REVIEW: The Orphan Sisters by Shirley Dickson (ARC)

The Orphan Sisters by Shirley Dickson

Genre: Historical Fiction

Read: 1st February 2019

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★★★★★ 5 stars

Oh wow! Where do I begin with this book? I cannot believe this a debut it is THAT good!

THE ORPHAN SISTERS is beautifully told endearing story filled with love, laughter and heartbreak. What I also loved about this story was that it had an element of mystery to it as well.

It begins in 1929 when 4 year old Esther and 8 year old Dorothy were told by their mother, Eleanor Makepeace, that they were going to a special place. Little Esther was excited by the prospect and the ride in the tramcar whilst Dorothy was not so much. Upon arriving at this special place called Blakely Hall the girls soon discovered that it was an orphanage and was to be their new home until they turned fifteen. And that Blakely Hall was anything but special. Mrs Knowles was the matron, who was a strict disciplinarian with cold eyes, and Esther being so young couldn't understand why their mam had abandoned them. But as long as she had Dorothy, Esther knew she could endure anything. Blakely Hall was not a pleasant place and Esther, still smarting from her mother's abandonment, hardened her heart, rebelling against life at the orphanage. But all she had to do was to bide her time until she could leave.

Dorothy was the first to leave and was placed in service not far from the orphanage. She would visit Esther weekly until it was her little sister's time to leave.

By 1940 both sisters were free of Blakely Hall in body, though not quite in spirit. War had broken out two years before and Etty (as she was now known) and Dorothy find themselves learning how to live on their own and vowing to remain together. Life in Blakely taught them well when it came to rationing as they had lived without for so long that even living on rations seemed a luxury when they compared it to what they had, or rather didn't have, at the orphanage. Dorothy had married a wonderful man who adored Etty and, while Esther was apprehensive about sharing her sister with another, she soon discovered she loved Laurie just as much.

Blakely Hall had left their mark on the sisters - Etty in particular. She is defiant, questioning everything, and a little rebellious. She is determined to do something meaningful and make a different in the war. Dorothy, on the other hand, is the nurturer. She is content with making a home, taking things as they come, and often being the peacemaker and voice of reason for her sister. The two sisters are completely different and yet the love they have for each other is beautiful, heartfelt and fiercely loyal. 

There is one point they disagree on and that is the topic of their mother. Dorothy has always wondered what happened to her and why she left them at Blakely Hall. She has always wanted to seek her out and find out. Etty, on the other hand, does not. Ever since the realisation that their mother had abandoned them and was not coming back, Etty hardened her heart towards their mother and claimed to want nothing to do with her. She didn't care what happened just as their mother hadn't for them when leaving them at Blakely. It tore at Dorothy's heart, but knowing how strongly Etty felt about it, respected her younger sister's feelings not to follow look for her.

The sisters' journey takes them through love, loss and the devastation of war as they each find themselves, embracing life and all that comes their way. I couldn't help but want the best for both Etty and Dorothy, hoping they come through the war - not unscathed, but fulfilled. At a time when air raids and bombs were an almost nightly occurence, what it was like to live through such devastation and atrocities must have been heartwrenching. 

However, Shirley Dickson brings it all to life that the reader has a real sense of being there. Of hearing those sirens, of seeing the shadows of bombs, of hearing that whistling before they drop, of feeling that fear, of life during war. The story of Etty and Dorothy is breaktaking. It's heartbreaking and outstanding. A truly remarkable story that will remain with me for some time to come. I was surprised that THE ORPHAN SISTERS is her debut novel - it is THAT good.

I definitely recommend THE ORPHAN SISTERS. You will laugh, you will cry. But most of all, you will be entranced by Etty and Dorothy's story. And by the time you reach the end, you won't want to let them go.

A huge thank you to #ShirleyDickson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheOrphanSisters in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Healer by Sharon Thompson (ARC)

The Healer by Sharon Thompson

Genre: General Fiction

Date: 29th January 2019

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Purchase: Amazon

Nil stars

(could not finish)

Omg!!! I cannot read any more. I'm sorry Sharon Thompson. I tried. 

THE HEALER is about a young girl called Molly in 1940s Ireland. Molly is a little bit different, people are afraid of her for she has a special gift of "healing". To me, Molly read like she was slightly autistic - her matter-of-fact way, her literal logic and her long silences - because she certainly wasn't the halfwit her family and others labelled her as. But then again, in the 1940s the word autism didn't exist so people's ignorance just had her down as "simple", a "halfwit" and "not the full shilling".

Molly's life is a sad one. And it just got worse. Hated by her mother, abused by her uncle and father.  Molly didn't know any love in her life until she found a littel bundle of fur that had been tied in a bag with the rest of the litter and thrown into the river to drown. He was the only one to survive and Molly nursed him back to health, and loved and cared for him. She named him Hull - short for another name of a warrior of some kind. She kept him secret from her family.

The only other kindness in her life was Dr Brady, who took in her baby brother after he was born with his wife Violet. Molly saw him as her saviour and every weekend she and Hull went to stay with Dr Brady and his wife and baby Jude. They loved her like their own. Even their cook, Jean took Molly under her wing. The Brady's house was her safe place. Because her own was hell. It was only a matter of time before Molly's abuse went even further.

Then when she was almost 16, that was it for me. I couldn't read any more. The happiness and love between Molly and Hull was so beautiful. It was her only saving grace in that hell hole. So when Molly woke one night to sounds of gurgling and gagging, and saw the state of Hull it was obvious he had been poisoned. It was what I had feared. I had written and commented to another reader, and both she and the author responded and told me while Hull did die the story was a beautiful one with a happy ending. But to me a happy ending was nothing untoward happening to Hull. And here he was poisoned!! I couldn't continue with the book. I tried. But Hull's death wrecked me. I was mortified and every time Molly mentioned Hull I was bawling. I'm sorry. I knew this would happen which is why I wanted to know if and how he dies. That was just cruel. And the description of his pain and agony had me bawling so much I couldn't see the words. I just can't read any more. The story is depressing enough without the only good thing Molly had in her life being so cruelly poisoned. That was just horrible. I had to go cuddle my dogs and forget about this story because I just can't move past Hull's cruel an unnecessary death. 

The cruel death of a dog kills me. I cannot read it. It has ruined the book for me and I just don't want to read any more of it. Hull's shadow is always there and I am always reminded of his cruel death. And bawling my eyes out all over again. I hugged my dog and couldn't stop crying. I found it very hard to get to sleep after that, as I could picture the agony poor Hull endured so cruelly. I cannot read a book with such cruelty towards an animal, despite it just being a story. 

So therefore I must be one of the only people to not like this book. I tried to like it but after Hull, I simply couldn't. I didn't like any of the characters except Dr Brady, Jean and of course Hull. Even Violet turned against Molly, when she had offered her such love in the beginning. Everyone was cruel and narrow-minded. Everyone had their own agenda. Molly didn't stand a chance. So after Hull, what little desire I had for the book evaporated.

Still, I would like to thank #SharonThompson, #NetGalley and #BloodhoundBooks for an ARC of #TheHealer in exchange for an honest review.

My apologies to Sharon Thompson who was so kind to me in her responses. I really did try to enjoy the book but Hull's demise was the end of it for me.

REVIEW: A Promise to the Dead by Victoria Jenkins (ARC)

A Promise to the Dead (King & Lane #4) by Victoria Jenkins

Genre: Crime Fiction

Read: 26th January 2019

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Purchase: Amazon

★★★★ 4 stars

A PROMISE TO THE DEAD is the fourth in the Detectives King and Lane series, and from what Victoria Jenkins said in her note at the end, it is the last (for now). She indicated that she may revisit the duo in the future. Hopefully the not too distant future because I love this series!

I have read the first book in this series - which I absolutely LOVED - and now the fourth, skipping the second and third which I WILL go back and read. When I read the first book I absolutely LOVED it and I loved how King and Lane interact and work well together. It was about time there was a series featuring a duo that worked well together, didn't bicker every five minutes and were not ball-breaking bitches which some leads are. I loved these two and I am sad to see their story come to an end...for now.

The story opens with a prologue set in 1981 with a nameless couple that make sense by the end of the book. It sets the scene and had me turning the pages to discover how this incident was linked to the present.

In the present day, Matthew and Stacey are returning home from a football match and gathering with friends. They spend much of the time arguing and loathe to heed his girlfriend's advice, Matthew takes the quiet mountain road to avoid the busy traffic, when their car runs out of fuel. I myself cannot see this happening. I mean who doesn't check their fuel gauge? I'm always checking mine, filling up when it reached half a tank! However, as the story goes, they run out of fuel. Matthew goes to find help leaving Stacey alone in the car. But something happens. Matthew sees something he shouldn't have. By the next morning Stacey is dead and Matthew is nowhere to be found. 

DI King and DC Lane find themselves investigating and are soon overwhelmed by numerous other cases landing on their desks all at once.

It then becomes clear there are links to another local man, Keiran Robinson, who went missing just a few days prior. But interviewing his family is proving difficult as they stonewall the detectives with unhelpful remarks and jabs at their inadequate investigation. It also become clear they are hiding something. But what is it? And how does it relate to Keiran's disappearance? Or that of Matthew's or Stacey's murder?

Not long after, DI King gets the call that a body has been found in a backyard. Who could it be? Is it Matthew? Or is it Keiran? However once on the scene it becomes clear that the body is actually skeletal remains of someone who has been in the ground, under a patio, a lot longer than the other two men have been missing. So who is this latest body?

Then the killer reaches out to DI King, sending her first a finger and then an incriminating photo of one of the missing men and one of her team. Is someone on her team responsible for these killings?

A PROMISE TO THE DEAD is a thrilling, compelling and fast-paced read that promises and delivers a thrill-ride of exciting twists and turns throughout the story. The pace is brisk and the ending unexpected.

I love how the two lead detectives are female and firm fast friends. I love how they interact together and with other members of the team, as well as other characters. 

I was a little puzzled as to the constant reference to DI King's scars, as having only read the first book and this one, I've no idea what has taken place beforehand to lead to such an injury to which they keep referring. I wish there was a slight reference to what actually caused the burns on her face as not everyone may remember what has taken place in previous books and some, like me, may read out of order or even stand alone. So just a small reminder would have sufficed for those who can't remember or have no idea.

Aside from that small flaw, I thoroughly enjoyed A PROMISE TO THE DEAD and I hope Victoria Jenkins revisits this pair of detectives again in the near future because they are by far the best duo I've come across.

Many thanks to #VictoriaJenkins, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #APromiseToTheDead in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Her Pretty Bones by Carla Kovach (ARC)

Her Pretty Bones (DI Gina Harte #3) by Carla Kovach

Genre: Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller

Read: 20th January 2019

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Purchase: Amazon

★★★★ 4 stars

HER PRETTY BONES is the third in the DI Gina Harte series, but it can be read as a standalone, as I have yet to read the first two myself.

When a young girl falls from a moving van on a country lane and nearly hit by the car travelling behind, Gina and her team are called to investigate. The girl couldn't be more than sixteen though she is badly wounded and very emaciated, and is rushed to hospital where she is placed in an induced coma but sadly never recovers. The only lead the team have was her final words to the driver of the car behind "Help her". Her? Who is "her"? Is there another girl? And who is this girl? What happened to her? Was she kidnapped and somehow escaped her abductor?

Then a few days later another body is found buried in a shallow grave, and questions are raised whether this is a separate crime or that of the same person? When forensics come back regarding a strand of hair found with the remains, DNA tests reveal a link between the two cases. But the final words of the girl from the van lead the team to believe that there is a third girl they must race to find before it's too late.

The reader soon meets Julia Dawson who has been searching for her runaway daughter for 3 months and when she rings the tip line, she is brought in to identify "van girL, as she is being referred to. Is this her daughter Christina?

The chapters alternate between the investigation, Julia Dawson and the third abducted girl, who we soon know as Miley. The shifting POVs are compelling as we try to piece together the jigsaw alongside Gina and her team.

HER PRETTY BONES is an intriguing read, though a little slow in parts, filled with secrets, likes , deceit, duplicity and everything you could want in a psychological thriller. I love the fact that Gina has proved that she is not infalliable and she knows this...particularly with a secret from her past that she holds close and tells no one. If she did, it would change everything, I'm sure.

My only flaw I can think of is Gina and her relationship with her daughter. Though she featured very little in this book, I found her daughter Hannah to be selfish and unreasonable. Her mother has been a detective in the police force for several decades and she chooses NOW to be unreasonable about with regard to her own daughter Gracie. It is a demanding job and there are times I'm sure Gina would much rather be at home, but having to cancel plans with her daughter and granddaughter are beyond her control. She has people abovee her to answer to as well and she can't keep everyone happy. The other thing that irritated me was her obsession with her DCI. I'm really not interested in their relationship, their break-up or the fact she is finding herself jealous he is seeing someone else. Get on with the case and forget about office romances!

Aside from those two flaws, HER PRETTY BONES is gripping and intrguing with twists and turns and an ending that at the end of it all, seems rather sad. And whilst it is part of a series, I believe it can be read as a standalone as I did...but you will probably find yourself wanting to read the other two after this one anyway. Just to familiarise yourself with the backstory and Gina herself.

I would like to thank #CarlaKovach, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #HerPrettyBones in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Silent Suspect by Kerry Wilkinson (ARC)

Silent Suspect (DI Jessica Daniels #13) by Kerry Wilkinson

Genre: Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller

Read: 17th January 2019

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Purchase: Amazon

★★★★ 4 stars

As SILENT SUSPECT is the thirteenth book in the DI Jessica Daniels series, I must be the only person to start the series with this one! Hahaha... I've enjoyed a few of Kerry Wilkinson's standalones that when I saw this one come up, despite not having read any of the other books I thought "why not?" And I'm not sorry I did because I just love Wilkinson's books.

Whilst reading the rest of the series in some sort of order might give the reader insight into Jessica's backstory and what's taken place to bring her to where she is now, it still could be read as a standalone - in my opinion. After all, I've not read any of the series and this could have been a mystery of its own. But I guess, the earlier books leading up to this one would have given me more of an insight into Jessica as a person and police detective. The only thing that remained a mystery to me, because I haven't read the rest of the series, is her reference to something a Chief Constable had done to her in the past and not having read them I know not what that is. But aside from that reference, this book could be read as a standalone.

So from the premise AND the end of book 12 (apparently), we discover Jessica's friend Bex has disappeared. It's been three months since when Jessica receives a phone call with Bex's voice on the other end pleading "Jessica..."  With obvious secret misuse of police resources, Jessica traces the call to a phone box in Blackpool. But when she arrives, no one is there. In fact the whole place looks deserted.  

It is then she sees a MISSING poster of woman who could almost be Bex inside the phone box, and not really knowing why, Jessica calls the number on the flyer. The man who answers is Peter Salisbury. The missing girl is his sister Katy. He offers to help Jessica in her search but is found stabbed to death on the beach the next morning.

What then ensues is a cat and mouse game as Jessica devles deeper into the seedier side of Blackpool that goes unseen, as she searches desperately for Bex. Then a young girl who claims to have information regarding Bex goes missing and the last person she had contacted was Jessica. Then her body is found. With her face plastered all over the newspapers it won't be long before Jessica is arrested for double murder.

Despite all that she is up against, Jessica is determined to find Bex and the reason why she is being set up. Then when the police begin to close in on her, Jessica finds help where she least expects it. 

True to Wilkinson form, SILENT SUSPECT is both fast-paced and compelling. Filled with twists and turns, the truth behind the seedy story is creepy yet psychologically thrilling.  What I especially like is the fact that this is a story of what happens when a police detecive - Jessica - finds herself on the other side of the law. She gets to see what it is like to be unjustly accused but yet with mounting evidence against her. In this she is reminded that not everything, no matter how much it may seem, is black and white. An interesting aspect which worked so well.

Another point I must make that I thought was a nice touch, was bringing in private investigator Andrew Hunter from Wilkinson's other series - Andrew Hunter - and brought the two together, even if just for a while. It was cleverly done and worked well.

While this is my first introduction to Jessica Daniels, I didn't completely warm up to her but as I tackle the rest of the series in the future I'm sure I will get to know her better and that will change.

I'd like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an Advanced Reader's Copy of #Silent Suspect in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Murder of Patience Brooke by J.C. Briggs (ARC)

The Murder of Patience Brooke (Charles Dickens Investigations #1) by J.C. Briggs

Genre: Historical Mystery

Read: 8th January 2019

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Purchase: Amazon

★★★★ 4 stars

I'd like to thank #JCBriggs, #NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of #TheMurderOfPatienceBrooke in exchange for an honest review.

Set in Victorian London in 1849, THE MURDER OF PATIENCE BROOKE is the first in the series of historical mysteries featuring Charles Dickens. Accompanied by his police detective friend Superintendant Sam Jones, Dickens finds himself embroiled in the mystery surrounding mysterious Patience Brooke, who came to the Home Dickens had set up for "fallen women" and worked as an assistant housekeeper. When Mrs Morson, matron of the Home, discovers Patience's blood-soaked body on the step, her throat having been cut, she pens a note to Dickens and sends for him at once. And to bring Superintendant Jones as well.

Patience's life before she came to Urania Cottage is cloused in secrecy. She never spoke about it and no one asked. However, her past is soon discovered with "old school" detective work, knocking on doors and speaking to neighbours and possible witnesses - all without the aid of forensics and technology of today.

Then another young girl from the Home disappears and it feared the killer - a man with a crooked face - has a taste for innocent young girls, an abhorrent and distasteful crime even in Victorian times.

Throughout the book, Dickens often refers to the books her has written and the one he is currently writing - "David Copperfield" - and draws parallels to the the backstories surrounding the crime, which becomes a sort of investigative aid for both him and Jones.

The one irritant I found in this book was the frequent descriptions of routes taken around the city, which means nothing to me (not being a resident of London), though for those who do know the city might find it interesting and enhances the story for them. I, however, did not. It was irritating and I thought a little unnecessary. Here or there maybe, but every time Dickens walked home or was in pursuit of a lead, the routes down which roads, streets and alleys were given. 

Aside from that one point, I found the story completely atmospheric. Although I have never read any Dickens' novels as I found the old English dialect a little hard to absorb, this book really did feel as if you were in Victorian London. It was a really enjoyable and easy to read story. I loved the camaraderie between Dickens and Jones and thought they made a wonderful team. The mystery surrounding Patience Brooke's murder is dark and twisted, keeping you guessing till the end. Whilst identifying the killer was one thing, locating him was another.

A brilliant, atmospheric read. Highly recommended!

REVIEW: Schoolgirl Missing by Sue Fortin (ARC)

Schoolgirl Missing by Sue Fortin (ARC)

Genre: Domestic thriller, Psychological thriller

Read: 2nd January 2019

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Purchase: Amazon

(release date 10th January 2019)

★★★ 3 stars

Having thoroughly enjoyed "Sister Sister" by Sue Fortin previously I was excited to read SCHOOLGIRL MISSING. I mean, the title was enough to entice you. However, although it was a fast read that I sped through, it didn't live up to the hype I'd built for it and therefore I found it a little disappointing. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it...but some of the story just seemed a little unbelieveable. And the characters? I could't bring myself to like them very much at all. They all had an agenda - all except Poppy.

The story is centred around the disappearance of Poppy on a family boat trip leaving parents dad Kit and step-mum Neve worried. Although the story is essentially about Poppy's disappearance, this actual incident takes up little of the story.

We begin with a little background and a glimpse into their family life, and it is clear from the outset that Poppy is not like normal teenagers. Though she is 14, she is still very young and a little naive. When we first meet Poppy, she seems as though she has a form of autism due to her direct and literal nature. She cannot tell a lie and she is far more observant than one would believe of a normal 14 year old, who are generally far to wrapped up in themselves to observe anything that isn't related to them. It's not until the narrative explains that her mum died in childbirth with Poppy very nearly dying also, having been starved of oxygen and resulting in a form of brain damage.

When Neve married Kit some years later, she adopted Poppy as her own though she craved a child of her own. Kit, distraught over the death of his first wife and near loss of Poppy, declared from the outset "no children". Neve thought with time he would soften and they would have a child of their own, but Kit stood firm and refused to even discuss the matter. He knew Neve had suffered a miscarriage in her previous marriage, so I thought he would be a little more sensitive to Neve's needs and desire for a child. It was at this point I disliked him. To not even consider her feelings, despite what he has been through. This was not just about him but in Kit's eyes it was. He was controlling and deceitful. Even moving to a village far away from where Neve worked so the commute would be too much for her so she would give up her job and stay home for Poppy.

But Neve wasn't much better either. She had secrets from her past she hadn't shared with Kit. Though some things are best left in the past these were such major events to not share them with your husband is not normal. Added to that she was manipulative and just as deceitful as Kit! As much as Kit didn't appear sensitive to her feelings towards having a baby, Neve didn't seem to care much about his fears of losing another wife and a child through childbirth. Neve wanted a baby so bad it appeared she would do anything and manipulate anyone. Would she? She certainly seemed so. But does anyone really want a child THAT much? To hell with everyone else? Either way, Kit and Neve are completely dysfunctional that by the end I figured they deserved each other.

Then there are the supporting characters, I guess you could call them. The artist guy where Neve does her art therapy (what is his name? I've forgotten already!) - I didn't like him either. He just wanted to get into Neve's pants and declared he could make her happy. Neve was stupid enough to consider it! But how far would he go to win Neve's heart?  And Lee. Well, we know from early on in the story that he has a history with Neve so I'm not spoiling anything for anyone by mentioning it. If anything, he was probably the one I disliked least...lol...if that makes sense. He may be a "wrong'un" and on the wrong side of the law but his crimes are petty for the most part. With Lee you knew where you stood with him, even when you didn't. I still didn't like him but I'd trust him further than I would trust Kit.

Then Neve's past came to light and I found myself sympathising with her. I could relate to her estrangement with her brother so well. Though the circumstances for their estrangement is different to my own, I could feel her pain, her loss and her sorrow. It was this part of the story that I found myself really connecting with Neve and understanding her a little better. But then in comes Kit and everything went off tangent.

Throughout the story, I found it hard to picture Poppy with a smile as she always appeared so serious and, despite her disability, I found it hard to like her. But then I found it hard to like anyone in the story. And I mean ANYONE! None of them were truthful about anything. None of them were likeable.

For the most part, the story is pretty believeable. But then it goes off the wall and it left me thinking "What the...?" There wasn't really an element of closure and it leaves you wondering what actually happened. It's not an ending you would really expect and there isn't enough to milk a sequel out of it either so as a reader we are left with questions. I guess you could say it was a clever way to end it - leaving readers guessing - but I'm in two minds about it.

Overall, SCHOOLGIRL MISSING is a good read - though it is more about the who, the how, the why than the actual disappearance - and very fast paced. It is thrilling, intriguing and enjoyable. I just didn't like anyone which made it hard to really enjoy it - added to that, having no closure at the end. If there was a breathtaking ending it would have sealed it as a brilliant read. However, I will leave it up to the individual and see what YOU think. The ending was clever, but was it enough? I am still in two minds about it.

Thank you to #SueFortin, #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK for an ARC of #SchoolgirlMissing in exchange for an honest review.