Book Synopsis:

Alice Teale walked out of school at the end of a bright spring day.

She’s not been seen since.

Alice was popular and well-liked, and her boyfriend, friends and family are desperate to find her.

But soon it’s clear that everyone in her life has something to hide.

Then the police receive a disturbing package.

Pages from Alice’s precious diary.

Who could have sent them? And what have they done with Alice?

Alice Teale Is Missing is available in ebook and paperback now. The ebook is currently only 99p. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

I really enjoyed this dark gripping read, which was the first thriller I’ve read from this talented author. I’m a huge fan of his historical books so I was very curious to see what his thrillers would be like.

This book drew me in from the start with its intriguing storyline and the lovely writing which made it very easy to read. The story is told from the point of view of the two detectives investigating Alice’s disappearance and I enjoyed following them on their investigations. I particularly liked that the story starts at the beginning of their investigation as it was fun to be involved from the start. The story is interspersed with extracts from Alice’s diary where we start to learn a little more about the real Alice which I thought was cleverly done, particularly as it was written in a different tone to the rest of the book. Some of the passages were quite revealing and made me think more was going on then I originally thought.

Interestingly I liked both the main characters, despite not being keen on Lucas Black at the beginning, he grew on me as the story progressed. I liked how he could show different faces to the world and be a gruff guy sometimes but be almost caring at others. Beth, as a new police officer, gives a fascinating insight into what being on an investigation means and how tricky it can be earning respect as a newbie. I liked how the author includes her real feelings into the story so she’s not just a professional cop but also a human being capable of getting frustrated and annoyed with people, though she tries her best to hide it. I thought they made a very good team and hope that they might appear in future books.

The tension and mystery in the book is slowly increased as the story goes on and I had many scenarios running through my head as to what might have happened. The pace isn’t overly fast to begin with as the author sets the scene but I found myself enjoying watching Beth and Lucas work together as well as learning about Alice so I didn’t mind this. The last quarter of the book is very gripping however and I found it very enjoyable to see everything unfold, with the ending being very satisfying.

Huge thanks to Sriya for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book. I’ll definitely be reading more books from this author in the future!

About The Author:

Howard Linskey is a best-selling author of crime and historical fiction published in seven countries. His debut novel ‘The Drop’ was voted one of the Top Five Thrillers of the Year by the Times newspaper and ‘The Damage’ was voted one of its top summer reads. His David Blake series was optioned for TV by Harry Potter producer, David Barron.

Howard writes a series of north-east set, crime fiction novels for Penguin Random House featuring investigative journalists Tom Carney and Helen Norton, as well as Detective Sergeant Ian Bradshaw.

His historical novels are set in WW2. ‘Hunting the Hangman’ tells the story of the assassination of Nazi general and architect of the Holocaust, Reinhard Heydrich in Prague in 1942. ‘Ungentlemanly Warfare’ follows SOE agent Harry Walsh into occupied France.

Originally from the north east of England, Howard now lives in Herts with his wife Alison and daughter Erin.

Howard was featured on CBS Reality true crime TV series ‘Written In Blood’ .

Howard’s web site is http://www.howardlinskey.co.uk

Book Synopsis:

LAURIE STERNE feels like he’s been cut adrift in space. His father has been shot dead, caught in the crossfire of a gangland war that has also claimed his boss’s life. Laurie is a refugee who lost his adoptive mum years before and doesn’t know where he was born, let alone who his birth parents were. But he’s not alone in the world: someone is trying to kill him.
This is London, 2050, a dumping ground for climate refugees and dissidents. Gangs rule, murder goes unpunished and the police make sure you can’t escape.
In his struggle to stay alive, he finds an ally: his former boss’s secret daughter.
But with the killer predicting his every move, is the man without a past being betrayed by the woman who seems to offer him a future?

Black Ditch is available now in ebook and paperback. The ebook is currently at the bargain price of 99p. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

Black Ditch is a very impressive debut novel that offers a chilling and compelling look into a potential London of the future.

I always love Dystopian novels as it’s so interesting to see what the author’s imagination can come up with. This author’s vision is very hard hitting as it’s a future that could actually happen as it is that way due to climate change, which we all know is a problem. Slowly the new world is revealed to the reader and it is one that seems both familiar but also altered and bleak. There is a definite human hierarchy that often leaves people stuck in tower blocks fearful to go out due to the gangs that rule the city. I found this world frightening but also very interesting and I enjoyed learning more about it.

I thought this was quite a fast paced story with a very clever plot which I enjoyed watching unfold. Laurie is a brave and intelligent main character who I enjoyed following throughout the book as he tried to work out who he was and where he fit in.

This unbelievably is the author’s debut novel and I can’t wait to read more in this promising series.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Simon J Lancaster is the author of The Black Ditch, the first in the Laurie Sterne trilogy of dystopian future thrillers. Prior to writing novels he was a national newspaper journalist in London, as well as a music critic and private pilot. He has written short stories and plays and, after reading extensively about climate change, concluded that the fantasy gun-play of contemporary-set action novels would be the lived experience of our coming world.

Book Synopsis:

Flora always dreamed of the day she’d become a mother. But some dreams turn into nightmares.

Flora and Neil are happily married, but they can’t have children so decide to adopt. And when Flora  meets little Beckie it’s love at first sight. Deep in her heart, she knows they’re meant for each other, destined to be mother and daughter. 

When Flora officially becomes Beckie’s mum, it’s like a part of her that’s always been missing is finally in place. She is complete, every day filled with purpose and joy. 

There’s only one problem. Beckie was taken from her birth family, the Johnsons, because they have a history of violence and criminal behaviour and so are judged to be unfit to care for a child. 

But the Johnsons don’t agree. As far as they’re concerned, Flora has stolen their little girl and they are determined to get her back. They’re very smart, utterly ruthless – and they have a plan. One that will turn Flora’s life into a living hell and push her to the very edge of insanity. 

This stunning psychological thriller is perfect for fans of K.L. Slater, Mark Edwards, and Teresa Driscoll.

Watch Over Me is available in ebook on the 26th January 2020. You can pre-order your copy using the link below.

My Review:

Watch Over Me is an enthralling read with a very intriguing storyline.

Firstly I thought the subject matter of this book was very interesting as it definitely gives the reader a different glance into adoption. Considering the awful conditions Becky lives in I wasn’t surprised that she was taken away from her family. Although I can imagine that this happening could be very emotional that didn’t seem to be the grandparents main reason to want to get Becky back. Their relentless and intelligent campaign was quite uncomfortable to witness at times as you wonder who they are actually looking out for. I found myself wondering how low they were prepared to stoop and what they were willing to do in order to get her back.

This is a bit of a slow burner though there is lots happening to keep the reader interested. The tension is slowly increased as the story continues and we learn more about the grandparents past. There are lots of twists and secrets revealed with the ending being incredibly gripping and surprising. I had many ideas about what was going on but was proven wrong which I always enjoy.

Some of the characters speech is written in Scottish dialect which was a little confusing and difficult to read at first though I soon got used to. There is also a lot of swearing in the book which might not be to everyone’s taste.

Overall I thought this was an usual thriller with a very interesting story line and I’d be interested to read more from this author in the future.

Huge thanks to Emma from Damppebble Tours for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Book Synopsis:

‘A meticulously plotted exploration of friendship, foe-ship and the lies that bind, which builds to a gripping and powerful conclusion’ – CARA HUNTER

Five Women.

They meet at their NCT Group. The only thing they have in common is they’re all pregnant.

Five Secrets.

Three years later, they are all good friends. Aren’t they?

One Missing Husband.

Now the police have come knocking. Someone knows something.

And the trouble with secrets is that someone always tells.

For fans of Big Little Lies, The Rumour and I Invited Her In, this is first class psychological suspense from the critically acclaimed Sarah J Naughton.

The Mothers is available in ebook now and in paperback on the 30th April 2020. You can purchase or pre-order your copy using the link below.

My Review:

The Mothers is a very compelling addictive read which I thoroughly enjoyed. The easy writing style soon drew me into the story and allowed me to just relax and enjoy it.

The story is told from two different storylines, one in the present day following the police as they try to solve Ewan’s disappearance and the other in the past following the five women’s friendship. I found I enjoyed both threads equally as it was great to follow the fabulous Iona in her investigation but also fun to learn more about the women and their past histories.

I have to admit I didn’t particularly warm to any of the woman though I did feel a lot of sympathy for Bella who I felt was treated badly by everyone. I often wished that I knew her personally so I could be the friend I felt she needed. Her husband Ewan was an awful person who only seemed to care about himself. I found myself hoping that he wouldn’t come back as I felt Bella would be much happier without him.

The two storylines come together nicely with lots of twists and false leads that kept me guessing what was going on until the end. I loved watching everything unfold and trying to guess what would happen. The ending was more dramatic then I expected which was a nice surprise and I thought it was a great way to end the book.

I’ve read every book this author has written and in my opinion she keeps getting better and better. I’m very excited to see what she comes up with next.

Huge thanks to Alainna from Orion books for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley. If you like Lianne Moriarty’s then I think you’ll like this book too as the styles are similar.

About The Author:

Sarah J. Naughton was shortlisted for The Costa Children’s Book Award for her novel, The Hanged Man Rises. Her debut thriller The Girlfriend was published in 2018. She lives in London with her husband and two sons.

Book Synopsis:

‘A meticulously plotted exploration of friendship, foe-ship and the lies that bind, which builds to a gripping and powerful conclusion’ – CARA HUNTER

Five Women.

They meet at their NCT Group. The only thing they have in common is they’re all pregnant.

Five Secrets.

Three years later, they are all good friends. Aren’t they?

One Missing Husband.

Now the police have come knocking. Someone knows something.

And the trouble with secrets is that someone always tells.

For fans of Big Little Lies, The Rumour and I Invited Her In, this is first class psychological suspense from the critically acclaimed Sarah J Naughton.

The Mothers is available in ebook now and in paperback on the 30th April 2020. You can purchase or pre-order your copy using the link below.

My Review:

The Mothers is a very compelling addictive read which I thoroughly enjoyed. The easy writing style soon drew me into the story and allowed me to just relax and enjoy it.

The story is told from two different storylines, one in the present day following the police as they try to solve Ewan’s disappearance and the other in the past following the five women’s friendship. I found I enjoyed both threads equally as it was great to follow the fabulous Iona in her investigation but also fun to learn more about the women and their past histories.

I have to admit I didn’t particularly warm to any of the woman though I did feel a lot of sympathy for Bella who I felt was treated badly by everyone. I often wished that I knew her personally so I could be the friend I felt she needed. Her husband Ewan was an awful person who only seemed to care about himself. I found myself hoping that he wouldn’t come back as I felt Bella would be much happier without him.

The two storylines come together nicely with lots of twists and false leads that kept me guessing what was going on until the end. I loved watching everything unfold and trying to guess what would happen. The ending was more dramatic then I expected which was a nice surprise and I thought it was a great way to end the book.

I’ve read every book this author has written and in my opinion she keeps getting better and better. I’m very excited to see what she comes up with next.

Huge thanks to Alainna from Orion books for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley. If you like Lianne Moriarty’s then I think you’ll like this book too as the styles are similar.

About The Author:

Sarah J. Naughton was shortlisted for The Costa Children’s Book Award for her novel, The Hanged Man Rises. Her debut thriller The Girlfriend was published in 2018. She lives in London with her husband and two sons.

Book Synopsis:

THE EIGHTEENTH CLIFFEHAVEN NOVEL BY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ELLIE DEAN

Peace has finally been declared in the Far East, but for those living at Beach View Boarding House, the news brings mixed emotions.

Peggy Reilly is devastated that her husband Jim will not be coming home for Christmas. And Sarah and Jane, who have lived at Beach View throughout much of the conflict, dread what they will find when they go back to Singapore.

Life in Cliffehaven is in a whirlwind of change as the men return from the war and Peggy’s evacuee chicks begin to spread their wings and start new lives in different corners of the world.

Peggy and Jim have longed to be together after so many years apart, but war has left them profoundly changed. Can they rekindle the loving, close relationship they’d shared before?

Homecoming is published in ebook and paperback on the 23rd January 2020. You can pre-order your copy using the link below.

My Review:

I’ve been a huge fan of this wonderful series since the beginning and it has been so lovely to follow the residents through the years. I started this book with mixed feelings as on one hand I was very excited to read another Clifthaven book but on the other I was sad that this series was coming to an end.

One of the things I like about this author is her ability to always find new storylines to keep the series interesting and fresh. This book was no exception and I found the inclusion of life after the war to be very interesting, especially as it is something that isn’t touched upon much in other books. It must have been very difficult for couples coming back from the war to learn to live with each other again. The author does a great job in describing the situation so it feels real as she doesn’t make it overly dramatic.

This was a beautiful story that was excellently told and one that quickly absorbed me into the story. It’s a story of joy, sadness and above all love in all forms. It’s one that definitely needs to be read with some tissues handy as their are some poignant moments and some truly heartwarming ones that brought tears to my eyes in equal measures. It’s a fantastic way to end the series and I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.

Huge thanks to Rachel Kennedy from Arrow publishing for inviting me onto the tour and for my copy of the book.

About The Author:

Ellie Dean lives in a tiny hamlet set deep in the heart of the South Downs in Sussex, which has been her home for many years and where she raised her three children. She is the author of the The Cliffehaven Series.

To find out more visit http://www.ellie-dean.co.uk

Book Synopsis:

ONE WRONG MOVE
A body is found bricked into the walls of a house. From the state of the hands, it’s clear the dead man was buried alive. Soon, the victim is linked to an old missing person’s case and DS Adam Tyler is called.
WILL IGNITE
As the sole representative of South Yorkshire’s Cold Case Review Unit, Tyler recognises his role for what it is – a means of keeping him out of the way following an ‘incident’. When this case falls in his lap, he grabs the opportunity to fix his stagnating career.
THE CITY
And then Tyler discovers he has a connection to the case that hopelessly compromises him. He makes the snap decision not to tell his superiors, certain that he and only he can solve the crime. But now Tyler must move carefully to find out the truth, without destroying the case or himself.

Meanwhile, someone in the city knows exactly what happened to the body. Someone who is watching Adam closely. Someone with an unhealthy affinity with fire. . .

A taut investigative thriller bursting with character and tension, introducing an enigmatic, fresh lead detective unlike any you have met before – Detective Sergeant Adam Tyler – for fans of Adrian McKinty, Tana French, Steve Cavanagh and Sharon Bolton. 

Firewatching is published in ebook and hardback on the 20th February 2020. You can pre-order your copy using the link below.

My Review:

Wow what a fantastic read this was. Dark, engrossing and tense it kept me reading far too late at night!

The mention of fire always intrigues me as it’s so dangerous and unpredictable so the blurb instantly appealed to me. I was not disappointed as the Firewatcher was a truly despicable villan who I loved to hate. He’s obviously a highly intelligent individual and I found it hugely enjoyable trying to work out who he was. His main communication to the detectives was through blog posts which gave the story a modern feel which made it seem more realistic.

DS Tyler was a fantastic main character and one that I warmed to instantly. He’s the first gay police officer that I remember reading about and it was sad to see the homophobic behaviour of his colleagues that was casually wrapped up as so called ‘banter’. I thought he handled everything very well though and I found myself admiring him for his intelligent determination towards the case.

Overall I thought this was a fantastic read with a fascinating plot that held my attention throughout the book. I enjoyed reading all the different threads and watching them slowly come together. There were lots of twists and surprises which kept me guessing which I always enjoy. The final revel was brilliantly done and took me completely by surprise- very cleverly done by the author.

This is unbelievably the author’s debut novel and I look forward to reading more from him in the future. I’m hopeful that this is the start of a new crime series staring DS Tyler as I’d love to read more of him!

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Jess from Simon and Schuster for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Russ Thomas was born in Essex, raised in Berkshire and now lives in Sheffield. He grew up in the 80s reading anything he could get from the library, writing stories, watching large amounts of television, playing videogames, and largely avoiding the great outdoors. He spent five years trying to master playing the electronic organ and another five trying to learn Spanish. It didn’t take him too long to realise that he’d be better off sticking to the writing. After a few ‘proper’ jobs (among them: pot-washer, optician’s receptionist, supermarket warehouse operative, call-centre telephonist and storage salesman) he discovered the joys of bookselling, where he could talk to people about books all day. ​ His debut novel Firewatching is the first book in the D/S Adam Tyler series.

Book Synopsis:

It’s 1942 and as shortages of staff – and goods – begin to bite, young Lily Collins is thrilled to step up to sales junior in her job at Marlow’s department store.

But bombs are still falling and Lily and fellow shop girls Gladys and Beryl need a stiff upper lip to wave boyfriends, husbands and brothers goodbye, especially with a baby on the way and grim news on the wireless. When Jim, who works with Lily at the store, seems restless, things are bad enough, but nothing can prepare Lily for the secrets that come tumbling out when her favourite brother comes home on leave…

Somehow, she must keep smiling through. Community, family and friends rally round as her home town – and the whole country – is tested once again.

Wartime For The Shop Girls is available in ebook now and in paperback on the 23rd January 2020. You can purchase or pre-order your copy using the link below.

My Review:

I love historical sagas especially when they are set in WW2 which is one of my favourite periods in time. I thought Wartime For The Shop Girls was a hugely enjoyable, atmospheric and absorbing read which I will be recommending to everyone.

The author does a great job of setting the scene in the book with all the little details of every day life making the reader feel fully transported to wartime London. I’ve always loved books set in department stores as they unfortunately don’t really exist anymore. Marlows definitely sounds like a great place to work in and I loved the descriptions of the colourful displays and the closeness of the staff, which made me wish I could work there too.

There are some fantastic characters in this book which really helped make the story come to life. I loved the main character Lilly whose enthusiasm made me smile. I warmed to her in the first few pages as her obvious love for her family was lovely to read about. Dora, Lilly’s mum, also made me smile with her stoic attitude and the fabulous sayings that she uses.

There is lots going on in this book, with each of the characters having different storylines to follow, which made the book very gripping as I wanted to find out what would happen. The unfolding romance between Lilly and Jim was my favourite part of the book though especially as it helped create some lighter moments in the story.

This is the second book in the series but can easily be read as a standalone, like I have done, as anything you need to know is explained. I’m very much looking forward to reading more of this series!

Huge thanks to Jen Harlow for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Joanna Toye is a former BBC scriptwriter and producer. She worked for over 30 years on Radio 4’s much-loved ‘The Archers’, as well as on ‘Crossroads’, Family Affairs’, ‘Doctors’ and ‘EastEnders’. She has nine previous TV and radio spin-off books to her credit, but ‘A Store At War’ is her first original novel, the first in a series of four. It draws on her Midland roots and vivid family memories of the Second World War, as well as anecdotes and research into how shopping used to be – long before the internet was ever thought of!

Book Synopsis:

Some doors should not be opened.
Some can never be closed.

Jo Palmer’s peaceful and happy life is about to end.

Ash – the man she loves – will be arrested by the police.
Millie – her precious daughter – will be taken from her.

She will lose her friends.
She will doubt her sanity.

Someone is stealing everything Jo loves, and will stop at nothing.

But right now, Jo is laughing in her kitchen, eating dinner with her family, suspecting nothing.

It’s raining outside.

There’s a knock at the door. They are here.

Right Behind You is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of this author’s books so I was incredibly excited to be asked to be on the blog tour for Right Behind You, her latest book. Once again she has written an extremely gripping, dark and atmospheric thriller that was hugely enjoyable to read.

Firstly this book was like the author had seen inside my head and written my worst nightmare down. I can’t imagine anything worse then losing my family in any circumstances so this added to the tension in the book for me as I had to keep reading to find out what happens.

DCI Thomas Douglas is one of my favourite fictional detectives and I always enjoy following him as he tries to solve his cases. I love the subtle way he leads his team and how he plays to each of their strengths which is lovely to read about. The rest of the characters were very interesting creations who I weren’t really sure whether I liked them or whether they were trustworthy.

This was an incredibly gripping book which was hard to put down as it was very fast paced. I found myself trying to hide away from the children to read few more chapters as I had to know what happened next. I was kept guessing as to who was behind everything the whole way through the book which I thought was very clever. Just when I thought I had figured everything out, something happened which sent the story in completely different direction. The twist at the end was truly amazing and took me completely by surprise which I always love.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Rachel Abbott’s debut thriller, Only the Innocent, was an international bestseller, reaching the number one position in the Amazon charts both in the UK and US. This was followed by the number one bestselling novels The Back Road, Sleep Tight, Stranger Child, Nowhere Child (a short novel based on the characters from Stranger Child), Kill Me Again, The Sixth Window, Come a Little Closer and And So It Begins. Her most recent novel, The Shape of Lies, was released in February 2019.

Rachel’s novels have now been translated into over 20 languages and her books have sold over 3 million copies in the English language.

In 2015 Amazon celebrated the first five years of the Kindle in the UK, and announced that Rachel was the #1 bestselling independent author over the five-year period. She was also placed #14 in the chart of all authors. Stranger Child was the most borrowed novel for the Kindle in the first half of 2015.

Rachel splits her time between Alderney – a beautiful island off the coast of France – and the Le Marche region of Italy, where she is able to devote all her time to writing fiction. For more information, see Rachel’s website, or follow her on Twitter.

Rachel’s website can be found at

Website : http://www.rachel-abbott.com
Blog : http://rachelabbottwriter.com/
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/RachelAbbott1Writer
Twitter: @RachelAbbott

Book Synopsis:

They are driving home from the search party when they see her. The trees are coarse and tall in the winter light, standing like men.

Lauren and her father Niall live alone in the Highlands, in a small village surrounded by pine forest. When a woman stumbles out onto the road one Halloween night, Niall drives her back to their house in his pickup. In the morning, she’s gone.

In a community where daughters rebel, men quietly rage, and drinking is a means of forgetting, mysteries like these are not out of the ordinary. The trapper found hanging with the dead animals for two weeks. Locked doors and stone circles. The disappearance of Lauren’s mother a decade ago.

Lauren looks for answers in her tarot cards, hoping she might one day be able to read her father’s turbulent mind. Neighbours know more than they let on, but when local teenager Ann-Marie goes missing it’s no longer clear who she can trust.

In the shadow of the Highland forest, Francine Toon captures the wildness of rural childhood and the intensity of small-town claustrophobia. In a place that can feel like the edge of the word, she unites the chill of the modern gothic with the pulse of a thriller. It is the perfect novel for our haunted times.

Pine is published in ebook and hardback on the 23rd January 2020. You can pre-order your copy using the link below.

My Review:

Pine is a wonderfully different book which manages to combine a few different genres making it a very interesting read.

This book drew me in from the start as the author sets the scene beautifully with her vivid descriptions of the small Highland village which has some interesting inhabitants. The beauty of the area is constrasted nicely with the eerie, almost oppressive forest which seems to hold a lot of mystery. I loved the little details the author has included in this book which just helped me envision everything that was happening even more clearly.

Lauren is a wonderful main character who I felt very sympathetic towards. She’s just starting to like boys and wants to be able to act like the older kids she sees at school. She’s being bullied at school by people who thought her mother was a witch which made me want to give her a huge hug.

Overall I thought this was an enthralling read which was easy to get lost in for hours at a time. The inclusion of witchcraft and some of the Scottish Legends was very interesting and gave the book an eerie feel. I really liked how the book manages to be both frightening but also quite emotional at the same time which has meant I’ve continued to think about it long after I finished reading it.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Antonia from Doubleday for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Francine Toon grew up in Sutherland and Fife, Scotland. Her poetry, written as Francine Elena, has appeared in The Sunday Times, The Best British Poetry 2013 and 2015 anthologies (Salt) and Poetry London, among other places. Pine was longlisted for the Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award. She lives in London and works in publishing. Follow her on Twitter @FrancineElena