Nicki's book blog

  THE NANNY’S SECRET by E.V. Seymour -psychological thriller A family has a secret, one that someone wants to get revenge for and an outsider is curious as to what is going on. A book of secrets and lies and a tension that nicely builds through the pages. Told through different points of view, but mainly from Rose the outsider, married to one of the children, this takes the reader into the heart of the drama. Alice is the nanny who has inveigled herself into the position wanting revenge. Melissa, one of the daughters of Benedict and Celeste who harbour the secret and who knows something of what happened years ago that is locked away.  A twisty read and a tension that turned the pages nicely, one I didn't want to put down. This is very well written in a comfortable manner that puts the reader right in the centre of things using the different perspectives. I liked Rose and felt for her being around so much angst one way and another. A clever, gritty, gripping story I thoroughly enjoy

  Friends of Dorothy by Sandi Toksvig- general fiction   One of my books of the year- one of the best books I’ve ever read. When you move into a new home, you don’t expect to find the previous owner Dorothy, happily sitting on a sofa in one of the rooms engaging you in conversation and ending up helping you.  Stevie and her wife Amber both work in the emergency services and are excited to own their first home. Dorothy has a wit, a heart and a life well lived and the couple soon find that she becomes part of their “ logical not biological” family. (what a wonderful phrase). This is the story of the three of them getting to know one another in ways they never imagined. Oh be still my beating heart. I can't say how much I enjoyed this- but I'm going to try! I didn’t realise that the title of this book is a euphemism (look it up) that perhaps originated from the wizard of Oz. This is a treasure of a read and I quickly found myself enveloped in the pages wanting more and more. Dorot

  Doris Flies Solo by M W Arnold- WW2 / Mystery We are back with the ladies of the Air Transport Auxiliary in the second world war and Doris has been given a special mission- to fly a general around on a tour. Doris, being Doris,  soon smells a rat at how the general and his sidekick behave and tries to relax them a little. They fly to Scotland on a secret mission and Doris has to sign the official secrets act even though she knows nothing of what is in store. Not everything is what it seems and Doris' steely mind and temperament are put to the test. I adore this series. It's a wonderful easy read as if with old friends and a very well researched one- much is based on real events of the second world war (more is explained at the back of the book).  Whilst part of a series this does happily stand alone, only the past relationships of the ATA ladies are the ongoing thread. There’s drama, a little romance, much mystery and daring and set in a time of simplicity technology wise, wi

  The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine by Laura Pearson- women’s fiction A very different read from a very unusual perspective and a very intriguing one: Eliza isn’t yet born but she  is one of  the “Almosts” who are children who may or may not be born. They have the capacity to see life for their prospective parents and even to intervene a little on odd occasions. Their main aim is to be born. We also get the lives of the parents in the same mix so  there was a short time of sorting who was who before I got used to the characters. Becca’s father was a joy and inspirational and I found myself thinking of my own father. A very interesting, captivating read. One to remember.  For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog ----------------------------------------------------------

  Isolation Island by Louise Minchin- mystery/thriller Ten celebrities arrive on an island to participate in a game show- one quite unlike any other. Their “prize” is something they have wished for which could be career or personal based and they are not allowed to ask each other about it- if they do they will forfeit their prize and there will only be one winner. They are guided by a voice through loudspeakers as to what to do and where to go. Failure will result in penance- they are dressed like monks and have no personal belongings- there should be a bag for each of them when they get to their new home. The start is rough and tough and they can't believe what they have got themselves into. When a storm hits and they are trapped in one room for safety, their stories begin to emerge. I quickly got into this. It’s lovely to see a celebrity with a talent for being an author. This is well written and well thought out and boy! What a premise! It's mainly based around Lauren who i

  Frankie by Graham Norton - general fiction Frankie is an older lady who has broken her ankle and is telling her story to her overnight carer Damian. We are taken back to the late 1950’s when Frankie lost her parents and was taken in by her Aunt and Uncle- a reverend- and found herself in a house lacking in love. A disaster of a marriage and a chance meeting that takes her to New York where she eventually finds real love leads Frankie to become who she is today. This is one heck of a story. I really admired Frankie and what she went through when younger- some of which I related to. A harsh upbringing and then almost an arranged marriage either makes you or breaks you, maybe even both simultaneously. A woman of substance not materially but mentally, and one with her feet firmly planted on the ground, determined to do her best and also for those around her. I loved this and devoured it. It's beautifully written and draws the reader in. One where I winced and smiled and cried. Graham

  My Sister's Boyfriend by Nicola Marsh - psychological thriller  Noel has not long got out of prison. According to him, he accidentally ran over his twin brother. He is introduced to Brooke who has secrets of her own. Her sister, who recently died, had a child who Brooke is now looking after. The child is hers, one she thought had died at birth. She is introduced to Noel via a mutual friend and there are sparks between them of the good kind. Lizzie, Brooke’s other sister, smells a rat with Noel and looks into his past. They all have secrets that impact lives. Who is telling the truth and who can get away with murder? OMG! A book that very quickly put me on the edge of my seat with that unsettled feeling of “what's going to happen”? There are two characters who have very good reasons not to trust people until they are sure and this gives a real edgy feeling to the story. It's a captivating, at times complex (but easy to follow as each chapter has a character heading) story

  THE HITCHHIKER by Stewart Giles- crime   People are being , it seems, randomly killed in their cars and Jason Smith hasn't a clue as to why. The media are dubbing the killer as “ The Hitchhiker” which Jason isn't so sure about. The man appears to kill from the back seats and is possibly even in the car before the occupants are aware. What on earth is going on and why? This is a really clever concept and I'm in awe of how Stewart can keep coming up with something so different, brilliant and utterly compelling. Yet again I devoured it in two sittings (real life got in the way) thoroughly enjoying the adventure each page gave and that reader's dilemma of wanting to find out what happens whilst not wanting it to end. It's a stunning read with wonderful characters. Can't wait for the next one.  For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog --------------------------------------------------------- THE HITCHHIKER (Detective Jason Smith #29

  The Fame Game by NJ Moss-psychological thriller Fame- the thing many think is the gateway to heaven on earth. Wealth, relaxed life, fame and fortune, what could be better or easier? When keeping a secret to protect one you love involves making a video which has to reach one million views or the secret is revealed, how far do you go to achieve notoriety? The trolls, the clickbait, the defenders and the attackers, all faceless on the waves of social media but ones who can make or break a person's life and once done cannot be undone. A scar forever. What price fame? A dark twisty tale of the vicious side of social media and those who perhaps naively chase fame and how it can turn on a knife edge. This is stunningly written and a chilling tale at times, a cautionary story of the potential of the masses and herd mentality. Nathan has a talent for taking the reader into the heart of things and of the more desolate nature of existence. A captivating story, one that perhaps makes us awar