As an avid crime fiction reader sometimes I crave a read with a little bit of drama. After reading a particularly dark book full of gore and violence, I then crave a story which is realistic but also contains some soap opera TV theatrics. My Lovely Wife tells the story of a seemingly normal marriage but under the surface lay dark desires, violent compulsions, and deadly consequences. 

The old saying goes “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” However what happens when you are unable to tell the difference between your friends and enemies? When you realize your loyalty and trust has been misplaced? When you find yourself in complete isolation with people you have known for years, but who are now displaying a different side of their personality? In The Hunting Party, we meet eleven long time friends who have found themselves in this exact situation. Full of twists, turns, and drama, The Hunting Party is the perfect winter read for those who love classic locked door mysteries. 

I am always conflicted when I learn of a stand alone book by an author of a series I love. Will I like it as much as the series? Are my expectations too high? Am I being unfair to the author by comparing the books? With Inborn, all of these questions/hesitations posed themselves as I started the book and they were quickly dispelled. Inborn is a fast paced, compulsive, and authentic story of loss and the ripple effects of tragedy.

I will start this review out with a bit of advice: if you have never read a book by Jane Harper you are truly and completely missing out and you should remedy this immediately. Each new release by Harper immediately becomes my new favorite, cementing Harper as one of my favorite authors of all time. The Lost Man tells the story of an isolated family and they're extremely complex dynamic. Filled with shocking revelations, enduring and relatable characters; The Lost Man will have readers longing to know the conclusion but also craving more, not wanting the story to end. 

I love a good ghost story, but I usually prefer my crime fiction books without mystical elements. For this reason I was a little hesitant to read Little Darlings. As I got further along into the story, I was surprised that I was loving it and could not stop reading. With a malevolent tone, creepy folklore, and a detailed police investigation; Little Darlings is a demented, dark, and creepy tale of a mother fighting to save her children.

As a general rule I do not like surprises. I am a planner. I like to know what is going on around me at all times. However there is one exception to this rule. I absolutely positively love being surprised by a book. When I start to read a book, I usually have a general idea of what kind of story I am reading. Nothing excites me more than when I realize my assumptions were completely wrong. 

The story of what someone will do out desperation will never get old. Whether in books, TV, or theatre; this story will always be gripping. The reason?…it makes the audience think about what they would do in the character’s shoes. Whether the audience agrees or disagrees with the character’s decision they will always want to know how it ends. An Anonymous Girl is exactly this type of story. The protagonist made a choice I would not have necessarily made but I was no less captivated by her story.

A small town is one of my favorite settings for a story of crime fiction. Readers can almost always look forward to recognizable and endearing characters. This was my expectation when I started River Bodies. While some of my expectations were met, many were not. I was introduced to an interesting main character, but the plot lacked intrigue and mystery. 

When reading the synopsis of a potential new read, there are certain words and phrases which almost guarantee I will love the book. With phrases like, former psychiatric home, witches, suspicious villagers; I instantly knew The Lingering was my kind of read. 

Ragnar Jonasson’s Dark Iceland series is one of my favorite series of all time. With each new installment I am transported to Iceland to reconnect with characters who have become old friends. Everything I love about The Dark Iceland series can also be found in The Darkness - vivid descriptions of beautiful yet treacherous landscapes, a simmering mystery, and an endearing protagonist.

Sharon J Bolton was born and brought up in Lancashire, the eldest of three daughters. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an actress and a dancer, studying ballet, tap and jazz from a young age and reading drama at Loughborough University.

Have you ever read a book by a “new to you” author and immediately add every book by this author to your list of must reads? This is what I did after reading The Craftsman. The Craftsman is the story of a small town with disturbing secrets and the formidable woman who will stop at nothing to expose these secrets. Readers in the mood for an enthralling and spooky read just in time for the Halloween season, should add The Craftsman to their list of must reads