Nicki's book blog

  Buried on the Island by Stewart Giles - Crime I’m sure Stewart has magic dust of some sort.  Let me explain: I’ve yet to find one of his books that don’t:  1. Engross me completely 2. Make me want to read the whole thing in one go 3. Want to hug at least one (or more) of the characters for having what my grandmother would have called “ Gumption”- in more modern language B**ls, grit/ determination to say what they think/do and act upon it. 4. Make me want to read another one immediately ( I have a secret stash!) 5. Make me smile It’s either magic dust OR …..  A very skilled, talented author that knows how to put together those 26 little letters on a page having done his research implicitly. A stunning read with a cracking (slightly macabre) plot executed brilliantly. Need I say more A huge 5 stars. ------------------------------------ BURIED ON THE ISLAND Secrets never stay buried forever. An exciting home renovation project becomes the stuff of nightmares when the...

  The Sunflower Field by Anita Waller   Oh wow! A book that starts as a domestic drama and turns into something more- so much more. One I really couldn’t put down. Alice has announced to her boyfriend Dom, that she is pregnant, having set the scene with a nice meal, candles etc. Dominic turns on her and beats her trying to cause her to abort the unborn child. Alice survives as do the twins it is found she is carrying, but she doesn't want to press charges knowing that there would be severe retaliations so moves into her mothers house where her aunt also lives and ups the security. Suddenly there is a major shift in a family drama, one that took me by surprise , so cleverly crafted and kept me immersed. This really was one of those “ just one more chapter” reads- I was truly hooked. A scintillating read by a master of the hook and drama. It made me smile and wince and pretty much every emotion therein. Wonderfully thought out with lots of human touches to make this so realistic...

  The Lake by Stewart Giles- Crime There’s a few authors, many of whom I’m honoured to be friends with, that “ kill” me reading their books. I should explain: A book is so riveting that my kindle falls on me, as I’m way past my bedtime and frightens the life out of me as I can’t put it down! This one, as ever from Stewart, is one of those. Wow! What a plot!One of now and in the past cleverly interwoven. DS Smith is his usual wonderful self, doing his own things and getting into scrapes, and cleverly out of them.. Or not! Theakston is also his own wonderful self- Ill say no more! A brilliant read, one I more than highly recommend… however beware of flying kindles!  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE LAKE A lake shrouded in superstition, a notorious crime family and a team of detectives chasing phantoms. Chapman's Lake has a story behind it, and it's a dark one. But when the body of a half-naked woman is pull...

  She Never Came back by Patricia Dixon -psychological thriller Rarely, a book comes along that makes you stop in your tracks and ponder life, the universe and everything around you. A family drama that turns into more. I loved some of the characters and found myself  totally immersed. The power of words on a page. Patricia has a unique skill and talent of writing that is beautifully descriptive, putting the reader in the midst of the drama, without detracting from what is happening. A powerful read, touchingly beautiful in its scenic descriptions and some wonderful characters. A message for all within the pages. One stunning read. 5* ---------------------

  Two States-One Killer by Alistair Birch- crime thriller 13th July Wow! A page turner of a read, one not to disappoint. If you enjoy tense twisty thrillers then this could be right up your street. Set in the USA it's a gripping, thrilling read of , you guessed it, two murders, very cleverly crafted and plotted by both Alistair and the killer (think they may be in cahoots!). The plot twists and turns and even when the perpetrator is revealed there is still plenty for the reader to enjoy in the twisty man and victim hunt. The first in a series this is developing nicely with the lead detective very likeable. Perhaps in the next one we could get to know a little more about her own life as in this one she is out of state and work focussed and only a little of her character has been revealed. This in no way takes away from the enjoyment of the read. For me this is Alistair's best work yet, showing a skill in evolving plots and scenarios. A brilliant piece of writing, a stunning read...

  The Castle of Stories by Matt Cain Oh be still my beating heart. A tale of love and finding yourself in whatever "family" shape that may take. I'm one of the straight women who love this book ( a group that Matt's previous publishers thought wouldn't like his books- and I've loved each and every one). Many of us have had adversity in one form or another in our lives, some in greater ways than normal and this book tackles this in several different formats. I smiled and yes I cried (at the end). Of finding the real you and the ones that love you for it. Overcoming prejudices and being true to yourself. Five stars really isn't enough. An uplifting read I highly recommend. A great big hug in a book.  -----------------------------------------------

  The Gambler by Stewart Giles- Crime Wow! Another 5* thriller of a page turner from Stewart. This time DS Jason Smith and his team are finding bodies where a certain Kenny Rodgers track is playing on repeat (thanks for the earworm!). On further investigation “ the Gambler” is giving himself marks out of 10 and from a little digging knows that he’s aiming for a certain number- the why’s are yet to be found. It's an intriguing premise and one that kept me late into the night reading “ just one more chapter”. Jason is a wonderful character and says the things we all think but wouldn’t usually say and his brain appears to work tangentially giving him the edge on investigations. A brilliant, gripping read I more than highly recommend- and if you haven’t read the rest of the series- there are plenty to go at- all 5* from me. Stunning says it all. ------------------------ THE GAMBLER Heads I win, tail you lose. A new killer is stalking the streets of York, and its a killer that Detective...