The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney

This review is based on the sneak peek of The Girl Before.

Well I have to hand it to Delaney, the story is somewhere between intriguing, disturbing and 'don't go into the basement there is creepy music playing in the background' kind of gut instinct evoking.

It's interesting to watch both Jane and Emma decide to shelve all their gut reactions and the warning signs, just because the house is a perfect example of 21st century futuristic design.

Personally it would be a no no for me. The intrusive questionnaire is just way too revealing and the really odd rules are huge red flags. On top of that I don't think the mega minimalistic approach to living would be my cup of tea.

Imagine if right here and right now you had to make a list of the most important items to take with you, and you have to leave everything else behind. Then imagine living a life restricted by rules, such as no mess, clutter, accessories or random objects. The deal would have been null and void as soon as I read the 'no books' rule. Now that is just cruel.

It is suitably eerie and Delaney reels the reader in with the unusual premise and the promise of even stranger things to come. I can't wait to read what happens next.

Pre-order/Buy The Girl Before at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Sneak Peek: The Long Drop by Denise Mina

This mini review is based on the Sneak Peek of The Long Drop.
You have to be at the top of your game to be able to pull in the readers with literally just the first chapter of the book to go on.

A sample of goods, a taste of what is yet to come, and leaving the reader with a burning need to know what comes next.

It's almost like opening the door just a smidgen and letting you peer round the corner at the unfolding story, only to be yanked back and have the door shut in your face rather abruptly.

The Long Drop is based on the true crime story about an American born Scottish serial killer called Peter Manuel and the man accused of three of his crimes. In 1956 William Watt was accused of killing his wife, daughter and his sister-in-law. He would have been tried and executed for the crimes, if the police hadn't cottoned on to the fact they had a serial killer in their midst.

Mina turns a meeting of the two men into a cat and mouse game between killer and accused. A literary thriller with the dark city of Glasgow as a backdrop. A city on the brink of change, just about to take a step into literally a lighter brighter time, well at least optically. The black stones of buildings were cleaned, trees planted, whole neighbourhoods ripped down and rebuilt. A massive health and x-ray initiative was launched to combat and eradicate tuberculosis.

It will be interesting to see whether Mina draws parallels between the meeting of Watts and Manuel, and the essence, core and subsequent change in Glasgow.

Mina's writing is expressive, sharp and memorable. Her knowledge of Glasgow and it's people is filtered into her stories in an almost subconscious layering. Mina writes noir with a twist, the psychological tear-downs between her characters is what sets her stories apart from the rest.

The Long Drop looks as if it's going to be an interesting read.

Pre-Order The Long Drop at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Sneak Peek: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

*based on the sneak peek of the ARC of The Glittering Court*

I'm not quite sure what to think about the fact that a seasoned Urban Fantasy and YA author has decided to pen a series in the style of The Selection by Cass.

Surely her sales can't be that bad that she and or her publishers thought it would be necessary to write a book or series similar to an already popular plot and series? A newbie doing it I would completely understand, but not someone like Mead.

An author, who has proven her talent and creativity with the Dark Swan series, Vampire Academy, Bloodlines and Age of X. What gives? Running out of ideas perhaps? Even if that were the case it just doesn't explain the mediocre plot and storyline.

This review is based on the sneak peek of The Glittering Court, and it was quite a long sneak peek, so I am hoping the second half is more of Mead read, as opposed to the watered down débutante like version I would associate with a new kid on the block.

I am also surprised by the fact this is being described as a YA fantasy. It is definitely YA, most certainly not a fantasy. It wanders from a victorianesque setting into a supposedly utopian like new world setting. Add a little romance, tedious debates about dresses and teenage like fights between young women, and you have the typical YA recipe.

The Countess of Rothford tries to escape her fate and place in society by reinventing herself. In an attempt to become independent and to be able to control her own life, even if it means becoming one of the lower classes in society.

The girls are promised a new life of riches and glory, depending on how they are placed in the competition to become the perfect young lady. Then they will be sold to the highest bidder for a generous commission.

Unfortunately there is a big emphasis on beauty equals worth, women being less worthy than men and the etiquette being the norm to achieve for everyone.

I am really hoping the second half or the rest of the book will be able to turn it all around, and until then I can only base my opinion on this sneak preview.

Pre-order or buy The Glittering Court at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.