mags_louise's reviews
3677 reviews

Welcome to The Nail Salon. A place where you can sit back relax have a manicure and  confess your secrets to your friendly manicurist.

Just be careful what secrets you reveal. As this manicurist isn't as friendly as she seems.

But then neither are the customers. 

In a glamorous suburb in the outskirts of London. Where appearances are everything. Yet behind closed doors nothing is what it seems.

And when a teenage girl is reported missing. All those secrets bubble to the surface. Even those of the DCI tasked to investigate.

And with a great plot and some twists and turns. This was an interesting thriller. That deals with some tough and disturbing issues along the way.


My thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Nail Salon.😊

Take Me is book five in Stacey Kennedy's brilliant and spicy Phoenix series. And this time ex-SEAL Ronan, his support dog Dex and Lottie's best friend and ER nurse Nessa take centre stage.

As when Nessa is attacked on the way home from a disastrous first date. Ronan is ready to tear the city apart to find the person responsible. But he's also ready to help Nessa deal with the aftermath of her ordeal and after months of flirting. He gets his chance to do that and then make a move.

As Ronan introduces her to the delights of Phoenix and the freedoms it offers.

But Nessa isn't a girl who does one night stands and as a hopeless romantic she needs more than a couple of nights and a show at Phoenix.

Yet, Ronan isn't sure he's good enough for her especially with his history and he's concerned he'll fail to protect her when it matters.

But Nessa doesn't want his protection just his love and is determined that he shows her how to protect herself.

And she'll have too as her attacker is ready to strike again.

And with a little suspense, plenty of spicy moments and likable characters, especially the adorable Ollie. This was an engaging and enjoyable read. That i'd happily recommend to others.

Two Little Souls is book nine in the fantastic Detective Casey White series and this one picks up right where book eight left off. With Casey and boyfriend Jericho rescuing two terrified children out at sea in a life raft and who have witnessed their parents murder.

However, with no idea where they came from or their parents names. Casey and Jericho can't do anything, except, get them safely to shore and seek urgent medical help.

But it doesn't take long for Jericho's former Marine Patrol colleagues to call with news that the boat they escaped from has been found. And the scene is worse than anything Casey could've imagined.

Yet, she and her depleted team including Jericho, M.E. Samantha, investigator Tracey and Nichelle who is technically now an FBI Agent are determined to get answers.

And they soon do.

As the female victim is identified as Detective Sara Roth from the NYPD. But when Casey contacts her captain she receives some shocking news.

News that has her certain a serial killer has found their way from New York to the Outer Banks and Casey is soon proven right.

As another body is discovered killed and displayed using the same MO as the NY killer.

And now the race is on, and as danger stalks ever closer Casey is going to have to pull out all the stops if she is to stop a desperate killer and keep two traumatised children safe.

And with heart pounding twists, and a killer I didn't see coming. This was a cracking read, that I've spent every spare moment reading and honestly I couldn't get enough!

I would happily recommend Two Little Souls to crime fiction fans everywhere.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of Two Little Souls 😊

Meet State Trooper Riley Tatum. Who as a teenage runaway was kidnapped, drugged and left unconscious on the streets of New Orleans.

But after escaping to Virginia and with the help of one man she survived got through school and community college and became the woman she is today.

Yet, lingering memories of what happened remain, with strange dreams of two men playing cards.

So, when Riley is called to the scene of a murdered young woman and the Sheriff mentions her similarity to Riley. Riley is rightfully shocked. Especially when playing cards with the word 'loser' are found close by.

And as Riley joins the murder investigation. So does her ex. Former FBI Agent Clay Bowman. Who is now working for Shield Security and believes a serial killer nicknamed 'The Shark' is responsible.

And as the bodies begin to mount up. So does the danger. When it becomes, apparent Riley is the Sharks number one target.

And with a little romance, big twists and a nice amount of suspense. This was a really enjoyable read. That at times I found hard to put down and it's a story I would happen to recommend to others.

 My thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this reissued copy of The Shark. 😊

Beginning of Forever returns readers to the delightful D'Angelo family. Who are back together celebrating Gio's thirtieth birthday and whilst mum Mari wants him to settle down and have babies, Gio would just like to meet the one.

Especially after watching his older brother Luca fall in love and best friend Dante marry his sister Chloe, and Gio soon gets his chance. When he's gifted a three-week trip to Tuscany touring the many vineyards, the area has to offer.

And this is where he meets Emma. Who is on the same tour after quitting her job at her family run winery and taking some well earned time to herself to figure out what's next.

And sparks fly from the moment Emma and Gio meet. Although Emma isn't interested in anything long term.

Yet, time spent under the Tuscan sun, drinking wine and with the encouragement and worldly advice of the rest of the touring party, including Emma's best friend Nicole. The pair soon find themselves falling for each other and that continues when they return home to the US.

And with such engaging and charming characters and the perfect amount of sweetness and heat. Not to mention a little angst. Beginning of Forever was a super delightful easy read. That had me hooked. And it's a story I would happily recommend. Along with the other two in the series, although you can easily read this as a standalone.


My thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of Beginning of Forever. 😊

The Girls on Chalk Hill introduces readers to Detective Inspector Lexi Bennett. Who after a stint in the US working with the FBI has returned to the UK to take up a new role as head of a major crime unit. And her job gets off to a flying start.

As Lexi out running comes across the bodies of two teenaged girls. Who she immediately realises are twins and a murder investigation ensues.

However, it soon becomes apparent the girls aren't twins but triplets and one of them is still missing.

But which one?

And Lexi herself a triplet. Has a strange connection to the case. As she was abducted seventeen years ago. But Lexi and one sister escaped, leaving the other and the perpetrator behind never to be found.

But it can't be the same person, can it?

Either way, Lexi is determined to stay on the case and solve it. No matter what her colleagues and supervisors say. And push down any memories of her abduction and subsequent escape.

Yet, as the case unfolds the links between the two crimes become more apparent. And Lexi has to face her demons and her sister if she is to have any chance of finding the missing Carter triplet and bring a patient, manipulative, organised killer to justice.

And with fantastic procedural detail, intriguing characters, humour and a storyline that had me hooked. The Girls on Chalk Hill was a cracking read and introduction to both author and detective. And I look forward to reading book two which happily is out in only a matter of weeks.

I would happily recommend this story to crime fiction fans everywhere.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Girls on Chalk Hill. 😊

Hurricane After Dark returns readers to Gansett Island for what is Ms Forces one hundreth published novel. 

And to characters who genuinely feel like old friends.

As this ensemble cast find themselves facing a category three hurricane. Which is heading straight for them and the island they love. And although the main focus of this story is state trooper Jack and assistant manager of the Sand and Surf Hotel Piper. There are plenty of appearances from the rest including all of the McCarthy and Lawry families and their extended group of friends.

And with a couple of heart in your mouth moments as the islanders mount daring rescues, plenty of sweetness, humour and heat. Not to mention weddings, engagements and the odd pregnancy announcement or two! 

This was a delightfully easy, entertaining and engaging read. And another great addition to a series I just can't stop reading.

After That Night is my first introduction to author Karin Slaughter and the Will Trent series. And my only thought after finishing is why have I never read any Karin Slaughter books before.

As this was a tightly plotted story. That grabbed me from the very first page and never let go.

As three years ago Dr Sara Linton whilst covering a shift in the ER attends to a patient. Who has driven a car into an ambulance outside the hospital. That patient is nineteen year old student Dani Cooper. Who in a moment of lucidity is able to tell Sara she's been raped. Before she passes out and later dies from her injuries.

And some three years later Sara now working as a medical examiner for the GBI is a witness in a private case against Dani's alleged abuser. Who has never been formally charged with the assault. Only after taking the stand Sara is confronted by the young mans mother, Britt. Whom she once knew. And who tells her that Dani's assault is connected to Sara and the assault she suffered at the hands of a hospital janitor fifteen years ago.

But how? And why is Britt telling her this now?

That's what Sara's fiancée GBI Agent Will Trent and his partner Faith Mitchell are determined to find out. Even though it's not an official case.

But working with Sara on the down low the three begin to investigate and in doing so they open a can of worms and secrets long buried are brought to the surface.

And with such a sense of realism, fantastic characters, lots of detail and an explosive ending. This was a cracking read. Albeit a tough one at times given the subject matter. Which rightfully Ms Slaughter does not shy away from.

My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read an early copy of After That Night.

This is my third A.R.Torre novel, and I'll be honest out of the three this is my least favourite. Not that it's not a great read.  It's just that I found The short chapters discombobulating especially in the beginning and they stopped me from really getting into the story.

But it's a story that is intriguing. As A.R.Torre delves into the lives of the Hollywood elite and the dirty secrets they keep.

And told from multiple points of view. You're taken on a perplexing journey. When Hollywood's golden couple Nora Kemp and Hugh Iverson find Hugh's twin brother Trent in their guesthouse  dead alongside an ordinary woman. Who they claim they have never seen before.

And the detectives tasked to investigate soon learn it's a murder-suicide. But one thing is clear this killer has struck before.

Yet, with Nora and Hugh tight lipped and their staff having signed NDA's. How are the detectives ever going to get answers? 

Then there's the woman, who is she?

Furthermore, what does a mother and her son travelling to LA from Wisconsin to visit Disneyland on behalf of a cancer charity have to do with it all?

And with such an array of interesting characters. Plus bags of secrets, lies and deceit. This was an enjoyable read. It just didn't grab me or excite me as much as A Familiar Stranger or The Good Lie did.

I would though happily recommend it, especially if you like a mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read an early copy of A Fatal Affair. 😊

Detective Amanda Steel is back enjoying some well earned free time. Whilst her daughter Zoe has her first, ever sleep over.

But unfortunately for Amanda the free time doesn't last. When her niece Ava calls upset and begging for help. As her best friend Nadine's older sister Reese is missing and the pair have just discovered her phone abandoned in the Potomac River.

So, Amanda sets out to find Ava and Nadine and promises them she'll search for Reese. Who is due to attend her prom as prom queen that evening.

But just as Amanda starts looking for answers. So do Nadine and Ava. Who sneak in to the prom hoping that Reese will turn up. And she does, just not how they expected.

And so Amanda is caught between caring for her niece, a distraught sister begging for answers and solving a murder and things only get worse.

As Amanda and her partner Trent start their investigation. They learn disturbing truths about Reese and the day she disappeared and find another victim.

However, what they don't realise is that Ava is still investigating, and the killer has set their sights firmly on her.

But will Amanda and Trent realise this before it's too late? Or will the killer strike again?

And with great pacing, plenty of twists and turns and a thrilling confrontation. Taken Girls was a cracking addition to the series, and it's a story I would happily recommend to all.

My thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read and early copy of Taken Girls. 😊







































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