Kill the Silence by Monika Kørra

Kørra probably won't win any awards for her literary style, prose or writing in general, however she certainly deserves recognition for being brave enough to face her demons and put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

For having the strength to lay bare her experiences and emotions, so others can see that there is a life beyond rape. Learning how to cope is a day by day and hour by hour uphill battle.

Her story is an autobiographical account of the horrific kidnap and gang rape ordeal she went through, as a college student.

Not only was she literally grabbed from the streets right in front of her friends, she was a student in a foreign country at the time. No family or childhood friends to support her during the aftermath of her ordeal.

Monika was lucky enough to have made a close-knit group of college friends, who were there to support her. In fact the details of the kidnap bound them together in a way I think outsiders might have trouble understanding.

I think one of the things that stood out for me the most was the treatment Monika received, specifically the way the police and hospital handled her. Lacking in sensitivity, in training, in understanding and in empathy.

The other thing was. and this is in no way a criticism, far from it, was the complete detachment from an emotional point of view.

Completely normal in her situation and certainly a coping technique. Keeping a wall between the flood of emotions and the memories isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as a support system is in place.
Kudos to her for surviving, being strong and sharing her story.

Thank you to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for my copy of Kill the Silence.
Buy Kill the Silence at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Katherine Carlyle by Rupert Thomson

This is a strange one. A bit like wandering through the fantastical mind fortresses of a young person in the throes of a hormonal rush and seeking the meaning of her life.

Don't most of us go through the phase of thinking we know it all and can rule the world?  Katherine is seeking answers about herself in the events of the past. Specifically in her parents' past.

Katherine Carlyle lives in a world of dreams, imagined scenarios and a vivid imagination. Sometimes it seems a little more than just the harmless daydreams of a well to do young girl.

Katherine is used to getting what she wants when she wants it. She hasn't had to do without anything, except perhaps the attention of her father, since her mother passed away.

Katherine is obsessed by her conception. The fact she is an IVF baby makes her obsess about two things. Why her parents left her in a container for so long, and the repercussions of her birth. Guilt plays a major factor in her actions and her belief that Daddy doesn't love her enough.

So she creates scenarios in her mind, the way she would like people to react and act towards her, which is in direct juxtaposition to her reality. Katherine puts herself in dangerous situations. Possibly because she wants to be rescued, actually she does want to be rescued, she just doesn't realise it yet.

What she wants is for Daddy to prove how much she means to him by coming for her, by looking for her and for turning over every stone to find her. That's all fine and dandy, well perhaps it is a wee bit adolescent, but for the fact Daddy doesn't even know she is gone. Daddy is blissfully unaware of Katherine and her fantastical world of connections. Lucky him.

Katherine pushes the boundaries till the point of constant danger, and then she pushes some more. The end result is a nightmare. Some people would say an inevitable nightmare if you live in a bubble and believe you will always be safe just because you think and say you will.

As I said in the beginning, this was a strange one. I think it is one of those books that will mean a variety of things to different people depending on their own frame of reference.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of Katherine Carlyle.
Buy Katherine Carlyle at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

The Hidden Legacy by G.J. Minett

This was an intriguing one, because it throws up a lot of questions about forgiveness, redemption, trust, guilt and rehabilitation. There are crimes, and then there are crimes, which defy our imagination and cross the boundaries of humanity.

This is especially the case when heinous crimes involve children, both with children as the victims and as the perpetrators.

Obviously one crime that pops immediately to the forefront, in Britain perhaps more so, is the murder of two-year old Jamie Bulger by two young boys aged ten and eleven. This case is actually used as an example in the story. 

In this scenario a 12 year old boy kills one child and almost kills another. Throughout the story the reader finds out his reasoning behind his actions, and why he felt compelled to do what he did or justified in his actions. However the story is really more about what comes afterwards for those left behind in the aftermath of such a crime.

What happens to the family members of the victims, the family members of the perpetrator and finally what happens to the person who committed the crime, especially if they were a child at the time of the incident.

Ultimately most judicial systems give sentences in an attempt to punish but also rehabilitate the criminal. They will eventually be released into society again. One can argue the pros, cons and the statistics when it comes to re-offenders, but that debate doesn't belong here. Minors are not charged or tried as adults, and as such their sentences are often reduced and their records are sealed. So a twelve-year-old can kill someone and be out on the streets with a new identity by the age of twenty-one, with the pubic none the wiser.

One of the topics throughout the book is whether or not the perpetrator deserves to be hounded for the rest of his life, despite completing his time behind bars. Having to live life under a false identity and evade the constant stream of reporters looking for a reboot of a gruesome story.

Are there crimes that don't deserve the forgiveness of others? I'm sure Jamie Bulger's mother will always believe the two boys, who are now grown men, don't deserve any such thing.

The Hidden Legacy moves from two periods in the past to the future and to the apparently unconnected Ellen, who has just found out she has inherited something of great value from a complete stranger. Little does she know that this is the beginning of the unravelling of decades of lies.

I couldn't decide whether Eudora was subconsciously trying to manipulate the lives of those involved, perhaps because of a deep-rooted need for vengeance. Without Eudora and the inheritance there would be no dialogue with Ellen about the past. Or was Eudora really trying to make the best of a terrible situation?

It was a captivating read. In the end I was riveted by how Ellen would react and of course wondered what others or I would do in the same situation. Fact is these criminals are re-introduced into society. Do we judge them on who they were and what they did or on the life they lead after their release? Fascinating plot, which I am sure will cause a lot of debate.

Thank you to Bonnier Publishing. Twenty7 Books and NetGalley for my copy of The Hidden Legacy.

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

Smoke and Mirrors by Elly Griffiths

This is the second book in the Stephens and Mephisto series. The combination of police inspector and magician/actor is unusual, although to be honest I don't think Mephisto really carries his half of the detective work.

Two children have gone missing and the hope to find them unharmed is dwindling fast. There seem to suspects galore and plenty of strange connections to nefarious scenarios.

Annie has an obsession with the real origin of fairy-tales. The dark murderous side of old children's tales. Is that where the truth lies? Is the person who took them connected to her obsession or is the truth hidden in the world of magic and theatre.

Griffiths mixes the pain of the World Wars with the close knitted community of theatre performers. Actors and magicians with their secrets, mysteries and quirks.

The story is set in the 1950's, before crime scene technology was available and police had to rely on proof other than DNA. Each lead is followed no matter how bizarre or outlandish it may seem.

The beginning was good, but I think Griffiths could have done with making the plot a little tighter towards the end. Incorporating the folk tale and darker side of fairy-tales with the dysfunctional dynamics of family and reality was very interesting.
Overall a pleasant read.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of Smoke and Mirrors.
Buy Smoke and Mirrors at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Need by Joelle Charbonneau

Fascinating premise and perhaps not quite as unrealistic as one might think. Given the power of social media and how vulnerable and easily influenced young people are, it isn't really that far-fetched.

Imagine a social media site that will fulfil any need you might have. Not your wants or your wishes, but your needs. An Ipad, a phone, a trip to Disneyland or perhaps you need a car.

It all starts out with simple invitations and the fledgling members have the ability to invite a specific number of other users. (Reminds me of the way the social media platform Ello started out, and how coveted the invitations were at the beginning.)

Each user has to request a need, which is then submitted only when invites have been sent out. At least that's the way it starts out. All innocence and fun until the Need site starts asking their members for more than just extra members.

Things quickly become insidious and dangerous. Teenagers are manipulated into doing seemingly innocent deeds, all of which are connected in some way.

In the midst of all this is Kaylee, a young girl living with the an enormous burden on her shoulders. She has been looking for a solution to her problems and has lied, stolen and deceived to do it. Her mother no longer trusts her and everyone else thinks she is desperate and crazy.

Charbonneau has a fresh voice with innovative ideas. I think she let the story run away with her a little towards the end, because it wasn't as tight as in the beginning, but other than that it was an interesting idea and read.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of Need.
Buy Need at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever by Jeff Strand Cover Reveal and Sneak Peek

The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever
Author: Jeff Strand
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Jeff Strand gives readers a sneak peek at his latest novel The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever, and shares his five favorite zombie movies:

Jeff Strand’s Five Favorite Zombie Movies:

My five favorite zombie movies are very similar to many other people’s five favorite zombie movies. I could’ve gone the condescending click-bait route and written about “The Five Best Zombie Movies You’ve Never Seen!” but, no, I’m going with my five real favorites….

#5: DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004 version). I was one of the many people bellowing, “You can’t remake DAWN OF THE DEAD! This is blasphemy! Blasphemy!!!” But somehow this remake to a sequel (but not a sequel to the remake) turned out to be awesome. Not quite as good as the original (SPOILER ALERT: That’s #3 on this list) but one of my all-time favorites. 

#4: RE-ANIMATOR. I’ve now seen plenty of movies that are more over-the-top insane than RE-ANIMATOR, but this was the first movie where I simply couldn’t believe what I was watching. It was hard to believe that a movie so dark and gruesome could be so funny. 

#3: DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978 version). Shameful confession: When I first saw this in high school I thought it was stupid and boring. Fortunately, I matured and accepted that it’s one of the high points of zombie cinema. It’s the reason I know to duck before walking toward spinning helicopter blades. 

#2: RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. Fast zombies long before 28 DAYS LATER! The first time zombies ate brains! It doesn’t often get the credit it deserves, but this is one of the most influential zombie movies ever.

#1: SHAUN OF THE DEAD. The greatest zombie comedy ever. The greatest zombie movie ever. The greatest MOVIE ever. 

About THE GREATEST ZOMBIE MOVIE EVER:

After producing three horror movies that went mostly ignored on YouTube, Justin and his filmmaking buddies decide it’s time they create something noteworthy, something epic. They’re going to film the Greatest Zombie Movie Ever. They may not have money or a script, but they have passion. And, after a rash text message, they also have the beautiful Alicia Howtz—Justin’s crush—as the lead.

With only one month to complete their movie, a script that can’t possibly get worse, and the hopes and dreams of Alicia on the line, Justin is feeling the pressure. Add to that a cast of uncooperative extras and incompetent production assistants, and Justin must face the sad, sad truth. He may actually be producing The Worst Zombie Movie Ever…

About Jeff Strand:

Jeff Strand has written more than twenty books, and is a four-time nominee (and four-time non-winner) of the Bram Stoker Award. Two of his young adult novels, A Bad Day For Voodoo and I Have A Bad Feeling About This, were Junior Library Guild picks. Publishers Weekly called his work “wickedly funny.” He lives in Tampa, Florida.

Go to Jeff's Website: jeffstrand.wordpress.com Gleefully Macabre or follow @JeffStrand on Twitter

Excerpt from The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever:

The vampire, whose fangs were too big for his mouth, turned to the camera and hissed.

"Don't look at the camera," said Justin Hollow, the director.

"I keep poking my lip on these things," said Harold, spitting the plastic fangs out onto the ground. He hadn't been a very frightening example of the undead before, and he was even less scary with no fangs and a thick line of drool running down his chin.

"Cut!" shouted Justin, loud enough to be sure that the command was heard by his production crew of two. "C'mon, Harold. Stay in character. We're three hours behind schedule."

"I don't care. I hate this. You promised that I'd get all the girls I wanted. So where are all of the girls I want?"

Justin let out his thirty-ninth exasperated sigh of the night. "The movie has to come out first."

"It's not even a real movie."

Justin bristled. It was a full body bristle, head to toe, which he hadn't even realized was physically possible. Bobby, who handled sound recording, and Gabe, who handled everything else, both stepped back a couple of feet. Neither of them truly believed that they were about to witness a murder, but they wanted to get out of the splash zone, just in case.

Had this been one of Justin's movies, he would have very slowly lowered his camera, stared directly into Harold's eyes with a steel gaze, and then after an extremely dramatic pause asked "What...did...you...just...say?"

His actual response, delivered in a squeakier voice than he would have allowed from his actors, was: "Huh?"

"I said it's not a real movie." Harold started to wipe the fake blood off his mouth. It didn't come off, and probably wouldn't for several days. Justin had planned to feel guilty about this later, but now he wouldn't bother. "Nobody's ever going to see it. You probably won't even finish it."

"I finished my last three movies!" Justin insisted. "I got hundreds of hits on YouTube!"

That statement was technically accurate, though it was the lowest possible number of hits you could get and still use "hundred" in its plural form. The only comment anybody posted about his latest film had been "This twelve year-old filmmaker sort of shows promise," which really frustrated Justin since he was fifteen.

Harold shrugged. "This is a waste of time. I've got better things to do on a Friday night."

"Nobody ever said this was going to be easy," said Justin, who had indeed said that it was going to be easy when luring Harold into the role. "You can quit now, but what are you going to think about your decision ten years from now?"

"I'm going to think, wow, it sure is nice to be such a well-paid dentist."

Harold walked off the set. It wasn't an actual set, but rather a small park near Justin's home, where they were filming without a permit. Justin knew he should shout something after his ex-actor. Something vicious. Something devastating. He thought about shouting "You'll never work in this town again!" but, no, it had to be something that Harold would consider a bad thing.

"Fine!" Justin shouted. "But when we record the audio commentary track for the Blu-Ray, I'm going to talk about how you abandoned us, and how much happier everybody was with the new actor who took your role, and how we all agreed that he should have been cast in the first place, and how he had so many girlfriends that he couldn't even keep track of them, and how they all found out about each other and had a great big awesome cat-fight in his front yard! And I'll pronounce your name wrong!"

Harold continued walking, apparently not heartbroken.

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Reap the Wind by Karen Chance

Well this book is certainly a whirlwind, I don't think the main character managed to stop and have a break for even a minute. 

It was non-stop fast-paced action. 

Faster than Chance's usual pace that's for sure. She usually gives us some drawn out moments of passion or touchy feely scenes.

If you have been following the life and troubles of Cassie Palmer since the beginning then you will understand the difference between the two of them when you read this book and this Cassie, as opposed to the Cassie of the first book.

Chance has kicked up the erotic scenes a notch. Easing slowly towards a romantic relationship between Pritkin and Cassie. She spends a lot of time reflecting upon the why of her relationship with Mircea. Is it love, is it lust or is it just compulsion? If so, has she possibly been ignoring a real connection between her and Pritkin all this time?

It seems as if Cassie spends all her time in the buff, in a towel or in general with no clothes in her general vicinity. She also seems to have an unfortunate amount of bathroom, shower and bedroom incidents. Old Cassie used to do all her stunts and crazy missions with clothes on, she also never used to spend half her time playing hole in one with her flavour of the month.

It is almost as if Chance is bowing down to the pressure of appealing to a mass audience and using the quick thrills to keep them captivated, instead of sticking to her unique style of writing and creativity.

In my opinion Chance is still quite underrated as an Urban Fantasy writer. She certainly deserves more recognition than she gets, especially for her Dorina Basarab series. She spins the worlds of vamps, fey, shifters and magic together like a well-constructed spider's web, and combines all of it with her feisty characters and charming wit.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, courtesy of Penguin Berkley/Signet.

Buy Reap the Wind on Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for Amazon.com or for any other retailer.

Read Ride the Storm by Karen Chance