pickI enjoyed this one, I found it interesting. There are two timelines, one set in the present day and the other in the 16th/17thC. I preferred the timeline in the Shakespearean era. However, I did think it was a little too long, somewhat drawn out. But all in all it gives food for thought!
It‘s a long time since I read a Nora Roberts book! It sounds fun read.
pickI thoroughly enjoyed this story. It has an easy writing style, the plot flows along at a fast pace, drawing the reader in to its murky depths wonderfully. It‘s gripping and exciting. The social mores of the time are well depicted and the characters vividly brought to life. It‘s a fun and captivating romp with plenty of atmosphere and glitz as well as some seedier elements and even a little bit of gore! 😱. A page turner. #Pigeonhole
pickI think I preferred the first book, the Jane Austen Society, but I still found it an enjoyable read. I like reading books set in bookshops. It was lovely to see certain characters again and to meet new ones. I like the inclusion of real life personalities, too, like Daphne du Maurier. I can recommend these books.
pickThe second book in a series. I didn‘t enjoy this one as much as the first book. It seemed a little repetitive. A gentle and quirky read nevertheless. 3.5⭐️
Second book to read in time for my trip away to the Peak District with my reading group friends. It‘s also the second in a series. I better get going……
pickI enjoyed this story. It‘s quite gentle and flows along nicely. It‘s well written (apart from the Americanisms - an English doctor wouldn‘t refer to Christmastime as ‘the holidays‘ especially in the 1940s in England), drawing on the strength of the power of books and featuring some lovely characters. Just a delightful and engaging read. 4⭐️
A library book and second in the series.
pickI found this a fascinating but macabre read, it‘s well researched and gives a great insight into all the characters connected to the case. It‘s not a happy tale and some of it a sent a shiver down my spine. The case went someway to abolishing the death penalty in Britain. The book is very matter of fact and very absorbing - you‘d think twice about doing some d-i-y in your house after reading this! Recommended for true crime fans. #Pigeonhole
pickA very enjoyable and cleverly written epistolary style mystery. I didn‘t always know what was going on, the plot is quite complex but it all came together at the end. Not my favourite book by this author but still a worthwhile read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A library book. I‘m going away for a weekend in the Peak District with a group of friends who also love reading at the beginning of November. The original book we‘d arranged to read to discuss at our get together was The Bloomsbury Girls but then found out it‘s the second in a series, so now we‘re reading both books! 🤪. So many books too little time. 🫨
pickI very much enjoyed this second book. Historical fiction cleverly combined with fact, this is an engaging and absorbing mystery. I loved all the little details and the inclusion of real-life figures and events. Well paced and written, I was gripped from beginning to end. The ending is left on somewhat of a clifffhanger - I can‘t wait for book three so that I can join Non and Basil on their next adventure! Hurry up, Alis Hawkins! #Pigeonhole
A library book. I‘ve read the author‘s previous three books and very much enjoyed them.
The Examiner by Janice Hallett
Six Students. One Murder. Your Time Starts Now...
The mature students of Royal Hastings University's new art course have been trouble from day one. The year-long course is blighted by students setting fire to one another's artwork, a rumoured extra-marital affair and a disastrous road trip. The students have nothing in common except their clashing personal agendas, what could possibly go wrong? The answer is: murder.
so-soI read this with my local book club - the theme was a story set in Wales. It‘s beautifully and lyrically written so I appreciate it for its writing. It has a fairytale feel to it and I would class it as more of a novella than a novel as it is only 223 pages long. There is magical realism and a love story but somehow it didn‘t quite thrill me. There was something missing for me. I didn‘t hate it but I didn‘t love it. 3.5⭐️
pickI enjoyed this story. Like all good thrillers there are plenty of twists, turns and the odd red herring. I liked the witchy vibe and found the references to witch bottles, hexafoils etc fascinating. There are some strong characters, especially Carla and Erin, both feisty women. The plot is quite a dark and creepy one, but very intriguing and I was gripped from beginning to end. A good book to read on the run up to Hallowe‘en! #Pigeonhole
pickThe Flower House by Nicky Black
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has a great sense of foreboding throughout which compelled me to keep turning the pages. The characters are all very complex, some of them not very likeable. The plot is a gripping one. I love dual timeline stories set in older properties, involving families and their secrets - this one certainly fulfilled my wishes in all parameters. Highly recommended. #TBC on Facebook
pickI enjoyed this story although I did find some of it a little disjointed. Nevertheless I found it quite different, imaginative and absorbing. I liked the characters and, being born and bred in Yorkshire myself, I loved the setting! The genre is classed as ‘romantasy‘ and I think ‘In Silence and Shadows‘ is a good example of this particular genre. An engaging and bewitching read - I look forward to book two! #Pigeonhole
pickI really enjoyed this delightful, slightly whimsical story with a sprinkling of romance. The faeries weren‘t always sweetness and light, there were some malevolent ones too. I liked the two main characters, Emily and Wendel, and the fact the book was written in an epistolary style. I‘m looking forward to book two.
pickA fast paced, cat and mouse chase, rollercoaster of an adventure. It takes the reader on quite the journey, twisting and turning at every corner, action packed all the way to the end. A bit of a horror story, too! It‘s narrated via two voices, that of Dr Watson and Col Sebastian Moran. It was interesting to get two sides of the story. I didn‘t always know what was going on but I went with the flow and ended up thoroughly enjoying the ride. #TBC
pickThis was a fabulous story. It‘s vividly and evocatively told with the contrast between India and America being very apparent. The characters are wonderfully realistic. I was totally immersed in Missy‘s life and loved spending time with her family. It took me to a different world, the writing just made me feel as if I was there living alongside Missy and her daughters. A family saga with a difference which I can highly recommend. #Pigeonhole
pickBeautifully written and well researched, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Historical fact is blended with fiction and there‘s a hint of the supernatural as there is in most of Susanna Kearsley‘s work. It‘s a gripping adventure story which kept me turning the pages. The author‘s notes at the end are of particular interest. I can highly recommend it.
I‘m reading this with my online book group, https://thereadingloft.groups.io/g/main.
pickThis was an interesting read. Like father like daughter were my first thoughts. She‘s just as bloodthirsty as Henry. She was very stuck in her ways with a bee in her bonnet about Protestants. It was sad that the child she was became the woman she ended up as. A well written and researched fictional biography. What a bigoted dysfunctional family the Tudors were!
pickI very much enjoyed this thriller. It‘s a well written, easy and entertaining read. There are plenty of twists and turns, and also the odd red herring. I found it suspenseful and the tension definitely racks up. Although the girl who disappeared doesn‘t come across as pleasant, I wanted her to be found and have some sort of justice. I liked Cal as a character and look forward to joining him again on his next podcast adventure! #Pigeonhole
pickWell, this was quite a rollercoaster of a thriller. It was twisting, turning and backsliding in all directions. It was difficult to keep up but definitely an exhilarating ride. A little bit improbable at times, but nevertheless an entertaining storyline. It‘s told in an interesting way with the main narrative interspersed with texts, emails and forensics reports. And what a cliffhanger! #Pigeonhole
A library book to read. I enjoy Susanna Kearsley‘s work so looking forward to this one!
pickFun, entertaining and fast paced thriller. It had me turning the pages. A little bit cringeworthy at times but there were some great twists and I loved the ending. I read this with my online reading group, https://thereadingloft.groups.io/g/main.
pickAn enjoyable country house ‘golden age‘ mystery. Lots of characters and secrets. I didn‘t know what was going on until the end. It kept me on my toes and turning the pages. I read this with my local book group and the theme was a ‘classic‘. I think it fitted the bill as a British Crime Classic.
pickThis book has mixed reviews but I enjoyed it. It‘s quite the slow burner to begin with but then the action hots up and becomes quite gripping. There are elements of the supernatural as well as mythological ingredients. I was interested to find out that there really is a puzzle wood, https://www.puzzlewood.net/. Hobbits spring to mind! 🙂. The writing is atmospheric and it‘s just a little different. A good creepy, gothic mystery.
I‘m reading this with my online book group, https://thereadingloft.groups.io/g/main.
pickI enjoyed it this gentle, well plotted and absorbing saga about life in the Victorian era. The three main female characters were strong personalities and I liked how they connected with each other. It gives a good insight into how life was for certain women within this particular time period. An easy and undemanding read which is bound to appeal to family saga fans. I‘m looking forward to reading the second book in the series. #Pigeonhole
pickA pleasant and easy read set in a beautiful part of the world. It‘s a little predictable and also a tad convenient in places. I read this with my local book group, the theme being a lighthearted story set in Southern Europe. I think it fitted the bill!
A library book. This has mixed reviews so I wonder what I will make of it? It sounds right up my street so hope I won‘t be disappointed. 🤔.
pickI love a spot of time travel so I was looking forward to reading this one. It‘s the first in a new series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well written with some interesting characters, I was fully immersed in Pixie Tate‘s world and look forward to joining her again on her next adventure!
I‘m reading this with my local book group. The theme is a lighthearted story set in Southern Europe.
