Cave Diver by Jake Avila

Today is my stop on the blog tour for action thriller Cave Diver by Jake Avila. Many thanks to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for the invitation and to the publishers for my review copy.

The Blurb

'Breathtakingly researched, brilliantly executed.' Wilbur Smith

A high-octane, fast-paced novel from a new voice in adventure writing and the winner of a Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. For fans of Clive Cussler.

Acclaimed explorer Rob Nash has lost his way. Grieving the death of his wife, and blaming himself, he sees no reason to carry on. But when his 'Uncle' Frank Douglas offers him the chance to lead a cave diving expedition in the jungles of Papua, Nash can see some light at the end of the tunnel.

But the expedition might not be what it seems. With a decades old Japanese submarine buried deep in a cavern, and a team hell-bent on unleashing the treasures it hides, Nash finds himself on a ship heading for danger. With a lethal band of criminals on board, who will stop at nothing to get the gold, Nash is fighting for his life. Whilst battling his own demons, can he forgive himself for the wrongs of his past - and survive the perils of the deep?

Cave Diver was published by Zaffre on 5th August 2021.

My Review

Diver Rob Nash has lost interest in pretty much everything since the death of his wife, for which he blames himself. He's lost out on work, lost money and neglected the house and bills. But devastating news close to home finally starts to pull him out of his self despair & when old family friend Frank Douglas visits with details of a proposed job including a trip Nash has always wanted to make and very generous pay, Nash sets aside his suspicions, takes the job and heads off to Papua New Guinea for what he hopes will be the dive of his life. However, he soon begins to realise the documentary he's been hired to work on is not quite what it seems...

Avila writes Nash as a broken man, it comes off the page. We can see the defeat in his eyes, feel his emptiness, his loss. But at the same time I wanted to shake him, to wake him up, tell him life is worth living, lol. He is clearly a good man, though, and time and time again we see him do the right thing, stand up for his friends, fight for the crew. But he is not the only gutsy character we see in this book - 'Uncle' Frank and Mia also deserve a mention. The loyalties of the crew, drawn from the local population, are a little more ambitious as they have much to fear from the Suyanto family who have chartered the boat to make their documentary. And also Jaap Boerman - oh, I really didn't like him! But he's brilliantly written. 

I was fascinated by the Pidgin language used by the Papua New Guinea natives which makes up some of the dialogue in the book. I could mostly follow it, worked out the rest and felt it kept things interesting. I loved the scene setting - the rivers, the lush, exotic countryside, the scary wildlife, conditions on the boat. Much of the story is set on the boat or under water, making it feel very claustrophobic, adding to the tension, magnifying the feeling of dread. There is quite a lot of technical five stuff which Avila has clearly researched well but I must admit to skipping the occasional bit. 

The plot line is part mystery, part treasure hunt, part road movie (on a river, but you get my drift), part thriller. I loved the mix of nationalities that make up the cast and how they all related to each other. I loved that I got a glimpse of completely different cultures. 

Cave Diver is an atmospheric, claustrophobic thriller. It's about evil, greed, murder, despair, redemption, hope and love. It's action packed and, once it gets going, moves along at a cracking pace and has some great characters. It's the first action thriller I've read set in the murky world of rivers and lakes and I really enjoyed it. 


The Author

Jake Avila is a full-time writer with a BA in Writing and Information Technology. He has a background in freelance journalism writing on politics, culture, technology, and sport, and taught secondary English for ten years. In 2019, he won the Adventure Writer's Competition Clive Cussler Grandmaster Award for Cave Diver and then went on to win the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize for the same book in 2020.

A Rattle of Bones by Douglas Skelton

I shared a little bit of my love for this book last month but today is the publication day for A Rattle of Bones by Douglas Skelton so please indulge me whilst I rave about it some more! Thanks again to Douglas for my early review copy and happy publication day!  I've now bought my own paperback copy when they hit the shops a little early. 

 

The Blurb

In 1752, Seamus a’Ghlynne, James of the Glen, was executed for the murder of government man Colin Campbell. He was almost certainly innocent.

When banners are placed at his gravesite claiming that his namesake, James Stewart, is innocent of murder, reporter Rebecca Connolly smells a story. The young Stewart has been in prison for ten years for the brutal murder of his lover, lawyer and politician Murdo Maxwell, in his Appin home. Rebecca soon discovers that Maxwell believed he was being followed prior to his murder and his phones were tapped.

Why is a Glasgow crime boss so interested in the case? As Rebecca keeps digging, she finds herself in the sights of Inverness crime matriarch Mo Burke, who wants payback for the damage caused to her family in a previous case.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, A Rattle of Bones is a tale of injustice and mystery, and the echo of the past in the present.

A Rattle of Bones is published by Polygon is out in eBook and paperback today and in audio on September 1st 2021. It is available for pre-order now from Bookshop.org, Waterstones, Amazon or your preferred bookseller.

Look how gorgeous it is! My copy, bought from one of my favourite bookshops, PrintPoint in Rothesay, on the beautiful Isle of Bute. 

My Review

A Rattle of Bones is the third Rebecca Connolly book (after Thunder Bay and The Blood is Still). If you haven't read the first two, don't panic, you will still enjoy this because it works perfectly as a standalone. Skelton provides all the background you need without overdoing it and boring readers of the series. But if you get the chance, do check out the first two as I believe you will have a richer reading experience here if you've started at the beginning. 

Rebecca Connolly is tired. She's been through a lot and is emotionally battered and bruised but she's not going to let that stop her doing her job. Looking for a story and wanting to uncover the truth, she investigates the case of James Stewart who is in prison for murder,  but who some believe was wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. But Rebecca is not the only person interested in the story, and there are a couple of people interested in Rebecca herself...

Skelton's characterisation is right on point, for the whole cast. This is an  author who knows people, and who pays attention to the small details which make it all feel more real - facial expressions, posture, nervous habits. It's  great to see a story populated by strong women, not least Rebecca herself, of course. She's gutsy, determined and not easily cowed. Afua Stewart was another standout for me, elegant and poised. I was pleased to see returning characters from the previous books - Elsbeth and Mo Burke rate a mention. Two brilliantly written women from different sides of the law.  There are some smashing, colourful new characters too as we meet guys from the Glasgow and Inverness underworld, amongst others.

The writing is lyrical in places, the subject matter serious but there are dashes of dark humour shot through the story. As well as being a tale of injustice this is also a love letter to the often breathtaking, yet sometimes harsh, Scottish landscape. The first chapter is hauntingly beautiful, I defy you not to shiver. 

A Rattle of Bones is a story of murder, wrongdoing, truth seeking and love. It's beautifully written, very atmospheric, weaving Scottish history in with the criminal underworld of today. Skelton has, as always, delivered a well developed plot and a satisfying denouement with a red herring or two thrown in along the way. I devoured it in two days and think it might be my favourite of the series yet. It will be amongst my books of the year. If you haven't read anything by Douglas Skelton I would urge you to do so, and this series is a great place to start. 


The Author

Douglas Skelton has published 12 non fiction books, ten crime thrillers and an e-novella. He has been a bank clerk, tax officer, shelf stacker, meat porter, taxi driver (for two days), wine waiter (for two hours), reporter, investigator and editor.

His first thriller Blood City was published in 2013. The gritty thriller was the first in a quartet set on the tough streets of Glasgow from 1980 onwards. It was followed by Crow Bait, Devil's Knock and finally Open Wounds, which was longlisted for the first McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year in 2016.

His two Dominic Queste thrillers, The Dead Don't Boogie and Tag - You're Dead lightened the tone but didn't skimp on thrills.

He followed this with his New York-set chase thriller The Janus Run in 2018.

Thunder Bay, a dark and atmospheric tale of secrets, lies and murder on a Scottish island, was published to great acclaim by Polygon in 2019. It was longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for 2019. The second in the series, The Blood is Still, came out in March 2020. A Rattle of Bones is the third in the Rebecca Connolly series. Death Insurance, an e-novella featuring Rebecca, written with Morgan Cry, was published in July 2020

Douglas is often recruited by documentary makers to contribute to true crime shows on TV and radio and is a regular on the crime writing festival circuit.

He takes part in comedy shows with other crime writers. To date he has written three Carry on Sleuthing plays in which he also appears along with Caro Ramsay, Michael J Malone, Theresa Talbot, Pat Young and Lucy Cameron, with occasional guests Alex Gray, Lin Anderson and Neil Broadfoot.

He is also one quarter of Four Blokes in search of a Plot, along with Gordon Brown, Mark Leggatt and Neil Broadfoot. This is a fun show in which they invited the audience to give them a murder weapon and a protagonist. They then take it in turns to create a crime story (usually developing into something wild and wacky) while also answering audience queries about the craft.

His one man event, You the Jury, invites audiences to deliver verdicts on real life but heavily disguised cases from around the world. In 2019 the format was extended into a court drama, thanks to the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland, within Stirling Sheriff Court played to three sell-out houses during the Bloody Scotland festival. 

The Lies I Tell by Joel Hames

Today on my stop on the blog tour for The Lies I Tell by Joel Hames I'm resharing my review from last year, before Joel joined Spellbound Books. Many thanks to Zoé at Zooloo Book Tours for the invitation. 

The Blurb

SHE’S WATCHING YOU,
BUT WHO’S WATCHING HER?

From the bestselling author of Dead North, a tense, claustrophobic psychological thriller perfect for fans of Lucy Foley, Claire McGowan and Clare Mackintosh.

Meet Polly.
Meet Emily.
Meet Belinda.

They're all me.

My name is Lisa and I’m an identity thief. If I’m not inside your system stealing your money, I’ve probably already stolen it. I’m your friend. I’m a thief. I’m gone. I’m in control.

Only now, the tables have been turned. I’m in danger. My son is in danger. And I don’t know where that danger’s coming from.

Any friend.
Any enemy.
Any stranger.

Anyone from the past I’ve been trying to outrun for years.

NOBODY CAN BE TRUSTED.

The Lies I Tell is published by Spellbound Books.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK : https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08THZRDRW
Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/Lies-Tell-Know-Whos-Watching-ebook/dp/B08THZRDRW

My Review

The Lies I Tell focuses on single mother Lisa, who isn't only Lisa but a host of other people - mainly online but sometimes in person. In fact, she's not even Lisa. Being an identity thief is a complicated business! After preying on countless people, Lisa now finds herself a victim has she is targeted by an unknown person who seems to know her every secret, even the darkest ones. Lisa fears for herself, but mostly for young son Simon.

Being an identity thief looks exhausting! And incredibly complex. Lisa has so many balls to juggle at the same time, trying never to let one fall. And almost succeeding. Hames has clearly done his research into the kind of work required for this kind of scheme, all the magic techy stuff, as the details feel authentic.

I wanted to hate Lisa, but it was impossible to do anything but like her. I was rooting for her. Her story is told over a dual timeline, swapping between the present day (2016) and her growing up. The tales of her early childhood tugged at my heartstrings, and I felt so much for her as I watched her struggle, and these events shape her life. Now I thought I was someone who catastrophised, but I have nothing on Lisa! In every situation she finds herself, every single worst case scenario runs through her head. I can't imagine how wearing that is, but Hames describes it so well.

So many characters in this book are versions of Lisa herself I imagine the author had fun creating them. But I must mention Billy and Ida, two very different characters but both of whom I loved.

This is a very different cat and mouse chase as the hacker pursues Lisa and Simon, and Lisa tries to discover who it is that wants to do her harm. We see her vulnerabilities. Much of the action in this book is computer based but that doesn't stop it being exciting. The tension increases as Lisa and her tormentor edge closer together and towards a denouement which is exciting, shocking, sad and unexpectedly bloody.

The Lies I Tell is very apt for the current time when so many of us are active on social media and conduct much of our day to day business online. It's a warning for us to look at what we're doing, what information we share, who we let into our lives. It's a tense, exciting story, with an interesting, engaging central character, which I really enjoyed.


The Author

A Londoner in exile, Joel Hames lives in rural Lancashire with his wife and two daughters.

His works of fiction include the bestselling Sam Williams trilogy Dead North, No One Will Hear and The Cold Years, and the standalone psychological thriller The Lies I Tell.

When not writing or spending time with his family, Joel likes to eat, cook, play the piano, and make up excuses to avoid walking the dog. There’s the MMA thing, too, but he doesn’t like to show off.

You can find out more about Joel and sign up to his mailing list through social media or his very own website. The links are below.


Author Social Media Links

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joelhamesauthor/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/joel_hames
Website: http://www.joelhamesauthor.com

The Beresford by Will Carver

It's always a pleasure (if that's the right word!) to read a Will Carver book because you never know quite what you're going to get! Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Beresford, his latest, and it's another dark, twisted offering. Huge thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part and to Orenda Books for my review copy.

The Blurb

Just outside the city – any city, every city – is a grand, spacious but affordable apartment building called The Beresford.

There’s a routine at The Beresford.

For Mrs May, every day’s the same: a cup of cold, black coffee in the morning, pruning roses, checking on her tenants, wine, prayer and an afternoon nap. She never leaves the building.

Abe Schwartz also lives at The Beresford. His housemate Sythe no longer does. Because Abe just killed him. In exactly sixty seconds, Blair Conroy will ring the doorbell to her new home and Abe will answer the door. They will become friends. Perhaps lovers.

And, when the time comes for one of them to die, as is always the case at The Beresford, there will be sixty seconds to move the body before the next unknowing soul arrives at the door. Because nothing changes at The Beresford, until the doorbell rings...

The Beresford is out today, published by Orenda Books.

My Review

Oh man, where do I even start with this?! It's the third book I've read of Will's after Nothing Important Happened Today (which blew my socks off) and Hinton Hollow Death Trip and I think I've started each review in the same way! His books do that. 

The Beresford is a majestic old building, slightly out of place in a modern city. Comprised of eight floors, it has some history - some unexplained tragedies. Split into two parts, here we're focusing on the flats on the bottom two floors, owned by Mrs May. The apartments are large and airy, tastefully decorated and furnished and very reasonable to rent. No wonder there is always someone ready to fill an empty flat. The building itself is very much a character here - majestic, imposing and downright creepy. And Mrs May, the sweet, eccentric landlady, pruning flowers that have no need of pruning, always keen to welcome in new tenants, and always keen to tidy the old ones away. And her prayers? Well, they're something else! There is something unsettling about Mrs May. 

The book opens with an obituary, followed by the immediate aftermath of a murder, but not of the person mentioned in the obituary. And with this, we are thrown right into life at The Beresford. Full of exquisitely drawn characters. Sweet, helpful and reliable Abe. Blair, escaping from overly zealous parents. Gail, escaping an abusive relationship. And Mrs May, of course. Each is so beautifully described. Life at The Beresford is leisurely and calm. Until the door bell's due to ring. Then it's not a safe place to be at all. Things turn very dark. 

The Beresford is a dark, twisted and unique piece of work which brought to mind (but is very different from) Hotel California by The Eagles. It's evil and eerie, whilst being beautifully written, populated with fully rounded, engaging characters. Written in Carver's direct style it doesn't pull any punches or waste any words. It looks at the big issues, and perfectly observes the minutiae of everyday life. And it asks us what we want. What we really want. And just how far we'd be willing to go to get it. Hopefully, not as far as the front door of The Beresford! Loved it. 

The Author

Will Carver is the international bestselling author of the January David series. He spent his early years in Germany, but returned to the UK at age eleven, when his sporting career took off. He turned down a professional rugby contract to study theatre and television at King Alfred’s, Winchester, where he set up a successful theatre company. He currently runs his own fitness and nutrition company, and lives in Reading with his two children. Will’s previous title published by Orenda Books, Hinton Hollow Death Trip was longlisted for the Not the Booker Prize, while Nothing Important Happened Today was longlisted for the Theakston’s Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year and for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell. Good Samaritans was a book of the year in Guardian, Telegraph and Daily Express, and hit number one on the eBook charts.

The Witness by John Ryder

Today on the blog we're heading over to the US and into the Witness Protection Program. Or rather, we're heading out of it! It'll all make sense when you read my review of The Witness, the new standalone by John Ryder. It's my stop on the Bookoutre Books-On-Tour blog tour and thanks go to Noelle Holten for the invitation and for my review copy which I received via Netgalley.

The Blurb

"Find my daughter in twenty-four hours. Or she’s dead."

Kyle Roche is a man whose job it is to stay invisible. Dark, mysterious, and only sometimes on the right side of the law, only a lucky few know how to reach him: Kyle can fix their problems, however dangerous.

Now he’s been hired to save a woman in Witness Protection, one who doesn’t officially exist anymore. But before he can keep her safe, he has to find her. And he has less than twenty-four hours to do it…

Savannah Nicholls is in hiding because of a tragic mistake. Her mother insists her daughter is just a nice girl, from a good family, that she’s never gotten in trouble in her life. But she also says someone knows where her daughter is. And they want to kill her.

If he’s going to keep Savannah safe, Roche needs to know who is after her, as well as what she witnessed, who her enemies are, and if they have really been able to find her. But how can he protect a woman who is as invisible as he is?

Because the clock is ticking…

This totally gripping, pulse-pounding thriller is perfect for fans of David Baldacci, JB Turner and Mark Dawson.

The Witness is published by Bookoutre and came out yesterday.


Buy Link

https://geni.us/B096B76TKBsocial

My Review

Savannah Nicholls doesn't exist anymore. She has a new name and a new life after entering Witness Protection and nobody knows where she is. But if nobody knows where she is, how is someone on their way to kill her? Fortunately, her mother receives an anonymous warning and hires Kyle Roche, a man who knows his stuff, to find and protect Savannah and find out who is trying to kill her. But he only has 24 hours to do it. 

Kyle Roche is a fabulous character. He's not your stereotypical handsome, suave young action hero. He's older, battered, gruff, rough and can be downright rude but when you're in a fix, he's the man you want on your side. He follows trouble. Or maybe trouble follows him, it's hard to tell. But you know where you're at with him - no nonsense. I know this is a standalone but I'd love to see more Roche and the author's note at the back of the book gives me a teeny ray of hope. 

Savannah is a whole other story. She comes across as scared and vulnerable but we know there's a strength to her because she testified in a case knowing it would mean the end of her life as she knew it. She's resilient. When we meet her she's scared though, but it's easy to see why. What I love about her is how the author just gives us wee glimpses of her story as we begin to wonder whether she's telling the truth. And I liked that there wasn't an easy relationship between her and Roche. 

The Witness is a full on action thriller. It starts tense and just gets tenser and faster paced. There are explosions, fires, car crashes and plenty of gun fighting - a bit of everything. It's one of those books that's screaming out for a big screen - I'd watch it in a heartbeat! Both the main characters are interesting and engaging and it's that, together with all the action, which I love, which make this story for me. Highly recommend if you like your thrills coming thick and fast and want a strong,  intelligent storyline binding it all together. 

The Author

John Ryder is a former farmworker and joiner. He's turned his hand to many skills to put food on the table and clothes on his back. A life-long bibliophile, he eventually summoned the courage to try writing himself, and his Grant Fletcher novels have drawn inspiration from authors such as Lee Child, Tom Cain, Zoe Sharp and Matt Hilton. When it comes to future novels, he says he has more ideas than time to write them.
When not writing, John enjoys spending time with his son, reading and socialising with friends. A fanatic supporter of his local football team, he can often be found shouting encouragement to men much younger and fitter than he is.

Author Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnRyderAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnRyder101
Website: https://johnryderauthor.com/

I Know What I Saw by Imran Mahmood

Thrilled today to be sharing my review of I Know What I Saw by Imran Mahmood as part of the blog tour. Many thanks to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for inviting me and to the publisher for my review copy.

The Blurb

I saw it. He smothered her, pressing his hands on her face. The police don't believe me, they say it's impossible – but I know what I saw.

Xander Shute - once a wealthy banker, now living on the streets - shelters for the night in an empty Mayfair flat. When he hears the occupants returning home, he scrambles to hide. Trapped in his hiding place, he hears the couple argue, and he soon finds himself witnessing a vicious murder.

But who was the dead woman, who the police later tell him can't have been there? And why is the man Xander saw her with evading justice?

As Xander searches for answers, his memory of the crime comes under scrutiny, forcing him to confront his long-buried past and the stories he's told about himself.

How much he is willing to risk to understand the brutal truth

My Review

Xander Shute, a formally successful, now homeless man, seeks a doorway to take shelter in following a fight with another homeless man. He finds the door of the house he's chosen is ajar and creeps inside to rest. He is disturbed by people returning to the house and, unable to help without giving himself away,  witnesses a woman's murder. He does the right thing and reports the crime to the police. They are sceptical, despite the level of detail Xander gives them, and as the investigation progresses Xander begins to wish he'd never gone to them in the first place. 

This is Imran Mahmood's second book, following You Don't Know Me which is sitting on my TBR shelf (bookcase!) and which I've heard really good things about. So I was very keen to read this one, another standalone, again told in the first person. 

In Xander Shute, Mahmood has created a complex, multilayered character. Once a hugely successful business man with a nice home, a good income and a happy relationship, Shute has spent the last thirty odd years on the street, having disappeared by choice. This time of living by his wits and the traumas that led to it have dulled the memories of his life before. But certain events, smells (there's a beautiful happy/sad memory evoked by a decent similar to Wotsits) and places in the present jar fragments of thoughts, awakening long buried memories of ealier times in Xander's mind. The reader discovers his former life in this way, bit by bit, little by little. But it becomes clear that Shute is an unreliable narrator and neither he, nor the reader, can be sure his recollections are full or even if his memories are real.  

There is a fully fleshed out cast of backing characters both good and bad. Chief amongst these is Seb, an old friend of Xander's who steps up.when needed without question. Although it becomes clear his reasons for doing so might not be entirely wholesome. But it was Amit who stole my heart. A studious young schoolboy, often to be found in the library, who helps out Xander when he can in return for a favour once done for him. 

The storyline snakes between the present and various key moments in the past as Xander seeks to discover the truth. Mahmood has shaped him into a sympathetic character, I think, and it would take a cold hearted person not to be rooting for him, even whilst we have no idea what the truth is. And when it comes, it hurts. 

I Know What I Saw is a beautifully written tale of loss, brokenness, forgotten memories, remembered truths, a search for redemption, weaved into a story of murder and mystery. I enjoyed the author's style of writing, his descriptions have a lyrical way about them. It's not a fast paced book, especially the first half, but the quality of the writing is such that it doesn't need to be - you'll be hooked anyway. This is one for your TBR pile! 

The Author

Imran Mahmood is a practising barrister with almost 30 years' experience fighting cases in court. He hails from Liverpool but now lives in London with his wife and daughters. His debut novel You Don't Know Me was chosen by Simon Mayo as a BBC Radio 2 Book Club for 2017 and longlisted for Theakston Crime Novel of the Year and for the CWA Gold Dagger, and is currently being adapted for screen in four parts. When not in court or writing novels he can sometimes be found on the Red Hot Chilli Writers' podcast as one of the regular contributors. You can find him on Twitter @imranmahmood777. 

The C Word: For some lockdown has been murder by various authors - short story collection

I don't read short stories very often but I do enjoy them for a wee change occasionally. And particularly when they've been written and brought together for a good cause. Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The C Word, a collection of short stories raising money for NHS Charities. Big thanks to Zoé at Zooloo's Book Tours for the invitation and to the publisher for my review copy.

 

The Blurb

So, what do writers do during Lockdown?

They create murder, mystery, death and destruction,
of course!

The C Word is a collection of short stories collated during the COVID-19 pandemic to raise money for NHS Charities Together. A plethora of wonderful stories created by a wide variety of writers, each with their own unique style. Some you will know already and some we’ve yet to introduce you to. However, we’re sure you’ll want to hear from each & every one of them again as we leave 2020 behind us. With contributions from Steve Mosby , Sophie Hannah , Elly Griffiths , Sarah Hilary , Rob Scragg , Trevor Wood and many more.

The C Word is published by Spellbound Books and is available to purchase from Amazon UK and Amazon US.

100% of all royalties from The C Word will be donated to NHS Together Charities.

My Review

I really enjoyed this collection. There is a huge of variety of subjects and styles - something for everyone. Many feature aspects of lockdown, or its consequences. Most of, but not all, the stories are crime, but there's a sprinkling of horror and some tales I found hard to define

The opener, God Moving over the Face of the Waters, by Steve Mosby is terrifically dark and atmospheric. The Haunted Trolley by Nick Jackson is an oddly affecting tale about, yes, you guessed it, a shopping trolley. In a similar vein, One of a Crowd by Paul Finch is heartbreaking. There's gruesome stuff in The Tanzanite Ring by Mark Wilson and domestic violence features in a couple of stories. I found Strength by Andy Hill particularly powerful. 

The great thing about short stories is they are quick read, meaning this is the perfect book to pick up and put down, dip into, come back to later and re-read. 

The C Word is a fab collection of  interesting and enjoyable stories from a wide range of authors both established and new. Covering a wide range of topics there really is something for everyone between its covers. And, as mentioned above, by purchasing this book, not only will you be getting a great collection of original tales, you'll also be raising money for a worthwhile cause. Win win!