#ADGIFTED all thoughts and opinions are my own, I tend to choose books I know I will like, such as murder mysteries.

A BODY UNDER THE BRIDGE by P. F. Ford

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Love the characters & stories, and feel like I have been to Wales!’ Nancy

MEET YOUR NEW FAVOURITE DETECTIVE.

Detective Norman is out of retirement and back on the beat in a rainy Welsh seaside town. Llangwelli might be short on sunshine, but it’s certainly not short on murders . . . Norman may seem a bit old-fashioned, but he’s always willing to learn from his band of misfit recruits.

A lonely widower. A body in a stream. An impossible puzzle.

It’s an ordinary Tuesday morning when pensioner Alun Edwards turns up at Llangwelli station. He doesn’t want to make a fuss but he’s worried about his friend Gareth. Every Monday, they meet up for a game of chess. But Gareth wasn’t at home yesterday. He’s not answering his phone — and he’s left his dog behind. He’d never do that.

Detective Norman searches Gareth’s cottage — and finds a woman’s photograph, torn to shreds and dumped in the bin.

The next day, the body of an elderly man is discovered in a stream under an old railway bridge. The name on his bus pass is Gareth Jenkins. But that’s impossible. According to the pathologist, the body has been in the water at least three or four days. And Gareth was seen walking his dog, just two days ago.

Norman is facing an impossible puzzle. And what is the secret behind the woman in the photograph . . . ?

This absolutely gripping detective mystery full of twists and turns is perfect for fans of Rachel McLean, J.D. Kirk, Pauline Rowson, Elly Griffiths, Matt Brolly and Simon McCleave.

READERS LOVE THE WEST WALES MYSTERIES:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I really connected with old-fashioned DS Norman and DI Southall and the rest of their team. A great read.’ Richard J.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I love the characters, the twists, the setting in Wales, and the cozy mystery feel . . . One of the best police procedural series I’ve read in a while.’ Tabby S.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Loved it. A really good story.’ Aileen G.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A finely tuned police procedural that had me hooked from the first page. Lots of red herrings kept me guessing until the end.’ Shirley S.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Another terrific outing for the West Wales murder gang. I adore these characters.’ Kathy H.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Another great detective story. I love these books.’ Kelly S.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I really took to Norman . . . He has the kindest heart, someone you would want on your side. A clever premise and a perpetrator who took me by surprise. An excellent read.’ Nicki

THE DETECTIVE
Meet DS Norman Norman. He’s so good they named him twice. He thought his policing days were over when he took early retirement. But then he gets called into Llangwelli Police Department to help train up the new recruits. Out on the west coast of Wales, the town is known as something of a dumping ground for screw-ups, but Norman believes no copper’s career is ever beyond salvaging, so he’s going to whip these youngsters into shape. Even if it kills him.

THE SETTING
Llangwelli (pronounced Hlangwelly) is a seaside harbour town in West Wales that sits on the edge of a wide, shallow river estuary. Thanks to West Wales’s rainy climate, verdant green hills dotted with cows and sheep make for idyllic surroundings. But that doesn’t mean it’s free from crime — as Norman is about to find out.

ALSO BY P.F. FORD
THE WEST WALES MURDER MYSTERIES
Prequel: A DATE WITH DEATH
Book 1: A BODY ON THE BEACH
Book 2: A BODY OUT AT SEA
Book 3: A BODY DOWN THE LANE
Book 4: A BODY AT THE FARMHOUSE
Book 5: A BODY IN THE COTTAGE
Book 6: A BODY UNDER THE BRIDGE

SLATER AND NORMAN MYSTERIES
Book 1: DEATH BY CARPET
Book 2: DEATH BY PLANE
Book 3: DEATH BY NIGHT
Book 4: DEATH BY KITCHEN SINK
Book 5: DEATH BY TELEPHONE BOX
Book 6: DEATH IN WILD BOAR WOODS
Book 7: DEATH IN THE RIVER

Author Bio ~ Peter F Ford
Peter Ford always dreamed of becoming a writer, but a dream is easily stifled without support from those around you. It was only when his old, unhappy life fell apart and he met his new partner (now wife) Mary, who believed dreamers should be encouraged, that he finally got the chance to live that dream. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed. 
Now, blissfully happy, settled in a quiet corner of Wales with wife Mary and their rescue dogs, P.F. Ford is living proof that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.

My Review Omg what a trip to Wales this was. We need more Welsh based ones. This author is brilliant for red herrings and what seems to be loose dead ends but oh these are woven into a sticky web and revealed so fantastically in the end. With an old man missing and somehow his furniture too, will the neighbours be helpful? Did they like him? What is the connection of the solicitor and sister, are they innocent? I dare you to come along and read and find out the killer, you won’t be disappointed at all. Incredible read from start to finish, I had no chance of finding out who until the end!!

The Only Way Out is Death by Varun Gwalani



BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

Book Details

Length: 295 pages
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Age Category: Adult
Date Published: 15 April 2022
Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/a4LwJus (Canada)
https://a.co/d/5WHsCQl (USA)
https://amzn.eu/d/a5cWOjU (UK)
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60637434-the-only-way-out-is-death
The StoryGraph Link: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/9d2ca613-1ea8-4a63-b980-914f4bab6624

Twelve powerful people are kidnapped and imprisoned in an empty hotel.

Each one of them has three choices:
Live out the rest of their days peacefully in the hotel,
Die by suicide so the rest of their companions can go free,
Or murder one of their companions so they alone can go free.

The Only Way Out is Death follows the story of these twelve people from the perspective of a young lawyer, Kiriaki, told as the events unfold. She has to forge messy alliances, navigate complex relationships and feuds, and, above all, try to stay alive. Meanwhile, the mastermind of this death game is lurking just out of view, watching them closely, making sure they are primed for murder.

Will Kiriaki find the mastermind before it’s too late for her?
Will she outmaneouvre the cutthroats before they cut her throat?
There are twelve selfish lives in the hotel.
Will it end in twelve selfish deaths?

Author Bio

Varun Gwalani Is the author of six novels: Believe, The First Storyteller, The Story Circle, The Novel Year, Who Saves the Hero? and The Only Way Out is Death. Each book is a different genre, with his latest book “The Only Way Out is Death” being a murder mystery thriller.
In addition to being an author, Varun has been a teacher of creative writing and English for several years now. He’s an advocate for mental health awareness, having given a TEDx talk and written several articles on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Varun also loves reading, board games and video games, and he can often be find blending these interests by playing a visual novel. He would also like to tell you about the thing he hates the most: writing in third-person.

My Review As a firm fan of the film Escape Room, and the Cube. The book felt very similar so I knew I was in for a treat. I love seeing and working out what people would do under such circumstances, would you murder, would you sacrifice yourself and save others? The puzzle of it all definitely gives you the instant hook. Told from one Lawyers perspective, we see how the gravity of the situation gets processed with each of the characters. Though the characters aren’t particularly likeable or relatable, they are often shown in your life or you know of people like this. The writing style, the pace, the plot and ending was so sublime, I absolutely loved it. I need to read more from this author, and this should be a movie!!

#ADGIFTED all thoughts as opinions are my own, I try to choose the authors and genres of books I know I will like.

THE CHALK MAN by Adam Lyndon
MEET DETECTIVE RUTHERFORD BARNES IN THIS BRILLIANT BRITISH CRIME SERIES FROM A SERVING POLICE OFFICER, PACKED FULL OF TWISTS.

Barnes finally has the family he always longed for. But someone is coming for them . . .

Detective Barnes crouches down by the body near the seafront. Male, mid-twenties. The face is blue-white, mouth stretched open in a silent yawn.

Suddenly his eye is caught by an abrupt movement. A woman has fallen over on the pavement opposite. ‘Looks like someone’s feeling crook,’ says Howlett, his detective constable.

Then Barnes sees another person collapse nearby. A young man, fit. He hasn’t tripped. His body starts to convulse on the ground.

As panic spreads through the crowd, Barnes’s mobile rings. It’s Tamsin, his normally unflappable partner.

‘Barnes . . .’ She sounds frantic. ‘It’s . . . it’s Maggie.’

Barnes goes cold. ‘What about her?’

‘She was supposed to be at rugby practice. But she never showed up. She’s . . . she’s missing.’

His stepdaughter is missing — and Barnes has a very bad feeling about who might be responsible . . .

Perfect for fans of Joy Ellis, Helen H. Durrant, Peter James, Angela Marsons, Rachel McLean, J.D. Kirk or J.M. Dalgliesh.

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE DETECTIVE BARNES SERIES:

‘Packed full of unexpected twists and turns.’ Sheila M.

Pulled me in and held me to the end.’ Dawn T.

‘Cracking good police story. Complex and twisty.’ Joan

‘Very good and gripping.’ Kay C.

‘Some really convoluted twists and turns. I loved it.’ Rob

‘Excellent sense of place, strong characterisation . . . authentic and detailed police procedure, and a thrilling denouement’ Oliver T.

‘A real page-turner. I thoroughly enjoyed it.’ Mike B.

THE DETECTIVE
DI Rutherford Barnes is no longer the ambitious, idealistic young police constable he was when he joined the force. Ten years with the police has left him world-weary and a touch cynical. He’s a dedicated police officer, although he’s made mistakes, ruffled too many feathers during the course of his career — and is no longer on the fast track to promotion. No one has ever been brought to justice for the murder of his wife, and it remains a constant running sore.

THE SETTING
Set against the picturesque landscape of the South Downs, the Sussex seaside town of Eastbourne is packed with tourists during the summer — but it can seem pretty dismal during the winter months. Only fifty-odd miles from London, the town is not immune to the violence which occasionally spills over from the city. Pockets of deprivation and criminality exist alongside reminders of Eastbourne’s more genteel past in the grand Victorian hotels that line the seafront, the pier and the bandstand. The town also boasts one of Britain’s best-known — and most infamous — beauty spots, Beachy Head.

THE AUTHOR
Adam Lyndon has been a serving UK police officer for more than twenty years, working across a range of disciplines including uniformed ops, firearms command and as a detective in CID and specialist investigations. ADAM LYNDON 
was born and raised in Sussex. He has been a police officer for twenty years both in the UK and in New Zealand, working across a range of disciplines including uniformed ops, firearms command and as a detective in CID and specialist investigations.
He went around the world a couple of times, living in New Zealand for a year before realising home was where all the stories were. Adam writes gritty, Eastbourne-based police-procedurals with hard-edged authenticity, forming a daisy chain along the south coast alongside the likes of Graham Hurley and Peter James. He has been married for twenty years and has four children. His ambition, as his children keep reminding him, is to own a dog. 
BOOKS BY ADAM LYNDON
DETECTIVE RUTHERFORD BARNES MYSTERIES:
· DEVIL’S CHIMNEY
· BEACHY HEAD
· BURNT OUT SECRETS
FOLLOW ADAM ON:
AUTHOR WEBSITE

My Review Want a fast paced action packed book this is for you, as we start it’s action immediately. We have a drug related death, and chemical substance attack, are they related? Barnes thinks so, he needs the evidence to convince the others there is a link, and things really kick off when his stepdaughter is abducted from school. The race is on, as the abduction isn’t grabbing the police’s attention like the chemical substance attacks are!! You will read in the manic state it’s written it, your heart will race and you’ll feel stressed along with the character, is he losing his mind, or is he right and it’s his nemesis behind it all? Catch your breath in the middle when the pace slows down, like a real investigation would do, to only gather in pace as we reach the conclusion. Perfect as a standalone book, but I feel you will benefit if you read the others, just to flesh out your knowledge of the characters and back stories. One to take on holiday

#ADGIFTED all thoughts and opinions are my own, I chose genres I enjoy to read.

Evil on the Island (DI Liam O’Reilly mysteries Book 12)

‘I know about evil, because my mum is evil. She killed my dad. My mother murdered my father, and left him where she knew I would find him.’

A class discussion in a prestigious school on the peaceful island of Guernsey takes a sinister turn when the body of the father of one of the students is found, exactly where the boy said he would be.

The 16 year old has no further information to offer the Island Police, and his mother has disappeared off the face of the earth.

Detective Inspector Liam O’Reilly has no idea where to look. The boy’s father was stabbed multiple times, but there is nothing at the scene to suggest why this man was killed in such a horrific manner.

Then another man is found dead.

But when a third suffers the same fate soon afterwards, O’Reilly knows that he’s up against something darker than his mind could ever comprehend.

There’s something evil on the island, and O’Reilly has no idea how to stop it.

What readers are saying about EVIL ON THE ISLAND:
An ingenious plot and one where I couldn’t work out as to whom the perpetrator was until it was revealed. A thoroughly entertaining gripping read. Hurry up with the next one! – Misfits Farm
Love the characters, a big plus for me. Liam has an up and down relationship with his cats but it might be on an even keel at present and his daughter’s partner DC Andy Stone has flashes where Liam can tolerate him. So quite a bit of humour throughout. A most enjoyable read. – Maureen
Another brilliant read that I was unable to put down. Intrigue and suspense all the way through, absolutely brilliant. – Amazon Reviewer

Stewart Giles – Author Bio

After reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live.
In 2014 Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head and I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later.
3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series – the DC Harriet Taylor: Cornwall series.
The Beekeeper was published and soon hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well.
I continued to self-publish the Smith series and Unworthy hit the shelves in 2018 with amazing results. I therefore made the decision to self-publish The Backpacker which is book 3 in the Detective Harriet Taylor series which was published in July 2018.
After The Backpacker I had an idea for a totally new start to a series – a collaboration between the Smith and Harriet thrillers and The Enigma was born. It brought together the broody, enigmatic Jason Smith and the more level-headed Harriet Taylor.
The Miranda trilogy is something totally different. A psychological thriller trilogy. It is a real departure from anything else I’ve written before.
The Detective Jason Smith series continues to grow. I also have another series featuring an Irish detective who relocated to Guernsey, the Detective Liam O’Reilly series. There are also 3 stand alone novels.

Website: http://www.stewartgiles.com
Twitter: @stewartgiles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewart.giles.33

My Review You can’t imagine the carnage of realising this boy is saying the truth, when he spoke out and said “mum killed my father” the police go to investigate and discover a bloodbath, the boy was telling the truth…what now, this well off family also have a daughter who’s travelling, she will need to be told. How and why did the boy leave while he father was lying there dead? And how does this connect to 2 more male murders on the same street. We are on a treat of entanglement and mystery, secrets to come out. And though O’Reily’s leg is painful, it’s not going to stop this dogged detective in the slightest. He will get to the bottom of it all and make sense of the madness. In this book the title says it all, there’s evil on the island for sure…. Absolutely love these books, they aren’t cosy murders, bit more graphic and dark for that. But they are total page turner’s and you’ll loose all sense of time.

#ADGIFTED All thoughts and opinions are my own, I choose the genre I enjoy most, and I pick the books to review.

THE COLOUR OF MYSTERY (Ellie McEwan #2) by Joy Ellis

A NEWLY-DISCOVERED NOVEL FROM MULTI-MILLION SELLING AUTHOR JOY ELLIS’S ARCHIVES. NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED!

THREE NICE PEOPLE. THREE TERRIBLE CRIMES. WHAT MADE THEM DO THESE AWFUL THINGS?

It’s the night shift worker who finds them. Huddled in a hospital store cupboard is elderly Edith Higgins. Knifed to death. Sitting behind her is Staff Nurse Lily Frampton, a scalpel clasped in her blood-soaked hand.
No one can understand why this kind-hearted, dedicated nurse would brutally murder a frail patient she’s spent months caring for.
That same day, mild-mannered schoolteacher Rod Black is found surrounded by the battered bodies of his pupils. Why would a well-respected teacher beat five schoolboys to death?Then a third shocking — and equally inexplicable — incident takes place in a London homeless shelter.
What could turn three honest, upright citizens into cold-blooded killers?
Once again, DCI Bob Foreman calls on Ellie McEwan for help. Can Ellie use her extraordinary psychic gift to uncover the truth?
But will that make Ellie the killer’s next target?
DISCOVER A TOTALLY ENTHRALLING CRIME THRILLER.
This utterly gripping crime thriller is perfect for fans of L.J. Ross, J.D. Kirk, Elly Griffiths, Susan Hill, Kate Ellis or Ann Cleeves.

READERS LOVE JOY ELLIS:

‘A great read.’ Terri H. Simply the best.’ Booklover Bev Wow! Joy Ellis supreme storyteller at her best!’ Carol S.
‘A strong mystery.’ Louise G. Suspense, intrigue, action, and great detective work!’ Debbie B. ‘A nail-biting and exciting novel.’ Paromjit Highly addictive and couldn’t wait to finish it’ Jane

ELLIE MCEWAN MYSTERIES
Book 1: AN AURA OF MYSTERY
Book 2: THE COLOUR OF MYSTERY

JOY ELLIS – Author Bio
UK #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE JACKMAN & EVANS AND DI NIKKI GALENA SERIES; SHORTLISTED FOR BOOK OF THE YEAR FICTION: CRIME & THRILLER AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS 2021
OVER 3 MILLION BOOKS SOLD!
Joy grew up and lived in Kent, trained in floristry in Mayfair and ran her own highly successful floristry business in Weybridge for many years. In the mid-1990s, she followed her lifelong love of books, first as the manager of an independent bookshop in Leatherhead, Surrey, then as a writer. When she retired, Joy and her partner Jacqueline and their two spaniels settled in a village just outside Boston, captivated by the Lincolnshire Fens.
Joy’s happy home life is far removed from her storylines, however, and while she loves living in the misty Fens, the area provides a remote and eerie backdrop to her novels. Joy is also able to add the authenticity vital to any crime thriller by drawing on Jacqueline’s inside knowledge, to confirm procedures and the reality of tackling brutal crime and criminals in a modern police force.

BOOKS BY JOY ELLIS
DI NIKKI GALENA SERIES:
· CRIME ON THE FENS
· SHADOW OVER THE FENS
· HUNTED ON THE FENS
· KILLER ON THE FENS
· STALKER ON THE FENS
· CAPTIVE ON THE FENS
· BURIED ON THE FENS
· THIEVES ON THE FENS
· FIRE ON THE FENS
· DARKNESS ON THE FENS
· HIDDEN ON THE FENS
· SECRETS ON THE FENS
· FEAR ON THE FENS
· GRAVES ON THE FENS
· DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 1-5 BOX SET
· DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 1-3 BOX SET
· DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 4-6 BOX SET
· DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 7-9 BOX SET

JACKMAN & EVANS SERIES:
· THE MURDERER’S SON
· THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS
· THE FOURTH FRIEND
· THE GUILTY ONES
· THE STOLEN BOYS
· THE PATIENT MAN
· THEY DISAPPEARED
· THE NIGHT THIEF
· SOLACE HOUSE
· THE RIVER’S EDGE
· DETECTIVES JACKMAN & EVANS BOOKS 1-3 BOX SET

MATT BALLARD SERIES:
· BEWARE THE PAST
· FIVE BLOODY HEARTS
· THE DYING LIGHT
· MARSHLIGHT
· TRICK OF THE NIGHT
STANDALONE NOVELS:
· GUIDE STAR
SHORT STORIES:
· JOFFE BOOKS MURDER MYSTERY & SUSPENSE SHORT STORY COLLECTION

FOLLOW JOY ON
AUTHOR WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
GOODREADS

My Review it’s no surprise I’m reviewing Joy Ellis again, as she is a prolific writer and one I enjoy immensely. A second one of her ‘Lost’ early books and omg I love this style so much more, the spiritual side pips my interest combined with true crime, winning combination for me. We dive in and find out what could make long standing amazing nurses suddenly kill those who they’ve nurtured for years, and then become catatonic themselves, so you can’t ask why? Can the other side help Ellie, in a delicious weaved web of supernatural and modern medical science . These early books shows the calibre of Ellis’ writing and story telling skills right from the start. Beautifully crafted and a wonderful way to spend precious ‘me’ time

#ADGIFTED all thoughts and opinions are my own, I choose murder, mystery thrillers as I know I enjoy them

THE ORDINARY MAN (Detective Beth Fellows #2) by Christie J. Newport

Discover the most unputdownable crime thriller of the year. From Joffe Books Prize winner Christie J. Newport.
Meet Beth Fellows,a Preston detective haunted by her mum’s murder when she was only four. She’s a driven woman with a heart of gold.
THE ONLY THING MORE TERRIFYING THAN THE KILLER YOU KNOW IS THE KILLER YOU DON’T.
He seems like such a nice man. Nothing about him tells you, you should be on your guard.
He’s just . . . an ordinary man.
Driving an ordinary car.

Telling you to get in.
And he’s the last person you’ll ever see alive.

If you love Angela Marsons, Helen Fields, Nadine Matheson, Helen H. Durrant, Rachel McLean, Lynda La Plante and Dorothy Koomson, you will devour this page-turning crime thriller.
READERS LOVE CHRISTIE J. NEWPORT:

‘A pacy cracker of a crime thriller from one heck of a talent!’ A.A. Chaudhuri, author of The Abduction.

‘Enthralling, exhilarating and utterly compelling.’ Joy Wood, author of Who’s Smiling Now?

‘This book grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let up until the end.’ Jackie Baldwin, author of Murder by the Seaside

‘The writing is so assured, the characterizations so rich and believable, the twisty storyline so gripping and unexpected. Christie Newport is definitely a star on the rise!’ Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House on the Street

Taut, pacy and gritty story that kept me guessing the whole way through.’ Philippa East, author of Little White Lies and I’ll Never Tell

‘A propulsive thriller with a flawed protagonist, a diabolical villain and enough procedural detail to make the setting life-like.’ Douglas Skelton

‘Taut and compelling. Christie Newport has written a pacy police procedural with a compelling new heroine.’ Andrea Carter

‘This is an intelligent, insightful and well-researched police procedural. The plot is gritty, deliciously dark and fast-paced with a host of colourful characters who keep the pages turning.’ Kate Bendelow

‘Twisty, tense and authentic — a compelling police procedural with real heart.’ Marion Todd

‘An utterly compelling and propulsive thriller that grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go! Newport is an author that everyone will be talking about.’ Awais Khan

‘Vivid, gripping and authentic.’ Alison Belsham

‘The twists and turns never stop. It was an excellent read that kept me captivated to the last page.’ Patricia G.

‘Kept me turning the pages long after my bedtime! Brilliant stuff.’ Louise M.

ABOUT THE DETECTIVE
Beth is no stranger to violent death. When she was four, she witnessed her mum’s murder. The killer was never caught and that injustice is what propelled her to join the police. Now everyone Beth loves is placed in the firing line as she goes head-to-head with a ruthless killer.

ABOUT THE SETTING
Nestled on the banks of the River Ribble, Preston has faced its challenges but is once again a thriving Northern city, with a vibrant multicultural population. It is a beautiful place but there are dark alleys where the worst human impulses go unchecked.

My Review First time reader from this author, and I was not disappointed. Reading from other people’s comments it seems as from the first book lacking descriptions, this second book has come on in leaps and bounds, which makes it a lot easier to read and visualise the storyline, characters and locations. So I’m pleased that it was taken on board and adjusted. Anxiety, mental health and fear, feeling ashamed this Detective is so relatable and down to earth, I enjoyed reading about her and her story as it weaved through murders, crimes scenes and police etiquette. Wouldn’t mind going to the first book, just to get a deeper dive of what had happened to our Beth to make her behave, and feel like this. But that would be just because I’m nosey and not because I feel you need too, as this stands well on its own. Cliffhanger again, I’m definitely seeing this as a trend lately, I’m sure it’s my third in a month!! I would prefer it all finished off neatly, but it’s a great marketing ploy, as I’m sure to hunt out the 3rd book as soon as it’s written, just to find out the answers.

#ADGIFTED all thoughts and opinions are my own, I like detective, murder mysteries so I tend to read these the most.

A MATRIMONIAL MURDER by Meeti Shroff-Shah

‘What a fantastic, fabulous and completely engrossing cozy mystery.’ The Book Decoder

A DAZZLING MYSTERY FROM YOUR NEW FAVOURITE MYSTERY WRITER, NEW BLOOD DAGGER LONGLISTER MEETI SHROFF-SHAH

Some people would kill for a good match.

In her 30 years as Temple Hill’s most renowned matchmaker, Sarla thought she’d seen it all. Blissful unions, marriages of convenience, Mr and Mrs Good Enough. Not to mention the bitter unfortunates who never made it down the aisle.

She’s received as many threats as thank-yous along the way. Surely no one would actually harm her.

A series of threatening notes, sent in blood-red envelopes, suggest otherwise.

Then the body of a woman is found at Sarla’s office, sprawled on her stomach next to a heavy bronze statue of the Nataraja — the god of dance. Who was the intended victim?

Sarla turns to Radhi, Temple Hill’s resident amateur sleuth, for help.

But in the marriage game, everyone has their secrets. And as Radhi quickly learns, some are more deadly than others.

Jealous rivals. Jilted lovers. Jaded rejects. But who among them would be angry enough to commit murder?

Fans of Faith Martin, Richard Osman, Victoria Dowd, Vaseem Khan, Ian Moore, Louise Penny, Shamini Flint and Agatha Christie will devour this brilliant, atmospheric murder mystery.

THE SETTING
The series is situated in fictious Temple Hill, a quiet and privileged neighbourhood in Mumbai, located by the Arabian Sea. It comprises of four, leafy, sun-dappled slopes that lead up to the main Temple Hill road. Wide streets are lined with gulmohar trees in flaming reds and sunny yellows. The area still retains an old-world charm, which means the stout, pastel-coloured buildings haven’t been converted into ambitious high-rises of glass and steel. The neighbourhood is dotted with small parks, little galleries where local designers are always showcasing clothes and jewellery. There are also high-end gyms and yoga studios interspersed with tiny florists, cafes and confectionary shops. And situated amid all these gentle trappings of everyday life are the five ancient Jain temples that give Temple Hill its name.

READERS LOVE MEETI SHROFF-SHAH:

‘Unputdownable.’ Telegraph India

‘Unfolding like an Agatha Christie mystery, the book delivers on pace, plot and climax.’ The Hindu

‘Pick of the week.’ The Hinustan Times

‘A well-crafted mystery.’ Mint Lounge

‘A well-written whodunnit that compels you to turn page after page until the end.’ Frontlist
Magazine

‘I loved this book. It was well written, with such great atmosphere and sense of place, plus a very likeable heroine, I just couldn’t put it down.’ Hannelore

‘This book is almost as good as a trip back to India. It has it all . . . A wonderful read!’ Connie

‘Atmospheric, well plotted, with a superlative sense of place and with a wholly credible cast of characters, this is an enjoyable and immersive read and hopefully the start of a long-running series. Bravo!’ Ruth G.

‘This is a compelling mystery with a plethora of suspects and a complex, lovable amateur detective who is determined to seek out the truth even if it hurts . . . Overall, an absorbing read, and I will definitely read the next book in this series.’ Pooja P

MEETI SHROFF-SHAH – Author Bio
Meeti is an award-winning copywriter, content writer and mother (though no awards for this yet). When she isn’t busy writing ads that make toothpaste sound like an aphrodisiac, Meeti can be found with a cup of ginger tea, gazing contently at the yellow gulmohars outside her window and plotting the murder of perfectly innocent people.
In 2016, Pan Macmillan India published her memoir, Do You Know Any Good Boys? – a funny guide to the Indian arranged marriage – based on the awkward arranged dates she had with 40 different men, before she met her husband.
Meeti lives with her daughter and husband (yes, the same one she took such pains to find) in Mumbai.
BOOKS BY MEETI SHROFF-SHAH
A TEMPLE HILL MYSTERY SERIES
· A MUMBAI MURDER MYSTERY
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My Review Let me whisk you away to Mumbai, can you hear the hustle and bustle, smell the scents of the food,( this book will make you hungry!!) and see the burst of colours of India, as this is where we are set in this cosy murder mystery. We follow the fictional writer Radhi as they are asked to write about arranged marriages by their agent. Knowing her mother knows a friend Sarla, who owns a match making agency to give clients insight, for some information. No sooner have they arrived is someone murdered and this writing get put aside, to focus on this mystery instead. Seeing and hearing about the cultural differences towards marriage in this book was fascinating, and gave me a deep understanding on how and why they are so different. I loved being transported to a far away land, and reading the descriptions of the food the location and wealth of personalities. After I had finished I found out this was actually book two of theirs, but it didn’t seem like it, so I missed nothing, though the writing style and plots I would dive into more of theirs, as I thoroughly enjoyed it.

#ADGIFTED all thoughts and opinions are my own, I choose genres and authors I enjoy.

THREE BROKEN BODIES (Detective Jack Macintosh #5) by Michelle Kidd

MEET DETECTIVE JACK MACINTOSH IN THIS BRILLIANT CRIME SERIES.

An absolutely gripping crime thriller with a massive twist.

Detective Jack is called out to a body on the South Bank. The victim’s hands and feet are bound, her skin badly bruised, her lips crudely sewn shut.

Inside the dead woman’s mouth is the severed head of a rat.

This is the second body in two days.

The following night, a third body is discovered in a derelict brewery. The same bruising, the mouth sewn shut, a rat’s head. This time it’s a young man — and he’s been dead at least a week.

With no witnesses and no clues to who the victims are, Jack’s investigation is going nowhere.

Then he gets a call from journalist Jonathan Spearing. There’s no love lost between the two men — but now Jonathan needs Jack’s help. Katie Spearing is missing. She’s been gone for two days. And Jonathan just received a text: We have your wife.

Jack uncovers a connection between Katie Spearing and the three broken bodies. Now he’s in a desperate race against time.

Perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, Biba Pearce, Lynda La Plante, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean.

READERS LOVE THE JACK MACINTOSH SERIES:

‘Truly gripping and suspenseful . . . keeps you guessing throughout.’ Bob

‘Gripping and twisty. Couldn’t put it down.’ Sue W.

‘Full of unsuspected twists and turns . . . Incredibly fast-paced and puzzling.’ Nicola H.

‘Brilliant . . . This series gets better and better.’ Colin B.

‘A real page-turner.’ Lynda C.

THE DETECTIVE
Detective Inspector Jack MacIntosh is a dedicated police officer, the one person you would want to fight your corner. But he has been known to cross the line to get the job done. As a four-year-old boy he discovered his mother’s body swinging from a light fitting. Jack and his younger brother were taken into care — Jack did OK, his brother not so much. A bit of a loner, Jack has never married — although plenty of women would like to give it a shot. He lives in a charming mews cottage in central London. No one is quite sure how he can afford it on a detective’s salary.

ALSO BY MICHELLE KIDD
DETECTIVE JACK MACINTOSH
Book 1: SEVEN DAYS TO DIE
Book 2: FIFTEEN REASONS TO KILL
Book 3: SIXTEEN CARVED PIECES
Book 4: TWENTY YEARS BURIED
Book 5: THREE BROKEN BODIES

DI NICKI HARDCASTLE
Book 1: MISSING BOY
Book 2: THE TROPHY KILLER

MICHELLE KIDD – Author Bio
Michelle Kidd is a crime fiction author best known for the DI Jack MacIntosh and DI Nicki Hardcastle series. Michelle qualified as a legal executive in the early 1990s, spending ten years practising civil and criminal litigation.
But the dream to write was never far from her mind and in 2008 she began writing the first book in what would later become the DI Jack MacIntosh series. Michelle now works full time for the NHS and lives in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. She enjoys reading, wine and cats — not necessarily in that order.
BOOKS BY MICHELLE KIDD:
DI JACK MACINTOSH SERIES:
· SEVEN DAYS TO DIE
· FIFTEEN REASONS TO KILL
· SIXTEEN CARVED PIECES
· TWENTY YEARS BURIED
FOLLOW MICHELLE ON:
TWITTER
AUTHOR WEBSITE
FACEBOOK

My Review What if I told you there is a dead body with a rat sewn up in the mouth? Intrigued? I sure was!! Hooked literally hooked immediately. Nice short chapters which makes it easier with home life, you can say just one more chapter and it’s not an eon later. I wish I had read previous books as it has more character development over time, but I found it as it’s own book I wasn’t lost or left lacking in anyway. A bit of a cliffhanger as well, second book I’ve read with a loose end not finished, is this a new trend? But it will make me hunt out the next one. Been on a journey of finding new authors and it’s been amazing, the creativity of writers is just inspiring. Not a gangland crime girlie but this was so well done, I’m not mad it included gangs.

#ADGIFTED all thoughts and opinions are my own, I choose the genre I enjoy most to read.

DEATH SENTENCE (Detective Mike Nash book 17) by Bill Kitson

DISCOVER AN ABSOLUTELY GRIPPING MURDER MYSTERY SET IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES.

Detective Mike Nash thought that moving back to Yorkshire from London would give him a quieter life. Little did he know . . .

Mike Nash’s son, 14-year-old Daniel, is walking the dog across the fields when he hears the sound of gunshots. He calls his dad, who races to the scene. There are four bodies buried beneath a rockfall in an abandoned lead mine, but there’s no sign of the shooter.

Meanwhile, Nash’s team investigates the murders of three criminals, part of a group known as the Country House Bandits. Four were due to be released from prison and expected to come home to substantial rewards for their silence.

But the first man is stabbed to death in his cell. The second is killed three days after his release. And the third is attacked on his way home.

The fourth man disappears without a trace.

What links the lead mine murders to the slaying of the Country House Bandits? And where is the fourth man?

With the body count rising, Nash and his team are pushed to the limit to find a ruthless killer.

DISCOVER AN ABSOLUTELY ADDICTIVE CRIME THRILLER WITH A STUNNING TWIST.

A breathtaking crime thriller perfect for fans of J.R. Ellis, L.J. Ross, Angela Marsons, J.D. Kirk, Helen H. Durrant, Joy Ellis or Peter Robinson.

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BILL KITSON’S GRIPPING CRIME NOVELS:

‘Intelligent and complex enough to satisfy the most ardent of whodunit fan.’ milorambles.com

‘It’s all here . . . Will please crime aficionados.’ Gazette & Herald

‘Mike Nash is a great creation.’ Shotsmag, Ron Ellis

‘An author who has expertly carved himself a niche in the crime thriller marketplace . . . he knows how to twist the corkscrew.’ Scarborough Evening News

‘The plot really is fantastic with twists and turns which will keep you page-turning until the early hours.’ G.L.

‘The ending always comes as a surprise. That’s what keeps you up until the early hours.’ Patty

‘Edge-of-chair stuff.’ Jan

MIKE NASH
A highly talented detective, he was a rising star in the Metropolitan Police. Following a particularly gruesome case involving a sadistic serial killer, Nash turns down the chance of promotion and heads back to his native county of Yorkshire. He hopes that returning to his roots will bring peace of mind. However, although the pace of life seems gentler, the crimes prove no less horrific. His skills are tested to the limit by a series of violent crimes that threaten to ruin his plans for a more relaxed lifestyle. Nor is his ambition to settle down made any easier by his one weakness, a seemingly unquenchable thirst for female company. That is, until . . . ?

LOCATION
The books are set in a fictional rural North Yorkshire with a scattering of market towns, small villages and countryside that changes from high moorland with dramatic crags, mountain tarns and sparse vegetation, to the gentler, lush agricultural land lower down the valley that is bisected by the river Helm. The town of Helmsdale is where Mike Nash and his team are based, in a sub-division of their headquarters in the larger town of Netherdale. Further to the west is Bishopton, also part of the hub our detectives cover.

DI MIKE NASH SERIES
Book 1: WHAT LIES BENEATH
Book 2: VANISH WITHOUT TRACE
Book 3: PLAYING WITH FIRE
Book 4: KILLING CHRISTMAS
Book 5: SLASH KILLER
Book 6: ALONE WITH A KILLER
Book 7: BLOOD DIAMOND
Book 8: DEAD & GONE
Book 9: HIDE & SEEK
Book 10: RUNNING SCARED
Book 11: THE BLEEDING HEART KILLER
Book 12: CHAIN REACTION
Book 13: CUT-THROAT
Book 14: BURIAL GROUNDS
Book 15: SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET
Book 16: GUILTY AS SIN

BILL KITSON – Author Bio
Bill Kitson was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire. His father, a wool merchant, was a fan of crime books giving Bill access to his diverse thriller collection from a young age.
Educated at Ashville College, Bill worked in the family business before spending over thirty years as a bank executive. A keen cricketer and sportsman, the highlight of his career came when he umpired a one-day international at Lords.
He and his wife now live in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, where he writes crime, romance, and general fiction. Bill’s interests include Cricket, Crime, Crete, Cookery, Cryptic crosswords – and also Alliteration.
Photo Credit: J Brian Beadle
BOOKS BY BILL KITSON
DETECTIVE MIKE NASH THRILLER SERIES:
· WHAT LIES BENEATH
· VANISH WITHOUT TRACE
· PLAYING WITH FIRE
· KILLING CHRISTMAS
· SLASH KILLER
· ALONE WITH A KILLER
· BLOOD DIAMOND
· DEAD & GONE
· HIDE & SEEK
· RUNNING SCARED
· THE BLEEDING HEART KILLER
· CHAIN REACTION
· CUT-THROAT
· BURIAL GROUNDS
· SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET
· GUILTY AS SIN
· DETECTIVE MIKE NASH BOOKS 1–5 BOX SET
· DETECTIVE MIKE NASH BOOKS 6-10 BOX SET
· JOFFE BOOKS MURDER MYSTERY & SUSPENSE SHORT STORY COLLECTION
THE COWGILL FAMILY SAGA SERIES:
· BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF BYLAND CRESCENT
· STORM CLOUDS OVER BYLAND CRESCENT
· COMING HOME TO BYLAND CRESCENT
· NEW ARRIVALS IN BYLAND CRESCENT
· THE COWGIL FAMILY SAGAS BOOKS 1-3 BOX SET
FOLLOW BILL ON
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GOODREADS

My Review My first point is if you like All loose ends neatly finished off, this book is not for you! As it doesn’t end in all ways, I presume as you read more of the series you will gently finish them off one by one. But you don’t in a single book, and older crimes are mentioned, so it would be helpful to have more experience with the series, which I don’t at the moment. It’s a worthy book to read even with the frustration of not being all tied up. A clever ploy to keep me wanting more…… A found some enjoyable characters we had a huge body count of murders, and well crafted plot to boot. In fact there lies it’s crown jewels the plot was immensely clever, with numerous crimes being solved at the same time as the murders, wonderfully woven and pieced together. Will I read more from this author, you bet I will, it’s so fast paced and such a page turner, one for lazy weekends and travel getaways as time literally stops around you.

#ADGIFTED All thoughts and opinions are my own, I choose genres and authors I enjoy to read. I lean towards murder mysteries and thrillers.

AN AURA OF MYSTERY a gripping crime thriller with a huge twist (Ellie McEwan Mysteries Book 1)

The newly-discovered novel from multi-million-selling author Joy Ellis. Never before published!

Flower shop owner Ellie McEwan is driving home late one frosty November night when a shadowy figure leaps into the road out of nowhere. Ellie swerves to avoid him — and slams head-on into the crash barrier.

Days later, Ellie wakes up in hospital — and notices there’s something different. Everyone she looks at — the doctor, the nurse, her friend Carole — is surrounded by a coloured aura. Her near-death experience seems to have given her a new ability.

And now Ellie must use her new-found gift to catch a killer.

The battered body of a young woman is found in the grounds of a local hotel. She’s the third woman to be murdered in this sleepy Surrey village, her hands crushed and mutilated. Just like the other two.

Each of the women was a skilled professional — a musician, a doctor and an artist. Apart from that, they appear to have nothing in common.

And now the police’s one lead — a key witness — is missing.

Although sceptical, a desperate DCI Bob Foreman calls on Ellie for help. But Ellie’s involvement in the investigation will throw her into the path of a brutal killer . . .

DISCOVER A TOTALLY ENTHRALLING MYSTERY.

This utterly gripping crime thriller is perfect for fans of L.J. Ross, J.D. Kirk, Elly Griffiths, Susan Hill, Kate Ellis or Ann Cleeves.

READERS LOVE JOY ELLIS:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A great read.’ Terri H.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Simply the best.’ Booklover Bev

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wow! Joy Ellis supreme storyteller at her best!’ Carol S.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A strong mystery.’ Louise G.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Suspense, intrigue, action, and great detective work!’ Debbie B.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A nail-biting and exciting novel.’ Paromjit

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Highly addictive and couldn’t wait to finish it’ Jane

JOY ELLIS – Author Bio
UK #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE JACKMAN & EVANS AND DI NIKKI GALENA SERIES; SHORTLISTED FOR BOOK OF THE YEAR FICTION: CRIME & THRILLER AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS 2021
OVER 3 MILLION BOOKS SOLD!
Joy grew up and lived in Kent, trained in floristry in Mayfair and ran her own highly successful floristry business in Weybridge for many years. In the mid-1990s, she followed her lifelong love of books, first as the manager of an independent bookshop in Leatherhead, Surrey, then as a writer. When she retired, Joy and her partner Jacqueline and their two spaniels settled in a village just outside Boston, captivated by the Lincolnshire Fens.
Joy’s happy home life is far removed from her storylines, however, and while she loves living in the misty Fens, the area provides a remote and eerie backdrop to her novels. Joy is also able to add the authenticity vital to any crime thriller by drawing on Jacqueline’s inside knowledge, to confirm procedures and the reality of tackling brutal crime and criminals in a modern police force.
BOOKS BY JOY ELLIS
DI NIKKI GALENA SERIES:
· CRIME ON THE FENS
· SHADOW OVER THE FENS
· HUNTED ON THE FENS
· KILLER ON THE FENS
· STALKER ON THE FENS
· CAPTIVE ON THE FENS
· BURIED ON THE FENS
· THIEVES ON THE FENS
· FIRE ON THE FENS
· DARKNESS ON THE FENS
· HIDDEN ON THE FENS
· SECRETS ON THE FENS
· FEAR ON THE FENS
· GRAVES ON THE FENS
· DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 1-5 BOX SET
· DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 1-3 BOX SET
· DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 4-6 BOX SET
· DETECTIVE NIKKI GALENA BOOKS 7-9 BOX SET
JACKMAN & EVANS SERIES:
· THE MURDERER’S SON
· THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS
· THE FOURTH FRIEND
· THE GUILTY ONES
· THE STOLEN BOYS
· THE PATIENT MAN
· THEY DISAPPEARED
· THE NIGHT THIEF
· SOLACE HOUSE
· THE RIVER’S EDGE
· DETECTIVES JACKMAN & EVANS BOOKS 1-3 BOX SET
MATT BALLARD SERIES:
· BEWARE THE PAST
· FIVE BLOODY HEARTS
· THE DYING LIGHT
· MARSHLIGHT
· TRICK OF THE NIGHT
STANDALONE NOVELS:
· GUIDE STAR
SHORT STORIES:
· JOFFE BOOKS MURDER MYSTERY & SUSPENSE SHORT STORY COLLECTION
FOLLOW JOY ON
AUTHOR WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
GOODREADS

My Review I hear this is an early book Joy wrote but has only recently published, so I did note she’s definitely honed her craft a bit tighter (gets to the point faster now in later books. since in the Lincolnshire series.) However it’s a wonderful mystery and plot, with gorgeous characters that I think we should read more of, in later books or a sequel?? I loved the added element of supernatural along with a good old murder mystery, as it was like marrying up my two sides of my reading habits together. It made a perfect combination. It even has the tarot in there and I love tarot, as I read them myself. Probably the best book I’ve read!! I certainly want more and more like this one.