Nicki's book blog

  Life, Slightly- Nigel Jay Cooper- Contemporary Fiction Oh wow! A stunning read that may just make you stop and think. Jackie is talking to Gavin, getting him to open up to her about his life as he’s rather melancholy. Gavin thinks Jackie is a stranger, only she knows more about him than he realises. Gavin is married and has an eight year old son. When they were all at school Gavin had a close friend Steve and discovered something he wasn't aware of. Something he has tried to deny ever since but it hasn't gone away which is causing him angst.  There's something special about this book, something I can't quite put my finger on. I liked Gavin and felt for his predicament. It's about life with all its ups and downs and the secrets we keep, sometimes without realising why. Relationships and the complexity therein and being true to ourselves as well as to others. There are plenty of wise words in this book, ones that made me stop, pause the reading and read again to sin

  BEACHY  HEAD by Adam Lyndon- Crime DC Barnes is back after his suspension and there is a surprise or two of the promotion kind for him, much to his amazement. Could this be a poison chalice? He is given a case where a man was hit, went to hospital seemingly ok and then died. Was it manslaughter? In another case where he is to appear at court there is a breakout which is odd as the defendant had a high chance of being acquitted. Why would he break out and did he have help?  These are enjoyable, steady reads where Barnes is a slightly larger than life character and we get much insight into his thought processes. He’s a likeable guy and one you would want on your side and gives the reader the occasional smile. The plot is easy to follow and takes the inevitable twists and turns which kept me between the pages. Its an in depth police procedural which is a wonderful easy read. Highly recommended  -------------------------- BLURB   MEET DETECTIVE RUTHERFORD BARNES IN THIS BRILLIANT NEW CRI

  In the Mood by M W Arnold -Historical crime/Mystery (Broken Wings#4) We are back with the ladies of the Air Transport Auxiliary and one has gone missing whilst in heavy rain and possibly under fire. There's a mystery to unravel and still the war persists. There’s someone new and rather odd at the ladies' favourite chippy and mystery notes are being received and even a threat to Bobby the dog. When gunshots are fired toward the ladies things have to step up rather quickly.   Who is after them and why? I love this series. There's a bit of everything in there- mystery, drama, humour, wonderful characters and a plot line that keeps the reader enthralled all the way through. Mick really has the talent for putting his meticulous research onto the pages and keeping the characters alive around cleverly thought out plots. This is the 4th in the series and whilst would possibly stand along things would make much more sense if read in order- and why miss out on 3 other brilliant rea

  Lost Luggage by Samantha Tonge- literary fiction A real charm of a read. Dolly and her sister Greta used to buy suitcases at auction each Christmas- ones who had not been claimed for over six months. Occasionally they would find some nice clothes and bits, at other times just a load of dirty washing. Since Greta died Dolly hasn't been herself, but now her neighbour Leroy who she gets on well with is leaving for Jamaica and Dolly feels a little left out. She bids for a steamer trunk as it looks different. On arriving home she leaves opening it until Christmas day as was her and Greta’s tradition. When she does she gets rather more than she bargained for and wants to find the owner to return some of the goods. When she finds a notebook of “ firsts” the trunk opens the door to things she would never have dreamed of. She is  egged on by Flo, her young neighbour of eleven, who has promised to widen her own horizons by going to guides as long as Dolly continues with the firsts. This is

  The Father by John Nicholl crime thriller Anthony is now an adult but was sent for “ therapy” to the infamous Dr Galbraith as a child. This has haunted him his whole life and his marriage is now tenuous as well as his heavy drinking- anything to take his head away from the terrible memories. To try and put this to bed, Tony is writing a book about it all and he is interviewing those who knew Dr Galbraith and those around him such as his mother who instigated the treatment believing she was doing the best for her son after her marriage breakdown. What transpires is that Tony's memory was not always accurate- both to the good and the bad. I’ve always enjoyed John’s books. Yes they are sometimes a little dark but knowing his background (both in the police and child protection social worker) I know that although fiction there's a depth of knowledge and maybe even some truth (albeit changed/enlarged)  in what he writes (John does mention based on true events). Although a subject t