Nicki's book blog

  The Perfect Husband by Danielle Ramsay- psychological thriller Sophie has just married Jay whom she has only known for 8 months. A whirlwind of a romance or perhaps a rebound from her previous fiancé Ben whom she had known for many years. Sophie and Jay are now at the hospital after Sophie fell and broke her wrist- something she is saying Jay did but he’s telling everyone that she fell after too much champagne. He’s changed- he’s taken her phone off her and has become an angry, controlling monster- something she’s not seen before. What’s made him change and is Sophie safe? In sickness and in health, till death do us part…….. I found myself very quickly invested in this- the reader is taken to the sudden insecurity and realisation of Sophie early on, but I got a feeling that there was so much more to come. It's a story of domestic abuse both physically and mentally.  I then found myself turning the pages long after lights out and even then my mind was working to try and work out i

  My Word Against His By Lauren North- psychological thriller Celia is in her car after receiving a call from someone she hasn't heard from in several years- someone who needs help. As she sits at some traffic lights she is car jacked and held at knifepoint. The man Sam, makes her drive to Leeds which is several hours away. Once there, the car crashes and Celia is injured. When the police arrive they find more than a man on the run. Years before hand Celia was working at a school and befriended one of the pupils Lucie, whom she felt needed some care and guidance. Lucie came to Celia’s house for dinner occasionally and babysat her son Henry. Celia always ushered her out of the house before her husband came home and there were clues in the house as to something not being quite right. The “ my word against his” is Sam’s version of events versus Celia’s. Who is telling the truth or can the liar get away with it? OMG! This is one heck of a read. A slightly dark, sinister one at times w

  Murder in the Scottish Hills by Lydia Travers- Cozy Crime Maud and Daisy after their resounding success at opening the detective agency now find themselves without a case to work on. It's the early 1900’s and ladies don’t yet have the vote so working ones let alone a detective agency is quite the thing of the time.  Maud at a dinner is approached to do a newspaper column and through this is approached by a maid who fears her employer is selling forged paintings. On the journey there by train Maud opens a carriage door and is horrified to find a dead man falling out on top of her. From what should be a quiet village suddenly has lots going on, not in a good way. And why is Lord Urquhart around yet again? I love this series. It's a light-hearted fun read that kept me interested right the way through. I like Daisy and Maud and they come across well as very resourceful bearing in mind the limitations of women at the time eg. having to be seen to not only act “ properly” but dress

Lost Victim by Helen H Durrant- Crime DCI Rachel King is back after an enforced break where she was effectively in witness protection. The case this time begins with an elderly lady found killed in a church and laid with a rose on her. Further investigation reveals that she may have known something or even someone from years back- a someone who died but whose legacy runs on. Rachel has her hands full with a young baby and a quickly found au-pair may not be quite the answer to Rachels prayers she first thought. Who on earth would want an innocent old lady dead and why the rose? (This is one of a series but happily stands alone) I always find I slip easily into Helen’s books. There’s an ease of writing and a warmth of characters that takes the reader swiftly and effortlessly into the heart of the action without anything untoward (despite this being a crime novel). A cleverly thought out plot as ever and a fast paced police procedural that keeps the pages easily and ever turning- time jus

  The Norfolk Beach Murders by Judi Daykin - Crime A body has been found washed ashore. A little investigation has found that a man went overboard not too far away so the team are hoping this is case  solved, especially as it's almost Christmas. DS Sara Hirst and her colleagues are then alerted to another body found on a drifting boat- one which has bullet holes in it. Meanwhile a homeless woman Mu has been seeing men on the beach from her hiding place and in London a wealthy woman whose gains are not legal is organising her business which takes her to Norfolk. What is going on and is Mu safe? This is a wonderful series (they do stand alone). Its great characterisation and I couldn't help but like Sara and her tenacity and determination whilst remaining calm and sensitive to the cause. Set on the Norfolk coast I could almost feel the breeze - and the sand that comes with it! It's a well thought out and fashioned plot with multiple threads. I especially took to Mu and her do

  The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama- non fiction Wow! I got to this book via seeing the televised interview with Michelle and Oprah Winfrey which I loved. It stopped me in my tracks several times- and I'm not a youngster.  Let me explain: Michelle writes about reflections on life and within that of the light we carry within ourselves which is more often than not hidden either due to our own insecurities or from being downtrodden by others. My huge lightbulb moment was “ not my poison”- when I realised that whilst someone had constantly tried to put me down- Michelle made me realise that in doing so they were showing up themselves. I'd never thought of it like this, never thinking there was another side to it- how others thought of the speaker. It's about life and making the most of things and helping others along the way- how a word of encouragement can mean the world. It's a life affirming read which I'd recommend for anyone of any age. A realistic approach on l

  Jana’s Brightly Coloured Socks by Sally Fetouh . Illustrated by Alexis Schnitger. Childrens 4-8 years What a joy of a book, what a treasure! This is written about a little girl who has Downs syndrome. As Alexis says in her dedication “ love doesn’t count chromosomes”. This really touched me and says so much. A story inspired by Down’s syndrome international’s #lotsofsocks campaign which teaches curiosity and acceptance and friendship in diversity and the value of inclusion for all.  Jana wakes each day and plays, and today she heads to her sock drawer. She is now able to put them on by herself. She heads to school where her friends love her and she gives them her socks only to find one day they have given her a wonderful surprise.  There are wonderful coloured drawings on each page with a line or two of the story which provides the adult reading it (or the child) to explore more about Jana’s life. There are lines to include acceptance and difference to encourage children to be all in

  Time to Die by Stephen Puleston- Crime Set in the North Wales/Anglesey area this is a very interesting read amongst a rugged coastline. A body has been found looking like it has been thrown from the top of the cliffs. Further investigation leads the team to discover that he was a key witness to a burglary trial of two local well known misfits who have a reputation for violence and intimidation. Inspector Drake and team quickly discover more about the man and his wife- both appear to have other partners who may well have a motive. When another body is found the team may be led down a path that could well be the wrong one. Although one of a series this does stand alone-this is my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s an easy read to get into and stay with and is very well written. I liked Drake- he comes across as a well rounded, believable character and the short chapters kept the pace nicely. The plot is well crafted and the reader is thrown a few red herrings

The Memory of You by Samantha Tonge- Women's Fiction   Alex was a top selling , highly successful author, “was” being the operative word. Her third book bombed and her agent has just let her know that the publishers won’t be asking for a new contract. Her mortgage is overdue, she and her husband split a while ago and life is generally pants. On the way back from the cancelled meeting with her agent she bumps into Hope. Hope has a quandary- she should be going travelling with her daughter but doesn't want to leave her job or the security as the job comes with living accommodation and the flights are booked for the very next day- and she hasn’t told her boss. What transpires is Alex taking over Hope’s job only Hope has been trying to tell her something and Alex either buts in or just doesn't listen. When she arrives at the café she is rather surprised at what she finds and gives a week tops as it's really not going to be her sort of thing at all, and somehow she will hav