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Blood Matters by Ian McFadyen

Nov20

Wow! – Fabulous!

Blood Matters by Ian McFadyen is a totally gripping contemporary crime novel that I just could not put down. I read it in just one sitting. It is the tenth book in the DCI Carmichael series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Ian McFadyen has constructed and well executed a marvellous plotline, full of twists and turns, designed to keep the reader on their toes. I closely followed the action but failed to guess the perpetrator.

As the body count rose, there was a connection to a twenty year old cold case. Unanswered questions saw characters digging deeply. As each question arose, the mystery deepened. There seemed to be those in the know, but their lips were sealed.

Desperate people employed ever more desperate measures. In their mind, bumping off people to silence them was acceptable. Long-held secrets eventually emerged.

I found the ending was superb. It was a jaw dropping moment as the penny dropped for a character and the reader.

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Storm Bodies by Steve Orme

Nov16

Totally Gripping

Storm Bodies by Steve Orme is a totally gripping crime suspense that I just could not put down. It is the second book in the D.I. Miles Davies series and can be read as a stand-alone. However, for maximum enjoyment and character progression, I recommend reading Storm Deaths first, especially as a storyline continues over to this book.

Once more the reader follows the Derbyshire police force as they investigate serious crime. The force is a well-oiled machine, relentless in their pursuit of crime. To lighten the atmosphere, a character spreads dark humor. There is also an extremely well-written episode of light humor which makes the reader chuckle, and counter balances the dark topic of murder.

The author’s passion for basketball once again, comes through as we follow the Derby Storm team. Familiar names from the first book pop up.

All the characters were well drawn. They were an eclectic mix who elicited a variety of emotional responses from me.

Storm Bodies is crime fiction writing out of the top drawer. The reader is drawn in from the start as we cling on, following the story to its’ conclusion.

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Storm Deaths by Steve Orme

Nov16

Thrilling & Well Written

Storm Deaths by Steve Orme is a thrilling contemporary crime suspense that gripped me from the start.

The action is mainly set in Derby in the East Midlands. A lot of the focus is on the basketball team, the Derby Storm. The author clearly has a vast knowledge of the sport.

As the novel opens, we ‘hear’ from a victim of crime. This begs the first of many questions – who? Where? And why?

As the novel progresses and the body count rises, the reader who is fully engaged, has many more questions.

We see that not everyone’s character is wholly black or wholly white, many are shades of grey. In even the darkest heart, there is a glimmer of light.

All the characters were well drawn and believable. They were an eclectic mix. Back stories were given to some of the characters. Police woman, Tilly’s, story was heartbreaking. The reader understands her motivation for joining the police. Even a minor character stood out for me – the old man who walks his dog at 5am. I could clearly picture him, showing that Steve Orme really thinks about his characters, even those who have ‘bit’ parts.

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Outlaws & Outcasts by Luke Eden

Nov2

Overcoming Adversity

Outlaws And Outcasts: The Team No One Loved by Luke Eden is a thrilling contemporary novel that will grip you from the start. It is the second book in The Speedway Series but can be read as a stand-alone.

This is a novel of two parts. The first half has the element of a godfather-type crime novel interwoven with speedway, and the second is pure speedway.

I absolutely loved this book on so many levels – I enjoyed the storyline which was well thought out and executed.

I loved the whole speedway storyline – having been a fan for 49 years, I recognized some of the scenes from speedway at the highest level as well as league matches. I loved the tongue-in-cheek reference to the four starting line girls – as a speedway fan, all I can say is, thank goodness they have been scrapped now.

And finally, I loved the fictional Kidderminster speedway team and the many locations around the Wyre Forest were so familiar to me as I have lived in the area for 36 years! I found myself exclaiming out loud at the many real-life locations! For anyone who lives in the area, this is such a fabulous book, not many novels are set quite so close to home. It was a joy to read.

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