A new installment in author Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series is always among my most anticipated reads, so much so that I don’t mind ordering a copA new installment in author Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series is always among my most anticipated reads, so much so that I don’t mind ordering a copy from the UK so as not to wait for the book to become available in the US ( Thank you, Blackwell’s for the getting the book to me a day before UK publication day!).
I’ve enjoyed (in varying degrees) all the previous books (including one short story and one novella) in this series and I’m glad to say that the latest installment Witness 8 is a worthy addition to the lot!
Ruby Johnson, a young woman in her twenties, works as a maid and nanny in several houses in an affluent New York neighborhood. Once a resident of the same neighborhood, she is haunted by the events that caused her family’s downfall. She is cunning and perceptive and one night, after witnessing the murder of the wealthy socialite, she decides to use this information and manipulate the truth to further her own agenda. The narrative follows Eddie Flynn and his team as they work on defending the successful surgeon who is accused of murdering his neighbor, based on evidence recovered at his home. Complicating matters further for Eddie is the fact that in the course of one of his previous cases, he has provoked a few very corrupt yet powerful people who have taken out a hit on him. Therefore, now, along with working to prove his client’s innocence, he has to dodge the hitmen and assassins (including a very interesting Mr. Christmas, who has a history with one of Eddie’s team) out to collect the bounty on his head while also trying to figure out how to deal with the friction with the criminal entities in the mix.
Needless to say, a lot is going on and Eddie and his team will have their hands full!
It’s always a pleasure following our con man-turned-lawyer, who now works with a very competent team comprising his mentor retired Judge Harry Ford, fellow defense attorney Kate Brooks, investigator Melissa Bloch, former FBI profiler Gabriel Lake and their office manager Denise, and never hesitates to rope in help from his friends and associates from his former life as “Eddie Fly. This time was no exception!
The author deftly weaves the numerous threads of the plot and multiple perspectives into a consistently paced, twisty, tension-filled narrative. I enjoyed the dynamic between Eddie’s team members and thought they made a formidable team. In this context, I should mention that we don’t see Eddie as much as in the previous books, but I do appreciate that each of the characters has a distinct role to play. The author always infuses a healthy dose of humor into these books, and I find these segments-both in and out the courtroom and, of course, Eddie’s very creative methods of fact-finding and besting his opponents- very entertaining. I will admit that there were aspects that were not entirely unpredictable and while the twists were well-executed, overall, this wasn’t as complex as some of the previous books, but this in no way makes it less enjoyable! I found Mr. Christmas to be a very interesting character and hope that we do get to see more of him in future books.
Overall, I did find this to be an absorbing and entertaining read and I eagerly await the next book in the series!
Please note that this book would work well as a standalone, but I definitely recommend reading all the books in series order . You won’t be disappointed!
The second book in British criminal barrister/author Rob Rinder’s Adam Green Mystery series begins with the murder of a popular television presenter cThe second book in British criminal barrister/author Rob Rinder’s Adam Green Mystery series begins with the murder of a popular television presenter captured on live television. Jessica Holby, co-host of “Wake Up Britain!”, dies from anaphylactic shock after tasting a dish prepared by celebrity chef Sebastian Brooks, a regular guest on the show. Brooks is the prime suspect after it is discovered that the dish was laced with an ingredient to which it was public knowledge that Jessica was allergic.
Though he is expected to watch and learn as they prepare for the upcoming trial, it soon becomes clear to Adam Green, now a Junior Barrister, that there might be more to the case than meets the eye and as he pursues his deep dive into Jessica’s life and her associates, it is gradually revealed that Jessica had a fair share of people in her life who possibly held a grudge. Adam is also asked by one of his seniors to help on another trial involving a teenager found in possession of illegal weapons and whose family is suspected of having criminal connections.
As with the The Trial, the plot is not particularly intense or complex, despite the parallel storyline woven into the primary narrative, but it is definitely well-written and entertaining. The narrative is consistently paced and well-structured. The mystery is well-crafted and I enjoyed following Adam’s character arc as he navigates a stressful work environment and the expectations of his seniors, tries to strike a balance between his personal life and professional friendships, struggles to venture out of his comfort zone and begins to realize that mistakes can be made in the pursuit of justice despite the best intentions. I also liked how the author describes Adam’s work environment. The characters and the setting are portrayed realistically and I liked how the author depicts the competitiveness and the work pressure and how the same affects Adam and other newcomers. I enjoyed the courtroom scenes and the investigative segments. I also appreciated the element of humor added to the narrative, in the form of his phone conversations with his mother, in chapters interspersed throughout the narrative.
The ending is indicative of a third book with what (I hope) might be a relatively more intense plotline. Overall, I enjoyed The Suspect by Rob Rinder and I eagerly await the next book in the series.
Though this is the second book in the series, it does work well as a standalone. I would, however, recommend reading the first book as it is an enjoyable read and does give you a bit more insight into Adam as a character.
Having read and loved the author’s Eddie Flynn series, this is my first time reading any of his standalone novels (I’ve yet to read Twisted) and 4.5⭐️
Having read and loved the author’s Eddie Flynn series, this is my first time reading any of his standalone novels (I’ve yet to read Twisted) and I loved it!
Amanda and Wendy meet in a grief support group, bond over drinks and share their stories of loss with one another. Both have lost a loved one as a result of separate acts of heinous crime and believe that law enforcement has failed to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice. They devise a plan to help one another – “kill for me kill for you” - each with a foolproof alibi to keep themselves off the radar of investigators.
Sounds familiar, right? Initially, though I was enjoying the plot, the well-fleshed-out characters and the incredible writing, I was prepared for a formulaic read. You’ll agree that a Patricia Highsmith-like plot (I loved the way the author weaves the same into the narrative), though enjoyable, isn’t quite unpredictable. I WAS WRONG! (I love when that happens!)
I won’t say more because I do not want to give too much away. The plot progression is a tad slow initially, but after the 25% mark, with its multiple twists, shocking revelations and satisfying ending, this was UNPUTDOWNABLE! (I felt one thread was left somewhat unresolved. Can we hope for a sequel?) Told through multiple perspectives, the suspenseful narrative kept me hooked until the very last page. (I’m still thinking about the ending and it’s been a few days since I finished the book!) There are moments where I couldn't not feel sympathetic toward the main characters and in others, questioned their choices or was horrified by their actions. This is a thriller that sets you on an emotional roller-coaster along with its characters. There are aspects that would require a suspension of disbelief, but fans of this genre would agree that is to be expected in such stories. Don’t overthink it and enjoy the wild ride!
Is this my favorite Cavanagh novel? Probably not. The author sets a high bar with his Eddie Flynn series. But there is no doubt that Cavanagh is a master storyteller and with his latest offering, he does not disappoint! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Kill For Me Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh, and can't wait to read more from this talented author in the future!
P.S. Though this novel is not part of the author’s Eddie Flynn series, a character we’ve met in the books is mentioned briefly. Loved that!
Public hero and “pride of the nation” DI Grant Cliveden collapses in Old Bailey just minutes before giving testimony in a drug case. All evidence poin Public hero and “pride of the nation” DI Grant Cliveden collapses in Old Bailey just minutes before giving testimony in a drug case. All evidence points to him being poisoned and the prime suspect is career felon Jimmy Knight, who has only recently been released after serving a ten-year sentence for armed robbery. Jimmy had a history with the deceased and had met with him in a local pub before his death. The theory is that Jimmy slipped the poison in Cliveden's drink. Though there is no forensic evidence linking Jimmy to the poisoning, he is arrested and set to be tried for murder, based on the discovery of a burner phone, from which he sent a text message setting up the meeting, in his possession and CCTV footage of the same meeting which shows Jimmy buying Cliveden a drink.
Pupil barrister Adam Green is on Jimmy’s defense team headed by his pupil master Jonathan Taylor-Cameron, who would rather Jimmy plead guilty so that he could devote his attention to more high-paying clients. Though his pupil master is leaning toward establishing reasonable doubt, Adam is convinced of Jimmy’s innocence and tries to gather evidence that would prove the same often attracting the ire of his pupil master who is happy to let Adam shoulder most of his caseload while he pursues other interests.
As the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that the “pride of the nation” might not have been the honest, hardworking member of law enforcement he was made out to be. This is a high-profile case and the first major case that Adam has been assigned. Adam is in the second six stage of his pupillage and his future at the Chambers is at stake. Is Jimmy truly innocent or is Adam being played by a career criminal? Will his pursuit of the truth end up jeopardizing Adam’s career prospects?
With its intricate plot, even pacing, and interesting cast of characters The Trial by criminal barrister and television personality Rob Rinder is a cleverly crafted courtroom drama/ murder mystery with plenty of twists and surprises along the way. The narrative flows well and the author also injects a healthy dose of humor into the narrative. Adam is a very likable protagonist and I loved how the author describes the dynamic he shares with his colleagues, the competitive work environment and his courtroom scenes. I also enjoyed the telephone conversations between Adam and his mother, who frets over her son’s well-being and is intent on finding him a girlfriend. Adam’s personal history and his motivation for helping Jimmy are skillfully woven into the narrative without compromising the pace or suspense. Though a few aspects of the mystery were not entirely hard to predict, this did not detract from the overall reading experience. The ending, though not entirely convincing, did come as a surprise, which is always a good thing!
Overall, I thought this was an entertaining read and an impressive debut. Though not particularly intense, it's definitely enjoyable! I certainly hope this novel is the beginning of a new series and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
"Open the safe deposit box. Inside you will find research material for a true crime book. You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you d"Open the safe deposit box. Inside you will find research material for a true crime book. You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you destroy them? Or will you take them to the police?"
True Crime writer Amanda Bailey has been commissioned to write a book on the eighteen-year-old case of the Alperton Angels – a cult led by “Gabriel”, presently incarcerated, three members of which were found dead (apparent ritualistic suicide) in an abandoned warehouse in Alperton, a suburb of northwest London. Another murder, a presumed ritualistic killing committed by Gabriel also figures in the list of crimes. Two surviving members, Jonah and Holly, both teenagers and their baby have withdrawn from the public eye since then. Gabriel, their charismatic leader had convinced them that they were angels in human form and the child was the Antichrist. Holly was instrumental in protecting the child from harm and in the process exposed the members of the group. Amanda’s research includes studying existing documentation, tapping into her sources contacting law enforcement officers, hospital staff and social workers who interacted with the members, attempting to interview anyone and everyone linked to the case including Gabriel and tracking down the survivors including the child who would now be eighteen years old and from whose perspective Amanda’s book is to be based. Complicating things further is the fact that fellow writer Oliver Menzies is also working on a similar book commissioned by another publishing house. Forced to collaborate, but unable to trust one another (there is history here, and it's not pleasant!), they race to uncover the truth behind the story of the Alperton Angels. Assisted by Ellie Cooper, who is helping in transcribing the interviews and phone conversations, Amanda is determined, perceptive and fearless, committed to getting to the bottom of things. But there are forces at play that don’t want them to succeed and people who would go to any length to make sure that the secrets surrounding the case stay buried.
Presented through a series of email correspondence, WhatsApp messages, letters, transcripts of interviews and phone conversations, and excerpts from fiction inspired by the Alperton Angels case and other documents, the narrative hooks you in from the very first page. To say that the plot is complex would be an understatement. The twists and turns and the direction the narrative ultimately took left my head spinning. There are more than a few characters to keep track of which adds to the confusion and the pace does waver in parts, but the author cleverly weaves a gripping tale that keeps you guessing, topping it off with an ending that you do not see coming. This book requires a bit of patience (and maybe a bit of notetaking to keep track of who’s who) but it is definitely worth the effort and time invested. With an intriguing premise, clever plotting and an engaging narrative, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett is a thoroughly satisfying read....more
“How to explain? How to explain to my partner and my best friend that this task, the clearing of Mum’s house, was my last opportunity to say goodb4.5⭐
“How to explain? How to explain to my partner and my best friend that this task, the clearing of Mum’s house, was my last opportunity to say goodbye? How to explain that I needed to show this final kindness to her? How to explain that I needed to sort through each of her belongings alone? That I wanted to make every last decision to do with dismantling her life from the biggest to the smallest without the help or hindrance of others? How to explain that I wanted to put as much love and care into the taking apart of my wonderful mum’s home as had been poured into bringing it all together in the first place?”
Almost a year has passed since Jessica “Jess” Baxter lost her mother to cancer. Jess is in the process of clearing her mother's home before putting it up for sale – a difficult task, emotionally draining, and heartbreaking but Jess manages to clear out most of her belongings selecting a few significant items that hold a special place in her heart. However, there seems to be no place to keep her precious set of encyclopedias in the home she shares with her partner, Guy, which they are also putting on the market with plans to move into a ‘forever home”. Her best friend, Luce, tells her about a place she has heard about - the “Museum of Ordinary People”- a space in the warehouse of a home clearance company where the now deceased owner looked after the belongings of those unable to find space for it – letters, furniture, suitcases and much more - tagged and detailed with how and when it was acquired by the said museum. The new owner, Alex, initially clueless about the existence of said space, allows Jess to explore the space and though initially reluctant grants Jess’s request to open the museum to the public with Jess, who is qualified in Museum Sciences, as Curator, but only for a duration six months after which the property in which the museum is located is to be sold.
As the story progresses and the Museum is opened to the public, Alex and Jess try their hardest to garner public interest in their museum and Jes tries to explore possibilities of finding a new location to keep the museum open. As Jess’s dreams of working in a museum begin to take shape, there are other aspects of her life that she needs to take into account– her friendship with Alex, the cracks in her relationship with Guy, a revelation about her identity of her father that could fracture some of the most important relationships in her life – a lot is going on in Jess’s life and we feel invested in her journey as tries to navigate her way through the changes in her life.
The grief Mike Gayle describes is not unknown to me. At times I had to put the book down because it reminded me of how I’ve avoided stepping foot into my parents' home since I lost my mother to cancer over four years ago. Living halfway across the world and the pandemic (and the international travel restrictions that followed) made for a good excuse to not travel. It broke my heart to have to go through my father’s things after his demise some years earlier and neither my brother nor I have been able to do more than the bare minimum after our mother passed. I can relate to how the most seemingly insignificant and mundane things can evoke sorrow and nostalgia and open a floodgate of memories.
“ And although the objects themselves are no replacement for the people we ache for, they are a reminder of the fact that those people were here, and they mattered and will be missed.”
The Museum of Ordinary Things by Mike Gayle is a beautifully written novel that revolves around themes of loss, grief, memories, kindness, love and friendship. The writing is beautiful as is the concept. The characterizations are on point ( even the unlikable Guy) and realistic. Needless to say, I felt a personal connection to Jess and all she was going through. I could also understand how the loss of her mother triggered Jess to take stock of other aspects of her life – her personal relationships, professional aspirations and dreams. What kept me from giving this book a 5 rating was the unnecessary and forced (in my opinion) subplot revolving around Jess’s father. I felt that adding this complication to Jess’s story distracted from the primary narrative. The pace is on the slower side, but I felt it suited the story.
Overall, The Museum of Ordinary People is a moving story that I would definitely recommend. I believe we could all use a “museum of ordinary people” to keep the memories and the stories alive.
“We give value to the overlooked, to the ordinary, to that which the world thinks of as commonplace. And we do this in the hope that the lives and the stories of the people these seemingly unremarkable things once belonged to will be treasured and remembered long after they’re gone.”...more
The narrative of Janice Hallett’s The Twyford Code is presented through a series of 200 audio files that have been recovered and deciphered from an iPThe narrative of Janice Hallett’s The Twyford Code is presented through a series of 200 audio files that have been recovered and deciphered from an iPhone 4 belonging to Steven Smith, an ex-con recently released from prison after being incarcerated for 11 years. The files have been transcribed using specialized software and though the end result isn't quite perfect, it renders the content not too difficult to understand.
As the narrative progresses, Steven talks about his early childhood, him and his older brother Colin being abandoned by their parents and how after the mysterious disappearance of their remedial English teacher, Miss Isles, during a field trip to Dorset almost 40 years ago , he stopped going to school and fell in with a bad crowd which led him into a life of crime. Steven's memories of the day his teacher disappeared are vague and he is consumed with the need to uncover what happened to her. When he was 14 years old (1983), he had found a copy of a children's book written by author Edith Twyford (similar to author Enid Blyton) , on a bus and brought it to school where Miss Isles read it to the whole class, despite the author’s work being banned on account of “sexism, racism, misogyny and xenophobia”. It was rumored that Edith Twyford was more than just a childrens' author. Miss Isles believed that Twyford’s stories contained coded messages that would ultimately lead to the solution to a puzzle/ mystery dating back decades. In the present day, Steven reaches out to his former classmates from his R.E. classes- Paul, Shell(Michelle), Donna and Nate (Nathan) and though a few of them initially show an interest in the mystery and the code, one by one they opt out from pursuing the matter further. From the audio files, it is apparent that Steven and his friends are not alone in their quest and Steven is being followed by people who don’t want him to succeed. Steven befriends Lucy who works in the local library and she enthusiastically assists Steven in trying to crack the code. All of Steven’s efforts- his interviews and conversations, details about the places he explores and the history he uncovers, his successful and unsuccessful attempts at cracking The Twyford Code and details about his life and ties to a crime family are recorded as entries in his phone.
Is there any truth in the story behind the Twyford Code or is it just a myth or a figment of the author’s imagination? Is Miss Isle’s disappearance truly linked to The Twyford Code? Who are the people trying to prevent Steven from uncovering the truth? Can he trust his friends or do they know more than they are letting on?
The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett is a sharp and unique novel with an engaging premise, a well-woven mystery and an ending that I did not see coming! For those who enjoy puzzles, codes and acrostics, this book is definitely a treat. The beginning and the unique format hooked me in from the very first page. I will admit my interest did wane in the middle and I was prepared to be bored with the slow progression of the plot but after a series of clues, clever twists and red herrings, the author manages to pull off a magnificent ending (which elevated my original rating from a 3.5 to a 4). The audio transcription is not great (by design) and the approximations and errors take a while to get used to. (We are provided a key to help us make sense of it)This is not a novel that you can flip through or skip sections and requires more than a little patience and diligence to follow, but I would advise you to not give up because it is totally worth it in the end! I loved the literary references in the narrative and enjoyed the intrigue behind both Edith Twyford’s story and the present-day adventure and loved how everything comes together in the end. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and well worth the time invested!...more
Twenty-one-year-old Pandora “Dora” Blake lives and works in her late parents' antiquities shop in Georgian London. Her parents had been renowned antiqTwenty-one-year-old Pandora “Dora” Blake lives and works in her late parents' antiquities shop in Georgian London. Her parents had been renowned antiquarians specializing in Grecian artifacts and had made their living excavating tombs in South-Eastern Europe. Their untimely death in a mishap during an excavation twelve years ago left Dora orphaned and under the care of her unscrupulous and corrupt uncle Hezekiah Blake who promptly took over the shop and is responsible for its present state of disrepute, dealing mostly in forgeries and objects with not much historical significance. Dora aspires to be a jewelry designer and spends time honing her craft with her faithful pet magpie Hermes by her side, despite the constant beratement and ridicule of her uncle who would rather be rid of her.
One day her uncle acquires a mysterious crate and stores it in the basement of the shop under lock and key. Hezekiah’s obsession with the object and strange sounds coming from behind the locked door of the basement fuel Dora’s curiosity and she manages to trick her uncle and enter the basement and is fascinated by what she sees. The crate contained a rare Grecian jar or “pithos” in pristine condition with images of Greek mythological figures across its surface.
“There is a sudden sigh, a hum, a fluttering. It comes not from behind but in front of her, from within the vase, and Dora hears all at once its siren call, its darkling plea. It is the hush of wind, the whisper of waves, the music of grief, and she cannot help it, she cannot resist. Dora lifts the lid.”
The intricate patterns on the artifact inspire Dora’s new designs that she hopes will attract the interest of local jewelers who up until then haven't been too impressed with her sketches. To find out more about the pithos and its origins she enlists the help of bookbinder and aspiring antiquarian Edward Lawrence, who expresses a scholarly interest in the same, in hopes that his research into this mysterious artifact would earn him a place with the Society of Antiquaries, an endeavor in which he has been unsuccessful so far. It also appears that the pithos has brought with it a bout of bad luck to those involved in the acquisition- the Coombes brothers who extracted it from a shipwreck are each afflicted with strange injuries and illnesses that won’t heal and Hezekiah incurs an injury while transporting it to his shop which also seems to fester. Together as Dora and Edward dig deeper into the origin and history of the pithos and also try to figure out how it ended up in Hezekiah's possession, they uncover much about Hezekiah’s nefarious dealings as well as the secrets and myth surrounding the pithos and how it connects to Dora and her family.
Susan Stokes-Chapman'sPandora is an impressive debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story with its historical backdrop of Georgian England, a cast of interesting characters, engaging narrative and a mystery with the Greek myth of Pandora at its core. The prose is elegant, the story is well-paced and the setting is quaint yet atmospheric. I found the segments detailing facets of the antiquarian trade and illegal practices in the sale of valuable artifacts prevalent in that era very interesting. The cover design of the physical book is stunning and worthy of display. I would definitely recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction who don't mind a bit of fantasy and myth thrown in for good measure....more
“If I told you that I’d killed a man with a glance, would you wait to hear the rest? The why, the how, what happened next? Or would you run from me, t“If I told you that I’d killed a man with a glance, would you wait to hear the rest? The why, the how, what happened next? Or would you run from me, this mottled mirror, this body of unusual flesh?”
In this fascinating reimagining of the myth of Medusa, author Jessie Burton presents us with a novel feminist twist to a character and story that has, for the most part, featured as one of Perseus’s heroic exploits. Simply put, Perseus has always been the hero and Medusa the vanquished. But Jessie Burton’s Medusa is much more than that. Cursed by the Goddess Athena and transformed into a Gorgon with snakes in place of her once beautiful hair, the once beautiful Medusa now lives on a deserted island with her sisters, Stheno and Euryale,and her dog Argentus. Her transgression? Being raped by Poseidon within the premises of the Temple of Athena.
“Woe betide any man fool enough to look upon you now!”
Four years into her exile, when Perseus moors his boat on the shores of the island, he catches Medusa’s eye. Medusa longs for his company and companionship. However, she is uncertain of how Perseus would react to her appearance (at this point she is unaware of the full weight of Athena’s curse) and speaks to him only from behind the shelter of rocks at the entrance of her cave while her sisters are away during the daytime. Perseus and “Merina” (the name she uses with Perseus) share their stories and initially, Medusa is unaware of Perseus’s real intentions behind his journey to her island just as he is unaware of her true identity. As the story unfolds and secrets are revealed Perseus and Medusa must make choices that will irrevocably change their lives forever.
“No woman is an island—unless she’s been forced there by a bunch of strangers.”
Medusa, in this version, is a lonely young girl , the victim of a horrific act of rape, exiled to a “half-life”, disfigured and insecure, fearful for her future, loved and protected by her sisters but seething with rage within. She experiences the full spectrum of human emotions - love, sorrow, pain, jealousy and rage. Though unhappy with her appearance, she shares an interesting relationship with her snakes who each have names and moods that need to be tended. Medusa’s story also sheds a light on complex issues such as sexual abuse and victim shaming along with the psychological effects of insecurity and isolation resulting from the same. Jessie Burton gives Medusa a voice to tell her story and an opportunity to chart her own destiny. She is much more than a monster whose head is a coveted prize for Perseus and the King who sent him on his quest.
“My name was Medusa, and I was a girl. Perseus had made me sound like a mythical beast. I didn’t want to be a myth. I wanted to be me.”
The prose is beautiful and unambiguous in keeping with the author’s intention to make this story accessible to a younger audience. Therefore, this might not read as comprehensive or complex as similar retellings featuring strong female protagonists from the Greek myths. Both young and older readers will find this a captivating read, not overly long but deeply thought-provoking.The full-color illustrations by Olivia Lomenech Gill are stunning and I could spend hours just poring over them. This is a beautiful edition that I’m happy to be adding to my personal collection.
“Some people think that we’re born with our destiny mapped in our blood. But mapped by whom? By the gods? By fate, a mysterious mix of birth and starlight? We were all planned out, we just didn’t know it. We tread a fully formed path, and those who stray from it will crash and die. Then there are others who believe we’re born blank. Clean as spring water, we become the creators of our own hurricanes. I think it’s both. I had a map, I had a star, but I also made some hurricanes.”...more