Nicki's book blog

  Marshall of Snowdonia by Simon McCleave-crime thriller   Frank Marshall is an ex-DCI now living in the depths of Wales being a ranger which he loves. When the sister of a close friend goes missing he can't help but put on his detective hat and do his best- much to the annoyance of his nemesis- the current DCI. The thing is Frank finds out more than the police and a missing woman could be much more when he finds cleaned up blood near her home. Can Frank find out who the perpetrators are without either damaging himself or being told off (or worse) by the local police? This is a new author to me and wow! Love this. Frank is already like an old friend (in both senses). He reminds me of Jimmy Bliss (Tony J Forder series) in that he is a seasoned detective, who feels he has little to lose but just wants justice done and to see those left behind have some peace. He’s someone you’d love as a friend or neighbour, that as long as you do right by him he’ll defend you to the hilt. Ther...

  Three Days in June by Anne Tyler- general fiction When your daughter is getting married but you find out the groom might not have been faithful and your ex husband turns up on the doorstep, you know the next few days aren't going to be straightforward. A cat is added to the mix amongst the various guests and family. This is a story of chaos and trying your best to be your best whatever the circumstances. A tale of family life and the ups and downs and curve balls that get thrown at us. It's rather a descriptive book, at times to the minutiae, which is done well to paint the picture in the reader's mind. The ordinary to the extraordinary this short read takes it all in. A detailed read of the chaos of life.  For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog ---------------------------------------------------------

  If We Could Turn Back Time by Sian O’Gorman- Women’s fiction Alice has returned home from Australia for a month’s holiday. She misses Dublin and her childhood friends but loves the life she has on the other side of the planet- the sun and the beach. She helps out in the local shop owned and run by her mother Ciara, and finds herself a whizz at marketing, bringing new customers to the shop and encouraging old ones to spend more time there as well as money, which is a good thing as it had been getting a little stale. Her friend Mary-Marg suggests they bring back the disco they ran when at school. Will the over 45’s be up for a night with a disco ball? There are relationships that have soured over the years and secrets being held close to the owners chests. This is a beautiful Irish story of friendships and adventures, perhaps of the small variety. Of how the little things can mean the most  and that a good friend is a real gem. As with all of Sian’s books the characters come ...

  The Many Futures of Maddy Hart by Laura Pearson- women’s fiction Laura has a rare talent. One for getting the reader between the pages very quickly, a cracking plot and characters you would like to meet in real Life. Maddy has a gift, or is it? When having sex she can see ten years into her future and if that person is with her or not. This puts her off having boyfriends for a long time but when she meets Oliver when looking for accommodation, who by chance she briefly worked with , things change. When she meets Isla in her future, Maddy knows she has to work things out which isn't going to be easy.  This is a stunning, uplifting read and one I devoured. It's a very comfortable, at times emotional, read and one that perhaps makes the reader reflect on their own lives a little and to appreciate the moment. One I wanted to read “ one more chapter” and another and another……Loved this doesn't do this justice. Stunning, brilliant, clever and most certainly memorable. 5 stars r...

  A Guilty Woman by Charlotte Barnes-psychological thriller Oh wow! A premise that blew me away (along with the victim!) and fascinated me. A woman is in a bar with her boyfriend. She starts the socially perfectly normal interaction with her boyfriend  and as they have drinks, reaches for her handbag , pulls out a gun and empties the whole barrel into him. On reaching the police station and her solicitor ( whom she has the funds for a very good one), she proceeds to plead not guilty. Occasional chapters give us a podcast of a true crime series covering the trial and takes us more into Carolines life. Blimey Riley! One where I held my breath and was beguiled by the plot. I quite liked Caroline, other than the fact of what she had done, as she seemed grounded and realistic (hope that makes sense?) and very calm through the whole thing- as if carefully planned perhaps? Caroline is an author and her writings take on a whole new meaning. A fantastic twist puts things into place… I ...

  The Old Girls' Chateau Escape by Kate Galley- Women's Fiction Gina’s husband left her for another woman and at 71 Gina is rather upended. That is until she meets Dorothy, a sprightly 89 year old who has rather more than a spring in her step and attitude to life. They get on famously (Old Girls behaving badly book) so when Dorothy suggests Gina takes on a temporary role to look after one of Dorothy’s old friends, Meredith and her husband, she happily agrees, however Dorothy wants Gina to do some sleuthing. Over fifty years ago there was a group of friends who did something that should really stay in the past, however Meredith wants to publish a book and Dorothy doesn't want a starring role in it. Hopefully Gina can find out more and keep Dorothy's anonymity. Although the second in the series this happily stands alone. I adore this series. It's a great mix of humour, drama and more. Both Dorothy and Gina are great characters in differing ways and have those qualiti...

  The Soulmate by Rona Halsall--psychological thriller Holly has escaped from her boyfriend Finn for a few hours and sees a man playing the piano. In a past life Holly, as she is now, loved music and can’t help but sing along with him.  They go for a coffee before Holly has to get her train back and ensures that the performance stays private, away from any social media. Finn is rather controlling and she already has bruises. Mark is smitten and is determined to help her but doesn’t realise quite what he is getting into. When Holly steals herself into his car things take rather a turn. OMG! Who to trust? I thought I liked certain characters to begin with (clever writing!) and then found myself rather unsettled as to who was the good guy or the bad. This is a read with lots of twists and turns and it made for one heck of a read. Fiction is just that and doesn’t always have to follow real life but who knows what goes on behind closed doors? It's clever, it's very very engaging an...