Dot Scribbles

All change here!

2020-05-02T19:48:00.003+01:00

I have made the decision to stop doing written reviews on here for a little while. I shall keep this page open but for the time being I shall be posting my reviews on Instagram via videos and grid posts. I love sharing my love of books and I seem to be doing more of that via other social media platforms so I am going to give it a go! I am dotscribbles on Instagram if you would like to keep up with my reviews on there!

BOOK REVIEW: How to Disappear by Gillian McAllister

2020-04-27T10:26:00.000+01:00

What do you do when you can't run, and you can't hide?

Lauren's daughter Zara witnessed a terrible crime. But speaking up comes with a price, and when Zara's identity is revealed online, it puts a target on her back.

The only choice is to disappear.

To keep Zara safe Lauren will give up everything and everyone she loves, even her husband.

There will be no goodbyes. Their pasts will be rewritten. New names, new home, new lives.

The rules are strict for a reason. They are being hunted. One mistake - a text, an Instagram like - could bring their old lives crashing into the new.

They can never assume someone isn't watching, waiting.

As Lauren will learn, disappearing is easy. Staying hidden is harder…

Publisher: Michael Joseph

How to Disappear is the first book that I have read by Gillian McAllister and it was fantastic, I will definitely be catching up with all of her previous books.

Lauren’s teenage daughter Zara witnesses a murder and decides to testify in court. Although the police promise to protect her, Zara’s identity is revealed on-line and now she is being hunted by those she spoke up against. When it becomes clear that there is a clear and direct threat to her life, Zara’s family are told that their only option is to enter the witness protection scheme. They will not say goodbye to their loved ones, they will have new identities and a new home. The problem is that Lauren’s husband Aiden is Zara’s step-dad, he has another daughter Poppy and he can’t leave her. Lauren makes the heartbreaking decision to protect her daughter so she leaves everyone and everything she loves in order to go with Zara. At first Lauren and Zara are almost relieved to be offered this chance of safety but they soon begin to understand just how difficult living a lie is. It’s so easy to slip up, a photo posted here or a desperate message sent to someone from their old life and they are being hunted again.

How to Disappear is quite literally thrilling, I felt as though I was holding my breath as McAliister maintains an unrelenting but perfect pace throughout. It is such a brilliant idea for a book and I loved how she added the conflict within the family so that Aiden has to stay and Lauren has to leave everything behind. I really liked Lauren and she felt so realistic, there are several points where she is brutally honest about the fact that she loves her daughter and would do anything to protect her but she is understandably angry that her daughter’s actions have destroyed the life she loved.

I was so impressed by the final few chapters, twist after twist leapt off the page, it was really well done and unexpected. Gillian McAllister has written a truly captivating story, I can highly recommend it.

Many thanks to Michael Joseph and Netgalley for gifting me a review copy.

BOOK REVIEW: Sunny Days and Sea Breezes by Carole Matthews

2020-04-22T06:00:00.000+01:00

Jodie Jackson is all at sea, in every sense.

On a ferry bound for the Isle of Wight, she's leaving her London life, her career, and her husband behind. She'd like a chance to turn back the clocks, but she'll settle for some peace and quiet on her brother Bill's beautifully renovated houseboat, Sunny Days.

But from the moment Jodie steps aboard her new home, it's clear she'll struggle to keep herself to herself. If it isn't Marilyn, who cleans for Bill and is under strict instructions to look after Jodie, then it's Ned, the noisy sculptor on the next-door houseboat. Ned's wood carving is hard on the ears, but it's made up for by the fact that he's rather easy on the eyes.

Bustled out of the boat by Marilyn and encouraged to explore with Ned, Jodie soon delights in her newfound freedom. But out of mind isn't out of sight, and when her old life comes knocking Jodie is forced to face reality. Will she answer the call or choose a life filled with Sunny Days and Sea Breezes?

Publisher: Sphere

Carole Matthews has written thirty-two books yet she still has something new to offer her readers. I’m sure I say this everytime Carole has a new book out but I think this is her best yet!

I loved everything about this book from the characters, to the setting, to the delightful cover. Jodie heads to her brother’s house boat on the Isle of Wight, she desperately needs to escape her life in London, including her husband Chris. Feeling as though she can’t face anyone, she is hoping for quiet and solitude and the island seems the perfect choice. Life has other ideas though; Marilyn bursts onto the boat, resplendent in bright leggings and jangly jewellery and then her new neighbour, Ned, strikes up his chainsaw to begin a new wooden sculpture. At first, Jodie wants to hide from these two but gradually she allows them in and surprisingly they become integral to her future.

I will happily hold my hands up and admit to having a huge crush on Ned, don’t you love it when that happens in a book! He is kind, caring and very easy on the eye. I really enjoyed this romantic aspect of the story; he goes out of his way to look after Jodie and this is before he has any romantic intentions.

Jodie develops greatly as a character and she is so different by the end of the book. She has suffered a great tragedy but it becomes apparent that she may have been settling in life long before then. She slowly opens herself up to actually enjoying her life, from wearing bright clothes to yoga sessions on the beach.

Marilyn is a real breath of fresh air in the story; she is the mother figure that Jodie needs, someone to care for her with no hidden agenda. She brings a lot of humour to the story and I loved how she brought Jodie out of her shell.

Sunny Days and Sea Breezes is such a lovely read and I know it will delight many readers. Many thanks to Carole Matthews and Sphere for inviting me to review this book.

BOOK REVIEW: The Memory Wood by Sam Lloyd

2020-04-17T09:03:00.000+01:00

Elijah has lived in the Memory Wood for as long as he can remember. It’s the only home he’s ever known.

Elissa has only just arrived. And she’ll do everything she can to escape.

When Elijah stumbles across thirteen-year-old Elissa, in the woods where her abductor is hiding her, he refuses to alert the police. Because in his twelve years, Elijah has never had a proper friend. And he doesn’t want Elissa to leave.

Not only that, Elijah knows how this can end. After all, Elissa isn’t the first girl he’s found inside the Memory Wood.

As her abductor’s behaviour grows more erratic, Elissa realises that outwitting strange, lonely Elijah is her only hope of survival. Their cat-and-mouse game of deception and betrayal will determine both their fates, and whether either of them will ever leave the Memory Wood . . .

Publisher: Bantam Press

Pages: 384

The Memory Wood is Sam Lloyd’s debut novel and it is truly gripping! I have sat and thought about how to review it as I really don’t want to give the plot away so apologies if this is rather short.

Elijah lives in the Memory Wood with his Mum and Dad and brother Kyle, he knows nothing else. He finds Elissa being held captive in a cabin in the wood and she’s not the first girl he’s found but Elissa is different and Elijah wants to be her friend. Elissa realises quickly that her only way to get out of there is to befriend Elijah, she is a very intelligent girl but she has no idea who Elijah is or how he got there too. Both of them are using each other but it is difficult to see who will win.

This book is so clever and the pace is fantastic. It very much reminded me of Belinda Bauer’s books with it’s dark, intense atmosphere, the tension does not let up from beginning to end. I lost count of the amount of twists and turns and the final one totally blew me away, Sam Lloyd knows how to shock his readers! Elijah and Elissa are both vulnerable but during the story they both have to face danger and take risks. Elissa is a chess player and Lloyd employs a chess analogy throughout the story which works so well. Elissa especially has to consider all of her moves and she is constantly striving to stay one step ahead of both Elijah and her captor.

The Memory Wood is beautifully eerie, I felt that Sam Lloyd’s descriptions were highly cinematic and this would be a fantastic film. Although you gradually become aware that this book is set in the UK, it has a slightly other-world feel. Elija’s point of reference is so narrow, this is what really played on my mind afterwards; he has been cut off from so many people and experiences, his behaviour is not normal but how could it be?

The Memory Wood will definitely be in my list of favourite books this year, I can highly recommend it.

BLOG TOUR: Conjure Women by Afia Atakora

2020-04-14T06:00:00.000+01:00

Conjure Women is a sweeping story that brings the world of the South before and after the Civil War vividly to life. Spanning eras and generations, it tells of the lives of three unforgettable women: Miss May Belle, a wise healing woman; her precocious and observant daughter Rue, who is reluctant to follow in her mother's footsteps as a midwife; and their master's daughter Varina. The secrets and bonds among these women and their community come to a head at the beginning of a war and at the birth of an accursed child, who sets the townspeople alight with fear and a spreading superstition that threatens their newly won, tenuous freedom.

Magnificently written, brilliantly researched, richly imagined, Conjure Women moves back and forth in time to tell the haunting story of Rue, Varina, and May Belle, their passions and friendships, and the lengths they will go to save themselves and those they love.

Publisher: 4th Estate

Pages: 416

Conjure Women is a fantastic debut from Afia Atakora. I was so impressed with her writing style, it is rich and vivid, you quickly become immersed in the story she is telling.
Three women dominate the story, Miss May Belle, her daughter Rue and their master's daughter Varina. The book follows these three before and after the Civil War, we see them during the last years of slavery and the first precarious years of freedom.
Miss May Belle is what is known as a Conjure Woman, she is known in the community for her healing and midwifery skills, when she dies, her daughter Rue takes over. Rue delivers a baby born within its caul and people are scared and superstitious. When others begin to fall ill, they blame it on the new child and start to believe that Rue may be a witch. Rue's skills that had been so valued suddenly become something that others fear.
Varina is the daughter of the plantation owner, even though her father is the master, she and Rue grew up together. They have a strange dynamic, Rue is one of the few that can understand Varina and actually gives her the attention and companionship that she craves.
I thought that Atakora showed how vulnerable people were after being freed as slaves, although it should be a time of celebration, they are exploited and preyed upon by other groups. Religion plays a big part in this and I really enjoyed this aspect of the book.
Conjure Women does not sugar coat this time period, Atakora shows the brutality and tensions on the plantation and the way in which the world was changing. It was fascinating to see how people's attitudes changed towards Rue, mainly out of fear. She is in a very vulnerable position and all she has done is try to help others.
I can highly recommend Conjure Women, Afia Atakora has written a debut that will have many talking.

Many thanks to 4th Estate for sending me a review copy and inviting me on the blog tour.

BLOG TOUR: The Gift of Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May

2020-04-12T06:00:00.000+01:00

All of our favourite characters from Cockleberry Bay are back in this final, heart warming story in the series. Including Hot, Rosa Smith's adorable dachshund and his new-born puppies.

Now successfully running the Cockleberry Café and wishing to start a family herself, Rosa feels the time is right to let her inherited Corner Shop go. However, her benefactor left one important legal proviso: that the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to somebody who really deserves it.

Rosa is torn. How can she make such a huge decision? And will it be the right one? Once the news gets out and goes public, untrustworthy newcomers appear in the Bay . . . their motives uncertain. With the revelation of more secrets from Rosa's family heritage, a new journey of unpredictable and life-changing events begins to unfold.

The Gift of Cockleberry Bay concludes this phenomenally successful series in typically brisk and bolshy style and will delight the many thousands of Rosa's fans.

I was so excited to be invited to take part in the blog tour for Nicola May's latest book, The Gift of Cockleberry Bay. It is the third in the series and just as delightful as the previous two.

Rosa and Josh are now happily married and Rosa is successfully running the Cockleberry Café, she knows it is time to pass on the Corner Shop where her story first started. However, it is not as simple as putting it up for sale, she can only pass it on to somebody who truly deserves such an opportunity. Rosa is feeling the pressure plus she is starting to try for a family of her own, life in the bay is changing and the peace and security that Rosa craves may be threatened.

Nicola May writes so warmly and I always feel as though I am visiting old friends when I read her books. Rosa is a great character, you can't help but like her and will her to be happy. She is not perfect though and that makes her more realistic as she does make mistakes as she goes along. I enjoy the dynamic between her and Josh, they are both very hard working and it is easy to see why they make such a good team.

May conjures up such an excellent community feel within her story, I can vividly picture the bay and it's many characters and it's fantastic to see how integral Rosa has become to the small knit community. Whilst I am sad that this is the final book in the trilogy, I was also pleased with how Nicola May finished her story; there's a few surprises along the way but it was perfect.

I can highly recommend this series of books, great story and great characters, they are a real treat.
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to join the blog tour!

BLOG TOUR: Running Into Trouble by Elle Spellman

2020-04-09T07:46:00.000+01:00

With little over twelve weeks until race day, three women are trying their hardest to focus on their ultimate goal – to run 26.2 miles.

For Hannah, it seems near impossible, her first attempt leaving her pained, sweaty and full of regret. But intent on winning back her husband, Hannah is determined to at least try.

Malika signed up to the race after finding a running medal of her friend Abbie’s, who died only a few weeks before. She once promised Abbie she would run a race with her, and she plans to keep that promise.

When an accident with an unruly dog brings Hannah and Malika together, they soon realise they’re training for the same race, and experienced runner Cassie offers to help them out. But running becomes the last thing on their minds when life gets in the way…

A funny, uplifting and surprising novel about female friendship, motherhood, love and loss, and getting through a whole marathon. Publisher: Orion Pages: 352

Running into Trouble by Elle Spellman is a highly entertaining read. As a relatively new runner, I was very excited to be invited to review this one as I knew I would be able to identify with some of the characters.

Spellman has three female leads, Hannah, Malika and Cassie, they all have their own sub-plots but training for a marathon brings them together and strong bonds are formed. All three women are running for a reason, grief, heartbreak, frustration and they do all they can to spur each other on.

I think Hannah was probably my favourite character and I felt that most of the humour came from her escapades. I could totally understand the fear she describes when stepping outside the front door to run for the first time. Just like Hannah, I felt that people would laugh at me and that I would look ridiculous. But very quickly, Hannah realises the benefits of running and how it changes how she feels physically and mentally.

Running into Trouble is a book about hope and positivity, it’s about not putting off things you have thought about doing. It’s also about friendship and how we can lift each other up in order to face challenges together. Many thanks to Orion for inviting me to be part of this blog tour!

BOOK REVIEW: The Vanished Bride by Bella Ellis

2020-04-07T10:44:00.001+01:00

Yorkshire 1845

A young woman has gone missing from her home, Chester Grange, leaving no trace, save a large pool of blood in her bedroom and a slew of dark rumours about her marriage. A few miles away, the daughters of a humble parson, Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte are horrified, yet intrigued.

Desperate to find out more, the sisters visit Chester Grange where they notice several unsettling details about the crime scene not least the absence of an investigation. Together the young women realise that their boundless imaginations could help solve the mystery- and that if they don’t attempt to find out what happened to Elizabeth Chester, no one else will.

The path to the truth is not an easy one, especially in a society which believes a woman’s place to be in the home, not wandering the countryside looking for clues. But nothing will stop the sisters from discovering what happened to the vanished bride, even if they find their own lives are in great peril…

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Bella Ellis is the pseudonym for the fantastic Rowan Coleman. I love this author’s writing and I love the Bronte sisters so I knew I had to read this book.

The Vanished Bride mixes the facts that we know about Emily, Charlotte and Anne Bronte with a little bit of artistic licence as Bella Ellis imagines the three sisters acting as amateur detectives. When they hear about Elizabeth Chester going missing from Chester Grange, they are intrigued. They know the governess there so they are able to visit and see the situation for themselves, Elizabeth Chester’s room was discovered covered in blood but there was no sign of the mistress herself. Her husband has already lost one wife in suspicious circumstances, is it just a tragic coincidence or is he involved?

The idea of the Bronte sisters as detectives is just fantastic and makes perfect sense and therefore is entirely believable; they would be naturally inquisitive and constantly on the lookout for ideas for stories and what could be more perfect than a murder scene with no body? I was impressed with the ways in which Bella Ellis showed how the sisters were constrained by their gender; as we know they wrote under male pseudonyms and in the story they have to pretend that they are working for respectable, professional men in order to go about their investigation. This book really made me consider the amount of women who must have had so much to offer being unable to do so purely because of their gender. It was such an accomplishment of the Brontes to follow their determination and go ahead and produce and publish their work, they could easily have bowed down to society’s conventions.

Ellis’ love of the Bronte sisters shines through and I was so impressed with the way in which she showed the individual characters of Emily, Anne and Charlotte. They can often be lumped together as though they had just one person but Ellis highlights their varied personality traits, views and interests and it is fascinating.

I believe that The Vanished Bride is the first in a series of Bronte Mystery books that Bella Ellis intends to write, I cannot wait to see what she has the sisters involved in next!

BOOK REVIEW: In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

2020-04-03T10:33:00.002+01:00

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Type-A Manhattan lawyer Dannie Kohan has been in possession of her meticulously crafted answer since she understood the question. On the day that she nails the most important job interview of her career and gets engaged to the perfect man, she's well on her way to fulfilling her life goals.

That night Dannie falls asleep only to wake up in a different apartment with a different ring on her finger, and in the company of a very different man. The TV is on in the background, and she can just make out the date. It's the same night - December 15th - but 2025, five years in the future.

It was just a dream, she tells herself when she wakes, but it felt so real... Determined to ignore the odd experience, she files it away in the back of her mind.

That is, until four and a half years later, when Dannie turns down a street and there, standing on the corner, is the man from her dream…

Publisher: Quercus

A lot of people are talking about this book and now I’ve read it, I can completely understand why. It is so well done, Serle captivates her readers from the very beginning and I flew through the pages.

Dannie Kohan has planned her entire life- the career she wants in corporate law, the apartment in the right part of New York, the boyfriend whose plans fit with hers. She has a big day, a successful job interview and a romantic proposal from David, life, in her eyes is perfect. But she goes to sleep and then wakes up in a different apartment with a different fiance and the calendar says it is 2025, five years from now. On waking the next morning, she writes the experience off as a bad dream and books an appointment with her therapist. Yet just over four years later she sees the man from her dream and he is very real. Dannie is so confused, this man is not part of her life plan and she becomes even more committed to following the future she has in her head but life has other ideas.

This is very much a love story but not in the way that I expected. Serle looks at different forms of love, family, marriage, friendship and even the love you have for your work. My favourite part of the book was Dannie’s relationship with her best friend Bella and this really drives the second half of the book. Dannie and Bella are complete opposites but they love each other deeply. Bella has to teach Dannie that true love is not necessarily about long term plans but instead the here and now and how we behave towards others in the moment. Dannie has become so fixated on what she should do that she has lost the ability to see that it might not be the right course of action. Bella wants her friend to be happy more than anything and she does everything in her power to show Dannie how to live life a little more and to not give your love to someone half-heartedly.

In Five Years left me with a lovely feeling, I felt like it was a gentle reminder to appreciate what you have whilst not settling for less than you deserve. I loved the exploration of friendship and how deep and significant a true friendship can be. Serle writes about loss in such a beautiful way, the language she uses is honest and poignant.

This book is going to delight so many readers, I’m already looking forward to re-reading Rebecca Serle’s fabulous story.

Many thanks to Quercus for gifting me a review copy.

BOOK REVIEW: Jog On, How Running Saved my Life

2020-03-23T11:07:00.002+00:00

Divorced and struggling with deep-rooted mental health problems, Bella Mackie ended her twenties in tears. She could barely find the strength to get off the sofa, let alone piece her life back together. Until one day she did something she had never done of her own free will – she pulled on a pair of trainers and went for a run.

That first attempt didn’t last very long. But to her surprise, she was back out there the next day. And the day after that. She began to set herself achievable goals – to run 5k in under 30 minutes, to walk to work every day for a week, to attempt 10 push-ups in a row. Before she knew it, her mood was lifting for the first time in years.

In Jog On, Bella explains with hilarious and unfiltered honesty how she used running to battle crippling anxiety and depression, without having to sacrifice her main loves: booze, cigarettes and ice cream. With the help of a supporting cast of doctors, psychologists, sportspeople and friends, she shares a wealth of inspirational stories, research and tips that show how exercise often can be the best medicine. This funny, moving and motivational book will encourage you to say ‘jog on’ to your problems and get your life back on track – no matter how small those first steps may be.

Publisher: William Collins

Pages: 288

I began running in 2019 by starting the Couch to 5k programme, I started due to family health issues that I was concerned about and thought that it was about time I did some regular exercise. I was about half way through Couch to 5k when my anxiety very much got the better of me. It was terrifying. I struggled to function and it was my family, friends and medication that got me through it. Also running played a big part, it became something that I could really focus on and control whereas everything else felt far out of reach. I completed the Couch to 5k with a huge sense of achievement and now I try to run three days a week. It has a huge effect on my mental health and this is what Bella Mackies discusses in Jog On.

Mackie hit rock bottom when her first marriage ended, she had always suffered from anxiety but it intensified and she was truly struggling. One evening she put her trainers on and ran for three minutes in the alleyway behind her house and this is what started her running journey. Now she runs most days and she fully believes this is what has helped her live with her anxiety. The book is searingly honest, it is the first book I have read about anxiety and depression where I actually felt like I could identify with the writer’s exact emotions and experiences. Mackie does not hold back or sugar coat it, she describes her darkest moments and how she can trace them back to her younger years. It really opened up my eyes to anxiety and how I had probably been masking it for a long time before my body had just finally had enough and forced me to confront it.

Mackie’s research is impeccable and insightful. She has spoken to a whole variety of people about their mental health and how they have used exercise to deal with it day to day. This book is about running but I would also urge you to read it even if you never intend to lace up your trainers and get out there. It is about mental health and how it affects so many; it is about learning to cope with it so that you can still have a life and achieve what you want to.

This is a book that I know I will return to again and again, it offers hope and inspiration, Mackie’s voice is loud and clear on a subject that is still brushed under the carpet by many.

BLOG TOUR: The Canary Keeper by Claire Carson

2020-03-19T06:00:00.000+00:00

They will see me hang for this.

London, 1855. In the grey mist of the early morning a body is dumped on the shore of the Thames by a boatman in a metal canoe. Talk soon spreads of the killer and his striking accomplice: a young widow in mourning dress.

Birdie Quinn's sleeplessness led her to the river that morning. She has always been wilful, haughty, different... but is she a murderess?

To clear her name, she must retrace the dead man's footsteps to Orkney and the far north. A dangerous journey for a woman alone, but one she must make to save her life. Publisher: Head of Zeus Pages: 384

I love historical fiction so I was very pleased to be invited to take part in the blog tour for The Canary Keeper by Clare Carson. If you, like me have enjoyed books such as The Familiars or The Silent Companions then this is one for you.

Birdie Quinn is our protagonist and she hasn’t had it easy but she has determination and grit in abundance. In a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, Bride is seen next to a body floating in the Thames and she is accused of being involved in the man’s murder. Birdie did recognise the man as he had shouted at her in the street the previous evening saying he had a message for her. She is completely innocent though but faces the threat of hanging for a crime she did not commit.

Birdie, through her benefactor, has received a good education and she must use her intelligence and skills to clear her name. She discovers the dead man’s name and traces him to Orkney where she poses as a widow looking for a new life. She becomes tangled in a web that she had not expected and she must stay one step ahead so she can clear her name.

The Canary Keeper is a fabulous murder mystery, Clare Carson’s writing is full of rich descriptions and imagery which create a fantastic atmosphere. I loved the two settings of London and Orkney and how very different they were. Orkney has an almost other world feel to it and I did think that Birdie was incredibly brave to go there alone. The book involves Birdie discovering about the illegal fur trade and the Esquimaux which was not a subject I was familiar with but it was so interesting and you can tell that Carson has done her research.

Birdie is great character; there are several strong females within the book which was refreshing but you still see how their power and situations are limited by their connection to men or lack of connection.

I can highly recommend The Canary Keeper, the story is original and captivating and I was really taken with Claire Carson’s evocative descriptions.

BLOG TOUR: The River Home by Hannah Richell

2020-03-17T06:00:00.000+00:00

In their ramshackle Somerset home, its gardens running down to the river, the Sorrells have gathered for a last-minute wedding.

Lucy is desperate to reunite her fractured family. Eve is fighting to keep her perfect life together. Their mother, Kit, a famous author whose stories have run dry, still seethes with resentment towards her youngest child. And Margot, who left home eight years ago under a black cloud, is forced to come face to face with her darkness…

As the family come together for a week of celebration and confrontation, their relationships are stretched to breaking point. Can you ever heal the wounds of the past? Or will it always rise up to haunt you – like the echoes of a summer’s night, like the relentless flow of a river…

Publisher: Orion

The River Home is Hannah Richell’s third book but the first I have read by this author. It is fantastic and I was completely captivated by her story.

Margot returns home to Somerset for her sister Lucy’s impromptu wedding, their older sister Eve has gone into planning mode and their mother Kit, a famous author, is not overjoyed at Margot’s return. Margot left for Edinburgh eight years ago after her actions shocked her whole family; she has been running away from her past ever since but now she has no choice but to return to where it all happened.

The River Home has so many elements that I love in a book, mystery, family tensions, a ramshackle family home, an author as a central character. I was hooked from the beginning and I could not believe how many different story-lines Richell weaved throughout the story. Eve, Margot and Lucy all have their own individual plots and they are linked by their parents Kit and Ted who have a story to tell too. I was impressed with how Richell linked it all together, moving from the past to the present, showing the turmoil within the family unit. We do not find out what Margot did and why until the very end, the truth is heartbreaking and not what I had expected.

I loved how Richell presented the dysfunctional family element, it reminded me of Fleabag a little with the simmering tensions between the different family members. I liked all of the sisters but Margot stood out. As the youngest she was almost abandoned at a really hard time in her childhood, her parents had just split up with her father leaving; her one sister had left to start her own family, the other sister had left to start her own business and her mother was off in her own world writing her book. You can’t help but feel anger at them for not realising how vulnerable Margot was. She was crying out for one of them to help her but everyone she cared for was caught up in their own lives.

Hannah Richell delves into the complex nature of family relationships, the triumphs and the tragedies that are involved. Her characters leap out at you from the page, fully formed with all their flaws. The River Home is an impressive novel that you won’t want to put down. Many thanks to Orion for inviting me to be part of this blog tour!

BOOK REVIEW: The Foundling by Stacey Halls

2020-03-11T12:21:00.002+00:00

London, 1754. Six years after leaving her illegitimate daughter Clara at London’s Foundling Hospital, Bess Bright returns to reclaim the child she has never known. Dreading the worst – that Clara has died in care – the last thing she expects to hear is that her daughter has already been reclaimed – by her. Her life is turned upside down as she tries to find out who has taken her little girl – and why.

Less than a mile from Bess’ lodgings in the city, in a quiet, gloomy townhouse on the edge of London, a young widow has not left the house in a decade. When her close friend – an ambitious young doctor at the Foundling Hospital – persuades her to hire a nursemaid for her daughter, she is hesitant to welcome someone new into her home and her life. But her past is threatening to catch up with her and tear her carefully constructed world apart.

Publisher: Zaffre Books

Pages: 400

I was so impressed with Stacey Halls’ debut novel, The Familiars, I knew I would have to read her latest book, The Foundling. Set in Georgian London, the story follows Bess Bright who left her daughter Clara at the Foundling Hospital when she was just hours old. Bess saves up all the money she can over the next six years and returns to claim her daughter, only to be informed that the young girl has already been claimed by her mother. Bess does not understand, who would impersonate her and why would they take Clara?

Alexandra Callard is the complete opposite to Bess, she is a wealthy widow living in comfort with her young daughter Charlotte. She only leaves the house once a week with her daughter to attend church. For the rest of the time she keeps herself and Charlotte safely indoors, the dangers locked outside. Alexandra’s world comes crashing down when a friend persuades her to take on a nursemaid for her child, the young woman is a natural with Charlotte and Alexandra becomes fearful that her secrets will be uncovered now she has allowed a stranger into her home.

The Foundling is beautifully written, one of my favourite elements of the book is Halls’ detailed descriptions of London. She creates such vivid images in your mind by describing little details that build up to a fantastically rich and vibrant picture.

Bess and Alexandra are from different walks of life and both have endured great difficulties. Alexandra has a lot more power due to her wealth plus the fact that her husband is dead. Bess is in a terribly vulnerable state: poor, unmarried and mother to an illegitimate child. Her situation highlights the difference between the social classes, however hard Bess works, she can never dream of having the life that Alexandra does.

The Foundling Hospital was a real place, I had very conflicted feelings about it. That something like this was necessary is shocking on its own. The lottery of babies being chosen is abhorrent to read about. To have reached rock bottom and made the decision to give up your own child and to have to endure being made a spectacle of for the entertainment of wealthy benefactors is just horrendous.

The Foundling is historical fiction as its best. Halls weaves a compelling story around historical fact which makes for an enthralling read. I highly recommend this book.

Many thanks to Zaffre books for sending me a review copy.

BOOK REVIEW: A Springtime Affair by Katie Fforde

2020-03-06T06:00:00.000+00:00

Love is in the air in the latest book from cult romance novelist Katie Fforde.

Gilly proudly runs her own B&B, until she meets a handsome estate agent called Leo who makes her wonder if the time has come to sell up.

Meanwhile, her daughter Helena has a budding romance of her own… with spring approaching and the season of new beginnings, could their new loves lead to their happily ever after? Publisher: Century

I have lost count of how many wonderful books Katie Fforde has written but I am always very excited when her latest one arrives.

A Springtime Affair has two central female characters, Gilly and her daughter Helena. Gilly is divorced and runs her own B&B from her beloved family home. Helena is a talented weaver and is currently living in her landlords spare room until she can find a better home for her and her loom. It helps that Jago, her landlord, is extremely attractive and very kind. Gilly has her own romantic interests too, the charismatic Leo wants to sweep her off her feet but whilst it’s extremely flattering, she’s not completely sure that she wants to be swept anywhere.

The dynamic between Gilly and Helena is wonderful. The mother-daughter relationship can be tense and fraught and I think Katie Fforde does an excellent job of showing the battle for both parent and child when in adulthood of being protective but not overbearing or interfering. Gilly and Helena want the best for each other but they are both grown women who need to make their own decisions and mistakes.

My favourite part of the book was the relationship that develops between Helena and Jago. It is very sincere and loving, you can see how right they are for each other. Katie Fforde throws in a corker of a twist towards the end though which I did not see coming.

You always know you are in for a great story with Katie Fforde’s books and A Springtime Affair is bound to delight readers. I’m so pleased that she chose to explore the mother-daughter dynamic within this book as I very much enjoyed this aspect.

I highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed.

Many thanks to Century for sending me a gifted copy of this book for review.

Springtime at Hope Hall by Pam Rhodes

2020-02-29T11:48:00.001+00:00

There's never a dull moment at Hope Hall, as its rooms are filled throughout the day with gossipy grandmas, body-popping teenagers, temperamental dancing teachers, a choir without one decent singer to their name, knitters who natter, caterers who bake glorious cakes, slimmers nibbling chocolate, and a nursery group where it's the grown-ups who are near to tears!

But it's all in a day's work for administrator, Kath, whose job it is to make sure Hope Hall offers something for everyone! Mind you, she can see that some key members of her team are struggling - like caretaker Trevor, who is nursing his beloved wife who has cancer, and Maggie, their wonderful cook, whose husband of twenty-five years has just left her for a woman half her age.

As the team works to pull off their ambitious Hope Hall Centenary Easter Monday Fayre, Kath realizes reinforcements are needed. Brash, loud and inexperienced though she may be, Kath has a feeling that Shirley might be just the ticket!

The Fayre is a triumph but when Kath's old flame comes back on the scene, she suddenly has some tough choices to make...

Springtime at Hope Hall is the first book in a delightful new trilogy centred on a Victorian church hall, the like of which can be found at the heart of life in so many towns across England - full of friends and neighbours with stories that will have you giggling one minute, and dabbing your eyes the next.

Publisher: Lion Hudson

Pages: 256

Pam Rhodes is the well known presenter of Songs of Praise, she has written several books but Springtime at Hope Hall is the first I have read. I live in a small village with two village halls and I’m an active member of our WI so I knew I would enjoy this book.

Hope Hall is almost the central character in Rhode’s story, it ties all the other characters together and provides many entertaining situations. Kath is the manager of the village hall and she is such a likeable character. She moved back to the village to care for her mother in her last years of life and decided to stay on once her mother had passed away. She missed her job as a senior hospital administrator so when the opportunity came up to manage the hall, she jumped at it. It becomes clear that it is more than a job for Kath, she cares deeply about the community and she knows how integral the hall is within village life.

I loved how Rhodes detailed the many activities that take place within the hall, from Scouts meetings, Women’s Institute, dance classes and coffee mornings. There is something for all ages and it made me think about the village halls in my own village and how they bring so many different people together.

As I said, Kath is a lovely character but there are many more within the book. One of my favourites was Maggie, she runs the cafe and cooks many meals and cakes for people coming to the hall. Her husband has recently left her for a younger woman so she is nursing a broken heart but she won’t let down the village and throws herself into cooking and helping out. I really liked her attitude and how she wants to look after everyone around her without a care for herself.

Springtime at Hope Hall is a lovely read and I think it’s going to be a great trilogy. I’m already looking forward to getting to know the characters more, it is going to be a charming series of books. Many thanks to Midas PR for sending me a copy of the book to review.

BOOK REVIEW: The Recovery of Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel

2020-02-21T14:53:00.000+00:00

Rose Gold Watts believed she was sick for eighteen years.

She thought she needed the feeding tube, the surgeries, the wheelchair . . .

Turns out her mother is a really good liar.

After five years in prison, Patty Watts is finally free. All she wants is to put old grievances behind her, reconcile with the daughter who testified against her - and care for her new infant grandson.

When Rose Gold agrees to have Patty move in, it seems their relationship is truly on the mend. And she has waited such a long time for her mother to come home.

But is she still the pliable young girl she once was? And is Patty still as keen on settling an old score?

Because if mothers never forget then daughters never forgive.

A chilling tale of obsession, reconciliation and revenge from an incredible new talent. Publisher: Michael Joseph Pages: 352 5th March 2020

The Recovery of Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel is a highly impressive debut novel. It is dark, twisted, complex and bound to captivate many readers on its publication.

Rose Gold was abused by her mother, Patty for years. Patty has Munchausen by Proxy and poisoned her daughter in order to convince everyone that she was seriously ill. Rose discovered the truth and testified against her mother, resulting in her conviction and having spent the last five years in prison. Rose is there to meet Patty on the day of her release, with her new baby, Adam. Is Rose ready to forgive her mother or does she have unfinished business?

The story is told from Rose Gold and Patty’s perspectives and you are often left considering which of them is the most unreliable narrator? What becomes evident is that both are a little messed up, partly through abuse and trauma and partly because it’s just how they’re wired.

The relationship between mother and daughter is complex and Wrobel does a fantastic job of presenting the intricacies of what can be a very volatile relationship. Rose and her mother do not trust each other and this creates huge and palpable tension within the book. They are never fully comfortable with each other and the reader is left to question who will come out on top?

There are some particularly clever and unexpected plot twists towards the end of the book, I did not see the final one coming and I love it when that happens.

The Recovery of Rose Gold is not one to miss, what a fantastic debut.

Many thanks to Michael Joseph for gifting me a copy of this book to review, it is out on March 5th.

BOOK REVIEW: Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton

2020-02-10T13:37:00.000+00:00

Three hours is 180 minutes or 10,800 seconds.

It is a morning's lessons, a dress rehearsal of Macbeth, a snowy trek through the woods.

It is an eternity waiting for news. Or a countdown to something terrible.

It is 180 minutes to discover who you will die for and what men will kill for.

In rural Somerset in the middle of a blizzard, the unthinkable happens: a school is under siege. Told from the point of view of the people at the heart of it, from the wounded headmaster in the library, unable to help his trapped pupils and staff, to teenage Hannah in love for the first time, to the parents gathering desperate for news, to the 16 year old Syrian refugee trying to rescue his little brother, to the police psychologist who must identify the gunmen, to the students taking refuge in the school theatre, all experience the most intense hours of their lives, where evil and terror are met by courage, love and redemption.

Publisher: Viking

Pages: 320

This book is intense from start to finish. Three Hours is an astonishing read from Rosamund Lupton, I cannot stop thinking about it. A school in rural Somerset is under seige in the middle of a snow storm. We follow different characters as they are terrorised for the next three hours in a horrific ordeal which could quite easily happen in real life. Each chapter is told from a different perspective, the wounded headmaster being cared for in the library by the students he is unable to protect; the drama teacher hiding children in the school theatre and distracting them by rehearsing Macbeth; the pregnant detective tasked with getting this extraordinary event under control and the Syrian refugee desperately trying to find his frightened younger brother within the school grounds without getting caught.

Lupton has you gripped and does not let go for the entire book. I was so impressed with the feelings she was able to evoke in me as a reader from shock and fear to admiration and awe. This book is about both sides of the story, Lupton explores fear and courage and how one can very easily lead to the other and sometimes with extremely negative consequences.

It is easy to tell that Three Hours has been impeccably researched, Lupton describes the processes carried out by the different members of the police force, the devastating effects of PTSD and the ways in which fragile minds can be manipulated. This book is so relevant to the times we live in and I think it particularly shows the importance of how we educate our children about the issues faced within society. They are the ones who are going to grow up and shape the future; the headmaster in the book has been trying to do just with his pupils but he comes to see how difficult that is and how easily his message can be undermined.

Rosamund Lupton has written a realistic and terrifying thriller that will leave you with so much to consider. I was so invested in the story and felt terrified for those trapped within the school, the twists and turns towards the end are astonishing and beautifully executed. Do not miss out on this heartbreaking and thoughtful book.

BOOK REVIEW: The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary

2020-02-04T11:06:00.002+00:00

Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time.

But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly imprisoned brothers and, of course, the fact that they still haven’t met yet, they’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…

Publisher: Quercus

Pages: 391

I loved this book! I’m so glad that I finally gave in and bought a copy as it is a fantastic read!

Tiffy and Leon share a bed in Leon’s London flat; he works nights as a nurse in a hospice and Tiffy has a 9-5 job as a book editor. They have never actually met but they communicate by leaving post-it notes in the flat plus various offerings of food for each other. Their unconventional relationship grows until they have to meet face to face, will their first encounter meet the expectations they have of each other or will it be a huge disappointment?

You cannot help but fall in love with these characters. I felt as though I knew Tiffy and Leon by inside out by the end of the book and I was sad to say goodbye when I reached the final chapter. They are so well matched and bring out the best in each other even when their only contact is handwritten notes.

Beth O’Leary gets the balance just right within the story, it reminded me of Marian Keyes’ fabulous books. There is a great deal of humour and wit beautifully balanced with hard-hitting issues and emotions. I’ll be honest, I had not expected such serious sub-plots and these really raise the book up. Beth O’Leary deals with difficult topics with sincerity, weaving them within her plot effortlessly.

I really enjoyed how each chapter was told from either Leon or Tiffy’s perspective, it keeps your interest and you get to know each character really well in this way.

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary is a wonderful debut and I know she has another book due out next year which I can’t wait to get my hands on!

BLOG TOUR: All the Rage by Cara Hunter

2020-01-31T06:00:00.000+00:00

A teenage girl is found wandering the outskirts of Oxford, dazed and distressed. The story she tells is terrifying. Grabbed off the street, a plastic bag pulled over her face, then driven to an isolated location where she was subjected to what sounds like an assault. Yet she refuses to press charges.

DI Fawley investigates, but there's little he can do without the girl's co-operation. Is she hiding something, and if so, what? And why does Fawley keep getting the feeling he's seen a case like this before?

And then another girl disappears, and Adam no longer has a choice: he has to face up to his past. Because unless he does, this victim may not be coming back . . .

Publisher: Viking Books

Pages: 442

All the Rage is the fourth book in the DI Adam Fawley series by Cara Hunter. I love these books and I’m always so excited when I learn that Hunter has a new one coming out, they are such a refreshing breath of fresh air within this crowded genre.

DI Adam Fawley is still trying to move on from the tragic death of his son Jake and he and his wife Alex are expecting a baby so he should be looking forward to the future. However when a young girl is abducted and viscously attacked, a bag put over her head and her hair pulled out, it sends Fawley looking back at the past. He provided evidence that saw a perpetrator put away for a long time for a series of crimes early on in his career. When another girl goes missing, Fawley must question whether he got the right person all of these years ago or have they still been out there all this time.

Cara Hunter writes at a terrific pace, you can’t help but be completely engrossed by the story she is telling. All the Rage is so relevant for the time we live in, she addresses several different issues, sexuality, bullying, sexism, social media and much more. The narrative is interspersed with interview transcripts, newspaper reports, twitter feeds, voicemail messages and internet forums. This is what really makes Hunter stand out, these details greatly add to the story as they are so realistic. Nowadays if there is a publicised murder investigation occurring then it is not merely reported on the 10 o’clock news. Instead information is made available 24 hours a day, people will discuss it on Twitter, facebook groups will be set up and a lot of false information will appear as well as snippets of truth. Hunter goes a long way to show how this can hamper police investigations as well as help them. They have less control of what the public know so they are constantly battling to stay one step ahead.

Hunter has some cracking twists in this one, I was very impressed with how she linked it all together and I did not see the final twist coming. All the Rage is a real treat and I would highly recommend it as well as the rest of this fabulous series. Cara Hunter has a fabulous newsletter which you can sign up to here! I also have a copy of All the Rage to give away on my Instagram page, my username is: dotscribbles and you simply have to leave a comment on the post to be entered into the competition!

Many thanks to Viking for inviting me to be part of this blog tour and providing me with a review copy.

BOOK REVIEW: Dear Edward by Anne Napolitano

2020-01-26T06:00:00.000+00:00

One summer morning, a flight takes off from New York to Los Angeles. There are 191 passengers aboard: among them a young woman taking a pregnancy test in the airplane toilet; a Wall Street millionaire flirting with the air hostess; an injured soldier returning from Afghanistan; and two beleaguered parents moving across the country with their adolescent sons, bickering over who gets the window seat. When the plane suddenly crashes in a field in Colorado, the younger of these boys, 12-year-old Edward Adler, is the sole survivor.

Dear Edward depicts Edward's life in the crash's aftermath as he struggles to make sense of the meaning of his survival, the strangeness of his sudden fame, and find his place in the world without his family. In his new home with his aunt and uncle, the only solace comes from his friendship with the girl next door, Shay. Together Edward and Shay make a startling discovery: hidden in his uncle's garage are sacks of letters from the relatives of the other passengers, addressed to Edward.

As Edward comes of age against the backdrop of sudden tragedy, he must confront some of life's most profound questions: how do we make the most of the time we are given? And what does it mean not just to survive, but to truly live?

Publisher: Viking Books

Pages: 352

I am so pleased to be part of the blog tour for this publication, I think it is a book that many will be talking about in 2020. Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano is beautifully written and one of the best books I have read about growing up.

Edward gets on a flight from New York to Los Angeles with his parents and older brother. The plane never makes it to the destination, it crashes, killing 191 passengers, Edward is the sole survivor. Physically and mentally broken, Edward leaves hospital to go and live with his aunt and uncle Lacey and John. He and they have been warned by medical staff how Edward will feel different in so many different ways after such a traumatic event but nothing can prepare them for the reality of his long and slow recovery. Edward has lost everything, he doesn’t feel like he fits anywhere until he meets Shay, a girl the same age living next door. They gradually become friends and Shay becomes Edward’s security blanket, with her by his side he feels as though he can start to face the world again,

Lacey and John have tried to shield Edward from as much publicity and knowledge of the crash as possible but Edward discovers hundreds of letters that have been sent to him. Most from the family and friends of those killed in the accident. Some asking for sightings of their loved ones, some begging him to fulfill ambitions that their relative did not get to accomplish. Edward with the help of Shay begins to use these letters as a way to move forward, he knows he has to find a place in the world, he does not need to fulfill someone else’s destiny but he does need to find his own.

Dear Edward is such a compelling story, Ann Napolitano flits between Edward in the present and Edward on the plane with his family. We get to know some of the other passengers in detail and then this is tied up with their relatives writing to Edward later in the book. I very much enjoyed Napolitano’s writing style, she is very observant and includes interesting details that give you such a vivid picture. I loved the way in which she explores and lays emotions bare too. Edward is experiencing so many different emotions and not just because of the accident but because he is a young adolescent boy. He is very sensitive to those around him and he cares deeply. His relationship with Shay is a crucial part of the book, Napolitano captured the easy nature of children especially in the first part of the book. The honesty and perspective that Shay has is vital to Edward, many of those around him are afraid to say what they think or feel in case they should upset him. Shay does not care which is why she is the perfect friend for him.

Dear Edward is one to watch out for this year! Many thanks to Viking for sending me a review copy and inviting me on the blog tour.

BOOK REVIEW: Grown Ups by Marian Keyes

2020-01-21T12:05:00.000+00:00

They're a glamorous family, the Caseys.

Johnny Casey, his two brothers Ed and Liam, their beautiful, talented wives and all their kids spend a lot of time together - birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, weekends away. And they're a happy family. Johnny's wife, Jessie - who has the most money - insists on it.

Under the surface, though, conditions are murkier. While some people clash, other people like each other far too much . . .

Everything stays under control until Ed's wife Cara, gets concussion and can't keep her thoughts to herself. One careless remark at Johnny's birthday party, with the entire family present, starts Cara spilling out all their secrets.

In the subsequent unravelling, every one of the adults finds themselves wondering if it's time - finally - to grow up?

Publisher: Michael Joseph

February 6th 2020

I am a huge fan of Marian Keyes and have read every single one of her fabulous books. I always let out an excited shriek when I learn that she has a new one coming out. Grown Ups has many of Marian Keyes’ trademarks which I was glad of but it almost felt like the most honest and tender book she has written.

The story revolves around the Casey family, Johnny, Ed and Liam are brothers and are very different as are their wives, Jessie, Cara and Nell. Jessie is the one with the successful business and a lot of money so she is the one to arrange the lavish family events that brings them all together. As with all families, not everybody gets on all the time and there is a lot of drama. However, this is magnified when Ed’s wife Cara attends a family meal after hitting her head. Her concussion leads her to deliver some home truths to some members of the family, it provides a wake up call that will shake the Casey’s up, they probably won’t be the same again.

Grown Ups is so, so well done. There are a lot of characters involved but once I had it in my head who was who and how they were all connected then I became completely engrossed in their individual stories. I don’t want to give too much away but Keyes packs a huge amount into this book, we have addiction, love, family, friendships, anxiety, ambition and much more. Using a family unit to explore all of these different issues is an excellent idea as it really strips the characters bare, you can rarely hide things from your own family and when you have a large extended family then issues almost become magnified.

My favourite characters were Nell and Ferdia and the bond that they form, it was handled so well and I loved their parts of the book. Nell is a great character, she has married into the family and her husband Liam is not shaping up to be who she thought he was. But what do you do if you like your husband’s family more than your husband?

Marian Keyes has written openly about her experience of mental health and I felt as though she used her own knowledge and perspective of addiction to offer an excellent insight. One of the characters has an addiction within the book and Keyes presents it warts and all. I liked how she did not tip-toe around the problem but instead showed the impact and consequences it has plus the ways in which it affects the wider family and friends.

Grown Ups is an excellent book and showcases Marian Keyes’ immense talent, I cannot recommend it enough. Many thanks to Michael Joseph for allowing me to review this book via Netgalley, it is out in February!

BOOK REVIEW: Unnatural Causes by Dr Richard Shepherd

2020-01-07T13:12:00.001+00:00

Meet the forensic pathologist, Dr Richard Shepherd. A detective in his own right, he must solve the mystery of sudden and unexplained deaths. He has performed over 23,000 autopsies, including some of the most high-profile cases of recent times; the Hungerford Massacre, the Princess Diana inquiry, and 9/11. He has faced serial killers, natural disaster, 'perfect murders' and freak accidents. His evidence has put killers behind bars, freed the innocent, and turned open-and-shut cases on their heads. Yet all this has come at a huge personal cost. Unnatural Causes tells the story of not only the cases and bodies that have haunted him the most, but also how to live a life steeped in death.

Publisher: Penguin Pages: 445

This book was fascinating and well written. Dr Richard Shepherd is one of Britain’s most respected forensic pathologists and he has performed thousands of autopsies whilst being involved in many well known cases. I have always been interested in this area of medicine and Shepherd provides the reader with a great insight into a world that many will never experience.

As a pathologist Shepherd has been involved in many well publicised cases such as 9/11, the Hungerford Massacre and the Bali bombings, he recounts his experiences in great detail and we get to see these shocking events from a different perspective. Whilst being respectful to the dead, a pathologist’s job is to discover the truth as to how they died. Shepherd talks you through the many different processes involved, the mistakes that have been made and the lessons learned within his field. His career has spanned decades and he is honest about the problems he encountered and how he has fought to bring about change. He is passionate about using his knowledge and expertise to help people, be that teaching police officers how to restrain people safely; the importance of looking at safe-guarding issues when a child dies or even how to make newly qualified police-officers feel more comfortable in a mortuary environment. He cares deeply about what he does and that shines through in this book. His writing is full of compassion and whilst he is making judgements on the cause of death, he does not pass judgement on those involved, rather he seeks to understand why they behaved as they did..

Unnatural Causes is beautifully honest too, I was so impressed with the way Shepherd chose to write about his personal life and the way his career has impacted on that. I am married to a GP and I could completely identify with the ways in which his job have affected his family life. He talks about the inevitability of bringing his work home and being unable to switch off. It was interesting to read the many instances where he was not sure whether to share certain work experiences with his two children. It was reassuring as we have had similar conversations in our house; we try to be honest but you also have a job to shield them from some things while you can. Shepherd did not have to write about this aspect of his life but for me it is what made the book great; you cannot do a job like he did without it spilling over into your home life and he is totally up front about that.

Unnatural Causes is a fantastic read, I flew through it and can highly recommend.

BOOK REVIEW: The Lost Ones by Anita Frank

2019-12-24T06:00:00.000+00:00

Some houses are never at peace.England, 1917 Reeling from the death of her fiancé, Stella Marcham welcomes the opportunity to stay with her pregnant sister, Madeleine, at her imposing country mansion, Greyswick – but she arrives to discover a house of unease and her sister gripped by fear and suspicion.Before long, strange incidents begin to trouble Stella – sobbing in the night, little footsteps on the stairs – and as events escalate, she finds herself drawn to the tragic history of the house.Aided by a wounded war veteran, Stella sets about uncovering Greyswick’s dark and terrible secrets – secrets the dead whisper from the other side...

Publisher: Harper Collins

The Lost Ones is an accomplished debut from Anita Frank and it fully deserves the comparisons being made with Wilkie Collins and Susan Hill.

Stella Marcham is mourning the death of her fiance in the First World War, where working as a nurse, she saw many horrors first hand. Feeling almost over-powered by her grief she is pleased to be invited to stay with her sister Madeleine who is expecting her first child. Stella arrives at Greyswick, a country estate still very much controlled by Madeleine’s mother-in-law to find her sister much altered. Instead of the pregnancy glow that Stella expected, she finds Madeleine wracked with anxiety and convinced that there is something sinister in the great house. At first she is sceptical but then she too experiences things in the house that can’t be explained. Tristan Sheers arrives prepared to refute the sisters’ claims and although striving for different purposes, he and Stella start delving into Greyswick’s past and soon they uncover the truth behind the strange goings-on.

The Lost Ones is beautifully creepy and definitely not one to read on your own late at night. I marvelled at the way Anita Frank built up the tension and there were several times when I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. She is so clever at using little events to give you a greater and greater sense of unease, voices in the night, an empty baby’s crib rocking, invisible hands on your back. The characters add to this too, Mrs Henge the housekeeper has a definite air of Mrs Danvers about her as she suddenly appears from shadowy corners in the house.

Greyswick is the perfect setting for this story, all families have secrets and the house has witnessed them all. Bound by social etiquette and her position as a guest, Stella has to really push herself in order to discover the truth. All she wants to do is return her sister’s happiness but there are so many people in the book who want the past to remain hidden. There were points within the book where you question Stella’s reliability as a narrator as there are several references to the state of her mental health. You begin to wonder if she has just imagined it all as she is still grieving and recovering from her time in France.

I very much enjoyed The Lost Ones, it is a fantastic story and perfectly executed.

BOOK REVIEW: Lady in Waiting by Anne Glenconner

2019-12-23T06:00:00.000+00:00

The remarkable life of Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret who was also a Maid of Honour at the Queen’s Coronation – and is a character in The Crown this autumn. Anne Glenconner reveals the real events behind The Crown as well as her own life of drama, tragedy and courage, with the wonderful wit and extraordinary resilience which define her.
Anne Glenconner has been close to the Royal Family since childhood. Eldest child of the 5th Earl of Leicester, she was, as a daughter, described as ‘the greatest disappointment’ by her family as she was unable to inherit. Her childhood home Holkham Hall is one of the grandest estates in England. Bordering Sandringham the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were frequent playmates.
From Maid of Honour at the Queen’s Coronation to Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret, Lady Glenconner is a unique witness to royal history, as well as an extraordinary survivor of a generation of aristocratic women trapped without inheritance and burdened with social expectations.
She married the charismatic but highly volatile Colin Tennant, Lord Glenconner, who became the owner of Mustique. Together they turned the island into a paradise for the rich and famous, including Mick Jagger and David Bowie, and it became a favourite retreat for Princess Margaret.
But beneath the glitz and glamour there has also lurked tragedy. On Lord Glenconner’s death in 2010 he left his fortune to a former employee. And of their five children, two grown-up sons died, while a third son had to be nursed back from a coma by Anne, after having suffered a near fatal accident.
Anne Glenconner writes with extraordinary wit, generosity and courage and she exposes what life was like in her gilded cage, revealing the role of her great friendship with Princess Margaret, and the freedom she can now finally enjoy in later life.

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Pages: 336

I simply loved this book! I saw it on the author Harriet Evans’ page and I was intrigued, I’m go glad I bought a copy as it was a complete delight. I am not a huge fan of the royal family so don’t think you have to be in order to enjoy this memoir. Anne Glenconner has led such an interesting and varied life, it is impossible not to be entertained by her writing. She offers a glimpse into a very different world and it was not quite what I expected. She very much shows the role and limitations of aristocratic women at her time, she always felt a huge disappointment to her family as she was not a boy and therefore would be not be able to inherit Holkham Hall, the family estate meaning it would pass to a different line of the family. Laws have now changed but these circumstances were very common. Glenconner also offers an insight into the ways in which wealthy families with vast estates were affected by the war and the change of life it brought about.

Her connection to the Queen and Princess Margaret is fascinating and I particularly enjoyed the chapter where she took part in the Queen’s coronation. It was so interesting to learn about the planning and detail that goes into such a historic event plus I felt that she really gave you a good sense of just how she had felt on the day, taking part in such a momentous occasion at such a young age.

Anne Glenconner does not hold back, she is searingly honest about the difficult relationship she had with her husband, the rather eccentric Colin Tennant. She details how Colin bought the island of Mustique and spent a vast part of his life developing it into the revered place that it is today. She talks candidly about the tragedies endured by her family, she lost two sons and had to nurse one back from a coma. Throughout the book, she is honest about having Nannies and leaving the children for long periods of time in order to carry out royal duties and so on but in those times that was the done thing within the aristocracy. Despite this, the deep love and pride she has in her children shines through and you can see that she revels in the freedom to spend more time with them in this part of her life.

I think Anne Glenconner does a superb job of showing how difficult it was for Princess Margaret being the sister of the Queen and although it afforded her a life of great wealth and privilege it also had many limitations and negatives. Anne’s relationship with Princess Margaret was extremely close and it was so lovely to hear of the thoughtful things that the Princess did for her friend and her family, it was not a one-way friendship as some may assume.

I cannot recommend this book enough, I flew through it and was so sad to reach the final chapter. Anne Glenconner writes with warmth, wit and honesty, it is one of the best memoirs I have ever read.

BOOK REVIEW: The Girl at the Window by Rowan Coleman

2019-12-22T06:00:00.000+00:00

A house full of history is bound to have secrets...Ponden Hall is a centuries-old house on the Yorkshire moors, a magical place full of stories. It's also where Trudy Heaton grew up. And where she ran away from…Now, after the devastating loss of her husband, she is returning home with her young son, Will, who refuses to believe his father is dead.While Trudy tries to do her best for her son, she must also attempt to build bridges with her eccentric mother. And then there is the Hall itself: fallen into disrepair but generations of lives and loves still echo in its shadows, sometimes even reaching out to the present…A hauntingly beautiful story of love and hope, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Memory Book and The Summer of Impossible Things

Publisher: Ebury Press

Pages: 464

I have had The Girl at the Window by Rowan Coleman sitting on my kindle for a while and I am so pleased that I have finally got round to reading it. This book is fantastic, I could not put it down. Coleman takes the reader to Ponden Hall, the house is hundreds of years old and steeped in Bronte history. It is where Emily drew her inspiration for Wuthering Heights and she and her sisters spent a lot of time there. Trudy has not been back to Ponden for years but her childhood home calls her when she tragically loses her husband. Taking her young son Will, Trudy returns to her mother and the house that has been such a huge part of her life. As she tries to provide some stability for her devastated son, Trudy begins to sense that the house has a secret to divulge. She remembers seeing apparitions as a child and her father always told her the stories of the resident ghosts but what if these were more than purely imagination? Trudy and her mother begin to search Ponden’s many hiding places, all they know is the secret is linked to Emily Bronte and the tale she wanted to tell of one of the house’s tragic figures.

The Girl at the Window is truly captivating, Rowan Coleman weaves her story beautifully, it almost creeps up on you and suddenly you are totally engrossed and cannot stop turning the pages. I am a huge Bronte fan and I found this aspect of the book fascinating, I loved hearing about Emily’s inspiration for Wuthering Heights and the three sisters links to Ponden Hall which I have to admit I had never heard of. I have visited the Parsonage at Howarth so I could vividly recall this when it is featured in the book but it really renewed my interest in these truly inspiring women.

I had not expected the book to be quite so spooky but I was so impressed with the way that Coleman built the tension up and there were many moments where I felt like I was holding my breath. It was so reminiscent of the atmosphere created in Wuthering Heights, I shall definitely be having a re-read again. At the heart of this story is a mystery about two women, Emily and Agnes. One known the world over and one not heard of before. Coleman expertly ties these two characters together and it was so interesting to see Trudy piecing the clues together whilst learning so much more about these two females who are a big part of her family history.

The Girl at the Window is high up on my list of favourite books I have read this year. I will be getting a copy of The Vanished Bride which Rowan Coleman has written under the name of Bella Ellis, it is the first in a new series of Bronte mysteries and I cannot wait to read it!