A RIGHT COZY HISTORICAL CRIME

 

This is a cosy upon the couch kind of book. The authors have produced a wide selection of stories from monsters in Scotland to actual bodies at a High School play. You can dip in and out at your leisure, drink coffee and enjoy this anthology of murderous stories. There  is bound to be a story here to appeal to your tastes. This would be an excellent book to give or receive as a gift. 

I read it over a few days and can’t pick a favourite. My advice just read and enjoy.

THE RING

Forged over 2000 years ago, when Rome was still a republic, a simple gold Ring was inscribed with the name and symbol of Fortuna, capricious goddess of fate. From the seven hills of Ancient Rome, to the streets of modern day New York. The Ring passes from hand to hand, through the centuries, shaping destinies and unveiling secrets.

The book follows the ring through time and in different stories relates its fate and its impact on those who come into contact with it. With authors like Fiona Forsyth, Val Penny, Graham Brack, Robert Bordas and others, these are an excellent read

If you enjoy historical fiction this is the book for you.

There are ten exciting stories from bestselling authors. A must have addition to any library.

Published by the Reading Agency, a charity focused on encouragement and engagement for readers.  Please buy this book as the proceeds go to support the work of the charity.

https://readingagency.org.uk/

 Today I’m reviewing this fabulous little book of Christmas Crime. Ideal for someone you never know what to buy. This compilation of short stories will find a place with everyone . It’s a book to dip into or read on one sitting ideal for relaxing over the Christmas season.

Thirteen festive mysteries where the annual traditions of Christmas are mixed with murderous secrets. From the bustling streets of Lagos  which are filled with more than Festive shoppers,  to a Scottish castle hiding a creepy mystery, each of these stories is a masterpiece filled with the contrasts of Holiday warmth and tantalizing mysteries.

So it’s time for your favourite fluffy socks, a hot chocolate and cozied up on the sofa for an evening of detective binging to help our sleuths unravel the twists and turns of these holiday stories. If you are a lover of cozy mystery this is the book for you or, maybe a fiend too.

 

If you are looking for a gift for Christmas, perhaps a Secret Santa, this book is sure to impress.

A novel take on a local murder with a detective with “Gifts”. Set in Wales it gives a flavour of the local everyday Wales and has interesting characters especially the new boy detective who seems to be psychic, or maybe not quite. He does  have communications with a voice who seems to guide his impressions of others. His penchant for Tarot cards helped by his voice helps him to navigate his place as the new boy in a new job . Getting to know his colleagues and sidestep his reputation for oddness  which has followed him from Cardiff. This is a thoroughly good read, not to be put down lightly. 

Our detective Madoc Palmer has a new job, new colleagues and a brand new murder first day on the job.

The victim is found face down in a builders trench and while retrieving him another older body is found.

The bones have hair extensions and breast implants along with them and she is estimated to be young 16 to 25 years old .

The team have a difficult job with this and makes for a fast paced story with well drawn characters. Madoc.is  having a hard time keeping his voice out of his investigation and tries hard to keep his  psychic connection under wraps  Meanwhile his new boss is having a hard time not to be attracted to him .

This is a thrilling read lots of well plotted twists and turns the burgeoning relationship between DI Atkins and her new Sergeant Madoc Palmer, will no doubt develop further in another book. I look forward to reading that.

Behind the curtain By Anita D Hunt

Behind the curtain is an interesting debut novel dealing with domestic abuse.

A seeming successful an marries a woman who he considers from a lower social strata than himself.

The whirlwind romance becomes a nightmare as he turns into a controlling partner. With no access to money or friends , his grip on her mind and sense of self is soul destroying. 

For friends and family looking on the sense of helplessness they feel is heartbreaking. Her husband seems to be unassailable and her situation without a solution. After a violent attack she loses her baby and starts to write a diary. Her apparent suicide seems to rock her husband but after a year of mourning a new employee at his firm takes his attention and takes the place of his dead wife.

Trapped in the same nightmare as her predecessor she finds the diary and this opens an avenue for escape and an unexpected twist in the tale.

This book opens a door on the secret world of control present in many

relationships, and the helplessness many family and friends feel when they have a loved one trapped in such a situation.

We also get an insight to the controller and his/her reasons for their behaviour. 

This is a well written and thought provoking book. Well worth a read.

Taking the Plunge

 Today I’m taking part in the blog tour for Burrowed by Maressa  Mortimer. 

This us a young adult novel set on the beautiful island if Ximiu. 

The young heroine is Jasira, daughter of the Xibai, the female governing official of the Island. Along with her friend Ilori, who is the son of the Vice-Xibai, they start to uncover some sinister goings on.

Ximiu is “going green” - so that’s a good thing, right? Well perhaps not as first all the island cars disappear almost overnight.

There have been disappearances of young girls, one of Jasira’s friends had a younger sister disappear.

People start to move to the mainland and people move in who are keen on the idea of “ going green”.

The author uses great skill to build a creepy sense of something sinister beneath the surface of the beautiful island of Ximiu. The island is run by a matriarchal system of female officials. However there is a sense that the men are not too happy about this situation.

This novel is aimed at YA but can be enjoyed by anyone adults included. The story goes on to show the changes to be made by the ruling council and the unfortunate consequences. Babies are born stillborn. 

There are two Albinos on the Island, Axixa and Kamua, a brother and sister. 

Our two heroes believe them to be behind the strange disappearances; cars, electricity, bags of flour, young girls even ashphalt from the roads!

The two friends set out to save the Island, extremely well crafted by the author this part if the story is all consuming and very vivid.

An excellent read for YA or Adult please read and enjoy this book.