Nicki's book blog

  The Golden Gals' French Adventure by Judy Leigh-women’s fiction Shirl works for Fliss who is in her seventies and well off having run and sold a successful lingerie business.  Shirl has a daughter Gemma who has a young baby. Shirl however is the unpaid nanny and doing most of the childcare whilst Gemma romances her new chap who she hasn't yet told about her daughter. Fliss loved Paris in the past and now has a hankering to go back for a holiday and take Shirl with her. Shirl thinks this would be a wonderful opportunity and Gemma can look after her own baby for once, until Gemma announces her own holiday plans. Can Shirl finally get her longed for holiday and rest and Fliss get rid of her boredom? I really enjoy Judy’s books as they are always that bit more than a story- they have a life message. I liked Shirl and Fliss and Bernard slightly reminded me of “ Allo, Allo ''. Those of a certain age will know what I mean, I'm sure. I very much sympathised with Fliss...

  The Perfect Teacher by Kelly Golden- psychological thriller Frankie's daughter Jenna hasn’t come home from school, however she is 16 and more than capable of sorting herself out. Other than to her helicopter mother who still calls her “ her baby”. On investigating further Frankie finds out that the school has hired her arch nemesis from when she was at school, someone the whole family steered away from. Frankie is now convinced that Georgia Smith has a hand in Jenna’s disappearance, putting into action what she threatened years ago. Alternate chapters take the reader Now, After and Before written from differing perspectives-on differing timelines. Sounds confusing but it really isn't, it's easy to follow. “After” is someone in prison, we are not quite sure who or why until later in the book and “Now” being mostly from Frankie's perspective. This gives an interesting POV which varies and kept me hooked right the way through. The chapters are short and snappy and there ...

  Murder on the Train by Faith Martin- Crime Ex DI Hillary Greene is off on a much longed for holiday. A trip to Hay on Wye to promote the book she has just written. She is staying at a pub and meets other people there who suggest a trip on a steam train. Whilst on the train a guest is murdered. Hillary is on holiday, can she help without interfering in the case? Oh boy! No one was more pleased than me when I saw that there was a new Hillary Greene book. They are such entertaining reads and I can't help but smile at Puff the tragic wagon (if you know, you know) and more. There’s a warmth between the pages and a wonderfully crafted plot with twists and turns to engage the reader right the way through. Hillary is a wily woman and has the experience to see more than is on the surface of people. A wonderfully entertaining read, I can’t wait for more. For more reviews please follow me on Twitter (X) or Threads @nickisbookblog ---------------------------------------------------------- MU...

  T he Blood Promise by Liz Mistry- Crime This is the first in a new series from Liz, based around two detectives- DC’s Solanki and McQueen. They have recently been paired up since one was demoted from being a DS and lucky not to have lost her job. Queenie loves knitting and eating and Jazzy (Solanki) is finding this is taking some getting used to but quickly finds she likes just something about her new partner. Jazzy is getting visits from a hooded stranger leaving her birthday cards which is freaking her out but there’s nothing to really go on. When they get called to the strangest birthday party murder she wonders if the two could be connected in some strange way.  I really enjoyed this, there's humour in the newly acquired camaraderie between Jazzy and Queenie which lightens the story. The main crime is gruesome and dark so this is a great balance and there is one heck of a lead up to the ending. Jazzy has her own backstory as does Queenie which they eventually share whic...

  Think Twice by Harlan Coben - Crime A classic Harlan Coben novel with a twisty plot. This is one of a series- number 12 in the Myron Bolitar series- but happily stands alone- I hadn’t read the others. Myron had been to a funeral of a former client and friend, Greg, a while back but when there is a murder and his deceased friend's DNA is found at the crime scene things take on a different turn. As he starts to look into this, more murders with a similar MO crop up. Is Greg still alive or is someone using his profile to confuse the investigation? This is a gritty, classic Harlan Coban read where the reader is led astray more than once. It's a complex plot, well written and thought out. I wouldn't expect anything less from an author of Harlan’s calibre. I wish I'd started at the beginning of the series as I feel there is so much more to know about Myron and Win- the one who often saves the day. An investigative thriller in every sense of the word. Another classic from th...

  The Perfect Fiance by TJ Brearton -psychological thriller Julie comes home early from a work conference to find her fiance Colton in bed with another woman. As she yells and tells them to get out some men break into the house and take her and Colton hostage, bundling them into the back of a van. She thinks she recognises one of the men however Colton apparently doesn't know who she is. They are taken to a cabin in the back of beyond and more things begin to fall in place about who the kidnappers are. But what do they want with Julie and why? This is an interesting premise well executed and a read where things move on at a pace.The reader is plunged into the drama right from the very beginning. I felt for Julie and her predicament. A good psychological thrill of a read, one to keep the reader between the pages right the way through.  For more reviews please follow me on Twitter (X) or Threads @nickisbookblog ----------------------------------------------------------

  Janet Jackson Superhost by Rebecca Papworth- humorous women's fiction Janet Jackson runs Lavander cottage, her AirBnb to bring in some much needed extra cash. She has her sister Mitzi and partner Carl living with her, usually rent free as they are always skint, as well as her daughter Chloe who is at college. Janet wants to become a superhost which involves getting the guests to leave 4 or 5* reviews. When they often trash the place a review is the last thing on their minds. Janet's life is full of drama whether it’s from relatives, guests or neighbours or even Janet’s own flagging love life there is never a dull moment. Janet also loves to cook which is her go-to for stress so there are plenty of mentions of a cake or pie or two. This is a wonderful series (but would happily stand alone) to bring a smile to any reader. I couldn't help but grin (and wince) at some of the guests and their antics and chaos they leave behind. Janet has the patience of Job (I know this is fi...