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Release date: January 9, 2017

Publisher: Clipboard Press

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance

Blurb: 

“Is it too late to tell him you love him when you are looking down the barrel of his gun?”
An English debutante transforms from Miss-Perfectly-Correct to criminally insane as she breaks the bonds of her rigid upbringing. Sheriff Hank Gephart tries to reel her in – but she’s out of control and she’s not hitting the brakes.
What happened to the genteel lady in twin-set and pearls? And why did she shoot Mr Right?
Brake Failure is set in 1999 in the months leading up to Y2K “meltdown” when the US government was spending $150 billion preparing for Armageddon As Lionel Shriver says in her novel, We Have To Talk About Kevin: “1999, a year widely mooted beforehand as the end of the world.”

Review: 

This book takes place in the weeks leading up to New Year’ Eve 1999 and it was nostalgic in a way for me. I remember all of hoopla and uncertainty surrounding Y2K and revisiting this time period was a whole lot of fun! The prologue begins with sheriff Hank being shot and found in front of a nursing home, then flips back to a few months prior. I was curious as to how the prologue would connect to Ruby’s story as she’s an English woman and Hank is a sheriff in Kansas, but as the details are slowly revealed and things start making sense, I didn’t expect to have so much fun along the way.

Ruby and her new husband Edward move to Kansas after his job requires him to do so. Ruby isn’t exactly happy as they were supposed to be moving to Paris instead and she was hoping to finally one up her sister, Claire once and for all. The two have an epic sibling rivalry and I really didn’t care for Claire. She’s hoity toity and arrogant and not always kind to Ruby. I liked Ruby though, she tries very hard to make the best of her new and unexpected life, I was reminded of Rebecca Bloomwood from Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series as she kept finding herself in these wacky and outrageous situations.

Ruby undergoes quite a transformation throughout the book, when it begins she’s a neurotic hypochondriac who always seems to be a ball of nervous energy. By the end she has done a complete one eighty and is confident, sexy, bold and wildly funny. There were so many moments where I was cracking up laughing here, one of my favorite parts was when Ruby was writing her epic poem. Epic indeed. There was tons of funny, sarcastic banter and just the right amount of romance. 

As I wasn’t sure how things would all fit together in the end, especially as there was quite the eccentric cast of characters converging including a group of bikers, pearl clutching older women, and Ruby’s upper crust family, I had no real expectations but even so, the ending really was fabulously perfect. I loved that it wasn’t so tidy and happy ever after but it was still totally satisfying. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy. 

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Release date: January 12, 2017

Publisher: Michael Joseph Books

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Blurb: 

SET TO BE ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY, CONTROVERSIAL AND EXPLOSIVE DEBUTS OF 2017 – for fans of quality psychological suspense and reading group fiction: once you read this book you’ll want to talk about it.

‘NEW N A M E .

NEW F A M I L Y.

S H I N Y.

NEW.

ME . ‘

Annie’s mother is a serial killer.

The only way she can make it stop is to hand her in to the police.

But out of sight is not out of mind.

As her mother’s trial looms, the secrets of her past won’t let Annie sleep, even with a new foster family and name – Milly.

A fresh start. Now, surely, she can be whoever she wants to be.

But Milly’s mother is a serial killer. And blood is thicker than water.

Good me, bad me.

She is, after all, her mother’s daughter…

Translated into over 20 languages, Good Me Bad Me is a tour de force. In its narrator, Milly Barnes, we have a voice to be reckoned with, and in its author, Ali Land, an extraordinary new talent.

Praise for Good Me Bad Me

‘An astoundingly compelling thriller. Beyond tense. You hardly breathe. Best read in ages’ Matt Haig

‘Intelligent and disturbing, Good Me Bad Me had me hooked from the first page’ Debbie Howells, author of Richard & Judy book club bestseller The Bones of You

‘Milly’s voice is gripping and shocking. This is a book you will want to discuss with everyone you know’ Claire Douglas author of The Sisters and Local Girl Missing

‘This book is a work of twisted genius. It is going to be HUGE. Watch out for Ali Land’ Bryony Gordon

‘Unbelievably good, utterly gripping’ Jill Mansell, bestselling author of You & Me Always 

Review: 

This was a powerful read for me, one of those books that stays with you long after you turn the last page. Milly in particular is still lingering in the back of my mind, clearly she captivated me even if I’m still not quite sure exactly how I feel about her. Good Me Bad Me is a unique story and one that left a lasting impression on me.

Milly’s mother is a serial killer and she’s had enough, so she turns her in to the police. We meet Milly as she’s getting ready to live with her new foster family; father Mike, mother Saskia and daughter Phoebe. To Milly, they seem like the perfect family, everything she’s never had. Mike doubles as her psychologist which is interesting but also seems to blur the lines a bit. Saskia is a flighty, disengaged woman and Phoebe is a classic high school mean girl. She is not pleased that her family has taken Milly in and she doesn’t even know the truth. The only people who are aware what Milly’s mother has done is Mike, Saskia and the headmaster at her new private school.

This is an intense character study inside the mind of Milly. She’s understandably struggling with many issues, but the biggest may be the guilt she feels about betraying her mother. She’s about to go to trial for the brutal killing of nine very young children and Milly knows it’s all because of her. There is a constant battle of good versus evil inside her head, she’s always wondering if the good part of her will win or will the dark, violent part from her mother overcome and consume her? Land has a peculiar writing style with subtle nuances, but it works brilliantly here as it really fits as to how you would imagine a damaged girl such as Milly to think and speak. 

I can’t accurately describe how I feel about Milly. On one hand I feel extremely emphatic towards her, she was raised in a house of horrors where unspeakable things were occurring and to be honest, most times she comes across as shockingly well adjusted. She desperately wants to fit in to her new family and school, but unfortunately Phoebe makes it her mission to make her life a living hell. The cattiness is accurately frightening and I found myself thanking the stars that I’m well beyond my high school years. Then on the other hand, she will have a thought or a moment that makes me uneasy and chilled right to the bone. It’s unsettling to say the least and that’s probably the best word I could use to describe my entire experience here. 

This is an impressive debut, with a slow burn and a sense of dread bubbling under the surface. Don’t mistake the slowness for weakness though, it surely delivers on all levels. It’s dark,tortured and obsessive and I still can’t decide if I trust Milly or not. It’s still haunting me days after I finished it, but I’m not terribly surprised as it raised quite a few deeply profound questions. Are we a product of our environment? Is it more about the DNA we’re born with? A little of both? Milly grappled with these questions continuously and was almost fighting against herself to push away the bad parts of her. I could blather on about this one forever, but I’ll spare you all for now and just end with this; if you’re looking for a highly intelligent psychological thriller that won’t let you out of its clutches, this is for you.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to Olivia Thomas at Michael Joseph for my review copy.

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Release date: January 3, 2017

Publisher: Bloodhound Books

Genre: Domestic suspense

Blurb: 

When Erica’s husband Joel dies in a tragic accident nobody suspects she had anything to do with it. But appearances can be deceptive.

Erica describes her successful, lawyer husband as handsome and charismatic when she recounts their whirlwind marriage. But nothing is what it seems.  

What is Erica hiding?

Was Joel’s death really an accident?

Sometimes the truth can be ugly.

Review: 

I’m so happy to be a stop on the blog tour for Beautiful Liar today. This was a riveting and often times an uneasy read as it deals with the subject of domestic abuse, but it was also a fascinating look inside a toxic relationship from both the perspective of the abuser and the one being abused.

The opening chapter is a stunner as it starts with Joel’s death. It then flips back and forth with chapters from Erica and then Joel, both in the past and in the present. Though you know that Joel is dead it was really interesting to see the events that lead to his demise. Joel is a vile man, from the start of his relationship with Erica he manipulates her to suit his sick and twisted needs. She has no idea he’s playing her and is utterly charmed by him. Erica was a vibrant and strong woman before she married Joel and seeing her crumble under his control was so heartbreaking. As Mullins reveals exactly what has been happening inside their home I was horrified and chilled to the bone. 

I don’t want to discuss the plot too much more, but as hard as parts of this book were to read, it was an excellent domestic suspense which is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres and I really enjoyed Mullins engaging writing style. 

Check out the other stops on the tour!

Overall rating: 4/5 

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my review copy.

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Release date: January 10, 2017

Publisher: Pegasus Books

Genre: Crime Thriller/Mystery

Blurb: 

Detectives David Murphy and Laura Rossi are charged with the investigation of the murder of a student at the City of Liverpool University. Attached to her body is a letter from her killer, which details a famous unethical psychological experiment—an experiment that the killer had replicated on the victim, resulting in her death. Convinced at first that the murderer is someone close to the victim, Murphy and Rossi dismiss the letter as a bid to throw them off the scent—until more bodies are found, each with their own letter attached.

When it becomes apparent that each victim has ties to the university, the detectives realize they’re chasing a killer unlike any they’ve hunted before—one who doesn’t just want his victims’ bodies, but their minds as well. As they rush to prevent any more deaths, they are forced to delve into the darkest channels of psychological research in an attempt to understand the motives of the madman. 

Review: 

By now most of you know that nothing makes me happier than discovering a new to me author. The only thing better is realizing that there are already three more books in this series! Never mind that for now they’re only available in the U.K., that’s what Book Depository is for. This was crime fiction the way it’s supposed to be with intelligent detectives, an extremely complicated case, and plenty of surprises along the way. 

Essentially there are two mysteries going on here, the obvious is the case that Murphy and Rossi are trying to solve, but there is also the murder of David’s parents lingering in the background. Though he knows who is responsible for their deaths, it’s revealed to the reader slowly and precisely. It’s clear that Murphy has had a rough time as of late as he’s estranged from his wife Sarah and has been for the past year and a half. He’s struggled on the job as well as in his personal life and this case is his chance to redeem himself. 

I really liked Veste’s writing style, it’s smart and sharp and he juggled various viewpoints and timelines like a pro. There are chapters from eighteen months prior when a woman named Jemma disappears, then present day from Murphy, but there are also some parts told from the point of view of the killer and I love getting to see a peek inside their depraved minds. He’s a ruthless serial killer and he immensely enjoys toying with not only his victims, but also the police. This is violent and at times a bit gory, so it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

There is great character development with Murphy and I really liked seeing him grow as the book progressed. I liked him individually but the scenes with him and Rossi really shone brightly, she’s younger and fresher than he is and they balance each other out perfectly. I changed my mind about who the killer was several times, and though in the end my hunch was right, Veste still managed to throw me for a loop a few more times. I can’t wait to see where this series takes these two and I’m looking really forward to reading more from Veste.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy. 

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Release date: January 10, 2017

Publisher: Scout Press

Genre: Thriller

Blurb: 

A high stakes drama set against the harsh beauty of the Maine wilderness, charting the journey of four friends as they fight to survive the aftermath of a white water rafting accident, The River at Night is a nonstop and unforgettable thriller by a stunning new voice in fiction.

Winifred Allen needs a vacation.

Stifled by a soul-crushing job, devastated by the death of her beloved brother, and lonely after the end of a fifteen-year marriage, Wini is feeling vulnerable. So when her three best friends insist on a high-octane getaway for their annual girls’ trip, she signs on, despite her misgivings.

What starts out as an invigorating hiking and rafting excursion in the remote Allagash Wilderness soon becomes an all-too-real nightmare: A freak accident leaves the women stranded, separating them from their raft and everything they need to survive. When night descends, a fire on the mountainside lures them to a ramshackle camp that appears to be their lifeline. 

With intimately observed characters, visceral prose, and pacing as ruthless as the river itself, The River at Night is a dark exploration of creatures—both friend and foe—that you won’t soon forget.

Review: 

I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book more accurately labeled before, talk about a thriller! I did cut a small part out of the blurb as I think it shows a minor spoiler and all you really need to know is that Wini, Pia, Sandra and Rachel plan their annual girls trip and nothing goes according to plan. 

Once the action starts it is nonstop and merciless, though it does take a little time to get there. I enjoyed the initial set up as it provided me with some background on the four friends who decide to go on this crazy trip. I say crazy because there is not enough money in the world that would make me choose to spend one night, much less five in the wilderness in Maine. I’m similar to Wini in feeling like a vacation means a beach and a cocktail, NOT wild animals, a vast forest and countless hidden dangers. 

There is such an ominous undercurrent running throughout the book, clearly you know things are going to go south, but even after the first catastrophe, I found myself waiting on pins and needles for the next thing to go wrong. This had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I was holding my breath one minute, then gasping out loud as Ferencik slapped me with another surprise. There were as many twists and turns as the river itself and I loved how the river was a character of its own. Between the river and the woods, this setting was crafted so well by Ferencik that I could easily picture its breathtaking beauty. 

There was such a nice flow in this book, I was frantically flipping pages as I was so desperate to find out if these women would make it out of this deadly and chilling situation alive. It’s a story about survival, and friendship as they realize that their only hope of coming out of this relatively safely is by banding together. It would also be a fantastic movie, Ferencik’s writing style made the wilderness come to life so brilliantly that it was playing out like a movie for me. If you’re looking for a heart pounding read with depth, look no further. 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to Scout Press for my review copy. 

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Release date: December 1, 2016

Publisher: Aria

Genre: Mystery

Blurb: 

A missing husband. Mysterious calls. And the biggest lie of them all.

Read with caution – you may never want to answer your phone again…

Will and Amanda Thorne are living the dream until, one day, their phone rings. Within 24 hours, Will is missing and Amanda’s world is shattered. Who was on the phone? Where has Will gone?

Amanda is determined to find her husband and is drawn into a world of drug dealers, criminal masterminds and broken promises.

As the truth becomes clearer, she has to face the terrible possibility that she may never have known her husband at all… 

Review: 

I feel like I was misled by the cover/title/blurb of this book. I love the cover, immediately caught my eye, the title did too. The blurb put the nail in the coffin and by this point I was clicking request on Netgalley faster than ever. But after reading this, I think it’s definitely more of a domestic suspense and had I known that beforehand, I may have enjoyed this more. When I picked this up I was in the mood for a more standard mystery/thriller and I had wrongly assumed this was a pulse pounding domestic suspense.

Wrong Number starts out slow and it took me until about a third of the way through until I actually started to get into the story. Some action begins at this point, but unfortunately it never really reached an exciting level for me. The plot itself was very predictable and I had things figured out very quickly. There was really no heavy layer of suspense hanging over the story either which I would expect in any mystery novel. The combination of these two crucial elements failing for me left things very flat and uninteresting. 

This definitely wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read, it had some moments where I was feeling good about where things were headed, but then every time I would start to relax into the read I would either have to suspend some serious disbelief or be immersed in a love triangle. Being unprepared for the romantic aspect really threw me for a loop and I don’t mind tossing logic out the window occasionally, but I had to do it here a bit too much for my liking. The ending was really curt, I almost thought my copy was missing a few pages, but then I saw there will be a sequel in May. If things had been whittled down a bit I’m not sure one would even be necessary. 

If you’re looking for something with a similar plot and a better domestic suspense check out The Marriage Lie, I enjoyed that one much more.

Overall rating: 2.5/5

Thanks to Aria for my review copy. 

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Release date: January 1, 2017

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Women’s Fiction 

Blurb: 

After a tragic accident on Martha’s Vineyard, keeping secrets becomes a way of life for the Tangle family. With memories locked away, the sisters take divergent paths. Callie disappears, Mimi keeps so busy she has no time to think, and Ginger develops a lifelong aversion to risk that threatens the relationships she holds most dear.

When a whispered comment overheard by her rebellious teenage daughter forces Ginger to reveal a long-held family secret, the Tangles’ carefully constructed web of lies begins to unravel. Upon the death of Glory, the family’s colorful matriarch, and the return of long-estranged Callie, Ginger resolves to return to Martha’s Vineyard and piece together what really happened on that calamitous day when a shadow fell over four sun-kissed siblings playing at the shore. Along with Ginger’s newfound understanding come the keys to reconciliation: with her mother, with her sisters, and with her daughter.

At turns heartbreaking, humorous, and hopeful, Sisters One, Two, Three explores not only the consequences of secrets—even secrets kept out of love—but also the courage it takes to speak the truth, to forgive, and to let go. 

Review: 

I love a book with a plot based around secrets, and when it’s a family that has things hidden from each other, I’m even more curious. The Tangle family has skeletons in their closets, and the power of long kept secrets have affected all three sisters in dramatic and very different ways. Told alternately from the 1970’s and present day, all from eldest sister Ginger’s point of view, it’s clear that tragedy will strike when Ginger, Mimi and Callie are young. Present day shows what happens when their mother, Glory passes away and two tragedies set decades apart manage to both devastate and reunite the dysfunctional and broken Tangle family. 

I loved how this book made me question how I think I would handle things if I was in the same situation as this family. I kept thinking about secrets, and wondering when is it really ok to keep things from your loved ones? Glory makes some parenting choices for her children that I had a hard time understanding, but I think that she was making decisions and keeping things from her daughters in order to protect them. Seeing how her choices effected the girls as adults was both heartbreaking and interesting. Ginger is such a worrier and her anxiety has a crippling impact on her life and her relationships, especially with her daughter Julia. Mimi is bossy and overbearing, but very much able to function under stress and upheaval. Callie has been damaged the most by the tragedies that she endured, she comes across vulnerable and innocent, I wanted to protect her from any harm. All three were endearing in their own unique way, and they all had quirks based on their upbringing that I found really charming.

I found this book to be a really captivating look at a family shaped by their painful past. Though Ginger, Mimi and Callie were all changed by past events, they all reacted in completely different ways and had wholly separate issues. Even their memories of things that happened when they were young were vastly different, that’s so interesting to me. The day of the original tragedy is remembered vividly and uniquely by each sister. Ultimately this is a story of love, loss, family and healing that I really enjoyed.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Kathleen Zrelak at Goldberg McDuffie and Lake Union for my review copy.