Death on Cromer Beach

 

Death on Cromer Beach by Ross Greenwood- Crime 

A woman is walking her dog along the beach when the dog finds two upturned buckets with stones on them. When she takes the stones and buckets off she gets rather more than she bargained for. DS Ashley and new, fast track Hector, and team are assigned to the case. Ashley has passed her inspector exams and is assigned as deputy SIO. Hector, this being his first detective assignment, thinks he knows everything and Ashley is doing her best to gently guide him before he digs himself a hole he can't get out of. The victims are two hippie type characters who would do no harm to anyone. Who would want to do such a heinous crime and why?

I very quickly got into this and I always love Ross’s writing style. Despite the subject matter there is an ease of reading and wonderful character development. I found myself rapidly taking to Ashley and smiling at Hector- to me the skill of a brilliant author. , the two of them making a veritable team. There’s a cracking plot line which has several twists and turns along the way and I found myself reading “just one more chapter…” and another and another. I’m very much looking forward to the next in the series. A wonderful, seaside crime read I can't recommend highly enough. 5*

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Death on Cromer Beach

A brutal double murder on a Norfolk beach horrifies the town of Cromer. The way the victims died is chilling and so Norfolk’s Major Investigation Team task DS Ashley Knight to manage the case. It soon becomes clear that the murders were carefully planned and the finger of suspicion points to an organised crime gang, but as the evidence mounts, a far more sinister theory emerges. Ashley has been allocated a young but opinionated partner in Hector Fade, and sparks soon fly. Annoyingly for Ashley, Hector is no pushover and looks destined for great things. When the pair delve into the case, they struggle to understand who would inflict such suffering on their victims and hope the crime is a one off from a deranged and dangerous individual. But then another body is found. There’s a killer on the loose who wants them to believe that the beach has a memory. They must be caught, or others will meet their end by the sea. Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3X6tT2V

Author Bio – Ross Greenwood is the author of crime thrillers. Before becoming a full-time writer he was most recently a prison officer and so worked everyday with murderers, rapists and thieves for four years. He lives in Peterborough. Social Media Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ross.greenwood.756 Twitter: https://twitter.com/greenwoodross Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossg555/ Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/RossGreenwoodnews Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ross-greenwood

The Scottish Ladies Detective Agency

 

The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency by Lydia Travers- Cozy crime

A book that is a treasure and a pleasure to read. Maud McIntyre has set up her detective agency and her assistant is her former ladies maid Daisy. Their first case takes them to a country house as jewels have been going missing from house parties and the host is keen that this isn't going to happen this time- or if it does Maud and Daisy can hopefully find the perpetrator. When one of the guests is killed Maud wonders if this is above their capabilities but jewels are missing and she and Daisy are right on hand to find the culprits. 

I loved this, I'm smiling as I’m writing this as it's an evocative piece set in 1911 when ladies were just beginning to step out into doing more than being chattels. Maud and Daisy have their wits about them and as lady and maid are perfectly poised to hear any gossip or wrong doings both above and below stairs. There are other small cases and twists and turns making this a page turning wonderful book. There's a slightly whimsical nature to this- in a very good way. It's a warm hearted easy read with descriptions and characters to make the reader smile along the way. Loved it.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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When Maud McIntyre sets up her own private detective agency, she never imagines her first case will involve murder… A mystery in the Highlands? The Scottish Ladies’ Detective Agency is on the case!

Edinburgh, 1911: When Maud McIntyre and her lady’s maid, Daisy, form a detective agency, they never dream their first case will take place at a glamorous house in the Scottish Highlands. But when the Duchess of Duddingston, concerned that a notorious jewellery thief will target her lavish weekend party, employs Maud to go undercover as a guest to find the culprit, the agency has its first case to solve…

Undercover with Daisy as her maid, Maud follows a trail of clues across the Duddingston House estate. And as she meets the weekend guests, she hopes one of them will reveal themselves as the jewellery thief. But when one of the house guests is discovered dead, Maud and Daisy realise they’re not only hunting precious gems, but a murderer…

As Maud and Daisy investigate, they realise that a connection in Edinburgh might hold a vital clue that will help them solve the case. Travelling back to the city, Maud hopes that what she and Daisy uncover will help them piece together the mystery.

But when Maud receives a telephone call from the Duchess requesting urgent assistance, she realises that the murderer didn’t have just one victim in mind. Speeding down the drive to Duddingston House, Maud and Daisy hear gunshots ring out across the estate. Will they reach the Duchess in time to save her? And might they catch the murderer in the act?

A warm page-turning historical whodunnit, perfect for fans of the mysteries of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, T.E. Kinsey and Catherine Coles.

Author Bio:

Lydia Travers was born in London.  She moved progressively north until settling with her husband in a village on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. She has raised children, bred dogs and kept chickens; and for as long as she can remember has written for pleasure. A former legal academic and practitioner with a PhD in criminology, she now runs self-catering holiday accommodation, sings in a local choir and is walked daily by the family dog.

Lydia also writes as Linda Tyler and her first novel under that name, Revenge of the Spanish Princess, won a 2018 Romance Writers of America competition for the beginning of an historical romance. Her second novel The Laird's Secret was Commended in the 2021 Scottish Association of Writers' Pitlochry Quaich competition for the beginning of a romantic novel. Mischief in Midlothian won the 2022 Scottish Association of Writers' Constable Silver Stag trophy. She has had a number of short stories published in magazines, journals and anthologies in the UK, the USA and Australia.

https://www.facebook.com/LindaTylerAuthorScotland

https://twitter.com/LindaTyler100

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Buy Link:

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The Librarian

 

The Librarian by Valerie Keogh-psychological thriller 

Ava works as a librarian at the Tate modern- her dream job. When she is asked out for a drink with her close friend, she is approached by a man who won’t take no for an answer and shouts a threat to her down the street. Ava then remembers, as if she could forget, about a man she knew ten years beforehand, where we are only told that something happened which she feels is her fault. She keeps hearing noises at home which is spooking her rather and when something happens at the gallery she is convinced that the man is carrying out his threat. What on earth is going on and what happened all those years ago?

As with all of Valerie's books I got into this rather quickly and time and real life slipped away from me- to me the sign of a good book and a skilful author. There’s a wonderful tension without anything being obvious to the reader- clever writing indeed. I like Ava and found myself rooting for her. It's clever, it's well thought out and I got to the end rather quickly as I couldn't put it down. A very different read in many ways and one carefully crafted. A stunning, brilliant read. 

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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The Librarian Since that fateful night I have always kept myself to myself. Reserved. Private. Alone. Some people think I am too quiet. That life is passing me by. But I know there is safety in my own company. That no one can hurt me if I don’t let them get too close. Until the day I meet him. A handsome, charming stranger. A chance for me to take a risk…finally? Or a man who threatens everything I’ve worked so hard for? You’ll be sorry… And that’s when my whole life begins to fall apart…. Don't miss the brand new thriller by Valerie Keogh! Perfect for fans of Sue Watson, Shalini Boland and K.L. Slater. Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3XwIaWF

Author Bio – Valerie Keogh is the internationally bestselling author of several psychological thrillers and crime series, most recently published by Bloodhound. She originally comes from Dublin but now livesin Wiltshire and worked as a nurse for many years. Her first thriller for Boldwood will be published in August 2022. Social Media Links – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valeriekeoghnovels Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValerieKeogh1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriekeogh2/ Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/ValerieKeoghNews Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valerie-keogh

The Ex-Wife

 

The Ex Wife by Amanda Ashby & Sally Rigby. Psychological thriller 

Blimey Riley! A page turner and a half! The book begins with Alice being on trial and then takes us back to six months earlier. Alice is divorced from her husband Mark and they have a teenage daughter Cassie. Mark now has a fiancée Norah. Norah has a demon from her past, something she thought she had put behind her. When walking the dog one day Alice sees Norah having what looks like an altercation with a man in the park. Cassie’s boyfriend Scott wants her to go travelling with him for a gap year, only neither of her parents are keen on this and she has no money. Scott appears to them to be a phase hopefully one Cassie will quickly grow out of. Cassie however is convinced she is in love.  Alice has her own secret about Cassie, one she hopes will never be revealed but with Norah and Mark looking at IVF this might just come to light. Norah has been getting messages about her past and being blackmailed to get drugs from  the hospital or Mark will be sent the video and pictures from her past. When Norah is found dead- who has killed her and is Alice really guilty?

Wow! A plot line that sent me reeling in a very good way. I turned faster and some more, rinse and repeat. This is very cleverly and stunningly written- there is a wonderful tension and character building. I liked Alice despite her hang-ups and Cassie was the typical naïve teen thinking they can take on the world- until it hits them in the face. There is a reeling twist and then another- heavens to murgatroyd! I fell off my chair- wow! Didn't see that first one coming. A cracker of a read. Sit down and hold on for the ride!

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The Ex Wife My life was perfect until she came along. Norah. Younger, prettier and about to marry my own ex-husband, they are a walking cliché. I hate her. I hate them both. She’s taken everything from me – my husband, my life, my home - but I refuse to allow her to take Cassie, my beautiful daughter. That's a step too far. Now I’ve discovered that Norah plans to have a baby of her own and that causes me no end of problems. She could destroy everything and reveal my deepest, darkest secrets. That can never be allowed to happen. No matter what it costs… A brand new psychological thriller that will keep you guessing till the end! Perfect for fans of Sue Watson, Nina Manning, Shalini Boland Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3IaIhSM

Author Bio –

Amanda Ashby and Sally Rigby are a crime writing partnership. Both authors live in New Zealand, have been friends for eighteen years and agree about everything (except musicals). They decided to collaborate on a psychological thriller which they then entered into a competition, run by Boldwood, and which they won!

Social Media Links – Amanda: FB - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065224701706 IG: https://www.instagram.com/authoramandaashby/ Sally: FB - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100062304114984 IG: https://www.instagram.com/sally.rigby.author/ Joint IG: https://www.instagram.com/amandarigbybooks/

Murder Amongst the Roses

 

Murder Amongst the Roses by Liz Fielding - Crime

Abby is a gardener and is working on her soon to be ex-husband Howard’s garden when she finds human remains- what looks to be a baby from many years before hand. Her ex who now has a pregnant girlfriend has coerced her into doing the work free of charge so that their son can go on a school trip- something Abby has funded via a family heirloom of his and given back. In the supermarket she bumps into an old school friend Jake who was friends of both her and her husband back in the day, who has now returned to the village. When Howard returns back from his trip with his fiancée, his temper is short on several matters. Shortly afterwards Abby finds him kneeling near the site where she found the bones. On approaching him she finds his throat has been slashed and her spade is lying nearby. There are several people who could have wanted Howard out of the way but who and is this linked to the baby bones?

I really enjoyed this- it's an easy read with some very likeable characters. I quickly took to Abby and Jake and against the very manipulative Howard. There is a wonderful plot line and the pages turned very easily. A wonderful, interesting read that kept me hooked.

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MURDER AMONG THE ROSES by Liz Fielding

DISCOVER YOUR NEW FAVOURITE COZY MURDER MYSTERY

In the peaceful village of Maybridge, you wouldn’t expect to find a dead body

in the rose garden. And certainly not two. Abby Finch is horrified to discover

the bones of a baby long-since buried under a rose bush in the garden of her

soon-to-be ex-husband Howard’s family home. She immediately calls the police

but she can’t get hold of Howard. He’s off on a jolly with the very pregnant

soon-to-be new Mrs Finch. Abby will do whatever it takes to keep things cordial

for the sake of her three children. But when Howard learns the press

have found out, he’s livid. He accuses Abby of sabotaging his fledgling political

campaign. And then, just two days later, Abby finds Howard himself. Lying

dead in the very same rose garden. Throat slashed with her own garden

spade. Now Abby is the prime suspect. Somebody in this quiet village is hiding

a dark secret. And Abby will have to dig deep to uncover the truth.

Fans of Faith Martin, Jane Adams, Frances Evesham, M.C. Beaton,

Clare Chase or Jeanne M.

Dams will love this addictive cozy mystery!

LIZ FIELDING Award winning author Liz Fielding was born with itchy feet. She was working

in Zambia before her twenty-first birthday and, gathering her own special hero

and a couple of children on the way, has lived in Botswana, Kenya and the

Middle East, all of which have provided rich inspiration for her writing.

She has written more than seventy books, several of which have won awards

and sold over 15 million copies. In 2019 she was honoured with the Romantic

Novelists' Association Outstanding Career Award.  She lives in West Sussex.

BOOKS BY LIZ FIELDING: COMING SOON! FOLLOW LIZ ON: TWITTER FACEBOOK BLOG

The Wonderland Murders + Giveaway

 

The Wonderland Murders by Millie Ravensworth -cozy crime + GIVEAWAY ****

A book I loved from the outset and stepped into a wonderful world!

Penny has been asked by her ailing Nan to look after her “Cozy Crafts” shop whilst she recuperates. Penny has recently lost her job in London and so has time on her hands. At the shop she finds her cousin Izzy whom she remembers as being a little odd and full on but soon discovers this is now in a very nice way, she’s just not up to organising things but is second to none with crafts and a sewing machine. Penny drops into the library when exploring the town and comes across some locals. Soon one has been poisoned however he wasn’t popular and Penny’s first impression was rather of a misogynistic bully. Who would want to kill him and why?

This is the first in a series (I’m off to get the rest of them asap). Characters I took to from the outset and wonderful descriptions of a traditional small town and old fashioned shop put the reader right in the heart of things. A wonderful plot line and charismatic scenes made me smile. A treasure of a read , loved it.

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The Wonderland Murders A quirky and funny series for fans of a good mystery and compelling characters. Can you solve the crime before our dressmaking duo? After losing her job at an exclusive London hotel, Penny Slipper is only too happy to help when her grandma asks her to take charge at the Cozy Craft sewing shop in charming rural Suffolk. With cousin Izzy on hand as the expert dressmaker and Penny’s head for business, what can possibly go wrong? But Penny’s in town for less than a day when the local librarian is poisoned and Penny fears she might even be accidentally responsible. Penny and Izzy are forced to turn detectives to uncover the true cause of death, while finishing a costume commission for their first customer. Matters take a further deadly turn when a second body is discovered. Can Penny and Izzy unpick the mysteries of the past and sew the pieces of this puzzle together before it’s too late? If you enjoy fast-paced mysteries, charming country towns and characters who you want to spend hours with then you’re going to love the Cozy Craft Mystery series. Start your next murder mystery adventure today! Purchase Links Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BH13Q1F4 Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BH13Q1F4

The Painted Lobster Murders A quirky and funny series for fans of a good mystery and compelling characters. Can you solve the crime before our dressmaking duo? Penny Slipper runs a sewing shop in the beautiful market town of Framlingham and she’s got her wild and creative cousin, Izzy, to help with the latest dressmaking project. A classic car weekend is coming to town and stylish Fliss Starling wants an outfit that will match her husband’s elegant vintage car. When one of Fliss’s house guests is murdered by a masked intruder, Penny and Izzy have a deadly mystery to solve (as well as a dress to make!). With the aid of a cheeky little corgi dog and handyman Aubrey, they begin to search out the clues to this motor-related murder. But fingers are soon pointing at Penny and Izzy when the intruder’s mask appears to have come from their own shop! And rival shop owner, Carmella, would be delighted to see them take the blame. Can Penny and Izzy stitch the pieces of this puzzle together and find the guilty culprit? If you enjoy fast-paced mysteries, charming country towns and characters who you want to spend hours with then you’re going to love the Cozy Craft Mystery series. Start your next murder mystery adventure today! Purchase Links Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BH14F2P5 Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BH14F2P5 The Sequinned Cape Murders Cozy Craft Mysteries can be read in any order. A funny whodunnit series, full of charming characters and mysteries that will keep you guessing to the very end. Things are going great for Penny Slipper. Running a sewing shop in the middle of the English countryside is like a dream come true and she’s got her colourful cousin Izzy and her corgi, Monty, to keep her entertained. Her grandma’s eightieth birthday is coming up soon and Penny and Izzy are busier than ever, making fancy dress costumes for the party guests. However, Penny’s dream life is thrown into chaos when a murdered woman is found in the bathroom of her cosy flat above the shop. With the doors and the windows all locked, no one can understand how this mystery corpse got there. But things take a further sinister turn when a local shopkeeper is also killed. There’s a murderer on the loose and no one is safe! Can Penny and Izzy uncover the answers and unmask the criminal in their midst? If your ideal book features mystery, friendship, cute romance, even cuter animals, crafting and a big slice of birthday cake then this is the book for you.

Purchase Links Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BH16G6V8 Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BH16G6V8 The Swan Dress Murders Cozy Craft Mysteries can be read in any order. A funny whodunnit series, full of charming characters and mysteries that will keep you guessing to the very end. A wedding is a cause for celebration. Not only do dressmakers Penny and Izzy get an invite to the big day but they have an unusual dress commission to complete for one of the guests. It seems Penny’s only problem is deciding which potential boyfriend to take as her plus-one guest — practical handyman Aubrey or cultured fabric expert Oscar. But bigger problems arise when the maker of the wedding cake is found dead in the grounds of the stately home where the wedding is to take place. And when another key individual in the wedding plans is also murdered, it seems like someone has deadly plans to prevent this marriage. Can Penny and Izzy unravel the mystery and solve this crime before the big day is fatally ruined? If your ideal book features mystery, friendship, cute romance, crafting and a charming rural setting then this is the book for you. Purchase Links Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BH14X68M Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BH14X68M

Giveaway Prize - The Wonderland Murders, a cross stitch book, a floral notepad, a note writing set and a grass bunny. https://kingsumo.com/g/h1kxu9/prize-for-cozy-mysteries-blog-tour (not organised by this blog) Author Bio – Millie Ravensworth writes the Cozy Craft Mystery series of books. Her love of murder mysteries and passion for dressmaking made her want to write books full of quirky characters and unbelievable murders. Millie lives in central England where children and pets are something of a distraction from the serious business of writing, although dog walking is always a good time to plot the next book.  Social Media Links – https://www.facebook.com/MillieRavensworth https://twitter.com/MillieRavensews https://www.instagram.com/millieravensworth/

End Game

 

End Game by Liz Mistry- Crime  

Liz has done it again- a book with a crime seemingly impossible to solve and keep the reader spinning all the way through. DI Nikki Parekh and team are faced with a crime scene where a family have all been murdered whilst sat at a game of monopoly. There is an extra place and game piece. Who is the extra player and why did they all sit there apparently not moving as each of the four were killed? Meanwhile a girl has been abducted and finds herself in a dark, dank room, her clothes changed. She is then led upstairs to a luxury house to who knows what?

OMG! The opening paragraphs are stunning, almost prosaic and within it we get the first crime scenario. I love Nikki and the team and Liz’s writing. There is quickly a drama to draw the reader in and then twists and turns with a double plot, alternate chapters being from the captor of the girl or the girl herself. It’s very cleverly and carefully crafted, done superbly with an easy writing style that meant I didn't want to put the book down. A wonderful tension between the pages and a book I didn't want to end. Stunning, captivating, one heck of a thriller of a read. PS. Please could I have the next one now? 

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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End Game

Four dead bodies. One missing person. Let the game begin.   When an anonymous tip-off leads Detective Nikki Parekh and DS Sajid Malik to the sprawling Salinger estate, Nikki’s senses are on high alert. The brutal murder of all four members of the Salinger family has shocked the sleepy Bradford village to the core.   A mother, father, daughter, and son. . .  all killed in exactly the same way – whilst sat around the coffee table, playing a game of monopoly.   But Nikki notices that there are five pieces on the board. One of the players is missing… Did they manage to escape the killer, or was the killer part of the game? Purchase Links UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/End-Game-absolutely-procedural-Detective-ebook/dp/B0BSWNHX66/ US - https://www.amazon.com/End-Game-absolutely-procedural-Detective-ebook/dp/B0BSWNHX66/

Author Bio – Born in Scotland made in Bradford sums up LIZ MISTRY’s life. Over thirty-five years ago she moved from a small village in West Lothian to Yorkshire to get her teaching degree. Once here, Liz fell in love with three things: curries, the rich cultural diversity of the city… and her Indian husband (not necessarily in this order). Now thirty years, three children, Scumpy, the cat, and a huge extended family later, Liz uses her experiences of living and working in the inner city to flavour her writing. Her gritty crime fiction police procedural novels set in Bradford embrace the city she describes as ‘Warm, Rich and Fearless’, whilst exploring the darkness that lurks beneath. Having struggled with severe clinical depression and anxiety for many years, Liz often includes mental health themes in her writing. She credits the MA in Creative Writing she took at Leeds Trinity University with helping her find a way of using her writing to navigate her ongoing mental health struggles. Liz’s PhD research contributes significantly to debates concerning issues of inclusion and diversity of representation within the most socially engaged genre of contemporary crime fiction Being a debut novelist in her fifties was something Liz had only dreamed of and she counts herself lucky, whilst pinching herself regularly to make sure it’s all real. You can contact Liz via her website https://www.lizmistry.com/ Social Media Links – Twitter @LizMistryAuthor https://twitter.com/LizMistryAuthor Facebook @LizMistrybooks https://www.facebook.com/LizMistrybooks Website https://www.lizmistry.com/

In a Thousand Different Ways

 

In a Thousand Different Ways by Cecelia Ahern- General fiction

A stunning, wonderful, powerful tale: Alice lives with her mother and two brothers, one older and one younger. Alice has synaesthesia (to see or feel in colours)only this isn't recognised until she is older and sadly she is seen as being different and a trouble maker. She sees the anger in her mother and the calm in her older brother. Imagine being able to see and hence make a judgement of someone by the colour surrounding them. When there is a crowd you are overwhelmed, when seeing strangers you can make a call. When Hugo, her older brother, goes to university and her younger brother is on the wrong side of the law it is left to Alice to look after her mother as she is now in a wheelchair.

Cecelia has a rare talent. One that has the ability to draw the reader in without them really knowing it. There isn't a plot as such, it is a story of Alice’s life, but you can't help but be drawn to her and knowing you can't give her a hug (it's too much for her to cope with) I felt protective of her. Anyone having had a toxic parent will sympathise and understand her conflict let alone with the confusion and disruption of colours as she was growing up. A wonderful, poignant at times, emotive story and one that left me with a tear. To quote Oscar Wilde “ Mere colour, unspoiled by meaning and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways”. Stunning 

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A Good Mother

 

A Good Mother by Patricia Dixon-women's psychological thriller

There’s a real joy in opening one of Patricia's books. Always a stunning opening piece, almost poetic and evocative of what is to come to tempt and put the reader gently into things. Trish has a stunning talent with words and even into the prologue, I was so taken with the descriptions I sat and thought and then read again. “ Morning has broken. I know this before I open my eyes because outside the dawn chorus is in full throw. I picture pale sunrays illuminating the sky……. Stubborn beaks and wings spread wide. Joyful in the new day” How wonderful, how prosaic and a stunning use of the English language. 

There are three main female characters- Babs, Gina and Robin who all live in a small village. Gina is the youngest and having had a troubled childhood the other two took her under their wing when she was small and there is still a wonderful bond. Only Gina knows a secret about Robin's husband who is the vicar of the parish and not quite as godly as he would have everyone believe. His wife tries to have little to do with him due to his narcissistic traits, preferring to chat to her (long dead) friend in the graveyard and look after her daughter Willow, who has far more demons than most. Babs has a house full- her husband , grown up kids and then son's girlfriend. This is all taking place as lockdown occurs due to the pandemic- a time when no-one really knew what we were in for. Each of the women have both their own battles and more.

A book about the inner strength we all possess but don’t always realise until it's really needed. One line really got me-  about being in prison from her upbringing (Robin). To those who only in adulthood get this will truly understand the “ prison” that some unknowingly and unwittingly suffer. No, they don’t know because you don’t know what you don’t know- and then there is a massive dawn of realisation of what went before just as in Robin's and Babs’ journey. I felt for all the women but Willow especially so hindered by how her father treated her. 

A stunningly written and (and for some) evocative piece to perhaps make the reader stop and think of their own journey through life. Has it been your journey or that dictated by others so far? One life- live it.  A Powerful, dramatic, page turning, inspiring read. Wow, just wow. 

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Murder in the Parish

 

MURDER IN THE PARISH By Faith Martin- Crime 

I am so very happy- Hillary is back! (One of a series but happily stands alone). How do I explain? Hillary was a DI who is now retired but working on cold cases with a small team reporting to serving officers. She is a wonderful character that shines through the pages- a testament to Faith’s writing. I love “ Puff the tragic wagon” and the reminder of POETS day  (if you know, you know) and although a serious subject this is written in a light hearted style which puts the reader both at ease and very quickly into the frame of things, making it a relaxing, highly entertaining read. 

This time the case is of a young Reverend who was killed possibly with a spade in the doorway of his church thirty years ago. It appears he was popular- rather too popular in some quarters but kept himself aloof to this. There was some controversy over land which the church wanted to buy but seemingly nothing worth killing over. Who would want him dead and why? There are threatening letters and blackmail going on and Hillary has her own health to consider in the midst of all this.

Another cracker of a read from an author I would happily give 10 stars to if I could. I’ve thoroughly  enjoyed every one of the books in this series and each time I really don’t want to finish the book- I wish it would keep going. A treasure of a read and I can’t wait for the next. 

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MURDER IN THE PARISH (Detective Hillary Greene #20) by Faith Martin

ONE OF THE WORLD’S FAVOURITE DETECTIVES RETURNS. SIX MILLION BOOKS READ. A BRAND-NEW MYSTERY FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR SET IN THE STUNNING OXFORDSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE. Former Detective Hillary Greene and her cold case team are handed an impossible case. Thirty years ago, two days before Christmas, the much-loved Reverend Keith Coltrane was hit over the head and left to die inside his own church. The killer was never caught. This shocking crime took place in the pretty Oxfordshire village of Lower Barton. Everyone knows everyone else in this peaceful little community. Who would have wanted to harm the young Reverend, who was handsome and popular — especially with the ladies of the village? No one has a bad word to say about him — apart from his younger sister. Now, Hillary and her team of misfits are ready to find out the truth. They uncover old secrets, jealousies and long-standing feuds in the village. Secrets someone will kill to keep hidden. Hillary is also hiding something — but she’s finding it harder and harder to keep her own secret. It’s up to Hillary to uncover the shocking truth in this coldest of cold cases — before old crimes turn to new murder. Perfect for fans of Betty Rowlands, Agatha Christie, L.J. Ross, J.R. Ellis, M.C. Beaton, or Clare Chase. WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE BESTSELLING SERIES: “So glad Hillary is back — absolutely loved the other books in the series and really enjoyed this one too.” Nerys “Would give more than 5 stars if I could.” Barbara “The plotting is perfect, as always, with plenty of twists and red herrings.” Amanda “Once I started reading her newest cold case, I was once again hooked.” Renee “I love Faith Martin and enjoy every book that I read from her, and this book definitely ranks high on my list.” Robin THE DETECTIVE DI Hillary Greene: An attractive, single woman in her fifties, Hillary Greene was a police officer of many years’ experience (earning the rank of DI) and came up through the ranks. Consequently, she knew how the system worked, and was always fiercely loyal to the force without being blinkered to its faults. Forced to retire early through no fault of her own, she has now returned to the force as a civilian consultant on cold cases. DI HILLARY GREENE SERIES Book 1: MURDER ON THE OXFORD CANAL Book 2: MURDER AT THE UNIVERSITY Book 3: MURDER OF THE BRIDE Book 4: MURDER IN THE VILLAGE Book 5: MURDER IN THE FAMILY Book 6: MURDER AT HOME Book 7: MURDER IN THE MEADOW Book 8: MURDER IN THE MANSION Book 9: MURDER IN THE GARDEN Book 10: MURDER BY FIRE Book 11: MURDER AT WORK Book 12: MURDER NEVER RETIRES Book 13: MURDER OF A LOVER Book 14: MURDER NEVER MISSES Book 15: MURDER AT MIDNIGHT Book 16: MURDER IN MIND Book 17: HILLARY’S FINAL CASE Book 18: HILLARY’S BACK! Book 19: MURDER NOW AND THEN

Book 20: MURDER IN THE PARISH

FAITH MARTIN OVER 2 MILLION BOOKS SOLD AND 400 MILLION PAGES READ ON KINDLE UNLIMITED! Faith Martin was born in Oxford, and has spent all her life within twenty miles of the university city, even working at Somerville College for six years before turning to writing full-time.  Faith has been writing for nearly 30 years under four different pen names and has had nearly 50 books published so far. She began writing romantic thrillers as Maxine Barry, which Joffe Books are in the process of re-releasing as brand new eBooks. Then she turned to crime, and as Joyce Cato wrote classic-style whodunits, since she’s always admired the golden-age crime novelists.  But it was when she created her fictional DI Hillary Greene, and began writing under the name of Faith Martin, that she finally began to become more widely known.  Her latest literary characters WPC Trudy Loveday, and city coroner, Dr Clement Ryder, take readers back to the 1960’s and the city of Oxford. Having lived within a few miles of the city of dreaming spires for all her life, both the city and the countryside/wildlife often feature in her novels. Although she has never lived on a narrow boat (unlike DI Hillary Greene!) the Oxford canal, the river Cherwell, and the flora and fauna of a farming landscape have always played a big part in her life – and often sneak their way onto the pages of her books. Her hobbies include walking her now ageing dog, wildlife-watching, reading and (reluctantly) gardening.