There are few novels that make you want to dip your toe into the murky waters of crime, but this is one of them. The prologue starts with a heist. And then chapter one goes back in time to the protagonist's freshman years. Politically the message was strong throughout the middle of the book set in Iraq. Why are we sending young men to war?
 
The last third was set is the US after the long stint in Iraq, and seen through the eyes of PTSD suffering junkie. A lot of his behaviour was reprehensible yet it was told with such candor and charm!
 
I could see this being made into a television series or a film.
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review. 
 

The thing about weddings and hen weekends is that they are meant to be fun. So why do they always feel like forced-aren't-we-having-fun-fun. The first chapter was perfect in instilling hesitation from the bride-to-be when following the maid of honour's directions to a mysterious location.
 
I enjoyed getting to know the women and forgot about the pending twists and turns. There was enough intrigue and mystery that anyone could've done it. And about two-thirds during the book I was sure I had nailed the ending, only to be completely wrong. It was a great story that kept you guessing to the very last chapter. Bravo!
 
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review. 
 

I absolutely adored MRC Kasasian's Gower Street series (start with the Mangle Street Murders, so I was delighted to get the chance to read the first Betty Church story.
 
Betty Church is one of the first female police detectives, and let's be fair if it wasn't near-war time she might not have got a look in. As if those weren't difficult enough odds, Betty only has one arm. It's Girl Power 1930s!
 
Betty is a brilliant protagonist and as per Mr Kasasian's previous series, (set in Victorian London) the research of the time and location is exemplary. It's Team Betty the whole time when she comes up against common-place (of its time) discrimination and prejudice. It's heartbreaking at times how people are treated and disregarded.
 
The book is a riot from start to finish. I hope to see and read more of Betty Church's escapades.
 
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review. 
 

This is the fourth in the DI Kelly Porter series, but the first one I have read (NB - I will definitely be checking out the others in the series).
 
The story is intertwined with many characters but you're never at a loss at who anybody is. There is a nice realism to the professionals and it felt like I was in the middle of a police investigation, with scraps of information and other cases and real life interruptions. There was a good amount of red herrings that kept you guessing what actually  happened on the night in question.
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review. 
 

A riveting read from start to finish.
 
The book is told from three the perspective female characters:
- Evie - 16 years earlier she accidentally killed her father and she has rebuilt her life and comes home to find her husband dead from a gunshot wound.
- DD - A senior policewoman who first questioned Evie all those years ago.
- Flora - The survivor of a violent kidnapping, and now works as DD's confidential informant.
 
From the very first chapter I was hooked. Why did Evie act so unexpectedly when she found her husband's body?
The book looks at the old case of Evie's father in more detail. DD is adamant Evie isn't going to get away again. Yet, when her informant Flora recognises Evie's husband, there is more than meets the eye in both deaths. Everyone is harbouring secrets. Flora's story is heartbreaking, her courage seeps through with her every action  - I hope to see more of her in the future!
 
I read this in as close to one sitting as possible, with meals and sleep getting in the way.
 
A brilliant book. And if you like Karin Slaughter and Gillian Flynn do not hesitate to read Never Tell.
 
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review.