Archive | August 2023

The Good Liars by Anita Frank

Aug17

Wow! – So Good!

The Good Liars by Anita Frank is an absolutely marvellous historical, psychological suspense that I just could not put down.

Anita Frank drew me in from the start with my questions as to what had happened and why would a name be missing? As I read on, my responses to characters were guided by the artistic pen of Anita Frank. The further I got into the book, the faster my heart beat as the tension rose ever higher. The conclusion was superb.

The book is set in 1920. The first world war is over but it has far-reaching effects. Lives have been blighted by experiences at the Front. Not all scars are visible, many souls returned tormented. Mind ravaged lives as the battle fields lived on in their heads.

Terrible lashing rain leaves a landscape submerged, reminding the reader of the landscape of war. As the rain falls and the sky darkens, the action within a country house mirrors the weather.

The Good Liars is written within the gothic style as an old house has dark corners, attics, basements and creepy goings on.

Continue reading →

The Child Who Lived by Ellie Midwood

Aug16

An Indomitable Spirit

The Child Who Lived by Ellie Midwood is a powerful historical novel that I just could not put down, and devoured it in just one sitting.

The book is the true story of a young women with an indomitable spirit, who against all the odds, fell in love and had a baby in Mauthausen. This is a baby and mother who both should not have lived. This is the mother’s story.

All the action is set during World War II in various concentration camps. All of them, absolutely horrendous – but despite this, a character has maintained a kind heart. “A rebel with a moral compass always pointing in the right direction in spite of the circumstances.”

To give in to circumstances would be to perish. One had to hold on to hope and believe that one day the end would come. “We ought to stick it out to the end just to annoy them with being alive.”

Continue reading →

The Widows Wine Club by Julia Jarman

Aug14

All For One

The Widow’s Wine Club by Julia Jarman is a delightful contemporary novel which I really enjoyed.

The novel follows three widows who meet as they are choosing their husband’s caskets. We see their journey through grief as they learn to live again.

Sometimes there are shocking discoveries made after death, which raise all kinds of emotions.

The three women band together offering love, support and encouragement as they journey through life.

There are the perils of online dating as one has to wade through the sludge in order to find the jewel.

All the characters were well drawn and realistic.

The Widow’s Wine Club was a charming light-hearted read that was amusing too – with some classic one-liners- “Janet hadn’t a clue how the non-rich lived.” I can highly recommend this book and will leave you with my favourite quote:

Continue reading →

Foul Play At Seal Bay by Judy Leigh

Aug13

Amateur Sleuthing At Its’ Finest

Foul Play At Seal Bay by Judy Leigh is a contemporary light-hearted crime novel that I really enjoyed. It is the first book in A Morwenna Mutton Mystery series which promises to be fabulous. I cannot wait for the subsequent books.

Judy Leigh has once more created an eclectic mix of characters who entertain the reader. The leading lady is sixty one and her mother is eighty. Both are a breath of fresh air with their energy, enthusiasm and unconventional ways. They refuse to be put in a box marked ‘old’. Both are bundles of energy. Growing old does not equal being staid.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is a delightful six year old girl, whose mannerisms have been perfectly captured by Judy Leigh. I loved her soft-toy doggy companions named Oggy 1 and Oggy 2 who had to accompany her wherever she went. Her innocence and zest for life were a pure delight.

After a crime is committed, Morwenna Mutton figuratively puts on her amateur sleuthing hat. She believes, and proves, herself to be far more competent at crime solving than the local bobby.

Continue reading →