Every book I have read by Rachael Stewart has been an absolute joy to read and this one was no exception!
I loved spending time with Annalise in the outback. She might technically be staff but it’s obvious she’s already thought of as more than that. She has been trusted with her boss’s secret, at least until he’s had time to bring his sons back together again, and although she doesn’t really agree with him, she respects his choices and keeps his confidence.
When Jackson appears back on the scene though this puts her in even more of an awkward situation. Especially when it becomes apparent that there is a spark between them. And that’s putting it mildly!
Jackson is one of those characters who grew on me as the story progresses. The chemistry between him and Annalise is off the charts and I love how their relationship develops. I love how his family already consider her to be family. They are perfect for each.
Another romance I devoured!
** Many thanks to Rachael Stewart for my review copy **
The prodigal billionaire is back!
In this Outback Kings story, as he reluctantly returns to the Outback, the last thing Jackson King expects is to be drawn into a feud over his family’s sprawling estate—or to steal a searing kiss from Annalise Fletcher, his estranged father’s fiercely loyal assistant. Her enigmatic nature reminds him of a trust-shattering past betrayal, and she sees him as the selfish son who walked away. Still, their spark refuses to dim, illuminating an inconvenient truth: The home he’s been running from might be where he truly belongs…
The Other Child is a compelling read. A seemingly regular family drama to begin with but there’s an underlying tension throughout that doesn’t let up. It builds with intensity as the story progresses and I really needed to find out why Greg was really being how he was being. Yes, he has a high-pressure job and yes, he didn’t really want to have a baby, but it’s obvious that there is something else going on and I would never have guessed what in a million years.
My heart went out to Tess. Moving out to the states to support him and his new job, taking her away from all she knows as well as uprooting her son, Joe. Finding herself quite alone dealing with a new pregnancy and Joe’s problems at school. That’s enough for anyone to deal with, with a mostly absent husband. However, other unsettling things are happening, and I couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of it all.
A great read which demanded my undivided attention.
Sometimes a lie feels kinder than the truth . . . but what happens when that lie becomes an avalanche of deceit?
When Tess is sent to photograph Greg, a high-profile paediatric surgeon, she sees something complex in him that she instantly connects with. Their relationship quickly deepens, but then Tess – already a single mother to nine-year-old Joe – finds out she’s pregnant.
Greg, who never wanted to be a father, is then offered the job of a lifetime back in his hometown of Boston, USA. Within just a few months, they have married and moved to the States.
But life in an affluent Boston suburb is not as straightforward as Tess had hoped. Strange things keep happening in their rented home – Joe is unsettled, the next-door neighbours are clearly troubled, and Greg’s work is all-consuming. As a fierce Boston winter closes in, and her baby’s birth looms, Tess remains determined to make this new life work.
First, I need to start by apologising to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this incredibly late review. When I first joined NetGalley it was all very exciting (it still is to be fair) and I didn’t then know how to say no. I was very new to book blogging and didn’t want to refuse any arcs or let anyone down. I soon realised though that there are only so many hours in a day, days in a week, etc. etc. I’m much better at not over committing myself now. However, it has left me with a significant number of archived books still on my NetGalley shelf. I have now set myself the challenge of clearing my unread shelf entirely before I read any other Kindle books. They’re all on a separate wheel on my spin-the-wheel app. This was chosen at random.
Have You Seen Me? is a compelling read. I was immediately intrigued by the mystery surrounding Ally’s ordeal. Not remembering an entire two days of your life must be terrifying. I can’t even imagine. How would you even know where to start!?
I found her husband to be an odd character, but I enjoyed following the story as it progressed as I was keen to find out how it was all going to pan out. I’m not sure what I really expected, but it was not at all the conclusion I expected.
I was so excited to finally be catching back up with Ryan and Phillips (and the team). It had been far too long!
I thoroughly enjoyed the story behind Lady’s Well. An interesting tale historically as well as being a suspenseful murder mystery.
It was great to be back in the northeast again. It seemed like only yesterday since I’d read Bamburgh and that was 2022! (I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get back on track with this series. I feel quite ashamed! Sorry, Louise!)
Returning to these characters feels a lot like catching up with old friends. Once again, they have made me smile, laugh, and admire their professionalism and friendships.
I was thrilled to be able to jump straight into book 21, Death Rocks….
THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE WATER…
When the ancient waters of Lady’s Well in the rural village of Holystone begin to run red, it seems to be a nasty Hallowe’en prank and nothing more. But things take a sinister turn when the entire village suffers severe poisoning, and one old man turns up dead.
Accusations abound in the small, close-knit community, and ‘old’ religions spar against ‘new’ while fear runs like wildfire through the streets. With so many potential motives and countless opportunities, there’s only one man who can help solve this particular mystery…
Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit, set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.
Death Rocks: A DCI Ryan Mystery (The DCI Ryan Mysteries Book 21)
Death Rocks treats us an extremely complex and fascinating case. I had absolutely no idea how these seemingly random murders could possibly be linked. This is possibly one of the cleverest plot lines to date. I raced through this book as I couldn’t wait to see what the team would uncover next. I was absolutely not prepared for what they eventually discover. Traumatic would be an understatement!
Again, I was thankful to be able to jump straight into book 22, Poison Garden….
THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A COINCIDENCE…
When the body of a talented photographer is found on the rocks beneath the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, DCI Ryan and his team of detectives immediately suspect the worst. But, since none of their potential suspects seems to have a motive, the case runs cold.
Then, when another body is found dead on a lonely stretch of road near Hadrian’s Wall and their only suspect has an airtight alibi, the team are faced with another crime without a perpetrator.
With the number of unexplained deaths in the area increasing rapidly and only a series of coincidences to work from, Ryan and his team must find the invisible link between them to crack the case—before it’s too late.
Can Ryan solve his most dangerous case yet?
Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit, set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.
Poison Garden: A DCI Ryan Mystery (The DCI Ryan Mysteries Book 22)
Poison Garden carries on where Death Rocks left off and I’m so glad I had it ready to read straight away as I don’t think I could have rested again until I did. I think this might be the tensest book of this series so far and my heart went out to Frank in particular. I do love Frank. He’s my favourite character of the series. I’ve even named my highland cow (soft toy) after him. Lol!
I find the whole Poison Garden thing fascinating too. I’m not sure if I’d like to actually visit or not. Knowing my luck I’d do Lowerson. Lol! (I.Y.K.Y.K). It’s quite scary how easily it is for people to find out, a – how to poison someone and b – where to find what you need to do so.
Another gripping story with the most fabulous cast of characters. If you haven’t started this series yet, you really should. You won’t be disappointed!
I can’t wait to continue with book 23, Belsay….
Watch this space!
The clock is ticking…
For Detective Chief Inspector Ryan, the stakes have never been higher. Most of the world thinks he’s dead, killed by an assasin’s rifle in his own home. But another man took the bullet intended for him, and now Ryan’s living on borrowed time. As long as he stays ‘dead’, in the sanctuary of his parents’ home in Devon, there’s a chance to find the people behind the deadly killing network. It’s only a matter of time before his secret’s uncovered, and nowhere will be safe.
Back in Northumberland, Ryan’s team are called in to investigate the mysterious death of a man in Alnwick, who collapsed yards from the walls of its Mediaeval castle. When a second person is rushed to hospital with the same symptoms, her life hangs in the balance unless they can discover the toxic substance that’s killing her. For DCs Lowerson and Reed, there’s only one place to look for inspiration—the Poison Garden…
Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit, set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.
I finally had a chance to read Winterkill, and I am so glad I did as I have loved this series. Ari Thór is a brilliant character who I feel we have gotten to know quite well over the last six books.
I feel sad for him that his relationship with the mother of his child didn’t work out. It sounds like it can be a lonely life in Siglufjörður. Ari Thor has much to occupy his time though with another tragic death on his doorstep to figure out. The very sad loss of such a young life. A case not as straight forward as it first seems to be.
I love the police procedural aspects of this series, and I love the insights we get into the character’s personal lives. The descriptions of the location and weather conditions always add to the tension surrounding these cases, and the desperate need to find out the truth as quickly as humanly possible.
Another excellent addition to a brilliant series.
A blizzard is approaching Siglufjörður, and that can only mean one thing…
When the body of a nineteen-year-old girl is found on the main street of Siglufjörður, Police Inspector Ari Thór battles a violent Icelandic storm in an increasingly dangerous hunt for her killer … The chilling, claustrophobic finale to the international bestselling Dark Iceland series.
Easter weekend is approaching, and snow is gently falling in Siglufjörður, the northernmost town in Iceland, as crowds of tourists arrive to visit the majestic ski slopes.
Ari Thór Arason is now a police inspector, but he’s separated from his girlfriend, who lives in Sweden with their three-year-old son. A family reunion is planned for the holiday, but a violent blizzard is threatening and there is an unsettling chill in the air.
Three days before Easter, a nineteen-year-old local girl falls to her death from the balcony of a house on the main street. A perplexing entry in her diary suggests that this may not be an accident, and when an old man in a local nursing home writes `She was murdered´ again and again on the wall of his room, there is every suggestion that something more sinister lies at the heart of her death…
As the extreme weather closes in, cutting the power and access to Siglufjörður, Ari Thór must piece together the puzzle to reveal a horrible truth … one that will leave no one unscathed.
Chilling, claustrophobic and disturbing,Winterkillis a startling addition to the multi-million-copy bestselling Dark Iceland series and cements Ragnar Jónasson as one of the most exciting and acclaimed authors in crime fiction.
Too Late is quite different to what I typically read, but I really enjoyed it.
I soon found myself immersed in Sloan’s messed up world. She’s a likeable character. Caught in a seemingly impossible situation, sacrificing her own happiness, and safety even, in the belief that at least she’s keeping her brother safe and comfortable in the facility he needs. I can’t see any reason why she would be with someone like Asa otherwise. What a nasty piece of work he is. However, as the story progresses you can sort of understand him a bit better. You could never condone any of his behaviour but it’s easier to understand how he turned out the way he is.
Enter Carter and Sloan’s world is turned completely upside down. The chemistry between them is off the charts, but both of their situations make it extremely difficult for them to just run off into the sunset to be together.
A captivating read which I found to be heart-wrenching and disturbing in equal measure.
Sloan will go through hell and back for those she loves. And she does so, every single day. Caught up with the alluring Asa Jackson, a notorious drug trafficker, Sloan has finally found a lifeline to cling to, even if it’s meant compromising her morals. She was in dire straits trying to pay for her brother’s care until she met Asa. But as Sloan became emotionally and economically reliant on him, he in turn developed a disturbing obsession with her – one that becomes increasingly dangerous every day.
When undercover DEA agent Carter enters the picture, Sloan’s surprised to feel an immediate attraction between them, despite knowing that if Asa finds out, he will kill him. And Asa has always been a step ahead of everyone in his life, including Sloan. No one has ever gotten in his way.
No one except Carter.
Together, Sloan and Carter must find a way out before it’s too late . . .
First, I need to start by apologising to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this incredibly late review. When I first joined NetGalley it was all very exciting (it still is to be fair) and I didn’t then know how to say no. I was very new to book blogging and didn’t want to refuse any arcs or let anyone down. I soon realised though that there are only so many hours in a day, days in a week, etc. etc. I’m much better at not over committing myself now. However, it has left me with a significant number of archived books still on my NetGalley shelf. I have now set myself the challenge of clearing my unread shelf entirely before I read any other Kindle books. They’re all on a separate wheel on my spin-the-wheel app. This was chosen at random.
Rewrite the Stars is the first book I’ve read my Emma Heatherington, and I hope it won’t be my last.
It’s a far from straight forward story about love and family loyalty.
I was torn between really feeling for Charlotte. Missing out on potentially the love of her life out of loyalty to her brother. Having no real option but to attempt to move on. Then, as her story progresses, to risk turning her comfortable life upside down, and breaking the heart of a good man, on a what if!? By this point I was willing her to make the right decision, although I could understand her conflicted feelings.
A real rollercoaster of emotion!
Loved it and will happily recommend.
I look forward to adding more of this author’s books to my TBR.
From the moment they meet one December day there’s something between Charlotte Taylor and her brother’s best friend, Tom Farley. But Tom’s already taken and Charlie has to let him go…
It’s another five years before their paths cross again only a secret from the past forces Charlie to make a choice. She promises herself she’ll never look back…
The years pass and Charlie moves on with her life but she can never forget Tom. He’s always there whispering ‘What if?’.
Can Charlie leave the life she has built for one last chance with Tom? Or is the one that got away not really the one at all…?
The Saboteur of Auschwitz is another heart-wrenching account of the atrocities that went on in Auschwitz. It’s incredible that anyone managed to survive. It must have seemed like such a hopeless situation. I can’t even begin to imagine.
This is the first book I’ve read from the point of view of a British prisoner of war though. I wasn’t even aware there were British POWs held there, which shows my ignorance. I’ve learned new things again from this perspective and I think it’s important that we learn as much as we can about this horrific time in history. I can understand why those who survived are telling their stories. Especially those who are keeping promises to others who asked them to make sure they tell the world what they went through, if they survived long enough to do so.
It’s shocking that there are a massive number of children in this world that actually think these stories are fictional! That really needs to be rectified.
In 1942, young British soldier Arthur Dodd was taken prisoner by the German Army and transported to Oswiecim in Polish Upper Silesia. The Germans gave it another name, now synonymous with mankind’s darkest hours. They called it Auschwitz.
Forced to do hard labour, starved and savagely beaten, Arthur thought his life would end in Auschwitz. Determined to go down fighting, he sabotaged Nazi industrial work, risked his life to alleviate the suffering of the Jewish prisoners and aided a partisan group planning a mass break-out.
This shocking true story sheds new light on the operations at the camp, exposes a hierarchy of prisoner treatment by the SS and presents the largely unknown story of the military POWs held there.
