Sunday 16 December 2018

Presumed Guilty by Jane Isaac





 Accident or murder?

The first victim – a prominent local councillor, killed in a hit and run ‒ could be either, but the next bodies leave no doubt. A twisted killer is at large. And he’s not finished yet.

DC Beth Chamberlain, Family Liaison Officer, has to support the victims’ families, but before she can solve the crimes in the present, Beth needs to uncover the secrets of the past.

Meanwhile, the killer has her in his sights...

‘Tense, dark and gritty: perfect combination.’ – Ian Patrick, author of Rubicon
The latest electrifying whodunnit from the bestselling author of After He's Gone. If you're a fan of Angela Marsons, Nicci French and Rachel Abbott, you won't want to miss Presumed Guilty.

Title: Presumed Guilty
Author: Jane Isaac
Links:  UK:   Amazon      US:   Amazon



Our Review

This is the second in the DC Beth Chamberlain series and just like the first book this races along with a gripping plot. 

I love a police procedural anyway but this has a slight edge as Beth Chamberlain is also a family liaison officer. So she is privy to the victim’s family’s innermost thoughts and gets to see first hand how they react after the crime is committed.

Beth is a very likeable character and she is also professional and works really well as part of a team. What I really enjoyed about this book was that it wasn’t just a straightforward serial killer thriller, there were lots of twists and turns and when we eventually find out who the killer is it’s still not over because there are more layers to peel back to get to the bottom of everything and this added further intrigue to the story.

I could really relate to Beth as she is still in pain over the death of her mother and her relationship with her sister was a bit like walking on eggshells at times. She takes on all the responsibility for her family as well as holding down a tough job which makes things really hard for her.

She was also going through lots of changes to her private life which were very exciting and hopefully mean she has lots to look forward to in the future..

I have loved all of Jane's books and can’t wait for the next book in this series as I have a feeling that Beth is going to have to look over her shoulder for some time to come.

A truly satisfying read. 

Sincerely 
Book Angel x


About the Author


Jane Isaac is married to a serving detective (very helpful for research!). They live in rural Northamptonshire, UK with their daughter, and dog, Bollo. Jane's debut novel, An Unfamiliar Murder, introduces DCI Helen Lavery and was nominated as best mystery in the 'eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook awards 2013.'

The Truth Will Out, the second in the DCI Helen Lavery series, was nominated as 'Thriller of the Month - April 2014' by E-thriller.com and winner of 'Noveltunity book club selection - May 2014'.

Jane' s sixth novel, After He's Gone, features Family Liaison Officer, DC Beth Chamberlain and will be released in June 2018. The second Beth Chamberlain novel will follow later in 2018.

Jane loves to hear from readers and writers. You can reach her via her website at www.janeisaac.co.uk

Sign up to her book club at http://eepurl.com/1a2uT for book recommendations and details of new releases, events and giveaways. 


Follow the blog tour here...

Thursday 6 December 2018

Last Lullaby by Carol Wyer


Charlotte’s baby is safe. But is she?

When the body of mother Charlotte Brannon is discovered by her husband Adam, in their bedroom, Detective Natalie Ward is first on the scene. The killer has left a chilling calling card: The word ‘Why?’ written on the wall in blood.

As Natalie begins to delve deeper into the couple’s lives, she discovers that Adam has a dark past he’s been hiding and she’s sure that the Brannon’s teenage babysitter Inge has secrets of her own.

Then another mother is murdered on her doorstep in front of her young son, the word ‘why’ scrawled on the wall next to her.

All the key suspects have alibis and with her own marriage hanging by a thread, Natalie is struggling to stay focused on cracking her toughest case yet.

When a young woman and her baby disappear, a member of Natalie’s own team is put in terrible danger. Can Natalie stop this twisted serial killer and save one of her own before more families are torn apart forever?


Title: Last Lullaby
Author: Carol Wyer
Published By: Bookouture
Publication Date: 7th December 2018
Links: UK: Amazon US: Amazon



Our Review


Last Lullaby is the second in the DI Natalie Ward series of books and just like the first one it is a heart racing, fast paced thriller. Natalie is under a lot of pressure to be a wife, a mother and a boss. But something has to give and unfortunately it's usually the time with her family that she has to give up as the murder investigations are more urgent than her daughter needing to be taken shopping for a new pair of jeans. 

She is a flawed character and feels guilt about not being able to be there for her family and also due to certain events that happened with one colleague in particular. 

When a young woman is found murdered in cold blood with her child only yards away, D I Natalie Ward is brought in to investigate. She and her team begin a race against time to solve the murder before anyone else is hurt and the pressure of the investigation takes it’s toll on Natalie’s already troubled marriage.

As this is the second book in the series it felt like I was getting to know the characters a bit more and was given an insight into their relationships. I like the way the team all work so well together and the glimpses we get to see into their private lives.

The crimes that take place in the book are totally tragic and I was kept guessing until very near the end. I kept on changing my mind as to who the killer was.

I’m beginning to think that Carol Wyer is actually an undercover detective because the investigations she writes about are so realistic and cleverly crafted. My heart was racing as the story tore along and the tension built to a crescendo. The endings are always satisfying and I simply can’t wait for the next book.

I am also a huge fan of Carol’s other series about D I Robyn Carter and would highly recommend those too.

Sincerely
Book Angel x

About the Author


Carol E. Wyer, who also writes as Carol Wyer, is an award-winning author and stand up comedian who writes feel-good comedies and gripping thrillers.
Her book, Grumpy Old Menopause won The People's Book Prize Award for non-fiction 2015.
The DI Robyn Carter series has earned her acclaim as a crime writer and the first book in the series, Little Girl Lost, shot to the #2 best-selling spot on Kindle #9 best-selling audiobook on Audible, and was also a USA Today top 150 best-seller.
Carol has been interviewed on numerous radio shows discussing ''Irritable Male Syndrome' and 'Ageing Disgracefully' and on BBC Breakfast television. She has had articles published in national magazines 'Woman's Weekly' featured in 'Take A Break', 'Choice', 'Yours' and 'Woman's Own' magazines and the Huffington Post.

To learn more about Carol, go to www.carolwyer.co.uk or follow Carol on Twitter: @carolewyer.
Carol also blogs at www.carolwyer.com

Saturday 1 December 2018

Mistletoe and Mystery by Daisy James




Welcome to the Cotswolds Festive Feast cookery course...

Fresh off the successful opening of the Paradise Cookery School in St Lucia, Millie Harper is headed to the Cotswolds for Christmas!

Co-presenting Claudia Croft’s famous Festive Feast cookery course at Stonelea Manor is a dream come true for Millie…as is reuniting with gorgeous estate manager Zach Barker.

But arriving in a winter wonderland Millie learns the manor is under a mysterious threat. It’ll take a holiday miracle, but Millie is determined to save the school and get Zach under the mistletoe to finally finish what they started in the Caribbean!

Cosy up with this fun, festive visit to the Cotswolds premier cookery school! Perfect for fans of Jenny Oliver and Sarah Morgan

If you loved Mistletoe & Mystery, why not read the first two stories in The Paradise Cookery School series? Sunshine & Secrets and Confetti & Confusions are both available now!


Title: Mistletoe and Mystery
Author: Daisy James
Published By: Canelo
Publication Date: 10th September 2018
Links to Book:

Amazon (UK)

Kobo (UK)

Google Books (UK)




Extract from Mistletoe and Mystery


“Tim, if we don’t leave now we’ll miss the show!” sighed Claudia as she watched her husband slot yet another screwdriver into the already jam-packed rucksack he had insisted on bringing with him to the tree-lighting ceremony ‘just in case’.

“It always pays to be prepared, darling,” replied Tim, his forehead creased in thought. “Remember last year when George Stanton blew up the kettle and everyone was forced to drink mulled wine and Christmas punch instead of tea and coffee? The whole evening descended into an absolutely riot!”

“And it was the best Christmas party the village has ever had!” laughed Claudia, leaning forward to deposit a kiss on Tim’s cheek before linking his arm and steering him towards the front door. “Come on.”

“Do you think I should take a spare roll of gaffer tape?”

“No!”

“What do you think, Millie? Isn’t it better to be over-prepared than risk the regret of a forgotten gadget?”

“Erm, I’m not sure,” she hedged, uncertain how to answer such a loaded question. It was the first time she’d met Tim and she liked him on the spot, her heart flooding with empathy for her fellow clutter-collector, especially when she saw the pleading expression scrawled across his handsome face. “Maybe.”

“I’ll take that as a yes then!”

And before anyone could stop him, he’d cantered off back to his workshop to collect even more essential tools, leaving the two women rolling their eyes and giggling on the doorstep until he reappeared, stooped under the weight of his over-laden rucksack like a DIY-obsessed Father Christmas.

It was clear to Millie that Tim belonged to the eccentric part of the people spectrum. Dressed in a hand-knitted sweater, incongruously depicting only the rear end of a reindeer, he was as far from Millie’s image of a high-flying City architect as it was possible to get. However, his silver eyes held a sharp intelligence that reflected an avid interest in everything around him and he exuded energy, almost as if he was getting ready to embark on a sprint. His hair, more salt than pepper, was thick and luxuriant and cut into a trendy style by the local French hairdresser, and the fine lines around his mouth spoke of regular laughter. Time spent with Tim Croft would be the highlight of anyone’s day.

He insisted on driving them to Berryford in his Range Rover which made short work of the snow-covered roads. Thankfully, the temperature had climbed during the day to hover just above freezing. The covering of snow remained, but rivulets of water were trickling in the gutters and the absence of a breeze made the night air much more appealing.

As soon as Claudia emerged from the passenger seat, she was mobbed by friends and neighbours and dragged off to inspect the Christmas tree and pronounce her delight at the villagers’ foodie offerings. Tim shrugged his shoulders in familiar resignation, relieved her of her platters of gingerbread and accompanied Millie into the village hall where he too was summonsed for his opinion on the generator that was being used to power the lights.

Left alone, Millie experienced a spasm of awkwardness, but it didn’t last long. No one was allowed to feel like an outsider in Berryford, especially during the festivities. She set down the platter of dark chocolate roulades on an old wallpaper table alongside the most elegantly dressed Christmas cake she had ever seen. A Calypso-style version of Jingle Bells blared out from a pair of huge loudspeakers on the stage at the far end of the room next to an eclectically decorated silver tinsel tree. The whole room smelled of cloves, cinnamon and happy times, with just the faintest hint of bleach, and was clearly a beacon of light in the heart of the village.

“Hi, Millie. Looks like you and Claudia have been busy today. There’s enough food here to feed a whole battalion of Christmas elves!” declared Zach as he carefully lowered a keg of beer from his shoulder on to the makeshift bar that was crammed with a kaleidoscope of spirits ranging from the standard whisky and gin to the more exotic like the thick green liquor that Millie thought must be Crème de Menthe – something she had last seen in her French grandmother’s drinks cabinet when she was a child!

“We have! And you’re right – there’s a mountain of goodies on offer, but we had to use up so many ingredients in the larder because four of the Festive Feast guests have had to cancel at the last minute. Only two couples are enrolled on the Christmas cookery course this time. Look, over there next to the piano; that’s Leo Groves and his wife, Gina, and his business partner, Mike Sanderson and his wife, Marianne.”

Zach followed the direction of Millie’s eyes to where Gina and Marianne were sampling the mulled wine, their mouths stretching into a grimace when the high alcohol content hit the back of their throats. Mike rolled his eyes at his friends and took a sip too, then promptly descended into a coughing fit, his tortoise-shell glasses slipping from his face and blonde quiff quivering in the onslaught as Marianne gamely patted his back whilst trying to hold back a bout of giggles.

Leo, clearly the more sensible of the group, shook his head when Gina offered him her glass and instead selected a bottle of beer which he clutched to his chest as if his life depended on it. He certainly fit his name perfectly, thought Millie, as she took in his broad, rugby-honed shoulders, the tight auburn curls and the bump on the bridge of his nose to indicate he had been in the wars – albeit on a sports pitch. He radiated self-assurance and Millie knew she would have no qualms choosing Leo Groves to act on her behalf should she ever find herself in the unfortunate position of having to instruct a solicitor.

“Hey, you two! What are you doing loitering in here?” called Tim through the doorway. “The ceremony is about to start!

A huge thanks to Daisy for sharing this extract with us, here are the details for the rest of the blog tour..

Sincerely
Book Angel x 

About the Author: 


Daisy James is a Yorkshire girl transplanted to the north east of England. She loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. When not scribbling away in her summerhouse, she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something pink and fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea – china plates and teacups are a must.