I actually paid for this book by a new author and nobody had recommended it to me, so that's a real rarity. I'm pleased I took a flyer at it cos' it iI actually paid for this book by a new author and nobody had recommended it to me, so that's a real rarity. I'm pleased I took a flyer at it cos' it is a super story. Yes, you need to suspend a little belief (though, as she rightfully points out, it's no more than the belief many millions have in a god, which I don't) but it has all the right ingredients aside from this. Suspense, heartbreak, quite a lot of teary moments from yours truly, (so I was pleased I was NOT reading it in public), some funny moments and instances to make you really pause for thought. Her little analogies about smiles and shells were both a delight. Loved the font she used as even on my ancient Kindle it looked superb, though I was a little miffed at the cover as those are NOT the skates she describes. I, too, had the red lace-up metal ones she refers to in the story and they should be on the cover, not roller-boots, which are completely different. A pity they did this. There were a couple of missed or misplaced apostrophes, a set of dropped speechmarks, dust free needs a hyphen, and a couple of sentences also needed commas. I spotted one spelling mistake-tick written and not tic so even presentation was pretty damned good for a debut novel !! I'll definitely read another by her. It made a nice change to read something a little different from my usual diet of murder 'n' mayhem....more
Oooh, she left us with a little cliffhanger at the end of this one......before you look away, she ties up THIS story just fine, don't panic, but leadsOooh, she left us with a little cliffhanger at the end of this one......before you look away, she ties up THIS story just fine, don't panic, but leads us into book 3 with another little mystery to solve, which I'm really looking forward to. As we neared the end of this one I was hoping that particular incident wouldn't be forgotten about but was also puzzling about it being a rush-job when I saw I was nearing the end so now I know we'll get to learn more in the next tale !! Once again, we meet the same characters as in book 1 which I was happy to see as I do like Riley's little bunch of family and friends very much. The author has created some very appealing characters indeed. Now, something I MUST mention, which other authors writing a series never do, is that she gave us a little synopsis before this one starts to remind us of the previous story and how things were left. That was so useful and I do wish other writers would do the same. Unless you binge a whole series like you maybe would a show on Netflix there are going to be parts you forget about, however much you enjoyed it !! So this is a great idea and well done for thinking of your readers, Ms Jackson !! There were some very funny little remarks in this one again. I do like that Baxter travels along with Michael to stay with Riley as well.....a nice touch. I enjoyed the special meal with Michael's family a great deal and also REALLY get a kick out of the Barnyard plates, too. Yet a few parts had me really quite sniffy, especially when Ruthie was discussed. I did highlight the mention of killers getting so much information courtesy of their potential victims thanks to social media and posting all your stuff all the time. When will people learn ? The internet is a murderer's wet-dream !! And yes, there were errors in the book but the author kindly emailed over an ARC so I will email her back the ones I spotted so she can get it tidied up perfectly. I'm really keen to get onto Riley's next adventure....more
This is my first by this author and I downloaded this as my Kindle First choice of the month. However, I was sure I'd read her before then realised itThis is my first by this author and I downloaded this as my Kindle First choice of the month. However, I was sure I'd read her before then realised it's cos' I have a few of her prior stories in my Amazon Wishlist !! So I'll be reading more by her at some point. This is certainly a very topical tale, set around an investigation being conducted as they make a true crime podcast. I've listened to shows like this and they're usually very well done. It is a cold case and there are certainly plenty of secrets and lies going on in this little place they reside in. You do need to pay attention as you read, cos' there's quite a large cast of characters and it can be a little confusing remembering who's married to or related to who. I liked the passage she wrote about the little girl inside us..... I had to look up the odd words as we're in Canada for this. I had no idea what a diener, a donair, group home or toque was !! However, Google knew.....the only mistake I spotted was one dropped hyphen in slack jawed, which is pretty amazing. I was highly impressed. There were a couple of really shocking instances in the story and it certainly keeps you guessing as to what occurred back in '97, who was present, who told the truth and who lied......I greatly enjoyed all the clever twists 'n' turns. Looking forward, too, to finally reading one of her others sometime....more
Superb !!! Just superb. LOVED this book !! At first I felt a little cheated upon finding it wasn't a brand-new release as such (as I got it under the Superb !!! Just superb. LOVED this book !! At first I felt a little cheated upon finding it wasn't a brand-new release as such (as I got it under the Kindle First umbrella) but a re-release under a new title. It always gets my back up when publishers do this as I've been caught out before and ordered the same book twice. It reeks of sharp practice to me and really shouldn't be allowed. And neither should covers be changed all the time......but I digress..... I actually made a note in this book that I didn't want it to end. I was so enjoying all the characters and being among them all and learning all their thoughts. It was delicious. Rare to happen upon a book set in South Africa, too, though it could've been any place, really, as the location didn't matter at all. I'd be hard pressed to select a favourite character as well as I liked them all for varying reasons. There was a MASSIVE shocker around 3/4 of the way in as well.....it made me gasp and I'm sure my jaw dropped, literally !! There were some VERY amusing moments in it and a couple of passages had me snivelling as well. I got a great kick out of the gnome story, too. It didn't totally end the way I'd have wanted but I was still satisfied with how we left them all. I'm going to miss them, however......I had such a great time spending a couple of days with them all and this is pretty rare. I'll be looking out her other books now I know there are a few more out there. I only spotted less than a handful of errors......a wasn't needed in this sentence, "But on a balance, that would probably be weirder" and in so far is usually written as the one word, then one time she wrote bought not brought, then catchy and not catching. That was it so that made the whole experience even better. I did google the Fourie case she referenced at the end and it was horribly sad. I didn't really grasp, through all the legalese, whether they won their case or not but I fear they didn't......terrible. The cover is a very eye-catching one too, though I think I'd have used sweet peas instead. I do highly recommend you read this. It really is a terrific story. ...more
Oooh, a new series by this author, though we did get to meet Sebastian for the first time in the previous Cavendish & Walker story,(Kill Shot). But thOooh, a new series by this author, though we did get to meet Sebastian for the first time in the previous Cavendish & Walker story,(Kill Shot). But this time we also got to meet the fabulous Lucinda Bird or 'Birdie' as she prefers, and does suit her best. She's a tremendous addition and we also got to meet Elsa. Now she hadn't been mentioned at all when we first met him, which surprised me ! I did laugh out loud at one point when Birdie was hoping Sebastian hadn't forgotten something.....I made a note that that was hardly likely !! I really liked their easy relationship. She has no airs about her in the least, despite him being a toff and the fact he was her senior at one time. She also has her own back-story which sounds interesting. I do hope she's here to stay and we see her again in book 2 of this series. The case he's investigating is an intriguing one, seeing as the victim could in all reality have been offed by any number of suspects, as it turns out......but was he ?? As usual I didn't figure out what happened, which is why I'm only a reader....no imagination ! I always get it wrong. I enjoyed this just as much as her other series and I didn't really mind whether he was in his own separate series or not. I liked his appearance in the story with Whitney and George just as much. The author kindly sent me an advanced, unproofed copy so any mistakes I'm forwarding on directly. ...more
I'm exceedingly late to the party in reading this, I know. I've not seen the TV version which I'm pleased about as I've read it differs quite a lot. II'm exceedingly late to the party in reading this, I know. I've not seen the TV version which I'm pleased about as I've read it differs quite a lot. I really enjoyed this, though. My favourite is Madeline. I think you like the person or character you can most identify with and she is the one that speaks her mind and takes no crap and that's me. There are many, many really funny remarks and little snipes in this that greatly amused me. Most of the people in it are the types I'd give a really wide swerve to, I must say. Very "up" themselves. And they all think their kids are the Second Coming.....However, the dialogue is just terrific all the way through between all the characters. Very free-flowing and JUST how real people do speak, which is so refreshing to read. There were also a couple of very touching moments that made me teary. Yet, weaving through it you are aware that somebody has died so it was fun trying to guess who was dead and who might be responsible. I was wrong, satisfyingly so as usual. I've sod all imagination and never get the mystery solved. I spotted where she dropped commas here and there and also didn't capitalise a couple of trademark names-Dictaphone and Powerpoint. She also used a great many brackets !! I spotted only one missed apostrophe and one missed word from a sentence so pretty good going. Oh, I HATED the name Amabella.....it was dumb. I've read a couple by this author prior to picking this up but think I enjoyed this one the most. ...more
I began this book by the author with some trepidation. It sounded good to me and I waited for a price-drop and grabbed it quick. However, reviews are I began this book by the author with some trepidation. It sounded good to me and I waited for a price-drop and grabbed it quick. However, reviews are really mixed and it seems many hated it. I'm the other end of the scale as I really enjoyed it ! I've seen Hester mentioned in other books by him, I'm sure, as her name was familiar. I liked her a great deal along with her friendships both with Oren and Wilde and I REALLY liked Wilde. He was a super character. Would be nice to see another story featuring him and maybe learning where he came from.....he left it open so there could be. I did like the ending as it stood, though. He made me glad I've never used an Airbnb as well, I must say..... It wasn't without errors which always annoys me more when I've paid for a book. You half expect it with freebies but NOT with best-sellers !! Not good enough. He wrote photoshopped which ought to be capitalised and also did that thing where Americans write as they speak, as in "I got too much homework" or "I better go" and it's awful written like it's said. He wrote jeans pocket but further in got it right with jeans' pocket. He dropped the apostrophe too on visitors log, then a rogue hyphen appeared in mari-onette but there were WAY fewer errors than in recent books I've read by him which greatly pleased this reader. Looking forward to reading another by him very soon....more
I'm ashamed to say I downloaded this for free almost 5 years ago now but for some reason kept skipping past it.....I'd missed a terrific read. It isn'I'm ashamed to say I downloaded this for free almost 5 years ago now but for some reason kept skipping past it.....I'd missed a terrific read. It isn't anything especially new but I love heroes who aren't full of political-correctness and his girlfriend evened things up, by being what I'd call a bleeding-heart liberal !! Thank goodness for the vigilante, I say. He has a healthy sense of humour as well. It also lists some really appalling statistics regarding rapes and abuse. And that 10% of people commit 90% of all crime !! That one left my jaw hitting the floor and so I agreed with him-if that 10% could be put out of commission we'd all be much happier ! He is correct about rehabilitation, or the lack of it as well. I remain convinced that violent and sex offenders will never be rehabilitated and should either be kept off the streets for good, if we're not going to execute them, or castrated. Time after time after time, they'll re-offend, and many more than once, cos' we STILL don't learn that we're wasting our time and are putting law-abiding, innocent citizens at risk in order to satisfy some ridiculous council of human rights.....but the WRONG humans' rights. One passage I found very touching, "I spent an hour trying to revive the dead and thirty seconds comforting the living".......I believe the author is a medical man so knows his stuff. I REALLY enjoyed how we didn't know which doctor was Dr. Vigilante till we were 39% into the book. That was very cleverly done and I was very much enjoying the tease. He left a needless space writing over whelmed but that was the only mistake I highlighted throughout which is to be greatly commended indeed these days. I loved the ending which was very ambiguous and look forward to the next story in the series, although it looks like it's set in Guatemala, which doesn't sound much like my type of thing. I'd avoid it altogether if it wasn't a sequel to this one, I must say. I have zero interest in books set in places like that and I fear I may not like it as much so I'm hoping he is back to being in America in book 3, though I won't read the synopsis on that one in case it has an inadvertent spoiler....more
This is a fascinating, sad and intriguing tale......and it turns out both fathers have pretty much very similar outlooks on life and morality and the This is a fascinating, sad and intriguing tale......and it turns out both fathers have pretty much very similar outlooks on life and morality and the "crime" itself and the reasoning behind it. I found it very touching that Azdyne went to the trouble of contacting other victims' parents and families and apologised too for what his son had perpetrated. He had to have known in many instances he'd have been sorely rebuffed, but Georges took the time to listen and hold this dialogue with him. The greatest tragedy is both their children died for no good reason whatsoever. It's so horribly sad. I found it a lovely addition that both wrote letters at the end to the other's dead child. I'd have liked to see a photo of each child being referred to included, but I'll search online after leaving my review. The translator did us a great service in choosing to bring this book to English readers, as it is a tale that resonates as greatly here as in France. It was frustrating to read how Samy just walked back into France after his Syrian sojourn.......something similar to what happens here as well and they really need to sort this out. Time after time we're told that terrorists are "known to authorities" straight after we learn of yet another atrocity and it's just not good enough. The fact he'd never attended probation meetings as well and nobody pursued this was another annoyance for me. Georges mentioned that this was before 2015 and things have tightened up considerably since, but it wasn't pre-2001, was it ?? I liked Azdyne's approach to living in a westernised country and thereby accepting their customs. I think this is what mainly upsets nationals of countries where Muslims are living. They appear to expect us to conform to THEIR lifestyle and for me, and many others, we don't think this should be the way of things. I don't agree with halal butchery and women in head/face coverings (pandemic notwithstanding) nor seeing mosques in many of our towns. I know we're told how tolerant the UK is but considering it's been proven that many of these kids are getting radicalised in these meeting hotbeds, I don't think they should be permitted. Probably not a popular opinion but imagine heading to Saudi Arabia and demanding a church be erected ?? Making the locals there adopt the practice of keeping dogs as pets or eating pork.....sounds just ridiculous, doesn't it, but we're expected to accept it without complaint or whisper of dissension happening in our countries. And if you disagree, you're put into a box called racist or nationalistic or Islamaphobic. And it's wrong and for me only succeeds in breeding resentment. Yet we still let more in on a daily basis.....anyway, I liked Azdyne and his family's attitude to their adopted country. I see it was noted how French nationals had Arab and African tenants placed in their areas and the French relocated. Just what we see here in the UK as well. Leaving powder kegs in their wake, just as we see here. It was just awful to read of Georges' attempting to learn of Lola's fate right after the killings and again how Azdyne learned of Samy's. Azdyne's words to Georges after he related this portion made me cry.....Georges' words were very true in a tribute to Lola when he said she was a victim of murderous stupidity in France and throughout the world. To me that was perfectly said. Something else I noted which surprised me. Azdyne's neighbour, the Jewish Richard was his family's greatest support post-incident, whereas 2 Arab families on their floor offered no assistance whatsoever !! I respect both these fathers in attempting to try and repair relations in their communities and to understand each other but for me the problems don't lie with gentlemen in their 60s/70s but with the youngsters, and all the time we have the internet I sadly don't see the issue being resolved just by speaking to each other. The book is perfectly presented, too. I didn't spot any mistakes at all which made reading it a pleasure on that count. I'd highly recommend it....more
My second by this author and again, a big favourite. She writes really well and keeps the suspense going and you don't want to step away. I quite likeMy second by this author and again, a big favourite. She writes really well and keeps the suspense going and you don't want to step away. I quite liked Adam and felt for him. His family, Ada aside, were just nightmare characters. And there's no need to be asking here whether it was a nature or nurture causation......an interesting way to tell the story. There were some amusing moments with Ada and Sara and I loved the story of the coffee machine as well. I enjoyed the meanings of all the flowers being featured, too. A nice addition. I liked Mike a lot, though in no way believed little Daisy was as aware of the dangers of smoking as she was supposed to be. That didn't ring true for me. I was also surprised to see a person featured purchasing pepper spray as I thought it was illegal here. She still did that thing the same as in her other one I read where she doesn't use the apostrophe when writing eh. Tic was always written wrong as tick, too. This line just came across as awful English, "The thing entire was shouting out his adoration." That was it for any mistakes, though, which was good going these days. I'll definitely be reading more by her....more
Loved this one as much as The Birthday List, possibly more, because I already met all the characters in the first story. And how nice they all are; evLoved this one as much as The Birthday List, possibly more, because I already met all the characters in the first story. And how nice they all are; even through all their personal trials and tribulations, you're really pulling for them to get their happy endings. I really enjoyed it, though at times I wanted to smack Finn or Molly upside the head ! I hadn't guessed right on the sender of the letters so that was good, too. I like to be wrong as I get a surprise that way. There were some sniffy moments from this reader, along with some instances of giggling at odd remarks, especially something Poppy said in the cafe !! Hehehe.... I was a little shocked to happen across the errors I did, however, considering the fact I think she has FOUR proofreaders !! As with other recent reviews I've noted that commas are suddenly being dropped at the end of sentences. This seems to be a new way of writing and not one I appreciate. As in "You don't have freckles either" or "Thanks though" or "Can I go too ?" There are plenty more but I'm not bothering to type the lot out. And it's wrong !! She also wrote wretched and not retched, though it was spelled correctly at a further mention, and then, in her acknowledgements waivers and not wavers ! That shocked me and made me roll my eyes at the same time. I did laugh aloud at this sentence, cos' she may has well have been writing in Arabic for me, "I've got a growler with the latest amber from Bozeman Brewing." I googled it and figured out what was meant but it did make me laugh that we supposedly share the same language !! Now I'll try another series by this author, though this one is a hard act to follow, I'd say....more
I had these programmes recorded so long on my HDD that I had to delete them in the end as I never got round to watching them. Wish I hadn't now !! ThiI had these programmes recorded so long on my HDD that I had to delete them in the end as I never got round to watching them. Wish I hadn't now !! This debut in the series of books is terrific ! The Scandinavian/Nordic writers have really got their shit together when it comes to telling a great story !! And they can conjure up all sorts of weird and wonderful ways to finish somebody off. This book featured a whole new one on me, and I read a LOT of murderation tales !! I REALLY like Carl and also his partnership with the secretive Assad....there's plenty more to learn about him, I'm sure. What I adore about Carl is he doesn't give a toss who he offends, though he's honest so I find that extremely appealing. However, he has a 'side' to him I wasn't sure about. In a couple of instances he took something I found pretty innocuous to heart and was riled up over it, I thought quite needlessly, so he is definitely one to watch. Hardy is another terrific character and I hope to follow more of his story in the next book as well. I did find a few little parts made me shed a tear, especially the reference to Winnie The Pooh. I noted that a lot of commas were missed out. This has happened in the most recent books I've read on my Kindle so I don't know if Amazon's struck out on a comma fatwa or what, but they need to sort it out, as I can't believe 3 authors on the bounce are missing them out all the time....as in "Did she mention that too" or "give a fu** about anything either" and "who was that man then"..... The translator wasn't sure whether to go American or English, either. So that was strange as I've noted they tend to go with American spelling as a rule but you get a mixture here. Ecstasy needed capitalising and a few words were dropped from sentences, then nearing the end speechmarks were also dropped here and there. I'm greatly looking forward to reading more in this series and I'm heartened to see around half a dozen are available already !!...more
What a ride !! I LOVED this story and I'm delighted I selected it for this month's Kindle First choice. I was going to opt for the true crime story inWhat a ride !! I LOVED this story and I'm delighted I selected it for this month's Kindle First choice. I was going to opt for the true crime story in all honesty as that's "my" genre but that turned out to be a sequel to another book so it was to The Speed of Light for me instead. And sadly I've finished it thus, as I had to stay up till late last night NEEDING to know how things ended ! A mark of tremendous story-telling. I did huff and puff when we reached the end of the "now" chapters as I was SO dying to know just WHAT was occurring there, but not for long as I was soon swept up once more in Simone's life. There is everything here, trust me. Romance, thrills, murders, laugh-aloud humour, arguments, secrets and MS.......a different take on things there. I know a couple of men who have suffered and I know things are improving but it's still needing a lot more research. But at least I see hope with MS, whereas cancer just seems to be a never-ending money-pit to my way of looking at it. The author's note at the end shocked me silly !! I just loved how Simone's family spoke and behaved and the great people they all were. I fell in love with Connor a little as well-what's not to like ?? Although I'm with Simone regarding lies. I won't take being lied to, either !! Nikki is a heroine as well......everyone needs a Nikki in their lives, too. I did get a tiny bit frustrated at Simone at one point but then Nikki saved me the trouble of being TOO irritated as she kicked her into touch for the reader ! Oooh, Walter was just lovely, too, by the way. I enjoyed his inclusion. And yes, I ended up sobbing and snivelling at the point we revisit the title of the book...... Superbly written as well with proper spelling and grammar used !! What a joy. I spotted French not being capitalised a couple of times and she did THAT American thing I hate, where they drop the word me/us from a sentence, as in, "Thanks for coming with on the residence hall tour today." However, that is one of my personal gripes, as it seems to be the accepted way of speaking/writing there. I'd have used an apostrophe after Admissions a couple of times and put a hyphen in people watch but that's it for my nit-picking. I would've liked to have known more about the shooting incident as well, got into the whys and wherefores a little further for my satisfaction, but this hasn't spoiled my enjoyment and delight in the story as a whole....more
I downloaded this one as soon as In An Instant was mentioned as that was probably my favourite book of 2020. I wasn't sure about the actual story as iI downloaded this one as soon as In An Instant was mentioned as that was probably my favourite book of 2020. I wasn't sure about the actual story as it's not something I'd usually be too interested in, but she hasn't disappointed. You end up rooting SO much for Hadley and Grace as they go on the run. The inclusion of the kids is a great one as well. I really liked young Mattie. I had more time for Grace than Hadley, I must say, as she's more my type of person.....straight down the line and you knew where you stood with her !! The way they Robin-Hooded across the country was super. There are some really funny lines in it throughout that I really got a kick out of and also some sniffy happenings as well. One thing that bothered me all the way through, and made me have more of a downer on Hadley, is that she left Prince Charles behind. I didn't like that and we didn't know how he fared. I wanted her note to a later character to include picking him up and rehoming him but it wasn't to be, so that left me a bit cold. Plus I felt that she was too ready to offload another character as well, so she let me down in this way. I loved the phrase "covered in gloat." That made me howl...... I spotted a few errors.....not capitalising English or June, missing the odd comma here and there, dropping the hyphen in pay off, fist pumps, goose skinned and slack jawed, writing goofs not goof, and a not an. I LOVED the final line in this book, too....brilliant. It's a tremendous tale and one I highly recommend, and if you've not picked up In An Instant, you should, cos' that is tremendous, too. ...more
Awwwwww, this is over all too soon !! I've had such fun reading it, though one of my little dogs was not as amused when I laughed aloud a couple of tiAwwwwww, this is over all too soon !! I've had such fun reading it, though one of my little dogs was not as amused when I laughed aloud a couple of times last night as I read.....(though she got a taste of her own, seeing as she'll suddenly dive off the couch going berserk at times cos' a sodding bird sneezed or something, and I have to be peeled off the ceiling) !! I've listened to all of the podcast episodes over the past 18 months or so and this is perfect as, even though I read it as I don't like being read aloud to (I'm not 5), you just hear both Chris and Rosie so well in your head, dodgy accents (and very northern English) and all ! I was VERY luckily gifted a signed copy from a very kind friend-thanks so much, Hazel-and it did make a nice change to smell a real book again for a change. Plus, I maintain that the proper printed word has NEVER been full of the slapdash and exceedingly sloppy errors we're treated to when we read on a device. Who knew their first book would be so perfectly presented ? I'm everso impressed. It was a smart idea to use differing fonts as well so we knew who was speaking and who was interjecting. My only real gripe is the plethora of American spellings I had NOT expected to see, which disappointed me a little. So many parts are so hysterical, whether it was the family jug, the Bugsy Malone mention, the nibbled Mars Bars, the Titanic handmark, Chris' dad and Barry.....these were notable highlights for me. I even googled Chris' Maxon phone as I'd never heard of it and I thought it looked pretty swish for its time !! Loved the different shape of it. And I feel exceedingly robbed that Dream Phone wasn't around when I was a teen in the 80s !! Me and my mates would've really got a kick out of that type of tat ! I loved the line Chris wrote about Rosie's missed period. I'm not sharing it but trust me, it made me a little sniffy....the love shines through with this funny, down-to-earth couple despite the snide little asides and it's so nice to listen to and now read. I think my favourite chapter was the Parenting Fails. I howled at some of those...... I hope they'll get themselves a sequel sorted once their little "Rhona" is around Robin's age now !!
I really enjoyed this one. There are clues thrown up here, there and everywhere and lots of mystery and intrigue. Plus a real shock halfway in which mI really enjoyed this one. There are clues thrown up here, there and everywhere and lots of mystery and intrigue. Plus a real shock halfway in which made me gasp !! I liked Kate a lot and I hope her Chris continues assisting her in the next stories as he's a very helpful ally to have for sure !! Plus, she knows HE'S on her side at least, cos' some of her colleagues leave a great deal to be desired, Morgan and Emma excepted ! I look forward to reading the next story and to see how things go. I had expected a religious bent because the phrase, "If thy right eye offendeth thee, pluck it out" kept running through my mind as I read but I got it wrong (as usual) !! Kate thinks to herself at one point about man's appetite for violence when I'd disagree there, more like an appetite for sex !! I loved the cover on my version, too. By the way, this is one of my Kindle First offerings for January. I DO have books by her in my wishlist but haven't been able to afford them so far so I was pleased to be able to download one by her at long last. I laughed to myself at the mention of pink toilet roll as you don't really see that these days, do you ?? Things that just disappear and we sadly don't even notice.... I did spot a few nitpicky errors, as is my wont. Some dropped apostrophes here and there and the odd word dropped from a sentence. Some parts I found a little repetitive, like mention of adherence to procedure and also the incident on the train regarding the time she was travelling with Dickson. At one point Kate accused Rory of lying to her about a lawnmower but I'm sure he HAD mentioned it to her in his prior interview. She describes to us how a body temperature/time of death is worked out but by my maths that would mean 23 hours yet the conclusion reached was 8-12 hours !! Then at one point she made a call to get Ervin over but William had already called him. Then twice she wrote a and not an before horrendous and historical. I thought it clever she set the book in 2021, thereby passing over 2020....I'm yet to read a story set in THAT mess of a year !! Still, it remained topical when illegal immigrants coming over to our supposed land of milk 'n' honey were mentioned......some things never change !! ...more
I really liked this, though it's all over and done with in a flash as it's pretty short. Then it ended at 91%, just to add insult to injury !! I'm a bI really liked this, though it's all over and done with in a flash as it's pretty short. Then it ended at 91%, just to add insult to injury !! I'm a bit disappointed to see the next books in the series are even briefer !! I rarely bother with books below 200 pages and gave this one a go as it wasn't too far short at 192 pages, but I am a little bothered by the brevity of the ensuing tales. Book 2 is a meagre 126 and book 3 166.....though I'll probably stick with them. Not at full price though, when I can get a 500+ pages for 99p by other authors. That's daylight robbery charging £2.49 apiece with such little content, I think. And if you don't want an Eastenders-style dum, dum, dum moment at the end you'll do well to avoid this as it's a decidedly "to be continued" ending. They finish up things in New York but clearly need to head off here, there and everywhere to pursue the killers in the next books to come. I really had an issue reading about Jefferson the dog as well. I didn't like the way he was treated and it was this alone that kept me up till the early hours reading to finish this, to ensure he was alright, as I was so bothered about him. I hope Jane looks after her Monkey Puzzle tree....I've always wanted one of those, too, so this made me smile, so she'd better not let it perish. There were hardly any mistakes at all which greatly pleased this reader. I noticed a missed question mark and a couple of dropped apostrophes and Botox should be capitalised. He did write one line that sailed over my head, "Once the information is stolen, I can legally publish it." I just don't understand what was meant by this at all in the context it was written. Love the covers on this set of books so I hope he retains them, too.
I cried, sobbed and snivelled my way through a great deal of this (and even at a line in the Acknowledgements !!) but it was so good.... A new author I cried, sobbed and snivelled my way through a great deal of this (and even at a line in the Acknowledgements !!) but it was so good.... A new author to me and a book I paid for, which is rare when I haven't read them before. I was aware it was going to be a proper weepie from other reviews so at least I knew to read it in private. Her writing reminds me of Dani Atkins' stories as they usually need to be read in no company, either, as snot reigns !! It ain't pretty......... She created some lovely, lovely characters, especially Bella and David. I did find myself irritated with Dannie at times as I found her more than a little mean and selfish at times....most events turned around in her head to how they affected her and I wasn't keen on how she behaved towards David, either. The whole story idea was a different one and very clever and it was really enjoyable. I guessed a few times along the way where it was heading but got it wrong as per usual. I was puzzled at the reference to a knife and insurance card incident as it wasn't properly explained and also the synopsis refers to Dannie encountering her "dream man" in real life on a street corner and that didn't happen at all !! However, the biggest puzzle for me (which I also showed a friend who couldn't understand it, either) was this passage: "September is glorious in New York, belied even further by the knowledge that the fall will not hold-and today is banner." Huh ??????? There was a joke made between Aaron and Dannie at one point as well that sailed straight over my head. I can't refer to it here as it will spoil parts for other readers.....considering we share a language, more than a few bits had me going to Google to see what she was referring to, so the Americanisms came thick 'n' fast. There were a few nitpicky mistakes.....a couple of missed apostrophes, complimenting used and not complementing, Googling not googling and shier not shyer. And I marked down Coffeemate as being the one word but upon checking found I was wrong !! There were a few too many mentions of cars being summoned, too. There were some funny remarks I highlighted which helped keep things on the lighter side and I'll be reading this author again but need to get over this one first !! ...more
I greatly enjoyed this but a little hard put to describe it. Yes, Robert disappears but then we hear very little about him after this. It's mainly intI greatly enjoyed this but a little hard put to describe it. Yes, Robert disappears but then we hear very little about him after this. It's mainly introducing us to the rest of the family and what has happened to the three kids as they've grown. I mainly downloaded it as it was set in 1976 but aside from the odd mention of it being hot and the Government's drought rulings, there was very little that really took me back there, which was a shame. For me it could've been set last year !! It wouldn't have made much difference to the actual story, aside from the fact they'd not ever have needed to find public phone-boxes. There are some really funny little remarks and asides in it, I really like the humour, and a couple of sniffy moments for me as well. I hated Michael Francis always being referred to as such......I can't be doing with doubled-up Christian names, it always sounds daft to me and a real mouthful. I howled when Aoife remarked that he'd "knocked up a Prod" and the image of Vita licking her aunt as well. Loved the 'Sunday-school stain' story. I had to google divided skirts as I was clueless, though. I noticed one rogue hyphen in photog-rapher's but that was the only mistake throughout so to be highly commended for this alone. It was different to what I'd expected but I've still spent a highly enjoyable couple of days reading it. ...more
Whizzed through this book and really enjoyed it. It certainly holds your interest and I was dying to know just what was going on. I guessed at bits buWhizzed through this book and really enjoyed it. It certainly holds your interest and I was dying to know just what was going on. I guessed at bits but probably very late in as I don't usually figure out who the baddies are in any story ! Probably just as well or it would be very tiresome indeed. I liked Kate and her dad though Chloe came across as a bit of a nitwit. Mind you, she was only seventeen so I suppose it's to be expected. She certainly didn't help matters in trying to put Ben off, though.....no use texting a lad who's interested that you "love him" so cavalierly and then wonder why he doesn't ease off, cos' that isn't helping ! Fool. His dad's a bit like a secondhand car salesman, a bit too suave and slick for my liking as well. I spotted some apostrophe mistakes and a couple of missed words from sentences and she wrote banged as opposed to bang to rights. That was it for any errors so that's good work, too. However, I was totally baffled when a blotter was mentioned as looking like a seesaw in a children's playground. No blotter I can picture looks like that so I'm not sure what she was meaning there. I even googled 'desk blotter' once I'd finished and nope, they look just as I've always known, bugger all like a seesaw !! This little nitpick aside, I will definitely read her again....more
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