Posted in Blogging

A Song For The Dying – Stuart MacBride

Posted on by J

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He’s back…

Eight years ago, ‘The Inside Man’ murdered four women and left three more in critical condition – all of them with their stomachs slit open and a plastic doll stitched inside.

And then the killer just … disappeared.

Ash Henderson was a Detective Inspector on the initial investigation, but a lot can change in eight years. His family has been destroyed, his career is in tatters, and one of Oldcastle’s most vicious criminals is making sure he spends the rest of his life in prison.

Now a nurse has turned up dead on a patch of waste ground, a plastic doll buried beneath her skin, and it looks as if Ash might finally get a shot at redemption. At earning his freedom.

At revenge.

Venturing once more away from his serial protagonist Logan McRae, A Song for the Dying is the second outing for Ash Henderson.

Following on from the tragic events of Birthdays For The Dead, A Song For The Dying opens with Ash in prison and unable to get out, as every time a parole review comes round Mrs Kerrigan, one of Oldcastles most heinous villains, ensures that with the help of the other inmates he stays where he is.

Ash is about as downtrodden a hero as you are likely to find, and hell bent on revenge he’ll bring anyone else down with him, friends and colleagues alike.

What I really enjoy most about the Ash Henderson books is the change in pace from the McRae books. Whilst they are every bit as dark, gritty and down right awful to their protagonist, the usual intricate plots also come with a faster feel that hurtles you along with investigation, ensuring you feel every bit as determined to solve the crime.

Posted in Reading, Reviews

The October List – Jeffery Deaver

Posted on by J

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“You wait, desperately, for news of your daughter.
At last, the door opens.
But it is not the negotiators, or the FBI.
It is her kidnapper.
And he has a gun . . .
Two days ago, life was normal.
How did it end like this?”

If I had to sum The October list up in just one sentence, it would simply be this.

“Think Memento in a book.”

The October list is a fantastic fractured timeline novel, from one of the masters of twist in the tale stories. In a complete change from his usual heavily complex, and highly detailed novels The October List is snappy, smart and will have you instantly hooked. My suggestion is that before you pick up this book and start to read, you take your schedule, clear out a few hours and plan to be sat somewhere comfy with a relaxing drink when you do.

Posted in Blogging

My best books of 2013

Posted on by J

You see what I did there? Top Five & Top Ten book lists are great don’t get me wrong, but what happens if I can think of six standout books of the year or can only get up to say four, or nine? and how do I say one is so much better than the other that it deserves to be No 1 and the other No 5?

So here in no particular order and of no significant number are the books I read this year that have left enough of an impression on me that I consistently recommend them to anyone who asks what they should read.

The Cry by Helen Fitzgerald

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To paraphrase an old catchphrase when it comes to The Cry, “Ignore what it says on the tin.”  I’ve recommended this book to a lot of people, even lending my own copy out several times.  Most have read the synopsis on the back and said “it’s not for me.”  To them all I have said one thing, “trust me, just read the first few chapters…”  It’s all I’ve ever needed to say.  The book has been devoured and enjoyed by everyone.  It’s one of those times when the old adage rings perfectly true.

“never judge a book by its cover.”

Dead Gone by Luca Veste

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I was privileged enough to be given a copy of Dead Gone by Luca back in July and whilst the paperback isn’t out until next year, the e-book is already available so I’m personally classing it as a book of 2013.  Don’t be surprised however to see this touted around everywhere next year as a ‘book of 2014.’ Expect to hear it talked about a lot, it is simply that good.







Strange Shores by Arnaldur Indridason

20131219-081658.jpgIf this is the only Indridason book you ever read you’ll be disappointed, not at the book per se as it’s a decent standalone but at the fact I recommended it.  The reason for that is simple, this is a book for hardened Indridason fans, only if you’ve followed this series from the beginning can you appreciate it in its fullness for its completion of a story.  Compare it to being a devoted fan of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot then finally reading ‘Curtain‘ and you’ll have an inkling at just how great this book really is.



The Stranglers Honeymoon by Håkan Nesser

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Apparently The Stranglers Honeymoon is book nine of ten Inspector Van Veeteran books and the latest translated into English.  I say apparently, because I’d never read one before.  The good point is I really didn’t need to have read them to enjoy this.  The better point?  I’m now in the middle of sourcing the other eight.

Posted in Blogging

A page & a promise

Posted on by J

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love books, from the days before I could read for myself and my parents read to me every night, to now, when any spare time I have is given over to the escapism of a good story.

My average per year ranges from 150 – 180 books and I love every page (even the books I dislike, because bad books only make you appreciate good books more.)

Tonight however, I read a review for a book I love, in which the re-written synopsis  gave away pretty much everything you ever needed to know about the story and that made me sad because the magic of this novel was in the not knowing, and in how it played out.  It’s the type of reviewing I dislike immensely.

So when it comes to reading or writing reviews? These are my thoughts.

Tell me about the book? Yes please.  Thrilling & adventurous or clunky & slow? Doesn’t matter to me, all opinions are valid.

Re-Write the Synopsis? If needs be, because sometimes even the publishers give too much of the story away.

Tell me the story in 100 words or less? Fine, if your target market is people who need to be told how the book plays out before they read it.  Please note, I am not one of that number and if you market your book as such I will immediately discount it as worthy of note because let’s face it why bother to read a book when I can just read the blurb?

Write a 1,000 word essay? Seriously? Please don’t burble on about imagery, story, plots, complexity, or behave like you are the reviewer for a British broadsheet.

Books are to me are, and always will be, personal treasure chests sitting on a shelf all gleaming and bright (even the old battered twenty second hand ones) just waiting for me to open their pages and lose myself in the adventures inside.

As such I will endeavour to keep my reviews intriguing and honest, yet informative and concise.   Comments are welcomed, but be polite about it or I won’t give you the webspace. Otherwise please feel free to discuss anything you like / dislike about my reviews via the e-mail address provided.

You will find the above post also available as a page entitled the LOC Philosophy…..

Posted in Blogging

Crime and Publishment is what you need…

Posted on by J

Just finished NaNoWriMo?

Embarking on your novel and need some expert advice?

Still got that trunk novel under your bed you feel like digging out but you’re not sure what to do next?

Want some expert advice and an opportunity to pitch to an agent?

You can find the answers to all your questions and more available here….

C&P

Crime & Publishment is a two day course for writers, by writers, agents and industry insiders and will be held at The Mill Forge hotel, just outside Gretna Green from March 7th – 9th 2014.

They are also running a competition to win a complete package to attend the weekend.  To enter all you need to do is submit your 2,000 word short crime story or the first 2,000 words of your opening chapter.

You can find all the details you need here.

I was around at the Mill for Crime and Publishment last year and can guarantee you will have a have a fabulous weekend, with great opportunities to learn, improve and network in a relaxed encouraging and informative atmosphere. Above all that it will be fun.

So if you want to win that weekend get your writing caps on because the competition closes on the 31st December, and if you don’t win, just book it up, because it’s an experience you will never forget.

Posted in Reviews

Dead Gone – Luca Veste

Posted on by J

DI David Murphy is a haunted man with a tragic past, out to prove his worth. After being given what appears to be a straightforward murder enquiry, with the help of DS Laura Rossi he sets out to do just that. What they discover is a shocking tale of psychological experimentation, drugs, kidnap, torture and the deranged outlook of an enquiring and evil mind.

Dead Gone truly is a dark and disturbing novel, and an amazing debut. From the moment you pick it up it draws you in, and as you progress, every turn of the page becomes more eager than the one before. Full of twists in the tale, it’s well constructed, will keep you guessing all the way through, and leave a lasting impression once you reach the end.

I personally devoured this book in just a couple of sittings, as I genuinely struggled to put it down. Not helpful if you have chores to do or if you’re supposed to pick the kids up from school, but everything you want from a good book.

Dead Gone is published by Avon, and is released on Kindle Dec 5th, with the paperback copy available next month, and if you’re quick, you may still be able to pre-order the kindle version for an amazing 99p

Posted in Blogging

Good Omens?

Posted on by J

Nothing like a Bloody Murder to start off your trip….

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When you are heading out to a crime fiction festival then a menu like this in the pub you stop in for breakfast can only be a good omen for a great weekend.