Book Review: Don't Wake Up by Liz Lawler

Publication date: 5th October 2017

Book description:

Alex Taylor wakes up tied to an operating table.

The man who stands over her isn't a doctor.

The offer he makes her is utterly unspeakable.

But when Alex re-awakens, she's unharmed - and no one believes her horrifying story. Ostracised by her colleagues, her family and her partner, she begins to wonder if she really is losing her mind.

And then she meets the next victim.

So compulsive you can't stop reading.

So chilling you won't stop talking about it.

A pitch-black and devastatingly original psychological thriller.

My thoughts:

The author introduces us to the main character Dr Alex Taylor as she lies drugged on an operating table – hence the title.  She is being held captive by an unknown abductor who is threatening to do unmentionable things to her.  The next we know she is found in the hospital car park and no one will believe what she is saying has happened to her – including her boyfriend and her colleagues.
The events of the following weeks get more and more confusing for Alex and she seriously starts to question her sanity.  If we are to believe her, there are a few characters who could be considered as her assailant but I found a couple of them to be rather too obvious.  The police clearly do not believe her, with only one of the detectives curious enough to even entertain her story but even he wonders whether his interest in the doctor is on more of a personal level than professional.
The discovery of a body in suspicious circumstances at the hospital is a pivotal moment for the storyline and the tension cranks up several notches as the author begins the big reveal. The suspense builds steadily throughout the book and I really sympathised with Dr Taylor throughout as she tried to convince various friends and colleagues that she hadn’t dreamt up the horrors she described.  I enjoyed the back story of the detectives lives and how this influenced the management of the case being investigated. The plot comes to a very satisfactory conclusion and I do hope we see a sequel to this story as I feel these characters have so much more to offer.
My only negative thought throughout the whole story is that in my experience the Mini doesn’t have a spare wheel - it has run-flat tyres – and I found this quite off-putting when reading one part of the story as I found myself wondering more about that than the awful events which had just happened. I know this is a very trivial observation on my part and I could well be wrong, however it did have me questioning whether it might be relevant in the detectives’ investigation. Crazy where the mind goes when you’re trying to work out the plot!
An excellent suspenseful thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed, I will definitely be watching for future work from this author.

My thanks go to Netgalley and publisher Bonnier Zaffre/Twenty7 for the ARC copy of this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.

At a glance:September's reading

Netgalley badge update!

I was delighted to find out today that I have earned another Netgalley badge, and am now classed as a top reviewer!  In layman's terms this means that 3 or more of my reviews have been used by publishers for promotion of their books.  It's good to know that people are liking what I write. It makes it all worthwhile. Thank you Netgalley and your associated publishers for the opportunity to share my love of the written word.

No Way Back by Kelly Florentia

Publication date : 21st September 2017

Book Description:

When two eligible and attractive men are vying for your heart, it should be the perfect dilemma... Audrey Fox has been dumped by her unreliable fiancé Nick Byrne just days before the wedding. Heartbroken and confused, the last thing she expects when she jumps on a plane to convalesce in Cyprus is romance. But a chance meeting with handsome entrepreneur and father-of-one Daniel Taylor weaves her into a dating game she's not sure she's ready for. Audrey's life is thrown into further turmoil when she discovers on her return to London that Nick has been involved in a serious motorcycle accident that's left him in intensive care. Distraught yet determined to look to the future, Audrey must make a decision - follow her heart or listen to well-meaning advice from family and friends? Because sometimes, no matter what, it's the people that we love who can hurt us the most...

My thoughts:

You wouldn’t think there would be much of a story to tell here.  Audrey has 2 gorgeous bachelors vying for her affections: one is Daniel, a handsome international property dealer, owner of his own business, master of the romantic gesture and buyer of designer footwear.  The other is Nick, her ex-fiance who dumped her just days before their wedding.  Easy choice you’d think.  However when Audrey learns that Nick has been seriously injured in a motorbike accident on the eve of what would have been their wedding day her already frazzled emotions go into overdrive and she is very confused as to how she feels about him.

Audrey is a very relatable, likeable character who I could really connect with.  Her friends and family are constantly offering their advice as to whether she should try and mend her relationship with Nick or make a new start with Daniel and she really is torn between the two men and what they can offer her. Life with Daniel isn’t as clear cut as it would at first seem with his daughter and ex-wife Aliki still very much on the scene and playing a bigger part in Audrey’s life than her friends realise. As the story pans out lies and deceit start to appear from all angles and Audrey starts to wonder just who she can trust. I really wanted to dislike Nick after the way he dumped Audrey but there’s something about him that is quite addictive and I could understand why she was so unsure about letting him back into her life.  Daniel however is a different character altogether and where on the surface I felt like he should make ideal husband material there were facets to his personality I couldn’t quite feel at ease with.

I managed to work out certain aspects of the storyline but other more shocking threads of the story hadn’t featured on my radar at all, and things come to a quite explosive climax in a huge argument involving many of the fairly numerous cast of characters.  I found this to be an enjoyable book but I’m still not sure whether I the ending quite worked for me personally.

I cannot finish this review without mentioning the stunning cover artwork which links beautifully with the storyline.  It’s not the first time Urbane publishers have sold a book to me purely with a drop dead gorgeous cover design and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

My thanks to Netgalley and Urbane publishers for the advance copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

The Worst case scenario cookery club by Chrissie Manby

Publication date: 21 September 2017

Book description:

In the quaint seaside town of Newbay, a beginner's cookery course is starting. And three very different students have signed up . . .
Liz's husband has left her for a twenty-something clean-eating blogger, and she's determined to show the world - and her daughter - she's just as capable in the kitchen. John, newly widowed after fifty years of marriage, can't live on sympathy lasagnes forever. To thirty-year-old workaholic Bella, the course is a welcome escape from her high-pressure job. Their only common ground: between them, they can barely boil an egg!
Enter talented chef Alex, who is determined to introduce his pupils to the comforts of cuisine. As Liz, John and Bella encounter various disasters in the kitchen, the unlikely trio soon form a fast friendship. Their culinary skills might be catastrophic - but could the cookery club have given them a recipe for happiness?
The wonderful new novel from Chrissie Manby is perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley.

My thoughts: 

Having read a good few crime novels and psychological thrillers recently, this book was just the breath of fresh air that I needed. Liz and her husband have separated after Ian fell in love with 20 something year old lifestyle blogger Brittney.
Having gone through the teenage years with my own 2 children I could relate to Liz's struggle to find any common ground with her daughter Saskia after her split from her husband. I loved her ability to stay strong and not lose her sense of humour through life's trials and tribulations. With greedy but loveable pooch Ted adding to Liz's culinary challenges with fabulous comedy effect this book is really good fun. Between the members of Waggy Weight Loss, the canine version of weight watchers, and the 2 other singletons who have enrolled in a beginners cookery course at the local community centre Liz finds new friends as well as a new focus in her life. My only criticism of this book is that I could have kept reading for many more pages and was disappointed that it had all come to an end so soon

My thanks to Netgalley and publisher Hodder and Stoughton for an advance review copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Book review: Keep you safe by Melissa Hill

Publication date: 21st September 2017

Book Description:

A mother always knows best. Doesn’t she?

What if your choice for your child could harm someone else’s?

Every mother faces impossible choices. Vaccination is one of the hardest. For single mum Kate O’Hara, there was no decision to make. Her daughter Rosie is one of a small percentage of Irish children who can’t be vaccinated against measles. All Kate can do is hope that her little girl is safe.

For mummy blogger Madeleine Cooper, it was a leap of faith she wasn't prepared to take when she and her husband declined controversial measles jabs for their daughter Clara. All she can do is pray that it’s the right decision.

But when classmates Clara and Rosie both become sick will Kate pay for Madeleine’s choice?

A stunning and addictive new book club read from beloved bestselling Irish author Melissa Hill that explores every mother’s worst fear

My thoughts:

This story from Melissa Hill will strike a chord with any parent: which poses the greater risk, the vaccine or the disease you are aiming to protect them from?  Mums Kate and Madeleine have completely different reasons for not vaccinating their girls, but both have to face facts when the two girls are struck by measles.  I liked the characters of both of the mums, Kate being a hardworking widow striving to provide the best for her daughter after losing her husband suddenly and mad mum blogger Madeleine who has a much more laid back approach to life. I don’t know why, but reading Madeleine’s part in the story I found that she reminded me of Marian Keyes with her witty one liners and brand of Irish humour. I found myself rooting for Kate and Rosie for the vast majority of the story as I am sure many others will too however once we start to see the public façade of Madeleine crack and see her more vulnerable side my heart went out to her.  I really disliked her husband Tom throughout the whole book as I found him to be arrogant and self centred – traits which I similarly tarred Madeleine with at first. 

Once we reach the court room scenes we start to understand why the Coopers made the decision they did and I thought the scenes where Madeleine takes the witness stand were very emotionally charged. I was so pleased when after many months she finally finds the courage to speak from the heart rather than trying to tick the boxes her solicitor was instructing her to with her answers. I won’t give away the outcome of the story but suffice to say I was happy that the two mothers were able to understand the other’s decision not to vaccinate their children and were able make their peace even though things would never be the same between them.

A very realistic story with everyday people making the decisions that every parent agonises over – and scenarios which make you think about what can happen if things go horribly wrong.

I would definitely recommend this book, especially to parents who have indeed had to make this very same decision themselves.

My thanks to the publisher, HQ, and Netgalley for an advance review copy of this book in return for an honest review

Mini Review: The girl before by JP Delaney

Published January 2017

Book description

Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life.

The request seems odd, even intrusive—and for the two women who answer, the consequences are devastating.

Emma
Reeling from a traumatic break-in, Emma wants a new place to live. But none of the apartments she sees are affordable or feel safe. Until One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural masterpiece: a minimalist design of pale stone, plate glass, and soaring ceilings. But there are rules. The enigmatic architect who designed the house retains full control: no books, no throw pillows, no photos or clutter or personal effects of any kind. The space is intended to transform its occupant—and it does.

Jane
After a personal tragedy, Jane needs a fresh start. When she finds One Folgate Street she is instantly drawn to the space—and to its aloof but seductive creator. Moving in, Jane soon learns about the untimely death of the home’s previous tenant, a woman similar to Jane in age and appearance. As Jane tries to untangle truth from lies, she unwittingly follows the same patterns, makes the same choices, crosses paths with the same people, and experiences the same terror, as the girl before.


My thoughts:

1 Folgate Street. Enter if you dare!

Wow. What a roller coaster ride of a book. 3 women, one eccentric architect and a creepy, sterile house with hidden secrets which seems to have a life of its own. All intertwined in a web of intrigue and mystery. Who knows what went on inside those 4 walls...except the 4 walls themselves. If only they could talk! A fantastic, very original concept of a book. Love, love, loved it but can see that not everyone would be a fan as it is so different

Out 7th Sept 2017 Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda

Publication date 7^th September 2017

Book description:

I glance at my wife as she climbs into the passenger seat, and I am bursting with confidence. Today will be everything I’ve promised her…and more…

Paul Strom has the perfect life: a glittering career as an advertising executive, a beautiful wife, two healthy boys and a big house in a wealthy suburb. And he’s the perfect husband: breadwinner, protector, provider. That’s why he’s planned a romantic weekend for his wife, Mia, at their lake house, just the two of them. And he's promised today will be the best day ever.

But as Paul and Mia drive out of the city and toward the countryside, a spike of tension begins to wedge itself between them and doubts start to arise. How much do they trust each other? And how perfect is their marriage, or any marriage, really?

Forcing us to ask ourselves just how well we know those who are closest to us, Best Day Ever crackles with dark energy, spinning ever tighter toward its shocking conclusion. In the bestselling, page-turning vein of The Couple Next Door and The Dinner, Kaira Rouda weaves a gripping, tautly suspenseful tale of deception and betrayal dark enough to destroy a marriage…or a life.

My thoughts

Having read the description of this book I was interested to know why the perfect sounding Paul Strom could possibly want to get rid of his wife.  With 2 young boys, a great job, a beautiful home – and a second home by the lake for holidays – what could possibly be wrong? After all, he is promising her the Best Day Ever…

There is so much tension crackling between Paul and his wife Mia throughout their car journey to the lake house.  Paul cannot understand why Mia is bombarding him with questions when he has promised her that their weekend alone together will be the best day ever.  He has it all planned and under control until all of a sudden he doesn’t and events run away with him in a direction he really doesn’t want them to go.

We are drip fed information about Paul – or Poker face Paul as he likes to be known – all told from his deluded point of view.  He is a fabulous case study of a narcissist who is so wrapped up in his own version of his life that he cannot even contemplate that someone else could possibly know that the real Paul Strom is nothing like the image he portrays.

Skeletons tumble out of closets as Mia presents him with her knowledge of how he has been living a double life for months and has been planning her demise.  His carefully laid plans are totally scuppered by Mia and their neighbour Buck as the realisation dawns that Mia has been making plans of her own and they don’t involve Paul.  In typical Paul style, he quickly recalculates and makes alternative arrangements for this to still be his Best Day Ever.

I love an unreliable narrator and the more credible a bad guy the better for me.  I don’t think they come much more unlikeable than Paul Strom, and I was a bit disappointed by the ending in one respect.  However having thought over the outcome, I do wonder whether we could hear more from him in the future from this author. That would make for very interesting reading and I would be at the front of the queue to buy a copy of that tale.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this title in return for my honest review.

Out this week: The Break by Marian Keyes (7th Sept 2017)

Book description:

Amy's husband Hugh isn't really leaving her.

At least, that's what he promises. He is just taking a break - from their marriage, their children and, most of all, from their life together. For six-months Hugh will lose himself in south-east Asia, and there is nothing Amy can say or do about it.

Yes, it's a mid-life crisis, but let's be clear: a break isn't a break up - yet . . .

It's been a long time since Amy held a briefcase in one hand and a baby in the other. She never believed she'd have to go it alone again. She just has to hold the family together until Hugh comes back.

But a lot can happen in six-months. When Hugh returns, if he returns, will he be the same man she married? And will Amy be the same woman?

Because falling in love is easy. The hard part - the painful, joyous, maddening, beautiful part - is staying in love.

My thoughts:

Delighted to be approved by Netgalley for an ARC of Marian Keyes’ latest novel The Break, I dived right in once I had downloaded it.

Which is exactly how the book starts. Bang. Straight into the plotline from the first sentence: “Myself and Hugh, we’re taking a break.” Amy and her second husband Hugh have hit a wall in their marriage when Hugh announces that he needs a 6 month break to go travelling around Asia in order to come to terms with his grief having lost both his father and his brother in quick succession.

Amy is left reeling while trying her best to keep life as normal as possible for their teenage daughters, being there to support her mum who is in turn caring for Amy’s father who has dementia – oh, and holding down a hectic job in PR which requires her to travel from Dublin to London to work 2 days a week.  Add in the timely reappearance of her first husband, father to daughter Neeve, and the small issue of the raging crush Amy develops on a colleague it’s small wonder that things get a little complicated.

The trials and tribulations of a modern family in 21^st century Ireland are described with Keyes’ customary brand of wit whilst skilfully tackling some sensitive issues along the way.  I particularly liked the way social media is represented throughout the book, from the barrage of Facebook messages Amy receives from “wellmeaning” friends who are purely rubbernecking on her misfortune when news of Hugh’s departure gets out, to the hilarious description of Neeve’s vlog featuring her grandma.

This book had me laughing out loud from start to finish and in my opinion is one of Marian Keyes’ best novels to date, reminiscent of her early novel ‘Watermelon’ featuring a similar family the Walshes.

No questions about it this is a glittering 5 star read which is sure to top the bestsellers list.

New and upcoming titles

On my travels around t'internet this week, here are the titles which are either out now or are coming soon for our shelves:

Luca Veste, writer of the brilliant police procedural series centred around Murphy & Rossi will be releasing a stand alone scary serial killer novel in March 2018.  One quote likens it to "Candyman meets Silence of the Lambs" so it sounds like it could be a corker. (Unfortunately I don't have any cover artwork available for you just yet).


Katerina Diamond, who also is good for a gritty read will be bringing us another novel starring DS Imogen Grey with her latest offering The Angel which is due out in September 2017.  Having read her earlier title The Teacher I am sure this won't disappoint, as we are presented with an abandoned burned body and a lonely teenage suspect. However with the suspect imprisoned when further bodies are discovered, have they got the wrong man?

Diane Jeffrey came on to my radar recently with this novel, Those who lie.  Widow Emily Klein believes her husband has been the victim of a tragic accident until the day of his funeral when she hears and sees things that make her start re-evaluating what she knows.  Released back in January 2017 I would like to seek out a copy and find out just what actually happened.

And last but by no means least, I cannot wait to get stuck in to Kelly Florentia's No Way Back.  The cover of this book caught my attention and I am delighted to have been approved by Netgalley and Urbane publications for an advance copy of this novel due out 21st September. The tag line "how far would you go to get what you want?" together with the cover photography grabbed me, and I will let you know what I think once I have a finished reading about Audrey Fox and the 2 gentlemen vying for her affection and the decisions she has to make after being dumped by one of them.  Watch this blog for details!

When You Disappeared by John Marrs

Publication date: 7^th September 2017

Book description:

When Catherine wakes up alone one morning, she thinks her husband has gone for a run before work. But Simon never makes it to the office. His running shoes are by the front door. Nothing is missing—except him.

Catherine knows Simon must be in trouble. He wouldn’t just leave her. He wouldn’t leave the children.

But Simon knows the truth—about why he left and what he’s done. He knows things about his marriage that it would kill Catherine to find out. The memories she holds onto are lies.

While Catherine faces a dark new reality at home, Simon’s halfway around the world, alive and thriving. He’s doing whatever it takes to stay one step ahead of the truth.

But he can’t hide forever, and when he reappears twenty-five years later, Catherine will finally learn who he is.

And wish she’d stayed in the dark.

Revised edition: Previously published as The Wronged Sons, this edition of When You Disappeared includes editorial revisions

My thoughts:

This is a tricky book to review, as it is well written with very well developed characters but I can’t really say that I enjoyed it due to the subject of the story.  For a husband to walk away from his family, leaving them with no clue as to whether he is dead or alive seems rather callous.  As a reader we know that he is alive and well but Catherine and the children can but imagine the worst case scenario when after days, weeks, months and then years pass they have no sign of him.

 

The years pass and we see Simon living a seemingly carefree life for the majority of the time, anything that happens that threatens his peace causes him to burn his bridges and walk away to start a new chapter of his life in a new place. His methods are definitely questionable as are his morals at some points and I found him to be a very self centred person. Catherine and the children slowly manage to rebuild a new life for themselves but it takes much longer for them to find peace.

 Even towards the end of the story when Simon eventually faces his demons – again for selfish reasons I felt – although I understood more about him, I still found him a very unlikeable character. His behaviour changed the lives of many people around him who he purported to love deeply, and even at the end of his story I still felt that he did not accept any responsibility for the pain he had caused. In his eyes, there was always someone else who had made him react the way he did.  Because of this, I would say that this is a compelling read which provoked a lot of feeling in me but to say that I enjoyed it would be a step too far.

I can imagine some reviewers marking this book down because of that, but the depth of the personalities of the characters I felt made this a good read.  Therefore I would give it a strong 4 stars.