Book Review | One Beats The Bush by Riall Nolan - The First in the Max Donovan Adventure Series

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One Beats The Bush is a well-paced action thriller that ticks multiple boxes; page-turning twists, fight scenes, a lot of crime and, more importantly, a main character you cannot help but love. Vietnam veteran Max Donovan is in Bangkok, and very hungover, when his friend “Fat” Freddie Fields is arrested in San Francisco for the murder of an Australian diplomat. He knows his old buddy would never hurt a fly, so he rushes back to the Bay Area to help. Suspecting Freddie is being framed, Donovan tries to rustle up some cash to bail him out, but only succeeds in getting into trouble with the local mob.  He’ll have to solve the case on his own. Unfortunately, the only clue he has suggest the answer lies in the jungle-covered mountains of Papua New Guinea. As he comes face-to-face with smugglers, hostile tribesmen, insurgents, and a web of corruption and deception, can Donovan achieve what is seemingly impossible? Nolan has managed to achieve a page-turning action thriller that doesn’t feel
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Book Review | A Fatal Crossing by Tom Hindle - A True 20s Detective Novel

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I had saw and read many great reviews for this book on Twitter, so when I saw it on NetGalley I knew I had to request a copy. And, as always, I was so thankful to be granted access. When it finally came to the top on my NetGalley ‘to be read’ list I was so excited and couldn’t wait to get stuck in. 

A Fatal Crossing is a 1920s detective novel. It focuses around a sort of cruise ship talking passengers from England to New York. The trip was going great until suddenly a man is found dead, a priceless painting stolen and many guests fearing for their life. Temple an English detective and Birch a ships officer are forced to team up and investigate the on-goings happening on the ship. But how the story ends may not please everyone involved. 

This book took me a while to get into as I wasn’t really sure if I liked the writing style. There is a lot of speech throughout, and to begin with I wasn’t a fan but after around eight or nine chapters I grew used to it and started to get really into the story. With the speech aside, this was a very well written book. Hindle included many secrets and mysteries that all happened at the same time, but I wasn’t confused. It was easy to keep track of what was happening and to whom. 

A Fatal Crossing wasn’t a book I was racing to get through and finish, and to some that may sound like a bad thing but I actually loved this. I’m normally incredibly impatient and feel a need to rush through a murder mystery book as I can’t wait to find out whodunit, but this one was different. I was able to take my time and enjoy the read, take in all the information and enjoy it casually throughout the week. 

I really loved and felt a connection with Temple. I don’t know what it was, but he was just so straight to the point and smart and able to piece the puzzle together so effortlessly, that it made me love him. He was troubled and flawed but I didn’t really care. 

In the end, I couldn’t figure out who the murderer was or what their motive may be. But to be honest, I barely even tried to guess because the second I thought one thing something happened and my mind went in the opposite direction. Whereas for the twist at the end, oh my! I could sense something more was going to happen but I did not see that coming at all. I loved it! Want to know what the twist is? Well you’re just gonna need to wait until 20 January 2022 to find out. 

This is definitely a book everyone should keep on their radar once its published. A great addition to any book shelf and a lovely read to enjoy with a cup of tea or a glass of wine. I know which one I would prefer. 


A safe space for me to ramble on about the books I’ve read. Don’t expect high quality, news worthy reviews; I’m just a simple woman who needs somewhere to vent! This blog contains affiliated links.

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