Tag: #britishpoliceprocedural

Feature Post and Book Review: Killer Motive by Ann Girdharry

Hi, everyone!

I am so excited to share this Feature Post and Book Review for the Happy Publication Day of Ann Gridharry’s new book KILLER MOTIVE! This is the start of a great new series featuring DI David Grant and his team.

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, the author’s bio and social media links. The plot is riveting and will keep you turning the pages. I am looking forward to following this team on many more investigations and I highly recommend this new crime thriller!

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Book Blurb

When a nurse is murdered, Detective David Grant recognises the hallmarks of a serial killer called Travis.

Twenty-five years ago, Grant caught Travis for the murder of five women and the murderer has been incarcerated ever since. A frail sixty-year-old, Travis is in the terminal stages of cancer. The problem is, he was at the hospital in the custody when the nurse was murdered.

Determined to solve the case, Grant recruits a specialist to his team, Ruby Silver, a top criminal profiler. But Ruby is hiding something from her colleagues.

Who is the copycat killer and what is their motive?

Grant and the team must work quickly to solve the case as the body count rises…

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

KILLER MOTIVE by Ann Girdharry is a riveting start to a new British crime thriller series. This new to me author had me intrigued with all her characters, on-the-edge-of-my-seat with her thriller plot and gave me a chilling in depth look into two serial killers.

DI David Grant is a 25 year veteran of the force with a stellar career and record. He is intelligent and dogged in his pursuit of the truth. When a nurse is found murdered, it bears all the characteristics of a serial killer from Grant’s past. The killer is in the final stages of terminal cancer and at the hospital for treatment when the murder occurred.

Ruby Silver is a research assistant, who is the true author of a highly acclaimed publication on serial killers. Grant recruits Ruby to assist his team, but Ruby has secrets of her own on why she is determined to be on the team.

As DI Grant and Ruby work together to uncover the identity of the copycat killer will they be able to stop him as the body count rises?

I was entirely engrossed in this investigation, the psychological twists and all the characters in this thriller! Ms. Girdharry’s plot was rife with twists, surprises and red herrings that were never over the top, but quite believable. Ruby was an interesting character to add to the mix of a normal police team Her backstory and emotional growth during the investigation pulled you in emotionally and added extra depth to the story. All of the other team members were fully fleshed and I will be looking forward to reading more about them.

I highly recommend this book for a great thriller read and a wonderful new group of characters to follow in future books!

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Author Bio and Social Media Links

Ann Girdharry is a British crime fiction author. Her debut novel, Good Girl Bad Girl, is an Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist and a Readers’ Favourite Five Star Book. 

Trained in psychotherapy, she worked for many years in the not-for-profit sector. She loves to travel. After the UK, she lived in Norway and the USA, and she currently lives in France. 

You can find out more about her books on her website – www.girdharry.com. On her site, Ann also blogs occasionally about life in France and she posts reviews for books she’s enjoyed reading

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14179591.Ann_Girdharry

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ann-girdharry

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Deadly Silence by OMJ Ryan

Hi, everyone!

I am very excited to share my Feature Post and Book Review on my turn for the Blog Tour for OMJ Ryan’s soon to be released new book DEADLY SILENCE (Detective Jane Phillips Book 1). I am racking up quite the number of amazing British police procedural thrillers and female DCI’s I follow and now I have another.

DCI Jane Phillips was first introduced in Deadly Secrets. She is now DI Jane Phillips and a lot has happened in the six months since the climax of Deadly Secrets, but you can read this book as a standalone and not be confused. Jane is now the main character in this new series.

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review and the author’s bio. Enjoy!

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#DeadlySilence

#IncubatorBooks@OMJRYAN1

@damppebbles@DamppebblesBTs

#damppebblesblogtours

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Book Blurb:

Some sins can never be forgiven.

DI Jane Phillips was a star detective driven by a relentless quest for justice. But then she stepped outside the law. 

Now, demoted and suffering with PTSD, she finds herself facing the deadliest threat of her career — a serial killer who is preying on vulnerable women, murdering them in a shocking and bizarre ritual. 

A master of deception, he selects his victims at random. Or so it seems. But as Phillips investigates, she begins to see a method in the killer’s madness. Perhaps these victims aren’t random at all…  

As the pressure mounts, can Phillips find the link between these ritual murders before the killer strikes again — or will her dogged determination to solve the case bring his deadly silence to her door?

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My Book Review:

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

DEADLY SILENCE: A gripping serial killer thriller (Detective Jane Phillips Book 1) by OMJ Ryan is the start of a new DCI/DI British police procedural thriller series now featuring DI Jane Phillips and the other detectives from the author’s first book, Deadly Secrets. This book can be easily read as a standalone without any confusion.

The consequences from previous decisions in the pursuit of justice have left DCI Jane Phillips just recuperated from a gunshot wound which almost took her life, demoted to DI, coping with PTSD and dealing with a DCI from her past in charge of her and her team.

A serial killer is preying on women in the quiet town of Cheadle. As Jane and her team investigate the similar gruesome ritual murders, they discover the women are not random, but connected through their Catholic Church.

As the pressure from their new DCI and superiors mount, Jane’s relentless pursuit of justice just may bring the killer to her own door.

I will be adding another engaging, intelligent, strong female British detective to follow on my reading list. I was very happy to see that Jane was given the main character role in this new series. I love her sense of right and wrong and her determination to discover the truth and not just solve a case. I will be looking forward to Mr. Ryan adding more backstory to Jane’s character in future books as well as the rest of her team. DCI Brown is the boss you “love to hate” and I enjoyed finding out why Jane and he are at such odds. The killer was sadistic in his method of murder, but you also felt a small amount of sympathy for him when his motive is revealed. I was not surprised by the killer or his motive for the murders, but the plot and characters are so engaging it did not matter.

This is a fast paced read with the perfect balance of thrills and chills vs. smart detective work. I highly recommend Deadly Silence and I am looking forward to many more books featuring DI Jane Phillips!

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Author Bio:

For the last twenty years I’ve worked in radio and entertainment across the UK and Australia, collaborating with household names, celebrities and music icons, accumulating a host of international writing and radio awards.

And in 2018 I followed my lifelong passion to become a full-time novelist, writing stories for people who devour exciting, fast-paced thrillers by the pool, on their commute – or those rare moments of downtime before bed. My mission is to entertain from the first page to the last.

Hailing from Yorkshire, I’ve lived and worked across the UK in Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Glasgow, Sydney and Melbourne before settling in the north east of England with my wife and young son.

www.omjryan.com

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Blog Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: Bloodline by Pamela Murray

Hi, everyone!

Today I am excited to share this Feature Post/Blog Blitz and Book Review for a great new release from Pamela Murray – BLOODLINE: an edge of your seat crime thriller which is the second book featuring DI Joe Burton and DS Sally Fielding. This book can easily be read as a standalone, but I loved it so much I will be going back to read the first title, MURDERLAND.

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review and the author’s bio. I highly recommend this British police procedural/mystery!

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Book Blurb:

When a young boy discovers a man’s body lying in a doorway, DI Burton and DS Fielding are called to the scene.

Believing the man was homeless, the police are shocked to discover the true identity of the victim; a Detective Constable from London who was working undercover.

But when the DNA from the victim is linked to a cold case Burton and Fielding find themselves looking into another unsolved murder.

And as the case unfolds, the detectives are faced with unpicking through a web of lies and deceit. But can they solve the murders before any more blood is spilt?

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My Book Review:

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

BLOODLINE: an edge of your seat crime thriller by Pamela Murray is a new and exciting British police procedural featuring Detective Inspector Joe Burton and Detective Sergeant Sally Fielding. This is the second book in the series and can be easily read as a standalone. I will definitely be going back to read the first book, MURDERLAND.

A homeless man is found stabbed to death lying in a doorway. But something is not right. The police are shocked when they find out the homeless man was one of their own from London working undercover.

The fingerprints identify the slain office, but his DNA comes back linking him genetically to a cold case homicide. Now DI Burton has two homicides to investigate as DS Fielding goes undercover to follow the case that leads to the policeman’s death.

These cases are tied together with lies and deceit which the detectives must unravel before more people end up dead.

This book is an exciting page turner that hooked me right away. There are so many unanswered questions, deceptions, twists and turns. The main characters are likable and realistic. The two plots are intertwined and flow seamlessly from start to resolution.

I am very happy to have found this author and series now, when I only have one book to go back to read. I can highly recommend this British procedural/mystery!

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Author Bio:

Pamela Murray is from the North East of England, and has spent most of her life living in Boldon. She began writing at an early age when she and her school friend used to write stories for one another. The writing continued on and off over the years, but was only recently reignited when the same school friend introduced her to the local writers group she was in.

Pamela had intended to enter Journalism after leaving school but found herself going to work in a Public Library instead, and has always had more than a passing interest in books and literature.

When not writing, Pamela is passionate about Cinema and her three grandchildren. She has also appeared as a Supporting Artiste in two episodes of the hit TV crime series “Vera”.

Blog Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: Bad Seed by Heleyne Hammersley

Hi, everyone!

I am very happy to be a part of the Blog Blitz for Heleyne Hammersley’s new book BAD SEED (DI Kate Fletcher Book #3). This Feature Post contains a book blurb, my book review and the author’s social media info.

Even though this is the third book in the series, I had no trouble reading it as a standalone and it is definitely a page-turner. (I will be going back to read the first two books, too.) I love Kate and all of her team. I am hooked on another British police procedural series!

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Bad Seed Blurb

When the body of a woman is discovered near Doncaster’s red light district, DI Kate Fletcher is called to the scene.

The victim has an abdominal wound that looks like a Caesarean incision, leading the police to believe she may have been pregnant.

Kate’s team establish the woman’s identity but it soon becomes clear that those close to her have something to hide.

The post-mortem reveals the victim wasn’t pregnant and, when a second body is discovered with similar wounds, the police realise they are hunting for a serial killer with a sinister fixation.

Can Kate solve the case before another woman dies?

And can a ruthless, methodical killer be brought to justice?

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RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

BAD SEED (DI Kate Fletcher Book #3) by Heleyne Hammersley is the latest DI Kate Fletcher British police procedural in the series. This is the first book I have read in this series by this author and it is easily read as a standalone. I enjoyed it so much, I will definitely be going back to read the first two books.

DI Kate Fletcher is called to the scene of a gruesome murder victim found dumped in a field. The victim has been strangled, raped and had her abdomen sliced open with a precision cut similar to a Caesarean incision. She was not pregnant. As Kate’s team works to identify the woman, they soon discover that those around her are hiding something.

When a second body is found with similar wounds, Kate believes they may have a serial killer. Can Kate and her team catch this methodical killer before another woman dies?

This is a fast paced procedural that kept me turning the pages. Ms. Hammersley’s writing pulls you in and with all the twists and turns I could not put it down. I love DI Kate Fletcher. A strong female lead character done well. The whole team makes a great cast of secondary characters that I hope to learn more about as I follow the series.

I can highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to read more in the series!

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Author Info

Heleyne Hammersley is a British writer based in Cumbria. She writes psychological suspense thrillers and crime novels.

Heleyne has been writing since junior school – her first work was a collection of poems called ‘Give Them the Works’ when she was ten years old. The poems were carefully handwritten on plain paper and tied together with knitting wool. 

When she’s not writing, Heleyne can often be found wandering on the fells or in the local park with her dog.

Links: Website: www.heleynehammersley.com

             Facebook: Heleyne Hammersley author

             Twitter: @hhammersley66

Book Review: Fatal Promise by Angela Marsons

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

FATAL PROMISE (D.I. Kim Stone #9) by Angela Marsons once again has an intriguing and thrilling series of crimes that need resolution, but this addition to the series also is heavily character driven as the team deals with the personal impact and upheaval from the previous book. NOTE: This book picks up almost immediately from the conclusion of Dying Truth (D.I. Kim Stone #8) and should definitely be read in order.

Kim has just had the cast removed from her broken leg and wants to get what remains of her team back together and get to work. She refuses to let her therapy and psychological evaluation slow her down when the brutally murdered body of Dr. Gordon Cordell, from her last case is found in a wooded park. She and Bryant have to uncover if this murder is tied to their last case or is this something new? When the bodies start adding up, they know they have a serial killer that needs to be stopped, but Kim is not her usual self and it is causing problems between herself and Bryant.

While Kim and Bryant are in the field, Stacy is also working a case of her own regarding a missing teen while dealing with a new team member in the desk across from her.

Kim, Bryant and Stacy are all working to solve their cases which are always full of twists and intrigue. This book though also has to deal with the tremendous grief from the last book for the characters as well as the readers. Kim returns to Ted, her therapist since childhood and we learn how she deals with her emotions. Bryant feels hurt over Kim’s silence while she is out on sick leave. He understands it, but it still causes friction between these two longtime friends. Stacy bottles up her grief and it affects her home life as well as being combative with the new member of the team. Ms. Marsons does an amazing job of dealing with each character’s individual grief and explaining Kim’s unique psychological make-up. The readers also get a look into the home life of the newest team member and why he is determined to stay and work to fit in with this team.

This book in the series is everything I was hoping for from this author and more!

Thanks very much to Bookouture and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC. This is an amazing series and cast of characters that I want to continue to read long into the future.

Book Review: Dying Truth by Angela Marsons

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

DYING TRUTH (D.I. Kim Stone, #8) by Angela Marsons is a tour de force!

With every book in the Kim Stone series, I have come to love all of the characters more.  I have been intrigued and tricked by the mystery/crime plotlines. In book #8, Ms. Marsons covers the short time period of six days which left me with a severe book hangover and the knowledge that I will remember this Kim Stone book far into the future.

Heathcrest is a prestigious private school for children of the elite in British society. Perfect appearance is everything, but a crime from the past has come back to haunt the children of today. D.I. Kim Stone takes a call of a potential jumper. When she arrives on the scene, the broken body of Sadie Winter is on the ground, but Kim cannot justify what she sees with the testimony of witnesses. Soon after, another child is dead and Kim and her team know they must hurry to find who in Heathcrest is killing the children.

Ms. Marsons covers many emotional hot topic issues in this book. Heathcrest displays the divide between private education for the rich and public education. Scholarship students are accepted, but always know they are different. Peer pressure, bullying and the expectations of parents are laid bare in a forthright manner. The pros and cons of secret societies that last for a lifetime plays a major role in a murder from the past tied to the murders in the present. The topic of “if a child can kill” is also covered candidly.

Beside the riveting and emotional intertwined plots from past and present in this book, I always read this series to catch up on some of my favorite characters. Kim and her team not only have to solve this case, but Kim also has to turn in her personnel evaluations. Kim, Bryant, Kevin and Stacey are each very different and yet when put together make the perfect unit. After eight books, I have watched each character grow and become more vivid, but there is a gut-wrenching shake up at the end of this book. Was it needed? That is for each reader to decide, but in my opinion it was entirely believable when you consider that character’s growth and personality.

I am looking forward to the next book in this series. While I may never get over some of the emotional wreckage from this one, I want more!

Thanks very much to Bookouture and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.