BOOKSTAGRAM TOUR: A Fatal Choice - Alison Baxter

In Victorian England, propriety was everything. But truth was often the price.

Three women bound by duty, class and expectation find their lives intertwined within the confines of a seemingly respectable household.

Julia Pennefather has spent her life longing for the security of a home and family. Ellen Fugill knows the price of loyalty in a world where servants are expected to see everything and say nothing. And talented Ada Ashley arrives concealing a secret past that makes her painfully vulnerable.

When disaster strikes, the women do not confront the truth but deny it. Stifling the voice of conscience, they each make choices shaped by fear, love and the limits placed on them by Victorian convention. Choices that cannot be undone.

As the consequences ripple through their lives, the cost of silence becomes impossible to ignore. In a society that offers women few options, and even fewer protections, survival depends on endurance. But sometimes that is not enough.

A richly atmospheric historical novel, A Fatal Choice explores the ways that women both support and betray each other, perfect for readers of Jessie Burton and Sarah Waters.

What did I think?

Wow!  A Fatal Choice is one of the best historical fiction novels I have ever read and it is even more stunning when you read the author's note at the end and discover that it is inspired by real people and actual events.

It starts with a haunting excerpt from a newspaper about the death of a young lady and her baby and then Alison Baxter takes the reader on a compelling journey as we discover the story behind this tragic event.  Told from the points of view of three women: Julia, Ada and Ellen, this is an unforgettable and poignant tale.

Julia Pennefather was left penniless after her father died but through the charity of her uncle she still leads a privileged life.  Sharrock Dupen must see pound signs in his eyes when he meets Julia and as he is younger than her, Julia doesn't see the harm in knocking a few years off her age.  Sharrock isn't exactly being honest with Julia either.

As Julia's story unfolds, two women enter her life: Ellen, her loyal servant, and Ada, the mysterious and aloof governess who is employed to school Julia's children.  The excerpt from the beginning of the book was never far from my mind and I both wanted to read fast to discover what happened and slowly to prolong the life of one of the characters.

The stigma of being labelled a spinster in Victorian England must have been awful and it's no wonder that women chose to be a little creative with their age.  It's also quite shocking how easily women were sent to asylums, not necessarily to get any help they might need but more as an excuse to get rid of them so their husband could remarry.  I have to share a quote from one of Ada's chapters that really resonated with me:

"Hysteria is a convenient label with which to control women."

Immersive, evocative and completely breathtaking, A Fatal Choice is a book I will be recommending for a very long time.  An easy five stars and a very highly recommended read.

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

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The Light Years (The Cazalet Chronicles Book 1) - Elizabeth Jane Howard

1937. Every summer, the Cazalet brothers – Hugh, Edward and Rupert – return to the family home in the heart of the Sussex countryside with their wives and children. There, they are joined by their formidable parents and unmarried sister Rachel to enjoy two glorious months of picnics, games and sun-drenched excursions to the coast. But not even this idyllic setting can soothe the siblings’ fears and heartache.

Hugh, haunted by memories of the Great War, is terrified at the looming prospect of a second. Edward, charming and handsome, is torn between his wife and his latest infidelity. Rupert, a talented painter, is in turmoil over his inability to please his demanding new wife. Meanwhile, Rachel’s unflinching loyalty to the family means risking her one chance at happiness . . .

 

What did I think?

The Light Years by Elizabeth Jane Howard was first published in 1990 and I'm surprised I haven't read it until now but it's definitely a case of better late than never.  It's the first book of The Cazalet Chronicles and I am completely invested in the lives of this quirky and privileged family.

The book starts with a family tree and a cast of characters that are both very useful and I referred to it a lot until I got to know the characters.  It's such an honour to see into the lives of each branch of the family tree as they return to the family home for the summer.  With England on the brink of war, they are very fortunate to have another home outside of London although one of the brothers would perhaps prefer to stay in London where his wife can't see what he's getting up to.

I think this is the first book I have read where I have really appreciated the short time between the two world wars.  Those who fought in 1914-18 are still carrying the scars and their loved ones have barely got over the worry of their husbands and sons never returning home.  Even though this is a wealthy family, they have been touched by war.

Elizabeth Jane Howard writes so beautifully and vividly.  I could easily imagine the various scenes that played out and I don't think I have ever made a note of so many favourite quotes from the exquisite prose.  There are some disturbing scenes as the family negotiate the rollercoaster of life but they are handled very sensitively.

Compelling, immersive and evocative, The Light Years is a wonderful introduction to the Cazalet family and I can't wait to see what is in store for them next.  Very highly recommended.

I received a gifted ARC for the Book Break readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BOOKSTAGRAM TOUR: Rose Red Undead (Fablenoir book 2) - Vic Sinclair

After descending into the terrifying underbelly of magickal New York and uncovering unspeakable crimes, Detective Jackson Slade and the fierce outlaw Goldilocks must face a whole new level of death and destruction festering from a strange world below the earth.

Meanwhile in Los Angeles, an orphan nicknamed Snow White reunites with her black-winged guardian angel Lucifer as he appears during her shift in the night cafe. When the archangel convinces Snow her magickal abilities are needed to stop the darkness consuming New York City, harrowing memories are brought to the surface as she’s forced to face the demonic creatures from her past.

As paths of chaos cross and uncertain alliances are tested, the reanimated sorceress known as Rose Red stands at the center of a decaying world, leaving utter destruction in her wake.

With the wolves closing in and the butchered bodies piling high, it’s up to Jack, Goldilocks, and Snow to try and put an end to this nightmare of a fairy tale.

 

What did I think?

Having absolutely loved Fablenoir I couldn't wait to to read the sequel, Rose Red Undead,  and once again Vic Sinclair takes the reader on a dark and twisted journey with an unusual cast of characters.

The characters are all inspired by fairy tales, nursery rhymes and children's literature but they are nothing like the originals.  Jack (of beanstalk fame) is a detective who is addicted to magic beans and turns to outlaw Goldilocks to fight the powerful sorceress Rose Red, the sister of Snow White.

Although it's a different story to Fablenoir with some new characters, I would advise reading Fablenoir first as it's brilliant but also gives you the story behind the Jack and Goldilocks partnership.  I sometimes got a bit confused about the characters, especially those who had several names like Elizabeth Snow, who is also Lili and Snow White.  I was reading too fast though so part of the confusion was my own greed in devouring every dark and delicious word as fast as I could.

The plot is very dark and gripping and Vic Sinclair's writing is breathtakingly evocative, resulting in a book that is difficult to put down and impossible to forget.  Rose Red Undead is an original and imaginative urban fantasy novel that is well worth a read.

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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Only Girls Bleed - Elaine Lawless

 

Abandoned by her husband, and with her daughter, Molly, suddenly unable to walk, Alice Campbell is barely holding her life together. No doctor can explain what's behind this – or why Molly is now tormented by night terrors. But when Alice uncovers the unthinkable truth behind her daughter's suffering, she flees, unsure whether the man responsible is dead or alive. Haunted by the past, and on the run from the law, Alice and Molly are trying to navigate a future neither one of them is prepared to face.

Taut, urgent, and deeply compassionate, this novel is a haunting portrait of maternal love, survival, and the devastating consequences of the overturning of Roe v. Wade in America.

What did I think?

I hadn't heard of the Roe v. Wade case, or its overturning, in America so I have had my eyes well and truly opened by Elaine Lawless after reading Only Girls Bleed and I read it in a constant state of fury.

Alice blames herself for missing the signs that led to her ten-year-old disabled daughter becoming pregnant.  Her absent husband blames Alice too, which ignited my fury further, and he's lucky he didn't end up in the same position as Molly's abuser.  You should never underestimate a mother protecting her child and as soon as Alice discovered what was going on she became a wanted woman. 

Although Only Girls Bleed is fiction, it reads like a true story and I can't even begin to imagine the number of people whose own stories are similar to that of Alice and Molly.  I didn't realise some states in America still ban abortion completely, even if the pregnancy resulted from sexual assault or incest.  WOW!  Not only do only girls bleed, the letter of the law leaves them literally holding the baby.  Have I stepped back in time to a period when the patriarchal church laid down the law?  

The title itself is incredibly powerful as it is women who have to live with the consequences of acts to which they have not consented.  I don't think it's unreasonable to say that if men were in the same position there wouldn't even be a debate about abortion and there would be no  ridiculous laws banning it.  Americans have the right to bear arms but they don't have the right to have something removed from their bodies that they didn't consent to being put there in the first place.  Is this 'the land of the free'?

Incredibly powerful and extremely thought-provoking, Only Girls Bleed is a timely and important novel that is unflinching in its candour.  Unmissable and unforgettable - I'll be recommending this one for a very long time.

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

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BLOG TOUR: Never To Be Found - Jo Spain

She helped him disappear.

She'll wish she hadn't . . .

In Japan, one hundred thousand people voluntarily disappear every year, aided by those who help them start over. They call them Johatsu - the evaporated.

I brought the idea to England. No judgement, no questions. Just new identities, packed bags, and discreet escape plans from abusive partners, debt, or simply lives that no longer fit.

I thought I was doing something good - honourable, even. Until now.

I know now that not everyone is fleeing hardship. I've helped someone who committed a crime to flee the police. I've disappeared a murderer.

And unless I find him, I don't know what he'll do next . . .

 

What did I think?

I love Jo Spain books and I really think she's raised the bar with her latest thriller, Never To Be Found.  It is outstanding and incredibly thought-provoking as it is inspired by the jōhatsu phenomenon, the voluntary disappearance of people in Japan.  I had never heard of jōhatsu before and I can't stop thinking about it, long after finishing the book.

Veronica's dad disappeared in Japan when she was young and the police ruled it as suicide but Veronica never gave up hope of her dad still being alive, especially when she heard about the jōhatsu phenomenon.   People can be helped to disappear, leaving all their problems behind, and start afresh with a new identity.  Whilst this is a better alternative to suicide, the loved ones left behind have no body to bury and no closure.

The moral dilemma of the story comes many years later when Veronica is providing this service in England and one of her clients turns out to be a murderer.  The police want to know the details of the new identity but by breaking her own rules, Veronica puts the trustworthy reputation of her business on the line.  What a conundrum!  I wouldn't have wanted to be in Veronica's shoes at all, although I was constantly considering what I would have done in her position.

Jo Spain once again draws her readers in with an intriguing and gripping storyline that entertains, shocks and surprises.  The pacing is fast and furious as the hunt for the murderer progresses and I was reading faster and faster as the breathtaking conclusion approached.  

Incredibly thought-provoking and completely compelling, Never To Be Found is an unforgettable and unmissable novel.  An easy five stars and a highly recommended read.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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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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