Enjoyable, atmospheric horror/fantasy novella - 4 star

Enjoyable little horror/fantasy novella gifted to me by the good people at netgalley in return for an honest review. Theobard lives amongst the brothers of a monastic sect who never speak and has dwelt here since brought by his parents as a child. His mentor and friend is Dak.... "his thick, black monastic robes made his head look as though it were floating disembodied in the night".... Day to day life follows a comfortable and well trodden path, homage and respect always given to their goddess Bulahl..."to serve Bulahl is a great honour"...However with the arrival of a beautiful and vibrant young girl Dellia, Theobard begins to believe their is something sinister and unsettling in the "Sanctuary" soon decisions taken will put both in mortal danger. I really enjoyed "Sanctuary" and would recommend to lovers of both horror and fantasy.

Taut and well written police procedural - 5 star

Think of a book caught somewhere between the tv drama Line of Duty and a taut well written detective story and you have an idea of the very clear and highy charged emotional story that is "The Blood Line" After a forced 6 months leave of absence DI Alex Finn is back behind the desk of the job he loves. If he was hoping for a gradual and easy return Finn very soon finds himself at the heart of a murder investigation when a somewhat unpleasant and bloody parcel is delivered to the home of a local MP. Just as Finn is trying to analyse if there is a connection with the disappearance of a social worker, a second incident occurs just as bloody and mindless as the first. Why is this local MP being targeted and is there a connection with her ongoing high profile case, seeking justice for asylum seeker Benjamin Ngomo? This is a first rate detective story with a notorious criminal Ray Spinney who seems to have informers at the very heart of the police investigation that will have prove to have long reaching repercussions. A great read and highly recommended.

Not for me - 2 star

The most interesting part of this book was the author's notes and her understanding and acquired knowledge of Dissociative identity disorder. For some will question that such a mental illness exists but by encompassing this as the central theme Catriona Ward has certainly ensured we the reader will at least in part, be a little wiser on completion. However nomatter the issues I as an avid reader must judge this book on its enjoyment factor, and sadly I found it difficult and very confusing....but of course I hear you say that is exactly the point.....and naturally I smile and agreeLauren disappeared many years ago, sister Dee has never given up hope, Ted lives alone presenting at the very least signs of autism to his neighbours. Ever watchful, ever present Olivia observes as events unfold always an active witness a silent voice...... the ever resourceful cat. As the story concluded, as the horror unfolded, and the true nature of Ted's life on "The Last House on Needless Street" is revealed only disbelief and sadness remain.

Powerful and emotional - 5 star

Sometimes as the last page closes and you slowly ease yourself back into the now, a feeling of such profound emotion can take your breath away. Beartown is special, it is not just a book put together with words, it is a journey, a coming of age story, life in a small community, and when a happening occurs, and when the fallout settles, nothing or no one will ever be the same again. 

Don’t be misled into believing that ice hockey is the central theme it is simply a means to the transcendence. The prosperity of Beartown rises or falls on the young shoulders of the hockey players none better or more charismatic than Kevin Erdhal. When success rewards with a feeling of invincibility, and decisions taken lead to aggression and destroyed lives, the hope,friendship,and love,once the heart of this community,lies buried and shattered in the gathering storm

This is writing of the finest order what is a book if it does not stay with you, what is a book if it does not make you question and look deep within yourself as it showers you in love, shock, hope, friendship, and tears. Highly, highly, recommended.

A solid read - 4 star

DI Tony McClean is great antihero. He does not need to work, he has inherited great wealth and this gives him the power to question and indeed show 2 fingers to his superiors if they hinder his doggedness to solve a case. He is a typical good cop working on instinct, living close to the edge, taking risks and acting like an arse😀although he would use the word maverick. An explosive start sees a body dropped from a great height entangled in a tree before smashing to the ground. With few leads to rely on and a police hierarchy increasingly at odds with McClean, the DI begins to smell the stench of a coverup. What is the relationship between a wealthy entrepreneur, a renowned gangster and an ex policeman. A solid read with strong characters, excellent plot, and explosive finish kept me enthralled and engrossed until the final page.

Rubbish! - 1 star

Let me say from the start that I am a no 1 fan of Mz McDermid and rate the Karen Pirie as one of the best if not the best modern detective series. By comparison 1979 is terrible. New kids on the block Allie and Danny want and need a front page scope. Danny in particular is hoping to become the new Bob Woodward or Carl Bernstein and unbelieveably a story presents itself very close to home. No sooner can the reader catch his breath than Allie discovers a terrorist threat in the heart of Scotland and with Danny's help hopes to make the big time. This is 1979 and homophobia, misogyny, heavy male drinking back slapping culture is all the rage and quite rightly Val McDermid incorporates these vital elements within her story. I use the word story loosely, the plot is way over the top, reminiscent of a badly made for tv series, and whilst i laud her highlighting issues of the time, the overall effect makes for very poor reading. Avoid at all costs!

Wonderful storytelling, superb novel - 5 star

A wonderful storyteller. He has the ability to transform you to a time in history where often a major event is happening or about to take place. In this instance it is Vienna 1913 and Lysander Rief, an out of work actor is visiting an eminent psychiatrist when the beautiful elfin Hettie Bull walks in. A passionate, and ultimately doomed affair commences that will have long reaching consequences. Meanwhile 1 year later in London Riel is employed by wartime intelligence service to identify the person at the heart of government who is supplying valuable confidential wartime information to the enemy. As always I was swept along with Boyd’s descriptive prose and his very precise sympathetic nod to the events of that time. His books not only entertain but also educate. I was not aware of Turner Cars, founded in Wolverhampton in 1902, who manufactured one of the earliest 2 seater open tourer sports cars simply named the Turner 2 seater. This was the plaything of Lysander’s uncle Hamo, a colourful character, who enjoys a pivotal role in this superb novel. Highly recommended.