Beth

I have never read anything quite like this book before. The story follows different animals (whales and dolphins and fish) and their journeys trying to survive in the harsh and unforgiving ocean. Personally I don't think this book is meant for me. I don't really often gravitate towards books with animal protagonists and I have already forgotten the animals names. But I have to admit the writing was very good and a coherent plot was executed. For another reader, the dramas of the ocean would be very compelling. However unfortunately for me, it is just a case of the wrong book, so I am rounding it up to a 2.5.

Thanks to the author Laline Paull, Little Brown UK and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the reading experience of this short collection as much as Homegoing and that's why I would also rate this collection a 4 and a half star read. This collection is an intoxicatingly dark and compelling series of magical realism short stories. Jen Campbell is a talented writer that creates characters that seem to get under your skin and creates stories that leave you with many questions and much to muse upon long after you've finished the collection. This collection was so easy to read I pretty much finished it in one evening. This collection has restored my faith in the short story genre as well as magical realism. A pleasure to read and I am so excited to see what fiction Jen Campbell will write in the future!!

2.5. I would try and get into the novel and then lose the threading of it all over again. Too experimental and self indulgent for my liking.

3.5

This is a detailed and comprehensive look at one of Britain's most notorious serial killers. I found that Master's really had a fine handle on his subject matter and researched tirelessly both academically and by interviewing Nilsen himself to provide such a detailed account of Nilsen's criminal timeline and motivations. Considering this book was written originally in the 1980s, Masters is sharp with his analysis of psychology, criminology and academic case law to bolster his findings on Nilsen. Many of which are still relevant and sound in those fields of academic study today. This book is ultimately, morbidly fascinating as an academic reference for those who wish to study or are interested in the study of the criminal mind.

Trigger warnings for those that have a sensitive nature. Nilsen's commentary on his murders and the ways in which he disposed of his victims bodies,as well as Nilsen's own sketches of some of the dead bodies at the back of the book make for harrowing and disturbing reading. If you are easily upset or repulsed I would not recommend you read this book.

However I found this book incredibly well written and done in a respectful and sensitive way. Master's had a clear intention with this book which he executed brilliantly(pardon the pun!). Master's structured the chapters clearly and elaborated very articulately on the points he wanted to address. While Master's points of conclusion aren't concretely accurate or without some faults, this book started the conversation on a wider area of study still being mined today. A very impressive book to add to the criminology and criminal profiling cannon.

Thank you to the author, Random House UK and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn't for me. Taddeo is an extremely talented writer and I found the first half of the book compelling and darkly engrossing. But I found the book became too much for me in the last 10%. Personally I found it too provocative and gratuitous.

Trigger warnings for murder, multiple scenes of rape and sexual assault as well as scenes of very harrowing violence. For example this book contains a description of a miscarriage and a vivid description of a crime scene. If these things are too triggering for you just be warned.

Thanks to the author Lisa Taddeo, Bloomsbury and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5

Wow. I loved this book. It was creepy and atmospheric and nuanced and utterly compelling. I couldn't stop turning the pages. I loved the backdrop of the cold and creepy Swiss Alps during an avalanche. I also loved the dark, spooky and unnerving choice of an old Sanatorium turned luxury hotel as the setting for this thriller.

The main protagonist Elin, a British police officer on a period of leave due to personal circumstances relating to a case she was involved in the previous year, is invited to the luxury hotel for the weekend with her partner Will to celebrate her brother Isaac's engagement to Laure. When Laure who works at the hotel goes missing days after Elin arrives and the body of a member of staff is discovered, Elin is forced to investigate the murder mystery in the hotel and the mysteries that plague her own personal life too.

I loved the isolated close circle mystery element of this novel. All the characters trapped in the hotel during a terrible winter storm and avalanche and the police can't get to them. I also enjoyed how the Sanatorium because like an additional character in the plot, enhancing the bone chilling components of the novel. This book is full of secrets from the past being brought to the surface. Full of twists and turns. It's impressively plotted and paced. I was completely on board with the story from the first page.

The characters were intriguing and I found the ending left me on tender hooks. This is a new author that people should watch out for.

This was one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time. And perfect for this time of year. A cold creepy story to curl up with during the cold winter nights. I can't wait to see what this author writes next!

Thanks to Penguin Books UK, the author and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5. Best Friedda McFadden yet but final Jay twist had too many plot holes for me.

4.5

I know some found faults with Lullaby and I do agree it isn't a faultless novel. However I found it a gripping and well executed whydunnit with a dark ‘The Virgin Suicides' vibes. I found the depth to Louise's character that included : loneliness, financial vulnerability, maternal frustration and mental health conditions, fascinating and it allowed me to find the plot dense and ambiguous instead of rather cliched which I really appreciated about the novel. I found the musings on women's balance between home maker and career woman and the guilt Myriam feels for returning to work really intriguing and powerful in this book. There were only a few nitpick issues I had with the structure and form of the novel but I think that is down to the translation from the French. Overall I think it had a thriller vibe while still being a much deeper literary read about relationships, loneliness and poverty. I fell in love with this dark story from the first 20 pages. It satisfies all my love for dark and psychologically gripping plots and so I have unashamedly given it a 5 star rating as it gave me an extremely pleasurable reading experience. I would happily try any work by the author in the future.

This book is just as good as it's debut. I love the character development of Anjelica Henley, Ramouter and the team. I love that the book acknowledged and addressed things that happened in the first book. The book also dealt really strongly with the aftermath of trauma and police politics and racism and conflict within the police, which I enjoyed.

This book is a book that can stand on its own and I really loved the inventive plot. The author mentions in her acknowledgment page that she proposed this idea as a pastor is killed in his church and he has a member of the congregation who he has locked up in the church who is found and they believe he been having an exorcism? And it's so cleverly crafted from there! This isn't a gimmicky plot with no substance. Matheson knows how to layer together plot, character development, several loose ends and tie them up satisfyingly at the end. Matheson is one to watch in the thriller genre and I absolutely loved this latest installment. I can't wait to read more in this series. I love how Henley is faulted and passionate and dedicated to her team and she feels so authentic and real. I also personally want to thank HQ for gifting me a ebook earlier readers copy due to my positive review of the first book. I squealed for joy when I got the email!!

Thanks to the author Nadine Matheson, HQ and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the first instalment of the trilogy a few months ago, I was so pleased to get a Netgalley copy of the latest novel. This is another strong additional to the trilogy. This story gives more backstory to the characters of Ciara, Luke (the mundane gardener) and develops the relationship between Holly and Theo which was so sweet. Snow (Helena's daughter) was absent from the novel but it has heavily alluded to her return in the final book for a showdown. The book didn't have any Niamh in it which was disappointing as she was my favourite character so I hope we find a way to bring her back ! And Leonie travelling around was a little boring in parts but otherwise it was as good as the first. I love the world building of the Shadow Cabinet and the mundane government world. The action scenes are done well and the character development is strong. I also love the northern links in the book as I'm a northern lass myself.

Thanks to the author Juno Dawson, Publisher Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was dark, gritty, twisty-turny and unputdownable! Layers of sharp twists and reveals kept pummelling me and I absolutely loved the dark nature of this story. Following a dark family history of secrets, abductions, murder and violence, this story traces four generations of darkness and the compulsion to kill. This story follows Finn and Mia who end up with a house via auction and begin renovating it when they find out Mia is expecting. However when gristly discoveries are found in the house and a family connection crops up between Finn and the house, a dark tale of revelation and revenge begins to unfold. I am so impressed by this author and can't wait to tap into his back list! Trigger warnings for child abuse and child violence. Also this book sits at the darker end of the thriller spectrum so just be aware.

A 4.5 star read. This book is just darker, deeper and generally more juicy than the other three books. I love that the plot and the character developments progressed more significantly in this book. I love the Tri-Wizard tournament events. I loved Cedric diggory and I was heartbroken all over again at his death. I also have a soft spot for Krum as well and I loved meeting Bill and Charlie Weasley in this novel. I found it super interesting to re read this book and notice the discrepancies between the film and book for example the scene with the merpeople (yes people not just women) was entirely different and less violent than the film depicts. Also both Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are mixed sex schools not all boys and all girls schools like the film suggests. Also the memories in Dumbledores pensieve were different than the one dramatic memory shown in the movie. Also I never remembered Rita Skeeter being a beetle and writing articles about the champions, Hermione and Hagrid until re reading this book. I also forgot about Winky so that was a lovely surprise to remember her. Overall this book is just much more thought out and richer than the first three books so I give this book 4.5 stars and I can't wait to continue with this series!

3.5

I think this wasn't the right book at the right time for me. I absolutely love the true crime element of The Babysitter case and I would have liked more on that. I found Hannah was a frustrating and naive character to follow but I think that was the point. I hated the perspective of the ponytail etc characters and completely skipped those chapters. I also found Hannah and her fascination/ affair with this Y.K character confusing and i lacked interest in the development of that plot point. I really respect JCO as an author and want to read all her back list. Maybe this novel needed me to read it much slower and reflect upon it more. Or maybe it just wasn't my cup of tea. I think I will return to this book in physical form one day and find out.

4.5. There were a few clunky explanation bits about the world of Hell that I just suspended my disbelief about. That knocks half a star off. But I am happy to overlook that in light of this being a debut. But wow! What a plot. What a well coloured in world. I loved the short chapters. I was engrossed in both the Harrison family story line and the Hell story line. This author will be one to watch for sure!!

3.5. I found I was really invested the first 3/4 of the way through the book. The final section was a lot more messy and certain parts didn't bring the whole plot together for me. So my few plot niggles brought it an overall 3.5 rating. I liked the creepy Lakehouse setting and the revealing of secrets from all of the characters not just Casey. It was better than just a standard read and 3 starts to me is a standard rating for a standard read.

4.5

4.5

This was a gripping and immersive story that really addressed the complexities around the busy western world and it's impact on parenting.

Susannah on the surface looks like she has it all: she's a successful paediatrician who is also a TV personality, she has a lovely husband and two beautiful daughters.

However a tragic accident befalls the family and the youngest daughter one day is left in Susannah's car during a heatwave and heartbreakingly dies. This isn't the end of the story for Susannah as she is put on trial for neglect of her child.

This is a book that dissects and explores the conversation around motherhood and women's place in the working world. It also looks at the busy American workplace and how the pressure to live and achieve the American dream and the financial demands of raising a family in America is putting families health and wellbeing (psychologically and physically) in jeopardy.

This is so well written and fast paced and enjoyable. I loved the connection between Susannah and Adelaide the news reporter and how we got to understand both of their relationships to motherhood and their careers. I am very excited to see what more will come from this author.

Thanks to Sphere, the author Edel Coffey and Secret Readers for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher Penguin, the author Sarah Pearse and Netgalley for a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to read the next instalment in the DS Elin Warner series. I adored The Sanatorium with its cold setting and the creepy haunted building. This second book has a similar structure with murders occurring in an isolated wellness retreat during a hot summer. The rock that is built on the island ( reapers rock

This was a fun little book that gave brief little accounts of female murders and why they murdered and who they murdered. The book was inspired by the author who was fascinated by society's disbelief at female violence and females having the ability to kill. This book is a compilation of the worlds most brutal women and their crimes and motivations. While this book deals with everything from female cannibals to female pirates and warriors, it included more historical female figures than modern serial killers for instance. This would be a great coffee table book if you and your friends like dark things (like female killers) as they are short little focused chapters on individual women you can dip in and out of. It was interesting but I would have preferred more detailed chapters and less women selected as I think it left the reading very surface level. I love true crime non-fiction that really reads like compelling narrative non-fiction so I think this book felt more like a coffee table book/young adult gruesome history book. I wanted more academic exploration into criminology theory or true crime archives to really understand why the women killed instead of statements the author inferred about the female but with no real strong explanation/ intellectual reference behind it. But that's just my personal preference but I still enjoyed reading it.

Thanks to the publisher Abram image, author Jennifer Wright and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5!! I thought this was absolutely brilliant and a great introduction to the genius of Stephen King. Only slight niggle is it could have been condensed a little,particularly the ending.