Two Heads Are Better Than One

Simon Scarrow

Publication date: 2/2/23

Publisher: Headline

My rating ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SYNOPSIS

BERLIN. JANUARY 1940.

After Germany’s invasion of Poland, the world is holding its breath and hoping for peace. At home, the Nazi Party’s hold on power is absolute.

One freezing night, an SS doctor and his wife return from an evening mingling with their fellow Nazis at the concert hall. By the time the sun rises, the doctor will be lying lifeless in a pool of blood.

Was it murder or suicide? Criminal Inspector Horst Schenke is told that under no circumstances should he investigate. The doctor’s widow, however, is convinced her husband was the target of a hit. But why would anyone murder an apparently obscure doctor? Compelled to dig deeper, Schenke learns of the mysterious death of a child. The cases seem unconnected, but soon chilling links begin to emerge that point to a terrifying secret.

Even in times of war, under a ruthless regime, there are places in hell no man should ever enter. And Schenke fears he may not return alive . . .

MY REVIEW

Berlin, 1940. Germany is gripped by a spell of freezing weather. Food is rationed. The war is underway, but hopes are high it will end soon as the German people mistakenly believe Hitler is a man of peace.

Criminal Inspector Horst Schenke of the Kripo, the criminal investigation department of the police force, is approached by a woman who recently helped him catch a murderer. She asks for his help to investigate the apparent suicide of a friend’s husband, a doctor and member of the Nazi party. His wife believes he was murdered. He feels he owes her this so begins investigating. He finds sufficient evidence that this death points to murder but he is told by his superiors the verdict of suicide will not be changed. Someone high up does not want an investigation. Schenke is warned off investigating further by his superiors and then again after being abducted and threatened with death if he carries on.

He returns to his investigation of forgeries of ration coupons but he is approached by another third party this time asking him to investigate the deaths of a number of disabled children at a clinic. Are these children being ‘removed’ as the Nazi’s aim is to produce a purer and stronger Germany? An Aryan race.

Putting his life in danger to find the truth, Schenke carries out his investigations secretly and it becomes apparent these cases may be linked. Could the mild mannered doctor have been involved in the horrendous murders of innocent children?

Can Schenke solve all three cases and come out with his life?

Well this is absolutely one of those books which grabbed me right from the beginning. Schenke and his assistant Hauser with the help of ex-Gestapo Liebwitz – a character I particularly liked due to his matter-of-factness even in the most life threatening situations – are the good guys. The police who have not succumbed to the Nazi ideology although of course are unable to speak out against them as it would put their lives at risk.

A non stop action thriller which kept me guessing who was behind the cover up.

I have not read the previous book in this new Berlin Wartime Thrillers series, Blackout, but as Schenke is already one of my favourite detectives after reading this I will be getting hold of a copy! This is easily readable as a stand alone and I don’t feel I have missed out by not reading book 1, but I really want to!

Many thanks to Sophie and Jess at Ransom PR for my copies of the book and my spot on the tour. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Simon Scarrow is a Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author. After a childhood spent travelling the world, he pursued his great love of history as a teacher, before becoming a full-time writer. His Roman soldier heroes Cato and Macro made their debut in 2000 in UNDER THE EAGLE, and have subsequently appeared in many bestsellers in the Eagles of the Empire series, including CENTURION, INVICTUS and DAY OF THE CAESARS.

Simon Scarrow is also the author of a quartet of novels about the lives of the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon Bonaparte, YOUNG BLOODS, THE GENERALS, FIRE AND SWORD and THE FIELDS OF DEATH; a novel about the 1565 Siege of Malta, SWORD & SCIMITAR; HEARTS OF STONE, set in Greece during the Second World War; and PLAYING WITH DEATH, a contemporary thriller written with Lee Francis. He also wrote the novels ARENA and INVADER with T. J. Andrews.

For exciting news, extracts and exclusive content from Simon visit http://www.simonscarrow.co.uk, follow him on Twitter @SimonScarrow or like his author page on Facebook/OfficialSimonScarrow.

Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir

Publication Date: 1/2/23

Publisher: Amazon Crossing

SYNOPSIS

From Icelandic author Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir comes a heart-wrenching thriller about a woman’s desperate quest to save the people she loves from a natural disaster.

After an eight-hundred-year slumber, the volcanoes in Iceland’s most populated region are showing signs of life. Earthquakes dominate the headlines. Echoes of the devastating eruptions in the past stir unease in the people.

Volcanologist Anna Arnardóttir has spent her entire life studying the volcanic powers under the earth’s crust, but even she cannot fathom the catastrophe at hand.

As a series of eruptions threaten most of Iceland’s population, she’s caught off her rational guard by the most terrible natural disaster of all―love. The world as she knows it is about to fall apart, and so is her heart.

Caught between the safety of a nation and her feelings for her children, her lover, and her past, Anna embarks on a dangerous journey to save the lives of the people she loves―and her soul.

MY REVIEW

What an ending! I was not expecting that at all. Not that I’ll be telling you of course as I never add spoilers to my reviews.

This was quite a unique read for me. Unlike anything I have read before. I guess I would class it as a thriller or perhaps a cli-fi, with many an unexpected turn.

It is told from the point of view of Anna. It seems Anna was destined for a career in earth sciences, becoming a geoscientist working at the Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland and impressively becoming a professor of volcanology. Her father didn’t read her the usual children’s bedtime stories, preferring to read to her from his tomes on geology, astronomy and magnetics.

On what seems like an ordinary morning, Anna, her husband, young daughter and older son are getting up and ready for work and school when a concerning eruption begins under the ocean, creating a substantial ash cloud.

Anna and her colleagues must use all of their knowledge and experience to try to predict what this means for their country. Is it an everyday occurrence, as there are always small eruptions happening all over the country? Or is it something more sinister and requiring alert levels to be raised and people to be evacuated? It is a delicate balance between safety and the economy. They decide to monitor closely.

Amongst the worry of a potential deadly eruption and earthquake Anna finds herself falling head over heels with a photographer. A strange time to be thinking of romance when she is the head volcano expert and should be keeping her head clear.

There are many quotes and snippets included along the way from books, articles, lectures etc explaining the technicalities of volcanos and how complicated and ultimately impossible it is to predict when eruptions will occur.

Overall this was a fabulously addictive book for me with many edge of the seat moments. I was completely absorbed in Anna’s story. Very well written and translated. It has been a huge hit in Iceland where they evidently love to watch the eruptions and try to get as close to the action as they can. 

I’m going to need a while before I start reading another book and I know I’m going to remember this book for a long time.

Many thanks indeed to Rhiannon at FMcM for inviting me on to this tour and for the beautiful finished hardback copy of the book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Icelandic author Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir studied history in Reykjavík and Salamanca and journalism at Columbia University in New York and previously worked in Copenhagen before moving back to Reykjavík, where she lives with her husband, children, and stepchildren. Her bestselling debut, Island (2016), was nominated for the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize in 2017. When she isn’t writing, Sigríður works as a journalist and television news anchor at the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. Her highly anticipated third novel, The Fires, is a bestseller and viral hit in Iceland.

Peter May

Publication Date: 19/1/23

Publisher: Riverrun

SYNOPSIS

From the twelve-million copy bestselling author of the Lewis trilogy comes a chilling new mystery set in the isolated Scottish Highlands.

A TOMB OF ICE

A young meteorologist checking a mountain top weather station in Kinlochleven discovers the body of a missing man entombed in ice.

A DYING DETECTIVE

Cameron Brodie, a Glasgow detective, sets out on a hazardous journey to the isolated and ice-bound village. He has his own reasons for wanting to investigate a murder case so far from his beat.

AN AGONIZING RECKONING

Brodie must face up to the ghosts of his past and to a killer determined to bury forever the chilling secret that his investigation threatens to expose.

Set against a backdrop of a frighteningly plausible near-future, A WINTER GRAVE is Peter May at his page-turning, passionate and provocative best.

MY REVIEW

There is no question that Peter May is an extremely talented author, and this latest book brings together his fabulous crime writing and his concern for the environment in this cli-fi (climate fiction) crime thriller which is set in a remote Scottish village frequently cut off due to inclement weather caused by climate change.

It is the year 2051. Disastrous climate change means parts of the world are now lost forever underwater due to rising sea levels. Mass immigration is commonplace and the snowstorms in a small remote Scottish village mean the village is often without power or phone signal, despite a local nuclear fuel plant, frequently cutting them off from the rest of the world.

It is on a freezing cold snowy mountain in the Mamores that Addie is doing a regular check of her weather station kit when she finds the body of a man entombed in ice.

The man turns out to be an investigative reporter who disappeared 3 months earlier. What was a man with no climbing experience doing at the top of a mountain?

Cameron Brodie, the only experienced mountain climber in the Glasgow police force, offers to investigate the death. He has a hidden reason for wanting to go to this village – Addie just happens to be his estranged daughter and he has things he needs to tell her before his recently diagnosed terminal cancer kills him. 

Picking up a pathologist en route in an air taxi – a drone like helicopter which is programmed to fly to its destination – they land on a field in the middle of a snow storm to begin their investigations. There appears to be a power cut so they are unable to plug their air taxi in to charge it for its return flight. 

What follows is a nail biting heart pounding fast paced thriller involving more murders and a terrifying cover up which goes right up to the government.

Brodie is a strong and determined character and nothing is going to stop his investigation including the freezing weather and the attacks on his and the pathologist’s lives.

Peter May became very interested in the issue of global warming and has undertaken a great deal of research into its affects. This message has provided the backbone to this his latest stand alone thriller, and is a terrifying scenario that this is what could potentially happen to the planet. A clever way of incorporating climate change into a novel and getting the message across, just in case people are not aware of how serious the situation is.

Thank you Sophie and Jess at Ransom PR for my proof and my gorgeous finished copy of the book and my spot on the blog tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter May was born and raised in Scotland. He was an award-winning journalist at the age of twenty-one and a published novelist at twenty-six. When his first book was adapted as a major drama series for the BBC, he quit journalism and during the high-octane fifteen years that followed, became one of Scotland’s most successful television dramatists. He created three prime-time drama series, presided over two of the highest-rated serials in his homeland as script editor and producer, and worked on more than 1,000 episodes of ratings-topping drama before deciding to leave television to return to his first love, writing novels.

In 2021, he was awarded the CWA Dagger in the Library Award. He has also won several literature awards in France, received the USA’s Barry Award for The Blackhouse, the first in his internationally bestselling Lewis Trilogy; and in 2014 was awarded the ITV Specsavers Crime Thriller Book Club Best Read of the Year award for Entry Island. Peter now lives in South-West France with his wife, writer Janice Hally.

Jonathan Peace

Publication Date: 24/1/23

Publisher: Hobeck Books

SYNOPSIS

Tensions are high – tempers short 

Following a stupid, drunken car theft, the tragic deaths of three local lads uncovers a powder keg of racial intolerance and bigotry. 

A vicious attack

When two Muslim brothers are violently attacked, WDC Louise Miller sees her hometown with jaded eyes, shocked that so many of her colleagues are reluctant to get involved or help in any way those they once called neighbours.

A terrible truth

As she investigates, Louise, accompanied by WDC Hines and psychologist Karla Hayes, discovers links between the car theft and the assault but worse; the racial tensions that now threaten to tear the community apart, have masked an even darker crime – one that has gone long undiscovered, but will have devastating consequences.

MY REVIEW

Well this series just keeps getting better. I enjoyed joining WDC Louise Miller and her colleagues again for this third book in the series. She starts investigating a fatal crash which turns out to be a joy ride gone horribly wrong, killing three young lads who were in the car.

Still fuming at missing out on promotion which was rightly hers, to a man, Louise is also having to deal with misogynists and racists in the police force. This is 1989 and racial tensions in Dewsbury are reaching boiling point.

As would happen in the real world, Louise is simultaneously investigating more than one crime. What initially appear to be separate cases begin to overlap. First there is the stolen car. Then there is a violent race fuelled attack on two Pakistani brothers in a pub, which turns out to be a meeting place for local BNP members. Here they share their racist hatred and their plans for a protest rally against Muslims and Pakistanis. There is a missing prostitute.

A few names from previous books crop up including Pete, asking the police about their investigation into his missing sister. Unfortunately the police have not prioritised this case as they believe she may have disappeared of her own volition although Pete is adamant she would never have left him without saying something. There is no need to have read the previous books as this can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend them.

The racial tensions reach a climax at the protest rally which turns into a riot, and one of the team’s life is put in serious danger. I found myself flying through the last few chapters. 

Another fantastic edge of your seat police procedural thriller from Jonathan Peace which I devoured in a day. He bravely tackled the issue of racism which he handled well, covering the issue from both sides.

Thank you Hobeck books for my ebook ARC and my spot on the tour.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

Jonathan Peace is a husband, cat-dad and author of the WDC Louise Miller novels, set in West Yorkshire during the 1980’s and 90’s. Signing with Hobeck Books in January 2022, the first two books, DIRTY LITTLE SECRET and FROM SORROW’S HOLD were released in May and July, with the third in the series, CUT AND SHUT, due for release in January 2023.

He holds a BA (Hons) degree (First) in Creative Writing, enjoys Marvel and Star Wars movies and tries to find time to indulge in his passion for tabletop gaming.

Jonathan is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association.

Website: https://www.jpwritescrime.com

Jo Callaghan

Publication Date: 19/1/23

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

SYNOPSIS

In the UK, someone is reported missing every 90 seconds.
Just gone. Vanished. In the blink of an eye.

DCS Kat Frank knows all about loss. A widowed single mother, Kat is a cop who trusts her instincts. Picked to lead a pilot programme that has her paired with AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detective Entity) Lock, Kat’s instincts come up against Lock’s logic. But when the two missing person’s cold cases they are reviewing suddenly become active, Lock is the only one who can help Kat when the case gets personal.

AI versus human experience.
Logic versus instinct.
With lives on the line can the pair work together before someone else becomes another statistic?

In the Blink of an Eye is a dazzling debut from an exciting new voice and asks us what we think it means to be human.

MY REVIEW

Absolutely excellent.

I loved Kat as the main character. She is a strong woman who is feeling quite lonely trying to look after and support her son, and carry on with life after losing her husband. She returns to work in the police force to find she has been tasked to pilot an AI support for the police. Initially hoping it would fail as she is concerned about job losses, it begins to grow on her with its fast data processing and it’s guidance. It can appear as a hologram and is spookily realistic. Although she doesn’t believe a computer could ever have the empathy and gut instinct needed to do the job of a human, perhaps it has its place in a supporting role. Time will tell.

The AI is so believable and I can see this, or something very similar, actually happening in the future.
The support characters were also great, and we get to know them a little. Each with their own personal problems.
I met Jo when she did a fantastic book club talk last week (if you get the chance to hear her speak, do it!) and I’m delighted to find out this is the start of a series. Can’t wait for the next one!
Many thanks to the publisher and the Likely Suspects team for my advance copy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE is Jo’s crime debut and first UK published book. It will be published on January 19th 2023. You can pre-order it now as a little present to your future self, which is also a massive help to new authors like Jo.

As well as being an author, Jo hoovers up books, so she loves hearing from other readers. She spends a lot of time on twitter talking about the books and TV shows that she loves, how the writing is going or just chatting about random stuff like the weather, kids, and food. She has recently joined TikTok and Instagram, but twitter is really where she hangs out if you want to see what she is up to and maybe hear a bit about book 2 in the series…

You can find Jo on twitter: @JoCallaghanKat or (less often) Instagram: @JoCallaghanKat or (even less often) TikTok @JoCallaghanAuthor

Jo works full-time as a senior strategist, where she has carried out research into the future impact of AI and genomics on the workforce. After losing her husband to cancer in 2019, she started writing In The Blink of An Eye. She lives with her two children in the Midlands, where she is currently writing the second novel in the series.

Publication Date: 3rd Feb

SYNOPSIS

Meet Steph Barnacle, an English teacher at a private school, married to Dan. Her son has just left for university, her life is feeling a bit stale … and something weird is going on with the skin on her neck. And then Charles Kurmudge, the man she’s never forgotten, walks back into her world.

Charles’s life has blown up spectacularly – he’s lost his job, his house and his marriage. Determined to get back on track, he’s changed career. He’ll now be working for Steph, whose heart he broke over twenty years ago. He still finds her very attractive. What a shame she’s married.

Her husband, Dan, knows he loves Steph more than she loves him. And now that Charles is back in his wife’s orbit, he’s worried about their marriage. But surely Steph wouldn’t dream of leaving him for Charles, who’d treated her so badly … would she?

Can Steph resist her first love? Or will she give him a second chance?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Clare Hawken was born in Zambia and has lived in England, France and Australia. She now lives in Wiltshire with her family and a stubborn springer spaniel. She writes about families, relationships, and the blind spots, mistakes and mishaps that can change life in a heartbeat. Apart from writing, she enjoys reading voraciously across a wide range of genres; other people’s gardening efforts; and long walks, if she can persuade the dog to come with her.

Social Media Links –

https://Instagram.com/clarehawken

By Lauren Chater

Publication Date: 19/1/23

Publisher: Allison & Busby

SYNOPSIS

1941, Estonia. As Stalin’s brutal Red Army crushes everything in its path, Katarina and her family survive only because their precious farm produce is needed to feed the occupying forces. Fiercely partisan, Katarina battles to protect her grandmother’s precious legacy – the weaving of gossamer lace shawls stitched with intricate patterns that tell the stories passed down through generations. While Katarina struggles to survive the daily oppression, another young woman is suffocating in her prison of privilege in Moscow. Yearning for freedom and to discover her beloved mother’s Baltic heritage, Lydia escapes to Estonia. Facing the threat of invasion by Hitler’s encroaching Third Reich, Katarina and Lydia and two idealistic young soldiers, insurgents in the battle for their homeland, find themselves in a fight for life, liberty and love.

MY REVIEW

My heart breaks for all the innocent civilians caught up in wars and this book, although fictional, is based on facts. The author has undertaken a great deal of research to make her story as authentic as possible.

There are a small group of main characters I was hoping would survive the horrific reality of their country being invaded and their homes and belongings taken. Kati and her parents live on a farm so initially they are left to continue farming after the Russians arrive in Estonia in 1939. They must however provide the Russians with food. Kati runs a knitting group where the ladies make traditional lace shawls to sell, fine enough to pull through a wedding ring. She is carrying on the tradition of her beloved late grandmother, whom she believes is still looking out for her.

Lydia lives a privileged but suffocating life in Moscow. She escapes to Estonia with her companion, who has been like a mother to her since her own mother died. She leaves  her controlling uncle behind in Russia, unaware she has left to find her father. Unfortunately when she finds her father, she discovers life changing facts about her past which she wishes she had never learned. 

The girls lives overlap when Kati and her brother run for their lives, leaving their home behind, and join the Forest Brothers for protection against the Russians. When the Germans take Estonia back they promise to free Estonian people, and they can be trusted right?

I was thoroughly engrossed in this story of unbelievable strength of character under the worst conditions, of endurance, of friendship and love. I loved learning the history of the knitting of the traditional lace shawls, with their myriad of patterns.
I was so intrigued as I love knitting I decided to buy a pattern book and have a go, but the one listed in the acknowledgments is currently selling for around £80 so I’ll carry on searching for something more affordable!
Loved this book which was very different but just as well written as The Winter Dress, both of which I highly recommend to fans of historical fiction.
A big thank you to Allison & Busby for my gifted copy of the book and my spot on the blog tour.

BLOG TOUR HOSTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lauren Chater is the author of the historical novels The Lace Weaver and Gulliver’s Wife. In 2018 she was awarded a grant by the Neilma Sidney Literary Fund to travel to the Netherlands to research her third novel The Winter Dress. She is currently completing her Masters of Cultural Heritage through Deakin University in Victoria, Australia.

By Matt Cain

Publication Date: 19/1/23

Publisher: Headline Review

SYNOPSIS

Ted Ainsworth has always worked at his family’s ice-cream business in the quiet Lancashire town of St Luke’s-on-Sea. 

But the truth is, he’s never wanted to work for the family firm – he doesn’t even like ice-cream, though he’s never told his parents that. When Ted’s husband suddenly leaves him, the bottom falls out of his world. 

But what if this could be an opportunity to put what he wants first? This could be the chance to finally follow his secret dream: something Ted has never told anyone …

MY REVIEW

My Bookish pals and Twitter followers will know how much I loved Albert Entwistle so I was hugely looking forward to Matt Cain’s new book. But would I fall in love with Ted just as I did with Albert? 

Well the answer is yes! 

Matt has such a knack for writing a main character you can’t help but immediately fall in love with. His characters are so believable and jump off the page in all their colourful glory!

Ted has the perfect life. He is married to the gorgeous Giles and in fact can’t believe his luck. What does Giles even see in him?

Until one day Ted accidentally stumbles upon something on Giles’ phone and his world crumbles around him. Giles leaves him. How will he carry on without his rock? But he does. In fact, with the help of his best mate Denise, he begins to realise Giles has held him back over the years, making him feel second rate. Now, with Denise’s support, Ted is free to fulfil his lifelong dream!

Can he go for it, bearing in mind his parents are expecting him to take over the family ice cream business? He doesn’t even like ice cream, doesn’t like working there, but he has never dared tell his parents.

So many brilliant bits in this book but I particularly enjoyed Ted’s first ‘gig’ at the local old people’s home, facing the older generation many of whom are mostly disapproving of gay people. If he can win them over, he can follow his dream.

We are also introduced to Oskar who lives in the same small town as Ted but is not as comfortable being gay. In fact, he has not come out yet and has an internal struggle going on with letting himself be himself.

We meet the larger than life Stanley, a 90 plus year old gentleman who is very comfortable in his own gay shoes, but who’s life has been difficult. He befriends Ted and becomes a huge support providing wise words of encouragement.

I hope Ted finds his way into many peoples hearts this year, just as he has into mine.

Thank you to Joe at Headline for my proof copy and my spot on the blog tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matt Cain is a writer, broadcaster, and a leading commentator on LGBT+ issues. 

He was Channel 4’s first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, has written for all the major national newspapers, and presented the flagship discussion show on Virgin Radio Pride. He’s also an ambassador for Manchester Pride and the Albert Kennedy Trust, plus a patron of LGBT+ History Month. 

Matt’s first two novels, Shot Through the Heart and Nothing But Trouble, were published by Pan Macmillan. His third, The Madonna Of Bolton, became Unbound’s fastest crowdfunded novel ever before its publication in 2018. His latest, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, was published by Headline Review in May 2021 and Becoming Ted will follow in January 2023. 

Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt now lives in London with his partner, Harry, and their cat, Nelly.

Lisa Timoney

Publication Date: 19th January 2023

Publisher: Avon Books

SYNOPSIS

You can run from a lie, but you can’t hide from the truth…

Bonnie has been running from her tragic past for far too long. Now, years after the events that changed her life for ever, the time has come to face it. Her search for answers takes her to the idyllic town of Hamblin, where she is determined to start over.

Alice’s perfect life is slipping through her fingers. Drowning in debt, she struggles on, working long days alongside her daughter Laura, ever more desperate to hold on to what little remains.

Laura had her future as an artist snatched from her when she had to return home to care for her sickly father. Whilst she tries hard to be content with her life, each day her resentment grows.

When their worlds collide, Laura and Bonnie form an instant bond. But as they grow closer, Alice begins to grow suspicious of Bonnie’s intentions. Why is she so interested in Alice’s daughter? And what devastating truth is she hiding?

A gripping and uplifting page-turner about buried pasts and the price we pay for those we love. Perfect for fans of CLAIRE AMARTI and JODI PICOULT.

MY REVIEW

Gripping storyline, with the three main characters being women with strong personalities.

Alice is trying to keep the family business afloat as her husband recovers from a heart attack. She is keeping their financial problems to herself as she doesn’t want her husband getting stressed.

Laura, Alice’s daughter, has moved back home after her degree to help run the business but she is desperate to spread her wings and follow her dream of becoming an artist. She feels stifled by her life.

Bonnie comes into their lives and starts to work part time as a receptionist to help Laura and Alice. Laura and Bonnie hit it off immediately but Alice believes Bonnie is hiding something. She is also green with envy at the friendship which has quickly formed between Bonnie and Laura.

Bonnie is hiding a huge secret which will shake Alice’s happy little family unit to the core.

I was glued to the pages of this one, desperate to find out how life would turn out for the women. Happy to say I was very satisfied by the conclusion.

A fabulous family drama and I would love to read more from this author in the future.

Thank you Avon books for sending me an advance copy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa is originally from Yorkshire but now live in the London suburbs. She started her career teaching English and Drama and wrote novels about family drama. Her first book, Her Daughter’s Secret, was published by Avon on September 15th 2022 and her next, Her Mother’s Lies, will be out in January 2023.

Murray Bailey

Publication date: October 2022 HB & PB

Publisher: Three Daggers, Heritage Books Publishing

My rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️/5

SYNOPSIS

Ash Carter is called in to investigate the mysterious death of a commando. Working with Detective Sofia Mackenzie he finds that nothing is quite what it seems and no one is willing to tell the truth.
When another man dies, it appears that the truth lies in the mountains and the mines to be found there.
Threatened and working against the clock, Carter and Mackenzie must solve the case or risk becoming the mountain’s next victims.

Based in Cyprus in 1949, this is the third book of the Near-East series which can be read in any order.

MY REVIEW

I’m always looking forward to the next Ash Carter book.

In this latest instalment of the action packed Near East series, Ash Carter, an investigator for SIB branch, is waiting for his next orders in Cyprus. To fill in the time he is providing help to Detective Sofia Mackenzie who has been alerted to a dead body of a soldier on the Troodos mountains.

The investigation is not straightforward and Ash and Sofia need to untangle a web of mystery and secrets, finding plenty of obstacles, but with gritty determination they carry on, determined to bring the culprits to justice. Ash visits the soldier’s barracks – could another soldier be responsible? Or did he get involved with the dodgy mining company who are doing more than just mining. Could there be gold in the mountains?

When another body turns up their work is really cut out for them. 

Plenty of action, as always, from an Ash Carter novel which kept me turning the pages.

Another 5 star read from Murray and I look forward, as always, to the next book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Murray Bailey Is the author of Amazon bestseller Map of the Dead, the first of the series based on his interest in Egyptology. His main series however is the Ash Carter thrillers, inspired by his father’s experience in the Royal Military Police in Singapore in the early 1950s.

Murray is well traveled, having worked in the US, South America and a number of European countries throughout his career as a management consultant. However he also managed to find the time to edit books, contribute to articles and act as a part-time magazine editor.

Murray lives on the south coast of England with his family and a dog called Teddy.