Month: Jul 2019

Blog Tour – TWO VICTIMS (DCI Rachel King #2) by Helen H Durrant #crimefiction #detective #netgalley #twovictims @joffebooks @hhdurrant

Today I am thrilled to be opening the Blog Tour and bringing to your attention a stunning new release by the awesome HELEN H DURRANT. Two Victims is the second book in the bestselling DCI Rachel King series and it is one adrenaline pumping page-turner from the first page to the last.

Escape

Two Victims (Detective Rachel King #2) by Helen H Durrant

Available from AMAZON £1.99/$1.99

GOODREADS

MEET DETECTIVE RACHEL KING IN THIS BRILLIANT NEW CRIME SERIES.

DISCOVER A BRAND NEW MYSTERY FROM #1 BEST-SELLING AUTHOR HELEN H. DURRANT THAT WILL HAVE YOU GRIPPED FROM START TO PULSATING FINISH.

A MURDERED WOMAN FOUND ON A BUILDING SITE. EXECUTED BY A SINGLE GUN SHOT. BUT WORSE IS TO COME. ANOTHER BODY IS FOUND BURIED IN THE SAME PLACE.

Detective Rachel King has two victims to deal with. The first woman was local nurse, Agnes Moore. One of the victim’s friends makes contact but then disappears.

Does Rachel have a serial killer on her hands? And what was Agnes really helping local girls with?

Will Rachel’s former lover, well-know villain Jed McAteer come back to haunt her with his connections to the victims.

Who will pay the ultimate price next?

A MYSTERY WITH A STUNNING TWIST AND A RACE AGAINST TIME TO SAVE HER CAREER AND STOP A MURDER SPREE.

Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Kimberley Chambers, Damien Boyd, Rachel Abbott, Patricia Gibney or Mark Billingham.

DCI Rachel King. Thirty-nine year-old mother of two teenage daughters. Divorced from Alan. She lives in the Cheshire village of Poynton – about ten miles from central Manchester. She is good at her job, gets results but does make mistakes. One of them was getting involved with a budding villain in her teens. No one, family, friends or colleagues know anything about this.

ALSO BY HELEN H. DURRANT
RACHEL KING
Book 1: Next Victim
Book 2: Two Victims

My Review

This is book 2 in the DCI Rachel King series set in Manchester.  We first met Rachel and her team in Next Victim which was a brilliant introduction to the series.

Rachel’s domestic life adds an interesting vein to the series as does her past.  Divorced (with her ex husband living next door), Rachel is trying to juggle a demanding career with the problems that come with bringing up 2 teenage girls.  Megan is at university and that brings its own issues whereas Mia is still at school., suffering from Type 1 diabetes and also nearly losing her life in a kidnapping it is understandable that both Rachel and Megan are protective of her.

The book itself is fast-paced with the suspense beginning on the first page and building all the way through.  There are several things going on the keep the reader totally engrossed in the story.

The body of a young woman is found in a ditch.  She has been shot and while forensics are searching for clues another body is found, this one a teenage girl.  To add to the issues faced by Rachel and her team the bodies are on land being developed by Jed McAteer.  Jed is a loveable rogue from Rachel’s university days who keeps popping up where he isn’t wanted.  Rachel and Jed share a secret, one that could destroy Rachel’s life and career.

As the team begin investigating they uncover more wrongdoings and a DCI from another station starts to muscle in on the action.  People trafficking, sex slaves and worse are all thrown into the mix. As cases become entwined can Rachel hold on to her suspect and find justice for the dead?

This is a twisty turny book that had me hooked at the very first page and kept giving all the way to the totally unexpected ending.  An absolutely brilliant read.  I cant wait for the next book in this series.

helen durrantHELEN H. DURRANT

OVER 750,000 books sold of her Calladine & Bayliss and DI Greco Series

I’m one of the ‘baby boomer’ generation. I was born in Edinburgh to an English father and Scottish mother. My father was from the North West of England and this was where the family settled.
I know the area well, both the good and the bad, and so I set my books here. Sitting between two counties, Lancashire and Yorkshire, and between the city and the hills, it offers a rich mix of the industrial and the countryside and all the character therein. I always planned to write crime novels — to create the characters in my books. Since my retirement from a busy teaching job in FE, this is what I’ve done — almost to exclusion of anything else!
I have a grown-up family and five grandchildren. They see me as something of an eccentric — always on my laptop writing away. Writing is something of a second career and, despite having a bus pass, keeps me busy, young and tuned in the world as it currently is.

Twitter @hhdurrant

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/helen.durrant.12

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Calladine-Bayliss-Detective-Novels/614047648616619?ref=hl

Website https://www.helenhdurrant.co.uk/

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THE BLOOD ON MY HANDS by Shannon O’Leary #truecrime #bookreview #autobiography

Today as a change I am reviewing a True Crime non-fiction book. This is an autobiography by Shannon O’Leary set in the Outbacks of Australia in the 1960/70’s. It is not for the faint-hearted it makes for a difficult read in places but this is a true story and for that reason I kept reading. It is a very eye opening story that I am pleased to have had the opportunity to read.

The Blood on My Hands: An AutobiographyThe Blood on My Hands: An Autobiography by Shannon O’Leary

Available from AMAZON

Goodreads link

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.

My Review

This is an autobiography based in the outbacks of Australia and tells the story of the life of Shannon O’Leary.

Shannon had a traumatic life living in poverty with a father who had a severe personality disorder she sees and suffers things that no child should. The main thing that stands out is Shannon’s love for her mother and that is reciprocated in full. The females support each other through thick and thin.

I am not familiar with the Australian culture so in part I found some of the book very hard to accept. However, I think we have to consider the vastness of the Australian Outbacks. How can these things happen and continue to happen while nobody takes any action didn’t sit well with me but this is a true story. A heart-breaking one.

What does come accross very successfully is a person’s determination to survive. The constant hope that one day things will get better. Shannon’s coping mechanisms make for very engaging reading it is eye opening how, even at a young age, she managed to find ways to focus her mind away from what was happening to her.

A very good read that opened my mind to the possibility that if this was going on in Australia 50-60 years ago then maybe it was happening here too – maybe it still is.

Thank you to Book Publicity Services and the author for the digital copy of this book. This is my unbiased review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

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BLOG TOUR – Nowhere to Hide (Inspector Drake #7) by Stephen Puleston #mystery #detective #crimefiction @stephenpuleston

Today is my turn on the Blog Tour for NOWHERE TO HIDE by Stephen Puleston.  This is book 7 in the brilliant Inspector Drake series.  The series gets better book by book and this one will not disappoint it is a gripping page turner full of twists and turns.

Nowhere to Hide coverNowhere to Hide (Inspector Drake #7) by Stephen Puleston

Available from AMAZON

Goodreads link

A murdered mother… A failing police force…A detective looking for justice.

When drug addict Dawn Piper is found dead in her own home, her neighbours are far from surprised. Dawn’s habit led her to mix with some dangerous people. But this quiet mother of one was small fry …would anyone want Dawn dead?

Inspector Drake knows there is more to Dawn’s murder than a simple drug deal gone wrong. As he digs deeper, he discovers that Dawn hoped to clean up the streets of her community that are being overrun by drugs and the dangerous County Lines gangs that sell them. And it cost her her life. Have the police force failed the community they serve?

Drake is used to the murky world of organised crime groups. He knows the dirty games they play to evade arrest. But in his toughest case to date Drake is determined to make the guilty pay.

This time, they will have nowhere to hide”

My Review

Inspector Drake is back and this time he is out to obtain justice for the people society has let down.

The body of a young woman is found in her home but that is not where she was killed.  Drake and his team have the difficult task of finding out why she was murdered and who killed her.  As an ex addict (or is she) she has mixed with the underworld of drugs and violence but even so a life has been lost and a young boy motherless so Drake is determined to get answers.  2 other girls go missing while in the care of the state.  Are the 2 cases linked or separate?  Either way Drake will see justice is done.

Drake has struggled with life.  He has serious OCD and has worked to keep it under control but it cost him his marriage.  But now he has Annie and in addition to a very demanding job he is working hard to make the relationship work.  He also has to cope with upcoming changes at work as the superior officer he has developed an effective relationship with moves on Drake has to start again with somebody new.

As the team dive in to the investigation Drake finds that someone is out to scare him off.  As the people who he cares about are put at risk can he unravel the clues before someone gets seriously hurt?

This is a steady paced mystery that gets into the nitty gritty of detective work.  We follow the team in looking for clues where there are very few and round many twists and turns making it a very engaging read that is perfect for police procedural fans.

Biography

I write crime fiction based in Wales and about Wales. The rural landscape of north Wales provides the backdrop to the Inspector Drake novels. And Cardiff the capital of Wales provides the setting for the Inspector Marco novels set in a modern urban environment.

I love the novels of Raymond Chandler, Ian Rankin, Mark Billingham, Henning Mankell, Val McDermid – the list could go on! And I enjoy watching detective series on the television the recent Hinterland series based near Aberystwyth in Wales was great. One of my favourites is the French series Spiral but The Bridge and Broadchurch and the Rebus series with Ken Stott and Kenneth Branagh in Wallander are great too.

I have been on writing courses at the Welsh Writers Centre in Llanystymdwy, North Wales tutored by Matt Whyman and Marcus Sedgwick as well as crime writing courses with Peter Robinson and Andrew Taylor at the Scottish Writers centre.

I was born in Anglesey an island off the north Wales coast and after leaving school in Holyhead I went to University in London before training as a solicitor/lawyer. I practised in a small family business doing criminal work in the magistrates and crown courts, divorce and family work.

I still live on Anglesey, North Wales near the beach and the mountains of Snowdonia

LINKS

Website: http://www.stephenpuleston.co.uk

Twitter: @stephenpuleston

Facebook:

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BLOG TOUR WRAP UP – Darkness on the Fens (Nikki Galena #10) by Joy Ellis #Nikkigalena #crimefiction #detective #blogtour @joffebooks

Thank you to all the wonderful bloggers who helped with the Launch of DARKNESS ON THE FENS by Joy Ellis.  Another #1 bestseller and that is the result of you guys freely giving your time and expertise to help promote it.  THANK YOU xx

thank you banner

What the bloggers and reviewers thought:

Joanna Larum’s Reviews

As is usual in Joy Ellis’ novels, the story grabs hold of the reader and won’t let go. Work and food are off the menu until the reader reaches the last page and then there is the dreadful disappointment of knowing that the book is finished and that the reader will have to wait for the next book. Read more here

Linda Strong Book Reviews

As usual with small villages, the residents are, in turn, quirky, secretive except when they aren’t, and on the whole, lends not only credibility to the story, but some humor as well. There are plenty of suspects and twists and turns that lead to an incredible ending.  Read more here

Nicki’s book blog

I love this series. There is always an excellent plot line to keep you guessing and turning the pages, but for me it is the depth and warmth of the characters that Joy writes so well. Read more here

Herding Cats

Guest Post: Nikki Galena by Joy Ellis 

The Word is Out

This story is full of the wonderful characters that have grown to be so popular as the series has progressed and much of this is due to how warm and human they are. The plot is clever and beautifully plotted, and draws the reader through a dark trail of clues and suspects to the final exciting chapters as the culprit is revealed in an ending that still has a few surprises.

Ginger Book Geek

As soon as I began to read, I felt as though I had been reunited with old friends in the shape of Nikki and her team and I even felt as though I was an invisible and extra member of Nikki’s team. Read more

Sharon Rimmelzwaan

It has everything needed to build the story and keep me reading anyway. The writing is fantastic and you feel like you actually are in the middle of the investigations going on around you! A must read for me! Read more here

Loopy Laura

I enjoyed the mix of historical detail, professional police work and personal relationships that the book contained. Joy Ellis uses a lot of dialogue to forward the plot developments rather than long descriptions: this has the effect of making the characters more prominent and developed. Read more here

Black Books Blog

Throughout the book there are lots of tantalising clues as to who is doing it, but also lots of little red herrings, making it tricky to work out exactly what is happening. This book did drag slightly in places, but overall I was hooked as I loved the book and couldn’t wait to get to the conclusion and find out who was doing it.  Read more here

DARKNESS ON THE FENS publish.jpgDarkness on the Fens (Nikki Galena #10) by Joy Ellis

Available from AMAZON

Do you love addictive detective mysteries? Then try this book by a multiple #1 best-selling author now. You won’t be able to put it down. It’s a totally enthralling read.

A SERIAL KILLER ON A POISONOUS MISSION PUSHES NIKKI AND HER TEAM TO BREAKING POINT

Revellers are flocking into Greenborough for the yearly Dark Greenborough Festival, a three-day event celebrating local folklore, superstition and the darker side of life.

What the public doesn’t know is that there has been a warning sent to the police, saying that Greenborough will be a very dangerous place this year. The anonymous letter ends with the Latin phrase, Mors certa, hora incerta: Death is certain, the hour uncertain.

DI Nikki Galena and her team soon discover this is no hoax, as people start dying from what appears to be alcoholic poisoning. Things rapidly escalate, and as the deaths get more horrific, Nikki realises they have a serial killer in their midst.

A NIGHTMARE HUNT FOR A KILLER DURING THEIR BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR.

Full of twists and turns, this is a crime thriller that will keep you turning the pages until the heart-stopping ending.

This is book ten of the international best-selling books featuring Nikki Galena.

THE DETECTIVE
DI Nikki Galena: A police detective with nothing left to lose, she’s seen a girl die in her arms and her own family destroyed. She’s tough on criminals but fiercely loyal to her team.

HER PARTNER
DS Joseph Easter is the squeaky-clean member of the team. But his nickname “Holy Joe” belies his former life as a soldier. He has a daughter and an ex-wife who wants his attention.

THE SETTING
The Lincolnshire Fens: great open skies brood over marshes, farmland, and nature reserves. It is not easy terrain for the Fenland Constabulary to police, due to the distances between some of the remote fen villages, the dangerous and often misty lanes, and the poor telephone coverage. There are still villages where the oldest residents have never set foot outside their own farmland and a visit to the nearest town is a major event. But it has a strange airy beauty to it, and above it all are the biggest skies you’ve ever seen.

DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE MYSTERY SERIES NOW

My Review

Ahhh book 10.  Settling down to read a Nikki Galena book is like having a catch up with a dear friend.

The character is sheer brilliance, feisty, caring, resourceful and unique.  I have read all this series (well I have read every book Joy Ellis has written) and thought I knew all there was to know about Nikki but while reading this I realised the character still has plenty more to give.

Her partner, Joseph Easton, is the perfect balance to Nikki.  He is calm, rational and sensitive.  But, like with Nikki, there is more to learn about his character.  Emotionally damaged by his military past Joseph sometimes has difficulty holding it all together.  His determination to protect the people he loves has no boundaries.

Then there is the story, Dark Greenborough!  The title of this book is probably the most perfect title I have seen in a long time, Darkness on the Fens, it is that alright.  Someone is committing heinous murders.  Victims are suffering agonising deaths and nobody can help just stand there and watch the suffering.  On its own this would be bad enough but it is Dark Greenborough weekend and the area is full of strangers dressed as evil characters from the past.  The perfect cover for a murderer.  Nikki and her team are up against it even with the help of Morgan and Connor the clues are very elusive.  Can this maniac be stopped?

This is a fast-paced, adrenaline pumping read.  Joy Ellis at her very best.  I started turning the pages and couldn’t stop savouring every page and wondering what will happen next all the way to the explosive ending.  WOW!  The best Joy Ellis book yet.  Yes I know I always say that but it is always true this author gets better book by book and I hope she has plenty more to give.

5 Golden stars from me.

Joy Ellis new author photoJOY ELLIS – Author Bio

UK #1 Best Seller with THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS and THE FOURTH FRIEND

Over 1 million books sold!

“I was born in Kent but spent most of my working life in London and Surrey. I was an apprentice florist to Constance Spry Ltd, a prestigious Mayfair shop that throughout the sixties and seventies teemed with both royalty and ‘real’ celebrities. What an eye-opener for a working-class kid from the Garden of England! I swore then, probably whilst I was scrubbing the floor or making the tea, that I would have a shop of my own one day. It took until the early eighties, but I did it. Sadly the recession wiped us out, and I embarked on a series of weird and wonderful jobs; the last one being a bookshop manager. Surrounded by books all day, getting to order whatever you liked, and being paid for it! Oh bliss!

And now I live in a village in the Lincolnshire Fens with my partner, Jacqueline, and our four Springer spaniels. I had been writing mysteries for years but never had the time to take it seriously. Now I write full time, and as my partner is a highly decorated retired police officer; I find I have an in-house consultant on hand to make sure that the police and judicial procedure is correct. She also makes very good tea! I have set my crime thrillers here in the misty fens because I sincerely love the remoteness and airy beauty of the marshlands. This area is steeped in superstitions and lends itself so well to murder!

DARKNESS ON THE FENS publish.jpg

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BLOG TOUR WRAP UP – He Will Find You (Maddie Ives #3) by Charlie Gallagher #detective #crimefiction @joffebooks @gloriouscharlie

Thank you everyone for helping with the launch of HE WILL FIND YOU by Charlie Gallagher. Your help is very much appreciated. A special thank you to the bloggers for finding the time during such a busy period to help out, you are all wonderful xx

What the Bloggers and Reviewers thought:

The Word is Out

What at first appear to be lots of separate strands all start to come together as the pace speeds up to eventually reveal a dramatic ending. There is lots going on in this book but it is very well written and is never confusing for the reader.  Read more here

Linda Strong Book Reviews

This is an extremely well written crime fiction. The author is himself a serving UK detective investigating serious offenses. Due to his experience, the story is credible with characters that are finely drawn and memorable Read more here

Ginger Book Geek

Reading ‘He Will Find You’ felt very much like riding on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way.  Just when you think that the action has settled down and you can finally catch your breath, then whoosh off the story goes again. Read more here

Joanna Larum’s Reviews

I feel deeply invested in these stories. I want Maddie to succeed and I want Harry to find some sort of happiness in his private life and I believe this is testament to the skill with which Charlie Gallagher writes his books.  Read more here

Guest Review: Lena Paras

A divisive, confusing, heart stopping race against time. Still it isn’t over yet. Harrowing suspense and split second timing. Will it be enough? Nobody writes Police Officers the way Charlie Gallagher does. They’re real. They’re vulnerable.  They’re human. …more Read more here

Sharon Rimmelzwaan

This is the 3rd in the Maddie Ives series that gets better as it goes on! This story is, to be honest, a brutal and horrific one, but it just adds to the realism of todays policing and the world we live in.  Read more here

Black Books Blog

As always there are a lot of different things going on in the story, which all appear unrelated but Charlie manages to tie them all up nicely in the end. I was left guessing throughout as there are so many red herrings that let me following the wrong leads and thinking it was different people all the way. Read more here

HE WILL FIND YOU – (Maddie Ives #3) by Charlie Gallagher

Available from AMAZON

DISCOVER AN ABSOLUTELY GRIPPING RACE-AGAINST-TIME THRILLER FROM BEST-SELLING AUTHOR CHARLIE GALLAGHER.

MEET DETECTIVE MADDIE IVES IN THIS NEW SERIES THAT WILL HAVE YOU GRIPPED FROM THE EXPLOSIVE START TO ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING TWISTS THIS YEAR.

Early Sunday morning, a rainy city centre. A ten-year-old-boy steps out in front of traffic. He is dazed, confused and barefoot. He is covered in blood. It’s not his.

Detective Maddie Ives is called out and finds the boy backed up against a shop front. He can’t or won’t speak. His face is a mask of shock and his whole body is tense. He’s ready to run again. He can’t tell her why.

WHO SCARED THIS BOY OUT OF HIS WITS?

Then a man is found brutally murdered, dragged to death. And Maddie and Detective Harry Blaker are determined to find out who is pulling the strings.

IF THEY DON’T STOP HIM, HE WILL FIND MORE VICTIMS. AND THE EVIL WILL COME CLOSE TO HOME.

HE WILL FIND YOU: The new heart-pounding thriller from Charlie Gallagher. Maddie Ives faces her most dangerous adversary.

Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Damien Boyd, Rachel Abbott, Patricia Gibney or Mark Billingham.

THE AUTHOR
Charlie Gallagher has been a serving UK police officer for ten years. During that time he has had many roles, starting as a front-line response officer, then a member of a specialist tactical team and is currently a detective investigating serious offences.

ALSO BY CHARLIE GALLAGHER

MADDIE IVES
HE IS WATCHING YOU
HE WILL KILL YOU
HE WILL FIND YOU

LANGTHORNE POLICE SERIES
Book 1: BODILY HARM
Book 2: PANIC BUTTON
Book 3: BLOOD MONEY
Book 4: END GAME

MISSING
THEN SHE RAN
HER LAST BREATH
RUTHLESS

My Review

This is book 3 in the Maddie Ives series.

The adrenaline starts pumping at the beginning when a child covered in blood walks in front of a car.  Quite where this fits into the story isn’t clear until much later on.

Harry is dealing with some personal issues that give the reader a lot more insight into the character.  The fatal accident that cost his wife her life comes back to haunt him and sees Harry struggling between right and wrong especially when his daughter’s mental health is thrown into the mix.

Then there is the story which is complicated and it is this complexity that causes so many problems for the investigation.  No clues and something dark and evil is going on.  Can Maddie and Harry get a handle on what is actually going on before more people die?

This is an intriguing book that keeps the reader turning pages as we join Maddie and Harry in trying to work out what is going on, who is behind it and why.

Another great story.

Author Bio

Charlie Gallagher has been a serving UK police officer for ten years. During that time he has had many roles, starting as a front-line response officer, then a member of a specialist tactical team and is currently a detective investigating serious offences.

LINKS

Website:   https://www.writercharliegallagher.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writercharliegallagher

Twitter:     @gloriouscharlie

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Blog Tour Wrap Up – VENOM (DS Smith #9) by Stewart Giles #newrelease #crimefiction #detective @stewartgiles

Thank you to all the absolutely wonderful Bloggers, readers and supporters who helped with the launch of VENOM your help is very much appreciated — THANK YOU Stewart and Jill xx

What the readers and bloggers thought:

Black Books Blog

The tension towards the end of the book is immense and, unlike most books, the drama doesn’t finish until the very last page with people being in danger all the way through the last couple of chapters. As with all of Stewart’s other books this one will keep you hooked and the action never lets up. The ending was shocking and Stewart has put Jason Smith through more things in this book than ever before.  Read more here

Sassy Redhead Book Reviews

I loved this story and the characters are always so great to read. I enjoy the way that the characters work together to get the results needed to solve the case. The depth the detectives will go to get results is always interesting to me. I enjoy a good sleuth story and this one did not disappoint. I thought I had the criminal sorted out but then I second guessed myself only to find out that I was spot on. Read more here

Linda Strong Book Reviews

Kudos to the author who came up with a unique killer with a distinctive way to kill. Once started, I couldn’t put it down for long. There are surprising twists and turns, lots of action and plenty of suspense. Read more here

Joanna Larum’s Reviews

I always enjoy Stewart’s books but this one has scaled heights which he has never reached before. It was page-turningly brilliant and left me so dreadfully disappointed when I had finished it. I wanted more! Immediately! Read more here

The Word is Out

As with previous stories from this author this book is a joy to read and once started I just did not want to put it down. There is heart-warming humour and banter between the main characters which just makes the story even more human and enjoyable, and we get some insight from the killer’s point of view which is also interesting knowing things that Smith does not.   Read more here

Sarah’s Thoughts

So Stewart has nailed it once more. This is the latest Jason Smith book and it is gripping, the only complaint i have is that Jason is the target again (sorry Stewart). But if you want an easy read on an emotional thrilling rollercoaster this is it.

Turn The Page Blog

DS Smith is back…. Absolutely fantastic read, but I advise you not to buy this is you housework as it won’t get done ! I was unable to leave this alone. The blurb says it all… Read more here

On The Shelf Reviews

If you’re not familiar with Stewart Giles’ work, they’re fast paced police procedurals, with a sprinkling of dark humour, plenty of action. Smith is a stubborn Australian, who even though he’s matured a little is still his usual rule bending, stubborn self.  Read more here

Akamatra

This is a fast paced book as Stewart usually writes them. I was gripping my phone (I read it on my kindle app) and trying to refrain from bitting my nails! I loved it!  Read more here

Debbie Hipster

The cases were interesting and highly inventive and pulled on my intrigue the whole way through. And seeing Smith get emotional with this case tugs on heart strings for sure. Read more here

Donna’s Book Blog

I honestly think that this author’s stories are going from strength to strength, he has an additive writing style and I love reading about the characters he has created and can’t wait to see what he releases next – no hesitation with this one – it is 5 stars from me!! Read more here

Mystery Thriller Week

Ginger Book Geek

Sharon Rimmelzwaan

VENOM, Detective Jason Smith book 9

Available from Amazon

From #1 best-selling author: Stewart Giles comes a new addition to the popular Detective Jason Smith series. 

Still recovering from an accident, DS Jason Smith receives a strange phone call: ‘I want to live.’  The number is unknown, and Jason puts it down to a hoax call.  While doing a favour for DCI Chalmers the phone call suddenly begins to make sense and Jason is once again on the trail of a psychopath.

Can Smith stop this maniac before more people die?  Who is it and why does he have Smith’s number?  As the team struggle to find some kind of a lead Jason realises that it may not be his own life in danger this time but he is in danger of losing someone else he cares about.

This is a unique story that has a steadily increasing pace that continues to deliver all the way to the very last page.

THE SETTING
At the confluence of the River Ouse and Foss, York is the traditional county town of the historic county of Yorkshire. York Minster and a variety of cultural and sporting activities make it a popular tourist destination.

THE DETECTIVE
DS Jason Smith is an Australian who was sent to York to live with his Grandmother when his sister disappeared from a beach. He has suffered many losses in his short life and is now a dedicated detective. He is a bit of a loose cannon he has his own way of doing things that doesn’t always mean following orders and procedures.  However, he does get results.

What readers are saying about Venom

‘This author’s style of writing is phenomenal to the end.  He never fails me.  All of his books that I have read have pushed all my buttons.  The only thing I can say I didn’t like was THE END!  NO! I want more of DS Jason Smith.  So looking forward to the next one.’ – Booklover Bev

‘What an amazing book, I read it in one sitting as I couldn’t wait to see what Stewart put Jason Smith through next.’ – Simon @ Black Books Blog

‘WOW! Just when I think that Stewart Giles cannot get any better, he goes ahead and proves me wrong. I absolutely LOVED Venom. The action is tight and fast paced. The tension keeps mounting until you feel that you physically can’t sit still any more. The plot is well thought out, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end.’ – Heather Opperman

BOOKS BY STEWART GILES

DS JASON SMITH SERIES
Book 0.5-Phobia read more here
Book 1-Smith  read more here
Book 2-Boomerang  read more here
Book 3-Ladybird  read more here
Book 4-Occam’s Razor  read more here
Book 5-Harlequin  read more here
Book 6-Selene  read more here
Book 7-Horsemen  read more here
Book 8-Unworthy  read more here
Book 9 – Venom

DC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIES
Book 1-The Beekeeper  read more here
Book 2-The Perfect Murder  read more here
Book 3-The Backpacker  read more here

Trotterdown a box set of DC Harriet Taylor books 1-3 read more here

DS JASON SMITH &DC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIES
Book 1 – The Enigma  read more here
Book 2 – Dropzone

PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS
Miranda  read more here
Miranda sequel coming soon

Stewart Giles – Author Bio

After reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live.

In 2014 Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head and I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later.

3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series – the DC Harriet Taylor Cornwall series.

The Beekeeper was published and soon hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well.

I continued to self-publish the Smith series and Unworthy hit the shelves in 2018 with amazing results.  I therefore made the decision to self-publish The Backpacker which is book 3 in the Detective Harriet Taylor series which was published in July 2018.

After The Backpacker I had an idea for a totally new start to a series – a collaboration between the Smith and Harriet thrillers and The Enigma was born. It brings together the broody, enigmatic Jason Smith and the more level-headed Harriet Taylor.

Miranda is something totally different. A stand-alone psychological thriller, it is a real departure from anything else I’ve written before.

Dropzone, book 2 in the Smith/Harriet series is now available and Venom, book 9 in the Smith series will be released in July 2019. I have plenty more books planned to include, by popular request, a sequel to Miranda.

Links

Website: www.stewartgiles.com

Twitter: @stewartgiles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewart.giles.33

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BLOG TOUR – He Will Find You (Maddie Ives #3) by Charlie Gallagher #detective #crimefiction @joffebooks @gloriouscharlie

Today is my stop on the Blog Tour and I am sharing with you my review of this new release by Charlie Gallagher.  HE WILL FIND YOU is book 3 in the very popular Maddie Ives series.

HE WILL FIND YOU – (Maddie Ives #3) by Charlie Gallagher

Girl running in empty, dark tunnel. Symbolizing escape, looking for exit or freedom. Toned BW photo

Available from AMAZON

DISCOVER AN ABSOLUTELY GRIPPING RACE-AGAINST-TIME THRILLER FROM BEST-SELLING AUTHOR CHARLIE GALLAGHER.

MEET DETECTIVE MADDIE IVES IN THIS NEW SERIES THAT WILL HAVE YOU GRIPPED FROM THE EXPLOSIVE START TO ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING TWISTS THIS YEAR.

Early Sunday morning, a rainy city centre. A ten-year-old-boy steps out in front of traffic. He is dazed, confused and barefoot. He is covered in blood. It’s not his.

Detective Maddie Ives is called out and finds the boy backed up against a shop front. He can’t or won’t speak. His face is a mask of shock and his whole body is tense. He’s ready to run again. He can’t tell her why.

WHO SCARED THIS BOY OUT OF HIS WITS?

Then a man is found brutally murdered, dragged to death. And Maddie and Detective Harry Blaker are determined to find out who is pulling the strings.

IF THEY DON’T STOP HIM, HE WILL FIND MORE VICTIMS. AND THE EVIL WILL COME CLOSE TO HOME.

HE WILL FIND YOU: The new heart-pounding thriller from Charlie Gallagher. Maddie Ives faces her most dangerous adversary.

Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Damien Boyd, Rachel Abbott, Patricia Gibney or Mark Billingham.

THE AUTHOR
Charlie Gallagher has been a serving UK police officer for ten years. During that time he has had many roles, starting as a front-line response officer, then a member of a specialist tactical team and is currently a detective investigating serious offences.

ALSO BY CHARLIE GALLAGHER

MADDIE IVES
HE IS WATCHING YOU
HE WILL KILL YOU
HE WILL FIND YOU

LANGTHORNE POLICE SERIES
Book 1: BODILY HARM
Book 2: PANIC BUTTON
Book 3: BLOOD MONEY
Book 4: END GAME

MISSING
THEN SHE RAN
HER LAST BREATH
RUTHLESS

My Review

This is book 3 in the Maddie Ives series.

The adrenaline starts pumping at the beginning when a child covered in blood walks in front of a car.  Quite where this fits into the story isn’t clear until much later on.

Harry is dealing with some personal issues that give the reader a lot more insight into the character.  The fatal accident that cost his wife her life comes back to haunt him and sees Harry struggling between right and wrong especially when his daughter’s mental health is thrown into the mix.

Then there is the story which is complicated and it is this complexity that causes so many problems for the investigation.  No clues and something dark and evil is going on.  Can Maddie and Harry get a handle on what is actually going on before more people die?

This is an intriguing book that keeps the reader turning pages as we join Maddie and Harry in trying to work out what is going on, who is behind it and why.

Another great story.

Author Bio

Charlie Gallagher has been a serving UK police officer for ten years. During that time he has had many roles, starting as a front-line response officer, then a member of a specialist tactical team and is currently a detective investigating serious offences.

LINKS

Website:   https://www.writercharliegallagher.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writercharliegallagher

Twitter:     @gloriouscharlie

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BOOK TOUR WRAP UP – Detective Temple books 1 and 2 by Deborah Lucy #crimefiction #detective @joffebooks @DeborahLucy6

Thank you very much to all the wonderful Bloggers who helped with the launch of WATCH HER DIE & DEAD OF NIGHT  your help is very much appreciated.  Deborah, Jill & Joffe Books

What the Bloggers thought:

Linda Strong Book Reviews

DI Temple has been expanded and is much more likeable as a character. There’s lots of actions, some of them nail-biting episodes. The suspense just doesn’t let up until the very last page.  Read more here

The Word is Out

This story has a faster pace than book one, with the added advantage of the familiarity of a lot of the main characters, and I found myself coming to like Temple a lot more. There is a good and intricate plot which kept me engrossed all the way through to a very dramatic conclusion.  Read more here

Joanna Larum’s Reviews

This is a very fast-paced book with wonderfully drawn characters who provoked extreme sympathy in me, especially Paul Wallace who is searching for his missing daughter Megon.  Read more here

Sharon Rimmelzwaan

Deborah Lucy has brought sex trafficking and homelessness to this story in big dollops and I actually liked the realism used. There was the expected twists and turns and a cliffhanger ending to allow us to think we may even get a #3! Enjoyed this book and will wait eagerly for the next!  Read more here

Debbie Hipster

This is a complex story unfolding at a good pace, taking you through the murky world of drug smuggling, trafficking and graphic in nature.  Read more here

Ginger Book Geek

Reading this book was like being on an unpredictable and at times scary rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way.  There were times that I almost had to read through my fingers as I feared what was about to happen.   Read more here

Black Books Blog

Overall this is turning into a brilliant series, which I can’t wait to read more of.  Read more here

Herding Cats

Initially the novel introduces quite a few different perspectives and events which take a little concentration to keep up with but once the story gets a few chapters in – it becomes and intense and thrilling read that is difficult to put down.  Read more here

Loopy Laura

Dead of Night was much more emotive than Watch Her Die. We see how the girls are treated and are also shown the thoughts of other characters so understand their actions better. The unfairness that Temple faces at work and the difficult decisions he has had to make regarding his home life make the reader sympathetic towards him and hope he gets a positive outcome.  Read more here

WATCH HER DIE (Detective Temple Mystery Book 1) by Deborah Lucy

Available from AMAZON

 MEET A NEW AUTHOR WHO WILL TAKE YOU ON AN ADDICTIVE CRIME THRILLER JOURNEY.

Please note this book was originally published as “Death Watch.”

HE WATCHED HER DIE

Who murdered Greta Ashton-Jones? This beautiful married woman is found naked, strangled and tied to her bed. Who’s been watching her and taking pictures of her? Who needed to kill her — and why?

Detective Inspector Temple investigates. It’s not the straightforward ‘domestic murder’ he’s been told. Written off by a boss who’s relegated him to the back office, he knows he has to find her killer and fast, but he soon has trouble of his own.

DISCOVER A MURDER MYSTERY YOU WON’T WANT TO PUT DOWN TILL THE STUNNING CONCLUSION

He’s on the wrong side of the law trying to protect himself and his family when a dangerous criminal with a vendetta is released from prison. As things go wrong, losing his job is the least of his problems.

Temple uncovers a tangled web of deceit, betrayal and blackmail which leads him to a depraved undercover world.

CAN DETECTIVE TEMPLE CATCH THE KILLER BEFORE HIS OWN LIFE FALLS APART?

My Review

Deborah Lucy is a new author to Joffe Books publishers and also to me so I was interested to read the books which sounded very good.

Greta is married to Maxwell but neither are faithful and the story begins with Greta being tied to the bed as part of a sex game.  She is later found dead by her cleaner.

Detective Temple is SIO of the case but his life is in crisis and his superior officer has an axe to grind with Temple which means Temple is not only under pressure to crack the case he also has to do it knowing that his every action is being scrutinised and criticised from above.  This adds to the stress.  He also has something others want, something he shouldn’t have but he cant let them have it either and his family are threatened.

With all this going on and seemingly everyone out to get him can Temple hold it all together and solve the case?

I like Temple he is a flawed character but a realistic and interesting one.  We learn about him gradually along the course of the book.  He is leading a team but it isn’t really a team because as well as being watched from above he also has people on his team who would love him to slip up.

This is a very intriguing book it moves along steadily and the reader is involved every step of the way along the twists, turns and dead ends of a very complex case.  Even right up to the very end the story still has more to give as the conclusion is a real shock.

A very good read that I would recommend to readers who like Police Procedurals.

DEAD OF NIGHT (Detective Temple Mystery Book 2) by Deborah Lucy

Available from AMAZON

A MACABRE KILLER WORKS IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT. HE’S VERY GOOD – NO ONE SEES HIM.

14-year-old local girl, China Lewis is reported missing by her friend Amy. Detective Inspector Temple is tasked to find her. The more he discovers about China, the greater the danger he knows she’s in.

Temple needs to find her and fast. But when his past suddenly catches up with him and two more girls go missing, it becomes personal. Temple’s quest to find the girls takes him into an evil world of exploitation and it seems he’s the only one who really cares.

ONE SERIAL KILLER. THREE MISSING GIRLS.

Temple has to take a gamble that risks the lives of the girls he’s trying to save. As he uncovers police corruption, he is forced to work in the shadows. Who can he trust now?

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO SAVE THEM.

Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Damien Boyd, Rachel Abbott, Patricia Gibney or Mark Billingham.

DISCOVER A RACE-AGAINST-TIME MYSTERY FULL OF TWISTS AND TURNS.

My Review

This is book 2 in the Detective Temple series by Deborah Lucy and although it works very well as stand alone it would be better to read the series in sequence as more detail of events referred to in this book is given.

Temple is in the bad books with his superiors.  He is under investigation by IPC following the death of a young man and has also been screwed over by his DCI and also a member of his team.  He has been banished to work alone investigating missing persons.

He also has big personal issues.  A child turned up who is the result of a short fling many years ago.  Left motherless Ben only has Temple to care for him and this has destroyed what was left of his fragile marriage to Leigh.  He has had to choose between his daughter and his son and since the alternative for Ben is life in care Temple has stepped up to the plate and committed himself to caring for Ben.

As Temple begins investigating missing persons his first case is China, a teenager, but there is a problem.  Is she really missing?  Her friend says so her mother and brother say no she isn’t missing.  Temple suspects teenagers are being used to run drugs and sets about trying to find out what is going on.  But he has to do it alone.

This book moves at a faster pace than book 1 and is a really gripping storyline that I found difficult to put down.  Full of twists and turns it is a book that will appeal to readers of Police Procedurals.

DEBORAH LUCY AUTHOR BIO

Deborah Lucy was born in Southsea and bought up in Portsmouth, the island city.

In her working life, Deb has worked alongside a number of senior investigating officers as they’ve investigated major crime – from murder, to missing persons to abduction and kidnaps.  She’s been at the 7am starts and the 3am finishes, the ‘golden hour’s,’ the high’s, the low’s, the breakthrough’s, the arrests. The slog.  The politics.

For three years she worked in the missing adults and children arena, with police, government policy advisors and charities.  Latterly, she conducted lifestyle enquiries for international blue-chip companies into the lives of billionaires, millionaires and politically exposed people around the world.

She is a non-fiction author, ghost-writer and has been a consultant on a forthcoming ITV drama series, A Confession starring Martin Freeman and Imelda Staunton, involving a real case she was involved in.   She has a master’s degree in historical research.

Her experiences lend authenticity to her stories; she also wants her books to be entertaining and find fans amongst those who are the hardest to please – the most discerning of crime readers and real life detectives.

Links

Website:  www.deborahlucy.com

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BLOG TOUR – He Will Find You (Maddie Ives #3) by Charlie Gallagher #GuestReview#crimefiction #detective @joffebooks @gloriouscharlie

Today I am kicking off the Blog Tour for He Will Find You by the brilliant Charlie Gallagher.  This is book 3 in the Maddie Ives series.  They do work perfectly as stand alone but I am sure you will want to read the whole series (it is very addictive)  Today I am sharing a review by Lena who is absolutely addicted to Charlie’s books.

Guest Review by Lena Paras  

Review link

OUTSTANDING!  STUNNING! THRILLING!

HE WILL FIND YOU Immediately shocks you with a suspicious chilling mystery. Horrific, brutal, heart racing violence. A mind boggling labyrinth. Could this possibly get any worse? OH YES!

A divisive, confusing, heart stopping race against time. Still it isn’t over yet. Harrowing suspense and split second timing. Will it be enough?

Nobody writes Police Officers the way Charlie Gallagher does. They’re real. They’re vulnerable.  They’re human. They’re incredibly believable.

HE WILL FIND YOU IS A MUST READ!!!

HE WILL FIND YOU – (Maddie Ives #3) by Charlie Gallagher

DISCOVER AN ABSOLUTELY GRIPPING RACE-AGAINST-TIME THRILLER FROM BEST-SELLING AUTHOR CHARLIE GALLAGHER.

MEET DETECTIVE MADDIE IVES IN THIS NEW SERIES THAT WILL HAVE YOU GRIPPED FROM THE EXPLOSIVE START TO ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING TWISTS THIS YEAR.

Early Sunday morning, a rainy city centre. A ten-year-old-boy steps out in front of traffic. He is dazed, confused and barefoot. He is covered in blood. It’s not his.

Detective Maddie Ives is called out and finds the boy backed up against a shop front. He can’t or won’t speak. His face is a mask of shock and his whole body is tense. He’s ready to run again. He can’t tell her why.

WHO SCARED THIS BOY OUT OF HIS WITS?

Then a man is found brutally murdered, dragged to death. And Maddie and Detective Harry Blaker are determined to find out who is pulling the strings.

IF THEY DON’T STOP HIM, HE WILL FIND MORE VICTIMS. AND THE EVIL WILL COME CLOSE TO HOME.

HE WILL FIND YOU: The new heart-pounding thriller from Charlie Gallagher. Maddie Ives faces her most dangerous adversary.

Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Damien Boyd, Rachel Abbott, Patricia Gibney or Mark Billingham.

THE AUTHOR
Charlie Gallagher has been a serving UK police officer for ten years. During that time he has had many roles, starting as a front-line response officer, then a member of a specialist tactical team and is currently a detective investigating serious offences.

ALSO BY CHARLIE GALLAGHER

MADDIE IVES
HE IS WATCHING YOU
HE WILL KILL YOU
HE WILL FIND YOU

LANGTHORNE POLICE SERIES
Book 1: BODILY HARM
Book 2: PANIC BUTTON
Book 3: BLOOD MONEY
Book 4: END GAME

MISSING
THEN SHE RAN
HER LAST BREATH
RUTHLESS

Author Bio

Charlie Gallagher has been a serving UK police officer for ten years. During that time he has had many roles, starting as a front-line response officer, then a member of a specialist tactical team and is currently a detective investigating serious offences.

LINKS

Website:   https://www.writercharliegallagher.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writercharliegallagher

Twitter:     @gloriouscharlie

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