BOOK REVIEW: The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty

One abandoned baby. Two sisters with a secret. One chance to rewrite the past.
Over seventy years have passed since sisters Rose and Connie Doughty found an abandoned baby near their home on the island of Scribbly Gum. With no one to take care of it, Rose and Connie took the baby in as their own.
Since then the 'Munro Baby Mystery' has brought fame and fortune, putting Scribbly Gum on the tourist map, especially for the Island's annual celebration.
But now, with Connie dead and outsider Sophie Honeywell about to move into her home, Rose beings to wonder if they made the right decision all those years ago. How much longer can they cover up the lie that has sustained their community for generations? And what other secrets are about to be revealed?

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 416

Liane Moriarty is fast becoming the Queen of secrets and lies! All of her books revolve around characters keeping information from each other or bending the truth in some way and The Last Anniversary is no exception.
Sister's Connie and Rose are at the centre of 'The Munro Baby Mystery' the sister's found Alice and Jack Munro's house abandoned and their tiny baby sleeping in the crib. Nobody came forward to claim her so they brought Baby Enigma up as their own.
The sisters and Enigma's children and grandchildren all live in Scribbly Gum Island which has become a very lucrative tourist spot due to the Munro mystery.
It is all thrown into disarray when Connie dies; she leaves her house to Sophie Honeywell, a complete outsider but one who is fascinated by the Island's secrets. Rose, the sister left behind is no longer constrained by Connie to keep the secrets that have been fuelling the island for over seventy years. Rose is tired of the lies but how will the family react to her revelations?
Liane Moriarty is fabulous at drawing the reader into the story from the very beginning. The Last Anniversary is very clever in the way it has a very subtle  but sinister undertone running through it. You know that this twee little island run by two twee little old ladies is not all it seems and then you are intrigued to find out the truth. Moriarty throws in several twists at the end, making this a very memorable book.
The Last Anniversary has been a great start to my reading in the New Year. I very much enjoyed the mystery element of the book and I felt that Liane Moriarty looked at some particularly interesting and serious ideas. I hope that this author has a new book out soon and she just gets better and better.

Many thanks to Katie at Penguin for sending me a copy of the book to review, The Last Anniversary is out now. 

BOOK REVIEW: Before We Met by Lucie Whitehouse

A whirlwind romance.
A perfect marriage.
Hannah Reilly has seized her chance at happiness. Until the day her husband doesn't come home...
Can you ever really know what happened before you met?

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 276

This book is very difficult to review without giving the plot away but I will try my best.
Hannah Reilly married Mark and has moved back to the UK from New York after a whirlw
ind romance. She is madly in love and settling into her new role until Mark doesn't come home. He was supposed to be in New York but his assistant thought he had taken Hannah to Rome. Can you really trust someone you've not known long, even if he is your husband?
Before We Met took me a little while to get into but the plot was well thought out and the characters very believable, especially Hannah's husband Mark. I felt that Hannah was very closed off as a character but as I got to the end of the book I felt that it explained her relationship with Mark and how she reacted to him.
The last few chapters were gripping and there were a few surprises thrown in to. Lucie Whitehouse has built up a huge amount of tension , I was almost pleased that the book finished as I felt as though I was holding my breath.
If you're a fan of Lucie Whitehouse's books then I'm sure you will enjoy this one. Before We Met is quite an edgy read and poses a lot of questions about the people we love.

BOOK REVIEW: Married by Midnight, a Christmas Story by Talli Roland

Christmas is coming...and so is the biggest day of Kate's life.
While choosing a vintage dress for her Christmas Eve wedding, Kate finds a cryptic note pinned to the inside of a 1930's gown. As doubts about her own ceremony loom, Kate is determined to track down the dress owner and determine what became of her and the marriage.
Will Kate find the answers she's seeking to propel her down the aisle, or will her discovery prompt her to call off the wedding for good?

I hardly ever read short stories but Talli Roland has opened my eyes to how enjoyable they can be. I read Married by Midnight in just over 40 minutes and it put me in a really good mood for the rest of the day.
Kate has had a bit of a whirlwind engagement an
d is due to get married on Christmas Eve. When trying on her vintage wedding dress she finds a mysterious note pinned in it and it leads her to search for the previous owner of the dress. In doing so she raises questions about her forthcoming marriage and it is not clear whether she will be walking down the aisle or not.
The story had an excellent pace and I loved the mystery element to it. The festive setting made it a perfect story for this time of year and I really liked the characters created by Talli Roland too. I do love getting involved in a full length book but I will definitely be reading more short stories from now on; they're great for this time of year when we're all so busy.

Many thanks to Talli Roland for sending me a copy of Married by Midnight, it's available now!

BOOK REVIEW: The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero

Everybody loves a ghost story...
The heir to Axton House and his companion are delighted to find themselves living in one.
With it comes nightmares, a secret society and a curse.
A ghost may soon be the least of their worries.
Part ghost story, part cerebral mystery, this is a dazzling and wholly original supernatural adventure. 

Publisher: Ebury

Pages: 368

The Supernatural Enhancements is one of the quirkiest books I have read and I very much enjoyed its originality.
A has just inherited Axton House in Virginia from a second cousin twice removed who he has never met. His cousin has just killed himself by jumping out of the window of the house, just like his father had done at his age.
A and his mute companion Niamh travel to Axton House to discover just what they're taking on. It becomes clear, very quickly that the house is haunted. A's cousin was involved in some kind of secret organisation and nobody wants to talk about what has occurred at the house over the years.
Edgar Cantero cleverly tells his story through a mixture of diary entries, transcribed tape recordings, coded messages and shaky home video footage. This quirky nature of the book is what makes it so good as you become part of the action. You have no choice but to start looking for clues and asking questions.
A and Niamh are both interesting characters but I liked Niamh in particular. As a mute character it is interesting that she has the most to say. She communicates by scribbling down messages. These messages demonstrate her close friendship to A and how protective she is of him; they make a very entertaining partnership.
If you are looking for a classic haunted house story then this is not for you. I didn't find this book particularly scary; more eerie and unsettling. Cantero does build up tension and you are expecting things to go bump in the night; there is not a ghost hiding in every dar corner though so when events do occur they have more of an effect.
The Supernatural Enhancements is a clever and interesting read. I enjoyed the way the book was put together as much as I enjoyed the story; I would recommend this book.

I reviewed this book via Netgalley.

BOOK REVIEW: The Mysterious Affair at Castaway House by Stephanie Lam

It's 1965 and eighteen year old Rosie Churchill has run away to the beautiful  but run-down Castaway House in the sea-side town of Helmstone. But when she uncovers a scandal locked away in the walls of the old house, she comes to realise that neither her own troubled past nor that of the house will stay buried for long...
In 1924 fresh faced Robert Carver comes to Castaway House to spend a languid Summer in the company of his much wealthier cousin, Alec Bray. But the Brays are a damaged family, with damaging secrets. And little does Robert know that his world is about to change forever.
As Rosie begins to learn more about Robert, the further she is drawn into the mysterious history of the house, and their stories, old and new entwine.

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 504

The Mysterious Affair at Castaway House is Stephanie Lam's first book and it is a corker. At 504 pages, it is a book that you can really get your teeth into; the writing is extremely alluring and I was quickly engrossed in the events at Castaway House.
Stephanie Lam flits between the two main characters, Rosie Churchill in 1965 and Robert Carver in 1924. I really enjoyed having both a male and female narrator; it very clearly defined the two time periods of the book.
Rosie has run away from home and is hiding away in Castaway House. The house has been converted into now decaying flats but Rosie can see how beautiful the house must have been. Rosie has several secrets of her own but she discovers that her new home has many skeletons in the cupboard. As she begins investigating, Rosie uncovers scandals and secrets from the past that are still affecting those in the present.
Robert Carver spent the Summer of 1924 at Castaway House. It belonged to his wealthy cousin Alec Bray and Robert is looking forward to spending time with Alec and taking advantage of the sea air. However, upon his arrival, Robert is shocked to discover that Alec has taken a wife. Clara Bray is a glamorous and mysterious character. She has brought many secrets to the house and Castaway seems to be full of scandal and damaged relationships. Robert's Summer at Castaway House is not what he expected at all and it will alter his future forever,
The Mysterious Affair at Castaway House is an enticing andMy Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier on several occasions.
mysterious read. Although the story is different, I felt that it reminded me of
I found both parts of the story interesting and I felt that Stephanie Lam tied them together very well. She lays down very subtle clues throughout the story and I enjoyed working out what had happened and how the characters were linked. Not that this book is predictable, the twists at the end took me completely by surprise and provided an excellent ending.
I very much hope that Stephanie Lam will write more books and I urge you to read her brilliant debut.

Many thanks to Katie at Penguin for sending me a review copy, The Mysterious Affair at Castaway House is out now. 

Book Review: Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

How well do you know your own daughter?
Single mother and lawyer Kate Baron is in the meeting of her career when she is interrupted by a telephone call. Her daughter Amelia has just been suspended from her exclusive prep school. When Kate eventually arrives at Grace Hall an hour later, she is greeted by the news that no mother ever wants to hear.
A grieving Kate can't accept that her daughter would kill herself. But she soon discovers that she didn't know Amelia quite as well as she thought she did. Who are the friends she kept, what are the secrets she hid? How much would you tell your mother?
And so begins an investigation which takes her deep into Amelia's private world and into the mind of a troubled young girl. Then Kate receives an anonymous text:
AMELIA DIDN'T JUMP
Is someone toying with her or has she been right all along? To find the truth about her daughter, Kate must now face a darker reality than she could ever have imagined.

Reconstructing Amelia was a very interesting read and particularly relevant . Kate's daughter is dead after apparently jumping from the school roof. Kate knows Amelia would not have taken her own life. She has to find out what happened to her beautiful daughter but this will mean discovering that Amelia had many secrets; Kate is left wondering if she knew her daughter at all.
Kimberly McCreight has written a very modern mystery. Most chapters are told from either Amelia or Kate's persp
ective but these are then interspersed with Amelia's text messages and Facebook updates. It becomes apparent to Kate that her daughter was being bullied, in person but then via the internet and text messages. There have been several cases in the news recently of young people committing suicide due to cyber bullying. The author shows how the pressure builds upon Amelia, the messages and abuse are relentless and Amelia becomes more and more desperate to escape it all.
I felt that this  book was a little slow in places but in the main I really enjoyed it. Reconstructing Amelia made me think of the ways in which we communicate. I cannot imagine life without the internet or mobile phones but when used as a weapon against someone, the consequences can be devastating.
I would recommend Reconstructing Amelia, the story was interesting and topical and I particularly liked the refreshing way in which Kimberly McCreight presented it.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Pages: 400

Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me a review copy, Reconstructing Amelia is available now.

Book Review: It's Raining Men by Milly Johnson

Best friends from work, May, Lara and Clare are desperate for some time away. They have each had a rough time lately and need some serious R&R. So they set off to a luxurious spa for ten glorious days, but when they arrive at their destination, it seems it is not the place they thought it was. In fact, they appear to have come to an entirely different village...
Here in Ren Dullem nothing is quite what it seems; the lovely cobbled streets and picturesque cottages hide a secret that the villagers have been keeping hidden for years.  Why is everyone so unfriendly and suspicious? Why does the landlord of their holiday rental seem so rude? And why are there so few women in the village?
Despite the strange atmosphere, the three friends are determined to make the best of it. But will this be the break they all need? Or will the odd little village with all its secrets bring them all to breaking point?

I started this book with the intention of taking it on holiday with me but I couldn't as I had finished it before I had even packed my case! I always know that I am in for a treat with Milly Johnson but this is my favourite of her books so far.
May, Lara and Clare find themselves in the small coastal village of Ren Dullem by accident when their booking at a luxury spa goes terribly wrong. Desperate for a holiday, the three friends decide to stay and make the most of it, yet they get much more than they bargained for.
This strange village could be beautiful yet it is the unfriendliest place these three women have ever visited. And what is with the lack of women, there are hardly any and May, Lara and Clare get stared at wherever they go. Their landlord Gene Hathersage and his brother are rather attractive but one seems to permanently be in a bad mood and the other has a vile fiancee who the whole village is terrified of.
I enjoyed this book so much. It had a slightly magical and mysterious edge to it and once I had started, I just couldn't stop reading.
I liked all three of the female characters and I enjoyed the separate story-lines that Milly Johnson had created, there is plenty going on to keep you interested.
The village of Ren Dullem is almost a character as well; I was intrigued as to what was going on and the secrets being kept by the inhabitants. I loved the ending and the little extra surprises included.
It's Raining Men is a funny, warm and entertaining read. Milly Johnson at her best.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Pages: 480

Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book to review, it is out now!

Book Review: Looking for La La by Ellie Campbell

When Cathy O'Farrell's husband, Declan receives a saucy postcard from the mysterious La La, Cathy is thrilled. Not seriously suspecting that her husband is having an affair, Cathy and her friend Raz start an investigation aided in part by the Tuesday Twice Monthly's, a tight knit group of local moms. Soon the notes turn sinister and Cathy notices a red estate car following her. Is this mystery perhaps more than she bargained for?

I really enjoyed Looking for La La, I think it is an original and entertaining read. Part chick-lit, part mystery, the authors keep your interest throughout.
Ellie Campbell is actually sisters Pam Burks and Lorraine Campbell and the bo
ok was apparently inspired by  Pam's husband receiving anonymous postcards in real life. When Cathy's husband receives the mail signed from La La, she decides to investigate. Worryingly Cathy is more excited that this postcard will bring some excitement to her life rather than being concerned that her husband is having an affair.
I liked Cathy's character, her two children are at school now and Declan is talking about her returning to work but she really doesn't want to. I felt a little sorry for Cathy, she doesn't seem to know what she wants at the start of the book; her role of wife and mother is changing and I think that is something that many female readers will identify with.
One of my favourite characters was Raz, along with Cathy's personality, they bring a lot of humour to the story which gives it a chick-lit feel.
I would recommend Looking for La La if you are after a chick-lit read with a slightly  more engaging storyline. I hope that Pam Burke and Lorraine Campbell have more books to offer in the future.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Book Review: Food of Ghosts by Marianne Wheelaghan

Nothing ever happens on Tarawa, a coral atoll in the middle of the Pacific. Then a mutilated body is found in a children's nursery hut. Detective Sergeant Louisa Townsend from Edinburgh is on the island helping train local police officers in basic detecting skills. She is asked to find the killerand jumps at the chance to be in charge of her first murder investigation. She marvels at the simplicity of the task ahead- after all, how difficult can it be to find the murderer on a desert island the size of a postage stamp and with only one road? But nothing on Tarawa is what it seems. There is a rumour that the victims eyes were eaten as part of a macabre, cannibalistic ritual and a second body is found and third death looks suspicious. With no forensics on Tarawa  and no one telling the truth, Louisa begins to worry she's out of her depth- not to mention the voices in her head have started up again. DS Townsend is an engaging, new female detective from Edinburgh, who is impetuous as she is ambitious, with an innate sense of justice at her core. Her determination is matched only by her struggle to overcome and obsessive compulsive disorder, which threatens to consume her. 

Food of Ghosts is the first in a series of books about DS Townsend. I haven't read anything by this author before but I really enjoyed this book.
The book is set on the tiny island of Tarawa, Louisa is originally from the island but she is visiting from Edinburgh where she now lives and works. Her job is to teach local police basic detecting skills but when a man is found dead with his eyes gouged out, she is put in charge of a full blown murder investigation. However, this is  not Edinburgy; Louisa really has her work cut out, there is no forensic unit and her colleagues don't have a clue how to investigate anything. As more bodies begin piling up, Louisa is majorly under pressure.
I found this book really interesting, the island setting adds a totally different element to the standard detective story; it adds a lot of humour due to Louisa finding herself in so many bizarre situations. Her OCD makes her job even harder but makes her character more interesting, her problem is quite individual, it was a breath of fresh air compared to the drink problem or recent divorce that most fictional detectives are experiencing.
Food of Ghosts reminded me a little of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. As with those books, the case being investigated is interesting but it is the setting and the characters which make the book.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Many thanks to Marianne Wheelaghan for sending me a copy of the book, it is out now!

Book Review: Bereft by Chris Womersley

Australia, 1919. Quinn Walker returns from The Great War to the New South Wales town of Flint: the birthplace he fled ten years earlier when he was accused  of a heinous act.
Aware of the townsmen's vow to hang him, Quinn takes to the surrounding hills. Here, deciding upon his plan of action, and questioning just what he has returned for, he meets Sadie Fox.
This mysterious girl seems to know and share his darkest fear. And, as their bond greatens, Quinn learns what he must do to lay the ghosts of his past, and Sadie's present to rest.

I wasn't too sure about this book when it arrived but I'm extremely glad that I read it. It's part crime, part literary fiction and Chris Womersley's writing is brilliant.
Quinn Walker returns to the small town of Flint haunted by his experiences of The Great War. He fled the town 10 years ago when he was found cradling the body of his beloved sister Sarah who had been raped and murdered. Quinn knows that if anyone recognises his face then they will waste no time in hanging him but he knows that he must return. Whilst hiding above the village, he meets Sadie Fox, she is a curious girl; her parents are both dead but she is sure that her brother will return from the war to claim her. A bond between the two is quickly formed, especially when they are being hunted by the same person. They need each other in order to confront their pasts so that they have any chance of a future.
Quinn Walker is a particularly interesting character. I just wanted him to find some kind of peace; it seems as though he is continually haunted by his dead sister and his time in the war. Sadie is equally as interesting, she has a magical quality about her. There are several instances in the book where you are left to wonder whether she is real or not.
The pace of this book is good overall but I think I gave this book 4/5 due to a few parts feeling a little slow. Bereft is an excellent read though and I shall look out for Chris Womersley's other books.

Dot Scribbles Rating 4/5

Many thanks to Quercus for sending me a copy of the book to review, Bereft is out now!

Book Review: Ghost Flower by Michele Jaffe

Eve Brightman is tough. In and out of foster homes from a young age, she knows how to survive on next to nothing. When a glamorous pair of siblings approach her with a mysterious proposal involving a lot of money, she is torn. Her instinct warns her off- but then her boss tries to assault her and she loses her job. Suddenly $100,000 cash, even for a shady deal shrouded in secrecy, seems like a pretty appealing option.

Eve bears a startling resemblance to siblings Bain and Bridgette's cousin Aurora, who disappeared three years before. Now, with Aurora set to inherit a fortune on her eighteenth birthday, the pair want to get their hands on the money without having to wait the usual four years before a missing person is declared dead. And so begins a Pygmallion-style grooming process, where tough street urchin Eve is forced to learn which fork to use when, and to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the illustrious Silverton dynasty's entire family tree and history.

Once she has been introduced and accepted back into the family, the real test starts. When will she slip up? What are the twins really up to and why does she feel as though there is something she isn't being told? And what is the terrifying whispering that happens outside her room late at night?

I read Michele Jaffe's last book Rosebush and really enjoyed it so I was very excited to read her latest book, Ghost Flower.
Eve Brightman is desperate and can't say no when Bain and Bridgette off her $100,000 to impersonate their cousin who disappeared on the night that her best friend Elizabeth was found dead. The twins have it all planned out so Eve thinks that nothing can go wrong but she really has no idea what she is getting herself into. Eve looks exactly like Aurora and the Silverton family accept her return but Eve is soon in much deeper than she expected to be. Everyone seems to have their own secrets about Aurora and nobody will reveal what really happened on the night of her disappearance. Aurora and Elizabeth apparently left a party together so how did one girl end up dead and the other missing?
Eve is totally freaked out when she hears strange whisperings outside of her bedroom door at night and receives phone calls from Elizabeth; how can she be contacting her when she is dead and what is she trying to warn her about?
Michele Jaffe has written another superb mystery. I was completely drawn into the story and we see everything through Eve's eyes so we experience the twists and turns as she does. Jaffe creates suspense from the very beginning, will Eve get caught out, why is everyone hiding something, who killed Elizabeth and what will their reaction be to Aurora's return?
I highly recommend Michele Jaffe's books, just be prepared that you won't be able to put them down.

Dot Scribbles Rating 4/5

Many thanks to Atom for sending me a copy of this book to review, Ghost Flower is out now.

Book Review: The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

Welcome to Walls of Water, North Carolina, where secrets are thicker than the town's famous fog.
Once upon a time, Willa Jackson's family owned the beautiful house on top of the ridge. Now it symbolises her family's ruin and a legacy Willa longs to escape from.
Paxton Osgood also yearns to break free, especially from her parents' expectations and the heartbreak of unrequited love. Desperate for a distraction, she decides to restore the empty mansion to its former glory. But the discovery of a long buried secret, a friendship that defies time, and a touch of magic, will transform both women's lives in ways they could ever have expected.

I haven't read anything by Sarah Addison Allen before but I found The Peach Keeper really interesting. The book is set in North Carolina and centres around the characters of Willa Jackson and Paxton Osgood, two females with very different characters. Paxton has been restoring The Blue Ridge Madam, the big house overlooking the town, she wants to use it's grand re-opening as a hotel to celebrate the town's womens' society of which her grandmother and Willa's were founding members. For Willa, the old house represents the troubles in her family's past. The Jacksons used to own the house and it is something that Willa would rather not be reminded of. However, a human skull is discovered under the old peach tree in the grounds of the house and Willa and Paxton's surviving grandmother's suddenly have a lot of questions to answer.
I did find this book really interesting, I think it was the mysterious events of the past that kept me reading rather than what was happening in the present. For some reason I didn't really take to either Paxton or Willa as characters  but I still enjoyed the strong theme of friendship that the author explored through these two women.
The Peach Keeper is  extremely well written and Sarah Addison Allen is very good at presenting dysfunctional people and relationships. I wish I had taken to the main characters a little more but this won't put me off trying the author's other books.

Dot Scribbles rating: 3.5/5

Many thanks to Hodder for sending me a copy of the book to review, The Peach Keeper is published on Thursday 17th January.

Book Review: The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Edie Burchill and her mother have never been close, but when a long-lost letter arrives one Sunday afternoon with the return address of Milderhurst Castle, Kent, printed on it's envelope, Edie begins to suspect that her mother's emotional distance masks an old secret.
Evacuated from London as a thirteen-year-old girl , Edie's mother is chosen by the mysterious Juniper Blythe and taken to live at Milderhurst Castle with the Blythe family: Juniper, her twin sisters and their father, Raymond, author of a 1918 children's classic, The True History of the Mud Man. In the grand and glorious Milderhurst Castle, a new world opens up for Edie's mother. She discovers the joy of books and fantasy and writing, but also the dangers.
Fifty years later, as Edie chases the answers to her mother's riddle, she, too, is drawn to Milderhurst Castle and the eccentric Sisters Blythe. Old ladies now, the three still live together, the twins nursing Juniper, whose abandonment by her fiance in 1941 plunged her into madness.
Inside the decaying castle, Edie begins  to unravel her mother's past. But there are other secrets hidden in the stones of Milderhurst Castle, and Edie is about to learn more than she expected. The truth of what happened in the distant hours has been waiting a long time for someone to find it.

Dr S bought me this book two Christmases ago, it has been languishing in my TBR pile but it has certainly been worth the wait.
At 670 pages, it is pretty lengthy but I believe it to be Kate Morton's best yet, I finished it over three days ago and can't stop thinking about it. I'm not going to give you any more information on the plot as I think everything you need is in the above synopsis. Mysteries and Secrets are the key to this book, Morton jumps back and forth in time tying the present and past neatly together. Milderhurst Castle is as much of a character as any of the human ones, with it's tower, secret passages and hidden doors, it is the perfect place for keeping secrets, now and then.
Edie is the character who ties everyone together, she is the one in search of answers. The Blythe Sisters are a fantastic creation, they almost seem fairytale like, three princesses locked away in a crumbling castle with no chance of rescue. I loved how Kate Morton builds up a picture of each sister as an individual whilst also exploring and exposing the bond they share as a formidable threesome.
The Distant Hours draws you in and then holds on very tightly. I think that Kate Morton has a brilliant ability of creating stories and characters that you entirely believe in and want more and more of. As I said, this book is quite long but at no point did I find myself feeling bored. Kate Morton makes every description and encounter between characters count and I think that is what makes her such a fantastic writer.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Book Review: Sister by Rosamund Lupton

Nothing can break the bond between sisters...

When Beatrice gets a frantic call in the middle of Sunday lunch to say that her younger sister Tess is missing, she boards the first flight home to London. But as she learns about the circumstances surrounding Tess's disappearance, she is stunned to discover how little she actually knows of her sister's life- and unprepared for the terrifying truths she must now face. 

The police, Beatrice's fiance and even their mother accept they have lost Tess, but Beatrice refuses to give up on her. So she embarks on a dangerous journey to discover the truth, no matter the cost. 

I bought this book last year but I have only just got round to reading it. I really wish I hadn't waited so long as it was brilliant. Rosamund Lupton has written a very clever mystery but I felt that it was much more than that as she explores the special bond between sisters, in this case Beatrice and Tess.
Beatrice received a call from her mother saying that Tess is missing. Although there are five years between them plus the Atlantic ocean, they are incredibly close and Beatrice gets on the plane home. As the search begins for the truth behind Tess's disappearance, Beatrice feels as though those around her are giving up on her sister and making her out to be a completely different person. Beatrice does learn some shocking truths about her sister but she still believes that there is something more sinister to her disappearance. Beatrice feels that she owes it to her sister to reveal the truth even if it means putting herself in danger. What if someone thinks Beatrice  is asking too many questions and wants her to disappear just like Tess?
Rosamund Lupton  has an excellent writing style. she maintains tension throughout the book and I loved the many twists that the plot took towards the end. This book reminded me a little of After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell in the way in which it explored human relationships. I have an older sister and I found Beatrice and Tess's relationship entirely believable. I empathised with Beatrice's desperation, although she initially has no evidence she does not give up on Tess as she had complete faith in how well she knew her sister.
This book did not take me long to read at all, Lupton constantly leaves you wanting more and I couldn't help but start a new chapter again and again. If you are looking for a tense thriller with a little more depth then look no further, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Dot Scribbles rating 5/5

Book Review: Cold Kill by Neil White

When Jane Roberts is found dead in a woodland area, Detective Sergeant Laura McGanity is first on the scene. The body bears a chilling similarity to a woman- Deborah Corley- murdered three weeks earlier. Both have been stripped, strangled and defiled. 

When reporter Jack Garrett starts digging for dirt on the notorious Whitcroft Estate, he finds himself face-to-face with Jane's father and gangland boss, Don who will stop at nothing until justice is done. It seems that the two murdered women were linked in more ways than one and a dirty secret is about to surface that some would prefer to stay buried. 

As the killer circles once more, Jack and Laura must get to him before he strikes again. But his sights are set on his next victim and he's watching Laura's every move...

Cold Kill is a fantastic, page-turning thriller. We have two victims, one the daughter of a gangland boss and the other the daughter of a police officer. Detective Sergeant Laura McGanity is working on the case and is struggling to find how, if at all, these two women are connected.
Laura's fiance is free-lance reporter Jack Garrett. He cannot use the inside information that Laura tells him so she has to find his own angle on the story. However, he was not expecting to be contacted by the killer who makes it clear that Laura could be his next victim. Laura and Jack have to work together as much as possible but both of their careers create barriers that sees them having to go it alone.
Neil White has created a very interesting story by having Laura and Jack as the main characters. They both have very different reasons for pursuing the killer but they know he must be caught before he claims another victim or Laura herself.
The tension is steadily built up throughout the book and there are many twists and turns towards the end which I didn't see coming.
I think that Cold Kill is a really interesting and clever thriller. I found the characters and situation to be entirely believable. Neil White has written four previous books which I am pleased about and I think he is a writer that I want to read more of.

Many thanks to Avon for sending me a copy of this book to review.

Book Review: A Pug's Tale by Alison Pace

Hope McNeill has worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for years, but this is the first time she's been able to bring her pug, Max (Officially at least. Up until now she's had to smuggle him in inside her tote bag)

The occasion" a special "Pug Night" party in honour of a deep-pocketed donor. Max and his friends are having a ball stalking the hors d'oeuvres and getting rambunctious- making Hope wonder if this is also the last time she gets Max to the museum. 

But when a valuable painting goes missing, the Met needs Hope's- and Max's- help. In her quest for the culprit, Hope is aided by an enigmatic detective, a larger-than-life society heiress, a lady with a shih tzu in a stroller, and her arguably intuitive canine. With luck, she'll find some inspiration on her trips to Pug Hill before the investigation starts going downhill. 

A Pug's Tale is the sequel to Alison Pace's first book Pug Hill,  haven't read the first book but I did enjoy this one.
The trouble begins when Hope McNeill crashes Pug Night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art where she works as a conservator. That night, Hope and Max discover that an extremely valuable painting has been stolen and replaced by a fake. Max is Hope's boyfriend's Pug who she is looking after whist he is away. Hope and Max have to find out who took the real painting  before anyone discovers that the replacement is a fake. It feels like everything is conspiring against them, the CCTV footage offers no clues and Hope becomes suspicious of her colleagues, even those who are helping to solve the mystery. Hope does find some assistance from Daphne, the deep pocketed donor who also has a pug called Madeline. Hope and Max put their trust in this eccentric lady as the mystery must be solved or Hope's job could be at risk.
A Pug's Tale is set in New York, a very canine New York. The book is littered with dogs, especially pugs and it is lovely to hear what they are getting up to. I enjoyed the mystery part of the book but I enjoyed reading about the dogs far more.
Alison Pace has created great characters in Hope and Max and I hope that they have many more adventures.

Many thanks to Berkley for sending me a copy of this book to review.

Book Review: Birdman by Mo Hayder

Greenwich, south-east London. DI Jack Caffery- young, driven, unshockable- is called to one of the most gruesome crime scenes he has ever seen.
Five young women have bee ritualistically murdered and dumped on wasteland near the Dome. Subsequent post-mortems reveal a singular, horrific signature linking the victims.
Soon Caffery realises that he is on the trail of that most dangerous offender: a serial killer. Beset by animosity within the police force, haunted by the memory of a very personal death, long ago, Caffery employs every weapon forensic science can offer to hunt him down.
Because he knows that it is only a matter of time before this sadistic killer strikes again...

This book is the second that I have read for The Great Transworld Crime Caper. I have not read any of Mo Hayder's previous books but after reading Birdman, I am definitely a fan.
The book centres around DI Jack Caffery, he like many fictional detectives has some skeletons in his closet but he really is a good guy, I really warmed to him throughout the book and he is a character I would like to read more of in the future.
Jack's team uncover the bodies of five women who have been buried for different periods of time. they have all be ritualistically killed and it appears that a small, live bird was sewn into their chests. With a body count of five to begin with, Jack knows that they are looking for a sadistic serial killer and time is not on their side.
Mo Hayder scatters clues throughout the book and then ties all the strings together at the end. I was on the edge of my seat several times but I don't think I was ever able to guess what would happen next. There are some very gruesome descriptions in the book, highlighting the depravity of the killer.
The only negative thing I can say is that there is a lot of medical vocabulary used in the book. Luckily I am married to a doctor so I could ask a few questions; it does add to the feeling of authenticity but it may send a few readers searching on Google.
Birdman is a brilliant thriller which I would highly recommend. I really enjoyed reading it and I'm looking forward to trying others by the same author.

Many thanks to Transworld for sending me a copy of the book.

Book Review: Never the Bride by Paul Magrs

Never the Bride is the first in the Brenda and Effie series by Paul Magrs. The books are set in Gothic Whitby, the sea-side town with the rolling mists and tales of vampires.
Brenda runs a Bed and Breakfast whilst her best friend Effie lives just next door where she runs a cluttered junk shop. All sounds pretty normal doesn't it? Don't be fooled, Brenda is hiding a terrible past, she knows that she will soon have to explain the intricate scars covering her body and the fact that she doesn't appear to age.
Never the Bride introduces us to these two women's wonderful friendship. They are quite happy going for quiet walks and sharing fish and chip suppers so it comes as quite a surprise to them that the gateway to Hell is situated in Whitby and they are the chosen guardians.
I instantly fell in love with the characters of Brenda and Effie. These two ladies take everything in their stride, from murder to martians and vampires. Paul Magrs offers his readers such an original story set in the beautifully atmospheric Whitby with it's dark alleys and age-old myths.
Never the Bride is full of dark, witty humour and I found myself completely carried away with the story. It's so exciting to find a new series of books to read and I can't wait to start the next one.
Have you read any of the Brenda and Effie series? Do you have a particular favourite?

Review: Agatha Rasin and the Haunted House by M.C. Beaton

I discovered the Agatha Raisin series a few years ago when I went on a cruise and read everything too quickly so had to raid the ship's library! They were such a great discovery, Agatha Raisin is a brilliant character and I love finding out about all of the trouble that she has been getting into! This is the fourteenth book in the series:

Reports of a haunted house soon have Agatha snooping round, but it turns out the victim is a universally disliked old biddy and someone is playing a practical joke. And then the old lady is murdered- but for Agatha, solving a crime is much more fun than hunting a ghost! Very soon she's up to her usual tricks, involving the villagers, local police, and, of course her handsome new neighbour...

M.C. Beaton has created another fantastic mystery in the Cotswolds and Agatha Raisin once again is there to save the day. I love her character, on the outside she is incredibly feisty and forward but the reader also gets to hear all the insecurities and worries that she carries round with her; making her a very believable and likable character. Her eye has been caught by her handsome new neighbour Paul Chatterton; he has a wife in Spain but is extremely flirtatious with Agatha so trouble soon ensues. Familiar characters from the series pop up in this book, there's Mrs Bloxby the vicar's wife, Bill Wong the policeman trying to keep Agatha out of trouble and Sir Charles Fraith, Agatha's part-time partner in crime. Beaton keeps you guessing to the very end about the death of the old lady and there are many red herrings along the way.
These books are a good, quick read, they keep you interested all the way through and the characters are so lovely that I always feel like I have spent the day with old friends whenever I read any of these! M.C. Beaton has a brilliant website so go and have a look and see if the Agatha Raisin mysteries interest you!