The book review café’s **book(s) of the month** September/October

Can you believe we’re in November already? Where has the year gone? It doesn’t seem like five minutes ago I was sunning myself in warmer climates. I’m not a winter person in fact I hate this time of year, the dark nights, cold, wet and miserable (a bit like myself😂). I do love Christmas though and have an extra special  feature running through December, which I’m really excited about but for now my lips are sealed 🤐.

I’m digressing here the whole point of this post is to share my book of the month with you, the eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed I didn’t post one in September, so I have cheated and combined two months September and October books. I can’t believe I’ve managed to get to November and haven’t broke my pledge…….to choose only one book a month. Yes I have two books  this month BUT they are for September and October so I’m still keeping to my side of the bargain 😂🙈

How do I choose my book  of the month?

I go for a book that I find particularly outstanding, a book that covers every aspect of what I look for in a read, an original  plot, great characters and a storyline that draws me in from the first page and keeps me in its grips until I reach the very last page.

So without further ado here’s my book of the month for September and October…….

Blood Song by Johana Gustawsson

The tension that reverberates through Blood Song never looses momentum, each short chapter leaves you craving more, urging you on to its conclusion. This book has so much to offer the reader, with a gripping plot, moments of heartbreak, vivid scenes, and characters that will remain with you long after you’ve reached the final pages. With themes of fertility, child abductions, and child abuse the author has created a dark and disquieting story, and one that spans years of violence and abuse.  Blood Song is a ‘must read’ for any crime thriller love, and although it could easily be read as a stand-alone I would suggest you read the series in order you won’t be disappointed I promise. Highly recommended. You can read my full review here………Blood Song by Johana Gustawsson

In The Absence Of Miracles by Michael J Malone

The the author has taken a brave decision, in writing a book that explores a taboo subject matter, that’s seldom discussed so fixed is the stigma attached to this subject. In some author’s hands this would have just made for a shocking read, but Malone strikes the right balance and has produced a masterpiece, it’s subtle, sensitivity written, wrought with emotion and has to be one of my most captivating, heartbreaking reads EVER! Michael Malone is one of those rare author who appears to be able to write in any genre and turn what could be an interesting read, into something extra special, definitely a book that will stay with me for a long time to come. In The Absence Of Miracles is certainly a contender for my book of the year and one I will be recommending to anybody and everybody. You can read my full review here….In The Absence of Miracles by Michael J Malone @MichaelJMalone @OrendaBooks #BookReview #MustReads #BookHangoverAward

Highly recommended

Full reviews can be found here……..

The Lost Ones by Anita Frank #BookReview @Ajes74 @HQstories #HalloweenRead

The Family by Louise Jensen @Fab_fiction @HQStories @fictionpubteam @HarperCollinsUK #BookReview #WelcomeToTheFamily

Here To Stay by Mark Edwards #HereToStay #BookReview @mredwards @AmazonPub #MustRead

Gone by Leona Deakin #BookReview #Gone @LeonaDeakin1 @HJ_Barnes @PenguinUKBooks #MustReads

THE JULY GIRLS BY PHOEBE LOCKE @PHOEBE_LOCKE @WILDFIREBKS #REVIEW #TheJulyGirls #SummerMustReads #BookHangoverAward

The Family by Louise Jensen @Fab_fiction @HQStories @fictionpubteam @HarperCollinsUK #BookReview #WelcomeToTheFamily

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Louise Jensen, not because I haven’t wanted to, but there aren’t enough hours in the day to read all the books I would like to. I have heard great things about the author’s latest book The Family and knew it was one I just had to read. Here’s my review but first the book description…..

ONCE YOU’RE IN, THEY’LL NEVER LET YOU LEAVE.

Laura is grieving after the sudden death of her husband. Struggling to cope emotionally and financially, Laura is grateful when a local community, Oak Leaf Organics, offer her and her 17-year-old daughter Tilly a home.

But as Laura and Tilly settle into life with their new ‘family’, sinister things begin to happen. When one of the community dies in suspicious circumstances Laura wants to leave but Tilly, enthralled by the charismatic leader, Alex, refuses to go.

Desperately searching for a way to save her daughter, Laura uncovers a horrifying secret but Alex and his family aren’t the only ones with something to hide. Just as Laura has been digging into their past, they’ve been digging into hers and she discovers the terrifying reason they invited her and Tilly in, and why they’ll never let them leave…

OMG! I actually loved The Family by Louise Jensen, this book is a masterclass in how to write a Psychological thriller, it’s a compelling, all–consuming, chilling tale of secrets, lies, blackmail, and manipulation. It’s definitely one of those books that will shock and surprise you in equal measures. After the sudden death of her husband, Laura is struggling, overwhelmed by grief, she finds her financial problems growing by the day, with no family to speak of, Laura has nowhere to turn. Then a lifeline is thrown to Laura and her 17-year–old daughter, Tilly. Laura is offered a home and work by Alex ‘The Family’ leader of Oak Leaf Organics, a ‘retreat’ of sorts for those it need. On the surface It appears to be the answer to Laura’s prayers. It’s always been my motto “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”, if only poor Laura had heeded these words!

I really enjoyed how the author alternated chapters between Laura and Tilly, this gives the reader a fascinating insight into their relationship. The author explores the psychological of her characters with such conviction; she breathes life into her characters, making them very credible. It was interesting to read how they misunderstood each other’s thoughts, actions and feelings, this leads to conflict, anger, and pain. Their relationship isn’t an easy one, that’s for sure, but despite their difficulties Laura is like a fierce lion who will do anything to protect her daughter. There are chapters narrated by the charismatic Alex, these chapters felt much darker, intense and disquieting.

From the first description of Oak Leaf I had a creeping sense of unease, The setting of Oak Leaf farm felt sinister and claustrophobic, the descriptions of the crows and building give this book a gothic feel, it’s a place which feels incredibly dark. As Laura and Tilly become part of ‘The Family’ the plot takes on a sinister tone, each of ‘The Family’ has a secret, and as the story progresses you learn more of their backstories (sometimes it’s shocking other times desperately sad), it’s gives the reader an insight into  how and why the characters are drawn to the sanctuary of Oak Leaf.  Laura and Tilly are at their most vulnerable, and from the off I got the sense Alex would use this to his advantage. As the author weaved her tale, you realise that Oak Leaf might not be the haven it first appeared, manipulation, remoteness from the outside world, all point to it being a ‘cult’ of sorts. The Family frighteningly highlights how people can easily be manipulated and coerced when they are at their most vulnerable.

The Family holds so many secrets, and we all know it doesn’t matter how deep you bury them, they have a way of surfacing when you least expect it, secrets that can be used against you, secrets that hurt, or secrets that have far-reaching consequences, as Laura and Tilly find out. The author drops subtle hints, slowly building on the tension and adding an increasing sense of unease.  Just as I thought I had it all worked out, I realised Louise Jensen had misdirected me at every given opportunity, naughty, naughty! But so cleverly done. I always find a book much more satisfying when I’m taken by surprise. The Family explores what makes a family, and then turns it on its head, making this book a twisted, and shocking read. A must-read book,  that I would highly recommend.

• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: HQ (25 Sept. 2019)

Buying links:    Amazon UK 🇬🇧        Amazon US 🇺🇸

My thanks to the publishers for my ARC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

A day with author Louise Jensen @Fab_fiction

Today I’m thrilled to welcome author Louise Jensen to the book review cafe. I’m a huge fan of this authors psychological thrillers including my Favourite The Surrogate if you haven’t read any of her books yet, where have you been?  You need to buy them now! You won’t be disappointed I promise.

I so enjoy sharing these posts and I am so nosy that it’s a great opportunity to learn more about  some of my favourite authors and what they get up to in their “typical” day 😂. Hope you enjoy reading Louise Jensen’s post as much as I did.

A day with author Louise Jensen

I wrote my first novel, The Sister, while I was working full-time. Each night, when my youngest son had independent reading time I would sit, perched on the edge of my bed, laptop balanced on my knee, bashing out as many words as I could in half an hour.

Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to write full-time, although even with the extra hours, it often feels I don’t achieve many more words than I used to in that 30 minutes.

Nowadays I write in the spare room. It was my eldest son’s bedroom, he now shares a lovely flat with his girlfriend, and although I was sad to see him go I soon stuck a desk in the corner of his room!

I’m generally quite structured with my days. I have a health condition which means I suffer with chronic pain and am easily fatigued. My most creative and alert times are in the morning so once I’m home after the school run I’m always at my desk by 8.30. By now, I have already caught up with social media and emails while eating breakfast so I’m ready to write. This is my time for new words. Often working on a novel, but sometimes, like today, I’m writing a short story for an anthology for one of my foreign publishers. I find writing a first draft of anything incredibly difficult, and I often find myself clock watching, my fingers twitching, desperate to check Twitter or browse Amazon.

Hopefully by lunchtime I will have got some words down. I don’t set word count targets for myself, that’s added pressure I don’t need, for me it’s always the quality of the words not the quantity. Often I fiddle with sentences for ages before I’m happy with them. I know not everything I write will survive this stage, I don’t plan my stories so if I go off track with my plot there will be many cuts, but taking my time, getting a real feel for the scene, enables me to get to know my characters really well. Eventually, they will be the ones leading the story not me.

Lunch is usually a quick sandwich or bowl of soup, usually eaten at my desk as I prefer to get as much done as I can in school hours. If I’m editing a manuscript I go back to it after lunch, but if I’m at first draft stage I won’t return to it in the afternoons as I know from experience my progress when I’m tired is slow and frustrating. Afternoons are often dedicated to blogging, social media, arranging events and interviews. My books have been translated into numerous languages and so I now have 18 publishers who can want various things publicity -wise. This can get incredibly busy and is a part of being a writer I had never considered before getting my book deal.

I’m on the school run again at four, and then unless there’s anything pressing to finish it’s time precious time spent with the kids and cooking dinner. After we’ve eaten I do my physio exercises, piano practice and meditate. The rest of my evenings are spent either reading, watching a movie, or out with friends or, frequently, falling asleep on the sofa!

I’m trying to cut down on working at weekends. As a new writer, this past year has been a real learning curve, but now I’m about to start writing book four I feel I’ve found my feet a little, and it’s all about finding a balance now. Sustaining a full-time career and spending quality time with my family. I absolutely adore what I do and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.

My thanks to Louise Jensen for taking time out of her busy schedule to write this post and also for the photographs from her personal collection.

About Louise Jensen

Louise is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, children, madcap dog and a rather naughty cat.

Louise’s first two novels, The Sister and The Gift, were both International No.1 Bestsellers, and have been sold for translation to sixteen countries. The Sister was nominated for The Goodreads Awards Debut of 2016. Louise’s third psychological thriller, The Surrogate, is out now.

Louise loves to hear from readers and writers and can be found at www.louisejensen.co.uk, where she regularly blogs flash fiction.

Learn more about Louise Jensen’s books here 

 

 

The Surrogate by Louise Jensen #BookReview @Fab_fiction @bookouture

Today I’m thrilled to be one of the two stops on The Surrogate by Louise Jensen blog tour. Don’t be fooled by the cover, this is one twisted psychological thriller that I devoured in a couple of sittings. The Surrogate in case you didn’t know is published by the fabulous Bookouture and it was published yesterday (27th September) so you don’t even have to wait to get your hands on a copy, just pop over to Amazon and “click”.

Don’t forget to check out Jen’s (fellow book blogger and partner in crime) review over at https://jenmedsbookreviews.com/

Book description

‘You know that feeling? When you want something so badly, you almost feel you’d kill for it?’

Be careful what you wish for…

Kat and her husband Nick have tried everything to become parents, and are on the point of giving up. Then a chance encounter with Kat’s childhood friend Lisa gives Kat and Nick one last chance to achieve their dream.

But Kat and Lisa’s history hides dark secrets.

And there is more to Lisa than meets the eye.

As dangerous cracks start to appear in Kat’s perfect picture of happily-ever-after, she realises that she must face her fear of the past to save her family…

My review

Ever since I read Louise Jensen’s debut The Sister I’ve been a huge fan of her writing, but OMG The Surrogate her latest and most adventurous book yet puts her firmly on my list of “must read” authors. The Surrogate’s title misled me, I thought it would be a “heart warming” tale, but how wrong could I be! It turned out to be dark and very twisted tale, one that’s  shrouded in lies, buried secrets and betrayal I really think this is the authors best book yet and it definitely one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read this year.

The Surrogate starts so innocently Kat and her husband Nick have tried everything to become parents, and are on the point of giving up. Then a chance encounter with Kat’s childhood friend Lisa gives Kat and Nick one last chance to achieve their dream. What appears to be the perfect arrangement soon turns into something much darker, phew the sense of malice radiates from the pages early on and this increases as the plot becomes more complex.

There were numerous characters in The Surrogate but what a dysfunctional bunch they turned out to be. I couldn’t help sympathising with Kat’s plight, I can’t begin to imagine the heartbreak, the emotions and the feelings of failure woman like Kat go through, so desperate are they to have children. I love a book where you find it impossible to trust any of the characters, and I found I couldn’t trust any of them, rather like the main character Kat I found paranoia kicking in as my mistrust of each character grew. Each character seems to be hiding something and I wasn’t wrong, when these secrets begin to surface I found myself lost for words. The Surrogate is told in two time frames and I do enjoy a book that moves between the past and the present, when it’s done well I find it heightens the mystery and suspense as you are never quite sure when the two will collide and Louise Jensen makes sure the two collide in the most shocking and spectacular fashion.

Full of twists and turns I found my head spinning, from the opening chapter I felt a sense of dread that stayed with me until I reached the heart stopping conclusion. The ending may have seemed a little far fetched but when I read a book especially one that holds so many surprises I’m happy to suspend disbelief and “go with the flow”. For me personally a psychological thriller has to have an element of surprise a “OMG” moment, The Surrogate has lots of theses moments and I literally read this book in one sitting. Would I recommend this book? It’s a huge and definite “yes” from me.

Buying links:   Amazon UK 🇬🇧      Amazon US 🇺🇸

Print Length: 374 pages

Publisher: Bookouture (27 Sept. 2017)

About the author

Louise is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, children, madcap dog and a rather naughty cat.

Louise’s first two novels, The Sister and The Gift, were both International No.1 Bestsellers, and have been sold for translation to sixteen countries. The Sister was nominated for The Goodreads Awards Debut of 2016. Louise ‘s third psychological thriller, The Surrogate, can be pre-ordered now and will be published in September.

Louise loves to hear from readers and writers and can be found at http://www.louisejensen.co.uk, where she regularly blogs flash fiction.

Follow the blog tour………

**Blog Tour** The Gift by Louise Jensen #Review #GuestPost @bookouture @fab_fiction

Today I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour for The Gift by Louise Jensen,  this is one book you don’t want to miss, it’s a gripping read. The good news is The Gift was published yesterday so you don’t even have to wait to get a copy. Before you pop over to Amazon and order yourself a copy, you may want to check out my review for The Gift which is definitely an outstanding psychological thriller by the way! Followed by a Christmassy interview with Louise Jensen who tells us what she is going to  be up to on Christmas Day 🎄🎄

Book description

The perfect daughter. The perfect girlfriend. The perfect murder?

Jenna is given another shot at life when she receives a donor heart from a girl called Callie. Eternally grateful to Callie and her family, Jenna gets closer to them, but she soon discovers that Callie’s perfect family is hiding some very dark secrets …

Callie’s parents are grieving, yet Jenna knows they’re only telling her half the story. Where is Callie’s sister Sophie? She’s been ‘abroad’ since her sister’s death but something about her absence doesn’t add up. And when Jenna meets Callie’s boyfriend Nathan, she makes a shocking discovery.

Jenna knows that Callie didn’t die in an accident. But how did she die?Jenna is determined to discover the truth but it could cost her everything; her loved ones, her sanity, even her life.

Hells Bells! The Gift by Louise Jensen is an absolute cracker of a read, it’s tense, gripping and thrilling. I literally devoured this book in one sitting, I love it when you read a book and the opening chapter grabs you by the throat, I’m not one for slow burners and much prefer to get “stuck in”. I read the authors debut novel The Sister earlier this year and I thought it was a fantastic read, so I was hoping it would be just as good, but Louise Jensen has surpassed all my expectations with this heart stopping read (excuse the pun!).

Jenna the protagonist has received a donor heart, as she recuperates from her life saving operation Jenna begins to suffer with irrational thoughts and feelings that appear to centre around Callie the girl whose heart was donated. As Jenna suffers flashbacks of disturbing incidents she becomes convinced that Callie didn’t die as a result of an accident, as events take a Dark and sinister turn you can help wondering where the plot is leading. Jenna’s new heart is seen as a “Gift” but you can’t help feeling that it comes at a price as her life begins to fall a part in the most spectacular fashion.

When I read a psychological thriller I expect the author to emphasise the psychology of their characters and Louise Jensen manages this with aplomb. Jenna was a character that I found intriguing, complex, and at times I couldn’t help but wonder how reliable she was as a narrator as she became obsessed with Callie’s life, her family and fiancé, on the other hand could Jenna be experiencing cellular memories? is it possible that a donor heart holds secrets, lies, hopes and dreams? It certainly gave me food for thought, as Callie’s Dark and horrifying memories consume Jenna’s life. As Jenna becomes more involved with her donors family you realise things aren’t as they seem,  as she tries to uncover hidden secrets you can’t help wondering if she is loosing her grasp on reality.

The Gift explores familiar issues, lies, secrets and protecting those you love, which could have made for a mediocre read, but fortunately the author manages to add originality to these themes, making for a compelling read shrouded in intrigue.The Gift is a well plotted story as Jenna delves deeper into Callie’s life there is a sense of menace oozing from every page, the constant sense of unease and foreboding make for a sinister read.  At times I became so caught up in the plot that I found myself jumping at every little sound. Louise Jensen’s writing goes from strength to strength, she has written a belter of a book that will keep even the most hardened psychological thriller lover glued to their kindle/book.

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️out of 5

Print Length: 287 pages

Publisher: Bookouture (16 Dec. 2016)

Amazon UK 🇬🇧       Amazon US 🇺🇸

Louise is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, children, madcap spaniel and a rather naughty cat.

The Sister is Louise’s debut novel and it reached No.1 on the Amazon Kindle chart in both the UK and Canada and No.1 on iBooks. Louise’s second book, The Gift, will be published on 16th December 2016.

Louise loves to hear from readers and writers and can be found at www.louisejensen.co.uk, where she regularly blogs flash fiction.

Amazon UK 🇬🇧      Amazon US 🇺🇸

What is your favourite Christmas memory?

There are so many, especially since I had children of my own, but a favourite childhood one of mine was waking to a white Christmas. I remember racing outside with my sister, in our pyjamas, and having a snowball fight at about 6 in the morning!

Where will you be spending Christmas?

This year we’ll be at home. We have family visiting.

Do you have any Christmas traditions?

When the children were small there was always the stocking hanging, and carrot for Rudolph but they are too big for that now (although I still leave a mince pie out for Santa!) We always have a pizza Christmas Eve though and watch a Christmas movie together. Often Elf.

What was your best ever Christmas present?

A boxer dog called Bailey. We’d been discussing for about a year whether it was the right time for our family to own a dog and decided it was. We bought him Christmas Eve but I decided to leave him with the breeder for a couple of days so he could arrive at his new home when it was quiet, not with the madness of a houseful on Christmas day, but it was all we could talk about.

What was your worst ever Christmas present?

A box of chocolate covered brazil nuts from a family member. I have a severe allergy to brazil nuts…

Favourite Christmas tipple?

Baileys! I love it but for some reason I do only buy it at Christmas.

What are you hoping for this Christmas?

My family around the dining table. With the children getting older, and one having already left home to live with his girlfriend, it can be hard to co-ordinate us all in the same place at the same time.

Have you got a Christmas message you would like to share with readers and bloggers?

Firstly huge thanks for all your support – my first year as a published author has been amazing, and, don’t sweat the small stuff. No-one will ever remember if you made the stuffing from scratch, but they will remember who was around the table, the love and the laughter. We can put so much pressure on ourselves to get everything perfect, but try to relax and enjoy the festive season.

My thanks to Louise for taking the time out of her busy schedule to answer my Christmassy questions 

The Sister by Louise Jensen

 

Book description

Grace hasn’t been the same since the death of her best friend Charlie. She is haunted by Charlie’s words, the last time she saw her, and in a bid for answers, opens an old memory box of Charlie’s. It soon becomes clear there was a lot she didn’t know about her best friend.

When Grace starts a campaign to find Charlie’s father, Anna, a girl claiming to be Charlie’s sister steps forward. For Grace, finding Anna is like finding a new family, and soon Anna has made herself very comfortable in Grace and boyfriend Dan’s home.

But something isn’t right. Things disappear, Dan’s acting strangely and Grace is sure that someone is following her. Is it all in Grace’s mind? Or as she gets closer to discovering the truth about both Charlie and Anna, is Grace in terrible danger?

There was nothing she could have done to save Charlie …or was there?

 

The Sister is the debut novel from Louise Jensen, and oh my golly gosh it’s a hell of a debut, billed as a psychological thriller it certainly lived up to expectations. In my opinion the emotional and mental developments of characters in a psychological thriller must be both plausible and believable, and the author manages this with aplomb. As Grace’s life begins to unravel thread by thread, she begins to wonder who she can trust, as so many of the characters in The Sister are flawed in one way or another. I felt empathy for Grace as she struggled to make sense of her relationship with both Charlie and her boyfriend Dan, and the secrets they kept from her. At first the character of Grace appears weak, her grief after losing her best friend and surrogate sister threatens to destroy her, but as the story progresses you realise she is much stronger than you first imagined.

I thought I had worked out Charlie’s secret, but I was totally wrong on numerous occasions. In my humble opinion for a psychological thriller to work it needs to keep the reader guessing about the nature of the characters and their actions, and again Louise Jensen manages this with flair. I found myself anticipating dreadful developments at every major point in the story, as the plot is rife with tension, and you aren’t really sure where the plot is leading. The author certainly knows how to write and I found the plot flowed without hitch and the dialogue between characters was very believable. As the plot gains momentum and Grace’s life is falling apart and danger presents itself at every turn, the fear that Grace felt was tangible and very believable.

This is by no means a fast paced book, but I liked the way The Sister built up the layers of suspense, until the tension reaches breaking point, ending in a nail biting conclusion.
I can’t believe the high caliber of debut novels that have already been released this year and Louise Jensen’s The Sister falls into this category, it’s difficult to believe this is Louise Jensen’s debut as it’s so well written.

The Sister is a story of buried secrets, lies and lost friendships and packed with tension and intrigue if you are a lover of psychological thrillers then I would highly recommend this book, in fact I would go as far as to insist you buy a copy of this book NOW!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5

Print Length: 307 pages

Publisher: Bookouture (7 July 2016)

 

 

**Bookouture Wednesday**

You may have noticed this post is in fact WWW Wednesday, but as I was putting the post together I realised all the books I have included are published by Bookouture so hence the name change for this week only. I have to say they are one of my favourite publishers at the moment, they have published some of the most amazing books written by some very talented authors.

The WWW Wednesdays meme is currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. https://samannelizabeth.wordpress.com/ and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

The Sister by Louise Jensen

Book description

Grace hasn’t been the same since the death of her best friend Charlie. She is haunted by Charlie’s words, the last time she saw her, and in a bid for answers, opens an old memory box of Charlie’s. It soon becomes clear there was a lot she didn’t know about her best friend.

When Grace starts a campaign to find Charlie’s father, Anna, a girl claiming to be Charlie’s sister steps forward. For Grace, finding Anna is like finding a new family, and soon Anna has made herself very comfortable in Grace and boyfriend Dan’s home.

But something isn’t right. Things disappear, Dan’s acting strangely and Grace is sure that someone is following her. Is it all in Grace’s mind? Or as she gets closer to discovering the truth about both Charlie and Anna, is Grace in terrible danger?

There was nothing she could have done to save Charlie …or was there?

Kindle

I decided to push this one to the TBR pile after reading the book description, it piqued my interest, and I really am enjoying it

What did you recently finish reading?

Play Dead by Angela Marson

Book description

The girl’s smashed-in face stared unseeing up to the blue sky, soil spilling out of her mouth. A hundred flies hovered above the bloodied mess.

Westerley research facility is not for the faint-hearted. A ‘body farm’ investigating human decomposition, its inhabitants are corpses in various states of decay. But when Detective Kim Stone and her team discover the fresh body of a young woman, it seems a killer has discovered the perfect cover to bury their crime.

Then a second girl is attacked and left for dead, her body drugged and mouth filled with soil. It’s clear to Stone and the team that a serial killer is at work – but just how many bodies will they uncover? And who is next?

As local reporter, Tracy Frost, disappears, the stakes are raised. The past seems to hold the key to the killer’s secrets – but can Kim uncover the truth before a twisted, damaged mind claims another victim …?

The latest utterly addictive thriller from the No.1 bestseller Angela Marsons.

Kindle

I absolutely loved this book so much in fact I read it in one sitting! I even forgot to eat, yes it really was that good. My review will be on my blog closer to publication date

What do you think you’ll read next?

After The Lie by Kerry Fisher

Book description

Your past will devastate your family. But your lies could destroy them. What would YOU do?

Sometimes a lie can split your life in two. There is “before”, and there is “after”. Try as you might – you can never go back.

When Lydia was a teenager, she made a decision that ruined her family’s life. They’ve spent the last thirty years living with the consequences and doing their best to pretend it never happened.

Lydia’s husband, the gorgeous and reliable Mark, and her two teenage children know nothing about that summer back in 1982. And that’s the way Lydia wants it to stay. The opportunity to come clean is long gone and now it’s not the lie that matters, it’s the betrayal of hiding the truth for so long.

When someone from the past turns up as a parent at the school gates, Lydia feels the life she has worked so hard to build slipping through her fingers. The more desperate she becomes to safeguard her family, the more erratic her behaviour becomes. But when the happiness of her own teenage son, Jamie, hangs in the balance, Lydia is forced to make some impossible decisions. Can she protect him and still keep her own secret – and if she doesn’t, will her marriage and marriage survive?

Kindle

Please feel free to leave a comment about the books you are reading this week