Nicki's book blog

  Behind The Seams- Esme Young- autobiography  I'm not really a sewer but have mended and done the odd adjustment. The Sewing Bee drew me in as it was fascinating, the skill of the contestants quite something. I loved Esme from when she first appeared as she had that certain something, the wherewithal of someone who has been around the block and can spot a mistake from three fields away! When I learnt of the book it had to be on my Christmas list and didn't disappoint. Its Esme's life story- how she found fashion and probably more like how it found her, having done graphic design as her main subject. Yes there are the occasional names thrown in- but go girl! Throw them and be proud! . In an unforgiving industry when you are asked to make clothes for a someone then be justifiably proud. A story of a very hard working lady whom I admire. Her tenacity and determination are admirable. Loved it.  For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog _____________________

  THE LIBRARIAN by Stewart Giles- Crime There's a serial killer on the loose and DS’ Smith and Whitton recognise some of the scenes. They are copies of some of the cases they have investigated, some being rather too close to home for comfort. When a young woman is killed an elderly lady asks to see Smith. She has hyperthymesia- a special sort of memory- and instantly recognises this as a copy of an earlier murder just from the news reports. She used to be a librarian and her house is testament to this, containing a staggering number of books and a couple of hairy friends for company! Smith thinks she could be just the resource they are looking for. I love Stewarts books and devour them only to be disappointed that I get to the end- I really don’t want them to finish despite wanting to know what happens- argh! There's a warmth of characters despite the situation they find themselves in. They come across as if they are neighbours and friends. That said I really wouldn't want

  ********************My books of the year 2022**************** These are my top reads of the year in the order I read them. Those that achieved my 5** rating- the ones that touched me or blew me away for one reason or another. These are around 7% of the total reads.  1. Little Viking Horse by Catherine Holland Bax- Childrens Although a children's book I believe adults will enjoy it too. We all can learn a little about the magic of animals and that special bond that there can be between us and them.  Nicki's book blog (nickibookblog.blogspot.com) 2.  You only Live Thrice- Karl Perry- Autobiography/medical bio Oh wow! A book of hope amid despair, of humour and of making the most of things. My mantra has always been “ one life- live it” which this reflects so much. I may well re-read this when I need a tonic. I laughed, I cried, I loved it (can you tell?) :)  “ Smile my boy, its Sunrise”  Nicki's book blog: You Only Live Thrice (nickibookblog.blogspot.com) 3. The Right W

  A Gift Called Hope - Eva Jordan- Women's Fiction I bought this having been attracted to the cover and the title, I needed a little hope as perhaps do we all at times. I've read Eva's books before so was hoping I would enjoy it as much as the others and I wasn't disappointed. Its a story of Jill who lives with her young grandson Jack junior after his father has passed away and his mother is unable to cope. Her own marriage to Jack senior broke down following the tragedy. Jill has tried to make a new life by moving away and doing something she always wanted to do- a food van- which has given her a new lease of life and new friends through the interaction with her customers. When Jack Juniors mother appears back on the scene, Jill worries that she isn't good for Jack junior and blames her for the death of her son.  Eva has a rare skill of writing. Yes its a story but there is much philosophy woven through the pages which we can all learn from. I found myself stopping

  Smith- Stewart Giles -Crime Oh what a read! this is the first in the DS Smith series, one I joined part way through and am now catching up. Its a stunner of a read and gives us Smith's background beginning in Australia and losing his sister. Smith and DC Whitton and team have a case of murder where Smith is convinced that the man in the spotlight is innocent but doesn't quite know how to go about proving it. We learn of his talent for his guitars and the beginning of his relationship with Whitton and of course Theakston!  A wonderful captivating read by a very talented author. I love Stewart's books- there is always a comfort about them despite the subject matter, of a warmth of characters and a plot that draws the reader in very quickly. Smith is almost a friend if that makes sense- he's someone you know you could rely on but heaven help you if you get on the wrong side of him. A wonderfully entertaining 5* read. I'm off to start the next one!  For more reviews p

  Bad Blood - Sadie Ryan -Crime Sean is visiting his rather wayward brother in the USA who hates him as their father left his house to Sean only. Sean and his wife both work at the local GP practice. One of the local police nips to some bushes for an urgent call of nature and discovers more than he anticipated- a body. It is later discovered that the marks on this are similar to those on another woman who was found several months ago. Frances is finally going to meet the man she has been chatting to on Tinder. She has found herself quite lonely and the man says he is quite famous and divorcing his wife so not to say anything to anyone about it lest it leak out. Her friend warns her about what he could be like but Frances isn't having any of it and takes the afternoon of work to get ready. When her friend returns from a few days away and Frances is nowhere to be found warning bells start ringing and she does her best to convince the police that Frances really has gone missing. Who c

  The Charity Shop Detective Agency by Peter Boland- Cosy Crime One of my books of the year 10* if I could. On arriving at the charity shop where she works Fiona sees her rival Sophie from the cat's protection shop across the road putting a box of donations on their ever-burgeoning pile outside her own shop. On a closer inspection she sees a knife covered in what looks like blood. She calls the police who take it and the box away for closer examination. When someone they know is later found dead by her delivery man, Fiona and her friends get into action to bring the perpetrator to justice and so the charity shop detective agency is born. This is such a clever and well thought out concept. Three ladies seemingly inconspicuous because of their age get up to all sorts of antics to solve the increasing murder rate. I've read the Richard Osman ones and this one for me is better, I smiled more, and the characters come alive so well. There are twists and turns and red herrings and a w

  Graves on the Fen- Joy Ellis- Crime DI Nikki Galena has received a letter “Par Avion” which is rather a blast from the past. In it contains a short but chilling message “You failed me”. What on earth? When a second letter arrives with the name of four local missing women who were never found things are only slightly clearer as Nikki wasn't involved in any of the cases. They are then sent pictures of a “crime scene” containing bones. Meanwhile Nikkis birth mother is out metal detecting and ends up doing what she does best- even more detective work. Who is behind the letters and why target Nikki? I so love Joy’s books; they are a treasure and an honour to read. The characters come across as old friends and a plot so well thought out. A carefully thought-out scenario set in the Lincolnshire fens where the fields go on for miles and there is little unnatural light or even inhabitants in places. A truly wonderful read that kept me engrossed. I really can't get enough of Joy’s bo