Watching Edie by Camilla Way

The Description

A brilliantly written, incredibly unnerving psychological thriller about friendship, deception and betrayal that will have you captivated from the first to the last page.

 

“Who's good? Who's evil? Those questions are at the heart of WATCHING EDIE, a taut, tricky suspense novel that drops secrets in all the right places. As she explores the heart of a dark female friendship, Camilla Way twists her way to an original ending that rings with truth.”

Julia Heaberlin, author of BLACK-EYED SUSANS

“WATCHING EDIE has a clever plot, a fateful friendship, a callous betrayal, and an ending that is as twisty as it is inevitable—it’s all there!”

Alexandra Burt, international bestselling author of LITTLE GIRL GONE

‘Wonderful -- one of those novels that sucks you in and doesn't let go for a moment.

Way brings a powerful new voice to the psychological thriller genre that promises much for the future.’

Alex Marwood, bestselling author of THE WICKED GIRLS and THE KILLER NEXT DOOR

Beautiful, creative, a little wild – Edie caused a stir when she walked into Heather’s life. Back when they both had dreams for the future. Before it all went horribly, terrifyingly wrong…

Years later Edie is pregnant and alone, desperately trying to rebuild her life. But someone’s been watching her, waiting for the chance to prove what a perfect friend she can be.

It’s no coincidence that Heather shows up just when Edie needs her the most.

A dark secret lies between them and Edie’s about to learn that those who have hurt us deeply—or who we have hurt—never let us go…

 

My Review

 

I loved, loved, loved this book. I thought it was extremely well written. The story is absolutely absorbing, horrifying, and heart rendering. The characters, especially the two main ones, are superb, very well developed, and extremely believable. The relationship between the two kept me gripped. I can assure you there is enough tension in this book to send your blood pressure soaring.

 

It is very cleverly written from two different perspectives, then and now. Then being from the socially inept, overweight Heather's view point, and now being from popular and good looking Edie's. Both girls belong to dysfunctional families and because of this they are drawn together, however, both their friendship, and they, begin to unwind when Edie finds a boyfriend, Connor.

 

Camilla Way had a knack of messing with my emotions like no other, I didn’t know who to believe in, and then came the ending.

 

If you want a book that will grip you from beginning to end, that will have you sitting on the edge of your chair and shouting out nooo, then this is the book for you. It could leave you feeling a little unsettled, but that’s the sign of a great psychological thriller.  

 

An immensely satisfying read.

 

This is my favourite book of 2016 so far.

 

 

To purchase a copy of this book Click here

Nowhere Girl Ruth Dugdall

I'm big fan of Ruth Dugdall, Humber Boy B was one of the best books I have read, so I was very excited when I was asked to read Nowhere Girl. I wasn't disappointed, this book is another fabulous read.

Book Description

Probation officer, Cate Austin, has moved for a fresh start, along with her daughter Amelia, to live with her police detective boyfriend, Olivier Massard. But when she realises just how casually he is taking the disappearance of Ellie, Cate decides to investigate matters for herself. She discovers Luxembourg has a dark heart. With its geographical position, could it be the centre of a child trafficking ring? As Cate comes closer to discovering Ellie’s whereabouts she uncovers a hidden world, placing herself in danger, not just from traffickers, but from a source much closer to home.

My review

Cate Austin is once again the protagonist of this book. It does follow on from Humber Boy B but it can easily be read as a stand alone, (although I recommend you read all of Ruth's novels). Cate has given up her job, left her home in England, and along with her daughter Amelia, has moved to Luxembourg to live with her boyfriend Olivier.

The story centres on Ellie, a teenage girl, the sister of Cate's daughter's friend. Ellie's relationship with her mother is very strained so when she disappears at a local fair it is assumed that she has ran away. At first Cate doesn't want to get involved but as the days pass she becomes increasing frustrated by the attitude of the local police, and especially Olivier.

Ruth, an ex probation officer herself, was born in Felixstowe but now lives in Luxembourg with her family, not surprisingly, she captures the setting perfectly.

The pace of the story really suited me, and I loved the way it switched from character to character.

The characters themselves were very believable, and I quickly found myself being drawn into their lives. The fear and panic of the children was utterly convincing and unsettling.

There are twists in this story that I was not expecting, some that are quite shocking.

It is a great novel, one that will open your eyes to the horrors of child trafficking. I loved it, and thoroughly recommend it.


Many thanks to Netgalley and Legend Press for giving me a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

Evil Games Angela Marsons

Warning, this book will keep you up at night. It is a fantastic read, with an antagonist as scary as a certain Mr Lectar.

When a rapist is found mutilated in a brutal attack, Detective Kim Stone and her team are called in to bring a swift resolution. But, as more vengeful killings come to light, it soon becomes clear that there is someone far more sinister at work.

With the investigation quickly gathering momentum, Kim soon finds herself exposed to great danger and in the sights of a lethal individual undertaking their own twisted experiment.

Up against a sociopath who seems to know her every weakness, for Detective Stone, each move she makes could be deadly. As the body count starts to mount, Kim will have to dig deeper than ever before to stop the killing. And this time - it’s personal.

The character of DI Kim Stone, who I just love, is developing more and more with each book. Ably assisted by DS Bryant, she is one lady I wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of.

Her antagonist in this novel is Doctor Alexandra Thorne, another fabulous character who is so evil she gave me chills. A dangerous sociopath, she makes it her business to delve into Kim Stone’s past in an effort to find her Achilles heel and destroy her. This is truly an evil woman, and she’s brilliant.

This book takes you on a wonderful, unnerving ride. Full of twists and turns, the action never stops.

This is the second book in the series, Silent Scream was the first, but it can be read as a standalone.

Silent Scream was great, but, in my opinion, Evil Games is better. It is definitely going into my top five books of 2015.

A definite 5* read, and thoroughly recommended.

This book is available now:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evil-Games-gripping-heart-stopping-Detective-ebook/dp/B00U7K5F4O/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1432883118&sr=1-6&keywords=angela+marsons

What She Left Behind by T.R. Richmond

Not sure what I really felt about this book. 

Yes it was original, and I, personally, have never read a book like it before, the concept of writing a book by using diary/blog pages, emails, tweets, and Facebook posts was great. 

It contains a lot of really nice prose, and the storyline is good.

I really like Alice Salmon. She had her faults, what heroine doesn't! She is the subject of the book, the girl who died, mysteriously, on a snowy February night. Prof Cooke is the protagonist. He’s the man who wants to gather all the information he can about her, to find out what sort of on-line presence she left behind, to see if he could make her dance again! Through this process we slowly come to realise the truth about Alice’s death.

The story is told through multiple viewpoints, Alice herself, the Prof, Alice’s boyfriend, friends and family, and through multiple time frames. The switch from one time frame to another is very cleverly done, and I was never unclear about where I was in the story. 

The characterisation is exceptional, I have a daughter the same age as Alice, and the things she did/wrote about, remind me so much of my daughter when she was younger, as well as now.

I think that what really bothered me about the book was I didn’t like Prof Cooke, I found him supercilious, and irritating. Some of the things he did, and wrote were truly awful, and I had no sympathy with him whatsoever.

I found it to be quite a sad book, but it was a book that I couldn’t stop reading. That was my dilemma, I hated the protagonist, but I had to get to the end.  That’s why I gave this book a 4* review. One thing this book does make you do is think about your own on-line footprint, it's amazing what stuff is out there in cyberspace!

Would I recommend this book, yes I would, it is a very clever, different read that grabs you in.

Available now:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-She-Left-Enhanced-Richmond-ebook-x/dp/B00RL1XES6/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1432629479&sr=1-2&keywords=what+she+left+behind

Humber Boy B by Ruth Dugdall

Humber Boy B is a novel I won’t forget in a hurry. It is heart-breaking, horrific, and at times, absolutely unsettling, but it is one of the most gripping novels I’ve read this year.

A child is killed after falling from the Humber Bridge. Despite fleeing the scene, two young brothers are found guilty and sent to prison. Upon their release they are granted one privilege only, their anonymity. Probation officer Cate Austin is responsible for Humber Boy B’s reintegration into society. But the general public’s anger is steadily growing, and those around her are wondering if the secret of his identity is one he actually deserves to keep. Cate’s loyalty is challenged when she begins to discover the truth of the crime. She must ask herself if a child is capable of premeditated murder. Or is there a greater evil at play?

The novel tells the story of Humber Boy B, who killed another child when he was ten years old, and the difficulties of reintegrating him into society eight years later.

Cate Austin, is his probation officer, and it is her job to keep his identity secret, against a society that is outraged at his early release. Some of the Facebook posts, skilfully woven throughout the story, are chilling.

It is told from the different viewpoints of the characters involved, not only after his release, but also at the time of the killing.

Ruth Dugdall, was herself a probation officer, and she deals with this harrowing subject with a great deal of sensitivity.

It is a very thought provoking novel, full of twists and turns, it’s one that will stay with you for a long time after you’ve reached its disturbing conclusion.

I have never read Ruth Dugdall before, but I will be reading her books in the future. She is an excellent story teller. Her characterisation is faultless, and her plot draws you in from the start.

This is a definite five star read. I loved it, and thoroughly recommend it.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Legend Press for giving me a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

Humber Boy B can be purchased now from:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Humber-Boy-B-Ruth-Dugdall-ebook/dp/B00NWBMKFW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1431893839&sr=1-1&keywords=ruth+dugdall

FORSAKEN by J.D. Barker

When horror author Thad McAlister began his latest novel, a `tale rooted in the witch trials of centuries past, the words flowed effortlessly. The story poured forth, filling page after page with the most frightening character ever to crawl from his imagination. It was his greatest work, one that would guarantee him a position among the legends of the craft.

But was it really fiction?

He inadvertently opened a door, one that would soon jeopardize the lives of his family.

She wants to come back.

At home, his wife struggles to keep their family alive. Secretly wondering if she caused it all…a deal she made long ago. A deal with the Forsaken

 

It’s been a while since I read a really gripping horror novel, but this one had me hooked.

Thad McAlister is a horror story writer. He is chronicling the story of a 17^th Century witch trial, and he feels compelled to write it. 

The moment he finishes his book creepy things start to happen to Thad and his family, and I mean really creepy things. His wife and daughter are terrorized by evil creatures. I got the jitters going through their ordeal with them because the characterisation is so good, you can actually feel the horror the family are going through.

I was transported back to the 17^th Century by snippets of Thad’s book that are interwoven throughout the novel. This works very well and helps to build up the tension.

The plot is great. The action doesn’t slow down for a minute. I never really understood the term ‘Tension building up to a crescendo’ before, but now I do. The ending is brilliant.

I have never read a book by J.D. Barker prior to this, but I will seek out his books in the future. He is a fabulous story teller.

I won’t give away any spoilers, but I will say that this book is genuinely scary. Definitely a 5* read. I thoroughly recommend it.

Available now on Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Forsaken-Book-Shadow-Cove-Saga-ebook/dp/B00P1W6RDQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430685863&sr=8-1&keywords=forsaken+jd+barker
 

TWISTED by Andrew E Kaufman

The psychologist with a troubled past…

Dr. Christopher Kellan spends his days at Loveland Psychiatric Hospital, overseeing a unit known as Alpha Twelve, home to the most deranged and psychotic killers imaginable. His newest patient, Donny Ray Smith, is accused of murdering ten young girls and making their bodies disappear. But during his first encounter with Donny, Christopher finds something else unsettling: the man looks familiar.

The killer with a secret…

Donny Ray knows things about Christopher—things he couldn’t have possibly learned at Loveland. As the psychologist delves deeper into the mysterious patient’s case, Christopher’s life whirls out of control. The contours of his mind are rapidly losing shape, and his grasp on reality is slipping even faster. Is he going mad, or is that what Donny Ray wants him to think?

The terror that binds them…

In this taut psychological thriller from Andrew E. Kaufman, bestselling author of The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted, a tormented man must face his fear and enter the mind of a killer to find the truth…even if it costs him his sanity.

 

Twisted is an utterly absorbing book which kept me hooked from the very first page right through to the excellent ending.

I don’t want to give too much of the story away because I don’t want to spoil a great read. Dr Christopher Kellan, a psychologist at Loveland psychiatric hospital recognises his latest patient. Donny Ray Smith is due to stand trial for the murder of a six year old child, but he soon realises that the enigmatic Donny Ray knows more about him than he should. On a tight deadline to evaluate Donny Ray’s mental state, Dr Kellan begins to lose his grasp on reality.

The reader is taken through a whirlpool of emotions as we take the journey with him, and what a journey it is: shocking, mystifying, mind blowing, but ultimately compelling.

Twisted is the ideal title for this book, because there are so many twists and turns that lead to a superb ending that I never saw coming.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will definitely be reading more by Mr Kaufman.

I have no problem recommending this novel. A brilliant 5* read.

The Broken Tamar Cohen

Ever since the birth of their daughters four years ago, two couples, Josh and Hannah, and Dan and Sasha have been best friends. They spend so much time in each other’s company that the two young girls have grown up more like sisters than friends. Then one day Dan drops a bombshell, he is leaving Sasha.

Josh and Hannah agree to be neutral, and support both couples during this difficult time, but things soon take a downwards curve, when the emotionally unstable Sasha refuses to accept the situation. Bad things start to happen, Dan and Sasha blame each other, Josh and Hannah are torn between the two. When bad things start to happen to them, just who should Josh and Hannah believe.

This is a fantastic book. Cohen takes you on a ride that you don’t want to get off.

The situation is all too real, one couple caught in the middle of the breakup of their best friends marriage. The ‘perfect’ couple splitting up, whilst the relationship of the less than perfect couple is sound, or is it?

It was chilling witnessing the sophisticated Sasha fall apart. My sympathies went from one character to another at an alarming rate, until I wasn’t sure what, or who, to believe.

There is also the memoir of a young girl dotted throughout the story, that adds a mysterious undercurrent to the already dark plot.

The pace was fast. It was definitely a CPID, (couldn’t put it down), book. I was definitely not expecting the ending, it was a complete shock.

This is a fabulous psychological thriller that left me wanting to read more by the talented Ms Cohen, I’m sure you will feel the same.

A definite 5* read. I thoroughly recommend it.


Out today in paperback
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Tamar-Cohen/dp/0552779377/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1429777109&sr=1-1&keywords=the+broken

HIDDEN EMMA KAVANAGH

HE'S WATCHING

A gunman is stalking the wards of a local hospital. He's unidentified and dangerous, and has to be located. Urgently.

Police Firearms Officer Aden McCarthy is tasked with tracking him down. Still troubled by the shooting of a schoolboy, Aden is determined to make amends by finding the gunman - before it's too late.

SHE'S WAITING

To psychologist Imogen, hospital should be a place of healing and safety - both for her, and her young niece who's been recently admitted. She's heard about the gunman, but he has little to do with her. Or has he?

As time ticks down, no one knows who the gunman's next target will be. But he's there. Hiding in plain sight. Far closer than anyone thinks...

This book starts at the end, which is quite a fresh approach, and something that I feel works well, because you want to read on to find out what has happened, (You don’t find out who the shooter is until the actual end of the novel). It starts with Charlie, a journalist, witnessing a mass shooting at a the local Mount Pleasant hospital.  

The story is very effectively told over six days,  from the perspective of the four main characters: Charlie, a journalist with the local paper, Aden, a firearms officer, Imogen, a psychologist, and the shooter. Don’t let that put you off. It is a very easy book to read.

There are quite a few sub plots involving these characters, Imogen the copper red haired twin, who is desperate to have a baby, Charlie, who’s friend has died mysteriously, and Aden troubled by the shooting of a schoolboy.

The plot is very clever, and quite gripping. I liked the way that somehow the characters lives are all intertwined. Charlie is a little bit of a stereotypical journalist, but I did become fond of her.

This was a couldn’t put down novel, because I had to know what why there was a shooter stalking the hospital, and why did he open fire.

There were plenty of red herrings to misdirect me and I didn’t guess the ending.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and would highly recommend it.


Available from today!


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hidden-Emma-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00PEFBP7I/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1429773056&sr=1-1&keywords=hidden+emma+Kavanagh

The Death House by Sarah Pinborough

What can I say about this book... I loved it.

Image a place where everyone under the age of eighteen has to have a regular blood test. The test is designed to show up a certain defect. Anyone with the defect is taken away to the Death House.
The defectives have an incurable disease, and in time they will begin to change. Toby is one of the unlucky ones, he has tested positive, he is one of the defectives. Unaware of his test results, he arrives home from school, is torn from his family, and taken to the Death House. The Death House is a remote place, where he, and other defectives are forced to live. Separated into dorms, they are monitored daily by the matron and her team of silent nurses for any sign of change. The defectives are resigned to their fate, then a new arrival upsets the status quo.

Fear dominates the defectives existence, they know that once the change starts to happen they will be ostracised by the others, and transported, in the dead of night to the terrifying sanatorium. No one returns from the sanatorium.

I loved the way the character of Toby and the others developed. The author completely captures the power struggles between the dorms, and how friendships survive, or are destroyed by the changes.

The plot moves at a good pace, and there are plenty of twists.

The novel wasn’t quite what I was expecting, it was better. It’s about fear, friendship, coming of age, love, and the power to change the unchangeable. The story is very poignant, and the writing is lovely.

It’s one of those books that you have to keep reading because you have to know what happens.

The narrative is chilling. How would you live knowing that you could change at any time, and be transported away in the middle of the night. Could you cope with not knowing what’s going to happen to you, because you've never seen anyone completely change, and no one has ever come back from the place you are going to.

I would have liked to know more about the changes, but maybe not knowing is worse, the imagination is a powerful thing.

Be prepared for some heartbreak, I must admit to shedding a few tears.

The book is haunting, and stayed with me long after I read it.

I thoroughly recommend it.


The Death House can be purchased from Amazon the ebook costs just £1.99, the Paper Back version is £7.99 or in Hard Back for £14.99

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-House-Sarah-Pinborough/dp/1473202329/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424959851&sr=1-1&keywords=the+death+house