Three Sisters

 

Three Sisters by O.J  Mullen-psychological thriller

When a woman is fatally injured in a car accident and the driver walks away free, one of her sisters doesn’t think this is fair and sets out for revenge. The driver is a successful head of a large brand about to go global and he has it all in the eyes of some- the big house and the lifestyle, little realising that Lewis spends every waking minute thinking about what happened. Sam is determined that the balance should be put right, whilst the other sister Alex is clinging on to her marriage for dear life. 

 Chapters are written from various characters' points of view, often in the same chapter which is something new for me and took a little getting used to. It’s a descriptive book and in parts a gritty read that is well executed so the reader is at the heart of the unfolding drama. This took me a while to get into due to the multifaceted approach. A captivating rollercoaster of a  read, with unexpected twists in a rather unique style.

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Three Sisters One chance meeting. A night that changes everything. The Kennedy sisters, Molly, Alex and Sam, have a Christmas tradition – a night out, just the three of them, sisters together. Lewis Stone can’t face the work Christmas party, but as he’s one of the bosses, he has to put in an appearance. He leaves as soon as he can politely get away, ready for the holidays to begin. When Lewis Stone meets the Kennedy sisters, a train of events begins that engulfs them all. One sister is left fighting for her life. One sister is left fighting for her marriage. And one sister is hellbent on revenge… Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/Threesisterssocial

Author Bio – O J Mullen is a highly regarded crime author who


lives in Scotland. In his earlier life he lived in London and worked as a musician and session singer. His first gangland thriller for Boldwood, Family was published in January 2021. Social Media Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OwenMullenBooks/ Twitter https://twitter.com/owenmullen6 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/owenmullen6/ Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/OwenMullenNews

The Crossed Keys

 

The Crossed Keys by Phillip Jordan- Crime

When disturbed men want revenge for what happened to them as children back in the days of a more than volatile Northern Ireland, the police have more than just one trail to follow.  Companies used as fronts for illegal operations are nothing new,  but when this could affect an ongoing court case things have to be sorted out justly and pronto. Detective Inspector Veronica Taylor and team are dealing with more than their fair share of trouble, starting with vandalism against a developer and leading into so much more.  This is one of a series but happily stands alone.

A book of brilliant descriptions putting the reader at the heart of the action,  and at times reflecting on young lives that really didn't stand a chance even if they survived.  Although this is fiction we now know some of the depraved conditions in real life and the abuse that some suffered without modern day regulations in the homes for "troubled boys' ' and the historic institutional abuse scandals that opened the public's eyes which Phillip refers to in the afterward. There are wonderful, apt, flashes of humour interspersed with the crime to lighten the load . (I especially liked Gordon Beattie Holdings- if you know, you know!) 

A well researched gritty novel perhaps not for the faint hearted. Although nothing too graphic, there are brief descriptions of what may have happened in the past, leaving the imagination to fill in the gaps.  A police procedural of raw crime, retribution and malfeasance and those picking up the pieces that remain. 

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The Silent Friend

 

The Silent Friend by Alison Stockham-psychological thriller

Louise has just moved into her new flat when she hears a disturbance across the street. A police car has arrived and taken what looks like the husband away. Soon after she gets a knock at the door and there stands Isobel, the man's wife, welcoming her to the neighbourhood but in need of some company. Louise and Isobel soon strike up a friendship and Louise learns that Carl, Izzy’s husband, has been arrested for burglary with actual bodily harm, something Izzy’s says he would never do. She is convinced of his innocence and expects him to soon be home. Carl worked with an accomplice who distracted the elderly whilst he rummaged around for what he could take. Little does Izzy know that the last accomplice was rather closer to home than she would ever imagine.. 

Wow! I raced through this and was surprised early on by the twist .(I’m not giving anything away). It's a very clever concept, perfectly executed and even 50% of the way through I couldn't imagine what was going to happen. I quite liked Louise even with her naivety (or savvy?) of what she had done. She came across as a caring person wanting to do the best for her friend and baby in rather unusual circumstances. A brilliant, highly entertaining read I thoroughly recommend. 

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The Silent Friend

When it comes to saving yourself, who will you betray?

Louise has a shadowy past that she wants to break free from and when she develops an unlikely friendship with Isabelle, her neighbour, she finally finds the family she’s always yearned for.

But Louise knows more about Isabelle than her new friend realises, more specifically about her imprisoned husband – and the circumstances behind his arrest.

Louise is faced with a choice: to continue lying to her only friend or tell the truth and ruin any chance she has of starting over…

Purchase Link  - https://mybook.to/Silentfriendsocial

Author Bio – 

Alison Stockham’s debut novel The Cuckoo Sister, will be published by Boldwood in February 2023, and has already been longlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize. Having worked in TV documentary production for the BBC and Channel 4, Alison is now the Events Coordinator for the Cambridge Literary Festival.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlisonStockhamAuthor/ 

Twitter https://twitter.com/AlisonStockham 

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlisonStockhamNews 

Coffins and Confetti

 

Coffins & Confetti (A Celebrant’s Memoir Of Life, Loss & Love) by Ruth Graham-Authentic Experience Memoir

A cracker of a read with lots of real laughs out loud and cringes/wow's (!) along the way. A book as the title says about the life of a celebrant but so very much more. Ruth has had a few jobs in her time and as a celebrant found the experiences many of them gave her useful in this job where not everything goes smoothly. We all imagine funerals, especially, and usually weddings, to be where families put their differences aside. Not always so and sometimes Ruth is in the firing line from both sides as to what should or shouldn't be said. How hard can it be for the celebrant to perform the service? As Ruth tells us sometimes nigh on impossible when you can't do right from wrong. It’s also in part, Ruth's story of her life mostly after she met her partner Russ and a little of beforehand and her numerous jobs, all relevant to her current position. There are some wise words amongst the pages and some that rather hit home in a good way. "The lesson of how incredible it is that one can wither so thoroughly under the shadow of disdain, but blossom so beautifully through being valued and loved”. "I've got cheese in my fridge more mature than some of the idiots I've wasted myself on. " 

A book of humour and of life, of living in the present and accepting that word as a gift. Talking about death doesn't have to be morbid and whilst always being respectful, humour has its place and thinking what we would perhaps like others to say about us when the time comes. A book I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. 10* if I could I'm off to buy the first one now.

And I’m still humming Rhinestone cowboy for some strange reason-Sorry Ruth!

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Coffins & Confetti (A Celebrant’s Memoir Of Life, Loss & Love) Following the success of her first book, A Thousand Goodbyes, writer Ruth Graham invites us to join her on the next part of her journey as an Independent Civil Celebrant. She honestly believed she'd seen it all - apparently not! Once again, we're exposed to the best, worst (and funniest) examples of human behaviour in Ruth's latest memoir, Coffins & Confetti, but this time the tears and laughter are set against the poignant backdrop of the writer’s own search for true and lasting love. Written in conversational style with trademark humour, Coffins & Confetti takes the reader on a journey encompassing the darkest corners of despair, peppered with some of the funniest true-life stories you will ever hear. A letter to life, a memo to mortality but above all, a testament to tenacity, Coffins & Confetti is a book which oozes humanity and hope with the message that if you hang on in there long enough, things will always turn around ... Purchase Links https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coffins-Confetti-Celebrants-Memoir-Life-ebook/dp/B0C94Y9JJM https://www.amazon.com/Coffins-Confetti-Celebrants-Memoir-Life-ebook/dp/B0C94Y9JJM

Author Bio –

With an eclectic background in music; acting; presenting; comedy; journalism; writing; counselling and teaching (to name just a few careers), Ruth Graham could never have guessed all the skills she’d acquired would be needed for her final role – that of funeral and wedding celebrant. With no two days ever the same, Ruth travels all over the West Midlands to meet grieving families or happy couples, in preparation for the happiest and saddest days of peoples’ lives. It’s a huge role, with so many expectations attached – and a lot of pressure to get things right. But as Ruth says, it’s also a huge privilege to be able to bring comfort in times of sadness, or to create something really beautiful and unique for a couple lucky enough to have found their match. That said, in the great improv show of life, everything doesn’t always run smoothly because it involves humans at their best and worst. The result is endless amounts of material and two books to her credit so far. The first one ‘A Thousand Goodbyes’ (The Surprising Life Of A Funeral Celebrant) garnered fantastic reviews: Hilarious Un-Putdownable /Moving/Touching/Must Read) from bloggers, industry professionals and the general public. Ruth is hoping the same for Coffins & Confetti but either way she intends to keep working as a celebrant knowing she’s making a real difference to others’ lives. Social Media Links – Instagram: @ https://www.instagram.com/Celebrantruthg/ Twitter @CelebrantRuthG

The Nurse

 

The Nurse by Valerie Keogh- psychological thriller 

When Lissa was small a girl at school annoyed her and bullied her along with several others. One day, having meticulously planned this, Lissa fell and fatally injured the bully. The look on her victim's face she never forgot. As an adult of 16 she finds her father had led a duplicitous life and when he suddenly died, left her and her mother in more than just financial difficulties. Lissa has plans for her and her mother who now requires twenty four hour care and her fathers will has strings for someone else, someone who Lissa feels if not there, life would be a whole lot easier. 

A dramatic, rather chilling, intense read at times- but wow, one where the tension was on a knife edge. Down one star as to me rather a rushed, choppy ending, that said for the rest of the book I was on the edge of my seat. There’s a drama, a tension to this that very much kept me engrossed. When you are in the hands of someone else, be careful who those hands belong to….! There are lots of twists and turns and what I thought might transpire didn't, which was great and unexpected. A thriller of a read. “ Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer” 

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The Nurse Do No Harm… Bullied, overlooked and under-appreciated, Lissa McColl learns at an early age to do very bad things. As a nurse, she is respected and valued for the first time in her life. But Lissa hates her job and the selfish, rude and inconsiderate people she has to deal with. But being underestimated in this job had its advantages. Lissa can get close to people, find out their secrets… sometimes with deadly results... Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/Thenursesocial

Author bio- Valerie Keogh is the internationally bestselling author of several psychological thrillers and crime series, most recently published by Bloodhound. She originally comes from Dublin but now livesin Wiltshire and worked as a nurse for many years. Her first thriller for Boldwood will be published in August 2022. Social Media Links – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valeriekeoghnovels Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValerieKeogh1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriekeogh2/ Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/ValerieKeoghNews Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valerie-keogh

The Lonely Hearts Beach Club

 

The Lonely Hearts Beach Club by Amy Miller - Contemporary Literature 

 A year ago Hattie lost her husband Jesse when he swam out to save a struggling surfer. Since then she hasn't been able to pick herself up and just wants to be alone. Her daughter Olivia has done her best to keep her mother company and whilst keeping treasured memories of Jesse alive, feels her mother should look after herself a little more. As Hattie and Jesse's business was renting out deckchairs, Olivia placed an ad in the local beach cafe for someone to rent out one deckchair to talk to her mother for an hour. What transpires is a viral post and Hattie looks likely to withdraw even further. Whilst looking after her mother and daughter Beau, Olivia has been neglecting herself whilst keeping a secret she hopes will never be revealed or meet the man who was a part of it. A part of her life she would rather forget due to the trauma it caused her.

I loved this. There’s a couple of plot lines- Olivia’s back story of her daughter Beau’s father and the deckchair with her mother and the bereavement. It's cleverly thought out and well plotted with drama to keep the pages turning. I liked Olivia and having met an Oscar type character really felt for her. There are wise words amongst the pages such as “ you can't control what happens, but you can control how you react to it”- something that struck me as we can be prisoner to our own thoughts if we let them. An uplifting read of perhaps carpe diem. We have one life and seizing the day I believe is a good motto to live by. A treasure of a read and one that left me with a smile.

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Hattie gazes at her husband’s empty green-and-white-striped deckchair, the fabric blowing in the breeze. Blinking away tears, she clutches her own chair’s wooden frame with trembling hands. ‘What will I do without him?’

Olivia’s heart breaks watching her mother Hattie withdraw after her husband’s sudden death. Without him, she’s never been lonelier. Every morning, Hattie places a pair of tired old deckchairs looking out to sea. Staring at the empty chair beside Hattie, Olivia comes up with a plan: One deckchair for hire! Must bring good conversation and have own flask.

Posting the advert in a beachfront café, responses from other lonely locals start flooding in. There’s psychic medium Miriam who, besides talking to the dead, finds it therapeutic to belt songs from musicals. Glamorous Glenda has a penchant for teapot wine and skinny dipping. And even a reluctant Hattie can’t resist the endearing quirkiness of Jacob, walking the south-west coastal path in memory of his wife.

Everyone who sits in Hattie’s deckchair has a little pearl of wisdom to share, each bringing a tiny bit of the familiar sparkle back to Hattie’s eyes.

But as more and more visitors take up residence in Hattie’s deckchair – and her heart – will Hattie ever find a way to return to the woman she once was? And in the process, can Olivia also learn a lesson or two about reopening her own heart to love?

The Lonely Hearts Beach Club is an absolutely heart-warming story about the power of the mother-daughter bond, family secrets and second chances, perfect for readers who love Jojo Moyes, Faith Hogan and Sheila O’Flanagan.

Author Bio:

Amy Miller is the pseudonym of Amy Bratley, who started her writing life working on magazines and newspapers. She has previously written three women’s fiction novels published by Pan Macmillan, the first of which was a bestseller in Italy. Her day job is being a freelance managing editor of both a vintage interiors magazine and a food magazine, two subjects she’s passionate about. Amy lives in Dorset with her husband and two children.

https://twitter.com/amybratley1

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Amy Miller here: https://www.bookouture.com/amy-miller

Buy Link:

Amazon:  https://geni.us/B0C34GDGNJsocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

None of This is True

 

None Of This is True by Lisa Jewell-psychological thriller

Oh wow! A book where I couldn't quite put my finger on what the tension was but boy oh boy was it there!

Alix is a journalist who does true life podcasts and lives with her rather unreliable husband and two small children. Josie is the same age and lives with her husband whom she met when she was fourteen (and he was forty one) and one of her grown up children. The two meet on their 45th birthdays, and find they were born in the same hospital. Josie approaches Alix with a view to doing a podcast about her life as she says it is about to change and she has a lot to tell. Alix is intrigued. Alternate chapters tell part of the podcast and one of the neighbours telling of a crime. Josie's life has been complex to say the least and anyone Alix asks about her family doesn't shed a good light on them. When Alix realises there is far more going on than Josie is letting on, she realises her family may be in danger.

The characterisations in this are stunning, especially Josie and Alix. There is a whole range of scenes which takes the reader through a gamut of emotions- from happy family life to serious dysfunction and one I found myself liking and then being suspicious of the same person- very clever plot twists, brilliantly written. A stunning read I really didn't want to put down. If you like a real page turner then this could be the book for you. Clever, dysfunctional, crafted, brilliant.

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Us Two

 

Us Two by Janet Hoggarth-women’s fiction

Florence and Rowena have been friends forever until they drifted apart through life changes. Florence now lives with her parents despite being in her thirties and has so much clobber there which needs to be sorted out. They have given her an ultimatum- they are moving house and downsizing so there won’t be room for all of her stuff or even her. Things have to change. Years ago Flo had an English teacher whom she admired. Years later she saw this teacher in a new light as she was giving palm readings having found a new interest in clairvoyance. When Flo gets left a campervan in a will she thinks she will do it up, sell it and set off for Costa Rica- the land of her dreams. Rowena meanwhile has been having a fling with whom she now knows is a married man. When she falls pregnant her life changes. Maybe the two friends can come back and support each other? 

This is a wonderful easy read and a life lesson with a smile with those ups and downs of life-there is tragedy involved. It’s a well written read, a descriptive one which puts the reader alongside the narration. A story of friendship transcending time, of coming together with whom you can trust and that someone who will see you through whatever. For me this was a little slow but that said this did build the characters and scenes for what was to come. An enjoyable read to ponder on life.

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Us Two

When Florence met Rowena, they knew for sure that they would always be friends.

Wayward parents, boring teachers, teenage crushes, first heartbreaks – anything and everything could be faced as long as Florence had Rowena by her side.

But then she didn’t.

And life had to be redrawn and reconsidered.

Being a grown-up has its perks, but as Rowena faces the biggest challenge of her life, and Florence wonders if it’s time to stop running away from hers, there’s a wise soul who knows the one thing that can help them both. Some friendships are meant to last forever, and it’s never too late for forever to start again.

Joyous and heart-breaking, laugh-out-loud funny, life-affirming and unforgettable, join Flo and Ro on a journey that will warm your heart and perhaps make you wonder about those old friends who knew you so well.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/Ustwosocial

Author Bio –

Janet Hoggarth is the number one bestselling author of The Single Mums' Mansion and the highly successful Single Mums' subsequent series. She has worked on a chicken farm, as a bookseller, a children’s book editor, a children’s author, and as a DJ (under the name of Whitney and Britney!). She lives with her family in East Dulwich, London.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanetHoggarthAuthor/

Twitter https://twitter.com/Janethauthor

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/janet_hoggarth_author/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JanetHoggarthnews

Cold Murder

 

Cold Murder by Jeanette Taylor Ford- Crime 

A wonderful easy read I loved from cover to cover. A body has been found by a dog walker who recognises who it is- it's one of their neighbours. Further investigation finds that the close the people live on know each other rather better than most. The victim was a misogynistic bully whom no-one really liked. Could they perhaps have got together to get rid of him? When there are apparent links to a previous murder DS Della and team have to put on more than their thinking caps.

This is one of those reads that I found quickly enveloped me. I wanted to read “ just one more chapter” and another and another. There’s nothing complicated or gory- just a very pleasant detective story despite being a crime book. I quickly liked Della and her dogged tenacity and determination whilst maintaining a caring, compassionate side. This is the first in the DS Della Downs series and I would happily read more (they aren't written yet!) In fact sign me up now please! It’s a wonderful writing style, one that puts the reader in the drama whilst keeping them at ease- a real skill. A magnificent, clever, entertaining read I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended- five big ones.

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The Rivers Edge

THE RIVER'S EDGE by Joy Ellis- crime (Jackman & Evans book 10)

There’s a film crew in the fens making a crime programme. The person who was their police advisor comes to DI Jackman terrified for his life. He knows something is going on but not what and he’s receiving threats so he is going to disappear for his own safety. Marie Evans gets a call out just after she and her partner have found the perfect house to live in. The call out is for a body washed up, a rather handsome one for Rory the pathologist to deal with. There’s something almost too perfect about the victim, as if he could be an actor or model. When another similar type of body is found it's clear there’s something strange going on.

The “joy” of reading Joy’s books is hard to put into words (but I’ll try!). An excellent plot and very likeable main characters which to me give the reader almost a sense of belonging. That might sound strange but having read all of this series I feel I “ know” Jackman and Evans as if they were neighbours or perhaps even friends. The pages turn effortlessly and whilst I want to find out what happens, I don’t want it to end as it's such a comfortable, easy read which puts you in the heart of the action. As ever it's a captivating, very cleverly thought out plot with a main protagonist who has run through some of the series. A stunning, highly entertaining read I can't recommend highly enough

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THE RIVER’S EDGE (Jackman & Evans #10) by Joy Ellis A GRIPPING NEW CRIME THRILLER FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND BRITISH BOOK AWARDS CRIME & THRILLER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE JOY ELLIS. From three-million-selling author Joy Ellis comes one of the most highly anticipated mysteries this year. A series of gruesome murders on the Lincolnshire fens. An old enemy from the past. A deadly game of cat and mouse. The peaceful little village of Saltern-le-Fen is buzzing with excitement. A film crew are in town, shooting a new TV police drama, Fen Division Five. But Detective Jackman receives a disturbing tip-off that something is wrong. Detective Marie Evans meanwhile is looking forward to moving into her dream home. But there’s no time to celebrate. The naked body of a young man is found at the river’s edge. He’s been strangled, his skin massaged in expensive oil. Two days later, another handsome young man is discovered in a shallow lake. His throat cut. He too is lathered in body oil. At the same time, an arch enemy from the past emerges. A master manipulator who has his sights on Jackman and Evans. From behind the bars of his high security prison, he’s putting the finishing touches to a devastating revenge plan. As they hunt a brutal killer, Jackman and Evans are themselves hunted in a deadly game of cat and mouse – and the stakes could not be higher. DISCOVER A TOTALLY ENTHRALLING CRIME THRILLER. This utterly gripping crime thriller is perfect for fans of L.J. Ross, Peter May, J.D. Kirk, Angela Marsons, J.M. Dalgliesh, Elly Griffiths or Ann Cleeves. THE DETECTIVES DI Jackman leads the investigation. He is extremely smart and has a knack for bringing out the best in his diverse team. DS Marie Evans is haunted by the loss of her husband in a motorbike accident, but has begun to find happiness again in a new relationship. She is fiercely loyal to her friends and colleagues. THE SETTING England’s rural fenland is a strange place, with its never-ending fields, winding tracks, and long straight droves (the old livestock routes) that lead to nowhere. The lonely lanes are flanked either side by deep drainage ditches and are, for a good part of the year, filled with tall, whispering reeds. Closer to the Wash, high seabanks form a barrier between river and marsh, and the richly fertile soil of the drained land. But when the mists come down, as they so often do, perspective is destroyed and all sense of direction lost, and then the fens become a rather frightening place of mystery and danger. Somewhere that you do not want to be at night. JACKMAN & EVANS SERIES Book 1: THE MURDERER’S SON Book 2: THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS Book 3: THE FOURTH FRIEND Book 4: THE GUILTY ONES Book 5: THE STOLEN BOYS Book 6: THE PATIENT MAN Book 7: THEY DISAPPEARED Book 8: THE NIGHT THIEF Book 9: SOLACE HOUSE Book 10: THE RIVER’S EDGE

JOY ELLIS UK #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE JACKMAN & EVANS AND DI NIKKI GALENA SERIES; SHORTLISTED FOR BOOK OF THE YEAR FICTION: CRIME & THRILLER AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS 2021 OVER 3 MILLION BOOKS SOLD! Joy grew up and lived in Kent, trained in floristry in Mayfair and ran her own highly successful floristry business in Weybridge for many years. In the mid-1990s, she followed her lifelong love of books, first as the manager of an independent bookshop in Leatherhead, Surrey, then as a writer. When she retired, Joy and her partner Jacqueline and their two spaniels settled in a village just outside Boston, captivated by the Lincolnshire Fens. Joy’s happy home life is far removed from her storylines, however, and while she loves living in the misty Fens, the area provides a remote and eerie backdrop to her novels. Joy is also able to add the authenticity vital to any crime thriller by drawing on Jacqueline’s inside knowledge, to confirm procedures and the reality of tackling brutal crime and criminals in a modern police force. BOOKS BY JOY ELLIS DI NIKKI GALENA SERIES: CRIME ON THE FENS SHADOW OVER THE FENS HUNTED ON THE FENS KILLER ON THE FENS STALKER ON THE FENS CAPTIVE ON THE FENS BURIED ON THE FENS THIEVES ON THE FENS FIRE ON THE FENS DARKNESS ON THE FENS HIDDEN ON THE FENS SECRETS ON THE FENS FEAR ON THE FENS GRAVES ON THE FENS DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 1-5 BOX SET DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 1-3 BOX SET DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 4-6 BOX SET DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 7-9 BOX SET JACKMAN & EVANS SERIES: THE MURDERER’S SON THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS THE FOURTH FRIEND THE GUILTY ONES THE STOLEN BOYS THE PATIENT MAN THEY DISAPPEARED THE NIGHT THIEF SOLACE HOUSE DETECTIVES JACKMAN & EVANS BOOKS 1-3 BOX SET MATT BALLARD SERIES: BEWARE THE PAST FIVE BLOODY HEARTS THE DYING LIGHT MARSHLIGHT TRICK OF THE NIGHT THE RIVER’S EDGE STANDALONE NOVELS: GUIDE STAR SHORT STORIES: JOFFE BOOKS MURDER MYSTERY & SUSPENSE SHORT STORY COLLECTION FOLLOW JOY ON AUTHOR WEBSITE FACEBOOK GOODREADS

American Black Widow

 

American Black Widow By Gregg Olson-The shocking true story of a preacher's wife turned killer (Dangerous Women - True Crime Stories)

A chilling true story of a female murderer who began to be investigated when authorities discovered she had been widowed twice over.  Sharon Nelson had a childhood enveloped by overbearing religious parents who almost forbade the modern world of the time (1970’s). She grew up with a reputation, one of a woman on a manhunt and a potential danger to any married man. Her first husband was a minister who wasn’t so angelic himself, however Sharon had him wrapped around her little finger and she was charming the congregation with more than smiles and cakes. An affair leads to both parties' marriages breaking down and the couple themselves get married. Is it an accident when Perry then dies as it was so convenient for Sharon? It was ruled so until Sharon’s next husband was found mysteriously killed in an arson attack on their home which is where the story and investigation begin. We get the backgrounds of the main players and the scenarios that both the killer and victims found themselves in through meticulous research, in the lead up to the main events.

Wow! It is said that fact is sometimes stranger than fiction and most certainly holds true in this case. A person who, understandably perhaps, rebels against the way she has been raised but then takes this to a whole new level on the wrong side of the law and certainly morals and conduct. A woman almost on a mission, but quite what no-one knew. She had a family and money but always wanted more, the more someone else had generally. A stunning story, very well told, that left me reeling. 

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American Black Widow The shocking true story of a preacher's wife turned killer Gregg Olsen 13th July 2023, Thread £8.99 Available in Paperback Original, ebook & Audio

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of If You Tell comes the chilling, unputdownable story of Sharon Nelson, the minister’s wife whose two husbands mysteriously ended up dead. Colorado, 1976. When Reverend Mike Fuller and his beautiful wife Sharon arrive in the sleepy town of Rocky Ford, local residents think something’s off about the new couple.

The God-fearing minister is gruff and cold, while charismatic Sharon has her husband

wrapped around her finger. It isn’t long before Sharon is charming her husband’s

congregation, and finds herself in a tryst with local, married optometrist Perry

Nelson. After the affair ends both their marriages, Sharon and Perry tie

the knot. But shortly afterwards, Perry disappears. When his body is shockingly

discovered the bottom of a canyon, his death is ruled an accident, allowing grieving widow Sharon to claim his substantial life insurance. Trying to move on from the tragedy, Sharon soon remarries fireman Glenn

Harrelson. But when the charred remains of Glenn’s body are discovered

with two bullet holes in his skull, the police can’t help but question if

both men dying in such mysterious circumstances is one coincidence too many… Shocking, sensational and gripping, this is the true story of the black widow Sharon

Nelson, a must-read tale of greed, sex and murder in a sleepy Colorado town that

will have true crime fans of The Staircase, American Mother and Making a

Murderer hooked from start to finish. This book was originally published as Confessions of an American Black Widow

and Bitch on Wheels.

About The Author A #1 New York Times, Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, Gregg Olsen has written nine nonfiction books, seventeen novels, a novella, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel.

The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honoured by Washington's Secretary of State for the book's contribution to Washington state history and culture. Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife, twin daughters, three chickens, Milo (an obedience school dropout cocker) and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater)