Thorn in my Side by Sheila Quigley

D I Mike Yorke has been in London working undercover and returns home to the North East and Holy Island, bringing a couple of waifs and strays with him. He has barely drawn breath when he is called to a very bizarre case of a body found which had been flayed.

The characters are at once familiar and comfortable, as is Sheila’s writing style. I downloaded this book onto my Kindle, and I have to admit to carrying it around with me so I could read a few pages whenever I had the chance. The action is fast, there are twists and turns, there is an element of …. No  I won’t say anymore to spoil this story.

My only HUGE disappointment was that the second book in the trilogy, Nowhere man, is not yet on Kindle! I was all set to download so I could continue on. I am told is will be on Kindle shortly, so I will have to be patient.

If you have read her books previously, you will not be disappointed, if you haven’t, I would suggest you do so now.

A Deeper Darkness by J T Ellison

Like other fans of J T Ellison, I was nervous about reading a book with a new main character. Sam has been around of course, but not alone as the main character. Well I needn't have worried I really enjoyed the book, in fact almost read it in one go, only extreme fatigue prevented it.

I liked Sam, I liked the story, I liked the pace of it, I liked the characters. 

Sam goes off to help out the mother of an old boyfriend who has been murdered, by carrying out a second autopsy. She is drawn into the investigation as she too is unhappy with what has gone on so far. She works with the detectives in DC, as they begin to peel back the layers of her ex's life and military career to reach an understanding of what was really going on as more and more of his ex-military colleagues are murdered.

If you are already a fan, you will enjoy this book, if not - give it a go, you won't regret it!(less)

Depth Perception by Linda Castillo

I have enjoyed Linda Castillo's books, but this was not one of the Kate Burkholder series, so was to be a new subject matter.

Nat woke after being in a coma for 3 years after her husband and child were horribly murdered. She decided to go home, once she was recovered, to investigate as no one had been charged with their murder, but many people believed it was her. Although she was viciously hurt, it was had been initially believed she did it to herself, all in order to received a large insurance payout. Although the case against her had been thrown out, people still felt she had been responsible

When she returns home, she found the memories in the small Southern town, were as strong as ever and she faced a lot of open dislike and hostility. She looks up Nick Bastille, who has just been released from jail, and had returned home to the same town, as he too had a child who had died. She did not believe it had been an accident but that he had been another victim of the same man who had destroyed her family. Eventually they combine forces to hunt for the murderer who may be responsible for several other child murders over the years. 

The core of the story is that Nat has been 'different' since she woke from the coma, she believes is in receipt of messages from her dead son. This, not being the easiest thing to make others believe in, makes her job to try and help other children who may in danger, very difficult. However with Nick at her side, and their growing attraction, they form a strong bond.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a little bit obvious in parts, but that did not spoil it for me, I have read it in one sitting, and would recommend it.

Sleight of Hand by Mark Henwick

I started reading this book thinking it would be distracting, as I was unwell, plus building work at home was stressful. It did that very well.

I found the book so easy to read, the characters real, and I quickly felt at ease with it. In fact I carried my kindle round constantly so I could read it anytime. 

It is, as the description indicates, a vampire story, but a different story from the usual. There are also werewolves, though they don't really have too big a part in this story. The book moves quickly as you learn about Amber and her story - her background - and how she has ended up in the position she is in. Why she is a private investigator, and we get to know the various people involved in her life.

I grew to love so many of the characters, I was so disappointed that book 2 is not yet out so I will have to wait, impatiently, for it. However, as I can see so many areas where this series can grow and develop......I am very excited about book 2!

If you are a fan of this genre, and are maybe looking for other than 17 year old heroines, I would urge you to give it a go.

Enemy of the fae, by India Drummond

 Caledonian Fae #3 

I have been waiting impatiently for this third adventure with the Fae and Druids in Scotland, and boy was it worth the wait!

I am always filled with a mix of excitement and dread when you get a new book in a series you have loved. Excited to meet up with old friends and ready to go on with them in their next adventure, and dread in case they are not the same or the next adventure is a let down. Don’t worry, it’s all good! Still fresh, still exciting, still new situations, surprises, excitement and disappointment when the book comes to an end and the wait for book 4 begins.

The book starts where book 3 leaves off and we find ourselves right in the middle of intrigue in the Faery realm, there are misleading situations to confuse you, there are all the thrills and escapades you have come to expect, and some surprising developments for the Druids in particular.

In fact this book is mainly about the druids, one way and another, we see Munro learning to live with his position, and yet evolve even more as he learns of the history of his race and the possible affect this might have on his queen and the fae. We have the other druids who are having a less pleasant time adjusting to their situation, on in particular who has become close to a young Fae, with heart-breaking  consequences, and yet another who was caught up in a terrifying situation.

There was plenty of action and intrigue, and yet again the book finishes on a note of aaarrrggghhh, as we have to wait for book 4 to learn the decision made and how this will affect them all.

I loved this book as much as I loved the rest of the series, highly recommended.

The exciting Caledonia Fae #2 - Azuri Fae

While desperately looking to see if any sign of book 3, I realised I had not reviewed book2!

I loved book 1, as an avid reader of supernatural books, and a Scot I had to read it. Then there was the wait for book 2. Would it be as good, would the standards drop, would it hold my interest? Well yes, no and yes! It was every bit as good as book 1, the standards did not drop and it certainly held my interest.

I was lucky enough to be able to read the book in a couple of sittings, so no infuriating real life disturbing me too much till I read it all. There is no point in simply telling the story, if you loved book 1 you will love book 2, it takes you on another journey with the main characters, they evolve and move forward with their lives. You learn more about the Fae and how their society works, the characters develop and grow into their place in that society, and it leaves you wanting more.

So now we must wait impatiently for book 3.

More stories from Tabitca

Sips of Dark Desires

By

Tabitca Cope

Another terrific collection of short stories by Tabitca Cope, with a twist! If you have read Tabitca’s earlier collections, you will appreciate her talent, if not, now is the time to discover it.

These are just perfect when you sit down to grab 10 minutes and a cuppa, or at the moment, when you feel like reading when sunbathing, but can’t concentrate on a novel.

If you like the strange, the dark, the altogether inhuman, these are for you. Each story a discovery, each one different, you never quite know where you are about to be led…

Go on, you know you want to…..

A must read book

Do Me No Harm

By

Julie Corbin

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this, the 3^rd book by Julie Corbin. I loved both her other books so I was excited to start on this one. Luckily I woke very, very early this morning, so settled with coffee at 4.30 I started.

I was so happy I could read it all in the one sitting as I would have had a very hard time to leave it! It got right under my skin, and I had to know what was going on! The main character, Olivia, is a GP, and single parent of a teenage boy Robbie, and his younger sister Lauren. She is recently divorced from Phil, another doctor, so is a little emotionally raw still. Then one night it starts. 

She gets a phone call that Robbie has been rushed to hospital, and it turns out that although he had been drinking a little, he had a very nasty drug in his system which had caused him to hallucinate and eventually collapse knocking his head. The drug doze was such that it could have killed him, and in fact his heart did stop beating at one stage. Olivia is convinced that her son is telling the truth, that he does not take drugs, and so the only explanation is that his drink was spiked! But why?  And who?

Olivia struggles to make the police and her ex-husband believe that her son is not into drugs and that a crime has taken place. The events that follow begin to show that the family are being targeted, and so Olivia is right.

While trying to understand what is going on, looking into the past to find a reason, and then to discover who could be behind it all, Olivia becomes close to the policeman, D I O’Reilly, who is investigating the case, but when Olivia begins to think she has worked out what is going on she is reluctant to share the information with him.

The action is fast, the characters real, the brutal revelations from the past hard to live with, but they all bring the situation up to date. The human mistakes and lies which are revealed are both shocking and yet real, and help to paint the picture of the current situation.  Then Olivia begins to realise that events are moving too quickly and they have real reason to be terrified.

Apart from the odd cup of coffee, and changing of the CD, I sat and read to the end, as I already, said, I was just so glad it was Sunday and I was in a position to do just that. This book is highly recommended, but please make sure you have plenty of time, because I promise you will not want to put it down.

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

Lili St Crow is a new author to me, I saw reviews in Goodreads and decided to give this book a go. Having been reading different genres of books for the last few weeks, I was ready for a return to the Supernatural. Although I have a few books in my TBR pile which are continuations of series I enjoy, I decided to try this new author.

My first thought was, disappointment that it was yet another school kid........ However, I was quickly drawn into the story and the character of Dru. I did get a little impatient with her from time to time, but then again I am not a 17 year old girl!

I really enjoyed the ride, it was a little different, and I found the writing style very easy and enjoyable, in fact I read it in 2 sittings – only because I had to be elsewhere at one stage. In fact I enjoyed it so much I immediately ordered the rest of the series, and another complete series by the same author.

Dark Esk by Tabitca Cope

The third book in the Dark Trilogy by Tabitca does not disappoint. Laura is now living in Whitby and ghostly happenings have begun. Between Hellhounds roaming the streets, ghostly carriages driving through the streets, beheaded bodies, bloodletting and weird sea monsters Laura is plunged into more intrigue.

With the arrival of the 5th Reich into the mix, her trusty Knights are called for. The action is fast and breathtaking, as they have to try to stop the 5^th

Reich from locating a well hidden and powerful artefact.

Be prepared for the shocks, of which there are many, and enjoy the ride. As usual put aside a few hours as you wont be able to put this down!

As this is the third book in a trilogy, I hope Tabitca will consider carrying on with her intrepid gang in a new series…..

The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths

I have had this book for some time and had almost started it a few time, however the other day, it just appealed so I settled down with it.

The ‘heroine’ Dr Ruth Galloway, is a forensic archaeologist, who lives in a small cottage on the edge of the salt marches in Norfolk, a bleak desolate place. D.C.I. Harry Nelson asks her for some advice on a case he is working as some bones have been recovered and he needs her help in dating them. There was a case some years before when a young girl went missing which has haunted Harry and he wants to know if these bones could be hers.

These bones are over two thousand years old, but mark the beginning of their ‘partnership.’ Ruth I found to be so normal, nearing 40 a bit over weight out of condition, living alone with her 2 cats. She has insecurities broken relationships in her past a good friend who lives nearby with whom she has the occasional girl’s night in, a very normal well rounded character.

As Harry confides in her that he is haunted by the missing girl and has been receiving anonymous letters about it for some time, they begin to get closer and Ruth is drawn into the investigation when another young girl disappears.

I found it exciting yet believable, I could identify and understand what was going on, when it becomes apparent that Ruth is in danger it all steps up a notch and some long buried secrets come out into the open.

I did try to guess ‘who done it’ but in the end I was wrong! I then decided to check out the next book in the series and was delighted to find it ready and waiting on my kindle. I know what I am doing this afternoon.