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  Room for Rent by Noelle W. Ihli My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was told by others that this book was slow, but I couldn't disagree more—I flew through it in what must be near-record time for me! From the very opening prologue, the sense of dread and danger is palpable, forcing you to keep turning the pages just to see if the protagonist survives. The author handles the suspense beautifully with some fantastic misdirection; I managed to guess that one particular character wasn't all they seemed, but the ultimate twist regarding who was the real danger and who was a victim completely caught me off guard. The psychological tension answers that age-old question of why someone would stay in a terrifying situation: it boils down to pure desperation, determination, and having no place else to go. It is a fast-paced, highly atmospheric university drama with incredible descriptive flair—at times, your throat will feel dry, and the ending might just leave you feeling physically itchy and...

  Til Death Do Us Part by Daniel Hurst My rating: 5 of 5 stars Title: A brilliant, psychological game of tennis with no clear rules! Till Death Do Us Part is my latest read by Daniel Hurst, and I have to hand it to him—he completely threw me for a loop with this one. The plot is an amazing game of cards between a husband and wife. It plays out like a high-stakes tennis match, only you have absolutely no idea which side you should be gunning for. Is the antagonist the protagonist? Are they both as bad as each other? You just don't know who to support! It's a perfect "feet up with a coffee on a Sunday afternoon" kind of read. There is no gore here, just a twisted team game between two people. And just when you think you have it figured out, justice is served... or is it? It leaves you with a fantastic, open-ended "Now What?" feeling. While this is part of a multi-book collection on Amazon, each one is a completely separate story—once this one closes, a bran...

  Tell Me Something True by Michael Robotham My rating: 5 of 5 stars Title: A devastating, masterfully crafted triumph that will break your heart Tell Me Something True by Michael Robotham is, without question, one of the most powerful and gut-wrenching stories about injustice I have ever read. It is an absolute masterclass in storytelling that will leave you completely emotionally shattered. Unless you have a heart of stone, get the tissues ready, because this book demands tears. From the very first pages of the prologue, you are gripped by the chilling certainty that something terrible has occurred, forcing you to keep reading. The narrative expertly weaves between the present day and the past—a structural choice that takes a moment to adjust to, but ultimately deepens the suspense and emotional stakes beautifully. Robotham's characterization is flawless. I found myself profoundly attached to every single protagonist, fiercely rooting for them, while utterly loathing the antag...

  The Vampire Priest by Jonathan Gleich My rating: 5 of 5 stars I didn't know I would actually enjoy a book about a High Anglican vampire priest who drinks bovine tea Romney Marsh, where even the sheep have something to say, I didn't know what to expect and at first it was difficult to understand. On paper, the premise sounds utterly ludicrous and far-fetched. But as Jurassic Park proved, if a writer is skilled enough, they can make the impossible feel entirely normal. That is exactly what happens here. The author has taken a very strange piece of cloth and managed to tailor a garment that fits perfectly. Once you accept the bizarre internal logic of the world, it transforms into a unique dark comedy and humanitarian story. What truly anchors the story is the amazing amount of authentic science woven through the plot. The author clearly knows his biology and hematology, grounding the vampire lore in realistic medical detail that respects the reader's intelligence. Moving...

  Translucence of a Raven: Ripples of Blaine by Katherine Eileen Dowling My rating: 5 of 5 stars Translucence of a Raven hits the ground running with exciting new characters—Edward and Evelynne Bridge and their friends—whilst seamlessly weaving through the ongoing family saga involving Dremeda (known as Dre) and Autumn. Layer by layer, the story peels back secrets that desperately need to be told. We finally enter into the dark depths of what Autumn experienced at her boarding school, Malcus Academy, while Dr. Gretel—whom we met briefly in Book One, Iridescence of a Raven—reveals some rather alarming things to Ian Hamilton. What is the secret buried beyond Birch Hall? Why does Jamie say, "You've opened Pandora's box," whilst her husband snaps angrily at his brother? Using crystals to protect and to calm, the spell is finally broken... or is it? As another Raven takes flight in this book, we discover more in-depth secrets regarding the Ripples of Blaine series. Read...

  Our Perfect Holiday by Daniel Hurst My rating: 5 of 5 stars Our Perfect Holiday: "I Don't Think So!" If there is one thing you can always guarantee in a Daniel Hurst thriller, it is this: when a story starts with a "perfect" premise, you had better strap yourself in, because the rug is about to be pulled clean out from under you. I was absolutely thrilled to be accepted by Bookouture to read an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of Daniel’s upcoming psychological thriller, and let me tell you—the master has done it again. The master threw down the deck, shuffled those cards, and dealt a tantalizing story that leaves you dangling on a hook, taking the bait, and going on an absolute rollercoaster ride! Usually, I like to take my time and savour a good book, but this one completely demanded to be read in one breathless, non-stop sitting. It is fast, twisty, addictive, and everything we love about his writing. If you are looking for your next obsession to add to your s...

Holy Island by L.J. Ross My rating: 5 of 5 stars Holy Island by L.J. Ross actually makes me hunger to see the island for its natural beauty, to spot the places that conjured her imagination, and to see the famous birds. It’s a place I was denied access to when I was a psychology student simply because I couldn't afford to go, and this book brought it vividly to life. As for the plot line? Well, as always, I will offer no spoilers. But you are in for a tense, gory ride! The twists and turns L.J. Ross takes you on through DCI Ryan and his team will leave you gasping for more than just a hot chocolate. Be warned: bedtime reading is strictly off-limits for the nervous type! You might find yourself watching people a little more suspiciously for a while after reading this little gold nugget, because you will quickly discover that barely anyone is who they seem. That's all I am saying! It’s a fantastic book. My huge thanks to the author's team and NetGalley for allowing me to A...