Goodreads|Amazon

Release date:

Publisher: Orenda

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Whitechapel, 1888: London is bowed under Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror.

London 2015: actress Julianne Bell is abducted in a case similar to the terrible Tower Hamlets murders of some 10 years earlier, and harking back to the Ripper killings of a century before.

Falkenberg, Sweden, 2015: a woman’s body is found mutilated in a forest, her wounds identical to those of the Tower Hamlets victims. With the man arrested for the Tower Hamlets crimes already locked up, do the new killings mean he has a dangerous accomplice, or is a copy-cat serial killer on the loose?

Profiler Emily Roy and true-crime writer Alexis Castells again find themselves drawn into an intriguing case, with personal links that turn their world upside down.

I’m absolutely thrilled to be one of the stops on the blog tour for Keeper today!

Review:

You may remember that around this time last year I was raving about the first book in this series, Block 46 so to say Keeper was one of my most anticipated reads of 2018 is a massive understatement. Gustawsson is an incredibly talented author who has taken crime fiction to an entirely new and fascinating place and I loved Keeper just as much (maybe even a little bit more) than Block 46.

Many authors attempt dual timelines and some manage to pull it off but there is NO ONE around that does it so seamlessly as Gustawsson does. Within these different periods of time there were several different subplots that were all intense and intriguing and once again, I struggled to figure out exactly how they would merge together. They seem mostly unrelated, but oh no they’re actually meticulously detailed and connected in the most mind blowing ways, it is seriously impressive. I’m always in awe of good writers, but she takes things to a whole new level of genius.

There’s only so much I can say to try and covey just how amazing this book is so I’ll just finish up by saying if you’re looking for a fresh, bold crime fiction read, look no further. But read both book one and book two, it’s well worth it!

Keeper in three words: Unflinching, Intelligent and Dark.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: April 12, 2018

Publisher: Red Door

Genre: Mystery

Blurb:

Lionel Shriver meets Mark Haddon in this break-out debut.

Despite living in the same three-flat house in the suburbs of London, the residents are strangers to one another. The bottom floor is home to Tam, a recent ex-cop who spends his days drowning his sorrows in whisky. On the middle floor is Nick, a young man with Asperger’s who likes to stick to his schedules and routines. The top floor belongs to Karen, a doctor and researcher who has spent her life trying to understand the rising rates of autism. They have lived their lives separately, until now, when an unsolved murder and the man on the middle floor connect them all together. Told from three points of view, The Man on the Middle Floor is about disconnection in all its forms; sexual, physical, parental and emotional. It questions whether society is meeting the needs of the fast growing autistic section of society, or exacerbating it.

Thought-provoking and thrilling, The Man on the Middle Floor will leave readers talking.

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The Man on the Middle Floor!

Review:

What an unusual book this was, I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it. I tried to think of a book to compare it to and am drawing a blank, so this is definitely a highly original read. I’m not even sure exactly what genre I would say it fits in to, it’s definitely mysterious but it also reads like contemporary fiction at times and there is a ton to dissect and discuss making it a great book club pick.

This follows three people who are neighbors and is told from each of their viewpoints. Tam is a police officer who is disenchanted with life in general and probably my favorite character. Nick is a young man with autism who struggles to live a “normal” life and then finally there is Karen, and quite frankly I loathed this woman. She’s self absorbed, rude and oblivious and I can’t really find any redeeming qualities about her. After a series of events happen in their home, these neighbors who have never really spoken to each other before find their lives entangled in unforeseen ways.

Not only was this an unusual read it was often hard to read, uncomfortable even. It really pushed me outside of my own personal comfort zone, but I do like that occasionally and was really interested in the characters lives and how their stories would end. There is some dark subject matter explored here, but it really isn’t a graphic or gritty read, instead it’s a deeper exploration of dark and sad issues that are sadly, all too common today. The author has an extremely strong and original voice and style of writing, if you’re looking for something different, give this a try.

The Man on the Middle Floor in three words: Unique, Thought-provoking and Discomfiting.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

About The Other Mother

Paperback:352 pages
Publisher:William Morrow Paperbacks (March 27, 2018)

An atmospheric and harrowing tale, richly literary in complexity but ripe with all the crazed undertones, confusions, and forebodings inherent in the gothic genre. Recommend this riveting, du Maurier like novel to fans of Jennifer McMahon. Booklist (starred review)

From the author of the internationally bestselling The Lake of Dead Languages comes a gripping novel about madness, motherhood, love, and trust.

When Daphne Marist and her infant daughter, Chloe, pull up the gravel drive to the home of Daphne’s new employer, it feels like they’ve entered a whole new world. Tucked in the Catskills, the stone mansion looks like something out of a fairy tale, its lush landscaping hiding the view of the mental asylum just beyond its border. Daphne secured the live-in position using an assumed name and fake credentials, telling no one that she’s on the run from a controlling husband who has threatened to take her daughter away.

Daphne’s new life is a far cry from the one she had in Westchester where, just months before, she and her husband welcomed little Chloe. From the start, Daphne tries to be a good mother, but she’s plagued by dark moods and intrusive thoughts that convince her she’s capable of harming her own daughter. When Daphne is diagnosed with Post Partum Mood Disorder, her downward spiral feels unstoppable until she meets Laurel Hobbes.

Laurel, who also has a daughter named Chloe, is everything Daphne isn’t: charismatic, sophisticated, fearless. They immediately form an intense friendship, revealing secrets to one another they thought they’d d never share. Soon, they start to look alike, dress alike, and talk alike, their lives mirroring one another in strange and disturbing ways. But Daphne realizes only too late that being friends with Laurel will come at a very shocking price, one that will ultimately lead her to that towering mansion in the Catskills where terrifying, long-hidden truths will finally be revealed….

Review:

Man this was a confusing read but I truly mean that as a compliment, I enjoyed every single page of this compulsive read! The confusion was the interesting kind, you know when you’re reading a book and you know the narrator isn’t reliable? It was that type of read, you’re endlessly questioning the characters, their motivations and their integrity.

Let me elaborate more on the confusion for you guys, this is told mainly from Daphne’s point of view both in a straightforward narrative in the present day and through journal entries from a few months ago. Daphne is a new mom suffering from post partum depression and she joins a support group where she meets Laurel. Their friendship is odd, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why at first, but you know something is off. It only becomes clear later that there are so many issues and backstories. In the present day Daphne is starting a new job working for a writer and the bulk of the novel is set at the authors house which shares grounds with a mental institution. Talk about a creepy and unsettling atmosphere! Combine that with Daphne’s delusions and paranoia and you have the perfect recipe for a highly entertaining page turner.

This was incredibly twisty, therefore difficult to review, especially in terms of the plot, but it was meticulously plotted and extremely well written. This read like a psychological thriller with an edge, it was sophisticated and refined and just so well done. Highly recommended by me!

The Other Mother in three words: Unnerving, Atmospheric and Polished.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for my review copy.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Photo by Franco Vogt

About Carol Goodman

Carol Goodman is the critically acclaimed author of fourteen novels, including The Lake of Dead Languages and The Seduction of Water, which won the 2003 Hammett Prize. Her books have been translated into sixteen languages. She lives in the Hudson Valley with her family, and teaches writing and literature at the New School and SUNY New Paltz.

Find out more about Carol on her website, and connect with her on Facebook.

Goodreads|Amazon US|Amazon UK

(UK cover)

(US cover)

Release date: April 5, 2018

Publisher: River Run

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

TOO SOON TO SEE

Polished. Professional. Perfect. Dead. Respected scientist Dr Eleanor Costello is found hanging in her immaculate home: the scene the very picture of a suicide.

TOO LATE TO HIDE

DCS Frankie Sheehan is handed the case, and almost immediately spots foul play. Sheehan, a trained profiler, is seeking a murderer with a talent for death.

TOO CLOSE TO BREATHE

As Frankie strives to paint a picture of the killer, and their victim, she starts to sense they are part of a larger, darker canvas, on which the lines between the two blur.

Olivia Kiernan’s debut is a bold, brilliant thriller that will keep you guessing and leave you breathless.

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Too Close to Breathe!

Review:

Is there anything better as an avid reader than reading an amazing debut?! Anyone that reads a lot of crime fiction, and police procedurals in particular knows that at times the genre can feel a bit repetitive, stale even, but I can honestly say that this one was far from boring, it was a fantastically strong debut, really impressive.

Frankie is the ultimate flawed lead character, I genuinely liked her and found her to be an interesting person AND her past was totally intriguing. The case she’s working seems to be a standard suicide but winds up being anything but, I always like cases where things are not as they seem at first glance and this has plenty of surprises. The involvement of the dark web was another aspect that fascinated me, it’s frightening but also extremely interesting and makes for a great addition to the plot.

Kiernan is a really strong writer, this book is being compared to Tana French and I can definitely see why. She’s one of my favorite authors and Kiernan has a similar style, so if you enjoy her books definitely add this to your TBR!

Too Close to Breathe in three words: Authentic, Dark and Solid.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon UK

Release date: April 5, 2018

Publisher: Headline

Genre: Fiction

Blurb:

Tony and Althea Wilde. Glamorous, argumentative … adulterous to the core.

They were my parents, actors known by everyone. They gave our lives love and colour in a house by the sea – the house that sheltered my orphaned father when he was a boy.

But the summer Mads arrived changed everything. She too had been abandoned and my father understood why. We Wildflowers took her in.

My father was my hero, he gave us a golden childhood, but the past was always going to catch up with him … it comes for us all, sooner or later.

This is my story. I am Cordelia Wilde. A singer without a voice. A daughter without a father. Let me take you inside.

I’m so pleased to be one of the stops on the blog tour for The Wildflowers today!

Review:

It’s been way too long since I’ve read a really good family saga, so when the opportunity arose to read The Wildflowers I just had to take it. If you’re looking for a book to really sink your teeth into, look no further. This is a meaty read(over 500 pages), you really get the opportunity to know the characters as it follows the Wilde family throughout their entire lives and by the end I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to them.

This jumps back and forth in time from the 40’s, to 2014 and several places in between. Althea and Tony Wilde have two children, Ben and Cord and this beautiful story follows all four of them. Being on the longer side really allowed the author to craft highly complex characters with deep rooted issues that were able to be fully explored. The characterization was so well done that I could easily imagine any of the Wilde’s as real people, they were vividly drawn.

As with anyone’s life each member of the Wilde family experiences plenty of highs and lows, this was full of drama, secrets and betrayals. It’s mainly set in the family’s beach house which was such a lovely, idyllic backdrop for this sweeping storyline, a nice contrast to the turmoil they were dealing with. This book will truly sweep you away to a different time and place and make you invested in these characters complicated and fascinating lives.

The Wildflowers in three words: Dramatic, Grand and Eloquent.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: March 25, 2018

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

This is a story about a city. As with all others, it’s a place of violence. There are murderers, and they live among us.

This is also a tale about a couple — sometimes friends, occasionally lovers, but always partners. Dan and Olivia are fighting modern battles; the ones parents have over a lack of money, time or peace.

An escalating serial killer terrifies the streets and homes. The body count rises as their relationship crumbles. Society reveals its dark side, and no one is safe. Dan and Olivia experience this first-hand as danger closes in.

I’m so pleased to be helping to close down the blog tour for Abel’s Revenge today!

Review:

This was such an unusual serial killer thriller, you almost have two completely separate storylines running side by side, the only thing they have in common is the location. Olivia and Dan are an unmarried couple with two kids living in London and then Abel is a serial killer that’s stalking the streets and wrecking havoc. Olivia and Dan’s chapters read like a domestic suspense and then the little we do hear from Abel feels more like a standard serial killer thriller. This may sound like it wouldn’t work together but it really does, it was a compulsive page turner that had me glued to my Kindle.

While the bulk of the novel focuses on Olivia and Dan’s relationship woes there is an undercurrent of apprehension running in the background as everyone in the city is on edge waiting for Abel to strike again, it’s not a question of him attacking again, but rather where and how. He doesn’t follow any sort of pattern or MO, his attacks are random and unpredictable, which to me makes it even more frightening. Greenwood did a fantastic job at creating this atmosphere full of frantic citizens who are fearful for their safety as well as a killer who’s inner thoughts were terrifying and left me chilled.

There was some excellent dark, black humor to bring levity to an ominous situation, I always love that and find that sarcasm brings an edge to an already dark plot. I wouldn’t describe this as full of twists and turns, though there are some surprises to be found, but I actually appreciated that more, it made Greenwood’s clever plotting and solid writing shine brighter. If you’re looking for a unique crime fiction read give this one a shot!

Abel’s Revenge in three words: Menacing, Different and Gritty.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy.

About the Author:

Ross Greenwood was born in 1973 in Peterborough and lived there until he was 20, attending The King’s School in the city. He then began a rather nomadic existence, living and working all over the country and various parts of the world.

Ross found himself returning to Peterborough many times over the years, usually, so he says “when things had gone wrong.” It was on one of these occasions that he met his partner about 100 metres from his back door whilst walking a dog. Two children swiftly followed. And, according to Ross, he is “still a little stunned by the pace of it now.”

Lazy Blood book was started a long time ago but parenthood and then four years as a prison officer got in the way. Ironically it was the four a.m. feed which gave the author the opportunity to finish the book as unable to get back to sleep he completed it in the early morning hours.

Ross Greenwood’s second book, The Boy Inside, was picked up by Bloodhound Books, and in September 2017, Fifty Years of Fear was published. All his books are thought provoking, and told with a sense of humour.

Ross Greenwood hopes you enjoy reading them.

Please feel free to get in touch on http://www.rossgreenwoodauthor.com

About Worth Killing For

Hardcover:352 pages
Publisher:Kensington (March 27, 2018)

Detroit newspaper reporter Julia Gooden returns in new mystery, where a brutal murder and a father’s sudden return may provide the answers she’s spent decades searching for . . . or lead deep into a fatal trap.

The past never really leaves us. Crime reporter Julia Gooden sees proof of this every day in her stories. A dark childhood, a negligent parent, early abandonment–any one of them can seal a person’s fate as either a villain or victim. Julia, who experienced all three, seems to have beaten the odds, finding happiness raising her two sons and a blossoming relationship with detective Raymond Navarro.

But now, after three decades of absence, Julia’s conman father has resurfaced to throw her life into turmoil again. Julia was only seven when Duke Gooden abruptly left. Barely a month later, her nine-year-old brother, Ben, disappeared. Ben was her hero and protector, and though the case is cold, Julia has never given up hope of finding him. Duke’s return offers vital clues–but it also makes her a target of those who intend to see Duke punished for his many sins.

When Julia investigates the death of a city councilman’ s young nephew, she finds links to a string of other murders . . . and to a web of greed and kidnapping that stretches back decades. At long last, Julia may be able to discover what happened to Ben all those years ago, but only if she’s willing to risk everything in her present.

Praise for the Julia Gooden Mystery Novels

Worth Killing For

A first-rate thriller filled with several plot twists, heinous villains and an explosive ending. RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars, Top Pick

A complex, highly suspenseful tale of murder, revenge, and redemption. Kirkus Reviews

This exciting third installment in the series effectively mixes gritty crime and involving domestic drama. Booklist

An alluring mystery. Fans are certain to enjoy the complex plot and Julia and Ray’s evolving relationship. Publisher’s Weekly

Duplicity

Haseldine uses her experience as a crime reporter to bring authenticity to this exciting and gritty tale. Kirkus Reviews

Julia is ferociously bold and persistent in this action-packed, plot-driven mystery. Booklist

Haseldine has a gift for atmosphere, setting, and suspense, and the many twists and turns will keep readers guessing. Library Journal

The Last Time She Saw Him

A sharp, breathless thriller. From the opening scene to the last, The Last Time She Saw Him, kept me flipping the pages. I loved it! Jane Haseldine is one to watch!Lisa Jackson, #1 New York Times bestselling author

A ferocious thriller . . . no one will stop reading. Booklist

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble�| IndieBound

Review:

So I find my self once again jumping into a new series without reading the previous books, and honestly, I’m wondering why I didn’t do this years ago! I’ve heard nothing but fantastic things about the Julia Gooden series so I knew I had to take a chance and I’m really glad that I did because I loved this book!

Julia is a journalist which is always an angle that I like in crime fiction, it’s a unique viewpoint and provides a fresh perspective and usually the reporters are assertive and daring, which always keeps things exciting. Julia was a really interesting lead, her past is messy and this time the story she’s pursuing may have links to the disappearance of her brother, Ben. When a character has a personal connection to a case I’m all in, there’s something about the emotional component this stirs up that just speaks to me. I also really liked Julia and found her to be realistic, Haseldine herself is a former crime reporter so the authenticity is top notch making you feel like you’re reading about real people and not just fictional characters.

This was a twisty little read, more often than not I can see where a story is headed right before I actually get there but this time I really didn’t work anything out on my own, always a bonus! And though it definitely had twists and turns they were unrealistic or an easy cop out but they all actually made sense and added depth to the already strong storyline. I’ll be following this series closely now, there was enough left up in the air in the end that I’m definitely intrigued and eager to see what happens next.

Worth Killing For in three words: Assured, Unique and Strong.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for my review copy.

About Jane Haseldine

Jane Haseldine writes the Julia Gooden Mystery Series for Kensington Publishing. Jane is a journalist and former crime reporter who also previously worked in politics as a deputy director of communications for a governor. Jane graduated from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications with a degree in journalism. She currently resides in Southern California with her husband and two sons, but previously lived in Boston, San Francisco, New York, Delaware, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. You can find her at janehaseldine.com,Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook and on Instagram @janehaseldineauthor.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: March 27, 2018

Publisher: Dafina

Genre: Fiction

Blurb:

Set in the past and present, The House on Harbor Hill is a murder mystery that tackles the issues of racial prejudice and spousal abuse in the lives of two very different women…

She’s generous, kind, and compassionate–yet Delilah Grey will forever be an outcast in the small seaside town of Camden Beach, Maryland. She takes in women shattered by abuse, poverty, illness, or events beyond their control. But no matter how far she’s come or how many she’s helped find their way back, there is no safe place for Delilah. Acquitted of her rich husband’s mysterious death decades ago, she lives in her beautiful mansion consumed by secrets–and mistakes she feels she can never atone for. . . . Until she takes in desperate mother Tracey Walters and her two young children.

Tracey won’t say where she’s from or what sent her into hiding. But her determination and refusal to give up reminds Delilah of the spirited, hopeful girl she once was–and the dreams she still cherishes. As Tracey takes tentative steps to rebuild her life, her unexpected attraction to Delilah’s handsome, troubled caretaker inadvertently brings Delilah face to face with the past. And when Tracey’s worst fears come brutally calling, both women must find even more strength to confront truths they can no longer ignore–and at last learn how to truly be free . . .

Resonant, moving, and unforgettable, The House on Harbor Hill paints an unforgettable portrait of two women struggling to forgive themselves, take a chance on change, and challenge each other to finally live.

Review:

This is one of those books that’s tricky to categorize, it doesn’t really fit neatly into any specific genre but rather it dips it’s toes into several. Parts are set in the sixties and parts in the current day so you get a historical fiction vibe and some of the writing is so beautifully poetic you think maybe it’s literary fiction. Then at times it reads like a straight up contemporary novel, but at the end of the day it all comes together and works really well regardless of the genre.

Delilah and Tracey are the main characters and while Tracey was likable enough, Delilah is the true star of the show. Her past is shrouded in mystery and in the present day she’s a spunky little firecracker, I just adored her. She has a habit of taking women into her home who are down on their luck and this is just one of her eccentricities that made me like her. Tracey’s children were also adorable and added some mischief and light to the tale.

This tackled racial issues in the sixties and unfortunately similar issues that are still happening today giving the reader much to reflect on and I can see it sparking discussion for a book club as well. Recommended for when you want a read but aren’t in the mood for anything specific, it has a little bit of everything and is extremely well written.

The House on Harbor Hill in three words: Eloquent, Moving and Character-driven.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for my review copy.

About the Author:

Shelly Stratton is an award-winning journalist who earned her degree at the University of Maryland, College Park. Another Woman’s Man, her novel written under the pseudonym Shelly Ellis, was nominated for a 2014 NAACP Image Award. A film buff and amateur painter, she lives with her husband not far from Washington, D.C. Visit her online at http://www.shellyellisbooks.com.

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Connect with Shelly

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: March 27, 2018

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Blurb:

Fans of Jenny Oliver, Cathy Bramley and Debbie Johnson will love this hilarious and heart-warming romantic comedy! A storm is brewing on the stunning Cornish coast – but will sunshine follow the rain?

When Annie Trebarwith unexpectedly inherits Tregavara House, her much-loved family home atop the cliffs of Salt Bay, she begins to wonder: with all the good friends and warm memories she’s made in the village, could it be her forever home?

Luckily her gorgeous Poldark-lookalike boyfriend, Josh Pasco, has exactly the same idea. High on the Cornish cliffs he gets down on one knee, and Annie has everything she’s ever dreamed of.

But when a summer storm causes catastrophic damage to the beautiful but aging house, Annie and Josh are faced with tumbling tiles and a massive repair bill – and a roof that’s leaked straight onto her wedding gown…

Can the Salt Bay community save Annie’s house and her wedding – and give Annie the happy-ever-after she’s always wanted?

I’m so excited to be one of the stops on the blog blitz for Annie’s Summer by the Sea today!

Review:

Over the past year or so I’ve fallen in love with Liz Eeles writing and this adorable series that follows Annie as she relocates to the quaint little village of Salt Bay. As much as I was eager to read this final installment and see how Annie and Josh’s story would end it was bittersweet saying goodbye to these characters who feel like friends.

Annie’s transformation since the first book is amazing, Eeles took her on quite the personal journey. The supporting characters also went through many changes and I think this was the most emotional book in the series by far. There is still plenty of humor and lighthearted moments to be found, but there are several moving storylines as well that touched me.

I’m someone that appreciates a neat and tidy ending and the epilogue in this book was utter perfection! This is just such an ultimately satisfying series and one I highly recommended to anyone who wants a light, easy and funny read.

Annie’s Summer by the Sea in three words: Carefree, Sweet and Emotional.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

About the Author:

Liz began her writing career as a journalist and press officer before deciding that she’d rather have the freedom of making things up as a novelist.

Being short-listed in the Corvus ‘Love at First Write’ competition and the Novelicious search for a new women’s fiction star gave Liz the push she needed to keep putting pen to paper …. and ‘Annie’s Holiday by the Sea’ (her first published novel) is the result.

Liz lives on the South Coast with her family and, when she’s not writing, likes to spend time walking by the sea, and trying to meditate. Her ambition is to be serene one day …. she’s still got a long way to go.

Author Social Media Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lizeelesauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizeelesauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizeelesauthor/