The Blossom Twins (Detective Natalie Ward, #5)

by Carol Wyer

[zooloo1983]

This will be one of the hardest reviews I have ever written because the main talking point for me, is something I can not even talk about. For me, I made the mistake when creating my takeover, of checking out some reviews, and well it ruined what happened. That upset me.

I have to say Carol has floored me with this book, she has damn near broken me. I can see why it is a favourite for a lot of people. It takes a lot of guts to do what she has with this book and it hurts, it hurts a lot, but I think it paid off. However, I really didn’t want to it (nicest way possible I mean that)

It brings Natalie’s haunted past to the present and then that past destroyed everything. I cried a lot, I wanted to do a Joey in Friends about 60% in it. As soon as one sentence was read by Di Croft, I wanted to put the audiobook on hold and put the kindle into the freezer. Because if I don’t read, it doesn’t happen does it. Even when I got to 85% and I was talking to Carol, I kept finding things to do to stop me from me reading. I watered the garden, ate my dinner, tidied up, anything!!!

But I caved, and man do I wish I hadn’t caved. This book!!!!

I still don’t know where to begin with this review! A horrible case that nearly destroyed Natalie, where twin girls had been murdered and “placed” in a way in a truly ghoulish way. To a passer-by, they could be just be sleeping, holding hands…well if it wasn’t for a carrier bag stuck over their heads. Every case we read always involves children!!!

No Murray in this book, boy do we miss him. There is no banter for Ian and no support for Lucy. Instead, a blast from the past for Natalie in the form of John Briggs, a guy who worked the Blossom Twin case with Natalie. Got to admit, wasn’t sure of him, he was too cocksure, I thought he had a turning point and then decided I really wasn’t a fan of his.

This case is getting to Natalie, plus she has pressure from David at home. The fallout from the last book has put cogs in motion and David, well, no more support from me. I get he is hurt by Natalie but his actions at the end, nope I’m done! Sorry Carol, not on his train anymore.

One thing I do enjoy more about this series is that Natalie is not a whippet snapper chasing promotions. She is a family woman, trying to balance her life and work, she is getting grey and getting lines, midlife drift. She is more real to me, she also has so much balls! I have so much respect for her, she just tries to do what is best and it is a shame that this is not always understood at home. Not only does she have balls but man Carol you have some huge cajones!! What more are you going to through at her!? I know she’s got a break coming up soon as I only have 2 books left to read, so I hope there is some respite soon.

Another thing I find refreshing is that, well, no one ever pulls out their weapon and fires it. There are no shots fired, just good old fashion detecting and they always catch the perp. This time, just once, I wish it had been different.

This book has jarred me. It has turfed me out of my safe haven and now I don’t know which way to turn. I feel now we are on a dark tunnel with Natalie, I can’t see the light and I fear it will be a while before we get over the fallout.

I am sitting here wondering what more I can say. I just don’t know. The case is harrowing, it takes a lot from us, it takes a piece of your soul and your heart. I am dreading the next book because it will just mean everything that happened in The Blossom Twins did happen and I can’t unread it!