The first of 3 book reviews today, I didn’t plan this very well. I am kicking off this book. I mean this book!!!!!!!
The Sleepover by Carol WyerSeries: Detective Natalie Ward #4
Published by Bookouture on September 5 2019
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 376
Amazon UK
Goodreads
Also by this author: The Birthday, What Happens in France, Little Girl Lost , Secrets of the Dead, The Missing Girls , The Silent Children , The Chosen Ones, Life Swap, Take A Chance On Me, What Happens in France, Suddenly Single, The Birthday, Last Lullaby, The Dare , The Blossom Twins , The Secret Admirer, Somebody’s Daughter , EndGame, An Eye for an Eye, A Cut for a Cut
Roxy had a secret. Now she’s gone.
When fourteen-year-old Roxy says she’s going for a sleepover at her best friend Ellie’s house, Cathy sees no reason to check her daughter’s story. The two families are neighbours, and the girls are in and out of each other’s homes every day.
It is a decision she will regret. A day later, Roxy is found murdered in exclusive Linnet Lane, miles across town, in a house owned by two brothers with no apparent connection to Roxy. Detective Natalie Ward, called to lead the investigation, is determined to get to the bottom of why Roxy was in the basement of this grand Victorian mansion when she should have been eating chocolate in her pyjamas with her best friend.
As Natalie begins to look closely at Roxy’s stepfather and three brothers, she discovers that Roxy had recently been admitted to hospital with suspicious injuries. Her mother Cathy seems very jumpy and Ellie refuses to talk. Who are the people that knew Roxy best in the world protecting?
Then Roxy’s mother Cathy disappears.
When Cathy’s body is discovered close to where her daughter was found, Natalie is forced to face the grim fact that the killer is just getting started. She is troubled by the reaction of Roxy’s brother Seth to the tragedies and when his alibi falls through she brings him in for questioning, certain she is making headway.
But while Seth is in custody, one of Roxy’s school friends is found murdered and Natalie knows she must cast her net wider. Things take a more sinister turn when Ellie vanishes, her mobile phone switched off. What is Ellie hiding about the night Roxy died that could put her in terrible danger? And can Natalie work it out before another innocent life is taken?
Trailer alert!!!
Well, a few things I want to point out.. 1. Sleepovers are officially banned in my house, the mini-me will not be going to any. 2. David, you are a douche, yet a small part of me feels sorry for him..damn you Carol and 3. Natalie Natalie Natalie, I can not repeat here what you need me to say!!
Well! That rant over, I’m done. Not sure what else there is to say LOL. Each time I read a Natalie book I want to lock mini-me up in her room and throw the key away!! I can’t handle the real world for her, she may only be 6 but still!!!
It’s another tough case for Natalie (and us) a girl has been found dead in a burned downed house. So many suspects but nothing concrete tying them to Roxy. Young, naive and out of control Roxy. Everyone is scared of something, but how much was it being Roxy over dramatising and how much was true. Drugs are a big factor in this book, and sadly a lot of this also hit way too close to home for Natalie. Yet another dramatic ending and David!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
More fallout to come. Is it wrong to sit rubbing my hands with glee??
So yes David, he does have the poor me attitude, but the way Carol writes him, well she makes me feel sorry and a bit sympathetic towards him. He’s struggling but the second the bottle comes out and we learn what he’s up to I didn’t want to be anymore. But my god Carol, stop, stop making me a bit concerned about him!! I have wanted him to man up for ages, now that it seems he’s about to, I don’t want him to! Sod’s law ah!
With the team, Murray and Ian are a bit more at the forefront this time. Murray is taking Ian under his wing a bit more and the ice is beginning to thaw. It’s always interesting to see how life in the force affects not only the families but the actual officers. So having the conflict for Ian is an adding layer to the story. Plus ultimatums rarely work.
This case is a real conundrum for Natalie and me, as I mentioned it’s a revolving door of suspects and it’s hard to see the wood for the trees. We are all to close to the case this time, plus when two more people turn up dead, well nothing really made sense. I felt like I was scratching my head all the way through trying to figure it all out and failing dismally this time. However, when the team discovers a loose thread they pounce on it and do not let go until they have exhausted every effort. If anything was to happen to me or my family this is the team that I would want on the case…..well if I still lived in Stoke on Trent and if they were real people!!!
Carol writes these books in such a way that everything is hidden from us until the last minute. I can not always figure out for the life of me who is doing what and why. She twists and twists and twists until everything is spun too tight and it all flails lose, sending everyone flying from the shock. Boy, we have some shock here.
I’m now preparing for the next book. The book I think they might break me. I am not sure if I am ready yet…
Until next time xxx
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
carolwyer says
I punched the air, Zoe. I did it! I made you like David. I’ve wanted readers to understand he is manipulated and tortured by his demons and guilt, from the off, and am so glad you have fallen into my dastardly trap, because in true Carol Wyer fashion it is all leading to a bigger picture *evil laugh*. Ah, this case. Researching for this book made me want to lock Mr Grumpy up, never mind, Mini-me. You can’t help but want to protect everyone you love and Nigel Adams (ex fire-officer) helped me out with the research for the fire scenes but the documentation he sent made for grisly reading and I made Mr Grumpy change all the batteries in the smoke alarms and check they worked! Once again, I can’t thank you enough for this outstanding review. You have such a wonderful way of writing that engages me immediately and I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. Thank you so much and I hope you can make it through the next book. <3 xx
Zoé says
I must admit there is something about a tortured soul, but he is in such a poor me space. it’s a tough one. As mini-me called you before – you is “tricksy” LOL. God I am not surprised!! It is such a worrying thing. I am so glad you liked my review. Yay! Happy dance! Oh that is such a lovely thing to say, thank you – that has touched me. thank you. xxx
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
Fantastic review Zoe! xx
Zoé says
Thanks lovely xxxx
carhicks says
Awesome review Zoe. I need to get to this series quickly. You and Carol have hooked me. Off to Amazon right now.
Zoé says
I think the whole series is on KU. That is amazing of you to say Carla thank you
carhicks says
That’s wonderful.