Truth, murder and the birth of the lie detector

Henry Wilkens burst through the doors of the emergency room covered in his wife’s blood. But was he a grieving husband, or a ruthless killer who’d conspired with bandits to have her murdered?

To find out, the San Francisco police turned to technology, and a new machine that had just been invented in Berkeley by a rookie detective, a visionary police chief, and a teenage magician with a showman’s touch.

John Larson, Gus Vollmer and Leonarde Keeler hoped the lie detector would make the justice system fairer – but the flawed device soon grew too powerful for them to control. It poisoned their lives, turned fast friends into bitter enemies, and as it conquered America and the world, it transformed our relationship with the truth in ways that are still being felt.

As new forms of lie detection gain momentum in the present day, Tremors in the Blood reveals the incredible truth behind the creation of the polygraph, through gripping true crime cases featuring explosive gunfights, shocking twists and high-stakes courtroom drama.

My Thoughts:

I found this book very entertaining, it is packed full of interesting facts about lie detectors, from the very first one used in a murder case, this has everything you ever needed to know. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I felt as though it was not too heavy but I did need to concentrate on it otherwise I felt as though I would miss something. I love how Amit the author has written it so you feel as though you are reading a thriller rather than a history book, it is so cleverly done and Amit clearly knows his stuff. I can’t wait to read his next book and see what he is going to write about as this book just blew me away. I am now armed full of interesting things about lie detectors and how they work.

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

Get your copy here:

All over the world, random people are being brutally assassinated.

Each death is unique, but they all have one thing in common: four numbers branded or carved into the victims’ flesh.

What does it mean?

For the brilliant and haunted CIA analyst Quinn Mitchell, it means leaving a safe and predictable desk job as she tries to track down a global serial killer.

What she doesn’t know is that nothing about this mission – her handlers, the intelligence, even the laws of cause and effect – can be trusted.

And her target has saved his most shocking murder for last . . .

My Thoughts:

I think first off I have to say that time travel novels and science fiction are just not for me, I wanted to enjoy this book but I feel as though the plot felt very samey to other books I have read with similar plots. The characters al had their own motives and had been written well, they all worked in this story. I must admit some of the future technology sounded cool, I would not say there was anything bad with the story it is just my personal preference and I am sure loads of people will enjoy it greatly.

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

Get your copy here:

She’s the perfect host. He’s the perfect victim.

Someone is hunting Connor. Alone, freezing, in the wilderness of Bodmin Moor, on an elite Special Forces training exercise, he’d be a fool to scorn the kindness of a local stranger. Wouldn’t he?

At first, Eilidh seems to be an impeccable host. She offers Connor food and a warm bed – he finds it nearly impossible to leave her charming farmhouse.

But the choice isn’t his to make.

There have been others before. None, though, as perfect as him.

Why would she let him leave?

My Thoughts:

This was such a gripping read, one that would be brilliant if it was made into a film. I love how the plot was fresh and original, it chilled me to the bone wondering what plans Eilidh had with Connor, it was tense and dark, and the characters were all unique in their own way, you don’t really know who to trust. Where it was set in the middle of nowhere also gave me the shivers and made the story creepy and kept me on edge. An all round great story with a fantastic built up ending.

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

Get your copy here:

Jessica Jackson has hit all the milestones for turning 30 – the career, the loving boyfriend and a cosy London flat they share with their cat. But a shock diagnosis of breast cancer turns Jess’s world upside down, and her contented life implodes with it.

Around her, her friends’ lives continue to follow the script, with the big white weddings and the baby scans. With her own future so uncertain, the only thing Jess is sure of is that she’s being left behind.

In the midst of it all, she meets Annabel, an enigmatic twenty-seven year old with incurable cancer. But while Annabel may not have long left, she understands much more about living than anyone Jess has ever met. And she’s determined to show Jess how to make every day count . . .

My Thoughts:

Wow what a BOOK, I would thoroughly recommend reading this book to everyone, I love reading books that are written from experience. Laura the author shows her experience in this book as she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 29 years old. She is such an inspiration and to write a book is incredible. I hope this book helps people that are recently diagnosed but also shows their friends and family what it is like to go through such a tough time. It is a book all about what life can throw at us and how we deal with certain situations, this is when you need friends and family around you the most to support you. It was a story that will stay with me for a long time, I can’t recommend it enough and also it really touched my heart. I know Laura is going to have such a big success with this book when it comes out. It was absolutely brilliant.

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

Get your copy here:

Eighteen-year-old Emma has loving parents and a promising future ahead of her.

So why, one morning, does she leave home without a trace?

Her parents, Cath and Jim, are devastated. They have no idea why Emma left, where she is – or even whether she is still alive.

A year later, Cath and Jim are still tormented by the unanswered questions Emma left behind, and clinging desperately to the hope of finding her.

Meanwhile, tantalisingly close to home, Emma is also struggling with her new existence – and with the trauma that shattered her life.

For all of them, reconciliation seems an impossible dream. Does the way forward lie in facing up to the secrets of the past – secrets that have been hidden for years?

Secrets that have the power to heal them, or to destroy their family forever …

My Thoughts:

This was a great read that was captivating and engaging and didn’t disappoint. Parents Cath and Jim have a daughter who one day leaves but no one knows why? we see the story unfold as we hear from each of the parents side of the story. The story is all about love, loss, grief and relationships and the story is well told and I was not sure what each chapter would unfold but was pleasantly surprised. When you find out the secret you will be shocked. I look forward to reading more of Rachel’s books.

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

Get your copy here:

In the 1970s, The Girls were best friends sharing a house and good times: Zara the famous diva actor, Val the uptight solicitor, Jackie the wild child and Pauline the quirky introvert. Now they’re in their twilight years, and Zara suggests that they live with her to support each other through old age.

Initially, being housemates again is just as much fun as in their heyday. But then Zara reveals the real reason she asked them to move in with her, and suddenly things take a sinister turn.

As the women confront their demons they come under the spotlight of the press, the police and an angry parrot. With their lives spiralling out of control can they save their friendships and each other?

My Thoughts:

Bella Osborne is definitely one of my go to authors, I know as soon as she has a book out, I will get it no doubt as I know I will enjoy it and they never disappoint. The story line is so genuine and real and I feel people will be able to relate. It is such a heart warming about two friends who are alot older and decide to live together but what is the unspoken secret between them. It is a story about the true meaning of friendship and how you should tell those people close to you how much you love them. This was such a great and easy read that you will get swept up with.

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

Get your copy here:

Unhappy with life in London, and with her love life a complete disaster, Ellie Chapman desperately needs a change. So when she learns she’s inherited a farmhouse perched high up on the cliffs above the English Channel, it feels like the perfect escape.

But ramshackle and dilapidated, and ruled by the world’s naughtiest donkey, Seabreeze Farm is not as picture
perfect as Ellie imagined. And then there’s brooding local vet Ben Hastings, who seems to make it his mission to make life on the farm even harder for Ellie!

With money tight, Ellie slowly rebuilds the tired old farmhouse. And as the farm comes to life under Ellie’s care, Ellie’s spark returns
too. Because as every day passes, Ellie begins to realises that there is something special about Seabreeze Farm, and there’s no other place she’d rather be.

My Thoughts:

After reading this book I have realised I need to read more of Jo’s books as they are a really great read. This was such a comforting story about learning to trust again and what family and friends really mean to you. I wanted to be there and experience where it was set and meet all the wonderful characters that are involved in this book. I felt as though this was a perfect read to snuggle up with and it felt heartwarming and comforting to read. I need to work my way through Jo’s other books as I know how much I would enjoy them.

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

Get your copy here:

Some people would kill for a second chance.

Kat is rebuilding her life. After losing her husband in a tragic accident, moving to the countryside is her chance to start again.

Encouraged by her new and only friend Ginny, Kat joins New Horizons, dubbed the Coffin Club by its members. And that’s how she meets Nico. Instantly drawn to each other, Nico seems like Kat’s perfect match. He is kind, caring, handsome and, most importantly, a father to five-year-old Magdalena. This could be Kat’s shot at the one thing she has always wanted: to be a mother.

BUT SOMETIMES BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR…

My Thoughts:

OMG this book was everything I wanted and a whole heap more, it just kept on going and going with shocking and surprising twists and turns that I never saw coming. I felt as though it lead me up the garden path but I should of been going up the other instead. I loved how the drama builds you never know how the story is going to unfold, nothing is as it seems and it seems uncertain but you are not really sure if it is or not. I loved the characters and they are all unique in their own way, there could be women out there that can relate to how Kat was feeling about her situation, I am not saying I agree with what she did but I can understand that wanting feeling. I read this book in two days and was thinking about what I would do in that situation and also how the story would finish, though I didn’t want it to finish, the ending blew me away. I cannot wait to see what Jacqueline is going to write about next. She is definitely an author I will be reading more of in the future. This would make a great film.

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

Get your copy here:

A new season…

As winter turns to spring, Hollie – owner of The Starfish Café – is feeling content as she settles into her new life with her loving boyfriend, Jake, and their adorable dog Pickle.

But when an unwelcome visitor threatens the future of her café, Hollie must stay strong to protect her family’s legacy…

A leap of faith…

Emerging from an unhappy relationship, Tori finds herself with nowhere to stay and nobody to talk to. The long-hidden secrets of her past weigh heavily on her until a chance encounter with Finley, struggling to come to terms with his own secrets, provides an opportunity to open up.

Can she find the strength to stop hiding from her past and face up to her family? Especially when that would mean letting her guard down and learning to trust again…

A fresh start…?

Little do Hollie and Tori know that their lives are about to collide at The Starfish Café and they may be able to help each other with a fresh start. After all, with good friends in your life, nothing is impossible…

My Thoughts:

I always think when I am reading one of Jessica’s books that it is my favourite until she brings out a new one and I find it hard to resist as I know I am going to love it. It was lovely to be back at the Starfish cafe with all the wonderful characters, as soon as I started reading it, I knew I would get caught up in the story and this is such a good one, it is emotional but it is also uplifting at the same time. The story is full of great family and friends and feels relatable which always makes a good story in my eyes. I loved seeing the friendship between Hollie and Tori blossom and it reminded me how close me and my best friend are. Such a warming ending too.

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

Get your copy here:

Yinka wants to find love. Her mum wants to find it for her.

She also has too many aunties who frequently pray for her delivery from singledom, a preference for chicken and chips over traditional Nigerian food, and a bum she’s sure is far too small as a result. Oh, and the fact that she’s a thirty-one-year-old South-Londoner who doesn’t believe in sex before marriage is a bit of an obstacle too…

When her cousin gets engaged, Yinka commences ‘Operation Find A Date for Rachel’s Wedding’. Armed with a totally flawless, incredibly specific plan, will Yinka find herself a huzband?

What if the thing she really needs to find is herself?

My Thoughts:

If you are after an upbeat and funny read, this is the perfect read for you. I have been reading quite a few thrillers and needed something light hearted and this was the perfect change I needed. It really shows the true meaning of extended families and female friendships. It such a great and easy read, I was laughing most of the time reading this. I loved Yinka, she is such a strong female character, I felt as though I went through every emotion with her. Now when I think of this book it will make me smile. I just want to read it again and again.

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

Get your copy here: