RoroblusMumReadsReviews/Rants

4* Good intro to a possible series straddling our RL world and one that's maybe really there, just out of view... As ever with a BE tale, you get a decent, solid storyline; research into a subject she features - here, it's UK policing and its hidden dangers and sadly, politics; leads you'll be rooting for; hot sexy scenes; a bit of the paranormal that feels like Mulder wasn't lying when he said the truth was out there; heartbreak and tugs on your heart, before a guaranteed HEA.  Drum and Oisin absolutely deserved their HEA. To be betrayed the way that Drum was was heartbreaking, but it was also heartwarming that Oisin never lost hope of finding him again, and that Drum never broke. Oisin's faith and efforts came with a price that cost not only him but threatened his nearest and dearest, yet he never doubted he'd find Drum.  The Sparlow aspect of the tale was intriguing; if The Zon we hate and love can go there, maybe it's not so far removed from reality! I t...

5* Grabs your attention and doesn't let go. I just devoured book 1 and I've grabbed the rest of the series. I was lucky enough to get an ARC of book 7, which turned out to be another 5* read, though I nearly DNF'd it over the confusing Scottish dialogue. It was fine reading it as a standalone, but even better reading this one to clue me in about the characters and series. This one picks you up and doesn't let go, not even at the end. The tale has danger, disbelief, shocking scenes, performative police politics and corruption that actually feel quite believable, despite my initial disbelief. I live between 2 of the London areas featured in the teen gang attack, and yes, I could see that happening. Justice was satisfyingly served, possibly skipped a little because of the bigger picture - thank goodness for cops wearing bodycams.  The underlying story is chilling and believable despite my initial disbelief. County lines. Gangsters. Gangs. Threats and damn good instincts an...

4* The actual tale was decent, but the bigging-up of Boring Colin got on my nerves, as did the ad nauseam mentions of his now-aversion to lemon cake; his accident/poisoning; his attitude towards Doris; repeated dialogues; and his not-believable plans for his potential new job. I'm leaving this series here. This is mostly a rinse-and-repeat tale with the usual M.O. courtesy of Doris and Burt, with some decent sleuthing by Georgina and Sybbie. The murder mystery was indeed murder and a well-hidden mystery, and a rather sad one, although it borrowed from the Fools and Horses episode when the Trotters go to France for Uncle Albert's memorial and discover...that the old gentleman got about in his day.  The reason for Gary keeping his mother's diaries secret seemed far-fetched in 2026, especially with 2 generations of the family being decent villagers and members of the community since then. It didn't ring true. Nor, really, did his feud with his former friend, which sounded ...

3* Decent tale, but it dragged a bit. Veered into Tudor history, as well as the 60s, and at times it droned on, making me skim-read towards the last third. I'm new to the series but there's enough info given that I wasn't lost. Unfortunately it had too many cooks in it, and too many trivial things, such as the owner of the house coming on to Neil, and him repeatedly bringing his gf into the conversation; the marital strife of the owners; even the journal in the end started to become boring.  It's a mystery. The killing gets solved. I think another person dies. I can't remember anything else and sorry, I can't do this review justice. ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Little, Little Brown Books, for my reading pleasure.   ure.; 

3.5* Not sure I believed the twist, the killer or the 'altruism' of the Charlie character at the end - what price will there be to pay? - but it's always nice to catch up with Jayden, Ali and Gus.  This is very readable as it's set in small-town, well, village actually, UK with characters that are believable and likeable, with tales that aren't normally unrealistic or OTT. It's got the usual decent, measured sleuthing that seems to come naturally to Ali (more than former-cop Jayden, strangely) and things that go from seemingly isolated and trivial-ish in the grand scheme, to connected and part of a bigger picture that's got underworld and scary connections and connotations.  Secrets and lies are outed. Justice is sort of done if you're of the an-eye-for-an-eye mindset - I am, under certain circumstances. But, it meant more than one life ruined, sadly. And yet maybe a rapprochement? It ends well for a few, but relationships will need to be worked on and r...

4* Good, solid read with an unexpected twist at the end, which leaves a massive cliffhanger 🤨 MK can be occasionally hit and miss, but this is a solid read without filler.  There's a believable get-out-of-jail - no pun intended - for Jack where the gun, the teddy and Ritchie the bad guy are concerned, even if it gives rise to questions that the DCI should be asking. But, his secrets are safe. For now.  The slasher aspect is realistic enough to be chilling. And people's stupidity is very believable in making him go viral. That the cops were stumped was believable, but why oh why did no one think of Velcro? Really? I went there immediately.  The ending was perhaps, in hindsight, lightly hinted at. Very lightly. Kitty was seemingly stupid to call the person she'd shopped to the cops, but when the ending came to light, it was actually a bit shocking and sad, although sad is too strong a word for what I'm trying to say. Only a bit, though, as a certain person meeting a gris...