Category: loss
+ family, feminism, fiction, grief, Historical fiction, lies, literature, London, loss, love, marriage, mental health, mental illness, motherhood, music, obsession, psychiatrist, relationships, review, secrets, sisters, therapy, twins
The Crooked Little Pieces: Volume 3 by Sophia Lambton
Dreams are a red flag for the danger-prone. Postwar van der Holts. Sophistication sticks to Head of Music Isabel – and so does new headmaster, the mysterious and semi-dictatorial Richard Schneider. Dissent from doctorly conventionality leads Anneliese into digressions deviant even for her as she squares off not just against Susanna but a serial offender of the law. Sparks fly between old flames; new … Read More The Crooked Little Pieces: Volume 3 by Sophia Lambton
+ Australia, community, grief, loss, love, Magical realism, motherhood, relationships, review, Scottish Highlands, supernatural, superstition, whimsical, witches
Salt & Skin by Eliza Henry Jones
Grief-stricken and on the verge of a breakdown, photographer Luda Managan leaves Australia for a commission, bringing her two teenage children to a remote, weather- ravaged but beautiful Scottish island. Luda, isolated from her two resentful teenagers, turns her attention to the records from the 17th century island witch hunts and the fragmented life stories of the executed women. Min, her daughter, restless and … Read More Salt & Skin by Eliza Henry Jones
+ alcoholism, crime fiction, family, family drama, fiction, grief, Iceland noir, jealousy, lies, loss, marriage, murder, Nordic noir, review, secrets, thriller
You Can’t See Me by Eva Björg Ægisdótti (Forbidden Iceland #4) translated by Victoria Cribb
The wealthy, powerful Snæberg clan has gathered for a family reunion at a futuristic hotel set amongst the dark lava flows of Iceland’s remote Snæfellsnes peninsula. Petra Snæberg, a successful interior designer, is anxious about the event, and her troubled teenage daughter, Lea, whose social media presence has attracted the wrong kind of followers. Ageing carpenter Tryggvi is an outsider, only tolerated because he’s … Read More You Can’t See Me by Eva Björg Ægisdótti (Forbidden Iceland #4) translated by Victoria Cribb
+ coming-of-age, Dogs, family, fiction, friendship, grief, literature, loss, love
Reflections On The Boulevard by LJ Ambrosio (Reflections of Michael Trilogy Book 2)
Michael’s story continues from A Reservoir Man (2022) where we find him teaching at a university ready to retire. He unexpectedly meets a young man named Ron who becomes his protégé and journeys with him in a haphazard adventure throughout America and Europe. In Michael’s final journey in life, each twist and turn of the road brings unexpected adventures. The journey taken is one … Read More Reflections On The Boulevard by LJ Ambrosio (Reflections of Michael Trilogy Book 2)
+ family, fiction, Greece, grief, holiday, lies, loss, love, marriage, motherhood, murder, obsession, relationships, review, secrets, thriller
The Other Guest by Heidi Perks
Laila and her husband arrive for a week’s luxury holiday at the exclusive White Sands resort on a stunning but tiny Greek island. They’re in desperate need of a reset on their relationship. As Laila sits by the pool, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to another family staying in the resort. #TheOtherGuest @HeidiPerksBooks @centurybooksuk #RandomThingsTours @annecater @RandomTTours #blogtour Em has no idea who Laila is, or that … Read More The Other Guest by Heidi Perks
+ feel-good, female friendship, fiction, forgiveness, friendship, grief, List, literature, loneliness, loss, love, motherhood, music hall, obsession, psychiatric hospital, relationships, review, secrets, strongman, strongwoman, suffragette movement, whimsical
My Top 8 Books of 2023 – Part Two
Here are my favourite eight books of the second quarter of 2023. One or two of these might make it into my top four books of 2023. Still a long way to go. While I read a lot of crime novels all of these books are other genres, as a crime novel needs to be totally unique and exceptional to make it into my favourites. So … Read More My Top 8 Books of 2023 – Part Two
+ abuse, child abduction, child abuse, childhood, crime fiction, fiction, grief, loss, love, murder, revenge, review, thriller
Girls Don’t Cry by Peter Kesterton
A decade after his young daughter’s murder, a grief-stricken father’s need for justice puts his own life in danger as events spiral out of control . . . Ever since Caitlin Grady was released from prison, Darren has been tormented by rage and injustice. He finds himself venting online, where a stranger befriends him—and encourages him to seek revenge. #GirlsDontCry @Peter_Kesterton #RandomThingsTours @annecater @RandomTTours #BlogTour But Caitlin … Read More Girls Don’t Cry by Peter Kesterton
+ adventure, child abuse, devil worship, family, fiction, gothic, Historical fiction, literature, London, loss, love, obsession, sisters, twins
The Fascination by Essie Fox
Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly Lovell are identical in every way, except that Tilly hasn’t grown a single inch since she was five. Coerced into promoting their father’s quack elixir as they tour the country fairgrounds, at the age of fifteen the girls are sold to a mysterious Italian known as ‘Captain’. #TheFascination @essiefox @OrendaBooks #RandomThingsTours @annecater @RandomTTours #blogtour Theo is an orphan, raised by his grandfather, … Read More The Fascination by Essie Fox
+ adventure, child abuse, childhood, coming-of-age, fiction, friendship, healing, Historical fiction, kidnapping, literature, loss, love, Native American, review, slavery, superstition
The East Indian by Brinda Charry
Inspired by a historical figure, an exhilarating debut novel about the first native of the Indian subcontinent to arrive in Colonial America—for readers of Esi Edugyan and Yaa Gyasi. Meet Tony: insatiably curious, deeply compassionate, with a unique perspective on every scene he encounters. Kidnapped and transported to the New World after traveling from the British East India Company’s outpost on the Coromandel Coast … Read More The East Indian by Brinda Charry
+ abuse, coming-of-age, depression, diary, family, fiction, grief, jealousy, lies, literature, loss, love, marriage, memoir, mental illness, murder, narcissist, obsession, psychiatric hospital, Psychological fiction, relationships, revenge, review, secrets
Killing The Girl by Elizabeth Hill
A perfect life, a perfect love – and a perfect murder. Loving Frankie was easy but teenage Carol wasn’t the only woman Frankie charmed. Tired of Frankie’s cheating ways, Carol kills him and buries him in her orchard. Forty years later Frankie’s grave will be found and Carol’s guilt revealed. As she writes her confession before they arrest her, she discovers other friends lied. … Read More Killing The Girl by Elizabeth Hill
+ brothers, crime fiction, dark humour, Detective novel, fiction, friendship, grief, homelessness, loss, love, marriage, murder, police drama, review, rivalry
The Last Dance by Mark Billingham
The first new series in two decades from multi-award-winning international bestseller Mark Billingham that introduces Detective Miller – a man who’s unique, unconventional, and criminally underestimated. Maverick sleuth Declan Miller is back at work following the murder of his wife (and amateur ballroom dancing partner) Alex. Working with new partner and heavy metal enthusiast DS Sara Xiu, he is tasked with investigating the double … Read More The Last Dance by Mark Billingham
+ crime fiction, fiction, grief, lies, loss, love, marriage, murder, relationships, revenge, review, secrets, thriller
The Other Couple by Diane Jeffrey
Two couples. A fatal accident. And a decision that changes everything… Kirsten and Nick are enjoying a weekend away until, on their drive home, they accidentally run over and kill a man. They should call for help – but they have too much to lose, and no one can know the real reason they’re here. Instead, they make a split-second decision to conceal the … Read More The Other Couple by Diane Jeffrey
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