Review: A Perfect Grave

Publisher: Carrick

 

A murder-y, thriller-y book about nuns....sign me up and why the hell not, as it is a new one on  me.

 

 

What I think I enjoyed most about this novel is that I didn't see the whodunit at all. I am usually pretty good at guessing whodunit in thriller/murder novels as I've read a fair few in my time. But this one kept me on my toes and kept me guessing and I had absolutely no idea who was it. That made me VERY satisfied with this read.

 

I really liked main character Jason and even though I haven't read any of the other books he is involved in, that didn't hinder my enjoyment of it or of him as a character. He still had depth and layers and personality etc.

 

 

The one criticism of this book I have is that I thought the conclusion was a tad rushed. There was so much build up and rich context that the finale seemed a bit of an afterthought and a bit sort of churned out.

 

But overall, I did indeed enjoy this book and it was a surprise how much so.

 

Cheers

BG

Review: Drug of Choice

Publisher: Hard Case Crime

So I'm still working my way through this collection of rediscovered books.

This one doesn't have so much of the women as 'the little woman' feel about it. Which was a lovely refreshing change on the previous ones. I mean, I've coped with how women are treated in all of these books, but it was nice to come across one I could be even more comfortable with. 

There is for sure an air of the Twilight Zone about this novel. An island and set up which isn't quite right and when you find out what isn't quite right your mind goes 'eeeeeeeek'. It feels uncomfortable, it feels strange, it feels science fiction with a bigger element of the weird. 

I for sure enjoyed this and I think you can see a few layers in it (I am aware that I sound like a bit of a dick here). Also, I think Clark seems like an anti-hero which is pretty cool.

For sure the best one I've read so far.

Cheers

BG

Review: Sworn Secret

Publisher: Canvas

 

To start off with, I'm going to admit that I was bit put off by this book by the blurb and also by the cover. I did sadly, judge this book by its cover. I LOVED the Judas Scar by AJ. It was emotional, dark and compelling. The cover and blurb for this book (her first) didn't sell it to me as the type of book this very author would write. But I'm glad I opened it and read.

AJ once more writes about things that are hard, things that are sensitive, things that are bleak, things that hurt, things that are difficult. And once again this book is an example of how AJ writes about topics like this with compassion, love and balls.

I don't want to comment too much on the topics that are handled as it will give the story away so I'll move to the characters.

Hayden and Lizzie are really relatable and I thoroughly loved their developments. Jon is a total doll, I can't say more about him. Kate, her character was created with tenderness and whilst she really pissed me off to start with, I warmed to her for sure.

I also have to say one thing. The last chapter of this made me cry. Good work AJ.

Read away!

BG

Review: The Relic Guild

Publisher: Gollancz

I first off have to say one bad thing - well banish - balls this is a two parter. I'm getting a bit miffed by the fact that more and more and more and more books are at least two parts these days. What's wrong with a standalone novel? What I ask?!?!?

Anyway, rant over....

I enjoyed the parallel stories of 'now' and 40 years ago. The similarities in situation, standing, character etc was enjoyable indeed. The stories seeming to be in tandem was indeed enjoyable to me!

When it came to the characters, I really liked Van Bam and Samuel. In fact they totally ruled. It was interesting to see how their stories and backgrounds etc etc changed and how they became who they became. Marney and Clara however were a bit annoying. Indeed, the similarities in parallel character was good, but they were a bit winey....

Now, Hamir! Well he brought an edge to this book which made it more Sci-Fi than Fantasy and enhanced the genre mashup which was there to begin with. I did indeed like that and I do indeed thoroughly look forward to getting to know him. Indeed, I may well read the next one because this was sure a page turner and a book I did enjoy!

Cheers EC

BG :-)