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.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Three Days Grace - Jeremy Bradley-Silverio Donato

Explore the complexities of love and loss through an LGBTQ+ lens in this emotionally layered novel about family, identity, and long-suppressed truths.

On the eve of their trip to South Africa, Lynne and her wife, Susan, await three guests in a Paris hotel: Nick, Lynne's distant son; Laslo, Susan's effusive friend; and Marc, a former professor living on borrowed glamour.

What begins as a bon voyage soon becomes a clash of old wounds and fresh resentments. As night falls, long-buried secrets surface, threatening to dismantle the facades each has built.

Through the winding corridors of Paris and the tangled landscapes of memory, five people must confront the truths they've spent decades avoiding. At the heart lies the tragic story of two brothers-one present, one absent-and the lingering trauma that continues to shape their lives.

Set over three days, this unflinching exploration of family, betrayal, and silence asks whether we can ever truly escape our past-and what it takes to finally face the truths we've spent a lifetime running from.

 

What did I think?

Three Days Grace is quite a short book with 200 pages and it may be small but it sure is mighty.  The turbulent emotions of the main character are still reverberating through me, long after turning the final page.

Nick is haunted by his past and as much as he might try to bury it, it all comes bursting to the surface during a dinner party with his mother and her wife.  Nick's past is a dark and disturbing subject but Jeremy Bradley-Silverio Donato writes with such sensitivity and eloquence that I didn't feel uncomfortable at all; I was just furious for Nick and the many others like him who have suffered in silence.

I had a lump in my throat as the story is gradually revealed and my heart was virtually aching when I learned what had happened to Nick's brother.  Your childhood should be the happiest time of your life, before you realise how bad the world can be, and I feel both sad and angry that this is often not the case for a lot of children.

Powerful, raw and poignant, Three Days Grace is an incredibly heart-wrenching and thought-provoking novel that evokes myriad emotions in the reader.  It's beautifully written but it is disturbing at times and could be distressing for sensitive readers.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Waterstones

Amazon

BOOKSTAGRAM TOUR: All In - Claire Powell

A marriage on the rocks. A family in disarray. A weekend in the sun at a luxury, all-inclusive hotel. What could possibly go wrong?

Jo and Dave haven't had a holiday in years. They've had other things on their plate: failed IVF, the death of Dave's mother, doing up the bathroom.

So when Dave’s flashy brother Teddy offers to fly in from Dubai and take them – along with his gorgeous young girlfriend and their curmudgeonly father – to a beachfront resort in the Med, the couple can hardly refuse.

But while romance might be on the cards for some, Jo and Dave soon find that tensions don't disappear in paradise. In fact, they might just get worse...

Set over the course of one scorching weekend, All In is a compulsively entertaining and bittersweet novel that asks: when life gets choppy, how does love stay afloat?

 

What did I think?

All In is a very addictive book and once I started reading I couldn't put it down.  I felt like I was spying on this family holiday as Claire Powell puts each character under the microscope.

The story is told in four parts and I loved the titles of each part that gave some indication of what was to come, although nothing is ever quite what it seems.  Part one is Fun Jo and Jo couldn't feel less like having fun.  She has it in her head that her marriage is over and Dave doesn't help matters by hiding things from her.

When Dave's brother Teddy invites the couple and their dad to go on holiday, sibling rivalry rears its ugly head and adds further tension to Jo and Dave's already strained marriage.  Teddy appears to have it all and Dave feels very inadequate in comparison but once again, appearances can be deceptive.

Claire Powell really knows how people tick and I loved reading each character's thoughts and feelings over the course of the holiday.  Humans are complex characters and this is very evident as you read this compelling novel.

Honest, raw and entertaining, All In is a very thought-provoking and powerful novel that makes me glad to be an only child.  It is perfectly described as bittersweet in the blurb as it's both witty and poignant.  I enjoyed it and think it's well worth a read.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: The Devil's Magus - Marius Creed

 

When Mark Benedict receives a cryptic warning that his brother James is in mortal danger, he and James’s estranged wife, Sam, are drawn into the hidden world of a secret society led by the charismatic and ruthless occultist, Sir Giles Worsley.

Worsley, a Magus, commands an order steeped in ritual magic and esoteric doctrines inspired by The Golden Dawn and Thelema. James, once his brightest protégé, has risen swiftly through the ranks – until he discovers the horrifying truth behind Worsley’s ambitions. Attempting to escape, he is killed in a demonic confrontation… but his astral form endures.

As forbidden rites threaten to unleash unspeakable forces, Mark and Sam – unknowingly aided by James – join a psychically gifted woman and a sceptical mercenary unprepared for the horrors that await them.

An electrifying blend of psychological thriller and supernatural horror, The Devil’s Magus is a gripping descent into arcane terror, where sacrifice and salvation walk hand in hand.

What did I think?

I really enjoyed reading The Devil's Magus; it's dark and disturbing and very entertaining.  Horror isn't a genre I would normally read but I'm so pleased that I picked up The Devil's Magus as the supernatural thriller element completely drew me in.

The two brothers who have supernatural powers reminded me a little of the TV show Supernatural and there's demons to be fought in this book too.  The characters (both human and demon) are depicted so vividly that they almost pop out of the page and I was frightened to look behind me when I was reading; not that I could tear my eyes away from the book to even glance elsewhere for a second.

The gripping plot is filled with peril and my heart rate rose as the danger levels increased.  There are some scary and gory scenes to both delight and repulse the reader so you need a strong constitution when you're reading this thrilling book.

Riveting, scary and very fast-paced, The Devil's Magus is a very impressive debut novel. Marius Creed's writing is very evocative and descriptive but you can't hide behind the sofa when you're reading a book, as much as I may have wanted to.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Marius Creed spent much of his life interpreting unseen forces — as a science teacher, naval officer, training specialist, meteorologist, and oceanographer — before turning his gaze inward, toward the darker mysteries of the human mind and spirit. Having lived in Hong Kong and the United States, he has now retired to his native Cornwall, where the brooding moors, rugged coastlines, and enduring folklore provide endless inspiration. The Devil’s Magus is his debut novel — a beautifully written tale where forgotten rites, forbidden knowledge, and personal sacrifice collide. Rich with arcane detail and existential dread, it marks the culmination of a decades-long fascination with what lies beyond the veil — and those who dare to peer through it.

Website: www.mariuscreed.co.uk

Instagram: @mariuscreed

X: @CreedMariu97855

Follow the tour:

Annarite Born - R. B. Leyland

Two kingdoms. A rebel faction. Overwhelming odds.

The Annar have long been assailed by the slave kingdom next door, but with General Sain of the Annar heading the charge, they have held them at bay. When a prophesized babe is saved from a fiery attack and adopted by the General, he's thrust into a life of God-chosen warriors, rife with betrayal and chaos. Whilst the General and his oldest son move to eradicate a rebel group, his two younger sons strive to train and find their place within the infamous Sain guard. An alarming revelation, traitors around every bend. Will the Sain guard be able to weather the storm? Or will the slave kingdom of the Kerazar finally gain a foothold in the lands they covet? 

What did I think?

Annarite Born is the first book in an exciting new fantasy trilogy and I absolutely loved it.  If you liked Game of Thrones, you will LOVE Annarite Born.

There's a fabulous map in the front of the book to set the scene and it's good to refer to as the story progresses.  It's a shame there is no cast of characters as it took me a while to work out who was who, especially with Aldred having two sons named Alkor and Alnor, so I would recommend writing your own list of names when you start the book.

The plot is riveting though and I had a number of gasp out loud moments as well as a few grimaces from the gory battle scenes.  It is so vividly written that I could easily imagine the scenes that R. B. Leyland was describing as all the sights and sounds of this imagined world played out in my head.

There are some fantastic battle scenes that I enjoyed more than I expected because the tactics and strategy is explained to fully immerse the reader in the events.  Asserting strength and power goes hand in hand with manipulation and treachery and the characters don't know who they can trust.  One of them is drawn into a dark and dangerous web and it had my eyes glued to the page.

Annarite Born has a bit of everything to keep the reader entertained: family, fighting and a heartwarming romance.  It's an outstanding debut novel that I could have continued reading way past its 340th page so I can't wait for the next book.  A very highly recommended read.

I received a gifted paperback from the author via Whimsy Words PR and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Foyles

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: The Phantom's Bride - H. K. Sears

Her fate lies with one of two brothers, but whether it’s the murdered or the murderer, only she can decide.

Camilla Verne has secured the match of the season with her engagement to Valentin Steinbauer, the Duke of Anhalt. But there are disturbing rumours about her betrothed which she can’t ignore.

The delights of the Frost Fair come to London, and Camilla crosses paths with Finley Renwick, a storyteller struggling to make ends meet. They get off on the wrong foot, and Finley twists the rumours about Valentin into a story of murder and betrayal.

But Finley is no ordinary performer. He is a gifted word weaver, who has the power to spin ghost stories into life. The ghost of Valentin’s brother slips through the veil, and he has come for revenge.

When the ghost reveals his brother’s darkest secret, Camilla, once so excited about her upcoming wedding, is now determined to ruin it.

The Phantom’s Bride is a fast-paced historical fantasy that re-imagines Regency England as a world full of ghosts and magic. It is the first instalment of a YA trilogy, and is perfect for fans of Bridgerton and The Phantom of the Opera.

 

What did I think?

Wow!  The Phantom's Bride is one of the best fantasy books I have ever read.  It's an outstanding debut from H. K. Sears and a cracking first book in a trilogy - I hope she writes quickly as I am chomping at the bit to read more. 

Set in winter 1814 where The Frost Fair is being held on a frozen River Thames.  Although you wouldn't catch me walking on ice, it sounds completely magical and I loved the inventive and vivid depictions of the various sights and sounds a visitor to the fair would experience. 

The class divide is evident when Camilla Verne, who is set to become a duchess, meets word weaver Finlay Renwick.  Finlay throws Camilla's engagement into doubt when he releases a spirit during his storytelling about the duke and his brother.  Camilla doesn't know what to believe as there are disturbing rumours about the duke and we all know that there's no smoke without fire.

Ooooooh this book is so good.  It's scary, dangerous and riveting; some of the scenes would have had me hiding behind my virtual sofa if I could have torn my eyes from the page.  I loved the characters, the Regency era and the imaginative plot that is like a supernatural Bridgerton.  The writing is sublime and very accomplished for a debut novel.

Beguiling, compelling and incredibly entertaining, The Phantom's Bride is an incredible debut novel and a very exciting start to a magical trilogy.  A very highly recommended read; if you don't usually read fantasy The Phantom's Bride might make you change your mind.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon

Follow the tour:

A Dark Inheritance - H. F. Askwith

Once I had four brothers. Three of them are dead. I am next.

Felix Ashe is sure of only one thing. In thirty days, on his eighteenth birthday, he will die. He might be the only one convinced of this, but the gruesome deaths of his three brothers before him seem to point to only one thing: a curse, one doomed to stop anyone inheriting his family's incredible fortune.

Felix doesn't care about money, or himself, particularly. It's hard to have a stake in the future when you know you haven't got one. But he does care about his little brother Nick, very much. And when an opportunity to break the curse appears to present itself, it's impossible not to heed its dark call.

Soon long-buried secrets will take Felix to the darkest underbelly of Jazz-Age New York, to the far-flung wilds of the Yorkshire moors and back again. And bound to everything is a deadly secret society who will either be Felix's downfall . . . or his one chance at redemption.

 

What did I think?

I enjoy reading YA books now and again and I couldn’t resist the striking Art Deco cover of A Dark Inheritance, the debut novel of H. F. Askwith.

This is the story of Felix Ashe who is cursed to die on his 18th birthday.  Felix knows what’s coming because his three older brothers died on their 18th birthdays, but he’s not going to sit around and wait for the curse to claim him…he’s going to try to break it.

I was drawn into the book immediately as the countdown to Felix’s death begins and it really is one heck of a race against time.  Death, grief and anxiety are subjects that are explored within the book but I didn’t find it overly dark as Felix’s attempt to break the curse turns into a good versus evil adventure.  

I could feel the intense love that Felix has for his family and his anxiety is completely understandable; he’s not just worried about his own death, he’s worried about the same fate happening to his little brother.  As a natural worrier, I know firsthand how crippling anxiety can be but there’s a wise and hopeful message in the book: life may be short but the future isn’t yet written.

Thought-provoking and powerful, A Dark Inheritance is a very accomplished debut from H. F. Askwith.  Don’t be put off by it being in the YA genre, as it’s a dark and entertaining read for adults too.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: The Un-Family - Linda Huber

For better, for worse

Wildlife vet Holly's life seems blissful: husband Dylan is the man of her dreams, she has a rewarding career and a lovely home. And yet, a tiny niggle is growing daily. Dylan is becoming increasingly remote - but why? Holly is determined to mend the fissure in their relationship. But a shocking discovery changes everything...  

Family ties

Then there's Dylan's family: his wayward twin Seth and their widowed mother Elaine, who is rather fond of a glass or two of sherry. Nothing in Elaine's life is easy, bringing up teenage granddaughter Megan while the family grieves the loss of Megan's mother.

Family lies

A tragic event rocks the foundations of the family, and Holly's life starts to unravel. Dylan drifts ever further away. Megan is left uncertain and alone, while Seth falls deeper into himself.

 

The bonds that once bound the family together are breaking. Can they ever be repaired?

 

What did I think?

It's been a long time since I last read a Linda Huber novel and what a fantastic novel to reintroduce me to this fabulous author.  The Un-Family is a real page-turner; it's like watching a family implode in slow motion and I loved it.  

This is one massively dysfunctional family that might look cosy from the outside but they're practically fizzing with resentment for each other.  Elaine is the matriarch of the family, she's a mother of three and grandmother of one.  I really felt sorry for Elaine, her twin sons came along late in life and then her daughter Bryony died leaving Elaine to bring up her granddaughter, Megan.  It's no wonder she's a little tired and forgetful these days.

The twin brothers are something else - Dylan really doesn't like his twin brother Seth.  In Dylan's eyes, Seth appears to be Elaine's favourite and Dylan can't forgive him for that.  Dylan is absolutely delighted to know something about Seth's past and he likes to frequently remind Seth about it.  All this hate for his brother seems to be affecting his relationship with his wife and poor Holly can't say or do anything right.

I really loved Megan, her love for her grandmother really shines through and she is nothing like her uncles.  It was so lovely to see her relationship with Holly grow and it just shows how lovely Holly is when she devotes so much time to Megan even while her marriage is crumbling around her.

Suspense and tension oozes out from every page and I couldn't read The Un-Family fast enough.  There are so many shocks and surprises in store for the reader and you never know what's going to happen next.  A highly recommended read that makes you appreciate your own family that little bit more.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: The Better Brother - Simon Gravatt

 

Michael Merriweather's carefully planned life is blown off course when he receives a call to tell him that his father has cremated himself. Michael then learns from a small-town lawyer that he stands to inherit a small fortune he previously knew nothing about, but only if he sacrifices his accountancy career to take over the family funeral business with his brother, Jack, whom he despises.

Sucked back into the small provincial world and the family funeral firm he has rejected, Michael can no longer avoid his loathsome sibling. Jack Merriweather has no idea what he's done to deserve his brother's hostility, but he's about to suffer the consequences. Then, when his patience finally breaks, he will exact delicious revenge.

The Better Brother is a darkly comic tale of sibling rivalry laced with the power, passion, revenge and everyday friction of family business. It explores what happens when two warring brothers are forced to work together. Will Michael and Jack learn to love and respect each other? Or will their acrimony escalate? If so, who will come out on top? Who is the better brother?

What did I think?

That first line in the blurb about Michael's father cremating himself hooked me before I'd even picked up the book.  What an ingenious storyline!  It's sad but funny and sets off a chain of events that puts the Merriweather brothers in the same room when they haven't spoken to each other for years.  Expect sparks to fly!

The broken relationship between Michael and Jack is absolutely heartbreaking.  The hostility began when their mother died and their father was grieving so he didn't notice his sons growing further and further apart...which is something he plans to rectify from beyond the grave.  When the brothers inherit the Merriweather funeral business they either have to work together or lose their inheritance.  

Whilst Michael and Jack are brilliant main characters, my favourite character ended up being their father's long-standing employee, Royston.  Royston is hilarious, from his tattoos to his swearing he's such a colourful character that he virtually leapt out of the page.  I could read a whole book with him as the main character.

It is clear that Simon Gravatt has a background in business as the pressure of running a business is palpable throughout the book.  It was interesting to see how the brothers reacted to their inheritance; one changes for the better and one changes for the worse.  There are hard decisions to be made and back-stabbing aplenty as each brother vies to come out on top.

Very well-written, engaging and humorous, The Better Brother is a brilliant debut and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; all opinions are my own.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookhop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Simon Gravatt is a first-time novelist who lives in South London. He's drawn from personal experience as a brother and business owner to write his tale of sibling rivalry and the combustibility of small business. Simon is married with two adult children.

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: A Ruined Girl - Kate Simants

 

TWO BOYS LOVED HER.

BUT WHICH ONE KILLED HER?

On a dark night two years ago, teenagers Rob and Paige broke into a house. They beat and traumatised the occupants, then left, taking only a bracelet. No one knows why, not even Luke, Rob's younger brother and Paige's confidant. Paige disappeared after that night. And having spent her life in children's homes and the foster system, no one cared enough to look for her.

Now Rob is out of prison, and probation officer Wren Reynolds has been tasked with his rehabilitation. But Wren has her own reasons for taking on Rob as a client. Convinced that Rob knows what happened to Paige, and hiding a lifetime of secrets from her heavily pregnant wife, Wren's obsession with finding a missing girl may tear her family apart...

What did I think?

Part way through I thought I had A Ruined Girl all worked out; a few minutes from the end, I was just doing a celebratory dance around the ring when Kate Simants landed a right hook and a knockout blow that wiped the smug look off my face.  A Ruined Girl is an absolute cracker of a novel; it's fast-paced and gripping with a dark and gritty storyline that grabbed me from the start and didn't let go until I had turned the final page.

The story opens with a girl being buried in the woods by a boy and a man.  The boy is so tender with the body that it is clear that he has deep feelings for the girl.  Of course you then wonder why he killed her, or helped to kill her.  Why else would he be burying her in the woods?

Rob is a prisoner eligible for the Community Atonement Programme, whereby he meets and apologises to those affected by the crime that saw him sent to prison.  Rob and Paige, a young girl from a care home who later disappeared, were seen on CCTV after breaking into a house and stealing a valuable bracelet.  Rob went to prison and Paige has never been found.  Wren Reynolds is Rob's probation officer and she has the unenviable job of taking Rob to meet his victims.  With what happened to Paige being the big question on everyone's lips, Wren can't help digging into the past even when it puts a strain on her family life.

Switching between 'Before' and 'Now' we get glimpses into the past where Rob's brother, Luke, is in the same care home as Paige.  Luke is obsessed with Paige, watching her movements and buying her gifts, and it's much more than a harmless teenage crush.  It tells you in the blurb that two boys loved her and one of them killed her, but I couldn't decide between Rob and Luke.  A burglary gone wrong or hormones gone crazy?

Both the before and now storylines had me absolutely gripped.  I wanted to find out about events leading up to Paige's disappearance but I also wanted to put together the pieces of the puzzle with Wren.  I loved Wren's character; she makes so many mistakes that I felt like slapping my forehead every time she did something stupid, I even hissed through my teeth and said 'noooooo' on one occasion.  Her emotions are running high with taking on such a high profile case while her partner is about to give birth.  She does seem to have bitten off more than she can chew and if she's not careful she might end up losing her job as well as her family.

Perfectly plotted, A Ruined Girl is dark, disturbing and completely compelling.  Kate Simants is definitely one to watch and I can't wait to read more of her books.  

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Follow the tour:

Death of a Mermaid - Lesley Thomson

When Freddy Power was eighteen, her father threw her out. Her sin had been to fall in love with a woman. Freddy waited for two decades to be invited back into the family. The summons never came.

But now, in the wake of her parents' death, Freddy feels the call of home like a siren's song. The ferry from France emerging out of the mist. Fisherman unloading trawlers down at the harbour. Her childhood friends, Mags and Toni, walking on the cliffs at sunset.

Yet when she arrives in Newhaven, she finds that time has not stood still. After twenty-two years of silence, her brothers exclude her, and Mags and Toni feel like strangers. But then Mags goes missing, and old secrets – and old passions – are reignited. Freddy is determined to lead the hunt for the woman who was her first love. Even if it means confronting the past, and facing up to the truth about her family.

What did I think?

Death of a Mermaid is my first Lesley Thomson book and what a cracker it is!  Death comes to Newhaven, a channel ferry port in East Sussex, so put on your Sou'wester and travel to this south coast fishing town with Lesley Thomson.

A bone chilling prologue sets the scene for a very dark and menacing story that gripped me by the throat and refused to let go until I had turned the final page.  I almost forgot to breathe towards the end as I let out a shaky breath I didn't realise I had been holding.  That is how gripped by the story I was.  Lesley Thomson drew me in with her mesmerising words and captured me in her net, resigned to my fate of not being able to put the book down until this outstanding story had concluded.

Freddy Power as a schoolgirl was a member of a group called the Mermaids; a trio of friends who were obsessed with the film The Little Mermaid.  The group broke up suddenly when Freddy unexpectedly left home and lost contact with her friends and family.  When Freddy returns for a family funeral, it's not exactly a joyous reunion with fellow Mermaids, Mags and Toni, and even Freddy's brothers don't want her there.  When Mags goes missing, after a suspicious double death in the town, Freddy decides to stay in Newhaven rather than return to her controlling partner in Liverpool.  Freddy is determined to prise all of the secrets from the town's icy grip and she must confront her past before she can finally be free.

What a book!  The storyline is absolutely superb; it's tense, menacing and completely gripping.  I loved The Little Mermaid thread running through it, from ornaments in a fish tank to the disc in the dvd player; it oozed a sense of nostalgia that kept me anchored when my brain wanted to sail away on the story.  I love books filled with secrets and Death of a Mermaid has enough secrets to blow your socks off.

Death of a Mermaid is atmospheric, compelling and moving and I can't recommend it highly enough. 

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

BLOG TOUR: The EX-Girlfriend - Nicola Moriarty

SHE WANTS HIM BACK. SHE WANTS YOU GONE. 

Luke is the one. After everything she's been through, Georgia knows she deserves someone like him, to make her feel loved. Safe. 

The only problem is his ex-girlfriend. Luke says Cadence is having trouble accepting their break-up, but Georgia thinks there's more to the story. She has the feeling someone is watching her. 

So when everything starts to go wrong at work, at home, in her old friendships and her happy new relationship with Luke, Georgia starts to feel afraid. 

It's becoming clear Cadence wants what she has. But how far will she go to get it? 

What did I think?

I've been meaning to read a Nicola Moriarty book for a while and The EX-Girlfriend sounded so good that it jumped right to the top of my Nicola Moriarty queue.  It's fast paced and a really easy read that is impossible to put down so I found that I raced through it in two sittings; it would have been one sitting but, rather disappointingly, I had to put it down so I could go to sleep when I was 75% through.

The prologue is entitled 'The Elevator' and it sent shivers down my spine; there's nothing worse than being in an enclosed box with someone you don't want to be in close contact with.  It could be quite innocuous but there is just something so menacing about it and that's before we even get to know the characters of Georgia and Cadence.

I really liked the character of Georgia; the youngest and only girl in a family of boys.  Although she may have been taunted and teased by her brothers when they were all growing up, I had no doubt that they would look out for her and never more so than when she brings her new man, Luke, to her brother's wedding.  The way she met Luke was rather fortuitous as she had been stood up on a Tinder date.  Georgia was just about to leave the bar when she got hassled by some beefy blokes and Luke rode in on his white horse to come to her rescue.  Fate does seem to work in mysterious ways and Georgia happily exchanged numbers with Luke.  She later finds out that Luke comes with a lot of baggage, namely his ex-girlfriend Cadence.

By the end of Chapter Two my bullshit-o-meter was going absolutely haywire.  Maybe I'm just old and sceptical but, apart from his ex-girlfriend issue, Luke seemed too good to be true.  Meanwhile, Cadence sets out on a campaign to get Luke back by stalking Georgia.  This really was very frightening and it just shows how easy it actually is to stalk people these days thanks to Social Media.  I always cringe when people 'check in' to places, sharing every minutiae of their life and not realising that they're leaving themselves wide open and vulnerable.  Georgia didn't seem to be able to go anywhere without Cadence's eyes on her and I really started to worry about how far this would go when it seemed like Cadence not only wanted Luke back, but she wanted to ruin Georgia's life in the process.

Gripping, chilling and scarily believable, The EX-Girlfriend is a firecracker of a read; I couldn't put it down.  Even if I had worked some of it out (and I'm not saying whether I had or not), it didn't spoil my enjoyment one bit and I was immensely satisfied at the girl-power ending.  Nicola Moriarty has definitely earned the full five stars for this The EX-Girlfriend and I'm even more excited to read her other books now.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Nicola Moriarty is a novelist, copywriter and mum to two small (but remarkably strong-willed) daughters. In between various career changes, becoming a mum and studying at university, she began to write. Now, she can't seem to stop. The Fifth Letter was her UK debut novel, followed by Those Other Women. 

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: The Dead Wife - Sue Fortin

SINCLAIR WIFE DEAD!  HUSBAND CLEARED!

Police have ruled out suspicious circumstances in the investigation into the death of Elizabeth Sinclair, wife of charismatic entrepreneur Harry Sinclair, found drowned in the lake of the family's holiday park.

It's been two years since the Sinclair case closed but when reporter Steph Durham receives a tipoff that could give her the scoop of the year, she's drawn deeper and deeper into the secretive Sinclair family.

Elizabeth's death wasn't a tragic accident.  And the truth will come at a deadly price...

What did I think?

I've read a few Sue Fortin books, so I knew this was going to be a gripping read before I even started it and I'm delighted to say I was not wrong.  I loved the rich and powerful Sinclair family with their deep, dark secrets and Steph's Nancy Drew-like investigation into the death of Elizabeth Sinclair, the wife of middle son, Harry Sinclair.

With flashbacks of Elizabeth Sinclair's life, I found it hard to feel any empathy for her.  She wasn't a very likeable woman; hungry for power and careless with her husband's feelings.  I'm not saying Harry was blameless; if you don't water a plant it will die, but you wouldn't expect your plant to up sticks and plant itself in every garden along the street.  That's my roundabout way of saying Elizabeth was rather promiscuous, but perhaps she was just craving some attention and affection.  We'll never know as she was found drowned in the family lake.  The police ruled out suspicious circumstances, but Elizabeth's mother is sure there is more to this story than meets the eye so she asks Steph to look into it for her.

Steph has a link to the Sinclair case through her parents, but her father is dead and she doesn't get on with her mother.  Steph's relationship with her mother was brilliantly portrayed; I could feel the frostiness in my fingertips as I was reading.  I really liked how this part of the story developed but I can't say any more as it is linked to the main plot.

As Steph secretly investigates Elizabeth's death, the danger levels were ramped up to maximum and I had my heart in my mouth several times.  It felt like the trees had eyes as Steph's movements seemed to be anything but covert and somebody is determined to stop the truth coming out at any cost.  

What a gripping, page-turner!  The Dead Wife is a very intriguing and highly addictive book; with a rich but dysfunctional family at it's core it really would give Dallas a run for its money in the family drama stakes.  

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Sue Fortin is an award-winning USA Today and an Amazon best-selling author, an international bestseller and has reached #1 in the Amazon UK Kindle chart. Sue writes mystery, suspense and romance, sometimes combining all three. 

Sue was born in Hertfordshire but had a nomadic childhood, moving often with her family, before eventually settling in West Sussex where she now lives with her husband, children and grandchidren.

Social Media Links – 

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/suefortinauthor/?ref=bookmarks

Twitter  www.twitter.com/suefortin1

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sue_fortin/

Website www.suefortin.com

Follow the tour: