Blind Spot – Paula Hawkins ★★★★

April 21, 2022 bookclubbetweenthepagesLeave a comment

Blurb; ‘How can you say things like this? How can you be so blind?’

Since they were kids, Edie, Jake and Ryan have been the closest of friends. It’s been the three of them against the world. Edie thought the bonds between them were unbreakable. So when Jake is brutally murdered and Ryan accused of the crime, her world is shattered.

Edie is alone for the first time in years, living in the remote house that she and Jake shared. She is grief-stricken and afraid – with good reason. Because someone is watching. Someone has been waiting for this moment. Now that Edie is alone, the past she tried so hard to leave behind is about to catch up with her…

My Review; From the bestselling author of The Girl on the Train comes a brilliant, short quickread at 120 pages. Perfect for me right now with a 9 day old newborn. I really enjoyed this was gripped from the first line. Kept me guessing and doubting the characters throughout. The story focuses on three main characters Edie, Jake and Ryan who has been long term friends for ages. But from the start Jake is dead. Why? How? Who? An unexpected outcome that relates to their teenage years and a brilliant epilogue. A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend. My first book read since having baby #3.

Amazon Link UK

Amazon Link US

crime · Detective · mystery · suspense · thriller

The Couple at No.9 – Claire Douglas ★★★★

April 10, 2022 bookclubbetweenthepagesLeave a comment

Blurb; It was the house of their dreams. Until the bodies were found . . .

BODIES FOUND UNDER PATIO

When pregnant Saffron Cutler moves into 9 Skelton Place with boyfriend Tom and sets about renovations the last thing she expects is builders uncovering a body – two bodies, in fact.

POLICE INVESTIGATE

Forensics indicate the bodies have been buried at least thirty years. Nothing Saffy need worry herself over. Until the police launch a murder investigation and ask to speak to the cottage’s former owner – her grandmother, Rose.

OWNER QUESTIONED

Rose is in a care home and Alzheimer’s means her memory is increasingly confused. She can’t help the police but it is clear she remembers something.

A KILLER AT LARGE?

As Rose’s fragmented memories resurface, and the police dig ever deeper, Saffy fears she and the cottage are being watched.

What happened thirty years ago?

Why did no one miss the victims?

What part did her grandmother play?

And is Saffy now in danger?

My Review; Have been a huge fan of this author in the past and have read most of her books. This was mine and Mels most recent buddy read and I really enjoyed it. It kept me guessing throughout but Mel did guess the twist quite early on. The story is told through each of the characters and does flick between the past and present surrounding the house and the bodies found in the garden.

Had a lovely ending and justice was given eventually even after all these years for the bodies and what occurred in the past. The author also included a civil partnership (gay) relationship and dementia within the story. I enjoyed it. Gripping. Kept me guessing. I love the cover too. A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend.

Amazon Link UK

Amazon Link US

crime · Detective · mystery · suspense · thriller

Search No Further – A.J. Campbell ★★★★

April 10, 2022 bookclubbetweenthepagesLeave a comment

Blurb; Cara De Rosa is the heart of her large family and community in London. Her restaurant business is booming. She’s found a second chance at love, and an impending marriage is on the horizon. But there’s no such thing as a perfect life. And the good times never last forever.

When Cara’s health suddenly falters, her family’s world turns upside down in the blink of an eye. In a bed-ridden haze, she confides in Sienna, her favourite grandchild, that her rapid decline may be at the hands of one of her own.

Sienna, a young, single mother, is reeling in the wake of her husband’s unsolved death. She is haunted by crippling anxiety and misplaced guilt, heightened by suddenly finding herself in a race against time to save Cara’s life. As she begins to pull at the strings of a tangled family web, she’ll reveal disturbing secrets, decades of deceit and shockingly serious crimes.

My Review; My first book I’ve read by this author. This is a Standalone read and it’s brilliant. I devoured it. Gripping. Thrilling. Race against time to get the answers she wants and needs to save a life. I loved Caras character, she really is the head of the family as they say. Sienna is one strong, determined character who will do anything for Cara, even launching her own investigation against her own family. Kept me on my toes throughout and had my belly grumbling with all the mention of food throughout.

A happy ending for most of the family. But plenty of truths, secrets, lies and affairs have to come to the surface first which could tear this family apart. There’s always something going on to keep the pages turning. Very impressed. A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend.

Amazon Link UK

Amazon Link US