I have many more thoughts on this book, but for whatever reason, I’m a little emotional about this series ending, and I’m having a hard time pulling them together. Until I do, here’s a brief review.
But trust me when I say that you should do yourself a favor and read this series. You will not be disappointed. I hope you fall in love with it as much as I did.
You know that feeling you get when your favorite television series ends? Like you want to know how it all turns out in the end, but you’re dreading it because you know that it will be “the end?” That’s the feeling I had as I approached reading Sandy. I have become so engrossed in the Vested Interest universe and have loved every minute of their stories. I was happy to see Sandy get center stage, and I really appreciated a mature romance. In some ways, it just seemed more sensible than other romances. The message of it’s never too late for a second chance at happiness is heartfelt and pure. I’m going to miss this series (but thank goodness for re-reads). Now the author can work on BAM: The Next Generation 😊
Hands down one of the most action-packed plots I have read recently (and I’ve read a few), this book is not just a roller coaster of a read. Think the fastest roller coaster with switchbacks and loops where you never know which thrill is coming next.
There is sort of dual plot going, because Gavin (a scientist) is trying to stop the launch of a deadly drug. But when he disappears, Zoe has to find him before it’s too late. But too late for what? Just about everything.
I liked the chemistry between Zoe and Gavin. They were individuals who knew their place but also knew how they had to rely on each other. Well, maybe Gavin has to rely on Zoe a little bit more than vice versa. But she’s a badass to be reckoned with.
There is amazing science, but the author does a good job of making it easily understood. I’m not a science person and sometimes shut down if things get too technical. But that didn’t happen with this book. I was able to follow it and I learned a lot in the process.
There was also political intrigue, which is always a favorite of mine. I liked how the author made me uncertain as to whether or not I should trust a character, and what their motives actually were. None of it felt contrived but natural to the story. A revelation towards the end was especially interesting (no spoilers).
I will say that this is not a book that you can read casually. I almost felt like I should be taking notes, because there were many intricate details, connections and plot points. Trust me when I say you need to be paying attention when you read this one.
I did not read the first book in the series, so I don’t know if I missed anything. I have seen reviews that mention the action flows from one book to this one. I didn’t feel like I came in at the middle of anything, so I would say that it is okay to read this as a standalone. I really enjoyed it.
That being said, there is a major cliffhanger that will lead to book three, so if you have the time, I would suggest going back and starting with the first book, just so you get the whole story. I have a feeling that strung together, it’s all going to be pretty epic.
About Gordon Bickerstaff:
I was born and brought up in Glasgow, Scotland. I studied biochemistry, and I’ve worked in several Scottish universities where I did research on enzymes, and taught biochemistry. After thirty years of teaching and research I retired my academic pen, and took of a mightier fiction pen.
I live in central Scotland with my wife and we enjoy reading, writing, and walking in the hills.
The Lambeth Group books follow the secret government investigations of agent Zoe Tampsin. A strong female protagonist with courage, determination, and guile. She is assisted by specialist consultant, Gavin Shawlens.
One of three stunning thrillers I read this past week, this one had all of the expected action and then some! It’s a fantastic start to what looks like a new series. Get excited!
Grant Fletcher (our hero) has an intriguing backstory. He is a Royal Marine. While previously serving in Afghanistan, his life was saved by a US Marine, Don Ogilvie. When Don’s daughter goes missing, he calls Grant to help find her.
But it’s not all as simple as that.
In the course of following leads, Grant finds out that several girls have gone missing in a small, backwater town in Georgia, so the case becomes infinitely more complicated. He teams up with FBI Special Agent Zoey Quadrado, who is also investigating the missing girls. What follows is lots of page-turning action. And that’s all I’m going to say about the plot itself.
I liked Grant a lot. He was patient and astute but could kick some ass when necessary. He wasn’t a typical “fight his way through everything” action hero. He always thought through a problem. I liked his attitude and his demeanor when dealing with other characters. He actually reminded me a lot of Gibbs from the television show “NCIS.” Calm and measured most of the time, but don’t mess with him.
I was less taken with Zoey, although I did understand her character. Their initial meeting was less than ideal, and from that, I didn’t find her to be especially impartial. But they ended up having a relationship that has promise.
As to the town they were working in, holy moly was that a weird one. From odd characters (loved how Grant gave them nicknames to distinguish them) to a cult-like atmosphere, Daversville was a unique setting that gave angles and depth to what could have been a run-of-the-mill missper case.
I enjoyed this book overall, and I look forward to future thrillers featuring Grant Fletcher.
Author Bio
John Ryder is a former farmworker and joiner. He’s turned his hand to many skills to put food on the table and clothes on his back. A life-long bibliophile, he eventually summoned the courage to try writing himself, and his Grant Fletcher novels have drawn inspiration from authors such as Lee Child, Tom Cain, Zoe Sharp and Matt Hilton. When it comes to future novels, he says he has more ideas than time to write them.
When not writing, John enjoys spending time with his son, reading and socialising with friends. A fanatic supporter of his local football team, he can often be found shouting encouragement to men much younger and fitter than he is.
Carefully plotted and intricately woven this tale of long-buried secrets was a definite page-turner.
Everybody loves a good Cinderella story, and the author wisely uses both Charlie’s background and current situation to explore how the grass isn’t always greener…and to be careful what you wish for because it’s not always the right thing.
I liked Charlie has a heroine. She felt natural and honest. She had the worst upbringing but wasn’t going to let that stop her from being better than her beginnings. Who could blame her for being swept off her feet by rich, charming Paul, right?
I also appreciated her strength, especially as the truth started to coalesce. She didn’t always make the right choices, but her actions and reactions seemed to be what any person in her situation would do.
The overall plot was extremely well thought out, as was the mystery/investigation. I found myself second-guessing who was guilty or responsible for events up until the very last pages. I will say that I had an inkling about one of the characters early on (and I was right), but I’m not saying which one. You’ll have to read it and figure it out for yourself.
Mostly I liked how the author spaced the clues and pertinent plot points evenly throughout the book. While there was a big confrontation at the climax (and yeah, I read that faster because it was filled with tension and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen), there wasn’t a lot of half-hearted twists and turns. Sometimes those work, and sometimes they feel manipulative. None to be found here…everything was evenly placed.
I would say that this is a great summer read because of the setting of a lake. But if you’re reading this by a lake, you might think twice about stepping foot in it (just kidding). It’s tense, intelligent, and realistic. Who could ask for more a book?
About the Author: Kimberly Belle is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of six novels, including the forthcoming Stranger in the Lake (June 2020). Her third novel, The Marriage Lie, was a semifinalist in the 2017 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Mystery & Thriller, and a #1 e-book bestseller in the UK and Italy. She’s sold rights to her books in a dozen languages as well as film and television options. A graduate of Agnes Scott College, Belle divides her time between Atlanta and Amsterdam.
Thanks for stopping by for the first entry in the Harlequin Mystery & Thriller Summer Reads Blog Tour. Be sure to check back in throughout the summer for reviews of these intriguing titles!
I enjoyed Jessie’s Tucker’s first outing, The Silent Victim, so I was very much looking forward to her next “story.” What I got was a mixed bag, but part of that is due to my particular background knowledge.
I still like the fact that Jessie is a reporter. It adds a different angle to the crime investigation she undertakes, which makes it more interesting at times. It certainly cuts down on a lot of police procedure descriptions that, while informative, can sometimes bog down a story.
With Jessie being a reporter, we also get treated to a unique set of characters. Her co-workers at the Tribune are quirky individuals; They are definitely a different breed. I liked the interplay between Jessie and her co-workers, especially some of the stories they told.
Jessie herself did not speak to me as much as she did in the first book. I actually thought she was a bit of a mess (but maybe that was by design). She mentioned her past quite a few times, which got repetitive, and her character seemed uneven. There was one exchange with a police officer that seemed totally out of character – almost like the scene was supposed to be someone else, and Jessie was thrown in, but the dialogue wasn’t changed. It was strange.
I’m not sure how I feel about her search for answers to her past amid everything else, so I will reserve judgment on that until the next book to see how it all pans out.
I also thought that while the author did a great job of weaving the plot threads together into a captivating story, the resolution was way too rushed. After all of the build-up and the clues that Jessie had uncovered, a lot was just exposition. The entire book wrapped up over the last 8-10%, instead of being plotted as part of the story. I think the revelations would have been more impactful. As it was, just about all of the big reveals felt contrived and caricature-ish.
Also, and this is just a totally personal thing for me, I thought the author missed the mark on the NYPD. The codes were wrong, some police procedures were inaccurate, and other stuff was just outright offensive (again TOTALLY personal perspective here). NYPD is unlike any other police force, with its own jargon, codes, and way of doing things that are uniquely New York.
If using the NYPD, there should have been more considerable attention to detail. Given the importance of one plot point, for example, it was jarring that OCCB and RICO were not even mentioned. Those should have been obvious references. And I’m not even going to get started on undercover work. It all could have worked better in a different or fictional department.
BUT, and I can’t stress this enough, anyone without ties to NYPD will probably have no problem with the things I mentioned above. It was still a decent story, Jessie is a protagonist worth rooting for, and is as intrepid as ever. I do look forward to her next investigation.
Author bio: Dana Perry is a New York City author who writes mystery thrillers featuring newspaper reporter Jessie Tucker. Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaPerryAuthor
Considering the usual settings for historical fiction novels, this one stands apart as quite original. It brought up a lot of interesting points that I would be willing to bet that most people never think about.
Set in the immediate aftermath of the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, we get the story of Lana, who is on a personal journey following a mysterious call from her father. The plot also uses a few flashbacks to the days immediately prior to the bombing to set the scene for the rest of the book.
Lana was a complicated character, because a lot of what she went through seemed almost more contemporary than what one would assume would have happened in the 1930s and 40s. Her past mistakes and decisions weigh heavily on her present situation, but she learns and grows through it all.
I thought the mixture of characters was also interesting. The interactions all seemed to be realistic, but again some of them seemed more modern than historical. I especially liked Coco. She absolutely made the book for me.
The underlying message of mysticism and how people should pay more attention to universal signs around them is manifested in Coco. As a child, she still holds childish beliefs, but she ultimately teaches Lana (and other adults around her) how important it is to have beliefs in the esoteric. This is an especially strong message as the world is quite literally falling apart around them.
I did like the setting, as it brought back many memories of visits to Hawaii when I was younger, especially camping trips in Kona. The nature of the Hawaiian people was apparent and reminded me of the people I had the pleasure of knowing there (Auntie especially…I could picture her in my mind).
The timing was important because of plot points. I would be willing to bet that some readers did not know that Italians and Germans were also rounded up in the immediate aftermath of Pearl Harbor.
I’ll never forget a WWII history class in college. I grew up in California, and I wrote a research paper about how the Italian fishing trade from Monterey Bay to the SF Bay Area was decimated when the federal government rounded up Italians. The instructor took issue with it, saying that he had never heard of it. I showed him all of my resources and references. He wrote me an apology letter and said he would be changing his lectures about the prisoner camps.
Anyway, it was an informative read, and I was taken in by the overall message of looking at the bigger picture and the signs that might be sent to help through the hard times. Good advice these days.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sara Ackerman is the USA Today bestselling author of The Lieutenant’s Nurse and Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers. Born and raised in Hawaii, she studied journalism and earned graduate degrees in psychology and Chinese medicine. She blames Hawaii for her addiction to writing, and sees no end to its untapped stories. When she’s not writing or teaching, you’ll find her in the mountains or in the ocean. She currently lives on the Big Island with her boyfriend and a houseful of bossy animals. Find out more about Sara and her books at www.ackermanbooks.com and follow her on Instagram @saraackermanbooks and on FB @ackermanbooks.
This review was the first of three on the 2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour for Historical Fiction. Be sure to check back here on 6/23 for The Black Swan of Paris and on 7/16 for The Woman Before Wallis!
At times, this was a difficult book to read, not because it was bad, but because it was so good. Casey Kelleher certainly gives a new meaning to “gritty” in No Escape. From the prologue to the last pages, I was gripped by the stories of the characters. But trust me when I say that this is not for the faint of heart. Some of the action is, unfortunately, realistically brutal.
And to be clear, it’s unfortunate that the brutality is realistic. It is accurate to the lives of people who live in areas like Griffin Estate.
The author does a fantastic job of illustrating the book title via the character’s situations. For those who live at Griffin Estate, there is no way out. Shannon goes to school and works hard, but there’s rarely enough money to get by. Shannon’s brother Kian gets involved with Jax’s gang because he sees them making money and wants to help his family. They’re both in that situation because their mother is a drunk wastrel (who also hasn’t been able to escape her circumstances).
Jax and his gang take advantage of Philip, who is on his own. Gary and his pals take advantage of Shannon’s mom, who is incapable of helping herself. Even Trainee Detective Constable Lucy Murphy tries to escape the memories of her childhood and doesn’t always succeed. And her grandmother has dementia, where she gets trapped in her mind.
Honestly, pretty much every character in this book is trapped in one way or another.
I thought the author also did an excellent job of weaving all of these individual stories together into one page-turner of a book. I don’t know that I can say that I enjoyed the plot, because it was dark and “joy” did not factor in too much.
But it held my attention, and I did like how the author laid out the connections. It was neat (for lack of a better term) to see how easily intertwined people in those situations could be.
Knowing how life can be in projects in the U.S., I got an absolute same feeling from the estate. In that regard, this book serves not only as a gritty crime thriller but as a pretty searing commentary on poverty and downtrodden populations as well.
If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, this isn’t it. But if you want something well-written and truthful, definitely give this one a look.
Author Bio
Born in Cuckfield, West Sussex, Casey Kelleher grew up as an avid reader and a huge fan of author Martina Cole.
Whilst working as a beauty therapist and bringing up her three children together with her husband, Casey penned her debut novel Rotten to the Core. Its success meant that she could give up her day job and concentrate on writing full time.
I’m always excited to find a new crime series. Clara Jefferies is a detective to root for, not only because she is an intelligent investigator, but because she escaped a life that would have sent her in a completely different direction.
I thought the choice of a polygamist town was bold and fascinating. Making Elijah’s People a fundamentalist Mormon sect allowed the author to explore the nature of polygamy and all of the restrictions and rules that go along with it.
I found the perspective to be thought-provoking. On the one hand, there are aspects to that type of living that go against what is acceptable in society. On the other hand, there were times that they were quite sympathetic.
One such example is how the women and sister wives were left practically destitute when some of the men were arrested in previous years. It was a stark illustration not only of the rules they lived by but also how deep-rooted the beliefs were. Either the author has first-hand experience or did extensive research because the level of detail was incredible.
The author also did a great job of keeping the action moving even in times where not a lot was happening; the dialogue was crisp, and the interactions kept everything the investigation moving forward. I also thought that the chapters from Delilah’s point of view added to the mystery while also answering some questions.
I especially appreciated that the author kept me guessing until the very end. The clues weren’t exactly red herrings, but they were enough to keep me off-balance as to who the perpetrator was. Even beyond that, I liked how it ended. We have to wait for the next book to see what Clara’s final decision was, and I think that’s brilliant.
I look forward to reading Clara Jefferies’ investigations in many books to come!
Author Bio A novelist and award-winning journalist, Kathryn Casey is the author of eleven highly acclaimed true crime books and the creator of the Sarah Armstrong mystery series. Library Journal picked THE KILLING STORM as one of the best mysteries of 2010. Her latest true crime, IN PLAIN SIGHT, investigates the Kaufman County prosecutor murders, a case that made worldwide headlines.
Casey has appeared on Oprah, 20/20, the Today Show, Good Morning America, the Biography Channel, Reelz, The Travel Network, Investigation Discovery, and many other venues. Ann Rule called Casey “one of the best in the true crime genre.”
I am a big fan of Agatha Christie. Her books are well-plotted, the characters are memorable, and the mysteries are unique. However, mysteries are tough to re-read. Honestly, once you know “whodunnit” you can only go back so many times to see what you missed before the story gets old.
I’m always looking for a new author who writes similar to Ms. Christie, and I couldn’t be happier than to have found Leighann Dobbs. I thoroughly enjoyed A Purr-fect Alibi and was excited for more to come. Her latest, Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat, does not disappoint. (I must point out, the two books are not in the same series. This new one is standalone).
I may have found a new favorite pair: Nora Marsh and her feisty great-aunt Julia are a fantastic duo.
Right off, I liked the setting. It reminded me of one of my favorite Christie’s Death On the Nile. The “single-set” of a steamboat allowed the author to be creative (there are only so many places to be on a ship). But that also helped keep the action tight; there were no rambling passages about travel.
I also like the era. Ms. Dobbs captured everything from the music to the lingo to the dress of the day. She created an atmosphere that just screamed “1920s” from head to toe.
As to the mystery itself, I wouldn’t be a good blogger if I gave it all away, would I? Suffice to say that the set-up is masterful because each of the characters is introduced naturally, and viewing them through the eyes of a murder novelist was unique. It felt like a “live” game of Clue.
It was also nice to be able to change it up and read a straightforward mystery instead of crime or psych one. To me, that change of pace is relaxing and feels like sitting down with a cat curled up next to me. I guess that’s why they are called “cozy mysteries,” though.
Fans of Agatha Christie, cozy mysteries, the 1920s, historical fiction (any or all of these!) will no doubt enjoy this book as much as I did.
Author Bio USA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.
Her book “Dead Wrong” won the “Best Mystery Romance” award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book “Ghostly Paws” was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
Megan has a tortured (quite literally) past, and it rears its head during investigations. This time, the investigation brings back even more memories due to the similarities in the victims. I’m not going to go into a lot of details about the crimes, because I don’t want to give too much away.
I did like how the investigation sort of went in reverse, as instead of victims increasing in real-time, they made connections to past crimes. That’s indicative of real police work; to be able to connect the dots to past events to predict who or what patters to look for future crimes.
Megan is one of my favorite female detectives (and there are a lot of them out there). Each of them is unique in their way, with diverse backstories that influence and motivate their decisions. But Megan takes the cake for a messed up early life and demons that continuously haunt her.
I particularly enjoy her one-line asides (an example is when she tells someone she is not lying, and then there is a line that is her thinking “I was lying”). This part of her personality comes through strongly. It also illustrates her sense of humor; as she states, dark humor is an officer’s way of releasing pressure when faced with pressure situations. This is 100% true and accurate to real life.
Her dark and sarcastic sense of humor is shaped by her past. We get that backstory via tapes of recordings made during counseling sessions when she was younger. Even though the background is detailed, it is a complicated past, and it drives Megan relentlessly, keeping her from feeling human. This is partly illustrated by her confused feelings toward Dan.
Even more so, we see it in her reluctance to work closely with Ronnie, a reserve deputy who is kind of thrown in as Megan’s partner. Megan works alone, and her comments about having to work with Ronnie are ascerbic…until she realizes that Ronnie is pretty darn good at the job.
I liked how Megan took a mentoring approach to work with Ronnie, encouraging her (even subconsciously) to be better and look closer at clues. I thought this was a good relationship that I hope continues.
The investigation kept me guessing right up until the big reveal (so kudos for that). There is still some unfinished business for Megan, and the arrival of an unexpected guest promises that there is still a long way for her to go. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Author Bio
A #1 New York Times, Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, Olsen has written nine nonfiction books, seventeen novels, a novella, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife, twin daughters, three chickens, Milo (an obedience school dropout cocker) and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
Sandy by Melanie Moreland
