Never Going to Happen: Who watches the watchers? by Anders Teller

This book is currently still free on Amazon.co.uk but might be too if you are in a different region. I liked it but had some criticisms too, but as it is a freebie give it a go if you like a very contemporary political thriller. Four stars. Click on the picture to take you to Amazon.

I liked the premise of this book. A political thriller set against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Brexit referendum. Kudos to Mr Teller for getting a well written book out so quickly, I only spotted a few typos. The character of Tom Antony was intriguing, suffering from amnesia after a car crash; he is trying to piece his life back together. The article he was writing before the crash is leading him back into a dangerous conspiracy. This plot I liked, but there were a few other subplots that for me slowed the story down. His partner Jan, his previous work, a new romance all linked into the main plot. It read like real life, which isn’t always that interesting. We were also a lot in Tom’s head where he kept summing up all the things he found out and what it meant. I did like the character of Emily and she brought some fun to the book. Good dialogue between Tom and her. Worth a read if you are into current affairs and like a political thriller. Best read soon while there is still some uncertainty about Brexit.

Primed By The Past: Introducing Detective Annie Macpherson by Barbara Fagan Speake

As I'm still reeling from the Brexit vote, I'm trying to take my mind of it by reading and writing. I wonder what Detective Annie MacPherson would have made of it all. She and my husband are Scottish and I lived there for 20 years. Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain, but will now see it selves being dragged out of Europe. Worrying times ahead for all of them. The Annie MacPherson is the heroine of the novel I'm reviewing and it was a great work. Full of surprises and a 5 star read.

Primed By The Past: Introducing Detective Annie Macpherson by Barbara Fagan Speake 

Annie MacPherson is a Scottish detective on an exchange program to the Westford Police department in the USA. She has broken off her engagement to her fiancee and is hoping to forget her heartbreak with a fresh start in a new country; a chance to learn and become a better Detective too. Her first case comes with some guilt: The victim who was beaten nearly to death had come to seek her help only a week before. As they delve into victim’s life, a number of suspects are questioned, but Annie feels there is a deeper, but yet unknown motive for the brutal attack. As the book goes on we discovering more and more information; I was hooked and on the edge of my seat by the time of the nail biting finish. This first book in the Annie MacPherson detective series is a promising start indeed. Gripped from start to finish I followed Annie about as she got to grips with her first case during her secondment. I think what makes her so likeable is that she is an ordinary woman; someone I could totally relate to. She has a few problems back at home. She is affected by them, but dedication to her work drives her on. Meticulous police work and trusting her instincts make her extraordinary. She is also a real woman, someone that cannot help herself from falling for the victim’s brother and feeling jealous when he grows close to the victim’s best friend. I feel I got to know this woman well and I want to find out where her work and love life will take her next. Bring on the follow up Programmed to Kill.