***** Learning that his mother Lydia is dying, Peter Mackenzie’s life erupts as work demands, arguments with his partner and the urgency to return to Australia all converge in a flurry of pressure and anxiety. Having left his home as a teenager, Peter has plenty of reasons for not going back, but if he doesn’t,…
‘Rivers of London’ by Ben Aaronovitch
***** Probationary cop Peter Grant longs for an interesting transfer in the Metropolitan Police Service, but after a strange encounter with Nicholas Wallpenny (who happens to be a ghost), what he gets is something unexpected. Learning that his new inspector is also a bit of a wizard, Grant finds himself talking to dead people, casting…
‘Family’ by Owen Mullen
***** NB This post first appeared as part of the blog tour for ‘Family’ via Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources. When gangster Luke Glass gets out of prison after a seven-year stretch, he has no intention of going back. The only way to avoid trouble is to get out of the family business, but with…
‘Networking for Writers’ by Lizzie Chantree
***** NB This post first apeared on the Blog Tour for ‘Networking for Writers’ via Rachel’s Random Resources. From new authors to those more experienced, this book tackles one of those subjects many writers shy away from – talking to other people. Putting yourself out there can be a scary prospect and knowing how to…
‘The Lost Sentinel’ by Suzanne Rogerson
**** NB This post first appeared on the Blog Tour for ‘’The Lost Sentinel’ via Rachel’s Random Resources. My Review (Audiobook) Forced to hide her magical powers from the ruling Assembly of Kalaya, Tei and her father are warned that they must flee to stay safe. Embarking on a journey to seek out other exiles,…
‘When the Children Come’ by Barry Kirwan
***** NB This post first appeared as part of the Blog Tour for ‘When the Children Come’ by Barry Kirwan, via Rachel’s Random Resources. Traumatised from tours of duty in Afghanistan, Nathan’s existence is a lonely one. Then one New Year’s Eve he meets Lara and for one night his life begins to look promising.…
‘Troubled’ by Joy Mutter
***** The discovery of a naked body on the banks of a river in Sheffield, sets off an immediate police investigation. DCI Cosgrove and his team soon find themselves immersed in the dark world of grooming gangs, manipulation and child abuse. With kooky scientist Fenton Nightingale on the run, Cosgrove and his DS Theresa Smart,…
‘Are You Actually Going to be Prolific or Just Make Excuses?’ by Brandon Q Scott
*** This is another tome in Brandon Scott’s series about writing, publishing and getting things done. With his usual bulldog approach, the author lays down his ideas for writing quickly and efficiently. While he’s quite right about (especially) indie authors needing to put out new books regularly, he does make it sound a little like…
‘The Man Who Died’ by Antti Tuomainen
***** Mushroom entrepreneur Jaakko is only thirty-seven years of age, so when a doctor reveals that he’s been poisoned and will soon die, Jaakko is determined to find out who is responsible. But that isn’t his only problem – the new mushroom company across the street are trying to steal his customers, one of his…
‘Double Indemnity’ by James M Cain
***** Insurance agent Walter Huff gets into deep water when he meets beautiful temptress Phyllis Nirdlinger. Cooking up a plot to kill the woman’s husband, Huff looks forward to getting the money and the girl. Unfortunately, the plan to pull off the perfect murder falls foul of Huff’s boss, Barton Keyes, who knows more about…
Colin Garrow 