BLOG TOUR DAY!!
REVIEW: Dead Inside by Noelle Holten
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well I can tell you straight out, this is a cracking read, by far the best crime thriller I’ve read so far this year. There’s so much going on, different POVs and a never ending supply of action and twists.
The prologue lets us in on Lucy’s darkest secret – her troubled marriage. We’re introduced to Patrick; Lucy’s husband, and discover his aggression, his anger and his utter disrespect for women. He has to be one of the most disturbing and terrifying characters I’ve ever read about, his poisonous thoughts are felt throughout the book, to the point that I was nervous of what I’d read when a chapter was from his perspective. Holten did an excellent job of bringing this damaged relationship to life through the pages, as my sympathy towards Lucy was instant and I felt her fear every time she had to be in Patrick’s presence, actually I more than felt it, it was as if I was living through it too.
Aside from Lucy’s home life, her work life is causing her never ending headaches, as a probation officer, she’s dealing with some of the worst kinds of people – domestic abusers, rapists, aggressive alcoholics… the irony was not lost on me, that she had to deal with this both in work and at home.
Meanwhile the story is also unfolding the activities of the DAHU team (Domestic Abuse & Homicide Unit), where DC Maggie Jameson is just starting her new role. The call has come in for a rather gruesome murder.
When Lucy’s next appointment fails to show up she has no idea that his reason is… because he’s dead, and so the two storylines begin to weave themselves closer and closer together.
Patrick’s frequency in the local pub introduces numerous other characters, including Shell, who holds the power of destroying Patrick and Lucy’s marriage. Little does she know how much Lucy would love that, as she’s blindsided with Patrick’s cunning charm. I was nearly screaming at the book as Shell fell for Patrick’s tricks, with her damaging childhood, I thought she’d see past him. ⬇️ continued in comments xx
☀️ BLOG TOUR: Her Husband’s Mistake by Sheila O’Flanagan
Roxy has returned home the night after her father’s funeral. Her husband; Dave, isn’t downstairs and when she goes upstairs to find him… well, everything changes. her happy view of her marriage and family life comes crashing down. She needs space to think and a stay at her mum’s seems ideal.
Unable to process what’s going on in her home life, Roxy throws herself into her father’s business. Christy had established his own chauffeur business with many clients, and whilst she’d only been helping her dad out through his illness, Roxy now craves the independence the Mercedes gives her.
Dave might have destroyed what they had but he’s unintentionally given Roxy a choice that is much bigger than forgiveness. He’s ignited the fiery passion in his wife to think about herself, rather than them all as a family. The question is, what does she want her future to be?
With each of her clients providing her with move to think about, be it Instagram filters healthy eating or luxury nights away; the Roxy we met on the first page is becoming unrecognisable.
One of my favourite aspects of this book is how O’Flanagan depicts her characters’ reactions to Rosy’s choice. You’d think that friends and family; particularly your mum, would take your side when your husband makes a BIG mistake, but yet many believed Roxy should forgive and forget. As the reader, I was outraged that people even questioned Roxy’s decisions and then it began to sink in how well O’Flanagan captures true-to-life scenarios. Whilst I’ve never been in Roxy’s particular predicament, I’m reminded of how many times I’ve been in situations where others who I thought would be on my side, chose to share their opinions which didn’t sit with what I wanted to hear at the time and showed that they didn’t know me as well as I’d thought.
In summary…
Sheila’s writing style is honest, warm and real. It’s a satisfying, uplifting and cosy read, perfect for your summer holiday or evening out in your garden.
Until next time, Chloé x
*I received a proof copy of the book to allow me to write this review for the blog tour*
