beckys_book_blog's reviews
860 reviews

The House with Nine Locks by Philip Gray

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

The Time of the Fire by Emma Kavanagh

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

4.0

This was such an original character led thriller that explores how a single tragic event can completely change people's lives and shape their future in different ways.
The story follows Robyn, who has just discovered her father has been murdered. At the same time, there is a wild fire (on the mountain ridge nearby) threatening her Californian hometown, which they may soon need to evacuate. 
Will the fire reach Destino?
What was her dad desperate to tell her the night before he died?

Robyn falls asleep, but when she wakes up, she is covered in tattoos and answering to the name Scarlett. The people around her are similar, but both her birth mum (who died when Robyn was a baby) and father are alive.
What is this alternate world and what caused everything to change?

The story is written in alternate chapters by Robyn and Scarlett (a bit like sliding doors!) as we start to uncover the secrets of her past and her friends and family living in the town of Destino. 

This seemed such an apt book given the recent California wild fires. I became thoroughly invested in Robyn and Scarlett's story as she started to piece together her past amidst the ever threatening fire that is growing around them. It was fascinating to consider how a single event could have such a dramatic impact on so many people's lives. 
A thought-provoking and enjoyable read with an interesting plot. If you fancy a different style of thriller I highly recommend this one. 

A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Notes on a Drowning by Anna Sharpe

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This was an intense legal/political thriller that I raced through and thoroughly enjoyed.

The book is written as a dual narrative. Anna is a lawyer and is asked to take on another unpaid case after speaking to Rosa. Her sister Natalia was recently found dead after drowning in the Thames, but Rosa believes it was not accidental. Anna is immediately interested as her own sister disappeared suspiciously over 12 years ago in Tokyo. She can emphasise with Rosa and is desperate to uncover the truth.
The other narrator is Kat, who has recently been promoted as special advisor to the home secretary. Kat starts to discover a series of cover-ups and finds a worrying letter about a girl, Natalia, who recently drowned in the Thames. Could her new boss be involved?
I loved how the two main stories slowly interlinked. The two main characters were really well written and easy to identify with.
I found the dark storyline compelling to read. It was packed with action, suspense, and twists. 
I haven't read Anna Sharpe's/Mazzola's historical fiction yet (although I do have them all on my tbr) but I hope this is the first in a series as I would love to read more books with Anna and Kat in. 
If you like a fast-paced thriller, I would recommend this!

The Quick and the Dead by Emma Hinds

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

This is an extremely atmospheric, slow burn character driven novel set in Elizabethan England. It really transports you to the world of alchemy and scientific exploration at this time. I loved the way the fictional characters met real characters from history like the alchemist John Dee.
Both Kit and Mariner were fascinating characters and I enjoyed watching their relationships develop with Elody and Lazarus as they go on their own journeys of self discovery. 
If you enjoy immersive historical fiction with strong character development I would recommend this book. 

The Wedding Party by Rebecca Heath

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a gripping thriller told from multiple points of view. The story starts in the present day with the upcoming wedding of Adele and Jason on the sunny Australian coast. The wedding  location is one they are all familiar with. Unfortunately, their mutual childhood friend Ollie (Adele's ex-boyfriend) had a tragic accident in the jetty there a decade before, and this dark event is still impacting their lives as the wedding approaches. 
The story is narrated by Adele and Melanie (Ollie's mum) and the chapters alternate with Sophie's story of the events leading to her brother Ollie's death. 
It took me a little while to get to know all the characters, and I did occasionally need to double check the narrator but I loved the slow build up of suspense and feeling of impending doom as the wedding day approached. 
There were a lot of hidden secrets and interesting back stories connecting the central families. I raced through the final part of the book as I really wanted to know if someone was going to be murdered and by whom? I also wanted to know what had happened on the night in question with Ollie all the years  before. A very entertaining read!

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Gillian Mcallister is an autobuy author for me but I think this book was my favourite one yet!
I was hooked on this book from the first page. The premise immediately grabs you!

Camilla is about to start her first day back at work after maternity leave with 9 month old Polly. She finds it strange when her husband Luke isn't there in the morning to wish her luck on her first day and help take their daughter to school. 
It isn't long before Camillas's world is turned upside down. Shortly after arriving for her first day back at work, Camilla sees a news broadcast covering a hostage situation developing in London. Luke, her husband, is the gunman and has taken three hostages!
The book is narrated by Cam as events unravel during the day and 7 years later (and finally 7 years later again)The other narrator is Niall, the hostage negotiater who desperately wants to find out the truth.
This was such an original premise for a thriller, and I couldn't put it down. The suspense and tension throughout is brilliant, and I loved the twisty ending. 
The characters are well written and easy to emphasise with. If you like fast paced, heart racing thrillers with a touch of romance, I would highly recommend this. An addictive read!

The Clues in the Fjord by Satu Rämö

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

I loved the first in the series of this atmospheric Icelandic thriller. It was the perfect wintry read. I loved the two main characters; detective Hildur Rúnarsdottir and her trainee Jakob Johanson. Both have interesting back stories which run alongside the main murder mystery. I was gripped by the murder investigation and was desperately trying to work out who was behind them (although I'm always hopeless at this!) I also really enjoyed the insight into Icelandic life which I've never read about before.
I'm looking forward to revisiting Hildur and Jakob again in the two new books coming out in 2025! A fantastic new series!

Unravelling by Preethi Nair

emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it was great to read it with a lovely group of bookstagrammers. 
Bhanu was such a great character and I became totally immersed in her life. I loved the writing style. You feel as if you are reading her inner most thoughts and feelings throughout.
The book was so funny in places and I found myself laughing along. There are some sad parts too as Bhanu decides to stay in a loveless marriage for the sake of her children and feels trapped by her circumstances. I particularly enjoyed reading about Bhanu's childhood in Tanzania, especially the relationships between her and Ba (her grandmother) 
If you love stories about family relationships I would highly recommend this book. A very thought provoking read!

Murder at the Christmas Emporium by Andreina Cordani

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I loved the creepy, magical setting for this book. The Christmas Emporium was the perfect place for this locked room murder mystery/thriller. 
It took me a little while to learn who all the characters were, but there was a great cast with interesting connections that emerged with each of the flashback chapters. 
This was a cleverly crafted Christmas murder mystery that I would definitely recommend.