Book #73 The Night Stalker

The Night Stalker by Robert Bryndza
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Robert Bryndza does it again! I don't usually 'binge' read series but having enjoyed #1 so much, The Girl In The Ice, I did move straight on to The Night Stalker as I was so taken with DCI Erika Foster. In my earlier review I likened her to Helen Grace; that similar damaged past, a dislike of internal politics, superiors who are continually on her case despite the fact that she uses her intuition with remarkable insight. Once again Erika is pitched against a devious serial killer, who earns the moniker Night Owl for fairly obvious reasons. Her team of DIs Paterson and Moss resolutely stand by her even when her actions once again are met with questionable action 'from above' including Superintendent Marsh and ACC Oakley. you are familiar with the term 'wanker'? Yeah, that's Oakley. How did he reach such high office?

The prose is edgy, the pace is quickened with short chapters when required. The protagonists are believable, the police procedures are spot on, the locations are often sinister. I found myself completely immersed in this terrific thriller that really does have everything including a finish that left me breathless!

I loved it!

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Book #72 The Girl In The Ice

The Girl In The Ice by Robert Bryndza
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So pleased that other Goodreaders recommended this. Wow! Helen Grace has a rival in DCI Erika Foster. There are similarities in their background. Both have suffered trauma in their earlier careers with the police. Both take on the establishment, despise internal politics and at times evince a level of insubordination against superiors. I am left to wonder how Chief Superintendent Marsh ever achieved such a high level of rank given his propensity to often ignore the obvious.

Erika will fight her corner to follow the evidence in a case of alarming developments. Her team love her and will do everything to support her in this cracking serial killer thriller. It has everything; short chapters when required to rack up the tension, great dialogue, believable characters and locations. And the feisty DCI Erika Foster.

I loved this debut novel in the series by Robert Bryndza. Raced through it, couldn't put it down.

Highly recommended.

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Book #71 My Husband's Son

My Husband's Son by Deborah O'Connor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Overall this is a taut read, but for me it was marred by Heidi, the main protagonist, who continually does things beyond stupid. One cannot of course overlook the fact that her daughter Lauren was murdered six years ago when just a youngster. Her husband Jason's son was kidnapped a year later and he and his first wife split up. Heidi and Jason's marriage is fragile, haunted with memories of their loss. And then Heidi meets a boy she's certain is Jason's long-missing son - but Jason is equally convinced it is not him. Heidi sets out on a quest determined to prove otherwise....

Jo Spain said: "An ending that left my head spinning...". I beg to differ. For me it was all too predictable given the events of the last 60 pages or so.

I give it 3.5 stars.

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Book #70 Cold Earth

Cold Earth by Ann Cleeves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, there it is. I managed to make it last for four days. Had to finish it, disappointed that it's over. I love Shetland - these wild, Northern Isles where I followed in Jimmy Perez's footsteps in May this year. Ann Cleeves has made them her own. She understands the Shetlanders and their way of life. And how they will react to a murder in their community. This number 7 in the series is another gem - a beautifully crafted slow-burner that sees DI Jimmy Perez and DCI Willow Reeves together once again, investigating the crime. Is romance in the air or is it too soon following the murder of Fran? How is Cassie coping? Why is there no mention of Sergeant 'Tosh'? Will there be another murder? If you are a Shetland fan you will have to read it and find out.

I loved it.

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Book #69 The Woman Next Door

The Woman Next Door by Cass Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You can choose your friends but you cannot choose your family. Same goes for neighbours I guess. I certainly wouldn't want to suffer Hester as the woman next door. Come to that, I wouldn't be too thrilled to live next door to Melissa! We have had The Couple Next Door; now we have Cass Green's The Woman Next Door and this really is a killer read! Two women, two dark secrets and the almost perfect murder. Almost? On page #76 it really kicks off! "The rest of my sentence is whisked away in an out-breath that seems to go on and on. I am aware of the thud and whoosh of my own blood...." What has happened was not at all what I was expecting and it really did take my breath away, with something of an hysterical laugh. Now it's fasten your seatbelt time and hunker down for a race through a terrific psychological thriller with an ending that left me gasping! Never expected that!

Brilliant!

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Book #68 Close Your Eyes

Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This enters my top three reads of 2016. That overused cliché 'Impossible to put down' - that covers it! I wish I had come across earlier books by Michael Robotham as, having read Close Your Eyes, I cannot see any point in going back in time. Too much happens here, with reference to previous events in Joe O'Loughlin's life, a forensic psychologist, that I cannot look back. But, this reads as a terrific standalone, serial killer thriller. The last 100 pages had me unable to read quickly enough, the tension was almost unbearable. I had to finish this brilliant story that kept me going into the wee small hours. Stunning! Don't take my word for it. Grab a copy and get stuck in. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

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Book #67 The Last Pearl Fisher of Scotland

The Last Pearl Fisher of Scotland by Julia Stuart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sheer delight. This beautifully written story about Brodie McBride, his wife Elspeth and young daughter Maggie and a cast of other wonderful characters in this poignant story of love, loss, anguish, humour and some truly laugh-out-loud moments. The conversations between Maggie and her mum and dad often had me creased up with laughter. Brodie thinks his marriage is floundering; he's on a quest to track down the pearl that will complete a necklace for Elspeth; this he believes will save his marriage. But his quest remains one of disappointment until Maggie takes events into her own hands and.... oh dear, things go completely pear-shaped as the McBrides find themselves at the centre of an international commotion that will change everyone's lives forever. I yearned for a positive outcome as the pages rushed by. Is there one? Read this delightful, funny, touching story and find out!

I loved this book.

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