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ClareR (6253 KP) rated Spider, Spider in Books

Feb 24, 2026  
Spider, Spider
Spider, Spider
L. C. Winter | 2026 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I’ve been wanting to read this ever since I first saw it on Instagram and then read the synopsis. I thought I’d look on NetGalley, just on the off chance that I could request a digital copy, and I found the audiobook. I’m so glad that I did!! I love an atmospheric, gothic read/ listen!

Molly Hanson narrates this so well from the points of view of young Nancy Ratcliffe and a woman called Spider. Both have been abused at the hands of the same man. Anyone who calls himself “The Prophet” is a red flag in the first place!

Nancy’s experience is in the “current” Victorian day, and Spiders is in the past (I wasn’t sure how long ago, though). Both stories are told in alternating chapters for the most part - and their actions are completely understandable.

It’s a story of religious control, female rage and revenge. The story flowed really well, and I was drawn in, hoping that they would both got their revenge and get away with it!!
Many thanks to Bolinda Audio, L. C. Winter and NetGalley for my copy of this thrilling book.
  
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ClareR (6253 KP) rated Helm in Books

May 30, 2026  
Helm
Helm
Sarah Hall | 2025 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Imagine making the wind a main character in a novel for adults! Well, Sarah Hall has done exactly that in Helm, and presented it in all of my favourite genres (thank you very much!).

Helm is the anthropomorphised wind in the North of England, in a valley that feels like it should be in the Peak District (perhaps?). For millennia, it blows around, doing its own thing, and then humanity comes on the scene.

A prehistoric clan worship Helm, hoping for leniency from it’s devastating, troublesome, unpredictable nature. Another character, a wizard-type priest, tries to banish Helm. A Victorian Engineer wants to capture him. My favourite characters were the girl who could converse with Helm and is then regarded as insane (as well as promiscuous by her mother), and the Climate Scientist who wants to save the wind. All of these characters have only one connection: Helm.

Don’t expect some nice, tied up with a bow, perfect ending. That’s not this book. I loved how it showed humanity’s relationship with nature and the weather in such a creative way.
I was transfixed throughout.

Highly recommended!
  
THE BEST NEW TRUE CRIME STORIES: CRIMES OF PASSION, OBSESSION & REVENGE is an eclectic mix of stories from all over the world, set in different times, from Victorian England to Japan, to modern-day America.

If you like True Crime then I am sure you will find something to keep your interest. It is clear from the start that a lot of research has gone into these stories, some of which have personal memories from the author. However, some of the stories felt disjointed in the way they were presented, going off on tangents that didn't seem relevant to the story at that point.

Each story features the bare bones of the story; being a collection, there simply isn't room for much more. However, it gives you the story, some build-up, and some information after the crime.

On the whole, this was an enjoyable read by a new-to-me author.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* 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!
Dec 13, 2021
  
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ClareR (6253 KP) rated Becky in Books

May 29, 2023  
Becky
Becky
Sarah May | 2023 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Becky is a retelling of Vanity Fair - which I haven’t read - so I only really know what other people have said about it, really. Regardless of my lack of background knowledge, I can safely say that you will be able to enjoy this novel without any Regency or Victorian novel reading background.

I tore through this. When you realise that for the meteoric rise of the main character, Becky, there will be a plummet, it’s a case of morbid fascination!

And like the original, this is a story without a hero. None of the men are particularly “dashing”, or nice, in fact. Becky isn’t a likeable character either. She knows what she wants, and will do anything in the dirty world of tabloid “news” to get it.

I couldn’t stop reading this, and I closed the book after the last page thinking: “Well THAT was a good job!”

So hopefully I haven’t given too much away, and if you’ve read any of my other reviews, you’ll know that I love to hate a character, and Becky has this particular trait in spades!
It’s a cracking read!