Category: reviews

Meet Sister Agnes. She’s not your typical nun. She loves killer shoes, sipping prosecco — and solving baffling mysteries . . .

Now an acclaimed BBC Radio Crime drama, starring Anne-Marie Duff.

Hackney convent — home to Agnes and her sisters — may be a house of God. But what’s buried beneath is anything but saintly.
After days of brutal storms and lashing rains, the convent’s crumbling cellar gives up a terrible secret. The skeleton of a woman.

Her identity is a puzzle the police can’t solve. Not without a helping hand from sleuthing Sister Agnes.
But her search for answers, deep in the convent’s chequered past, only leads to more questions.

Late one night, Agnes is woken by a gunshot — and the fear that history is about to repeat itself.
Someone under this roof knows more than they’re saying. And they’ll stop at nothing to keep their secrets.

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ALISON JOSEPH is a London-based crime writer and radio dramatist. She started her career in local radio, and then in television as a documentary director. Alison has written about twenty works for radio, including THE TRUE STORY and also dramatisations of Georges Simenon’s Maigret novels. She is the author of the series of novels featuring SISTER AGNES, a contemporary detective nun based in South London. She is also the author of
‘Dying to Know’, a crime novel about faith, evidence and particle physics featuring DI
Berenice Killick. Her new series of novellas features Agatha Christie as a detective. Alison was Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association 2012-2014.

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My thoughts: Sister Agnes has returned to the convent in Hackney from helping at the refugee camp in Calais, and is asked to assist in cataloguing the things in the basement.

However, there’s a bit of a problem with the basement – there’s a skeleton in it and the police say it’s not been there long enough to be history  – it’s probably a crime. So Sister Agnes is trying to help identify the person.

The police are also at a house across the road – one of the residents has died from a gunshot. It doesn’t quite look like suicide. So Sister Agnes is also interested in that.

I’ve read several of the books in this series and they’re really interesting, Sister Agnes is an intriguing protagonist, she often seems to find herself in the middle of events, and perhaps because of her slight ambivalence towards her calling always gets involved. She’s good with people and they often open up to her, much as happens here.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

When a body is found in the woods, more will soon be uncovered, and DS Felix will need to find the killer before another victim is claimed.

Private Investigator, Alison Greene, has been contacted to find a missing person, by the victim’s elderly father, but these two cases may be intertwined and working together will be the only way to solve this case.

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Nina Craig isthe author of the crime novel ‘Fight or Flight’. When she isn’t behind the keyboard, writing into the early hours of the morning while her young family is sleeping, she can be found escaping into
another book under the guise of it being ‘research’.
Nina studied Creative Writing at the University of Kingston in Surrey and was inspired to get straight into writing (After working on her poetry and writing several short stories, she was inspired to write
her first novel.)
Nina currently lives in Hampshire as a naval wife with two young children. In addition to her passion for literature, she is also a qualified yoga instructor and has been teaching classes for the last five years.
If you want to know what she’s reading now and to hear about her upcoming novel, connect with her on Instagram at @NLCraigwrites.

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My thoughts: When human remains are found in the woods by the stereotypical dog walker, the police struggle to get a match with any missing persons. Enter private investigator Alison Greene, she’s been hired to look into a missing young woman by her dying father.

She stumbles across missing persons cases online and is able to match the details with those of one of the bodies found in the woods. If the police are willing to work with her,  she might be able to match some more remains with names.

Unfortunately DS Felix isn’t doing so well, struggling with alcohol addiction, his boss has just about had enough of his loss of focus, but meeting Alison gets him back on track and questioning why they haven’t even got a single suspect for the multiple murders. Between the two of them, perhaps they can shake something loose.

But solving the case could come at a high personal cost, unless they work together.

An interesting read, showing that a more unorthodox approach sometimes yields results and introducing Alison Greene, an intelligent and dedicated investigator.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own

Mike McCleary is offered a fantastic new job. With his beautiful new girlfriend by his side, he can move back to England and be closer to his loving and supportive parents.

Newly-promoted Detective Inspector Steve Denton is basking in the spotlight after stopping a serial killer’s nationwide campaign, and feels he’s finally getting some deserved recognition.

The Broker continues to evade the long arm of the law and is about to invest in a new criminal venture, with the opportunity to earn billions.

But not all dreams come true, and some can turn into nightmares.

Writing is his hobby, which he fits in-between full-time work, family, and completing unusual fundraising challenges. For more information, visit geoffmajor.info.
He lives in Yorkshire, with his wife and their dog.

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My thoughts: The sequel to Hell Hath No Fury (ideally read that first to get background on what’s happening), this sees the police and Europol trying to bring down The Broker and BOrg (an online crime syndicate) with the assistance of a few determined individuals, some of whom may end up paying with their lives.

A retired man is pushed to his limits, forced to encourage his son to do certain things to benefit those blackmailing him. A lawyer decides to break privilege after her family comes under attack.

There have been more Lottery murders, which infuriate DI Denton, who thought he’d solved that one, he wants to bring The Broker down, and being told to stand down by Europol makes it worse. They want the whole crime syndicate, not just one London-based thug.

But as the case is being built, and more knowledgeable and intelligent people bring their pieces to the table, building up the best way to bring it all down – Denton is brought back in to share what he has, and the end of The Broker’s reign is nigh.

Clever, fast-paced, wrapping up some ends while leaving others waiting for further investigation, inspired by real-life crimes and criminals. Be careful what you put on the Internet!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

Former prosecutor Jordan Monroe thought estate law was safe. Then her mentor dies, leaving her to defend Dr. Mallory James in a double-murder case that could resurrect her career—or destroy what’s left of it.

Dr. Ian Stratton, a respected Harbor Point surgeon, and his pharmaceutical-rep mistress are dead from lethal injections. The evidence points straight to Mallory: a volatile affair, public threats, and a
mountain of motive. But as Jordan builds her defense, she uncovers something bigger—a hospital drowning in secrets, cover-ups, and dangerous enemies.

Inside Harbor Medical, three shadowy suspects emerge:
 Dr. Blake Rowe — Stratton’s betrayed best friend with deadly drug knowledge
 Evelyn Grant — a disgraced tech stalking Jordan’s niece
 Sarah Rowe — Blake’s wife, lying about her access to the victim

When Grant’s obsession turns violent and surveillance evidence leaks, Jordan must protect her family while fighting manipulated witnesses, missing evidence, and a system built to bury the truth.
The deeper she digs, the more she questions Mallory’s innocence—and her own role in defending her.

In a world where everyone lies, Jordan must decide how far she’ll go to win. Because the most dangerous predator… is the one you never see coming.

Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Lisa Gardner, and Melinda Leigh, Contagion of Lies delivers a relentless legal thriller where courtroom drama collides with psychological suspense—and every decision carries a cost.

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From the bustling courtrooms of Atlanta to the vibrant tapestry of 16th-century England, Kathleen McGillick’s life and career have been a captivating blend of legal expertise, artistic passion, and a
thirst for adventure.

Fueled by an undergraduate and graduate degree in nursing, Kathleen built a foundation of compassion and care. This dedication to service later led her to pursue a Juris Doctorate, allowing her to navigate the intricacies of the legal system for nearly three decades. Her courtroom
experience now breathes life into the intricate details of her legal thrillers, ensuring every courtroom scene crackles with authenticity.

But Kathleen’s story does not end there. A deep fascination with art history led her to delve into the world of renowned artists and captivating eras. Her particular passion for 16th-century British history
allows her to transport readers to richly detailed historical settings, immersing them in the culture, politics, and societal nuances of the time.

Driven by an unwavering dedication to her craft, Kathleen has independently published twelve thrillers since 2018. Her commitment extends beyond solo creation, as she actively engages with the
writing community, honing her skills through workshops and courses led by renowned authors.

And when she’s not crafting captivating narratives, Kathleen embarks on international journeys, soaking in diverse cultures and experiences that further enrich her writing. This global perspective
adds another layer of depth and realism to her stories, allowing readers to connect with characters and settings that transcend geographical boundaries.

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My thoughts: This was so good, totally gripping. Jordan was a great protagonist and I hope there are more cases for her to tackle.

After a prominent doctor is murdered and one of his many girlfriends is as well, his former partner is arrested and charged with killing them both. The drug used is one that is tightly controlled, but as a trauma surgeon, Dr Mallory James would be able to access it fairly easily. She says she’s innocent, but even her attorney isn’t sure that’s the truth. 

There are other potential suspects, and all Jordan has to do is cast enough reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case for the jury to find her client not guilty. The other suspects include the deceased’s former friend, his ex-wife, and a patient with a serious grudge. Any one of them could have theoretically killed him, as could her client, but Jordan really isn’t sure. 

When she and her niece become stalking victims, and the stalker is one of the other suspects, things take a dark turn. Can Jordan still do her job and defend a possible killer while fearing for the safety of her ward? 

Clever, full of twists and turns, with the feel of a legal drama (this would make a great film), and utterly compelling, the ending was so unexpected and I want more!   

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

Detective Norman is out of retirement and back on the beat in a rainy Welsh seaside
town. Llangwelli might be short on sunshine, but it’s certainly not short on murders . . .

Norman may seem a bit old-fashioned, but he’s always willing to learn from his band of misfit recruits.

A body in the forest. An ancient pagan ritual. A baffling mystery.

On Halloween night, the body of a young woman is discovered buried in a shallow grave in the Dragon Forest, a popular local beauty spot. The only clue to her identity is the number 37 tattooed on the sole of her foot.

Detective Norman’s new boss, Acting Superintendent Evans, is convinced the murder is connected to a group of pagans who were performing a secret ritual in the forest that night.

Norman’s not so sure. The one thing he does know is that he’d make much faster progress without the insufferable Evans breathing down his neck.

Something is off about this case. Norman knows he’s missing something important — but he can’t seem to see the wood for the trees.

Then the discovery of a second body in the woods turns everything on its head.

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Peter Ford always dreamed of becoming a writer, but a dream is easily stifled without support from those around you. It was only when his old, unhappy life fell apart and he met his new partner (now wife) Mary, who believed dreamers should be encouraged, that he finally got the chance to live that dream. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed.
Now, blissfully happy, settled in a quiet corner of Wales with wife Mary and their rescue dogs, P.F. Ford is living proof that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.

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My thoughts: A young woman’s body is found badly concealed in a hasty grave in the forest. The temporary Superintendent thinks that the local Pagan group is carrying out human sacrifices, because he’s clearly a total idiot. Thankfully the rest of the team is not so ignorant or willing to guess rather than find actual evidence.

When cadaver dogs find more human remains buried in the same part of the forest, it suggests that there’s something much darker going on.

While Norman and the team follow what little evidence there is and attempt to find out who the first body they found is, teams across the country are checking their missing persons cases to help identify the others.

A gripping and dark crime case in the Welsh woods.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.