The Bridesmaid by Nina Manning-psychological thriller 

Sacha’s parents are housekeeper and head gardener to Josphine who lives

in a large house with 50 acres of ground. Her father gets on very well with

Jospehine and she invites Sacha to come and meet her granddaughter

Caitlin as they are the same age. A close bond is formed and although

Sacha is very aware of the difference in privilege the girls are best friends.

Years later and it's the approach to Caitlin's wedding to Chuck whom

she and her family have known for many years since they were children.

Sacha is organising much of the wedding and on a hen trip to Greece

wants to tell Caitlin a secret she has been keeping for too long.

Caitlin's mother holds something over Sacha- we know not what.

A tale of the past determining the future and of secrets and lies.

An interesting read of a woman who has always had exactly as she

wanted and didn't want to hear or see anything negative and told

her friends so. Of a loyal and insecure friend who longs for

acknowledgement from the one person who won’t give it and of

keeping family secrets. One to intrigue and to keep the grey

matter active. A different read indeed (in a good way!) 

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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The Bridesmaid ‘Promise me? If you hear any secrets, never tell me. That would make you a most treasured friend. More than a friend really. You’re almost like a sister to me…’   Your best friend…. From the moment they met as children, Sasha knew that beautiful, wealthy, and confident Caitlin would always be her absolute best friend.  Sasha would do anything to make Caitlin happy.   Even keep her darkest secrets… The years have passed, but their friendship remains.  And when Caitlin announces she’s getting married there is only one choice for the role of bridesmaid.   Sasha will make sure Caitlin’s wedding is as beautiful and perfect as she is.  Won’t she?  Your worst nightmare?   But Sasha is growing tired of always being in Caitlin's shadow  - always the bridesmaid, never the bride.  And as the big day approaches, cracks begin to appear between the two woman.  Secrets and lies swirl between the two friends like confetti. Both of them are hiding dark secrets, both of them are lying.    Could the secrets that once bound these two friends, rip them apart for good? Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3uuVmh7

Author Bio: Nina Manning studied psychology and was a restaurant-owner and private chef (including to members of the royal family). She is the founder and co-host of Sniffing The Pages, a book review podcast. Her debut psychological thriller, The Daughter in Law, was a bestseller in the UK, US, Australia and Canada. She lives in Dorset. Social Media Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninamanningauthor1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/ninamanning78 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninamanning_author/ Newsletter Sign Up Link: http://bit.ly/NinaManningNewsletter Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nina-manning

 

Both of you- Adele Parks- general fiction/ mystery/thriller

Leigh had almost given up hope of finding a partner or having a family so

a chance encounter with Mark and his two young sons led to marriage

and Leigh being happier than she ever could have expected. When she

leaves for work Monday to Thursday as normal and there is no

communication as normal, Mark to begin with isnt suspicious as they

had  a bit of a spat and thought she was sulking. When Thursday came

around and still no Leigh, he had to report her as missing. Kai lives

with her Dutch husband Daan and leads a luxurious lifestyle not too

far away from Leigh. She spends some of the week away looking after

her elderely mother. Both women have very suddenly disappeared.

Are the two cases connected ? We get chapters from a woman

who is being held captive not quite knowing why or how she was

taken and most importantly who. She gets occasional typed notes

pushed through the door. A read where one minute you like the

character and the next chapter are thinking “ what? why'' ? 

A very well written book to engage and keep the pages turning.

There is the mention of the forthcoming lockdown (the first book

I’ve come across so far with this in ) which did make me wonder

how the characters would react. A very well thought out plot and

one that kept me in suspense. Clever. 

-For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

 

The Summer Seekers- Sarah Morgan-Contemporary fiction

One of my top reads of 2021. Kathleen is eighty and wants to do Route 66 across

America. Her daughter Liza is aghast at this and would rather she think about

sheltered accommodation. Martha is living back at home after an acrimonious

divorce and the little confidence she did have has now very much been shelved

, not assisted by her mother who not only thinks that the sun shines out of

Martha's sister but that Martha always makes bad choices- bourne out now by

her lack of job and marriage. The two meet up after Kathleen advertises for a

driver- something Martha can do but again is very unsure about. The result is

a symbiotic relationship where each is good for the other once they get to know

one another. I loved this early on- there is something about Kathleen for all

her foibles that you can't help but take to. A woman who has seen life and

hindsight being that wonderful thing that it is can pass on her advice rather

than criticism which is all Martha has sadly ever had. Kathleen has her own

issues with Liza and for once Liza has taken her advice to get away for a

while to put her own life into perspective rather than run around after two

ungrateful, spoilt daughters and a busy husband whilst putting herself last.

  A book that is life affirming and one with lots of good advice in it: “ There

are no bad decisions, just your decisions which may not be those of others”

and “ I think in life we tend to regret the things we don’t do more than

the things we do” . I found this heartwarming and thought provoking

in a very good way. A truly wonderful read, a tonic, a pick-me-up and

a smile. 10* if I could

The Secretary by Catherine Hokin - Historical fiction

A fascinating, very interesting read. Magda works in a factory as a secretary.

This is pre-war Germany. When she is picked to be the Boss’s P.A- the

position she has always coveted she is thrilled. What she’s not so thrilled

about is to see the lapel pin Walther wears. Forward to the 1970’ss and

Nina, Magda’s granddaughter finds a drawing of a house which when

Magda sees it she visibly pales. Magda and her family are now in East

Germany. Those of us old enough remember the wall (the “ Anti faschist

barrier”) coming down but perhaps few realised or remember quite what

life was like for those on the other side. The late 1980’s is not that far

back. East Germany (officially the GDR- the German Democratic Republic)

a part of the eastern bloc existed from 1949 to 1990 and was a

Dictatorship/ Socialist state. Food was short and shops ran by the

government who tried to substitute products when they weren't

available. Alternate chapters tell of Magda working and Nina growing

up in the two respective time periods and then coming together

towards the end. Wow! A very moving account of life in both a war

time and an Eastern bloc regime. I was stunned, I was gripped, I was

very moved. Magda and Nina are both very endearing having similar

qualities of doing what is right and dogged tenacity and determination

against all odds. A treasure of a read, an informative one and one

to capture the imagination. 

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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Book Description:

The Tower House. Down a secluded path, hidden by overgrown vines, the crumbling villa echoes with memories. Of the family who laughed and sang there, until the Nazis tore them from their home. And of the next woman to walk its empty rooms, whose courage in the face of evil could alter the course of history…

Germany 1940. As secretary to the leader of the SS, Magda spends her days sending party invitations to high-ranking Nazis, and her evenings distributing pamphlets for the resistance. But Magda is leading a dangerous double life, smuggling secrets out of the office. It’s a deadly game, and eventual exposure is a certainty, but Magda is driven by a need to keep the man she secretly loves safe as he fights against the Nazis…

Forty years later. Nina’s heart pounds as she steps into an uncertain future carrying a forged passport, a few bank notes, and a scribbled address for The Tower House taken from an intricate drawing she found hidden in her grandmother’s wardrobe. Separated from her family and betrayed by her country, Nina’s last hope is to trace her family’s history in the ruins of the past her grandmother ran from. But, when she finally finds the abandoned house, she opens the door to a forgotten story, and to secrets which will change everything: past, present, and future…

A poignant and gripping novel about bravery, loss and redemption during the Second World War. An unputdownable read for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, We Were the Lucky Ones and The Alice Network.

Author Bio:

Catherine Hokin is the author of two World War Two inspired novels set in Berlin, her favourite city. Following a History degree at Manchester University she worked in teaching, marketing and politics, while waiting for a chance to do what she really wanted which was to write full time. Her short stories have been published by iScot, Writers Forum and Myslexia magazines and she was the winner of the 2019 Fiction 500 Short Story Competition. She is a lover of strong female leads and a quest.

Catherine now lives in Glasgow with her American husband. She has two grown-up children – one of whom lives, very conveniently, in Berlin – and a life long addiction to very loud music.

https://www.catherinehokin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/cathokin/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

https://twitter.com/cathokin

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2Rjk594

Apple: https://apple.co/3e3JVa5

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3q9hmKL

Google: https://bit.ly/3bbcEYY

 The Autumn Tree- Tony Forder- Crime

“When dark desires have no limitations, anything is fair game.”

D.I Bliss at his finest. The body of a young woman has been found in

Cambridgeshire which is off Jimmy’s patch. He is called in and an NCA

person is also there which arouses his suspicions. Jimmy has been

temporarily downgraded to DS after an issue on another case and the

men he meets at the body are suspicious of his motives as a business

card of his with his writing on the back was found in what looks like

the girl's belongings. One of Jimmy’s previous cases was of trafficking

young women and he and his team saved some from certain death

being trapped in a container. Could this latest victim be a link to

further organised crime? This is the 8th Bliss book

and would stand alone although some nuances may be missed

if the others haven’t been read- which I highly recommend-

all 5* from me- who doesn't love a bit of Bliss?

There is a depth, an almost intimacy of knowing Bliss that

skilled writing makes you invested and care what happens to him.

He has personality, he has profundity- he can be a complicated

being and can also give you laugh out loud moments- a true

brilliance of crafted plotted writing. A sidekick in Penny Chandler

who says it as it is which brings out the true Bliss. A more

personal Jimmy this time, some of his layers slightly uncovered

but still the heart of a true gentleman, my avuncular friend.

Blissful brilliance, what more need I say? :) 

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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The Autumn Tree, by Tony J Forder, is the ninth book in the DI Jimmy Bliss series, but is the eighth full-length novel – December 2020’s Bliss Uncovered being a prequel novella. The Bliss series has seen the development of not only the lead character, but also the likes of DS Penny Chandler, DS Olly Bishop (Bish), DCs Hunt, Ansari and Gratton, as well as the much missed Mia Short. DCI Diane Warburton and Detective Superintendent Marion Fletcher remain in charge of the Major Crimes Unit at the Thorpe Wood police station in Peterborough.

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After a young woman is found strangled to death, Bliss is called to the scene. When he learns that one of his business cards was found among the victim's clothing, and he is told what was written on the back of it, Bliss is immediately troubled. The card was one of five he handed out to trafficked young women he and his team had previously rescued from a shipping container. When he sees the victim, Bliss realises she was not one of those saved that day. So whose card does she have? Any why? And is it connected to her murder? The murder investigation proves to be more complex and challenging than the team could possibly have imagined. But just as they think they have it figured out, they learn that depravity has no boundaries... Top tag: DI Bliss returns in another stunning crime thriller. Bottom tag: When dark desires have no limitations, anything is fair game. BIO AND LINKS BIO Tony J Forder is the author of the bestselling DI Bliss crime thriller series. The first seven books, Bad to the Bone, The Scent of Guilt, If Fear Wins, The Reach of Shadows, The Death of Justice, Endless Silent Scream, and Slow Slicing, were joined in December 2020 by a prequel novella, Bliss Uncovered. The series now continues with, The Autumn Tree, scheduled for release on 24 May 2021. Tony’s other series – two action-adventure novels featuring Mike Lynch – comprises both Scream Blue Murder, and Cold Winter Sun. These books were republished in April 2021. In addition, Tony has written two standalone novels: a dark, psychological crime thriller, Degrees of Darkness, and a suspense thriller set in California, called Fifteen Coffins, released in November 2020. Tony lives with his wife in Peterborough, UK, and is now a full-time author. He is currently working on the first book of an intended new crime series, whose working title is The Huntsmen.

Links

Website: https://www.tonyjforder.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonyjforder/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonyJForder @TonyJForder

Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/B01N4BPT65

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16166122.Tony_J_Forder

Fantastic Fiction: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/f/tony-j-forder/

Tony can also be found on Instagram.

 

The Nurse- J.A Corrigan-psychological thriller

“When you hear her story, will you believe her?”

Rose is in prison having admitted to murder. She apparently killed someone

on the ward she was working on as a nurse although her family still think

this unlikely. Theo is a true crime author and wants to tell Rose’s story. He

is down on his luck and needs a good story to sort himself out. He

interviews Rose and her mother and he is struck by something not quite

right. Chapters vary from Rose being at medical school where she was

originally training as a doctor to present day and Theo investigating.

Theo finds that Rose had a relationship years before with the father

of the man she apparently killed and that her mother indirectly worked

for him at the private hospital he ran. As Rose tells her story things

twist and turn and I was totally drawn in. One to set your mind racing

and one to ponder. Of the past and misfortune, of deceiving and

believing. A clever. very well thought out and researched plot and

one that had me not quite sure whom to believe. 

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The Nurse by J.A. Corrigan #TheNurse @juliannwriter @canelo_co @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours .  https://www.instagram.com/corriganjulieann Book Blurb: When you hear her story, will you believe her? Rose Marlowe is a hard-working nurse, a loving wife, and a merciless killer. Or so she says. Despite her confession, it is hard to believe that this beautiful, kind woman could have killed her vulnerable patient in cold blood. Down-on-his luck author and ex-journalist, Theo Hazel, is convinced that there’s more to what happened than Rose is telling, and so decides to visit her behind bars to write her story. His first surprise comes when Rose reveals that the victim was not a stranger to her. As time goes on, it seems that Rose is letting Theo see behind her perfect mask. With each new visit, he learns terrible new things about her heart-breaking past. With each new visit, he becomes more and more convinced that she can’t be a killer. But is he trying to free an innocent woman, or falling prey to a calculating murderer? A gripping and unputdownable thriller that will keep you guessing into the early hours of the morning. Perfect for fans of The Silent Patient, Shari Lapena and JP Delaney. About J.A. Corrigan: Julie-Ann Corrigan was born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. She studied in London, completing a BA (Hons) Humanities degree, majoring in Modern History and English Literature. Travelling in Europe for several years, she taught in both Greece and Spain – countries and cultures she found fascinating. On return to the UK she gained a BSc (Physiotherapy), becoming a Chartered Physiotherapist. She lives in Berkshire with her family.

Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliannwriter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacorrigan Website: http://jacorrigan.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juleshayes6/ Purchase Links: Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3xbd5eR Kobo: https://bit.ly/3eqQ6DK NOOK: https://bit.ly/3ncdSYf Hive.co.uk: https://bit.ly/3v9WV3l

Publishing Information: Published in paperback and digital formats by Canelo on 20th May 2021

Crime in the Kitchen

 

CRIME IN THE KITCHEN by Catherine Moloney- Crime        

A teacher is found dead in her kitchen when her friend goes in to feed her cat.

Jayne Padgett had recently been on a TV programme to find her birth mother

as she was adopted. With finding the mother she also found two half sisters

who it appears were not best pleased to find another sibling. Detective

Markham and Noakes are likeable down to earth investigators who yet again

have the school as the focus. (this is part of a series- book 12-  but happily

stands alone- I hadn't read the others- that said I guess some background

to some of the main characters would appeal more if the others had been

read). When the killer strikes again, they have their work cut out, but who

is targeting the women and why? An interesting read of a village here

everyone knows everyone else- but not everything about them as some

secrets are well kept. Of an un-pc detective who can bring out of people

details others struggle with and brings a smile/grimace at the same time.

I also smiled at the nod to Jessica Fletcher with Cabot court. A cozy crime

of sorts with plenty to keep the grey matter active. 

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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CRIME IN THE KITCHEN a fiercely addictive mystery (Detective Markham Mystery and Suspense Book 12) TIDY SERIAL KILLER? Jayne Padgett is a beloved teacher who’d do anything for her kids. So how does she end up dead, neatly posed at her kitchen counter? She was strangled and forced to drink bleach. And, stranger still, the killer tried to clear up the mess afterwards. Despite being a favourite with her students, there’s no shortage of suspects: Teachers with grudges. Parents who thought she was meddling. Half-sisters. An ex-husband. The on-again-off-again boyfriend. AND THEN ANOTHER MURDER WITH THE SAME M.O. — IS SOMEONE CLEANING UP THE TOWN? Detectives Markham and Noakes might just have a serial killer on their hands. What readers are saying about CATHERINE MOLONEY: “Gripped from the start!” Curly “A beautifully crafted book coming to a resolute finish.” Rob “Utterly believable characters, beautifully described.” Jacqueline Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Clare Chase, Betty Rowlands, P.D. James, Ruth Rendell or Richard Osman. DISCOVER A BRILLIANT NEW BRITISH CRIME MYSTERY SERIES THE DETECTIVES DI GILBERT (“GIL”) MARKHAM DI Markham is a startlingly talented detective rising through the ranks of Bromgrove CID. He is distant and austere — the product of a profoundly difficult childhood — but has a natural magnetism which inspires loyalty. He clashes with his slippery boss, DCI Sidney, who prioritizes the force’s public image. DS GEORGE (“NOAKESY”) NOAKES DS Noakes is a slobbish, uncouth and outspoken Yorkshireman, an object of despair to his superiors. He is, however, also a man of hidden depths, with a sensitive streak and a secret flair for ballroom dancing. Markham sees through his philistinism and they form an unstoppable partnership. DETECTIVE INSPECTOR GILBERT MARKHAM SERIES Book 1: CRIME IN THE CHOIR Book 2: CRIME IN THE SCHOOL Book 3: CRIME IN THE CONVENT Book 4: CRIME IN THE HOSPITAL Book 5: CRIME IN THE BALLET Book 6: CRIME IN THE GALLERY Book 7: CRIME IN THE HEAT Book 8: CRIME AT HOME Book 9: CRIME IN THE BALLROOM Book 10: CRIME IN THE BOOK CLUB Book 11: CRIME IN THE COLLEGE Book 12: CRIME IN THE KITCHEN

 

Lost Property - Helen Paris- General fiction

Dot works at TFL lost property office and has done so for more years than she

can care to remember. They keep things for 3 months and get more than

most would imagine through their doors. Who loses an artificial leg, a

grandfather clock and various bits of ephemera? The other part of her life was

caring for her mother who is now in a home and Dot lives in her apartment

having moved in when her mother needed help. Mr Appleby has been to the

lost property office a few times looking for his wifes bag which has not yet

appeared. Dot feels for him and tells him that it's still early days and could

still be handed in, when in reality she knows that there is little hope of it

arriving after all this time. When the bag arrives, Dot makes it her mission

to return it and meanwhile her own life changes.

I loved reading this- it came with a smile and a little side of poignant at

times. Dot is although quiet, in her own way a larger than life character

but hasn’t quite found her way of showing it- perhaps there’s that

something in all of us? One to reflect on one's own childhood and

parentage. Of hope and loss, of joy and tears.  A different read in a

very good way. One life- live it.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog