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A Lethal Encounter in Amsterdam, by Robert W. Kirby

A Lethal Encounter in Amsterdam book cover

Nino and Elena are living in hiding. Ruby is desperately seeking her sister Amy who has vanished. The Bartell family are dealing with injury, violence and death while their enemies circle…
A Lethal Encounter in Amsterdam is the second book in the Bartell Crime series and I have not yet read the first book. I would advise reading the books in order as the plot continues directly from the first book as characters respond to previous events.
We are introduced to a wide range of characters and caught up on details of their recent past. There is plenty of danger and tension leading to episodes of violence which are quite graphic. The gang relationships seemed authentic and scary! I felt that there wasn’t much emotion attached to the characters as they have to hide their feelings in order to survive. This resulted in me feeling a lack of connection with individual characters.
The plot twists, double dealing and hidden secrets maintained my interest and made me keep reading to find out what would happen next. Sometimes the reader is aware of thoughts or conversations that the characters are not and this creates good anticipation for potential developments. However, I think I would have benefitted from reading the first book to have a better understanding of the characters and plot.
A Lethal Encounter in Amsterdam is a tense and dramatic crime thriller.

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Book Links
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203507437-a-lethal-encounter-in-amsterdam
Buy Links – https://mybook.to/lethalencounter-zbt
Book Blurb
“A family divided—A sister seeking answers—One man driven by desperation.”
Whilst the Bartells deal with the fallout from their clash with the Chillcotts, and the betrayal from within their own family, another enemy obsesses over how they can take them down.
Nino and Elena are stuck in limbo and living in fear of reprisals from both families. The pair hide up in Brighton, and Elena’s brother tries to mend some bridges on their behalf. But have things gone too far for that?
Ruby Mullard is searching for her sister, Amy. She’s sure her sister’s boyfriend, the smooth-talking Oscar Maplethorpe, isn’t being straight with her, and she becomes hell-bent on finding out the truth.
Since his life-changing ordeal with the Bartells, Duncan has become bitter, unstable, and irascible. Now Karl needs his help with a scheme that might lead to more trouble. Nevertheless, Duncan feels obliged to support his best friend.
The Bartells receive news that Karl is living in Amsterdam, triggering an immediate response. Barry and Johnny head straight to the city, seeking revenge, even though trouble looms on their own doorstep.
Ruby is certain there is something very sinister behind Amy’s disappearance. But what lengths will she go to learn the truth? And what will the consequences be when she delves too deep?
As old wounds are reopened, loyalties are pushed to the limits, and when events reach boiling point, nobody is safe in the face of an explosive climax.
A Lethal Encounter in Amsterdam is the hard-hitting follow-up novel to The Feud on Dead Lane.
Robert’s Bio
Robert was born in 1979 and lives in Kent with his wife, children, and bonkers dalmatian, Dexter.
He ran a private investigation agency for over fifteen years, dealing in cases that involved breach of contract claims, commercial debt recovery, and process serving. Robert’s agency also specialised in people tracing; so much of his work revolved around tracking down debtors, dealing in adoption matters, and locating missing persons. At times, he worked on some pretty bizarre cases and dealt with plenty of interesting and sometimes colourful individuals.
Since 2014, Robert has worked self-employed in the pet care industry, and is a keen trail runner, mountain biker and kayaker. Robert has a huge passion for screenwriting for many years and started writing novels during the first lockdown.
Robert’s Links:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Robertkirbybooks
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/robertkirby.books/
Website :  https://www.robertkirbybooks.com


Out of Sight, by Ruhi Choudhary

Out of Sight book cover
A woman’s body is discovered and one eye has been removed. The discovery has a great effect on one of the older detectives who is reminded of a case from 30 years ago. Was the wrong killer convicted or is there a copycaton the loose?
Out of Sight is the 6th book in the Detective Mackenzie Price series, set in America.
The detectives are naturally repulsed by the mutilation of the woman’s body and there is soon a second with the same post mortem eye removal. The women in the present day as well as the one in the past had all given birth recently which adds another layer of tension and complexity to the case.
Sully is sure he caught the killer 30 years ago but now Mack raises doubts. Added to this uncertainty is the return of Nick’s former partner who is involved in drugs. The chapters are short so the plot rattles along quickly with twists and developments in the case and the lives of the detectives.
From a personal perspective, Mack is struggling with her feelings in this book. She is concerned about Sully and thinks he is lying about the past case. Her emotions are confused in relation to her partner Nick and she is haunted by flashbacks from her own troubled past. I really like Mack’s character and the way she has developed over the series so far.
Out of Sight is a tense and dramatic detective thriller.

The woman’s body was propped against the rough bark of the tree. Traces of dried blood streaked her pallid face like brushstrokes. There was a horrifying void in her face where her left eye should have been.
When a young woman is found murdered in the woods, Detective Mackenzie Price and her partner Nick Blackwood are first on the scene. The harrowing discovery leaves them both breathless—the victim’s left eye has been removed. Mackenzie identifies the victim as Whitney Smythe, a lost soul with troubled past, and makes another shocking discovery—Whitney recently gave birth.
Reeling from the scene, Mackenzie and her team soon discover that this case is very similar to a murder that happened thirty years ago. But the killer was captured and died behind bars, so how can the two murders possibly be connected?
When a second body washes ashore with her left eye missing, Mackenzie is certain—there’s a serial killer on the loose and she has to stop them before they pick their next victim.
Mackenzie soon discovers that both victims were connected to a commune just outside of town, a breakthrough that changes the whole course of the investigation. But every step Mackenzie takes towards discovering who the sadistic serial killer is puts her closer to mortal danger. Because someone close to her has a personal connection to the case—and they’re not telling the truth…
A completely gripping and pulse-pounding crime thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat flipping the pages deep into the night. Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Karin Slaughter and Robert Dugoni.
 
Buy-Link is here: 
https://geni.us/B0CHFLC6C7social 
Author Bio: 
Ruhi Choudhary discovered her passion for writing when she was seven years old and wrote her first Star Trek episode. Being a fan of the dark and twisted, she found her calling in crime thriller. She likes to write stories that make you a little uncomfortable and characters that you struggle to make up your mind about but stay with you.
She lives in Toronto and spends her days training to be a scientist and wishing it rained more often!

Make Her Pay, by Miranda Rijks

Make Her Pay book cover
Leonie has a successful business but her life is ruled by her father after an incident a decade ago. Now she falls in love and finally thinks she can have a fresh start. But the past is determined to haunt her…
Make Her Pay is a psychological thriller set in the UK.
Leonie caused a devastating accident 10 years ago and her dad helped to cover it up. Her guilt and gratitude have dictated her life ever since. Then she meets Markus and ends up engaged after a whirlwind romance. Carrie is stuck living in an awful houseshare and barely scrapes a living. Her love life is non existent and she is recovering from an addiction to painkillers.
The link between the two timelines comes just after a third of the way through and made me gasp as we have to reassess our thoughts about a character. Things do not run smoothly for Leonie or Carrie as the wedding approaches and I was captivated! There is another twist as power shifts again as the result of another character. I really liked how I was kept on my toes by the changes to the direction of the plot.
Both Leonie and Carrie are portrayed quite sympathetically despite them both committing acts that are unacceptable. The use of the first person narrative helps us to understand their emotions and motives which makes them seem more authentic and human.
Make Her Pay is a gripping book about revenge and regret.
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Book Links
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202408801-make-her-pay
Buy Link – https://mybook.to/makeherpay-zbt
Book Blurb
Leonie has the perfect life. Someone wants to take it away.
Leonie is living her best life. Still in her twenties, she’s beautiful, successful and has just met Markus, the man of her dreams.
But Leonie has a secret. Ten years ago, she was involved in an accident in which another driver died. Leonie shouldn’t have been behind the wheel that night – no license, no insurance – so she fled the scene. And ever since, she’s been struggling to deal with the terrible guilt.
Now, as her wedding to Markus draws near, it seems someone is out to get her. It’s little things at first – botched work appointments, a cancelled bridal dress – but it soon escalates into a terrifying campaign which threatens her business, her family and even her life.
Leonie, caught up in a relentless nightmare, has no idea why anyone would set out to destroy her. Until she realizes there’s a link to the accident that happened all those years ago.
Someone knows what she did. Someone is determined to make her pay…

Miranda’s Bio
Miranda Rijks is a writer of psychological thrillers and suspense novels. She has an eclectic background ranging from law to running a garden centre.
She’s been writing all of her life and has a Masters in writing. A couple of years ago she decided to ditch the business plans and press releases and now she’s living the dream, writing suspense novels full time.
She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband, musician daughter and black Labrador.
This is her twentieth psychological thriller with Inkubator Books.

Miranda’s Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirandaRijksAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandarijksauthor/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MirandaRijks
Website: https://mirandarijks.com/


Death at the Dog Show, by Peter Boland

Death at the Dog Show book cover
Fiona, Sue and Daisy are running a charity stall at the dog show and are shocked when a woman dies of a heart attack. But the next day the police arrive to inform them that the death was in fact murder. Among the hustle and bustle of the fair, did the women spot a killer?
Death at the Dog Show is the third book to feature the three main female protagonists. I have previously read and reviewed the first book The Charity Shop Detective Agency (but sadly somehow missed the second 🙁 )
Fiona, Sue and Daisy are keen to act as sleuths again so are straight on the case as soon as the death is revealed to be a murder. The dead woman was a former winner at Crufts but was she killed to prevent her winning the local show? The amateur detectives instantly have one suspect but no idea on his identity so are trying to track him down.
I loved the gentle humour of the characters and narrative style. My favourite line was when Sue says that the vet performed C3PO instad of CPR! The book falls firmly into the cosy crime genre as there are no graphic scenes and the tone of the book is quite light. The mystery was well sustained over the course of the book and I enjoyed the adventure as the trio tracked down clues.
Death at the Dog Show is an intriguing murder mystery with three wonderful lead characters.

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DEATH AT THE DOG SHOW (Charity Shop Detective Agency #4) by Peter Boland
 
A brand-new cozy mystery from a bestselling author!
PUT THE KETTLE ON AND DISCOVER AN UTTERLY CHARMING MURDER MYSTERY SET IN A SLEEPY ENGLISH SEASIDE TOWN.
Dog-lovers, please note none of our furry friends die in this book.
It’s the day of the Christchurch Dog Show. The whole town is aquiver with excitement. The ladies of the Charity Shop Detective Agency are hoping to make lots of new furry friends.
After a very dramatic Best Biscuit Catcher competition, Fiona, Sue and Daisy, from the Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop, come across a shocking scene.
The dog show’s vet is performing CPR on a woman. The ladies rush over, but it’s too late.
Back at the shop, the ladies are shocked to learn that the poor woman was murdered. Someone injected Sylvia Steadman with something very nasty indeed.
Then our silver sleuths uncover that Sylvia was the owner of ex-Crufts-winner Charlie. She must have had lots of very jealous competitors . . .
There’s barely time for elevenses. The charity shop detectives must roll up their sleeves — they have a killer to catch.
Fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Janice Hallett, Simon Brett, Ian Moore and Sarah Yarwood-Lovett will adore this exciting new talent in cozy crime.
THE CHARITY SHOP DETECTIVES
Level-headed Fiona has found a quiet sanctuary volunteering at the local charity shop, Dogs Need Nice Homes. A charity shop that raises money for dogs in need of nice homes. And she’s found firm friendship with the strong-willed Partial Sue (she’s ever so partial to a cup of tea) and the kindly and surprisingly tech-savvy Daisy. Together, these ladies, with Simon Le Bon, Fiona’s scruffy-haired terrier cross, investigate murders as the Charity Shop Detective Agency.
THE SETTING
The lovely coastal town of Southbourne is, on paper, little more than a small suburb hemmed in by Bournemouth to the west and Christchurch to the north. But it’s home to the prettiest avenues lined with gorgeous Georgian homes which lead to a grass-topped cliff standing guard over a sweeping bay of blond sand, soft as Demerara sugar. Some say it’s also home to the best charity shops in the country. The ladies of the Charity Shop Detective Agency maintain that Dogs Need Nice Homes — though musty and more than a little cramped — is certainly number one. Well, they definitely solve the most crimes at least!
ALSO BY PETER BOLAND
THE CHARITY SHOP DETECTIVE AGENCY MYSTERIES
Book 1: THE CHARITY SHOP DETECTIVE AGENCY
Book 2: THE BEACH HUT MURDERS
Book 3: DEATH AT THE DOG SHOW

PETER BOLAND
After studying to be an architect, Pete realised he wasn’t very good at it. He liked designing buildings, he just couldn’t make them stand up — a big handicap in an industry that’s partial to keeping things upright. So he became an advertising copywriter, the highlight of which was creating an ad featuring Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman. He then tried his hand at writing his own stories and quickly realised there’s no magic formula. You just have to put one word in front of the other (and keep doing that for about six months). It also helps if you can resist the lure of surfing and drinking beer in a garden chair.
FOLLOW PETER ON:
GOODREADS
FACEBOOK
TWITTER


The Waitress, by Emily Shiner

The Waitress book cover

Anne Marie is a single mum, desperately struggling to keep her job as a waitress while her 16 year old son Dave’s behaviour deteriorates. Finally his attitude improves but she is horrified to discover why…
The Waitress is a psychological and crime thriller mixed with family drama.
I was completely absorbed by this book from the start. The premise is gripping but the plot stretched my credulity to beyond breaking point. I wanted to shout at Anne Marie and tell her to be a parent rather than letting Dave dictate their relationship. It is a really clever concept as readers will be considering how they would react to those same circumstances and how far we would be willing to go for our children.
Dave is being blackmailed after committing a terrible crime. Anne Marie does a lot of soul searching as she tries to do the right thing. It is a great moral dilemma. However I saw no redeeming qualities in Dave at all and felt frustrated that she doesn’t force him to take responsibility. There are repeated negative references to Dave’s dad and I kept expecting him to appear but he didn’t.
The writing style is engaging but I didn’t find the characters and their actions very credible. There didn’t seem to be much emotion and I think I would have liked to see Dave’s perspective. I liked the twist at the end although I had wondered earlier if that might happen, then dismissed my thoughts when the blackmailer is revealed.
The Waitress is an absorbing and engaging book with a great premise; suspend your disbelief and enjoy!

 

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Book Links
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202257841-the-waitress
Buy Link – https://mybook.to/thewaitress-zbt
Book Blurb
Secrets can be kept. If you’re willing to pay the price.
Anne Marie’s life isn’t easy. She’s a single mom in a dead-end waitressing job with a beater car and bills to pay. Adding to the pressure, her teenage son, Dave, is out of control, and no matter what she does, Anne Marie can’t seem to get through to him.
Then, out of the blue, Dave completely changes. He’s kind, he’s thoughtful, he helps out around the house and looks after his mom. Anne Marie can’t believe her luck.
Until she discovers the reason for her son’s sudden transformation – he’s done something really awful and he’s terrified he’ll be caught. Even worse, someone out there knows about it and they’re blackmailing him.
Anne Marie is desperate to protect her son and knows she has to somehow stop the blackmailer. But how?
As she considers her choices, Anne Marie realizes she may be taking the first steps on a path that will lead her straight to the gates of hell.
How far is she willing to go to save her only child?
Emily’s Bio
Emily Shiner always dreamed of becoming an author but first served her time as a banker and a teacher. After a lifetime of devouring stacks of thrillers, she decided to try her hand at writing them herself. Now she gets to live out her dream of writing novels and sharing her stories with people around the world. She lives in the Appalachian Mountains and loves hiking with her husband, daughter, and their two dogs.
Emily’s Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoremilyshiner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoremilyshiner/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authoreshiner