Gemma

Holmes and Moriarty the new Sherlock Homes mystery written by Gareth Rubin, officially authorised by the Conan Doyle estate.

I loved The Turnglass so was very excited to hear of Rubin's new novel. Homes and Watson are hired by actor George Reynolds. He wants to find out why the audience who come and see him perform every night are the same people, only wearing disguises.

Meanwhile, Moriarty, Holmes' archenemy is implicated in the murder of a gang leader. Moriarty and Moran have no choice but to go on the run and find out who has set them up for this crime. But their investigation puts them in the way of Holmes and Watson and it's not long before all four realise that they are being targeted by the same person. They need to form an alliance in order to save their own lives and unmask the true villain.

This intriguing mystery triggered my arachnid phobia leaving me terrified. I won't go into detail but I wasn't expecting the fright that this novel delivered; a great read for this time of year. I loved the premise of this novel that two enemies have to come together in order to solve the mystery and save their own lives. But to put trust in someone who wants to destroy you, is an act of faith in itself.

The setting was atmospheric and I loved the hidden tunnels and the strange hotel setup. The characters all had an air of mystery sounding them and it was difficult to know who you could trust and rely on. The chapters alternated from Watson's to Moran's viewpoint which I felt added to the pace and the plot.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, especially if you are a Sherlock fan or enjoy mystery novels.

Sharp Glass by Sarah Hilary has a unique storyline. One woman trapped alone in a cellar whilst her captor remains upstairs in the remote house with no chance of escape and miles from anywhere. The last thing she remembers is standing outside the empty house.

This is basically a story of two people's dialogue and memories as they try to solve the mystery of a murdered teenager. A girl one of them knew from her birth, the other after her death. This is a story about obsession, hidden secrets, and trauma.

It was difficult to know who to trust as both characters were unreliable in their own state of mind. With an interesting twist part way, it was like a cat-and-mouse game of captor and victim where the roles reversed several times. A real gut-wrenching psychological thriller.

Sharp Glass has an interesting premise, and at times, I was glued to the pages wondering who the killer was or how the story would pan out. However, on occasions, I did find it quite repetitive and not as fast-paced as I had initially hoped for.

Overall, Sharp Glass is an intriguing read, full of surprises and some dark disturbing moments. There are trigger warnings of suicide and sexual abuse.

The Betrayal of Thomas True by A.J. West is a heartbreaking Georgian tale set in the underworld of the molly houses. It had my heart from the outset, and I was completely broken by the end pages.

This is West's second book, and although both books are equally fabulous, I think The Betrayal of Thomas West is my favourite. West's storytelling is immersive, painting the scene of London's hidden gay community and the deadly consequences they face if caught. The characters are flamboyant and feisty, taking great risks at the double life they are leading.

The Betrayal of Thomas True is a captivating read. It is a blend of genres; historical fiction mixed with a thriller vibe as you try to discover who amongst the mollies is a rat. There are some shocking scenes, added twists and an ending that I did not see coming. I loved the setting and the rich portrayal of characters. West's writing flows from the pages seamlessly and I appreciate all the hours of research that went into writing a book of this calibre. It is an emotive read portraying hope, love, betrayal and treachery.

To put it simply, this book is a steal of a read and as fabulous as its sprayed edges

The Midnight Hour by Eve Chase is a family drama set in Notting Hill, London.

Maggie, a seventeen-year-old, finds herself alone with her little brother Kit when her mother, Dee Dee, doesn't return home one night. With Dee Dee being a model and local celebrity, Maggie keeps her mother's dissappeance a secret. When a young lad named Wolf comes to her rescue after a near miss with a van, Maggie finds herself not so alone after all and a budding relationship blooms. However, one fatal night the two lovers know they must flee the area and become strangers if they are to keep their deadly secret.

The Midnight Hour follows Maggie over two decades to discover the secrets of her past and what happened to her mother when she disappeared. It is a touching story of love in its many forms and in protecting those you love. The complexities of family dynamics and how hidden secrets can destroy relationships made for an interesting read. This was a character driven novel that I was very invested in. I loved Cora, the elusive aunt, and felt a lot of empathy towards her.

The chapters jumped around from London to France, past to the present day, making this quite the pageturner. A great summer read, I couldn't put it down.

The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin is a charming novel set in Nottingham during world war 2.

Widow Emma Taylor finds herself in need of a job but with restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment, Emma finds herself in a difficult position. However, Emma manages to convince the manageress of Boot's Booklover's Library to give her a chance as long as she keeps her marital status and daughter a secret.

With the threat of war approaching Emma has to make the hard decision to evacuate her daughter. In her daughter's absence she throws herself into her job and volunteering, leading her to form heartwarming friendships.

This was a feel good novel despite the subject of the second world war. I particularly loved the quirky characters who visited the library along with Mrs Pickering, Emma's landlady. I had no idea that Boots had an established library and that people would pay a subscription to loan books. Not only did this hidden gem of history thrill me it also intrigued me. I loved finding out more information about it, especially its location on the top floor, at the back of the shop.

Obviously, set during the time of world war 2 there were a lot of heartbreaking moments in the book. Such as having to send children away from their homes and parents, the effects of war and death. As a mother, I couldn't imagine being faced with the decision of sending a child away, especially with not knowing where they were going or who they would be living with. During the war my grandmother was evacuated and we would often have chats over tea about her experience. She was sent to two different families, one she loved and one she wasn't happy in. Reading this novel took me back to my chats with my late gran. Although in the midst of war this book is a reminder of how resilient and resourceful people were. And the power of friendship and love. A wonderful read, highly recommend.