Book Review - The Widow by Fiona Barton

Title: The Widow
Author: Fiona Barton
Release Date: 14th January 2016
Rating: 3.5 stars

A disturbing 3.5 star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who gave me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There's no doubt that 'The Widow' is an extremely well written book, but for me the subject matter was just too disturbing. I knew very little about what the book was about when I started to read it, but once it became apparent it was about the abduction (and possible murder) of a 2 year old girl, I knew that I was going to find it a very difficult read.

There are twists and turns to keep you guessing, but in all honesty I found it hard to stomach the different scenarios that would come to mind. I had little sympathy for any of the characters, other than the mother of little Bella, but even that was put to the test at times.

'The Widow' does, however, highlight the importance of Internet security, especially where your children/grandchildren are concerned. An important lesson to be learnt and taken heed of there, I feel.

But even though the disturbing story of child abduction wasn't for me, I still have to acknowledge that it's a very well written book and some people will react very differently to it than I did. I know it has had many rave reviews from people, but for me 'The Widow' was just too disturbing and the final pages made me feel physically sick to my stomach.

3.5 stars.

Book Review - Driven by Kelley Armstrong

Title: Driven (A Women of the Otherworld Novella)
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Release Date: 31st January 2016
Rating: 4 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press who gave me an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

As a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong's 'Women of the Otherworld' series I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read this novella. Elena and Clay are exactly as we remember them and it felt wonderful to be back in their world again. I didn't realise just how much I'd missed them until I started reading this story, and found myself being drawn back into their world right from the very first page.

Being familiar with the other books (and novellas) in the series is a must, as 'Driven' goes right into the meat of the story without giving much backstory, which is exactly what you would expect for a book of this type.

A fantastic treat for fans, I would highly recommend this story for anyone who (like me) has missed the supernatural world inhabited by the many varied characters of the 'Otherworld'. A fabulous 4 stars.

Book Review - Beside Myself by Ann Morgan

Title: Beside Myself
Author: Ann Morgan
Release Date: 14th January 2016
Rating: 4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who gave me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A sad and dark story about identical twins Ellie and Helen, who decide to switch identities in a prank that goes horribly wrong. Mental health issues are the underlying theme here and it makes for uncomfortable reading at times.

Once started this book is very difficult to put down and whilst I can't say it was a book I 'enjoyed' in the usual sense of the word, it was nevertheless a fascinating read. Most of the characters aren't particularly likeable, but even so I did find myself feeling some empathy for them at times, even when I really didn't want to.

'Beside Myself' is a darkly disturbing but fascinating book that kept me gripped right to the very end. A highly recommended 4.5 stars.

Available to buy now.

David Bowie - There's a starman waiting in the sky...

I (like most people) was shocked to wake up to the news that the iconic David Bowie had passed away. But other than being understandably shocked, what took me by surprise the most was the immense feeling of grief and sadness I felt when I heard the news. I love David Bowie's music and have listened to it all my life, but I can't say I was a 'fan' in the usual sense of the word. So why do I feel such a huge sense of loss at his death?

For me, I think it's because he is someone who has always been there, someone whose voice and face has been instantly recognisable to me for as long as I can remember. There has never been a time when I didn't know who David Bowie was, so I didn't realise what a huge impression he'd made on me or what a gaping hole he would leave when he was gone. David Bowie (like we all feel about our own parents until they're no longer here) was going to live forever!

I admired his changing style, and how he reinvented himself so many times in his long and varied career. But most of all I loved the fact he was a 'misfit' like me. Someone who didn't fit in with the crowd, who gloried in his own weird and wonderful oddness. He made it okay to be different.

David Bowie's music will last forever and was the playlist of my life (as it was for so many other people) without me even knowing it. I have a feeling it will influence future generations just as much as it did ours. And that is a powerful legacy for anyone to leave behind.

A true artist in every way, even to the last. David Bowie released his final farewell to the world on his 69th birthday, only to be taken away just a couple of days later. A coincidence? Maybe, but I can't help but think he timed it to perfection, the same way he did everything. Listening to 'Blackstar' now - especially the haunting 'Lazarus' - the lyrics hold a poignancy they would never have done before. A beautiful swan song to a life well lived.

There's a starman waiting in the sky tonight. I hope he can see the tributes pouring in for him, but wherever he goes next, you can bet your life it won't be boring!

RIP David Bowie.

Book Review - The Darkest Secret by Alex Marwood

Title: The Darkest Secret
Author: Alex Marwood
Release Date: January 7th 2016
Rating: 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK who gave me an ARC of 'The Darkest Secret' in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a fabulous read to kickstart 2016 with a bang! Alex Marwood has written a brilliantly complex story that builds up the tension slowly, revealing the full details of what happened to Coco Jackson bit by bit, switching from past to present narratives seamlessly. The back and forth timelines work extremely well here and the payoff is so well worth the wait!

'The Darkest Secret' tells the story of what happened to three year old Coco Jackson, who went missing in the summer of 2004. Filled with a cast of largely unlikeable characters, whose appalling behaviour is shocking to say the least, it is nevertheless sadly plausible to believe that something like this could actually happen in real life.

There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and even though I did eventually work out what had happened to Coco, the final revelation still made for uncomfortable and distressing reading.

A dark and grim read, but an easy 5 stars from me.  Highly recommended.

Available to buy now.

My Top Ten Reads of the Year

I still have a few reviews to complete and post, but thought I'd fit in one last blog post of 2015. So here (in no particular order) are my top ten reads of the last year:

1. Shtum - Jem Lester

I still need to post my full review of this amazing book, but wow, this book really did blow me away! 'Shtum' isn't due for release until April 2016, but I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from Tracy Fenton at TBC on Facebook - and I'm so glad I did! It's possibly the best book I've ever read about life with a disabled child and it touched me on a very personal level. Outstanding debut novel and Jem Lester is an author I will look out for in the future.

2. We Are All Made of Stars - Rowan Coleman

After reading Rowan's wonderful 'The Memory Book' last year, I didn't think she would be able to top it, but oh my goodness how wrong was I! 'We Are All Made of Stars' made me laugh and made me cry. I fell in love with each and every character, and even slowed down my reading as I wanted to savour every beautifully written word. I could have read about these characters forever and so didn't want it to end! A beautiful and moving novel that was one of the highlights of 2015 for me.

3. Moving - Jenny Eclair

This was my first Jenny Eclair novel, but it definitely won't be my last! I don't know quite what I expected when I picked up 'Moving', but it certainly wasn't the emotionally charged, beautifully written novel I got. The story is narrated by several different characters and spans the lifetime of one of the most memorable characters I've come across in a long time. A book that will stay with me for a long time to come.

4. Silent Scream - Angela Marsons

This is an author I would never have found if it hadn't been for TBC on Facebook. 'Silent Scream' introduces the wonderful DI Kim Stone and is the first of a series of psychological thrillers. There have already been two more instalments that are every bit as good (if not better) than the first, and I hope to see much, much more of DI Kim Stone and her team in the future. Excellent books with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and a fascinating lead character who never ceases to surprise you. Another author I hope to see much more from in 2016.

5. My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry - Fredrik Backman

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this book! One second I would be laughing, the next I would be sobbing; the emotions it evoked in me were unexpected and all consuming. Anything I can come up with to say would not do this book justice, and to say I loved it would be an understatement. 'My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry' by Fredrik Backman made me feel so many emotions I can't even begin to describe them. It's a book about Elsa, a seven year old girl who is different from most of those around her. It is also a book about her eccentric old granny and the magical fairy tales she shared with the granddaughter she adores. It's about family relationships and how each one is different but still as important in very unique ways. And superheroes. We should never forget the superheroes!

6. No Other Darkness - Sarah Hilary

The second in the DI Marnie Rome series, 'No Other Darkness' is every bit as good as its predecessor. Another strong and memorable female character, who I look forward to seeing more of in future books. The supporting cast are also interesting in their own right, and the story has enough twists and turns to keep you in suspense throughout the book. I like the fact the villains are also three-dimensional characters and not just cardboard cutouts. Excellent book and highly recommended.

7. The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes - Anna McPartlin

Emotional and (especially considering the subject matter) strangely uplifting book about the last days of Rabbit Hayes. A beautifully written book that makes you think about the things that really matter in life. Loved it and it's an easy choice to be included in my top ten reads of 2015.

8. A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman

My second Fredrik Backman book to be included in my top ten and his debut novel. Ove is a difficult man to like at the beginning of the book, but I soon came to love the old curmudgeon. I don't know what it is about Fredrik Backman's writing that moves me so much, all I know is that it moves me in ways many other books couldn't. I don't think I've ever  sobbed as much reading a book as I have readin this and 'My Grandmother...'. Brilliant author and one that I will look forward to reading in the future.

9. After You - Jojo Moyes

'After You' is the much awaited sequel to 'Me Before You', a book I both loved and hated with equal measure. It's difficult to say too much about 'After You' without spoiling the first book, but suffice to say I loved it! A fitting sequel to the rollercoaster of emotions that was 'Me Before You' .

10. I Let You Go - Clare Mackintosh

Another book that it's difficult to say too much about, but wow, this book really did blow me away. There are moments you just don't see coming that give you the shock factor very few books are able to do. Just wow!

And that brings me to the end of my top ten reads of 2015. There are so many more I could have added, but these are the ones that stood out the most for me. Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read, comment or tweet me this year. Thanks to all the wonderful authors, without whom my life would be a much darker and duller place. 

Here's to 2016!

Book Review - The Secret by the Lake by Louise Douglas

Title: The Secret by the Lake
Author: Louise Douglas
Release date: November 19h 2015
Rating: 4.5 stars

I've read several books by Louise Douglas now and have enjoyed them all, so wasn't surprised to find 'The Secret by the Lake' to be every bit as good as her previous work. I have to admit it took a little while to get going, but once it did it had me gripped.

'The Secret by the Lake' is a ghost story full of atmosphere, intrigue and romance, with lots of twists and turns and an ending I did not see coming. It had a very old fashioned feel to it, which I loved, that felt very reminiscent of classic novels such as 'Rebecca' by Daphne Du Maurier.

The haunting secrets held within the walls of Reservoir Cottage and the lake that surrounds it are slowly uncovered, with the tension building more and more until the ghostly and tragic Caroline finally reveals the grim secrets of her past. This is where the novel takes a much darker turn as the full horror of what happened 30 years before becomes disturbingly clear.

I loved 'The Secret by the Lake' and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good old fashioned ghost story. The perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter night.

An atmospheric 4.5 star read. Highly recommended. I look forward to reading more Louise Douglas novels in the future.

'The Secret by the Lake' is available to buy now.