Guest Review: The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom

For sale: Greek cottage. Price: One Euro.

Skye doesn’t make impulsive decisions. But when she sees a derelict Greek cottage for sale by lottery, she enters with dreams of a fresh start.

However, her heart sinks as she pushes open the tattered blue door weeks later. Can this wreck ever be her home?

Then Skye finds a bundle of letters hidden in the fireplace, their faded pages drawing her in with a story of long-forgotten love, tragedy, and unbelievable bravery.

But all the while, Skye’s own past is circling. No matter how far she goes, fate is never far behind…

Review: I have enjoyed many books from Izzy Broom (more familiar to me as Isabelle), all with amazing settings and captivating storylines. This book has the most fabulous cover, that leaves the reader in no doubt that they are going to be transported to Greece but gives no clue of the mystery about to unfold in this dual-time story.

When Skye, desperate for a new start away from her stressful life, sees an announcement stating that a derelict house on a small Greek island could be hers if she wins a lottery, she doesn’t hesitate to pay the €1 entrance fee. She can’t believe her luck when she wins and quickly makes arrangements to make the journey to her new home. One of the conditions of the competition is that she must restore the cottage to its original state within a time period, but that shouldn’t be difficult, should it? However, she’s not so sure once she actually sees the state her house is in. With help of local builder Andreas, Skye knuckles down to the restoration task. As she explores the house, she finds a bundle of old letters which gradually tell of what happened to its owners and the island during the Second World War. She becomes immersed in what emerges as a tragic love story, all the while unaware that her own past she left behind more recently is catching up on her.

I really loved this amazing story set in the past and the present. The mystery attached to what was found in the old house had me enthralled. The way in which the author gradually revealed the building’s secrets was very clever. The story was so skilfully told that I could imagine myself walking amongst the dusty ruins enjoying Skye’s view of the mountains and the Mediterranean, and also tasting some gorgeous Greek dishes. Skye is an incredible character, in her own way just as brave as the islanders were during the wartime occupation. She was lucky to find help in the shape of ruggedly handsome Andreas, who patiently found nothing too much bother in helping her. I was also, however, aware that Skye had to keep her whereabouts a secret, which added an air of danger to the story. Altogether, I thought this was a wonderful book which gets my recommendation.

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Review: The Lottery Winner Widows Club

Meet The Lottery Winner Widows Club - a fabulous, filthy-rich sisterhood whose husbands all hit the jackpot . . . and then mysteriously dropped dead.

Paula is having a surreal week. Having just lost her husband, John, in a freak car accident, she's utterly gobsmacked when, two days later, she wins the lottery - with the ticket he bought.

Just as she thinks things can't get crazier, Paula is approached by a tight-knit trio of glamorous women - also jackpot winners - with dead husbands, suspiciously large bank accounts . . . and a very specific interest in Paula.

They tell her that they've been where she is now. That grief looks good on her. That freedom does, too. There's just one problem: Paula didn't kill her husband. She loved him, of course.

But something about their world - lavish, secretive, thrilling - is hard to resist. And when word of Paula's jackpot win spreads and others come sniffing around for a share, she's faced with the ultimate choice: hold onto her old life, or accept help from her new friends, whose methods are a little more . . . unconventional.

Review: I went into The Lottery Winner Widows Club already a fan of Elly Vine’s books written under her other name, Lucy Vine, so I was really curious to see what she’d do differently here. And it definitely is different-darker, sharper, and with a delicious edge that makes it clear why she chose to publish under another name. This isn’t your typical rom-com territory; it leans much more into suspense and secrets, and I was hooked by the premise alone.

The story centres primarily around Paula, with the other three women forming the rest of the lottery-winning widows’ group around her-and what a group they are. All four are lottery winners and all are widows, which immediately gives the book that slightly sinister, “what really happened?” energy. If you loved The Housemaid (or its film adaptation), this one will absolutely be for you. I really enjoyed getting to know Paula first and then gradually peeling back the layers of the other women in the club. Watching their friendships unfold was such a highlight-they know how to have a fabulous time, but they’re also fiercely protective of one another. There’s real loyalty there, even if everything isn’t quite as glossy as it first appears.

What really makes this book shine is the underlying message: you truly never know what’s going on behind closed doors. Everyone has secrets, and this novel peels them back layer by layer in such a satisfying way. And let’s just say… revenge is most definitely a dish best served cold here. It’s sharp, entertaining, and packed with twists-a bold and intriguing departure from the author’s previous work that I thoroughly enjoyed.

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Guest Review: Eject! Eject! By John Nichol

Since the invention of the ejection seat in the 1940s, tens of thousands of lives have been saved - including John Nichol's. Now, Nichol tells the incredible story of the ejection seat in war and in peace - and of the men and women who were given a second chance at life after facing disaster. 

Escaping is just the first step to making it home alive, so we hear of thrilling rescues from enemy territory, of capture in North Vietnam, of surviving high-speed mid-air collisions, how ejection can lead to extraordinary tales of discovery and redemption.

Packed with gripping action and cutting-edge science, Eject! Eject! is fuelled by dramatic, deeply moving and previously unheard first-hand accounts.

Because pulling the yellow-and-black ejection handle is just the start of the story.

 

Review: This is a book about aeroplane ejector seats. As aeroplane development during the 1930s and 1940s meant that they flew faster, particularly with the introduction of the jet engine, it became increasingly difficult for aircrew to bail out in an emergency. Hence the development of the ejector seat. One of the pioneers in this field in the United Kingdom was the Martin-Baker Aircraft Company. Its chief engineer James Martin was inspired following the death of his business partner Valentine Baker in an aeroplane accident. Based on interviews, official accident reports and his own personal experience, the author John Nichol presents a history of the development of ejector systems together with numerous accounts of their use. He is well qualified for this subject, having used a Martin-Baker ejector seat in 1991 when his aircraft was shot down during the First Gulf War.

The book follows the ejector seat’s development and testing, followed by the first ejection from a stricken aircraft in 1949, through peacetime incidents and various conflicts up to the time of publication in 2023. Although it tends to concentrate on British developments, there is coverage of other ejection systems, such as the American Stanley and ACES ejector seats, and also incidents involving other countries’ air forces. The fate of aircrew following their ejection over enemy territory during conflicts is also covered. The book is illustrated with numerous photographs. Although most ejections are straightforward, problems can arise and I should add a warning that some of the descriptions of injuries suffered when being thrust out of an aircraft flying at high speed are quite graphic. As an interesting and informative account of a little-known aspect of flying fast jets by someone with first hand experience, I would recommend this book.

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Guest Review: Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge by Alison Sherlock

A family and hotel in desperate need of help…

Maple Tree Lodge Hotel has been home to the Jackson family for over a century. Following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin and if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads, tough decisions need to be made.

With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister enlists the talents of cash strapped, best friend and interior designer Lily Watson. Lily jumps at the chance to showcase her talents and to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve herself a successful career doing what she loves.

However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the complete opposite to what Ben has in mind for a minimalistic, modern makeover and fireworks ensue!

Can they work together to save Maple Tree Lodge?

Can Lily help Ben and his family find a future together?

And can Ben show Lily that there's more to life than work?

As autumn begins to weave its magic spell, perhaps Lily will discover somewhere to finally call home and find a reason to stay ...

Review: This is the first book in a new series (The Maple Tree Lodge Hotel) from this author. Having read and thoroughly enjoyed some of Alison’s other series of books, I am looking forward to meeting some new characters in these new stories, set in the picturesque Cotswolds.

This story centres on jobless and homeless interior designer Lily Wilson, who has arrived at Maple Tree Lodge, home to her friend, Hannah Jackson, with a view to helping with renovation of the family-run Cotswolds hotel which is in financial difficulty. Lily has been struggling to establish herself in the career she is passionate about and hopes that she can show off her talents by designing a cosy and comfy interior for this building in keeping with its attractive surroundings. However, she instantly meets with resistance in the form of Hannah’s brother, Ben, who has a very different vision of a sleek and modern makeover for the hotel. Lily is convinced she has the right idea, but how can she persuade Ben that she knows what she is doing? Not only is the future of the hotel at stake, but also that of the Jackson family who are being pulled apart by the hotel’s troubles. As she becomes closer to the family, and Ben in particular, Lily feels that she may have found a home in Maple Tree Lodge.

This was a great start to the new book series. It was full of drama, from Lily’s incredible arrival at the lodge to the family disagreements, humour and romance. I loved the characters, in particular Lily and Ben. Lily had such passion for what she was trying to achieve, while Ben was stubborn but had his family’s wellbeing at heart. Lily’s friend Hannah was always baking wonderful sweet delights which I hope will resurface in further stories in the series. I was pleased to find a few characters from Alison’s earlier books popping up as well in minor roles. After reading this book, I am really looking forward to my next visit to Maple Tree Lodge.

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Guest Review: A Cottage in the Country by Katie Fforde

She's found her dream home but can she make her dreams a reality?

Hattie finds other people their dream homes for a living.

Surely she, of all people, has the connections and the knowledge to find her own forever home? Instead, she baffles those closest to her by choosing to pack up and move every few months from one housesitting job to the next.

Of course, that's because she knows where she wants to live. It's a beautiful house owned by a lovely old woman who'd simply love for Hattie to have it.

But nothing is ever that simple.

There's Clive who refuses to listen to his great-aunt's wishes about her house. There's Luke, Hattie's oldest friend, who just wants to see her happy. And there's Hattie herself. It might take a difficult client, an awkward teenager and a couple of dogs to help her see what really makes a house a home.

As soon as I saw the cover of Katie Fforde’s latest book, I knew I was in for a trip to the countryside with some interesting characters, and their dogs. This was one of those stories that had me hooked from the very start and was finished all too soon, leaving me missing the now familiar people I had met.

The story concerns Hattie, whose job, when she is not match-making, is to find the perfect home for other people. However, she has no home of her own, preferring to house-sit for others, moving every few months. Hattie has found the home of her dreams, but it is owned by an elderly lady who is her friend but who can’t sell her the cottage even though she would dearly love to do just that. What’s more, her great-nephew is suspicious of Hattie’s friendship with his aunt. Her family can’t understand Hattie’s nomadic life, but she is lucky to have some supportive friends, including Luke, who would do anything for her. When Hattie’s sister asks her to look after her teenage son, she is worried that he may not fit into her lifestyle, but finds him surprisingly good company. As it begins to look as though Hattie will have to find a permanent home once and for all, can she find the perfect match?

I enjoyed reading this charming, romantic story set in the picturesque Cotswolds. For me, Hattie was quite an unusual, if likeable, character. Having spotted the home she would dearly love to own, she could not imagine living anywhere else. Likewise, despite matching other people who were meant for each other, she could not seem to see the perfect partner for herself in a friend who was always ready with help when she needed it. I loved the relationship that Hattie built up with her teenage nephew; more than anyone in the family, he seemed to understand her. There was a touch of the supernatural in the story that I found a little out of place, but it did not spoil my enjoyment. All in all, this is a perfect book to settle down with and escape into the country for a few hours.

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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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