Category: childhood
+ abuse, alcoholism, child abduction, child abuse, childhood, crime fiction, eighties, fiction, friendship, grief, kidnapping, love, murder, murder mystery, review, romance, secrets, supernatural, thriller
Lost Girls of Kato by Quinn Avery
Fans of Hidden Pictures and The Lovely Bones will enjoy this unconventional love story with a harrowing mystery and a bond that transcends time… In the year 1986, 12-year-old Jackie Tanner leads a desolate existence alongside a flighty older sister and an absent mother. It isn’t until Jackie meets an older boy on the banks of the river that she understands the value of love and the bonds … Read More Lost Girls of Kato by Quinn Avery
+ art, childhood, family, female friendship, fiction, folklore, friendship, Greece, Historical fiction, lies, literature, London, loss, love, museum, revenge, review, superstition
The Figurine by Victoria Hislop
In her irresistible new novel, Sunday Times No 1 bestselling author Victoria Hislop shines a light on the questionable acquisition of cultural treasures and the price people – and countries – will pay to cling on to them. Of all the ancient art that captures the imagination, none is more appealing than the Cycladic figurine. An air of mystery swirls around these statuettes from … Read More The Figurine by Victoria Hislop
+ childhood, crime fiction, kidnapping, List, mental health, murder, religion, spirituality, superstition, whimsical, witchcraft, witches
My Top 8 Books of 2023 – Part Three
Here are my favourite eight books of the third quarter of 2023. One or two of these might make it into my top four books of 2023. Still a way to go. Once again only a bit of ‘crime’, as a crime novel needs to be totally unique and exceptional to make it into my favourites. So here we go. Saving Grace by Cristina Slough Wow! This … Read More My Top 8 Books of 2023 – Part Three
+ abuse, bullying, child abuse, childhood, depression, domestic noir, family, fiction, friendship, lies, love, marriage, mental health, mental illness, motherhood, psychiatric hospital, relationships, review, schizophrenia, sisters
Geraniums by Marlene Hauser
The second book by professional writer and producer, Marlene Hauser, is inspired by many women and men who have overcome challenging childhoods to become contributing and outstanding adults. Lily Preston, clever beyond her years, is only four when she realises her family is headed for disaster. While she, older sister Mags and younger brother Artie are dragged around America and the world during the … Read More Geraniums by Marlene Hauser
+ abuse, child abuse, childhood, family, fiction, grief, lies, loss, love, marriage, motherhood, nineties, review, secrets, sisters
The Short Straw by Holly Seddon
Three sisters find themselves lost in a storm at night, and seek safety at Moirthwaite Manor, where their mother once worked. #TheShortStraw @hollyseddon @Tr4cyF3nt0n #CompulsiveReaders #blogtour They are shocked to find the isolated mansion that loomed so large through their troubled childhoods has long been abandoned. Drawing straws to decide who should get help, one sister heads back into the darkness. With the siblings separated, the … Read More The Short Straw by Holly Seddon
+ child abduction, childhood, crime fiction, family, fiction, grief, kidnapping, lies, loss, love, marriage, mental health, motherhood, murder, obsession, revenge, review, secrets, thriller
Missing by KL Slater
I’ve known him all my life. I know he has taken my daughter. His mother says she can help me. But she’s the last person I can trust… Samuel lived next door when we were children. We were inseparable. But he didn’t like sharing me with my adored little brother. And one terrible night, he got rid of my brother forever… Now, years later, … Read More Missing by KL Slater
+ bullying, child abuse, childhood, crime fiction, Detective novel, fiction, friendship, murder, police drama, police procedural, review, serial killer, thriller
The Silent Man (DI Grace Archer & DS Harry Quinn) #3 by David Fennell
A father is murdered in the dead of night in his London home, his head wrapped tightly in tape, a crude sad face penned over his facial features. But the victim’s only child is left alive and unharmed at the scene. Met Police detectives Grace Archer and Harry Quinn have more immediate concerns. Notorious gangster Frankie White has placed a target on Archer’s back, … Read More The Silent Man (DI Grace Archer & DS Harry Quinn) #3 by David Fennell
+ alcoholism, childhood, fiction, Ireland, lies, motherhood, review, secrets, seventies, sisters
Be Careful What You Wish For by Lorraine Murphy
A mother determined to hide the truth. A sister about to expose it. When Tara Ryan gets the results of a DNA test one rainy afternoon, all her dreams come true. She discovers she’s not an only child, she has a long-lost sister, Cassie. What she doesn’t know is that Cassie is homeless, strung out, and praying for a break. #BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor #LorraineMurphy @Zooloo’s Book … Read More Be Careful What You Wish For by Lorraine Murphy
+ abuse, child abuse, childhood, Covid, family, fiction, grief, lies, lockdown, loss, love, motherhood, Psychological fiction, review, secrets, sisters, social distancing
Stay by Jane Bailey
I simply slung my rucksack on my shoulder and climbed into the car – and into the life – of perfect strangers.It was meant to be Caitlin’s perfect summer, but betrayed by her best friend and her boyfriend, she finds herself hitchhiking home alone, heartbroken, and penniless. When a smiling family pulls up on the roadside to help her on her way, she’s relieved – they … Read More Stay by Jane Bailey
+ childhood, family, fiction, friends, friendship, grief, loneliness, loss, love, mystery, relationships, review, wales
Scrap by Kathy Biggs
Life has become stale for best friends Mackie and Sharon, who never imagined they’d end up working in a scrapyard. Sharon has dreams of becoming a cruise ship star, while a browbeaten Mackie cares for his wayward daughter’s twins. But fate takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious kid is discovered in the boot of a car. #Scrap #KathyBiggs #RandomThingsTours @annecater @RandomTTours @Honno #BlogTour He has a … Read More Scrap by Kathy Biggs
+ alcoholism, childhood, crime fiction, family, fiction, friendship, grief, lies, loneliness, loss, mystery, review, Scottish Highlands, secrets, superstition, witches
Gallow Falls by Alex Nye
A remote Scottish estate. A missing teenager. When a young archaeologist discovers bones at the site of her Bronze Age broch on Gallows Hill, the community of Kilbroch hold their breath. Ex-detective Callum MacGarvey came to work on the estate in order to escape from his past, but when a friend asks for his help, he cannot refuse. Missing teenager Robbie MacBride’s grandmother wants … Read More Gallow Falls by Alex Nye
+ alcoholism, childhood, family, fiction, forgiveness, grief, loss, love, marriage, memory, mental illness, motherhood, Psychological fiction, review, therapy, thriller
Arrietty by Abby Davies
Our loved ones protect us. So what if you woke up one day to find yours gone? Your mum, your friends, your freedom – all gone. And the one person you trust may be hiding a terrible secret. #Arrietty @Abby13Richards #RandomThingsTours @annecater @RandomTTours Welcome to Arrietty’s life. My Review So what if you woke up one day to find everything you thought you knew was turned on its … Read More Arrietty by Abby Davies
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