Powerful . . . psychological menace and dramatic plot twists’ Daily Mail
EVERY SAINT HAS A PAST
To the unsuspecting eye Dee Stephens has a perfect life as the vicar’s wife: a devoted marriage to her charismatic husband Reverend Vincent, an adoring congregation and a beautiful daughter.
EVERY SINNER HAS A FUTURE
But beneath the surface, Dee is suffocating. Vincent is in control, and he knows her every sin. Desperate, Dee escapes into a heady affair with Cal, an old schoolmate.
EVERY CONFESSION HAS A PRICE
But is Cal the saviour she thinks he is? What dark secrets does he harbour? And to what lengths will Vincent go to when he uncovers the truth?
Praise for Caroline England
‘The duchess of dark domestic noir strikes again’ HELEN FIELDS
It has been a while, but it was so worth the wait! What an amazing return to an awesome series.
Having read and loved the first three books in this series I was so excited when Mel Sherratt announced she was releasing book four. Anyone who knows me well will know I am a huge Mel Sherratt fan. I have read and loved every book she has published, and Allie Shenton is one of my favourite detectives.
In Broken Promises Allie and the team find themselves dealing with three murders in as many days. Three locals well known to them, and all connected by their dodgy lifestyles. With barely enough time to breathe between murders they have their work cut out trying to piece together evidence and bring their killer, or killers, to justice before any other bodies turn up.
These murders are brutal and personal. One person connects them all, but would they be capable of such violence? Despite hoping not, they can never assume. It’s quite scary what some people find themselves capable of when pushed to their limits.
This is a fast-paced police procedural crime thriller set in my hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, which I love. It kept me glued to my kindle as I was desperate to find out who was committing these horrific crimes. I was holding my breath in the hope they would crack the case before anyone else became a victim.
I think the team were as shocked as I was when the truth starts to reveal itself. Wow! Such a shocking and tragic conclusion. Brilliant writing!
There are some fascinating characters throughout this story, likeable or not. I know I’ve said it before, but Mel Sherratt knows how to write people. I am always instantly invested in the people she writes about.
I love the banter and friendships shared amongst the team. They have each other’s backs and get the job done as efficiently as they can. They find time for a bacon and cheese oatcake, or two, occasionally also. They are only human after all!
I love that we always see a softer side to Allie and learn a little more about her as the series progresses. I was worried for her as she faces the potential breakdown of her marriage. It can’t be easy being married to a police officer and she knows her husband struggles with her absence, especially when high profile cases mean even longer working hours than usual. I’m sure many people would relate.
Some people don’t like hearing about the personal lives of police in books like this, but I love it. It gives depth to their character and keeps them human.
I LOVED this book. It ticks all the boxes for me. An easy five stars (I’d give it more if I could). I highly recommend!
If you haven’t read this series yet you are seriously missing out.
I can’t wait for book five!
#TeamSherratt
**Many, many thanks to Mel Sherratt for my ARC of Broken Promises. The above review is my honest opinion**
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is an amazing book. It’s so easy to see why it is a bestseller!
Julia naturally has many unanswered questions following the disappearance of her father. Her mother knows nothing of his whereabouts either. When Julia finds a love letter her father wrote to a woman in Burma many years before she’s left with yet more unanswered questions. It seems he might have had a whole other life before them, a life they know nothing about. She decides to visit the country in the hope of tracking the woman down.
Nothing could prepare her for what she learns on her travels.
I have never been to Burma, but I could truly imagine myself there as I joined Julia on her visit. It sounds like an amazing place full of inspiring people. I felt completely immersed in their culture and traditions. I could almost feel the oppressive heat and smell the traditional recipes cooking. There is such beautifully descriptive language throughout this story.
This book is so beautifully written. I was totally captivated by the characters and their story. It is such a powerful love story which is both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. I thought of these characters a lot when I wasn’t reading the book and I think they will stay with me for a long time to come.
I very much recommend this book. I can’t imagine anyone not loving it!
I have already purchased the sequel, A Well-Tempered Heart, and I hope to read it very soon.
“Beautifully written, feel-good fiction!” ★★★★★ “I loved this book! It was warm, funny and engaging.” ★★★★ Elle’s A to Z of Love by Claire Huston Perfect for Valentine’s Day! Haileybrook, a beautiful village in the peaceful Cotswolds countryside, is most people’s idea of heaven on earth. Born and raised in this small slice of paradise, […]
Only To Sleep is the first book I’ve read by Lawrence Osborne and my first introduction to Philip Marlowe. I soon found myself immersed in his story. He is a fascinating character.
PI Philip Marlowe is in his seventies and retired, but can’t resist one last fling, as it were. He accepts a job with an insurance company, investigating the apparent death of a wealthy man who has left behind a very rich, much younger wife. It’s an intriguing case and I thoroughly enjoyed following Marlowe as he investigates.
I really enjoyed Lawrence Osborne’s style of writing. He uses some beautifully descriptive language which drew me in easily and transported me to the very locations featured throughout this book. I almost felt as though I was tailing Marlowe on his travels, and I couldn’t help but admire him, particularly considering his age. He comes across some interesting characters along the way. A few unsavoury ones too. This investigation isn’t without its risks. Marlowe obviously has a wealth of experience though and it shows.
Brilliant writing. Excellent storyline. Colourful characters. I loved it.
Lawrence Osbourne’s other books have now been added to my TBR list as well as Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep. I look forward to reading them all.
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley. I am working my way through my list slowly but surely**
On the first Friday of each month I like to have a little look back at the books I was reading during the same month in previous years, since starting my blog.
Please do join in if you have the time, I’d love to see your posts!
Here are my reviews from February 2021 + a link to previous February FBFs….
Invite Me In has been waiting patiently on my NetGalley list for far too long. My apologies to the author and publisher. I am working my way through my list slowly but surely.
This book was more than worth the wait. What an emotional rollercoaster of a read!
I have to say that I found Eliza a difficult character to like, especially to start with. I did feel for her as I got to know her more though. Her husband is not a likeable man at all. He thinks far too highly of himself and treats Eliza as though he owns her. No amount of money, fancy houses and/or fancy cars are worth what she puts up with daily. She has her secrets though and her husband holds knowledge of them over her. She is trapped and she’s miserable.
It isn’t at all surprising that Dan attracts Eliza’s attention. I admired her attempts to deny that attraction though. Everything else aside, Eliza’s priority is always her children. That I did like about her.
This story is so full of twists I didn’t know what to think for the most part. I love that! It makes me even more determined to find out where the story is going to end. I wouldn’t have guessed in a million years what I learned about these people as the story progressed. There are some amazing characters in this book. Most aren’t particularly likeable, but all are compelling. Such clever writing!
To say this story is full of tension would be an understatement and it has a jaw-dropping conclusion.
WOW! What a story! If you start this book at bedtime prepare to lose sleep. I finished it very late last night. There was no way I could go to sleep until I knew how it was all going to pan out. It grabbed my attention from the very first page and didn’t let go until the very last!
There are some excellent characters in this book. Very real, believable characters who I became very much invested in.
I liked Juliette and Danny immediately and my heart broke for them both for the loss of their young daughter. I could totally understand their need for a fresh start and a quieter life. The house they buy sounds amazing, and I can understand them being drawn to a sleepy, picturesque village, where nothing much goes on. Or so they thought.
Their new neighbours seem a bit odd to say the least. They have had the luxury of the house next door being empty for years and had got used to their privacy. Richard and Sarah are now forced to accept the new couple’s presence.
Richard is a right nasty piece of work. It’s obvious quite early on that he has a controlling nature and he’s not at all nice to Sarah. He made me angry and mostly made my skin crawl. Whatever women see in blokes like him I don’t know, but I can understand how men like him can be charming when they need to be to get what they want. I can’t abide bullies.
I didn’t particularly warm to Sarah either though, yet I didn’t really know why. She’s hardly living the high life she dreamed of. Their house sounds beautiful, but her life genuinely felt oppressed and claustrophobic. She doesn’t have a life really, just a suffocating existence. Does she deserve anything different though? They do say be careful what you wish for!
This is an extremely tense read. It made me feel on edge throughout most of it and I still don’t know how I feel about Sarah. Brilliant writing! This is one of those stories I know will stay with me for a long time to come.
All the stars from me. I can’t recommend highly enough!
Treat yourself
Readers love The Life She Wants:
‘Woah…. blown away by this one…This one left me guessing until thevery end, and I loved it. The twists and turns were shocking yet realistic… I felt my own heart racing… Couldn’t read this one fast enough.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘May possibly be my favourite of Mel Sherratt’s books so far!… I was totally immersed after the very first chapter… This truly is one hell of a ride. Oh, and Mel, you owe me a night’s sleep, as I couldn’t stop reading until I’d finished!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A totallygripping read that had me reading obsessively until it was finished. I couldn’t put it down it was so twisty and unpredictable. I loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Oh my gosh. What a fabulous book. This had my heart racing.’ StefLoz Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A dark and twisted book that I couldn’t stop reading!… So well written it kept me guessing all the way until the end, I was so invested half of my day could just fly by in a wink.’ Leesey Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I’ve read lots of books by this author and I must say that this is one of her very best. A psychological crime thriller that will chill you to the bone and get your pulse racing… A brilliant read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This is one grippingtwisted story from the author that is hard to put down… WOWI loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Brilliantly addictive from the beginning until the end and it kept me on the edge of my seat all the way.’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘One of the best domestic thrillers I’ve read in a long time! I love the complicated characters, the suspenseful plot and the ending that was absolutely perfect. I cannot wait to tell everyone about this book!’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Afraid Of The Christmas Lights: Festive shorts from the biggest stars in crime fiction (Afraid Of The Light Book 2)
Afraid of the Christmas lights is another excellent short story collection I have had the pleasure of reading over the Christmas period. This one is an Anthology of crime stories which were right up my street. If you are a lover of crime fiction, then I am sure you will love these stories as much I did. Written by a team of extremely talented authors who have donated their time and talent towards putting this book together in aid of two charities, East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services and Rights of Women.
You might already know some of the authors who have contributed. I, personally, have only read books by Jo Furniss previously but I will certainly be adding to my TBR list again with books by the other authors featured.
I don’t think it needs to be Christmastime to enjoy these stories. They would be a treat at any time of the year!
All the stars from me. I very much recommend.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2021 CWA SHORT STORY DAGGER AWARD
All profits from the sale of this anthology will be donated to frontline domestic abuse charities
“TWISTED, DELICIOUS, DEVIOUS”
From the biggest stars in crime fiction comes an eclectic mix of festive shorts
Perfect for fans of Stephen King and Lee Child
“Stellar” —THE GUARDIAN
“Haunting”—THE TIMES
“The biggest stars in contemporary crime fiction”—THE SUNDAY RECORD
“Cracking…All the stories are truly gripping”—MY WEEKLY
“Twisted, devious, delicious. If you’re looking for a mystery in your Christmas stocking, this collection of crime tales will be right up your candy-cane lane”—JO SPAIN
“A perfect festive collection of bite-sized crime fiction”—JOHN MARRS
“A deliciously dark selection pack of stories you’ll devour” —SARAH PINBOROUGH
“A bulging stocking full of prize gifts. Funny, tragic, scary and clever- the perfect Christmas present” — LOUISE BEECH
“A wicked slay-ride through the dark days of winter”— TREVOR WOOD
**************************************************************** IT WOULDN’T BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT A LITTLE CRIME…
A Christmas dinner takes a murderous turn, a friendship group loses the festive spirit, and a young girl goes to extreme measures to keep a beloved dog.
Afraid Of The Christmas Lights is a collection of gripping, sometimes funny, and always festive short stories from a group of bestselling crime writers.
From the hilarious to the macabre, there’s something for everyone – whether you’re a Christmas convert or a bit of a Grinch. From a detective tracking down missing Christmas geese, to a cat lady who goes on a date in order to keep Santa Paws well fed, this anthology is the perfect gift to cosy up with this year.
Afraid Of The Christmas Lights is brought to you by eighteen bestselling crime and thriller writers who between them have topped the Sunday Times and Amazon charts, been Richard and Judy bestsellers, won the Crime Novel of the Year Award, the Bath Novel Award and the UK National Book Awards, had their work made into major television series and been published in over 50 territories worldwide.
Mark Billingham Rachael Blok Heather Critchlow Elle Croft James Delargy Clare Empson Jo Furniss Sophie Hannah T.E. Kinsey N.J. Mackay S.R. Masters Val McDermid Phoebe Morgan Dominic Nolan Robert Scragg Victoria Selman Kate Simants Adam Southward Harriet Tyce
Profits from Afraid Of The Christmas Lights will support two front-line charities:
ESDAS: Educates professionals, communities, victims and even perpetrators on the nature of domestic abuse. They offer practical measures, such as legal advice and transport, to enable survivors to find a safe place to live.
Rights of Women: Helps women understand their legal rights and access a range of support services to which they are entitled.
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