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In Stitches: The Highs and Lows of Life as an A&E Doctor
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The true story of an A&E doctor that became a huge word-of-mouth hit - now revised and updated. ...
Travelling in a strange land
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Set in a frozen winter landscape, the new novel from the prize-winning, acclaimed author David Park...
Gunpowder Treason
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The perfect game to play November 5, Gunpowder Treason is a game based on Guy Fawkes' attempt to...
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ClareR (5864 KP) rated The Chateau in Books
Oct 19, 2021
Nick and Aura have moved from the UK to France, to escape from some mystery event that has happened in their past. And quite honestly, the Chateau they buy is like something out of The Money Pit (I’m showing my age here!). I should start by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed this, BEFORE I say that the crumbling chateau was a pretty accurate metaphor for the state of their relationship. ANd try as I might, I found myself rooting for their sticky end, in whatever way it would come (I do so love to hate the main characters of a book!!). Nick and Aura are those stereotypical Brits who move to a foreign country without speaking the language, and never really learn how to speak it when they’re there - not that they’re given much of a chance.
Their small ex-pat community is full of the rich, spoilt and slightly/ very depraved.
Information about Nick and Aura is dished out in flashbacks, and I didn’t know who to feel the most sorry for. Oh hang on, I did. It was the children. To have parents like these *shakes head*.
There are so many twists and turns that you won’t know who to trust - right up to the Big Ending, and oh! How I loved it!
I think in the end, everyone got just what they deserved.
Highly recommended!
And many thanks (once again)to The Pigeonhole for continuing to help me with my NetGalley reading!
Their small ex-pat community is full of the rich, spoilt and slightly/ very depraved.
Information about Nick and Aura is dished out in flashbacks, and I didn’t know who to feel the most sorry for. Oh hang on, I did. It was the children. To have parents like these *shakes head*.
There are so many twists and turns that you won’t know who to trust - right up to the Big Ending, and oh! How I loved it!
I think in the end, everyone got just what they deserved.
Highly recommended!
And many thanks (once again)to The Pigeonhole for continuing to help me with my NetGalley reading!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Killer in the Snow (DI James Walker #2) in Books
Oct 10, 2021
Although the second in the series, you don't have to have read the first to enjoy this - I haven't and although some back-story has been missed, I didn't think it detracted from the overall story at all.
A triple murder has occurred in an isolated farm on the outskirts of the fictional village of Kirkby Abbey in Cumbria. Initially, it looks like a clear case of murder-suicide however, on further inspection, things just don't add up. In addition, there are similarities to a murder-suicide at the same house some 20 years earlier.
Are the two connected?
This is a well written murder mystery with a great plot and excellent characters. Alex Pine really captures the location and puts you in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside - I should know, it's in my neck of the woods! I love reading books that are set in and around my home/work area; it really adds a sense of realism and authenticity as I can actually vividly put myself in the scenery, on the roads and in the houses.
The pace is steady and whilst I anticipated the twist, it didn't take away from the journey to get there.
Once again, another series to look out for in the future and thank you must go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
A triple murder has occurred in an isolated farm on the outskirts of the fictional village of Kirkby Abbey in Cumbria. Initially, it looks like a clear case of murder-suicide however, on further inspection, things just don't add up. In addition, there are similarities to a murder-suicide at the same house some 20 years earlier.
Are the two connected?
This is a well written murder mystery with a great plot and excellent characters. Alex Pine really captures the location and puts you in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside - I should know, it's in my neck of the woods! I love reading books that are set in and around my home/work area; it really adds a sense of realism and authenticity as I can actually vividly put myself in the scenery, on the roads and in the houses.
The pace is steady and whilst I anticipated the twist, it didn't take away from the journey to get there.
Once again, another series to look out for in the future and thank you must go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Mark (Detective Louise Blackwell #4) in Books
Nov 7, 2021
Having not read any of the previous books in this series, I wasn't quite sure what to expect but what I got was a very engaging and enthralling story.
I don't think you have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this but I recognise that there is a lot of history that is missing, particularly when it comes to the difficulties DI Blackwell has with her superior, however, I feel the author provides enough of the back-story to get you up to speed.
DI Blackwell is an interesting and complex character; she has her issues (who doesn't!) but her determination, strength and fortitude shines through in this multi-threaded story. The cast of supporting characters are equally as good and all have their place and their own stories. As I said, this is a multi-threaded story but the underlying plot is the branding attacks which ultimately turns into murder. Told from both DI Blackwell's and the killer's point of view, this provides a comprehensive view of the case and into the mind and motivations of the killer.
With scenes of peril, descriptions of violence and body modification that some may find difficult, and brimming with suspense and a host of suspects, this is a book that's easy to get your teeth into and I need to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
I don't think you have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this but I recognise that there is a lot of history that is missing, particularly when it comes to the difficulties DI Blackwell has with her superior, however, I feel the author provides enough of the back-story to get you up to speed.
DI Blackwell is an interesting and complex character; she has her issues (who doesn't!) but her determination, strength and fortitude shines through in this multi-threaded story. The cast of supporting characters are equally as good and all have their place and their own stories. As I said, this is a multi-threaded story but the underlying plot is the branding attacks which ultimately turns into murder. Told from both DI Blackwell's and the killer's point of view, this provides a comprehensive view of the case and into the mind and motivations of the killer.
With scenes of peril, descriptions of violence and body modification that some may find difficult, and brimming with suspense and a host of suspects, this is a book that's easy to get your teeth into and I need to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The House of Ashes in Books
Feb 13, 2022
I am ashamed to say that I haven't read anything by Stuart Neville for years ... I have no excuse other than I must have had my head stuck in the sand or developed short-term amnesia because I forgot how much I enjoyed reading his words.
This is a sad and tragic story told from the perspective of two women, Sara and Mary, and from two timelines, the present and sixty years ago, with all 'action' taking place on an isolated farm in Northern Ireland.
This is not a story full of joy or happiness but rather there is an overwhelming sense of darkness and sadness with a foreboding undertone from start to finish that is intense and certainly keeps you on edge. Having said that, it is also a story of strength, survival and hope amidst a backdrop of abuse, control and gaslighting.
I admit this isn't a story for everyone and I can't say I enjoyed it given the nature of its content, however, it was an excellent read that had me hooked and took me through so many emotions that many books don't do nowadays that I can only recommend it to others who enjoy dark, psychological thrillers with a little of the supernatural thrown in to enhance the overall feel of the book.
Thank you to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
This is a sad and tragic story told from the perspective of two women, Sara and Mary, and from two timelines, the present and sixty years ago, with all 'action' taking place on an isolated farm in Northern Ireland.
This is not a story full of joy or happiness but rather there is an overwhelming sense of darkness and sadness with a foreboding undertone from start to finish that is intense and certainly keeps you on edge. Having said that, it is also a story of strength, survival and hope amidst a backdrop of abuse, control and gaslighting.
I admit this isn't a story for everyone and I can't say I enjoyed it given the nature of its content, however, it was an excellent read that had me hooked and took me through so many emotions that many books don't do nowadays that I can only recommend it to others who enjoy dark, psychological thrillers with a little of the supernatural thrown in to enhance the overall feel of the book.
Thank you to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
ClareR (5864 KP) rated Wandering Souls in Books
Mar 25, 2023
Since reading Wandering Souls on The Pigeonhole, it has made it on to the Women’s Prize long list. And well-deserved it is too.
This is the story of a family who make it by boat to Hong Kong from Vietnam. At least Anh and her two brothers do. Their parents and younger siblings come after them and drown.
This is Anh’s story, and how she copes on their journey from Vietnam to Hong Kong, and then on to London where they settle permanently. It’s a story of loss, life-long trauma and the struggle to find security and happiness. It brought home the continuing issues of refugees - particularly those who take the dangerous route of the sea. It always makes me think of these lines from Warsan Shire’s “Home”:
“You have to understand that no one puts children in a boat
Unless the water is safer than the land”
Anh and her family want a better life than that of poverty, war and political oppression.
This is a dark story and the experiences have such a huge effect on every aspect of Anh and her brothers lives, and you can still see this in the interactions that Anh has with her own children.
It’s a wonderful book, and well worth reading. I’ve learnt so much about the Vietnamese people who resettled in the UK and their journeys here.
I wouldn’t be at all disappointed to see this make the short list.
This is the story of a family who make it by boat to Hong Kong from Vietnam. At least Anh and her two brothers do. Their parents and younger siblings come after them and drown.
This is Anh’s story, and how she copes on their journey from Vietnam to Hong Kong, and then on to London where they settle permanently. It’s a story of loss, life-long trauma and the struggle to find security and happiness. It brought home the continuing issues of refugees - particularly those who take the dangerous route of the sea. It always makes me think of these lines from Warsan Shire’s “Home”:
“You have to understand that no one puts children in a boat
Unless the water is safer than the land”
Anh and her family want a better life than that of poverty, war and political oppression.
This is a dark story and the experiences have such a huge effect on every aspect of Anh and her brothers lives, and you can still see this in the interactions that Anh has with her own children.
It’s a wonderful book, and well worth reading. I’ve learnt so much about the Vietnamese people who resettled in the UK and their journeys here.
I wouldn’t be at all disappointed to see this make the short list.