This story took me several chapters to get into. It is a psychological tale with drops of romance, love, and tons of mystery. The author has you wondering and patiently waiting for the outcome. When I finally got into it, I enjoyed it very much.
The second book in the Things Unseen series. I definitely recommend reading the first story Dead Sound before even starting this story. This story goes into more of Con and his family while still following Neve as well. This story was a bit more twisted than Dead Sound. After reading the first story I expected so much different and was blown away by the story twists.
Dead Keen by Anise Eden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second book in this series and the conclusion. I highly suggest you read the previous book before this one to see where the characters have been and where they are going. I enjoyed this first book and this one is just as great if not better. I found it to be well written and suspenseful that had me coming back for more. I enjoyed how the characters not only pulled me into their world but also made me feel a part of it. This is a fast paced story that is hard to put down. A suspenseful story that has twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat just waiting to see what would happen next. I enjoyed the growth of the plot which added to the story’s entertainment value and was easy to read. I enjoyed this suspenseful thriller and I highly recommend it.
Review by @bjwagner
Hook, line & sinker
This is the second book in the Things Unseen series and just like first book it grabs you and doesn’t let go. From one breath taking minute to the next, the author weaves an intense tale of intrigue, suspense and mystery. As the clock is ticking and with danger around every corner, Neve and Con have the odds stacked against them. What unfolds is an unpredictable tale. Highly recommend!
Dead Keen by Anise Eden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dead Keen is the second book in the gripping Things Unseen series by Anise Eden. I absolutely loved the first book and this one was just as good. You do not have to read them in order as they can be read as standalone, but I implore you to start with the first book and work your way through. You will be missing out on such great stories and insights into the wonderful characters.
With dangers still lurking escaping to the beautiful Emerald Isle, (a place that stole my heart when I visited) seems like just the thing but it soon becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Dead Keen is a page turning psychological thriller where the suspense and tension is palpable. When deadly evil cult leaders, ancient gods and video game designers become involved there are menacing lies and secrets, deceit and deadly dangerous games a foot.
This dangerous world goes far beyond and one with far and wide repercussions. Anise has once again cleverly crafted an intricate and complex web that is masterfully thought out and executed. It is unpredictable, but it has just the right amount of humour.
This is a psychological thriller at its finest and one that should not be missed out on.
Prepare to be delighted if not on the edge of your seat with your heart pounding.
Reviewed by @jennadb
•*•
•*•☆ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ☆•*••*•☆
The gripping new sequel to award-winning thriller DEAD SOUND, perfect for fans of Karen Robards and Kelley Armstrong.
They were meant to be traveling away from danger…
The Doctor
Con O’Brien returned to Ireland to help solve a medical mystery that could destroy his brother’s life. He brought along his new girlfriend, Neve, to introduce her to his family and the country he calls home—and to put an ocean between her and the dangers still lurking in Washington, DC.
The Therapist
Neve Keane is convinced that the key to curing a baffling illness lies with an elusive video game designer in Galway. But getting his help means overcoming bad blood and broken hearts—and so far, he won’t answer his phone.
The Leader
When you’ve gained the favor of an ancient god, nothing and no one can stop you from getting what you want—even if you demand the ultimate sacrifice.
In their race to uncover sinister secrets, Con and Neve get trapped with their backs against the wall, and the water is rising. Now they must find a way to save themselves, rescue innocent victims, and stop a deadly evil in its tracks—all before sunrise tomorrow.
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book in Trentbridge Tales series, and it’s off to a fantastic start. Great psychological crime thriller with lots of twists and turns. Its fast paced and kept me guessing, which also made me not want to put it down. I loved Mr. Wood’s writing style it is very impressive. I highly recommend this book.
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Enjoyable, fast paced British crime thriller that had me engaged and turning the pages on what will happen next. The characters were different but interesting for sure. Question yourself….would you feel that luck would be on your side hitting the lottery? Of course!! What if others come out that want a piece of the prize too that are not very good people….interesting….and battle your way to survive.
James Sheldon had a wonderful family with a wife and kids and a great job as a detective. One fateful day, his family is tragically taken from him and James goes down this dark deep hole of alcoholism and sadness to the brink of almost taken his own life and everything is taken from him. Out on the streets, he is begging for money to try and survive….and when receiving a small donation from a stranger…James decides to buy a lottery ticket….that turns out to be what should be the best thing ever! What happens is this new found wealth puts him more in danger and a very dangerous game to survive some really bad people who are after him.
Will James be able to overcome all the dangers he is facing around every corner?
Definitely read this and find out! I am already looking forward to more of this series and this author!
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a new to me author and I’m glad I took a chance with this book. I had a hard time putting it down once I started. The details in this story really pulled me in. There are some twists and turns, and some of it was unexpected. I found this story to be original, intriguing and full of suspense. There are some great characters in this story, some you will like some you won’t. I didn’t want to stop reading until I found out how this story unfolds. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I enjoyed this book.
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My first read by Lee Wood and it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed the two completely different stories told throughout the book, and the realism of the characters makes this a great read- I thought the characters literally could be talking and living in the room next door!
I also appreciated that, as a thriller, it wasn’t too bloody, too much sex, or too violent like some other series I have tried. It has a thriller aspect with being a safer read (in my opinion, some thrillers don’t tell a story as much as shocking you). Can’t wait to read more in the series!
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is an exciting and fast paced thriller that keeps the twists and turns coming throughout the book. This is the kind of book that you get into straight away and have to keep reading to see how things will work out. The story didn’t quite go the way I expected it to either, which is always a pleasant surprised considering just how many crime and thriller books I have read.
This author is still a pretty new author to me, but with books like this I definitely want to get more familiar with their work. It pulled me in straight away and was a very intriguing story. This is on I would definitely recommend.
The Secret Humankind: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a different story. I went into this blind and was pleasantly surprised. The story moves along at a quick pace and is darn interesting. The job she takes..Whoa! That pulled me right in! Then all these characters start coming out of the woodwork. About that time the story took a turn I was NOT expecting! Then a lot of thing changed and I was pleased at the turn in the story. The building the MC works in is so cool!
My only issue was the story slowed down for me in a couple of spots. It seemed to dig too deeply into the why’s and there was a lot of jargon I did not understand. I just ended up skimming these areas.
Overall it is a good surprising story. I enjoy the plot and all the characters. It kept me turning pages and wondering what was going to happen. I look forward to more in this series.
The Secret Humankind: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was absolutely thrilled with this fun thriller! I loved Julia as our introvert heroine who is just trying to keep moving forward in life and is so excited to land a job as part of a bio-hazards cleaning crew. I found her to be extremely relatable, she wasn’t brave or butt kicking right off the bat, she had anxiety and fears and even anger about how things were handled in her new job. It was amazing to see her growth throughout the story and I loved the supporting characters. Doyle definitely cracked me up and I loved how caring and protective Karamel, Dawn, Stan, and Detective Ruiz were of Julia. This was definitely a book I couldn’t put down, as the mysteries kept coming, I just couldn’t figure out how things would end. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
The Secret Humankind: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The story takes a few chapters to get to the action, but once it does, it really takes off. I enjoyed the interesting spin on how paranormals exist. And I liked the way Julia discovered what she’d unknowingly gotten involved in.
Overall, a great read!
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mr. Lucky
By: Lee Wood
This is such a fantastic read. It is as billed, completely unpredictable. Detective James Sheldon is an absolutely amazing character, he is incredibly likable and you are rooting for him through the whole book. This is an absolutely fantastic story of how a millionaire and a homeless person cross paths because of a lottery win. I will honestly tell you that this book kept me reading late at night and guessing until the very last page. This is the first book in the Trentbridge Tales Series and I am glad to hear that. I enjoyed this book I am glad to see that the author will be writing more. I definitely recommend giving this book a try!
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Unpredictable
With a strong lead character and suspenseful writing, Mr Lucky is the first book in the Trentbridge Tales series. The story just draws you in and has you questioning, what would you do in this situation? To have it all, lose it and then to only gain more than you could ask for, Detective James Sheldon has so much to look forward to. In a twist of fate. Life does not go as planned. The author has a really engaging writing style and takes the reader on a thrilling journey. I enjoyed the fast pace and originality of the story. Recommend.
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Mr Lucky is the first book in the Trentbridge Tales series by Lee Wood. This is the first book that I have read by this author, so I really didn’t know what to expect from one of his stories. But I love a great thriller, so I excitedly snapped up a copy and didn’t hesitate to dive in.
What I discovered is a gritty crime thriller, and a bit of a surprise package. It wasn’t what I expected- and that made it even more intriguing, for me.
Detective James Sheldon is down on his luck until he wins millions in the lottery. This life changing event should have been the catalyst he needs for a fresh start, or to ‘make-over’ his life. But instead, he finds himself in a dangerous situation, pitted against the dark underworld- while forced to confront his demons. This makes for a great psychological mystery and has given me a taste for more of this series.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Lee Wood!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a fabulous book! Having been homeless myself, the storyline really resonated with me. The protagonist and the antagonist had actually crossed paths several times. The theme of irony is prevalent throughout the story. I made it to the very end of the book before realizing I had read the first in a series of what I am sure are several more amazing tales, I am elated- and I know what I am reading next!
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is my first book by this author which I enjoyed and look forward to seeing what is next for him. I enjoyed how the author used details to make the story come to life on each page. The characters pull you into their world with ease and keep you there until the end. They have great growth and made the story easy to read. I found this book well written and hard to put down. A story where one day you have everything in life and the next you are out on the streets. He now finds himself in a world of crime bosses, drug dealers and just trying to survive. I enjoyed Detective Sheldon’s character. He is strong and determined. I had to feel for him in some cases. His twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. This is a great suspense story that I highly recommend.
Review by @bjwagner
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Mr Lucky is Lee Wood’s first novel in the Trentbridge Tales. It is an interesting and original tale set in England UK. I think readers will be surprised by this story and it’s twisty and unusual plot.
Mr Lucky is not so lucky he is suffering from a heart-wrenching loss. Detective James Sheldon had it all and hit rock bottom, but fate had other plans for him. Some say a win is a good thing but not when it brings trouble to your doorstep. He has many demons to overcome and dangers to face.
There are characters that you will like and some not at all. The villain is a truly despicable person but that comes through the intriguing narrative.
Mr Lucky is psychological crime thriller that had me on the edge of my seat at times and at others my heart breaking.
If you like British crime thrillers, then you will enjoy Mr Lucky.
I look forward to more of James Sheldon and his adventures.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mr. Lucky is Book One in the Trentbridge Tales Series. It is a fast-paced, British Crime Thriller that centers around the character of former Detective James Sheldon. James is no longer a Detective and luck really has not been on his side at all. James has not only lost his career, but he has also lost his family, is homeless, and has sunken into self-despair. When he suddenly wins a substantial amount of money in the lottery things should look up for him. Instead, James’ life takes a turn for the worse as he is in a battle to survive against numerous people who suddenly seem to have it out for him. Will he be able to outrun, outwit, outfox, and out maneuver the savory characters intent on destroying him?
This was a well written book with a compelling storyline and interesting characters. James was down-on-his-luck with no hope for a bright future. He had sunken into self-loathing and despair until winning the lottery. Coming into millions of dollars should have instantly improved his life but as luck would have it, life got infinitely worse. James had to pull himself together and dig down deep for the strength to save his life from those after him. This was a fast paced, edge of your seat, intense psychological thrill ride that will rivet you and have you reading until the end. I highly recommend this book!
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very interesting story. I liked the action in it I found the story premise to the be intriguing. He loses everything and spirals down. All of a sudden, he wins the lottery and everyone is after him. There is plenty of adventure and drama. The characters are quite well-written. It’s an intriguing drama that will grab you right from the beginning. I highly recommend it.
~ 
~ 
~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ ~
A single instant shattered Detective James Sheldon’s perfect life. Eighteen months later, he is begging for loose change on the streets and contemplating suicide.
In a strange twist of fate, he wins a record-breaking 168 million lottery. But what should be a life-changing dream becomes a heart-pumping nightmare.
Suddenly James finds himself thrust into a dangerous game where he’s forced to confront drug dealers, crime bosses out to destroy him, and the personal demons that keep him up at night. The question is – can he come to terms with his new wealth?
Totally unpredictable!
Not your usual crime novel plot.
Perfect for readers who enjoy a story with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster.
What Readers Say About Mr Lucky
–“An imaginative scenario composed of one man’s choice to do good with an unexpected windfall. Vindictive jealousy and unmerited retribution.”
–“Reminded me of both Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy’s Trading Places and the Nicholas Cage film, Leaving Las Vegas in places, with a soupcon of The Sopranos in the mix.” –“This is a fantastic read. It really moved me from the start with the scene about the homeless man. I would highly recommend it.”
–“Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop until you finish. It’s got a strong narrative drive as we learn how the paths of homeless man and a major drug dealer cross thanks to $100M lottery win. The characters are well-drawn and believable.” –“Most of us have fantasised at some point in our life about what we would do if we won a lottery. Lee Wood provides us with a surprising yet believable scenario set in suburban UK and featuring contemporary social issues including drugs, prostitution, corruption, homelessness and the plight of the working class.”
If you enjoy beautifully crafted British Crime by authors such as Adam Croft, Alex Smith, JD Kirk, Rachel McLean and Helen H Durrant, then you’ll love this series set in the fictional town of Trentbridge, a cross between Cambridge and Stoke-On-Trent.
Before semi-retiring and turning to write novels, Lee had a varied career. He spent more than 20 years working in the music industry. Everything from playing in bands as a teenager to running an indie record label and record shop during the punk rock era to starting a music collector’s magazine and building it from zero to a circulation of 14,000 copies a month.
He’s met virtually every top ‘pop star’ and achieved one of his lifetime ambitions when he became manager of The Troggs, one of his all-time favourite bands from his teens.
He wrote a best-selling book on the Sex Pistols in 1988, which was published by Omnibus Press and thanks to their well-oiled publicity machine sold a respectable 60,000 copies. It was also published in Japan – in Japanese!
He has lived in Cambridge for most of his life and looks on writing as a new adventure. He still finds time to play the guitar (Fender Stratocaster) and is currently learning to play the drums with his wife. They found a drum teacher who has a studio with two kits and they are learning to play together side by side.
Mr. Lucky, is the first novel in the series. They are all available in eBook and paperback formats.
The Secret Humankind: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Julia Xero has a hard time in her job working in the restaurant business and desperately needs a change, so when she is called in for an interview and trial for a cleaning company she applied to, Julia jumps at the opportunity. After the gruesome trial and interview, Julia is hired and that’s when things get interesting. Her world is turned upside down and she learns that her job is not what it had seemed. I love how much fun ad suspenseful this book was! Urban fantasy is one of my favorite genres and I deeply enjoyed how this story played out! I can already tell this is going to be an interesting new series!
Shadow: by D.M. Earl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Blown away again by this author. They quickly made my list of top authors to read, and I can’t wait to get my hands on more of their genius work! Shadow had such an incredibly rough childhood, to say the least. To read about her tremendous tenacity was so inspiring, and their goal as an MC to stop human trafficking touches my heart. I loved to see her still trying to reach that romantic part of her soul through all the tragedy she’s encountered. The flow of this story matches the first, so please pick it up if you haven’t already because they do build upon each other. Plus, once you read one of this author’s books, you’ll immediately jump in to grab more. I can’t wait to see what this series brings next!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
The Secret Humankind: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Julia gets what seems like the idea job to get her away from the barely making ends meet and sleezy boss and crappy coworkers. Only to find out it might have been little too good to be true. While working with a detective to find a serial killer the killer hints at connections they have making you wonder if there is more to her than simple human as well. This story ends with you wondering how she will escape the darker sides of the Secret Humankind, who can be trusted and who can’t and will the next books give us any of these answers or only leave us with more questions?
I really enjoyed this story. The characters we meet in this story are very fascinating as well as the building of the world in which they live. Though we don’t learn a whole lot in the this first book about the Secret Human kind what we do learn about them and Julia has me interested to read the following books.
Review by @valerieanderson5121
The Finding by A.M. Porto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lots of trigger warnings you have been warned. This story is about Logan and Victoria. Victoria’s mom died when she was young leaving her with an alcoholic step dad. Logan comes into Victoria’s life by moving in next door. Logan is there for Victoria anything she needs he plays role perfectly. Thanks to Logan’s mom Victoria gets to escape some of the abuse she endures.
The Secret Humankind: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Secret Humankind: An Urban Fantasy Thriller (The Discoveries of Julia Xero )
By: Gloria Oliver
Review by :Susan Ratchford
4 Stars
Such a great introduction to a new series! I can’t wait to read the next book asap! She really hit the nail on the head with the life of a server in a restaurant, every customer and manager felt like someone I had at one time or another. I really enjoyed how Julia was training to be a crime scene cleaner because I also studied to be in forensics. It almost felt like Ms. Oliver knew me, this book was just so relatable! I also loved that she called Julia’s talent her “spidey sense”! This book felt so personal to me I am looking forward to the rest of this series! The Secret Humankind also has such jaw dropping moments that leave you stunned! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery, action, adventure, and the paranormal! You will be in for a treat!
The Finding by A.M. Porto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Finding (Berrycreek Heights Series Book 1)
What a roller coaster of emotions. I was all of the place while reading, but still couldn’t put it down even with the tears running down my face.
Logan and Victoria meet as very young children. Logan was her protector from day one and every day after until she vanished.
The emotions and stress take place over a twelve year period and Logan didn’t give up the hope that he would one day be reunited with his little squirrel.
This is one heck of a debut novel by A.M. Porto and look forward to following her progression as an author.
The Finding by A.M. Porto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
WOW. This was an incredibly captivating read! I was wrapped up in a matter of minutes listening to Victoria and Login describe their past and present back and forth. I always enjoy multiple points of view, so this was right up my alley. There are some less than loveable characters here and a few difficult scenes, but they do add depth to the story. I became so invested in both Vic and Lo quickly and felt their emotions as my own. The author did a great job writing a gripping storyline. The flow can feel a little unnatural during a couple scenes of the book, but overall, it was a gripping thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. I don’t want to give away any of the twists and turns, so just pick it up and give it a go!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
