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The Family Plot
7.0
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From the author of The Winter Sister and Behind the Red Door, a family obsessed with true crime...
ClareR (5854 KP) rated A Woman Made of Snow in Books
Nov 9, 2021
A Woman Made Of Snow is a book steeped in the history of the Gillan family, which automatically ticks a lot of boxes for me. This is a dual timeline story: Scotland in 1949, and the Arctic at some time in the mid 1800s.
Caro and Alasdair marry after the War and move back to his family home - Kelly Castle in Scotland. Caro has high hopes of continuing to work in a university, but motherhood puts pay to that, and instead decides to look into the Gillan family genealogy, and specifically the mysterious disappearance of Alasdair’s great grandmother. When Caro finds the remains of a diary, there are some startling findings.
We flash back and forth between 1949 and the 1800s, where the information missing from the diary is more clearly explained. When a body is unearthed after flooding, this poses more questions about he person’s identity. Is this the missing relative?
I absolutely loved this. The descriptions of the sea, the Arctic tundra and the Inuit who lived there, fascinated me. Less pleasant were the attitudes of the British towards other cultures, but this was interesting, all the same. The changing roles of women was portrayed well. Whilst not the same as our lives today, Caro’s life in the 1940’s/ 50’s was markedly better than that of the women in the 1800s.
This was such an enjoyable read - highly recommended.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this wonderful book.
Caro and Alasdair marry after the War and move back to his family home - Kelly Castle in Scotland. Caro has high hopes of continuing to work in a university, but motherhood puts pay to that, and instead decides to look into the Gillan family genealogy, and specifically the mysterious disappearance of Alasdair’s great grandmother. When Caro finds the remains of a diary, there are some startling findings.
We flash back and forth between 1949 and the 1800s, where the information missing from the diary is more clearly explained. When a body is unearthed after flooding, this poses more questions about he person’s identity. Is this the missing relative?
I absolutely loved this. The descriptions of the sea, the Arctic tundra and the Inuit who lived there, fascinated me. Less pleasant were the attitudes of the British towards other cultures, but this was interesting, all the same. The changing roles of women was portrayed well. Whilst not the same as our lives today, Caro’s life in the 1940’s/ 50’s was markedly better than that of the women in the 1800s.
This was such an enjoyable read - highly recommended.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this wonderful book.
Return to Kadenburg (The Kadenburg Shifters #2)
8.0
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With four missing persons and witnesses who refuse to talk, Kadenburg’s sheriff finds himself in a...
MM Paranormal Romance
ClareR (5854 KP) rated The Christie Affair in Books
Apr 1, 2022
The Christie Affair is a reimagining of the real disappearance of Agatha Christie - I actually had to do a quick internet search to see if any of this novel was true. It’s not. Agatha Christie really did go missing for 11 days, though. Her husband really did leave her for another woman (I have no idea if she was younger). But I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless!
This novel tells the story from the point of view of the mistress. Nan O’Dea (Nancy Neele in real life) gives her version of events: who she is, her past, why she became Archie Christie’s mistress, and why she is destroying their marriage. It’s all compelling reading. She has her reasons, and you can see why she has done what she has - but is it true?
It was fascinating hearing the story from the mistress’ point of view, and I really enjoyed reading about Nan’s early years, even though they were tragic. We see her going to help on a family farm in Ireland as a teenager, and a stay at a convent, reminiscent of a Magdalen Laundry (not quite). Then she returns to London and tries to rebuild her life.
You can never be quite sure as the reader, whether Nan is really telling Agatha’s side of the story, or whether she’s making it up. She’s a thoroughly unreliable narrator - but I liked that. The characters were really well developed, and it was an exciting story. Recommended!
This novel tells the story from the point of view of the mistress. Nan O’Dea (Nancy Neele in real life) gives her version of events: who she is, her past, why she became Archie Christie’s mistress, and why she is destroying their marriage. It’s all compelling reading. She has her reasons, and you can see why she has done what she has - but is it true?
It was fascinating hearing the story from the mistress’ point of view, and I really enjoyed reading about Nan’s early years, even though they were tragic. We see her going to help on a family farm in Ireland as a teenager, and a stay at a convent, reminiscent of a Magdalen Laundry (not quite). Then she returns to London and tries to rebuild her life.
You can never be quite sure as the reader, whether Nan is really telling Agatha’s side of the story, or whether she’s making it up. She’s a thoroughly unreliable narrator - but I liked that. The characters were really well developed, and it was an exciting story. Recommended!
The Magi Menagerie (The Magi Menagerie #1)
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Some stars aren't meant to be followed... For seventeen years, Ezra Newport and his parents were...
Young Adult New Adult Fantasy Historical
A Magical's Gift (The Magicals #5)
Book
The feud between fairies and wizards is an ancient threat in the magical world. Yet peace is...
Paranormal Romance Series
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Sanatorium in Books
Jul 17, 2022
122 of 230
Book
The Sanatorium ( Elin Warner book 1)
By Sarah Pearse
⭐️⭐️
A beautiful, eerie hotel in the Swiss Alps, recently converted from an abandoned sanatorium, is the last place Detective Elin Warner wants to be. But her estranged brother has invited her there for his engagement party, and she feels she has no choice but to accept.
Arriving in the midst of a threatening storm, Elin immediately feels on edge. And things only get worse when they wake the next morning to find her brother's fiancée is missing. With access to the hotel cut off, the guests begin to panic.
But this is only the first disappearance. Everyone's in danger - and anyone could be next . . .
If I’m going to be honest I struggled through some of this book! It was ok but that was it just ok! I couldn’t stand the character Will he just drove me crazy I was hoping he would become a victim! It was very middle of the road for me and after all the hype I’d seen I was kinda expecting a little bit more. The main character could have been a bit more interesting I know she has a past that’s dragging her down but I felt it wasn’t explained or brought out very well! It’s a shame as I wanted to love it! Also the Epilogue was a bit strange it didn’t really entice me to want the next book.
Book
The Sanatorium ( Elin Warner book 1)
By Sarah Pearse
⭐️⭐️
A beautiful, eerie hotel in the Swiss Alps, recently converted from an abandoned sanatorium, is the last place Detective Elin Warner wants to be. But her estranged brother has invited her there for his engagement party, and she feels she has no choice but to accept.
Arriving in the midst of a threatening storm, Elin immediately feels on edge. And things only get worse when they wake the next morning to find her brother's fiancée is missing. With access to the hotel cut off, the guests begin to panic.
But this is only the first disappearance. Everyone's in danger - and anyone could be next . . .
If I’m going to be honest I struggled through some of this book! It was ok but that was it just ok! I couldn’t stand the character Will he just drove me crazy I was hoping he would become a victim! It was very middle of the road for me and after all the hype I’d seen I was kinda expecting a little bit more. The main character could have been a bit more interesting I know she has a past that’s dragging her down but I felt it wasn’t explained or brought out very well! It’s a shame as I wanted to love it! Also the Epilogue was a bit strange it didn’t really entice me to want the next book.
Merissa (12699 KP) rated Exploration (The Gifted #2) in Books
Jun 8, 2023
This series is getting better and better! The first book introduced some amazing characters and situations. Exploration builds on those and gives you so much more.
Kate is hurting from Nick's disappearance, Nick is hurting from leaving Kate - so will these two ever get together? Robert and Co certainly hope so, even though it hurts them to see how low Kate is feeling. However, amongst all of this, you find out that there are yet more players involved, as well as new characters to meet.
Now, I will be honest here, and say that I did get a bit confused about just whose motivation was what as there seemed to be numerous branches suddenly appearing, each with their own agendas. If you stick with it though, it does become clear and at the same time, everything that you have been led to believe gets turned on its head. This book is guaranteed to keep you on your toes and make sure you don't skim-read. If you do, you'll get lost. Instead, take your time and savour every word, every moment and every plot line and character. Trust me, you won't regret it.
Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this book has definitely left me wanting more, and I can't wait for book 3 to come out. Definitely recommended.
* Verified Purchase on Amazon *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 29, 2016
Kate is hurting from Nick's disappearance, Nick is hurting from leaving Kate - so will these two ever get together? Robert and Co certainly hope so, even though it hurts them to see how low Kate is feeling. However, amongst all of this, you find out that there are yet more players involved, as well as new characters to meet.
Now, I will be honest here, and say that I did get a bit confused about just whose motivation was what as there seemed to be numerous branches suddenly appearing, each with their own agendas. If you stick with it though, it does become clear and at the same time, everything that you have been led to believe gets turned on its head. This book is guaranteed to keep you on your toes and make sure you don't skim-read. If you do, you'll get lost. Instead, take your time and savour every word, every moment and every plot line and character. Trust me, you won't regret it.
Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this book has definitely left me wanting more, and I can't wait for book 3 to come out. Definitely recommended.
* Verified Purchase on Amazon *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 29, 2016
Spark & Heir (Royal & Piper #3)
10.0
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Over a year after his disappearance, the Piper of HameLonn has returned. As winter delays...
Young Adult Fantasy Romance
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Girl Who Stayed in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Zoe returns to her hometown of Sullivan's Island with one goal in mind: repair her childhood home and sell it, so she never has to come back. Her parents are dead, her brother doesn't want it, and her little sister, Hannah, disappeared from the Island when Hannah was eight and Zoe was ten. At the time, Hannah's friend, Gabi, insinuated that Zoe was responsible for Hannah's disappearance and while she knows it isn't true, Zoe has always felt confused and remorseful about her behavior during the time period when Hannah vanished. Even worse, she grew up under the doubt of her parents, especially her angry father, who seemed to believe Gabi, and with whom Zoe had a rough and rocky relationship as she aged.
This was an interesting book and I confess it had the misfortune of being read during a crazy time for me of illness and work: not its fault. Zoe is a tough character to crack at first, but she's also a victim of abuse, and her slowness to reveal herself--in the book and to others--makes sense. Crosby does a good job of displaying (versus telling) how Zoe's relationship with her parents has formed her into the adult she is today. What I enjoyed is that Zoe is a complicated individual with many layers. I've read too many books lately where a character had a bad childhood or suffered some form of abuse and that seems to be a reason to make them have only one character trait, which they must act upon, with no sign of reason. Zoe is nuanced, even if she takes some time to warm up to.
There are several scenes in the book that are nearly heartbreaking as you read. For instance, when Zoe finds a projector and a bunch of film belonging to her grandfather and manages to splice together enough film to capture a few moments of her late sister as a kid. As she describes the moment, it's powerful, and you can completely picture it. In another scene, she reminisces about how her mother "helped" her fix up Zoe's bathing suit before a first date--an event that ended poorly. This moment is not only formed so clearly, but says so much about how Zoe continued to relate to her Mom. It's very well-done.
The book spends most of its time focusing on Zoe's late second coming of age story (at nearly 40), with a few characters from Sullivan's Island thrown in, but there is a subplot to Hannah's disappearance that picks up pace near the end. The very end of the story felt a little rushed (though exciting). I'm still a bit torn about the actual ending--it sort of pissed me off--but I understand Crosby's choices.
In writing this review, I'd probably push my rating up to a 3.75 stars. It's a different book, and I enjoyed Zoe. I almost wish I could encounter her again.
I received an ARC of this book from Edelweiss - thank you! It is available for publication on 4/19/16. You can find a review this novel and many more at my <a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">blog</a>;.
This was an interesting book and I confess it had the misfortune of being read during a crazy time for me of illness and work: not its fault. Zoe is a tough character to crack at first, but she's also a victim of abuse, and her slowness to reveal herself--in the book and to others--makes sense. Crosby does a good job of displaying (versus telling) how Zoe's relationship with her parents has formed her into the adult she is today. What I enjoyed is that Zoe is a complicated individual with many layers. I've read too many books lately where a character had a bad childhood or suffered some form of abuse and that seems to be a reason to make them have only one character trait, which they must act upon, with no sign of reason. Zoe is nuanced, even if she takes some time to warm up to.
There are several scenes in the book that are nearly heartbreaking as you read. For instance, when Zoe finds a projector and a bunch of film belonging to her grandfather and manages to splice together enough film to capture a few moments of her late sister as a kid. As she describes the moment, it's powerful, and you can completely picture it. In another scene, she reminisces about how her mother "helped" her fix up Zoe's bathing suit before a first date--an event that ended poorly. This moment is not only formed so clearly, but says so much about how Zoe continued to relate to her Mom. It's very well-done.
The book spends most of its time focusing on Zoe's late second coming of age story (at nearly 40), with a few characters from Sullivan's Island thrown in, but there is a subplot to Hannah's disappearance that picks up pace near the end. The very end of the story felt a little rushed (though exciting). I'm still a bit torn about the actual ending--it sort of pissed me off--but I understand Crosby's choices.
In writing this review, I'd probably push my rating up to a 3.75 stars. It's a different book, and I enjoyed Zoe. I almost wish I could encounter her again.
I received an ARC of this book from Edelweiss - thank you! It is available for publication on 4/19/16. You can find a review this novel and many more at my <a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">blog</a>;.