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Tag Archives: crime novels
Seriously spine chilling was Snow white must die!
This amazing novel begins with a question and takes off with a vengeance. I found it on the library’s Hot Reads stand and after reading the back cover blurb I just had to read it. Snow white must die is a thriller, a mystery and was a violent and heart wrenching experience for me. Oh but I am so happy to have read it as I really enjoyed the power of the writing – how it frightened me and how it kept me thinking about the characters even when I had to stop reading to do other things. I couldn’t keep away for long and I spent most of the weekend buried deep in its pages 
It begins with Tobias’ release from jail after serving a ten-year sentence for murder, a murder that he was convicted of but possibly didn’t actually commit? The question of innocence and guilt is a continuing topic throughout the story. His release triggers some evil forces in his home town as the residents are outraged about his freedom and also are very distrustful of him. Only his childhood best friend and a young girl new to the town treat him with a bit of compassion. It is this humanity that could prove deadly for the young girl?
The situation turns even uglier when the young girl vanishes without a trace AND the body of one of the girls Tobias was convicted of killing is found. This prompts a renewed investigation into the original murder case and a full fledge effort into finding the missing girl. A unique pair of police investigators make the cases their priority and they work well together, each has personal baggage which they bring to work and this helps to lighten the mood.
The descriptive writing will draw you in to the lies, the greed, the violence, the murderous conspiracy theories and ultimately into the path to justice. The constant change in direction makes it a challenge to pinpoint the right side of the law and I found I was continuously doubting myself and changing my mind. There are a number of twists and turns as the author connects the past with the present. It is a read for the thrill seeker and I recommend it to readers who don’t mind some violence scenes.
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Posted in Book reviews
Tagged crime novels, Hot Reads, missing persons, Mystery, Nele Neuhaus, Snow white must die
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Lisa Gardner’s Alone
A complex plot yet easy to follow with tightly written suspense. It offers up a number of twists and turns and some compelling behind the scenes dialogue. I like books that include side stories that usually relate to the past and in Alone you will certainly find yourself questioning who is good, bad, a victim or a killer? The characters develop at a steady pace as the book goes on. Gardner sets the stage up perfectly and steadily reveals information which have you always wanting to read on.
Alone starts with State Trooper Bobby Dodge out on a domestic disturbance call where there appears to be a hostage situation. As he is setting up surveillance he sees a man with a gun pointing at a woman and a child. His sniper training instincts kick in a he shoots the man, killing him with one shot to the head. This action is the catalyst that ignites a chain of events that form the story. The father of the gunned down man is a powerful judge who takes out charges against Dodge and Catherine the woman (who is his daughter-in-law) for wrongful death. He wants Dodge up for the murder of his son Jimmy! It becomes quite impossible to say for sure who is the bad guy and who is the good guy?
You will learn some interesting things about this judge, Catherine and Dodge as the story unfolds and some surprising details about who Jimmy really was too. I was constantly surprised by the plot – there are no holes – the explosive ending is a real ripper. It was a fantastic read, a book I read in 2 sessions as I truly couldn’t put it down.
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Tara Moss says goodbye to Mak Vanderwall with Assassin
Tara Moss takes her research seriously for her novels and an authenticity shines through in her writing. The Makedde Vanderwall series (Fetish, Split, Covert, Hit & Siren) are action packed, unpredictable, emotional, romantic and include a lot of real life detail. Assassin is the final instalment and rewards fans of the series with a truly surprising and violent fatal ending.
It has been so long since the previous book but thanks to great writing I found it easy to pick up with the story. Mak has certainly grown up. She is a vigilante, full of fight and out for justice. Her family and friends think she must have been murdered as no one has heard from her since she fled the country after getting mixed up in the Stiletto killer murder investigation. However, she is alive laying low in Paris plotting her next and final moves to disclose the truth and bring the killers down once and for all.
Her ex-love criminal profiler Andy Flynn has buried himself in his work as thinking of Mak and her possible fate is to much for him to bare. When the Stiletto killer case reappears he is forced to face his fears head on. It’s this case and its links to Mak that has him spiralling out of control. The novel jumps between Mak in Paris and Andy in Sydney as they both struggle with their work and their feelings for each other. Assassin is the darkest of all of the books in the series – with raw intensity that will leave you satisfied with how the story ends.
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Posted in Book reviews
Tagged Assassin, Australian author, crime novels, detective novels, Makedde Vanderwall series, tara moss
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