Knife Edge, by Kerry Buchanan

Its not often a debut novel is as well written as this. I found myself utterly riveted from very early in the book, and when I wasn't reading it I was spending my time wishing I was. A full time job and a university degree usually restricts my 'fun' reading to an hour or so before bed, but with Knife Edge I was sneaking my iPad to work to wolf down the chapters at every opportunity.
The main character, Nic, is fantastic. Stubborn, forthright, and careless with it, she feels real and you really begin to care about her as the book progresses. Yes, she makes some very questionable choices throughout, but this all adds to the suspense and drama that courses through each and every page.
If I had one criticism it is that the two police officers aren't as developed, but since the POV was Nic's, this didn't impact my enjoyment at all.
The final twist in the epilogue was nicely done and sets up an eagerly awaited sequel.
Highly, highly recommended.

Thanks to Joffe books and netgalley.co.uk for the free copy in exchange for this honest review.

The Perfect Lie, by Jo Spain

A fantastic premise enticed me to order this from NetGalley for my first foray into the world of Jo Spain, which I was assured was a twisty-turny world of excellent crime writing. I have to admit the start of this book was excellent, with the death of Erin's husband Danny setting a scene I wanted to continue to inhabit. I did feel the fact that the book jumped from first-person perspective to third as well as back and forwards in time was a little confusing and could have been responsible for the fact that I kept putting the book down. I felt the lead character wasn't as compelling as some of the others and I personally found it hard to root for her. I loved the plot and the writing was excellent, and although I guessed as to the plot twist I found it well done and satisfying enough. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for an advance copy in exchange for this honest review.