Book: Nikki's Secret by William Malmborg

The latest offering from William Malmborg (Jimmy, Text Message) tells the tale of Kimberly, a young woman who is subjected to a sustained campaign of harassment by the mysterious Nikki.

Help may be at hand in the form of Kimberly’s new neighbour, the reclusive and idiosyncratic Bill. Bill is a writer who has recently found some success but his past money-making ventures may have some part to play in the increasingly worrying situation which Kimberly finds herself in.

This story takes the reader on a journey into the mind of a delusional and sexually misguided individual who attempts to exact revenge on those believed responsible for their own depressing situation.

Nikki’s Secret isn’t up there with the brilliant Jimmy (see review elsewhere here) but it’s another entertaining read from a very promising author. The little pieces of black humour are perfectly placed amongst the tension and one particularly gory scene is lightened hugely by the skin-crawlingly funny description of the impractical nature of disposing of a body.

For more information visit www.williammalmborg.com and you can click on the tab below for my reviews of the author’s other books.

Ric’s Rating: Good.  

Book: The Wrong Man by Jason Dean

Former soldier and bodyguard James Bishop finds himself framed for murder and sent to prison in the exciting debut thriller from Jason Dean.

Determined to clear his name Bishop plans a daring prison break and once he’s outside the walls he begins to track down those responsible for setting him up.

Aided by a group of unlikely allies which includes computer hackers, a helicopter pilot and a safecracker, Bishop’s quest takes him back to his old team and uncovers a secret that reaches right to the heart of the US government.

This novel reminded me a lot of the brilliant tv show Prison Break and successfully recreated the frantic pace which that possessed. Bishop is a likeable character and as this is the first in a series I expect that he will be developed accordingly.

Anyone who enjoys or has become indifferent to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books should check out The Wrong Man as this series definitely has the potential to be every bit as popular.

Ric’s Rating: Highly Recommended.     

Book: Hanging Hill by Mo Hayder

Detective Inspector Zoe Benedict investigates the brutal murder of a popular teenage girl which has shocked the local community while ensuring that secrets from her past remain hidden in the latest thriller from Mo Hayder.

Zoe’s estranged sister Sally is recently separated and struggling to bring up her rebellious daughter who was a friend of the victim. What lengths will she go to in order to keep her head above water financially and to keep her daughter out of harm’s way?

Mo Hayder exploded onto the crime fiction scene back in 2000 with her fantastic début, Birdman. It’s sequel, The Treatment, was arguably even better. These were ferocious serial killer tales that featured cop Jack Caffery and were too disturbing for many readers but became critically acclaimed bestsellers.

Several stand-alone thrillers followed which didn’t match up to the original two books and in 2008 Hayder returned to the character of Jack Caffery.

Hanging Hill is another departure from the security of a recurring character series and while it remains a police procedural it lacks the bite of the Caffery stories. Zoe Benedict is interesting enough but the investigation meanders along while Sally goes to work for a very shady character which leads to a tragic event that eventually re-unites the two.

This competent but unimaginative thriller is for those not willing or able to delve into the depths of depravity that Hayder is very capable of exploring.

Ric’s Rating: Good         

Book: Text Message by William Malmborg

A Christmas shopping trip becomes a terrifying ordeal for sisters Mallory and Jenna in the new thriller from the author of Jimmy (see review elsewhere here).

While Mallory browses in a lingerie shop she sends her sister elsewhere and soon receives an ominous text message stating simply “I have your sister”.

The perpetrator then begins setting Mallory tasks and in order to spare Jenna from suffering she must complete each one, no matter how dangerous or degrading. A security guard, Dan, offers his help. But can he be trusted?

Enter the villain of the piece, Mr Campbell and we soon learn that he has become a predator due to some horrific incidents in his past.

This fast-paced tale takes place over the course of a single day in which the shopping mall has to close early due to adverse weather leaving the girls alone with the seriously unhinged Campbell.

The book will please fans of films like Saw and anyone who enjoys “horror” without silly monsters or anything supernatural going on.

Text Message is a heart-stopping and often disturbing thriller that remains easy to read but is not for the faint of heart.

For more information on the author and his other projects visit www.williammalmborg.com

Ric’s Rating: 74%

Book: Before I Go To Sleep by S.J Watson

Memento meets Groundhog Day in this debut thriller from S J Watson.

Christine awakens every morning with no recollection of the last 20 or so years. She still thinks of herself as a young woman and is shocked to see the reflection of a woman nearly 50 years old in the mirror. Add to that the fact that she has no idea who the man sleeping next to her is and you get the idea of the daily events of her life.

On the advice of her Doctor she begins to keep a journal that she must find and read every day to keep herself aware of who she is and her current situation so that she may begin to lead a somewhat normal life.

Through long periods of this book I found myself wishing that I was suffering from memory loss myself so that I wouldn’t be able to recall the many pages spent going over the same morning routine until Christine manages to bring herself up to speed.

Eventually the daily added snippets of information lead her to discover that not all is as it seems and she might finally recall the events that left her with this debilitating condition.

Although at times it was tough to get through, as the book builds to the finale the pace quickens and the tension missing from the first three quarters finally arrives leading to a satisfying if clichéd climax.

This has already been optioned for film by Ridley Scott’s production company but he’ll need to avoid the repetition to make it work on screen.

Ric’s Rating: 59%

Book: Memory Leak by Trevor Schmidt

Trevor Schmidt’s debut novel takes us to a not too distant future where society is governed on the principle of symmetry. Anything that isn’t symmetrical is considered unworthy, especially people.

Trevor himself sent me a copy for review and not being much of a sci-fi book fan I approached it with some trepidation. My concerns were blown away within the first few pages because what we have here is an action thriller told at a blistering pace that reminded me of one of my favourite films, Total Recall.

Jonathan Hart leads a perfect life in this society. He has symmetry (enhanced by the government Reshape clinic), a lovely (government matched) fiancée and a decent job at the government tv station where he gets to witness the supreme leader, Liam Mail, address the nation every day. He (mostly) chooses to ignore the little voice in his head that suspects things aren’t what they seem.

When Jonathan saves the victim of a mugging he has no idea that it will lead him into the world of asymmetrical (ordinary) people, force him to listen to that little voice and question everything around him, including who he is.

This has a fine cast of characters. Jonathan must battle people who were very close to him to help Alice and her rag-tag band of rebels uncover the truth.

With this relatively short action packed book Trevor Schmidt has potentially opened my eyes to a whole new genre because through all the scientific details what prevails is the feeling is that you are totally behind Jonathan and Alice as they attempt to topple the oppressive regime.

Recommended for sci-fi and thriller fans.

Ric's Rating: 79%

Book: Buried Alive by J.A Kerley

The latest in Jack (J.A) Kerley's Carson Ryder series is another cracker.

Carson heads off, with his dog Mr Mix-Up, to a cabin in the mountains for a well deserved holiday and finds himself drawn into a murder investigation. The victims have been horribly tortured and Carson has to use his expertise to help the locals as the FBI threaten to take over.

This installment marks a welcome return for Carson's criminal genius brother Jeremy who has been living in the sanctuary of the mountains, he adds his unique perspective to the mix.

This series boasts a fine array of recurring and guest characters, many of which (especially Jeremy and Sandhill) could have their own spin off books. The cast here includes a cool Forest Ranger, a pro fighter, a cute local cop and a sneering FBI Agent, all of whom add great depth and colour to the story.

I highly recommend the entire series, starting with The Hundredth Man, but this is great on it's own too.

Ric's Rating: 85%

Book: Rogue Nation

In the near future Scotland is about to declare independence and the ramifications could be disasterous.

With the Scottish economy about to rapidly decline and a lack of military and natural resources an unlikely ally emerges in the form of Russia. Unlimited credit, resources and defence are offered in exchange for a Russian military base in Scotland and the USA isn't about to let that happen.

This is the first political thriller I have read and on this showing it won't be the last. Alan Clements has created a dynamite work of fiction that's all uncomfortably close to the political climate today.

The main character is George Wallace, special advisor to the First Minister. George wrestles with his loyalties as his country attempts to secure it's future, but at what price.

All the countries involved are represented by fine characters. From American President MacFarlane to Russian Col. Karimov and English Prime Minister Jones. Each has a vital part in the greatest political show on Earth.

So fast paced it should appeal to any thriller fan with the slightest interest in Scotland, which being my own country made it all the more enjoyable for me as I absorbed the wonderful descriptions of Edinburgh and my own city, Glasgow.

Ric's Rating: 88%

Book: Dead Men's Dust by Matt Hilton

Matt Hilton introduces his hero vigilante Joe Hunter in this thriller.

Hunter's brother is missing and our man with the plan has to track him down.
Unbeknown to Hunter, his brother John has crossed paths with serial killer The Harvestman and this leads to the inevitable confrontation.

Joe Hunter reminds me of Lee Child's Jack Reacher, another super-tough ex soldier and this is a fine introduction.

The Harvestman is an interesting character too and the final third of the book cranks up the excitement.

If you enjoy this format and fancy starting a fresh series with a new character check it out.

Rick's Rating: 70%