Review: The Devil's Work by Mark Edwards

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For a while now, I've been hearing about Mark Edwards' books and how amazing they are, but I've never read one.. until now. And all I can say is wow, I've been missing out! Why have I waited so long to read any of his work? 

The Devil's Work was a great introduction for me to Edwards' novels, and although it was the first I've read, it definitely will NOT be the last! I was so absorbed in the story, 

I had to finish it in one day. 

A riveting psychological thriller with plenty of twists and Oh! My! Gosh! moments, I felt myself getting so involved in the story I started reading faster as I felt the tension Sophie was feeling. I'd realize how involved I was and would have to sit and take a breath. Fantastic! 

The book goes back and forth between the past and the present and normally I don't like this since many times it comes across as disjointed and bumpy. However, Edwards' has written it in a way that it is smooth and transitions well consistently throughout without interrupting the pace of the increasingly frantic and gripping tale.

I honestly can't praise this book enough! If you are looking for an 'oh-my-gosh-frantic-page-turning-nail-biting-mind-messing-with-I-just-can't-put-this-down!!' kind of book, this is it! Mark Edwards, you have a new fan! 

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book for an honest and unbiased review, to Mark Edwards for writing such a gripping story, and to the members of THE Book Club on Facebook (TBC; #TBConFB) for introducing me to some truly awesome writers! 

Review: Flowers For The Dead by Barbara Copperthwaite

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Where do I even start? Wow!  What a great read. You need to put this on your 'to be read list' seriously.  

Adam Bourne is a serial killer.  But, he believes he is a saviour. He's only killing the women that he's fallen in love with to save them from their lives and to make them happy.   Adam meets Laura Weir, and begins to 'woo' her... only she has no idea what is happening, no idea she's become the object of affection to a twisted serial killer. She only knows there are strange things happening around her, and no one seems to want to listen to her.  

This is the first book that I've read by Barbara Copperthwaite and I can assure you it won't be the last. She has weaved an incredible story about a serial killer, and she has managed to make me feel sorry for Adam, to wish more for him and I saw his life through his eyes.   It is actually an incredibly dark tale, of a man who stalks the women he 'falls in love with' learning everything he can about them in order to 'woo' them and make them fall in love with him in return. When they don't reciprocate his love, he must 'save' them.  

One of the things I loved and found really interesting was the way Adam would 'talk' through the flowers. I didn't realize so many flowers had meanings, and it's got me very curious and I'd like to learn more about that.  It's an interesting way for him to communicate when he doesn't have the words... 

There are many flashbacks through the story, to when Adam was growing up, and we learn what has made him into the sociopath that he is today.  We know how he sees these women, how much he yearns for love, how lonely he really is.  Another thing I loved about this story, is it is told by several points of view so not only do we understand and learn about Adam, but we also learn about Laura and her past, what's made her struggle with life today and dealing with the realization that she's got a stalker and the detective, Mike who is working on the case, the loss of his wife and dealing with being a single dad. I hope to see more about Mike in upcoming books, he is a great character! 

Excellent, excellent read! For an author to make me feel the way I did about such a twisted, sadistic character... I wouldn't have thought it possible for me to actually root for a serial killer.  I would have rated this higher than 5 stars if I could!   Highly recommended! Go read this.. now! 

Thank you to TBC (THE Book club on Facebook) for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.  I'm so glad I read this! 

Review: An Unfamiliar Murder by Jane Isaac

This is the first of Jane Isaac's books that I have read, but I can tell you that it definitely will not be the last! 

Anna arrives home after work, and to her surprise finds the body of stranger in her apartment.  Of course she becomes the first suspect, but her alibi checks out. Then new evidence brings her back to the forefront of the investigation.  Leading the investigation is DCI Helen Lavery. It is her first murder investigation and she is determined to bring the guilty party to justice.  I won't include any spoilers, you'll need to read it for yourself to find out what happens. You will NOT be disappointed! 

I was drawn right into the story, and found myself not wanting to put this book down.  It was very well written, and the mystery to who the murderer really is, is not easily deduced which is a definite plus for me. I can't wait to read more about DCI Helen Lavery! She is balancing work and family life, and all of the craziness that goes along with it. It will be interesting to see if there is more written about her family life and how she copes with everything.  

Special thank you to TBC (THE Book Club) and Jane Isaac for giving me the change to receive this book for an honest review. 

Review: The Secret Life of Winnie Cox by Sharon Maas

First I'd like to thank TBC for giving me an ARC of this book to review for an honest review. 

This isn't normally the type of book that I read, but I jumped at the chance because I've heard some great things about this book. It is a story of forbidden love between the teenage daughter of a wealthy sugar plantation's master and a black teenager who works at the post office.  It captured me from the beginning. I won't lie, I found it difficult to read at times with the treatment of the workers... slaves in everything but name... working and living conditions, the cruelty they endured.. It's very eye opening and thought provoking, to think what it would be like to live in that world. I think it takes a great writer to be able to bring you into their story, feel what the characters feel.. and Sharon Maas does just that.