Gemma
The Turnglass by Gareth Rubin. This unique Tête-bêche novel was a first for me; I absolutely adored it. Two books printed back to back. Two novellas that actually intertwine, blowing your mind and turning everything that you thought you knew on its head.
Book 1: 1880s England. I love historical fiction and books that feature an old mysterious house, especially those that have a gothic feel about them. This book ticked all of the boxes for me. An isolated house cut off from the mainland during high tide with a host of unusual characters. One believing he is being poisoned as his health deteriorates.
Book 2: 1930s California. This book had a Gatsby feel about it. An ultra modern glass house set on the beach where a man is found dead. Brushed off by the police as a suicide, Ken Kourian is determined to discover the truth as he knows his friend wouldn't take his own life.
Both books are equally enjoyable on their own as standalone novels, but together, you realise the genius of Rubin to intertwine these two stories. On face value, I loved the premise of the book. To actually have to flip the book over to read the next was a cool concept. I read the 1880 England one first and then turned the book round to read the next book. It was only once I started reading the second that my brain kicked into action. I noticed similarities: glass elements of the house, a prominent library, and murder. And then character's names which started to appear that were in the previous book!! As I tried to make connections, I realised how clever this book is! I started to flip the book back over and skim through the text, hoping to find clues that I had missed. Just genius. I was even tempted to read the first book again after I finished the second.
The Turnglass is an engaging, mesmerising, and 100% memorable unique read. I can't recommend it enough, a must-read.
I am a big fan of author Hazel Gaynor, so I was very excited to hear about her new book, The Last Lifeboat. Historical fiction at its best and based on true events.
England, 1940. The war is raging with air raid sirens going off more regularly, the blackouts and the Blitz. The government need to come up with a plan to keep the children from areas most at risk safe. Initiative CORB: Children's Overseas Reception Board, where children are to be evacuated to counties such as Australia and Canada.
This touching, heartwrenching story tells the story of Lily and Alice. Lily, a recent widow, mother to 10 year old daughter Georgie and younger son Arthur, is torn about whether to send her children away. However, with the bombing becoming more frequent she decides to register her children with CORB. Alice, a teacher, makes the decision to sign up as an escort for the CORB programme.
As the story alternates between the two women, both face their worst nightmare as the ship carrying Alice and the children is hit by a U-boat in the Atlantic. With the other boats in the convoy not able to rescue them, those that did mange to board the lifeboats are tossed around by the stormy sea.
Gaynor writes with pure passion and emotion, drawing me into the storyline and characters, transporting me to another place and time. This was an emotive read which I couldn't put down. I loved the fact that this was inspired by the true events of SS City of Benares, which was escorting children and other passengers to Canada when it got hit by a torpedo. Throughout the book there are also extracts from the Mass Observation project, which was set up in 1937 to record the everyday life of Britain. I really looked forward to reading these insightful passages.
One of my favourite books this year! Highly recommend.
This powerful family novel centres around five strong women: Margo and her daughters Rachel, Imogen and Sasha. Margo's sister, Alice, although in the background, MUST be included in the count of the Garnett Girls. She is the glue that holds them all together, quietly in the background and showering them all with love and support.
Margo falls passionately in love with Richard, who she meets as she enters womanhood. Their relationship, deeply disapproved by her parents, leads to Margo escaping to London to be with Richard. Their love affair turns to marriage, and then the birth of three beautiful girls. However, Richard suffers from alcoholism and is not often present for his girls. One day, he dissappears, leaving Margo heartbroken and unable to look after her girls. Rachel, her oldest, with the support of Alice, helps to keep court while Margo recovers.
The story explores the effects of losing a parent/lover, constantly wondering why and where they might be now. I loved how each of the sister's experiences were explored into the loss of their father and their relationship with their mother. I loved reading about each of them as adults and their family gatherings at their home in the Isle of Wight.
The characters are larger than life, dramatic and totally addictive. I loved how different the Garnett ‘girls' are and the real sense of sisterhood this novel gave. Although the novel came to the end and the story was beautifully concluded, I could have continued reading about the 5 women on loop. Racy, in parts, this novel captured my heart and was a pacy read. If you love character-driven novels set in an idyllic beach location, then this is the book for you. A book about the lives of women and the strong bond of sisterhood.
Thirty Days of Darkness by Jenny Lund Madsen translated by Megan E Turney is a debut Nordic Noir thriller that marks the start of a new series.
Hannah, an award-winning writer, is challenged to write a crime novel in thirty days. Her snobbish attitude is that although her books have fewer readers, her writing is far superior to Jørn Jenson, a successful crime writer. She is convinced that writing a popular fiction novel is easy and agrees to the challenge. Her editor, Bastion, sends her to Iceland so she can devote the next 30 days to her novel.
On Hannah's arrival, she is picked up by Ella, a local woman who she will stay with over the coming month. However, a few days in Ella's nephew, Thor is found dead. Convinced this is not an accident, Hannah starts to investigate Thor's death, much to the annoyance of the local police man. As the days stretch on, things turn more sinister and Hannah's own safety is in jepody. Can Hannah solve the murders and find the killer as well as writing her crime novel?
Hannah is the most unlikeable antagonist at the start of the novel. She is opinionated, self-righteous and rude. However, as the novel progresses, Hannah's determined to solve the mystery surrounding Thor's death softens her hard outerior, allowing the reader to see a more rounded and vulnerable side.
Although Thirty Days of Darkness is a crime thriller, there was plenty of humour and romance that weaved its way throughout the novel. For me, it had the right balance of genres and themes, making this such an enjoyable thrilling read. The Icelandic scenery was atmospheric, adding to the murdererous and locked-in feel of the story. There were twists and turns along the way with mysterious characters that kept me guessing until the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed it
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is the second book in the DI Corstophine series and having read and loved Whirligig I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of The Devil's Cut.
The Devil's Cut starts in very much the same way as Whirligig, with a bang, which leads DI Corstophine and his police officers with an investigation to contend with. I loved that the familiar police crew are back with a host of new characters to get to know. The characters all have their faults which makes them realistic, relatable and unpredictable.
The McCoach family own the local distillery but when Jack suffers a fatal heart attack during a lonesome hill walk only his sister has cause for concern and believes that the whole family are at risk of becoming the next victim. With a host of catalytic converter thefts happening in the area, possibly relating to drug crime, a suicide, a local peeping Tom; Frankie and Corstophine have their hands full but agree to investigate Jack's death to rule out foul play. In true Greig style this leads to a twisty plot full of action, suspense and more murder.
The Devil's Cut is a twisty police procedural, it is fast-paced and such a page-turner. I was hooked. Many thanks to Andrew James Greig for another stonking read. I can't wait to see what Corstophine and Frankie encounter next.
This was written in 1859 and considered to be one of the first mystery novels of its time. The story unfolds through a series of documents/witness statements held by a variety of characters designed to elucidate a conspiracy plan against innocent women. This novel is very long and written in the Victorian era so stamina is required unless you are used to reading classic literature.
I really enjoyed this book and was surprised by the complex story line which included mystery, suspense and romance. I could identify with the characters and found links to the present day, which is surprising having been written decades ago. I found the different genres throughout the novel (documents, witness statements etc) added a unique feel to the novel which I really enjoyed.
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.
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
This cosy mystery set in the 1920s was a delightful read. I loved how it featured strong female characters who fought their way for equality in a white, dominated male world. Their feisty and determined personalities added to the storyline and as a female living in today's age it made me truly appreciate the horrors and constrictions that women, or persons of colour had to face in the 1920's. It's also very sad to think that ten decades later we are still living with prejudice in our society and still fighting for equality.
The Crystal Crypt was a well-written murder mystery and although book 6 in the Poppy Denby Investigates series, it can definitely be read as a standalone novel. The characters were well rounded, three-dimensional and quirky which I loved. The historical setting was a pure joy to read and I loved the rich description of Oxford. The map at the front of the book added further to the detailed description and I enjoyed ‘walking' around the city following Poppy on her investigation. I was thrilled to learn that The White Horse is still a landmark in Oxford today as to is Blackwell's Bookshop. It is these added details that make the book stand out.
There were a few red herrings in the novel with the addition of lots of twists and turns. I thought I had figured it out to then be totally thrown off guard again. As this was an easy read I wasn't quite anticipating the complexity of the plot or the depth of characters that really made this a unpredictable read. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
I love a good thriller and this book was exactly that. The book begins with a body being discovered and throughout the novel you get snippets from reporters through to the emergency services building a picture of the horrors that have occurred. The main bulk of the novel is written from Sylvie's point of view before the tragedy. Sylvie, a district judge and barrister finds herself in a real predicament when her best friend Tess is diagnosed with an illness and wants to make amends on her past mistakes. However, in order to do so could not only cause Sylvie to lose her job but jeopardise any future career plans. Torn between helping a friend find peace and protecting herself Sylvie relents and tries to make contact with a former associate who was sent to prison based on the evidence Tess and Sylvie gave years before. As Sylvie's life spirals out of control she tries everything she can not to lose a grip of the things that means the most to her. But as the clock ticks towards midnight Sylvie knows she is running out of time.
This was a fantastic read and one that I couldn't read fast enough. I loved the unexpected twists and turns which added to the suspense of the novel. Unpredictable, thrilling and a mesmerising read.
Although this book starts on Christmas Eve, it is not a Christmas feel-good novel, far from it. Nasty Little Cuts is based around a toxic, abusive relationship between the two main characters, Debs and Marc.
The book weaves back and forth in time giving you insight into how the couple met, their own family backgrounds and their present day mental health. It is raw and harrowing but one that I could not put down. It had me from the very first page.
Although I hated Marc I was also torn, I admit I did feel sorry for him at times. His demise was palpable and heartbreaking, I only wished he had reached out for support or had someone he could have turned to. Tina Baker has pledged to donate 10% of her royalties to The Samaritans
Having really enjoyed the first book in the series I was very excited to receive a copy of The Burglar's Ball.
This book features our heroine Jane Austen and her trusted four-legged companion Grandison, who set off on another adventure and encounter a crime to solve. This time they are joined by Jane's sister Cassandra. Cassandra is invited to the end of year ball at Reading Abbey Girls' School which they both attended a few years ago. Cassandra is very eager to go and persuades Jane to go with her. What sways it for Jane is that her friend Deepti, who we met in the previous book, has moved to Reading and Jane is thrilled at the chance to see her again.
When Cassandra and Jane arrive at the school they soon realise that things have taken a bit of a downward turn for the school and their finances; there seems to be a limited number of staff and the place is looking a bit rundown. During the ball one of the girls' necklaces is stolen from her room which sparks an investigation. The police reveal that there have been a number of burglaries in the local area recently and this could be connected as the burglar is still at large. Jane's mind starts to go into overdrive at solving the case and also in clearing the name of Brandon, a young musician who has been accused of the crime.
This book was a joy to read and I loved the fun letters that feature throughout the book, where Jane is writing to her brother to update him on what is happening. These letters are playful and quirky often with the look of having been torn out of a notepad and written in a hurry. The combination of a mystery novel written from the historical period of 1789 works really well and gives it cosy feel. The book touches on African slavery and the point of view of Indian nationalist being monopolised by the British East India Company.
Many thanks to Fern Lindsay-Trolley at Lion Hudson Ltd for sending me this beautiful proof copy and to Julia Golding for writing another gorgeous middle grade novel that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
This was a gripping thriller set aboard a luxury cruise ship and yacht, travelling to exotic locations; a perfect summer read.
Charlotte and Sam were partners in both life and crime. Working the cruise ships they would seek out wealthy passengers who they would target and steal from. However, nothing lasts forever and Charlotte finds herself estranged from her husband and trying to lead a more honest life. When out of the blue Sam goes missing, presumed dead and Charlotte starts to receive threatening messages. Her past is coming back to haunt her and Charlotte knows she must discover where Sam is and what has happened to him, as well as avoid her stalker, who is becoming more and more menacing.
This was a great cat and mouse chase where the protagonist cannot and shouldn't trust anyone. The novel picks up pace as Charlotte's stalker becomes more desperate and volatile. The mystery behind Sam's disappearance was a great sub-plot and was very intriguing. I loved the dual timeline: Now and Then, which allowed you to see how devious the pair were and the consequences they faced afterwards. I adored the setting: crystal clear waters and sunshine, what a perfect backdrop and juxtaposition to the thrilling plot. Lots of twists and surprises throughout, but especially the ending, which I have to say was very fitting. An enjoyable read which kept me reading until the small hours of the night.
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 beautifully written novel is emotive, thought-provoking and full of surprises.
Jenny is 100 years old and as sharp as a button, but she has one thing that she must do whilst she still can and that is to return to Italy for a visit. Enlisting the help of Candice, a young woman who works in the care home, the duo embark on a soul-searching journey that changes both of their lives forever.
I love Kathryn Hughes' novels as they are character driven and really emotive. The Memory Box was a powerful read exploring emotional abuse, friendship and survival with strong female characters. The novel alternates between Jenny's early life and present day, and was really insightful. Jenny and her younger brother are sent to Wales during WW2, it is here that Jenny falls in love with Nico. Ten months into the war Winston Churchill declare all Italians living in the UK to be enemy aliens and all males are arrested. They were subsequently shipped off to The Isle of Man, Canada and Australia. Hughes features this historic event in her novel beautifully, capturing the horror, disbelief and heartache that many faced over Churchill's unjust decision.
The Memory Box is a novel where you just cannot stop reading. There are so many heartwarming moments which balance the sadder ones perfectly. I was swept away with Hughes' storytelling and felt very connected to her characters, especially Jenny and Candice. A fantastic read,highly recommend.
Daughters of War is the first book in a new trilogy by Dinah Jefferies. Three sisters: Hélène , Elise and Florence are living together in war torn France near the end of WW2. Under German occupation life in France is full of uncertainty, terror and danger. Hélène, the eldest, has taken on the full responsibility of looking after her sisters, having lived in France for seven years on their own. After their father passed away and their mother decided to stay in England the sisters have learned to survive and thrive in France. Hélène, working as a nurse, Elise, setting up her own cafe where she helps the Resistance and Florence, growing their own produce to feed their family.
Jefferies writes with such beauty and passion. Her characters are realistic and very likeable making it easy to become fully involved in their lives. I was captured by the sister's differing personalities and found I could relate to each one of them. Their fight for survival and for one another is heartwarming but added to this is their maternal, humanistic nature that offers care for those around them, including that of strangers, which puts them at great risk. Jefferies' portrays the brutality of war very skilfully, outlining the impact it has on communities and individuals, as well as the courage and determination people endured.
Daughters of War is an emotive family drama which sends you on a roller-coaster of emotions. There are graphic scenes of rape and murder which sit alongside the beauty of friendship and the power of love. A multi-layered plot which was hard to predict and Jefferies' brilliant storytelling makes this not only a compelling read but one that is completely captivating. A fantastic start to the series. I'm very intrigued to see what happens in book number two.