Review: NYPD Red 3

NYPD Red 3 by James Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As much as I love this series, and enjoy this authors work.
For me this one just didn't get me. I wasn't gripped at all.
I'm hoping the next one is an improvement or it's a series I won't be continuing with.


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Review: The Girl With No Past

The Girl With No Past by Kathryn Croft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I seemed to have had this book on my kindle forever, and it just started to shout out at me, READ ME.... I was actually convinced i'd read it. so it just kept getting passed by. Bad Me!
I really wasn't sure at first when I started it what I thought, and once over I felt it wasn't for me, but then I decided to carry on with it. And I'm glad I did.
Once you get into the story it does become addictive, in the sense that you can only find out what the SECRET is by reading the story, and the more you read the more you want to know.
Leah Mills is hiding from something or someone, running from the past. something has happened in her life that she is trying to forget. She is trying to live what she thinks is a normal life. She seems quite a lonely person, doesn't have any friends and certainly is trying to stay under the radar for some reason.
Until she learns that someone know's where she is, someone know's what she is doing, where and when and this is clearly someone from her past.
This really unnerves her, and trying her best to make friends she is a little put out by it.
Through the book we shoot back to Leah and friends at school and Leah and no friends in the present day. She is doing her best to find friendship, and right through the book you start to question, who is real, who can be trusted you do start to suspect everyone and knowing who to trust is hard.

This is one of those books that you need to keep reading, and reading and reading, because it's the only way you are going to find out what the secret is. What exactly has happened in Leah's past.
It is a very well put together and very well written story. I look forward to reading more from this author and catching up with other titles.

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Review: My RSPB Nature Clipboard

My RSPB Nature Clipboard by Eryl Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well if this doesn't get you out and about enjoying walks with the kids, then I don't know what will.
​This certainly gets 5 stars from us.
This really is a fabulous set. Clipboard and papers, with lots of activities to do. We absolutely loved this, we got on our wellies and headed out to the local woods. Armed with the clipboard, it's contents, we also took some crayons, pencils and some extra paper, a couple of small food bags for collecting our treasures in.
We started off looking for leaves, and collecting some of the better ones, to make a leaf collage the day after. We did bark rubbing and leaf rubbing which is something my little on hadn't done before so that was great fun. We were out for around 3 hours and clocked up just over 4 miles walking. So not only were we having fun and interacting with each other, we were exercising too.
The set is very well presented, and has a great variety of activities. you have sheets for recording the wildlife that you see, an activity sheet for drawing a map of your exploration. Bark and leaf rubbing sheets, and a whole host of other activities or ideas. You get a guide of pictures of animals, and leaves, bugs and trees to help you identify what you have seen. This also comes with a book full of nature activities, things to make and explore, from making a butterfly feeder, a bird feeder, a wormery, moth magnets. It's full of great fun exciting activities.
I really do recommend this. We've been out twice with the clipboard and really enjoyed ourselves. Now the warmer weather is coming we are going to start doing more of the activities in the book. It's a great for getting your young children learning about and talking about nature while having fun.

Thank you to Hannah at Walker books for sending us this.
​

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Review: The Killer Next Door

The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another of my books i've been meaning to read forever. I'm finally playing catch up, for every 2 new books I read, I have to read one i've had a while. It will work for at least 3 books until I change my mind again.

It is great when you haven't read a book that you've had for ages, and then when you do, you end up really enjoying it and wishing you'd read it sooner.
This was one of those books.

What an interesting read it turned out to be. This book will have you gripped and you'll need to keep on reading right up to the very end.

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Review: Dead Man Walking

Dead Man Walking by Paul Finch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 4 in the DS Mark Heckenburg series. I hadn't actually realised that I was so far behind with this series. After finishing this book I also realised I hadn't read books 1 & 2. That said, it didn't take away any enjoyment I had of the book. So i would say it can be read as a stand alone. I just don't think books should be read out of order, and i'm annoyed with myself.

Heck is working as part of a village police force, a small village in Cumbria. It's a big change to his days in The Met, in London. A lot quieter of a life.
That is until two back packers go missing. When Heck gets involved he can see similarities to another case he worked. Is it his mind working overtime or could there be a link.

This was an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading many more.

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Review: Dead Man Walking

Dead Man Walking by Paul Finch
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Book 4 in the DS Mark Heckenburg series. I hadn't actually realised that I was so far behind with this series. After finishing this book I also realised I hadn't read books 1 & 2. That said, it didn't take away any enjoyment I had of the book. So i would say it can be read as a stand alone. I just don't think books should be read out of order, and i'm annoyed with myself.

Heck is working as part of a village police force, a small village in Cumbria. It's a big change to his days in The Met, in London. A lot quieter of a life.
That is until two back packers go missing. When Heck gets involved he can see similarities to another case he worked. Is it his mind working overtime or could there be a link.

This was an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading many more.

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Review: My RSPB Nature Clipboard

My RSPB Nature Clipboard by Eryl Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well if this doesn't get you out and about enjoying walks with the kids, then I don't know what will.
​This certainly gets 5 stars from us.
This really is a fabulous set. Clipboard and papers, with lots of activities to do. We absolutely loved this, we got on our wellies and headed out to the local woods. Armed with the clipboard, it's contents, we also took some crayons, pencils and some extra paper, a couple of small food bags for collecting our treasures in.
We started off looking for leaves, and collecting some of the better ones, to make a leaf collage the day after. We did bark rubbing and leaf rubbing which is something my little on hadn't done before so that was great fun. We were out for around 3 hours and clocked up just over 4 miles walking. So not only were we having fun and interacting with each other, we were exercising too.
The set is very well presented, and has a great variety of activities. you have sheets for recording the wildlife that you see, an activity sheet for drawing a map of your exploration. Bark and leaf rubbing sheets, and a whole host of other activities or ideas. You get a guide of pictures of animals, and leaves, bugs and trees to help you identify what you have seen. This also comes with a book full of nature activities, things to make and explore, from making a butterfly feeder, a bird feeder, a wormery, moth magnets. It's full of great fun exciting activities.
I really do recommend this. We've been out twice with the clipboard and really enjoyed ourselves. Now the warmer weather is coming we are going to start doing more of the activities in the book. It's a great for getting your young children learning about and talking about nature while having fun.

Thank you to Hannah at Walker books for sending us this.
​

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Review: Blood Ties

Blood Ties by Julie Shaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having just realised this was book 4, I went to double check that I was up to date with the series. Somehow i've managed to miss out book 3, but I can't see it being an issue, I feel these seem ok to be read out of order. That said, I need to read the last book to satisfy my mind. I hate reading out of order.
It also seems that these books have all had a revamp. New covers and new titles. I have to admit I love the covers now, they have a great look to them.

In this book we have a mixture of love and hate, a story of growing up and starting out a new life, learning of how to grow and understand.
Kathleen has lived with her father and evil stepmother in their home, a pub which the family run. Now at 17 Kathleen is learning just how evil her stepmother is and learning to adjust.
Finding love takes Kathleen on a whole new journey, and watching her grow into the woman she has become was interesting.
This was an easy to follow read, enjoyable. I look forward to reading more by this author.
The new covers and titles do the books more justice than the old. I just feel this book could have had so much more 'grit' thrown into it, to make it an exceptional read.


It's disappointing to see a lot of 1 star reviews for this book, it seems most of them are because the books were individually written in 3 parts to start with, so you could buy them in parts or as a full book. People not realising this then leave 1 star reviews which doesn't really reflect on the book itself.
Series
Tales of the Notorious Hudson Family
1. Our Vinnie (2014) Now. In Cold Blood
2. My Uncle Charlie (2014) Now, Blood Line
3. My Mam Shirley (2014) Now, Closer Than Blood
4. Blood Ties (2016)
5. Bad Blood (2016)
6. Blood Sisters (2017)
7. Hidden Sin (2018)

I hope I have these right. lol

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Review: The Child Next Door

The Child Next Door by Shalini Boland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

AWowzers.... What can I say? What a book. This is certainly one of those books that keep you thinking, keep you guessing. It certainly keeps you on your toes.
Freaky, scary. kirstie is convinced she has just heard voices over her baby intercom. Frozen with fear, but knowing she has to go rescue her daughter. Her daughter is fine, fast asleep.
Kirsty becomes almost neurotic, convinced that her child is not safe, convinced someone is trying to steal her baby girl.
If her child is safe then maybe it's another child that is in danger. Kirstie is then convinced her neighbour is harbouring secrets and makes it her mission to find out what.
Is it that Kirstie is going a little deranged, imagining the worst case scenario on everything, or is she perfectly sane and the only person that can see something is not right.
Why won't people believe her, or is there anything to actually believe in.
A story that will keep you guessing, keep you wondering, it certainly keeps you turning the page. I think this book was put together brilliantly. A story that keeps you wanting more. I was holding my breath right at the beginning of this book, then it gives you an ending that leaves you thinking, What!!! Wow, I didn't see that coming.
This is a psychological thriller ​you don't want to miss.

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Review: Now You See

Now You See by Max Manning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

​ #IKiller #Review by @Ilovereadinguk #NowYouSee #NetGalley @maxmanningcrime @headlinepg @Wildfirebks
I, Killer has posted two photos of his first victim online - Before Death and After Death. They've gone viral before DCI Fenton's team even discovers the body.
When the body is discovered, it is the body of Lauren Bishop. It's tasked to DCI Fenton and his team to try and find this killer.
#Ikiller is trending on social media and he seems to be gaining a fan club that is feeding his ego. He needs to keep his fan's happy and give them what they want, which to him means more killings, more pictures posted online.
This turned into a really good crime thriller, there was certainly enough going on to keep you interested in the story, and the odd twist to keep you guessing and leave you wanting more.
A very well put together story that I think most crime fans would enjoy. I liked how social media was used, a very up to date storyline.
DCI Fenton not only has his job to work on, he's also a single father. Balancing the job and parenting seems a little to much for him at time. I liked this aspect of the story as it made him seem more of a real person, a believable character.
I would have liked to get to know DCI Fenton a little more, I don't think we got everything about him as a person, so hopefully this is going to become a series of books where we get to know him better. I think he's going to be a great character going forward.
I look forward to reading more of this series.

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Review: Runaway Girl

Runaway Girl by Emma Tallon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review to follow.
A great read.

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