Book Review: Body of Lies by Sarah Bailey

 Body of Lies

by

Sarah Bailey

A MISSING CORPSE. A SHOCKING CRIME. 

FAMILY SECRETS TOO CLOSE TO HOME.

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 27th February 2024

Series: Gemma Woodstock #4

Genre: Crime / Mystery / Thriller

Pages: 480

RRP: $34.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Body of Lies

Body of Lies opens about 18 months after Where the Dead Go and Gemma is on maternity leave. She is currently living back in her hometown of Smithson with partner Mac, son Ben and baby Scarlett.

 

When a woman dies in a car accident and her body is stolen from the hospital morgue and the next day a newborn baby is found abandoned on a walking track Gemma is convinced these two cases are related and asks if she can return to work to work on the case. Gemma has to juggle motherhood and working, along with rivalry in the workforce.

 

Body of Lies is another shrewdly plotted police procedural. The action never stops which keeps the pace up throughout the book.

It was nice to see Gemma in a good place psychologically in this novel. She had grown up a lot but still had trouble distancing herself from the victims which caused her much distress.

 

Body of Lies is another highly entertaining novel from Sarah Bailey with plenty of jaw-dropping twists and a light exploration of some ethical issues.

I found it a fitting finale to the series.

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Other Sarah Bailey novels reviewed:

THE DARK LAKE

INTO THE NIGHT 

WHERE THE DEAD GO

 

 

 

Book Review: Where the Dead Go by Sarah Bailey

 Where the Dead Go

by

Sarah Bailey

A MISSING GIRL. HER MURDERED BOYFRIEND. A COP ON THE EDGE.

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 4th August 2019

Series: Gemma Woodstock #3

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 464

RRP: $22.99AU (B format paperback)

Source: Uncorrected proof from publisher

 

Review: Where the Dead Go

As Into the Night wasn't a big hit with me I was eager to read the next Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock novel. Can Sarah Bailey recreate the atmosphere and suspense from The Dark Lake? Well that was a resounding Yes! I could not put this book down! I read it in two days picking it up every spare minute I had.

 

Where the Dead Go hooked me right from the prologue. A young teen out late at night after a fight with her boyfriend disappears without a trace.

 

In Into the Night Gemma was living in Melbourne and we find out she has since been living in Sydney with a new love interest, Mac. She is visiting her hometown of Smithson when a report of a murder and a missing teen, in a small town just north of Byron Bay, comes through. Gemma is keen to take the case and get away for a while.

 

Gemma is still full of self-doubt and crippling anxiety and has flash-backs of another missing teen case that didn't end well.

I love how Sarah Bailey portrayed the small seaside town of Fairhaven where everyone knew each other but there was still the underlying feeling that people were being evasive and secretive. I was quick to think many of the characters were a bit suspect and that Gemma shouldn't trust anyone.

 

Where the Dead Go was well plotted with plenty of drama that kept me turning the pages. 

The story ends with a bombshell from Gemma which I am sure will be played out in the next book. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

THE DARK LAKE REVIEW

INTO THE NIGHT REVIEW

 

Book Review: Into the Night by Sarah Bailey

 Into the Night

by

Sarah Bailey

A BRAZEN MURDER WITH HUNDREDS OF WITNESSES - A CASE WHERE NO ONE CAN BE TRUSTED 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 23rd May 2018

Series: Gemma Woodstock #2

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 420

RRP: $22.99AU (B format paperback)  

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Into the Night

Into the Night by Sarah Bailey is her second novel featuring Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock.

Gemma is a hot mess all the way through this novel. She is very hard to like.

"..... there's a blandness about my appearance - I'm easily forgettable."

" I am too hard. Too empty. Too remote. Too selfish." 

She's always so down on herself, spending her free time with random hook-ups and too much booze. 

Gemma is leading the case of the murder of a homeless man but is soon moved when a high profile actor is murdered on set and this case takes precedence.

 

There are themes of the vulnerability of homeless people and sexual harassment in the workplace but neither is fully explored.

 

For me Into the Night was not a thrilling page-turner however it is a shrewdly crafted police procedural. Some well placed red herrings kept me second guessing throughout the story.

 

The city of Melbourne is superbly portrayed showcasing its buildings, sounds, colours and the eclectic busyness of the city streets.

 

I couldn't get my head around Gemma's work partner DS Nick Fleet. He is rude and obnoxious and Gemma really needed to dress him down. There is a scene with Gemma and Nick that comes out of the blue, there is no lead up to this incident and it seemed so unrealistic.

 

The story does end with some action packed drama but it was a slow slog getting there.

 

My rating 3/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

#MountTBRChallenge

 

THE DARK LAKE REVIEW

 

 

 

Book Review: Devil's Lair by Sarah Barrie

 Devil's Lair

by

Sarah Barrie

A lonely widow, a sinister act, a darkness rising from the past.

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 17th June 2019

Series: Calico Mountain #2

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 448

RRP: $29.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Devil's Lair  

I just found out whilst posting my review that this is book 2 in a series! I can confidently say it reads well as a standalone. 

Devil's Lair opens with a ritualistic cult-like killing and I initially thought the story might be too dark for me however it soon settles into a compelling mystery with dark elements, allusions to paranormal activity and some nice creepy stalking. There are more killings but they are spread throughout the book and by this time I was hooked on the mystery.

Devil's Lair is a taut, gothic small town thriller and the perfect setting of a Tasmanian winter adds to the atmosphere of seclusion. I enjoyed the light romance thread that ran through the novel. It gave me some relief from the spine-tingling drama that had me on the edge of my seat.

Sarah Barrie pulled me into the world of gothic Tasmania and when the jaw-dropping twists started revealing themselves I was totally addicted.

 

If you enjoyed The Dry and The Dark Lake you will love Devil's Lair

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you haven't read Sarah Barrie before I highly recommend her Lexi Winter series.

UNFORGIVEN: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2022/01/book-review-giveaway-unforgiven-by.html

RETRIBUTION: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2023/02/book-review-retribution-by-sarah-barrie.html

VENDETTA: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2023/11/book-review-vendetta-by-sarah-barrie.html 

 

#tbrchallenge

Book Review: Clamour and Mischief by Narrelle M. Harris

 Clamour and Mischief

Edited by

Narrelle M. Harris

Publisher: Clan Destine Press

Publication date: 1st December 2022

Genre: Anthology / Fantasy

Pages: 248

RRP: $36.95AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Clamour and Mischief

Clamour and Mischief is an anthology of short stories with the connecting theme of birds, or more precisely corvids (birds from the crow family).

 

I do love anthologies as the stories are short, giving instant satisfaction, and can be picked up and put down without fear of losing the plot line. 

 

Corvids have been used prolifically in novels. Just read any fantasy where ravens are the harbingers of bad news and death, even transforming into demons.

 

Clamour and Mischief includes 16 short stories with very diverse themes such as doom, death, superstition, manipulation, myth and kindness. Something for every reader's taste.

 

Two of my favourite stories were The Jackdaw Maiden by Katya de Becerra and Kupara and Tekoteko by Lee Murray. 

The Jackdaw Maiden is an atmospheric tale of a young princess who was born with feathers and blamed for all the village ills, she befriends the birds and goes on to save the life of her sister.

Kupara and Tekoteko is a story of kindness and friendship set in New Zealand. Tekoteko oversees the village and asks Kupara (the raven) to help him do acts of kindness, to relieve the suffering of people living around them, as Teketeko is carved from wood and cannot move.

 

I hadn't previously come across any of the 16 authors featured in the anthology however I now have a few names I will be researching past works.

 

Some of the stories in this anthology were a bit too gruesome for me but the thing with anthologies is if one story doesn't suit you can move onto the next as it just might be the discovery of a new author you love.

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (averaged over 16 stories)

Book Review: Would You Ask My Husband That? by Kathleen Whyman

 Would You Ask My Husband That?

by

Kathleen Whyman

She's Wearing the pants in the family ...... and washing everyone else's too.

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 27th February 2024

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 400

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Would You Ask My Husband That?

Would You Ask My Husband That? is a humorous and sharp look at the load a working mother and wife carries. 

 

Sarah works full-time and does all the childcare arrangements, cooking, cleaning and household chores. When her husband, Will is let go sacked, Sarah gets his Directors job. This means longer hours and more travel, just like Will used to do. How hard can it be with Will home full time on 'gardening leave' to look after  the children and do the housework.

 

Would You Ask My Husband That? is hilarious!  Whyman has created a 2000's woman and married her to a 70's male. Surely men aren't still like Will!

 

A host of unlikable and selfish characters had me cringing at times. However the story was highly engaging and loads of fun. I couldn't put it down! I raced to the end to find out when Sarah would finally see she was being undermined at every turn. 

 

Even though the plot is very predictable, the insanely funny situations the characters find themselves in (usually of their own making) make the book an easy read. Don't take any of it too seriously and you will enjoy this tale of corporate climbing and people that want it all whilst others clean up around them.

 

I loved the Friday Fizz Club, so funny! Where was that when I was a SAHM!

 

4 stars from me. Would be 5 stars if it wasn't so predictable.

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Book Review: The Accident by Fiona Lowe

The Accident

by

Fiona Lowe

She thought their life was perfect.  She was wrong.

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 6th March 2024

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Pages: 480

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Accident

Trying my best at a spoiler free review here as it's best to go into this story with a limited idea of what unfolds. 

 

I was pulled into the story right from the prologue. The Accident opens with a tragic car accident but the reader is left in the dark as to who is in the accident and the details.

What ensues is a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking story rich in female-centric and emotive issues such as; posthumous IVF, women's choice to have, or not to have children, the many ways childless women are judged and child neglect.

 

Freya & Ryan and Hannah & Jamie are the best of friends however when one of them dies those left behind start questioning their own lives and each other. Lies and secrets surface and all their lives are irrevocably changed.

 

The Accident is a page-turning and thought-provoking story. Fiona Lowe thrusts her characters into moral dilemmas. The plot had me on a roller-coaster of emotions, tears, anger, a what would I do moment and delight. 

 

The Accident is a taut and absorbing mystery that is sure to be a huge hit with Fiona Lowe's fans and also with readers who enjoy Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth. 

 

My rating 4 /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Book Review: The Beacon by P. A. Thomas

 The Beacon

by

P. A. Thomas

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 30th January 2024

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 416

RRP: $ 32.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Beacon

Jack Harris, son of media giant Malcolm Harris, is sent from his high profile Melbourne office of Harris Media to their lowest regional newspaper, The Beacon, at Byron Bay. His father wants him to learn the business from the ground up but Jack thinks it may be punishment for questioning some of his father's actions.

 

Jack is eager for some journalistic work but when he arrives his mentor, Patrick O'Shaughnessy, is nowhere to be seen. Jack soon meets the colourful Caitlin O'Shaughnessy, Patrick's daughter. 

Patrick's body is found days later looking very much like the victim of a shark attack. Some things about the death don't add up for Jack so he and Caitlin decide to do some investigating of their own and soon find there are a few people that Patrick had managed to get on the wrong side of via his journalistic reporting.

 

The Beacon is such an entertaining page-turner. Set in the beach-side town of Byron Bay. P. A. Thomas cleverly portrays Byron's beauty and its flaws. Showcasing Bryon's eclectic and diverse cast of residents and their relationship with the missing reporter.

Thomas includes lots of fun banter, a main protagonist who can be a bit naive at times and a compelling mystery that kept me intrigued with plenty of twists and numerous antagonists. I was eager to see how the story would end.

 

Jack is the type of character you will find hard to let go of. He's honest, funny and a bit naive at times. He gets himself in and out of plenty of sticky situations. I closed the book hoping we would be seeing more of Jack Harris in the future. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ plus an extra ⭐ because there was a character named Veronica 💖