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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Jigsaw Man in Books

Feb 21, 2021  
The Jigsaw Man
The Jigsaw Man
Nadine Matheson | 2021 | Crime, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a gruesome and dark thriller and it's great!!

I must say though that if you're a bit squeamish and don't like graphic descriptions of murder, then don't read this. If you do or don't mind a bit of gore, then crack on.

The characters are great, the plot is absorbing and complex and the ability of the author to capture the feelings of the various protagonists is excellent.

I absolutely love a good "baddie" and Nadine Matheson has created one such character in Peter Olivier; he is deliciously evil, extremely charming, highly intelligent, an excellent manipulator and everything you would want in a (fictitious) serial killer ... think Ted Bundy crossed with Jeffrey Dahmer and you have a pretty good picture.

This is a gripping read which although starts a little slow, it builds in tension and action as you turn the pages culminating in an exciting finale which definitely leaves the door open for a sequel and the intriguing backstory lends itself to a prequel ... well I would certainly read either or both!

Thank you to HQ (an imprint of HarperCollins UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Call Me Mummy in Books

Mar 14, 2021  
Call Me Mummy
Call Me Mummy
Tina Baker | 2021 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
For a debut this is pretty successful and certainly had me reading way too late into the night.

This is a dark, disturbing and harrowing read but totally addictive. With fantastic characters and an all-too-real story line, this is a book that gets you hooked pretty quickly and doesn't let you go until the last full stop at the end.

Told from the perspectives of the kidnapper, the mother and the child, this provides insight from all aspects of the story which makes it all the more gripping. There are also snippets of social media posts which add a further dimension.

This book is about so much more than child abduction and, as a consequence, does contain swearing and abuse so if you are upset by these, I would probably give this a miss but if you "enjoy" (and I say that loosely) reading something on the darker side, then Call Me Mummy is the book for you.

Thank you to Serpent's Tail / Profile Books / Viper via NetGalley - I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

Another author to look out for in the future.
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Taken in Books

Oct 18, 2020  
Taken
Taken
Lisa Stone | 2020 | Crime, Thriller
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Having previously read and enjoyed "Stalker" by Lisa Stone, I certainly wasn't going to pass the opportunity to read this one and I wasn't disappointed.

What we have in "Taken" is a complex and gripping story of the abduction of 8 year Leila whose life is far from perfect being the daughter of a mother (Kelsey) prostituting herself and fighting addiction who has already had her older children taken from her.

Told from multiple points of view, we get a real insight into all the main characters which is not as confusing as it sounds believe me ... it works really well and, I believe, it makes the characters more believable and memorable.

The pace is perfect, the plot is absorbing, despite it being a little unrealistic in parts, and I did get the twist fairly early on but it was such that I continued to question myself until it was revealed.

Overall, a thought-provoking and enjoyable read which deals with some difficult subjects that, sadly, are prevalent within today's society but without the usual gratuitous violence which made a refreshing change.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK / HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
  
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    Tinker Island

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