Okay…who stole July? It was here a moment ago, and now it’s gone, and August has taken the place it left behind. On the plus side, this most likely means that the bumper tins from Celebrations and Heroes will be back in stores, along with all the Halloween chocolate, so they can make room for the Christmas chocolate in mid-September… That’s the way it goes they’ll probably be the only things on the shelves, but hey ho. Who wanted to eat a healthy balanced diet anyway?
Not much to do during the week – had to do another one of those pesky five days at work – what’s that? I managed to get to Worcester over the weekend though for Abigail Osborne’s book launch, A good husband so that was nice.
I’m having a mixed week this week. It was a little easier to read than it had been in the heat and in Harrogate, but it still felt like I was out of shape. A few book letters received to add to the stack I brought back from the festival last weekend – reasons to smile.
Of course I came back from the presentation with a signed copy of Abigails book, A good husband (it would be rude not to). In addition to this, I received an email Small deaths Rijula Das courtesy of FMcM and Amazon Crossing. I also picked up Psalms for the end of the world Cole Haddon and Santa’s killer Ross Greenwood of NetGalley.
I received several messages this week. At first it was completely unexpected Madvertisement Honey Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finley Boylan courtesy of Hodder & Stoughton. They also kindly sent me another title, less unexpected this time, Bonnie and read Julie Walker. I got it too Butcher and wren Alain Urquhart by Michael Joseph. Not totally unexpected, I just forgot I was expecting this…
I also bought a few books – of course I did. Only four, 1 pre-order. Dead winter Stuart McBride is coming out next year, but who can resist, right? I bought it too Moonflower Murders Anthony Horowitz, A witness Alex Whittle and My evil mother Margaret Atwood
Books I have read
Starts up quite quietly. The tick tick you hear in your ear. Tinnitus, you think. It will pass. But it is not so. It gets worse. And then you pass…
Before you know it, it’s spreading. It appears in other countries of the world: first small outbreaks, but then suddenly it is a plague – and after a few days it is already killing people.
At a north London school that has been increasingly affected, teacher Keith Chaplin struggles to understand what he has witnessed. Even Lily Slater, his partner and renowned vaccinologist, cannot understand what is happening. As it gradually spreads, they are inexorably drawn into the mystery of the disease. And what they discover will change the world as they know it…
Enthralling and extremely contemporary, this piercingly insightful novel tells the story of a global catastrophe through the eyes of three people at the center of the storm.
Neal Lancaster Dead Man’s Grave.
This tomb can never be opened.
The head of Scotland’s most powerful crime family is brutally murdered, his body dumped in an ancient grave in a remote cemetery.
This murder can never be forgotten.
Detectives Max Craigie and Jenny Calder arrive on the scene of a small town where everyone has secrets to hide. They soon realize that the murder is part of a blood feud between two Scottish families that dates back to the 1800s. One thing is for sure, this may be the last kill, but it won’t be the last…
This killer will never be caught.
As the death toll rises, an investigation reveals widespread corruption at the heart of Police Scotland. Now Max and Jenny must confront their closest colleagues – to solve a case that could cost them far more than their lives…
1899, Belle Époque Paris. Lucien’s two daughters are believed to have died when her mansion burned to the ground, but she is convinced that her girls are still alive and sets out on a journey deep into the spirit community to find them.
1949, post-war Quebec. Lina’s teenage father was killed during the French Resistance, and as she struggles to fit in at school, her mother introduces her to an elderly woman at the asylum where she works, changing Lina’s life in the darkest way imaginable.
2002, Quebec. The former school teacher is accused of brutally stabbing her husband, a well-known university professor. Detective Maxine Grant, who recently lost her own husband and is raising a teenager and a child alone, takes up the investigation.
Under immense personal pressure, Maxine makes a series of terrifying discoveries that are directly connected to historical cases involving black magic and murder, secret societies and spiritualism… and women on the brink of evil who will stop at nothing to protect those who who is loved…
Vera goes on a day trip to Holy Island before the Rising Tide series, wanting to get away from her workload. When she is there, she remembers a day decades ago when, as a teenager, she went on another day trip with her father, Hector, and the mysterious woman he met there. . .
Vera already knew that Hector was keeping secrets, but this time the rookie investigator was determined to find the truth, not realizing that it would mean taking her first step on the path to becoming a detective. . .
My Wicked Mother Margaret Atwood
A bittersweet short story about mothers, daughters, and the witchy potion of love—and control—that binds them, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Handmaid’s Tale and Testaments.
Life is hard enough for a teenage girl in 1950s suburbia without a mother who may or may not be a witch. And a single mother. Of course she fits in with her starched dresses, string of pearls and flowered aprons. Then there are quiet and mystical consultations with neighboring women in distress. Unpleasant, mysterious plants in flower beds. A magical warning to stay away from a guy whose fate is surely doomed. But as the daughter of this charming landlady comes of age and her mother’s claims become more outlandish, she begins to question everything she once took for granted.
Not a bad result, but a couple of stories helped a lot. Quite a full week on the blog – recap below:
#Review – Swimmer – Graham Norton and Cut – MV Craven
#Review – Bones of the Dead – James Oswald
#Press release – criminal case schedule announced
#Review – Black Mountain – Kate Moss
#Review – The Cliff House – Chris Brookmire
#Review – Mother of an orphan – Marion Kumerov
#Review – New Beginnings in an Old Bakery – Christy Barlow
Since it’s the end of the month, I also have to recap my monthly reading list. 16 titles, including 3 short stories, so it’s not that impressive. I’ve totally slowed down on reading, but the books have been great, so bonus.
Something’s in the Air by Rachel Amphlett
Cliff House by Chris Brookmire
Whisper of the Seal by Roxanne Bouchard.
The Quiet Truth by Rachel Amphlett
The girl in the photo is Heidi Amsink
Twist of the Knife by Anthony Horowitz
Claire Mackintosh’s Last Party
Missing Man of Bombay Wasim Khan
The Alice Castle Murder Mystery
6:20 The Man by David Baldacci
You can stay at Elle Connel
Neal Lancaster Dead Man’s Grave.
Simon Mayo’s Tick Tock
Johanna Gustavsson’s bleeding
A woman on Anne Cleves Island
My Wicked Mother Margaret Atwood
Two rounds this week starting today The girl in the photo Heidi Amsink and later this week The quiet truth Rachel Amphlett.
That’s it. Mine is weird and busy, but not a week in pretty long words. I have a busy week ahead of me and can look forward to something over the weekend (more on that next week). I hope you all have a happy book week.
Jen x
