The Taking of Annie Thorne by CJ Tudor

The Taking of Annie Thorne
By CJ Tudor
Published by Michael Joseph (21 February 2019)
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher 

Publisher's description

Then...

One night, Annie went missing. Disappeared from her own bed. There were searches, appeals. Everyone thought the worst. And then, miraculously, after forty-eight hours, she came back. But she couldn't, or wouldn't, say what had happened to her.

Something happened to my sister. I can't explain what. I just know that when she came back, she wasn't the same. She wasn't my Annie. 

I didn't want to admit, even to myself, that sometimes I was scared to death of my own little sister.

Now... 

The email arrived in my inbox two months ago. I almost deleted it straight away, but then I clicked OPEN: 

I know what happened to your sister. It's happening again...

My verdict
The Taking of Annie Thorne is creepy crime fiction at its best, from its compelling characters and strong sense of place to its fast-moving plot and action-packed ending.

Centred around a small mining village, the book is chilling from the outset, told through the mesmerising and often humorous voice of teacher Joe Thorne, who has returned to the place of his childhood. His little sister, Annie, disappeared for 48 hours when she was eight and was never the same again.

Joe is flawed and unreliable with an underlying vulnerability, haunted by memories of his dead sister and a creepy doll called 'Abbie Eyes'. The book swings between his past and present, as old mistakes, teenage rebellion and unfinished business gradually bubble to the surface.

The Taking of Annie Thorne is dark, shocking, atmospheric and entertaining, filled with elements of supernatural, horror and psychological thrillers. This is a book you'll want to keep reading well into the early hours - though that may not be advisable if you ever want to sleep again!

It made me nostalgic for my teenage years, when I was addicted to Stephen King and James Herbert books. And very soon, I'll be re-reading those books again.

Looking forward to seeing what's next from CJ Tudor.

Follow the Blog Tour

The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor

The Chalk Man
By CJ Tudor
Published by Penguin (11 January 2018)
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher

Publisher's description

None of us ever agreed on the exact beginning. 

Was it when we started drawing the chalk figures, or when they started to appear on their own? 

Was it the terrible accident? 

Or when they found the first body?

In 1986, Eddie and his friends are just kids on the verge of adolescence. They spend their days biking around their sleepy little English village and looking for any taste of excitement they can get. The chalk men are their secret code; little chalk stick figures they leave for one another as messages only they can understand. But then a mysterious chalk man leads them right to a dismembered body, and nothing is ever the same.

In 2016, Eddie is fully grown, and thinks he's put his past behind him. But then he gets a letter in the mail, containing a single chalk stick figure. When it turns out that his friends got the same message, they think it could be a prank . . . until one of them turns up dead. That's when Eddie realizes that saving himself means finally figuring out what really happened all those years ago.

My verdict
The Chalk Man is a chilling murder mystery and an outstanding debut.

This twisty crime novel was really creepy and tense, in terms of both setting and premise. Mysterious notes lead narrator Eddie to think back to his adolescent years when he and his friends used little chalk men figures as their secret code and then discovered a dismembered body. The narration switches seamlessly between Eddie on the cusp of adolescence and Eddie as an adult in the present day.

The Chalk Man reads like a timeless 'old school' classic with an '80s vibe, yet the hint of horror and supernatural flavour give it a definite contemporary feel. I loved the '80s cultural references - I would be a similar age to Eddie and his friends if they were real (they felt it), so the nostalgia certainly took me back several decades. The writing was both atmospheric and vivid, getting right under my skin, and the dialogue was filled with dark humour.

The Chalk Man was a book that I couldn't put down easily and one that I really enjoyed, right until the surprising and somewhat disturbing ending. Now I don't think I'll ever view a chalk man hastily scribbled on a pavement in quite the same way again.

Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin

Black-Eyed Susans
By Julia Heaberlin
Published by Michael Joseph (13 August 2015)
ISBN: 978-0718181338

Publisher's description
Seventeen-year-old Tessa, dubbed a 'Black-Eyed Susan' by the media, became famous for being the only victim to survive the vicious attack of a serial killer. Her testimony helped to put a dangerous criminal behind bars - or so she thought.
Now, decades later the black-eyed susans planted outside Tessa's bedroom window seem to be a message from a killer who should be safely in prison.
Haunted by fragmented memories of the night she was attacked and terrified for her own teenage daughter's safety, can Tessa uncover the truth about the killer before it's too late?

My verdict
Black-Eyed Susans started off slowly but turned into a gripping and creepy psychological thriller.

Tessa has never fully recovered from her narrow escape from a serial killer when she was 17. Left to die with three other girls, she was dubbed a 'Black-Eyed Susan' by the media, as their bodies were found in a field covered with these flowers. She was the only one to survive. Now decades later, she can still barely remember anything about her experience. When Black-Eyed Susans are planted outside her window, it seems that the convicted killer (still behind bars) may not be guilty after all.

This is a complex thriller with well-developed characters and an intriguing plot. The chapters alternate between 17-year-old 'Tessie' and Tessa in the present day. When it becomes apparent that the original killer may be on the loose, Tessa is concerned about the safety of her 14-year-old daughter. She is also obsessed with memories of her childhood friend Lydia, who vanished without a trace soon after the serial killer was put behind bars.

This is a book that you need to concentrate on. Layer by layer, the author builds a picture of Tessa and her life then alongside her life now. The narrative is highly detailed, with fascinating well-researched forensics. I did eventually guess part of the twist, but not all of it, and the ending was still a complete surprise.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Day We Disappeared by Lucy Robinson

The Day We Disappeared
By Lucy Robinson
Published by Michael Joseph (9 April 2015)
ISBN: 978-1405911603

Publisher's description
It's springtime in London and everything is about to change for Annie Mulholland. From the moment she meets Stephen Flint, things seem too good to be true as Annie abandons her customary cautiousness for a wild love affair.

In Somerset, Kate Brady is starting a new job. Fresh air, new faces and good old-fashioned hard work is just what she needs to put everything that happened in Dublin behind her.

But what are these two old friends hiding, and how how long can they run from the secrets of their past before they come crashing into their futures?

My verdict
The Day We Disappeared is sad, funny and keeps you guessing. It's a brilliantly written book with a clever plot, fast pace and intrigue. It's a combination of love story and psychological thriller.

There are two parallel stories - Annie in London and Kate in Somerset. The chapters alternate between the two women, each one falling for her handsome boss. Kate is clearly running away or hiding from something, but is gradually making friends and building a new life for herself. Annie has a tragic past, which is clear from the outset, but has a great network of friends to rely on and keep her focused.

It took me a couple of chapters to get into the book. It reads like chick lit, which is no bad thing, but chick lit has to be very well written to keep me reading all the way through. In this case, I was sucked into the story soon enough, with its humour, romance and suspense. Then there's the sudden twist (which I have to admit, I had already suspected but not completely sussed out).

The Day We Disappeared is an excellent choice for fans of I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh. It's very easy to get so engrossed in the story that you forget the time - and then to shout OMG when the twist arrives.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Only We Know by Karen Perry

Only We Know
By Karen Perry
Published by Michael Joseph (4 June 2015)
ISBN: 978-0718179601

Publisher's description
In 1982, an idyllic summer is shattered when three children play a game that ends in tragedy.

Now, thirty years later, Nick, Luke and Katie remain bound together by the truth of what happened that day.

But some secrets won't stay buried.

And when Luke vanishes and the threatening messages begin, it becomes clear someone else knows the truth - and is intent on justice, no matter what the cost...

My verdict
Only We Know grabbed my attention straight away with its first chapter, which describes a tragedy involving three children - brothers Luke and Nick and their friend Katie - playing by a river in Kenya.

For 30 years, these three people are the only ones who know the truth about what happened that fateful day. And as the story progresses, this secret is gradually revealed, with devastating consequences.

The book is an easy read and moves at a fast pace. It kept me absorbed all the way through, as the author teases the reader along with little snippets of information. The book is narrated mainly by Katie and Nick, giving their thoughts of events in the present and memories of the past.

Just when I thought I had the big secret sussed, there was yet another twist (although I did guess one of these). I enjoyed the descriptions of Africa and found most of the characters very likeable and believable.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley and through the Lovereading Reviewer Panel in exchange for an honest review.

The Good Girl by Fiona Neill

The Good Girl
By Fiona Neill
Published by Michael Joseph/Penguin (9 April 2015)
ISBN: 978-0718181277

Publisher's description
Fallen in love?
Yet for straight-A student Romy, Ailsa's teenage daughter, there's no escaping the intense attraction she feels towards their youngest son, Jay.

Trusted a stranger?
So when Jay tells Romy his darkest secret, she only wants to help.

Destroyed your family?
But Romy's actions could be the catalyst that tears her world apart...

My verdict
The Good Girl grabbed my attention from the prologue. I was then expecting the book to develop into a psychological thriller, but found it to be a thought-provoking novel instead. It covers controversial and topical issues, particularly teenagers, sex and relationships and the dangers of social media. It's disturbing in places and not a comfortable read.

The book focuses on two very flawed families. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, but then I'm not sure that the reader is meant to. The characters are all troubled in one way or another, leading to complex relationships within (and between) the families themselves.

There are a lot of references to neuroscience and psychology, to explain teenage behaviour and addiction. Although some of this was interesting, at times I felt that it detracted away from the story, slowing it down too much.

Overall, The Good Girl certainly makes you think. It's an intriguing book about privacy and trust, and how actions and events have consequences that may spiral out of control.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher and through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Sudden Departure of the Frasers by Louise Candlish

The Sudden Departure of the Frasers
By Louise Candlish
Published by Michael Joseph (7 May 2015)
ISBN: 978-1405919845

Publisher's description
They were the life and soul of the street. So why did they disappear overnight?

Joe and Christy Davenport's dreams come true when they buy their perfect house on sought-after Lime Park Road. And they happily overlook the fact that the previous owners seem to have fled overnight.

But once moved in, Christy witnesses strange behaviour from her new neighbours. One of whom is Doug Whalen, reclusive, unkempt and aggressive. And the more Christy's attempts at friendship are met with silence, the more she's convinced the only way to discover the truth about Lime Park Road is by unpicking the shocking story of her predecessors, Jeremy Fraser and his glamorous wife Amber.

My verdict
The Sudden Departure of the Frasers is a story about secrets in suburbia. The quest for the perfect home. Life with twitching curtains. A place where everyone knows, or tries to know, each other's business.

The book focuses on two women - Christy and Amber. Christy and her husband Joe have just moved into their 'forever' home in Lime Park Road, a highly sought-after location, but they find that the neighbours don't want to know them. Something obviously happened there, and Christy is desperate to discover what it was. Amber and her husband Jeremy lived in the house before them, but left in a hurry and no one knows where they are. So what is the secret that all the neighbours are determined to hide?

The book alternates between Amber and Christy's stories, building up to the final reveal. I found myself comparing these two women, their husbands and their lives. It is cleverly written, because the other characters - especially the mysterious Joe - come across very differently, depending on whether you are reading Christy or Amber's chapters.

Overall, The Sudden Departure of the Frasers is an enjoyable read that keeps you guessing to the end. However, it's a slow burner, so not for people who are expecting a fast-paced psychological thriller. And the secret wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, which was a slight disappointment after all the build up.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and also through the Lovereading Reviewer Panel in exchange for an honest review.

Wish You Were Here by Catherine Alliott

Wish You Were Here
By Catherine Alliott
Published by Michael Joseph, Penguin UK (26 February 2015)
ISBN: 978-0718179403

Publisher's description
When Flora, James and their two teenage daughters are offered the holiday of a lifetime in a chateau in the south of France in return for one simple deed, they jump at the chance. They exchange the confines of Clapham, the weight of the mortgage and anxieties over their future for a blissful break.

But Flora didn't anticipate a mysterious guest and a whole heap of family baggage coming too.

With James developing a schoolboy crush on a famous singer and Flora distracted by ghosts from her pasts, their dream holiday suddenly takes some very unexpected turns.


My verdict
Admittedly, I struggled with Wish You Were Here at first. There are a lot of characters and I felt that the book could have been shortened with extra editing. But once I went back to try again, I did find the book to be more enjoyable second time around.

The plot does speed up as it goes along. The descriptions of France are well written and the gentle humour is entertaining. However, I did feel that the teenage characters seemed more mature than the adults at times. Family secrets are revealed towards the end and, as expected, everything ties up nicely, making the book ideal for a summer holiday easy read.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Prayer for the Dead by James Oswald

Prayer for the Dead
By James Oswald
Published by Michael Joseph (12 February 2015)
ISBN: 978-0718180195

Publisher's description
A body is found at the scene of a carefully staged murder. In a sealed chamber deep in the heart of Gilmerton Cove, the victim has undergone a macabre ritual of purification.

Inspector Tony McLean knew the dead man, and can't shake the suspicion that there is more to this case than meets the eye. The lack of forensics at the crime scene is not the only thing that McLean will find beyond belief.

Teamed with the most unlikely and unwelcome of allies, McLean must track down a killer with the darkest compulsions, who answers only to a higher power...

My verdict
This is my first James Oswald book, but is the fifth in the Inspector McClean series. Despite some references to previous books, this didn't affect my enjoyment of Prayer for the Dead.

Prayer for the Dead is a police procedural with some supernatural aspects. This was a welcome change from some of the other (equally as enjoyable) crime books I have read recently. There was plenty of forensic information and descriptions of the police investigations, as well as some interesting characters.

The book begins when McClean is asked to investigate the disappearance of a journalist, whose body is then found in an obscure location - dark caves underneath the Edinburgh and only accessible through underground passages. When another body is found, again with little forensic evidence to provide any clues, it's clear that there is a twisted killer on the loose.

I didn't learn much about McLean in this book and would have liked to know more - this may have been covered in previous books, but I noticed that some other reviews suggest he is a fairly mysterious character.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.