An Eye For An Eye by Jeffrey Archer

This seventh book features Chief Superintendent William Warwick and his sidekick, Chief Inspector Ross Hogan, as they encounter the infamous Miles Faulkner after three years in prison. Faulkner, known as the most celebrated forger in the country, is determined to get revenge on Warwick and his team.

I found the story idea somewhat repetitive. To be honest, I wasn't particularly impressed when I first started reading, and the slow-burn thriller aspect was initially off-putting. However, as I continued reading, the pieces began to fall into place, and I became engaged enough to finish the book. Heheh. The ending left room for further stories, and I look forward to the next installment, which is set to be the finale.

In the early chapters, I became invested in Simon Hartley, Britain's chief arms negotiator, who is falsely charged with murder and languishing in a foreign jail in Saudi Arabia. Inspector Ross is tasked with protecting the witness who could help save Simon's life. This delicate situation could potentially lead to a diplomatic incident due to the upcoming Saudi delegation's visit to Britain. Additionally, it's revealed that Simon's ancestors were friends of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Jefferson's Declaration of Independence, which has been in the family for over two hundred years, is now worth over a million dollars and is highly sought after by many people.

Overall, this book offers a mix of political intrigue, personal stakes, and historical elements, though it might tread familiar ground for fans of the series.

What A Way To Go by Bella Mackie

Entertaining and interesting, I found this to be another enjoyable read from the author with great characters and a compelling plot. Anthony Wistern was the head of the most influential financial mega company. He was found dead, impaled on a pole in the lake at his evening party for his sixtieth birthday celebration. Despite there being several people who harbored a deep hatred for Anthony, including his family and business rivals, the police did not treat the death as suspicious. He is survived by his wife and four children, whose emotional state has been affected by the death; they are demanding, intimidating, and annoying. They have always been all about reputation and money.

In this interim stage leading to the next phase, Anthony must first learn how he died. His memory of the events leading up to his death has faded; instead, he looks up to see his family fighting and play-acting in grief. Stranded in a place of reflection and contemplation, he does not lose his sense of humor, though.

They might be in for a nasty surprise when the will is read. They find out that the man who was meant to showcase his status, success, and power had been a fraudster all along. The character development and the plot kept me invested in how the story turned out.

 

Talking To Strangers by Fiona Barton

In a small town, the discovery of a body in the woods could be the story that breaks the monotony of mind-numbing local news, and Kiki Nunn cannot afford to miss this opportunity. The deceased was none other than Karen Simmons, whom Kiki had previously interviewed for a dating feature. Karen was an outgoing member of a singles group called the Free Spirits, known for her enthusiasm for seeking love.

As Kiki investigates further, she delves into chat rooms on dating apps, eventually stumbling upon a disturbing network of predators. Her investigations uncover connections to an old case involving the murder of a boy named Archie, who was killed sixteen years ago in the same woods. Archie's mother, Annie, reappears after all this time to plead with the police to reopen the case, as there are still unanswered questions surrounding her son's death. A 24-year-old sex offender named Nicky Donovan was arrested at the time but killed himself while in custody, leading them to believe he was wrongly convicted.

All this would never have happened if Kiki had not teamed up with DI Elise King. They expose the dark web of predators lurking in the small town of Ebbing. This novel is narrated by three strong female protagonists and addresses significant issues such as misogyny, sexual violence, and rape. It evokes a wide range of emotions and explores the unimaginable aftermath of these experiences. I am drawn to books with strong female characters, as they resonate with the realities many women face and relate to the #MeToo movement. 4.5 ⭐️