Unwrapping the #BookPost with the book review café

I have received some fabulous book post lately and although I post photos of the books I receive on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram I thought they deserved their own post. I’m always eternally grateful to the publishers and authors who send me ARC’s even though I’m a book blogger it’s one thing I never take for granted or expect.

There is nothing more satisfying on hearing the sound of book post landing on my door mat, I’m like a child at Christmas wondering what delights await me.

So I thought I would start a new feature called Unwrapping my #BookPost not highly original I know but I thought the title explains the post 😂. So here are a few of the fabulous books I’ve received over the last month or so…..

Keeper by Johana Gustawsson

 

Book description

Whitechapel, 1888: London is bowed under Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror.
London, 2015: actress Julianne Bell is abducted in a case similar to the terrible Tower Hamlets murders of some ten years earlier, and harking back to the Ripper killings of a century before.
Falkenberg, Sweden, 2015: a woman’s body is found mutilated in a forest, her wounds identical to those of the Tower Hamlets victims. With the man arrested for the Tower Hamlets crimes already locked up, do the new killings mean he has a dangerous accomplice, or is a copy-cat serial killer on the loose?
Profiler Emily Roy and true-crime writer Alexis Castells again find themselves drawn into an intriguing case, with personal links that turn their world upside down. Following the highly acclaimed Block 46 and guaranteed to disturb and enthral, Keeper is a breathless thriller from the new queen of French Noir.

published 15th February 2018

Dead Girls by Abigail Tarttelin

Book description

When her best friend Billie is found murdered, eleven-year-old Thera – fearless and forthright – considers it her duty to find the killer.

Aided by a Ouija board, Billie’s ghost, and the spirits of four other dead girls, she’s determined to succeed. The trouble with Thera, though, is that she doesn’t always know when to stop – and sometimes there’s a fine line between doing the right thing and doing something very, very bad indeed.

Tense, visceral and thought-provoking, Dead Girls is the new novel from Abigail Tarttelin, the critically acclaimed author of Golden Boy.

published 3rd May 2018

The Retreat by Mark Edwards

 

Book description

Two years ago, Julia lost her family in a tragic accident. Her husband drowned trying to save their daughter, Lily, in the river near their rural home. But the little girl’s body was never found—and Julia believes Lily is somehow still alive.

Alone and broke, Julia opens her house as a writers’ retreat. One of the first guests is Lucas, a horror novelist, who becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Lily. But within days of his arrival, the peace of the retreat is shattered by a series of eerie events.

When Lucas’s investigation leads him and Julia into the woods, they discover a dark secret—a secret that someone will do anything to protect…

What really happened that day by the river? Why was Lily never found? And who, or what, is haunting the retreat?

From the bestselling author of Follow You Home and The Magpies comes his most terrifying novel yet.

published 10th May 2018

The Lies We Told by Camilla Way

Book description

DO YOU PROMISE NOT TO TELL?

A DAUGHTER
Beth has always known there was something strange about her daughter, Hannah. The lack of emotion, the disturbing behaviour, the apparent delight in hurting others… sometimes Beth is scared of her, and what she could be capable of.

A SON
Luke comes from the perfect family, with the perfect parents. But one day, he disappears without trace, and his girlfriend Clara is left desperate to discover what has happened to him.

A LIFE BUILT ON LIES
As Clara digs into the past, she realizes that no family is truly perfect, and uncovers a link between Luke’s long-lost sister and a strange girl named Hannah. Now Luke’s life is in danger because of the lies once told and the secrets once kept. Can she find him before it’s too late?

published 3rd May 2018

The Liar’s Room by Simon Lelic

Book description

THE NEXT SPINE-TINGLING THRILLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE HOUSE

Susanna Fenton has a secret. Fourteen years ago she left her identity behind, reinventing herself as a counsellor and starting a new life. It was the only way to keep her daughter safe.

But everything changes when Adam Geraghty walks into her office. She’s never met this young man before – so why does she feel like she knows him?

Adam starts to tell her about a girl. A girl he wants to hurt. And that’s when Susanna realises she was wrong.

She doesn’t know him.
He knows her.
And the girl he plans to hurt is her daughter.

Published 9th August 2018

Ghost by Helen Grant

Book description

Langlands House is haunted, but not by the ghost you think.

Augusta McAndrew lives on a remote Scottish estate with her grandmother, Rose. For her own safety, she hides from outsiders, as she has done her entire life. Visitors are few and far between – everyone knows that Langlands House is haunted.

One day Rose goes out and never returns, leaving Augusta utterly alone. Then Tom McAllister arrives – good-looking and fascinating, but dangerous. What he has to tell her could tear her whole world apart.

As Tom and Augusta become ever closer, they must face the question: is love enough to overcome the ghosts of the past?

In the end, Langlands House and its inhabitants hold more secrets than they did in the beginning…

published 19th February 2018

My thanks to Joanne at Portobello Book Blog for this one which I won in a giveaway.

My Mother’s Secret by Sanjida Kay

Book description

Lizzie Bradshaw. A student from the Lake District, forced to work away from home, who witnesses a terrible crime. But who will ultimately pay the price?

Emma Taylor. A mother, a wife, and a woman with a dangerous secret. Can she keep her beloved family safely together?

Stella Taylor. A disaffected teenager, determined to discover what her mother is hiding. But how far will she go to uncover the truth?

And one man, powerful, manipulative and cunning, who controls all their destinies.

published 3rd May 2018

I hope you have enjoyed this post and as you can see I have a diverse selection of #BookPost the only problem I have now is deciding which one to read first. I would love to know what book post you’ve recieved, please feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

**End Of The Year Wrap Up **

Well I for one will be glad to see the back of 2016, for many reasons this hasn’t been the best year I’ve ever had. I’m going to embrace 2017 though and make it my year to take on new challenges.

Now I’m not one for New Years resolutions I always fail at the first hurdle (usually the 2nd of January 😂), but I am hoping to do a couple of things regarding my reading and my blog

• Read some books from my TBR pile, which I’m desperate to get through
• cut down on blog tours, as there’s too much pressure to read a book in a limited time
• Only request one book at a time on NetGalley (this ones going to be hard)
• if I’m not enjoying a book, I DON’T have to finish it, after all there are far too many amazing books out there to waste time on a duff one!
• learn to say “no” it’s ok NOT to agree to read and review every book that comes my way (my new mantra😂)
• Read more books by authors that are new to me, I’ve already got a couple lined up…..so watch this space!

Although I haven’t compiled a list of my top reads, here are just some of the books I really enjoyed this year and would highly recommend.

My top five most read posts

You can read the reviews here……

https://thebookreviewcafe.com/2016/02/11/author-interview-behind-closed-doors-by-b-a-paris/

https://thebookreviewcafe.com/2016/02/08/behind-closed-doors-by-b-a-paris/

https://thebookreviewcafe.com/2016/01/26/tainted-love-by-kimberley-chambers/

https://thebookreviewcafe.com/2016/02/26/between-you-and-me-by-lisa-hall/

https://thebookreviewcafe.com/2016/06/10/the-sister-by-louise-jenson/

My First read of 2017

My first read of 2017 is Snatched From Home by Graham Smith, this is a book that has been sat on my TBR pile for a while, it’s also by an author I haven’t read yet which means I’ve already started on my goals for 2017

Books I’ve read to watch out for in 2017

As the end of the year approaches I would like to say a huge thank you to each and everyone of you who follows my blog and wish you all a fabulous New Year and hope all your dreams come true.

Lorraine x x x

 

 

**Weekly Wrap Up**

Oh dear I’m afraid I haven’t got much to share regarding the books I’ve read this week, I’ve only managed to read one, yes you read that right ONE book I’m hanging my head in shame as I write 🙈. Unfortunately I just haven’t felt like reading much this week but I did manage to read…..

Chosen Child by Linda Huber

 

I really enjoyed Chosen Child, I’m not usually one for covers, but I love the colours of this one I will be posting my review soon

Last week on the book review cafe

Deadly Focus by R C Bridgestock review You can read my review here 

Author interview with Sanjida Kay Bone By Bone You can read the interview here

Blog tour and review Something Old Something New by Darcie Boleyn You can read my review here

Blog tour and review The Madam by Jaime Raven You can read my review here

Books I’ve bought this week

My lovely husband presented me with an Amazon gift voucher as a surprise, even after 28 years of marriage, he still likes to suprise me every now and then,  and so I’ve added these books to my ever growing TBR pile

Book Post I received this week

 

I recieved these books in the post this week, and I’m not sure which one to read first, as they all sound really good

Local Girl Missing by Claire Douglas

Consequences by RC Bridgestock

All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker, I’m on the blog tour for this book in July, so my review won’t be on my blog for a while yet 

The Hatching by Ezekiel Boone

The Girl With A Clock For A Face by Peter Swanson, I won this over at The Book Club aka TBC, so my thanks to Tracy Fenton

Not much I’m afraid as obviously I haven’t read much this week, I have numerous reviews ready to go, but they are for blog tours I’m on in June

My A-Z of books tag

Chosen child by Linda Huber book review

Last To Die by Arlene Hunt  book review

My blog news 

I’m really chuffed to have been nominated for best newcomer in the 2nd Annual Blogger Bash Awards, I’m not expecting to come even close to winning as I’m up against some amazing bloggers, but it’s just brilliant to have been nominated. If you would like to vote for your favourite book bloggers I’ve included the link (I’ve already voted for my favourite bloggers, how about you?)

https://sachablack.co.uk/2016/05/19/vote-now-annual-bloggers-bash-awards-now-open/

 

**Author Interview** Bone By Bone by Sanjida Kay

 

Today I have Sanjida Kay visiting the book review cafe, Sanjida is the author of Bone By Bone, as a parent whose son was bullied relentlessly for two years, I found this book very emotional to read, you can see my thoughts regarding this book further down the page.

Welcome to the book review cafe Sanjida and thank you for popping by to answer some questions about you and your book Bone By Bone

For those readers who haven’t heard of you or your book Bone By Bone can you provide us with an introduction?

Thank you so much for having me! I live in Bristol with my daughter and husband and Bone by Bone is my first thriller. It’s a about a woman called Laura, who’s recently divorced. She and her nine-year-old daughter, Autumn, have just moved to Bristol. Laura discovers that Autumn is being bullied at school by an older boy. She tries to talk to the teachers about it, but when no one takes her seriously, Laura confronts the bully herself. The situation escalates out of her control, with devastating consequences for her and her daughter …

Where did the idea For Bone By Bone come from?

Just after I had my own daughter, I used to take her out in the buggy to get her to go to sleep. I felt incredibly vulnerable – recovering from the birth, on my own and now responsible for a tiny, fragile newborn.
I started to imagine a character who has a much older daughter than mine, but feels vulnerable, isolated, lacking in confidence all the time. And I imagined what would happen if that person found out that her daughter was being bullied. She would want to protect her child with all her heart – like any parent – but she might not have the resources – particularly if there’s nothing the bully won’t do to her child.

What were some of the challenges about writing this novel?

Bone by Bone is told from Laura’s perspective, as well as from Autumn’s. From a writerly point of view, it was tough to get inside Autumn’s head, as it’s hard to remember what it was like to be nine, plus transporting that feeling to a different time – what it’s like to be nine in 2016 – and what it’s like to be Autumn in particular, who is quirky and sweet and not like I was as a child!

I was bullied as a child and as a teenager. I haven’t put my own experiences into the novel, but I used them to create the emotions Autumn and Laura go through. As you can imagine, this was a painful process and I used to cry when I read each draft.

Do you think children who are bullied are given the necessary support?

No I don’t! I don’t think children are taken seriously or listened to enough. Children often feel ashamed when they’re bullied and don’t tell adults or ask for help either. It’s up to us to know our children so well and be as involved in their lives as possible, that we can see if a child’s behaviour is changing. And as adults in today’s culture, most of us don’t fully understand social media enough to know if a child is being cyber-bullied or how to stop it. I’ve chosen to donate a percentage of any profits I make to anti-bullying charity, Kidscape. The main reason I chose Kidscape, as opposed to another charity, is because they offer support to parents and children online and via workshops, which I hope could make a real difference.

As a mother I felt every emotion Laura felt, If you were in a similar circumstances as Laura how would you react?

That’s a hard one! Obviously, if I found out my daughter was being bullied, I’d want to stop it straight away. I’d go and speak to her teachers at the school and maybe the police. I wouldn’t take no for an answer. Luckily, unlike Laura, I’m surrounded by friends, family and have a loving husband, so my daughter and I have a support network. I’d also try and bolster my daughter’s self-esteem, as bullies are less likely to pick on confident kids. And I’d take her to martial arts classes. If you’re in the situation that Laura finds herself, it can all seem overwhelming and hard to deal with, though.

Do you write an outline before you start writing?

I plan my novels before I start writing, and I spend a long time working on the characters. Plot is so important in thrillers, compared to, say, literary fiction, that for me, I find it’s worth thinking carefully about the plot before I begin.

When did you know that you wanted to become a writer? and how did you go about it?

I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was five years old! I read and wrote all the time, and had poetry published in an anthology when I was sixteen and a story published in Spare Rib when I was eighteen. I’d written two novels (still in my bottom drawer!) before I finished my undergraduate degree. I really believe that writing, like any craft, requires practise. By the time you’ve written a million words, you’re probably able to string a sentence together pretty well!

What is the hardest thing about being a writer?

The difference between what you actually achieve and what you want to achieve! Juggling writing with child-care is hard and I wish there were more hours in the day! But I think I’m immensely privileged to be a writer and to be published by Corvus Books.

Are you inspired by any particular authors?

My favourite authors are Emily Brontë, Margaret Atwood, Cormac McCarthy and Henry James. As for psychological thriller writers, I love Gillian Flynn and Peter Swanson, who combine a jaw-dropping plot with beautifully-written prose.

Are you able to tell me anything about your next book?

It’s called The Stolen Child and it’s set in Ilkley. As you might guess from the title, it’s about a little girl who goes missing. I spent a large chunk of my childhood living next to Ilkley moor, so I know it well; the moor is like another, deadly character in the novel.

During all the interviews you’ve done what question have you not been asked that you wish had been asked – and what’s the answer?

Where does the title, Bone by Bone, come from?

And I would say, it’s a line from an Emily Dickinson poem called, ‘There is a pain so utter – ‘ Laura studied Emily Dickinson and so she knows that the poem is about almost unimaginable pain…It also sounds downright scary and that’s a good thing in a thriller!

Thank you Sanjida for popping by the book review cafe and taking the time to answer my questions, I will certainly be looking forward to reading your next book when it is published. 

About the author

Sanjida Kay is a writer and broadcaster. Bone by Bone is her first thriller. She lives in Bristol with her daughter and husband.

To learn more about the author

Website      Goodreads       Twitter         Facebook

Book Description

Laura loves her daughter more than anything in the world.

But nine-year-old daughter Autumn is being bullied. Laura feels helpless.

When Autumn fails to return home from school one day, Laura goes looking for her. She finds a crowd of older children taunting her little girl.

In the heat of the moment, Laura makes a terrible choice. A choice that will have devastating consequences for her and her daughter..

Kindle

Paperback 
You can read my review for Bone by Bone here…… Bone By Bone by Sanjida Kay review

**Weekly Wrap Up**

Well this week I have only read 3 Books, and I’m half way through the fourth, my weeks holiday is over and now I’m back to work full time, so I don’t get to read as much as I would like, but I managed to read the following books

Deadly focus by RC Bridgestock

I’m on the blog tour next month for RC Bridgestock’s latest book When The Killing Starts, so I wanted to get a feel for the series and I have to say I really enjoyed Deadly Focus.

When He Fell by Kate Hewitt

Again this is a blog tour book I found this book to be really emotive and compelling, you can see my review on Sunday 12th June

The Madam by Jamie Raven

This week in case you haven’t noticed it’s all blog tour books and you can see my review for The Madam on Sunday 22nd May

The Safe Word by Karen Long

Another blog tour read I’m about half way through The Safe Word and so far so good, but you can catch my review on Thursday 2nd June

Book post I received this week

I received the following books in the post this week

How To Find Your (First) Husband by Rosie Blake 

Chosen Child by Linda Huber

Solomon Creed by Simon Toyne

Stalker by Lars Kepler

Watching Edie by Camilla Way 

Next week on the book review cafe

Dead Focus by RC Bridgestock review

Interview with Sanjida Kay author of Bone By Bone 

Last To Die by Arlene Hunt review

Something Old Something New by Darcie Boleyn blog tour Friday 20th May

**My Book Of The Month** April 2016

I can’t believe we are in May already, it doesn’t seem five minutes since we celebrated Christmas! So for me it’s time to choose my book of the month for April. The gold coffee cup award is chosen by myself at the beginning of every month, for the previous month. I have also added a new feature to this post, and will include books that I would highly recommend from my previous months reading.

The Gold Coffee Cup Award is a  very prestigious award (well I think so anyway!) and will be presented (reality wise anyway) to the author/book that I found outstanding for that month, and would possibly have given a higher rating than a 5 star review, if I could.

Again I have read some outstanding books this month, but my book of the month had the “extra factor” it was compelling, dark with an exceptional plot and I really didn’t want to put it down. So with no further ado and a drum roll the book I have chosen for April 2016 book of the month is………

The Silent Twin by Caroline Mitchell

Book description

Nine-year-old twins Abigail and Olivia vow never to be parted. But when Abigail goes missing from Blackwater Farm, DC Jennifer Knight must find her before it’s too late.

Twin sister Olivia has been mute since Abigail’s disappearance. But when she whispers in Jennifer’s ear, Jennifer realises it is Abigail’s voice pleading to be found.

A damp and decaying house set in acres of desolate scrubland, the farm is a place of secrets, old and new – and Jennifer must unravel them all in order to find the lost girl. But could Olivia’s bond with her twin hold the key to finding Abigail? And can Jennifer break through her silence in time to save her sister.

Kindle        Paperback

You can see my review and Q & A with Caroline Mitchell here…….The Silent Twin review

Apologises to any author whose book I read in April, and didn’t make it to my book of the month post, I enjoyed all the books I read, but for me The Silent Twin was  particularly outstanding.

Books I would highly recommend from my reads in April 2016

Bone By Bone by Sanjida Kay

You can see my review HERE

The Second Chance Shoe Shop by Marcie Steele

You can see my review HERE

 

 

Bone By Bone by Sanjida Kay

Bone by Bone is Sanjida Kay’s debut novel, I found it to be one of the most compelling books I have read in a long time, but also the most disturbing. Laura recently separated from her husband, moves to Bristol to start a new life with her nine year old daughter Autumn. It’s not long before Autumn becomes the target of bullies, as the bullying escalates Laura makes a terrible choice. A choice that will have devastating consequences for her and her daughter. As a parent whose son was relentlessly bullied for two years, I have been wanting to read this book for a while now, but at the same time I was concerned that it would bring back very painful memories, so I started reading Bone by Bone with a great deal of trepidation.

Unless you have been in a similar situation it’s difficult to imagine the nightmare parents go through and the emotions they feel, when trying to protect their child. The author manages to portray Laura’s feelings of helplessness with such accuracy it reminded me of the feelings both my husband and myself felt when our child was being bullied. To see your son go from an outgoing, happy and fun loving person into a shell of themselves is heartbreaking to say the least, the author manages to portray every feeling and emotion with such clarity I felt I was reading about myself! The frustration, heartbreak and anger that Laura felt were tangible throughout.

My heart broke for Autumn as the relentless bullying escalated and she struggled to cope emotionally, the author explores the subject of bullying with chilling realism which made for an uncomfortable read at times. It was interesting to see how far Laura would go to protect Autumn, as being in a similar situation we found ourself getting to the stage that we would have done anything to protect our son. Bone by Bone highlights how victims of bullying and their families are often failed by schools, the police and other services, making for a very credible and upsetting read.

Sanjida Kay brings Bone by Bone to a satisfying conclusion, which she does with sensitivity and a great deal of compassion. This is such an emotive book as it explores with chilling realism bullying and how helpless parents feel, it is written with such conviction and understanding it made me wonder if the author herself had faced similar problems. I found it difficult to believe that this was the authors debut novel, and I will certainly be pre-ordering her next book.

5 ☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️ out of 5

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Corvus; Main edition (3 Mar. 2016)

Kindle

Paperback

Useful sites

https://www.kidscape.org.uk/

http://www.bullying.co.uk/advice-for-parents/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/bullying-and-cyberbullying/

http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/advice/children-young-people/

 

**WWW Wednesday**

It’s WWW Wednesday time.
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?

Bone by Bone by Sanjida Kay

Book description
Laura loves her daughter more than anything in the world.
But nine-year-old daughter Autumn is being bullied. Laura feels helpless.
When Autumn fails to return home from school one day, Laura goes looking for her. She finds a crowd of older children taunting her little girl.
In the heat of the moment, Laura makes a terrible choice. A choice that will have devastating consequences for her and her daughter…

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Corvus; Main edition (3 Mar. 2016)

Kindle

 

What did you recently finish reading?

Web Of Deceit by M A Comley and Tara Lyons

Book description 

DI Sally Parker is called to one of the best hotels in the area after one of the guests, Megan Carmen, reports her friend, Tina, missing.

Sally investigates Megan’s background when the woman reveals that she has just arrived from France and Tina is a woman she met on the Internet. Do genuine people truly arrange to innocently meet people they’ve only just met online? Or, in light of Tina’s disappearance, is there something far more sinister afoot?

Print Length: 70 pages

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited (20 Jan. 2016)

Kindle

What do you think you’ll read next?

Kill Me Again by Rachel Abbott

 

Book description
When Maggie Taylor accepts a new job in Manchester, she is sure it is the right move for her family. The children have settled well although her husband, Duncan, doesn’t appear to be so convinced.

But nothing prepares her for the shock of coming home from work one night to find that Duncan has disappeared, leaving their young children alone. His phone is dead, and she has no idea where he has gone, or why. And then she discovers she’s not the only one looking for him.

When a woman who looks just like Maggie is brutally murdered and DCI Tom Douglas is brought in to investigate, Maggie realises how little she knows about Duncan’s past. Is he the man she loves? Who is he running from?

She doesn’t have long to decide whether to trust him or betray him. Because one thing has been made clear to Maggie

Paperback: 348 pages

Publisher: Black Dot Publishing (17 Feb. 2016)

Kindle

Please feel free to leave a comment about the books you are reading, or books you have read this week

 

**Stacking The Shelves**

Here’s my round up of stacking the Shelves hosted by http://tyngasreviews.com/. Stacking the Shelves highlight books which have been received In a week. Paper books, e-books, ARC’s received, books bought or borrowed, are all included.

ARC

Blue Wicked by Alan Jones

 

Book description

Blue Wicked is Alan Jones’ second gritty Glasgow crime novel. The tortured corpses of young alcoholics and drug addicts are turning up in Glasgow and only unlikely investigator Eddie Henderson seems to know why. When he tries to tell the police, his information is ridiculed and he’s told to stop wasting their time. One officer, junior detective Catherine Douglas, believes him, and together they set out to discover why the dregs of Glasgow’s underbelly are being found, dead and mutilated.

The Cabinet Maker by Alan Jones

 

Book description 

The cabinetmaker, Alan Jones’ first novel, tells of one man’s fight for justice when the law fails him. When his only son is brutally murdered, and the thugs who killed him walk free, he devotes his life to bringing the killers to justice. It’s young Glasgow detective John McDaid’s first murder case. He forms an unlikely friendship with the cabinetmaker, founded on their desire to see the killers punished, their love of amateur football, and by John’s introduction by the cabinetmaker to a lifelong passion for fine furniture. This is the story of their relationship, the cabinetmaker’s quest for justice, and the detective’s search for the truth.

Bone By Bone by Sajida Kay

Book description

Laura loves her daughter more than anything in the world.

But nine-year-old daughter Autumn is being bullied. Laura feels helpless.

When Autumn fails to return home from school one day, Laura goes looking for her. She finds a crowd of older children taunting her little girl.

In the heat of the moment, Laura makes a terrible choice. A choice that will have devastating consequences for her and her daughter…

The Wrong Hand by Jane Jago

Book description

We all make mistakes. Moments that change us and the path we are on irrevocably. For Rachel Allen it was the moment that she let her son’s hand slip from hers. For Danny Simpson and Graham Harris it was the moment one of them took it. Seven years ago Danny and Graham were just children themselves, angry, marginalized and unguided. That was, until they committed a crime so heinous that three families were left devastated. They were no longer just boys. They were monsters. Released from juvenile detention, it is time for the boys, now men, to start again; new names, new people. But they can never escape who they are or what they did. And their own families, now notorious; the Allens, destroyed with grief; and the country at large have never been able to forget. They will always be running. They will always be hiding. But are some mistakes too large, the ripples to far reaching, to outrun forever?

See How They Run by Tom Bale

 

Book description

How far would you go to save your family?

In the dead of night, new parents Alice and Harry French are plunged into their worst nightmare when they wake to find masked men in their bedroom. Men ruthless enough to threaten their baby daughter, Evie.

This is no burglary gone wrong.
The intruders know who they’re looking for – a man called Edward Renshaw.
And they are prepared to kill to get to him.

When the men leave empty handed, little do Alice and Harry realise that their nightmare is just beginning. Is it a case of mistaken identity? Who is Renshaw? And what is he hiding?

In Too Deep by Samantha Hayes

Book description

The compelling new psychological suspense novel, from the author of Until You’re Mine, Before You Die and You Belong to Me. Perfect for fans of S J Watson and Sophie Hannah.

Your husband goes out to buy a newspaper. He never comes back.

Months later, an unexpected phone call puts you and your daughter in unimaginable danger.

Even if he were still alive, your husband can’t save you now.

He told you way too many lies for that.

The Blood On My Hands by Shannon O’Leary

Book description

Set in 1960s and ‘70s Australia, The Blood on My Hands is the dramatic tale of Shannon O’Leary’s childhood years. O’Leary grew up under the shadow of horrific domestic violence, sexual and physical abuse, and serial murder. Her story is one of courageous resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors.

The responses of those whom O’Leary and her immediate family reach out to for help are almost as disturbing as the crimes of her violent father. Relatives are afraid to bring disgrace to the family’s good name, nuns condemn the child’s objections as disobedience and noncompliance, and laws at the time prevent the police from interfering unless someone is killed.

The Blood on My Hands is a heartbreaking—yet riveting—narrative of a childhood spent in pain and terror, betrayed by the people who are supposed to provide safety and understanding, and the strength and courage it takes, not just to survive and escape, but to flourish and thrive.

When I Lost You by Kelly Rimmer

Book description

Do you ever wish you had the chance to meet someone again for the first time?

When Leo and Molly met and married, they believed they were invincible. Together they could take on the world. But Leo,a war correspondent, lives for life on the edge, and when he takes a step into the unknown, tragedy strikes and he loses his memory. Molly rushes to help him fill in the gaps and soon they start falling in love all over again.

The trouble is, Molly is hiding something. Something big. The devoted wife at Leo’s bedside is a sham; Leo and Molly’s marriage was on the rocks long before Leo’s accident.

The closer Molly gets to her husband the more scared she becomes that he will remember. As Leo’s memory begins to trickle back will Molly lose the man she loves for a second time?

Book Post

The Missing by C.L. Taylor 

Book description 

You love your family. They make you feel safe. You trust them.

But should you…?

When fifteen-year-old Billy Wilkinson goes missing in the middle of the night, his mother, Claire, blames herself. She’s not the only one. There isn’t a single member of Billy’s family that doesn’t feel guilty. But the Wilkinson’s are so used to keeping secrets from one another that it isn’t until six months later, after an appeal for information goes horribly wrong, that the truth begins to surface.

Claire is sure of two things – that Billy is still alive and that her friends and family had nothing to do with his disappearance.

A mother’s instinct is never wrong. Or is it?

Sometimes those closest to us are the ones with the most to hide…

Kill Me Again by Rachel Abbott

Book description 

When Maggie Taylor accepts a new job in Manchester, she is sure it is the right move for her family. The children have settled well although her husband, Duncan, doesn’t appear to be so convinced.

But nothing prepares her for the shock of coming home from work one night to find that Duncan has disappeared, leaving their young children alone. His phone is dead, and she has no idea where he has gone, or why. And then she discovers she’s not the only one looking for him.

When a woman who looks just like Maggie is brutally murdered and DCI Tom Douglas is brought in to investigate, Maggie realises how little she knows about Duncan’s past. Is he the man she loves? Who is he running from?

She doesn’t have long to decide whether to trust him or betray him. Because one thing has been made clear to Maggie – another woman will die soon, and it might be her.

Books I won

Over on Crime Book Club I won not one but two books by L J Ross and lots of other goodies, I just had to include a photo of my prize’s don’t you just love them? Many thanks to Shell Baker and LJ Ross for my fab prize

These are the two books I won and book descriptions

Holy Island by LJ Ross

Book description
Detective Chief Inspector Ryan retreats to Holy Island seeking sanctuary when he is forced to take sabbatical leave from his duties as a homicide detective. A few days before Christmas, his peace is shattered and he is thrust back into the murky world of murder when a young woman is found dead amongst the ancient ruins of the nearby Priory.

When former local girl Dr Anna Taylor arrives back on the island as a police consultant, old memories swim to the surface making her confront her difficult past. She and Ryan struggle to work together to hunt a killer who hides in plain sight, while pagan ritual and small-town politics muddy the waters of their investigation.

Murder and mystery are peppered with a sprinkling of romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit set on the spectacular Northumbrian island of Lindisfarne, cut off from the English mainland by a tidal causeway.

Sycamore Gap by L J Ross

Book description

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan believes he has put his turbulent history behind him. Then, in the early hours of the summer solstice, the skeleton of a young woman is found inside the Roman Wall at Sycamore Gap. She has lain undiscovered for ten years and it is Ryan’s job to piece together her past.

Enquiry lines cross and merge as Ryan is forced to face his own demons and enter into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a killer who seems unstoppable.

Murder and mystery are peppered with a sprinkling of romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit set amidst the spectacular scenery of Hadrian’s Wall country in Northumberland.

I have been really good this week and not bought one book, so I have kept to my “not buying any more books until my TBR piles gone down”…. Mind you looking at all the fantastic ARC books I’ve received this week my TBR pile won’t be diminishing anytime soon.

Please feel free to leave a comment, have you read any of the above books? Did you love/hate them? Which ones would you like to read?

**WWW Wednesday**

It’s WWW Wednesday time.

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?

Beneath The Surface by Heidi Perks

Book description

Teenager Abigail Ryder is devastated when she gets home from school to find her family gone. Nothing makes sense. Things are missing from the house and her stepsisters’ room is completely empty. But the police think she’s trouble, and when grandmother Eleanor tells her to forget them all and move on, there’s no choice other than face the future – alone.

Fourteen years on, Abi and Adam are a happy couple on the verge of parenthood. But when the past comes back to haunt Abi, the only way forward is to go back and uncover the truth – and reveal the dreadful secrets a mother has been hiding all these years.

Publication date: 24th March 2016

What did you recently finish reading?

The Girl Who Walked In The Shadows by Marnie Riches

Book description

The third edge-of-your-seat thriller in the Georgina MacKenzie series. Fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo won’t be able to put it down!

Europe is in the grip of an extreme Arctic blast and at the mercy of a killer, who leaves no trace. His weapons of choice are razor-sharp icicles. This is Jack Frost.

Now a fully qualified criminologist, Georgina McKenzie is called upon by the Dutch police to profile this cunning and brutal murderer. Are they looking for a hit man or a frenzied serial-killer? Could there be a link to a cold missing persons’ case that George had worked with Chief Inspector Paul van den Bergen – two abducted toddlers he could never quite give up on?

The hunt for Jack Frost sparks a dangerous, heart-rending journey through the toughest neighbourhoods in Europe, where refugees and Roma gypsies scratch a living on the edge of society. Walking into the dark, violent world of a trans-national trafficking ring, can George outrun death to shed light on two terrible mysteries?

Publication day: 31st March 2016

What do you think you’ll read next?

Bone By Bone by Sanjida Kay 

Book description

Laura loves her daughter more than anything in the world.

But nine-year-old daughter Autumn is being bullied. Laura feels helpless.

When Autumn fails to return home from school one day, Laura goes looking for her. She finds a crowd of older children taunting her little girl.

In the heat of the moment, Laura makes a terrible choice. A choice that will have devastating consequences for her and her daughter…

Please feel free to leave a comment about the books you are reading right now or hope to start this week.