Nicki's book blog

  These are my top reads of the year. Those that have had that extra special something. They are in the order that I read them with my top book of the year. Links to the full review is under the title of each one. A huge thank you to all the authors for such brilliant reads that take my head away to a happy place.  ------------------------------------------- 1. Maybe Its About Time by Neil Boss    Nicki's book blog: Maybe Its About Time (nickibookblog.blogspot.com)    A very well thought out, cleverly crafted plot makes this very appealing and I found myself smiling just thinking about it. A stunning debut novel I can't recommend enough 2. The Viaduct By Stewart Giles Nicki's book blog: The Viaduct (nickibookblog.blogspot.com) A book I just have to give my special 5**- those that blow me away and have that something extra. Wow doesn't cover this. I'm stunned.  3. Death Warning by Andrew Barrett  Nicki's book blog: Death Warning (nickibookblog.blogspot.com) A stu

In the Shadows by Tara Lyons- Crime  A murder has taken place of a young woman and DI Hamilton is called in to investigate. It's rather odd as all her belongings are found nearby so it's easy to identify who she is. All clues lead nowhere, and then there is another one. The link appears to be a theatre. Meanwhile Grace is having nightmares not helped by the alcohol she loves so much. She sees about the murders and realises that she knew the victims. Could she be next? I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's a great premise and the start of a series with characters starting to show their personalities. In parts it's chilling with the tension very cleverly built between the pages. A stunning page turner of a read.  For more reviews please follow me on Twitter or Threads @nickisbookblog -----------------------------

  THE BRITTANY MURDERS by Anne Penketh- cozy crime A group of friends, all expats, get together to arrange the local pantomime in a village in France. A short while later it is noticed that one hasn't returned from nipping outside. Further investigation finds him dead in the fish pond- what on earth has happened? Jennifer, Jonathan and their family have not long lived here and are trying to make a new life, despite their marital issues. Pippa is also starting anew, she is about to open a boulangerie- an English woman opening a bakery in France is a brave step to take. She is already trying the locals out on curry- something that is rather an anathema over there. When more people are killed what is the village coming to? Could it be that someone is against the Brits or is the wind farm to blame? I very quickly took to this, it's a lovely easy read set around Christmas with a light-hearted feel. My only complaint is that I felt hungry reading about all the wonderful bakes! (I

  The Trial by Rob Rinder- crime Loved this! A crime book from the perspective of a pupil barrister working towards a hopeful tenancy- one potential place and two candidates. A well known DI, a supposed hero from his work as seen on TV, has been murdered by poisoning and his nemesis has been out of prison for a fortnight. Strangely they met up for a drink, and hence the opportunity could have presented itself. Adam, the pupil, sees something in the accused that he saw in his father who sadly died before his trial for a crime he was surely innocent of. Can Adam make sure that justice is done when the rest of chambers and the world think the case is hopeless to defend? Oh wow! I was hoping that I would enjoy this as I like books with a courtroom setting and most certainly wasn't disappointed. Rob Rinder is everything I could have hoped for in an author and more- his talent shines through sparklingly. It's gripping, it's clever, it's quite unique in many ways being led by

  The Sisters By Ruth O’Neill- psychological thriller Ava has just begun a relationship with Joel and can’t believe her luck. He appears to be very attentive, thoughtful and kind, just what she needs, until he begins to get a little controlling in some aspects. She also finds her sister Tanya popping up whenever she and Joel are together and finds Tanya flirting with him. Ava has another sister, her twin named Belle and the three sisters have a trip away planned, one it appears that Joel is keen to hijack and come with them when it was meant to be a bonding time for the busy girls. When the trip becomes something Ava could never have imagined, can she get herself and her sisters out safely and what on earth is going on? This is a cleverly written psychological thriller where one minute there’s a budding romance with a possible interloper and the next- bang! Something way, way different and the whole thing has spun on its axis. I won’t say too much so as not to spoil the impact. It'

  Death at the Dog Show  by Peter Boland - Crime Dog-lovers, please note none of our furry friends die in this book. When a woman collapses at a dog show it is first thought that she has had a heart attack. The ladies from “Dogs Need Nice Homes” charity shop are there at their stall and soon get a visit from the local police who advise that it's looking like murder. As the ladies have rather a reputation for solving crime they set to investigating. The thing is they are better placed having been at the scene than the police as in the middle of a field there is no CCTV and little to go on, most things having been bought with cash so nothing is traceable. Who could have wanted the woman dead, how and why? I adore this series- this book does stand alone. It's brilliantly written with wonderful characters, I can’t help but smile as I'm writing this. Peter has a special talent for making the characters leap off the page as if they are old friends. Partial Sue is a particular fav

  A Festive Verisimilitude. London, Christmas and the Devil returns By Paul R Stanton. Seasonal fiction   I love Paul’s books. There is something so wonderful, so simple in the premise ensconced cleverly in an evocative story. To me Paul is a modern day Charles Dickens. There’s that skill of the wordsmith that draws the reader in and puts them in the heart of the tale. Set in London this tells of the Devil's walk shortly before Christmas  encountering different folk as he goes. I won’t spoil anything by saying too much, other than expect the unexpected. It's clever and so very well crafted. This would make a perfect seasonal gift and although set at Christmas could be read at any time of year as it's a tour around the capital and possibly one of your thoughts simultaneously. Each chapter is one encounter and a story in itself so easily picked up over a coffee or two- that is if you can resist the next chapter! I smiled my way through this, one I wanted to last like a good w

  The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh- women's fiction Hattie was married to Geoffrey for forty nine years. Now he’s gone she has finally realised that it’s her time. Geoffrey wasn't a nice man to the point that family and friends wouldn't visit because of him and Hattie now wonders how she put up with him for so long. She is slowly changing her mindset and looking forward to doing all the things she wasn't able to previously because of his harsh criticisms. One day her sister Bunty arrives, suitcase in hand- she’s left her husband and wants to stay for a while to sort herself out. When it turns out that Bunty isn’t quite telling the whole story, Hattie ups and leaves to go to her brother Robert’s. Robert has been single all his life and loves his animals, gardening and baking which appears to attract the ladies of the village he lives in. Maybe baking could lead to romance finally, but he wants someone to love him for him and not just his scones. When there is a

  How Not To Murder Your Ex by Katie Marsh- cozy crime   Clio hates her ex-husband. He’s annoying, he’s left her homeless and skint and everything in between and she’s had enough. She spends a night out with her friends and can’t remember much of it. She wakes up in the morning and finds her ex on the doorstep, only he's dead. Very dead. It's not a secret how much she loathed him and this would make her the prime suspect. She rallies a couple of her friends and they try to make a plan as they have to find out who really did it to save Clio from going to prison for something she perhaps wished for but most certainly did not do. Who really did want him dead and why? This is a fun read right the way through with twists and turns to keep the plot moving nicely. I'm smiling while writing this. Clio and her friends are slightly (but believable) larger than life characters who want to do the best for everyone, and do their level best to investigate what is happening. Alternate cha

  The Embers of Summer by J.R Sinclair- Crime When a man's body is found handcuffed to the steering wheel of his luxury car in his showroom completely burnt out DI Joseph Stone knows it's murder. He has an inkling through a contact that the man has links to a large organised crime syndicate which could take the investigation in a different direction. Joseph’s ex wife Kate has been investigating this and has already received a threatening email from the group. Could it be that the victim got on the wrong side of them or are there more fingers in the pie than at first glance? Oh boy! This is a really gripping read, real life disappeared as I did so into the pages. I learnt a few things on the way (thank you!): Never EVER eat a chocolate cornflake cake without knowing and trusting the baker (read and you’ll understand why- bleurgh is all I'm saying) and that there is a gin made from milk- who knew? There’s a sense of humour which is wonderful and various mentions of food due