Hannah Howe

This witty start to a series is narrated by Sam Smith, an emotionally scarred and intelligent Private Investigator. Cardiff's rural countryside adds to the novel's sense of mystery as Sam finds herself hired by bratty pop star Derwena De Caro, to uncover the identity of her stalker.

Sam will journey through danger and beyond, to find the answers Derwena seeks. The plot was unpredictable, with plenty of delicious twists and turns, that serve to grab the reader's attention.

I felt an instant connection to Sam's character and really enjoyed her sarcastic sense of humour. This tale has stayed true to its genre (Thriller/mystery) and provides thrills beyond the expected.

I would definitely recommend this series. :)… (more)

From talented mystery author Hannah Howe comes Book Two of The Sam Smith Investigative Mysteries, Love and Bullets. Set in Cardiff, we follow Sam through the aftermath of having shot dead a notorious criminal.

Sam is a complex and at times volatile individual that is more vulnerable than she first appears. She was easy for me to relate to, with a down to earth personality and a scarred past.

I found this to be a good length read with a steady pace and intriguing plot. Ruth, the wife of a wealthy professor whom Sam is hired to protect, was beyond infuriating. Her character represented all that I hate in a person, from bigotry to racism and worse besides. It was easy to wish the worst on her without feeling a shred of remorse for the character.

With deranged psychiatry patients, plenty of gunfights, action and humour, this made for a truly amazing sequel. Sam is an enigma- the real mystery of this gripping series. I intend to follow her journey to the end and hope that her character is able to find solace in a brighter tomorrow.

I would rate this book as 5 stars.
Recommended for lovers of mystery and crime novels.… (more)