A Stranger in the Family by Jane Casey

 Reviewed by Nas Dean

A Stranger in the Family by Jane Casey is a March 2024 release. 

In "A Stranger in the Family," the chilling disappearance of nine-year-old Rosalie Marshall sets the stage for a gripping tale of family secrets, betrayal, and the haunting legacy of a lost child. Sixteen years after Rosalie vanished from her bed, her mother Helena is found dead in what appears to be a murder-suicide alongside her husband. However, DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent quickly uncover layers of deception that point to a far more sinister truth.

The novel hooks readers from the outset with its compelling premise—a child's disappearance and the devastating aftermath on her family. Author Jane Casey expertly weaves together a narrative that blends the intensity of a police procedural with the emotional weight of a family drama. Maeve Kerrigan emerges as a compelling protagonist, driven not only by professional duty but also by a personal connection to the case that resonates deeply throughout the story.

The strength of "A Stranger in the Family" lies in its skillful exploration of characters and their motivations. Each member of the Marshall family is painted with complexity, revealing layers of vulnerability and hidden agendas. As Maeve delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Rosalie's disappearance, the tension mounts, culminating in a series of shocking revelations that challenge everything the reader thought they knew.

The pacing of the novel is relentless, propelling the plot forward with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. The author's ability to maintain suspense is commendable, as is the seamless integration of multiple storylines that converge in a satisfying and unexpected conclusion.

Furthermore, "A Stranger in the Family" delves into themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones. It confronts uncomfortable truths about the nature of grief and the impact of unresolved trauma on individuals and families alike.

Overall, "A Stranger in the Family" is a compelling and thought-provoking thriller that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and intricate mysteries. With its expertly crafted plot and memorable characters, this novel solidifies Jane Casey as a talent to watch in the realm of crime fiction. It's a book that will linger in readers' minds long after the final page is turned, leaving them questioning the true meaning of family and the secrets we keep buried within.

The Last Trace

 The Last Trace

 Petronella McGovern

Reviewed by Helen

What happens when you have a memory blank, could you have committed a crime, this is what happens to Lachy Wilson it has happened a few times now and it is starting to worry him, he is now got the care of his fifteen year old son Kia and there is also the fact that he has been asked for a DNA test by a young woman he doesn’t really remember, life is getting hard for Lachy how will this all turn out?

Sheridan loves her brother, Lachy and her nephew Kia they are a very close family and with the loss of their father and their mother now in care suffering from dementia and Lachy back in Australia they are planning Easter at the family property something that has been done for many years but it soon turns into a near tragedy and everything changes.

Lachy and Kia take a trip to the States so as Lachy can first chase up the woman who requested his DNA, also to look up a young woman from his past and to talk to his boss about a workmate but pretty much as soon as he arrives the police are requesting an interview about the DNA test.
Soon the past is being unraveled and secrets unearthed will Lachy finally be able to put the past to rest and think about the future for him and his son and family, his American family finally know what happened to their sister and Lachy and Sheridan have a better understanding about their mother’s early years.

This story takes in family and secrets set in 1968 in America and now two different eras in two different countries how times change, Lachy woks around the world helping with water resources and cares about the environment, this one was slow to start for me but the ending worked out really well and I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

3.5 Stars

July 2, 2024 by Allen & Unwin AU

Risky Desires

 Risky Desires

Wolf Security #2

Kendall Talbot

Reviewed by Helen

Are you looking for a story that is filled with action is fast paced and has fabulous characters and a sensual romance then picking this one up is recommended, I am loving this series and we are back in Rosebud, after meeting Indiana Smith in the last book it was awesome to see her again and get to know her better as she meets cop Tyler Kingsley and the sparks fly.

Indy and her father Smithy have been on the salvage boat Rhino forever and Indy has good and some bad memories but when she is sent to salvage the yacht of a criminal and the new cop in town is sent to protect her, Indy is furious she can look after herself and she hates cops this is going to be one hell of a trip.

Tyler has arrived in Rosebud after three years of undercover work that left him with a target on his back but he is keen to get into the investigations around here, criminal Chui although dead, it appears that someone has taken over and they need to get to the bottom of it all and first is salvaging his yacht and babysitting Indy Smith his going to be a fun trip, maybe not.

Indy and Tyler soon realise how much danger they are in when their lives are put on the line, danger erupts all around them and it is a fight to stay alive, but Tyler is determined to make sure they do, the chemistry between them heats up and it may be time for both of them to open up about their past. Will Indy and Tyler get out of this situation and where will they end up?

I loved this one, MS Talbot does know how to put her characters in some precarious situations she also brings couples together through danger and bullets in very sensual ways, I do highly recommend this one and the series and I can’t wait for the next one.

My thanks to the author and Booksprout for my digital copy to read and review.

4 stars

June 28, 2024

Her Father's Secret

 Her Father's Secret

Detective Margot Phalen #2

Kate Wiley

Reviewed by Helen

I have been eagerly awaiting this one to see what more Margot’s father has to say and I did thoroughly enjoy it, as Margot is busily doing her best to solve murders that are happening around the San Francisco area with her partner Wes, she is asked to visit her father notorious serial killer Ed Finch he has another body to give up, can Margot keep doing this sitting across from her father to give the families of the missing woman closure?

The pressure is on Margot as not only are there murders for her to solve but there is also a sniper on the loose and visiting her father gets harder he wants to ask her questions to know what is happening all the time, but her biggest question is how many more victims are there, and will he ever give them all up?

This one was a bit slower than the first one but filled with action and it was good getting to know more about Margot and her past as Ed opens up about his victims, I am sure there will be more to come in this series and I look forward to it. I recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, crime story.

My thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.

4 stars

June 26, 2024 by Storm Publishing

The Good Mother

 The Good Mother

Rae Carins

Reviewed by Helen

I have had this one on my TBR pile for quite some time now and I am glad that I finally picked it up, fast paced filled with danger, strong characters good and bad, we meet mother Sarah Calhoun happily living in Sydney with her three children, when her son Riley gets picked to go to Ireland for a soccer camp Sarah is conflicted about what to do, she has so many memories from her time years before in Ireland, should she let him go?

Riley leaves for Ireland and Sarah is confronted by two Irish men, one good, one bad and every memory from those dark days returns when her family is threatened Sarah does what she must to save her children as only a good mother would. She gets on a plane and soon life is filled with danger, and so many people but who does she trust?

I did very much enjoy this one even though to be honest there were times I could have yelled at Sarah, but she could not give up with so many people in danger she had to keep fighting for justice but will she get there alive, will her family be safe and will Sarah finally leave the past behind.

I do highly recommend this one to any reader who loves a good political thriller, they were dark days in Ireland.

4 star

April 1, 2022 by HarperCollins

Where There is Smoke

 Where There is Smoke

Taylor's Bend #2

Elisabeth Rose

Reviewed by Helen

Book two in this series and I am really enjoying being back in Taylor’s Bend, we get to know the Vet Oliver Johnson, he arrived in Taylor’s Bend about five years ago looking for a quiet and friendly place to be and he is sure he has found it, that is until he arrives at the site of a car accident involving a beautiful horse, here he meets beautiful Krista Laatonen and life is going to change.

Krista is the step-daughter of the billionaire who owns The Grange a race horse stud that is run by her step-brother, Krista lives happily in Melbourne but has come to The Grange for her mother and Step-father’s wedding anniversary party, she doesn’t expect to get caught up in a world of deception and revenge.

Oliver’s first impression of Krista is not a good one she comes across as a spoilt rich girl but he soon sees her in a different light with the help that she gives when needed and his feelings are certainly growing for, but she seems to run hot and cold, honestly what has she been through. And now they are being threatened for something someone else has done.

This is an action packed story filled with danger, bush fires and a terrible abduction that leaves Krista badly scared both physically and emotionally will Oliver and the wonderful residents of Taylor’s Bend be able to get through to Krista and will Oliver and Krista find the love and happiness they deserve?

I did very much enjoy this one and recommend it to any romantic suspense readers.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.

4 Stars

August 1, 2019 by Escape Publishing

The Secrets That Lie Within

 The Secrets That Lie Within

Taylor's Bend #1

Elisabeth Rose

Reviewed by Helen

Are you looking for a romantic suspense story and one that is in a series, then I found this one to be a very good one, strong characters a great setting and danger abounds.

Abbie Forrest is an artist born and bred a city girl but after her husband is charged and then acquitted of terrible crimes, she is now estranged from her young daughter and sister, she packs up and moves to the country, she chooses a house that is isolated and quiet so as she can concentrate on her painting, she has settled in well and has made many friends with the locals.

Rupert Perry is the town policeman he moved here after losing his wife and is very happy with his hours and the feeling of belonging to the community, it is nice and quiet her, until it isn’t and he is also very attracted to Abbie, not only is she good looking she is very easy to talk to.

But when Rupe is called out to Abbie’s place to investigate some strange goings on he is worried about her living alone and when a couple of young people who know Abbie’s daughter Georgia arrive and then her daughter arrives unexpectedly, thinks start to get even more strange and the danger builds, will Abbie and Georgia be safe, if Rupe has anything to do with it they will.

This is one filled with lots of suspense and danger and a romance that has a few ups and downs, there are some things from both their pasts that need to be spoken about before they can look to the future, I did very much enjoy this one and I do highly recommend it, now to read book two.

4 stars

April 1, 2019 by Escape Publishing