Tag: literature
+ fiction, friends, friendship, review, writing
The 24-Hour Cafe by Libby Page
Welcome to the café that never sleeps. Day and night Stella’s Café opens its doors for the lonely and the lost, the morning people and the night owls. It is many things to many people but most of all it is a place where life can wait at the door. A place of small kindnesses. A place where anyone can be whoever they want, … Read More The 24-Hour Cafe by Libby Page
Our Dark Secret by Jenny Quintana
From the author of The Missing Girl, Jenny Quintana’s gripping novel, Our Dark Secret, tells the story of two girls, two deaths and two decades of silence . . . The crazy girls, they called them – or at least, Elizabeth liked to think they did. As a teenager in the late 1970s, she was clever, overweight and a perfect victim for the bullies. … Read More Our Dark Secret by Jenny Quintana
Dreamland by Nancy Bilyeau
The year is 1911 when twenty-year-old heiress Peggy Batternberg is invited to spend the summer in America’s Playground. The invitation to the luxurious Oriental Hotel a mile from Coney Island is unwelcome. Despite hailing from one of America’s richest families, Peggy would much rather spend the summer working at the Moonrise Bookstore than keeping up appearances with New York City socialites and her snobbish, … Read More Dreamland by Nancy Bilyeau
Everything My Mother Taught Me by Alice Hoffman
In this haunting short story of loyalty and betrayal, a young woman in early 1900s Massachusetts discovers that in navigating her treacherous coming-of-age, she must find her voice first. For fatefully observant Adeline, growing up carries an ominous warning from her adulterous mother: don’t say a word. Adeline vows to never speak again. But that’s not her only secret. After her mother takes a … Read More Everything My Mother Taught Me by Alice Hoffman
The Foundling by Stacey Halls
I loved this book more than I can say. If I could give it 10 stars I would. I was so engrossed in the story and couldn’t wait for the next stave to be delivered (I was reading through Pigeonhole). At one point I wanted to buy the book so I could read to the end only to discover it had not yet been … Read More The Foundling by Stacey Halls
No Way Out by Cara Hunter
This book was even more stunning than the last two. I devoured it in two sittings. It was so emotional what with the death of the first child and then wondering whether Matty would survive. Where were the parents? Some of the fire scenes were very upsetting (I have always hated the idea of people dying in a fire since I was a child … Read More No Way Out by Cara Hunter
+ crime fiction, Detective novel, fiction, literature, police drama, police procedural, psycopath, review, writing
In The Dark by Cara Hunter
Another brilliant book from Cara Hunter. I started this book the night before last but then I had a day off work and I literally just sat at home and read to the end. So intricately put together and I love the way the detectives and PCs are growing in character. After a while you start to question everyone and everything. Who is lying? … Read More In The Dark by Cara Hunter
+ crime fiction, Detective novel, fiction, literature, police drama, Psychological fiction, review, writing
Close To Home by Cara Hunter
This is the first time I’ve given five stars to a book in ages but Close To Home is worth every star. It was absolutely riveting. I read it with The Pigeonhole (many thanks to them and to my fellow Pigeons and Cara who was commenting along with us). I rarely give five stars to any detective novel but this was something else. On … Read More Close To Home by Cara Hunter
+ dark humour, fiction, literature, psi-fi, review, writing
Even Stranger by Marilyn Messik
“I thought I’d knocked him out, but in a flash he’d turned on to all fours and was crawling swiftly, spider-like, back towards us. He still held the knife, so I set fire to the handle. The wood flamed and he hissed in pain but didn’t let go. It was all turning rather awkward.” Having first met Stella as a child in Relatively Strange … Read More Even Stranger by Marilyn Messik
+ family drama, fiction, review, writing
The Liar’s Daughter by Claire Allan
Having read Her Name Was Rose I was already a fan of Claire Allan. However, I didn’t like this book as much as I hoped I would. Like is a strange word to use as it’s the harrowing tale of Joe McKee, a paedophile, who was loved and admired in his community, except by his daughter and step-daughter who both hated him. When he … Read More The Liar’s Daughter by Claire Allan
The Crown Agent by Stephen O’Rourke
Dr Mungo Lyon, an Edinburgh surgeon, is barred from practice following his (minor) involvement in the Burke and Hare case. However, when he is caught up in a strange adventure that takes him to Glasgow and Jamaica, his skill as a surgeon is not the only skill he will need. He will need to use his intelligence and keep his wits about him as … Read More The Crown Agent by Stephen O’Rourke
The Dilemma by BA Paris
I can’t believe I’m only giving this three stars as it’s so well written, heart-breaking and sad. It’s a tale of family love, separation, sorrow, misunderstanding and tragedy. That should make a wonderful read, shouldn’t it? But something is missing. Once we discover the two threads that form the basis of the story it just dragged and dragged till in the end I just … Read More The Dilemma by BA Paris
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