Lee Allen's Blog, page 5

Michael Russell's The City of God - Review

The City of God by Michael Russell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A captivating Second World War crime thriller.

Dispatched to Rome to undertake a mission on behalf of the Irish Ambassador, Inspector Stefan Gillespie finds himself immersed in the unease and paranoia enveloping the city.

When a young priest is brutally murdered within Vatican City, Stefan finds himself assisting the Gendarmerie in their pursuit of the killer.

In the shadows of Rome’s unique architecture and the physical heart of the Catholic faith, Stefan’s investigation takes him on a perilous journey.

‘The City of God’ is the eighth novel in the Stefan Gillespie series by Michael Russell, set in the autumn of 1943. We begin at the end, with Stefan’s journey into Switzerland following his time in Italy, and a confrontation with an SS officer which leaves him hospitalised. Told through a flashback narrative from Stefan’s first person perspective, a first for the series, we return to the beginning of Stefan’s diplomatic mission, travelling through war-torn Europe to Rome, currently occupied by the Nazis as the Allies march ever-closer, the wind of change in the air. While a standalone narrative, there are references to earlier entries in the series and returning characters from the first, ‘The City of Shadows’, plus the fourth ‘The City of Lies’, while we delve a little deeper into Stefan’s loneliness and his feelings about all that he witnesses around him.

As we travel with Stefan, we get a sense of the tension and distrust, the monumental evil the Nazis represented and the fear and suspicion they inspire. Stefan discovers his mission to be an unconventional one – to obtain documents a former ambassador has retained as they may prove embarrassing to Ireland should they come to light were Germany to lose the war. Finding himself under observation, Stefan conducts his own surveillance, uncovering covert agendas and hidden allegiances, before being confronted by murder. The victim, a Catholic priest, was part of a group aiding Jews and others to escape the Nazis, offering them sanctuary within the Vatican before travelling elsewhere under a false identity. Alongside his own mission, Stefan becomes embroiled in the aftermath of this brutal crime and the war of rebellion conducted in secrecy.

Entwined within the narrative are real people and events, revealing some of the political machinations that occurred during this time, both those corrupt and efforts to protect those persecuted and aid them in reaching a place of safety. It’s also interesting to delve a little deeper into the positions of the neutral states of Ireland, Switzerland, and, significantly, Vatican City, exploring the moral questions this throws up in the face of atrocity. This is a significant point in time in the history of WWII – the Allies are gaining ground against the Axis powers, now in disarray following Italy’s surrender and splintering; while the Nazis continue to escalate their Final Solution, the true extent of this sheer horror still largely unknown.

Blending politics, espionage and intrigue with detective fiction, this is a sublime historical thriller, with a multi-faceted, intricate plot and complex characters shaping an atmospheric and evocative narrative; mystery and tragedy wrapped in this stark look at the political tapestry of Europe at its most perilous and desperate, perfectly capturing the hostility and paranoia, the threat of betrayal, but also the resonating power of hope and faith that offers a glimmer of light in these incredibly dark times; a vivid depiction of place and time told through rich, bleak prose. Most disturbing of all is how we recognise the hatred and segregation, the persecution and intolerance, that continues to be present in our own modern society.

Absorbing and chilling, ‘The City of God’ continues a superlative and consistently fascinating historical crime series. Stefan will return in the ninth novel ‘The Dead City’, as we move forward into 1944 and return to Berlin.



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Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables - Review

The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A Gothic chronicle of fate and fortune, tragedy and romance.

For centuries, the Pyncheon family has been dogged by misfortune, the epicentre of their stained history the ancient mansion built at the inception of their legacy.

Long has the family appeared to be cursed; the living descendants unable to escape this dynasty of shadows and despair any more than their ancestors.

Thus begins a tale of the heritage of old sins, the suffering of life, and the blooming of human emotion.

'The House of the Seven Gables' is a Gothic novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, first published in 1851, blending elements of romance with family saga and underlying threads of horror and mystery, with crime and witchcraft lurking in the shadows. We begin with a history of the Pyncheon family and how the eponymous house came to be, with a backdrop of corruption and murder entwined with the Salem Witch Trials, whence the curse upon the family was cast.

Arriving in contemporary New England, we are introduced to descendant and current resident of the house, Hepzibah Pyncheon. Poverty stricken and drowning in despair, she reluctantly re-opens a cent-shop, opening on to the street from beneath one of the gables. Through Hepzibah, we meet a multitude of characters, including the other key players of this final chapter of the house’s history – her cousin, Judge Pyncheon, wealthy and ostensibly beneficent, who may have inherited their ancestor’s greed and streak of manipulative malice; her brother Clifford, a recluse since his release from incarceration for murder, appearing to have suffered a breakdown and perhaps a degenerative condition; another cousin, Phoebe, bright, innocent and beautiful, whose visit and assistance in the shop and home sparks a deepening bond with both Hepzibah and Clifford; and lodger in the house and daguerreotypist, Holgrave, whose artistry, philosophy and burgeoning affection for Phoebe may hide his own secrets.

Through detailed and descriptive prose, Hawthorne recounts the biography of the house itself, a legacy of two warring families in the Pyncheons and Maules, strewn with many gothic motifs - not least the looming husk of the house; the ever-present gaze of ancestor Colonel Pyncheon from the portrait, superstition dictating it can never be taken down; and the both literal and figurative presence of Maule’s Well and the curse of blood. Hawthorne weaves a sprawling web as we muse on the philosophy of life and the futility of mortality, human existence a battle of cynicism versus hope.

Many segments of the novel are sublime - with evocative gothic prose, the looming horror of death, suspicions of murder, and a flashback chapter to a tale of witchcraft. By comparison, other passages can feel a little laboured, but nevertheless they are there for a purpose - you may even discern humorous little touches of irony, particularly as the narrator, rather than omniscient, is a third party retelling the tale via hearsay. Reaching its climax and final chapter, the novel brings the saga of the house to a close through an infusion of the balancing, healing, freeing power of love, enchantment bringing light to the darkest corners.

Hawthorne took inspiration for the eponymous house from a real colonial mansion in Salem, which still stands to this day and is now open as a museum. In Hawthorne's time, the building only possessed three gables, but in the intervening years has continued to be renovated. Something feels notably Dickensian about the social strifes, moral trials and everyday tribulations of life explored within the novel – perhaps Hawthorne even strived to produce a New England equivalent to the work of Dickens. Sharing themes of sin, both moral and legal, and social punishment with his previous novel 'The Scarlet Letter', and taking us through the 17th and 18th centuries to the mid-19th century, Hawthorne was undoubtedly fascinated by the beliefs and practices of Puritan civilisation, their deeply religious piety, Protestant beliefs and intense fear of witchcraft brought to America from across the Atlantic. Hawthorne himself was descended from one of the judges who presided over the witch trials, which undoubtedly bled into his inspiration when crafting the Pyncheon family history. In an approach that may have felt progressive in his time, he wished to distance himself from this family history tied with persecution and hysteria – it is indeed notable that he cast as the villain not one accused of witchcraft, but one who presided over their execution.

The novel has been adapted for the screen five times - first as a silent film in 1910, a version which is now lost. A loose adaptation came with the 1940 film, directed by Joe May. The novel later formed the basis for an episode of the second season of 'The Shirley Temple Show' in 1960, and one of the three segments of a horror anthology film 'Twice-Told Tales' in 1963, followed by a third film adaptation to carry the novel's name in 1967.

Exploring some fascinating themes, ‘The House of the Seven Gables’ is a significant volume in the annals of Gothic literature, at its finest moments thought-provoking, quirky, and swathed in atmosphere.



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Renee S. DeCamillis' The Bone Cutters - Review

The Bone Cutters by Renee S. DeCamillis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A nightmarish tale of persecution and psychosis.

Waking from a blackout fugue to find herself incarcerated in an asylum, Dory struggles to orientate her memories and perception of reality.

Assigned to a therapy group of addicts and cutters, she finds herself targeted by her fellow patients - a fresh feast for their sadistic addiction.

Surrounded by people believing her delusional, Dory fights for both her life and her sanity.

'The Bone Cutters' is the debut novella by Renee S. DeCamillis, a psychological horror thriller following a young woman's experience having been committed to a mental health hospital and the horrors she encounters, exploring a unique approach to addiction, self-harm and vampirism through the group of fellow patients whom Dory comes to term Dusters. There's something akin to the works of Clive Barker at play, the mutilation, sadism and masochism suggestive of 'Hellraiser' vibes.

Dark and atmospheric, DeCamillis skillfully crafts a narrative through Dory's fragmented perception – unsettling, disorientating, chaotic, her intrusive thoughts providing clues as to what brought her here, while we remain unsure if this is reality or hallucination; spiralling anxiety punctuated by periods of dissociative fugue and forced medicating in a raw, yet engrossing, exposure of a traumatised psyche. The novella delves into attitudes towards mental ill health, even within the healthcare system, and the vulnerability of sufferers when everything they say is regarded as delusional – how disempowering, isolating and frightening this can be, and ultimately how their autonomy and freedom can be denied, not necessarily for the good of their health.

Through the relationship that develops between her and the janitor, Tommy, Dory discovers the restorative power of being seen and acknowledged as she begins to believe her paranoia may be justified and her experiences real. The threat of her therapy group is a constant shadow of simmering malevolence, as she and Tommy embark on a quest to thwart the group’s desire for her bones and prevent her becoming their prey, and attempt to tackle the corruption at the heart of the asylum. With bursts of violence and body horror, a touch of the supernatural, and an underlying thrum of anxiety and suspense throughout, 'The Bone Cutters' is a quick and captivating introduction to Dory and the practices of the sinister Dusters.

Dory's story will continue in DeCamillis' debut novel, 'Chisel the Bone'.



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Lucy Foley's The Midnight Feast - Review

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A thrilling midsummer murder mystery.

Luxury health retreat The Manor is due to celebrate its opening weekend to mark the Summer Solstice.

Shadows gather as old rituals stir, secrets resurfacing from deep in the forest as ghosts of justice and vengeance descend upon the feast.

The event is destined to end in murder, as a body lies beneath the cliffs, the once-buried past staining the town with blood.

'The Midnight Feast' is the fourth mystery thriller by Lucy Foley, and may be my favourite so far! As has become Foley’s modus operandi, not only is this a whodunit, but also whydunit and howdunit crafted by the perspectives of multiple characters, their narratives piecing together the events surrounding the Summer Solstice celebrations at the newly opened hotel The Manor, taking us back and forth in time and memory to reveal secrets, lies, guilt and crimes, past and present, while identities of both perpetrator and victim remain a mystery until the final chapters.

With a slow-burning opening as we start to get to know the characters, at first you may be unsure you would actually want to spend time with any of these people. The Manor is conceived as a destination for social media influencers and corporate businesspeople whose entire existence is centred around superficial image and wealth, lacking in substance, depth or integrity – a retreat for the self-centred and narcissistic who, unfortunately, at times seem to have the loudest voices in the modern age. As we peel back the layers to see beneath their skin and into their minds, the narrative kicks into gear; a gripping and relentless thriller ensues.

Foley explores the core theme of identity, particularly female identity, how people don masks, literally and figuratively - to hide or escape from their true selves, to show the world a version of themselves they wish they could be. None of the core characters is who they first appear to be, and Foley makes clever use of characters' perceptions and prejudices to deliver sleight-of-hand twists, connections and revelations, knotted with emotional and thought-provoking moments.

I loved the coastal setting and the seclusion of the neighbouring rural village, the quaint and beautiful British countryside of the classic cosy mystery encroached upon by the glossy veneer of the modern development, inspiring rebellion and activism; with added light touches of horror in the cult-like Birds of local legend, akin to the Furies of mythology, and the evocation of folklore and witchcraft tangled with the themes of healing – the deep and spiritual, swathed in shadows and connected to the soul and nature, versus the airy and superficial, hollow words of the narcissist and social media age.

Riveting and entertaining, ‘The Midnight Feast’ is a midsummer delight, a warning to never underestimate the powers of darkness nor the enduring lights of justice and the human spirit.



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Lynda La Plante's Alibi - Review

Alibi by Lynda La Plante

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An intense police and legal thriller following the case of a dangerous predator.

The discovery of a woman's mutilated body disposed of on waste ground launches a major inquiry, police fearing this is only the beginning.

As the number of victims rises, it is clear they are hunting a man who will continue to attack and murder women if he isn't apprehended.

Miraculously, one of the victims survives. With her evidence, police believe they have their killer – but he has alibis for each of the attacks. How can justice be achieved if truth is blurred by lies?

'Alibi', previously published as 'Trial and Retribution II', is the novelisation of the second season of Lynda La Plante's police procedural legal thriller series 'Trial and Retribution', originally televised and published in 1998. Lightning-paced and intricately detailed, the novel begins with the disappearance of the first victim, the investigation rapidly developing into the pursuit of a serial offender following the discovery of three victims in quick succession. We follow the police investigation with particular focus on witness interviews and forensics, as they build their case, leading to the trial.

The team of the previous investigation returns, led by Det. Supt. Mike Walker, DI Pat North and DS Dave Satchell. With a major breakthrough leading them to identify their prime suspect, Walker becomes intensely focused on his certainty of Damon Morton's guilt, despite the evidence initially suggesting otherwise - his wife and girlfriend both provide alibis, while his employees seem determined to take responsibility for the crimes. Yet the testimony of the only surviving victim implicates Morton.

As is often the case with novelisations, the performances of the actors and the cinematography merge with your reading experience. David Hayman's intense portrayal of Walker drives his vivid realisation on the page, while the crimes are brought into sharp focus through the forensic examinations and testimony of witnesses. The investigation exposes the chilling sadism and narcissism of a killer who controls and manipulates those around him, detailing the sexual violence, mutilation and torture inflicted upon the victims, culminating in the drama of the courtroom and a final post-verdict twist, while we also witness the determination and resilience of a survivor to overcome her trauma and see justice done.

This was the first of the six novels I read after discovering the series on screen with 'Trial and Retribution VI', and remains one of my favourites in the series (which ultimately ran to twenty-two stories on screen). It was also the first Lynda La Plante novel I read, as well as one of the earliest police procedurals and legal thrillers I experienced on the page, a cornerstone in cementing me a lifelong fan of La Plante’s work and these sub-genres of crime fiction.

Dark and disturbing, ‘Alibi’ is a gripping novelisation of a riveting chapter in this landmark series.



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Stephen King's If It Bleeds - Review

If It Bleeds by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A spine-tingling compendium of supernatural horrors.

'If It Bleeds' is a collection of four horror novellas by Stephen King, each a compelling tale featuring captivating characters, immersive plotting and richly detailed prose, exploring death and the supernatural, love and loss, good and evil.

“Mr. Harrigan's Phone”
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In a poignant, creeping tale in the tradition of classic horror concepts with a modern twist, Craig befriends his eccentric and reclusive neighbour, Mr Harrigan, who, despite a successful career, wishes to spend his retirement disconnected from human advancements. Craig gifts him a mobile phone, introducing him to the wonders of modern technology...
The relationship that develops between the two characters is touching, the elderly man's death leading to some emotional moments; before the strange and uncanny begins after Craig leaves his gift in Mr. Harrigan's coffin. As anyone who has ever lost someone knows, the desire to reach out and speak to them one last time is overpowering. But when Craig calls the phone, he of course doesn't really expect it to be answered. But it is...
A moving tale, pondering the relentless power of technology juxtaposed with the ancient question of what exists beyond the grave.

“Life of Chuck”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A three-act tragedy told in reverse, of the significance of one man to the fate of the world...
A beautifully told story on the philosophy of life, beginning with an apocalyptic chapter as the world goes dark and Chuck's face appears to everyone as the end draws near. Travelling back in time, through the magic of music and dance, into Chuck's childhood, we get to know Chuck and the key events of his life from the end to the beginning, in a heart-wrenching obituary examining the true magnitude and potential of just one human life, and how significant they are in their everyday ordinary way because they love and are loved.
When someone dies, an entire world dies with them. But despite this horror, how enchanting it was that they - that we - have lived.

“If It Bleeds”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Holly Gibney returns to hunt another ancient, supernatural entity that feeds on the pain and torment of humanity...
A thrilling piece of paranormal detective fiction, a sequel to the 'Bill Hodges Trilogy' and specifically 'The Outsider', building on the mythology of the latter as Holly identifies a similarly parasitic and sadistic Outsider, who is moving from simply feeding on suffering to causing it. Holly's character has steadily developed throughout her previous four appearances and she now takes centre-stage, considering the philosophy of evil while preparing for a final battle with a predator. Gripping and suspenseful, the novella builds to a brilliantly realised conclusion, a perfect companion and sequel to the novel.
In our world of tragedy, war and suffering, this is a particularly striking story - we often witness these horrors through journalism, while none of us avoid exposure to fellow humans who appear to relish in the suffering of others. Despite its supernatural elements, this is a story of everyday human depravity and what can be glimpsed when the mask slips.

“Rat”
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A writer makes a Faustian pact in the hope he can finally finish writing his novel...
King returns to one of his trademark tropes of the tortured writer in isolation slowing losing their mind. Despite his aspirations, Drew has yet to successfully finish the manuscript for a full-length novel. Struck by an idea, he journeys to a remote cabin in the woods, determined to write his book. But the old terrors resurface, until he finds himself faced with an offer that will give him what he most desires - at a price. Toying with themes that have been with us for millennia in our fairy tales and mythology, it concludes the collection with a cautionary note to be careful what you wish for and what sacrifices you are willing to make, how nothing is a replacement for hard work and integrity, and that the cost of one's soul is too high a price to pay.

Overall, 'If It Bleeds' is a thought-provoking and philosophical collection, striking the perfect balance between timely and timeless, exposing the frailty of human life, the shadows of the human mind, the power of the human heart, and the resilience of the human soul. Masterful, sublime storytelling from the King of Horror.



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John Saul's Suffer the Children - Review

Suffer the Children by John Saul

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A disturbing tale of wrath and possession.

The sleepy coastal town of Port Arbello is shaken to the core by a series of child disappearances.

The Conger family are already contending with personal troubles, but come to fear the truth behind these disappearances is close to home.

Within the walls of their home, amongst the trees and along the treacherous rocks of the coast, something waits, an old tragedy unforgotten, revenge being sought from beyond the grave.

'Suffer the Children' is the debut novel by John Saul, originally published in 1977. A cocktail of supernatural horror and psychological thriller, in classic vintage style blending elements of mystery, crime, adventure and gothic, the narrative centres around a traditional American family – husband, wife and two daughters – with family strife and coming-of-age fragments, horror slashing through the veneer to expose the viscera beneath. Port Arbello is brought dramatically to life, its coastal setting both beautiful and treacherous, on the border between human civilisation and the wildness of nature, a sense of foreboding always lurking beneath the surface.

Well-written and atmospheric, the story is haunted by a vengeful spirit, eternally trapped by her trauma response of rage, depicting how an event can be so impactful and emotion so powerful that it can exceed the limitations and boundaries of life itself. Though we are never directly confronted by Beth, she lurks beneath the surface as keenly as she watches the family from her portrait, her name erased. She acts through teenager Elizabeth – even their communication limited as we only briefly witness use of the Ouija board; the question forever lingering, is this a case of possession or might it be descent into insanity?

Toying with some dark and powerful themes, including scenes of child abuse and animal cruelty, exploring mental health issues and contemporary perception, touching on the concept of prejudice – how traumatised, schizophrenic Sarah naturally finds herself carrying blame, while the beautiful, sane Elizabeth never falls under suspicion, Saul masterfully navigates the engaging plot to encourage just enough empathy with a cast of largely unsympathetic characters. Either through ignorance or complete disregard, the adults are entirely ineffectual at safeguarding their children, which raises some interesting social and cultural questions: is this simple naivety or blatant irresponsibility?

Saul probes the most depraved and twisted of desires and passions – and how some may question themselves, unaware of what they themselves are capable; asking, how well do we even know ourselves, let alone others? We bear witness to violence, secrets and lies, adultery, and the burden of guilt. Sarah, unable to effectively communicate, being used as a scapegoat, makes for the most tragic and endearing character, the story truly pivoting on her experience - sympathy for anyone else, whether that be her parents, her possessed sister or the deceased Beth, diminishing in light of their cruelty to her; to the very end, the Conger family curse inflicts its suffering upon the innocent.

Dark and provocative, ‘Suffer the Children’ is an absorbing horror thriller, perfect for fans of vintage 1970s and 80s horror.



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Karin Smirnoff's The Girl in the Eagle's Talons - Review

The Girl in the Eagle's Talons by Karin Smirnoff

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The woman with the dragon tattoo returns!

Gasskas, a small town in northern Sweden, is poised to become the location of a controversial wind farm.

The town has become mired in crime and corruption, while women and girls have been disappearing in the surrounding area, somewhat unnoticed.

Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist find themselves entangled in the fallout, confronting avarice, betrayal and depravity.

'The Girl in the Eagle's Talons' is the seventh book in the 'Millennium' series, which began with Stieg Larsson's original trilogy. Karin Smirnoff now takes up the pen to begin a third trilogy, following the first sequel trilogy by David Lagercrantz. Larsson’s original novel, 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo', was one of those books which sticks in your mind and it is always a pleasure to return to this world and its characters. Smirnoff presents a captivating novel, sewn with the series' core themes of abuse and misogyny; criminal conspiracy; corporate and political corruption, also exploring contemporary environmental issues; and a quest for moral, social and legal justice, crafting her own distinctive yet faithful continuation of Larsson's legacy through a tightly-woven, multi-layered and sharply-focussed narrative, driven by flawed, compelling characters.

We are reacquainted with Salander and Blomkvist when both are at a point in their lives where they are beginning to experience the complex process of healing. 'Millennium' magazine is now a ghost of its former self, having printed its final edition, surviving only as a podcast. The magazine was Blomkvist's life, and without it he is lost. Meanwhile, Salander, who one would imagine slayed all her demons in the previous six novels, now a part-owner of Milton Security, is undergoing therapy. Journeying with them into the sub-zero wilderness, both brought to Gasskas for personal reasons - Mikael to attend the marriage of his daughter to a local politician; Lisbeth to meet and, reluctantly, take temporary responsibility for her brother's daughter - their lives are already complicated enough before the added complexities that arise whenever they come into contact. Both characters have always thrived through their drive and intensity; now, we also experience the tragic loneliness and despair they have both collided with.

Lisbeth's family history has been at the core of the series from the very beginning. The introduction of her niece Svala is a masterstroke; she is immediately intriguing and endearing, already so much like her aunt - damaged, independent, and resourceful. Her intellect and circumstances have aged her beyond her years, proving her more than a match for the gang of villains surrounding her. Svala and Lisbeth's relationship is superbly developed, diverting between contentious, amusing and moving, quickly becoming the novel's beating heart.

Another significant character introduction is the chief antagonist, Marcus Branco. With his vicious sadism and immense wealth and power, he makes for a formidable, relentless villain, often reminiscent of Thomas Harris' Mason Verger (of 'Hannibal') and the most twisted of Bond villains, his business empire built upon organised crime, his perversions and megalomania ensnaring all who surround him. As Lisbeth and Mikael separately approach the truth of the evil lurking beneath the surface of Gasskas, the novel builds to a gripping and satisfying conclusion. I’m greatly anticipating book eight, hoping to see a return to the plot threads left dangling and more of Svala, plus Lisbeth and Mikael properly reunited.

Slow-burning and immersive, ‘The Girl in the Eagle’s Talons’ is a riveting return to the series and fantastic opening chapter in this third trilogy.



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Paul Tremblay's Disappearance at Devil's Rock - Review

Disappearance at Devil's Rock by Paul Tremblay

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An eerie chiller exploring a teenager's mysterious disappearance.

Elizabeth receives a late night phone call that plunges her into every parent's worst nightmare - her son, Tommy, is missing.

Tommy and his friends, at a sleepover, had gone out into the woodland to their favourite hangout spot - christened Devil's Rock.

As Elizabeth anxiously awaits news from police, strange occurrences are afoot – someone, or something, is trying to communicate with her, leading her down a murky path to the dark truth behind Tommy's disappearance.

'Disappearance at Devil's Rock' is the second horror novel by Paul Tremblay, following 'A Head Full of Ghosts' and multiple short stories, plus two crime novels, a sci-fi novel, and a co-written young adult fantasy. A blend of horror, crime and suspense thriller, the story unfolds from multiple character perspectives in an emotional excavation of the aftermath of a child's disappearance, as all those it touches become undone, with suggestions of supernatural phenomena entwined within an emotive and captivating mystery.

We are introduced to each of the key players in the ensuing tragedy, the relationships between these groups of characters driving the narrative: in the aftermath of Tommy’s disappearance, through three generations of his family - his mother Elizabeth, sister Kate and grandmother Janice; and in the events leading up to the fateful night through his relationship with his two friends, Josh and Luis, and the change in dynamic as the sinister Arnold inserts himself within their group. Tremblay explores the interplay between the teenage characters and how slightly unsettled each of them feels in their friendships as they navigate this boundary between childhood and adulthood.

Throughout, we experience the power of human suggestibility, both through one's personal desire and the manipulation of another, how potent that can be when its influence is felt by a group of people and the devastating impact this can have. We are confronted by sheer despair and the ongoing battle between grief and desperate hope, and, ultimately, the twisted psychopathology of a predator. With an infusion of folklore, and a partial epistolary style and plot structure producing the vibe of a 'true crime' narrative, Tremblay has crafted a slow-burning and suspenseful horror thriller that delves deep into the psychological minefield the characters are treading.



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Peter James' Love You Dead - Review

Love You Dead by Peter James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Detective Superintendent Grace pursues multiple predators in the team's deadliest case yet.

Jodie is on a mission - to shed her old self and recreate her life. She has acquired her physical beauty and pursues her goal for wealth - through the seduction and slaughter of wealthy men.

The team of detectives are still reeling from their previous case as new threats come to their attention - two killers may be operating in Brighton.

As pressure mounts and Grace must also confront a ghost from his past, the team's pursuit of these deadly predators takes evermore dangerous steps.

'Love You Dead' is the twelfth novel in Peter James' Roy Grace series, following the investigations and lives of the Detective Superintendent and his team. James delivers a fast-paced, gripping thriller, layered with multiple narratives and character perspectives, a compelling standalone plot woven within a significant and climatic instalment of the ongoing series.

Picking up only weeks after the conclusion of the previous novel, 'You Are Dead', Grace is recovering from being wounded and the hunt continues for the serial killer who has evaded capture. Unbeknownst to police, another multiple murderer has been operating under the radar in Brighton - a black widow whose American fiancé suffers a tragic accident in the French Alps, while she is already weaving her game of seduction to ensnare another husband and devise his deadly demise. Delving into Jodie's past, we discover the roots of her predatory nature and the beginnings of her fascination with some of the world's deadliest creatures, her menagerie of venomous snakes, a boa constrictor, poison frogs, and arachnids providing her the means to kill.

The international hitman known as Tooth returns, following his escape in 'Dead Man's Grip', hired to trace Jodie after she is linked to money stolen from an organised crime group in New York. A tense game of predator and prey ensues, as Tooth tracks Jodie while the police hunt both killers, Jodie pursuing her plots of seduction and murder. Ultimately, the only way to capture Jodie will require a dangerous undercover operation, sending one of the team into the centre of her web.

Meanwhile, Roy must finally confront the truth about his first wife Sandy's disappearance over a decade ago. Her reappearance poses more questions than answers, but Roy hopes that he may finally achieve closure after she vanished without a word and no trace could be found. Having followed the mystery since the first novel 'Dead Simple' through twelve novels, we are finally confronted with its heartbreaking conclusion.

Once again, Peter has delivered an engrossing and entertaining novel. Skilfully written to maintain its relentless pace through an action-packed, twisty plot, 'Love You Dead' proves to be a particularly emotional chapter for long-term fans of the series, leaving us on tenterhooks for book thirteen, 'Need You Dead', to find out what's next for Roy, his family, and the team.

(Along with the previous three novels, this book has been adapted for the upcoming fourth season of TV series 'Grace', starring John Simm.)



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