A mixed bag for me - I liked the plot once it eventually got going, but I found the pre-amble really long-winded. I understand that it was all setting up the majority of the story, but I think the structure was what brought this book down a few points for me. I found the twist a little predictable, but enjoyable. Overall, a pretty good read.

I love the author but felt this wasn't her best read. Good characters and a decent amount of suspense, supported by it being a quick read. I found the plot a little predictable though whereas I am usually blown away by twists with the author. Not a bad read by any means but not what I have come to expect from the author.

A really good character based suspense book. For me this wasnt the best by this author, having said that it was a great quick and gripping read. I would recommend to others.

A Deadly Game...
When Lucas invites guests for an anniversary gathering it soon becomes clear that he has planned an uncomfortable game. Character based suspense although difficult to empathise with any of the characters who have no depth, a far fetched and predictable plot although granted it’s fiction and with a largely unsatisfactory finale. A quick read but not the authors’ best work.

This is the second book in the Stephanie King series. I am a big fan of Rachel Abbott and this book is just as good if not better than the first. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the series-a good read, great plot, good characters. A little bit obvious in places, but still worth reading. Recommended.

This was a good book. I have not read anything by Rachel Abbott before, but I will look forward to reading other books she writes in the future.

I really enjoyed the idea behind the plot of The Murder Game, a group of guests from a wedding brought back together at the venue from the previous year with lots of secrets between them, the different mysteries all coming together in the style of an Agatha Christie. However, I didn’t warm to the characters and I did guess what would happen quite early on. There were some points I liked but for a psychological suspense novel I would have liked much more suspense and a few realistic options so that the ending wasn’t so obvious.

This is the debut novel from Jennifer Harvey and I found it a good read. Katie is over the moon when her parents allow Isa, her best friend, to come on holiday with them. Isa’s parents’ marriage is under pressure and they decide to take a second honeymoon hoping this will repair it. Louise, Katie’s mum, doesn’t realise that Katie and Mia have had a fallout and so the holiday doesn’t go smoothly. She allows them to go to a beach party at the end of the holiday but Isa drowns. Isa’s family blame Louise and Katie and start to believe that Isa’s death wasn’t an accident. The chapters are told by Louise and Katie and takes us back to events that had happened previously. There are some dark secrets to be revealed that makes compelling reading. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is the 2nd book with this detective in, having not read the first I was a bit concerned it would throw me off. However, it didn't matter as she didn't feature that much.
This book focused on a murder and finding out the truth. When it started you know there is something wrong but you don't know what.
I enjoyed this book, and liked the characters. The mystery set was good and there was a lot happening

What a fabulous book - cleverly written, full of suspense - an excellent read,- really had me hooked trying to fathom out who the culprits were.

A group of friends meet up for a wedding in Cornwall. Jemma's husband feels he as an obligation to Lucas so she is there on the sidelines giving her unbiased narrative.. All the guests have secrets but they all have an alligieance to Lucas feeling they all owe him in some way.

Amazing. You have to keep page turning to see what happens next. A brilliant book by a brilliant author.

The wedding of Lucas and Nina was meant to be the perfect day, surrounded by their friends at a beautiful home on the Cornish coast. But the night before the wedding, tragedy strikes, and a life is lost. A year later, and the group is reuniting at Polskirrin, set to play a macabre game designed to reveal the truth of what really happened that night. It’s name? The murder game.

I will admit that when I requested this one, I didn’t know it was the second in a series, and I will admit that this make me question whether it would be worth reading. Luckily, it had absolutely no impact on my enjoyment of the book, as the only common thread is the same police officer being present in both books, and there’s a very effective little recap of the previous book that catches you up really well.

Now, onto the plot itself. Obviously I can’t say too much given the nature of the story, but I will say that the present day sections in particular definitely had an Agatha Christie vibe to it! There’s also so many little side plots going on that you are fully gripped almost immediately, and desperate to know the truth of what really happened that night!

All in all, I completely loved this one. The mystery element of the plot was very strong, the characters are so vivid, and the ending is completely perfect - no loose threads here! Definitely one I’d recommend, and I’m already looking forward to her next read!

Disclaimer - I was fortunate enough to receive an advance reading copy from NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way and all opinions are my own.

The Murder Game is an intriguing psychological murder mystery with a great premise. It’s populated by a good mix of suspects although I did find myself struggling with our protagonist Jemma’s simple acceptance of some of this events within.

Rachel Abbott pulls off some good twists along the way, one or two I had guessed, some more I hadn’t, and there are some shocking revelations at the story’s core. I did still feel I had some questions by the end but it was an enjoyable read and it was good to see some more of Sergeant King and DI Brodie working the case together.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy of the book.

Tragedy strikes at a wedding of Lucas and Nina the wedding is then cancelled.
A year on Lucas invited all his friends back for an anniversary party with a difference . He wants to find out what really happen to his sister.
This is told from multiple views . Everyone seems to have a secret.
Plenty of twists and turns
A great read
Thanks NetGalley

The Murder Game is the second book in the Stephanie King series. The book revolves around a group of friends who meet up for a wedding but not all goes to plan. Who is telling the truth? I really enjoyed this book from one of my favourite authors.

The 2nd and much anticipated title in the Stephanie King series, and although I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I think this would have been better as a stand alone book. Stephanie King was very much a secondary character in this, although it didn’t actually spoil the book or put me off wanting to read more. Not one of Rachel’s best books but enjoyable nonetheless.

I didn't realise this was a sequal but to be honest you don't need to read the first one to get the gist of the story, it works well as a standalone. This was a gripping thrilling read, reminded me of old-school Agatha Chrisite and I enjoyed it a lot!

The second of Ms Abbott's new Stephanie King novels and I didn't think she could better the intrigue of the first. But she has! This series is very different from the popular Tom Douglas books - they are a bit more 'whodunnit', whereas with the Tom Douglas series you often know who it is but the drama is in the 'getting there', and whether Tom can save the day. Stephanie King is a different kind of Detective but like Tom she really cares. The Murder Game feels a bit 'Agatha Christie' with a version of a Murder-Mystery Dinner Party 1 year after a tragic death. I won't give it all away, but there are many twists and turns where you think 'Oh I know how this ends!' - don't be cocky! There will be at least one twist you DON'T see coming!

I received an advance copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review which I confirm this is.

Yet another great read from Rachel Abbott.

I always love Rachel's books and, to begin with, I was unsure about this one as it was a step away from the first few books, featuring DI Tom Douglas, which I so enjoyed. It didn't take long for me to get into it, though, and I was soon hooked and staying awake into the early hours to read "just another chapter".

I without wanting to give anything away, I did guess (sort of) what was going on, but that didn't detract at all from my enjoyment of the book. The characters were all so intriguing, you really wanted to learn a little more about each of them.

Yet again, another winner from Rachel Abbott.