​You can't choose your family. Or can you?
 
Meet the Bensons. They're an ordinary couple. They wash their car, mow their lawn and pass the time of day with their neighbours. And they have a beautiful little girl called Daisy.
 
There's just one problem.
 
SHE'S NOT THEIRS.
 
D. S. Nathan Cody is about to face his darkest and most terrifying case yet . . .

​My goodness, what a read this was! I'm struggling to find enough words to describe how much I enjoyed it!
Don't Make a Sound is the third book in the DS Nathan Cody series and while I haven't read any of the others, that will be changing very soon. It works perfectly well as a standalone, but I wanted to know more about Cody's past, so if you want to dive into this series, I think it will be even more enjoyable to start from the first book.
The plot is brilliantly written and really chilling. It was so tense I could hardly breathe and I think at some points, I may have actually stopped breathing! It had me completely hooked and I couldn't put it down, yet at the same time, I almost didn't want it to end, although I wasn't expecting the ending at all and my shock definitely took over the sadness that the book was finished!
Don't Make a Sound was a combination of everything I love in this genre, not only was it addictive and gripping, it also had funny parts, with the banter between Nathan and his colleagues. David Jackson really is a master at what he does.
Overall, I'm giving Don't Make a Sound 5 out of 5. It's chilling, addictive and brilliantly written. I can't wait to read more by David Jackson!

​David Jackson is the bestselling author of Cry Baby. His debut novel, Pariah, was Highly Commended in the Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger Awards. He lives on the Wirral peninsula with his wife and two daughters. Follow David @Author_Dave.

​The crew of the Daragan Rift is hunting for a lost artefact on a forgotten world.
When a team of dangerous scientists arrives at the same co-ordinates, things turn nasty. Caught out, the crew of the Daragan Rift must play a game of lies, deception and deceit if they hope to survive. Tension begins rise, personalities clash and it's becoming ever clearer that there's a dark secret hiding beneath the Sea of Mammals...

If you've read my blog before, you'll know that my usual genre is in the crime and psychological thriller area, but I often like to try new genres and after immensely enjoying a sci-fi book last year, I was really excited to try this novella by James Armer.
At 127 pages, it made for quite a short read, but it was packed with action and perfectly paced, striking just the right balance between danger and excitement, and detailed and vivid descriptions. Intrigue was woven throughout the text and the suspense created by this kept me turning page after page.
The crew of the Daragan Rift were well-developed for such a short read, Cora in particular was the one who caught my attention. She was a really interesting character and I found the subject of her rights thought-provoking. I enjoyed reading from her perspective and I'd love to see more of her.
Obviously since I'm new to the genre, my views may differ from those of someone who reads it regularly, but personally, I really enjoyed this book and I'd highly recommend giving it a read.
Overall, I'm giving Sea of Mammals 4.5 out of 5. It's action-packed, exciting and really gripping. I hope there's going to be a series of books featuring the Daragan Rift, as I'd definitely like to read more!

​James Armer is a UK Sci-Fi & Fantasy writer, author of the Daragan Rift Series.
 
James is a co-host on the Fantasy Book Club Podcast which has had such guests as Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie, Neal Asher & Peter F Hamilton.

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Fault Lines by Doug Johnstone! Thanks so much to Anne for organising the tour. Don't forget to check out the rest of the stops too!

​In a reimagined contemporary Edinburgh, in which a tectonic fault has opened up to produce a new volcano in the Firth of Forth, and where tremors are an everyday occurrence, volcanologist Surtsey makes a shocking discovery. On a clandestine trip to The Inch – the new volcanic island – to meet Tom, her lover and her boss, she finds his lifeless body, and makes the fatal decision to keep their affair, and her discovery of his corpse secret. Desperate to know how he died, but also terrified she’ll be exposed, Surtsey’s life quickly spirals into a nightmare when someone makes contact – someone who claims to know what she’s done…

At just 215 pages, Fault Lines is a relatively short read but let me tell you, Johnstone well and truly makes the most of every single page. This is a different and imaginative read which whisks you off to a 'reimagined contemporary Edinburgh' with volcanoes and earthquakes aplenty. I loved this setting and it was made to feel really realistic because the author's knowledge of volcanoes and geology really came through. It's clear he's done his research.
Surtsey was an interesting character to read and while not particularly likeable, she was complex and developed and she goes through so much, that it's impossible not to feel for her and get behind her.
The plot is packed with tension and intrigue with vivid descriptions in all the right places and it raced along to a dramatic conclusion which was tense, dark and satisfying.
Overall, I'm giving Fault Lines 4 out of 5. It's dark, imaginative and different. I'll certainly read more by Doug Johnstone.

​

​Doug Johnstone is an author, journalist and musician based in Edinburgh. He’s had eight novels published, most recently Crash Land. His previous novel, The Jump, was a finalist for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year. Several of his other novels have been award winners and bestsellers, and he’s had short stories published in numerous anthologies and literary magazines. His work has been praised by the likes of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Irvine Welsh. Several of his novels have been optioned for film and television. Doug is also a Royal Literary Fund Consultant Fellow. Doug has released seven albums in various bands, reviews books for Big Issue magazine, is player-manager for Scotland Writers Football Club and has a PhD in nuclear physics.

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling and I'm very excited to be taking part! Thanks so much to Jenny for organising the tour. Don't forget to check out the rest of the stops!

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Those Other Women by Nicola Moriarty! Thanks to Sam for organising the tour. Don't forget to take a look at the rest of the stops!