Natalie and Jake are struggling with their marriage, not helped by worrying finances on the family farm. To make some extra cash, they agree to take in a lodger but things start to go even more wrong once Kara moves in…
Happily Married is a domestic drama and psychological thriller.
Natalie and Jake’s marriage hasn’t been great for a while. The pressure of parenting alongside the running of the farm mean they haven’t had much time for each other. We know that Jake has been having an affair while Natalie is suspicious but has no proof. Into this stressful situation arrives Kara as a lodger but her behaviour concerns Natalie and a series of unpleasant incidents make Natalie feel unsafe.
The book is written from a third person perspective of Natalie and the first person viewpoint of Jake’s lover. We witness the sinister preparations for the destruction of Natalie’s marriage as well as danger for her and her daughter. I liked being able to see both sides to the events as it increased the tension and anticipation.
There is a HUGE twist halfway through and I had to reread the page to make sure I was understanding correctly. It made me reconsider everything I thought I knew about the plot and characters. Things get a lot darker in the second half of the book. I couldn’t put this book down and there were more twists even in the final chapter.
Happily Married is a gripping thriller with a huge twist.
MEDIA PACK
Book: Happily Married
Author: Victoria Jenkins
Pub Day: May 11th 2023
Buy Links:
Audible:
About the Book:
My husband is keeping secrets. I’m watching his every move…
Jake and I were childhood sweethearts. Strong, dependable and with a smile that melts my heart, he is the perfect husband and father to our beautiful little daughter. We have our money troubles – but getting a lodger, Kara, calms the panic I feel about our bills. Jake is reluctant but what choice do we have?
I’m relieved that Kara is so sweet, playing endless games of hide and seek with Elsie and settling into our home. But when I catch Jake and Kara sitting close together on the sofa one evening, they jump apart when I walk into the room. Jake promises it’s nothing…
When I search Kara’s room, I know for sure. My husband is keeping a terrible secret. And it’s much, much worse than I imagined.
Confronting him will tear our marriage apart, but I’ll do anything to protect my precious daughter.
Even if it means putting on a smile as I greet Kara at the breakfast table.
Even if it means lying to my husband’s face.
Even if it means someone has to die…
For fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Housemaid, this is a psychological thriller with a mind-blowing twist you’ll never see coming.
Author Bio and Social Media
Victoria Jenkins lives with her husband and daughters in South Wales, where her bestselling series of crime novels featuring Detectives King and Lane is based. The first in the series, The Girls in the Water is a top 5 US kindle bestseller. She has an MA in Creative and Media Writing from the University of Wales, Swansea.
Libby has lived in fear for 15 years, dreading the day that Ewan Galbreith is released from prison. Her evidence convinced the jury to convict him of the murder of her aunt and uncle and he vowed to get revenge. Now he has been released and ready to find Libby…
Watching You is a psychological thriller set in the UK.
Libby rebuilt her life after the terrible tragedies of the past. She has even changed her name so that people don’t associate her with the media frenzy and court case. However the shadow of the past is something she can never excape from, and as Ewan’s release date edges closer, she becomes more and more fearful. Once he gets out, Libby is bombarded with texts, emails and calls that threaten her professionally and personally.
The book is written from Libby’s first person viewpoint and other third person perspectives including Ewan and the police. The majority of the book is set in the present day to show how Libby is being affected by Ewan’s release, but there are also multiple timelines which are not featured in a completely linear way (mostly 15 years ago but also the court case, 10 years ago and 5 years ago).
There were plenty of twists and a few misdirections to keep the reader guessing. The chapters in the past weave together a series of connected events that led to murder. My sympathy for Libby waned as I saw her spoilt behaviour in the past and Libby’s uncle was quite unpleasant (but surely not deserving of murder!) so there were multiple possibilities for what really happened that night fifteen years ago. I did have a couple of questions left over at the end but this did not spoil my enjoyment of the book.
Watching You is dramatic with a skilfully woven plot.
Book blurb
He’s out there somewhere—maybe right behind her . . . A heart-pounding new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of Remember Me.
Ewan Galbreith is out of prison. And Libby Owen is scared.
Fifteen years ago, Libby saw Galbreith murder her aunt and uncle. Now, she knows he’s coming for her, haunted by his last words before incarceration: I’ll be out one day, and then you’ll all be sorry.
With Galbreith free, every footstep behind Libby and every face she sees is a threat. The police have assured her Galbreith would be thrown back in prison if he came within a hundred yards of her, but would that stop him? Libby has her doubts—Ewan Galbreith doesn’t go back on anything he says.
He is watching her, and Libby knows it’s only a matter of time before he decides to act…
Lynda’s Bio:
Lynda Renham is author to many popular romantic comedy and gripping psychological thriller novels. She lives in Oxford, UK. She has appeared on BBC radio discussion programs and is a prolific blogger, Twitter and when not writing can usually be found wasting her time on Facebook.
Social media links: www.renham.co.uk Twitter: @lyndarenham
Rylan Flynn can see ghosts. She can speak to them. And she can help them move to the light. But when one ghost directs Rylan to her body and tries to tell her who killed her, Rylan insists on finding the killer even if it puts her in danger.
The Spirit Girls is a paranormal murder mystery set in America.
I loved the premise of the book and the main character Rylan. She has a YouTube channel in which she goes ghost hunting but it is her gift and kindness that make her easy to like. She is led through the forest by a ghost of a young woman until they come across the victim’s body. Rylan want to use her gift to help solve the case but things get more complicated…
Rylan’s situation with her mother simmers in the background (no spoilers!) and there is a romantic tension with police officer Ford Pierce. Neither of them are ready to confront their feelings for each other but I’m hopeful that there will be future books and they’ll let their hearts lead them together. For now though, they are at loggerheads over the murder investigation that he is leading and she is involved in.
The book is written from various first person perspectives including the killer. This adds a sinister edge to the plot developments as we anticipate their next act. However, the majority is from Rylan’s viewpoint with Ford a close second which helps us get to know and like these two main characters.
On a personal level, I loved how the author married together ghosts and religion in a way which reflects my own beliefs. There are some clever twists surrounding ghost lore and interactions with characters. I was less keen on the conclusion of the book and the reveal of the killer along with their final act as I felt it was a bit predictable. There is plenty of potential for future books and unresolved personal issues for Rylan to act upon.
The Spirit Girls is a gripping book with a strong lead character.
MEDIA PACK
Book: The Spirit Girls
Author: Dawn Merriman
Pub Day: May 9th 2023
Buy Link(s):
About the Book:
“Where are you taking me?” Rylan follows the figure through the trees. The girl’s dark ponytail swings as she turns back, then walks on without answering. Deep in the woods, she disappears… and Rylan finds her body, mouth wide in a silent, final plea for help.
Rylan Flynn has always been able to see what others don’t—the restless spirits haunting Ashby, Indiana. She’s learned to live with her “gift” but sometimes she longs to escape.
The woods have always been a peaceful place for Rylan. But on a visit to her aunt’s cabin, she catches sight of a spirit in the trees. The ghost of a young woman approaches, leading Rylan to her body.
With a flood of horror, Rylan realizes that the girl, Celeste Monroe, has been murdered. An outgoing newcomer to town, Celeste had no enemies. Who on earth would want to see her dead?
When a coin carved with strange symbols is discovered in Celeste’s throat, it’s clear that a twisted, cold-blooded killer is at work.
Rylan’s abilities could be the only way to prevent further deaths. But Ashby’s handsome head detective, Ford Pierce, has made it very clear that he doesn’t want her help.
And any unexplained knowledge of the case could make Rylan the perfect suspect.
When another body is discovered and blood at the scene points to Rylan’s family, she is more determined than ever to uncover the truth. She must race against time to untangle a web of dark secrets… but can she find answers before the murderer claims another victim?
A heart-pounding mystery with a touch of romance, The Spirit Girls begins a new series of paranormal thrillers that are impossible to put down. If you love urban fantasy or psychic thrillers by Heather Graham and Wendy Wang, this book will grab you from the first page and never let go.
Author Bio
Dawn Merriman writes creepy small town murder mysteries from her small farm in northeast Indiana where she lives with her husband and teenage children. You can often find her with muck boots on her feet and a story in her head. She enjoys animals, auctions, snorkeling and archaeology.
Dawn Merriman grew up a small town farm girl, on a small time pig farm in Indiana. She spent her young adulthood sitting on her bedroom floor scribbling stories in notebooks. She won the “Northeast Indiana Young Writers” award as a sophomore in high school.
After battling severe depression, she wrote her debut novel “How Murder Saved My Life” as therapy, mixing her love of murder mysteries and farming with climbing out of the darkness of illness.
Social Media
Iris Woodmore arrives back home from an ill-fated affair on the continent. She needs to reconnect with her family, friends and work but becomes embroiled in a murder investigation as well. One of her friends is almost killed by a sniper then another young woman is found dead…
The Body at Carnival Bridge is an historical cosy murder mystery set in 1922. It is the third book in the series but the firts that I have read. There is information about the earlier books and I do think it would be beneficial to read the books in order.
Iris is a forward thinking young woman but stuck in 1922 when the world views women in a particular way. She has arrived home after a love affair failed but now her reputation is in tatters. Luckily she has a range of friends and family who support her as she attempts to regain her role in England.
The book is written from Iris’ first person narrative which shows us how she is feeling about her situation as well as the murder investigation. I liked her feisty attitude as she strives to find her place ‘back home’ as well as solve the murder case. However she also has a more vulnerable side which we are able to observe through her inner thoughts.
I enjoyed the historical context and content of the book: the aftermath of WW1, the political and social position of women in society, the class system and police hierarchy. The author seems to have researched the era and location so the descriptions bring the plot to life (plus I know many ofthe areas she describes: Crookham, Basingstoke Canal, Aldershot etc)
The Body at Carnival Bridge is an enjoyable murder mystery and I liked the historical aspect of the plot and characters.
The Body at Carnival Bridge
How deadly is the fight for equality?
It’s 1922, and after spending a year travelling through Europe, Iris Woodmore returns home to find a changed Walden. Wealthy businesswoman Constance Timpson has introduced equal pay in her factories and allows women to retain their jobs after they marry.
But these radical new working practices have made her deadly enemies.
A mysterious sniper fires a single shot at Constance – is it a warning, or did they shoot to kill? When one of her female employees is murdered, it’s clear the threat is all too real – and it’s not just Constance in danger.
As amateur sleuth Iris investigates, she realises the sniper isn’t the only hidden enemy preying on women.
Author Bio –
Michelle Salter is a historical crime fiction writer based in northeast Hampshire. Many local locations appear in her mystery novels. She’s also a copywriter and has written features for national magazines. When she’s not writing, Michelle can be found knee-deep in mud at her local nature reserve. She enjoys working with a team of volunteers undertaking conservation activities.
Social Media Links –
The kids head off excited on their school trip. But their bus never returns home and the anxious parents await instructions from the kidnappers…
The Vanishing of Class 3B is a psychological thriller that plays to every parent’s worst fears.
As both a parent and a teaching assistant, I was instantly drawn into the plot. 10 children and 4 school staff go missing on the way home from a school trip. Their families nervously wait for more information but is is clear that almost all of them are hiding secrets. The kidnappers finally make contact and demand that one person pays for their secret, but who…?
The book is written from various thrid person viewpoints, including the parents, police and later the missing children and staff. This allows us to see the fear and pressure that various characters are experiencing. Several of the parents have secrets but who is the kidnapper referring to? I found it a little confusing as there were different secrets hinted at and it was tricky to track which ones were acting suspiciously.
The plot doesn’t move too quickly, indeed it is days before the kidnappers make contact. This stretched my credulity a little. There are elements of police procedure as we see the investigation unfold. But it is the emotional connection to the parent characters that maintained my interest in the plot developments.
The Vanishing of Class 3B had a gripping premise.
The Vanishing of Class 3B
One spring morning, a bus full of children and their teachers from a Cotswolds primary school head off on a much-anticipated day trip.
But as night falls and the well-heeled parents – one or two of them famous, as well as wealthy – wait at the school to collect their weary offspring, it soon becomes clear that something has gone very wrong.
The children and their teachers simply do not come back.
What’s happened doesn’t seem possible.
How can an entire class of children simply vanish?
Purchase Links
Author Bio – Jackie Kabler is anAmazon number one and USA Today bestselling author of psychological thrillers, including The Perfect Couple, Am I Guilty?, The Happy Family and The Murder List. Her novels have sold nearly a million copies around the world and have been translated into eight languages. Previously she worked as a newspaper reporter and then in television news for twenty years, including nearly a decade on GMTV. She later appeared on BBC and ITV news, presented a property show for Sky, hosted sports shows on Setanta Sports News and worked as a media trainer for the Armed Forces. She now combines writing with working as a presenter on shopping channel QVC. Jackie lives in Gloucestershire with her husband.
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