Tag: thriller

#BookReview Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner

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Greenwich ParkAbout the Book

Helen has it all…

Daniel is the perfect husband.
Rory is the perfect brother.
Serena is the perfect sister-in-law.

And Rachel? Rachel is the perfect nightmare.

When Helen, finally pregnant after years of tragedy, attends her first antenatal class, she is expecting her loving architect husband to arrive soon after, along with her confident, charming brother Rory and his pregnant wife, the effortlessly beautiful Serena. What she is not expecting is Rachel.

Extroverted, brash, unsettling single mother-to-be Rachel, who just wants to be Helen’s friend. Who just wants to get know Helen and her friends and her family. Who just wants to know everything about them. Every little secret…

Format: Paperback (448 pages)    Publisher: Raven
Publication date: 1st March 2022 Genre: Thriller

Find Greenwich Park on Goodreads

Purchase links
Bookshop.org
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Hive | Amazon UK
Links provided for convenience only, not as part of an affiliate programme

My Review

In this debut novel, the author has combined all the elements you’d expect from a psychological thriller: an intriguing prologue, multiple points of view, some time shifts and an ocean full of red herrings. Okay, there are some points that stretch credulity but the short chapters and engrossing plot keep you turning the pages despite that.

The story is told mostly through the eyes of Helen, with occasional chapters from the point of view of her sister-in-law Serena, and Katie, the girlfriend of Helen’s brother. Poor Helen comes across as extremely naive and easily manipulated, her concern about her pregnancy clouding her eyes to what’s going on around her, especially when it comes to her husband, Daniel.  You won’t be surprised to learn that not everyone is quite what they seem and people presented as ‘perfect’ are often just the opposite. Katie was the character who seemed to have her feet most firmly on the ground using her journalistic skills to try to discover what exactly what was going on, not just what was being presented to her.

Although I guessed some of the plot twists, I’ll confess I didn’t guess them all and the author throws in some clever deflections, false trails and a killer final sentence.

This was a book club pick and all the members agreed this was a well-crafted thriller that would make a great beach read, would be perfect as a Sunday night television drama but probably wouldn’t be a book they’d pick up and read again.

In three words: Compelling, fast-paced, twisty

Try something similar: The Couple at No. 9 by Claire Douglas

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Katherine FaulknerAbout the Author

Katherine is a novelist and journalist. After studying history at Cambridge, she completed a postgraduate diploma in journalism, and has spent a decade working for national newspapers. She has worked as an investigative reporter and won the Cudlipp Award for public interest journalism for her undercover work.  She is now the Head of News Projects for the Sunday Times. She lives in north London with her husband and two daughters. (Photo: Goodreads author page)

Connect with Katherine
Goodreads

#BlogTour #BookReview No Way To Die by Tony Kent @eandtbooks

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No Way To Die PB BT Poster-2Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for No Way To Die by Tony Kent which will be published in paperback on 14th April 2022.  My thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part in the tour. Do check out the Instagram post by my tour buddy for today, Kim at Kim’s Reading Adventure.

I read No Way To Die when it was first published in November 2021 and you can find my review below. But first, here’s what some others who really know their stuff have had to say about No Way To Die:

‘The fourth volume in the Dempsey and Devlin high octane action thriller series does not disappoint, and provides the requisite number of fisticuffs, races against time and knuckle-bruising encounters to fill an IMAX screen and more.’ Crime Time

‘Definitely his best yet – a thrilling journey across America that channels Baldacci and Crais, all leading up to the classic ticking clock climax. Terrific.’ Mason Cross, author of What She Saw Last Night

‘What an absolute belter of a book. Dempsey reminds me of an amalgam of 007 and OrphanX. A blistering, two-fisted thriller you won’t want to put down until you’re done.’ Neil Lancaster, author of Dead Man’s Grave

‘[A] nail-biting epic thriller…Utterly unputdownable!’ Steph Broadribb, author of Deep Dark Night

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No Way To Die PBAbout the Book

When traces of a radioactive material are found with a body in Key West, multiple federal agencies suddenly descend on the scene. This is not just an isolated murder – a domestic terrorist group is ready to bring the US government to its knees.

The threat hits close to home for Agent Joe Dempsey when he discovers a personal connection to the group. With his new team member, former Secret Service agent Eden Grace, Dempsey joins the race to track down the bomb before it’s too late. But when their mission falls apart, he is forced to turn to the most unlikely of allies: an old enemy he thought he had buried in his past.

Now, with time running out, they must find a way to work together to stop a madman from unleashing horrifying destruction across the country.

Format: Paperback (512 pages)    Publisher: Elliott & Thompson
Publication date: 14th April 2022 Genre: Thriller

Find No Way To Die on Goodreads

Pre-order/Purchase links
Hive | Amazon UK
Links provided for convenience only, not as part of an affiliate programme

My Review

No Way To Die is the fourth book in Tony Kent’s Dempsey/Devlin series featuring ISB agent Joe Dempsey, a man described as ‘an unquestioning soldier with a talent for death’.

Since it’s impossible to summarise the plot without giving anything away plus the fact I still haven’t got my breath back after finishing it, I’ll just say No Way To Die is:

  • a book with an explosive (literally), twist-a-minute plot that incorporates double-crosses, triple-crosses, quadruple-crosses (you get the picture) and more state-of-the art military hardware than you could ever want (or need)
  • a story involving right-wing extremists, conspiracy theorists and a deadly plan of breathtaking audacity
  • perfect for thrill-seekers, those suffering from James Bond withdrawal symptoms or evil geniuses in search of their next masterplan for world domination

In three words: Action-packed, compelling, twisty

Try something similar: Hunter Killer (Pike Logan #14) by Brad Taylor

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Tony Kent 20/06/18About the Author

Tony Kent is a practising criminal barrister who draws on his legal experience to bring a striking authenticity to his thrillers: Killer Intent, Marked for Death, Power Play and now No Way To Die.

Ranked as a ‘leader in his field’ Tony has prosecuted and defended in the most serious trials during his twenty years at the Criminal Bar – specialising in murder, terrorism, corruption, kidnap and organised crime. His case history is filled with nationally reported trials and his practice has brought him into close professional contact with GCHQ, the Security Service and the Ministry of Defence. He has also defended in matters with an international element, involving agencies such as the FBI.

Tony also appears as a criminal justice expert on a number of TV shows, including Meet, Marry, Murder (coming soon to Netflix), My Lover, My Killer and Kill Thy Neighbour (both Channel 5).

Prior to his legal career Tony represented England as a heavyweight boxer and won a host of national amateur titles.

He lives just outside of London with his wife, young son and dog.

Connect with Tony
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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