Gemma
I absolutely loved this book.
Eric's best friend Finn has sadly passed away, but when he starts to receive messages from Finn, Eric is convinced that this is Finn's biggest prank yet, and the clues will lead him to Finn.
This cleverly written novel had me glued from the very beginning, with some laugh out loud moments and a few shed tears as well. Eric, who likes to follow rules and plans, finds himself completely lost without his best friend. Following Finn's instructions leads Eric on a massive adventure, experiencing things that he never dreamed of doing. And in turn, allowing Eric to grieve, except the truth, discover himself and look forward to his own future.
Although sad at times, this book was an uplifting read about the power of friendship, enjoying and embracing life, as well as acknowledging different emotions and not being afraid of them.
I wholeheartedly adored this book and know it will remain with me for a long time. Highly recommend for readers aged 9-99.
Vita and the Birds by Polly Crosby is one of my favourites reads this year. Set in the East Anglian coast, this historical fiction novel features strong female protagonists and a family secret waiting to be unravelled.
1938: Lady Vita Goldsborough is heavily controlled by her older brother Aubrey. When she meets local artist Dodie Blakeney, she begins to discover what true happiness is. But freedom will come at a cost.
1997: Following the death of her mother, Eve Blakeney returns to her grandmother's seaside retreat to take some timeout, grieve, as well as clear out the house. However, when she stumbles upon a bundle of letters, Eve finds herself delving into her grandmother's past, revealing information about her family that she never knew.
I loved the dual timeline, which Crosby skillfully uses to draw in the reader, revealing snippets of plot and characterisation, then leaving you on a cliffhanger as she switches characters and time frame. There was an element of Gothic fiction to this novel mostly from the presence of The Cathedral of the Marshes. This building, featured in both timelines, acted almost as another character with its own hidden secrets and revelations.
The mystery of the missing children was another hook that lingered throughout the novel which intrigued me. I couldn't wait for all the pieces of the puzzle to come to light, racing through the book unable to put it down. There were lots of shocks and surprises along the way, making it hard for me to predict the outcome. As I turned the final page I felt a sense of satisfaction but also sadness that Eve's and Vita's story had come to an end. A beautifully written novel, both poignant and beguiling.
A family thriller with shocking twists and turns.
As twin sisters turn 40, their lives change completely. Beth and Kate are inseparable, have and always will be. That is until Caily, Kate's daughter is found unconscious and abandoned. The police believe it is no accident and start an investigation into the cause of Caily's fall. As the police delve into matters, family secrets unfold, shattering Beth and Kate's grip on reality.
The Fall is a punchy psychology thriller that I couldn't put down. A normal everyday family find themselves in turmoil, pushing their trust to its absolute limit and questioning everything they thought they knew about each other. There was no end to the number of twists and turns in this book, and I truly didn't have any idea where the storyline was heading. A fantastic, absorbing read, which I would highly recommend.
The Treasure Hunters by Lisa Thompson, illustrated by Gemma Correll, is a fantastic adventure story for children 8+.
Vincent is a boy who keeps himself to himself. He hasn't made many friends at his secondary school as he worries that his dyspraxia will make him stand out and cause unnecessary attention. His real love is his video games which he admits he is quite good at. Vincent lives in the shadow of his big brother, who is good at sports and goes out regularly with his dad on big adventures. When the opportunity arises at school to take part in The Wilderness Warrior Challenge, Vincent has no intention of signing up. Unfortunately, for Vincent, the pupils will be selected by the teachers and his name has been put forward.
So Vincent finds himself trekking through the wilderness with only three other camp mates. The aim to reach the finish line and return home, trying to ignore the taunts of the other school groups who are taking part. With their lack of experience and enthusiasm, the four find themselves in the deep end and longing to finish the race. However, one teammate has another agenda. She has no intention of aiming for the finish line but takes them off course as she has heard there is buried treasure somewhere on Fortune Mountain. Risking their safety, the four find themselves caught up in a treasure hunt.
This was such an enjoyable read. It took me back to my own childhood watching The Goonies for the first time. Booby traps, danger, baddies; this book had it all. Complete with a host of characters that transformed along the way. The book touches on family dynamics, dyspraxia, friendship, survival, self-belief and kindness. I adored it and couldn't put it down. Highly recommend.
Em & Me is a charming novel by Beth Morrey. Having read and adored her debut novel Saving Missy, I was excited to dive straight into this book.
Delphine, a single mum still lives in the same flat since her childhood. Having lost her mum at a young age and supporting her still grieving father, Delphine has had to follow a different path than the one she had once dreamed of. She was an A* pupil with high hopes of furthering her education when she fell pregnant. Stuck in dead-end jobs, sharing a bed with her daughter and looking after her father has been all she's known for so long. Until she meets Em's teacher who sees much potential in Em's future and opens up new avenues for her own future. But to do so, Delphine will need to take a leap of faith in herself and let go of the past that has had a firm hold of her.
Morrey has a way of engaging the reader through her strong characteration and storyline. I was rooting for Delphine to succeed, to rekindle her passion and excitement for life. The relationship with her father was very touching. I loved the larger than life character, Letty Riche, who, despite her straight talking and hard shell, was a softie underneath her exterior. Their relationship was charming, although there were some bumps along the way.
This is a book you could inhale in one dose if life didn't get in the way. Secrets unravel slowly as the book progresses, and there are a few twists that I didn't anticipate. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can not wait to see what Morrey writes next. If you are looking for a book with a big heart, then Em & Me is the one.
The Judas Tree by Amanda Jennings is a disturbing tale of how childhood experiences can hugely impact one's life forever.
Following a miscarriage, Harmony and Will's relationship has hit rock bottom. Although, they still love one another there are too many secrets that are threatening to surface. Will's relationship with his own father was very turbulent and he spent most of his early childhood at a boarding school. After years of trying to leave the past behind, an old school friend resurfaces causing the past to be dredged up again. Intrigued by Will's old school friend and secretly attracted to him, Harmony cannot help but be drawn to this charming man. Perhaps he can shed some light on Will's past which will in turn may help to get their relationship back on track. But in order to play with fire someone will get burnt.
The Judas Tree was a page-turner, with self-destructive characters who I felt drawn to. There was a lot of serious issues weaved within the story which was well written and emotive. The ending was shocking but the definitely the right one. I felt it balanced the story perfectly. Fear, hope and survival are paramount to this story along with redemption. A great read especially for all those who love domestic and psychological thrillers.
The Coming Darkness is the debut novel by Greg Mosse. A dystopian novel which is both extremely believable and utterly terrifying.
Paris, 2037. global warming and pathogenic viruses are rampant causing curfews and blackouts. Alexandre Lamarque of the French external security service is hunting for eco-terrorists. His target is set on destabilising the controls placed on global governments that protect human life from climate change. One wrong move and the world could be plunged into darkness.
As Lamarque travels from Paris to North Africa, he is drawn into an ominous sequence of events: a theft from a Norwegian genetics lab; a string of violent child murders; his mother's desperate illness; a chaotic coup in North Africa, and the extraction under fire of its charismatic leader.
Experience has taught Alex there is no one he can trust – not his secretive lover Mariam, not even his mentor, Professor Fayard – the man at the centre of a deadly web of government control. Lamarque rapidly finds himself in a heart-thumping race against time, the one man with the ability to prevent chaos and destruction taking over. Perhaps the world's only hope of preventing The Coming Darkness...
Mosse wrote this during 2020's lockdown and it certainly shows in his writing. Although, there is a lot of futurist references, such as the advanced technological comms-watches, holoscreens and use of mirco-chips in humans, it definitely feels very believable. There was a lot going on in this book, with a host of characters and different themes running parallel, making for a meaty read.
A complex, chilling thriller which would suit fans of I Am Pilgrim or those who enjoy espionage novels.
The Cruise by Catherine Cooper is a book full of the unexpected.
Set on a luxurious cruise ship, dancer Lola goes missing on New Year's Eve. A passenger is believed to have seen a body go overboard and when Lola is discovered missing, and every other passenger and member of staff is accounted for, it doesn't take much to conclude what happened. Two weeks later when the ship is out of service, laid up with a skeleton crew, more people start disappearing. It seems that no-one is safe and that there may be a killer onboard.
I love a good thriller and this book was exactly that. There were so many twists that I didn't see coming which added to the pace of the novel and my overall enjoyment. What I hadn't anticipated is that the novel goes back in time and there are two stories running parallel. This blew my mind as I was always trying to piece together any connections, trying to get ahead of the author. I failed on all counts but it made for one hell of a page-turner! When all the pieces did fall into place it was a highly satisfying, shocking read which I absolutely adored.
Catherine Cooper definitely knows how to spin a story, hooking the reader immediately, slowly feeding them snippets of information at a time and then dropping twisty bombs to shatter preconceived ideas and opening up other avenues of exploration. If you haven't read any books by this author I highly recommend them, especially if you are looking for a quick punchy thriller.
Many thanks to Cooper for getting me out of my reading slump with this gripping read.
I was very lucky to read Five Minds last September and was completely blown away by his genius in creating a story so utterly unique and enjoyable. Black Lake Manor is Murpuss' second book and believe me it is another stonker of a novel.
Black Lake, a former mining town is steeped in history. According to folk law there was one surviver of the wreck of the Whitby, his descendants are believed to have the special gift of unwinding time of the previous six hours, yet they can only use this power once in their lives.
Now more than two hundred years later Ella Manning finds herself trapped at the Black Lake Manor, where her former fiance has been found brutally murdered. With only six suspects, Ella sets about trying to solve the murder but someone undoes time, leaving Ella with no memory of what she has discovered previous and having to start her investigations again, leading to different results.
This locked room mystery was unlike any I've read before. It was thrilling from the start and I loved how the chapters alternated from the different time frames. I knew I would not be able to make any predictions as to who the murderer was so I just fully immersed myself in the novel. And what a bloody good read! Guy Morpuss has proved yet again that he is the master of Sci-fi and can completely captivate his reader. Highly recommend for all mystery fans, especially for those who love twists of the mind-blowing variety. Bravo Morpuss.
Spellboda is a YA book about a boy named Trevor who discovers that he has a special gift and can hear/talk to animals. A Spellboda only discovers their gift once they are ready and when an animal is in danger and needs help.
Trevor has a turbulent relationship with his father after his mother's death. He is isolated at school as he refuses to talk to anyone, including his father, causing further friction at home. The school agree for Trevor to do some volunteering work at the local bird sanctuary to try and help his mental health. Trevor loves being with the birds of prey and it is here that he discovers his gift. A family of Peregrine Falcons have been stolen, leaving one of the fledglings behind. Using his special gift it is down to Trevor to try and recover the other Falcons and help release the fledgling back into the wild.
This was such an enjoyable read. I loved reading about Trevor, a boy with selective mutism, who had the weight of the world on his shoulders; a father who was so caught up in his own grief that he could not be the parent Trevor needed him to be. But with the distraction of a mystery to solve and a budding friendship between Trevor and Midge, Trevor's whole world opens up making it meaningful again.
As an adult I got totally caught up in the story. I think this book would be suitable for the younger range of YA, 12-13 year olds who are confident readers. However, for older readers this would be a nice cosy read that can be enjoyed by all.
The author does hint that the ending is just the beginning, so I am really looking forward to finding out what adventure Trevor and Mitch will embark on next time.
Many thanks to J C Clarke for providing me with fond memories of my own childhood reading, although Spellboda trumps anything I read in my teens.
The Night Ship by Jess Kidd tells the story of two children who have both lost their mothers and are being sent away to live with a distant relative. Mayken's story is set in 1628 aboard the Batavia. She must face a long treacherous voyage which is full of danger, from the uncontrollable weather to the men living and working onboard the ship. Gil's story is set in 1989, he has been sent to live with his reclusive grandfather to a tiny fishing island. As he struggles with his grief and social isolation he finds comfort in a tortoise named Enkidu and a local story about a ghost child, Little May who haunts the island.
As the chapters alternate between the two children we hear of their harrowing experiences, their resilience and strength to survive. I loved the fact that the two stories intertwine at times, adding to my enjoyment and engagement of the novel.
I think I favoured Mayken's story slightly as I loved reading about her life at sea and all the grim details happening on board the ship. I found Gil's story more upsetting and could feel the rawness of his grief ooze from the pages.
There are some disturbing scenes in this novel and a lot of cutthroat behaviour. The Night Ship is a beautifully written, atmospheric, historical read based on the Batavia shipwreck of 1629.
Blackett and Gleichman are neighbours and writing partners based in Brooklyn, New York. The Very Nice Box is their debut novel.
Ava Simon lives alone and loves her job, designing storage boxes for STÄDA, a furniture company. Ever since the tragic accident that ripped her world apart, Ava has been afraid to get close to any other person and sticks to a strict daily routine where order and control are easily managed. But when Ava's new boss, Mat Putnam, arrives Ava finds herself drawn to him and an unlikely relationship blossoms.
The Very Nice Box was an easy read with the characters at its heart. As the pair engage in a relationship it was lovely to see Ava open up and let go of some of her repetitive routines. Grief, loss, friendship and trust are at the core of this novel with the writing very raw and emotive in parts. Although, there is a lot of sadness when learning about Ava's tragic past there is also a lot of humour and satire which balances this book brilliantly.
There were a few shocking twists within the novel and the pace picked up towards the second half of the book, which made it hard to put down. Overall, a very enjoyable novel, with likeable characters. If you liked Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine then I urge you to read this one.
Izzy Lambert has an distinctive ability to read a person and know if they are telling the truth or a lie. This has not been a blessing for Izzy, rather a curse, causing much pain to those around her. But after discovering that a young girl has gone missing from her old high school and watching her old caretaker report a recent sighting of Rosie getting into a car, Izzy is absolutely certain that Kenneth Plumley is not telling the truth. Izzy is torn with what to do and decides she must go to the police with this information, but having no evidence she finds herself being ridiculed and not taken seriously. Having no other option, Izzy feels it is her duty to investigate further and find the evidence that the police need to take her claims seriously, putting not only herself but her family and friends in danger,
No Secrets is a cat-and-mouse chase for the truth. I was routing for Izzy to find the evidence needed but also had my doubts about whether her intuition was correctly. I adored Detective Sergeant Josh Frendy and his unrelenting patience with Izzy. Jackson definitely knows how to create a host of characters that are three-dimensional. His use of suspense and gore adds to the tension of novel and just when you think you have everything sussed the twists and turns change your perception of everything that has come before.
A very clever, engaging read which I thoroughly enjoyed. Another Viper classic, the hits just keep on coming.
If you love a good thriller then I highly recommend
Merged review:
Izzy Lambert has an distinctive ability to read a person and know if they are telling the truth or a lie. This has not been a blessing for Izzy, rather a curse, causing much pain to those around her. But after discovering that a young girl has gone missing from her old high school and watching her old caretaker report a recent sighting of Rosie getting into a car, Izzy is absolutely certain that Kenneth Plumley is not telling the truth. Izzy is torn with what to do and decides she must go to the police with this information, but having no evidence she finds herself being ridiculed and not taken seriously. Having no other option, Izzy feels it is her duty to investigate further and find the evidence that the police need to take her claims seriously, putting not only herself but her family and friends in danger,
No Secrets is a cat-and-mouse chase for the truth. I was routing for Izzy to find the evidence needed but also had my doubts about whether her intuition was correctly. I adored Detective Sergeant Josh Frendy and his unrelenting patience with Izzy. Jackson definitely knows how to create a host of characters that are three-dimensional. His use of suspense and gore adds to the tension of novel and just when you think you have everything sussed the twists and turns change your perception of everything that has come before.
A very clever, engaging read which I thoroughly enjoyed. Another Viper classic, the hits just keep on coming.
If you love a good thriller then I highly recommend
Mara believes in fate and astrology. She has to consult her daily horoscope several times a day and finds it hard to make decisions without some sort of guide. Her one friend has married, had a baby and Mara feels very cut off from the universe. But all that changes when she sees a clairvoyant in Budapest. She is told that she will meet a tall, handsome man imminently and that before they get together she needs to fix something in her life.
What I love about Dent's writing is the humour that runs through the novel. Her main characters all have flaws and are at times completely hopeless in sorting themselves out. As a forty-something woman I can totally relate to the protagonist who remind me of myself and my friends in our twenties.
Along with making over herself, Mara tries to revamp and save the local lido. This side story was also highly entertaining, opening up Mara's world and allowing her to form new friendships. The English seaside village in which the book is set was the perfect backdrop.
Once again Dent has produced the perfect summer read; romance, reinvention and rejuvenation, in a humorous, easy read where one chapter is just not enough.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, I highly recommend this and The Summer Job by the same author.
Poppy is a golden retriever. She is off on holiday with her human family to Devon; a place full of new smells, delicious food and days out to the beach. However, this year Poppy finds herself having to confront a host of differing emotions as she navigates the spooky woods, comes face to face with the ocean, tries to make friends with some farmyard favourites and come to terms with having to share her family with an unwanted puppy!
Poppy Loves Devon is a charming story for middle grade readers, especially for those who adore animals. It is a cosy read that explores different emotions through different scenarios. There is the opportunity to empathise with the characters and I'm sure many readers will recognise the conflicts of emotions that the characters go through.
Each chapter has a gorgeous illustration which really captures the characters. I love the detailed pencil sketches and really looked forward to finding the next one. This is the second book in the Crazy Cream Adventures but can be read as a standalone.
I look forward to reading about Poppy's next adventure.
The Binding Room by Nadine Matheson is the second in the DI Henley series.
“In this room, no one can hear you scream...“
Following on from The Jigsaw Man, Henley and the team are brought together to investigate the death of a local pastor who has been found stabbed to death in his church. On a quick search of the crime scene they discover a hidden door, behind which lies a man who has been tortured. It soon becomes apparent that this is not a one off case and other bodies are being found where there is strong evidence of torture, With nothing to link the victims Henley and her team have the hard task of finding out who is responsible for these murders and in stopping them.
I love Nadine Matheson's writing style as her words seem to flow through pages, captivating me, scaring me with her gruesome details as well as comforting me with her characterisation and setting. Having lived in South East London I am able to walk alongside Henley as she visits all the places I am familiar with, completely getting wrapped up in the environment. I also love the local dialect that comes through when the characters are talking to one another. For me this personal connection I have with the setting really adds to my enjoyment of the novel.
The Binding Room is a great mix of the crime and thriller genre. There was a good balance of police procedural, horror (lots of gory bits) and characterisation of the main characters. There was a lot of anticipation about what was going to happen next, which I found thrilling and some intriguing twists.
The Binding Room can be read as a standalone novel but having read both and adored them equally I recommend you read The Jigsaw Man first and then move on the The Binding Room. It will also give you a deeper insight to the character's lives.
I cannot wait to see what lies in store for Henley and team next.
One Last Secret by Adele Parks is the must-read thriller this summer.
Dora is an escort who is about to retire but there is just one more job she has been asked to do. A week away in the South of France with a client pretending to be his girlfriend, easy money soaking up the sun, what could possibly go wrong??
This was the perfect summer read and if life hadn't got in the way I could have inhaled it in one sitting. In true Parks style she puts a spin on the storyline just when you think you know where the novel is heading. The twists and turns were much appreciated and added to the ever evolving plot.
I loved hearing Dora's backstory and her relationships with her clients, family and friends. I was totally invested in her as a character and was routing for her to find her way out of the nightmare she finds herself in. The ending was completely shocking, tied up all the loose ends but still left an element of hope and curiosity. A very clever novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.
An utterly compelling read which I highly recommend.
Ed Truman a lawyer, father to Ally and Mitchell and husband to Gabrielle suddenly finds himself on the run, as he is the prime suspect in a murder investigation; they have his DNA on the victim! But Ed isn't running to avoid jail, he is innocent after all, he needs to find his daughter who has gone missing. Ally has got herself caught up in an alt-right incel group called The Men Together and he knows they are behind her disappearance. He just needs to find her before they do something dramatic to completely shut her up forever.
This fast past thriller was totally captivating. I loved how the short chapters really pulled you in and left you wanting more, therefore I found myself just having to read one more chapter. The Box itself is a terrifying torture chamber and the chapters dedicated to the box were sporadically spaced out in the novel creating a dark and intense atmosphere in the book. The chapters alternated between Ed and the police, led by badass DCI Jackie Rose. A character who is not afraid to bend the law slightly in order to get results, oh how I adored her.
This is an action-packed novel with Ed being chased by not only the police but by The Men Together Organisation. There were lots of twists and turns that I didn't see coming as well as some terrifying scenes and poignant themes explored in the book.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy a good twisty thriller, a cat-and-mouse crime story and a sci-fi futuristic novel. In my opinion this had a good balance of each genre.
The Silent Brother is a dark, gritty novel, poignant yet utterly addictive.
From the opening chapters you get a real feel of Tommy's life: a life of poverty, abuse and neglect. And if that doesn't emotionally pull you in to the story, the tragedy of Tommy losing his brother, leaving him alone to face the wrath of his alcoholic mother and step father is heart wrenching. Tommy is a fighter and although his upbringing is a tough one he is determined not to follow in his mother's footsteps. But getting out is hard and getting out alive, even harder still.
This was a book that I raced through. The writing is raw and emotive, the characters totally life-like. I loved the characters of Annie and the owners of the corner-shop who brought an element of hope and kindness to the story offsetting some of the horrors and darkness to the story-line. This is not a book for the faint-hearted but outlines the struggles of getting out of a poverty-stricken abusive environment where alcohol, violence and drugs dominant. A mesmerising heartbreaking read, powerfully written with a no-holds-barred approach. One that will stay with me for a long time to come.
I have just finished reading The Game by Scott Kershaw and it completely blew my mind. 5 strangers are sent a message after discovering that their love ones have been abducted, in order to get them back they simply have to play the game! The rules: no police, buy a burner phone, get rid of their phone and follow the prompts via the messages sent to the burner. Would you be willing to play?
What a fascinating concept for a novel and my goodness did it deliver. I loved how Kershaw powerfully drip feeds the reader information, revealing each of the characters' past and former lives. Alternate chapters are devoted to each player so you get a real feel of their different personalities and circumstances. The storyline flows so seamlessly that it is hard not to devour it in one session, believe me I so wanted to but equally wanted it to last for a little bit longer as I was so drawn to the players and the concept of the game.
There is a darker side to the novel and some of the subject matter was hard to read. However, it provided me with a deeper understanding into the characters' own traumas and emotional conflict in which they faced. This was extremely thought-provoking and powerfully written.
A gripping thriller that left my pulse racing and the pages turning, concluding in a shocking and explosive end. If this is Kerhaw's debut novel I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this author. I will be at the front of the queue for any future releases.
It is a⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me.
#TheGameIsOn
My love of reading as a young adult came when I discovered the author Jane Green, up until then reading was for GCSEs and A-Level purposes. When I stumbled upon Straight Talking I couldn't put the novel down and have read lots of her books since then. When I found out that Green had a new novel, a work of biographical fiction, I was very intrigued and knew I just had to read it.
Claire leaves Dorset and sets off for the bright lights of London, where famous people stroll the streets and modelling opportunities are just around the next corner. When Claire meets John and a group of his friends she cannot believe her luck when he introduces her to some famous rock stars. Claire's dream of rubbing shoulders with the famous starts to become a reality and she is quickly invited into this unique circle, introducing herself as Cece. Suddenly she finds herself flying to Marrakesh and meeting Talitha, a woman who is both breathtaking beautiful and living the high life; a life Cece finds herself being drawn to. However, the lifestyle of parties, drugs, alcohol and fame aren't all they are cracked up to be and Cece needs to decide whether to stay in Marrakesh or return to London where she has no job or home.
I completely got swept away with Cece's story; a country girl from Dorset becoming a groupie to the rich and famous, not having to worry about a job, money, food or clothing and being surrounded by those she idolised, I can see how she got caught up in it all. However, this lifestyle also has a much darker side which Green explored and exposed slowly as the story went along. I loved the contrasting characters within the novel: from the shop girls in London to the flamboyant, charming, arrogant and somewhat deranged musicians, fashion designers and stars she encounters. Claire's own transformation from the timid and innocent to the more confident Cece was a real joy to read. Green completely transported me to the hot sunshine of Marrakesh and the glamour of the late 1960s with her vivid descriptions and authentic feel to the novel.
I must admit I did have to google some of the characters to find out if they were a work of fiction or a real icon of the 60s. I was really intrigued by the Getty husband and wife duo and found myself researching them. I would have loved a couple of photos added to the pages or the back along with some information about some of these larger than life characters. I found Sister Stardust a fascinating story and loved that it featured ‘real life' celebrities as well as powerful strong females. Green completely showcased the importance of the 1960s for women, what a revolutionary time. I adored the complex relationship of these female leads and was emotionally attached to them.
Such an enjoyable read.
This MG book was such a delight to read.
Fleur who lives with her mother and grandmother discovers that she can not only hear what animals are saying but that they can also understand her. This shocking revelation is one she keeps to herself as since Celeste, the new girl joined the school, her best friends Ruby and Anais have no time for her.
With the help of SIr Barcley, her grandmother's parrot, Fleur finds herself on an adventure to find Dame Genevieve, discover the truth behind her grandmother's mysterious behaviour and go head to head with Celeste the bully.
This book had plenty of humour and magical happenings which balanced the more serious themes of bullying and grief. I loved the fact that Fleur was a seemingly ‘normal' girl living a ‘normal' 10 year old life when suddenly she finds herself with magical powers which she has to learn to comprehend and control, This, for me, was the hook to the plot and story-line and I can imagine readers really relating to Fleur and wishing they too had her special magical powers. Her relationship with both her mum and grandmother brought warmth and mystery to the novel. There were a few twists and turns along the way which added to both my enjoyment and anticipation as to what was to follow. I adored the ending however, it felt like there was more to discover. I only hope that this is the beginning of a sequel as I believe there are a lot more adventures for Fleur and Sir Barclay to encounter together, as well as developing the story-line surrounding her father.
This atmospheric Gothic thriller was right up my street. Ghostly, creepy and mysterious. After Sam's mother dies Sam discovers letters spanning decades, from Sam's ancestor's solicitors. Intrigued, she gets in contact with them and arranges a visit to her mother's family home. The house, which was once very grand is now rundown with only two members of staff remaining. As Sam explores her surroundings she discovers secret tunnels, her mother's hidden notebooks and strange goings-on in the house. Sam knows that before she leaves Begars Abbey she must find out the reason why her mother left all those years ago and never returned. And in doing so she must stir up the ghosts of the past and the secrets her mother tried to keep hidden.
I loved this ghostly thriller. There is something about an old creepy, rundown building that really appeals to me. The anticipation, horror and secrets of both the house and Vera's childhood made this quite the page-turner. It reminded me of one of my favourite novels The Silent Companions as you never quite knew what was ‘real' and who you could trust. The housekeeper was as strange and otherworldly as her grandmother which added to the mystery surrounding the house. A truly fascinating read if you love ghost stories and are a fan of Laura Purcell or the book The Woman In Black.
I urge you to read this; if you are brave enough to face Begars Abbey.
Miss Aldridge Regrets by Louise Hare was one of my Easter weekend reads, I simply adored this book. From the Art Deco feel to the murder mystery happening on board a passenger boat heading to New York this was the perfect cosy read.
Lena Aldridge is a singer/actor working in a dingy Soho club. After a murder at the club, Lena is offered the opportunity to go and work on Broadway for a man she has never met; a chance of a lifetime and one she cannot afford to turn down. Boarding the boat set for New York, Lena finds herself forced to make acquaintances with the Parker/Abernathy family as she is told this will be good publicity for her future in New York. But as the days pass and she gets to know this family it appears that all is not what it first seemed. When a murder occurs, which is identical to the one at the club, Lena gets a sinking feeling that she is being set up for both murders. But who could be the killer? And will she survive the voyage to New York?
Think The Maid meets Agatha Christie, this book was a pure delight to read. I loved the character of Lena, a woman at the crossroads in her life. Alone after the death of her father and trying to find her place in life/society. I loved hearing about Lena's story, from her upbringing to her complex relationship with those around her. The plot, a great murder mystery set onboard a boat, where the murderer could not escape and neither could their victims. Although I had my suspicions about who the murderer could be there were enough red-herrings along the way to keep me guessing and totally entertained. This book delved into the class and race divide of the 1930s along with the culture differences between the British and Americans. This is a book that not only drew me in but totally enthralled me. One of my favourite reads this year. Many thanks to Louise Hare for taking me to an era that fascinates me, to a place that I hold dear to my heart and for an astonishing good read.
Scorpion was a mind-blowing read. A futuristic, techno thriller had me questioning and admiring the mind of Cantrell. The intricate details of both the plot and the technology in which the CIA and assassin used to carry out their missions was very cleverly thought out and written. At no point in time did I anticipate where the novel was heading, and with so many twists and turns that messed with my mind I completely surrendered to Cantrell's ability to transport me to a different time and place. I loved the cat-and-mouse chase between the CIA and the killer and the way in which this book challenged me and my perception of things.
A fascinating read.