I am sitting in bed writing this post and feeling quite pleased with myself. Why? Because I managed to get to the Library today and chose a lovely pile of eight books! These will soon be stacked on my bedside table 😀😀😀.

I finished two books this week, both ebooks. There were still two print books left on my pile and I started both of them, but gave up after a few chapters. Neither of them caught my attention and I decided not to mention them on here or Goodreads. The books that I did finish were both very good indeed and I will write about them in both places!

Perfect Silence by Helen Fields

The first book was Perfect Silence, #04 in the DI Callanach series, by Helen Fields. Here is the blurb:

When silence falls, who will hear their screams?

The body of a young girl is found dumped on the roadside on the outskirts of Edinburgh. When pathologists examine the remains, they make a gruesome discovery: the silhouette of a doll carved in the victim’s skin. And when a macabre ragdoll is found nestled beside an abandoned baby, DI Luc Callanch learns the killer’s horrifying game plan – cutting out dolls from the flesh of his victims.

When a series of drug-users are brutally branded with the letter Z slashed into their foreheads, Luc and his partner Ava must risk both their jobs and their lives to unearth the truth. Is this the merciless work of the same assailant?

As the killer’s twisted games persist, Luc knows it’s only a matter of time before he strikes again. Can they stop another victim from being silenced forever – or is it already too late?

And here is the review I posted on Goodreads:

Another very good addition to the series. If you like rather gruesome murders, then this is for you, although I am starting to get tired of reading about young women being killed in increasingly horrible, but inventive ways. Also Callanach’s issues are becoming rather boring now – can these be resolved soon, please?

The writing is well done and there are plenty of twists in the story to keep the reader’s attention, so I will watch out for the next book.

Despite a few reservations, I did give the book four stars. I have read each episode in the series and it is well-worth a look if you enjoy this genre.

The Devil’s Star by Jo Nesbo

I am currently trying to make sure that I have read all of the books in the Harry Hole series  by Jo Nesbo. There are a few still on reserve at the Library and I found #05, The Devil’s Star, on our ebook service last week. This is the blurb:

A young woman is murdered in her Oslo flat. One finger has been severed from her left hand, and behind her eyelid is secreted a tiny red diamond in the shape of a five-pointed star – a pentagram, the devil’s star.

Detective Harry Hole is assigned to the case with his long-time adversary Tom Waaler and initially wants no part in it. But Harry is already on notice to quit the force and is left with little alternative but to drag himself out of his alcoholic stupor and get to work.

A wave of similar murders is on the horizon. An emerging pattern suggests that Oslo has a serial killer on its hands, and the five-pointed devil’s star is key to solving the riddle.

I wish I could give this 4.5 or even 4.75 stars! Anyway, here is my short review:

Another excellent book in this series. This one is very grim and dark as our “hero” struggles with relationships and his alcoholism. In fact the gloom is pretty unrelenting. The clever plot and the ending, however, make it all very worthwhile and satisfying.

I am now trying to read every book in the series… well, someone must do it! Seriously, this series is highly recommended.

I am sure that I wouldn’t want to be in any kind of relationship with Harry Hole, either personal or professional. But he is a very interesting character to read about!

Life Ruins by Danuta Kot

I still have a few ebooks to finish before I begin my print book pile (anticipation is such a good thing!). This book – Life Ruins by Danita Kot – was started last night, so I will tell you about it next week.

Until then, Happy Reading to you all!

Best wishes,

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