Posted on by Chat About Books

Collateral Damage: A Disappearing Inc. thriller by Mick Williams

Collateral Damage: A Disappearing Inc. thriller

by Mick Williams

Mick Williams has done it again! How he keeps coming up with such great story ideas I’ll never know. He’s one of the most versatile writers I know. Everything I have read of his has been brilliant so I knew this would be too.

This book begins with Jason, hiring Katy (along with her sister, and colleague, Marsha) to find his sister. I’m not sure I’d be as quick to hand over a chunk of money to a company I’d never heard of before, but he’s obviously desperate. When they start looking into this sister though it’s soon obvious that this isn’t a straightforward missing person’s case. Far from it! And Jason isn’t who he first appears to be.

There’s not much else I can say without spoiling it for you lovely people who haven’t had the pleasure of reading it yet, but I can tell you that this story has some kick@ss female characters!! Katy and Marsha are instantly likable. Ambra grew on me. Others not so much.

There are a few other interesting characters, maybe not so likeable, but interesting all the same and integral to the plot. A plot which is full of action, intrigue, fantastically choreographed fight scenes, and an explosive conclusion!

** Many thanks to Mick Williams for my advance review copy **

“Disappearing Inc. – do you want them lost or found?”

When private investigator Katy King agrees to help Jason Cooper locate his missing sister, the case seems simple—at first. But as dead ends pile up and Jason’s story unravels, Katy realizes she’s been pulled into a web of lies far darker than she imagined.

With no time to retreat, Katy finds herself hunted on two fronts: the head of an Albanian kill squad seeking revenge from a previous meeting, and a ruthless assassin determined to fulfill her deadly mission.

As these forces converge, Katy must unravel the truth behind Jason’s secrets while staying one step ahead of killers who won’t stop until she’s dead.

Treat yourself….

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 2 Comments

Family Matters (Detective Allie Shenton Gritty Crime Thrillers Book 7) by Mel Sherratt @writermels #PublicationDay

Family Matters (Detective Allie Shenton Gritty Crime Thrillers Book 7)

by Mel Sherratt

Allie Shenton is back!!!

I love it!

I have loved every one of the books in this series and this one has been no exception.

The story starts with the suspicious death of local teenager, Katie Frost, found very close to home in what initially appears to be a random attack. How is her mother supposed to cope with yet another devastating loss. She has already quite recently lost her husband, Katie’s dad, to cancer. So much sadness for one family to endure. Heart-breaking.

Allie and the team are tasked with finding her attacker and get them off the streets. As is often the case, there turns out to be more going on behind closed doors then they had anticipated! How quickly can they piece it all together and get back to spending more quality time with their own families who don’t see much of them at all during a murder investigation. It’s all hands on deck until the perpetrator is behind bars.

This is another fast-paced police procedural featuring some regular characters I feel like I now know personally. Allie’s team is a brilliant. They work well together as colleagues, and friends, with a deep respect for each other and their jobs. I love following them through their processes and celebrate with them when they solve a case.

There are obviously a few dodgy characters throughout this story, as expected (which isn’t unheard of in Stoke-on-Trent 😉 ) No, seriously, I love that these books are set in Stoke. I’m proud to have been born here (although I’ve always lived in Newcastle-under-Lyme 😉 I.Y.K.Y.K ) There are honestly more good people than bad, as with most cities/towns. Mel Sherratt is one lovely lady who does us proud!

** Many thanks to Mel Sherratt for my review copy of Family Matters. Proud to be part of #TeamSherratt **

A deadly party. A vicious attack. A list of suspects.

When Katie Frost is murdered a few metres from home, a family is left in turmoil. Who would kill their beautiful girl? DI Allie Shenton and her team delve into the teenager’s background, bringing many secrets to light – from her acquaintances, neighbours and friends.

No one has a bad word to say about her, but everyone else has things they’re trying to hide, especially after a recent birthday celebration. With limited forensic evidence coming in, Allie’s work is doubled when another girl is attacked. Further investigations reveal she too was at the party.

Can Allie work out the truth hidden within the lies to find out who is wreaking havoc on a family’s loved ones? And, as threats from the past rear their ugly head within her own team, will she be able to keep them safe at the same time?

If you haven’t yet been introduced to Allie Shenton then you really should give this series a go!

As I publish this post, books 1-6 are available as a set on Kindle for just 99p!!! An absolute bargain and the perfect excuse to add this series to you TBR list. I have no idea how long this offer with last so grab them now. 99p is practically giving them away!

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

I Know What You’ve Done by Dorothy Koomson 

I Know What You’ve Done

by Dorothy Koomson 

I Know What You’ve Done is the third book I’ve read by Dorothy Koomson. I’d be lying if I said it was my favourite so far, but it did keep me intrigued enough to really want to find out what was going on.

There are a lot of characters to keep track of. All of whom live in close proximity. It did make me wonder who could potentially be watching your every move. None of us knows what goes on with our neighbours behind closed doors.

Some of the character’s behaviour was difficult to understand, although none of us know how we would deal with a situation until you find yourself in said situation. I enjoyed the realistic variation of characters. I wouldn’t want to live in their street though!

I didn’t guess the twist at the end, but I can’t say I found it shocking either.

Overall, an enjoyable read but maybe a little underwhelming for what I expected. I will certainly be reading other books from Dorothy Koomson as I really enjoyed the first two books I read a while ago.

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2022/03/09/the-friend-by-dorothy-koomson-bookreview/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2023/06/09/the-woman-he-loved-before-by-dorothy-koomson-dorothykoomson/

** I read I Know What You’ve Done as part of a buddy read with friends on Instagram. I read the paperback edition **

What if all your neighbours’ secrets landed in a diary on your doorstep?

What if the woman who gave it to you was murdered by one of the people in the diary?

What if the police asked if you knew anything?

Would you hand over the book of secrets?

Or … would you try to find out what everyone had done?

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

No One Saw a Thing by Andrea Mara @AndreaMaraBooks

No One Saw a Thing

by Andrea Mara 

WOW! I feel quite exhausted after reading this book. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions!

This was my absolute biggest fear when my children were little. I was hyperventilating on behalf of Sive. How she doesn’t completely fall apart during this ordeal I don’t know, although rationally I know that wouldn’t help anyone. Such a frightening scenario, I can only imagine. I felt tense throughout this book, and as the story progressed I found myself trying to read quicker but at the same time not wanting to discover anything even more traumatic.

I couldn’t warm to Sive’s husband, Aaron, even though she seems to idolise him. I found his friendship group quite bizarre. Almost like they were forcing themselves to still be friends even though they no longer seemed to have anything in common. Kind of like their get togethers were just a habit now. One that no one dared to be the first to break. None of them are particularly likable characters (apart from Sive). I’d like to say I warmed to them a bit more as we get to know them, but no.

So much goes on in such a short time, my head was spinning! This is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and emotional story with many jaw dropping moments. I absolutely loved it!

** I read this book as part of a buddy read with a group of Bookstagram friends. I read the hardcover edition which I purchased from a second-hand book sale **

Treat yourself

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

As Good As Dead: Book 3 (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder) by Holly Jackson @HoJay92

As Good As Dead: Book 3 (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder)

by Holly Jackson

I have absolutely LOVED this book!

I finished it this afternoon as part of a buddy read with Bookstagram friends and I’m looking forward to chatting about it with them, although I’m not sure where to start to be honest.

I was completely invested in Pip and Ravi’s story since reading, and thoroughly enjoying, the first two books in this series so I was very much looking forward to reading book three. I think I’d go as far to say as this is even better than the first two books put together. My heart was in my mouth for much of this book. It is so full of jaw dropping twists. I actually felt myself panicking at times.

This book is fast paced, suspenseful, full of wonderful relationships and solid friendships integral to the story line.

The very last page gave me goosebumps!

Pip and Ravi are just the best characters. I’m sad to be saying goodbye to them.

This is YA fiction at its very best.

I can’t recommend this series highly enough.

ICYMI….

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2023/10/19/a-good-girls-guide-to-murder-a-good-girls-guide-to-murder-book-1-by-holly-jackson-hojay92a/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2024/03/26/good-girl-bad-blood-a-good-girls-guide-to-murder-book-2-by-holly-jackson-hojay92/

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 2 Comments

Good Girl, Bad Blood: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: Book 2 by Holly Jackson @HoJay92

Good Girl, Bad Blood: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: Book 2

by Holly Jackson 

26th March 2024

I finished Good Girl, Bad Blood a little while ago now but this is the first chance I’ve had to write a review. I read this as a part of a buddy read with some of my Instagram friends. I was so looking forward to it as I loved A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, and I was not disappointed! I’m not sure if I loved it quite as much as AGGGTM, but it comes a very close second.

I love Pip and Ravi and I love how their relationship develops throughout this book.

I love how dedicated Pip is when it comes to helping her friends, even when it gets her in trouble with her parents. She’s such a brilliant character! In this book she is investigating a missing person rather than a murder, but her dedication to the case is equal to that of the first book.

As with book one, GGBB is full of twists and turns. It’s fast paced, suspenseful, and compelling. It has shocking moments, moving moments, and often funny moments. I highly recommend it to all! (But please read book one first if you haven’t already.)

I’m looking forward to reading book three, As Good As Dead.

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 2 Comments

We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker @WhittyAuthor

We Begin at the End

by Chris Whitaker

We Begin at the End grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I wish I could have read it cover to cover in one sitting. It’s one of those books I thought about often when I wasn’t reading it. It’s a heart-breaking story really. Duchess is a fascinating character. She has a foul mouth, is disrespectful of authority, and pretty much seems to hate the world and everyone in it, but she has dealt with a lot in her 13 years already so it’s kind of understandable and I couldn’t help but like her. She does her best to look after her younger brother Robin, as their mother has her struggles. She doesn’t always make the wisest decisions though and she very much ends up paying a high price for her mistakes. My heart truly went out to her towards to the end.

Local police officer, Walk, does his best to look out for the family. I really liked him. I liked his loyalty to Vincent even when the rest of the town was against him.

Vincent is an intriguing character. I didn’t know what to make of him at first. We don’t hear much from him really considering he is a central character, so it was hard to form an opinion of him.

I loved the children’s Granddad. I love how he seemed to just get Duchess and give her the space she needed despite her rudeness and apparent lack of appreciation considering she had never known the full story behind his relationship with their mother. I love how their relationship slowly developed and was devastated by what happened and what was to follow.

I had no idea which direction this story would go in, and I couldn’t wait to find out.

By the end I had experienced all the emotions.

It’s so brilliantly written. I highly recommend it to all.

We Begin at the End is the first book I’ve read by Chris Whitaker. I sincerely hope it won’t be my last. (I have added all his other titles to my wishlist.)

** According to Amazon I purchased this book on the 5th of November 2021 **

Thirty years ago, Vincent King became a killer.

Now, he’s been released from prison and is back in his hometown of Cape Haven, California. Not everyone is pleased to see him. Like Star Radley, his ex-girlfriend, and sister of the girl he killed.

Duchess Radley, Star’s thirteen-year-old daughter, is part-carer, part-protector to her younger brother, Robin – and to her deeply troubled mother. But in trying to protect Star, Duchess inadvertently sets off a chain of events that will have tragic consequences not only for her family, but also the whole town.

Murder, revenge, retribution.

How far can we run from the past, when the past seems doomed to repeat itself?

Happy reading!