Book Review - The Lies She Told by M. A. Comley

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Title: The Lies She Told

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 17th May 2020

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Abducted…why?

Laura Tyler’s life has recently come together in the past few months, now that she’s settled into a new home with her boyfriend, Andy.

So why would someone abduct her?

The more DI Sara Ramsey and her team dig into Laura’s past, the more shocked they become...

Can Sara overcome her prejudice towards the missing woman and track down her abductor?

Or will the sand of time run out for Laura?

This was a slightly different change of pace for this series, for a start it's not as dark as some of the authors recent books, but not only that, its a missing persons case at the heart of the book and not a murder.  

We get snippets of real time of what is happening to Laura, and it's not great.  Equally as the team investigate you realise we are looking into a person's disappearance where very few people have anything that great to say about her. 

Yet DI Sara Ramsey and her team are professionals although they seem to struggle a lot with this case, as there just seems to be no leads at all, and Laura is just coming across as really unlikable. 

I believe this book could be read as a standalone, and it was good we get to see a bit more of some of the other team members too not just Sara and Carla.  

It's another fabulous addition to the series, which I devoured really quickly and was hooked on, I read the majority in one sitting, and loved the race against time for Sara and her team, to see if they would be able to find Laura alive. 

I am already looking forward to the next book in the series, and can't wait to see what direction the author takes us in next. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Taken by M. A. Comley

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Title: Taken

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 17th March

Rating: 5 Stars

A past that comes back to haunt you...

Jaime Connor and her family venture out for the day, only for it to end in disaster.

A chance encounter with two teenagers puts Jaime's life in mortal danger.

Why was Jaime abducted?

During the investigation, DI Kayli Bright and her partner, DS Dave Chaplin, uncover shocking revelations about Jaime's family.

Will Kayli succeed in saving Jaime from the clutches of her abductors? And will she be able to put a stop to their heinous crimes in this cat-and-mouse thriller?

I think I'm completely out of original superlatives to describe any of this authors books. She has done it again with another breathtaking story, that had me completely on the edge of my seat. 

This is only the second book in the Kayli Bright series that I have read, and it really does seem to have a different feel to the others.  I'm really enjoying discovering just what sort of DI Kayli is, and getting to know her home dynamic too. 

At no point during the story did I come up with the reason for the abductors to be doing what they did, they were continually one step ahead of me and the police,  with the exception that as a reader I was treated to occasional chapters focusing on what they were up to. 

I actually felt slightly bad for one of the bad guys, which is a rather unsettling feeling, but once you've read this you'll understand why. 

Not necessarily the smartest or most dastardly of M. A. Comley's villains, they still lead the police on a merry dance and without a doubt are dangerous. 

Simply put, a thrilling book that I was hooked on.

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Murder By The Sea by M. A. Comley

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Title: Murder By The Sea

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author Supplied Copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 18th December 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

Carmel Cove is a peaceful community... except when death pays a visit.

When the friend of a friend goes missing and a corpse is discovered, Private Investigator Ruth Morgan is tasked with solving yet another death in her hometown.

The case is a perplexing one with few suspects and more questions than answers. Did the victim die at the hands of someone else? Did they commit suicide after falling out with their spouse? Or is it simply a case of accidental death?

In her quest to uncover the truth, Ruth puts everything on the line, her business and even her relationship with her fiancé.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this cozy crime series, and it was great to be back in Carmel Cove again. 

Even better was the way that Ruth and her nemesis are starting to at least treat each other with some professional respect.  I was though shocked at the way Ruth and Jams were getting on, although perhaps not surprising, given their characters, was still slightly taken aback. 

And the mystery itself, well the victim had a rather unpleasant selection of acquaintances, but at no point could I work out just who had done it.   I do like to be kept on my toes. 

For me this series is far more about seeing the development of the regular characters as people, than the crimes themselves.  There are plenty of recurring faces to really start giving an idea of who lives in Carmel Cove, and the more I read of these books the better picture I'm forming of the area. 

A really quick story to read that could easily be read as a standalone, its a solid addition to this series, which I'm keen to read more of. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Justice at Christmas by M. A. Comley

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Title: Justice at Christmas

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 11th November 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Santa is dead...

Or is he?

DI Lorne Simpkins investigates the murder of a man wearing a Santa suit in the week leading up to Christmas.

Why was he inside Jilly Cartwright’s home?

Ho...Ho...How did he die and who killed him?

Perfect length to read with a meal, this had me hooked from start to finish. 

After all it's not often that you see a dead Santa inside someone's house, and no one is quite sure who killed him.

Of all the various scenarios the actual one is not anything I would have every guessed. 

It was great to be able to read a fresh Justice series short story, and always a pleasure to read anything featuring DI Lorne Simpkins, and her early team. 

The pacing was great, it was quick, engaging and a puzzling case to solve.  My only regret is that I now have no idea how long it will be before I next get to read a book featuring my favourite DI. 

If you are looking for an excellent piece of festive crime to devour, either in the run up to the big day, or to give yourself a bit of me-time, on Christmas Day itself, then this is certainly worth a read. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Goodbye My Precious Child by M. A. Comley

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Title: Goodbye My Precious Child

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Ltd 

Publication Date: 18th September 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

A brutal, senseless murder...

One intrepid detective...

DI Sally Parker and her cold case team are tasked with solving a nineteen-year-old murder case unlike any other. The victim - a six-year-old child.

Who killed little Millie Pickrel? And why?

What motivates a person to murder an innocent child?

Will Sally be able to give the family closure after years of tormented existence? 

I love Sally Parker and her determination to solve cold cases. It's such a refreshing angle to come at something that hasn't been solved for 19 years and see if they can work it out. 

The prologue which highlights original murder hooked me in completely, and it had me turning the pages from that moment onwards. 

What shocked me even more was that I had a strong inkling as to who the murderer was, even though I couldn't work out motive, from very early on in the book, well before Sally and her team, and possibly for the first time ever my instincts were right!   It didn't take away from my enjoyment especially as I've never had any success in solving crimes in books!! 

Believe it or not this is only the second book I've read in this series, and it had been a while since the previous so although I didn't really remember the team dynamics, it can easily be read as a standalone, as at no point did I feel lost. 

i was incredibly happy and smiley to see my favourite M. A. Comley character pop up a bit in this, and with just hints at what could happen, I am incredibly keen to read the next on in this series as soon as possible! 

As I've come to expect from this author, its a tightly plotted book, that absorbed me completely, and that I enjoyed every aspect of it - well apart from the murder as I would be a very disturbed person if I enjoyed seeing a six year old child die. 

For a case that had incredibly few clues, i am impressed with how Sally and her team dealt with it all, and just how things developed. 

Another fantastic book from a wonderfully talented author.   If you have never read a book by M. A. Comley then now is the time to start, you won't regret it. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Caring For Justice by M. A. Comley

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Title: Caring For Justice

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Ltd

Publication Date: 15th July 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

A Justice novella featuring the original cast members, yes, Pete is back!

DI Lorne Warner and her partner, Pete Childs have one of their toughest cases to crack in this fast paced novella. 

Someone is intent on attacking pensioners in their own homes. Can Lorne and Pete put an end to these heinous crimes? Or will someone else intervene to give the investigation a helping hand?

As a long term fan of the Justice series, it's always great to see a new addition, and this is a fabulous little novella.  

As with all the Justice novella's it takes us back to much earlier in Lorne Simpkin's career, while her police partner Pete was still alive.  It was great to see a young Lorne back in action again, given I have seen her develop over the years and series. 

The nature of the crimes being investigated this time are horrible, and with the first victim having the same name as my elderly grandfather, I just hope that nothing like this ever happens to him.  

This really is a whistle stop investigations, in a fully formed extra story that will please fans of the series.  Felt rather nostalgic to me, while hoping that Lorne would be able to stop this new spate of murders. 

Easily readable within a lunch break, carve out an hour or so of time, and just be hooked on M. A. Comley's great writing, while having sympathy for the victims, and curious as to just how the police would solve it.  

An excellent addition to this series, that can easily be read as a standalone. 

Thank you to M. A. Comley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily 

Book Review - Deluded by M. A. Comley

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Title:  Deluded

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 31st May 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

For most it is unobtainable.

DI Sara Ramsey is forced to tackle one of her toughest cases to date when a tragic fire turns out to be the actions of a deranged arsonist.

A person set on revenge...but why? What's his motive? He's risking everything, striking when innocent people are asleep in their beds, leaving in his wake a trail of devastation that is harrowing for Sara and her team to unravel.

Emotions are running high for all concerned: the families, the investigation team, and the murderer.

Can Sara capture the perpetrator while dealing with a personal issue that rocks her world, or will the murderer complete his revengeful agenda? 

Grab this fast-paced thriller today, if you dare.

I don't think I've ever read a book with a more apt title. Deluded is just about the only word I have for the serial killer in this new addition to the D. I. Sara Ramsey series. 

The crimes are truly atrocious and they are ramped up at such speed it doesn't bare thinking about, but at the same time, it meant the pacing of this book was incredibly fast.  

I was completely hooked on seeing just how DI Sara Ramsey and her team were going to solve this one, especially given how little they had to go on.  And yet again Sara is put through the wringer in her personal life too.  Nothing ever seems to go smoothly for her, and I'm amazed continually how she copes with everything. 

I did enjoy seeing her relationships deepen and continue to grow both with Mark and also Carla her partner.   Sara has over the course of the first 4 books of this series continued to develop as a person, and although a complete workaholic, with good reason, she also seems more rounded than before.  

I would still love to get to know the rest of her team better, we don't really see much of them at all, other than in meetings, and it would be good to get to know them all better, just to get a better feel for the police station.  That being said I do really like Lorraine, the pathologist's personality, despite her harrowing job. 

This is another wonderful book in this series,  which seems to be going from strength to strength. The writing is up to the author's normal high standard, and the plot is addictively gripping,.  The bad guy is horribly deluded and especially cruel. 

It is a fabulously fast paced story that is really quick to read, and will have you hooked the entire time.  My best recommendation would be to clear a couple of hours, switch off from the world and enjoy. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Killer Blow by M..A. Comley

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Title: Killer Blow

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 15th February 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

The second book in the DI Sara Ramsey series.

A hunter on the prowl...

On the scent of his next victim.

DI Sara Ramsey has to dig deep to find an evil suspect who gets a thrill out of chasing victims to their deaths.

The murderer is smart, inventing new methods of tracking down his victims. Just as the inspector senses she's closing in on the culprit, they change their MO, undoing all her hard work.

The media is striking fear into the residents. Can Sara set aside her personal problems and prevent the killing spree causing havoc on her patch?

Please don't make me wait for the next book - I need to know what happens next to DI  Sara Ramsey and her team.  This is easily the best series M. A. Comley has written, and I say that as a huge fan of the Justice series.   Sorry Lorne and co, but Sara is my new go to DI! 

From the first few pages I was hooked, and literally couldn't read it fast enough. Would have easily been read in one sitting had I not needed to sleep,  and well words are failing me. 

The plot is break neck, there is a growing sense of urgency to solve these crimes, as you can see how they are escalating,.  Yet DI Sara Ramsey and her team don't really have too much to go on, there are so few witnesses or anything, that it makes detecting really tricky. 

Then there is Sara's personal life too, we start getting to know her a lot better, and although some of her decisions I'm not sure many would agree with, its clearly the start of a series wide story arc that I suspect will keep getting more intense. 

What was a bit different was that I almost felt sorry for the criminals in this book, yes they were dastardly but they felt more like amateurs and opportunists than career bad guys. Which is a slightly different dynamic to a lot of thrillers. 

Lots of little moments that will make you gasp out loud, plenty of thrills and I was spellbound as I saw just how the police tried to solve it all. 

Bring on book 3, I can't wait - although I feel I may have to. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Hostage Takers by M A Comley

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Title: The Hostage Takers

Author: M A Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 12th October 2018 

Rating: 5 Stars

With over two million books worldwide sold to date, NY Times and USA Today bestselling author M A Comley brings you a fast-paced novella in the DI Kayli Bright series.

They enter wearing vests...

Packed full of explosives.

Screams and shouts fill the venue until they are silenced by gunfire.

A rescue attempt ensues from an unexpected source inside the nightclub.

DI Kayli Bright looks on in horror as the terrorist’s plan unfolds.

Will Kayli be able to work with the inspector in charge of the rescue? Or will she be tempted to go it alone?

It may only be a short novella but wow does it pack an explosive punch.  It is non stop action from the off.  If you are looking for a quick read, that focuses around events of a couple of hours tops, in a scary situation then this is definitely the book for you. 

I read it in about 45 mins and was so engrossed I didn't even see who won the Great British Bake Off final, which I thought I had half an ear on!!  

This is only the second book I've read feature Kayli Bright but was good to catch up with her, even if the circumstances aren't exactly what you may have anticipated.  We get to see and learn a whole deal more about her husband Mark who is central to story. 

I can't really say anything else as I would give the book away but if you want a quick high octane short, to while away an hour or so then this is definitely the book for you.

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Dying Breath by M. A. Comley

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Title: Dying Breath

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author Supplied Copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 15th August 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

She had everything…

Until she drew her dying breath.

DI Kayli Bright receives a disturbing call that she finds impossible to ignore. The case is an unusual one that forces her to dig deep to find the answers.

Was Jessica’s death a simple accident?

Or did she lose her life due to something far more sinister? 

Can Kayli sift through the shocking deception she uncovers during the investigation to find the truth? 

Grab this thriller today if you enjoy an intriguing mystery that will keep you turning the pages. 

Believe it or not for the first bit of this book I completely forgot I was reading a crime novel, I was so interested in the character of Jess, and after her accident how her family was coping in hospital that I was almost shocked when it turned out there was a potential murder. 

This was the first book I have read in the DI Kayli Bright series was was a bit apprehensive about joining a series at book five - but I need not have worried.  Although I would love to know more about Kayli, her newlywed husband, and just what lead to her partner Dave being in cast, not having all the background did not detract from my enjoyment of this book at all. 

I read this in two sittings, only stopping at one point as I realised I needed to get some more work done before I could read for the evening.  I made short work of this gripping page turner, and was hooked and equally stumped as to who had killed Jess. 

This is a lot gentler than some detective stories, in that the body count wasn't overly high and it didn't feel like we were in a race against time against a serial killer, Instead I felt as though I really got to know the one victim quite well and loved seeing how Kayli and her team investigated something that was originally thought to be an accident. 

I believe this is the third different series I have dipped into from the talented M. A. Comley and I am kicking myself for not having explored more of them sooner. I am really impressed with the completely different feels to the Justice series, D. I. Sally Parker and D. I. Kayli Bright series are.  What they do all have in common is a kick ass fame lead detective, and some fabulous police work, gut feelings and fabulous writing.  

I can't wait to read about more cases that D.I. Kayli Bright and her team will solve in the future. 

Thank you to M.A. Comley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Lost Innocence by M. A. Comley

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Title:  Lost Innocence

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 15th September 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

A chance encounter...

Leads to devastating consequences.

The statistics for missing children are staggering and emotionally hard to deal with even for the hardest of detectives. 

DI Sally Parker and her cold case team need to have their wits about them when two very different cases land on her desk. 

Can she solve the mystery of where the bodies are buried? 

Past experience tells her that cold cases have a tendency to unearth surprising secrets. 

The emotions of the families involved are raw during the course of the investigations but nothing can prepare them for the surprising outcome each case delivers.

Can Sally solve the cases before a distraught family member of one of the victims is laid to rest?

What a fascinating insight into how a police team solves cold cases.  

This was the first book I have read in the D. I. Sally Parker series,  and I am delighted to say that it can be read as a standalone, asI had no prior knowledge, but didn't feel I was at a disadvantage, although I'm sure a few of the references to the past would have meant more had I started at the beginning.  

Having read this talented authors Justice series, but not her other books I was eager to try another series when the opportunity arose. And I am delighted that I have read this one as I know I will now be hooked on Sally and her team's story. 

It was great getting to know a new detective, and I loved seeing how her team works.  The two cases they were working on were both interesting in different ways.  One involved a recent discovery of a skeleton that had been buried 30 years before, while the other was about getting closure for the familiers of a serial killer. 

This is full of just good old fashioned detective work, and it was a pleasure to read.  I devoured the whole book in just a couple of short hours, and didn't even notice the time passing, as I was enjoying it so much.   

Having finally read a book from one of M. A. Comley's other series, I am now completely convinced that I will love just about anything she writes.   

For me an excellent introduction to D. I. Sally Parker and her life, team and area of the policing they are working in. If you have already been reading the series then I'm sure you will love it even more than I did. 

Thank you to M.A.  Comley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Immoral Justice by M.A. Comley

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Title: immoral Justice

Author: M.A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied review copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 15th July 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

A chance encounter leads to a gruesome conclusion.

But there is much more to this case than first meets the eye.

Yet another case for determined DI Lorne Warner and her team to solve.

The investigation proves to be a complex one from the outset, revealing not just one murder to solve but several.

Just when Lorne believes she has all the answers, the killer contacts her and makes a terrifying threat.

She's up against it, mentally and physically...

Will Lorne be able to pit her wits against a killer who isn't afraid of getting caught?

What a rather apt title this is, as the "justice " being enacted by the killer was unnecessarily cruel and nasty and certainly immoral. 

This is another excellent addition into this series, I found myself scratching my head as to how DI Lorne Warner was going to solve this case, on what appeared to be very little information and a rising body count. 

In some ways this reminded me of earlier books in the series especially after direct threats from the killer, which had me incredibly worried for and her family, but how justified that worry is, well you need to read the book. 

It was good to see Lorne's sister Jade had a storyline for the first time in a while, always nice to catch up with the rest of the family, in addition to the team of detectives determined to put this serial killer behind bars. 

This is a quick book to read, that I didn't want to put down at any point. Full of progression both in attempting to solve the case  but also of longer running series wide storylines, this is a book that probably could be read as a standalone but having read all 17 books in the Justice series so far, it is hard to me to be completely sure.  Having read the series up to this point, I am amazed at how much ground is covered and find it really easy to pick up the next book the second its available, and jump straight back into the characters lives. 

Suffice to say if you haven't read anything by this fabulous author, or in this thrilling series you are missing out.  I can't wait for the next book! 

Thank you to M.A. Comley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Heroic Justice by M. A. Comley

Amazon UK

Title: Heroic Justice

Author: M.A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 13th November 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

One killer. Several gruesome murders...

 Two hundred miles apart!

A complex issue that will take two exceptional detectives to solve.

Who is targeting his victims in public places? What is his motive?

Lorne is prepared to lose sleep and to travel the length of the country searching for clues.

But the killer is canny... ups his game with devastating consequences.

Lorne shakes her head in confusion when the truth is revealed...

A fast-paced thriller with a surprising outcome one not to be missed.

Yet another fabulous installment in what is one of my favourite crime series of all times.  

Despite getting insights into the serial killer's mind, I had no idea how on earth Lorne was going to catch this one, or even work out who it was.   The crimes were so senseless and even after the finale I'm still not completely sure I will ever follow the motivation.  But then I haven't had the same experiences as that character, so I'm sure it may sense to them 

It was great to see Lorne team up with Hero Nelson in Manchester, which added a new dimension to the book, an a timely reminder to me that I really do need to read all the other series this talented author writes. 

I loved catching up with Lorne and her family, and am very interested to see how the new direction Charlie is going in develops in future books.  

This is an incredibly fast paced book that kept me on my toes and utterly hooked the entire time.  I loved it.