ISBN: 978-0008311629

Published by: Killer Reads (24th August 2018)

Rating: 5*

Synopsis:

There’s a killer in your house.
The Hangman waits in the darkness of your living room. As soon as you get home, he will kill you – hang you by the neck – and make you pay for all the crimes you have tried desperately to forget.

He knows your darkest secrets.
The police are running out of time. DCI Matilda Darke is facing her worst nightmare: a serial killer pursuing his own brand of lethal justice, whose campaign of violence is spreading fear throughout the city.

And he is closer than you think.
As the body count rises, Matilda is personally targeted and even her most trusted colleagues fall under suspicion. But can she keep those closest to her from harm? Or is it already too late?

Review:

DCI Matilda Darke is such a beautifully written character. She's strong - capable of barking out orders with a ferocity that demands results, yet has a beguiling fragility as a result of the most unimaginable emotional trauma. In The Hangman's Hold, Matilda faces losing her very sanity as she and her team hunt down a vigilante serial killer who has decided to take matters into their own hands. 

This is an intriguing book that grabbed my attention from the outset. The Hangman character is utterly creepy and made me feel uneasy enough to look over my shoulder as I read, but at the same time I felt compelled to keep reading to find out what they would do next! There are many personal and professional relationships within the police team that get tested to the max when the elusive killer seems to be out of their grasp. With more twists and turns than a hangman's noose, this novel also really made me think. When is a crime paid for? 

Michael Wood has managed to squeeze all the elements needed for a brilliant crime novel into a truly engrossing read. DCI Matilda Darke is fast becoming one of my favourite characters because she is just so real. I'd like to thank the author, Harper Impulse, Killer Reads and Netgalley for providing an ARC. This is my unbiased review. 

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I enjoyed the seasonal prequel to this sexy fireman story 'Santa Wore Leathers' and this story featuring Cassie the baby of the family and Quinn is an interesting read. Einstein the charismatic dog makes a cameo appearance but the animal star is Furball the stray cat adopted by Quinn who provides the comic relief and shows a softer side to Quinn.

Cassie turns twenty one and Quinn misses her party. Tired of being ignored Cassie sets out to prove to Quinn, she is the woman of his dreams. Quinn's hidden past means he is unable and unwilling to commit to Cassie, even though he loves her as a friend.

Quinn is a fireman with a past, which forms the basis of the story and proves a major obstacle to admitting he loves Cassie. The initial few chapters are light-hearted and full of sexual tension. The culmination is a steamy encounter between Cassie and Quinn. The heat level of this romance borders on erotic. When Quinn's past threatens his future with Cassie, he abandons his plans to leave her and the story becomes darker and edgy.

This story is a dichotomy; sexy romance versus family values. Humour versus violence, poignancy versus action. The ending is a realistic happy for now for Cassie and Quinn but some questions remain unanswered, to entice you to read the next in the series.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley.

 


#1 Rowena's Key

Rowena's Key is the first story in 'The Golden Key Chronicles';it gives a whole new meaning to 'through the looking glass'. An adult fairytale full of humour, poignancy and passion it's a fun read. Adult fans of 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' will devour this book.
Rowena an antique dealer goes against her professional instincts and buys an antiquated armoire from England because of its tenuous connection with her past. When it reveals its secrets she comes face to face with Caedmon a sexy prince who is hot enough to star in every woman's fantasy. Caedmon's language is ancient and strange with an urban edge.
The armoire comes complete with a golden key that makes Rowena, who Caedmon believes to be a powerful witch, key to the future of the fantasy kingdom.
With a great supporting cast of real and fantasy characters Rowena's key is entertaining escapism for an hour or two.

#2 Candra's Freedom.

This part of the story is set two years later when Rowena and Caedmon are living in the fantasy kingdom apart. Rowena is determined to gain her freedom and she shows her resourceful nature and admirable independence to achieve her aim against immeasurable odds. Tortured and imprisoned Caedmon fights his way back to his love. He finds a very different Rowena and little chance of reclaiming their lost love. There is lots of action, particularly good fighting scenes featuring Rowena but little romance except in Caedmon's memory. A great story to illustrate Rowena growing into her powers and destiny.

#3 Caedmon' Curse.

'Caedmon's Curse' is the third in The Golden Key Chronicles series; this is a fast paced fantasy romance full of sensual tension, larger than life characters and page turning action.
I hadn't read the second in the series 'Candra's Freedom' when I first read this book but this no way spoiled my enjoyment. Caedmon and Rowena's delightfully witty dialogue effortlessly fills in significant past events as they battle with their enemies and their magnetic attraction.
Caedmon attracts Rowena despite her distrust of his motives and memory loss. Their sexual chemistry coupled with losing him forever forces her to question why she is pushing him away. Rowena is a 21st century woman not in need of an alpha super hero but a partner who respects and supports her. Caedmon's fulfils this role admirably.
Full of important clues 'Caedmon's Curse' still leaves the reader with more questions than answers and desperate for the next instalment which is previewed at the end of the book.
A must read for lovers of fairy-tales.

#4 Braedric's Bane.

This final story sees Rowena and Caedmon sure of their love and back in the modern world where Rowena first came from. There are some lovely and humorous reunion scenes with Oliver and Jon, sizzling passion between our two lovers and important clues to the prophecy. Back to the fantasy world for the last part of the story, with an epic battle, jaw dropping magic and a happy ever after? The well thought out ending leaves the way for further stories in this fantasy kingdom. A great final instalment of a cleverly written, engaging fantasy.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

   


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If you're looking for a romantic Christmas story, 'The Kiss Before Midnight' is a must read. This is the second festive story by Sophie Pembroke that I have read this week and this one is definitely my favourite. Molly and Jake have known each other forever but after last New Year's Eve, Molly can no longer see Jake, only as her older brother's best friend.

Molly is a curious mix of confidence and insecurity. During the Christmas festivities, she questions her motives for leaving the city and job she loves and whether she should pursue her last New Year's resolution.

Jake, is Molly's parents' surrogate son and he is reluctant to jeopardise this by pursuing Molly in the way he would like to. I loved Jake. In many ways he was like a small boy pressing his nose against the window of family life; A voyeur rather than a participant. Gradually he realises these feeling are internal rather than external barriers to his happiness.

The sensual heat between Jake and Molly is warmer than the mulled wine that flows so freely and leads to some humorous moments. When they finally give in to their attraction it leads to more misunderstanding and heartache for the couple.

The romance is sweet and the ending perfectly crafted. The setting is a perfect Christmas, English style, which I enjoyed.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

 

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With her New York dream in tatters Dory faces Christmas alone, enter her boss Tyler who is clearly attracted, not to mention wholly dependent on her. Tyler is a public relations disaster and Dory is the only one who can save him from his mother's wrath. So rather than spending Christmas with her family in England, she finds herself at Tyler's soulless family gathering, where she feels like a specimen under a microscope.
Hardly the stuff of a Christmas romance but against this unlikely setting Dory meets Lucas, Tyler's older, sexier and single brother. There is simmering chemistry between Dory and Lucas but too many secrets threaten their romance. This novella has some key supporting characters, which illustrate the snobbery and prejudice of Tyler's family perfectly. The story has plenty of humour and a lovely romantic ending.