Isolated Ruth Parker is overlooked by her mother and is taken under her aunt’s wing, who guides and moulds through her teenage and university years. BIsolated Ruth Parker is overlooked by her mother and is taken under her aunt’s wing, who guides and moulds through her teenage and university years. But when Ruth finds a locked room in the attic of her aunt’s house, it opens a whole can of worms.
I found this gothic inspired family drama quite a slow burner but enjoyable nevertheless. It draws you in gradually, the tension builds up gently and it ends with a dramatic finish. I loved the style of writing, it has an insidious almost sinister atmosphere to it. A sort of Daphne du Maurier meets Diane Setterfield type of feel. I thought the characters were well drawn, I could picture them easily. I liked Ruth even if she did make some rather rash decisions sometimes An engaging and compelling read about secrets and how they can reverberate through the years and then come back to haunt you!...more
Heather is sent to prison for a crime she didn’t commit, murdering her husband. When she is released ten years later, she sets out to clear her name.
THeather is sent to prison for a crime she didn’t commit, murdering her husband. When she is released ten years later, she sets out to clear her name.
This is quite the rollercoaster of a psychological thriller. It’s fast paced, it rattles along, is full of twists and turns and, yes, there is the odd red herring! I was gripped from beginning to end. It’s very much a cat and mouse chase as our protagonist fights for survival and to exonerate herself. I didn’t know who to believe. I quite liked Heather, the main character, she seemed quite resilient and determined. I was definitely cheering her on. There are some grey areas but don’t let that put you off. It should have you glued to the pages. A very enjoyable read....more
A thought provoking story centring around a terrible incident at a barbecue. The tragedy does not happen at the beginning of the book, but about two tA thought provoking story centring around a terrible incident at a barbecue. The tragedy does not happen at the beginning of the book, but about two thirds of the way through. So, it's a slow burner and as events unfold, the lives, thoughts and dreams of all those concerned are revealed little by little. It's very much a character based tale and is about their reactions before, during and after the barbecue and the repercussions.
I thought this book was well written, intuitive and observant of human nature. No-one is perfect, everyone has their secrets and people are not always as they seem! The story deals with quite a few themes, including mental illness issues, alcoholism, loneliness, parenting and childlessness. It's cleverly plotted with a few surprises along the way and the ending is left on a happy note.
An absorbing and compelling tale about how we respond to what life throws at us. It's also about blame, self-reproach, and absolution. I very much enjoyed Truly Madly Guilty - it had me avidly turning the pages as I was anxious to find out how events transpired.
Many thanks to Lovereading.co.uk for the opportunity to read and review this book....more
After her mother dies, Luna discovers some letters which sends her on a journey to Venice in search of the man who she believes is her father. Luna unAfter her mother dies, Luna discovers some letters which sends her on a journey to Venice in search of the man who she believes is her father. Luna uncovers more than she bargained for!
This is a pleasant and easy read, some of it sad and some of it happy. It’s a little predictable, not that that bothers me too much! I’m just mentioning it. It’s set in a beautiful location. Venice is one my favourite places to have visited. I doubt whether I will visit it again but have some fantastic memories which will last a lifetime. The descriptions of the city are evocative and I was able to visualise it well. The bookshop sounded wonderful! I loved the book references. With some zany characters and an engaging storyline, it’s a lovely piece of escapism and will take you away from life’s trials and tribulations, especially in the current climate.
Rintaro spends a lot of time at his grandfather’s bookshop, helping out, but when he dies, Rintaro is visited by a very unusual cat who can talk and wRintaro spends a lot of time at his grandfather’s bookshop, helping out, but when he dies, Rintaro is visited by a very unusual cat who can talk and who takes him on adventures in a mission to save books.
This is a shortish story but packs quite a punch about how we all individually read and deal with books. It reminded me a little of Alice in Wonderland as it definitely takes the reader on a journey down the rabbit hole! It’s a magical and whimsical little tale. Never underestimate the power of books - what do books mean to you, that is the question. Quite thought provoking in its way. An enjoyable, delightful, quick and easy little read. The translation flows well, too....more
We’re back in the small town of Haddley again where a fire in the local disused community centre is being investigated by journalist Ben Harper and PCWe’re back in the small town of Haddley again where a fire in the local disused community centre is being investigated by journalist Ben Harper and PC Dani Cash. A body is discovered underneath the centre, along with a knife which mysteriously disappears.
I loved Twelve Secrets by the same author so was looking forward to reading Eleven Liars - it didn’t disappoint! I was gripped from beginning to end. There are a fair few characters, you have to keep your wits about you. It’s very good for the little grey cells! Small town life is well illustrated. There are plenty of twists and turns plus the odd red herring. I read this via the Pigeonhole app, one stave a day over ten days and excitedly awaited every instalment. A well paced and written page turner. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series already. ...more
This is a lovely, emotional story about loss, grief and coping mechanisms. There are three main characters, a man who has lost his wife to cancer, a yThis is a lovely, emotional story about loss, grief and coping mechanisms. There are three main characters, a man who has lost his wife to cancer, a young woman whose father was killed at a gas station incident and another young woman whose child has been kidnapped by her ex husband. As the tale progresses, these three people’s lives connect through their heartache and pain. I read this book via the Pigeonhole app over ten days, a stave a day. I looked forward very much to reading each instalment. It’s a heartwarming, moving and thoughtful story with some well drawn characters. Although it is a book about the sorrow and sadness of losing someone special, it is also about hope. Highly recommended....more
Set in the coastal town of Rye, a young man arrives and takes up a position in a peculiar shop. Along with her son, a single mother has also recently Set in the coastal town of Rye, a young man arrives and takes up a position in a peculiar shop. Along with her son, a single mother has also recently arrived in Rye, trying to escape from her past. When their worlds collide, secrets are revealed. This all leads to obsession.
I have to admit to not being sure whether I enjoyed this story or not. It has an unusual writing style - I’m not sure how to describe it, it has a sort of sparseness to it. The story itself is rather disturbing. It has a slow build up with a growing sense of foreboding to start with, which I liked. It‘s atmospheric and it drew me in. Then the action takes a different turn, becoming really quite dark and unsettling. I think I’m in the minority with how I feel about this book as there are plenty of four and five star reviews. I was attracted by the words ‘gothic thriller’ in the description as I usually enjoy gothic style stories. I’m ambivalent about it, betwixt and between! ...more
The story of the Scottish queen Lady MacBethad rather than Shakespeare’s version of MacBeth. It’s the 11thC and Gruoch, who is a daughter of druids, hThe story of the Scottish queen Lady MacBethad rather than Shakespeare’s version of MacBeth. It’s the 11thC and Gruoch, who is a daughter of druids, has been prophesied that she will be queen of Alpha. She is promised to Duncan, the King’s heir, but the path to queendom is anything but smooth.
I enjoyed this book and thought it was well written. It was quite gripping and fast paced. However, Gruoch did irritate me slightly as she did tend to open her mouth before engaging her brain, not advisable in those days and even less advisable when you were a woman. I’m surprised she lived to tell the tale sometimes. Having said all that, the research gone into writing Gruoch’s story was inspiring. It gave a good insight into the era.
I read this book in stave format via the Pigeonhole app and I looked forward to reading each instalment every day for ten days. An entertaining and exciting read. Will there be a sequel? There’s plenty more of Lady MacBethad’s story to tell, I’m sure! ...more
Delphine is a single mother, living with her talented daughter, Em, and caring for her withdrawn father. After a stroke of luck Delphine lands a new jDelphine is a single mother, living with her talented daughter, Em, and caring for her withdrawn father. After a stroke of luck Delphine lands a new job in the Merhaba Cafe where she finds new friends and ends up practising French with eccentric Letty and singing in a band named ‘The Tiny Pennies’. She also has a secret which casts a shadow over their lives.
This is such a lovely, heartwarming tale with some fantastic, believable characters. It’s a story about grief, family and friendship, as well as about having the courage to start again. It’s never too late to try something new! Life is a journey, as we all know, and it’s not always a bed of roses. But we should never give in, we just have to put one foot in front of the other. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Delphine’s story, I was so sad when I turned the last page. I shall miss these wonderful characters very much. A beautifully written, absorbing and emotional read.
Many thanks to Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this book.
Bella embarks on a trip to a wellness retreat set in a secluded forest in Sweden to help her recover from ‘empty nest syndrome’. She’s one of eight guBella embarks on a trip to a wellness retreat set in a secluded forest in Sweden to help her recover from ‘empty nest syndrome’. She’s one of eight guests, including a mystery one. All is not as it seems as she starts to receive peculiar notes slipped under her door and hears strange noises during the night from the empty room next to hers. Is Bella imagining things or has someone got murder on their mind?
I rather enjoyed this book. I loved the setting, I thought it was atmospheric. However, if you like your thrillers littered with dead bodies you may well be disappointed by this one. It’s quite a slow burner and somewhat insidious, the characters not particularly likeable. It’s very much what I would call a psychological mystery, it plays with the mind. The sense of paranoia is intense, the suspense building up nicely to a satisfying finish.
All in all, I found it an entertaining and gripping read, an experience made better by reading along with other pigeons via the Pigeonhole app....more
This is a story about first love between a middle class girl and a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. It’s set over a period 20 years in England aThis is a story about first love between a middle class girl and a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. It’s set over a period 20 years in England and Ireland. A Sliding Doors type of book, although this doesn’t become clear until nearing the end, it’s a gentle, thoughtful tale and beautifully written. The portrayal of first love is well described, that intense infatuation which rarely lasts but can have such a knock on effect on the rest of your life. It’s quite a slow burner so not fast paced. The ending did feel like I’d gone down the rabbit hole as it all gets a little other worldly! A different sort of read but quite thought provoking! 3.5⭐️...more
I read this with my local book group. It’s interesting and gives food for thought about our environment, about the knock on effects of actions which wI read this with my local book group. It’s interesting and gives food for thought about our environment, about the knock on effects of actions which we consider to be ‘progress’. I’m not a big non-fiction fan so a lot of it went over my head, all the data, statistics, official bodies etc. However, I particularly enjoyed the chapters about animals and butterflies - there are some quite amusing bits, for example some Tamworth pigs escaping and eating ice cream and also gatecrashing a wedding celebration!...more
Maria is a cleaner, a good one at that. She looks after elderly Elsie, unhappy Brian and the strange Mr Balogan with complete efficiency, leaving everMaria is a cleaner, a good one at that. She looks after elderly Elsie, unhappy Brian and the strange Mr Balogan with complete efficiency, leaving everything sparkling. So efficient she sometimes cleans up other things as well, like the after effects of murder!
I really enjoyed this book. It’s fun, entertaining and a little bit different. It’s written with a great sense of dark humour. I loved Maria, she’s a fantastic character. Life has not been kind to her but she’s finding ways of making it better! ...more
Set in Paris and Quebec, this is a fascinating historical gothic thriller told via three narrators and in three timelines. In 2002 a schoolteacher is Set in Paris and Quebec, this is a fascinating historical gothic thriller told via three narrators and in three timelines. In 2002 a schoolteacher is accused of killing her husband, in 1949 a young girl is bullied at school and befriends a woman in an asylum and in 1899 two children are believed to have died in a fire but their mother thinks otherwise, calling on the services of a spiritualist.
This is a gripping and atmospheric thriller with more than a hint of black magic. There is a great sense of menace and the macabre. The three timelines gel together well and each chapter is mostly left on something of a cliffhanger which, in turn, made me want to eagerly read on! The narrators have very different voices and I wasn’t really sure what was going on and how they all connected until the end. The conclusion was a complete surprise, I didn’t guess it at all. It’s quite the revelation! This is an exciting and darkly intriguing read by an author who I’ve never read before. I will definitely be looking out for her other books! Highly enjoyable and I can recommend it. ...more
This is a wonderful little tale about the relationship and connection between a cleaner who works in an aquarium, a wastrel who is looking for his fatThis is a wonderful little tale about the relationship and connection between a cleaner who works in an aquarium, a wastrel who is looking for his father and a very clever Giant Pacific Octopus called Marcellus. I read it via the Pigeonhole app, a stave at a time, and I can honestly say I was eagerly looking forward to immersing myself in this absorbing story every day. The characters are just fantastic and so believable, especially the marvellous Marcellus! The reader is allowed into the mind of Marcellus, thereby revealing his thoughts, and for some reason, I found this quite convincing! ...more
Court interpreter Revelle Lee is going through the process of adopting a child. To make up for a past mistake she puts the adoption and her career at Court interpreter Revelle Lee is going through the process of adopting a child. To make up for a past mistake she puts the adoption and her career at stake by mistranslating an alibi. But someone knows what she’s done and also knows about her past and they want revenge.
This starts off really well and I was quite gripped. It has a good premise. It’s well written in an engaging style which is easy to read. However, it’s very implausible and I was frustrated with it by the end. In fact, I was pleased when I’d turned the last page. Some of the main character’s actions are bizarre and I was left feeling disappointed overall. It’s a shame as it had the potential to be a great thriller....more
Ronnie lives in a run down seaside town and works at the local bus station in the Lost Property Office as well as actually cleaning the buses. He’s a Ronnie lives in a run down seaside town and works at the local bus station in the Lost Property Office as well as actually cleaning the buses. He’s a hypochondriac, visiting his doctor for all sorts of minor ailments. He’s been living on his own since his father died and is feeling quite isolated, a lone wolf. One day he acquires a dog by the name of Hamlet who is in need of fostering. Little does he know how much he will change his life….
What a wonderfully quirky and delightful little story this is! It’s about loneliness, the power of friendship and how the companionship of a dog can turn your life around. It’s also about finding yourself which is symbolised by the loss and return of Ronnie’s shadow. It’s beautifully and humorously written. Ronnie is such a great character and I loved Hamlet, the wonder worker! I also loved travelling with them on their journey together and meeting the rest of the eclectic cast along the way. A heartwarming, uplifting and touching read which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a pleasure to read it....more
A young woman is found dead on Hampstead Heath, believed murdered. She is part of a certain crowd of privileged people, one of whom is her boyfriend wA young woman is found dead on Hampstead Heath, believed murdered. She is part of a certain crowd of privileged people, one of whom is her boyfriend who has just celebrated his 30th birthday at a party in McDonald’s with the aid of champagne and cocaine. He is one of the prime suspects but did he do it?
I read this book via the Pigeonhole app, a stave at a time. I wasn’t convinced by the first stave as most of the characters are very unlikeable, but gradually I began to enjoy it and ultimately found it it gripping. It’s written with a sense of humour and the banter between the police officers is quite entertaining. It delves into the seedy side of life and touches on a variety of subjects like class and race. A well written and compelling crime drama with a little bit of Greek mythology thrown in!...more
Historian James Postlethwaite discovers some journals belonging to Lord Carlisle of Elloughton Park and Ginny Farmer, a cinder maid. He decides to delHistorian James Postlethwaite discovers some journals belonging to Lord Carlisle of Elloughton Park and Ginny Farmer, a cinder maid. He decides to delve into the lives of these characters with some help from one of his students, Grace Farmer, with some surprising results. And then the present starts colliding with the past….
This is an enjoyable story and I liked how it was written. It’s told via three voices and mostly in an epistolary format. It’s set in Bristol and London during the present day and the 18thC. The timelines seem to gel together very well. It’s quite an intriguing tale and I liked the characters, particularly Ginny. She certainly had the furthest journey to travel, she’s a survivor that’s for sure! An entertaining and easy read which should appeal to historical fiction fans. ...more
Eight year old Carmel goes missing at a reading festival and is abducted by a man who persuades her that he’s her grandfather. He, in fact, belongs tEight year old Carmel goes missing at a reading festival and is abducted by a man who persuades her that he’s her grandfather. He, in fact, belongs to a religious cult. She finds herself on a very strange journey indeed whilst her mother, Beth, is frantically trying the find her, never giving up hope of being reunited with her child.
This is a beautifully written story about love, loss and survival. The voices of Carmel and Beth are very realistic. They are such resilient and determined characters, showing much strength in their adversity. I was totally immersed in both Carmel’s and Beth’s journeys, there is an acute sense of Beth’s angst and isolation and Carmel’s bewilderment and her all abiding spirit. There is also a sense of unease throughout. I read this book via the Pigeonhole app and eagerly awaited each stave every day. A riveting and emotional read which I can highly recommend. I look forward to reading the sequel, The Lost Girls, in due course....more
Kitty Collins is a serial killer with a difference. She only kills men who have done something really bad. She also has a problem - a stalker of her vKitty Collins is a serial killer with a difference. She only kills men who have done something really bad. She also has a problem - a stalker of her very own! What will Kitty do next, how will she solve her dilemma? Read the book to find out!
This is rather a compelling read in a gruesome sort of way. Think Sweeney Todd and Dexter blended together! Quite the combination but I think it was a little too much for me. I understand where Kitty is coming from but I did find it very macabre. However, it is written with a sense of humour and there are some laugh out loud moments with great one liners. I’m just a little worried about Kitty’s boyfriend - hope he behaves otherwise he might find himself reincarnated as a sausage roll even if she is a vegan! ...more
Set in the Caribbean islands of Barbados, British Guiana and Trinidad in 1834 just after the declaration of the abolition of slavery, this is the storSet in the Caribbean islands of Barbados, British Guiana and Trinidad in 1834 just after the declaration of the abolition of slavery, this is the story of one woman’s journey to find her children who were so cruelly taken from her.
I enjoyed this moving story of love and hope set amidst the brutality and inhumanity of the time of the slave trade. The research gone into putting this tale together is excellent. It’s well written and the descriptions of the various backdrops are very vivid. It is quite a slow burner, though, and I found the story somewhat meandering as we travel alongside the main character during her search for her family. A little like the River Demerara the characters are following throughout some of their plight. Overall, however, it’s a gripping and enlightening read about a disgraceful part of the world’s history, a worthy debut. It’s a story that needs to be told. A journey of education and illumination.
Thanks to Pigeonhole and the author for the opportunity to read this book....more
A time travelling, romantic Christmas story. Tom and Daphne have been together since their university days but they seem to be drifting apart. Tom is A time travelling, romantic Christmas story. Tom and Daphne have been together since their university days but they seem to be drifting apart. Tom is given a curious watch by a mysterious man in a pub and he‘s whisked back to the past to learn a few lessons.
I enjoyed this book. It does have a message for the reader - don’t take things for granted, be thankful for what you have and that the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence but rarely is. There’s a definite nod to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol as the reader is taken on a journey not just to the past but also to the present and what could be the future if the main character doesn’t pull his socks up! In hindsight wouldn’t we all like to travel back to the past to visit those we have lost and perhaps to learn from the error of our ways?
The entire cast of characters are well written and believable and the storyline is engaging. It’s just a lovely, charming and delightful read with a hint of magic....more
Three women who volunteer in a charity shop named ‘Dogs Need Nice Homes‘ decide to take on a bit of amateur sleuthing when an elderly lady is found muThree women who volunteer in a charity shop named ‘Dogs Need Nice Homes‘ decide to take on a bit of amateur sleuthing when an elderly lady is found murdered in her home, stabbed in the back. Have they taken on more than they can chew? No pun intended! ...more
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