Tag: Page-Turner

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I Am Here to Kill You-Blog Tour (Review)-Psychological Thriller-Available Now

Every once in a while, I come across a book that doesn’t just keep me guessing but makes me wonder what the hell is going on – not figuring it all out until the closing pages.

This is one of those books.

Full disclosure, I had a hard time getting through the beginning because after a bang-up opener (almost literally), the author immediately switches gears to introducing multiple characters.

The chapters themselves were not confusing as the perspective jumped between them. But it all seemed disjointed, and I kept wondering what they had to do with each other and how it all tied to the opening chapter.

I’m glad I stuck with it though, because at about 40% I started to see the connections. At that point, I realized how clever the author had been at the beginning, slowly revealing bits and pieces that seemed innocuous but were actually quite telling.

Well done on that.

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3s506Ix
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2PgQLi8

At halfway through, everything started to become clear – to paraphrase one of the characters, the pieces started to fall into place.

From there to the end, it became quite a page-turner, as the motivations of certain characters became clearer, and events occurred that shined even more light on how everything was connected.

I did think that there were a few times that the author went a bit heavy on the “men are horrible” theme. I get why it was important to the plot, but a few times I felt “enough already.”

However, I also thought that the way one character manipulated others was masterful. The reader got a little bit of insight that the characters didn’t, which added to the mystery of motivation.

This quite the psych thriller with twists and connections you absolutely won’t see coming. Take everything in at the beginning and you’ll truly enjoy the latter half of the book much more.

Twitter: @ChrisWestlake2

About Chris Westlake: After completing a Creative Writing course in 2010, Chris Westlake’s short story, Welsh Lessons, was awarded 1st place in the Global Short Story Award (not bad for the first writing competition he had entered). He followed this up with 1st place in the Stringybark Erotic Fiction Award and 2nd place in the HASSRA Literary Award.

Chris has written three novels. 30 DAYS IN JUNE is his first crime thriller. He is currently writing his second thriller, on schedule to be completed in 2020. He is determined to write many, many more – his main regret is that he didn’t start writing earlier.

Chris considers himself to be a developing author. He is always looking to improve, to make his next novel even better than the last. He is continuously experimenting with different styles, different genres.

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Their Silent Graves by Carla Kovach – Books On Tour (Review)

In my review of the previous book, Her Last Mistake, I wrote that “there were a few times I felt that Gina’s memories bogged the plot down. I wanted to get back to the action of the story.”

Well, I got my wish. This time Gina’s past actually becomes more of the story (more on that in just a minute).

As with previous books, the author jumps right into the action, giving the reader a peek into an event in the past, 24 year ago…but of whose past we’re not quite sure. We then jump forward 12 years to another incident, but still with no real clue as to the connections.

I love the way this author set all of that up, because when we get to present day, we have some sort of background on current events; we know more than the police do, anyway. Not that it helps too much, because as always, this is a clever plot that keeps the reader guessing.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08B1LJ5YSSocial Apple: http://ow.ly/YMmO50A5OCV
Kobo: http://ow.ly/gd7350A5Oz Google: http://ow.ly/Xe5850A5OFC

I will also mention now that it’s set around the end of October, so it’s excellent reading for this time of year. While it’s still a cracking good investigation, there’s a spooky element to it that fits the season perfectly.

As always, the team works together smoothly. We get a few more insights into their dynamics, but for the most part, it’s just good, steady investigative work from everyone.

As to Gina’s personal matter, we know from past books that Gina has some traumas that have left her scarred and shaken. This time, one surfaces in the most unexpected way. As she is busy with the case at hand, she also has to determine what the truth is about this new twist from her past.

It all weaves together for a page-turning crime thriller. And a special shout out to the title which has an awesome double meaning.

Sometimes it’s difficult to write a review about a series, especially when it gets to later books, because the “newness” may wear off. When that happens, later books can seem repetitive.

However, there is something to be said about knowing that you are going to get a solid criminal investigation with interesting plot points (and twists), engaging characters, and a ruthless killer.

That’s what you get here, and it’s another winner.

Facebook: CarlaKovachAuthor/
Twitter: @CKovachAuthor
Website: https://griffbuck.wordpress.com/

Author Bio:

Carla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama ‘Flame,’ psychological thriller ‘To Let,’ crime thriller ‘Whispers Beneath the Pines,’ and holiday comedy, ‘Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.’ Carla also writes stage and screenplays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area.

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The Mistress by Jill Childs – Books On Tour (Review)

This book zigged when I thought it was going to zag and kept me guessing (for the most part) right up until the very end.

The story is told in two halves. The first is from the perspective of Laura Dixon, the titular mistress. We only get a small glimpse into her relationship with Ralph before everything goes horribly wrong.

From there, the readers are taken through Laura’s confusion “post-incident.” We’re never quite sure if she is totally losing it, or if there is a reason that she is reacting so strongly to her situation. Did she love Ralph that much? Did he have another secret that she knew about? And what’s with the weird text messages she begins to receive?

The tension builds as she becomes more erratic, finally climaxing in another incident. However, we don’t know exactly what happens, because the book abruptly switches point of view.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3bxrLul Apple: https://apple.co/3d1tYNv
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2YIHmku Google: https://bit.ly/3e72k2V

The second half is from Helen’s point of view. She’s the long-suffering wife of Ralph. She has to keep everything together for the sake of her daughter. She’s calm and collected where Laura is spinning off the rails.

Is there a method to why she is so cool in the face of her husband’s betrayal? What does she know that she’s not sharing? The author drops a few asides that let the reader know there’s more going on.

I thought that both characters were interesting in their own rights, and well-written to represent the two sides of an affair. The mistress blames the wife for the husband straying…until she’s forced to really take a look at her own behavior.

The wife knows how charming her husband could be, but how many times would she put up with betrayal? And having a daughter to look after and protect makes for a mean Mama Bear to come out.

This book is well-plotted. Even though I said that the switch in point of view was abrupt, it wasn’t jarring. It was obvious that Laura’s part in the story was pretty much over (we do get a few mentions of what happened to her), and that it was time for Helen to take over the narrative. It was effective story-telling.

I mentioned it kept me guessing “for the most part.” I like to play a game when I read psych thrillers, trying to think of the most outrageous plot twist, seeing if I can outguess the author. Sometimes I’m successful. This time I had an inkling, but not a full theory until late in the story. Even then, I didn’t get it completely right.

I’d definitely recommend this one for insight into the minds of females on both sides of an affair…and that killer twist (literally).

Twitter: https://twitter.com/author_jill

Author Bio:
Jill always loved writing – real and imaginary – and spent thirty years travelling the world as a journalist, living overseas and reporting wherever the news took her. She’s now made her home in south-west London with her husband and twin girls who love stories as much as she does. Although she’s covered everything from earthquakes and floods, wars and riots, she’s decided some of the most extraordinary stories are right here at home – in the secrets and lies she imagines behind closed doors on ordinary streets just like yours. 

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Books on Tour (Review): Winter Rising by Alex Callister

If you thought the first book was action-packed, you ain’t seen nothing yet! The author pretty much picks up where Winter Dark left off and keeps the high-octane plot going.

This time, Winter and other members of GCHQ are after a notorious hitman, the Guardsman. But is Winter off her game after her close encounter with Alek Konstantin? She certainly can’t shake him from her thoughts even as she knows he could be manipulating everything while on the run.

The author does a fantastic job of not letting up on the action, even in the “quiet” moments. There is always a feeling of…not exactly dread…but more of that you just know something big could happen at any second. To me, that’s the very definition of a page-turner.

I liked how Winter has become a more “full” character. She seemed to have more depth this time around. I loved her interactions with members of the CIA and her own team. I especially enjoyed her “mentorship” of Leon and Xiu. I think it made Winter realize a side of her personality she didn’t know she had.

That being said, she is still her caustic, cautious self. I enjoy reading about her messing with people because they never know if she is serious or not (the “Coming to America” reference comes to mind). She keeps people off-balance naturally, which is almost like a suit of protection for her.

As for the Konstantin, he is like a looming specter in both Winter’s mind and the overall plot. He is enigmatic (and apparently charismatic) which makes it difficult to decide whether to hate him for his evilness or appreciate his deceit.

I also thought it was fascinating and a little disconcerting to read about a world in chaos. There’s a different reason for it in the book (obviously), but the current global situation gave an added layer of tension. It’s not that much of a reach to think of looming possibilities. (That’s a tad bit dramatic, but the emotion is definitely there.

I’m pretty sure that I didn’t breathe much through the last third of the book. But that’s okay because now I’m primed for the next one!

Author Bio
Alex Callister is the pseudonym of an industry expert on media, telecoms and internet stocks. She studied history at Oxford and the British School at Rome and was set for a career in academia until the beginning of the tech boom woke a lifelong interest in internet shares. Alex has spent her career visiting high-security web hosting sites and speculating on what might go wrong. 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CallisterAuthor
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Blog Tour (Review): This Is How I Lied by Heather Gudenkauf

I’m not exactly sure how to classify this book. It’s not exactly a psychological thriller, but it’s not really a crime/mystery either. It’s twisted and has a LOT going on. It seems as if everyone is lying at one point or another, and as the story progresses, it becomes more difficult to tell who is telling the truth and when.

What I found especially interesting about this book was that none of the characters particularly grabbed me. I didn’t relate to any of them, but I think it actually worked better that way because I was able to read it with a detachment. This enabled me to have a more critical eye in looking for clues to the truth. It was a different experience in reading (and I always like new things like this).

I will say that I found Nora to be one of the most unpredictable characters I have ever “met.” I flip-flopped on whether she was just brilliant and misunderstood or a complete psychopath. There were several aspects to her character that could be interpreted in many ways. To be honest, I’m still not entirely sure about her.

The writer tackles multiple issues in this book, some of which may be difficult for some readers. Dating violence is one example, but the author does handle it tactfully. It’s not graphic and does not last through the whole book. There is another situation that could be disturbing to some, but to mention it would give away the plot. I know that’s unhelpful, and I’m sorry for it. But I’m sure you can find it in other reviews.

There is a mystery to be solved, and there are several possible suspects. At any given point, any of them could be guilty. There was a lot of build-up to the big reveal, which occurred in an extremely intense confrontation.

But then, it seemed like the end was very rushed. For example, one plotline was tossed off with an “I’ll never know who did this” when the action in question played a fairly significant part in one character’s story arc. There were also a few other summary sentences about important points that just seemed to fizzle. It was almost as if the writer wanted the story to be wrapped up quickly.

Ultimately, it was a story about an event in a small-town (the author did capture the claustrophobia of small-town living quite well), and how the impact of that event carries on over the years. Then it becomes a matter of revenge. How far would you go to enact revenge on an old wrong?  I recommend this book, but just know that this is only one of the questions you may find unanswered.

Author Bio

Heather Gudenkauf is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many books, including The Weight of Silence and These Things Hidden. Heather graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in elementary education, has spent her career working with students of all ages. She lives in Iowa with her husband, three children, and a very spoiled German Shorthaired Pointer named Lolo. In her free time, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, reading, hiking, and running.

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Blog Tour (Review): Into Darkness by T.J. Brearton

With a chilling start that I knew was NOT going to end well, this book had me riveted from the very beginning.

I can’t describe how well the plot rolled out. It didn’t feel like anything was forced for the sake of the story. Instead, it felt like an actual investigation, with moments of extreme excitement, followed by periods of investigation. Those “down times” would lull me into the steadiness of fact-finding, and then there would be a break in the case. It was all realistic to how an investigation proceeds.

I really liked the main character, Shannon. She was kick-ass and good at her job but didn’t come across as the obnoxious female trying to make a name for herself. She just did good investigative work. I also appreciated that the author didn’t feel the need to give her a traumatic back story to make the reader feel overly sympathetic towards her (I’ve read a few books like that lately). Being able to follow her through the investigation was easy because there were no other hang-ups or distractions.

One of the things that I enjoyed most about this book was the setting. I read a lot of books set in various parts of the UK, and while I find the differences in their police work to be informative, I get excited (and a little wary) when I see one that takes place in the US.

(You may ask why I am wary of US policework? A husband who has 30+ years of LE – over 20 with NYPD. I’ve learned how to sniff out faulty facts and unrealistic investigative steps).

I’m happy to say that this book rang true to me from start to finish. Having lived in the city (most of the time in Queens), it was especially engaging to see areas and specific locations that were familiar (Kew Gardens and Ditmars-Steinway are particularly familiar to me). I also enjoyed Shannon’s memories of upstate NY, as we lived there for a number of years as well (but more in the central area).

I also think that the author did an admirable job of capturing the speech patterns of the residents of the area. In fact, pretty sure that I worked with the secretary/receptionist at the construction site and lived next door to the eyewitness to Monica’s abduction.

The plot itself was also intriguing and covered a lot of ground. It illustrated just how twisted an investigation can be and how pulling the right thread at the right time can make all of the difference. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more from the author.

About T.J. Brearton

T.J. Brearton’s books have reached half a million readers around the world and have topped the Amazon charts in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. A graduate of the New York Film Academy in Manhattan, Brearton first worked in film before focusing on novels. His books are visually descriptive with sharp dialog and underdog heroes. When not writing, Brearton does whatever his wife and three children tell him to do. They live happily in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate, New York. Yes, there are bears in the Adirondacks. But it’s really quite beautiful when you’re not running for your life.T.J. is the author of Dead Gone and many other crime thrillers. INTO DARKNESS will be his first novel published with Inkubator Books.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BreartonTJ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tjbreartonauthor/
Website: http://tjbrearton.net/
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Books On Tour (Review): My Husband’s Lie by Emma Davies

 A good set up is key to a good story. If the opening doesn’t grab me, it can sometimes be a slog to get through to anything exciting. Fortunately, the author of this book sets up what’s yet to come with two straightforward statements from the main characters. From there, it was a page-turning read to find out what was behind it all.

One thing I appreciated about this book was the story unfolded. Often-times, there seems to be a rush to “get to the good stuff,” which can sometimes feel manipulative. That is not the case here. Ms. Davies does a terrific job of lulling the reader into a sort of peacefulness, as we follow Thea and Drew through their move to Thea’s childhood home.

I got into the renovations of the studio and was excited that the two characters were excited. The author made me feel that much for them that early in the book. But even as everything seems to be coming together for them, there is an ominous feeling that builds right along with Thea’s odd experiences in the village.

This is another thing that I enjoyed; everything is just smooth. It’s hard to explain without giving anything away, but there was a thin line between the bad stuff that started occurring and the struggle Thea had as she tried to reconcile her memories with current events. Everything melded together into one coherent story, and neither thread got lost at the expense of the other. I thought Thea was a solid character, and I especially liked how she took control and helped her story came full-circle.

One of the things I appreciated most, and I suppose this could be considered a mini-spoiler, was that the family unit was not decimated as so often happens in this genre. I thought the author made the point about support and love at any cost crystal clear through both Drew’s and Thea’s actions.

I read this in essentially one sitting, as I was fascinated with how Ms. Davies crafted her story. It kept me interested and even got me teary as resolutions started to occur. This is one you should pick up right away.

Author Bio:

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: ‘I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.’ Well the job in the design studio didn’t work out but she’s now a forty something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband, three children, and two guinea pigs in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life. It’s a county she adores, her love of its beautiful people and landscapes providing endless inspiration for her books, and in fact the only thing that would make Shropshire more idyllic is if it were by the sea. 

Pop over to her website www.emmadaviesauthor.com where, amongst other things, you can read about her passion for Pringles and singing loudly in the car. You can also wave to her on twitter @EmDaviesAuthor / https://twitter.com/EmDaviesAuthor or find her on Facebook (a little too often than is good for her):  https://www.facebook.com/emmadaviesauthor/

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