Book Review: Too Close to Breathe by Olivia Kiernan

Too soon to see. Too late to hide. Too close to breathe.

Find the killer who likes to play dead.

I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Olivia Kiernan at a Waterstones event in Oxford. I grabbed a signed copy of Too Close to Breathe and then hid it away for Christmas. When I finally caught up on my reading, I zipped through this twisty little number in two days!

I'm a massive fan of Jane Casey's Maeve Kerrigan series, and recently discovered Mari Hannah's Kate Daniels series, so I was thrilled to stumble upon another brilliant female detective series I can get thoroughly stuck in to.

When Eleanor Costello is found hanging in her Dublin home, all signs point to suicide. A straightforward and simple case... right? 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. It's a race against time to catch the culprit before they strike again, earning themselves the title of a serial killer. 

Prepare to dive into the disturbing world of BDSM and the dark web with this atmospheric, immersive and skillfully-plotted police procedural that will blow you away. Olivia's writing style is compelling, absorbing, and really quite impressive, with a strong sense of setting that will make you feel as if you're really there, and characters you'll never forget. 

Too Close to Breathe is the first in the DCS Frankie Sheehan series, and the third installment, If Looks Could Kill, is out now in ebook and hardback.

Catch Olivia tonight at Virtual Noir at the Bar where she'll be reading live alongside nine other fantastic authors. Not to be missed!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

Lockdown: a blessing and a curse

It's been a while since I whipped up a generic, writing-related blog post. And what better time to do the honours than at 2am when, as usual, I'm painfully awake with thoughts ricocheting around my head like someone tipped a shitload of bouncy balls in there?

I have had mixed emotions lately. I've been shielding with my immunocompromised wife since the beginning of the UK lockdown, and I'm not going to lie, I miss hugs... yep, even awkward ones. I miss dragging my wife around bookshops. I miss geeking out at writing-related events. I was so looking forward to losing my Harrogate festival virginity. And there's a gaping hole in my big gay heart for Pride celebrations. But I've realised I do have a lot to be thankful for. 

I've got to know my neighbours a bit better. And more importantly, experienced their kindness when we needed them. I've learned to appreciate my home and my garden and understood how lucky I am to have them. I've started paying attention to wildlife that I didn't even know visited my garden. I probably phone my friends and family more often than I ever saw them in pre-Covid life.

Were it not for everything going digital, I wouldn't have stumbled upon awesome online events such as Virtual Noir at the Bar. Not only for doing my own reading, but sitting back each Wednesday and watching some truly fantastic authors doing their thing (and I live for the afterparty banter).

I've relied heavily on Twitter for a large chunk of my social life, and as sad as that sounds, it's been a bit of a lifeline. And, as a socially awkward person through and through, I don't miss the pressure of social events. You know, the 'I-should-really-show-my-face-but-quite-frankly-I-would-rather-be-in-my-PJs' kind of events. You know the ones.

I've had the opportunity to read several of my friends' novels, all of which were so great in their own special ways, I felt honoured to be given them to read and critique. I had a few 'pinch-me' moments, firstly when I was shortlisted for Penguin WriteNow, and then again when I was signed by David Higham Associates. I have read SO. MANY. BOOKS from my TBR pile. I finished the first draft of my second book.

I don't know what's yet to come; no one does. But I desperately hope the good stuff born out of the shitstorm that is Covid-19 doesn't eventually fizzle away into nothing, leaving me bereft of the things I'm loving right now.

But for now, if someone could just bottle that book-shop scent and drench me in it, I'd be a very happy woman. 

Roxie 

@RoxieAdelleKey

Book Review: Without a Trace by Mari Hannah

"People don't just disappear..."

I think we all know by now how much I love a gripping detective story, and Mari Hannah does not disappoint with her latest thriller, Without A Trace. I'm so excited to have found another detective to fall in love with, and another gripping series to get stuck into.

This cracking read gets off to a super-speedy start with DCI Kate Daniels and DS Hank Gormley hurtling towards London after the news that a transatlantic flight has dropped out of the sky... and the love of Kate's life, Jo Soulsby, was on that flight. To the anger of her Chief Superintendent, heartbroken Kate blags her way onto the investigation and embarks upon a one-woman mission to disprove that Jo was on that flight... because she couldn't have been... could she? What ensues is an unimaginable rollercoaster of twists and turns that I couldn't have predicted, transforming me into a page-turning maniac. 

The characters in Without A Trace stroll right off the page and into your life, but none more so than Kate. I fell hard for her from the very start. A smart, brave and feisty detective who insists on breaking the rules to get what she needs, and also happens to be a lesbian? I am all for that. 

It's clear this book is meticulously plotted and researched but at the same time, there's no laborious detail; the balance is perfect. It felt so believable, and I was genuinely right there with those characters... often forgetting to breathe. I even cried at parts, because the pain the characters feel is so real, so intense. 

The eBook and hardback are available now, and you can pre-order the paperback which comes out in January. Without A Trace is part of a series, but you don't need to have read all the books to be able to enjoy this (although you'll be desperate to, as soon as you've turned the final page).

It's tense. It's dramatic. It's emotional. Without A Trace is a perfectly-executed and riveting piece of crime fiction that any thriller fan should be getting their hands on. 

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

Virtual Noir at the Bar

I did a rather fun thing this week. Something that is not like me at all. Anyone who knows me will know I'm not a fan of public speaking in any way, shape or form. But for some reason, unbeknown to me, I applied to read at Virtual Noir at the Bar. And they said... yes. 

If you don't know what VNATB is (where have you been?) it's an online weekly event run by the fabulous Vic Watson and Simon Bewick, where crime and mystery authors read something they've written via live video. This was originally a physical event in Newcastle, in a bar (remember those?). The hope is that these events recreate a slice of what that experience was like. 

I've been dipping in and out of VNATB since the launch on the 1st of April, and what I love most is that it's a glorious mix of authors we know and love, and authors who are yet to be discovered. Some of the highlights for me have been readings from Ruth Ware, Christie Newport, Gillian McAllister, Amer Anwar, Phoebe Morgan, C L Taylor, Susi Holliday, and Suzy Aspley but honestly, you should see some of the line ups. 

This week I had the pleasure of reading alongside Adam Hamdy, Elizabeth Haynes, Anna Mazzola, Cara Hunter, Kate Hamer, Louise Candlish, Nikki Smith, Elly Griffiths and Amanda Robson. As many said on Twitter this week, what a lineup! Watch episode 14 here.

I really enjoyed doing my reading. I'm not great at pushing myself out of my comfort zone, but the comments in the chatbox after my reading left me with a little glow inside that I hope will keep me going. And to the person who commented on my eyebrows... THANK YOU. 

If you're yet to check out VNATB, sign up for next week's session here. The lineup will be announced on Saturday and I can't wait to see what Vic and Simon have in store for us.

These events are totally FREE but if you can spare a small donation to help keep the bar running, there's a whole bunch of people who'll really appreciate it.

See you at the bar!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

PS. Vic, Simon and a whole host of VNATB readers have released Noir From The Bar, an anthology of crime fiction that's raising a tonne of money for the NHS. Available in paperback and on Kindle, you'd be mad not to. I repeat, mad. 

PPS. My mother's cats were NOT arsed about my big moment. 

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

Book Review: Our Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of Our Little Cruelties, Liz Nugent's latest psychological thriller. And all I can say is... woah! Cancel all plans (oh, wait...) and devour this twisty little number.

The story opens with three brothers at a funeral. Only thing is, one brother lies within the coffin. One brother has been murdered, and you don't get to find out who it is and how he was killed until the final page. Our Little Cruelties really kept me guessing, tossing heaps of unexpected twists and turns my way.

Think your family is crazy? Think again! Liz Nugent writes delightfully delicious characters that leap off the page and remain etched into your memory for good. You just love to hate them.

Some pretty deep, dark stuff crops up in Our Little Cruelties, including addiction, rape, the #MeToo movement, mental health issues, and, of course... murder.

It's not my first Nugent and it certainly won't be my last!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

Cover Reveal: How to Disappear by Gillian McAllister

Hi, book lovers!

I'm very excited to be sharing the cover reveal for Gillian McAllister's latest thriller, How to Disappear.

After reading No Further Questions (check out my review here) and Anything You Do Say, I'm a huge fan and can't wait to get my hands on this book!

How amazing does this sound?!

Lands July 2020... we will probably still be in lockdown, so make sure you get your pre-order in now.

Roxie

@RoxieAdelleKey

Book Review: The Donor, by Clare Mackintosh

I don't know about you, but I'm treating this whole self-isolation business as a great excuse to work my way through my TBR pile. However, when I saw Clare Mackintosh was organising an online book club discussion on her quick read, The Donor, I had to interrupt my reading plans with this, as I'm a huge fan of Clare's work.

At around 100 pages long, you can read The Donor in an hour (depending on your speed!). In that hour, you get a fantastic twisty psychological thriller, packed full of suspense, drama and that creeping sense of unease that we all want from a thriller.

The story follows Lizzie, whose daughter Meg has just received a heart transplant. All is going well until, against the advice of Meg's doctor, Lizzie and Meg respond to a letter they've received from the heart donor's mother, Karen. I really don't want to spoil anything, but let me tell you this: Karen is bad news.

This book will have your heart pounding, and will really make you wonder what you would do in that situation. It's chilling. It's unnerving. And it's 99p on Kindle. So grab a copy and a cuppa, and join us on Friday 3rd April at 1pm for some bookish chat!

Until next time!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

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

Flash Fiction: Romance is Dead

Nerves flutter in my chest at the prospect of seeing his face again. I can't say I'm fond of Valentine's Day, but it’s supposed to be the most romantic day of the year… the perfect day for what I’ve got planned. I finish applying my velvety red lipstick with the precision of an artist, before stepping back and taking in my look, pleased with the woman smiling back at me from the mirror. 

I smooth out the slinky fabric of my dress with manicured fingertips and slip my feet into a pair of black satin heels, fresh from the box. My phone vibrates with a message from my sister. I frown and glance down at the glowing screen.

Good luck! Text if you need rescuing.

I smile, and slip the phone back into my bag, next to his Valentine’s Day gift. I feel quietly confident I won't need rescuing.

My heels hit the pavement, glistening with freshly fallen rain, as I make my way to the restaurant. A steady rhythm, echoing the anxious beating of my heart. 

One. 

Two. 

Three. 

Four.

He should be arriving in about ten minutes, so I sink into my seat and pretend to browse the menu whilst I wait impatiently. Italian was never my preference, and he had never been good at timekeeping. It's not long until I hear the familiar sound of his voice. I smile, as I peer over my menu at him. He’s smiling too, as he gazes into the eyes of the woman by his side. 

Her eyes.

My own eyes turn into narrow slits as I watch them being guided to a nearby table. A smile plays upon my scarlet lips as I shake my head slowly. It shouldn't be this easy to track someone down. People shouldn't discuss their plans on their public social media pages. 

It's criminally stupid. 

Fair game. 

I fend off an involuntary shudder as he leans in and whispers something in her ear. She blushes, and tucks a lock of golden hair behind her ear.

The date was painfully slow. I give up on my too-chewy steak to lurk outside and wait for them, knowing they’re grabbing a drink before heading home. I shiver, and slip on my gloves. Clouds of condensation form in the air as I breathe. 

Inhale. 

Exhale. 

I think warm thoughts.

It's not long before they spill out of the restaurant, stumbling slightly, in a wine-induced haze. I fall into line behind them, absorbing myself in a huddle of women chanting something about Galentine’s Day. We file into a cocktail bar and join the throng, buzzing around the bar like bluebottles delighting in a decaying corpse. I smile inwardly at the comparison as I pull his gift out of my bag. 

I'm so close I can breathe in the scent of his aftershave. The one I bought him for Christmas, days before the crushing news of his sordid affair hit me. Days before he left, taking my heart and my trust with him. 

Bergamot.

Cedarwood.

Anger.

Memories bubble to the surface and I bite my lip so hard a globule of deep red blood beads on my skin. I inhale the scent deep into my lungs one last time, as I slide the kitchen knife between his ribs, and dissolve back into the bluebottles.

You'd think in this day and age, people wouldn't leave spare keys under plant pots, but it suited me down to the ground.

When I needed a kitchen knife with her finger prints on it.

---

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

Book Review: No Further Questions by Gillian McAllister

"You'd trust your sister with your life. But should you?"

If you saw my Twitter feed after Christmas, you'll know I got a LOT of books this year. I've also finished yet another draft of my book. And I've done something to a ligament in my left leg. So all this means one thing... I have more time to read. And my first read of the new decade is No Further Questions by Gillian McAllister.

I am a huge fan of Anything You Do Say, which featured in my Top 10 of 2019 post last week, so I hoped this would be as good. I wasn't disappointed!

No Further Questions is a dark, compelling courtroom drama, following the story of Martha, who has left her eight week old baby Layla with her sister Becky for two nights. It's not something most parents would do, but Martha is opening up a centre for refugee children in Kos. She needed to be there. But before boarding the flight home, she receives the heartbreaking news that Layla is dead.

The narrative is interesting, and I wouldn't expect anything else after reading Anything You Do Say. We follow Martha in the present day, as she watches the events of the trial unfold. We alternate between her and the witnesses. And we also follow Becky's perspective in the weeks leading up to Layla's death.

The story builds and builds, pulling you in one direction, then pushing you in another. Sending you hurtling towards one answer, then spinning you around into a completely different one. Just when you think you know the answer, something else unfolds. It's addictive. It's twisty.

Gillian writes such real characters, who leap off the page and into your life, never to be forgotten. That's what stood out to me most of all. It's clear how much painstaking research has gone into this novel, yet it flows so naturally to someone who has limited knowledge of the courts. An excellent story and one I would highly recommend. 

This is definitely one for your TBR pile!

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: A Window Breaks by C M Ewan

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of A Window Breaks, a pacey, unputdownable thriller from C M Ewan with rave reviews from Lee Child, C L Taylor and Anne Cleeves. When I read the synopsis on this one I couldn't resist!

"2am and your worst nightmare is about to become a reality. If your family was targeted in the middle of the night, what would you do?"

This genuinely is one of my biggest fears. I'm the type of person who double, no, triple checks the locks, even when I know I've not opened the door. I fear the face at the window, looming out of the darkness. I assume the slightest noise is someone breaking into my home. I probably shouldn't have read this book. But I'm so glad I did.

Picture this. It's Christmas day, and I'm reading "just a couple of chapters" to help me sleep. Ha! DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IF YOU WANT TO SLEEP. The story follows Tom and Rachel, and their daughter Holly, who are staying at a beautiful lodge for a family break. But when intruders break in, in the darkest depths of the night, the family are launched into a terrifying situation, epitomising the phrase "run for your life". It's soon obvious this is no simple burglary. But then why are they there?

A Window Breaks has firmly placed itself on my top 10 books of 2019 list, if only for the fear it instilled into me. My heart was thumping so hard I thought it was going to break out of my chest. My blood ran cold.

You have to read this!
Lands 20th February 2020.

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

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

Book Review: The Family by Louise Jensen

Once you're in, they'll never let you leave.

My next book review is one I'm super-excited to share, because it's official: I've found another favourite author. Should we have a ceremony? I met the lovely Louise Jensen at a Waterstones event in Milton Keynes (you may have seen me banging on about it) and when I heard her speak about her work, I knew I had to buy the book (we don't speak of the book-buying ban). I walked away with a shiny new signed book, knowing it was going to shoot to the top of my teetering TBR pile. And shoot to the top it did.

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 three characters. Laura, a young mother who has just lost everything, including her husband, her home and her business. Tilly, her teenage daughter who is struggling to cope with the loss of her dad. And Alex, the owner of the retreat (cult!) that Laura and Tilly find themselves hopelessly trapped in.

The Family explores the intricacies of the mother-daughter relationship under extreme stress through short chapters that flit between each character, showing you both sides of the relationship, their different reactions and how they interpret things differently. How they perceive each other. Sometimes we see things through Alex's perspective, which adds mystery to the drama as it unfolds, layer by layer. Each chapter ends with its own little cliffhanger, which leaves you hungry for one more chapter.

When the story ends, when all those loose threads have woven themselves together to present to you a twist I doubt you'll see coming, you'll close that book and find you can think of little else for hours afterwards. Days.

The Family is a stunningly-written piece of thriller fiction, dark and disturbing yet with shimmering beauty in every sentence. You'll savour every word and enjoy the language as much as you enjoy the story. It's the kind of prose you want to roll around your mouth and taste every element of it.

I called Louise a sleep-thief on Twitter. 

I meant it.

Get this on your Christmas list, and if any of my friends or family are reading this blog post, I'd like Louise's entire book collection please...

Let me know your thoughts in the comments or tweet me!

#WelcomeToTheFamily

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

An Evening with Cally Taylor, Lucy Foley and Olivia Kiernan

If you saw my recent blog post about the Thriller event at Waterstones Milton Keynes, you can probably take a wild stab at just how excited I was (hint: VERY) when I found out about the Crime and Wine night at Waterstones Oxford, with Cally Taylor, Lucy Foley and Olivia Kiernan, a trio of criminally excellent authors. I'm already a big Cally Taylor fan, and I'm always excited to discover new crime and thriller authors. It's the reason I keep running out of money.

Olivia led the discussion with tonnes of insightful questions for Cally and Lucy, discussing their highly-acclaimed books Sleep and The Hunting Party. I wrote way too many notes to share them all, but here are my highlights.

Both of these books were set in the beautiful but remote Scottish Highlands, and involve the characters being trapped there due to extreme weather. There's something about being trapped somewhere that gives a book that Agatha Christie edge. Nowadays, the challenge is to find a setting with zero phone signal!

When asked what comes first, for Lucy it is the characters, with the setting being the spark that lights the touch paper.
"In the event of heavy snowfall, you may find you aren't able to leave the estate." 
The words that inspired the premise for The Hunting Party. Unintentionally chilling...

And where do ideas typically form? In the shower, apparently. Cally doesn't always plan out the twists straight away, and once added a plot twist during a round of edits... and yes, it came to her in the shower. Writing tip: take lots of showers!

When asked about becoming an "overnight success", Cally says it only took 10 years to achieve that (eek!), and advises it takes 10 books to make a career. I'd like to share with you Cally's bucket list because I think I'll be adding these to my own...

1. Become a Richard and Judy book club read
2. Have posters on the London Underground
3. Release a hardback book

... all of which were achieved in 2019. What a woman!

Here's a little more about these inspiring women.
Cally Taylor is the Sunday Times bestselling author of 6 psychological thrillers including Sleep, which I reviewed here.
Lucy Foley's first crime novel, The Hunting Party, was a Sunday Times bestseller and her second, The Guest List, lands February 2020.
Olivia Kiernan's second novel in her series, The Killer in Me, was published in April (and I cannot wait to read it!).

The Crime and Wine night was well worth the drive from sunny Northampton, and I came away with three gorgeous signed books that I'm having as a little early Christmas present to myself.

Thanks Waterstones for putting on such a great event!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

Book Review: The House on the Lake by Nuala Ellwood

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of The House on the Lake by Nuala Ellwood, coming February 2020.

No matter where you run... he's never far behind.

The book follows the story of Lisa, who is on the run from London to Yorkshire with her little boy Joe, and ends up staying in quite possibly the creepiest house in the history of the world. We also follow the story of Grace, a thirteen-year-old who grew up in that very same house several years before with her father. She was completely cut off from the rest of the world and tells us her strange and compelling story through the form of a diary.

The first thing I loved about this book is the presence of the two strong female leads, who are so different to one another, but completely determined to fight back against the men who control them and get what they want and deserve. I found myself desperate to learn what the link was between these two women, and when it was finally revealed, I was shocked. I did not see the plot twist coming. At all.

Despite these amazing female characters, I want to point out is this isn't one of those books where all the men are evil. There are some really positive male characters in the book so please don't be put off by the comment about the controlling men.

The House on the Lake epitomises the phrase "page-turner" and the alternating perspectives coupled with short and snappy chapters was the reason I've lost a LOT of sleep over the past three days. It's creepy. It's chilling. I've never checked my locks so many times as I did last night. The House on the Lake will give you a creeping sense of unease and if you love a thriller, you will not be disappointed.

I was really pleased to find a copy of My Sister's Bones by Nuala on my bookshelf, which has fast-tracked its way very near to the top of my TBR pile. Don't you just love finding a new favourite author?

Pre-order from Waterstones or Amazon today.

Roxie

@RoxieAdelleKey

Book Review: The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

Their dream house will become her worst nightmare.

Guys, we need to talk about Ruth Ware.

After grabbing a copy of The Death of Mrs Westaway on a whim, I was immediately hooked on Ruth's style, in particular the sense of place, and the expert characterisation. It was also something about the sense of unease she delights in pouring into the pages, making both me and the protagonist squirm and hide underneath blankets until the sun comes back up again. I'm hungry for books that make me feel deeply uncomfortable (we can analyse that deep-rooted issue later) and this book delivered a shot of much-needed discomfort directly into my veins. I'm an addict, but at least I'm self-aware.

I started to notice a buzz about Ruth's latest book, The Turn of the Key, all over Twitter and the London underground earlier this year. I knew Ruth was going to be at Capital Crime so I saved buying my copy until then, so I could meet Ruth (oh my god she's so lovely) and get my shiny new copy signed. This was the first book I read as soon as I got home from the festival, after abandoning another book I wasn't enjoying, about halfway through (best decision I've made in months, and I'm not even a little bit sorry).

The first thing that jumped out at me was the format of the book, which is a letter. One, huge 331 pages long letter (front and back) from Rowan, who is writing from prison to a solicitor, explaining what really happened that night and why she needs his help. After a few false starts, the protagonist really gets into her letter and her story, and Rowan's character leaps off the page and waltzes straight into your world.

The premise of the story is that Rowan has accepted a suspiciously well-paid job as a nanny to a wealthy family in a secluded house in the Scottish Highlands. Of course, it's too good to be true, and things start to go wrong the minute the parents walk out of the door. Faced with four strong-willed and impossible children, two boisterous Labradors, a housekeeper who seems to despise her, and a house that's controlled by technology, Rowan is soon riddled with crippling fear.

Who is walking around in the attic late into the night? Where does that locked door in her bedroom lead? Why do these kids hate her so much? We know a kid is going to die, but which one? And how? And why oh why have the family gone through so many nannies?

The Turn of the Key started out a little on the eerie side but gradually increased so far up the scary scale to the point of making my heart race long after putting it down for the night. I drank up page after page and completely lost myself in the story. I learned from reading The Death of Mrs Westaway that Ruth is excellent at creating characters that stick in your mind and The Turn of the Key is no exception. Rowan is an excellently flawed character, an unreliable narrator who delivers the story, its clues and an oh-my-fucking-god plot twists like a pro.

Ruth Ware is firmly on my favourite authors list and I hope she's on yours too... if you enjoy hiding in your house, locking all the doors and avoiding the loft like the plague.

Happy Halloween!

Roxie

@RoxieAdelleKey

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

Flash Fiction: Retribution

Hello, fellow readers and writers. Previously I shared a piece of flash fiction that won a competition. I've decided to share the other entry that didn't make the shortlist, because I quite like it and would love to get your thoughts. Please read on for Retribution.

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A loud groan echoed in the darkness and awoke Evelyn with a start. She became aware of the ground pressing against the back of her skull, shoulder blades, coccyx and heels, the cold seeping into her skin. Propping herself onto her elbows, she felt a splitting pain reverberating through her head, realising the groan that had disturbed her sleep had escaped her own throat.

"Who are you?" a voice demanded.

As her eyes adjusted to the lack of light, Evelyn twisted painfully on the spot to squint at the source of the sound: a teenager had folded herself into the corner of the dark, damp room as if trying to disappear into the wall.

"My name is Evelyn. I'm a police detective." She climbed weakly to her feet and peered at the face she recognised; the face she’d been trying to track down for weeks. "Amelia Foley?"

The girl nodded cautiously, the frown on her face fading slightly.

"How did you get here? Who’s holding you captive?"

She scowled again. "I don't know his name. He barely comes down here." Evelyn spied the crisp packet and water bottles littering the ground. Just enough to keep a prisoner alive… barely. Evelyn tried to think back to how she ended up locked up in the very same cellar where Amelia was being held captive. She couldn't remember a thing since walking home from her last shift. Could she even remember turning the key in the lock? She didn't think so.

The cellar door banged open and Amelia yelped. Evelyn shielded her eyes from the bright light that sliced into the darkness of the cellar and gasped. "Jason?"

He laughed bitterly. "No, not Jason. He's still rotting in the prison cell you put him in, Evelyn." He spat her name out like it was a swear word. "I'm his brother, Mark."

"You," she said incredulously. "You're the one who's been following me." Evelyn subconsciously patted her pockets and belt but of course he had removed her ASP, taser and radio. Mark approached her like a wolf, eyes transfixed on his prey. Evelyn stepped backwards and started to edge around the room so she could keep Amelia in her line of vision. "What do you want, Mark?"

"Revenge. Nothing more."

"We had to arrest him, Mark. He murdered two people. He tried to murder another four. We can get you some help," she offered, despite knowing he wasn't interested in any help she had to give.

He smirked at her but remained silent.

"Why didn't you kill me before?" said Evelyn, as she watched Amelia carefully climbing to her feet and creeping silently along the wall behind him. "You've been stalking me for years, Mark. You've had so many chances. You've broken into my flat… you could’ve killed me in my sleep. Why didn't you?"

Amelia reached cautiously for something on the ground behind Mark.

"Killing you wasn’t enough. Not when I could create the perfect crime for you to solve, only to kill you both at the end. Such a tragedy," he whispered coldly, and stepped closer. Evelyn felt the solid roughness of the wall behind her as she ran out of space to move. She tried not to look as Amelia's fingers reached down to the ground and grasped a loose bit of stone. It wasn't big but if she used enough force it had the potential to knock him out. Evelyn had to keep Mark talking.

"Does it make you feel good, keeping defenceless women locked up in a cellar for your own pathetic revenge?" Evelyn laughed in his face. "Pathetic." His face twisted with rage as he drew back his fist.

The rock slipped from Amelia's hands with a loud clatter and she swore loudly. Mark whipped around and lunged for her, knocking her to the ground and grappling with her until her arms were pinned to the ground. She kicked him and tried fruitlessly to bite his arms. Evelyn raced from one side of the basement to the other and leapt onto Mark's back, smashing him in the side of his face with her fist. He roared in pain and flung her off. She scrabbled to her feet and dodged him as he swung for her again. Amelia rolled the loose rock towards where Evelyn was headed. Evelyn grabbed it with both hands and launched it at Mark, who staggered backwards in surprise. As he fell, he smashed the side of his head on the wall and lay motionless on the ground.

"Come on!" Evelyn yelled, motioning for Amelia to run up the stairs. When they reached the door, it didn't budge and Amelia eyes widened in fear. Evelyn threw her body against the door but it still wouldn't move. She felt a flutter of panic rising in her chest as she darted back down the steps to where Mark lay silent but breathing. She crouched down and rummaged in his jacket pockets for a key, just as he started moaning and regaining consciousness.

"Quick!" cried Amelia.

Evelyn finally found the key in Mark's back pocket, but just as she withdrew her hand she felt a jolt in her stomach as his rough, thick fingers closed around her wrist and pulled her back. She twisted, scraping the heel of her free hand on the concrete beneath her as she aimed her right boot straight into his face. He spluttered and let go. Evelyn scrabbled away from him, clumsily taking the steps two at a time before launching herself towards the door again. She could hear the thud of his footsteps behind her, the same footsteps she'd been hearing following her for the past two years. Evelyn struggled with the key, finally managing to prise open the heavy door, before they both spilled out of the door and into the safety of the sunlight. She slammed it shut behind them.

The last thing she saw was Mark's face contorted with fury as he reached for her.

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If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please leave them in the comments section below!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey