Review of White Raven by Maggie Ritchie

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for White Raven by Maggie Ritchie.

It’s 1956 and Rosie is bored with life as an art teacher at a girls school in Edinburgh. Then while out walking, she recognises Alex Kuznetsov from years back when they both worked at Bletchley during the war.

Alex is running a language school and an intensive intelligence operation as fears of a future war grow.

Alex persuades Rosie to join him in an art teacher role. However, it soon becomes clear that there is much more to this job and before long Rosie finds herself deep in a world of spying and treachery.

This was such an interesting story and was inspired by the real roles played by Scottish women during the 1950s.

I would recommend this for fans of historical fiction.

Thank you to Kelly at Folk PR for sending me a copy.

Review of Whisky World Tour by Joel Harrison

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Today is my stop on the Whisky World Tour by Joel Harrison.

We often visit different distilleries when we are in Scotland I have been looking for a book about whisky.

What I liked about this book is that it has a focus on the distillery and its history, as well as the whisky itself.

I have visited quite a few of the Scottish distilleries mentioned in the book and found the information about the ones elsewhere very interesting.

I would recommend this for whisky fans.

Thank you to Random Things Tours and Octopus Books for sending me a copy.

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Review of The House at Devil's Neck by Tom Mead

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for The House at Devil’s Neck by Tom Mead.

It was great to be reunited with illusionist turned sleuth Joseph Spector as he investigates his most disturbing case yet.

It’s August 1939 and Devil’s Neck is an old mansion that was once used as a hospital during the First World War. It’s well known as a spooky setting and has visitors flocking from afar.

After hearing that the house is haunted by an old soldier, Spector decides to pay a visit

However, when the house is cut off by the causeway and the stranded guests start dying one by one, it seems there is something more sinister.

Can Spector and his old ally Inspector Flint get to the bottom of this or are they also at risk of becoming a victim?

This was such a gripping read. I loved the setting and couldn’t put this down.

Thank you to Random PR for sending me a copy to review. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of One Summer in Provence by Carol Drinkwater

 

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Today is my stop on the Random Things blog tour for One Summer in Provence by Carol Drinkwater.

Celia Grey has a seemingly perfect life. She is married to playwright Dominic and living in a beautiful chateau in Provence.

Out of the blue, her long lost son who she gave up for adoption gets in touch. On the spur of the moment, Celia invites him to visit her in France.

In spite of the shock, Celia and Dominic welcome David. However, Dominic is suspicious. Is this really Celia’s long lost son and if not who is he and what does he want?

The setting of this book in Provence and the descriptions of the area and house were beautiful. 

I really enjoyed reading this book, which was my first book by this author.

Thank you to Random Things Tours for including me. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of Secrets of the Bees by Jane Johnson

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Secrets of the Bees by Jane Johnson.

Ezra Curnow had lived his whole life in a small cottage on the Trengrose estate in Cornwall. It’s an idyllic life and generations of his family lived there before him.

However, this is threatened Eliza Rosevear dies without a will and the ownership of his cottage is put into question by the family from London who purchase the estate.

Toby and his wife Minty arrive with plans of modernising and setting up a tourism business. They immediately see Ezra’s cottage as a money spinner and are determined to get him out. Ezra, however, is prepared to battle to save his beloved home and lifestyle.

When it seems that Toby will move to underhand tricks to get him out, it is the late Eliza who does not seem to want to rest until a secret is uncovered.

I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. I found myself rooting for Ezra, but also wondering about Eliza’s life and the history of Trengrose. A fantastic give star read for me and Cornwall is one of my favourite settings for a book.

Thank you to Ransom PR and Head of Zeus for including me. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of The Cardinal by Alison Weir

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Cardinal by Alison Weir.

I really enjoyed Alison Weir’s books and the way in which she brings history to life. The Cardinal was no exception and we learn about Cardinal Thomas Wolsey through his eyes.

This was an interesting read for me because when I studied history at A level, we focused also on the Tudors and I remember learning about Wolsey’s role.

I really liked the way that Weir weaves in the more personal aspects of Wolsey’s life including his upbringing, life as an Oxford scholar at only 11 years old and his relationship with Joan Larke. I found it very interesting reading about his secret second life and the riches he amassed.

After such a dramatic rise through the court, how did he end up in disgrace and estranged from the woman he loved.

Alison Weir vividly brings this powerful figure to life in this fantastic book. Highly recommended especially for fans of the Tudor era and historical fiction.

Thank you to Random Things tours and Headline for sending me a copy.

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Review of The Sun Trap by Rachel Wolf

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Sun Trap by Rachel Wolf.

Ellie has dreamed of being an actor since she was young and when a role in a blockbuster film comes up, she jumps at the chance,

It’s being filmed in Abu Dhabi, but on the private flight there Ellie overhears a two people talking about murdering someone involved in the film.

It’s a terrible flight and afterwards, Ellie wonders if she really did hear that conversation. However, when an accident happens and someone dies Ellie knows she must be on high alert.

In fact, it’s not just her career that’s at risk, it’s her whole identity because isn’t really who she claims to be.

Wow, this was such a nail biting book where nothing is quite what it seems!

I really enjoyed this and would highly recommend for thriller fans.

Thank you to Ransom PR and Head of Zeus for sending me a copy to review. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of Manhattan Down by Michael Cordy

 

Today is our stop on the blog tour for Manhattan Down by Michael Cordy.

It is the afternoon before the remembrance of the disaster that was 9/11, Climate change has caused Manhattan to be under an oppressive heat dome. All the world leaders are gathered in the United Nations Assembly building to discuss what to do. Samantha Rossi, top cyber security officer, is preparing to leave her office at Goldman Sachs to go home to her daughter Zoe. Nick Lockwood, an NYPD officer on gardening leave is lying in hospital, wounded. 

At 5.25 pm precisely, all the people on the island fall asleep where they are – walking, driving, cycling or going about their daily tasks. Samantha, Nick, Zoe and veteran Hank Kowalski are the only ones awake, or so they believe.  Dogs, cats and rats become feral. The City that Never Sleeps has become Somnopolis – the City of Sleepers.

Samantha is desperate to find Zoe. Nick wants to find who or what has done this to his city. He is the sole police officer awake. When he comes across a body with a green baseball cap similar to his own, with a backpack, and catching sight of another wearing the same attire, he assumes the identity of the body to investigate. He discovers that he has become part of a group of activists called the Waking Eye who are holding the city to ransom over climate change. The members of this group will wake the inhabitants at dawn, provided that their demands are met by every world power. In her search for Zoe, Samantha is captured and coerced into working for them using her cyber skills. Will she and Nick , working together, succeed in waking Manhattan and finding Zoe? Is the Waking Eye as honest in their demands as they say? Who decides the fate of Manhattan and of the world?

A bombshell of a novel, not beyond the realm of present day possibility. I highly recommend Manhattan Down - there is never a lull in the tension. Excellent, Michael Cordy!

5 stars

Thank you to Ransom PR for including us. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of The Everyday and Far Away by Jacqueline Jones

 

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Today is my stop on the Random Things blog tour for The Everyday and Far Away by Jacqueline Jones.

Ernie is 77 years old and has a few great passions including his wife, family and his beloved motorbike. As Ernie struggles with a diagnosis of dementia and cannot remember recent events, his past seems as vivid to him like it was yesterday.

It is not only Ernie who is struggling, his seventeen year old granddaughter Nina is finding it hard to fit in at college and figure out what she really wants to do. It seems that Nina is destined to work with her mum at their greengrocers until she comes across a surprise which might just help her and Ernie.

A beautifully written book that covers the heartbreaking and devastating effects of dementia. I really like the way that the book moved between past and present, so that we get to see into the background of Ernie’s life.

Highly recommended and looking forward to reading more by this author.

4 stars

Thank you to random things tours and One World Publications for sending me a copy. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of A Death in Berlin by Simon Scarrow

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for A Death in Berlin by Simon Scarrow.

It’s May 1940 in Berlin and as the Second World War is raging. However, there are problems much closer to home for Germany on the streets of Berlin.

CI Horste Schenke is an investigator with the Kripo unit in Berlin and is working in a very dangerous world. Not only is he fighting against the criminal underworld, he has also aroused the suspicions of the Senior Nazi party members who doubt his loyalty.

It’s a slippery slope and Schenke will do what he can to protect his loved ones.

The author has vividly brought this era to life. Not just the terrifying regime, but also the seedy underworld that coexisted. This was an addictive read that I did not want to put down.

I highly recommend this book for historical

fiction fans.

Thank you to Ransom PR for including me. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of Madame Matisse by Sophie Haydock

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Madame Matisse by Sophie Haydock.

Madame Matisse is the story of three women - a loyal wife for over forty years, an orphan who is trying to create a new life and a daughter who gets stuck in the middle. It is based on a true story and is a fascinating read.

Beginning in Paris in 1897, we learn about the early life of Amelie who married Henri Matisse in 1898.

 Amelie is strong and determined to do whatever she can for a comfortable life with Henri.

Years later, after he has experienced success in the art world, we see how their life has changed. Lydia is an orphan from Russia seeking a new life on the French Riviera when she first meets the Matisse family.

Marguerite is the eldest daughter of Henri Matisse and we see her perspective on her parent’s marriage in the third part of this book.

I couldn’t put this book down and loved the way that it was broken into the three main parts. I really enjoyed the different settings the book moved to and the historical context, as well as the descriptions of the art world. This is one of my favourite books of the year so far.

5 stars

Thank you to Random Things Tours for including me. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of Black Woods Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey

 

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Today is my stop on the Random Things blog tour for Black Woods Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey.

The Snow Child is one of my all time favourite books and I couldn’t wait to read Black Woods Blue Sky.

Birdie is doing her best to raise her young daughter Emaleen and is working hard  at a local bar, but life is tough. They are living in a single cabin room and Birdie is juggling everything just to try and keep on top of things.

Then Birdie meets Arthur and everything changes. Arthur is quiet and listens to everything. Suddenly Birdie feels different and when Arthur asks them to move in with them at his remote cabin in the mountains, Birdie doesn’t hesitate.

In the mountains, their lives change as they live with in the wilderness and learn to become at one with nature.

However, Arthur has a secret and as they start to settle into life at the cabin, both Emaleen and Birdie notice some strange goings on. As they settle in they must confront who Arthur is and how he lives his life.

This is such a beautifully written book that transports you to the Alaskan wilderness. It is a deep and mesmerising story of survival, love, motherhood and learning to forgive.

5 stars

Thank you to Random Things Tours and Tinder Press for including me. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of The Pearl Button Girl by Annie Murray

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Pearl Button Girl by Annie Murray.

Ada Fletcher grows up in a loving family, but when a series of trade dies strike her siblings are taken away into a workhouse.

Ada works hard at a local Pearl button factory in Birmingham and is taken in by a neighbouring family. However, the Connell family have little money and too much reliance on alcohol.

Ada decides to move out and start a life by herself. Will she be reunited with her family?

I really enjoy Annie Murray’s books, she is so good at sweeping you right back to a different era. This was no exception and the Victorian era was vividly brought to life.

Thank you to panmacmillan for sending me a copy to review. 

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Review of The Garden by Nick Newman

 

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Today is my stop on the Random Things blog tour for The Garden by Nick Newman.

In the walled garden of a large house, two sisters live a basic life confined to a kitchen and living from the food they can grow themselves. Their everyday routine is taken from a handmade almanac put together by their mother years earlier.

The sisters can’t really remember what came before the garden - only snippets of memories of what seems like a more normal existence. Why are they surviving in such strange circumstances and where is everyone else?

When a boy turns up, they are shocked. Who is he and what does he want? Does it mean there are more people coming?

This was such a haunting book and there were some scene that were disturbing, I really couldn’t stop thinking about them. Time seems to have stood still for these elderly sisters confined to a life that revolves around their garden. There were lots of hints, but I was not sure exactly when this was set.

I read this very quickly - starting on Saturday and finishing on Sunday evening. I wanted to find out what would happen and also how the sisters had ended up like this. I would say that this would appeal to fans of horror and dystopian style fiction.

Thank you to Random Things Tours for including me. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of At the Bottom of the Garden by Camilla Bruce

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for At the Bottom of the Garden by Camilla Bruce.

Clara Woods has taken in her orphaned nieces and is determined to get hold of their inheritance. Children were never part of the plan for Clara, but she doesn’t think it will be too hard.

However, what Clara doesn’t know is that Lily and Violet are actually untrained witches. Lily can see when people lie and Violet can see dead people. In fact, she can see a dead man at the bottom of Clara’s garden and she is able to bring them back.

Soon Clara is surrounded by ghostly apparitions and she knows that this arrangement with Lily and Violet won’t work, but only one side can win.

This was a dark gothic novel with unforgettable characters. I found myself hooked wondering what would happen.

I’m looking forward to reading Camilla Bruce’s next book.

Thank you to Random Things Tours for including me. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of The Blackbirds of St Giles by Lila Cain

 

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Today is my stop on the Random Things blog tour for The Blackbirds of St Giles by Lila Cain.

In 1782, Daniel and his sister Pearl arrive in London seeking a fresh life after terrible beginnings on a Jamaican sugar plantation.

However, Daniel and Pearl do not get off to a good start when they are tricked and end up in the menacing environment of St Giles in London.

Having worked so hard for his freedom, Daniel now finds himself in the same situation under the wicked Elias. Can he truly find freedom in the land he had so much hope for?

This is a beautifully written and heartbreaking read that highlight the social injustices of the time.

The setting of eighteenth century London is vividly brought to life. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

I love this cover!

Thank you to Random Things Tours for including me. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of Hope Street by Mike Gayle

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Hope Street by Mike Gayle.

I am a big fan of Mike Gayle’s books and was thrilled to join the blog tour.

Lila is a trainee journalist in Derby longing for a big scoop, but realistically trying to find any local news she can.

When she is asked to visit the last resident on an estate earmarked for development, she thinks it will be a waste of time. However, when she meets Connor she realises that there is much more than just someone who doesn’t want to move house.

 Connor won’t leave without his Mum, but his Mum isn’t there. In fact, four years ago she went out to see a friend and had never returned. Connor, has no doubt though that she will be back and he is determined to be there waiting in their house once she does.

This is such a great read. I felt so involved with the characters and hoped that things would work out for Connor.

I had to buy some party rings after seeing this cover!

Review of The Queen of Fives by Alex Hay

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Queen of Fives by Alex Hay.

The Housekeepers was one of my favourite books in 2023 and I couldn’t wait to read Alex Hay’s latest book, The Queen of Fives.

It’s 1898 and London’s most talented conwoman has 5 days to pull off a seemingly impossible heist. Quinn is determined to trap the Duke of Kendal into marriage.

Quinn and her faithful Steward

Mr Silk, work on making Quinn the most enviable debutante and even manage to secure an invitation to Buckingham Palace. Will it be enough to win over the Duke?

However, the Illusive Kendals have their own secrets too and Quinn is not the only one who is playing a game. Soon Quinn finds herself in the middle of a dangerous game or love and lies.

I couldn’t put this down, I loved the way that the book is broken into five parts based on Quinn’s rules. This is a brilliant read. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

5 stars

Thank you to Random Things Tours for including me. Check out the banner below to follow the other stops on the tour.

Review of A Secret in the Family by Nancy Revell

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for A Secret in the Family by Nancy Revell.

I really enjoyed Nancy Revell’s previous book The Widow’s Choice and it was great to be reunited with the same characters in A Secret in the Family.

Jumping back to 1945 when Ida abandoned her children and her husband and left for a new life in London with her boyfriend.

We then move eight years on to 1953 where Ida’s children have a new life with their elder sister Angie at her home Cuthford Manor.

They are settled and happy in their new life, but are shocked when Ida turns up on the doorstep out of the blue.

Ida has a secret that she needs to tell them, but will it cause more harm than good?

It was so lovely to meet these characters again. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author.

Thank you to Random Things Tours and Penguin Books for sending me a copy to review.

Review of In Fine Spirits: A Complete Guide to Distilled Drinks by Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley

 

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for In Fine Spirits: A Complete Guide to Distilled Drinks by Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley.

This is such an interesting book that is packed full of details about the actual process of making distilled drinks and then facts and information about different spirits.

I particularly liked the way that it introduced a history of each spirit and then suggested different cocktail recipes. The cocktail recipes look really good and I love the way that they are portrayed in the book.

I look forward to trying some of these recipes over the festive season.

Thank you to Random Things Tours and Octopus Books for including me and sending me a copy to review.