Month: October 2022
The Moose Paradox by Antti Tuomainen translated by David Hackston
Insurance mathematician Henri Koskinen has finally restored order both to his life and to YouMeFun, the adventure park he now owns, when a man from the past appears – and turns everything upside down again. More problems arise when the park’s equipment supplier is taken over by a shady trio, with confusing demands. Why won’t Toy of Finland Ltd sell the new Moose Chute … Read More The Moose Paradox by Antti Tuomainen translated by David Hackston
+ alcoholism, brothers, devil worship, feminism, fiction, friendship, Ghost story, Gothic mystery, grief, haunting, literature, paranormal, review, secrets, sisterhood, suffragette movement, supernatural
The Parlour Game by Jennifer Renshaw
Death is only the beginning…. London, 1873. Ivy Granger, an amateur botanist, is plagued by disturbing dreams and faceless whispers. Misunderstood by her father, she fears for her sanity – threatened with the asylum or worse, the hands of a man she loathes. But a stranger at her mother’s funeral reveals Ivy’s world has been a lie, and she could have a different life, … Read More The Parlour Game by Jennifer Renshaw
+ cosy mystery, crime fiction, female friendship, fiction, friendship, Ireland, lies, murder, murder mystery, mystery, review
The Mystery of Four by Sam Blake
Murder is easy…when it doesn’t look like murder. Tess Morgan has finally made her dream of restoring the beautiful Kilfenora House and Gardens into a reality. But during rehearsals for the play that forms the opening weekend’s flagship event, her dream turns into a nightmare when a devastating accident looks set to ruin her carefully laid plans. There are rumours that Kilfenora House is … Read More The Mystery of Four by Sam Blake
+ crime fiction, fiction, Iceland noir, kidnapping, lies, murder, mystery, police drama, review, Scandi noir, secrets, thriller
Red As Blood (An Áróra Investigation Book 2#) by Lilja Sigurðardóttir translated by Quentin Bates
When entrepreneur Flosi arrives home for dinner one night, he discovers that his house has been ransacked, and his wife Gudrun missing. A letter on the kitchen table confirms that she has been kidnapped. If Flosi doesn’t agree to pay an enormous ransom, Gudrun will be killed. Forbidden from contracting the police, he gets in touch with Áróra, who specialises in finding hidden assets, … Read More Red As Blood (An Áróra Investigation Book 2#) by Lilja Sigurðardóttir translated by Quentin Bates
+ childhood, family, fiction, friendship, humour fiction, love, motherhood, office drama, relationships, review, secrets, sisters, World War Two
The M Word by Eileen Wharton
Roberta Gallbreath is middle aged and menopausal. She dislikes her children, detests her ex-husband and despises her colleagues. When her mother dies, Roberta is left with a pile of letters and a mystery surrounding her son. The letters reveal Roberta’s heritage is not what it seems and she is soon on a mission to become a better person. #TheMWord @WhartonEileen @SpellBoundBks @Zooloo’s Book Tours @zooloo2008 #ZooloosBookTours #blogtour … Read More The M Word by Eileen Wharton
+ alcoholism, dark humour, family, fiction, holiday, humour fiction, marriage, mid-life crisis, motherhood, relationships, review
The Wolf In The Woods by Dan Brotzel
Colleen and Andrew haven’t had sex in eleven weeks and three days [not that anyone’s counting]. Their marriage is in crisis, they’re drinking too much and both have secrets they’re afraid to share. A teetotal week in a remote cottage could solve all their problems. But with the promised beach nowhere in sight, a broken-down car and a sinister landlord, they may not find … Read More The Wolf In The Woods by Dan Brotzel
+ adventure, audio drama, Cat on a Piano, fiction, friendship, humour fiction, love, podcast, radio play, review, Theatrephonic
Around The World In 80 Days by Cat On A Piano / Theatrephonic
Theatrephonic has joined forces with Rain or Shine Theatre Company to present a radio adaptation of their 2021 Christmas tour: Around the World in 80 Days As I was on holiday in Gran Canaria (she says showing off) I listened to this in one go on the beach. People around me probably wondered why I kept bursting out laughing. Mad dogs and Englishman and … Read More Around The World In 80 Days by Cat On A Piano / Theatrephonic
+ adventure, childhood, coming-of-age, crime fiction, family, fashion, female friendship, fiction, forgiveness, friendship, haunting, humour fiction, List, literature, love, metafiction, murder, mystery, police drama, review, supernatural, witchcraft, witches
My Top 8 Books of 2022 – Part Three
Here are my favourite eight books of the third quarter of 2022. I should have published this at the beginning of the month but I am in Gran Canaria and to be honest, what with the sunshine, the sea and the vino, I totally forgot. Apologies all round and here goes. Still Water by Rebecca Pert What a stunning book. Beautifully written and so … Read More My Top 8 Books of 2022 – Part Three
+ Devon, family, female friendship, fiction, friendship, Ireland, lies, marriage, Psychological fiction, rape, relationships, revenge, review, secrets, thriller
The Couple at Causeway Cottage by Diane Jeffrey
Kat and Mark move to an island off the Northern Irish coast for a new beginning. Far away from their frantic life in London, it’s the perfect place to bring up the family they’re longing to start. But as soon as they arrive, cracks begin to appear in their marriage. Mark is still texting his ex-wife. Kat is lying about a new friendship. And … Read More The Couple at Causeway Cottage by Diane Jeffrey
+ childhood, crime fiction, fiction, Gothic mystery, grief, lies, loss, love, mental health, mental illness, murder, review, Scotland, Scottish Highlands, secrets, superstition, thriller
The Blackhouse by Carole Johnstone
From the author of the “dark and devious…beautifully written” (Stephen King) Mirrorland comes a richly atmospheric thriller set on an isolated Scottish island where nothing is as it seems and shocking twists lie around every corner. A remote village. A deadly secret. An outsider who knows the truth. Robert Reid moved his family to Scotland’s Outer Hebrides in the 1990s, driven by hope, craving safety and … Read More The Blackhouse by Carole Johnstone
+ female friendship, fiction, friendship, mental health, mental illness, psychiatric hospital, review
Stolen Summers by Anne Goodwin
All she has left is her sanity. Will the asylum take that from her too? In 1939, Matilda is admitted to Ghyllside Hospital, cut off from family and friends. Not quite twenty, and forced to give up her baby for adoption, she feels battered by the cruel regime. Yet she finds a surprising ally in rough-edged Doris, who risks harsh punishments to help her reach out to the brother … Read More Stolen Summers by Anne Goodwin
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