Opening sentence: “She is looking at me.” Set in Woodview, Florida we meet our lead character in a bar, he calls himself Tobias, says he’s deaf and goes home with a woman he has just met. He then goes back to where he lives and tells us, “At home, all is quiet. My wife, Millicent, […]
Read More
Opening sentence: “If you’re reading this then I am no longer alive.” I always include the opening sentence in my reviews as I am a big fan of being sucked into the story from the very first line. If the first few sentences are duds, I’m not likely to be as excited about the read. […]
Read More
Opening sentence: “DS Joanna Harper stood on the viaduct with the other police officers.” I do love a story based around old myths, tales or legends so was very intrigued when I discovered Little Darlings is just that. I didn’t know much about the myth that this book explores: Changelings. It turns out there is much folklore […]
Read More
Opening sentence: “Rosie was aware of nothing apart from her sister’s shadow.” The title of this book may seem innocent, however the plot is anything but. In 1997, Laurel and Primrose (known as Rosie) Bowman lure toddler Kirstie away from a playground. Soon after, Kirstie is found murdered, with signs of torture. 10-year old Laurel […]
Read More
Opening sentence: “I’m alone in the park.” This psychological crime thriller is Alison Baillie’s debut novel and sees Tom McIver return to his hometown of Portobello, Edinburgh after almost 30-years living in South Africa. His family emigrated from their home after the brutal rape and murder of Tom’s younger sister, Shona. The memories of that […]
Read More
Opening sentence: “I am floating between two worlds, the living and the dead.” In Cuckoo, our narrator, Caroline is a bit of a lost soul. Just out of an abusive relationship, her confidence is at rock-bottom, she has nowhere to live and her finances are in dire need of a cash injection. As a children’s […]
Read More
Published by Quercus / 385 pages Opening sentence: “On the day of departure, guests are required to vacate their rooms by noon.” I started writing this review straight after finishing Believe Me and was convinced it was going to be a 5/5. It is an energetic, original tale that sucked me in from the beginning. […]
Read More