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Aug 8

The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood

The Wicked Girls

“The Wicked Girls” is the first book by Alex Marwood and boy was it a great debut.

Twenty five years ago, two little girls were imprisoned for murder. Fast forward those years and Kirsty Lindsay is a journalist investigating a series of murders on young women that leads her to cleaner, Amber Gordon.

This is the first time that the two women have seen each other since that day when they were young girls. Aware of the danger that they are in with their news identities and families, these are two women will do anything to prevent the world of finding out the truth.

From the very offset you are immediately drawn into the dark bleak world of Amber and Kirsty as they both desperately try to keep their lives hidden but it’s hard when there is a killer practically living on their doorstep.

It was hard not to get emotionally involved in the story which sometimes caused for the unsettling reading, as the story revolves child killers it was hard not to think of the Jamie Bulger murder and some similarities that were in the cases.

Throughout the story I found myself trying to figure out who the killer, just like a game of Cluedo I was eliminating everyone that crossed the women’s path. I particularly enjoyed the flash backs of the young girls, to that fateful day where their lives changed. When those chapters appeared in the book, I read them greedily wanting more, eager to the know if the incident was an accident or intentional. These chapters were especially distressing filled with poverty and sadness as both girls had to deal with parents that didn’t seem to care for them. During these chapters a mixture of emotions coursed through me from sadness for the little girls to disabelief in their treatment of people. The sub stories were also a welcome addition, all cleverly plotted to flow within the main one all coming together nicely in the end. The characters were intriguing, disturbing and creepy in their way, which regularly give me goosebumps praying that I would never have the misfortune of meeting anyone like them!

“The Wicked Girls” is one of the best crime books that I have read, thought provoking from the word go, it’s makes for distressing but enthralling reading which is sure sign of a good crime writer.

With a dark and haunting cover of three little girls, you know you are in for a rollercoaster of a ride with this debut.

Alex Marwood is definitely one crime author to look out for!

You can buy The Wicked Girls on Amazon and other good bookshops.

Jul 6

Temptation Island by Victoria Fox

Temptation Island

“Temptation Island” is the second book by Victoria Fox.

In the middle of the Indian Ocean there is an island, where only the rich are invited and only the strongest survive. It’s where Hollywood starlets go to recuperate but unknown to them, this island harbours a terrible secret. Three of the world’s most famous women, drawn into the world of glamour and riches escape to the island and are about to unearth a secret that will change their lives forever.

Aurora Nash, is LA’s wildest teen, there is nothing that she hasn’t tried and she’s totally out of control. After trying rehab and therapy, her parents decide to ship her off to one of Britain’s strictest boarding school, hoping that will change her ways but Aurora is set to find out some earth shattering facts about herself.

Newcomer to Hollywood, is British actress Stevie Spellor, one half of Hollywood’s golden couples who famously got her big break by helping her best friend Bibi. Now Stevie is the toast of Tinseltown whilst Bibi is married to Linus Posen, one of the film industry’s most sleaziest directors. But when Linus is found dead in Bibi’s bed, the finger of blame is immediately pointed at her. So to keep to best friend safe, Stevie and Bibi retreat to the island to get away from the paparazzi glare.

And finally Lori Garcia has become a world famous model, after escaping from her life of poverty and rescued by darling of the fashion world Jean Bapiste, she falls for the man’s affections and nothing can stop her thinking about him but it’s not until she reaches the island that she discover the secret of his success and together with Aurora and Stevie plan to unravel one of the Hollywoods most envied hot-spots.

“Temptation Island” is the first book that I have read by the young author and was quite impressed with such an interesting read.

Full of glamour, sex and deceit, it certainly made for a racy book, that occasionally made me raise in eyebrows in surprise. Having read “Fifty Shades of Grey” I thought nothing could surprise me, but it seems that is not the case, with some of the escapades Aurora got up to.

Victoria has successfully managed to create three, great lead ladies that make the book a fun, intriguing, summer novel. Young Aurora with her fieriness, Lola with her quiet determination and Stevie’s loyalty towards her best friend, make the story an addictive read that kept me up reading late into the night.

“Temptation Island” is an enjoyable and sexy book, with a storyline that flows easily from page to page, making is easy to get caught up in the sordid world of the Hollywood elite.

With a vibrant cover that is reminiscent of best selling author Louise Bagshawe and focusing the story around three strong females, like other author Lulu Taylor has done in her novels. Victoria Fox is definitely an author to look out with her latest naughty but nice novel.

You can buy Temptation Island on Amazon and other good bookshops.

Jun 27

Phantom by Jo Nesbo

Phantom

“Phantom” is the latest installment in the Harry Hole series from Scandinavian author Jo Nesbo.

Harry Hole has returned back to Oslo and it seems that the past is catching up with him. He wants to work on a case that is already closed. The case was simple, a drug addict shot dead by a fellow junkie. The suspect is in custody. Case is closed.

Harry wants to investigate the case, but he is denied reopening it so he decides to investigate it himself but it seems that underneath the tranquility of Olso there is a lot of corruption going, violence and mysterious disappearances that the police don’t seem to notice. It seems that every door that Harry opens, a new conspiracy is discovered.

But it seems that Harry is not the only person interested in this case and that his every step and new discovery is being closely monitored.

Having been a Jo Nesbo fan for years, I was delighted with the release of “Phantom” And once again Jo has delivered another masterpiece. Harry Hole as the lead in the book, is a wonder to read, ugly to see but a delight in delivery. Packed with gripping characters and an intriguing story, “Phantom” reveals the dark underbelly of the Oslo drug problem and the corruption of the respected police. It occasionally makes for unsettling reading with scenes of drug abuse and violence, that regularly made me wince and even on one occasion made me gag with one particularly graphic scene. With a host of characters of the Harry Hole series that we have grown to love, “Phantom” also makes for an intimate read as the lead suspect in the case is one of the regular characters which makes the story even more suspenseful as we accompany Harry on the case to find out the truth behind the murder.

Another great book by the Scandinavian author, “Phantom” is terrifically dark. Filled with tension, wonderful narratives, characters, twist and turns. True to form, Nesbo has delivered another page turner that will have you guessing from start to finish. Compulsive reading with a capital C. Jo Nesbo is truly one of the best crime writers of the decade.

You can buy Phantom: A Harry Hole thriller on Amazon and other good bookshops.

Apr 16

Every Vow You Break by Julia Crouch

Every Vow You Break

“Every Vow You Break” is the second novel by Julia Crouch and just like her debut “Cuckoo” it’s another dark and creepy read.

Lara Wayland and her children sixteen year old twins Olly and Bella and four year old Jack give up their lives in Brighton to move to Trout Island, a small rural town in upstate New York to accompany her husband Marcus as he has been given the opportunity of a lifetime giving the main role in “Macbeth”, in the town’s local adaptation.

Lara hopes with the move, it will her help her rekindle her failing relationship with Marcus and help her recover from the abortion that Marcus insists she had.

But on a freak meeting at the plays opening night, they meet Stephen, an old friend of Marcus’. Stephen is everything Marcus isn’t, attractive, considerate, successful and interested in Lara. It’s not long until Lara realises that she too is interested in Stephen and feels drawn to him. As she begins a dangerous game, she is unaware that her every move is being watched.

OK, I’ll be honest. This book creeped me out. But if it’s possible, it creeped me out in a good way, meaning. I couldn’t put it down. For the few days it took me to read it, I found myself looking over my shoulder, as I too felt like I was being watched, as I joined Lara on her risky adventure.

From the very moment the Wayland family land in Trout Island, it is obvious that things are far from normal in the rural town, with the vivid descriptions of the derelict rundown surroundings that wouldn’t look out of place in “Dawn of the Dead” movie to the zombie like people that whisper behind their backs.

I particularly found the relationship between the twins most disconcerting, as Bella befriends one of the local boys Sean, Olly’s obvious jealousy and dislike for the boy is rift throughout the chapters which can sometimes border on uncomfortable reading. Throughout the book there is a constant sense of unease, as Lara is faced with situations of things going missing or feelings or being watched.

“Every Vow You Break” is an intriguing read that draws you into the dark world of Lara Wayland and her troubled family from the start. It’s mystery and suspense seeps from each page, making the readers skin crawl with suspicious characters and uncomfortable situations that makes even the most bravest of people glance fearfully over their shoulders.

With a wonderfully dark cover of an over turned chair at the porch door, which gives the reader a taster of what the book has in store in them and also warns them, that it is not for the easily scared. A dark, gritty and most of all sinister read, “Every Vow You Break” is an addictive page turner.

You can buy Every Vow You Break on Amazon and other good bookshops.

Feb 24

The Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy

The Legacy of Eden

“The Legacy of Eden” is the debut novel by young female author Nelle Davy and I must admit it is an impressive debut.

For the last seventeen years of her life, Meredith Hathaway has tried to forget her history but this is difficult when the ghosts of the past are constantly haunting her and reminding her of the life that she left behind.

But one day, her life is torn apart when a letter arrives and she realises that she must confront her past and the demise of the Hathaway dynasty.

On her journey of discovery, Meredith tells the story of the four main Hathaway women, Lavina her grandmother, Julia her aunt, her sister Ava and herself. The Hathaway empire began in 1946 in Iowa, when one woman, Lavina Hathaway was determined to change her fate and ensure that her family succeeds at all costs. The empire that she founded Aureila, a huge magnificent home that people admired and envied now lies empty, a former shadow of it’s self. As Meredith confronts her past, the ugly ghosts return to haunt her, giving her no choice but to face the truth.

I will be honest when I first began “The Legacy of Eden” I found it a slow read that was hard to get into but when I read further, I discovered how interesting the characters were particularly Lavina, the cold-hearted, manipulative grandmother and founder of Aurelia. It was fascinating to read how she controlled people into doing what she wanted and everything had to be done her.

“The Legacy of Eden” is an extraordinary debut book, beautifully written and wonderfully charming filled with haunting, controlling characters and picturesque settings that are so descriptive that it conjures up images of the farmland and homestead that Meredith is trying to escape, so vivid that you feel you are alongside Meredith as she reveals the gripping destruction of the family empire.

Nelle Davy has excelled in writing a break through book as she takes you on the rocky road of Meredith’s life and proves that blood is definitely thicker than water. With such an wonderful introductory book, Nelle Davey is definitely one of of the authors of 2012 to look out for.

You can buy The Legacy of Eden on Amazon and other good bookshops.

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