Here are the books I have read last month; it has been lovely to sit in my favourite place and snuggle down with a book. Wondering where it will take me, what will I learn, who will I meet. An enjoyable book can transport you to other places by visualising the story and eventually, becoming immersed in it.
I had some extra time this month despite the crazy busy time of getting ready for Christmas. My husband and I took a cheeky break to Abu Dhabi, a lovely, relaxing time in the sun. With plenty of time for me to catch up on my reading. Here are the books I chose to read in December 2022.
Title: Avenger of Blood
Author: S M Reeve
Genre: Murder, Psychological Thriller
Description: How do you go from poster child of All-American-Girl-Next-Door to Calculating-Killer-on-a-Murderous-Rampage? Try discovering a houseful of your family's bloody corpses.
Anna Croix's life was perfect, until suddenly it wasn't. Amazing family? Check. Doting Fiancé? Check. The career she's always wanted. Almost check. And then there was nothing...
Nothing but a gaping hole longing to be filled. Question is, does she fill it with peace and acceptance or bitterness and a burning drive for revenge? The latter, of course. Because it's not every day your entire family gets slaughtered. But first, she needs to know why … and by whom. Then there's the issue of finding them and what to do once she has. Will she really be able to commit murder? Most definitely. Not a problem. Her problem is knowing when to stop.
My thoughts: I received an advance copy of Avenger of Blood through Voracious readers in return for an honest review. The book is due for release early 2023. It is the first in a series about Anna Croix. Anna had everything and in the first few pages her world turned upside down, never to right itself. The book was hard hitting right from the start, so much so I wondered where it could go but the story line was captivating. I loved Anna’s wit and sarcasm although her life decisions left me reeling, I couldn’t help feeling a little empathy for her. I believed in the relationship that Anna and Spike were building and wanted them to win through. The book was gritty and descriptive, and I was left wondering what else Anna could really do. This book was a real page turner and although gorier than I would normally go for, it certainly didn’t put me off and I for one cannot wait to see what else Anna and Spike get up to.
You can head over to the website of SM Reeve where you can read more
If you lucky you may still be able to download a free copy.
Title: If She Wakes
Author: Erik Therme
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense Crime
Description: Tess is picking up the pieces of a devastating car crash that rendered her sister-in-law, Torrie, comatose—and left her responsible for Torrie’s infant son, Levi. Shortly after, a woman appears on Tess’s doorstep claiming to be Torrie’s estranged sister and Levi’s rightful guardian. But then a second stranger arrives with the same story…
My thoughts: I received this book through Voracious Readers in return for my honest opinion and had not realised it was part of a series, so in that respect can be read as a standalone.
This book is full of twists and turns many of which are unexpected. Tess the main female character is flawed, negative and depressive, but unsurprising given what she has been through. The storyline as it unfolded was believable and I found myself wondering who I would have believed if I was in the same situation. A wondrous psychological thriller.
Title: The Good Girl
Author: Mary Kubica
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Description: I've been following her for the past few days. I know where she buys her groceries, where she has her dry cleaning done, where she works. I don't know the colour of her eyes or what they look like when they're scared. But I will. Mia Dennett can't resist a one-night stand with the enigmatic stranger she meets in a bar. But going home with him might turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life…
My thoughts: I was surprised that this did not get more positive reviews. I felt that there was non-stop suspense. Told from three different perspectives, during the kidnapping, after the kidnapping when they are trying to piece together what happened and from the detectives point of view while he is hunting the kidnappers. The book felt believable with revelations, secrets, some major dysfunction going on. A book where the lines between the good guys and bad guys are incredibly blurred.
A well written, suspenseful and engrossing read and definitely an author to watch.
Title: A Gentleman in Moscow
Author: Amor Towles
Genre: Historical Fiction
Description: On 21 June 1922, Count Alexander Rostov - recipient of the Order of Saint Andrew, member of the Jockey Club, Master of the Hunt - is escorted out of the Kremlin, across Red Square and through the elegant revolving doors of the Hotel Metropol. Deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the Count has been sentenced to house arrest indefinitely. But instead of his usual suite, he must now live in an attic room while Russia undergoes decades of tumultuous upheaval. Can a life without luxury be the richest of all?
My thoughts: My favourite book of the year and I do not say that lightly, this is a book that I could not put down and transported me to another time, another world. I felt I was there with every word that I read. A brilliant book that I cannot recommend highly enough one that I will read repeatedly.
Title: The Gauguin Connection
Author: Estelle Ryan
Genre: Mystery/Crime
Description: Murdered artists. Masterful forgeries. Art crime at its worst. It's up to a brilliant autistic investigator to keep a ruthless killer from striking again. World renowned expert in nonverbal communication, Doctor Genevieve Lenard investigates insurance claims. Not murder. So, when her boss asks her to help his acerbic friend look into the death of a young artist, her autistic mind rebels against the change. A straightforward murder investigation quickly turns into a quagmire of stolen Eurocorps weapons, a money-laundering charity, forged art, and high-ranking EU officials abusing their power. As if this isn't enough, she reluctantly teams up with an international thief whose knowledge of the art world proves invaluable. Forced out of her predictable routines, safe environment and limited social interaction, Genevieve is thrown into being part of a team in a race to stop a ruthless killer from targeting more artists.
My thoughts: Estelle Ryan was and is one of my go to authors when I want a good read and I recommended this book as the first in the series with Doctor Genevieve Lenard to our group and it didn’t disappoint the group and I loved reading it again. This book introduces you to the main characters and I have fallen in love with them all. Especially Genevieve as you get to grips with how she thinks and sees the world. The plot was complicated but, still I found it easy to follow. There are fifteen books in the series, and I plan to read them all. So, we can go on this wondrous journey together.
Title: The Friday Night Knitting Club
Author: Kate Jacobs
Genre: domestic fiction/Romance
Description: It starts almost by accident: the women who buy their knitting needles and wool from Georgia's store linger for advice, for a coffee, for a chat and before they know it, every Friday night is knitting night. Finding a pattern . . . And as the needles clack, and the garments grow, the conversation moves on from patterns and yarn to life, love, and everything. These women are of different ages, from diverse backgrounds and facing different problems, but they are drawn together by threads of affection that prove as durable as the sweaters they knit. The Friday Night Knitting Club - don't you want to join?
My thoughts: I found this book a little slow, and although there was a knitting club it was more about the relationships between the people in the group. Although there was a storyline within the pages its execution, in my opinion, felt awkward. It would be an easy holiday read as long as you don’t want much substance.
Title: I see you
Author: Clare Mackintosh
Genre: Thriller Suspense mystery
Description: You do the same thing every day. You know exactly where you're going. You're not alone . . .When Zoe Walker sees her photo in the classifieds section of a London newspaper, she is determined to find out why it's there. There's no explanation: just a grainy image, a website address, and a phone number. She takes it home to her family, who are convinced it's just someone who looks like Zoe. But the next day the advert shows a photo of a different woman, and another the day after that. Is it a mistake? A coincidence? Or is someone keeping track of every move they make . . .
My thoughts: A gripping storyline based in London had me wondering from the very beginning. I didn’t want to put it down from the minute I started reading it. It was a true page turner. If you are a lover of Mystery Thrillers then this is one for you.
Title: Defector
Author: Peter Kozmar
Genre: Thriller
Description: Moscow 1993 and CIA agent Andy Flint lands an important mission, secure the immediate defection of a high value asset. Flint soon finds himself facing a ruthless opponent, Oleg Malchik, a dynamic FSB agent who’s closing down Western intelligence networks one after another.
With Malchik closing in, Flint has his own problems with the local Mafia. But things turn for the worse when Malchik wants Flint dead. With the FSB and the Mafia in hot pursuit, Flint believes there’s a mole helping Malchik.
Who can Flint trust? Can he complete his mission? Who will get to him first, the Mafia or Malchik?
My thoughts: A good first book in the Andy Flint series about a CIA agent. It was an easy read, so much so I read it in two sittings. I liked Andy’s character and am interested to see him grow.
I received this book from voracious readers in return for my own honest review.
Title: The Maxwells at No 9
Author: Cai Barran
Genre: Family Drama
Description: How do you deal with a boy who has tortured your son? Max was raised by the State to protect the State and he did his job well. Delighted to have a family that he never expected, he is challenged with matters that arise; how to bring about justice for his son, humiliated and hurt by other boys in an initiation ritual he thought no longer happened. A six-year-old delights in using his most treasured part of his body for getting attention and showing off – uninhibited by indulgent parents. A neglected child finds love and acceptance for the most unexpected of reasons! A mother wrestles with her demons to provide the best life for her family she can. A father will stop at nothing to protect his family. For a man dealing with predictions and patterns, the unpredictable takes its toll. A candid visit to the Maxwell family, who live at No. 9. Judge if you wish.
My thoughts: A little too repetitive for me at times, but I was interested to see where the story was going. I liked the Maxwell family and the dynamics they had with their children.
The quote I loved “ I am wryly amused with people who consider themselves to be too important to ever remember or to make any attempt to remember the names of people,. But that’s just me!”
I loved reading about the standards within the family unit. I laughed and cried, a book hasn’t made me feel that emotional in a long time, worth reading to the end.
Title: Hawkeye Ridge
Author: G D Covert
Genre: Adventure
Description: U.S. Navy SEAL Lt. Commander Roman Nelson embarks on one final mission before retirement, but when things go horribly wrong and his fiancée and unborn child are caught in the crosshairs, can the battered soldier learn to live again? Wounded in a secret mission ordered by the President and racked with guilt and PTSD over the death of his family, Roman returns to his small hometown in Gates, Oregon. But, despite his best efforts to rebuild his shattered life, the former Navy SEAL can't leave the demons of the past behind when a chance encounter with a beautiful young woman sparks a deadly PTSD flashback. Events are also conspiring to draw the former SEAL back to his old life. Caught up in a twisted vendetta against this new acquaintance and her father, the state's Governor, Roman must use his special training and skills to protect them both as he works to uncover the identity of this unknown assailant. As Roman embarks on this new mission, and as the bond between the former soldier and the woman that he is bound to protect grows, will he finally be able to capture a second chance at life, or will the tragedy of his past life follow him into the future?
My thoughts: A book involved in a series. I do love a good adventure book and this one does not disappoint. A good starter to the series, with the flow set at the right pace, the plot had many twists and turns. The book left me wanting to know more about the main characters.
This book was supplied to me by Voracious Readers in return for an honest opinion.
Title: Brooklyn North Murders
Author: Erica Obey
Genre: Mystery
Description: Hedge fund billionaire dives into a lake in full view of witnesses watching a triathlon — and disappears. Can this possibly be connected to his plans to turn sleepy Morgansburg, N.Y. into a tech hub to rival Silicon Valley? It couldn’t possibly be that he was snatched by Morgansburg’s own answer to the Loch Ness Monster: a dragon named Battlefield Amy.
My thoughts: I found myself a little confused at the beginning and having to re-read parts to try to follow the story line. I did like the little quips of Dr Watson; they made me laugh. But I did feel that the witticisms overshadowed the plot and left me confused many times throughout the book.
This book was supplied to me by Voracious Readers in return for an honest opinion.
Title: Far Side of the Night
Author: Jan-Phillip Sendker
Genre: Thriller
Description: During a trip to China, Paul and Christine experience the nightmare of every parent: their four-year-old son is kidnapped. They are reunited after a few hours but the kidnappers, immensely powerful people in today's China with close contacts to the police, dearly want the child back. The only safe place for the family is the US embassy in Beijing, but they are two thousand miles away, with the police searching franticly for them, and all airports, train stations and major roads under surveillance. They'll have no chance without help from strangers, but who will be willing to risk their lives for them? Whom can they trust? The Far Side of the Night is a powerful, transporting novel about the struggle to maintain humanity in an impossible situation.
My thoughts: This is the first book I have read by Jan-Phillipe Sendker. An emotional roller-coaster, can people be treated like this! Or is this my ignorance of the wider world. The story is paced right, with emotive descriptions well placed. A book leaving me grateful for what I have and where I live. My favourite quote: “ You don’t know my story,” he said to her with no indication that he was going to tell her anything.
Title: The One You Love
Author: Paul Pilkington
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Crime, Psychological Thriller
Description: Just days before her wedding, Emma Holden's fiancé has vanished. Not only has Dan disappeared without a trace, but his brother is also found beaten and left for dead in their London apartment. Suspicion for the attack falls on Dan, but Emma refuses to believe his guilt. As up-and-coming actor Emma frantically searches for answers, someone is stalking her, watching her every move. And her family are hiding a shocking secret; a secret that threatens all those she loves. In a desperate race against time, Emma and her group of young friends must uncover the truth if they ever want to see Dan again. Mystery, suspense, and romance are combined in this thrilling trilogy set in London, England, which has gained over five thousand five-star ratings online and topped the charts around the world. Perfect for readers who like their novels to be fast-paced and packed with drama and mystery with an emotional heart. If you love mysteries like Lisa Jewell, LJ Ross, Mark Edwards, Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay, you'll adore The One You Love.
My thoughts: This was the first book I have read by Paul Pilkington and the book was full of suspense and cliff hangars which are picked up later in the book. However, there felt as if there were to many strands, which made it feel unreal. I felt that there was so much drama going on I didn’t get to know the real characters. That being said I did finish the book quickly, which could be said is a measure of an enjoyable read. It just didn’t leave me wanting to read more. But if you like a book full of drama where you are wondering whodunnit then this could be one for you.
Title: Two Wrongs
Author: Mel McGrath
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense.
Description: In the city of Bristol, young women are dying in mysterious circumstances. The deaths look like suicides – but are they something more sinister? Honor is terrified that her daughter might be next. But as she looks for clues as to what really happened to the girls, she stumbles upon a link to a dark secret in her own past – one that she’s kept from her daughter. Now Honor, has the chance to avenge her child for the terrible events of years ago.
My thoughts: A fast paces psychological thriller about power and love. This book is a definite page turner with believable characters evoking feelings of love, hope, hatred and much, much more. Mel McGraths ability to steer you through the plot exquisitely, with you not wanting to put the book down until the very end. An excellent read that evokes plenty of thought for the subject.
Title: The Lost Ark
Author: J R Rain
Genre: Romance, Adventure
Description: In a lonely bar in eastern Turkey, ex-National Geographic photojournalist Sam Ward is hired to find an eccentric professor who disappeared high atop Mount Ararat, fabled resting spot of Noah’s Ark. Accompanied by the professor’s beautiful daughter, archaeologist Faye Roberts, they soon stumble upon a secret stronghold—a base of operation for unleashing hell on earth. Now running for their lives, Sam and company might just come face-to-face with the greatest archaeological discovery of all time... if they can live long enough.
My thoughts: A light-hearted archaeological thriller. An easy read that is well written and paced right with a sprinkling of humour mixed in with the action. A great holiday read.
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