A young woman is found dead in her car with no obvious cause of death. Yet she has ligature marks on her wrists so a murder investigation is launched. DC Morgan Brookes and her team seek a cunning killer but he already has Morgan in his sights…
Hold Your Breath is the 9th police procedural and crime thriller to feature Morgan Brookes and her boss and lover Ben Matthews. There are some details about the private lives and previous cases which may act as spoilers if you haven’t read the earlier books.
Morgan receives a strange and hideous gift: a death mask. Jasmine’s body is discovered at a popular spot in the Lake District, where her father’s suicide was found just months earlier. At first another suicide is suspected but tie marks and petechiae prove it was murder by asphyxiation. Morgan and her team suspect a link to Jasmine’s work which is only strengthened when another young woman is killed. This time there is a huge link between the victim and Morgan and Ben.
The majority of the book is written to show the police investigation and the relationships between the police characters. I really like the relationship between Morgan and Ben but think both of them are reluctant to reveal the true strength of their feelings for each other. Morgan is in danger and injured quite a lot in this book which make Ben consider the future.
There are also some chapters that show the perspective of the killer. This increases the tension and drama as we see his plans for Morgan. The police have narrowed down the suspects and I was able to guess the identitiy of the killer. I found the ending to be a little abrupt and there wasn’t any confession or any real conclusion which explained the motive.
Hold Your Breath is a tense and enjoyable crime and police thriller.
MEDIA PACK
Book: Hold Your Breath
Author: Helen Phifer
Pub Day: June 2nd 2023
Buy Link(s):
About the Book:
The biting wind whips around the crystal-clear waters of the lake. The girl sits with her eyes open, as if transfixed by the waves on the shoreline, but she has taken her last breath…
When Detective Morgan Brookes is called to Lake Thirlmere one frosty night, she’s devastated to find the body of a young woman positioned in front of the glistening reservoir. She has ligature marks on her limbs, glue residue on her eyes, and her beautiful face is as cold as ice. Knowing only a dangerous serial killer would arrange a scene so carefully, Morgan is in a race against time to stop them before more innocent lives are lost.
The victim is twenty-year-old Jasmine Armer and her mother is distraught to hear that her beautiful daughter is gone. And Morgan is shocked when she learns that Jasmine’s father recently died by suicide at the same picturesque spot. The killer must have known the family. Then Morgan receives a terrifying package at the station of an intricate death mask. She immediately recognises Jasmine’s long lashes and perfectly-plump lips.
With the killer taunting her, Morgan knows time is running out. And then Morgan gets the heart-shattering call that her friend, Emily, has been killed. Ligature marks on Emily’s arms are identical to Jasmine’s. Heartbroken Morgan knows this isn’t the end of the killer’s twisted game, but can she track them down before they take another life?
A non-stop thrill ride from the very first chapter to the final, epic conclusion. Fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Lisa Regan will be glued to the pages of this addictive rollercoaster of a read.
Author Bio
Helen Phifer is the Bestselling writer of the hugely popular Annie Graham, Lucy Harwin, Beth Adams and her current series featuring Detective Constable Morgan Brooks published by the fabulous Bookouture.
She lives in the busy town of Barrow-in-Furness surrounded by miles of coastline and a short drive from the glorious English Lake District.
Helen loves reading books that scare the heck out of her and is eternally grateful to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Herbert and Graham Masterton for scaring her senseless in her teenage years. Unable to find enough scary stories she decided to write her own and her debut novel The Ghost House released in October 2013 became a #1 Global Bestseller.
She has written over twenty books in various genres and you can follow her over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/helenphifer/
Social Media
Tina is a single mum to little Luke. They are cramped in one room and dream of a brighter future. Eloise is married to Jared but knows he cheated on her. She is unable to divorce him due to a prenup so settles on a deadly plan instead…
Her Husband’s Secret is a psychological thriller set in America.
Tina’s lover had lied about his identity so she was never able to tell him that she was pregnant. Now she has struggled to raise him alone so she jumps at the chance to find her own home with support of realtor Eloise. But she doesn’t know that Eloise is aware that it is her husband who fathered Luke and she has planned to reunite the adulterous pair so that she can take her revenge. Eloise’s plan is going perfectly except for her reliance on her cousin Ricky. He has mental health problems and becomes fixated by Tina. The book is written from the perspectives of Tina, Eloise and Ricky so we see their emotions and understand their actions.
I was absolutely absorbed by this book, although I didn’t find it particularly credible. So I suspended my disbelief and got on with enjoying a fascinating story of dangerous obsessions. I had zero sympathy for Jared who shows no remorse for cheating on his wife and just thinks he can throw money around. Eloise is determined and relentless in pursuit of her husband’s downfall. Ricky is troubled and easily led by his ruthless cousin until his own obsessive behaviour towards Tina takes over.
I found Ricky’s chapters quite sad to read as he is obviously unstable and wants to find happiness. Tina is an innocent amongst all the other scheming characters, and desperately wants the best for her son. She is scared by Ricky which only drives her further into Eloise’s clutches. The writing and pace are compellingly good as Eloise’s plan unfolds. This book certainly held my interest although the ending was reasonably predictable.
Her Husband’s Secret is an enjoyable psychological thriller with well written characters.
Book Blurb
A cheating husband. A vengeful wife. And a plan that goes terribly wrong.
When Eloise discovers her husband Jared has fathered a son with another woman, Tina, there’s no way she’s forgiving him. But divorce will leave her with nothing, thanks to a prenup.
Instead, she takes her time plotting a murderous revenge with the help of her loyal cousin Ricky. Her plan is simple – she’ll kill Jared and set Tina up to take the fall.
That way she’ll stay free to inherit what she really loves: Jared’s money. And with Ricky’s help, it all seems possible.
What Eloise hasn’t counted on is Ricky’s unpredictable state of mind. Driven by a dangerous obsession with Tina, he’s slowly disconnecting from reality. Instead of following Eloise’s plan, he thinks up one of his own. One that leaves Eloise in a place she never thought possible, even in her worst nightmares.
Author 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.
Follow Emily at:
A group of friends gather for a holiday in Cornwall but for one of the group it is their last holiday ever. Annie dies and one of her friends may be the murderer…
The Last Holiday is a psychological thriller with an element of murder mystery.
Over two decades of friendship and secrets come to a head on a final holiday before lives change forever. Annie, Jack, Charlotte, Tristen and Stella became friends at college but all of them have something to hide. I was absolutely capitivated by the dynamics of the relationships between this group of friends.
Secrets and lies from the past and present simmer under the surface and there are motives aplenty. I found it difficult to like Annie even though the chapters from her perspective show her vulnerabilities and explain her actions. The other characters have their flaws too, making them seem authentic and human so I felt an emotional connection with all of the lead characters.
The book is written from various points of view (all female) in the first person to show the lead up and aftermath of events. I liked the inclusion of the lead police officer to show the progression of the case but also her emotional state of mind as she struggles with her own personal circumstances.
There were plenty of twists as secrets are revealed and links are made between the past and present. I had a few theories about how things would work out but wasn’t quite right. Even in the final chapters, the author threw in an extra twist or two!
The Last Holiday is a gripping thriller and mystery.
Book Description:
One last holiday together. One of us wouldn’t come home…
Saturday night: It starts as an innocent holiday game amongst old friends. As we sit around our campfire, the evening sky streaked with peach, my little boy sleeping peacefully in our tent, the wine flows and secrets are spilled.
It should be harmless fun, but Annie’s questions worry me. She’s always been the keeper of our secrets. She knows all the infidelities, the indiscretions, the stolen kisses…
I just hope she knows when to stop. Because there’s something I can’t let her bring to the surface…
Wednesday morning: It’s the little things that stay with you. The hurried rip of zips being opened. Figures stumbling into the cold night air. The screams echoing across the campsite as flashlights scour the ground. That’s what happens when someone you love is murdered.
One of us is responsible for Annie’s death. One of us will stop at nothing to keep our secrets hidden…
A totally gripping psychological thriller that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and have you gasping at the twists. Fans of The Housemaid, Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train will be turning pages all night long!
Author Bio:
Amy Sheppard is a busy mum of two boys, living in Cornwall. Her obsession with making budget friendly family dinners, led her to writing two cookbooks. Amy creates recipes for her followers and for brands @amysheppardfood
The Last Holiday is the author’s second fiction novel.
Audio:
You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you’ll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo
1963, Germany. Hanni and Freddy’s son runs away to her Nazi father and Hanni decides it is time to make Reiner pay for his war crimes once and for all…
Her Last Promise is the fourth book to feature Hanni and Freddy. I have previously read and reviewed the earlier three books in the series: The Commandant’s Daughter, The Pilot’s Girl, and The Girl in the Photo. I think the books should be read in order as they chart the course of Hanni and Freddy’s life together.
Hanni and Freddy’s relationship has crumbled since the events of the last book. They are both united in their love for their son Leo but he is adamant he wants to reject his Jewish heritage and join his Nazi grandfather. Hanni and Freddy are horrified and spurred to take action against Reiner and avenge the war crimes he is guilty of.
I enjoyed the complexity of the emotions that are covered by the book. The war and Holocaust cast long shadows over the lives of the characters. I feel that this is quite a unique angle as most books focus on the experience in the camps rather than what happened afterwards. Reiner has been a classic baddie from the very start of the series, and I was longing for him to have a good downfall at last to free Hanni from her guilt and shame.
Her Last Promise is an emotional historical novel which covers big issues about family, identity and survival.
Book Description:
‘Too many have suffered at my father’s hands. I won’t let it continue. I’ll stop him, I’ll build a world where we can finally be free, I swear it…’
Berlin, 1938.When Hanni’s beloved sister suddenly vanishes in the middle of the night, Hanni knows her high-ranking Nazi father, Reiner, is not telling her the whole truth and may hold the key to her disappearance.
Years later, after finally learning how to live with her troubled past, Hanni dedicates herself to raising her teenage son, Leo, but her sister is never far from her mind. But when Leo begins to share Reiner’s pro-Nazi views and runs away from home to meet his grandfather, Hanni’s world collapses in an instant. She is determined not to lose her son to her father’s cruelty, like she lost her darling sister all those years ago…
Hanni has tried to stop her father before and nearly lost her life. Now she is fighting for Leo too and the stakes are higher than ever. She can’t lose him to the Nazis. She won’t let her father take her son away from her. Hanni knows this is her last chance to bring her father to justice. With her son’s life hanging in the balance, Hanni knows this will be her toughest battle yet. But with Reiner’s popularity stronger than ever, will she succeed?
A heartbreaking and gripping historical novel about courage, redemption and the endurance of the human spirit. Fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will be inspired by this heart-wrenching story about the choices we make to honour the lives of those we lose.
Author Bio:
I seem to have followed a rather meandering career, including marketing and teaching and politics (don’t try and join the dots), to get where I have always wanted to be, which is writing historical fiction. I am a story lover as well as a story writer and nothing fascinates me more than a strong female protagonist and a quest. Hopefully those are what you will encounter when you pick up my books.
I am from the North of England but now live very happily in Glasgow with my American husband. Both my children have left home (one to London and one to Berlin) which may explain why I am finally writing. If I’m not at my desk you’ll most probably find me in the cinema, or just follow the sound of very loud music.
I’d love to hear from you and there are lots of ways you can find me, so jump in via my website https://www.catherinehokin.com/ or on my Cat Hokin FB page or on twitter @cathokin
Buy Link:
You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you’ll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo
Leah went missing two years ago, leaving her best friend and adopted sister bereft. Now Claire finds herself kidnapped too…
The Victim is a psychological thriller set in the UK.
Leah and Claire grew up together and were devoted to each other. Yet after Leah disappears, secrets are revealed and Claire wonders if she really knew her at all. Then Claire herself is snatched from the street but she is determined to escape.
The book is written from Claire’s perspective in the past and present. This allows us to see the circumstances and immediate aftermath of Leah’s disappearance as well as events in the present day. The chapters are short which drives the pace and plot forwards as the twists develop.
There is plenty of mystery as we wonder what happened to Leah and why Claire has now been taken. I also enjoyed the emotional side to the plot as Claire reflects on her relationship with Leah and the grief at her loss. The characters and their actions seemed authentic so I felt invested in finding the truth.
The Victim is an intriguing thriller.
Book Links
Book Blurb
He’s watching you … but should he be afraid?
Leah should have been enjoying a night in with her best friend and housemate Claire, binging on chocolate and her favourite Netflix show.
But instead, she is suddenly forced to fight for her life when strong hands grab her. A knife is pressed to Leah’s throat and as tears run down her cheeks, she knows she will have to do as she is told if she wants to survive the night.
2 years on …
The community has forgotten about the woman so violently snatched from their midst. Leah’s best friend, however, can’t forget the person who was closer to her than a sister. Nor does she want to believe the shocking secrets she has unearthed about her friend in her absence.
Claire refuses to let go. She won’t forget the only person she ever really cared about. And she will never go about her life as if Leah never existed. She also knows that the danger that took her best friend still lurks unpunished in their hometown. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise when Claire is snatched too.
But the last thing she intends is to become one more victim. She feels her abductor should be the one who should be afraid.
Can Claire survive longer than one night?
Will she ever discover what really happened to Leah?
Author Bio
Ruth Harrow was born and raised in England and graduated from university before embarking on an unfulfilling career in an office job. She eventually put pen to paper and her debut psychological thriller, In Her Footsteps, was published in 2018. It quickly became a bestseller. Following the success of her first novel, her second and third books followed shortly afterwards. She lives in the UK with her husband, two children and chocolate Labrador, Rolo.
Follow Ruth at:
