Nicki's book blog

  The Loner By Stewart Giles - Crime Lockdown is imminent and DS Jason Smith has his hands full. One of his daughters is pregnant and he’s not that keen on the father, but it's getting better, and even less so on his family. Meanwhile someone is making the most of the last few days of freedom- by killing people. St Rita’s prayer seems to be on his mind along with stigmata and a perpetrator with Horner's syndrome. Why the religious angle and why murder so many? I love Stewarts books as I know I will quickly get into the story and have a wonderfully entertaining read. It's one you can settle down with and despite the subject matter feel comfortable and at home with. Smith is one of those characters I can't help but love. He says what most of us would be thinking and generally calls a spade a shovel if you get my drift whilst being determined to serve justice for the victims and their families- something he is coming to terms with himself. A thrilling roller coaster of a

  The Girls Next Door by Anita Waller- psychological thriller Four daughters were born in the same street within six months of each other. Now they are grown women, each with their own lives but very close to the “sisters” they grew up with. One has found out by accident that her husband, who had been sleeping in the spare room, was having an affair. When the girls get together they decide it's best not to confront him just yet but to put some plans in place. When there is a death and an end of life scenario, the girls' lives change in ways they never thought possible and their friendship supports each of them. Wow! A book I raced through, it was such a compelling read. I liked the four women and their special friendship and that they supported each other, come what may. It's almost a family drama type read but with the clever hook early on the reader knows that there could just be that something else under the surface, very skilfully done. Anita is a master of plots and t

  A Single Act of Kindness by Samantha Tonge- Women’s fiction Oh wow! Another one of Samantha’s books that wraps itself around you like a hug. One of my books of the year.  Tilda is single and likes her routine- very much so. She likes order and convention and doesn’t like to veer away from this. She has been single since she discovered her last boyfriend was more interested in meeting her brother than in her. Milo is homeless and through a chance encounter Tilda speaks to him. What transpires is different from anything either of them could have ever imagined. Oh heavens! This gripped me and made me smile and made me sad and the whole gamut of emotions in between. Both Tilda and Milo have their backstories and I'm sure like me some will resonate with other readers. “ You didn't get the best from people by criticising, by instilling fear. The power of kindness was like a secret you didn’t get to know about until it touched you”. Wow! This resonated with me beyond words.   I foun