The Accident by C L Taylor

The Accident

By C L Taylor 

I’d been looking forward to reading this book ever since I first read the premise, so I was really excited to receive a review copy. I’m pleased to say I wasn’t disappointed.

Right from the start, the book takes you into a frightening world where it feels like anything could happen and probably will.

Two narratives run alongside each other through the novel. One thread follows the present day story of Sue, whose teenaged daughter is in a coma after deliberately walking in front of a bus. The other is a series of diary entries from Sue’s earlier life which throw light on the circumstances she’s found herself in and, equally importantly, how she reacts to them.

Both narratives are equally strong, and in each the tension, fear and jeopardy for Sue build up towards the climax in a terrifying and foreboding mix.

Sue’s quest to find out what happened to her daughter, and why, is hindered by the lies being told and secrets being kept by almost all the other characters. Unravelling the mystery with her is part of the appeal of the book and ultimately leads to a satisfying conclusion.

This book covers some dark themes, including domestic violence, betrayal and breakdown. In doing so it provides a thought-provoking as well as a challenging and satisfying one.

I’m definitely looking forward to CL Taylor’s next psychological thriller and can’t wait to see what she has in store for her readers next.

I recommend this book to thriller lovers, and now I'm just looking forward to the next one.

Thanks very much to the publishers for a review copy of this book.

You can buy a copy here.

Fatal Act by Leigh Russell

Fatal Act

By Leigh Russell 

Leigh Russell has delivered another fast-paced and complex mystery for Geraldine Steel to solve in this, her latest in the series.

When a seemingly impossible murder is committed, Geraldine and her colleagues are frustrated by the lack of clues to lead them towards a solution.

All they have are the people involved in the case, and in this mystery, most of the people they have to interview are actors – so they’re used to dissembling and hiding the truth. After all, they pretend to be something they’re not every day of their lives.

In a world where people aren’t necessarily what they seem, the partner of the initial victim and those surrounding him, all seem to be a fairly unlovely lot in one way or another. So interviewing them is a challenge for Geraldine, her sergeant Sam and the rest of the team.

Fans of the series will also be pleased to see some progress in Geraldine’s personal life, including the possibility of romance with a fellow officer, albeit one Geraldine has ambivalent feelings about. And an even more intriguing plotline develops between Geraldine and her former sergeant Ian Peterson.

As with all the Geraldine Steel novels this storyline ends dramatically with both Geraldine and Sam in jeopardy, and a surprise you won’t see coming.

All in all, a fabulous read.

I’m very much looking forward to more books by Leigh Russell both in the Geraldine Steel series and in the new Ian Peterson one.

Thanks very much to the publishers for a review copy of this book.

You can find out more here.