Review: A Shadow at the Door

Title: A Shadow at the Door

Author: Jo Dixon

Publisher: 3rd January 2024 by Harlequin Australia, HQ  & MIRA

Pages: 400 pages

Genre: crime, mystery, thriller

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

From the bestselling author of The House of Now and Then comes a vividly portrayed story that reveals the darkness of greed and desire where people will stop at nothing to get what they want. No matter the cost ...

After a brutal attack and the breakdown of her marriage, life has taught former TV star Remi Lucan that it's safer to not rely on anyone. Instead, she's buried herself in Hobart, transforming her dilapidated sandstone house back to its former splendour, and it has been her proudest achievement. Better than her short-lived acting career. Definitely better than being a smile-on-command trophy wife. But when she runs out of money, her wealthy ex-husband tries to force the sale of the property and Remi realises her only option is to lower her defences and take in tenants. At first her biggest problem is adjusting to the intrusion of two unlikely housemates, but when a series of 'accidents' turns ugly, it becomes clear these incidents are more than pranks. Someone is out to get Remi, and they won't stop until they destroy her...

My Thoughts

Atmospheric Tasmania provides the perfect setting for this engrossing psychological thriller. Herein, Jo Dixon provides strong characters that readers will become invested in and find themselves eagerly turning the pages. This is a quick and wonderfully escapist read. 

‘Her beautiful home was also her sanctuary. She wasn’t leaving. Here, she’d finally felt safe and at peace.’

For me, the greatest strength of this book is the contrasting cast of believable characters. The villains may be a little too villainous, however, Jo provides an eclectic and realistic mix of characters that really cements the tale and is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers. Good writing has you suspecting multiple people and even though I worked out early on who it might be - there is still much to unfold in the timing and events to a fitting conclusion. My favourite characters were the housemates, both very different, but added real depth and reality to the storyline. 

‘She was alone in her old house with barely enough superficial interaction to keep her from becoming a shuffling, mumbling hermit. It wasn’t social or glamorous, but it was the life she had chosen. And still wanted.’

A Shadow at the Door is Jo’s second novel and now firmly establishes her as a writer you will keep coming back to. The pacing is good and even though you may guess correctly early on, there are plenty of twists and turns scattered throughout to keep you fully engaged to the very end. This book hooks you from the outset with the second half really bringing it home. Mystery and thriller lovers are sure to enjoy this one. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Next Girl

Title: The Next Girl

Author: Pip Drysdale

Publisher: 30th November 2022 by Simon & Schuster Australia

Pages: 368 pages

Genre: thriller, crime

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

Promising Young Woman meets High Fidelity in the dark and twisty new thriller from the bestselling author of The Sunday Girl, The Strangers We Know and The Paris Affair.

A bad day at work. A drunken night. A rogue Instagram follow. That’s all it takes to ruin a life … 

The question is, whose life will be ruined? When Billie wakes up in a strange guy’s bed, her first thought is: what happened last night? She can't even remember meeting him. And how the hell did she get to Coney Island?

Then reality bites and the memories flood in – the reason she was in that bar, drinking to start with: today she's going to get fired. Because yesterday her law firm lost a big case: Samuel Grange v Jane Delaney. And it looked like it was her fault.

It wasn't. Yet now Samuel Grange is free to drive off into the sunset in his stupid Porsche and do it all again to another woman. And all Billie can think is: What about the next girl? And the one after that? But there is nothing she can do to stop him.

Unless ... She could expose the truth about him on her own. Then everyone would see what he was really like. And he wouldn't be able to do it again.

The problem is, the only way to protect the next girl is to become the next girl. And, well, that could be a little risky ... even deadly.

My Thoughts

‘Because the only way for me to protect the next girl is if I am the next girl.’

The Next Girl is a standalone psychological thriller by bestselling Australian author, Pip Drysdale and I was so excited to finally sample her writing. All up I found an intelligent and interesting plot, with strong characters written in a most conducive way - this book kept me on the edge of my reading seat!

I liked Billie - complex and flawed - characteristics that make her totally believable. The story unfolds with her speaking to the reader which, to me, really hits the mark - it felt like reading her personal diary. Interspersed throughout is the crucial backstory where the reader learns about a past that helps make total sense of current unfolding events. I was hooked from the very beginning and eagerly turned the pages to find answers. 

‘I'm not sure how many more lies I have in me.’

This is a book that is fast paced and completely engaging as it is overflowing with suspense. The details are spot on, especially concerning the technology references which I loved. A domestic thriller that will hook you in and keep you guessing until you have all the puzzle pieces to complete the picture. 

‘I always thought that if I ever got caught for doing what I do, there would be some glory in it. That people would understand why. They might even applaud it.’

The suspenseful atmosphere Pip creates with twists and turns and both snappy sentences and short chapters were all impactful. This is a book that is sure to appeal to many. With the classic ‘whodunnit’ flavoured with many other serious and heavier themes including sexual violence, vengenance and revenge, coercion and control. This fast paced thriller with stalker vibes, several suspicious characters and a murder mystery is a read that completely drew me in. 

‘When I tell people I was drawn to working in the law because 'I wanted to help’, they always look at me like I'm a silly little girl with too much faith in the system. Like the world has some nasty surprises in store for me. But I’ve already had those nasty surprises; my way of helping isn't what they think it is.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Unknown Beloved

Title: The Unknown Beloved

Author: Amy Harmon

Publisher: 19th April 2022 by Lake Union Publishing

Pages: 413 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: historical fiction, mystery, crime, romance

My Rating:  4 cups

Synopsis:

From the bestselling author of Where the Lost Wander and What the Wind Knows comes the evocative story of two people whose paths collide against the backdrop of mystery, murder, and the Great Depression.

Chicago, 1923: Ten-year-old Dani Flanagan returns home to find police swarming the house, her parents dead. Michael Malone, the young patrolman assigned to the case, discovers there’s more to the situation—and to Dani Flanagan herself—than the authorities care to explore. Malone is told to shut his mouth, and Dani is sent away to live with her spinster aunts in Cleveland.

Fifteen years later, Michael Malone is summoned to Cleveland to investigate a series of murders that have everyone stumped, including his friend and famed Prohibition agent Eliot Ness, now Cleveland’s director of safety. There, in a city caught in the grip of a serial killer, Malone’s and Dani’s paths cross once again.

Malone is drawn to Dani and her affinity for the dead and compassion for the destitute. It doesn’t take long for him to realize that she could help him solve his case. As terror descends on the city and Malone and Dani confront the dark secrets that draw them together, it’s a race to find the killer or risk becoming his next victims.

My Thoughts

I am such a fan of Amy Harmon’s. Her writing is always so lyrical and you are guaranteed to be swept away no matter what she writes. Her previous books have covered genres including fantasy, historical fiction, contemporary and young adult just to name a few. I was intrigued to read what a mystery/crime novel by Amy would be like. I went in with no real expectations, except knowing Amy to be a talented author who can literally turn her hand to any genre. Her storytelling in any field with the characters she produces and research undertaken is always impressive.

‘Malone had learned that the images most people presented to the world didn’t reflect reality.’

The Unknown Beloved is based on actual happenings in 1930's Cleveland, Ohio during the Great Depression. It’s dark, sinister and gruesome. Infamous names including Eliot Ness and Al Capone arise. In terms of the criminal mystery it leans into the morbid and graphic but all based on facts from the real ‘Torso Murders’ of the day. You get an accurate sense of what Cleveland, poverty and the Great Depression really felt like. Add into the mix a serial killer and it most definitely is a dark read. 

‘No, the murders weren’t about the victims. Malone was convinced the murders were about the killer himself.’

Amy is a magician with how she turns her pen to any genre. She fits no author model. What a talent. Yes, this is a crime thriller, however, it is so much more given the author is Amy Harmon. The characters are real, the crimes are most certainly real but so too is the love story between the two leads. In many ways, it is like watching a black and white classic movie come to life. The blend of real facts with Amy’s fictional story is sublime. She even adds in a touch of the supernatural! In any other author's hands I would be wary, but not with Amy - it just adds that next layer of depth to the story. It is not only effective but most believable. 

“The truth is, the harder we are, the easier we shatter. It takes some softness to absorb life’s blows.”

This book is a crime thriller, it is historical fiction, it is a romance, it is mystery, it is classic Amy Harmon. Her story telling is something that has to be experienced. Amy has an incredible way with words and I will gladly read anything and everything she writes. This book, whilst not my favourite of hers, still testifies to her incredible storytelling. It conveys such depth and soul, sorrow and pain, hope and love, with moments that will simply steal your heart away. Do yourself a favour and go read some Amy Harmon. You won’t be disappointed.

“Must we try everything to know something is wonderful?” she asked softly. “I don’t think so.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Survivors

Title: The Survivors

Author: Jane Harper

Publisher: 22nd September 2020 by Pan Macmillan Australia

Pages: 384 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: contemporary, fiction, mystery, crime, suspense

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

The compelling new novel from Jane Harper, the New York Times bestselling author of The Dry.

Kieran Elliott's life changed forever on the day a reckless mistake led to devastating consequences.

The guilt that still haunts him resurfaces during a visit with his young family to the small coastal town he once called home.

Kieran's parents are struggling in a community which is bound, for better or worse, to the sea, that is both a lifeline and a threat. Between them all is his absent brother, Finn.

When a body is discovered on the beach, long-held secrets threaten to emerge. A sunken wreck, a missing girl, and questions that have never washed away...

My Thoughts

‘It’s just ...’ Mia thought for a moment. ‘When someone dies, it’s pretty easy to only remember the good things, don’t you think?’

Finally, I get my hands on a Jane Harper book. This author has quite the reputation in Australia and has secured her place as one of our country’s top crime fiction novelists. So, my expectations were high going into this read and I do believe it lives up to all the hype.

The Survivors is not only a murder mystery, but a strong, emotionally driven tale about families and grief. A solid cast of characters are realistically portrayed in this small Tasmanian town with Jane’s sense of place holding much appeal. On this occasion, in a small seaside town, she presents a real who-dun-it.

‘Who did this?’ Bronte’s mother’s words cut through the air. She waited. No-one made a sound. Her gaze continued its slow crawl. Every single person was staring back, but Kieran saw more than one drop their eyes as the woman turned their way.’

Jane cleverly incorporates past and present memories/flashbacks - woven within rather than chapter separated. There are quite a few characters in the line up to keep track of, but in turn, that allows for a solid lineup of suspects. Once you get these characters in order - both past and present - you are set to move the puzzle pieces around to come up with a short list of suspects. Jane is very clever at dropping the subtle hints and clues that get her readers wondering if that was a pertinent piece of information. Slowly these pieces start to connect together with character traits and activities coming together. 

I would like to say however, that this story is more than just your classic murder mystery. There are small town dynamics, family fallouts and past grievances - all adding up to present a well rounded story. Jane’s writing draws you into all this, with emotionally charged, character driven stories that are whole and complex. There are interwoven loyalties and past conflicts that add another layer to an already emotionally charged tale. It makes for compelling reading. 

I can now firmly agree with the majority that Jane Harper has firmly established herself as one of the best writers of the mystery-thriller genre in Australia. 

‘The Survivors?’ ‘Yeah.’ She tilted her head as she scrutinised the three figures. Kieran waited, watching the salt water wash against the sculpture. ‘Are they supposed to be happy or sad?’ Pendlebury said suddenly. ‘I mean, is it a celebration of the people who made it, or a memorial to the ones who didn’t?’

 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Good Turn

Title: The Good Turn (Cormac Reilly #3)

Author: Dervla McTiernan

Publisher: 24th February 2020 by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

Pages: 400 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: mystery, crime, fiction

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

The unputdownable new novel from the bestselling author of The Ruin and The Scholar. Police corruption, an investigation that ends in tragedy and the mystery of a little girl's silence - three unconnected events that will prove to be linked by one small town.

While Detective Cormac Reilly faces enemies at work and trouble in his personal life, Garda Peter Fisher is relocated out of Galway with the threat of prosecution hanging over his head. But even that is not as terrible as having to work for his overbearing father, the local copper for the pretty seaside town of Roundstone.

For some, like Anna and her young daughter Tilly, Roundstone is a refuge from trauma. But even this village on the edge of the sea isn't far enough to escape from the shadows of evil men.

My Thoughts

Following up her most successful debut ‘The Ruin’, author Dervla McTiernan delivered a sensational second story in the Cormac Reilly series ‘The Scholar’ (HERE) which I just loved. Now, the third (and possible final for this series momentarily) comes, ‘The Good Turn’. Dervla (who you simply must listen to via podcast interviews - she is wonderful) truly cements herself in crime fiction writing. 

If you are a crime/police procedural fan then you are in for a real treat with these books. They are brilliant. Do you need to read them in order? It helps, however, it is not essential as in some series of books. This book set in wintry Ireland delves into things such as a missing girl, police corruption and an individual's role in the larger picture: 

"I think some part of me thought that that part of my life was ahead of me. But then one day I woke up and I was forty-two and the day still hadn’t arrived. I’m still not sure ... but it would give it all some meaning, wouldn’t it? If I moved here so we could be together, maybe I wouldn’t mind working a job I didn’t care about if there was something else, something bigger to focus on.’  

Dervla has two real strengths - characterisation and plotting. Main and secondary characters are so well fleshed out and engaging, the reader relates to them on many levels (I hear Dervla is in talks with actor Colin Farrell and his sister looking to produce the series - how fabulous would that be!) Then there is Dervla’s plot twists and turns that keep you completely enraptured to the very climactic end. Dervla knows her stuff when it comes to police procedures do’s and don’ts.  The difference with this book was attention given to more than one case which was well done. 

I highly recommend that if this is your type of reading, do yourself a favour and read this sensational Irish crime mystery - it will not disappoint. 

"‘It’s always easy, looking back, to see how things might have been different. But you did what you did for the right reasons. It’s the nature of your job to put you in situations where you have to make life and death decisions, sometimes with not enough sleep and no food and fuck all     support. It’s not the same, exactly, but trust me when I say that I know what it’s like. You have to learn to make a call in the moment, and then live with it, moving forward without destroying yourself without regrets. "

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: You Don't Know Me

Title: You Don't Know Me

Author: Sara Foster

Publisher: 1st November  2019 by Simon & Schuster (Australia)

Pages: 384 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: mystery, crime

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

He’s guarding a dark secret, but so is she.

Lizzie Burdett was eighteen when she vanished, and Noah Carruso has never forgotten her. She was his first crush, his unrequited love. She was also his brother’s girlfriend.

Tom Carruso hasn’t been home in over a decade. He left soon after Lizzie disappeared, under a darkening cloud of suspicion, and now he’s back for the inquest into Lizzie’s death – intent on telling his side of the story.

As the inquest looms, Noah meets Alice Pryce on holiday. They fall for each other fast and hard, but Noah can’t bear to tell Alice his deepest fears. And Alice is equally stricken – she carries a terrible secret of her own.

Is the truth worth telling if it will destroy everything?

My Thoughts

‘As he reaches the threshold, the next words pierce him like bullets in the darkness. “I know what happened to Lizzie.”

‘You Don't Know Me’  is another great read from Aussie author Sara Foster. With good pacing and plenty of twists with well timed revelations that will keep you turning the pages. Told from the perspectives of the two leading characters - Noah and Alice - this is an absorbing family drama with a lot of mystery and a little romance thrown in for good measure. 

Sara investigates the many complicated family and community dynamics after the mysterious disappearance of Lizzie both in the past and throughout the current day inquest. With little love lost between some family members, many an accusatory finger is pointed at a range of suspects as underlying regrets and old rivalries surface. The guilt and anger increase to a rather climactic ending. 

The inclusion of Alice and her story is an aside and may be just a stimulus to resurface the many emotions all involved parties are feeling. It provides a good outlet for the exploration of the emotional toll such incidents can have on individuals.

“Are you listening to me? You can’t change the past, and it sounds like you didn’t have much say about it in the first place. So why are you clinging so hard ...why can’t you let it go?”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.