My Book Reviews

Category: Psychological

  • The Wrong Neighbour by Caleb Crowe

    The Wrong Neighbour by Caleb Crowe

    The Wrong Neighbour by Caleb Crowe

    Release: June 23, 2024

    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Inkubator Books
    Source: NetGalley
    Find it at: Goodreads

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    They’ve moved into their dream house. Then they meet the couple next door.

    After a whirlwind romance, Megan and Nick move into the home of their dreams, a beautiful beach house.

    They think it’s their happily ever after… until their neighbours return from a cruise.

    Ron and Jackie are loud and obnoxious, playing their home cinema at high volume, and shattering the tranquillity with their endless building work. To cap it all, they have a kennel with four dangerous dogs that bark and howl day and night.

    They are the living definition of the neighbours from hell.

    Megan finds she is pregnant, and what should be a blissful dream for the couple instead becomes a gruelling nightmare. As their home turns into a battleground, their relationship starts to crumble under the relentless stress.

    When Ron and Jackie lay claim to part of Megan and Nick’s garden, the young couple know they are in for a fight. But they have no idea what their neighbours really want – or how far they will go to get it.

    Their nightmare has only just begun …

    The Wrong Neighbour – the shocking psychological thriller perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Lucinda Berry and John Marrs.

    About the Author:

    Caleb Crowe is a British writer of psychological thrillers, and is fascinated by stories where extraordinary things happen to ordinary people, and the mundane is transformed into the menacing.

    He’s afraid of the sea, fearful in the countryside, panicky in large open spaces and terrified of small, confined spaces. There’s nowhere, and no one, that doesn’t possess some dark, brooding anxiety just waiting to have the lid prised open and turned into a twisty, suspenseful, nerve-shredding story.

    He lives in Manchester with his partner, two children and two cats, who probably have their own mysterious agendas. Whether he’s navigating the urban jungle or wrestling with the daily challenges of family life, Caleb draws inspiration from the unpredictability of everyday existence.

    Website | Goodreads

    The Wrong Neighbour Review:

    This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s writing style, which packs a lot into each chapter and makes you genuinely root for the main character, Meg. The author constantly pushes the protagonist to the brink, and just when it seems she might escape her predicament, the author throws in a twist that leaves you wondering if she has any hope, keeping you glued to the pages.

    Moreover, Meg is a truly compelling lead. Initially, she relies on Nick to solve problems, but as the story unfolds, you witness her transformation and gain a newfound respect for her as she begins to take matters into her own hands. Her growth and resilience are truly inspiring.

    Another aspect I found intriguing is that, apart from Meg, most characters are particularly unlikable. The author delves into not only the rude and threatening neighbors but also Meg’s marriage with Nick and other characters like Gavin and Peter. This constant questioning of who can truly be trusted as secrets and lies unravel, particularly with the irritatingly saccharine Jackie, kept me curious about their true intentions.

    However, my only criticism is that the author sometimes spends too much time on Meg’s nightmares and the self-help she receives from a mentor named Tiffany. While these sections provide insight into Meg’s psyche and her attempts to stay calm amidst the chaos, they can distract from the main plot.

    Overall, “The Wrong Neighbour” is an engaging thriller that will hook you with its storyline and keep you guessing until the end. I enjoyed reading the story and look forward to reading more by the author. 

  • I’m Following You by Emily Shiner

    I’m Following You by Emily Shiner

    I’m Following You

    I’m Following You by Emily Shiner

    Release: December 11, 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Inkubator books
    Source: Zooloos book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads

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    Amanda has the perfect life. But someone wants to end it.

    Amanda loves her life. She’s a highly respected doctor, and she lives in a beautiful home in the best neighborhood in town.

    But her perfect life begins to crumble when she notices a woman in a red car following her. Then this mysterious person begins an increasingly disturbing campaign – stalking Amanda, even invading her home and office.

    Amanda is terrified and feels as if she is under siege. As far as she knows she has no enemies. So who is this strange woman? And what does she want?

    As the interloper’s behavior becomes more and more threatening, the conflict between the two women moves inexorably towards a fateful confrontation.

    When dangerous secrets and shocking lies are revealed, there’s no turning back. One of them will pay the ultimate price.

    About the Author:

    Emily Shiner always dreamed of becoming an author but first served her time as a banker and a teacher. After a lifetime of devouring stacks of thrillers, she decided to try her hand at writing them herself. Now she gets to live out her dream of writing novels and sharing her stories with people around the world. She lives in the Appalachian Mountains and loves hiking with her husband, daughter, and their two dogs.

     

    Website | Facebook | Tiktok | Instagram |Goodreads

    I’m Following You Review:

    I have read a few of the author’s other psychological thrillers, and I liked how she writes each chapter to keep you guessing about each character’s intentions. In this book, I kept wondering if Collette was right about Amanda or if Amanda was hiding something. The author nicely paces the story with concise chapters, where you know something is off with one of them and try to guess the possibilities of what could happen. The ending surprised me completely, and it made the story worth reading.

    The two main characters balance each other nicely. Frankly, I liked Collette even though she does some weird stuff with Amanda to mess up her mind. You know she is yearning for the loss of Arabella and tries to make her life better by going to grief counseling. The author also added interesting passages with the concepts they talk about during grief counseling, like intrusive thoughts and your subconscious communicating with you. On the other hand, Amanda got on my nerves because of how scatterbrained she came across. She is supposed to be this intelligent doctor, yet she doesn’t consider installing security cameras when she suspects someone is following her. She does nothing except wait like a target for her mystery person to attack her, which irked me.

    However, the story could have been better. It started strong and ended well, and while it had exciting moments, it staggered in the middle. For a while, nothing happens much except for how Collette does something to scare Amanda and then tells Jackson about it on a loop. The story could have been trimmed in certain places and added more twists.

    But “I’m Following You” is a fun, guilty pleasure read and worth checking out if you like short psychological thrillers with surprising, twisty endings.

    Book Tour Schedule

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on I’m Following You by Emily Shiner Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos book Tours.

     

  • The Clinic by Sally-Anne Martyn

    The Clinic by Sally-Anne Martyn

    The Clinic

    The Clinic by Sally-Anne Martyn

    Release: October 27th 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Joffe Books
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon,

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    Would you go to a beauty clinic that promises to transform your life? If you’re prepared to put the work in.

    It seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. An all-inclusive stay at a top-of-the-line wellness retreat for a month of pampering and luxury. Not just anyone gets in. Guests are hand selected.

    They promise big results: a total transformation.

    All you have to do is take a few pills every day. Join in the activities. Make some new friends.

    But then you start to lose track of time. The meals get smaller. They take away everything from you.

    And the guests start disappearing . . . Will you be next?
    About the Author:

    Sally-Anne grew up near Sheffield, in the north of England. She has worked as a writer, film and television extra and formerly as an auxiliary nurse, including a spell working in one of the last Victorian asylums in England.

    As a child she loved Hammer House and Tales of the Unexpected, so unsurprisingly her books lean towards the darker side. She writes female led thrillers, inspired by the working-class women she grew up with.

    She has written for international print and digital publications and won an ITV initiative for her short film script, ‘Freak Show.’

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    The Clinic Review:

    Wow! “The Clinic” is perhaps one of the best psychological thrillers I have read this year, and I could not put it down.

    This book has all the elements that excite me from the genre. Creepy asylums, shady characters, mysterious pasts, and tense moments get you to the edge of your seat. The author does a beautiful job of building suspense. The chapters toggle between Amy and Jenny, and while you feel like their stories are separate, I enjoyed how they connected. Even though there are 92 chapters, you don’t see the time fly by as you immerse in Amy and Jenny’s world.

    Amy and Jenny are excellent in their roles. Jenny was my favorite because I loved how my perception of her changed. She is more vigorous and brave than I gave her credit for, considering her challenges since childhood. Similarly, Amy brings a sense of innocence to the tale as our heroine tries to discover what happened to her fellow friends. Dr. Cavendish is also exciting to read because you sense something is wrong with the methods she suggests, but you cannot place what unless you read the story.

    Many moments stood out for me, like when Amy and Jenny meet or when we see what happens to Gaynor. The supporting cast, like Bob, Gaynor, Jasmine, and even the sleazy Robert, added well to the mix and made the story atmospheric.

    Moreover, the author adds an underlying message that you don’t have to be model thin and look exotic to appreciate life and have people admire you. I enjoyed how the author embedded the theme, albeit in such a twisted manner.

    Overall, “The Clinic” is a gripping psychological thriller and a must-read for fans of the genre.

     

    Book Tour Schedule

      The Clinic I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Clinic by Sally-Anne Martyn Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

     

     

  • Hear Me Cry By Eileen Wharton

    Hear Me Cry By Eileen Wharton

    Hear Me Cry

    Hear Me Cry By Eileen Wharton

    Release: 28th October 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Red Dragon Books
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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    A nun hiding a chilling secret. A literary agent, Katie Kovacs is ghost-writing her mysterious memoir, and delves into her grisly past. What secrets will be revealed?

    Heather Parnell runs away from a commune in the 1970s. And in a disastrous catalogue of events, involves herself in the death of three elderly people. She becomes the focus of a media storm, who name her, The Commune Murderer.

    Katie has her own demons. An abduction in her childhood still haunts her.  Katie believes someone is stalking her. Her six-year-old son went missing years before, and Katie was sure her husband was responsible.

    Will she ever find out what really happened to Oliver? Will she finally unearth the truth about Britain’s most notorious female killer?

    SHE INVITED HER INTO HER HEAD, NOW SHE CAN’T GET HER OUT

    About the Author:

    Eileen Wharton is an Oscar winning actress, Olympic gymnast, and Influencer. She also tells lies for a living.

    Her first novel publishing was in 2011 to worldwide critical acclaim. And she’s won awards for exaggeration. It did top the Amazon humour chart so she’s officially a best-selling author.

    She currently has five ‘lively’ offspring ranging from thirty-three to fourteen years of age. And  she has no plans to procreate further, much to the relief of the local schools and police force. She lives on a council estate in County Durham.

    Moreover, she has never eaten kangaroo testicles, is allergic to cats and has a phobia of tinned tuna. She no more argues with people on the internet.

     Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    Hear Me Cry Review:

    “Hear Me Cry” is a gripping psychological thriller that I could not put down because it was so good!

    Initially, when I started reading, I didn’t know in which direction the story for heading. On the one hand, you have Katie, who lives in a secluded house and encounters paranormal activities. On the other hand, Heather falls in love with Jovano, and her life spirals down. On top of that, we also have a parallel story of the horrors a child encountered in 1975. How are all these connected? The author did a fantastic job of maintaining the suspense; as the story progresses, you wonder how it will culminate. I adored the author’s writing style. Each chapter toggles various perspectives, shifts between the past and present, and progresses through letters exchanges, and I found the approach exciting. On a side note, I also loved the fairy tale-like short stories the author tells, like “Pollards Boar.”

    Moreover, all the characters stood out, but my favorite was Katie. My heart went out to Katie throughout, from when she met Mark to when she experienced scary things in the house. Certain moments had me at the edge of my seat, like when Katie realizes what kind of a person Mark is or when she learns of Laura and visits Mark’s mother. Also, some scenes, like when Katie goes to the spiritualist church, gave me goosebumps. Heather was also engaging; I thought the scenes with the cat and Christina were intense. The story also has an unforgettable cliffhanger that makes it so memorable. However, after reading a few such stories in the genre, I foreguessed the conclusion. Nevertheless, the book is unforgettable, and I could not put it down.

    Overall, “Hear Me Cry” is a brilliant suspense thriller worth reading!

    Book Tour Schedule

    Hear Me Cry

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Hear Me Cry By Eileen Wharton Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

     

     

     

  • Her Last Lie by Kyla Sharp

    Her Last Lie by Kyla Sharp

    Her Last Lie

    Her Last Lie by Kyla Sharp

    Release: 12th October 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Inkubator Books
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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    He says they’re madly in love. So why can’t she remember him?

    Naomi wakes from an accident with no memory of her previous life. A stranger to her, Joel, claims to be her husband, and Naomi has no choice but to believe him.

    Joel keeps Naomi isolated and will only drip-feed her clues about the past. He says he’s just following doctor’s orders – Naomi has to take it easy or she could be overwhelmed.

    But Naomi can’t help feeling there’s something off about Joel and the wonderful life he claims they had together. And how did she get injured and lose her memory in the first place? And who is the strange woman who is stalking her?

    Naomi begins to suspect she’s in terrible danger. She needs to fully remember her previous life – and fast.

    When she finds some posts she made on Instagram, she realizes the clue to her identity may lie on social media. But are those posts even true? Or was that Naomi presenting a picture-perfect version of herself which has no basis in reality?

    Trapped in a web of lies and unable to trust even herself, can Naomi figure out the who she really is before it’s too late?

    Her Last Lie – the gripping psychological thriller perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, K. L. Slater, and Daniel Hurst.

    About the Author:

    Kyla Sharp writes fun, dark and twisty suspense novels. Originally from Chicago, Kyla has worked as a breaking news reporter, at an animal hospice, and has traveled the world full-time as a “digital nomad.” She now lives in Melbourne, Australia.

    Her Last Lie is her first psychological thriller with Inkubator Books.

    Website | Facebook | Goodreads

    Her Last Lie Review:

    I loved reading “Her Last Lie” and thought it was one of the best amnesiac psychological thrillers I have read this year.

    The book was so good from the get-go. You see a woman in the hospital with damaged looks who can’t remember her past. Throw in a man who claims to be her husband and takes her away. As the story progresses, you get hints of the woman’s past and what a prominent figure she was, adored, and admired by many. I loved Naomi in the role as she encounters people like Rachelle, Laura, Willow, and Joel. You don’t know who is telling the truth and using her, which makes the story so gripping. I was at the edge of my seat as Naomi tried to pick the pieces together and find her identity.

    Moreover, I loved the author narrated the story. She makes the book relevant by showcasing how scary a social media influencer’s life can become. The author also adds so many thrilling moments, twists, and turns that I did not see coming. Some moments that stood out for me are when Rachelle chases her with her car or when Laura tries to help her. The book also concludes with a surprising and exciting climax that I did not see coming, making the story memorable. There are some parts, albeit a tad unbelievable, only considering how far Naomi was able to get considering her frail condition, but that did not stop me from enjoying the story.

    Overall, “Her Last Lie” is an exciting read I enjoyed.

     
    Book Tour Schedule

    Her Last Lie

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Her Last Lie by Kyla Sharp Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

     

  • Secrets In The Mirror by Leslie Kain

    Secrets In The Mirror by Leslie Kain

    Secrets In The Mirror

    Secrets In The Mirror by Leslie Kain

    Release: September 13, 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Atmosphere Press
    Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N

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    Family. The same people who destroyed Gavin’s self-esteem are the ones he must save.

    When Gavin looks in the mirror, he sees his twin Devon ― literally. Yet like the mirror, inside, they are the reverse of each other. Devon is the chosen one, anointed by their demanding Mob-connected father, who demeans Gavin as a nerd but expects him to save his brother from his worst instincts. Gavin struggles to believe in himself and make his own decisions in the face of Dad’s bullying and Devon’s narcissistic gaslighting. When Devon gets into drugs and crime, people start dying. Gavin’s loyal allies tell him he can’t save his twin; he must save himself. He flees to find freedom and success far away, but he can’t hide from his sociopathic brother or the Mob.

    Secrets In The Mirror is a sweeping saga of one family’s journey to rise above cultural precedent. But Gavin is the one who must finally break the shackles of multigenerational and narcissistic abuse, despite inextricable bonds with a twin who’s headed for self-destruction. It is a tale that grapples with the imperative to save others versus the struggle to protect oneself.

    About the Author:

    Leslie Kain earned her degree in psychology at Wellesley College, then worked at McLean Hospital for two years. But supporting children demanded a more significant income, so she got her MBA at Boston University and began a career doing business development in bleeding edge high tech and Intelligence. Once her kids were somewhat self-sufficient, she returned to her passion, serving as a director in nonprofits (NAMI, CHADD), focusing on mental health. Having written “nonfiction” (technical, scientific, marketing) during her varied careers, she surprised herself when she attempted fiction. She turned to novels with several short stories published in literary journals and an anthology. She brings her passion for psychology to levels of inner conflict and resolution. Originally from “all over” the U.S., she now resides in Mexico with her husband and cat Sheba (her writing muse)

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    Secrets In The Mirror Review:

    Oh, my goodness! “Secrets In The Mirror” is a remarkable story with strong, contrasting leads that hooked me to the storyline.

    Let me start by saying that I loved stories with twins. The author does a fantastic job in writing Gavin and Devon. As soon as the tale absorbs you, you feel so protective towards Gavin and despise Devon with a passion. I loved Gavin, and he was the star of the show. He goes out of his way to care for everyone around him, even though everyone tells him to focus on himself. Some of my favorite moments are the moments with him and Katie, his graduation, and the love he shares for his mother.

    Similarly, Devon is just nasty to the core, and you wonder what havoc he would wreak as he is not mentally stable. The author writes their personality so well that you worry about what Devon would do to sabotage Gavin and hope that Gavin will not turn sour just like him. The supporting characters, like their parents, also had a dramatic role, and I was not too fond of Tony. However, that is not to say that the characters are one-dimensional. The author surprisingly adds different tones to each character, and I felt even a bit sorry for Devon.

    Moreover, the author gave me a lot to think about regarding Narcissistic personality disorder, and I realized that I know people in reality who display this personality (albeit not as strongly as Devon). The author adds in many passages, especially in the beginning, when we hear from Dr. Epstein about the various causes and side effects, that made me fascinated on the topic.

    Overall, “Secrets In The Mirror” was a story I don’t think I will forget anytime soon, and I loved it!

    Book Tour Schedule

    Secrets In The Mirror

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on Secrets In The Mirror by Leslie Kain Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours. Check out my post, and make sure to enter the giveaway!

     

  • Don’t Leave by Pru Heathcote

    Don’t Leave by Pru Heathcote

    Dont Leave

    Dont Leave by Pru Heathcote

    Release: 29 July 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Red Dragon Publishing LTD
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at Amazon

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    JANE is a young woman who is grieving for her child.  Relatives take her to a remote holiday cottage on the Northumberland coast.

    From the moment she arrives at the cottage with her much older and over-protective husband, Peter, Jane keeps catching glimpses of a little girl and hearing a child crying.

    Peter is sure that these are hallucinations. Moreover, Jane has been diagnosed with schizophrenia – a diagnosis she disagrees with.

    She sets out to discover who or what the child could be. A ghost? A real child? Or something else?

     Author Bio:

    I’ve always loved telling stories and putting them down on paper as soon as I could write. I began my working life in Hertfordshire as a local newspaper reporter – obits, weddings, Uncle George’s Kiddies’ Corner – then went on to teenage magazines (Fab and Rave) and women’s magazines.

    I moved to Northumberland forty years ago and worked as an adult education tutor, teaching any subject I didn’t need a qualification for, including creative writing.

    Over the years, I’ve written dozens of stories for magazines, a commissioned biography, and several plays, one of which was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe.

    Out of my Plays, my novel “Dont Leave” won entry in the 2020 Lindisfarne Prize, From marriage, I have three grown-up children and two grandchildren. I live in Warkworth, a village on the Northumberland coast, an area that provides most of the inspiration for my stories.

     Facebook 

    Don’t Leave  Review:

    “Don’t Leave” is a unique psychological, supernatural thriller I enjoyed reading because of its exciting twists.

    I admit; that this book was not what I was expecting. I was expecting a traditional ghost story where a couple experiences supernatural experiences when they enter a new house due to something that happened there. The author surprised me with a twist I did not see coming, and I loved the plot’s direction. There are quite a few twists and turns that I did not expect, which made the story very entertaining.

    Moreover, I liked Mrs. Mortimer a lot. She is a complex character that initially, you dislike her attitude and hatred towards the world (except for her cat Whiskey). However, as the story progresses, you start to feel sorry for her and appreciate her more than anyone else. Frankly, I liked her even more than Jane. While good for the most part, Jane was sometimes a bit annoying. I didn’t appreciate how she suspected Peter and simultaneously got romantically inclined toward another person. Jane’s personality was certainly a bit weird at times, but I liked her, especially when she was with Suzy.

    Also, I liked the eerie moments that the author adds to what Jane experiences in the house. Wherever she goes, and whatever she does, Jane hears a small girl crying and saying, “Don’t Leave.” I also comprehended that would be the reason, and the climax surprised me. The author has a beautiful knack for writing in this genre, and I cannot wait to see what other stories she weaves.

    Overall, “Don’t Leave” is a great book to pick up if you enjoy the genre.

    Book Tour Schedule

    DONT LEAVE

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Dont Leave by Pru Heathcote Blog Tour sponsored by Zooloos Book Tours.

     

  • The Insomniac by Miranda Rijks

    The Insomniac by Miranda Rijks

    The Insomniac

    The Insomniac by Miranda Rijks

    Release: 24th July 2022 
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Inkubator Books
    Source: ZooloosBook Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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    Daisy thinks her insomnia is the worst thing in the world. She’s wrong.

    Daisy hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in years. Her chronic insomnia has gotten so bad, it’s affecting her job as a journalist. So she’s delighted when she’s asked to review a new, luxurious sleep clinic – this could be the answer to her prayers.

    At first, everything about the clinic seems perfect – the stunning seaside location, the beautiful rooms, the exquisite cuisine.

    Clinic owner and chief therapist, Amity, is sure she can cure Daisy’s insomnia by uncovering its root cause. But to do that, she’ll use hypnosis to probe deep into Daisy’s past. And that’s not good – because Daisy has a terrible secret.

    As Amity digs into her mind, Daisy feels more and more vulnerable. She begins to think there is something off about the clinic. Is her insomnia making her paranoid or does Amity have her own sinister agenda?

    Fearing the past has finally caught up with her, Daisy wonders if she should just leave. But that’s not so easy – because this clinic, which was supposed to offer rest and safety, is the most terrifying place she’s ever been…

    About the Author:

    Miranda Rijks is a writer of psychological thrillers and suspense novels. She has an eclectic background ranging from law to running a garden centre. She’s been writing all of her life and has a Masters in writing. A couple of years ago she decided to ditch the business plans and press releases and now she’s living the dream, writing suspense novels full time. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband, musician daughter and black Labrador.

    Miranda is the author of psychological thrillers. This will be her fourteenth novel published with Inkubator Books.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    The Insomniac Review:

    “The Insomniac” is an exciting psychological thriller that uses a spa as a backdrop, and I enjoyed it.

    I’ve lately become a fan of the author and enjoyed some of her earlier works. The author writes psychological thrillers very well, where the books are short and easy, yet each chapter provides some twists and turns. “The Insomniac” does not disappoint and immediately takes off as soon as we read of the two main characters, Amity and Daisy. Both characters are contrastingly different, yet you find yourself seeing good and evil in both of them. Also, Seeing how Amity uses her charms and skills to manipulate Daisy was fun. The author slowly reveals Amity’s intentions, and I liked how the story and the characters connected.

    I also loved the backdrop of the spa, which is something that you don’t see in this genre. The author takes everyday settings and makes them creepy, like closed rooms. Throw in some hypnosis and psychiatry, and I could not put this book down! Moreover, the author does add some eerie moments that make you claustrophobic, where Daisy finds herself in tight situations, and you wonder what will happen to her. The author also adds a surprising, twisted climax that came out of the blue.

    Perhaps the only downside to the tale was the potential loss of some characters. For instance, I thought Rosemary was weirdly possessive and stalkerish towards Daisy and expected more from the supporting cast. Similarly, even Jenny had the potential to be memorable, and I wished the author had added a backstory and twist for her.

    Nevertheless, “The Insomniac” was a fun book to read, and I recommend it if you love the genre and want to pick up a good summer read.

    Book Tour Schedule

    The Insomniac

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Insomniac by Miranda Rijks Blog Tour hosted by ZooloosBook Tours.

     

     

  • The Lost Boy by Jane Renshaw

    The Lost Boy by Jane Renshaw

    The Lost Boy

    The Lost Boy by Jane Renshaw

    Release: July 10, 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Inkubator Books 
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Geni.US,

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    One island. Two women. A journey to hell.

    The Clarke family, Penny, Rod and their two young boys, are delighted when they are offered a holiday in a high-end guest house on a remote and beautiful island.

    Their hostess Anna seems like a lovely woman. But what the Clarkes don’t realize is that this is no random invitation, that Anna has carefully selected the family to satisfy her sinister agenda.

    Penny soon begins to sense there’s something off about Anna. She often speaks about her husband and son, but is it odd that they are both away? And that Anna seems perfectly content to be alone in this isolated place?

    And then there’s the way she looks at Penny’s boys – as if she’s sizing up chickens for the slaughter.

    Penny grows increasingly uneasy and begins to do a bit of digging, which leads to a horrifying discovery – she finally realizes who Anna is. Then she knows exactly why they’ve been invited to the island.

    She also knows that if she and her family are ever going to leave, they’ll have to fight for their lives… and find the answer to one terrifying question – how far would you go for the people you love?

    The Lost Boy – the gripping psychological thriller from the author of The Stepson and The Child Who Never Was.

    About the Author:

    As a child, Jane spent much time in elaborate Lego worlds populated by tiny plastic animals and people. Crime levels were high, especially after the Dragon brothers set themselves up as vets and started murdering the animals in their ‘care’. (They got away with it by propping the victims up with Plasticine and pretending they were still alive…)

    As an adult, she is still playing in imaginary worlds and putting her characters through hell – but now she can call it ‘writing’ and convince herself that she is doing something sensible. In real life, she has a PhD in genetics and copy-edits scientific and medical journals.

    Jane writes psychological thrillers. The Stepson will be her fourth novel published with Inkubator Books.

    Website | Amazon | Goodreads

    The Lost Boy  Review:

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    “The Lost Boy” is a compelling thriller that shines for its characters!

    The book is a different psychological thriller because of the small set of characters on the canvas. You have a maximum of five main characters, and initially, I wondered how the author could shock me with just these characters. However, the author writes the emotions and backstory of the characters so well! You second guess each of their intentions and wonder what is happening. Moreover, I liked the mysterious backdrop of the Island where you don’t know what will happen to them.

    Moreover, the highlight for me was the two main characters, Anna and Penny. Anna and Penny are complete opposites, and I enjoyed how the author portrayed them. What’s also interesting is how the author made me change my perception of both characters throughout the tale. Initially, I rooted for Penny and thought Anna was strange and sinister. But, as the story progressed, I realized I rooted more for Anna and didn’t like Penny. I liked how the author seamlessly moved the transition and alternated the chapters between the perspective of the two characters. Anna, in particular, is fascinating. You can see the hurt and love she feels whenever she thinks of Broc and Tam.

    Another highlight of the tale was Freddie. For some reason, this character unnerved me. There were times when Freddie’s reactions to the situation didn’t seem normal, and I thought something sinister was happening. After reading the story, I still feel that the author could have dabbed more into Freddie, as he was undoubtedly a strange boy. I hope the author writes a sequel focusing on Freddie.

    Overall, “The Lost Boy” is an exciting thriller worth checking out if you love character-driven stories more than the plot, and I liked it.

     

    Book Tour Schedule

    The Lost Boy

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Lost Boy by Jane Renshaw Blog Tour hosted byZooloos Book Tours. 

     

  • Her Perfect Life by Emily Shiner

    Her Perfect Life by Emily Shiner

    Her Perfect Life

    Her Perfect Life by Emily Shiner

    Release: 29th June 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Inkubator Books
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

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    Eve’s life seems perfect. Until you have to live it.

    Millie has just served a long sentence for a murder she didn’t commit. It’s her identical twin sister Eve who was the killer and the person who framed Millie.
    Millie is willing to forgive Eve and hopes they can still be loving sisters. But when she is free, instead of welcoming her, Eve coldly rejects her. Now Millie only wants one thing – revenge.
    Eve seems to have a perfect life – plenty of money, a beautiful house. So Millie’s plan is simple – she’ll kill Eve and step into her shoes.
    But Millie soon discovers her sister’s life is anything but perfect. She had become involved with a dangerous man – controlling, possessive, ruthless.
    And now he owns Millie. Caught in a deadly web of deceit, she must continue playing the part of Eve. Her life depends on it.
    Can she find the strength to escape this new prison? Or will she be trapped forever in… her perfect life?
    A stunning psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Secret Wife.

    About the Author:

    Emily Shiner always dreamed of becoming an author but first served her time as a banker and a teacher. After a lifetime of devouring stacks of thrillers, she decided to try her hand at writing them herself. Now she gets to live out her dream of writing novels and sharing her stories with people around the world. She lives in the Appalachian Mountains and loves hiking with her husband, daughter, and their two dogs.

    Emily writes psychological thrillers. The Secret Wife will be her first novel published with Inkubator Books.

     Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    Her Perfect Life Review:

    “Her Perfect Life” is an exciting thriller with many twists that entertained me, and perhaps a story I won’t forget anytime soon.

    Let me start by saying that this is a good choice if you love psychological thrillers but are a reluctant reader because of big stories. The author wrote the story well with short chapters and a fast pace, which made me finish in one sitting. This book has a lot going on; you have evil twins, revenge, blackmail, murder, and so much more! As soon as I started reading this book, I was rooting for Millie. Sure, she does pretty devious things, but, according to her, anything goes in the name of revenge!

    The author spins the tale well, and you have an exciting, eclectic cast of conniving characters. Even people who I thought would be innocent and charming turn out to be devious in some way. The author shocked me in some scenes because of how the characters react, and I wanted to know how far Millie would go, especially when Gareth and Mya come into the picture. Moreover, I also enjoyed the setting, like Eve’s house and the secrets it holds.

    The only reason I am giving this book four stars is because of the ending. For some reason, the conclusion took a turn that I did not expect, and I felt disappointed. Also, there are instances where Millie keeps repeating the situation she is in, which I felt staggered the pace a bit at times.

    Overall, “Her Perfect Life” is a fun, twisted thriller that will grab your attention and not let go!

    Book Tour Schedule

    Her Perfect Life

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Her Perfect Life by Emily Shiner Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.