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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Echo Man in Books

Apr 28, 2022  
The Echo Man
The Echo Man
Sam Holland | 2022 | Crime, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What can I say? I absolutely loved this and it is one of my favourite reads of 2022 so far. I was hooked from the very first page to the last and completely and utterly devoured it!

With excellent characters, an engrossing story line and a plot with twists that at least one of which I didn't see coming, this is a great read however, be warned, there is a lot of violence and gore from the beginning but, to be honest, that's to be expected given it's about serial killers although it may be a bit much for some.
 
This is a great debut and I will certainly be looking out for more by this author in the future and I have no hesitation recommending to lovers of this genre.

My thanks go to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
No Less The Devil
No Less The Devil
Stuart MacBride | 2022 | Crime, Thriller
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have read and enjoyed a few books by Mr MacBride but this one has me in a quandary as whilst it had me on the edge of my seat at times, there were also times when it didn't.

For the majority of the book it appears to be your 'usual' hunt for a killer story with excellent characters, intriguing plot and twists but then it develops into something else which, I can only say, had me reading with my mouth hanging open and wondering if I had stumbled into an alternative universe. I can't go into detail here as it will give the game away but what I will say is be prepared!!

This is a dark and gritty read that you definitely need to keep your wits about you and your mind open and I must thank Random House UK / Transworld Publishers via NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this in order to share my thoughts.
  
All That Lives (Inspector McLean #12)
All That Lives (Inspector McLean #12)
James Oswald | 2022 | Crime, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You would have thought that by book 12 things would be starting to get a little stale with Inspector McLean but let me reassure you that this is absolutely not the case. Let me also reassure you that this can be successfully read as a standalone although I would recommend you read previous books in the series just because they are great!

Once again, Mr Oswald writes a thoroughly riveting and engaging story that mixes the past, present and the 'strange' with ease. The plot is complex with a few strands but it all comes together in the end but not without twists, turns and some pretty 'hairy' and emotional moments along the way.

Mr Oswald creates excellent, believable and memorable characters that stay with you long after you have read the last page and I eagerly await the next.

Thank you to Headline Publishing and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
The Blood Tide (DS Max Craigie #2)
The Blood Tide (DS Max Craigie #2)
Neil Lancaster | 2022 | Crime, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Neil Lancaster has done it again! I thought he would be hard pressed coming up with a book that could better the first in this series, Dead Man's Grave, and although he hasn't, he has matched it and I have become completely consumed and engaged with Max Craigie and his team.

This is a cracker of a book; with excellent characters (both 'goodies' and 'baddies', new ones and old ones) and an engaging and riveting plot told at a fast pace with great twists and turns. What more could you ask for? A cute dog? Yep, got that too 😁

Now whilst this works well as a standalone, I would highly recommend you read the first, you will not be disappointed and you, like me, will be hooked and itching for the next instalment to come out.

Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
The Family on Smith Street
The Family on Smith Street
Elisabeth Carpenter | 2023 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really quite enjoyed listening to this book which was enhanced by the excellent narration of Sarah Durham who really brought the story and the characters to life. I haven't read or listened to anything by Elisabeth Carpenter before but if this is an example of her work, I won't be making that mistake again!

The story definitely kept me guessing and it was difficult to know who to trust; it's told from multiple points of view and from different timelines but once I was into the story, I found it quite easy to keep up.

I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue running throughout the book and the unravelling of secrets and lies until the very satisfying ending.

Overall, a really enjoyable audiobook and one I would recommend to lovers of domestic and/or psychological thrillers and my thanks goes to the Author, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of The Family on Smith Street.
  
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Merissa (12934 KP) rated Shadow Touched (Shadow Touch #1-4) in Books

May 8, 2021 (Updated May 17, 2023)  
Shadow Touched (Shadow Touch #1-4)
Shadow Touched (Shadow Touch #1-4)
Erin Kellison | 2016 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the box set of novellas 1-4 in the Shadow Touch series. The reader follows Ellie and Cam as they learn to come to terms with Ellie's Shadow and Cam's gift. The stories flow from one book to the other, giving continuity to the storyline and characters. Although Cam changes and grows within this set, the character who grows the most is Ellie. She goes from strength to strength and yet is constantly underestimated by those around her, including Cam.

With an interesting storyline and excellent world-building, this is a set very different from anything of Erin Kellison's that I have read before. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to return to this world at some point.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 6, 2016
  
Remembered (Hollow City Coven #5)
Remembered (Hollow City Coven #5)
Hazel Hunter | 2016 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This has been a wonderful series so far, but this instalment blew the others out of the water. In this novella, we get the story of Tenebris and how Galia, Mina, and Strayke end up there, and what becomes of them once they are there. The majority of this story is told about the past, with Gillian, Mathias, and Shayne only making a brief appearance at the end.

This certainly fills in the holes that Gillian has had in her 'memory', whilst giving the reader a front-row seat in their history. Exceedingly well-written, with characters that jump out of the page to you. With no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this is an excellent addition to the Hollow City Coven series, and definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 30, 2016
  
Midnight Conquest (Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles #1)
Midnight Conquest (Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles #1)
Arial Burnz | 2013 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the first book in the Bonded by Blood Vampire Chronicles. It is a paranormal romance/suspense, with a historical setting; rather than a historical romance with a paranormal twist. This is a distinction to be aware of as it MAY make a difference to a hardcore historical fan!

This story tells the tale of Broderick and Davina, how they meet, what impact on each others' lives they have or will have, tells of the fears they fight, and the enemies who plot against them. There will be an overall story arc running through this series, as the epilogue tells us when Cordelia once again makes an appearance.

With an engaging storyline, excellent world and character building, plus a smoothly paced plot that builds to a thrilling climax, this story is a wonderful start that nonetheless will leave you wanting to know more. Definitely recommended.

* Verified Purchase on Amazon *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 21, 2016
  
The Seventh Victim
The Seventh Victim
Michael Wood | 2023 | Crime, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really love Michael Wood's DCI Matilda Darke series but this is a standalone thriller from him which is equally as good and no-less riveting but please be warned, it does deal with child murder and abuse so if this is a trigger, I would suggest you look elsewhere.

Mr Wood treats us to a cast of excellent characters that leap out of the page and grab hold of you from the beginning to the very end and whilst not all of them are particularly 'nice', they are all well developed and all have their place in the story and what a story it is.

Dark, disturbing, powerful, emotional, riveting and full of tension with a twist I didn't see coming, this is a must read for all thriller fans and my thanks go to One More Chapter, HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Seventh Victim.