Gemma

The Final Twist is the third installment in the Colter Shaw series and although it can be read as a standalone you will probably want to read the first two books first, as they make for quite an addictive read. In this novel Shaw finds himself trying to track down the persons responsible for his father's death and discovering the reasons why. Shaw is sent on a hunt to locate evidence that will give him the answers he is after, although this mission is highly dangerous and time is running out.

This novel hits the ground running from the opening pages and the tension and action does not slow down. Espionage, danger, mystery and conspiracy is at the heart of this novel. Deaver's writing is highly descriptive and it was easy to picture the action unfolding, just like watching a movie. There were many anxious moments where my heart was pounding in my chest. Shaw and his family are bad-ass! Having been taught survival skills from their father and facing one threat after another, I was confident they would outwit their opponents and was rooting for them to do so.

A fast-paced thriller with twists and turns along the way making this quite the gripping read I was hoping for.

As you may already know this book has been selected for the Reese Witherspoon's Book Club May Pick and is trending all over social media at the moment. Having just read it I can totally see why. This book is simply irresistible.

This was such a page-turner and a very addictive read. It begins with Hannah opening her door to find a young teenage girl standing there with a yellow note addressed to her in the handwriting of her husband. The note simply says Protect her! All kinds of questions are running through Hannah's mind as to why her husband is sending her a note rather than phoning her. She assumes the note is referring to her step-daughter Bailey, but why? It soon becomes very clear that Owen has disappeared leaving them with a bag full of cash and no further answers. Owen's boss is arrested for fraud and even though Hannah and Bailey know that Owen would have also been questioned by the police they cannot understand his urgency to disappear without any explanation. As they dig deeper into Owen's past they start to discover the unthinkable and know that in order to survive this nightmare they will need to become united.

This clever, intriguing novel draws you in with the mystery surrounding Owen's disappearance. How can a man just suddenly vanish without a trace leaving his only daughter with his new wife, especially when they haven't had time to fully adjust to this new family arrangement and secured their relationship? On the face of it this book focuses around Owen and his disappearance, however, it is so much more than a mystery thriller. There is something softer that runs through the novel: relationships, in many different forms. The relationship between Hannah and her own grandfather, who raised her, is a heartwarming tale and although we get snippets of their time together through flashbacks, it is what centres Hannah and brings out the best in her. Her own relationship with her mother was a rocky one and it is through her determination not to be like her mother that we see how much love and thought goes into protecting Bailey and putting her needs first. Their relationship is a complicated one, which made the story feel realistic; two people thrown together having to cope with the emotions of losing the one person that unites them. Although very much strained it is their growth that makes this book such a compelling read. And then there is the relationship between Hannah and Owen. I love the way the book goes back in time so that we see the two of them together from twenty-four hours earlier to two years and four months ago.

The story line with its unexpected twists and turns was shocking at times but such an enjoyable, unpredictable read. I thought the ending was very fitting and although not the outcome I had hoped for I definitely believe this was the right ending for the book. I can absolutely see why this book is being made into TV adaption featuring Julia Roberts, how exciting!! Completely recommend reading the book before this series begins. What are you waiting for? Grab a copy now or add it to your TBR piles, a must read this year.

In true Agatha Christie style the storyline was very intriguing and a complicated puzzle to solve. A women wrongly accused of murder, another women who confesses to the very same murder and a third women who is terrified that she will be murdered if she sits on a certain seat on the coach. Utterly baffling. And then to add more bewilderment to the plot another body appears!!

This novel oozes the well loved features of the golden age of crime fiction with a large country house, a host of colourful characters - all of who are suspects, plenty of red-herrings along the way, confessions, murder and a gathering at the end for Poirot to deliver his findings and solve the answers to the crimes that only he can decipher. Pure brilliance.

I loved Poirot's sidekick Catchpool, who narrates the novel. Like all good sidekicks Catchpool is a loyal and trusting companion, and compliments Poirot's brash character by adding a softer, slightly humorous personality to the novel. For me, Catchpool is the only likeable character in the novel probably because he is the narrator and you get an insight into his thoughts and opinions, but also I found his determination in working alongside Poirot and trying and beat him in solving the crime, even though Poirot is far superior in this task, very endearing.

Overall, a delightful read, deliciously complex and a clever discombobulating mystery.

Although this is the sixth book in the series it can definitely be read as a standalone novel. The opening chapter accelerates the quickening of your pulse and even if you are new to the series you get a quick introduction to characters and the setting. The atmospheric setting, the Fenlands of Lincolnshire, adds to the beauty of this novel creating tension with its eerie vastness. Joy Ellis is clearly very familiar with the area and this is portrayed throughout the book. What a perfect setting for a killer to hide.

This police procedural was a delight to read with the multiple crimes that were taking place and the threat of danger everywhere, it was a real page-turner. Although, there was a lot going on with several different stories running parallel, it was extremely well balanced, completely comprehensible and everything came skillfully together. There was a steady pace throughout with shocking revelations that appeared with little warning. My hand was gripped tightly whilst holding the book and if I had been watching this on a screen I know I would have jumped at every twist and turn. Highly entertaining although not for the faint-hearted.

I adored the characters, from the police team to the Lorimer family. Here you had a real mix of personalities, each with their own flaws or insecurities and yet with the exception of Alistair Ashcroft, all were extremely likeable and relatable. My fear for the team's safety whilst trying to hunt down Ashcroft was immense, added to that, the threat of an unknown sniper on the loose made this quite the psychological thriller I was hoping for. Action-packed and gripping, it is no surprise why this has been selected for The British Book Awards 2021.

This character-driven novel takes you to a small community in Ireland where everybody knows everyone but is supportive and rich in spirit.

Lucy a single mother, recently divorced is tired of her busy job as a Doctor in her local A&E department at the hospital. Her son is away at boarding school and spends most of his time gaming when he is home. She decides to have a ‘break' from it all and goes to visit her mother in her hometown of Ballycove.

Jo is delighted in welcoming her daughter and grandson to Ballycove and fusses over them as any mother/grandmother would. Although, Jo realises she needs to admit the truth to her daughter (and herself) about her health, as she has been in denial for a while now.

Elizabeth, a recent widow, finds herself learning to cope after the death of her husband and coming to terms with his secrets that could shatter and pull her under.

These women show bravery, determination and support one another through their hardships. Along the way they find laughter, love and acceptance. It was hard not to get caught up in the lives of these three women and although there were moments of heartbreak and sadness in the book there was also the power of friendship and human kindness. Ballycove really was the place with a big heart and an idyllic place to live.

I loved the concept of the ‘Midnight Swimming Club' that Jo inspired the women to participate in although there would be no way I would venture into the Irish Sea at any time of day let alone at midnight! This coming together, stripping back the day's stresses and just being in the moment provided a rawness of emotions which made for a powerful read.

Hogan's writing is poignant, gentle and touching. I got swept along with the plot, the characters and the beautiful setting. Although there is some sadness it also had a feel-good feel to the novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.

This was one hell of a page-turner. Cait picks up Rebecca late one evening, it is a job she has been assigned to do although at this stage it is unclear why. My first thoughts were, Rebecca is escaping from an abusive relationship. What I loved about the structure of the book is that Barry feeds you snippets as the book unfolds. You hear the points of view from the two main characters Cait and Rebecca and nothing is what it first appears to be. There are also voices from a few other characters slotted in from time to time which adds to the intrepidation of what is to come.

This book is a real cat and mouse chase where the writing swoops you along at a satisfying pace, leaves you wanting more and has you on the edge of your seat with your heart in your mouth. I loved this thrilling aspect of the novel along with wanting to know all the answers to the questions that were building alongside the tension of the storyline. Who was chasing them? Why? I have to say I was hooked. Sisterhood is a real theme in this book and one that I both loved and appreciated. I loved finding out more about the characters Cait and Rebecca as the story unfolded and found their own individual backstories fascinating. For me, the ending was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Highly recommend.

Birdy, a young women who has coasted through life so far and is feeling rather fed up. Her best friend Heather is off to Italy, renting out her flat so Birdy will become homeless and being estranged from her alcoholic father and unsupportive mother Birdy finds herself alone and fearful of the future. Having nothing to lose Birdy travels to Scotland to take on the job as a sommelier, a job that Heather was offered before she decided to go to Italy with her boyfriend. Birdy promised Heather that she would call the hotel and apologise on her behalf for pulling out, but with no job herself and nowhere to live Birdy decides that she can step into Heather's role, after all how hard can it be to recommend wine to customers staying at a rundown hotel? However, when Birdy steps out of the taxi she realises that this is not the hotel she was in fact expecting. Having current renovations going on, a new advisory head chef in position and over one hundred wines to get her head around, Birdy realises very early on that she has bitten off far too much...but she cannot turn back now! She is determined that she cannot let her friend down or tarnished Heather's reputation due to her own inexperience and stupidity of impersonating her. She must keep up the pretence that she is Heather and will do the very best she can.

You cannot help but warm to Birdy, even after all her lies, imperfections and betrayal she is a character who means well even though she goes about things in completely the wrong way. Her sense of humour and gregarious nature gets her by on a wing and a prayer and I love this element about her. I was so invested in Birdy and the other characters that The Summer Job was a pure delight to read. I couldn't always predict where the story was heading but I really hoped that when the truth about the real Heather was revealed that Birdy would come away unscathed.

Although, there are a few darker themes running through the book such as alcoholism and neglect, it is balanced beautifully with humour, love and self discovery. There was such a fun, witty, feel-good quality to this book which I absolutely adored. Highly recommend this novel; a real summer/holiday treat to get lost in. Much praise to Lizzy Dent and her highly entertaining debut novel.

This book is perfect for readers aged 9+ and was such an enjoyable read. I adored Golding's The Tigers in the Tower so I knew I would fall in love with the Jane Austen Investigates series as well. Golding's writing flows beautifully from the pages. There is a great balance of description, dialogue, humor and plenty of action to keep the reader fully engaged. Golding's characters are the real star of her books and Jane Austen is the protagonist I craved to be as a child. She is gutsy, clever and bold. I love how Golding champions the less fortunate characters in her novels and her mix of Jane, Luke and Deepti was just perfect in this story. This book took me back to my own childhood when I thrived on reading The Secret Seven and The Famous Five.

The historical setting really heightened my enjoyment of the novel and I'm sure many children will also enjoy this element as well as broadening their knowledge of the past. There were a few red-herrings along the way as to who had stolen the horses and set the Library on fire which kept me guessing. I loved the addition of Grandison, Jane's dog! Every good sleuth needs a dog on the trail with them. The letters that Jane writes to her sister, that are included at the end of some chapters, are delightful and add an extra magical and somewhat humorous element to the novel. These were always an expected gem hidden within the pages. There was so much to love about this book from the setting, rich characters, and complex plot that will keep the readers gripped. This truly is a charming book and I very much look forward to reading the rest of the series and sharing this with my daughter when the time is right.

The town of Whistling Ridge! What a place! A community held captive by the homophobic, racist beliefs of those that hold the power, men in powerful positions: Pastor, Sheriff and Business Tycoon. A God-fearing community being led by a man with extreme views leads this community being torn apart. The younger generation desperate to find some escapism turn to alcohol and drugs in their rebellion. However, these drastic measures produce some devastating consequences, including the disappearance of Abigail, a beloved daughter and friend.

This dark, atmospheric novel explores the power of religion and how bigoted views can cause hatred and violence towards other. Some of the scenes in the novel are not only shocking but hard to read at times. The prejudice and satanic nature of some of the characters caused my blood to boil. The intense anger and hatred in the novel was balanced beautifully with the kindness of other characters and ultimately the theme of love. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time as you never truly knew what was waiting for you on the next page.

I loved the mystery of the disappearance of Abi and how that had an affect on the community. The characters were rich in description and fully came alive on the page. The tension builds, creating a highly addictive read. Bailey continues to evoke different emotions throughout the novel, pushing you to uncomfortable levels at times. For me, it was an emotional rollercoaster.

This haunting and heart wrenching novel was a definite page-turner and one that will stay with me for some time. Many thanks to Alison Barrow at Doubleday for my proof copy of Tall Bones, a very poignant and provocative novel yet such a enjoyable read.

This is a book that you just want to keep on reading. The writing flows so beautifully alternating between several timelines. Nick is the perfect protagonist, he is loyal, brave, a protector and yet he is not without his faults. What I loved about this book was that it wasn't just another love story, it was so much more.

The characters and their situations were both very realistic. This could be the story of your best friend or the person down the road. Life does get in the way and can be very unforgiving at times. This is such a character driven novel and I couldn't help but sympathise with all of them, they all had their faults and demons and were all trying to cope in the only way they knew how. A very thought-provoking novel and I will miss reading about Nick, Anna, Sal and the other characters.

Another Life sucked me in, took me on one hell of a journey, broke my heart a few times and was a beautiful read. A book I urge you to read this summer, simply breathtaking.

Rosie Shadow, a six year old, is out of control according to her mother. She won't go to school, stays up until the wee hours and is violent towards her mother. But surely it can't be the child's fault it must be her upbringing? Right? Think again. Rosie has immense strength, both physical and mental, she has an insatiable appetite and likes to dig graves in the garden. Her strange behaviour and aggression towards her mother has meant Elly is a shadow of her former self, she is literally terrified of what her daughter will do next. This fascinating storyline makes no excuses for Rosie's behaviour and leaves you dreading what she is capable of doing next and to who. I had goosebumps reading the chapters dedicated to Rosie and my heart was beating rapidly in anticipation of what was to come. I felt so much sympathy for Elly and could see how trapped and torn she was.

Clare is grieving from the sudden death of her partner and trying to hold it all together. Working as a tourist guide she finds herself drawn to her boss Archie. However, things are not quite as they seem. This creepy, gut-wrenching novel is both disturbing and addictive. It was quite the page-turner. It shocked, disgusted me, drew me in with its broad mix of characters and terrified me all at the same time.

This Gothic beauty has a nod to the Cinderella fairy tale. Eleanor/Ella finds herself living in the grand Granborough House under the care of Mrs Pembroke after her mother's death. Mrs Pembroke promises her a life of privilege and wealth but unfortunately after her death Ella finds herself sleeping in the maids quarters at the top of the house, wearing a scratchy woollen uniform and serving Mr Pembroke rather than becoming a member of the family that Mrs Pembroke had promised her. During the evenings Ella would sneak into the library, a place that she used to share with Mrs Pembroke, and read some of her cherished books. One night Ella discovers the black-eyed woman, a fairy godmother? A temptress? Who promises to grant Ella seven wishes and in return wants her soul if and only when all seven wishes have been granted. Ella finds herself caught in a cycle of turmoil as she tries to change the fate of her future and is left to deal with the consequences of her wishes.

This was a fascinating read and one I really enjoyed. Although there was an element of the Cinderella tale woven into the story line it was a magical, mystical read for adults. I loved the historical feel to the novel and the dilemmas that Ella finds herself in. I found myself routing for Ella to escape the confinements of Mr Pembroke's household and started to wonder if the black-eyed woman was responsible for Ella's wishes or whether there was another innocent or sinister reason behind these events. I was completely hooked.

I loved the characters, especially Ella, Leah and Aoife. Although Ella's actions and choices were questionable you knew that she was acting on behalf of her friends and just wanted to achieve a better life for them all. I truly had no idea how the story would end and was constantly surprised by the twists and turns that panned out. I loved the spooky, Gothic feel of the novel, it is dark and very atmospheric giving you a real insight into the streets of Victorian London. I could feel the grime and loud, dangerous bustling streets come alive as Ella was sent on errands, dodging beggars and thieves.

Harwood took twelve years to write this novel and I can truly say I loved every word on the page.

This book

This book

Adams bases her novel Dangerous Women on the historical event in 1841 where 180 English women were transported to Van Diemen's Island for petty crimes committed. They sailed for 3 months aboard the Rajah where they were confined to the lower deck, sleeping on flimsy bunks with access to limited daylight. During their time aboard the women produced the Raja Quilt, by sewing together a patchwork quilt with material given to them by Elizabeth Fry and her committee of twelve other women. The Raja Quilt is now housed in the National Gallery of Australia.

Although Adam's uses some historic events and the names of people aboard the Rajah her story is fictional. The opening pages take you straight to the stabbing of one of the convicted women aboard the ship. The story then weaves from present day to a few months earlier where you get to meet Kezia Hayter, the matron in charge of the women and the convicts themselves. I loved this punchy start. A historical fiction novel with a whodunit mystery integrated. My perfect combination of genre.

The characters were rich in description and their backstories were heartbreaking at times. Clara, a woman who was convicted of murder should have been sent to the gallows but through her own devious actions managed to swap identities with another convict allowing her to climb aboard the Rajah. Clara's new identify is kept hidden until the very end and I loved trying to work out which convict's name she had adopted. Having murdered before was she the culprit responsible for stabbing Hattie? You truly can't help but feel for these women, most through their unfortunate circumstances are now facing a life in a foreign country away from their loved ones. The harsh conditions they face onboard the ship and the unknown fate which lies ahead of them is shocking.

Kezia, a young woman, showed kindness to the convicts and was determined to give them a daily distraction by the production of the coverlet. Her courage to speak up to the Captain, surgeon and Reverend was admirable especially in her determination to find the truth and protect the women in her care. What was interesting was hearing from Hattie. When we first meet her she has been stabbed and in a critical condition, we then go back two months and hear her backstory.

This book, although fictional, allows us to be reminded of historical events and the lives of so many women who were treated unjust. It was an interesting and thought-provoking book which I fully emerged myself in. I found myself trying to solve the mystery of who stabbed Hattie and why alongside the Captain, surgeon, Reverend and matron. A great read and one I highly recommend

This is definitely a challenging review to write as although I was completely drawn into Nilsen's autobiography and found it fascinating I don't want to give Nilsen anymore airtime into his appalling crimes.

Having watched ‘Des' on ITV and read History of a Drowning Boy I completely understand Nilsen's desire to put his own words on the page and for them to be listened to and unaltered. From reading this autobiography I gauge that Nilsen felt his words were twisted somewhat in other publications and that the writers' own opinions were filtered into the pages creating a biased that Nilsen felt unjust. It is fair to say that Nilsen is a remarkable writer and his words flowed from the page seamlessly. Although some of the content was hard to read due to the gruesome and disturbing nature it was interesting to hear the thoughts of Nilsen when describing his own childhood and crimes.

I completely get that Nilsen felt the police and prison system was corrupt and that he suffered unjustly at the hands of those incharge but I must admit that my own sympathy had elapsed at this time and I found it hard to read impartially. I appreciate that Nilsen was trying to communicate the ‘truth' about what happened but also felt that it was the truth through his eyes and not necessarily unbiased either. Nilsen comes across as an intelligent man who suffered a great deal during his childhood through sexual abuse and neglect, never forming good positive relationships with his family. He was a loner throughout his whole life and I can appreciate how this negatively impacted his life.

What this book does do is give you an insight into the mind of a serial killer. It paints a picture that Nilsen wants to portray to the world away from anyone else's biases and opinion. I can clearly understand how the media would have angered him with their headlines and negative press and how this may have triggered his need for the ‘truth' to be known. Obviously, like me, the reader will impart their own judgement when reading, stemming from their own life experiences. History Of A Drowning Boy is an interesting, psychological account of Nilsen's life that is thought-provoking and an addictive read.

Dark Truths is such a page-turner. I was very much taken by the characters of Watts and his young, enthusiastic Police Constable, Judd. Her lack of experience but eagerness to please and solve the crime made this duo quite comical at times. I loved how Watts brushed Judd's opinions aside most of the time, getting her to focus on the facts and grounding her. And then enters Traynor, a troubled individual, a highly experienced criminologist but haunted by his past and in discovering his wife's body and her killer.

What Cross does really well in this Police Procedural is provide you with realistic characters that you cannot help but warm to. Although the novel's crime dominates the storyline you are following the case closely alongside the investigators and the forensic team and get little snippets into their personal lives. Which I loved.

The headless body of a woman found left by her car gripped me from the outset but when other skulls are found nearby the pace quickened and the investigation started to heat up. As family members, witnesses and suspects are interviewed I had no idea who was responsible for the death of Zoe Roberts or how there could possibly be a link to the other skulls that were found in the same location. I felt for Watts as the investigation seemed to be going nowhere and pressures from above meant he would have to leave the case to others if it wasn't solved within a set deadline. I was rooting for him to find those involved and to close the case.

A well written novel, with unexpected twist and turns; a thoroughly enjoyable read. As this is the first book in the Traynor series I cannot wait to read more, I just hope that Watts and Judd are also featured in the series.

I loved this book from the settings to the characters, to the thrilling plot.

A doppelgänger: an apparition or double of a living person. What an intriguing premise for a novel. Especially if that doppelgänger is an evil version of yourself. What a mind blowing and scary thought. I was completely hooked by the notion that Rob's evil double was invading the life of Kate and felt for her safety, especially as she was in such a vulnerable state. Her willingness to trust and put her faith in another human being whilst she was still recovering from her accident made her, in my opinion, rather foolish and naive. From the high-tech home in Cornwall with it's high security left me screaming with conviction that something wasn't right and that Kate needed to escape as quickly as possible. Was Rob the loving man Kate saw him as or a controlling, domineering force? Or was the possibility of Rob's doppelgänger really living and breathing in the bed beside Kate?

Another fascinating aspect to the novel was the notion of super recognisers: a person born with the ability to remember a face forever, even from a single glance. I think we can all relate to passing someone on the street and knowing that their face is familiar but cannot immediately identify them. Imagine being able to hunt through hours of CCTV looking for just one face amongst the millions of passers-by. What added to my complete enjoyment of this novel was when Kate suddenly had a feeling that something wasn't quite right with ‘Rob' and her ability and skill as a super recogniser was slowly coming back.

I loved the characters in this book, especially Silas and Strover, the two detectives who Kate used to work for before her accident. The alternating chapters from the different character's point of view made the book fast paced and quite the page-turner. There was a lot going on in the book, from Silas' own personal life to Kate's ex boyfriend's houseboat being destroyed and of course the mystery surrounding Rob and his doppelgänger. Although the plot was complex it never felt overwhelming and flowed beautifully. There were so many twists and turns in this novel; some heartbreaking, some far-fetched and some that truly shocked me. I was completely taken in by this psychological thriller and couldn't put it down.

What a thought-provoking book! Time travel back to the 70s, what's not to love! Full of nostalgia, hopes and dreams and a chance to meet loved ones again. I was very much taken by this novel.

Faye grew up without her mother and always cherishes her few lasting memories that she has of her. However, after finding a space hopper box in the attic Faye suddenly finds herself back in her childhood home, witnessing first hand a younger version of herself and her beloved mother. Faye has a chance to glow in the warmth of her mother's touch and get to know her.

As Faye journeys to the past and back again it takes its toll on her physical and mental being. Does her presence in the past have implications to her own future? Could she be changing the course of history and even be jeopardising her own existence? The need to go back and see her mother is dangerous, but the pull is too strong and Faye is determined to go back for one last time and source the truth of her mother's death.

I just adored the premise of this novel. How far would you go to explore the past and find answers to what you had been searching for years? Fisher writes with such conviction that I was utterly taken by the idea of time travel as if it was a normal occurrence. The characters were realistic, heartwarming and comforting as if they were members of my own family. I was transported to the 70s and I loved every moment.

The ending was completely shocking but added a nice twist that I could not foresee. It was an emotive read, and I enjoyed the conversation style that Fisher adopted. This debut novel is is truly mind-blowing and I cannot wait to see what Fisher can come up with next.

This book!!! I loved every minute of it. C.J. Tudor has a knack of drawing you in with her opening sentence and once she has you hooked, you cannot escape! Enthralling and heart thumping this novel makes for one hell of a read.

Reverend Jack Brooks is transferred to a new parish after a traumatic event that leaves the local community angry and the press crawling all over the church. Having no choice in the matter, Jack and daughter Flo arrive in a small Sussex village to find a rundown chapel and a lot of hidden secrets. What was really interesting was the tradition of the Burning Girls that featured throughout the novel; twig dolls to represent the villagers who were burnt to death during Queen Mary's purge of the Protestants, the Sussex Martyrs. This historic event along with the supernatural sightings of two girls who seemingly are haunting the chapel give this novel such a thrilling Gothic feel.

Jack isn't your typical ‘Reverend' and I loved this about Jack; not afraid to stir up the past, ballsy and foul mouthed. I immediately connected with Jack and Flo and were routing for them from the outset.

The complexity of the plot with the different story lines was well written and made The Burning Girls quite the page-turner. The hauntings of the two girls, the mystery surrounding the two teenagers who went missing thirty years ago, as well as Jack's own past and the situation Flo finds herself in makes this a standout book that just kept giving. Just when you think you know where the novel is heading it completely turns on its head, leaving you with more questions than answers. Tudor beautifully balances the amount of action, mystery, crime and gruesomeness into this novel and leaves you with a WOW ending, one that I didn't anticipate.

An atmospheric, spooky, chilling mystery which I couldn't read fast enough.

In true Laura Purcell style this book is both haunting and mesmerizing. The characters came to life on the page and I immediately felt a strong connection to the two main female characters Agnes and Pearl. I adore the historic era that dominates Purcell's novels including the names given to her characters. For me, the setting, Victorian Bath, was just the perfect location for this novel. Living quite near to Bath, and through Purcell's descriptions, it was easy to visualise Bath back in the Victorian age and Agnes' movements around the city. The writing; atmospheric with a gothic feel, adds to the ghostly encounters and mysterious deaths that are taking place. Both chilling and gripping, the intricate plot cleverly weaves its way through the novel providing tension, some harrowing scenes and shocking surprises.

Being a bit of a Laura Purcell geek I found myself finding parallels between her other novels which I loved. In The Silent Companions you have the supernatural element which not only fascinated me but gave me chills. I was delighted to find this ghostly theme running through The Shape Of Darkness through Pearl and her ability to communicate with the dead. In The Corset you have a child/young woman trying to survive through poverty and mistreatment. I found there were links here to both Agnes' and Pearl's life as both had lost someone dear and were trying hard to get by. Just like Ruth in The Corset, Agnes has a skill, a silhouette artist. It was fascinating to read about this rare and timeless artform which, using just scissors and paper, Agnes cuts out the subject's portrait in profile. I could really imagine the charming, detailed and accurate likeness that Agnes could create in a few minutes. It is traditions such as these, that were highly popular during the Victorian era, that Purcell brings alive again through her writing. Educating and adding a uniqueness to her novels.

You can always count on Purcell to throw you into a world of darkness and to expect the unexpected. Even though I was fully prepared to be shocked and tried to surmise the outcome I was still left unprepared for the ending. Normally I rush to finish a book through sheer determination to find out what the outcome is. However, with The Shape Of Darkness I found myself slowing down, I truly did not want the reading experience to finish. As always the ending was perfect, the characters have routed themselves in my heart and I am now bereft having finished.

I can't wait to see what Purcell writes next, I just hope I don't have a wait too long.

It's every woman's nightmare: to think you have found ‘The One' only to find that he's cheating on you.
That's exactly where Hannah finds herself – and where this story starts. But this book isn't so much about Hannah being cheated on, but about finding her true feelings and re-discovering her need and love for her family, something she had forgotten during the last few years while building her career in New York.

Jenny Hale has written her characters with empathy and feeling and she knows how to draw you in.
Georgia is a prime example. At first she seems brash and even hard-hearted but as her character develops you see another side to her – and I loved her Southern accent! The setting is beautifully described and comes to life on the page; Franklin, Tennessee. Hale has painted a picturesque and idyllic American neighbourhood that I have always longed to visit. Hannah's Gran's quaint little bungalow and flower shop add to the overall ambience and charm of the novel. And I adored getting to know Gran through her journal, hearing about her past.

The Memory Keeper is a sweet romance that could easily be a ‘Made for TV' afternoon movie that I secretly love to watch while doing the ironing. Although, I was anticipating moments of sadness and grief this was definitely not the case. The story was humbling, heartwarming and like a cosy hug from a loved one. A real pleasure to read.

From the very beginning I knew I would love this novel, from the proof cover to the blurb this was definitely a book for me. I love a good thriller especially one that is set in and around the UK. The added bonus for me with The Jigsaw Man is that it is set in South East London, my old stomping ground so I loved the fact that I could visualise each and every place Henley visited.

Nadine Matheson knows how to grip and shock her readers and from the opening pages of the prologue I was truly hooked; a man walking his dog stumbles upon a severed arm, a group of archaeology students find a headless torso and a kitchen fitter discovers a severed leg. What an opening!

Matheson's characters are extremely realistic and not without their faults and failures. I couldn't help but warm to Henley; a daughter, mother, wife and an inspector. Balancing all of those different roles became a real challenge and at times Henley got it completely wrong. You could see how torn, riddled with guilt yet how focused and determined she became on catching the serial killer, jeopardising her family's safety. Although Henley's previous case had left her traumatise and scarred I loved the twist that she had to reach out to the very person who attacked her in order to gain some meaning to this new case. The Jigsaw Man, a serial killer who previously tried to kill Henley and who she successful put behind bars may hold some answers into the dismembered body parts being scattered over London. Is this a copycat or has Olivier got some unfinished business and an accomplice on the outside to continue what he started?

This police procedural is everything you would expect it to be: it's graphic and disturbing in places, fast paced, action packed and has a real focus on its characters. Comforting and terrifying at the same I found myself using every spare moment of my time to pick it back up. For a debut novel this definitely packs a punch and I cannot wait to see what Matheson writes about next. I would love for this novel to continue as a series as I was very invested in the characters.

I loved this dual timeline novel told from Rachel's point of view and that of her deceased mother. I was fascinated to find out what really happened on that wintery day that led to the murder of Rachel's parents. The horrors that unfolded, to the lead up to that fatal day, were both shocking and disturbing, as too was the day itself.

Being a mother I felt a lot of empathy towards Jenny and the situation she was in. No parent wants the news that their child is unwell and having to deal with a demanding child with behaviour issues is such a strain mentally and physically.

I was immediately drawn to Rachel and felt a lot of sympathy for her. Imagine believing you were responsible for shooting both of your parents! I was fascinated with her belief that she could communicate with the animals. I did question whether this was a sign she was still mentally unstable or whether it was a symptom of being isolated from society for so long or whether she did in fact have a special connection with animals. This element I felt added to the overall suspense of the novel as I found I was always second guessing Rachel, not sure whether she was a reliable character and one I could trust.

And then we have the wicked sister Diana. The villain of the story. What was really interesting was her relationship with Jenny and how Jenny tried to always love and protect her as any mother would. Dionne's writing is so emotive and thought-provoking that although I wanted to hate Diana I felt compassion instead towards her and her family.

I adored the setting which was very atmospheric and added to the tension of the story, as too did the nod to Grimm's fairy tales which weaved throughout the book. Nature played a strong part in this novel which I found bewitching and mesmerising. This was definitely the page-turner I was hoping it would be; it was chilling, creepy and down right gruesome! Many thanks to Catherine Burke and Little Brown Uk for gifting me a copy of The Wicked Sister. A truly magical book with a lot of evil running through it.

Reading Forget Russia felt more like a memoir than a novel as the writing was so emotive.
I loved the dual timeline which centred on the female characters Sarah and Anna. It was heartbreaking to hear Sarah's traumatic childhood experiences and how her life options were completely out of her control. Anna's fascination with Russia was admirable, she was desperate to find out more about her family heritage and Russian culture. Unfortunately, entering Russia during the height of the Cold War Anna is immersed into a disappointing world of the need in keeping secrets, fear of those in charge, and a host of deprived people.

The novel is well researched and L. Bordetsky-Williams paints such vivid imagery of what life was like in Russia for the Jewish nation in particular. I completely connected with both Sarah and Anna, their stories felt very authentic and it was hard to not become emotional invested. I found the political elements of the novel fascinating alongside the reverse migration where Russian-Jews were returning back to their motherland in hopes of a brighter future. The novel highlights the hopes and dreams held by it's nationals, their belief, determination and sacrifice to work for and redevelop their country. The harshness, conditions and exploitation they faced is just truly heartbreaking.

Many thanks to L. Bordetsky-Williams for taking me on a historical tour of Russia, for not only voicing the experiences for many Jews who lived in Russia during that time but in educating me.