Tag: #thriller

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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Book Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Dark Retribution: Smitty’s Calling Card by B.R. Stateham

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing a Feature Post and Book Review for the new gritty noir DARK RETRIBUTION: SMITTY’S CALLING CARD (Dark Retribution Book 1) by B.R. Stateham for my turn on the Dark Retribution Book Tour.

There have been short stories featuring this character by this author, but this is the first full length novel featuring the mysterious Smitty. Noir is a genre of crime film or fiction characterized by cynicism, fatalism and moral ambiguity and this book has it all. I enjoyed this first book and will definitely be following Smitty on his future adventures!

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My Book Review:

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

DARK RETRIBUTION: SMITTY’S CALLING CARD (Dark Retribution Book 1) by B.R. Stateham is a suspense/noir crime fiction book featuring Smitty, a mysterious P.I./hitman/fixer/spook with his own moral code and an almost paranormal ability to appear and disappear. There are several short stories featuring this character, but this is his first full length story and it is easily read as a standalone.

A modern-day Jack the Ripper is brutally killing prostitutes without leaving even the smallest of clues. One of the police officers working the case, Artie Jones knows the women being killed and are related on the job to his sister-in-law who is the leader of this group of working girls. To protect his sister-in-law, Artie decides to request the help of the mysterious Smitty.

Smitty is as much a mystery man as the killer. There is speculation and rumor about whether he is a P.I., a security consultant, a mob hitman or fixer, but no matter which is correct it is an absolute truth that he is a killing machine who never leaves any evidence behind.

As Smitty works the case, the killer becomes aware that he is now the hunted and he looks forward to a showdown with Smitty.

This is a fast-paced suspense crime read with a very intriguing new-to-me main character. I enjoy reading about a character that is as morally ambiguous as Smitty. A dark angel or knight is sometimes needed to fight evil. The plot moves at an increasingly fast pace to a climax that satisfies. This is a noir crime genre book with some stereotypes that may seem out-of-date, but can and should be expected in this type of genre book. I do wish that Mr. Stateham had not given Smitty’s elderly black snitch colloquial dialogue; it was not necessary in my opinion.

Overall, it is a great introduction to Smitty for readers and an interesting crime read. I will be looking for more stories about Smitty from this author in the future.

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Short Biography:

B.R. Stateham is a fourteen-year-old boy trapped in a seventy-year-old body.  But his enthusiasm and boyish delight in anything mysterious and/or unknown continue.

Writing novels, especially detectives, is just the avenue of escape which keeps the author’s mind sharp and inquisitive.  He’s published a ton of short stories in online magazines like Crooked, Darkest Before the Dawn, Abandoned Towers, Pulp Metal Magazine, Suspense Magazine, Spinetingler Magazine, Near to The Knuckle, A Twist of Noir, Angie’s Diary, Power Burn Flash, and Eastern Standard Crime.  He writes both detective/mysteries, as well as science-fiction and fantasy.

In 2008 the first book in the series featuring homicide detectives Turner Hahn and Frank Morales came out, called Murderous Passions.

Also, in 2008 he self-published a fantasy novel entitled, Roland of the High Crags: Evil Arises.

In 2009 he created a character named Smitty.  So far twenty-eight short stories and two novellas have been written about this dark eyed, unusually complex hit man.

In 2012 Untreed Reads published book two of the Turner Hahn/Frank Morales series A Taste of Old Revenge.

In 2015 NumberThirteen Press published a Smitty novella entitled, A Killing Kiss.

In 2017 a British indie publisher, Endeavour Media, re-issued A Taste of Old Revenge, and soon followed by a second Turner Hahn/Frank Morales novel entitled, There Are No Innocents.

In 2018 Endeavour Media published a third novel of mine, the first in a 1st Century Roman detective series, entitled While the Emperor Slept.

Also in 2018, NumberThirteen Press merged with another famous British indie, Fahrenheit Press. Soon afterwards, Fahrenheit Press re-issued an old novel of mine entitled, Death of a Young Lieutenant.

Now, after all of this apparent success, you would think Fame and Fortune would have sailed into my harbor, making me the delight of the hard-core genre world. Ah but contraire, mon ami! Fame and Fortune are two devious little wraths who pick and chooses the poor souls they wish to bedevil. I remain in complete anonymity and am just as bereft of fortune as I have always been. And apparently will continue to be for a long time to come.

B.R. Stateham has a blog called, In the Dark Mind of B.R. Stateham – http://noirtaketurner-frank.blogspot.com/

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Blog Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: Dying To Tell by Keri Beevis

Hi, everyone!

I am very excited to share this Feature Post/Blog Blitz and Book Review for DYING TO TELL by Keri Beevis. This is a suspense/psychological thriller that had me hooked from page one and I cannot believe I have not heard of this author before now.

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

I highly recommend this book and author!

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Book Blurb:

As the only survivor of a horrific car crash, Lila Amberson believes she is on the road to recovery after she is released from the hospital. Her memories of the accident are blurred though and a series of unsettling incidents leave her fearing for her safety. Does she have survivor’s guilt or is something more sinister at play?

Jack Foley is reeling from the shock of losing his sister in the crash and when he first meets Lila, he lashes out, blaming her for Stephanie’s death. But when Lila gives him a locket that she believes belonged to his sister, it presents more questions than answers.

As Lila and Jack work together to find out what really happened on the night of the accident, they are unaware that someone is watching them closely. Someone who has much to lose if the truth comes out, and someone who is prepared to do everything necessary to ensure all loose ends are taken care of.

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My Book Review:

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

DYING TO TELL by Keri Beevis is a new suspense filled, psychological thriller that has so many suspects and plot twists, I just had to keep turning the pages long into the night. Ms. Beevis is a new-to-me author who knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat with a well planned, fast paced plot and memorable characters.

Lila Amberson is the sole survivor of a horrific car crash. At first, when she wakes, she has no memories of the accident, but slowly she begins to remember. The more she remembers, the more she has a feeling of dread. After several incidents, she realizes that someone is trying to hurt her and she has no idea who or why.

Jack Foley is a famous thriller writer who lost his youngest half-sister in the accident Lila was involved in. When Lila shows up to pay her respects at his sister’s funeral, Jack is angry and lashes out, but he soon realizes he was wrong about Lila. He wants to protect her and begins to care for her romantically.

As Lila and Jack begin talking to people to find out what happened on the night of the accident, they begin to realize that someone is watching and does not want a truth to be revealed.

I enjoyed this thriller from page one! Ms. Beevis’ plot has well placed red herrings, increases in intensity and surprised me in the end. The story is easy to read with very likable and believable main characters and a secondary cast of characters that are not just placeholders, but well fleshed out realistically flawed people. I am very grateful I tried this new-to-me author and I will be watching for more books by her even as I go back and check out her previous titles.

I highly recommend this thriller and author!

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Author Biography:

Keri Beevis wrote her first novel at age twenty, but it was a further twenty years before she was published after entering the Rethink Press New Novels Competition 2012. Her entry, Dead Letter Day, was a winner, earning her a publishing contract, and the book proved to be a minor hit, leading to a sequel, Dead Write. However it was Keri’s third novel, standalone mystery thriller The Darkness Beneaththat gained her the most success, along with many new fans, both in the UK and the USA.

Born in the village of Old Catton, less than a mile from where Anna Sewell was living when she wrote Black Beauty, Keri had a passion for reading and writing from a young age, though her tastes veered more to the macabre. 

Today she still lives in Norwich, along with her two naughty kitties, Ellie and Lola, and a plentiful supply of red wine (her writing fuel), where she writes a comedic lifestyle column for a local magazine. She loves Hitchcock movies, exploring creepy places, and gets extremely competitive in local pub quizzes. She is also a self-confessed klutz.

 Keri’s previous books have all been US based and she is looking forward to the release of her first UK based novel, which is set in her beautiful home county of Norfolk.

Book Review: Lethal Agent by Kyle Mills

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

LETHAL AGENT (Mitch Rapp #18) is the fifth book by Kyle Mills in the world of Mitch Rapp started by author Vince Flynn. Mr. Mills has never disappointed me in his continued portrayal of Mitch and all the secondary characters that continue to surround him. While I am always intrigued and drawn into the chosen threat in each book, the thought of a bioterrorism attack has always terrified me more than any other.

Mullah Sayid Halabi survived Mitch Rapp’s last attempt to rid the world of the ISIS terrorist leader, while almost losing his own life in the process.

Halabi is back and has learned a few things since his near demise. Instead of and army of zealots, he now has a few well trained and trusted men around him and on-line around the world. He has kidnapped two doctors and a nurse from Doctors Without Borders who were fighting a virus similar to SARS in a Yemen village. One of the doctors is a brilliant French biochemist. Halabi releases a video to prove he is alive, has possession of the doctors and to tell the world he now has the means to produce anthrax and destroy the enemies of Allah.

As Mitch races against the clock to stop the terror plot, he finds that everything they believe is a red herring. Halabi’s true plot could end up destroying the America we know forever. And if that is not enough, at home Halabi’s threat stokes a Republican Senator’s campaign of fear and division to advance her campaign for President.

I read this book completely in one sitting! Mitch is a darker, harder character working alone once again, but it is necessary for this plot. As in all the books in this series the fight scenes are detailed and realistic. Mr. Mills had me feeling the dread of the possibility of a bioterrorism attack, anger at the political machinations in D.C. and contemplating the ethical issues that arise in the dark world that Mitch and all of his team dwell in.

This is another Mitch Rapp thriller that will leave you hyped, scared, exhausted and very satisfied in the end!

Thanks very much to Atria and Simon and Schuster for allowing me to be a Mitch Rapp Ambassador for another year and sending me an ARC of this book before publication.

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Deserve To Die by Miranda Rijks

Deserve to Die by Miranda Rijks

#DeserveToDie @MirandaRijks #InkubatorBooks @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours

Hi, everyone!

Today is my turn on the Blog Tour for DESERVE TO DIE by Miranda Rijks. This is a well written page turner and the second book by this author that I have read and enjoyed.

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, the author’s bio and social media information and purchasing links. Enjoy!

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Book Blurb:

Dom and Stacey have the perfect life. Until they meet Tamara. Brilliant, beautiful, she hides a horrifying secret. One that may destroy them all.

Happily married with two beautiful children, Dom and Stacey have it all. He runs a successful design agency, she is finding fame as an author of children’s books.

Everything is perfect. Until they meet Tamara.

Because Tamara is a woman with a plan.  She executes it step by step – patient, systematic, methodical.

And as her plan unfolds, Dom and Stacey find their lives slipping out of control.  Taking them from heaven into the deepest, darkest hell.

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My Book Review:

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

DESERVE TO DIE by Miranda Rijks is a new domestic psychological thriller. I read the mystery, “Fatal Fortune” by this author that I enjoyed so I was excited to give this book a read. I was not disappointed.

Dom and Stacey are happily married with two children. Dom is the head of a successful design agency and Stacey works from home writing and illustrating children’s books. They are very happy.

It is a complete shock when the account executive of Dom’s firm commits suicide and blames his unhappiness on his job. Conveniently, the perfect replacement shows up for his job. Tamara is beautiful, classy and highly motivated. She has a plan, not only for the company, but also for Dom and Stacey.

As Tamara’s plan begins to unfold, the seeds of mistrust between Dom and Stacey grow. Stacey is gas-lighted by Tamara as she moves to replace her at Dom’s side and in her home.

The story is told in alternating chapters between Stacey and Tamara. The pace increases as the story progresses and the tension escalates to the point of not wanting to put the book down. All of the steps Tamara takes really scared me because of how believable it was and how easily it was done. I did have some difficulties with Dom and Stacey though. Dom switched sides a little too quickly for me if they were as happy as it seemed and he even believed Tamara over his two children. I liked that Stacey went for help when needed, but she seemed completely incompetent when looking into Tamara’s background. She worked at Dom’s company before their children and she is an author, so I found it difficult to believe.

Overall this is an intense and well written domestic psychological thriller. It is not unique, but it kept me turning the pages and I was satisfied with the ending.

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About Miranda Rijks:

Miranda Rijks is a writer of suspense novels.

Miranda has an eclectic background ranging from law to running a garden centre. She’s been writing all of her life and has a Masters in writing. A couple of years ago she decided to ditch the business plans and press releases and now she’s living the dream, writing suspense novels full time. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband, musician daughter and black Labrador.

Miranda loves connecting with her readers, so you can reach out to her at www.mirandarijks.com

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MirandaRijks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirandaRijksAuthor/

Website: www.mirandarijks.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mirandarijksauthor/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?i=digital-text&rh=p_27%3AMiranda+Rijks&s=relevancerank&text=Miranda+Rijks&ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1

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Purchase Links:

At the time of putting this media pack together the book isn’t available for pre-order but I will send the links as soon as I see them go live.

Publishing Information:

Published in paperback and ebook formats by Inkubator Books on 31st July 2019.

Blog Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: The Art of Murder by Rebecca Muddiman

Book Blurb:

How do you catch a killer who thinks murder is art?

Michael Fisher sees himself as an artist rather than a killer and poses his victims to resemble famous paintings.  

Detective Nick Kelly is called to attend the latest crime scene and finds himself at the centre of a media storm. But while the rest of the police department feels under pressure, Nick relishes the attention.

Karen Kelly, Nick’s soon to be ex-wife, watches in horror as this brutal game of cat and mouse plays out. But Karen has secrets of her own.

And when another body is found, Nick is disturbed to discover he knows the victim and things start to get a little too close to home.

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My Book Review:

RATING: 3 out of 5 Stars

THE ART OF MURDER by Rebecca Muddiman is a suspense/thriller by a new to me author. Each chapter alternates between the perspectives of the three main characters.

Detective Nick Kelly is on an NYPD team working the case of an unknown serial killer who poses his victims to replicate famous paintings. As the number of victims increases, the pressure is on from the media for more information. Nick’s superior does not want the public to know how the victims have been displayed, but Nick enjoys the spotlight and wants to release more information.

Karen Kelly is cohabitating unharmoniously with Nick as they wait for the court to decide which one of them gets their NYC apartment in their divorce. Karen owns an independent bookstore which is struggling financially and is generally unhappy with her life at this point in time. She meets a nice man on her birthday while she is out on her own, but she had such poor taste in picking Nick, she does not know if she can trust this charming new man.

Michael Fisher wanted to be a famous artist. His father belittled him and he dropped out of art school. Now he works on his personal masterpieces to replicate famous master paintings to prove his talent to his father and the world. The backdrops are painted, but the main figure is not. If you are squandering your true talent, Michael will make a painting to feature you.

I felt this book was predictable for about the first third of the story, but then the author does manage to insert a few curve balls that increase the suspense and pace. I enjoyed the serial killer in this book more than Nick and Karen. Nick is a narcissist in every sense of the word. Karen was a whiny wimp until the very end and I find it surprising that she even came through then, which somewhat limited the believability for me. This was a group of characters that I did not like, but the plot does have a few unique twists that carried me through to the end.

Thank you to Bloodhound Books for allowing me to read this eARC in advance of release.

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Rebecca Muddiman was born and raised in the North East and worked in the NHS for many years. She has published six crime novels – Stolen, Gone, Tell Me Lies, Murder in Slow Motion, No Place Like Home, and The Art of Murder. Stolen won a Northern Writers Award in 2010 and the Northern Crime Competition in 2012. She is also a screenwriter and was selected for the London Screenwriters Festival Talent Campus in 2016.

Most of her spare time is spent re-watching Game of Thrones, trying to learn Danish, and dealing with two unruly dogs. Sometimes all at the same time.

https://rebeccamuddiman.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rebeccamuddimanauthor