REVIEW: The Wilderness Retreat by Jennifer Moore

The Wilderness Retreat by Jennifer Moore

Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense

Read: 4th May 2023

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Amazon

Published: 23rd February 2023

★★★ 3 stars

DESCRIPTION:

I release myself from the shackles of the outside world and embrace the wilderness within.

As Bella drops her son off at university, she’s devastated. It’s been the two of them ever since Asher was born. The only thing helping her through is the upcoming week-long wilderness retreat in Sweden. It’ll be her chance to reconnect and recharge.

At the retreat, Bella basks in the beauty of the modern lodge, with its luxury rooms and picture-perfect views, the glistening lake and lush forest. For the full detox effect, everyone must surrender their phones.

The holiday seems idyllic until the person who ruined Bella’s life years ago arrives, threatening everything she’s worked hard for and will do anything to protect. Suddenly, a terrified Bella is trapped in the wild, knowing someone wants her dead…

MY THOUGHTS:

The premise for this book had me intrigued. Single mum escapes to the Swedish wilderness for some much needed "R and R". The setting was atmospheric and the tone was the definitive of creepy. It was a little reminiscent of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" as everyone finds themselves secluded in this retreat, surrendering their phones and having to succumb to a full digital detox. Sounds legit...but I'd still like to keep a hold of my phone. You never know when you might actually need it!

We meet Bella who is bidding a tearful farewell to her son Asher as he embarks on a new journey of university life. Bella is a composer of film scores and recently made something of a name for herself for a very creepy thriller. This retreat is a birthday gift from her sister Rachel as a way of relaxing and recharging after always putting herself last whilst raising her son alone. As she waves Asher goodbye, her next stop is the airport where she will catch her flight to Sweden and begin her wilderness retreat.

However, the getaway in this idyllic setting soon proves not to be the refreshing break she had hope it would be, despite the luxury rooms and stunning views and surrounds. Then a storm cuts them all off from the outside world and suddenly all hell breaks loose.

I don't want to give too much away so all I shall say is that when secrets from the past that refused to stay buried start to be revealed, questions begin to surface about an incident from nineteen years previous. 

There are sick guests, mysterious characters, sinister references, creepy nuances...a reminder to never go on one of these wilderness retreats myself! Have none of these people read a psychological thriller before? Seen a scary movie? Enough to not put yourself in such a situation.

At any rate, the pace was fairly slow throughout and Bella was damn annoying. So much I felt was repetitive that it took away from the impact of the tale which had the promise of being such an atmospheric one at that. In the end, the story was kind of drawn out and with so many different characters it did get a little tricky keeping track of who was who.

Overall, an OK thriller but nothing memorable.

I would like to thank #JenniferMoore, #Netgalley and #HQStories for an ARC of #TheWildernessRetreat in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Moore is a novelist, freelance writer and children's author (writing as Jenny Moore) from Devon. Her short fiction has been widely published on both sides of the Atlantic and she was the first ever UK writer to win the Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

Social media links:

Wesbite | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: A New Start at the Beach Hotel by Francesca Capaldi

A New Start at the Beach Hotel (Beach Hotel #1) by Francesca Capaldi

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW1

Read: 3rd May 2023

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Amazon

Published: 23rd February 2023

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Can Edie find the courage to choose her own future?

June 1914. Edie Moore is a Governess for Lord and Lady Moreland, living in comfort at the grand Downland House in Sussex. But, wanting more from life, she flees in secret to Littlehampton, the place where she spent many idyllic childhood holidays.

Desperate for work, Edie begins working as a chambermaid at the prestigious Beach Hotel, even if the menial tasks are a far cry from her previous job.

While the days are long and gruelling, Edie works hard and soon is in favour with Helen Bygrove, the manager’s wife, who sees that Edie is destined for bigger things – which leads to tension with some of the other chambermaids.

But as she navigates her new life and finds friendship with fellow maid Lili Probert, she also grows closer to charming, cheerful porter, Charlie Cobbett, and finally finds the happiness she has been searching for.

However, what none of her new friends know is that Edie is hiding a secret from her past, one that would change the way they view her, forever. When the truth comes out, will Edie be able to keep her new life and remain in the place she loves so much?

A captivating, romantic and moving World War 1 saga that fans of Elaine Roberts and Pam Howes won’t be able to put down.

MY THOUGHTS:

I've always been drawn to books around the Great War era and I enjoyed a couple of other books by this author in her previous series that I was interested to check this one. The fact it is set in a beachside town also drew me in.

Sussex 1914: When Edie Moore stepped out of Downland House in the early hours one June morning, she vowed that this would be the start of a new life for her. As she trudged to the station with her carpetbag, there were times she questioned the logic of her choice whilst at the same time knowing that there was no going back from this. Not that she wanted to. The threats that had been made were enough to spring her into action. And so now she leaves this life behind and steps out of the station into Littlehampton as Edie Moore.

She secures lodgings with Mrs Hadley but finding a job proves to be more difficult. Her reference speaking of her work as a governess puts her in good stead but does little to find work, as a governess sits somewhere between the classes - not quite middle class but not quite working class either. She ventures into the Beach Hotel who are looking for a book keeper and secures herself an interview for the following day. However, she proves to be unsuccessful as having no previous book-keeping experience. 

But the manageress of the hotel does come looking for her in the days following in need of a chambermaid. The work is long and hard but Edie isn't afraid of that. It's those who think she has come in looking down her nose at them. Despite the challenges she faces, she makes some friends there in Charlie and Lili and soon finds something at the Beach Hotel she never had before. A sense of belonging and family.

But then a face from her past recognises her and Edie fears her secret will be discovered. Even the threat of war may not overshadow the secrets that are about to come out...

This was a delightfully easy read that I enjoyed despite its slow start, as I did wonder the direction it was taking in the beginning but being the first book in a new series I can only surmise that the author was laying the groundwork for the backstory that readers will inevitably discover in due course.

There are some wonderful characters and some rather unsavoury ones as well. I love the setting of the Beach Hotel and adore Helen Bygrove. Her husband, who is supposed to be the manager, does nothing but belittle his wife dreadfully or is busy playing golf or tennis rather than actually running the hotel. His wife manages to do that quite well without him. There are some humourous moments, particularly between the Bygroves.

A NEW START AT THE BEACH HOTEL is an enchanting read and I look forward to see what's next for the characters.

I would like to thank #FrancescaCapaldi, #Netgalley and #HeraBooks for an ARC of #ANewStartAtTheBeachHotel in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Francesca has enjoyed writing since she was a child. Born in Worthing, Sussex, and brought up in Littlehampton, she was largely influenced by a Welsh mother who was brilliant at improvised story telling.

A history graduate and qualified teacher, she decided to turn her writing hobby into something more in 2006, when she joined a writing class.

​Writing as both Francesca Capaldi and Francesca Burgess, she has had numerous short stories published in magazines in the UK and abroad, as well as in anthologies. Four pocket novels have been published by DC Thomson, one of which, Danger for Daisy, is available as an ebook.

Her Welsh World War 1 sagas were inspired by the discovery of her great grandfather's war record.  They are published by Hera Books

​She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. 

Francesca currently lives on the North Downs in Kent with her family and a cat called Lando Calrission.

Social media links:

Wesbite | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Guilty Mother by Sam Vickery

The Guilty Mother by Sam Vickery

Genre: Domestic thriller

Read: 1st May 2023

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Amazon

Published: 28th April 2023

★★★ 3 stars

DESCRIPTION:

I know something is wrong the moment the doorbell rings. The smile on my daughter’s face disappears as a police officer places handcuffs around my wrists, and my husband watches in horror as they march me out the door. I’m being arrested for murder… our neighbour is dead and I know why.

Lisa and Mike Grey have the perfect family. They live on a beautiful tree-lined street, behind an impeccably-cut lawn, raising two wonderful children. They never imagined being able to afford such a picturesque house, and as soon as they moved to Dragonfly Close, they felt totally at home.

But when their next-door neighbour Russell is killed, and Lisa is arrested for his murder, chaos takes over the once peaceful street.

How could a doting mother, and a dedicated housewife, do something so terrible?

She says she didn’t do it. But if Lisa didn’t kill Russell, why is she refusing to give her alibi to the police? Who is she trying to protect?

There are lies hidden behind each closed door. And more than one person knows what happened the night Russell died, but everyone watches from the safety of their homes as the police take Lisa away.

Someone on Dragonfly Close is getting away with murder… the question is who? And how far are they willing to go to keep their terrible secret safe?

Fans of Liane Moriarty, Nicole Trope and Linda Green will love this completely gripping page-turner, with a twist that will make your heart stop.

MY THOUGHTS:

Perfect housewife? Or perfect killer?

I wasn't sure what to expect from my first outing with Sam Vickery but I think it was something a little different to what was delivered. That's not to say that it wasn't a good thriller...it was just a little too slow for my liking. But that's just my personal preference. I know many others have devoured this book and loved every single second of it. I found it a little predictable in parts though that never ruins my enjoyment...it's the delivery and execution of a good story that I come for. I'm not entirely sure I got it while at the same time...in a way I think I kind of did.

Lisa and Mike's world is rocked one Sunday evening as they are sitting down to delicious lamb roast I could almost taste, such was the description, when there is a knock at the door. Their son Jack answers the door, thinking it to be some salesman trying their luck, but instead he returns with the police in tow. They have come to arrest Lisa for the hit and run death of their friend and neighbour Russell Fox, killed last weekend. Lisa has expected their impending arrival, has almost prepared for it. Unfortunately, her family didn't get the memo. They are left speechless as Lisa is lead away and driven away in a police car.

Russell and Victoria moved into the house across the street from Lisa and Mike and Lisa was pregnant with their daughter Holly, who is now seventeen. They quickly became friends, sharing backyard barbeques, drinks, laughs and many happy memories. Holly and Jack even call Victoria "Aunty Vic". The families are so closely bound that it comes as a shock to everyone involved when Lisa is arrested for Russell's death. Even Victoria doesn't believe her friend could be guilty.

As Lisa is lead away, she ponders about everything that has lead up to this moment. Her children, her marriage, her family...and the last time she and Russell met and the argument that ensued. She knows the police don't have anything on her and refuses to co-operate, giving a no comment interview on the advice of her lawyer. The police continue to hold her as they continue their investigations, as the hours turn into days and Lisa longs to hold her family once again.

Meanwhile, Victoria knows her friend is innocent and takes it upon herself to make herself available to her family. They need her now more than ever at this terrible time. Plus it will help keep her mind off Russell and the void his death has left behind after twenty two years of marriage. But little by little, we learn that Russell wasn't the perfect husband everyone was lead to believe. Instead he was cruel, coercive, controlling, overbearing and abusive with his timid wife who wanted nothing but his love and a family. Now, she turns to Lisa's family to offer them comfort whilst seeking it for herself also...and one has to wonder, what exactly are her motives? Is she the innocent wife she has lead us all to believe? Which of these two women is the guilty wife?

A domestic thriller told through the alternating perspectives of Lisa and Victoria, THE GUILTY MOTHER is tense and emotionally charged throughout with several twists along the way...albeit somewhat predictable. Not exactly what I was expecting but not entirely unpleasant either, I did find the story a tad drawn out in places and far too wordy with so much description that I was a little lost in it all wondering just where I was up to. But overall, a okayish domestic thriller.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Sam Vickery is an English author who loves gritty, emotional stories that can make you sob. As a child, she was forever getting in trouble for being caught with her nose in a book, and these days are no different.

She lives on the south coast of England with her husband, two children and a cat that thinks it's a dog.

Social media links:

Wesbite | Facebook | Goodreads

REVIEW: The School Trip by Miranda Smith

The School Trip by Miranda Smith

Genre: Domestic suspense, Psychological thriller, Mystery

Read: 2nd May 2023

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Amazon

Published: 13th April 2023

★★★★ 4.5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

They should have been watching. But my little girl is gone…

On this crisp October day, the class of six-year-old children are wrapped up warm in gloves and coats for their trip to a local farm. They giggle as they stroke the animals and search for the perfect Halloween pumpkin, and as I watch my daughter Claire race off with her friends, the pink ribbon in her hair bouncing, I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s been so hard since my husband died and my sweet little girl deserves to be happy.

But as the sun sets and the teachers gather the children, Claire is nowhere to be seen.

We call the police and frantically scour the fields and playgrounds, my heart breaking as I cry out Claire’s name. And then a detective shows me a video: my daughter, skipping away from the farm, holding hands with an adult in a bulky coat, their cap pulled down low.

My blood turns to ice. Claire would never leave with a stranger. Whoever took her must be someone I know.

But who could want to punish me this badly? Is it linked to the night I refuse to think about—the terrible night my husband died?

Did my mistakes put my baby girl in danger?

Can I save her by finally facing the past?

Or will I lose her forever when the truth comes out?

A brilliantly twisty thriller that will have you gripped from the first page to the final reveal. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell.

MY THOUGHTS:

You looked away for a moment...And then she was gone...

I read this book in one afternoon. It's THAT good! My third read by Miranda Smith, THE SCHOOL TRIP is just as thrilling and just as compelling as "Not My Mother" which I just loved. Of course, as soon as it mentioned a missing child I knew this would be right up my alley...and it was. It was everything I love about missing children tropes and thensome. What is even more impressive is that the entire story (bar the final chapter) takes place in one single day. How can an author do that and keep things interesting? Who cares? She did!

Emma is a widowed mother to six year old Claire and a kindergarten teacher. And although she is busy trying to remain present for her daughter, today is a special day for the school where she teaches as it's a field trip day. Most of the childrens' parents have come along to act as chaperone but those who couldn't remained in groups of two or three with their teachers. The teachers have planned things to the nth degree. Security is solid. What could possibly go wrong?

Of course, Claire had hoped to be spending the day solely with her mum at the Pumpkin Patch farm and isn't at all impressed to be having to share her with other students whose parents couldn't come on the school trip. But Claire's attention is soon diverted with the promise of feeding the animals and playing on the ten foot slide and play equipment the farm have. Tantrum diverted.

The past two years have been tough for Emma. Having been on extended maternity leave during Claire's early years, she returned to work to find juggling motherhood and a full time job was not as easy as she'd first thought. And then just as she was trying to find her footing in both camps, her husband David is killed in a car accident leaving her to raise their daughter alone. To make matters worse, Emma and David had been arguing the day of his death and she has never forgiven herself for it. Now Claire is all she has left.

Now Emma is busy navigating the field trip and allocating chaperones with children before heading off to enjoy the day. Claire is busy with her friends, calling out to her mum every so often which Emma obliges. Despite this, she still seems to be having a wonderful time. 

And then every teacher's worst nightmare happens...a child goes missing. The farm is placed into lockdown and the police are called as Emma assists in searching for the missing girl. After a couple of hours, the child is thankfully located in the middle of a cornfield maze, sobbing and scared. Everyone is relieved as news spreads that the little girl has been found. Police release the scene and parents begin to leave the farm with their children. But relief is shortlived because while Emma was out searching for the missing child, her own daughter went missing. Frantic, she asks Sarah, her friend and colleague, where Claire is but Sarah can only respond tearfully that she only took her eyes off her for a second. But a second is all it takes.

But the day is almost at an end and night is drawing in, meaning they are now losing daylight. If Claire is out there, she will be in the dark and frightened. But the owner of the farm reassures her that all sections of the farm are now closed so she won't be anywhere on the property. So where is she? And then police discover park footage of Claire leaving with an unknown person. A stranger. But Claire wouldn't have left with a stranger...so who is it that lead her child out of the park?

It's every parent's worst nightmare - your child going missing. And the author brings the reader to the forefront of the investigation as police search for missing Claire. Emma is placed in the spotlight as the media speculate a neglectful mother leaving her child in the care of another at the time she disappeared which only serves to infuriate her further. Why aren't the police updating them with the facts instead of wasting time. Then soon Emma discovers some of those closest to her aren't at all who they appear to be and she begins to wonder just who can she trust? Any one of them could have Claire. Everyone seems to be lying so who can she trust?

The story unfolds through Emma's perspective as well as the first person narrative of the kidnapper and their unhinged "plan". I did question some of Emma's decisions but as I'm not a mother I guess I can't fully comprehend her reasoning behind her behaviour which seemed a little unhinged herself. But the mystery itself was thrilling, emotive and made for addictive reading. There are plenty of suspects to sift through but the real surprise was who. I really didn't see that coming...but it so made perfect sense.

Overall, THE SCHOOL TRIP is a real pageturner and perfect for fans of domestic suspense and anyone who loves a good missing child trope.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Miranda Smith writes domestic and psychological suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Her debut novel, SOME DAYS ARE DARK, was released in March 2020. Her second book, WHAT I KNOW, was released in June 2020. THE ONE BEFORE was released November 2020 and her latest NOT MY MOTHER will be published in March 2021.

Miranda has been a staff writer at a local newspaper and a secondary English teacher. When it comes to fiction, Miranda writes about complicated women, dark impulses and Southern settings.

She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three children.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

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REVIEW: Tell Me Lies by Teresa Driscoll

Tell Me Lies by Teresa Driscoll

Genre: Psychological thriller, Domestic thriller, Suspense

Read: 1st May 2023

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Amazon

Published: 18th April 2023

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

From bestselling author Teresa Driscoll comes a chilling thriller of past secrets and present terror. Deep in a rural hideaway, it’s only the owls watching them…right?

After a betrayal that sent their marriage into freefall, Hannah and Sam are desperate for a fresh start with their eight-year-old daughter Lily—and where better than picture-perfect Owl Cottage in beautiful Cornwall. But something about the holiday home stirs dark memories for Hannah…

When she finds dead creatures on the doorstep and hears mysterious knocks at the door, Hannah can’t help wondering whether someone is messing with her—or whether the past she’s been running from has finally claimed her sanity.

As the disturbing events at Owl Cottage seep out into the local community and the police become involved, Hannah turns to Sam for help, but when he dismisses her worries, she wonders if she was wrong to ever trust him. Are the memories making her paranoid, or is this something more sinister than she dares imagine?

MY THOUGHTS:

Two couples. Four good friends. What could possibly go wrong?

Now THIS is what I call a psychological thriller. Something that messes with your mind. Makes you believe in things that may or may not be there. Has you imagining all sorts. Dreams; nightmares...are they memories? Or is someone playing with your mind? TELL ME LIES is the fifth thriller by Teresa Driscoll I have read and it has reminded me why I enjoy them so much. Not only does she play at gaslighting us (just a little, maybe) but she brings back two of her characters that have featured in at least three other books of hers I've read - "I Am Watching You", "The Promise" and "I Will Make You Pay". I certainly hope they continue to pop up in future thrillers.

Hannah's past has kept her from maintaining fulfilling relationships until she met her husband Sam and he swept her off her feet with a heartwarming trip to Bellagio in which he wanted to give her new memories to help overcome the old. She never thought she would ever find happiness, never thought herself deserving. To everyone else, she had always been "the girl from the woods" and ever since she was a little girl she has tried to put that traumatic part of her life behind her. Unfortunately, her past seems intent on catching up with her, haunting her at every turn in nightmarish dreams almost every night. At least with Sam she knew she was safe and they were happy...until he betrayed her.

Now months later, after intense counselling and the promise of a fresh start, Hannah and Sam decide to take a holiday to picturesque Owl Cottage in Cornwall with their 8 year old daughter Lily. It is their greatest hope that this time away will help them to reconnect and find their way back to each other.

As soon as they arrive, Hannah is overcome with the beauty of the place and the owls dotted all over the cottage. She tries sharing her excitement with Lily but her daughter finds the birds' eyes scary. Hannah, though, has always found solace in them. The cottage is as remote as it gets with only one neighbour and a secluded beach that is just a stone's throw away. Almost at once, Hannah begins to feel at ease here and relaxes into the hope that this is just the fresh start that she and Sam need.

But then strange things start happening from their first night with Hannah waking to a dead owlet (baby owl) on the mat and a knocking on the door only to reveal no one is there. Lily, already spooked by the owls surrounding them, is frightened and begs for a night light to remain on. And then when the lights go out one night as she begins to descend the stairs, Hannah falls resulting in a bad sprain and her foot having to be strapped in a boot for the duration...thus making holiday trekking impossible.

And just when things couldn't get any more tense, friends Amy and Adam turn up unannounced for a surprise visit. Hannah has felt increasingly uncomfortable with Amy after the arguement they had before she and Sam left for their holiday. And she certainly didn't want to go over old ground...not when she and Sam were working on putting the past behind them and moving forward. But Amy has more news to impart regarding Sam's betrayal that she feels Hannah has a right to know. And once the thought takes hold...

Maybe Sam is behind the disturbing events trying to frighten Hannah...but then why would he? Still, there is no one else around for miles but them so it could really only be Sam. Maybe his affair is ongoing and he wants rid of her to be with his mistress, gain access to her trust fund and be set up for life. But is she just seeing problems that aren't really there? But someone is doing this. She can't be imagining it, surely? Is she? Is Hannah losing her mind or is someone doing it for her?

I thoroughly enjoyed TELL ME LIES. It was the perfect reminder why I love Teresa Driscoll's thrillers so much and leaves me questioning why I have taken so long in picking up another? I was delighted with the reappearance of DI Melanie Sanders and Matthew Hill, who I first met in "I Am Watching You" closely followed by "The Promise" and then "I Will Make You Pay". It's refreshing to have recurring characters in stories that aren't actually part of a series. I certainly hope they continue to pop up in the future.

TELL ME LIES is a psychological thriller with atmospheric proportions. Cornwall is the perfect setting for a such a thriller and is one of my favourite settings for such tales. There is a sense of foreboding throughout the entire book that something sinister is afoot. The story becomes quite dark with a few unexpected twists along the way. This book serves as the perfect reminder that I must dig out Driscoll's other thrillers I have yet to read and add them to my TBR pile that is bound to overtake me one day.

Overall, addictive and compelling reading that will have you turning the pages until you figure out just who or what is behind the sinister happenings at Owl Cottage...or if it really is all in Hannah's mind?

I would like to thank #TeresaDriscoll, #Netgalley and #AmazonPub for an ARC of #TellMeLies in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Teresa Driscoll is a former BBC TV news presenter whose psychological thrillers have sold over two million copies in more than 20 languages. Her first thriller  was kindle #1 in the UK, USA and Australia and has sold more than a million copies in English alone.

Teresa writes women’s fiction as well as thrillers and her work has been optioned for film.

During her long career as a journalist, Teresa worked for newspapers, magazines and television, including 15 years presenting the BBC TV news programme Spotlight. Covering crime for so long, she was deeply moved by the haunting impact on the relatives, the friends and the witnesses and it is those ripples she explores now in her darker fiction.

Teresa lives in glorious Devon with her family and blogs regularly about her “writing life” at her website

Social media links:

Wesbite | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Other Mother by Miranda Rijks

The Other Mother by Miranda Rijks

Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense

Read: 30th April 2023

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Amazon

Published: 19th April 2023

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Four-year-old Florrie is missing. Who has taken her, and what do they want?

When Jane is asked to pick up her friend’s daughter, Florrie, from school, she can’t imagine the horror that will unfold. Because someone pretending to be Jane has already collected Florrie. And now the little four-year-old is missing…

 

Things don’t get any easier when Jane starts receiving anonymous letters that include intimate details about her life. As a psychologist and agony aunt, she's used to getting letters asking for advice, but these are different. Are they somehow connected to the missing child?

 

Then, to her utter dismay, Jane finds incriminating evidence in her own home, evidence that is clearly linked to Florrie. She starts to doubt everyone around her, even her own family – could one of them be implicated in Florrie’s disappearance?

 

Under the unspeakable stress, her marriage crumbles, her children act out and her once-successful business falls apart. And that’s when Jane discovers a shocking secret that shatters her entire world.

 

In a heart-pounding race against time, Jane must find Florrie and uncover the truth. Can she save Florrie and her own family, or will she be too late to stop the unthinkable?

 

The Other Mother is an explosive psychological thriller that will grip readers till the very end.

MY THOUGHTS:

Four-year-old Florrie is missing...who has taken her and what do they want...?

I'm a sucker for missing child thriller tropes and I love Miranda Rijks' easy style. She just pulls you in, ramps up the tension and delivers a thrilling read every time. With a mixed bunch of characters (mostly unlikeable), there are plenty of twists to keep you guessing and entertained throughout. THE OTHER MOTHER was such a quick read that I devoured it in one sitting in bed last night.

Naomi is a physiotherapist caught up on a training course when she asks her best friend Jane to pick up her four year old daughter Florrie from school and meet her at the dentists where Florrie has an appointment. But when Jane arrives at the school she is told that the little girl has already been collected by her mother's friend Jane. But she is Jane! So who picked up Florrie? And where is she now? 

Jane is frantic trying to contact Naomi, who is unreachable, and searching for the little girl all the while questioning the school as to why they didn't properly identify the woman who picked her up claiming to be Jane. They certainly wanted to see her identification so why did they not check those of whoever picked up Florrie? 

A psychologist who specialises in family dynamics, Jane also masquerades as an agony aunt for a local paper doling out advice to those who seek it. But it isn't long before the "agony aunt" letters begin to take a sinister turn targeting her and including intimate details of her own life. Every time something happens in her life, she receives a letter from an anonymous source mirroring recent events. Jane begins to feel spooked. And when a client starts getting too familiar and wanting to focus on her her life rather than his own, Jane wonders if it's all somehow connected.

And then when she finds incriminating evidence in her own home that is clearly linked to Florrie, she begins to doubt everyone around her...including her own family. As her marriage crumbles, her children acting out and becoming more distant than ever and her successful practice falls apart, Jane is further rocked by a secret that threatens to shatter her entire world. Can things ever be the same again?

Time is running out. Can Jane find Florrie and uncover the truth whilst saving her own family before it's too late?

Once again, Rijks delivers a fast paced tension-filled thriller that keeps you turning the pages until you reach the end. I devoured it in under five hours as it was such an easy read. None of the characters were particularly likeable but some moreso than others. It was such an easy and entertaining read that I have come to love. I also love the multiple POVs that allow you to see different sides of the story whilst trying to figure out the mystery therein.

I don't think the ending was the "twist you won't see coming" kind of jaw-dropping shock the tagline promised, but it was still a nice touch all the same.

Overall, THE OTHER MOTHER was a thoroughly entertaining thriller that is easily devoured and completely addictive from start to finish.

I would like to thank #MirandaRijks, #Netgalley, #InkubatorBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheOtherMother in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Miranda Rijks lives in West Sussex, England, with her husband, their musician daughter and black Labrador. ‘The Obituary’ was her first psychological thriller. She has also written a psychological thriller series featuring Dr Pippa Durrant, a psychologist and specialist in lie detection, who works alongside Sussex police getting embroiled in some scary stuff!

After a degree in Law, Miranda worked in marketing in London and Eastern Europe before setting up businesses in the horticultural, leisure and retail sectors. Along the way, she got a masters in writing and wrote the self-help book, ‘How Compatible Are You?’ and biography, ‘The Eccentric Entrepreneur’. In 2018, Miranda wrote ‘Don’t Call Me Brave’, a novel very loosely drawing upon her experiences of having a rare bone cancer.

She feels extremely lucky to be living the dream, writing psychological thrillers full time! 

Miranda loves connecting with her readers, so feel free to drop her a line.

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REVIEW: Changing Times at Harpers by Rosie Clarke

Changing Times at Harpers (Harpers Emporium #7) by Rosie Clarke

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, Post-WW1

Read: 30th May 2023

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Published: 1st May 2023

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

London Spring 1920

Harpers is beginning to flourish once more after the end of the war but for Sally Harper the problems continue. Husband Ben is moody, sometimes distant, and she feels he is shutting her out at home and at work, but why? It takes a terrible tragedy to make them realise their love and respect is still true.

The ladies and girls who work at Harpers continue to battle with problems in their own lives.

Marion is still trying to reach her war-damaged husband and Lilly is battling with her pain and shame.

It’s a period of transition for all.

The doors of Harpers are busy welcoming new and returning staff whilst bidding a fond farewell to others. This is the beginning of a new era and there is a fresh buzz of excitement in the air.

MY THOUGHTS:

Once again we revisit the wonderful girls of Harpers Emporium in this seventh installment of this delightful series. With each book, I have come to love the women and almost feel I've become a part of each of their lives. We've seen many come and go, watched the changes that the war brought them, seen the havoc at home both as a result of the war and other factors. Though some of the original Harpers girls have married and moved on, they still feature from time to time throughout and still have a part to play in the story. The main focus in this installment are Sally, Marion and newcomers Andrea and Lilly.

It's 1920 and it's been two years since the end of the war and Sally almost succumbing to the Spanish flu after the birth of her son Peter. But having recovered fully she has returned to work at Harpers part time, dividing her time between the store and home. Now with rationing behind them, Sally is now able to enjoy ordering stock from abroad again and the shelves throughout Harpers are bulging with stock once more. Business is good and Ben, who has returned from his secret work with the War Office, is busying expanding Harpers and into the restaurant trade with Jack Burrows who has also returned from the Front and to his wife Beth, one of the original Harpers girls. And while she no longer works at the store, she still features throughout the story alongside Sally.

Now that the war is over, times are changing and no one wants to return to the way things used to be before the conflict began. Women had taken up positions previously occupied by men who had gone off to fight for King and country. But now they are being forced back into their previous roles as wives and mothers, their roles in keeping the country running now forgotten to make way for the returning menfolk. Some are happy to return to the home whilst others prefer to be out earning a wage. For those who are lucky enough to work at Harpers, Ben and Sally have always put the needs and happiness of their staff first. For the war widows who are also mothers, Harpers have a creche for them to be able to bring their children to work with them and be reassured in the knowledge that their children are being looked after while they provide for them.

The rise of the Suffragettes, or Women's Movement, is becoming more prominent once again now that the war is over, having paused their cause for the greater need at home of banding together. But now they have an even bigger following as women, now having a taste of independence during the war years, are now wanting to have more of a say and equality alongside their male counterparts. Whilst many men who have returned from the Front not only have physical wounds but they also carry the mental scars that being in such a brutal conflict brings. The psychological impact on those affected is being referred to as "shell shock".

Marion Jackson's husband Reggie, who was always so full of life and carefree, is one such afflicted with the mental scars of war. Since his return from the Front, he has been in a care home for the past two years and Marion longs to have him home again. But each time she visits him ends in tears with harsh words exchanged and Marion left wondering if Reggie will ever return to her. She still lives in the house she shared with her mother and siblings, still raising her youngest sister whilst caring for her young son Robbie, named for her brother who never returned. Her work at Harpers has seen her promoted to assistant window dresser alongside Mr Marco and her increase in wage allows her to go in part time whilst running a home as well.

We meet a couple of new faces in Andrea Martin, supervisor to the "hats, bags and jewellery" department, and assistant Lilly Ross. Andrea is a war widow and putting her teenage son through boarding school but is a lonely woman which often comes across as bitterness. Lilly is a younger version of Marion, having to care for her invalid mother and her younger siblings at home whilst working full time at Harpers to support them. However, she has caught the attention of Ben Harper and some of the other staff have noticed causing gossip to begin. But Ben saw such a sadness in Lilly's eyes that he couldn't help but want to do something more for her to help her situation...starting with a promotion to counters, much to the annoyance of Andrea Martin who felt the promotion should have been run by her first. Unfortunately, Ben's attention of Lilly has caused unwanted attention elsewhere, creating trouble for everyone involved. And Lilly also has some trouble of her own...

Meanwhile, Sally finds herself the target of some unpleasant business and sets out to get to the bottom of it and uncover the culprit. Mick O'Sullivan has returned to British shores with some unexpected wealth and bringing with a new venture. He waltzes into Harpers one day and sets out to charm a member of staff who takes instant offence at his cheek and inappropriate behaviour.

And then tragedy strikes when a sudden illness befalls one of their own. And only then does all involve realise with shock and devastation just how important and fragile life is. Family is important and Harpers is a family of sorts, looking out for and after each other.

As always, the Harpers series just gets better and better. I love how everyone is like a family and how they all band together. I actually love this series more than Ms Clarke's Mulberry Lane series which I also enjoy. There is just something about Harpers. I did however get increasingly frustrated with Lilly's constant self-blame of a situation over which she had no control. Yes, it was a common belief at the time but I felt it was unnecessarily rehashed at every opportunity. The only other flaw I found was in reference to the heir to the throne as Prince Edward. His name was David and he only took the name Edward when he became King, albeit for a short time before abdicating.

The main theme throughout this story is to highlight that times are changing. Women are no longer content to remain at home and, having had a taste of independence, they want more for themselves. And while the suffragettes are taking up the cause for women who are being forced back into their previous roles, we see the returning men aren't the same as the men who left for war. Times are certainly changing - for both Britain and Harpers.

This is a wonderful series and I have read each one of them since Book 3. I shall have to go back and re-read the first two, with the second one I didn't enjoy the first time round. I think that was because I hadn't read the first one and I felt like I had stepped into the middle of a conversation and felt completely lost because I knew no one. I look forward to going back to where it all began when I find the time. And I look forward to what's in store for the Harpers and their extended family of sorts next! I just wish we didn't have to wait so long...

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

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Rosie Clarke has been writing for several years and has written under various names for a variety of publishers.  She lives in Cambridgeshire, is happily married and enjoys life with her husband.  She likes to walk in the Spanish sunshine and eating out at favourite restaurants in Marbella is a favourite pastime, but writing is her passion.

Rosie loves shoes, especially those impossibly high heels you can buy and has a gorgeous pair of Jimmy Choos but can't wear them so they sit on the mantlepiece.

Rosie also writes under the name of Anne Herries and Linda Sole.

 

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