Showing posts with label 4 star. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 4 star. Show all posts

Tuesday, 1 September 2020

Never Ask Me ~ Jeff Abbott ~ Book Review

 

TITLE - Never Ask Me

AUTHOR - Jeff Abbott

VERSION - Kindle edition

SYNOPSIS

Each of us has a question we dread.

In a quiet neighbourhood in the wealthy Austin suburb of Lakehaven, the body of Danielle Roberts is discovered on a park bench. Danielle was a beloved member of the community, an adoption consultant who delivered the joy of parenthood to a number of local families. Her murder shocks Lakehaven.

Perhaps no other family is as crushed as the Pollitts, who lived two houses down from Danielle and thought of her almost like family. Her death becomes the catalyst for a maelstrom of suspicion and intrigue. You have been told a huge lie, an anonymous email charges the son, Grant. No one can learn the truth now, thinks the father, Kyle. Never ask me what I’d do to protect my family, resolves the wife, Iris. I’ll do whatever it takes to save him, vows the daughter, Julia, of Danielle’s grieving teenage son.

The Pollitts always thought they’d always be there for each other. When each begins to suspect the others of the unimaginable, the strength of their bonds will be tested in extraordinary new ways. The latest from New York Times bestselling author Jeff Abbott is his most suspenseful thriller yet: a riveting tale of the dangerous secrets one family has concealed—and what happens when the question each Pollitt hoped they’d never be asked threatens to expose their darkest truths.


I've been a fan of Jeff Abbott for a few years now and followed his career with interest, so when the opportunity came up to read and review this book before publication day I wasn't going to miss out. 

The book starts with a punch. I like it when a book starts like this as I know it's going to keep my interest. Young friends Ned and Julia are out catching critters; a young persons craze like Pokemon. They head to the park and come across a woman slumped over on a bench. When they check on her they discovers she's dead. What they don't realise is that she's been murdered. The book then picks up pace from here. 

The book is fully of family dramas; secrets and lie upon lie. Who has killed the woman and why? Who keeps leaving cryptic messages in a tree? 

It was a slight diversion from regular Jeff Abbott novels and this time involved the subject of overseas adoption and corruption. It's full of intrigue and suspense and much more. 

I didn't connect with some of the characters like I normally would, and found some a little narcissistic. However I really enjoyed the novel nonetheless and would recommend it to those who like thrillers and books that keep you guessing, which this one certainly did. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Abbott is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of many mystery and
suspense novels. He has been called “one of the best thriller writers in the business” (Washington Post). His novels have been called “compulsively readable” (Chicago Sun Times), “outstanding. . .genuinely moving” and “fresh, original… intricately woven” (Publishers Weekly), “nail-bitingly suspenseful and totally original” (Irish Independent), and “extremely compelling” (Associated Press). He is published in many languages and has been a bestseller in the US, the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, Portugal, and other countries.

Jeff’s novel Adrenaline was a Summer Great Reads choice by both The Today Show and Good Morning America. His novel Inside Man was a Summer Book Pick by O, The Oprah Magazine, and a Best Beach Reads pick by USA Today. Jeff is a winner of the Thriller Award (for The Last Minute) and was nominated for the Thriller Award for Panic. He is a three-time nominee for the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award and a two-time nominee for the Anthony Award. Jeff’s first novel, Do Unto Others, won both the Agatha Award and the Macavity Award.

His novels Adrenaline, Panic, and Collision have been optioned for film and are in script development.

Jeff graduated from Rice University with a degree in History and English. He lives in Austin with his wife and two sons.

Connect with Jeff on Twitter; Facebook or contact him on his website


Friday, 15 May 2020

In Safe Hands by J P Carter ~ Book Review


TITLE - In Safe Hands

AUTHOR - J.P.Carter


Buy Link - Click here

SYNOPSIS 

How far would you go to save the ones you love?

The first book in a gripping new crime series featuring DCI Anna Tate.

When nine children are snatched from a nursery school in South London, their distressed parents have no idea if they will ever see them again. The community in the surrounding area is in shock. How could this happen right under their noses? No one in the quiet suburban street saw anything – or at least that's what they're saying.

But DCI Anna Tate knows that nothing is impossible, and she also knows that time is quickly running out. It’s unclear if the kidnappers are desperate for money or set on revenge, but the ransom is going up by £1million daily. And they know that one little boy in particular is fighting for his life.

It’s one of the most disturbing cases DCI Anna Tate has ever worked on – not only because nine children are being held hostage, but because she’s pretty sure that someone close to them is lying…


This is the first book in the series featuring DCI Anna Tate. I had not heard of this author before, but he is a bestselling author and this is a pseudonym.

It is an upsetting but entirely plausible story line about 9 children snatched from a nursery school. There are numerous suspects as the story line continues. It is an engaging read and hard to put down. The Author draws you right in and then throws a twist at you right at the end. I would have liked a bit more depth to some of the characters as I just couldn't warm to them, but that is my only real criticism.

I liked Anna and I'm interested to see where the author takes her next. All in all this is a good read.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. P. Carter is the pseudonym of a bestselling author who has also written sixteen books under the names Jaime and James Raven.

Before becoming a full-time writer he spent a career in journalism as a newspaper reporter and television producer. He was, for a number of years, director of a major UK news division and co-owned a TV production company. He now splits his time between homes in Hampshire and Spain with his wife.

Thursday, 13 March 2014

BOOK REVIEW - The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom ~ Inspirational Fiction



Title - The First Phone Call from Heaven
Author - Mitch Albom
Genre - Inspirational Fiction
Pages - 320
Publisher - Sphere
ISBN-10: 1847442269
ISBN-13: 978-1847442260
BOOK SYNOPSIS
The gift of heaven on earth.
It will become the biggest story in the world . . .

When the residents of a small town on Lake Michigan start receiving phone calls from the afterlife, they all become the subject of widespread attention. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out. This is a story about the power of belief -- and a page-turner that will touch your soul.

The internationally bestselling and inspirational author of Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven, returns with his most moving, surprising and compelling novel yet. The perfect introduction, or re-introduction, to the masterful storytelling of one of the best-loved writers of our time.


MY REVIEW


I was interested in reading this more through intrigue due to all they hype, than anything else. I was on holiday in the US and attended a book signing by the author Mitch Albom, in his home State of Michigan. The queue went on for ever and ever. This was a very popular book signing!

I had read a Mitch Albom book a long time ago, so thought it about time I read another. Some of my family members in the US, of all generations, are lifelong fans and all bought a copy of this book, so when I got home I did the same.

It doesn't matter whether you believe in a higher power or not. This is not a book which is meant to sway you in one way or another. It is however, a book which really makes you think about the human psyche and how we are all in someway, fearful of letting go of someone or something in our life.

When someone in a small town on Lake Michigan receives a phone call from her Sister, it causes somewhat of a shock. They are not estranged or anything but her Sister is actually dead! Her Sister says she is calling her from Heaven.

There are some great quotes in this book. "You have to start over. That's what they say. But life is not a board game and losing a loved one is never really "starting over". More like continuing without". How true is that.

This book is extremely well written and very intriguing . There are some strong characters in the book, who are all happy to share their experiences. Some are believers, some are sceptics, but they all have the same thing in common. A phone call from Heaven.

I wouldn't say I found the book inspirational like some readers have, and like the other book of Mitch Alboms I read, but it really did make me wish I could receive a phone call from Heaven.


ABOUT THE AUTHORMitch is a really interesting author. Read his bio here  

BOOK LINKS
Amazon - UK // USA

AUTHOR LINKS
Mitch Albom - Website // Facebook // YouTube // Twitter // MySpace


BOOK TRAILER


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Thursday, 13 September 2012

Book Review - Trust your Eyes by Linwood Barclay

Title - Trust Your Eyes

Author - Linwood Barclay

Publisher - Orion Books

ISBN - 978 1 4091 1502 1 hardback

ISBN - 978 1 4091 1504 5 e-book

Blurb.
Ray Kilbride is an illustrator for different publications. His Brother Thomas is somewhat mentally challenged and lives at home in his Dad's house in Promise Falls; a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Thomas has an addiction with studying maps and particularly a map computer programme called Whirl360, which photographs every street in the world. He believes he's working for the CIA, although obviously no-one believes him. Life changes for him one day when he's studying the streets and thinks he's seen on one of the photos, a murder taking place. Problem is will anyone believe him?

Then there's the story of 31yr old Allison, who is behind in her rent; works in a bar in New York but hasn't really got her life together. She's so irresponsible that when her Mother gives her the money to pay off her debts, she books a holiday with the money.

Review
As always with a Linwood Barclay book, I looked forward in anticipation of a thrilling read. I have to admit that unlike some of his other books, the prologue really didn't grip me, and reading it I was a bit disappointed and unsure of what was to come. Normally the prologues in a Linwood Barclay book are thrilling, but this really wasn't.

One thing I do love about Linwood Barclay books are the short chapters. This allows two stories (in this case, the lives of Thomas and Ray and also Allison) to run alongside each other, making a complex story easier to follow. In reading this, you wonder where their lives will collide. I thought straight away that I could see where the story was going, but I couldn't have been more wrong.

Despite a disappointing start, the book was so intriguing with the author taking you on so many twists and turns that I ended up where I couldn't put it down. It was so well written that Mr Barclay lead you into believing one thing, and then at the very end threw you in a completely different direction.

Although it's not my favourite of Linwood Barclay's books, he has proved yet again that he is a world class author, and doesn't need to write books with other well known names to be a success.




This book was given to me as a prize by Orion books, prior to publication.
I was not paid for my review, and the words & thoughts are all my own.