#BookReview: THE FELLS by Cath Staincliffe and Narrated by Andi Arndt @JoffeBooks @CathStaincliffe #crimethriller
Hi everyone! Today, I have a review for an eBook from an author new to me, Cath Staincliffe.
This is an easy read with lots of twists, which I picked it up via Joffe Books ARC >>>
About the Book:
A missing woman. A cold case. A dark secret, buried deep beneath the Yorkshire Dales.
Summer 1997. Vicky Mott slips out the door of her remote stone cottage, and into the pale dawn light. She won’t wake her friends. Not after the night they just had.She scrawls a note, her hand trembling with excitement. Gone to see the sun rise. V xxxThat’s the last anyone ever hears from vibrant twenty-year-old Vicky.Everyone warned her. Of the predator stalking the lush green fells. Convicted killer Terence Bielby. He strangled three hikers before he got to Vicky. Now he has her blood on his hands, too.It’s only a matter of time until the evidence surfaces . . .2019. A human skeleton is discovered in a dark and treacherous cave beneath the Dales. The final resting place of Vicky Mott?Detectives Leo Donovan and Shan Young think they’ve found the key to this decades-old mystery. But every answer they unearth only leads to more questions.All Donovan’s instincts tell him that, this time, Bielby’s innocent.But if the Fellside Strangler didn’t do it, then who?The truth is darker than the twisty network of caves beneath the detectives’ feet.
My Review:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Many thanks to Joffe Books for this free eARC.
A cold case warmed up with brilliant characters and plenty of suspects
If not for a caver exploring where no-one has gone before, the young woman’s body would have lain undiscovered and undisturbed, and so would her Missing Persons case.
The story jumps between events in 1997, which led to a tragedy over a festival weekend from which one of a group of friends never returned.
In 2019 we meet police detectives DCI Leo and DC newbie Shan, and the banter between these two is brilliant. For sure, the author has human nature and the ways of the world spot on and conveys this in both brutal and humorous ways. I connected with every character, even the bit-parts, and lived this read instead of just turning the ebook pages.
Here are some lines that stayed with me …
‘He slaps the innuendo on with a trowel.’
And
‘Opportunities for learning. It might be tea towel wisdom but there is some truth to it.’ This comment comes in relation to making mistakes. Never heard this before but love it!
And
‘Her to-do list has sprouted offshoots. Is growing like bindweed.’ This one reminds me of my to be read list!
This wonderful novel brings us characters of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and quirks, and they came to life rather than lying flat on the page.
As you’ve likely guessed, The Fells by Cath Staincliffe gets a resounding 5 stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you soon 🙂
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links … (The book releases on the 9th.)
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
Watch out for …
On May 14th, I have my next Homonyms with Harmony post scheduled. The day after that I have an appointment to cast a new prosthetic socket, as I’ve shrunk out of my current leg! I hope that won’t take too much out of me, but if it does, bear with me, and I’ll get back to any your lovely comments I’ve missed ASAP. 🤗💕
This sounds excellent, Harmony, and I’ll be heading to Amazon shortly. Thanks for a thoughtful review, with just enough info to draw me in, but not so much it spoils anything in the plot. Hope all is well with you, my friend! 😀 <3
That’s great, Marcia! And thanks for your well wishes, my friend 🤗💕🙂
Terrific review Harmony and sounds like a riveting read… good luck with the new fitting, I am sure not a pleasant procedure but with a positive outcome. ♥
Thanks so much, Sally 💕🙂
I love your reviews Harmony. We like many of the same kinds of books. Now I’ll have to add this one too, lol. Thanks for introducing us to this author. I hope you’re feeling a bit better these days. <3
Im so pleased we have similar tastes in books, Debby. Sorry about your TBR, lols 🤭
I’m still taking each day as it comes and have good and bad times. Thanks for checking in! 💕🙂
That sounds like a resounding 5 stars, Harmony. The depth and variety of characters appeals to me. Thanks so much for sharing your review and recommendation!
Thanks so much, Diana! Hugs 🤗💕🙂
Aside from the wonderful review, I’m looking forward to your homonyms post. I had a fun adventure with homonyms a week or so ago that reminded me of their writerly power.
And you “shrunk out of my current leg!”. Who knew that was possible? I hope the fix goes well.
Glad you enjoyed the review and my ‘shrinking’ gave you a chuckle! Thanks so much, Jacqui 💕🙂
Hi Harmony, I hope all is well with you. This is an excellent review.
Thanks so much, Robbie. Things are easing with meds and my eyesight is getting there! I’m taking one day at a time still, but at least am getting online a bit now and then rather than never. Hugs 🤗💕😊
I was just thinking how that was a perfect description of my to-do list, and then you mentioned the same about yours, lol. Sounds like a good one, Harmony!
Lols 🤪 Thanks so much, Teri 💕😊
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this book, Harmony. I love it when an author is really able to bring the story to life for the reader and sounds like this author did it in spades. Great review!
That’s fantastic. Thanks, Jan 💕😊
I really enjoy your reviews, Harmony. I like it when you highlight noteworthy lines. That is always a highlight. Best wishes on the new prosthetic socket.
Thanks so much, John. Oh, boy, am I in need of that new socket. I hope the prosthetist can do something next week to stop the sores developing until the new socket will be ready sometime in June. Hugs 🤗💕🙂
Hi Harmony
This book is tempting for the “to-do list” quote alone 🙂
Keep them coming as and when you can.
Hugs, Sarah xx
That’s great! Thanks, Sarah. Hugs 🤗💕🙂
A great review Harmony leading to a temptation for me to read the book.unfortunately I’m happier with the real thing. No, not real mysteries, real books.
Huge Hugs to you and I hope the fitting goes well.
Yes, print books hold a special place in my heart and home. Sadly, I don’t have the room to have every book in physical form. My ereader tells me I have over a thousand unread, lols 🤭 Huge higs to you, David 🤗💕🙂
Oo, living the story, now that’s high praise. Great review, Harmony!
Glad you loved the review. Thanks, Priscilla 💕🙂