I am trying to read more this year. I had a target of 30 books last year and I fell short at 26. I am determined to smash it this year. I've gotten off to a good start with 4 books under my belt already, even with most of January being spent with a headache that made concentrating difficult (hence the lack of posts). So here's what I've been reading.

Ragdoll by Daniel Cole

"A body is discovered with the dismembered parts of six victims stitched together, nicknamed by the press as the 'Ragdoll'. Assigned to the shocking case are Detective William 'Wolf' Fawkes, recently reinstated to the London Met, and his former partner Detective Emily Baxter.

The 'Ragdoll Killer' taunts the police by releasing a list of names to the media, and the dates on which he intends to murder them. With six people to save, can Fawkes and Baxter catch a killer when the world is watching their every move?"

This was probably my least favourite of the month. It was just a bit weird and not as good as the others I read. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about Detective 'Wolf' as well. I was invested in the who done it but some of it seemed a bit implausible. The killer released 6 names along with the dates he plans on murdering them. The police do everything they can to try and keep these people safe but the killer is clever. Who the killer is is a bit over the top and slightly ridiculous but it added to the drama. It did keep switching time frames which was a bit hard to keep up with as well. I think the only reason I finished it was to find out who the hell it was and how Wolf got out of the pickle he was in. I feel like there was a lot of promise with 6 victims stitched together but it went a bit downhill. No spoiler but I am a little bit baffled as to how there is a second book. I feel like I'm going to have to read it just to see how.


Play Dead by Angela Marsons

"The dead don't tell secrets... unless you listen.

The girl's smashed-in face stared unseeing up to the blue sky, soil spilling out of her mouth. A hundred flies hovered above the bloodied mess.

Westerley research facility is not for the faint-hearted. A 'body farm' investigating human decomposition, its inhabitants are corpses in various states of decay. But when Detective Kim Stone and her team discover the fresh body of a young woman, it seems a killer has discovered the perfect cover to bury their crime.

Then a second girl is attacked and left for dead, her body drugged and mouth filled with soil. It's clear to Stone and the team that a serial killer is at work - but just how many bodies will they uncover? And who is next?

As local reporter, Tracy Frost, disappears, the stakes are raised. The past seems to hold the key to the killer's secrets - but can Kim uncover the truth before a twisted, damaged mind claims another victim ...?"

If you have read my book posts before you will know I am a huge fan of Angela Marsons. The Kim Stone series is one of my favourites and I always end up devouring the books in just over a day. Detective Kim Stone is badass and comes off as super hard but deep down she is soft and vulnerable. Each book brings you closer to her and she is one of my favourite characters. This book is based on a body farm which becomes the dumping ground for fresh murders but that is the only thing linking them. The plot has a heartbreaking twist that I did not see coming. It's one of those ones where you understand why the murderer is doing it but it's obviously not the right thing to do. Once again I was hooked from beginning to end and I cannot wait to see what the next book brings.

#1 Silent Scream Review
#2 Evil Games Review
#3 Lost Girls Review


The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza

"When a young boy discovers the body of a woman beneath a thick sheet of ice in a South London park, Detective Erika Foster is called in to lead the murder investigation.

The victim, a beautiful young socialite, appeared to have the perfect life. Yet when Erika begins to dig deeper, she starts to connect the dots between the murder and the killings of three prostitutes, all found strangled, hands bound and dumped in water around London.

What dark secrets is the girl in the ice hiding?

As Erika inches closer to uncovering the truth, the killer is closing in on Erika.

The last investigation Erika led went badly wrong... resulting in the death of her husband. With her career hanging by a thread, Erika must now battle her own personal demons as well as a killer more deadly than any she's faced before. But will she get to him before he strikes again?"

I've wanted to read this for ages. I think I was drawn in by the gorgeous book cover. However, I have mixed feelings. I'm not entirely sure why I just found the writing style dragged a bit but this may just be linked to my headaches and poor concentration. I can't put my finger on why I didn't full on love it. I did enjoy it though and will be picking up more by this author. The murder kept me hooked and I didn't fully guess who did it. I really liked Erika as well, I'm all for a feisty female detective and Erika didn't let anything stop her getting answers.


Bad Sister by Sam Carrington

"Then

When flames rip through their family home, only teenager Stephanie and her younger brother escape unhurt. Brett always liked to play with fire, but now their dad is dead and someone has to pay the price.

Now

Psychologist Connie Summers wants to help Stephanie rebuild her life. She has a new name, a young son and everything to live for. But when Stephanie receives a letter from someone she’d hoped would never find her, Connie is forced to question what really happened that night. But some truths are better left alone . . ."

I was a little bit sceptical about this one when I realised that it had my least favourite layout. It switches characters every few chapters and my poor brain sometimes struggles to keep track. However, I found this one pretty easy to keep up with. I spent the majority of this book questioning what happened the night of the fire as well as who the hell has it in for Connie. There's two storylines running alongside each other but they work well together and are pretty easy to keep straight. Once again I was not expecting most of the ending. I also loved DI Wade.



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