Nicki's book blog

  The Optician by Stewart Giles- Crime   DS Jason Smith has been getting migraines for a while and is persuaded to go see an optician. He doesn’t realise at the time how fortuitous this is as his next murder case involves eyes in a rather gruesome way. Beautiful young women are going missing and then 24 hours later are found dead with their eyes mutilated. What is going on and why? Stewart has done it again- I can't stop turning the pages to find out more each and every time. This story has lots of twists and turns and the usual Smith insights and gut feelings leading him to clues. A very well calculated, thought out plot, quite an intricate one- but easy to follow.  An amazing concept, brilliantly crafted. Stunning doesn't do this justice. Wow! --------------------------------- From bestselling author: Stewart Giles comes another brilliant addition to the Detective Jason Smith. 'Open your eyes.' Two dead women. Both of them incredibly beautiful, and both...

  The Good Girl by Patricia Dixon - Psychological Thriller Julia Lassiter has it all, well almost. She is the head of a very successful company and has the trappings to prove it. A few years ago her husband sadly passed away and a couple of years afterwards she started seeing Shane. Things haven't been great between them and Julia wants out. Her sister, a lawyer in Canada, is helping her put things in order. Her daughter Molly has a secret, one that if brought to light would destroy the family. When things take a turn for the worse, the family secrets begin to come to light. Oh wow! This is such a beautifully written book as with all of Patricia’s work, one that gives you a false sense of security to begin with….. And then the drama ramps up.  “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive”  Sir Walter Scott’s words were echoing in my ears as I read this. Few can carry off deception well, and those that think they can are heading for a fall in more wa...

  Black Notice by Joy Ellis- Crime This is part of a series and would stand alone. However….. I’ve read all of them and wouldn't want to have missed a single one! DI Jackman and DS Evans don't have much on at the moment other than a money laundering case which can easily be done by others in the team. So when a woman Marie recognises comes into the station asking for help, they can assist especially as it relates to one of their old cases that Marie was highly unsure about at the time. The woman's husband has gone missing, a man newly freed from prison and she is in fear of his life as she says he was badly and cleverly set up to put him out of the way. When bodies are found in an old pill box, the cases step up several notches. What is going on and why? Joy has the skill of engaging the reader from the outset and keeping them there. It's a clever, well thought out plot (as with all of Joy’s books) and characters you can't help but like. There's a wonderful cam...

  Pastures New by Clare Balding- general/women’s fiction   Alex is visiting her parents for Christmas when she receives a letter that stuns her. When she shows it to her father he is taken ill. She has inherited a sheep farm in Wales, from a man she doesn't even recognise the name of. Up to now she lives a life free of responsibility- just how she likes it, but taking on the farm, which she can’t sell for at least five years under the terms of the will, changes things for her. This is such a beautiful read. Clare has the descriptions down so perfectly and it's evocative of her bucolic style - so much so I can almost “ hear” her reading to me. It's a wonderful story with great characters and of course animals as I would expect from the wonderful Clare. There’s a little drama, a little romance and a little mystery , all in all making an accomplished all round read I didn’t want to put down. Things that made me go awww (a certain sheep) and things that brought a tear to my eye...