Book Review #The Adopted Daughter #J.J. Burgess #Inkubator Books Publishers #Psychological Thriller #Suspense

My Thoughts and Book Review 

Professor Richard Barnes retires from the Biology department of Bristol University as a stalwart member of staff at the university for fifteen years. Richard and his partner Alice decide to leave Bristol to sail off to the vibrant blue sea of the Mediterranean as their retirement plan. Alice had been Richard's lab assistant and they had worked together for twenty years and that's when they had met and got married. Shortly when they have a few days to leave for their trip Sally a young woman appears at their door claiming to be Richard's biological daughter leaving Alice in shock and tears. 

Even though bitterness, jealousy, and anger spark Alice, the whole story takes a turn in the later chapters. The situation gets suspenseful when Alice learns some darker secrets about Richard's plans and motive. Richard found Alice old, miserable, and boring therefore his plan was to get rid of her and take her inheritance money gifted by her mum, and leave for the Mediterranean with a young hot woman like Sally beside him.  He had devised a plan that Sally would pretend to be his daughter and they can run away in a boat.  Alice discovers this plan and more about him that he was an addicted gambler, murderer and was setting up things behind her back. Richard even took money from the University without keeping an account and Alice catches him red-handed for trying to exploit her.

I enjoyed the plot and the story thoroughly. Most of the time I have been empathizing with the situation Alice was in. Some sequences were repetitive. Various characters with action-packed chapters and unexpected twists make this book outstanding. What would it become of Richard and Alice's relationship?

Thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Books Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.

Book Description

She says she’s his daughter. But what does she really want?

Alice and Richard are happily married and about to achieve their lifelong dream – giving up their jobs to sail around the Mediterranean on their own boat.

But shortly before they are due to leave, a young woman, Sally, appears on their doorstep and says she is Richard’s daughter, given up for adoption by his former lover.

After he gets over the shock, Richard is welcoming to Sally, but Alice is unsettled. Discovering that Richard is a father is a painful reminder of her own desire for a family and her inability to conceive.

But is this what makes her wary of Sally, or is her intuition trying to warn her that something much darker is happening here?

When one suspicious incident follows another, Alice starts to dig into who Sally really is and why she has suddenly come into their lives. What she finds is something she could never have imagined in her wildest nightmares…

Pages: 277
Publisher: Inkubator 
Publication Date: August 6, 2023

Book Review #The House Sitter #J.E. Rowney # Suspense Thrillers #Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little Fox Publishing # Psychological Thriller

MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

Michelle Crane is a popular self-made entrepreneur who owns a stationery company named Paper Crane and has a social media presence with millions of followers. Things change for Jude Quinn when she is interviewed by Michelle Crane for a home sitter job at the crane's palatial house. Jude gets the job when she least expects it. Jude has been very impressed with Michelle's social status, dedication, and hard work. Her duty is to look after Michelle's home when she is away. And thereafter, Michelle readily steps out of her home for a three-day trip. In three days, Jude has a job to do, and if she fails, she is going to be in some sort of danger. 

What is Jude up to by intruding into Michelle's privacy when she is gone? Jude feels like an intruder. Jude feels like a fraud as she is trying to steal Michelle's documents that proved her identity, probably an attempted identity theft was happening here. Why and who has assigned her this task to do? Many questions creep into my mind as I read through the chapters. I was left with no clue almost at the end of the novel about who the anonymous phone caller is trying to blackmail Jude to find the documents to steal her identity. I could feel that Jude had no choice and was under pressure to save herself. The main reason she is there is all a plan of the caller. The caller - A nameless enemy. 

There is another character Libby, Jude was previously known as Libby. The drastic changes in these two characters caught my interest to read the book. I loved the twist at the end and totally surprised me with all the repetitions of Jude's nature in the story. If you are looking for a suspense thriller and a nail-biting turn this book is highly recommended. 

Thanks to Book Sirens, Little Fox Publishing, and Netgalley for an advance copy for my honest review. 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Michelle Crane is one of the most recognizable women on social media and if everything goes to plan, I’m about to ruin her life.

When house sitter Jude takes on an assignment acting for self-made ‘girl boss’, entrepreneur Michelle Crane, her intentions aren’t entirely professional. Michelle has something that Jude needs - and the clock is ticking on her window of opportunity to find it.

Jude’s future hangs in the balance, but when it comes down to it, will she betray a stranger to save herself?

The House Sitter is an original, edge-of-your-seat domestic thriller, for fans of Freida McFadden, Kiersten Modglin and Daniel Hurst. If you’re looking for your next one-sitting page-turner, grab this must-read today.

                                                  AUTHOR BIO

                                                 J. E. ROWNEY

J.E. Rowney is a British author who has written several psychological thrillers, including "Gaslight".

"Gaslight" is a gripping novel that tells the story of a young woman named Ella, who becomes convinced that she is being gaslit by her partner. As she struggles to uncover the truth, she is forced to confront the dark secrets that lie hidden in her own past.

Rowney's writing style is known for being fast-paced and suspenseful, with a focus on building tension and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. She is skilled at creating complex, multidimensional characters and weaving together intricate plots that keep readers guessing until the very end.

In addition to her work as a writer, Rowney is also an advocate for mental health awareness and works to support mental health charities. This theme is often present in her books, which explore the impact of trauma and mental illness on the lives of her characters.

Overall, J.E. Rowney is a talented author who has gained a following for her gripping psychological thrillers. "Gaslight" is just one example of her ability to create unforgettable stories that leave readers on the edge of their seats.

Ms. Rowney says: "I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write."

You can find out more about JE Rowney on her website at jerowney.com, or follow @jerowneywriter on social media and @jerowney on TikTok

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little Fox Publishing (June 19, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 293 pages

Book Review #The Nurse: Valerie Keogh #Psychological thriller #Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boldwood Books #Mystery & Suspense

My Thoughts and Book Review

Lissa McColl was 16 and was a topper in her class. She was the only child for her parents who were very proud of her. When she killed Jemma because school was not a happy place for Lissa after Jemma's arrival. Jemma belonged to a group they called all superior. It was painful and confusing to be bullied by Jemma and her gang at school. Lissa was the perfect victim who was smaller and thinner than her tormentors where she was too easily pushed around. As the days go by, bullying becomes more delightful for their fun. Lissa didn't react as she became tearful with the situation. They made fun of her appearance and to Lissa's mother's horror and disbelief it was very painful. Such a nasty and emotional act by Jemma. 

Lissa had to face name-calling, pushing, and shoving which she was increasingly subjected to. Instead of telling her father, Lissa took this matter into her hands and one day killed Jemma. Lissa thought the world would be better off without Jemma. Lissa thought by killing Jemma it would be a service to the world if she stopped her from hurting anyone else. Lissa wasn't the forgiving kind of character. Lissa kills Jemma at the school playground without leaving any clue about the plans successfully completed and made it look like an accident. The killing of Jemma looks like a planned tragic accident that was written off by the detectives. 

Afterward, Lissa's father was found dead in his car, dies of a massive heart attack or a stroke, and therefore her mother breaks down. They take her mother to the Psychiatric clinic to get her treatment which becomes too costly for Lissa. Being burdened by the medical costs of her mother, abandoned, neglected, and grieving her father's loss was combined with conflicting emotions. She comes to know that her father has another wife - Olivia Burton. Lissa had a bigamous father that was disbelief that Olivia realized her father lived a double life. 

What Lissa had to cope with was anger, and sorrow towards her father for the treachery and betrayal of her mother. Lissa and her mother were left with no money to pay medical bills and no insurance policy as her father hadn't paid the premium on his life insurance for several months. Therefore, a Second time killing happens. Lissa plans to kill Olivia Burton so that Olivia's house will be sold to pay the arrears on Lissa's mortgage. Without leaving room for doubt Lissa kills Olivia by a knife attack. The money to provide for her mother was the reason for killing Olivia.

A gripping suspense thriller novel with an interesting storyline. There is a surprise twist at the end. Also, the characters change after the first half of the read. In the second half of the story, Lissa plays a Nurse character. An enjoyable and fantastic read as the author took the murders happening in the story from the first page without dragging her point. A quick and easy standalone novel. The story made me wonder how a serial killer like Lissa can be let loose by the police. Isn't that harmful than to give her revenge by her tormentors?

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood books Publishers for an Advance copy for my honest review.

Book Description

‘Keogh is the queen of compelling narratives and twisty plots’ Jenny O'Brien

'A wonderful book, I can’t rate this one highly enough. If only there were ten stars, it’s that good. Valerie Keogh is a master story-teller, and this is a masterful performance.' Bestselling author Anita Waller

Do No Harm…

Bullied, overlooked and under-appreciated, Lissa McColl learns at an early age to do very bad things.

As a nurse, she is respected and valued for the first time in her life. But Lissa hates her job and the selfish, rude and inconsiderate people she has to deal with.

But being underestimated in this job had its advantages. Lissa can get close to people, find out their secrets… sometimes with deadly results...

Author - Valerie Keogh

                                   

Valerie Keogh lives in Wiltshire with her husband and a huge black cat, Fatty Arbuckle. She grew up reading Agatha Christie and initially wrote crime novels - she now writes psychological thrillers.

The Little Lies was shortlisted for the Crime Fiction Lovers Award 2021

Valerie has a BA in English and an MA in American Literature.

She is currently published with Boldwood Books.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boldwood Books (July 21, 2023)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 21, 2023
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 301 pages

Book review #The Raven's Cry: A Wynter Island Mystery #Kim Herdman Shapiro #Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level Best Books # Women Sleuths #Cozy Mystery

 My Thoughts and Book Review

In the novel, The Raven's Cry, Kate Zoe Thomas leaves her job at WGBH and moves from Boston as a station manager to Wynter Island, British Columbia where she stays at Michael and Anna's rental cottage by Steeltun Bay. Soon she gets acquainted with the long-time residents of Wynter Island - Gwen and Vera Schmidt. Kate had broken up with her boyfriend, Daniel Apolinar before coming to the Island. She had met Daniel in Afghanistan while working as a producer for PBS Dispatches and he was a reporter based in Kabul. Then, Kate drives from her home legion heading down, and to her horror and grief she finds at the same time recognizes Daniel's deceased body floating in the ocean, 

Tension and intrigue build up for the reader as it is difficult to determine if David's death is a coincidence? Why did this healthy man fly two thousand miles to an isolated Island off the Columbia Coast and winds up dead? And also the place where Kate moved to. Kate turns out to be the main suspect as she found him dead. As the coroner makes sure it wasn't suicide or an accident.  For the police investigating officer, Kate becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation. What was Daniel doing on Wynter Island? 

I think this novel has twists at the end when Kate becomes free from accusations of being a suspect. There appear to be too many suspects among the residents of Wynter Island. Nate and Gwen become one of the suspects. Kate sets out to investigate Daniel's murderer. Who killed Daniel? All Kate could feel is exhaustion and grieving Daniel's loss. It is a nail-biting situation till the end. Why would someone on Wynter Island have a reason to murder Daniel. As lots of questions emerge the novel becomes very suspenseful and not anymore cozy. 

Thank you Netgalley and Level Best Books Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.

Book Description

TV producer Kate Zoë Thomas, fleeing an abduction in Afghanistan and heartbreak in Boston, accepts the first job that gives her a fresh start: station manager at a tiny community channel on Wynter Island in the Canadian Gulf Islands.

But, try as she may, Kate cannot outrun her bad luck. On a moonlit walk to a local beach, Kate spots a body bobbing in the surf. In shock, she recognizes the lifeless face and realizes there is only one person on the island with a motive for his murder.

Herself.

Will she manage to solve the mystery before the murderer stops her?

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level Best Books (March 14, 2023)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 14, 2023
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 296 pages

AUTHOR BIO

KIM HERDMAN SHAPIRO

Kim worked as a journalist in Canada for many years, with experience in both print and broadcast journalism. Her book, Gelato with the Pope, highlights her time as a syndicated travel columnist in the Nineties.

In addition to her syndicated travel column, she has written feature articles for various publications, edited a monthly children's publication in British Columbia, and had her poetry published in A Canadian Anthology of Children's Poetry. She won a Microsoft web design award for Footloose, one of the first digital e-zines on the internet.

For the past eight years she has been working on her video project, What the Hell is a Toque? This chronicles her travels with her sons from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island and up to the Canadian Arctic.

Kim is also a board member of Sisters in Crime New England.

She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, two sons, three dogs, and a cat who thinks he is a dog.