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The File
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Debut author Gary Born erupts into the literary scene with a nail-biting thriller centered on...
Thriller Debut Novel
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2109 KP) rated A Deadly Bone to Pick in Books
Feb 23, 2022
Unfortunately, I Have a Bone to Pick with This Debut
Molly Madison and her dog have relocated to Pier Point, California, and she is looking forward to starting all over. However, she has not completely unpacked before a dog she is dog sitting uncovered a hand in the sand of a nearby beach. With the police looking at Molly as a suspect because of a scandal in her past, she has to figure out what is going on. But if she doesn’t even know her neighbors, can she do that?
I picked up this book because of the Southern California setting, and I loved that. Even though Pier Point is fictional, I could easily picture it. I also enjoyed meeting Molly and the rest of her neighbors. They are slightly eccentric, but not so over the top that they didn’t still feel real. There are plenty of dogs, and they are equally charming. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book is very off. It was slow in the beginning, focusing on Molly settling into her new life. The ending, while logical, was rushed. That kept me from fully enjoying what was a promising debut.
I picked up this book because of the Southern California setting, and I loved that. Even though Pier Point is fictional, I could easily picture it. I also enjoyed meeting Molly and the rest of her neighbors. They are slightly eccentric, but not so over the top that they didn’t still feel real. There are plenty of dogs, and they are equally charming. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book is very off. It was slow in the beginning, focusing on Molly settling into her new life. The ending, while logical, was rushed. That kept me from fully enjoying what was a promising debut.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Don't Swipe Right in Books
Jun 25, 2023
This is a debut novel for the author and, in my opinion, a pretty successful one at that.
Gwen is trying to move on after the end of a long-term relationship and she does this by throwing herself into finding a new man by using a dating app. Unfortunately, things don't work out quite how she would want with her experiencing some pretty dodgy dates but when those dates start turning up dead, Gwen comes under the spotlight of the police.
Gwen, for me, wasn't the most likeable character and she did do things that made me roll my eyes at times but I did like her sarcasm and sense of humour which made me giggle.
The plot is intriguing and engrossing, the writing is easy to read and the pace is good. There are twists and turns which kept me guessing who the murderer was until the end and it all came together very nicely.
Overall, a pretty good debut novel and one I would recommend and thank you to Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Don't Swipe Right.
Gwen is trying to move on after the end of a long-term relationship and she does this by throwing herself into finding a new man by using a dating app. Unfortunately, things don't work out quite how she would want with her experiencing some pretty dodgy dates but when those dates start turning up dead, Gwen comes under the spotlight of the police.
Gwen, for me, wasn't the most likeable character and she did do things that made me roll my eyes at times but I did like her sarcasm and sense of humour which made me giggle.
The plot is intriguing and engrossing, the writing is easy to read and the pace is good. There are twists and turns which kept me guessing who the murderer was until the end and it all came together very nicely.
Overall, a pretty good debut novel and one I would recommend and thank you to Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Don't Swipe Right.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2109 KP) rated Murder With Peacocks (Meg Langslow, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Meg's summer as maid of honor in three weddings for three different demanding brides is complicated enough before a dead body shows up. And there's the attractive man in town for the summer as well.... This is a fun, enjoyable series debut with plenty of humor. However, the mystery gets side tracked by all the antics of the characters at time. Still, this does start a series I love to this day.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-murder-with-peacocks-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-murder-with-peacocks-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2109 KP) rated Sprinkle with Murder (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Mel is accused of murdering her best friend's fiancee, she has to set down her cupcake tins and start sleuthing to find the killer.
I've heard such praise for this series, and I didn't feel the debut quite lived up to the promise. However, I did find the plot good and the characters real. I enjoyed the book enough that I will continue on with the second in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-sprinkle-with-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I've heard such praise for this series, and I didn't feel the debut quite lived up to the promise. However, I did find the plot good and the characters real. I enjoyed the book enough that I will continue on with the second in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-sprinkle-with-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Marmalade Martini in Books
Feb 20, 2018
An excellent debut novel. The story had a nice flow and the characters were very believable. I really enjoyed the way the story developed with some twists and turns just like in real life. Jamie is a little like all of us, or if you are one of those perfect people you have a friend like her. She deserves to have good things happen to her and you are overjoyed when it does. You also want to punch anyone who mistreats her. I hope to see a follow up novel soon.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated Sometimes I Lie in Books
Sep 28, 2018
WOW. I mean, wow. Amazing debut by this author and I'm SO glad to have caught this one. A story that grabs you on page one, I was literally sneaking in pages every moment I had and finished it in less than a day. I can honestly say I reached a point where everything was clear and the entire story comes together where I literally had to put the book down and rethink everything I thought I knew. Highly, highly recommended, I'll surely be back to catch more from this author!!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated I Let You Go in Books
Oct 20, 2019
I am little late, to put it mildly, with reading this book but better late than never I always say!
What a good read and one I'm pleased I didn't miss. Full of twists and turns, excellent characters, gripping story and a great writing style this is a great debut and one I would recommend to the few people out there who, like me, are a bit late joining the party!
Thanks go to Little, Brown Book Group UK via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
What a good read and one I'm pleased I didn't miss. Full of twists and turns, excellent characters, gripping story and a great writing style this is a great debut and one I would recommend to the few people out there who, like me, are a bit late joining the party!
Thanks go to Little, Brown Book Group UK via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
James Magee (23 KP) rated Why Me? Why Not. by Liam Gallagher in Music
Nov 2, 2019
A solid follow-up to Gallagher's debut solo album, there are many good songs that are quite catchy. His charismatic voice on the energetic and sometimes slow tunes means that they will easily get stuck in your head, although I would not say that any of them are outstanding. Overall, it has a larger range of enjoyable tracks than its predecessor but (perhaps with the exception of 'Now That I've Found You') none that reach the heights of some of its ballads, or those of LG's Oasis heydays.
James Arthur
Book
James Arthur: an unofficial biography. James Arthur has oodles of charm and a voice to soothe the...