Wonderful sense of time and place - 5 star

A beautiful historic work of fiction with a great sense of time and place. Lesley and Robert live in the Malayan districe of Panang, Lesley , a society hostess, entertains whilst Robert is a high powered lawyer. Into their lives one day comes William Somerset Maughan, effectionately known as Willie. Willie is greatly troubled by his sham marriage, and Lesley proves a wonderful listener but equally as her world collapses she finds comfort from the great writer. She discloses her admiration for a revolutionary and admits to a clandestine love affair that lasted many years but was ultimately doomed, and equally scandalously discloses her relationship to a woman accused of rape many years ago. The writing is sublime using events and historical figures to create a work of fiction that I devoured in 2 sittings..."the sea that was eternal yet ceaselessly changing, from wave to wave, swell to swell"...."All of us will be forgotten eventually. Like a wave on the ocean, leaving no trace that it had once existed"....."I lay in bed for a while, listening to the drowsy waves as the light outside changed, the ink of night diluting to dawn."........"While we are living, the air sustains us, but the very instant we stop breathing, that same air immediately sinks its teeth into us. What keeps us alive will also, in the end consume us."....... Highly recommend and many thanks to NG for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.

Unusual and erotic debut book - 3 star

Not my usual read but always nice to step into the unknown and embrace a story and a situation very unfamiliar to me. An unknown Australian lesbian is working as a matron in an exclusive English boarding school for girls. Mrs S (we only ever know her initial) is the headmistress and oversees the operation of the school helped by Mr S. We very soon become aware of the matron’s sexual orientation as she becomes obsessed with the elegant Mrs S who surprisingly returns this affection. There is an unwritten sense of sexual tension and when ignited explodes in the pages of the book. I felt that these scenes were well expressed and not overtly sexual written in a way that kept the readers attention whilst slowly building to a somewhat predictable climax (no pun intended). Many thanks to netgalley for an advance ARC in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.

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.