Gemma

This was such a charming book set around an elderly couple, Jack and Bet. Jack has his set routine of walking into town each day and stopping at the cafe for a drink before returning home to Bet. One morning the cafe is busy and a young woman offers him a seat at her table. Reluctantly Jack sits down and the two are brought together in the most unexpected way.

What I particularly loved about this book was it focused on three main characters: Jack, the unsung hero of the novel in my opinion; Bet, the gutsy, grumpy and glamorous one, who I adored; and Marinela, the stranger who followed her heart and lived by her morals.

For me this book was such an engaging read. I thought it was well written, it pulled on my heartstrings, the characters were well rounded and the story line was subtle but powerful. Thank you to Anne Carter for inviting me to join the Random Things Tours, to Sarah Butler and Picador Books for gifting me a copy in return for my honest review. I will definitely be shouting about this book for many months to come.

I loved this book.

The story begins in the present day, ten years on from the original trial where 12 members of the public decided the fate of Bobby Nock and acquitted him for the murder of school girl Jessica Silver. This caused an uproar in the community and no juror's life was the same after the trial.

Ten years on, Rick , one of the jury, now believes he holds important information/evidence to prove that they gave the wrong verdict and they let a killer walk free. He calls all the jury back together to feature in a television documentary and to reveal his news. However, on the night they arrive at the hotel Rick is found murdered. Maya, believes she is being framed for his murder and desperately seeks to find out the truth of what new evidence Rick had, whether Bobby Nock was guilty of killing Jessica and who killed Rick.

Maya, the holdout in the trial, was a strong female lead character with so much guts and enthusiasm. You couldn't help but route for her in tracking down Bobby and clearing her own name from Rick's murder. I actually thought that all the female characters in this novel were strong, fiery women which I adored. The male characters, on the other hand, were flawed and in my opinion, seemed to required sympathy from the reader rather than holding their own within the story.

There was a lot going on in this book with the different story lines, characters, crimes and lines of inquiry. However, it never felt disjointed; the story flowed brilliantly and was very well written. What I particularly loved was hearing the Bobby Nock trial unfold through the different viewpoints of each of the jury. The courtroom drama made this book stand out for me. The themes of race and prejudices within society are brought together through the complexities and injustices surrounding the legal system which was extremely thought-provoking.

I thought the ending was very fitting and cleverly thought out. This book did not disappoint. It was my most anticipated read of 2020 and I have to say it completely lived up to it. If you love crime and thriller novels you will love this legal thriller which has to be on your list this year. I read it in 3 days which is unheard of when juggling work and family life. I just had to pick it up at every opportunity, it is that addictive.

From the moment you open the book you are launched straight into the story. Romy has left her husband and is taking up residence at their weekend cottage. After a few chapters the letter is revealed and the facts of why Romy left are shared. What was really interesting was Michael's behaviour when Romy confronts him about the content, it definitely left me questioning the authenticity of the letter.

As the novel unfolds you get a deeper insight into the complexity of Romy and Michael's relationship which I loved. After being with someone for so many years and bringing up children it was hard not to empathise with Romy and see how torn she was. Where would your loyalties lie? With someone who you have loved and lived with for years or an anonymous stranger?

I really enjoyed this multilayered book: there was the cosy, romanticised setting of her small fisherman's cottage overlooking the Sussex harbour where Romy was trying to start the next chapter of her life; the mystery surrounding the letter and strong need to get to the truth; the ties Romy has with her family and the pull they have on her to support them after Michael's health goes downhill. These themes of love, trust, motherhood, deception, romance and mystery were what made the novel very unique and intriguing. Along with the fact that I couldn't put it down. I loved that it was a page-turner with strong, older characters at the forefront of the story.

I must confess I did feel sympathetic towards Michael after his life-threatening medical condition. To go from being an independent, healthy, career driven male to needing 24 hour care is heartbreaking for anyone. And the dilemma Romy finds herself in is quite a twist in itself, especially as she was just starting to get her life on track. The ending was very fitting and perfectly balanced.

All in all The Lie was a well written novel which I found myself completely absorbed in and desperate to find out the truth. A thoroughly enjoyable read and one I definitely recommend.

Although this is the second book in the Jordan Jenner Mysteries it can be easily read as a stand alone. The characters are well developed, with snippets of key information from the previous book thrown into the story line so that you fully understand their journey and don't feel like you have missed anything.

I loved the concept of the Dollys, although I didn't agree with their methodology; who wouldn't be annoyed if they felt someone had reached their fame and fortune via a shortcut or an unfair advantage? This element alone made the novel feel very realistic and I was determined to know who was behind the Dollys and how far they had gone to disrupt the lives of their targeted artists.

I also loved the complicated relationship between Jordan and his brother Ashley. The Jenner brothers made the story line all the more intriguing and I was desperate to get to the bottom of Ashley's secret for coming back to his home town. Although I did guess who was behind the murders, there were enough red-herrings along the way to make me question and re-examine my initial thoughts. I was thrown off track a few times.

I enjoyed the setting, especially as I had visited a few places mentioned in the book. The art world was another fascinating element to the novel, along with the corruption and bitterness towards the artists. I particularly liked the way Jordan was able to work alongside the police, rather than against them. There was a mutual understanding here which you don't always find in novels of this kind.

This cosy mystery allows you to get sucked in to the story line, keeps you second guessing yourself and is a brilliant easy read.

I found the book to be an easy read and was full of surprises. The main character Tammy was someone who broke all stereotypical moulds and I loved both her and the author for making her both diverse and who openly shocked me with her behaviour throughout the novel. The story line was intriguing and although didn't focus too heavily on the actual brutal murder of the children it was the underlying crime that dominated the novel. This allowed me to get swept away with the story and not too emotionally disturbed by the killings. For me, it was just the right balance.

Along with Tammy I found all the characters to be well developed and evolved alongside the plot. The ending was very satisfying, tying up all loose ends to the crimes being investigated. I particularly enjoyed the final pages and the epilogue which highlighted what each of the characters were up to now. This added an element of realism to the ending which I found fulfilling and rounded off the novel well.

What a delightful book this is. Firstly, the front cover is so pleasantly appealing to both child and adult. The soft pastel colours invite you in to the perfect, cosy, bedtime read. Which might I add was exactly what this book was; an enjoyable, cosy read.

The illustrations are beautiful and really capture the essence of the story. They weren't on every page but helped break up the story and allow the child to have a visual representation of the characters and setting, which I found enhanced the book.

Alice's writing is very descriptive and paints vivid images in your mind. As a mother to a seven year old and a primary school teacher this is definitely one I would recommend.

Alice uses some fantastic vocabulary choices and synonyms. Once again this would be an excellent text to use within the classroom (and at home) to not only explore vocabulary and the impact words can have to the story line but to enrich the children's own vocabulary.

The story was delightful; a young fox cub going off on her first hunt for food and wants to capture the sun to impress her mum. Along the way she meets the humorous toad and the pair form an unlikely friendship. This friendship in itself is a good focus for discussion and added to my overall enjoyment of the book. The other themes explored in this story are determination, courage, kindness, disappointment and faith.

This is definitely my kind of book.

From the very beginning you know you are in for a thrilling read; Hannah running and scrambling away from the guest house, terror-stricken and fighting for survival. Then chapter one takes you back to six days earlier. Here you meet Hannah, a desperate soul on self destruction mode. Having broken up with her boyfriend and needing time away, Hannah decides to go on the holiday that she and Ben had booked prior to their breakup.

Hannah is joined by six other guests; a father and son, a couple and their teenage daughter and a musician intending to use the break away to write songs. However, on arrival things do not seem as they should. Strange noises are heard in the night, food is disappearing, and a strange gardener appears but is reluctant to talk. As the guests start to explore and begin to get to know each other they start to wonder whether it is a coincidence that they are all here together or if there was a predetermined guest list that has brought them here. And then the guests start to disappear and some are found dead.

I loved the pace of the novel and the cliff hangers at the end of each chapter which kept me reading long after I should have gone to bed. The setting, an old house full of hidden doors and nooks and crannies was both spooky and fascinating. The weather added to the atmosphere of the novel and I couldn't help but imagine myself right there with the other guests. The concept of being trapped in a strange house not knowing who you could trust, as surely, one of you is the killer kept me hooked. I questioned each character's motives and was on tender-hooks the whole time. As the story unfolded and connections were made I grew to love the story even more. This is definitely a book I will be shouting about and recommending.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It had two main mysteries to be solved; the disappearance of Becca, a woman in her twenties and the murder of Corrina, Robin's best friend. What I loved was the desperation and strength of will in the character Robin. Here she was a single mother of a teenager who had worked hard not only to forge a career in the MET but also in raising her daughter single-handedly. Then through her decision to follow her own beliefs about a case is dismissed for misconduct. Finding herself unemployed she has no other choice but to head back to her childhood home with her tail between her legs.

Robin is offered a job with a family friend Maggie who works as a private investigator, as they are interviewing the mother of the missing woman news that Corrina has been murdered is filtered to them. Robin is determined to find out what happened to her childhood friend and to clear Corrina's husband of the murder. Having worked in the Homicide department of the MET you can truly understand how frustrated Robin is at not being able to work alongside the Birmingham police in solving this murder and putting the real murderer behind bars. At every step Robin is shut down in her own investigation causing more fractures between those closest to her. Whitehouse gives you a main character who is flawed, at her absolute lowest point, constantly making the wrong decisions and yet I couldn't help but like and admire her stubbornness and drive.

This novel genuinely kept me guessing throughout and I had no idea how it was going to end. The plot was cleverly written, the characters very relatable and I loved how connections were made to tie everything together. For me this was definitely the page turn I was hoping for and it felt very realistic. I will absolutely be looking out for future novels by Lucie Whitehouse and the sequel to Critical Incidents.

This is a charming book set in 1945, in the Cotswolds. You get a real feel of the after effects of the war both socially and economically. Lucy, Mrs P has lost her newly wedded husband to a wartime tragedy, his body lost at sea. With no grave to visit Mrs P finds herself returning to the town of Moreton-in-Marshher where she spent most of her childhood living with her aunt and uncle who raised her. Unfortunately she is unable to stay in her old bedroom as their lodger Robert Underhill has taken residence there. The mysterious Underhill is also employed by her Uncle at the publishing business they own. Due to her aunt's poor health Lucy agrees to take on the role of tea maker and secretary in order to help out and is given the living quarters above the office space.

As the story unfolds you learn that Underhill is also suffering from his own traumas faced during the war. Together, Lucy and Robert take on the editorial role of proofs that are sent in and are soon drawn into the Ashbrook family mystery of a missing girl. Lucy finds herself wrestling with her own ghosts in the hunt to find out what happened to the orphaned girl who seems to have disappeared without a trace.

I loved the way Lorna Gray was able to combine the themes of love, loneliness, trust, hope, tragedy and grief within this novel. Although heartbreaking in places it also has an uplifting feel to it. I was swept along with the story line and felt compassion towards the characters. I loved the advent calendar that featured in the novel and the budding friendship that developed between Mrs P and Mr Underhill. The ending was an unexpected surprise which filled me with hope and joy. A delightful read which I would love to see as a sequel.

This book was full of surprises and I loved it.

All The Rage is the fourth book in the DI Fawley series but it doesn't matter if you haven't read any of the previous books although, after reading this one I'm sure you will be eager to read the first three in the series. The story line grabbed me from the opening pages and I knew straight away I was in for a thrilling read. There are a host of characters that feature in this novel all of which are realistic and well developed.
The story flows beautifully with lots of subplots and some shocking twists that sneak up on you.

I particularly enjoyed the way the novel followed the police investigation giving me a real insight into how cases are explored and evidence gathered. I also liked reading the different accounts, reports, social media correspondence and court transcripts that weaved throughout the novel. For me finding these sections within the book added to my overall enjoyment and interest as you never knew what you would find on the next page. I really didn't want this book to end although I was keen to find out who the perpetrator was.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books UK for allowing me to read a copy of this book before publication and to the author Cara Hunter for such an exciting and unpredictable novel. I will definitely be purchasing the other books in the DI Fawley series.

O.K so Science Fiction is not my favourite genre and I normally avoid reading books that fall into this category. However, I was rather taken with this book which surprised me. I found the writing easy to comprehend, the concepts easy to follow and not too alien or unbelievable.

The situation that Grace finds herself in is heart wrenching and then to face a further dilemma of sacrificing one person to save another is mind blowing. Who would you save? I loved the setting of the novel and enjoyed the humorous elements that weaved alongside the story line. How the author managed to think up this complex plot is beyond me. I truly applaud Rich in delivering a coherent novel, with twist upon twist, that could capture the imagination of a Sci-Fi novice like me.

If you love Sci-Fi then this is a no-brainer - you must read this book. If you are a novice like me then I can hand on heart say this novel will surprised you and even encourage you to read more of this genre in the future. Many thanks to Raquel Rich for opening my eyes to the intriguing and enjoyable world of Science Fiction.

The Blood Acre is the latest book in R.J. Mitchell's DS Thoroughgood series but can easily be read as a stand alone. This book is a great crime thriller where you get a real insight into both the world of the police and the criminals. The characters are realistic and rounded, and you can't help but invest in them. I particularity liked Emma, as well as the criminals Gregsy, Spider and McGrain. I loved the Glaswegian dialect that shone through within the novel.

The story was fast paced; brutal and shocking at times with plenty of gory details. There were a number of twists that I didn't foresee which added to my overall enjoyment.

Ria is the manager of a women's refuge centre supporting women and their children who are in abusive relationships and helping them find a safe place to live. From the very start of the novel it gives you a harrowing insight into domestic violence: you meet the women who are affected by this crime, the perpetrators, discover the complexities of the abuse and are given statistics about how many women are affected and killed by their partners. All in all not an easy read.

Not only did the novel contain the theme of domestic violence, Ria was also suffering from threatening texts by her own stalker. This section in the book, although unsettling was more in keeping with your typical thriller genre and made it an intriguing, fast paced read. As the story continued disturbing diary extracts from Tanya were introduced which added to the tension and pace.

The novel weaves from present day to the past with alternating chapters from different characters view points, which I loved. I found Ria to be a bit needy and I got frustrated with her at times. The book was very well written with realistic characters and the themes portrayed in a profound, informative and sensitive manner.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atlantic Books for allowing me to read a copy of this book before publication and to the author Jacqueline Ward for such an insightful novel.

I am a big fan of Gothic novels especially if they involve an old manor house and a ghost or two. This novel is all of those things so it's a big thumbs up from me.

With an array of characters, from house staff to family members you are left questioning who could be behind the strange recurring events that take place within the house. Is it a malice attempt to scare the newest member of the family or a trapped spirit trying to communicate?

As the story unfolds buried secrets come to the surface and the reader is caught up trying to solve the mystery of the house and it's occupants. This book is not for the fainthearted with all the ghostly goings-on, hence why I loved it so much.

As I read the epilogue I was genuinely touched by the messages of love, loss, forgiveness and moving on that were portrayed. I had been so caught up in the ‘ghost' story that I hadn't given the other themes a second glance until the end where they all came crashing down around me, making me nostalgic and adding a complete new element to the novel.

My favourite quote and one that will stay with me is: ‘the past is lost, but the future is still to play for.' What a powerful sentence.

Many thanks to Anita Frank for a truly enjoyable novel, and to Netgalley and HQ Stories for allowing me to read this before publication day.

When I first read the synopsis I knew this was a book for me and it didn't disappoint. The story goes between the past and present day and is narrated by three characters; the first Ava, the second Rose and the mysterious other who pops up less frequently but obviously holds the key to the mystery of the deceased sisters.

Ava's story begins in the year 2001. She belongs to a dysfunctional family and idolises/envies her older sister. Her older brother has left and is living in Australia, her Father too has left and her mother is cold and unforgiving. Ava finds herself pregnant at the age of 17 which doesn't bode well with her mother.

Rose's story begins in present day. She receives a message from her step sister Willow, who she adores. Willow is in Cornwall looking to find clues about her birth mother, who died when she was a toddler. She sends Rose photographs of four men who she thinks could be responsible for her mother's death and asks Rose to come to Cornwall. However, when Rose arrives there is no sign of Willow apart from her jacket which is left upstairs in a bedroom. Rose continues to search for Willow and get drawn into finding the truth about Willow's birth mother.

I loved hearing Ava's story and the lead up to her sister's wedding as from the onset you know how the night ends. I was caught up in the events of Ava's life and felt sympathetic towards her. There is such a contrast between Ava and her sister and you wonder how the pair could even be related.

Rose on the other hand I found hard to have any feelings towards. She was just a vehicle for bringing the story and past events to a closure. Rose's own life was quite dysfunctional and that was the only saving grace for me.

There were lots of twists and some shocks along the way which allowed me to never drop my guard when reading. With the host of colourful characters I never quite knew who to trust and what information would turn out vital to the plot. Although I thought I had predicted a few things along the way I hadn't gauged everything accurately which added to my overall enjoyment of the novel.

The climax to the ending was a little far fetched but I forgave Amanda Brittany for this as she managed through Ava, to wrap things up neatly and allowed that element of hope I'd been clinging on to to evolve.

A very big thank you to Netgalley, HQ Digital and Amanda Brittany for this enjoyable thriller which I will definitely recommend to family and friends

When I first read the synopsis I was immediately drawn to the book, and glancing at the front cover I knew I was in for a twisted read. The novel did not disappoint.

When you first met Daniel you are ultimately drawn to him. You hear about his father's death, his step-fathers' controlling nature, the early years with Victoria and their struggle for starting a family and you are left feeling sad and sympathetic towards him. The story continues with more heartache and it really sets the scene for the whole novel. Daniel's voice is so poignant that it is hard to feel nothing but compassion and tenderness towards him.

As Victoria changes you are once again led down the path of routing for Daniel and willing her to leave so that he can find peace and happiness elsewhere. The cottage becomes a haven not only for Daniel but for the reader. Then the novel shifts gear slightly as Ruby enters his physical life. Alarm bells are ringing and you suddenly feel very protective of Daniel and want to shake him into action. He needs to rid himself of Ruby. Can she really be trusted?

Hatch very cleverly adds tension to the build up and you feel yourself bracing for the shock or climax, which is just around the corner. The twist, although subtle, is good and all the pieces slowly fall into place. Something that had been bothering me suddenly all made sense and really fulfilled my expectations and enjoyment of the novel.

A very big thank you to Netgalley, Serpent's Tail and A. S. Hatch for this dark, twisted and psychological novel which I loved.

This is my honest, unedited feedback.

An interesting concept but wasn't for me. Mark Dunn must have spent a long time working on this and I appreciate his thought process and quirky play with language. However, I didn't enjoy reading it as it become quite tedious and mind boggling.

So although I have only given this book a two star rating there were a lot of elements I enjoyed about the book. I thought the concept behind the novel was fascinating - imagine strolling home and finding a gigantic statue that seemed to have appeared in a blink of an eye. Then to hear that identical statues were dotted all over the world at exactly the same time. This hooked me immediately.

April, the main character then rushes to document it uploading a video to social media, this element I found quite believable. The novel continued in this way with lots of social media references, the mystery surrounding the statues and looking at how April's personal life changes as her fame increases.

I found the writing style too colloquial and began to lose interest in the novel. To me it felt more of a YA book.
Although I was still fascinated with the Carls (the statues) I got bored with the ‘Dream' and the opposing side to April's followers.

I am glad I persevered with the novel as the ending was fitting and left you with a real cliffhanger which I really enjoyed. I'm not sure I will be reading the second book in the series but I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and would recommend it a younger audience than myself and anyone who enjoys mysteries and YouTube reality stars.

If you like thrillers then Linwood Barclay is the man. His books, although each one different, offer you the same thing. They are thrilling, fast paced, action packed and take you on a complete journey. Elevator Pitch was all of these things and with a dose of added fright!!

I love the city of New York so was thrilled that the setting was here. Of course in a city that has an abundance of high-rise buildings and relies on its elevators the plot behind this novel was terrifying.

Synopsis:
A series of elevator, in different buildings, on consecutive days malfunction leading to a number of deaths. With the Mayor and the police taking action to investigate these acts of terrorism the city's elevators are in lock down. Alongside this a man is found dead with his fingers missing. Can the NYPD get to the bottom of both of these cases?

There were so many characters and subplots in this novel that wove together to create a fantastic read. As the book progressed it also picked up the pace and I found at times I was holding my breath due to my anxiety levels rising (mainly at the elevator scenes)!!

I would definitely recommend this to all Linwood Barclay fans out there and to those who love to be psychologically scared. For me this was a great thriller and in true Barclay style an action packed ending that had me literally sitting on the edge of my chair.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ publishers for my e-ARC

Before reading this I had no idea what to expect and I was slightly surprised to find that the reader knows who the murderer is right from the start. I actually really loved this about the novel. You follow both the murderer and the characters who are trying to solve the case; having insight into their lives and picking up clues on what drives them.

There was a good amount of twists and surprises throughout the book and a few subplots which added depth to the story and to the development of the characters.

I loved the setting, the historical references and was even more thrilled when I discovered that some of the characters were based on real life people. For me that was the icing on the cake.

Although this was book two of a series and obvious links were being referred to surrounding the characters, the story was easy to follow and worked as a stand alone novel too.

I am eager to read the first book, The Way Of All Flesh, now and any future Ambrose Parry novels. Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate publishers for my ARC.

Although the novel is based in the winter months and there is snow and the mention of Christmas it is a perfect all-year read. It is lighthearted, humorous in places, romantic and picturesque.

I immediately feel in love with Jane and was routing for her to let her hair down and find love. Although the novel was predominately a love story it wasn't cheesy or contained lots of steamy love scenes which I was glad about. It was beautifully written, captivated me and was heartwarming. I loved the side story of Thomas and Marit which was an unexpected bonus especially when the truth behind their love affair and the letters came to light.

This will definitely be a book I recommend and although I enjoyed reading it now I can imagine how cosy and atmospheric it would be to read it sitting by the fire in the winter.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a copy of this charming book.

Although this was book number 18 in the series this book can be read as a stand alone.

This was an easy read about a small village in Fetherington and two elderly sleuths who find themselves trying to solve a murder. The characters were all quite endearing and I could picture them in their cosy homes trying to piece together the witness statements in order to try and clear one of their names from the list of prime suspects.

Reading this book was likened, in my opinion, to watching an episode of ‘Midsomer Murders'. It was a pleasant read, humorous in places and one you didn't have to think too hard about.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy of The Liar in the Library.

This book alternates between present day France and 1980s communist Prague. In Prague Laure is an au pair looking after two children who long to return home to Paris. Trying to find things to occupy the children and to get out of the oppressive summer heat Laure falls upon a puppet theatre. Here she meets Tomas who she falls madly in love with. Spending as much time as she can with Tomas she gets caught up in political matters where the only way she can guarantee her safety is to return home. In present day Paris Laure is a curator of The Museum of Broken Promises, a place where people donate objects that represent heartbreaking stories of broken promises and betrayal.

I loved the idea behind the novel and really enjoyed reading about the individual objects that were donated to the museum and the stories behind them. I really liked the author's writing style and the way the story alternates between the past and present. What I thought would be the main focus of the novel, the museum, actually was more of the side story which I personally found disappointing. Although I found it interesting to read about the political struggles in Czechoslovakia at that time, I also found it dominated the book more than I was anticipating and dampened my enjoyment somewhat.

I would definitely recommend this to those who enjoy historical fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atlantic Books for a copy of this ebook.

Love, love, love this book. This is exactly the type of book I would normally select if I was browsing in a book store. For me it has everything I look for in a book: fast pace, short chapters, alternative chapters from different character's viewpoints, psychological, thriller and the need to keep on reading. I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone.

Thank you Netgalley and J.M Winchester for my best summer read so far.

A family drama set in the Cambridge Fens. Beneath the Surface follows a dysfunctional family who are hiding many secrets from one another.

When Lilly suffers a seizure during an English class the family are besides themselves, especially Grace, her mother, as it stirs up a traumatic memory from the past. Mia's best friend also experiences a seizure the next day as well as an older girl. This sparks an outbreak from the community and fears of more people becoming unwell. As the truth behind what is causing the seizures comes into light so too does the secrets that each of the family members are keeping.

An easy read which keeps you intrigued until the bitter end. Full of heartache, mistakes, love and protection. Many thanks to Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for my ARC of Beneath the Surface.