Tropical Delusions……

Tell No Lies – Lisa Hartley

I was fortunate to receive this novel as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

DS Caelan Small is back in this novel, set in England as she goes undercover to infiltrate the seedy underground of Edmonton. Two men have been found, both brutally murdered in unusual fashion, and one of them was identified as a copper. A large drug distributor has been jailed and another has seemingly taken his place? But who? And why were these men killed?

Meanwhile, Caelan’s roommate and lover, Nicky Sturgess, has seemingly returned from the dead after an undercover case of her own, unbeknownst to Caelan or Nik’s family who participated in her funeral. So Caelan struggles with this personal betrayal, as, forced to work with Nicky once again, she struggles to keep things professional.

Soon another copper goes missing, this one with familial connections to the jailed distributor, and Caelan searches for her, while her superiors are giving obtuse and conflicting orders. As Caelan infiltrates the drug ring, the final trap is set, leading to a stunning conclusion that is totally unexpected and one that I did not remotely see coming!

I struggled a bit with this novel, perhaps because the geography was unfamiliar to me, and because I have not read the first of he series, which undoubtedly sets the background of Caelan’s and Nicky’s relationship, and Nicky’s subsequent disappearance and presumed death. None the less, I look forward to the next book in the Caelan Samll series!

Twisted Prey – John Sandford

Lucas Davenport is back for more in this long running, first rate series!
Preparing to return home after an idyllic weekend at his mountain cabin with his lover, Minnesota Senator Porter Smalls is forced off the road by a large vehicle on his trip back down the mountain. Only the superb driving of his companion, Cecily Whitehead, keeps them from plunging over a ravine and into a river. But Whitehead is killed in the incident. Upon investigation into the crash, reconstruction teams can find no evidence of another vehicle involved. Suspecting an assassination attempt by rival Senator Taryn Grant, Smalls enlists the help of Federal Marshall Lucas Davenport.

Lucas agrees to investigate the incident and heads to Washington DC, where almost right off the bat, he’s attacked by three men in full armor who mean him harm. Although he escapes unscathed, it’s clear that he’s stumbled into more than a mere automobile accident. That’s when he enlists the help of fellow Marshalls, Rae and Bob Matees.

As the case heats up and key players are identified, Lucas begins to link the assassination attempt to a group called Heracles, and some of its key players, one of whom is aide to Senator Grant. With snappy dialogue, colorful characters, and a cameo by Virgil Flowers, the novel races on to an unexpected and very satisfying ending!

I do not think I will ever get enough of John Sandford and Lucas Davenport!!

Cold Heart – Stephen Edger

Detective Inspector Kate Matthews is back again in another installment of this great British mystery series!

This time she and partner D.C. Samir Patel are called upon to investigate the disappearance of Daisy Emerson, a 15-year-old student who has seemingly vanished while walking home from a friend’s house. At the novels start, they are 7 days into the search and have no leads.

While at Daisy’s high school, investigating faculty and an instructor with a past blemish on his record, a school employee comes rushing in to them because he thinks he’s found a body. When Kate and Patel gain entrance, they find a ‘murder room’ and a severed ankle. However, forensics will prove that the ankle does not belong to the missing Daisy.

A mysterious package is delivered to the police station. In it, detective’s find a human heart, with a note that says, ‘I’m sorry’.

As the investigation heats up, the team re-visits the scene of Daisy’s last sighting, and accidently uncover a second murder scene. And a second heart is delivered, this time to Kate, with a second note expressing remorse.

As the dead are identified, and links to them are discovered, three people come under suspicion of murder…but where is Daisy, is she still alive? And what has happened to her?

This novel will keep you guessing until the end…and you’ll guess wrong! I couldn’t put this book down! I can’t wait to read the remainder of the Kate Matthews series!!

Last Night – Kerry Wilkinson

I was fortunate to receive this novel as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

Rose Denton is a middle-aged female, in an unhappy marriage and with a rebellious teenage daughter. She works as a software salesperson for a smaller company. She sets out for a meeting at a hotel with a potential client, and next thing she knows, she wakes up in her car, in a field, with blood in spatters all over her car, with no idea as to what has happened, or where she is. She makes it home safely, cleans her vehicle, and begins poring over the news, fearful that she may have harmed someone and doesn’t remember.

Then, other things begin to occur…her work pass goes missing, her husband’s gym pass as well, and then in a furor to find missing car keys, she finds them impossibly placed in the refrigerator. But she’s sure that she put them in the usual places…then she finds a broken window, but there’s nothing significant missing and no other evidence of a break in…are these things malicious, or is she losing her mind??

Meanwhile, Olivia, Rose’s daughter, is unable to find her boyfriend Tyler. After an argument with Rose over money, Tyler is last seen walking down the road, away from the Denton residence, and is now missing.

As Rose questions her own sanity, she also begins to remember things…a handsome man at the motel, a few glasses of wine, a kiss goodnight… As she begins her own investigation into the strange events occurring in her life, she finds some answers, but they only lead to more questions. Who’s working so hard to set her up? Her estranged husband? His seemingly new girlfriend? The missing Tyler? The fresh out of jail Jason? Or is it someone else altogether??

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and found it very hard to put down. While not my typical genre to read, I loved it and will be seeking out more of Kerry Wilkins’ works. If you enjoy psychological suspense, look no further! A great beach read!