Conrad Jones

The Journey is about a loving family of six comfortably living in the town Monguno in Nigeria and their harrowing trek. This incredible story begins with a 10-year old boy, Beb, as he is walking with two of his friends. He recognizes a convoy approaching and warns his friends to run, as he knows from his father that it could mean only one thing. It is right here in this story when my heart jumped. The first chapter quickly identifies the rest of his family, and where they are at when the show more extremists enter their town. The father, Kalu, knew this day was coming. He does his best to quickly round up his family to try to get them to safety.

As a doctor Kalu is torn between the self-preservation necessary to protect his family, and trying to help others as they become injured during this horrific time. Kalu desperately tries to get his family to Morocco, and then Europe, as he has been preparing for this eventuality. The journey is not easy, and is fraught with unimaginable tragedy. As I read this book, the atrocities that took place created such intense sadness and pain in me for these people who were driven from their homes, knowing that their futures offered very little hope. Nothing I have ever read or watched about a great exodus such as this could have prepared me for what the writer conveys in the story.

As described in the blurb, this is an emotional thriller. It is written as realistic as I’ve ever experienced for a fictional tale. This is a book that kept me up until all hours because I just could not put it down! It really made me think of my life and of how easy it is. It also made me sad because of the grittiness in which the tragedies occurred. However, I did not want the book to end. I wanted more for this family. This fact alone proved to me the realism conveyed by Conrad Jones. The book finished with a twist that truly shook me. I won't be forgetting about The Journey anytime soon. Kudos to Mr. Jones.

Many thanks to Bloodhound Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. show less

Kalu and his family are being terrorized by the Boko Haram, forcing them to leave their home in Nigeria risking kidnapping and death to flee to Europe. Their incredible and terrifying journey is something no one should ever have to make.

The characters are so real and the circumstances they fall into are no doubt true. Kalu and Esse's determination to save their family is heartfelt and will wrench at any parent's heart.

My emotions ran amuck from fear to anger to hope and back again. The show more author hooks you from the beginning and places all of the atrocities of this civil war in your face.

The story shows that no matter how much ingenuity and planning go into taking care of your family, the hopelessness and desperation in the world eventually set in and you have to just survive.

A truly unforgettable journey that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Mr. Jones and Book on the Bright Side for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectations of a positive review given. show less

"The frequency of his attacks had increased and he was taking more chances but that was normal for all killers. It was to be expected; the natural evolution of a murderer. Practice makes perfect. Some got caught, most did not."

There is a copycat serial killer and a drug war in North Wales and they are leaving bodies everywhere.

"Alan was a firm believer that the war on drugs was a war they could never win. There would have to be a paradigm shift in the way it was tackled before anything show more changed."

DI Williams and his team are struggling to keep ahead of the mayhem. The mystery of whodunit keeps you guessing.

The story is told by several people so there is a lot going on and it takes a bit to understand the connections between the characters. DI Williams and his team are sharp and dedicated and the protagonists are cunning and evil.

A fast-paced, character-driven, thriller with 2 murderers on the loose. A great puzzle to the end!

Thank you to Ms. Jones, Book on the Bright Side Publicity for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectations of a positive review given. show less

Guilty Until Proven Innocent by Conrad Jones
DI Braddick Series #3

Having read only one book by this author before, THE JOURNEY, I felt compelled to read this one when given the opportunity. Why? The first book I read by Jones hooked me and though I hate to start a series in the middle I just could not resist. I am so glad I read this book even though it was rather dark and twisted and did not give me the happy ending I would have preferred.

What is the story about? It is about finding a show more psychopath serial murderer who loves inflicting pain on others. In addition to the murder mystery there is a case involving a pedophile vigilante group that works to expose those who prey on children and this group and the man they expose most recently will cross lines with Detective Braddick and the people he is working with to find the serial killing monster preying on the unsuspecting.

Following DI Braddick and his team as they worked to uncover the murderer’s identity was a bloody treat. The glimpses into the murderer’s mind were elucidating if disturbing. The fact that social media played has such power over individuals was disconcerting.

I came away from the story thinking about what it takes to make a person cross the line from normal to abnormal and why when that line is crossed reason seems to be lost entirely.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars show less