The Island - Victoria Hislop

The acclaimed million-copy number one bestseller and winner of Richard & Judy's Summer Read 2006 from Victoria Hislop is a dramatic tale of four generations, rent by war, illicit love, violence and leprosy, from the thirties, through the war, to the present day.

On the brink of a life-changing decision, Alexis Fielding longs to find out about her mother's past. But Sofia has never spoken of it. All she admits to is growing up in a small Cretan village before moving to London. When Alexis decides to visit Crete, however, Sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to an old friend, and promises that through her she will learn more.

Arriving in Plaka, Alexis is astonished to see that it lies a stone's throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga - Greece's former leper colony. Then she finds Fotini, and at last hears the story that Sofia has buried all her life: the tale of her great-grandmother Eleni and her daughters and a family rent by tragedy, war and passion. She discovers how intimately she is connected with the island, and how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip...

What did I think?

When I read my first Victoria Hislop book, The Sunrise, I just knew that I had to read all of her other books, so I was delighted when my fairy godsister offered to loan me her copy of The Island which was Victoria Hislop's first novel.  What an amazing debut, it's absolutely breathtaking and it affected me so much that I found myself getting quite emotional quite a few times.

I have never been to Crete but my parents have been and I heard all about their trip to Spinalonga - the famous Greek leper colony.  What Victoria Hislop does so cleverly is that she breathes new life into history by creating characters you take to your heart so that you walk every step and feel every emotion with them.

The story starts in 2001 with Alexis Fielding visiting the small fishing village of Plaka to find out about her family history, it's a bit of an excuse to get away from her boyfriend for a few days on their holiday to Crete.  Alexis carries a letter from her mother, Sofia, to her old friend Fotini which asks Fotini to tell Alexis the story that Sofia can't bring herself to tell her daughter.  So the story rolls back to 1939 beginning with Sofia's grandparents, Georgis and Eleni, and their two daughters Anna and Maria.  The family are heartbroken when leprosy curses their house and a life on Spinalonga beckons for Eleni, but this isn't the only secret that Sofia has kept hidden from Alexis.

The story of Spinalonga is absolutely fascinating and I could imagine people's fear of leprosy before it was fully understood.  It's so sad to think that people could have been going about their everyday lives then noticing an odd patch of skin and before they know it they are ripped from their family and sent to live on the island.  It must have been soul destroying to be so close to mainland Crete but hopefully the residents made the best of it, as they did in this book.  This multi-coloured, hopeful and beautiful story is the history of Spinalonga that I want to remember and The Island is not a book I will ever forget.

A beautiful, breathtaking debut that breathes new life into this mysterious island and reveals its colourful history so vividly through Victoria Hislop's descriptive and emotional prose.  A definite recommended read and one that I will read again.

My rating:

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Blackout (Dark Iceland 3) - Ragnar Jónasson

On the shores of a tranquil fjord in Northern Iceland, a man is brutally beaten to death on a bright summer’s night. As the 24-hour light of the arctic summer is transformed into darkness by an ash cloud from a recent volcanic eruption, a young reporter leaves Reykajvik to investigate on her own, unaware that an innocent person’s life hangs in the balance. Ari Thór Arason and his colleagues on the tiny police force in Siglufjörður struggle with an increasingly perplexing case, while their own serious personal problems push them to the limit. What secrets does the dead man harbour, and what is the young reporter hiding? As silent, unspoken horrors from the past threaten them all, and the darkness deepens, it’s a race against time to find the killer before someone else dies…

What did I think?

The fantastic cover of Blackout gives some hint of the creeping darkness in this third instalment of the Dark Iceland series - I bought an ebook but I think it would have looked even better 'in the flesh'.

As an ash cloud threatens to turn the country into darkness, a brutal murder is committed in Iceland.  I used to want to visit Iceland, but I'm having second thoughts after all the murders portrayed in Ragnar Jónasson's books; they are so very realistic that you forget they are fiction.  I even think of Ari Thór as an old friend, one who's annoying at times but he is a cool iceman after all.

I felt like there were a lot of characters in Blackout, and being set before book 2, Nightblind, it didn't take much to confuse me.  As much as I didn't know who was who at times, it didn't stop me enjoying the story but I do wish that I had read Blackout before Nightblind.  As I've come to expect with Ragnar's books, the elements are painted as characters in their own right and there was nothing more menacing than an ash cloud from a volcanic eruption.  

I particularly loved the new character of Isrún, a young journalist, who is determined to get her story before the darkness descends.  We dig a little into Isrún's family history which was my favourite part of the story, being almost a dual storyline and the thread which kept me turning page after page.

The whole Dark Iceland series is set to be a classic series for crime fiction lovers.  You don't get much darker than Icelandic Noir and Blackout will have you turning the pages until all its dark and chilling secrets are revealed.

My rating:

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The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

A global phenomenon, The Alchemist has been read and loved by over 62 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever.

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. This is such a book – a beautiful parable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life’s path and, above all, follow your dreams.

Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, feels that there is more to life than his humble home and his flock. One day he finds the courage to follow his dreams into distant lands, each step galvanised by the knowledge that he is following the right path: his own. The people he meets along the way, the things he sees and the wisdom he learns are life-changing.

With Paulo Coelho’s visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore, The Alchemist is a story with the power to inspire nations and change people’s lives.

What did I think?

I have a love of Egyptian history and anything Egyptian so I'm surprised I hadn't picked up The Alchemist before it was my book club read for December.  Just the pyramids on the cover of some editions should have been enough for it to draw my attention but I'm embarrassed to say that I had never even heard of the book.

The Alchemist is written as if it's a fable with the air of magic surrounding it.  There's nothing more magical than an alchemist: one who can turn ordinary metal into gold but what about the treasure within ourselves?  Treasure is what Santiago aims to find - he sets off from Andalusia en route to Egypt, encountering the usual thieves and rogues along the way, but learning lots of life lessons.  He falls in love but never waivers from his mission, despite a few shaky moments.

I really wanted to love The Alchemist but I didn't have any of those eye-opening moments that I expected.  It's a good story but I felt it wasn't quite sure what it wanted to be: a bedtime story or a piece of adult fiction, perhaps some of that was down to the translation.  It seemed very simple at times, reminding me of a bedtime story then suddenly it would be quite serious and frightening.  

I enjoyed the journey I went on with Santiago and it did remind me to look inside myself for my own treasure, but it wasn't a story I think I will remember for a long time.  I'm glad that I read it and it didn't take much time to do so, but it didn't really live up to my high expectations.  I think it is a timeless novel that many people will enjoy, but unfortunately it didn't set my world on fire.

My rating:

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My Top 20 of 2017

It's been another cracking year of reading for me with 182 books read and all of such high quality that this could quite easily have been a top 40.  I found it even more difficult to pick 20 top books this year as the standard has been so high, and LJ Ross took up 3 spots by releasing 3 brilliant books in 2017 and I couldn't leave any of them out.

After many hours of deliberation, you can see my top 20 of 2017 below in no particular order.  

Click on any image to (hopefully) go to my review with Amazon links for you to purchase any copies for yourself - I heartily recommend that you don't miss a single one of these books.

High Force, Cragside and the stunning Dark Skies by LJ Ross are all guaranteed a spot in my best books of 2017.  It wouldn't be a Top 20 without an LJ Ross book in there and with the books coming so thick and fast, they'll be taking over the Top 20 before you know it!  The DCI Ryan series is a firm favourite of mine and if you haven't discovered it yet I urge you to do so right now!

All The Colours In Between by Eva Jordan - I was so looking forward to the sequel to the absolutely hilarious debut 183 Times A Year and Eva Jordan did not disappoint.  As much as I didn't want the story to end, I was delighted to see 'To Be Continued' at the end, giving us something to look forward to in 2018.

The Lighterman by Simon Michael – The Charles Holborne series is another firm favourite of mine.  This third instalment had me on the edge of my seat as Charles Holborne is sucked further into the seedy underbelly of London and into the cross hairs of The Krays.

The Food of Love by Amanda Prowse - Amanda Prowse is well known for writing emotional books straight from the heart and this one had me in floods of tears.  It is so beautifully written that the emotion positively flowed from the page and out of my eyes.  A stunning book that I will never forget.

The Detriment by David Videcette - he can't tell us the truth but he can tell us a story.  David Videcette made my jaw drop again in this brilliant sequel to The Theseus Paradox.

The Birthday That Changed Everything by Debbie Johnson - this was the most hilarious book I have ever read so it deserves a mention in my top books of 2017.  I mistook it as a bit of romantic chicklit from the cover but I have never laughed so much - it's the perfect feel good pick-me-up book.

Maria in the Moon by Louise Beech - Louise Beech is a stunning writer and I was left completely thunderstuck and speechless after reading this exquisite piece of fiction.  

The Honeymoon by Tina Seskis - the shock of the year award goes to Tina Seskis for her stomach clenchingly brilliant book.  This one is a must read for psychological thriller fans.

It has been an excellent year for debut fiction with no less than 10 debut authors making it into my Top 20:

Room 119 - The Whitby Trader by T.F. Lince – this is a book I am very excited about and I was honoured to be one of the first to read it.  I loved the whole storyline which I found emotional and thought-provoking; I think we'll be hearing a lot about this book in 2018.

Widdershins by Helen Steadman – one of my most recommended books last year, this is an immersive and compelling debut based on the actual events of the Newcastle witch trials.  It was so good I almost forgot to drink my cup of tea!

The Dry by Jane Harper – a breathtaking, outstanding and mesmeric debut that left me thirsty for more (groans ha ha).

A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart – a magnificent, flawless and breathtaking story that had me in floods of happy tears yet unable to put the book down.

Undercurrent by J.A. Baker – an absolutely scorching twisty debut that made me question everything I had read.

Deep Down Dead by Steph Broadribb – a fabulous fast-paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and wouldn't let me put the book down.

Under The Cherry Tree by Lilac Mills – both heartwarming and heartbreaking, you'll laugh and you'll cry at this book which is practically perfect in every way

False Prophet by Richard Davis – a stonking fast-paced thriller, you'd better buckle up for this rollercoaster of a read.

Fortune's Wheel by Carolyn Hughes - intriguing, fascinating and surprisingly emotional historical fiction set during the time of the Black Death.

Veteran Avenue by Mark Pepper – a brilliant, thought-provoking novel that will stay with you long after turning the final page.

With very best wishes for a happy, healthy and book-filled 2018

If She Did It - Jessica Treadway

What if you began to suspect your child of an unspeakable crime?

One night changed everything. A father murdered in his bed. A mother beaten almost to death. A daughter who claims she knew nothing about her boyfriend's murderous plans. But is she telling the truth?

Hanna can't remember the details of what happened that traumatic night, she barely survived the brutal assault that left her a widow. However, if she is to keep her husband's killer in jail, she knows she has to try. But Hanna hadn't realised that those memories may cause her to question everything she thought she knew about her daughter...

What did I think?

If She Did It is quite a quick read as you can't wait to find out what really happened on the night that Hanna's husband Joe was killed and Hanna was left for dead.  All the evidence points to Rud Petty, the boyfriend of Hanna's youngest daughter, Dawn, and Rud was convicted of the crime but the question on everyone's lips is how involved was Dawn?  Now that Rud has launched an appeal, with Hanna still unable to remember, there's every chance that Rud will be released.  Is he guilty or innocent?

A mother's natural instinct is to protect her daughter so perhaps Dawn was there that night (as it seems like EVERYONE thinks) and Hanna's brain is protecting her by not remembering something she doesn't want to know.  Dawn hasn't exactly had an easy life: cursed with a lazy eye she struggled to fit in at school and didn't even seem to fit into her own family.  Some of the things Dawn said as a child really pulled at my heartstrings as she seemed to identify herself as an outsider.  Hanna's life also hasn't been the bed of roses we are led to believe at the beginning, she has been nurturing a seed of guilt that has ended up sprouting into an overgrown weed.  Jessica Treadway really puts the Schutt family under the microscope as the reader gathers all the evidence and becomes judge and jury.

Great characters, although none that I actually liked, and a steady plot made this a slow-burning page turner; once you start it you can't read fast enough to find out If She Did It.

My rating:

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The Toymakers - Robert Dinsdale

Do you remember when you believed in magic?

It is 1917, and while war wages across Europe, in the heart of London, there is a place of hope and enchantment.

The Emporium sells toys that capture the imagination of children and adults alike: patchwork dogs that seem alive, toy boxes that are bigger on the inside, soldiers that can fight battles of their own. Into this family business comes young Cathy Wray, running away from a shameful past. The Emporium takes her in, makes her one of its own.

But Cathy is about to discover that the Emporium has secrets of its own…

What did I think?

I was immediately drawn to the striking cover of The Toymakers and decided to read this on the run up to Christmas to inject a little magic into my life.  I didn't expect to feel so emotional at the end but the power of Robert Dinsdale's writing clearly worked its way into my heart like a toy soldier scaling a battlement.  Don't be mistaken: this is not solely a magical feel-good story, it is mainly set during World War I so be prepared for loss and devastation but you can forget about it for a while when you enter Papa Jack's Emporium.

The Emporium is hidden away down a side street in London and you could easily walk past it, if you didn't know it was there.  This magical toy shop opens at first frost and closes as the first snowdrop flowers but in the short time it is open you can find every toy imaginable in its four walls, but even more toys that you could never have imagined.  Papa Jack and his sons, Kaspar and Emil, create all the toys themselves and there's quite a rivalry between the boys as to whose toys are the best.  

Cathy Wray is drawn to the Emporium after she sees an advert in the newspaper, just when she thought she could not escape her predicament.  So she runs away from home and starts a job in the Emporium, but when the first snowdrop flowers she has nowhere to go and hides in the wendy house in the Emporium.  Both brothers find her at different times and keep it a secret from each other as their rivalry extends to who will win Cathy's heart.  After the war, this intense rivalry threatens to be the downfall of the Emporium when Kaspar meddles with Emil's precious toy soldiers...the toy soldiers don't want to fight anymore and seem to have minds of their own.  Can the Emporium ever survive when Kaspar, Emil and thousands of toy soldiers are at loggerheads and Hitler's bombs are flying overhead? 

Let your imagination run wild and expect the unexpected in The Toymakers.  My imagination went into overdrive and I thought of those horrific Chucky movies as the toy soldiers were scuttling about all over the place.  I found it terribly heartbreaking as the horrors of the First World War were touched on and hoped the soldiers had somebody like Kaspar in the trenches with them to give them some comfort.

The Toymakers wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  The Emporium is painted in such glorious colour through the magical prose that I felt as if I was visiting it myself.  I think The Toymakers is a little like the Emporium itself, it's only going to be enjoyable to those who believe in magic but know that the big bad world is right outside the door.

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

My rating:

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The Roanoke Girls - Amy Engel

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE A ROANOKE GIRL. BUT YOU WON'T WHEN YOU KNOW THE TRUTH.

The girls of the Roanoke family - beautiful, rich, mysterious - seem to have it all. But there's a dark truth about them that's never spoken. Either the girls run away... or they die.

Lane is one of the lucky ones. When she was fifteen, over one long, hot summer at her grandparents' estate in rural Kansas, she found out what it really means to be a Roanoke girl. Lane ran, far and fast. Until eleven years later, when her cousin Allegra goes missing - and Lane has no choice but to go back.

She is a Roanoke girl.

Is she strong enough to escape a second time?

What did I think?

I was aware before I read The Roanoke Girls that it may be an uncomfortable read, and it was but not to the degree that I expected; perhaps I have become hardened to shocking dark fiction.  I think some people will find it very difficult to read, but as a piece of fiction it was quite riveting.

When Lane's mother commits suicide she is sent to live with her grandparents' who she has never met, so you know there is some kind of family secret that caused the fracturing in the family.  Lane's cousin, Allegra, already lives with her grandparents and the pair form a natural bond, but things with Allegra aren't quite what they seem.  When Lane sees her family for what they really are she leaves Roanoke, never to return, until Allegra goes missing and she has no alternative but to go back.

As Lane uncovers the truth around Allegra's disappearance, be prepared for some very difficult reading.  Praise to Amy Engel for not being too graphic but it still made my skin crawl.  It's very difficult to talk about this book without giving anything away but I think of it as sort of a guilty pleasure.  I really enjoyed it but felt I shouldn't have, if you know what I mean?  You'll know what I mean if you've read it.

It's the darkest book I've read for a long time but it still defies you to have the courage to remove your eyes from the page.  I loved how what was going on was insinuated but when proof was revealed in front of my eyes I felt shock and disgust.  It just shows that seeing is believing!  Although the story is told from Lane's point of view, we mustn't forget Allegra: she is a true Roanoke girl and the thread that draws us into this fascinating story.

The Roanoke Girls is a story that will shock and horrify you, but it is so compelling that you can't tear your eyes from the page until the inevitable heart-breaking ending is revealed.

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

My rating:

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