Posts by type

Sphere

Book review: Darkrooms by Rebecca Hannigan

Book review: Darkrooms by Rebecca Hannigan

Darkrooms by Rebecca Hannigan was a mixed bag for me. I didn’t particularly like either of our two lead characters…. though Hannigan doesn’t try to make them particularly sympathetic or likeable. And the plot itself felt a little disjointed. At times it felt obvious where it was heading and who was responsible for the disappearance of 9 year old Roisin (I should mention the book’s title doesn’t help), but then we’d be given new information that was inconsistent with what we thought we knew or what we were told. And at one stage the guilty party confesses which felt somewhat anticlimactic. Though Hannigan does throw in an unexpected twist or two.

three-half-stars

Share

Book review: Ten Seconds by Robert Gold

Book review: Ten Seconds by Robert Gold

3 min read

I’d read a couple of ‘heavier’ books in a row and needed to get back to some good ol’ crime fiction, so opened my copy of Ten Seconds by Robert Gold. I’m sure I’ve also requested a print copy as it’s a series I started collecting – though I should clarify this is only the third in the series (rather than the tenth). Just to confuse readers Gold started with Twelve Secrets, before moving onto Eleven Liars. Kinda like a Twelve Days of Christmas. ‘Cept backwards. Either way I’m really enjoying this series featuring online news investigative journalist Ben Harper.

four-stars

Share

Book review: Storm Child by Michael Robotham

Book review: Storm Child by Michael Robotham

3 min read

Storm Child by Michael Robotham is the fourth in this series and though (with this) we’ve now uncovered long-buried backstories of our two lead characters, forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and his former patient Evie Cormac, I’m very much hoping we’ll continue to see them pair up and hunt down baddies.

I initially worried I’d not enjoy this as much as usual as I’m not a fan of novels featuring white collar crime, organised crime, including people trafficking and the like – generally preferring a twisted deep-seated motive (ie. psychopathy or trauma not money) – driving my criminals, but this certainly won me over.

four-half-stars

Share

Book review: The Last Dance by Mark Billingham

Book review: The Last Dance by Mark Billingham

2 min read

I’m a fan of Mark Billingham’s Tom Thorne / Nicola Tanner series but also very much enjoyed (perhaps more!) his standalone 2021 release, Rabbit Hole. His latest novel, The Last Dance, kicks off a new series featuring Detective Declan (Dec) Miller… a witty wiseass I can soooo envisage on the big or small screen. Miller’s constant (almost compulsive) commentary is hilarious and it would translate well – if done properly with someone with great (droll) comedic timing.

four-half-stars

Share

Book review: Eleven Liars by Robert Gold

Book review: Eleven Liars by Robert Gold

2 min read

Eleven Liars by Robert Gold is the second book in the series featuring journalist Ben Harper, who we met in Twelve Secrets when he was forced to revisit his own tragic past. Here Ben’s still working for his quirky boss finishing up a podcast offering newly-uncovered secrets involving his family when he literally stumbles across a new mystery.

three-half-stars

Share

Book reviews: 1979 & 1989 by Val McDermid

Book reviews: 1979 & 1989 by Val McDermid

4 min read

For reasons unknown I hadn’t read 1979 by Val McDermid when its sequel, 1989 arrived. I think perhaps I was a bit put-off by any mention of the IRA or money laundering and the like, as political and/or white collar crimes don’t really interest me much. (And no… I’m not sure why.)

However, a lull in new book arrivals meant I wanted to get to 1989 which naturally meant going back in time first. Because I am nothing if not anal about reading things in chronological order.

three-half-stars

Share

Book review: Verity by Colleen Hoover

Book review: Verity by Colleen Hoover

2 min read

I’ve only read one book by Colleen Hoover – It Ends With Us – and I very much enjoyed it. Hoover has had a bit of a cult-following for years but seemingly found a new audience thanks to TikTok (BookTok) over the past year or so. Her 2018 novel Verity is a departure from her usual work but very much in my suspense and thriller-loving wheelhouse.

I’d heard good things about this book since its re-release earlier this year but hadn’t been able to find my copy until this past weekend when I finally removed an array of debris from the back seat of my car!

So I finally dove in. I would have easily read this in a sitting as it’s not long but I’d embarked on something new in the slow cooker, so put it aside at about 3/4 of the way through, though it had gotten very exciting….

four-stars

Share

Book review: Twelve Secrets by Robert Gold

Book review: Twelve Secrets by Robert Gold

3 min read

Twelve Secrets by Robert Gold took me by surprise. I’d planned on allocating just a short time in the bath to read, but ended up dining on biscuits and chips because I remained in there (topping up with warm water once or twice) until I was finished.

Interestingly (or not) this is the third of fourth book I’ve read this year featuring crimes committed by juveniles…. later released and given new identities. I’m not sure if it’s suddenly topical or perhaps it’s just a sign that increased access to technology and information means that it is harder to keep things secret in the 21st century.

four-stars

Share