Author Archives: Bairdy1985

Blog Tour – One More to Die by Joy Ellis

Today we kick off the blog tour for One More to Die by Joy Ellis!

Here’s the blub

Detective Kate Carter is called out to a fatal car accident on a remote fen lane.

At first glance it looks like a drunk driver simply lost control and crashed headlong into a ditch. But nothing about the scene adds up. The number plate is fake. The driver’s licence doesn’t belong to the dead man in the car. One tyre doesn’t match the other three. And what is a vinyl 1960s pop record doing in the glove box?

A neat puncture wound to the driver’s neck reveals this was no accident.

The following day, the body of a young woman is found in an old barn out on the fens. She’s been dead at least two years. Placed on the body is another vintage pop record.

And then the nightmare becomes personal. A mysterious package arrives at the station addressed to Kate: a 45-rpm record, and a chilling note scrawled in block capitals: ONE MORE TO GO.

It’s just the start. Sinister phone calls, creepy notes left on her car, unwanted gifts on her doorstep: Kate can no longer deny that she’s being pursued by an obsessive stalker . . .

Is she next in the killer’s sights?

Review

One More To Die follows Detective Kate Carter as her personal and work lives clash in spectacular fashion.

It all starts when Kate is called to a crime scene, a car accident.. but before she even sets off she finds a creepy note on her car.. being in a rush and not thinking much of it in the moment Kate heads off to the crime scene.

Things don’t add up at the scene of the accident and it becomes clear there’s more too it, who is the victim? why does the car have fake plates?.. and what’s the deal with the record found in the car.. bit of a strange find.

When another body turns up Kate is sent to do the groundwork before handing it over to another Detective… little does she know this case will soon be hers… another record has been found with the body.. what’s the connection with the first victim?

While the pressure mounts at work, stress is also building at home…after the initial note found on the car there’s also been a box of Kate’s favourite chocolates left and a very creepy phone call.. this is the last thing she and her family need…she could have a stalker! She needs to keep her family safe.. they could be watching.. waiting..

This is my first foray into the writing style of Joy Ellis and I must admit I loved it. The plot was intriguing, and progresses at a steady pace. I loved the clash of personal and work lives and the humanity added to the development of the characters given the situation they face.

I really enjoyed how the plot developed too, the people, the reasons behind the murders.. oo it gave tingles as you could see the pieces of the puzzle slotting together but at the same time the author kept little nuggets of info/twists for just the right moment to give the tale a real punch!

So can Kate find a way to deal with do situations? You’ll have to grab a copy of the book and find out! you won’t be disappointed.

Super fun and fast read. 5*

My thanks go to the author, publisher and Zoé @ Zooloo’s Book Tours for having me on the tour!

Who is Joy Ellis?

I was born in Kent but spent most of my working life in London and Surrey. I was an apprentice florist to Constance Spry Ltd, a prestigious Mayfair shop that throughout the Sixties and Seventies teemed with both royalty and ‘real’ celebrities. What an eye-opener for a working-class kid from the Garden of England! I swore then, probably whilst I was scrubbing the floor or making the tea, that I would have a shop of my own one day. It took until the early Eighties, but I did it. Sadly the recession wiped us out, and I embarked on a series of weird and wonderful jobs; the last one being a bookshop manager. Surrounded by books all day, getting to order whatever you liked, and being paid for it! Oh bliss!

And now I live in a village in the Lincolnshire Fens with my partner, Jacqueline, and three Springer spaniels and four little rescue, Breton spaniels. I had been writing mysteries for years but never had the time to take it seriously. Now I write full-time, and as my partner is a highly decorated retired police officer; my choice of genre is a no-brainer! I have an on-tap police and judicial consultant, who makes exceedingly good tea!

I have set my crime thrillers here in the misty fens because I sincerely love the remoteness and airy beauty of the marshlands. This area is steeped in superstitions and lends itself so well to murder!

I am lucky enough to be one of the amazing Joffe Books team of authors and am really enjoying being able to spend time doing what I love… writing!

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Where can you find them?

Facebook	https://www.facebook.com/Joyellisbooks
Instagram	https://www.instagram.com/joyellisbooks/

Books Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217410403-one-more-to-die

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/onemoretodie-zbt

Why not follow the tour?

Conscript’s Call (Rifleman Book 1) by Griff Hosker – REVIEW

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Today I’m reviewing Conscript’s Call by Griff Hosker!

Here’s the blurb

From the ashes of tragedy, new beginnings arise.

England, 1940: When seventeen-year-old John Sharratt’s life is shattered by a single, devastating bomb dropped by the Luftwaffe, he is thrust into a world of loss and longing. With his family gone and his heart heavy, John’s conscription into the army offers a refuge and a new beginning, even in the face of turmoil.

“The army had to be my future. I had nothing else and the bombing raid had brought the war home to me. My fingers clenched into fists. I wanted revenge.”

As he dons the battledress of a British soldier at Seaforth Barracks, John embarks on an intense journey of transformation. Amidst gruelling training and the camaraderie of fellow soldiers, -those who will become his new family, – he learns not only to wield a weapon but also to navigate the depths of grief and resilience. Each drill sharpens his skills, especially as a marksman. As his section sees postings in Greece, Crete and North Africa, will John emerge from the shadows of his past to thrive as a rifleman, or will the weight of his sorrow consume him? With the world on the brink of an all-out war, the lad from Lancashire must face the darkest of nights before the dawn of hope can break through.

Set during the early years of WW2, Conscript’s Call is more than a tale of historical conflict; it is an exploration of the profound impact of loss and the unyielding strength of the human spirit.

The first in Griff Hosker’s brand-new WW2 ‘Rifleman’ series which takes a poignant look into the horrors of war, the bonds created and the struggles of those left behind. A must-read for fans of David Gilman, James Holland and Douglas Reeman.

Review

I picked up Conscript’s Call after it was recommended and I’m so glad I did!

War is coming but for now life for John Sharratt is simple..he and his family lead a modest life, they work hard and make the most of everything..

Sharratt gets his papers, he’s to report for duty and knows his time at home is short. He’s only young though.. and there’s a girl that took his fancy.. this could be the last chance to see her.. when he steps out that night he has no idea how his world will change forever!

In a gut wrenching scene we see a bomb destroy his home and his family with it! With everything lost Sharratt heads to his posting to make his family pound.. being a solider is in his blood!

Basic training moves fast and poses some challenges for the young lad.. but this shared existence with the other men bring them close and forms the bonds needed to survive.

When the men find out they are about to deploy its tense.. they are all new to this.. and the dangers are everywhere… they are pawns without the big picture but they must do their part for their country.

I won’t spoil the plot but I do want to focus on a couple bits that really made this book stand out.. the pace.. it’s fast but not forced..at times it feels like a blur of activity but it’s mirroring what I feel it would have been like for the men..

The other thing I wanted to focus on was the tone of the tale, it doesn’t glorify battle.. it’s not the action that gets you excited.. it’s the depth.. it’s emotionally draining (in a good way), its moving and heartfelt, sometimes you can become detached from the real world.. it’s a story after all.. but no.. this one is so much more than just another story.. it has a realness that hits home…HARD.

The men are really what makes this plot shine, the detail given to them all, the attachments they made.. and in some cases the attachments they didn’t have time to make.. their luck.. or sometimes misfortune, really has you on the edge of your seat.

I particularly loved the moments when the men were aboard ships, any control they had over a situation gone..the rawness of those moments.. and what I felt was real honesty with their feelings and actions.. it’s just..ahh the authors words had me mesmerized!

The story isn’t overly gruesome.. it has it’s moments but at the same time, again, I felt the story mirrored how those men would see things..at times detached from the horror.

One word stands out in the synopsis for me… poignant.. that sums up Conscript’s Call perfectly..it’s poignant and beautifully written.

I loved the authors style of writing too.. its easy to read but at the same time clever, and engages the readers brain.

There’s some great detail thrown in too, ships, guns, tanks.. for those who love a bit of detail you’ll enjoy this too as the author clearly knows what he’s taking about, and that extra detail is mixed in smoothly without any deviation from the action.

A tank busting 5* read.

To find out more head to Amazon or Goodreads.

BLOG TOUR – Dead Reckoning by Rob Sinclair!

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Today is my turn on the blog tour for Dead Reckoning by Rob Sinclair!

Here’s the blurb

The most dangerous people are those with nothing to lose. Who don’t care if they live or die.

Simon Peake does care… he just isn’t sure about what right now. The ex-soldier’s life is as close to rock bottom as it gets.

He needs a job and he needs a quiet life.

What he gets is a whole load of mess working for New York-based Irish mobster Harry Lafferty. A job that requires him to use his special skills on some very unsavory people. His relationship with Harry’s niece isn’t exactly conducive to a quiet existence either…

As Peake tries to walk the fine line between surviving in this new life, and atoning for his old one, he struggles on both counts. And when his past comes back to bite him, and those closest to him are threatened, the reckoning will be merciless for anyone who stands in his way.

Review

Dead Reckoning follows Simon Peak, ex-soldier, down and out.. Peak needs a job and fast.

Peak has been in prison but it’s time to turn his life around.. well as much as possible. His opportunities are limited so he ends up at the doorstep of Harry Lafferty and his crew.

The pressure is ramped up when Peaks landlord demands 3 months rent so when the crew need a driver Peak doesn’t say no.

Little does he know his fate is now sealed.

Peak gets slowly sucked into their world and almost immediately makes a decision that will come back to bite him.

It’s not all doom and gloom though.. Peak finds a connection with Harry’s niece..but can he balance work and the growing connection between them?

Added to that Peak has history.. and an anger inside that he must use every ounce of strength to keep buried.

The thing about history is it won’t stay buried forever.

Things soon start going wrong and people end up getting hurt.. but why? Can Peak put the pieces together?

What I really loved was the timeline as the author explores both past and present, allowing the reader to learn about who Peak really is.. what broke him. It’s dark, gripping and packed full of high octane wow moments.

I love the little details added to, to give real depth to the main characters, emotions.. a realness.

The authors real talent for writing shines through and if you are a fan like me you’ll love it. Rob Sinclair manages to keep offering new and fresh characters that you get invested in but with the same gripping edge and style of story we love. There’s twists and turns along the way that really pack a punch too.

5/5 Stars

My thanks go to the author, publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for having me on the tour!

Why not check out the rest of the stops on the tour?

Tempted yet?

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/DeadReckoningSocial

Author Bio –

Rob Sinclair is the million copy bestseller of over twenty thrillers, including the James Ryker series. Rob previously studied Biochemistry at Nottingham University. He also worked for a global accounting firm for 13 years, specialising in global fraud investigations.

Social Media Links

Facebook: @robsinclairauthor

Twitter: @rsinclairauthor

Instagram: n/a

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/RobSinclairNews

Bookbub profile:@RobSinclair

Release Day Review – The Druid’s Prey by Steven A. McKay!

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Today is release day for The Druid’s Prey by Steven A. McKay!

The Druid’s Prey is book 7 in the exhilarating Warrior Druid of Britain series.

Here’s the blurb

A vicious attack. An enraged warrior-druid. A relentless hunt for vengeance!

Following a cowardly raid on Dun Breatann the Saxon attacker, Saksnot, rides back to rejoin his bretwalda, Hengist, in far-off Garrianum. Bellicus, outraged by the savage attack on his people and his closest friend, follows the perpetrator with just one thing on his mind: bloody justice!
As the towering druid hunts his prey across the summer fields and streams, Arthur, Bear of Britain, seeks to make a lasting peace with the new immigrants from across the sea. Hengist has no such plans however, instead working alongside his terrifying volva, Thorbjorg, to bring only blood, fire, and death to the embattled Britons.

As the brutal struggle for supremacy rages between the two warlords and their armies, Bellicus will find himself drawn into an adventure he could never have foreseen. An adventure that may seal the fate of Britain for generations to come.
An adventure that fans of Bernard Cornwell, Griff Hosker, David Gemmell, and Joe Abercrombie will love!

Review

After the events of The Vengeance of Merlin we know peace isnt going to last for Bellicus.. he might have everything he wants.. the family he always wanted, the love of Queen Narina and his daughter, but someone is on their way to shatter this dream and pulls Bellicus back into action.

The Saxon, Saksnot, who murdered the previous Merlin sets out to rid the world of Bellicus and the Roman Duro.. these two have thwarted Hengist’s plans and Saksnot will not rest until they are dead by his hands.

Saksnot may be young and cocky, but he’s also clever and resourceful, managing to worm his way right to the heart of Dun Breatann. His actions have an immediate effect on Bellicus and he sets out to ensure justice comes to the Saxon.. or is it simple vengeance Bellicus is after? I’m not going to spoil it but the pain Saksnot causes is felt by many.

While these events play the warlord Arthur is making plans on how to keep Hengist at bay… one of which is convincing the Saxon’s who have settled in Britain to stand with him against Hengist and the Saxon raiders… or at least for them to agree to not take up arms to support their brethren.

It’s a great idea but obviously not everyone agrees.. or wants this..and soon leads to one of Arthurs closest companions to be captured.

It’s time to take the war to Hengist.. Arthur can’t just standby any longer.

Events put Bellicus and Arthur on a converging path.. but can they complete their missions without too much bloodshed?

Looking back to Dun Breatann, Queen Narina has her own problems, her closest neighbours have ceased trading with them but why. Narina is smart and sees this for what it is.. The Saxon’s influence is growing.

There’s only one course of action as Narina leads her warriors against King Cunneda and the Votadini… but this leaves Dun Breatann wide open to attack..

Dun Bretann is not as undefended as it seems though.. Again I can’t spoil it but those last few chapters have to be the best I’ve ever read!

Lets get down to the nitty gritty… Characters.. I really feel The Druid’s Prey is the most balanced book we’ve been given for development..the plot itself allows characters to shine and the author doesn’t hide from this to force the book in another direction.. I mean Saksnot! Wow.. He may be the enemy but I loved him.. and his part in this did not disappoint.

I think what I loved the most was the plot allowed Narina, Gavo, Lancelot and Bedwyr to come to the foreground, while others naturally took a back seat…

It was about time to see Narina stand up and shine, without her protector there it was the perfect time..and boy does she shine through and show what she’s made of!

There’s some very fun and light-hearted moments too such as a very humorous scene with Cai where Bellicus needs a distractions.. bloody funny and brilliant but the tone also fits with the tale.

Now I can’t finish the review without mentioning the ending… wow..I love how the author manages to keep bringing fresh ideas into the tale.. you never know what will happen next but I’m already super excited!

5/5 Stars.

My thanks thanks go to the author for allowing me a sneak peak, I had a book on pre-order and it was well worth paying £3.99.

BLOG TOUR – The Bodies by Sam Lloyd

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Today we kick off the blog tour and celebrate the release of The Bodies by Sam Lloyd!!!

Here’s the blurb!

Blurb

How many times would you let your child get away with murder?

When you look down at your newborn baby, you realise they were right, those smug parents you’ve always rolled your eyes at: you’d do literally anything for your child. To make them happy, keep them safe.

So when Joseph Carver wakes one night to find his teenage son Max scrubbing the kitchen, hands wet with blood and panic flooding his voice as he promises it was an accident, he didn’t mean to do it, Joseph does the only thing he can. He helps Max bury the body.

Joseph thinks that’s the end of the nightmare. Until he finds Max with stricken eyes and bloody hands once again . . .

You’d do anything for your child – even cover up a murder.

But how many times?

Review

After reading the authors previous offering The Memory Wood I had high expectations, but also knew I wouldn’t be disappointed… just look at the synopsis!!

Joseph Carver is a broken man trying to keep things together..we soon learn Joseph and his partner were brought together through grief.. he’s failed protecting his family once.. he won’t let it happen again.

When his son Max arrives home one night covered in blood Joseph’s vow is put to the test. Max is going to medical school soon and he’s not a monster afterall.. he’s just lost.. Joseph needs to protect him.

It’s not an easy task, how does he get rid of a body? Where?

Joseph hides the body at his late mothers bungalow while he tries to figure things out but things go from bad to worse.. first he needs to act like everything is ok when it’s not.. and second things keep getting in the way.. how does he do things without leaving a trace? And has anyone already noticed something? Doesn’t help either that Max seems to be hiding things from him about the man he killed? Can he really trust Max and the story he’s been told?

I’m not going to give the plot away but one thing I loved when reading The Memory Wood was the twists and turns.. smart and exhilarating.. and I’m glad to see those twists were here in The Bodies too..there’s betrayal, blood and bodies at every turn.

The plot isn’t rushed either, although you feel the urgency pouring from Joseph who shows the lengths he will go to in order to keep Max safe…but there’s something he’s not seeing.

When someone close to the victim turns up the heat is really on… what do they know..what’s going to happen… eeek.

It’s a real page turner..it flows easy but really has some detail packed in too revealing the stress of the situation. Nothing is quite what it seems and its that feeling that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Super exciting 5* read!

My thanks go to the author, publisher and Zoé @ Zooloo’s Book Tours for having me on the tour!

Sam’s Bio

SAM LLOYD grew up in Hampshire, where he learned his love of storytelling. These days he lives in Surrey with his wife, three young sons and a dog that likes to howl. His first three thrillers, The Memory Wood, The Rising Tide and The People Watcher were published to great critical acclaim.

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Sam’s Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/samlloydwrites

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Book Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220246417-the-bodies

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/thebodies-zbt

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Why not follow the tour?

Legionary X: Devotio by Gordon Doherty – Review

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Today I’m reviewing Devotio, the tenth and final instalment in the mesmerising Legionary series by Gordon Doherty!

Here’s the blurb.

AD 391: in the aftermath of civil war, the Roman Empire lies broken. The emperor is missing. Rumours fly that he has lost his mind. Sensing weakness, the Goths rise in revolt. All to the delight of the dark hand who orchestrated the civil war… and plots to stoke another.

Far out at sea, Pavo stands watchfully at the prow of the Justitia, running cargo between distant lands. At every port, he hears of the empire’s swelling troubles. Of fire and zeal and panic. Of legions, bristling for battle. But his days of protecting the provinces with sword and shield are over. He, his wife and his lad will soon have enough funds to make a home on a quiet island, far from the madness.

Yet the empire is an ever-hungry beast, and Pavo is about to sail straight into its jaws…

It is a journey that will take him to the brink, and throw down before him the question to which there is only one answer: what would you sacrifice to save your loved ones?

Review

After the events of Legionary IX: The Emperor’s Shield I honestly didn’t know if we would ever see Pavo again. That man has been through so much for the empire.. all he wants now is to live out his days with his wife and son.

You know Devotio is going to be an emotional read right from the start, the meaning behind the word, a vow of self sacrifice..

Little does Pavo know the threats he fought so hard against are still ever present.. and the enemies are knocking at the door..They have been plotting but now is the time to enact their plan… and even he isn’t safe.

When a visitor arrives with a gift from Emperor Valentinian himself Pavo can’t help but be reminded of all he has done, the battles, the friends he’s made.

The gift is a trojan horse that will start this most emotionally nerve racking adventure!

SPOILER ALERT. Please skip if you don’t want to know the detail but I’ll keep it as brief as possible without giving too much away.

Lets just say the gift is a poisoned chalice of sorts and Pavo is in need of a healer…but he also needs to know why his friend would have done this.

Things aren’t quite as they seem… they never are for Pavo.. the healer he needs has been captured by Alaric, the leader of the Vesi rebels.. Goths that still wish to live without Roman rule.

How the hell will he manage to find him?

When we get about 50% through the book it seems like everything has worked out.. Pavo has what he needs, and Alaric has been convinced to work with the Romans.. peace at last..

Yeah that’s never going to happen.

Peregrinus the Stranger, a dark hidden force from the past steps out from the shadows.

Do Pavo and his Claudian brothers have what it takes to foil this dastardly plan and save the empire once again from internal conflict?

The forces of the Eastern and Western empires will clash…but who will be the victor?

I’m deliberately leaving a lot of detail out so you can really enjoy this one yourself (Although if you want to compare thoughts after just hit me up).

Devotio gives us exactly what we expect from the author… and some! There’s betrayal of the worst kind, clever plots/twists and humorous moments a plenty along with the blood and gore for the fans..

So what’s different you ask? There’s raw emotion packed into this one from the very first page.. its intense and you can feel the energy.. there’s a meaning behind the journey Pavo is going on and you feel it.

Those last few chapters put ice in my veins, a lump in my throat and brought tears to my eyes.

You can really see how the author poured his personal emotion into the tale, how much the series meant to him and gives the series the send off it really deserved.. I can’t think of a more suitable ending.. there’s excitement throughout as we yearn for Pavo to succeed, and crushing devastation to really bring the story home.

One of the most moving bits is when Pavo remembers those lost along the way during battle.. it brought back so many memories.

One really beautiful thing the author did was finally answer the question.. who is the old crone who has followed Pavo throughout his life..I don’t know if this was always the plan but wow.. that was a lovely touching moment of realisation for the reader.

Pavo is real to me..

Pavo will always be a hero.

5/5 Stars – Do yourself a favour and grab a copy today.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon!

The Lies We Die For (Solomon Gray #12) by Keith Nixon – Review

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Today I’m reviewing The Lies We Die For by Keith Nixon.

Here’s the blurb.

When a seemingly accidental death turns into a murder investigation, Detective Inspector Solomon Gray finds himself caught in a web of deception, manipulation, and personal vendettas.

Called to investigate the tragic death of Patrick Kinsella, DI Solomon Gray discovers the victim poisoned in his retirement home. What first appears to be a simple accident quickly takes a sinister twist when Gray uncovers troubling evidence. This was no accident, but cold-blooded murder.

Oliver Ford, an unscrupulous financial adviser, is preying on the vulnerable elderly residents, but as Gray digs deeper, he realises Ford isn’t acting alone. And Kinsella’s death is perhaps only the tip of the iceberg in a much larger conspiracy. Unraveling the truth means confronting betrayals, dangerous alliances, and an enemy from Gray’s own past, a man recently released from prison who has unfinished business with Gray.

In a case fraught with lies and personal danger, Gray must navigate treacherous waters to uncover the truth. But the closer he gets, the more deadly the stakes become.

Review

So we are back with our favourite detective, Solomon Gray. After the last outing, which you could tell was an emotional one for the author, you can really see a change in tone.. it felt like the author had so much fun on this one.. left old Sol behind a little bit and let the plot shine.. and for one.. I bloody loved it.

Sol is just back from Honeymoon, but honestly.. if you know the series you’ll know how glad is to be back.. Sols like me.. pretty easy to please.. just leave me be and I’m happy ha,

A death occurs at a retirement home.. carbon monoxide… open and shut case? Nah not with Sol… something just doesn’t smell right.

Sol doubts himself a little I felt but finds that not everyone is who the appear to be..but what motive could there possibly be? and why go to all this trouble.. it doesn’t make sense.. well until Sol puts the pieces of the puzzle together that is.

I loved that the plot shined through in this one but development to keep the character arc going is still present.. this is book 12 in the series afterall.. but the author keeps managing the plot to character development ratio perfectly.

The more Gray looks the more things don’t make sense.. the fireplace.. it was just serviced.. how could it be faulty…and the victim.. his history..

I’m not going to spoil the plot.. no spoilers here..but this one has the most clever plot of the series yet for me..and probably the bets I’ve ever read.. it was just what the series needed to keep the momentum going, the author seems to know exactly the right direction to go at every turn and I really just had fun reading this one.

What really makes the tale pop is the secrets aren’t contained to one person, and it;s not as simple as finding one victim and one killer, it’s a complex weave to unravel, exactly what Sol is an expert at getting to grips with.

I really loved that we get to see Dai Morgan pop up again too, Nixon has created a wonderful ensemble cast so it’s great to see those we’ve come to love, or hate around.

Speaking of characters.. the best one by far.. the victim.. even though they’re dead Nixon paints such a vivid picture… so bloody good!.. it’s the hidden truth.. Christ it’s good!

I wish I could say more.. but too do so would give vital goodness away…oh if you’ve not read the previous books please don’t worry.. just jump on board you’ll be fine!

5/5*

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon!

A Man Dies But Once by Matthew Harffy – REVIEW

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Today I’m reviewing A Man Dies But Once, a short Novella from Matthew Harffy!

Here’s the blurb

A gritty prequel novella featuring one of the main characters from DARK FRONTIER.

Some things you never forget.

Texas, 1856

“A man always remembers his first murder. Just like he always remembers his first visit to the whore house.”

Grizzled frontiersman Jedediah White looks back on a memorable day from his youth in Texas. In his uncompromising and caustic style, Jed tells the vivid tale of a young man’s coming-of-age in a violent and often cruel land where his youthful lust and white-hot temper see him tangled in a series of events that spiral out of control faster than a stampede of longhorns.

Everybody’s story starts somewhere.

Review

As the synopsis suggests A Man Dies But Once is a prequel to the feature length story Dark Frontier.

We are back with Jed White as he reflects on his life and two of the most memorable moments.

Young Jed is on the cusp of manhood. Many still see him as a boy which he hates.. but sod them.. he’s been out in the world with his father and knows what he wants.. the object of his affection.. Pearl.

Jed’s luck is in when he manages to come into a little bit of money.. hopefully enough to pay for the services offered by the lovely Pearl.. little does Jed know this one adventure will tick off more than one “first” and hints to the man Jed will become.

Jed heads into town and has his eyes set on only one thing but he’s about to get himself mixed up in something much bigger.

I’m not going to spoil it but I really loved how the author didn’t shy away or tone the story down at all, there’s difficult moments to swallow as we see through Jed’s eyes, racism and slavery along with the exploitation of women and the horrible disease consumption.

A little side note, one of my favourite movies ever is Tombstone and while reading A Man Dies But Once I couldn’t help but be reminded of the brilliant performance for the late Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday who also suffered with consumption.

It’s a talent in itself that the author manages to add little details that stimulate the readers mind and makes things real, the cough.. the blood.. it’s a small but vivid bit of detail.

While a short tale the character development was spot on. I’m always worried that characters will be one-dimensional or boring but I knew with Matthew Harffy I didn’t need to be concerned.

Jed may be the main character but I really loved the detail, and time put in to make characters like Larry Woodrow and Gordon Sage come to life. I particularly liked Sage while he interacted with Jed at the bar.

Taking A Man Dies But Once as a standalone read you’d be impressed, it makes you want more.. but if you’ve read Dark Frontier already you’ll be even more impressed… Jed isn’t exactly a closed book but this Novella adds depth and gives the reader some insight into how Jed became the man he is… that ending as Jed has to contemplate the consequences of his actions.. how could it not stick with him..Wow.

I loved this one so much I own the kindle version and the paperback ha ha.

5/5 Stars.

To find out more head to Amazon or Goodreads

BLOG TOUR – Metropolis by Colin Garrow

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Metropolis by Colin Garrow!

Here’s the blurb.

Edinburgh, 1936. People are disappearing. The police are clueless. Can Finlay MacBeth track down the perpetrator before someone else goes missing?

Haunted by his recent past, Professor Finlay MacBeth returns to his home town to take up a new post at the university. Within hours, his reputation for solving the occasional murder prompts the police to ask for his help. Four men—seemingly unconnected—have vanished into thin air. MacBeth must find whatever it is that links the men before the kidnapper strikes again.

But the police aren’t the only ones interested in MacBeth’s activities, and the amateur sleuth soon discovers that finding the missing men is the least of his problems…

In this thriller series set in Edinburgh, Metropolis is book #1 in the Finlay MacBeth Thriller series.

Review

Professor Finlay MacBeth returns home to take up a teaching position at the local university. Two things become clear very quickly, First, MacBeth has previously helped the police with investigations so his reputation precedes him, and second, he’s not alone.. someone has followed him.. buy why? And for what reason.

MacBeth quickly gets drawn into a case, men are going missing but there’s no links and zero leads.. could these men have simply upped and left, or is there something more sinister afoot.. Well MacBeth will find out one way or another.

MacBeth does have that Sherlock Holmes feel about him but at the same time is certainly his own character, who has his own dark past that’s trying to catch up to him.

As MacBeth investigates his focus is distracted a lot by the man who followed him and he employees the services of a young lad to assist him with gathering information to help him. Little Johnnie was a really fun character, full of energy and just what the tale needed, he’s the perfect accompaniment to MacBeth.

The cases itself was really intriguing, the missing men, why them, where are they now, why they disappeared in the first place… all these questions get answered but it’s like a drug to the reader, being drip fed.. oh wow…not to spoil it but the motivations behind the disappearances… brilliant!

I really loved the dark tone of the story too..there’s moments you don’t see coming.

Now, MacBeth’s personal issues. As with any good character he’s flawed. His dark past is waiting to see the light of day but what Garrow did superbly was to blend both of these plots lines together, with neither overshadowing the other. It really gave some depth seeing the main character juggle things and try and move things along in the right direction without giving up his secrets.

I’m a big fan of the authors style of writing and always feel at home with their work… I know what to expect.. it’s going to be a good read no matter what.. but Garrow certainly knows how to keep upping his game, keeps the reader guessing, and continues to offer top quality, character driven plots

Sublime 5*

My thanks go to the author and Rachel’s Random Resources for having me on the tour

Tempeted?

Purchase Link – https://geni.us/ps3XiW

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

Colin Garrow grew up in a former mining town in Northumberland. He has worked in a plethora of professions including taxi driver, antiques dealer, drama facilitator, theatre director and fish processor, and has occasionally masqueraded as a pirate.

He has published more than thirty books, and his short stories have appeared in several literary mags, most recently in Witcraft, and Flash Fiction North. Colin lives in a humble cottage in Northeast Scotland where he writes novels, stories, poems and the occasional song.

He also plays several musical instruments and makes rather nice vegan cakes.

Social Media Links –

Website: https://colingarrow.co.uk/

Twitter: https://x.com/colingarrow

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colingarrowauthor.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinngarrow/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/colin-garrow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colingarrowthewriter

GUEST POST from author Alison Morton!!! – Tough heroines.

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Today I’m lucky enough to be able to handover my blog to none other than Alison Morton!!!

For those who’ve been with me a while you should know the name very well. Alison has become a firm favourite, writing strong female character driven plots that really get the reader hooked.

Alison has a new book out this week Double Stakes so what better way to celebrate than a little guest post and a bit about the new book…

Look out for my review coming soon too… I’ve been looking forward to getting back into the authors world 🙂

Without any further preamble I’ll let Alison take it from here….

Tough heroines

‘Tough’, ‘feisty’, ‘kick-ass’ – clichés, ironic or signposts? And, provocative question, would you apply those words to men? Perhaps the first one and possibly the third, but I can’t remember reading about a ‘feisty hero’.

That aside, how do you recognise a tough heroine?

Boudica, queen of the British Iceni tribe – led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire.
Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games – physical skill and strength of character
Eowyn from Lord of the Rings – fights for what she believes to be right
Jane Eyre – strength of will and character to survive challenges in her life.

Or perhaps Violette Szabo – a true story immortalised in Carve her Name with Pride – courageous, understated, self-sacrificing
Lizzie Bennett – smart, witty, full of integrity to the point of recklessness, but honest enough to admit when she’s wrong.
Early Roman Cloelia who led the escape of hostages from Lars Porsena c.508 BCE
Arya Stark from Game of Thrones – tough physically, mentally and emotionally

Some common themes here…

So how do you write a tough heroine?

The biggest challenge is plausibility. A completely accomplished all-singing, all-dancing toughie doesn’t work. Yes, this kind of operator needs to be strong, skilled and savvy, but her life will be much more than that. And she’s unlikely to have been born like that, unless genetically altered in a future far, far away. Even Hanna, (2011), the sixteen-year-old girl who was raised by her father to be the perfect assassin started as a ‘standard’ child.

Readers need to see where she came from, what turned her from an ordinary girl into the book’s heroine. Often, she passes through a formative traumatic event but writers need to give hints early on in a story about resilience, integrity and an ability to change, even if the heroine herself doesn’t realise she has those characteristics. Undoubtedly, a strong female character has to have an equally strong will and a passion to drive through what she believes in.

In the Doubles series, Mélisende (or informally, Mel) is an experienced intelligence analyst with the French special forces. In the first novel, Double Identity, she’s just resigned after ten years’ service. So she’s competent and has well-developed combat skills. But living in a military bubble since leaving school at eighteen, she’s sometimes not streetwise in civilian life. She does learn – and fast!

In the first chapter, we see her face up to the ultimate horror, but shocked as she is, she draws on her years of training to get through it. She’s determined and knows she must see things through to the end.

In Double Pursuit, the second novel, she’s handling the case well, apart from somebody pulling a gun on her. But she knows how to deal with that. Her real fear is having to return to a desolate place where a former colleague had callously left her to die.

In Double Stakes, just out(!), Mel finds everything shifting around her. She’s starting to doubt her own ability. But at the climax of the plot, she must make a stand on principle or lose everything.

Beware of bunny rabbits and kittens…

Another challenge when writing a tough heroine is not falling into the trap of making a strong character have moments of unbelievable weakness. Doubt, a temper, love, joking with colleagues, buying gifts for friends, sympathising with their problems all help to round a character out, but writers must not go too far into fluffy-bunny-land and over-compensate for the toughness.

A military type will drink and swear – it’s the pressure of the job – but she will have the normal emotions of any other woman, although expressed differently. Mel under pressure can feel aggressive towards people who have hurt the people she cares about, but it’s her way of showing she cares.

Few people want to read about Miss Perfect. A know-it-all is boring and would not engage the reader. While we’d like our heroine to know right from wrong and act on principle and generally positive values, we do like her to show some normal weaknesses or failings. Cliches such the drunk, divorced police office with a wayward and stroppy teenager, or an unfairly sacked spy, or an agent framed and serving a prison sentence should also be avoided. Readers are becoming fed up with these.

So what do readers want?

Something different! Writers hope readers will find their main character interesting, intriguing or even fascinating. They don’t have to like that character, but they do need to want to know what’s going to happen to them. When the big shock hits and the heroine realises she’s in deep trouble and starts devising a plan to get out of it, then hopefully readers want her to succeed.

But of course, her life is not going to be an easy one. Betrayals, harsh choices, lies, guilt, natural conflict sharpened up by misunderstandings, bad attitude, kidnapping, knifings, trust broken, pursuit by maniacs, weakness, bad temper, death before dishonour, red herrings, comrades of twenty years dying, impossible deadlines to disaster, irrationality, frustration, stomach turning twists. And the agony of watching the character walk towards certain doom…

These are what readers want to see. So we as writers have to give our heroes and heroines the worst possible time. Then again. And again. The core of a good read is watching how the heroine and hero get through everything that’s thrown at them.

Courage doesn’t come from ‘boldly going’, but from boldly going when you are half scared to death and you’re not at all sure you’re going to get out of the situation without being ruined or killed. And that’s what a tough heroine looks like.

I’d like to thank Alison for a wonderful post, I’ve always found Alison’s thoughts into writing tough heroines insightful and I continue to have my eyes opened!!

So about the new book, here’s the blurb

Double Stakes

A kidnapped daughter. A rigged election. A family under siege.

Former French special forces intelligence analyst Mélisende is desperate for recovery time after a gruelling mission. But when enforcers attack her family home in rural France, she uncovers a shocking truth – her sister-in-law’s gambling debt has put them all in danger.

Before Mel can untangle the crisis, she is ordered to Germany, where the daughter of Achim Nessler – the front-runner for chancellor – has been abducted. The kidnappers’ goal? To force Nessler to throw the upcoming election, paving the way for a hard-right victory that could upend not just Germany, but all of Europe.

Racing against time, Mel and fellow investigator Jeff McCracken dive into the murky world of extremist politics where old wounds and new betrayals collide. But as their hunt leads them deep into eastern Germany’s shadows, Mel discovers a chilling link between the case and her own family’s troubles.

Now, with both a nation’s future and her loved ones at stake, Mel must risk everything to stop a conspiracy that hits closer to home than she ever imagined.

Double Stakes is the third in the Mélisende Doubles thriller series

Buying links for Double Stakes

Ebook – all digital retailers: https://books2read.com/DoubleStakes

Paperback: https://www.alison-morton.com/where-to-buy-double-stakes/ (as links become available)

Author Bio

Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. She lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her latest three contemporary thrillers, Double Identity, Double Pursuit and Double Stakes.

Her eleven-book Roma Nova thriller series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the ancient Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but with a sharp line in dialogue.

Six years’ military service, a fascinating with ancient Rome and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction have inspired her writing. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history.

For the latest news, subscribe to her newsletter at https://www.alison-morton.com/newsletter/ and receive ‘Welcome to Alison Morton’s Thriller Worlds’ as a thank you gift.

Social media links

Connect with Alison on her World of Thrillers site: https://alison-morton.com

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