Review: The Craftsman by Sharon Bolton

I absolutely loved this book! 

The storyline is unique and focuses on Florence a high ranking police officer that is well known for her first case. It’s not just your typical whodunnit as the person responsible has been in prison for 30 years and it’s at his funeral that we at to find out the story of what happened all those years ago. 

It’s brilliantly written and fast paced... I could t wait to get to the end... the build up was fantastic and the ending had me surprised despite there being some very subtle clues along the way that I hadn’t realised were clues until the end!! 

I’d love to read some more from this author, the way she builds the characters and you get to find out about them really helps to develop a connection within the book. 

Review: Body and Soul by John Harvey

Well..... 

I don’t know where I’ve been - this is the first book that I’ve read and it’s the last in the Elder cases!! Clearly I’m going to have to go back now and catch up on what I’ve missed.

I loved the storyline to this book, two separate criminals to catch but it was written brilliantly so there was no confusion. I loved that I got to meet the characters and find out more about them - had I have read the full series then I probably would already know who was who in some of our cast. However it wasn’t one of those series that I felt that I’d missed out but not having read the previous books and it can clearly be read as a stand alone too..... for me however I would love to go back to the beginning to find out more!

Review: London Rules by Mick Herron

London Rules might not be written down, but everyone knows rule one.

Cover your arse.

Yet another fantastic book in the Jackson Lamb series from Mick Herron. 

I really don’t know how he does it, yet another book that kept me guessing and was action packed with things going on. There’s always a twist and nothing is as straightforward as it seems. I love the fact that we see more of J.K. Coe in this one and see the character develop further. And the return of the characters that I’ve come to like and feel close to now. 

I also love the comedy in the books too - I had more laugh out loud moments. It’s not just drama and comedy that is brought though as the sadness felt by River over his grandads condition is done really well and comes across the pages to me as a reader. 

The downside to this book is the fact that I’m now fully up to date so will have to try to wait patiently for the next instalment from the Slow Horses... I really hope I don’t have to wait too long!!

Review: Spook Street by Mick Herron

This is another book in the Jackson Lamb series that does not disappoint! I was lucky enough to recently read all 4 of the series via netgalley, until I spotted it on there I had never even heard of the series. I’m so glad that I’ve found it. I have loved each book more than the last and I think it’s due to the fantastic characters that the author has developed, especially reading them back to back... I’ve grown to really like them. 

Spook street is another fast paced read which really kept me on my toes again, I even gasped out loud at one scene near the beginning as I couldn’t believe what had happened... only to realise as ever... it’s one of those twists! And I’m this books the twists just kept coming... there was one that I was so annoyed at myself for not guessing it before it was revealed... I’m usually way ahead!! Not with these books though, even having read the previous 3, I don’t seem to be able to predict what’s going to happen next! 

I can’t wait to read number 5!

Review: Real Tigers by Mick Herron

Another great read from Mr Herron! My fantastic Slow Horses are back with yet more dramas and crimes to solve. 

I think what I really enjoy about this series is the fact that the books keep me guessing as it’s never clear from the outset how it’s going to end. There’s so many twists and turns in them that it keeps me on my toes, but it’s not too confusing so I don’t lose track of what’s going on. 

This book see’s one of Lamb’s ‘Joes’ kidnapped and faced with choosing which of her fellow ‘Slow Horses’ she’d trust with her life...... a tough choice since they are all MI5 ‘rejects’. 

Brilliant storyline and it was great to see the newer characters developing more and delving deeper into our regular Slow Horses lives. 

Review: Dead Lions by Mick Herron

This is the second book in the ‘slow horse’ series and it was great to be back reading about the characters again, I’ve grown quite fond of them! 

Another great storyline which was action packed and had lots going on. There was a twist with a character which has disappointed me as I was hoping to see what happened next but clearly it’s not meant to be. 

I’m a fan of Mick Herrons writing style as it’s a fast paced read and I have a couple of laugh out loud moments usually courtesy of the main character Jackson Lamb.

Review: Slow Horses by Mick Herron

I’ve only just discovered this series by Mick Herron..... I’m wondering where I’ve been!! 

Slow horses are MI5’s ‘rejects’ that aren’t good enough to remain in the main squad but are unable to be fired due to different reasons. Whilst they may be rejects in MI5’s eyes they are still very talented and capable individuals.... given the opportunity to work together actually having a case to work.. they show they are a formidable team.

I loved getting to know the characters that appear in this book, there is a great balance between storyline & character background so that you feel like you are bonding with the ‘Slow Horses’. It’s a fast paced book and the storyline isn’t one that you can work out straightaway from the beginning. 

Great read and I cannot wait to read more from this series... luckily for me I was behind on discovering it so I can read #2 straightaway.