The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail - Antony Johnston

It's almost Christmas, and actress and amateur sleuth Gwinny Tuffel is still pondering what to buy DCI Birch (retired) and whether she could adopt a new furry friend.

But sorting through her late father's papers leads her into his mysterious past, pointing to an enigmatic 'liaison' now living in a Somerset commune populated by a group of retired spies.

When Gwinny and Birch are unexpectedly snowed in at the remote farmhouse, they find that any skeletons in her father's closet have been joined by a body in the attic.

Surrounded by people for whom keeping secrets is second nature, along with an energetic Cocker Spaniel, Gwinny and Birch are embroiled in a murder case once again.

Will they uncover the culprit and escape in time for Christmas?

 

What did I think?

The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail is the fourth book in the Dog Sitter Detective series but you can certainly read it as a standalone.  I only discovered the series at book three, The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead, but I loved catching up with Gwinny and Birch again. 

Gwinny and Birch head off on an intriguing trip when Gwinny discovers a mysterious old folder among her late father's effects.  It turns out to be a very interesting discovery indeed as the trail leads Gwinny and Birch into the world of spies, secrets and espionage.

Oh my goodness, I absolutely loved this book and raced through it as quickly as the snow fell on the remote farmhouse where Gwinny was delving into her father's surprising past.  The snow falls thick and fast so Gwinny and Birch get snowed in and the story turns into a fantastic locked room mystery when a body is found in the morning and not a flake of snow has been disturbed.  

The characters are so wonderfully drawn that they virtually pop out of the page.  I could both visualise and hear them in my head as the riveting story unfolded.  There are so many secrets and mysteries in the book that I raced through it and read it a lot quicker than I expected.  It's perhaps not as festive as you might expect from the cover, but it's more realistic and authentic and doesn't need twinkly lights and sparkly tinsel.

Impossible to predict and difficult to put down, The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail is a riveting and intriguing locked room mystery that will delight fans of cosy crime.  A very highly recommended read.

I received a gifted hardback from Allison & Busby and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead - Antony Johnston

Gwinny Tuffel is on location in the misty Yorkshire Dales filming a small part in Draculania, a genderswapped remake of Bram Stoker's classic tale, when life begins to imitate art a little too closely. One of the cast members is found dead inside a locked trailer, with a stake through their heart.

With a prima donna in the starring role, filming is already facing delays, while Gwinny is being run ragged by Lily, the Jack Russell terrier she's looking after for a friend in hospital. Against the backdrop of Hendale Hall with its own vampire legend, a flesh-and-blood killer has struck. Will Gwinny be able to find the murderer before the production or any further victims are cut?

 

What did I think?

The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead is book three in the Dog Sitter Detective series but it is the first one I have read and I absolutely loved it.

It's such a refreshing change to have an older protagonist and I loved Gwinny from the start, as well as Lily the Jack Russell who she is looking after for a friend.  Gwinny has returned to work as an actor to make ends meet after taking time out to look after her father but the filming of Draculania is brought to a standstill when one of the actors is murdered in a trailer with a door locked from the inside.

With all of the actors pointing their fingers at each other, the police have quite a job on their hands to find out what happened.  It was really funny to see them all blaming each other and of course the leading lady has to make it all about her.  Luckily, Gwinny has a bit of experience as an amateur detective but the leading lady thinks she can identify the murderer before Gwinny (and the police).

This was such a fun, easy read that I read in two sittings as I couldn't put it down.  I found it really easy to warm to the characters, despite not having read the earlier books.  I really loved how Antony Johnston captured the essence of a little Jack Russell and created the larger than life character of Lily.  If Gwinny hadn't been such a strong, loveable character I think Lily may have stolen the show for me.

The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead is a cracking locked room mystery and an absolute must-read for cosy mystery fans.  I don't know how this series had slipped under my radar but it's definitely got a new fan now.

Many thanks to Allison & Busby for sending me a gifted hardback to read and review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Holly's Hawaiian Holiday (The Blossomwood Bay Series Book 3) - Daisy James

Welcome to Holly's Hawaiian Holiday, the third book in a brand new series from the author of the Hummingbird Hotel series and the Cornish Confetti Agency series.

Escape to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands!

When Holly Henderson loses her dog-grooming business in the Blossomwood Bay fire, she’s devastated, and her plans to expand into creative coat-dyeing are over before they began. After her temporary job at Blossomwood Kennels also comes to a heart-breaking end, she’s left with no choice but to accept her cousin’s offer of a dog-sitting assignment for celebrity TV chef Oscar Reynolds if she wants to keep her beloved springer spaniel, Ariel, in dog biscuits.

However, the assignment is in Hawaii and Holly has never been further than a short weekend trip to Paris. With some trepidation, she heads to Oahu and the Mahina family’s ranch where, within five minutes of arriving, she’s run off the road by a speeding Ferrari and doused in an avalanche of “organic” fertiliser.

So much for the glamorous holiday she’d hoped to enjoy!

But despite the inauspicious start, it doesn’t take long for the tropical island paradise to weave its Aloha magic through Holly’s veins. Can the hang loose lifestyle help her find the confidence she needs to deal with the demons that have been chasing her for as long as she can remember? Or will they continue to pursue her, sapping her energy, and ruining her chance of finding happiness?

Join Holly as she explores everything the beautiful Hawaiian Islands have to offer, and enjoy a story filled with sun, sea, and surfing, along with a Dash, Dollop & Drizzle of heart-warming romance.

 

What did I think?

I love going on a virtual holiday with a Daisy James book and the latest novel in The Blossomwood Bay series takes us to Hawaii.  Although it's the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone as it's a self-contained story.  Characters from the previous books are mentioned along with a brief reminder of their own stories, just to complete the full picture.

The Blossomwood Bay fire destroyed several businesses and they can't rebuild their livelihoods until the boardwalk owner is located.  The only problem is, he's on retreat in America without a phone and nobody knows exactly where he is.  To make ends meet, Holly agrees to do a dog-sitting job...in Hawaii.

I really enjoyed my trip to Hawaii; there's friendship, romance and a sprinkling of skullduggery that kept me entertained.  It was nice to get to know Holly and I feel like she's one of my friends so it'll be nice to see how she's doing as I'm sure she'll get a mention in the next Blossomwood Bay instalment.  

Daisy James has a wonderful knack of adding so much colour to her narrative via sights, sounds, smells and tastes that you really feel as if you're there in the book.  Hawaii would be far too hot for me and I would never dream of going there, but it was lovely to experience it through Daisy's eyes.

Entertaining and charming, Holly's Hawaiian Holiday is pure escapism and a very enjoyable read.

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

My rating:

Purchase links:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

Daisy James loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something pink and fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea - china plates and teacups are a must.

Daisy would love to hear from readers via her Facebook page or you can follow her on Twitter @daisyjamesbooks or on Instagram @booksdaisyjames.

Social Media Links –

Twitter: @daisyjamesbooks https://twitter.com/daisyjamesbooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009889775019

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BLOG TOUR: The Twenty Seven Club - Lucy Nichol

 

It’s 1994. The music industry is mourning Kurt Cobain, Right Said Fred have re-emerged as an ‘ironic’ pop act and John Major is the country’s prime minister. Nothing is as it should be.

Emma is hurtling towards her 27th birthday, riddled with anxiety that her idols Joplin, Hendrix and Morrison all died aged 27, and now Kurt Cobain has gone too. Will Emma be next to join The Twenty Seven Club?

Emma, a working-class rock music fan from Hull, with a penchant for a flaming Drambuie and a line of coke with her best mate Dave down The Angel, is troubled. Trev, her whippet, has IBS, and her job ordering bathroom supplies at the local caravan company is far from challenging. So when her dad, Tel, informs her that her music idol, Kurt Cobain has killed himself aged 27, Emma is consumed with anxiety.

Why have so many legendary musicians gone aged 27? Is there a link between the members of the so-called Twenty Seven Club? Is this why her mum had an affair and left them? And could Emma be about to join The Twenty Seven Club too?

The 27 Club is a nostalgic, often humorous, drug and booze-infused tale of friendship, discovery and anxiety as Emma tries, for once, to focus on life, rather than death.

What did I think?

Oh wow!  This book is simply awesome!  After reading the blurb, I knew I was going to enjoy it but I didn't expect so many laugh out louds, gasps of shock and eyebrow-raising nostalgic reminders.  

Lucy Nichol's writing is very fresh, raw, honest and edgy and, with an underlying sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll beat, it reminded me of Irvine Welch's Trainspotting but with nicer, funnier and more relatable characters.  Emma is such a multi-dimensional character that it is impossible to keep her on the page; I felt like she was talking to me and she could have popped out of the book at any moment, especially if I had any Drambuie in the house (which I don't).

As we follow Emma's life as she struggles with anxiety in the period after Kurt Cobain died, it's like being inside her head and walking in her shoes.  I loved reading about her drunk nights out with her friend Dave but her whippet Trev provided the best entertainment; his shenanigans providing many laugh out loud moments.  It's probably not a good idea to be drinking anything while reading this book as I frequently couldn't contain my laughter and there would have been drink spurting everywhere if I'd been drinking and reading.

Set in 1994, I expected some nostalgia but my eyebrows virtually shot up into my hairline when Emma meets John, a Geordie who reminisces about nights out at the Mayfair in Newcastle.  Although it wasn't part of my Friday night out, I knew all about the infamous rock club at the Mayfair and having been demolished in 1999, it's almost obligatory (for anyone old enough to remember it) to say: 'eeeh remember when this was the Mayfair' when visiting the cinema or restaurants at The Gate.  I didn't know that the Mayfair was such an historic music venue until I googled it following Lucy Nichol's reminder.  Although it's my local city, and I knew it hosted The Tube in the 80s, I didn't realise Newcastle had such a renowned music scene but then again, any excuse for a party in the toon.

Nostalgic, hilarious and surprisingly feel-good, The Twenty Seven Club is an absolutely fantastic read.  You will read it and weep, both tears of laughter and sorrow as a full rollercoaster of emotions is experienced in this awesome book.  I really can't recommend it highly enough; just buy it, immerse yourself in the 90s music scene and get a guaranteed smiley face.

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

My rating:

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About the author:

Lucy is a mental health campaigner and PR consultant, and a former columnist with Sarah Millican's Standard Issue magazine.  She has written for The Independent, The I Paper, NME, Red Magazine, Den of Geek, Men’s Fitness, Metro and Huff Post.  Her first book, A Series of Unfortunate Stereotypes, a non-fiction mental health memoir, was published by Trigger in 2018. Lucy has worked with the media in PR and marketing for almost 20 years and has experienced Generalised Anxiety Disorder for even longer.  

The Twenty Seven Club is immediately available in paperback from Amazon and an official launch will take place on 3rd March 2021 when the e-book will be made available along with the book’s playlist. You can also sign up to Lucy’s author newsletter.

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BLOG TOUR: Unexpected Lessons in Love - Lucy Dillon

What happens when 'I do' turns into 'I don't know'?

Jeannie always wanted to fall in love, and now she’s finally got the whirlwind romance she dreamed of. Dan’s gorgeous, he’s a successful young vet, and he flew her to New York and proposed on Brooklyn Bridge. Jeannie has to remind herself this is actually her life. It seems too perfect, too magical, to be real. Yet it is.

But now she’s on her way to the wedding she can’t shake off the tight sensation crushing her chest. Is it just nerves . . . or is this all happening a bit too fast?

Jeannie has one last chance to shout, ‘Stop!’ But just as she grabs it, a twist of fate throws everything she knows into the air like confetti. What Jeannie learns about Dan, about her own heart, and about the power of love itself, will change her world for ever . . .

What did I think?

I was delighted to win an advance copy of Unexpected Lessons in Love on Twitter as I have wanted to read a Lucy Dillon book for some time.  What an amazing introduction to this fabulous author.  I have to say that I half expected an overdose of romantic hearts and flowers but I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of sloppy slushiness.

Jeannie and Dan appear to have the perfect relationship; they're a couple in love hurtling towards married life after Dan surprised Jeannie with a romantic proposal.  The only problem is they haven't known each other long enough to find out everything about each other.  Once they are engaged, their time is taken up with wedding preparations rather than learning everything they need to know about each other.  Jeannie learns her lesson the hard way as this fact finally hits her: how can she marry Dan when she doesn't even know him?  Good on her for being brave enough to trust her gut and voice her concern, although her timing could have been better.

The aftermath of the non-wedding is where I completely fell in love with the storyline, thanks to a handful of rescued dogs and puppies.  The dogs really stole the show (and my heart) as Lucy Dillon touches on the plight of dogs in puppy farms.  The effect on the dogs is horrific, especially when they are naturally social animals.  It is Jeannie's new friend, Rachel, who runs a charity to look after rescued dogs but Rachel is seriously lacking funds to take care of this new intake and she can't possibly turn them away.  Jeannie and Rachel, together with Natalie from the animal shelter, come up with an amazing fundraising idea and as donations come pouring in, the stories that accompany them really put a smile on my face.

Not that it ever disappeared completely (there's just too many books and not enough time), but Lucy Dillon has reawakened my love of romantic/women's fiction.  Unexpected Lessons in Love is a fabulously heartwarming book with a riveting storyline that takes the reader in a completely unexpected direction.  I absolutely loved it and, having been immersed in the crime and thriller genre for so long, I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

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

My rating:

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The Introvert Confounds Innocence - Michael Paul Michaud

THE INTROVERT CONFOUNDS INNOCENCE continues the story of the eponymous anti-hero introduced in THE INTROVERT.

With his life disrupted by an unscrupulous work colleague and a bully at his son Toby’s school, things go from bad to worse when his neighbor’s abusive boyfriend goes missing, plunging the introvert into the center of a murder investigation.

Increasingly hounded by a meddlesome detective, and with his thoughts continually urging him to make people “red and open” and to “achieve it” with his girlfriend Donna, what follows is a sometimes brutal, oftentimes hilarious, and absurdist account of the life of one very anti-social and unexpected anti-hero.

What did I think?

When reading The Introvert one rainy Saturday afternoon, I really didn't want it to end and my wish was granted with The Introvert Confounds Innocence being next in my reading queue - hurrah!  You could read this book as a standalone but I think it definitely works better as a series, after all, the introvert himself is a serial killer.  He's not your traditional serial killer by any means; he doesn't go out looking for people to kill, it's more like they present themselves to him as people who deserve to become 'red and open'.  As a literal thinking killer with feelings, I think of our nameless anti-hero as a cross between Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory and Dexter Morgan from Dexter.

I love the simple but clever covers of these books and The Introvert Confounds Innocence shows a new addition to our anti-hero's life.  I think his partner, Donna, not standing along with the family says a great deal about how anti-social our anti-hero really is.  Does he actually love her or is she simply a means to his 'achieving it'?

There is a lot going on in the 226 pages of this book: the introvert's son is being bullied, he has a new competitive colleague at work and his next door neighbour is the victim of domestic abuse.  With many contenders for the next person to become 'red and open', I couldn't read fast enough to see how this story would play out.  Some of the interactions with his new colleague at work had me guiltily laughing out loud as our introvert smashes several of the equality and diversity protected characteristics to smithereens in one fell swoop.  You really can't be offended by it as he doesn't mean it in a derogatory way, he is just being literal and there's nothing wrong with that when that's the way you are made.

Although not a criticism by any means, there was only one thing I personally didn't like in the book and that was the way the weird English detective spoke, however, the repetitive, often lyrical nature of prose did fit well with the book.  He just annoyed the hell out of me as it felt like he was talking to a dog most of the time but I think that was part of his character as he came across as a bumbling friendly guy but he was like a bloodhound that has the scent of blood.

Leading on very nicely indeed to Book 3: The Introvert Bears Filthy Witness, The Introvert Confounds Innocence is a wonderfully quirky instalment in this awesome series.  I can't wait to see what happens next to the introvert and I have to confess that I am most definitely addicted to this highly original series; so just try and stop me reading the books again while I wait (im)patiently for Book 3.

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

My rating:

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The Introvert - Michael Paul Michaud

A vacuum salesman by day, the introvert lives a quiet life alone with his dog until a work relationship and a dark secret from his past team up to create an uncomfortable imbalance in his otherwise ordered life, one that soon finds him squarely at the center of a murder investigation. With his thoughts continually urging him to make people “red and open” and to “achieve it” with his girlfriend Donna, what follows is a sometimes brutal, oftentimes hilarious, and absurdist account of the life of one very anti-social and unexpected anti-hero.

What did I think?

What a totally awesome book!  I love something a bit different and boy, was this different!  As a self-confessed introvert, I was attracted to this book by its simple cover as I've never been afraid to stand apart from the crowd, in fact I much prefer it!  Thankfully, I don't share any of the dark traits of our nameless anti-hero but, rather like my favourite serial killer, Dexter, he only makes people 'red and open' who deserve it.

I knew from the start that I was going to enjoy this book as the introvert comes up against bureaucratic red tape when he attempts to renew his drivers licence.  After queuing for 40 minutes he leaves empty handed but with dark thoughts of stabbing the clerk with her own letter-opener.  Don't get me wrong, this isn't a horror story; it's definitely more of a black comedy as I found myself giggling at the situations the introvert finds himself in, especially when he attracts the attention of his colleague, Donna.  He finds that although he can 'achieve it' on his own, it's much better when Donna helps him.

I suppose seeing the more human side of him as his relationship with Donna progresses made it easier to take his side when things go spectacularly wrong.  I actually found him a little naïve with almost a childlike innocence when the reasons behind his actions become apparent.  He does have a good heart but he can't control his impulses for making people who deserve it 'red and open'.

As a very literal person, which my family and colleagues will attest to, I found it quite hilarious to see how the introvert interprets things.  I don't think I'm quite as bad as him but there are some scenes with a police officer and police inspector that had me both sniggering at the audacity and silently applauding the literal brain of our anti-hero.

With an anti-hero you can't help rooting for and an intriguing storyline of a strange life and a murder investigation, The Introvert is impossible to put down once you pick it up.  At only 160 pages long, it's so easy to read this original and quirky book in one sitting, which is what I did, but I really didn't want the story to end.  Thankfully, it doesn't end there with Book 2: The Introvert Confounds Innocence already published and Book 3: The Introvert Bears Filthy Witness in the pipeline.  

The Introvert may very well be my new guilty pleasure and it's definitely a book I'd read again as I'm sure I have missed some of the nuances of this wonderful and darkly charming anti-hero.  It's the perfect book to pick up if you're at a loose end on a rainy Saturday afternoon.  Highly recommended for fans of Dexter and black comedy.

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

My rating:

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