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The House on Crow Mountain
The House on Crow Mountain
Rebecca Lee Smith | 2021 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mystery Thriller, Cozy Rules
The House on Crow Mountain is probably the most uncozy-like cozy I have ever read. Don’t get me wrong it totally adheres to all the cozy rules; no graphic language, sex, or violence. It also follows the popular cozy tropes; a small town, a broken-hearted woman who returns home to make a new start, clever pets, etc. It is just I consider cozy to be a light afternoon read. More fluff than serious. I mean no disrespect to the books and authors I have read to date, some are among my all-time favorites.

This book from the first sentence to the last pulled me into a hard mystery thriller that just happened to follow cozy rules. It has everything; gripping suspense, a leading lady wracked with grief and guilt, and a possible love interest trying to redeem himself from a tragic mistake, or was it? There are far-reaching family secrets, menacing red herrings, and a sinister plot. There was no guessing whodunnit before the reveal. I really (I mean really) did not like the person, but there were so many other people to not like, to suspect, to think about that it barely registered. I could not put this book down as the story unfolded and the floating, maybe relevant plotlines merged bringing the story to its climax.

I seriously hope for this to be a series as there are characters that I would love to learn more about, but I tell you, I would be okay with this being a one-off. The story as it stands has mostly been told and it is that good.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
  
Time is Running Out (DCI Matilda Darke #7)
Time is Running Out (DCI Matilda Darke #7)
Michael Wood | 2021 | Crime, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Oh ... my ... word!!! One of the best books I have read this year without a doubt.

What an absolute cracker - totally riveting, a nail-biter and an emotional roller-coaster that had me well and truly hooked and taking flexi time off work so I could start reading earlier. I would say you don't have to have read any of the previous in the series to appreciate this but it does help to understand the main characters but it's not essential.

A mass murderer is on the loose and no one is safe and when I say no one, I mean it ... no one is spared. The pace is relentless, the plot scarily plausible and the characters are just fantastic.

It's chock full of action, violence and suspense from start to finish. I was on pins wondering who was next and went from feeling anger to dread to actual tears. I know, I know, they aren't real people but Michael Wood writes them so well that you really get attached so when something horrific happens to them and you feel the impact it has on those around them, you can't help but get drawn in so yes, I shed a few tears.

I had to close my kindle several times to catch my breath and take 5 minutes to compose myself several times whilst reading and would advise that you don't read this in a public place unless you're not bothered about showing a whole gamut of emotions to strangers!

Highly recommended but not to those who are of a nervous disposition or who don't like multiple scenes of peril and murder ... you have been warned!

Many, many thanks to HarperCollins UK / One More Chapter and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Nowhere To Run in Books

Oct 24, 2021 (Updated Oct 24, 2021)  
Nowhere To Run
Nowhere To Run
James Oswald | 2021 | Crime, Mystery, Paranormal, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the third instalment in the Constance Fairchild series and yet another that doesn't disappoint. You don't have to have read any of the other 2 books but I would suggest you do because it gives insight into Constance's story and you won't regret it. Nowhere to Run provides some of the back story and history but it can only touch upon it otherwise it would be a tome!

I think I can safely say that I'm a fan of James Oswald's work and I particularly like his character DC Constance Fairchild, otherwise known as Con. She is one tough cookie and this is shown in all its glory here.

It starts off pretty sedately with Con recuperating in an isolated cottage in Wales but, as is the case with Con, trouble seems to find her regardless of whether she is in the centre of London or in the middle of nowhere! Here she is getting embroiled in a smuggling operation on the Welsh coastline - you just know from the very beginning that things aren't going to go well for Con but little do we know just how bad.

Once again, Mr Oswald creates fantastic characters even ones of the four legged variety; I absolutely loved Gelert the deerhound who embodies the phrase "[wo]man's best friend" and I guarantee you will want a Gelert in your life albeit without the flatulence!

With action from the start, numerous scenes of peril and suspense all wrapped up perfectly in a plot which mixes contemporary themes with Welsh folklore and a touch of the unexplained, this is a book that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Thank you Headline and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
Lost Graves (Boyle & Keneally #2) [Audiobook]
Lost Graves (Boyle & Keneally #2) [Audiobook]
S. A. Dunphy | 2022 | Crime, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am always a bit wary of joining a new series without having read at least the first book however, I needn't have worried because this really works as a standalone and I am now hooked and eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

What we have here is a great story that mixes crime, mystery, serial killer, police procedural with Irish folklore, the supernatural, the travelling community and shady military operations. Now, you might think that's a lot and whilst it is, S.A. Dunphy brings it all together seamlessly and effortlessly.

A mass grave is found in Derrada Woods and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations Team are sent in to investigate; made up of Jessie, Seamus, Terri and Dawn, they are definitely a team not to be messed with and they quickly recognise the local police have the wrong man.

The ensuing investigation is full of twists and turns with plenty of action and suspense all written at a great pace. With short chapters, this is one of those books that have you thinking you can mange 'just one more chapter before bed' but before you know it, another hour has gone by ... you just get drawn in and it's hard to tear yourself away.

I listened to the audiobook and was completely absorbed by the narration done by Shelley Atkinson; her soft Irish tone really brought the characters to life and the subtle changes she made in order to make the different characters distinguishable was perfect.

Overall, a great 'listen' and I will definitely be looking out for the next in this enthralling series and my thanks must go to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.