My Review of "Our Endless Numbered Days"

This had been on my "to read" list since it's publication in March as I had seen several reviews and thought the concept was very appealing. It was one of those books which you don't get around to reading, it got buried under more recent suggestions until I saw it on the "Quick Choice" stand in the library and thought it was fate guiding me to pick it! And then I kicked myself hard for leaving it so long! Isn't that always the way!

It certainly wasn't any disappointment and I am now a "Fuller Fan'! The book starts in 1976 when Peggy is eight years old. She is told by her father that the rest of the world has disappeared and they set off deep into the woods to a hidden shack where Peggy lives with her father for the next nine years, surviving in the wild with only the barest of rations that the forest can provide. The narrative then shifts to 1985 and Peggy's mysterious re-emergence to the modern world and a reunion with her mother. The novel is about trying to find out the truth about her time in the forest and what happened to lead up to her return.

I was intrigued by the concept (as well as the attractive book cover!). It's an imaginative premise; a parent driven to kidnap their own child and retreat into the wilderness, delusional about politics and the end of the world, fanatical about survival and planning for the apocalypse. And then Peggy's realisation that her father has lied to her for so many years - her family are not dead, they are alive, and have always been. Fuller presents all this with great descriptive and evocative writing. Her portrayal of Penny's relationships with both her parents is explored with realism and poignancy.

Fuller's writing is vivid - full of atmosphere and imagery in which you become fully captivated. The picture of Peggy "playing a silent piano" with wooden keys on the table as her only toy is powerful and resonants long after you've finished the book. It is very visual and easy to conjure in your own mind. In a way, you become as immersed in the secluded world as the two characters. Fuller also touches on issues like nature v nurture when she shows how Peggy copes with her father's behaviour in a world where she has no wider experience on which to draw.

The reader knows Peggy returns to the real world from the outset but don't let this put you off. There is still a dramatic climax and a surprise ending which will leave you deep in thought.

I rated this 4/5 stars and would highly recommend it. I'm pleased to see it sitting amongst the bestsellers in the book shops at the moment and I hope you will be tempted to pick it up - don't let it languish on your "to read" pile for as long as I did!

for more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat, follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3

My Review of "Dear Amy" by Helen Callaghan

Margot Lewis is a teacher and writes an agony aunt column, “Dear Amy” for the Cambridge Enquirer. She receives a letter from Bethan Avery who has been missing for years, claiming to be held captive still and asking for help. Is it a hoax?

At the same time, a student at Margot’s school, Katie, has gone missing and Margot fears for her safety. After receiving more letters, Margot attempts to get the police to take her suspicions seriously and then becomes embroiled in the search for a potential serial killer as previous murders and kidnappings are uncovered. Soon Margot herself is in danger and only one man is prepared to help her uncover the deeply shocking truth.

It is difficult to review this book without spoiling it. What is striking and unique about this book is that you begin by believing you are reading a “another” psychological thriller about kidnapping but actually end up entangled in something far more complex, intriguing and chilling. Callaghan completely overthrows the reader and dares to put them in the exact same position as the narrator. Together you join Margot on her journey to piece together the web of perplexing memories, flashbacks and unfathomable past. Callaghan’s use of senses to evoke memories was particularly effective here.

Margot’s character is well crafted. Our opinion of her is challenged and tested. Female protagonists are very popular in this new wave of psychological thrillers and it’s great to see a whole genre being led by strong, intelligent, brave, “un-victim-like” women. These women are more complex and not always 100% likeable which makes their stories more compulsive and realistic. It also makes them more powerful within a plot. Margot is a strong, fearless, down to earth character. She has made often questionable decisions in order to survive. Callaghan’s ability to create such a multi-layered, tortured character is impressive. She has also clearly researched in depth the workings of mind and memory.

The character of Martin, the only person Margot finds she can depend on, is also well crafted. Although their bond develops rather too fast at a time when Margot thinks she is being stalked and in danger from strange men,  but he does provide the reader with a more reliable point of view and objective perspective.

Finally I am impressed with the author’s ending. It’s difficult to say whether you finish the pages feeling completely satisfied. So much still seems unresolved but this also fits with the intrigue and is true to Margot’s character. The important threads are tied up and there is a sense of hope and optimism for the future.

“Dear Amy” is a page turner. The reader has to work quite hard to piece together the whole story but it is worth the effort. It is a dramatic read and one I was unprepared for. There is much more to this novel that first appears. I would rate it 3.5/5 stars and recommend to fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries about hidden secrets and buried pasts.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel in advance in return for an honest and fair review. 

My Review of "The Unforgotten" by Laura Powell

This story is partly set in a Cornwall village in 1956 where fifteen year old Betty lives with her troubled mother whose bouts of alcoholism and depression often leave Betty in charge of running the small guest house in which they lodge. Following the discovery of several murdered young girls, the sleepy village is suddenly overrun with journalists and police as the hunt for the “Cornish Cleaver” begins. 

Betty becomes infatuated with the reclusive and solemn journalist John Gallagher who initially seems only to befriend Betty in order to gain access to local gossip and information. Their meetings then become more illicit and secretive and Betty finds herself falling in love with this older, reserved man about whom she actually knows very little and whose reticent manner and mysterious comings and goings could even place him under suspicion as the murderer as more victims are discovered. 

The plot is then jumps to thirty years later where Mary, haunted by events she witnessed in her past, travels to a nursing home to make a visit that she thinks will give her a final chance to confront her deep secret and release her from the burden she has carried all this time. This timely introduction of a second narrative adds yet more intrigue and suspense, ensuring that this story is much more than the straight forward murder mystery it first appeared. The reader has been tricked into thinking that the story will revolve around solving a local crime and having even felt confident that they know who is responsible, they now find their assumptions challenged. 

I found the first half of the book a little slow and predictable, but the second half of the novel increases in pace, tension and emotional depth. I was forced to rethink everything I thought I knew about all the characters. Several plot lines are spun to create a more complex story which is as much about coming of age, families, love, death, revenge and grief as the threat of having a serial killer on the loose. The race to the end of the book is dramatic and compulsive, full of unforeseen twists and revelations. 

Powell’s characterisation of Betty’s emotional journey and subsequent mental anguish is well captured and convincing. It is heartfelt, intensely sad and her traumatic descent is vivid and powerful. Gallagher is an equally clever creation. It would be wrong to say anymore but his presence as deeply suspicious, untrustworthy and unsuitable is a great way to keep reminding the reader that there is a killer amongst the villagers. The local male characters, also all potential killers, are well drawn and the use of the 1950’s backdrop is used effectively to establish atmosphere and tension. 

I definitely became more involved in the story as it continued. I had to rethink all my initial judgements about the characters and could not predict the exciting ending. I found that my feelings towards Betty changed as she is not always that likeable but her journey is affecting. There are some very poignant and powerful passages within this novel and Powell clearly has a skill for weaving several narratives together. I did find the narrative set in 1956 more engaging and evocative than the present day exerts but overall it’s a very satisfying read and a confident debut. 

I would recommend "The Unforgotten" and would rate it a high 3/5 stars.

Thank you very much to NetGalley for providing me with this advanced copy in return for a fair and independent review.

My Review of "You" by Caroline Kepnes

Wow! What a book! Stephen King is quoted on the back cover saying he has never read anything like this and I totally agree with him!

One one hand, this is a tricky novel to review. It's unpleasant. It's graphic in places. It's language is sometimes crude and offensive. Kepnes has done this to create the unforgettable, quietly threatening, unnerving character of Joe with absolute conviction and effect. On the other hand, it's an easy book to review because although it shocked me, it also gripped me and I was hooked until the dark unpleasant end and have been unable to forget about it ever since I turned the last page.

The story is about Joe and the day that Guinevere Beck, a bright, young, carefree girl who walks into the bookshop where he works. Joe becomes infatuated with her and wastes no time manipulating and orchestrating situations which will enable him to become Beck's "ideal" man. Beck and Joe embark on a relationship which can only lead her unsuspectingly into danger as Joe's obsession spirals out of control and he struggles to contain his truly menacing personality.

The most striking thing about this novel is that it is written in second person. It is Joe's voice addressing Beck.
"You walk into the bookstore and you keep your hand on the door to make sure it doesn't slam."
Telling the whole story from this angle is ambitious and extremely disconcerting. It increases the tension and the perturbing atmosphere. Kepnes handles this notoriously challenging
narrative style with ease. It is fluid, readable and captivating.

Of course this also means that we see all the action third hand through Joe's eyes. He is an unreliable narrator. He is delusional. His interpretations of events and reactions are one sided and inaccurate. Our whole relationship with Beck is founded on what is presented by Joe which makes it a fascinating read. Our reactions to other characters like the unlikable Benji, are also only formed by what Joe has decided to reveal so how sure can we be about what any of these people are really like?

Joe is a difficult narrator to form a relationship with. He is unhinged, dangerous and dysfunctional yet makes for compulsive reading. The novel is dense and initially quite slow paced as meticulous detail is shared by Joe and the way he plans to ensnare Beck is very thorough but I think this enables the reader to become completely immersed in his world. It is also a warning for anyone who indulges in social media - so much of you exists out there in cyberspace it is not difficult for Joe to worm his way into Beck's life and this makes the novel extremely modern and contemporary.

If it possible to "enjoy" the novel, then I "enjoyed" the second half a lot more and raced through it. I found the way Joe controlled the manner in which he presented himself as average, stable and ordinary when actually he is intelligent, methodical and deeply threatening, really intriguing. I constantly feared for Beck and was on tenterhooks all the way through the novel. I liked that at certain points I felt Joe softened and didn't have the courage to carry out his threats but then at other times realised he absolutely did. I also found Beck an interesting character. She is not a typical victim. The reader is not always completely sympathetic towards her. She is not always likeable. This adds more tension and makes it a more dynamic plot.

The ending is thrilling. It leaves the reader uncomfortable and chilled. I will be haunted by this story. It is unique. If you can prepare yourself for the sexually explicit scenes and language, you will be rewarded by meeting one of the most dysfunctional and angry narrators I've come across in recent fiction.

Having sat down to write this review a few days after finishing the book and after posting brief feedback on Goodreads, I realise that Kepnes is a very accomplished and skilled writer. As a female author it must be a huge achievement to capture a male voice so convincingly and to maintain so consistently over 420 pages. I'm off to change my rating to 5 stars.

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat, follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or sign up for email notifications.

My Review of Disclaimer by Renee Knight

This is an excellent psychological thriller and a fine example of "GripLit"! Catherine Ravenscroft finds a book on her bedside table all about her and the dark secret she has kept buried from her husband and son. Knight uses the popular pattern of alternating chapters between the voice of Catherine and Stephen Brigstoke  - the retired teacher who has set out to destroy her life - to effectively build tension and drive the plot forward at a great pace.

I don't want to give too much away but as the narratives develop, Stephen becomes more sinister and vengeful; the increasing references to his dead wife show him to be more unhinged and dangerous which complicates the reader's relationship with him which is initially more sympathetic. His announcements in his very opening chapter where he states "I am not a cruel person......I have allowed things to slide..." imply a hidden malevolence.

Similarly our reaction to Catherine, which is not always sympathetic, is also completely challenged by the end of the book. The last third of the novel hurtles at such an accelerated pace, crammed full of plot twists, that the minute you finish the last page you feel the need to go back to the beginning and start again. The revelations are so clever that you have to reconsider everything you've just read.

I was completely gripped from the opening chapter. It's been a long time since I have been grabbed so firmly and so fully catapulted headlong into a story. You feel like you are trying to catch up with events from the first line and I was reading so rapidly just to try and uncover the secrets and the truth about Catherine's buried past. This can make the start feel a bit jerky and confused but it mimics Catherine's emotions as she realises the book on her bedside table is about her and her overwhelming fear of being discovered. Although the reader remains in the dark, Catherine's fear of being watched and her trauma from the near death of her son create a jittery tension which makes you read on. Knight's unique skill is her ability to force you to read on in order to try and make sense of what's happening and constantly having to piece together the secrets, the revelations, the actions of the various characters and which narrator is in fact reliable enough to listen to.

It's a winning easy read. It has all the right ingredients for a psychological thriller. It's a page turner, full of twists and surprises. I liked the fact that the story centred around a bitter, hurt and frustrated man's calculated personal revenge rather than a psychopathic criminal as it was more unsettling and realistic. Ordinary people, people that you think you know inside out, that you have lived with all these years, have deep secrets - which once revealed could destroy everything you have.  Be prepared to put everything else on hold once you pick up this book!

for more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or sign up for email notifications

Novel suggestions for the kids this half term

There are a lot of great Children's Literature titles in the news at the moment with the release of Waterstone's Children's Book Prize and the Carnegie Medal Longlist announced this week. Here are a few suggestions which might get the kids reading this half term!

Suggestions for Ages 6-9


Pamela Butchart's books are very readable and lots of fun. They can be read aloud to children but are also great in managing the transition to independent reader as your child becomes a more confident. Schools always make a great setting for stories and all children like to talk about school dinners so this book is a wining combination. Fast paced and lots of fun!



Tiga Whicabim does not believe she is a witch until she realises that her name is an anagram of "I am a big witch"! There is magic, there are spells, there are fabulous outfits! This is a fun and humorous read with lots of lively illustrations which make it engaging and hopefully encourage independent reading - although it's so imaginative and entertaining you'll want to read along with it anyway! It has been nominated for the Waterstones' prize.



I confess that I have not been able to read this yet but it is all over my Twitter feed and has been rated 4.36/5 on Goodreads! It looks to be quirky, fun and full of mystery and adventure. It is recommended for fans of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snickett. The reviews I've seen are absolutely full of praise for the imaginative characters - heroic and villainous, the adventures and the creepy crawlies - which will surely engage any young boy or curious child! Sounds like it is definitely one to check out!

Suggestions for Ages 10-12

This is a very poignant read about family, love and coming of age. Apple has been living with her grandmother since her actress mother left eleven years ago. When her mother suddenly returns, Apple expects to feel complete and that her happy ever after ending has come. But it is a bittersweet reunion as Apple discovers she is not her mother's only child. The story is Apple's emotional discovery of what love is, what family is, what the truth is and how she can help someone more lost than herself. It is beautifully written and moving. I can't wait to read Sarah Crossan's latest novel "One", which is also on the Carnegie Longlist. I very much hope it makes it to the shortlist when it is announced on March 15th as she is a talented author.


Sally Nicholls is a fantastic author and I have enjoyed many of her books, several of which have won prizes. This story focuses on Molly and her sister who have been sent to live with their grandparents as their father fails to come to terms with the death of their mother. This novel appealed to me because it has some beautiful poetic themes and imagery. It is a magical story which uses mythology and fantasy to explore the serious experience of death and grief as Molly come to terms with the loss of her mother. And ultimately, it's uplifting. I would recommend any of her books as worth reading.


Sharon Creech has written several novels which are all worth reading. She writes for a range of ages and some of her books are more appropriate for older readers but this is a well written and clever story, exploring the serious issues of family and love in a lighthearted style. Dallas and Florida are "double trouble" twin orphans who don't believe there is such a thing as a happy loving home. Tiller and Sairy are an older couple who invite them into their home in Ruby Holler. The book is a gorgeous story of their travels, their adventures and all that they learn from each other which ultimately changes each of them forever.


David Almond is an extraordinarily talented author who's writing is some of the most stunning I have ever come across. I made the mistake of reading "Skellig" on the tube - underestimating its potential as it was "only a kid's book" and then finding myself in floods of tears as it is such a powerfully moving tale. His books are mesmerising.
This is the story of Mina before she meets Michael in "Skellig" (which would suit a reader aged 11-14). Mina is such a great character. She is an incredible role model and a highly intelligent and creative girl. This is not a typical "story" as it is more like her journal and the pages are full of her thoughts, musings, stories and dreams. There are some fantastic suggestions for your own creative writing and particularly memorable are her responses in her SATs exams which show how education can sometimes stifle and squash that which it intends to stretch and nurture. Mina frustrates and challenges her teachers but she is not aggressive or arrogant. She is not without issues or problems but her attitude and view of the world is fascinating and unique. It's a beautiful, inspiring, creative and thought provoking book.
David Almond's book "A Song for Ella Grey" is on the Carnegie Longlist.


These are on my "to read" list so I'm sorry to say I haven't yet read them but they sound like the perfect read for 11-14 year old girls. Described as a mix of Blyton, Nancy Drew, Sherlock and Poirot they are a new series of murder mysteries set in the 1930s in a girls' boarding school. I'm sure this will appeal to a wide audience and with teen readers it's always great to get them hooked on a series as it usually results in more sustained reading habits. Thirteen year olds Daisy and Hazel set up their own secret detective agency and then discover a murder within their own school which they set out to solve before the police and before the killer strikes again. I think this is a series we will be hearing a lot about in the future!


All the David Walliams' books are worth recommending. He writes a good story, full of great characters and echoes of Roald Dahl. They are highly readable, accessible and memorable. They are full of adventure, excitement and humour but often exploring issues relevant to children in a sensitive and subtle style. My son devours them!


You can't beat Anthony Horowitz. He's a very accomplished writer whose stories are compulsive. The Alex Rider series (again - if you can get them to read one, there are many more to follow!) would suit anyone from the ages of 11-14. Rider is a 14 year old boy selected to be a spy by MI6 - a young James Bond. Also adapted to film which may encourage more reluctant readers. They are action packed, thrilling adventures. For a younger reader, try the Diamond Brothers Mysteries like "The Falcon's Malteser".

Suggestions for Older Readers


A novel about twins who have grown apart and have not spoken for three years. They need to find their way back to each other to complete their stories and rebuild their world. Emotional and beautiful this is a highly acclaimed novel which has been nominated for many awards including the Waterstones' Book Prize from a renowned author. Reviews posted by teenagers are particularly positive and effusive.


This is a really interesting, important book. It's 1959 Virginia and Sarah is one of the first black students to attend an all white school. Forced to work together on a project with Linda, daughter of the town's biggest opponent to the school's integration policy, the two girls have to confront the truths about race, politics and power. The novel is their journey through these complex issues and the relationship that develops between them. A thought provoking and compelling read which will resonant with contemporary teenagers as well as those interested in social history. It is nominated for the Carnegie Award.

I reviewed this novel in a previous post about Young Adult fiction but Patrick Ness must be one of the most highly regarded novelists in Children's Literature. He has written lots of books and is most famous for his "Chaos Walking" trilogy. He is nominated for this years Carnegie Medal having already won it twice. His books can be a little quirky or fantastical and this title is no exception. However, ultimately it is about the unsung hero, the people behind the main action, "finding the extraordinary in the ordinary" and learning that there are all types of "remarkable". This book explores modern family life and parenting, siblings, mental health, healing and love. It will resonant with many teenagers finding their way in life.


This is another series for your teenager to get obsessed with and will appeal to fans of the "Twilight" saga or for readers of slightly more supernatural stories. Willow is half angel and these books follow her adventures defending the human race and her romantic entanglements. Teenage reviews are very enthusiastic and Weatherly has written profusely for young adults (under Lee Weatherly) covering a range of genres and issues as well as running creative writing courses and mentoring other young adult authors. She is an experienced writer who understands her audience and is devoted to her characters and their stories.

Other authors that may appeal to older teenagers are John Green, Jennifer Niven Laurie Hayle Anderson and Gayle Foreman.

I hope this helps your young adults get into reading this half term! For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or sign up for email notification on the right hand side.

My Review of "Hidden Legacy" by G J Minett

This is an impressive and ambitious debut which follows two main story lines. The first is set in 1966 where a horrific crime with life lasting consequences has taken place at a school, the second in 2008 where a life changing gift is bequeathed to Ellen by someone she has never heard of. The novel, interweaving between the two narratives, sets out to solve the truth behind Ellen's mysterious benefactor leading her to question everything she thought she knew about her family and friends.

The story continues by alternating between the various narratives of Ellen, O'Hallaran, Peter Vaughan, John Michael Adams and Eudora's letters. This is an ambitious number of characters to juggle but each voice is realistic and convincing. The voice of shady journalist O'Hallaran, is particularly effective at reflecting his malicious intent and untrusting personality. Ellen's voice is a good contrast and her friend Kate adds some lightness to what could become a rather overwhelming story. Ellen's emotional journey about how she handles her discoveries is well judged and captures the internal conflict she feels, hinting at themes of judgement and redemption in the ending.

The reader is left to question their feelings about Eudora, Barbara and most interestingly John Michael Adams, who is guilty of the dreadful crime in 1966, which I thought was a brave stand for the author and gave the book more depth. Minett takes a taboo subject and explores it from an interesting angle. There is lots of detailed description and the characters are meticulously presented which sometimes, for me, impaired the action a little although it did reveal Minett to be a skilled writer. I think it is a sign of an accomplished and clever writer to successfully direct, manage and ultimately converge such a multilayered plot and successfully bring together so many narratives without confusing or losing the reader along the way. I did find that I really needed to keep an eye of the date, location and name of each section but the investment was worth it and each voice has a valid role within the plot.

It's a good read. I look forward to Minett's next book!

As an aside, there was an article in Saturday's Weekend Guardian supplement about Sue Klebold whose son killed 13 people at the Columbine High School as she publishes her book, "A Mother's Reckoning" next week. It might make an interesting companion after reading this. She also talked about her feelings about "We Need to Talk About Kevin" and author's that choose to tackle this kind of subject for their books.

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