Crime Thriller – Audio Killed the Bookmark

Her Final Prayer (Detective Clara Jefferies Book 2) by Kathryn Casey Book Review @bookouture

Posted on October 7, 2020October 7, 2020 by Berit @ Audio Killed the Bookmark

Happy hump day all!

Hope life is treating you well! It is times like these I am most grateful for books!

My Thoughts

A tense and clever police procedural. This is the second book in the detective Clara Jeffries series. In the previous book Clara is summoned to her isolated Utah hometown to help investigate the disappearance of one of her sisters. In this book Clara has decided to stay in the fictional town of Alber where she is now the acting police chief. When there is a gruesome murder of a family on the outskirts of town Clara is on the case. But it’s even more complicated than solving a murder. The town is not excited to have Clara back, they have shunned her for leaving years ago.

This isolated backwards polygamist small town offers the perfect backdrop to this police procedural. The religious beliefs of this fringe polygamist sect creates an abundance of tension. Clara’s familiarity with the community is both helpful and harmful in the search for answers. Clara is a great character and I really like learning more about her backstory. But boy oh boy does the girl have so much more baggage to unpack. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Max and Clara. Max is such a good guy and I really hope that Clara and he can help one another heal their wounds. The mystery was perfectly paste and compelling. I truly had no idea who done it until the culprit was revealed. Another great installment in this chrime series.

*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

About the Book

Her pulse pounded in her ears as she scanned the house. Her eyes traveled over the porch where three empty chairs lazily rocked in the breeze, surrounded by scattered children’s toys. In the yard, there were mounds of earth. Graves. Only big enough for children…

When Detective Clara Jefferies is called to a family ranch just outside of Alber, Utah, she’s horrified to find two innocent young children murdered alongside their mothers. But she arrives at the scene quickly enough to rush their father, Jacob Johansson, to hospital where he begins fighting for his life, and to save his two-month-old son Jeremy, left untouched in his crib.

As Clara begins to investigate, nothing she finds out makes sense. Though she uncovers photos of one of Jacob’s wives in his best friend’s trailer, her flower necklace underneath his bed, there are rumors that she was in love with a different man altogether. And as the close-knit community comes together to support Jacob, Clara’s own family shut her out of the investigation…

But Clara won’t give up. With the killer still at large, baby Jeremy is at risk, and every moment her family are helping Jacob they are also in danger. To earn her family’s trust, Clara finally has to face the past, but can she do it before it’s too late?

Impossible to put down, Her Final Prayer is perfect for readers of Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. You’ll race through the pages until the final heart-pounding twist.

About the Author

A novelist and award-winning journalist, Kathryn Casey is the author of eleven highly acclaimed true crime books and the creator of the Sarah Armstrong mystery series. Library Journal picked THE KILLING STORM as one of the best mysteries of 2010. Her latest true crime, IN PLAIN SIGHT, investigates the Kaufman County prosecutor murders, a case that made worldwide headlines. Casey has appeared on Oprah, 20/20, the Today Show, Good Morning America, the Biography Channel, Reelz, The Travel Network, Investigation Discovery, and many other venues. Ann Rule called Casey “one of the best in the true crime genre.”

http://www.kathryncasey.com/

Twitter: @KathrynCasey

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3crjGHL

Apple: https://apple.co/30RrI9s

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2Bkpgx9

Google: https://bit.ly/2Y76keg

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Blog Tour

Save Her Soul by Lisa Regan Book Review @bookouture @lisalregan

Posted on August 14, 2020August 13, 2020 by Berit @ Audio Killed the Bookmark

Happy Friday all!

Wow this week went fast! Today…. Josie Quinn… that’s all I need to say.

My Thoughts

Lisa Regan is the queen of crime thrillers! Josie Quinn is back in the ninth installment of this stellar series. Each book in the series is bursting with tension, atmosphere, brilliant storytelling, fascinating characters, twists, turns, and thrills. This book kicks off with Josie and Gretchen involved in a water rescue. Denton is in the midst of epic rain storms and the city is rapidly flooding. This really offered the perfect ominous atmospheric setting for this mystery. While in the middle of the water rescue Josie discovers a dead body. The body had been buried for over 16 years and the flooding has brought it to the surface. Turns out the dead woman is someone Josie went to high school with and the kicker she’s wearing Josie’s dead husband ray’s baseball jacket. This mystery drags up many pieces of Josie’s past. A dead body, a hairdresser, a drug dealer, A mysterious caller, floodwaters, gunshots, protests, DNA, and an orange cat.

Once again I was 100% invested in figuring out the mystery in the story. Love Josie and all the other characters in these books. Josie has had so much growth throughout the series. I hated to see her drug back into the past dealing with not only The ghost of Ray, but also her terrible supposed mother. My only complaint with the story is that once again poor Noah had to play second string to Ray. I mean I really like them together and I think Noah is really good for Josie, but man I almost want him to call her out sometimes. Another spectacular installment in this series with an ending that took me by surprise.

This book in emojis 💦 🐱 ☔️ 💊 🔎 🧬 ⚾️

*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

About the Book

Josie flinches as she takes in the faded blue sports jacket wrapped around the girl they just pulled from the water. Josie knew someone who’d once owned that jacket. He had died in her arms five years ago.

Heavy rain pours on the small town of Denton causing the riverbanks to break and the body of a young girl to float quietly to the surface. With no crime scene to examine, the odds are against Detective Josie Quinn and her team. Mercifully, the victim’s body is perfectly preserved, right down to the baseball patch on the jacket she was wearing. Josie can’t hide her devastation—her dead ex-husband, Ray, owned one just like it.

Following the trail back to her high school, Josie identifies the girl as Beverly Urban, a troubled student rumored to have been dating Ray before she left town for good. It looks like a tragic accident until the autopsy reveals a bullet in her head and the heart-breaking secret she was keeping.

Josie visits the salon where Beverly’s mother used to work, believing she was at the heart of a terrible scandal around the time her daughter’s life was taken. With the Denton wives remaining tight-lipped, Josie’s only hope is a secret meet-up with a terrified woman willing to talk. But she is murdered moments before giving Josie crucial information. It’s clear that someone is prepared to keep on killing to stop the truth from getting out.

Digging deep into memories of her own past with Ray is the only advantage Josie has on this twisted killer… but at what cost?

Another jaw-dropping crime thriller from an Amazon, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author that will have you absolutely gripped from page one. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.

About the Author

Lisa Regan is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal bestselling author and Amazon bestselling crime novelist. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She is a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. Find out more at her website: www.lisaregan.com

Author Social Media Links:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Lisa-Regan-189735444395923/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Lisalregan

WEBSITE: www.lisaregan.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6443334.Lisa_Regan

Cover Reveal

Who’s Next? by Chris Merritt Cover Reveal @bookouture

Posted on July 9, 2020July 8, 2020 by Berit @ Audio Killed the Bookmark

Coming September 11, 2020

About the Book

Stumbling to the ground, he claws at the earth around him, trying to stabilise himself, but his attacker is on him in seconds. As he stares at the lights of the bustling streets on the other side of the park gates, he doesn’t even have time to yell for help before everything goes black.

When the body of wealthy businessman Charles Stott is found dead on Wimbledon Common, covered in bruises just feet away from his luxury home, Detective Dan Lockhart is called to investigate the shocking scene. Examining the sickeningly disfigured body before him, Lockhart knows he’s dealing with a brutal killer and, as he bends down to take a closer look, he notices something on the victim’s neck: a small, crudely drawn symbol in black ink. It seems the murderer has marked his victim, but why? Dan needs to get inside the perpetrator’s mind, so he contacts psychologist Dr Lexi Green.

As the ensuing media circus puts pressure on Dan and Lexi’s investigation, another victim is found and the headlines are quick to report a serial killer is on the loose. The body of a successful lawyer has been discovered in a park with the same purple bruising and hand-drawn symbol on his neck. Dan fears that more victims will follow.

As the case intensifies, Dan uncovers a new lead on his missing wife, Jess, who disappeared eleven years ago. Determined to follow it up, he must choose between tracking down a serial murderer and finding Jess. Can he make the impossible decision before the killer strikes once more?

Fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Cara Hunter will love this thrilling new series from Chris Merritt. From an explosive start to a heart-stopping finale, you will not want to put this book down!

About the Author

Hello! I’m a British author whose crime thrillers combine psychology, suspense, and characters you care about.

All my novels are set in London, where I live. My first trilogy starred Zac Boateng and Kat Jones, two detectives motivated by family, who tackle organised crime and police corruption. LAST WITNESS, the second Boateng and Jones book, reached #13 in the UK Kindle chart in 2019.

My second series features detective Dan Lockhart – an ex-soldier with a missing wife – and psychologist Dr Lexi Green, an American living in London. These novels are darker, more psychological serial-killer cases, with romantic relationships as a central theme.

I began writing fiction in 2014, after previous careers as a diplomat, based in Iraq and Jerusalem, and later as a psychologist working with victims and perpetrators of crime. I specialised in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which sparked my interest in telling stories about how people cope when faced with extreme adversity.

Now, I spend most of my time writing novels and drinking coffee while *thinking* about writing novels. When I’m not writing, I love climbing and playing basketball.

You can find out more about my work at www.cjmerritt.co.uk or follow me on Twitter @DrCJMerritt

Blog Tour

The Fallen Girls by Kathryn Casey Book Review @bookouture

Posted on June 4, 2020June 3, 2020 by Berit @ Audio Killed the Bookmark

Happy Thursday!

This was a good start to a new police procedural series. But I’m not going to lie I had a hard time reading and then reviewing a police procedural with everything going on in the world especially here in the US. I don’t want to get political on this blog, but I just needed to be real with you.🖤 I also know it’s not the books fault, it was just bad timing.

My Thoughts

A clever police procedural. Kathryn Casey has written a smart and compelling story. Often I struggle with police procedurals, but not this one. I was completely invested from the creepy cornfields to the satisfying end. Clara is a police officer in Dallas, she is summoned home by her old crush Max to investigate the disappearance of her sister. But the folks and her family living in her small hometown are not excited to see Clara. Clara was raised in an isolated polygamist society in Utah and once she denounced her faith she was shunned. Now one of Clara’s many sisters, Delia is missing, and nobody is willing to talk. Where is Delia? And why did Clara leave this town years ago?

I have to say this book drew me in from the start. These creepy cornfields I could just feel and hear the wind running through the corn stocks. *shiver* The author did a really good job with creating a sense of place in this book. I found the structure of this polygamist society quite fascinating. Clara was a likable and interesting character and I’m looking forward to getting to know her better in future books. Max her old crush was a sweet guy and I’d love to see more of the two of them together. All in all this was a well done engaging start to a series.

This book in emojis 🌽 🔦 📿 👩‍👧

*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

About the Book

She didn’t notice the corn stalks shiver a few feet to her right. By the time she looked up, the man towered above her. In a single movement he wrapped one thick hand around her waist, the other he clamped over her mouth, muffling her screams.

Detective Clara Jefferies has spent years running from her childhood in Alber, Utah. But when she hears that her baby sister Delilah has disappeared, she knows that the peaceful community will be shattered, her family vulnerable, and that that she must face up to her past and go home.

Clara returns to find that her mother, Ardeth, has isolated her family by moving to the edge of town, in the shadow of the mountains. Ardeth refuses to talk to the police and won’t let Clara through the front door, believing she and her sister-wives can protect their own. But Clara knows better than anyone that her mother isn’t always capable of protecting her children.

When Clara finds out that two more girls have disappeared, all last seen around the cornfields near her family’s home, she realizes it’s not just Delilah who’s in danger. And then she gets a call that a body has been found…

Clara will have to dig deep into the town’s secrets if she’s going to find Delilah. But that will mean confronting the reason she left. And as she gets closer to Delilah, she might be putting her more at risk…

Gripping and spine-chilling, readers will love Detective Clara Jefferies, reading The Fallen Girls deep into the night. Fans of Kendra Elliot, Lisa Regan and Melinda Leigh won’t stop turning the pages of this unforgettable new series from bestselling and award-winning author Kathryn Casey.

About the Author

kathryncasey.com

https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.casey.509

@KathrynCasey

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2zDKLbP

Apple: https://apple.co/2AgcCic

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3c8HMWa

Google: https://bit.ly/2THaEyb

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Have a delightful day! XOXO Berit🖤

Blog Tour

Find Her Alive by Lisa Regan Book Review @bookouture

Posted on April 16, 2020April 15, 2020 by Berit @ Audio Killed the Bookmark

Happy Thursday all! It is Thursday right?

How are you all doing? Not going to lie I’m starting to go a little stir crazy! Thank goodness for Books and especially for addictive books like this one!🚨

My Thoughts

Guess who’s back, back again
Josie’s back, tell a friend.

If you have not read this series yet, what are you waiting for? Lisa Regan has brilliantly plotted each of the books in this series and this might just be the best one yet! Explosive, tense, smart, suspenseful, addictive. Crime thrillers with well-developed characters and clever storylines. Each book can be read as a standalone, but I strongly encourage you to read them all. Josie is such a great character and there’s so much growth in her throughout these books. Also each story offers you a glimpse into each of the secondary characters backstories. This book gives us an opportunity to learn a little more about Trinity (Josie’slong lost twin sister).

Josie has not had contact with her sister Trinity a popular morning news host for several weeks, not since they had a bit of a fall out. When Josie is not able to contact her by phone she decides to head to the cabin where she has been staying. When she gets there she finds Trinity‘s car and purse, but no Trinity. She also finds human bones laid out in an artistic manner. Who’s bones are these? And do they have anything to do with what Trinity was investigating before she went missing? Once again Josie finds herself investigating a dark crime where Time is of the essence. Loved playing detective and investigating right along side Josie and crew. All the usual characters helped Josie with the investigation, my favorites of course being Noah and Gretchen. We also get to know Josie‘s parents better in this book as well as her brother Patrick. The mystery was intelligent and I loved how it incorporated shorthand and symbolism. Another winner in this excellent series!

This book in emojis 🚨💀🦅🎤📓🔎

*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

About the Book

Josie treads gently, careful not to disturb the pile of perfect white bones laid out in the grass by her feet. Her voice is little more than a whisper.
“No! Not my sister…”

Detective Josie Quinn hasn’t heard from her sister since Trinity stormed out of the house in the heat of an argument three weeks ago. So, when human remains are found at the remote hunting cabin where Trinity was last seen, Josie can only assume the worst.

Gathering her team, Josie feels a surge of relief when the dental records match a different body – that of a missing single mother from a neighboring town. But now Josie’s is not the only broken family desperate for answers.

Dusting the crime scene for prints, a name smudged into the side of a nearby car is the first in a trail of clues Trinity left for Josie. In need of a big story to save her journalism career, it seems Josie’s sister was attempting to make contact with a dangerous serial killer known for creating sculptures with his victim’s bones. And Trinity won’t stop until she’s found him, even if it means becoming his next masterpiece…

Josie is certain there’s a critical clue in the ivory hair comb delivered to Trinity just days before she went missing. But as more bones surface, each set more likely to be Trinity’s than the last, time is running out to find her alive. Can Josie’s team trust her instincts in a case that is so deeply personal? Can she find her sister without putting other innocent lives in danger?

An unputdownable crime thriller from an Amazon, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author that will have you sleeping with the light on. This gripping rollercoaster ride is perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine. Prepare to be totally hooked!

About the Author

Author Social Media Links:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Lisa-Regan-189735444395923/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Lisalregan

WEBSITE: www.lisaregan.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6443334.Lisa_Regan

Let’s Connect!

Instagram|

Goodreads|

Twitter|

Have a splendid day!🦋

Berit☀️✨

Blog Tour

Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson Book Review @wmmorrowbooks @harperaudio @tlcbooktours

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Berit @ Audio Killed the Bookmark

Hello lovely book people!

Have you read this one yet? I strongly encourage you to pick it up, it was so good! The perfect read while your social distancing.

My Thoughts

What a clever book! A captivating, compelling, and intelligent murder mystery. Peter Swanson has really hit it out of the park with this one. Not a thriller, but a well thought out, refreshing, murder mystery. A nod two classic mysteries of the past. Malcolm Kershaw owns the Old Devils Bookshop in Boston. He is an expert on all things Mystery books, even though he’s not reading them anymore. Mal is approached by an FBI agent who believes that a serial murder is using a list he posted on his blog years ago to commit murders. The blog post was about the eight perfect murders committed in literature. Perfect meaning the killer was almost guaranteed to get away with it. Mal is sucked up into the investigation not only to find out who is using his list, but also to prove his innocence. Tense and addictive I was completely hooked!

Graham Halstead does an exceptional job of narrating this audiobook. He really brought the perfect voice to Mal. His steller delivery and perfect pacing added some extra tension to this already engaging story. I loved all the literary references in this book. The story unfolded so well the perfect amount of twists, turns, and misdirection. I have seen other reviews mention that this book does spoil all the books on the perfect murder list and I suppose it does, but I also think it probably sparked some interest for those books as well. Mal was such a sympathetic yet quirky character who I didn’t quite trust, bu I was definitely rooting for. The secondary characters were all equally interesting and I cannot forget the cat Nero. Another winner from this exceptional author.

this book in emojis. 🔎 📚 ✍🏻 🧩 🐱

*** Big thank you to William Morrow & Harper Audio for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

About Eight Perfect Murders

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (March 3, 2020)

“Swanson rips us from one startling plot twist to the next… A true tour de force.” —Lisa Gardner

“Fiendish good fun.” —Anthony Horowitz

From the hugely talented author of Before She Knew Him comes a chilling tale of psychological suspense and an homage to the thriller genre tailor-made for fans: the story of a bookseller who finds himself at the center of an FBI investigation because a very clever killer has started using his list of fiction’s most ingenious murders.

Years ago, bookseller and mystery aficionado Malcolm Kershaw compiled a list of the genre’s most unsolvable murders, those that are almost impossible to crack—which he titled “Eight Perfect Murders”—chosen from among the best of the best including Agatha Christie’s A. B. C. Murders, Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train, Ira Levin’s Death Trap, A. A. Milne’s Red House Mystery, Anthony Berkeley Cox’s Malice Aforethought, James M. Cain’s Double Indemnity, John D. Macdonald’s The Drowner, and Donna Tartt’s A Secret History.

But no one is more surprised than Mal, now the owner of the Old Devils Bookstore in Boston, when an FBI agent comes knocking on his door one snowy day in February. She’s looking for information about a series of unsolved murders that look eerily similar to the killings on Mal’s old list. And the FBI agent isn’t the only one interested in this bookseller who spends almost every night at home reading. There is killer is out there, watching his every move—a diabolical threat who knows way too much about Mal’s personal history, especially the secrets he’s never told anyone, even his recently deceased wife.

To protect himself, Mal begins looking into possible suspects . . . and sees a killer in everyone around him. But Mal doesn’t count on the investigation leaving a trail of death in its wake. Suddenly, a series of shocking twists leaves more victims dead—and the noose around Mal’s neck grows so tight he might never escape.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Peter Swanson

Peter Swanson is the author of five novels, including The Kind Worth Killing, winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger; Her Every Fear, an NPR book of the year; and his most recent, Before She Knew Him. His books have been translated into 30 languages, and his stories, poetry, and features have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Atlantic Monthly, Measure, The Guardian, The Strand Magazine, and Yankee Magazine. He lives outside of Boston, where he is at work on his next novel.

Find out more about Peter on his website and follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Blog Tour

Last Day by Luanne Rice Book Review

Posted on February 21, 2020February 21, 2020 by Berit @ Audio Killed the Bookmark

Happy weekend bibliophiles!

Do you like a good who done it with a beautiful setting? Then this is the book for you!🖼🌼

My Thoughts

Murder, Family secrets, infidelity, betrayal, friendship, and a tragic past. This was a who done it with a whole Lot of suspects. What I liked best about this story was the relationship between the sisters and how their past tragedy had ties to the current murder. The bulk of the story is told from the perspective of Kate and while I did like her she wasn’t easy to get to know. This was a story that kept me guessing… Red herrings, miss directions, loads of secrets, and plenty of suspects. The setting of the book added a lot of intrigue to the story. I was completely hooked until the very end and then I was kind of let down. The ending while it caught me completely by surprise, I cannot for the life of me figure out why this person behave the way they did?

This book in emojis. 🖼 🩸 🛩 🕵🏻

About the Book

SYNOPSIS: From celebrated New York Timesbestselling author Luanne Rice comes a riveting story of a seaside community shaken by a violent crime and a tragic loss.

Years ago, Beth Lathrop and her sister Kate suffered what they thought would be the worst tragedy of their lives the night both the famous painting Moonlight and their mother were taken. The detective assigned to the case, Conor Reid, swore to protect the sisters from then on.

Beth moved on, throwing herself fully into the art world, running the family gallery, and raising a beautiful daughter with her husband Pete. Kate, instead, retreated into herself and took to the skies as a pilot, always on the run. When Beth is found strangled in her home, and Moonlightgoes missing again, Detective Reid can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu.

Reid immediately suspects Beth’s husband, whose affair is a poorly kept secret. He has an airtight alibi—but he also has a motive, and the evidence seems to point to him. Kate and Reid, along with the sisters’ closest childhood friends, struggle to make sense of Beth’s death, but they only find more questions: Who else would have wanted Beth dead? What’s the significance of Moonlight?

Twenty years ago, Reid vowed to protect Beth and Kate—and he’s failed. Now solving the case is turning into an obsession . . .

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Connect with Luanne

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Let’s Connect

Instagram|

Goodreads|

Twitter|

Have a Beautiful day!🌻

Berit☀️✨

Blog Tour

Rage and Retribution by Lorraine Mace @rararesources. Excerpt

Posted on February 17, 2020February 16, 2020 by Berit @ Audio Killed the Bookmark

Happy Monday all!

Sometimes I wish I had more time in the day to read! So many books so little time! This looks like such a good book and I’m hoping to be able to squeeze it in at some point!🖤

Rage and Retribution

Can two wrongs ever make a right?

A man is found by the side of a canal, comatose and brutally attacked.

It quickly becomes clear that someone is abducting men and subjecting them to horrific acts of torture. After three days they’re released, fighting for their lives and refusing to speak.

A councillor is accused of fraud.

Montague Mason is an upstanding member of the community. That is until he’s publicly accused of stealing the youth centre’s funds – an accusation that threatens to rip through the very heart of the community and expose his best-kept secret. But how far would he go to protect himself?

Two cases. One deadly answer.

As the two cases collide, D.I. Paolo Sterling finds he has more questions than answers. And, when torture escalates to murder, he suddenly finds himself in a race against time to find the killer and put an end to the depravity – once and for all.

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1786156857

US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1786156857

Author Bio – When not working on her D.I. Sterling Series, Lorraine Mace is engaged in many writing-related activities. She is a columnist for both Writing Magazine and Writers’ Forum and is head judge for Writers’ Forum monthly fiction competitions. A tutor for Writers Bureau, she also runs her own private critique and author mentoring service. She is co-author, with Maureen Vincent-Northam, of THE WRITER’S ABC CHECKLIST (Accent Press). Other books include children’s novel VLAD THE INHALER – HERO IN THE MAKING, and NOTES FROM THE MARGIN, a compilation of her Writing Magazine humour column.

Social Media Links –

Website: http://www.lorrainemace.com

Blog: http://thewritersabcchecklist.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lomace

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorraine.mace.52

Excerpt

The perpetrator of the attacks on men is tormenting one of his victims. This is from the account Nemesis keeps in an encrypted blog.

As the soiled water ran into the drain under the table, Jason screams turned to whimpers. When I was certain he was as clean as I could get him, I turned off the tap and dropped the hose next to it. Walking back to the table, I smacked Jason’s cheeks with my open hand. I’d need to put some alcohol on those wounds, but that was a job for tomorrow. A final gift before I released him.

“Let me go,” he whispered. “You’ve had your fun. Please, let me go.”

“Is that what your victims said to you? Did they beg? Did they promise to do whatever you asked, if only you let them go?”

Jason went still.

“Ah, you didn’t realise I know everything about your sordid secret life, did you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jason said. “You’ve got the wrong man. That’s what it is, you’ve made a mistake.”

I sighed again. So bloody predictable. They all said that on days one and two. By tomorrow, when it was time for him to go home, he’d have confessed to his crimes and would never be stupid enough to commit any more.

“You’ve had it easy so far. I’m going to leave you until this evening to think about why you’re here. When I come back again, you can look forward to my visits every hour on the hour until I get too tired to service you. Bye for now.”

Jason must have realised I meant what I’d said, as he cried out.

“Wait! Please. I’m so thirsty.”

“Would you like some water to drink?”

Jason’s body trembled. “Yes,” he whispered. “Please, if you take off the blindfold I promise not to look. If you’ll just –”

“Just what? Give you a drink? Sorry, no can do. You have to take your punishment like a man. See you in a few hours.”

“No!” Jason begged. “Please. I’ll die unless you give me something to drink.”

“No you won’t. I told you. You’ll be here for three days. Nothing to eat, nothing to drink, but lots and lots of sex. Isn’t that what you tell your victims? Don’t you tell them they are there to provide you with lots of sex? Now it’s your turn to find out what that feels like. Keep that thought in mind until I get back.”

Cover Reveal

Knock Knock by Chris Merritt @DrCJMerritt @bookouture #coverreveal

Posted on January 29, 2020January 28, 2020 by Berit @ Audio Killed the Bookmark

Happy Wednesday all!

I love a good cover reveal! And I’m super excited for this one! And amazing cover for what looks like a spectacular book!

About the Book

BLURB:

Natasha Mayston wasn’t expecting anyone to knock on her door so late at night and she has no idea that the face staring back at her is the last one she’ll ever see…

As Detective Dan Lockhart is called to a wealthy London street to investigate Natasha’s death, he’s startled by the similarity to another case. Noticing the cable-tie restraints and the tiny scratches on Natasha’s wedding finger, Dan already knows what he will find if he looks in her throat – the small metal ball which choked her to death. He knows for sure that this isn’t the killer’s first victim and that he will strike again.

Months earlier, Kim Hardy was found in the same position in a hotel across the city – the same cable ties around her wrists, lacerations on her left hand and the same silver ball in her throat. But Kim’s murderer was caught and sent to prison – did they arrest the wrong man? Fearing that he’s dealing with a serial killer, Dan calls in psychologist Lexi Green to help with the case.

Then another body is discovered just days later, just as Lexi finds a clue online leading to the killer. Dan and his team aren’t convinced she’s found the right man, but Lexi reaches out to the suspect, putting herself in unthinkable danger. Dan thinks he knows who’s next on the killer’s list. But can he reach her before it’s too late?

Fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Cara Hunter will love this thrilling new series from Chris Merritt. From an explosive start to a heart-stopping finale, you will not want to put this book down!

What readers are saying about Chris Merritt:

‘Eeee. OMG! Ahhh! Where do I start? I have a new favourite author… a belter of a book!… I was so impressed, gripped, hooked and immersed. I don’t have the words to describe how much I loved this book!’ Between the Pages Book Club, 5 stars

‘Brilliant… I absolutely loved… Addictive reading… You can’t tear your eyes away … I was totally gripped… Absolutely blew me away… One of my top reads of 2018.’ Ginger Book Geek

‘Chris Merritt can add me to his list of fans, as I loved this book, the plot, characters and most of all his writing… I couldn’t put the book down, even when I was tired and wanted sleep, so sign of a terrific book!’ Zoo Loo Book Blog

‘Wow… A fast paced, captivating thriller that will have you hooked throughout. What an opening to this story! Poor Zac!… made me keep reading, kept me intrigued.’ Between the Pages Book Club

‘A fast-paced, action packed and exciting novel… if you like Tania Carver, Stuart MacBride or Jane Casey then you must read this!’ Goodreads Reviewer

‘Exhilarating… a pacy and tense ride… hugely gripping and exciting… If you enjoy dark crime thrillers with plenty of suspense and intrigue then I highly recommend this book.’ Hooked From Page One

‘Fast-paced and exciting… I fell into this story and finished it in two days. After getting through this book so fast I really want to read more… A must read.’ Two Girls and a Book Obsession, 5 stars

About the Author

Hello! I’m a British author whose crime thrillers combine psychology, suspense, and characters you care about.

Now, I spend most of my time writing novels and drinking coffee while *thinking* about writing novels. When I’m not writing, I love climbing and playing basketball.

You can find out more about my work at www.cjmerritt.co.uk or follow me on Twitter @DrCJMerritt

Blog Tour

Addressed to Kill by Keith Wright @botbspublicity #bookreview

Posted on January 26, 2020January 25, 2020 by Berit @ Audio Killed the Bookmark

Happy Sunday all!

Hope you’re having an amazing weekend! Delighted to share with you today my review for this compelling police procedural.

My Thoughts

This was a gritty, dark, and compelling police procedural. Keith Wright worked as a detective and that really came through in the story, it had a very authentic and raw vibe to it. The story takes place in the late 80s and I really liked that aspect of the story. It was a time when DNA was just coming into play and the detective relied on good old investigation rather than science when it came to crime solving. The story also is not politically correct, I was a teenager in the 80s and I didn’t realize we were so unwoke. This is I believe the third book in the series, but I thought it worked just fine as a standalone. The lead detective Dave Stark was an interesting character who added some dimension to the story. The investigation revolved around a couple brutal murders where women were tortured. Some parts of the book were a little graphic, but not gratuitous. This book will appeal to anyone who is a fan of a well written realistic straightforward police procedural with some great characters.

About the Book

It is 1987. A perverted criminal sociopath is on the loose. An innocent young woman is murdered in horrific circumstances.
DI Stark announces, ‘Christmas is cancelled,’ and his team investigate; aware that every second the maniac is on the loose, moves him closer to his next victim.
A second woman is raped and brutalised.
How is the killer discovering intimate secrets about his victims? Why does he insist on terrifying them on the lead up to the attacks? What is driving this depravity? Who will the next victim be?
In his attempts to protect the public, DI Stark makes a huge error of judgement, which will have appalling consequences.
Critically acclaimed author, Keith Wright is a former CID Detective. His professional knowledge of police investigations, coupled with a formidable talent for storytelling, combine to make his third novel a must for all crime fiction enthusiasts and thriller readers alike.

About the Author

Keith is re-mastering his murder/mystery novels, first published in the early 1990’s and set in the late 1980’s; introducing new characters and additional scenes and has decided to open them up to a new readership on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and Paperback available on Amazon. It is remarkable how much life has changed in the last thirty years and the novels are now period pieces and an insight into what life (and death) was really like before mobile phones and the internet!

Keith was brought up on a council estate in a rough area of Nottingham and attended the local comprehensive school. His father was an alcoholic and left when he was ten. His mother; Marie, brought him, and his four siblings up on her own, whilst balancing a full-time job. His mother loved reading and he too became interested. His mother would usually be later home from work than school finishing time, so he would call into the local library on his walk home. Whilst at the time this seemed inconvenient, (although it was a good place to get warm and dry in winter), it was, of course a blessing, as it enabled him to evolve his own love of books.

After being told by his careers officer at school that he had no chance whatsoever of getting into the police force, he decided to try himself, and wandered into the local police station at the age of fifteen to enquire what he must do. By some fluke he managed to pass the entrance exam and interviews and he was accepted into the police force. He worked the area where he had grown up, and this meant that everyone knew him, and so he was trusted, and was able to understand what was going on in the area. He also, occasionally had to arrest some of his old school friends for various crimes. It was always good to catch up with these mini- re-unions!

Keith spent 25 years in the police service retiring in 2005 as a Detective Sergeant. He then began working for a global business, leading investigations and up until recently Headed the Serious and Corporate Investigations Team dealing with bribery and blackmail within the corporate world.

He still lives in Nottingham and is engaged to Jackie. He has four wonderful children, twins, Chris and Andy, and Andy’s. fiancée Katie, who is an operatic singer. Chris and Andy are also writers and have done some amazing bodies of work. His son, Harry is at university, doing a degree in Computer Science but has discovered a love of acting and has performed in various productions. ‘Follow your heart, son’. Then there is the lovely chatterbox, Lily, who is 9 years old and without knowing inspires Keith to keep on going. There is a lot of creativity in the Wright family!

Keith has a great relationship with Jackie’s grown up children, Aron and his partner Ayla, Ashley and his wife, April, and Callum. With all the family interaction it is a wonder any writing gets done at all!

Keith’s novels are set in the 1980’s and involve the investigations of DI Stark and his team of detectives in Nottingham CID. It is no coincidence that the author was a Detective in Nottinghamshire CID in the 1980’s!

Keith ‘For his sins’ (obligatory comment) is a lifelong supporter of Nottingham Forest Football Club and played for the youth team with Steve Hodge, when Brian Clough was manager and League and European Champions.

His books, first published in the early 1990’s as contemporary fiction, achieved critical acclaim and his first novel One Oblique One was shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association John Creasy Award for the best debut crime novel of the year in 1991. This was the first year that the award was opened up to global competition and Keith was pipped to the award by the fabulous Walter Moseley’s ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’.

Keith was asked to contribute to a short story anthology for the Crime Writers Association called Perfectly Criminal published by Seven House, among such luminaries as Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and HRF Keating. He wrote ‘The Missing Link’ for inclusion in the book.He was also asked to contribute to a short story anthology called City of Crime published by Five Leaves Publications, alongside great authors, Alan Sillitoe, John Harvey and David Belbin. Keith’s contribution was ‘From the Cradle’.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keithwrightauthor/

Twitter: @Keithwwright

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19351123.Keith_Wright

Amazon Author Central Page: https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/profile

Blog: https://www.keithwrightauthor.co.uk/blog-1

Website: https://www.keithwrightauthor.co.uk/

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/keith-wright