Lee Allen's Blog, page 11

Agatha Christie's Sinister Spring - Review

SINISTER SPRING: Murder and Mystery from the Queen of Crime by Agatha Christie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A springtime collection of classic mysteries.

Poirot's trip to the country is interrupted by a suspicious death...
Tommy and Tuppence hunt for a missing lady...
Miss Marple reviews a death by poisoning...
Poirot is consulted by a woman who is shortly found dead...
A sinister scheme in play behind an opera...
Miss Marple unpicks a locked room mystery...
Parker Pyne is drawn into a case of missing jewels...
Poirot investigates an impossible theft...
Miss Marple hears a tale of smuggling and missing gold bullion...
Mr Quin arrives at the scene of a high-stakes gamble...
A chance meeting with a girl on a train leads to adventure and intrigue...
Miss Marple untangles a devious plot at Greenshaw's Folly...

'Sinister Spring' is the third seasonal collection of selected stories by Agatha Christie, each with that refreshing breath of new life and the promise of summer. Compiled of twelve short stories, the volume stars Poirot, Miss Marple, Tommy and Tuppence, Parker Pyne, Quin and Satterthwaite, plus a couple of standalone stories, all taken from previous collections, having originally been published in magazines in the 1920s and 30s, aside from the final story published in 'The Daily Mail' in 1956.

Each of these stories is a gem - with puzzles and intrigue, mysterious thefts and nefarious murder plots, armchair detection and daring adventure; taking us from country homes to luxury hotels, aboard train journeys and on to the stage, all masterfully plotted unravellings of a tangled web.

Many of these stories were amongst the earliest Agatha Christie works I read in the Poirot and Miss Marple short story collections. Revisiting Christie's mysteries, whether through screen adaptations or re-reading is always a nostalgic and comforting treat of pure indulgence. Her work will always be a pleasure and an inspiration.

These seasonal collections are a delightful way to revisit classic Christie short stories, or pose a perfect starting point for anyone new to her work. I'm especially looking forward to 'Autumn Chills', coming later this year.



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Happy Easter!

"Unable are the loved to die, For love is immortality."
Emily Dickinson

Happy Easter weekend!

We finally made it! I've been counting down to Good Friday since New Year's Day 😂

Time to relax! I've booked the full week off work, so I'm looking forward to lots of reading and writing over the next week. I'll be starting Lynda La Plante's new book 'Pure Evil' this weekend, which I'm very excited about. I'm also in the middle of a boxset binge of 'Prison Break' and have a selection of films to watch too, including the new 'Hellraiser' film. Of course, there's also chocolate 😉

I absolutely love Easter, and not just because of the delights of chocolate eggs! Spring has arrived, the sun is shining, and it's getting warmer. Not only that, it is rich with story and symbolism...

Good Friday, of course, symbolically marks the crucifixion of Christ, leading to His Harrowing of Hell on Holy Saturday and the resurrection on Easter Sunday. Significantly, the execution of Jesus is one of the few elements of His life generally accepted as historical fact from non-Christian perspectives - the rebel put to death by the Romans for his 'crimes'.

Cross symbology also has a fascinating history, dating back to the Ancient Egyptian ankh - the key of life and the afterlife. It is fascinating to consider - and testament to its potency - that through an association with cruelty, torture and capital punishment, it once again emerged, transforming into one of the most widely recognised symbols of sacrifice, peace and protection.

The springtime magic of rebirth weaves amongst the lore, taking on the powerful themes of resurrection and immortality. The above quote from Emily Dickinson perfectly captures the true moral of this story - it is through love that we conquer death itself.

I wish you all a fantastic Easter weekend!

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HorrorScope: A Zodiac Anthology, Volume I - Review

HorrorScope: A Zodiac Anthology by H. Everend

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An anthology of zodiac horror.

'HorrorScope' is a collection of short stories and poetry, thematically linked to signs of the zodiac, featuring work by thirty-six indie horror and dark fantasy authors. Edited by H. Everend, it features a wide array of sub-genres, including forays into mythology, creature features and cryptozoology, slashers and serial killers, curses and witchcraft, and the looming spectre of death. It’s a thrilling concept, to present a horror-esque horoscope through storytelling, split into a section per zodiac sign, each section including three pieces.

My personal favourites were:
‘The Twin Keepers’ by Alex Tilley, a blend of psychological and dystopian suspense;
‘You Die...I Die’ by Jessica Huntley, a twisted game at the hands of a serial killer;
‘The Virgin’ by Brooklynn Dean, a delicious slice of erotica and brutal ritual;
‘The Lovers’ by Sabrina Voerman, a sensuous fantasy of tragedy and morality;
‘The Sting of the Scorpius’ by Kay Hanifen, a tale of mysticism and retribution;
‘The One Who Came to Save Her’ by Nico Bell, a visitation of revenge in a small town;
‘My Little Minnow’ by Nina Tolstoy, a psychological portrait of a serial killer.

Overall, this is a brilliant dossier of work, covering a wide range of sub-genres. As one would expect, it contains its fair share of explicit violence, sexual content, and torture, as well as some less explicit animal cruelty. Boasting diversity across genre, themes, tropes and characters, even the most casual horror fan will likely find something that speaks to them within this volume, much like might be found in a traditional horoscope.

Overseeing proceedings is H. Everend; as well as an author of several horror stories, she is also a committed supporter of the indie author community. Here she has curated a superb anthology that showcases the talent and hard work of its writers, with a mix of established names with work already published and new authors presenting their debuts. As an indie author myself, I understand the challenges and the sheer willpower, commitment and passion it takes to produce the work and send it out into the world, and everyone should feel incredibly proud of their contributions. Indie voices may typically be small, but nevertheless they have something to say.

A delight for both enthusiasts of horror and indie supporters, ‘HorrorScope’ marks a fabulous achievement for all the creators involved. Future volumes have been announced, with 'HorrorScope, Volume II' arriving this summer.



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Catriona Ward's Rawblood - Review

Rawblood by Catriona Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A creeping tale gothic horror and a haunting family legacy.

Rawblood stands isolated and aloof on the Devonshire moors; home to the Villarca family, only two of whom remain – Iris and her father.

Iris has been warned of the Villarca affliction, either a disease or a curse which strikes when one feels powerful emotion. Iris’ health is threatened by her bond with Tom, a young man from a neighbouring family estate.

Through a history steeped in shadows, the secrets of Rawblood emerge, a prison from which no Villarca can escape.

'Rawblood' is the debut novel by Catriona Ward, a gothic tale stretching across decades, telling the history of the Villarca family and those in their close orbit. A concoction of perhaps the foremost three of the gothic sub-genres – horror, family saga and romance, it is a beautifully written and richly descriptive novel, employing a non-linear narrative to detail events through the Victorian era, Edwardian era, and the First World War and its immediate aftermath, exploring multiple character perspectives and how their stories intertwine. Against the backdrop of vivid settings, including the mansion lost in the midst of the wilderness of Dartmoor, into the heart of an asylum, and travelling to Siena, is an intricately plotted and deftly-paced saga, with an escalating psychological claustrophobia throughout.

At the centre of the story is Iris, who as a child first learns of the family malady that may have its origins in something physical, psychological or supernatural. Rebelling against the fears her father instils in her, she cannot foresee the horrors that will be unleashed. Three decades earlier, Charles Danforth travels to Rawblood to reunite with an old friend, recording his stay in diary form. These slow-burning narratives coalesce with menace and suspense, featuring forbidden relationships, scientific experimentation, and the lingering spectres of guilt and trauma. Adjacent to their narration, supporting characters’ perspectives flesh out this history, providing clues to the truth behind the mystery. While balancing these many elements, revelations withheld and insinuated, only to fully emerge as the final chapters come to fruition, between the lines is oppression and abuse – physical and psychological; familial, institutional and societal.

Oozing atmosphere and entwining a treasure trove of gothic themes, Ward has woven a work of art. Reminiscent of classics such as 'Frankenstein', 'Rebecca' and ‘The Haunting of Hill House’, with touches of 'The Woman in Black', 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' and even ‘Dracula’, whilst nevertheless being its own unique story, it contains so much which I love about the genre in one novel and is a superlative portrayal of a haunting - balancing the supernatural with the psychological, origins swathed in horror and mystery. The journal entries of 1881, the chapters within the asylum during and after the war, and the tale of traveling companions Miss Hopewell and Miss Brigstocke in 1839-50 all stick in my mind as perfectly evoking their characters and place. Also inspirational for me as a writer, this book features many elements that I strive for in my own fiction and find deeply fascinating. This is the first of Ward's novels that I've read and already places her as a new favourite of mine.

Tragic and evocative, ‘Rawblood’ is a haunting horror story and family saga, one you wish to both devour and savour in equal measure.



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Hello Spring!

Happy Spring Equinox!

In just a few hours it will officially be (astronomical) spring in the northern hemisphere. When the spirit of nature and life itself crawls from beneath the frost-encrusted earth and breaths anew, reborn and dragged into the dawning light.

As we move through the Wheel of the Year, for Pagans and Wiccans today marks Ostara, in celebration of the equinox. Its name was derived from Eostre, the Germanic/Norse goddess of spring, fertility and the dawn, amongst more attributes. Little remains known about the stories and traditions that surrounded Eostre in eons gone by, but her legacy continues through the Christian spring festival - Easter.

One of my favourite stories about the changing seasons is the Greek myth of Persephone - her return from the Underworld, the winter months spent with her abductor and husband, Hades, heralding the beginning of springtime.

Every year, nature shows us that rebirth and resurrection don't just happen in stories. Despite its darkness, the world offers us much to hope for too.

In a quick writing update, after faltering slightly in February (working on my new book on only eighteen of the twenty-eight days), I have been writing every day again in March!

Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has ordered a copy of 'The Ghost Train' following my commitment to donate all profits from sales this month to World Book Day! It's for such a fantastic and crucially important cause. Enjoy reading!

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Peter James' Not Dead Yet - Review

Not Dead Yet by Peter James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An intense police thriller of Hollywood glitz and glamour and the darkness lurking in its shadow.

Music legend Gaia is returning to Brighton to shoot a new film. Following an attempt on her life in Los Angeles, the police are drafted in to increase the protection around her.

Meanwhile, the discovery of a dismembered corpse at a local farm launches a murder inquiry, the key first step being to identify the victim.

Juggling multiple priorities, the team uncover evidence of dangerous and scheming minds behind the crimes, while the constant threat of catastrophe hangs over them.

'Not Dead Yet' is the eighth novel in the police procedural series featuring Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. Once again, Peter James delivers a gripping, fast-paced thriller in this consistently high-quality series, brimming with procedural detail, forensic science, psychological depth and thrilling action. It is always a joy to return to Grace, Cleo, Glenn and the rest of the team, this time catching up with them only four weeks after the conclusion of the previous novel, launching into intriguing new investigations - sharing perspectives not only from the police, but also victims, witnesses and suspects. This is a story of obsession and fanaticism, touching on themes of media ethics and the dark side of fame.

A complex, multi-faceted case; there are several investigative angles and characters in the mix. Gaia, whose artistic legacy and superstar persona appears much inspired by Madonna, is a fabulous character, that aura of mystique that surrounds such an icon captured perfectly; James does a fantastic job of crafting and maintaining that whilst simultaneously revealing the human being behind the art and the public persona. We also gain an insight into the machinations of Hollywood filmmaking and the cut-throat nature of the entertainment industry, inciting jealousy, plots of revenge, and the dangerous cocktail of access and exposure that can turn followers into stalkers.

The ongoing series arcs and subplots also step up a gear in this chapter, with more revelations surrounding the core mystery of Sandy's disappearance, following the surprise twist at the end of the previous novel. The serial narrative and close development between cases continue to shine - the trial of the criminal apprehended in the second book has arrived, while Grace's ongoing suspicions about a police leak also finds a resolution. The novel's many threads entwine perfectly, building to a dramatic, tense finale, followed by a case-concluding denouement and a sudden shock, before Peter James once again leaves us poised for the next chapter in eager anticipation.

Meanwhile, along with the previous two novels 'Dead Like You' and 'Dead Man's Grip', 'Not Dead Yet' has been adapted for the third season of the 'Grace' TV series starring John Simm.

Authentic and thrilling, 'Not Dead Yet' explores the difference between the face one presents to the world and what lurks behind these masks.



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Emmie Hamilton's When Stars Become Shadows - Review

When Stars Become Shadows by Emmie Hamilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An erotic, psychological dark fantasy.

Escaping her life of sex slavery and attempting to stow away aboard a ship, Syn discovers her dreams of freedom may be shortlived.

The crew know more about her than they share, while her chemistry with the captain may ignite far more danger than seduction.

In an odyssey across the ocean and into realms of gods and monsters, Syn may just discover the secrets of her destiny.

'When Stars Become Shadows' is the first novel in a duology by fantasy author Emmie Hamilton. Following the story of Emersyn “Syn” Merona, we are plunged straight into action as she makes a daring escape from a brothel that has become her prison, leaving a dead man in her wake. Immersing us in a world seeped in the magical atmosphere of a fairy tale with a shadowy edge of burgeoning desire, Syn takes to the seas with a crew of pirates in a tale of romance, adventure and mystery. Featuring vivid world-building and a depth of lore and history, taking inspiration from classical mythology, every chapter brims with action and erotic tension.

I don't frequently read fantasy, but when I do this is how I love it - dark, psychological themes, layered with eroticism, mythological imagery and creatures, and entwined with adventurous mystery. I found some of the set-pieces reminiscent of TV series ‘Once Upon a Time’; scenes in this vein a delight to read on the page. Flashbacks reveal Syn's backstory and her deep-rooted trauma, as well as how she developed into the feisty, fierce and courageous young woman she's become. Smart, sassy, strong-willed, foul-mouthed, red-headed and exceedingly beautiful - Syn is an entrancing character; one you may find yourself developing a burning crush on. Surrounded by a host of characters, their actions and motives ranging from morally ambiguous to suspicious, Syn is never quite sure whom she can trust and whether they be friend or foe.

Fantasy, by its very nature, allows us to explore dark themes such as trauma and abuse somewhat through a safety lens, less confrontational than it may be in thriller and horror set in our world. The novel explores the nature of consent, misogyny and exploitation, and the attitudes and expectations of society towards women's relationships with sex and stigma attached to it. Hamilton does a marvellous job of using these heavy themes to evolve Syn's character and encourage empathy with her, exploring her trauma and how it affects her relationships and perceptions, while demonstrating her resilience and fighting spirit - always more a survivor than a victim.

Lustrous and seductive, 'When Stars Become Shadows' is an evocative and titillating fantasy, ending on a delicious cliffhanger; we await, with baited breath, the second part of Syn's story.



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Val McDermid's 1989 - Review

1989 by Val McDermid

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Allie Burns returns in pursuit of moral and social justice.

Burnt out and emotionally exhausted, Allie is determined to rekindle her passion for investigative journalism with an exposé on the failure of medical institutions to care for the sick and dying.

Through her investigation, Allie stumbles upon an experimental drugs trial exploiting society’s vulnerable despite evidence to suggest the drugs are unsafe.

Her determination to expose the truth leads Allie into peril beyond the Iron Curtain, while an intricate plot for murder comes to fruition at home.

'1989' is the second book in Val McDermid's series featuring journalist Allie Burns. We catch up with Allie a decade since we last saw her, and a lot has changed in her life. Having relocated from Edinburgh to Manchester, she is now a small cog in a media empire, the dream she realised of becoming an investigative reporter having been dashed with her paper’s acquisition by publishing mogul Ace Lockhart. No longer content with her job; her exposure to the raw emotion of others simply to turn over reporting for her managers has taken its toll and she has become disenchanted, her job satisfaction steadily ebbing away, while she still dreams of putting her passion and skills to work for something that matters. Allie is a superb character and I love the passion she brings to her work. Also, in refreshing juxtaposition to the darkness of the plot, she is in a stable, healthy relationship with her partner, Rona – all the more refreshing to witness a lesbian couple at a story's heart, which even today still feels a rarity.

In an authentic journalistic thriller, McDermid once again demonstrates her prowess at intricate plotting, with a plethora of genre themes and character perspectives explored. The novel delves into the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the beginning of the end of the Soviet Union, as well as insights into the aftermath of the Lockerbie bombing and the travesty of the Hillsborough disaster, while the shadow of the horror of the Holocaust lingers across Europe. Allie’s investigations are both fascinating and emotive, the exploration of the treatment of HIV/AIDS victims a piece of retrospective investigative journalism beneath this layer of fiction, while the explorations into Soviet satellites perfectly evoke the social unrest, stirring of rebellion and hope for revolution; the chilling threat the regime poses and Allie's realisation of danger.

With subtle displays of prejudice in the underlying presence of sexism, homophobia and racism, there is also social commentary – whether in the hierarchical capitalism of the West’s business empires or in the East’s contemporary communist regime, no matter a society’s state system or political philosophy, discrimination and mistreatment appear to be universal, albeit on different scales at different times. Looking back to history and the ramifications of extreme nationalism and fascism solidifies the concept that perhaps we’re never getting this right, with the ghosts of these mistakes still lingering today – some of them made afresh. At its core, this is a story about humanity in both its frailty and its endurance.

Having highly anticipated ‘1989’ ever since enjoying the opening installment ‘1979’, it proved to be as brilliant as expected; intensely gripping from the opening scenes and also incredibly moving – particularly in the stories of the HIV/AIDS victims and the fate of a Polish village during the Second World War. There is so much depth beneath the pages, while the story maintains its lightning pace throughout, back and forth between character perspectives and revelations until its satisfying conclusion.

Blending historical fiction, detective fiction, and political intrigue, ‘1989’ is a riveting, atmospheric thriller, as timely and relevant to the present day as its eponymous year and the history it delves into. I cannot wait to see what the next decade has in store for Allie.



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Paula Hawkins' A Slow Fire Burning - Review

A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A smouldering psychological thriller.

A murder of Daniel Sutherland on his houseboat rocks the community of a London suburb.

As speculation runs rife and the police conduct their investigation, it becomes clear that more than one person had a reason to harm Daniel.

For trauma runs deep and festers, never without the threat it will one day combust into vengeance.

‘A Slow Fire Burning’ is Paula Hawkins’ third novel, exploring the circumstances surrounding a brutal murder and the lives of several people tangled with the victim's own, excavating their traumatic history. A finely orchestrated psychological thriller, blending elements of its close cousins the domestic thriller and police procedural, this is a superbly written novel, the story told from multiple perspectives, delving into the past, moving back and forth along the timeline to reveal resentment, deception and betrayal. Everyone has something to hide, the threat of their secrets bubbling to the surface a constant anxiety.

Primarily, the novel focuses on the experiences of three women – Laura, still suffering as the result of a head injury she sustained as a child and struggling to function, who hooked up with the victim prior to his death; Clara, the victim’s aunt, whose son died tragically when he was still a child; and Miriam, the victim’s neighbour, kidnapped as a teenager along with her friend. Also sharing the lead on the narrative are Clara’s husband, Theo, who authored a novel which appears to mirror Miriam’s experience, and Irene, who becomes drawn into the unfolding events from several angles. Each of these characters is impeccably developed, backstories and relationships with the victim entwined to create a complex character-driven plot. I particularly warmed to Irene's character, who channels a little of Miss Marple and tackles many of society’s assumptions about the elderly.

At its heart, the novel is a classic whodunnit, unpeeling the layers of the motivations of many characters and peering into the murkiness surrounding their opportunities to kill. Simmering with suspense, the plot perfectly balances its lightning pace with emotional depth. It deals with some heavy themes – including the loss of a child, kidnap and sexual violence, mental health issues and the deep impact of trauma. In Paula Hawkins’ work, we meet potentially unreliable narrators, whose memories may not be as accurate as they seem, nevertheless developing much empathy for them, and this novel is once again a shining example of that.

Atmospheric and gripping, ‘A Slow Fire Burning’ is a tightly-coiled crime thriller with a quiet yet searing intensity.



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Lucy Worsley's Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman - Review

Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A mesmerising biography of the Queen of Crime.

Agatha Christie - novelist, short story writer and playwright; a true icon of Golden Age detective fiction, indeed, across the spectrum of crime fiction; the creator of Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple and many more, a pioneer amongst female writers and an inspiration to all who write.

In 'Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman', historian Lucy Worsley takes us on a journey through Agatha's life, from her birth in 1890 and early years with her family, through her courtship and first marriage, her work during the First World War and the beginnings of her writing career, with significant attention to her famous 1926 disappearance. From there, we explore her continued flourishing career and second marriage, through the decades which saw the Second World War, the beginning of the Cold War, and many developments in the world of art and entertainment. Agatha's success continued through to her death in 1976, and continues posthumously.

Worsley's style of making history accessible and thrilling to a modern audience is brought superbly to the life and work of Agatha Christie and reference to almost a century of contemporary context. Beautifully written with insight and empathy, and impeccably researched, with the hindsight of our modern perspectives on mental health, feminism, and societal views, Worsley's writing makes even existing knowledge fascinating to discover anew - channeling the magic of her subject. At the core of the narrative is Agatha’s craving for privacy and her battle to maintain it alongside her incredible success. No one can admire Agatha and her work and not feel, at times, the emotion in exploring the lowest points of her struggles and the heights of her successes, and ultimately at her passing.

Worsley pays special attention to the novels Christie wrote under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott; within these, she explores some personal segments of her life and her own struggles through the characters. It should be noted, in segments of literary analysis and exploration of how Agatha's stories related to periods of her life and historical context, some plot details, including the final twists, are revealed - as such, I would highly recommend reading at least Agatha's most famous works before embarking on this biography. Also, don't miss the brilliant accompanying three-part documentary which Worsely produced for the BBC - 'Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen' – as riveting as the written biography.

Compelling and insightful, ‘Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman’ is a fascinating, inspiring and moving portrait of a talented and remarkable woman, who was truly groundbreaking in her field and whose legacy lives on to this day.



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