Tall Oaks - Chris Whitaker

For fans of Twin Peaks and The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair, this brilliant debut is dark yet hilarious, gripping and ultimately heartbreaking.

Everyone has a secret in Tall Oaks . . .

When three-year-old Harry goes missing, the whole of America turns its attention to one small town.

Everyone is eager to help. Everyone is a suspect.

Desperate mother Jess, whose grief is driving her to extreme measures.

Newcomer Jared, with an easy charm and a string of broken hearts in his wake.

Photographer Jerry, who's determined to break away from his controlling mother once and for all.

And, investigating them all, a police chief with a hidden obsession of his own . . .

In Chris Whitaker's brilliant and original debut novel, missing persons, secret identities and dangerous lies abound in a town as idiosyncratic as its inhabitants.

What did I think?

As I'm of the age where Twin Peaks was a must-watch and it was all we ever talked about at school, I was really excited to read Chris Whitaker's debut, Tall Oaks.  There are definitely similarities between Twin Peaks and Tall Oaks; both have a cast of kooky characters but instead of 'who killed Laura Palmer', it's 'what happened to Harry Monroe'.

Harry was 3 years old when he was abducted from his bedroom, the only clue a solitary green hair from the clown that his Mum, Jess, saw on the baby monitor seconds before Harry was taken.  As the whole town reels from the abduction, we are introduced to a cast of weird and wonderful characters, any one of whom could have had a hand in Harry's disappearance.

Don't mistake Tall Oaks for a whodunnit thriller, as it isn't just about a missing child.  It's a close inspection of a small town which unearths everybody's secrets (and there are some BIG secrets in Tall Oaks).  I lived and breathed Tall Oaks for the few days that I was reading it.  I felt like I was peering through windows and sitting on sofas observing all the family lives in Tall Oaks.

I had the biggest laugh out loud moment I've ever had from a book whilst reading Tall Oaks.  I'm not going to spoil it for others by saying what it was but many people will relate to it.  We often forget that little ears are listening, absorbing our words like a sponge, only to spit them back out at the most unfortunate and embarrassing moment.  It's no surprise then that my favourite family in Tall Oaks was single Mum Elena, teenage gangster Manny and cute little Thalia.

I really enjoyed Tall Oaks although I did struggle a bit at first as it jumps around a lot.  I could be just sinking my teeth into a chapter about Manny when suddenly it jumped to Jess and I wondered if I had missed a bit.  To be honest, it worked well for the book when I got used to it as it added to its quirkiness.  As for the Harry Monroe story, that was just sublime - I pointed my finger at everyone apart from the culprit and the way it was revealed was absolutely outstanding.

Tall Oaks is an extraordinary novel, impeccably written with humour, emotion and suspense.  One minute I was feeling sorrowful for Jess as she struggled to cope with the loss of her son and the next I was laughing at something that Thalia had said.  In a town filled with secrets and quirky characters, I experienced an abundance of emotions as all their secrets were revealed.

Who took Harry Monroe?  You'll just have to read it to find out.

I received this e-book from the publisher, Bonnier, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Dear Dad - Giselle Green

Handsome, 28-year old, Nate Hardman is a frontline reporter with a big problem. Suffering from shell-shock and unable to leave his house, he’s already lost his social life and his girlfriend. Now his career prospects are sinking fast.

9 year-old Adam Boxley who lives alone with his ageing nan, also has big problems. Neglected at home and bullied at school, he’s desperate to reach out to his dad – and that’s when he sends his first letter to Nate. Only Nate’s not who he thinks he is. Will he help? More importantly – can he?

Across town meanwhile, caring but impulsive teacher Jenna Tierney really wants to help Adam - except the feisty redhead has already had enough of teaching. Recently hurt by yet another cheating boyfriend, Jenna’s now set her sights on pursuing a dream career abroad ... only she’s about to meet Nate - her dream man who’ll make her re-think everything.

The big question is; can three people desperate to find love, ever find happiness when they’re only connected by one big lie?

What did I think?

I had to wait a few days after reading Dear Dad to write my review; the book is so poignant and heartfelt that it simply took my breath away.  It's such an unusual idea for a story and with three strong, likeable characters it works so well.  I completely bought into the story and really felt that fate had a hand in the lives of Nate, Jenna and Adam.

Adam is a 9 year old orphan living with his Nan.  One day his Nan gives him the address of his Dad, so Adam writes a letter and posts it through his letterbox.  Nate is the recipient of the letter only he's never met Adam's Mum and he's never fathered a child, but there's something about Adam that stops Nate from throwing a bucket of cold water over Adam's dream of finding his Dad.

Nate is a war correspondent but, after some traumatic experiences, is afraid to leave the house.  When Adam's letter drops through Nate's door he can't face setting off to find Adam to explain the mistake, but fate soon brings Adam back to Nate's door.  Before Nate has a chance to tell Adam that he's not his Dad, Adam tells Nate about some boys who are bullying him.  Nate agrees to go to the school parents' evening to discuss the bullying, now he just has to get over his fear of leaving the house!  Adam has such an effect on Nate that he does overcome his fear and makes it to the school, albeit a little late, where he meets Jenna.

Jenna is Adam's temporary teacher and is one of the first people to notice Adam, a big occasion for Adam as he has never been noticed before.  Jenna is struggling after a bad break up and everything in her life felt temporary to me.  Jenna doesn't want to be hurt again but when she meets Nate through Adam she can't ignore her feelings.  The only problem is that Jenna thinks Nate is Adam's Dad and this lie is hanging over Nate's head like the Sword of Damocles.  How will Jenna react when she finds out the truth?

The chapters flick between Nate and Jenna giving us the perspective from both sides and it works brilliantly.  Giselle Green has written Dear Dad in such a way that I felt like I had the privilege of looking right into Nate and Jenna's souls.  I knew what they were thinking, their hopes and dreams, their fears and doubts and their growing affection for Adam.  The final chapter is written from Adam's point of view and finishes off the story magnificently.

I couldn't help but fall in love with young Adam and I missed Nate, Jenna and Adam from the minute that the last page was turned. With Dear Dad being her sixth book, I can't believe I haven't come across Giselle Green before now.  I shall certainly be adding more of her books to my must read list.

Heartfelt and poignant, Dear Dad is a wonderful book that will melt even the coldest heart.  It's so unusual and unique covering so many difficult issues in a sensitive and respectful way, whilst also reminding us of the true meaning of family.  This is storytelling at its best!

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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The Secrets of Castle Du Rêve - Hannah Emery

In the quaint, seaside town of Silenshore a legacy of secrets is about to be revealed...

Growing up in the imposing Castle du Rêve during 1940s wartime, young Evelyn longs for a life outside the castle walls. She dreams of attending glamorous parties, gracing the silver screen and being swept off her feet by a dashing, debonair beau. But innocent Evelyn is unaware that her bid for freedom from the oppressive castle will change the course of more than just her life...

In the early Sixties, sweet, intelligent Victoria meets the man of her dreams! Yet the expression of their love comes with consequences. In the shadow of the mysterious castle, is their relationship doomed from the start?

In the present day, Isobel has just learned she’s pregnant. An unexpected challenge she can only hope she’s up to. Except living in the father of her child’s family home, beneath the eyes of the castle, all is not as it seems… Soon secrets that have been hidden for decades threaten to change the lives of Isobel’s new family irrevocably.

Three women’s lives tangled together in a web of secrets, scandal and deceit, as the legacy of Castle du Rêve is finally discovered…

What did I think?

With chapters told through the eyes of Evelyn, Victoria and Isobel we catch glimpses of life in the shadow of the Castle Du Rêve in the 1940's, 1960's and 2010 respectively.  These three very different women's lives are interwoven although they (and the reader) are not aware of exactly how until the very end.  

Evelyn grew up during World War II when the Castle Du Rêve was used as a safe place to stay for children from London.  As Evelyn makes temporary friends she longs for a life outside of the castle and wanders into a strange Aladdin's cave of a shop one day where she meets Jack.  Jack promises her a life of stardom in London but things change once they are married.

Victoria is blossoming into a young woman during the 1960's.  When she falls in love with handsome lecturer, Henry, she imagines a life together away from her oppressive father but Henry has a secret he has kept from Victoria.  A secret that will cost Victoria dearly.

Isobel has only been seeing Tom for a few months when she discovers that she is pregnant, and as they both live in tiny flats they have no option but to move into Tom's family home.  Isobel has a feeling that all is not as it seems and she wonders whether Tom told her all of his secrets or if Tom's mother, Daphne, is keeping secrets of her own.

The stories are so intriguing and captivating that this was more of a page-turner than I expected.  With the heart-rendering addition of letters that Henry has written to Victoria along the way I was amazed that I held my tears in until the end.  As the castle gave up all of its secrets, I found myself hoping that they can all now live happily ever after.

With a castle, a curse and bursting with family secrets, The Secrets of Castle Du Rêve is a book full of mystery and intrigue; so beautifully written and filled with emotion that you would need to have a heart of stone to remain dry-eyed at the end.

I received this e-book from the publisher, HarperImpulse, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

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That's What Friends Are For - Marcie Steele

Best friends tell each other everything… right?

Sam and Louise have been best friends since they hung their coats side by side on the first day of primary school. Now in their thirties, they’re still just as close, but life is a little bit more complicated …

Sam loves running her market stall with Louise by her side. They’re right at the heart of the community – and always one step ahead on local gossip. But Sam’s marriage is in a bit of a rut, and handsome stranger Dan has her wondering if the grass might be greener …

Louise is the life and soul of every party, but she’s hiding a broken heart, and worries about her beautiful but secretive daughter Charley. All she wants is someone to love – but could Mr Right be just around the corner?

Just when Sam and Louise need each other most, they suddenly have reason to wonder whether they ever really knew each other at all. Can the two best friends put the past behind them, and help each other find love and happiness again?

An emotional and uplifting tale of love, secrets and the importance of having a best friend.

What did I think?

Marcie Steele, aka Mel Sherratt, has done it again!  With such a colourful cast of characters, I jumped into the pages of this fantastic book and didn't want to leave it.  Along with the lovely characters, there's also a bitch and a man-tart to make this book so much more than chick-lit.

Louise and Sam are brilliant characters, working on Sam's bustling fruit and veg market stall.  They have known each other forever and are best friends who tell each other everything...well almost everything.  Louise has kept the secret of Charley's parentage from everyone including Sam, leaving the reader to jump to conclusions as to who Charley's father might be.  As usual, I had my money on completely the wrong horse!

Sam is also struggling with marital problems, after marrying her childhood sweetheart, Reece, but doesn't tell Louise the extent of her problems.  When she meets Dan, and he shows a keen interest in her, Sam wonders whether her marriage is worth saving after all.  I was willing Sam to speak to Louise properly about her issues; we all know a problem shared is a problem halved.

With Louise's siblings, Ryan (the man-tart) and Nicci also on stalls in the market it really gives the sense of a close knit community. With everyone looking out for each other and willing to do anything for each other, I had a small tear in my eye towards the end when the market family came together to make a dream come true for one of them.  

As well as the adult issues in the book, through Louise's daughter Charley, it also looks at teenage problems such as raging hormones, the dangers of meeting strangers on the internet and cyber-bullying through Facebook.  

That's What Friends Are For left me surrounded with a warm glow - it's definitely a book to lose yourself in and has as many dramas as an episode of Eastenders.  A fantastic feel-good book that reminds us exactly what friends are for.

I received this e-book from the publisher, Bookouture, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

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Behind the Scenes at the Museum - Kate Atkinson

Ruby Lennox was conceived grudgingly by Bunty and born while her father, George, was in the Dog and Hare in Doncaster telling a woman in an emerald dress and a D-cup that he wasn't married. Bunty had never wanted to marry George, but here she was, stuck in a flat above the pet shop in an ancient street beneath York Minster, with sensible and sardonic Patrica aged five, greedy cross-patch Gillian who refused to be ignored, and Ruby...

Ruby tells the story of The Family, from the day at the end of the nineteenth century when a travelling French photographer catches frail beautiful Alice and her children, like flowers in amber, to the startling, witty, and memorable events of Ruby's own life.

What did I think?

This was a splendid family saga, perfectly blended with laughter and tears.  Anyone who doesn't love Ruby must need a heart transplant; she is so funny and endearing.  What is so strange is that I couldn't tell you what the story was about but I was so immersed in the family that I was just enjoying being along for the ride.  One thing I do have in common with Ruby is my dream of humans evolving into a species with earlids!

Set in the wonderful cobbled streets of York, we are introduced to the Lennox family.  Bunty and George have a family of girls but are anything but happy in their marriage.  As footnotes to each chapter we are treated to flashbacks to Bunty's family history as we look at the life of Ruby's grandmother, Nell.

I loved the way that certain possessions were passed down through history and each item had a story behind it.  I was reminded of the phrase 'one man's junk is another man's treasure' as something that could have very little monetary value can have great sentimental value in the right hands.

This is my first Kate Atkinson book but I know for definite that it will not be my last.  Behind the Scenes at the Museum is a book that drew me in from start to finish and I just didn't want it to end.  Kate Atkinson is a master storyteller and has written such an easy reading book that that it is hard to believe it was a debut novel.  I'm looking forward to reading more from Kate Atkinson as I think she will go on from strength to strength.

I received this book from the publisher, Black Swan, as a prize from a Twitter competition.

My rating:

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In Extremis: A Hellbound Novella - David McCaffrey

1888. Whitechapel. Think you know the story? You don't know Jack... 

James Maybrick had secured his legacy as the most infamous serial killer of all time…his diary would one day shock the world. 

Thomas Quinn wants revenge…his actions will give birth to an organisation of unspeakable power. 

Together, they unwittingly set in motion a plan that will one day lead to the serial killer, Obadiah Stark. 

Stark became The Tally Man. 

They were The Brethren. 

Maybrick is known to history by another name…

What did I think?

I recently read Hellbound so naturally raced on to read this prequel, In Extremis.  The famous Jack of 1888 is mentioned at the end of Hellbound, leaving a gasp of surprise that the reader can only recover from by reading In Extremis.

As a nation we have always been fascinated by the anonymity of Jack the Ripper.  When the diary of cotton merchant, James Maybrick, was discovered in the 1990's he was accused of being Jack the Ripper although the reliability of the diary has not been corroborated.  What is fascinating about Maybrick is the suspicious nature of his death, caused by arsenic poisoning; his wife, Florence, was convicted of his murder.

David McCaffrey, using facts and fiction, brilliantly recreates the story of James and Florence Maybrick.  In Extremis could definitely be read as a standalone novella, but it is completely apt that it is a prequel to explain the ending of Hellbound.  Instead of recreating the Ripper's crimes, we join the story as the final victim, Mary Jane Kelly, is murdered.  We then meet Thomas Quinn, a member of the secret group, The Brethren, as the group decide that James Maybrick has killed his final victim.

I really enjoyed In Extremis; although it is a short story, there is so much packed into the book.  Linking nicely to Hellbound, but at the same time adding flesh on the bones of the Ripper story.  With an extract from the journal of James Maybrick, this is a must read for anyone fascinated with Jack the Ripper.

I received this e-book from Booklover Catlady Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

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My Husband's Wife - Jane Corry

It's the perfect love story.

Lily meets Ed at a party, and on their second date, he proposes. She's a lawyer, he's an up-and-coming artist. They own a small but beautiful flat in London and mix with all the right people.

But Lily has a secret. Something from her past, that is soon to collide with her present. And she thinks her new husband is hiding something too...

The vows they made will soon be tested to the very limits.

'Till death us do part...'

What did I think?

With a title of 'My Husband's Wife' I knew from the outset that there would be no happily ever after for Lily and Ed Macdonald.  Jane Corry doesn't waste a single minute by grabbing your attention from the prologue announcing the murder of one of them.  We are then transported to 15 years earlier where we meet newly-weds Ed and Lily.

Lily is a lawyer and has just been transferred to criminal law.  Her first task is to defend Joe Thomas in an appeal against his conviction for murdering his girlfriend.  There is something about Joe that reminds Lily of her late brother, Daniel, and she feels irresistibly drawn to him.  As the case progresses, it becomes clear that Joe has also formed an attachment to Lily and I wondered whether he was manipulating her or whether he does really love her.

Ed is an artist without a muse, until Lily befriends a little Italian girl, Carla, in their apartment block.  When Lily agrees to look after Carla whilst her mother is at work, Ed finds that he can't stop drawing pictures of Carla and several years later gets his big break when an anonymous collector buys Ed's painting of 'The Italian Girl'.

Carla is struggling to fit in at school because, being Italian, she is different.  Her mother can't buy her the latest clothes, toys or pencil cases as they are not well off but Carla finds a way to obtain them herself.  When Carla spots her mother's boyfriend, Larry, with another woman we are treated to an early glimpse of her devious nature as Carla gets anything she wants from Larry in exchange for her silence.  

The story alternates between chapters written from Lily's perspective and chapters written from Carla's perspective; like curls of smoke destined to intertwine along the way.  As time goes on, Lily and Ed have a son, Tom.  Tom has Asperger's which puts a strain on their already crumbling marriage.  With Lily's attraction to Joe Thomas and Ed's constant contact with his ex, Davina, I was surprised that they remained married for so long!  Sparks really do begin to fly when the other Mrs Macdonald comes on the scene.

I had guessed Lily's secret before the end, but it didn't stop me enjoying this book immensely.  There are lots of twists and turns to keep you entertained throughout and I loved the way that each character has such flaws that ensured I was kept guessing right up to the very end.

My Husband's Wife is a gripping psychological family saga, reminding me of the 'who shot JR episode of Dallas'.  Written at a steady pace, it is difficult to put down with the many twists and turns and untangling of threads that the reader is tasked with.  It's an incredibly dark and twisty debut from Jane Corry and I'm sure it will climb the charts in 2016.

I received this book from the publisher, Penguin, in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

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