Alison Bruce (1)

4.25 stars

I adored this book! It was the book I needed to read at the right time. Now, I didn't read the first book, so I was worried about being lost. I had no problem following the book and getting lost IN it! This is a book I never wanted to put down!
There isn't too much I can say about this book.... Reason being, I will give too much away! But I will try my best to tell you what I really liked about this book!
There was just enough going on in this book that is was not only easy to follow but hard to put down. The mystery behind everything kept me wanting more. I thought about this book throughout the day when I wasn't reading it. I kept running possible scenarios through my head, wondering where the story was going to take me.
The characters are wonderful. They are perfectly portrayed. I was able to feel and think just like each one of them. That can be rare in a book. I didn't identify with them necessarily, but I could identify them. I hope that makes sense.
This book is for the person who likes intrigue and mystery. It is a wonderful change from the adult contemporary or romance books many read. It is definitely something to pick up if you need a cure from a book hangover, although you may get a slight one from this too!!!… (plus d'informations)

After the first 25 pages, I thought that this book was going to be a bust because of the number of shallow characters that the author had introduced. Well I kept reading & was happy to learn that I was wrong. The main detective, rookie DC Gary Goodhew is a delight. He's a very likeable character which is a nice change from all of the crime/suspense novels I have read lately where none of the characters were likeable. Hard to hate a character whose best friend is his grandmother! This book is an old fashioned whodunnit with a modern twist at the end. A terrific beach read for the summer.
I'll definately be reading the next book in this series.… (plus d'informations)

A welcome return to DC Gary Goodhew in more ways than one. Not only is this number 6 in an excellent series, but when we left DC Goodhew at the end of Book 5, his future was in the balance. Goodhew's return to work is being encouraged by his colleague Sue Gulley, but it is the murder of his "friend" and informer Ratty that is the catalyst.

Ratty's murder as it turns out, is not the random attack it first appears but one of a series that draws Gary back into an enquiry that is anything but routine. Along side the mounting body count we have the story of Kyle Davidson, whose involvement in the unfolding investigation is unclear, his innocence or guilt being masked by his growing paranoia.

Without giving any spoilers, there is also a back story involving Gary's grandfather that is known to several of his colleagues but of which he is totally unaware. His colleague and friend Sue wants to tell him, but doing so would have a major impact on his working and family relationships.

As ever this is a good solid police procedural, with the internecine relationship between Goodhew and his disgruntled colleague Kincaide adding extra drama. The imminent retirement of their "boss" DI Marks adds an additional element of distrust to their working relationship. To anyone who is new to this series, this could be read as a standalone, but it does draw on past incidents. I also feel it is easier to understand Gary as a character and his idiosyncratic way of working if you've read the previous books as with each book, you feel you are getting to know Gary a little bit more.

The plot gradually ramps up and keeps you engaged until the end, though I had my suspicions as to who was guilty before the reveal, there are other themes to be resolved that still keep you reading. As it happens it has an ending that hints at more to come and I'm hoping that is the case.

I received a review copy via NetGalley in return for an honest review.


… (plus d'informations)

4.25 stars

I adored this book! It was the book I needed to read at the right time. Now, I didn't read the first book, so I was worried about being lost. I had no problem following the book and getting lost IN it! This is a book I never wanted to put down!
There isn't too much I can say about this book.... Reason being, I will give too much away! But I will try my best to tell you what I really liked about this book!
There was just enough going on in this book that is was not only easy to follow but hard to put down. The mystery behind everything kept me wanting more. I thought about this book throughout the day when I wasn't reading it. I kept running possible scenarios through my head, wondering where the story was going to take me.
The characters are wonderful. They are perfectly portrayed. I was able to feel and think just like each one of them. That can be rare in a book. I didn't identify with them necessarily, but I could identify them. I hope that makes sense.
This book is for the person who likes intrigue and mystery. It is a wonderful change from the adult contemporary or romance books many read. It is definitely something to pick up if you need a cure from a book hangover, although you may get a slight one from this too!!!… (plus d'informations)