Archive | November 2024

Sisters Making Mischief by Maddie Please

Nov22

Warmth, Welcome & Wit

Sisters Making Mischief by Maddie Please is the most charming contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I always enjoy novels by Maddie Please as she writes with warmth, welcome and wit. Sisters Making Mischief is like the sun appearing on a grey day, it cheers the reader from the start.

The reader, along with the main character, is transported from a tense Christmas in Britain to a carefree new year in France. The atmosphere and problems in England are in complete opposite to the carefree, fun atmosphere at her sisters in the French countryside. There is a new life, along with new possibilities awaiting.

The lead characters are in their sixties and there is a sprightly mother-in-law who is eighty four. They all show that life is for living whatever your age. It is glorious to see characters not in the first flush of youth enjoying and being invigorated by life.

Maddie Please injects much humor into her tale. With an accident prone lead character, I found myself literally laughing out loud throughout the story. There were some truly hilarious scenes.

Continue reading →

Blood Matters by Ian McFadyen

Nov20

Wow! – Fabulous!

Blood Matters by Ian McFadyen is a totally gripping contemporary crime novel that I just could not put down. I read it in just one sitting. It is the tenth book in the DCI Carmichael series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Ian McFadyen has constructed and well executed a marvellous plotline, full of twists and turns, designed to keep the reader on their toes. I closely followed the action but failed to guess the perpetrator.

As the body count rose, there was a connection to a twenty year old cold case. Unanswered questions saw characters digging deeply. As each question arose, the mystery deepened. There seemed to be those in the know, but their lips were sealed.

Desperate people employed ever more desperate measures. In their mind, bumping off people to silence them was acceptable. Long-held secrets eventually emerged.

I found the ending was superb. It was a jaw dropping moment as the penny dropped for a character and the reader.

Continue reading →

Countdown To Christmas by Dianna Houx

Nov17

Re-Kindling The Magic

Countdown To Christmas by Dianna Houx is the most charming, heartwarming contemporary Christmas novel that will warm your spirit and leave you smiling. This really is the essence of Christmas in a book.

The novel is set in a Midwest American town that seems to have forgotten about Christmas. Wanting to re-create her grandmother’s childhood Christmas, A granddaughter enlists the help of the town to bring an old-fashioned Christmas to life once more. “She [grandmother] comes alive when she talks about memories… of Christmas.” Christmas past is set to become Christmas present.

Visitors to the town for the old-fashioned Christmas ensure a family house comes alive. “Return to a time when things were simpler… When Christmas had meaning and magic.” Christmas is less about the presents and more about the memories.

We see the importance of teamwork. “If we all work together… we can do it.” What is impossible for one, is achievable for many.

Continue reading →

Storm Bodies by Steve Orme

Nov16

Totally Gripping

Storm Bodies by Steve Orme is a totally gripping crime suspense that I just could not put down. It is the second book in the D.I. Miles Davies series and can be read as a stand-alone. However, for maximum enjoyment and character progression, I recommend reading Storm Deaths first, especially as a storyline continues over to this book.

Once more the reader follows the Derbyshire police force as they investigate serious crime. The force is a well-oiled machine, relentless in their pursuit of crime. To lighten the atmosphere, a character spreads dark humor. There is also an extremely well-written episode of light humor which makes the reader chuckle, and counter balances the dark topic of murder.

The author’s passion for basketball once again, comes through as we follow the Derby Storm team. Familiar names from the first book pop up.

All the characters were well drawn. They were an eclectic mix who elicited a variety of emotional responses from me.

Storm Bodies is crime fiction writing out of the top drawer. The reader is drawn in from the start as we cling on, following the story to its’ conclusion.

Continue reading →