My thoughts on Rough Diamond - Rough Justice by Avien Gray

Rough Diamond - Rough Justice 

By Avien Gray

 After a first kill, MI5 Agent and erstwhile photographer Cain becomes an undercover, extra-judicial killer for a secret Bureau.

Recovering from injuries sustained protecting the Royal Family, Cain embraces a new life and romance in sun-drenched Australia, leaving his past life behind.

But when tragedy strikes, he is on the move again. This time to a new career in the world of diamond dealings in Florida.

Curiosity takes Cain to the diamond world in South Africa, where his past finally catches up with him, the criminal world allies against him and he becomes a killer again.

In Cain's action-packed escapades, a spectacular betrayal takes him into the rigours of a Chinese prison where the truth about his past begins to unravel.

Aided by a loyal band of friends from the shadowy world of intelligence, he delivers his own particular brand of rough justice.

However, with enemies closing in on all sides, will Cain prevail?

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Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐

Rough Diamond – Rough Justice by Avien Gray is an immediately engaging read, pulling you into its gritty world with sharp writing and great momentum. It’s exciting right from the start.

The main character, Cain, really shines. He’s tough but relatable, and his emotional depth brings a surprising warmth to the story despite the desperate situations he finds himself in.

A lot happens in this book, but the author keeps the pace steady and clear. I never lost track of what was happening or who everyone was. There’s plenty of violence, as you’d expect in a crime novel, but the lighter moments of humor balance it out nicely.

Rough Diamond – Rough Justice is a stylish, immersive crime thriller that delivers both heart and adrenaline. A confident, memorable read—easily four stars.

***

Avien Gray, the English author behind Rough Diamond – Rough Justice, brings a wealth of experience to his gripping debut novel. Born in the UK, Gray has led a dynamic, bachelor’s life marked by an impressive array of skills and global adventures. He has a driver’s license, motorbike license, and pilot’s license. His physical discipline extends to martial arts, where he earned a karate black belt, complemented by a lifelong passion for photography that captures the world through his discerning lens.

Gray’s rumoured travels paint the picture of a man unbound by borders. He is said to have spent many months in Saudi Arabia, Australia, the USA, South Africa, Europe and China. This rich tapestry of experiences infuses his writing with authenticity, lending a vivid, worldly edge to the thrilling narrative of his complex protagonist: a man called Cain.

Avien and his best friend shared a flat and went out with various female friends together. They had a great time. As it says in the book when Cain is talking with his best friend: a Royal Protection Officer.

 ‘We will have to write that book when we retire,’ Cain said.

 They looked at each other with knowing smiles – for a long few seconds.

 ‘All those secrets,’ said Jerry. ‘Perhaps we will.’

 And time moved on.

But in real life, his best friend tragically died – leaving Avien to write their book alone.

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Publisher: Avien Gray

Page Length: 466

Genre: Political Thrillers & Suspense / Historical Fiction

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You Killed Me First by John Marrs

 You Killed Me First 

By John Marrs

Three women. Three smouldering secrets. Who will make it out alive?

It’s 5 November, and a woman awakens to a nightmare. Bound and gagged, she lies trapped in the heart of a towering bonfire. As the smoke thickens, panic sets in – she’s moments away from being engulfed in flames. How did it come to this?

Rewind eleven months: Margot, a faded TV star, and her long-suffering friend Anna watch as glamorous Liv and her flawless family move into their street. The three women soon fabricate the perfect pretence of friendship, but each harbours her own deadly secret – and newcomer Liv senses something is terribly wrong beneath the polished exteriors.

As cracks widen in the veneer of perfection and lies escalate out of control, tension ignites. Bonfire Night is approaching and someone is set to burn…But who will it be?

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I went into You Killed Me First by John Marrs thinking it would be another entertaining thriller, but it ended up pulling me in much more than I expected. The book opens with an intense, shocking scene that immediately sets the tone and made me want to keep reading. From there, the story jumps back in time and slowly reveals how everything built toward that terrifying moment. I was curious right away and found it hard to put the book down.

What really held my attention were the three main characters—Margot, Anna, and Liv. At first they seem like ordinary women living comfortable suburban lives, but it quickly becomes clear that none of them are quite what they appear to be. Each chapter shifts between their perspectives, and I enjoyed seeing how differently they viewed the same events. Their secrets and misunderstandings gradually create more and more tension, and I felt genuinely invested in their stories.

I also liked the way the novel explored familiar but powerful themes like jealousy, betrayal, and revenge. Marrs does a good job showing how small lies and hidden resentments can grow into something much darker. Even when the characters made choices that were frustrating or questionable, I could still understand where they were coming from. That made them feel like real people rather than typical thriller stereotypes.

The twists throughout the book kept me on my toes. Just when I thought I had figured out what was going on, something new would be revealed that changed everything. Some moments were a bit dramatic, but they fit the overall tone of the story and added to the excitement. I enjoyed trying to guess how all the pieces would come together in the end.

By the time I reached the final pages, I felt completely satisfied. You Killed Me First turned out to be a gripping, entertaining read that delivered plenty of suspense and surprises. If you enjoy thrillers with flawed characters and unpredictable plots, I think this book is definitely worth picking up.