Deep Fathom Review

Deep Fathom

James Rollins

Publisher: Harper

Ex-Navy SEAL Jack Kirkland surfaces from an aborted underwater salvage mission to find the Earth burning. Solar flares have triggered a series of gargantuan natural disasters. Earthquakes and hellfire rock the globe. Air Force One has vanished from the skies with America's president on board. Now, with the U.S. on the narrow brink of a nuclear apocalypse, Kirkland must pilot his oceangoing exploration ship, Deep Fathom, on a desperate mission miles below the ocean's surface. There devastating secrets await him—and a power an ancient civilization could not contain has been cast out into modern day. And it will forever alter a world that's already racing toward its own destruction

Ever had one of those reading periods where every book you pick up is exactly what you need at that time? I’m right in the middle of that period when I picked up Deep Fathom, a book that has been on my TBR pile for a long time and found a book that combined ancient mysteries, exotic physics, world-in-peril, tortured hero, smart heroine, sadistic villain with a vendetta and Pacific trotting locations – in short exactly what I needed for humid train journeys in London!

Jack is one of those too good to be true heroes – and ex-SAS officer, former NASA astronaut and current deep sea treasure diver who finds himself and his crew pulled into a global emergency when tidal waves and earthquakes hit all the countries around the Pacific. From there it is a hop, skip and jump to being the only person in the world aware that those quakes could only be the start and worse could follow if he and anthropologist, Karen can’t work out the secret behind a lost race and their writing. They race around Pacific Islands, being shot at by bad guys, figuring out mysteries that had been kept secret for hundreds of year and surviving by the skin of their neck! It is a thoroughly entertaining ride which happily passes a few hours. If you try to think too much about the history or physics, you miss the joy in just following the good guys around.

I loved the joy and simplicity of the story but the final ending was a slight overstep for me. Apart from that it was a great summer read and perfect for the beach.

Recommended for fans of David Gibbins and Steve Berry. 8 out of 10

Nowhere Review

Nowhere

Jon Robinson 

Publisher: Puffin

 'No one's coming for us.No t our families, not the police. No one.'

Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa are Nowhere.A concrete cube in the middle of a dense forest.
Imprisoned inside are one hundred teenagers from all over the country.
They're all criminals. But none of them remember committing any crimes.
Who has put them there. What do their captors want?
And how will they ever break free...?

Set in the near future, this is about a country that is slower dissolving into one of those dystopian worlds we keep reading about. But for these teenagers it is just their world. They find themselves arrested and taken to a prison somewhere having been found guilty of crimes they don’t remember committing. This is an intrigue premise and while the adult clearly know what they are doing, the teens – and us – are kept in dark. Unsure about who is right and who is wrong and why they are hidden away from the world and forced to admit to their crimes. There are a lot of different characters with most of the focus on the children but occasional flashes of the Prime Minister and how he agreed to set up this prison. 

I loved the way some of the teens become institionalized and believe what the adult tell them, while cling desperately to what they know as the truth and plot escape and some telling on others to the guards in exchange for an easy life. The depiction of the inside of a prison feels very real and increases the tension with the kids being their own enemies at times. There is plenty of action with some frantic escapes attempted, while the differences in the teens characters show are pleasing to see. 

The writing is competent and engaging. The brisk pace means you will not stop reading until the end where there are some shocking events that will make you gasp and cry out. This is definitely not a book to read if you hate cliffhangers as this is a doozy! I can hardly wait to see what happens next and really hope that some answers are given to us. I have to admit to being a little bored of YA stories but this one really pulls you and manages to challenge as well as entertain. I certainly feel like I’m ready to read some more YA books now!

Recommended for fans of Veronica Rossi and Richelle Mead. 9 out of 10

Odd Interlude (Odd Thomas #4.5) Review

Odd Interlude (Odd Thomas #4.5)

Dean Koontz

Publisher: Harper

Nestled on a lonely stretch along the Pacific coast, quaint roadside outpost Harmony Corner offers everything a weary traveler needs--a cozy diner, a handy service station, a cluster of cottages . . . and the Harmony family homestead presiding over it all. But when Odd Thomas and company stop to spend the night, they discover that there's more to this secluded haven than meets the eye--and that between life and death, there is something more frightening than either. 

Originally published as some e-book shorts, all three parts of Odd Interlude have been collected together and published in traditional form here. Set immediately after Odd Hours, this sees Odd and Annamaria stop at a motel which has harboured refugees before...and worse.

I love Dean Koontz book – they are warm and familiar and I always know that no matter perils and tribulations are thrown at our hero, he will overcome and survive. They are like an ice cream sundae on a warm day – delicious and to be eaten quickly before it melts. This is no exception and I loved catching up with Odd again. I admit to being a little behind with Odd’s adventures but this short book caught be up quickly and re-introduced me to Odds humble bravery and quirky sense of humour. That’s another element I love about Koontz’s books – despite the fast pace, there is plenty of joy. Sometimes it’s wry observations on the ridiculousness of humanity and sometimes there is some physical humour.

Odd encounters a variety of people who have been living under a curse for a long time, something related to a refugee from Moonlight Bay. Those who read Dean books might recognise Moonlight Bay as the home town of Christopher Snow, another character of Dean’s that we haven’t visited for a while. However, you really don’t need to read any other books before picking this up – this a pure standalone adventure that will whet your appetite if you’ve not read Dean Koontz before and a happy catch-up if you have. A great adventure which covers horror, science-fiction, gentle humour, ghosts and thriller. Highly recommended!

Recommended for fans of James Rollins and Kelley Armstrong. 9 out of 10

The String Diaries Review

The String Diaries

Stephen Lloyd-Jones 

Publisher: Headline

 A jumble of entries, written in different hands, different languages, and different times. They tell of a rumour. A shadow. A killer. 

The only interest that Oxford Professor Charles Meredith has in the diaries is as a record of Hungarian folklore ... until he comes face to face with a myth.

For Hannah Wilde, the diaries are a survival guide that taught her the three rules she lives by: verify everyone, trust no one, and if in any doubt, run. But Hannah knows that if her daughter is ever going to be safe, she will have to stop running and face the terror that has hunted her family for five generations. And nothing in the diaries can prepare her for that...

If you like your beach reads packed full of family mysteries, historical anomalies and some tense “can I trust you?” scenarios then, The String Dairies should be packed in your suitcase for this summer. As well as a fascinating multi-generational mystery where horror and death have stalked one family, there is some sweet romance which will make your heart flutter as well as much thought about the strength of parental love for their children. 

The main story is told in three time periods – the present day where a wife flees with her husband and daughter from an assault in their home, the seventies Oxford where an English professor finds himself perusing an intriguing French visitor who had the tenacity to sit in his chair in the library and finally in late 19^th century Hungary where a young man is struggling to define himself against his family and society expectations. There is a real mix of story types with adventure, historical, romance and thriller all mixed together to create a very exciting and intriguing story which is difficult to put down. 

The writing is like swimming in treacle – easy to get into and very difficult to get out. I found myself just wanting to sit and read a few more pages as the wide scope of the story spread over so many years is finally pulled together. I liked Hannah, the fleeing wife as she struggles to balance the threat from her families past with her responsibility to her husband and daughter. She is a great character and I really felt connected to her, willing her on despite the obstacles she was facing. The end was very tense and satisfying without the need or set up for sequels – which makes a refreshing change! 

This is one of those stories where the less you know going in, the more surprising and exciting the read is but I really think this worth reading especially if you liked The Historian or Before I Go To Sleep! 

Recommended for fans of Elizabeth Kostova and Deborah Harkness. 8.5 out of 10

Doors Review

Doors

Daniel Brako

Publisher: Pan McMillian

E-Arc Courtesy of Netgalley and Pan McMillion

David Druas is a successful psychologist, with a thriving practice. When he encounters Hans Werner, a client who sees imaginary doors, life takes a dark and unexpected turn. After trying to unravel the delusion, David also notices mysterious doors. Scattered throughout the city, they lead to beautiful, terrifying and dangerous new worlds. But are they real? 
When Hans Werner is murdered, the evidence identifies David as the killer. Forced to become a fugitive, he struggles to escape the deepening nightmare that threatens to overwhelm him. As the police close in, it becomes apparent that the doors are concealing a dark and tangled truth. The question is: can David unlock their secrets before his time and sanity run out?

This is quite a short book and very fast paced. Psychologist David in an attempt to persuade a patient he is suffering from delusions, performs a ritual which much to his surprise allows him to see Doors everywhere that open to different worlds, worlds with strange creatures, demons and wonderfully beautiful sights. Unfortunately no-one is supposed to know about the Doors and someone is determined to make sure Daniel never tells anyone...

I loved the pacing which whizzes you through various Doors and awkward situations without stopping for breathe. The idea behind seeing these Doors everywhere is great and the possibilities are endless. I enjoyed seeing different worlds and would have liked to explore them in more depth.

The characters are a little lacking in depth – Daniel doesn’t really pop off the page in full colour and many others are little more than stereotypes – the female cop determined to prove herself by capturing Daniel, his PA in love in him...they never feel like real people so it’s difficult to feel for them. Still the speed at which I was reading never made this an issue over the few pages in the book. This is a fun thriller with a unique hook that I recommend for some light summer reading.

Recommended for fans of James Rollins and Steve Berry. 7 out of 10

Reviver Review

Reviver

Seth Patrick

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Able to wake the recently dead, and let them bear witness to their own demise. Twelve years after the first reviver came to light, they have become accepted by an uneasy public. The testimony of the dead is permitted in courtrooms across the world. Forensic revival is a routine part of police investigation. In the United States, that responsibility falls to the Forensic Revival Service. Despite his troubled past, Jonah Miller is one of their best. But while reviving the victim of a brutal murder, he encounters a terrifying presence. Something is watching. Waiting. His superiors tell him it was only in his mind, a product of stress. Jonah is not so certain. Then Daniel Harker, the first journalist to bring revival to public attention, is murdered, and Jonah finds himself getting dragged into the hunt for answers. Working with Harker's daughter Annabel, he becomes determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice. Soon they uncover long-hidden truths that call into doubt everything Jonah stands for, and reveal a threat that if not stopped in time, will put all of humanity in danger...

A creepy and disturbing thriller read which had me shivering and wondering what there really is out there. Set in the near future, a special type of person is discovered, a reviver who can bring the dead back for a few minutes to say goodbye to their loved ones or help the police capture their murderers... Without getting bogged down in how this process is actually achieved, Reviver leaps straight into some big questions – what is there for us after death? Are those who return just the memories of those who died or their souls? And once brought back, can these remnants be banished again easily? With most of the focus on a Reviver who has had a troubled past but finds himself drawn into the questions behind the process when he glimpses something else behind the departed souls...

The early parts of the book do cover a lot of background setting the scenes and laying the groundwork for the way the world now works with Revival common place in murder investigations. This is intriguing though and it takes a while before you notice not much has happened – and then about half way through the story really takes off with revelations and discoveries that wouldn’t have made sense without the slow build. The end does finish in a very different place than you would expect and with some loose ends left dangling, desperate for a sequel.

I could easily picture this working as a either a film or a TV show (think Bones or CSI but with actual talking from the dead) – so it’s no surprise the rights have already been sold. With this disturbing cover, this is a blending of horror, thriller and crime that does something different from many other books out there. I am looking forward to another book in this world!

Recommended for fans of SJ Bolton and Christopher Pike. 8 out of 10

Early Review: Like This, For Ever

Like This, For Ever (Lacey Flint #3)

S.J. Bolton

(Published as Lost in the US)

Publisher: Random House: Released 14th April 2013

E-Arc Courtesy of Netgalley and Random House UK

A serial killer is being closely watched by one young boy.
Barney knows the killer will strike again soon. The victim will be another boy, just like him. He will drain the body of blood, and leave it on a Thames beach.
There will be no clues for detectives Dana Tulloch and Mark Joesbury to find.There will be no warning about who will be next.
There will be no good reason for young policewoman Lacey Flint to become involved . . . And no chance that she can stay away.

S.J. Bolton has once again delivered a hauntingly tense and atmospheric mystery that is very difficult to put down or even stop thinking about. I always find myself pondering over her stories days after the final page and the crimes seem to linger in my head for far longer than I would like! Without a doubt she has a way of sneaking into my head, playing with my expectations and twisting everything around. For a modern crime thriller, the plot is surprisingly creepy and timeless while the mixture of characters and action blend together seemlessly.

While this is the third book to feature Lacey Flint, this is more of an ensemble piece with Dana Tulloch taking the lead on the murder of five young boys in South London, all found near the river. Lacey is still struggling to come to terms with the events of Now You See Me and Dead Scared, but even if you haven’t read those books, you can start here. SJ Bolton deftly explores how damaged Lacey is without regurgitating the previous stories plots – and for those of us who have read them, there are some great ‘Easter eggs’ in the terms of a couple of cameos who play important parts to the story. Dana Tulloch makes a memorable co-lead and a unique character – being both compassionate and fierce. It’s great seeing two leading female characters that are tough and independent, yet still different in personality in a detective novel.

Added to the two female leads, the other main characters is Barney, a nine year old kid who is smart but emotionally detached. He is a balanced counter-point to the adult view of the murders and gives a street view insight into the atmosphere of those most at risk during some high profile cases. While the characters are all strong and easy to connect with, it is the ever-changing plot that drives the story forward. There are numerous red-herrings and I found myself continually changing my mind about who the killer(s) is/are.

Once again the descriptions of London are a wonderful background to an intense murder mysery and some deceptively gruesome murders and ideas are played with. The involvement of social media like Facebook makes the story even more creepy and intense. I could barely bring myself to stop reading and was on edge for the final hundred pages as I was so involved with the plot. Tense, gripping and beautifully written, this is a murder mystery that stands out in a crowded genre.

Recommended for fans of Amanda Stevens and Chris Carter. 9 out of 10

Early Review: His Dark Lady

His Dark Lady

Victoria Lamb

Publisher: Bantam Press

London, 1583. When young, aspiring playwright William Shakespeare encounters Lucy Morgan, one of Queen Elizabeth I's ladies-in-waiting, the two fall passionately in love. He declares Lucy the inspiration for his work, but what secret is Will hiding from his muse? Meanwhile, Lucy has her own secret - and one that could destroy her world if exposed...

Set in the 1580s when Queen Elizabeth was aging fast, this is an intriguing mix of politics, spy thriller and romance. There are three main storylines that intertwine.  Elizabeth is an aging monarch terrified of losing those she loves but still unable to commit. Her throne is being threatened by Catholic plots within England and by Spanish ambition abroad. I loved this portrayal of an older woman who can’t forget the love she has for Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and is bitterly jealous of his wife and child but at the same time is utterly unable to give him what he wants. Many books portray the younger Elizabeth and her route to the throne but this picture of a Queen with very human failings and faults.

Working to help secure her throne is one of Walsingham’s spy’s Master Goodluck – who is anything but lucky. He goes undercover as a Catholic priest and comes across betrayal within the spy-ring. His adventure is the most adventurous – in fact he seems to be chased or fighting most of the time. The final thread is Lucy Morgan, the black skinned court singer who captures the eye and lust of a certain Mr Will Shakespeare.  I have to admit of all the characters Lucy frustrated me the most. She throws herself into a relationship with Will, with little thought and on very little time spent together. I wanted her to have a little backbone and not act so foolish! Especially as Will does not behave towards her particularly well – despite getting upset when people call her a whore, he does seem to treat her as such. That said, Lucy’s naivety is understandable and most of the blame must be put on the fair-weather player himself, Mr Shakespeare. I just wanted to protect Lucy from him!  

The romance may have fallen a little flat for me, but luckily there is plenty else to relish. I loved the politics and emotional tempests of the Queen. I enjoyed the action and spy elements of Master GoodLuck. And the writing was wonderfully atmospheric and places you right in the middle of sixteenth century London. There is a lot of background knowledge of the theatres and London’s Cheapside at that time which helps build a picture of the era without overwhelming.

Recommended for fans of Phillippa Gregory and Anne O’Brien. 8 out of 10

PS come back tomorrow for a chance to read a wonderful guestpost from the author herself, Victoria Lamb plus I have 3 copies of His Dark Lady to giveaway!!

Early Review: Hysteria

Hysteria

Megan Miranda

Publisher: Bloomsbury: Published on 13th February 2013

E-Arc Courtesy of Bloomsbury & Netgalley

Mallory's life is falling apart. Her boyfriend was stabbed. He bled to death in her kitchen. Mallory was the one who stabbed him. But she can't remember what happened that night. She only remembers the fear ...When Mallory's parents send her away to a boarding school, she thinks she can escape the gossip and the threats. But someone, or something, has followed her. There's the hand that touches her shoulder when she's drifting off to sleep. A voice whispering her name. And everyone knows what happened. So when a pupil is found dead, Mallory's name is on their lips. Her past can be forgotten but it's never gone. Can Mallory live with that?

Mallory is going through the worst time in her life – her boyfriend is dead, she stabbed him in her kitchen and now her Mum won’t look at her and her Dad packs her off to his old boarding school separating her from the only person she can talk to, her best friend. But at her new school, secrets are currency and someone wants Mallory’s secrets...

Hysteria is a complete revelation – a YA contemporary that avoids expected clichés and tackles the emotional and mental impact of a moment of insanity. Mallory is upset, confused and isolated. She has trouble sleeping and remembering what happened. She also has a touch of paranoia, not sure who to trust. All the emotions you would expect after someone has gone through that type of trauma. However, Mallory also has some steel in her – she has the kind of strength that is only discovered through adversity and I loved her voice in the story. How she was unsure what to do or who to trust – even doubting herself. Her new school has some creepy elements with plenty of characters and secrets, but Megan Miranda skilfully manages to avoid expectations to create a familiar world that is only slightly off-kilter. I loved the way Reid tries to reconnect with Mallory after two years and how unsure she is with trusting herself again.  

The writing is wonderfully deft and involving. Your emotions will swirl around more times than dirty socks in the laundry, leaving you washed out and exhausted. I’m not usually a big fan of contemporary YA, but this is one of the most realistic and impactful stories you’ll read this year, bringing real depth and passion to every situation. I read this in a day, loving Mallory’s attempts to rebuild her life and her relationships. I will definitely be looking out for more books by Megan!

Recommended for fans of Jenny Han and Jeri Smith-Ready. 9 out of 10 

The Labyrinth of Osiris Review

The Labyrinth of Osiris

-       Paul Sussman

Publisher: Bantam

Review Copy Courtesy of Bantam and Transworld Historical Reading Challenge

Since they last met, life has moved on for Yusuf Khalifa of the Luxor Police and Jerusalem detective Arieh Ben-Roe. About to become a father for the first time, Ben-Roi finds himself investigating a gruesome murder in Jerusalem's Armenian Cathedral. The victim, a journalist named Rivka Kleinberg, had been researching an article into the Israeli sex-trafficking industry. When a link emerges between Kleinberg and an English engineer who disappeared from Luxor in 1931, Ben-Roi turns for help to his old friend and sparring partner Khalifa. Khalifa's life too has changed, although in his case not for the better. Preoccupied with personal tragedy and immersed in an investigation of his own - a series of mysterious well-poisonings in Egypt's Eastern desert - he agrees for old time's sake to do some digging for his Israeli colleague. In the process, Ben-Roi might just be giving Khalifa his lust for life back. Inexorably the two investigations entwine, drawing Ben-Roi and Khalifa into a sinister web of violence, abuse, corporate malpractice and anti-capitalist terrorism. And at the heart of the web, lies the Labyrinth - a three-thousand year-old ancient Egyptian mystery that has already taken Rivka Kleinberg's life - and hers will not be the last...

Despite receiving this as part of the Transworld Historical Reading Challenge, this book is set firmly in modern times beginning with a murder in the Armenian Cathedral in Jerusalem and stretching back to the death of an Egyptoglist in the 1930 in Luxor. This an intrigue crime thriller set in one of the most complicated areas of the modern world – Jerusalem and Luxor with two detectives from very different cultures and backgrounds working at different elements of the mystery.

The characters are well written and different enough to stand out from the raft of modern detectives. Ariah Ben-Roi is the detective in Jerusalem who struggles against politics in his precinct and city while investigating the murder. He is also expecting his first child and is trying to find the balance between work and his new family responsibilities. To be honest, I found this element much more interesting as Ben-Roi works with a new partner and has a good side-line in banter that made his parts of the story comfortable and amusing. The Egyptian detective, Yusuf Khalifa has suffered a family tragedy in the recent past and this is palpable in his actions and decisions throughout the story, but does feel a little heavy. However the two ends of the investigation dovetail nicely and build up a lot of tension and questions – many of which aren’t answered until the end. I really liked the way a lot of the discoveries are made through good-old fashioned police work – investigating connections, exploring paperwork and using the brain.

Paul Sussman has a great eye of detail and obviously loves this region of the world – I feel like I could navigate both Luxor and Jerusalem just using this story as a map and guidebook! However, on occasion knowing that the exact address of every place feels like too much detail and not overly relevant to the story. While a little slow at the beginning, the pace picks up considerably towards the end with an exciting and emotional few pages. This is an intelligent thriller with a unique setting and a well woven plot – and one I would recommend for those wanting to try something a little different!

Recommended for fans of Mark Billingham and James Rollins. 7 out of 10.

Before I Go To Sleep Review

Before I Go To Sleep

-       S.J. Watson

Publisher: Black Swan

Christine wakes up every morning in an unfamiliar bed with an unfamiliar man. She looks in the mirror and sees an unfamiliar, middle- aged face. And every morning, the man she has woken up with must explain that he is Ben, he is her husband, she is forty-seven years old, and a terrible accident two decades earlier decimated her ability to form new memories.But it’s the phone call from a Dr. Nash, a neurologist who claims to be working with Christine without her husband’s knowledge, that directs her to her journal, hidden in the back of her closet. For the past few weeks, Christine has been recording her daily activities—tearful mornings with Ben, sessions with Dr. Nash, flashes of scenes from her former life—and rereading past entries, relearning the facts of her life as retold by the husband she is completely dependent upon. As the entries build up, Christine asks many questions. What was life like before the accident? Why did she and Ben never have a child? What has happened to Christine’s best friend? And what exactly was the horrific accident that caused such a profound loss of memory? Every day, Christine must begin again the reconstruction of her past. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more un- believable it seems...

Every morning Christina wakes up in a strange bed, next to a strange man. When she looks in the mirror she sees a reflection she doesn’t recognise...wrinkles around the eyes, older hands – what happened to her youth? Her potential? Christina struggles to form new memories and even accessing some old memories is a struggle. Christina struggles with this every day. Asking the same questions over and over.

This is a pretty emotional book. It’s impossible to read without wondering what you would do in the same position...? When all you have is today and today’s memories. In another writer’s hands this could be repetitive to read but SJ Watson allows us as readers to have a wider view than Christina who has to read her journal again and again everyday to know what is going on. Christina’s daily emotional journey is heart breaking and yet chilling. Having to rely on what people around you tell you every day is a huge step of trust – and one I’m not sure I could ever take!

There is a compulsive element to the writing making you want to know what happens next. It’s curious to see how your feeling to the people in Christina’s life and her discoveries change over time from suspicion to trust to sympathy and back to suspicion again. There is a melodic element to the story – in fact it’s almost like a full bard’s song at time and I was anxious to know how it would end. This is a great summer read – perfect for those you don’t read much and a cut above the average for those who read more often!

Recommended for fans of SJ Bolton and Robert Goddard. 8 out of 10.

The King's Spy Review

The King’s Spy

-       Andrew Swanston

Publisher: Bantam Press

Summer, 1643. England is at war with itself. King Charles I has fled London, his negotiations with Parliament in tatters. The country is consumed by bloodshed. For Thomas Hill, a man of letters quietly running a bookshop in the rural town of Romsey, knowledge of the war is limited to the rumours that reach the local inn. When a stranger knocks on his door one night and informs him that the king's cryptographer has died, everything changes. Aware of Thomas's background as a mathematician and his expertise incodes and ciphers, the king has summoned him to his court in Oxford. On arrival, Thomas soon discovers that nothing at court is straightforward. There is evidence of a traitor in their midst. Brutal murder follows brutal murder. And when a vital message encrypted with a notoriously unbreakable code is intercepted, he must decipher it to reveal the king's betrayer and prevent the violent death that failure will surely bring.

Set near the start of the English War in 1643, The King Spy find bookseller and mathematician Thomas Hill asked to come to the Royalist court in Oxford by his old professor and ends up caught in the political intrigue of codes and ciphers. The Civil War is a period of history I’m not overly familiar with – other than that it was between the King and his loyal royalists and Parliament and the cavaliers. While Thomas Hill is working for the royalists and the king, this seems to be because more through default rather than any great loyalty or belief in the cause. The court seems decadent and unsympathetic in the extreme, still throwing lavish balls and masques for its own entertain while draining Oxford dry of its resources.

However, Thomas Hill is a clever man and one who generally hates violence avoiding it were he can and hoping to save as many lives as possible through his work and bring the war to a quick close. He is an easy man to like – although I didn’t manage to really feel a deep emotional connection to him. He spends a lot of time on his own figuring out ciphers, which slows the pace down even if it is still interesting. Thomas’s walks around Oxford are how we really get to see what impact the war has had on the ordinary people and where the descriptions come to life.

The intrigue is well done, but because Thomas doesn’t meet a lot of people it’s easy to guess what will happen making me wish for an unexpected twist or shake up in the final few pages. Overall, though this is a fun read – and considering the Civil War lasted until 1651, there is plenty of scope of sequels!

Recommended for fans of Margaret George and Ariana Franklin. 7 out of 10

Sins of the Demon Review

Sins of the Demon (Kara Gillian 4)
-       Diana Rowland

Publisher: Daw Fantasy

The homicide beat in Louisiana isn't just terrifying, it's demonic. Detective Kara Gilligan of the supernatural task force has the ability to summon demons to her aid, but she herself is pledged to serve a demonic lord. And now, people who've hurt Kara in the past are dropping dead for no apparent reason. To clear her name and save both the demon and human worlds, she's in a race against the clock and in a battle for her life that just may take her to hell and back

My first thought on finishing this book was ‘Oh, my god – it can’t end there! When’s the next book out?’ (yep, there is a cliff-hanger ending!) and my second thought was, ‘Why aren’t there more people raving about this series?’ Seriously, this is good Urban Fantasy with a likeable heroine who isn’t all powerful, but curious and has a unique ability. There are some yummy romantic leads as well as a strong mystery, detective element with each book. Added to which Kara is building a fun family of friends around her – everyone from her best friend Jill to her Aunt’s boyfriend, Carl to her demon roommate, Eilahn are great characters willing to work together and protect Kara. Why don’t I see more reviews of this series around? Well, the rest of the blogging community is missing out!

In this latest instalment Kara is still struggling with what she learnt in Secrets of the Demon when people she had a reason to hate start dropping dead around town. Is someone trying to ‘help’ her or frame her? Needless to say, I really enjoyed this story! Kara is feisty but has a wonderful group of people around her and I just adored the banter between them all – from Ryan attempting to get Kara to watch geek shows (which I think was Firefly!) to Jill’s light name calling all felt like real friendships and just made me relate to Kara more – even if I can’t summon demons from a nearby world!  

There are some exciting demon attack scenes and some tense scenes at Kara’s home when the police arrive to search her place – I love that Kara doesn’t have any magical abilities outside of her summoning circle – it means she can be shot, attacked and injured like anyone else. And the way in which Diana Rowland has created a unique demon race is fascinating. Honestly, this is one of my favourite UF series, an automatic must buy and I really want to find out what happens next when the last few pages change everything!

Recommended for fans of Patricia Briggs and Jim Butcher. 9 out of 10

Dead Scared Review

Dead Scared

-       S.J. Bolton

Publisher: DoubleDay

Review Copy Courtesy of Transworld Publishing

When a Cambridge student dramatically attempts to take her own life, DI Mark Joesbury realizes that the university has developed an unhealthy record of young people committing suicide in extraordinary ways. Against huge personal misgivings, Joesbury sends young policewoman DC Lacey Flint to Cambridge, with a brief to work under-cover, posing as a depression-prone, vulnerable student. Psychiatrist Evi Oliver is the only person in Cambridge who knows who Lacey really is -- or so they both hope. But as the two women dig deeper into the darker side of university life, they discover a terrifying trend. And when Lacey starts experiencing the same disturbing nightmares reported by the dead girls, she knows that she is next...

Lacey Flint, Met Detective with speciality in violent crimes against women is asked to go undercover to investigate a series of suicides of under-graduates at Cambridge University. However, she finds herself increasingly out of her depth and isolated... Lacey is such a great character – both incredibly strong and yet emotionally vulnerable. She feels like a real person to me – not necessary someone I would like but I connect to. Her feelings of being overwhelmed by a new environment and unsure what to do is easily relatable as we all feel that way at some point – whether at university or at a new job or moving to a new town and this makes her easy to identify with.

The subject of suicide is difficult yet dealt with a lot of sensitivity while not hiding the consequences at all. Some of the suicides are extreme and horrific – as are the crimes committed. Yet it is the people that stay with you longer. There is something about SJ Bolton’s writing that worms its way into your head and keeps you thinking long after you close the last page. I find myself thinking about Cambridge, or Lacey or Evi at random time throughout day and wondering what they are up to now. While some of the same characters from Bolton’s previous books, Blood Harvest and Now You See Me appear in Dead Scared, this can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel. Events in previous books simply mean the characters have pasts without any major info-dumping – it just makes them seem more realistic.

I went through the book in less than two days and thoroughly enjoyed every second. I was rooting for Evi and Lacey throughout and scared by how easily our perception can be altered. This is a extremely competent, absorbing and utterly thrilling psychological story – and I can’t wait for another book by SJ Bolton!

Recommended for fans of Mark Billingham and Robert Goddard. 9 out of 10.

Early Review - Dark Gift

Dark Gift

- James Swain

Publisher: Tor Books - Published 22nd May 2012

E-arc courtesy of netgalley and Tom Dogerty Associates

Peter Warlock is a magician with a dark secret. Every night, he amazes audiences at his private theater in New York, where he performs feats that boggle the imagination. But his day job is just a cover for his otherworldly pursuits: Peter is a member of an underground group of psychics who gaze into the future to help prevent crimes. No one, not even his live-in girlfriend, knows the truth about Peter—until the séance when he foresees an unspeakable act of violence that will devastate the city. As Peter and his friends rush to prevent tragedy, Peter discovers that a shadowy cult of evil psychics, the Order of Astrum, know all about his abilities. They are hunting him and his fellow psychics down, one by one, determined to silence them forever.

 

Dark Gift is has a lot of different elements to it – some which worked well and other which didn’t. The story starts off with New York’s Friday night gathering of psychics and magical people when one of their number foretells of a disaster which will happen on Tuesday. From then there is a fast paced thriller with the lead psychic, magician Peter tangling with a killer who will bring the city to its knees. The action scenes are fast paced and exciting while the telepathic and magical atmosphere making this stand out from any regular thrillers. I really liked the insight into the world of stage magician and making the magician a psychic is a novel twist. New York is always an exciting background to a story and such a major event on the horizon felt extremely close to home after the events of September 11^th. It added an undercurrent of fission and tension to the story.

However, there are a couple of elements that I found hard to agree with was the demonic element that raised its head towards the end. This felt like it was raising the stakes and making everything seem even more frantic but too be honest I’m not sure it was really needed. However, the idea of possession and choice was nicely done and in the end I have to admit that it fitted. My major concern is with the portrayal of Peter’s girlfriend, Lisa and his friend Holly. Both girls seemed to have the ability to burst into tears for no reason and never quite understood that Peter was trying to save the city and lives. Both of them wanted him to speak quietly and calmly when others were in danger – even finishing his stage show which I felt was unreasonable! I don’t know any women who would want her guy to finish work rather than save someone’s life! That really annoyed me. Peter’s character was a little too perfect and I struggled to connect with the characters on any deeper level. That said, the writing was brisk and I was certainly turning the pages fast enough.

Overall, this works better on plot and action than on characters. If you like your adventures fun and furious with a flavour of supernatural then this could be a diverting enough few hours – don’t expect urban fantasy but rather blockbuster action. I certainly enjoyed it once I switched my analytical side off!

Recommended for fans of James Rollins and Douglas Preston. 7 out of 10

The Revisionists Review

The Revisionists

-       Thomas Mullen

Publisher: Mulholland Books

E-Arc with thanks to netgalley and Mulholland Books

Zed is an agent from the future. A place where all of the world's problems have been solved. No hunger. No war. No despair. His mission is to keep that way. Even if it means ensuring every cataclysm throughout history runs its course, especially one just on the horizon. Zed's mission will ensnare the lives of a disgraced former spy named Leo; a young lawyer, Tasha, grieving over the loss of her brother; Sari, the oppressed employee of a foreign diplomat; and countless others. But will he finish his final mission before the present takes precedence over a perfect future? One that may have more cracks than he realizes?

Zed is from the future, from a perfect society and has come back to our time in order to prevent time travelling terrorists from disrupting the past and stopping his society from coming into being. In the past he runs across a disillusioned lawyer struggling with her brother’s death in Iraq, a former spy now working for private business and a down trodden servant in a Korean diplomat’s household. These four characters lives swirl around each other, creating eddies and ripples which impact each other, even if they don’t always know it.

The setting for this political time-travelling espionage thriller is Washington DC – a town which deals in ideologies like currencies – and this is reflected throughout. Each character questions their beliefs at some point and no-one view point is ever decided as right – in fact each character’s sanity is questioned and there is no right or wrong - just a myriad of grey.

This wasn’t always an easy read, but it was fascinating. At first I struggled with the writing, expecting a more adventure driven story, but soon I was drawn into these people’s lives and their dilemmas. I can’t say I ever fully relaxed though and I was always aware I was reading rather than pulled along by the story. However, the story made me think and I was never tempted to give up. The ending was ambiguous and makes you question what has actually been happening. This is an interesting if never entirely comfortable view of the world today and if we are making it a better place for tomorrow,

Recommended for fans of Ken MacLeod and Robert Harris. 7 out of 10

Now You See Me Review

Now You See Me

-       S.J. Bolton

Publisher: UK – Bantam

Review copy sent courtesy of Transworld

Despite her fascination with Jack the Ripper, Detective Constable Lacey Flint has never worked a big case or seen a dead body up close. Until now… As she leaves a south London estate one night, she is horrified to find a woman has been viciously stabbed, right next to Lacey’s car. Thrown headlong into her first murder hunt, Lacey’s quiet life changes overnight. Then Lacey receives a familiar hand-delivered letter, written in red blood, and it is clear the police have a Ripper copycat on their hands. Lacey must be the bait if they are to prevent a second, brutal murder. But can this inexperienced DC outwit a killer whose infamous role model has never been found...?

In 1888 a series of murders in Whitechapel area of London captured the press and public’s imagination due in part to the brutal nature of the crimes and apparently lack of evidence. Know as Jack the Ripper, these crimes have never been satisfactorily resolved and over 120 years later many remain fascinated with these murders. Including an unknown killer, who appears intent on recreating Jack’s famous murder spree... and we follow DC Lacey Flint as she becomes drawn into the killers world.

Lacey is an unusual main character – told in first person from her point view, she brilliant describes the current happenings into the investigation and what is happening at that moment, but we only get short glimpses into her past and her motivations. She hasn’t had a happy upbringing and finds it difficult to trust others – even her fellow police officers. Throughout I was never sure of which characters I trusted as Lacey swung between extremes. Lacy is a brave but damaged character and is as much of a mystery as the crimes are – which means there are plenty of revelations that keep you anxiously turning the pages.

The crimes are brutal and creepy – this is not a book for the squeamish, yet it wasn’t the gore so much as the disturbing circumstances surrounding them that keeps you looking over your shoulder. A killer that disappears, leaving little evidence. Body parts removed and left in public places. And outside of the killings there are other crimes which make for uncomfortable reading – mostly because you suspect they may not be entirely fictional. It brings a level of realism to the story that grounds the story and makes it plausible

Now You See Me is very well written, with plenty of memorable characters, twists and turns and an intriguing central mystery. I loved the way London came to life – not the typical tourist areas but the wider town that sits south of the river and how it added to the atmosphere. I was hooked until the very last page, never sure where the story was going to go to next!

Recommended for fans of Patricia Cornwall and Tess Gerristen. 9 out of 10.

Breathless Review

Breathless – Dean Koontz

Publisher: UK - Harper

In the Colorado mountains something miraculous comes into the life of Grady Adams, a strong, gentle man whose past experiences have alienated him from the modern world and driven him to live in the wilds. When he sees it, he knows that one of Nature's great mysteries has been revealed to him.
He takes his friend Cammy Rivers to bear witness to the phenomenal presence. As a scientist, she is stunned and awed. She emails photos to colleagues in far places to try and find a name for the wonderful beings. Before they know what is happening, Homeland Security has quarantined the wilderness around them and sent in assorted scientists to track down and 'neutralize' the threat to the known world.

If I’m in a mood for an easy, comfort read, I pick up one of Dean Koontz’s many books and know I’m going to get a thrilling ride with haunted characters who despite all their scarred and horrible pasts’ still believe in good and right and eventually triumph over evil. And they usually own a clever, intelligent dog. With Breathless this is what you get to a certain level. The writing is classic Koontz, melodic and easy to read. There is a man, woman and dog who suddenly find themselves in the middle of extraordinary circumstances. There is a man who’s dead brother is haunting him. A gambler who wins big and gives it all away. And finally there is a down and out bum who has a mysterious encounter that changes his life. Each of these stories has enough mystery and intrigue to pull you in and make you want to find out more.

Usually with a tiered story like this you’re waiting to see how the various strands relate to each other – how they build together. Like taking some caramel, nougat, chocolate and peanuts and knowing how to make snickers bars out of them. However, this time I didn’t get a snickers bar – I got caramel, nougat, chocolate and peanuts. The stories of each where each interesting and fascinating but there is barely any cross over between them. It seemed a little disparate. And I was a little disappointed. The ending seems rather abrupt and convenient with little actually earned by our main characters. It just happens.

Having said all that, a poor Dean Koontz book is still a Dean Koontz book with plenty of philosophy, suspense and heart to make it a very enjoyable read. The various story points keep you reading as you want to find out what happens to each character – whether they get their comeuppance or not!

Recommended for fans of Dean Koontz and Lee Child. 6 out of 10

Book Chick City's Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge Book 6/12