Welcome to the Dark House (Dark House #1) by Laurie Faria Stolarz

What’s your worst nightmare?

For Ivy Jensen, it’s the eyes of a killer that haunt her nights. For Parker Bradley, it’s bloodthirsty sea serpents that slither in his dreams.

And for seven essay contestants, it’s their worst nightmares that win them an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at director Justin Blake’s latest, confidential project. Ivy doesn’t even like scary movies, but she’s ready to face her real-world fears. Parker’s sympathetic words and perfect smile help keep her spirits up. . . at least for now.

Not everyone is so charming, though. Horror-film fanatic Garth Vader wants to stir up trouble. It’s bad enough he has to stay in the middle of nowhere with this group—the girl who locks herself in her room; the know-it-all roommate; “Mister Sensitive”; and the one who’s too cheery for her own good. Someone has to make things interesting.

Except, things are already a little weird. The hostess is a serial-killer look-alike, the dream-stealing Nightmare Elf is lurking about, and the seventh member of the group is missing.

By the time Ivy and Parker realize what’s really at stake, it’s too late to wake up and run.

I want to thank the author, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

It wasn't as scary as I expected for a YA Horror. Still a good story for a teenager who loves to be scared, just wasn't that scary for me.

Someone Else's Skin (DI Marnie Rome #1) by Sarah Hilary

Some secrets keep you safe, others will destroy you...


Detective Inspector Marnie Rome. Dependable; fierce; brilliant at her job; a rising star in the ranks. Everyone knows how Marnie fought to come back from the murder of her parents, but very few know what is going on below the surface. Because Marnie has secrets she won't share with anyone.


But then so does everyone. Certainly those in the women's shelter Marnie and Detective Sergeant Noah Jake visit on that fateful day. The day when they arrive to interview a resident, only to find one of the women's husbands, who shouldn't have been there, lying stabbed on the floor.


As Marnie and Noah investigate the crime further, events begin to spiral and the violence escalates. Everyone is keeping secrets, some for survival and some, they suspect, to disguise who they really are under their skin.


Now, if Marnie is going to find the truth she will have to face her own demons head on. Because the time has come for secrets to be revealed...

I would like to thank Sarah Hilary for writing a great starter to a series that I think will be marvelous.  I found the characters rather weird  at times. Not knowing where some of them are going. 

DI Marnie Rome is a woman on a mission, but her past keeps haunting her to the extent of her job.

FBOM by E.M. Bosso

There is no pain like the loss of a child. When that pain can be directed at one group, in the hands of a dark and brilliant zealot, there are no prisoners no survivors; only a wake of destruction and damnation.

This is the story of one such man, the woman who loves him, the detective who hates him, and the country girl who understands him far too well. Who will come out on top as they interact in the dark and dangerous world of wealthy sons. Mob bosses and corrupt politicians?

*Disclaimer*
This is a fast paced, dark, brutal story that may trigger some individuals who have experienced abuse, rape, or violence in their own lives. If you are one… know that people care; people want to stand by you and share their strength giving you hope and love and tenderness.

If you are one of the predators… also know… the Foundation for the Betterment Of Man is coming soon… 

I was given this book to review from the author. I will say that the storyline is hard going at times due to the nature of the book. But it's an insight to what happens and who is out there to help.

Took me a while to get into the book and ended up reading it on my phone as the quotes wasn't looking right on my kindle. It's one man's mission to clear the scum off the earth with his Foundation. I found it really eye-opening into what happens when people go vigilante and the help that is out there for victims.

The Sister by Louise Jensen

Grace hasn't been the same since the death of her best friend Charlie. She is haunted by Charlie's words, the last time she saw her, and in a bid for answers, opens an old memory box of Charlie's. It soon becomes clear there was a lot she didn't know about her best friend. 

When Grace starts a campaign to find Charlie's father, Anna, a girl claiming to be Charlie's sister steps forward. For Grace, finding Anna is like finding a new family, and soon Anna has made herself very comfortable in Grace and boyfriend Dan's home. 

But something isn't right. Things disappear, Dan's acting strangely and Grace is sure that someone is following her. Is it all in Grace's mind? Or as she gets closer to discovering the truth about both Charlie and Anna, is Grace in terrible danger? 

There was nothing she could have done to save Charlie ...or was there?

I would like to thank Netgalley, Bookouture and the author Louise Jensen for allowing me to read this book. 

Sorry it took me so long to read it, but I had no clue what I was letting myself in for when I started this book. Well what can I say about this book that will make you understand what you're getting into lol. Well it had me guessing who the sister was? Who's sister they was? What happened when they were children?

All will be revealed when you read THE SISTER by Louise Jensen. It'll keep you up at night with thoughts past bedtime.

The Disciple (Damen Brook #2) by Steven Dunne

DI Brook thought the nightmare was over- but the Reaper has left behind a horrifying legacy…

A nail-shredding thriller for fans of Stuart MacBride and Thomas Harris.

When an accidental drowning is found to be murder, Brook’s past relationship with the victim makes him the prime suspect. A fact made worse when he receives a chilling message urging him to continue the work of the serial killer The Reaper, the deranged vigilante who had previously terrorised the UK.

When a copycat murder on a Derby estate surfaces shortly afterwards, Brook is left with no alternative but to reopen the case- and to find a serial killer he knows is already dead.

But as Brook delves deeper, he unearths the secrets behind a series of savage murders stretching back to 1975. Terrifyingly, it seems that The Reaper’s influence has inspired a new band of willing disciples…

I would like to thank the author for allowing me to read such a riveting book and all the other readers who've said he's 1 to watch.

It took me a while as I am in the middle of moving house, but I grabbed it with both hands when I got the chance. I thought I knew who the killer was as it was obvious as you read the book. It took some good twists and turns, seeing how the story was moving along. It picked up from where The Reaper had finished and added some new characters into the mix. Some parts I never saw coming (like for instance the real cuplrit). Makes you think when you read Steven Dunne's books that not everything you see is what's really happening.

Looking forward to reading the rest of the series over the coming months. Well done to Mr Dunne.

The Reaper - Steven Dunne

A damaged detective.
A case he’s trying to forget.
A killer who won’t let him…


Detective Inspector Damen Brook thinks he's left his past behind him in London. But it seems a serial killer has followed him north…


Brook's seeking sanctuary. Years in the MET have left their mark - so much so that he's fled to Derby leaving behind his marriage, his teenage daughter and very nearly his sanity to wind down a once promising career in the peace of the Peak District.


But one winter's night, Brook is confronted by a serial killer he hunted many years before - The Reaper - a man who slaughters families in their homes then disappears without a trace.


To find this killer Brook must discover what the Reaper is doing in Derby, why he's started killing again and what, if anything, connects the butchered families.


As Brook becomes entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse, he is forced to face his own demons by confronting a past that destroyed his family and destroyed his family and nearly cost him his life…


A heart-stopping thriller from a stunning new crime talent, for fans of Stuart MacBrie and Thomas Harris.

I would like to thank Steven Dunne for allowing me to read his book (1st in the series).

Just want to say sorry it took so long to read, but as previously discussed last week it's a marmite book and took me a while to get into. But whilst on holiday I zoomed through the storyline and boy was it worth carrying on with. I found the main character DI Brook quite antagonistic for the way he was with others, but on another note he is like a dog with a bone and WON'T let go.

Looking forward to reading the next in the series.

The Girl From The Sea - Shalini Boland

For fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train

A chilling suspense story of wounded hearts and dark secrets.

Washed up on the beach, she can’t remember who she is. She can’t even remember her name. Turns out, she has an idyllic life – friends and family eager to fill in the blanks.

But why are they lying to her? What don’t they want her to remember?
When you don't even know who you are, how do you know who to trust? 

I would like to thank Shalini Boland and some friends for urging me to read this book.

I found this book so engrossing that I read it within 24hrs (had to sleep though lol). The characters was so believable and the way the story carried it's self through and made you want to know what else happened next made me keep reading. Looking forward to reading more from this author.