August 2021 Book Reviews

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So it has been a while! I decided to not stress about the blog while I was in hospital and recovering from my surgery, so I apologize for the lack of posts but I am excited to be back and writing again!

I have always had more than one book on the go at a time but currently have about five, so really need to get my act together! However, I have managed to finish some books in the last couple of months so i hope you enjoy these reviews.

The Influencer*

by Miranda Rijks

The Blurb

She is worshipped by millions. But she has a secret…

Adored by her legions of followers, social media megastar Skye is an inspiration. Once homeless, she is now fantastically wealthy, enormously powerful. A ‘like’ from Skye can literally change your life.

So when she suggests partnering with Nathan’s charity for the homeless, he thinks it’s a match made in heaven. With Skye’s backing, who knows what he can achieve? And no-one is more excited than Nathan’s teenage daughters, both massive fans of the star.

But Skye’s influence comes at a price. Yes, funds are pouring into Nathan’s charity, but she is a smothering presence, seemingly determined to insert herself into every nook and cranny of his family life.

Nathan’s daughters are thrilled to have so much up close and personal contact with a superstar. But he worries about Skye’s growing influence on them… And is it just a coincidence that ever since she’s been around, his personal life is disintegrating?

As things spiral out of control, Nathan begins to wonder what Skye really wants from him and his daughters. The answer is more terrifying than he could ever imagine…

The Influencer – the stunning psychological thriller from Miranda Rijks, author of The Visitors, The Arrangement, and Roses are Red.

What I Thought

Loved this book and it definitely kept my attention meaning I wanted to keep reading. It wasn’t among the best thrillers I have ever read and I was able to predict some of the things that were going to happen, but there were plenty of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming as well, making it a worthwhile read.

I liked that the book had a current theme, influencers are very relevant at the moment which made the book seem more realistic and and added to the intensity of the story line. It was chilling but still very believable. I enjoyed the way the book flipped between different time periods which helped develop the story and characters. I haven’t read anything else by this author but will definitely keep an eye out for her name now!

Where To Buy

Buy from Amazon (Kindle, Paperback)

Bombshell*

The Night Bobby Kennedy Killed Marilyn Monroe

by Mike Rothmiller; Douglas Thompson

The Blurb

Bombshell: The Night Bobby Kennedy Murdered Marilyn Monroe tells the essential truth of the death of Marilyn Monroe at the hand of Robert Kennedy, Attorney General of the United States. Drawing on unseen police files, Marilyn Monroe’s private diary, and first-hand testimony, this book proves that Robert Kennedy was directly responsible for her death. It details Marilyn Monroe’s tumultuous personal involvement with him and his brother, President John Kennedy. The new evidence and testimony is provided by Mike Rothmiller who, as an agent of the Organized Crime Intelligence Division (OCID) of the LAPD, had direct personal access to hundreds of secret files on exactly what happened at Marilyn Monroe’s Californian home on August 5, 1962. With his training and specialist knowledge, Rothmiller used that unseen information to get to the heart of the matter, to the people who were there the night Marilyn Monroe died—two of whom played major roles in the cover-up—and the wider conspiracy to protect the Kennedys at all costs. There will be those with doubts, but to them, the lawman—who has advised the White House, the Pentagon, and international crime agencies—says the printed, forensic, and oral evidence are totally convincing. He insists: “If I presented my evidence in any court of law, I’d get a conviction.” Includes eight pages of black and white photographs.

What I Thought

Anyone who knows me knows I love true crime and I also adore Marilyn Munroe, so have read and watched a lot of things about her death and suspected murder.

This book was right up my street but it was a tough read in places. Hearing of some of the things that happened to Marilyn and other women at the hands of the Kennedy’s and other ‘big players’ in Hollywood and politics was shocking and upsetting. I couldn’t say for sure whether the premise suggested by the authors is true and it is probably a mystery that will never be solved due to the deep level of corruption surrounding the case, but the evidence presented here is compelling and riveting.

If you have an interest in true crime, conspiracies and this particular case, you will find this interesting but be warned, it is not an easy read and it is one that will stay with me for a long while.

Where To Buy

Buy from Amazon (Kindle and Paperback)

The Downstairs Neighbour*

by Helen Cooper

The Blurb

In a converted Georgian townhouse in south west London, three families live under one roof.

The large flat that takes up the top two floors is home to the Harlow family: happily married Paul and Steph, and their bubbly teenage daughter Freya. The smaller first floor flat is rented by Emma, who spends most of her time alone, listening to people coming in and out of the building. And the basement flat belongs to Chris, a local driving instructor, who prefers to keep his personal life private from the neighbours.

But their lives are all upended when Freya vanishes. As the police become involved and a frantic Paul and Steph desperately search for answers, they begin to realise that the truth behind their daughter’s disappearance may lie closer to home than they were expecting.

When everyone has something to hide, can you ever really know those closest to you? Or will some secrets be taken to the grave?

What I Thought

This was one I read in hospital and I was finished with it in two days – I didn’t want to put it down! Great plot, great characters and lots of fab twists and turns.

There were so many plot turns that I didn’t see coming but were cleverly written and the story was fantastic. Highly recommend!

Where To Buy

Buy from Amazon (Kindle, Audible, Paperback, Hardback)

Safe*

by S K Barnett

The Blurb

‘Fantastically good – dark yet compellingly upbeat, and insanely suspenseful … even the twists have twists.’ LEE CHILD

‘Dark, compulsive, full of OMG moments. If you think you know where it’s going… YOU DON’T. This is one you won’t forget in a hurry.’ LISA JEWELL
_____________________________
YOUR CHILD IS MISSING.

She was only six years old when she disappeared. Posters went up, the police investigated.

But no one could find her.

Now, twelve years later, she’s home.

And knocking at your door.

You’re so happy to see her. But soon you start to wonder why she can’t answer your questions.

Where has she been? How did she find her way home?

And who is she?

What I Thought

What a rollercoaster! This book was brilliant and I couldn’t put it down! I haven’t read anything like it and while I had my theories, the twists and turns kept coming!

It was really well written and although some elements of the book were quite distressing to read, it was handled well by the author. Every time you uncovered another part of the story, you were left guessing about lots of other things, which made it a captivating and thrilling read.

The story is unpredictable and even though I thought I had figured it out, there was still more to come! Recommend a read!

Where To Buy

Buy from Amazon (Kindle, Audible, Paperback, Hardback)

A Mother Like You*

by Ruby Speechley

The Blurb

All mothers have secrets…some are unforgivable

Kate Marshall lives an enviable life. Married to handsome, charming, James, owner of a successful company, she seems to have it all.

But falling pregnant at 45 was never part of the plan. Especially as Kate’s hiding a devastating secret – one that she’s been running from for twenty years.

So when ex-boyfriend Paul comes back into her life, threatening to expose the truth about what Kate did, the clock is ticking. Can she keep her secrets and finally be the mother she always dreamed of – or will her past lies destroy her perfect life?

An unputdownable, complex and twisty psychological thriller about mothers and daughters – fans of Shalini Boland, Liane Moriarty and Jane Shemilt will love this gripping read.

What I Thought

A fantastic read, full of suspense! This story has all the things you want in a thriller – lies, twists, blackmail, long buried secrets… the list goes on! The characters were all really well developed and I loved the the way it looked at the mother/daughter relationship dynamic through different generations.

Liane Moriarty was mentioned in the blurb which was one thing that attracted me to the book and I definitely think if you enjoy her books, or are a thriller fan in general, you will love this one.

Where To Buy

Buy from Amazon (Kindle and Paperback)

Strangers

by C. L. Taylor

The Blurb

The Sunday Times bestseller and Richard & Judy Book Club author of Sleep returns with her most gripping book yet.

STRANGERS: NOW A TOP TEN SUNDAY TIMES BESTELLER

‘Fast-paced and satisfying’ DAILY MAIL
‘I was glued from start to finish!’ SHARI LAPENA

Ursula, Gareth and Alice have never met before.

Ursula thinks she killed the love of her life.
Gareth’s been receiving strange postcards.
And Alice is being stalked.

None of them are used to relying on others – but when the three strangers’ lives unexpectedly collide, there’s only one thing for it: they have to stick together. Otherwise, one of them will die.
 
Three strangers, two secrets, one terrifying evening.
 
The million-copy bestseller returns with a gripping new novel that will keep you guessing until the end.

What I Thought

I bought this book on Audible and enjoyed listening – the narrator did a great job which I find makes all the difference when listening on Audible!

I have read a few of C. L. Taylor’s books and thoroughly enjoyed them all and this was no exception. I love the way the three main characters all have chapters which tell their own stories, before you find out how their lives intertwine and the story comes together. This one had a great plot and it took a lot longer than her other books to see how the characters were linked and see their path’s cross. However, I thought it was well told and I really liked each character and their separate stories.

Where To Buy

Buy from Amazon (Kindle, Audible, Paperback, Hardback)

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Some really great books and I have lots more coming up. Do you have any recent recommendations that you want to share? Let me know in the comments as I would love to hear them! Otherwise, let me know if any of these appeal to you or what you thought of them if you have read them! Take care and keep safe everyone,