My Top 10 of 2020

This year has been... well. Do I even need to say? From discovering Schitt's Creek to signing with David Higham Associates, from doing a reading at Virtual Noir at the Bar to growing vegetables (badly), 2020 was definitely a mixed bag. I'll skip over the heartbreak and focus on the positive. BOOKS.

I read so many amazing books! I'm sure I missed some absolute gems, but these are the 10 that I just can't forget.

The Cutting Place by Jane Casey

When human remains wash up on the shore of the Thames, DS Maeve Kerrigan traces it to a journalist who has been digging around for information on a gentlemen's club that's drenched in dark secrets and cover-ups. Maeve becomes knee-deep in the world of rich, male privilege, and as one crime exposes another, the case builds and builds to its climactic, unpredictable end. This intense thriller has an unbelievably believable plot, splashes of unexpected emotion and characters that'll stay with you long after you begrudgingly turn over that last page. 

How to Disappear by Gillian McAllister (audiobook)

This gripping psychological-suspense thriller is told from the viewpoints of four characters, a family torn apart by the ripple effect of an awful crime, separated by the witness protection programme. The plot is unpredictable, twisting and turning all over the place. I found myself listening to this at every opportunity. I was completely and utterly addicted. This is not only the best book Gillian has ever written, but it's one of the best psychological thrillers I've ever read. It's tense, chilling and beautifully-written - all the ingredients required for a compelling, keep-you-up-at-night thriller.

Far from the Tree by Rob Parker (audiobook)

Nine hours of pure edge-of-your-seat, keep-you-up-at-night drama. A pacey, twisty police procedural with an immense hook from the very first chapter: 27 bodies discovered in a mass grave. When the case gets a little to close to home, Brendan Foley throws himself full-pelt at it, doing everything he can to get to the bottom of it at all costs. Full of different threads that are woven together with masterful plotting. Prepare to be taken to some very dark places indeed, and brace yourself for shocking reveals you could never imagine. 

Firewatching by Russ Thomas

A dark and twisty police procedural introducing DS Adam Tyler, a cold case reviewer with a troubled past. When the skeleton of a corrupt businessman is discovered bricked-up in the cellar of the Old Vicarage, Adam lands himself this high-profile murder investigation, only to find himself in hot water. As fires spring up all over Castledene, it's clear that a pyromaniac is on the loose, dead set on watching the world burn. Scorches with a tangle of threads that I challenge even the most seasoned of thriller readers to tie together before the incredible, unpredictable ending. 

Without a Trace by Mari Hannah

DCI Kate Daniels hurtles towards London after the news that a transatlantic flight has dropped out of the sky... and the love of her life, Jo Soulsby, was on that flight. Kate blags her way onto the investigation and embarks upon a mission to disprove that Jo was on that flight... because she couldn't have been... could she? An unimaginable rollercoaster of twists and turns that I couldn't have predicted transformed me into a page-turning maniac. It's tense. It's dramatic. It's emotional. A perfectly-executed and riveting piece of crime fiction.

Whispers in the Dark by Chris McDonald

Drug dealer, Marcus Stone and DCI Clive Burston had never met until one night in August. By the end of that night, both had been shot dead in a small bedroom in the heart of gang territory. DI Erika Piper is called to the scene but is at a loss to explain what’s happened. How did these two even meet, let alone end up dead in what appears to be a strange murder-suicide? A powerful and thrilling novel that packs a punch from page one, from the sinister prologue to the shocking ending. A tense, twisted and superbly-plotted thriller that is as terrifying as it is heartbreaking. 

All That is Buried by Robert Scragg

When 7-year-old Libby Hallforth goes missing at a funfair without even a sniff of evidence or a single witness, DI Jake Porter and DS Nick Styles are left with more questions than they have answers. The case goes cold, and all hope of finding Libby is lost, until human remains are discovered several months later. And like with all good crime novels, it's just the start of a race against time to stop a killer in their tracks. This is a fast-paced, thrilling read that is packed not only with action, but the emotion that is often left out of this kind of book. I absolutely loved it.

The Stolen Sisters by Louise Jensen

A psychological thriller that tells the heartbreaking tale of four sisters who were kidnapped twenty years ago. The mystery is not about how they manage to escape, because what happens after is so much worse. As the twentieth anniversary of the kidnapping looms closer, a catastrophic chain of events sends the reader rocketing towards a series of twists and turns that are as unpredictable as they are clever. Louise is the master of foreshadowing, leaving you hanging on by a fingertip as she ends each chapter. She sends you hurtling down one road, only to whip the carpet from beneath your feet.

Too Close to Breathe by Olivia Kiernan

When Eleanor Costello is found hanging in her Dublin home, all signs point to suicide. Enter DCS Frankie Sheehan, a detective with a sharp eye, a potty mouth and an innate ability to climb inside the heads of the victims. Suffering from PTSD driven by a vicious attack during a previous investigation, Frankie soon learns that the lines between killer and victim are becoming increasingly blurred. An atmospheric, immersive and skillfully-plotted police procedural that will blow you away. So compelling and incredibly absorbing.

The Storm by Amanda Jennings

A twisty psychological thriller set in a Cornish fishing port, following the story of Hannah and Nathan Cardew, and their picture-perfect marriage... or so it seems. As the past threatens to catch up with her, the dark secrets of Hannah's past soon begin to unravel. There's more than one storm brewing in this compelling story... just you wait until the thunder cracks. Amanda's gripping style of writing draws you in like a fishing reel, only to fling you back into the storm with a big reveal that'll leave your mind whirling.

What were your top 10 2020 reads? Share in the comments!

Roxie

@RoxieAdelleKey

Book Review: The Cutting Place by Jane Casey

"The Chiron Club... strictly members only."

A big thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of The Cutting Place, the latest installment in Jane Casey's DS Maeve Kerrigan crime series. It's more than a police procedural. It's a gripping rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns that'll leave your blood pumping, your skin sweating and your heart screaming out for more. Interested?

When human remains wash up on the shore of the Thames, Maeve and the team soon trace it back to a promising young journalist, Paige Hargreaves. It transpires she'd been digging around for information on The Chiron Club, an gentlemen's club for the elite, that is drenched in dark secrets and monumental cover ups. Maeve is soon knee-deep in the world of rich, male privilege, delving into the case with tenacity and care that has made her so successful (and so loveable). As one crime exposes another, and another, the case builds and builds to its climactic and unpredictable end.

Maeve is a brilliant character, with an excellent sense of humour and a good heart. Brace yourself for the slow burn of Maeve's relationship with her boss and friend Josh Derwent. Since The Reckoning (book 2) when Josh swaggered onto the scene, I've been screaming into the pages of my paperbacks for them to just get together. I realised today I've been following Maeve's story for ten years. Ten years. A third of my life. No wonder I care so much about her love life... she's a fully-formed, real person in my head, and let's face it, I've been quarantined for almost seven weeks now, and I need all the friends I can get.

This intense thriller has an unbelievably believable plot, splashes of unexpected emotion and characters that'll stay with you long after you begrudgingly turn over that last page with a wistful sigh. You'll encounter issues you wish weren't real but unfortunately they are. You'll meet people you wish you hadn't. And you'll struggle to put it down.

If you are yet to lose yourself in this fantastic series from Sunday Times bestselling author Jane Casey, the good news is you can start with this one. Any backstory is subtly explained in a way that keeps you in the loop without bogging you down with the history of the characters. But come on, let's be honest... once you've read this, you'll be ordering the first book faster than I can say 'no comment.'

It's only April, but I already know this will be my book of 2020.

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

My top 10 of 2019

2019 has been a great year. I got married to my best friend, I wrote and edited my first novel, Burn Again, and I read some truly outstanding books. I hope one day my book will grace a 'best of' blog post, but for now, here are the best books I read during 2019.

1. Cruel Acts - Jane Casey

Cruel Acts is the 8th book in Jane Casey's DS Maeve Kerrigan series, which keeps getting better, proven by its Sunday Times bestseller status. The story follows Maeve as she rips apart an investigation when it comes to light certain rules weren't followed during the initial trial. Delightfully sharp, deliciously entertaining, and utterly devourable, this will see just 'one more chapter' turning into twenty. My book of 2019!

2. I Let You Go - Clare Mackintosh

This book is absolutely stunning, with one hell of a plot twist. I Let You Go follows the story of Jenna, who has walked away from her former life, which has descended into a nightmare after a devastating event. It's difficult to put into words how compelling this novel is, but it's one I'll be keeping on my shelf and sharing with friends forever.

3. The Family by Louise Jensen

The Family is a thrilling page-turner, drenched in a dark sense of unease that builds and builds until it's all you can think about. The story follows two women who find themselves hopelessly trapped within a cult, ending with a twist I doubt you'll see coming. A stunningly-written piece of thriller fiction, dark and disturbing yet with shimmering beauty in every sentence.

4. Anything You Do Say - Gillian McAllister

This is the book that kept me out of the swimming pool on holiday because it was so bloody good I couldn't put it down. I was initially drawn to it for its narrative style, with each chapter alternating between what would happen if the protagonist revealed what happened, or concealed it. So cleverly written, and so unputdownable.

5. Cross Her Heart - Sarah Pinborough

I picked this up after the whirlwind that is Behind Her Eyes, and was not disappointed. Sarah really knows how to pull the rug out from beneath your feet! This story follows Lisa and her teenage daughter Ava, a seemingly normal family, until Lisa unwillingly reveals a huge secret that changes their lives forever. Another brilliant read from this fantastic author.

6. The Turn Of The Key - Ruth Ware

The Turn of the Key was so far up the scary scale it made my heart race long after putting it down. The Turn of the Key tells the tale of Rowan, who secures the 'dream' job, nannying in a gorgeous house... in the middle of nowhere. Rowan is an excellently flawed character, an unreliable narrator who delivers the story, its clues and an oh-my-fucking-god plot twist like a pro.

7. Sleep - C L Taylor

Sleep tells the chilling tale of Anna, who makes a new life for herself after a terrible accident, but is haunted by messages telling her to sleep. This made me feel delightfully uncomfortable. It's one of those books that make you triple check your locks each night. No wonder it's a Sunday Times bestseller!

8. A Window Breaks - C M Ewan

A thriller that made my heart race so fast I was worried for my health. After a 2am break in, Tom, Rachel and their daughter Holly begin a terrifying game of cat and mouse with a group of murderous men, and no one knows why. You'll want to stop reading because you're terrified but at the same time you just... can't... put... it... down.

9. The House On The Lake - Nuala Ellwood

Lisa's on the run, and ends up staying in a creepy old house by a lake. 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.

10. Behind Closed Doors - B A Paris

A pacey thriller, telling the story of Jack and Grace. Their 'perfect' relationship is presented to the rest of the world, but the reality is more terrifying than you could ever imagine. Dark and disturbing in many ways. The perfect psychological thriller.

What were your top ten 2019 reads? Share in the comments!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

Book Review: Cruel Acts by Jane Casey

They said he was a serial killer... but now they've set him free.

I'm going to hold my hands up and admit something: I've never written a book review before. Well, I've never written one down before. But I love recommending books, and quite possibly talk about them more than anything else (massive apologies to my non-book-obsessed friends). I felt it was fitting for my first review to be for a book written by the first crime author I ever read.

Cruel Acts is the 8th book in Jane Casey's DS Maeve Kerrigan series. I stumbled upon Jane seven years ago when a colleague brought in a box of books for me to rummage through. I'd never read a crime novel before (I know!) but Jane's The Missing caught my eye. I soaked it up it in a matter of days, and then I took to the internet, hungry for more. It was in that pivotal moment I discovered the woman I want to introduce you to: Maeve Kerrigan. Oh, Maeve. How do I even begin to describe her? She's brave, strong, true to herself, wonderfully flawed and totally relatable. Not that I am in any way an Irish detective, but Maeve makes me wish I was.

The series follows this feisty and driven character through her career in the Met Police alongside her partner, DI Josh Derwent. Their working relationship is a turbulent whirlwind of friendship, annoyance, affection, jealousy, protectiveness and banter. Will they? Won't they? All I can say is I am eagerly anticipating the Kerrigan-Derwent wedding (please make it happen, Jane!).

So let's get onto the important part. Cruel Acts follows Mauve and Derwent as they investigate Leo Stone, a man who is one of two things: a cold-blooded murderer, or a victim of a miscarriage of justice. Stone was convicted of murdering two young women, but when it comes to light certain rules weren't followed during the initial investigation and trial, Maeve and Derwent rip apart the original investigation and start from scratch, leaving no stone unturned (pun absolutely intended). Just when you think you know the answer, Jane swiftly serves you off-course and sends you hurtling in the opposite direction. The cast of believable, leap-off-the-page characters bring the story to life, and stay with you for months after putting the book down. The writing is delightfully sharp, deliciously entertaining, and utterly devourable.

I won't reveal much about the plot itself because I want you to experience the twists and turns for yourself. I want your heart to pound like it wants to escape your chest. I want you to lose hours of sleep because 'one more chapter' turned into twenty. Without a doubt this is Jane's best work to date, which is reflected in the book's current position in the Sunday Times top 10.

Recently I asked Jane what scene she enjoyed writing the most out of all her books, and she replied with a very cryptic "it's a scene in Cruel Acts, involving a bathroom and some washing up liquid... and I can't say much else." Internally I whooped and punched the air. It is one of the most memorable scenes in the book, but I'm not going to spoil the surprise, and tell you how or why that washing up liquid was used... you'll have to read it and find out for yourself.

Jane says that Maeve is moving so slowly through her life stages that you can pick up any book in the series and read it (but honestly, once you've read Cruel Acts, please go back and read the others because they really are excellent). Oh and by the way... you can now pre-order the next installment in the series which is coming out in April 2020: The Cutting Place. Read a sneaky preview in the back of the paperback version and join me in spending the next six months rocking in a corner, wondering why a hand washed up on the shore of the Thames and what on earth the Chiron Club is...


Until next time.

Roxie

@RoxieAdelleKey

Capital Crime 2019 - the verdict

Earlier this year, I discovered crime writing festivals are, in actual fact, a thing. This weekend, I discovered how much joy they could bring me. Enter: Capital Crime 2019.

Talk about hitting me between the eyes with line up after jaw-dropping line up. Apologies for briefly switching genres, but never in my life have I needed Hermione's time turner more than I did this weekend. I'll talk briefly about my own personal highlights, but I know from the people I spoke to that thousands of memories have been made in the course of three days.

I arrived on Thursday evening after much internal thought-wrangling and was immediately hit with the same thoughts that pummelled me on my first day of university. "Look at all those witty, clever people. You're nothing like them. Fraud! Leave!" No, thank you. I'm a Remainer in every sense of the word. After wandering around trying to look nonchalant but spectacularly failing, my knights in shining armour appeared in the form of Adam Hamdy and David Headley, who introduced me to a group of fellow authors and suddenly I didn't feel so lost.

The quality of the panels was phenomenal. My personal highlight was sitting on the front row for Truth in Pieces, a panel of bestselling authors including my all-time favourite author and inspiration for my crime writing Jane Casey who I was thrilled to be able to meet in person. Excellent tips were shared and absorbed!

As a woman, a feminist and a lesbian author, two panels I couldn't miss were: Is Crime Fiction a Problem for Feminists? and Changing Times. The former a group of astounding Killer Women including Sarah Hilary, Kate Rhodes, Julia Crouch, Colette McBeth and Amanda Jennings, and the latter discussing writing LGBTQ and ethnic minority characters within fiction, and the lack thereof. Mari Hannah almost reduced me to tears (in the best possible way) and was bloody wonderful to meet afterwards. After such a brilliant conversation, I came out feeling inspired and buzzing.

The most useful panel for me as an author at the beginning of my writing career was the Craft of Writing, with the aforementioned knights in shining armour and Vicki Mellor. I learnt a lot, and despite the scary statistics I left the room feeling fired up and ready to go for it. I will beat the statistics.

One of the things I loved most about Capital Crime was the unexpected infusion of humour. The Interrogation of Mark Billingham by former detective Graham Bartlett had me in stitches and the combined hilarity of Sarah Pinborough, Stuart Turton and Ben Aaronovitch in Fantastic Crime was pure comedy gold.

But beneath all the panels, book signings and alcohol, there was an underlying sense of togetherness, of excitement and of anticipation. I met so many people, ranging from unpublished authors to international best sellers and I can't say I've ever been in a situation where strangers are so damn nice to each other (although the appropriate amount of piss-taking was duly given and received).

I'd heard crime writers are a friendly bunch... I can happily confirm that is true beyond all doubt.

Are you a fellow Capital Criminal- sorry, Crimer? Please comment, I'd love to chat.

Roxie

@RoxieAdelleKey