There’s a serial killer on the loose.

When bodies start washing up along the banks of the River Thames, DI Henley fears it is the work of Peter Olivier, the notorious Jigsaw Killer. But it can’t be him; Olivier is already behind bars, and Henley was the one who put him there.

The race is on before more bodies are found.

She’d hoped she’d never have to see his face again, but Henley knows Olivier might be the best chance they have at stopping the copycat killer. But when Olivier learns of the new murders, helping Henley is the last thing on his mind . . .

Will it take a killer to catch the killer?

Now all bets are off, and the race is on to catch the killer before the body count rises. But who will get there first – Henley, or the Jigsaw Killer?

My Thoughts:

I had heard a lot of good things about this book and it seemed like my kind of read but it was not for me. You can tell Nadine has a career as a criminal lawyer because the police procedures were all very detailed and a lot of research has gone in to the book. I just read a lot of these type of books and they are all the same, I need something a little different and this book didn’t hold my attention long enough. It didn’t live up to expectations for me unfortunately and this is book one.

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Wayward Greek heiress, Ariana Theodosis, inherits the Hotel du Soleil as part of a mysterious legacy. Captivated by its faded glamour, she hopes it offers her the chance to start again.

Hotelier Gabriel du Lac’s family have owned the hotel for decades – and he has no intention of giving it up for a beautiful stranger.

Madame du Lac has watched the rich and famous pass through the doors of the hotel for almost half a century, and she has kept its secrets too.

As the past finally catches up with them all, will this summer reveal a forgotten secret, and change their lives forever…?

My Thoughts:

I was not sure what to expect from this read, the plot overall sounded intriguing when Ariana inherits a hotel, she cannot wait to get started and turn it back round but the Hotelier has other ideas, will he give up his beloved hotel that easily even if it is to a beautiful woman. Lots of secrets and unforgotten pasts make this book mysterious so you want to keep reading on. I found it an easy and light read to pick up and put down, I lost interest near to the end though, but I did finish it. I don’t know how I feel about reading another one of her books. A good effort.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Rocky Hebert walks into his death at quarter to midnight one New Orleans night.

His son Gabe cannot accept the official verdict of suicide and enlists the help of the Burke Broussard Private Investigation Agency to discover the real cause of death.

PI Molly Sutton knows what it’s like to lose a father in tragic circumstances and will go to any lengths to crack the investigation, as she tries to fight off her growing feelings for Gabe.

They soon realise Rocky was working on an investigation of his own; one that threatened to expose the deep corruption going all the way to the top of the police department. And that the key to the puzzle lies with a young witness to a murder that happened years earlier: Xavier Morrow.

Just what did Rocky know? And who might have shut him up?

As they get closer and closer to the truth, they realise that the killer is not going to stop at Rocky. And that Xavier is in very real danger. Someone will go to any lengths to protect what he witnessed that night coming out…

My Thoughts:

I have previously read one of Karen’s books before and found it ok, this one was exactly the same, the story didn’t really excite me, the writing was good, the descriptions were on point, but I felt it was heavy going and quite long. The characters were interesting and intrigued me but the story line let it down for me. I don’t know if I would red any more books by this author.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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ONE PROMISE
Aged thirteen, best friends Eleanor and Fin are inseparable. Convinced it will always be this way they make a pact – to go to university together, always live near each other, and if they’re both single at 35 they’ll get married.

TWO DECADES
Eleanor and Fin haven’t spoken in fifteen years. Life has run away from them and they’re both far from where they’d dreamt of being all those years ago.

CAN THEY STILL KEEP THEIR WORD?
It takes tragic circumstances for Fin to come back into Eleanor’s life, but everything has changed since the last time they met. Is it too late to mend their friendship? Or is there a chance they can keep some of the promises they made?

My Thoughts:

I loved Emily’s previous novel Before We Met so was excited to see she had a new one out. This is just as good if not better than her last book. Eleanor and Fin were best friends when they were younger but now as they have gotten older they have grown apart until they end up seeing each other after all those years but life has changed for both of them will there be a chance for their relationship to get back on track or will they have to admit defeat? I liked how this story went at a good pace, it is emotional and you will need a tissue or two when reading it but I felt as though it is all about friendships, love and new beginnings, if its taught me anything it is to be honest with your feelings and tell that person before it is too late.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Changing the narrative of mountaineering books, Sherpa focuses on the people who live and work on the roof of the world.

Amid all the foreign adventurers that throng to Nepal to scale the world’s highest peaks there exists a small community of mountain people at the foothills of Himalayas. Sherpa tells their story. It’s the story of endeavour and survival at the roof of the world. It dives into their culture and tells of their existence at the edge of life and death. Written by Ankit Babu Adhikari – a writer, social science researcher and musician – and Pradeep Bashyal – a journalist with the BBC based in Nepal – Sherpa traces their story pre- and post-mountaineering revolution, their evolution as climbing crusaders with previously unpublished stories from the most notable and incredible Sherpas of the last 50 years.

This is the story of the Sherpas.

My Thoughts:

WOW WOW WOW What an incredible book, I never knew much about Sherpa’s but after reading this book I have so much respect for them. It is such an incredible journey that you go on when reading this book, I really feel for these men and women who are trying to provide for their families but are risking their lives every time they make the journey not just up Everest but down too. I found this book a really interesting and knowledgeable read and the pictures bring the stories of these men and women so much more to life, every single one of them are incredible and I am so in awe of them and what they do on a daily basis. After reading this book it is not something I would ever want to do because of some of the sights that you see but anyone that does it and comes back safe is incredible. Sherpas are unsung heroes in my book.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Everyone wanted her life
Someone wanted her dead

It was Hannah who found April’s body ten years ago.
It was Hannah who didn’t question what she saw that day.
Did her testimony put an innocent man in prison?
 
She needs to know the truth.
 
Even if it means questioning her own friends.
Even if it means putting her own life at risk.
 
Because if the killer wasn’t a stranger, it’s someone she knows…

My Thoughts:

I can’t believe I have never read any of Ruth’s books before, that is now going to change as this one was phenomenal. It is that type of read where you read the plot and know what could potentially happen but when you read the book, you get the most craziest twists and turns that you cannot even believe what is going on. The story continues to build and gets intense and I feel as though this is a multi layered story that has many red herrings, twists and turns and many omg moments. Also I found the plot to be one that you could believe that could happen which felt as though it made the story come to life more. I am definitely purchasing more of Ruth’s books. This one is going to be a big hit for the Summer.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Jose Federico Burgos is a failed painter turned forger trapped in surreal, menacing splendour with an enormous Flemish altarpiece, an impish vagabond, and a pair of resourceful yet intimidating twins. He drinks too much, he roams the grounds, and everyday that he doesn’t succeed in copying the painting, he gets a little bit closer to what’s really happening behind the high garden walls.

My Thoughts:

I think the cover of this book works really well, it is simple but effective. This for me was a quick read it took me a couple of hours to power through it. One thing to remember when reading it though is it has been translated, and done really well. That Jose is a character and is very amusing, he is a failed painter and really wants to start painting again but he drinks a lot, but when he decides to go for a walk, he finds that something is happening behind the high garden walls and he is determined to find out what. But will it help him finish his painting or will he be forever labelled the failing painter. I liked finding out more about Jose and it was a quirky and fun read that I did enjoy.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Emily is on holiday with her best friend, Kristen, in the stunning mountains of Chile. They’re having the time of their lives until, on the last night of the trip, Emily enters their hotel suite to find it covered in blood.

Kristen claims a backpacker attacked her. She shouted, but no-one heard. She struggled, but he was too strong.

She had no option but to kill him.

With no evidence of the assault, Emily must help her hide the body. . .

Back home, Emily tries to forget what happened, but a surprise visit from Kristen forces her to confront the events of that night.

As the walls close in on their cover-up, Emily asks herself: can she really trust her closest friend?

My Thoughts:

The plot of this book sounded good, I was expecting plenty of twists and turns but got very few. The first several chapters were good, but then it became very predictable and the main characters Emily and Kristen I felt for me became rather annoying. I did finish it but just to see if it got any better which unfortunately it did not. It is a shame as it had everything going for it.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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1953, New York City

Less than a week before the society wedding of the year where Jacqueline Bouvier will marry John F. Kennedy, a pipe bursts at Ann Lowe’s dress shop and ruins eleven dresses, including the expensive wedding dress, a dress that will be judged by thousands. A Black designer who has fought every step of the way, Ann knows this is only one struggle after a lifetime of them. She and her seamstresses will find the way to re-create the dresses. It may take all day and all night for the next week to accomplish the task, but they will do it.

1918, Tampa

Raised in Jim Crow Alabama, Ann learned the art of sewing from her mother and her grandmother, a former slave, who are the most talented seamstresses in the state. After Ann elopes at twelve with an older man who soon proves himself to be an abusive alcoholic, her dreams of becoming a celebrated designer seem to be put on hold. But then a wealthy Tampa socialite sees Ann’s talent and offers her an amazing opportunity—the chance to sew and design clothing for Florida’s society elite. Taking her young son in the middle of the night, Ann escapes her husband and embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.

My Thoughts:

This is based on a true story of one of the most famous designers of the twenties, it is such an enchanting and awe inspiring read that makes you feel full of determination. I had never heard of Anne Lowe before reading this book but I have so much utter respect for her and what she went through, she makes me feel as though if I set my mind to something I can do it if I really want it. I found it a fascinating and humble read that I will never forget. It is a bit different to what I would normally read but I really enjoyed it.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Ronnie and Jake are twins – obviously not identical, but close as. They even have that twin intuition thing going on. Ronnie lives with her soon-to-be husband and new-born baby, and Jake is happily married with two daughters. One sunny April day, he hops onto somebody else’s motorbike to ride home when a horrific crash leaves him lying brain injured on the road. On hearing the news Ronnie rushes to Jake’s bedside. Having once been a physiotherapist, she knows it’s bad, and her life threatens to crack apart as she begs him to return to her.

Fifteen months later, it’s suggested by Jake’s wife that the two families go away to Brittany, France, on holiday. But surely, it’s too soon, thinks Ronnie. The tensions and events which follow threaten to rock both Ronnie’s marriage and her relationship with her sister-in-law, as she tries to reach Jake. And when secrets from their past begin to surface, will Ronnie seek comfort from another man? At the heart of it all is Jake, who is more than her brother, he is her twin. Once they floated side by side in their mother’s womb. Can Ronnie somehow remind him of the person he once was, or is he changed forever? The world turns with or without them, a butterfly flaps its wings, and only hummingbirds fly backwards.

My Thoughts:

I found this such a powerful and moving story that really makes you revaluate your life. More so that at the end of the story I read that the author Rosie went through a similar thing with her brother so it is written from experience and the heart. The story is centred around Ronnie and Jake who are twins, all grown up now and have their own lives they live, but one day their lives change forever when Jake is in a serious accident. Several months later Ronnie and her family go away on holiday with Jake and his family, Jake is not the man he used to be and has complications from being brain damaged. We see how Jake’s wife is coming to terms of her husband being the way he is with a head injury and how everyone is affected. It was a tough read but one that made me think about life and how precious it is. It is a very honest account of grief, loss, love and having acceptance.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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