Nicki's book blog

The Workshop by Stewart Giles- Crime There’s a chop-shop called the workshop somewhere in the York area, which isn't about vehicles,  and DS Jason Smith is hearing things about it when the torso of a person is found- something so horrid, even the SOCO’s are grimacing. It appears there is a profitable trade in body parts and young people are being taken for what can be harvested. When an ex-con appears to have more information than he is letting on, Smith and Whatton take a trip to find out more. The big boss has had his precious range rover stolen and wants this to be the focus of investigations but murder takes precedence.  OMG.  I was shocked to learn that selling body parts is still legal in some countries. Stewart does his research very well and despite a gruesome premise this is a highly gripping read. The camaraderie between the characters is wonderful and I love Jason’s way of saying things exactly how they are, very little filter if any, but with a heart of gold a...

  Sweat by Emma Healey- mystery/ thriller Cassie split from her boyfriend Liam a while ago as he was obsessive and controlling and whilst she liked the transformation of her mind and body, he took things too far. She now works at a gym as a trainer and they have just opened up to be more inclusive to those with disabilities. She is taken aback to find her first of these clients is none other than Liam who now claims to be blind, something Cassie doesn't quite believe at first. She changes her name when around him and her intonation to disguise her voice and does occasional  things to check if he is really blind. We find out more about how controlling Liam was and what lengths he would go to, to spy on Cassie. This is a story about a control and in parts an abusive, toxic relationship. Cassie has managed to take the step to freedom and is now torn between doing the right thing and getting revenge. There are two timelines, one of the relationship in the past and the current one ...

  The Cleaner by Mary Watson- mystery thriller Esmie has arrived in Ireland to find out more about what really happened to her brother Nico who is currently at home in a coma. She inveigles herself as a cleaner for three houses who are related in one way or another by orchestrating an accident. Once in the houses she watches the occupants and finds a few things which may or may not relate to Nico. She hides her relationship to him from all of the occupants and does her best to make herself indispensable so that she can watch even more of the happenings.  This is a cleverly written and very well thought out book. I'm smiling writing this as there’s a certain something between the pages that kept me turning without really knowing why if that makes sense? A spellbinding quality about it and perhaps unease of someone being deceptive and creeping around, investigating drawers and laptops and more in a world where she is almost invisible being “ just” the cleaner. I understand that...

  Have I Told You Lately by Beth Moran- women’s fiction   Emmie runs what was her mothers pasty kiosk in her local airport, something she has done for years. Unfortunately this is all consuming and doesn't leave her any time for herself. Her friend Blessing is doing her best to move Emmie out of the staid clothes and shoes she wears, let alone have some down time or even some fun. A frequent flyer visits Emmie to get pastries and Blessing senses there is possibly more to this. Emmie loves Pip’s visits but hasn't time to do anything about it- especially when he lives on a small island and is committed to looking after the family farm- something he has been studying to do. When a chance encounter with a stranger gives Emmie a win, she takes life in both hands and flies for the first time. She also has a mission - to find out more about some letters of her late mothers that don’t quite make sense to her. Can Emmie solve the puzzle and at the same time find the real Emmie? Oh wow!...

  Onwards and Upwards by Celia Anderson-women’s fiction Ingrid has just moved into Willowbrook on a temporary lease  in order to sell her late husband's things and move on quietly. Her husband was an auctioneer and hence she had lots of boxes of things he couldn't sell at auction to try and  get rid of, so she thought she would rent a shop, make a little money and then find elsewhere to live. Willowbrook however has its own ideas and the Saga Louts soon welcome her into their fold as does Joel, a local handyman who helped her move in. She soon finds herself ensconced in new friends and more. This is an endearing read, one perhaps to restore faith in human nature. There is no great drama about it other than one thread which is dealt with by Ingrid in a very matter of fact way despite seething under the surface at first, it’s a story of the goodness of strangers who quickly become friends. A different, very enjoyable read. A calming hug of a book.  For more reviews pl...

  The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan- Crime A man is found killed in the flat of his father whom he was checking on after a trip away. George Cross isn't quite like any other detective, he’s one in a million. George has Asperger's which means he sees things differently to others and can't settle until the truth is found- which has made him a highly, if slightly unpopular detective with those that don’t understand him. His father is about to go for an operation and as ever George has numerous questions before he can let it settle. The case has little to go on, but as ever George and team research and find the little things that can lead to cracking the case wide open.  I can't help but love George. He says what we all think without the filter but is slowly learning courtesy of Ottey who is now a DI and George thinks that will be the end of their working together now she has been promoted, but is it?. He is concerned about his father but wants to finish the case and as ever ...

  One Day and Forever by Shari Low- women’s fiction Four threads about different people each facing calamities of one sort or another, the ones that life tends to throw at us to see what we are really made of. Kara is meant to be jetting off to her dream wedding only things aren’t going to plan. TV Star Ollie has just been dealt the final straw with his girlfriend Sienna via video- one that is all over the internet. Alice goes to the funeral of the mother of a past close friend and finds out more than she bargained for and Zac has also had his plans change at the last minute. Can they each finally find some sort of stability they each crave? Shari has a wonderful talent. Not only a great plot but especially of characters that I find myself quickly engaging with and wanting to find out more. This keeps the pages so easily turning and I could easily have read this in one sitting had real life not got in the way. It's a very real life scenario, things we have either been through or kn...

  The Cream Tea Killer by Judy Leigh- cosy crime We are back in Seal bay, this time Morwenna has sadly found the body of a friend she used to swim with. Irina went missing the night before when she was going to meet Morwena to tell her something important and when she didn't turn up Morwenna took things into her own hands and broke into where Irina was staying- as did someone else who Morwenna managed to avoid. Why has Irina been killed and what on earth is going on in quiet Seal Bay? I adore this series. It's always a great plot and wonderful characters. They probably stand alone but why miss out on the rest of a great series? Morwenna and her friends have the right attitude to life as in “one life- live it” and don’t hang around waiting for things to come to them, they grab opportunities with both hands and Morwenna loves her bit of sleuthing. A terrific read with lots of smiles, a great plot and so much more.  For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nick...

  Family Doctor by J M Dalgliesh - psychological thriller Dr Kelly Murray lives on a remote Scottish Island where she is the GP. Out of the blue she gets a message to say her daughter has been kidnapped and she must do as they say in order to release her. A video of her daughter is attached which horrifies her. Kelly has a past, something few know about and she wishes to keep it that way. Can she secure the safe release of her daughter without having to obey the terrible instructions? Ooooh! I very quickly got into this and found myself wanting more. It's a clever concept, carefully crafted and one to tantalise the reader. I liked Kelly and felt for her predicament. One minute life is normal and the next through no fault of your own you are sent into a tailspin not knowing quite where it will end. What to do or not to do? A very clever, captivating read that kept me within the pages and I really enjoyed it.  For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisboo...