Although late I must say I’m so happy to say I’m on the blog tour for Solace House by Joy Ellis. Thanks to Jill Burkinshaw of Books N All Promotions and Joffe Books for my invite and the ARC of the book to give you my unbiased thoughts.
A GRIPPING NEW CRIME THRILLER FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND BRITISH BOOK AWARDS CRIME & THRILLER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE JOY ELLIS.
From two-million-selling author Joy Ellis comes one of the most eagerly anticipated mysteries this year.
AN ISOLATED HOUSE WITH A TERRIBLE PAST. IS HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF FOR THE NEW FAMILY LIVING THERE?
Holly Stewart moved into Solace House wanting a fresh start for her and her family. She knew the property was cheap because a tragic murder had taken place there, but she didn’t know its full ghastly history.
Now, her husband’s lost his job, the children are bullied at school, and someone’s prowling around the garden at night. Someone who wants them gone.
Detective Jackman wants to help. Instead he’s pulled into a twenty-year-old cold case: the gruesome murder of a young woman whose head was never found. A new witness comes forward, claiming to have crucial evidence on what really happened that night.
Days later, a group of litter-pickers uncover black sacks containing dismembered human limbs. Attending the scene, Detective Marie Evans is shocked to see a strange symbol carved into the victim’s flesh: the same symbol found on the headless girl all those years ago.
The murders must be connected. But why has the killer struck again — after twenty years?
As the threats to the Stewart family escalate, Jackman must choose between helping people in the present and solving the crimes of the past.
Another new book from Joy Ellis is always something to look forward too and I was definitely looking forward to Solace House. Book number 9 in the popular and brilliant Jackman & Evans series. This series may be on its ninth book but that doesn’t mean its not fresh or any less entertaining.
A book that can be read as a standalone but if you are like me and love getting to proper grips with characters, then I really do say…start at the beginning, the payoff is massive!
In Solace House Jackman is given the assignment to look into a cold case from years gone by as things are quiet for a change. He has to work with Ashley from Locksford in order to try to find out everything he needs. It seems there may be a glimpse of light into the case as a man has been in contact with Locksford saying he has information on the case…could this be an important step forward or a joker who loves the attention?
Joy Ellis has cleverly interwoven this with another story thread. A new family has moved into Solace House. This is a house with a pretty dark history. Jackman meets the new owner, Holly and finds himself wanting to do all he can to help them when they find themselves being harassed by someone who is attempting to get them out.
As body parts start to be discovered the team are on the job, as the story unfolds they begin to wonder if there is a connection to the cold case? The further they dig the more it seems like they are dealing with pure badness, in fact I would go so far as to say they are witnessing evilness at work.
This is a police team that I think are ‘normal’ compared to most fictional police teams. Its a pleasure to return to them and catch up. Joy Ellis’s skill is in lulling the reader into a false sense of security. The normalcy of Jackman and his cohorts is the total opposite to the crimes they investigate. I always intrigued as to what she is going to throw at the team next.
Solace House introduces some fresh characters as well, with the Locksford link. This adds even more fresh interest for the reader. As always this is a gripping page turner of a read. I was hooked from the first page and didn’t want to put it down. The twists and turns built the tension and suspense so much. I was led down so many blind alleys with the amount of red herrings that the author has thrown in for good measure.
The conclusion to Solace House had my jaw almost hitting the floor! Joy Ellis has played a blinder with this one. Another excellent addition to the series that seems to get better as it goes! This is a crime thriller that is a must read!
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