DS Ray Lennon knows that he is taking his own life into his hands when
he is informed by DCS Sean McGuinness that he has to bring DI Tom
Reynolds back from holiday. A man has been murdered inside Leinster
House in Dublin. The victim is an important advisor to the government.
When IT access the victim’s computer, disturbing images are found on
it. They include the victim’s boss, who is a government minister tapped
to become the leader of the party. In addition, the woman the victim
worked with seems to have disappeared.
DS Laura Brennan discovers an unmentioned access to the building on the
building’s plans. Could the killer have used it unnoticed by people
working in the building? The number of suspects increases.
Author Jo Spain’s thriller is full of suspects, but can Reynolds pin it
on anyone in particular. There’s no evidence pointing to one particular
suspect. How will he and his team solve this particular killing?
Spain’s thriller is a very good read, and it was hard to put down. I’m
sure other fans of this genre will concur.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
The Cold, Cold Ground
DS Sean Duffy has just gotten home from riot duty when he is called out
to investigate a body in Carrickfergus. A young man has been shot in
the chest and the back of the head. Also, his right hand had been cut
off. Signs that he was an informer for the police or the army.
Nobody seems to know who the victim is, and his prints bring nothing up either. The next day, Dr. Cathcart, the pathologist, informs Duffy that the hand doesn’t belong to the victim. She also hands him a piece of paper with music on it, which had been placed in his rectum. He had also had anal sex either pre or post death. What kind of a weird case did Duffy have on his hands?
Once Duffy discovers what the words are to the music, he realises that the killer is mocking the police.
The following day a second body is found. It happens that Dr. Cathcart is available to view the body in situ. The victim had been shot just inside his door. His right hand had been cut off and the hand of the other victim casually tossed on top of the body. This time the victim is quickly identified.
DC McCrabban tells Duffy that the dead man is a known homosexual. The next morning in the post, Duffy receives a post card from the killer telling him he doesn’t have it in for homosexuals.
They have a serial killer on their hands.
Shortly after this the body of a young woman is found hanging in nearby woods. Had she done it because her estranged husband had started a hunger strike in jail? She had been missing for some time before being found. Dr. Cathcart informs Duffy that she had recently been pregnant and breastfeeding. She also tells him that the victim’s throat had additional bruising beside that caused by the rope. Could they have another murder on their hands? Another question arises - where is the baby?
Duffy receives a phone call, which he interprets to mean that the first victim actually had high standing in the IRA. Duffy is fortunate to have a quick chat with Gerry Adams and point out that they are actually on the same side on this case. But will that help anything?
Author Adrian McKinty’s thriller is fast paced, yet the hero, DS Sean Duffy at times seems to bumble his way about. Being a detective in Belfast during The Troubles is not an easy task. McKinty has some surprises in store for the reader, which create a very good read. This book was hard to put down.
Nobody seems to know who the victim is, and his prints bring nothing up either. The next day, Dr. Cathcart, the pathologist, informs Duffy that the hand doesn’t belong to the victim. She also hands him a piece of paper with music on it, which had been placed in his rectum. He had also had anal sex either pre or post death. What kind of a weird case did Duffy have on his hands?
Once Duffy discovers what the words are to the music, he realises that the killer is mocking the police.
The following day a second body is found. It happens that Dr. Cathcart is available to view the body in situ. The victim had been shot just inside his door. His right hand had been cut off and the hand of the other victim casually tossed on top of the body. This time the victim is quickly identified.
DC McCrabban tells Duffy that the dead man is a known homosexual. The next morning in the post, Duffy receives a post card from the killer telling him he doesn’t have it in for homosexuals.
They have a serial killer on their hands.
Shortly after this the body of a young woman is found hanging in nearby woods. Had she done it because her estranged husband had started a hunger strike in jail? She had been missing for some time before being found. Dr. Cathcart informs Duffy that she had recently been pregnant and breastfeeding. She also tells him that the victim’s throat had additional bruising beside that caused by the rope. Could they have another murder on their hands? Another question arises - where is the baby?
Duffy receives a phone call, which he interprets to mean that the first victim actually had high standing in the IRA. Duffy is fortunate to have a quick chat with Gerry Adams and point out that they are actually on the same side on this case. But will that help anything?
Author Adrian McKinty’s thriller is fast paced, yet the hero, DS Sean Duffy at times seems to bumble his way about. Being a detective in Belfast during The Troubles is not an easy task. McKinty has some surprises in store for the reader, which create a very good read. This book was hard to put down.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Murder on Ile Saint Louis
Aimee Leduc has been working on a client’s security programme when she
receives a mysterious phone call from a woman who seems to know her.
Aimee doesn’t recognise the voice, but the woman seems terrified and
asks Aimee to go to her courtyard. In the courtyard, she discovers a
newborn baby girl. What is she supposed to do now?
Her partner, Rene Friant, comes over to help her finish the security programme. He is shocked to find the baby there. Once done the programme, Aimee goes out in search of the mother. She is sure that she is being followed, so makes a run for it.
Fortunately, the following morning, when Aimee has a meeting, she has a friend who is willing to help with the baby. Later, a chance meeting at the morgue with a young man, sets Aimee off in search of him. She goes to his place, but he’s not in. A picture that he has left behind helps her possibly identify the mother of the baby.
As the hours go by, Aimee becomes more and more attached to the baby. She decides to call her Stella. Aimee sets out to search for the mother, and quickly discovers that the woman who she thought was the mother isn’t. She now has a new quest.
However, her search leads to more than she bargained for. Her client is murdered, and it appears that he had a connection to the mother of the baby.
How will Aimee solve this conundrum? Author Cara Black’s thriller is fast paced as usual, keeping Aimee Leduc barely ahead of severe troubles that could do her in. A very good read.
Her partner, Rene Friant, comes over to help her finish the security programme. He is shocked to find the baby there. Once done the programme, Aimee goes out in search of the mother. She is sure that she is being followed, so makes a run for it.
Fortunately, the following morning, when Aimee has a meeting, she has a friend who is willing to help with the baby. Later, a chance meeting at the morgue with a young man, sets Aimee off in search of him. She goes to his place, but he’s not in. A picture that he has left behind helps her possibly identify the mother of the baby.
As the hours go by, Aimee becomes more and more attached to the baby. She decides to call her Stella. Aimee sets out to search for the mother, and quickly discovers that the woman who she thought was the mother isn’t. She now has a new quest.
However, her search leads to more than she bargained for. Her client is murdered, and it appears that he had a connection to the mother of the baby.
How will Aimee solve this conundrum? Author Cara Black’s thriller is fast paced as usual, keeping Aimee Leduc barely ahead of severe troubles that could do her in. A very good read.
Friday, May 24, 2019
The Lazarus Curse
Dr. Thomas Silkstone is part of a gathering to witness an autopsy.
Those there are shocked when it is revealed that the corpse is a
beautiful young black woman. As Silkstone touches the body, he realises
that rigor mortis has not yet set in; she can only have been dead a
very short time. How did Dr. Izzard manage to get such a fresh body?
On a happier note, Silkstone has been tasked with classifying specimens brought back from a recent voyage to Jamaica by the Royal Society. However, the young man holding much of the documentation of the trip seems to have disappeared. Silkstone’s mentor, Dr. Carruthers sugests that Silkstone do some investigation into the missing man.
A short time later Silkstone is asked to do an autopsy on a headless body pulled from the Thames. Based on initials on the clothing, Silkstone assumes the body belongs to the missing man.
When Silkstone discovers a badly beaten black man, he takes him home to help him recover. Others warn him that protecting a slave will not have a good outcome. Taking the opportunity to study information from the trip to Jamaica while the man is recovering, Silkstone realises that the expedition to Jamaica had an ulterior motive. The question is, who is involved?
Author Tessa Harris’ latest thriller has plenty of plot twists, which Silkstone will have difficulties interpreting. He has a number of shocking surprises in store, too. Another good quick read, however, the way the book ended makes me want to get my hands on the next in the series ASAP!
On a happier note, Silkstone has been tasked with classifying specimens brought back from a recent voyage to Jamaica by the Royal Society. However, the young man holding much of the documentation of the trip seems to have disappeared. Silkstone’s mentor, Dr. Carruthers sugests that Silkstone do some investigation into the missing man.
A short time later Silkstone is asked to do an autopsy on a headless body pulled from the Thames. Based on initials on the clothing, Silkstone assumes the body belongs to the missing man.
When Silkstone discovers a badly beaten black man, he takes him home to help him recover. Others warn him that protecting a slave will not have a good outcome. Taking the opportunity to study information from the trip to Jamaica while the man is recovering, Silkstone realises that the expedition to Jamaica had an ulterior motive. The question is, who is involved?
Author Tessa Harris’ latest thriller has plenty of plot twists, which Silkstone will have difficulties interpreting. He has a number of shocking surprises in store, too. Another good quick read, however, the way the book ended makes me want to get my hands on the next in the series ASAP!
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Trouble Brewing
Jack Haldean has been invited to visit an elderly man, but he has no
idea why. A Mr. Hunt wants Jack to search for and find his nephew who
has been missing for a few months now. Jack’s first place to go to get
information is Bill Rackham of Scotland Yard, however he is unable to
provide further details other than the missing man is the heir to a vast
sum from his grandmother.
Going through the police files, Jack notices that the missing man was supposed to meet with the Brazilian manager of his uncle’s coffee firm. When he checks into that, he discovers that that man is also missing. Did one or the other bump the other off?
When a body is discovered, initially it is assumed to be the nephew, however dental records prove it not to be. So is it the Brazilian? If so, does this make the nephew a killer? Mr. Hunt now wants Jack to prove otherwise.
When a woman who works for the Hunt Coffee business is murdered, Jack isn’t sure that the man apprehended and charged with the murder is the killer. Despite this, Rackham is building a solid case.
An attempted murder and the death of a pauper, another suspicious death and plenty of suspects. Author Dolores Gordon-Smith’s tale is twisted as they come. How Jack Haldean will ever be able to solve it is anyone’s guess. A good quick read.
Going through the police files, Jack notices that the missing man was supposed to meet with the Brazilian manager of his uncle’s coffee firm. When he checks into that, he discovers that that man is also missing. Did one or the other bump the other off?
When a body is discovered, initially it is assumed to be the nephew, however dental records prove it not to be. So is it the Brazilian? If so, does this make the nephew a killer? Mr. Hunt now wants Jack to prove otherwise.
When a woman who works for the Hunt Coffee business is murdered, Jack isn’t sure that the man apprehended and charged with the murder is the killer. Despite this, Rackham is building a solid case.
An attempted murder and the death of a pauper, another suspicious death and plenty of suspects. Author Dolores Gordon-Smith’s tale is twisted as they come. How Jack Haldean will ever be able to solve it is anyone’s guess. A good quick read.
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Murder in Montmarte
Aimee Leduc’s friend Laure has invited her to a party to celebrate the retirement of a cop. Shortly after arriving, Laurie’s partner, Jacques, asks her to join him to meet an informer. When they don’t return within five minutes Aimee goes in search of them. She finds them; Laure has been knocked down and Jacques shot. Aimee immediately calls for police backup. When the police arrive, Aimee is arrested for the killing of Jacques.
Gunpowder residue has been found on Laure’s hands. Aimee is sure that she is suffering from shock and a concussion. How is she going to get her friend out of this mess? She gets her cousin Sebastian to help her. They think that they have discovered the killer’s escape route.
The following day Aimee learns from Laure’s lawyer that Jacques’ ex-wife has filed a civil suit against Laure, charging her with murder! She also learned that Jacques’ mother was Corsican, and a vendetta may have been behind his death. The morning after Aimee discovers a man she had questioned dead - killed in the Corsican style. She phones the cops anonymously, but as she’s exiting the phone booth she is approached by two men. Fortunately, she manages to evade them.
Can Aimee clear her friend’s name despite fighting against Corsican men who are fighting for independence? Author Cara Black has lots of action awaiting Aimee and her partner Rene in this thriller. A good, quick read.
Gunpowder residue has been found on Laure’s hands. Aimee is sure that she is suffering from shock and a concussion. How is she going to get her friend out of this mess? She gets her cousin Sebastian to help her. They think that they have discovered the killer’s escape route.
The following day Aimee learns from Laure’s lawyer that Jacques’ ex-wife has filed a civil suit against Laure, charging her with murder! She also learned that Jacques’ mother was Corsican, and a vendetta may have been behind his death. The morning after Aimee discovers a man she had questioned dead - killed in the Corsican style. She phones the cops anonymously, but as she’s exiting the phone booth she is approached by two men. Fortunately, she manages to evade them.
Can Aimee clear her friend’s name despite fighting against Corsican men who are fighting for independence? Author Cara Black has lots of action awaiting Aimee and her partner Rene in this thriller. A good, quick read.
Monday, May 20, 2019
Perfect Prey
The killer had taken advantage of the crowd, slashing the victim in the
stomach. It was only when a teenager slipped in his blood that he was
noticed. How is DI Luc Callanach supposed to make any sense of a badly
trampled crime scene?
The pathologist, Ailsa Lambert, informs Callanach that the knife used was specially designed to do maximum harm; a ritual killing in her mind.
Not long after this DI Ava Turner is assigned to investigate a brutal murder of a woman in her own home. DCI Begbie wants a quick closure to this case, too.
On top of all of this, DCI Joseph Edgar has come to Edinburgh because a possible internet attack is imminent. The following morning a cyber attack has transferred funds from wealthy individuals to charities in need of funding.
Three weeks on and Callanach hasn’t made any progress. He is asked to check on a missing man. When he’s at the man’s place of work, he discovers the body of the man in the basement. Shortly after Begbie arrives to assess the scene, he has a heart attack. The scene is badly compromised by the paramedics, much to the chagrin of pathologist Lambert.
Later Lambert informs Callanach that the incisions on the latest victim were made with a knife similar to the cuts made on the first. With his team dispersed, Callanach now relies on DC Salter.
Almost immediately Turner has another case on her hands, this time the strangulation of a young woman. On top of that, the press has somehow managed to get their hands on photos of the crime scene.
Superintendent Overbeck has taken over for Begbie, but will she bring about a resolution any quicker? Callanach does some research on all four victims and discovers that each had been given an award of some sort for their caring nature. Will this link help them find the killer or killers?
Are the killers in competition? Graffiti, which appeared before the death of the last victim and graffiti that seems to warn of the next victim would seem to make that a reality. Then Callanach is badly beaten and warned off by cops. What is going on?
As the individual investigations progress, Callanach and Turner become more at odds with one another. Callanach is gambling with his career despite Overbeck making threatening innuendos.
Author Helen Fields’ thriller is just that, a thriller that has cops set against each other while working towards the same goal. She leads the reader deep into the workings of the darknet. Who can anyone trust? As a reader, you feel the tension each of the players in this story are experiencing. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and hard to put down. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the sequels.
The pathologist, Ailsa Lambert, informs Callanach that the knife used was specially designed to do maximum harm; a ritual killing in her mind.
Not long after this DI Ava Turner is assigned to investigate a brutal murder of a woman in her own home. DCI Begbie wants a quick closure to this case, too.
On top of all of this, DCI Joseph Edgar has come to Edinburgh because a possible internet attack is imminent. The following morning a cyber attack has transferred funds from wealthy individuals to charities in need of funding.
Three weeks on and Callanach hasn’t made any progress. He is asked to check on a missing man. When he’s at the man’s place of work, he discovers the body of the man in the basement. Shortly after Begbie arrives to assess the scene, he has a heart attack. The scene is badly compromised by the paramedics, much to the chagrin of pathologist Lambert.
Later Lambert informs Callanach that the incisions on the latest victim were made with a knife similar to the cuts made on the first. With his team dispersed, Callanach now relies on DC Salter.
Almost immediately Turner has another case on her hands, this time the strangulation of a young woman. On top of that, the press has somehow managed to get their hands on photos of the crime scene.
Superintendent Overbeck has taken over for Begbie, but will she bring about a resolution any quicker? Callanach does some research on all four victims and discovers that each had been given an award of some sort for their caring nature. Will this link help them find the killer or killers?
Are the killers in competition? Graffiti, which appeared before the death of the last victim and graffiti that seems to warn of the next victim would seem to make that a reality. Then Callanach is badly beaten and warned off by cops. What is going on?
As the individual investigations progress, Callanach and Turner become more at odds with one another. Callanach is gambling with his career despite Overbeck making threatening innuendos.
Author Helen Fields’ thriller is just that, a thriller that has cops set against each other while working towards the same goal. She leads the reader deep into the workings of the darknet. Who can anyone trust? As a reader, you feel the tension each of the players in this story are experiencing. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and hard to put down. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the sequels.
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