I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

Title: I Am Pilgrim
Author: Terry Hayes
Publisher: Corgi Books
Release Date: 2nd August 2013
Genre: Thriller, Fiction, Crime

Summary:
Evil forces - long in the making - are about to descend on the United States of America. Pilgrim - a retired government security operative - must unravel years of international mystery, and find the thread that connects a series of random events, to stop one man killing millions.

Review:
I have been wanting to read I Am Pilgrim for a long time and finally took the plunge and I am so glad I did! Whilst it was a very long read - not the short crime, thriller I thought it was - it was so worth it as I could not put it down! I LOVED it.

Paper Towns by John Green

Title: Paper Towns
Author: John Green
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: 13th December 2013
Genre: Young Adult

Summary: 
Margo Roth Spiegelman is a mystery, to even her friends.

So when she wakes her neighbour Quentin, who has secretly been in love with her since they were nine, up in the middle of the night and takes him on an adventure around Orlando, Florida - he is left baffled.

Her unhappiness with her life is so made clear, when the next day she disappears without a trace and it is left to Quentin to find her.

Echoes of the Past by Deborah Mailer

Title: Echoes of the Past
Author: Deborah Mailer
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 30th January 2014
Genre: Crime, Thriller

Summary:
Tom Hunter has been in the police-force all his life, dedicating his life to solving crimes and catching criminals. After a serious heart attack and the death of his wife, he moves to the small, unassuming village of Coppersfield along with his daughter, Jess.

However, when Hunter looks into a series of unsolved disappearances; their haven is soon disturbed by creepy goings-on and supernatural beings.

Review:
When I started reading this book, I thought it was going to be a simple, crime/thriller. Oh no no, how I was wrong... Instead of being a simple crime novel, the plot incorporates ghosts too...

Earthly Powers by David Anderson

Title: Earthly Powers
Author: David Anderson
Release Date: 10th June 2014
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Genre: Thriller

Summary:
In 1945, just before the end of the war, a German U-boat transported a deathly secret away from the ruins of Berlin.

Hidden on Arcadia Island, on the outskirts of British Columbia, it was safely stored away to make sure it did not fall into the wrong hands.

However, many years later it is about to be rediscovered by the islands latest resident, Terri Stark.

But when Lucius Stringer and his eco-group, Earth Power, move onto the island; strange, and deadly, things start ruin Terri’s peaceful haven.

Atonement by Ian McEwan

Title: Atonement
Author: Ian McEwan
Publisher: Vintage Books
Release Date: 2nd May 2002
Genre: Romance, Crime, Classics, Period Drama

Summary:
In the summer of 1935, Briony Tallis tells a lie. Little does she know that this little indulgence on her imagination will have a detrimental impact on the lives of the ones she loves.

I think that is all I can say without giving away too much...

Review:
When I started reading this book, I was expecting it to be extremely boring as I am not a fan of the "Downtown Abbey Manor House" genre. I was, however, pleasantly surprised and became extremely engrossed with the characters and the plot.

Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson

Title: Before I Go to Sleep
Author: S. J. Watson
Publisher: Doubleday
Release Date: 2nd January 2012
Genre: Thriller, Crime

Summary: 
Imagine waking up everyday and not knowing who or where you are. You do not recognise the people around you; even your own family! Just when they start to help you remember... it is time to go back to sleep!

This is the life of Christine.

Review:
There are some books which, after you've read them, leave you speechless. This, however, is not one; as, in my opinion, there is nothing remotely remarkable about this book. I mean, I can barely remember what happened in it... (kind of ironic, ey?).

Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman

Title: Pigeon English

Author: Stephen Kelman

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Release Date: 5th January 2012

Genre: Crime, Young Adult

Summary:

Harrison Opoku has recently immigrated to the busy, diverse and dangerous London suburbs from Ghana with his mother and sister Lydia. Everything is different to Harri; from the Haribo in the shops to the toilets in his mother's flat. 

If making friends was not hard enough for this new outsider; a local gang starts to terrorise the neighbourhood and his friends. One day, however, one of his friends is found dead on the street. Harri soon decides to take action and investigate. 

But when he is confronted by this new world full of guns, crime, girls and gangs will Harri be able to stay true to himself, and his mother, or will his innocence be corrupted by this dangerous, new culture?

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Cover for Scribner film tie-in edition 

(released 23rd April 2013)

Title: The Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons/ Scribner's
Release Date: 10th April 1925 (first published)
Genre: Romance, Crime, Classics

Summary:
Who is Jay Gatsby? Is he royalty, a spy or a successful businessman? No one knows. All they know is that he throws the best parties.

Despite surrounding himself the hundreds of the wealthiest socialites in New York; Gatsby is lonely and longs for something that money cannot buy. However, after befriending the newcomer in West Egg, Nick Carraway, he finally reveals his deepest secrets and breaks the façade he has so carefully constructed.

But can love can withstand the test of time, or be subject to cruel and tragic fate?

Review:
Last year, I decided to read The Great Gatsby after seeing the 2013 adaptation in my local cinema...

What a mistake.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Cover for Penguin Modern Classics edition
(3rd February 2000)

Title: In Cold Blood: A True Account of Multiple Murder and Its Consequences

Author: Truman Capote

Publisher: Signet/ New American Library

Release Date: 1st January 1980 (first published) 

Genre: Non-fiction, Crime

Summary:
Nothing happens in the quite town of Holcomb, Kansas, and why would it? It is the perfect place to live out the American Dream.

However, in 1959, Herbert Clutter, his wife Bonnie, and their children, Nancey and Kenyon, were murdered in their own home.

In Cold Blood documents the killings and the subsequent Police investigation into catching the culprits responsible; Perry Smith and Richard 'Dick' Hickock.

Review:

I read this book during the first year of my English Language and Literature A Level course in sixth form several years ago and, like most set texts, I was dreading it. When I think of set reading for my studies the first thought that comes into my head is; "Oh no. Not another awful, boring text that I have force myself to read and then pretend that I actually like it. Great."

Waiting to Die by Christopher Kenworthy

Title: Waiting to Die

Author: Christopher Kenworthy

Publisher: Endeavour Press

Release Date: 13th November 2013

Genre: Crime

Summary:
There is a murderer disturbing the small town of Cunsey Nab; a village where everybody knows everyone and outsiders are treated with suspicion. The murders seem random and greedy; but what does the murderer want? Things, however, take a dramatic turn for the worst when the murderer starts to target the owners of the locals' favourite bar, Peter and Polly Miller.

With numerous attempts on his life, and the lives of his family, will Peter be able to help the police find the murderer and restore peace to Cunsey Nab, or will the murderer succeed in his greedy conquest?

Review:
I have to admit it took me a while to get into this book, but once I did get into it; it was a nice way to pass a couple of hours, which I would have otherwise spent procrastinating from university work!

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

As mentioned in my review of Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist (which can be found here); I am a big lover of the foreign horror genre. One of my favourite authors within this genre is Jo Nesbo and his Harry Hole series. Even though this is the fifth book in the series, it was the first one I read, and has remained my favourite for many years, so I thought I would give it a review and explain why it is so much better than all the others.

Title: The Snowman

Author: Jo Nesbo (translated by Don Bartlett)

Publisher: Vintage Books

Release Date: 19th August 2010

Genre: Crime, Horror, Thriller, Nordic Noir

Summary:

As the first snow falls in Oslo, Norway; a serial killer is on the loose leaving a snowman in the snow for all to see. The killings seem random and unprovoked, but are they? Is there some connection to these pointless murders? Harry Hole, a workaholic (and slightly alcoholic) policeman, is however on the case after receiving a threatening letter from the so called, Snowman. Pushing himself to the limit to catch his horrendous and evil murderer, it is obvious that Harry cannot trust anyone.

Review:

Jo Nesbo is a bit like marmite; you either love him or you hate him. I, unlike marmite, love him. If not for his ability to create complex and clever storylines but for his sheer imagination and unbelievabley gory writing style. I love gore and horror filled stories so this aspect was a big hit for me! I may have read the book some years ago but there is one particularly haunting scene in the book which has stuck with me made me partially scared of snowmen and going into woods...disgusting...

Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Title: Let The Right One In
Author: John Ajvide Lindqvist (translated by Ebba Segerberg)
Publisher: Quercus
Release Date: 22nd January 2009
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Crime, Fantasy

Summary:
Oskar is 12. He is a wimp. He has no friends, dad or courage and is constantly lonely.

Eli is 12 and has been for sometime. She has no friends and only ventures out to the playground at night.

Review:
I have to admit, I read this book a while ago so it is not a recent read; but, I have always loved this book and it started my addiction to foreign horror and crime- so I thought I would give it a quick review.

My favourite aspect of book, is the gory horror which is present throughout. Whilst some writers shy away from the details, writers such as Ajvide Lindqvist present things how they are in such a twisted, scary, disgusting but nonetheless fascinating way. These details make this book a staple of the genre and a must for all horror fans (another prime example of this is Jo Nesbo, and his Harry Hole series; he, however, deserves a post all of his own here...).

Hopelessly Devoted by Margaret Blake

Title: Hopelessly Devoted
Author: Margaret Blake
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 4th December 2013
Genre: Romance, Thriller, Crime

Summary:
All is not well in paradise. After moving to New Zealand to start a new life; Bronwen's life is soon turned upside-down when her husband, Jack, disappears along with her money, boat and her heart. Has the appearance of her estranged cousin, Marged, got anything to do with disappearances or is it all a coincidence?

Bronwen does all she can to reunite with her husband, but little does she know; someone has a price on her head.

Review:
I was pleasantly surprised by this book as the plot was fast-faced (a little too fast at times, in my opinion) and interesting, although being somewhat predictable. It was pretty obvious from the start who did it. However, even though it was predictable I kept turning the pages and reading on as like other books from this publisher; it was a nice, easy read that was enjoyable and short.

Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch

Title: Broken Homes
Author: Ben Aaronovitch
Publisher: Gollancz, Orion Publishing Group
Release Date: 25th July 2013
Genre: Fantasy, Crime, Young Adult 

Summary:
Peter Grant is back in the fourth installment in the Rivers of London series, in which we find our heroic, magical Policeman venturing South of the River to Elephant and Castle.

With an already hectic caseload, the last thing Grant wants is trouble on a housing estate with the work of the Faceless Man all-over-it. It is then Grant's duty to make sure nothing explosive happens...

Review:
When I originally posted my review of the first installment of the series, Rivers of London, (you can find my review here) I had no intention of writing any for the subsequent books, as I felt it was such a good series. However, even though the series started with such optimism; I really struggled with this installment and felt it was necessary to write a follow-up.

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.

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

Title: Rivers of London (aka. Midnight Riot)

Author: Ben Aaronovitch

Publisher: Gollancz, Orion Publishing Group

Release Date: 25th August 2011

Genre: Fantasy, Crime, Young Adult

Summary:

Rivers of London is the first of a series of books which follows London policeman, Peter Grant, as he enters the secret underground world of magic and supernatural beings. Can he stop the ghosts and ghouls from wrecking havoc on the streets of London? Only time will tell...

Review:

After reading this book, I was confused as to why it isn't as well known as it should be! 

The tongue in cheek style of writing highlights the satirical nature of British humour well and the balance between romance, crime and supernatural beings is perfect. You can certainly tell Aaronovitch used to work in a book shop, as the combination and balance of themes is perfect for young adults!

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Title: Gone Girl
Author: Gillian Flynn
Publisher: Phoenix Fiction
Release Date: 3rd January 2013
Genre: Thriller

Summary:

Nick Dunne awakes on the morning of his of his fifth wedding anniversary to find his wife, Amy, missing. Everyone suspects Nick but did he do it? As the damming evidence builds, a web of lies and careful manipulation over many years is soon revealed.

Review:

WOW.

I loved the plot. I loved the characters. I loved everything about this book.

The characters, and their relationships with each other, are by far the craziest, most developed, complicated and engaging in any book I have ever read (I'm running out of adjectives, aren't I?) Along with a fast paced and exciting plot which was full of twists and turns, I found this book unbelievably hard to put down. One minute Flynn would be taking you in one direction but then suddenly perform a complete U-turn and turn everything upside down- leaving you shocked and wanting more! Genius.