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This thought provoking book has come along at a time when everyone is talking about vaccines: should we have them, or shouldn’t we? Will they cause us and our children irreparable damage? Do we have a responsibility to tell other people if we or our children have not been vaccinated?
These are all the questions that are posed in The Herd. I started this with a very pro-vaccination stance, and whilst I’m still pro-vaccination, I can appreciate the other side of the story much more now.
The Herd is all about parents doing what they think is best for their children - as parents, it’s all we can do.
The characters of Bryony and Elizabeth represented these opinions really well. I kept putting myself in both women’s shoes, and to be honest, both sides were heart-breaking.
The Herd is a balanced, well-told story of friendship, deception, mental health and the toxic side of social media. It gave me and my fellow Pigeonhole readers lots to think about and discuss. It’s most definitely a book of our time, and perfect for book groups. I’d recommend it to anyone, to be honest!
These are all the questions that are posed in The Herd. I started this with a very pro-vaccination stance, and whilst I’m still pro-vaccination, I can appreciate the other side of the story much more now.
The Herd is all about parents doing what they think is best for their children - as parents, it’s all we can do.
The characters of Bryony and Elizabeth represented these opinions really well. I kept putting myself in both women’s shoes, and to be honest, both sides were heart-breaking.
The Herd is a balanced, well-told story of friendship, deception, mental health and the toxic side of social media. It gave me and my fellow Pigeonhole readers lots to think about and discuss. It’s most definitely a book of our time, and perfect for book groups. I’d recommend it to anyone, to be honest!
First Born: The Preevitt Chronicles
6.0
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She thought that life in a new town would be boring; boy, was she wrong! Fifteen-year-old Ruth...
Urban Fantasy
The East Indian
9.0
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Book
Meet Tony: the first Indian to set foot on American soil. Among the settlers, slaves, and...
Historical fiction
Perfect Strangers
6.0
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106 of 235 Book Perfect Strangers By Araminta Hall ⭐️⭐️⭐️ When Nancy Hennessy...
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Body on Scafell Pike (Lake District Murder Mysteries #1) in Books
Aug 20, 2023
I'm a sucker for books that are set in my neck of the woods so when I heard of a new series set in the beautiful Lake District, I wasn't going to pass up the chance and I'm pleased I didn't because this is a great start to a new series and one I am looking forward to getting my teeth into.
There is plenty of atmosphere in this book and the excellent descriptions of the Lakes countryside only add to this. I really liked the characters and am keen to find out more about DI Chambers' back story and watching the developing friendship between her and Margot and between Chambers and her small team.
The mystery of who the killer was kept me guessing and there were enough twists to keep me returning. I liked the different points of view which helped to give a rounded picture from Chambers', Margot's and the killers point of view.
Overall, a really successful start to a series and one I am looking forward to reading the next.
Thanks go to the author, Headline, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Body on Scafell Pike.
There is plenty of atmosphere in this book and the excellent descriptions of the Lakes countryside only add to this. I really liked the characters and am keen to find out more about DI Chambers' back story and watching the developing friendship between her and Margot and between Chambers and her small team.
The mystery of who the killer was kept me guessing and there were enough twists to keep me returning. I liked the different points of view which helped to give a rounded picture from Chambers', Margot's and the killers point of view.
Overall, a really successful start to a series and one I am looking forward to reading the next.
Thanks go to the author, Headline, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Body on Scafell Pike.
Merissa (14132 KP) rated Aeromancist (7 Forbidden Arts #3) in Books
May 20, 2023
The continuation of Lann and Kat's story starts two weeks after The Beginning ends. I would say that you don't need to have read that novella, but it certainly helped, and I wouldn't have wanted to read this without that, but that's just me.
This review may be short, as I don't give away spoilers. Kat and Lann's relationship isn't over, for a number of reasons. One thing they do have to do though, is make a decision about something. All I can say is what a terrible, horrible decision to have to make. The reactions and behaviour of those involved, and their friends, made it all the more believable.
Old enemies come into play, and the overall story arc moves along with fresh intrigue and twists. Old friends are shown in this book too, and I loved the friendship that comes into play between Kat, Clelia and Maya.
Best in the series so far for me, loved every word. Highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 23, 2016
This review may be short, as I don't give away spoilers. Kat and Lann's relationship isn't over, for a number of reasons. One thing they do have to do though, is make a decision about something. All I can say is what a terrible, horrible decision to have to make. The reactions and behaviour of those involved, and their friends, made it all the more believable.
Old enemies come into play, and the overall story arc moves along with fresh intrigue and twists. Old friends are shown in this book too, and I loved the friendship that comes into play between Kat, Clelia and Maya.
Best in the series so far for me, loved every word. Highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 23, 2016
Merissa (14132 KP) rated Defects (The Reverians #1) in Books
May 23, 2023
This is a young adult story of action and adventure with romance to round it off. Em is classed as a Defect because apart from being able to Dream Travel, she has no discernible gift and has to endure daily injections in the hope that they will help to bring it forth. However, things aren't always as they seem, and Em finds out through an old friend, that things are going on she had no idea about, and her family are directly involved with.
I loved the friendship between Zach, Em, and Rogue, although Zach's feelings were plain for all to see apart from Em and Rogue! Their story is only just beginning and I can't wait to read more. With intrigue on every page, this is a well-written and well-paced story, set in a world that I haven't read about before. This is the first book by this author that I have read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be continuing with this series. Definitely recommended by me.
* I received this book from the author via Bostick Communications in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 22, 2016
I loved the friendship between Zach, Em, and Rogue, although Zach's feelings were plain for all to see apart from Em and Rogue! Their story is only just beginning and I can't wait to read more. With intrigue on every page, this is a well-written and well-paced story, set in a world that I haven't read about before. This is the first book by this author that I have read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be continuing with this series. Definitely recommended by me.
* I received this book from the author via Bostick Communications in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 22, 2016
Uprising (The Fitzjohn Duology #1)
Book
Only a daughter of two worlds can save England’s future. England, 1381 AD: Blanche Fitzjohn is...
Historical Fiction British
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2623 KP) rated Murders in the Marquee in Books
Sep 2, 2026 - 6:06 AM
Murder, Mayhem, and Mallards
It’s 1905, and Saul has just landed a new job at the Grand Mallard Marquee. But, on his first day, he thinks he sees someone fall from an upper floor. When his new friends, Kitty and Henry, convince him to investigate, they are left with more questions. There’s also the question of what happened to the man that Saul replaced. Can the trio figure out what is going on?
I’ll admit, this book took a couple of chapters for me to full get into, but once I did, I loved it. The main characters came to life, and I loved them and their growing friendship. The rest of the cast is strong as well. The mystery had quite a few different things going on. I figured a thing or two out early, but there were plenty of things I didn’t. Yet it all made sense at the end. I also enjoyed the time and place, and I’m already curious to see how a certain famous event that takes place the next year will be handled. This is a great debut, and I’ve already booked my room for a return visit.
I’ll admit, this book took a couple of chapters for me to full get into, but once I did, I loved it. The main characters came to life, and I loved them and their growing friendship. The rest of the cast is strong as well. The mystery had quite a few different things going on. I figured a thing or two out early, but there were plenty of things I didn’t. Yet it all made sense at the end. I also enjoyed the time and place, and I’m already curious to see how a certain famous event that takes place the next year will be handled. This is a great debut, and I’ve already booked my room for a return visit.
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated The Dead Girls Club in Books
Feb 3, 2020
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The Dead Girls Club by Damien Angelica Walters left me unprepared for what I was about to read.
A perfect blend of mystery, spookiness, friendship and psychological trauma. This book will keep you away from social events until you are finished. And a few days after…
<i><b>Red Lady, Red Lady, show us your face…</b>
In 1991, Heather Cole and her friends were members of the Dead Girls Club. Obsessed with the macabre, the girls exchanged stories about serial killers and imaginary monsters, like the Red Lady, the spirit of a vengeful witch killed centuries before. Heather knew the stories were just that, until her best friend Becca began insisting the Red Lady was real – and she could prove it.
That belief got Becca killed.
It’s been nearly thirty years, but Heather has never told anyone what really happened that night–that Becca was right and the Red Lady was real. She’s done her best to put that fateful summer, Becca, and the Red Lady, behind her. Until a familiar necklace arrives in the mail, a necklace Heather hasn’t seen since the night Becca died.
The night Heather killed her.
Now, someone else knows what she did…and they’re determined to make Heather pay.</i>
From the beginning of the book, you can feel the intensity, the guilt and the mystery behind it, which was something I very much enjoy in my books. We get to see the life of Heather 30 years after the death of Becca, and we know from the very first chapter that Heather killed her.
But they were best friends. And Heather loves Becca, even now, with every atom of her body. They were those BFFs that were always together, and knew each other’s secrets. They both loved mystery and talking about serial killers. And then things somehow start to go wrong. They are slipping from the friendship slide, and they can’t do anything to stop it…
<i><b>The heart, the other half of which once hung around my neck, even after, is a cheap thing of nickel, stainless steel, or some inexpensive alloy. Originally affixed to a cardboard square and purchased by two girls who saved their allowance. Best Friends Forever. We meant it, she and I. We meant it with every bone in our bodies and every true and good thing in our souls. We didn’t know forever didn’t always last that long.</b></i>
This is one of the few stories where I rooted for a killer. I know how horrible it sounds, but I loved that perspective. The innocence behind a terrible act. The belief that what you did might have been wrong, but you still did it for the right reasons. The ultimate friendship and the boundaries.
I loved Heather, and I also loved Becca. I hated all the things that were standing between them, driving them further away from each other.
This is a book about a murder, and about a scary story becoming real. But this book is also about friendship, about psychological trauma, and about the force a person needs to get trough it. The crucial support this person requires to get through the rainy days. Heather was struggling, and there was no one beside her to help her. Everyone she knew and trusted suddenly abandoned her, and this tells a sad and realistic story about the reality people with mental health issues are facing. No one wants a damaged person in their lives, I get that. But when this person is your friend for life, when this person is your life companion, you know. You know how they were before it, and you should always be there to support them, and get them to become their healthy selves again. We all need a person in life that will push our boundaries and be there for us when we are not able to be there for ourselves.
The Dead Girls Club covers so many topics that warm and crush my heart. And I love it for it. If your book taste is similar to mine, I am sure you will love this book too, and I recommend it!
Huge thanks to Melissa and the team at Crooked Lane Books in the US, for sending me a paperback ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Wi7amb">Wishlist</a>; | <a
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/diaryofdifference/pins/">Pinterest</a>;
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The Dead Girls Club by Damien Angelica Walters left me unprepared for what I was about to read.
A perfect blend of mystery, spookiness, friendship and psychological trauma. This book will keep you away from social events until you are finished. And a few days after…
<i><b>Red Lady, Red Lady, show us your face…</b>
In 1991, Heather Cole and her friends were members of the Dead Girls Club. Obsessed with the macabre, the girls exchanged stories about serial killers and imaginary monsters, like the Red Lady, the spirit of a vengeful witch killed centuries before. Heather knew the stories were just that, until her best friend Becca began insisting the Red Lady was real – and she could prove it.
That belief got Becca killed.
It’s been nearly thirty years, but Heather has never told anyone what really happened that night–that Becca was right and the Red Lady was real. She’s done her best to put that fateful summer, Becca, and the Red Lady, behind her. Until a familiar necklace arrives in the mail, a necklace Heather hasn’t seen since the night Becca died.
The night Heather killed her.
Now, someone else knows what she did…and they’re determined to make Heather pay.</i>
From the beginning of the book, you can feel the intensity, the guilt and the mystery behind it, which was something I very much enjoy in my books. We get to see the life of Heather 30 years after the death of Becca, and we know from the very first chapter that Heather killed her.
But they were best friends. And Heather loves Becca, even now, with every atom of her body. They were those BFFs that were always together, and knew each other’s secrets. They both loved mystery and talking about serial killers. And then things somehow start to go wrong. They are slipping from the friendship slide, and they can’t do anything to stop it…
<i><b>The heart, the other half of which once hung around my neck, even after, is a cheap thing of nickel, stainless steel, or some inexpensive alloy. Originally affixed to a cardboard square and purchased by two girls who saved their allowance. Best Friends Forever. We meant it, she and I. We meant it with every bone in our bodies and every true and good thing in our souls. We didn’t know forever didn’t always last that long.</b></i>
This is one of the few stories where I rooted for a killer. I know how horrible it sounds, but I loved that perspective. The innocence behind a terrible act. The belief that what you did might have been wrong, but you still did it for the right reasons. The ultimate friendship and the boundaries.
I loved Heather, and I also loved Becca. I hated all the things that were standing between them, driving them further away from each other.
This is a book about a murder, and about a scary story becoming real. But this book is also about friendship, about psychological trauma, and about the force a person needs to get trough it. The crucial support this person requires to get through the rainy days. Heather was struggling, and there was no one beside her to help her. Everyone she knew and trusted suddenly abandoned her, and this tells a sad and realistic story about the reality people with mental health issues are facing. No one wants a damaged person in their lives, I get that. But when this person is your friend for life, when this person is your life companion, you know. You know how they were before it, and you should always be there to support them, and get them to become their healthy selves again. We all need a person in life that will push our boundaries and be there for us when we are not able to be there for ourselves.
The Dead Girls Club covers so many topics that warm and crush my heart. And I love it for it. If your book taste is similar to mine, I am sure you will love this book too, and I recommend it!
Huge thanks to Melissa and the team at Crooked Lane Books in the US, for sending me a paperback ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Wi7amb">Wishlist</a>; | <a
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/diaryofdifference/pins/">Pinterest</a>;