Showing posts with label Sarah Pinborough. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarah Pinborough. Show all posts

Tuesday 24 March 2020

Book Review: Dead to Her, by Sarah Pinborough

When the world feels like it's falling apart, and everyone around you is losing their heads, what better way is there to escape than to lose yourself in the dizzying pages of one of your favourite author's books?


"Being the second wife can be murder..."

Let me just start this review by saying Sarah Pinborough is crazy, in the best possible way, and I think that's why her books are so insanely good. Normal people can't write this stuff.

I loved Behind Her Eyes (still thinking about that ending) and Cross Her Heart, and when I got my hands on an advance copy of Dead to Her, I buckled myself in for another wild ride.

Set in smoking hot Savannah, this cast of disgustingly rich, perfectly flawed characters take you on a rollercoaster ride in this psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. Starring Marcie and Keisha, the second wives with everything to hide, and a hell of a lot to lose.

Dead to Her was the hottest, sexiest thriller I've ever read, and offered me something a little different. This page turner kept me up at night (no, not in that way!) with its devourable chapters and pacey plot. It's dark, dangerous and a little bit creepy.

Take a pinch of lies, a dash of voodoo, a tablespoon of revenge and about three kilograms of lust and you've got the recipe for this murderously steamy summer read.


You can get your hands on this beauty in August, but if you've not had a taste of Pinborough yet, self-isolate with a copy of Behind Her Eyes and about a million biscuits. You're all set.

Until next time!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

Wednesday 1 January 2020

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

Sunday 27 October 2019

An Evening with Sarah Pinborough and Louise Jensen

I've loved bookshops since forever. I was that 15-year-old who, when given the opportunity at school to go on work experience, chose Waterstones. I spent two weeks working in my favourite shop and I loved every moment. And anyone who knows me at all would tell you Sarah Pinborough is one of the authors I admire the most, so when I saw Waterstones advertising an evening with Sarah Pinborough and Louise Jensen (who I can just tell will be one of my new favourite authors), no one could have stopped me buying that ticket if they'd tried. No one.

Ask me if I want to spend a couple of hours in a bookshop with two best-selling thriller authors and a glass of wine, and take home a signed book. Go on, ask me. Um, YES. Naturally I was sat in the middle of the front row (how else do you soak up all that awesomeness?). And it. Was. So. Good. And I got another author selfie to add to my collection...


Sarah and Louise covered so much ground, including the difference between a plot twist and a great reveal, how they plan and draft their novels, their differing writing processes, trying not to get caught up in the daily word count battle and the joy of writing in PJs.

They also discussed their best author moments so far. Louise's best moment was when her son said he wanted to be an author just like her (cue us all getting emotional) and Sarah's was when Stephen King (yes, STEPHEN KING!) wrote a rave review of one of her books. I hope I'll get my moment one day when one of these wonderful authors tweets how much they love my book (the dream).

If you want to know a little more about these bloody brilliant authors, Louise has sold over a million books and her thrillers have been published in 25 languages. I've just bought a signed copy of The Family which has fast-tracked its way to the top of my TBR pile, and I will share my thoughts here on the blog soon. Sarah, with over 20 books published in 27 languages, is also a screenwriter with her previous novel Behind Her Eyes (one of my all-time favourite books) is coming out on Netflix next year and I am beyond excited. That's what you call author goals.

Thanks for the inspo, ladies!

I'll be heading over to Waterstones in Oxford to hear from the amazing C. L. Taylor in a couple of weeks. Watch this space!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

Sunday 29 September 2019

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.