All news and novels on this page from Bonnier Zaffre and Twenty7 books – Banging books all the time.
Publication Date: 3rd May
Source: Review copy
You can’t choose your family. Or can you?
Meet the Bensons. A pleasant enough couple. They keep themselves to themselves. They wash their car, mow their lawn and pass the time of day with their neighbours. And they have a beautiful little girl called Daisy.
There’s just one problem. Daisy doesn’t belong to the Bensons. They stole her.
And now they’ve decided that Daisy needs a little brother or sister.
D. S. Nathan Cody is about to face his darkest and most terrifying case yet . .
I’m a little in love with the Nathan Cody series…
Honestly every book just gets better (and each one freaks me out in different ways I do love the dark and dastardly crime books) and with Don’t Make A Sound you’ve got kids in peril (emotionally distressing) plus Nathan and his clowns (you’ll have to read the other books) plus an absolutely gripping tale that defies every attempt you make to put it down to go and cook dinner. It’s fine – the kids can eat cereal all day…
So this is a short sharp review as I’m fairly sure I’ll be called for blog tour duties later and will go willingly, so we’ll leave it for now at: Brilliant writing, brilliant plotting, edge of the seat resolution, a book that will give you paper cuts in your eagerness to turn the pages.
Boom.
Highly Recommended.
You can purchase Don’t Make A Sound HERE
Publication Date: February 22nd.
Source: Review Copy
She thought she could trust him. She was wrong . . .
When Zoe meets Dan she can’t believe her luck. He’s everything she is looking for in a man – intelligent, charming, stable, supportive.
Until they’re married.
Then Zoe realises that Dan is controlling, aggressive, paranoid.
And there’s no way out.
Or is there?
When Zoe discovers that she’s pregnant, she realises that the only way she can keep her baby is to leave Dan.
But that’s harder than you think.
He found her once before, and she knows he can find her again.
But Dan has plans of his own – plans that don’t necessarily include Zoe.
But then, even the best laid plans often go awry, and you really need to be careful about who you trust . .
So the psychological thriller is still going strong – I read lots because I like the vibe but I get fed up when you get the same story constantly where often it feels like just the character names have been changed – I like looking for those stand out ones – so it’s refreshing when you kind of DO get the same story in some ways but it’s in the hands of a master.
Anyone who’s read the Jefferson Winter novels will know that James Carol can twist a plot and keep you edgy – in “Kiss Me Kill Me” his first novel for Bonnier Zaffre he takes on that “Gone Girl on a Train whose Sister is missing due to a twist you’ll never see coming” thing and gives us a right proper page turner, where things are unpredictable in that reading comfort way, the characters are truly compelling and you do have a few of those “AARGH now what?” moments that just keep you turning the pages faster.
Poor Zoe – she’s not having a happy time of it – but be careful what you wish for because you just might get it – that is all I’m going to say about the plot. Which is written in a kind of 3-episode tv series way that does give you the opportunity to at least get a cup of tea while you think about what you just read. Starting off as a psychological thriller and then finishing off with some real edge of the seat type stuff, Kiss Me Kill Me is genuinely engaging, extremely well written and pretty much does exactly what it says on the tin.
When you get to the end I’m not entirely sure whether you’ll want to kiss James Carol or Kill him – but either way you’ll have had a banging good read and met some darkly delicious characters.
Definitely Recommended.
You can purchase Kiss Me Kill Me Here.
Publication Date: Available Now
Source: Review Copy
In a remote corner of Lagos in Nigeria, a stranger delivers a homeless boy to an orphanage, where the welcoming staff hide a terrible secret.
At a squalid flat in the docks area of Cardiff, an early morning police raid goes catastrophically wrong. A plain clothes officer is shot dead at point blank range. The killer slips away.
Young and inexperienced, Will MacReady starts his first day on the CID. With the city in shock and the entire force reeling, he is desperate to help – but unearths truths that lead the team down an increasingly dark path…
Ooh I was rather fond of this. It’s been waiting on the pile long enough that’ll teach me..
So gritty, intense, addictive crime fiction you are after is it? Well look no further, Mike Thomas has you covered. First in a new series featuring Will MacReady, Cardiff set, this is a crime drama with bite and some intensely compelling characters. Including Charlotte Beck – whose interaction and relationship with MacReady is one I want to see more of.
ANYWAY lets talk nitty gritty. I did say it was gritty. Will as a character is totally awesome, new kid on the block but with his own way of thinking. The story is hard hitting and often unexpected, Will’s personal life is, well, I won’t say anything but intriguing and I also liked the way the dialogue popped off the page – overall it was very brilliant on very many levels.
Great opening too – way to get the attention – and the plotting is clever and well flowing, never a dull moment. So Yes. I was really rather fond of this one. The next certainly won’t wait in line it’ll be straight to the top of the pile.
Highly Recommended.
You can purchase Ash and Bones HERE
Publication Date: Feb 9th 2017 from Zaffre
Source: Review Copy
It’s late. The phone rings.
The man on the other end says his daughter is missing.
Your daughter.
The baby you gave away over fifteen years ago.
What do you do?
Nora Watts isn’t sure that she wants to get involved. Troubled, messed up, and with more than enough problems of her own, Nora doesn’t want to revisit the past. But then she sees the photograph. A girl, a teenager, with her eyes. How can she turn her back on her?
But going in search of her daughter brings Nora into contact with a past that she would rather forget, a past that she has worked hard to put behind her, but which is always there, waiting for her .
I loved Eyes Like Mine – I’m not sure whether it was Nora who was spot on brilliant as an engaging and divisive main protagonist, or the themes within (as an adopted child myself I related on many levels here) or the really quite brilliant storytelling but overall this one was a huge hit with me.
Nora’s past trauma defines a lot of who she is – and she is not always someone you can love – but this novel is a journey for her that is utterly riveting and totally addictive. The author plays with many themes here, each one spreading threads throughout the telling, her characters are all authentically immersive and really well drawn, I fell into Nora’s world (and that of Whisper) very easily and barely looked up until I was done.
The mystery elements are well imagined but for me were secondary to getting to know Nora, watching her cope, or not, with everything that was thrown at her. Sheena Kamal has an excellent atmospheric writing vibe that both descriptively and decisively puts you right on the spot. The whole thing had a haunted, edgy feel to it that just really appealed to me as a reader.
I’m not sure if this will be a series but I hope so because I’d like to know what happens in the aftermath of the events of “Eyes like Mine” and carry on this journey with Nora and the rest.
Intelligent, thought provoking and beautifully written, Eyes Like Mine comes highly recommended from me.
You can Purchase Eyes Like Mine HERE.
Publication Date: November 17th.
Source: Netgalley
She is young. She is beautiful. And no one heard her cry.
Three years ago, Alex Lindner was the investigating police officer in a series of murders committed by ‘the beasts’, as the media dubbed the killers. When a young colleague was killed during the investigation he resigned from his post and now lives a quiet life in a small village. But when another girl disappears, Alex is convinced that the beasts have returned.
Obsessed with bringing them to justice, Alex determines to finally track them down, even if it means putting his own life in danger . .
I read Field of Girls really fast. Its one of those that you just bang through, I kind of read it last night. So it has a compelling nature about it.
It is a cool murder mystery/psychological thriller with a main character, Alex, who was extremely engaging, his backstory is intriguing and a bit different to the norm for these things so that was a major plus. The plot twists were clever and it had its dark side and the dark side always appeals to me. However it was not without its problems. The narrative was a little disjointed, the lines were not clear, especially in the early portion before the flow got going. A character jumble that took a while to come together in my head, not sure whether that was because something was lost in translation. I kept with it though because even with that I wanted to know where it was going. I’d say for a book in this genre it was solid storytelling with a good premise and a decent execution with some small hiccups. Would I read more from Martin Krist? Yes absolutely. I have a sense of his voice now so I doubt the same problems would arise and he spins a good yarn. And I do love a good yarn. You can Purchase Field of Girls HERE |
Publication Date: 1st December
Source: Netgalley
Bailey Carpenter is a smart and savvy private investigator, until a horrific attack leaves her trapped at home in her Miami high-rise apartment, crippled by paranoia.
Everywhere she looks, she sees the face of her attacker.
Including in the apartment directly opposite her.
Where someone is watching.
I havent read a Joy Fielding book before. Not sure why seeing as how she’s bang in my comfort zone and is an established and well respected author but I guess thats the way it is sometimes. You really CAN’T read everything (although hey, I’m giving it my best shot) I’ll read more though.
Someone is Watching was novel of 2 halves for me. Going in expecting a psychological thriller of the usual variety I found that it was both that and a story about the aftermath of Rape.
Bailey is a strong, independent woman who falls apart after being brutally attacked. Confined for a lot of the time to her apartment as she struggles to come to terms with her trauma, a lot of the novel focuses on her confusion, her post traumatic stress and her attempts to come back from that. This then leads into not only the mystery of who in fact attacked her but goes off on another tangent also – into dysfuntional family threads and personal relationships.
The strength of the book for me was that level. It was frustrating and emotional as Bailey second guesses everything, believes she is going crazy, cannot hang onto reality. Her family are at odds and have been for a long time, her brother Heath, her half brothers and sisters, all have no idea and in some cases no real interest in how to help her.
The mystery element for me was almost secondary. The resolution was fairly predictable to be honest but I’m not sure that matters realistically when you look at the novel as a whole.
It was certainly compelling – Joy Fielding has that brilliantly flowing, engaging style of writing that always appeals to me, it is certainly a page turner – but in my case not because I was wondering who did what to who but because I wanted to see Bailey recover, take back control of her life, not let the bad guy win.
Definitely recommended. Probably for the reason that actually for the most part this does NOT do what it says on the tin.
You can Purchase Someone is Watching HERE
Publication Date: Available Now
Source: Proof copy
When billionaire Everett Sloan hires John Smith to take down his biggest rival, it’s not just because he’s a gun for hire.
It’s because he reads minds.
Paired with the beautiful Kelsey Foster and promised a reward that fulfils his wildest dreams, Smith can’t believe his luck.
And then he finds out the target…
Kill File was most definitely a 5* read for me (if we have to rate these things) it is an absolute killer of a novel with a truly engaging main protagonist and a banging addictive story with a twist.
John Smith first of all has a great name right? Plus he can read people’s minds. Which is a handy skill especially when some of those people secretly want to kill him. Government trained but now freelance he takes on a job that may well prove too challenging even for him. Alongside new (and not particularly welcome) sidekick Kelsey, it will take all his talents just to stay alive…
Now there are several elements to Kill File that work so very well – quite apart from the whole psychic hook thing you get some adrenalin fuelled action, some great supporting characters and for those nerds amongst us some brilliantly gripping hacker type shenanigans – put all that together and you have one heck of a book.
Ernest Cline said “I enjoyed the hell out of it”
I think that pretty much sums up my feelings too.
Highly Recommended
You can purchase Kill File HERE
Publication Date: 8th September
(translated by Elizabeth Clark Wessel)
Source: Review Copy
A young woman is found beheaded in an infamous business tycoon’s marble-lined hallway.
The businessman, scandal-ridden CEO of the retail chain Clothes & More, is missing without a trace.
But who is the dead woman? And who is the brutal killer who wielded the machete?
Really got hooked on “The Ice Beneath Her” – a clever and addictive psychological thriller with some great main characters (one of whom I disliked to the point of loving) and a lovely twisty turny whodunnit at the heart that will keep you on your reading toes.
I found it an interesting dynamic – a profiler with dementia and a detective with commitment issues, investigating the rather horrific death of a woman who can’t be identified, seemingly by a man who is really not that nice of a guy – but seeing as how he has disappeared its all a little fraught. Cue a lot of shenanigans of the twisted kind and a set of intriguing character studies culminating in a fascinating solution.
I banged through this one, you always want to read just a little bit more – in the resolution stakes I did see the ending arriving about halfway through but in this case I would definitely say that is because the author does not in any way cheat the reader – if you absorb the story as it goes it becomes fairly apparent. It is no less enticing because of this though for reasons you’ll see when you read it.
I thought the portions of the narrative that dealt with Hanne’s ongoing dementia were sympathetic and realistic, she is an entirely engaging character who is very determined and seeing how she coped with things was really quite emotional at times. Emma is highly intriguing, a girl who is flummoxed by the actions of her lover, another clever play on human nature that is a vibe that runs throughout.
Overall really very good. Looking forward to more.
You can purchase The Ice Beneath Her HERE
Publication Date: Available now (e-book) 28th July (Paperback) from Twenty7
Source: Review copy
Sarah is in a coma.
Her memory is gone – she doesn’t know how she got there. And she doesn’t know how she might get out.
But then she discovers that her injury wasn’t an accident. And that the assailant hasn’t been caught.
Unable to speak, see or move, Sarah must use every clue that she overhears to piece together her own past.
And work out who it is that keeps coming into her room.
Read this in two hours straight – the addictive quality is way up there. You just do NOT want to stop reading. That in itself says something about The Last Thing I Remember.
The book for me was made by one of our two main protagonists, Kelly, teenage girl, typical of that age SUCH an authentic voice Deborah Bee brings to her. She is hilarious and complicated with a dry wit and a potty mouth – I loved reading her portions of the story as she tells the tale of her friendship with Sarah. Sarah we also hear from in her comatose state as she begins to piece together her own life both from memories resurfacing and hearing what is going on around her. Unfortunately she cannot communicate this. She is alone.
Its a tautly plotted well written novel exploring themes of marital secrets, childhood influences and bullying – as Sarah lies trapped within her own body her only defence really is Kelly – and the two stories intertwine really well which is what keeps you turning those pages with something of an obsession.
It is a twisty tale with an ending that whilst I did see coming had no lesser of an impact for that. Anticipating getting there was just as emotive as it would have been if I’d had no idea and was hit with a surprise. The finale is also very clever and really this was a great read from start to finish.
The Last Thing I Remember is spot on Summer reading. Shame that our weather isn’t living up to the quality of the novels I’m getting through. In the rain.
Recommended.
You can Purchase “The Last Thing I Remember” HERE
Richard & Judy’s ‘Search for a Bestseller’ shortlist announced
6th July, 2016
LONDON, UK — Bonnier Zaffre is excited to announce that eight authors have been shortlisted for the Richard & Judy ‘Search for a Bestseller’ competition, which is supported by WHSmith.
The authors, who are all first-time unpublished writers, submitted 10,000 words plus a synopsis of their novel to a selection panel including Richard and Judy themselves, agents at Furniss Lawton and staff from across Bonnier Publishing.
The shortlisted authors now have until 12 December to send their completed novels in to the panel. The winner, who will be announced in January, will receive a £50,000 world rights publishing deal from Bonnier Zaffre and specialist advice from literary agency Furniss Lawton. The winning novel will be published by Bonnier Zaffre in summer 2017.receiving an
Richard and Judy commented: ‘We’re hugely excited to now have our eight-strong shortlist – and what a shortlist it is! We can’t wait to read the finished debut novels, select our ‘search for a bestseller’ competition winner and introduce readers to a fantastic new writer.’
Kate Parkin, Executive Director for Adult Fiction at BonnierZaffre said: ‘We’ve had an overwhelming number of entries and are truly delighted by the talent we’ve found. It’s been an exciting process of discovery and we’re looking forward to reading our shortlisted authors’ finished books. Good luck, everyone!’
The Richard & Judy ‘Search for a Bestseller’ shortlist:
· A Lesser Sin by Caz Frear
A crime novel about a detective who suspects her father may be involved in the murder she is investigating.
· Acting Mysterious by Laura Stewart
A romantic mystery about a woman who inherits a house in Scotland and uncovers an old legend.
· Deep Water by Gail Egan
A psychological thriller about a woman whose ex-husband is murdered and she becomes a suspect along with his new wife.
· Eighteen Exhibits by Laura Foakes
A quirky tale about a man who tries to unearth the truth about his early life and parentage by following a series of letters and objects found at the family manor house.
· First Person Singular by Heather Ranby
A crime novel about the investigation of a bomb detonated at a Knightsbridge restaurant.
· Hard Play by Asia Mackay
Women’s fiction about a female assassin returning to work after maternity leave.
· Rip Her To Shreds by Alison Percival
A psychological thriller about a woman who becomes obsessed with her ex-husband’s new lover.
· September by Honoria Beirne
A reading-group novel set in rural Ireland during the early years of the new free state
Publication Date: Available Now from Twenty7
Source: Netgalley
Twenty-four-year-old Garda Cathy Connolly might be a fearless kick-boxing champion but when she discovers a baby’s bones concealed in the hem of a wedding dress, the case becomes personal.
For artist Zoe Grant, the bones are another mysterious twist in her mother’s disappearance. Then her grandmother, head of the Grant Valentine department store empire is found dead, and a trail of secrets is uncovered that threatens to shake a dynasty.
In a story that moves from London’s East End to the Las Vegas mafia, one thing is certain – for Cat, life will never be the same again.
One crime leads to another in Sam Blake’s “Little Bones” – a perfectly paced and brilliantly addictive tale with a dark heart and a banging main character in Cathy “Cat” Connolly.
Starting off with the haunting discovery of tiny bones in a wedding dress, the author weaves a twisty and authentic tale, cleverly plotted for maximum effect, you just have to keep turning and turning those pages. One of those stories with roots in history, an intersecting and intriguing puzzle, just the type of story within crime fiction I love to get my head around – at turns surprising and emotive, fully absorbing from start to finish.
The multiple viewpoints work brilliantly, there is no rush to judgment more a slow and engaging exposure of titbits of information, carefully placed reveal moments and some truly impressive character building – and boy that ending, I did sit there with my mouth hanging open looking vaguely stupified for a while after finishing it. I both love and hate when that happens – bring on the next book fast please….
I wouldnt call Little Bones a crime thriller, more a crime story – proper storytelling and one that I could easily imagine as episodic television – Sam Blake leads you slowly but inexorably towards a conclusion that may surprise you and on the way she takes the time to build the tension, give her characters real and very separate voices and as I mentioned earlier then throws you off a reading cliff. Excellent. This is what we like.
Little Bones comes highly recommended from me and Sam Blake has been added to my must read list.
Sam recently did a guest post on Landmark Cases which you can read HERE
You can purchase Little Bones by clickety clicking right HERE.