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| 1801046638
| 9781801046633
| 4.00
| 2
| unknown
| Oct 03, 2024
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really liked it
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3.5 stars You Only Spy Twice by Ben Sanders is the second children’s humorous graphic novel in the Agent Harrier series. I haven’t read the first book 3.5 stars You Only Spy Twice by Ben Sanders is the second children’s humorous graphic novel in the Agent Harrier series. I haven’t read the first book but I presume given I understood it perfectly that it is fine to read it as a standalone. The plot revolves around a dog spy, a James Bond wannabe. He loves his gadgets and wants fantastical ones like an all-star car, though that isn’t quite what he gets. His mission this time is to find a traitor in the BARK intelligence agency but he and you will have a time finding them given that they have an ink-deleting weapon and they are using it within this book. I love the premise of You Only Spy Twice. I even love the James Bond-esq title and cover. The plot itself was amusing and entertaining, however, I found it hard to read at times as the blue colour (same as the front cover) with black italic-style writing caused me visual stress. There is also a lot of text within, more than I expected from a children’s graphic novel. Overall, this book could have been a real hit but I think the colours have not been chosen wisely, and as such some children will struggle with it. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 29, 2024
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Sep 29, 2024
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Oct 01, 2024
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Paperback
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| 1664300392
| 9781664300392
| 1664300392
| 4.12
| 128
| Oct 12, 2023
| Feb 06, 2024
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really liked it
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A Happy Place by Britta Teckentrup is a young children’s picture book. The plot revolves around a young girl trying to find what makes her happy at ni
A Happy Place by Britta Teckentrup is a young children’s picture book. The plot revolves around a young girl trying to find what makes her happy at night with some help from the stars. The story has been written in such a way that you are not sure whether the girl is living the moments or whether she is dreaming. I hope that she is dreaming given that she walks out of her home, alone, into the dead of night, into the woods, and past a river to find her happy place. The illustrations are delightful to look at and I love the dark colours and the silhouettes of the animals, with an added splash of brightness from the moon or stars. The book certainly has a calming feel to it and it also has cut-out sections within that heighten the joy. Overall, A Happy Place is a delightful children’s book that is perfect for a bedtime story. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 2024
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Oct 2024
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Oct 01, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 1999533445
| 9781999533441
| B07ZLXPFCM
| 4.63
| 141
| unknown
| Oct 31, 2019
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it was amazing
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Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com ‘One is Evil’ is the latest release from American thriller author, Jeff Buick. The book is written in the th Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com ‘One is Evil’ is the latest release from American thriller author, Jeff Buick. The book is written in the third person and the past tense with fairly short even chapters. The cover is attractive and the title makes sense once the plot develops. In the early chapters, there are four different threads which can sometimes throw me a bit but in this case, everything fitted together relatively smoothly. We quickly meet successful, wealthy, well-connected people mixing in the upper echelons of American society. Ryan Chamberlain, CEO of Synergy, a company awarded a Pentagon contract to develop a stealth weapon, is happily married to Alexis, a scientist in her own right, and their two children. We also meet our main protagonist, homicide cop, Bobby Greco, who is framed by dishonest colleagues and drummed out of the police service. Their worlds meet when Bobby, now employed by an insurance company, is tasked to look into the circumstances of a death before a large life policy claim is honoured. Little by little, he burrows away to get to the truth but murder is only part of the tale with military secrets, espionage and a highly embarrassing political scandal all on the agenda. All the main characters are well-defined and Bobby in particular, is likeable and quickly gains the reader’s sympathy. He has a good relationship with his ex-wife and as the story unfolds, a hint of a new romantic attachment is in the offing. There are several peripheral players in this drama but there is no need for the reader to be distracted, as the story moves on at pace. As with many a tale or dramatisation, our hero tends to over-extend himself on the flimsiest of pretexts, when in reality, other agencies or specialist personnel would be deployed for specialist missions. However, it made for a fast-paced, exciting read. There are detailed descriptive passages relating to company security and clinical information and whilst I know little about the former, I congratulate the author on his meticulous attention to detail when it came to the autopsy report and DNA data. As to whether readers are interested in such minutiae, I’m not sure but being a fan of thorough research, I was extremely impressed. If you’re an action thriller devotee, then this book is for you. It’s slightly James Bond-esque with a touch of Mission Impossible thrown in. There is no gratuitous violence or over-reliance on sex scenes; it’s pure escapism from start to finish, with good inevitably triumphing over evil. There were a couple of loose ends which paves the way for certain characters to return in a sequel and I certainly hope that Bobby Greco has another adventure soon. Whilst the plot is pretty far-fetched, it is an ideal read for a cold winter’s day in front of a warm fire. I have no hesitation in awarding five stars. Merged review: Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com ‘One is Evil’ is the latest release from American thriller author, Jeff Buick. The book is written in the third person and the past tense with fairly short even chapters. The cover is attractive and the title makes sense once the plot develops. In the early chapters, there are four different threads which can sometimes throw me a bit but in this case, everything fitted together relatively smoothly. We quickly meet successful, wealthy, well-connected people mixing in the upper echelons of American society. Ryan Chamberlain, CEO of Synergy, a company awarded a Pentagon contract to develop a stealth weapon, is happily married to Alexis, a scientist in her own right, and their two children. We also meet our main protagonist, homicide cop, Bobby Greco, who is framed by dishonest colleagues and drummed out of the police service. Their worlds meet when Bobby, now employed by an insurance company, is tasked to look into the circumstances of a death before a large life policy claim is honoured. Little by little, he burrows away to get to the truth but murder is only part of the tale with military secrets, espionage and a highly embarrassing political scandal all on the agenda. All the main characters are well-defined and Bobby in particular, is likeable and quickly gains the reader’s sympathy. He has a good relationship with his ex-wife and as the story unfolds, a hint of a new romantic attachment is in the offing. There are several peripheral players in this drama but there is no need for the reader to be distracted, as the story moves on at pace. As with many a tale or dramatisation, our hero tends to over-extend himself on the flimsiest of pretexts, when in reality, other agencies or specialist personnel would be deployed for specialist missions. However, it made for a fast-paced, exciting read. There are detailed descriptive passages relating to company security and clinical information and whilst I know little about the former, I congratulate the author on his meticulous attention to detail when it came to the autopsy report and DNA data. As to whether readers are interested in such minutiae, I’m not sure but being a fan of thorough research, I was extremely impressed. If you’re an action thriller devotee, then this book is for you. It’s slightly James Bond-esque with a touch of Mission Impossible thrown in. There is no gratuitous violence or over-reliance on sex scenes; it’s pure escapism from start to finish, with good inevitably triumphing over evil. There were a couple of loose ends which paves the way for certain characters to return in a sequel and I certainly hope that Bobby Greco has another adventure soon. Whilst the plot is pretty far-fetched, it is an ideal read for a cold winter’s day in front of a warm fire. I have no hesitation in awarding five stars. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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not set
Dec 28, 2019
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Jan 2020
Jan 2020
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Sep 29, 2024
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ebook
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| 1386898155
| 9781386898153
| B07Q76CYLQ
| 4.13
| 228
| Jul 2019
| Jul 01, 2019
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really liked it
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The InBetween by Dick Wybrow is a humorous thriller that follows Painter Mann, the worlds only dead Private Investigator, as he tries to solve a serie
The InBetween by Dick Wybrow is a humorous thriller that follows Painter Mann, the worlds only dead Private Investigator, as he tries to solve a series of murders and prevent a threat to both the living and the dead, with the help of his ‘Temps’, people who are close to death. I don’t usually go for the thriller genre but something in the synopsis drew me in and I found myself enjoying this book, a lot. The main character, Painter, is very likeable and I enjoyed the way his parts were written. The use of the older, supporting characters, in what I felt was a unique way, was fun and the concepts, ideas, and story, although not complex, were well done. Unfortunately, I did feel that the story was let down in parts when there were multiple characters in conversation as it was sometimes difficult to understand who was saying which lines, which did cause me some confusion. Whilst the plot itself was good throughout it did lack a twist or revealing ending that I was expecting from a novel like this. However, a sequel has definitely been set up and I would happily read it. Merged review: The InBetween by Dick Wybrow is a humorous thriller that follows Painter Mann, the worlds only dead Private Investigator, as he tries to solve a series of murders and prevent a threat to both the living and the dead, with the help of his ‘Temps’, people who are close to death. I don’t usually go for the thriller genre but something in the synopsis drew me in and I found myself enjoying this book, a lot. The main character, Painter, is very likeable and I enjoyed the way his parts were written. The use of the older, supporting characters, in what I felt was a unique way, was fun and the concepts, ideas, and story, although not complex, were well done. Unfortunately, I did feel that the story was let down in parts when there were multiple characters in conversation as it was sometimes difficult to understand who was saying which lines, which did cause me some confusion. Whilst the plot itself was good throughout it did lack a twist or revealing ending that I was expecting from a novel like this. However, a sequel has definitely been set up and I would happily read it. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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not set
Sep 08, 2019
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Sep 20, 2019
Sep 16, 2019
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Sep 28, 2024
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ebook
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| 1509233024
| 9781509233021
| B08KTWTX8Y
| 4.22
| 400
| unknown
| Nov 09, 2020
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really liked it
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Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com A Wing and A Prayer is the first novel in a new series of wartime adventures from British-based author, M W Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com A Wing and A Prayer is the first novel in a new series of wartime adventures from British-based author, M W Arnold. It is written in the third person and the past tense and throws together four young women from diverse backgrounds who serve together in the ATA at a base in Hampshire. As trained pilots, their role is to deliver pristine aircrafts to bases around the country. We quickly meet Penny, Doris and Mary who are new recruits and are given a bit of backstory to settle them into the tale. Each has a very different personality and upbringing but they bond as they billet together in Betty’s cottage. Betty has recently lost her twin sister in suspicious circumstances. Betty believes she was killed but why and by whom? The intrepid three then turn detective to uncover the truth. In addition, we have a bit of romance and intrigue thrown in, before all the pieces are fitted together. This is an inverted tale, so we know who the perpetrator is quite quickly. It’s therefore more of a how-will-they-be-caught, rather than a whodunit. This is a challenging approach as, without the promise of a climactic unmasking of the villain, the plot has to rely on building tension to maintain the reader’s interest. I appreciated the scene-setting descriptive passages and a careful placement of metaphors and similes always add layers of depth to a tale. A dramatic event at the beginning is another useful device to hook readers. In addition, the author has cleverly tapped into his knowledge of Second World War aircrafts and I very much enjoyed finding out about them. Some of the dialogue is rather modern; I’m not sure anyone would have referred to a ‘train station’ in England at that time. There are numerous references to Agatha Christie’s fictional amateur detective, Miss Marple. She had just made her second appearance in a full length novel in 1942, so I’m not sure how much impact the character had made on the literary world at that time. Over-labouring any tongue-in-cheek point can lose its impact if used excessively. The historical backdrop to the mystery gave enormous potential but equally, significant challenges when attempting to capture the wartime mood of the nation. Using American English spelling to paint a picture of an English village in the forties will doubtless irritate some and I confess to not understanding the rationale for this. The author has highlighted an aspect of World War II which attracts little publicity. These unsung members of the ATA were clearly a vital cog in the wheel of the British fighting machine and I commend the author for weaving a very readable escapist yarn around their work. There is a little gem of an idea here with a female-dominated cast. I’m not convinced that the characters were completely three-dimensional but others may find a depth I’ve missed and objectively, I award four stars. Merged review: Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com A Wing and A Prayer is the first novel in a new series of wartime adventures from British-based author, M W Arnold. It is written in the third person and the past tense and throws together four young women from diverse backgrounds who serve together in the ATA at a base in Hampshire. As trained pilots, their role is to deliver pristine aircrafts to bases around the country. We quickly meet Penny, Doris and Mary who are new recruits and are given a bit of backstory to settle them into the tale. Each has a very different personality and upbringing but they bond as they billet together in Betty’s cottage. Betty has recently lost her twin sister in suspicious circumstances. Betty believes she was killed but why and by whom? The intrepid three then turn detective to uncover the truth. In addition, we have a bit of romance and intrigue thrown in, before all the pieces are fitted together. This is an inverted tale, so we know who the perpetrator is quite quickly. It’s therefore more of a how-will-they-be-caught, rather than a whodunit. This is a challenging approach as, without the promise of a climactic unmasking of the villain, the plot has to rely on building tension to maintain the reader’s interest. I appreciated the scene-setting descriptive passages and a careful placement of metaphors and similes always add layers of depth to a tale. A dramatic event at the beginning is another useful device to hook readers. In addition, the author has cleverly tapped into his knowledge of Second World War aircrafts and I very much enjoyed finding out about them. Some of the dialogue is rather modern; I’m not sure anyone would have referred to a ‘train station’ in England at that time. There are numerous references to Agatha Christie’s fictional amateur detective, Miss Marple. She had just made her second appearance in a full length novel in 1942, so I’m not sure how much impact the character had made on the literary world at that time. Over-labouring any tongue-in-cheek point can lose its impact if used excessively. The historical backdrop to the mystery gave enormous potential but equally, significant challenges when attempting to capture the wartime mood of the nation. Using American English spelling to paint a picture of an English village in the forties will doubtless irritate some and I confess to not understanding the rationale for this. The author has highlighted an aspect of World War II which attracts little publicity. These unsung members of the ATA were clearly a vital cog in the wheel of the British fighting machine and I commend the author for weaving a very readable escapist yarn around their work. There is a little gem of an idea here with a female-dominated cast. I’m not convinced that the characters were completely three-dimensional but others may find a depth I’ve missed and objectively, I award four stars. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Dec 23, 2020
not set
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Dec 28, 2020
not set
|
Sep 28, 2024
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ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 1732710201
| 9781732710207
| B07HLSWR31
| 4.17
| 48
| Oct 18, 2018
| Oct 18, 2018
|
it was amazing
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Book Reviewed by Nia on www.whisperingstories.com I loved this book! I think this might be my all time favourite YA novel, it has the perfect blend of Book Reviewed by Nia on www.whisperingstories.com I loved this book! I think this might be my all time favourite YA novel, it has the perfect blend of intrigue, high school drama and the supernatural. Allison returns to her birthplace with her adoptive parents, following the death of her biological grandmother. She inherits a house in the town of Danvers and moves there to finish her senior year of high school – this involves making new friends, enemies and learning about the history of the Salem witch trials. This is the first book in a trilogy and focuses more on Allison’s introduction to the strange and Gothic town of Danvers than on her past, we have some nice clues about her parents and grandmother but nothing that the author is ready to reveal just yet. I really enjoyed the pacing for this reason and didn’t feel that too much information was being hurled at me too quickly. The school drama is delicious; mean girls, jocks, goths, underage drinking and a makeover. Sometimes you just need these things in a novel! When one of the girls in Allison’s class dies under suspicious circumstances, Allison is right in the thick of things – she does some classic sleuthing while getting herself in all sorts of tight scrapes and finds that the occult might be involved in the tragedy. This is a classic murder mystery, but the nature of the supernatural elements in this book are never fully laid out so you have to figure it out as you go. This is an incredibly atmospheric book and a joy to read, I cannot wait for the rest of the series to be released! Merged review: Book Reviewed by Nia on www.whisperingstories.com I loved this book! I think this might be my all time favourite YA novel, it has the perfect blend of intrigue, high school drama and the supernatural. Allison returns to her birthplace with her adoptive parents, following the death of her biological grandmother. She inherits a house in the town of Danvers and moves there to finish her senior year of high school – this involves making new friends, enemies and learning about the history of the Salem witch trials. This is the first book in a trilogy and focuses more on Allison’s introduction to the strange and Gothic town of Danvers than on her past, we have some nice clues about her parents and grandmother but nothing that the author is ready to reveal just yet. I really enjoyed the pacing for this reason and didn’t feel that too much information was being hurled at me too quickly. The school drama is delicious; mean girls, jocks, goths, underage drinking and a makeover. Sometimes you just need these things in a novel! When one of the girls in Allison’s class dies under suspicious circumstances, Allison is right in the thick of things – she does some classic sleuthing while getting herself in all sorts of tight scrapes and finds that the occult might be involved in the tragedy. This is a classic murder mystery, but the nature of the supernatural elements in this book are never fully laid out so you have to figure it out as you go. This is an incredibly atmospheric book and a joy to read, I cannot wait for the rest of the series to be released! ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Oct 28, 2018
not set
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Nov 04, 2018
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 1786816334
| 9781786816337
| B07LB6LYQK
| 4.42
| 1,379
| Mar 12, 2019
| Mar 12, 2019
|
it was amazing
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Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Twenty-six-year-old Callie Fulbright lives with her Eighty-year-old Gramps Stanley after her mum u Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Twenty-six-year-old Callie Fulbright lives with her Eighty-year-old Gramps Stanley after her mum upped and left to live in Spain with her toy-boy. She also works at the local book shop in Honeyford. Her boss has retired and a new owner, Flora, is taking over. Not sure what to make of her new boss, Callie is eager to impress but day one doesn’t start out well with her running late after trying to persuade her Gramps not to put his name down for a parachute jump. Flora is stern but fair and soon realises that Callie has a knack for helping people and listening to their problems. Flora also listens to Callie’s suggestions for the shop and how some improvements could increase customer numbers, including a little coffee shop at the back. Giving her the green light, Callie sets about making a little cafe for the locals and tourists to enjoy with the help of some new local friends. The cafe, The Cosy Kettle, also gives her a reason to keep active when she discovers that the local old manor house is currently being renovated into a posh hotel and the owner is none other than Finn Shawley who used to live in the village and helping him with the design is Callie’s ex-boyfriend, Noah. Callie and Noah split eight years ago and haven’t spoken since, but she’s all in a fluster as he is still rather hot but with the past and Noah living in New York Callie knows that nothing could ever happen between them. I occasionally like to read a good rom-com in-between my reading of thrillers and New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle was certainly a good read, in fact, I’d say it was a superb read. I started reading it one night and only put it down when my eyelids started drooping. Upon waking I immediately picked it up again and read until I’d finished the book. Callie is a lovely young woman with a big heart. She loves to help people and is one of those individuals that those with problems find easy to talk to. She is caring and considerate. She was in love with Noah all those years ago but he did something that broke her heart just before she headed to university, so once there she broke up with him and has never seen him since. Noah is now a successful architect living in New York. He is back in Honeyford helping his brother Finn in his latest project to get his daddy’s attention. Finn has always been a lady’s man, where Noah was in love with Callie and hadn’t even realised what he did was the reason for their break-up. Flora is a woman trying to make a success of her business after her mum left her some money. Her husband is not very supportive of her and doesn’t think she should have invested in the book shop. My favourite character has to be Stanley. He was so adorable. Turning eighty has seen him have some sort of epiphany (and reading a book on life). He has decided that he’ll be dead soon so why not make the most of living. He wants to make the most of the time he has left, which includes dressing how he likes – think skinny jeans and Taylor Swift T-shirt. Saying what he thinks, even if it upsets others and maybe chaining himself to a few trees to protest. The book is filled with warm-hearted moments, has plenty of charming characters and a few wrong’uns too. Plus there are lots of laugh-out-loud parts. This is a book that will have you smiling from ear-to-ear throughout and leaving you with a desire for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake! Merged review: Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Twenty-six-year-old Callie Fulbright lives with her Eighty-year-old Gramps Stanley after her mum upped and left to live in Spain with her toy-boy. She also works at the local book shop in Honeyford. Her boss has retired and a new owner, Flora, is taking over. Not sure what to make of her new boss, Callie is eager to impress but day one doesn’t start out well with her running late after trying to persuade her Gramps not to put his name down for a parachute jump. Flora is stern but fair and soon realises that Callie has a knack for helping people and listening to their problems. Flora also listens to Callie’s suggestions for the shop and how some improvements could increase customer numbers, including a little coffee shop at the back. Giving her the green light, Callie sets about making a little cafe for the locals and tourists to enjoy with the help of some new local friends. The cafe, The Cosy Kettle, also gives her a reason to keep active when she discovers that the local old manor house is currently being renovated into a posh hotel and the owner is none other than Finn Shawley who used to live in the village and helping him with the design is Callie’s ex-boyfriend, Noah. Callie and Noah split eight years ago and haven’t spoken since, but she’s all in a fluster as he is still rather hot but with the past and Noah living in New York Callie knows that nothing could ever happen between them. I occasionally like to read a good rom-com in-between my reading of thrillers and New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle was certainly a good read, in fact, I’d say it was a superb read. I started reading it one night and only put it down when my eyelids started drooping. Upon waking I immediately picked it up again and read until I’d finished the book. Callie is a lovely young woman with a big heart. She loves to help people and is one of those individuals that those with problems find easy to talk to. She is caring and considerate. She was in love with Noah all those years ago but he did something that broke her heart just before she headed to university, so once there she broke up with him and has never seen him since. Noah is now a successful architect living in New York. He is back in Honeyford helping his brother Finn in his latest project to get his daddy’s attention. Finn has always been a lady’s man, where Noah was in love with Callie and hadn’t even realised what he did was the reason for their break-up. Flora is a woman trying to make a success of her business after her mum left her some money. Her husband is not very supportive of her and doesn’t think she should have invested in the book shop. My favourite character has to be Stanley. He was so adorable. Turning eighty has seen him have some sort of epiphany (and reading a book on life). He has decided that he’ll be dead soon so why not make the most of living. He wants to make the most of the time he has left, which includes dressing how he likes – think skinny jeans and Taylor Swift T-shirt. Saying what he thinks, even if it upsets others and maybe chaining himself to a few trees to protest. The book is filled with warm-hearted moments, has plenty of charming characters and a few wrong’uns too. Plus there are lots of laugh-out-loud parts. This is a book that will have you smiling from ear-to-ear throughout and leaving you with a desire for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake! ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Mar 10, 2019
not set
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Mar 11, 2019
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 1786816709
| 9781786816702
| B07QHNMKY6
| 4.51
| 1,098
| Jun 27, 2019
| Jul 01, 2019
|
it was amazing
|
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com We are back at the Cosy Kettle cafe in Honeyford. This time the book focuses on Flora who owns the bookshop Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com We are back at the Cosy Kettle cafe in Honeyford. This time the book focuses on Flora who owns the bookshop that the cafe is inside. Flora returns home early one afternoon and finds her husband Malcolm in a compromising situation with one of his waitresses from the restaurant he owns. Although he begs Flora to stay she decides she needs some time to think about her situation. She has been married for a long time and doesn’t like the prospect of being on her own, she also doesn’t like the idea of her husband being with other women. She decides that the attic of the bookshop is a good place to stay until she sees all the spiders and cobwebs, so she is relieved when Luna who owns the magical shop a few doors down offers her a room at her house. However, she wasn’t expecting Luna’s son Daniel and his young son to be living there too, especially when she has recently had a run-in with Daniel. There is also the summer celebrations to sort out and a mysterious author of a book she loves. Will Flora return to Malcolm and give their marriage another try or will she find the courage to leave her marriage behind and move on with her life? It was lovely to return to Honeyford. I loved the first book, New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle, but I was little apprehensive reading this second book as the main character this time, Flora, I didn’t really take to in book one. As the book evolved I began to warm towards Flora. She is a lovely woman once you manage to peel back that tough exterior, although I was really surprised when the author wrote she was in her 40s as the way she acted and her mannerisms came across as someone much older. I was expecting her to be well into her 50s. There is a lot going on in this book, from Flora’s marriage issues, the summer celebrations, Daniels son’s problems with school and the mysterious writer of a book that is taking Honeyford residents by storm. I never like Malcolm in book one and he ups his game in this book. He certainly is a piece of work. I was keeping my fingers crossed the whole way through that Flora wouldn’t give him another chance. You will have to read the book to see if she does or doesn’t. My only tiny issue was that I wanted to see more from Callie and Noah, I know the book wasn’t about them but a bit more coverage would have been lovely as I adored them both, as well as Callie’s Gramps Stanley who made me laugh so much in the first book. I do hope he appears more in future books to come. This is a wonderful, summery, fun book that will leave you with a smile on your face. Whilst I believe it can be read as a standalone, I do suggest reading book one first so you know the background of the area and the characters. Merged review: Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com We are back at the Cosy Kettle cafe in Honeyford. This time the book focuses on Flora who owns the bookshop that the cafe is inside. Flora returns home early one afternoon and finds her husband Malcolm in a compromising situation with one of his waitresses from the restaurant he owns. Although he begs Flora to stay she decides she needs some time to think about her situation. She has been married for a long time and doesn’t like the prospect of being on her own, she also doesn’t like the idea of her husband being with other women. She decides that the attic of the bookshop is a good place to stay until she sees all the spiders and cobwebs, so she is relieved when Luna who owns the magical shop a few doors down offers her a room at her house. However, she wasn’t expecting Luna’s son Daniel and his young son to be living there too, especially when she has recently had a run-in with Daniel. There is also the summer celebrations to sort out and a mysterious author of a book she loves. Will Flora return to Malcolm and give their marriage another try or will she find the courage to leave her marriage behind and move on with her life? It was lovely to return to Honeyford. I loved the first book, New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle, but I was little apprehensive reading this second book as the main character this time, Flora, I didn’t really take to in book one. As the book evolved I began to warm towards Flora. She is a lovely woman once you manage to peel back that tough exterior, although I was really surprised when the author wrote she was in her 40s as the way she acted and her mannerisms came across as someone much older. I was expecting her to be well into her 50s. There is a lot going on in this book, from Flora’s marriage issues, the summer celebrations, Daniels son’s problems with school and the mysterious writer of a book that is taking Honeyford residents by storm. I never like Malcolm in book one and he ups his game in this book. He certainly is a piece of work. I was keeping my fingers crossed the whole way through that Flora wouldn’t give him another chance. You will have to read the book to see if she does or doesn’t. My only tiny issue was that I wanted to see more from Callie and Noah, I know the book wasn’t about them but a bit more coverage would have been lovely as I adored them both, as well as Callie’s Gramps Stanley who made me laugh so much in the first book. I do hope he appears more in future books to come. This is a wonderful, summery, fun book that will leave you with a smile on your face. Whilst I believe it can be read as a standalone, I do suggest reading book one first so you know the background of the area and the characters. ...more |
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2
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May 21, 2019
not set
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May 30, 2019
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 1911591932
| 9781911591931
| B07BSH6JGM
| 4.38
| 1,496
| May 07, 2018
| May 07, 2018
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really liked it
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Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Architect Jess Milton is showing a Russian billionaire around his soon to become home when he make Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Architect Jess Milton is showing a Russian billionaire around his soon to become home when he makes one to many sexual remarks about her. Jess tells him in no uncertain terms what she thinks about him and that he can’t ‘buy’ her. The billionaire warns her she will be sorry, and sure enough, the company she works for is letting her go, stating restructuring. Word of mouth travels fast and it isn’t long until an elderly ex-client gets in touch with Jess offering her an unconventional job. She is off on a cruise around the world that is going to be a few months long and she needs someone to look after her Labrador Brutus. Not only that, but she wants Jess to take Brutus to stay with her son in St. Tropez, France and stay with them to make sure that her son takes good care of her dog. Jess negotiates that her best friend Hope, who has always wanted to visit the place, can join her too. Soon the two, and Brutus, are heading for a summer in the most gorgeous place filled with scrumptious food, divine wines and of course sexy men. Dreaming of St-Tropez is another of T.A. Williams beautiful books set in an exotic location. I have visited St. Tropez, once a good few years ago and I can still remember the feel of the place. It is like no other I have ever been too. It is spellbinding and magical and makes you feel like a million dollar, whilst surrounded by those that are actually worth that amount, and more. T.A. Williams manages to create a feeling of standing right in the heart of the town through his superb, visual writing. The setting was just perfect and had me right back there. The characters too were all pleasantly realistic, which is what makes the book so appealing – that and the eye-catching cover. This is definitely a book to put on your summer reading list. It is a light-hearted read, but one that is addictive and had me wanting more. I just didn’t want to put it down, in fact I read it in one sitting. Merged review: Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Architect Jess Milton is showing a Russian billionaire around his soon to become home when he makes one to many sexual remarks about her. Jess tells him in no uncertain terms what she thinks about him and that he can’t ‘buy’ her. The billionaire warns her she will be sorry, and sure enough, the company she works for is letting her go, stating restructuring. Word of mouth travels fast and it isn’t long until an elderly ex-client gets in touch with Jess offering her an unconventional job. She is off on a cruise around the world that is going to be a few months long and she needs someone to look after her Labrador Brutus. Not only that, but she wants Jess to take Brutus to stay with her son in St. Tropez, France and stay with them to make sure that her son takes good care of her dog. Jess negotiates that her best friend Hope, who has always wanted to visit the place, can join her too. Soon the two, and Brutus, are heading for a summer in the most gorgeous place filled with scrumptious food, divine wines and of course sexy men. Dreaming of St-Tropez is another of T.A. Williams beautiful books set in an exotic location. I have visited St. Tropez, once a good few years ago and I can still remember the feel of the place. It is like no other I have ever been too. It is spellbinding and magical and makes you feel like a million dollar, whilst surrounded by those that are actually worth that amount, and more. T.A. Williams manages to create a feeling of standing right in the heart of the town through his superb, visual writing. The setting was just perfect and had me right back there. The characters too were all pleasantly realistic, which is what makes the book so appealing – that and the eye-catching cover. This is definitely a book to put on your summer reading list. It is a light-hearted read, but one that is addictive and had me wanting more. I just didn’t want to put it down, in fact I read it in one sitting. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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May 16, 2018
not set
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May 16, 2018
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 1785761277
| 9781785761270
| B079VNFGN4
| 4.30
| 369
| unknown
| Apr 05, 2018
|
it was amazing
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Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com Apart from a joyous six months in Cumbria I have lived all of my fairly long life within fifty mile Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com Apart from a joyous six months in Cumbria I have lived all of my fairly long life within fifty miles of Romney Marsh yet until I read this book I had not realised how exciting a place it used to be. The Body in the Boat is the third book published in the Hardcastle and Chaytor Mystery series. In it, A. J. Mackenzie describes a very different world to the relatively peaceful image that we tend to have of late 18th Century South East England. The action takes place during the French Revolutionary Wars when trade across the Channel was severely restricted and most goods were heavily taxed. Smuggling was not only rife but it also appears to have been accepted by most of the local population who preferred the term Free Trade. In those days the illegal cargoes were fine cloths and gold to France; wines, spirits and “vanities” into England. From the opening pages the book has intense atmosphere. I loved the mood that was generated by the isolation of the marsh with its sparse population, declining harbours and its contrasts to the relatively prosperous surrounding higher ground. Mackenzie also provides excellent detail of banking at that time and of the judiciary prior to the police forces as we know them today. The book has some excellent characters; Hardcastle who doubles as a parish priest and an investigating Justice of the Peace, Joshua Stemp as his Parish Constable and The Rider who appears in the latter stages of the book. My favourite was the gutsy widow Amelia Chaytor who I saw as an early Emma Peel; just replace the Lotus Elan with a one-horse, two seater gig. The investigation leads up to a very lively climax. Could it have been better? If so, then not greatly. I have awarded The Body in the Boat four and a half stars. Merged review: Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com Apart from a joyous six months in Cumbria I have lived all of my fairly long life within fifty miles of Romney Marsh yet until I read this book I had not realised how exciting a place it used to be. The Body in the Boat is the third book published in the Hardcastle and Chaytor Mystery series. In it, A. J. Mackenzie describes a very different world to the relatively peaceful image that we tend to have of late 18th Century South East England. The action takes place during the French Revolutionary Wars when trade across the Channel was severely restricted and most goods were heavily taxed. Smuggling was not only rife but it also appears to have been accepted by most of the local population who preferred the term Free Trade. In those days the illegal cargoes were fine cloths and gold to France; wines, spirits and “vanities” into England. From the opening pages the book has intense atmosphere. I loved the mood that was generated by the isolation of the marsh with its sparse population, declining harbours and its contrasts to the relatively prosperous surrounding higher ground. Mackenzie also provides excellent detail of banking at that time and of the judiciary prior to the police forces as we know them today. The book has some excellent characters; Hardcastle who doubles as a parish priest and an investigating Justice of the Peace, Joshua Stemp as his Parish Constable and The Rider who appears in the latter stages of the book. My favourite was the gutsy widow Amelia Chaytor who I saw as an early Emma Peel; just replace the Lotus Elan with a one-horse, two seater gig. The investigation leads up to a very lively climax. Could it have been better? If so, then not greatly. I have awarded The Body in the Boat four and a half stars. ...more |
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2
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Dec 28, 2018
not set
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Jan 04, 2019
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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ebook
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| 0991530985
| 9780991530984
| B01N7ND2T3
| 4.25
| 12
| unknown
| Jan 29, 2017
|
really liked it
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Book Reviewed by Kerstin on www.whisperingstories.com Gunnar is a research biologist at the University of Nevada and searching for a cure for cancer. O Book Reviewed by Kerstin on www.whisperingstories.com Gunnar is a research biologist at the University of Nevada and searching for a cure for cancer. One evening, on his way home from his vacation at his Dad’s family’s cabin in the Colorado Mountains he takes a new route, a shortcut. He finds himself in unknown territory and the combination of exhaustion, twilight and fog makes the drive far worse. The worst is just going to happen: he collides with a vehicle on the side of the road. The car looks abandoned and to make bad things worse, Gunnar finds a dead body inside the car. Since nobody is around who could have witnessed the accident, Gunnar drives away. Unfortunately, there has been a witness who’s only purpose from this point on is revenge on Gunnar. I have already read two novels of John Herrick – A Beautiful Mess and Between These Walls – and as expected: He didn’t disappoint me with this short novel. Like the other two novels it is written very well. The plot is convincing and entertaining. Although, I have to admit it didn’t touch me like the other two books I have already read. Nevertheless, with John Herrick you are guaranteed to get an entertaining and enthralling story. You can’t help but like the characters the author creates and I think you can sometimes even identify yourself with some of them too. If you are searching for a good read for your vacation or even a longer train ride – this book is for you. Merged review: Book Reviewed by Kerstin on www.whisperingstories.com Gunnar is a research biologist at the University of Nevada and searching for a cure for cancer. One evening, on his way home from his vacation at his Dad’s family’s cabin in the Colorado Mountains he takes a new route, a shortcut. He finds himself in unknown territory and the combination of exhaustion, twilight and fog makes the drive far worse. The worst is just going to happen: he collides with a vehicle on the side of the road. The car looks abandoned and to make bad things worse, Gunnar finds a dead body inside the car. Since nobody is around who could have witnessed the accident, Gunnar drives away. Unfortunately, there has been a witness who’s only purpose from this point on is revenge on Gunnar. I have already read two novels of John Herrick – A Beautiful Mess and Between These Walls – and as expected: He didn’t disappoint me with this short novel. Like the other two novels it is written very well. The plot is convincing and entertaining. Although, I have to admit it didn’t touch me like the other two books I have already read. Nevertheless, with John Herrick you are guaranteed to get an entertaining and enthralling story. You can’t help but like the characters the author creates and I think you can sometimes even identify yourself with some of them too. If you are searching for a good read for your vacation or even a longer train ride – this book is for you. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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May 2018
not set
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May 03, 2018
not set
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Sep 27, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| B0D6S943JP
| 4.13
| 30
| unknown
| Sep 24, 2024
|
really liked it
|
Run is the first published novel by Matthew Becker, an American mathematician who currently lives with his family in Tashkent where his wife is a US d
Run is the first published novel by Matthew Becker, an American mathematician who currently lives with his family in Tashkent where his wife is a US diplomat. It has been published by Aethon Thrills, the recently set up Thriller division of Aethon Books which specialises in SciFi and Fantasy books predominately aimed at the youth and young adult markets. I was grateful to have the opportunity to read Run in advance of publication. At the outset we meet Ben and Veronica, a successful couple in their thirties with a young family. We learn of their aspirations and we meet some of their friends. Very quickly their busy but pleasant life is shattered when Veronica disappears after sending a cryptic text message. Ben is understandably distraught, causing him to wonder just who he was married to. He is also desperate for help to find her but just who can he trust? The central narrative is told in the third person, mainly following Ben but also follows his friend, Jeremy, the investigation team and other more shadowy characters. There are also chapters written in the first person detailing the back story of “The Girl”. Most of the characters appear believable. For all his experience I found Ben a little naïve at times but maybe that just reflected his desperation. A storyline that I found most compelling was that of “The Girl”. Whilst we should not condone her actions I am aware that across the world there are countless young people who have limited behaviour choices. True to his background Matthew Becker uses his mathematical knowledge as a clue, leading Ben towards the truth. There is a tense and lively episode following which the whole story is explained. Yes there were a few surprises but also several outcomes that I had anticipated – perhaps I was supposed to. The end of the book suggests that there could be more to come from some of these characters and the publisher’s website describes the book as Run Book 1 so one or more sequels could be on their way. All things considered I found Run a good read. I have awarded four stars. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 20, 2024
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Sep 24, 2024
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Sep 27, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1911591339
| 9781911591337
| B073SQF1KK
| 4.05
| 657
| Jul 31, 2017
| Jul 31, 2017
|
it was amazing
|
After discovering her boyfriend in their bed with another woman, Sophia decides that she needs a break, but her work won’t give her the time off, so s
After discovering her boyfriend in their bed with another woman, Sophia decides that she needs a break, but her work won’t give her the time off, so she goes the whole hog and jacks that in too. She sets off to stay with her Nonna (Grandmother), who lives in Italy, but doesn’t get the welcome she was hoping when she lands at the airport. She is bumped into and sent flying over her suitcase, splitting her lip and leaving her with an ‘egg’ on her head. Joe Lancaster seems to have an issue with Sophia, as he literally keeps on bumping into her. He is staying with his uncle, helping out in his hotel by Lake Garda for the summer. The two find comfort in one another, but neither are looking for love, but maybe love is looking for them? Love at the Italian Lake, is a beautiful chick lit novel. It is as gorgeous on the inside, as it is on the out. Sophia is a lovely young woman who worked all the hours she could to do well for herself, but that all came crashing down in a matter of minutes when she arrived home early. Just when she is down on her luck, she finds herself in a scenic little village by Lake Garda, Italy, with her Nonna, and the gorgeous Joe just down the road. However, not everything is that simple. A hidden family secret is revealed, leaving Sophia not knowing what to do to for the best. Does she let the people concerned know? Joe also has a lot of personal issues going on in his life too, especially with his parents. His dad has dementia and his mum is sticking her head in the sand about it, and won’t take an offer of help. Lake Garda is a place of beauty. The sparkling water glimmering in the sun, the scent of the Italian baked goods at the market, and the friendly locals. It is a definite, wish you were there novel. This is a charming story with a lot of heart. It was a joy to read, and I found myself transported to Italy every time I picked the book up, taking me away from the miserable rainy city I was actually in. There are plenty of warm, inviting characters to get to know, and a flawless plot to lose yourself in. Ms. Boleyn always manages to put a smile on my face with her entertaining, warm novels and this one is her best yet. Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Merged review: After discovering her boyfriend in their bed with another woman, Sophia decides that she needs a break, but her work won’t give her the time off, so she goes the whole hog and jacks that in too. She sets off to stay with her Nonna (Grandmother), who lives in Italy, but doesn’t get the welcome she was hoping when she lands at the airport. She is bumped into and sent flying over her suitcase, splitting her lip and leaving her with an ‘egg’ on her head. Joe Lancaster seems to have an issue with Sophia, as he literally keeps on bumping into her. He is staying with his uncle, helping out in his hotel by Lake Garda for the summer. The two find comfort in one another, but neither are looking for love, but maybe love is looking for them? Love at the Italian Lake, is a beautiful chick lit novel. It is as gorgeous on the inside, as it is on the out. Sophia is a lovely young woman who worked all the hours she could to do well for herself, but that all came crashing down in a matter of minutes when she arrived home early. Just when she is down on her luck, she finds herself in a scenic little village by Lake Garda, Italy, with her Nonna, and the gorgeous Joe just down the road. However, not everything is that simple. A hidden family secret is revealed, leaving Sophia not knowing what to do to for the best. Does she let the people concerned know? Joe also has a lot of personal issues going on in his life too, especially with his parents. His dad has dementia and his mum is sticking her head in the sand about it, and won’t take an offer of help. Lake Garda is a place of beauty. The sparkling water glimmering in the sun, the scent of the Italian baked goods at the market, and the friendly locals. It is a definite, wish you were there novel. This is a charming story with a lot of heart. It was a joy to read, and I found myself transported to Italy every time I picked the book up, taking me away from the miserable rainy city I was actually in. There are plenty of warm, inviting characters to get to know, and a flawless plot to lose yourself in. Ms. Boleyn always manages to put a smile on my face with her entertaining, warm novels and this one is her best yet. Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Aug 02, 2017
not set
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Aug 07, 2017
not set
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Sep 26, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 0995456828
| 9780995456822
| B01MRQVFGA
| 4.30
| 87
| Jan 09, 2017
| Jan 09, 2017
|
it was amazing
|
Hypochondriac Ruby and her step sister Claire are highly competitive. They have a love/hate relationship, with more focus being on the hate. When Ruby
Hypochondriac Ruby and her step sister Claire are highly competitive. They have a love/hate relationship, with more focus being on the hate. When Ruby’s husband is offered a job in Paris, Ruby is so excited and can’t wait to move, as well as shove the information in Claire’s face, as Paris is her dream home destination. Cruelly, her husband accepts a different job, this time taking them from the streets of London and in the opposite direction of Paris, to the middle of Kansas, USA, leaving Ruby red-faced and angry. She feels like a fish out of water and finds the locals a little overbearing, with their 101 questions about the monarchy, for which Ruby has to make up seemingly plausible answers on the spot. However over time, she acclimatises and starts to fit in, maybe just a little too much. For this quaint English Rose, life is about to get full-on excited, that is if the local Sheriff, Hank Gephart can stop catching up with her. Brake Failure is set in the few weeks leading up to the year 2000, and is told from Ruby’s, and the local sheriff, who is dealing with a bank robbery’s, perspectives. The book opens with the shooting of Sheriff Gephart, and then jumps back in time to sixteen weeks earlier. This is a pattern continued throughout the story, with each time it is told from Ruby’s perspective we move a week forward, until the two timelines meet. From the opening line of ‘There’s a dead man at the door‘, to the final page, this book kept me entertained. It is comical the whole way through, and will definitely have you laughing at the many puns. The book veered me off course on more than one occasion, which I liked, as not being able to predict what is going to happen next heightens the thrill. What more could you want? A superb plot, fascinatingly amusing characters, and splendid writing! A perfect five stars from me. Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com Merged review: Hypochondriac Ruby and her step sister Claire are highly competitive. They have a love/hate relationship, with more focus being on the hate. When Ruby’s husband is offered a job in Paris, Ruby is so excited and can’t wait to move, as well as shove the information in Claire’s face, as Paris is her dream home destination. Cruelly, her husband accepts a different job, this time taking them from the streets of London and in the opposite direction of Paris, to the middle of Kansas, USA, leaving Ruby red-faced and angry. She feels like a fish out of water and finds the locals a little overbearing, with their 101 questions about the monarchy, for which Ruby has to make up seemingly plausible answers on the spot. However over time, she acclimatises and starts to fit in, maybe just a little too much. For this quaint English Rose, life is about to get full-on excited, that is if the local Sheriff, Hank Gephart can stop catching up with her. Brake Failure is set in the few weeks leading up to the year 2000, and is told from Ruby’s, and the local sheriff, who is dealing with a bank robbery’s, perspectives. The book opens with the shooting of Sheriff Gephart, and then jumps back in time to sixteen weeks earlier. This is a pattern continued throughout the story, with each time it is told from Ruby’s perspective we move a week forward, until the two timelines meet. From the opening line of ‘There’s a dead man at the door‘, to the final page, this book kept me entertained. It is comical the whole way through, and will definitely have you laughing at the many puns. The book veered me off course on more than one occasion, which I liked, as not being able to predict what is going to happen next heightens the thrill. What more could you want? A superb plot, fascinatingly amusing characters, and splendid writing! A perfect five stars from me. Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Jan 02, 2017
not set
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Jan 04, 2017
not set
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Sep 26, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 1788633172
| 9781788633178
| B07P6P4S7H
| 4.35
| 2,606
| Apr 11, 2019
| Apr 11, 2019
|
it was amazing
|
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Detective Inspector Thomas Ridpath is back in the second exciting installment in the DI Ridpath Se Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Detective Inspector Thomas Ridpath is back in the second exciting installment in the DI Ridpath Series. The first book ‘Where the Truth Lies‘ introduced us to DI Ridpath as he hunted ‘The Beast of Manchester’ and started his job working at The Coroners Office after he returned from sick leave from fighting cancer. This time DI Ridpath is trying to solve the case of crime gang bosses children being murdered and bring the murderer or murderers to justice before there is another gang warfare happening on the streets of Manchester and turning the place back to Gunchester. I’m old enough to remember the years of Gunchester. In fact, the school I went to was on the edge of one of the worst areas involved and had numerous pupils that were part of different gangs, so Where the Dead Fall resonated with me and I was just hoping that DI Ridpath could stop a turf war happening on the streets. The book opens with DI Ridpath driving back from a meeting and witnessing a man run across the motorway in front of his car. Luckily Ridpath manages to brake in time. The man looks panicky and before Ridpath can help him he carries on running straight into the oncoming path of a lorry, instantly being killed. Ridpath is sure he saw a gunman on the hard shoulder but with no witnesses seeing the gunman, nor any cameras picking him up, Ridpath is made to feel like a laughing stock. From this opening scene, the tension and excitement build, leaving you wanting more as you piece together the jigsaw as further bodies, both older and newer turn up. All have something in common, they are the sons of crime bosses. Whilst the rest of MIT (Major Incident Team) believing that this is the start of a turf war in the city, a tit-for-tat, Ridpath isn’t convinced but he can’t seem to get anyone on his side. It’s up to him with some help from the new pathologist Dr. Schofield to discover the truth. The book was pure entertainment from the first page to the last. I love that the series is written in my home town as I can visualise the areas perfectly. There are plenty of twists and turns to throw you off course more than once. The characters are all intriguing and a real mixed bag, the only person I’ve never been able to warm to throughout the series is Ridpath’s wife Polly. Her attitude to his career just grates on me. If you are looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, well this is the one. Once I started reading I did not want to put it down. Whilst I would say this could be read as a standalone it would be better to read book one ‘Where the Truth Lies’ first as you will get to understand Ridpath and the way he works better. Merged review: Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Detective Inspector Thomas Ridpath is back in the second exciting installment in the DI Ridpath Series. The first book ‘Where the Truth Lies‘ introduced us to DI Ridpath as he hunted ‘The Beast of Manchester’ and started his job working at The Coroners Office after he returned from sick leave from fighting cancer. This time DI Ridpath is trying to solve the case of crime gang bosses children being murdered and bring the murderer or murderers to justice before there is another gang warfare happening on the streets of Manchester and turning the place back to Gunchester. I’m old enough to remember the years of Gunchester. In fact, the school I went to was on the edge of one of the worst areas involved and had numerous pupils that were part of different gangs, so Where the Dead Fall resonated with me and I was just hoping that DI Ridpath could stop a turf war happening on the streets. The book opens with DI Ridpath driving back from a meeting and witnessing a man run across the motorway in front of his car. Luckily Ridpath manages to brake in time. The man looks panicky and before Ridpath can help him he carries on running straight into the oncoming path of a lorry, instantly being killed. Ridpath is sure he saw a gunman on the hard shoulder but with no witnesses seeing the gunman, nor any cameras picking him up, Ridpath is made to feel like a laughing stock. From this opening scene, the tension and excitement build, leaving you wanting more as you piece together the jigsaw as further bodies, both older and newer turn up. All have something in common, they are the sons of crime bosses. Whilst the rest of MIT (Major Incident Team) believing that this is the start of a turf war in the city, a tit-for-tat, Ridpath isn’t convinced but he can’t seem to get anyone on his side. It’s up to him with some help from the new pathologist Dr. Schofield to discover the truth. The book was pure entertainment from the first page to the last. I love that the series is written in my home town as I can visualise the areas perfectly. There are plenty of twists and turns to throw you off course more than once. The characters are all intriguing and a real mixed bag, the only person I’ve never been able to warm to throughout the series is Ridpath’s wife Polly. Her attitude to his career just grates on me. If you are looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, well this is the one. Once I started reading I did not want to put it down. Whilst I would say this could be read as a standalone it would be better to read book one ‘Where the Truth Lies’ first as you will get to understand Ridpath and the way he works better. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Apr 12, 2019
not set
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Apr 15, 2019
not set
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Sep 26, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| B0CS94FDJR
| 4.94
| 16
| unknown
| Apr 02, 2024
|
it was amazing
|
Something clicks when Sadie Wixom spies Stefan Montegrand for the first time, although nothing happens between them just then. Instead, the attachment
Something clicks when Sadie Wixom spies Stefan Montegrand for the first time, although nothing happens between them just then. Instead, the attachment grows over time. But forging a relationship will be difficult for the pair. Stefan is an Indigenous person from Canada recently displaced from his home in Saskatchewan. Sadie and the rest of her family are grappling with the unexpected death of her mother. That’s not all. As you might expect, not everyone is happy that Sadie has an interest in an Indigenous foreigner, especially the Boltons, the Wixoms’ hostile neighbors. Let Evening Come follows the two young people as they attempt to forge a relationship. It explores themes of cultural clashes and racial and social prejudice on both sides of the border. (Sadie finds she’s less than welcome when she visits Canada with Stefan). Transitioning into adulthood is never easy, and the reader feels the growing pains with Stefan and Sadie. The book captures not only the excitement and newness of young love but also the baseless suspicions and petty jealousies that so often affect us in those years. Can Sadie and Stefan come together for a happily-ever-after, or something approaching it? You’ll have to read the book to find out. But no matter what the end of the journey looks like, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the ride. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 07, 2024
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Sep 24, 2024
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Sep 24, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1786813890
| 9781786813893
| B07B4DYKSX
| 3.86
| 1,469
| unknown
| May 29, 2018
|
really liked it
|
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Holly has been married to dentist Alex for Fifteen years. They have one teenage daughter Sophie an Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Holly has been married to dentist Alex for Fifteen years. They have one teenage daughter Sophie and were happily married until Holly found some flirty text messages on his phone from ‘Queenie’. Alex tries to convince Holly that it is someone from his practice who is stalking him, but she’s not convinced. With the help of lifelong best friends, Jeanie and Caro, plus neighbour Jack, Holly decides to seek out the truth for herself. But has she bitten off more than she can chew? I’ll start by being completely honest. I got three chapters into this book and wrote it off. I just couldn’t get myself interested in it, and so I put it down for a while, but something kept on nagging at me to pick it up again. So eventually I gave in and gave it a second go. Whilst I didn’t find myself laughing hysterically, or even out-loud, I did find the book engaging and interesting and I’m glad that I didn’t write it off completely. The characters are all well developed and interesting to get to know and were perfectly realistic. The relationship between the three best friends is just how you would imagine it to be when you have been through everything together since school. Holly is a woman on a mission. A lot of women would have screamed and yelled at the messages on their husbands’ phone, but Holly decides that he is her husband and this other woman isn’t having him. Not sure I would have done the same, especially with an over-bearing, stuck-up husband like hers was. There is a great twist in the book too which I didn’t see coming. I sat and read the book (second time) on a hot glorious day in the garden and finished it within a few hours. It held my attention and was truly enjoyable. The author has taken a serious issue and made it light-hearted, which has really worked. The book is an easy read perfect for adding to your summer TBR list. Merged review: Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com Holly has been married to dentist Alex for Fifteen years. They have one teenage daughter Sophie and were happily married until Holly found some flirty text messages on his phone from ‘Queenie’. Alex tries to convince Holly that it is someone from his practice who is stalking him, but she’s not convinced. With the help of lifelong best friends, Jeanie and Caro, plus neighbour Jack, Holly decides to seek out the truth for herself. But has she bitten off more than she can chew? I’ll start by being completely honest. I got three chapters into this book and wrote it off. I just couldn’t get myself interested in it, and so I put it down for a while, but something kept on nagging at me to pick it up again. So eventually I gave in and gave it a second go. Whilst I didn’t find myself laughing hysterically, or even out-loud, I did find the book engaging and interesting and I’m glad that I didn’t write it off completely. The characters are all well developed and interesting to get to know and were perfectly realistic. The relationship between the three best friends is just how you would imagine it to be when you have been through everything together since school. Holly is a woman on a mission. A lot of women would have screamed and yelled at the messages on their husbands’ phone, but Holly decides that he is her husband and this other woman isn’t having him. Not sure I would have done the same, especially with an over-bearing, stuck-up husband like hers was. There is a great twist in the book too which I didn’t see coming. I sat and read the book (second time) on a hot glorious day in the garden and finished it within a few hours. It held my attention and was truly enjoyable. The author has taken a serious issue and made it light-hearted, which has really worked. The book is an easy read perfect for adding to your summer TBR list. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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May 24, 2018
not set
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May 28, 2018
not set
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Sep 24, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 0008348650
| 9780008348656
| B07PRLDMPH
| 3.72
| 1,041
| 2019
| Sep 01, 2019
|
it was amazing
|
Rebecca Riley is a personal assistant to Vanessa who owns an event planning business. Although Rebecca has a degree in events planning she is seen mor
Rebecca Riley is a personal assistant to Vanessa who owns an event planning business. Although Rebecca has a degree in events planning she is seen more of a dogs body sent to get the coffees and file paperwork. On the morning Rebecca was about to give Vanessa a folder full of her ideas for an upcoming event, Vanessa has something she needs her to do. She is currently having a weekend home renovated out in the countryside and needs someone onsite project managing and to make sure that the work doesn’t overrun as she has already sent out house warming invitations. Rebecca knows nothing about project managing but likes to keep Vanessa sweet so she goes. On arrival, the builders mistake her for Vanessa and Rebecca sees it as a chance to be someone different, some ballsy and confident. How long can she get away with people believing she is Vanessa and what will happen to her if the truth comes out? I just adored The Accidental Life Swap. I found a connection to it straight away as Rebecca lives and works in Manchester (my home town) and there were references to the local area. Rebecca is a lovely young woman who wants to be an events planner but has to settle for being a PA instead. She watches as other people plan events and she knows that she can do them so much better but is afraid to put herself out there. Once she arrives at Vanessa’s weekend home we see a different side to her, a more confident side. However, Vanessa has been horrible to these builders via email so not only does she have to pretend to be Vanessa she also has to try and make the builders like her. I haven’t laughed so much at a book for a long time. Jennifer Joyce’s writing is superb. It flows along nicely and has you eager for more. I didn’t want it to end and I would love to see Rebecca again in another book as she is so amazing. The book also features an animal sanctuary and plenty of animals including a donkey who prefers the grass from Vanessa’s lawn rather than her own. The Accidental Life Swap is the first book I have read by Jennifer Joyce but it won’t be the last. In fact, I have already downloaded another of her books and can’t wait to jump in. Merged review: Rebecca Riley is a personal assistant to Vanessa who owns an event planning business. Although Rebecca has a degree in events planning she is seen more of a dogs body sent to get the coffees and file paperwork. On the morning Rebecca was about to give Vanessa a folder full of her ideas for an upcoming event, Vanessa has something she needs her to do. She is currently having a weekend home renovated out in the countryside and needs someone onsite project managing and to make sure that the work doesn’t overrun as she has already sent out house warming invitations. Rebecca knows nothing about project managing but likes to keep Vanessa sweet so she goes. On arrival, the builders mistake her for Vanessa and Rebecca sees it as a chance to be someone different, some ballsy and confident. How long can she get away with people believing she is Vanessa and what will happen to her if the truth comes out? I just adored The Accidental Life Swap. I found a connection to it straight away as Rebecca lives and works in Manchester (my home town) and there were references to the local area. Rebecca is a lovely young woman who wants to be an events planner but has to settle for being a PA instead. She watches as other people plan events and she knows that she can do them so much better but is afraid to put herself out there. Once she arrives at Vanessa’s weekend home we see a different side to her, a more confident side. However, Vanessa has been horrible to these builders via email so not only does she have to pretend to be Vanessa she also has to try and make the builders like her. I haven’t laughed so much at a book for a long time. Jennifer Joyce’s writing is superb. It flows along nicely and has you eager for more. I didn’t want it to end and I would love to see Rebecca again in another book as she is so amazing. The book also features an animal sanctuary and plenty of animals including a donkey who prefers the grass from Vanessa’s lawn rather than her own. The Accidental Life Swap is the first book I have read by Jennifer Joyce but it won’t be the last. In fact, I have already downloaded another of her books and can’t wait to jump in. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
Aug 24, 2019
not set
|
Aug 25, 2019
not set
|
Sep 23, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 1788630440
| 9781788630443
| B07B484NS3
| 4.37
| 675
| unknown
| Apr 16, 2018
|
really liked it
|
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com The story begins in India in 1940. World War II is raging across the globe, but India has been lef Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com The story begins in India in 1940. World War II is raging across the globe, but India has been left untouched. 15-year-old Nadine is the daughter of a British businessman and an Indian housekeeper, though she only discovers her housekeeper was her real mother after the housekeepers death. She is stubborn, headstrong and refuses to listen to authority. He father struggles to control her, so he marries her off to an Australian man who takes her to his plantation in Malaya. However, the Japanese become involved in the war and the couple has to flee their home. Unfortunately, Nadine is captured and is used by the army for their sexual needs. It is also whilst captured that Nadine falls in love. This is story about her cruel, yet extraordinary life. East of India was a fascinating book. It was quite hard going in parts, and it was also quite slow, especially at the beginning, but the pace did pick up. It also has beautifully descriptive scenes which made it easy to visualise the Asian countries. I liked Nadine. She was a woman who wouldn’t let anything get her down and tried to find the positives in life, even through the hard times. The book covers a lot of subjects, some quite dark, yet they are all written quite jollily, which at times did seem a little surreal. It showed the brutal side of the Japanese involvement in World War II, but without the real gory details. The story did captivate me and I couldn’t wait to see how Nadine’s life would pan out. Would this young woman ever get a fair chance in life? You’ll need to read this stunning book to find out. Merged review: Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com The story begins in India in 1940. World War II is raging across the globe, but India has been left untouched. 15-year-old Nadine is the daughter of a British businessman and an Indian housekeeper, though she only discovers her housekeeper was her real mother after the housekeepers death. She is stubborn, headstrong and refuses to listen to authority. He father struggles to control her, so he marries her off to an Australian man who takes her to his plantation in Malaya. However, the Japanese become involved in the war and the couple has to flee their home. Unfortunately, Nadine is captured and is used by the army for their sexual needs. It is also whilst captured that Nadine falls in love. This is story about her cruel, yet extraordinary life. East of India was a fascinating book. It was quite hard going in parts, and it was also quite slow, especially at the beginning, but the pace did pick up. It also has beautifully descriptive scenes which made it easy to visualise the Asian countries. I liked Nadine. She was a woman who wouldn’t let anything get her down and tried to find the positives in life, even through the hard times. The book covers a lot of subjects, some quite dark, yet they are all written quite jollily, which at times did seem a little surreal. It showed the brutal side of the Japanese involvement in World War II, but without the real gory details. The story did captivate me and I couldn’t wait to see how Nadine’s life would pan out. Would this young woman ever get a fair chance in life? You’ll need to read this stunning book to find out. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
Apr 13, 2018
not set
|
Apr 17, 2018
not set
|
Sep 23, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| B01HDWEWR4
| 3.77
| 1,517
| unknown
| Jun 25, 2016
|
really liked it
|
In a Village Romance we return to the countryside town of Little Perran, and are greeted by some very well known villagers, including Frankie and Roux
In a Village Romance we return to the countryside town of Little Perran, and are greeted by some very well known villagers, including Frankie and Roux, the main characters from book one, ‘A Christmas Romance’. This time, there are new faces amongst the old, Billy Baxter the ageing rock star, Ashley Wilmott-Fox an award-winning novelist and Rafe the sheep-shearer. Billy should definitely have come with a warning, as he’s a bit of a Calamity Jane. From nearly driving into a funeral procession to running over Cynthia’s prize marrows, and calling an ambulance for a horsefly bite! He likes to think of himself as a big superstar. Unfortunately for him, the rest of the world doesn’t see him like that anymore, and the younger generation don’t even know who he is. His agent has sent him to the village to try and use it as therapy, and get him back in the limelight, but will his plan work? Ashley (Ash), has moved to Little Perran to get away from the city life. He has had a rough few years, from being in a serious life-changing accident, to his fiancee walking out two months before their wedding, and his friends deserting him. He has lost the will to live, but can one resident help him to see the light at the end of the tunnel? Rafe has come to Little Perran in search of the woman he fell in love with the moment he clapped eyes on her. There is just one problem, she has a boyfriend. Will he manage to get the girl of his dreams? As well the newcomers, all the wonderful cast from the first book are back, and it was lovely to see what each of them had been up to. It was like meeting up with old friends again. What I like about the Little Perran books is that Lynda puts so much effort in to making the stories believable, yet they are also full of excitement and lots of comical moments. You can just visualise yourself in the village, and I would love to be one of the residents, as everyone is so friendly, or nearly everyone is. It’s like one big family, and the sun always seems to shine. A fun, summery read that takes you perfectly into the third and final instalment ‘A Summer Romance’, and will leave you satisfied that you have just read a perfect book. Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com Merged review: In a Village Romance we return to the countryside town of Little Perran, and are greeted by some very well known villagers, including Frankie and Roux, the main characters from book one, ‘A Christmas Romance’. This time, there are new faces amongst the old, Billy Baxter the ageing rock star, Ashley Wilmott-Fox an award-winning novelist and Rafe the sheep-shearer. Billy should definitely have come with a warning, as he’s a bit of a Calamity Jane. From nearly driving into a funeral procession to running over Cynthia’s prize marrows, and calling an ambulance for a horsefly bite! He likes to think of himself as a big superstar. Unfortunately for him, the rest of the world doesn’t see him like that anymore, and the younger generation don’t even know who he is. His agent has sent him to the village to try and use it as therapy, and get him back in the limelight, but will his plan work? Ashley (Ash), has moved to Little Perran to get away from the city life. He has had a rough few years, from being in a serious life-changing accident, to his fiancee walking out two months before their wedding, and his friends deserting him. He has lost the will to live, but can one resident help him to see the light at the end of the tunnel? Rafe has come to Little Perran in search of the woman he fell in love with the moment he clapped eyes on her. There is just one problem, she has a boyfriend. Will he manage to get the girl of his dreams? As well the newcomers, all the wonderful cast from the first book are back, and it was lovely to see what each of them had been up to. It was like meeting up with old friends again. What I like about the Little Perran books is that Lynda puts so much effort in to making the stories believable, yet they are also full of excitement and lots of comical moments. You can just visualise yourself in the village, and I would love to be one of the residents, as everyone is so friendly, or nearly everyone is. It’s like one big family, and the sun always seems to shine. A fun, summery read that takes you perfectly into the third and final instalment ‘A Summer Romance’, and will leave you satisfied that you have just read a perfect book. Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Jun 28, 2016
not set
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Jun 29, 2016
not set
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Sep 23, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
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Whispering
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it was amazing
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really liked it
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Dec 28, 2020
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it was amazing
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Nov 04, 2018
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| 4.42
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it was amazing
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| 4.51
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it was amazing
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May 30, 2019
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really liked it
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May 16, 2018
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it was amazing
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Jan 04, 2019
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really liked it
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May 03, 2018
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really liked it
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it was amazing
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it was amazing
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it was amazing
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it was amazing
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really liked it
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May 28, 2018
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| 3.72
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it was amazing
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Aug 25, 2019
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| 4.37
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really liked it
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Apr 17, 2018
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| 3.77
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really liked it
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Jun 29, 2016
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Sep 23, 2024
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