Danielle Lewis left her family and disappeared to London a decade ago after being shot at and losing her unborn child. Now she is back and re-enters her family’s criminal network. But can she find out who was responsible for her attack?
Deceit is the first book in a new family drama and gangland crime series. However, the past plays a significant role in the plot developments and character behaviour.
Dani fled after finding her lover had cheated on her, being shot at and losing her baby. She went through a lot of trauma and needed time to heal. Now she is ready to rejoin her family as well as find the truth about the past. The Lewis and Flynn rivalry has continued in her absence and her reappearance could shift the family dynamics.
The book is written in the third person throughout so we see and understand a range of characters and their actions. Dani has a huge emotional burden but she is able to put it aside to focus on her purpose and support her family. Many of the characters are larger than life and there is a comic touch to some of the dialogue.
There are a lot of intricate and entangled relationships that underpin the various plot strands. I enjoyed the different layers of plot which created a tense atmosphere and dramatic interactions between the characters. There is some violence as you would expect from this genre but it is not too graphic.
Deceit is an entertaining novel and I look forward to reading future books in this series.
DECEIT by Casey King (The Dublin Thrillers Book 1)
If you love Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers, don’t miss Casey King’s absolutely gripping and gritty crime thriller about betrayal, revenge and family secrets.
It’s a story as old as time. Girl meets boy. Their marriage promises peace between their feuding families. Then it all falls apart.
TEN YEARS AGO SOMEONE TRIED TO KILL HER.
Danielle Lewis’s marriage to Jason Flynn brings together two warring Dublin crime families. It should be a joyous union.
But someone tries to take her life.
Danielle survives the shooting but loses her unborn son. She can’t prove it, but she knows her shooting is related to the crime that both families trade in. Then Jason cheats on her, just when she needs him most. And Danielle has had it.
She leaves Dublin and her family behind.
NOW SHE’S BACK. AND SHE WANTS ANSWERS.
After ten long years living in exile in London, Danielle returns.
Her homecoming threatens the uneasy truce that has existed between the Lewises and the Flynns ever since she left.
Danielle is willing to do what whatever it takes if it means finding out the truth.
But what she discovers changes everything.
WHO TRIED TO KILL HER, AND WHY?
Fans of Kerry Kaya, Kimberley Chambers, Emmy Ellis, Emma Tallon, Caz Finlay and Martina Cole, get ready for the first novel in an explosive new gangland crime series packed with twists, turns and deceit.
CASEY KING
Casey King is an Irish crime writer from Co. Cork. She writes gritty gangland crime and thrillers. With a Diploma in Policing Studies, Casey is often the first call for fellow crime writers when including police procedure in their best-selling and award-winning novels. Throughout her career in the Irish police force, she has worked on numerous gangland operations, drug investigation, and has held various other roles. As well as completing a HDip in Coaching/Coaching Psychology at University College Cork, she’s also a fully qualified Mindfulness Teacher. Casey loves motivating those who have the will and potential to write; there is always a way.
BOOKS BY CASEY KING
THE DUBLIN THRILLERS SERIES
TRIGGER WARNING: Holocaust and Nazi brutality
1943, Raya is sent for Ravensbruck but she is sure there has been a mistake. But when she is tattooed, shorn and disinfected, reality hits home…
The Glovemaker’s Daughter is an historical book about the occupation of France by the Nazis.
Raya owns a leather shop in war-torn Paris. Her parents are dead and her brother abroad. Her only friend Charlette is Jewish and Raya offers the family a hiding place when the Nazi rules threaten their freedom and lives. Meanwhile Raya befriends journalist Nicolas who is secretly distributing anti Nazi propaganda.
The book is written from the first person perspectives of Raya and Nicolas. Raya’s timeline moves between 1942 when she is in her home and 1943 as she arrives in and adjusts to Ravensbruck. I liked the use of the first person to show us their emotions and give us a better understanding of their choices and actions.
The year in between the two timelines brings significant change (major spoiler in the blurb below!). Raya and Nicolas are both brave, undermining the Nazi rules whilst trying to survive and protect those they love. Falling in love with each other challenges the fear and hatred that they see every day and offers hope in the darkness.
The author has researched the history and geography thoroughly to provide an authentic setting for the plot. I felt immersed in the lives of the characters in particular Raya, fearful for her safety especially in the camp.
The Glovemaker’s Daughter is a tense and dramatic historical novel about the strength of love in the face of adversity.
MEDIA PACK
Book: The Glovemaker’s Daughter
Author: Shari J. Ryan
Pub Day: Sept 18th 2023
About the Book:
Paris, 1943. German soldiers drag me out onto the cobbled street and push me towards the waiting truck. I force myself to face forward as tears stream down my cheeks. If I look back, they’ll know. I can’t let them find my baby girl…
Raya bends over a delicate glove in her beloved shop in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. It’s the only place she still feels safe. When the Nazis snatched control of Paris, Raya knew she had to fight to protect the few things she had left. And so far, her support of the resistance has gone undetected.
But now, the door bangs open and three German soldiers lunge towards her. Raya’s blood turns to ice. Hauled onto the cobbled street, she struggles against their rough hands as they accuse her of organizing meetings in the tunnels below her shop.
Raya can think only of her baby daughter Amalia, hidden beneath the shop’s front desk. She has a heart-wrenching choice to make. Reveal Amalia’s existence and risk her life, or leave her behind and pray someone protects her. It’s the hardest decision she’s ever faced…
Transported to Ravensbruck concentration camp, every day is a desperate battle for survival. The only thing that keeps Raya going is the thought of being reunited with her blue-eyed, innocent baby girl.
But did someone with a kind soul uncover Amalia’s hiding place and keep her safe? And in the darkest of places, is the power of a mother’s love enough to keep Raya alive until she can see her daughter again?
An unputdownable and totally heartbreaking World War Two page-turner about sacrifice, the powerful and unbreakable love of a mother, and a glimmer of hope amongst the never-ending darkness of war. Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and The Choice will be gripped.
Author Bio
Shari J. Ryan is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Women’s Fiction, WWII Fiction, and 20th Century Historical Fiction with a focus on the Holocaust and Pearl Harbor.
Shortly after graduation from Johnson & Wales with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Shari began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer. She then found her passion for writing books in 2012 after her second son was born. Shari has been slaying words ever since.
With two Rone Awards and over 125k books sold, Shari has hit the USA Today Bestseller List, the Amazon’s Top 100, Barnes & Noble’s Top Ten, and iBooks at number one. Some of Shari’s bestselling books include Last Words, The Other Blue Sky, Unspoken Words and A Heart of Time.
Shari, a lifelong Boston girl, is happily married to her personal hero and US Marine and they have two wonderful little boys. For more details about her books, visit: www.sharijryan.com
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TRIGGER WARNING: rape, Holocaust (neither graphically described)
1961, Olivia is the black sheep of her family: very sporty and offered the chance to train for the DDR national team. Kirsten is the black sheep of her family in West Berlin: creative and skilled with a needle. The pair finally meet and they want to unite the families and heal the horrors of the past but the politics of the Berlin Wall threaten their dreams…
The Midwife of Berlin is an historical novel set in the 1960s with chapters from the 1940s and 50s. There is a strong connection to The Midwife of Auschwitz with continuation of plot lines but it is not necessary to have read that first.
The prologue of this book made me think I’d read this book before. A midwife in Auschwitz is tattooing newborn babies so that they can be reunited with their mothers later. This book is very much a follow up of the life story of midwife Ester, her adopted daughter Olivia, and lost daughter Pippa (now Kirsten).
Olivia and Kirsten are on either side of the divide, both thinking that their nation is the best. But now echoes from the past and the truth about their families make them face a dangerous reality. Olivia sees the danger of the capitalism of the West but also witnesses the brutality of the socialist regime. Kirsten’s adopted father was a wholehearted Nazi and has now been released from prison. His wife was raped and conceived a child so now he has a Jew and a half-Russian in his home.
There is huge emotion countered by political detail as the two teens seek the truth from opposing sides of the Berlin divide. The power of a mother’s love features heavily but there is also sibling love and romantic love to soften the harshness of the characters’ experiences.
I found the historical and geographical setting compelling, authentic and well researched. I do not know a great deal about the situation in Germany in 1961 so I found the plot and characters interesting. This was strengthened by the history of the missing babies from Auschwitz and the emotional jorney that Ester goes on as a mother.
The Midwife of Berlin is an emotional and interesting historical novel.
THE MIDWIFE OF BERLIN: COMPLETELY UNFORGETTABLE AND TOTALLY HEARTBREAKING WW2 HISTORICAL FICTION by Anna Stuart
Auschwitz, 1943: I stroke my beautiful baby’s hair. It’s a miracle it’s blonde because it will keep her alive, it will keep her safe. Soon they will come and take Pippa out of Auschwitz-Birkenau – and out of my arms. But while there’s life, there’s hope I might find my daughter again…
An incredible story of one woman’s courage and determination to reunite her family in the aftermath of surviving Auschwitz.
1945, Berlin: Ester Pasternak walked out of the gates of Auschwitz barely alive. She survived against devastating odds, but her heartbreaking journey is only just beginning. In the camp, Ester gave birth to a tiny fair-haired infant, only for her precious baby to be snatched from her and taken to a German family. Now the war is over, Ester longs to find her little girl.
But Europe is in chaos, Jewish families have been torn apart and everyone is desperately searching for their loved ones. In every orphanage and hospital she visits, Ester searches the faces of tear-stained toddlers; each mop of blonde hair and pair of blue eyes she sees sets her heart racing…
But as the months and the years tick by, the possibility of finding her daughter shrinks smaller and smaller. And Ester starts to wonder if little Pippa is even safe, or whether the miracle that saved her has now put her in even more danger?
Will Ester ever be able to find the child whose tattoo matches her own? Or is she already too late…
A completely gripping and emotional WW2 novel of one woman’s bravery and determination to hold on to hope in a world torn apart by war. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Alice Network and The Nightingale.
AUTHOR BIO: Anna Stuart lives in Derbyshire with her campervan-mad husband, two hungry teenagers and a slightly loopy dog. She was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English literature at Cambridge university, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels.
Anna loves the way that writing lets her ‘try on’ so many different lives, but her favourite part of the job is undoubtedly hearing from readers. You can reach her on Facebook @annastuartauthor or Twitter @annastuartbooks.
TRIGGER WARNING: rape, adoption
Dino is struggling after the death of his wife Tara. But he discovers a letter from her which confesses to secrets. It makes him realise he hardly knew his wife at all…
Not My Child is a domestic drama, psychological and crime thriller set in the UK.
Dino is a heartbroken widower trying to make sense of his wife’s death whilst being a loving son to his dad who had Alzheimer’s and a support to his grieving children. He is in frequent contact with the police officer in charge of his wife’s hit and run but fears he didn’t really know or understand the real Tara.
The book is written from Tara’s first person perspective as she reflects on her life and Dino’s viewpoint (and Ryan’s a teeny bit) in the present day. Dino feels betrayed by his wife’s lies but Tara’s narrative shows us her unhappy childhood and teen rape which are hugely emotive. As Tara’s story moves nearer to the present, we are caught up with her obsession with the truth which ultimately led to her death.
The author’s note at the start is open about the unpleasant topic of rape which is depicted in the book. She highlights the facts of poor reporting and conviction rates which underpin the plot. This book includes a rape scene but it is the emotional trauma that follows which is much more upsetting.
Dino is desperate to bring his wife’s killer to justice. There is a mystery for him to unravel as he tries to find the truth behind the secrets. I was concerned by the lead police officer’s familiarity bordering on friendship as I felt it was inappropriate. OK, so I guessed the big twist about a third of the way through, although I did briefly change my mind at the two thirds point before reverting to my original opinion. This didn’t spoil my enjoyment at all as I couldn’t wait to see how events would play out and I wasn’t disappointed.
Not My Child is an emotional and engaging book with plenty of secrets and mystery as well.
Book Links
Book Blurb
AN UNPUTDOWNABLE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER WITH A BREATHTAKING TWIST.
All Tara longs for is her lost child to find her. But she should be careful what she wishes for . . .
Tara’s life is almost perfect. Her handsome husband Dino adores her. They have two beautiful children. Although money is tight, their marriage is happy.
But there’s something missing.
Tara can never forget the baby she was forced to give up for adoption all those years ago. The boy she called Ryan. She always wonders what happened to him.
Finally, a young man comes looking for Tara. He says he’s Ryan, her long-lost son.
His arrival will destroy everything in Tara’s carefully-constructed new life.
Because Tara has been keeping secrets from her husband and everyone around her. Secrets that Ryan’s appearance will force into the open — with horrifying consequences.
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF DOMESTIC SUSPENSE AND NAIL-BITING TENSION WITH A SHATTERING FINAL TWIST.
Perfect for fans of Patricia MacDonald, Lisa Jewell, Shalini Boland, T.M. Logan and Clare Mackintosh.
Author Bio
Jane E. James is a bestselling author who likes to create chilling reads that appeal to fans of psychological suspense thrillers, mysteries, and dark fiction. Her novels are packed with plot twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. All of them are standalone novels.
Jane is an animal lover and lives with her cat, Hero, in a small country village near Stamford, Lincolnshire in the UK, which is known for its quirky tea shops and cobbled streets. Rebecca, Carrie, The Woman in Black and Wuthering Heights are among some of Jane’s favourite reads.
Jane’s Links
TRIGGER WARNING: child rape and murder, drug abuse, sexual slavery
Agent Beth Katz is dedicated to her FBI career, determined to help and protect others. Her methods are unorthodox as she uses her skills to kill the perpetrators where possible. She is the daughter of a serial killer and has inherited the intelligence and danger which allows her to avenge victims. Now she is on the trail of a killer but can she hide her real self from her new partner…?
Dark Angel is the first book in a new series. The second book Shadow Angel is also available now. I have previously read, enjoyed and reviewed many of D.K. Hood’s Kane and Alton series (use the search box to find them!)
Wow, I love Beth’s character. She is scary, but only if you are a killer yourself. She is fearless in her ruthless disposal of the monsters that stalk the innocent. Her deadly skills are only used against those who deserve it. After a particularly traumatic incident, Beth has been sent to a new location and given a new partner and crimes to solve.
I did have to suspend my credulity a few times as Beth and Dax get into some dangerous situations and barely escape with their lives. Some of the content is quite graphic especially with regard to the paedophile ring, however I also felt that there was a detachment when older victims are discovered.
Most of the book is written to show Beth and Dax’s perspective but we do have some chapters that show the killer (dubbed the Pied Piper by the FBI but the Warlock to him and his victims). I felt that I wanted more chapters about the killer to better understand and witness his actions.
Dark Angel isn’t particularly fast paced as it seeks to introduce us to Beth but there are some action packed moments in this tense crime thriller. A great start to a new series!
Dark Angel: A gripping and unputdownable FBI agent thriller (Detective Beth Katz Book 1)
In the dark pine forest surrounding the quiet town of Rattlesnake Creek, the body of a young girl lies on the ground. Her angelic blonde hair spills over her shoulders and her unblinking eyes stare up toward the sky…
It was Beth Katz’s serial killer father who made her like she is: a successful FBI agent and an unstoppable vigilante dedicated to hunting down murderers who have evaded capture. Beth will push herself to the limits to deliver justice. Even if it means killing those who deserve to die.
When the body of missing schoolgirl Brooklyn Daniels is discovered in a secluded patch of woodland on the outskirts of town, Beth and her partner Dax Styles race to the scene. Brooklyn and her best friend left home to pick wildflowers a week ago and vanished without trace.
Taking in Brooklyn’s body carefully laid on a blanket and the dress neatly folded next to her, Beth suddenly freezes. She’s seen this before: in the files of a cold case. The perpetrator takes two girls—one vanishes, the other is killed and left with her clothes beside her. Now Beth knows she has a twisted serial killer on her hands, she’ll stop at nothing to catch him. Even if it means going against Dax’s orders…
Desperate to find the other missing girl, Beth’s heart pounds as she puts herself up as bait and walks into the secluded forest, knowing evil is lurking nearby. With Dax watching her every move, Beth prays the gamble pays off. Can she outsmart the murderer, or did she just walk into a trap? And when Beth finally comes face to face with the killer, will she hand him over or serve justice of her very own?
BUY LINK: https://geni.us/B0CBQ7BQH2social
Shadow Angel: An absolutely addictive and nail-biting crime thriller (Detective Beth Katz Book 2):
In a dark cabin, a young woman sits totally still. Long dark hair hangs over her shoulders and heavy makeup adorns her pale face. Cherry red lips offer a hint of a smile, but she won’t ever smile again. Her body is already cold to the touch…
When black crows are spotted circling over an abandoned cabin in the woods near Rattlesnake Creek, FBI agent Beth Katz and her maverick partner Dax Styles fear something is very wrong. Beth has been hunting serial killers for years, and as she races to the forest she vows to serve her own form of justice, whatever the cost…
Cassie Durham’s friends reported her missing when she didn’t return home from a local bar a few days ago. Now, Cassie sits in darkness, her last breath taken days before. Beth notices the rouged cheeks and bright blue eyeshadow are nothing like the pictures she’s seen of Cassie alive. Did someone add the heavy makeup and pose her like this after death?
When another woman vanishes from a night out, Beth is convinced a twisted killer is in town. A clue on the dark web leads her to a local late-night hangout. Going undercover, she learns that when both girls vanished they were being watched by someone at the back of the crowded room.
Noticing a man following her every move, Beth knows she has one chance to capture him. With a knife in her pocket and hellbent on saving another innocent life, Beth is already sure she’s going to be the killer tonight. Otherwise she will become his next victim…
BUY LINK: https://geni.us/B0CBQ5QQ72social
Author Bio:
D.K Hood is THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, USA TODAY, and #1 AMAZON MILLION COPY Bestselling Author.
D.K’s spine chilling, fast paced serial killer thrillers revolve around Sheriff Jenna Alton and her ex- special forces Deputy, Dave Kane. As the main characters fight crime, their secret pasts are never far away. Set in and around the fictional backwoods town of Black Rock Falls, Montana, known locally as Serial Killer Central, D.K ‘s imagery takes the reader into the scenes with her. Given the title “Queen of Suspense” by her reviewers, D.K ‘s writing style offers her readers a movie style, sizzling fast thrill ride.
Author Social Media:
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Twitter : @DKHood_Author
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Web:http://www.dkhood.com
