Pretty Little Packages by Andrew Crofts is a dark thriller.

Description
When a girl called Doris informs ghostwriter, Joe Tye, that someone has “stolen her beautiful new breasts” and asks for his help, he is plunged into the dark and dangerous worlds of people-trafficking and modern slavery.

At the same time as dealing with the amorous advances of the sixteen year-old daughter of a gangster, who also happens to be his client, and navigating his way through drug dens and backstreet clinics from Brighton to Manila, Joe is trying to be a responsible, newly-divorced father to a young son who constantly does the unexpected – and then things turn really ugly.

At the heart of everything sits Maisie, and her network of “Amazing Maids” – all called Doris and all having their breasts stolen. But behind Maisie lie much more powerful and sinister forces. People for whom other people’s lives are entirely expendable. People who do not want Joe telling stories.

Review
I found this book intriguing and a page turner. Not what I expected. However, I do recommend it as it was well written and will definitely keep you entertained.

My description of Pretty Little Packages by Andrew Crofts, in three words is dark, suspenseful and incomparable.

Book synopsis:
When a girl called Doris informs ghostwriter, Joe Tye, that someone has “stolen her beautiful new breasts” and asks for his help, he is plunged into the dark and dangerous worlds of people-trafficking and modern slavery.

At the same time as dealing with the amorous advances of the sixteen year-old daughter of a gangster, who also happens to be his client, and navigating his way through drug dens and backstreet clinics from Brighton to Manila, Joe is trying to be a responsible, newly-divorced father to a young son who constantly does the unexpected – and then things turn really ugly.

At the heart of everything sits Maisie, and her network of “Amazing Maids” – all called Doris and all having their breasts stolen. But behind Maisie lie much more powerful and sinister forces. People for whom other people’s lives are entirely expendable. People who do not want Joe telling stories.

My musings:
I wish I could say that I absolutely adored this book and that it was one of my best reads of the year but sadly, in spite of the very unusual and enticing synopsis and the stunning cover, I just can't. Nevertheless, I found it a remarkable story with a satisfactory plot and an abundance of twists.

Verdict:
Recommended for those looking for a more unusual, slightly disturbing mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Thistle Publishing via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

When I requested this novel I was into the ideal of reading this novel but I discovered that I was unable to provide feedback on this book due to the series being archived prior to download and file/download issues. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience of not being to review and thank you for taking the time to provide me an ARC of this novel.

What begins as a seemingly bizarre request to a ghost writer to tell Doris's story of her breasts being stolen opens up into a dark world of human trafficking, mutilation, slavery and drugs.Joe begins investigating Doris and her story and comes up against a number of shady characters, all seemingly interconnected via Maisie and her maid service. with a subplot running throughout of Joe's troubled relationship with his ex wife and her new partner and Joe's mischievous young son everything is drawn together as the worlds collide with frightening consequence.
A good read, plenty of action and some clever twists and turns but with a very frustrating end point that leaves me wanting more (perhaps a second book?)

Interesting storyline. Suspense and frustration within the story. Main character is frustrating, but to me that shows that I was pulled into the story.

A great thriller of a ride that had me turning the pages to see how it all plays and and to find out who is behind it all. A great suspenseful read that had me on the edge of my seat right to the end.

Pretty Little Packages is a dark story with a few slow spots. Overall not a bad book, but it left me wondering if there will be another book.

Overall, its a good story and good- it seemed to have some meandering subplots that I didn't really get.

Just when things seem most bleak, opportunity barges through the door for a writer. His ex wife and her boyfriend are making decisions about his son and his career appears to be faltering. Following up on a lead uncovers layers of horrible behavior and exploitation and abuse.
Its really pretty terrible to consider that this stuff really goes one but sadly it does.

I get the impression this will be part of a series as there were some real loose ends at the end.
All in all, it as ok and the ending, such as it is, was nice.

Interesting premise, but not my cup of tea. Very surface level characters, and the plot was slow moving.