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.

A library book. Hopefully I will be able to squeeze it in to the twelve days of Christmas! 🙂

A very enjoyable sequel to The Christmas Bookshop. Heartwarming. I would just love to visit this bookshop.

This is such a fun and easy read. As well as the humour and lightheartedness, there‘s also a bit of a cosy mystery going on which adds a certain sort of intrigue. The characters are well drawn and the story flows along at a good pace. It‘s perceptively written in its way with nods towards teenagers, the menopause and trying to find yourself again after motherhood and family matters. An entertaining and amusing romp which I very much enjoyed.

A library book. My second Christmas themed read this year.

Reading and reviewing this for #TBC on Facebook.

A real rollercoaster of a story, the pace never lets up. It‘s a cat and mouse chase and a race against time. Cleverly plotted and written, it‘s thought provoking and entertaining. I was gripped from beginning to end. I do love a puzzle! With some great, well rounded characters as well an intriguing storyline, it makes for a fantastic read. It will keep you up to the wee small hours wanting to know what happens next. #Pigeonhole

I‘ve read the first book, The Christmas Bookshop, which I enjoyed. Looking forward to this one for a bit of lightness! Trying to get myself in the Christmas spirit! 🎄

A thoroughly enjoyable story, beautifully written and very immersive with some fantastic characters. What more do you want in a book? It held my attention from beginning to end.

#Pigeonhole

I rather enjoyed this one. It has mixed reviews. It‘s basically about a war between the moths and the butterflies, a fairy story. Love rules all. It feels a little like a young adult book but all in all I thought it was an enchanting read.

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

3.5⭐️. I thought this was a little bit crackers but entertaining. The ghosts are somewhat OTT, quite in your face, so I didn‘t find them particularly credible, not that I believe in ghosts really! I wouldn‘t mind the one who does the housework, though. Very handy. It ends on very much a cliffhanger, almost as if a chapter is missing. I will probably read book two, The Mirror, but I‘m not desperate to go out and buy it at the moment.

A library book. Mixed reviews for this one but I‘m giving it a go. 🧚🪄

I 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.

I 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

A library book.

I 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.

The 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……

#Pigeonhole