Guest Review: A Fatal Mistake by Faith Martin

Summer 1960, Oxford

In the glorious sunshine of Oxford, on a day when everyone should be celebrating, tragedy strikes when a university student is found floating in the river, dead.

Probationary WPC Trudy Loveday finds herself paired with coroner Clement Ryder to investigate and it soon becomes clear that this case is not going to be easy.

The witnesses all refuse to give a straight answer, each new lead sends them in a new direction and tales of other missing youngsters add further mystery to the investigation.

One thing is certain though, something doesn’t seem quite right about the university’s most popular student….

Review: This is book 2 in the Ryder and Loveday series by this author, in which Oxford coroner Clement Ryder joins forces with probationary WPC Trudy Loveday to investigate suspicious deaths. The books are set in the 1960s, when the role of women in the British police force was very different from what it is in present times. Although this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

In this story, the coroner suspects that the drowning of a university student that appears to be a tragic accident could be far from that. When the inquest ends with an open verdict, Dr Ryder jumps at the chance to investigate further, and again requests the help of Trudy Loveday. As they delve into the evidence presented by people acquainted with the dead man and anyone in the area at the time the body was discovered, a picture of the victim emerges. Possible connections between him and both a missing girl and another girl who committed suicide come to light. What they uncover is shocking to everyone involved.

I thought this was another excellent mystery in this series of books. The writer wove quite a web for the reader to attempt to untangle, with many red herrings along the way. There is quite a cast of characters, many of whom seem to have had cause to murder the victim, and many of whom are extremely unlikable. It was nice to see the relationship between Ryder and Trudy developing beyond professional towards friendship and to see Trudy gaining more confidence. I shall certainly be looking out for the next book in this series.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Guest Review: Hot to Trot by M.C. Beaton with R.W. Green

Private Detective Agatha Raisin immerses herself in the glittering lifestyle of the fabulously wealthy when Sir Charles Fraith is accused of murder - and Agatha is named as his accomplice!

A high-society wedding, a glitzy masked ball, and an introduction to the world of international show-jumping where the riders are glamorous, the horses are beautiful, and intrigue runs deep, leave Agatha with a list of suspects as long as a stallion's tail.

Sinister evidence then emerges that appears to seal Sir Charles's fate and Agatha must uncover the truth before a net of skulduggery closes around him and he loses his ancestral home, his entire estate, and his freedom. And if events weren't complicated enough... Agatha's ex-husband James Lacey is back in Carsely and back in Agatha's heart...

Review: This is the 31st book in the Agatha Raisin series from M. C. Beaton. Since she tragically passed away in 2019, this story was co-authored with her blessing by her friend R. W. Green. I have read a number of the books in this series and feel I have got to know many of the recurring characters; I was interested to see how they would be treated by a different writer. I am pleased to say that, in common with other Agatha Raisin mysteries, this tale had me captured from the start.

This story finds Agatha facing up to the fact that her old friend Sir Charles Fraith is about to be married to someone she considers totally unsuitable, and under strange circumstances. When Sir Charles and Agatha are named as the main suspects in a murder, she and her team set out to investigate and uncover the real culprit. Her sleuthing leads her into the world of horse riding and even on a glamorous trip to France. As the murder victim was so disliked by practically everybody, it seems that the list of suspects gets longer and longer the more Agatha digs. However, with Sir Charles looking ever more likely to end up penniless in prison, she is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and clear his name.

I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it to Agatha Raisin fans. However, having read a review by somebody who was new to the series and was confused by people and events in the story, I’m not sure that it works as a standalone; there is a lot of history between Agatha and other characters in the book that is obviously not explained, so I could sympathise with that reviewer. Personally, I found the number of potential murderers in this story quite difficult to keep up with, and I couldn’t work out who the culprit would turn out to be until near to the end, which I considered a positive aspect. It was good to see all the characters that I have enjoyed meeting in previous books popping up again. Agatha’s ex-husband, James, was back and seemed interested in rekindling their relationship; I could see that forming the basis of a future story in this series, if, indeed, there are to be any further additions.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Guest Review: Beating About the Bush by M. C. Beaton

She won’t let any moss grow under her feet…

When private detective Agatha Raisin comes across a severed leg in a roadside hedge, it looks like she is about to become involved in a particularly gruesome murder. Looks, however, can be deceiving, as Agatha discovers when she is employed to investigate a case of industrial espionage at a factory where nothing is quite what it seems.

The factory mystery soon turns to murder and a bad-tempered donkey turns Agatha into a national celebrity, before bringing her ridicule and shame. To add to her woes, Agatha finds herself grappling with growing feelings for her friend and occasional lover, Sir Charles Fraith. Then, as a possible solution to the factory murder unfolds, her own life is thrown into deadly peril. Will Agatha get her man at last? Or will the killer get her first?

Review: This is the 33rd, and latest, book in the Agatha Raisin series from M. C. Beaton. The series features the exploits of Agatha, a PR executive turned private detective, aided by her colleagues and acquaintances. Each book can be read without first reading any of the others. Most are set in the vicinity of Agatha’s home in a small Cotswolds village.

In this story, Agatha is hired to look into problems at a local factory producing batteries for electric cars. However, it soon becomes apparent that other shady dealings are going on at the factory when a member of staff is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Agatha’s investigations soon lead her into danger, with her salvation coming from a most unusual ally in the shape of a rather bad-tempered donkey. However, with a murderer still on the loose, is Agatha completely out of the woods?

I have read several books in this series, and, like those, have found this an entertaining and easy read. Agatha Raisin is an often amusing character, with an interesting circle of loyal friends who crop up once again in this book. This was an intriguing case; I had no idea where it was going to lead and it kept my interest to the end. I loved the introduction of the donkey who was so choosy with its affections. I can recommend this and other books in this series to readers who enjoy cosy crime. It is sad that the author died soon after this book was published; I shall miss her stories about Agatha and also the fictional Scottish police officer, Hamish Macbeth.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: The Other Passenger by Louise Candlish

It all happens so quickly. One day you're living the dream, commuting to work by riverbus with your charismatic neighbour Kit in the seat beside you. The next, Kit hasn't turned up for the boat and his wife Melia has reported him missing.

When you get off at your stop, the police are waiting. Another passenger saw you and Kit arguing on the boat home the night before and the police say that you had a reason to want him dead. You protest. You and Kit are friends - ask Melia, she'll vouch for you. And who exactly is this other passenger pointing the finger? What do they know about your lives?

No, whatever danger followed you home last night, you are innocent, totally innocent.

Review: Wow this book had so many twists and turns and revelations I felt like I was on a rollercoaster. And you never see any of them coming! I love Louise Candlish's writing and this book just solidified my love for it. I've been reading other, newer writers, and they just can't compete. Every single revelation is so intricately oven within the characters and within the plot that you really do gasp in surprise and what you thought you knew is thrown out the window at the end of every single chapter-so great!

Even main character Jamie is a massive conundrum who you never really get to the bottom of. I started off the book thinking they were one person and then the character development that takes place over the course of the novel is just extra ordinary. Jamie was intriguing but definitely someone you could meet in every day life, perhaps on your commute! The other 'Water Rats' the other passengers who commute with Jamie are also very true to life. I could picture them and their commute chatting, taking in the scenery. I also really liked the two main females in this book. They felt very like calculating villains in a movie and so they really came to life on the page for me. 

This whole setting is so familiar, I've taken the river bus in London, I've commuted on a ferry in a couple of big cities and it is a really great way to travel, but what do we really know about the other people on that boat? Such a great premise for a book and because of this stellar writing, we get to experience it all as the plot progresses. 

I also really loved the structure of this one. The present day plot takes place in those weird days between Christmas and New Year, an excellent time to set a book with as many twists as this because everything is already upside down. And then we jump back in time to the start of 2019 and gradually flash back and forward until the two points meet. This gives the book its intense feeling and that urgent need to keep turning the pages. We also have some bonus time after the new year and that is just inspired. I loved it. 

Whether this is your first Louise Candlish novel or you are already a hardcore fan, you're going to love The Other Passenger. And sorry, not sorry that once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down again!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Guest Review: Bluff By Jane Stanton Hitchcock

There has never been a better time for revenge.

One-time socialite Maud Warner polishes up the rags of her once glittering existence and bluffs her way into a signature New York restaurant on a sunny October day. When she walks out again, a man will have been shot.

Maud has grown accustomed to being underestimated and invisible, and she uses her ability to fly under the radar as she pursues celebrity accountant Burt Sklar, the man she believes stole her mother's fortune and left her family in ruins. Her fervent passion for poker has taught Maud that she can turn weakness into strength to take advantage of people who think they are taking advantage of her, and now she has dealt the first card in her high-stakes plan for revenge.

One unexpected twist after another follows as Maud plays the most important poker hand of her life. The stakes? To take down her enemies and get justice for their victims. Her success depends on her continuing ability to bluff--and on who will fold.

Can she win?

Review: This is the sixth suspense novel by Jane Stanton Hitchcock. It draws on her experiences of growing up in New York Society and of playing poker at tournament level. It follows the attempts of the heroine Maud Warner, who has fallen on hard times, to try and exact revenge for what she perceives as wrongs perpetrated on her and her family.

The narrative is very fast moving, helped by the fact that each chapter is relatively short. I also liked the fact that some chapters are written in the third person, whilst others are written in the person of Maud. The plot has more twists and turns than a mountain road, although readers may be able to guess the final twist towards the end because clues have been planted cleverly throughout the book.

I enjoyed the book because of the suspense built up and because of the strong heroine. The moral of the story is that one should never underestimate women of a certain age. So, how does Maud play the hand that she has been dealt: will she fold or will she bluff? You'll have to read to the end to find out.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Blog Tour: Extract from Mistletoe and Mystery by Daisy James

I am very excited to be part of the blog tour today for Mistletoe and Mystery by Daisy James, christmas and mystery, what more could you want? I have a wonderful extract to share with you today. The book is out now and you can click here to order your copy if you like what you read in the extract. Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews!

Here's what it's all about:

Welcome to the Cotswolds Festive Feast cookery course...

Fresh off the successful opening of the Paradise Cookery School in St Lucia, Millie Harper is headed to the Cotswolds for Christmas!

Co-presenting Claudia Croft’s famous Festive Feast cookery course at Stonelea Manor is a dream come true for Millie…as is reuniting with gorgeous estate manager Zach Barker.

But arriving in a winter wonderland Millie learns the manor is under a mysterious threat. It’ll take a holiday miracle, but Millie is determined to save the school and get Zach under the mistletoe to finally finish what they started in the Caribbean!

Cosy up with this fun, festive visit to the Cotswolds premier cookery school! Perfect for fans of Jenny Oliver and Sarah Morgan

If you loved Mistletoe & Mystery, why not read the first two stories in The Paradise Cookery School series? Sunshine & Secrets and Confetti & Confusions are both available now!

And I'm sure you're as ready as I am to read some, so here you go...

“Oh my God! Millie, I’m so jealous! Are you sure Claudia doesn’t need a fabulously talented assistant for the Festive Feast course? I could help with the reindeer cupcakes, or the gingerbread Santas, or the St Clements mince pies! And you know how much everyone loves my melt-in-your mouth shortcrust pastry!”

Millie had to smile at Poppy’s enthusiasm. She really did wish she could take her friend and fellow pastry chef along with her to Claudia Croft’s famous cookery school in the Cotswolds.

“In fact, scratch that. I’d even be prepared to grab my Marigolds and get stuck into the washing up if it meant I could spend the next week in Berryford watching Claudia show a bunch of enthusiast foodies how to rustle up a celebrity-grade Christmas feast. You are sooo lucky! Oh, and not to mention the fact that you’ll be able to reacquaint yourself with that hunky estate manager you’ve never stopped talking about since you came back from St Lucia, the delicious Mr Zach Barker.”

Millie felt the heat whoosh into her cheeks and groaned. She had been back from her trip to the Paradise Cookery School in the Caribbean for over two months, but she hadn’t been able to hide her feelings for Zach from Poppy who had dug relentlessly for every scrap of detail like an overzealous gossip columnist. Nevertheless, she still wanted to make light of their imminent reunion, despite the eager anticipation that was bubbling in her stomach.

“Poppy, I’m going to Stonelea Manor to co-present the Festive Feast cookery course, not to demonstrate how to manage a country estate. I’ll probably be so busy with the tutorials that our paths won’t even cross.”

“Who are you kidding? I’ve seen the photos of Zach on your Facebook page – he’s absolutely gorgeous. If I was in your dainty sequinned sandals, I’d definitely be planning a few unscheduled visits to that cute little stone lodge he calls home, armed with a basket full of freshly baked cinnamon cookies and a bottle of home-made rum punch. Did I tell you how envious I am?”

“You might have mentioned it once or twice!” Millie giggled and rolled her eyes at Poppy as they finished wiping down the marble countertops in Étienne’s, the tiny patisserie in Hammersmith where they were both fortunate enough to work. 

Millie adored the atmosphere in the little café; cosy, welcoming, friendly but with a touch of Parisian elegance and the ambient fragrance of warm buttery croissants. However, for her, the best part of the shop was its bay window, hung with a necklace of red, white and blue bunting and showcasing a smorgasbord of delicious delights more akin to a high-end jewellery store – and displaying a wider variety of colours. She loved the neat rows of multicoloured macarons, of pistachio and kiwi mille-feuille, of angel wings and miniature rum babas. Every morning, she would feast her eyes on the display and declare it to be a piece of culinary art, far better than its cousins in the Tate because Étienne’s patrons could taste their creations! 

“Okay, looks like we’re done for the day,” said Poppy, flicking off the lights and grabbing her duffle bag. “I’ve got a bottle of chocolate vodka upstairs just crying out to be tested. Come on, let’s go and celebrate your good fortune properly.”

“My flat or yours?”

“I don’t want you to take this personally, Millie, but mine – definitely. I like a bit of seasonal cheer just as much as the next person, but your living room looks like a Christmas volcano has erupted and spewed forth every decoration imaginable! Where on earth did you get all that stuff? I mean, a set of dancing pineapples in sunglasses and Santa suits?”

Millie laughed. “Got those in St Lucia – I love them! I really wanted to buy the matching set of bananas dressed as elves, but I just couldn’t cram another thing in my suitcase. Maybe I should give Ella a call and ask her to ship them over for me?”

“I’m no interior decorator but take my advice and try to resist that temptation!” 

Millie saw Poppy grin as she opened the door of her apartment nestled in the eaves above the patisserie and just across the hallway from Millie’s own tiny studio. Poppy’s flat was exactly the same size as hers, but that was where the similarities ended. The décor here reflected her friend’s personality to a tee – brash, bohemian, with jewel-bedecked mirrors and lamps that Poppy had designed herself at her Wednesday night art class, a hobby chosen because it meant she could drool over the tutor – a moody French sculptor called François.

Millie sighed and collapsed down on Poppy’s over-stuffed orange sofa with a surge of relief. It was the second week in December, the pre-Christmas frenzy had started in earnest, and her feet throbbed their objection to the onslaught of activity. She was already beginning to regret accepting Poppy’s invitation instead of heading straight for a long soak in a hot bath filled with her favourite Moulton Brown bubbles that her sister Jen had given her for her birthday.

However, when Poppy dropped down on the seat next to her with the promised bottle of vodka and two glasses, she quickly changed her mind about the bath. She accepted a generous measure and sat back against the scarlet silk cushions, curling her legs under her bottom and taking a tentative sip of the popular liquid remedy for the weary.

“Mmm, delicious, thanks Poppy.”

“So, what did your mum say when you told her you weren’t going over to France for the holidays this year? Did she freak out?” 

“Not when I explained why. I mean, it really is a dream come true, isn’t it? Mum knows how much I loved presenting the Paradise Cookery School’s Chocolate & Confetti course at Claudia’s villa in St Lucia. It was a fabulous experience and I learned so much from Ella about Caribbean cooking, but now I’ve got this amazing chance to work with Claudia Croft herself! Poppy, I’ve decided that’s what I want to do – present cookery classes to enthusiastic food lovers. Sooo… in the new year I’m going to start looking for a new position where I can do just that.”

“And leave Étienne’s?” Poppy looked scandalised, but her chestnut brown eyes were gentle and understanding. “Only joking. Millie, you could smash whatever you put your mind to. And you’ve no idea how happy I am to hear you say that. It’s about time you moved on to new adventures – you’ve got a Michelin star, for God’s sake. I don’t know why you insist on hiding that fact.”

“I’m not hiding it.”

“Well, you’re definitely not shouting about it from the rooftops like I would be!” 

Millie watched her friend remove her sparkly hairclips and allow her hair to frame her cheeks in glossy mahogany waves. A whiff of jasmine perfume invaded the air and her heart gave a nip of gratitude for her good fortunate at having someone like Poppy in her life – she really had provided the balm to her ragged soul when she’d arrived in London having been ditched at her own engagement party. 

“Actually, all that feels like ancient history now, an episode from someone else’s life – someone I don’t recognise.”

A splash of sadness swished into her chest, but she doused it in a flash. She rarely thought of her ex-fiancé nowadays, and when she did it was with only fleeting regret, not the long, slow burn of agony that had stalked her endlessly until a couple of months ago. The way Luke had chosen to terminate their two-year relationship had hurt tremendously, but the icing on the pain-filled cupcake had been the discovery that the person he had abandoned her for was her best friend’s mother. That morsel of information had been just too much to bear so she had walked out of the restaurant they co-owned, grabbed her suitcase, and ran away to start a new life of anonymity in the metropolis. Poppy had been the first non-family member she had confessed her heartbreak to and her friend had welcomed her into her world with open arms, a cheerful smile, and a surfeit of vodka in a myriad of flavours which had helped to dull the pain.

However, she was happy to report that she was done with licking her wounds. Her confidence in her culinary creativity had returned, and she was ready to launch herself into a new challenge, professional and personal. Her lips twitched at the corners when a fully formed image of the person she had to thank for her renaissance into a normal human being again appeared in her mind’s eye: Zach Barker, Claudia’s estate manager, whom she’d encountered at the Paradise Cookery School back in September.

Poppy was right. Zach was gorgeous; handsome, athletic, inquisitive, with a sharp line in sarcasm and a quirky sense of humour. Even the fact that they occupied opposite ends of the orderliness spectrum hadn’t prevented them from connecting on a deeper level than she had expected. She smiled at the memory of the warm, lingering kisses they had shared beneath the swaying palm trees, with the tropical backdrop of the white beaches, sparkling blue ocean and verdant lushness of the vegetation making the whole experience seem so much more romantic.

Meet the Author

Daisy James is a Yorkshire girl transplanted to the north east of England. She loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. When not scribbling away in her summerhouse, she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something pink and fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea – china plates and teacups are a must.

Twitter: @daisyjamesbooks

Thanks so much to Daisy for stopping by today!

Guest Review: Date With Mystery by Julia Chapman

Date with Mystery is the third novel in Julia Chapman's Dales Detective series. So remember there may be spoilers for parts 1 and 2 in this review!

The Dales Detective Agency’s latest assignment appears to be an open and shut case. Hired by a local solicitor to find a death certificate for a young woman who died over twenty years ago, Samson O’Brien is about to find out that things in Bruncliffe are rarely that straightforward. Particularly when the solicitor insists that Delilah Metcalfe, with her wealth of local knowledge, works alongside Samson on this sensitive investigation.

Delilah is eager to help. At the very least, the case will take her mind off the looming custody battle for her precious dog, Tolpuddle, and the threat of the bank foreclosing on her struggling Dales Dating Agency.

As Samson and Delilah begin their inquiries they soon become embroiled in a mystery that has lain at the heart of the town for decades. But in uncovering the truth have they exposed secrets that some would prefer remained buried?

Review: This is the third book in the Dales Detective series by the lovely Julia Chapman. The series is set in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and includes some snapshots of the striking scenery there and examples of the local characters. These books have the most attractive covers, with little clues of what is going on within the pages. 

In Date with Mystery, the story once again revolves around Delilah Metcalfe and Samson O'Brien, proprietors of the Dales Dating Agency and the Dales Detective Agency, respectively.  Their offices are situated in the small town of Bruncliffe. Although primarily involved with her dating agency and web design businesses, Delilah, and her faithful canine companion, Tolpuddle the Weimaraner, can't help getting involved in Samson's investigations, much to his irritation. The duo find themselves immersed in the puzzle of a missing death certificate for a local young woman who died many years ago. As they delve deeper into the mystery, more and more secrets come to light, but it seems that their attention is not welcomed by everyone. The investigation could prove more dangerous than it looked on the surface. 

I have enjoyed all of the books in this series. They are well written, with an entertaining mix of serious crime investigation and more light hearted goings on in the town and surrounding area. As in this third book, the suspense is always maintained right to the end. In addition to the mystery, there is the continuing and developing relationship between Delilah and Samson; will they get together in more than a professional way? I'm already looking forward to the next instalment. 

To order your copy now, just click here!

Date with Malice is out now in the US, click here to order that!

Guest Review: Date with Malice by Julia Chapman

It’s dark in the Dales this winter . . .

When Mrs Shepherd arrives at the Dales Detective Agency on a December morning, quite convinced that someone is trying to kill her, Samson O’Brien dismisses her fears as the ramblings of a confused elderly lady. But after a series of disturbing incidents at Fellside Court retirement home, he begins to wonder if there is something to her claims after all . . .

With Christmas around the corner, Samson is thrown into a complex investigation. One that will require him to regain the trust of the Dales community he turned his back on so long ago. Faced with no choice, he enlists the help of a local – the tempestuous Delilah Metcalfe.

Against the backdrop of a Yorkshire winter, Samson and Delilah must work together once again if they are to uncover the malevolence threatening the elderly residents of Bruncliffe. Could the danger be perilously close to home?

Review: This is the second book in the Dales Detective series from Julia Chapman. I found the first in the series (Date With Death) very enjoyable and was looking forward to publication of this new title. As before, the action takes place in the Yorkshire Dales, an area of great natural beauty that I know well. Also in common with the first book, this one has a most attractive cover, illustrating various aspects of the story. 

This tale once again unites the characters Samson O'Brien and Delilah Metcalfe. Both have business premises in the village of Bruncliffe, where Delilah runs not only the Dales Dating Agency, but also a web design company. Samson has returned home to the village after a long absence to open the Dales Detective Agency. Mysterious goings on at the Fellside Court retirement home in the village bring the pair together when Samson is asked to investigate. In addition to Samson and Delilah, there is a delightful collection of elderly residents from the home and local residents from the village playing roles in the story, many adding a touch of humour. Of course, it would be remiss of me not to mention Delilah's faithful hound, Tolpuddle the Weimaraner, who helps with the inquiry as well. 

I very much enjoyed this story. It drew me in from the start and kept me guessing all the way through with respect to what was going on and how it was all going to end. It was very skilfully written to put the reader off the scent at a few junctures. Of course, the lovely Yorkshire Dales scenery was brought to life in the narrative. Although not obviously a festive tale, it was nice that the action took place in the run up to Christmas, with all the preparations going on in the background. This would certainly be a good book to pop into someone's Christmas stocking, but don't forget to buy a copy for yourself as well. 

Click here to order your copy: UK or US

Review: Mirror Mirror by Cara Delevingne with Rowan Coleman

Friend. Lover. Victim. Traitor.
When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Sixteen-year-old friends Red, Leo, Rose, and Naomi are misfits; still figuring out who they are and who they want to be. Life isn't perfect, but music brings them together, and they are excited about what the future holds for their band, Mirror, Mirror. That is until Naomi vanishes before being pulled unconscious out of the river.

She's left fighting for her life in a coma. The police claim it was a failed suicide attempt, but her friends aren't convinced. Will Naomi ever wake up? What -­ or perhaps who -­ led her to that hospital bed? And how did Red, the self-styled protector of the group, fail to spot the warning signs?

While Rose turns to wild partying and Leo is shrouded by black moods, Red sets out to uncover the truth. It's a journey that will cause Red's world to crack, exposing the group's darkest secrets. Nothing will ever be the same again, because once a mirror is shattered, it can't be fixed.

Review: wow, this book went in such surprising directions. I didn't see so many of the twists and turns coming and this book also made me think so much more than I was expecting! My review is going to have to be very vague on specifics because I don't want to give away any spoilers for those of you planning on reading, which I would definitely recommend that you do, because I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I was going to. 

There is an authors note at the start of the book about what Cara wanted to achieve by writing the book and the message she wanted to get across and I really think she was able to achieve this. I also think it was interesting to include this note before the book began, because you automatically have some pre-conceived ideas about th direction the book is going to go in. I don't know whether I liked it or not but it definitely stayed in the back of my head throughout the book. 

The characters in this book are very true to life and i really liked the ways the interacted with one another. I sometimes feel like teenagers portrayed in books don't actually act like any teenagers i associated with when I was a teen or any I have come across in my career so far but these teens were London based and behaved like I would expect teens from that area to behave. I feel a real affinity to Red and championed her throughout the book. 

As I have already mentioned, I loved the London setting of this book and really appreciated the fact that these young people lived and went to school in an around London and yet it didn't have them touring the city as if they had never been there before. The setting was very much a background factor. It afforded the characters more freedom than if they were in a rural setting and had to rely on lifts or infrequent public transport, which fitted well with the story, but it didn't romanticise the city in any way. I liked the reality of the setting and it is something that i noticed throughout the whole of the book. 

The storyline kept me gripped right the way through and kept me guessing throughout. Some of the issues explored are fairly concerning and so it wasn't a cheerful read most of the time. I did feel anxious for the characters and concerned for their welfare. One of the issues explored in a specific and a general sense throughout the book is their interaction with the adults in their lives. The adults in their lives vary tremendously but there is a lot of negativity surrounding all of those relationships and I found this especially concerning. I'm not sure how i feel about the negative message that this is sending out to young people reading it and so therefore I would definitely say that this book should be aimed at an older young adult audience, or an adult audience.

Despite my misgivings about those messages I really did enjoy the plot and the structure of this novel. The characters felt very real and I was on their side throughout the storyline. The setting didn't feel forced and I was gripped by the twists and turns along the way. I would definitely recommend this book with an added warning that I mentioned above. 

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman

If you could change the past, would you?

Thirty years ago, something terrible happened to Luna’s mother. Something she’s only prepared to reveal after her death.

Now Luna and her sister have a chance to go back to their mother’s birthplace and settle her affairs. But in Brooklyn they find more questions than answers, until something impossible – magical – happens to Luna, and she meets her mother as a young woman back in the summer of 1977.

At first Luna’s thinks she’s going crazy, but if she can truly travel back in time, she can change things. But in doing anything – everything – to save her mother’s life, will she have to sacrifice her own?

Review: This book is a completely different book from the one I was expecting, but it drew me in, filled me with wonder and satisfaction and left me feeling fulfilled and incredibly optimistic. I love love loved the setting of this book and purposely left it to read until I was in the area to read. I actually didn't read this book in Bay Ridge Brooklyn but read half on a flight to New York and the other half in Central Park so at least I was in the general vicinity. I haven't read many books that are set in that specific part of Brooklyn and there was the link with the film Saturday Night Fever too, which I will now have to go away and watch. 

The storyline is just so intricate and interesting. Rowan has done a great job of weaving all the plot lines together and making sure that every questions you might have as a reader is, not necessarily answered, but is addressed in some way. I have no idea how she managed to juggle exactly where and when Luna was and what she meant to people wherever she was but it is amazing to see the story unfold and things we could never possibly think of happening happen before our eyes. 

Luna was an interesting character and although she is travelling back to the place her mother and father met with her sister Pea, her sister isn't really the other main character in this book, her mother is and I just love the way this author manages to write these amazing mother daughter relationships. The relationship between the two of them is tested again and again and yet you get the impression that there is still this amazingly strong bond between the two of them. I loved watching this relationship change and develop over time and I loved Luna revisiting the person her mother once was and discovering that there was a lot to love back then too. 

There is some beautiful romance in this book and a little it of intrigue and the storyline is very well balanced. You definitely have to suspend your disbelief going into this one but I definitely recommend that you do that b y letting yourself be absorbed by the book completely, give yourself time to enjoy this book and time to be able to finish it because you are not going to be able to let yourself get away from this storyline once you get started. This book has stayed with me since I finished it and it is definitely one to read this summer. I loved this read and I loved the way the whole thing was so cleverly tied together with such an intriguing plot, realistic, relatable character and just the right amount of mystery, romance and magic. Fabulous!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US 

Guest Review: Date With Death by Julia Chapman

Samson O'Brien has been dismissed from the police force, and returns to his hometown of Bruncliffe in the Yorkshire Dales to set up the Dales Detective Agency while he fights to clear his name. However, the people of Bruncliffe aren't that welcoming to a man they see as trouble.

Delilah Metcalfe, meanwhile, is struggling to keep her business, the Dales Dating Agency, afloat - as well as trying to control her wayward Weimaraner dog, Tolpuddle. Then when Samson gets his first case, investigating the supposed suicide of a local man, things take an unexpected turn, and soon he discovers a trail of deaths that lead back to the door of Delilah's agency.

With suspicion hanging over someone they both care for, the two feuding neighbours soon realize that they need to work together to solve the mystery of the dating deaths. But working together is easier said than done . . .

Review: This book is the first in the Dales Detective Series, by Julia Chapman, an author new to me. It appealed to me as a lover of detective stories, and also someone familiar with the Yorkshire Dales, where the action is set. The book has an extremely eye-catching and colourful cover, featuring some items and scenery typical of the area. The story drew me in from page one and was a quick and easy read. 

The story revolves around Samson O'Brien, returning to his home town of Bruncliffe after a long absence, and Delilah Metcalfe, a member of a well established local family and proprietor of the Dales Dating Agency. After having left under a cloud, Samson isn't welcomed back with open arms by many of the townspeople, but he and Delilah soon find their paths crossing as he establishes the Dales Detective Agency and sets out to investigate some suspicious goings-on. Although these are the central characters in the story, there is also a full cast of interesting and amusing people typical of those you might find in such a community. It would be wrong not to mention Delilah's lovely and ever present Weimaraner dog, Tolpuddle, a big softie. 

I really enjoyed this story, with its tense moments and sprinkling of humour. The characters were genuine and believable, while the plot was clever and kept me guessing for quite a while. Even once I'd guessed 'whodunnit' there were still some surprises round the corner. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a bit of mystery and adventure. I'm certainly looking forward to reading the next book in the series, due out later in the year. 

To order your copy now, just click the link! UK or US

Review: I Woke Up Dead At the Mall by Judy Sheehan

When Sarah wakes up dead at the Mall of America, she learns that not only was shemurdered, her killer is still on the loose. A contemporary YA novel with a hauntingly supernatural twist that tackles some of life’s – and the afterlife’s – biggest questions.  
When you’re sixteen, you have your whole life ahead of you. Unless you’re Sarah. Not to give anything away, but . . . she’s dead. Murdered, in fact. Sarah’s murder is shocking because she couldn’t be any more average. No enemies. No risky behavior. She’s just the girl on the sidelines.

It looks like her afterlife, on the other hand, will be pretty exciting. Sarah has woken up dead at the Mall of America—where the universe sends teens who are murdered—and with the help of her death coach, she must learn to move on or she could meet a fate totally worse than death: becoming a mall walker.

As she tries to finish her unfinished business alongside her fellow dead teens, Sarah falls hard for a cute boy named Nick. And she discovers an uncanny ability to haunt the living. While she has no idea who killed her, or why, someone she loves is in grave danger. Sarah can’t lose focus or she’ll be doomed to relive her final moments again and again forever. But can she live with herself if she doesn’t make her death matter?

Review: This book was so much more than what I was expecting it to be. I originally picked this up because of my interest in the mall of American (shopping is my sport of choice, what can I say?) but this turned out to be a magical story about the afterlife and what we expect it to be versus what we actually expect it to be. I really enjoyed this aspect of the storyline, despite being someone who doesn't necessarily enjoy magical or fantastical novels. I found it to be well explained, it was all logical and made sense and therefore I could cope with the idea of viewing ones funeral or having a special floor of the mall just for the dead to roam around!

I liked getting to know the characters in this book too. We have five young people who have all been murdered and all come from New York City. In fact, they find that they all lived in the same neighbourhood as each other. Where some of them died a while ago, some of them died at virtually the same time, did they know each other in their former lives? I liked the fact that there was a bit of conflict between the characters, but also the relationships that they formed with one another. Sarah is our main character and so we see things through her. She has had it tough in life, but not as tough as some of the others and there is definitely more to her than meets the eye!

Of course I loved the setting. There is a particular scene where they go down to the aquarium and another where the ride the roller coaster and I really enjoyed reliving my trip to MOA alongside them. The description is great though, particularly the scenes in New York and so if you haven't been to either of these places, you will definitely feel at home there after reading this book!

As I say, this book isn't quite what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed what I got. Perhaps there could be further clarity on the jacket as to what to expect, but if you are ready to suspend your disbelief and you are ready for a little bit of magic, then I am sure you will enjoy this story of teens and their afterlives.

To order your copy now, click here!

Review: The Cafe In Fir Tree Park by Katey Lovell

Maggie’s café is at the very heart of Fir Tree Park. Business is booming, her lemon drizzle is the stuff of legend, her children are happy and life is good. But she hasn’t had it easy. When her husband Clint was sent to prison, she had to raise Josh and Kelly alone. But Clint can’t hurt them now, and there’s no denying that Paolo, the Italian football coach she spies every weekend out on the green, is more than easy on the eye.

It may be summer outside, but a new arrival in Fir Tree Park sends an icy chill through the café…

Review: I am a big fan of Katey Lovell's writing, I loved her previous novel and am an avid reader of her Meet Cute series and this new offering did not let me down. This is a meaty story with plenty of romance, a bit of diversity and a bit of scandal and intrigue and it all balances out to be an excellent read. This is the perfect summer read as well (I read most of it sitting in the sunshine and was glad I did) because it is set in a park and will definitely make you want to get out there and be at one with nature, or just sit and have a picnic of several different kinds of cake. 

This story features mini story lines for various different characters that all tie together in some way, at first you don't know how but the fact that you know they will eventually makes this a well-paced read because you are constantly reading on to find out what will happen to character A or character B in the next chapter and sometimes you don't find out until a couple of chapters time. I really like Maggie who really does bring everybody together in the form of her cake shop. She serves delicious sounding cakes and is the voice of reason for many of the other characters. She also has a bit of a romantic storyline as well and so I really felt like I connected with her. 

All of the characters are easy to relate to, even those with a bit of a past and that makes this read very easy to get into. I really loved getting to know Pearl and Fern, Kelly and Carrick and it was interesting working out how they were all connected. This is definitely very easy to read because of the way it is structured, the chapters are short and so you don't realise how quickly you are reading, trying to find out how things between and for the characters are going to play out. Overall this was really enjoyable. if this is your first book by this author, then you are sure to have a good time and if, like me, you are a fan then you won't be let down. Definitely read this one now whilst it is still summer and you can go out and enjoy your local Fir Tree Park!

To order your copy now, click here!

Review: I Found You by Lisa Jewell

Everyone has secrets. What if you can't remember yours? 

'How long have you been sitting out here?'
'I got here yesterday.'
'Where did you come from?'
'I have no idea.'

Lily has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from work one night, she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one. 

Alice finds a man on the beach outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, no idea what he is doing there. Against her better judgement, she invites him into her home.

But who is he, and how can she trust a man who has lost his memory?

Two women, twenty years of secrets and a man who can't remember lie at the heart of Lisa Jewell's brilliant new novel.

Review: As the years have gone on, Lisa Jewell's writing has taken on a whole new form. This novel is really quite different from her previous novels, it reminded me a lot of The Truth about Melody Brown but with a male protagonist instead, I really enjoyed this very original novel!

This book is told from varying times and narratives, all woven together with Lisa Jewell's fabulous linguistic skill. The way this book is structured, it draws you in and makes you definitely utter that phrase 'one more chapter!' I think this was definitely my favourite aspect of this novel. I love a dual or multiple narrative, and because of the mystery aspect of this particular novel, you have to keep reading on to see what clues there are, as to the mystery man, in the next section of the book!

I didn't necessarily warm to the characters in this novel as much as I did to some of the other characters that Lisa has created. Lily's side of the story is definitely very interesting and definitely helps lead us to who the mystery man might be, but we don't learn an awful lot about her as a person, we don't need to, and so I think this is why I didn't warm to her. Alice is the classic mother hen and I really like the fact that she has to push her own boundaries in order to look closer to see not just a man who needs her help but someone she can help discover who he is! The man in question is definitely interesting and I loved finding out more and more about him and the story unravels. 

Another things about this book that I definitely did identify with was that one of the main families is from Harrogate and another is from Croydon, that's basically my marriage and so that was fun to read! Overall this was an incredibly engrossing book. I love Lisa Jewell as a writer and she has the power to hook me in and keep me turning pages until that book is done! I definitely recommend this book to Lisa Jewell fans, and if you are new to this author then you are definitely in for a treat!

To order your copy now, click here!

Guest Review: Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage by Teresa F Morgan

Gorgeous as he is, Maddy Hart’s first meeting with her stubborn new neighbour strikes plenty of sparks – and not in a good way! Only when someone sets fire to her house, it’s Harry Tudor, ex-fire-fighter turned landscape gardener, who comes to her rescue, generously throwing open his own home to Maddy – and her cat – during the investigation.

Such close proximity to Harry’s mouth-wateringly muscular body soon has Maddy properly hot under the collar! But falling into bed with him is one thing; getting him to open up about his past is clearly another

Review: I have not come across this author before, but I am glad that I got the chance to read this latest book of hers. I found it grabbed me right from the start and had me spellbound; I just had to keep reading right to the end. It was a really easy read, but in no way lacking in detail, and with mystery and drama mixed in with romance to keep the reader guessing just what was going to happen next. 

The story is set in the fictional Cornish village of Tinners Bay, where the heroine, Maddy, has recently opened a gallery selling her own paintings as well as those of other artists. When she returns home one day to find her house on fire, she is taken in by her neighbour, ex-firefighter turned landscaper Harry. However, not wanting to outstay her welcome, she is pleased to be offered temporary accommodation in Wisteria Cottage, a seaside property being renovated by its new owners. This brings her into contact with slightly slimy builder Simon, while hovering in the background is Maddy's creepy ex-boyfriend Connor. There are quite a few other notable characters as well, such as Valerie, an old friend of Maddy's family, and also an adorable cat, Sookie. 

I found this whole story really enjoyable. The Cornish seaside setting is well described, right down to the cream teas and noisy seagulls. The characters are strong, with plenty of history to be discovered as the pages progress. I loved the way in which the author incorporated mystery and danger into a really romantic tale, and that there was a proper hero. I could predict what was going to happen early on, but I had no idea how it was going to play out. It was good, too that there was quite a bit of humour going on. If, like me, you haven't read any of Teresa F Morgan's other books, you may well want to be looking for them once you have finished reading this one; I know I will. 

To order your copy now, just click here!