I didn’t enjoy this one as much as Razorblade Tears, but I still read until the end.
Beauregard has left behind his previous ‘life’. That of driving gI didn’t enjoy this one as much as Razorblade Tears, but I still read until the end.
Beauregard has left behind his previous ‘life’. That of driving getaway cars and aiding in illegal activities. He has a mechanic shop, and his wife and children.
However when a competitor opens up and Bug loses a lot of business, he becomes desperate for cash. So desperate that he agrees to work with someone he vowed never to work with again.
With all the violence and action you’d expect from Cosby. I found I didn’t root for Bug as I did with his other characters/books. If didn’t like a lot of his decisions (but I did understand some of them). And finally the ending left me unsatisfied (view spoiler)[ he doesn’t decide whether to leave the life behind and go the straight and narrow. Or if he is unable to and therefore has to leave his family for their own safety. (hide spoiler)]
A real slice of life read! Sam and Sadie meet in the hospital as children and become fast friends. We then follow them through college and into3.5 ⭐️
A real slice of life read! Sam and Sadie meet in the hospital as children and become fast friends. We then follow them through college and into adulthood with all the pettiness and misunderstandings that this brings.
The main focus is on gaming. This is Sam and Sadie’s favourite pastime and what they ultimately build their business doing. Considering I’m not a gamer, it is a testament to the author that I remained invested in the characters and their story.
I wouldn’t necessarily read it again, neither would I say it blew my mind but there were some wonderful passages that I found touching and I’m glad to have been immersed in their lives for a short while.
“Always remember…life is very long, unless it is not.”
I enjoyed this first instalment of the series. Strike is a great protagonist and I liked cheering him on and watching him make connections in t3.5 ⭐️
I enjoyed this first instalment of the series. Strike is a great protagonist and I liked cheering him on and watching him make connections in the case.
I haven’t quite warmed up to Robin yet but I’m sure it will come with time. She seemed a bit keen for approval and even sulky at times.
A man whose sister fell from her balcony believes it wasn’t suicide, but that she was pushed. He asks for Strike’s help to prove it.
There were a lot of characters but I managed to keep up as it went through. The reveal was ok, I didn’t love it but all the explanations made sense.
(view spoiler)[ so it turns out it was the brother all along because she was not leaving him any money in her will. Thought it seemed silly for him to ask a PI to look into it when it had already been ruled a suicide so he’d gotten away with it…but there we are. (hide spoiler)]
I think I will continue with the series.
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Ok, so two things
1. I want to understand the anger people are feeling, and in order to do that I need to read this series.
2. I borrowed this book. Therefore in reading it I haven’t given any money to JKR....more
As a millennial, I was the perfect age to watch iCarly, so I recognised Jeannette as soon as I saw her picture on this book.
And what an eye opening eAs a millennial, I was the perfect age to watch iCarly, so I recognised Jeannette as soon as I saw her picture on this book.
And what an eye opening experience it was! You truly have no idea what goes on behind closed doors for the stars you see on the tv.
Jennette’s mother was abusive. She endorsed her anorexia and fuelled it, she both emotionally and physically harmed her and it took years of therapy after her mothers death for Jeannette to come to terms with this. The person she loved the most was also the most toxic.
So happy for Jeannette to have found the strength to write this novel and let the general public into this really private area of her life.
I too am glad Jeannette McCurdy’s mother is dead and I have no problem saying so.
So this is set up as a memoir, written by Art Barbara (not his real name) about his experiences as a t2.5 ⭐️
Too much weird, not enough clarification.
So this is set up as a memoir, written by Art Barbara (not his real name) about his experiences as a teen and then into his later adult life. The book is being read by his old friend Mercy Brown (also not her real name) so had loads of notes and opinions on each chapter.
There is an undercurrent of unease throughout the book which I liked, but by the end it just wasn’t clear enough for me.
(view spoiler)[ they give the idea that Mercy was a vampire and that she caused Art to become one too. But this is never specifically verified and the whole thing may have just been in his head. And then at the end he just dies. Bizarre. (hide spoiler)]
Not for me sadly, there were parts I liked but overall not my cup of tea. ...more
“Somewhere between an asylum and a prison, the Salpetriere took in those that Paris did not know how to cope with: invalids and women.”
Thoroughly en “Somewhere between an asylum and a prison, the Salpetriere took in those that Paris did not know how to cope with: invalids and women.”
Thoroughly enjoyed this short novel that covers some big topics about mental health and asylums in history.
Eugenie has been signed over to the institution by her family after telling her grandmother she can see and communicate with spirits. Meanwhile Genevieve’s job is her whole life, since her sister died she never lets herself feel anything. Particularly not for her patients. She has cut herself off, and is a great fan of Doctor Charat’s new theories and experiments.
But when the two women meet, they both change one another. Eugenie is desperate to find people who will accept her and her abilities. Genevieve is starting to wonder if the Doctor everyone has idolised is actually as great as everyone thinks.
The actual ball is only a very small portion of this story, so bear that in mind if you were expecting differently.
But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend.
“The Salpetriere is a dumping ground for women who disturb the peace. A prison for women guilty of possessing an opinion.”
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I’ve been waiting for this one ages! So exciting ...more
I loved the Bill Hodges trilogy, when I saw there would be another book with Holly Gibney in it I was excited. It had a really strong start. A c3.5 ⭐️
I loved the Bill Hodges trilogy, when I saw there would be another book with Holly Gibney in it I was excited. It had a really strong start. A child is found mutilated and killed - DNA everywhere indicates it is the local baseball teams coach. The police arrest him immediately in the middle of a game in front of the whole town.
But then it comes to light that the suspect was out of the city during the attack. At a convention with 3 other witnesses. So begs the question, how can a man be in two places at once?
I loved this premise and was excited to see what King did with it. I expected supernatural, as I said I’ve read the Bill Hodges trilogy so it wasn’t the supernatural that left me slightly underwhelmed.
It was the lack of explanation. In the previous trilogy we get dense description of how Brady did what he did. But here it’s just kind of thrown at you right at the end and it’s just like - deal with it.
I still enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong but the ending felt rushed and a bit undeveloped.
I will pick up the If It Bleeds short stories soon though. ...more
An immersive beast of a novel. I fell into this world and didn’t want to leave.
When Charlie sees his neighbour lying on the ground after a fall from An immersive beast of a novel. I fell into this world and didn’t want to leave.
When Charlie sees his neighbour lying on the ground after a fall from a ladder, he takes it upon himself to look after the man’s dog - Radar. They form a kind of friendship and Charlie soon finds there is a world of secrets hidden in this grumpy man’s old house.
The world Charlie discovers is full of terrors, curses and the fight between good and evil. He finds himself drawn to this world and their troubles, the people refer to him as the Prince that was Promised, and he can’t help but feel like he was meant to be there.
A wonderful novel of epic scope. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride.
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Omg.
library copy available for pick up
I can’t believe this day is actually here!!! So freaking excited for this!!!...more
I probably wasn’t the target audience for this and the comparison to Eleanor Oliphant was a huge stretch.
Veronica McCreedy is in her 80s, when she deI probably wasn’t the target audience for this and the comparison to Eleanor Oliphant was a huge stretch.
Veronica McCreedy is in her 80s, when she decides to look into her relatives. She had a son at a very young age, and she wants to get back in touch.
Meanwhile, we get POVs from Veronica’s estranged grandson. I didn’t really want to either of the characters which was unfortunately. Patrick the grandson really wasn’t my cup of tea at all.
I gradually got used to Veronica, and the story itself was sweet enough. She travels to Antarctica out of the blue, to spend some time with the penguins.
An ok enough book, but I won’t bother with the sequel I don’t think. ...more
Thank you to the publisher and the author for my free copy
Hope Miller has had amnesia for the past 15 years. Since she was found by her now best fri Thank you to the publisher and the author for my free copy
Hope Miller has had amnesia for the past 15 years. Since she was found by her now best friend, Lindsay at the scene of a car crash.
When Hope decides she wants to move to the Hamptons, to get a break and maybe find herself, Lindsay is worried. No one knows her there, how will she cope without her support system?
Suddenly, Hope goes missing. Lindsay is certain something bad has happened but the local police aren’t interested. Lindsay starts digging, and enlists the help of Ellie - an NYPD cop who may have links to Hope.
I really enjoyed this fast paced and twisty thriller. Part of the Ellie Hatcher series but definitely can be read as a stand alone, as I’ve never read the other books.
I would definitely pick up more by Alafair Burke. ...more
An entertaining enough read but not my favourite by Lucy Foley.
Ben has recently moved into a swanky apartment building, on the recommendation o3.5 ⭐️
An entertaining enough read but not my favourite by Lucy Foley.
Ben has recently moved into a swanky apartment building, on the recommendation of his old university friend Nick.
Separately his half sister is going to come and visit him. But when she arrives, Ben is nowhere to be found.
This begins a story full of secrets and obsessions. (Quite a few obsessions really - I’ve never known so many characters to be infatuated with one man.)
Ultimately the reveals were satisfying and it was a page turner so can’t complain. Will continue to read Lucy Foley’s books. ...more
“Payback is a bitch, he thought, and I am that bitch.”
Really enjoyed this trilogy and loved this final instalment.
Bill and Holly find themselves d “Payback is a bitch, he thought, and I am that bitch.”
Really enjoyed this trilogy and loved this final instalment.
Bill and Holly find themselves drawn into another mystery when two women supposedly commit suicide. One of whom was a victim of the Mercedes killer - permanently disabled.
As more and more links between Brady’s victims start to appear, Bill worries that there may be more to the suicides than meets the eye.
And when we find out what is causing these deaths - it is both shocking and twisted. (view spoiler)[ Brady Hartsfield, despite being a vegetable - has found a way to jump into peoples minds and hypnotise them. Using the body of a doctor he manages to create mass suicides through the provision of Zappits. (Game Boys). (hide spoiler)]
Such a terrifying concept, I was gripped and so pleased that (view spoiler)[ Brady gets his just deserts by getting mowed down by Jerome in a snowmobile (hide spoiler)]...more
I didn’t love this one nearly as much as The Last House on Needless Street - but then I thought3.5 ⭐️
“How are you feeling? Are you a bad dog too?”
I didn’t love this one nearly as much as The Last House on Needless Street - but then I thought that book was fucking fantastic. So the bar was probably a bit high ...more
A Study in Black and White by Bridget Collins - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A creepy story about a man who rents a large old house. A chessI’ll review each story as I go:
A Study in Black and White by Bridget Collins - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A creepy story about a man who rents a large old house. A chess set inside seems to move by itself, and he feels like there is something or someone watching him. Full of foreboding, this story covered a lot in a short space of time.
Thwaite’s Tenant by Imogen Hermes Gowar - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved this one! Wasn’t sure about the main character to begin with but she found her strength. Lucinda and her son Stanley move into the old Thwaite house, fleeing her abusive husband. The Thwaite house has its own history. Emily Thwaite apparently fled her own husband, and the house is haunted by him. But maybe Emily hasn’t left either. Another spooky one with a great story.
The Eel Singers by Natasha Pulley - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thaniel, Mori and Six decide to take a trip away from London. Mori is clairvoyant, and he only knows of one place where his mind is quieted. Once they arrive though, Thaniel feels an awful sense of foreboding. The locals seem creepy, always staring and singing or humming this strange song. Again, a lot packed into a short story and I enjoyed how it panned out and how it ended.
Lily Wilt by Jess Kidd - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This one was just weird. A photographer called Pemble is asked to photograph a dead girl by her family to preserve her beauty. He becomes obsessed with this ethereal and almost supernatural beauty. He starts to see her ghost in his own home, she asks him to bring her back to life by any means necessary. We don’t really know how, only that he manages it but she isn’t quite the way he pictured her. (view spoiler)[ so he gives her back and she is buried, but he hands himself into the police as having stolen the body in the first place and having killed his landlady for finding out, so is hanged?! (hide spoiler)] I guess they weren’t all going to be my cup of tea ...more
3 old friends who have fallen out of touch find themselves thrown back together in the worst of circMy obsession with Karen McManus’ books continues.
3 old friends who have fallen out of touch find themselves thrown back together in the worst of circumstances. When they all choose to skip school together and head into the city, they don’t bank on seeing another school mate there - a school mate who five minutes later ends up dead.
With Karen McManus’ signature addictive writing and secrets upon secrets, I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough. Her characters are all flawed and relatable, I enjoyed watching them unravel everything and sometimes even having to fight for their lives.
As usual - I will pick up anything and everything this author writes. ...more
Alex never planned on motherhood, but she loves her daughter Lottie with every fibre of her being. But 3 year old Lottie is a terroDamn this was cray!
Alex never planned on motherhood, but she loves her daughter Lottie with every fibre of her being. But 3 year old Lottie is a terror, and since the tragic death of her husband Alex is struggling with widowhood and being a single parent.
An invite to a destination wedding in Florida proves extra stressful, with the long flight and difficult people. At the wedding, Alex asks a friend to keep an eye on Lottie. This turns out to be a terrible mistake as at that moment Lottie goes missing.
I wasn’t sure what to expect going in. The missing child trope is very common in thrillers. However this one did a great job, short chapters, plenty of red herrings and lots of suspects.
It was a little over the top in places but I can live with that if the plot is good. And in this instance, the plot was very good!
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Copy won via Facebook giveaway. Thank you Avon Books, I can’t wait to dive in!...more
“Curiosity was the faceless monster that stuck a pitchfork through the cat.”
A group of girls who have all survived massacres meet once a month for “Curiosity was the faceless monster that stuck a pitchfork through the cat.”
A group of girls who have all survived massacres meet once a month for a meeting known as ‘The Final Girl Support Group.’
They’ve each suffered horribly and come out the other side. From school shootings to summer camp killings and each has left their mark on the girls.
Our main protagonist Lynette is paranoid, and desperately concerned about safety. When one of the girls is killed, Lynette feels something awful is afoot. Is someone coming after the final girls to finish what they started?
A non stop thriller I couldn’t put down. At times maybe a bit unbelievable, but if a thriller is exciting then I can live with a bit of exaggeration.
4 stars for an entertaining and gripping read!...more
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