This is the 4th book in the Kitty Underhay mystery series, but was one I read as a standalone book. I really enjoyed this one!
It is a very atmospheriqc book that allows you to escape from your surroundings and immerse yourself in the 1930s.
It tells the story of a number of unexpected murders, starting with a murder on the dance floor. Are the murders connected? And what could possibly be the motive?
It is a straightforward whodunit, but the suspense is built well in order to surprise and hook the reader.
This was an entertaining, evocative and mysterious read which I enjoyed very much and would recommend!
I was attracted to the blurb of this book. It sounded fun, romantic and it’s set at the most magical time of year… Christmas!
It tells the story of Mel and begins with her ringing her boyfriend in the evening to find another woman on the end of the line. Her worst suspicions are found to be true, on the eve of her new job! She is ashamed and a little heartbroken, but that’s not the end of her night!
She ends up drinking a little too much and meeting a mystery man. When she walks into her work on her first day, she recognises her boss. Surely not…?!
This book is full of light, cosy romance but also has elements of drama and some (tastefully done) sexual scenes to add to the atmosphere of reading it.
I flew through this one in a day which is really quick for me, and is proof of how much I connected with the characters, especially Mel, and got on board with the storyline straight away.
Definitely an author to add to the TBR as I thought it was brilliant!
I am a big fan of K L Slater’s books and I am delighted to share my review for yet another gripping psychological thriller.
This is a complex story which makes you question many of the character’s actions and motives. Carrie is being investigated following the two sudden deaths of patients on her ward. She maintains her innocence and that she is being framed, but is she telling the truth? And who could be framing her, and why? What happened during the tragic death of Daisy Mae? And is Perry really spending all his away time working, or is there something else going on?
This was a book that really kept me hooked and guessing. I struggled to identify with the character of Alexa, and saw her as quite weak and a little frustrating. I ended up questioning her actions and motives too!
The author uses cliffhanger endings to chapters and intriguing statements that tell you something but confuse you even further, at the same time! These are great features of her work and add to the addictive and gripping nature of it.
Overall this is a great read for fans of psychological fiction!
I was drawn to this book by the cover and the blurb. The cover is bright, and the boy’s eyes are piercing but also a little lost, and sad.
The book is summed up in 3 sentences: An extraordinary boy. The mother who loves him. The fight for their lives.
This summary places the book firmly within the domestic drama genre, but as I’ve said before I have high hopes and expectations for this genre and they don’t always work out. In order to truly master the genre, from my point of view, you have to create a level of sympathy or at least connection between the reader and the main character(s).
Fiona Higgins certainly does this! One of the many tools she uses to do this is switching between ‘unusual boy’ Jackson’s perspective and that of his mum, Julie. I loved being able to read about their inner thoughts and get inside both their heads. I also loved the distinct and original voice Higgins gave to Jackson, as he describes things very differently, but vividly and honestly none the less.
It was also clear that Fiona had done her research in order to create scenarios and characters that were believable, and as a Welsh girl I enjoyed reading about the local Eisteddfod!
There were many good twists and dramatic plot points in this book which kept me on the edge of my seat with my heart in my mouth.
After having read the book and seeing how utterly brilliant Fiona is at creating original domestic drama, I am shocked that she has never come on to my radar before!
This book is a great roller coaster of a read and perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse and Jodi Picoult, especially if you read and enjoyed “House Rules”! Fans of domestic drama will not regret picking up this book! I’m off to add her back catalogue to my wishlist!
This is an original, gripping tale about murder, truth and deception. The characters are forced to face up to, and question their reality when a young girl is found dead on the small-town island of Great Rock.
I enjoyed the multiple perspectives as these added extra dimensions to the story. I liked how all the characters who were given voices were women, though I didn’t often agree with their actions and choices! But then that was kind of original, too – to see women not just as ones who need to be saved, but also giving in to temptation and deception and causing issues for themselves.
This wasn’t as fast paced as my usual thriller read, but still a gripping read with some good twists overall.
This was an engaging, motivating and easy to follow book that aims to encourage the reader to make positive changes in their life and emerge a more responsible, empathetic and well rounded individual.
There were many key things I enjoyed about this book. I loved the use of the quotes, as I found them insightful and inspiring, and really made me think and reflect on my own personal choices and mindset.
I loved how I was easily able to link the writing to my past experiences, namely my treatment on “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” which helped me to come out of some very dark moments. I could see the truth then, in what she said about how accepting responsibility and taking ownership would result in empowerment.
I also think she made some very important points about the role of family and the use of language within the family setting/home. She gave some interesting examples of how we can change our language and actions in order to re-shape our personal family culture.
This was very different to my usual read but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and taking the time to reflect on how much I limit myself through my language, thoughts and actions.
A great eye opening book that is easy to follow and read for anyone looking to grow and develop their consciousness and self reflection skills!
As the cover suggests, this book was absolutely beautiful and heart breaking. Beth is a single mum to complex, anxious, clingy Dylan. She is trying her best to keep things “normal” and safe for him, but she is struggling emotionally, financially and socially…
Can the solution suggested by the Department for Children and Families help her and Dylan get some more balance in their life?
The characters in this one are raw, they’re flawed but they’re also believable, honest and in many ways, likeable too. Beth’s realisation that her parenting style is influenced, or even, damaged by her past is one that resonates with me after reading about the psychology of parenting.
She feels mum guilt, and is struggling to juggle everything, but she is really trying. It was good to see her grow and come to terms with her issues.
There are many gripping, dramatic plot points that make this a real page turner. There is the occasional cliff hanger ending to a chapter, which is one of my favourite features of a book!
This has been a great read and I have really enjoyed it, though I have felt my heart twisting in my chest while seeing some of the heart breaking moments unfold!
My favourite quote comes at the end, and demonstrates Beth’s growth and wisdom:
“No matter how charmed someone’s life looks on the outside, on the inside everyone is messy and uncertain and afraid. Everyone needs help. Everyone holds possibility.”
I am very excited to be involved in this media trailer reveal for this gorgeous looking book! I hope you enjoy 😁
Everything is Beautiful
Sometimes it’s impossible to part with the things we love the most…
When Amy Ashton’s world came crashing down eleven years ago, she started a collection. Just a little collection, just a few keepsakes of happier times: some honeysuckle to remind herself of the boy she loved, a chipped china bird, an old terracotta pot . . . Things that others might throw away, but to Amy, represent a life that could have been.
Now her house is overflowing with the objects she loves – soon there’ll be no room for Amy at all. But when a family move in next door, a chance discovery unearths a mystery long buried, and Amy’s carefully curated life begins to unravel. If she can find the courage to face her past, might the future she thought she’d lost still be hers for the taking?
Perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant and The Keeper of Lost Things, this exquisitely told, uplifting novel shows us that however hopeless things might feel, beauty can be found in the most unexpected of places.
Eleanor Ray has an MA in English Literature from Edinburgh University and works in marketing. She lives in London with her husband and two young children. Eleanor was inspired to write Everything is Beautiful by the objects her toddler collects and treasures – twigs, empty water bottles and wilting daisies. She is currently working on her next novel.
I was drawn to this book by the cover, which has so much symbolism and intrigue, I just had to know what happened! I have also heard a lot about Sue Watson, but never read her books, and I cannot believe it’s taken me THIS long to discover this queen of psychological thriller.
Hannah is on the hunt for love. So is Alex. Their relationship seems too perfect. They are too similar. They are both career driven, ambitious, clever, and if the author’s descriptions are anything to go by – well matched in the looks department too. Are they a match made in heaven or is it all too good to be true?
Sue Watson creates a good mix of characters here, there are those who are presented as “normal” and those who appear creepy, crazy, maybe even dangerous…
I have loved following the narrative of this one and seeing the author’s complete skill and control over the plot, as she slowly but surely reveals the darker sides to the story.
The dialogue and drama keep this one fast paced, though you do feel like the details cannot be revealed quick enough as you’re hooked into Hannah’s story from the beginning!
I also feel like the ending could be used in the novel writing encyclopedia, under the heading: killer twists! I’ve read a lot of psychological fiction in my time and don’t think I’ve ever come across such a good twist at the end. Plus a cliffhanger! Oooh!
This is definitely a five star read and one of my top reads in this genre this year. I am definitely going to add more books by this author to my wishlist!
This is my 2nd read by this author and I really like her style. When I read her books, I feel like I step back in time a little to a time when things were less complicated & can sit back, relax and enjoy a simple, sweet love story.
That’s not to say the books are without drama and intrigue, because there is definitely that layered amongst the chemistry and romance between the two main characters, Cole and Rose. It is a straightforward plan: They will pretend to be in love to keep their family and the wider media off their backs. What could possibly go wrong? But it does go wrong, and in the best possible way…
Once again, the characters are likeable, their backstories believable and their developing relationship is lovely to follow.
*Ceri's Lil Blog* 