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.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Waterstones

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague - M K Hill

There's something wrong with Haddon Hall...

In 1876, Eleanor Teague lives in a lonely house far from the glamorous London Society she once knew. Confined to Haddon Hall by agoraphobia, bedevilled by nightmares of the death of her daughter, and haunted by the guilt of a terrible crime she committed, Eleanor depends on the household servants and on her husband Ezra, who is kind, patient… and controlling.

But when an apparition appears at her bedside, and mysterious voices urge her to find the 'Shadow House', she’s convinced an uncanny presence dwells within the walls of Haddon Hall, and that the staff are lying to her – they, in turn, fear she’s descending into madness.

As Eleanor’s world starts to fracture, the very foundations of Haddon Hall seem to shake. Why is the attic room locked? What is the Shadow House? Who is the strange woman in the woods?

The shocking truth will shatter everything Eleanor thought she knew about her life.

A haunting, high-concept thriller with a jaw-dropping twist, The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague will enthral readers of John Marrs, Gillian McAllister and Stuart Turton. 

What did I think?

Wow!  What an absolute corker of a book!  It's not a spoiler to mention the jaw-dropping twist as it's stated in the blurb but it is MINDBLOWING!  

The main character of Eleanor Teague is complex and I really felt for her.  Not only is she grieving for her young daughter but she is filled with guilt over her death.  It's no wonder that she's frightened to leave the house.  Luckily for Eleanor, she lives in a large house with servants and her doting husband Ezra so she is well looked after...or so it would appear.

Mental health wasn't even considered in Victorian times so Eleanor is just seen as a weak and hysterical woman.  Haddon Hall is both her sanctuary and her prison and now it looks like it's haunted too.  Eleanor doesn't know what to believe or who to trust and the suspense and tension ramps up with every turn of the page.

Mind-bending, addictive and highly original, The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague is completely unpredictable and incredibly suspenseful.  I was already hooked on the book when M K Hill delivered an ingenious twist that really pulled the rug out from beneath me and I take my hat off to you, sir!  The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague is unmissable and highly recommended.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Waterstones

Amazon

About the author:

M.K. Hill was a journalist and an award-winning music radio producer before becoming a full-time writer. He's written the Sasha Dawson series - The Bad Place, The Woman In The Wood - and the Ray Drake series - The Two O'Clock Boy and It Was Her - as well as acclaimed psychological thriller One Bad Thing, and the espionage thriller Zero Kill. He lives in London.

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BLOG TOUR: The General's Wife - Suzanne Dana

 

Some secrets don't stay buried, even beneath military honors

Margaret Stone appears to be the perfect military spouse—supportive, resilient, and respected as the wife of Brigadier General George "Rocky" Stone. But beneath her carefully composed exterior lies a past shadowed by tragedy and one fateful night that could destroy everything she's built.

When a blackmail letter signed "Swimbuddy1980" arrives, Margaret is forced to confront the truth about what really happened during a late-night swim at Coronado Beach nearly thirty years ago. As the threats escalate and her husband faces a career-defining deployment to Afghanistan, Margaret must navigate the complex loyalties of military life while fighting to protect the life she's crafted from the ashes of her troubled youth.

From a San Diego tattoo parlor to the formality of Marine Corps ceremonies, Margaret's journey reveals the resilience of the human spirit and the unique bonds forged through shared sacrifice in the military community.

In this compelling narrative of love, betrayal, and redemption, one woman discovers that while the past shapes us, it need not define us—and that true strength comes from facing the most painful truths of all.

What did I think?

The General's Wife is a wonderful debut novel that gives the reader a glance into US military life from a side you don't often see: that of the wives and partners.  The armed forces have such an important and difficult job but so do those they leave behind when they're deployed.

With reference to a secret in chapter one, I was immediately drawn into the story and just had to find out what was haunting Maggie from her past.  Maggie is a Brigadier General's wife and any scandal would be a detriment to his career progression.  That's why Maggie agrees to pay a blackmailer to keep her secret hidden but this means that she is hiding something else from her husband.

The secret is revealed to the reader through flashbacks to Maggie's youth and it broke my heart to see Maggie carrying this burden for so many years.  Secrets can fester if you try to bury them and it's true what they say about a problem shared but Maggie is terrified of the consequences and she doesn't know who she can trust.

I love secrets in a novel so I was hooked from the start and as much as I wanted to know what the secret was I was enjoying the whole story of Maggie's life, both past and present, just as much.  Maggie is such a strong character that I really came to care about her and she would definitely give us Brits a run for our money in the stiff upper lip stakes.

Completely captivating and incredibly intriguing, The General's Wife is filled with love, honour and respect.  It's a riveting story and it's so beautifully written that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

I received a gifted paperback for the Rachel's Random Resources blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

Suzanne Dana is both a general’s daughter and a general’s wife. She graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a secondary education credential in English. As a general’s wife, she moved nineteen times and supported her husband through eight deployments, including those to Iraq and Afghanistan. She currently sits on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation board as an Adjunct Director. She enjoys photography, travel, water sports, and volunteering at a local women’s shelter. She resides in Arizona with her husband. 

The General’s Wife is her debut novel.

Social Media Links – 

Website: http://suzannemdana.com/

Facebook: suzannemdana

Instagram: @authorsuzannedana

Giveaway:

Giveaway to Win 10 x signed copies of The General’s Wife (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Win 10 x signed copies of The General’s Wife (Open INT)

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BLOG TOUR: Color of Fire (The Strange Eden Series Book 3) - Gina Giordano

“And I thought you were my savior in my darkest hour. How very wrong I was.”

1794: Devastated by the violent disappearance of her husband, Charles Sharpe, Eliza struggles to save Pleasant Hall from the hands of crooked creditors and the governor’s greed. In the aftermath of the attack, her husband’s enemies have branded him a traitor and declare him dead. 

But an unlikely source carries knowledge that he still lives, and he alone knows who has taken Charles. Eliza’s desperation drives her to form an alliance with the king of the underworld himself: Captain Hiram Bruin, a notorious man who is more pirate than privateer. 

Eliza’s death has been ordered by Lord Dunmore, and Bruin himself tasked with the deed. But Hiram Bruin has never been a man to follow orders. He offers her passage on his ship, the Fortuyne, and his personal protection. In her hour of distress, Eliza accepts—for she has no other choice.

Bruin takes Eliza on a wild and dangerous voyage from the island of New Providence to the wild and untamed Saba, and finally to England, where her journey started three years ago. 

Eliza endures her new sinister reality, one where death creeps ever closer, and quickly learns that the only monsters at sea are men. Ensnared by the salt air and damning secrets, one thing is startlingly clear: Bruin wants to take everything she holds dear. For the roots of revenge lie deep…

Will Eliza be able to save the life of her husband before it’s too late? What price is she willing to pay for his freedom? And can she escape this unimaginable nightmare, fueled by a man of unspeakable cruelty? 

 

What did I think?

Wow!  Consider my breath well and truly taken.  What a stunning conclusion to an outstanding series!  I have loved every single one of the Strange Eden books and it was very fitting to return Eliza to England where the story first started.  Color of Fire is the story of Eliza's dangerous journey across the sea in search of her missing husband.

After the heart-stopping cliffhanger in book two, The Island King, I raced straight on to Color of Fire as I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.  The dastardly governor Lord Dunmore has had enough of the Sharpes and orders the death of Eliza and her husband Charles.  When Eliza is told that Charles has been killed and men turn up at her door to take possession of her home, Eliza fights as much as she can as she is convinced that Charles is still alive.

Eliza joins forces with the man who is sent to kill her and Bruin takes Eliza away from her Caribbean home on his ship.  The high seas are a dangerous place to be though and Eliza finds that out pretty quickly.  I admired her fortitude and conviction that she would find Charles, despite Bruin having his own agenda. 

The storyline is riveting and the character's are so well developed they almost pop out from the page.  Some of the characters are actually based on real people and I found the author's note as fascinating and entertaining as the fictional tale.

Unmissable, unforgettable and unputdownable, Color of Fire is a fantastic historical fiction novel in a magnificent series.   I already want to read it again and really can't recommend it highly enough.

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

My rating:

Purchase link: https://mybook.to/coloroffire-zbt

About the author:

Gina Giordano always had an insatiable curiosity and a penchant for history. Born in New York City, she is a writer, artist, and a conjurer of the past. She holds a BA in history and a master’s degree in historical fiction from New York University, and has traveled to over sixty-five countries across the globe. When she is not climbing ancient ruins or exploring forgotten palaces, she enjoys swimming with sharks in remote pristine waters. Her debut novel, Strange Eden, was longlisted for the 2023 Bath Novel Award.

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The Ten Year Affair - Erin Somers

Two parents. Happily married. Just not to each other.

When Cora meets Sam at a baby group in their small town, the chemistry between them is instant and undeniable. But both are happily married, and neither is the type to cheat. So as their lives intertwine and the romantic tension between them heightens, Cora turns to her imagination: in her head, she and Sam pursue their feelings; in reality, they resist.

Yet as the fantasy affair grows ever more intoxicating, it can't help but cast Cora's everyday life - the mushroom problem in the bathroom, her daughter's new fascination with the afterlife, her husband's obsession with podcasts about the history of rope - in a new light. And when the boundaries grow increasingly blurred, she must decide what truly matters.

Razor-sharp, exhilaratingly honest and salted with an irresistible acerbic wit, The Ten Year Affair explores family life, fidelity and the roads not taken, and ultimately asks: do we really want our fantasies to come true?

 

What did I think?

The Ten Year Affair isn't perhaps the type of book I would usually pick up but I rather enjoyed it.  It's brutally honest and surprisingly witty so I found myself laughing out loud on a number of occasions but it has a serious subject at its heart: infidelity.

Although I didn't particularly like any of the characters I think I could understand them.  Cora escapes her mundane life as a wife and mother to a fantasy world where she's having an affair with Sam, a father she met at baby group.  It really made me think about what cheating is.  Are thoughts as bad as actions?

As the story progresses the affair doesn't just continue in Cora's head, it happens in real life but Cora finds that reality isn't a patch on fantasy.  You have to apportion some of the blame to Cora's husband Eliot, who pays very little attention to Cora, and Sam's wife Jules, who is having an affair of her own.  Both couples seem to conveniently forget that they have children though.

I did struggle at times with the 'in the fantasy world' and 'in reality' storyline as I couldn't remember what was happening in each one and it seemed to flick back and forth frequently.  I enjoyed the chapters set during the Covid-19 pandemic as it really highlighted the challenges people faced while forced to spend time with each other.  It is funny reading about people getting used to working from home and I'm sure a lot of people have many funny Zoom stories.

Witty, honest and thought-provoking, The Ten Year Affair is an interesting and entertaining read that is well worth picking up, even if it's just to feel smug about your own relationship.

 

I received a gifted hardback for the Adventures With Words readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: The Island King (The Strange Eden Series Book 2) - Gina Giordano

He once destroyed everything she loved. Now, only he can save her from ruin.

Can she forgive, and even love, her enemy?

In this dark, immersive tale, the author of STRANGE EDEN returns to colonial Nassau to continue the story of Eliza Sharpe’s volatile marriage to Charles Sharpe.

1792: In the aftermath of her lover Jean’s death, Eliza harbors a secret that threatens to make her fraught situation even worse. She is carrying his child. But when the clairvoyant slave Cleo comes to her aid, the solution holds devastating consequences.

Charles, meanwhile, is engaged in his own secret dealings. When he reveals his plans to Eliza, she is forced to do the unthinkable: to reframe the man she’s viewed for so long as an enemy, into an ally, perhaps even a friend.

Perhaps more.

Events directed by Lord Dunmore’s insatiable greed threaten to destroy their shaky reconciliation. Clandestine political meetings emerge as the other colonists seek an end to the corruption on the island, and they turn to Charles for leadership. But the governor of the Bahamas wants him dead, and he’s hired the perfect man for the deed.

Can Eliza forgive the man she once viewed as a monster? Or has the desperation and darkness that lurks within the walls of Pleasant Hall finally driven her to madness?

 

What did I think?

After reading Strange Eden, I couldn't wait to continue Eliza's story in book 2 and The Island King does not disappoint.  I couldn't put it down as I devoured every beautifully written word of this outstanding historical fiction novel.

As The Island King is a continuation of the story, it is better to have read Strange Eden but I think it could work quite well as a standalone because it does contain recaps.  It is worth reading the books in order though to really understand the characters and their personalities.  I adore book-loving Eliza but she has some challenges to face as a woman in the 18th century.

Gina Giordano's writing is very vivid and immersive as she draws the reader into her Caribbean saga.  This island is far from a paradise for Eliza with a husband she despises, a corrupt governor, oppressed slaves and vengeful spirits.  

Filled with drama, danger and a sprinkling of the supernatural, The Island King is an epic saga that swept me away to the Caribbean.  After the huge cliffhanger in The Island King, I can't wait to see how the story will conclude in Color of Fire and I don't have long to wait as I'm reading it next.

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

My rating:

Purchase link: https://mybook.to/islandking-zbt

About the author:

Gina Giordano always had an insatiable curiosity and a penchant for history. Born in New York City, she is a writer, artist, and a conjurer of the past. She holds a BA in history and a master’s degree in historical fiction from New York University, and has traveled to over sixty-five countries across the globe. When she is not climbing ancient ruins or exploring forgotten palaces, she enjoys swimming with sharks in remote pristine waters. Her debut novel, Strange Eden, was longlisted for the 2023 Bath Novel Award.

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BLOGATHON: A Woman Scorned - Jack Jordan

I'm taking part in the Compulsive Readers Jack Jordan Blogathon and I'm resharing my review of A Woman Scorned from 2018. 

Are you afraid? You should be.

The husband: in over his head with no way of knowing the truth.

The mistress: blinded by love, betrayed by her family...

The neighbour: will stop at nothing to protect the life he has fought to create.

The wife: a woman bent on revenge, but how far is she willing to go...?

Dark as night, this is a brilliantly plotted, gripping short story from the bestselling author Jack Jordan.

What did I think (in 2018)?

Jack Jordan is one of my favourite authors so it was like having a trip to 'excitement city' when he released a novella as I waited patiently for his next novel.  The writing as usual is superb but this book is SO good that the pages flick by so quickly and, being a novella, the whole experience is over far too quickly.  Yes, I'm a greedy reader and I want more Jack Jordan books!  I can almost hear Jack's fingers whooshing over the keyboard...as my wishes do sometimes come true!

So...A Woman Scorned...wow!  What a book, it is absolutely gripping and full of surprises.  I certainly wouldn't want to cross this scorned woman!  I positively whizzed through the book and although I wanted to savour every single word, I just couldn't read it fast enough.  Jack Jordan has that knack of giving you just enough Hansel and Gretel crumbs to follow whilst also releasing the handbrake on the runaway train so you can't read it fast enough before the breathtaking conclusion.  

Amber is one of those women that I would love to have as a friend but at the same time I would be frightened of saying the wrong thing to her.  At the flick of a switch she can go from being the perfect wife to a cold calculating woman bent on revenge.  I loved that about her though, how she gave the illusion that everything was fine when behind the scenes she was like 'I'll get you, you cheating b*stard'.

Having read as many books as I have, I did guess a little of the big reveal but I still enjoyed every single second of it.  Nobody can write with as much drama and unbridled tension as Jack Jordan and if you haven't discovered him yet, I urge you to pick up, not one but, all of his books right now!

A Woman Scorned is an absolute belter; thrilling, gripping and completely riveting, you won't be able to put it down!

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon




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BLOG TOUR: Strange Eden (The Strange Eden Series Book 1) - Gina Giordano

Everything familiar to Eliza has been ripped away. Even worse, the cruel deed was done by her own hands.

Nassau, Bahamas, 1791…

Eliza Sharpe, recently wed to a mysterious and brooding soldier, departs for the West Indies with him to begin their new life. Once there, she realizes their marital arrangement is ill-fated and that she has made a disastrous choice. Charles, the man she finds herself bound to, is nothing short of a monster.

On their very first night in New Providence, her innocence is irrevocably shattered. The walls of her new home hide a dark family secret, and Eliza realizes that the freedom she sought within marriage is a worse cage than the constraints she faced before.

Eliza struggles with her new existence, her exposure to Charles’ explosive temper, the brutality of slavery, and her isolation as she tries to grow accustomed to life on distant shores. The only source of comfort she finds is swimming in the startlingly clear ocean, an activity Charles expressly forbids.

As she attempts to flee her deteriorating situation, an unexpected encounter with a beguiling stranger named Jean offers a promise of escape. Despite the dark rumors that swirl around her recent acquaintance and his mysterious past, he captures Eliza’s interest, and ultimately, her heart―with deadly consequences.

On an island where nothing is as it appears, Eliza is confronted with the harsh realities of living on the fringe of empire, of womanhood, and the overt corruption that festers in the governor’s mansion on the hill. Will she ever be able to secure her freedom―and possibly even find redemption in love?

 

What did I think?

Wow!  What a fantastic book this is!  Strange Eden in the first book in the Strange Eden series and it has more than whetted my appetite to continue the story.  No review I write will do it justice so if you only read this far make sure to click the purchase link below as you definitely won't regret it. 

I knew I was going to like Eliza from the start as she is a book lover and I am smiling just thinking of how much she values her books; I have to say that I would have done exactly the same in her position.  The character that didn't endear themselves to me was her new husband Charles.  Charles and Eliza set sail to the Caribbean to start their new married life and, without giving anything away, it's not as idyllic as she hoped.

Oh if only I could have reached into the book, I would have been arrested for literary homicide as Charles is abhorrent.  Eliza is stronger than she realises though and she has a good moral compass which is why she struggles with the slavery on the island.  The class divide is shocking and disturbing as people are treated like possessions and of course where there is power there is treachery so Eliza may be fighting a battle she can never win.

Strange Eden is a relatively chunky book at 517 pages but I could have read more (and indeed I will as I'll be reading book two very soon).  Gina Giordano's writing is vivid and evocative as her beautiful words paint a colourful picture of the island and the characters.

Atmospheric, captivating and moving, Strange Eden is an enthralling saga that swept me away to an island that is certainly not paradise.  It's an impressive debut novel and a fantastic start to what I'm sure will be a compelling series.  Unputdownable and unmissable - an easy five stars and a very highly recommended read.

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

My rating:

Purchase link:

https://mybook.to/strangeeden-zbt

About the author:

Gina Giordano always had an insatiable curiosity and a penchant for history. Born in New York City, she is a writer, artist, and a conjurer of the past. She holds a BA in history and a master’s degree in historical fiction from New York University, and has traveled to over sixty-five countries across the globe. When she is not climbing ancient ruins or exploring forgotten palaces, she enjoys swimming with sharks in remote pristine waters. Her debut novel, Strange Eden, was longlisted for the 2023 Bath Novel Award.

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BLOG TOUR: The Corpse Bell - Ian McFadyen

 

The last thing Penny Carmichael expected when she joined the local bellringing group was for her debut to be thwarted by the discovery of a body just yards from the belfry door. As her husband and his loyal team painstakingly sift through the evidence and delve deep into the dead man's past, it's clear that solving Peter Mackenzie's murder may prove a challenge, even for someone with DCI Carmichael's renowned detective prowess.

What was a man who'd lived for decades in North London doing in Moulton Bank?  Was his chequered past a factor?

And what about the other members of Penny's bellringing group. Did any of them have a reason to do Peter harm? 

As the case unfolds, DCI Carmichael and his trusty team seek answers to a complex puzzle which leads them along various paths and, at times, way outside the comfort zone of their rural Lancashire surroundings. 

This fast-paced, cleverly crafted whodunit is the eleventh murder mystery in the gripping Carmichael series from the pen of Ian McFadyen.

What did I think?

The Corpse Bell is the eleventh book in the DCI Carmichael series but it's my first and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so it can definitely be read as a standalone.

The village of Moulton Bank is a dangerous place to live when there's a killer on the loose.  As it's the first book I have read in the series, I was suspicious of everyone but I wasn't even close to guessing who it actually was.

There's a bit of a powerplay among the bellringers as only one person is allowed to ring the corpse bell at funerals.  This puts all of the bellringers under suspicion as they all have motive, although DCI Carmichael should be able to rule out Penny, the newest addition to the bellringing team, as he is married to her.

I loved the inclusion of the police lists which made me feel like I was part of the investigative team.  It was great to see things being crossed off the lists and new items being added and I thought it would have felt a bit repetitive but it gave me the chance to run through the clues again.  Not that I was even remotely pointing in the right direction of course!  Well played, Mr McFadyen!

Entertaining, intriguing and immersive, The Corpse Bell is a brilliant murder mystery that makes the reader feel like they are part of the police team.  I will definitely be looking to read the earlier books in the series as I loved this one.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

Ian McFadyen was born in Liverpool and enjoyed a successful career in marketing before becoming a writer. Ian’s titles are available in Italian and Czech and, although the author isn’t totally convinced it’s true, he’s been favourably compared with Wilkie Collins and Colin Dexter. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife but spends a great deal of his time writing in his bolthole retreat on the Norfolk / Suffolk border. The Corpse Bell is the eleventh in his series featuring DCI Carmichael.

Social Media Links – 

Facebook:  Facebook.com/ianmcfadyenauthor

Twitter / X :  @ianMcFadyen1

Instagram : @ianwmcfadyen

Website: https://www.ianmcfadyenauthor.com/ 

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The Vanishing Act - Jo Jakeman

Life as a missing person is absolute murder...

When artist Eloise Ford hears that human remains found in an abandoned mine are believed to be those of long-missing teenager Elizabeth King, the shock sends her reeling.

It can't be true. Eloise knows this for a fact because... she is Elizabeth King.

Now, her carefully curated life in Cornwall is falling apart. Her husband is acting strangely, her children aren't speaking to her and she can't sell a painting for love nor money. But much more worrying are the signs that someone knows exactly who she is... and why she had to vanish thirty years ago.

Eloise needs answers. Is her son's ex-girlfriend just plain annoying... or does she know something? Will the detection skills of the online 'Truth Seekers' group prove more than amateurish? What's the real story behind those village newcomers?

And just how far would she go to keep her family, her friends, and her fraudulent life, safe?

 

What did I think?

I picked up The Vanishing Act solely on the cover (without reading the blurb) so one of the twists that is mentioned in the blurb was a complete shock to me.  I simply couldn't put it down and read it in a couple of hours so be prepared to do nothing but read when you pick up The Vanishing Act.

The story is told from the points of view of Eloise Ford and Holly Bond.  Both women have a keen interest in the human remains that have been found close to where they live but there's more to this story than meets the eye.  I loved the relationship between Eloise and her son's ex-girlfriend Holly.  Eloise really didn't like Holly to start with but she certainly grows on her.

It's pretty creepy and a little scary that Eloise doesn't know who she can trust as she struggles to hold on to the perfect life that she has built over the past 30 years.  I think it must have been quite exhausting to maintain the perfection that she has strived for but I can understand her motives for doing so.

The pacing is blisteringly fast once the book gets its hooks into you, which for me was just a few pages in, and I read it so much quicker than I expected which is always the mark of a good book.  Holly is part of a Facebook group about missing people and I loved reading the posts between them; each character has their own writing style and unique voice and it feels as if they were written by real people.

Completely gripping and incredibly addictive, The Vanishing Act is as unputdownable as it is unpredictable.  I absolutely loved it and can't recommend it highly enough - it's easily one of the best books I've read this year.  The Vanishing Act is my first Jo Jakeman book and I will definitely be looking at her back catalogue on the strength of this novel.

Many thanks to Hannah Hargrave PR for sending me a gifted hardback to read and review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: How to Slay on Holiday - Sarah Bonner

You’d kill for a holiday like this one…

Chloe and her husband Scott are holidaying with their families on the beautiful Greek island of Mykonos. But Chloe has a secret... She has hired a hitman to kill Scott when they return home. This week, her plan is to pretend to be such a happy wife that no suspicion can possibly fall on her after the murder.

But she's reckoning without Scott’s meddlesome sister, Tori, plus the rivalries and demands of both families. Can she deal with them all while keeping her murderous intentions hidden?

Then Chloe wakes up in their villa covered in blood, next to a dead body, with no memory of the previous night. Panic ensues as she tries to piece together what happened - and just who else on this holiday might be a secret killer...

Fans of Katy Brent, Bella Mackie and Julie Mae Cohen won't be able to resist this twisty, darkly funny crime thriller.

 

What did I think?

OMG I loved this book! It's the first book by Sarah Bonner that I have read but I will definitely be reading more of her books now that I have read this cracking thriller.

I loved Chloe, even though she has planned the murder of her husband down to every last detail...or so she thinks.  Of course, it goes slightly wrong and that's when the dark humour ramps up several notches.  

I'm keeping my review purposefully brief so I don't inadvertently give away any of the plot that would spoil it for others but I absolutely loved it.  I did work out some of the twists but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book one iota.  

Incredibly entertaining and highly addictive, How to Slay on Holiday is a fun, slightly gory and sharp darkly comic thriller.  I thought it was brilliant and I think it would be a great holiday 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 link: https://mybook.to/howtoslayonholiday

About the author:

Sarah Bonner is the author of several bestselling psychological thrillers.

Social Media Links –  

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Bookbub profile: @SarahBonner

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