Eden by Candice Fox

Eden by Candice Fox
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Second book from Aussie writer Candice Fox following on from Hades. Part way through this I realised this is almost three books in one and not focused on Eden as the title suggests, but it tells the past of her father Hades, and how her police partner Frank reintegrates into life following the climatic end of the first book. The third story sets the main plot of the crime Eden and Frank set out to solve. All three stories are woven together but could be read apart however if you have read the first book things will be much clearer. All in all the author maintains the excitement levels but has diluted the main story by telling the Hades history. Perhaps this could have been better achieved by writing a prequel before the sequel.

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The Tears of Angels by Caro Ramsay

The Tears of Angels ( Anderson & Costello, #6). by Caro Ramsay
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It has always fascinated me as to why people go without fail to the same holiday location year after year, maybe this book will provide some answers as this police murder investigation thriller unfolds on the banks of beautiful Loch Lomond, normally any time I have visited it is either drowning in rain or suffocating in midge. An unattached hand in the middle of a field with some horses starts of Anderson and Costello's investigation which quickly linked to some unresolved child deaths at a holiday park on Loch Lomond side. It appears the hand belongs to Warren McAvoy long suspected to be responsible for the loch side deaths but had escaped detection. All they need to do now is join all the dots and a cold case is cleared or is it? This is a good novel from the author but not as accomplished as her first Night Hunter.

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The Mark of Halam by Thomas Ryan

The Mark of Halam by Thomas Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jeff Bradley ex SAS now retired and running a winery is shocked when his close friend and Olympic athlete, Mary becomes the target of an assassin. Determined not to rely on police for her security, Jeff starts to dig deeper with aid of some old contacts from his service days. An old adversary from his tour of Kosovo is discovered to have entered the country, and links are made to the forthcoming visit of a US nuclear submarine following the change in the anti-nuclear law in New Zealand. The question to be answered is this a revenge mission or something much bigger, Jeff motivated by self preservation leaves no stone unturned to find out. This is a great fast paced exciting thriller normally associated with special services and does not disappoint.

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Abandon by Blake Crouch

Abandon by Blake Crouch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Author of Wayward Pines turns his hand to the Gold Rush in the Rockies late 19th century with a mystery set in Abandon a small gold town high in a mountain pass inaccessible for several months of the year. The book tell of a modern day exploration of the town and what happened on Christmas Day 1893 when the entire population of the town dissapeared without explanation. It is soon clear as the modern day party reach Abandon something sinister is going on. This is enhanced by the author retelling the events leading up to Christmas Day and linking back to the expedition in 2009. Totally different to Wayward Pines but the author still expertly builds up that feeling of mystery. My only criticism is the switch between stories becomes too frequent and stops on cliffhangers as if it was written for a TV series otherwise a good read.



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Climax by Paul Lederer

Climax by Paul Lederer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It has been years since I read or even watched a Western, I guess it could have been John Wayne in True Grit. Here John Wayne is Giles Frost the town Marshall in Climax ( a dog-tired pretence of a village in the San Jacinto mountains). The job had been a welcome change from being a driver with no real hassle, money every month and free meals. When a stranger comes to town things start to change with the mayor and the richest citizen conspire to sack Giles as Marshall. Even his only "friend" Clara Finch is no help and is forced to leave town. On his journey to find a new place to live he discovers Climax is in jeopardy from a group of outlaws and has to decide if he will go to their rescue. This was a pleasure to read partly because of the time gap away from this genre but also the storyline is very good. Hero to the rescue?



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Trouble on the Thames by Victor Bridges

Trouble on the Thames by Victor Bridges
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A classic spy thriller set in pre-war late 1930 's and written by the author at that time. Owen Bradwell a distinguished and courageous naval officer fears his career is blighted by colour blindness but is offered a chance for a career change by checking up on an acquaintance who has been betraying state secrets to the Nazis. His mission starts out as a regular surveillance operation, then bodies start to fall. Lucky to escape he is taken in by an interior decorating partnership, yes no spelling mistakes. Any more and I would reveal the plot, however the the most enjoyable part of his book is the language. As it was written pre-war it appears to give an accurate of reflection of the syntax of the day which is frightfully good and admirable. This apart it is a competent spy thriller.

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