One of the things I enjoy the most about Janice Hallett’s previous books are that they are all epistolary, told through text and WhatsApp messages, emOne of the things I enjoy the most about Janice Hallett’s previous books are that they are all epistolary, told through text and WhatsApp messages, emails, transcripts, and excerpts - and this one was no exception.
The story is centred around Amanda Bailey, who is racing bitter rival Oliver Menzies to a massive true crime story scoop - the Alperton baby. Through the various messages and transcripts, we get a real feel for Amanda and Oliver as people, and what drives them. We also come along for the ride, looking over the shoulder of the person opening that safety deposit box and reading these materials - why has this not been published? Where is Amanda? What is the truth behind the Alperton Angels? And where is the Alperton baby?
I was honestly glued to the page. I love true crime, and this book was a fascinating take on what happens behind the scenes when researching a non fiction book (although hopefully the research is a little less wild than researching the Alperton Angels!). It was a little confusing at first, but it felt the confusing you’d feel if you’d opened up a bunch of materials and started reading. It all started making sense as the threads started coming together, and it all felt very organic.
I am always impressed with how well Hallett uses epistolary writing to sketch her characters, create a real sense of tension, and drive the action forward. This book is a definite five star read for me, and a must read for mystery lovers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Viper Books for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and freely given....more
I have been wanting to read this book for YEARS, but have been unable to source a copy - we often get both US and UK releases here, but sadly for me tI have been wanting to read this book for YEARS, but have been unable to source a copy - we often get both US and UK releases here, but sadly for me this was one US release that didn’t make it. So I was overjoyed when I received a copy of this ARC! And it did not disappoint.
This book primarily follows the story of Claire and Dora Williamson, sisters who had wealth but no immediate family other than each other. They came across Linda Hazzard’s “starvation cure” through a book and decided that it would be the thing to cure their various vague ills.
The book jumps around timelines a little, with some interjections from interviews and statements from people in Olalla, who knew the Hazzards, who remembered Starvation Heights. It also jumps back to give us some history on the Williamsons as well as some background on Linda and Sam Hazzard. I felt these segues were clearly delineated, and it was really interesting to read the words of people who remembered the Hazzards and their sanatorium.
I was fascinated by the story of how Linda Hazzard finally met her match, and the court case chapters were absolutely riveting. It was quite surprising how many people she killed after defrauding them, and how the justice system worked back in the early 1900s. A riveting and well researched book, and I would absolutely recommend to anyone interested in historical true crime, or an interest in historical fake medical cures.
4.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thread Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own and freely given....more
I really enjoy F.T. Luken's books, and this one is absolutely amazing. We follow Tal, fourth child of the Queen, as he gets ready to embark on his royI really enjoy F.T. Luken's books, and this one is absolutely amazing. We follow Tal, fourth child of the Queen, as he gets ready to embark on his royal tour now he's 16, after spending his life sequestered in the castle due to his secret magic. The tour usually involves a lot of debauchery and shenanigans, but not 24 hours in and things are already going pear shaped!
I loved the relationships Tal had with the main people in his life - the love and affection his family has for each other was so sweet. I also loved the relationship he developed with Athlen, who had secrets of his own, and I especially liked how organic it felt. The action was fast paced, the mystery was intriguing, and I loved the book so much that when I picked it up to read the first chapter, I didn't put it back down again until I was 30% through! The ending was also very satisfying, and I thought the whole thing flowed really well - you could tell it was inspired by The Little Mermaid, but it had it's own unique points that made it special.
I thought it was a brilliant queer fantasy retelling of The Little Mermaid, and would recommend it to anyone who loves retellings. F.T. Lukens is definitely an auto buy author for me now.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and freely given....more
This is the first book I have read by Mark Shaw, so I wasn't sure what to expect. He has written previously about Dorothy Kilgallen and JFK, and this This is the first book I have read by Mark Shaw, so I wasn't sure what to expect. He has written previously about Dorothy Kilgallen and JFK, and this book appeared to tie them and Marilyn Monroe into a larger conspiracy involving The Mob and RFK. A significant portion of the book spoke about Shaw's background, particularly in law and journalism, and set the stage for the rest of the book where he laid out his arguments about how the three deaths were all related.
I found the book very interesting, and I thought that it had been well put together with a very compelling and coherent argument as to why the deaths were linked and how. I had actually never come across the RFK theory, and it did not sound outside the realms of possibility! I will definitely be reading further about Dorothy Kilgallen - I had actually never heard of her, and she sounds like an amazing person.
I listened to an audio of this book, narrated by Greg D. Barnett. I found him a very enjoyable narrator - his voice really suited the material, and he had a lovely tone.
I feel this book would be interesting to anyone who is into theories as to why Marilyn died or who orchestrated the JFK assassination.
I received a copy of this audiobook courtesy of Netgalley. All opinions are my own and freely given....more
An absolutely fascinating book, this is part true crime and part history. Lord George (not a real Lord) was a central figure in the Victorian Circus cAn absolutely fascinating book, this is part true crime and part history. Lord George (not a real Lord) was a central figure in the Victorian Circus circles. Delving into the background of circuses in Victorian England, Lord George is centered as we find out what kind of person he was and how that lead to his death at 85. Also, in the true showman spirit, there's a few twists and turns at the end too!
I was really into this book from the first chapter, even though I was expecting a straightforward historical true crime. I found the historical descriptions of circuses fascinating, and it was so interesting to read about how it all worked. I also love it when ebooks come with the photo section, and the photos were so interesting! I was also fascinated with the family and what life was like for them back in the late 1800s in particular, at the height of the circus craze. I found it quite easy to follow as it switched between timelines and topics, and I thought it ended really well. I was also fascinated by the interviews with surviving family members, and thought that really added something to the book.
A must read for anyone interested in historical true crime or Victorian history in Britain.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and freely given....more
This book was a fascinating glimpse into life as a Victorian woman who did not fit the traditional mould for whatever reason as well as an interestingThis book was a fascinating glimpse into life as a Victorian woman who did not fit the traditional mould for whatever reason as well as an interesting and insightful look into one of Britain's most enduring secure mental health facilities.
There have been many famous criminals who have been sent to Broadmoor, but this book focuses on a small subset of people that we don't know much about - lower class women. As the author says, these women did not have the education or the time to leave written records behind, and therefore all we know of them is what can be gleaned from public records.
Thomas has chosen the stories of seven different women to highlight, akin to The Five by Hallie Rubenhold, and it is a structure that works beautifully for this book. It was fascinating to read about the lives of these women and how they became incarcerated in Broadmoor, keeping in mind this was a time when things like having (and sharing) opinions or reading books was enough to get you taken away. Some of the stories were heartbreaking, and it was interesting to see how people were treated at Broadmoor and other facilities, given that there were no medications and psychology wasn't really a thing at that point.
A wonderfully written and interesting book which should appeal to anybody who likes psychology, women's history, or true crime.
Many thanks to Pen & Sword History for fulfilling my NetGalley wish. All opinions are my own and freely given....more
This is one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I loved following Miyara as she struggles with her path in life (super relatable!) and I enjThis is one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I loved following Miyara as she struggles with her path in life (super relatable!) and I enjoyed seeing her grow as a person outside of her “fourth princess” title. I loved all the main characters, and I also liked the sweet romance that was threaded throughout the book - it didn’t take over the main story but was a nice additional enhancement.
I thought the story was well paced, and the world building was good - I felt I was shown through Miyara’s eyes how it all worked which meant I didn’t feel pulled out of the narrative. I liked the action, I thought the inclusion of the issues surrounding social justice were thought provoking, and of course who doesn’t love a happily ever after? And also…tea!
If you love your fantasy books cozy with a HEA, then this is absolutely for you. If you like cozy, clean romance, secret princesses, or HEA then definitely give this a try. If you liked A Magic Steeped In Poison then read this one - they have similar vibes....more
Jack the Ripper was one of the first big name true crime books I read, and I still find it fascinating even after all this time. Part of that is the fJack the Ripper was one of the first big name true crime books I read, and I still find it fascinating even after all this time. Part of that is the fact that we are never going to know what really happened.
This book is a bit of a different look at who Jack the Ripper might have been, and I found it very compelling and very reasonable. Beattie lays out evidence to back up his claim that a particular police officer had a reason to hate prostitutes, had the ability to commit the crimes in question, and was also about that particular area of London as well.
I found this a very enjoyable read, and would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in Jack the Ripper or historical true crime. A worthy entry into the Ripper canon.
Many thanks to Pen & Sword for fulfilling my NetGalley wish. All opinions are my own and freely given....more
I have been really enjoying historical true crime, and this was an excellent book. Robert Ray Hamilton, who came from an illustrious family, ends up sI have been really enjoying historical true crime, and this was an excellent book. Robert Ray Hamilton, who came from an illustrious family, ends up splashed across tabloids around the world when his wife Evangeline is put on trial for stabbing their baby’s nurse.
This book deals not only with the event that caused such salacious headlines, but also with what happened to the couple and their child after. It was really interesting learning how a man who had everything had fallen for the charms of a woman who saw an opportunity to better herself and took it with both hands. I also thought that the book provided a good “slice of life”, giving a glimpse of how people existed in the late 1800s.
I enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook. He had a lovely, well modulated voice and a good pace. I’m not particularly skilled at listening to audio, so I definitely appreciate an easy listening narrator. I also liked the different inflections he put on for the voices and he was consistent with how he read Evangeline’s words in particular, giving a feminine impression without resorting to verbal caricatures.
A cross over book which is likely to interest people who read true crime and history. ...more
I've not seen the TV series, but I do love a true crime compilation, and the premise - true crime set in seaside English towns - was intriguing. I've I've not seen the TV series, but I do love a true crime compilation, and the premise - true crime set in seaside English towns - was intriguing. I've even been to a couple of the areas these crimes occurred in, and there's something about recognising the areas, streets, and landmarks mentioned.
With ten cases in the book, each one was set out quickly and succinctly with the facts - who was involved, who the victim was, and how justice was eventually served. Another thing that I appreciated was that none of the ten cases had been particularly publicised previous to its inclusion in the book. I also liked the inclusion of snippets from the investigators and victims involved, and felt that it added a bit more of a human dimension to the stories. Sometimes it's very easy to forget the people who have been affected by the realities of crime in favour of a titillating story.
A very enjoyable read for anyone who wants to read the book after seeing the series, for true crime aficionados, or as an entry point into the genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ad Lib Publishers for providing me with an ARC to review. All opinions are my own and freely given. ...more
One of my favourite romance sub genres right now is "reality tv romance", where the two characters meet on the set of a reality show and things go froOne of my favourite romance sub genres right now is "reality tv romance", where the two characters meet on the set of a reality show and things go from there. This book ticked all my boxes, and was such a sweet read!
Cece is not a fan of reality tv, but her almost empty bank account leaves her few options, and she agrees to appear on Marry Me, Juliet. Dylan has a charity to promote and something to prove as the show's first non-white male lead. Cece unfortunately blows it and is voted off in the first eliminations....but the pandemic shuts everything down and the show ends up in its own bubble. What will happen to Cece now? And how will Dylan cope with the pressure?
Touching on mental health, the unreality of "reality" tv, the pressures of being a diversity cast, this wasn't all cotton candy fluff. But it was also charming and sweet, and even the other contestants weren't catty caricatures - they all had their own reasons to be there, and you couldn't help but cheer them on for all their future endeavours. The relationship that develops between Cece and Dylan is charming and feels quite organic. I also loved the ending with the Big Gesture (I do love a well done romance trope!) and this is definitely a reality tv romance I would be happy to rec to all my friends.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia. All opinions are my own and freely given....more
When you see human interest stories in the news, or interviews that appear hours after a tragedy, sometimes you don’t stop to think how those have hapWhen you see human interest stories in the news, or interviews that appear hours after a tragedy, sometimes you don’t stop to think how those have happened. Jen Maxwell takes the reader into the world of a TV reporter, who’s job is to get those instant reactions and get those sound bites on TV straight away.
Maxwell details ten news stories that she has covered through her career, and then updates on what has happened in their lives since the initial reports. These are not happy stories - there are significant injuries and death (including child death) involved in almost all of them. I think what I found most fascinating is how reporters are aware of how awful it is to be requesting interviews from people during such fraught times, but also we as a society expect to have access to this information, sitting at home in front of our TVs. I did also like how each story ended on quite positive notes (some more than others!) and that Maxwell has obviously taken care to try and make sure that doing her job as a reporter hasn’t been more traumatising for all involved.
I listened to the audio of this book, narrated by the author, and you can definitely tell she has experience with speaking/reporting! It was paced really well, and felt like she was telling me stories rather than reading from the page. It was an enjoyable listen.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who’s interested in how reporting works and also in true stories of people working through significant tragedies or events in their lives. ...more
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