What do you think?
Rate this book
The Un Broken
Millie didn’t get time to think. The car door was pulled open and she was dragged out, her screams loud and raw, as she kicked and fought. She called out for Oscar, again and again, screaming for help.
But he never came.
It was the wedding of the year. Millie Beaumont marrying billionaire playboy Oscar Hayat, the eyes of the world watching.
But the dream turns into a nightmare when Millie and Oscar are brutally abducted while on honeymoon. Millie is killed, her body dumped in London. Oscar is still missing…
Enter DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton - not your typical police officers. Moomy is running from her own troubled past, while Sarah is having to live with the hard choices she has made. Yet they will stop at nothing to find Millie’s murderers and track down Oscar. Only a family as high profile as the Hayats have enemies lurking in every corner - have they taken the ultimate revenge, or is someone else behind the death and kidnapping?
And can Moomy and Sarah find Oscar - before time runs out and he suffers the same fate as his wife?
The first book in the gripping, fast-paced new Khan and Heaton crime series, The Unbroken will thrill fans of A.A. Dhand, Angela Marsons and Robert Bryndza.
Praise for Alex Caan:
‘Wow!!...mysterious, suspenseful and full of delicious and devious surprises…Loved it!’ Angela Marsons, author of the D.I. Kim Stone series
A chillingly authentic, bang-on-trend thriller - one you'd be a fool to miss Lisa Hall, #1 bestselling author of Between You and Me
But he never came.
It was the wedding of the year. Millie Beaumont marrying billionaire playboy Oscar Hayat, the eyes of the world watching.
But the dream turns into a nightmare when Millie and Oscar are brutally abducted while on honeymoon. Millie is killed, her body dumped in London. Oscar is still missing…
Enter DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton - not your typical police officers. Moomy is running from her own troubled past, while Sarah is having to live with the hard choices she has made. Yet they will stop at nothing to find Millie’s murderers and track down Oscar. Only a family as high profile as the Hayats have enemies lurking in every corner - have they taken the ultimate revenge, or is someone else behind the death and kidnapping?
And can Moomy and Sarah find Oscar - before time runs out and he suffers the same fate as his wife?
The first book in the gripping, fast-paced new Khan and Heaton crime series, The Unbroken will thrill fans of A.A. Dhand, Angela Marsons and Robert Bryndza.
Praise for Alex Caan:
‘Wow!!...mysterious, suspenseful and full of delicious and devious surprises…Loved it!’ Angela Marsons, author of the D.I. Kim Stone series
A chillingly authentic, bang-on-trend thriller - one you'd be a fool to miss Lisa Hall, #1 bestselling author of Between You and Me
342 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2020
15 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Alex Caan
5 books61 followersFor fans of THE FALL, a slick, dark, contemporary THRILLER in the tradition of SARAH HILARY and ROBERT GALBRAITH that grips from the very first page.
What the reviews say:
'Told in an uncompromising way...a different book which is really refreshing.'
‘A very taut crime thriller…The story moves at a face pace, with lots of twists and turns. A dark edgy story for the current times of social media exploitation.’
‘WOW!!!! Blisteringly fabulous dark crime, that is hard to put down!’
'It's a super-twisty police procedural that kept me guessing right until the end!'
‘Not many books can keep me reading until the early hours of the morning but this debut novel grabbed me from page one and didn't let me go!’
‘You're kept moving along and the plot is engaging enough that you keep wanting to turn pages. I loved the plot twists and the character development.’
‘This was a great mystery with much deeper subject matter than I originally thought.’
‘I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book. I didn’t particularly know anything about the world of vlogging, and it sounded like more of a YA book, but I decided to read it and am glad that I did. This is a fast paced thriller that takes you on a ride through the seedier side of vlogging, and political corruption. It is well written, and the characters are intriguing. The plot is good, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes.’
‘I am not a big fan of social media but this was a great read and the story kept you turning the page from the very beginning.’
‘Absolutely brilliant book which I consumed in a matter of days and loved every minute of!’
‘I thoroughly enjoyed the plot in Cut To The Bone as it has a bit of everything. I love a good police procedural and this is very good on procedure without being boring. There is misdirection at every turn which really held my attention and kept me in the dark until the end.’
‘Unlike other procedural crime series, this has a darker, angstier edge to it.’
‘A contemporary thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. It is a great buy and the author did a brilliant job.’
‘Thoroughly enjoyable with the short chapters making it easy to pick up and hard to put down.’
‘One of the most captivating introductions I have read in a while! Caan's use of short sentences creates tension effectively, gripping the reader and pulling them straight into the dark and frightening situation which sets the tone for the rest of this compelling thriller. This really is a novel for 2016.’
Biography:
Alex Caan has spent over a decade working in Information Systems Security for a number of government organisations, and is currently specialising in Terrorism Studies. A lifetime passion for writing was sparked by the encouraging words of an English Teacher in school, and eventually led to Alex successfully completing an MA in Creative Writing, and write Cut to the Bone. Alex lives in London and Manchester.
What the reviews say:
'Told in an uncompromising way...a different book which is really refreshing.'
‘A very taut crime thriller…The story moves at a face pace, with lots of twists and turns. A dark edgy story for the current times of social media exploitation.’
‘WOW!!!! Blisteringly fabulous dark crime, that is hard to put down!’
'It's a super-twisty police procedural that kept me guessing right until the end!'
‘Not many books can keep me reading until the early hours of the morning but this debut novel grabbed me from page one and didn't let me go!’
‘You're kept moving along and the plot is engaging enough that you keep wanting to turn pages. I loved the plot twists and the character development.’
‘This was a great mystery with much deeper subject matter than I originally thought.’
‘I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book. I didn’t particularly know anything about the world of vlogging, and it sounded like more of a YA book, but I decided to read it and am glad that I did. This is a fast paced thriller that takes you on a ride through the seedier side of vlogging, and political corruption. It is well written, and the characters are intriguing. The plot is good, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes.’
‘I am not a big fan of social media but this was a great read and the story kept you turning the page from the very beginning.’
‘Absolutely brilliant book which I consumed in a matter of days and loved every minute of!’
‘I thoroughly enjoyed the plot in Cut To The Bone as it has a bit of everything. I love a good police procedural and this is very good on procedure without being boring. There is misdirection at every turn which really held my attention and kept me in the dark until the end.’
‘Unlike other procedural crime series, this has a darker, angstier edge to it.’
‘A contemporary thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. It is a great buy and the author did a brilliant job.’
‘Thoroughly enjoyable with the short chapters making it easy to pick up and hard to put down.’
‘One of the most captivating introductions I have read in a while! Caan's use of short sentences creates tension effectively, gripping the reader and pulling them straight into the dark and frightening situation which sets the tone for the rest of this compelling thriller. This really is a novel for 2016.’
Biography:
Alex Caan has spent over a decade working in Information Systems Security for a number of government organisations, and is currently specialising in Terrorism Studies. A lifetime passion for writing was sparked by the encouraging words of an English Teacher in school, and eventually led to Alex successfully completing an MA in Creative Writing, and write Cut to the Bone. Alex lives in London and Manchester.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 21, 2020
4☆ A Gripping, Highly Compelling, Twisty Crime Thriller!
The Unbroken is a gritty and highly compelling crime thriller.
Millie and Oscar have just gotten married, but you never know what goes on behind closed doors...and in Millie's case nothing is! As Oscar doesn't want Millie it was all a sham. A lavish, rich, sham. But she loved him.
DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan are called to investigate a murder, a body, with a gun shot wound to the head.... the body is Millie's!
Millie was on her honeymoon in Istanbul, Someone must of kidnapped her in Istanbul, killed her and dumped her body in London. But where is Oscar? Why go to the extreme lengths to kidnap someone and dump their body in a completely different country?
DI Heaton and her team have to now try and work out exactly what happened, quickly, as it wont be long before the press find out and it could make things a whole lot worse! Especially as Millie was married to a billionaire and with Oscar still missing the clock is ticking!
The Unbroken is the first book in a new crime series and I'm already excited for more.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the cleverly plotted twists and turns that kept me guessing till the end. I thought I had an inkling early on but I was wrong, and I love that!
The characters were really well developed, I'm excited to read more from DI Heaton and DS Khan they certainly make a good team, with a complex past.
The police procedural was well written and believable.
The Unbroken is suspenseful, gritty, very compelling, drama filled, twisty crime thriller that I highly recommend.
I can't wait for the next installment!
Thank you to BOTBS Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
The Unbroken is a gritty and highly compelling crime thriller.
Millie and Oscar have just gotten married, but you never know what goes on behind closed doors...and in Millie's case nothing is! As Oscar doesn't want Millie it was all a sham. A lavish, rich, sham. But she loved him.
DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan are called to investigate a murder, a body, with a gun shot wound to the head.... the body is Millie's!
Millie was on her honeymoon in Istanbul, Someone must of kidnapped her in Istanbul, killed her and dumped her body in London. But where is Oscar? Why go to the extreme lengths to kidnap someone and dump their body in a completely different country?
DI Heaton and her team have to now try and work out exactly what happened, quickly, as it wont be long before the press find out and it could make things a whole lot worse! Especially as Millie was married to a billionaire and with Oscar still missing the clock is ticking!
The Unbroken is the first book in a new crime series and I'm already excited for more.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the cleverly plotted twists and turns that kept me guessing till the end. I thought I had an inkling early on but I was wrong, and I love that!
The characters were really well developed, I'm excited to read more from DI Heaton and DS Khan they certainly make a good team, with a complex past.
The police procedural was well written and believable.
The Unbroken is suspenseful, gritty, very compelling, drama filled, twisty crime thriller that I highly recommend.
I can't wait for the next installment!
Thank you to BOTBS Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
March 20, 2020
The Unbroken is the first instalment in the Detective Inspector Sarah Heaton and Detective Superintendent Moomy Khan series both of whom are employed by the Metropolitan Police Force. When the body of Millie Beaumont is discovered on Hampstead Heath in London killed by a single gunshot wound to the head, Sarah and her colleagues know they will be under huge pressure to bring the case to resolution quickly. Born into your average British family she went on to meet and marry billionaire Oscar Hayat in a lavish ceremony others could only dream about. It is then they ventured to Istanbul, Turkey, on their honeymoon where they were both apparently kidnapped, yet Oscar is still nowhere to be found. Is he dead? Or is something else going on? The police start by interviewing the Hayat family to ascertain whether they know anything about what happened or where Oscar may be but they almost immediately pick up that the family is hiding something; they definitely know more than they are letting on as they are bewilderingly calm.
This is an exciting and drama-filled start to a promising series that had me rooted to the spot reading long into the night. It's compulsive and completely absorbing from beginning to end, and there were twists and turns aplenty and the surprises just keep coming. Caan keeps the motive under wraps until the very end and this keeps you glued to the pages. All developments unfold in a linear and logical fashion making it so upincredibly easy to get lost in the story; it's addictive and the mission to uncover the secrets the Hayat family are hiding beneath their perfect facade is engrossing. The plot is gritty and both Moomy and Sarah are both talented and dogged investigators with incredibly painful pasts which I imagine we will hear more about in future books. Moving at a swift pace, The Unbroken leads you to consider whether money andhaving contacts in high places that often go along with that, really can buy you everything, including protection from the law. A highly entertaining and absorbing read. Many thanks to Hera Books for an ARC.
This is an exciting and drama-filled start to a promising series that had me rooted to the spot reading long into the night. It's compulsive and completely absorbing from beginning to end, and there were twists and turns aplenty and the surprises just keep coming. Caan keeps the motive under wraps until the very end and this keeps you glued to the pages. All developments unfold in a linear and logical fashion making it so upincredibly easy to get lost in the story; it's addictive and the mission to uncover the secrets the Hayat family are hiding beneath their perfect facade is engrossing. The plot is gritty and both Moomy and Sarah are both talented and dogged investigators with incredibly painful pasts which I imagine we will hear more about in future books. Moving at a swift pace, The Unbroken leads you to consider whether money andhaving contacts in high places that often go along with that, really can buy you everything, including protection from the law. A highly entertaining and absorbing read. Many thanks to Hera Books for an ARC.
February 18, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hera Books for an advance copy of The Unbroken, the first novel in a projected series to feature DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan of the Met.
When a woman’s body is found on Hampstead Heath Sarah knows it is going to be a high pressure case because the dead woman is Millie Beaumont who was kidnapped on her honeymoon in Istanbul a week ago along with her new husband, the incredibly wealthy Oscar Hayat. So where is Oscar?
I enjoyed The Unbroken which is a compulsive tale with plenty of twists and turns. I found the narrative engrossing, if a touch far fetched in its motive and solution. It is told from various points of view, mostly Sarah and Moomy but some others who give the reader reason to be suspicious of them. Fortunately there is no word of the why until the denouement which keeps the reader interested and baffled, well, this reader at least.
It is also a cluttered novel with lots going on. Not content with the murder/kidnap plot which would be sufficient on its own as it is quite complicated with all sorts of potential scenarios the author spends fair chunks of the novel on Moomy’s backstory and hints at things to come for Sarah, as she too has secrets. Moomy’s story is harrowing and explains much of her angry, self destructive personality but it takes up too much room in a crime novel and detracts from the main event. At least it’s credible whereas Sarah’s story is, to me, too ludicrous to be believable but I’m not a big city girl so what do I know?
Moomy is a great character, loud, abrasive and effective with a strong streak of self destruction so you can’t help but warm to her. Sarah, I’m not so sure about and I think I’d need more time with her to warm to her. She seems like a woman who needs a crutch.
The Unbroken is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
When a woman’s body is found on Hampstead Heath Sarah knows it is going to be a high pressure case because the dead woman is Millie Beaumont who was kidnapped on her honeymoon in Istanbul a week ago along with her new husband, the incredibly wealthy Oscar Hayat. So where is Oscar?
I enjoyed The Unbroken which is a compulsive tale with plenty of twists and turns. I found the narrative engrossing, if a touch far fetched in its motive and solution. It is told from various points of view, mostly Sarah and Moomy but some others who give the reader reason to be suspicious of them. Fortunately there is no word of the why until the denouement which keeps the reader interested and baffled, well, this reader at least.
It is also a cluttered novel with lots going on. Not content with the murder/kidnap plot which would be sufficient on its own as it is quite complicated with all sorts of potential scenarios the author spends fair chunks of the novel on Moomy’s backstory and hints at things to come for Sarah, as she too has secrets. Moomy’s story is harrowing and explains much of her angry, self destructive personality but it takes up too much room in a crime novel and detracts from the main event. At least it’s credible whereas Sarah’s story is, to me, too ludicrous to be believable but I’m not a big city girl so what do I know?
Moomy is a great character, loud, abrasive and effective with a strong streak of self destruction so you can’t help but warm to her. Sarah, I’m not so sure about and I think I’d need more time with her to warm to her. She seems like a woman who needs a crutch.
The Unbroken is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 17, 2020
Crime fiction fans rejoice, Alex Caan delivers an action-packed new crime series for us to devour. The Unbroken, which is book one, is a gripping novel that I wasn’t able to put done until I was finished.
The twists in this book are so jaw-dropping, I can’t even put into words how awesome they were. Alex Caan‘s writing is brilliant, leaving every bread crumb, expertly paced, for us to follow. The tension and suspense is ramped up right from the beginning, and at no point is the action ever stale.
The two detectives, Khan and Heaton is really well-developed. I love that they aren’t the typical characters for the job, and I love their flaws.
Gripping and impossible to put down, The Unbroken deserves all the stars. Highly recommended.
*I received a free copy of this book from BOTBS Publicity in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
The twists in this book are so jaw-dropping, I can’t even put into words how awesome they were. Alex Caan‘s writing is brilliant, leaving every bread crumb, expertly paced, for us to follow. The tension and suspense is ramped up right from the beginning, and at no point is the action ever stale.
The two detectives, Khan and Heaton is really well-developed. I love that they aren’t the typical characters for the job, and I love their flaws.
Gripping and impossible to put down, The Unbroken deserves all the stars. Highly recommended.
*I received a free copy of this book from BOTBS Publicity in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
August 27, 2020
Following the wedding of the year, billionaire Oscar Hayat and his new bride, Millie are abducted while on their honeymoon. A few days late, Millie is found .... dead with a gunshot wound in the head. Oscar is still missing .....
DC Moomy Khan and DI Sara Heaton are called in to investigate. The two women have as many differences as they have commonalities, but they both want justice for the victim and are determined to find Millie's killer.
What they find is that the Hayat family is not that distraught over Millie's death .. however, the missing Oscar is of great concern. The parents and brothers of Oscar all seem to have secrets .. and reasons to have wanted Millie out of the way.
There are many suspects, other than the Hayat family. There's the previous boyfriend of Millie who was not happy when he was dumped. When autopsy showed old fractures, he became the prime suspect. When it comes to money, the Hayats are easy targets .. and the detectives are finding many who are enemies.
The plot is tightly woven around the swirling mass of suspense and mystery ... and death. Characters are deftly drawn and highlight the detectives personal lives as well as the professional. Both are Muslim, but with differing views of what that means and this adds another layer of interest due to religion, race, culture.
This is the first book in a new crime fiction. I'm looking to see how these characters adapt and grow over time.
Many thanks to the author / Hera Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this riveting crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
March 15, 2020
I really, really don't know if I can do justice to the book with this review. But I will try my best.
Alex Caan is fucking brilliant!! His writing... Oh my freak... It hit me right between my eyes, a hard round, which stopped my breath. With personal lives and past of the lead detectives slowly being interweaved with the layers of investigation, this master conductor swayed the direction of the story so effortlessly that the winds blew in almost a synchronized way. It was nothing short of brilliant. I read the entire book with bated breath.
Millie and Oscar had a dream destination wedding and honeymoon in Istanbul, but those were only for the photographs. Something was brewing between them. Then came their kidnapping at their honeymoon but Millie's tortured and dead body was found in UK. Go figure... In fact it were the lead Detectives Sarah and Moomy who were given this convoluted case.
My first book by this author, man, had I been living under a rock? I didn't expect it to be so exciting, my due apologies to the author for underestimating him. How do I write about the eagerness that struck me when I started reading? How do I show about the way the book slowly enveloped me within itself, entrancing me? How do I explain the craving that overwhelmed me to know the truth? The book did all that and more.
The police investigation was swift with the brains of the lead detectives working overtime. The pages turned almost by itself, I was lost into the suspense of the story. The author was a master strategist who knew how to make the pieces of subplots fit seamlessly as well lay down the foundation of the main characters for the subsequent books.
That's it, my brain is broken. No more words can spew forth. I am done!!
I freaking loved the book!!
And that's all I am saying!!
Alex Caan is fucking brilliant!! His writing... Oh my freak... It hit me right between my eyes, a hard round, which stopped my breath. With personal lives and past of the lead detectives slowly being interweaved with the layers of investigation, this master conductor swayed the direction of the story so effortlessly that the winds blew in almost a synchronized way. It was nothing short of brilliant. I read the entire book with bated breath.
Millie and Oscar had a dream destination wedding and honeymoon in Istanbul, but those were only for the photographs. Something was brewing between them. Then came their kidnapping at their honeymoon but Millie's tortured and dead body was found in UK. Go figure... In fact it were the lead Detectives Sarah and Moomy who were given this convoluted case.
My first book by this author, man, had I been living under a rock? I didn't expect it to be so exciting, my due apologies to the author for underestimating him. How do I write about the eagerness that struck me when I started reading? How do I show about the way the book slowly enveloped me within itself, entrancing me? How do I explain the craving that overwhelmed me to know the truth? The book did all that and more.
The police investigation was swift with the brains of the lead detectives working overtime. The pages turned almost by itself, I was lost into the suspense of the story. The author was a master strategist who knew how to make the pieces of subplots fit seamlessly as well lay down the foundation of the main characters for the subsequent books.
That's it, my brain is broken. No more words can spew forth. I am done!!
I freaking loved the book!!
And that's all I am saying!!
April 28, 2020
**Thank you Net Galley & Hera Books for this eARC**
So I want to start with I think and hope Alex Caan continues this series. I want to know who the hell Moomy ran in to at the end...
**
OK so back to the story. Moomy and Sarah are the detectives that are pulled into this high profile case. It's only high profile because of the family involved. You see, Millie Beaumont is the new wife of Oscar Hayat. And by new I mean both Millie and Oscar were kidnapped on their honeymoon; resulting in Millie turning up dead in Moomy and Sarah district.
As these two detective start to unravel the hot mess that is the Hayat family and the lengths their money reaches; they uncover some farfetched motives for Millie being killed. Dark secrets kept from family and friends. I will say I did think this story was a bit too muddied with stories of Mommy's and Sarah's past. While all this information may be useful for future novels; all the information doled out on their lives prior to being detectives did nothing but confuse me in the beginning; then kept me looking for ways it crossed with the story of who killed Millie. Let me tell you; their past did not come in to play in this book, but again maybe it will the future hopeful books.
The Unbroken is a good read, which I would recommend to my reader friends. Can't wait to see what other novels Alex Caan has awaiting us.
So I want to start with I think and hope Alex Caan continues this series. I want to know who the hell Moomy ran in to at the end...
**
OK so back to the story. Moomy and Sarah are the detectives that are pulled into this high profile case. It's only high profile because of the family involved. You see, Millie Beaumont is the new wife of Oscar Hayat. And by new I mean both Millie and Oscar were kidnapped on their honeymoon; resulting in Millie turning up dead in Moomy and Sarah district.
As these two detective start to unravel the hot mess that is the Hayat family and the lengths their money reaches; they uncover some farfetched motives for Millie being killed. Dark secrets kept from family and friends. I will say I did think this story was a bit too muddied with stories of Mommy's and Sarah's past. While all this information may be useful for future novels; all the information doled out on their lives prior to being detectives did nothing but confuse me in the beginning; then kept me looking for ways it crossed with the story of who killed Millie. Let me tell you; their past did not come in to play in this book, but again maybe it will the future hopeful books.
The Unbroken is a good read, which I would recommend to my reader friends. Can't wait to see what other novels Alex Caan has awaiting us.
March 8, 2020
The Unbroken is the first book in a new crime series featuring two women detectives, DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton. I have to say I don’t know many crime series’ where they have two female leads. Girl power!
Both characters, whilst different, have a troubled past. I loved the dynamic of the vulnerability and strength that come with both these women. I was as invested in finding out about their pasts as I was with the case they were working on. Sometimes in the start to a new series, there is to much background, affecting the thrill and excitement of the actual case. This author makes the reader care about both whilst making it a page turner of a read.
The story starts off with Millie. Just the brief introduction was enough that I was as desperate for justice as Moomy and Sarah was for her. They seem to keep hitting walls in the investigation which had me as frustrated as they were. Their emotions with this case transferred from the pages over me, leaving me go through an array of emotions.
The Unbroken is a brilliant start to a new crime series. I am loving Sarah and Moomy and can’t wait to read more of this duo. I have a feeling there is more to come from their pasts that will add to the tension and suspense. A riveting read that had me clinging onto every word.
My thanks to Hera Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Both characters, whilst different, have a troubled past. I loved the dynamic of the vulnerability and strength that come with both these women. I was as invested in finding out about their pasts as I was with the case they were working on. Sometimes in the start to a new series, there is to much background, affecting the thrill and excitement of the actual case. This author makes the reader care about both whilst making it a page turner of a read.
The story starts off with Millie. Just the brief introduction was enough that I was as desperate for justice as Moomy and Sarah was for her. They seem to keep hitting walls in the investigation which had me as frustrated as they were. Their emotions with this case transferred from the pages over me, leaving me go through an array of emotions.
The Unbroken is a brilliant start to a new crime series. I am loving Sarah and Moomy and can’t wait to read more of this duo. I have a feeling there is more to come from their pasts that will add to the tension and suspense. A riveting read that had me clinging onto every word.
My thanks to Hera Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
February 18, 2020
5 stars
Millie Beaumont, from an ordinary family, married the billionaire Oscar Hayat in a dream wedding. There the dream ends.
A week later Millie’s body is found she died from a single gunshot to the head. Where is Oscar? Is he dead too?
DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan are assigned the case. Ir is a big one due to the amazing wealth of the Hayat family. Even the higher ups in the government get involved. There is much pressure on the police officers. They begin an intense investigation by first interviewing the Hayat family. Something in wrong here. Lara Hayat, Oscar's mother is hiding something as is her husband John. The other two sons are Spencer who seems to be pretty much a wastrel and Victor who is as driven as his father – and perhaps not as honest.
The investigation leads the police all over. Intense searches by their computer wizard provide real clues and new trails to follow.
Both Moomy and Sarah are survivors (one might say), of bad family experiences. The degree of pain and humiliation they have suffered is very well told in this book. It is folded into the story almost seamlessly. Very well done.
This book is remarkably well written and plotted. One event follows another in a logical manner. It is easy to read and addictive. The reader just must find out what the Hayat's are hiding and where Oscar is. What happened to him? This is a tense whodunnit complete with surprises and twists. While some things are obvious, others are not nearly so clear. This is my first Alex Caan novel, but it definitely won't be my last. I immediately went to Amazon to look for other books of theirs.
I want to thank NetGalley and Hera Books for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely great book for me to read, enjoy and review.
Millie Beaumont, from an ordinary family, married the billionaire Oscar Hayat in a dream wedding. There the dream ends.
A week later Millie’s body is found she died from a single gunshot to the head. Where is Oscar? Is he dead too?
DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan are assigned the case. Ir is a big one due to the amazing wealth of the Hayat family. Even the higher ups in the government get involved. There is much pressure on the police officers. They begin an intense investigation by first interviewing the Hayat family. Something in wrong here. Lara Hayat, Oscar's mother is hiding something as is her husband John. The other two sons are Spencer who seems to be pretty much a wastrel and Victor who is as driven as his father – and perhaps not as honest.
The investigation leads the police all over. Intense searches by their computer wizard provide real clues and new trails to follow.
Both Moomy and Sarah are survivors (one might say), of bad family experiences. The degree of pain and humiliation they have suffered is very well told in this book. It is folded into the story almost seamlessly. Very well done.
This book is remarkably well written and plotted. One event follows another in a logical manner. It is easy to read and addictive. The reader just must find out what the Hayat's are hiding and where Oscar is. What happened to him? This is a tense whodunnit complete with surprises and twists. While some things are obvious, others are not nearly so clear. This is my first Alex Caan novel, but it definitely won't be my last. I immediately went to Amazon to look for other books of theirs.
I want to thank NetGalley and Hera Books for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely great book for me to read, enjoy and review.
March 18, 2020
Millie Beaumont has just married rich boyfriend, Oscar Hayat, but soon after they both disappear whilst on honeymoon. Within days, Millie's body is found on a heath in London whilst Oscar is still unaccounted for. DI Sarah Heaton and partner, DS Moomy Khan investigate amongst the world of the super rich of the UK's capital.
This book is unusual for having two female police officers as its main partnership, and I think this gave it an interesting dynamic. I'm not convinced a DS would be able to talk to senior officers in the fashion that Moomy Khan does though and I'm unsure whether or not her character would outstay her welcome with me sooner rather than later. That said, I did enjoy reading it, the plot was interesting and didn't sag in the middle like some crime novels do. I enjoyed it enough to read a second one.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Hera Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
This book is unusual for having two female police officers as its main partnership, and I think this gave it an interesting dynamic. I'm not convinced a DS would be able to talk to senior officers in the fashion that Moomy Khan does though and I'm unsure whether or not her character would outstay her welcome with me sooner rather than later. That said, I did enjoy reading it, the plot was interesting and didn't sag in the middle like some crime novels do. I enjoyed it enough to read a second one.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Hera Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
March 8, 2020
Alex Caan is a new writer to me but this is an impressive way to be introduced. The Unbroken is the first in a series which promises much. The two lead cops, Sarah Heaton and Moomy Khan, are fascinating characters with great back stories; if I had one tiny criticism, it is that a little too much time is devoted to background. However, the story is an intriguing and engrossing mystery; a well-known and glamorous couple are kidnapped on honeymoon in Istanbul and the bride turns up dead in London. Can't wait for future additions to this series.
March 23, 2020
I've read enough crime novels to know that it doesn't usually matter too much if a reader doesn't start with the first book in a series but equally, I'm also aware that to really appreciate the development of the characters, it is advisable to read from the beginning if possible and I think this will most definitely be true for Alex Caan's new series featuring DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton. As the first book, there is necessarily a certain amount of scene setting but far from detracting from the plot, I found the inclusion of the two main characters' back stories to be absolutely fascinating and written in such a way to give me a clear indication of who these women are while also holding enough back to ensure I'm eager to discover more.
The juxtaposition between Moomy and Sarah is particularly striking; the former having turned her back on her Muslim upbringing while the latter has chosen to convert to Islam - with severe ramifications for their relationships with both their families. Moomy has an unexpected introduction to the storyline which immediately suggests that she is most definitely not a run-of-the-mill detective. Indeed, there are points within the novel where I couldn't help but wonder how she manages to keep her job. She is insubordinate and inappropriate - and I loved her! As the story progresses, we learn more about her background and why she feels such hatred towards her family. It's a familiar enough yet still shocking tale of control and coercion in the name of family and faith and one that reflects the reality for any number of women.
Sarah's experience of Islam is in direct contrast to this, revealing the comfort and succour that faith gives to some people, with the ritual observance of prayers grounding her at the moments where she most needs the support. However, her conversion has also led to personal difficulties and this is something I'm very much looking forward to being expanded upon further in later books, particularly given that her father and half-sister have such wildly differing beliefs. Moomy and Sarah's individual experiences could have divided them but somehow the partnership works with each leaning on the other as the case they are investigating stirs up painful memories for both.
The third woman of the storyline is Millie Beaumont who also found herself at odds with family, although in this case it's the one she marries into which may hold the clues to why she is tragically murdered, shortly after her high profile marriage to Oscar Hayat. As Sarah and Moomy investigate her death they are given a glimpse into the murky underworld of the seriously wealthy. With chapters which give us a tantalising insight into a few of the Hayat family's thoughts, it's never obvious whether any of them are ultimately responsible for Millie's death but it is only too evident that they will do anything possible to protect their way of life, and they have the money, power and influential associates to do just that. There are dark secrets and scandals just waiting to be discovered here but Moomy and Sarah need to figure out which are important to the case and which are just further examples of a corrupt, privileged lifestyle.
The red herrings and cliffhangers at the end of chapters meant I couldn't put the book down and read The Unbroken in just a few hours. I love novels with a strong, well-written character-driven narrative and that's exactly what I was given here, with the various motivations behind the actions of the characters being explored with insight and authenticity throughout. The Unbroken is a compelling police procedural and an excellent introduction to a new series. I am excited to discover what lies in store for Moomy and Sarah next, especially after the intriguing epilogue...
The juxtaposition between Moomy and Sarah is particularly striking; the former having turned her back on her Muslim upbringing while the latter has chosen to convert to Islam - with severe ramifications for their relationships with both their families. Moomy has an unexpected introduction to the storyline which immediately suggests that she is most definitely not a run-of-the-mill detective. Indeed, there are points within the novel where I couldn't help but wonder how she manages to keep her job. She is insubordinate and inappropriate - and I loved her! As the story progresses, we learn more about her background and why she feels such hatred towards her family. It's a familiar enough yet still shocking tale of control and coercion in the name of family and faith and one that reflects the reality for any number of women.
Sarah's experience of Islam is in direct contrast to this, revealing the comfort and succour that faith gives to some people, with the ritual observance of prayers grounding her at the moments where she most needs the support. However, her conversion has also led to personal difficulties and this is something I'm very much looking forward to being expanded upon further in later books, particularly given that her father and half-sister have such wildly differing beliefs. Moomy and Sarah's individual experiences could have divided them but somehow the partnership works with each leaning on the other as the case they are investigating stirs up painful memories for both.
The third woman of the storyline is Millie Beaumont who also found herself at odds with family, although in this case it's the one she marries into which may hold the clues to why she is tragically murdered, shortly after her high profile marriage to Oscar Hayat. As Sarah and Moomy investigate her death they are given a glimpse into the murky underworld of the seriously wealthy. With chapters which give us a tantalising insight into a few of the Hayat family's thoughts, it's never obvious whether any of them are ultimately responsible for Millie's death but it is only too evident that they will do anything possible to protect their way of life, and they have the money, power and influential associates to do just that. There are dark secrets and scandals just waiting to be discovered here but Moomy and Sarah need to figure out which are important to the case and which are just further examples of a corrupt, privileged lifestyle.
The red herrings and cliffhangers at the end of chapters meant I couldn't put the book down and read The Unbroken in just a few hours. I love novels with a strong, well-written character-driven narrative and that's exactly what I was given here, with the various motivations behind the actions of the characters being explored with insight and authenticity throughout. The Unbroken is a compelling police procedural and an excellent introduction to a new series. I am excited to discover what lies in store for Moomy and Sarah next, especially after the intriguing epilogue...
February 22, 2020
Wow, what can I say about this book, but I absolutely loved it. I have to say I have the authors three previous books on my bookshelf which haven’t yet been read, but after this I will get there. I love the main female characters in this DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan. Two officers who really get things moving. Putting their boss DI Scott Blake in at times a difficult position, mainly because of politics of the wealthy and influential people who seem to get away with more than your everyday average Joe.
This is a police procedural but it’s not just that, it’s about greed, wealth, power given to those with money, race, religion. The story flows, the action is fast paced and the characters are all relatable in some way, three dimensional and believable. I really hope this is just the start of this series as I really need more.
I love the back story of the two officers, Sarah white female misses her mum after she died, could find no solace in the religion she has been brought up into, so converts to be a Muslim which gives her the peace she craves, but there is also a guilt there about her half sister. Then their is Moomy an Asian, who has had the strict upbringing that comes with being Asian female, the restrictions she had put on her, forced into marrying someone she had never met. The repercussions of that when she comes back to the United Kingdom. Her family have told people she is dead. But she is one strong lady, who has lost all her faith through the blows she has been dealt in life. Moomy and Sarah just make a perfect police team. Both hardened in some ways but there is still a softness that’s creeps through at times.
The investigation is into a missing woman Millie Beaumont who had married into a wealthy family. But on their honeymoon Oscar and Milly had disappeared, until Milly’s body is found on Hampstead Heath. But where is Oscar? Milly was from a poorer background, as well as being of colour, something Lara Hayat was not happy about. One of her three boys marrying someone of race and of lower class. Lara and John Hayat are moneyed people who can pull strings. They have three sons Oscar, Spencer and Victor. Lara had been raised with money, whereas John was American and had made his own way in the world becoming very wealthy, their marriage had been seen as a love match. But was it really. Victor the youngest son is very driven and wants the business all to himself, even if it means stepping on both his brothers toes.
An absolutely gripping, engaging, engrossing read, I could not put this down, really look forward to the next book in the series and where is leads Sarah and Moomy.
I would like to thank #netgalley and #Hera for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.
This is a police procedural but it’s not just that, it’s about greed, wealth, power given to those with money, race, religion. The story flows, the action is fast paced and the characters are all relatable in some way, three dimensional and believable. I really hope this is just the start of this series as I really need more.
I love the back story of the two officers, Sarah white female misses her mum after she died, could find no solace in the religion she has been brought up into, so converts to be a Muslim which gives her the peace she craves, but there is also a guilt there about her half sister. Then their is Moomy an Asian, who has had the strict upbringing that comes with being Asian female, the restrictions she had put on her, forced into marrying someone she had never met. The repercussions of that when she comes back to the United Kingdom. Her family have told people she is dead. But she is one strong lady, who has lost all her faith through the blows she has been dealt in life. Moomy and Sarah just make a perfect police team. Both hardened in some ways but there is still a softness that’s creeps through at times.
The investigation is into a missing woman Millie Beaumont who had married into a wealthy family. But on their honeymoon Oscar and Milly had disappeared, until Milly’s body is found on Hampstead Heath. But where is Oscar? Milly was from a poorer background, as well as being of colour, something Lara Hayat was not happy about. One of her three boys marrying someone of race and of lower class. Lara and John Hayat are moneyed people who can pull strings. They have three sons Oscar, Spencer and Victor. Lara had been raised with money, whereas John was American and had made his own way in the world becoming very wealthy, their marriage had been seen as a love match. But was it really. Victor the youngest son is very driven and wants the business all to himself, even if it means stepping on both his brothers toes.
An absolutely gripping, engaging, engrossing read, I could not put this down, really look forward to the next book in the series and where is leads Sarah and Moomy.
I would like to thank #netgalley and #Hera for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.
March 22, 2020
The Unbroken by Alex Caan
A Khan& Heaton Crime Thriller #1
A wedding rushed into
An unhappy couple beginning their honeymoon
Kidnapped
One missing and one dead
Police called in
Will they find the missing before he is dead?
Who is the mastermind behind the crime
and
Why did it happen as it did?
This was a complex complicated character driven twisted terrible tale in which every person seemed to have a secret, past horrible experiences, ulterior motives or just not be 100% normal...but then...what is truly normal?
From the beginning of the story to the end I kept wondering how the author came up with the plot and the characters. I felt horrible for more than one person in the story and especially so for Millie who paid with her life. The team set to solve Millie’s murder were an unusual duo of women that were similar and yet very different. Their partnership at work proved to be excellent as both were skilled in doing their jobs but they also were scarred in ways that created a dependency between them outside of their job that was intriguing and made more and more sense as their pasts were revealed.
There was so much to contemplate in this story...so very much. My mind is struggling to put into words what to say about this book. Hmm…
What I liked:
* It was not a simple tale and made me think
* Learning more about what made each character tick
* Finding out who was behind the tragic events and why what happened did
* That the perpetrator did not achieve all that was planned
* That this was deeper and darker than I thought it might be
* Learning about Sarah and Moomy but not learning everything – there is more I want to know about both of them
* The police procedural aspects of the story
* How twisted it was – and how dark – but also how karma might eventually get the baddie
* Knowing this is not a one and done story
What I did not like:
* The loss of an innocent life
* The darker hidden sides of some of the characters
* Some of the past experiences of more than one character
* The fact that there are so many dysfunctional families in the world
* The reminder of how evil people can be.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley, Hera and BOTBS Publicity for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4.5 Stars
A Khan& Heaton Crime Thriller #1
A wedding rushed into
An unhappy couple beginning their honeymoon
Kidnapped
One missing and one dead
Police called in
Will they find the missing before he is dead?
Who is the mastermind behind the crime
and
Why did it happen as it did?
This was a complex complicated character driven twisted terrible tale in which every person seemed to have a secret, past horrible experiences, ulterior motives or just not be 100% normal...but then...what is truly normal?
From the beginning of the story to the end I kept wondering how the author came up with the plot and the characters. I felt horrible for more than one person in the story and especially so for Millie who paid with her life. The team set to solve Millie’s murder were an unusual duo of women that were similar and yet very different. Their partnership at work proved to be excellent as both were skilled in doing their jobs but they also were scarred in ways that created a dependency between them outside of their job that was intriguing and made more and more sense as their pasts were revealed.
There was so much to contemplate in this story...so very much. My mind is struggling to put into words what to say about this book. Hmm…
What I liked:
* It was not a simple tale and made me think
* Learning more about what made each character tick
* Finding out who was behind the tragic events and why what happened did
* That the perpetrator did not achieve all that was planned
* That this was deeper and darker than I thought it might be
* Learning about Sarah and Moomy but not learning everything – there is more I want to know about both of them
* The police procedural aspects of the story
* How twisted it was – and how dark – but also how karma might eventually get the baddie
* Knowing this is not a one and done story
What I did not like:
* The loss of an innocent life
* The darker hidden sides of some of the characters
* Some of the past experiences of more than one character
* The fact that there are so many dysfunctional families in the world
* The reminder of how evil people can be.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley, Hera and BOTBS Publicity for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4.5 Stars
March 18, 2020
What a gritty start to a new series with a pair of kick-ass detectives for good measure.
Ok, it took a while to get to grips with DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton, they are not what you would call typical officers, and their personal lives are rather troubling, but yet it is clear they are great at their jobs.
This is a story that is incredibly diverse, and I loved getting to know the police team and their backgrounds, in addition to learning all about the family that is at the heart of this story.
For the Hayat's are uber rich, and think nothing can touch them, but whether they actually care for each other is another matter, even when their oldest son, Oscar and heir apparent is kidnapped and his new wife turns up dead.
I had no idea how the plot was going to unravel and I was gripped as a result of it. I was eager to learn everything I could about this case, and in it meet some very misguided people.
Yet at the same time, it's what has been happening in Moomy and Sarah's recent pasts, that I feel is going to shape the series, to the extent that I'm already dying to read book 2, based on the way this one finished. I feel there is far more to them both than has already been revealed and I am so looking forward to seeing how they develop over a series.
Fast paced and addictive, this is yet another fabulous thriller from Alex Caan, which asks the question of just whether you have to obey the law if you are a billionaire.
Thank you to Hera and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Ok, it took a while to get to grips with DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton, they are not what you would call typical officers, and their personal lives are rather troubling, but yet it is clear they are great at their jobs.
This is a story that is incredibly diverse, and I loved getting to know the police team and their backgrounds, in addition to learning all about the family that is at the heart of this story.
For the Hayat's are uber rich, and think nothing can touch them, but whether they actually care for each other is another matter, even when their oldest son, Oscar and heir apparent is kidnapped and his new wife turns up dead.
I had no idea how the plot was going to unravel and I was gripped as a result of it. I was eager to learn everything I could about this case, and in it meet some very misguided people.
Yet at the same time, it's what has been happening in Moomy and Sarah's recent pasts, that I feel is going to shape the series, to the extent that I'm already dying to read book 2, based on the way this one finished. I feel there is far more to them both than has already been revealed and I am so looking forward to seeing how they develop over a series.
Fast paced and addictive, this is yet another fabulous thriller from Alex Caan, which asks the question of just whether you have to obey the law if you are a billionaire.
Thank you to Hera and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
March 19, 2020
Alex Caan kicks off an action-packed new crime series with The Unbroken, a nail-biting and hair raising thriller featuring intrepid detectives Moomy Khan and Sarah Heaton. Tense, sinister and packed with jaw-dropping shocks and surprises that will make readers jump out of their skin, The Unbroken is high quality crime fiction that grabs readers by the throat from the very first page and keeps them captivated throughout.
Millie Beaumont and Oscar Hayat’s wedding was the event of the year. This high profile and high society wedding was on everyone’s lips and all everyone could talk about, however, nobody could foresee the shocking and catastrophic events that would follow their walk down the aisle. Their romantic dreams turn into a blood-curdling nightmare when they are both abducted with Millie killed in cold blood whilst billionaire playboy Oscar goes missing. Who would want to do such a thing? What secrets did Millie and Oscar have that would drive somebody to commit such a gruesome, despicable and heinous act? Was it somebody driven by money? Or is there something even more sinister and terrifying going on?
DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton are on the case and they are both determined to get to the bottom of this gruesome mystery. Both Moomy and Sarah have had their own demons to contend with. Their lives and their pasts have not exactly been free of difficulties and hardships, but their experiences have helped shape them as both human beings and police officers. Finding who killed Millie and tracking down Oscar becomes top priority for the two of them and they both realise that this is going to be anything but easy and straightforward. The Hayats are a family with plenty of enemies which leads Moomy and Sarah to wonder whether this act of violence was the ultimate act of revenge – or whether there is someone even more disturbed and deranged behind the scenes planning something even twisted…
With Oscar’s life in jeopardy, Moomy and Sarah will leave no stone unturned to track him down and save him from a similar fate to his wife, but are they already too late? Or will they save Oscar at the eleventh hour?
A fantastic page-turner that is brilliantly written, wonderfully plotted and so compulsively readable that readers will find themselves unable to get any sleep as they find themselves desperate to find out what happens next, The Unbroken is a high stakes edge of your seat thriller that is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Alex Caan brilliantly and deftly ramps up the tension and suspense from the off and will keep readers on a knife’s edge and chewing their fingers to the bone as they find themselves completely and utterly consumed by this story.
Gutsy, gripping and impossible to put down, judging by The Unbroken, the Khan and Heaton series looks set to be a must-read for crime fiction fans everywhere.
Millie Beaumont and Oscar Hayat’s wedding was the event of the year. This high profile and high society wedding was on everyone’s lips and all everyone could talk about, however, nobody could foresee the shocking and catastrophic events that would follow their walk down the aisle. Their romantic dreams turn into a blood-curdling nightmare when they are both abducted with Millie killed in cold blood whilst billionaire playboy Oscar goes missing. Who would want to do such a thing? What secrets did Millie and Oscar have that would drive somebody to commit such a gruesome, despicable and heinous act? Was it somebody driven by money? Or is there something even more sinister and terrifying going on?
DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton are on the case and they are both determined to get to the bottom of this gruesome mystery. Both Moomy and Sarah have had their own demons to contend with. Their lives and their pasts have not exactly been free of difficulties and hardships, but their experiences have helped shape them as both human beings and police officers. Finding who killed Millie and tracking down Oscar becomes top priority for the two of them and they both realise that this is going to be anything but easy and straightforward. The Hayats are a family with plenty of enemies which leads Moomy and Sarah to wonder whether this act of violence was the ultimate act of revenge – or whether there is someone even more disturbed and deranged behind the scenes planning something even twisted…
With Oscar’s life in jeopardy, Moomy and Sarah will leave no stone unturned to track him down and save him from a similar fate to his wife, but are they already too late? Or will they save Oscar at the eleventh hour?
A fantastic page-turner that is brilliantly written, wonderfully plotted and so compulsively readable that readers will find themselves unable to get any sleep as they find themselves desperate to find out what happens next, The Unbroken is a high stakes edge of your seat thriller that is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Alex Caan brilliantly and deftly ramps up the tension and suspense from the off and will keep readers on a knife’s edge and chewing their fingers to the bone as they find themselves completely and utterly consumed by this story.
Gutsy, gripping and impossible to put down, judging by The Unbroken, the Khan and Heaton series looks set to be a must-read for crime fiction fans everywhere.
March 21, 2020
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
I thought that this book was excellent, it was a twisty crime thriller and I found it to be an addictive read!
I really enjoyed the plot and I thought that it was a well-developed read. There was plenty happening in each chapter and enough twists to keep me fully engaged with the story.
The characters in the book were well developed and their interaction was spot on and made the story really enjoyable for me, DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan were great and I thought that the book was a great start to a new series and definitely looking forward to reading more about this fabulous crime fighting duo!
The pace for the book was great, it was fast and I was flying through the pages, I was completely hooked by the story and really wanted, and needed to see how the story would end – and it was not an ending that disappointed at all!
It is 5 stars from me for this one - I really enjoyed it and it is definitely one I will be recommending!
I thought that this book was excellent, it was a twisty crime thriller and I found it to be an addictive read!
I really enjoyed the plot and I thought that it was a well-developed read. There was plenty happening in each chapter and enough twists to keep me fully engaged with the story.
The characters in the book were well developed and their interaction was spot on and made the story really enjoyable for me, DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan were great and I thought that the book was a great start to a new series and definitely looking forward to reading more about this fabulous crime fighting duo!
The pace for the book was great, it was fast and I was flying through the pages, I was completely hooked by the story and really wanted, and needed to see how the story would end – and it was not an ending that disappointed at all!
It is 5 stars from me for this one - I really enjoyed it and it is definitely one I will be recommending!
February 19, 2020
I want to thank NetGalley, Alex Caan and Hera books for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately this is was just not for me, and in my opinion I think that it is mis-genered as a thriller. It is without a doubt a detective novel. The book 100% centers around the detectives rather than the mystery of the murder that starts the book off. And while both detectives have incredibly rich backstories that made me want to know more about them I felt we lost the central story.
Both Sarah and Moomy intrigued me quite a bit and I liked reading about how they got to where they were but Moomy's awful attitude felt shoved in for shock value and felt slightly unrealistic. How could a woman who was so clearly psychologically disturbed have passed any psych exam needed to get on to the force? Despite that aspect how does she get away with being so rude and obviously inappropriate with suspects and witnesses alike? It just felt too contrived.
In general the writing wasn't anything to write home about but I did find myself wondering what was going to happen next. I hope that in the next installment of the series it gets a rebranding as the detective novel it is and not as another thriller. It just lacked the menace of a thriller for me. The ended felt awkward and kind of rushed since the majority of the book was spent not on the murder but on the characters and then the ending had to wrap it all up.
I haven't decided if I will continue the series although again the detectives intrigue me. I do think that this book has a lot of potential.
Unfortunately this is was just not for me, and in my opinion I think that it is mis-genered as a thriller. It is without a doubt a detective novel. The book 100% centers around the detectives rather than the mystery of the murder that starts the book off. And while both detectives have incredibly rich backstories that made me want to know more about them I felt we lost the central story.
Both Sarah and Moomy intrigued me quite a bit and I liked reading about how they got to where they were but Moomy's awful attitude felt shoved in for shock value and felt slightly unrealistic. How could a woman who was so clearly psychologically disturbed have passed any psych exam needed to get on to the force? Despite that aspect how does she get away with being so rude and obviously inappropriate with suspects and witnesses alike? It just felt too contrived.
In general the writing wasn't anything to write home about but I did find myself wondering what was going to happen next. I hope that in the next installment of the series it gets a rebranding as the detective novel it is and not as another thriller. It just lacked the menace of a thriller for me. The ended felt awkward and kind of rushed since the majority of the book was spent not on the murder but on the characters and then the ending had to wrap it all up.
I haven't decided if I will continue the series although again the detectives intrigue me. I do think that this book has a lot of potential.
September 30, 2020
This was a very interesting crime mystery. It definitely takes a different twist, with the crime team being lead by two females of very different backgrounds. I am very excited to see how this series will play out, as the author did a great job building up both story lines and backgrounds. The ground work is laid out very nicely to keep me pulled in and wanting more.
The story line, a wealthy family involved, and their eldest son, the heir to their fortunes, and his newlywed wife go missing on their honeymoon, and she ends up brutally murdered. It then pulls you through twists and turns just showing how far money can get you. I definitely had ideas on how the case was going to turn out throughout the book, but it still took another turn right at the end. This book kept me pulled in and going, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in crime novels.
The story line, a wealthy family involved, and their eldest son, the heir to their fortunes, and his newlywed wife go missing on their honeymoon, and she ends up brutally murdered. It then pulls you through twists and turns just showing how far money can get you. I definitely had ideas on how the case was going to turn out throughout the book, but it still took another turn right at the end. This book kept me pulled in and going, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in crime novels.
March 9, 2020
Alex Caan has returned to the world of crime in his latest novel, The Unbroken and he explores the world of the seriously wealthy and introduces to a new, diverse cast of characters who really make this book feel fresh in the crime fiction genre. It really does make you look closely at the idea that there seems to be one law for a select few and one law for the rest of us.
For me, what made this novel stand out were the two lead detectives, DS Moomy and DI Heaton. While they both practise the Muslim faith, they have very opposing views. I think this is a much more character-driven crime novel than it is plot-driven, but I really liked this. Alex Caan still kept me invested in the main story, and I wanted to know who was behind the crime that takes place.
DS Moomy Khan grew up a Muslim and has spent her life trying to fight back against tradition and what is expected of her by her family and her religion. It does seem that she is still trying to work out if she believes in her faith. DI Sarah Heaton, however, has recently converted, having been brought up in a Christian family in England. I was really intrigued by DI Heaton, and I wondered what it was that had prompted her to make such a decision. Alex Caan fleshes out his characters really well, and he has given them interesting back stories which don’t feel overly familiar as so many back stories often do in crime fiction.
The novel opens with the discovery of the body of a young woman, Millie Beaumont, who has recently got married to the son of a self-made billionaire, Oscar, who is due to inherit his family’s fortune. They had recently left the country to go on their honeymoon to Istanbul, so how has she ended up back in London? Was she murdered in Istanbul and her body later dumped here? Or was she kidnapped and transported alive back to the capital? As DS Moomy and DI Heaton delve into the family she had married into, schemes and dark secrets are uncovered, which prompt the detectives to think someone within the family organised Millie’s murder. But could this be the case when their son has gone missing as well?
I loved how Alex Caan delved into the Hayat family and how he examined every part of their lives as his detectives raced to find an answer to the questions behind Millie’s murder. When I first started reading the book, I felt some level of respect for the head of the family, John Hayat, who escaped persecution during the reign of Sadam Hussain and strived to make his fortune. He seemed to be someone who stood on his morals, and he was the only person who seemed to approve of his eldest son’s choice to marry Millie. Despite how much he is worth and what he has achieved in his life, he seems really down to earth. His wife, who inherited her fortune, certainly isn’t pleased with the choice her son has made, and you can see that she has a very controlling personality.
As this series progresses, I’m going to be really intrigued to find out more about DS Moomy and DI Heaton. I hope Alex Caan takes these books a lot further and I will definitely be looking out for when the next one is released.
For me, what made this novel stand out were the two lead detectives, DS Moomy and DI Heaton. While they both practise the Muslim faith, they have very opposing views. I think this is a much more character-driven crime novel than it is plot-driven, but I really liked this. Alex Caan still kept me invested in the main story, and I wanted to know who was behind the crime that takes place.
DS Moomy Khan grew up a Muslim and has spent her life trying to fight back against tradition and what is expected of her by her family and her religion. It does seem that she is still trying to work out if she believes in her faith. DI Sarah Heaton, however, has recently converted, having been brought up in a Christian family in England. I was really intrigued by DI Heaton, and I wondered what it was that had prompted her to make such a decision. Alex Caan fleshes out his characters really well, and he has given them interesting back stories which don’t feel overly familiar as so many back stories often do in crime fiction.
The novel opens with the discovery of the body of a young woman, Millie Beaumont, who has recently got married to the son of a self-made billionaire, Oscar, who is due to inherit his family’s fortune. They had recently left the country to go on their honeymoon to Istanbul, so how has she ended up back in London? Was she murdered in Istanbul and her body later dumped here? Or was she kidnapped and transported alive back to the capital? As DS Moomy and DI Heaton delve into the family she had married into, schemes and dark secrets are uncovered, which prompt the detectives to think someone within the family organised Millie’s murder. But could this be the case when their son has gone missing as well?
I loved how Alex Caan delved into the Hayat family and how he examined every part of their lives as his detectives raced to find an answer to the questions behind Millie’s murder. When I first started reading the book, I felt some level of respect for the head of the family, John Hayat, who escaped persecution during the reign of Sadam Hussain and strived to make his fortune. He seemed to be someone who stood on his morals, and he was the only person who seemed to approve of his eldest son’s choice to marry Millie. Despite how much he is worth and what he has achieved in his life, he seems really down to earth. His wife, who inherited her fortune, certainly isn’t pleased with the choice her son has made, and you can see that she has a very controlling personality.
As this series progresses, I’m going to be really intrigued to find out more about DS Moomy and DI Heaton. I hope Alex Caan takes these books a lot further and I will definitely be looking out for when the next one is released.
March 23, 2020
I have read a couple of Alex's books now and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them. When I heard that he was due to release another book, I just knew that I had to read it as soon as I could. The synopsis seemed so intriguing and enticing at the same time. I couldn't wait to start reading so without further ado I grabbed the Kindle, grabbed a cup of tea and then settled down on the couch to read 'The Unbroken'. Oh my word 'The Unbroken' was certainly one hell of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed but more about that in a bit.
I did like the new detective pairing of Moomy and Sarah. I have to say though that it took me a little while to warm to Moomy as she got on my nerves initially. However as time went on and I got to know her a bit better I felt myself thawing towards her. My favourite one of the pair is Sarah without a doubt. Moomy and Sarah work well as a team and each bounces off the other as it were. Both are no nonsense female police officers, who carry out their jobs to the best of their abilities. I look forward to watching their working partnership develop as each new book in the series is released.
It didn't take me long at all to get into this book. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first page, I knew that I was going to be in for one hell of a read and that reading this book would prove to be extremely addictive. I was right on both counts. I was intrigued by the chain of events that led to Millie's sad death and I had to keep reading to see how the story developed and whether or not the guilty would be found and punished. The pages of the book turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what happened and how the case concluded grew and grew. I had my own theories as to what was going to happen so of course I had to find out if I was correct or not. I reached the end of the story far quicker than I had intended or wanted to.
'The Unbroken' is really well written but then I think that to be true of all of Alex's books. He captures your attention from the start and he takes you on one hell of a fast paced journey through an investigation with more twists and turns than you would find on a 'Snakes & Ladders' board. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained the pace throughout. 'The Unbroken' gripped me from start to finish and had me on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Unbroken' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Alex's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I did like the new detective pairing of Moomy and Sarah. I have to say though that it took me a little while to warm to Moomy as she got on my nerves initially. However as time went on and I got to know her a bit better I felt myself thawing towards her. My favourite one of the pair is Sarah without a doubt. Moomy and Sarah work well as a team and each bounces off the other as it were. Both are no nonsense female police officers, who carry out their jobs to the best of their abilities. I look forward to watching their working partnership develop as each new book in the series is released.
It didn't take me long at all to get into this book. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first page, I knew that I was going to be in for one hell of a read and that reading this book would prove to be extremely addictive. I was right on both counts. I was intrigued by the chain of events that led to Millie's sad death and I had to keep reading to see how the story developed and whether or not the guilty would be found and punished. The pages of the book turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what happened and how the case concluded grew and grew. I had my own theories as to what was going to happen so of course I had to find out if I was correct or not. I reached the end of the story far quicker than I had intended or wanted to.
'The Unbroken' is really well written but then I think that to be true of all of Alex's books. He captures your attention from the start and he takes you on one hell of a fast paced journey through an investigation with more twists and turns than you would find on a 'Snakes & Ladders' board. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained the pace throughout. 'The Unbroken' gripped me from start to finish and had me on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Unbroken' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Alex's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
March 7, 2020
The Unbroken is a really intriguing read, starting in quite spectacular style as it does with the abduction of a newly married couple at the start of their honeymoon. The results of this abduction are tragic, the story that unfolds of the family, the couple and their complicated lives, compelling and full of suspense. It is a read that drew me in and held me rapt, but perhaps not in the ways you are expecting.
This is not a fast paced story, in spite of the almost startling opening scene which sees Millie and her husband, Oscar, fall prey to an ambush. This is a far more contemplative read than the previous two thrillers from Alex Caan, and although different in their tone perhaps, equally as enticing to read. The reason? Quite simply the characters that he has put into this story, and the way in which he has chosen to portray them. A large portion of this cast, including the two lead Detectives, are female, and far from being the shrinking violet victim types, they are strong, independant and with authentic and powerful voices.
The two main Detectives make for a really interesting pairing. One is a lapsed Muslim who in the search to find who she is and where she belongs has lost her family, her love and her faith. DS Moomy Khan's story is one that I think many people will be able to relate to, whether Muslim or not, but especially for anyone who has come from a predominantly patriarchal community. She is spiky and her introduction to the story is almost shocking, but in a sly smile on your face kind of way. She is not your conventional Detective in any sense, but the more I got to know her, the more I liked her and the more I understood her. Some of her character traits I can relate to, others felt like a case of acting up after a very restricted upbringing.
Her absolute polar opposite is her boss and possibly closest friend, DI Sarah Heaton. Sarah is a white woman who has turned to Islam as a way of finding reason, peace and perhaps penance, in her life to recover from a very dark time. She was harder to get to know than Moomy, a little from staid in character, but as the story moves on we do come to learn more about her than perhaps even I expected. She has a complicated past with one of the key witnesses in the story, one which helps the reader to understand her better, but also see the conflict that still exists within her between what she desires and what her new found faith permits.
The main story, that of the abduction, leads the pair to the door of a very rich and powerful family, a blend of old money and new, one where everybody seems to be covering up some kind of lie. It is easy for suspicion to fall upon each of Oscar's family in turn for what comes to pass, many, especially his youngest brother, Victor, who makes no attempts to hide his contempt for his family. I loved the internal conflict, the feeling that they were hiding not only from the police but from each other too. It added another layer of suspense and tension to the story and kept me guessing as to who was really behind the abductions.
This is very much a family led story as everything, from the abduction to the lives of the main investigative team, is shaped by their combined or individual pasts. It seems to be a slow discovery of just how far people will go to support or protect the people they love. Of the sacrifices they are willing to make for them. Yes there is a murder at its heart, but the book is very much more than that and I am really looking forward to seeing the author develop the main characters further as this is one of the strengths of his writing - creating people you believe in and are happy to go on a journey with. Definitely one to read if you like to see a strong, female led, family based drama unfurl
This is not a fast paced story, in spite of the almost startling opening scene which sees Millie and her husband, Oscar, fall prey to an ambush. This is a far more contemplative read than the previous two thrillers from Alex Caan, and although different in their tone perhaps, equally as enticing to read. The reason? Quite simply the characters that he has put into this story, and the way in which he has chosen to portray them. A large portion of this cast, including the two lead Detectives, are female, and far from being the shrinking violet victim types, they are strong, independant and with authentic and powerful voices.
The two main Detectives make for a really interesting pairing. One is a lapsed Muslim who in the search to find who she is and where she belongs has lost her family, her love and her faith. DS Moomy Khan's story is one that I think many people will be able to relate to, whether Muslim or not, but especially for anyone who has come from a predominantly patriarchal community. She is spiky and her introduction to the story is almost shocking, but in a sly smile on your face kind of way. She is not your conventional Detective in any sense, but the more I got to know her, the more I liked her and the more I understood her. Some of her character traits I can relate to, others felt like a case of acting up after a very restricted upbringing.
Her absolute polar opposite is her boss and possibly closest friend, DI Sarah Heaton. Sarah is a white woman who has turned to Islam as a way of finding reason, peace and perhaps penance, in her life to recover from a very dark time. She was harder to get to know than Moomy, a little from staid in character, but as the story moves on we do come to learn more about her than perhaps even I expected. She has a complicated past with one of the key witnesses in the story, one which helps the reader to understand her better, but also see the conflict that still exists within her between what she desires and what her new found faith permits.
The main story, that of the abduction, leads the pair to the door of a very rich and powerful family, a blend of old money and new, one where everybody seems to be covering up some kind of lie. It is easy for suspicion to fall upon each of Oscar's family in turn for what comes to pass, many, especially his youngest brother, Victor, who makes no attempts to hide his contempt for his family. I loved the internal conflict, the feeling that they were hiding not only from the police but from each other too. It added another layer of suspense and tension to the story and kept me guessing as to who was really behind the abductions.
This is very much a family led story as everything, from the abduction to the lives of the main investigative team, is shaped by their combined or individual pasts. It seems to be a slow discovery of just how far people will go to support or protect the people they love. Of the sacrifices they are willing to make for them. Yes there is a murder at its heart, but the book is very much more than that and I am really looking forward to seeing the author develop the main characters further as this is one of the strengths of his writing - creating people you believe in and are happy to go on a journey with. Definitely one to read if you like to see a strong, female led, family based drama unfurl
February 17, 2020
Millie didn’t get time to think. The car door was pulled open and she was dragged out, her screams loud and raw, as she kicked and fought. She called out for Oscar, again and again, screaming for help.
But he never came.
It was the wedding of the year. Millie Beaumont marrying billionaire playboy Oscar Hayat, the eyes of the world watching.
But the dream turns into a nightmare when Millie and Oscar are brutally abducted while on honeymoon. Millie is killed, her body dumped in London. Oscar is still
missing…
Enter DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton - not your typical police officers. Moomy is running from her own troubled past, while Sarah is having to live with the hard choices she has made. Yet they will stop at nothing to find Millie’s murderers and track down Oscar. Only a family as high profile as the Hayats have enemies lurking in every corner - have they taken the ultimate revenge, or is someone else behind the death and kidnapping?
And
can Moomy and Sarah find Oscar - before time runs out and he suffers the same fate as his wife?
My thoughts of this brilliant powerful police thirller was outstanding Alex Caan has written a crime thriller that deals with love revenge sacrifice greed how far could you go to protect your family it is a story of millie and Oscar's disappearance when they are on honeymoon in Turkey they get kidnapped and milles body has been found in London enter 2 hard hitting cops DI Sarah Heaton and DS Khan who investigate the murder of millie and still missing oscar what they find out is shocking and who is behind this was gripping the characters were so hardhiting they looked real the detectives that Alex Caan has created are brilliant Sarah and Moomy are so brilliant and hardhiting they share a similar past that is so painful I feel for there characters a hardhiting plot that is fast paced and gripping loved it excellent and explosive can not wait for the next one a rollocoster Blockbuster ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥
But he never came.
It was the wedding of the year. Millie Beaumont marrying billionaire playboy Oscar Hayat, the eyes of the world watching.
But the dream turns into a nightmare when Millie and Oscar are brutally abducted while on honeymoon. Millie is killed, her body dumped in London. Oscar is still
missing…
Enter DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton - not your typical police officers. Moomy is running from her own troubled past, while Sarah is having to live with the hard choices she has made. Yet they will stop at nothing to find Millie’s murderers and track down Oscar. Only a family as high profile as the Hayats have enemies lurking in every corner - have they taken the ultimate revenge, or is someone else behind the death and kidnapping?
And
can Moomy and Sarah find Oscar - before time runs out and he suffers the same fate as his wife?
My thoughts of this brilliant powerful police thirller was outstanding Alex Caan has written a crime thriller that deals with love revenge sacrifice greed how far could you go to protect your family it is a story of millie and Oscar's disappearance when they are on honeymoon in Turkey they get kidnapped and milles body has been found in London enter 2 hard hitting cops DI Sarah Heaton and DS Khan who investigate the murder of millie and still missing oscar what they find out is shocking and who is behind this was gripping the characters were so hardhiting they looked real the detectives that Alex Caan has created are brilliant Sarah and Moomy are so brilliant and hardhiting they share a similar past that is so painful I feel for there characters a hardhiting plot that is fast paced and gripping loved it excellent and explosive can not wait for the next one a rollocoster Blockbuster ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥
February 25, 2020
This is a new police procedural crime book series. The first chapter starts with a bang- a young educated mixed raced woman from a humble modest background called Millie is on a honeymoon in Turkey with her wealthy husband Oscar. Millie is found dead in Hampstead Heath, London and her husband is missing.
The story is told in multiple POV’s but it mainly centres on the POV of the police officers investigating the case D.I Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan. They are a bad ass duo who have very low tolerance to bull. In their pursuit to solve the case they navigate the world of Oscar and his family where they encounter abundant wealth and many hidden secrets. I particularly enjoyed the different mix of cultural and class backgrounds of the characters and how they all fit into the plot. The Muslim representation was also heavy as D.I. Sarah Heaton is a convert to Islam who encounters hostility due to this, and her partner DS Moomy Khan is struggling with identifying with her Muslim faith and her Asian culture due to past trauma. This is explored further in the story with many chapters giving a background on the Police Officers dysfunctional upbringing and family problems.
I found the story enjoyable and a quick read. It is a very character driven plot. Whilst there was action and some twists I felt too much focus was placed on the Police Officers personal lives which can take you out of the crime/murder investigation trail, and this for me ended up pushing the story into a more contemporary women fiction feel and not a thriller/crime book. I will still recommend this book and will look out for the second instalment of this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hera Books for this Arc in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told in multiple POV’s but it mainly centres on the POV of the police officers investigating the case D.I Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan. They are a bad ass duo who have very low tolerance to bull. In their pursuit to solve the case they navigate the world of Oscar and his family where they encounter abundant wealth and many hidden secrets. I particularly enjoyed the different mix of cultural and class backgrounds of the characters and how they all fit into the plot. The Muslim representation was also heavy as D.I. Sarah Heaton is a convert to Islam who encounters hostility due to this, and her partner DS Moomy Khan is struggling with identifying with her Muslim faith and her Asian culture due to past trauma. This is explored further in the story with many chapters giving a background on the Police Officers dysfunctional upbringing and family problems.
I found the story enjoyable and a quick read. It is a very character driven plot. Whilst there was action and some twists I felt too much focus was placed on the Police Officers personal lives which can take you out of the crime/murder investigation trail, and this for me ended up pushing the story into a more contemporary women fiction feel and not a thriller/crime book. I will still recommend this book and will look out for the second instalment of this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hera Books for this Arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2020
I had more problems with this book than most of the other readers who have posted reviews. The set-up was promising: A newly-married couple is kidnapped in Istanbul, shortly after their social-media event of a wedding. The groom is from a wealthy, famous British family. The bride, not so much. In a matter of days, her corpse turns up in London. He is still missing.
I liked that the detectives assigned to the case are both female, which is rare. I liked that the author gave them complex histories, but they were carried out with mixed success. The lead detective, Sarah, had a backstory so convoluted that her character never quite gelled for me. (The torment over her sister made sense, but what was the deal with her mother, anyway? and why would her father blame her?)
The backstory of her subordinate, Moomy, made more sense. It was heartrending, but Moomy simply wasn't believable to me -- not as a policewoman, at least. We get it: she was a young immigrant with pressure not to assimilate and she got a really, really raw deal. But I can't imagine any 21st-century police force tolerating the way in which Moomy acted out, habitually, repeatedly, almost reflexively. She took anti-social to new heights, and I can't fathom that it would fly in any chain of command.
I also liked the elements of class conflict throughout the story. About halfway into the book (59%, according to my Kindle), I got into flow, and the alternating points of view took on a rhythm, and I enjoyed the rest of the book. This is the first in a series, and I'm in for future books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for an advance readers copy.
I liked that the detectives assigned to the case are both female, which is rare. I liked that the author gave them complex histories, but they were carried out with mixed success. The lead detective, Sarah, had a backstory so convoluted that her character never quite gelled for me. (The torment over her sister made sense, but what was the deal with her mother, anyway? and why would her father blame her?)
The backstory of her subordinate, Moomy, made more sense. It was heartrending, but Moomy simply wasn't believable to me -- not as a policewoman, at least. We get it: she was a young immigrant with pressure not to assimilate and she got a really, really raw deal. But I can't imagine any 21st-century police force tolerating the way in which Moomy acted out, habitually, repeatedly, almost reflexively. She took anti-social to new heights, and I can't fathom that it would fly in any chain of command.
I also liked the elements of class conflict throughout the story. About halfway into the book (59%, according to my Kindle), I got into flow, and the alternating points of view took on a rhythm, and I enjoyed the rest of the book. This is the first in a series, and I'm in for future books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for an advance readers copy.
April 6, 2020
Millie didn’t get time to think, her screams loud and raw as she kicked and fought. She called out for Oscar, again and again, screaming for help.
But he never came.
It was the wedding of the year. Millie Beaumont marrying billionaire playboy Oscar Hayat, the eyes of the world watching.
But the dream turns into a nightmare when Millie and Oscar are brutally abducted while on honeymoon. Millie is killed, her body dumped in London. Oscar is still missing …
Enter DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton - not your typical police officers. Moomy is running from her own troubled past, while Sarah is having to live with the hard choices she has made. Yet they will stop at nothing to find Millie’s murderers and track down Oscar. Only a family as high profile as the Hayats have enemies lurking in every corner - have they taken the ultimate revenge, or is someone else behind the death and kidnapping?
And can Moomy and Sarah find Oscar - before time runs out and he suffers the same fate as his wife?
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
But he never came.
It was the wedding of the year. Millie Beaumont marrying billionaire playboy Oscar Hayat, the eyes of the world watching.
But the dream turns into a nightmare when Millie and Oscar are brutally abducted while on honeymoon. Millie is killed, her body dumped in London. Oscar is still missing …
Enter DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton - not your typical police officers. Moomy is running from her own troubled past, while Sarah is having to live with the hard choices she has made. Yet they will stop at nothing to find Millie’s murderers and track down Oscar. Only a family as high profile as the Hayats have enemies lurking in every corner - have they taken the ultimate revenge, or is someone else behind the death and kidnapping?
And can Moomy and Sarah find Oscar - before time runs out and he suffers the same fate as his wife?
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
April 7, 2020
This book is a marvellous thriller, it’s a roller coaster of emotions, a lot of wtf occurrences, great female protagonists, and a believable (but unbelievable) story!
The book opens with a happy couple on their honeymoon when they are kidnapped. Millie’s body is found on Hampstead Heath and her husband Oscar is still missing.
Cops Moomy and Sarah are called in to work it all out. I loved these characters - Moomy has been brought up in a Muslim family but now is non practising and no longer talking to her family. Whereas, Sarah is a recent white convert to Islam, which she found a great comfort after her mother’s death. I loved the opposite side of the coins when it came to this religion. It was unique, refreshing and unusual. Especially as a female team on the police force. We do need better representation in literature and crime fiction in particular. Normally it is an older white man, had an affair and has a drinking problem. This duo is a breath of fresh air and I can’t wait to read more about them!
The narrative itself was great! The intrigues of money, power and the call of family duty. Who can you trust when you can’t trust your family? There are shady goings on with private security, private planes and diplomatic immunity - all the makings of a good thriller! And this is certainly one! I highly recommend it to you all.
The book opens with a happy couple on their honeymoon when they are kidnapped. Millie’s body is found on Hampstead Heath and her husband Oscar is still missing.
Cops Moomy and Sarah are called in to work it all out. I loved these characters - Moomy has been brought up in a Muslim family but now is non practising and no longer talking to her family. Whereas, Sarah is a recent white convert to Islam, which she found a great comfort after her mother’s death. I loved the opposite side of the coins when it came to this religion. It was unique, refreshing and unusual. Especially as a female team on the police force. We do need better representation in literature and crime fiction in particular. Normally it is an older white man, had an affair and has a drinking problem. This duo is a breath of fresh air and I can’t wait to read more about them!
The narrative itself was great! The intrigues of money, power and the call of family duty. Who can you trust when you can’t trust your family? There are shady goings on with private security, private planes and diplomatic immunity - all the makings of a good thriller! And this is certainly one! I highly recommend it to you all.
April 24, 2020
The Unbroken by Alex Caan was a easy read and very addictive I was hooked on the very first few pages. I loved it, especially as it's a new crime series that features two women detectives, DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan. (at last!) These new characters were just great and I just loved them, they both have a past and it works well in this new series.
I am looking forward to the next installment of these two working together and finding more about them.
WoW, The beginning of this book starts with a Bang! that will have you hooked and you want to find out what happens next!
A young mixed race woman called Millie is on honeymoon in Turkey with her new wealthy husband Oscar. Millie is found dead in Hampstead Heath London - How did she get there? as she is on her honeymoon!
Her husband can not be contacted - and is missing!
This is a story that is told by several people mainly by the police officers investigating the case D.I Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan which was very interesting throughout.
This new book is full of twists and turn which I love. I highly recommend this book.
Big thank you to Hera Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Reviews on Goodreads, Amazon UK and this book will be read in my Book clubs I Run
I am looking forward to the next installment of these two working together and finding more about them.
WoW, The beginning of this book starts with a Bang! that will have you hooked and you want to find out what happens next!
A young mixed race woman called Millie is on honeymoon in Turkey with her new wealthy husband Oscar. Millie is found dead in Hampstead Heath London - How did she get there? as she is on her honeymoon!
Her husband can not be contacted - and is missing!
This is a story that is told by several people mainly by the police officers investigating the case D.I Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan which was very interesting throughout.
This new book is full of twists and turn which I love. I highly recommend this book.
Big thank you to Hera Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Reviews on Goodreads, Amazon UK and this book will be read in my Book clubs I Run
March 20, 2020
Absolutely riveting read for me this! Loved it! We are introduced to two female coppers DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton, who are thrown headlong into a murder case...but not just any murder case! This one is a high profile case, from a very rich and powerful family, The Hayats. It is also a kidnapping case, these two officers do nothing by halves! The eldest son Oscar has recently got married to the beautiful, clever Millie,who is not the typical match for the eldest son of money, she is of colour and poor. The problems begin when Millie is found dead on Hampstead Heath and Oscar is missing. Sarah and Moomy have to delve into both families and discover all was not as well as it seemed, the perfect facade cracked but papered over.
The speed of which this story moves is fast, with a gritty plot and raising the question of how much can money protect you, from anything, including the law? Moomy and Sarah are doggedly determined to get to the bottom of it all, but at what cost?
With thanks to Netgalley and Hera books for the ARC which I offered to review.
The speed of which this story moves is fast, with a gritty plot and raising the question of how much can money protect you, from anything, including the law? Moomy and Sarah are doggedly determined to get to the bottom of it all, but at what cost?
With thanks to Netgalley and Hera books for the ARC which I offered to review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews