By Melina Byrne, Book Review Expert from Doubleday Entertainment
We’ve chosen three intriguing books that’ll keep you in suspense. One was written by a fashion model turned espionage expert.
1. Pictures Of You, by Caroline Leavitt
Praised as “suspenseful” and “gripping” by Oprah’s O Magazine, this book will strike a chord in most women as it discusses fractured relationships and a forbidden romance.
It also contains drama, romance, mystery and touching scenes where a child comes to grips with his mother’s death.
The plot:
Two women are running away from their marriages when their cars collide on a foggy highway. Only one woman survives …
The survivor of the car crash, Isabelle, a photographer, has to piece together not only her own life, but the lives of the husband and asthmatic son that the other woman, April, left behind. She also finds herself attracted to April’s husband, Charlie.
Book review:
“magically written … heartbreakingly honest …” – author Jodi Picoult.
About the author:
This is the ninth novel by award-winning American novelist Caroline Leavitt, who’s the author of Living Other Lives and Into Thin Air.
Click here to buy this book, or for info.
2. The Troika Dolls, by Miranda Darling
A spy thriller, The Troika Dolls was written by an Australian author, who is famous for her career change from model to espionage expert.
The plot:
This book introduces us to Stevie Duveen. An attractive, intelligent woman, she is fluent in seven languages and trained in all kinds of combat. She works for Hazard Ltd., an international trouble-shooting outfit that specialises in discreet, dangerous missions.
As this book opens, Stevie travels to Russia, where a bank regulator’s teenage daughter has been kidnapped. This case leads Stevie towards unspeakable evil as she becomes caught up in the terrifying world of human trafficking and sexual slavery.
Book review:
“Miranda Darling’s thriller runs on a full tank of action and suspense, perfumed with a whiff of emotion.” – The Age newspaper.
About the author:
Born in Melbourne, Miranda Darling studied at Oxford University. She also completed a Masters in Strategic Studies and Defence, and analysed security threats for a think tank.
There is currently a film of Miranda’s first novel, B Model, in pre-production.
Click here to buy this book, or for info.
3. Love, Honour And O’Brien, by Jennifer Rowe
This is a feel-good, Australian-set read with unpredictable plot twists. It lives up to its promise to deliver a ‘surprising mystery,’ and also provides plenty of laughs.
The plot:
Holly has been ripped off by a con man, who seduced her and then stole her life savings. She hires O’Brien, a down-on-his-luck private investigator, to find this ‘love rat.’
Soon, Holly must deal with a bizarre chain of events, which involve a gloomy old house, an Elvis impersonator and a talking parrot.
Book review:
“Ingenious, funny, with a cast of charming and eccentric characters.” – author Kerry Greenwood.
About The author:
Jennifer Rowe is the Australian author of the Verity Birdwood murder mysteries. She also writes under the pen name Emily Rodda.
Click here to buy this book, or for info.
Other book reviews from Melina Byrne from Doubleday Entertainment you might enjoy:
1. Three riveting fiction reads
2. “The Chocolate Diet” and two fiction reviews
3. “The 17 Day Diet” and 2 other great reads
