• Books,  REVIEWS

    [REVIEW] #ad Pigeon Blood-Red – Ed Duncan

    GIFTED*

    This book attracted me to the synopsis. I like most crime books and haven’t read one in a while. As a short book of only 201 pages, I thought it would be quite quick to read, which it was.

    DISCLAIMER: This book was sent to me via the publisher and author. This doesn’t affect my full review below.

    This book focuses on criminals and the people around them, both good and bad. As I was reading this I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is an interesting book which is a fast-paced and good character and plot-lines.

    The characters, although not relatable due to being criminals, are interesting and make you want to read more. I felt myself being drawn into the storyline and wanting to read more about the characters. Chapters were generally quite short which kept the pace at a constant level.

    The main storyline is about a criminal enforcer who is looking for an expensive necklace he lost while in transit. We find out early on who took it and why, but we don’t know who will keep it in the end or what he will do to get it back. It has multiple storylines that some aren’t related but they are all very interesting.

    Although when I first started reading about Robert I was immediately sympathetic to him and his life I believe the best character is definitely Rico as we see his story progress the most and even if you don’t agree with the actions he does, you still want him to succeed. He comes through as a macho male and you don’t see much of his emotions but you still understand him.

    Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would as this author is not well-known and created a great short (just over 200 words) novel which was engaging, interesting and a fun read. I hear there are 3 books to this trilogy being planned. The 2nd book is already out and the 3rd should be released soon, so look out for Ed Ducan’s older work and the rest of this series.

    Do you love crime books? & a quick read?
    Do you like reading about “Gangsters” and criminals?
    This is the book for you.

  • Books,  REVIEWS

    [REVIEW] #ad Vendetta – Jack McSparron

    Image result for jack mcsporran vendetta

    GIFTED*

    Mafia, Murder and drugs; all in one book?

    This book caught my eye when it came up on my bulk emails (linked to up and coming authors & review ebook copies) as an advertisement. So I grabbed it before it disappeared. This book is a quick read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It took me just under 24 hours to completely finish this as it was so entertaining.

    The man character is a kick-ass woman called Maggie Black, who is incredible. Her partner in this book and part-time lover is Leon. I feel both have an interesting backstory which propelled the story on well.

    The story takes place mainly in Venice, Italy and I loved the casual references to places within the city. The story powers on easily and quickly as we are introduced to various characters, each with their own agenda.

    This book basically is about a spy who is trying to stop a meeting and two groups becoming partners across Europe. The mafia is involved via the character Carlo Rossi and his family vs the other Italian family and mafia enemy the Martinis.

    The killer in the murders through the story is revealed just as I figured out who it could be. The suspense was high and clever to read. I enjoyed hearing the ending of this book.

    I would recommend this book, as it is an enjoyable quick read. I will go on to read more about the main character in new books, as this was the first in the series which I highly recommend reading.

  • Books,  REVIEWS

    [REVIEW] #ad The Betrayed – Casey Kelleher

    GIFTED*

    A modern tale of family & loyalty.

    Part 1 – 1982

    The first 100 pages are fast-paced drama which kicks you right in the teeth with impact. Jimmy in the first chapters is what I would describe as borderline inhuman and quite evil, toward his own father.

    After the first two chapters, it settles down to a novel with romance for the first half of the book.

    Edel is the cliche mother figure; loveable because she comes across as a real human rather than a character just added to the plot.

    After Jimmy and Colleen meet, you see a different more likeable side to Jimmy. Although it comes across as overboard. The romance between them is quick paced and before you know it, it is cliche romance. Some people would call it “Insta-love” whatever that means?

    The ending chapters drama were okay but nothing special or unique about it until the end of it – it hits you with a punch, especially after a few chapters of just mundane life.

    Part 2 – 1985

    The shift between mundane life and marriage themes are broken when dramatic impact as you see how completely different the characters are compared to the beginning. Personally? I did not like the change at all and wanted to put the book down without finishing. Anyway, I powered on through eventually. A word of warning, there is a lot of depressing scenes and TRIGGER suicide is mentioned throughout.

    Part 3 – 2003

    The way this book changes again for part 3 is quite strange in my opinion. It jumps to a completely different family and this generation that has little to do with the original characters that I had to endure. Personally, I did not care for a change in characters and thought it was an easy way out rather than finishing the main story. The only part which made sense was when Jimmy and Colleen’s family were mentioned.

    Would I recommend this book? Honestly… although I didn’t enjoy it, I think others might. Why not borrow it from the library and if you do enjoy it – buy! I wouldn’t have chosen to read it if I had known more about it, but I do like most crime genres and was intrigued.

    DISCLAIMER: I got this ebook from the author and publisher for an honest review.

  • Books,  REVIEWS

    [REVIEW] #ad The Wrong Suspect – Leigh Russell

    Image result for the wrong suspect

    GIFTED*

    The third in the series of an investigative reporter.

    The characters are interesting to read but it takes the reader a while to feel comfortable hearing about them. Amelia is very odd to read about but you still want to know more. Lucy is both clever and holds your attention but towards the middle, you start to wonder what is the point of your investigation?

    Her colleague, Benoit, seems to be the voice of reason throughout & although he is mentioned a lot he is not a main part of the storyline. There are numerous other characters that pop into the book to say hello but not really worth going into, filler descriptions I guess.

    Around the 60% mark something very dramatic happens and after the event disappears it seems to go away and the character doesn’t seem to react the same. It’s as if the drama element was increased to keep the reader’s attention, which it does but you are left feeling confused.

    There is once again a dramatic twist which I don’t want to spoil but it is extremely unrealistic but builds up the tension, it also gives away the main character’s story and enemies before the end so I didn’t know what was left to find out.

    The character that you think is rational and the voice of reason lose their mind in the last few chapters, to the point that you wonder whether she has ever been sane or it was just an act. This heightens the drama and suspense of the last few chapters.

    The story is summed up and finished in a good way and you don’t feel like you have missed anything or that it needs more to it. This is the 3rd Lucy Hall book in the series. I enjoyed this book and would recommend to people who like cheap thrills.

    I wouldn’t read another in this series and suggest to others may be reading the 1st book to get an insight into the main character. It is a thrilling read but came across quite quick to read, which I am not sure if the author was intending on doing.

     

    DISCLAIMER:I got this ebook from the author and publisher for an honest review.

  • Books,  REVIEWS

    [REVIEW] Deal Breaker – Harlan Coben

    A fast-paced amateur detective novel.

    This book is based in America, surrounding a sports agent and part-time detective Myron Bolitar. A girl has gone missing over a year ago and her current partner at the time is signed to Myron’s agency. He rings and says he has information regarding the girl (Kathy)’s disappearance and so Myron sets up an investigation.

    This book is just under 400 pages long and is a decently paced book that keeps the attention for long periods of time. There is enough suspense that makes you wonder what is going on and gets you to read more. The main parts of the story that draws you in aren’t until around the 250-page mark which means it is quite dull for some parts but when the suspense kicks in, you get a surprise in the chapters.

    Th characters in this book are run of the mill detective novel type but they make you want to read more about them. Which is just as well because this book is part of a few books that have the same characters (Myron Bolitar series).

    The tone of the book is light humoured and mentions casual sarcasm from the main character’s thoughts quite often. This breaks up the sometimes mundane police procedure throughout, although it is not as detailed as it could be

    I liked the ending and it did wrap all the events but left you feeling like you wanted to hear more about the main characters. I was satisfied and will possibly when I have extra time on my hands read further books in the series by Harlan Coben.