Forensic psychologist Paula Maguire returns in BLOOD TIDE, the fifth novel in Claire McGowan's acclaimed series. If you enjoyed Sharon Bolton's LITTLE BLACK LIES or Elly Griffiths' THE WOMAN IN BLUE, you will love this new novel from the author of THE SILENT DEAD and A SAVAGE HUNGER.
Called in to investigate the disappearance of a young couple during a violent storm, Paula Maguire, forensic psychologist, has mixed feelings about going back to Bone Island. Her last family holiday as a child was spent on its beautiful, remote beaches and returning brings back haunting memories of her long-lost mother. It soon becomes clear that outsiders aren't welcome on the island, and with no choice but to investigate the local community, Paula soon suspects foul play, realising that the islanders are hiding secrets from her, and each other. With another storm fast approaching, Paula is faced with a choice. Leave alive or risk being trapped with a killer on an inescapable island, as the blood tide rushes in...
My Rating 5/5
Book 5 in the Paula Maguire series. This is a series I have loved following. I love the character that Paula has become. And have enjoyed this book just as much as the other 4. She certainly doesn't have the perfect private life, and it gets twisted up in work life an awful lot. She is still messed up in searching for clues of her missing mother. Single mother of a little girl, the reasons I won't mention here just in case you have not read the previous books. Paula is asked to help on a missing persons case, which sees her traveling to Bone Island. Just it's name gives you the creeps. It's another complex case, and as always things don't go to plan, nothing is straight forward and Paula finds herself in the middle of a sticky mess. It's another tense page turner, and leaves you wanting to turn the pages to see what is happening. I can't wait for more from Paula, she's certainly a great character.
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Book Description:
When Jake Boulder is asked by his PI friend to help investigate the vicious murder of Kira Niemeyer, he soon finds himself tracking a serial killer who selects his next victim in a most unusual manner. As the body count rises, Boulder has to work with the police to identify the heinous killer before more lives are taken. What ensues is a twisted game of cat and mouse, that only Boulder or the Watcher can survive
First off, I was thrilled to be asked to take part in this Blog Tour for Grahams new book Watching The Bodies.
I was looking forward to reading it after enjoying his previous books. And you can read my reviews on those books HERE
So wowzers Just what did I think of this book. Well I loved it! It's certainly a 5 star read for me.
I had to remind myself that WATCHING THE BODIES is the start of a new series featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder. And as with any new series of books I think you have to go in with an open mind, especially when you have previously enjoyed the authors other works. I certainly had nothing to worry though once I got into this bad boy. By god I enjoyed it. I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it so much when I realised it was set in the US. I don't know why I think I just presumed it was going to be set in the UK somewhere. Never presume they say. Because it's safe to say I more than enjoyed it. If I'm honest now after reading it then this probably wouldn't have worked so well had it been set in the UK. Jake Boulder, well what a character and a half he is. Jake along with Alfonse make a great duo. Jake is helping Alfonse on a case he has with his PI firm. A local has been killed and her father has no confidence In the local police and hires Alfonse to help find her killer. In turn Alfonse wants Jake on board with him. They soon end up where they are helping the police with this case, and this is where I felt it really got going. With a police force as bad as this one it's lucky that Alfonse and Jake take the case on. Jake seems to be one of those people that can't help attract trouble, he's very handy with his fists, but of course only in self defence and he can certainly look after himself. This is probably why his good buddy Alfonse and Jakes mother always worry about him. I loved his mothers character, she was just first class. But I seriously loved Jake Boulder. And in the hunt in this book for The Watcher I feel we have gotten to know Jake really well, yet I also think there is a whole lot more to him that will come as the series progresses. I can see this series going on to be one awesome and big series. A series of books that once discovered with have many, many readers waiting and praying for the next one. I am certainly going to be one of those readers. I'm thrilled that I have read somewhere that Graham is now set for work on book 3, How cool is that. I just hope Graham can throw them out quick enough because I for one don't want to wait to long to read more. I'm worried about giving to much away. But what I can say is this is a great start to what I hope will be a long running series. I don't know where Graham gets all his ideas for these books, but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.
Graham Smith is married with a young son. A time served joiner he has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. For the last eleven years he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.
An avid fan of crime fiction since being given one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books at the age of eight, he has also been a regular reviewer for the well respected review site Crimesquad.com for over two years. As well as reviewing for Crimesquad.com Graham has also interviewed such stellar names as David Baldacci, Jeffrey Deaver, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Matt Hilton, current CWA Chair Peter James, Mark Billingham and many others. When not working, his time is spent reading, writing and playing games with his son. He enjoys socialising and spending time with friends and family.
Four bodies are found in a luxury hotel
The first is a man who checked in under a false name. Two are in a room next door, full of surveillance equipment. And the fourth is the house maid, who saw too much. Detective Lindsay Boxer is sent in to investigate and hunt down an elusive and dangerous suspect. But when her husband Joe goes missing, she begins to fear that the suspect she is searching for could be him. As the case gets ever more complicated and personal, San Francisco is suddenly faced with an atrocity no one will ever forget.
I'm a huge fan of JP and especially of his book series. The Women's Murder Club, The Alex Cross series and the Michael Bennett series.
I got a little behind with this series and as book 16 in The Women's murder club was released I thought it was time I read book 15 before I bought book 16. As usual I wasn't disappointed. I know a lot of his books are receiving a lot of critical comments recently over just how much of them JP actually writes or just put's his name to. Personally I'm not really bothered. As long as I can carry on reading them and enjoying them then that is all that matters to me. As usual this one, kept me interested. Kept me wanting more and needing to read on more. Lindsay Boxer is a character that over 15 books I've grown to love. She's an amazing character. And I'm very eager to read the next book after the way this one ended. Description 'To begin with, nothing was certain except her own terror . . .' Ten years ago, fourteen-year-old Scarlett Rainsford vanished without a trace during a family holiday to Greece. Not being able to find Scarlett was one of the biggest regrets of DCI Louisa Smith's career and when Scarlett is discovered back in her home town after all this time, Lou is determined to find out what happened to her and why she remained hidden for so long. Was she abducted or did she run away? As Lou and her team delve deeper into Scarlett's past, their investigation throws up more questions than it answers. But as they edge closer to the truth about what really went on behind closed doors, it is more sinister and disturbing than they had ever imagined. From the bestselling author of Into the Darkest Corner comes an unsettling and compulsively readable novel that will keep you under its spell until the very last page. This seems to be the first book I have read by this author, but it's safe to say it wont be the last.
I hadn't realised when I started to read this that it was book 2. I hate reading books out of order. It was an interesting read. I liked how we got to see past and present. Scarlett disappeared while on holiday with her family. No trace of her, never to be seen again. Or so it seemed. 10 years later Scarlett turns up, but where can she have been for all this time and doing what, with whom? After being part of the original case, Louisa Smith is determined to find out what has gone on, and wants answers. But will things be any that she expected. What exactly is she going find. This book seems to have been on my kindle for far to long, and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. An interesting yet disturbing read. Well then. I have been running this blog for a number of year, and although I enjoy doing it, I'm beginning to wonder if it is at all worth carrying on with it.
So I'm going to get to the point here, then you don't have to carry on reading all the crap that's going round in my head. Basically what I want to know is. Have you seen this post? How did you come across it? And would you please leave a blog comment below to let me know. This will help me decide if this blog is worth it or not. Thanks in advance. And if your interested in the crap in my head feel free to read on. lol Why I'm wondering if it's worth it or not. I feel that as it's not used or visited by many that maybe I might be as well just post my reviews on Goodreads, Amazon ETC. I would save some time by not organising blog posts, and it would give me more time with my family. (What I really mean is it would give me more reading time). I was recently chatting with another blogger, who has helped me see things a little more clearly. Basically I don't feel the blog is used or visited, so honestly it a bit pointless. I can't sit on social media all day/night promoting because I work 12 hour shifts, therefor sometimes I feel like I'm letting down some authors and publishers. I do try and schedule post for when I'm working but occasionally things go wrong, and then I start to panic and worry that a blog post I promised hasn't gone up in time, and I'm going to end up getting whipped and burnt to death by authors and publishers. (I know I'm not, but it doesn't stop you thinking that way). Blogging in a way is a full time job, and with the 48 hours a week I work in my real job, I'm finding it harder and harder to sit at the computer writing out blog posts. I'm also suffering with ill health. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Which is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. On a bad day I'm struggling to move some of my joints, my hands and fingers swell up. Every step i take hurts like hell. I have constant pain in my ribs that drives me insane. I have more or less constant chronic pain somewhere through my body, my concentration for writing reviews, etc. isn't so good. So then I'm worrying that I'm going to get things wrong in my reviews, write a name wrong, get the story plot wrong. On a good day I just feel like I've over exercised or been hit by a bus and my muscles ache. I do my best to plod on, and fight through it, I don't know how long I can do that for as that is getting more difficult, but I don't want some crazy illness dictating what I can and can't do, so for now while I feel able I'll fight through the pain. Enough of that. lol As I said.... do you read the blog, do you visit often. Let me know Vicki
Product details
There are going to be so many things I wish I could’ve told you in person, Poppy. I won’t get the chance to do that, so perhaps this is my only way… It’s Poppy Kinsey’s birthday. She should be blowing out candles and opening presents – but hers falls on the type of heart-wrenching, agonising anniversary she would far rather forget. The worst day of them all. The day her mother died. But this year is special because the person she misses most in the world has left her a set of letters, one for each of her next ten birthdays. As Poppy opens them year by year, she discovers that no matter how tough life gets, her mum will always be by her side, guiding her along the way.
If I'm really honest I didn't know what to expect from this book. I am a huge Kerry Wilkinson fan, and absolutely love his Jessica Daniel series of books.
Knowing this was something a little different I started reading it with an open mind. Sometimes I can't help but think when an author changes writing style for a book, that I'd be better off not knowing who the author is. As you can't help but compare them to their other works. Poppy lost her mother a few years back and lives with her dad. If losing your mother isn't bad enough it also happened on her birthday. So each year as well as trying to celebrate she also mourns the loss of her mum. On her 16th Birthday her dad produces 10 envelopes. Each one for Poppy to open on each of her next ten birthdays. It was her mothers wish that Poppy could open one each year, I guess had Poppy decided to open them all at once it would have been a pretty short story. Each year on her birthday Poppy get’s to hear from her mother in the form of the letter. Her mother telling her things that had she still been alive she would have probably told her over time anyway. Simple things like how her parents met, along with advice on what may or may not help her though her growing up. It was really good to read these letters with Poppy and in doing so going on a Journey with her. Her Journey of life, watching her grow and develop. But it also felt like you were getting to know Her mother also. The book for me also felt like it was telling me ‘Don’t get stuck in a rut’ it was like a gentle kick up the backside. We take far to much for granted. If you get a chance to do something, then do it. Don’t sit about wondering, What if? As I said earlier I knew it was going to be a different read, and it was. It wasn’t the gruesome crime we are used to. Just a very easy and enjoyable read. More books from this author.Product details
Description A BLOODY SERIAL KILLER SEEMS TO HAVE RETURNED TO THE LINCOLNSHIRE FENS A gripping standalone crime thriller by the best-selling author of the Nikki Galena series. Twenty years ago a farmer and his wife are cut to pieces by a ruthless serial killer Now a woman is viciously stabbed to death in the upmarket kitchen of her beautiful house on the edge of the marshes. Then a man called Daniel Kinder walks into Saltern police station and confesses to the murder. But DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans of the Fenland Constabulary soon discover that there is a lot more to Daniel than meets the eye. He has no memory of the first five years of his life and is obsessed with who his real mother is. With no evidence to hold him, Jackman and Evans are forced to let him go, and in a matter of days the lonely Lincolnshire Fens become the stage for more killings and Daniel has disappeared. In a breath-taking finale, the truth about Daniel’s mother comes to light and DI Jackman and DS Evans race against time to stop more lives being destroyed. THE DETECTIVES DS Marie Evans lost her husband in a motorbike accident and has personal connections to the case. DI Jackman leads the team. He is extremely smart and has a knack for bringing out the best in his diverse team, which includes the mysterious computer specialist Orac. Full of twists and turns, this is a crime thriller that will keep you turning the pages until the shocking ending. THIS BOOK IS NOT PART OF THE NIKKI GALENA SERIES BUT TAKES PLACE IN THE SAME STUNNING AREA I have to say I really didn't know what to expect from this book, as this is the first one by Joy Ellis for me to read that isn't part of the Nikki Galena series, A series I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. And would recommend to any crime fan. So this one I really wasn't sure what to expect, but it really is another fantastically written book by this talented author. I find If an author can get you wanting to read their book without you even reading the synopsis then that's pretty good going for them. Joy Ellis has become one of those authors for me, and as soon as I saw this one on Netgalley I just had to request it. I am loving the speed at which JE seems to be getting her books out, and so far have loved everyone of the books. I found this one to be a real page turner. I wanted to keep going and reading because I needed to know what happened. Interesting getting to know new character, but I have to admit I was hoping for Nikki and Joe to pop up somewhere. lol. I didn't feel a huge connection with the characters in this book, but now I know there is another book that follows this, I'm hoping to get to know them a little better. We start off with (no spoilers, this was taken from the book description) Twenty years ago: a farmer and his wife are cut to pieces by a ruthless serial killer. Now: a woman is viciously stabbed to death in the upmarket kitchen of her beautiful house on the edge of the marshes. Then a man called Daniel Kinder walks into Saltern police station and confesses to the murder. So I don't need to go into the story line, just want to say that this book I really did enjoy and I'm looking forward to reading many more books by this very talented author. I did think to start with that this was a standalone book, but it turns out it's not, so we can carry on getting to know these characters now in a 2nd book. JACKMAN & EVANS Book 1: THE MURDERER’S SON Book 2: THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS .
Last Breath: A gripping serial killer thriller that will have you hooked.
Detective Erika Foster Book 4. When the tortured body of a young woman is found in a dumpster, her eyes swollen shut and her clothes soaked with blood, Detective Erika Foster is one of the first at the crime scene. The trouble is, this time, it’s not her case. While she fights to secure her place on the investigation team, Erika can’t help but get involved and quickly finds a link to the unsolved murder of a woman four months earlier. Dumped in a similar location, both women have identical wounds – a fatal incision to their femoral artery. Stalking his victims online, the killer is preying on young pretty women using a fake identity. How will Erika catch a murderer who doesn’t seem to exist? Then another girl is abducted while waiting for a date. Erika and her team must get to her before she becomes another dead victim, and, come face to face with a terrifyingly sadistic individual. Gripping, tense and impossible to put down, Last Breath will have you on the edge of your seat, racing to the final dramatic page.
Robert Bryndza has become one of those authors for me that I don't even need to read the blurb for his book, as soon as I see his name, I want to read the book.
He certainly doesn't disappoint. Erika in this book starts off on the side lines of an investigation. And you know right away that she is certainly not happy that she isn't leading this investigation. But you also know she is going to do all she can to get an 'in' with the investigation, and is desperate to return to the murder investigation team. It's not to far into the book where Erika starts to find links. An evil serial killer is stalking his victims online, this in itself is scary. How many of your friends on Facebook do you actually really know. It does make you question things, as social media is one thing we all seem to use day in day out, this story line really does make you think. Erika Foster is one of my all time favourite Detectives, and I do have quite a lot of favourites. I love the way she works and everything about her. This book could be read as a stand alone, but for me if you are going to read a series of books, it's best if you can read them in order. I really am eagerly awaiting more books from this author. I think he should be locked in a room with nothing but his writing material and get books out to us even quicker than he does now. lol I'm sorry but I think authors like Robert shouldn't have a life outside of writing, it's unfair that we have to wait for more. But wait we will. An outstanding read. Loved it. All 4 books are available for less than £7.
I decided to do these two reviews together, as they are both a special eBook only series, and both short reads.
In these two we are right back at the beginning of Winters career. Pretty much this is where it all started for him. It has been great going back and getting to know him and how things came about. I had had these along with the other Jefferson Winter books on my kindle forever, and I had promised myself that I was going to start catching up with some of the series I hadn't started yet. Obviously at one point I had every intention of reading them as I had bought them all for my kindle. So now I can safely say I am well up to date with this series and the next full book of Jefferson Winter is out 2nd May 2017. So not long to wait for that one. Well I have certainly enjoyed reading these books and getting to know the Character. Although I do think there will be a lot more to come of him. I can see this being a long standing series, and one that readers will be eagerly waiting for each instalment. Please note these two are only short stories, but well worth getting to get to know the Character that little bit more. |
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May 2023
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