Left You Dead by Peter James #NetGalley @peterjamesuk @panmacmillan #LeftYouDead

 

Left You Dead by Peter James (Book 17 Roy Grace Series)

Published by PanMacMillan

Publication Date: 13th May 2021

Genre: Crime

My thanks to the publisher PanMacMillan for the opportunity to read this title ahead of publication via NetGalley.

Book Description:

EVERY MARRIAGE HAS ITS  SECRETS.

NO BODY.
NO TRACE.
NO CRIME?

DETECTIVE SUPERINTENDENT ROY GRACE INVESTIGATES

Niall and Eden Paternoster start their Sunday the same way they always do – with a long drive, a visit to a country house and a quick stop at the local supermarket on the way home.

But this Sunday ends differently – because while Niall waits and waits in the car park for Eden to pick up supplies, Eden never returns. She’s not waiting for him at home, and none of their family or friends have heard from her.

Gone without a trace, Niall is arrested on suspicion of her murder. When DS Roy Grace is called in to investigate, it doesn’t take long to realize that nothing is quite as it seems – and this might be his most mysterious case yet . . .

My Thoughts:

I have been a huge fan of Peter James' writing for many years, his first Roy Grace novel Dead Simple having been my first venture into the realms of crime novels. Boy, did I choose a great book to get started with?? This series has grabbed me by the throat and not let go. There's the perfect balance of personal, professional and criminal elements with just a hint of police corruption thrown in for good measure. 

With such an enduring series readers might wonder whether it is losing its spark, and I have found that a few of the "episodes" haven't been quite as engaging as others. This one however I feel is Peter back on form.  There are two main threads to the book: the dominant one being the Paternoster couple, where the husband has reported his wife having allegedly disappeared on a flying visit to the supermarket. The other features heavily in Grace's personal life which I won't even discuss as it would be a huge spoiler. I liked that there is also another story thread (or two) simmering away in Grace's professional life with his superior officer once again trying to influence the progress of his career. The guy just doesn't give up!!

It's great to see long term characters still working in the team, maybe a different side coming through for a couple of them this time which gives yet another slant to the ongoing series in order to keep it fresh.  There are some unexpected twists as you always expect from this author and a bit of a cliff hanger to say no more!

Peter James just continues with his outstanding crime writing with this latest book. There aren't many who can sustain a series as successfully as him. Another full marks crime thriller in my opinion.

About the Author:

Known for his fast-paced and gripping stories that thrust regular people into extraordinary situations, Peter James has proven himself to be one of the world’s most successful writers, delivering number one bestsellers time and time again. His Superintendent Roy Grace books have been translated into 37 languages with worldwide sales of over 21 million copies and 17 number one Sunday Times Bestsellers. His latest Roy Grace novel, Find Them Dead spent seven weeks at number one in 2020. The first two novels in the Roy Grace series, Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead, have been adapted for television by Endeavour’s Russell Lewis and the first episode aired on 14th March 2021.

QUICK READS 2021: Wish You Were Dead by Peter James #QuickReads @readingagency @peterjamesuk

 

Wish You Were Dead by Peter James (Quick Read)

Published by PanMacMillan

Publication Date: 27th May 2021

I was delighted to be contacted by Hannah Bright as part of this years Quick Reads campaign to help promote reading in all its forms.  Now in its 15th year the campaign hopes to help support anyone seeking to get into reading, by offering a selection of short stories from some of the best known names on the shelves at the moment. These titles are aimed at anyone at all - whether you're a lapsed reader who just struggles to find the time with the busy lives we lead, or someone who has never had the confidence or support to discover the wonderful worlds which books hold within their pages. Whatever your circumstances the reading agency is here to support us all, and are offering to gift a copy of one of the books for every one copy purchased, in order to help someone discover the joy of reading.

One in six adults in the UK finds reading difficult so please don't ever feel like you are alone.

Book Description:

Roy Grace and his family have left Sussex behind for a week’s holiday in France. The website promised a grand house, but when they arrive the place is very different from the pictures. And it soon becomes clear that their holiday nightmare is only just beginning.

An old enemy of Roy, a lowlife criminal he had put behind bars, is now out of jail – and out for revenge. He knows where Roy and his family have gone on holiday. Of course he does. He’s been hacking their emails – and they are in the perfect spot for him to pay Roy back . . .

My Thoughts:

The 'Dead' series written by Peter James was the book that started me on the journey into reading crime and thriller books. The first book 'Dead Simple' had me avidly turning the pages - and was recently turned into a fairly accurate TV version on British screens earlier this year.

Roy Grace is a hard-working detective with a family to support too. He's been through some tough times of his own over the years and this book sees him take his family on a well-earned family break to a chateau in France. Someone from his past is determined to spoil that down time and has gone to some pretty spectacular lengths to make sure not only does the Grace family not enjoy their holiday but maybe not ever take another vacation again.

Follow Roy, Cleo and their family as they venture into the depths of the French countryside - but who will come out on top? The seasoned detective or the person who has been behind bars for some considerable time plotting their revenge?

A great introduction to Peter James' writing, I recommend this Quick Read as a taster for a top-class series.

If Peter's book doesn't quite fit what you fancy reading at the moment, here are all the titles available in this year's Quick Reads promotion:

OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE: The Baby is Mine (Atlantic)

LOUISE CANDLISH: The Skylight (Simon & Schuster)

KATIE FFORDE: Saving the Day (Arrow)

PETER JAMES: Wish You Were Dead (Macmillan)

CAITLIN MORAN: How to Be a Woman, abridged (Ebury)

KHURRUM RAHMAN: The Motive (HQ)

About the Author:

Peter James is a UK No. 1 bestselling author, best known for writing crime and thriller novels, and the creator of the much-loved Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. With a total of 17 Sunday Times No. 1s under his belt, he has achieved global book sales of over 20 million copies to date, and has been translated into 37 languages.

Synonymous with plot-twisting page-turners, Peter has garnered an army of loyal fans throughout his storytelling career - which also included stints writing for TV and producing films. He has won over 40 awards for his work, including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award, Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger and a BAFTA nomination for The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons for which he was an Executive Producer. Many of Peter's novels have been adapted for film, TV and stage.

Save Her by Abigail Osborne @Bloodhoundbook @Abigail_Author #SaveHer

 

Save Her by Abigail Osborne

Published by Bloodhound Books

Published 5th May 20212

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Book Description:

Would you give up your husband to save your best friend's life?

Bonded by their traumatic childhoods, Flora and Sophie are inseparable friends who married brothers. 

What they could not have anticipated was their mother-in-law, Cecelia. Disappointed that her children have married beneath them, Cecelia takes every opportunity to belittle and taunt her daughters-in-law.

When Cecelia learns that Flora and her son are moving away, her wrath escalates, and Flora’s world begins to fall apart.

Meanwhile, Sophie’s life is also crumbling around her. Her marriage is not what it seems, and she is desperate to escape the clutches of the poisonous family she has married into.

Is Flora being tormented or is she losing her mind?

Will Sophie and Flora be forced to leave their husbands in order to survive?

With a mother-in-law like Cecelia, anything is possible…

My Thoughts:

I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book since Abbie told me she had her second book in the planning stages some time ago. At one point I think I was more excited than she was to know that it was to be published imminently - I think she had hit the nervous stage while I was keen to read what I was confident would be another cracker of a book. 

We meet the leading character of the book sitting in a hospital waiting room, her mother in law undergoing the ministrations of the doctors and nurses, and we know from Flora's immediate confession that she is the one responsible for putting her there. But you need to read the whole story to understand the background to the situation. Because Cecelia has many layers, several of which have hardened her into the person she has become.

Flora is married to Sam, one of Cecelia's treasured sons. Neither of Cecelia's daughters-in-law will ever be good enough for her boys and she's not backwards in coming forwards to let people know this. Flora, having lost both her parents many years previously, takes many of the slights on the chin despite how much they hurt her emotionally.  Her best friend Sophie, who is Cecelia's other daughter in law, is a different kettle of fish and does not see why the two women should accept the abuse they get from a woman who she believes should be supporting them in their role to provide the next generation of the Cavendish family.

It's not difficult to see why then, when unpleasant things start happening to Flora that Cecelia is the prime suspect and why Flora would be particularly unsympathetic towards her. I know many women don't click with the family of their husband but the author has conjured up some particularly unpleasant situations for Flora to encounter - I'm not giving any detail away but one specific instance had me cringing in horror. Just the thought of the experience had me squirming!

You can tell from the storyline that the author is a very caring, empathetic person who has put herself into the situations she has created and described how she herself would feel and react if these things were to happen to her. I was frustrated by Flora at times as she relied on others strength of character instead of believing in herself.  She (in my opinion) cries far too easily and leans much too heavily on Sophie, who may well have been her oldest friend but who I felt took advantage of her gentle character far too often.  I really enjoyed seeing Flora's character change as the story progressed and she began to trust her instincts more.  

There are some interesting characters and relationships in this book, most of whom are not who they initially appear to be. There are lessons to be learned along the way - the most important one I took from this book is not to take anyone at face value, and always trust your gut instinct. It's rarely wrong even if the reasons why you came to that initial decision may be slightly off.

The chapters keep you turning the pages avidly and wanting to read 'just one more' before you put the book down to do the real-life things you know that you really ought to be doing. There are sufficient twists to keep you guessing - some of which will have you properly shocked along the way. I'm hoping there will be a sequel to this book as there are plenty of opportunities I feel to delve into the story further.

My sincere thanks to the author for allowing me the privilege of reading her work ahead of publication and once again my apologies for not having posted my review sooner. 

About the Author:

Abigail is originally from the Lake District but moved to the West Midlands for University where she completed an English Literature & History degree and also met her husband. She is a passionate reader and has an unsustainable collection of books. This obsession with books has led to her creating her own Dewey decimal system and she has been known to issue fines to family and friends if her book is not returned on time. Writing The Puppet Master has unleashed a love of writing and Abigail hopes to put her scarily crazy imagination to good use.