Review: Things We Hide from the Light

Things We Hide from the Light by Lucy Score
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Police Chief Nash Morgan got into law enforcement to ensure people like his friend Lucian were treated fairly and with compassion, the very opposite of his predecessor. At the end of the first book he was shot at the side of the road and left to die. Ever since then he has felt disassociated, as if he's just going through the motions, he's having panic attacks, he can't remember the attack, and he's short-tempered. Nash is prime husband material, he wants to live in Knockemout, have kids, coach softball etc, etc.

Lina Solavita is a high-skilled insurance investigator who retrieves high-value assets for clients. She is in Knockemout looking for a stolen asset, which is linked to the man suspected of shooting Nash (although she's keeping quiet about that). After a childhood health scare Lina's parents have tried to wrap her in cotton wool and call her at least once a day, so Lina lies to them about her job and how risky it is. Oh, and she was Nash's brother's girlfriend once upon a time. Lina loves fast-paced life, travelling most of the year, the excitement, the thrill of the chase. Family and settling down aren't in her future, but if the sexy police chief who happens to live in the apartment next door wants a fling she's all in.

Add in the hunt to discover who shot Nash and this sexy, opposites attract romance is a winner.

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Review: Things We Left Behind

Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sloane Walton is Knockemout's librarian. As a teenager she was close with their next door neighbour Lucian Rollins. Whilst Sloane's family was kind, loving, and generous, Lucian's father was a drunk and abusive. 'Something' happened when they were teens and since then they have been sworn enemies. However, when Sloane's father dies, Lucian is thrust back into her life (even more than he is normally because they have mutual friends in KNox and Nash and their significant others) and these enemies decide they have to at least pretend to play nice in the lead up to their friends' wedding.

Sloan is small-town, she wants a husband, a family, a dog, the white picket fence. Lucian is big city, a wheeler dealer with the power to make or break politicians, and enough money to make things happen, after his upbringing he doesn't want a family, afraid he could be just like his father.

They might loath each other but these opposites can't deny the sparks that fly between them - is the best way to get over it to have a one-night stand?

Sexy, funny, cute. Loved it.

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Review: The Camborne Killings

The Camborne Killings by Sally Rigby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

The fourth outing for DI Lauren Pengelly and DS Matt Price. Two female former police officers have been found murdered in identical circumstances with cryptic notes left besides their bodies indicating that they may only be the first two of possibly ten murders.

Detailed investigation suggests the only link between the two women, who lived in different parts of Cornwall, is that they both worked out of Camborne Police Station in the 1990s. With the fear of further murders happening in quick succession, the team have to find out the truth fast, and it might lead them to higher echelons of their own force. But with the truth buried back 30 years ago it won't be easy.

This series is growing on me, Matt is becoming less of a smug git (albeit his sanctimonious mansplaining to Lauren of historical sexism and harassment of women in the police was a bit OTT), and Lauren is becoming a more rounded character.

Looking forward to the next one, although I would like to see more development of personal lives, at the moment its a bit same-same Matt works and can't be with his daughter Dani, Matt, Dani, Lauren and her two dogs go to the park, rinse and repeat each book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Review: Bad Actors

Bad Actors by Mick Herron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Where to start?

The UK has entered the COVID years, there's an oily Downing Street disruptor (think Dominic Cummings) leading the Prime Minister around by the, let's say, nose, and a Swiss Superpredictor has vanished into thin air. Claude Whelan, former First Desk of MI5 has been tasked/blackmailed into looking into her disappearance and tries to lean on Lady Di (Diana Taverner, current First Desk at Regent's Park) with predictable results.

Rather than his usual misdirection (of which I have complained in previous books) Mick herron instead tells this story in flashbacks and real time, without giving the reader clues as to which is which.

I loved this, a combination of Slough House ineptness/bad luck and Jackson Lamb's insights keep this story gripping to the end.

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Review: A Pocketful of Diamonds

A Pocketful of Diamonds by Pam Lecky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

This is the fourth book in a series, I haven't read the others but I didn't find that an issue.

Lucy Lawrence, now Lucy Stone, and her new husband Phineas Stone were supposed to be on their honeymoon in Paris, but Phin's sister Elvira has sent a message that her husband Conte Luca Carmosino has disappeared, the police have dismissed it as a domestic disagreement but she is beside herself with worry.

Phin is an insurance investigator, it's how he met Lucy, so the two of them rush to Lake Como in Italy to help Elvira search for Luca. Luca and Elvira were a love match, something his starchy Italian family disapproved of.

Why did Luca travel to Milan at the height of the August heat when his hotel empire was at its busiest? Who did he meet? Why did he leave his valet without a word to return to Lake Como? What was the contract he wanted to discuss with his lawyer? Why did he keep his intentions secret from his brother, and business partner, Matteo.

This was a perfectly pleasant historical cosy romance. There were certain suspects highlighted from the start and honestly, much like the stage play The Mousetrap, it could have easily been any one of them as the explanation/motive could have worked for all. I would be happy to read others in the series.

I requested an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Review: My Secret Vice: An Escapist Political Romance

My Secret Vice: An Escapist Political Romance by Alicia Wilder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cindy Wight is a newly elected Democratic member of Congress, one of the so-called Freshman Six who were swept in on a progressive three-pronged marijuana platform which seeks legalisation, decriminalisation for banking, and pardons for those previously convicted of marijuana offences. She knows that there is probably sufficient cross-party support for legalisation but that doesn't help those whose lives and incomes have been adversely affected.

Alexander Drake is dubbed the world's most eligible bachelor being the single Vice President of the United States. He's his party's inevitable nominee when the President's second term ends, provided he doesn't rock the boat. He sees the grass-roots support for legalising marijuana but getting anything else through risks alienating different factions, but he has a soft spot for the outspoken new representative so he's willing to try to reach a compromise.

Cindy's known for being a hot-heat, all too quick to speak before she thins, and it seems every thing she says to the Vice President sounds just a leetle bit flirty. But when she's championing a just cause there's no room for romance ... or is there?

But of course rumours abound in Washington and a single handsome man under sixty is a rarity sounds the rumours about Alex abound, is he gay? Is he dating a film actress? A member of the royal family? Any remotely single (or not) woman he sits next to at a formal dinner? So when Alex and Cindy are put together to try to find common ground on her bill the rumours are bound to fly.

This was an enjoyable political romance. I liked both characters, they came across as genuine grown-ups who cared about their careers as well as each other. This was the first book I have read by Alicia Wilder (I was drawn by the cover) and I will certainly look out for more.

I requested an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

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