Runner by Patrick Lee

Runner by Patrick Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sam Dryden is out jogging minding his own business when a young girl bumps into him. This accidental meeting with Rachel is the start of a roller coaster ride to escape the clutches of corporations after the next big bucks. They are pursued by very determined groups of people who seem to have no limits to the resource they can use. As Sam is ex special forces, his skills come in very useful as he helps Rachel who has lost her memory, but does have some tricks of her own.

Patrick Lee has written a fast paced and thrilling story which I found very easy to read with no convoluted language, no unnecessary history or lectures, just excellent story telling. I recommend you don't miss it.

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Rooms To Die For by Jean Harrington

Rooms to Die for by Jean Harrington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I like a good thriller that isn't too convoluted and easy reading but moves on well. This murder happened in a mall occupied by shops that are for the discerning interior designer and customer. What follows is an entertaining investigation by an interior designer called Deva and her Police boyfriend Rossi. This seems to be a tried and tested formula but it works really well with other characters portrayed sympathetically and believably, and yet with humour. I was a bit at a loss as to some of the designer brands and materials as it was set in America, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.

Reviewed by Felicity

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The Farm by Tom Rob Smith

The Farm by Tom Rob Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The synopsis of this book excited me but in the end I was a little disappointed and as a result only rated it at three stars, instead of four. Had the author provided more hooks a third of the way through, I would not have hesitated to award four. In the end I had to work hard to stay the course to receive the reward at the end. The style is mostly narration which in itself was a little tedious however the storyline was excellent.

Daniel's parents retired to his mothers homeland Sweden, buying a small farm in an isolated location in the rural south. The idea of setting up a guest house to generate income never got off the ground, as Daniel found out following Tilda's call announcing her arrival at Heathrow. With mixed messages from both his parents Daniel has to unravel the truth of his mother's illness.

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Grand Cru Heist by Jean Pierre Alaux & Noël Balen

Grand Cru Heist by Jean-Pierre Alaux
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read the first wine detective story, Treachery in Bordeaux and enjoyed the brief foray into the world of wine. Grand Cru Heist is no different. The main character Benjamin Cooker is unique as ever, but ever so slightly annoying. The plot is a simple one and the setting is well suited for this, anything more complex would not work as well.

Car jacked in Paris the wine expert is drawn into a search for stolen vintage wine and the solving of a double murder. Cooker is helped in his investigation by his assistant Virgile. Throughout the story you given a lesson on French wines and regions, which is interesting but could be minimised? Overall a good book to pass a few hours.

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The Culling by Robert Johnson

The Culling by Robert Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The title tells all but what is doesn't say is the magnitude of problem facing the human race. This is expertly described within the storyline by Robert Johnson. With the worldwide population increasing beyond comprehension Dr Carl Sims of the CDC finds himself at the centre of a plot to dramatically reduce the planet's populace, to allow it to recover from the decades of over exploitation and pollution. Carl's father had originally highlighted the problem by establishing population clocks in major cities but to date no one had really taken any notice. Will this plot succeed and how will it shape the future of the world.

The author has written an exciting thriller, which is for most of the time fast moving and entertaining, albeit with some dire visions of what could happen.

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Shadows of Death by Jeanne M. Dams

Shadows of Death by Jeanne M. Dams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This my first Dorothy Martin mystery and may well be my last. I have stretched the rating to 3 stars, but to be very honest I struggled to stay the course. Written in the first person it is an unusual read, styled like a Miss Marple type mystery, and very slow pace with minimal excitment. Dorothy and her husband retired policeman Alan Nesbit travel to the Orkneys on holiday and get involved in a mysterious death. The whole story is set against the background of the islands neolithic history. The story is okay but lacks any real punch, dwelling too much on their dog Watson. The dog has no relevance that merits the attention given, although it does seek out two clues during the investigation. In summary I have been generous with 3 stars, but believe it will suit some readers looking for a mystery without thrills - not my choice.

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Paths of Courage by Mike Woodhams

Paths of Courage by Mike Woodhams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Looking for good fashioned espionage based action thriller, look no further. This story starts with action and does not stop until the conclusion, my type of book - pure entertainment. Omega team, an elite British black operations unit led by Frank Ryder, is given the task of tracking a deadly virus and retrieving a vaccine. To do this he has help from Grace Seymour a scientist from Porton Down. Whilst Omega are tracking the virus, the latest British hunter killer submarine is looking for a rogue Russian Delta sub. Are the two linked?

Mike Woodhams has to be congratulated for a superb book, like a 007 movie in type.

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