Book picks similar to
The Mismade Girl by Mark Lock
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1963: A Slice of Bread and Jam: One boy’s year of adventure, crippling poverty, abuse and an encounter with The Moors Murderers
Tommy Rhattigan - 2017
He moves us through his daily struggle with poverty and neglect in 1960s Manchester like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Tommy lives at the heart of a large Irish family in derelict Hulme, ruled by an abusive and alcoholic father and a drunk, negligent mother. Alongside his siblings he begs – or steals – a few pennies to bring home to his parents to avoid a beating, while looking for something to eat and a little adventure along the way. With an unlikely sense of fun and a huge dose of good humour, Tommy introduces us to his foul-mouthed and chaotic family members. Deeply flawed they may be, but amongst the violence, grinding poverty and distinct lack of hygiene and morality lies a strong sense of loyalty and, above all, survival. During this single year – before his family implodes and his world changes forever – young Tommy almost falls foul of the school welfare officers, the nuns, the police – and Myra Hindley and Ian Brady.
Jack-Knifed
Wonny Lea - 2011
Mark Wilson, a decent, well-liked gay man, lives alone in a beautiful house in Cardiff. One Saturday evening, his closest friends go to his house for an evening of drinks and catching-up. Finding no answer, the concerned friends break in - to a horrific murder scene. For Mark Wilson has been brutally, sadistically murdered in his own home. As DCI Phelps investigates, Mark's traumatic early life is revealed. Was his killer someone from his past? Was his sexuality a motive? What about his violent, homophobic father - a man who has already killed more than once ... Meanwhile, Mark's estranged sister Amy broods on the hatred she has for her brother, blaming him for turning their father into a killer. As she sinks further in to the depths of drug addiction, who's to say what her next move will be? As the body count rises, Phelps and his sergeant, Matt Pryor, soon realise they are on the trail of a serial killer ...
The Crying Bird
E.J. Stillings - 2017
Now, she’s a middle-aged millionaire, grieving the loss of her family. The only living relative she has left is her smothering younger sister. May’s sanity is already threatened when tensions rise, so she sets out to find solitude in Florida. However, life has other plans for her. Animal encounters, unlikely friendships, sisterly squabbles and hilarious scenarios take May on an unforgettable journey from the depths of grief to a new life. But, will she embrace it?
The Collector
John Maher - 2020
The Collector doesn’t agree.When world renowned archaeologist Philip Carlton suddenly and unexpectedly commits suicide, the police are called to investigate. Heading up the investigation is Detective Lucy O’Hara, a Forensic Linguist – and she immediately sees something is wrong with the suicide note. In her gut, she knows this was cold-blooded murder.Battling sceptical superiors and the Irish establishment, Lucy digs for the truth and begins to uncover a shadowy trade in ancient artefacts led by a mysterious figure known only as ‘The Collector’.As Lucy works to uncover his identity, she soon realises she is up against a ruthless mastermind who is systematically eliminating anyone who might lead her to him. But Lucy won’t give up and soon The Collector turns his attention to her…The Collector – the first in a gripping new series featuring Detective Lucy O’Hara.
The Last Drive: A Golfing Mystery
Rex Stout - 2013
Featuring death on the links, this tale is full of golfing, red herrings, and a detective determined to run down the villain. A great read for Rex Stout and Nero Wolfe fans alike! Originally published as a 6-part serial in Golfers Magazine (July to December, 1916).
From the White House to the Amish
Katrina Hoover Lee - 2020
Though Tom never makes it to the moon, his journey through life takes him to places just as unique. But not even the prestige of working in the Eisenhower White House and the CIA can take away Tom's disillusionment and despair when he loses the most important person in his life. Convinced that God has turned his back, Tom buries himself in his work and turns his back on God. Or does God even exist? Then an unexpected voice and an unpretentious Amish man change Tom Kirkman’s life. This biographical fiction echoes the true story of Thomas E. Kirkman, White House artist, CIA spy, engine designer, and Amish man.
Bad Moon Rising
Frances di Plino - 2012
Abiding by his vision, he marks them as his. A gift to guide his chosen ones on the rightful path to redemption.Detective Inspector Paolo Storey is out to stop him, but Paolo has problems of his own. Hunting down the killer as the death toll rises, the lines soon blur between Paolo’s personal and professional lives.
Freshers
Kevin Sampson - 2003
He's funny, clever and popular - anybody would think he'd be relishing the prospect. But Kit is harbouring a dark foreboding he dare not share with anyone else. It's with a heavy heart that he leaves home to begin a new life in Sheffield.At the vast and alienating Ranmoor Halls of Residence he meets Jinty, a psychology student who's six years older than Kit and much more worldly wise. She's posh, confident and independent - and she becomes more and more fascinated by Kit. When he wants to be he's the life and soul of the party - and there are lots of parties, lots of sex, lots of very bad behaviour. He's naughty, witty and compassionate and everyone wants to be his friend. But more often than not Kit withholds that friendship and retreats from the gang.The gang includes Benny Bull, a pathological liar from Dudley who associates with drug dealers, car-jackers, Al-Quaida and the I.R.A. (if only in his head). There's Adrian Dangerous, an achievement-driven fitness fanatic from Kent who has to get a First. Alex is a ballsy exchange student from Memphis who's utterly at ease with her unorthodox looks - and keen to stress that carrots have feelings, too. Laid-back Simon from the Peak District wants nothing more than to get by, start a band and find that mythic mushroom field at Whitehood Hall. Petra from Stirling wants nothing more than Kit - although Kit, tragically, seems to see her more as a mate. The object of his affections is Colette - yet whenever Kit gets close to her, something seems to hold him back. Jinty, and the experience of surviving away from home for the first time in his life, help him confront himself and beat his demons.Freshers is a rich, insightful and exuberant novel about getting wise and growing up.
The Afterlife Coach
Susan E. Paul - 2017
For Claire Anderson, this crosses the line. To make matters worse, they’re on the lam and can’t be returned to sender until In Between, the afterlife way station, can arrange transportation to pick them up. In the meantime, Claire tries to contain this motley crew, hoping to stave off an international incident. How do they manage to walk among us? Will Claire succeed in repatriating them? And at what cost? The Afterlife Coach is a humorous tale of second chances, self-awareness and, for those among us who make bad choices, demonstrates just how hard it is to die happily ever after.
Warrior Camp: Volume 1
Joyee Flynn - 2010
Fifty years later, he finally has the perfect plan to be with Alexander... at least physically. After their life changing sex, Alexander tells Dimitri that he doesn't love or want him. Crushed, Dimitri tries everything he can to forget the man, jumping from guy to guy. As Alexander gives him mixed signals, Dimitri tries to come to terms with the fact that his mate may never be his. Can Dimitri move on from the one that owns his heart or is there something worth fighting for? ~~~~Love's Indecision - #2 Matteo Dominguez spent centuries performing his duty with honor and dedication, never letting anything sway him from his responsibilities. When Nate Hathus comes into his life as a pre-transition warrior, everything Matteo has worked for is put into jeopardy. Matteo desires Nate more than he does anything in his life, even his duties as a warrior instructor.When Nate seduces Matteo, he's helpless to stop the man, his heart and libido leading him down a path he's afraid may lead to his destruction. Nate has yet to go through his transition and the feelings he has now may not be those he has afterwards. Matteo agrees to see where things lead despite Nate's assurance that he will still care for Matteo no matter what.But when Nate's transition doesn't go as planned, Matteo is faced with a terrible decision. Does he save Nate's life and risk having a mate who might not want him? Or should he risk losing the only man he's ever loved?
Fragile Cord
Emma Salisbury - 2013
Tracey Kavanagh was her usual upbeat self; right up until the moment she drowned her son and tied a rope around her neck killing herself and her unborn child. For Alex Moreton, this case couldn't have come at a worse time, battling with her partner over whether to have another child, she is superstitious about pushing their luck - they're happy enough as they are...aren't they? DC Kevin Coupland is dealing with a serious assault outside a wine bar in Swinton. Devoted family man Ricky Wilson is brutally stabbed following an altercation with youths while out with his wife and their children to celebrate her birthday. Coupland and Moreton's cases merge when it transpires that Tracey and Ricky were tragically connected. Is it possible that there could be more to these two investigations than pure coincidence? And what was Tracey Kavanagh so frightened of she thought wiping out her family was the answer? As the past collides with the present Coupland uncovers a tragic secret that will destroy Tracey's family, or what's left of it. Coupland must choose whether the truth shall come out - or be taken to the grave.Fragile Cord is an emotional rollercoaster charting the psychological meltdown of a mother with a deadly secret.Fans of Mark Billingham and Lynda La Plante will be gripped by this exceptional crime fiction series.Watch out for more from D.S. CouplandA Detective battling personal tragedy, Kevin Coupland will stop at nothing to protect a key witness in a drive-by shooting. Fragile Cord is the first book in the series – book two, A Place of Safety is out now. What people are saying about Fragile Cord‘A police procedural done right.’ ‘Keeps you guessing.’ ‘Tautly written, well-paced with a strong sense of place. Could be the start of a smart series.’ ‘A page-turner that keeps you guessing right to the final twist.’ ‘Once started I couldn’t put down.’ ‘Hope it’s not the last we hear of Coupland and Moreton!’ 'Emma Salisbury slaps you with a surprise right from the get-go and keeps you riveted trying to figure out "why, why, why?" Never during the basic story does she drop you little hints. Not one time. Why does a seemingly normal, happy family get torn asunder?' Carol Piner, Kindle Book Review
Swordsman of the Rift
Brandon Varnell - 2019
When an acquaintance comes to him with a job, he takes it. He doesn’t care about the pay or the job specifics. He just wants to escape the nightmares. But in trying to run from his past, he runs into an even more terrifying nightmare when he and four others journey into the Rift Plains—a dimension connected to hundreds of other worlds. His party is overwhelmed and Bryan is taken prisoner. Now he must team up with an archangel who has lost more than half her power and a low-level succubus to escape, get back at the woman who captured him, and defeat the Dungeon Master of this unknown world. Simple, right? Warning: This novel contains adult situations, harem relationships, nudity, sex, and a former Marine turned magic swordsman fighting in a world that seems kinda like those virtual reality MMOs you keep reading about in stories. You have been warned.
Echoes of Apollo
George Thompson - 2015
But when the retrofitted Atlantis fails high above Kennedy Space Center, Commander Jack Harden’s future is quickly derailed. As military satellites fall from the sky and America’s electronic infrastructure is threatened by a mysterious electromagnetic “storm,” a young president is suddenly forced to restart the covert rocket program he had cancelled not long after taking office. NASA may be grounded, but the reluctant ex-shuttle commander and his two unlikely copilots soon find themselves on a collision course with the moon, all in a last ditch attempt to destroy China’s secret weapon—the Assassin’s Mace.
A Tapping At My Door
David Jackson - 2016
She's disturbed to discover the culprit is a raven, and tries to shoo it away. Which is when the killer strikes.DS Nathan Cody, still bearing the scars of an undercover mission that went horrifyingly wrong, is put on the case. But the police have no leads, except the body of the bird - and the victim's missing eyes.As flashbacks from his past begin to intrude, Cody realises he is battling not just a murderer, but his own inner demons too.And then the killer strikes again, and Cody realises the threat isn't to the people of Liverpool after all - it's to the police.Following the success and acclaim of the Callum Doyle novels, A Tapping at My Door is the first instalment of David Jackson's new Nathan Cody series.From the bestselling author of Cry Baby, the beginning of a brilliant and gripping police procedural series set in Liverpool, perfect for fans of Peter James and Mark Billingham"Recalls Harlan Coben - though for my money Jackson is the better writer." Guardian