When a young Pakistani bride falls to her death from a window, Rosie has to navigate the story with care, trying not to upset the girl's devastated family or the local Pakistani community. After talking to the family, however, Rosie becomes convinced that there is more to the story than a tragic accident, and that something is being kept from her and the police.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Glasgow, Nikki and Julie, two prostitutes, find themselves in trouble when a client dies during an assignment and it looks like one of them is to blame. Their problems become far worse though, when a briefcase they steal from the dead man turns out to contain some very valuable rough diamonds and several fake passports. It's clear it belonged to some serious criminals, and now they have much more to worry about than a dead body. Investigating the Pakistani girl's death, Rosie has been talking to Laila, another young girl from the community, who has voiced her fears of being forced into marrying a much older man in Pakistan. When Laila disappears, Rosie is sure her fears have been realised. Then Nikki contacts her asking for help, and Rosie senses a parallel with her current case. Sure enough, as Rosie flies to Pakistan to try and rescue Laila, it becomes clear that the 'accidental' death, Laila's disappearance and the briefcase are all linked - and once back in Glasgow, she, Julie and Nikki discover just how much danger they are in...
I just love a good Gilmore book and here I am finally catching up. According to good old Amazon I purchased this in August 2016, so why the hell has it taken me so long to get around to reading it. Well I'm certainly catching up now as I have book 7,8 and 9 to go at over the next few weeks.
I recently finished book 5 so it was great going on another journey with Rosie so soon. She's one hell of a character and certainly manages to find trouble. I think she's a bit of a trouble magnet. Anything to get that juicy story, then Rosie will do it. We kick off this story with a young Pakistani bride committing suicide and a death in a hotel that a prostitute needs a friends help to get away. This was early on in the book - how it all comes together then is superbly done. A truly nail-biting ride. Anna Smith certainly knows how to write a damn good book and I'm hoping this series goes on for a long time yet. For me personally I would say these books are best read in order. But that is just my personal opinion.
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Bob Skinner Book 27
When supermodel Annette Bordeaux is found battered and strangled in her Edinburgh flat, former Chief Constable Bob Skinner's old team instantly have a global case on their hands.
The victim's husband, world-renowned footballer and recent Merrytown FC signing, is quickly discounted as a suspect. But there are others in the club with less watertight alibis... Two years out of the game, Skinner can't help getting his hands dirty. And as his old team work to convict the prime suspect, his own daughter, Alex, is the lawyer tasked with leading the defence. The opposing sides must work to find the culprit while the press watch on. But in this game, no one can be trusted, and there are murkier deeds still to uncover before the final whistle blows...
I can't believe this is book 27. Its been great following Bob Skinner for all these years, and I'm still enjoying the books now.
I was thrilled when this come through my letterbox, thrilled to receive a review copy. Bob Skinner has always made me think of A Scottish Alex Cross only better. He's one hell of a character and it's been an amazing journey so far with him through 27 books, I'm certainly hoping this series continues for a long time to come. This book features more of Bob's eldest Daughter Alexis Skinner. And it's brilliant to see her coming into her own now. I could almost see a spin off series featuring Alex. Now that would be awesome. Bob is now officially retired from the police force. But that certainly doesn't stop him from being a formidable character and still getting involved in cases. And this is certainly a difficult case, we are not looking for a killer, in this book. The police think they all ready know who it is. This is more a case of trying to prove why the accused didn't do it. In doing that Bob and Alexis are trying to figure out who really did. I have to admit I had no idea all the way through. Brilliantly written to leave you guessing right up to the end. It's great also to see all the familiar characters from previous books, and all the mini Bob Skinner clones coming into their own. This is a first class series of books and I have no problems recommending them to any crime fiction fan. I do believe this book could be read as a stand alone, but for me it's always better to read a series in order. Quintin Jardine certainly knows how to tell a story. Book 28 is available to pre-order now.
Have you read any of the Bob Skinner Books?
What do you think of them? Share your views in the comments below. Rosie Gilmore Book 5
Product details
Crime reporter Rosie Gilmour returns from hiding in Bosnia to a story of a brutal execution. University lecturer Tom Mahoney was shot at point blank range, the killing has all the signs of a hit. But who would want to kill a retired lecturer? Rosie throws herself into the investigation, looking for a witness that has gone missing. A witness that might hold the key to the story. But she has her own reasons to stay hidden. As Rosie digs deeper, she finds the story has connections to the Ministry of Defence and MI6 and Mahoney's past is darker than anyone could imagine. Rosie's running out of time to find out the truth, before Mahoney's killers silence her for good
I've fallen a little behind in this series, but I am slowly putting that right by catching up. Here we have book 5 in the Rosie Gilmore series. This really is a fantastic series of book and one I have no problem recommending to anyone.
Journalist Rosie has a super knack of getting into trouble, sometimes it just seems to find her. But one thing Rosie can certainly do is, get her story. And it seems she will go to any lengths to do that. When a university lecturer is shot at close range, this gives Rosie a new story to get her teeth into and she certainly does that. It's great to see Rosie's pal Adrian turn up again, I'm thinking it's about time he became a more permanent fixture in Rosie's life, not just there when she's in trouble. Another great read by a very talented author and I can't wait to dive into the next one. Previously published as My Name Is Product details
Thank you to the Author, Publishers and Netgalley for a review copy of this book. 4/5 Two ordinary women. Two damaged lives. One friendship that would save them both Kit Mason has lived a life of unimaginable pain. An ex-prostitute, she has fled the clutches of an abusive pimp and now finds herself living hand to mouth in a new city, without anyone to help her. Frances Thornton seems to be living the perfect life. A lawyer from a privileged background, her perfect façade hides the painful secrets that still haunt her. Brought together by their attempts to conquer their addictions in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, the two women strike up an unlikely friendship. But can they find strength in each other – or will the demons of their past catch up with them? My thoughts. Firstly I would like to Thank you to the Author, Publishers and Netgalley for a review copy of this book. And apologise on how long it's taken me to get around to reading it. The Amazing author that is Angela Marsons seems to be able to write about anything, and grab you right into the story from the early pages. Again this book was brought to my attention only because of who the aurthor was, and had it been an author I hadn't known, I may never have read it. I am so glad I did read it. What an amazing story the journey of two women who have totally different lives but one thing in common. Drink! Meeting at an AA meeting they certainly don't hit it off. It's only a matter of time before they realise how they could help each other and a friendship begins to form. This really was a heart warming read, emotional yet interesting. I found myself really rooting for Kit and Fran to do so well. A book well worth reading. And a welcome change from the normal genre I read. Connie Burns knew one thing for sure: she never wanted kids. After 15 years of marriage, though, lots of things have changed. Her best friend moved out of state, remarried and is having a new baby. Connie is also dealing with the realities of life with lupus. All the changes make her rethink having a baby, but her husband and her doctor are against it. Both encourage her to test the waters by being a foster parent first to see how it goes, since stress is the worst thing for her lupus. Not only is Connie a typical "type A" personality, but she has a high-powered career, a bedroom-sized closet full of shoes, a penchant for perfection and a compact sports car. Though she's not exactly primed for motherhood, she agrees they should foster to boost her chances at motherhood. When four-year-old Desi is placed with them Connie's life turns upside down and her heart is quickly lost. But parenting isn't for sissies and this little girl comes with more baggage than most: Desi's mother is in hospice dying of cancer. Not only does Connie face traumas like hosting a birthday party for a 5-year-old, she also has to learn on the fly how to help Desi deal with a new school, a new family and the devastating death of her mother. As they take Baby Steps toward building a life together, Connie has to learn that life is messy, shoes aren't mission critical, and an imperfect life can be full of perfectly wonderful surprises. I enjoyed this read it felt a little different for me. Connie Burns never wanted children. Married forever, she suddenly wants a child. Her husband is not so keen, they've always agreed no children. More so since Connie was diagnosed with Lupus.
When 4 year old Desi comes into Connies life, her life is upturned and changed beyond recognition. Connie has a lot to learn. While parts of the book are fun some parts are heart breaking. A great mix her for his book. We certainly go on a journey here through this book. The book did see to progress quickly, but it was easy to just go along with it. The info and descriptions regarding the Lupus were interesting and done very well. The risks around pregnancy at 39 and having Lupus were done very well. Although none of it was what Connie wanted to hear. She fell in love with a killer, now she’s one too. The suitcase was badly rusted, and took Erika several attempts, but it yielded and sagged open as she unzipped it. Nothing could prepare her for what she would find inside… When a battered suitcase containing the dismembered body of a young man washes up on the shore of the river Thames, Detective Erika Foster is shocked. She’s worked on some terrifying cases but never seen anything like this before. As Erika and her team set to work, she makes the link with another victim – the body of a young woman dumped in an identical suitcase two weeks ago. Erika quickly realises she’s on the trail of a serial killer who’s already made their next move. Yet just as Erika starts to make headway with the investigation, she is the victim of a brutal attack. But nothing will stop Erika. As the body count rises, the twin daughters of her colleague Commander Marsh are abducted, and the stakes are higher than ever before. Can Erika save the lives of two innocent children before it’s too late? She’s running out of time and about to make a disturbing discovery…there’s more than one killer.
This book deserves way more than the given 5 stars.
What a brilliant read. Ill health allowed me to sit and read this and really get stuck into it. Never before have I been grateful for bed rest. This series of books is certainly way up there at the top of my must read series. Robert certainly knows how to entertain his readers, grabbing you in from the word go and you are not released until the very end. Erika Foster is a character I have really grown to like, yet I still feel with each book we are learning more about her, she's a very feisty character yet sometime I feel she's a little vulnerable, I wanted to get hold of her and one stage and give her a cuddle, then I wanted to get hold of her and give her a slap and explain that she's only human. I think if an author manages to get you feeling so much for a character then, they have certainly done their job well. This certainly is a bit of a bad case for Erika and her team, bad enough that a suitcase has turned up with a dismembered body in it, but when a second one turns up well the case gets that bit more difficult. It's a testing time for them all, and each and every member of the team will have their skills tested here. I really can not praise this book or this author enough, and i'm excited to see what else Robert can bring us. It's going to be tough matching or bettering this read that's for sure, but you know what? If any author can do it, then I really think Robert can. An outstanding read. I would recommend this series to anyone who loves a damn good crime thriller. This book has gone into my 2017 Must reads!
My personal opinion is that these books are best read in order. You will certainly get a better feel for the character, and I believe you would enjoy them a lot more.
This is certainly going in my 2017 'Must reads' list.
Author Bio:
Robert Bryndza is the author of the international #1 bestseller The Girl in the Ice. The Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller is the first book in the Detective Erika Foster series. The Night Stalker, Dark Water and Last Breath are the second, third, and fourth books in the series, and the fifth book, Cold Blood is now available to pre-order. Robert's books have sold over 2 million copies, and have been translated into 27 languages. In addition to writing crime fiction, Robert has published a bestselling series of romantic comedy novels. He is British and lives in Slovakia. Author Social Media Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bryndzarobert/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertBryndza Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertbryndza/ Website: www.robertbryndza.com As the Prosecco chills and Bing Crosby croons, Jen Barker just knows that her long-term boyfriend is about to propose. But instead of a diamond ring nestled in her champagne flute, Jen finds cold flat rejection. Her once perfect life and dreams of a husband and family seem even further from reach. A working holiday to the Swiss Alps with her younger sister Jody might not be the Christmas Jen had it mind, but it offers her the chance to recharge her batteries and recover from heartbreak. When Jen meets handsome ski instructor Jon Zutter her hopes for a happy-ever-after seem within her grasp again. Jon is kind and gorgeous and as they bond over Sachetorte at the picturesque Cake Café, Jen thinks he might just be her perfect man. But a relationship with him comes with a catch – and there are some things even cake can’t fix. As the snow falls and Christmas approaches, could this be the place that restores Jen Barker’s faith in love? For some more fab Christmas reads check out these beauties. I was just about to start Snowflakes, Iced Cakes and Second Chances: When searching through my kindle for it I realised I hadn't read this one. How does this keep happening to me. I'm a huge Sue Watson fan after being introduced to Love, Lies and Lemon Cakes. All of Sue's books have managed to make me smile or LOL, I find these really easy and enjoyable reads and a big change from my usual crime thrillers. Jen goes off on a working holiday with her half sister and friends, and after being dumped by Dan. Jen is maybe a little to straight for the girls she's away with, they certainly do their best to change that. Jen also seems to manage to get most things wrongs, which in parts is hilarious. This book really does have so many happy, smiley parts to it. Fairy tales and cake and maybe a little more cake. Just what more can girl ask for. OH yeah maybe a little 'lovin'. This one is another feel good, happy read. I loved the character Jen, although at times her need for perfection did get a little annoying. The story is brilliantly written and keeps you gripped the whole way through, I read this in a day, after racing round doing all I needed to I decided it was me time and sat down to read. I'm lucky that I now have another Sue Watson book to start and I so can't wait for it. Blog TourThrilled as always to be part of an awesome blog tour. Graham Smith - The Kindred Killers. Available from Amazon Now. http://amzn.to/2vgFv7A Book Description: Jake Boulder’s help is requested by his best friend, Alfonse, when his cousin is crucified and burned alive along with his wife and children. As Boulder tries to track the heinous killer, a young woman is abducted. Soon her body is discovered and Boulder realises both murders have something unusual in common. With virtually no leads for Boulder to follow, he strives to find a way to get a clue as to the killer’s identity. But is he hunting for one killer or more? After a young couple are snatched in the middle of the night the case takes a brutal turn. When the FBI are invited to help with the case, Boulder finds himself warned off the investigation. When gruesome, and incendiary, footage from a mobile phone is sent to all the major US News outlets and the pressure to find those responsible for the crimes mounts. But with the authorities against him can Boulder catch the killer before it’s too late? My thoughts on this awesome book. Back with 'Hard nut' Jake Boulder. I feel like I've waited forever to share my thoughts on this book. But you know what, I'm excited because I didn't have to wait to read it. How lucky am I? Not only receiving an ARC of this book, but also being part of a blog tour. #HappyBookBlogger or more accurate #HappyReader. So we are back with Jake and this time around it's his best pal Alfonse who is requesting Jakes help. They work brilliantly together and make a great team. It's a tough case, and a little to close to home, especially for Alfonse. Certainly not many clues for them to go on, but it's amazing how things actually come together really well. I like the characters of Alfonse and Jake, Jake is just awesome. I love that he's such an hard nut, yet terrified of his mother. It really tickles me. We also see another side to Jake in this book he's actually got himself a lady, who maybe, might just last longer than a one night stand. Could Jake be softening. As the story moves on and the case becomes more complex, Jake is told to back off, but come on, like that is going to happen! He might be scared of Mummykins but the FBI are not going to stop this man on a mission. It's actually quite scary when you realise the lengths Jake will actually go to, to help solve this case. He would have made a great detective. I can't scream and shout enough how much I think EVERYONE should read Grahams books. I've become a huge fan, his story telling is first class. Each book I read I seem to enjoy more than the last. So Graham keeps making the challenge of his next book being better still, a lot harder for himself. I have no doubt he'll manage it though. This series is certainly one to watch. I am so looking forward to more Jake. Have I mentioned this book is available NOW! Book one in this series is also available now
Biography
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.
There are some surprises that no-one should ever have to experience. Standing over the body of your beloved – and murdered – niece is one of them. For Detective Inspector Harry Virdee, a man perilously close to the edge, it feels like the beginning of the end.
His boss may be telling him he’s too close to work the case, but this isn’t something that Harry can just let lie. He needs to dive into the murky depths of the Bradford underworld and find the monster that lurks there who killed his flesh and blood. But before he can, he must tell his brother, Ron, the terrible news. And there is no predicting how he will react. Impulsive, dangerous and alarmingly well connected, Ron will act first and think later. Harry may have a murderer to find but if he isn't careful, he may also have a murder to prevent.
After recently discovering Streets of Darkness the first book in the DI Harry Virdee series, I couldn't wait to start this one, and was thrilled when I was accepted to read a review copy via Netgalley.
I really couldn't wait to get started to see what trouble Harry could get himself into again. And boy he does it spectacularly. When Harry is called out to a body that has been discovered a murder enquiry is set up. But the fact that Harry has just discovered the body is his own niece shocks not only him. He has the duty to let his family know. Problem is his family don't want to know him. He still feels it has to be him to tell them, and you can almost feel the energy, the tension and hate as he is stood at the door where his brother and his parents live. It's heart breaking that Harry doesn't have his family support, but some families take religion, and their culture very serious so that fact that Harry married a Muslim girl, his Sikh family are not best pleased, to say the least. On top of that he knows controlling his criminal brother is going to be difficult, and if Harry is to protect his brother from finding the killer and killing him, then he needs to find out who it is, and where they are before his brother does. This was a tense thrilling read, It hooked me in right from the word go, and I couldn't wait to keep picking up my kindle to read some more. This is a series I think any crime thriller fan should get to know. I think everyone everywhere needs to read this book. An exceptional read, I wanted to hug, and slap Harry at times, it's amazing how involved you get with this story. The telling of the story is done so well, with the religious and cultural theme being explained brilliantly. It really is amazing how families can be divided and this book really does highlight that. I would recommend that these books are read in order, I believe it really will help with background history. But read them you must.
How do you catch a killer who knows your every move?
The woman lay flat on the table, her face to one side, her wrists bound with thick tape. Deep scratches marked the wood beneath her fingers, now resting cold and still... When a woman’s body is found in an abandoned bar near the Southampton docks, Detective Kate Matthews is called in to lead the investigation. She must solve this case to prove she is coping with the death of a close colleague. Kate knows a pile of ripped up newspaper cuttings discovered at the victim’s house must be a piece of the puzzle, but her team keep hitting dead-ends... Until she finds a disturbing clue that convinces her of three things: The murder is linked to the body of a man found hanging in a warehouse, she is on the hunt for a calculated serial killer, and the killer is watching her every move. Kate realises there will be another victim soon, and that her own life is in grave danger, but no one else believes her theory. Can she find and stop the most twisted killer of her career, before another life is lost? An absolutely NAIL-BITING thriller that will keep you guessing to the very last page. Perfect for fans of Robert Dugoni, James Patterson and MJ Arlidge.
I consider myself very lucky at the moment that I seem to be on a roll reading some truly fantastic reads. I think this is a mixture of knowing the sort of books I like to read and authors everywhere upping their game.
This is one of those fantastic reads. I was looking forward to starting this book, a new series is always exciting. Exciting to see what the book is all about and if we are going to like getting to know new characters and so forth. Well what an exciting read this turned into. Meet Detective Kate Matthews. Matthews is out to prove herself. She has history that seems to have followed her to her new station. Proving she has still got what it takes to solve a case is high on her priority list. The thing is, has she still got it and can she find a very sick and twisted killer before it's to late. I have to say I really did like Kate Matthews, I've enjoyed getting to know her a little through this book, but I feel there is still a lot more to learn about her. I am certainly looking forward to that in future books. I like how we not only learn of her as a detective but her personal life plays a big part in things, I have really enjoyed meeting a new character. A seriously tense nail biting read, will have you hooked from the word go. A fantastic twist an ending I really didn't see coming. I thought at one stage I had it sussed but OMG how wrong was I. I love the way the author twisted things, and wow that ending was just first class. I have been trying to have a Bookouture binge recently catching up with some of the backlog of books I seem to have, one thing I can certainly say is they seem to have some of the best crime writers around at the moment. And Stephen Edger has firmly added himself to that list with this book. Outstanding read, and a brilliant start to a new series. |
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