CrimeBookJunkie – My Thoughts: When I was lucky enough to receive an early proof of Tony Kent’s The Shadow Network, expectations were naturally sky-high, given his track record for gripping thrillers. And boy, does he deliver! From the moment I recognised a name in the opening line (I’m looking at you, Kon! )  I knew I was in for a treat. The author, true to form, presents another OMFG opening. He has an unparalleled knack for reeling you in gently, and then BOOM – you’re hooked. By the end of the first chapter, it was clear this was going to be a one-sitting read. Set across two locati ..read more

(A gritty crime thriller based in Manchester UK written by an ex-cop.) Newly-appointed DI Jack Striker, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, has a dark secret, one that would land him in prison. Striker’s first case seems a straight-forward gang-on-gang slaying, until a notorious youth is found hanged. Before any chance to investigate, bodies begin stacking-up. With the hot breath of the brass burning his neck, including hard-faced DCI Maria Cunningham who’s onto him, Striker knows this case will make or break him. The media-dubbed ‘Hoodie Hunter’ mixes MO’s, leaving few leads, and Striker recognise ..read more

<click on the book to read the blurb or buy; not an affiliate link> My thoughts on #TheMotherInLawsSecret by Melanie Price Well holy shizzle, peeps! I wasn’t prepared for this addictive debut and I’ll tell you why below. If you’re looking for a gripping tale of manipulation, power, control, revenge, and buried secrets amidst the opulent backdrop of Chelsea, London then “The Mother In-Law’s Secret” by Melanie Price is a must-read that delivers on every front. From the very first pages, the author immerses you in a world where lies, mistrust, family, relationships, and betrayal entwine to ..read more

My thoughts: WOW! When I turned the last page of Kim DeRose’s For Girls Who Walk Through Fire, all I could think was: sweet mother of thrillers, well that was different! If you’re searching for a mesmerizing concoction of ‘The Craft’, ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘Yellowjackets’, search no more because this novel is all that and SO much more. Set against the sun-kissed backdrop of Santa Barbara, the author has painted a vivid canvas dripping with themes of trauma, sexual assault, friendships, and witchcraft. This is not just any story; it’s a heady mix of suspense, emotion, and dark magic that ..read more

First things first, I’m not your mommy so if you are triggered by certain topics, check the author’s website for warnings. That said, let’s get into it. I’d seen Haunting Adeline brandished across various social media platforms – everywhere I looked, this dark tale was catching the eyes and consuming the minds of readers, so you can bet your ass I was immediately intrigued. The main setting is an old mansion and I’m assuming this is US based due to the language and descriptions. Adeline Reilly is a successful writer who inherited ‘Parsons Manor’ a gothic house on a cliff’s edge left ..read more

My thanks to Anne Cater and Orenda for the ARC and a stop on this fantastic tour. My Thoughts: From the prologue and first chapter of Michael J. Malone’s THE MURMURS, a chilling shadow will dance in your mind, setting a tone of white-hot, nerve-shredding unexplainable fear that remains unwavering throughout. I was hooked. Set in Scotland, against the eerie backdrop of Heartfield House, a care home that holds more secrets than a Pandora’s box, the MC Annie Jackson, encounters not just the everyday challenges of her new job, but also an ancient familial curse known only as ‘the murmurs’. The ..read more

About the Book: The boys on the row are only after one thing, but that bullshit’s for pledges. Tiffany’s on the hunt for something more. Kill for Love is a searing satirical thriller about Tiffany, a privileged Los Angeles sorority sister who is struggling to keep her sadistic impulses–and haunting nightmares of fire and destruction–at bay. After a frat party hookup devolves into a bloody, fatal affair, Tiffany realizes something within her has awoken: the insatiable desire to kill attractive young men. As Tiffany’s bloodlust deepens and the bodies pile up, she must contend with mounting lega ..read more

Delighted to be closing off the #BloodyScotland blog tour with my review of The Devil’s Playground by Craig Russell and some details about his appearance at Bloody Scotland this weekend. I’ll be there, so if you see me… say hello! The event: Craig Russell & Liam McIlvanney Sun 17/9 1-2pm Albert Halls £12 / £11 concession One McIlvanney, two McIlvanney Prize winners, three McIlvanney Prizes between them. Two of Scotland’s – and crime fiction’s – finest talents join forces for an hour to discuss their approach to their work. Craig Russell’s dark, gritty plots and complex characters have gain ..read more

Five million reasons why Ben Koenig had to disappear. Only one to bring him back . . . Ben Koenig is a ghost. He doesn’t exist any more. Six years ago it was Koenig who headed up the US Marshal’s elite Special Ops group. They were the elite unit who hunted the bad guys – the really bad guys. They did this so no one else had to. Until the day Koenig disappeared. He told no one why and he left no forwarding address. For six years he became a grey man. Invisible. He drifted from town to town, state to state. He was untraceable. It was as if he had never been. But now Koenig’s face is on every te ..read more

In case you missed the cover reveal earlier last week or want to know more about the author and book… check out KILLER BODIES by Heleen Kist! It’s out July 20th and even before reading this one, I know you’ll want it on your TBR! About the Author Heleen Kist is a Dutch, formerly globetrotting career woman who fell in love with a Scotsman and his country, and now writes about its (sometimes scary) people from her garden office in Glasgow. ‘Killer Bodies’ is her fourth novel, inspired by her hatred of exercising. She was chosen as an up-and-coming new author at Bloody Scotland 2018. Her novels ..read more