Lainy has
634 books
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| # | cover | title | author | isbn | isbn13 | asin | num pages | avg rating | num ratings | date pub | date pub (ed.) | rating | my rating | review | notes | recommender | comments | votes | read count | date started | date read |
date
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date purchased | owned | purchase location | condition | format | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000744785X
| 9780007447855
| 4.54
| 19,059
| 2000
| Jul 01, 2011
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None
| Notes are private!
| none
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0
| May 23, 2013
| not set
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May 23, 2013
| Paperback
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| 9780007483
| 4.49
| 14,439
| Aug 2000
| 2013
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None
| Notes are private!
| none
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0
| May 16, 2013
| not set
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May 16, 2013
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||||
| 0007447833
| 9780007447831
| 4.37
| 214,723
| Nov 1998
| Jul 2011
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None
| Notes are private!
| none
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1
| May 07, 2013
| May 16, 2013
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May 07, 2013
| Paperback
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| 0553588486
| 9780553588484
| 4.43
| 418,862
| Aug 06, 1996
| Aug 16, 2005
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None
| Notes are private!
| none
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1
| May 03, 2013
| May 07, 2013
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May 03, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 1848090668
| 9781848090668
| 4.24
| 137
| Feb 19, 2009
| Nov 05, 2009
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Time Taken to Read - 1 day Publisher - Preface Blurb from Goodreads June Dawson has come a long way from the rough East End background where she met, got...more Time Taken to Read - 1 day Publisher - Preface Blurb from Goodreads June Dawson has come a long way from the rough East End background where she met, got pregnant by and eventually married charming, reckless Johnny Fuller. Now she lives in leafy Rainham, in a nice little cul-de-sac, with her ultra-respectable second husband and a lovely social life. Then her world collapses when daughter Debbie announces that she is pregnant by her low-life, drug addict boyfriend, Billy McDaid. June feels as though she is being physically sucked back into the world of villains and thugs she thought she had escaped for ever. But worse is to come. Much, much worse. The baby - doted on by his violent, feckless dad - grows into the child from hell: mean, sadistic and out of control. Suddenly the family is not just in crisis. It is in meltdown. My review You know when you pick up a Kimberley Chambers, Mandasue Heller or Martina Cole book you know what your going to get. Crime, swearing, relationship dramas, violence and usually sex of some description and your never let down. Debbie is our main character, it starts off with her telling her mum about her unplanned pregnancy with a rather undesirable character bringing shame on the respectable household. Debbie won't listen to reason and runs off with Billy, she knows life will be perfect. The story follows her shocking reality and the harsh truth of her step fathers words about her man and now she has made her bed, she must lie in it. I started this last night before bed and was only going to read a few chapters, 100+ pages in and after 1am I was still reading. The characters are rough, aggressive and swear like troupers, you don't have to think too hard about the plot as your sucked into their grimy world and all the drama. Some of the story is quite shocking, these characters are for the most part undesirable and Charlie, Debbie's child, has echoes of Kevin from Lionel Shriver's book. He makes for a very unlikeable character, somewhat like his father however he has darker and viler depths. I hated most of these characters but not in the way you want to stop reading, more you would like to throttle them. I did have a soft spot for Mickey, although he is a criminal, into illegal activities, swears like a fish wife he has a heart of gold and a strong sense of family loyalty. The book ended a wee bit premature for me, I wanted it to keep going and they say an author who keeps the reader wanting more is doing their job. I just hope miss Chambers is going to do a sequel to this book sometime, 4 out of 5 for me this time. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| May 2013
| May 02, 2013
|
May 01, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1843913720
| 9781843913726
| 3.84
| 16,612
| 2009
| Jul 12, 2012
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None
| Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| Apr 24, 2013
| May 2013
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Apr 24, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| B009FUFATW
| 4.33
| 9
| May 09, 2013
| May 09, 2013
|
Time Taken to Read - 2 days Publisher - HarperFiction Blurb from Goodreads Two sisters, one house, a lifetime of secrets. Set on a Cornish cliff, Atlanti...more Time Taken to Read - 2 days Publisher - HarperFiction Blurb from Goodreads Two sisters, one house, a lifetime of secrets. Set on a Cornish cliff, Atlantic House has been the jewel in the Carew family crown for centuries. Each year, the Carew sisters embark on the yearly trip down to Cornwall for the summer holidays, but they are as different and vinegar and honey. Prudence, hard-nosed businesswoman and married to the meek and mild Francis, is about to get a shock reminder that you should never take anything for granted. Constance, homemaker and loving wife to philandering husband Greg, has always been out-manoeuvred by her manipulative sibling. But now that Pru wants to get her hands on Atlantic House, Connie is not about to take things lying down. When an old face reappears on the scene, years of simmering resentments reach boiling point. But little do the women know that a long-buried secret is about to bite them all on the bottom. Can Constance and Pru put their feuding aside for the sake of everyone else, or will this family holiday push them all over the edge? My review Atlantic House has been a huge part of Prudence and her sister Constance's family and yet another source of competition for the girls. Fought over since they claimed bedrooms as children to present day when they are grown and have kids of their own. Every summer the girls and their family go back to the holiday house along with their parents. Old resentment quickly builds up as does the competition and soon more than old feelings surface and some secrets are revealed that could rip the family apart. This is a great wee read, chick lit, set on a Cornish cliff. The story bounces about from past to present in a fairly easy to follow sequence. The sisters are very childish and at some points very petty which I found a bit grating however it did make the characters come alive and seem very realistic as their personalities had fairly large flaws. The girls are confronted with an old face from their past which stirs up some unresolved issues and resentment. The story is really easy to follow and you settle into it quickly. There are a few little twists and a whopper as you draw to a close. This is my first time reading this author and whilst chick lit isn't my first choice of read it is great when you just need to switch off and enjoy a good wee tale. I would likely read this author again and give it a good 3/5. Simple, easy to follow, chapters not too lengthy and a pinch of excitement throughout family issues on a summer holiday. Thanks so much to HarperFiction for introducing me to a new author and sending me an ARC copy of this book. You can get yourself a copy from 9th of May, 2013, in print and ebook format.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| Apr 20, 2013
| Apr 22, 2013
|
Apr 20, 2013
| Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||||
| 0857202979
| 9780857202970
| 4.31
| 632
| 2011
| Mar 2012
|
Time Taken to Read - 1 day Blurb from Goodreads An unidentified female body is brought into the Los Angeles County morgue. The cause of death is still...more Time Taken to Read - 1 day Blurb from Goodreads An unidentified female body is brought into the Los Angeles County morgue. The cause of death is still unclear. Her body bares no marks; except for the fact that her most intimate parts have been stitched shut. But what shocks the pathologist the most is that the killer had left something inside her. Something so monstrous Detective Robert Hunter, of the Los Angeles Homicide Special Section, has to be pulled off a different case to take over the investigation. Within days a new body surfaces. Like the previous victim, she's also been stitched shut and something has been left inside her. Something as ingenious as it is grotesque. And the killer isn't done yet, not by a long shot. When his inquiry collides with a missing persons' case being investigated by the attractive, razor-sharp Whitney Meyers, Hunter suspects the killer might be keeping several women hostage. Soon Robert finds himself on the hunt for a murderer who is much more monstrous than he ever could have expected; a predator whose past hides a terrible secret, and who won't stop until each of his victims has brought forth the awful truth that lies hidden deep inside them too. My review This book kicks off from the first few pages and maintains the pace throughout. An unidentified attractive female is found dead with no obvious wounds, other than stitching to her mouth and intimate area. Soon after the victim arrives in the morgue it is discovered the body is concealing a deadly and gruesome secret. Detective Robert Hunter takes the case and soon another body is discovered. Some investigation discovers the victims are linked and they have a vicious killer on their hands and stitching the victims is only the beginning of the horror. This book is quite brutal, the victims are violated and the killers stalking methods is enough to make your hair stand on end. The story pulls you in in the same way people are drawn to disasters, it is brutal but you can't walk away from it. The characters are very believable, strong and I felt, make quite an impression, for a change I liked all of the big characters. I especially liked Detective Hunter as he was very insightful and even though I have not read the previous books, this one gave a bit of info on why he is as astute as he is. He isn't some super cop with a sixth sense however he is very perceptive and a glimpse of his childhood covers why. There is a lot of action, twists and turns in the book which will either keep you guessing or simply on the edge of your seat. As I said it is gruesome so if your a bit squeamish then give this one a miss. This is my first time reading this author and I will be keeping an eye out for his work in the future, 4/5 this time.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| Apr 17, 2013
| Apr 18, 2013
|
Apr 17, 2013
| Mass Market Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0141048808
| 9780141048802
| unknown
| 3.91
| 364
| Dec 01, 2007
| unknown
|
Time Taken to Read - 1 day Blurb from Goodreads He'll Taste Their Fear... The first kill was easy. The second much easier. No guilt, no remorse, just a r...more Time Taken to Read - 1 day Blurb from Goodreads He'll Taste Their Fear... The first kill was easy. The second much easier. No guilt, no remorse, just a rush of adrenaline surging through him as each life drains away, and the pleasure of knowing that their deaths help his beloved Lindsay. And there are so many more who deserve to die... Hear Their Screams... The first twisted gift to Lindsay O'Neil arrives hidden in a bouquet of flowers. When her estranged husband, Detective Zack Kier, is assigned to the case, Lindsay's past comes back with a vengeance. Because only Zack knows the dark secret she lives with--or so she thinks. Now nothing can prepare her for the nightmare to come... And Watch Them Die... Everything Lindsay's stalker does, every life he takes, is for her. But when Lindsay spurns his gifts, she and those she loves most become targets of a depraved madman whose rage is growing, and who is waiting, watching, closer than she ever feared... My review Lindsay O'Neil has demons from her past, a recently failed marriage and just trying to keep busy. She throws everything she has into her job, helping women to get away from their abusive husbands and stay safe. When a dead body is found at the shelter and then a grisly gift in a bunch of flowers arrive, Lindsay has to face her estranged husband and come to terms with being targeted by a killer who thinks he is helping her in her mission. This is a great wee story with a few stories as well as the main one of the dead bodies and killers contact with Lindsay. The investigating cop just had to be Lindsay's husband which brings problems and emotions in itself. As the police and media start looking at Lindsay, details of a past horror are dug up and Lindsay finds herself being considered as a murderer. It is a fairly fast paced book, a tangled web mixed with murder, conflict, love, betrayal and a past that can never be moved on from if not dealt with. I really liked this authors style of writing and found myself reading every opportunity I got. I will be tracking down some more of this author, 4/5 for me this time.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| Apr 15, 2013
| Apr 16, 2013
|
Apr 15, 2013
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 9781842438
| 3.00
| 1
| May 30, 2013
| May 30, 2013
|
Time Taken to Read - 4 days Publisher - No Exit Press Blurb from back cover When a successful businessman is brutally murdered, the police suspect his gl...more Time Taken to Read - 4 days Publisher - No Exit Press Blurb from back cover When a successful businessman is brutally murdered, the police suspect his glamorous wife and her young lover. But when the victim's business partner suffers the same gruesome fate, and yet another body is discovered, seemingly unrelated to the first two, the police are baffled. The only clue is DNA that leads them to two women: one dead, the other in prison. With a steady stream of bodies arriving at the morgue, can DI Geraldine Steel find the killer before the killer stages another deadly attack? My Review I never comment on covers as they are not a big part in my choosing process however I must pass comment on this one. The actual cover itself is made from high quality, almost feels like, laminate of some kind. Smooth, shiny and made up of dark greens with bold red writing, the books title. The back cover is of lighter colour with black and red text and 4 small pictures of the previous books. This is book number five in the series, this is my first time reading this author and you can easily pick this up as a one off. Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel is our main character investigating the brutal murder of a local businessman in London. Suspicion falls upon his widow and her young lover, before another another body is found with the same gruesome mutilations. The clock is ticking for D.I. Steel to solve the case and stop the murderer before they kill anyone else. I quite enjoyed this story, the action starts from the opening chapter and the body count goes from there. I felt the pace slowed down at some parts and some of the storyline was a bit of padding. For example something from Geraldine's family is revealed in this book and she ponders on it briefly in different sections of the book however nothing really comes of it. The investigation casts out a few suspects and I thought early on I had it worked out, I was wrong. Your kept guessing up to the end and the story goes from slow and plodding along to full swing all is revealed. This is a great book to read when you find your struggling or have a lot on as everything is explained, what they say, why they say it and of course the how and why of the crime at the end. Thanks so much to RealReaders for introducing me to a new author and supplying me with this ARC. I think I may go back and read the earlier books to connect better with the characters. This book will be available from 30th of May, 2013 from all good retailers. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
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Apr 15, 2013
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| 1842438581
| 9781842438589
| 3.76
| 29
| Dec 21, 2012
| Sep 01, 2013
|
Time Taken to Read - 4 days Publisher - No Exit Press Blurb from back cover When a successful businessman is brutally murdered, the police suspect his gl...more Time Taken to Read - 4 days Publisher - No Exit Press Blurb from back cover When a successful businessman is brutally murdered, the police suspect his glamorous wife and her young lover. But when the victim's business partner suffers the same gruesome fate, and yet another body is discovered, seemingly unrelated to the first two, the police are baffled. The only clue is DNA that leads them to two women: one dead, the other in prison. With a steady stream of bodies arriving at the morgue, can DI Geraldine Steel find the killer before the killer stages another deadly attack? My Review I never comment on covers as they are not a big part in my choosing process however I must pass comment on this one. The actual cover itself is made from high quality, almost feels like, laminate of some kind. Smooth, shiny and made up of dark greens with bold red writing, the books title. The back cover is of lighter colour with black and red text and 4 small pictures of the previous books. This is book number five in the series, this is my first time reading this author and you can easily pick this up as a one off. Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel is our main character investigating the brutal murder of a local businessman in London. Suspicion falls upon his widow and her young lover, before another another body is found with the same gruesome mutilations. The clock is ticking for D.I. Steel to solve the case and stop the murderer before they kill anyone else. I quite enjoyed this story, the action starts from the opening chapter and the body count goes from there. I felt the pace slowed down at some parts and some of the storyline was a bit of padding. For example something from Geraldine's family is revealed in this book and she ponders on it briefly in different sections of the book however nothing really comes of it. The investigation casts out a few suspects and I thought early on I had it worked out, I was wrong. Your kept guessing up to the end and the story goes from slow and plodding along to full swing all is revealed. This is a great book to read when you find your struggling or have a lot on as everything is explained, what they say, why they say it and of course the how and why of the crime at the end. Thanks so much to RealReaders for introducing me to a new author and supplying me with this ARC. I think I may go back and read the earlier books to connect better with the characters. This book will be available from 30th of May, 2013 from all good retailers.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Apr 11, 2013
| Apr 15, 2013
|
Apr 11, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1444705881
| 9781444705881
| 3.66
| 38
| Apr 01, 2012
| Jul 05, 2012
|
Time Taken to Read - 3 days Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton Blurb From Goodreads Winnie Monks has never forgotten - or forgiven - the death of a young...more Time Taken to Read - 3 days Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton Blurb From Goodreads Winnie Monks has never forgotten - or forgiven - the death of a young agent on her team at the hands of a former Russian Army Major turned gangster. Now, years later, she hears the Major is travelling to a villa on the Costa del Sol and she asks permission to send in a surveillance unit. They find an empty property near the Major's. The Villa Paraiso. It's perfect to spy from - and as a base for Winnie's darker, less official, plans. But it turns out that the property isn't deserted. The owners have invited a young British couple to 'house sit' while they are away. For Jonno and Posie, just embarking on a relationship, this is supposed to be a carefree break in the sun. But when the Secret Service team arrives in paradise, everything changes. My Review I think I can safely say I have never read a book quite like this one before! I have no idea who the main character was as there where so many of them. A young agent is murdered by an ex Russian Army Major and his team leader won't let it go, the Major will pay. She sends a team to monitor his colleagues and movements, to a house they think is empty. However the house is occupied by a young couple and the two need to deal with each others presence to get the job done. This is a fairly brutal book that delves into the past of both the Major and the members of the surveillance team, back into the war and things that happened. There is some derogatory names used in some parts of the book and some of the killing and scenes described are horrific. The main story, when I could follow it was good, revenge for an innocent life brutally ended. However far too much of it went off on spiels that I couldn't follow. Page breaks would be the only indication a scene had changed and even then it could start with she did.... so you had no idea who she or he was and if the scene had changed. For me a lot of things didn't make sense and it really was a headache trying to keep up with all the characters, plots, story lines and timescale. Maybe this is the norm for this author, he is very successful and I am sure plenty will love this book however for me I just couldn't get on with it. I felt there wasn't much depth to any of the characters, I cared about none and couldn't wait for the story to be done with. At the end there is a recap of what happened so that was good for me as I was practically clueless although I was still left with many questions. 2/5 for me and to be honest I doubt I will read this author again, the style is not for me I'm afraid. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for giving me a chance to try a new author. For fans of Seymour this book is out from April 25th, 2013 in paperback and ebook priced £6.99.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| Apr 08, 2013
| Apr 11, 2013
|
Apr 08, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0399157832
| 9780399157837
| 3.75
| 1,429
| Jan 01, 2012
| Jan 03, 2012
|
Time Taken To Read - 3 days Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton Blurb from Goodreads Carmilla, Queen of the Night, is a shape-shifting raven whose fiction...more Time Taken To Read - 3 days Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton Blurb from Goodreads Carmilla, Queen of the Night, is a shape-shifting raven whose fictional exploits thrill girls all over the world. When tweens in Chicago's Carmilla Club hold and initiation ritual in an abandoned cemetary, they stumble on an actual corpse, a man stabbed through the heart in a vampire-style slaying. The girls include daughters of some of Chicago's most powerful families: the grandfather of one, Chaim Salanter, is among the world's weathiest men; the mother of another, Sophy Durango, is running for the United States Senate. For V.I. Warshawski, the questions multiply faster than the answers. Is the killing linked to a hostile media campaign against Sophy Durango? Or to Chaim Salanter's childhood in Nazi-occupied Lithuania? As V.I. struggles to answer these questions, she finds herself fighting enemies who are no less terifying for being all too human. My Review Despite this being the 15th book in the series it is my first time reading this author. V.I Warshawski is our main character and to be honest at the start of the book I was very confused what her role was. She is a private detective, often referred to as a detective who is also listed as a lawyer although she isn't practicing. She is called on by her cousin to check on teenage girls, out after curfew, who are practicing a ritual brought on by the teenage vampire books fad. In the cemetery, unbeknown to the girls, a man is being killed nearby. A long and twisted tale follows, politics, murder, deception and secrets which will put the lives of those involved in perilous danger. There are no vampires in this story so don't be put off or fooled by the blurb. It is a murder mystery that is heavily wrapped up with politics. I don't follow politics much and have to be honest there is a lot throughout the story that it did put me off quite a bit. There are also, for me, far to many characters and I got confused about who some people where and had to go back and re read and see what part of the story they played. It is not all complaints though, V.I. is a great character, she is very loyal to her close friends, spunky and like a dog with a bone once she gets her teeth stuck into something. She is also very tolerable, she does a lot for many of the characters in the book yet gets quite a lot of aggravation for her troubles. For some parts I could have put the book down and left it as it got a tad boring for me, however at the last quarter of the book it focused back on the actual story and picked up pace. As I said a far few turns and twists and had the politics been a lesser part I am sure I would have enjoyed this more so 3/5 for me. I am sure I will look this author up again but alas not for a while. Thanks so much to Hodder and Stoughton for sending me an ARC copy of this and introducing me to a new author. This version of the book will be available from the 25th of April, 2013 in ebook and paperback for £7.99. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| Apr 08, 2013
|
Apr 08, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0340994134
| 9780340994139
| 3.75
| 1,429
| Jan 01, 2012
| Jun 21, 2012
|
Time Taken To Read - 3 days Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton Blurb from Goodreads Carmilla, Queen of the Night, is a shape-shifting raven whose fiction...more Time Taken To Read - 3 days Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton Blurb from Goodreads Carmilla, Queen of the Night, is a shape-shifting raven whose fictional exploits thrill girls all over the world. When tweens in Chicago's Carmilla Club hold and initiation ritual in an abandoned cemetary, they stumble on an actual corpse, a man stabbed through the heart in a vampire-style slaying. The girls include daughters of some of Chicago's most powerful families: the grandfather of one, Chaim Salanter, is among the world's weathiest men; the mother of another, Sophy Durango, is running for the United States Senate. For V.I. Warshawski, the questions multiply faster than the answers. Is the killing linked to a hostile media campaign against Sophy Durango? Or to Chaim Salanter's childhood in Nazi-occupied Lithuania? As V.I. struggles to answer these questions, she finds herself fighting enemies who are no less terifying for being all too human. My Review Despite this being the 15th book in the series it is my first time reading this author. V.I Warshawski is our main character and to be honest at the start of the book I was very confused what her role was. She is a private detective, often referred to as a detective who is also listed as a lawyer although she isn't practicing. She is called on by her cousin to check on teenage girls, out after curfew, who are practicing a ritual brought on by the teenage vampire books fad. In the cemetery, unbeknown to the girls, a man is being killed nearby. A long and twisted tale follows, politics, murder, deception and secrets which will put the lives of those involved in perilous danger. There are no vampires in this story so don't be put off or fooled by the blurb. It is a murder mystery that is heavily wrapped up with politics. I don't follow politics much and have to be honest there is a lot throughout the story that it did put me off quite a bit. There are also, for me, far to many characters and I got confused about who some people where and had to go back and re read and see what part of the story they played. It is not all complaints though, V.I. is a great character, she is very loyal to her close friends, spunky and like a dog with a bone once she gets her teeth stuck into something. She is also very tolerable, she does a lot for many of the characters in the book yet gets quite a lot of aggravation for her troubles. For some parts I could have put the book down and left it as it got a tad boring for me, however at the last quarter of the book it focused back on the actual story and picked up pace. As I said a far few turns and twists and had the politics been a lesser part I am sure I would have enjoyed this more so 3/5 for me. I am sure I will look this author up again but alas not for a while. Thanks so much to Hodder and Stoughton for sending me an ARC copy of this and introducing me to a new author. This version of the book will be available from the 25th of April, 2013 in ebook and paperback for £7.99. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| Apr 05, 2013
| Apr 08, 2013
|
Apr 05, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0062219464
| 9780062219466
| 4.17
| 30
| Apr 01, 2013
| May 21, 2013
|
Time Taken to Read - 2 days Publisher - HarperCollins Blurb From Goodreads Terrifyingly authentic, London-set debut crime novel with a psychological edg...more Time Taken to Read - 2 days Publisher - HarperCollins Blurb From Goodreads Terrifyingly authentic, London-set debut crime novel with a psychological edge, by an ex-Met detective. Perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Peter James and Stuart MacBride. DI Sean Corrigan is not like other detectives. The terrible abuse he suffered in childhood hasn't stopped him enjoying family life with his wife and two daughters, or pursuing an impressive career with South London's Murder Investigation Unit. But it has left him with an uncanny ability to identify the darkness in others - a darkness he recognises still exists deep within his own psyche and battles to keep buried there. Now Sean's on the trail of the most dangerous killer he's ever encountered. The perpetrator has no recognisable MO, leaves no forensic evidence and his victims have nothing in common. But Sean knows they were all murdered by the same man. Now all he has to do is find the evidence, convince his bosses and stop the killing ...before his adversary gets too close to home.. My Review This book had a fabulous marketing around it. Before I received the book from the publishers a wee envelope arrived with 3 crime scene photos and a small sheet of paper with the crime scene web address. Of course who could resist that so off I went to the website and had a snoop around. About a wee later the book arrived and I had to read it straight away. This debut novel introduces us to DI Sean Corrigan, a police officer unlike any other. He can look at a crime scene and get into the killers head, viewing what he did and even at some points thinking how he thinks. The murder is brutal and Sean is sure he knows how the killer is, confirmed when they question him and Sean identifies the darkness under the smooth surface. A game of cat and mouse begins and another body turns up, the killer is goading and mocking the police and Sean needs to be 2 steps ahead if he is going to catch him. I couldn't put this book down to start with, we begin the first chapter with the killer talking us through how he views the world in front of him. No one is safe, not even his family and he takes us through his latest murderous activity. The next chapter introduces us to DI Sean Corrigan and his response to the murder scene and the story kicks off from there. The chapters flick from our detective to our killer and flips between the two. The chapter lengths going from being a few pages long to fairly lengthy, not a big deal but for me worthy of note. I must say I loved how Sean got into the crime scene, it reminded me of enter the dragon with Edward Norton although with an actual explanation for how he does it and I do love all areas covered. There are quite a few twists and turns throughout the book, which until the end, confused me as I wasn't sure who was the killer and had a few of my own suspects. I must admit this frustrated me however I know this is a good thing for a lot of readers, I am just impatient and like to know everything which is why I struggled to put this book down. It keeps you engaged throughout and it took me a while to catch on although I did before the big finale. Overall a really good read with just a few snags that brought it down a wee bit for me but this will be a bit hit with most readers. I will definitely keep an eye out for this author again and thank you so much to HarperCollins for giving me a copy and introducing me to a new author, 3/5 for me. Cold Killing is available to buy now from any good retailer for £6.99 Hardback or £5.00 on the kindle. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Apr 02, 2013
| Apr 04, 2013
|
Apr 02, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0330512838
| 9780330512831
| 3.81
| 3,676
| Jan 01, 2011
| 2011
|
Time Taken To Read - 1 day Publisher - Pan Books Blurb From Goodreads With the Beauty Killer Gretchen Lowell locked away behind bars once again, Archie S...more Time Taken To Read - 1 day Publisher - Pan Books Blurb From Goodreads With the Beauty Killer Gretchen Lowell locked away behind bars once again, Archie Sheridan—a Portland police detective and nearly one of her victims—can finally rest a little easier. Meanwhile, the rest of the city of Portland is in crisis. Heavy rains have flooded the Willamette River, and several people have drowned in the quickly rising waters. Or at least that’s what they thought until the medical examiner discovers that the latest victim didn’t drown: She was poisoned before she went into the water. Soon after, three of those drownings are also proven to be murders. Portland has a new serial killer on its hands, and Archie and his task force have a new case. Reporter Susan Ward is chasing this story of a new serial killer with gusto, but she’s also got another lead to follow for an entirely separate mystery: The flooding has unearthed a skeleton, a man who might have died more than sixty years ago, the last time Portland flooded this badly, when the water washed away an entire neighborhood and killed at least fifteen people. With Archie following the bizarre trail of evidence and evil deeds to catch a killer and possibly regain his life, and Susan Ward close behind, Chelsea Cain—one of today’s most talented suspense writers—launches the next installment of her bestselling series with an electric thriller. My Review Firstly I have to say although this is written as #4 Gretchen Lowell she features in it very little. The story is based around heavy rains flooding the Willamette River, as a result several people have drowned. All is not as it first seems and the drowned victims are actually murder victims and Archie is on the case. Reporter Susan Ward is on the story although the flooding unearths an old skeleton which may be from the first flooding. The evidence is puzzling and the victims don't seem to have anything in common, when the next victim is selected Archie finds himself personally involved. As much as I like this authors writing I was a little disappointed by the lack or Gretchen in it, I know some people found this refreshing though. The story is fairly quick to start and the killer is very cunning, the method they use in killing the victims is one I have never heard of before. I must admit though to feeling left rather high and dry as there was a few wee twists and turns but the overall explanation of everything, for me, was lacking. I like to have answers to everything in my books so this definitely impacted my reading enjoyment, along with the lack of Gretchen. The chapters are very short, which if your a regular reader of my reviews, you know I love these. Perfect for dipping in and out of or, the negative side, just one more chapter leads to 3 in the morning! Still an enjoyable read but not as good as I was expecting so 3/5 for me. (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Mar 31, 2013
| Apr 2013
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Mar 31, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0778323412
| 9780778323419
| 4.05
| 1,890
| Feb 01, 2005
| Aug 22, 2006
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Time Taken To Read - 4 days Publisher - Mira Blurb From Goodreads Her family's cottage on the New Jersey shore was a place of freedom and innocence for...more Time Taken To Read - 4 days Publisher - Mira Blurb From Goodreads Her family's cottage on the New Jersey shore was a place of freedom and innocence for Julie Bauer--until her seventeen-year-old sister, Isabel, was murdered. It's been more than forty years since that August night, but Julie's memories of her sister's death still shape her world. Now someone from her past is raising questions about what really happened that night. About Julie's own complicity. About a devastating secret her mother kept from them all. About the person who went to prison for Izzy's murder--and the person who didn't. Faced with questions and armed with few answers, Julie must gather the courage to revisit her past and untangle the complex emotions that led to one unspeakable act of violence on the bay at midnight. My Review The story starts in present day with Julie, a very successful author, getting a blast from the past. It stirs up a lot of buried emotions about her sisters death in 1962 and starts a new police investigation into her sisters murder. The story goes between Julie, her mum Maria and her sister Lucy, it jumps between present day and back into the past, mostly the summer of 1962. Julie states very early on it was partly her fault what happened to her sister but apart from knowing she was killed, we don't know the particulars of what happened. The story slowly unravels and the mysteries unveiled as more details come out. Julie has a few issues to deal with in the present day, her daughter is being distant and difficult, she has mixed feelings about someone from her past and she is suffering from writers block. The story covers all of this but the main focus is the sisters death and will it all come out who was responsible for her death. The story is a bit slow paced for me as there is so many issues to be dealt with and I was purely focused on the how and why of Julies sisters death. The up to date issues where interesting however I did find Julies daughter to be rather tedious. She went from seemingly fairly grownup and knowing what she wanted to acting very childlike which, I felt, was inconsistent with her character throughout. However some people have stated they felt this added to the realistic nature of a 17 year old. Overall it was a good read, I didn't love it but I did enjoy it. The chapters are fairly short so you can dip in and out as much as you like, which I always love, and the writing flows making it easy to follow. I do enjoy this authors style and will be tracking down her other books although this is a 3/5 for me this time.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Mar 28, 2013
| Mar 31, 2013
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Mar 28, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 1848450885
| 9781848450882
| unknown
| 4.00
| 1,796
| Jan 01, 1992
| Sep 01, 2012
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Time Taken To Read - 1 day Blurb From Amazon As your husband grieves his mistress, You find yourself falling for the family she left behind. But she hid...more Time Taken To Read - 1 day Blurb From Amazon As your husband grieves his mistress, You find yourself falling for the family she left behind. But she hid secrets that will destroy him...or you. Do you tell? I m going to die as punishment for all the bad things I ve done... You are on duty in the emergency room when, despite your desperate effort, the victim of a gunshot wound loses her life. She is Annie O Neill. The same woman your husband is in love with... Olivia can't watch any longer as her husband - the father of her unborn child - grieves his adulteress. She can t bear the faces who judge her professionalism and brand her guilty. She can let it drive her mad, or compete with the wake of perfection Annie has left behind. Stepping into Annie s shoes, Olivia finds another life. One with an adoring husband and troubled young daughter. But the façade is cracking with every step she takes. Because Annie s life was built on secrets...ones that will destroy everyone she left behind. My Review From reading the blurb on the back I knew I had to get this book. Imagine being an a&e doctor in a small town when a gunshot victim comes in. You have to make some risky and quick decisions and then you realize this is the lady who has come between you and your husband, her life is in your hands. When Olivias husband hears of his other womans death he can't take it and leaves his wife, utterly distraught and heartbroken. Olivia wants him back and sets about finding out what is so special about the woman who ruined her marriage. Her journey finds secrets that could tear lives apart, she learns new insights about herself and makes new friends and enemies along the way. I went through the motions with this book, I went from liking Olivia to thinking she was pathetic and acting like a door mat. The more you get into the story the more you uncover about the characters and why they have behaved as they did. There is a lot of concealed back story that doesn't come out immediately but is tantalizingly revealed as the story unfolds. The characters are very well done and one or two tends to stay with you. The story flips from present day to the past to clarify some of the story but it is done in a way that is very easy to follow. There is some sex scenes in the book but nothing too over the top and it is relevant to the part of the story and to emphasize the relationship and feelings. I thought this was a fantastic read and have already gotten some more from the same author, 5/5 for me. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Mar 26, 2013
| Mar 27, 2013
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Mar 26, 2013
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 0060512148
| 9780060512149
| 3.65
| 13,284
| Jan 01, 2002
| Apr 27, 2004
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Time Taken to Read - 6 days Blurb From Goodreadss After catching her husband having an affair and being fired from her job, Maggie Walsh suddenly finds...more Time Taken to Read - 6 days Blurb From Goodreadss After catching her husband having an affair and being fired from her job, Maggie Walsh suddenly finds her perfectly organized existence has become a perfect mess. She decides, for the first time in her life, to do something daring -- and flees to her best friend, Emily, in the faraway wonderland of Los Angeles. In this mecca of tanned, beautiful bodies, unsvelte, uncool Maggie is decidedly a fish out of water. Yet, overnight, she's mixing with film folk, pitching scripts, even experimenting with sex -- and discovering that the end of a marriage is not the end of the world. My Review Maggie discover her husband is having an affair and as is always the way, things go from bad to worse when she is fired. Rejected, alone and upset she turns to her friend for support who happens to live in Los Angeles. Maggie leaves behind her troubles and decides to do something different and daring and embarks upon an adventure that makes her question everything she knows about herself. I have read one of the Walsh tales before and from what I remember I really enjoyed it, this one was a mixed bag for me. Maggie was very annoying, she was a doormat in her response to her husbands betrayal, her encounters that followed after and even in some scenes with family members. You wanted to scream at her, well I did, get a back bone woman! Her character was fairly annoying and you just wanted her to do something, one of her relatives called her plain or vanilla yogurt and they had her bang to rights. That said the book is enjoyable and very much chick lit. You follow Maggie to a strange place where everyone is thin, bleached, manicured and tanned to within an inch of their lives. We follow her journey of how she copes after finding her husband has betrayed her and now after years being safe and married she is free and single. Some of the book is really funny, I love her family especially her mum and the fake tan part, reminded me of my mum and some of her antics. In between Maggie's outings and finding herself she slips back to the past and we slowly learn how her and Garv, her husband, got to be in the rut they ended up in. I found some of the story slow going and a touch padded and other parts where very well done, an in between 3/5 for me. I have read this author before and I am sure I will pick her up again. (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Mar 20, 2013
| Mar 25, 2013
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Mar 19, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0316129534
| 9780316129534
| 3.76
| 327
| May 01, 2012
| May 08, 2012
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Time Taken To Read - 3 days Publisher - Mulholland Books Blurb From Goodreads Someone has been watching D.A. Rachel Knight--someone who's Rachel's equal...more Time Taken To Read - 3 days Publisher - Mulholland Books Blurb From Goodreads Someone has been watching D.A. Rachel Knight--someone who's Rachel's equal in brains, but with more malicious intentions. It began when a near-impossible case fell into Rachel's lap, the suspectless homicide of a homeless man. In the face of courthouse backbiting and a gauzy web of clues, Rachel is determined to deliver justice. She's got back-up: tough-as-nails Detective Bailey Keller. As Rachel and Bailey stir things up, they're shocked to uncover a connection with the vicious murder of an LAPD cop a year earlier. Something tells Rachel someone knows the truth, someone who'd kill to keep it secret. Harrowing, smart, and riotously entertaining, GUILT BY DEGREES is a thrilling ride through the world of LA courts with the unforgettable Rachel Knight. My Review The press release I got with this one had some big names with good comments associated with it but I always reserve my own judgment as my taste varies. I have to say, I agree with pretty much all of the comments that came with it but I digress, onto the actual story and review. District Attorney Rachel Knight is our main character along with her buddy, Detective Bailey Keller and they make quite the team. Rachel barges into a case being poorly handled by the prosecution, about to be dropped and takes it on. A homeless man murdered with very little to go on, until she starts digging. Slowly more pieces are revealed showing there is more to the case than initially thought that will put people at risk including Rachel. Ah it isn't very often I really like a character so quickly, especially in a court type kind of book. However Rachel takes on the murder of a homeless man that no one else really cares about and that alone made me warm to her instantly. She is a tad impulsive and has a name for it in her work but continues to fight for justice and like a dog with a bone won't let go. Her past comes into play during the book and it isn't until later you find out why and it had me thinking all kinds of theories and conspiracies. The story is quite compelling and I have to admit, I was dragged in very quickly. The chapters are really quite short, you know how I love them, which means you can dip in and out, however it also means "just one more chapter" turns into 2am when it's a work night! Ignore the fact it took 3 days for me to read this because the reality is, had I not had loads of assignments and projects due in I would have devoured this book in one sitting. The pace is quite good and well balanced, it isn't a murder every two minutes kind of book however there are lots of twists and depths within it which keeps it interesting and you hooked. My biggest complaint has to be I was left hanging, I absolutely hate this! It is a fabulous trick by authors because you are guaranteed, well I am, to having to get the next book to find out where the story goes and get closure. Sorry to be vague but I don't do spoilers and they say it is a good author who keeps the reader wanting more, I am just very impatient! This was my first encounter with Marcia Clark and it won't be my last, 4/5 for me this time. A huge thanks to Kerry Hood & Mulholland books for sending me an ARC copy of this book and for introducing me to another new author. The book will be available from all good retailers from 11th April 2013, in paperback and ebook for £6.99 - you can find Marcia on facebook and twitter(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Mar 17, 2013
| Mar 20, 2013
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Mar 17, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 1420100491
| 9781420100495
| 3.87
| 628
| Sep 2008
| Sep 01, 2008
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Time Taken To Read - 4 days Blurb From Goodreads TRUSTING HER… They all loved her. That was their mistake. Two husbands, her college fiancé, and influent...more Time Taken To Read - 4 days Blurb From Goodreads TRUSTING HER… They all loved her. That was their mistake. Two husbands, her college fiancé, and influential boss – every man who gets close to Jordan Price is made to pay in blood. And the list is growing… COULD BE… Hired by the Powell Agency to investigate Senator Dan price’s death, Rick Carson can see at once why people would believe Jordan Price is incapable of cold-blooded murder. Slender, pale, and elegant, she stands by her late husband’s graveside exuding sweet vulnerability. Only Rick notices that she never sheds a tear. And the deeper he delves into the string of deaths from which Jordan has profited handsomely, the more convinced Rick becomes that he is dealing with a callous, cunning, unstoppable killer… THE LAST THING YOU EVER DO… The closer rick gets to the chilling truth, the more dangerous this game of cat-and-mouse becomes. The targets are changing, and suddenly, nothing and no one is safe. If Jordan is as innocent as she claims, Rick may have placed her in a killer’s cross hairs. And if she’s guilty, he’ll never live to regret it… My Review Jordan Price's husband has just committed suicide, his brother refuses to believe it and hires an investigator Rick Carson. The investigation soon reveals Senator Dan Price wasn't her first husband to die and soon a police investigation begins. Jordan is accused of being a black widow and has to face facts, if she didn't kill the men in her life then someone close to her must have and who will be next? The story kicks off fairly quick with the night the Senator dies and what actually happened to him. The story goes along at a fairly good pace. The killer comes in at intermittent intervals thinking back to past murders and what is happening present day. These is no change in the text when the killer is talking and it takes a few sentences to catch on it is the killer, this annoyed me somewhat. I also disliked Rick Carson. He is a hired professional who battles whether or not he thinks Jordan is innocent or a cold hearted killer, add into that his conflict about his feelings for her. He comes across at times as a hormonal teenager rather than a professional caught in a murder investigation. Despite the irritation the story itself is really good and I was guessing right up until the end who the killer was. I think I had about 6 different theories and was wrong on them all. 3/5 for me this time.(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Mar 13, 2013
| Mar 17, 2013
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Mar 13, 2013
| Mass Market Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0061997145
| 9780061997143
| 3.78
| 1,590
| 2011
| May 31, 2011
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Time Taken To Read - 3 days Blurb From Amazon A letter, two lovers, a terrible lie. In war, truth is only the first casualty. ‘Inspires the kind of dev...more Time Taken To Read - 3 days Blurb From Amazon A letter, two lovers, a terrible lie. In war, truth is only the first casualty. ‘Inspires the kind of devotion among its readers not seen since David Nicholls’ One Day’ The Times While Riley Purefoy and Peter Locke fight for their country, their survival and their sanity in the trenches of Flanders, Nadine Waveney, Julia Locke and Rose Locke do what they can at home. Beautiful, obsessive Julia and gentle, eccentric Peter are married: each day Julia goes through rituals to prepare for her beloved husband’s return. Nadine and Riley, only eighteen when the war starts, and with problems of their own already, want above all to make promises - but how can they when the future is not in their hands? And Rose? Well, what did happen to the traditionally brought-up women who lost all hope of marriage, because all the young men were dead? Moving between Ypres, London and Paris, My Dear I Wanted to Tell You is a deeply affecting, moving and brilliant novel of love and war, and how they affect those left behind as well as those who fight. My Review I found this book to be a slow burner to be honest. War books are not really my chosen genre but I had been drawn to this by some great reviews. Riley Purefoy is our main character along with Nadine Waveney. The book starts with the build up of who they are, their classes and relationship. World War one begins and after a confusing encounter Riley signs up and becomes a soldier whilst writing to Nadine. Riley is hurt during the war and the book follows his progress and the relationship between himself, Nadine and the family, friends and carers around them. Once Riley was injured and made his choices I found the book very hard to put down. From a medical point of view I found it very interesting as I hadn't been aware that procedures of that kind, sorry to be vague but I hate spoilers, were available. The author had done extensive research that I felt was very evident in the writing and found it fascinating. The relationship between Nadine and Riley was endearing and heartwarming and I found myself trying to read in every spare moment to find their conclusion. The book, as I said previously, is slow to get going but once it does it paints quite a picture especially at the scenes of war. You can imagine in detail exactly what is happening as the author describes quite the scene without overdoing the gore. It is a moving story of courage, bravery, horror, friendship and love. My first encounter with this author and I would read her again, 3/5 this time for me.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Mar 08, 2013
| Mar 11, 2013
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Mar 07, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0241950376
| 9780241950371
| 4.22
| 592
| Jan 01, 2012
| Jul 01, 2012
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Time Taken To Read - 5 days Publisher - Penguin Blurb from Goodreads London 1914 Belle Reilly finally has the life she's dreamed of thanks to a devoted h...more Time Taken To Read - 5 days Publisher - Penguin Blurb from Goodreads London 1914 Belle Reilly finally has the life she's dreamed of thanks to a devoted husband in Jimmy and the hat shop she's wanted to own since she was a child. But as the storm clouds of World War One begin to gather, Belle's already turbulent life is to change in ways she never imagined possible. When Jimmy enlists in the army and leaves for the battlefields of Ypres, her world is shattered and she realises she can no longer stand by and watch, she must volunteer to help the wounded. But her work as a Red Cross ambulance driver in France throws her into the path of Etienne, the enigmatic man who played a significant role in her childhood, and Belle finds herself torn agonisingly between forbidden passion and loyalty to a good man. But the past returns to haunt her present in other - more unpleasant - ways and Belle's character is put to the test like never before. Can she survive this most brutal of wars with her spirit intact? And will destiny finally lead her to lasting happiness even while war rages all around? My Review I read Belle a few years ago, centered around the characters of this book but years previous. As so much time has passed I had forgotten a lot of it and just remembered some parts of it however Pearse covers enough in this one that you can get away with not reading Belle. I would say though it is a great book so if you can, read it first. Belle and Jimmy are married, settled and very happy however War has broken out and Jimmy has to step up. Belle faces some life changing and heartbreaking events which lead her forward to doing her bit and volunteering during the war. Belle's past comes back to haunt her in more ways than one and soon Belle is faced with some hard choices, does she do what is right or what her heart tells her? I really enjoyed this book, some people have slated it saying it was predictable and while there was one or two aspects I could see coming, overall it was delightful. There were some twists I didn't see coming and as always you felt a connection with at least one if not more of the characters. The chapters vary in length some ten pages long some double that in length which means you can still dip in and out fairly regular throughout the day. The back story and the war aspect seems to have been very well researched, from what little I know of the war, it reads very realistic and paints a vivid picture. Overall a very good read, 4/5 for me this time. (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Mar 02, 2013
| Mar 07, 2013
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Mar 02, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0061240850
| 9780061240850
| 3.89
| 21,990
| Jan 01, 2006
| Apr 24, 2007
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None
| Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Feb 25, 2013
| Feb 27, 2013
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Feb 24, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0007419554
| 9780007419555
| 3.78
| 873
| 2009
| Mar 26, 2013
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Time Taken To Read - 6 days Publisher - HarperFiction Blurb from Goodreads No. 1 international bestseller and Swedish crime sensation Camilla Lackberg's...more Time Taken To Read - 6 days Publisher - HarperFiction Blurb from Goodreads No. 1 international bestseller and Swedish crime sensation Camilla Lackberg's new psychological thriller - irresistible for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo. On a late summer's night, a young woman jumps in her car, her hands slippery with blood on the steering wheel. Taking her five-year-old son, Nathalie flees to the only safe haven she knows: the island of Graskar off the coast of Fjallbacka...Meanwhile, Detective Patrik Hedstrom has barely stepped foot inside his office following a lengthy sick leave before he catches a murder investigation. A man has been murdered in his home: the victim, Mats Sverin, was the council's financial director, heading up a regeneration project worth millions. But when Patrik and his team start digging into the dead man's life, all they can uncover is unanswered questions. Why was Mats in such a rush to return to his home town of Fjallbacka after years in Gothenburg? And is it pure coincidence that Mats's childhood sweetheart Nathalie has also suddenly returned to the area? Mats visited Nathalie on Graskar before his death. The locals call the island 'The Ghost Isle' - they say that it's haunted, and that the dead have something to tell the living. But will anyone get close enough to uncover the dark secrets that lurk there? My Review The book draws you in from the first page, in fact even the first sentence. "It was only when she placed her hands on the steering wheel that she saw they were bloody". Nathalie is fleeing with her son, her hands covered in blood, but what has happened and why is she running? Patrik is a police officer in the small town of Fjallbacka, where Nathalie is running to, married to a successful novelist Erica trying to cope with grief and a murder case. Mats Sverin was left behind years ago by Nathalie, now she is back and suddenly he is dead. Is it coincidence? What has Mats been hiding and did it lead to his death? I liked the story and found myself drawn in fairly quickly however there was far too many characters and different stories going on for me to keep up. Obviously you have the main one(s) but there are quite a few side lines ones and I kept finding myself having to go back to rediscover who was which story which is a bit frustrating. There is also, in between chapters where the story goes back to FJALLBACKA 1870, the story is always titled and the year also written in italics so you know it has gone back in time. I loved reading these small glimpses of the past and Emelie's story however by the end of it I honestly thought, really? Thats is as I would have loved so much more and in depth. This was my first time reading this author and to be honest, nothing is lost in translation and it's not often I will say that. It was a good story and you get tie ups to just about all the stories but I did find a few of the stories could have been dropped and or concentrated more on the main ones. However all in all a good introduction to this author and her work, I would consider more from this series, 3/5 for me. Thanks so much to the publisher, HarperFiction for sending me an ARC copy - available to buy from Hardback and ebook from all good retailers for £12.99 from 4th April 2013.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Feb 19, 2013
| Feb 25, 2013
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Feb 19, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0007468512
| 9780007468515
| 3.92
| 806
| Mar 19, 2013
| Feb 28, 2013
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Time Taken To Read - 1 day Publisher - HarperFiction Blurb From Goodreads A gripping, suspenseful debut that will haunt you long after you have turned th...more Time Taken To Read - 1 day Publisher - HarperFiction Blurb From Goodreads A gripping, suspenseful debut that will haunt you long after you have turned the final page… Angie Chapman is only 13 when she gets lost in the woods in the middle of the night. The next thing she knows she’s returned home, scars around her wrists and ankles, physically exhausted. Her parents collapse into tears when they see her, but Angie doesn’t understand – until they tell her she has been missing, presumed dead, for three years. Angie doesn’t remember anything from her missing years. But there are people who do – people who could tell Angie every terrifying detail, if only they weren’t locked inside her mind. With help, Angie begins to unravel the darkest secrets of her own past. But does she really want to know the truth? My Review Angie Chapman is just 13 when she is kidnapped, she finds herself returning home with no memory of what had happened and covered in scars. Things aren't the same although she stills feels 13, however she soon is told that three years have passed and everyone wants to know where she has been and what has happened. Angie starts therapy and soon learns pieces and glimpses of how she survived and what she endured during her time away. How will she cope with it and how can she fall back into her old life when everyone has aged three years and changed. Nothing is the same and Angie's family is already struggling to cope with her sudden reappearance, lack of answers and what is still to come. I really liked this story although considering the context I think like isn't the appropriate word but you know what I mean. It kicks off right away and is broken into decent length chapters with some sections covered by another "voice" which is done in different font or italics so you know. It is hard to describe that bit without giving too much of the plot away however there are people who know what happened to Angie and it is them who are talking when the font changes. The story is brutal but done in such a way that you don't have to read all the horrible nitty grtty details, it is done in such a way you still get the full impact and there are some disturbing scenes but written delicately. Angie is a strong character, she comes across much older than 13 however when you start to understand what she has endured it makes it believable and your heart goes out to her. The book definitely has echos of The Room and The lovely bones so if you liked them this is definitely one to read. I wasn't too sure when I started reading it if I was going to like it, looking at the clock and seeing it is past 1am I realized I had been totally drawn in! It loses a star because there are a few things I would have liked more clarification and followed up on but I really enjoyed it and will read this author again, 4/5 for this one. Thanks to HarperCollins, HarperFiction for providing me with an ARC and introducing me to yet another new author. This book is available to buy from any good retailer on the 28th February 2013, paperback for £7.99. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Feb 18, 2013
| Feb 19, 2013
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Feb 18, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0755373952
| 9780755373956
| 4.14
| 1,373
| Jun 01, 2012
| Jun 2012
|
review to follow
| Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Feb 13, 2013
| Feb 18, 2013
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Feb 12, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0340735058
| 9780340735053
| 4.12
| 168
| unknown
| Aug 01, 2004
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Time Taken To Read - 3 days Blurb From Goodreads Sarah Mullen is a beautiful child who at seven years old is put into care by her drug-addicted mother...more Time Taken To Read - 3 days Blurb From Goodreads Sarah Mullen is a beautiful child who at seven years old is put into care by her drug-addicted mother. Trying to live with the rejection is bad enough, but no one could have prepared her for the pain that was yet to come. Harry Shaw is the boy that everyone bullies, the kid whose own mother locked him in a cupboard so she wouldn't have to look at his face, and then left him there. When he meets Sarah for the first time, a friendship is instantly forged. And out of a desire to be loved an alliance is born. Then into their lives comes Vinnie Walker, a good-looking and calculating thirteen-year-old who will change both their lives forever. My Review This tale kicks off pretty quick, a little girl tormented and battered by her mother and subjected to horrors by her friends. She is removed from her mothers "care" after an incident and placed into care. She meets people who will be bound to her life in different ways and will shape the person she will become. Betrayal, friendship, loyalty, brutality, shame, distrust is just a few of the issues covered in this story. It is split over a few decades although the story flows so you don't miss anything and can follow easily. I could have read this in one sitting had circumstances allowed. Although the story is spread over a significant time period, all the questions you have from one are answered in latter part. This story provokes different emotions from rage and anger at a mother who can behave as she did and treat her child so, to admiration for a girl who bounces back no matter what life throws at her. The characters are life like and well portrayed, from the bullied geeky Harry who shows how strong friendship can be. To the despicable, calculating and nasty Vinnie who you get to see from a young laddy to a grown man and the lengths one person will go to to get what he wants. It is no secret I love Mandasue Heller's books and writing and sometimes when you go back to earlier stuff you find you don't enjoy it as much or find something lacking. Thankfully this wasn't the case, I loved this as much as her recent writings and will get the others I have missed so far. 5/5 for me, as always if this is a new author to you, there is sex, violence, aggression, swearing, murder and all the usual that follows nitty gritty crime. If you like Martina Cole you will love Mandasue Heller.(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Feb 11, 2013
| Feb 13, 2013
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Feb 10, 2013
| Paperback
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| 0340895934
| 9780340895931
| 3.69
| 423
| Jan 01, 2007
| Feb 01, 2008
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Time Taken To Read - 4 days Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton Blurb From Goodreads When Mike Dormer heads out from London to a small seaside town in Aus...more Time Taken To Read - 4 days Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton Blurb From Goodreads When Mike Dormer heads out from London to a small seaside town in Australia to kick-start a hotel development, he expects just another deal. But Silver Bay is not just any seaside town, and the inhabitants of the eccentric ramshackle Silver Bay Hotel - the enigmatic skipper Liza McCullen, her ten-year-old daughter, and her legendary shark-catching aunt Kathleen, as well as the crews of the local whale-watching boats - swiftly begin to temper his own shark-like tendencies. He is left wondering who really has the greater right to the bay's waters. As the development begins to take on a momentum of its own, and the effect on the whales that migrate past the bay begins to reveal itself, Mike's and Liza's worlds collide, with dramatic results. New, unforeseen hazards emerge to confront both the creatures and the McCullen women. How close can you get, before you end up destroying what you love? My Review Mike Dormer comes to Silver Bay, posing as a tourist but really sent from London to get the hotel development plans sealed and off the ground. He doesn't expect to see anything other than getting his plans sorted and money in the bank. However the little seaside town has a lot going for it, from friendly locals, including one famous lady, to the beautiful sea life. Mike ends up facing a few dilemmas and some soul searching by the end of his visit and finding out what truly matters in life. Oh this is a great wee book. At first it took me a bit to get into it, not sure if it was because it is different, starting in the city then heading to a wee quiet town. However as the book went on I started to get a feel for the characters and caught up in their lives. I loved the focus on the marine life and learning the behaviors of the whales and dolphins through the characters eyes. After a few passages it made me want to go and sign a petition or do something to protect these fabulous creatures. There is a few angles in the book, a build up of relationships, torment of grief and losses from the past. Ghosts that need to be faced in order for some of the characters to be able to move forward. There are a few wee twists in the book and one near the latter end I didn't see coming but totally loved. I have enjoyed Moyes writing since I started with Me Before You and continue to do so although this is very different from her last few books, they are all so different. Great once you get into it, 4/5 for me this time.(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Feb 06, 2013
| Feb 10, 2013
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Feb 06, 2013
| Paperback
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| 0007213514
| 9780007213511
| 4.14
| 21
| Feb 01, 2013
| Feb 28, 2013
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Time Taken To Read - 6 days Publisher - HarperCollins Blurb From Goodreads From the No. 1 bestselling author of THE AMERICAN BOY comes a brilliant new hi...more Time Taken To Read - 6 days Publisher - HarperCollins Blurb From Goodreads From the No. 1 bestselling author of THE AMERICAN BOY comes a brilliant new historical thriller set during the American War of Independence. Manhattan, 1778. A city of secrets, profiteers, loyalists and double agents. As the last part of America under British rule, New York is home to a swelling tide of refugees seeking justice from the British crown. Edward Savill is sent from London to investigate the claims of dispossessed loyalists. No sooner does he land than he becomes embroiled in the case of a gentleman murdered in the city's notorious Canvas Town. An escaped slave hangs for the crime, but Savill is convinced they have executed the wrong man. Lodging with the respected Wintour family, Savill senses the mystery deepening. Judge Wintour's beautiful daughter-in-law, Arabella, hides a tragedy in her past, while his son plans a dangerous mission into enemy territory. And what of Mr Noak, the enigmatic clerk seemingly bent on a dubious course of his own? One thing is clear - the killing in Canvas Town was just the start of a trail of murder, and it's leading directly to Savill... My Review The first thing I need to mention is the cover on this book. Not the actual visual aspect although it is a mix of smoldering effect colors, simplistic and nicely done with only a feather with blood as the main focal point. It is the paper it is print on, the feeling is rich and has a beautiful texture on both the paperback and the hardbak. Edward Savill is our lead main character traveling over from London, England to new York by his superiors to investigate claims of English loyalists being evicted by Republican rebels from their land. After a hectic journey across the waters he has no sooner arrived than the gets caught up in the murder of a gentleman and things go from bad to worse. It is set in the 1700s, and focuses on the murder of the gentleman which, when Savill starts to investigate finds there is a lot more to it than first was apparent. Because of the time period, slavery features throughout which makes for uncomfortable reading in parts but adds authenticity to tale. The story also centers around Savill's interactions with Arabella, the daughter of the judge he is residing with during his stay. Savill is away from his family in a new and hostile environment, Arabella is beautiful, aloof and intriguing, a powerful mix. The story is very slow going, I felt, for large parts. There is a lot of small incidents and events throughout that keep your interest and the last quarter of the book is where it really kicks off. Once the plot had thickened and the pace cranked up I didn't want to put it down however for me it took an age to get there. The writing is very well done and some of the descriptive passages are wonderful, you can clearly visualize the scene. This is my first time reading this author and I would try them again although maybe a different time period. Thanks so much to HarperCollins for sending me an ARC copy. Available from all good retailers from the 28th of February 2013.(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Jan 30, 2013
| Feb 05, 2013
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Jan 30, 2013
| Hardback
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