True Crime Story by Joseph Knox

So I stayed up into the early hours to finish True Crime Story and it really is such an inspired read, and the best work so far from Joseph Knoxy Knox!

No spoilers here…. The story is set out in such an original way that I was totally invested in it from the first page, I was making notes throughout (a first!) , there are plenty of twists and turns and the whole thing has a really dark and angry feeling to it, which i loved. The plot is really twisty and makes you question everything and everyone and I was pretty gobsmacked at the outcome!

A really unique crime thriller, it’s almost feels like a graphic novel which again, I love.

I’ve no idea where this idea came from Joe but it’s bloody brilliant and I love it, it’s is definitely in my top 5 books of the year and a must read for any crime or thriller fans.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

Joseph Knox Website – https://www.josephknox.co.uk/

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A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee

My first read of the Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant ‘Surrender-Not’ Bannerjee was really a wonderful experience. 
Set in Calcutta India in 1919 this book is a thrilling jaunt thru Indian life and society when the British were its rulers. I’m not one for historical novels but I have to tell you, I loved it so much, Abir’s writing is poetic at times and so well described was the setting that I felt I was there! This book is the first in the series and we see the relationship between Sam and Surrender-Not blossom and grow as the book goes on. There’s political thrills, crime, heat, humidity and bad food in this book. 
I’m so glad I was recommended to read this series. I’m super impressed by this book as it has also taught me about a way of life I’d never known, but I’ve always had a fascination for India, and I will admit I’ve been Googling Indian history and learning as I was reading.
5 Star  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Link to Abir Mukherjee website – https://abirmukherjee.com/

Containment by Vanda Symon (Audible)

Vanda Symon has done it again with Containment!

Another rollicking thrill ride thru Sam Shepherds car crash of a life in New Zealand as a Trainee Detective, it starts out with a bang….and ends with one!

Brilliantly written as always, hilariously funny, sometimes shocking, fantastic plot and realistic characters and setting….I am a real fan of the Sam Shepherd series and Vanda Symon is mighty talented at writing these. I can’t wait for the next one! 

5 Star read

Vanda Symon – Containment

Vanda Symon Official Website – http://www.vandasymon.com/

Nighthawking by Russ Thomas

Fantastic second book in the DI Adam Tyler series. Set in Sheffield involving a group of Detectorists, roman coins and murder! ( of course! ) I devoured this book in a matter of days, it was so good and gripping.
Brilliantly written with a great cast of characters and the settings are so well described that you feel you are there. I love the background storyline and the final page is gasp inducing!
I look forward to the third book in the series.
Fantastic work Russ. 👏💯❤

Here is the link to Russ’s website – https://russthomasauthor.com/index.html

Born in a Burial Gown by M.W Craven

Well after the fantastic Washington Poe series, I decided to give the Avison Fluke series a go. I wondered if they would be as gripping? Would the characters be as memorable as Washington and Tilly? I was not to be disappointed!

I really loved this book and my main reason was that it took me back to when i was a civvy with Surrey Police. The attention to detail in describing Police procedures and daily life of the Police and CID was amazing, I really love books like this and I know some dont, but for me it rings true which is always a bone of contention with me when reading crime fiction. So if youre an ex-cop or civvy, or indeed you work for a Police Force now then i highly recommend the Avison Fluke series! One of the finest and truest works of the Police Procedural genre.

Avison Fluke is a great character and with the story we find out something about him in drips and drabs, and it is an astonishing secret…! His side kick, Towler is a great big personality and strangely enough reminded me of one of my old Sargeant’s! I also liked the way it was set in Cumbria and the way Mr Craven is able to transport you there, fantastically describing the scenery and crime scenes within it!

I dont like spoilers so i’m not going to give you a breakdown of the story, BUT it grabbed me from the first page and I found it hard to put down, theres no dodgy filler chapters here. Its terrific front start to finish.

And i didnt guess who the perp was!

Im looking forward to reading the second book in the series Body Breaker.

Black River by Will Dean

Well I’ve just finished the latest instalment of Tuva Moodyson and the residents of Garvik. It was a welcome distraction from Storm Dennis!

This is the third in the series by the wonderfully talented Will Dean and I tried really hard to read it slowly as I just did not want it to end!

I don’t like putting spoilers in my reviews so will try not too. In Black River Tuva returns to Garvik as 2 women go missing, as usual the descriptions of the residents of this small Swedish Kommune are wonderfully intricate and Mr Dean brings them easily to life from the written page.

Tuva gets involved emotionally and physically in the search and in Black River we see her personality really start to shine thru the story. I liked the way this storyline made me feel almost claustrophobic in ToyTown which is how Tuva feels, also in writing so wonderfully I was transported to the Swedish Midsommer and all its Traditions…..and it’s bugs! (Made me shudder!)

The storyline is intricate and compelling, leading you down the wrong paths to its crecsendo of a finish…… and no I did not guess the perpetrator! (which means it’s an excellent book IMO)

If you haven’t read any of Wills books, then I suggest you start at the tremendous introduction to Tuva which is Dark Pines, then the equally unputdownable Red Snow and finally Black River.

I now have to decide what book to read next as I am going to miss Sweden and Tuva.

Brilliant series of books, thank you Will 😘

Bluebird Bluebird by Attica Locke

I couldn’t wait for my copy of Attica Locke’s Bluebird Bluebird to arrive via my lovely postie Colin. When it did I was straight into reading it and it did not disappoint.

Set in the small town, well hardly a town, of Lark in Texas this book which is a thriller evokes the heat and dryness of the Texas backwaters. Our main character Darren Mathews is a Texas Ranger but he is also black, and in some parts of Texas that means nothing doesn’t matter what Silver Star you’re wearing.

 

This book has everything, murder, racism, drugs, love, gangs and lawbreakers – in fact I found it more than just thriller it was a thought-provoking story seemingly written from the heart of someone who has traveled those roads and encountered racism and most of all love. I would suggest that this book has an almost film quality to it, the way the surroundings and story line are masterfully described – it played out like a movie in my head.

 

This is the first book i have read by Attica Locke who is a very accomplished writer, screenwriter and producer. I’m not going to give the story away for those who have yet to read it but I loved it, i loved the style of writing and it is a real stand out book in the Crime Genre. I hope we may see a follow-up?

 

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