Totally amazing book - out of my usual genre, of course, but I couldn't put it down. Recent winner of the Authors' Club Best First Novel award, when aTotally amazing book - out of my usual genre, of course, but I couldn't put it down. Recent winner of the Authors' Club Best First Novel award, when apparently even the chief judge said he cried three times (as did I - many times) - it's funny, heart-warming and at times very sad. Strongly recommend.
Paul Finch never fails to deliver a good book. I loved his Heck character in previous novels, but this time he has a new protagonist in PC Lucy ClaybuPaul Finch never fails to deliver a good book. I loved his Heck character in previous novels, but this time he has a new protagonist in PC Lucy Clayburn. As an ex-policeman himself, Paul’s books have real authenticity, and it’s a story that will grip you to the end....more
This book is SO good – and it’s impossible to believe that this is a debut author. My quote on Amazon says it all, and I mean every word of it. It’s aThis book is SO good – and it’s impossible to believe that this is a debut author. My quote on Amazon says it all, and I mean every word of it. It’s a brilliant thriller, tense, exciting, but also with masterly strokes of humour in the writing. I think it’s going to be a classic thriller....more
As the title suggests, it’s the story of a man and a woman, both of whom have something to hide. It’s tense, exciting, and all tied into a series of eAs the title suggests, it’s the story of a man and a woman, both of whom have something to hide. It’s tense, exciting, and all tied into a series of eclipses – which somehow successfully add to the sense of apprehension. You know something is coming – but you don’t know what. And I have to say, that I had absolutely not the first clue what was about to be revealed at the end of the book. Skilfully written, and worthy of its bestseller status.
I was lucky enough to receive a pre-release copy of this book, and it’s everything you might expect it to be when you realise it’s about a woman who rI was lucky enough to receive a pre-release copy of this book, and it’s everything you might expect it to be when you realise it’s about a woman who receives a friend request on Facebook, but the person who it appears to be from has been dead for over twenty years. The intrigue and confusion ramps up throughout the book until you have no idea who to trust. Wonderful stuff!
I don’t often read historical fiction for no other reason than I usually have so many thrillers to read, but I recently met Anna Mazzola at The AldernI don’t often read historical fiction for no other reason than I usually have so many thrillers to read, but I recently met Anna Mazzola at The Alderney Literary Festival, and couldn’t resist picking up a copy of her book. What I love about this book is the sense of time and place. It’s set in the mid nineteenth century, and somehow the author manages to evoke a sense of how it was to live in London back then – the sights, smells and sounds. And it’s the story of a murder – a particularly gruesome one – so right up my street after all! ...more
I don’t think I know anybody who hasn’t read The Girl on the Train. But Hawkins’s next book does not disappoint. It is an urgent, satisfying read thatI don’t think I know anybody who hasn’t read The Girl on the Train. But Hawkins’s next book does not disappoint. It is an urgent, satisfying read that hinges on the stories we tell about our pasts and their power to destroy the lives we live now it’s a book that’s bound to have everybody talking. ...more
I was intrigued by this because the original Gerald Durrell book, My Family and Other Animals, was one of my all-time favourites when I was about fiftI was intrigued by this because the original Gerald Durrell book, My Family and Other Animals, was one of my all-time favourites when I was about fifteen. In this book about Clare Balding’s early life, she paints a vivid picture of the dogs and horses that she grew up with and the book made me smile (and cry in one place). What an amazing young life she had. ...more
I always recommend Marian to people who have lost interest in reading or are finding it difficult to get back into reading for any reason. Her books lI always recommend Marian to people who have lost interest in reading or are finding it difficult to get back into reading for any reason. Her books lure you in with straightforward language, sharp observations and heart-breaking life experiences. Rachel’s Holiday is no exception! Somehow, the author has managed to make what is an extremely difficult subject – spending a few weeks in a clinic as a recovering drug addict – into an amusing, but also emotional rollercoaster. The heroine, Rachel, feels too big for her life, she’s tall with size 8 feet and after a series of calamities in New York her Irish family drag her back to a Dublin version of the Betty Ford Clinic to go cold turkey with a series of hilarious and poignant stops along the way!...more
On the hottest day of the year, Assistant Commissioner Florence Lovelady attends the funeral of Larry Glassbrook, the convicted murderer she arrested On the hottest day of the year, Assistant Commissioner Florence Lovelady attends the funeral of Larry Glassbrook, the convicted murderer she arrested thirty years earlier. A master carpenter and funeral director, Larry imprisoned his victims, alive, in the caskets he made himself. Clay effigies found entombed with their bodies suggested a motive beyond the worst human depravity. What a brilliant read! I was gripped from the very first page and loved the characters and the weird and wonderful story.
It’s been ten years since Ellie disappeared, but Laurel has never given up the hope of finding her daughter. When she is swept off her feet by a charisIt’s been ten years since Ellie disappeared, but Laurel has never given up the hope of finding her daughter. When she is swept off her feet by a charismatic stranger called Floyd it’s not long until she’s introduced to his nine year old daughter. Poppy is precocious and pretty - and meeting her completely takes Laurel's breath away. What I love about this book is the cleverness of the plot and the way all the strands slowly but surely come together. It’s that rare thing – a thriller that will break your heart. ...more
You can’t ever go wrong with a book by Val McDermid, and this one is no exception. Of course, it’s got the wonderful duo Tony Hill and Carol Jordan inYou can’t ever go wrong with a book by Val McDermid, and this one is no exception. Of course, it’s got the wonderful duo Tony Hill and Carol Jordan in the starring roles. They are called in to investigate when single women are beginning to disappear from weddings in the north of England. A pattern soon becomes clear: Someone is crashing the festivities and luring the women away - only to leave the victims' bodies in their own burned-out cars in remote locations. ...more
What a story! A young child disappears from her family’s holiday home when she is three years old, and there is a media frenzy. The story alternates bWhat a story! A young child disappears from her family’s holiday home when she is three years old, and there is a media frenzy. The story alternates between the time the child – Coco – goes missing and twelve years later when her father dies. Gradually the terrible secret is revealed....more
This cracking read begins with a dramatic hot-air balloon ride and a view from above of a killer. I don’t want to give any of the story away but it haThis cracking read begins with a dramatic hot-air balloon ride and a view from above of a killer. I don’t want to give any of the story away but it has a twist that I genuinely didn’t see coming, the tension never drops until the last page....more
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