BLOG TOUR: The Mist - Ragnar Jónasson

 

1987. An isolated farm house in the east of Iceland.

The snowstorm should have shut everybody out. But it didn't.

The couple should never have let him in. But they did.

An unexpected guest, a liar, a killer. Not all will survive the night. And Detective Hulda will be haunted forever . . .

What did I think?

STOP! Don't read my review - just buy the book!  It's THAT good.  Or more seriously, read my review really fast until you reach the buy links near the bottom, click to buy and wait until one of the BEST books you'll read this year lands on your doormat.

I absolutely love Ragnar Jónasson's Dark Iceland series starring police officer Ari Thór Arason, but I completely missed that he had published this Hidden Iceland series starring Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdottir.  The Mist is the third book in the series but you can totally read it as a standalone, while you wait for your order of the previous two books to arrive, as you'll want to read them as soon as you've read The Mist.

The prologue is set in February 1988 with Hulda Hermannsdottir returning to work after some time off.  My little antenna of curiosity stood to attention as I desperately wanted to know what had happened to Hulda and I thought I'd made a terrible mistake in jumping in at the third book in the series, but fear not because Ragnar Jónasson rolls back the clock a few months and Hulda's JAW DROPPING story will be revealed within this very book.  So get your reading skates on as there's some speed reading to do!

Oh my word, Ragnar Jónasson's magnificent writing is an absolute pleasure to read.  Impeccably translated from Icelandic to English by Victoria Cribb, you can't tell at all that it's a translated book.  The prose is exquisite, building tension layer upon layer just like the snow falling during the storm.  Snow that you can 'feel' without having to look outside.  How true is that?  It's like we have a sixth sense that makes us draw back the curtains to find that our street has been coated in blanket of snow.

I'm going to say very little about the plot so that I don't spoil it, but I previously mentioned Hulda's very intriguing story and this gives us a dual storyline in between the murders that she is investigating.  Both storylines have little cliffhangers at the end of their chapters so that you are compelled to keep reading, so brew a big pot of coffee as you'll be up all night reading The Mist.  The Mist is so good, it's a read it in one-sitting book; I definitely wasn't going to go to sleep until I'd finished it!

It was through reading Ragnar Jónasson's books that I found out about Jólabókaflóðið, the Icelandic Christmas book flood, and there's another fabulous Icelandic tradition mentioned in The Mist: buying new clothes to ward off 'The Christmas Cat'.  According to Icelandic legend, this is an evil cat that eats children who don't get any new clothes for Christmas.  Although we don't have a similar British equivalent, it perhaps explains why we get horrific knitted jumpers from our grandparents when we're young!

Brilliant from beginning to end, The Mist is one of the best books I've read this year.  Perfectly plotted, fast paced and completely addictive, The Mist is an exceptional thriller that is impossible to put down.  This is such an outstanding book that a five star rating feels woefully inadequate; I really can't recommend it highly enough.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a gifted book to read and review; all opinions are my own. 

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon UK

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COVER REVEAL: The Girl Who Died - Ragnar Jónasson

I'm thrilled to be taking part in the cover reveal of the new Ragnar Jónasson book today.  The Girl Who Died is Ragnar's first standalone novel and it's being published on 29 April 2021.  I can barely contain my excitement so let's have a look at the cover before I burst!!

This cover really sets the scene for what I'm sure will be an AWESOME book, it's dark, snowy and isolated - I've got chills already!  You can read the synopsis of the book below, where you can also find out more about the author and most importantly, click on that preorder link.

Here's a little bit about the book:

Una is devastated after the suicide of her father. So when she sees an advert seeking a teacher for two girls in Skálar on the storm-battered north coast of the island, she sees it as a chance to escape.

But once she arrives, Una quickly realises nothing in city life has prepared her for this. The villagers are unfriendly. The weather is bleak. And, from the creaky attic bedroom in the old house she's living, she's convinced she hears the ghostly sound of singing.

Una worries that she's losing her mind. And then, just before Christmas, there's a death in the village…

About the author:

RAGNAR JÓNASSON was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he works as a writer and a lawyer. He also teaches copyright law at Reykjavik University, and has worked as a TV news reporter for Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. He is the author of the DARK ICELAND series (Snowblind, Nightblind, Blackout, Rupture and Whiteout) and the HIDDEN ICELAND series (The Darkness, The Island, The Mist).

Ragnar is the co-founder of Iceland Noir, Iceland’s first crime fiction festival. From the age of 17, Ragnar translated 14 Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic; a practice that has inspired his own writing. 

Follow him on Twitter @Ragnarjo

Preorder link:

Waterstones

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY (UK ONLY)

Well 2020 has been quite a year, to say the least.  Thank goodness for books; there's never been a better time to escape between the pages of a good novel.  Now that December is upon us, I thought it would be a good time to run a fabulous festive giveaway.  Not only do you get the chance to win an absolutely wonderful book, you also get some lovely tea to drink while you're reading.  

One lucky winner is in for a real treat as I loved Only Human by Diane Chandler (you can read my review HERE) and I've recently tried Duke of Earl Grey from Leafy Bean Co and it's the BEST Earl Grey tea I have ever tasted (you can read my review HERE).

Thank you to Diane Chandler for providing a paperback of Only Human and a Moondance bookmark and to Leafy Bean Co for providing 3 different flavoured boxes of their tea bags.

So get clicking, tweeting and following!  GOOD LUCK!

You could win all this:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and conditions:

No purchase is necessary to enter the prize draw. 

Entries are open to UK residents only.

Entries must be received by 11:59pm 7 December 2020.

All entries will be checked and any found to be incomplete or ineligible will be disqualified.

The draw will be made at 10am on 8 December 2020 and the winner will be notified by email the same day.

The winner will be required to provide their postal address to claim the prize.

The prize will be posted within 5 days of being claimed.

If the prize is not claimed within 7 days another winner will be chosen.

No compensation will be given for a prize that has been lost in the post.

By entering the draw you are accepting the terms and conditions listed above.

COVER REVEAL: Acts of Kindness - Heather Barnett

I'm delighted to be taking part in the Serpentine Books cover reveal for Heather Barnett's debut novel, Acts of Kindness.  It's due to be published on 11 March 2021 and I can't wait to read it.  Let's have a look at the cover!

Well purple is my favourite colour so I absolutely LOVE this cover.  The colours are beautiful and I'm very intrigued by that grand building the woman is walking towards.  You can read the synopsis of the book below, where you can also find out more about the author and most importantly, click on that preorder link.

Here's a little bit about the book:

Dream Job. Fresh Start. Big Mistake.

When Bella Black arrives in a sleepy Wiltshire village, it seems like the perfect place for a new start: a lovely home, exciting job and an attractive colleague or two to take her mind off her recent divorce.

When people start disappearing, she realises she holds the key to a mystery bigger than she could have ever imagined.

Who is really pulling the strings at the secretive OAK Institute? 

Can anyone be trusted?

Will Bella make the right choices before it's too late? 

About the author:

Heather Barnett gained a degree in English and French from the University of Leeds and has written ever since: from copywriting to stand-up comedy and sketches. She is now focusing on writing novels. Heather's influences span Jane Austen and Douglas Adams at one end of the alphabet through to PG Wodehouse at the other. 

Heather's debut novel, Acts of Kindness, is an uplifting, light-hearted mystery. It was inspired by witnessing commuters helping a woman who'd fallen down the stairs at Paddington station; intermingled with wondering what was behind some grand stone gateposts that she used to drive past in Wiltshire. 

Her second novel, Lord Seeks Wife, is a romantic comedy and will be published summer 2021.

Aside from writing, Heather's interests are classic literature, cats and comedy. 

Heather is head of marketing at an agency near Oxford and lives by the river Kennet in Berkshire.

For more information on Heather and her books, please visit her website: www.heatherbarnettauthor.com or join the discussion on Twitter @WritesHeather.

Preorder links:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon UK 

Amazon US

BLOG TOUR: Sins of the Father - Sharon Bairden

Lucas Findlay thinks he has struck gold when he marries Rebecca, but she married him for one reason only – to destroy him.

Trauma runs deep

When her past comes back to haunt her, Rebecca begins to disconnect from herself and the world around her. As secrets are unearthed, she begins to fear for her sanity … and her life.

Truth will out

With her world unravelling around her, Rebecca clings to her determination to make Lucas pay, whatever the cost.

Forgive his sins

But someone must pay for the sins of the father…

What did I think?

Yowzers!  This book is dark; if it was a Pantone it would definitely be Vantablack.  Of course just looking at the absolutely stunning but disturbingly dark cover, it doesn't claim to be anything other than dark.  

Sharon Bairden is a well-known established book blogger and now she has a foot in both camps as a debut author.  I have to say that her writing is very accomplished for a debut author and I was very impressed.  The storyline itself is so harrowing and Sharon's expressive writing brings it further to life, not only making my skin crawl but making me feel like I needed a shower at the end of certain chapters.

I don't want to say too much about the plot other than what is in the blurb but Rebecca sure is determined to destroy Lucas, her husband.  I was really torn in my feelings for the main characters: can you ever really feel sorry for a monster?  There are always two sides to every story but once you're set on revenge, there's no going back.

It's always fun to see characters named after people you know, albeit virtually, and it was really nice to see Sharon Bairden paying homage to her friends by naming characters after them; it's like a who's who of A-List book bloggers.  

Sins of the Father is a brilliant debut; it's an uncomfortable read with a dark and twisty plot that sent shivers down my spine.  Well done, Sharon!

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Red Dog Press

Amazon

About the author:

By day Sharon Bairden is the Services Manager in a small, local independent advocacy service and has a passion for human rights; by night she has a passion for all things criminal. She blogs about books at Chapterinmylife and is delighted to be crossing over to the other side of the fence to become a writer. Sharon lives on the outskirts of Glasgow, has two grown up children, a grandson, a Golden Labrador and a cat. She spends most of her spare time doing all things bookish, from reading to attending as many book festivals and launches as she can. She has been known to step out of her comfort zone on the odd occasion and has walked over burning coals and broken glass - but not at the same time!

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337 - M. Jonathan Lee

337 follows the life of Samuel Darte whose mother vanished when he was in his teens. It was his brother, Tom who found her wedding ring on the kitchen table along with the note.

While their father pays the price of his mother’s disappearance, Sam learns that his long-estranged Gramma is living out her last days in a nursing home nearby.

Keen to learn about what really happened that day and realising the importance of how little time there is, he visits her to finally get the truth.

Soon it’ll be too late and the family secrets will be lost forever. Reduced to ashes. But in a story like this, nothing is as it seems. 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, this book completely blew me away.  The writing is sublime and the story is so powerful and thought-provoking that you can't help but look back over your own choices in life.  The book title is also a little quirky, I'm not sure whether it means something particular (I was wondering weeks or months) but if you've ever keyed in 5376616 on your calculator and turned it round to spell giggles, you'll see the magic behind the title.

Before I talk about the story, I have to mention the book format.  I'm not usually a fan of hardbacks, simply because they're not the easiest to read in bed, but 337 is just the perfect size and weight to make it easy to handle, wherever your preferred reading location.  It's also worth pointing out that the beautiful hardback edition has a double cover of light on one side and dark on the other.  It doesn't matter which way round you start reading as the book directs you to flip over when required and I loved this quirky touch.  You obviously don't get that on kindle!

I love the way the story starts very visually by zooming in from above onto a family picnic.  The family may appear normal from the outside, but drill down a bit further and they are far from happy.  Family is at the heart of this novel as past and present actions are examined and the various mysteries of the Darte family are revealed.  It wasn't just the questions zooming around my head that kept me rapidly turning pages, it was also the perfect fluidity of M. Jonathan Lee's breathtaking prose.

There are times when nothing much is happening but far from being boring, my eyes were glued to the page by M. Jonathan Lee's ability to wonderfully describe the minutiae of the mundane.  What a talent!  It's so very thought-provoking seeing how our actions impact others, how two people can recall the same memory very differently and how we wait too long to build bridges (when it can never really be too late).  The Darte family aren't just dysfunctional, they are fractured into so many small pieces that they can never be put back together, especially when pieces are missing.

337 is a heartbreaking novel of love, loss and the snowball effect of our actions.  As the final word caused me to gasp out loud I could see the whole story rewinding in my mind and playing an alternative version, rather like the double cover of the book itself.  Absolutely brilliant, 337 is a literary masterpiece and I really want to read it again to appreciate the fine nuances.  Take a bow, Mr Lee; bravo!

Thank you to Hideaway Fall for sending me a beautiful hardback to read and review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

BLOG TOUR: The Diabolical Bones (The Brontë Mysteries) - Bella Ellis

 

It's Christmas 1845 and Haworth is in the grip of a freezing winter.

Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë are rather losing interest in detecting until they hear of a shocking discovery: the bones of a child have been found interred within the walls of a local house, Top Withens Hall, home to the scandalous and brutish Bradshaw family.

When the sisters set off to find out more, they are confronted with an increasingly complex and sinister case, which leads them into the dark world of orphanages, and onto the trail of other lost, and likely murdered children. After another local boy goes missing, Charlotte, Emily and Anne vow to find him before it's too late.

But in order to do so, they must face their most despicable and wicked adversary yet - one that would not hesitate to cause them the gravest of harm . . .

What did I think?

After admiring the absolutely gorgeous cover, I squealed with delight when seeing one of my favourite things printed on the endpapers: a map!  It's not just for decoration either; I found it really useful to refer back to the map as the story progresses to put into perspective how far the Brontës must travel (mainly on foot) to get to their various destinations.  I have to share a photo of the endpapers as they are so fabulous.

Although I have read The Vanished Bride, the first book in The Brontë Mysteries series, you can definitely read The Diabolical Bones as a standalone because other than the continuation of the characters' lives, it's a completely separate mystery.  With a poignant undertone, the story begins in 1852 with Charlotte, the last remaining Brontë sibling, reminiscing about a mysterious case in Christmas 1845 that she and her siblings investigated.

It is a freezing December night when the bones of a young child are discovered hidden in a chimney breast in Top Withens Hall.  Rather fortuitous for our nosy spinsters, their brother Branwell is friends with the owner's son which allows them to gain access to the house.  The owner is reluctant to let the sisters see the bones as he wants to bury them on his land but this doesn't deter the sisters as they are determined to identify the child.  When another child goes missing, it seems like something sinister is afoot in Yorkshire.

What an absolutely brilliant mystery!  I'm not going to say anything about the plot for fear of inadvertently spoiling it for others, other than to say it was very well done indeed.  Neither fast nor slow paced, I found the pacing to be just perfect to allow me to be fully consumed by the life of the Brontës.  

The sisters are just reaching out to publishers with their poetry and Bella Ellis includes two wonderful poems by Emily and Anne at the beginning and end of The Diabolical Bones.  At a time when women were to be seen and not heard, we can see how difficult it was to be a woman in the 19th century, always having to rely on men to gain access to places or giving the illusion that they are working for men.  The sisters do have Branwell for this, but he's pickled in gin most of the time!  As I was reading I could see the germination of ideas for their novels as the locations are described so exquisitely that you can't help but wonder if a certain place was the inspiration for Thornfield Hall, Wuthering Heights or Wildfell Hall.  This is something that Bella Ellis explores further in her Author's Note but it really does come through in the wonderful prose.

I simply adored The Diabolical Bones.  The history of the Brontë family interwoven with a fabulous mystery results in a compelling, exquisite and fascinating novel.  An absolute treasure of a novel, I can't recommend it highly enough and I didn't hesitate for a second before awarding the full five stars.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for sending me a beautiful hardback to read and review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK Bookshop.org

Amazon UK

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