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Mary

@inkaddict80

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and 🇪🇸 Wife, mother, grandmother, lover of sunshine ☀️ with a glass or two of wine 🍷 reading books 📚 .. I’ve waited all my life to do this 😀

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SHORT STORY BOOK REVIEW 📕
WARM BODIES by JOHN MARRS
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Another amazing story from the excellent John Marrs, but this one is a novella of 104 pages which I’ve been seeing all over instagram. This was sharp, witty and wonderfully different which surpassed all my expectations.

In this book we meet Brenda who restores furniture and looks after her three grandchildren, she also has another job as a sideline, one she likes to keep private. When the local Village Vibes What’s app group turns its attention to what Brenda’s doing she decides to take drastic action.

Brenda is a standout unhinged character, she is endearing, very protective of her family, spunky and funny while some of the biggest laugh out loud moments come from the interaction among the What’s app group, and in particular from Linda who is an absolute riot.

I had so much fun reading this, and highly recommend this short story to anyone looking for a captivating, gruesome, humorous read.. all 5 stars 🌟 from me.#warmbodies #johnmarrs #shortstories #unhingedcharacters #bookrecommendations📚❣️ by @inkaddict80

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4

2 hours ago

PRE-PUBLICATION ARC BOOK REVIEW 📕
THE THERAPIST by CHARLOTTE STEVENSON. 4 STARS 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Having read and loved The Patients by Charlotte Stevenson, I was eager to continue Dr Jenna O’Hara’s story with this follow-up book The Therapist, which turned out to be another twisty read. I’d advise reading The Patients first, as it provides the ideal introduction to the sequel.

After “the incident“ Dr Jenna O’Hara no longer runs her private psychiatrist practice, but as her life moves on she continues to make plans for the future and she feels she’s back on track. Until she starts to receive notes blackmailing her into confessing what she did. Someone knows the truth and Jenna needs to act, but can she get away with a second murder ?

OMG Jenna is even more manipulative and unhinged than she was in The Patients, if that’s even possible. The plot is packed with gasp-worthy revelations and unexpected turns, and the writing style provides an easy and entertaining read. The quick chapters create a sense of anticipation, and I’m glad to say that for me, the story concludes in a satisfying way.

Overall, this was a fantastic read, tense, smart and full of surprises and I’d like to thank Charlotte Stevenson for the gifted copy. #thetherapist #charlottestevenson #unhingedcharacters #psychologicalthrillers #bookrecommendations📚❣️ by @inkaddict80

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12

a day ago

BOOK REVIEW 📚4.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
THE PATIENTS by CHARLOTTE STEVENSON

The Patients is a pulse pounding psychological thriller featuring an unhinged FMC, jaw dropping surprises, past wounds and hidden motives which I devoured in two sittings.

The narrative centres around Tess and Leah, two very different women who arrive at the office of psychiatrist Dr Jenna O’Hara for a consultation which ends in disaster for both of them.

With multiple perspectives and flashbacks, not everyone is as they seem, while the pacing, the character dynamics and the psychological edge are pitch perfect from start to finish. This is a tale about trauma, revenge, manipulation and what lengths we would go to for our loved ones, and I found it to be both thought provoking and entertaining. I loved the ending and can’t wait to see how the story continues in Charlotte’s next novel The Therapist.

#thepatients #charlottestevenson #psychologicalthrillers #unhingedfemalecharacters #bookrecommendations📚❣️ by @inkaddict80

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18

2 days ago

PRE-PUBLICATION ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚
EVERY LITTLE LIE by DANDY SMITH
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Every Little Lie is a riveting, psychological thriller about secrets and complicated family dynamics which is not to be missed.

Three years after Matilda’s murder, her best friend Tori is marrying Sebastian, the man they both loved. Her life seems to be going well until she begins to receive messages sent from Matilda’s phone. Someone knows about the secrets Tori’s kept about the lies she’s told, and the night everything changed.

Skilfully written, the story unfolds from the perspectives of Tori and Matilda in a way which flows smoothly, along with the sense that everyone had something to hide, it’s fast paced, action packed leaving you constantly on edge and needing to know what happens next.

The plot is presented in a non-chronological order, letting the reader uncover the truth gradually, while allowing us to connect with the characters’ experiences and emotions.
The characterisation is one of the novel’s greatest strengths, adding depth and authenticity, and I found the family dynamics particularly compelling, exploring betrayal,
deception and emotional impact.

This is ultimately the story of family, hidden secrets, miscommunication and the choices we make and it will keep you reading long into the night - it is so good !

Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for the ARC.
#everylittlelie #dandysmith #netgalley #emblabooks #fivestarreads by @inkaddict80

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13

3 days ago

PRE-PUBLICATION ARC BOOK REVIEW 📖
THE LAST HOLIDAY by VALERIE KEOGH
4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Reading a Valerie Keogh book is always a pleasure and this psychological thriller was no exception.

A luxury holiday. Four couples. One deadly secret. What should have been a relaxing week long holiday at a stunning beachside resort in Spain to celebrate their 25 year old friendship, turns deadly for Magda, her husband Lucas and their six friends.

This has a great storyline full of suspense, secrets, betrayals and overflowing with jealousy. The imagery is clear and easy to visualise, the luxury setting being at odds with the events taking place. Presented through dual narration, I enjoyed the unnamed narrator’s voice and kept wondering who he or she was. Were they a member of the holiday group or someone else entirely? Most of the story was based around characters I found unpleasant and egotistical, but I did feel some sympathy for Magda and her mounting paranoia.

There was something about the end portion of the book that needed a little more depth, in my opinion, as the ending felt rushed. That said, it’s the only weakness in an otherwise compulsive read, and although I managed to guess who the perpetrator was I still enjoyed the final reveal.

At its core, this is a classic story of toxic friendship dynamics and mounting paranoia, and I enjoyed it as a quick thriller. This would make a great summer, beach read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.
#thelastholiday #valeriekeogh #netgalley #boldwoodbooks #bookrecommendations📚❣️ by @inkaddict80

13

9

4 days ago

PRE-PUBLICATION ARC BOOK REVIEW 📖
THIS JURY IS GUILTY by LAURIE BLAKE
5 STARS 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This Jury Is Guilty was such an adrenaline fuelled, twisty, courtroom drama which absolutely delivered for me !! I loved the fact that the main focus was on the jurors which was a refreshing departure from the usual legal thriller.

It’s the trial of the century in Los Angeles, and
multi millionaire actor Danny Scott is on trial charged with solicitation to commit the murder of his ex wife Hope Harrison. Danny’s fate rests in the hands of twelve sequestered jurors. But this jury is hiding its own secrets, because they are all lying and one of them is planning a murder of their own.

This is a gripping, morally complex narrative, alternating between four main jurors, each with their own motives, interspersed with news bulletins and trial extracts which kept things moving and interesting. From the outset, Laurie Blake has crafted a tightly woven plot that keeps the tension high, along with the fascinating backstories of all the jurors which adds to its richness. I was completely engrossed in the Hollywood drama, the jury tampering, the high-stakes courtroom scenes and all the twists and turns along the way.

With a cast of incredibly well drawn characters, dodgy manoeuvres, manipulation, coercion and secretive behaviour I absolutely devoured this. Full of morality grey characters, who all seem to have their own agendas, the story looks into the public’s fascination with true crime, the power of celebrity and past secrets that refuse to stay buried. The author manages to expertly weave all the story strands together to create a tale full of suspense with some intriguing twists.

Such a clever, compelling story this is simply a 5 star read for me - this is one you won’t be able to put down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline publishers for the ARC.

#thisjuryisguilty #laurieblake #netgalley #headline #bookrecommendations📚❣️ by @inkaddict80

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24

5 days ago

PRE-PUBLICATION ARC BOOK REVIEW 📖
WILL I BE NEXT ? By KERRY WILKINSON
4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is a slow-burn, and morally complex psychological thriller, with a plot which was unpredictable until the final pages.

The premise was really interesting.
Six witnesses. Two are dead. Will I be next ?
Twenty years ago six young children, who became known as The Sunday School Six, gave evidence against their Sunday school teacher who was later sent to prison. Now it seems they are being picked off and killed one by one…..
Who will be next ? .

The author uses flashbacks to tell the story and I thought the chapters set in the past added depth and worked well. I also loved the hooks at the end of most chapters. This was quite a heavy topic but approached from a thoughtful and interesting perspective, and I was engrossed in the mystery surrounding what had happened to Faith and her friends all these years ago. I really didn’t know who to trust, and the story continually surprised me until the end. Written in a way where almost every character is suspicious and unreliable, was so entertaining, and the portrayal of a nine year old Faith was insightful and compassionate.

Kerry Wilkinson is an author I hold in high regard and his latest offering, Will I Be Next ? Is a great addition to his catalogue and I’m confident that readers will love this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
#willibenext #kerrywilkinson #netgalley #bookouture #bookrecommendations📚❣️ by @inkaddict80

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9

7 days ago

PUBLICATION DAY ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚
THE THICKET by NOELLE W IHLI
3 stars 🌟🌟🌟

This is the 5th book I’ve read by this author, and while I usually enjoy her novels, I found this one a little disappointing.

After her 12 year old brother Brandon’s death at a Halloween Carnival, feeling guilty and remorseful, Norah returns to the woods to investigate the killer who lurks among the costumes and props, to try to discover what happened to him.

I had high hopes for a chilling serial killer trope - the premise was good and the setting of a haunted Halloween attraction should have provided a wonderful backdrop, however I struggled to imagine how the corn maze, the plaza and the trail all looked and the suspense never quite reached the intensity I was looking for. For me, the middle section of the book dragged badly and my attention flagged on this one unfortunately.

This is billed as a spooky, spine-tingling,
hauntingly atmospheric teen slasher, however I thought it was more like a slow burn mystery with not much happening, which would be more suited to a YA audience.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Pan MacMillan for the ARC.

#thethicket #noellewihli #halloween🎃👻 #spookyreads🧙🏼‍♀️👻 #netgalleyreads by @inkaddict80

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15

8 days ago

BOOK REVIEW 📖4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
PARTY OF LIARS by KELSEY COX

This is an incredibly crazy, slow burn psychological thriller that has so many secrets and half-truths, my head was spinning.

This book opens when one of the guests falls to their death from the balcony of a luxurious, cliff top mansion at a sixteen year old’s birthday party, and everyone who attended is a suspect. Because after all, this is a party of liars!

An intriguing introduction to the plot pulls you in, and what I loved most about this book was how often I changed my mind, there were just SO many suspects! Kelsey Cox masterfully creates an atmosphere of doubt and suspicion, making it impossible to know who to trust. This is definitely one to pick up if you like multiple POV’s, shadowy secrets, creepy vibes and intense, psychological drama.
#partyofliats#kelseycox #psychologicalthrillers #bookstagram #bookrecommendations📚❣️ by @inkaddict80

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16

9 days ago

BOOK REVIEW 📕4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
THATS NOT MY NAME by MEGAN LALLY

I was aware that this was a YA novel going in, but that didn’t deter me from experiencing this author, who is new to me. That’s Not My Name turned out to be an emotionally charged, page-turning mystery which I found engaging. Megan Lally’s writing is clear and understated with believable, nuanced characters who elevate the overall feel of the novel.

The plot begins with a teenage girl who wakes up by the side of the road, bruised, bloodied and suffering from amnesia. She’s taken to the local police station where a man appears claiming to be her father and saying her name’s Mary. Meanwhile, Drew is looking for his missing girlfriend Lola who recently disappeared after an argument with her parents, and he’s desperate to find her before it’s too late….

The story alternates between two narrators, Mary and Drew, giving insights into both characters’ thoughts, while the characters are brought vividly to life through authentic dialogue. This was a brilliant introduction to Megan Lally’s books, and I’m already looking forward to reading more.#thatsnotmyname #meganlally #pageturningmystery #bookstagram #bookrecommendations📚❣️ by @inkaddict80

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11 days ago

BOOK REVIEW 📚5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
DO NO HARM by JACK JORDAN

This novel opens with a punch, and I loved reading it, it’s everything I look for in a thriller, it’s taut, suspense laden and wonderfully exciting.

The story kicks off with Anna, a heart surgeon who is in an impossible situation, abductors have her eight year old son and she must do something immoral and illegal if she ever wants to see him again.

Told from three different points of view, the author sustained suspense until the final chapter and I found the writing incredibly compelling. I was desperate for the main character Anna, to succeed despite the obstacles facing her.

In my opinion, Jack Jordan did an amazing job creating a plot that is both believable and thought provoking, and it left me wondering what I would do in the same situation. This one is going to be on my mind for a while.
All the stars 🌟
#donoharm #jackjordan #thrillerreads #suspensefulreads🕵️‍♂️🔍 #bookrecommendations📚❣️ by @inkaddict80

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12

12 days ago

PRE-PUBLICATION ARC BOOK REVIEW 📕
THE WOMAN AT THE FUNERAL by S E LYNES
4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Woman At The Funeral is an excellent psychological thriller set across dual timelines which I thoroughly enjoyed.

When Maggie O’Connell goes to her best friend and flatmate’s funeral she catches a glimpse of Sophie there. But how is that even possible ? Sophie Atkins died last Friday so how can she be at her own funeral?

This story has a clever plot that includes a twist at the end that I wasn’t expecting, and a gripping start that pulls you straight in. The author uses dual narration to explore the events from both Maggie’s and Sophie’s viewpoints, letting the reader experience the breakdown in their friendship, while managing to maintain the mystery and unsettling tension surrounding Sophie.
Sophie is a truly unscrupulous and manipulative character, and I was astounded at her behaviour and by how far she was prepared to go to get what she wanted, leaving me eager to find out what happened.

This is a very easy read with nice length chapters which you can read in a couple of sittings, and is one to pick up if you enjoy toxic friendship stories, manipulation and anyone looking for a taut, psychological thriller with a flawed central character.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.#thewomanatthefuneral #selynesauthor #netgalley #bookouture #bookrecommendations📚❣️ by @inkaddict80

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11

13 days ago