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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Blood Runs Cold (DS Max Craigie #4) in Books
Apr 3, 2023
Wow ... just wow!!!
Once again, Mr Lancaster has written an absolute cracker in this brilliant series and whilst this is the fourth, it is quite successful as a standalone however, I would highly recommend you go back and read the other three because it will help with getting to know the main characters but also because they are just really good books!
DS Max Craigie and his team are strong characters that work well as a small but formidable team rooting out corruption within Police Scotland; Mr Lancaster has written them so well that I have found myself becoming really attached to them. Their relationship and dialogue feels authentic and I found myself tittering away to myself at times which helped to lighten what is, essentially, a very dark story.
This is a dark, gritty and fast paced police procedural that I was totally and completely absorbed by from the very start. The plot is scarily plausible and realistic with some excellent twists and turns which adds to the intensity.
Highly recommended and I urge everyone to read this excellent series; I can't wait for the next instalment and I must thank HQ, an imprint of HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of the brilliant Blood Runs Cold.
Once again, Mr Lancaster has written an absolute cracker in this brilliant series and whilst this is the fourth, it is quite successful as a standalone however, I would highly recommend you go back and read the other three because it will help with getting to know the main characters but also because they are just really good books!
DS Max Craigie and his team are strong characters that work well as a small but formidable team rooting out corruption within Police Scotland; Mr Lancaster has written them so well that I have found myself becoming really attached to them. Their relationship and dialogue feels authentic and I found myself tittering away to myself at times which helped to lighten what is, essentially, a very dark story.
This is a dark, gritty and fast paced police procedural that I was totally and completely absorbed by from the very start. The plot is scarily plausible and realistic with some excellent twists and turns which adds to the intensity.
Highly recommended and I urge everyone to read this excellent series; I can't wait for the next instalment and I must thank HQ, an imprint of HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of the brilliant Blood Runs Cold.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Mother Fault in Books
Dec 19, 2021
A book that wasn't for me I'm sorry to say.
Set in a future where climate change is not just something that is likely to happen but is all too real and where everyone is micro-chipped and controlled by the Government, this is the story about Mim trying to find out about her missing husband but feeling she has no other option than to go on the run with her children.
Sounds good doesn't it, well for me it just fell short on excitement. There was a lot of description, too much waffle and whilst the characters were well developed, I couldn't seem to get on with them. The ending was also a disappointment; it seemed to take a while to get there and then it was over with many questions still to be answered - maybe I missed something somewhere?
So whilst this wasn't for me, there are plenty of positive reviews out there so don't take my word for it as I always say, if we all liked the same things, the world would be a very boring place indeed.
My thanks go to HarperCollins UK / HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Set in a future where climate change is not just something that is likely to happen but is all too real and where everyone is micro-chipped and controlled by the Government, this is the story about Mim trying to find out about her missing husband but feeling she has no other option than to go on the run with her children.
Sounds good doesn't it, well for me it just fell short on excitement. There was a lot of description, too much waffle and whilst the characters were well developed, I couldn't seem to get on with them. The ending was also a disappointment; it seemed to take a while to get there and then it was over with many questions still to be answered - maybe I missed something somewhere?
So whilst this wasn't for me, there are plenty of positive reviews out there so don't take my word for it as I always say, if we all liked the same things, the world would be a very boring place indeed.
My thanks go to HarperCollins UK / HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
The Shadow Cabinet
10.0
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The follow-up to the sensational #1 Sunday Times bestseller Her Majesty’s Royal Coven All is not...
Witches
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Winter Killer (DI James Walker #3) in Books
Oct 9, 2022
This is the third book in the DI James Walker series and the second I have read but do not worry, it can be read as a standalone very easily.
It's New Year's Eve and a body is found on a jetty at the prestigious The Fells Hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere where a wedding is taking place but was it an accident or murder? DI James Walker and his team are tasked with finding out and it soon becomes clear that the death is very much suspicious.
This is a proper who-dunnit with plenty of potential suspects and is anything but simple and straightforward particularly when all manner of revelations come to light including members of the victims family and close acquaintances.
With great characters, an intriguing plot and written at a great pace, this is an engaging read. The setting is perfect - well I would say that as it's my neck of the woods - and Mr Pine captures the weather, scenery and location completely.
Overall, a great read and I look forward to the next in the series and my thanks go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Winter Killer.
It's New Year's Eve and a body is found on a jetty at the prestigious The Fells Hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere where a wedding is taking place but was it an accident or murder? DI James Walker and his team are tasked with finding out and it soon becomes clear that the death is very much suspicious.
This is a proper who-dunnit with plenty of potential suspects and is anything but simple and straightforward particularly when all manner of revelations come to light including members of the victims family and close acquaintances.
With great characters, an intriguing plot and written at a great pace, this is an engaging read. The setting is perfect - well I would say that as it's my neck of the woods - and Mr Pine captures the weather, scenery and location completely.
Overall, a great read and I look forward to the next in the series and my thanks go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Winter Killer.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated In The Dark in Books
Jan 15, 2023
A compelling and addictive read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Seven years ago, Nora walked into the woods with her daughter Daisy but walked out of them alone. She has no recollection of what happened and there has been no sign of her since. Did Nora murder her little girl or was she taken for a fate worse than death? Theories abound but nothing can be proven.
Izzy is making a documentary about Daisy's disappearance and whilst Nora has agreed to be a part of that process, she is understandably worried about the repercussions ... she continues to be plagued by people who believe she killed her daughter and the documentary is only going to inflame this but she is desperate to remember but at what cost to her, her new marriage and Luca, Nora's second child.
The more Izzy delves into the past and snippets of memories come back to Nora, the more intriguing the story becomes.
Full of tension, twists and turns and with great characters, this is a book that had me reading on into the night desperate to find out what happened to Daisy and I wasn't disappointed.
My thanks go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of In The Dark.
Seven years ago, Nora walked into the woods with her daughter Daisy but walked out of them alone. She has no recollection of what happened and there has been no sign of her since. Did Nora murder her little girl or was she taken for a fate worse than death? Theories abound but nothing can be proven.
Izzy is making a documentary about Daisy's disappearance and whilst Nora has agreed to be a part of that process, she is understandably worried about the repercussions ... she continues to be plagued by people who believe she killed her daughter and the documentary is only going to inflame this but she is desperate to remember but at what cost to her, her new marriage and Luca, Nora's second child.
The more Izzy delves into the past and snippets of memories come back to Nora, the more intriguing the story becomes.
Full of tension, twists and turns and with great characters, this is a book that had me reading on into the night desperate to find out what happened to Daisy and I wasn't disappointed.
My thanks go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of In The Dark.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The People Next Door in Books
Mar 20, 2022
Oh my gosh, I can't tell you how disappointed I am after finishing this. I am a huge fan of Tony Parsons' books and have enjoyed a few of them but this just didn't do it for me in any way, shape or form and for that, I am extremely sad.
I couldn't get into the plot ... it seemed to drone on and without much of a purpose, little excitement or thrills. I couldn't get into the characters .. I found them quite one-dimensional and boring and whilst I don't usually have a problem with suspending reality when reading thrillers, let's face it if you can't do that in a fiction book when can you, but this was just a tad OTT even for me and don't even get me started on the ending!
As I said, I am extremely sad to be so negative about this book but I certainly won't stop eagerly waiting for Tony Parson's next instalment and, if other reviews of The People Next Door are anything to go by, I am in the minority with this one so I urge you to give it a go.
Many thanks to Random House UK / Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
I couldn't get into the plot ... it seemed to drone on and without much of a purpose, little excitement or thrills. I couldn't get into the characters .. I found them quite one-dimensional and boring and whilst I don't usually have a problem with suspending reality when reading thrillers, let's face it if you can't do that in a fiction book when can you, but this was just a tad OTT even for me and don't even get me started on the ending!
As I said, I am extremely sad to be so negative about this book but I certainly won't stop eagerly waiting for Tony Parson's next instalment and, if other reviews of The People Next Door are anything to go by, I am in the minority with this one so I urge you to give it a go.
Many thanks to Random House UK / Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Resistance Girl in Books
Mar 27, 2022
The first book I have read or listened to by this author and if her others are anything like this one, it won't be the last.
Following the lives of a small group of people in Norway during WWII, this is a compelling story of their bravery as part of the resistance movement.
With exceptionally strong characters and a powerful story, this is an important part of history that I was not familiar with and although this is historical fiction, it does weave actual events into the story which gives it a sense of realism and shows you what lengths 'normal' people will go to to protect freedom and whilst they have a strong regard for the danger they are putting themselves and, potentially, others in, the bigger picture is far more important. A poignant read given the current events in Ukraine.
The narrator told the story with ease and kept me engaged and enthralled from beginning to end; her voice was perfect.
Recommended for anyone who enjoys a great story of bravery, love and the importance of family, friends and freedom.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Following the lives of a small group of people in Norway during WWII, this is a compelling story of their bravery as part of the resistance movement.
With exceptionally strong characters and a powerful story, this is an important part of history that I was not familiar with and although this is historical fiction, it does weave actual events into the story which gives it a sense of realism and shows you what lengths 'normal' people will go to to protect freedom and whilst they have a strong regard for the danger they are putting themselves and, potentially, others in, the bigger picture is far more important. A poignant read given the current events in Ukraine.
The narrator told the story with ease and kept me engaged and enthralled from beginning to end; her voice was perfect.
Recommended for anyone who enjoys a great story of bravery, love and the importance of family, friends and freedom.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
The Bridge (Detective Louise Blackwell #6)
7.0
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Accident? Dangerous game gone wrong? Or murder? DI Blackwell faces her toughest case yet. ...
Hazel (2934 KP) rated I Did It For You in Books
Aug 26, 2023
I haven't read anything by Jayne Cowie before and after finishing this, I won't make that mistake again!!
I Did If For You is a gritty look at a world that has found a way to predict aggression and violence in men. A negative test means the best schools, the best jobs ... the best of everything but a positive test means the complete opposite, and if you refuse, it's as if the result was positive ... what would you do? Could you condemn your son to a life of barriers and hardship for a crime he hasn't committed or would you risk it to get the best that life can offer?
This is the dilemma facing two sisters, Antonia and Bea; they each make a choice which has far reaching and devastating consequences for them, their families and for those around them.
With a very different and intriguing plot, great characters and written at a good pace, this is a really good, thought-provoking read and although I guessed some of the twists, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of this book.
Thank you to the author, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of I Did It For You.
I Did If For You is a gritty look at a world that has found a way to predict aggression and violence in men. A negative test means the best schools, the best jobs ... the best of everything but a positive test means the complete opposite, and if you refuse, it's as if the result was positive ... what would you do? Could you condemn your son to a life of barriers and hardship for a crime he hasn't committed or would you risk it to get the best that life can offer?
This is the dilemma facing two sisters, Antonia and Bea; they each make a choice which has far reaching and devastating consequences for them, their families and for those around them.
With a very different and intriguing plot, great characters and written at a good pace, this is a really good, thought-provoking read and although I guessed some of the twists, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of this book.
Thank you to the author, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of I Did It For You.
Kevin Phillipson (10072 KP) rated Girls Nite Out (1983) in Movies
May 18, 2022
Watched last night first time never heard of the movie until few months back when it was announced coming out on blu ray in the UK so I thought let's see if its any good. This movie was made during the 80s fad for slasher movies trying to make there own version of Halloween or Friday the 13th its not perfect by any means you've got usual type of characters who are mainly there to die at the hands of the killer one of them was in the second Friday the 13th movie. And there's the costume the killer wears the collage mascot with claws not very frightening when u see it overall decent horror movie but not perfect. I give the film a 7 but overall I give the blu ray version a nine among things arrow films have done fantastic job of restoring the movie there are some scenes in the film that couldn't be restored but overall good job and then there's the extras firstctheres a Commentary by two film critics and then there's the best part is the interviews with the ladies who play the the would be victims or final girls as they share there memories of the film overall good package highly recommend 👍