“Someone Who Isn’t Me” Review

September 9, 2021 jessbookishlife1 Comment

Hello Friends!

Tonight I bring you a review of a sequel of a book I previous read and review (you can find the review HERE).

“Someone Who Isn’t Me“, written by Danuta Kot, is a Mystery novel, published on April 1st 2021 by Simon & Schuster UK.

I want to thank Zoé, at Zooloo’s Book Tours, and Danuta Kot for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

Someone Who Isn't Me: THE GRIPPING NEW NOVEL FROM THE DAGGER-AWARD WINNING AUTHOR by [Danuta Kot]

When everyone hides the truth, who do you turn to?

Becca’s had a hard time of it, but she has finally got her life together. She has a nice little flat, a steady job pulling pints, and she’s even seeing someone new: Andy, who keeps his private life to himself but is always good for a laugh. And then Andy vanishes. When his body turns up on isolated Sunk Island, Becca learns Andy wasn’t just another punter. He was a police officer, deep undercover, investigating a drugs ring that he believed operated out of Becca’s pub.

Staggered by the betrayal, Becca turns to the only person she thinks she can trust: her foster mum, Kay. But Kay has problems of her own. She’s just moved into a short-term let in the hopes of finding some peace and quiet. But peace and quiet are hard to come by on Sunk Island . . .

Before long, both women are drawn into a terrifying world of drugs, money and death.

The gripping new novel from Dagger-Award-winning author Danuta Kot, perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Tana French and Denise Mina – a story about the people we are… and the people we aren’t.

Purchase Links: Amazon

About the Author

Danuta Kot (who also writes as Danuta Reah and as Carla Banks) grew up with stories. Her Irish mother and her Polish father kept their own cultures alive with traditional tales they shared with their children. For many years, she worked with young people in Yorkshire who were growing up in the aftermath of sudden industrial decline. She uses this background in her books to explore some of the issues that confront modern, urban society: poverty, alienation and social breakdown, using the contexts of the modern crime novel. She now works as a senior education consultant, work that involves travel to establish education and training in other parts of the world. She is a regular academic speaker at conferences and literary festivals and has appeared on radio and television.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

My Review

“Someone Who Isn’t Me” follows the characters we are introduced to in “Life Ruins”. We go back to a setting that felt real to me – a Portuguese woman that has only been to 4 countries outside her own (Spain, France, Germany and Switzerland) – as if I have been there and met the people an seen all the sights. And we are taken into a journey of mystery, drama, tension and uncovering the truth.

We follow Becca’s life again, and I loved that, but we also get to see the point of view of other characters, which made it possible for me to understand what was happening, coming up with theories (Who can resist doing that in a mystery/crime novel?), and understand the characters mind and their choices.

I’m not going to go into details because I’m always scared of revealing some important plot moments. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable, and it hit the right spots for me in terms of the story and with each page I was intrigued by the characters. Although I was on the fence about some of them, I still liked the way things went and the answers to my questions.

Overall, I was a good book filled with tension, danger, personal agendas, mysteries and character and relationship growth.

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews.

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“Life Ruins” Review

September 3, 2021 jessbookishlife2 Comments

Hello Friends!

I love to get to know more authors in genres I’m still exploring, and mystery/crime is one of those genres. So I was very interested in this book.

I don’t know when it all started, but I remember being very young and watching crime shows with my parents. It’s a old memory, one that I thought it was fabricated, but that my mom has confirmed it’s true. She says I have always liked those kind of shows. Interesting enough, I never really read those kinds of books, but I have started reading them, since the past few years. You may be asking why I’m saying this, because of the genre of this novel.

“Life Ruins“, written by Danuta Kot, is a Mystery novel, published on July 25th 2019 by Simon & Schuster UK.

I want to thank Zoé, at Zooloo’s Book Tours, and Danuta Kot for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

In a small northern town, girls are disappearing.

You won’t see it in the papers and the police aren’t taking any notice, but the clues are there if you know where to look.

Becca sees that something is wrong, but she’s been labelled ‘difficult’ thanks to her troubled past. So when a girl is so savagely beaten she can’t be identified, and Becca claims she knows who she is, no one will believe her.

With the police refusing to listen, Becca digs for evidence that will prove what she is saying. But her search for justice will put herself and those closest to her in danger – and once she finds the truth, will anyone even listen?

Purchase Links: Amazon

About the Author

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

My Review

“Life Ruins” caught my attention immediately. From the genre to the first sentence in the synopsis: “In a small northern town, girls are disappearing.” We follow Becca in a journey to uncover the truth about the crime. Becca, her personality, her thoughts, her past… The relationships that developed between her and those around her… The way she was treated… I really connected with her the most.

It was a fantastic start, meeting the characters and the entire scenery and the community portrayed in this story. It definitely gave a good context and setting. The characters and their interactions were great and I could understand them and even be very curious to learn more about them.

I won’t reveal much about plot or the particular aspects of the story and the mystery, I can say that it was interesting to uncover information after information. It felt simple, but at the same time it felt just what I needed to read in the novel. Maybe it was because of the characters and how the story, for me, was connected with the characters, which I find important.

Overall, it was a great start and thankfully I had the sequel to read as soon as I finished this novel.

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews.

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

Bookish Life · Reviews

“The First Cut” Review

August 8, 2021August 8, 2021 jessbookishlifeLeave a comment

Hello Friends!

Here I am with a review of a crime novel. This one is a book is the opening to a new series by an author I come to know via her previous books..

“The First Cut“, written by Val Penny, is a Crime (Police Procedural) novel, first book in the Jane Renwick Thriller Series, published on 8th August 2021 by Darkstroke.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Val Penny for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

It’s hard to escape a brutal past…

A vicious serial killer is on the loose. Victims include an academic and notable members of Edinburgh’s high society.

When Detective Sergeant Jane Renwick learns through DNA that a member of her family could be the killer, she is banished to the sidelines of the case and forced to look on impotently as the hunt for the killer ramps up.

Frustrated, she decides to conduct her own investigations.

Has someone from her estranged birth family returned to haunt her? And where will the killer strike next?

It’s a race against time…

This fast-paced, gripping police procedural is set in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland. It is the first in the new series of Scottish thrillers by bestselling crime writer, Val Penny.

Purchase Links: Amazon

About the Author

Val Penny is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and two cats. She has a Law degree from Edinburgh University and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, lawyer, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer. However she has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store. Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories and novels. Her crime novels, ‘Hunter’s Chase’ Hunter’s Revenge and Hunter’s Force are set in Edinburgh, Scotland, published by Crooked Cat Books. The fourth book in the series, Hunter’s Blood, follows shortly.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter

My Review

Val Penny is an author I have come to know thank to her other crime novels. Yet this is a new series and this that comes a new side of Val Penny as a writer. Yes, there is still a lot of elements in her writing that are present her and I loved them all. There is also new possibilities and new characters that will allow me to see the author’s amazing abilities in this genre.

This book follows Jane, this is her series, and Jane isn’t like many other main female characters in crime novels. From her private life to her role as a detective. I love her and I know there is a lot more to uncover in upcoming novels.

Without revealing much of the plot and the mysteries in this story, for a first book in a series, it was what I expected and it was also more. It got me curious with the information being exposed, the way Jane acted and her thoughts, the crimes and the reasoning being it. It was an interesting start and it introduced various characters I want to know more about.

Overall, was not disappointed and I can’t for book two. If you are into crime novel, maybe you would like to check this story out. Or maybe this author.

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews, basic spotlight/promo posts and very limited extracts, guest post and Q&A.

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

Blog Tour · Reviews

“The Corfe Castle Murders” Review

July 20, 2021 jessbookishlifeLeave a comment

Hello Friends!

I have read Rachel McLean’s books before and I always loved them. They had a balance and certain elements of crime and thriller that I had no idea I would enjoy. She was one of the first authors that got me curious about the genre and the endless possibilities.

“The Corfe Castle Murders“, written by Rachel McLean, is a Crime Novel, published on 15th July 2021.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Rachel McLean for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

Meet DCI Lesley Clarke. She’s a straight-talking city copper who doesn’t suffer fools gladly… and she’s been transferred to rural Dorset.

After being injured in a bomb attack, Lesley is presented with a choice – early retirement, or a period of respite in a calmer location.

But things don’t stay calm for long.

Before she’s even started her new job, Lesley is dragged into investigating a murder at one of England’s most iconic landmarks, the imposing Corfe Castle.

Lesley must hit the ground running. Can she get along with her new partner DS Dennis Frampton, a traditionalist who doesn’t appreciate her style? How will she navigate the politics of a smaller force where she’s a bigger, and less welcome, fish? And most importantly, can she solve the murder before the killer strikes again?

The Corfe Castle Murders is a compelling, character-driven mystery perfect for fans of Ruth Rendell, Colin Dexter, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis.

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

About the Author

My name’s Rachel McLean and I write thrillers that make you think.
What does that mean?
In short, I want my stories to make your pulse race and your brain tick.
Do you often get through a thriller at breakneck pace but are left with little sense of what the book was really about? Do you sometimes read literary fiction but just wish something would damn well happen?
My books aim to fill that gap.
If you’d like to know more about my books and receive extra bonus content, please join my book club. I’ll send you a weekly (sometimes fortnightly) email with news about my writing research and progress, stories and bonus content for each book. And I’ll let you know when my books are on offer.

Social Media Links: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

My Review

“The Corfe Castle Murders” isn’t my first book by Rachel McLean and I can see the same tone she has on her previous books, something I loved and continue to enjoy.

In this book, we are introduced to DCI Lesley Clarke, a woman as and investigator is just the best. Since this is the first book in a brand new series, we are still getting to know her and I honestly can’t wait to see what will happen in the next books. Seeing her journey throughout the story was fantastic. The interactions with the other characters, the tensions, the uncovering of her background and personality… It made me connect with her, and I would love a tv series with her and the mysteries at Dorset.

Having this series in a more rural setting no only gave me a sense of familiarity, since I live in a small town and I’m not really a city person, but it also allowed certain topics of conversation to come to light. Specially with Lesley’s new coworkers. Having the story being driven by the relationships, the interactions and the dynamics between the characters in this setting that is sometimes unused for crime novels – most I have crime stories tend to be in cities – left me focus and interested in learning more.

Overall, I loved the book and it was a good start for a series. Rachel McLean did not disappoint me. She gave me the perfect amount of politics, police procedural, character development and crime. Do I want to go reread the book again so that I can see if I missed something? Yes, I do. Will I be patiently waiting for the second book? Yes, I will. Do I recommend it? If this is your genre, yes, go for it.

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews and basic promo / spotlight posts.

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

Blog Tour · Reviews

“Trail of the Jaguar” Review

July 17, 2021 jessbookishlifeLeave a comment

Hello Friends!

With the hot weather in these summer days, a good thriller that also has that adventure feel, is just what I needed. So I’m very excited to share about this book.

“Trail of the Jaguar“, written by Jonathan Hanson, is a Thriller novel, the first book in the Clayton T. Porter Adventure series, published on 2nd March 2021.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Jonathan Hanson for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

Biologist and wildlife photographer Clayton Porter witnesses what appears to be a routine drug-smuggling flight across the Arizona-Mexico border. Instead, he uncovers a sophisticated operation involving a secret lodge high in the Sierra Madre, canned hunts for endangered jaguars, a ring of opioid-dealing doctors in the U.S., and a string of cartel victims partially consumed by a large predator. After he unwittingly throws a wrench into the works, Porter becomes a target of revenge, and resorts to skills from his military service to save himself and those close to him.

Purchase Links: Amazon

About the Author

Jonathan Hanson grew up northeast of Tucson, Arizona, with Sabino and Bear Canyons as his backyard, providing him with years of desert expeditions, hunting like the Apaches and building wickiups (which failed spectacularly).

He has since written for a score of outdoor and adventure magazines including Outside, National Geographic Adventure, Nature Conservancy, and Global Adventure, and has authored a dozen books on subjects including natural history, sea kayaking, wildlife tracking, and expedition travel.

Jonathan’s exploration experience encompasses land- and sea-scapes on six continents, from the Atacama Desert to the Beaufort Sea, from the Rift Valley to the Australian Outback, and modes of transportation from sea kayaks to sailboats to bicycles to Land Cruisers.

He has traveled among and worked with cultures as diverse as the Seri Indians and the Himba, the Inuit and the Maasai. Jonathan has taught tracking, natural history writing, four-wheel-driving techniques, and other subjects for many conservation and government organizations.

He is an elected fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society, and a charter member of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and lives in Southern Arizona with his wife of 37 years.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Review

There are a lot of books that almost make me wish there was a movie of tv show because the story was so visual and it has a good vibe for it. Honestly, I love that this book wasn’t just a thriller, it was also a complete adventure. From the setting to the characters goals and attitudes, and even to the twists that the plot had.

In this first book we are introduced to Clayton and he was such a relatable character. He had that resourceful trait that made reading about what he would do next and how would he save the day so much exciting.

The book had a drug-smuggling ring as the bad guy, and it’s always interesting to see how certain aspect of the dark side of society are portrayed in books. The story was believable, it had realism thanks to the scenery and the characters. Which made me curious to know all the secrets and all that would happen next.

Overall, I was amazed and I enjoyed this first book. I can’t wait to see what will happen next. What other adventure will Clayton find? What other dangers, what other mysteries… I just know it will continue to have as much action, drama and suspense as this one, plus we will continue to learn more about this Biologist and wildlife photographer: Clayton Porter.

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews, extracts, guest posts and Q&As.

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

Blog Tour · Reviews

“No Place Like Home” Review

July 9, 2021 jessbookishlifeLeave a comment

Hello Friends!

My family is visiting Portugal, with every precaution, but that means I’m currently finishing up the review on my phone. So I hope no problem arrives.

“No Place Like Home“, written by Lynda Stacey, is a Crime and Thriller novel, published on July 5th 2021 by Boldwood Books.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Lynda Stacey and Boldwood Books, via NetGalley, for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

He knows where you are…

Sisters Molly and Beth Winters thought the remote clifftop house would be the perfect place to hide away after their mother’s brutal murder. They were wrong….

He wants revenge…

Because someone from the girls’ past has already found their safe house and he is watching and waiting in the shadows ready to make them pay.

He won’t stop until you’re dead…

Their new home should have been the place the sisters were safe.

But no place is safe forever.

A gripping new thriller from Lynda Stacey guaranteed to keep you up all night!

Perfect for fans of Sue Watson, S E Lynes, Jacqui Kabler and Kendra Elliot.

Purchase Link: Amazon

Author’s Bio

Lynda, grew up in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. She works full time as well as being an author and is currently the Sales Director of a stationery, office supplies and office furniture company in Doncaster, where she has worked for the past 28 years.

Over the past 30 years she’s often worked two jobs and has also been a nurse, a model (in her much younger days), an emergency first response instructor and a PADI Scuba Diving Instructor … and yes, she was crazy enough to dive in the sea with sharks, without a cage.

Following a life changing car accident in 2008, Lynda was left with limited mobility in her right arm. Unable to dive or teach anymore, she turned to her love of writing, a hobby she’d followed avidly since being a teenager.

Her own life story, along with varied career choices helps Lynda to create stories of romantic suspense, with challenging and unpredictable plots.

After joining the Romantic Novelist Association in 2014 under the umbrella of the New Writers Scheme, Lynda’s debut novel ‘House of Secrets’ won the Choc Lit Search for a Star competition in 2015. She’s previously published five books, her sixth book ‘No Place Like Home’ will be brought out in July 2021, with her new publisher Boldwood Books.

She currently lives in a small rural hamlet near Doncaster, with her ‘hero at home husband’, Haydn, whom she’s been happily married to for over 25 years.

My Review

Crime/Thriller novels always have this mysterious and “stay at the edge of the seat” feeling, and this book had that. It also had that element of safety and not safety that always gets my heart pumping.

In this story we follow sisters Molly and Beth Winters as they go forward in life after their mother’s murder. Yet, not even in their home do they feel safe. Because someone is watching.

I won’t talk a lot about the particulars of the story and plot because I want you guys to experience the journey of thrilling and adrenaline driven unsafe moments. As well as I want you guys to learn the secrets and mysteries. For me it was exciting and the kind of story that provoked images in my head. Which I quite liked.

Overall, I enjoyed it. Just the perfect book to read at night. Okay, I’m kidding. Maybe don’t read at night. If you do, you will probably read the entire book before going to bed. It’s what happened to me. And I loved that. I love when a book grabs my attention, this one definitely did since the beginning.

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews.

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

Blog Tour · Reviews

“Out of your Head” Review

June 30, 2021 jessbookishlife1 Comment

Hello Friends!

Ready for another review of a crime thriller?

“Out of your Head“, written by Rose McClelland, is a crime/thriller novel, published May 28th 2021 by Arden Publishing.

I want to thank Zoé, at Zooloo’s Book Tours, and Rose McClelland for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

Fatal accidents do happen. Or was there a plan?

A six-year-old dies in a car driven by her father. He barely survives. A simple hit and run? Yet the police think its murder. And who might be next?

The mother is out of her mind. If losing her daughter is not enough, why is she being stalked?

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

Add the book to your TBR list on Goodreads: Out of your Head

About the Author

Out of your Head is Rose McClelland’s fifth novel and her second psychological thriller.

Her previous novel Under Your Skin became an Amazon No. 1 Bestseller in the UK and USA/ Canada. It also won Best Books of 2020 in Belfast Telegraph and with several online book bloggers.

Rose has also written two short plays which were performed in the Black Box theatre in Belfast.

Social Media Links: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

My Review

This was the first book by Rose Clelland that I have read, and being a crime thriller, I was intrigued. Especially because of the short blurb, it got me thinking about who were the characters, how was everything connected…

When I started reading I was caught in drama, mystery, crime and various POVs that made the story grab my attention. Also, time would pass by so quickly while I was focus on figuring out what was happening. It made the journey of this plot very interesting.

The book follows various characters, the victims and families to the detectives investigating the case. It talks about mental health, loss, relationships… It’s about a crime… It’s about the investigation…. It’s about people, their motivations, and the actions followed by the consequences.

Overall, I enjoyed it. I don’t want to give anything away, and spoil the journey of uncovering the truths. I can say that there are twists and turns, as well as drama and lots of different interactions and dynamics in the story and between the characters.

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour.

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

Blog Tour · Reviews

“While Nobody Is Watching” Review

June 27, 2021 jessbookishlifeLeave a comment

Hello Friends!

Today was a crazy day, so I’m quite happy to be able to sit down, and finally post this review.

“While Nobody Is Watching“, written by Michelle Dunne, is a Psychological thriller, published on 27th June 2020.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Michelle Dunne for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

A semi-inflated football and a curious little girl.

They called it peacekeeping. For Corporal Lindsey Ryan it was anything but.

It’s been three years since that bright day in the Golan Heights and the explosion which killed two and changed the survivors forever.

Now Lindsey deals with the many problems of the city’s troubled youth, to distract her from her own. But as damp days turn to night the kids return home, or somewhere like it, and she returns to her own private war. One that exists solely for her.

Certain that she’s being watched and certain that she’s losing her mind, Lindsey battles with the demons of post traumatic stress, while a very real threat edges ever closer until she finds herself face to face with someone who wants nothing more than to finally help her to die.

And it’s the last person she ever could have seen coming.

Blue helmets and blurred lines – While Nobody is Watching delves into the dark world of PTSD and a battle scarred soldier struggling to find a place in her new world.

Purchase Links: Amazon

Potential Trigger Warnings: PTSD/mental health theme

About the Author

Michelle Dunne wore a Blue Helmet in South Lebanon with B Company the Irish army and the UN, probably in that order.

She now lives in Cobh with her husband, daughter and a cast of characters waiting to be written about.

Michelle was one of those sporty types growing up, all bony elbows and knees, and as she lived on an island, it stood to reason she’d spend her first couple of decades taking in the salty, seaweedy air at the local rowing club (not the serene looking, posh rowing, but the other kind, undertaken by hardy fishermen).

This was where she learned just about everything she ever needed to know about anything. They brought home the County’s, All-Ireland’s were won, but the banter on the bus was always the real prize. From there it made sense that she’d leave town and join another club/asylum and found herself wearing a blue helmet somewhere in South Lebanon.

She’d become attached to the UN, but more importantly, to B-Company, the boldest, brightest, bravest the Irish army had to offer. She called them lots of other names too, but only to their faces. As tracer rounds lit up the sky above her and artillery rained down, she learned the words of every patriotic Irish song ever written and how to smile, laugh, and joke about things that would otherwise have you curled in a ball, rocking back and forth in the corner of the room.

Once her eyes had been opened and she returned to Irish soil, Michelle was promoted and following a spell back at college, is now a part of a company providing physiotherapy and staff training in nursing homes and hospitals all over Munster. A slower pace, but still an unruly bunch when they want to be. She’s back living on the island of Cobh with her husband Dominic and their daughter Emily and the hundreds of colourful characters waiting to make their way onto a piece of paper.

While Nobody is Watching is Michelle’s third book, which draws from her military experiences and the types of relationships that form within its ranks.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

My Review

I have been reading a lot of Psychological Thrillers in the past months and although I’m no expert in the genre, I have found that they are quite interesting and they are fascinating to me.

As we follow Lindsey Ryan we go on a journey to find out the truth behind the mystery and crime that happened. What are the motivations of the characters? What will they do in the end? Who will Lindsey trust? Lot’s of question, some that I thought about while reading, but I won’t talk about them just in case, no need to spoil the story.

There is mystery, there is danger, there is a woman with a kind heart that works with the city’s troubled youth. The mixed of thrilling and uncertainty with the action pace and the excitement of uncovering what was the truth.

The book as exciting thanks to the characters. They gave realism and what we needed in the story to understand the background and get some clues about each character and the plot. Besides, the interactions made it possible for conversations to start.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. It wasn’t the same kind of enjoyment as a sweet romance, but it was the kind of enjoyment related to a thought provoking story. I loved that the book, thanks to the characters and the storytelling, focused on certain themes. It got me thinking and even emotional at certain points.

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews, Q&As and very limited guest posts.

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

Blog Tour · Reviews

“Preacher Boy” Review

June 6, 2021 jessbookishlifeLeave a comment

Hello Friends!

When I read this synopsis I was fascinated. Since I have been trying to read more crime/thriller novels, I jumped to the opportunity to be in this tour.

“Preacher Boy“, written by Gwyn GB, is a Crime Thriller, the first novel in the Harrison Lane Mystery Series, published on 5th June 2021.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Qwyn GB for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

IT’S TIME FOR A NEW CRIME MYSTERY HERO

Dr Harrison Lane is everything you wouldn’t expect from a man with a psychology doctorate. For victims, he’s everything they need.

They look, but they don’t see…

As Head of the Metropolitan Police’s Ritualistic Behavioural Crimes Unit, Dr Harrison Lane knows his Voodoo from his Aum Shinrikyo and a Satanist from a Shaman.

Harrison had an unusual childhood, raised by a bohemian mother and one of the native American Shadow Wolves – the elite tracking squad that works with US Drug enforcers. After his mother’s murder, he dedicated his life to tracking down those who hide behind spiritualism and religion to do evil.

Following the discovery of a missing boy’s body in what looks like a Satanic killing, Harrison is called in to help detectives. When a second boy is snatched, it becomes a race against time to save him, and sees Harrison come face-to-face with some dark secrets from his own childhood.

Preacher Boy is the first book in a gripping new crime mystery series from Amazon Top 20 bestselling author, Gwyn GB. Perfect for fans of LJ Ross, JD Kirk, J.R. Ellis, J M Dalgliesh, Rachel Abbott, Joy Ellis and David Blake.

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

Author Content Warning: Although a child is found killed, it’s not graphic.

About the Author

Gwyn is an Amazon Top 20 bestselling author. She’s a former UK national TV newscaster and presenter, and journalist for national newspapers and magazines. Gwyn became a journalist because all she wanted to do was write and has finally realised her dream of being a full-time fiction author. Born in the UK, Gwyn now lives in the Channel Islands with her family, including a rescue dog and 17-year-old goldfish.

Gwyn launched her debut novel, Islands as Gwyn Garfield-Bennett in 2016, the romantic suspense book rose quickly into the Amazon top 20. Her first crime mystery series, featuring DI Falle, launched with Lonely Hearts in 2017.

Social Media Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

My Review

This was the first novel I ever read of this author and since it was the opening book of a brand-new series, it was a perfect start and introduction to a “new-to-me” author. Plus, crime thriller is always a good genre to read.

In this book we follow Dr. Harrison Lane, the Head of the Metropolitan Police’s Ritualistic Behavioural Crimes Unit, in a journey full of mystery and I’m not talking just the murder that Dr. Lane is trying to solve. As we get to know more about Harrison, we learn not only is background, and how he became such enigmatic character, but also the mysteries he has in is past.

One of the things I loved about the book was that we have the characters stories and personal problems in the mix. It’s not just a crime that needs to be solve, it’s about the interactions between the characters, it’s about their personalities and their backgrounds. That just made me connect with them and want to learn more. Since it’s a series, its something I found very good to have from the very beginning.

I also loved all the Ritualistic Behavioral element, and the theories behind the murder and the serial killer case. That got me thinking and wondering, just like those tv shows around the minds of criminals.

Overall, although it could be a weird thing to say, I had fun with the book. I think that it was a brilliant start, and there are enough questions in my mind about the characters, specially Harrison, that makes me want to read the next books and continue to follow the series. Plus, I want to see what other cases they will have to deal with in the future.

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their Reviews or basic promo /spotlight posts.

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

Blog Tour · Reviews

“After the Storm” Review

May 17, 2021 jessbookishlifeLeave a comment

Hello Friends!

Audiobooks… The perfect solution to go on a journey while still doing chores or going for a long walk. And today I bring a review of an audiobook.

“After the Storm“, written by Isabella Muir, is a Mystery/crime novel, the second book in the Giuseppe Bianchi series, the audiobook was published on 4th March 2021, narrated by Charles Johnston and was a duration of 7 hours.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Isabella Muir for the Audible Codes of this book. Thank you for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

When a violent storm blasts England’s south coast, it’s up to retired Italian detective Giuseppe Bianchi to sift through the devastation and piece together the tragic events left behind in the storm’s wake.

Giuseppe Bianchi’s brief visit to Bexhill-on-Sea has become an extended stay. He is loath to return to his home in Rome because of the haunting images that made him leave in the first place.

During his morning walks along the seafront with Beagle, Max, he meets Edward Swain, who becomes Giuseppe’s walking companion. They form a friendship of sorts and find they have a similar outlook on life.

But the devastating events of a single night lead Giuseppe to question the truth about Edward Swain. Teaming up with young journalist Christina Rossi – his cousin’s daughter – Giuseppe learns about the brutal reality lurking behind the day-to-day life of families in the local community. And as the story unravels Giuseppe is reminded how anger and revenge can lead to the most dreadful of crimes.

After the Storm is the second novel in the Giuseppe Bianchi mystery series – the much-awaited sequel to Crossing the Line.

Grab your copy today, and enjoy the intrigue of traditional English mystery, cleverly combined with a continental twist.

Purchase Link: Amazon

About the Author

Isabella is never happier than when she is immersing herself in the sights, sounds and experiences of the 1960s. Researching all aspects of family life back then formed the perfect launch pad for her works of fiction. Isabella rediscovered her love of writing fiction during two happy years working on and completing her MA in Professional Writing and since then she has gone on to publish six novels, three novellas and two short story collections.

Her latest novel, Crossing the Line, is the first of a new series of Sussex Crimes, featuring retired Italian detective, Giuseppe Bianchi who is escaping from tragedy in Rome, only to arrive in the quiet seaside town of Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, to come face-to-face with it once more.

Her first Sussex Crime Mystery series features young librarian and amateur sleuth, Janie Juke. Set in the late 1960s, in the fictional seaside town of Tamarisk Bay, we meet Janie, who looks after the mobile library. She is an avid lover of Agatha Christie stories – in particular Hercule Poirot. Janie uses all she has learned from the Queen of Crime to help solve crimes and mysteries. As well as three novels, there are three novellas in the series, which explore some of the back story to the Tamarisk Bay characters.

Isabella’s standalone novel, The Forgotten Children, deals with the emotive subject of the child migrants who were sent to Australia – again focusing on family life in the 1960s, when the child migrant policy was still in force.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

My Review

I have enjoyed this series so far. I listened to the first audiobook and it had a fantastic storytelling and spooky element to it and the narrator – Charles Johnston – did a brilliant job in capturing my attention. With this second book being narrator by the same person, I was not disappointed.

Again, this story is a slow pace, a slow burner, one that take us into this journey with patience. Allowing me to focus on the details and clues that played a part on the mystery and crime. Of course, the story does have a moment of excitement that got the events going in a faster pace. It was a good balance for me in terms of listening to the novel.

We were already introduced to some of the characters, especially the main character, so this book also let me see where these people are going in their lives, and it allowed me to understand and connect with them even more. And even with the new characters, I liked knowing more about their interactions and relationships (past and present). I definitely got that, and they were all well developed and realistic.

Overall, if you enjoy a crime/mystery story that leaves you simmer in the story at a slow heat and pace… if you enjoy taking a careful look at what is happening and in getting to know the characters and the setting… then this book is for you. For me it was just perfect, especially because it was an audiobook and the narrator gave an added dynamic to the story that I appreciate.

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews.

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess