Nicki's book blog

  The Creed by Stewart Giles- crime A body is found with a finger in the mouth which is rather odd and possibly symbolic. DS Jason Smith is used to finding out quirks.. It's what he does best and his wife Whitton may even say so has a few himself one way or another. When another similar body is found it's clear someone has a mission and is pulling the strings, but what is this creed they have been told about and who is orchestrating things? I adore this series and get through the books rather quickly as they are all tantalising page turners. Stewart has a gift of a twisty mind (that is a compliment! honest!) that can take the reader on a journey quite like no other whereas one small piece comes into place and then boom! Another snippet to head down a seemingly different path. Jason is a no nonsense detective with a big heart and often says what we all think, but well meaning. I can’t believe this is book 30 in the series, each and every one has been a stunning brilliant read. L...

  Thrown under the Bus by Steve Parker- Crime Oh wow! A few pages in and I'm riveted and smiling. Steve certainly knows how to grab a reader's attention- the first couple of chapters are explosive to say the very least. In London there is a team who watch roads and traffic and also pedestrians for any signs of trouble- usually accidents holding up traffic. When they see  a woman looking at her phone and then the traffic repeatedly it sets off  warning bells. When the same thing is seen by his team with others, something strange is going on. Meanwhile Paterson and Clocks have had a nasty early morning call of the armed police kind. Being as these two more than know how to handle themselves it's not an easy job for anyone and rather suspicious being police themselves. Striker the man in charge of the road watch has a visit from someone from the home office regarding his partner which disturbs him somewhat. What is going on and why? Three threads(easy to follow) which grabb...

  The Revenge Pact by Liz Mistry- crime Solanki and McQueen are back! This is the second book in the series but happily stands alone. When the head of a notable gang is killed and there is already a known turf war ,the Jazz Queens find it hard to be directed to desk jobs by the boss they really don’t like. Jaz is still nursing an injured arm from their last escapade but the boss is keen to split up the team. Being behind a desk however could be a good place to find out if there really is a mole in the building. Meanwhile there are communications of not a nice sort- some to Jaz from her sister- who is a serial killer who has evaded justice, and some to gang members from Vengeance. What is going on and why? This is a great series which takes the reader right into the heart of the action. Liz has a skill of characterisation and more, I can't help but like the Jazz queens. This is set in Scotland and has some colloquialisms in (which are explained) which gives the grit and edge of the...

  Fatal Endings By Anita Waller- Crime    A woman's body is found near a shopping precinct, one who tried to call Ex DI Matt Forrester the evening before.  The victim was someone he had encountered in a case a while beforehand and would rather not encounter her again. Matt’s life partner Karen is a DI in major crimes and is soon called out to the case. Meanwhile Matt is dealing with the more mundane- a survey of an old building for a security system and a woman who suspects her husband of scamming her. Karen's case escalates when Matt finds a body during his survey and pharmacy boxes belonging to the shopping precinct murder are found nearby. I love this series, it's a wonderful easy read and despite the subject matter, it's light-hearted and the characters bring a warm smile. Matt and Carol, his receptionist, have a great working relationship and Karen brings the police side of things to the table, where they invariably involve Matt either from an old case, his past...

  My Husband the Murderer by Charlotte Barnes- psychological thriller Maggie, which is not her given name, has a secret. She and her two children have had to move numerous times and change their names as her ex-husband is a convicted serial killer. He now only has a few months to live and is saying he will reveal more of his crimes but only to Maggie which is bringing up all sorts of demons. Her relationship with her children and even her sister is tenuous and fragile and Maggie will do anything to protect them but as the police have said this is the last thing she could possibly do to give some relief to the families of unknown victims and one in particular, Lucy who has never been found. Can Maggie get through this whilst protecting her family and find out more before Edwards death? This is a very clever premise and as ever brilliantly executed by the talented Ms Barnes who knows how to bring tension between the pages to keep them turning. I liked Maggie who had a good heart, des...

  The Poison Pen Letters by Fiona Walker-cozy mystery When the postman dies on Phoebe’s doorstep with a parcel meant for her, after she has already received invitations to her own funeral, it’s rather more than one should have to take. Phoebe is an author and in the past has had threats on line but not sure as to who from. Her friend Juno and Phoebe's husband take it on themselves to find out more and do a whirlwind tour of England and even Paris to suss out various suspects. Who would want Phoebe dead and why? This is a great read with wonderful characters I couldn't help but like. Juno is someone you would want on your side and Fiona has the skill of making the reader smile as well as getting the grey matter working as to whodunnit, which I found thoroughly enjoyable. It's nice to have a read that's light and interesting, one with a little humour and totally enjoyable. An entertaining fun read with a great plot.  For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitte...

  The Wives by Valerie Keogh-psychological thriller A group of friends go on a cruise paid for by one of the husbands, Daniel. Friends they may be however there is a lot more bubbling under the surface than just the calming waves of the sea. There are several secrets, many of which centre around Daniel whose wife Natasha has not long given up work to be at his beck and call so it seems, and she’s no longer sure of the life she wants or even the friends surrounding her. Who is telling the truth and what is really going on? Valerie is a master at compelling plotlines and keeping the reader in for “ just one more chapter” that turns into more and more. An array of characters that you are uncertain as to whom to believe or even like makes for interesting reading, not sure what is coming next even though there is a hint or two along the way. A plot I invested in and thoroughly enjoyed. Clever, thrilling and captivating. Bring on the next one! For more reviews please follow me on X (form...

  Echoes on the fens by Joy Ellis- Crime DI Nikki Galena and DS Joseph have more than once predicament on their hands. People are being killed for it seems no apparent reason, one of which Nikki's mother was with just a few hours beforehand. Nikki has another issue on her mind- partner Joseph has been distant lately and she has some news which she isn't sure how he will take. Could it be a good thing for her career but bad on a personal level? I adore Joy’s books. Despite the subject matter (and there’s never anything to put you off your dinner or give you nightmares) they are truly gripping reads. A cast of wonderful characters that have become like old friends and always a very cleverly thought out intricate (but easy to follow) plot with twists and turns which keeps the reader gripped right the way through. I'm in awe of Joy’s imagination of plot organisation and scheming which takes meticulous planning. A stunning, riveting, utterly brilliant read. 5* isn’t enough.  Fo...

  The Village Killer by Ross Greenwood- Crime DI Barton is back and  has a slightly new role- that of acting DCI. There’s been some harassment of young girls and a woman has had a possible murder attempt, a car having driven right at her. A young girl has gone missing however her mother doesn't seem unduly concerned, saying good luck to anyone who has taken her. When the mother of the missing girl is found at the home of the attempted murder it looks like there could be a possible link or is it coincidence? Alternate chapters give the reader the village killers point of view and what he is planning. Can Barton sort out both his new team, the missing girl and the potential killer? I love Ross’s books. Despite the subject matter they are a gripping easy read which very easily keeps the pages turning. There’s a warmth of character and I like Barton as he is a no nonsense, determined detective, keen to see justice served. This is one of a series but happily stands alone (I’ve lov...

  A Backstage Betrayal by Michael Ball -general fiction/historical It’s 1926 and running a theatre isn't the glamorous life some think. Purse strings are tight and when the producer of the forthcoming pantomime has gone missing due to tax evasion, they need to find someone to step into the breach. Meanwhile Lillian the proprietor has a new beau with rather a background, and Sally Blow has found herself redundant so needs to find employment pronto in order to keep a roof over her son’s head, more than the singing at the pub she already does.  This is Michaels second book (can be read alone) based in theatre land which he knows so well. It's one that I quickly got into and could almost hear Michael reading it as it has his style right through it if that makes sense? There are numerous threads including Harry the Rat(!) which makes for a very interesting read and the descriptions are enough to put the reader at the heart of things without too much to distract from what is going o...

  The Missing Heirloom by Rachel Ward- Cozy crime Bea and Ant work at Costsave, the local supermarket. They have a reputation for investigating crimes so when Ant finds the body of his friend at the allotments, in a shed, Ant wants to do what they’ve always done and find out more. Bea is still shaken by the last body they found and wants nothing to do with it. When there is a second body, they all wonder if the two are connected in some way. Who would want them dead and why? This is book five in the series but can happily stand alone- I haven’t (yet) read the others, but enjoyed this so much I’m putting the others on my TBR pile. I quickly got to know the characters and having them at a supermarket puts them in a great position to hear what's going on in the town and talk to people, a great unusual concept.  I liked Bea and Ant as they have their hearts in the right place and are everyday people doing their best for the community. A wonderfully relaxing read I most thoroughly ...