The Death of Jessica Ripley by Andrew Barrett (CSI Eddie Collins #5)

Synopsis:

Jessica Ripley didn’t kill her ex-husband. But everyone thinks she did. After serving twelve years for his murder, it’s time to get her own back on those who put her inside.

During those twelve years, Jessy’s son, Michael, has turned against her. Whatever mercy Jessy had for her intended victims, has gone.

CSI Eddie Collins is having a hard time watching his father enjoying life. He’s also having it tough in the form of two new recruits to his office. One is off his tree on drugs and the other wants his job.

And then the murders begin.

Can Eddie trust the evidence, or is someone out to get even?

Review:

Another cracking, gritty novel from Andrew Barrett, which most certainly did not disappoint. Andrew has the perfect knowledge and skill to engage reader in his story and he doesn’t let them go until the very last page.

Eddie Collins is a marmite character – you either love him or hate him. I love him, he says what he thinks, he’s rude and ruthless and he gets the job done. Those closest to him are loyal because they know what a good CSI he is. He’s also very funny. Just the sort of sarcastic person I like. Eddie also hates strangers, which doesn’t help when he’s forced to accept two new recruits into his team. He doesn’t trust either and for good reasons as it turns out. Eddie knows something fishy is going on and it doesn’t take long for things to take turn for the worse for him, once again.

And then we have the fab character of wronged mother Jessica, who has just been released from a 12 year sentence for a murder she didn’t commit. In that time, her son got estranged from her and is fighting against accepting any knowledge of his biological mum. And so Jessica is lonely, devastated and very angry. Around the same time of her release, the murders start.

Eddie must once again fight against everyone to ensure the victims get the justice they deserve and that his personal feelings don’t cloud his judgement. He needs to see clearly what’s right in front him. I am also thankful for the fab insight into his relationship with his dad as it brings super humour into the story.

This is a fast-paced thriller that grips you with both hands and doesn’t falter until it’s spent.

Thank you to the author and TBConFB.

Rating: 5/5

Available from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay

Synopsis:

Lucy Alling makes a living selling rare books, often taking suspicious measures to reach her goals. When her unorthodox methods are discovered, Lucy's secret ruins her relationship with her boss and her boyfriend James—leaving Lucy in a heap of hurt, and trouble. Something has to change; she has to change.

In a sudden turn of events, James's wealthy grandmother Helen hires Lucy as a consultant for a London literary and antiques excursion. Lucy reluctantly agrees and soon discovers Helen holds secrets of her own. In fact, Helen understands Lucy's predicament better than anyone else.

As the two travel across England, Lucy benefits from Helen's wisdom, as Helen confronts the ghosts of her own past. Everything comes to a head at Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters, where Lucy is reminded of the sisters' beloved heroines, who, with tenacity and resolution, endured—even in the midst of change.

Now Lucy must go back into her past in order to move forward. And while it may hold mistakes and regrets, she will prevail—if only she can step into the life that's been waiting for her all along.

Review:

This was on my kindle list for ages and I think one of the first books I have requested from NetGalley. You know what it’s like, you see lots of books you like and you keep clicking to request and suddenly you have 300 books on your e-reader and 300 books on your shelves and no time to read.

With this one, I wish I‘d picked it up earlier. It is a lovely book. What a better way to engage a lover of books than with a novel about another lover of books and all things vintage. There are fab characters that take you through Lucy’s journey of proper growing up.

The only reason this book lost one star from me was James’s character. I despised James for the way he left Lucy without her having a chance to explain why she does the things she does and let’s be honest (excuse the pun), her dodgy deals were not the biggest crimes in history and he already knew her family background which kind explained some of the things Lucy did. I don’t condone lying, but there are worse things she could have been lying about.

Anyway, overall this was a great book. I very much enjoyed Lucy’s relationship with Helen. It reminded me of the famous Lou Clarke and her growing attachment to Will’s mum (Me Before You by Jojo Moyes). Helen saw Lucy for who she was and helped her grow into a more rounded person with integrity. And of course Sid, who stuck by Lucy even though it could have meant the end of his good reputation. It’s a great picture of knowing who your friends are when you are at your lowest.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley.

Rating: 4/5

Available from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Still Me by Jojo Moyes

Synopsis:

Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She has been hired by the super rich Gopniks—Leonard and his unhappy, much younger second wife, Agnes—and finds herself amid a never-ending array of household staff and hangers-on. But Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her job and this very privileged New York life. 

As Lou tries to keep the two sides of her world together, she finds herself carrying secrets—not all her own—that cause a catastrophic change in her circumstances. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places?

Review:

Bravo Jojo Moyes - you have done it again. You made me laugh, you brought tears to my eyes and you made me completely immerse myself in Lou's life again.

Please can we have more? Although this book finished just as it should have, I don't feel like I am ready to say goodbye to Lou yet. She is probably one of my favourite book characters ever.

Lou's word is turned on its head again when she takes a personal assistant job in New York for a very highly established family living in Central Park - to call this all a culture shock would be an understatement. But in her own style, Lou gets on with it and become the best she could be even through her own personal and professional turmoil. She makes friends in the most unexpected places and makes herself at home just when she is least expecting it.

She makes New York her own and deals with everything one day at a time, just like Will would have wanted her to.

Yes ‘After You’ was a little slower, but it has set the scene up beautifully for this third book and without it, her story would flow as well as it does.

Jojo Moyes is in my top five writers, there is not one book of hers that I haven't enjoyed. Just keep on writing please.

Rating: 5/5

Available from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US