#BlogTour One by One by Helen Bridgett

Today it’s my turn on the BlogTour One by One by Helen Bridgett.

About the Author

Helen Bridgett lives in the North East of England. Outside of writing  feel good fiction, Helen loves the great outdoors and having a good laugh with friends over a glass of wine. Helen lives with her husband and their chocolate Labrador, Angus; al three can often be found walking the Northumberland coastline that inspired her romantic comedy, Summer at Serenity Bay.

Follow @Helen_Bridgett on Twitter, Buy One by One

About the book

When practising what you preach is easier said than done… Professor Maxie Reddick has her reasons for being sceptical of traditional policing methods, but, in between her criminology lecturing job and her Criminal Thoughts podcast, she stays firmly on the side lines of the crime solving world.

Then a young woman is brutally attacked, and suddenly it’s essential that Maxie turns her words into actions; this is no longer an academic exercise – this is somebody’s life.

But as she delves deeper, the case takes a sickening turn, which leads Maxie to the horrifying realisation that the attack might not have been a one off. It seems there’s a depraved individual out there seeking revenge, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it … little by little … one by one.

Review

I think it’s fair to say that her relentless pursuit of the criminal is what brings Maxie into the sights of said criminal. Maxie is like a dog with a very tasty bone. She is convinced that the plain old police are not up to the job and she will have to do the job for them. Yes, her sense of entitlement and lack of humility are part and parcel of what make her character so memorable.

Whilst committing to the job of catching a predator she neglects everything else, including her family and marriage. Given what happens one wonders whether Maxie just instinctively knows the truth about her personal feelings and throwing herself into the world of crime solving isn’t merely a way of distracting herself from confronting the truth.

The author has penned the kind of main character who manages to annoy and captivate at the same time. Maxie can think of nothing else other than apprehending a dangerous individual, but to the detriment of everything else. This obsession is the starting point and simultaneously also a firm nod in the direction of the police. If they are lacking when it comes to solving sex crimes and helping victims of said crimes then perhaps new eyes and someone who is actually invested in truth and justice will get better results. Making a fair point there.

I’m guessing this won’t be the last time readers see Maxie back in the arena of crime solvers are us. It’s a fast-paced crime read with the kind of character readers tend to remember.

Buy One by One at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Ruby Fiction; pub date 26 Jan. 2021 – £8.99 paperback £2.99 ebook. 

#BlogTour One by One by D.W. Gillespie

Today it’s my turn on the BlogTour One by One by D.W. Gillespie.

About the Author

A long time fan of all things dark and spooky, D.W. Gillespie began writing monstrous stories while still in grade school. At one point, his mother asked the doctor if there was anything she should be concerned about, and he assured her that some kids just like stories about decapitations.

He’s been writing on and off for over a decade, quietly building a body of work that includes horror and dark sci-fi. His novels include Still Dark, The Toy Thief, and a short story collection titled Handmade Monsters.

He lives in Tennessee with his wife and two kids, all three of which give him an endless supply of things to write about.

Follow @dw_gillespie @flametreepress on Twitter, on Goodreads, on Amazon, Buy One by One

About the book

The Easton family has just moved into their new fixer-upper, a beautiful old house that they bought at a steal, and Alice, the youngest of the family, is excited to explore the strange, new place. Her excitement turns to growing dread as she discovers a picture hidden under the old wallpaper, a child’s drawing of a family just like hers.

Soon after, members of the family begin to disappear, each victim marked on the child’s drawing with a dark black X. It’s up to her to unlock the grim mystery of the house before she becomes the next victim.

Review

Gillespie likes to play with his readers, entice them into a game of cat and mouse. He creates a steady increase of tension as the plot evolves from a simple house move to a frightening horror scenario.

The Easton family all have quite different reactions to moving into the rundown house they intend to restore back to its full potential. Young Alice can’t wait to explore the house, but excitement turns to confusion and then fear when she discovers something creepy on one of the walls in the house.

Let’s talk about the evolution of Alice as a person and a character. The way she starts out as a timid little girl, who is left the last one standing, but ends up finding her inner strength. She overcomes her fears to protect her family and herself by facing the unknown and the mysterious

This is a lot more structured and finely plotted than the first book I read by this author, The Toy Thief (also a good read). There is a lot more emphasis on the surroundings, the atmosphere and the details that enhance the story and the characters.

It’s a tense mystery with a horror vibe, a read driven by suspense, expectation and the unknown. I think Gillespie is just getting started. He is honing his skills as an author, which is certainly evident in this story.

Buy One by One at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Flame Tree Press; pub date 26 Sept. 2019. Buy at Amazon com.

Read my review of The Toy Thief by D.W. Gillespie.