POP GOES THE WEASEL By M J Arlidge

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure why I put this on the bottom of my reading pile.There was no doubt about the fact I was going to read it; after all the first one was amazing and I knew I was going to read the next one. It's funny how we sometimes do things like that.

Anyway, as you may have guessed, this is a book read from the 'bottom' of my reading pile. In reality, since my reading pile has no bottom, the fact it was not the top of the pile will have to suffice.

After the last set of events with Helen's psychopathic sister, the entire world is now aware of every single detail in the life of Detective Inspector Helen Grace, and there is little that she can do to stop it, other than keep her last secret under lock and key and change the password every time she opens it up. But these seem to be the least of her problems as a new killer is on the loose, luring family men away into the dark and slaughtering them. Exposing these good, church abiding family men for what they really are; the life blood of Southampton's prostitution front. Cutting out the victim's hearts and sending them to either work or home, this is a mouse who certainly enjoys teasing the cat.

Can I begin with the awesome opening to the book? The first chapter is so mind boggling that you believe you are looking through the eyes of the killer instead of the victim. Arlidge sets out an entire new outlook of how men pine and crave for sex in an environment where it's either lacking or lost. The author's talent is clear right from the off and I could not fault the opening chapters of this book one way or another. The second chapter is equally puzzling with the body of a white female trapped in the book of a car. Is this the killer, is it the woman the first victim was going to see, is it a red herring, what is it?! But you aren't left confused and disorientated, just longing to read more.

My friend and I spent a good hour discussing the first five chapters alone, talking about what we thought was going to happen and I'm tell you know, even as seasoned crime readers, we didn't see this ending coming.  There are so many twists and turns which are perfectly weaved together to create an amazing read which is gripping and attention seeking and just freakin' awesome!

The only slight element that I didn't care too much for was Helen's initially hostile relationship with Charlie, I found this a little harsh and upsetting and totally uncalled for, yet I suppose it illustrates how we all react to trauma differently and it sets Helen apart from the rest of her colleagues as we have seen time and time again in EENY MEENY. I was immensely pleased when reconciliation took place and the friendship was repaired. I genuinely don't know what I would do without Charlie.

The other really important note I need to make, is that although reading the previous book does enlighten some of the references in Pop Goes The Weasel, it is not essential. I know people who have only read the latter and have still understood it perfectly and enjoyed it just the same.

I am planning on reading number three as part of my reading challenge, however as I have pre-ordered part four, I am forcing myself to spread the story out a little bit. September is a long while off and as much as I want to read three I don't know if I can wait that long. Two smaller waits will be easier me thinks. :)

I don't need to tell you to go out and read this but I'm going to anyway: GO OUT AND READ THIS! you wont be disappointed.... ever.... :)

THE WARD By S.L Grey

Happy new year guys! Hope you've had a good book filled year with some incredible books to recommend to people. The Ward is the first book I have read for the POPSUGAR 2015 reading challenge (Checkout the heading up top :) ), and will be filling the category of 'Book you can finish in a day'

This incredibly surreal book was recommended to be by my wonderful friend, colleague and author Rebeccah Giltrow. Having been warned about its graphic content prior to reading this, I attempted to prepare myself for the journey I was about to embark on, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING could prepare me for what lies within these pages.

We begin the story with Lisa; a cosmetic surgery addict, and Josh Farrell; a celebrity photographer who is more commonly known as Farrell. Both these people have ended up in the grimmest of all hospitals; New Hope. Neither can wait to get discharged and every time they come close, a doctor demands they stay. After they try and escape, they find themselves in separate luxury hospital suits labelled 'Client' and 'Donor' and things start to get very weird indeed.

Firstly I have to thank Rebeccah for recommending this book for me and secondly I have to warn you all! This book is not for the meek and/or faint hearted. From about page 50, reading the book gives you the same experience I would imagine you get from a really bad acid trip. Its almost hallucinogenic in places.

I really really enjoyed reading this book and am tempted to read some other books by this author. (well actually, its two writers writing together under one name, Sarah Lotz and Louis Greenberg). Other than that I'm not really sure what I should say about this book. I liked the characters, more so Lisa than Farrell. At times I really did hate Farrell and I found that I tended to side with Lisa more often than not as I found Farrell too judgemental and quick to act on things. I didn't like the way he insisted on assuming power and blamed Lisa for the choices he made. Don't get me wrong, I liked him, he was just an idiot.

This is most definitely not a book for younger readers (due to severe bad language, mild sexual references and graphic violent content), however for those experienced readers looking for something unique and different to change up their reading habits... I think you've found you're book.

I was going to say enjoy, but that doesn't seem like the right word.... more like proceed with caution and always read the fine print.

THE HIT By Melvin Burgess

I must say, this has been a really enjoyable and interesting book to read. There are so many different themes and ideas packed into this book and yet it doesn't seem complicated or over crowded in anyway shape or form. I love it! Then again, I'm all for any book that has some sort of moral, especially one that makes you think about, and appreciate it more than you do already. There were a number of times while reading this book when I genuinely found myself thinking about what would be on my bucket list if I found myself under the influence of Death, or equally I might have found myself wondering whether or not I would have chosen to take it.

I think it was quite brave of the author to take on a topic like drugs and gang violence, because these are covered a lot in novels now-a-days and it can be difficult to write about it in a way that makes your story stand out from the others. But I'm am pleased to say that I think Burgess has done an incredible job and has definitely written a novel which tackles common but important themes while making it stand apart from everything else at the same time.

A brilliant book and one that I would definitely recommend, I'm looking forward to reading some of Burgess's other work.