Showing posts with label Claire Allan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Claire Allan. Show all posts

Monday 28 December 2020

Book Review: Ask No Questions by Claire Allan

Not all secrets are meant to come out…

Twenty-five years ago, on Halloween night, eight-year-old Kelly Doherty went missing while out trick or treating with friends.

Her body was found three days later, floating face down, on the banks of the Creggan Reservoir by two of her young classmates.

It was a crime that rocked Derry to the core. Journalist Ingrid Devlin is investigating – but someone doesn’t want her to know the truth. As she digs further, Ingrid starts to realise that the Doherty family are not as they seem. But will she expose what really happened that night before it’s too late?


Firstly, a big thank you to NetGalley for the early copy of Ask No Questions by Claire Allan. Secondly, wow! I've read a couple of Clare Allan's books... I loved The Liar's Daughter, and I very recently listened to the audiobook of Forget Me Not which was excellent. So I was thrilled to find out the main character in Ask No Questions is Ingrid Devlin, the journalist who featured in Forget Me Not. I've read my fair share of crime novels but am yet to read one from the point of view of an investigative journalist, and I really enjoyed this angle. And I really loved Ingrid! She's a fantastic protagonist and a very strong female lead who will stop at nothing to get to the truth. So a big tick from me on character.

Ask No Questions is set in Derry, a place I've never been but feel as if I have, thanks to Claire's excellent scene-setting (and my devotion to Derry Girls). On the 25th anniversary of 8-year-old Kelly Doherty's murder, Ingrid starts to delve deeper into the story, believing that there's a chance the man convicted of the murder is innocent. But she's soon warned off. Not only by her boss, who believes nothing good will come of it, but by someone else too. Someone who is interfering with Ingrid's life... and will do anything to keep the past buried

Claire's writing style is both entertaining and engagingAsk No Questions is told from multiple viewpoints, which keep the pages turning quickly in this pacey thriller. And it's so atmosphericIt's dark and chilling with a plot that builds and builds, keeping me guessing until the climactic ending that I totally did not see coming. And it was oh-so-satisfying.

This gripping psychological thriller lands on 21st January and you can preorder your ebook here or paperback (out 22nd July) here.

Roxie

@RoxieAdelleKey

About the author


In 2006, journalist Claire Allan decided to try and fulfil a lifetime ambition to write a novel and spent six months writing Rainy Days and Tuesdays. This was published by Poolbeg Press in Ireland in 2007 and became an instant bestseller.

Seven more women's fiction novels followed before Claire decided to leave journalism to concentrate on writing, and also to try her hand at writing psychological thrillers. Ten years after Rainy Days and Tuesdays, Claire began to write Her Name Was Rose, which was published by Avon Books in 2008. It became a bestseller in the UK, Ireland, Canada, America and Australia. 

It was followed by Apple of My Eye (Jan, 2019) and Forget Me Not (May, 2019) and The Liar's Daughter (January 2020).

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Monday 23 December 2019

Winter Netgalley Roundup

What is it about Christmas that makes everything spiral out of control? All those good intentions of Getting. Shit. Done. Ending with me desperately wrapping the last of my gifts on Christmas Eve Eve, still hell bent on using the eco-friendly washi tape that DOESN'T STICK, and zero blog posts written. God, I'm getting distracted. Anyway, so the bit you're actually here for...

Since signing up to NetGalley a couple of months ago I've managed to read and review a total of five advance copies of books all being released within the next month. Here's my short and snappy rundown!




Hold Your Tongue by Deborah Masson

An 18-year-old woman is found dead in a hotel room... with her tongue removed. DI Eve Hunter is on the case, simultaneously working through her own personal issues. Twisty and turny, and follows multiple POVs which I LOVE. A real page-turner with short, digestable chapters to keep you awake in the early hours of the morning. A bit too gruesome for me but if you like your gore, you'll love this!

Lands 26th December 





The Liar's Daughter by Claire Allan

Set in Derry, where Joe is dying from cancer, and his daughters, Ciara and Heidi, are at his beck and call. When Joe is mysteriously murdered, his dark secrets are tantalisingly unravelled. A twisty tale of family, betrayal and lies, covering some incredibly dark topics indeed. I really enjoyed reading this, and genuinely struggled to put it down.

Lands 9th January




She by H C Warner

Who is Bella and what does she really want with Ben? Great to read a thriller where the woman is the one who fucks shit up. As Ben is disconnected from his family and friends, it becomes clear Bella is not what she seems. A chunk of the story is told twice from two POVs, so get ready to find yourself inside the head of a psychopath. A couple of unexpected reveals to keep you on your toes.

Lands 23rd January





All the Rage by Cara Hunter

A teenage girl is snatched from the street and assaulted. She's soon picked up by a taxi driver who reports the incident to the police, but the only problem is, the girl doesn't want to press charges. I immediately wanted to know why - I was completely hooked! A lot of characters to keep track of, but fine if you're used to multiple POVs.

Lands 23rd January




The House on the Lake by Nuala Ellwood

Lisa's  on the run, and ends up staying in quite possibly the creepiest house in the history of the world. Grace grew up in that very same house several years before. When the link was between these two women was finally revealed, I did not see it coming. At all. This will give you a creeping sense of unease and if you love a thriller, you will not be disappointed.

Lands 24th January


A huge thanks to NetGalley for the advance copies.

Keep your eyes peeled for my best of 2019 blog post!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey