My review of Triptych by Karin Slaughter

This is my first Karin Slaughter novel and I'm so impressed I will now read everything she has written. The plot was fantastic, but it is her characters that did it for me. So utterly well done, so believable that they get hold of you emotionally and don't let go, particularly Special Agent Will Trent, you just can't help but love him.
The plot is very gritty and covers gruesome violence and prostitution with twists and turns and a brilliant ending.
Now to read the next book in the series, Will Trent is my favourite special agent ever.
Loved it.

My book review of The Art Of Fear by Pamela Crane

My first Pamela Crane and it won't be my last. I very much enjoyed this book even though it covered some very disturbing issues like sex trafficking of children and physical and mental abuse. Although these issues are gut wrenching and the author did not hold back in making it quite plain how harrowing it is for the victims. It is possible to read and enjoy this book because of Ari Wilburn, the main protagonist.
Ari is herself a damaged woman, carrying the burden of her sisters death on her shoulders, she hates herself, has low low self esteem. However she sets up a suicide support group and that's when her new life begins.
I loved Ari because she was flawed and grew into a strong, resilient character. She was funny right from the start. I also loved Tristan, her sexy love interest, friend and crime solving partner.
The book has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and the characters are so well developed you just have to keep reading and willing them all to succeed. Great novel, great read

My review of Sometimes I lie by Alice Feeney

I've read quite a few very good books lately, and this is now one of them. It got to me - I mean really got to me. Everyone likes books for different reasons and one of mine is how the author chooses and uses words. This book is so beautifully written, a unique author voice, her way of phrasing something is amazing. Some examples. 'I can't seem to find the right words, so I settle for the wrong ones.' 'I watch his face argue with a smile.' 'I tread carefully over a carpet of lies, tring not to disturb them.' 'She empties her words in my ears and eventually I hear them.' I could go on and on. Couple that with a clever plot, so full of twists it will tie you up in knots. I didn't see them coming, well maybe some but not all. I had to go back and re-read passages to work how how the author did it, how she sent me off on the wrong track for so long. Because sometimes she lies, so you never quite know what's the truth, ever. I loved the ending, another shock. Even if I don't know what to make of it, it made me think up explanations, ask questions and I'm still doing it now. Another reason I love this book.

My review of Ice Cold Alice by Mark Wilson

I just couldn't put this book down. From the very beginning it is dramatic, tense and very realistic. I thought that Alice's blogger alias, Tequila Mockingbird was just so clever and demonstrates the attention to detail that this author gives to his characters. Alice is a flawed serial killer, a vigilante that wants justice and even though she is brutal and twisted, she is also fascinating. I wanted her to get away with it, by drawing you in with information about her past, the author makes you actually like her! The detective trying to track her down is also a woman, Kathy McGuire, a complex, well rounded character that in any other circumstances I would want to succeed, but not with Alice. The book is fast paced, full of twists and heart stopping tension. I loved it.

Best book I've read in a while, and it's by an indie author.

Miro by A.E.Nasr



This book is that rare combination of a riveting, compelling, detailed story that is also exquisitely written. I would give it 6 stars if I could because it should be in that category of outstanding. The best book I have read in a long while. The book centres on the lives of 5 very different men. Incarcerated just for resisting they spend 9 years in harrowing conditions but somehow never give up hope of freedom. When the unexpected happens and they do break free they have a journey as fugatives in the occupied country that was once their home. This book lays bare just how low human nature can sink, just how depraved, callous and cruel it can be. But against that the 5 men have formed a unique bond of friendship and love and they demonstrate that despite everything the human spirit never gives up hope. The writing is magnificent and therefore the scenes of extreme brutality and tension had me in tears but the book is spinkled throughout with humour, love and hope, to counter this. This book should be read by a great many people, not just because it deserves to be but also because it is a thought provoking and distrubingly realistic account of life in a war torn, occupied country and the savage, heartless effect that has on the lives of decent human beings.