BLOG TOUR: Murder on the Menu (The Bad Girls Detective Agency book 3) - Katie Marsh

Since Amber started the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency, she’s been feeling the pressure. So – when she and her best friends win a trip to a new luxury castle retreat on a remote island – she hopes it will be a chance to relax in style.

The girls are all excited to experience world-famous chef Valerie la Fontaine’s tasting menu. 

But none of them expect there to be another dish being served that weekend: revenge. And when Valerie is found dead inside a locked room in a tower, the Bad Girls know this is a case that only they can solve…

Hilarious and gripping mystery – perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, The Traitors, and How to Kill Men and Get Away With It.

 

What did I think?

Murder on the Menu is book 3 in The Bad Girls Detective Agency series and although you can read it as a standalone I think it is better if you have read one or more of the earlier books to fully understand the characters.

It's a fun murder mystery that almost reads like a game of Cluedo based in a castle with a handful of guests and lots of rooms for a killer to hide in.  Luckily for the guests left standing after a killer strikes, Amber and the Bad Girls are on the guest list and they're straight on the case.

I enjoyed catching up with the girls again and there are some interesting developments in Amber's personal life that really warmed my heart.  There are some interesting (and some shady) characters in the story that kept the plot moving along at a good pace and I couldn't wait to discover all of their hidden secrets.

With a remote and slightly sinister setting, Murder on the Menu is a fun murder mystery that is a great book to read on a dark and chilly winter's night.   

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

My rating:

Purchase here: https://mybook.to/OnTheMenu

About the author:

Katie Marsh wrote five bestselling, uplifting women’s fiction novels before turning to cosy crime for Boldwood. Previously published by Hodder, the first in her new crime series  How Not To Murder Your Ex, following the fortunes of the Bad Girls Detective Agency, was published in December 2023.

Social Media Links 

Facebook: @KatieMarshAuthor

Twitter:@marshisms

Instagram: @KatieMarshAuthor

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KatieMarshNews

Bookbub profile: ​​@KatieMarsh

Follow the tour:

Lies We Sing to the Sea - Sarah Underwood

A fantasy romance, by dazzling new talent Sarah Underwood, inspired by Greek mythology and the tale of Penelope’s twelve hanged maids.

In the cursed kingdom of Ithaca, each spring brings the hanging of twelve maidens, a gift to the vengeful Poseidon. But when Leto awakens from her death on the shore of a long-forgotten island, its enigmatic keeper Melantho tells her that there’s only one way the curse can be broken. Leto must kill the last prince of Ithaca . . .

In Lies We Sing to the Sea, debut author Sarah Underwood delivers a thrilling and breathtaking tale that will enthral readers from the very first page as they are transported to the cursed shores of Ithaca.

A reclamation of a story from thousands of years ago, Lies We Sing to the Sea is about love and fate, grief and sacrifice, and, ultimately, the power we must find within.

 

What did I think?

My interest has recently been piqued by Greek mythology and my eye was drawn to the beautiful cover of Lies We Sing to the Sea, which is inspired by Penelope’s 12 maids as told in The Odyssey.  

The story is told from the different perspectives of Leto, Melantho and Mathias.  I absolutely loved Melantho’s story and how she fell in love with Leto, who was one of the twelve maidens sacrificed to Poseidon by Prince Mathias of Ithaca.  The romance is LGBTQ+ but this is a YA novel so it’s not graphic at all.

Human sacrifice is quite a difficult subject to read but this tale is told sensitively and compassionately.  Most of the chapters are quite short so the story frequently changes direction and doesn’t linger on one subject for too long.

Sarah Underwood’s writing is stunning as she weaves a compelling story of love and revenge in a mythological setting.  I really enjoyed Lies We Sing to the Sea and it has inspired me to learn more about Odysseus and his wife Penelope.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Storyland - Amy Jeffs

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN MIST AND MAGIC THIS CHRISTMAS AND DISCOVER HEROES AND MONSTERS RIGHT ON YOUR DOORSTEP . . .

You will have heard of Thor, Medusa and Hercules. But what about the myths of the British landscape? The Trojan heroes who wrestled giants. The Syrian sisters who found refuge on our lands. The dragons who slept in hollow hills. And the kings who communed with the dead . . .

In this vivid and beautifully illustrated mythology of Britain, children will discover enchanting tales of magic and adventure, giants and demons, princesses and prophecies.

Travelling across the wildest of landscapes - as far north as Orkney and south as Cornwall - young readers will build Stonehenge with the young Merlin, chase hounds up the mountains of Wales, ride stags into the forests of Scotland and sail with Trojans along the rivers of Britain, discovering a land steeped in myth, monsters and heroes.

Adapted from Amy Jeffs' bestselling Storyland, this is a definitive and dynamic children's introduction to Britain's lost myths and legends, packaged in a beautifully illustrated gift hardback.

What did I think?

Storyland may be aimed at children aged 10 to 12 years old, but I absolutely loved it and I’m in my fifties.

It’s beautifully illustrated throughout and the hardback is stunning with metallic copper accents on the dustjacket and the cover beneath.  There are 19 stories of myth and legend in the book, all in bite sized chapters for less confident readers.

I had heard of some of the characters before (like Gogmagog and Merlin) but I didn’t know the stories about them so I found Storyland to be very informative and engaging.  Amy Jeffs follows each myth or legend with a little bit of history to accompany the story and it’s very well written to inform and delight the reader.

With tales of wizards, fairies, giants, goddesses, dragons and more, there’s something for everyone in Storyland.   Magical, informative and compelling, Storyland is sure to quickly become a favourite book for children (and adults) of all ages.

I chose to order a beautiful hardback via the Amazon Vine programme and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Sluts - Beth Ashley

From award-winning journalist Beth Ashley comes a groundbreaking investigation into the history of slutshaming, how it continues to affect us today and what we can do to fight it.

Whore. Hoe. Jezebel. Harlot. Slut. Five words. One meaning.

But what exactly is a slut? How has the concept changed over time? And why is slutshaming so dangerous?

In this groundbreaking investigation, Beth Ashley reveals the truth about slutshaming, gives us the tools to fight it, and encourages us all to have better conversations about sex.

The fight starts now.

 

What did I think?

I’ve always been annoyed that sexually active people have been treated differently; females are sluts but males are just sowing their wild oats so good on Beth Ashley for changing the narrative with her powerful book.

There are nine reasonably chunky chapters in addition to an introduction and a conclusion, however, it’s so inspiring and thought-provoking when you start to read that it’s difficult to put it down. This doesn’t happen often for me with a non-fiction book but there were so many occasions when I was agreeing with the author and other occasions when I had my eyes opened to things that may have previously passed me by.

It does show the male species in a bad light but it also shows that females are just as bad at slutshaming. I could feel my anger building with each chapter and I was consumed by fury at the end as my eyes were opened to everything that is wrong with society.

I particularly enjoyed reading the history section and it’s quite staggering that the Romans labelled women one of two ways: prostitutes or married. Consider my jaw well and truly dropped. From ancient times to current day and the social media explosion, Beth Ashley has it all covered in this outstanding book.

Empowering, inspirational and enlightening, Sluts is a very important and timely book that everyone should read so we can stop the rot that infests our perceptions of other people.

I chose to order a hardback copy via the Amazon Vine programme and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Death, Adjourned (Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers Book 9) - Simon Michael

A gritty urban legal thriller you don’t want to miss! Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Robert Bailey, Michael Connelly and Robert Dugoni.

Has Charles picked the wrong side…?

London, 1969

The Kray twins, the nemeses of Charles Holborne, barrister, are finally convicted of multiple murders and sent away for the longest prison terms ever imposed by a British court.

But with London in the grip of a housing crisis and unscrupulous landlords hiking rents, there are new ruthless enforcers terrorising destitute East Enders.

When a tenant dies during a violent altercation with bailiffs, Charles is instructed to represent the businessmen charged with conspiracy to murder. There is motive, an eyewitness and a confession – seemingly an open and shut case.

But Charles suspects his clients are pawns in a much more dangerous game being played by shadowy Establishment figures.

But are his instincts wrong this time? Is he being manipulated into defending a guilty man?

And as dark secrets are revealed, will he have to choose between moral integrity and professional success?

DEATH, ADJOURNED is the ninth crime novel in an exciting historical series, the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers — gritty, hard-boiled mysteries set in 1960s London.

 

What did I think?

I am delighted that Simon Michael has decided to continue his fantastic Charles Holborne series after Charlie's final showdown with the Kray twins in book 8, Nothing But The Truth.  The Krays may be behind bars but crime is continuing in London and Charles has a new defendant to represent and it's one who might be guilty this time.

As with all of the Charles Holborne books we are whisked away to court as the trial plays out and I did actually feel as if I was sitting in the public gallery, especially when one particularly jawdropping, gasp-out-loud scene plays out.  I almost dropped my Kindle!

The writing as always is flawless, vivid and immersive and the plotting is perfect.  I couldn't have put money on the outcome of the trial as I flipped between guilty and not guilty so often.  The subject matter of council built housing is actually very thought-provoking and I've always worried about companies tendering for jobs at a price that is too good to be true as they will inevitably cut corners in order to cut costs.  The historical note at the end is very sobering (and scary) to read.

As riveting as Charles' legal cases always are, I also enjoy reading about what's going on in his personal life as it really brings the character to life and I feel like I am catching up with an old friend.  My heart always goes out to Charles when he visits his parents in the residential home as his mother's vicious tongue may be silent now but Charles still loves her unconditionally, despite her never having done the same for him.

Gripping, immersive and thought-provoking, Death, Adjourned is another riveting instalment in the fabulous Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers series and long may it continue.  Keep ‘em coming, Simon!

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Benidorm again (The Benidorm Series Book 2) - Jo Lyons

Benidorm again is the second book in the The Benidorm Series. Follow Connie as she embarks on her first classical tour.

Connie never dreamed she’d get the chance to follow in the footsteps of her beloved late mother, to become a classical singer. But when she attracts jealous comments from the choir, more attention than she would like from the lead tenor and some unwanted scandalous publicity involving the Royal family, she starts to wonder if she is doing the right thing.

Connie soon finds herself caught in a reluctant love triangle with a difficult choice to make - the gorgeous, moody-eyed music producer who was love at first sight, or the exceptionally talented aristocratic millionaire? Determined to follow her heart, she turns to The Dollz and her newly engaged best friends, Ged and Liam, for help, only to find they all have problems of their own.

Who knew touring with the Royal Northern Sinfonia would involve so much drama or so many Royals?

 

What did I think?

I absolutely loved meeting Connie Cooper and The Dollz in Benidorm, Actually so I couldn't wait to read the next book in the series, Benidorm again, to see what happens next and I was not disappointed.  My laughing muscles got a good workout once again at the escapades and drama in this hilarious book.

It's a bittersweet moment for Connie when she is given a starring role in the Northern Sinfonia as it is her dream to follow in her mam's footsteps but her mam isn't here to see Connie shine on stage.  I couldn't feel sad for long though as Jo Lyons shakes her virtual giggle stick and instantly transforms the poignant moment of Connie stepping on stage for the first time into an absolutely brilliant laugh out loud moment that made me almost choke with laughter.  I won't be able to watch Harry Potter again without laughing now!

The Northern Sinfonia tour is filled with drama as the leading man has the chorus girls all aflutter but he only has eyes for Connie.  Connie has to admit that there is amazing chemistry between her and Luke that sets the stage alight but her heart lies with Matteo.

I loved that Connie's new romance from her trip to Benidorm is still going strong, albeit she has only known Matteo for a week before he jets off to work in LA and Connie comes home to join the Northern Sinfonia.  Despite their busy schedules, the couple make plans to meet up in Las Vegas but it's soon hijacked by Connie's friends and before she knows it, her romantic trip to Vegas has been turned into a Barbie and Ken themed group outing.

Connie's friends, Ged and Liam and The Dollz, provide much of the hilarity as their lives are a constant drama show.  I absolutely love The Dollz; their antics make the cast of Geordie Shore look tame!  I really can't wait to read about the Vegas trip so I have book 3, Benidorm Cocktail Hour, already lined up to start reading.

Benidorm again is an absolutely brilliant sequel to a sparkling debut novel.  I didn't think it would be possible to contain even more laughs and drama but Jo Lyons packs the hilarity and high jinks in once again to leave her readers clamouring for more.  A very highly recommended read filled with fun, laughter and drama.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

BLOG TOUR: In Fine Spirits - Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley

From the winners of the Fortnum & Mason Drink Book of the Year

'Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley explain everything you need to know to appreciate a distillate.' Whisky Magazine

The culture of enjoying quality spirits and liquors is now in a new golden age.

In Fine Spirits is an accessible and authoritative guide to the world of distilled drinks. Across gin, whisky, tequila, rum and vodka , as well as no and low-alcohol alternatives, it examines not just how each spirit is made, but also the culture, history, cocktails and characters key to the success of each. From award-winning experts Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley, In Fine Spirits is designed for anyone who wants to understand more about the bottles in their cabinet, as well as the colourful history and narratives of the countries, drinks, bars and people that have helped create the global renaissance of luxury liquor and fine spirits.

 

What did I think?

I know a lot about drinking spirits but I know very little about how the raw ingredients are turned into my favourite tipple.  That's where Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison set in with their new book, In Fine Spirits: A complete guide to distilled drinks.

The book is beautifully set out in colour coded sections for each spirit following a very informative and concise introduction to distilling.  You can read about gin, rum, tequila, whisky, brandy, vodka and more as well as no or low alcohol spirits.

Each section introduces and explores that particular spirit, suggests a cocktail to try, spotlights a particular distiller and suggests 10 unmissable spirits to try.  I love that some are brands that I have heard of (and tried) and others are more lesser-known.

Interesting, informative and enlightening, In Fine Spirits is a lovely gift book for a discerning spirit drinker.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour but I haven't finished reading it yet so I have awarded a four star rating for what I have read so far and will amend on completion.  This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon