Guest Review: Murder Among the Roses by Liz Fielding

MEET ABBY FINCH. SHE’S THE BUSY MUM OF THREE, AN EXPERT GARDENER AND THE STAR OF YOUR NEW FAVOURITE COZY MURDER MYSTERY.

In the peaceful Cotswolds village of Maybridge, you wouldn’t expect to find a dead body in the rose garden. And certainly not two.

Abby is horrified to discover the bones of a baby buried under a rose bush. It’s in the garden of her soon-to-be ex-husband Howard’s family home.

She immediately calls the police. But she can’t get hold of Howard. He’s off on a jolly with the woman he’s got pregnant.

And then, just two days later, Abby finds Howard himself.

Lying dead in the very same rose garden.

Throat slashed with her own garden spade.

Now Abby is the prime suspect . . .

Review: This is the first book from this author that I have read. It’s actually the first in a trilogy, but is a standalone story.

The central character in this book is Abby Finch, a landscape gardener living in the small Cotswolds village of Maybridge with her three children. She is going through a contentious divorce from cheating husband Howard who is set to marry his pregnant girlfriend. While working in the overgrown garden of her husband’s future home, Abby makes the grizzly discovery of what turns out to be a baby’s remains, apparently buried there many years ago. Still recovering from the shock of that discovery, Abby is further dismayed to find Howard dead in the exact same spot, having been killed with her spade. Since he had argued with several people just before his death, the police are not short of suspects in the crime. Everyone has motive, but who will turn out to be the murderer? And who was the mother of the dead baby?

I very much enjoyed this murder mystery, which kept me guessing until the very end with all its twists and turns. There were many interesting characters in the story in addition to Abby. She herself was a typical busy working mother who many would identify with, juggling the everyday demands of children with running her own business. I did like her children, who were quite sensible and sensitive to their mother’s needs. Howard, however, was definitely not a likeable person, riding roughshod over everybody. As you would expect with such a sociable person, Abby had no lack of friends in the community, who rallied round in her time of need. There was also the promise of romance in the shape of an old flame who turned up just at the right moment. I will be looking out for the next book in the series, hoping to catch up with Abby and family again.

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Review: It's Always the Husband by C.L.Taylor

Welcome to Lowbridge. Where secrets hide behind every door…

When newly divorced Jude arrives in the small town of Lowbridge, she is soon drawn to widower Will, the father of her young daughter's best friend.

But Will's past is shrouded in tragedy, with questions that no one knows the answer to – and after two tragedies tore his life apart in just a few short years, gossip and rumours abound about what really happened to the women he loved.

As whispers of murder surround Will, Jude becomes determined to uncover the truth – and with her own father's tragic fate haunting her, she refuses to let another innocent man suffer.

Yet in Lowbridge the darkness runs deep, and nothing is as it seems. Can Jude protect Will from a community out for blood? Or will she become the next victim in this web of deceit?

Because whilst one dead wife is tragic, two starts to look like murder…

Review: Starting my year with It’s Always the Husband by C. L. Taylor was an absolute treat-I love a C. L. Taylor novel, and this one did not disappoint. From the very first chapters, I didn’t trust a single character… and honestly, that’s exactly how I like my thrillers. Every conversation felt loaded, every revelation suspicious, and I found myself constantly second-guessing what I thought I knew. It’s the kind of book that makes you suspicious of absolutely everyone.

The whole premise gave me strong Motherhood vibes, but it also felt very reminiscent of Big Little Lies with its undercurrents of secrets, domestic tension and simmering distrust. I loved getting to know the main characters, even though I was side-eyeing all of them the entire time. Taylor has such a knack for creating layered, believable women-flawed, relatable and yet completely capable of shocking you. The relationships felt real, which made the stakes feel even higher as the tension built.

What I particularly enjoyed was how the book blends classic thriller elements with modern-day realities. Yes, we still get those delicious traditional clues-hidden boxes, old diaries, buried secrets-but they sit alongside phone tracking, home camera systems and the very current ways we monitor (and sometimes manipulate) each other. It makes the story feel incredibly relevant and up to date without losing that classic twisty thriller feel. Full of turns I genuinely didn’t see coming, this was a gripping, addictive read that I highly recommend.

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Guest Review: The Forever Home by Erica James

In the glorious Cambridgeshire countryside, Hope Hall was once a grand country house, but it's now been converted into beautiful luxury apartments and its new residents are moving in…

Cassie is blissfully in love with her partner Ben and looking forward to life in their new home, but shadows from Cassie's first marriage loom large.

Gallery owner Nina needs a fresh start since losing her husband two years ago, but moving on will mean confronting a painful decision that will shatter her mother-in-law's dreams.

Into their lives comes Venetia, a lively seventy-nine-year-old with a penchant for secrets. As Venetia faces her own bittersweet history with Hope Hall, the lives of the three women become intricately connected, revealing the power of friendship and the courage to confront the past.

Review: I have read many of this author’s books and was drawn to this one by its setting and storyline. Erica James writes so well about families and friendships and her books often leave me with warm memories. I was looking forward to reading about the characters in this book and whether they would find their forever home.

The story follows the lives of residents of Hope Hall, a large country house newly converted into twenty individual luxury homes. It focuses particularly on three women. Cassie has moved in with partner Ben. The couple are happy together, but at the same time Cassie is troubled by memories of the past and her cheating ex-husband. Another early arrival is Nina. Owner of an art gallery in nearby Cambridge, she is trying to recover from the tragic sudden death of her husband, but is finding it hard to move on when her mother-in-law is making it so difficult. She also has a big decision to make which is constantly on her mind. Finally, there is Venetia, a flamboyant and stylish lady approaching her eightieth birthday. She has history with the hall that she is keeping secret from the others. The three women soon become firm friends, supporting each other through dramas to come.

I enjoyed this book just as much as I had hoped and am happy to recommend it. The author has presented the reader with such strong and interesting characters in these three women. Circumstances were different for each of them and yet they came to form a robust friendship when drawn together. Being much older than the others, Venetia’s story was more detailed than the others. Her history with the hall was sad but she was happy to return. Some very serious issues were encountered within the telling of these women’s stories and the author has dealt with them with great sensitivity. As well as the characters, I also loved the setting of this book. The hall was set in spacious grounds containing meadows and woods, with the river Cam flowing through them. I could just imagine the wonderful views from the roof terraces included with the top floor apartments. I can imagine that all three women felt they had indeed found a forever home.

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Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Bookish Quotes I Love!

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

1. "Books are a uniquely portable magic." Stephen King

2. "A well-read woman is a dangerous thing..."

3. "You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend." Paul Sweeney

4. "Great books help you understand, and they help you feel understood."  John Green

5. "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." C.S. Lewis

6. ”Reading should not be presented to children as a chore, a duty. It should be offered as a gift.” Kate DiCamillo

7. “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” Cicero

8. ”Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.” Malorie Blackman

9. ”Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.” Sir Francis Bacon

10. ”Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labelled ‘This could change your life.’” Helen Exley

Review: So, I Met This Guy by Alexandra Potter

So, I Met This Guy . . .

Well, isn’t that how every love story starts? But how does it end – a happily ever after? Or with the discovery that the supposed love-of-your-life has stolen your life savings and your home, trashed your heart and demolished your self-esteem?

Maggie is barely fifty years-old, and she's not one to give up on herself. So when she meets Flick, a young reporter who realizes this story could be the big break she’s been looking for, they set off to catch him as he goes on the run across Europe. After all, she’s got nothing left to lose, right?

But as the pair embark on the road trip of their lives, unexpected twists, hidden secrets and hard truths are revealed. And as an unlikely friendship begins to blossom, they realize it’s not just about finding the guy, it’s about finding themselves . . .

Review: Having read and loved all of Alexandra Potter’s previous novels, I went into So I Met This Guy with high expectations-and while I did enjoy it, this one felt a little slower to get started than her earlier books. I chose to experience it on audiobook, which may have influenced my experience. The opening took some time to fully settle into, and with a wide cast of characters-some of whom had multiple names or were referred to differently depending on context-it was occasionally tricky to keep track of who was who. That slight confusion made the first portion feel less immersive than I’d hoped.

That said, one of the novel’s greatest strengths is its two central female characters. Potter delivers a very “girl power,” feminist energy here, with two strong, complex women driving the narrative. I also appreciated that Maggie and Flick come from very different backgrounds, which allowed for representation across a wider range of readers and perspectives. Their journeys-both emotional and literal-are compelling, and I loved the sense of independence and self-discovery woven throughout the story. The travel element added a sense of adventure and escapism, which is always a highlight in Potter’s books. However, the shifting locations sometimes made it harder to follow on audio, particularly when trying to keep timelines and character interactions straight.

Despite the slower start and occasional confusion, the payoff was worth it. I absolutely loved the twist at the end-it was clever, satisfying, and reminded me why I’ve enjoyed this author's writing for so long. Overall, this was a good read, though I suspect it would be better experienced in print or on Kindle, where you can easily flick back and forth to clarify details you might have missed. While I would still recommend it, if you haven’t read anything by Alexandra Potter before, I’d suggest starting with one of her earlier novels first before diving into this one.

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Guest Review: Just One Look at You by Jill Mansell

Fen can't believe her luck. A luxury holiday with her beloved grandmother Disa - what could be more delightful? It doesn't cross her mind that she might fall in love. Or that love can bring complications . . .

Jamie can't help it that women always fall for him, rather than for his kind-hearted friend Leon. Nor that only one of them got the looks (that would be Jamie). But how will he feel if the girl he's drawn to only has eyes for Leon?

Disa has a secret. A few weeks ago, an old letter in a file revealed a shocking truth about her late husband. She's come to Venice to find out more.

There's news on the way that will reverberate through all their lives, as Jill Mansell's joyful, heartbreaking new novel takes readers on a roller coaster ride of emotion - and makes us believe in love again.

I have been eagerly awaiting this year’s book from Jill Mansell. As the striking cover reveals, this story is set primarily in Venice, promising the reader romance and so much more.

The protagonists in this book come together on a luxury river cruise based in Venice. Among the travellers are Fen, her vivacious grandmother Disa, rugby star Jamie, who is the onboard celebrity speaker, and his best friend Leon. Jamie is used to lots of attention from the ladies, but it is Leon who steals the heart of Fen. Disa has been keeping a secret linked with her desire to visit Venice which comes as a surprise to all. The group have a marvellous time in Venice, and Fen and Leon’s romance continues when they return home. When tragedy strikes, the shock affects everybody and has long-lasting consequences.

This was a highly emotional romantic novel that had me completely absorbed from the start. Much of the book was set in Venice, but there were also parts that took place in Bristol and the Cotswolds. The characters were all well developed and had their own interesting back-stories. I particularly liked stylish Disa with her bubbly personality. This book could certainly be described as an emotional rollercoaster, humour and drama mixing with extreme sadness. I highly recommend it, but make sure to have a tissue close by.

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Guest Review: The Café on the Coast by Christie Barlow

Clemmie Rose’s great-great-grandmother’s beloved clementine torte is her ticket to the prestigious Royal Baking Competition. A win could put Puffin Island’s charming Café on the Coast on the map, land Clemmie her very own cookbook deal, and secure her a coveted invitation to a royal garden party.

But when she discovers the competition is being hosted aboard the Royal Yacht by none other than her ex, Oliver Lockwood, the stakes – and the soufflés –suddenly rise, and Clemmie’s bid for the Golden Whisk trophy is at risk of collapsing like an underbaked sponge.

When a decades-old secret is thrown into the mix, she’ll need more than the perfect recipe to keep her dreams from crumbling.

Review: This is the 4th book in the Puffin Island series of books by this author. The island is connected to the mainland of northeast England by a tidal causeway. It boasts some lovely beaches as well as a large colony of puffins that give it its name. I find myself more attracted to the place with each successive book in the series. The stories in these books give an insight into the lives of the island’s inhabitants and of the newcomers who, having visited by chance, invariably decide to settle there. Each story is complete in itself.

This story features Clemmie Rose, who runs the cafe of the book’s title on Puffin Island with her grandmother Betty. Clemmie has been put forward anonymously to take part in the Royal Baking Competition, the winner of which will be invited to the royal garden party and have their own cookbook published. Winning would also be a wonderful advert for the cafe itself. Clemmie decides to enter the cafe’s popular clementine torte, the recipe for which was developed by her great-great-grandmother. Unfortunately, the competition, which is to be televised, will be hosted by Clemmie’s ex, but she is determined to do her best and try to work alongside him amicably. When a long-held family secret suddenly surfaces, it looks as though there may be trouble in store for Clemmie and her successful cafe.

Another enjoyable instalment of this engaging series with its adorable setting and friendly locals. The royal baking competition, with its few select contestants, sounded very grand indeed, especially being held on board the royal yacht. Clemmie is a lovely character, always kind and happy, producing mouthwatering sweet treats in her cafe in each book in the series so far. I loved the way that her head wasn’t turned by her glimpse into the world of the royal family and that she wasn’t fazed by one rather spiteful competitor. There is an air of mystery in this story from the start, with clues popping up until finally the secret is revealed, keeping the reader guessing and adding to the book’s attraction.

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