Nicki's book blog

  Being Netta Wilde by Hazel Ward -contemporary fiction Annette has been made redundant and her friend persuades her to help out at a food bank- the last thing she really wants to do. All she longs to do is hide from the world and people in particular. Her son and daughter take her for granted and are busy with their own lives and live with her husband. Through doing this she finds more than she ever imagined- friendship, purpose and a routine she loves. Not everything is about money- her husband (who she is separated from) and children wanting her to find a new job so she can support their lifestyles- her husband doesnt work “ as he’s an artist”- something that grates with Netta. A wonderful life affirming read of not being taken for granted and being out done. Of coercive control and subservience to becoming the butterfly you once dreamt of being but sadly became stuck in the chrysalis. Of how friends, jam and a dog can make the world go around and bring out your true colours ...

  Dark Days for the Tobacco Girls by Lizzie Lane Historical fiction (WW2) World war two and the Tobacco girls are living a strange life. Three young women- Bridget Milligan, Maisie Miles and Phyllis Mason   (the 3M’s) living in and around Bristol whose lives have changed drastically with rationing, air raids, loss of life and all that war brings. Bridget's large family have been moved to a safer haven albeit not together as there are so many of them and Phyllis is having to suffer her mother in law whilst pregnant and waiting for her husband to return. Bridget met Lyndon, an American whose family owns the Tobacco factory but he has now returned to the states and she longs to hear from him but when she visits her evacuated family,  she meets a very close lookalike and her family are hiding most of the letters Lyndon has been sending. This is a nostalgic read, evocative of the era and the hardships ordinary people went through not so very long ago but seems a world...

  Dead Sorry (Calladine & Bayliss book 11)- Helen Durrant- Crime         Many years ago a young girl was viciously attacked with a hammer. Present day and her mother is found dead and there are links to another murder at the time of the attack. DI Tom Calladine and his sidekick Ruth are on the case however Tom has his own issues. His grand-daughter is in danger from an old adversary who wants Tom on side and his cousins wife is out of prison and wants to stay with him- otherwise she will take Sam, the dog he has grown very fond of. I really enjoy this series- it's more than “just” a crime/detective book. There is a warmth and depth of character which comes to life through the pages- to me the sign of a skilled writer and you feel that camaraderie with them. This is part of a series and would probably stand alone however some of the subplots/character threads may not make sense. Tom is struggling with his home life (or lack of?) and his health and work is...

  Deadly secrets - Gordon Bickerstaff - Thriller Wow! Where to begin? A book of corporate deceit and inner wheels having effects on so many. Gavin is working on a food product from fish that could well change the industry forever. Biochemical research with industry and a whole lot more ramifications. When something is so revolutionary,  word gets out and those with a whole lot of both money and power are out to seize it and not necessary in a legal or trustworthy way.. This is my first book by this author and I’m blown away. Although fiction there is detail which has had to be researched to the nth degree and is very well put across. Despite being a multi- faceted plot this is very easy to follow and unlike many books I didn't have to stop and think “ just who is this person?” at any time. For me this would make a very good, engaging TV series. Thriller as a genre almost doesn't do this justice in a good way. There are twists and turns, sharp ones at times so cleverly cr...

  THE SILENT LISTENER by Lyn Yeowart-psychological thriller Set in three timelines this takes us to the backwoods of Australia. In 1983 Joy returned to the family farm to care for her dying father- a father who ruled the roost with his temper, his belt and his love of God. An elder at the church and a very respected member of the community. In the  1940’s George has just met his wife Gwen and rules are being laid down from the get-go. His tea has to be on time, her spending has to be exact and all accounted for and there are no other rules but his rules anything less results in punishment- often of the violent kind. In the 1960’s the family was growing up around this monster of a man. This isn't an easy read especially for anyone having had a domineering parent but although fiction this may enlighten some as to how some people lived and not just way back when. Joy managed to move away to make her own life. Her sister Ruth having had an accident was the favourite and ne...

  Murder on the Beach-Daisy White (Chloe Canton mysteries book 2) We are back on the gorgeous island of Bermuda at the stables where Chloe is now settling in. She gets a call from an old friend who wants to borrow one of her horses as part of a celebrity wedding which is being arranged rather hastily. The bride has had a stalker in the past and even before they arrive there is a disturbing flower arrangement sent to the happy couple. Chloe then spots someone on the beach- a body connected to the wedding. As the threats continue Chloe is also bothered by her ex- husband being on the island- he is a journalist and is wanting her to give him gossip about the couple - Chloe won’t even speak to him. Although the second in a series this will happily stand alone- but why missout on another excellent read? (first one- Murder on the Island) I really enjoy this series- the descriptions of the settings and the horses are superb and really  take you away to a wonderful beach.Chloe...

  Hairpin Bridge by Taylor Adams - crime thriller One book-four characters- one of whom is already dead. Three months ago Lena’s twin sister Cambry was found dead, looking like suicide having thrown herself off a bridge on a disused road. Lena is convinced that she would never have done that. Although they had been estranged for a year, her twin was someone she knew inside out. She arranges to meet the highway patrolman who discovered the body at the bridge and find out more, much more than she ever anticipated. Wow! I was very quickly drawn into this, it is brilliantly written and a real page turner. Alternate chapters give us Cambray’s last hours then with Lena at the bridge and Lena’s diary. A simple concept on the surface but an ingenious, very well thought out plot. Part reminded me of “ Duel” the old Dennis Weaver film for those old enough to remember it. A stunning read and one very much to remember. For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot...

  The Perfect Stepmother- Karen King -Psychological thriller Lily lost her mother less than a year ago to cancer. Her father and small sister Emma live a short distance from Lily and her boyfriend Seb. When her mother was ill, she really enjoyed treatments from Maria who own s a beauty salon and does free treatments for cancer patients once a week. Lily sees Maria rather closer to her father than just a friend. When things move rather faster than Lily would like she is protective over not only her father but little Emma too but does realise that life moves on and her father is entitled to his own life and relationship. Maria is overly protective of Emma, something Lily quickly picked up on and when Maria goes white when a strange note is hand delivered, Lily wants to find out more about Marias past life- she has said nothing about family or even friends. We begin with Emma supposedly in the garden and then chapters work back from Lily seeing her father with Maria to when...