The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson @FaberBooks @PeterSwanson3 #bookreview #TheKindWorthKilling #paperbackbooks

 

The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson

Published by Faber & Faber

Publication Date 3rd September 2015

Book Description:

You should never talk to strangers

With his flight delayed, Ted Severson meets Lily Kintner, a magnetic stranger, in an airport bar. In the netherworld of international travel and too many martinis, he confesses his darkest secrets, about his wife's infidelity and how he wishes her dead. Without missing a beat Lily offers to help him carry out the task.

My Thoughts:

This book has been sitting on my shelf for quite literally years and I am now wondering why on earth did I leave it so long? I was almost disappointed to have read it so quickly and to be honest only picked it up having seen that its sequel has been released recently, a fact which pleases me greatly as it will be top of my To Buy List when I'm next at the bookshop. 

Knowing what I do now I've read the book I love the author's way of opening the story. Ted Severson is waiting to board his flight back to the US from Heathrow airport when an attractive lady approaches him with what seems to him as an overfamiliar "Hello, there". He doesn't recognise her, but the two fall quickly into easy conversation over drinks as they bide their time waiting for their flight - it turns out Lily's waiting for the same one. Their conversation takes a darker turn once they're on the plane though and from there on in life will never be the same for Ted.

The journey the author takes us on demonstrates that the two main characters have crossed paths before, albeit through Ted's beautiful wife Miranda who Lily knows by a different name. Unbeknown to Ted, Lily and Miranda have far more in common than just him and each of the women have reason to keep their shared history under wraps. But which of the ladies has the most to lose if the truth comes out and who can they rely on to keep their secrets?

I rattled through this novel at a decent pace, keen to find out whose mask would be removed first - would the detectives piece everything together or would they put it down as a crime of passion? I still have lots of questions regarding one of the characters - no more detail than that or the ending will become obvious for those of you yet to dive into this book - and I am very keen to see whether Peter Swanson takes certain elements of this book into the sequel. 

Right now, I'm putting my shoes on and am on my way to the bookshop!

About the Author:

Peter Swanson's novels include The Girl With a Clock for a Heart, nominated for an LA Times book award, The Kind Worth Killing, a Richard and Judy pick and the iBooks store’s thriller of the year; Rules for Perfect Murders, the 2020 Richard and Judy Pick and most recently Every Vow You Break. In Spring 2022, Faber published Swanson's eighth novel, Nine Lives. He lives with his wife and cat in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Ready For It by Nicola Masters #NetGalley #ReadyforIt @AmazonPub @NicolaMasterss #earc #bookreview

 

Ready For It by Nicolas Masters

Published by Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date 14th February 2023

My thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this title via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Description:

They’ve been best friends forever. But sometimes life moves on—whether you’re ready or not.

Growing up in a small town on the Cornish coast, Natalie and Fiona have always been besties. Then roommates. But now, with thirty looming on the horizon, it all seems to be falling apart. Fiona’s decided it’s finally time to move in with her long-term boyfriend, leaving Natalie wondering how on earth to pay the rent.

Just as she’s on the brink of despair, Natalie somehow lands her dream job, and surviving solo suddenly doesn’t seem so bad. But Fiona had set her sights on that same role. With Natalie’s career gain being Fiona’s loss, and Fiona finding her supposedly loved-up life less than the domestic bliss she’d hoped for, tensions boil over into a massive—embarrassingly public—confrontation.

The crack that’s appeared between them is threatening to widen. But as life takes them in different directions, will they be able to adapt, or is it time to move on?

My Thoughts:

I read this shortly after watching the TV adaption of Beth O'Leary's The Flatshare and the two styles of writing felt very similar to me and I thoroughly enjoyed both. I've not read Nicola's previous book Happy Happy Happy so wasn't sure what to expect however I will be looking out for her on the library/bookshop shelves in future.

Natalie and Fiona have been friends for as long as they can remember but as it does, life is leading them off in different directions, especially since Fiona's boyfriend Matt has asked her to move in with him. Impulsive Fiona has jumped at the chance but once the packing boxes are all stacked up at the flat she's been sharing with Natalie, Fiona starts to get the wobbles. Is she doing the right thing? It's a heart versus head thing. Then when Natalie gets the job that Fiona also interviews for, things start heading spectacularly downhill. 

I loved how we get to hear the two sides of the story from each of the girl's perspectives and in some ways I could see where they were each coming from. It's how relationships work - there are always different ways of viewing the same situations. But when you've been friends since childhood the disagreements you have 20 years later can no longer be settled by a playground game and it's no longer appropriate to ask your mum to sort things out. Whose side will you take - if indeed we need to take sides at all? Even though this is quite a light-hearted tale I still found myself considering what I would do in the girls' positions. And is Matt right in his reaction to things too? 

I found this to be a nice easy read which was plenty of fun but with some points to ponder too. Certainly an author to watch as I think she has lots more stories to share with us.

About the Author:

Nicola Masters grew up on the outskirts of London and studied English and drama at Goldsmiths. She had several jobs before becoming a novelist, including as a receptionist, an HR adviser and an admin assistant. She now lives on the north coast of Cornwall, where she enjoys swimming in the sea and spending time at the beach. Her first novel, Happy Happy Happy, was published in 2021.

The Only Suspect by Louise Candlish #hardbackbook #bloggersbuybooks #bookreview @louise_candlish @simonschusterUK

 

The Only Suspect by Louise Candlish

Published by Simon & Schuster

Publication Date 2nd February 2023

Book Description:

Wrong time. Wrong place. Wrong man.
 
Alex lives a comfortable life with his wife Beth in the leafy suburb of Silver Vale. Fine, so he’s not the most sociable guy on the street, he prefers to keep himself to himself, but he’s a good husband and an easy-going neighbour.
 
That’s until Beth announces the creation of a nature trail on a local site that’s been disused for decades and suddenly Alex is a changed man. Now he’s always watching. Questioning. Struggling to hide his dread . . .
 
As the landscapers get to work, a secret threatens to surface from years ago, back in Alex’s twenties when he got entangled with a seductive young woman called Marina, who threw both their lives into turmoil.
 
And who sparked a police hunt for a murder suspect that was never quite what it seemed. It still isn’t.
 
No one else could have done it. Could they?

My Thoughts:

I think I chose to read this book approximately one week too soon - I would have loved to have sat and read it in one sitting to completely immerse myself in the emotions of the characters as part of my week off work. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case so I had to chip away at the story either during my commute and in snatched sections throughout my working week which watered things down a tad, so if you get the opportunity to get settled in for a longer reading session this is the ideal book.

There are two timelines running throughout the book; there are the present-day chapters where Alex and his wife Beth are living comfortably together, albeit with the appearance of Beth's new best friend Zara casting a shadow over Alex's homelife, then there are the chapters from the summer of 1995 where a young guy named Rick is just starting to enjoy his freedom with his own flat (even if he does need a lodger to help pay the bills), a steady job and on the lookout for a longer term love interest. How the two timelines converge is a bit of a head-scratcher but things gradually become clearer as the facts are cleverly drip-fed to the reader. 

Don't expect any "big reveal" moments in this one though. You will think you know all about Rick and Alex, their histories and personalities as the chapters tick easily along, but Louise Candlish has kept us well and truly in the dark for a good part of the story and the eyebrow raising, jaw dropping moments keep on coming long after you think you've got things all figured out. There are some good-sized red herrings woven in which could potentially lead you off track and they aren't necessarily where you expect them to be placed. As a regular reader of this genre, I was well and truly tripped up by the clever plotting.

The characters are nicely drawn, with sufficient depth to make them believable - a couple of them you will get totally invested and be shouting at the pages as they make some decidedly dodgy decisions. Others are less likeable but will also have your frustration levels rising due to their questionable actions. 

This would be a terrific book for either a buddy-read or book club choice as there are so many topics for conversation and opinions to be had. One I most definitely recommend, so add it to your TBR list!

About the Author:

Louise Candlish is the Sunday Times bestselling author of fourteen novels. Our House, a #1 bestseller, won the Crime & Thriller Book of the Year at the 2019 British Book Awards, was longlisted for the 2019 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, and was shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award. It has been adapted into a major ITV drama made by Death in Paradise producers Red Planet Pictures. Louise lives in London with her husband and daughter. Visit her at LouiseCandlish.com or connect with her on Twitter @Louise_Candlish

Hold My Girl by Charlene Carr #NetGalley #e-arc #HoldMyGirl #bookreview @welbeckpublish @charcarr1

 Hold My Girl by Charlene Carr

Published by Welbeck Publishing UK

Publication Date 2nd February 2023

My thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this title in exchange for my honest opinion

Book Description:

TWO WOMEN. ONE BABY. A FIGHT LIKE NO OTHER.

Katherine has everything under control.

After years of struggling to conceive with her partner, Patrick, she finally gives birth to Rose, her IVF miracle child. But she's afraid that Rose may not be her daughter, her pale skin not matching Katherine's own.

Tess never got her happy ending.

Just like Katherine, she was also a hopeful IVF mother, but her daughter, Hanna, was stillborn. Now divorced, broke and stuck in a dead-end job, she's beginning to lose all hope.

But when Rose is ten months old, both women get a call from the fertility clinic. There was a mistake: their eggs were switched.

It will take a custody battle like no other to decide who will get to be Rose's mother – a battle that will push them both to the brink...

This is a story about what it means to be a mother, and the lengths we go to for the people we love.

My Thoughts:

This is a really tricky book to review without sounding in any way judgmental. Katherine and Tess are from completely different social standings, not through any fault of their own - it's just how life pans out. Both women have needed IVF support to conceive a child, but their outcomes are poles apart. 

To be in the position these families find themselves in when news of the switch becomes known is incomprehensible and I also felt strongly for the dad involved. In one way he is the only winner but to then have to support his wife, knowing that the baby she has carried and nurtured is still his but not hers must be tortuous. Our initial instinct is for the mums involved but what an awful position he also finds himself in.

The author covers the press intrusion and natural curiosity of close friends of the two women very well however I did feel that the whole story just skims the surface of what could potentially been a much deeper delve into everyone's reactions. There isn't much in the way of looking at the person who was responsible for the whole situation happening in the first place, that aspect feels very sketchy, and I feel the story could have gone deeper down that route to make the story more solid and maybe even more emotional if that could be possible. 

Without giving spoilers, the conclusion of the book was pleasing, and I feel any alternative would have been very disappointing. I admire the author for tackling such a sensitive issue but personally I think it could have had more potential with a few more tweaks.

About the Author:

Charlene Carr is the youngest of four children and the only girl. Living in a house full of boys taught her to fight for what she wants and to always reach higher (you have to when everyone in your family towers above you).

She spent much of her childhood creating elaborate, multi-faceted storylines for her dolls and reading under the blankets with a flashlight when she was supposed to be asleep.

A bit of a nomad, she’s lived in four countries and seven Canadian provinces. After travelling the globe for several years and working an array of mostly writing related jobs, she decided the time had come to focus exclusively on her true love—crafting stories.

Charlene is a novelist and stay-at-home mom: her two dream jobs. She lives in Nova Scotia, Canada and loves exploring the coastline of her harbour town with her husband and young daughter.

The Holiday Home by Daniel Hurst #NetGalley #TheHolidayHome #arc @bookouture @dhurstbooks

 

The Holiday Home by Daniel Hurst

Published by Bookouture

Publication Date 1st March 2023

Book Description:

The perfect holiday or the perfect nightmare…

I sit sipping champagne in the warm water, bubbles frothing around me as I admire the breath-taking view of gorgeous blue skies and mountains. I can’t believe I’m here, at this stunning holiday home. It’s to die for…

My best friend and her husband have invited me and my family to their lakeside property for the weekend, to experience their luxury lifestyle. I’m not envious of their wealth, although I know my husband Ryan is. All I want is to escape from our recent troubles and get my marriage back on track.

Then I overhear Ryan having a whispered conversation late one evening, and he says something that sends a shiver down my spine. In this beautiful paradise my whole world is turned upside down.

Just when I think things can’t get any worse, I discover a second secret. The truth is even more shocking than I imagine, and now I have no idea who to trust.

This was meant to be the perfect holiday, but someone isn’t going to survive it…

My Thoughts:

Kim and Nicola have been friends since their schooldays. Unfortunately, their partners don't rub along quite so well. Kim's husband Lewis is a successful business owner which brings with it a whole host of wonderful luxuries such as the woodland retreat in Scotland where the foursome are taking their children for a long weekend break. Nicola is looking forward to a nice relaxing break with her bestie, while Ryan is just hoping to get through the trip without thumping the arrogant Lewis on the jaw. The whole atmosphere changes though when an overheard conversation drops the biggest bombshell possible on the group - but who knows what, and is anyone going to act on the knowledge they have? 

The chapters are quite short and punchy, my only criticism was the "suspenseful cliffhanger" written at the end of the majority of these chapters I found to be quite annoying and unnecessary. There was sufficient information given without being spoon-fed how I was expected to be thinking.

Overall, the book was an easy read, maybe a little unbelievable in parts but I enjoyed trying to predict how the different players would react as the facts gradually became known to them. I felt sorry for the younger members of the families as their parents made some questionable decisions, but the author could have opted for worse outcomes for them, so I was content with how things concluded.

 If you've not read Daniel's work before this is a great example of his writing style and his back catalogue should keep you busy for some time!

About the Author:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather. He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021.