works as a graphic designer, but dreams of the day he can give it up and write full time. Besides writing, he enjoys painting, watching a good scary film, travelling the world (at least, he used to!), good food, a gin and tonic or two, long walks on the beach with his dogs, and of course, reading a great book.

Dan’s debut novel ‘Damaged’ was released in January 2020, published by Bloodhound books.

Social Media Links – Twitter: @DanScottow

Facebook page: @danscottowauthor

Just like the other girls - Claire Douglas

A story of how jealousy, lies and betrayal can build a family before destroying it from Sunday Times Bestseller.

CARER/COMPANION WANTED FOR ELDERLY LADY

* YOUNG FEMALE PREFERRED * COMPETITIVE SALARY *
*ROOM AND BOARD INCLUDED * 

Una Richardson's heart is broken after the death of her mother. Seeking a place to heal, she responds to an advertisement and steps into the rich, comforting world of Elspeth McKenzie.
But Elspeth's home is not as it safe as it seems.
Kathryn, her cold and bitter daughter, resents Una's presence. But more disturbing is the evidence suggesting two girls lived here before. Two girls who ended up dead.
And now she sleeps in the same bed as they did.
Why will the McKenzies not talk about them?
What other secrets are locked inside this house? Can these girls lead Una to the truth?

And as the walls close in around her Una fears she will end up just like the other girls . . . 

My Review:

My first read from this author but definitely not my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end.

This is one exciting, twisted thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. When I thought I knew what was happening and had it all sussed, I was wrong. You are brought into this story slowly, gently and carefully- with misdirection and red herrings littered throughout.

There was a massive shock mid-way through that really did surprise me, very clever by the author to keep us readers on our toes like that. I don’t want to say much as I think it is better to discover naturally.

With characters you will love to hate, this is a book I will highly recommend time and time again. A true page turner, you will not want to put this book down until the very end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Claire Douglas has worked as a journalist for fifteen years writing features for women's magazines and national newspapers. Her first novel, The Sisters, was followed by Local Girl Missing, Last Seen Alive and Do Not Disturb, all Sunday Times bestsellers. She lives in Bath with her husband and two children and is available for interview and features.

How to Disappear by Gillian McAllister

You can run, you can hide, but can you disappear for good?

Lauren's daughter Zara witnessed a terrible crime. But speaking up comes with a price, and when Zara's identity is revealed online, it puts a target on her back.

The only choice is to disappear.

From their family, their friends, even from Lauren's husband.

No goodbyes. Just new names, new home, new lives.

One mistake - a text, an Instagram like - could bring their old lives crashing into the new.

As Lauren will learn, disappearing is easy.

Staying hidden is much harder . . .

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.

Little White Lies - Philippa East

She only looked away for a second…

Anne White only looked away for a second, but that’s all it took to lose sight of her young daughter.
But seven years later, Abigail is found.
And as Anne struggles to connect with her teenage daughter, she begins to question how much Abigail remembers about the day she disappeared…

My Review:
The synopsis of this book was interesting and as I read through, I was not disappointed in the slightest. Little White Lies is an intense portrayal of how victims must face the trauma they suffered but also how families cope with trying to move forward with their lives they were living; a general lack of trust and how secrets can damage relationships. 


The story is told through two different perspectives – Mother and Jess (cousin) and both voices are distinctive and give valuable insight into the character of Abigail. Jess sounded very childlike and naïve, in comparison to the other girls. She was increasingly unhappy at home, with her relationships and thought everything would return to normal with the return of Abigail.


Anne (Mother) was a character I struggled with. I knew instantly she was hiding something but not exactly sure what. She struggled to bond with her daughter, which is understandable at first, but I don’t think she paid attention to what Abigail was trying to communicate. I felt sorry for her and as the book progressed and information was uncovered, I could empathise a little more.


You do have a sense of calm at various intervals, the author lulls you into thinking the twists have all been given and you know what is happening and why; by the end of the book you understand why relationships between characters seemed strained and a little off so it’s clever of Philippa East to leave massive revelations until late in the book. This kept me engaged and interested, not one to settle and think everything is as it seems. I read it very quickly as I wanted to know more, see the situation explained and the consequences of actions in place.


Overall, I found this book thought-provoking and well written. I was engaged and eager to read through quickly.  A brilliant debut and I will look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to the publishers, HQ, for a copy of the book to read and review honestly.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Philippa East works as a Clinical Psychologist and therapist. She lives in Lincolnshire with her husband and cat. Philippa’s prize-winning short stories have been published in various literary journals and Little White Lies is her debut novel.

Purchase Links:

Amazon
Waterstones
Apple Books
Google Books
Kobo

The Other You - J.S Monroe

About the book

Kate used to be good at recognising people. So good, she worked for the police, identifying criminals in crowds of thousands. But six months ago, a devastating car accident led to a brain injury. Now the woman who never forgot a face can barely recognise herself in the mirror.

At least she has Rob. Young, rich, handsome and successful, Rob runs a tech company on the idyllic Cornish coast. Kate met him just after her accident, and he nursed her back to health. When she's with him, in his luxury modernist house, the nightmares of the accident fade, and she feels safe and loved.

Until, one day, she looks at Rob anew. And knows, with absolute certainty, that the man before her has been replaced by an impostor.

Is Rob who he says he is? Or is it all in Kate's damaged mind?

My Review:

Thrilled to be able to review this new release from JS Monroe. As a fan of his previous book, Forget My Name, I couldn’t wait to get stuck in and see what this had it store. I was not disappointed in the slightest, Monroe has completely given us another smash.
I was absolutely engaged from the off, imagining all sorts of possible twists and turns. I was so captivated by the story being told I was getting through the pages in no time at all, which to my own annoyance meant towards the end I had to slow myself right down to ensure I didn’t miss anything and I fully understood it all – I get far too excited for my own good when a book is this exciting!

I’m not going to lie the doppelganger theme is something that I’ve thought about (I’ve been told by so many people I have one they’ve been certain they saw me when I was no where near!) so it was actually quite scary at times. I was on the edge of my seat, certain that this could all quite easily take place. It was so exciting and really got me thinking, I was completely intrigued.

I don’t want to reveal too much about the storyline here as I think it’s best to get the full affect first hand. I enjoyed the narrative being told from the three viewpoints – Kate, Jake and Silas. It is full of red herrings that lead you to thinking one thing, whilst surprising you with something else.

The characters are great, my favourite is Silas and I’d love to see more of him in future books. JS Monroe is a master at creating a tension filled, rollercoaster of a thriller that will have you on edge throughout.
 
The Other You is an original, gripping thriller that I cannot recommend enough. JS Monroe is definitely going to be one of my go to authors and I look forward to what comes next. 

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2B5lxA9
iBooks: https://apple.co/3286CkM
Kobo: https://bit.ly/35nDd8h
GooglePlay:
https://bit.ly/2OAI0x7


About the Author


J.S. Monroe read English at Cambridge, worked as a foreign correspondent in Delhi, and

was Weekend editor of the Daily Telegraph in London before becoming a full-time writer. Monroe is the author of six novels, including the international bestseller, Find Me.

Follow J.S. Monroe:

Twitter: @JSThrillers
Facebook: @JSMonroeFindMe

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.