Mickey Halley - defense attorney - and his half brother, retired LAPD Detective Harry Bosch, had teamed up, with Harry working for Mickey as his invesMickey Halley - defense attorney - and his half brother, retired LAPD Detective Harry Bosch, had teamed up, with Harry working for Mickey as his investigator. It was a difficult pill for Harry to swallow as Mickey was on the opposite side of the tracks to Harry, but that was his past life and his determination to help right some of life's wrongs kept him investigating. The story of a woman in prison for killing her sheriff's deputy ex-husband five years prior, struck a chord. When Harry read up on the case, he could see an anomaly. But needing to prove anything found would be the problem.
As Mickey and Harry moved forward, with help from full time investigator Cisco, their discoveries made Mickey excited. Harry though, needed facts. And when first one, then the other had their property targeted, they knew someone out there didn't want this case reopened. Would they discover the answers, and prove them beyond reasonable doubt?
Resurrection Walk is the 7th in the Lincoln Lawyer series by Michael Connelly and once again I loved it. Everything Michael Connelly writes, I'll read - and love!! Mickey and Harry are great together, although Harry's a little reluctant in his new role. Renee Ballard made a small appearance, along with both men's daughters. It's great to catch up with the familiar characters - like catching up with family after a long absence! Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
When the local police in Hilldale requested Detective Eve Bennet and her task force attend an incident, she shuddered at returning to the town. She alWhen the local police in Hilldale requested Detective Eve Bennet and her task force attend an incident, she shuddered at returning to the town. She also had no idea what was ahead of her and the team. The long drive culminated in the horror of a dead man in the boot of a car; a man who'd been buried and dug up again to be moved. Eve thought he was familiar but she couldn't put her finger on who it was - although she knew she'd work it out. The two women and a twelve year old child in the vehicle refused to speak, which Eve knew was common for the local polygamy community in Hilldale. Eve had escaped their clutches when she was twelve, rescued by her mother Maggie...
As the task force set out to find the identity of the killer, they also attended to the women, who were sent to a jail, still refusing to speak. The girl, Beth, spoke to Eve when she was separated from the women, but she was terrified. Eve vowed to do all she could to keep her safe. The marriage she was meant to have the following day at least wouldn't happen. When Eve was confronted by a horror figure from her past, she battled her emotions, refusing to let his presence upset her. With the four members of her task force surrounding her, having her back, Eve was furious and determined. But could she find the solutions to all the questions she had? They all knew that danger surrounded them; they were being watched continually. Would they escape with their lives?
Pray for Her is the 3rd in the Detective Eve Bennet series by Holly S. Roberts and is an outstanding crime thriller! It gripped me from the first page to the last! Eve is an intriguing character, full of inner strength and is a formidable opponent. Clyde, Bina, Collin and Ray made up the task force alongside Eve, and are also well-placed in the team. I'm so glad I started this series - each book gets better and I can't wait for #4. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
The History House in Martinville, which housed Al, Ms Scoggin and Mr Brock, along with Mortimer the ginger cat, and several mice, held the history of The History House in Martinville, which housed Al, Ms Scoggin and Mr Brock, along with Mortimer the ginger cat, and several mice, held the history of the town while in the basement was a cart with old library books on it. They had come from the Library, which had burnt down around twenty years ago, when people had died. When Al decided to turn the cart into a little free library, its unexpected appearance overnight was welcomed by the folks of Martinville.
Evan discovered the little free library on the way to school and immediately took two books. When he looked inside one of them, he was surprised and quite shocked at what he found. Was it a mystery that he could solve? Rafe, Evan's best friend, always helped him, and with the excitement of nearing the end of their last school year before heading into Middle school, and looking forward to their graduation in a few days, Evan's investigating had to wait awhile. But could he and Rafe discover what really happened all those years ago?
The Lost Library is an enchanting middle grade novel by Rebecca Stead which I really enjoyed. Narrated by Mortimer (the cat), Al and Evan, this powerful story is all about friendship, loss and love, and the meaning of a good book. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Alexandra Jennings and her boyfriend Kaiden were preparing to celebrate Kaldoras - Christmas in Alex's earthly words - so once they'd given each otherAlexandra Jennings and her boyfriend Kaiden were preparing to celebrate Kaldoras - Christmas in Alex's earthly words - so once they'd given each other their gifts, they headed to Woodhaven, where family and friends waited. Alex's past few years in Medora had been life changing, and the friendships she'd made kept her warm. She still ventured into the Library and through the painting, but not often any more. And with her best friend Jordan preparing for his future, Alex was happy for her other best friend, DC, a princess and the finest person she knew...
Kaldoras is the 6th in The Medoran Chronicles, and the Epilogue, by Aussie author Lynette Noni. It closes the chapters on Alex's life from when she was sixteen and a fresh faced, uncertain young woman as she entered the Medoran Academy, through to graduation and beyond. The adventures were exceptional, the friendships, love, laughter, tears and wonder outstanding. I've loved this series and Kaldoras is a perfect ending, (with perhaps a space for something later down the track...) Highly recommended....more
Lillian Velvet, brought up by a cold, stern woman she called Grandmother; home schooled, never meeting other children, feeling lonely but not knowing Lillian Velvet, brought up by a cold, stern woman she called Grandmother; home schooled, never meeting other children, feeling lonely but not knowing any other life. When Lillian's tenth birthday arrived, Grandmother gave her a pickle jar filled with gold coins, with only the instruction of not spending them all at once. But something strange happened when she put some of those coins in her hands. Whisked away from her home in Bomaderry, south of Sydney, Australia, to the magical world of the Kingdoms and Empires, Lillian was stunned and bemused.
The Mettlestone family comprised of mother, father and twelve children. They were a magical family with varying gifts, but the day the parents had to leave, to pretend to die, was devastating for the family. But surely they'd be back soon? Wouldn't they?
What would Lillian Velvet have in common with the Mettlestone family? As she helped various people during her short visits to the Kingdoms and Empires world, she couldn't help wondering if every small child's life changed so dramatically once they turned ten...
The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet is a fun and entertaining middle grade novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. I didn't realise it was #5 in the Kingdoms & Empires series, and once I did, I located the first four and bought them. Christmas gifts coming up!! Aussie author Jaclyn Moriarty has a magical touch which I've just discovered, and I'm keen to read more. Although The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet is over 500 pages, I flew through the pages, captivated by Lillian's journey. And yes, this one can be read as a standalone. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Detective Mackenzie Price and her partner, Detective Nick Blackwood were shocked when they were called to the latest murder. The young woman had been Detective Mackenzie Price and her partner, Detective Nick Blackwood were shocked when they were called to the latest murder. The young woman had been brutally disfigured and one eye was missing. Then another young woman was discovered - dead in the same manner. With a case from thirty years prior with the same MO, Mack was sure they were somehow linked. When the women were identified and the links to a commune from outside of town discovered, Mack and Nick were disgusted and horrified at what was going on at The Farm.
With secrets blocking the investigation, even from within the team, Mack wasn't sure where to look next. But they continued on with evidence strengthening and showing definite links to the old case. But how? With the thirty year difference, the age gaps wouldn't work - or would they?
Out of Sight is the 6th in the Detective Mackenzie Price series by Ruhi Choudhary and it was intense! Fast paced, gritty and filled with tension, I'm really enjoying this series. Mack is a tough character - they call her Mad Mack - but is she softening? Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Lady Eleanor Swift and her butler, Clifford, along with Gladstone and the cat, were going to be away from Henley Hall for Christmas, spending the4.5★s
Lady Eleanor Swift and her butler, Clifford, along with Gladstone and the cat, were going to be away from Henley Hall for Christmas, spending the time in Cornwall with a friend of Ellie's uncle Byron. The letter he'd sent with his request, also mentioned he was fearful for his life - someone was trying to kill him. The strange atmosphere in the manor house sent chills up and down Ellie and Clifford's spines. When the body of the gardener was discovered about the time they arrived, the confusion about why St Clair died filled all their minds. As Clifford and Ellie searched for clues, doing their usual investigations, they both realised they'd have to get Chief Inspector Seldon, Ellie's fiance and one of the best police officers around, to help them out. Arriving at the nearby village, undercover as it were, Hugh joined them and the three of them dug deeply, asking questions and searching for answers.
But when another person died, Ellie knew the clock was ticking. The ice and snow was thick, the conditions were freezing and danger laced everything around the manor house. Would they discover the killer on this cold, bleak Cornish Christmas?
Murder on the Cornish Cliffs is the 16th in A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series by Verity Bright and once again I thoroughly enjoyed it. The witty dialogue between Clifford and Ellie never ceases and always makes me smile. The clever deduction about almost non-existent clues continues to baffle and entertain. And Hugh working alongside the two of them made the story even better. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more