Book Review: The Empty Nest by Sue Watson

“You thought she would be yours forever…”

Published in 2019, The Empty Nest by Sue Watson follows mother Kat who remembers the days when her only daughter Amy wouldn’t leave her side. Amy was the baby who cried when you walked out of the room, the toddler who was too shy to speak to strangers, the small child who clung to Kat’s legs in the school playground.

But now Amy is grown up, and Amy is gone – to university in a town several hours away. Kat’s house – which once felt too full, too noisy, too busy – is deathly quiet, and Kat awaits the daily phone call to tell her that her beloved daughter is thriving and happy.

But one day Amy doesn’t call. Kat’s husband and friends think she is being paranoid – surely Amy is just out, having fun with her friends. But Kat knows right away that something is very wrong. Her daughter would never forget to call. She would never just disappear… After all, Amy has nothing to run from. Or does she?

Book Review: Midnight Sun (Blood on Snow #2) by Jo Nesbø

Originally published in 2015 and the second book in the Blood on Snow series, Midnight Sun by Jo Nesbø follows Jon who is on the run. He has betrayed Oslo’s biggest crime lord: The Fisherman. Fleeing to an isolated corner of Norway, to a mountain town so far north that the sun never sets, Jon hopes to find sanctuary amongst a local religious sect.

Hiding out in a shepherd’s cabin in the wilderness, all that stands between him and his fate are Lea, a bereaved mother and her young son, Knut. But while Lea provides him with a rifle and Knut brings essential supplies, the midnight sun is slowly driving Jon to insanity.

And then he discovers that The Fisherman’s men are getting closer…

Book Review: The People Watcher by Sam Lloyd

“I watch them because I think they need help.”

Set to be published on 8th May, The People Watcher by Sam Lloyd follows Mercy Lake who likes to fix things. To fix people. Trapped inside during daylight hours, hostage to her phobias, she uses the cover of night to watch the people in her town. And if someone needs her help, she steps in – secretly and with compassion.

When Mercy meets Louis, her lonely, unusual life is suddenly filled with excitement. Because Louis likes intervening in other people’s lives too, only he prefers a more direct – even violent – approach. As they grow closer, Mercy is enchanted but frightened by his actions. How many lines is he willing to cross? And how much is he prepared to risk?

May 2023 Wrap Up

I say this every month, but that really was a quick month! Maybe I’ve just been enjoying all of this sun so much! It definitely puts me in a better mood!

In May, I read 27 books:

Book Review: Daisy In Chains by Sharon Bolton

“Famous killers have fan clubs.
Who would join such a club?
Would you?”

Published in 2016, Daisy In Chains by Sharon Bolton follows reclusive and enigmatic Maggie Rose, a successful lawyer and bestselling true-crime writer, who only takes on cases that she can win. But when serial killer Hamish Wolfe requests her collaboration, she’s cautious of the stories she’s heard. Because Hamish has a fan club. Although he’s locked up for the rest of his life for the abduction and murder of three young women, he gets countless adoring letters every day. He’s handsome, charismatic and very persuasive. His admirers are convinced he’s innocent, and that he’s the man of their dreams. Maggie thinks she’s immune to the charms of a man like this. But maybe not this time . . .

Book Review: Clytemenstra by Costanza Casati

“Huntress. Warrior. Mother. Murderess. Queen.”

Published in 2023, Clytemenstra by Costanza Casati tells the story of Clytemnestra, born to a king but married to a tyrant. As she stands helplessly as he sacrifices her child to placate the gods and watches him wage war on a foreign shore, she comforts herself with violent thoughts of her own. She plays he part, fools her enemies who deny you justice and slowly, she plots.

But when Agamemnon returns in triumph, what then? Acceptance or vengeance. Clytemenstra bides her time until she can force the gods’ hands and take revenge. For Clytemenstra understands something that the others don’t. If power isn’t given to you, you have to take it for yourself.

Book Review: None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

“Her lies could kill you.”

Set to be released on 20th July, None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell follows podcaster Alix Summers who, while celebrating her 45th birthday at her local pub, crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie is also celebrating her 45th birthday. They are, in fact birthday twins.

A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for Alix’s series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.

Alix agrees to a trial interview. Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep digging. Slowly Alix starts to realise that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life – and into her home.

Soon she begins to wonder – Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?

Book Review: Dear Child by Romy Hausmann

“Where there’s feeling — even if it’s pain — there’s life that can be recovered.”

Published in 2019, Dear Child by Romy Hausmann is set a windowless shack in the woods, where Lena’s life – and that of her two children – follows the rules set by their captor, the father. Meals, bathroom visits, and study time are all strictly scheduled and meticulously observed. He protects his family from the dangers lurking in the outside world and makes sure that his children will always have a mother to look after them.

One day, Lena manages to flee – but the nightmare continues. It seems as if her tormentor wants to get back what belongs to him. And then there is the question whether she really is the woman called ‘Lena’, who disappeared without a trace 14 years ago. The police and Lena’s family are all desperately trying to piece together a puzzle which doesn’t quite seem to fit.

Book Review: Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“I know there may be universes out there where I made different choices and they led me somewhere else, led me to someone else. And my heart breaks for every single version of me that didn’t end up with you.”

Published in 2015, Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid follows Hannah Martin who, at the age of twenty-nine, still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence with her best friend Gabby. Shortly after, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.

Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?

In concurrent story lines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? Is there such a thing as a soul mate? Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she’s found him.

Book Review: Black Summer (Washington Poe #2) by M.W. Craven

The second book in M.W. Craven‘s Washington Poe series and published in 2019, Black Summer sees Detective Sergeant Washington Poe forced to reinvestigate a case from his past, after convicting chef to the stars Jared Keaton to a life sentence for the brutal murder of his daughter, Elizabeth, when a young woman staggers into a remote police station with irrefutable evidence that she is the missing woman.

Now, Poe finds himself on the wrong end of an investigation, one that could cost him much more than his career. Helped by the only person he trusts, the brilliant but socially awkward Tilly Bradshaw, Poe races to answer the only question that matters: how can someone be both dead and alive at the same time? And then Elizabeth goes missing again – and all paths of investigation lead back to Poe.

Book Review: Two Can Keep A Secret by Karen M. McManus

Published in 2019, Two Can Keep A Secret by Karen M. McManus follows twins Ellery an Ezra who have never been to Echo Ridge, but they’ve heard all about it. It’s where their aunt went missing at age sixteen, never to return. Where a Homecoming Queen’s murder five years ago made national news. And where Ellery and Ezra now have to live with a grandmother she barely knows, after her failed-actress mother lands in rehab. No one knows what happened to either girl, and their family is still haunted by their loss.

Malcolm grew up in the shadow of the Homecoming Queen’s death. His older brother was the prime suspect and left Echo Ridge in disgrace. His mother’s remarriage vaulted her and Malcolm into Echo Ridge’s upper crust, but their new status grows shaky when mysterious threats around town hint that a killer plans to strike again. No one has forgotten Malcolm’s brother-and nobody trusts him when he suddenly returns to town.

Ellery and Malcolm both know it’s hard to let go when you don’t have closure. Then another girl disappears, and Ellery and Malcolm were the last people to see her alive. As they race to unravel what happened, they realize every secret has layers in Echo Ridge. The truth might be closer to home than either of them want to believe.

And somebody would kill to keep it hidden.

Audiobook Review: The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

“A time-honoured tradition. Or a lethal game of survival?”

Published in 2022, The Family Game by Catherine Steadman follows novelist Harriet who, newly-engaged to Edward, is welcomed into the family of the rich and eccentric Holbecks, the embodiment of American old money. For years, they’ve dominated headlines and pulled society’s strings, and Edward left them all behind to forge his own path. But there are eyes and ears everywhere. It was only a matter of time before they were pulled back in…

The Holbecks seem to welcome her with open arms, but everything changes when she meets Robert, the inescapably magnetic head of the family. At their first meeting, Robert slips Harry a cassette tape, revealing a shocking confession which sets the inevitable game in motion. As she ramps up her quest for the truth, she must endure the Holbecks’ savage Christmas traditions all the while knowing that losing this game could be deadly.

Book Review: The Interpreter by Brooke Robinson

“THE MOST DANGEROUS PERSON IN THE COURTROOM ISN’T THE KILLER…”

Set to be published on 1st June in eBook format on 8th June in hardback, The Interpreter by Brooke Robinson follows single mother Revelle Lee, an interpreter who spends her days translating for victims, witnesses and the accused across London. Only she knows what they’re saying. Only she knows the truth.

When she believes a grave injustice is about to happen, and a guilty man is going to be labelled innocent, she has the power to twist an alibi to get the verdict she wants. She’s willing to risk it all to do what’s right. But when someone discovers she lied, Revelle finds the cost might be too high… and she could lose everything, including her son.

Book Review: The Sisters by Claire Douglas

“One lied. One died.”

Pulished in 2015, The Sisters by Claire Douglas follows twin sister, Abo, who is haunted by her twin’s death. When one sister dies, the other must go to desperate lengths to survive. So Abi decides to make a fresh start in Bath. But when she meets twins Bea and Ben, she is quickly drawn into their privileged and unsettling circle.

As Abi tries to keep up with the demands of her fickle friends, strange things start to happen – precious letters go missing and threatening messages are left in her room. Is this the work of the beautiful and capricious Bea? Or is Abi willing to go to any lengths to get attention?

Book Review: Talking with Serial Killers – Sleeping with Psychopaths by Christopher Berry Dee

Published in 2022, Talking with Serial Killers: Sleeping with Psychopaths by Christopher Berry Dee turns the attention to the wives or partners of serial murderers who remained unaware of exactly who they had fallen for until after their other half’s arrest or, in some cases, conviction, for multiple murders.

On finding out the truth, these innocents often experience a strange kind of guilt for not having recognised the killer in their home, as well as having to face the grim reality of betrayal and deceit.

Christopher Berry-Dee speaks directly to killers and their oblivious loved ones to get inside the minds of the men and women who fall for murderers.

Book Review: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Blade Runner) by Philip K. Dick

“You will be required to do wrong no matter where you go. It is the basic condition of life, to be required to violate your own identity. At some time, every creature which lives must do so. It is the ultimate shadow, the defeat of creation; this is the curse at work, the curse that feeds on all life. Everywhere in the universe.”

Published in 1968, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick (which was adapted into the film Blade Runner) is set on an Earth devastated by World War Terminus. Through its ruins, bounty hunter Rick Deckard stalks, in search of his prey – renegade replicants. But in Deckard’s world, things are never that simple, and his assignment quickly turns into a nightmare kaleidoscope of subterfuge and deceit – and the threat of death for the hunter rather than the hunted…

BLOG TOUR: The Spider (Joona Linna #9) by Lars Kepler

“Maybe this serial killer is unstoppable.
Maybe they’re already caught in the web…”

Set to be published on 25th May, The Spider by Lars Kepler is the ninth book in the Joona Linna series follows security inspector Saga Bauer who, three years ago, received a postcard with a threatening text about a gun with nine white bullets – one of which is waiting for Detective Joona Linna. But time passed and the threat faded. Until now.

A sack with a decomposed body is found tied to a tree in the forest. A milky white bullet casing is found at the murder scene. And soon the police are sent complicated riddles from the killer – a chance to stop further murders. Joona Linna and Saga Bauer must fight side by side to solve the puzzle and save each victim before it’s too late. But the violent hunt becomes increasingly desperate.

Book Review: The Ickabog by J.K. Rowling

“Tears can heal a mind, as well as laughter.”

Published in 2020, The Ickabog by J.K. Rowling is set in a tiny kingdom called Cornucopia, as rich in happiness as it was in gold, and famous for its food. From the delicate cream cheeses of Kurdsburg to the Hopes-of-Heaven pastries of Chouxville, each was so delicious that people wept with joy as they ate them.

But even in this happy kingdom, a monster lurks. Legend tells of a fearsome creature living far to the north in the Marshlands… the Ickabog. Some say it breathes fire, spits poison, and roars through the mist as it carries off wayward sheep and children alike. Some say it’s just a myth…

And when that myth takes on a life of its own, casting a shadow over the kingdom, two children — best friends Bert and Daisy — embark on a great adventure to untangle the truth and find out where the real monster lies, bringing hope and happiness to Cornucopia once more.

Book Review: The Fall by Gilly Macmillan

“Be careful what you wish for…”

Set to be published on 25th May, The Fall by Gilly Macmillan follows Nicole and Tom and whose lives are changed overnight by a ten-million-pound lottery win. Before they know it, they’ve moved into a state-of-the-art Glass Barn conversion in the stunning grounds of Lancaut Manor in Gloucestershire. But their dream quickly turns into a nightmare when Tom is found dead in the swimming pool, with a wound on his head. Someone close to home must be responsible. But other than the young couple who live in the Manor, and their housekeeper in the Coach House next door, there’s no one around for miles. Who among them is capable of murder?

Book Review: After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“Maybe it doesn’t matter if you need someone during the everyday moments of your life. Maybe what matters is that when you need someone, they are the one you need.”

Originally published in 2014, After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid follows Lauren and Ryan whose marriage reaches the breaking point, so they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.

Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren’s ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to question: When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for?

Rating:

I’m an absolute sucker for a story about coming to a turning point in a marriage, whatever that may be, and about how you move forward and where you go from there. So this book completely pulled me in.

A beautifully honest portrayal of marriage, love and family, After I Do is far more than just a love story, it’s a story about what love means to us, why we fall in love, how love changes us, and who we are both with and without love.

Taylor Jenkins Reid always creates such authentic characters and Lauren and Ryan are both brilliantly developed. It was so interesting to see the story from both of their points of view, the way that they deal with their new situation, the ways that they still think about each other and, ultimately, their thought processes around what their relationship means to each other.

I related to the story at times – I think most of us will admit that we could make more effort in our relationships at times, with both spouses and family. But the dislike that these characters had for each other also took me aback slightly at first, as I suddenly began to worry that they wouldn’t find their way back to each other.

But the way this story progresses is done brilliantly. It’s heartwarming, reflective, touching, and overall just filled me a lot of emotion. Loved it!