Book Review: All You Took From Me by Lisa Kenway

 All You Took From Me

by

Lisa Kenway

Publisher: Transit Lounge Publishing

Publication date: 1st August 2024

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 336

RRP: AU$32.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Quikmark Media

 

Review: All You Took From Me

All You Took From Me is a compelling debut novel from Lisa Kenway. Cleverly plotted to slowly release vital information which kept me eagerly turning the pages to find out what Clare had blocked from her memory.

 

Clare Carpenter wakes in UCI in a Sydney hospital to be told she had been in a car accident in which her husband died. She has been in a coma for months and can't remember the accident or the months leading up to it.

 

After being released from hospital and returning to her isolated Blue Mountains home Clare finds she is being stalked and someone is leaving threatening notes. Feeling she must solve the mystery behind her memory loss Claire, an anaesthetist herself, believes an anaesthetic drug may help her remember, but she will be putting her life and career in danger.

 

I quite often struggle with a first person narration and I did struggle with this one. Clare is erratic and complicated. I couldn't warm to her. But that aside, I found the story was gripping, tension filled and carried an overarching sense of menace. Clare's memories, revealed through hypnosis and anaesthetic, were vivid and suspense filled. I loved the slow reveal.

 

All You Took From Me is a powerful debut which explores the world of repressed memory. 

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: Murder in the Scottish Highlands by Dee MacDonald

Murder in the Scottish Highlands

by

Dee MacDonald

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 2nd September 2024

Series: An Ally McKinley Mystery #1

Genre: Cosy Mystery

Pages: 282

Source: eBook courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Murder in the Scottish Highlands

Murder in the Scottish Highlands is the first in a new cosy mystery series by Dee MacDonald.

 

Ally McKinley has opened the guesthouse of her dreams in the tiny village of Locharran in the Scottish Highlands. Just when she feels she is settling into the village and making friends, one of her guests, an American tourist, is found murdered in the courtyard.

Not having much faith in the local police, Ally can't resist launching her own investigation to find the murderer. The list of suspects mounts and has Ally even questioning her new friends.

 

Murder in the Scottish Highlands is a fun read. Ally is a likeable main character and the imagery of the delightful Scottish village is superb.

As this is the first in a series there is lots about getting to know the supporting characters as Dee MacDonald introduces each of the residents of the village and how they interact with each other.

There are a mixed lot of characters who all had a good reason for wanting the tourist dead.

 

I did feel like the murder investigation slowed through the middle of the book until the end when it was all wrapped up very quickly.

 

Lots of humour, cups of tea, local gossip and the introduction of a love interest for Ally make this a fun and entertaining read. I finished this eager for the next book.

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

 

Book Review: Liars by James O'Loghlin

 Liars

by

James O'Loghlin

Everyone is guilty of something

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 30th July 2024

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 464

RRP: AU$32.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Liars

Barbara Young, a bored middle aged woman whose husband recently left her, and Seb Baxter, a young country cop who isn't taken seriously by his superiors, take it upon themselves to investigate the murder of a newcomer to Bullford Point when Barb's employee, Joe, becomes the prime suspect.

The story starts with a unique style of narration with texts, emails, a letter and report notices. This was an interesting way to get to know  some of the characters and their background.

 

The plot centres around a group of friends all having grown up in Bullford Point and have since returned there as adults. One of the group was murdered seven years ago. The case was never solved. Joe decides to start a true crime podcast, his first one focusing on Sal's murder.

Liars is a highly engaging police procedural with a twist; this is an off- the-books investigation. I loved the way Barb sifted through information finding little anomalies and dug deeper doing her own research and questioning people. I was totally invested in this story. O'Loghlin's characterisation is superb, everyone had something to hide and as the story progressed the mystery mounted which kept me guessing until the very end.

Liars is a cleverly plotted murder mystery and I enjoyed O'Loghlin's use of a lay person as the investigator (a modern day Miss Marple). I would love to see more of the Barb and Seb duo.

My rating 4.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Plus an extra 🌟for a character named Veronica. (I hope she didn't get cut from the final copy)

 

Book Review: Murder in Punch Lane by Jane Sullivan

 Murder in Punch Lane

by

Jane Sullivan

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 2nd July 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction / Mystery

Pages: 368

RRP: AU$32.99 (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Murder in Punch Lane

Set in 19th Century Melbourne Murder in Punch Lane is a haunting murder mystery.

Inspired by the death in 1868 of actress Marie St Denis from a laudanum overdose Jane Sullivan writes a fictional 'what if' story; what if she was actually murdered?

 

Sullivan's writing is poetic and lyrical which justly suits the backdrop of the story being rehearsals of a Shakespearean play.

Thinking it is much more than the recorded cause of suicide, actress Lola Sanchez takes it upon herself  to investigate the death of her friend Marie. She enlists the help of journalist and magazine editor Magnus Scott.

 

I did enjoy the setting of a bohemian Melbourne with dark alleys and opium dens and also the melodramatics of the theatre rehearsals.

 

What I did struggle with was the characters, not one likeable one among them! Our female main character was a fatalist where I wanted a fighter and her offsider, like every man in this book, was a misogynist.

Crooked police and judges, allusions to actresses willingly sleeping with men to get parts and a gentleman's dinner where the women attend naked, it was more ick than gothic. 

 

I did love the writing, I had no clue who the murderer was, and there were plenty of suspects, plus the unexpected twist that really knocked me all contributed to my rating.

 

My rating 3.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐½

Book Review: All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

 All the Colours of the Dark

by

Chris Whitaker

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Imprint: Orion

Publication date: 25th June 2024

Genre: Crime/ Mystery/ Thriller

Pages: 580

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Good Reading

 

Review: All the Colours of the Dark

When Teenager Joseph 'Patch' Macauley is kidnapped his best friend Saint Brown makes it her mission to find him. Long after the authorities have given up Saint relentlessly looks for clues.

 

All the Colours of the Dark is a compelling crime read. I loved the short chapters that kept the story moving along at a fast pace and the 500+ pages flew by in no time.

 

The story starts with the abduction of a young teen and soon turns into a fast-paced mystery thriller that had me totally captivated.

 

A small town setting, flawed nuanced characters, lyrical prose and perfect imagery make All the Colours of the Dark an immersive and emotional read that spans almost three decades.

 

All the Colours of the Dark is an epic love story that will change the lives of two people forever, steering them towards an unknown destiny filled with heartache and despair. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: Among the Grey Gums by Paula J. Beavan

 Among the Grey Gums

by

Paula J. Beavan

Secrets, corruption and bushrangers.

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 5th June 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 400

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: Among the Grey Gums

Among the Grey Gums is my first read by Paula J. Beavan and I absolutely loved it! I do have Paula's debut novel on my shelf and I can't wait to read it.

 

I loved Lucy's character! She was forthright, courageous and strong.

 

1842 Hunter Valley, Lucy is a woman in a man's world, fighting to survive and make a living in a harsh environment. Everyone that knew her respected her but it was still a dangerous place for a woman, she had to not only be tough but smart too.

 

Constable Samuel Donovan was the perfect hero, respectful and compassionate. He had been sent to the Hunter Valley to investigate the local magistrate and why there had been no progress on capturing a gang of bushrangers. The Constable ends up helping Lucy try to clear her brother-in-law's name when he is accused of murder.

Among the Grey Gums is a riveting historical fiction. I love that Paula J. Beavan writes strong, feisty female characters. Lucy is doing what is considered to be a man's job, and doing it well. I liked the descriptions of the bullock teams, how they all had names and the whole process of yoking the team up, travelling through the harsh countryside and sleeping under the stars.

There is a perfect division of good and bad characters which balanced the story out nicely.

A very subtle romance thread added a heartwarming touch to this story of murder, corruption and manipulation.

I'm excited to read Daughter of the Hunter Valley, where we are introduced to another strong and resilient female character.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: The Lost Letters of Rose Carey by Julie Bennett

 The Lost Letters of Rose Carey

by

Julie Bennett

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication date: 1st May 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 368

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: uncorrected proof from publisher

 

Review: The Lost Letters of Rose Carey

The Lost Letters of Rose Carey was inspired by the life of vaudeville star, swimmer and actress Annette Kellerman.

 

Narrated through the dual timeline of Rose in 1923 and Emma in 2024. 

 

In 1923 Rose is going through a hard time financially and she needs to reinvent herself. She has an amazing new act that will put her in the spotlight again. However tragedy strikes and she starts to question everyone close to her not knowing who she can trust.

I absolutely loved Rose's story! She was such a strong inspirational woman. Many of Annette Kellerman's achievements are mentioned throughout the story which had me looking for more information on the internet. Her life was fascinating and beautifully portrayed through the character of Rose.

In 2024, Emma and her wife Lauren are struggling with failed IVF attempts and the pressure it is putting on their marriage. Emma finds some old film canisters and letters and is soon pulled into researching the life of Rose Carey. I wasn't so captivated with Emma's story and couldn't see the parallels between her and Rose's lives.

I would have been quite happy to read a whole book on Rose Carey alone.

The Lost Letters of Rose Carey is a fascinating story of love and betrayal. The book moves along at a fast pace through passion, heartache, mystery and unexpected twists.

I loved the final connection to women and fitness, to love, celebrate and look  after their bodies.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Julie Bennett's debut novel:

THE UNDERSTUDY

 

Book Review: The Mistress of Dara Island by Averil Kenny

The Mistress of Dara Island

by

Averil Kenny

A tropical paradise is her birthright ... but will its dark secrets destroy her dreams?

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Genre: Historical / Mystery

Pages: 368

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

Review: The Mistress of Dara Island

The Mistress of Dara Island is an enchanting story of power, money and long held secrets, set on a fictitious island off the coast of far north Queensland.

 

Tahlia (Tally) is the only child of Nerissa the owner of Dara Island and one day the land that she loves will pass to her. However the exclusive resort is currently run by her rich and powerful father, and he wants Tally to have nothing to do with it.

 

The willful and determined Tally was not scared to stand-up to her cruel and militant father. He banishes her from the island but she vows to return and claim her birthright.

 

Set in the 1960's Averil Kenny richly evokes the beauty and seclusion of the island with a luxury resort on one side and the other filled with treacherous peaks covered in jungle. 

I loved the wonderfully portrayed characters in this story and many of the chapters ended on little cliff-hangers that kept me eagerly reading.

What starts as a story about a willful girl and her love of the island soon morphs into a suspenseful mystery with plenty of jaw-dropping twists.

The Mistress of Dara Island is the perfect holiday read!

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another fabulous book I have read by Averil Kenny:

THOSE HAMILTON SISTERS

 

 

 

Book Review: The Wartime Vet by Ellie Curzon

 The Wartime Vet

by

Ellie Curzon

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 4th April 2024

Series: A Village at War #3 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 331

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Wartime Vet

The Wartime Vet is a cozy mystery/historical fiction set in 1942 country England during WWII.

 

Laura moves from her job as a small animal vet to the country town of Bramble Heath where she is employed to care for the local farm animals; the sheep and cows that will provide food for the nation.

 

I loved that Laura was strong and determined, the 1940's were a hard time for women to be taken seriously in jobs that were usually undertaken by men. When she believes that someone is sabotaging the farms she does not falter at going over her curmudgeonly bosses head to notify a higher authority. 

 

Ellie Curzon includes the invaluable work of the Land Girls Army and how they had to overcome sexism and suspicion.

I could easily imagine the small country town of Bramble Heath with children evacuated from the city running around on the farms. However these idyllic little towns didn't escape the air raid-sirens and the danger of enemy bombs.

 

The Wartime Vet is a cozy mystery novel with a light romance thread running through the story. It also explores heavier themes of PTSD, disrespect for servicemen with mental health problems, traitors, the land girls army and how women had to fight for the same recognition given to men.

 

My only complaint is that it became quite repetitive at times, going over and over things that had already been explained.  

 

My rating 3.5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐½ 

 

 

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: 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 💖

Book Review: Kaikoura Rendezvous by Stephen Johnson

 Kaikoura Rendezvous

by

Stephen Johnson

Publisher: Clan Destine Press

Publication date: 1st October 2023

Series: A Melbourne Spotlight Mystery

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 240

RRP: $36.95AU (paperback) $11.95AU (ebook) 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Kaikoura Rendezvous

In Kaikoura Rendezvous Stephen Johnson takes his reader on a roller coaster ride through New Zealand.

He has included a plethora of interesting characters who all play an important role in the development of the story.

 

Surveillance professional Heath Michel is under orders to watch fisherman and ex-con Gordie Tulloch and report on his movements.

Gordie, recently released from prison, has been offered the deal of a lifetime. Simply pick up a package dropped off-shore and exchange it for a generous sum of money.

Kim Prescott, TV reporter for Melbourne's Spotlight current affairs show, is suffering severe PTSD after being attacked on the job. She is given an ultimatum, go on a holiday with co-worker Jo Trescowthick or go into therapy.

Cyclone Gita is also brewing and intensifying, her course is not destined for New Zealand, so no-one is taking her too seriously.

 

The story starts with three separate story lines and multiple points of view. I found each of the story lines interesting and each were given equal voice throughout the book.

 

Kim and Jo's tour through New Zealand in a motorhome was well portrayed and brought back memories of a trip I had done many years ago.

Ex-Con Gordie was an interesting character, greedy and unscrupulous, but I kinda liked him.

 

I was intrigued to see how the different plots would come together; the reporters on holiday, Gordie's contraband pick-up, Heath's surveillance operation plus cyclone Gita twisting, turning and changing course. And when they did it was a fast-paced crescendo of heart-racing action on all fronts.

 

My rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: Deep in the Forest by Erina Reddan

Deep in the Forest

by

Erina Reddan

What lies behind the walls of the Sanctuary? 

 

Publisher: Pantera Press

Publication date: 28th November 2023

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Mystery/Thriller

Pages: 296

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via DMCPRMedia

 

Review: Deep in the Forest

Deep in the Forest by Erina Reddan is a fascinating story rich in secrets, lies and betrayal. Filled  with simmering menace it has me hooked from start to finish.

Town pariah Charli Trethan is fed up with being blamed for a crime she didn't commit and plans to leave Stone Lake for a new life overseas.

A gruesome discovery just a few weeks before she is due to leave sees her under police scrutiny again. Then Charli finds a hidden message, a cry for help, from someone within the nearby closed community called The Sanctuary. 

Narrated in first person by Charli who has bouts of depression, I found myself questioning her actions and reasoning. Erina Reddan had me reeling back and forward with who could be trusted and what the truth was.

Reddan digs deep into communal living and exactly how voluntary joining a cult is when they prey on the vulnerable.

Deep in the Forest starts out at a slow pace as the scene is set but as the story twists and turns and the suspense ramps up it had me questioning what I thought was true right up to the adrenaline fuelled ending.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book Review: Girl in the Rearview Mirror by Kelsey Rae Dimberg

 Girl in the Rearview Mirror

by

Kelsey Rae Dimberg

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 25th June 2019

Genre: Mystery / Thriller

Pages: 384

RRP: $29.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Girl in the Rearview Mirror

I wasn't sure how I would enjoy this when I first started reading, as it had a political lean, but I surprised myself and raced through it in a day!

 

Finn Hunt moves to Arizona to invent a new life and leave her past behind. After a chance meeting with Philip Martin, the son of a US Senator, she is offered a position as nanny to Amabel, Philip and Marina's 4 year old daughter. Ensconcing herself into their luxury lifestyle Finn is besotted with the charismatic Philip and would do anything to protect him.

There was a lot going on in this story; media hype, stalkers, parties and plenty of lies and secrets.

I did find Finn to be extremely annoying, she made lots of bad decisions. However I did feel sorry for her as she thought she was part of the family, not simply an employee. I do think if her character had been a bit better fleshed out this would have been a five star read.

Dimberg slowly feeds the reader snippets of Finn's past which builds on the mystery whilst at the same time Finn's obsession with Philip has her digging into his past bringing up information that the family would rather leave buried.

The Girl in the Rearview Mirror has a twisty plot where the lines of what is truth and what is false blur into each other. A totally addictive story that kept me reading until the final dramatic ending. 

The Girl in the Rearview Mirror is a fabulous debut. I'm looking forward to Kelsey's next novel.

My rating 4 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Kelsey Rae Dimberg received an MFA from the university of San Francisco and studied at the Barrett Honors College of Arizona Sate University, where she was editor-in-chief of the literary magazine Lux, and received the Swarthout Award in Fiction. Girl in The Rearview Mirror is her first novel. Kelsey has lives in eight states and currently resides in Milwaukee.

Book Review: Force of Nature by Jane Harper

 Force of Nature

by

Jane Harper

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 26th September 2017

Series: Aaron Falk #2

Genre: Crime / Suspense 

Pages: 384

Source: Own purchase

 

Review: Force of Nature

Force of Nature is book two in the Federal Agent Aaron Falk series. Jane Harper's debut novel The Dry was a huge success so Force of Nature had huge shoes to fill. I found it was every bit as atmospheric and pagerturnerish (that's a real word) as the first book.

Five women enter the Giralang Ranges on a team building event and only four return; late, muddy and distressed. Alice Russell is missing and everyone is assured she will be found cold but safe. Only Aaron knows she is a whistleblower in a major fraud case.

 

The story moves from the present day search for Alice to the four days the women spent in the bush. The chapters are short and the move between the two time frames is quick, which keeps the story moving along at a fast pace.

Through conversations between Aaron and his partner Carmen we get to know more about them and their personal lives.

 

Harper's writing is engaging and the hostile environment of the Australian bush is perfectly rendered to keep the suspense level high. 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author (from front of book)

Jane Harper is the author of the international bestseller The Dry, The Lost Man, The Survivors and Exiles. Her books are published in forty territories worldwide. Jane has won numerous top awards including the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year, the Australian Indie Awards Book of the Year, the CWA Gold Dagger Award for Best Crime Novel, and the British Book Awards Crime and Thriller Book of the Year. Jane lives in Melbourne with her husband, two children and two cats.

Book Review: Simply Lies by David Baldacci

 Simply Lies

by

David Baldacci

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 28th march 2023

Series: Mickey Gibson #1

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 400

RRP: $34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Simply Lies

I'm sorry to say that Simply Lies was not my favourite David Baldacci novel!

I absolutely loved the Atlee Pine series and couldn't get enough of her. I was sorry to see the series end.

 

Simply Lies is the first book in a new series featuring protagonist Mickey Gibson. Gibson is a former detective now working for private investigation company ProEye, tracking down the hidden assets of the extremely wealthy who have mounting debts.

 

Gibson is conned into investigating the death of a known criminal and once she is in, there is no backing out.

Simply Lies has a very complicated plot and I couldn't understand Mickey's motivation to become so involved in this case.

There weren't a lot of characters in the novel but everyone had two, sometimes three, different names. Baldacci includes lots of dialogue and internal monologue - two of my pet hates.

I did enjoy the unexpected twists in the story and I have to admit the plot wasn't at all predictable.

I definitely plan on giving the next Mickey Gibson novel a try as I know Baldacci can write a compelling five star worthy novel.

My rating 2 / 5 ⭐⭐

About the author

David Baldacci is one of the world’s bestselling and favourite thriller writers. A former trial lawyer with a keen interest in world politics, he has specialist knowledge in the US political system and intelligence services, and his first book, Absolute Power, became an instant international bestseller, with the movie starring Clint Eastwood a major box office hit. He has since written more than forty bestsellers featuring, most recently, Amos Decker, Aloysius Archer, Atlee Pine and John Puller. David is also the co-founder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across the US.

 

Other books I've read by David Baldacci:

Daylight

 

Long Road to Mercy

 

Mercy

 

Minute to Midnight

 

6:20 Man