RoroblusMumReadsReviews/Rants

 3.5* Enigmatic, with a low-key vibe that makes it interesting, but a tiny bit of a letdown of an ending. This is a pretty decent tale of a burned-out detective and a rookie, working together to find a serial killer before the next victim is taken. It was well done, with a toxic male side character who really, really needed to be hauled over the coals (hints that he'd be getting his just desserts at the end if the tale); with a young female detective that could've as easily been on the spectrum as the final reveal about her; a seasoned detective for whom life choices have ended up biting her bum; and a not-really-believable killer, sadly. The tale is engrossing because of the teases about Mona and her deceased bestie's relationship (was expecting a reveal about them being lovers), but the killer wasn't charismatic and the reason and M.O. of how he got his victims wasn't explained. That's what let the tale down somewhat.  Still, the dynamics between the 2 female ...

4* Probably best if you've read the previous books in this series, but enjoyable even if you've not. This is a decent tale with 2 sort-of-mismatched colleagues who've left the police force and are now private investigators. The tale is set in the UK, making it more believable for all the (thankfully) lack of gloss. The cold case they're investigating is well orchestrated and has some pretty sad bits, as well as vindication. Unfortunately the male lead's title and wealth felt a bit token, as did the goes-nowhere bisexuality of the female lead (cosy-mystery style, so a sort of nearly-start of a possible relationship, that consists of a public date, so no sex). Still, neither aspect would stop me reading more of the series. The male lead's daughter, part of the investigative team, was possibly the most interesting character of all, and I'd definitely be up for reading more about her. ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my reading pleasure. 

 4* Another delightful sortie with Georgina and posse, but ugh, what a wet fish Colin is. He's sooooo not lead-guy material. You don't have to read previous tales in this series to enjoy this one. There's enough mentioned so that anyone can pick up and enjoy a 'whole' story without being lost. I like that the tales are set in the UK and that the PNR aspect is low key and believable.  It's another decent tale, with the sleuthing I've gotten used to, with Bert once again 'finding' the deceased - that dog needs a medal! But, ugh, what does Georgina see in Colin? Boring by name, boring by attitude, actions amd nature. Even her friends tell her so, but she persists in keeping the peace and making overtures to get their ' relationship' back on track. For me, him exiting the series could take it in a slightly different, nore organic direction.  ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my reading pleasure.

5* Great book, though the slightly fractured family dynamics bothered me - I wasn't too shocked at the end reveal, sadly.  I picked up book 1 based on the blurb, and it turned out to be one of my best reads of this year. I loved the tale, the background, the relationship between Emily and her father, and with her husband, kids and their nanny-great aunt.  This was no different, with an excellent continuation of Emily's approach to her work, but it did come at a bit of an unexpected price. I couldn't fault the storyline, which was scary and creepy and once again made me thankfully that I don't live in the US. It has shades of the Mercy Kilpatrick series in that aspect, which I mean as a compliment.  Did I love the ending? No, but I admired Emily's response and actions. I'd have done the same. I can't wait to read the next book. I suspect she will have family loyalty on her side, and could turn into a bit of an Eve Dallas character, sadly without the Roarke si...

3* Not what I expected, a bit long and repetitive, but a decent tale.  I picked the book based on the title and author's name - the title turned out to be literal, which was my first surprise. The next was that the author's British. The rest of the book was pretty much low-key surprise after surprise. It's long and it's repetitive with Perez's past and history with the deceased and the setting. There's a lot of places, names and island life to take in, but the writing is solid and descriptive and drew me in with the multitude of flawed,-not-bad characters. People just thinking they're doing the right thing by alibiing a 'friend'. People not being untruthful but not out-and-out lying or obstructing. People thinking of perceptions and consequences rather than working with the police to solve the first death. Maybe that's what a close-knit island community trying to survive is like? The bad guy wasn't unfortunately believable for me, though the ...

 4* Decent intro to the series and lead, but for all his skills, surely that the bad guys could potentially get to his daughter should've been on his mind?  Whilst the character isn't unique as he's depicted, the tale is decent and the writing is, too. There's not much I learned about him, other than he's ex-military, loyal, not easily scared, thinks ahead and not essily intimidated. I'd want this guy in my life if ever something similar happened to me. Not having read previous tales wasn't a detriment, as there doesn't seem to be continuity, arcs or cliff hangers from prevous books. Jon Reznik is more believable than 007 and Ethan Hunt, making the tale more raw, gritty and believable despite it's 'only on TV' slight feel.  The only criticism is that his daughter's in a public/ish CIA (I think) role, that the bad guys could easily enough access, especially with the research that they'd gotten hold of. That Jon didn't see her as a ...

 4* Decent introduction to this author, and a solid tale set in good old UK, despite some Americanisms creeping in.  This is a decent tale set in Oxford uni, with the death of a student that puts to bed an old mystery, as well as solving the current situation. It's low key and nicely done, and the policing relies heavily on modern-day life's CCTV. But, we don't use 'vacation' in the UK, nor the other 2/3 Americanisms that crept in. And the drugs cache wasn't explained, nor was the stepmother's...racism? Still, not a bad read. ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my reading pleasure.