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Deborah (162 KP) rated The Yard: Book 1 in Books

Dec 21, 2018

The Yard: Book 1

Alex Grecian | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry

8.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

The Yard is a detective novel set in Victorian London in the early days of the Metropolitan Police force. It is a bit gruesome to be honest; the first victim is discovered packed in a steamer trunk with eyes and lips sewn shut and there are a number of murders of bearded men, which may or may not be connected.

Our main protagonist is Inspector Day, who is new to London, previously having been a constable in Devon, but now living in the Big Smoke with his wife, Claire. He is ably assisted by other members of the force, including constable Hammersmith. There is a also Kingsley, who has made himself unofficial police surgeon. The forensic bits with Kingsley are a bit macabre in some ways, but I also found them very interesting. I did wonder if some of the detail in the book was based on fact. Obviously it wasn't a real case and I'm not sure the characters are based on actual people (I daresay there could be some borrowing of characteristics, but nothing is mentioned).

It's over 500 pages long, but I seemed to get through it in no time at all! Many of the chapters are actually quite short. There are three interludes along the way, so we get a bit of back story on the three main characters (as mentioned above). There's also a fair bit seen from the point of view of the murderer, so we actually know 'whodunit' from quite early on. Somehow, this doesn't stop this from being a ripping read though!

The book reads as if it's due to be the first in a series and I think I'd be interested in reading Grecian's next offering.

Kudos

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2320 KP) rated Into the Fire in Books

Mar 17, 2020

Into the Fire

Gregg Hurwitz | 2020 | Thriller

10.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Evan Heads Into the Fire for His Latest Client

As this book opens, Evan is planning to retire. He is going to take on one last case to help someone in trouble, but then he is out. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting for a phone call from his new client. That phone call comes from Max Merriweather. Max’s cousin Grant was just brutally killed, but he left Max with a mysterious envelop that should only be opened if Grant has died. The problem is, someone else knows that Max has the envelope, and now they are after Max. Evan uses his usual tricks to find out who is after Max, but will his final case be that simple?

Every time I open one of these books I am in awe once again at how well drawn the characters are. Evan and the people who populate his world come vividly to life and continue to grow, which includes Max and the people he brings into this story. But the book never forgets it is a thriller with plenty of action scenes and twists that kept me reading as quickly as I could. Everything comes together for a satisfying climax while setting up Evan’s next adventure. Yes, the book does include more language and violence than I typically read, but I expected that going in. I was surprised at some of the lighter scenes involving Evan’s neighbors. These scenes always break the tension of the story while helping us get to know Evan better, but we got some of the funniest scenes with the neighbors yet. If you aren’t already reading Gregg Hurwitz, you need to fix that. This book is nothing short of superb.

Kudos

Merissa (12684 KP) rated Healer (Havenhart Academy #1) in Books

Apr 27, 2020

Healer (Havenhart Academy #1)

R.L. Merrill | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

HEALER is the first book in the Havenhart Academy series. Delaney is our main female and she is given bad news within the first few paragraphs of the first page! Things can only look up for her, surely? Serendipity, luck, whatever you want to call in ensures she applies for a job at Havenhart Academy. She is interviewed by Damien Preston and sparks fly.

This was a great start to the series, with characters and situations getting, and maintaining, your attention. These characters are written in such a way as you will care for them, and about what happens to them, in a very short space of time. Havenhart Academy itself is a great place with a real sense of family/community, where you can be accepted for just who you are. The connection between Delaney and Damien is there for all to see, even if they say they can't act upon it. I adored their story and how they bolster each other when needed.

With a contemporary setting, the world-building is just the amount you need without it being too much. Most of it is character-based which is absolutely spot-on for this story. The pacing is slow and smooth, meaning you get the most from this story. There are a multitude of characters here, most of whom I want to know more about, so I guess it goes without saying that I really can't wait for the next book to come out.

A stunner of a book and I can't wait to see who is up next! Absolutely recommended by me.

* 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. *