Category: Fiction

Categories
Fiction Romance

Table For One, Emma Gannon

Willow is a thirty-something-year-old woman who has everything worked out (well at least to society’s standards). She has the partner, the career and the house. However, when her boyfriend unexpectedly dumps her, Willow lands on a trajectory with no clear direction. What makes it harder is all her friends’ lives appear to be moving forward, while Willow finds herself moving in the opposite direction.

We follow Willow as she navigates her heartbreak- and, more importantly, rekindles a very important relationship – the one with herself.

Table For One is the perfect book for anyone in their thirties who is feeling like they should have it all figured out but don’t. It’s a heartfelt and relatable reminder that it’s okay to hit pause, to slow down, and to get back to the things you enjoy. Emma Gannon writes with warmth, but also humour making even the heavier moments feel light and comforting.

Themes explored in the book include the impact of social media, and the fact that sometimes people are hiding behind a curated narrative, the power and complexities of female friendships, relationships, and the pressures placed particularly on millennial women to follow a timeline.

From a personal perspective I did struggle a little to connect with some of the anti-relationship sentiments (maybe that’s because I’m a married millennial lol). However, the overall message- that self-love and remaining true to your identities and values, as well as the fact you don’t need to have it all figured out or stick to an imaginary timeline – really resonated.

Categories
Fiction

We All Live Here, JoJo Moyes

Welcome to the Kennedy household. Lila’s last bestseller was about keeping your marriage alive – ironic, considering her ex-husband was having an affair with another school mum. Meanwhile, following the death of her mother, her stepdad Bill has moved in and is driving her nuts. Her eldest daughter is struggling at school, her dog’s incessant barking is upsetting the neighbours, and if that’s not enough, her estranged father Gene has turned up on her doorstep.

Wherever Gene goes, domestic discord follows, but does his presence lead to unexpected changes? If so, how?

JoJo Moyes’ books aren’t typically my go-to genre, but like many of her other novels, I always find them uplifting. They are feel-good but not cheesy and often highlight life’s imperfections in a relatable way. We All Live Here is no exception; it’s a domestic drama about a household who could not be further from your cereal packet family – but also about all the beautiful imperfections which come with it.

This is a very character driven novel, where each individual is memorable, distinctive, and dealing with their own set of problems. It is interesting to see how each of their journeys develop.

Themes in the book include family, divorce, grief, heartbreak, forgiveness, and redemption. Despite the fictional book and the humour which runs through the narrative, these themes are all explored in a way that feels authentic.  

Overall a fun read. Relatable, feel-good and humorous, it captures the messy, beautiful complexity of family life.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

Hollow Grave, Kate Webb

A chance discovery which presents new evidence into Nazma Kirmani’s disappearance. A prospecting archaeologist, Nazama went missing twenty one years earlier when a site was being excavated in the grounds of Trusloe Hall for a TV documentary.

The case was closed after Nazma presented herself at a police station back in 1999, but what does this new evidence suggest, and can DI Lockyer and DC Gemma Broad help find the truth for Nazma’s family whose lives have been in upheaval for more than two decades?

Hollow Grave is a cold case mystery – perfect for any fans of ITV’s ‘Unforgotten’. It is  the third installment of the DI Lockyer series, following ‘Stay Buried’, and ‘Laying Out The Bones’. Whilst it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in order for extra depth. The character development over the trio of novels has been phenomenal and all three books have been compelling.

Hollow Grave goes above and beyond most mystery books, and does an outstanding job of highlighting so many other themes throughout the book, which is a testament to the author Kate Webb. In addition to themes of grief and inequalities which have been present throughout the predecessors, Hollow Grave also touches upon the subjects of loneliness, new parenthood racism, domestic abuse, power and control.

Once again I’m blown away at how Kate Webb manages to have so many different storylines and so many well developed complex characters, and yet somehow it all comes together.

Overall 5 stars… the countdown to book four is on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC. Hollow Grave will be published on 13th March 2025.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

The Personal Assistant, Becki Willis

They say bad things come in threes, and for Lexi, that’s certainly true. After losing her phone, having her purse stolen, and getting fired, her life seems to be falling apart. But when she’s offered a lifeline – a job as a personal assistant to the millionaire businesswoman Mrs Lilian Sampson – things are looking up. However, it doesn’t take Lexi long to realise something isn’t quite right about Lilian or the company she inherited from her late husband. As the story unravels you’ll be kept on the edge of your seat.

The Personal Assistant is a fast paced psychological thriller, with suspense and intrigue. This was my first Becki Willis book, and I was hooked by her engaging writing style. The plot was innovative, with plenty going on, and I didn’t find it predictable at all. While I was initially taken aback by the secondary storyline (when you read it – you’ll know), it ended up adding another dimension the plot of which the psychology behind was intriguing.

The majority of the characters are well-developed, with Lexi standing out as a strong, likeable female protagonist. It’s easy to root for her as she navigates the twists which this book has to offer.  There were one or two secondary characters who I felt could have been fleshed out more to help us better understand them.

Overall, the twists throughout the novel keep you gripped, and the ending was completely unpredictable I didn’t see it coming and genuinely felt my jaw drop!  This is a perfect read for fans of psychological thrillers. 4/5 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Personal Assistant is out on the 24th September 2024.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

A Good Place To Hide A Body, Laura Marshall

For many women of Penny’s age, helping elderly parents is a natural part of life. But for Penny, things have taken a more serious turn.

One night, Penny receives a frantic call from her parents. No, they haven’t had a fall – they’ve killed someone, and his body is in the garden right next to the rose bushes!

Laura Marshall is an authors whose books I pick up without a second thought. They are always fast-paced, gripping, and consistently shocking. So, when I had the opportunity to read A Good Place to Hide A Body, I was thrilled to dive in.

First things first: you should never judge a book by its cover, but I have to admit I was drawn to the vibrant cover of this one (that green will look beautiful on the bookshelf!) The caption ‘Everyone is Capable of Murder. They just need to meet the right person’, promised a suspenseful journey and the book certainly delivered.  

The prologue introduces the main event, making it engaging from the very first page. Laura Marshall’s use of short chapters adds to the bris pace. One writing technique I’ve noticed across her works is how she portrays ordinary characters. By this I mean, we often expect perpetrators to stand out, but her characters could easily be you, or me, which adds an extra layer of suspense. I felt warm towards the main character in the book.

I really enjoyed the characterisation in the book. The characters were all quite stereotypical, but this added some humour to the story, and I felt warm towards the main character Penny. She faces so many relatable problems, such as caring for ageing parents, parenting teenagers, dealing with grief, juggling a full time job, divorce and co-parenting. I emphasised with her struggles and could truly feel the pressure she was under.

To summarise, Laura Marshall has crafted yet another page-turner with A Good Place To Hide A Body. It’s a compelling read that keeps you on the edge of your seat, if you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers, this book is a must read. Five Stars.

With thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC. A Good Place To Hide A Body is out on the 4th July 2024.

Categories
Fiction

Scripted, Fearne Cotton

Jade is stuck in the middle of her chaotic family and taken for granted by her self-obsessed boyfriend, Adam. Amidst all the unruliness, she has forgotten how to speak for herself. One day, while out for a run, a mysterious, untitled script appears, predicting an infuriating row with Adam. Later, the scene becomes reality, with Adam getting his way. As more scripts appear, Jade realises everyone but her seems to call the shots.

Can Jade make a new future for herself—one with boundaries and self-respect—or is she doomed to a destiny of people-pleasing and being walked over?

I am a huge fan of Fearne Cotton, so receiving an ARC of her first piece of fiction was incredibly special. The imaginative concept is very original, and I find Fearne’s writing style engaging. The character development in the book was flawless. I enjoyed the family dynamics and found them utterly relatable. If you have never been a people pleaser, I can understand why the main character may be viewed as infuriating. However, if you have a tendency to put others’ needs before your own and struggle to say ‘no,’ then you will undoubtedly relate to Jade.

While a fictitious book, pearls of wisdom are exquisitely woven throughout, allowing us all to take something from it. The themes in the book really dig deep; it not only highlights the horrific tendencies of people-pleasing but also shows how life can pass us by if we continue with habits we’ve fallen into with those around us. The complexities of family and the problems that come with them are deeply explored. The importance of having people to talk to or safe places to escape from the daily grind shines through, and there is a stark reminder that even those who appear to have it perfect on the outside don’t have it all worked out. Most significantly, it reminds us that we have the power of choice and can forge our own path.

Overall, beautifully written, empowering, and relatable. Five stars. The Script is out tomorrow (6th June 2024).

Thank you to Michael Joseph and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

Laying Out The Bones, Kate Webb

Following flash floods, something sinister is brought to the ground’s surface; a human skeleton. Forensic tests soon reveal that the body belongs to Lee Geary, a man who went missing nine years earlier and the case is passed to DI Lockyer to solve.

As Lockyer digs into Geary’s past he unveils the fact that Geary was questioned during the same year he went missing in relation to another crime- the murder of Holly Gilbert.

Alongside DC Gemma Broad, Lockyer delves deeper and discovers a web of mysteries which he is left to untangle.

At last! The long awaited sequel to Stay Buried has arrived. Laying Out The Bones is the next in the DI Lockyer series. With such a high standard to follow I was relieved the second book in the series did disappoint!

Laying Out The Bones is another fast paced, multifaceted mystery about unsolved murders and buried secrets. The story spans over a long timeframe, and involves many characters with intertwining stories- the fact Kate Webb pulls this off is truly a testament to her writing skill. Very much like the first book – every character is well thought out, and despite there being so many you really gather an insight into each of their histories, struggles and motivations.

Similarly to its prequel the series continues to highlight themes surrounding inequalities, grief and injustice. I thought these were presented well and added substance to the story, evoking emotion beyond your typical crime mystery/thriller.

Overall, Laying Out The Bones is masterfully crafted, from compelling characters to intricate plot twists and with the book ending on a cliffhanger, I am very hopeful this is not the last of DI Lockyer. 5 stars.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

A Death at the Party, Amy Stuart

Nadine Walsh is hosting a party for her mother’s 60th birthday. As she prepares to welcome her guests, she appears distracted. Her husband is of little help, her teenage children are going through their own problems, and she has secrets of her own which threaten to destroy her perfect party.

By the end of the night, Nadine will be standing over a dead body in the basement, but how did it come to this and how far will Nadine go to keep her secrets buried?

A Death at the Party is a slow burning domestic thriller. Forget ‘whodunnit’. This is a ‘whydunnit’ and ‘whoisdun’, as the mystery surrounds which of the party attendees has met their demise, and why.

Some novels lose readers because they get off to a slow start. This is the complete opposite; Amy Stuart was not messing here as she starts with the ending.  Just reading those first few introductory pages had me gripped as I needed to know how we got there.  

Despite some flashbacks to past events which help us to understand the history of some of the characters, much of the book purely spans over the timeframe of just one day. Split into three parts; morning, afternoon and evening, with an undeniable amount of tension building throughout. Having a book written over such a short time span, and still managing to build the level of suspense which A Death at the Party does is a testament to the author.

I enjoyed the characters, particularly the main protagonist Nadine. She wasn’t overly likeable, but she was very real.  She came across as a good wife, mother, and daughter and yet she also made mistakes. Her suspicious nature added to the mystery for me, and many of her actions were unsurprising given what she had gone through as a child. In addition to Nadine, all the other characters were well thought out, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and many of whom have their own secrets.

Themes in the book include loyalty, grief, and family secrets. There was also a clear gender divide in the book, there was a lot of focus on the complexities of the lives of women, with many of the males coming across as mistrustful and having inappropriate intentions, representing some of the inequalities we see in society.  Overall, the focus on family bonds was powerful, reminding us just how complex families can be and the lengths which people may go to protect their loved ones.

Overall a thoroughly engaging domestic thriller with compelling characters and a gripping plot.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

The Girl in the Dark, Deirdre Palmer

Ellen Randall, chilled by the January wind at a train station, spots a red scarf and is startled by the wearer’s identity. Three weeks later, a man explores an abandoned station, finding Ellen in distress. She confesses to having intentionally killed someone, surprising him with her confession.

The Girl in the Dark is a riveting psychological thriller with a brilliantly crafted plot that constantly challenges your assumptions. Just when you think you have it figured out, the story takes a thrilling twist.

Deirdre Palmer skillfully employs a multi-narrative approach, allowing readers to reach into the minds of various characters and experience the story from their unique experiences. The characters were well-rounded, some more flawed than others but the psychological exploration of their unique struggles added depth and intrigue to the story.

Profound themes are explored in this gripping tale. These include but are not limited to grief, the influence of memories on our thought process, the enduring impact of early life experience, while also shedding light on the poignant issues of suicide and loneliness.

The author’s post-epilogue reflection on the inspiration behind the story, especially the exploration of London’s secret underground locations, was a unique and intriguing addition to the book’s conclusion. It not only added a fresh perspective but also offered a fascinating glimpse into the history of London’s underground network. It’s clear that the author invested a substantial amount of research to craft this captivating tale.

Overall a gripping psychological thriller which I enjoyed from start to finish.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. The Girl in the Dark is out now.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

The Lost Daughter, Jane Adams

Three years ago Ashley Summers watched the love of her life drop dead in a supermarket. She has no idea how to ever move on from this but then she meets Tim Bennett, who is kind and caring.

It all appears perfect, until one day Ashley is gone. The family turn to ex-detective Ray Flowers who quickly can confirm that Tim Bennett is not who he says he is – after all Tim Bennett is a good friend of his.

So who is Ashley’s boyfriend?

The Lost Daughter is book five in the Ray Flowers series. I personally have not read the first four, and whilst this didn’t hinder my experience, I think reading the others may have been beneficial in terms of understanding some of the characters a bit more.

The premise of the book starts with a missing woman but quickly develops to so much more than that! I thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the book, there is a lot of action and many characters which meant the book had many layers too and kept it exciting. The only disappointing bit was the end felt a bit of anti-climax -having had so much action I expected something slightly more jaw-dropping.

Overall a fast paced, action thriller, four stars.