Cold Heart Creek is the seventh book from author Lisa Regan to feature Detective Josie Quinn and her team.
Two bodies are discovered on the county border and there is evidence of a third person who has now vanished. The autopsy reveals the couple were murdered so fears for the unidentified female companion are high.
Next, Josie and her lover and fellow detective Noah find a disoriented and scared woman. However, this is NOT the woman who had been camping with her friends. Instead, it is a woman who went missing 2 years ago and alleges she has been held captive by a hermit.
Josie’s investigation into both cases reveals a number of links: could they be coincidence or are the murders, disappearance of one woman and reappearance of another all connected…?
Throughout the book, Josie is haunted by nightmares from her past centred around the abuse she suffered as a child. This has been brought to the fore by her abuser’s imminent death and Josie struggles to maintain focus on the case when her heart is torn by hate and fear.
Noah and Josie’s romantic relationship brings some welcome warmth to the book and I am relieved that they have found each other at last. Both are strong lead characters but have their vulnerability as seen in this and previous books.
I found the Cold Heart Creek plot gripping as my brain tried to negotiate the twists and turns in the story. The demons that Josie is facing made the book very personal and gave me a powerful emotional connection to her.
Media Pack Info Sheet:
Title: Cold Heart Creek
Author: Lisa Regan
Publication Day: 02/12/19
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Description:
In the stark light of dawn, the young couple are laid out on their backs by the dying campfire, their hands clasped between them. Their eyes are open, but their hearts are cold…
When a park ranger stumbles across the bodies of Valerie and Tyler Yates by a creek in the small town of Denton, Detective Josie Quinn is first on the scene. Still reeling from the news that her abusive mother is dying, Josie suspects this is more than just accidental poisoning, and she’s right: someone jammed a crudely carved pendant necklace down Valerie’s throat before she died.
Combing the area, Josie’s team discover a third sleeping bag indicating there could have been an extra guest around the fire that night. A lucky escape? A missing victim? Or a suspect on the run? Finding this person is the key to the entire investigation…
Trawling the couple’s photo albums for clues, Josie can’t imagine why anyone might want to harm these smiling, carefree young lovers. Until a face in one of the pictures stops her in her tracks and leads her to a farmhouse hidden deep within the forest – a special place where people go to escape, and to hide. There they meet a young girl with frightened eyes and bandaged wrists who knows more than she is saying. But the next day she’s found dead, choked with a matching necklace…
With her mother’s life hanging by a thread, Josie has an impossible decision to make. But first she must find the meaning of the pendant and catch this twisted killer before another innocent life is taken. Is she already too late?
An addictive and gripping crime thriller from an Amazon, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Readers who love Robert Dugoni, Angela Marsons and Rachel Caine will be sleeping with the lights on after this rollercoaster of a read.
Author Bio:
Lisa Regan is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal bestselling author and an Amazon bestselling crime novelist. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. Lisa is a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. Find out more at her website: www.lisaregan.com
Author Social Media Links:
In the 1860s a group of 22 young women set sail from Australia destined for new lives and husbands in Canada. They are initially hidden below deck to protect their virtue from the all-male crew and even the captain but are eventually discovered. One woman disappears and the doctor on board begins to investigate with the help of Alyssa Chambers, one of the other women on the boat.
As a history graduate, I loved the historical setting but I’ll be honest and say I have no idea if Australian women really did set off for new lives.
The character of Alyssa is really strong and tenacious in a world where women were expected to be meek and submissive. The antagonistic relationship she develops with Doctor Bryson which is realistic and interesting, furthers the plot as well as explores their characters.
The first half of the book sets the scene and introduces all of the charcaters. There were clues in the form of a sinister perspective and journal entries so we know something bad is on its way. I was surprised to see I’d already read half of the book before the girl went missing.
I had no idea who was responsible, although I do admit to being a little confused with the different levels and roles of the men on the ship (saloon passengers, engine crew, ship crew).
Overall, this was a solid introduction to a new lead character in the form of Alyssa, although I hope she continues her friendship with the doctor, and the mystery of the disappearance was a good way to introduce her and explore her personality.
I have heard there is a sequel so watch this space…
The Case of the Missing Bride blurb
It was supposed to be the start of a happy, new life …
1862 – a group of young Australian women set sail for matrimony in Canada. Their presence is withheld from the male passengers and all but a select few members of the crew. But their worlds collide when one of the gentlemen stumbles over the women.
When one of the intended brides goes missing, only Alyssa Chalmers, the one educated, wealthy woman in the group, is convinced the disappearance is no accident. She sets out to find out what happened.
Has there been a murder?
Alyssa is willing to move heaven and earth to find out the truth. She is about to discover that there is more to her voyage into the unknown than she bargained for …
Carmen Radtke has spent most of her life with ink on her fingers and a dangerously high pile of books and newspapers by her side.
She has worked as a newspaper reporter on two continents and always dreamt of becoming a novelist and screenwriter.
When she found herself crouched under her dining table, typing away on a novel between two earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, she realised she was hooked for life.
“The Case of the Missing Bride” is a former Malice Domestic finalist, inspired by a true event. Its heroine Alyssa Chalmers will soon return in “Glittering Death”.
When Carmen is not writing, reading or dreaming of travel, she is busy acting as resident cat servant.
She’s currently working on her first contemporary crime novel.
Or on Twitter: @carmenradtke1
Her website (very much a work in progress) is carmenradtke.com
TRIGGER WARNING: THIS BOOK DEALS WITH HISTORIC SEXUAL ABUSE
Her Dark Heart is book number 5 in the Gina Harte series. Mother of 3 Susan disappears one afternoon and fails to pick up her children. She is in the middle of a messy divorce but her mother is convinced that something sinister has happened. Her sister and soon-to-be-ex husband are equally sure she has run away as a form of attention seeking.
A body is soon found but it is that of a man, possibly the last person to see Susan before her disappearance. Gina and her team are now unsure if Susan is a suspect or a victim and must begin to unravel family secrets to get to the truth.
The plot is completely compelling and the narrative is split between the police side of the investigation and the kidnapper/murderer. The police characters work together well as a team and the process of solving the case feels realistic.
We see a lot more emotion from Gina this time because the mother of missing Susan reminds her so much of her own mother which causes her emotions to overwhelm her at times.There is still the hope of a relationship with Briggs which simmers over the course of the book. Gina’s vulnerability and humanity shine through the book, adding a personal aspect to explain her motivations and make us identify with her.
Media Kit:
Title: Her Dark Heart
Publication day: 19/11/19
Author: CARLA KOVACH
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Description:
Rory is waiting at the door of the pre-school – a painted picture of his mother Susan in his small hand. But Susan isn’t going to see the picture, because she has vanished.
Susan Wheeler is a devoted mother. She would do anything for her three children. She drops them off and picks them up every single day. Until one day when Susan kisses them goodbye and then never comes to pick them up.
Susan’s mother Mary is worried. Susan is recently divorced and has been finding things hard recently, but she loves her kids – she’d never leave them.
Susan’s sister Clare is furious. It’s just like her to go missing. It’s not the first time, either. Susan has always been a troublemaker. Always seeking attention. She knows Susan has been lying to the family for years. And she knows that Susan has been sneaking out of her family home for weeks…
As the hours turn into days, even Clare becomes fearful for Susan. And, when Mary discovers Susan’s diary, she begins to uncover a dark secret from her childhood. Something no one in the family knew. When the final diary entry leads the police to a man who is discovered dead in a local park, they’re left wondering whether Susan has vanished because she is a victim. Or because she is a suspect…
An explosively compelling crime thriller from bestselling author Carla Kovach – if you love Lisa Gardner, Robert Bryndza or Clare Mackintosh, you’ll love Her Dark Heart.
Author Bio:
Carla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama ‘Flame,’ psychological thriller ‘To Let,’ crime thriller ‘Whispers Beneath the Pines,’ and holiday comedy, ‘Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.’ Carla also writes stage and screenplays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area. Her feature film ‘Penny for the Guy’ is being made and is set for release in 2019.
Her latest book, Her Dark Heart, has been published by Bookouture. It is the fifth book in the DI Gina Harte crime series.
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This book started off as a bit of light relief after reading some intense (but brilliant) crime and psychological thrillers. It soon became apparent that this book was much deeper than I realised and the emotional narrative of love and loss took centre stage.
Caitlin is a professional matchmaker, building her fame and reputation on her ability to find perfect relationships just like her own with Harry. Gradually, little clues are dropped that Caitlin’s life is not so picture perfect and her marriage is full of secrets.
The reveal half way through the book is heartbreaking and raw. Author Catriona Innes’ writing is impressive in the way it changes direction.
Caitlin is an interesting character to review as she has worked hard to create a social media identity, but reality is very different. As an influencer, content creator, blogger (whatever I am!) I try to present my real life on my blog and social media but most of the time it is only the best photos that end up on there and there may have been ten or more attempts to get the kids smiling. Plus the difficulty of capturing our experiences to put on the internet means that some of the pictures are slightly staged (and I try to cut out a lot of the mess in our house!)
There is plenty of humour in The Matchmaker which softens the intensity of the emotional narrative in the second half of the book. Overall, this is a real rollercoaster of a book in terms of the hope and heartache, drama and mystery, laughter and tears.
The Matchmaker
By Catriona Innes
Published in paperback original by Trapeze on 28th November 2019, priced £8.99
Inspired by the hit TV show FIRST DATES, this emotionally charged rom-com with a heart-wrenching twist is perfect for fans of THE MAN WHO DIDN’T CALL by Rosie Walsh, SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL by Giovanna Fletcher and IT STARTED WITH A TWEET by Anna Bell.
For Caitlin Carter, love means business.
She’s taken matchmaking back to basics. There is no swiping left. No creepy location tracker. Definitely no unsolicited pics of areas of the anatomy no one wants to see. She’s made dating great again: personal, patient… and profitable. Her start-up is going from strength to strength, with clients wanting to find the love she has with her own husband Harry, and she even has celebrities wanting to use her services…
Caitlin is living the perfect life. Except it’s all a perfect lie. And Caitlin doesn’t know how long she can keep it up.
In an era of social media and dating apps, when we have never been more connected yet more isolated, THE MATCHMAKER is a story about love, loss and loneliness, and learning to accept your reality.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Catriona Innes is currently Features Director at Cosmopolitan where, in the name of investigative journalism, she has joined an undercover police force, worked as a Playboy Bunny croupier and – for one night only – performed a stand-up set with just two hours practice. When she’s not trying on other careers for size, she edits, writes and commissions the award-winning features section of the magazine. Originally from Edinburgh she now lives in London with her husband and cat.
‘I absolutely loved THE MATCHMAKER. It completely swept me away. It is fun, hopeful and heart-breaking, and I cried more than once!’ LIA LOUIS, author of Somewhere Close to Happy and Dear Emmie Blue
‘I thoroughly enjoyed this smart, feel-good read. It’s witty, sharp and has real depth to it, and I love that even though it’s uplifting, it doesn’t ever shy away from the realities of life.’ BETH O’LEARY, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Flatshare
‘I absolutely adored it…It’s such a skilful, nuanced and thoughtful exploration of the full complexities of love. It’s so refreshing, uplifting and brilliantly observed.’ DAISY BUCHANAN, author & journalist
Darcy is shocked to discover her perfect man and the brilliant dad to her kids has been leading a double life. Neither woman suspected that Joel was cheating; even when he was on his deathbed, he managed to keep them apart.
Now 4 years later, Joel’s family are still keeping quiet about the other woman but Darcy suspects that the mysterious Daniela is trying to ruin her life. Darcy begins a new relationship with George and this puts pressure on her support network of Joel’s parents and sister. But George is keeping secrets of his own and possibly has his own stalker…
There are plenty of clues throughout the book that there are secrets being kept by many of the different characters. As human beings we can identify with Darcy in her grief and as parents understand her fears for her children. The betrayal she has suffered as a result of Joel’s actions and the constant feeling of being undermined by his family make her vulnerable and we take her side.
There is so much emotion in this book and it is easy to see mulitple perspectives. Darcy’s determination to protect her children and her in-laws’ need to remain part of the the children’s lives. As a previously single mum myself, I could completely understand Darcy’s trepidation about starting a new relationship and the anxiety about trusting someone again after being let down.
The plot was completely compelling and I think this is down to the tension in the narrative and the emotion of Darcy. To be perfectly honest, the ending was a little unbelievable for me. I found it to be just one twist too many. However, this did not spoil my overall enjoyment of K.L. Slater’s latest psychological thriller.
Take a look at my review of Finding Grace.
Book Description:
‘I keep feeling like I’m being watched – dropping the boys off at school, choosing wine at the supermarket – but when I turn around there’s nobody there…’
When single mother Darcy’s son falls from a rope bridge at a local playground, life stands still. She clutches his small, limp body, frozen, until a pair of strong hands push her aside, and she watches as George, a local doctor, saves her son’s life.
George is a single parent too, and with his twinkling hazel eyes, easy charm, and lack of wedding band is almost too good to be true, but coffee becomes lunch, lunch becomes dinner, and soon they can’t go an evening without seeing each other. When he invites her to move into his beautiful home with its sprawling garden for her boys, Darcy doesn’t hesitate.
But as Darcy is settling in, she receives a bunch of flowers with a chilling message. George says they’re from an obsessed ex-girlfriend, Opal, and days later Opal turns up at Darcy’s son’s football match. She claims to have shocking information that could threaten George’s custody of his daughter.
Darcy doesn’t know who to trust, but she’s starting to suspect that, whatever the truth, she might have put her beloved boys into terrible danger …
From the million-copy-bestselling author K.L. Slater this utterly gripping psychological thriller will make you gasp out loud as you race towards the unforgettable twist. If you loved The Girl on the Train and The Wife Between Us this book is for you.
Author Bio:
Kim is the million-copy bestselling author of nine standalone psychological crime thrillers. SINGLE, her new thriller, is published November 2019.
Order of publication:
SAFE WITH ME (2016)
BLINK (2017)
LIAR (2017)
THE MISTAKE (2017)
THE VISITOR (2018)
THE SECRET (2018)
CLOSER (2018)
FINDING GRACE (2019)
THE SILENT ONES (2019)
SINGLE (2019)
THE APARTMENT – AN AUDIBLE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION (2019)
Her titles are published in eBook by Bookouture and in paperback by Sphere (UK) and Grand Central (USA).
For many years, Kim sent her work out to literary agents and collected an impressive stack of rejection slips. At the age of 40 she went back to Nottingham Trent University and now has an MA in Creative Writing.
Before graduating in 2012, she gained literary agent representation and a book deal. As Kim says, ‘it was a fairytale … at the end of a very long road!’
Kim is a full-time writer. She has one daughter, two stepsons and lives with her husband in Nottingham.
Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson
Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor
