After the end (ebook) by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois

After the end is the sequel to The end and I highly recommend you read the first book in the series first because this review contains ***SPOILERS*** and because this series is best enjoyed in order.

Having served his country Owen Taylor was looking forward to his well earned retirement and had visions of a quiet life by the lake - because he was betrayed on his last mission his retirement wasn't exactly by the book, and his new neighbours seemed to have a problem with him.  His quiet contemplation of the solution to both problems is interrupted by a blast from the past who wants him to do a favour for a woman whose husband was wounded in an operation that should never have happened.

The mission seems simple enough, track down a reporter who was somewhere he shouldn't have been - but the reporter seems to be pretty determined to avoid Owen.  To make matters worse it seems that there are other parties who are also interested in stopping Owen from reaching the reporter - and answers to what is really going on.  Luckily Owen doesn't have to rely on just his wits and training, because an old acquaintance is along for the ride and she is very good at what she does.

It has been a slightly torturous wait for this next book in the Owen Taylor series - because I knew it was out there and had to wait for my reserve to come in!  Patterson and DuBois have a good rhythm and style together, and have carved a niche in the thriller/adventure genre here with a series that blends together believable action sequences with a main character that has a wicked sense of humour (black like most people who end up in armed service or emergency services) and a strong sense of justice. 

I sincerely hope there are more to come in the series, and it would be interesting to see Owen's world expanded into a full length novel of his own in the future - although these short punchy missions seem more authentic for the world of black ops and conspiracies.

If you like this book then try:

• The end by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois
• The witnesses (ebook) by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois
• The shut-in by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski
• The house husband by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski
• Private Royals by James Patterson and Rees Jones
• Heist by James Patterson and Rees Jones
• Black and Blue by James Patterson and Candice Fox
• Let's play make-believe by James Patterson and James O. Born
• Chase by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Airport code red by James Patterson and Michael White

Reviewed by Brilla

Without trace by Simon Booker

For four years Morgan Vine has been a champion for her childhood friend Danny Kilcannon - who was convicted for the murder of his step daughter Zoe and the supposed murder of his wife Rowena.  Morgan is one of the few people who believe he is innocent, and apart from documenting his innocence on a website, she has also managed to get inside the prison to see him regularly using a book group.  When new evidence surfaces and Danny's appeal is successful he is finally free, but it won't be smooth sailing for the man dubbed the 'killer canon' by the press - and it won't be smooth sailing for Morgan either. 

She has been struggling to make ends meet as a freelance journalist and has had to take cleaning jobs on the side to pay her bills.  She lives a simple life, one that is complicated when her teenage daughter suddenly reappears on her doorstep.  Lissa has always been challenging, and she is not thrilled that her mother is spending time with a man convicted of murder.  Morgan is happy Danny has been released at first, but then little niggles of doubt start to appear.  He is not the man she remembered, and there seems to be something off about their relationship.  When Lissa suddenly disappears Morgan tries not to look at Danny, but the appearance of a sex tape shows all too clearly that Danny got to know her daughter very well indeed before she disappeared.

Caught between two cases, Morgan tries to get to the bottom of the story about Danny while also searching for her missing daughter.  As the days stretch out and Lissa remains missing, Morgan can't help but wonder about Danny and what really happened to his step daughter Zoe and his wife Rowena.  When the man who testified about Danny is severely injured and nearly died Morgan starts looking into his story and stumbles across a shocking secret.  Someone is determined to keep Morgan in the dark about what really happened all those years ago, and with Lissa missing Morgan might be so distracted that she never sees the danger coming until it is too late.

I have been on something of a British crime binge this month, and I have discovered some amazing new authors - including Simon Booker.  This is the first book of his I have read, but I found it thoroughly engaging and I finished it in one sitting.  Morgan is an interesting character, she is not afraid to take risks when it comes to her personal life and her career, but on the flip side she is not so willing to take risks in terms of her personal life and her family.  Lissa is a strong willed and spoiled contrast to her mother, and Danny is an enigmatic character that you can't quite pin down as a good guy or a bad guy or just as someone who has been changed by his years in prison.  The cast of characters is small and everyone has their roles, but as the story develops you realise that not everyone is who or what they seem (or what the clichés tell you they should be).  

This is a well balanced story that not only develops the story and gives you something to sink your teeth into in terms of the 'whodunnit' aspect, but it also has strong character development so you learn more about the characters as you go along which is a very satisfying way of getting to know the people behind the story.  Some people may not like the way Booker has used the tool of visiting the past in some of the chapters, but these glimpses of the past inform the reader about who Morgan and Danny are and where their friendship has come from - and he does it very very well.  I can't wait to read the next book in the series and see if Booker can keep up the quality of the series - because I really liked Morgan Vine and her world.

If you like this book then try:

• Cut short by Leigh Russell
• The girl in the ice by Robert Bryndza
• Pop goes the weasel by M.J. Arlidge 
• One step too far by Tina Seskis

Reviewed by Brilla

Killing trail (ebook) by Margaret Mizushima

Deputy Mattie Lu Cobb is settling into her new role as the only K-9 officer in Timber Creek County.  Competition for the role was fierce, and not everyone is happy that Mattie won the role.  She may have had three months of intensive training with her new partner Robo, but all partnerships take time to become rock solid and Mattie has a lot to learn about working with her partner and trusting his skills as well as her own.  When they are called to a suspicious scene in the mountains Mattie is not sure what they will find - but a dead body was not on the list.

The victim is a local teen, and she is not the only victim - her dog was also shot and left for dead.  Dealing with a death is hard enough in a small community, but when the person is murdered and seemingly an innocent victim it is even harder.  As Mattie and the rest of the team get more involved in the case it becomes clear that the death is not an isolated random act, that there is some connection between the death and rumours of drug use in the community.  With a tough no nonsense detective from out of town marking her territory around the case, and Mattie trying to squish her K-9 and patrol duties into her day it is no wonder she is feeling stretched a little thin and jumping at shadows.  Life is never easy when you're a police officer, and sometimes working in a small town makes it harder to do your job - not easier.  People are keeping secrets, and unless Mattie can work out what those secrets are, more lives are at risk.

I was reading Killing trail as an ebook while also reading a tree book and I kept finding myself tugged between the two books - and ended the struggle by leaving the tree book at home to read in the evenings and reading Killing trail during my lunch breaks.  Mizushima has an easy to read writing style that almost reads itself, and the mix of characters kept the story interesting and diverse enough that it really felt like it reflected a relatively small community.  The biggest draw card for me for this series was that the main characters are a dog handler and her police dog - and it felt like a solid representation of those working relationships.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Ryder Creed series by Alex Kava, and while Mattie is no Ryder Creed she is an interesting character in her own right and fits in a similar space of brining those relationships into the literary world.

I have already downloaded the sequel, Stalking ground, so I can keep reading this engaging and interesting series.  Luckily there is a third book in the series, but I may have to pace myself with the rest of the series as it looks as though the author writes one a year - which means a wait until 2018 for a fourth book in the series.

If you like this book then try:

• Breaking Creed by Alex Kava
• Eeny meeny by M.J. Arlidge
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton

Reviewed by Brilla

Road closed by Leigh Russell

Road closed is the second book in the DI Geraldine Steel series, and while you can read it separately I highly recommend reading the first book in the series, Cut short, before you read Road closed.

When a man dies in a gas explosion in his home in the early hours of the morning it is easy to suspect the wife of the crime, after all she did leave the home and had the opportunity to turn on the gas before she left.  It doesn't feel right to DI Geraldine Steel, and when it soon becomes clear that there is another person who has died under suspicious circumstances in their home the team starts to suspect that there is more to the story than they first thought - especially when the intruder seemingly strikes again.  This is a flaming hot case, and with each new discovery and each new obstruction, Geraldine and the team are more determined to solve the case so they can bring peace to the families of the victims - before there are more families to comfort.

It is another hot case for DI Steel and the team, and she is grateful to have DS Peterson on the case again, even if it does seem that he is not the same cheerful and outgoing partner he was on the first case.  That said though, neither is Geraldine, who is left reeling when she discovers a family secret that could tear her life apart.  Balancing personal and work life is always a challenge when you are on the police force, especially when you are dedicated to your job - something that not everyone understands.  As the case gets more involved Geraldine finds herself pulled between her professional and personal lives - a place she knows all too well after the breakdown of her first relationship.

One of the best things about the way Cut short was written is that the story unfolds from two different sides - the side of Steel, her police colleagues and the community - and the side of the killer who we initially see in short glimpses, but over the course of the story we come to see him more and understand what his motivation is and what is happening.  This switching point of view technique is overused by some, but Russell uses it to great effect and I stopped noticing after the first few times, as the story flowed seamlessly.  A great read and I have already gotten my hands on book two in the series to see what happens next for DI Steel and her team.

I really enjoyed reading Cut short, which I had loaded onto my phone so I could show customers at work when they asked about ebooks, but I was a little surprised at just how much I liked the series.  As soon as I had finished Cut short I requested a copy of Road closed so that I could keep going with the series - this time in tree book format.  I was not disappointed as Russell has once again delivered a solid thriller that gives you glimpses of both sides of the story, but still keeps you guessing about what the whole story is and what might be coming next. 

I have been watching Law and Order: Criminal Intent on DVD the past few weeks and in a lot of ways both Cut short and Road closed remind me of those police procedurals, where you are given bread crumbs to help you piece together what is happening - but you have to pay attention to figure it out before the end.  This is a good, solid series that deserves to be discovered, and while that may seem like I am damning the series with faint praise, if you saw the number of books I discard after a few pages each month you would realise it is not faint praise at all.  A great police procedural that avoids cliché and predictability, and keeps you guessing - which is a rare find indeed.

If you like this book then try:

• Cut short by Leigh Russell
• The girl in the ice by Robert Bryndza
• Pop goes the weasel by M.J. Arlidge 
• One step too far by Tina Seskis
• The basement by Stephen Leather
• Level 26: Dark origins by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski
• Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• The slaughter man by Tony Parsons
• Kill switch by Neal Baer & Jonathan Greene
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton
• City of fear by Alafair Burke

Reviewed by Brilla

Cut short (ebook) by Leigh Russell

Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel has just moved into a new apartment in Woolsmarsh and is looking forward to a fresh start - she was not expecting a killer to be lurking in the shadows of what seems to be an idyllic place.  The first murder victim was discovered by accident, her strangled body found buried under leaves in a park popular with families in the community.  It seems like an average murder inquiry, until the second body is found and public pressure mounts for the police to find the killer quickly before he can strike again.

The case is not going to be easy to solve though as there seems to be no connection between the two victims, and some of the potential suspects seem to be unusually averse to dealing with the police which makes it more challenging to sift through the clues.  Determined to prove herself Steel throws herself into the case with her trademark single minded focus, but that focus on the case leaves her on the outs with some of her new colleagues, and to a certain extent from her new boss.  As the case gains more attention and everyone waits for the next victim, Steel finds herself facing threats at home because someone knows she's with the police and is determined to leave their mark on her life.  Can Steel and her team solve the mystery before another victim is found, or will the killer get away with murder?

I find British police thrillers to be rather hit and miss - some are exceptional reads, while others are complete misses where I give up after a few pages.  Cut short fell somewhere in the middle of the field, but was definitely towards the better end of the spectrum.  I liked DI Geraldine Steel from the start, mostly because she seems like a real person right from the beginning, coming to terms with the loss of her long term relationship and uncertainty around her new team.  The rest of the police in her unit also feel very real too, people you can recognise without drifting too far into the cliche - a nice change from some of the other crime novels around at the moment.

One of the best things about the way Cut short was written is that the story unfolds from two different sides - the side of Steel, her police colleagues and the community - and the side of the killer who we initially see in short glimpses, but over the course of the story we come to see him more and understand what his motivation is and what is happening.  This switching point of view technique is overused by some, but Russell uses it to great effect and I stopped noticing after the first few times, as the story flowed seamlessly.  A great read and I have already gotten my hands on book two in the series to see what happens next for DI Steel and her team.

If you like this book then try:

• The girl in the ice by Robert Bryndza
• Pop goes the weasel by M.J. Arlidge 
• One step too far by Tina Seskis
• The basement by Stephen Leather
• Level 26: Dark origins by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski
• Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• The slaughter man by Tony Parsons
• Kill switch by Neal Baer & Jonathan Greene
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton
• City of fear by Alafair Burke

Reviewed by Brilla

Buried heart by Kate Elliott

Buried heart is the final book in the Court of fives trilogy and this series needs to be read in order for the most enjoyment!  This review contains ***SPOILERS*** if you have not read the first two books in the series so read Court of fives and Poisoned blade before you read anymore of this review (you have been warned).

Jessamy thought she knew what it meant to live in two worlds, but she is starting to realise that she never really knew either world.  Her father is part of the Patron class and has risen to the rank of General, something he always dreamed of but it meant leaving behind his Commoner wife and the daughters they raised together.  Despite everything that has happened Jessamy strives to find a place in Patron society, even if the only way she can do that is to run in the Fives, a game she suspects has its roots in the beliefs of her mothers people - the Commoners that have been suppressed and oppressed by the Patron class for centuries.  The only bright spark in her life is her secret relationship with Prince Kalliarkos - but even that is not a real safe haven in these uncertain times.

When a foreign force threatens the people of Efea no one is safe, Patrons and Commoners alike are in danger from the invading force and the forces fighting for control from within.  With every passing day Jessamy finds her eyes opened by the corruption and greed that drives the Patron class, and with each day she finds herself drawn into the Commoner rebellion that is growing in strength.  A time is coming when Jessamy will need to choose a side, and it will be a difficult and heart wrenching decision to make.  On one hand she has the chance to free her mothers people and save her country from corruption before the new king is corrupted - but that would mean turning against her father and her love.  On the other hand if she sides with her father and the new king then her mothers people will suffer for centuries to come - except for those killed for their part in the uprising.  What path will Jessamy follow - and what will it cost her?

I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed the Court of fives trilogy, partly because so many fantasy series aimed at teenagers seem so focused on being clever and original that they seem to miss the point - that their stories need to be readable, and that their worlds need to be believable.  I loved, loved Jessamy and her world, partly because she was flawed and made bad decisions.  It was also clear that she was having to work through the story, figuring things out for herself rather than having the answers dropped in her lap in a neat package.  It was also somewhat heartening that although Kate Elliott did tone down some of the violence and depravity of war, she didn't entirely shelter her teen audience, and you get a real sense of the loss and the death that is involved in a tricky and twisted story such as this.

There is a strong mythology that underlies this trilogy, and while magic isn't an all powerful force that saves the day, it does lay a solid and believable foundation on which this story is built.  In our not so distant past it was not uncommon for contries to invade each other and take control, burying the indigenous culture under their own.  This is also true of hundreds of years of religious 'conversion' where indigenous cultures were converted from their own belief systems so they could be saved.  I may be wrong, but there is a distinct feeling that the world of Efea has a middle Eastern feel, or maybe from Egypt.  I didn't get a chance to read the novella that goes with the series, but this is a highly recommended series and I hope that Elliott writes more series aimed at teenagers because she created a world and characters that I came to care about and that is a rare thing these days. 

The best part is that I read the series as an adult and found plenty to enjoy so this is one of those unique series that adults and teenagers can enjoy together.

If you like this book then try:

• Court of fives by Kate Elliott
• Poisoned blade by Kate Elliott
• Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
• The pledge by Kimberly Derting
• The Jewel by Amy Ewing
• Arrows of the queen by Mercedes Lackey
• Grave mercy by Robin LaFevers
• The girl of fire and thorns by Rae Carson
• Walk on Earth a stranger by Rae Carson
• Throne of glass by Sarah J. Maas
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore
• Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
• A court of thorns and roses by Sarah J. Maas
• Ink and bone by Rachel Caine
• Arrows of the queen by Mercedes Lackey
• The kiss of deception by Mary E. Pearson

Reviewed by Brilla

The end (ebook) by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois

Owen Taylor and his team are about to embark on their last mission together. Like all their missions it is a black op on foreign soil - if they are caught they are on their own, disavowed by the nation they serve.  It should be a relatively straight forward mission, get in, take out the bad guy, and then get out - but things take a sideway twist right from the start and Taylor soon realises that they may not make it out of this op alive. 

When Taylor beats the odds and survives the mission it seems like a small victory, especially when he finds himself facing challenges in his new life in small town America.  His State mandated shrink tells him that settling in will take time, but it is pretty clear that his new neighbours don't like him much and would be happier if he moved on sooner rather than later.  Too bad they don't know they have a highly trained killer living in their little town, maybe if they did they wouldn't push him quite so hard.

This is another great book from Patterson and DuBois, and knowing that there is a sequel just around the corner made it even more enjoyable.  Owen Taylor is a great character and the story moves along at a great clip, although there was a patch in the middle where it feels like I missed something, but otherwise it was a great read devoured in one sitting.

If you like this book then try:

• The witnesses (ebook) by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois
• The shut-in by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski
• The house husband by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski
• Private Royals by James Patterson and Rees Jones
• Heist by James Patterson and Rees Jones
• Black and Blue by James Patterson and Candice Fox
• Let's play make-believe by James Patterson and James O. Born
• Chase by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Airport code red by James Patterson and Michael White

Reviewed by Brilla

Dark water by Robert Bryndza

Dark water is the third book in the Detective Foster series and while you can read it alone I highly recommend reading the series in order for best enjoyment and to avoid **SPOILERS*** - so start with The girl in the ice and then The night stalker.

DCI Erika Foster and her team are looking for drugs that were hastily dumped in a quarry lake when they stumble across something unexpected - the skeletal remains of a child.  It is an unexpected discovery that quickly escalates when Erika learns that the remains belong to Jessica Collins, who disappeared over twenty years ago on her way to a birthday party.  The discovery of the remains means Jessica's disappearance has gone from a cold case to a red hot one, and even though she is now deals with drug cases Erika is determined to be part of the case, and uses her connections to elbow her way into the lead investigator role for the team. 

It is a daunting task, especially after all this time, and the case has been tainted by the failure of the lead detective at the time who has now slunk away into obscurity.  Erika is determined to solve the case and prove herself as missing out on promotion has stung in more ways than one.  Bringing in some of her trusted former colleagues will help with the case, but Erika doesn't realise that her team is facing not only a mountain of evidence that may lead nowhere - there is also someone who will stop at nothing to prevent them from learning the truth.  Untangling the web of secrets, half truths and outright lies will take time, and while the case was cold, Erika is now in a race against time to solve the mystery surrounding the disappearance and death of little Jessica Collins.

This is an enjoyable series, and the author has continued to develop and grow his characters while also growing in his skills as an author.  This has been my favourite book of the series so far because for the first time we get to connect with Erika outside of the office because of her relationship with her family, and her new relationships with her colleagues.  The first two books were an introduction and to keep the story moving the details of her life were a little sketchy and roughly outlined, but here it feels more like we are really getting to know the real Erika (which was something of a treat).  I wasn't expecting to like this series quite so much, but I am now waiting for book four to arrive so I can see what happens next.

If Bryndza continues to hone his skills as a writer, and continues to write psychological thrillers that you can sink your teeth into then he has a bright future as an author because his books are readable but also challenge you to think about what you are reading, and challenge you to guess how things are going to end.  A very good read, and I recommend trying to read it in a single sitting so you don't miss any of the clues along the way!

If you like this book then try:

• The girl in the ice by Robert Bryndza
• Pop goes the weasel by M.J. Arlidge 
• One step too far by Tina Seskis
• Crimson Lake by Candice Fox
• Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• The slaughter man by Tony Parsons
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• The survivors club by Lisa Gardner
• Kill switch by Neal Baer & Jonathan Greene
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton
• I've got you under my skin by Mary Higgins Clark
• City of fear by Alafair Burke

Reviewed by Brilla

The Store by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo

Jacob and Megan Brandeis are a dying breed, authors of books that you can find in a brick and mortar store - something that is quickly dying out thanks to the convenience of the Store.  It might have started small, but the Store has grown into a massive super company that not only conveniently supplies everything you need, but based on your data can recommend things you didn't even know you wanted or needed.  When their publisher tells them that the book they have been working on for the past two years is no longer going to be published because of changes in the market they reach out in desperation to the Store to see if it can be published and after a promising start their hopes are dashed and they come up with a new plan - write a book about the Store instead.

It seems like a simple plan, even though it means moving their two children Alex and Lindsay to small town Nebraska where the Store has their massive distribution centre.  It is a huge change in lifestyle and comes with some strangely lavish perks - including a house that seems too good to be true, a school with all the high tech gadgets you could wish for, and the convenience of drone deliveries from their local stores.  It all seems too good to be true, and the Barndeis family quickly discovers that being part of the Store family also means something darker, with hidden surveillance and claws in the velvet glove the Store extends to the family.  It soon becomes clear that Jacob is struggling to tow the company line, and standing out from the crowd at the Store is not necessarily a good thing.  As his family is sucked into the 'cult' of the Store, Jacob finds himself slowly but surely on the edge - and once he tips over their may be no coming back.  Surely Jacob is overreacting, surely the Store is just a convenient and savvy way to shop - or is it?

I was eagerly looking forward to The Store, mainly because Patterson writes some amazing speculative fiction about what might be just around the corner - fiction that makes you think about what is happening in a fresh light.  While the Store doesn't have a name other than the Store, it does seem to be based around the idea of a company similar to Amazon, and I have to confess that it was hard not to compare the Store to Amazon as I was reading (sorry Amazon!).  One of the most interesting, not to mention scary, aspects of The Store is that all the freedoms people have lost in the book are freedoms they gave away - they weren't stolen - and it makes me wonder how many people think about the information they give away every day, and the special treatment companies get each day.  For younger generations it is perfectly natural to post a lot of personal information online, and it was interesting to see the divide between young and old clearly expressed in the book - but in a way that makes the older generation seem out of touch and 'dated' rather than in the right.

The Store was devoured in a single sitting and when I reached the end it was a very satisfying feeling to have reached the end - especially with the way the book ended.  Patterson is an expert at making you wonder what is happening right to the end, and The Store is no exception.  This book may not appeal to all of Patterson's fans because it is more speculative fiction than thriller or crime fiction, but I found it well crafted and expertly drawn out to give you maximum enjoyment and maximum time to figure out what is going on.  This is the kind of book that would make an amazing movie because it is a tense psychological thriller that makes you question what you know, and makes you wonder what you would do in the same situation.  If the Store really existed would you be content to let them rule your lives completely, or would you fight to keep your personal freedoms and choices?

If you like this book then try:

• French kiss by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo
• Pop goes the weasel by M.J. Arlidge 
• Behind closed doors by B.A. Paris
• Kill switch by Neal Baer and Jonathan Greene
• Toys by James Patterson and Neil McMahon
• The silent girl by Tess Gerritsen
• One step too far by Tina Seskis
• Truth or die by James Patterson and Howard Roughan
• Let's play make-believe by James Patterson and James O'Born
• Step on a crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• The basement: A novel  by Stephen Leather
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
• City of fear by Alafair Burke
• Kill me if you can by James Patterson and Marshall Kamp

Reviewed by Brilla

Fifty fifty by James Patterson and Candice Fox

Fifty fifty is the third book in the Detective Harriet Blue series which started with Black & Blue (Bookshots) and Never Never.  To avoid ***SPOILERS***, and for greatest enjoyment, I highly recommend reading the other books in the series before reading this review.

Detective Harry Blue has been living life in a weird limbo ever since she got back from her last assignment.  To everyone else she is the volatile and temperamental detective who can go off at any moment, a trait that everyone think she shares with her brother.  Harry is focused on proving that her brother is innocent and getting him out of jail - not easy when her fellow detectives are convinced they have their man, and that trial by media has convinced the public that he is guilty before the trial even begins.  When her temper gets the better of her and she lashes out, Harry finds herself bundled up and shipped off to the middle of nowhere to get her out of the way and prevent her from making a life changing mistake.

The sleepy little town of Last Chance Valley almost seems too small to have any real problems, there are only 75 people living in the town and everyone seems content to live in the small town for their entire lives.  There are a few teenagers that take the chance as soon as they can and leave for the 'big smoke' as soon as they can, but the single police officer based in the town has been mostly able to cope - until now.  Someone has big plans for Last Chance Valley, a detailed manifesto has been found that is full of notes about spree killers - what drove them to kill, how they planned their attacks, and what made them succesful.  

When Harry is welcomed to the town with a rather spectacular explosion and a first victim it becomes clear that the killer is real, and when the town decides that they already know who the killer is Harry has her work cut out for her as she tries to prevent small town justice.  Saddled with a partner who thinks that he knows everything and who is determined to see terrorists around every corner, Harry is in a race against time to prevent not just another death - but the death of the entire town. Everyone has their secrets in a small town, and sometimes those secrets turn deadly - especially for outsiders.

This is the third book in the Detective Blue series and the second full length novel and I love this series even more now that I have read Fifty fifty.  My favourite Patterson series is the Detective Michael Bennett series, and the Detective Harriet Blue series is now a firm second favourite - not only because of the character, but also because Patterson and Fox have found a seamless writing style that drags you into the story and keeps you rooting for Harry even when you know you really shouldn't!  If you enjoy reading this series then I highly recommend trying Crimson Lake by Candice Fox, which was released between Never Never and Fifty fifty - it is highly readable and sucks you into the story in much the same way as a James Patterson thriller does.

It was a long, slow, agonising wait for Fifty fifty when I heard it was coming, and then it was almost over too quickly because I couldn't put it down once I started.  This is a highly readable series, and it was nice to read a book set in our part of the world, even if it was across the ditch in Australia.  All we need now to make this series perfect is for Harry to be sent on a joint task force assignment to New Zealand!

If you like this book then try:

• Black & Blue by James Patterson and Candice Fox
• Never never by James Patterson and Candice Fox
• Private Oz by James Patterson and Michael White
• Private Sydney by James Patterson and Kathryn Fox
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• Eeny meeny by M.J. Arlidge
• City of the lost by Kelley Armstrong
• Crimson Lake by Candice Fox

Reviewed by Brilla

The night stalker by Robert Bryndza

The night stalker is the second book in the Detective Foster series and while you can read it alone I highly recommend reading the series in order for best enjoyment and to avoid **SPOILERS*** - so start with The girl in the ice if you can.

It starts with the death of a doctor in a quite suburban neighbourhood, his body discovered naked and displayed on his bed.  It looks like a sexual encounter gone wrong, or at least that is what it is supposed to look like - but DCI Erika Foster is not convinced. especially when a date rape drug is found in his system.  All signs point to an accident at first, but when it becomes clear the easy conclusion is that it was a hate crime against a gay man.  DCI Erika Foster never goes for the easy option, she wants to actually solve the case, and when a second body is found with the same signature she is the first to reach the conclusion that they are dealing with a serial killer - and she soon discovers that her opinion is not a popular one.

With an oppressive heatwave beating down on London tempers are short and her superiors have little patience for her insistence that a serial killer is on the loose - especially when her opinion differs from that of the pet forensic psychologist.  Erika is used to following her gut and it is telling her that  the killer not finished with their task, and it is a bitter victory when a third victim is found and the police arrest a suspect.  With her personal and professional lives colliding, and with the Night Stalker just out of reach Erika may have no choice but to go rogue to get the job done - a tough choice at the best of times for a police officer, but this time a promotion is on the line too.

The DCI Erika Foster has been a great find, and while the writing is not as polished as some of the more established authors, Bryndza has a knack for creating real characters that are well rounded and feel genuine.  Foster is something of an anti-hero, she is flawed and likes to go against the rules, but she is also damaged after the deaths of her husband and team which makes it more understandable.  The team around her have personalities and their own little quirks that make them distinct personalities - some are a little on the clichéd side, but you get that with all genres.  One of the parts that makes this series seem so real is the politics in the office, you can see the scheming and manoeuvring happening around Erika as things move forward, and it is very clear that at least one of the senior staff doesn't like her - which makes it more realistic when things go wrong.

This has been an interesting series so far and I am currently waiting for book three to arrive so I can find out what is going to happen next.  Erika's world has expanded between book one and book two, and from blurbs about the next book it looks as though her personal life is going to expand as well.  A very readable series that has short punchy chapters that sucker you in and keep you hooked.

If you like this book then try:

• The girl in the ice by Robert Bryndza
• Pop goes the weasel by M.J. Arlidge 
• One step too far by Tina Seskis
• Crimson Lake by Candice Fox
• Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• The slaughter man by Tony Parsons
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• The survivors club by Lisa Gardner
• Kill switch by Neal Baer & Jonathan Greene
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton
• I've got you under my skin by Mary Higgins Clark
• City of fear by Alafair Burke

Reviewed by Brilla