I’ve read three ripper books recently that I’d like to share. I’ve also read a few so-so books but I won’t talk about those because it only means they weren’t the right reads for me. Reading is so subjective, isn’t it? Here we go. The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor This story is about a […]
Book recommendation: The Fog
I always enjoy a good Gothic novel. The Fog is a pageturner that has all the classic elements (fear, horror, death, high emotion). Add a remote island location and a sociopath who tries unconventional psychological ‘therapies’ at a supposed writers’ retreat and you have a great read. Lots of twists and turns here! Five stars […]
New Elm Creek Quilts book
This morning’s purchase: The Museum of Lost Quilts. I have high hopes for this story, mainly that it engages me and is a worthy addition to the Elm Creek Quilts series. Like many other quilters, I was thrilled when the first book in the series, The Quilter’s Apprentice, appeared in 1999. Here was a novel […]
Book review: Tipping Point
Tipping Point is an engrossing read. It is third in the Detective Kate Miles series and shows us Kate’s strength as she investigates a case that implicates her brother Luke. Luke returns to Esserton for the funeral of Ant Reed, a friend of his from his younger days. Within a few days, another of Luke’s […]
Book review: What Happened to Nina?
Nina and Simon are a young couple who spend a weekend at his family’s cabin but only Simon comes home. Soon after, Nina’s parents report her missing and continue to push the police for answers. Meanwhile, Simon’s parents hire expensive lawyers and a PR firm to protect him as it becomes increasingly clear that his […]
Book review: Uncle Paul
A new discovery for me! This mystery by Celia Fremlin is a total delight. It’s gripping and twisty with an ending I did not see coming. It is meticulously plotted. Celia Fremlin used language beautifully and the book also contains lines that made me laugh out loud. First published in 1959 and republished as an […]
Book review: The Sign of Four Spirits
Regular followers will know of my love for an engrossing cosy mystery. I always enjoy the books in Vicki Delaney’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series and the latest, The Sign of Four Spirits, did not disappoint. Gemma Doyle is the co-owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. As a pragmatic woman, she wants nothing […]
Writers’ Circle
I mentioned in my November newsletter that the first meeting of a local writers’ group that I am facilitating was happening on Wednesday. I was anxious that no one would come so I was relieved when eight other writers arrived. We chatted about ourselves and what we were writing for thirty minutes and, for the […]
Book review: The Mystery Writer
Wow. Sulari Gentill sure knows how to captivate us with complex story lines. In The Mystery Writer, Theodosia Benton leaves her attorney job and shows up at her brother’s home with only two suitcases and an unfinished novel. She has many doubts about her life, including whether she is capable of becoming a successful writer. […]
Book review: Murder at the Book Festival
Murder? Book festival? An alluring combination and, of course, I was going to read this! The small village of Merrywell in the UK is hosting its first book festival, organised by Eric Nash, the owner of the local bookshop. He’s organised a full agenda of talks and workshops, with Leonie Stanwick, author of best-selling raunchy […]