Sleep No More (The Shakespeare Murders Book 4) - Guy Hale

Act IV: The Way To Dusty Death

Sir Morris Oxford lies critically wounded in Stratford Hospital. Oliver Lawrence, whose cunning plan put him there, thought his revenge was complete but it takes a lot to kill a King

Boundless ambition collides headlong with the cold fury of revenge as we enter the final scene of this tragedy. There can be no hiding place for those that harbour secrets. As Toby Marlowe and Fred Williams try desperately to catch their killer, a huge storm surges into Stratford and drowns all hope of a happy resolution.

On the dark streets of Stratford, something wicked this way comes! 

What did I think?

After the huge cliffhanger in Act III of The Shakespeare Murders I couldn't wait for Act IV and it not only did not disappoint, it completely exceeded my expectations.  Sleep No More is possibly the last book in the series and what a thrilling ending to a fabulous series.

Oliver Lawrence is still eluding the police as he takes revenge on the people he sees as responsible for ruining his acting career.  He is picking them off one by one as he re-enacts his own versions of Shakespeare's famous plays.  Sleep No More is Oliver's version of Macbeth and we all know you've got to watch out for Lady Macbeth.  I'm saying no more about the plot as it would spoil it, but it is absolutely breathtaking.

It's impossible to put this book down once you pick it up and it just gets more gripping as the story progresses.  The weather even plays a big part and my heart was pounding as the storm raged overhead, which just goes to show the talent of Guy Hale for evoking such a response from his carefully crafted words.

Whilst I'm sad that this may be the last book in the series, I am actually looking forward to reading all of the books again.  Sleep No More is without doubt a five star read in a five star series.  Very highly recommended and completely unmissable.

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

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BLOG TOUR: The Battle of the Bookshops - Poppy Alexander

A charming literary-themed novel about a young woman determined to save her great-aunt’s beloved bookshop from extinction by the shiny new competition—which also happens to be run by the handsome son of her family’s rivals.

The cute, seaside town of Portneath has been the home of Capelthorne’s Books for nearly a hundred years…

The shop, in the heart of a high street that stretches crookedly down the hill from the castle to the sea, may be a tad run-down these days, but to Jules Capelthorne, the wonky, dusty world of literary treasures is full of precious childhood memories. When her great-aunt Florence gets too frail to run it alone, Jules ditches her junior publishing job in London and comes home to make the bookshop’s hundredth birthday a celebration to remember.

Jules quickly discovers things are worse than she ever imagined: The bookshop is close to bankruptcy, unlikely to make it to its own centenary celebration, and the lease on the building is up for renewal. With a six-figure sum needed, the future looks bleak.

To make matters worse, the owner of the property is the insufferable Roman Montbeau, from the posh, local family who owns half of Portneath. The Montbeaus and Capelthornes have feuded for years, and Roman has clearly not improved since he tormented Jules as a child. Fresh from a high-flying career in New York, he is on a mission to shake things up, and—unforgivably—proves his point about Capelthorne’s being a relic of the past by opening a new bookshop directly opposite—a shiny, plate-glass-windowed emporium of books.

Jules may not be able to splash the cash on promotions and marketing like the Montbeaus, but she’s got some ideas of her own, plus she has a tenacity that may just win the hardest of hearts and the most hopeless of conflicts.

Let the battle of the bookshops commence…

 

What did I think?

Poppy Alexander is back with another fabulous book for book lovers everywhere!  I loved reading The Littlest Library so I was delighted to be back in Middlemass village for more bookish escapades.

It's a fresh and charming take on Romeo and Juliet with a long-standing feud between the Montbeaus and the Capelthornes.  Roman Montbeau and Jules Capelthorne are the latest generation to continue the family feud which is complicated by the fact that they really fancy each other.  Of course they can't admit their feelings as their families are at war!

When Jules' Great Aunt Flo has a fall, Jules returns home from London to help her run the only bookshop in the picturesque town of Portneath.  Roman returns home from New York at the same time but his reason is kept under wraps for a while.  As the pair frequently bump into each other, Jules start to warm to Roman but then he goes and opens a rival bookshop.  Roman's shiny new bookshop is sure to put Capelthorne Books out of business but Jules isn't going to go down without a fight.

Oh this story is simply adorable!  A book about books is always going to appeal to me and The Battle of the Bookshops is outstanding.  I loved the Shakespeare references that are hidden like Easter eggs throughout the book and it's not just Romeo and Juliet ones.  I'm not that familiar with Shakespeare but I noticed quite a few and I loved finding them.

Incredibly romantic and completely charming, The Battle of the Bookshops is an unmissable and unforgettable book.  I will definitely be reading it again as I adored it.  Very highly recommended.  An easy five stars.

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

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About the author:

Poppy Alexander is the author of The Littlest Library, Storybook Ending, and 25 Days 'til Christmas. She wrote her first book when she was five. There was a long gap in her writing career while she was at school, and after studying classical music at university, she decided the world of music was better off without her and took up public relations, campaigning, political lobbying, and a bit of journalism instead. She takes an anthropological interest in family, friends, and life in her West Sussex village (think The Archers crossed with Twin Peaks), where she lives with her husband, children, and various other pets.

Links:

Website: https://poppy-alexander.com/

Instagram: @poppyalexanderbooks

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Put Out The Light - Guy Hale

Act III 

Stratford-upon-Avon, Spring 1972 

On the streets of Stratford four murders remain unsolved. For DC Toby Marlow there is only one potential killer: Oliver Lawrence. But nobody has seen Oliver for over fifteen years. They don’t even know what he looks like, they are chasing a shadow. 

Oliver’s first act is complete. As Spring turns to summer, Act III is about to begin. Like Othello, he is poisoned by lies from the past. Revenge has consumed him…Now is the time to put out more lights!

 

What did I think?

Put Out The Light is book three in The Shakespeare Murders series and what a cracker it is.  I am absolutely loving this series!  I do think you need to have read book one, The Croaking Raven, to enjoy this one though as it explains the motivation behind the murders.  I highly recommend book two, All Our Yesterdays, which is a prequel and further expands on the history of the characters.

This is a really clever crime novel in that both the reader and the police know who the murderer is; they just don't know what he looks like.  Oliver Lawrence hasn't been seen in Stratford for so long that even people who once knew him fail to recognise him.  This killer hides in plain sight as he picks off his victims one by one.

Revenge is a strong theme throughout the book as Oliver's victims aren't random.  They are all people who he deems to have ruined the acting careers of both him and his father.  Revenge is indeed a dish best served cold and Oliver is enjoying every morsel of his murder feast.

With quotes from Shakespeare's plays woven into the prose, Put Out The Light is a fantastic read for book lovers.  Although I don't know Shakespeare's plays that well, I love how Guy Hale writes one of The Bard's plays into the method of Oliver's killings in each book; in this case it's Othello.  I think if I was more familiar with Shakespeare I would pick up many more references so I might have to swot up before I read the next book.

Highly original and intelligent with lashings of humour, Put Out The Light is a fantastic instalment in this outstanding series.  It's a magnificent crime caper for lovers of literature and one I would highly recommend.

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

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BLOG TOUR: All Our Yesterdays - Guy Hale

ACT II 

Stratford-upon-Avon, Spring 1932 

Six years after fire destroyed the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, a new troupe of actors is taking Stratford by storm. But offstage, Felix Richards suspects something is rotten in the state of Denmark. 

Morris Oxford feels he needs no introduction. The greatest actor of a new generation…The theatre means everything to him but his talent is tainted by the depths of his ambition. 

All Our Yesterdays, takes us back to where it all began. The stage is set, but uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

 

What did I think?

All Our Yesterdays is book two in The Shakespeare Murders series but it's a prequel to book one, The Croaking Raven, so it can definitely be read as a standalone.  It's a short book at just 107 pages long but it is filled with drama and intrigue.

It was great to be back in Stratford, treading the boards with the acting troupe led by Morris Oxford.  Unfortunately, Morris isn't the best actor in the group and when he is upstaged by Richard Jenkins he makes sure that it never happens again by giving Richard the smallest parts possible.  Oh Morris, you bitter and nasty little man!

The story is told by fellow actor Felix who is friends with both Morris and Richard.  Now if you've read The Croaking Raven you will know how the story ends and I'm not going to reveal whether it's a comedy or a tragedy but it's one that entertains from start to finish.

Haunting, dramatic and compelling, All Our Yesterdays is a riveting tale of a bitter rivalry in the theatre and it's one I would highly recommend.

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

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BLOG TOUR: Arden - GD Harper

Alice Arden, idealistic and wealthy beauty, burnt at the stake for killing her husband, the former mayor of Faversham in Kent. But was she really the one responsible for the most scandalous murder of the sixteenth century?

William Shakespeare, England’s greatest playwright, born thirteen years after Alice’s execution. Why does his first-ever play, written about this murder, not bear his name?

This is a story of two people – one reviled, one revered – whose fates become linked in a tale of corruption, collusion and conspiracy. Based on historical documents and recently published academic research, Arden unveils shocking new evidence about the murder of Thomas Arden and reveals, for the first time, a remarkable new theory about Shakespeare’s early years.

 

What did I think?

Oh my word, what a cracking novel and one that historical fiction fans should not miss!  I am absolutely speechless and I loved every single page of this book that is based on a true story.

I don't know much about Shakespeare's life so I learned so many new things whilst reading Arden, although it's worth noting that it is a work of fiction but the characters and historical events are real.  The story is told from two perspectives: Will (Shakespeare) between 1586 and 1605 and Alice (Arden) between 1536 to 1551.  The very poignant and chilling prologue dated 1551 haunted me throughout the novel as that fateful year approached.

As well as being a fictional recreation of Shakespeare's early life, it's also the true story of Alice Arden who was executed for the murder of her husband.  The author includes a photographic section in the book showing real historical documents, places and portraits to accompany the story.  There is also a dramatis personae and not just one but two maps at the start of the book to delight historical fiction fans.

The writing is exquisite and effortlessly breathes life into these long-dead characters so that they almost pop out from the page.  I half expected to lift my eyes from the book and find Shakespeare sitting on my sofa with me!  It has also made me more interested in Shakespeare's early life and I also felt compelled to find out more about Alice Arden.

Riveting, intriguing and fascinating, Arden is an unmissable historical fiction novel that I will be recommending for many years to come.  GD Harper is an author who is new to me but I definitely want to read more of his books.  Make sure you grab a copy of Arden, whether you're a historical fiction fan or not; it's a very highly recommended read from me and an easy five stars.  

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

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About the author:

I have written four novels in the last eight years under the penname GD Harper. 

My last novel, The Maids of Biddenden, the imagined biography of real-life conjoined twins born in 12th-century Kent, was featured on BBC TV News and was the winner of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the historical fiction category, shortlisted for the 2022 Selfie Award at the London Book Fair, and shortlisted or longlisted for five other awards. 

It has over a thousand ratings on Amazon UK and Goodreads, with an average score of 4.3. Across the major Amazon markets, it reached number sixteen in overall paid-for e-book sales, number two in historical fiction and number one in medieval historical fiction. 

Social Media Links – Instagram @gdharperauthor

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The Croaking Raven: 1 (The Shakespeare Murders) - Guy Hale

Stratford-upon-Avon, May 1972

DC Toby Marlowe has just landed his dream posting but the quiet streets of Shakespeare's Stratford are about to suffer a reign of terror. A name from the past has returned, intent on revenge.

A series of murders go unsolved but Toby realises that the killer seems to be following the plot of Hamlet.

Can Toby and his boss, DS Fred Williams, find the killer before all the actors at the RSC are dead? The Croaking Raven doth bellow for revenge.

 

What did I think?

Guy Hale may well have come up with the most ingenious plot for a book!  The Croaking Raven is absolutely brilliant and although I'm not overly familiar with Shakespeare's plays, I loved spotting the clues that our clever killer has left behind.

If DC Toby Marlowe hadn't transferred to Stratford, I think the police (DS Fred Williams in particular) would have been beating up a lot of suspects and getting lots of fake confessions while the body count continued to rise.  Toby very astutely notices that the clues relate to Hamlet so the police just need to read the play to predict where the killer will next strike.  This killer is very clever though and is intent on revenge.

I loved everything about this book: the ingenious plot, the 1970s setting, the engaging and compelling writing and the wonderfully well-developed characters.  I think anyone who has read Shakespeare will pick up lots of references to the Bard's plays but even if you're only vaguely familiar with Shakespeare (like me), it's still a hugely enjoyable novel.

It's also interesting to take a step back into the past and see how different is it to today.  It doesn't seem that long ago (for me, anyway) but it's quite shocking to think how discriminatory people were.  Whilst we may have made leaps and bounds in tolerance, I think we've taken a step back in humanitarianism with our ability to wound others through thoughtless comments on social media.

 

Incredibly clever and surprisingly witty, The Croaking Raven is an exciting start to a new and highly unusual series.  Very highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the Love Books Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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These Violent Delights - Chloe Gong

 

The brilliantly imaginative New York Times bestselling fantasy retelling of Romeo and Juliet set against the immersive backdrop of 1920s Shanghai.

In glittering Shanghai, a monster awakens . . .

A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city in the grip of chaos. At its heart is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang - a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette's first love . . . and first betrayal.

But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns - and grudges - aside and work together, for if they can't stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.

Filled with romance, intrigue and betrayal, this heart-stopping debut is perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane.

What did I think?

I haven't read a lot of Shakespeare but everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet so I was intrigued by the idea of Chloe Gong's debut, These Violent Delights.  This retelling brings the story into a more modern but vintage era by setting it in 1920s Shanghai rather than 16th century Verona and it works brilliantly.

The Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers run the streets of Shanghai but neither of them can fight a monster they can't see.  A monster that strikes both gangs, infecting them with madness that results in people committing suicide by ripping their own throats out.  Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov are former lovers and heirs to rival gangs but they know they can only defeat the monster if they work together.

I was a little daunted when I started the book as I don't know Shakespeare well but I was charmed from the start just by the slight change to the characters' names.  I was surprised by how many Shakespearean references I did actually pick up but, whilst paying homage to the bard, it is clear that Chloe Gong has made the story her own and written an engaging, compelling novel that effortlessly drew me into the story.  I was completely captivated and flew through the pages faster than I expected.

Although I sometimes forgot the 1920s setting, the whole novel does have a vintage feel about it; just little things like clothing and the way that people act reminded me of the time period.  I also loved the addition of the monster which gave a fantasy edge to the story and made it something extraordinary.  If Shakespeare had written fantasy, I don't think he could have bettered These Violent Delights.

As this is the first book in a series, the story isn't over yet.  So although I felt rather bereft when I reached the end of the book, I know I shall be returning to Roma and Juliette's Shanghai some time soon.

These Violent Delights is a highly original and ambitious retelling of a classic tale by a very talented new author; Chloe Gong is certainly one to watch.  This is an astonishing debut; a tender, brutal, dark and imaginative novel that blows apart the genre boundaries and sets itself in a league of its own.  I can't wait to continue the story.

I received an ARC from the publisher for the purpose of review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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