Virals by Kathy Reichs

Title: Virals

Author: Kathy Reichs

Publisher: Young Arrow Books, Random House

Release Date: 27th October 2011

Genre: Young Adult, Crime, Supernatural

Summary:
Virals is the first in a series of books which follows, the budding, young explorer, Tory Brennan as she explores Morris Island (a secluded island off of Charleston in South Carolina). After stumbling upon the grave of a young girl, Tory and her friends are catapulted into a world of lies, murder and deceit.

After rescuing a young, wild dog on the very same island; they discover that the two incidents are linked. However, Tory and her friends soon become victims of a dangerous infection which changes them beyond belief...

Review:
Virals, and the other books in the series, are my guilty pleasure. They may be cheesy but they are well-written and engaging for all ages! I have no idea why more people do not know about them!

Along Came a Spider & Kiss the Girls by James Patterson

To celebrate 20 years since the release of the first Alex Cross book, Along Came a Spider by James Patterson; I thought I would review the first and second book in arguably one of the world's most famous crime series.

Title: Along Came A Spider

Author: James Patterson

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: 7th November 1993

Genre: Crime, Thriller

Summary:
After two celebrity children are kidnapped from under the Secret Service's noses; Alex Cross, one of Washington's finest detectives, is put to work. Cross's ability as a detective, and psychologist, are challenged to the extreme as he faces the case which defines his career where nothing appears as it seems...

Review:
After months of begging, my best friend finally persuaded me to read the Alex Cross series by James Patterson and I am so glad I did!

Along Came a Spider is Patterson's first book in the series and, is by far the best! It keeps you on the edge of your seat right until the very end and is expertly written! His writing style allows you to engage with Cross and, at points, sympathise with him as you gain an insight into working as a detective and the hardships experienced.

The Humorist by Russell Kane

Title: The Humorist

Author: Russell Kane

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Release Date: 25th October 2012

Genre: Thriller

Summary:

Benjamin White, London's most feared comedy critic, has the ability to understand humour at its deepest level. However, he has never smiled of laughed in his life. One day he stumbles upon the formula for the world's most powerful joke. A joke unlike any other. A joke that can kill. 

Review:

I was suckered into reading this book after seeing Russell Kane doing an interview about it on TV. I thought I'd give it a go. Meh.

Whilst the concept behind the book was interesting and the plot very original; the further I got into it, it became a chore. This is the first book I've actually looked forward to finishing!

There are two main issues I had with the book; the main character and the progression of the plot. Firstly, I found the main character unloveable, dark and hard to tolerate. In the end I even found myself egging him on screw up his life! He was that annoying.