Cloud Country by Andy Futuro

The Special Sin series is an eclectic mixture of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Speculative Fiction. In this book Futuro focuses more on the speculative fiction side of this series.

I have to admit I really enjoyed the first book No Dogs in Philly. Perhaps more so than this one, because the mixture of the genres was balanced in a way that helped to create literary magic. This book lacked the same balance.

Saru blames herself for the destruction at the end of the first book. The deaths of innocents are really weighing heavily on her conscience.

At first she completely forgets the implication of ridding herself of the implant. Ripping herself free from the general consensus and mass thought or action being regurgitated by those around her.

Her actions also inadvertently influence those around her. In this case John the Gaesporan, another one set on discovering his individuality and separating himself from the hive. Not sure Saru realises how much more damage her single-handed rebellion will cause to those who are aware of their surroundings and themselves, and those who aren't aware at all.

Saru was missing her spunk and quest for answers in this book. She spent a lot of time wandering aimlessly through the confines of abstract fantasy worlds, with the sole purpose of those worlds being mass fornication.

I look forward to seeing where Futuro takes this series next and hope that some of the aspects of the first book will reappear.

By Cloud Country (Special Sin #2) at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Read No Dogs in Philly (Special Sin #1).

The Inquisition by Taran Matharu

I haven't read the first book, but I can honestly say it was easy enough to get the gist of the pre-story. It's not necessarily a prerequisite for this book, because it can be read as a standalone novel.

Fletcher appears to be on the short end of the stick the majority of the time. There always seems to be someone wanting to stick it to him. He literally goes from one frying pan to the other as others attempt to destroy him.

This causes friction, mistrust and also paranoia, even within friendship groups. During their quest this becomes very evident when certain people become suspicious of Cress and question her loyalty.

Matharu uses the conflict between the various races to point out the class and caste structure or system between them all, which in turn leads to racism and discrimination.

I really like the element of having the demons as the familiars (like a witch's cat) and the way some of them are passed down through family lines.

It is an entertaining read with strong and memorable characters. It reminds me of a few well-known fantasy and magic stories with Matharu's very own distinctive style.

Hopefully Mathura will explore the betrayal of Fletcher's parents in the next book, especially after the bombshell cliffhanger at the end of this book.

Buy The Inquisition (Summoner #2) at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Desolation by Derek Landy

It's hard not to feel sorry for Amber, she really is put through the ringer in this book. For someone who can change into a humongous demon she sure does get beaten up a lot.

Of course that might have something to do with the high amount of serial killers that are chasing her now. Ever since she outsmarted the Shining Demon in the last book every killer who is looking for a demonic boost is after her.

For me the highlight of this trilogy is still the relationship between Miles and Amber. He is a man of secrets and a volatile past, but he truly cares about her. Amber literally has no one left to rely on or trust for that matter.

Her parents want to eat her and they have already eaten her older siblings.That is what I call bad parenting. No wonder she has trust issues.

I didn't understand the need to mess with the recipe of book 1. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Milo has retreated into the background, there are too many new characters that play a main role and have chapters written about their storyline in the their POV, and there seemed to be a fixation on having pain inflicted upon Amber.

Kelly and company weren't in the first book. I assume their quest to get rid of killers will be featured in the third book.They are chasing them and Amber is being hunted by the killers they are chasing. I still think Milo and Amber would have been fine by themselves without any newbies. The violence seems to be escalating, so Landy needs to keep a certain balance to stay in the YA lane.

Buy Desolation (Demon Road Trilogy Book 2) at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Read Demon Road here.

That Night by Chevy Stevens

Toni hasn't had the luxury of building a career or a life. She and her boyfriend have been stuck behind bars for over 15 years for the vicious murder of her younger sister.

After the two of them are released Ryan decides he wants revenge, which ruffles quite a few feathers. Suddenly every crime in town is being laid at their feet.

Ryan and Toni have a target on their backs yet again. Knowing the truth about what happened isn't the same as being able to prove it.

One of the things that really annoyed me was the reaction of the parents. No compassion for Toni at all. Not an inkling of doubt about the fact she has become a vicious killer overnight.

I'm sure there are quite a few readers who have grown up in a situation where the youngest daughter is treated like a 'butter wouldn't melt' princess.

Fact is Toni tried to warn her parents, especially her mother, but she wouldn't listen. It's easier to presume the guilt of the elder daughter than question that of the supposedly innocent younger daughter.

The other issue was the way Toni reacted to them being in her house and her room. Seriously? Come on now. They would have been flying out backwards if it had been me, and the sister would have experienced my wrath. Don't ever mess with the inner sanctum.

The plot is fine, a bit predicable perhaps, but the writing is a bit on the amateur side. Way too she said, he said.

Buy That Night at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

The Gessami Residence by Jane L. Gibson

The one thing I thought was very bold and yet completely honest was the way Gibson portrayed her middle-aged (mid 30's to mid 40's) group of female characters.

None of them are interested in seeing the sights, visiting museums or learning about the foreign country they are in. They are there to have fun, let loose and party.

Regardless of whether some people deem it inappropriate because they aren't in their 20's any more, this is quite the norm nowadays. A bunch of friends leaving behind the kids, the husband, the cat and the white picket fence for a week or two of innocent fun. Then again innocent might be the wrong word for it.

Jenny and her friends don't really conform to the image some readers may have, but I know my friends and I often joke about getting away for a weekend. Tequila body shots off half naked men, Ole! At this rate I am more likely to swig an exciting lemonade off the cover of my next read.

Hidden in all the jokes and fun stuff is a huge mountain for Jenny to overcome. Getting back on the bike and into the dating scene is no simple feat when you have spent most of your life with just the one man. Your body is no longer that of a nubile goddess, spanks are in order instead of Victoria's Secret and that's before we get to any of the intimate stuff.

Gibson needs to let her emotions flow into her characters, which will give them more depth and allow readers to connect on a deeper level. When that happens her stories will perhaps go from quick summer read to something more memorable.

Buy The Gessami Residence at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Not if I see You First by Eric Lindstrom

Now and again I felt like giving this book a hug. In the midst of all the teen drama there were some deeply emotional, eye-opening and heartfelt moments.

Lindstrom really is inside Parker's head. The anger, the sarcasm, the huge defensive wall all around her, and the internal dialogue.

Parker is completely oblivious to her own selfishness. Her demanding nature threatens to swallow everyone around her whole. It takes quite a while for her to realise just how supportive everyone has been.

One of the things that does become abundantly clear is how many of us take the freedom of sight for granted. The way Lindstrom describes her running towards the end of the book gives an extraordinary insight into just how much of a barrier the darkness is.

Trust plays an enormous role in this book. Trust, observation and relying on someone other than yourself to scope out your environment and the actions of others. The betrayal of that trust can seem like an epic intrusion and unforgivable act, especially if you're young and more vulnerable than others. A simple mistake can seem like so much more.

This story has the usual portion of overly dramatic teeny YA moments, which is why younger readers will probably enjoy this, however I do believe the more poignant moments outweigh the flightier ones.

I really enjoyed it, perhaps because Parker is such a realistic character. or maybe because Lindstrom just happened to hit the right notes. It is definitely a read I would recommend.

Buy Not if I see You First at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

The Photographer's Wife by Suzanne Joinson

This book has an English Patient feel to it. The smell of colonialism is spread like a thin layer of sweat upon the story, especially the early years of Prudence.

The British as the invaders, the foreigner attempting to control the fate of another country, as usual.

The title is a little misleading, because the photographer's wife is really just an afterthought. Prudence is the main focus throughout the story. As a child, then as a teen and as an adult.

I liked the subtle parallels between Prudence and Skip, and Prudence and her father. Whether she realises it or not she actually treats her child with the same level of contempt and neglect.

I have to say I am not sure why the rape scene was necessary. It was superfluous to the story, and there was no follow-up whatsoever, so what was the point? Just a shock factor or was it to show the carelessness of Ashton? Surely her witnessing the violence by Lofty was sufficient enough to make the same point. The way she slips into an abusive relationship and her erratic behaviour can be explained by both the neglect and the traumatic events she experiences.

In the end this is a story about politics, betrayal, spies and morality. It's about the lines people cross in the name of war and political skirmishes. For me it didn't come together as well as it could have.

Buy The Photographer's Wife at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight

I'm not sure Cassie is what I would call a good friend or a friend at all for that matter. Do friends dump you to become part of the popular group in school? Do friends abandon you in your hour of need, and most importantly do they put you in a dangerous situation to make their own lives easier?

Cassie seems to be quite a selfish young lady, who likes to embrace trouble and the wild side of life. Trying to coerce your friends to join you in the middle of nowhere, not to tell anyone and put themselves in danger. All those choices lack common sense.

Jasper doesn't appear to live up to all the bad reputation that trails behind him. In fact a lot of the stories seem to be flavoured by the input of others. More specifically by Cassie. Begs the question, why would she want Wylie to think the worst of her boyfriend?

As soon as they reach the camp everything becomes a little far-fetched. Who sent which messages to whom was especially confusing.

The plot goes from a friend in need and possibly mixed up with drugs to a whole different ball game.Wylie and her friends are suddenly a commodity.Then she is part of an elite group of gifted individuals. The goal posts keep changing during the story.

It wasn't necessarily the change in the storyline that made this seem a bit chaotic. It was as if the author changed her mind about the plot and made the end of it fit in with the rest. With more clarity and direction this could be an interesting series.

Buy The Outliers at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Die of Shame by Mark Billingham

This is a stand-alone novel by Billingham. It has Billingham's usual deep knowledge of the mind-frame of a killer. So much so that his books can often be so realistic they are disturbing.

A Monday night therapy group is down one member. In the beginning it isn't entirely clear which one, as the reader gets to know all the individuals first.

Each one of them has a different or variety of addictions. Gambling, drugs, alcohol, food and so on. Even the therapist has overcome his addictions to help others in his situation.

Saying that, Tony isn't exactly kosher, despite all his attempts at appearing above reproach and taking the moral high ground. Is he as squeaky clean as he makes out to be? Is his wife paranoid or is it gut instinct?

Which one of the group members could have been driven to desperate measures? Who is playing a deadly game with the lives of vulnerable people?

Billingham mixes a tense atmosphere with the emotional and sometimes chaotic nature of a therapy group. Souls are bared and trust is betrayed, which means the whole purpose of the therapy group is null and void.

The ending is unexpected. Of course it is, it's Billingham.  The insidious nature of the killer has seeped into the fabric of the group and certainly left its mark. I wonder what the repercussions will be in the long run? Why? Well the story is left open-ended with an option for a sequel.

Buy Die of Shame at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica

Kubica plots are like Chinese puzzle boxes. You have to wrack your brains to get to the solution, which usually means having to literally think out of the box.

The story starts with Quinn's room-mate disappearing. Not that she notices straight away, in fact in takes her a while to figure out Esther isn't just busy.

Quinn quickly becomes paranoid about the whole situation. She thinks Esther is a killer, a killer who is now stalking Quinn. It changes everything and all the clues appear in a completely different light. Now she starts to investigate Esther as the perpetrator, as opposed to the victim.

Simultaneously the reader also follows the story of Alex. The son of a drunk, a loner fighting to survive from one day to the next. He is enamoured with a young woman he has named Pearl. He watches her spy on someone else every day. Alex is working up the courage to speak to her. There is just something so enthralling about her.

The stories seem completely unconnected and it isn't even clear whether they are in the same era, which makes the read all the more interesting.

Once again Kubica manages to draw the audience in and keep them guessing till the end. It's a mystery within a mystery with a twist at the end.

Buy Don't You Cry at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Read Pretty Baby and The Good Girl by Mary Kubica.

Follow @MaryKubica @HQStories @HarperCollinsUk
Visit Mary online at www.marykubica.com, on Facebook at MaryKubica

Soldier by Julie Kagawa

I was completely underwhelmed by Soldier. Kagawa is a brilliantly creative writer with quite a few best-selling series.Talon is full of dragon politics, genetic manipulation and a love triangle, This book is a little on the tepid side though.

This is the third in the Talon series, an urban fantasy with scaled fire-breathing shifters. It sort of felt like an in between book packed with information with the sole purpose of leading us into a culmination of the fighting between all the factions.

Ember is still trying to figure out whether she should listen to her dragon or her human side when it comes to Garret and Riley. Her dragon clearly wants Riley, but perhaps more on a physical level. Her heart wants Garrett on an emotional level.

No wonder she is confused, irritated and suffering from insomnia. I suppose it's like having two souls, which technically she probably does.
Things are heating up, loyalties are being questioned and connections are being revealed. Betrayal at the highest level is on the table. Nothing is as it seems.

Soldier may be full of action, but it is a little low on the usual entanglements, herzschmerz and meaningful interactions. Perhaps the next instalment will have more of Kagawa's usual flair.

Buy Soldier (Talon #3) at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Unrivalled by Alyson Noël

The feel of this book is an interesting mixture of  Young Adult with certain flair for the reality and cut-throat world of Hollywood. It reminded me of a Jackie Collins story without the huge dollop of sex she was known to incorporate into her books.

It's the same kind of intimate and truthful look behind the golden curtains of Hollywood lifestyles, the the ruthless choices people will make to be famous, and just how hungry they are to be in the spotlight.

Obviously the fate of Madison is left as a cliffhanger to lead into another book. I couldn't decide whether it was an intentional ploy by Noël. Was it thrown in there at random purely to hook readers, who will want to know where the girl is? A Gone Girl moment? Or did the glitzy reality TV show like competition just sink the second plot?

Tommy, Layla and Aster and just three of many when it comes to wanting a step up the ladder of fame and fortune. Taking part in a competition to become one of Ira's shaker and movers seems like the perfect way to achieve their goals.

Layla chooses to chat, gossip and lie for her bread and butter. Tommy becomes too attached to Madison and Aster is suddenly famous in a way she really didn't expect or want. I wonder if Noël will go back to what happened to Aster. It's left a wee bit open-ended in this story. It needs to be addressed in some way.

In the end I think they all sacrifice a little bit of their soul to be a part of celebrity circle.

I think this will appeal to older teens and young adults. The whole 'becoming famous' via social media and the manipulations celebs pull off to stay on the front pages, and on the tip of everyone's tongue.

Of course the real question is what happened to Madison? I guess we will find out in the next book.

Buy Unrivalled at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

The Vagrant by Peter Newman

An enthralling fantasy with a main character who doesn't speak and only communicates through physical interactions and body language.

Interestingly enough the author has chosen not to compensate for the lack of verbal interaction by having the character talk to the reader via his thoughts.

Instead his communication takes place through the actions, words and interactions with others. In particular Vesper, Harm and the goat. Yes, you read that right, a goat. A very stubborn goat with a keen sense of survival and more attitude than a teenager in the middle of a hormone rush.

I just want to slip a murmur of dissatisfaction in about the Hammer. Plot-wise what happens to her was a mistake. The four of them, sorry five plus the grumpy goat, not only make for great reading, but her development was a treasure trove of potential.

It's a sign of a good story and a great storyteller when a reader connects to the characters in a way that makes them believe they know better.

The story switches from past to present, as we slowly learn more about the silent wanderer and how he and Vesper ended up together. Simultaneously we are introduced to that evil that won the war and the aftermath of its influence. I didn't find those parts of the story as compelling as the ones with the merry band of misfits. Perhaps because Harm, Vesper, the Vagrant, the Hammer and the goat are such strong characters, as opposed to the enigma and essence of the enemies.

I look forward to reading more about this particular group of characters, especially when it comes to keeping an eye on Vesper as she grows.

Buy The Vagrant at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Redemption Road by John Hart

Hart is the personified storyteller with a talent for words. His writing is excellent. The premise also needs a certain insight, expertise and research to get the reactions just right when it comes to the rape. His description of the Channing and Liz's experience in the basement, and their emotional and physical reactions, is realistic and on point.

The flashbacks, the denial and the whispers in the ear, the smell of his breath and the nightmares are all part of the daily torture. Channing and Liz are connected on a level no one else can understand. They survived the basement together.

The truth may set one of them free, but it may make the other seek deeper into the quagmire of her feelings of shame. Powerless instead of powerful, no control and ultimately becoming the victim instead of being the saviour.

Ask yourself whether you would kill, if you found a young woman, man or child being brutally assaulted. If given the opportunity and weapon in hand would the anger blind you and take over? Vigilante justice instead of legal recourse?

Liz finds herself applauded by some, whilst others just see her as a liability. A dangerous cop, who kills instead of bringing in the suspects. Not everything is black and white in the grey shades of daylight.

Simultaneously an old case has reared it's head again, because the killer is being released. Not everyone believed he was a shoe-in for the brutal killing but the new bodies piling up since his release seem to suggest otherwise.

Hart writes a compelling plot with plenty of twists and turns. Regardless of which crime he focuses on, the other one never sinks below the surface. They are both given equal attention and run smoothly alongside each other.

I really liked the way the author dealt with the abuse and assault element of the story.The reactions of the women, the parents and the colleagues. The shame, blame and the guilt.

Buy Redemption Road at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Blog-Tour: I'm Keeping You by Jane Lark

My turn today on the Blog-Tour of I'm Keeping You by Jane Lark. A provocative mixture of romance and mental health issues.

About the Author
Jane is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional Historical and New Adult romance and author of a No.1 bestselling Historical Novel,'The Illicit Love of a Courtesan', as well as a Kindle overall top 25, bestselling author in the United States of America.

She began her first historical novel at sixteen, but a life full of adversity derailed her as she lives with the restrictions of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

When she finally completed a novel it was because she was determined not to reach forty still saying, I want to write.

Now Jane is writing a Regency series as well as contemporary, new adult, stories and she is thrilled to be giving her characters life in others' imaginations at last.

You might think that Jane was inspired to write by Jane Austen, especially as she lives near Bath in the United Kingdom, but you would be wrong. Jane's favourite author is Anya Seton, and the book which drew her into the bliss of falling into historical imagination was 'Katherine' a story crafted from reality.

Jane has drawn on this inspiration to discover other real-life love stories, reading memoirs and letters to capture elements of the past, and she uses these to create more realistic plots.

'Basically I love history and I am sucker for a love story. I love the feeling of falling in love; it's wonderful being able to do it time and time again in fiction.'

Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom, and uses this specialist understanding of people to bring her characters to life.

Below Jane talks about the use of music in her books and the New Adult genre.

Stories, music and my New Adults?

I love committing a cardinal author’s sin, putting current music in books. We really aren’t meant to. It sets the book in a time slot and makes it harder to sell later. So what, I say. I like to be a rebel and music goes so well with the New Adult genre. Maybe that is part of why I like the genre as I also love current music. So you’ll discover it sometimes glaringly obvious in the books of the Starting Out Series, but in other ways a little hidden, like in ringtones, (she coughs, Just You) and then the occasional book will have an album soundtrack (she coughs again, Free Me). I’ll let you discover and work out what’s what in the books. But the thing about music is that it is frequently written by young people in the midst of their New Adult years and so the angst and emotion this generation churns through pours into the songs they create and the songs then become such a brilliant inspiration.

Two of my current loves as far music goes are The Weekend, his songs did not appear in I’m Keeping You and yet the emotion behind his song In the night was a strong focus, there is a real darkness inside Rachel when she looks back at her past in I’m Keeping You and this song seemed to represent that, and the emotion within the song helped me focus on the character. It is generally the songs the I’ve gathered emotion and ideas from that end up in the books though.

So look out for this other current musical love of mine, ideas are already forming from this one, DNCE, Cake by the ocean, I think it’s the licking frosting from her fingers that has generated ideas ;) Although basically there’s a whole story in there…

Connect with Jane at janelark.co.uk, Facebook, Goodreads or follow @JaneLnabooks and @HarperImpulse

About the Book

The sequel to the US bestselling NA romance, I Found You.

The sun was warm on my hair and face. The river looked cool and inviting. I felt superhuman. I was the best mom in the world…

I’ve faced many demons in my life, but my bipolar brain is the enemy inside me. Even my fairytale knight in shining armour, my husband, Jason, cannot always be there to save me from myself – and since the day I walked into a river with our precious baby son, Saint, our relationship has changed, no matter what he tells me.

Now we risk losing our innocent boy again, but this time to his biological father, my sleazy ex, Declan. So I'm going to New York to fight for my family, but I'm scared because I have to fight myself too. I ran away from my life in New York it feels like going back could ruin everything but if I don't go we might lose Saint. I can't lose Saint…or Jason…

Review

Rachel faces an inner battle every day, actually make that two battles. Being bipolar is like riding an emotional roller-coaster. Ups and downs, from manic episodes to deep dark pits of depression.

The other daily fight is choosing between being medicated and feeling like a walking zombie, and not taking the meds and feeling like her normal self.

Her euphoric self nearly kills her son, which triggers concerns about her capabilities as a mother. Her ex raises his ugly egotistical head and threatens the happy family life Rachel has with Jason.

As is often the case Declan the ex is more interested in revenge rather than the welfare of the child.

Jason is an interesting character, he has this strange kind of co-dependant relationship with Rachel. He likes the zany, the crazy and the impetuous side of Rachel, aka her manic episodes. On one hand he wants her on the medication, and on the other he really misses the other non-medicated Rachel. This has got to send out mixed signals to the poor woman.

I'm Keeping You is the fourth in the Starting Out series. It is a mixture of romance, steamy bedroom antics and mental health issues.

Buy I'm Keeping You at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

To follow the Blog-Tour and read what my fellow bloggers have to say about I'm Keeping You:
Cosmochicklitan
Harper Impulse
Ali the Dragon Slayer
Jane Hunt Writer
Charlotte McFall

Blog Tour: Darkroom by Mary Maddox

Today is my turn on the Blog-Tour for Darkroom by Mary Maddox. It's my first encounter with Maddox, but I expect to hear a lot more from her. Her writing and way of approaching a premise is...well let's just say she has a very distinctive style and writing voice.

About the Author

Mary Maddox is a suspense, horror, and dark fantasy novelist with what The Charleston Times-Courier calls a “Ray Bradbury-like gift for deft, deep-shadowed description.” Born in Soldiers Summit, high in the mountains of Utah, Maddox graduated with honors in creative writing from Knox College, and went on to earn an MFA from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She taught writing at Eastern Illinois University and has published stories in various journals, including Yellow Silk, Farmer’s Market, The Scream Online, and Huffington Post. The Illinois Arts Council has honored her fiction with a Literary Award and an Artist’s Grant.

Connect with Mary  at ancientchildren.com or on Facebook, and with @Dreambeast7 (Mary) and @novelpublicity on Twitter.

About the book

Talented but unstable photographer Day Randall has been living rent-free in Kelly Durrell’s Colorado condo for eight months. Day needs someone to keep an eye on her. Kelly needs someone to draw her out of her stable but not spectacular life . The arrangement works for both of them.

Then Kelly comes home one day to find Day gone. There’s no note, no phone call. Day’s car is still parked out front, but her room is starkly, suspiciously spotless.

No one seems to care. The police certainly aren't interested in a missing bipolar artist, but Kelly knows something is wrong. Day wouldn't just leave.

Alone, Kelly traces Day’s last steps through shadowy back rooms of Boulder nightclubs and to a remote mountain estate, where the wealthy protect themselves behind electric fences and armed guards. Along the way, she uncovers a sinister underworld lying just below the mountain snow, and a group of powerful people who will do anything to protect the secrets hidden in Day’s enigmatic photographs.

If she trusts the wrong person, Kelly herself will be the next to disappear.

Review

It has a grungy True Detective feel to it. A 70's vibe of grimy truth about the reality of a carefree, drug and sex fuelled lifestyles.

Kelly doesn't exactly agree with her friend Day's choices, but she is willing to put up with them. Why? Because there is something about Day that makes it and her worth the bother. She has a keen sense of justice and her art speaks volumes about how much she sees. Her photographs are windows into the souls of the subjects.

Day stumbles upon a possible crime and ends up disappearing into thin air. When Kelly returns from a business trip she finds Day gone and all evidence of her existence stripped and cleansed from Kelly's home.Thus begins a dangerous cat and mouse game to retrieve clues and evidence Day has scattered around town.

Maddox has a clear fresh voice with an eye for detail and a very specific tone. Her writing has a way of questioning whether the reader is paying attention. Are you listening? Did you get that? Hey we changed direction are you still with me? All without leaving her characters and plot to the side.

Maddox needs to keep up feisty noirish quality she has in the beginning and take it all the way to the end. I also enjoyed the way she wasn't at all bothered with the usual candy-floss notion of despair and upset when it came to Day. The what and where isn't important, actually her fate isn't really important either. It is more about the how and why of Day ending up in this particular situation.

In Darkroom the boundaries between the good guys and bad guys are skewed. Even the really bad can make the right choices sometimes.

Buy Darkroom at Amazon UK, Amazon com or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Enter the giveaway below to win a paperback bundle of Talion and Daemon by Maddox.
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