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corinne82's reviews
372 reviews

The Missing Mother by Casey Kelleher

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challenging mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is a great psychological thriller that gripped me from the blurb. Love when a storyline grabs you from the get-go and gets straight to the depts of it and keeps the pace throughout. Told from three characters points of view - Jenna, the missing mother, and
"Him". Great edge of the seat kind of read. Likeable and dislikable characters that will have you rooting for some and wishing others get their comeuppance. Enjoyed this one… 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review #TheMissingMother
Don't Let Her Go by Willow Rose

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

🎧 This is my first book by this author and she has gained a fan for sure. The Detective Billie Ann Wilde series was definitely a good one to start with as it’s exactly my kind of listen. It’s a fast paced listen that I binged in a day. There is so much going on within the storyline from switching between past and present timelines to individual characters back stories and it just works. I was so invested throughout. The narrator did a fantastic job along with the snappy chapters. The author really knows how to weave a story and write well developed characters from the lovable to the detestable. As the story unfolded my mind went into overdrive and I started to come up with my own ideas and that’s not always a good thing but it makes a pretty good read 😜. I love it when a book has you looking at everyone. For me this one had it all and I’ll look forward to the next instalment. Put this on your TBR list… 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen and review #DontLetHerGo
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

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challenging slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

🎧 It took me a minute to warm to Molly’s character when I read The Maid but I did find her endearing and really quite memorable so this one went straight on the list. Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me. Where I fell in love with Mollys quirkiness in the first book it felt like the author took it to another level somewhat and I found it overbearing at times. If I hear the words “Regency Grand” again it’ll be too soon. The storyline moves between past and present timelines and we get an insight into Mollys childhood and present day. The past timeline did help me to understand Molly better but I really didn’t care for the storyline or how it unfolded. It felt like it dragged and it really took from the mystery of the plot and the engagement for the listener. I was bored and found my mind wandering. The constant repetition became tedious and the plot lacked suspense and intrigue. It was a little unbelievable how the ending unfolded. I know I’m in the minority (again 🙉) when it comes to this read but unfortunately I found it a slog. 
The last resort by Heidi Perks

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mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It a fast paced read to begin with and moves between past and present timelines. It had me engaged to begin with but it lost me somewhat in the middle as it felt extremely drawn out and a little repetitive at times. I do think it was cleverly written as I really wanted to know what was going on but I did find the outcome underwhelming. I can’t say I really cared for either of the female characters and at times it felt like Erin was throwing around accusations but with no basis for them so for the reader it came across as out of nowhere. It seemed a little far fetched at times and somewhat predictable. It was an ok read but the pace really dragged it out for me. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review #TheLastResort
Three Little Birds by Sam Blake

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

🎧 This is my first read by Sam Blake and it won’t be my last. You’re thrown into the storyline from the get-go and it’s an addictive listen. It was excellent on audio and the narrator did such a great job. It’s a really well developed storyline that’s a little different. It was both engaging and eventful, there was always something going on or some twist or other. The forensic side of the story was well thought out and the fact it had an Irish setting really added to the overall plot but it also makes it so much more plausible for me as the reader/listener as it’s so close to home. Loved the characters and each one held their own in different ways. Definitely one to get you out of a reading slump. 


Her Silent Bones: A gripping crime thriller with a heart-stopping twist by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

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adventurous challenging medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This is the first in the Delaney Pace series and where I did enjoy it I felt the beginning and end moved at a steady pace but the middle just dragged. The plot lacked that little bit extra in the sense of twists when it came to a page turner to keep you engaged but it was more going through the motions. I did like the characters but didn’t really feel we got to know them except Delaney herself who is a typical bad ass female character but as far as characters go they need further development. With it being the first in the series I feel it can only get better when the characters and backstories come into their own. I would definitely give book 2 a go… 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review #TheSilentBones
Little Witness by S.A. Dunphy

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

🎧 This is the first book in the DI Tessa Burns series and it won’t be my last. Loved it on audio and the narration was very engaging with the references to different places in Ireland. Interesting storyline that did keep my attention but I’d have liked a few more built up twists and turns but that’s what the next book in the series is for, they can only get better and better. The characters are quirky and so lovable and they just gel well. Really loved Tessa and her no nonsense attitude and I know her backstory is only going to get more interesting as the series goes on. Really enjoyed this one. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review #LittleWitness
The Twenty by Sam Holland

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

🎧 This is second read in Sam Hollands Crime Fiction series with the first being The Echo Man which was a 5🌟 listen for me. This one is another dark police procedural listen. It started off as a bit of a slow burn but soon ramped up and built the suspense. It was an engaging listen and Sam Holland really doesn’t hold back when it comes to the trauma she inflicts on her characters. All I can say is don’t get too attached because she pulls no punches. She really weaves an interesting well developed storyline along with loveable well developed characters. I love the backstory and how we end up in the present day. This is another must read but beware it could make your skin crawl. 
The Silence by Katerina Diamond

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challenging slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Diamond delves into an important topic within this storyline. It’s told from the points of view of 3 of the characters Gail, Shona and a mystery person who we aren’t aware of their identity. The blurb really caught my interest and I think it was brave of the author for going down this route but at times it did feel like I was stuck in Gails head and her constant ramblings which was just to much at times. It felt like it really dragged the a#% out of the storyline. I really wanted to empathise with Gail but she was so bitter and entitled she ended up being very unlikeable. I did like Shona as a character but she didn’t feature as much. I found the storyline to be far fetched and unbelievable and I could see where it was going about a 1/4 way in. The outcome was very meh for such a drawn out build up. Where I get what the author was trying to do it just didn’t have the desired effect. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review #TheSilence
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley

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challenging reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

🎧 This one has been on my list for a while as the subject matter is right up my street. It’s important to point out that Leila Mottley was only 17 years old when she wrote it and it’s a very well written read. She discusses important topics an has an important story to tell about poverty, racism, police violence, sex work, and growing up in these circumstances as a teenager who is more or less left to fend for herself along with looking after another. I think Mottley achieved what she set out to do. Having said that I don’t think it was for me or that I overly enjoyed it (enjoy is the wrong word) but I think that’s just me as others are singing its praises. I found it a bit of a slog and it didn’t hold my interest and I found my mind wandering. Unfortunately I was glad when I got to the end.