This was a very interesting story set mostly in Madrid and tells of how a struggling intern at the Museo del Prado managed to gain acceptance to a groThis was a very interesting story set mostly in Madrid and tells of how a struggling intern at the Museo del Prado managed to gain acceptance to a group of well-to-do socialites and how she managed to maintain her standing in the group of not-quite-friends. I enjoyed the glamorous setting and getting to know the characters as the story unfolded, while feeling that something had to upset their harmonious existence.
The Briar Club by Rose Quinn is a wonderful story, full of amazing characters that is such an original and entertaining read.
Mrs Nillson runs a boardThe Briar Club by Rose Quinn is a wonderful story, full of amazing characters that is such an original and entertaining read.
Mrs Nillson runs a boarding house in Washington DC during the early 1950s which is home to five women. The arrival of new boarder Grace March changes the atmosphere in the house and a new chapter begins.
The incredible back stories of each of the characters and how they live together following the arrival of Grace forms the body of the narrative which catches the reader up to the present day of Thanksgiving in 1954.
Rose Quinn is already an impressive author and The Briar Club will further enhance her reputation. This is an excellent story....more
This is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter is another superb, fast-paced, not-for-the-faint-hearted thriller that confirms Slaughter as a must-read authorThis is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter is another superb, fast-paced, not-for-the-faint-hearted thriller that confirms Slaughter as a must-read author.
Will Trent and Sarah Linton stop off for a few days at a luxury mountain retreat before continuing with their honeymoon but end up staying longer than anticipated following an encounter with a long-forgotten childhood friend of Will and the untimely death of one of the staff.
This becomes a classic locked room mystery that Will must solve with his colleagues when the mountain resort becomes cut off due to a storm. A good number of suspects become apparent after Will sees the reaction of the McAlpine family who have run the lodge for generations and the guests who seem to be less than truthful.
Slaughter is a master story teller and this one is just as good as her previous books....more
The Spoiled Heart by Sunjeev Sahota is a compelling story that looks at a number of social and cultural issues but is basically a very absorbing narraThe Spoiled Heart by Sunjeev Sahota is a compelling story that looks at a number of social and cultural issues but is basically a very absorbing narrative, full of great characters with a surprise or two for good measure! Set in the industrial heartland of Sheffield and nearby Chesterfield, long-serving trade unionist Nayan is hoping to stand for election as the next leader of the union and seems to have the support of his colleagues but then a new candidate enters the process. Nayan is initially shocked but is convinced by his supporters that he should win comfortably. The campaign begins.
The main characters in this book bring dark backstories holding them back from being honest and open with each other; Helen and her son Brandon have been through quite a lot which Nayan struggles with.
This is an excellent book which I would have no hesitation recommending to other readers....more
This is an absorbing story with a wide range of flawed characters none of whom enjoy an easy life. The Numberdar is central to the story, finding himsThis is an absorbing story with a wide range of flawed characters none of whom enjoy an easy life. The Numberdar is central to the story, finding himself caring for an unknown man who was discovered by two herders on the frozen mountainside. He does his best with the help of the local nurse but has his own family issues to deal with. His third wife is soon to give birth whilst the daughter of his second wife has been sent a love letter which angers the Numberdar.
Despite the tragedy, conflict and suffering that the characters endured, I found myself engrossed....more
The Hunter by Tana French is an amazingly good story that draws you in before you even notice. I was captivated by the initial chapters even before thThe Hunter by Tana French is an amazingly good story that draws you in before you even notice. I was captivated by the initial chapters even before the story really got going. The relationship between Trey and Cal is based on their love of restoring furniture and building new pieces. They work well together.
Before long Trey’s father Jonny returns to the village - he abandoned his family four years prior - with a story that intrigues the locals. Cal is suspicious; Trey does not embrace a forgiving disposition.
Tana French is a master storyteller and The Hunter is a powerful narrative; I really enjoyed the characters, the setting, the clever manipulation by the locals and how the lads underestimated the locals.
This is a powerful second novel from talented author Rosemary Hennigan. I loved the setting, the characters and Jessica's determination to get answersThis is a powerful second novel from talented author Rosemary Hennigan. I loved the setting, the characters and Jessica's determination to get answers and ultimately justice for her sister. It is extremely difficult to get into Professor Crane's Law and Literature class but Jessica has secured a place and what follows is a critical examination of law and justice which do not always equate to the same thing.
This was my first book by Hennigan but I will most definitely look out for her next one!...more
Wild Houses by Colin Barrett is an edgy account of a violent small-town criminal gang, how it operates and the lengths it will go to when things go wrWild Houses by Colin Barrett is an edgy account of a violent small-town criminal gang, how it operates and the lengths it will go to when things go wrong. Dev lives a lonely life in the country after the passing of his mother; this presents an opportunity for the local drug gang to use his property for storage after a problem with their previous stash house. Dev however is not expecting his house to be used for a kidnapping. Nicky the girlfriend of Doll who has been taken is oblivious to the kidnapping due to their dispute at a party.
Barrett has a very cool way with words; his characters are fantastic. This story is darkly entertaining but you are inclined to pity poor Dev who is clearly being taken advantage of. A great read!...more
Where They Lie by Claire Coughlan is an amazing, compelling story which left me stunned!
Set in 1968 over the Christmas period, usually a quiet time foWhere They Lie by Claire Coughlan is an amazing, compelling story which left me stunned!
Set in 1968 over the Christmas period, usually a quiet time for The Sentinel newspaper, a call to the deserted newsdesk answered by a tenacious junior reporter Nicoletta Sarto sets in motion an investigation that unfolds dramatically.
What Nicoletta discovers rocks her very foundations.
This was my first introduction to Claire Coughlan but I will look out for more of her work as I enjoyed this one so much....more
Featuring a number of reports from mediaeval witch trials, The Trials of Marjorie Crowe is a gripping story of small town victimisation of a woman whoFeaturing a number of reports from mediaeval witch trials, The Trials of Marjorie Crowe is a gripping story of small town victimisation of a woman who does not conform to social expectations. Marjorie Crowe is walks twice daily around the village of Kilgoyne in Scotland at exactly the same time each day. She doesn't have too many friends in the village but keeps herself to herself, until the day she witnesses something that she is unable to deal with. Life becomes very difficult for her from this point onwards.
This haunting narrative kept me on the edge of my seat as the story unfolded. The baying crowd of villagers was moderated by a few kind souls whilst those who could have helped stood idly by. By the end, Marjorie’s intuition is key to finding the truth of what happened....more
Gaslight by Femi Kayode is an intense thriller that really hits the mark! Dr Philip Taiwo reluctantly agrees to help with the investigation into the dGaslight by Femi Kayode is an intense thriller that really hits the mark! Dr Philip Taiwo reluctantly agrees to help with the investigation into the disappearance of a leading church figure at the request of his sister but when this takes a sinister turn, Philip finds himself in a very dangerous predicament unsure of who he can trust.
I really enjoyed reading this tense, original thriller and will look out for more from this author in future....more
The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett is another incredibly clever and enjoyable mystery by this extremely talented author. In this case, we welcome The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett is another incredibly clever and enjoyable mystery by this extremely talented author. In this case, we welcome the return of the amateur dramatic society the Fairway Players who are putting on a Christmas performance of Jack and the beanstalk that doesn't quite go according to the script!! There is a considerable archive of email and text message conversations to review that expose the underlying power struggle for control of the society and possibly explain the strange events that unfolded on opening night.
The Christmas Appeal is a resounding success which could actually become a pantomime in its own right....more
This book was enthralling and intense to the very end!! If it was the author's intention to depict how a character can experience unparalleled elationThis book was enthralling and intense to the very end!! If it was the author's intention to depict how a character can experience unparalleled elation followed immediately by the most awful desperation, then I think she achieved this in the story of Jenna Burns the main character. ( I am pretty sure that was Angela Clarke's intention.) From being is swept off her feet by the heir to the local estate, Jenna finds herself cruelly abused in an 19th (?) century prison accused of murdering her step-daughter to-be. I really had no idea how this story was going to unravel; in the end Jenna discovers the critical clues and cleverly ties the loose ends to reveal the unlikely killer and her motive.
The book also provides an insight into the conditions endured by women who find themselves pregnant in prison (as explained in the acknowledgements)....more
This twisty thriller enthralls the reader from the start drawing them into the story told from the killer and the victims viewpoint. The victim is almThis twisty thriller enthralls the reader from the start drawing them into the story told from the killer and the victims viewpoint. The victim is almost unable to function following an earlier attack whilst the killer continues his murderous plan slowly catching up with her. Whilst here aren't too many characters to follow but I was still surprised by the twist at the end....more
I enjoyed Marching Powder by the same author so I was looking forward to reading the author's second book. The story is good but does not really move I enjoyed Marching Powder by the same author so I was looking forward to reading the author's second book. The story is good but does not really move fast enough for me. The characters are believable and the situations they find themselves in are described very vividly; the story moves along but seems to take a long time to get there. Overall I would have preferred if the pace of the story was a good bit faster....more
Bruen introduces a few strong characters in this episode of the Jack Taylor - but not a lot of them last more than a couple of chapters!! Overall, I wBruen introduces a few strong characters in this episode of the Jack Taylor - but not a lot of them last more than a couple of chapters!! Overall, I wasn't really sold on the plot or the writing style however if you are a fan of Bruen then you will likely enjoy this one too....more
