#Review By Lou of The Last Party By Clare Mackintosh #Book 1 of #DCFfionSeries #CrimeFiction

The Last Party
By Clare Mackintosh

The Last Party introduces DC Ffion Morgan in a new series for bestselling author – Clare Mackintosh. How does a party become murderous? I have also included a link to a write up to her Bloody Scotland appearance where she talked about The Last Party. Find this after the blurb and my review What you won’t find is the answer to that question, unless you read the book…

Blurb

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES TOP 5 BESTSELLER AND START OF A THRILLING NEW SERIES: AT MIDNIGHT, ONE OF THEM IS DEAD. BY MORNING, ALL OF THEM ARE SUSPECTS . . .

On New Year’s Eve, Rhys Lloyd has a house full of guests.
His lakeside holiday homes are a success, and he’s generously invited the village to drink champagne with their wealthy new neighbours. This will be the party to end all parties.

But not everyone is there to celebrate. By midnight, Rhys will be floating dead in the freezing waters of the lake.

On New Year’s Day, DC Ffion Morgan has a village full of suspects.
The tiny community is her home, so the suspects are her neighbours, friends and family – and Ffion has her own secrets to protect.

With a lie uncovered at every turn, soon the question isn’t who wanted Rhys dead . . . but who finally killed him.

In a village with this many secrets, a murder is just the beginning.

Review

The Last Party is the First DC Morgan Mystery in a new series by Clare Mackintosh.

Rhys is found dead. New Year’s Eve/Day is a great premise to have a murder mystery. People come together who you wouldn’t necessarily have together at any other time and they party. As the champagne flows, someone wants Rhys dead, the question is whom and why. It’s twisty as the story builds the picture as to what the motive was to murder him and how everyone becomes a suspect.

The village atmosphere is well-written, which becomes increasingly intriguing as the secrets start to emerge. There are also issues of the day presented within the book, such as the rise of Air B n B’s and shifts in communities weaves into this book, set in Wales.

It is reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s books and the Miss Marple book – The Moving Finger comes to mind, since 1 person dies and not several like the thriller- And Then There Were None, but the party atmosphere makes this come to mind and Murder on The Orient Express as everyone is a suspect.

Link to Bloody Scotland Panel Talk: The Last Party Talk

#BookReview by Lou Crackle and Fire by Russ Colchamero @AuthorDudeRuss @HenryRoiPR #CrimeFiction #SciFi

Crackle and Fire
by Russ Colchamiro

Review written by Louise (Lou) @Lou_Bookmarks

Crackle and Fire is an intergalactic mystery with Private Investigator – Angela Hardwicke on the case in Eternal. It isn’t often my preference, but the Sci-Fi mixed in with mystery makes this a book for both sets of fans and is intriguing in its originality and pretty gripping and more so than I had thought, so I am glad I took a chance on it.
Find out more in the blurb and the rest of my review of this curious book that will grip many readers and allow them to escape to another dimension.
Thanks to Henry Roi for gifting me the book and for inviting me to review.

Blurb

Angela Hardwicke isn’t just any private eye. She’s a PI from Eternity, the cosmic realm responsible for the design, creation, and maintenance of the Universe.

When accountant Gil Haberseau hires her to find an intern with stolen corporate files, Hardwicke soon finds herself embroiled in a deadly case of lies, intrigue, and murder, clashing with vengeful gangsters, MinderNot rallies, and a madman who’s come a long way to get what he wants.

In Russ Colchamiro’s thrilling Sci-Fi mystery Crackle and Fire, Angela Hardwicke learns once and for all that when it comes to being an intergalactic private eye, there’s no telling what threats she may face on-realm and off… including the demons that lurk deep within her soul.

Review

Pure escapism from what is happening on planet earth. Crackle and Fire does contain some fizz about it, that combines Sci-Fi and Mystery together with the main star of the book being an Intergalactic PI, Angela Hardwicke who is on the case of missing files. It’s certainly eye-catchingly different and is set on a dimension called Eternal. This is where the appeal would lie to both Sci-Fi and fans of Crime Fiction.
There are clues to be found and not where you may expect them and intergalactic gangsters that are encountered in the underworld, where there are drugs and a pace that will make you race through the pages.

The oligarchy of rich and powerful beings, “The Minders” who live in the dimension called – Eternal. Things aren’t so perfect. They have governance issues and secrets, but they try their best. Then a character with narcissitic tendencies blows in and he hates “The Minders” and he seeks vengence out of jealousy and having a complex because he can’t stand anyone who is better than him, which “The Minders” are, and wreaks havoc and the adventure and action is on…

PI Angela Hardewicke suddely has a lot more than meets the eye to deal with, she is a tough, streetwise woman, who takes no prisoners. She also however, has her own issues to deal with.

The mystery is well written and as the story progresses, has more and more elements to surprise readers and to entertain.

Buy Link: Amazon

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54898462-crackle-and-fire

#Review Vera Kelly Is Not A Mystery by Rosalie Knecht @rosalieknecht @verve_books @holliemcdevitt @OldCastleBooks #CrimeFiction #BlogTour #BookReview #FemaleSpyBook

Vera Kelly Is Not A Mystery
By Rosalie Knecht

This series is getting better. It started with Who Is Vera Kelly? Now she is back with Vera Kelly Is Not A Mystery. It is a fun, easy-going spy story, asy to get into and stay with and soak up that film noir atmosphere it creates some of within its entertaining plot.

Thanks to Hollie McDevitt for inviting me to review Vera Kelly Is Not A Mystery and for sending me a copy of the book.

Blurb

Recently out-of-the-spy-game heroine Vera Kelly finds herself travelling from Brooklyn to a sprawling
countryside estate in the Caribbean in her first case as a private investigator. When ex-CIA agent Vera Kelly loses her job and her girlfriend in a single day, she reluctantly goes into business as a private detective. Heartbroken and cash-strapped, she takes a case that dredges up dark
memories and attracts dangerous characters from across the Cold War landscape.
Before it’s over, she’ll chase a lost child through foster care and follow a trail of Dominican exiles to the
Caribbean. Forever looking over her shoulder, she nearly misses what’s right in front of her: her own desire for home, connection, and a new romance at the local bar.
In this exciting second instalment of the ‘splendid genre-pushing’ (People) Vera Kelly series, Rosalie Knecht
challenges and deepens the Vera we love: a woman of sparkling wit, deep moral fibre, and martini-dry humour who knows how to follow a case even as she struggles to follow her heart.

Review

Vera Kelly Is Not A Mystery is the second in this P.I. series. It’s a bad day when you lose your job in the CIA and girlfriend in a single day, but this is what happened to Vera and so she joined a Private Investigator business. Vera Kelly is essentially a female detective series that has a bit of that 1960’s film noir feel to it, which is all encompassing and can almost be breathed in as if that were possible. There are some of the uphill struggles to be recognised as a strong contender in detective work and yet she gives as good as she gets to prove herself and to get the job done in, sometimes a lively manner.

There is a child who was taken away by the state welfare system because of the death of his gran and this propmts a search to find out what happened to him. From Brooklyn to Dominican Republic and back to New York, she must travel if she is to resolve the case. Amongst this is also the personal life of Vera that creeps in and it isn’t always plain-sailing and she does at times show her softer side as her unfortunate failed love-life affects her here and there.

Pages glide by when reading this series as it is so succinct and is mysterious enough to want to know what happened to the 14 year old boy. The writing is also atmospheric and the details add to this and feel right for this genre. The humour carries it a long too, even though it is as dry as it gets. It’s a gem of a read that can be “got into” very quickly and I read it in one sitting.

The book is all set up and ready to go for Book Clubs. It has a few insightful questions that groups can discuss and debate to do with the book, the era it is set in and more…

#Review of the gritty – Snatched From Home by Graham Smith @GrahamSmith1972 @NightsBooks @RandomTTours #CrimeFiction #blogtour

Snatched From Home
By Graham Smith
Rated: 4 stars ****

A kidnapping that leads to blackmail and the first case for DI John Campbell to solve before time runs out is the crux of this gripping case.
Thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for inviting me and for her and Graham Smith and Caffeine Nights Publishing for sending me a copy of the book.
Discover the blurb and review and a bit about this crime fiction author in Scotland, below.

Blurb

DI Harry Evans – Book 1

What would you do to save your children?

Middle-class parents Victoria and Nicholas Foulkes are distraught when their children are kidnapped against Nicholas’ gambling debts. Penniless and desperate the couple turn to crime as a way to raise the ransom.

Hot on their heels is recently bereaved DI Harry Evans and his Major Crimes team. Evans is fighting against enforced retirement and his replacement – DI John Campbell – is foisted upon him along with other cases. If he must leave the police then he wants one last big case before he goes.

In a race against time Victoria and Nicholas must evade the police while continuing to add to the ransom fund. If they don’t pay up on time the kidnappers have threatened to amputate their children’s limbs with an oxy-acetylene torch.

Can they save their children before time runs out?

Review

From page one, the action begins and spirals into any parent’s worst nightmare of a child being abducted in this gritty, fast-paced crime book. The setting is Carlisle, around the Lake District and the Scottish borders.

Victoria is left in tears but with a grit and determination to get her children, Samantha and Kyle back. It wasn’t a chance kidnapping either. It was all planned to force her into repaying debts that her husband – Nicholas, has and it takes a toll on the family.

DCI Peter Grantham and DI Campbell and DI Harry Evans are the detectives on the case. There’s no “pussy-footing” around with these guys and they certainly don’t “mince” their words. DI Campbell got the transfer he wanted out of Glasgow to Cumbria. Apart from dealing with crimes, there’s the more sociable side to them too, like talk of ‘pop-culture’. They’re definitely not a fan of the ‘pen-pushers’. They’re pretty rough and ready.

Every so often, in a manner that flows well, the book goes back to the children and their captives.

The characters that are created are engaging and pretty hard-hitting and no-nonsense. There are degrees of tension that ascends throughout.

About the Author

Graham Smith is a time served joiner who has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since Christmas 2000, he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.

He is an internationally best-selling Kindle author and has six books featuring DI Harry Evans and the Cumbrian Major Crimes Team, and four novels, featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder. His ‘Lakes’ series which has three novels featuring DC Beth Young has received much critical acclaim.

An avid fan of crime fiction since being given one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books at the age of eight, he has also been a regular reviewer and interviewer for the well-respected website Crimesquad.com since 2009

Graham is the founder of Crime and Publishment, a weekend of crime-writing classes which includes the chance for attendees to pitch their novels to agents and publishers. Since the first weekend in 2013, ten attendees have gone on to sign publishing contracts.

Graham can be found at:

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/grahamnsmithauthor
Twitter
https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972
Website
http://www.grahamsmithauthor.com

#Review of What Lies Beneath By Adam Croft @AdamCroft #CrimeFiction #NewBook #NewSeries

What Lies Beneath
By Adam Croft
Rated: 5 stars *****

I have been very much enjoying reading and reviewing Adam Croft’s books. Regular followers of my blog will know I’ve reviewed a few now. What Lies Beneath is yet another triumph! I had been given an advanced copy, although very kindly could review before or after publication. Today, this is now after publication date and it has been selling fast. I can totally see why. It is an incredibly good start to this new series.
Discover the blurb and my review of the book and then a bit more about this very successful author below…

Blurb

The first in a stunning new crime series from 2m+ international bestseller Adam Croft.

A peaceful Sunday morning in Rutland is shattered when a dead body is discovered on the rocks at Normanton Church.

The victim has been laid out in a crucifixion pose, facing the altar. DI Caroline Hills is certain there’s a religious connection — one which threatens the tranquility of life in the area.

The killer has gone to extraordinary lengths to make the symbolism clear. And the deaths will continue until Caroline and DS Dexter Antoine uncover the truth behind the dark secret — and what lies beneath.

Praise for Adam Croft: ‘Incredible’ — BBC News ‘A sensation’ — The Guardian

Review

Set in Rutland, in the East Midlands, England, What Lies Beneath is a marvellous book to settle into and provides wonderful escapism for a while. There are murders, lives put in jeopardy and not always in the ways you might think…

The pace that is taken on means that readers really get to know the characters both at work and domestically as it sets things up well for this to expand into its series.

Even if you’ve not been to Rutland before (which I haven’t, there are maps provided), through Adam Croft’s book, readers will find their way through as they get to know it.

Bob Tranter has a perfect sounding Sunday all planned out at the Rutland Water Fishing with Geoff…
Then a body is discovered!

The book may be between police procedural and almost cosy crime, but it’s as modern as it gets as it reflects what’s happening in the world, such as Caroline Hills and Mark’s 2 sons – Josh, aged 10 and Archie aged 6, who are obsessed with console games such as Fortnite. It’s the age old modern day issue when parents wish their children would get out a bit more. There are also reasons why the family moved from London to Rutland.
They also had a lovely Sunday planned…
Until Dexter Antoine calls Caroline, who is the Detective Inspector of Rutland Police to inform her of a murder over at Normanton.

Operation Forelock commences and they get an identity on the body fairly quickly. As the investigation unfolds and more suspects come to light, the intrigue and tension also grows as to what the motive could be and if more than one person was involved. The locations and the cruifixtion positions of the victims moves Rutland away from the peace and tranquility first described and leaves it shaken up.

There is also the perfect mix of crime and seeing the dynamics between the characters unfold. The main characters have their own challenges and burdens to live through that are far from straight forward. In this series, readers will be treated to seeing lives in and out of work, which also adds a great deal of substance and has some emotional inducing scenes and comes with other twists, adding to those already there at the crime scene.

This is the first book in the series. It is worth looking out for this and for when the second comes. It is already shaping up to be an incredible series that could well have good longevity in it. I am now very much looking forward to the second book to see how this continues…

About the Author

With almost two million books sold to date, Adam Croft is one of the most successful independently published authors in the world, having sold books in over 120 different countries. In February 2017, Amazon’s overall Author Rankings briefly placed Adam as the most widely read author in the world at that moment in time, with J.K. Rowling in second place. Adam is considered to be one of the world’s leading experts on independent publishing and has been featured on BBC television, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, the BBC World Service, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, The Bookseller and a number of other news and media outlets . In March 2018, Adam was conferred as an Honorary Doctor of Arts, the highest academic qualification in the UK, by the University of Bedfordshire in recognition of his services to literature. Adam presents the regular crime fiction podcast Partners in Crime with fellow bestselling author and television actor Robert Daws.