BOOKSTAGRAM TOUR: Dead Air - Freddie Pickard

BEING ON AIR CAN BE MURDER!

When a well know DJ is murdered at the radio station’s annual party there’s no shortage of suspects. Could it be his egotistical boss? Was it his fame obsessed co-presenter or their producer? Or had he crossed someone in his past who was now getting even?

For newly promoted DCI Joel Jennings and his team it feels like everyone has a motive and the race to catch the killer is on. When a second body is discovered the question is… do they have a serial killer on their hands?

With dead DJs, exploding sports cars and a drug dealer in a hole, Dead Air is a fun, easy to read irreverent murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. 

What did I think?

What a cracking start to a new series! I absolutely loved Dead Air and had to double check that it is Freddie Pickard's debut novel as it is simply outstanding.  It's virtually impossible to put Dead Air down once you pick it up and I didn't want it to finish so I can't wait to read more in the DCI Joel Jennings series.

I'm not sure I've read a book set in a radio station before so it was a very unusual setting and there were many suspects to keep me on my toes.  As with most stars, they have several different personas and Bobby Sligo might be a much loved radio show host but he's a nightmare to work with.  Even when he's found dead, nobody has a good word to say about him.

What a tricky case for DCI Joel Jennings and his team.  Any number of people had motive to kill Bobby but the second victim has them scratching their heads.  I didn't have a clue 'whodunnit' and to be honest, I didn't really try too hard to work it out as I was just thoroughly enjoying the story.

A magnificent debut novel and a very impressive murder mystery, Dead Air is a thrilling start to a new series and Freddie Pickard can consider me hooked.  Absolutely fantastic and very highly recommended.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the LBT bookstagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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The Women Are Not Fine: The Dark History of a Poisonous Sisterhood - Hope Reese

Abusive husbands. Desperate women. Poisonous solutions.

At the turn of the 20th century, the women of Nagyrév, Hungary, were in trouble. Their stories were hauntingly similar: husbands who drank, who beat them, who made their lives unbearable.

The village midwife - their confidante - offered an answer: arsenic. Soon, women began slipping poison into their husbands' brandy, porridge, and stews. Over the next twenty years, the quiet village became the epicentre of one of the deadliest series of poisonings in modern history.

In The Women Are Not Fine, journalist Hope Reese pieces together archival newspapers, court documents, police records and more to uncover the truth behind this extraordinary case. Her findings serve as a stark warning: when women are pushed to the brink, the consequences can reverberate through history.

What did I think?

The Women Are Not Fine is the true story of a number of women from a small village in Hungary who fought back in the deadliest way.   I had never heard of this famous case, a case I'm sure the patriarchy don't want us to know about in case we get ideas, so it was a complete eye-opener for me.

Hope Reese gathers all of the evidence in one concise and informative account of what really happened.  It is very well written and easy to follow, despite a lot of the names being very similar, as each woman's story is the same: in fear for their lives, they must either kill or be killed. 

Whilst the abusive husbands are naturally painted in a bad light, there are heartbreaking reasons for their actions and unfortunately history never seems to learn from this.  It's interesting that the village midwife is at the heart of the scandal and if it was an earlier period of history she would have been branded as a witch.  Whether she was a witch or a saviour, the relief for the abused women was short-lived as the consequences of their actions catch up with them.

I loved poring over the documents and photographs that are included in the book; it really brings the true story to life and reminds us that these were real women and these poisonings actually happened.  I'm so pleased that Hope Reese has written the book as it's a story that shouldn't be forgotten and I only wish that we could learn from our mistakes when it comes to mental health and domestic abuse.

Fascinating, informative and poignant, The Women Are Not Fine is a moving and thought-provoking account of the Angel Makers of Nagyrév.  Are they criminals or victims?  Read the book and decide for yourself.

I received a gifted paperback from the author and publisher and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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REVIEW TOUR: The Shattered Radiant - Luca Ottonello

The Shattered Radiant is the first in a series of fantasy books that follows an irreverent archaeologist by the name of Artemis Stark, an adventurer who comes into possession of a mysterious artefact that is linked to the spirit of a girl from ancient Palmyra, who can only inhabit animals.

Choosing to accompany Artemis by possessing a cat, together they unwillingly end up in a race against time to search for a series of powerful stones, each granting abilities Artemis struggles to control. The situation turns deadly when a mysterious antagonist arrives at the museum where Artemis works and murders the director using one of the stones.

Their epic journey takes them across the Americas, Europe, and Africa and even through time to the 1700s. As the story unfolds, the stones are revealed to be part of an ancient prophecy tied to advanced technology from a previous version of Earth, connected to a mysterious device called the Radiant. This discovery uncovers a far greater threat: an alien race that was nearly wiped out by humanity billions of years ago and is now heading their way.

 

What did I think?

I was drawn to The Shattered Radiant as I enjoy archaeology as a subject and the promise of a possessed cat sealed the deal.  Luca Ottonello's debut novel, and the first book in The Shattered Saga, certainly delivered on both counts.

It's like a cross between Indiana Jones and The Mummy as we follow the adventure of treasure hunter/archaeologist Artemis Stark and Bandit the cat who is possessed by a spirit.  It's a little bonkers at times but it's constantly entertaining with a lot of adventure and the appearance of some unexpected characters from science and history.

It's very entertaining and although some threads of the story are incomplete (with it being the first book in the series) it was still a satisfying conclusion.  I am invested in Artemis' story and can't wait to find out what happens next.

Imaginative, amusing and enjoyable, The Shattered Radiant is a fun and eventful adventure that will appeal to fans of Indiana Jones and it's well worth a read.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the Literally PR Online Book Review Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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READALONG: Tam's Tale - Michael Findlay

Tam grows up in a remote rural village, dreaming of escape across swamps, forests, and mountain passes to reach the famed city of Colonia. When he finally sets out, his adventure yields more than he bargained for: a mysterious golden eye, a treacherous sea serpent, and an encounter with a young woman of royal blood living rough in a mountain hideaway. She is Queen Kristina — determined, dispossessed, and fighting to reclaim a throne seized by a savage tyrant. What begins as an unlikely alliance becomes a dangerous quest to overthrow a ruler who has turned justice into a distant memory — and to fulfill a prophecy neither of them fully understands.

Tam's Tale sits proudly in the tradition of classic heroic fantasy.

 

What did I think?

Tam's Tale is a fantasy adventure story that is aimed at readers aged 8 and over.  Michael Findlay has created an eventful journey for the main character of Tam and the illustrations by Lon Eric Craven are exquisite.

There's a fabulous map and a very useful cast of characters at the start of the book and there's a glossary at the back to help with some of the Scottish words with which some readers may be unfamiliar.  There are a lot of characters so I found that I often referred to the character list to remind me who was who.

Although I don't have children, the writing seems quite advanced for young readers and the story feels more aimed at adult readers to me.  It's an entertaining adventure story but I couldn't really get into a good reading rhythm with it, I think perhaps due to the number of characters so younger readers will probably fare better than me with my old and pickled brain.

The hardback edition is stunning and it has the look and feel of a classic tale so it's one to consider adding to your bookshelf.

I received a gifted hardback for the Love Books Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BOOKSTAGRAM TOUR: Fifteen Minutes - Amanda Prowse

‘One last touch, one last word, one last I love you…’ Fifteen Minutes – the new novella from Amanda Prowse that will take you on the wildest emotional adventure.

It gets us all in the end, time.

What if I told you that time was not as unyielding as you might have believed? What if I told you it was in fact a fluid, bendable thing and that there are gaps in it, if you know where to look.

Interested? You should be.

What if I told you that the makers of time made a small error, an oversight if you will that allows us to give time back.

Fifteen minutes to be precise - gifted to the most deserving, where they get to spend precious time with someone they have lost.

A chance to right a wrong, ask that burning question or maybe just be held, one last time…

I guess the question is, who would you choose or more importantly when?

 

What did I think?

Amanda Prowse never fails to make me cry with her incredibly emotional novels and if I thought I was getting away with it by reading a novella, I was sorely mistaken.  Fifteen Minutes is packed with emotion and these beautiful stories of loss and grief are both poignant and uplifting.

It's such a lovely idea to be given the gift of a precious 15 minutes with a lost love one.  This is a gift that Chen gives to six unforgettable characters and I felt very honoured to share the experience with them.

Every single story gave me a lump in my throat and at least half of them made me cry.  I'm even getting a little tear in my eye just thinking about them now.  It's very thought-provoking and powerful as it made me think about all of the little moments that pass us by and, as we can't all meet Chen, you never know when you might get the chance to say 'I love you' again.

It's impossible to read Fifteen Minutes without considering with whom you would choose to spend a final 15 minutes, if you were given the chance, but it also reminds us to cherish the time we do have with our loved ones.  A very highly recommended read and an easy five stars for an unmissable and emotional Amanda Prowse novella.

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours bookstagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: The Boy in the Photo - Hilly Barmby

This unbelievably twisty read will have you glued to the pages late into the night. Anyone who loves Freida McFadden and Gillian Flynn won’t be able to put down The Boy in the Photo!

Kaz Emmerson, brother Mark and sister Livy are devastated after the death of their parents in a car crash. Surely it was just a terrible accident, wasn’t it?

After the funeral, the three try to rebuild their lives as best they can. Livy turns her focus on her husband and young son. Mark immerses himself in work and rebuilding his social life. Kaz escapes the pain with bestie Elise, taking off to Spain for a couple of weeks for sun, sand and sangria.

While on holiday, Kaz and Elise chance upon the mysterious and handsome Ryan. They both like him. As it turns out, he lives rather close to home and when they return to the UK they meet up. But who will he pick?

The three siblings gather with their family lawyer who leaves them with a deep sense of unease. What is he not telling them? Curious, Kaz ploughs into the family paperwork stored in the attic of their parents’ grand country home. After a shocking discovery, she is embroiled in a family mystery that threatens to unravel everything. Who exactly is the boy in the photo with their father? Why is there a man sneaking around their garden taking photos? When more horrifying things happen, who can they trust? Is there someone who will stop at nothing to destroy them?

 

What did I think?

Hilly Barmby is one of the authors whose books I read without looking at the blurb as I know I will enjoy the book and The Boy in the Photo is no exception.  It is so mysterious and intriguing that I couldn't put it down until all the secrets had been revealed.

After a devastating car crash in which their parents lost their lives, the three Emmerson siblings are dealing with their grief in their own way.  Kaz is more of a main character and a holiday with her best friend is just what she needed, especially when a handsome man catches her eye.  Kaz isn't sure whether Ryan likes her or her friend Elise and I wasn't sure about him at all, but then I'm naturally suspicious in books, especially those written by Hilly Barmby,

The will should be straightforward as there are only the three siblings...aren't there?  This is where the mystery surrounding the boy in the photo comes in and it's a great hook.  I was very intrigued and had to put on my virtual running shoes so I could race through the book as fast as possible to the breathtaking conclusion.

There are so many twists and turns in the book but it's not confusing or difficult to keep track of.  It's tense, suspenseful and twisty, which are all the hallmarks of a cracking psychological thriller.  Highly recommended.

I received a gifted paperback for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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When The Cranes Fly South - Lisa Ridzén (Author), Alice Menzies (Translator)

Bo is determined to live his own life in his own way. But his son has other ideas...

Bo lives a quiet existence in his small rural village in the north of Sweden. He is elderly and his days are punctuated by visits from his care team and his son. Fortunately, he still has his rich memories, phone calls with his best friend, and his beloved dog Sixten for company.

Only now his son is insisting the dog must be taken away. The very same son that Bo is wanting to mend his relationship with before his time is up. The threat of losing Sixten stirs up a whirlwind of emotions and makes Bo determined to resist and find his voice...

 

What did I think?

I wasn't sure what to expect from When The Cranes Fly South from its title and cover but what a beautiful, heartfelt and emotional story it is.  I was feeling quite proud of myself for not crying at the end but I hadn't gotten away with it that easily.  When I glanced at the front cover on closing the book and saw Bo's hand on Sixten's head my resolve wavered and the floodgates opened.

Bo lives a solitary life with just his dog and his memories for company in between visits from his carers and, less frequently, his son.  As the days pass, the reader is privy to flashbacks from Bo's life and updates from his care file and I really enjoyed finding out more about the young Bo and the eventful life he had.

Beautifully written by Lisa Ridzén and impeccably translated by Alice Menzies, if it didn't have a Scandi feel about it I think it would be virtually impossible to tell that it was originally written in Swedish.  It is filled with emotion and perceptive observations of the difficulties we may face in later life.  The famous phrase about getting old is very true: "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" as we are all young at heart and it's frustrating when you can't do things you used to do.

Both devastatingly poignant and incredibly uplifting, When The Cranes Fly South is a book that works its way into your heart and refuses to leave but I consider it a great honour to carry a piece of Bo in my heart for the rest of my days.  An unforgettable and unmissable novel - an easy five stars.

I received a gifted paperback for the Insta Book Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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UK.Bookshop.org

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