Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: lies

  • My Husband’s Killer

    My Husband’s Killer

    Close friendships made during student years are often the ones which are sustained throughout life’s ups and downs, however, when that trust is broken it is definitely devastating for all concerned.

     In ‘My Husband’s Killer’, bestselling author Laura Marshall’s fourth psychological thriller, the dynamics in a tight-knitted group are charged with tension as members attempt to keep an aspect of their lives secret from the others.

    On the day of her husband Andrew’s memorial service, grieving Liz makes a shocking discovery which makes her rethink everything and everyone.  She finds herself burning with rage. Which of her oldest trusted friends is lying? Who had betrayed her? Each one of them had lied to her about something. Which hidden secret could provide a motive for murder?

    The author drives this page turning novel by alternating the narrative between the weekend three months ago, when the university friends spent time together at a luxury home on the Amalfi Coast, and post funeral times.  As the atmosphere during their Italian holiday becomes more intense and claustrophobic, the bubbling resentment, shocks and surprises come to the fore to keep the reader totally engaged.

    The group returned home without Andrew, who was presumed drowned. What really happened to Andrew?

    Some readers will find it a little difficult to keep track of the large cast of unpleasant characters, however, astute readers will recognize the red herrings and hints to help them identify with whom the victim was having the affair and who murdered the victim.

  • Ruthless Women

    Ruthless Women

    The world of soapie television is one that is addictive, with the shows often running for years and years  in one time slot or another, the world they portray is one many crave; a world of glamour, sex, drugs, backstabbing and lies. 

    Ruthless Women is set in this world of steamy, no holds barred ruthlessness that is the reality behind the artificial glamour of a show, Falcon Bay, which has been on the screens of the world for 39 emotional episodes, but is fast fading, losing money with aging actors losing their once glamorous appeal.

    A new Company, headed by Madeline Kane, purchases the rights to the series, in the hope of pumping fresh life into the much loved series. She is prepared to do whatever it takes to get the show back onto prime time television. All is not as it seems with Madeline as something about her simply does not seem to fit.

    Farrah, Catherine and Amanda have been holding the show together for years; all ambitious, all driven and all passionate about their work, but as the pressure goes on, they become deeply involved in a world of lies, deceit and tragedy which will not only destroy the show, but could also sacrifice their hard won friendship.

    Melanie Blake has lived in this world of glitter, glamour and cut throat ambition, using this first-hand knowledge to create a racy, to say the least, storyline with a cast of unforgettable women and men all trying to survive in a world where loyalty is not an attribute, absolute power a drug they all crave.  

    For the lovers of hedonistic fiction, as written word, or on the stage and screen, Ruthless Women will fill the cravings of soapie addicted fans in a very classy way: one that lays bare the depths people will go to in order to reach the top and one that can easily be relate to on the journey to the top of the Corporate ladder; glamour, lies, sex and all!

  • Just an Ordinary Family

    Just an Ordinary Family

    If there is such a thing as a blockbuster of a book, Just An Ordinary Family, Fiona Lowe’s latest family saga, could certainly be considered as such, as she has once again captured perfectly a family in distress, as secrets held long finally emerge into the light, destructive, cathartic and devastating.

    There is no short way to write about this captivating book without creating a spoiler alert, so enjoy the story as it unfolds, as you will certainly recognise the characters in those around you, which is why Lowe’s stories captivate, as they are built around real people, real emotions and real situations.

    Alice Hunter returns to the home of her youth, Kurani Bay, heartsore, single, struggling to earn some sort of living with series of casual summer jobs, back living with her parents once again; a far cry from her very upmarket position and life in Melbourne.

    Libby, Alice’s twin has it all: she loves her career as one of Kurani Bay’s Doctors, has a dream of husband who loves her immensely, two beautiful children and a fantastic home. Libby desperately craves another child after the still birth of her and Dominic’s last babe. Her obsession with becoming pregnant is placing a sever strain on her relationship with Dominic.

    Jess Dekic came to Kurani Bay as a teen, daughter of an alcoholic mother, fierce, independent, intelligent and determined to take whatever came her way in life; to succeed and never return to the Bay. She is now a single mother of a joy filled toddler, and despite not wanting to return, realises it is the best option for Leo.

    Karen Hunter, mother of Alice and Libby holds some serious secrets buried deep, scars of her childhood, a deep sorrow connected with her sister and terrified that somehow her carefully constructed family life will collapse. Always a worrier she has spent much of her life overprotecting her beloved daughters.

    When the family structure begins to collapse, it is very interesting to observe how Fiona Lowe has crafted the emotions of the people who have woven a very complex web of lies and deceit, all bound together through love.

    She has captured the very essence of devastation, rebuilding, love, hope and grief as each of the women eventually has to look within to be able to forgive, to rebuild, to accept that life is never perfect and that tragedy can come with hidden blessings.

    A word of warning thought: do not expect to put this book down once you have begun to read it. Just An Ordinary Family makes the perfect read for those who are in ‘lockdown’, or simply are remaining at home and enjoying the moment.

  • Love, Lies and Linguine

    Love, Lies and Linguine

    We meet up with sisters Hester and Harriet as they are about to set off to Italy for their summer holidays. At the airport, Hester is regretting the greasy meal eaten and Harriet is deep in a story on her Kindle. On the surface it would seem that is well between the two as they are about to embarked on a week away in the sunny, romantic location of Moldova, but it is not!

    There is some serious tension between the two which is worrying Hester, as it is not like Harriet to be so remote and aggressive for so long; but what is behind the distress is yet to be discovered; she is just hoping things settle down and not have such acrimony spoil this much anticipated holiday.

    Little do the sisters know that this holiday will bring challenges neither had anticipated; a possible romance for Harriet and throw Hester into something that becomes far larger than anything she has ever had to undertake, with ramifications that will follow both of them back to England at the end of their Italian sojourn.

    Meanwhile, their nephew Ben has managed to get himself into a siltation rapidly growing out of control, as he is talked into holding a party at his Aunt’s house while they are away. Although he realises this is not one of the brightest things he has ever done, there seems to be no way out of the mess in which he has landed.

    And so we are introduced to a wonderfully loveable cast of characters, in Daria and Milo, mysterious Hungarian refugees Harriet and Hester have befriended, her brother  Artem, the wonderfully erudite Finbar and the interesting, intelligent Nat, who all find themselves coming to the rescue of Ben, when his party turns into more than an absolute disaster.

    But meanwhile in Italy, things are changing and shaping by the day, as Harriet is undertaking a cooking course hosted by renowned chef and TV personality Franco Riccardi and Hester has commenced her art course. Harriet has still not divulged what is bothering her, with the tension between the two sisters continuing to grow, until it comes to a head when Hester and one of the other students falls off a pathway and down the side of the cliff.

    This incident sets of a train off events which, while largely unsought, brings life into sharp focus for all involved.

    Written with a lovely warm touch, and a considerable understanding of people, the characters of Harriet and Hester, as well as the other old friends, family and new made friends, come to life until you discover that somehow, you are now part of the ‘family’ and are left wondering just what is in store next for this delightful cast of characters.