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Annie O'Malley #5
The Uninvited Guest
Welcome to Paradise Grove, a killer retreat…
Back in Norfolk and back to work, Annie O’Malley and DI Swift are called to an isolated seaside village and the exclusive Paradise Grove Spa.
Renowned for its peace and tranquility, the spa and its staff offer the chance to relax and recuperate in a discrete private setting on its own causeway. So when a dead body turns up in one of the rooms with no clue to who he is or how he got there, suspicion falls on the secretive group of guests.
Cut off by the encroaching tidal swell, O’Malley and Swift find themselves in a race against time to eliminate the suspects before the killer eliminates them.
The fifth instalment in the O’Malley and Swift series that readers are calling ‘atmospheric and authentic.
Back in Norfolk and back to work, Annie O’Malley and DI Swift are called to an isolated seaside village and the exclusive Paradise Grove Spa.
Renowned for its peace and tranquility, the spa and its staff offer the chance to relax and recuperate in a discrete private setting on its own causeway. So when a dead body turns up in one of the rooms with no clue to who he is or how he got there, suspicion falls on the secretive group of guests.
Cut off by the encroaching tidal swell, O’Malley and Swift find themselves in a race against time to eliminate the suspects before the killer eliminates them.
The fifth instalment in the O’Malley and Swift series that readers are calling ‘atmospheric and authentic.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2022
118 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 5, 2022
The last story in this series, The House of Secrets, was a different story compared to the rest in the series. This one is back to the same format and style as the first 3. It is a British Crime Procedural novels, mysterie - thriller. This one is more ghost story and misadventure.
Over the last few years I have read many crime or thriller novels. I love the DCI Kett novels from Alex Smith and the DCI Will Blake novels from J.E. Mayhew. And the DCI Jack Logan books by J.D. Kirk. Alex Smith had recommended Mayhew and I ripped through that series, so when he recommended this series I had to give it a try. They have not disappointed.
Annie O’Malley is a psychotherapist and former police officer. And not only does she have baggage from her stunted police career, but even more from experiences when she was young. Now she has been drawn back, back into a world she had left behind, back to a world she was glad was behind her. Back to her own childhood and her sister who is still missing. In this one O’Malley and Swift are on a case at a resort. O’Malley begins to realize being on the Major Crimes team is where she belongs. And even though there is anxiety and stress from the cases it is where she belongs. She also begins to see what a key role she plays in being the heart and intuition of the team.
The description of the book is:
“Back in Norfolk and back to work, Annie O’Malley and DI Swift are called to an isolated seaside village and the exclusive Paradise Grove Spa.
Renowned for its peace and tranquility, the spa and its staff offer the chance to relax and recuperate in a discrete private setting on its own causeway. So when a dead body turns up in one of the rooms with no clue to who he is or how he got there, suspicion falls on the secretive group of guests.
Cut off by the encroaching tidal swell, O’Malley and Swift find themselves in a race against time to eliminate the suspects before the killer eliminates them.”
This story again puts both O’Malley and Swift in the line of fire. Not actual gun fire but at great personal risk. They need to piece together information that is just not lining up. And O’Malley feels something is off with several of the people they have investigated and interviewed. But can they piece it together before their own lives become forfeit and more of the land crumbles into the sea?
As an aside O’Malley’s sister Mim finally reaches out, but will O’Malley be able to read the message she has waited years to receive? To find out you will need to read this highly suspenseful novel. It is a good read, in a fun series and leaves you waiting for the next volume Deadly Games.
Over the last few years I have read many crime or thriller novels. I love the DCI Kett novels from Alex Smith and the DCI Will Blake novels from J.E. Mayhew. And the DCI Jack Logan books by J.D. Kirk. Alex Smith had recommended Mayhew and I ripped through that series, so when he recommended this series I had to give it a try. They have not disappointed.
Annie O’Malley is a psychotherapist and former police officer. And not only does she have baggage from her stunted police career, but even more from experiences when she was young. Now she has been drawn back, back into a world she had left behind, back to a world she was glad was behind her. Back to her own childhood and her sister who is still missing. In this one O’Malley and Swift are on a case at a resort. O’Malley begins to realize being on the Major Crimes team is where she belongs. And even though there is anxiety and stress from the cases it is where she belongs. She also begins to see what a key role she plays in being the heart and intuition of the team.
The description of the book is:
“Back in Norfolk and back to work, Annie O’Malley and DI Swift are called to an isolated seaside village and the exclusive Paradise Grove Spa.
Renowned for its peace and tranquility, the spa and its staff offer the chance to relax and recuperate in a discrete private setting on its own causeway. So when a dead body turns up in one of the rooms with no clue to who he is or how he got there, suspicion falls on the secretive group of guests.
Cut off by the encroaching tidal swell, O’Malley and Swift find themselves in a race against time to eliminate the suspects before the killer eliminates them.”
This story again puts both O’Malley and Swift in the line of fire. Not actual gun fire but at great personal risk. They need to piece together information that is just not lining up. And O’Malley feels something is off with several of the people they have investigated and interviewed. But can they piece it together before their own lives become forfeit and more of the land crumbles into the sea?
As an aside O’Malley’s sister Mim finally reaches out, but will O’Malley be able to read the message she has waited years to receive? To find out you will need to read this highly suspenseful novel. It is a good read, in a fun series and leaves you waiting for the next volume Deadly Games.
April 26, 2023
Another exciting Swift and O'Malley who done it with lots of threatening seaside atmosphere. The scenes on the beach and in the cave when the tide was coming in hard and fast were terrifying. A real sense of danger and not just from the killer. The two finally share a room...but does anything happen??? Very clever plot, as usual. Again, the lack of sharp editing and word misuse lets this series down.
December 20, 2022
Another Cracker!
Easily another five star for this brilliant story. This series is so easy to get lost in with the simmering relationship between Annie and Swift, together with Tink and Page who make up the team. The story kicks off with the discovery of a young man found dead in a health spa hotel bedroom. The investigation takes a turn when a young woman who is staying with friends for her birthday celebration goes missing and it's down to the team to track her down whilst hunting down the killer. Clever ending although I wish Swift would open his eyes in Annie's direction! BP Sheffield.
Easily another five star for this brilliant story. This series is so easy to get lost in with the simmering relationship between Annie and Swift, together with Tink and Page who make up the team. The story kicks off with the discovery of a young man found dead in a health spa hotel bedroom. The investigation takes a turn when a young woman who is staying with friends for her birthday celebration goes missing and it's down to the team to track her down whilst hunting down the killer. Clever ending although I wish Swift would open his eyes in Annie's direction! BP Sheffield.
June 19, 2023
So good
Another great case with O'Malley and Swift. They work so well together and the stories are so involved. The writing is so good it brought the whole scene to life. The waves crashing and them tumbling around in the water like stones. This posh spa hotel where friends are celebrating a birthday suddenly becomes a place of murder and intrigue. Fantastic plot and fantastic writing.
Another great case with O'Malley and Swift. They work so well together and the stories are so involved. The writing is so good it brought the whole scene to life. The waves crashing and them tumbling around in the water like stones. This posh spa hotel where friends are celebrating a birthday suddenly becomes a place of murder and intrigue. Fantastic plot and fantastic writing.
September 18, 2022
3.5 stars again. Good story, like the characters. Some scenarios were repeated too often - getting wet in the sea at least three times but being unsuitably dressed every time! The missing girl surviving in a cave for five days when she could actually have escaped from it and gone somewhere more comfortable and safer, with good and water … seemed a bit far fetched.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2023
This was good but the ending was a bit of a let down. I do find that several things are repeated in every book, especially them being put in a dangerous position just before/as they realise who the killer is and then finding a way out just in time. The Mim storyline makes me want to read the next book more than anything else.
April 30, 2024
Manipulation, Lies, and Death
This book was thrilling and exciting. There are many Wow moments. It a book you won’t want to put down. The characters are amazing. Swift and O’Malley’s chemistry together is something that could be Hugh
This book was thrilling and exciting. There are many Wow moments. It a book you won’t want to put down. The characters are amazing. Swift and O’Malley’s chemistry together is something that could be Hugh
October 8, 2022
Excellent Crime thriller
Love all the characters I hope swift and O'Malley get together loved the story beginning to end can't wait to read next book thank you 😊
Love all the characters I hope swift and O'Malley get together loved the story beginning to end can't wait to read next book thank you 😊
June 23, 2023
Became tedious…
At times, I just lost interest in the whole story, probably me!
However, the last line is an intriguing invitation to read the next one.
At times, I just lost interest in the whole story, probably me!
However, the last line is an intriguing invitation to read the next one.
August 8, 2023
Really didn’t enjoy this book compared to the others. Found it quite slow and I didn’t get as emerged in the setting or characters as I would normally. I didn’t care much how it ended either.
November 19, 2023
Brilliant
Absolutely invested in this series and oh my gosh ! What a twist in this one;; cannot wait to get stuck in to the next book!! This series is an absolute MUST
Absolutely invested in this series and oh my gosh ! What a twist in this one;; cannot wait to get stuck in to the next book!! This series is an absolute MUST
April 27, 2024
Another excellent read
This book is brilliant; the plot was really good but I also enjoyed the developing characters of the regulars & the twist!
This book is brilliant; the plot was really good but I also enjoyed the developing characters of the regulars & the twist!
May 22, 2024
Plot is cool but some really poorly written dialogues. Cringe!
February 18, 2025
Exciting
Every book gets better and better. I am gripped from start to finish. I don't want to put the books down.
Every book gets better and better. I am gripped from start to finish. I don't want to put the books down.
July 5, 2025
I loved this book, great characters and story full of twists and turns, and so well written I find with each one I have read in the series, they pull you in until you are in there with them.
September 1, 2025
another good twist
Well I couldn’t wait again until I read to the end and what a twist again. Love the relationships of the team too. Off to read Deadly Games
Well I couldn’t wait again until I read to the end and what a twist again. Love the relationships of the team too. Off to read Deadly Games
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews