Choked by Tania Carver

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Genre - Thriller

Marina Esposito is a criminologist who escapes her house fire with her husband, who is found seriously injured. However, their 3 year old daughter is missing, and Marina herself was helped out of the house but blacked out with the explosion.


Due to these suspicious circumstances, Marina believes her missing daughter and own rescue from the fire may be due to someone has her in mind to use her skills by way of kidnapping her daughter. Good read and plenty of drama.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

Taking Eve by Iris Johansen

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Genre - Thriller

A must read before her next book published HUNTING EVE, available for sale July 16, 2013. Eve Duncan, a forensic sculptor whose task is to bring closure to families by recreating faces to unidentified bodies, mainly children. Her 7 year old daughter was taken and murdered, and whilst Eve has moved on she has not forgotten Bonnie as she begins her journey into peace.

However, this is not the case. Eve is captured and has to recreate a face of a father’s son who was shot, and whom Eve thinks the head as being a very evil force. She exposes a dark past of the son and is reluctant to recreate the likeness, but is under dire threat and kept prisoner by the father. Just as you think she may be able to escape, you are left in the lurch to wait for the next book HUNTING EVE.

Good thriller and keeps you on your toes.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Bloodline by James Rollins

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Genre - Thriller

History goes back to 1025 in Galilee concerning an ancient citadel where a Templar knight uncovers a holy treasure long hidden within the fortress’s labyrinth. The Bachal Isu, the presumed staff of Jesus Christ is a priceless icon that holds a mysterious and terrifying power that promises to change human longevity for ever.

This ‘new’ technology affects the modern-day version of DNA making it even more priceless. A government appointed agency, SIGMA, end up being in a race against time to save the President’s first unborn grandchild, with his daughter Amanda and her husband’s unscheduled cruise to get away. Overpowered by other professional forces at sea, Amanda’s husband was killed and her own life and that of her baby boy at stake.

A race against time, the elements and that of evil seeping through all pores of the opposition. Great reading.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo

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Genre - Thriller


A frantic call in the middle of a dark, cold and wet winter’s night is placed to the Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder by one of the Amish community. The Amish community keep to themselves, but lately have been persecuted with events they turn a blind eye to, because of their religion and lifestyle.


Kate finds the parents of 3 children dead in a hog pit, which is in the barn and unless fresh air is around, the pit emanates lethal gases that kill in a short period of time. Is this the reason why they died or is it something more sinister involving the Amish or outsiders?


Very good read and insight to the Amish lifestyle at the same time.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

The Vanishing Point by Val McDermid

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Genre -Thriller

Stephanie Harker in charge of five year old Jimmy is travelling through O’Hare airport security, and whilst undergoing security herself, finds a uniformed agent leading her boy away.

The authorities are unaware of Jimmy’s existence, they just see a woman out of control and behaving most erratically. Stephanie ends up telling her story to the FBI and it becomes clear that all is not well with the kidnapping of Jimmy. Can she get Jimmy back and who is to blame?

An exciting read leading you on a merry chase and one you need to finish.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Suspect by Robert Crais

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Genre - Suspense, Thriller

Maggie is a german shepherd trained to detect IUD’s etc in Afghanistan with her handler Peter, who gets involved in an ambush.  Peter is killed and Maggie stays with him with snipers shooting at her.  They manage to get the dog on the helicopter for treatment.

Scott an LAPD cop is not doing too well after being shot during a hijacking where his partner was killed and himself nearly losing his life.  After recovery, but not completely, Scott wants to still work in the Police force and his only option is to be part of  the infamous LAPD K9 regiment.  This is where Maggie finally ends up with problems associated with sudden noises and no confidence.  Scott wins Maggie over and is after the 4 gunmen who killed his partner and nearly himself. Once again Maggie puts herself on the line for Scott.

You have a certain empathy with the dog and its handlers and can’t help but being over-awed at their capability.  Excellent storyline and a book for the home library.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Tuesday's Gone by Nicci French

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Genre - Psychological Suspense, Thriller

At first, this is slow reading and makes you wonder where the story will take you, but in keeping along the lines of a Psychotherapist, as a reader it is necessary to persevere to appreciate the depth of the story line.

Psychotherapist Frieda Klein assists the police when they discover a body found in the flat of Michelle Doyce who has a mental disorder.  Straight away the police think it a ‘slam dunk’ into the death of the body.  Not the case.  Frieda uncovers a possible identity as that of the body being Robert Poole.  However, we find out that Poole has been dead from 6 years.

In reading Frieda’s lifestyle, her work, patients, friends and police colleagues who are very involved into her way of living within her expectations.  Frieda is unable to discover the real truth, and more bodies are found supposedly suicide cases. Just when you think all is sorted out, a final twist leaves you in suspense.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

The Catch by Tom Bale

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Genre - Thriller

Two friends Robbie and Dan are thrown into disarray after a simple favour turns into tragedy.  Robbie, who works for his mother’s company Compton Property Services likes to deal behind his mother’s back if it means a bit of cash on the side.  He asks his good friend Dan to accompany him to the local pub and arrange for his sister Cate to hand over an envelope to his client O’Brien who has been indirectly blackmailing another party.

All things turn sour, O’Brien gets hit accidentally by Robbie and Dan who try to cover it up and not admit it was them.  A third party (Blakes) come into the scheme wanting crucial information O’Brien has that would make them very wealthy.  However, nothing stops them from arranging the demise of people who get in the way, and Cate ends up at the wrong end of the scheme.

A very good read and the final outcome is a bit of a surprise, as it does not leave you completely at rest with the result.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson

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Genre - Thriller


Detective Alex Cross once again finds himself on Christmas Eve having to attend a crisis scene whereby a father is threatening to murder his own family. Not only does he have to appease his family, but again is called out on Christmas Day to discover a wanted women by the FBI who threatens in the name of Allah to destroy as many American citizens as she can. Alex needs to find out her co-conspirers and once again, is in a life threatening situation.


A good read for Patterson fans. Did you know that James Patterson has also written children’s books which started off as an encouragement for his own son who did not always like reading?


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Alone by Lisa Gardner

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Genre - Thriller


Psychological thriller – Massachusetts State Trooper Bobby Dodge finds himself in the position of being a sharp-shooter under the direction of the Police, kills a man who was aiming a gun at his wife and small child. Was this the case? The wife, Catherine Gagnon is the daughter in law of the infamous Judge Gagnon who is out to put Bobby behind bars.


Not so easy as it seems, delving deeper into Bobby’s, Catherine’s and the Judge’s lives, rears an ugly head. Bobby is left on his own to defend himself as a true lawman.

Good fast read and very sticky ending situation.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

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Genre - Thriller


Gracie Doyle who took over her father’s business in running a Casino in Manchester and is known to run a tight ship. She has been estranged from her mother and 2 brothers since she found out that her mother was having affairs. Gracie is visited at her Casino by police who inform her one of her brothers is critically injured in a London hospital.


London is also where her estranged husband of 5 years Lorcan also has a casino. Gracie returns to London and finds herself embroiled in the life style of her brothers and mother, which she discovers, are also in danger.


Rather a powerful read and a few home truths on the seamy side of the Casino lifestyle.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Screams in the Dark by Anna Smith

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Genre -Thriller

Rosie Gilmour, a Glaswegian crime reporter who has just been back from war torn Kosovo after nearly losing her life, dives deep into a saga of missing refugees when the mutilated body of a Bosnian male is found in the River Clyde.

A very moving storyline with the shocking truth involving the Underworld as well as Politicians. Once again, Rosie is fleeing away from her attackers who know her every move.

This crime fiction grabs you from start to finish and not for the feint-hearted.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Cover of Snow by Jenny Milchman

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Genre- Thriller

Nora Hamilton lives with her policeman husband in a small country town in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.  She wakes up from a heavy and perhaps drugged sleep looking for her husband in the old farm house.  Finds her husband who has hanged himself.

Nora finds it hard to accept the suicide and looks into the past of her husband’s life and that of the local Police Chief and his staff.  All is not what it seems and ends in a very dramatic turn of events.  Particularly the fact that everyone thinks Nora is over-reacting including her sister.

Good reading although classified as general fiction, it is actually a crime story, one that the reader most likely comes to the same conclusion as the ending.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Low Pressure by Sandra Brown

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Genre -Thriller

Eighteen years ago, Bellamy’s older sister Susan was found murdered and Bellamy writes her first mystery novel based around her life.  This opens a can of worms.  Her book titled Low Pressure is a best seller.  However, the killer (Richard) who himself was murdered in prison always stated his innocence and that the Police did not listen to what would have been crucial proof exonerating him.  His brother Ray is out for revenge to all the people that were involved.

Susan’s past was not one to brag about and her recklessness was well known, particularly with one of her boyfriends at the time, Dent, who was not the type of person her family wished to circulate with and therefore shunned. Dent was also blamed for Susan’s demise.  Is Dent the guilty one, or perhaps the retired Inspector Moody who cannot be traced?  Or even Richard’s brother, the Prosecutor at that time, or even perhaps the sleazy newspaperman who was determined to uncover family secrets no matter what.  On top of all this Bellamy is stalked!

A very gripping story which keeps you on your toes and one that you can’t put down until the end.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

The Laughterhouse by Paul Cleave

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Genre - Thriller


A fast tracking thriller, not for the feint-hearted. Theodore Tate, ex policeman turned private eye and wanting to get back into the police force; always remembered his first case involving a little girl whose killer was found and arrested. Fifteen years later a new killer on the loose and someone out for vengeance with Tate trying to find out who and why.

The killer kidnaps a Doctor with his 2 young girls and 12 month old baby Octavia. Vengeance is the plan and time against the survival of the girls and their father.

Good read if you can get over some of the gruesome predicaments that involve the latest killer who has murdered 4 others very quickly and plans to murder more.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

A Wanted Man by Lee Child

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Genre - Thriller

This is another Reacher thriller all on his own and all the powers that be after him, and the fact that as all Reacher readers know, he is not necessarily the guilty party.


Reacher, an ex Marine and no place of residence, once again finds himself hitching a ride in the car with 2 wanted men and perhaps an innocent lady as well. This is not what it seems, but leads a merry chase involving the kidnapping of a 10year old girl as well as Reacher ending up in the desert with all the bad guys.

A must read, and anyone that has seen the latest film with Tom Cruise playing the role as Reacher is disillusioned. Reacher in actual fact is 6’5” tall and with a heavy build and famous for his ‘trivia’ brain that keeps him out of trouble, not quite the complete role play of Cruise. Therefore, the book is a must read for all.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Revenger by Tom Cain

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Genre - Thriller


This is certainly a thriller. Great read and not for the light-hearted. Sam Carver (personal friend of the President of the USA) just wants a quiet drink with his old friend in the south of London. They end up being caught in a riot which involves street kids and the like and gets very nasty. The end result that this riot was organized by a political party and Sam, the most wanted man in London and USA, intends to find out who is behind the riots and why.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

The Geneva Trap by Stella Rimington

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Genre - Spy Fiction, Thriller


When a Russian spy approaches British security with vital information about an impending cyber attack, he will only discuss it with Liz Carlyle of MI5. Meanwhile, an Air Force base in Nevada, one of their drones plummets out of control and panic spreads throughout the British and American intelligence services. Liz wonders if it is a Russian plot or is it someone from the Middle East? She discovers a mole which not only threatens intelligence services, but Liz herself in extreme danger. 

Did you know: Dame Stella Rimington joined MI5 in 1968. During her career she worked in all main fields of the Service particularly in counter-terrorism. She was appointed Director General in 1992, hence her insight to such a great read.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Boockchat

Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood

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Genre - Romance, Suspense


This is classified as a romance, but belies the fact that it ends up with a storyline involving the FBI and fraud on its highest level. The main characters are Olivia McKenzie and FBI agent Grayson Kincaid. Olivia’s estranged family are out to get her trust account and Olivia wants her father put behind bars for ripping off clients sophisticated Ponzi schemes. However, the novel starts with the stories of 4 young girls each having a life-threatening disease and whose parents no longer wish to be with them.

Once past reading the first chapters on the 4 girls, then the books creates more interest with more depth in the storyline. A book to be read in its entirety.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

What Doesn't Kill You by Iris Johansen

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Genre -Thriller


At the young age of 11, Catherine Ling was abandoned on the streets in Hong Kong and her survival was not easy. She befriended a man known as Hu Chang who was very skilled in potions and particularly poisons. Hu Chang takes her under his wing and tutors her. Hu Chang’s reputation as a Master Poisoner (good and bad) is enigmatic and he has the tendency to turn up without people being aware of his intentions. Catherine has an 11yo son Luke and both end up being targets to get to Hu Chang who also befriended Luke.

A very good read with plenty of philosophy and digress as to what the real essence of the poison is about.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville