Claire’s 10 FAVORITE books this year! #blog #review #books #simplythebest!

December 20, 2019December 13, 2019 / Bookpreneur / Leave a comment

WOW! What a fabulous reading year! Thanks to authors and publishers who have allowed me to not only read their fabulous books, but have provided an advance reader copy before publication. I can’t tell you how lucky I feel!

In this list you’ll find slick psychological thrillers, deliciously dark that keep you guessing until the end. Police procedurals with flawed but completely relatable characters and heartbreaking women’s fiction with resolutions and twists you don’t see coming. All of them exceptional. Un-put-downable. Highly addictive and superbly written.

This list is by no means complete. I had to pick out ten that stuck out in my mind and wouldn’t let go. But there are others I would have gladly added. So next year, instead of blogging in December, I’ll be blogging in June too!

Books and Descriptions:

Oh, I just finished The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor. WOW, bloody WOW! It blew my mind, and should also be added to this list. But there isn’t room, so I’ll cheat and add it here instead.

It was only meant to be a game . . . None of us ever agreed on the exact beginning. Was it when we started drawing the chalk figures, or when they started to appear on their own? Was it the terrible accident? Or when they found the first body? Print Length: 342 pages. Publisher: Penguin (11 Jan. 2018).

After The End by Clare Mackintosh – From New York Times bestselling author Clare Mackintosh comes a deeply moving and page-turning novel about an impossible choice—and the two paths fate could take. Print Length: 400 pages. Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons (June 25, 2019)

Violet by SJI Holliday – When two young women – strangers – end up sharing a cabin on the Trans-Siberian Express, a strange friendship develops, one that can only have one ending … a nerve-shattering psychological thriller from bestselling author SJI Holliday. Paperback: 276 pages. Publisher: Orenda Books (November 14, 2019)

The Marriage Trap by Sheryl Browne – My husband has been keeping secrets for a long time. He thinks I don’t know what he does outside of this house. But I know everything… Print Length: 300 pages. Publisher: Bookouture (July 30, 2019)

Nine Elms by Rober Bryndza – From the breakthrough international bestselling author of The Girl in the Ice, a breathtaking, page-turning novel about a disgraced female detective’s fight for redemption. And survival… Kate Marshall was a promising young police detective when she caught the notorious Nine Elms serial killer. But her greatest victory suddenly turned into a nightmare. Print Length: 392 pages. Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (December 1, 2019)

Our House by Louise Candlish – On a bright morning in the suburbs, a family moves into the house they’ve just bought on Trinity Avenue. Nothing strange about that. Except it’s your house. And you didn’t sell it. Print Length: 426 pages. Publisher: Berkley (August 7, 2018)

Cage by Lilja Sigurdardottir – The prison doors slam shut behind Agla when her sentence ends, but her lover Sonja is not there to meet her. As a group of foreign businessmen tries to draw Agla into an ingenious fraud that stretches from Iceland around the world, Agla and her former nemesis María find the stakes being raised at a terrifying speed. Print Length: 276 pages. Publisher: Orenda Books; None edition (August 17, 2019)

Dead Inside by Noelle Holten – The killer is just getting started… When three wife beaters are themselves found beaten to death, DC Maggie Jamieson knows she is facing her toughest case yet. Print Length: 293 pages. Publisher: One More Chapter (May 31, 2019)

Nothing Important Happened Today by Will Carver – When strangers take part in a series of group suicides, everything suggests that a cult is to blame. How do you stop a cult when nobody knows they are a member? Print Length: 276 pages. Publisher: Orenda Books (September 14, 2019)

Dead Memories by Angela Marsons – She ruined their lives. Now they’re going to destroy hers. ‘Someone is recreating every traumatic point in your life. They are doing this to make you suffer, to make you hurt and the only possible end game can be death. Your death.’ Print Length: 400 pages. Publisher: Bookouture (February 22, 2019).

I Will Make You Pay by Teresa Driscoll – Every Wednesday, like clockwork, the terror returns. It seems like an ordinary Wednesday, until the phone rings. A mysterious caller with a chilling threat. Journalist Alice Henderson hangs up, ready to dismiss it as a hoax against the newspaper. But the next Wednesday, the stalker makes another move—and it becomes clear that this is all about Alice. Print Length: 317 pages. Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (October 10, 2019)

My reviews on each of these amazing book are available on this blog under the book title. All of them are high star reads and highly recommended. I hope you enjoy them too!

Special thanks go to the Blog Tour Organizers, Sarah Hardy (@sarahhardy681) and Anne Cater, (@annecater) who have tirelessly and professionally given up their time to support writers, and @Netgalley for providing readers with a place to request copies to try out new authors.

Thank you!

And Happy Christmas to all.

Claire

DEAD INSIDE by Noelle Holton @KillerReads @HarperCollins #bookreview #vigilantejustice #crime

June 11, 2019June 11, 2019 / Bookpreneur / 2 Comments

It’s always exciting to feature highly anticipated books, in this case DEAD INSIDE by Noelle Holton. I was thrilled to be given an advance reader copy from the publisher (KillerReads) via Netgalley and to be invited on this exciting Blog Tour.

Book Description

‘Kept me hooked … excellent pace and a very satisfying ending’ Angela Marsons

‘An excellent read’ Martina Cole

‘A brilliant debut – gritty, dark and chilling. Noelle Holten knows her stuff’ Mel Sherratt

A dark and gripping debut crime novel – the first in a stunning new series – from a huge new talent.

The killer is just getting started…

When three wife beaters are themselves found beaten to death, DC Maggie Jamieson knows she is facing her toughest case yet.

The police suspect that Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood – who is connected to all three victims – is hiding a dark secret. Then a fourth domestic abuser is brutally murdered.

And he is Lucy’s husband.

Now the police are running out of time, but can Maggie really believe her friend Lucy is a cold-blooded killer?

Book links: US here UK here

Review

WOW! WOW! WOW! What a fabulous book AND not surprisingly one of the most anticipated books of the year. Having read the blurb, I was expecting to feel uncomfortable, riled up and then relieved at the end. Any emotions a reader has while reading a book is always down to the writer. What I did find was that Holton has a unique way of intertwining the characters. You soon learn the strong points as well as the deficiencies of the individuals who make up the heart of the story.

Two violent openings – a rape and a murder – mark the overall mood of Dead Inside. Not an easy book as for me, but this is a book that speaks for so many victims who don’t have a voice and made all the more authentic since the research was from Holton’s own professional experience as a PO. That says a lot, in my opinion.

I was blown away by Patrick. What a lowlife! Probably one of the worst characters I’ve ever read in this genre. Every time he staggered back in the house, I could smell the reek of alcohol and feel the tension. It was wild. The more I read, the more I wanted Lucy to seek help earlier, to get Siobhan to safety. I guess I was looking for that open door. But not all victims realize they’re victims, and leading a double life in order to keep her dignity added tension to the pace. The six million dollar question is what you don’t know can’t hurt you.

I don’t think there was any part of this book I didn’t like, and in order to help other readers I try to add equal measures of likes and dislikes. But in this case, there are only likes. I won’t rehash the plot but just say that the ending was one I didn’t see coming. Taking notes helped me to keep up with all the characters. Not that there are that many, is just the different functions of Maggie’s team and Lucy’s family, friends and work colleagues. More from the aspect of trying to work out who was responsible for committing these horrific crimes.

I like the way this author writes. The action scenes are intense and well described leaving the reader to feel as if they are standing to one side watching it all happen. Maggie’s ongoing investigation gets even more interesting as more bodies are added to the death toll. The action intensifies and the puzzle becomes ever more involved.

But from the moment I opened the book, I was drawn in and totally hooked, knowing that I’d be a wreck all day if I didn’t finish it. When a book does that, you know it’s going to be good. The story was the perfect mixture of mystery, thrills, hope and tragedy. Holton did a fantastic job of weaving together each point of view, hitting me with curveball after curveball and leaving me guessing the entire time. Be prepared to read deep into the night just to finish “one more chapter before turning out the light”. I recommend DEAD INSIDE to anyone looking for a writer who delivers a memorable story.

Many thanks to the publisher, @KillerReads @HarperCollins and to Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. And thank you to @BOTBSPublicity for letting me be part of this fabulous Blog Tour.

About the Author

Noelle Holton 2 Noelle Holten is an award-winning blogger at http://www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk. She is the PR & Social Media Manager for Bookouture, a leading digital publisher in the UK, and a regular reviewer on the Two Crime Writers and a Microphone podcast. Noelle worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years, covering a variety of cases including those involving serious domestic abuse. She has three Hons BA’s – Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice – and a Masters in Criminology. Noelle’s hobbies include reading, author-stalking and sharing the booklove via her blog.
Dead Inside is her debut novel with Killer Reads/Harper Collins UK and the start of a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson.

Connect with Noelle on Social Media here:

Twitter: (@nholten40) https://twitter.com/nholten40
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noelleholtenauthor/
Blog FB page: https://www.facebook.com/crimebookjunkie/
Instagram: @crimebookjunkie

Review Tour – Stolen Gypsy by Elizabeth Horton-Newton

April 19, 2018 / Bookpreneur / 2 Comments

Whoo-hoo, I’m thrilled to have just read Stolen Gypsy by Elizabeth Horton-Newton. Some of you may know her other books, Riddle, Carved Wooden Heart and View From The Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale. Her books have garnered five star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads – definitely an author to watch!

About the Author

Elizabeth HOrton Newton Elizabeth Horton-Newton was born in New York City and was 10 years old when President John Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. As she watched the events unfold on television she became fascinated. This lifelong interest resulted in her first novel, “View From the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale”.

With the release of her novel “Riddle” she once again tackled a social issue; the illegal adoption of First Nations babies separated from their families. Small town prejudices against people of color and “outsiders” result in a unique friendship between two young people. Weaving a romantic thriller around the issues she creates rich characters in all her writing that draw the reader into their lives.

Her first erotic romance novel, “Carved Wooden Heart”, was written with new author Starla Hartless. The story follows a young journalist as she experiences joys and sorrows but never gives up on her dreams. Dani Stone deals with the pain of loss, panic attacks, and life challenges. Recently released “Stolen Gypsy” is an action packed tale revolving around a young gypsy girl and her search for her true identity. Elizabeth did extensive research on the Rom culture and the Witness Protection Program when writing this suspenseful mystery.

With her education in Criminal Psychology, Sociology, and Media Communications she has a unique insight into how criminals think and how society responds to their crimes. Volunteering in local Domestic Violence groups in her hometown she likes to confront social problems in her stories.

Book Description

“Her parents are dead. The government has failed her. Now she doesn’t even know who she is. Terza Blackstone is rescued by handsome Irishman Tristan Devlin and that begins the search for her true identity. When everything you thought was yours has been stolen from you, there’s only one thing to do. Steal it all back.

What do gypsies, the Witness Protection Program, a drug cartel, and a young girl running for her life have in common?”

Stolen Gypsy
Buy Links: US https://amzn.to/2HMQufk UK https://amzn.to/2Hho37S

Advanced Reviews for “Stolen Gypsy”

“A real page-turner. I couldn’t put it down. Imagine waking up to find out you weren’t who you thought you were. ” Kathy Broggy

“Fascinating. Mind-blowing plot twists. I was up all night reading, unable to set the book down” Michelle Martin

“I learned so much about gypsies and their traditions. Best part was the action scenes and the Feds. The part when the drug cartel shows up was so well written I could smell the smoking guns.” Nick LeBlanc

“…it’s fantastic! I totally loved it! So much was stolen from her, but… she stole her life back again! Terza’s life starts to peel away, and an array of shattering truths rise up from a past, she hardly realised she’d had. With the help of a handsome Irish hunk Tristan, Terza faces off with ruthless drug cartels, mysterious Romany gypsy gangs, the local police and the FBI, all the time fighting to get back the life that was stolen from her. ” Michelle Medhat, Author “Connected: The Calling” and “The Shift.”

Amazon Review

With a tragic accident that involves her parents, seventeen-year-old Terza Blackstone is catapulted rapidly from the steady routine of family life into the unknown. Having been questioned at the police station, she is taken home by her hard-nosed attorney, Vanessa Duffy, who wants to petition for guardianship. Judging by the aggressive activity of reporters at the scene, there is something very sinister about this case.

There is some interesting back story involving secret pasts and I wanted to know more. Someone wants Terza out of the way and the action and tension begins to climb. There are lots of suspects and few clues, a complex story that has more twists and turns than a pretzel.

Once in a while a character like Terza comes along that gets under your skin and refuses to let go. I liked her at the outset; smart, stubborn and quirky, not to mention a fan of Lindsey Stirling. I think she and I would get along. As Vanessa takes Terza back to childhood, memories begin to surface of an unsettled background where she has never spent more than one year in any school.

As the plot moves forward, Terza comes face-to-face with the stark realization that nothing in her past life adds up. Even with new-found friends to help her, she is never far from the agencies of law enforcement or from those who might want to harm her. When the truth unfolds, the tragic thing about this book is the choices Terza must make. Her tale at the end of the book brings a fresh perspective on abandonment and how there is only one person who can set her free.

Elizabeth currently lives with her husband, writer Neil Douglas Newton, along with a collection of rescued cats and dogs in a 100-year-old house. Mother of 4, grandmother of 6, and great-grandmother of one, she is already working on her fifth book, “Blood on Murder Highway”, where she returns to her fascination with serial killers and the indigenous populations of the Pacific Northwest. The story is loosely based on the unsolved murders of indigenous women in British Columbia. In addition, she has novelettes through Electric Eclectic Books. These short stories range from horror to crime noir, domestic violence to slice of life mystery.

New Book News

December 23, 2017 / Bookpreneur / Leave a comment

thankyou

2017 has been a fabulous year with two books written in the Detective Temeke Crime Series. Dead Cold, available on Amazon, and Easy Prey, coming out in eBook on December 28.

Dead Cold, Book 4 in the series was one of my favorites to write. The case winds its way through New Mexico and Arizona as the police pursue a fugitive thought to have been involved in a murder. For those of you who know the area around Schnebly Hill road will appreciate these majestic views.

schnebly-hill-vista

Easy Prey, Book 5, is set in Albuquerque around the Rio Grande River and the general area known as the Bosque, a constructed wetland intended to replicate the natural wetlands that historically occupied the floodplain of the Rio Grande.

Easy Prey for newsletter

Short Description:

Something dark and brooding stalks the mysterious Bosque nature reserve. Bird watchers fall prey to the menace and thefts of rare falcons are on the rise. But it is the body of a murdered girl discovered on the banks of The Rio Grande River that eventually brings Detectives Temeke and Santiago onto the trail.

During a camping weekend, Jessie Bowman’s best friend, Bree, has disappeared. Guilt ridden, yet determined to do the right thing, she tracks the man she believes is responsible and begins to unravel a mystery that tests every ounce of her resilience. She has only two choices – fight or flight. And Jessie is done with running.

Now Detectives Temeke and Santiago must locate Jessie before the madman snares his final prey.

What people are saying:

‘Stibbe handles the latest mystery in the Detective Temeke series with the dexterity of a master falconer. The climax will swoop down and seize you when you least expect it, leaving you feeling as if you too have become ‘easy prey’. Dr Maurice Singleton, PhD in Narrative Theory, Author and Lecturer

WINNER NM AZ

AWARDS: Night Eyes, Book 2 of the Detective Temeke Series won the New Mexico/Arizona Book Award this year in the Crime Mystery Category. This is a big award, where books are read by publishers, librarians and bestselling authors. Thank you to all those who voted for this book!

SALES: During Christmas and the New Year, the first three books in the series have been discounted to 99p/99c. So click on the picture below to reserve your copy.

Thank you to all those who read and received Advance Reviewer Copies (ARCs) for Easy Prey and made helpful suggestions to the overall book. We are giving away free copies by mobi/ePub format in the New Year to all those who would like to review the book on Amazon and Goodreads.

Thank you to all my readers and for your wonderful reviews. Keep them coming!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Review Tour – Mrs. Jones by B.A. Morton @Twisted Ink Publishing #BookReview

July 30, 2017July 30, 2017 / Bookpreneur / 2 Comments

I am pleased to welcome author B.A. Morton, writer of hard-boiled, crime and horror thrillers. Babs also writes historical fiction, in particular The Wildwood Chronicles set in medieval England. One of her many five star reviewers have been quoted as saying these are beautifully written historical novels with strong elements of romance, adventure, mystery, and fantasy.

She lives amidst the wonderful scenery of the Northumberland National Park, an inspirational backdrop for her historical fiction series. As a member of the Crime Writer’s Association and Crime Readers Association, it’s not hard to see why this versatile and canny writer of crime fiction won the Yeovil Literary Prize in 2011 for Mrs. Jones.

Mrs. Jones

Buy Links 🇺🇸️ http://amzn.to/2uGtgkk 🇬🇧️ http://amzn.to/2tNl9VL

Book Description

Formats: Paperback, Kindle Edition, eBook

Print Length: 341 pages

Publisher: TWISTED INK PUBLISHING

A British girl with a secret. A New York cop with a past. And a Mob that wants revenge.

When maverick New York detective, Tommy Connell, picks up a witness to murder, he finds himself with more than he bargained for.

Mysterious British girl, Lizzie Jones, is harboring a secret and both the Mob and the Feds are keen to know what it is.

Setting out to solve the puzzle Connell is inexplicably drawn back to his checkered past and the murder of his young son’s mother. With hired killers hot on their trail, Connell must protect Mrs. Jones and uncover the truth.

‘A fast paced roller-coaster of a ride’ ‘Twisty-turny romantic suspense’

Yeovil Literary Prize winner 2011

B.A. Morton

Book Review

Tracing a 911 call to Apartment 13A, Detective Connell investigates hit and run scene with a witness he’d rather like to know better. A witness who may just be a lot younger than her ID claims. Clever dialogue makes this opening scene a page-turner and just like Connell, I find anything odd intriguing. What he can’t figure out is why Mrs. Jones is living in this apartment. Why such a dangerous part of town? Connell is determined there is something she’s not telling him, something that sets the alarm bells ringing. And he’s determined to keep her close at hand. This case is not a straightforward one and, in many detective novels, they never are. But there’s a magic to this book that doesn’t let up and that’s what kept me reading until the end.

I want to know who Mrs. Jones is. Why she’s so vulnerable. And where is Mr. Jones? I like Connell . . . very much. There’s a unique stoicism to him that doesn’t fit the stereotype. His character is more realistic in my view, more to resonate with. In fact, there’s nothing to pigeon-hole these characters at all. What strikes me as unusual is Morton’s way of communicating their inner-workings. Effortless is the word, much like her other novels which portray unusual people in exceptional situations. There’s a sharp twist to these and a certain residue that sticks to the skin long after the last page. Five stars for a gripping, sensual ride. Straight to the point. No holds barred. (Bookpreneur 5* Review)

Other publications

Mrs. Jones would not be complete without the second in the series Molly Brown.

Molly Brown

Short description

A child to save – A killer to catch.

When a strange little girl disappears into the night and no one seems to care, Tommy Connell figures someone should take another look.

Watch out for more of Molly Brown on Amazon.

Amazon 5* Reviewer: The prose is crisp, transporting a reader through half the book in no time! But don’t go too fast. There are a myriad of details, clues and senses to enjoy, and characters to become attached to.

For a complete list of B.A. Morton’s books on Amazon take a look HERE

Why not visit B.A. Morton’s website HERE

Review Tour – The Sculthorpe Murder by Karen Charlton @Thomas&Mercer #BookReview

July 15, 2017 / Bookpreneur / Leave a comment

I’m pleased to welcome author Karen Charlton, writer of historical mysteries set in Regency England.

Her Detective Lavender Mysteries, published by Thomas & Mercer, are the fictional adventures of Stephen Lavender, who was a real-life Principal Officer with the Bow Street Police Office in London.

By the early 19th century, Principal officers had a variety of different and important roles although they were still nicknamed ‘Bow Street Runners’ as if they were messenger boys. Apart from supporting their colleagues solve crime in the capital, they were often sent out to help magistrates in the provinces with difficult cases. They also took part in undercover work in periods of insurrection, for example, during the Luddite riots in the Midlands and were available to hire by wealthy landowners.

They were Britain’s earliest private detectives and were famous throughout London. They were the only policemen allowed into Buckingham House (the forerunner of the palace) and did security work for the Bank of England. On some occasions, they were even sent abroad to help with crimes and criminals who had spilled out over our borders onto the continent.

Through Karen’s research, she has come across dozens of their cases reported in the newspapers of the time. She frequently uses them as the basis for the plots of her novels.

Karen Charlton 2

Buy Links Amazon UK Amazon US

Book Description

Formats: Paperback, Kindle Edition, eBook

Print Length: 318 pages

Publisher: THOMAS & MERCER

Book Review

The Sculthorpe Murder is the third book in the Detective Lavender Mysteries, although each book can easily be read as a standalone. Giving a nod to the Bow Street Police Office in London, Charlton’s writing is strong, bringing Regency London to life. Lavender and Woods are not just Bow Street detectives, they have become unique and appealing characters we know and love. I can’t help but champ at the bit for another book in the series.

Captain Rushperry of Market Harborough has written to Magistrate Read in London to send his best assistance in the brutal attack on old man William Sculthorpe. By the time Lavender and Woods arrive on the scene, the mystery has quickly turned into a murder investigation. Since there are known gangs terrorizing a nearby area and who have already robbed a local couple, it is generally assumed this gang is responsible for Sculthorpe’s death.

Already motivated by this eerie crime, my nose was twitching at the roasting meat and coal fires in the square at Market Harborough. Woods with his insatiable appetite for good food and Lavender’s cynical thoughts, not to mention his remarkable powers of detection, which ultimately lead me through a sea of local characters I thoroughly enjoyed meeting. Charlton is excellent at crafting well-paced, exciting action sequences, all laced with the accents of the Regency period. I always get a kick out of the relationship between Woods and Lavender, these are just one of the many aspects of this outstanding novel.

There are several fascinating threads of history throughout the book, as well as a beautiful descriptions. Never a dull moment as I tried to solve the crime together with Lavender and Woods. Every time I thought I’d clinched it, along came another surprise and the dramatic conclusion had me on the edge of my seat. Maintaining the flavor of the period throughout, Charlton has crafted a wonderful series that any lover of historical fiction will delight in reading. Thank you Netgalley and TBC for the ARC. (Claire Stibbe)

About the Author

Karen says:

Karen Charlton

An English graduate and a former teacher, I now write full-time and live in a remote fishing village on the North East coast of England. I am a stalwart of the village pub quiz and my team once won the BBC quiz show ‘Eggheads.’ My other claim to fame is that I won a Yorkshire Tourist Board award for writing Murder Mystery Weekends.

Other publications

The first in the Detective Lavender Books is The Heiress of Linn Hagh and the second in the series is The Sans Pareil Mystery. There are also two Detective Lavender Short Stories to compliment the series: The Mystery of the Skelton Diamonds and The Piccadilly Pickpocket.

Catching the Eagle, Karen’s first novel, is the true story of her notorious ancestor, Jamie Charlton, who was convicted back in 1810 of Northumberland’s biggest robbery. She says:

To explain how my late husband and I discovered this gaol-bird in our family tree, I wrote my nonfiction genealogy book, ‘Seeking Our Eagle.’ It’s a ‘How -we-did-it’ rather than a ‘whodunit?’ and is probably the closest I’ll ever come to an autobiography.

We are excited to announce that Karen has currently completed the fourth book in the series: Plague Pits & River Bones. COMING SOON!

For a complete list of Karen’s books on Amazon take a look here

Derailed & Disappointed? Maybe not.

April 29, 2016April 27, 2016 / Bookpreneur / 3 Comments

amazon box I briefly mentioned overcoming the one star bandit reviews in my last post. But having noticed a few anxious, confused and disgruntled Facebook posts from authors recently, I thought a little cheering up was in order. It’s not all bad news.

Reviews such as ‘Difficult reading made no sence!’ (note the spelling) and other gut-wrenchers like ‘Don’t waste your money’ ‘Absolutely hated it,’ might seem a little extreme in contrast to the many five star reviews present on every author’s book page. So my question is this. While some of these critical reviewers don’t like your book, others might just not get your book.

Most of us may think we have skin like a rhino, but when faced with criticism we become derailed and disappointed ― a temporary interruption from writing the next 1000 words. We research the reviewer, study the books they read, wonder what on earth possessed them to buy something they hated when the first 15% is available in the Look Inside feature on Amazon – if only to determine the writing style.

My motto is: If the first page doesn’t hook, then don’t buy the book.

Revival For some authors it may come as a surprise and a comfort to learn that there are a few bestsellers out there who also have one star reviews. Depending on format and edition, here are some of their stats on Amazon:

Stephen King: Revival: A novel

Number of 1 star ratings: 325 out of 1,737 critical reviews

Most gut-wrenching Quote: In the trash can as I write

Ann Rice: Prince Lestat: The Vampire Chronicles

Number of 1 star ratings: 148 out of 502 critical reviews

Most gut-wrenching Quote: Flat, Uninspired, Completely Devoid of Plot

Dean Koontz: Ashely Bell: A Novel

Number of 1 star ratings: 102 out of 392 critical reviews

Most gut-wrenching Quote: Worst. Koontz. Ever. (sorry…)

the-other-boleyn-girl-by-philippa-gregory Philippa Gregory: The Other Boleyn Girl

Number of 1 star ratings: 90 out of 234 critical reviews

Most gut-wrenching Quote: This book should be burnt

E L James: Fifty Shades of Grey

Number of 1 star ratings: 9,028 out of 17,014 critical reviews

Most gut-wrenching Quote: Fifty shades of dysfunction.

George R. R. Martin: Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice And Fire Book 1

Number of 1 star ratings: 326 out of 953 critical reviews

Most gut-wrenching Quote: A Game of Yawns

You can see for yourself (just click on the hyperlink) and take a look at a few more while you’re at it.

Author Anne Rice told the Guardian: “They’ve worked their way into the Amazon system as parasites, posting largely under pseudonyms, lecturing, bullying, seeking to discipline authors whom they see as their special prey . . . They’re all about power. They clearly organise, use multiple identities and brag about their ability to down vote an author’s works if the author doesn’t ‘behave’ as they dictate.”

Award-winning author P.D. James has had a few herself.

Amazon bad reviews If authors feel they have truly received a malicious one star review, or been down voted (as Rice puts it) the rule of thumb is not to engage. For anyone wanting to buy that book a 20-comment bashing thread might be a turn-off. Leave it alone and that one star review becomes an outlier compared to dozens of good ones.