TAKE IT BACK By Kia Abdullah

TAKE IT BACK By Kia Abdullah

SYNOPSIS

The Victim: A sixteen year old girl with facial deformities, neglected by an alcoholic mother. Who accuses the boys of something unthinkable.

The Defendants: Four handsome teenage boys from hardworking immigrant families. All with corroborating stories.

Whose side would you take?

Zara Kaleel one of London’s brightest young legal minds, shattered the expectations placed on her by her family and forged a glittering career at the Bar. All before hanging up her barristers wig to help victims like Jodie Wolfe.

Jodie’s own best friends doesn’t even believe her claims that their classmates carried out such a crime. But Zara does. And Zara is determined to fight for her.

Jodie and Zara become the centre of the most explosive criminal trial of the year, in which ugly divisions within British society are exposed. As everything around Zara begins to unravel she becomes even more determined to get Jodie the justice she is looking for. But at what price?

MY REVIEW

Where to start with this review. It is a very complex multilayered story so brilliantly written that it just goes round in your head even when you have finished reading. It’s not just a courtroom drama, or a psychological thriller, it’s so much more. It shows how society reacts to ugly divisions and prejudice that’s happening around the world in society today, this could easily be an article we pick up and read in a daily newspaper, incorporating disabilities, race, religion,politics, class. But the story is so well woven around every character in the book. You get so engrossed you just don’t want this book to end.

Jodie is a 16 year old girl who has severe facial disfigurements. She has had an awful life being bullied and name called for as long as she can remember. But at times she comes across as a very        

strong girl a survivor in a cruel world. Then other times she is so vulnerable and seems so worn down by everything. All she wants is to be loved. Her own mother an alcoholic doesn’t even like or love  her own daughter, she is as bad as the children in the playgrounds would have been as Jodie was growing up. So when Jodie accuses four Muslim sixteen year old boys of raping her even her mother calls her a liar and attention seeker. At no point in the story is here mother there for her. Her best friend Nina turns her back on her and calls her a liar when Jodie tells her what happened on the fateful night of June 27th. Is Nina Jealous? Because one of the accused is Amir Rabbani who Nina has also fancied but he has never shown her any interest, much to her dismay. Jodie has had a crush on Amir since primary school, and this has never been a secret. Jodie doesn’t tell anyone what happened until nearly a week after the events took place. Why? Jodie is subjected to a lot once the news gets out about the story, the press hammering on the door, her mother wondering if she can make some money from selling the story, internet trolls. 

Zara Kaleel a Muslim herself, was a high flying barrister but turned her back on that career to work as a rape counsellor. She had previously agreed with, and went ahead with an arranged marriage which only lasted a short time. Bringing shame to her family. The story highlights the differences between the men and women in the Muslim community how women are viewed and the difficulties they have. Zara’s father had passed away before she had even had a chance to make up with him, she had always been his favourite, but the failure of the marriage, and quitting her career had damaged the relationship. Her brother looks down on her and calls her names when she visits the family home. Her sisters I feel want to be there for her but are restricted in what they can say and do even more so if the brother is there. Zara is not a happy person, she is driven and comes across as very tough and hard, but then you see a glimpses of a softer side but they are only very fleeting moments. As a woman and a Muslim she has had to work harder to get where she is. When she takes on Jodie’s case she is accused of many things by the Muslim community because she is representing Jodie, the white girl, against four Muslim boys. Some of the things that both Zara and Jodie have to deal with are disturbing and you feel for them both. In Zara’s eyes she is just doing her job, if it had been a Muslim girl that had come to her accusing four white boys I think she would have taken the case on in exactly the same way.   

     

We then have the four accused boys Amir Rabbani is a very good looking young man and knows it, he has no problem getting the girls, he is very assured throughout most of the story. He is also the leader of the gang as such, the one the other boys look up to and follow. Hassan Tanweer again comes across as very assured and looks down on women, but is this just his culture, the way these boys are raised to see women as their lesser. Mohammed Ahmed is a follower he goes along because he seems afraid not to to a certain extent. Fared Khan he is the only one who is not accused of rape but watched and did nothing to stop what was happening. But are these boys capable of rape. Or are they just high spirited young boys coming up to manhood. They all come from hardworking immigrant family backgrounds.

The first half of the book is focused on Jodie when she goes to the centre where Zara works. When Zara is assigned her case she listens to what Jodie has to say. She then works with her, supporting her, and believing her throughout the process. Going with her to the Police, showing her around the courtroom and explaining the whole process. Zara believes her story, even when Jodie tells the police a slightly different version of events to what she has told her. She still believes her. Jodie has never had anyone on her side before, so this is new to her. We follow the story that Jodie tells, with glimpses of the boys lives intertwined in the chapters. Jodie’s friend Nina’s reaction when she tells her what has happened, she doesn’t believe her and doesn’t stand by her at all.

The second half of the book is the trial and it literally feels like you are there. The first half the prosecutors side, the cross examination of Jodie is hard to read, occasional glimpses of the reactions from the jury, as Zara is reading it. You are going back and forth as to who to believe. Is Jodie lying? Has she made it up for attention? Could these boys have done this? It’s he said/they said so four against one. Then the defence and the boys behaving like they are all sweet and innocent, can they be rattled when cross examined? Are they being honest?

The reactions outside the courtroom are as tough as inside when emotions between different cultures
 are running high. The Muslim community calling Zara a traitor to her religion and many things more. Other events which happen but if I write them will be spoilers and that isn’t the idea of a review. This is book you have to read for yourself to see the cultural differences within the plot.

Towards the end the drama escalates even further even though you didn’t think it possible. What will the verdict be? Will anyone come out if this any better than when they went in.

This has to be one of my top recommended books for 2019 and I think it’s one people should read  to try and understand just a little bit some of the difficulties that can be had by different cultures, disabilities, and class. How cruel the world can be. Because even though this is a work of fiction as I pointed out earlier in my review this could be something that could easily happen in real life in the society we have today.

I think Kia Abdullah is a writer to watch out for because this is an absolutely brilliant read, and can certainly give some of the top names in writing a run for their money. I will certainly be looking out for the next book she writes.

I would like to thank #netgalley #HQ #kiaabdullah #Takeitback for letting me have an ARC of this book all views and opinions are my own and unbiased.

THE AUTHOR

Kia Abdullah is an author and travel writer. She has contributed to The Guardian, BBC, and Channel 4 News, and most recently The New York Times commenting on a variety of issues affecting the Muslim community. Kia currently travels the world as one half of the travel blog Atlas &Boots, which receives over 200,000 views per month. kiaabdullah.com

CLEAR MY NAME By Paula Daly

CLEAR MY NAME By Paula Daly

Available in Hardback and ebook from the 8th August 2019

SYNOPSIS

INNOCENT?

When Carrie was accused of brutally murdering her husband’s lover, she denied it. She denied it when they arrested her, when they put her in front of a jury, and when they sent her to prison.

Now she’s three years into a fifteen year sentence, away from the daughter she loves and the life she had built. And she is still denying that she is to blame.

GUILTY?

Tess Gilroy has devoted her life to righting wrongs. Through her job for Innocence UK, a charity which takes on alleged miscarriages of justice, she works tirelessly to uncover the truth.

But when she is asked to take Carries case, Tess realises that if she is to help this woman, she must risk uncovering the secrets she has struggled a lifetime to hide....

WE’VE ALL DONE THINGS WE’RE NOT PROUD OF.

MY REVIEW

This is a very well paced Psychological thriller. Told mainly through Tess Gilroy as she tries to follow the evidence from the trial of Carrie Kamara. Her job involves going through everything that was presented at trial, and trying to find if anything was missed out or overlooked. Or if the evidence given was wrong in any way. Did Carrie murder her husbands lover? If she did why he had been having affairs for years? All Carrie was interested in was her daughter and the close relationship they had. She was still collecting her from school despite her being 18. This murder happened in Morecombe which is where Tess grew up and where she has secrets of her own. Things she has spent years running from but what are those secrets? And why does she keep running?

Then we have the perspective of Carrie, which takes us back four years to what her life was like before being incarcerated in prison. Leading up to her arrest, being interviewed, being charged, and the four years she has now spent in prison for a crime she maintains she didn’t commit. Then the hope that the innocence project may be able to get her out of jail where she could go back to her daughter, the only person who has always believed she is innocent.

I really enjoyed this book it’s well written. As with all psychological thrillers there is normally a twist at the end but this one took me by surprise.

If you like this sort of genre then I highly recommend this book. You won’t be disappointed. The usual plot twists and a couple of surprises thrown in.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to #netgalley #RandomHouseUK #Pauladaly for letting me have an ARC of this book. All comments and opinions are my own and unbiased.

THE AUTHOR

Paula Daly is the acclaimed author of six novels. She has been shortlisted for the CWA Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year award, and her books have been developed for the new ITV series DEEP WATER, starring Anna Friel. She was born in Lancashire and lives in the Lake District with her husband, three children, and whippet, Skippy.

A KILLER CHOICE By Tom Hunt

A KILLER CHOICE By Tom Hunt

SYNOPSIS

Gary Foster’s life is finally heading in the right direction. After years of trying, his wife, Beth, is pregnant, and he recently opened a business with his brother. But one phone call changes everything. After collapsing suddenly, Beth is rushed to the hospital. Tests reveal a devastating diagnosis: an inoperable brain tumour. Their only hope is an expensive experimental treatment available abroad, with a cost that’s out of their reach. And Beth’s time is running out. Then a strange man approaches Gary and offers the money he needs, on one condition: that he kill someone, no questions asked. End one life to save another. Faced with this impossible choice, Gary will find out how far he is willing to go to save his wife. But as the dire consequences of his actions begin to hit home, can he save his own?

MY REVIEW


This book had me gripped from start to finish at times it felt like a rollercoaster ride with all the ups and downs. My heart was pounding at one stage I even felt myself holding my breath really not sure why I did that. This story is a fast paced thriller and poses the question how far would you go to save the person you loved the most? And at what cost?

Gary and his brother Rod run their own sports clothing business although they aren’t doing great, owing money to the bank and suppliers. Gary has been married to Beth for almost 20 years and they had been trying to start a family for many years, but had resigned themselves to the fact it wasn’t going to happen. Then out of the blue they find out they are expecting. Life looks like it’s on the way up. Until the day Gary gets the phone call that changes his life forever, in more ways than one. Beth has collapsed and  been rushed to hospital, Gary makes a mad dash to get there not knowing what has happened. After numerous tests they are given the news that Beth as an inoperable brain tumour. The prognosis is not good 6-12 months. The only real option they can try is a clinical trial. They apply for this and are accepted but it is  in Germany and going to cost £200,000 money they just don’t have. They try a webpage as an attempt to raise the money but despite people being generous it’s not getting them anywhere near the £200,000 mark and time is not on their side.

Gary gets a phone all from someone who has seen the article in the local newspaper about Beth’s health and the money they need. The stranger asks Gary to meet him saying he has the answer to their problem. When Gary meets the guy he puts a proposition to him he will give him the money, if he will do one job for him! Gary has 3 days to decide. But can he do what’s been asked of him?

This is a huge choice Gary has to make. But what will his choice be? At what cost? This was a really good thriller well plotted and I would highly recommend it. I know we all like different types of story and obviously this is just my opinion but it’s definitely worth a read if you are into crime/mystery/thrillers.

THE AUTHOR

Tom Hunt was born in a small town in Iowa, attended the University of Iowa, and currently lives in New York City. He’s worked as a printer salesman, a hospital administrator, and is currently an award winning advertising copywriter.

I would like to thank #netgalley #Orion publishing and #TomHunt for an ARC of this book all opinions and view are my own and honest.

OUTFOX By Sandra Brown

OUTFOX BYSandra Brown

SYNOPSIS

One man with multiple identities. Eight women who vanished without a trace. The next likely victim... his wife.

FBI Agent Drex Easton is driven by a single goal: to outmanoeuvre the conman once known as Weston Graham. Over the years, Weston has assumed countless names and disguises, luring eight wealthy women out of their fortunes before they disappeared without a trace. The only common trait among the victims: a new man in their life who also vanished.

Drex is convinced that these women have been murdered, and that the man he knows as Weston Graham is responsible. But each time Drex gets close to catching him, Weston trades one persona for another. Now, for the first time in their long game of cat and mouse, Drex has a suspect in sight.

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed this book from start to finish it hooked me from the first page. Drex works with Mike Mallory who is a well built man who likes his food but is also a computer genius, and Gifford Lewis who covers Drex’s back from the boss Rudkowski who really doesn’t like Drex. But how Rudkowski ever got to be in charge is anyone’s guess. Drex has been looking for the man they know as Weston Graham for years he is convinced he has murdered numerous wealthy women and then just disappeared changing his identity and looks each time, the problem is he has no proof. Also no bodies until that of Marian Harris was found in a container with signs she had been buried alive. Mike and Gif call Drex about a new lead informing them they think they may have found Weston although the only photo of the man is very blurred so as they say it may or may not be him. But Drex isn’t listening he is convinced that finally they are on his trail and he is determined not to lose him again. He doesn’t want Rudkowski to know either. The only thing is, the man is now known as Jasper Ford and is newly married to Talia Ford or Talia Shafer as she still uses her maiden name. But is Talia the next victim or is she an accomplice. Drex rents an apartment opposite the Fords house pretending to be a writer. This is when the fun begins.

Drex makes sure he gets to meet Jasper and Talia. Which leads to two problems, Jasper isn’t convinced from the start that Drex is who he says he is. Secondly Drex didn’t expect Talia to be as attractive as she is and he has and instant attraction to her, but can he trust her as she is married to the man he believes is Weston Graham. Whilst Drex is on the inside Mike and Gif have got his back on the outside. Rudkowski has got wind that something is going on with the threesome but has been told Drex is on three weeks vacation and no one knows where he is and Gif is having surgery for haemorrhoids! So he puts a tail on Mike who isn’t really going anywhere anyway as long as he has food delivered and his laptop he can work from home. Another acquaintance of the Fords is Elaine Conner another wealthy woman who Drex flirts with just to rile Talia, but where does this woman fit in? Why is Drex so obsessed with this case?

I love the way the plot comes together, and each character has their little quirks. You are rooting for Drex and the guys and not rooting for the boss. Drex could probably talk his way out of a paper bag, he is very persuasive even when local police forces and other agencies are involved he manages to talk them round to his way most of the time despite the fact that Rudkowski has been giving orders to bring Drex in. There are a couple of unexpected twists towards the end that I really didn’t expect.

If you are looking for a gruesome serial killer thriller then this is not what you get this is more along the lines of a contemporary romance thriller type read. If you like Linda Howard or Nora Roberts chances are you will enjoy this. Overall this is a really good read, a book you could curl up with in a comfy chair or read on holiday on the beach or by the pool. I would certainly recommend it I give it 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Thank you to #netgalley #Hodder&Stoughton # sandrabrown for and ARC of this all view and opinions are my own and honest.

This book is available to pre order now and will be released on the 8th August 2019

THE AUTHOR

Sandra Brown is the author of numerous New York Times bestselling thrillers. She lives in Arlington, Texas. Visit her website at www.sandrabrown.com and connect with her on Twitter:SandraBrown_NYT

THE GUILTY MOTHER

THE GUILTY MOTHER By Diane Jeffrey

SYNOPSIS

2013

Melissa Slade had it all: beauty, money, a successful husband and beautiful twin babies. But, in the blink of an eye, her perfect life became a nightmare - when she found herself on trial for the murder of her little girls.

PRESENT DAY

Jonathon Hunt covered the original Slade Babies case for the local newspaper. Now that new evidence has come to light, Jon’s boss wants him back on the story to uncover the truth.

With Melissa’s appeal date looming, time is running out. And, as Jon gets drawn deeper into a case he’d wanted to forget, he starts to question Melissa’s guilt.

Is Melissa manipulating Jon or telling him the truth? Is she a murderer, or the victim of a miscarriage of justice?

MY REVIEW

The first half of this book is told in alternating chapters with Melissa and Jonathon and the second half his Jonathon and Kelly who is a young journalist just starting out.

This is a really good story Melissa has a 13 year old son from her first marriage Callum and then when she thought she was past falling pregnant she found she was having twins with her second husband. But where everything was a breeze with her first child she is struggling with the twins. Feeling tired all the time and just unable to get on top of things.

Jonathon is told by his boss that she wants him to try and get a scoop on the Melissa Slade story when she finds out that her sentence may be up for appeal after new evidence has been discovered. Jonathon really doesn’t want to cover the case. He was at the first trial and felt then that she was guilty.

I loved the characters of Jonathon and Kelly and could see there being another book with these two in. Jonathon is the experienced journalist whereas Kelly is just starting out and Jonathon takes her under his wing and helps her to develop. Although Kelly is very bright and sees more to the Slade case that makes her determined to get to the bottom of it.

The second half of the book the chapters alternate between Jonathon and Kelly.

The story flows so effortlessly and you are drawn in wanting to know whether Melissa is guilty, or did the babies die of natural causes as in a cot death, or is someone else responsible for the deaths.

It’s fast paced and it’s just one of those stories that you just cannot put down until you have finished.

I have given this book 5 stars out of 5 and highly recommend it.

The ebook is available to pre order now on Amazon and is due for release on the 2nd August. The paperback version is also available for pre order but is due out in October.

Thank you to #netgalley #HQdigital and # dianejeffrey for an ARC of this book all opinions are my own unbiased and honest.