Caroline

Crikey! What a roller coaster ride that was. I needed a few hours to get my thoughts straight, and so here we are. 🎢

It's hard to believe that You Are Fatally Invited is a debut novel. So complex is the plot, with its many twists and turns and obligatory red herrings, it certainly felt like the work of someone who has being turning out murder mysteries for quite some time. ✒

Six mystery writers are invited by another mystery writer, who has lived in anonymity for many years, to a writers retreat on an island. Overseeing the retreat is Mila, an events coordinator. Riddles, games and tropes are the order of the day. Until one of the guests is murdered. 🗡

You Are Fatally Invited is the locked room mystery turned on its head. There are locked rooms, and an island cut off from the mainland because of a storm. ⛈ The story has the feel of a game of Cluedo about it, indeed one of the games to be played by the writers is similar to Cluedo. 🗝

I loved this book. It was fun trying to work out who the anonymous mystery writer was, and sort out who amongst the guests did what. The various twists and turns, and the multiple POV's which threw out red herrings, made this nigh on impossible, but therein lay the fun.

You Are Fatally Invited won't be to everyone's taste, but for yours truly it was a little cracker of a book.

Thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Midwinter Murder is the perfect anthology of stories by Agatha Christie for the run up to the Winter Solstice. One can perfectly picture the characters as they sit around roaring fires, or sit down to demolish a Christmas feast.

All of Christie's beloved characters are here; Hercule Poirot and his sidekick Hastings, Tommy and Tuppence, Miss Marple, Mr. Sattertwaithe and the enigmatic Mr. Quin, and Parker Pine.

I was going to treat this as an advent calendar, reading one story a day, but I gave up on that idea after the first story because I enjoyed it so much.

All in all this is the perfect book for lovers of cosy mysteries and reading by the fireside.

Christmas....it's the most wonderful time of the year. A time of celebration, a time of wonder. A time of goodwill to all.

Goodwill is in short supply in Murder Under the Christmas Tree. 'Tis the season for taking....taking a life.

This anthology contains a good mix of stories; from the golden age by authors such as Dorothy L Sayers and Edmund Crisp, and more contemporary stories by authors such as Ian Rankin and Val Mcdermid.

Murder Under the Christmas Tree is a perfect Christmas cracker of a read. 🗡🎄

Murder Under the Mistletoe is a nice little festive read with a murder thrown in, almost as an afterthought, in the penultimate chapter.

It's a very entertaining read, with some laugh out loud moments. This is a novella that won't be to everyones taste, as there is more emphasis on the festive fun than the murder, but sometimes even murder needs to take a backseat. 🗡🎄

I had such high hopes for this book. I liked the idea of an advent calendar in book form, reading one chapter a day for 25 days. That said, I didn't hear about the book until December 14th, so I had a bit of catching up to do. 🗡

It started out quite well. Indeed, I was enjoying it up to the point where I'd caught up, because that's when it started to get a bit ridiculous. I didn't have any trouble sticking to 1 chapter a day. I kept hoping that things would improve with each subsequent chapter. Alas, it wasn't to be. 🗡

The ending was unsatisfactory. WHO WAS THE BAD GUY? I hate unanswered questions. 🗡

What started out as a cracking good read ended up being a bit of a turkey. 🗡

2.5 ⭐ rounded up to 3 ⭐.

Murder on Christmas Eve is another great anthology of short murder mysteries selected by Cecily Gayford.

Once again there is a good mix of golden age and contemporary crime shorts. My own personal favourite is The Trinity Cat, a tale about a cat who helps to apprehend an old lady's killer.

Perfect reading for Christmas Eve. 🗡🎄

Having read, and enjoyed, the other books in this series of short crime fiction, I looked forward to Murder at Christmas. Sadly, it was a bit of a let down.

There are 10 stories, once again selected by Cecily Gayford. The majority were mediocre, with the merest nod at Christmas.

Of the 10 my favourite was Rumpole and the Spirit of Christmas by John Mortimer, closely followed by The Ascham by Michael Innes, and The Assassins Club by Nicholas Blake.

Murder at Christmas, while not the best collection of crime shorts I've ever read, did help to while away a few hours in that strange time that follows Christmas Day. 🗡🎄

I hadn't previously read anything by Emily Organ, so this was a good introduction to her writing.

The Whitechapel Widow is an historical mystery, and a wonderful blend of fact and fiction.

Having just wed four months previously, Emma Langley is looking forward to starting a new life with her husband William, in the Suffolk countryside. However, on the morning they are due to depart, William disappears. He is later found dead near Whitechapel. As she attempts to find out what William was doing in the East End, Emma realises she really didn't know her husband at all.

I loved this book, set as it is against the backdrop of Jack the Ripper's reign of terror. There are several references to the Ripper, and the funeral of Mary Kelly is mentioned. This combination of real events alongside the fictional tale of Emma Langley, makes for an engaging read.

The story is fast paced and twisty, and there are a host of unsavoury characters. Emma Langley comes across as quite naive, but she proves to have hidden strengths.

If historical crime fiction is your cup of tea, I would recommend The Whitechapel Widow.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

This title will be available on 27/03/2025.

I really enjoyed this madcap tale of four couples who, thanks to a bad investment, find their retirement plans up in smoke and their marriages all but over. Now, they have plans of a different kind, the wives independently of their husbands. Crossed wires and miscommunication follow.🍸

The story is told from several POV's; the men, the women, the casino boss and the barber. All but one of the characters are likeable, but as always, the dog (Elmer) was my favourite. 🐶

Fast paced, funny, and at times ridiculous, The Retirement Plan is a book you will either love or hate. I loved it because it made me laugh out loud, but don't take my word for it. Read it for yourself. Go on, you know you want to. 🍸

Thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC. 🍸

Murder Most Fab was everything I expected from Julian Clary, slutty, smutty, laugh-out-loud funny, and camp as Christmas. What I didn't expect was that I'd enjoy it as much as I did. 🍾💷

The story is told from the POV of the killer. It was a little slow to start off, I was starting to wonder if there was ever going to be a murder. Patience is not one of my virtues, and I almost called it a day, but I persevered and was rewarded handsomely. 🍾💷

The main characters are Johnny Debonair, ex rent boy turned TV star, and his flatmate Catherine, ex nurse, ex escort, and Johnny's manager. Where Johnny is extremely likeable, Catherine is loathsome.

The supporting cast of characters is made up of assorted queens, as you'd expect, and Johnny's family and colleagues. 🍾💷

Murder Most Fab is an hilarious romp which I highly recommend. Do yourself a favour and buy or borrow it. You won't regret it. 🍾💷

This Is Not a Game is a very promising debut from Kelly Mullen. A cosy-ish mystery, reminiscent of those locked room mysteries from the Golden Age. 🗝🍸

This is not so much locked room as locked mansion. Throw in a party, a blizzard, a moat and drawbridge, secret passages, and a killer and you get a rather fun whodunnit. 🗝🔪

I loved Mimi, our Gibson drinking central character. Think sassy Jessica Fletcher, who likes a cocktail or three. 🍸

The rest of the dramatis personae are a mix of likeable and loathsome characters. All have secrets, and all of them are suspects. 🗝🔪

It took me a while to figure out who did it, thanks to a couple of well placed red herrings, but therein lay the fun. 🗝🔪

I thoroughly enjoyed this lighthearted, cosy mystery. Thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

This title will be available on 24/04/2025.

Constance Fairchild is my new favourite heroine. She may come from aristocratic stock, but she's one kick ass woman.

Nothing to Hide sees Con still on suspension, and vilified by her colleagues. The tabloid press have also taken a keen interest in her, so once again Con finds herself hiding out in Scotland. Edinburgh is the destination this time, but it's not long before trouble comes a calling. Well, trouble is her middle name.

I loved the little crossover between this series and that of Inspector McLean. Although we didn't meet Tony himself, Janie Harris and Grumpy Bob put in an appearance. Madame Rose was on hand to provide sanctuary for Con.

As with all of Oswald's books, this was quite dark, and of course there was an element of the supernatural.

A very enjoyable, entertaining read.

Open Season is book 41 in the Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgis series. Yep, you read that right, book 41. Hard to believe I know, because the series is as fresh now as it was when I first started reading it, way back when. Alex and Milo are like old friends now, and each new book like an annual reunion.

The thing I like about this series is the straightforwardness of it all. Murders are committed, murders are investigated, all leads are followed until the perpetrator is caught. Not a red herring in sight. The only fish worthy of mention are Alex's. 🐠

The central characters are likeable, and Alex and Milo are a perfect team. And then there's Blanche. I can never resist a dog. 🐶

Open Season is an enjoyable, gripping read, with an intricate plot that will keep you guessing.

I remember the first time I saw Kenny Everett on TV. I was around 11, maybe 12 years old, and The Kenny Everett Video Show was airing on RTE 2, Ireland's second TV station. Ireland of the late 1970's/early 80's, was very strait laced, so one can imagine the reaction of some viewers upon viewing Cuddly Ken. As for me, I loved him.

Hello Darlings was like a trip down memory lane. All those characters I'd laughed at, such as Captain Kremmen and Sid Snot. Freddie Mercury dressing up as Sid Snot for the Eurovision Violence Contest. Classic!

And I will be forever grateful that Kenny played Bohemian Rhapsody in its entirety on his radio show, as that was the start of my love for Queen. 🎙📻

Hello Darlings is one of the best biographies I have read in recent times. It has been wonderfully researched, and very well written. I learned a lot about Cuddly Ken, his early years in Liverpool, and his later struggles with his sexuality. I warmed to him even more, the more I read.

The final chapters were difficult to read and, yes, I cried at the poignancy of Kenny's final months, and the loss that was felt by those who knew and loved him. Despite the tears, I enjoyed this book immensely.

Looks like I found myself a new author to add to my list of favourites. Take a bow Stig Abell, and know that you are in good company on that list. 📜

When I requested The Burial Place, I didn't realise it was book 3 of a series. I carried on regardless, and do you know what? It was fine. While I didn't get the complete background of the central characters, I got enough to satisfy me for now.

As to the book itself, I enjoyed it immensely. So good were the descriptions of the locations, I felt as though I was actually there. That one of those locations was the site of an archaeological dig, added to what was already an atmospheric read. 💀

All of the characters were likeable, even the killer who, I might add, I failed to identify.

Would I recommend this book? I certainly would, but I would also recommend starting the series at the beginning. I plan to do that myself in the foreseeable future.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The amateur sleuths of Little Shaw, affectionately known as The Widows' Detective Club, are back and once again find themselves caught up in a murder mystery. ✂️

It all begins when newly appointed librarian, Ginny Cole, accompanies her friend Tuppence to Harlow's Haberdashery, where she inadvertently discovers the body of Timothy Harlow. ✂️

The story unfolds at a steady pace from there, but the plot is quite intricate, and the cast of characters is long. ✂️

The tone of The Widows' Guide to Backstabbing is a little more serious than its predecessor, though there is a little gentle humour there. ✂️

Once again the star of the show is Edgar the cat, who has embarked on a crime spree of his own. 🐱

I loved this book, I love this series, and I really hope there will be more mysteries for the widows to solve.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This title will be available on 10/03/2025.

The Widows' Guide to Murder is the epitome of cosy mystery, and a fun read to boot.

The widows of the title are Hen, Tuppence, JM, and newcomer Ginny. They live in the Lancashire village Little Shaw, and are amateur sleuths. They're not quite on a par with Miss Marple, but they do their best, bless them.

I love a cosy mystery, be it from the golden age of detective fiction, or something more contemporary. The Widows' Guide to Murder ticked all the boxes for me.

I loved the characters, although the star of the show was Edgar, the stray cat adopted by Ginny. 🐱

The story unfolded at a steady pace, with a perfect balance of humour and seriousness. There was also the usual fun of trying to solve the crime before the widows did. Alas, I failed miserably.

Suffice to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I look forward to catching up with the widows very soon.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This title will be available on 03/03/2025.

At 46 years old, some might argue that Luke Evans is too young to write his memoirs, because what could he possibly have to tell, right? Wrong! This Boy From the Valleys has quite a lot to tell about his unexpected but remarkable journey. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Luke doesn't rush straight in to tell us how he became famous, he doesn't even begin with his birth. Rather, he lays the foundation, by telling us how his parents became Jehovah's Witnesses.

What follows is an emotional account of a childhood lived as per the rules of this religion, the bullying he had to endure at school, and the anguish he felt when he realised he was gay and what this would mean for him and his family.

Throughout this memoir, Luke remains humble. He may have found success in Hollywood very quickly, but he hasn't forgotten his roots and his humble beginnings. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Boy From the Valleys is a wonderful book, very informative and interesting. This is one autobiography that is well worth a read. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Until the opportunity to review this book came up, I didn't know that Jeremy Vine wrote books. After reading the synopsis I was eager to read more.

It will come as no surprise to learn that the backdrop for Murder On Line One is a radio station, and the central character, Edward Temmis, is the former host of a late night talk show. 🎙📞

The story is a bit of a slow burn at first, but when the pace picks up, that's when the fun really begins. With a series of elaborate online scams designed to part elderly ladies from their money, a murder and a disfigurement, not to mention the hit and run in which Edward lost his son, there's quite a lot going on in the little town of Sidmouth.

There's quite the cast of characters too, and all are likeable, especially Edward.

Despite the heavy themes, there is some gentle humour throughout, and it is this that made it such an enjoyable read for me.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

Blood Ties takes us back to Os, and the world of brothers Roy and Carl Opgard. It is now eight years since the events that unfolded in The Kingdom. Carl is building a new wing on his hotel, Os Spa, and his house, nicknamed The Palace, is under construction.

Roy, meanwhile, has his petro station, his bar and other properties, and he and Carl sponsor the local football team. Roy has done bad things in the past, but he can live with them.

It's not long before trouble rears its head though, and Roy soon finds he has a whole new set of problems.

Blood Ties is so twisty and suspenseful it will have you on the edge of your seat. The characters were likeable, especially Roy who, despite everything he did, I couldn't help rooting for.

A very satisfying read.