Bad Blood by Sarah Hornsley #BadBlood @HodderBooks #NetGalley

 

Bad Blood by Sarah Hornsley

Published by Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 27th March 2025

My thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book via Netgalley

Book Description:

A FAMILY FULL OF SECRETS

Justine Stone left her small, claustrophobic hometown in Essex eighteen years ago, turning her back on her family and what happened that terrible night.

A HOUSE FULL OF LIES

But when her childhood sweetheart, Jake, is accused of a horrific double murder, Justine's world begins to crumble. And when her brother disappears in the wake of the deaths, Justine is forced to open the door to the past again - a door that she's kept shut for years.

A NIGHT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

What has her mother been hiding all this time? Why does nobody ever talk about the death of her father? And what did her brother know about the couple Jake is accused of killing?

WHEN EVERYONE HAS A REASON TO LIE, HOW DO YOU UNCOVER THE TRUTH?

My Thoughts:

My feelings about this book are quite mixed. As the main character, Justine Stone, is a barrister and the whole storyline is based on a double murder, I was expecting more of a legal thriller. However the plot follows far more of Justine's personal life and events that have led her to the point she is forced to pass over the opportunity to really make a name for herself professionally.

Justine and her mum have an almost non-existent relationship following the events of "that night" - details of which were not disclosed until a substantial way through the book. The mid-section of the story felt quite repetitive regarding this - a bit like "the fishing trip" on the TV program Gavin & Stacey - it's notoriety held in the fact that nobody actually knows what happened - but without the humour. I'll be honest, I was close to the point of not wanting to continue reading but then the book sparked into life once the facts of who was involved (far more wide-reaching than I'd expected) and why came tumbling out of the wardrobe.

Very few characters in this book are likeable. I usually enjoy loving to hate characters, but something this time didn't quite hit the spot. I understood them all by the end of the book, and the loose ends all tied up neatly but I can't go so far as to say I enjoyed the read. I felt I'd gone round the houses multiple times before finally getting to the crux of the story. The second half is far stronger than the first and I wouldn't shy away from reading more of this author's work in future but sadly this one was missing the buzz that keeps me turning pages later than I should. 

About the Author:

Sarah Hornsley works as a literary agent at PFD. After graduating from Durham University with a First Class Honours in History, Sarah worked at a publishing house followed by a short stint in script development before becoming a Literary Agent in 2015. She was named a Rising Star in The Bookseller in 2019. She lives in Essex with her husband and daughters.

Eleven Liars by Robert Gold @BooksSphere @books_gold #ElevenLiars #paperbackbooks

 Eleven Liars by Robert Gold

Published by Sphere

Publication Date: 23rd November 2023

Book Description:

Journalist Ben Harper is on his way home when he sees the flames in the churchyard. The derelict community centre is on fire. And somebody is trapped inside.

With Ben's help the person escapes, only to flee the scene before they can be identified. Now the small town of Haddley is abuzz with rumours. Was this an accident, or arson?

Then a skeleton is found in the burnt-out foundations.

And when the identity of the victim is revealed, Ben is confronted with a crime that is terrifyingly close to home. As he uncovers a web of deceit and destruction that goes back decades, Ben quickly learns that in this small town, everybody has something to hide.

My Thoughts:

Just a few short weeks after finishing the first book in the Ben Harper series, and I'm back in the small town of Haddley with the second book, Eleven Liars. The book begins with our main character forced to abandon his Uber journey due to heavy traffic, walking the final part of his trip home and allowing his mind to wander. This is an excellent chance for the author to recap the previous book but without too much detail - a great scene setter if you happen to pick up this book without having read the first one.  Ben is brought abruptly back to the present moment when he spots the local community centre ablaze, and realises that there is a person inside. Amazingly, this sets up the entire foundation for the whole book - you will understand just how well plotted this is when you turn the final pages.

As with the first book there's plenty going on here, but instead of Ben being the character hit hard by the revelations, it's another prominent character from that first book, police officer and close friend of Ben's, Dani Cash.

The intricate layering of the plot is equally as impressive as that in Twelve Secrets - you know certain people are involved in events but the reveals will have your jaw dropping and the pages turning faster and faster. Forget your planned bedtime - you're going to want answers! Reading this book so soon after its predecessor made the whole experience even more enjoyable as the characters and their back stories were still fresh in my mind and made for shocking reading at some points.

I am so excited to continue this series - instalment 3, Ten Seconds, awaits me among my "soon to be read" pile and I am safe in the knowledge that book 4, Nine Hidden Lives, is waiting in the wings ready for release in April too.

Please join me in reading this series - I promise, if you like a gripping, tense thriller book, you will absolutely LOVE this one!

About the Author:

Robert Gold is the Sunday Times bestselling author of Twelve Secrets and Eleven Liars. Originally from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Robert Gold began his career as an intern at the American broadcaster CNN, based in Washington DC. He returned to Yorkshire to work for the retailer ASDA, becoming the chain's nationwide book buyer. He now works in sales for a UK publishing company.

Robert lives in Putney and his new hometown served as the inspiration for the fictional town of Haddley in his thrillers.

Twelve Secrets by Robert Gold @BooksSphere @books_gold #TwelveSecrets #paperbackbooks

 

Twelve Secrets by Robert Gold

Published by Sphere

Publication Date: 8th December 2022

Book Description:

A SMALL TOWN. A SHOCKING CRIME.
YOU'LL SUSPECT EVERY CHARACTER. BUT YOU'LL NEVER GUESS THE ENDING.

Ben Harper's life changed for ever the day his older brother Nick was murdered by two classmates. It was a crime that shocked the nation and catapulted Ben's family and their idyllic hometown, Haddley, into the spotlight.

Twenty years on, Ben is one of the best investigative journalists in the country and settled back in Haddley, thanks to the support of its close-knit community. But then a fresh murder case shines new light on his brother's death and throws suspicion on those closest to him.

Ben is about to discover that in Haddley no one is as they seem. Everyone has something to hide.

And someone will do anything to keep the truth buried . . .

My Thoughts:

If you're looking for a new series to lose yourself in, but which hasn't accelerated too far in that you feel like you'll never catch up, then the Ben Harper series from Robert Gold is a strong candidate.  (I use the term "new series" loosely here - it's been out for a while, I just somehow managed to leave it 2 years before diving in! Please don't judge me!). There are 3 books so far, with the fourth due out in April this year so not too huge a mountain to climb, but enough to get engrossed in. And believe me, there's plenty going on here! 

Ben Harper is a local journalist living in his hometown of Haddley, the tragic loss of his teenage brother twenty years ago being the fact that everyone knows about him. Then the more recent loss of his mum brought his family back into the spotlight. Ben is convinced his method of coping with his losses is the best way - boxing all the emotions up in his heart and mind so he can just get on with his life. But sometimes outside influences force you to open these Pandora's boxes, which is when the twelve secrets (as featured in the title) begin to unfurl. There's a lot going on in this book, so you'll need to concentrate on who's who and how they fit in. But I promise it's definitely worth your brain space - especially if you get the opportunity to read the book in larger chunks so you can truly absorb the plot. Please don't let this put you off in any way!

There are plot twists and shock reveals dotted throughout, some excellent cliff hangers and tantalising titbits of information which you don't realise will come in handy to know later. I was totally absorbed while reading this book, the description of the small town drew a vivid picture in my mind so it wasn't just the people but also the sense of place which held my attention.

Book two in the series is already calling to me as I put down this novel - and the knowledge that there are further instalments of Ben's life to read about has me champing to continue Robert Gold's exceptional writing.

About the Author:

Originally from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Robert Gold began his career as an intern at the American broadcaster CNN, based in Washington DC. He returned to Yorkshire to work for the retailer ASDA, becoming the chain’s nationwide book buyer. He now works in sales for a UK publishing company. Robert now lives in Putney and his new hometown served as the inspiration for the fictional town of Haddley in Twelve Secrets. In 2016, he co-authored three titles in James Patterson’s Bookshots series.

The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon #libraryloan @Clemence_Mcl @AbacusBooks #paperbackbooks #bookreview

 

The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon

Published by Abacus

Publication Date: 11th April 2024

Book Description:

Aidan Thomas is a hardworking family man respected by his local town. He's the kind of man who always has a good word for everyone. He's also a kidnapper and serial killer who has murdered eight women. And there's a ninth, a woman he calls Rachel, imprisoned in a backyard shed.

When Aidan's wife dies, he's forced to move and has no choice but to bring Rachel too. He knows that after five years of captivity, Rachel is too frightened of the consequences to attempt to escape. But Rachel is a fighter and a survivor. And when Emily, a local restaurant owner, develops a crush on the handsome widower, she finds herself coming dangerously close to discovering Aidan's secret.

My Thoughts:

Wow, what a book! My daughter pushed me to pick this one up again - I'd borrowed it from the library but didn't get to read it before the loan period ran out and I had to return it. Then my daughter read it and insisted I find a copy ASAP and dive in straightaway so we could compare notes. (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!). 

The protagonist is a young woman named Rachel. That's not her real name but the one given to her by her kidnapper, Aidan. He's a well-respected widower and single dad who lives in a small American town. He's also a serial killer.

By the time we meet Rachel she's already been locked in his outbuilding for a number of years, broken and subservient after such a long time under his control. The mood changes though when Aidan is forced to move house, the rules and routines he has enforced for so long are no longer possible. Something stirs in Rachel when she realises at least one other person is going to know she exists. At last there is hope! Can she really find a way to escape his clutches?

The tension and suspense that build throughout this novel are incredible and I found myself thinking about the scenarios playing out in the pages even while I wasn't able to read the book. How would Rachel cope with her new situation? How could Aidan possibly hope to keep her for himself? How he could credibly explain her presence in his home? All were questions lurking in my mind. As much as I was focused on Rachel though, she wasn't my favourite character. That honour goes to Aidan's daughter Cecilia. Each of the main characters in this book has depth but she stands out the most. The naivety of her youth is obvious, however life has already shown her that she will face some tough challenges along the way. She can sense there is something unusual about Rachel; the story her dad has told her as to why she's joined them in their new home doesn't sit right with her, but he's her dad and she knows better than to ask too many questions. The big question for the reader is whether those doubts would be enough to help Rachel escape. Would she realise what the consequences could be? To say this is a nail-biter would be a serious understatement, and I totally understand why I was recommended this book so strongly. It took a while for my heart rate to return to normal at the end! I award as many twinkly gorgeous stars as is physically possible.

To think that this is not only a debut novel, but also it is written in English which is not the author's first language - both facts are mind-blowing! I am so excited for Clemence's next book, Our Last Resort which is due for release in July this year. I'm feeling a pre-order coming on! 

About the Author:

Clémence Michallon was born and raised near Paris. She studied journalism at City University of London, received a master's in Journalism from Columbia University, and has written for The Independent since 2018. Her essays and features have covered true-crime, celebrity culture, and literature. She moved to New York City in 2014 and recently became a US citizen. She now divides her time between New York City and Rhinebeck, NY.

Hope Street by Mike Gayle @HodderBooks @mikegayle #HopeStreet #Netgalley

 

Hope Street by Mike Gayle

Published by Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 6th February 2025

My thanks to the publisher for allowing me access to this title in exchange for my unbiased thoughts

Book Description:

The greatest adventure is coming back home.

Lila Metcalfe is a trainee journalist in Derby and she's very used to being given the stories that no one else wants. So, when her editor tells her that the city's Cossington Park development is being held up by a solitary resident on Hope Street who is refusing to leave, she knows she is going to be the one sent to find out more. And that's how she meets Connor.

Twenty-something Connor is the sole resident of Hope Street and he is not at all what Lila is expecting. And he has a very clear reason not to move: he is waiting for his mum to come home.

My Thoughts:

If there was only one way to describe Mike Gayle's writing it would be a warm hug from the pages of a novel. Every one of his books I've read have caused me tears of happiness whilst being a realistic representation of life in the 21st century.

At the start of this novel we are introduced to Lila, a local newspaper reporter just like her dad before her, but with dreams of bigger things. Her boyfriend lives in London but she's starting to feel a bit adrift from him as their long-distance relationship takes its toll. Perhaps it's time to for her be brave and apply for an opportunity to be a journalist in the capital?

Then Lila's boss tasks her with writing a piece for the local newspaper about the council's plans for redevelopment of an area of social housing, however one stubborn resident is refusing to move. A young man named Connor whose mum Bernie left home one day and failed to return. Despite extensive searches by the police and Bernie's best friend, she's never been located. Connor's reason for staying put: what happens when Bernie comes home and the house - and Connor - have both gone? In his mind, he can't possibly leave.

Lila quickly establishes that Connor has learning difficulties, so she is going to have to build a rapport with him if she's going to be able to research his story properly. Luckily, they take a shine to one another and it's not long before Lila has made him a promise she's not sure she will be able to keep. She's going to find his mum. But can she persuade her editor that this is a story worthy of the pages of the local paper? And how will she explain to Connor if she can't keep her promise?

The book follows Lila as she pulls in favours from all the contacts she can think of in order to locate Bernie. The diversity throughout this book is truly representative of life in the UK - the good, the bad and the downright ugly sides of modern life. Each character is written to perfection, one of the author's absolute strengths.

I can guarantee you'll have tears as you follow Connor's story, but whether they're the ones you'll be expecting will depend on the individual. Some readers may find the story a bit predictable in places, but for me the  storytelling ability of the author cancels out that argument 100%.

Another resounding success from Mr Gayle in my humble opinion.

About the Author:

Mike Gayle was born and raised in Birmingham. After graduating from Salford University with a degree in Sociology, he moved to London to pursue a career in journalism and worked as a Features Editor and agony uncle. He has written for a variety of publications including The Sunday Times, the Guardian and Cosmopolitan.

Mike became a full time novelist in 1997 following the publication of his Sunday Times top ten bestseller My Legendary Girlfriend, which was hailed by the Independent as 'Full of belly laughs and painfully acute observations,' and by The Times as 'A funny, frank account of a hopeless romantic'. Since then he has written thirteen novels including Mr Commitment, Turning Thirty and The Man I Think I Know. His books have been translated into more than thirty languages.

You can find him online at mikegayle.co.uk and on Twitter @mikegayle.