BookishDramas

The Village Killer by Ross Greenwood My rating: 4 of 5 stars Read as an ARC. This review is based on my completing this story and is an honest reflection of my views about it. This is a thrilling addition to the DI Barton series, though it can be enjoyed as a standalone lie I did. This solid police procedural blends mystery, suspense, and character-driven drama, keeping readers hooked from the start. DI John Barton, returning to active duty after three years behind a desk, investigates two seemingly unrelated cases in the sleepy village of Castor: a near-fatal hit-and-run and the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl. As Barton and his team dig deeper, they uncover connections that lead to shocking twists and unexpected turns. The novel offers a gripping plot that skillfully ties together multiple mysteries, with Greenwood's writing adding layers of tension and intrigue. The story explores themes of secrecy, hidden lives, and the dark side of subur...

  The Lost Boys (1987) The Lost Boys is one of those movies that defined an era—and not just for vampire lovers. Released in 1987 and directed by Joel Schumacher, it’s a wild mix of horror, teen drama, and '80s style that’s still hugely influential today. The film is part vampire flick, part teen comedy, with a healthy dose of rock ‘n’ roll attitude. And while it’s definitely got its spooky moments, it doesn’t take itself too seriously—making it one of those movies that’s a blast to watch whether you’re in the mood for scares or just want to relive that '80s vibe. The Plot The movie kicks off with Michael (Jason Patric) and his younger brother Sam (Corey Haim) moving to the small California town of Santa Carla with their mom (Diane Wiest), after the mysterious disappearance of their father. It doesn’t take long before Michael starts to fall in with the wrong crowd—a group of rebellious, cool, and oddly attractive teens led by the magnetic David (Kiefer Sutherland). Michael qui...

The Secret That Killed You by Steve Hadden My rating: 4 of 5 stars 3.5 stars rather than 4. My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this review copy. This review is based on my reading this book and is my honest feedback on the story. I have identified Steve as an author whose books I will look forward to. This is my first Steve Hadden book as I sift through new books and new authors to uncover new ones. I have a tremendous love for thrillers and this book is right up there with the best. The story ticks off many key elements from Nazis, Hitler, American Presidents, the Oval office, conspiracy theories and a protagonist who delivers alongside a true American patriot. The story starts off innocuously with a discovery of a sunken strongbox by Amelia whose company or family's company is in the business of oil exploration and deep sea drilling. Amelia a former Air force veteran has a strong affinity with historical artefacts and keep...

  ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐   Stars DEBUT NOVEL Book First published August 27, 2024 Blurb Never Forget. Memory is Copeland-Stark’s business. Yet after months of reconsolidation treatments at their sleek new flagship facility, Hope Nakano still has no idea what happened to her lost year, or the life she was just beginning to build with her one great love. Each procedure surfaces fragmented clues which erode Hope’s trust in her own memories, especially the ones of Luke. As inconsistencies mount, her search for answers reveals a much larger secret Copeland-Stark is determined to protect. But everyone has secrets, including Hope. The Mechanics of Memory Book Review I received the Review Copy of this book and my thanks to the team of BookSirens, the publisher and the author for the copy. All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book. Some of the initial comments were made as I progressed in this book and I have not tried editing them as it expresses my contig...

  ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐  Stars From the Back Cover A detective has a charming client, but there’s a problem. He might be a killer. Quinn is a private detective with scorch marks from her last relationship and a smooth-talking heartbreaker for a client. There’s chemistry between them, but there’s a problem. Ben might have killed his twin brother. He demands to work the case with her, claiming it’s his life on the line. A partner is the last thing Quinn wants. What she wants is to prove him innocent. But she’s finding plenty of evidence he isn’t. Murder at the College by P.H. Turner - Review I received the Review Copy of this book and my thanks to the team of NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the copy. All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book. Some of the initial comments were made as I progressed in this book and I have not tried editing them as it expresses my contiguous thoughts as I proceeded with the story. The title of this book is ...

  ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐  Stars From the Back Cover '   The windows on all the skyscrapers are smashed . . . No power, no lights, no people . . . It's a parallel New York of some kind.   ' THE COMING END When Skye Rogers and her twin brother Red move to Manhattan, rumours of a coming global apocalypse are building. But this does not stop the young elite of New York from partying without a care. CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? And then suddenly Skye is invited to join an exclusive gang known as the Secret Runners of New York. But this is no ordinary clique - they have access to an underground portal that can transport them into the future. And what Skye discovers in the future is horrifying: the rumours about the coming apocalypse are true . . . RUN! AS FAST AS YOU CAN! As society crumbles and Skye and Red race to figure out how to use their knowledge to survive the impending annihilation, they soon discover that the chaotic end of the world is a fine time for revenge . . . The Secret Runners ...

⭐⭐⭐ ⭐   Stars Book released Blurb The gripping new book from the author of The Algorithm Will See You Now . Based on the true-life rationing of kidney dialysis in 1960s America, a medical intern in 1992 Seattle tries to leave his painful past behind, only to uncover a shocking truth of thirty years prior and the lasting, generational harm of hidden secrets... After a co-intern dies by suicide, a grieving Noah Meier commits an accidental error. In a desperate move to save his patient's life, he covertly seeks help from audacious surgical resident Marah Maddox, igniting a bond between them. When the hospital is suspiciously quick to sweep everything under the rug, Noah turns to his late father's journal for guidance and makes a chilling discovery, all while trying to stay out of the crosshairs of abusive Dr. Rankel, keen to make an example of Noah. Worse, Rankel clearly has it out for Marah as the only woman in her program. As the hospital's patriarchal power structures, and ...

  ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐   Stars Blurb Four went in, one came out. It was meant to be their last hurrah. Four friends spend their senior Spring Break of high school hiking the Yosemite forest. Alone for one week where they can prove that, despite their cracked relationships, they’re still a team. And maybe recapture some of the magic that brought them together in the first place. But something went wrong. One by one they’re murdered, until only one survivor emerges from the forest. He says he’s innocent. The evidence says he’s not. Now he’s on trial for the deaths of his friends, fighting for his life and freedom. It doesn’t matter that he loved them fiercely, one as a friend, one as an ex, and one that still tangles his soul. The only thing that matters is his final words weren’t “I love you,” they were “I’m sorry.” Told from past/present perspective, ONLY THE TREES KNOW is a story of untangling friendships: lies, misunderstandings, broken promises, and twisted love. Only The Trees Know Revie...

  ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐   Stars Blurb It is a time of violence as well as calm. Men of peace are spreading the message of the Buddha even as monks are being tortured in the dungeons of Pataliputra. In Magadha, all talk is about the impending war against Kalinga. While King Ashoka plots the movements of his ships and cavalry, Queen Asandhimitra broods over the growing unrest in the kingdom. There is only one man they can both trust to take them through this period of uncertainty and looming the enigmatically named Brahmin, skilful spymaster and custodian of Magadha’s best-kept secrets. Lush with historical detail and unforgettable characters, The Brahmin is an intricately plotted novel that seeks to recreate a near-mythical period in India’s past. The Brahmin I had brought this book (19th June 2018 ) on Amazon after reading the book blurb which sounded both intriguing and interesting. Usually I give historical and period fiction stories a miss unless it is relatively recent; although I've been...

⭐⭐⭐   Stars Book Blurb The greatest discovery in human history . . . OR OUR LAST? In an artificial intelligence lab in Shanghai, something has gone terribly wrong. Days after a major breakthrough in machine learning, CyberGen Industries' lead AI scientist is dead—and their precious prototype has vanished into the ether. An investigation reveals that, against all odds, the lab's “unhackable” system has been breached. The discovery, an algorithm mimicking human intelligence, is growing quickly—becoming more cunning and unpredictable with each passing hour. Soon its capabilities will eclipse its creators entirely. Who stole it? And more troubling, what do they plan to do with it? Ex-NSA hacker Adrian Pryor may be the only person on the planet capable of reining it in. He spent his career keeping the world safe, a vigilance for which he paid an enormous, personal price. Adrian knows there are people who will stop at nothing to control the powerful technology. He must find a way to ...

  ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐  Stars Book Blurb "Steve refused to surrender. Even though he knew the creature was right behind him, he wouldn't quit. He would make it. Just as that beacon of hope began to shine down upon him, the bright sun overhead vanished from view. Confused, he gazed wide-eyed as the daylight grew dim. Then he realized the ultimate horror: the creature had overtaken him, its jaws opened wide." "He was in its mouth." A coastal community faces the wrath of a mysterious sea creature in Max Hawthorne's heart pounding new novel, "Kronos Rising." Devastated by his wife's tragic drowning, Olympic hopeful Jake Braddock turns his back on fame and fortune and retreats to his childhood home of Paradise Cove, Florida. He accepts the job of town sheriff, hoping to find the solace he so desperately craves. He finds anything but. A series of horrifying deaths and disappearances send a flood of panic through the idyllic town. It is only after the ravaged carcas...