An ARC to read and review for #TBC (the Book Club Reviewer Group) on Facebook.

This is a moving love story which spans a whole lifetime. It‘s a tale of misunderstandings and regrets. There‘s quite a bit of background with the history of Iran - women seem to have had more freedom in the 1950s than they do now in that part of the world. The characters are well written and believable. An engaging and captivating story of lost love.

I very much enjoyed the first book in the PC Lucy Halliday series, Gallow Woods, where murder mysteries are investigated with the help of police dogs, Moss and Iggy. I‘m looking forward to book two and meeting up with these wonderful characters again.

I have to say I wondered what I‘d read when I eventually finished this book! 😄🤯. It‘s what I‘d describe as Jasper Fforde meets Stephen King with a little bit of John Connolly thrown in. I enjoyed but there‘s quite a big twist in the middle which just keeps on twisting. Cleverly plotted and written, it‘s a book I continued to think about a while afterwards.

This is a delightfully charming and sweet little tale about Grimaldi the cat who is sent back to Earth to live out his remaining eight lives. He visits 1909, 1935, 1942, 1953, 1969, 1997, 2002 and 2022 and the story is told in a series of glimpses or vignettes as told through Grimaldi‘s eyes. Engaging and also a little poignant in places. I read this with my online book club, https://thereadingloft.groups.io/g/main/topics

I‘m reading this with my local book group. The theme is a story set in the Middle East.

A library book. Sounds interesting. I like fairy tale inspired stories.

I‘m reading this with my online book group, https://thereadingloft.groups.io/g/main

This is a very atmospheric and dark story, eerily gothic in its telling. I loved the setting! Venice is an extraordinary city. Fiction is combined with fact to treat the reader to a fantastic tale of intrigue and adventure. Cleverly written to include certain poems and writings by Byron and presenting some fascinating real life as well as fictional characters, ‘Dangerous‘ is an exciting and engaging historical mystery which is sure to enthrall.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I didn‘t want it to end and I was certainly immersed in this family‘s world. It‘s character rather than plot driven. I found it quite relatable, totally engaging and humorous. I even liked Gene, the errant father, by the end of the book. He endeared himself! 🙂

An ARC to read and review for #TBC The Book Club Reviewer Group on Facebook. I do enjoy Essie Fox‘s books.

A library book. It needs to be back by 7 April as there are 45 people behind me on the reservation list, so I better get a move on! I do enjoy Jojo Moyes‘ books.

I very much enjoyed this one. It‘s very different to the author‘s Ruth Galloway Mysteries. If you enjoy mysteries and time travel stories, you‘ll love The Frozen People. Quite clever with some interesting characters and a humorous vibe. I‘m looking forward to book two!

A lovely, gentle tale covering themes of loneliness, grief, friendship and the power of a community garden to help heal. I really enjoyed it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this exciting story revolving around the slave trade and then the ‘rookeries‘ of St Giles in London set in the 18thC. It‘s beautifully written with some fantastically colourful characters. There is a slight Dickensian feeling to the tale, even some of the characters‘ names add a certain ambience. Fast paced it takes you on quite a rollercoaster of a ride. A great piece of historical fiction which I can highly recommend.

From the library. I love Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway Mysteries and I love a bit of time travel so I‘m looking forward to reading this first book in a new series.

I‘m reading this one with my online book group, https://thereadingloft.groups.io/g/main

Once again I enjoyed revisiting Skarfr and Hlif, our Viking intrepid duo, and joining them on their exciting adventures. These books are very well researched and imaginatively written with some fantastic and colourful characters. There are even some family trees and lists of characters to help keep track. This is the third in the Midwinter Dragon series. I can‘t wait to read the final episode and wish all the best for Skarfr and Hlif! #TBC

A library book to read.

Third in the Midwinter Dragon series. I‘ve read the first two, The Ring Breaker and Among Sea Wolves. Reading and reviewing for #TBC on Facebook.

I very much enjoyed this book. I loved immersing myself in the Ancient Egyptian world. Nefertiti was a fascinating queen to read about. It seems well researched and it‘s imaginatively told to fill in any holes. Highly recommended for historical fiction fans.

The Absent Heart by Ali Bacon

Inspired by the letters of Robert Louis Stevenson. It took me a little while to get into this book as it‘s quite a slow burner, but once I did I found myself quite transported to the 19th century. It has a good sense of time and place. It‘s beautifully and imaginatively written. The characters are well drawn and the author brought them to life wonderfully. An engaging, interesting and worthwhile read. #TBC

The Absent Heart by Ali Bacon

In 1870, Frances Sitwell, beautiful, intelligent and trapped in an abusive marriage, is grateful for the chaste affection offered by rising literary star, Sidney Colvin. They make a perfect couple until the young Robert Louis Stevenson bursts into their lives to captivate them with his wild, mercurial spirit and startlingly original talent.

Reviewing for #TBC on Facebook.

Wow, what a gripping thriller! It‘s a page turner from start to finish. Fast paced with plenty of twists, turns and, of course, the odd red herring, it makes for a rollercoaster of a read. I liked the characters and I loved the setting - very atmospheric and just right for the mood of the story. The ending is unexpected and leaves it on a bit of a cliffhanger. I can‘t wait to read the next in the series to find out what happens next! #TBC

I didn‘t enjoy this one as much as other books I‘ve read by Judith Lennox but it‘s still a pleasant and gentle story. It‘s a family drama set during and after WWII. There isn‘t much of a plot just a meander through a family‘s trials and tribulations. An easy read.

I‘m reading this with my local book group. The theme is a story set in North Africa. It‘s about time I read it as it‘s been on my TBR pile for about 15 years apparently!! 🫣🤪☺️. I‘ve read The Heretic Queen and Cleopatra‘s Daughter by the same author and enjoyed them so here‘s hoping! 🤞

I read this with my online book club, https://thereadingloft.groups.io/g/main. The theme was a love story seeing as it‘s February/Valentine‘s Day. I very much enjoyed it. It wasn‘t a conventional love story but I thought it was very perceptive and insightful. I‘d already seen the Netflix series so knew how it ended but I still cried! 😢. A moving and engaging story.

I‘m reading and reviewing this for the Book Club Reviewer group on Facebook. #TBC

I didn‘t enjoy this one as much as the author‘s debut novel, Dog Days,but still thought it was a worthwhile read. I don‘t generally like books where someone is dying of an incurable disease and there are no clues to this in the blurb even if the title is a little cryptic! I loved the characters, though, and it‘s well written. I liked how it all connects together and the theme of the power of friendship. A poignant, heartbreaking but humorous tale.

A library book to read.

I‘m reading this with my online book club, https://thereadingloft.groups.io/g/main. The theme is a love story seeing as it‘s Valentine‘s Day on 14 February. I‘m interested to find out how it compares to the Netflix series.

I didn‘t enjoy this one as much as the first book in the series but I still thought it was well worth the read. It kept me turning the pages. Plenty of twists and turns etc. I did work out ‘whodunnit‘ before it was revealed. Some of it, however, I didn‘t find credible and it seemed a little padded out.

A library book. I‘ve read Dog Days by the same author which I loved so I‘m sure I‘ll love this one. 🤞

I enjoyed the first in the Detective Jan Talantire mysteries, The Two Deaths of Ruth Lyle, so here‘s hoping this one is as good.

Quite a sweet tale about a very clever cat called James and his friends. He sniffs out forgeries, apprehends jewel thieves and investigates crimes. James likes a tot of whisky and has a taste for finer foods. I enjoyed joining him on his adventures. 3⭐️

This is the second in the Cal Lovett Files, a podcaster who investigates unsolved cases. I loved this one just as much as the first book. They‘re so well written and I love the character of Cal. Just a great page turner!

I read this with my local reading group and the theme was ‘winter‘. This is the ninth in the Vera Stanhope series but the first one which I‘ve read. It works very well as a stand alone. It‘s a slow burning detective story with plenty of twists and turns. It fitted the ‘winter‘ theme well and I very much enjoyed it. I did sort of guess ‘whodunnit‘ even though I had a change of mind at first!

Second in the Cal Lovett Files about unsolved crimes. I very much enjoyed the first book in the series.

One from Mt TBR! I enjoy books about cats.

An excellent retelling - I thought it was well written in a sympathetic way with modern overtones along with some humour. It‘s a sad story and I did feel for Medusa. She didn‘t deserve it. The gods themselves are brought to life wonderfully and they were easy to picture in my mind. By the end of the book I can quite safely say that Medusa isn‘t the monster in this story. My money is on Perseus! A thoroughly enjoyable and engaging read.

I‘m reading this with my local book group. I haven‘t read the previous books and usually prefer to start a series at the beginning, but needs must!

This is the second book I‘ve read in this engaging mystery series. I really like George, he‘s such an endearing character even if he does come across as a little abrupt. He just takes some understanding, that‘s all. A very enjoyable read, it had me avidly turning the pages. I loved that it was set in the literary world. If you enjoy entertaining and intriguing whodunnits, this one‘s for you. #Pigeonhole

Reading this with my online book club, https://thereadingloft.groups.io/g/main

I thought this was a brilliant read. It‘s beautifully and evocatively written. The characters are mostly dislikable. It reminded me a little of The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, it had a certain sort of atmosphere. And the ending, wow! A page turner.

#Pigeonhole. Sadly one of the last books I shall be reading via the Pigeonhole app. It‘s closing down at the end of this month as it‘s no longer viable. I‘ve so enjoyed interacting with other readers/pigeons and it‘s such a shame that it can‘t continue.

A library book. I‘ve been looking forward to this one.

Not for me I‘m afraid. I don‘t like the style of writing.

I‘m reading this for my online book group, https://thereadingloft.groups.io/g/main. It was supposed to be our December selection, the theme was a festive read, hence why I‘m reading it now as I didn‘t think it seemed very Christmassy!

Another enjoyable Christmas read and the second in the series. I like the characters in these books and how they‘re written, a chapter for each. Easy to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming Christmas themed book. Just an all round great read. Queen Elizabeth II has a cameo role as does Prince Philip. A lovely, gentle story.