Hell To Pay

Crime Files #1

by Jennifer Lee Thomson

Nancy Kerr refuses to be a victim - even when she walks in on her parents killers and is raped and left for dead.

Fourteen months later, she wakes up in a psychiatric hospital with no knowledge of how she got there.

Slowly her memory starts to return.

Released from the institution, she has just one thing on her mind.

Two men brought hell to her family home.

Now they re in for some hell of their own.

Genres: Horror, Mystery Thriller

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2015

About the author

Jennifer Lee Thomson is an award-winning Scottish crime writer who has been scribbling away all her life. She also writes non-fiction as Jennifer Thomson and fiction as Jenny Thomson. She's owned by a giant rescue dog called Harley.

Her latest book is crime thriller Vile City - Volume 1 in her Detective in a Coma series is out now from Diamond Books -
Meet DI Waddell: overworked and now his best pal who's in a coma is talking to him (and only him). Can he find missing Shelley before it's too late?

OTHER BOOKS
How kirsty Gets Her Kicks (Shotgun Honey)
The Nancy Kerr and Tommy McIntyre mysteries-
Hell To Pay (Crime Files Book 1), Throwaways and Don't Come for Me.

Reviews

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow. I thoroughly loved this story. From the start I found this to be a gripping read. As a blogger I'm always looking for a different kind of read. A unique storyline. The author got it spot on with this story.

Nancy is out for revenge for her parents murders. She herself has gone through hell. Yet the experience has only made her stronger. I was amazed at her tough attitude.

This book is the first in the series. It's a quick read. The twists and turns are unpredictable & I couldn't guess what was gonna happen next. Oh and what an ending! I'm so looking forward to reading book two.

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic opening to a series!!!!

I told the author I was off to bed to start this book last night, what I didn't bank on was staying up to read it from cover to cover. I really enjoyed it.


Its brilliant as its the start to the series. It opens up with Nancy going to her parents home to visit, as she goes in, the usual sounds of her parents activity is not heard. Only upstairs movements, until......

OMG, just imagine the scene of your parents brutally murdered in their own home.

The criminals were still in the house!! I was on the edge of my seat there in bed in the dark reading this.....made it worse I reckon!!! I could hear them coming down the stairs and ...........
BANG!

She couldn't escape, they had her as a hostage.....

What happened to her left her in a psychiatric hospital some fourteen months later.

I don't think I'll say much more than....

She's out for REVENGE...

The ending of this book will lead you into book 2, which I am anxiously waiting for and the author said she would contact me, I just CANNOT WAIT....

I saw a reviewer say that they didn't think much of this story, however.....this is the prequel to the series, its short, to the point and leaves you gasping and hanging on a limb......
For me, the author has whet my apatite for more, and like I say, I cannot wait.


My thanks go to the author Jenny Thomson for allowing me to read and review this book honestly, authors never know if someone will enjoy the book they read or not, and neither does the reader, but this reading *smiles* is enormously happy

I want book 2!!!!!

[Nicola Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy walks in to her parents house and never expects to see the scene before her eyes. Her mum and dad have been murdered. When she wakes up in a psychiatric hospital, she doesn't have a clue how she got there. Eventually her memory starts to return and all she can think about is getting the revenge on her parents killers.

This book was a really quick read i didn't put it down until i was finished. I couldn't wait to see how the story unfolded and was not disappointed. Thank you for a great book!

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you kindly to the author for the copy of this novella to review.



Nancy Kerr walks into a nightmare scenario when she arrives home to find her parents murdered. Violently attacked and left for dead, she wakes up some time later in a psychiatric hospital. As her memory slowly returns so does her desire for revenge...



This was a quick snappy read - the first in a series of books, presumably all to be novella's but don't quote me - the main protagonist is a bit of a bitch. Unsurprising considering what she has been through, even so her actions can seem extreme. This is not for the faint hearted - the violence is very violent but I didnt feel it was gratuitous although it did make for uncomfortable reading at times. With the subject matter being what it was however, you would expect it to be so, in fact I would be worried for you if you didnt! Nancy is not a lady to be messed with thats for sure and a really strong female protagonist always makes for a great read even if you worry vaguely at times for her ultimate wellbeing.



Its a fast paced book - no time to stop and smell the roses - and the author has put a lovely little ending in there that will make you want to read the next instalment. The characterisation is strong although I did feel that the main two (Nancy and Tom) could perhaps be fleshed out a little more - and perhaps Jenny Thomson might consider slowing the pace a little in the next book to give us time to really get to know them. I will certainly be reading onwards however...whilst there is indeed room for some improvement as a first part this was a great way to get started. Thoroughly enjoyable, although you may find yourself having to look away occasionally.



This book will certainly not be for everyone. But if you like a good thriller, and enjoy a quick read on occasion and one that won't bog you down, then give this a try. Love it or hate it, it will surely make you feel something!



Happy Reading Folks!

[Carolyn Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ghost of Lisbeth Salander (the girl with the dragon tattoo) dogs the heels of Nancy Kerr as she wreaks her revenge on the men who killed her parents and savagely raped her. Set in Glasgow, the book has a strong sense of location and fairly rattles along, every page demanding my full attention. The narrator’s voice is perfect for the genre; Jenny Thomson knows how to tell a tale and her use of language and location bring the pages vividly to life. Although the violence is, at times, eye-watering, Nancy and Tom (the man she slips into a relationship with), do possess a moral compass – albeit one which steers a course unfamiliar to most of us.
This book is not for the fainthearted - if you’re squeamish, be prepared to flinch at some of the scenes – but even someone like me, who doesn’t normally read this genre, will definitely be reading the next in the Nancy Kerr and Tommy McIntyre series.

[Johnm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bad guys of Glasgow should be nervous with a gal like Nancy around. One scene in particular was eye watering - for a guy like myself.

I look forward to the next in the series, although I'm scared!

[Jenette Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually got this book after reading the one star review from Pamela. Was it really as bad as she says?

Well, I loved it and gave it 5 stars so that says it all really. A gripping read, it actually made a change reading a book aimed at us girls that wasn't a predictably romance or some 50 shades rip off.

Like Pamela said, the book is short, but it's a novella. I've read quite a few and they're all short novels, which is what a novella is. And you very rarely pay the cover price anyway.They should sell books like this one in train and bus stations, because they're a brilliant way to pass the time on a long journey.
I loved the fact Nancy the main character got her revenge in the end. Wish there were more books like these.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy walks into the home of her parents to find them both murdered, execution style, and the killers take the chance to rape her, leaving her for dead. But Nancy has somehow survived and wakes up in a mental hospital, recovering from her ordeal. She is obsessed with the idea of finding the thugs herself and making them pay.

Firstly, for those of you who shy away from scenes of graphic rape, you are safe to read this one. The rape scene is implied at the time and briefly remembered but there is no full minute by minute description of the act. There is less graphic violence than the book implies in the blurb so it is not a horror gorefest either. It is more of a thriller with a few violent scenes than anything else. So I think perhaps the 'die hard' and bloody revenge ads for the book might put off a few people who could happily read it.

It did make a change to see a book set in Scotland that doesn't involve snotty American girls complaining about everything and having horrible Scottish steriotypes. This book is set in the Glasgow criminal underworld so you expect it to be dark and grim, as that fits the plot perfectly. It was nice to recognise landmarks and get a lot of the references in the book. Usually in American set books I have no clue about some of the celebrities, shows and references being joked about! The plot is decent, the writing is uncomplicated and there is enough happening to keep you interested to the end.

Nancy feels pretty normal despite her hairbrained plans. She knows what she wants to do to the men but she is scared to do it and has the morals to question it. She is a good person whose mind has been filled with revenge because of what has happened to her family. She is terrible at planning and lands herself in a few dodgy situations because of it. I felt no sympathy for the bad guys-I never do feel bad when they get what is coming to them.

I did have a few niggles about the book. The police seemed to spend far too much time visiting Nancy and hinting that she knew more than she let on, was lying to them and was involved in what happened to the thugs. I just don't see how a cop could add 1 +1 and get 10 like that. The story was a little unrealistic especially taking the risk of going in disguise to have a drink with the guy who raped you and hope you weren't recognised. I also wondered why a woman raped by thugs would be jumping into bed with a man she barely knows in the middle of a revenge plot against them. I felt that the sex scene was included because it was felt there should be one, rather than it adding anything to the plot. I also felt it was a bit too feminist for me, with so much man hating going on. Men were bashed for having sexist views on women but Nancy was always coming out with thoughts that were sexist again men which seemed a bit hypocritical.

The good bits? Well there was some decent humour scattered through the book. I liked the showdown with the gangland leader, which had a nice twist to it that I wasn't expecting. I was also interested in the reveal at the end which was unexpected and a bit different.

This was a decent story that kept me interested to the end and it is a novella that could have a pretty broad appeal if you can ignore a few issues with spelling and formatting. I can ignore a few mistakes and found it an entertaining short read.

[Storm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy is a young graphic designer living in the trendy ends of Glasgow with boyfriend Michael. After a ‘right bitch of a day’ and in order to escape from the right moody Michael, Nancy decides a visit to her parents is in order. As she arrives at her childhood home, her haven, her sanctuary, she walks right into a hellish nightmare, and her life is completely changed forever….

I’m really rather torn with this one. The story itself is pretty good, but the way it is written sometimes made a quite uncomfortable read. And I’m not referring to the scenes of disturbing violence…

What made me more uncomfortable, was the overpowering sense of ‘man-hate’ peppered throughout the book.
From gentler lines like - “The presence of those powerful women empowers me.” And “…whenever she needed a babysitter or someone to moan to about her husband’s numerous shortcomings.”
To the completely in your face - “That’s how Neanderthals view women – as mothers or slappers…” and “But then, he wouldn’t be the first man to stop thinking the second he dropped his trousers”. And the very saddening – “…because ultimately most men let you down.”

I’m all for women’s lib, and I was quite intrigued when the preface promised some really empowering material, but the lead character didn’t seem empowered and liberated to me at all, she actually seemed rather psychotic – now that may be understandable considering what she experiences, but let’s call a spade a spade and not dress it up as anything else. The fact that a completely unbelievable and inappropriate sex scene appears to be there for its own sake, seems to completely contradict the message the author is trying to get across anyway!

Now having said that, like I said the story itself is pretty good, albeit it moves along at a ridiculously fast pace - so much so that you feel you've fallen down the rabbit hole at some points. This novella had the ingredients to be a very good full length novel - a bit of better writing could have beefed it out and given a much more plausible flow to the timeline of events. But it does show promise for what could potentially be a really good series. And Thomson also very cleverly left a beautiful little nugget of mystery and suspense in the very last line of the book…certainly ensuring that this reviewer reads the next in the series!

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm lost as to how this novel garnered such positive reviews as it's one of the most incomplete novel I've ever come across. A good premise that happens to be poorly executed. Usually one complains that a story moves along very slowly. Instead, here we have a novel that moves along too fast. A hop, skip, and a jump and you've gone from the beginning right to the end only to ask yourself "WTF!?" Where's the story? There's nothing here to grab hold of. I kept reading hoping, praying that the story would somehow improve. No such luck. Even the characters are lifeless, uninteresting, and so under-developed. Didn't help that there were numerous spelling and grammatical errors throughout. Finishing this novel I was left feeling empty and pissed that I wasted my time on it; not to mention the cost of purchasing it. I'm actually going to come out and say just ignore this one altogether; save your money and read something else. You'll thank me later.

[S.S. Lange · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick but intense read. I can typically stomach some pretty intense violence when reading but this was tough even for me at times. I liked the story line and I think it played out well, but I wanted to care a little more about the main character than I did, it might have gone a little too quick to really get to know her. I do think I'll read the next in the series eventually.

[Bookangels12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell to pay



Author

Jenny Thomson

Review. Hurmorous in darkways surprisingly while dark almost bleak in a way. Very well paced. Well written and definitely a recommend.

Book angels was provided a copy for review

Not bad not bad at all.

Date 3/19

Reviewer Xena

[Ari Reavis]

Dnf at some % (Don't care enough to go see)

This was incredibly frustrating.

From the blurb (and even the cover) I expected blood and gore and thrilling violence. And indeed Nancy was all
and I was extremely excited to read about her exacting her revenge in gruesome detail.

But mannnn was I disappointed. I finally get to Nancy having one of her rapist tied up and ready to be tortured and it freaking fades to black.

Where are the details? Where is the play by play for me to relish in his pain and suffering. And then, THEN, to top it off, she doesn't even kill him.

She even calls him an ambulance afterwards. Are you freaking kidding me? This man tortured and killed your parents and then raped and tortured you. And you call an ambulance for him?

I'm bored, disappointed, and done.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will the nightmare ever end? Nancy was having a bad day so when she got home, she knew something was wrong but it was too late to do anything. She wakes up in the hospital confused until she remembers. Her parents were murdered and she was beaten and badly raped. But why? Nancy knows what she has to do next pretend to everyone that she is coping so that she can go get her revenge. But the game changes when her brother is killed in prison who wanted them all dead? Nancy will do anything to get revenge she will pretend to be someone else and do anything to get justice for her family. Along the way she might just lose her soul. But Nancy slips up and almost gets herself killed again but this time there is someone to save her. But her survivor is a man of many secrets and she needs to learn them all. Tommy is a man of many secrets and he will tell all the lies that he needs to. He will help Nancy get her revenge but he wants something in return. But can they trust each other enough to get justice? A really good read. The last part of the book gets in wondering?

[Amy Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing.

Nancy walked into her parents house at the wrong time and it would forever change her life. I enjoyed Nancy in this book, however, I would like to know where she got her money after losing her job. Even though most of her places to stay are not all that nice, I don't believe it would be cheap to move so frequently. I liked Tommy's character as well, but I still feel in the dark about who he actually is.

[Beth Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Wow! I loved the dark aspects in this book. Characters were well written and the plot was interesting. The story kept me flipping pages late into the night. There was one question raised at the end of the book that absolutely, positively has to be answered. Book two, here I come!

[Savannah Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastically written revenge thriller! The author did a wonderful job in showing Nancy's trauma from her attack and the death of her parents. She builds the suspense and story line well. I enjoyed the twists in the story. I am excited to read book 2!

[Melyssa Winchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Hell to Pay
Author: Jenny Thomson
Series or Standalone: Series (Crime Files Book One)
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Rating: 5 Stars *****

Review:

I’ve been looking for a book lately that would take me away from the genres I’ve been reading and give me something different, fresh and new and in Hell to Pay, and its author Jenny Thomson, I found what I was looking for.

This is book one in a series, that follows the lead character of Nancy Kerr as she rights not only the wrongs done to her, but to those that surround her, bringing along the police and a very intriguing vigilante in Tommy for the ride.

For me as a reader, this book had a little bit of everything. Intrigue, Suspense, Mystery, Revenge, with just a sprinkle of romance to spice things up.

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a story with such a badass, take no prisoner’s kind of character that Nancy was a breath of fresh air for me. After witnessing what happened to her and her family, what she inevitably lived through and what they lost their lives for, I couldn’t help but become invested in her and the mission that is the ultimate premise of this book.

I wanted to see those that did this to her pay for what they inflicted and man did I get one hell of a pay off, but before all of that takes place, you’re taken on one hell of a bumpy and dangerous ride right alongside her.

Tommy I think was a brilliant addition here. I went into the book assuming as I read that she would going to eventually lean on the police and they would be the ones working in tandem with her, but as soon as he stepped foot on the scene, I was glad it was Tommy.

Questions abound about this mystery man, even more so with the way this book ends and I find myself unable to wait before diving straight into the second book to see if some of them will be answered.

This book, while maybe not for everybody was the perfect book for me and I’m so glad that another author shared it so that I was able to find it. So if you’re looking for something a little different, enjoy reading multiple genres that take you on a rollercoaster ride, give this book a chance. And hopefully, you’ll enjoy it just as much as I did.

Jenny Thomson, you officially have a new fan!

[Brandi Aga · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected a lot more out of this book. Don't get me wrong it was good and I liked where she went with the story it just flowed too quickly for my liking.

I wish Tommy would have appeared sooner. and when he did it just felt like it was thrust into the story.

Then she hits you with that "to be continued...." well now I HAVE to read the next one! I want to know more. It isn't necessarily a cliffhanger, just leaves it open and wondering. Maybe the next book will make up for the details lacking in this one.

[Shoulanda August · Rating 4 out of 5]

And Pay They Did!!!

Unbelievable the horror and pain a person can inflict on another human being. A whole family pays the price for one son's mistake. A woman who refused to die and vowed to make everyone pay. Revenge and justice may be wrong but to Nancy it's means being able to live again.......

[N.W. Moors · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written crime drama. It details horrific events but wasn't too graphic. Nancy Kerr, the heroine, is tough but resilient and determined to get revenge. Tommy appears later in the book but is an interesting character. Its a quick read and a very satisfying first book in a series. I highly recommend it if this is your genre.

[Angelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Kerr walks in on a horrific scene that will change her life forever.
This was a fast paced read that I finished in one sitting because I could not put it down! This was a great start to what I think will be a great series! I can not wait to start book 2!

[Sandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was not what i was expecting. The heroine was NOT strong and independent and capable. This was NOT die hard for girls. It was shit.

[Bradon Nave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I locked my doors after reading this book and it was four in the afternoon. Awesomeness. Can't wait to start the next one.

[Penny Maitland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. This book has revenge, murder - you get the drift, but what I really like is the author's style of writing.