The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins

                                       

Hardback:  310 pages                                                                                                 
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Publisher: Doubleday 2024
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentences: The moon woke me, bright and close. It shed such a strange light over the sea, a dark kind of daylight, like looking at the negative of a photograph.
Review Quote: ‘Vivid, extremely tense, unnervingly unputdownable. This is a superb, powerful read.’ Independent
Main Characters: Vanessa Chapman, James "Beck" Becker, Grace Haswell, Sebastian Lennox, Julian Chapman, Sir Douglas Lennox, Lady Emmeline Lennox, Helena Fitzgerald, Graham Bryant, Nicholas Riley, Isobel Chapman
Setting: Scotland, Eris, Scotland (United Kingdom)

My Opinion: 

Having read all of Paula Hawkins novels so far I can safely say that I have enjoyed this one the most.

In 'The Blue Hour' we have a mystery revolving around deceased artist Vanessa Chapman. The puzzle is slowly revealed to us by her close friend Grace Haswell with the help of James Becker.  James works for the Fairburn Foundation where he is in charge of all the artworks by Vanessa that were donated to them on her death. It is a tense and atmospheric story, the latter mainly due to the remote setting of Vanessa Chapmans home being located on the island of Eris in Scotland, which is completely cut off from the mainland for many hours a day and hers is the only house on the island. The tension is because of the secrets that all the characters have and that are only slowly revealed to the reader.

A chilling and dark novel that in my opinion is well worth reading.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Eris, an island with only one house, one inhabitant, one way out. Unreachable from the Scottish mainland for twelve hours each day.

Once home to Vanessa. A famous artist whose notoriously unfaithful husband disappeared twenty years ago.

Now home to Grace. A solitary creature of the tides, content in her own isolation.

But when a shocking discovery is made in an art gallery far away in London, a visitor comes calling.

And the secrets of Eris threaten to emerge . . .

Previous Reviews:  The Girl On the Train. Into the Water.  A Slow Fire Burning

Author Profile and Photo from Amazon

 

 Courtesy of Phoebe Grigor

PAULA HAWKINS worked as a journalist for fifteen years before writing her first novel. Born and brought up in Zimbabwe, Paula moved to London in 1989. Her first thriller, The Girl on the Train, has sold more than 23 million copies worldwide. Published in over fifty languages, it has been a Number 1 bestseller around the world and was a box office hit film starring Emily Blunt.

Paula's thrillers, Into the Water and A Slow Fire Burning, were also instant Number 1 bestsellers.

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

 Author Official Website    Paula Hawkins - Amazon Page

 Goodreads Author Profile.    

A Lesson In Cruelty by Harriet Tyce

                                          

Hardback: 358 pages                                                                                       

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Contemporary Fiction

Publisher: Wildfire, Headline 2024

Source: Tywyn Public Library

Review Quote: 'Tyce's denouement pulls things together skilfully and surprisingly.' Sunday Times

First Sentences: Just one more night. Then it's done. Anna has packed, a clear plastic bin bag that contains all her worldly goods - tracksuits, a few toiletries. A pile of letters tied with string, pushed into the middle of her clothes.

My Opinion:  I have read and enjoyed Harriet Tyce's previous novels, so was keen to read this one. As in her previous novels the suspense is such that I could not put it down, so it was a quick read. 

Three female protagonists, with three separate plots occurring. The novel is so well constructed that the reader is kept guessing as to how and when the stories connect and what then will be the outcome. The women are Anna who is just finishing a prison sentence, Lucy who is studying for a Law Degree at Oxford and finally Marie living in isolation in rural Scotland. The tension builds as the connections between the three women are revealed.

Recommended to anyone that appreciates a well written thriller.

Previous Reviews:  Blood Orange   The Lies You Told.  It Ends At Midnight

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

WHAT PRICE WOULD YOU PAY FOR THE PERFECT LIFE?

They say you can't always get what you want. But you can take it.

Anna wants a fresh start. She doesn't believe she deserves it, but after three years behind bars she has finally paid her dues. Most of them, anyway.

Lucy craves the attention of the only man she can't have, her alluring Oxford professor. He's married - not for the first time. Maybe she should be next in line?

Marie the recluse has been locked up for too long. She's not ready to be free, but some rules are meant to be broken.

Everyone wants a perfect life. But not everyone is prepared to take it.

Unless someone decides to teach them a lesson.

Author Profile:

                                                   

Harriet Tyce was born and grew up in Edinburgh. She graduated from Oxford in 1994 with a degree in English Literature before gaining legal qualifications. She worked as a criminal barrister for ten years, leaving after having children. She completed an MA in Creative Writing – Crime Fiction at UEA where she wrote Blood Orange, the Sunday Times bestselling novel. It was followed by The Lies You Told, another Sunday Times bestseller. It Ends At Midnight has just been published to critical acclaim. She lives in north London with her family and two dogs.



Photograph and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Page     Goodreads - Author Profile  Harriet Tyce - Author Offical Website

Twitter Account - Harriet Tyce.  Instagram - Harriet Tyce

Nothing to See Here by Susan Lewis

                                             

Ebook:   506 pages Kindle Edition

Genre:  Fiction, Crime, Thriller, 

Publisher:  HarperCollins (21 Nov. 2024)

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentences: Cristy Ward was engrossed in her task and not giving a moment's thought to how she looked or was being perceived.

Review Quote: 'Gripping. All through the book I had it in my head who I thought the killer was and was completely shocked to find out the truth. Absolutely amazing.' Reader Review

My Opinion: 

It was twenty-five years ago that I first read a novel by Susan Lewis and I have continued to read her writing from time to time over the years. She is a prolific author, who writes across a broad range of genre, crime, thrillers, suspense and family drama. Last year I read  A Sicilian Affair which I found captivating and I promised myself to read more of her novels.

With 'Nothing To See Here' the author has written a bumper thriller of just over 500 pages!  A cold case, an apparently unsolvable crime is at the centre of the story. Cristy Ward has decided to feature this particular case in her next True Crime Podcast. The Kellon Case Murders is particularly mysterious as sixteen years previously the police appeared to have solved the case. Then suddenly without explanation it was cited that there was not enough evidence to pursue the case against the husband. Will fresh eyes be able to unravel this complicated story?

I loved this such a C21 idea to create story around a podcast theme and it works well. One feels that Cristy, Connor and the team could feature in more novels if the author feels so inclined. With great character portrayal and so many twists and turns that will keep you guessing, this is recommended for any thriller fans that enjoy a substantial read.

Thanks to Net Galley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Previous Review:   A Sicilian Affair by Susan Lewis

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Christy Ward is the lead producer of Hindsight, a true crime podcast, and she has stumbled across an unresolved triple murder case that will make the perfect next feature.

Sixteen years ago, the police were convinced that they had found their killer. But the case was unexpectedly shut down, it never went to trial and their main suspect walked free.

Will Christy and her team be able to solve the case, or will they be silenced too…

Author Profile:         

                                                                                                         

                                                                         

                                       Courtesy of Official Author Website 

I was born in 1956, in Bristol.  My father was a Welsh miner, a poet, an engineer and a thinker.  My mother was one of 13 children who, at 20, persuaded my father to spend his bonus on an engagement ring instead of a motorbike.  We were a normal, happy, nuclear family, living in a spanking new council house on the outskirts of town – my mother’s pride and joy.  But we were going to do better, my mother had made up her mind about that.  My father, an unabashed communist, was writing a book, I was signed up for ballet, elocution, piano and eventually a private boarding school, and my brother, (the real great love of my mother’s life) was going to succeed at everything he set his mind to.

The rest of this fascinating biography can be read on the authors Official Author Website

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Official Author Website  Twitter Profile.   Instagram Profile.    Facebook Profile

Amazon Profile.   Goodreads Profile

Her Perfect Girl by Nicky Downes

                                                    

Ebook:  388 pages      

Genre:    Crime, Mystery, Fiction                                    

Publisher: Storm Publishing  July 12th 2024

Source: NetGalley

First Sentence: With a roar, the support band, Headsticks, played their final song.

Review Quote:  'A must-read for anyone who enjoys a meticulously crafted mystery that explores the darkest corners of human nature.’ Reader Review

My Opinion: 

It is the first time I have read anything by this author. 'The Perfect Girl' was in my opinion not the psychological thriller I was expecting from the blurb but more of a crime novel which was disappointing.

Written from the perspectives of not only the police investigating team and the parents of the missing girl, but also that of the murderer.  An intense storyline that unfolds in a large number of chapters, probably intended be short and sharp and therefore add to the urgency. For me though it just made the novel feel disjointed. To be honest I found the format spoilt the read for me.

Although not for me, I imagine ' The Perfect Girl' will appeal to fans of the genre and style. It is with thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley that this title was made available for me to read and review.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Trees rustle behind the empty park. The swing creaks in the breeze. Caught on its rusted chain is a pink hair ribbon. Charly only wore it to make me happy. Now it’s all I have to remember her by, my perfect girl...

A murder that shocks a small town…

Pictures of the missing girl Charly Dean are plastered across every newspaper and television screen in the country until a dog walker discovers her body in the woods. A chilling detail at the crime scene leads the local police to believe they have a serial killer on their hands, and he’s just getting started.

A killer with unfinished business…

Months later, with Charly’s murder still unsolved, her parents can hardly look at each other, torn apart by grief, blaming themselves – and each other. Then a second victim is found in the same woods. Charly’s parents will stop at nothing to find justice for both girls. But that means facing the shocking truth that the killer didn’t pick Charly at random. She was carefully chosen. And the sinister reason lies somewhere in their past…

Author Profile:                

                                                             

                                                        Courtesy of Goodreads Profile

Nicky Downes lives in Coventry, where she works as an education trade union officer. When she isn't working, or writing, you can often find her cruising the canals in the Midlands on her narrowboat, Chanelle. Nicky says, "I find it so relaxing at the tiller. It's where I get the best ideas for my novels."From an early age, Nicky spent hours in her local library devouring all the Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers' novels, being a huge fan of crime novels. Her favourite authors are Val McDermid, Mark Billingham and Fiona Cummins.Nicky has self-published four novels: a psychological thriller, Bat Girl, and a series, Traffic, Consent and Chained, featuring DI Amelia Barton of the National Crime Agency. Readers have described these books as "fast-paced, unputdownable thrillers." She is currently writing a police procedural series of books featuring mountaineer DI Jacqueline Kent, set in Birmingham.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile.    Goodreads Profile.   Amazon Profile

The Dream Home by T.M. Logan

                                    

Hardback:  406 pages      

Genre:  Contemporary Thriller, Mystery, fiction, Crime, Suspense.                                         

Publisher: 2024 - Zaffre Publishing Group

Source:  Tywyn Public Library

First Sentence: It's towards the end of moving-in day that I find it.

Review Quote: 'Logan belongs in the top echelons of British thriller writers' Sunday Express

Setting:  Nottingham, England

My Opinion: 

Although I have been aware of the author T.M. Logan, thrillers are not my first choice of genre. No surprise then that this is the first of his novels that I have read, though hopefully it will not be the last.

'The Dream Home' is the story of Adam, his wife Jess and their three children as they gradually discover the sinister secrets connected to their new home. It is not just the house that is hiding secrets though and Adam finds that his consequent actions put the whole family in peril. A very dark story with so many menacing facts revealed as the novel progresses that I was kept unsuccessfully guessing right to the end!

Throughly enjoyed this tension packed thriller, which I highly recommend to fans of the genre.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Their dream house will become a nightmare . . .

Adam and Jess move into a new house with their three young a rambling Victorian villa right at the very top of their price range. Before long Adam discovers a door hidden behind a fitted wardrobe, concealing a secret room . . .

Inside Adam discovers an array of forgotten items, among them a wallet, an antique watch and an old mobile phone. Jess thinks they should simply throw them away. But Adam resists. He is fascinated by these items and how they came to be inside the hidden room.

But like the house, Adam has his secrets too. And soon he will find himself setting in motion a series of events that will place his family in terrible danger . . .

Author Profile:                                                                                                

                                      

Bestselling author TM Logan was a national newspaper journalist before turning to novel-writing full time. His thrillers have sold more than two million copies in the UK and are published in translation in 22 countries around the world including France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, South Korea, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Greece, Romania and the Netherlands.

He was born in Berkshire on the 19th of December 1975 and grew up in Reading, the youngest of three boys and a fully-fledged bookworm from a very young age. He read history at Westfield College, part of the University of London, and went on to do a postgrad at Cardiff University.

Wanting to write journalism seemed an obvious choice, and after five years as a reporter and then education correspondent on the Nottingham Evening Post he moved to London to work on the Daily Mail. The next move took him back to the East Midlands, where he worked for the University of Nottingham as a press officer, writing fiction in any spare time he could find. In January 2017 his first thriller was published. a few weeks later his current position as a deputy director in charge of the university’s communications team – was scrapped as part of a restructure. That was when he decided to take the plunge into writing full-time.

He lives in Nottinghamshire with his wife and two children, and writes in a cabin in the corner of his garden.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Goodreads Author Profile.    Amazon Author Page   Official Author Website

Twitter Profile.    Instagram Profile.   Facebook Profile

The Courageous Witness by Oliver Richbell

Paperback: 65 pages                                                                                                 
Genre: Novella Nostalgia Series, Thriller,
Publisher:  City Fiction (28 Feb. 2019)
Source: The publishers and author, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
First Sentences: It was a size too big for her. That was why she was wearing it. Amanda wrapped the pink-flowered cheongsam around her naked body.
Main Characters: Amanda Buckingham, Sara Tomkins, 
Setting: London, England
My Opinion: This is the seventh volume in the Novella Nostalgia Series, which links cinema classics with modern stories, it is the second in the series to be written by Oliver Richbell. His last one 'Gloriana' is a very topical read, which I enjoyed, however I found this one to be more to my liking.
The protagonist, Amanda Buckingham first appeared very briefly in 'Twelve Troubled Jurors' so I was delighted to discover her character has been developed into one of the main characters for 'The Courageous Witness'. I think we may well hear more of this character in forthcoming publications, as the back of this novella includes a potted life history of Amanda Buckingham. Is she I wonder going to feature in the author's forthcoming novel? We will just have to wait and see, I personally hope so because as much as I am happy to read and review this series I much prefer to have longer stories to immerse myself in.
In my opinion ' The Courageous Witness' is a well written and engrossing legal novella which I devoured in one evening. An office party goes terribly wrong, leaving the female protagonist Sara accusing her colleagues of rape!
For those looking for quick reads, then I certainly recommend not just this title but the entire series, Novella Nostalgia is certainly a name to look out for as more titles are added to the collection.


Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

A rising star at The Bar, barrister, Amanda Buckingham is persuaded by the Head of Hartington Chambers to take on a case that she instinctively would have preferred not to. The defence counsel, as the Trial neared its denouement, had surely done enough to cast sufficient doubt in the minds of the jury. Amanda was hurtling towards a career defining loss. There was something though that Amanda just couldn’t reconcile – something she had forgotten in the evidence that had been put before the Court which had reopened memories of her own traumatic past. To turn an acquittal into a conviction Amanda needed to delve deep into her own personal nightmare as well as finding the key evidence before it was too late for her and Sarah.

Notes on The Story of  'The Accused' : From the Book 'The Courageous Witness'
This 1988 American drama was one of the first Hollyworld films to include a rape incident of unimaginable graphic realism.

The storyline of  The Accused was loosely based on the 1983 gang rape of Cheryl Araujo in New Bedford, Massachusetts and the resulting trial.
This film is set in Washington State but was filmed in Vancouver, Canada. Sarah Tobais (played by Jodie Foster is gang raped in a bar.
Assistant DA, Kathryn Murphy (played by Kellie McGillis), agrees a plea bargain with the legal representatives of the three men accused. They plead guilty to a charge of 'reckless endangerment' which carries a lesser prison sentence and the chance of parole. Sarah is incensed, not least because she was denied the opportunity to testify in court.

Kathryn opts to prosecute three witnesses identified by a friend of sarah. They are charged with criminal solicitation. The evidence in court is partly overlaid with a visual reproduction of the whole of the rape scene. Another bystander gives evidence and the three men are convicted. One consequence is that the perpetrators, now in prison, will serve longer sentences and not be eligible for parole.

The final scene is a display, by Sarah and Kathryn, of mutual respect as they go their separate ways.





Author Profile:

Oliver was born in 1977 and qualified as a Solicitor in 2007. He worked in London for a litigation and sports law practice before a brief stint in two regional firms. In 2010 he married in his sweetheart and in 2014 he became a father. in 2015 Oliver took a leap of faith and formed his own dispute resolution consultancy. Oliver loves to write and has now achieved one of his many ambitions in life in becoming a published author. His first work, Gloriana, was published in September 2018 and inspired by the movie Valkyrie, Gloriana tells a story of a band of conspirators intent on assassinating The Prime Minister in the aftermath of the Brexit Referendum. My review may be read here Oliver's first novel will be published later this year.


Photographs, Biographical Information and film details courtesy of the following sites.

IMDb - The Accused - Plot Summary   Wikipedia - The Accused 

Amazon Author Page - Oliver Richbell     Goodreads - Oliver Richbell

Payback by Kimberley Chambers

                                     


EBook:  Kindle Edition 400 pages                                                                                               
Genre: Crime, Contemporary Thriller,
Publisher: Harper Collins January 2014
Source: Amazon Free Offer in 2016.
First Sentence: Whistling 'Zip-a-Dee-Do-Dah' Trevor Thomas felt as happy as pig in shit as he walked the mile long journey from the pub to his mother's house.
Review Quote:  'a fast-paced tale with gritty authenticity’ The Guardian
Main Characters: The Butler Family
Setting: London
My Opinion: Why an earth did I ever put this title on My Kindle? I started reading it on a recent flight and I persevered but I do wonder why I bothered. The genre is not my favourite but there are many I have enjoyed. Apologies, as I hate criticising authors, but there was absolutely nothing I appreciated in this novel, from the weak storyline, to the dreadful characters.
If you like cliched East-End characters and most of them are particularly nasty ones at that, then by all means read. You have been warned though, only do so if you appreciate predictable thrillers.

Maybe I picked the wrong title as an introduction to this author, what do you think?

Please Note Book Two of The Butlers Series.



Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

The Butlers are not a family to be messed with. Top dogs in the East End, they trample on anybody who gets in their way.

Vinny Butler has upset many people on his rise up the criminal ladder. His best pal, mum, brother, dad, aunt, son and his girlfriend's father all hold grudges against him. Will it be one of those who plots Vinny's demise ? Or, will it be somebody else ?

Caught up in the crossfire are two innocent young women. Joanna and Nancy's only crime was to fall in love with the wrong men. Do they and their children escape unharmed ? Or, does getting involved with Vinny and Michael Butler prove to be the costliest decision Joanna and Nancy ever made?

Please Note Book Two of The Butlers Series.




Author Profile:

Bestselling author Kimberley Chambers lives in Romford and has been, at various times, a disc jockey and a street trader. She is now a full-time writer.

Kimberley Chambers is the Sunday Times Number One Best-Selling author of eleven novels, including the hugely successful ‘Butlers Series’ and ‘The Mitchell/O’Hara Saga’.

Her novels are set in the gritty underworld of the East End/Essex. Her distinctive style, full of humour, warmth and violence has developed a loyal and growing fan base. She has been hailed as ‘the next Martina Cole’.

Kimberley had not written a word until the age of thirty-eight when she decided to change her life and write her first novel, ‘Billie Jo’. She’d previously worked as a market trader on East-End markets, a pub DJ and a mini-cab driver. She was born in Romford, grew up in Dagenham and now lives in Hornchurch.

Her latest novel ‘Life of Crime’, shot straight into the Sunday Times Bestsellers chart at number one and spent weeks in the Top 10 in the month after its release.



Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

Author -Official Website    Instagram Profile    Kimberley Chambers on Facebook

Twitter Profile

The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson

                                     

Paperback: 415 pages                                                                                             

Genre: Crime, Mystery Thriller

Publisher: Faber and Faber 2015

Source: Tywyn Public Library

First Sentence: "Hello, there," she said.

Review Quote: The Kind Worth Killing is a tightly plotted novel of betrayal set in London and Boston. (Irish Times)

Main Characters: Ted Severson, Lily Kintner, Miranda Severson, Brad Daggett, Eric Washburn, Detective Kimball

Setting: Maine, USA

Literary Awards: Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Mystery & Thriller (2015), Gullkulen/The Golden Bullet Nominee (2016) 

My Opinion: An evil and coldblooded story that was not at all to my taste and had it not been a book club choice I would not have read. I did not like any of the characters, Lily in particular was a nasty piece of work in my opinion. Just hope I never meet any one like her in the real world! Although thrillers are not my favourite genre I have read many more relatable and enjoyable ones than this title. A somewhat tedious read where the four protagonists seem to spend  the entire story trying to kill each other. I cannot really recommend it unless of course this sort of ridiculous story appeals, then go ahead as it appears I might be in the minority. In fact one of my book club friends says it is the  best thriller she has read in a long time.

Precis Courtesy of Goodreads:

'Hello there.'
I looked at the pale, freckled hand on the back of the empty bar seat next to me in the business class lounge of Heathrow airport, then up into the stranger's face.
'Do I know you?'

Delayed in London, Ted Severson meets a woman at the airport bar. Over cocktails they tell each other rather more than they should, and a dark plan is hatched - but are either of them being serious, could they actually go through with it and, if they did, what would be their chances of getting away with it?

Back in Boston, Ted's wife Miranda is busy site managing the construction of their dream home, a beautiful house out on the Maine coastline. But what secrets is she carrying and to what lengths might she go to protect the vision she has of her deserved future?

A sublimely plotted novel of trust and betrayal, The Kind Worth Killing will keep you gripped and guessing late into the night.


Video Trailer for 'The Kind Worth Killing' Courtesy of YouTube

Author Profile:

Peter Swanson is the author of four novels: The Girl With a Clock For a Heart, an LA Times Book Award finalist; The Kind Worth Killing, winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger; Her Every Fear, an NPR book of the year; and his most recent, All the Beautiful Lies. His books have been translated into 30 languages, and his stories, poetry, and features have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Atlantic Monthly, Measure, The Guardian, The Strand Magazine, and Yankee Magazine.

A graduate of Trinity College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Emerson College, he lives in Somerville, Massachusetts with his wife and cat.



Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

YouTube Video   Amazon Author Page   Author - Official Website      

Peter Swanson - Facebook Profile     Instagram - Peter Swanson    Twitter Profile

Little Girl Lost by Carol Wyer

Kindle Edition:   4247 KB
Paperback Edition:  412 pages                                                                                               
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery
Publisher: Bookouture (19 Jan. 2017)
Source: Amazon
First Sentence: Alice couldn't shake the ominous feeling that had plagued her all evening, no matter how hard she tried.
Favourite Quote: "It's a gift of the truth. Lies harm. Lies hurt. The truth liberates. You should try it sometime. In fact, you should try it now before it's too late."
Review Quote: 'OMG what can I say? This is the first book I have read by Carol Wyer and I find it very hard to believe that this is her first thriller. I was totally hooked from the first page and the suspense kept delivering all the way through the book right to the last page with several red herrings to keep the reader guessing. This is a very special book that has all the makings of a bestseller and I eagerly await the next in the series.' All Things Books
Main Character: Detective Robyn Carter
My Opinion:   It is just about six and a half years  since I read and reviewed Carol Wyer's début novel Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines and I have followed her career and rise to fame as a humorous novelist ever since. My thoughts at that time were that here was a novelist who knows how to make you laugh and take you away from the cares of the world for a few hours. She has gone on to prove this in a big way since then. Unfortunately her rise to fame coincided with what turned out to be a very bad period in my own life and suddenly I did not feel like reading her particular brand of humour. Life has moved on, now I am stronger and once again able to laugh at things that during the dark times I was unable to. I am now busy catching up on the titles I have missed in recent years. Just last year she surprised her many fans, including me by releasing a thriller!  A complete change of genre, she is certainly a prolific writer as already there are three more titles in the Detective Robyn Carter Series of which Little Girl Lost is the first. 
I was unsure about the change in genre as detective crime novels are not really a favourite of mine, however I need not have worried as Carol has succeeded in producing a very readable thriller. It certainly held my interest and made a recent flight to Hong Kong pass by quickly!
It seems like I now have another three titles to catch up with from this author's back catalogue.


Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

A perfect family hiding disturbing secrets. A killer who wants the truth to be told.

A teacher goes missing under suspicious circumstances.
A millionaire is murdered at a local reservoir.
For Detective Robyn Carter, there’s no obvious link between the men. But as she starts to delve into the cases, her investigations lead her to Abigail, perfect wife and mother to beautiful little Izzy. What was Abigail’s connection to the victims? And why is she receiving threatening messages from an anonymous number?

But as Robyn starts to inch closer to finding the killer, Izzy is abducted.

Unless Robyn gets to the twisted individual in time, a little girl will die …

Gripping, fast paced and nail bitingly tense, this serial killer thriller will chill you to the bone.



Video Trailer for 'Little Girl Lost' Courtesy of YouTube

Links to previous titles by Carol Wyer that I have reviewed:

Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines   Surfing in Stilettos     Just Add Spice

Three Little Birds


Author Profile:

Somehow Carol has so far managed to keep her age a secret from the media and there is no autobiographical information about her birth that I could find online!

Reproduced below is the autobiographical information from her  website

Well, what can I tell you about myself? I actually began my working life abroad, in Casablanca, Morocco, where I taught English and French. I raced around the streets on an ancient VéloSoleX bike, avoiding donkeys and other clapped out bikes, to get to the  jobs on time. I had one run in with a donkey at a set of traffic lights which caused me to fall off my bike – but that's another story.

After a few years, I returned to the UK to teach and run the English as a Foreign Language department of a private school. (Imagine Hogwarts without the wizardry.) Although I enjoyed wearing a gown and a mortar board and being called a mistress, I left the school to set up a language company and ventured out on my own.

I've written stories since I was in my early twenties. My first efforts were for children and sported silly titles like 'Humphrey and the Dustbin Cats', 'Hurrah for Hugo!' and 'Noir and Blanc - Two Naughty Cats'. They taught French language to younger children  and were accompanied by a tape of French songs, mercifully not sung by me.

I began writing for adults in 2009 after my son flew from the nest. I converted his old bedroom into an office and began writing in earnest. At first, I wrote light-hearted novels and non-fiction books that encouraged people to age disgracefully and to 'carpe diem'.

It wasn't an easy journey but I was most fortunate and after much success with my comedies, in 2015 I signed with Bookouture (part of Hachette Group) who published the hilarious 'Life Swap', and then signed me for a three book deal. I was going to provide more  comedies but I sent in a suggestion for a thriller which my editor loved and after publication of 'Take A Chance On Me', I submitted the first in the DI Robyn carter series - 'Little Girl Lost'. The book became a huge success, becoming #2 Best Seller on Amazon  Kindle UK and even featuring in USA Today Top 150 best selling books. DI Carter found her audience and I was contracted to write a series of seven books in total.

Four of the books: 'Secrets of the Dead', 'The Missing Girls' and 'The Silent Children' were all released in 2017 and by the December the series had sold over a whopping 250,000 copies.



Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

Amazon Author Page    Carol Wyer - Facebook Profile     Twitter Profile    

 Goodreads Author Profile    Official Author Website - Carol Wyer