Book: SLEEPING DOLLS
Author: Helen Phifer
Pub Day: June 13th 2022
Book Description :
The beam shines around the dark room, lighting up the woman in sky-blue pyjamas lying on the couch. But she doesn’t wake under the bright glow, she isn’t sleeping at all…
When a concerned neighbour reports a woman missing, Detective Morgan Brookes squeezes through the stiff front door to find the woman dead. At first, the case appears unsuspicious, but something about the scene unsettles Morgan. Every clock in the house has been stopped, every mirror covered, and the woman seems physically unharmed except for one missing lock of hair.
Shirley Kelly was loved by her friends and hated by her ex-husband and his new wife, but they have an iron-clad alibi, and Morgan is certain that the scene-staging holds a vital clue. She’s devastated to be proved right when another woman is killed, and her home arranged in the same way. The only difference is that the second victim has been stabbed, using a knife from Shirley’s own kitchen…
The team can’t find a connection between the two women, but Morgan is sure that there is a deadly pattern to the killer’s actions. She hunts through each woman’s past until she finds the link: years ago, they both worked for a woman called Evelyn Reynolds, before tragedy struck her young family. But what has made them targets now? Morgan knows this twisted case is far from over, can she find the final clue before the clock stops for the next name on the killer’s list?
An absolutely gripping, mile-a-minute read. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Lisa Regan and Rachel Abbott!
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Sleeping Dolls' by Helen Phifer.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Helen Phifer, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 13th June 2022.
This is the seventh book I have read by this author. It is also the sixth book in the 'Detective Morgan Brookes' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Find The Girl' (book 5 in this series), 'First Girl To Die' (book 4 in this series), 'The Hiding Place' (book 3 in this series) , 'The Girl In The Lake' (book 2 in the 'Beth Adams series),' The Killer's Girl' (book 2 in this series) or 'One Left Alive' (the first book in this series) which I also recommend anyone read.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'An absolutely gripping, mile-a-minute read. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Lisa Regan and Rachel Abbott!' I am a huge fan of all three of this authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Helen and if this is half as good as' Find The Girl' (book 5 in series), 'First Girl To Die' (book 4 in this series), 'The Hiding Place' (book 3 in this series) , 'The Girl In The Lake' (book 2 in the 'Beth Adams series),' The Killer's Girl' (book 2 in this series) and 'One Left Alive' (the first book in this series) it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a 47 chapters. The chapters medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Cumbria, UK 🇬🇧 The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually been on holidays to Cumbria so it will help me picture everything.
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Detective Constable Morgan Brooks, Detective Sergeant Ben Matthews and Detective Constable Amy Smith. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple perspectives are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
Wow!!! Just Wow!!! I did not see that one coming!!! Yet another absolutely unputdownable page turning book from the extremely talented Helen Phifer!!!
This book is fantastically written and such an addictive and compelling read. Excellent descriptions making it so easy to imagine what's going on. The book cover and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.
The storyline is an absolute roller-coaster ride filled with suspense, crime, drama, red herrings and is a very good psychological thriller that kept me up until late at night. Helen completely emerges the reader into the storyline and there is just no escaping so be warned!! Do not start this if you have plans for the day 😂 It gets harder and harder to surprise me when it comes to crime books after reading so many yet Helen manages to do it absolutely every single time!!!Helen please let me into your secret as I have no idea how you do it but each book gets better and better!! The storyline itself was very realistic and I would say that Helen has done quite alot of research in regards to procedure plus more which shines through when your reading. I loved how the book ended although as always I am sad to come to the end of any of Helens books as it is like coming to the end of a holiday. I thought what happened during a certain part between two characters at the end was very emotional and it made me feel even more for the one of them who is so sweet and caring anyway.
Congratulations Helen on yet another absolutely addictive, unputdownable explosive success!! Your books keep getting better and better which is incredible as I have loved each and every one of them. As always, looking forward to the next installment in this epic series!!
It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
Although this is the sixth book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
I loved meeting all the characters again. They have definitely become like friends to me over these books and it's always sad to say goodbye to them. The characters are all very strong and the fact that Morgan and Amy are such strong females was definitely a bonus with me being female myself. I love Amy and Morgan and her relationship with Ben and would love to read more about her as always. I'd love to read more about Ben, Morgan and a few others actually. I am looking forward to seeing the relationship between Ben and Morgan progress and I liked the way they had quite similar histories. I also enjoyed the progression of friendship between Morgan and Cain who I really liked and enjoyed getting to know more in this book. I absolutely adore Cain who is such a sweet and kind hearted, not to mention sexy part of the team!! He has the perfect qualities of a police officer and in the words of a certain character "He could have strip-searched me and I’ve had said yes please.’" 😂 I had fun watching the sarcasm and snipes between Amy, Morgan and Detective Des and enjoyed getting to know him a bit more in this book too. I absolutely LOVE Amy with her sarcastic say it as it is, larger than life personality and I loved meeting her again. Declan the pathologist is another big character for me and I really love his funny yet caring and compassionate personality and always look forward to seeing him. I love him more and more with each epic, suspense filled addictive page turning novel in this series!! I cannot stand Amber who I could have slapped within seconds of "seeing" her and she is one character who is really going to grind on my nerves 😂. However, you can't love everyone and apart from that horrible cow I just cannot wait to meet the rest of an amazing team who I have grown to love!!
Well done on yet another massive success Helen and here is to the next success in an amazing series 🥂 🎈 💐. This is EXACTLY why your one of my favourite authors!!!! 😍
Overall another action packed, page turning, gripping, suspense filled edge of your seat must read by the legend that is Helen Phifer!!
Genres covered in this novel include Romance Novel, Thriller, Mystery, British Detective Stories, Suspense, Serial Killers, Psychological Thriller, Hardboiled, Noir Fiction, Women Sleuths, Psychological Fiction, Police Procedural and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer, CL Taylor, Tess Gerritson, Lisa Regan, Rachel Abbot and anyone looking for an epic read.
321 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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@HelenPhifer @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio
Helen Phifer is the Bestselling writer of the hugely popular Annie Graham, Lucy Harwin, Beth Adams and her current series featuring Detective Constable Morgan Brooks published by the fabulous Bookouture. She lives in the busy town of Barrow-in-Furness surrounded by miles of coastline and a short drive from the glorious English Lake District. Helen loves reading books that scare the heck out of her and is eternally grateful to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Herbert and Graham Masterton for scaring her senseless in her teenage years. Unable to find enough scary stories she decided to write her own and her debut novel The Ghost House released in October 2013 became a #1 Global Bestseller. She has written over twenty books in various genres, and you can follow her over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/helenphifer/ Or find her over at www.helenphifer.com Social Media
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Buy Link:
Amazon UK :https://geni.us/B09SV4DNKJsocial
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