Book Review: The Queen of Cups Murders

Good evening Bookaholics. I am delighted to bring you my review of The Queen of Cups Murders by GB Williams as part of the Reading Between The Lines Blog Tour. I really am delighted as blogger and google were convinced I did not exist earlier. Anyway, here I am, not only existing but reviewing. Phew. You'll be glad I did.

Blurb 

He’s determined to draw a better future. But his morning reading didn’t warn him about the muddy ditch of corpses…

South Wales. Detective Sergeant Madoc Palmer struggles to fit in. Committed to his job, the tarot reader hopes his transfer away from a sabotaging superior is a fresh start. Though he downplays his psychic ability as good instincts, the ploy is tested when two murders trigger strange visions.

As his abilities take an inexplicable leap forward, Palmer navigates the tricky task of guiding the sharp-eyed, evidence-following Detective Inspector Ruth Atkins to the identity of the decayed remains. With his suspicious new DI watching every move, the newcomer fears any slip of the tongue could get him laughed off the force.

Can he reveal his truth without destroying his life or letting a killer slip from their grasp?

Review

From the first word to the last, this book is extremely well written with a skilful use of language which brings the story to life. I love the twist that Madoc, the main detective, is psychic and uses Tarot Cards to support the investigation. The interplay between Ruth and Madoc is good and they work well together as a team. The characters are real and I like the fact the reader also gets to see their personal storyline which brings them to life.There are a couple of areas where I felt the storyline was slightly improbable but this is necessary to Ruth's overall character arc which I am sure will be developed further in later books in the series. The story kept me reading and I enjoyed it. I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series. Williams is an excellent writer with a flair for storytelling which shines through in every page. Finally, I love the literary easter egg of the play on the characters' names. Brilliant. 

About the Author 

GB Williams specialises in complex, fast-paced crime novels. Her works include the recently expanded Locked Trilogy, The Elaine Blake Novels and the stand alone, The Chair. GB was shortlisted for the 2014 CWA Margery Allingham Short Story Competition with the story Last Shakes, now available in Last Cut Casebook. GB is a member of the Crime Writers Association, Crime Cymru, and part of the organising team for Gŵyl CRIME CYMRU Festival, as well as working as a writer and freelance structural editor.

LINK TO BUY

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murders-Atkins-Palmer-Psychic-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0DHV429QP


WEBSITE

https://gailbwilliams.co.uk

For a free story, see books.gailbwilliams.com.


SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: @GBWilliamsCrimeWriter

Instagram: @gbwilliamsauthor

Threads: @gbwilliamsauthor

Blog: GB Williams Crime Blog

The Migrant by Paul Alkazraji - a do not miss thriller

 

Hello, Bookaholics, and welcome back as I bring you another cracking book. I did review Paul's book previously on this blog and you can check out my review here. Today, I am honoured to be bringing you an exclusive extract from the book so you can find out why I loved it so much I am devoting two blogs to telling you about it. 

Blurb

Fascist populists, callous sex-traffickers and murderous mafia gangs - these were not what Pastor Jude Kilburn had expected to face when he moved to Albania. But when vulnerable 19-year-old Alban disappears from his poverty-stricken village to seek work in Greece, Jude has to undertake the perilous journey across the mountains to try and rescue him from the ruthless Athenian underworld. Accompanied by a volatile secret-service agent and a reformed gangster, Jude soon finds himself struggling to keep everyone together as personal tensions rise and violent anti-austerity riots threaten to tear them apart and undermine the mission. Caught between cynical secret police and a brutal crime syndicate, the fate of them all will be determined by a trafficked girl - but not every one will make it home. The Migrant is a tense and evocative thriller with a powerful redemptive twist.

Extract

It was then that Alban heard two different sounds almost at the same time. In the corner of the clearing a branch snapped. Two round eyes, low to the ground, bounded towards the plastic bags and beer cans, and the form of a large brown bear took shape in the darkness. The bear stopped when it saw them and gave a long, whining growl. Heavy running footsteps and the electronic hiss of a two-way radio came from the stone bridge. Ervin was staring wide-eyed back at Alban. Seconds later, the muscular policeman climbed up on the far edge of the clearing. The bear growled at him and rose up on its hind legs before turning and bolting back into the undergrowth. The policeman fell back out of sight.

Alban grasped his sack and plunged into the pine trees until the branches struck his face and knocked him onto his back. Ervin suddenly stood over him looking down.

‘Come on!’ he shouted. ‘Quickly, get going.’ Ervin lifted him by the shoulders. Alban turned and began scrambling forwards on all fours dragging his sack along with him. He could feel Ervin at his heels bumping into him. The stones, twigs and pine cones scratched his forearms and knees as he charged under the tightly interwoven lower branches. He coughed and gasped for breath as the dust came up into his face. He felt two hands grasp his ankles and he spun over to see Ervin being dragged backwards, his hold now released on him.

‘Go – just go. Keep going,’ shouted Ervin. He saw his friend’s eyes widen as his arms flailed and grasped at the rows of trunks. He heard him cry out in pain. Alban turned to look ahead of him, and set off like some spooked forest creature, on and on until he tumbled out of the far edge and down a bank. He got to his feet and sprinted along a narrow track, up onto a rocky knoll, and jumped down into a cleft between two boulders to hide. As his panting for breath began to ease, he wiped the tears and dirt from his cheek. He listened. It was quiet. He waited and could hear no one in pursuit. He lowered his head into his hands and heaved out two sobs. Oh, Uncle Skender, he thought to himself, what have I done?

There was little noise around him except the hum of cicadas and the far-away trickle of water. Then carrying across the still night he heard a voice shout something in Greek and a terrible shriek of pain, and fragments of phrases: ‘No, no ... please ... stop ... don’t ... dog ... you dog.’ He listened again. Ervin cried out. Alban bit his hand as he heard it and closed his eyes. He let his head hang and then he drew his hand under his nose to clean it. He lifted his face slowly, rose out of the rocky cleft and peered around. There was no one. He threw his sack over his shoulder and trod down the knoll. He walked cautiously back in the direction he had come until he found the place where he had tumbled out of the pine trees. He moved past it looking to see where the treeline went, and kept to it hoping he might circle back close to the clearing where they had been. Ten minutes later, he was following the ravine back upstream until he could make out the arch of the stone bridge ahead of him. The sound of Ervin screaming and pleading had grown louder. He winced. He crawled closer on his front up a bank and set aside his sack. He peered over the edge of the clearing and he saw his friend being held by his shirt at the neck. The policeman flung him down and kicked him. Ervin moaned and rolled over.

Sliding back down lower, Alban closed his eyes. He thought about what he could do. He opened them and looked at his hands. They were trembling. He saw a broken branch by his side. It looked thick but dry and rotten. He stretched his hand towards it, and with the tips of his fingers pulled it closer and into his palm. He eased himself onto his back and began to breathe deeply. He saw his breath steam rise high in gusts. He looked up at the millions of stars in the clear Balkan night above him. In his field of vision the policeman suddenly entered and stood looking down on him. For a split second he saw his broad, muscular shoulders, his hair sheared close across his temples, and his eyes – yet one was odd. In fear and panic he brought the branch up into the man’s face and it smashed there into pieces. The man groped at his eyes and tumbled down the bank.

Alban got to his feet, grabbed his sack and ran towards Ervin. He pulled him up off the ground and looked at his face. It was dark and blood-sticky.

‘Hey, friend. Are you coming with me to Greece?’ he shouted. A grin broke across Ervin’s dazed face. Alban clutched his shirt and dragged him forwards, stumbling over the clearing. They tore down the edge of the treeline together. Soon they were running parallel to the ravine. Alban’s sack caught a branch and was snagged from his hand. He stopped to retrieve it. He looked back. The policeman was up now and coming.

They came to a rocky hillock and bounded up it like young goats and then down the other side into a hedge of rosehip bushes. Ervin waded through them ahead lifting the long fronds aside so that they would not snap back on him. Alban, though, felt the thorns of one cut into the flesh of his shoulder and he cried out. They tumbled out of the other side onto the grass and crawled forward until they came to the edge of the land. Alban looked down. Below them was an almost sheer bank of earth falling to the rocky bed of the stream perhaps fifty metres down. He looked out over the mountains before them. The moonlight caught a row of wind turbines on a distant ridgeline. He could smell Ervin’s sweat and blood. He thought he heard the bear growl far away, but he was sure he heard a man grunt and spit. He turned to look behind them. On the top of the hillock the policeman stood against the stars. He reached his hand down to the holster on his thigh and drew out the fat, black pistol.

‘You little dogs!’ he shouted. He mounted it across his right forearm with his left hand. Alban grabbed his friend’s arm and dragged him over the edge as two shots cracked out and echoed along the ravine.

You can buy the books via the links below. These are affiliate links so I will receive a small amount of money if you buy. 

    

About Paul Alkazraji

Paul Alkazraji worked as a freelance journalist in the UK from the mid-nineties. His articles were published in Christianity Magazine, The Christian Herald, The Church Times, The Baptist Times and other publications. His travel articles were also published in The Independent. His first book Love Changes Everything, a collection of seven testimonies, was published by Scripture Union in 2001. His second book Heart of a Hooligan, a biography of ex-football hooligan Dave Jeal, was published by Highland Books in 2000. His third book Christ and the Kalashnikov, a biography of missionaries Ian and Caralee Loring, was published by Zondervan in 2001. From 2004 to 2010 he was editor and publisher of Ujëvarë magazine in Albania. His first novel, 'The Silencer', was published by Highland Books in 2012. His new novel, 'The Migrant', set in Albania and Athens during the austerity troubles, was published by Instant Apostle in February 2019.

I hope you have enjoyed the extract and it's whet your appetite for the book as a whole. Meet me back here soon for another cracking blog post and until then, keep on reading and keep on writing. 

Find out more 

Twitter

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads

Thank you to Reading Between The Lines Book Tours for the opportunity to highlight this book. 

Unravelling by Helen Forbes

Well, my Bookaholics friends, you know I like crime books and the book I bring you today is a cracker. Seriously, I'm blown away. Unravelling by Helen Forbes draws you in from the first exciting sentence to the very last word. I am going to start by giving you the blurb as come context.

Kate Sharp’s family is a mystery. Her mother, Ellen, disappeared into the shadows of Craig Dunain psychiatric hospital when Kate was a child. When her grandmother dies, Kate is desperate for answers. What were the circumstances of her mother’s life and death? Who is her father? Kate’s not the only one trying to uncover the truth. The remains of two bodies with murderous injuries have been found buried in the forest next to the former hospital. And someone else is searching for answers, and he will stop at nothing to find them. As the tale of Ellen’s tragic unravelling unfolds, the secrets that led to her death are exposed, along with the shocking truth about Kate’s father. Unaware of the danger stalking her, Kate continues her search. Will she find the answers? And can she save her own life?

Forbes is an outstanding wordsmith and this is apparent throughout the book. I do workshops on writing a killer first line and this first line is going to make it to the workshop as being a perfect example. I am hoping the author and publisher will forgive me but I just had to share it here. 

'The sway of the noose was mesmerising against the shimmering light that danced between the branches'.

From the minute I read that line, I was hooked and knew I just had to read on. This is writing which invites and tantalises drawing you in word by perfectly crafted word. 

The tense plotline is also superb with highs and lows which had my emotions all over the place and I genuinely wanted to know the secrets that had shaped Kate's Life. Kate is a troubled character but realistic and interesting. I think the author has drawn her well and takes the reader deep inside her head an her soul. We certainly know her by the end of the book.

Page-turner may be a cliche but it certainly applies in this case. I found myself reading way past the point of a sensible bedtime as I wanted to know what happens.

Well done to the author, I am going to search out more books by her. 

You can buy the book from any bookstore or from Amazon via the links below. These are affiliate links and I will receive a few pence if you purchase via the link. 

 

I was given a review copy of  this book as part of the Reading Between the Lines Blog Tour. At no pint was I asked to provide a positive review and my review is based on my reading and enjoyment of the book. 

 

The Sandpit by Nicholas Shakespeare

Good morning bookaholics. The sun is shining here in Bonnie Dundee. The perfect type of day to grab a book and read in the garden. Have I got a treat for you today. A Cold War thriller which is happening now. 

This is a brilliant book. Shakespeare is a wordsmith, apparent in every carefully chosen word. The words paint a picture that start off gently, then pull you in to the tight plot. John Dyer, recently returned to Oxford from Brazil, leads a quiet life and looking after his young son. However, a supposedly chance meeting on the sidelines of a football pitch, drags him into a taut game of cat and mouse. Rustam Marvar, an Iranian scientist, tells Dyer about an earth shattering scientific discovery and then disappears. This leads to a story which intrigued and excites in breathtaking measure. The characters are complex and beautifully written, each with their own diverse personalities. I felt as if I knew them personally. In a couple of places there are some scientific explanations which could slow the plot down. However, these are handled well and were interesting. Would I read another book by this author? Very definitely. Would I recommend this one? Unreservedly. A beautifully written book which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I was captivated by this book and the well plotted narrative and genuinely could not stop reading. 

This isn’t out yet my Bookaholic friends but it is definitely one to pre-order. You can do so on Amazon I’ll be back soon with another great review. Until then keep reading. 

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC of this book.

The Migrant by Paul Alkazraji

Good morning Bookaholics. I hope you are in fine fettle and ready for another great week of reading. Have I got a treat in store for you. I am honoured to be kicking of the Blog Tour for Paul Alkazraji. Having read Paul's first book, I was looking forward to this one and he did not disappoint.

The Migrant is a cracking thriller, not the edge of your seat type but, one which uses pace to extremely good effect to heighten the tension and draw out the action. The very nature of this made me want to keep reading way past a sensible bedtime. It kept me from my own writing so that I could read it, and as regular readers of this blog know, that is not easily done. The main character, Jude, the pastor of a church in Albania, did not expect to be involved in a cat and mouse chase with various nefarious parties - as it says in the blurb - Fascist populists, callous sex-traffickers and murderous mafia gangs. Not your average day for a pastor. In fact, not your average day for most people. There are also political issues sprinkled throughout the book but this is done with a light touch so that it enhances rather than detracts from the story.

The characters are well rounded and believable. There are minor touches thrown in that give you a real sense of who they are. Jude and his wife resonated with me as they are people who care about others and put this above their own safety or needs. I liked Jude immensely and was rooting for him  for every step of his tense journey to rescue nineteen-year-old Alban. By the way, I love the fact the name is the first part of Albania. It appealed to me. 

The action moves between Albania and Greece. Alkarjazi is a master of description, using just enough that one gets a real sense of place. I've never been to Albania but could picture it perfectly and want to go there now. Without the gangsters, fascist populists, callous sex-traffickers or mafia gangs of course. I have been to Greece and Alkarjazi has this spot on. 

This is a Christian novel and the Christianity is important to the book. However, it does not overwhelm and this is a book which can be read by anyone. This is a good thing as I will certainly be recommending it to all my friends. And especially to you my bookaholic friends. This is a book you should buy and read now. You will not regret it. You can even click below, download and be reading before you know it.

    

Bye for now and I'll be back soon with another fantastic bookaholic post. Remember, keep on reading.

Paul Alkazraji

Paul is the author of 'The Migrant', a thriller set against the background of the European Migrant Crisis, and published by Instant Apostle on 15 February 2019. Paul worked as a freelance journalist in the UK from the mid-nineties. His was published in Christianity Magazine, The Christian Herald, The Church Times and The Baptist Times among other publications, and his travel articles were also published in The Independent.

Paul’s first book Love Changes Everything, a collection of seven testimonies, was published by Scripture Union in 2001, and his second, Heart of a Hooligan, a biography of ex-football hooligan Dave Jeal, was published by Highland Books in 2000. His third book Christ and the Kalashnikov, a biography of missionaries Ian and Caralee Loring, was published by Harper Collins in 2001. The Silencer, a thriller set in Albania, Greece and Turkey, was published by Highland Books in 2012.

Paul has lived and worked with the church in Albania for fifteen years. He likes listening to music, being by the Aegean Sea or Ohrid Lake, and skiing – when the snow comes!

Book Review: The Breakdown by B A Paris

Good morning, Bookaholics. I have a book review for you today, of a book I am sure you will love as much s I do. I was fortunate to be given and Advance Reader Copy of The Breakdown through NetGalley. I'm jolly glad I requested it because what a cracking book it turned out to be. 

I haven't read B A Paris's previous books but I liked the look of this one so thought I'd take chance on a new author. Paris is an excellent author with a tight writing style which really ramps up the tension and plays on the motions. The emotional aspects of the book are beautifully handled and the psychological aspects tense. 

The book starts when Cass sees a woman in a car in a lane in a dark wood. She does not stop and the woman is subsequently murdered. Alongside this Cass is forgetting things and is worried that she is developing early onset Alzheimers like her mother. This leads to a taut psychological thriller which had me on the edge of my seat. I truly could not put it down and was reading until 3.30 am to find out what happens. To say it is a page turner may be a cliche but it is true. 

There are not many characters in the book but the ones which are there are realistic. The way they play of each other and the very sparsity of them only adds to the tension.

This is an outstanding book which I would not hesitate to recommend.

So there you have it my Bookaholic friends. This is one of those not to be missed books which I am sure you will want to read immediately. You an preorder from the link below

Enjoy the book and I'll see you back here soon. 

Book Review: A Parallel Trust by James Stoddah

Firstly please accept my apologies for the lack of blog posts this year. I have been head down writing and editing, so perhaps you will forgive me. I am back in the drivers seat now and ready to catch up. Today I bring you a review of a brilliant book by new author, to me, James Stoddah.

The book starts of with the story of 17 year old Aril who is sent a geocaching puzzle to solve. He sets off on his new motorbike to solve the puzzle. Each time he solves it he is given another clue. This part of the book itself is thrilling but about a third of the way through, a shocking twist takes the game off in a more deadly direction. The tension is ramped up and the action never stops. The book is well written with a tight plot and believable characters. I love the way the characters interact and are realistic in the way they are portrayed. I do not read YA books but the plot of this one appealed to me.

Stoddah is an excellent writer and he uses words to brilliant effect. The surprises never stop coming, almost up to the last page. I was genuinely sad when the book finished as I wanted to keep reading.


This is the first book I have read by this author. I am now off to download his other one. This is a book, and and author I can highly recommend.

    

That's it for another day. This is a book I recommend you download now as it is so good. The links above will take you to Amazon UK and Amazon USA. I will earn a small affiliate fee if you use these links.

See you all back here soon my Bookaholic friends with a review of another great book. Until then keep reading or writing

Book Review: The Peace Garden by Fiona Veitch Smith

Good morning Bookaholics. I trust you are all well and enjoying whatever book you are reading. If you are looking for a new book then today I bring you a cracker of a crime thriller. 

This is a book on two levels. At its most basic it is about a young girl who sets out to investigate why plants are going missing in an English suburb. This seemingly simple premise leads to an exciting thriller which takes the reader on a roller coaster ride. It plays out in both England and South Africa. This is during the apartheid era and the depiction of life for black South Africans during this time is superb. The characters are well rounded and come across as real. The reader can almost palpably feel the anger emanating from Thabo, a young Black teenager. Natalie, the main character is also real and the reader sees her grow and develop throughout the book. 

The settings also play a large part in the book. They are beautifully drawn and the reader can imagine them perfectly. Veitch Smith contrasts them and then skillfully pulls them together. 

Fiona Veitch Smith is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading more from her. This is a book I can highly recommend.  You can buy it by clicking on the link below. 

     

So there we have it for another day Bookaholics. See you all back here soon. Until then, keep reading. 

Book Review: Fixed in Blood by T.E. Woods

Good evening Bookaholics. I realise there has been a lot of writing talk on the blog recently so to make up for it I am bringing you a review of a top rate book. All the mystery fans out there will love this one. 

I really enjoyed Woods first book the fixer and was looking forward to this new offering. I was not disappointed. Woods is an excellent storyteller and uses words to good effect. She draws the reader in and keeps them reading. I was engrossed in the story form the first word. 

Initially the different parts of the story seem a little disparate but once you get to know the characters and the story better they start to pull together. In fact the wondering where it is all going is part of the overall tension. There is tension aplenty in this book. There are parts which are high octane and others which are slower paced, but the tension never eases up. 

I liked the characters, particularly that of the Chief of Detectives Mort Grant. He is not a caricature but a real person, confident, knows what he is doing and yet with his own foibles. Woods uses dialogue to good effect to keep the story moving and to give characters their own voice. 

Some parts of the book are really creepy and the reader feels like they are in the presence of evil. There are some parts which are not for the faint hearted. Given the themes of the book such as the sex trade, they are necessary for the story and help to set the tone of the book. I feel they are handled well. The resolution of all the storylines and the way they pull together is excellent. I certainly wasn't expecting the end. 

This is a top notch book, fast paced and engrossing, and I would highly recommend it. 

   

This book will not be available until 16th June. However, it is available on preorder from Amazon on the link above. 

That brings us to the end of another review and book aloha blog. See you all back here very soon. 

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. At no time was I asked to provide a positive review. The review is imperial and based on my reading and enjoyment of the book. 

Peace by Jeff Nesbit

 

Good morning to all my Bookaholic friends. It's a dreich day here in Bonny Scotland. For all the non Scots speakers this means it is bucketing with rain. So perfect reading weather. Today I bring you an excellent Technothriller which I am sure you will enjoy.

I picked this book up as the price had been reduced in my local bookshop. If I had known how good it would be I would have picked it up at full price earlier. What a book. It is nail biting, on the edge of your seat stuff. Iran and North Korea have nuclear capabilities and are going to use it to obliterate Israel, and indeed half the world. However, before you think this is a book about war, it is so much more than that. This is a technothriller which demonstrates how technology can be used for both good and evil. It is also a book of characters, all of whom jump from the page. Good, or bad, they are perfectly drawn and are perfectly human.

This novel was written in 2011 but given the situation in the Middle East today, could almost be considered prophetic.

The one thing I will say about the book is that it does tend to jump between characters and situations in each chapter. This gave it a somewhat unsettling feel to start with. However, once you got used to this the storyline zipped along. All the, seemingly disparate, plots tied together beautifully at the end. There were a couple of characters I would have liked to have seen more of and have their story explained more fully. However, this is the first book in a series, so these may be picked up in later books. This is a Christian book but the Christian theme is very low key and does not detract from the main story. This is a book which would be enjoyed by anon regardless of their faith.

Overall an excellent book which I would highly recommend.

             

So there we have it for another day. If it's raining where you are make the most of it and grab a book to read. If the sun is splitting the rocks where you are go find a chair in the sun and grab a book to read. Whatever you are doing enjoy. See you next time.

Book Review: Spree by Michael Morley

Good morning my bookaholic friends. Today I bring you a book so fast paced it will leave you running to catch up.

I was busy so held of reading this book for a few weeks. That turned out to be a mistake. This is honestly one of the best Thriller/Mysteries I have read. I love the characters of Jake Motram and Angie Holmes, who are a formidable combination. They are portrayed almost as real people with the insecurities that come along with merely being human. In this book they are having some problems in their relationship. This plays a part in the book but is very firmly linked to the plot.

There is a madman on the loose who is randomly killing people in large massacres. hence the title Spree. There is a lot of controversy over whether this is a spree or a serial killer and this adds to the tension, not only of the plot, but in the aforementioned relationship. There are so many twists and turns in this book you wonder how you will ever find your way back, or even to the end. The book is like negotiating Hampton Court Maze wearing a blindfold. The action  is non stop and this keeps you reading long after you should have put the book down for the night. There are several shocks which keep you wondering until the ned of the book. The plot is tied up expertly at the end and the tension is kept up right to the last page.This book gives added edge to the phrase page turner.

This is a book which I would recommend everyone to read if you like mysteries with non stop action and plenty of surprises. The book is worth every penny you will pay for it.

           

The link for the UK version is above. Apologies to my readers in other countries but Amazon will not let me link to the US version of this. It is available if you search in the Amazon in your won country.

That's it for another day. Tune in soon for another review of another highly rated book. Until then grab the nearest book and start reading it.

Blood Rites by S.J. Rozan

As I have been knee deep in murder and mystery in my writing life, I am continuing the theme with todays book review. This book is full of enough thrills and chills to keep the most ardent of crime and thriller reader happy.

The book takes place in Hong Kong, which as everyone knows is now part of China.  Having lived in Hong Kong for 2 years I was excited to read this book. I have not read anything by this author before but I am now definitely going to have to change that. Rozan brings Hong Kong and the way of life to vividid reality. I could picture every scent, sound and smell. This is not just because I know the area, but because Rozan has an evocative style of writing which paints a very realistic picture.

The characters are superb, particularly the main ones. Bill Smith and Lydia Chin resonated with me as characters and I finished the book wanting to know more about them. This read is  a whistle stop ride and I found that I wanted to keep on reading? The twists and turns are numerous and occasionally a little perplexing but this really added to the tension. The writer is deft at bringing all the strands together. At the end I found myself thinking where can I buy another book by this author. The suspense had me feeling like I was on a knife edge.

       

Buy this, it is worth every penny of the cover price. I can assure you that you want regret it.

That's us for another day on Bookaholic. I look forward to seeing you all again soon and bringing you another fabulous book. Until then, keep reading.

Lonely Graves by Britta Bolt

WE are off to Amsterdam today in Bookaholic. You can't say we don't get around. My reviews are a whistle stop tour around the world.

Lonely Graves is the first book in a new and exciting trilogy. Pieter Posthumus is in charge of the lonely funerals team. This department looks into the deaths and life of the recently deceased. He then ensures that they do not get buried unmourned. Taking his job seriously he looks into the death of a Moroccan immigrant and finds himself caught up in a suspected terror plot.

The author, Britta Bolt, has a great writing style. The characters are brought to life, quirks and all, making them jump from the page. The seedy underbelly of Amsterdam is exposed. One thing I did particularly enjoy was the way in which both sides of Islam are examined. It shows decent families who live good lives and get on well with their neighbours. Often this is missing in thrillers where only the terrorist aspect is portrayed.

Whilst this is not a page turner, it is a great book with some instances of real tension. The book finishes well, with an excellent set up for the next book in the trilogy. My only disappointment is that the second book is not yet out. I look forward to its publication.

     



This book is not yet published but is well worth pre-ordering. For my US readers. Sorry but I am unable to post the link for US as yet. Well worth looking up though

The 500 by Mathew Quirk

Today on Bookaholic I bring you a real page turner of a mystery thriller.

This is the first book published by Matthew Quirk and I sincerely hope it will not be his last. Mike Ford has escaped from his upbringing and background as a member of a crime family.  After working hard to graduate from Harvard law school he has landed a job in a prestigious Washington firm. The job and the income seem like a dream. However,  he soon comes to realise that he is in it right up to the top of his new designer suit in more trouble than he left behind. His supposedly "honest" firm is not what it seems and Mike is playing a part that he wasn't expecting to play and certainly doesn't want to play.

I can't say much more without giving the plot away, but no one is who they seem and throughout the book would will be wondering, 'who are the good guys,who are the bad guys'? Often it is difficult to work out. As I say nothing is apparent. This is a well written book, with a good writing style which hooks the reader, pulls them in and keeps them reading. I could really identify with all the characters, good and bad and they are certainly well scripted. There are a lot of twists and turns and this kept me turning the pages. It is not a long book, but the story does not suffer for this. It is not your usual blood and guts thriller, with dialogue being used to paint the picture of what is happening, but some scenes are quite gruesome. I loved this book and would highly recommend it.

I was given a copy of this book from the publishers in return for a fair and honest review. I was not expected or urged to write a positive review. The review I have given is fair and based on my reading of the book. 

So that's it for another day. The next book I am reading is almost 800 pages long so it may be a couple of days before I get to you again. With all the bad weather around the world why not download this book and spent a pleasant few hours in the warmth reading. See you all next time on Bookaholic. 

Black Bear (Peter Cotton) by Aly Monroe

We are going back in time today on Bookaholic, with a thriller which is gentle and yet immediately absorbing.

As thrillers this is not an example of non stop action or a roller coaster ride. What it is, is a compelling and absorbing read driven by excellent characterisation and dialogue. It presents a slice of life, from days long gone, just after the second World War. This is the fourth outing for Petter Cotton, Aly Monroe's engaging spy. He is in America assisting with the set up of the new United Nations. Whilst there he finds himself wakening up in a private clinic for veterans. He has no memory of what has happened or how he got there. It is fairly quickly apparent that he has been drugged and the book revolves around how this happened. Whilst recovering he meets an engaging cast of characters and this is where the book comes into it's own. There is a mystery running through the book and we are aware of this, however it takes second place to the characters.

Each character is expertly drawn and beautifully brought to life. I found myself quickly warming to them and wanting to know more about both them and there lives. It is through them that Peter pieces together what has happened to him. As I said at the beginning of this review this is a compelling book and I could not put it down. It is solid and entertaining read which I would highly recommend. This is not just a book for lovers of spy stories but for everyone. I can't quite put my finger on why this book held my attention so well but it did. That should sum up how good it was.

So there we are for another day. I can assure you this is a book that is worth downloading and reading straight away. You wont regret it. If you do, curl up, put plenty of time aside, and enjoy. Keep reading.