Archives

Storm Deaths by Steve Orme

Nov16

Thrilling & Well Written

Storm Deaths by Steve Orme is a thrilling contemporary crime suspense that gripped me from the start.

The action is mainly set in Derby in the East Midlands. A lot of the focus is on the basketball team, the Derby Storm. The author clearly has a vast knowledge of the sport.

As the novel opens, we ‘hear’ from a victim of crime. This begs the first of many questions – who? Where? And why?

As the novel progresses and the body count rises, the reader who is fully engaged, has many more questions.

We see that not everyone’s character is wholly black or wholly white, many are shades of grey. In even the darkest heart, there is a glimmer of light.

All the characters were well drawn and believable. They were an eclectic mix. Back stories were given to some of the characters. Police woman, Tilly’s, story was heartbreaking. The reader understands her motivation for joining the police. Even a minor character stood out for me – the old man who walks his dog at 5am. I could clearly picture him, showing that Steve Orme really thinks about his characters, even those who have ‘bit’ parts.

Continue reading →

Outlaws & Outcasts by Luke Eden

Nov2

Overcoming Adversity

Outlaws And Outcasts: The Team No One Loved by Luke Eden is a thrilling contemporary novel that will grip you from the start. It is the second book in The Speedway Series but can be read as a stand-alone.

This is a novel of two parts. The first half has the element of a godfather-type crime novel interwoven with speedway, and the second is pure speedway.

I absolutely loved this book on so many levels – I enjoyed the storyline which was well thought out and executed.

I loved the whole speedway storyline – having been a fan for 49 years, I recognized some of the scenes from speedway at the highest level as well as league matches. I loved the tongue-in-cheek reference to the four starting line girls – as a speedway fan, all I can say is, thank goodness they have been scrapped now.

And finally, I loved the fictional Kidderminster speedway team and the many locations around the Wyre Forest were so familiar to me as I have lived in the area for 36 years! I found myself exclaiming out loud at the many real-life locations! For anyone who lives in the area, this is such a fabulous book, not many novels are set quite so close to home. It was a joy to read.

Continue reading →

Dead Heat by Luke Eden

Nov2

Exciting & Gripping

Dead Heat by Luke Eden is an exciting contemporary murder suspense that gripped me from the start. I read it in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep. It is the first book in The Speedway Series which promises to be fabulous.

Dead Heat is a wonderful novel for the speedway fan (I have supported Coventry for 49 years) but even if you do not watch speedway, you will enjoy the book. However, for the speedway fan, we meet many familiar names and teams from the 2016 season – I actually remember seeing the Chris Harris crash at Poole.

Putting the speedway setting aside, Dead Heat is a fast-paced thriller. As the suspense rose, so did my heartrate and my hands grew clammy. I truly ‘lived’ the novel.

Continue reading →

It Never Rains by Tony Bassett

Nov2

Well Constructed

It Never Rains by Tony Bassett is an engrossing contemporary crime thriller that I just could not put down. It is part of the Detectives Roy & Roscoe series which I love.

The setting is in the Midlands, around Warwick and Stratford. As a Black Country girl, I was familiar with some of the places and was thrilled to see that Bewdley, where I live, was mentioned – it doesn’t normally crop up in novels. I am very familiar with the location of Worcester and knew exactly where the author was talking about.

Tony Bassett has constructed a marvellous plotline. It was well thought out and executed. I was totally gripped from the start.

As the book starts, the reader is on the ‘side’ of the pipe and slippers brigade.

Continue reading →