Deserve to Die
By Miranda Rijks 4 stars A trolling murder mystery. With realistic characters running through the storyline, without overdoing it as some novels tend to do. Engaging storyline told from the viewpoint of the two main characters and arch nemesis. Happily married with two wonderful children, Dom and Stacey are living the dream. He runs a successful design agency, she is finding fame as an author of children’s books. Everything is perfect. But then they meet the mesmerizing Tamara and their lives are changed forever. This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #DeserveToDie #NetGalley
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The Scholar
By McTiernan 4 Stars An engaging crime / murder mystery. When Carline Darcy the heir apparent to Irish pharmaceutical giant Darcy Therapeutics, is found death on university grounds, detective Cormac are thrust into a high profile and high pressure case. As Cormac investigates, evidence mounts that the death is linked to a Darcy laboratory and, increasingly, to his partner Dr Emma. In a novel that twists and turns, with the characters questioning their own decisions and loyalty. The storyline engages the reader, in its search for the truth and the identity of the of the killer. This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #TheScholar #NetGalley Deserve to Die
By Miranda Rijks 4 stars A trolling murder mystery. With realistic characters running through the storyline, without overdoing it as some novels tend to do. Engaging storyline told from the viewpoint of the two main characters and arch nemesis. Happily married with two wonderful children, Dom and Stacey are living the dream. He runs a successful design agency, she is finding fame as an author of children’s books. Everything is perfect. But then they meet the mesmerizing Tamara and their lives are changed forever. This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #DeserveToDie #NetGalley No Death for the Wicked
By Drea Damara 4 stars Great spy novel that draws in the reader. Realistic action and the characters leap of the page. The story flows around the two main characters, with the supporting characters adding to the believability of the story. Broken hearted and bullet-ridden, agent Caria Milosc returns to work after the attack that nearly toppled the Trinity intelligence organization. As she digs deeper into her new mission, she uncovers secrets about her boss, leaving her with a moral dilemma—show mercy or taste revenge. After a favor that nearly cost him his life, mercenary Ivan Skavinsk reunites with an underworld group he had infiltrated. Deep in the jungles of Bolivia he finds he may have pushed his vigilantism to the brink. Readers will find the story intriguing, but perhaps a bit long, with some of the later part of the book a little tiresome. Overall though it is a good read, bring back some of the missing actions and tension of sky novels of yesteryear. This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #NoDeathForTheWicked #NetGalley The Kazak Contract
by PAUL PURNELL 4 stars A fast-moving action story. Apart from the rather abrupt ending which is seeing up a second book in the series, the book flows well. James Ballantyne travels to Kazakhstan on a minor diplomatic assignment. A simple task, but he falls for the glamorous aide Ocksana Petrova, sent to guide him through the process. Fate leads him to the rescue of a US special agent who is the target of assassination by the Kazak authorities. Getting out of Kazakhstan alive will draw upon all of James’s military skills, and a lot of luck. With ambush and deception along the way, will he make it to the border and safety? How can he protect his lover? This journey through a wild country stretches every nerve The main characters are well developed, although the love relationship is a little flimsy, which ties the plot together. Set in Kazakhstan, which makes a different setting for which allows for a bit more mystery in the story - exotic, unknown locations. Overall, a good read. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #TheKazakContract #NetGalley Eye for Eye
By J.K. Franko 4 stars A quality murder mystery. How to plan and carry out the perfect murder. Author sucks the reader in with a clever use of dialogue and story telling, with believable characters. What would YOU do? That’s the question racing through the reader’s mind as they get swept up in the heart-pounding thriller Eye for Eye, Book I of The Talion Series by J.K. Franko. Roy Cruise and his wife Susie are still grieving the tragic loss of their daughter when they are approached by another couple with a bizarre Strangers on a Train crisscross-style revenge proposal. Full of compelling twists and turns, dark secrets begin to surface throughout the story, putting the Cruise’s marriage and, eventually, their lives at risk. This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. # EyeForEye #NetGalley Somewhere in the Mediterranean
Into the Night Book 1 by Mark Tiro Four Stars The first book in a series of short stories that move quickly and are full of drama. In this story a ship loaded with refugees, desperately seeking to escape the Second World War, arrives off the coast of Israel, just fifty years too late. This book is a clever merging of drama and sci-fi. The quick story pulls the reader in with a twist at the end. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #SomewhereInTheMediterranean #NetGalley State of Lies
By Siri Mitchell 4 stars. An excellent read of mystery and espionage. Who to trust and who to run from? When Georgie's husband is killed in an accident, she has her son struggle to get on with life. When she discovers some unanswered questions about his death, she starts asking questions. The more questions she asks the more people die. How does what her husband was working on link back to her father? Written in an easy to read, fast paced style, this book is engaging. The plot, set in Washington politics and military is realistic, and the characters, except the husband generally realistic. A good mystery to sit back and enjoy. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #StateOfLies #NetGalley The Jumpgate
By Robert Stadnik 3 stars One of a series of Science Fiction novels in the Exodus Universe Series. While this is one of a series, it can, as I did, be read alone. There is enough of the back story woven into the novel to fill most of the missing gaps. The story picks up with three alien races working with the human species after defeating a joint enemy. They investigate a Jumpgate, used by threatening aliens to attack planets in the Milky Way Galaxy. With orders to investigate but not go thorough all would seem safe. While this is primarily a science fiction novel, it does highlight the greed and poor judgement of some leaders, and the affects it has on others. Not my favourite genre, but an easy and relaxing read. Even in space human poor judgement affects leadership and people's futures. This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. Familiar Strangers
By Jackie Walsh 4 stars Wonderfully written mystery that leaves the reader wanting more. The story line flows well and engages the reader as clues are slowly leaked out. With twists and turns that do not reveal the killer until the last pages. Nancy Wall confesses that Becca is not her child, Becca's world falls apart. Becca tells herself that the words are just a cruel symptom of Nancy’s illness; after all, she has her birth certificate, and pictures of herself as a newborn along with her Mom, Dad and older brother, Danny. Becca tries to forget, to get on with on her life – until the day the police question her about the whereabouts of a missing woman, Katie Collins. Katie has disappeared without a trace, telling her husband that she is leaving to find Rebecca Wall. But Becca doesn’t know Katie, so it’s a case of mistaken identity – isn’t it? A great read that will keep you guessing. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #FamiliarStrangers #NetGalley Wild Card
By Michael Brandman 4 stars Action thriller. Buddy is an LAPD detective that has returned home to take on the sheriff's role while his father recovers from illness. He is suddenly hit with a serial killer on the loose as well as a Russian millionaire running a string of crimes. Things heap up as the Russian thugs get violent. Buddy is a wild card, someone not looking for publicity and not able to bend to political pressure. The story is well written and flows easily, although the outcomes are predictable, the story is enjoyable. Wild Card is the third book in the Buddy Steel series, however it reads fine as a stand-alone book. The background information is quickly and smoothly established. It is fast paced with interesting. A great read. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #NetGalley Murder in Palm Beach
By Bob Brink 3 stars Full of drama Realistic and believable character development. Unfortunately, the plot is dragged out too far to flow really well. Those who persistent though the middle of the book will come to a satisfactory ending. Murder in Palm Beach is the saga of a battle between a man whose swagger has sent him spiralling to the bottom and powerful, sinister forces determined to keep him there. It is a narrative of redemption wrapped in a mystery tale reeking with power, sex, and violence. It also contains a heart-rending love story. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #MurderInPalmBeach #NetGalley Good Girls Lie
By J.T. Ellison 4 stars Classic murder thriller. The story builds tension, engaging the reader as the girls of the Goode Girls Boarding College skip classes and initiate new bees in to clubs. But it is not all fun and games. The mystery about the new students is well developed, as the author unravels the secrets that the girls carry, as well as the staff. The Goode School is a prestigious prep school accepting only the best and the brightest. Its elite status, long-held traditions and honor code are ideal for preparing exceptional young women for brilliant futures at Ivy League universities and beyond. But a stranger has come to Goode, and this ivy has turned poisonous. In a world where appearances are everything, as long as students pretend to follow the rules, no one questions the cruelties of the secret societies or the dubious behavior of the privileged young women who expect to get away with murder. But when a popular student is found dead, the truth cannot be ignored. Rumors suggest she was struggling with a secret that drove her to suicide. Great plot, tension filled story This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #GoodGirlsLie #NetGalley The Arrangement
By Robyn Harding 5 stars Drama filled murder mystery. Great plot and storyline that flows well, dragging the reader in, then hooking them until the final pages. The characters are well developed and mostly believable. The lies and deception reflect life in modern America. Natalie, an art student in New York City, is struggling to pay her bills when a friend makes a suggestion: Why not find a sugar daddy – a wealthy, older man who will pay her for dates, and a monthly allowance. All that’s required is to look pretty. Sexual favours are optional. Along comes Gabe, a handsome finance attorney. For while Natalie enjoys a wonderful life, until he abruptly ends things, Nat can’t let go. She begins drinking heavily and stalking Gabe and his family. When Gabe’s body is found dead, all fingers point towards Natalie. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #TheArrangement #NetGalley A Cold Trail
By Robert Dugoni 4 stars Engaging from the first page to the last. This is the seventh book in the Tracey Crosswhite series. Although it is part of a series it can be read independently of the others. The plot is well developed, with a fast-flowing storyline, that reads easily and well. The story will leave you guessing until the last few chapters as to who the murder is. Characters are well developed. They are introduced into the story line, so as not to confuse the reader. The last time homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite was in Cedar Grove, it was to see her sister’s killer put behind bars. Now she’s returned for a respite and the chance to put her life back in order for herself, her attorney husband, Dan, and their new daughter. But tragic memories soon prove impossible to escape. Dan is drawn into representing a local merchant whose business is jeopardized by the town’s revitalization. And Tracy is urged by the local PD to put her own skills to work on a new case: the brutal murder of a police officer’s wife and local reporter who was investigating a cold-case slaying of a young woman. As Tracy’s and Dan’s cases crisscross, Tracy’s trail becomes dangerous. It’s stirring up her own haunted past and a decades-old conspiracy in Cedar Grove that has erupted in murder. Getting to the truth is all that matters. But what’s Tracy willing to risk as a killer gets closer to her and threatens everyone she loves? This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #AColdTrail #NetGalley Kings and killers
By E.J. Liston 1 star While the story line itself is not bad, not cohesion of the text is missing. Instead it is full of descriptive text that overwhelms the reader. The author uses all the textual features taught in schools in an attempt to engage the reader. This fails spectacularly as the heavy text drowns out the story line. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #NetGalley The Controller
By Matt Brolly 4 Stars Thrilling read Well written plot story that flows from the first page to the last. Characters and plot are well developed. The pain who main characters feel is made real on the pages, Former special agent Samuel Lynch is drawn back into the only investigation he could never solve. An underground organisation known as The Railroad, that is responsible for murders across the nation. Along side him, is Special Agent Sandra Rose whose own investigation of a house invasion gone wrong, reveals the assailant has the legendary, and infamous, Railroad tattoo carved onto his back. Together they become embroiled in an unparalleled world of violence and evil. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #TheController #NetGalley Unbreakable
By Hart River 2 stars While the author has tried to push the pace with action, the story is slow and clumsy. The storyline wanders and tries to unpack the characters and build tension, but it fails to engage the reader. The publisher provides a warning that the title is “is a tightly woven psychological thriller”. From my reading of the title this is an hopeful statement. Innocence is often the first casualty of war. Such is the case for Dr. Israel (Izzy) Moskowitz, drafted from his residency at Columbia University to the 99KO, the Army’s frontline psychiatric unit of the 8th Field Hospital. Having left his fiancée in New York, Izzy, along with his new friend, Dr. Gregg Kelly, is ill-prepared for the death and carnage of the horrific war that greets him. J.D. Mikel arrives at the 99KO, presumably as another "shrink" but it's quickly apparent that he's really a "spook"--the CIA's most devious spy/assassin--undercover in search of a so-called Ghost Soldier responsible for the gruesome murders of U.S. troops. He recruits the reluctant Izzy and Gregg as his assistants for their psychological expertise since there could be a military personnel nut job on the loose. Izzy--already questioning his own sanity after witnessing multiple traumatic events--realizes he must quickly find a stronger, craftier, more resilient version of himself. Along the Mekong River, amidst soldiers losing their minds, mortar attacks, death and the heat of hell's fire, Izzy, Gregg and J.D. discover the true depth of friendship in a shared quest to become UNBREAKABLE. Thrill less read. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #NetGalley The Assistant
By S.K. Tremayne 5 stars. A fast-moving psychological thriller, that is near impossible to put down. Our world is adopting more and more technology into our lives. The technology is getting smarter and smarter. What if, the technology started to think and make decisions to take over our lives. Newly divorced Jo is delighted to move into her best friend’s spare room almost rent-free. The high-tech luxury flat is managed by a meticulous Home Assistant, called Electra, that takes care of the heating and the lights. Then, Electra starts tormenting Jo. What starts as a drunken haze soon escalates. An intriguing plot, that builds tension around some believable characters and situations. With twists and mystery surrounding who is behind the tormenting, the book will have you second guessing our dependence on technology. This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #TheAssistant #NetGalley Galley of the Dead
By Chris Carter 4 stars. Enthralling thriller that builds tension as you read through the novel. This book sets up the two LAPD heroes who speciality is the most violent of crimes. This story certainly fits into this. The plot, although scary is believable and the characters generally well developed. ‘Thirty-seven years in the force, and if I was allowed to choose just one thing to erase from my mind, what’s inside that room would be it.’ That’s what a LAPD Lieutenant tells Detectives Hunter and Garcia of the Ultra Violent Crimes Unit as they arrive at one of the most shocking crime scenes they have ever attended. In a completely unexpected turn of events, the detectives find themselves joining forces with the FBI to track down a serial killer whose hunting ground sees no borders; a psychopath who loves what he does because to him murder is much more than just killing – it’s an art form. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #GalleyOfTheDead #NetGalley Hunting Evil
By Chris Carter 5 stars A gripping thriller that will leave you on the edge of you seat. Fast paced story line that is full of action, along with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged from the first to the last page. As roommates, they met for the first time in college. Two of the brightest minds ever to graduate from Stamford Psychology University. As adversaries, they met again in Quantico, Virginia. Robert Hunter had become the head of the LAPD’s Ultra Violent Crimes Unit. Lucien Folter had become the most prolific and dangerous serial killer the FBI had ever encountered. Now, after spending three and a half years locked in solitary confinement, Lucien has finally managed to break free. And he’s angry. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #HuntingEvil #NetGalley Deadly Secrets
By OMJ Ryan 2 stars Slow to start. The story premise is great. However that’s where the good news finishes. The storyline is slow. Deadly slow. Tension doesn't really build until the final pages if you get that far. The characters are hardly believable. The whole book lacks the depth of a dramatic work, or the action and tension of a thriller. Millionaire Marty Michaels had the perfect life - until he found a dead girl in his bathroom… But Marty discovers that power comes at a price when he wakes in a strange hotel room and finds a murdered girl in the bathroom. He’s been set up, someone wants to destroy him. Things go from bad to worse when tenacious DCI Jane Phillips is assigned to his case, determined his celebrity won’t get in the way of justice. Even Marty’s powerhouse lawyer, Nicolette Johnson, fears this is a case she simply can’t win. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #DeadlySecrets #NetGalley The day the Lies Began
By Kylie Kaden 3 stars While this is a well written drama, that develops tension, it is a slow read. Both the story line and the characters are well developed, which slowly builds. The story is painfully slow to build though. In main due to the amount of work in the character development. It happened the day of the Moon Festival. It could have been left behind, they all could have moved on with their lives. But secrets have a habit of rising to the surface, especially in small towns. Two couples, four ironclad friendships, the perfect coastal holiday town. With salt-stung houses perched like lifeguards overlooking the shore, Lago Point is the scene of postcards, not crime scenes. Wife and mother Abbi, town cop Blake, schoolteacher Hannah and local doctor Will are caught in their own tangled webs of deceit. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #TheDayTheLiesBegan #NetGalley Island Fever
By Jeremy DCP 1 star Slow to build tension. I question which genre this title belongs in. Probably best located in erotica, because there is so little plot. What character development there is seems a filler between sex scenes. The whole story line needs tightening and the book edited for cohesion and fluency. This is supposedly the first in a series. It will require the sexual content to sell titles if the story is anything to go by. Six gorgeous women. One mysterious man. Alone together in an escape to paradise. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #IslandFever #NetGalley Fresh Doubt
By Eva Hudson 5 stars Featuring a tough female lead in a true murder mystery. This title is filled with drama and suspense. There is action on every page. The story line plausible, and a lot better than many of the mystery’s currently on the market place. Even Ingrid as the lead character is believable. A well written story that leaves the reader wanting more. This is the first in a series featuring Special FBI Agent Ingrid Skyberg series. Ingrid now working out of the US embassy in London is investigating the death of an US student. As she digs deeper, the deadlier the case gets. And when she uncovers a sinister group operating within the psychology department, Ingrid is in far more danger than she realizes. Up against the clock, and disobeying strict FBI protocols, Ingrid’s obsession to bring the killer to justice takes her far beyond the law. So far she may never get back. This title has been reviewed by https://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. #FreshDoubt #NetGalley |
AuthorHeath writes reviews regularly for newspapers and magazines. Archives
January 2020
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