Dark Game by Rachel Lynch

Dark Game by Rachel Lynch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A new detective series from Rachel Lynch and it should do well if the follow on books are as good. DI Kelly Porter returns to her home after a career in the big smoke and reopens an old cold case. Thinking she could use her experience and solve the case, however she did not expect to be involved in one of the largest cases in the country. The author paints a very clear picture of the criminal underworld that in pursuit of greed, pander to the perverse needs of seedy and wealthy people, who appear to be normal upstanding citizens. The book moves very quickly building the case, piecing together all the clues and adding in some thrilling action which will keep you hooked till the end. The writing style is straight forward and uncomplicated making it a pleasure to read. Strongly recommended.

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Executive Force by Gary Grossman

Executive Force by Gary Grossman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the fourth in a series by Gary Grossman but that did not matter. This novel stood well on its own without the prior knowledge of the previous books. The author unlike a lot of other series did not dwell on bios of the main characters, this was built on as the story progressed. The story was and should be the main event, here it did not disappoint. Scott Roarke is your all american secret service hero who is going to save the USA from an ingenious plot that has been many years in the making and threatens the stability of the union itself. Full of action and real tension making this an exceptionally good thriller.

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Body on the Shore by Nick Louth

The Body On The Shore by Nick Louth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a real mystery thriller with unexplained murders and plot twists that are inconceivable to the man in the street. It starts with the murder of an architect in his own office in London, but the murder gives the impression of being impossible. Firstly Gillard the detective works out how it was done but then is stumped by who, there are no plausible assassins in the area at the time of the murder. Nick Louth has written a first class murder mystery story that delivers you into a crazy world of blood feuds that just don't belong into today's modern society. Excellent.

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Debris Line by Matthew FitzSimmons

Debris Line by Matthew FitzSimmons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Drug and criminal businesses stretches all round the world and even in an idyllic place like the Algarve. Fugitive Gibson Vaughn and his three friends living in shelter provided by the local drug lord, soon find out they still have not outrun trouble, as the ransome business takes a new turn. Baltasar Alves their landlord requests (commands) help to release his latest drug shipment from a ransom demand, failure to do so would plunge the crime boss into serious problems with supplying Mexican cartel. The author puts on paper what you see with TV series like El Chapo or Narcos, graphic violence to protect the family and the business from any possible takeovers. It is well packed with action, some mystery and of course the no holds barred bloodshed.

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Final Strike by William S Cohen

Final Strike by William S. Cohen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Everyone likes a good apocalyptic story story and this appears to fit the bill. Early on we know that the earth is threatened by an asteroid which could devastate everything if it hits. The book however concentrates on the politics for too long before getting to the business of saving the earth. That out of the way, the author builds a good picture of the horrors that could happen should Falcones team fail in their mission to get key information out of Moscow. Normally I would have rated higher but you have to be patient which I am not.

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In The Dark by Cara Hunter

In The Dark by Cara Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For a detective story this seemed to be too simple but it turns out to be the opposite. Cara Hunter takes us to the university town of Oxford for this extreme case of of abduction. She starts out with what appears to be and straight forward abduction of a young female but as the case develops the detectives have to revise their thinking and find other suspects as the main suspect is increasingly bring ruled out. Excellent twist and turns build the excitement and catch out some of the detectives into displaying their weaknesses. In the main it is fairly fast moving and exciting however once or twice it gets a bit bogged down in mostly unimportant detail. Well worth a read.

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Skin Deep by Liz Nugent

Skin Deep by Liz Nugent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was never quite what I expected and was surprisingly good. The format was new to me, the end was at the beginning (starting with a murder) and finished with the same murder. The story is essentially a life story but with this murder hanging around in your waiting for it to all join up. Full of unusual twists and turns with very atmospheric locations and events. The story is also a bit of a history lesson as it spans around four decades which only goes to increasing the interest. Good book I have given 4 stars to so is worth a read.

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Girl on Fire by Tony Parsons

Girl On Fire by Tony Parsons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my second Max Wolfe novel and it delivered the same excitement, thrills and twists of the first. This time Max is involved in finding the terrorists who brought down a helicopter on a shopping mall. A complex enquiry but Max uses his natural instincts to make good progress discovering a family of immigrants who are suspected. From then on it is action all the way. The story like the previous one is interwoven with the trials and tribulations of Max's private life and his efforts to cope and handle the issues he has. Overall the story is very topical with the terrorist angle and Max as a single parent. This is a good series and when I get the chance will read the others.

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The Break Line by James Brabazon

The Break Line by James Brabazon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you like fast paced action thrillers with a little violence and gore thrown in then this is for you. Max McLean is a British state assassin who technically does not exist and sent on missions to kept us all safe from all sorts of enemies. His next mission is to West Africa but decides to do his homework before leaving and it all kicks off. The author gives us thrilling action from the very beginning and does not stop until everything is resolved, or is it. He also adds a few twists to increase the tension and ends up with an extremely entertaining book. Recommended.

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The Cyclist by Anthony Neil Smith

The Cyclist by Anthony Neil Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Never quite got there, Judd is a marine recruit who failed to make the grade who loves cycling. As luck would have it he meets his ideal mate whilst working for a bank but she lives in Scotland. Fed up with his job and the promise of a good time with Cat he drops all and flies to Glasgow. From the start of his visit things are not quite right. The author has moved very quickly and has you asking why, why and why but not giving anything away. This a great fast moving thriller that takes you places that make your toes curl. As a Scot I can confirm we are not all like the characters in this gruesome but exciting novel.

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Star of the North by D.B. John

Star of the North by D.B. John
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoy a great story that uses current events as its base, add in politics and espionage and all my needs can be catered for. Did D.B John succeed with this recipe, yes he did. North Korea and the USA are at the brink of war and the author uses this to explore what life is like under this regime whilst delivering a thrilling political novel.

Jenna Williams joins the CIA an hopes that she might uncover the truth of her twin sisters disappearance 12 years previously. Now during a high level meeting in New York she meets Cho a representative of the North Korean government sent to lead their diplomatic mission. As we progress through the story with each event the dots are being connected and the tension is rising on how this will resolve itself.

This is a very skillful piece of work drawing on all available knowledge of the workings of this terrifying regime. A thrilling and revealing adventure into North Korea.

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Redemption Point by Candice Fox

Redemption Point by Candice Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is second in the Crimson Lake series but Candice Fox expertly provides a stand alone novel as well as the continuing story of Ted Conkaffey. With Amanda Pharrell they take on a gruesome murder in the Barking Frog pub providing the main storyline however it is meshed with the continuing story of Ted's predicament of how to prove his innocence of the child abduction crime he was accused of. The pub murder is giving up few clues but Amanda's unique perspective starts to unravel this very clever mystery. Although a very ugly crime the author adds some light humour to ease the horror of the investigation but still retaining all the thrills and excitement of a good crime thriller. Ted is reluctantly drawn into into investigating his own case following an incident with the victim's father who is looking for answers and justice for his daughter. This is a first rate crime thriller which keeps you captivated until the end. Hopefully the series will continue.

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The Lost Codex by Alan Jacobson

The Lost Codex by Alan Jacobson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not my first Alan Jacobson novel but my first in this OPSIG Team Black series. I was a little daunted by the length of the book, but I should not have been as it is excellent and the pages flew past. Ancient documents threaten to destabilise the current world order. Religion as we know is very divisive and responsible for most of the world conflicts. These ancient religious scripts stand at the centre of a battle between foreign governments and religious extremist groups, endangering the lives of millions.
What makes this book exciting is the inclusion of all the right ingredients of spies, politics and a good dose of terror. The OPSIG team are tasked to find the documents and capture/eliminate those responsible for the attacks in the US. The story moves at a fast pace, providing a very thrilling and exciting read you don't want to put down. The author has skillfully linked current terror threats that are commonplace today to the existence of old religious scrolls to weave an excellent thriller.

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The Scandal ( Beartown ) by Fredrik Backman

Beartown by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My version of this novel is titled "The Scandal", "Beartown" was the title used for US publication. I think this alternate name provides a better clue to the content. You are also dragged along waiting for this scandal to happen. I say dragged as the major part of the book deals with the story of a small community deep in the Swedish forest struggling for survival and where the sport of ice hockey is everything. At the ice rink the junior team is preparing for the semi-finals in the national tournament, something that has never happened in recent history , promising the riches of national recognition and subsequent investment in the town.
The author quietly builds up to the match profiling the main characters and their relationships, this part is not a thrilling read but is compelling as you wait for the scandal.
It is a very good novel which examines the lives of people in a harsh and demanding environment, how can anyone live here during the long winter months without having some reason to stay. For them it is ice hockey.

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