Nicki's book blog

  Australia- Stewart Giles- Crime                       Wow! A slightly dark one this time- but stunning doesn't do this justice. DS Jason Smith and family are taking a holiday that his wife won. For him the downside is that it's to Australia where he grew up. On arrival they keep being told not to go to a certain area of town- the area where Smith was brought up as there is a spate of crime and right now it's not safe as young children are going missing and several have turned up dead. When Whitton is stabbed and Laura goes missing right near where Smith’s sister disappeared from twenty years ago, the last thing Smith can do is do nothing. He makes enquiries and discovers the police not only have little to go on but are doing very little- quite why is a well kept secret. Bridge comes over to help him knowing full well that Jason will be on the trail. What they uncover, neither of them were prepared for.  I love S...

  Over Her Dead Body- A.B Morgan-psychological thriller            A clever concept to keep you on your toes! Gabriella is dead. She was going through a divorce and moving house when two men arrived at the door to collect a debt for her funeral and advise her of this. As she keeps saying “Im very much alive” but no-one believes her which leaves her in rather a pickle legally and financially. Her bank accounts have been suspended as legally she doesn’t exist hence her divorce money can't come through and she cant open a new account as she is technically dead. She ends up employing a private investigator to try and get the bottom of this and bring her back to life- at least on paper. Peddyr is a real character as is his wife, and I couldn't help but think of him as a little like Cormorant Strike (Robert Galbraith)- a larger than life character with a heart of gold and an excellent sense of humour. I thoroughly enjoyed this- its a very clever concept...

The Woman Inside- Anna-Lou Weatherley- Psychological thriller   “ The missing pieces of that fateful summer night are beginning to surface…” Two women have been killed. The perpetrator leaves a rose and scattered petals over their naked bodies. When he strikes for the third time the victim, Daisey fortunately survives but has no memory of the attack. The morning before she was attacked her ex-fiance Luke arrived and one thing led to another. He is still paying half on the mortgage of the flat Daisey lives in and now is short of money telling her she is now on her own. When she finds a potential person to share things could be looking up as well as someone with her. The police have little to go on- they have three lots of DNA but nothing to match it to. One victim and Daisey both worked at a large store however with the turnover of employees this would mean interviewing thousands of men. A very cleverly crafted most unusual plot- with complex characters and mental health...

  Dishonoured by Jem Tugwell- psychological thriller “ WE’RE ALL ONE MISTAKE FROM RUIN…”  A book to rock your world and make you think. Dan, with his business partners has just sold the firm for a staggering, life changing amount of money. He goes to the party and being aware of his alcohol sensitivity he has just the one drink and then asks a waitress for water. He has several glasses of water but he still feels terrible. He makes his way home via the tube and sees the same waitress on the platform who helps him onto the train. What then occurs is one of those “ life changing on a dime” moments. For anyone who has had this happen in any way shape or form will sympathise with the situation you can find yourself in through no fault of your own. Dan finds himself arrested and charged and his once wonderful life slips away in an instant. He can't help but wonder why the waitress as she moved away mouthed the word “ sorry” at him. OMG. There are no words to describe ...

  New Arrivals at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland - Women's fiction   Samantha has just opened a hedgehog rescue with the support and aid of her vet boyfriend Josh. Not long again Sam was badly injured in an arson attack on the farm whilst she was trying to save some of the prickly patients and it appears the perpetrators may be having a few last goes before they are sentenced. Josh has his own issues- his ex- girlfriend Beth is now pregnant for the second time- the father being his own father who was seeing her behind Josh’s back several years ago and then left his mother and the business. Josh was close to his father and now understandably feels very betrayed by him. I enjoyed this however there are some very real issues involved which others may find upsetting or disturbing. For me, if you make your bed…..you know the saying. Forgiveness is not for everyone and whilst I admire the sentiment some may find this difficult to read about. A lovely story with some very...

  The Tobacco Girls by Lizzie Lane- Historical (war) fiction        Maisie lives with her family and is delighted to have a job offer, received with the help of her teacher, to be a maid in a country house. On announcing this her father tells her “ that she’ll do no such thing” and that she will go and work in the tobacco factory as he can then get free cigarettes and take her wages. This is Bristol in 1939 on the verge of yet another war. Once there Maisie meets Phyllis and Bridget. Phyllis is engaged to a man who is also telling her what she can and can’t do. She only realises this when others show her kindness. Bridget is from a large family and having seen the horrors of childbirth and miscarriage she is determined that is the last thing she wants and takes steps to avoid a relationship at all costs. When war breaks the girls are part of the backbone of the country- the men having been called up or volunteered. I'm not usually into historical fiction b...

  The Man I think I know- Mike Gayle Danny has just been informed that as he is not able to show that he has been seeking a job his employment benefit is being cut. He’s been out of work for three years and has lost the will. Before that he had menial job after job where invariably he was sacked. James was a successful businessman and MP before his “incident”. Now he lives at home with his parents as they fel he is unable to care for himself since the fire showed his vulnerability. Danny is desperate for money hence work finds a job in a care home- hes doesnt really care but its something and finds he doesn't mind doing it. James’s daughter Martha has bought her parents a holiday for their anniversary however this means leaving James, so they investigate places he could stay- much to his annoyance. He arrives at the care home counting the days down until he can go back to his safe and secure routine. Whilst there he thinks he sees someone he was at school with. James and Marth...