REVIEW: Murder in the Library by Anita Davison

 

Murder in the Library by Anita Davison
Genre: Historical mystery, Cosy mystery
Read: 30th March 2024
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Amazon
Published: 19th February 2024

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

A body in a hospital isn’t so unusual. Unless they’ve been murdered!

1916, London: Keen to support the war effort, bookshop manager and sometime amateur sleuth Hannah Merrill has taken a volunteer role in the library of the nearby military hospital.

But arriving at the hospital one cold winter’s morning, she is horrified to find the body of a dead soldier in the library.

What’s more, a beautiful young nurse confides in Hannah that she thinks she’s being followed, and then she abruptly disappears.

Hannah can’t shake the suspicion that the two cases are connected, but she can’t solve the case alone. She’ll once again need to call upon her delightful, demanding, only-occasionally devious aunt, Violet.

The two women know they must find the missing nurse before it’s too late… but they don’t realise they’re now both in the killer’s sights.

A totally gripping, unputdownable, WW1-set, cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, and Agatha Christie.

MY THOUGHTS:

What another delightful cosy mystery featuring Hannah Merrill and her Aunt Violet! Still in the midst of the Great War, there is more murder, more suspicious activities, more nefarious characters as well as the hint of romance or two! What more can you want in a delightful cosy mystery brimming with wit and humour?

London 1916: After the murder in their bookshop six months or so previously, renovations have brought the aging premises back to life as Aunt Violet elects to man the front whilst volunteering niece Hannah for the library at the local military hospital. Hannah loves her job and exchanging tales with the recuperating patients, until one of them turns up dead in the library one morning.

Enter the amiable Inspector Aidan Farrell, not at all surprised to find Hannah in situ as it were. However, the other witnesses to the discover or thereafter somehow prove to be somewhat recalcitrant. One of them apparently so faint she has been given leave to go home and recover. But then when Nurse Alice Dalglish proves difficult to track down for questioning, Hannah believes her disappearance to be linked to that of the murder of the soldier, Sergeant Tillman, whom she found in the library.

What ensues is a race around London in a search for answers to both the murder and Alice's whereabouts. Of course it is Hannah doing to unofficial investigating with the help of her incorrigible Aunt Violet. With the help of both Inspector Farrell and Darius Clifford. But will they get too close to the truth and place themselves in danger? Or will they uncover the murderer and Alice's whereabouts?

Peppered with humour, wit and the hint of romance for both young ladies, who are decidedly single, this is a delightful addition to this cosy mystery series. I think I enjoyed this one even more than the first one which I found utterly delightful!

A quick read which I devoured in one sitting, I can't wait for the third one "Murder at Midwinter Manor" which is to be published in September. Another delightful escapade, I'm sure.

I would like to thank #AnitaDavison, #Netgalley and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #MurderInTheLibrary in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Born and raised in London, Anita has always had a penchant for all things historical. The citys colourful history has always influenced Anita's writing, even when it was stories scribbled in lined exercise books. Having lived all over the UK and parts of Europe, she is now back in her home city where she immerses herself in writing about the 17th Century.

Anita now lives in the beautiful Cotswolds, the backdrop for her Flora Maquire mysteries.

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REVIEW: The Perfect Housemate by Lorna Dounaeva

The Perfect Housemate by Lorna Dounaeva

Genre: Domestic thriller

Read: 26th March 2024

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Amazon

Published: 28th March 2024

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

You let her in. You shouldn’t have…

I was so nervous about someone new joining our house share; after everything that happened with my parents, my friends are like my family. Our imperfect but well-loved house is the only place where I can be myself. But when Poppy knocks on our door, blonde hair, wide eyes and a friendly smile, we all agree she’s a perfect fit. I just wish I could shake the feeling that I’ve seen her before…

At first, everything runs smoothly. But one day, Poppy arrives home with my housemates in tow. She says she ‘forgot’ to invite me to the movie. My stomach drops. As she sidles up to my friends, I’m gripped by a familiar panic. If Poppy is from my past, will she turn my friends against me? Will she tell them the secret I’ve so carefully buried?

I feel like Poppy’s watching my every move. My home used to be the place where I felt most comfortable. But as she places a delicious home-cooked meal in front of me, I don’t even feel safe eating here.

I have to find out who she really is, and what she wants.

And when I do, will she realise too late which one of us is truly dangerous?

An absolutely gripping page-turner about the dark secrets harboured by the people closest to us. Fans of Shari Lapena, Lisa Jewell and Sally Hepworth won’t be able to put down The Perfect Housemate!

MY THOUGHTS:

You let her in...you shouldn't have...

A delightful domestic thriller with an air of toxicity that just reels you in. This is a quick and easy read that I devoured in one sitting, despite its rather annoying characters.

June and her housemates - Tamsin, Kimmy and Flick - are struggling to make the rent, pay the bills and feed themselves in their spacious Clapham house. So they decide to advertise for a fifth housemate.

Enter Poppy. Almost at once she falls in love with the house and the basement room they have prepared for her. June had painted it a sunny yellow that she found welcoming but soon after moving in Poppy had gone over the walls with a deep aubergine colour. The effect was rather creepy but somewhat stunning coupled with the fairy lights she adorned the room with.

It isn't long before strange things begin to happen though everyone thinks that June is just being paranoid as she seems intent on the fact that Poppy has taken an instant dislike to her. From her missing library card to to her stolen bike to her profile being added to random datig sites, June is sure Poppy is behind the incidents. And then when the entire household goes down with gastroenteritis after eating June's beef stew, except Poppy of course who refused to eat it on the grounds she hates mushrooms, June begins to wonder if Poppy had somehow poisoned the stew that made them all ill. But no one wants to hear June's accusations.

Then Kimmy comes home excitedly sporting an engagement ring after her boyfriend Ralph had popped the question. Soon she begins planning her wedding and she insists all the housemates are her bridesmaids. But first, the hen do...which turns out to be a week in Mykonos!

But June won't be going to the Greek island with them because she will have met a fate that will preclude her from the event. But as she hears her housemates start the day and ge ready for their holiday, she tries to alert them to her whereabouts...but will they hear her in time?

OK so most of the characters were pretty annoying and not many had any redeeming qualities. And yet it was pretty clear that the most obvious suspect wasn't the one behind it all. I kind of had it figured out but it still didn't ruin my enjoyment.

An addictive read from the start with several twists to keep you guessing.

I would like to thank #LornaDounaeva, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #ThePerfectHousemate in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lorna Dounaeva is a quirky British crime writer who once challenged a flamenco troupe to a dance-off. She is a politics graduate and worked for the Home Office for a number of years. She loves books and films with strong female characters and her influences include Single White Female and Sleeping with the Enemy. 

Lorna lives in Surrey with her husband and three children, who keep her busy wiping food off the ceiling and removing mints from USB sockets.

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REVIEW: Mother of the Bride by Samantha Hayes

Mother of the Bride by Samantha Hayes

Genre: Psychological thriller, Domestic thriller

Read: 20th March 2024

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Amazon

Published: 26th March 2024

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

My mother is obsessed with every detail of my wedding – controlling my dress, my ring, my happiness. But when the day finally comes, will she really let me go? Last year, my sister’s fiancé was murdered on his wedding day. And I found my mother’s corsage next to his body…

I’m beaming as I walk down the aisle, but my smile masks a prickling fear, even though this is supposed to be the happiest day of my life.

My husband-to-be, Owen, is everything to me, with his sandy hair and sparkling blue eyes. He keeps telling me it will all be fine. I pray he’s right as I slip a gold band onto his finger with trembling hands.

Please let me be wrong about what my mother did. Please let Owen be safe.

But when the priest asks if anyone objects, I turn to look at my mother. Her eyes are icy beneath the brim of her hat, and she’s staring right at me.

Is my husband’s life in danger? Or is it mine…?

A page-turning, addictive psychological thriller from an Amazon no. 1 bestseller with twists that will have your head spinning until the very end. Fans of The Housemaid, The Family Upstairs and The Perfect Marriage will be absolutely gripped!

MY THOUGHTS:

Here comes the bride...and here comes the mother of the bride!

Lizzie has returned from a six month working hiatus in Dubai with a fiancé in tow. She met Owen at her employer's pool party when she had inadvertently stepped back into the pool. Owen jumped right in to save her citing she already had his attention, she didn't need to nearly drown to get it.

Now they are back in London having stopped at her friend Peter's place for the duration until they got the money together for a place of their own. But they were nearing outstaying their welcome when Lizzie took a phone call from her mother who then invited them to come and stay with her. Having grown up in the same house and then escaping when she was 18 to university, Lizzie couldn't think of anything worse. She simply did not want to risk her mother getting her claws into Owen and ruin this chance of happiness.

Arriving at the Cotswold house, adorned in roses and blooms galore, Lizzie grit her teeth and bared the two days they were to stay. But then the fates aligned, or maybe conspired, to keep them there when Peter told them not to return and subsequently blocked her. Lizzie was stunned. But she had more pressing concerns. Her mother had discovered their engagement and thus took control of everything, organising their entire wedding for two weeks' time.

But at the back of her mind, Lizzie remembered the outcome of her elder sister Shelley's wedding the year before when her groom Rafe was found dead in their kitchen before the ceremony. Lizzie never told anyone but she found her mother's corsage beside his body. She had hidden it and intended to confront her mother about it later but never did.

Did Owen have a similar fate ahead of him?

With thoughts of poisoned berries, accidents on the stairs, of being locked in the cellar to the mournful strains of Mozart's death requiem, Lizzie can't be sure that they are safe staying with her mother.

This tale of a complex and rather dysfunctional family is an addictive read from start to ‌finish. Sylvia, the mother of the bride, is someone you really love to hate but then there are added complexities to her character also.  And I just loved the setting of this one...the beautiful picturesque Cotswolds. It almost felt like an episode of Midsomer Murders!

I went into this book knowing that not all is as it seems...I mean why would it be? The title, the description...it was all a little too convenient. So it's not surprising I had the big twist figured out before the reveal. But it didn't ruin my enjoyment of this stunner of a thriller. The thrill is in the ride and Samantha Hayes has given us just that. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.

I would like to thank #SamanthaHayes, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #MotherOfTheBride in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Samantha Hayes grew up in a creative family where her love of writing began as a child. Samantha has written eight thrillers in total, including the bestselling Until You’re Mine. The Independent said “fantastically written and very tense” while Good Housekeeping said “Her believable psychological thrillers are completely gripping.” Samantha’s books are published in 22 languages at the last count.

When not writing, Samantha loves to cook, go to the gym, see friends and drink nice wine. She is also studying for a degree in psychotherapy. She has three grown-up children and lives in Warwickshire.

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REVIEW: The Teacher's Secret by Lauren North

The Teacher's Secret by Lauren North

Genre: Psychological thriller

Read: 27th March 2024

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Amazon

Published: 23rd February 2024

★★★ 3 stars

DESCRIPTION:

On an ordinary Friday afternoon, popular teacher Mrs Walker and her eight-year-old son leave the school playground. But they never make it home…

Being called in as a substitute teacher to replace a missing teacher – and mother – is the hardest job I’ve ever done. Cate Walker should still be here, in the role she loves. Her son Archie should be sitting in class with his friends. But instead they've disappeared and nobody has heard from them since…

At drop-off and pick-up, the other parents are hunched together anxiously. I can see the confusion in their children’s faces. The whole village is full of whispered rumours: that Archie and Cate will never be found, that someone else will soon be next… and that Cate's charismatic husband, Oliver – our headteacher – is involved.

After the chilling way Oliver looked at me on my first morning, the thought makes my blood turn to ice. I'm determined to uncover what’s really happened to Cate and Archie, especially after I find photos in Cate’s classroom cupboard that change everything…

Then an anonymous note turns up threatening me. My home is broken into while I sleep. I know the longer I stay at this school, the more danger I’m in.

But whoever’s trying to scare me doesn’t know who I am – or why I’m really here.

Or just how far I’ll go to expose the truth…

An absolutely gripping psychological thriller, where no one is who they seem, that will get your heart pounding! Perfect for fans of addictive page-turners like The Housemaid, The Family Across the Street and The Family Upstairs.

MY THOUGHTS:

It's just another normal Friday afternoon in the little village of Leedham Vale. Parents arrive at the school to collect their little lovelies for the weekend. But for teacher Cate Walker and her 8 year old son Archie it's the day they vanish from the streets on their way home...never to reach their destination. 

Almost at once, head teacher and husband Oliver believes this little disappearing act to be another one of Cate's little manipulative games and thinks nothing of it and goes about his business. But when she hasn't returned by Saturday he reports them both as missing. But Cate's disappearance leaves a void in the school that needs filling.

Enter Lexi Mills. Substitute teacher with secrets of her own takes it upon herself to begin investigating the disappearance of mother and child whilst also looking into Oliver. Surely there is more to him than meets the eye. But as the days drag into a week and then two weeks, everyone is frantic for news and wondering what really happened to Cate and Archie that Friday afternoon.

And then a body is found...

This is a slow burn of a thriller that had potential but also a feeling of not quite reaching it. It held my attention enough to the end but I felt it dragged out and I was awaiting the ending so I could find out what really happened. And everything was tied up nicely and made a lot of sense by the end but I think it was just a little too convoluted for my tastes.

I would like to thank #LaurenNorth, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheTeachersSecret in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lauren writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. She has a lifelong passion for writing, reading, and all things books. Lauren’s love of psychological suspense has grown since childhood and her dark imagination of always wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation.

Lauren studied psychology before moving to London where she lived and worked for many years. She now lives with her family in the Suffolk countryside.

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REVIEW: The Pick-Pocket Orphans by Lindsey Hutchinson

The Pick Pocket Orphans by Lindsey Hutchinson

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, Victorian era

Read: 16th March 2024

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Amazon

Published: 21st March 2024

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Thirteen-year-old Alice Truelove can’t take another day of her father’s cruelty.

Better a life on the streets than being constantly blamed for her mother’s sad death, or that’s what Alice thinks as she packs up her meagre possessions. But fending for herself in the Black Country town of Wednesbury is not as easy as she expected, and it soon hits her that without help she will quickly be hungry and cold.

Bertram Jordan, or BJ to his friends, became an orphan much too young after his parents were stolen away by influenza. Growing up on the streets has not been easy, but BJ has learnt to survive, and when he meets Alice, alone and desperate, he’s happy to take her under his wing.

As Alice learns the tricks of the pick-pocketer, the best ways to charm the stallholders on the market and the skills to get by, the two children become firm friends. So, when BJ makes a fatal mistake, Alice can’t bear the thought that she might lose her only friend – forever…

The Queen of Black Country sagas is back with a heart-breaking tale of friendship, families and survival against the odds. Perfect for all fans of Katie Flynn, Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

MY THOUGHTS:

The only way to survive is to stick together...

What a delightful yet emotional read this was, as most of Ms Hutchinson's books tend to be. From the streets of the Black Country to the sunny climes of Western Australia, we follow the story of two youngsters, relative orphans, who find each other on the streets.

Alice Truelove has bore the brunt of her father's anger and near-hate for most of her life, even moreso now after the death of her mother the year before. Tired of being his verbal whipping girl, Alice packs her meagre possessions and steals away from the two-up two-down she has called home for thirteen years. A life on the streets is far more inviting than another day bearing the brunt of her father disdain for her a moment longer.

But she soon finds that life on the streets is far from easy though she still favours it from the alternative. It isn't long before she meets BJ, Bertram Jordan, who has long since learned to survive on the streets, pilfering and scavenging where he can. Though of indeterminate age, he takes 13 year old Alice under his wing and teaches her the ways of the streets. She soon becomes adept at pick-pocketing, filching and scavenging in the market square at the end of the day. Together they look out for each other.

But then one day, BJ fails to return and Alice begins to worry when by morning he still hasn't returned. She begins to ask around the market, ending up at Green's Bakery who have always looked after the two youngsters. A quick visit to the local constabulary with the gift box of some delicious pastries, Josie Green returns with the solemn news that BJ has been arrested for burglary. An appearance before the cranky Justice of the Peace sees him bound over to the assizes for trial and sentencing, for which he receives seven years transportation to Australia. Without BJ by her side, Alice must learn to fend for herself once again.

No one could predict what comes next for the two youngsters. BJ on a ship to Australia and Alice taken in by the Greens. A brighter tomorrow may be in their futures but not before tragedy strikes sending their lives on a course they didn't foresee. Alice is lost without BJ and seven years is a long time. What if she never sees him again?

Another delightful read by Lindsey Hutchinson though the ending feels a little unfinished but I'm guessing that is because the story is not yet over, with this being the first in a trilogy.

I do so love this author and her heartwrenching tales and I even found parts of this one somewhat deprssing. But it does pick up with the promise of a brighter tomorrow...just what that all entails we will have to wait and see what's in store for them. 

Another cracking read.

I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #ThePickPocketOrphans in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lindsey Hutchinson was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands and is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. Tying up the manuscripts for her her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson, rekindled her love for storytelling and it seems she was always destined to follow in her footsteps.

Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and Labrador, loves to read and enjoys photography.

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Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

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REVIEW: The Wife's Baby by Daniel Hurst

The Wife's Baby by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Domestic thriller

Read: 18th March 2024

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Amazon

Published: 16th March 2024

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

My husband is not perfect, but our daughter is. But now she’s in danger…

When Tuppence was born, I thought I was complete. Even when my marriage to Leon began to falter, at least I had my baby girl to look after. Adults have problems all the time, but children have a way of making them seem so insignificant.

But then Tuppence goes missing and I realise how my life has been teetering on the brink for so long. Now it’s just me and my husband again, the two of us and all our problems, and we’re forced to work together as a team to get our beloved daughter back.

I don’t know where my baby is, but I will do anything to find her and hold her in my arms again. She’s my little girl and unlike her parents, she is perfect. She’s not made the mistakes we have. She’s not got dark secrets like us. She is better than we are…

We will get her back. I will get her back. But what if it’s already too late?

A gripping psychological thriller from the author of The Couple’s Revenge, The Passenger and the number one bestseller, The Doctor’s Wife.

MY THOUGHTS:

Her baby went missing...but she wouldn't give up...

Daniel Hurst is back firing on all cylinders with this superb psychological thriller with twist after twist. Enough to give you whiplash. After his previous "The Colleagues" which I found to be a huge disappointment, I was thrilled to be racing through the pages of this one which is more the style of of the author I've come to know and love.

Gabby and Leon have been together for seven years and married for four. Happily? Not especially. In fact, not even close. Which is why Gabby decided to book a four day getaway to the historic Scottish city of Stirling for them and their six month old baby Tuppence. It was meant to be a fresh start, to rekindle that spark they had lost in the wake of feeding times, nappies and sleep routines. Intimacy was something that was so far removed after pregnancy and giving birth.

Maybe that's why Leon went looking elsewhere. He claimed it didn't mean anything. He was only looking. But he did more than that, as Gabby discovered he paid a hefty monthly subscription for the pleasure that was to be all his for the taking. Maybe she should she have walked out then. But she loved her husband which is why she gave him another chance. And that's why they now find themselves in Stirling for a mini break.

Everything appears to be going smoothly. Their holiday rental is luxurious and divine. The city is beautiful. And the castle is stunning. Even Leon seems happier. Maybe this holiday is working. Gabby finally sees some hope for her failing marriage.

And then on their final night in the beautiful city, Gabby takes Tuppence out in the pram for their nightly pre-bedtime routine walk. And everything changes. Before the end of the night, Gabby will be distraught, Leon will be blaming her and Tuppence will be gone.

What ensues is a mother's doggedness and tireless desire to find out what happened to her missing daughter. No matter how long it takes. No matter how much of a nuisance she makes of herself. And that she doesn't rather effectively. But despite all this, Tuppence remains missing. Her whereabouts, and her disappearance, a complete mystery. But Gabby knows that the street on which her daughter went missing is key and refuses to give up...even if the police have.

On the anniversary of Tuppence's disappearance, she joins forces with a local crime writer in the hope that two heads are better than one and that together they can uncover the truth about what happened to Tuppence.

This is Daniel Hurst at his best and I devoured every page of this book in record time. And like all of his thrillers, just when you thought you had it figured out Hurst throws in yet another twist - directly after another - and such is his skilful slight of hand is that he peppers his tale with red herrings to keep you looking in a different direction.

Can you figure out what really happened before the big reveal? I have to tell you, even I (a seasoned thriller reader who is very rarely hoodwinked) was scuppered this time. Well played, Mr Hurst.

Now I just have to find time to squeeze in all his other books...

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

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REVIEW: The Dock Girl's Shame by AnneMarie Brear

The Dock Girl's Shame by AnneMarie Brear

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, Victorian era

Read: 14th March 2024

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Amazon

Published: 16th March 2024

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

A broken heart, a shameful secret…

Wakefield, Yorkshire 1871

Loretta Chambers has spent her life working at her father’s boatyard down at the docks. She’s tried hard to keep the business afloat, but with the railways taking trade away every day, Lorrie fears for the worst.

The arrival of handsome Italian, Matteo Falcone brings a brief glimmer of hope and a yearning inside Lorrie for another life, away from the filthy grime of the dockside. But despite her feelings for Matteo, she could never travel to Italy with him, and leave her father alone.

But one reckless, impetuous moment leaves Lorrie with a secret she will struggle to hide. And when tragedy strikes at the boatyard, Lorrie is left feeling more alone than ever before.

Always a dutiful daughter, Lorrie now carries a shame that could ruin her life forever…

MY THOUGHTS:

A broken heart...a shameful secret...

This is the second in the Waterfront Women series, the first being "The Waterfront Lass" which I loved. This one is another standalone tale featuring Lorrie Chambers, one of the three waterfront lasses in which the series surrounds. As the first one was Meg's story and this one is Lorrie, I can only assume the third will centre around Fliss. As with the first book, this is another great read which I devoured in one sitting once again.

Lorrie Chambers has lived on the waterfront with her father Ernest Chambers since she was six years old after the death of her beautiful Italian mother Arianna. He was the sole owner of Chambers Boatyard Builders and Repairs, that is until the entrance of Oswald Lynch, with whom her father sold a percentage of the business to in order to save it from going under. But Lynch made Lorrie's skin crawl and she feared he had nefarious plans for the boatyard and her father. However, her father refused to be swayed. And no matter how much Lorrie tried to keep out of Lynch's way, he continued to seek her out even proposing marriage on occasion. Something which made Lorrie baulk at the sheer thought of it.

Then one day, handsome Italian Matteo Falcone enters the boatyard with a gift for Lorrie from her great grandmother, for whom she was named, who had recently passed away. It seems they were distantly related - their great grandmothers being cousins. Lorrie's father was furious at Matteo's sudden appearance and thought nothing good could come of it. But Lorrie found herself attracted to Matteo and when her father was suddenly injured, he stepped in to help run the boatyard until her father recovered.

But the more time the pair spent together, the more chance trouble would come of their union. But that was to be the least of Lorrie's troubles to come. How would she fare when more tragedy struck and threatened her livelihood?

Another good solid read from Aussie author AnneMarie Brear that I thoroughly enjoyed as I whiled away the hours of the afternoon. I didn't care for Matteo one bit. He wanted his cake and to eat it too. In my experience, Italian men are far too sure of themselves and self-absorbed. I knew any dalliance with him would spell trouble for Lorrie...and the title kind of gave that part of the story away. However, I didn't agree with the title as Lorrie proved herself to be a strong and resilient woman in the face of adversity.

I look forward to reading Fliss' story next and wonder what Ms Brear has up her sleeve for that one.

Perfect for fans of Catherine Cookson, Lindsey Hutchinson and Dilly Court.

I would like to thank #AnneMarieBrear, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheDockGirlsShame in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

AnneMarie Brear was born in a small town in N.S.W. Australia, to English parents from Yorkshire, and is the youngest of five children. From an early age she loved reading, working her way through the Enid Blyton stories, before moving onto Catherine Cookson’s novels as a teenager. 

Living in England during the 1980s and more recently, AnneMarie developed a love of history from visiting grand old English houses and this grew into a fascination with what may have happened behind their walls over their long existence. 

Her enjoyment of visiting old country estates and castles when travelling and, her interest in genealogy and researching her family tree, has been put to good use, providing backgrounds and names for her historical novels which are mainly set in Yorkshire or Australia between Victorian times and WWII. 

A long and winding road to publication led to her first novel being published in 2006. She has now published over twenty-seven historical family saga novels, becoming an Amazon UK best seller and with her novel, The Slum Angel, winning a gold medal at the USA Reader's Favourite International Awards in 2019, and a silver medal for The Market Stall Girl in 2021. Two of her books have been nominated for the Romance Writer’s Australia Ruby Award and the In’dtale Magazine Rone award.

AnneMarie now lives in the Southern Highlands of N.S.W. Australia with her husband and her family.

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PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

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REVIEW: At the Stroke of Midnight by Jenni Keer

At the Stroke of Midnight by Jenni Keer

Genre: Historical fiction, Contemporary fiction, Mystery

Read: 13th March 2024

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Amazon

Published: 12th March 2024

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

It’s an invitation that will change everything…

It’s 1923 and in a decade that promises excitement and liberation, Pearl Glenham and her father are invited to a mysterious country house party on the Dorset coast, by a total stranger.

Her father claims not to have any prior association with Highcliffe House, but upon arrival, it is apparent that he has a shared history with several of the guests, although he won’t admit it. Belatedly discovering that her father was blackmailed into attending, Pearl’s worries are compounded when their host fails to arrive…

Intimidated by everyone at the party, she escapes to the nearby cove and stumbles upon a mysterious mercury clock hidden in a cave. This strange encounter sets in motion a series of events that will culminate in an horrific house fire, claiming the lives of all the guests, including Pearl herself.

But then Pearl wakes up back in the cave, seemingly destined never to live past midnight. She can repeat the day. But can she change its outcome?

A completely addictive and unforgettable 1920s mystery – with a timeslip twist – perfect for fans of Daphne duMaurier, Agatha Christie, and Lucinda Riley.

MY THOUGHTS:

Until the mystery is solved, she's trapped in time...

After reading the author's previous novel "No 23 Burlington Square" and absolutely loving it, I had high hopes for this one. While the previous one had a sliding doors theme, this one is more Agatha Christie meets Groundhog Day. And it was rather cleverly done.

The year is 1923 and Pearl Glenham has lived a somewhat sheltered life with her father Raymond in a parsonage cottage in rural Suffolk. But life as she knows it is about to change when her father receives an invitation he can ill afford to refuse. A weekend at Highcliffe House on the Jurassic coast of Dorset. Both father and daughter do not mix well in social circles and both would rather not attend. But with a curiosity to know more, Pearl sought out the letter that summoned their presence and was shocked to discover that her father was is essence being blackmailed to attend...alluding to secrets of the past that he did not wish to become public knowledge.

From the moment they arrived at Highcliffe House, they are greeted by an overfamiliar manservant and a harried cook-cum-housekeeper - the only two staff on hand to serve them. That and the pompous Harlow Standfield who had arrived just moments before them. But they were not the last to arrive, with Celine and Aldo Revallo sweeping in annonce their arrival. Each of them were curious as to their host who had yet to arrive himself - a Mr Badgerwood.

Almost from he first moment, Pearl had the distinct impression that the gathered group had met before but none of them admitted that fact. Her father had indeed stated he had never been to Highcliffe before but it was clear that he was familiar with the house. Why was he lying? Why was any of them?

Eager to escape the stifled atmosphere, Pearl changed into hr bathing costume and stole herself down to the private cove for a swim. It is on the shingled beach that she steals across a cave heralding its own treasures...and in her curiosity, set in motion a series of events that would see her relive the same afternoon over and over for weeks...each day ending before the stroke of midnight. 

To escape the time in which she is trapped, Pearl must uncover a twenty year old mystery. But can she unravel the truth in time to save them all?

A rather novel concept with a Christiesque feel and a hint of Daphne du Maurier to the equivalent of Groundhog Day. I must admit I was stumped as to the mystery but I did figure out at least part of it and what happened to one of the missing members of the family. That idea came to me right from the beginning and stayed with me until it was revealed at the end.

I didn't care for any of the characters except Pearl and Ellery. Pearl's father treated her as an unpaid servant when he could quite easily accomplish the tasks himself but expected her to fulfill them. Celine and Standfield were incredibly self-absorbed.

An interesting tale which I found entertaining and whiled away a few hours this afternoon. But her previous one is a hard one to top.

And let's just take a moment to admire that simply stunning cover!!

I would like to thank #JenniKeer, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #AtTheStrokeOfMidnight in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Jenni Keer is the well-reviewed author of historical romances, often with a mystery at their heart.

After gaining a history degree, Jenni embarked on an career in contract flooring before settling in the middle of the Suffolk countryside with her antique-restorer husband and their four teenage boys. She has valiantly attempted to master the ancient art of housework, but it remains a mystery, so is more usually found at her keyboard writing fun romantic comedies with #blindcat Seymour by her side.

When not up to her elbows in family life, she can be found busy with her Edwardian marquetry business, planning her next fancy dress party or practising her formation dance moves.

Most recently published by Headline and shortlisted for the 2023 RNA Historical Romantic Novel of the Year, her first book with Boldwood No 23 Burlington Square was published in October 2023.

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REVIEW: The Good Wife by Gemma Rogers

The Good Wife by Gemma Rogers

Genre: Psychological thriller, Domestic thriller

Read: 5th March 2024

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 5th March 2024

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Appearances can be deceiving...

After a whirlwind romance and three years of marriage, I’d tried to be a good wife.

But Tom, my husband, is always watching, controlling my every move. He chooses my clothes, my hairstyle, even instructing what and how much I’m allowed to eat – just ten measly mouthfuls.

I’ve become isolated from those I love, forbidden to work and stuck at home to fulfil his every whim.

My identity along with my life is long gone.

I am slowly suffocating but I know Tom will never, ever let me leave alive.

A chance encounter with Savannah changes everything. Tom couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. Could she be my saviour?

Could my husband’s desire for another woman be the answer to my prayers, to my freedom?

Bestseller Gemma Rogers is back with another gripping, page-turning thriller. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell.

MY THOUGHTS:

** Please note: I did not complete this book because of the content which I found triggering. However I have still rated it highly because it is well written and sensitively handled.**

TRIGGER WARNING: coercive control and abuse

Appearances can be deceiving...in a marriage of control, can she break free...?

Before I begin, I have to say I love Gemma Rogers and always eagerly await her next thriller. And this one was no different...until I began reading it. Unfortunately the content was too triggering for me to complete it and I found myself tossing it aside in anger, my blood boiling. I would have loved to finish it but I just couldn't. Coercive control and abuse is something that is a little too close to home for comfort for me and while I can usually read them with an open mind, this time I just found it too confronting and close for comfort to occupy the same headspace.

The story tells of Chloe, the good wife, who after a whirlwind romance with Tom three years before he whisked her away to the Seychelles for what she discovered was a surprise intimate wedding for them both. Only later did she realise it was a tactical move on Tom's part to stop anyone from stepping in and putting a stop to the wedding. Tom had carefully moulded Chloe into the perfect wife he wanted who would see to his every need as and when he required. She was essentially at his beck and call.

Chloe had been an editor at a successful publishing house but Tom soon put a stop to that too. And moved them out of London to a sleepy village in Sussex where she could devote every minute of the day to him alone. He expected nothing but perfection in keeping house and having his meals on the table as soon as he walked in the door. He chose her clothing, what she ate and how much, isolated her from her friends and limited her contact with anyone outside of his carefully curated bubble. After ruining her previous phone, he bought her a new one but loaded it with spyware so that he could track her movements, her browsing history and her call log. He entered only two numbers into the list of contacts - his own and her mother's...only he changed her mother's number by a digit or two thus preventing her from contacting her family.

And then one night they were attending a Director's dinner for the company Tom worked for when Chloe met Savannah. She was a stunning redhead and Chloe knew right away that Tom would not be able to resist her, knowing his weakness for redheads (despite her being blonde). And so Chloe puts a plan in motion to enable Savannah to steal Tom's heart, if not other parts of his anatomy, thus leaving Chloe free to leave him once and for all.

As soona s Tom sees Savannah, it is lust at first sight. He wins an hour with her at the dinner in a raffle, and after that he is smitten. He spends most of his waking moments lusting after her, thinking about her and their time together. He continues to seek out Savannah unaware of the plan his wife, whom he believes to be an open book where he is concerned, has set in motion.

How will it all end? 

Unfortunately I didn't see how it ended up but I'm sure there were plenty of fireworks as there were bound to be where Tom was concerned. He was the most despicable character, unlikeable in every way and I wanted to smash his face in. Gemma Rogers did handle to the topic of coercive control and abuse sensitively but for me it was just too close for comfort. But I still rate it up there as a great read, from what I did reach. Just be aware that the content may be triggering for some.

I would like to thank #GemmaRogers, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheGoodWife in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Gemma Rogers was inspired to write gritty thrillers by a traumatic event in her own life nearly twenty years ago. Her debut novel Stalker was published in September 2019 and marked the beginning of a new writing career. Gemma lives in West Sussex with her husband and two daughters.

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