"The Girl in the Ice" Robert Bryndza

Her eyes are wide open. Her lips parted as if to speak. Her dead body frozen in the ice…She is not the only one. 

When a young boy discovers the body of a woman beneath a thick sheet of ice in a South London park, Detective Erika Foster is called in to lead the murder investigation.

This is the first book in the DCI Erika Foster series. It is set in Dulwich, South London. The sense of location is well captured and the precise detail ensures that the reader is firmly placed in this very real setting. I thought part of the book's appeal was the vividness of the locations and the authentic descriptions.

The chapters are short and there is a lot of action. The opening is great - the discovery of the body and the impact this has on the man that discovers it are very well told with great dramatic tension. From this point on the plot is fluent and well delivered. Suspense keeps building, pulling in lots of different threads and complications.

DCI Erika Foster is a strong, brave character. She shares some of the traits of the stars of the popular Scandinavian TV programmes "The Bridge" and "The Killing" but this mixture of being slightly awkward, slightly socially unaware but very focussed, clever and committed creates an appealing  and intriguing character. The added dimension of her personal battle and her need to prove her reputation following the disastrous consequences of the last case she was involved in create a further level of interest and depth.

Bryndza shows excellent knowledge of police procedure in his writing and has clearly researched his novel well. This makes the writing very authentic and ensures that the story remains believable and convincing. If you like Rachel Abbott, Karin Slaughter and Karen Rose then I would recommend this book for you.

Children's Fiction: "Return to the Secret Garden" by Holly Webb

It's 1939 and a group of children have been evacuated to Misselthwaite Hall. Emmie is far from happy to have been separated from her cat and sent to a huge old mansion. But soon she starts discovering the secrets of the house - a boy crying at night, a diary written by a girl named Mary and a garden. A very secret garden...

This is as magical as the original story by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Webb has placed her sequel in 1939 which is really effective as it presents a believable way to bring children back to Misselthwaite Hall with the same sense of abandonment, a search for family and a need to belong that Mary had in "The Secret Garden". It is also effective as the whole concept of being taken away from the city and deposited in the middle of the countryside in a big rambling old house is very appealing to children and perhaps echoes the same idea used by Rowling and Blyton with boarding schools.

Orphaned Emmie, the main protagonist, has the same traits as Hodgson Burnett's Mary, making her a little awkward and hard to like or warm to because of her stubborn attitude and slight unkindness, but again, in keeping with the original characterisation, this is deliberate and initially children will still respond to Emmie as they will relate to the way she is judged and poorly treated by her teachers. Emmie's character softens very quickly as the novel continues and there is a lot of empathy and sympathy created for her when her more lonely and vulnerable side is revealed once the children arrive at the Hall and she explores the grounds.

Emmie is desperate to find something for herself - a place for herself, a place to belong and in which to be happy. She stumbles across an old diary written by Mary and the similarities between them are subtly revealed. On her discovery of the Robin, who seems to want to communicate so much more to Mary than just his pretty song, Mary writes sadly "I don't think I ever had a friend and I should like one." Emmie's relationship with her kitten Lucy exactly mirrors this. Webb has successfully modernised Mary's voice so her diaries are very accessible and read as fluently as a contemporary character.

Emmie is able to find the hidden key and then discovers the secret garden. She is so disappointed to find that it is no longer secret but decides that "It wasn't a secret garden anymore - but it could still be her garden full of secrets." Once again, the garden will show its healing power and work its magic!

I thought the way Webb weaves her story in and amongst Hodgson Burnett's story was really clever and interesting. She captures the same tension and suspense of the howling wind, the crying at night, the discovery of a secret place and the connections it has with the family's past. The references and cross overs were sensitive and totally in keeping with the original. Emmie's character is well constructed; her emotions are well represented and we follow her journey from being lonely, frustrated and angry to healing others around her and finally becoming part of something very special. Webb's writing shows respect and real affection for "The Secret Garden" and a very deep understanding of its themes and ideas. It is an authentic sequel and one of which France Hodgson Burnett would definitely approve! Webb shows that the themes in Hodgson Burnett's novel are still very relevant to a modern audience and still as heartwarming and affirming. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to share it with my daughter. For me, it is as captivating, memorable and as special as "The Secret Garden".

Webb also recommends "The Painted Garden" by Noel Streatfeild.



Life is tough for the Winter family in London, with little money and Dad out of work. Luckily Aunt Cora comes to the rescue with an invitation to live in California. From that moment on, talented Rachel and Tim dream of stardom in America. The family couldn't be more surprised when a movie producer picks plain peevish Jane for the lead part of Mary in The Secret Garden. No one's ever noticed Jane before. Could this be the chance of a lifetime?

Children's Books to Celebrate the 200th Birthday of Charlotte Bronte

It is Charlotte Bronte's 200th Birthday on the 16th April this year. Here are some editions of her most famous novel, "Jane Eyre" to introduce the story to younger readers for the first time and a few other fiction books which have been inspired by Bronte's work.

There are several versions of retellings of "Jane Eyre", appropriate for various different ages and abilities. Here are a few I found, produced by trusted publishers such as Usbourne and Oxford Reading Tree.




This board book is stunning and I am very sad that I no longer have anyone little enough with which to share this! I have some of the Austen versions of this series and they are beautifully illustrated and produced! A little treat for the tiny tiny bibliomaniac!


This book has been especially published to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte and looks gorgeous. It is a mix of story telling, illustration and comic strip to introduce young readers to the lives of the Bronte sisters, their influences and inspirations as well as the story lines of their most famous novels. Mick Manning was born and bred in Haworth so is very well placed as the author to really enthuse his audience about this fascinating family of writers.

There are few re-imaginings of "Jane Eyre" for children and young adults but this is one. The reviews suggest this will suit readers aged 11-14 and it sounds like an entertaining and humorous read, inspired by some of the aspects of the famous classic.


This is not a retelling of "Jane Eyre" but has some similarities. It is set in 1876 and Hetty Feather is abandoned by her mother at a Foundling Hospital. She spends some time with a foster family but the majority of the story is set in the Hospital itself where life is very difficult. It would be a great historical story for young readers and would pave the way for an understanding and context for some of the aspects of Jane's challenging childhood. The BBC series certainly reminded me of aspects of Lowood Charity School. Wilson can always be depended on for an entertaining, thought provoking read full of strong female characters (which surely Jane Eyre is!) and her books are always a real hit.


This is not based on "Jane Eyre" but Young Adult author Becca Fitzpatrick is heavily inspired by Anne Bronte and the characters from "Wuthering Heights". They have been a huge influence over her own writing and Fitzpatrick novels are full of tension and vivid characters which reflect this passion in the Bronte's work - perhaps this is the kind of novel they would produce if they were around today?!


Award wining author Hardinge is also heavily inspired by the Bronte's work. She explains that "Jane Eyre" is a great female role model and without characters like her we would be without many of our modern day heroines. Hardinge's protagonist in "The Lie Tree" is a 14 year old girl who dares to dream of being a scientist and is a strong character. Novels such as "Jane Eyre" also introduced Hardinge to the gothic novel and "The Lie Tree" is an example of a gothic murder mystery set in Victorian times.


A classic but echoes of "Jane Eyre" in the sense that Mary is orphaned and sent away to a family who she doesn't know and seem to care little for her. There are also mysterious noises in the dead of night and characters hidden away from sight in a house full of secrets and sadness.


Again, this is not really a strong link to "Jane Eyre" but is about a family of sisters - one of whom is a writer and it is about their passions, loves and developing understanding of the world around them so it could be said to mirror some of the Bronte's real life. It is a good, stock read for any teenagers beginning to discover the classics and extend their range of reading material.

I hope that inspires some sharing of Charlotte Bronte's great novels and the intriguing story of the family of sisters (and their one brother) who lived on the windswept moors, spending their childhood writing stories of imaginative worlds and fantastical places.

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or subscribe to receive posts via email.

Books to Celebrate Charlotte Bronte's 200th Birthday

The 16th April 2016 will mark 200 years since the birth of Charlotte Bronte, one of Britain's most famous female novelists. Why not celebrate by revisiting one of her classic novels? They are all FREE on kindle!! Or if you fancy something more contemporary, have a look at the selection below which are all inspired by her novels.


Possibly the most well known novel inspired by "Jane Eyre" is this "prequel", which although it was written in 1966, I could not write a post on this topic without including it! It is only 176 pages long so is a short, quick read but an absolutely mesmerising one. This is the story of "the mad woman in the attic" before she is in the attic! It is set in the West Indies and describes the meeting of Rochester and Bertha, their courtship and marriage. It is hugely evocative and full of rich imagery and language. Rochester is portrayed sensitively and after reading this, I found I looked very differently at both him and Bertha each time I re-read "Jane Eyre". It offers a refreshing interpretation of her character and will add depth to a reader's appreciation of the original novel. Well worth a read.


I have reviewed this book in a previous post and rate it a 5/5 stars - a rating shared by many other reviewers, book bloggers and tweeters. It was only published in March but is a fantastic read. Faye's character Jane Steele returns to Highgate House to work for Mr Thornfield, seeking revenge as she believes she is the rightful heir to the property. She is also a murderess - but what happens when she meets Thornfield and becomes part of his household? Here is an extract from my review:

This is a truly gripping and riveting novel. It is not a sequel to "Jane Eyre", it is not a reimagining. It is something completely different. Faye has taken the most unsettling, sinister aspects of Bronte's story and then with the classic features of the gothic horror genre has produced something unique and original. There is also a dose of satirical humour and more ironic tone in some of Steele's observations and remarks. Her skill at creating such an enigmatic, intriguing and captivating character is impressive and shows her to be a very talented writer. For me, it was a perfect read. A great plot with unexpected twists and turns, highly original writing in the style of a classic novel with a hugely refreshing, beguiling and chilling protagonist.


I really enjoy books which take the "untold" story from a sub plot in a classic or take the secondary characters and give them centre stage. This is exactly what Stubbs has done in her book. This is the story before Jane Eyre arrives - the story she never knew. It is set in Thornfield Hall 1821, Alice Fairfax takes up her new role as housekeeper. Then Rochester presents her with a woman who has to be hidden on the third floor and soon she finds she is responsible for something much more than just the house. This is the story of the servants working to keep Mr Rochester's secret undiscovered.......


Luccia Gray has written the Eyre Hall Trilogy which begin here, 22 years after the marriage of Jane and Rochester. Richard Mason - brother of Rochester's first wife Bertha, returns and sets off a series of events that reveal Rochester's disloyalty to Jane, his murderous plots and a whole litany of other sins. What will Jane to do protect her family and the man she thought she loved?
This books sits comfortably in the genre of Romantic Historical Fiction and sequels are always met with a mixed review from critics but this one scores highly on both Amazon and Goodreads with an average of 4/5 stars rating. Gray's writing shows a deep understanding of the original characters and of Charlotte Bronte herself and she has chosen an interesting point from which to pick up the story which is imaginative and intriguing. What's even more appealing is that there are three books to feast on if you enjoy this one! If you are looking to immerse yourself in a new series of novels full of your favourite characters then this is definitely for you!


This has only just been published and I am yet to get hold of it but it is definitely on my To Read list! It has had rave reviews so far and offers another original interpretation of the Bronte's legacy. Here is a copy of the blurb taken from Goodreads:

Samantha Whipple is used to stirring up speculation wherever she goes. As the last remaining descendant of the Brontë family, she's rumored to have inherited a vital, mysterious portion of the Brontë's literary estate; diaries, paintings, letters, and early novel drafts; a hidden fortune that's never been shown outside of the family.

Samantha enrolls at Oxford University and bits and pieces of her past start mysteriously arriving at her doorstep, beginning with an old novel annotated in her father's handwriting. As more and more bizarre clues arrive, Samantha soon realizes that her father has left her an elaborate scavenger hunt using the world's greatest literature. 


This is on my "Absolutely Desperate To Read" pile! 21 stories inspired by "Jane Eyre" by some of the finest female writers of our time including: Tracy Chevalier, Helen Dunmore, Emma Donoghue, Susan Hill, Francine Prose, Sally Vickers, Esther Freud, Lionel Shriver and Audrey Niffenegger to name but some of them. This will be a beautiful collection of stories to read, showing us how inspirational Bronte remains today. The reviews so far are very positive.


I reviewed this in a previous post when it was published in February and rated it 5/5 stars. Baker takes the story of "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" (yes, I know, Anne Bronte, not Charlotte - but it's such a good book!) and sets it in contemporary Yorkshire with the protagonist as a war photographer. It is a great "grip lit" psychological thriller and a fantastic reimagining of the story, staying true to the key themes of the original. It's a 5 star rating from me! Highly recommend!

Audio Book:

In March, Woman's Hour -BBC Radio 4- broadcast a new dramatisation of "Jane Eyre". It was written by Rachel Joyce (award winning author of "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" and "The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy") and stars Amanda Hale and Tom Burke. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it is (just about) still available on iPlayer but also to buy as an audio book from Amazon. In 15 minute episodes, it is a great way to enjoy the story again. Treat yourself!




Why not read a biography of Charlotte Bronte? There are many from which to choose but I recommend these. Elizabeth Gaskell (of "Cranford" and "North and South" fame) was a great friend of Bronte's and this is her biography, written shortly after Charlotte's death and with personal insight and knowledge of the writer, this is an interesting book, particularly given it's literary and historical context. Claire Harman's biography was published in October 2015 to celebrate Bronte's Bicentenary and unfortunately I have not yet been able to read it - although I hope to rectify this very soon! It has had very good reviews and is heralded as "a groundbreaking biography that places an obsessive, unrequited love at the heart of the writer's life story, transforming her from the tragic figure we have previously known into a smoldering Jane Eyre......Drawing on correspondence unavailable to previous biographers, Harman establishes Brontë as the heroine of her own story, one as dramatic and triumphant as one of her own novels". It sounds like a very educative and enlightening read.


I hope you find something to tempt you here and enjoy celebrating Charlotte Bronte's birthday this April. If you live in Yorkshire, visit Howarth and see the Parsonage and the village in which they lived and wrote or take a walk along the inspirational moors!

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or sign up to receive emails of future posts.

Norfolk Reading!

I am on holiday in Norfolk and thought I'd put together a list of books either set in Norfolk or written by authors who were born or live here. I was amazed how many titles have been inspired by the never-ending skies, flat marshlands and beautiful beaches. I was also surprised at how many "famous" books and authors originated from here. Hope you find something that interests you!

**** Since writing this a year ago, the fabulous Cleo Bannister has put together a series of Blog Posts called Put A Book on the Map and one features East Anglia! Here's the link you need to read all about it: cleopatralovesbooks -put-a-book-on-the-map ****



This is a must read for anyone in Norfolk! Click on the link here to read more about Mary-Jane and her feature at Cleopatra Loves Books which is all about Norfolk and her novels! cleopatralovesbooks-put-a-book-on-the-map

Alex Devlin’s life changed forever fifteen years ago when her sister Sasha's two small children were snatched in broad daylight. Little Harry’s body was found a few days later, but Millie’s remains were never discovered.

Now Jackie Wood, jailed as an accessory to the twins’ murder, has been released, her conviction quashed by the Appeal Court. Convinced Jackie can reveal where Millie is buried, Alex goes to meet her.

But the unexpected information Wood reveals shocks Alex to the core and threatens to uncover the dark secret she has managed to keep under wraps for the past fifteen years. Because in the end, can we ever really know what is in the hearts of those closest to us?

For my full review of The Bad Things click here:
the-bad-things-mary-jane-riley


This is the second in the Ruth Galloway Mysteries. From what I can see they are all set in Norfolk but this synopsis appealed to me out of the several I browsed through. I have ordered Book#1 "The Crossing Place" so I can start at the beginning of what I'm hoping is the discovery of a whole new series of thrilling crime reads!

It’s been only a few months since archaeologist Ruth Galloway found herself entangled in a missing persons case, barely escaping with her life. But when construction workers demolishing a large old house in Norwich uncover the bones of a child beneath a doorway—minus its skull—Ruth is once again called upon to investigate. Is it a Roman-era ritual sacrifice, or is the killer closer at hand?

For my review of The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (Book 1 in the series) click on the link below:
the-crossing-places-elly-griffiths.


This seemed like an appropriate book to be reading on holiday! Ali Smith is a highly acclaimed author so this is sure to be a well written literary treat!

The Accidental is the dizzyingly entertaining, wickedly humorous story of a mysterious stranger whose sudden appearance during a family’s summer holiday transforms four variously unhappy people.


I have read this as I love John Boyne's writing ("The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas") and this book is perfect for me - a mix of Dickens and "Turn of the Screw" it is a chilling gothic read. I rated it 5 stars!

1867. Eliza Caine arrives in Norfolk to take up her position as governess at Gaudlin Hall on a dark and chilling night. As she makes her way across the station platform, a pair of invisible hands push her from behind into the path of an approaching train. She is only saved by the vigilance of a passing doctor. When she finally arrives, shaken, at the hall she is greeted by the two children in her care, Isabella and Eustace. There are no parents, no adults at all, and no one to represent her mysterious employer. The children offer no explanation. Later that night in her room, a second terrifying experience further reinforces the sense that something is very wrong.


This book needs no introduction! I have read it several times and am always struck by the vividly evocative descriptions and the emotional journey of Leo. A great read and well worth a revisit if it's been a while since you picked it up!

When one long, hot summer, young Leo is staying with a school-friend at Brandham Hall, he begins to act as a messenger between Ted, the farmer, and Marian, the beautiful young woman up at the hall. He becomes drawn deeper and deeper into their dangerous game of deceit and desire, until his role brings him to a shocking and premature revelation. The haunting story of a young boy's awakening into the secrets of the adult world, The Go-Between is also an unforgettable evocation of the boundaries of Edwardian society.


This was first published in 1994 and I must have read it around then but I remember it to be a very satisfying and enjoyable saga about a family of "do gooders". Mantel can always be relied on for an engrossing and well written story and I am a fan of her earlier novels.

Set in both the windswept countryside of Norfolk and the violent townships of South Africa, this is a story of what happens when trust is broken, secrets become buried and lives torn apart.


No holiday is complete without a good crime read and why not start with the best?! This is set in Norfolk.

Commander Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard has just published a new book of poems and has taken a brief respite from publicity on the remote Larksoken headland in a converted windmill left to him by his aunt. But he cannot so easily escape murder. A psychotic strangler of young women is at large, and getting nearer to Larksoken with every killing. And when Dalgliesh discovers the murdered body of the Acting Administrative Officer on the beach, he finds himself caught up in the passions and dangerous secrets of the headland community and in one of the most baffling murder cases of his career.


I found these in a local gift shop and see that Barker is a local author whose books are all set in Norfolk. This is a slim 228 pages long so I have bought it and see there are many more titles in Barker's collection of published books to move on to if this is a hit!

Gabriella has many siblings and more animals. Her father is an impoverished poet with a penchant for mending cars with string and optimism, her mother a classicist now more concerned with trying to keep track of spiralling chaotic family life than the declining of verbs. Gabriella and her brothers run amuck through the attics and wilderness garden of their home, Mildney. Here she observes and experiences the triumphs and pitfalls of belonging to a wayward family, and longs for conformity. Her failure to achieve it is absolute.


I read this last year while in Norfolk and it was an entertaining read, perfect for a holiday. I have since lent it to my husband, dad and mum who have also all enjoyed it. It is set in the 1930s and is charming and gently humorous.

In The Norfolk Mystery, the first in the County Guides series, we meet Swanton Morley. Eccentric, autodidact - the 'People's Professor.'
Morley plans to write a series of guides to the counties of England. He employs a young assistant, Stephen Sefton, veteran of the Spanish Civil War, and together with Morley's daughter, Miriam, they set off through Norfolk, where their sightseeing tour quickly turns into a murder investigation.


Not an easy read but a very intense and thought provoking one. I have not been forgiven by several friends for taking them to see this at the cinema without first explaining the premise - they were all quite traumatised and cried through most of the film! So maybe not a holiday read but certainly worth trying if you like something atmospheric and emotionally intriguing. Ishiguro studied Creative Writing at UEA in 1980.

From the Booker Prize-winning author of The Remains of the Daycomes a devastating new novel of innocence, knowledge, and loss. As children Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy were students at Hailsham, an exclusive boarding school secluded in the English countryside. It was a place of mercurial cliques and mysterious rules where teachers were constantly reminding their charges of how special they were. 
Now, years later, Kathy is a young woman. Ruth and Tommy have reentered her life. And for the first time she is beginning to look back at their shared past and understand just what it is that makes them special–and how that gift will shape the rest of their time together. Suspenseful, moving, beautifully atmospheric, Never Let Me Go is another classic by the author of The Remains of the Day.


Apparently this novel is inspired by a visit to Cromer Hall in 1901! Sherlock Holmes mysteries are always a guaranteed winner - accessible, exciting and written by a master of his craft they are highly recommendable!

Holmes and Watson are faced with their most terrifying case yet. The legend of the devil-beast that haunts the moors around the Baskerville family's home warns the descendants of that ancient clan never to venture out in those dark hours when the power of evil is exalted. Now, the most recent Baskerville, Sir Charles, is dead and the footprints of a giant hound have been found near his body. Will the new heir meet the same fate?

AND FOR THE CHILDREN:


Philip Pullman is born and bred in Norwich. If your Young Adult has not discovered these yet then brace yourselves for a fantastic journey into some brilliant story telling!

When Lyra's friend Roger disappears, she and her dæmon, Pantalaimon, determine to find him. The ensuing quest leads them to the bleak splendour of the North, where armoured bears rule the ice and witch-queens fly through the frozen skies - and where a team of scientists is conducting experiments too horrible to be spoken about. Lyra overcomes these strange terrors, only to find something yet more perilous waiting for her - something with consequences which may even reach beyond the Northern Lights...





Another classic! Sewell was born in Great Yarmouth and lived there for most of her life. She wrote "Black Beauty" while staying in Old Catton in the 1870s.

Black Beauty tells the story of the horse's own long and varied life, from a well-born colt in a pleasant meadow to an elegant carriage horse for a gentleman to a painfully overworked cab horse. 
Throughout, Sewell rails - in a gentle, 19th-century way - against animal maltreatment. Young readers will follow Black Beauty's fortunes, good and bad, with gentle masters as well as cruel. Children can easily make the leap from horse-human relationships to human-human relationships, and begin to understand how their own consideration of others may be a benefit to all.



A much more contemporary and topical novel from an award winning YA author. I read this a while ago (it was published in 2001) and enjoyed it!

Global warming has caused the sea to rise until cities are turning into islands and civilization is crumbling. Ten-year-old Zoe Black was left behind on Norwich by accident when her parents escaped in the last supply ship to visit the island. Zoe discovers a small rowboat and keeps it a secret until she can set out alone on the great sea to find her parents. She lands on tiny Eels Island, where she must survive in a nightmarish world run by wild children and their boy-leader, Dooby. Zoe and a boy called Munchkin escape and cross the sea to the mainland, to find not only Zoe's parents but a new family and a new world.


These are 85 pages long, hardback books based on the famous "Bewilderwood" Adventure Playground which is near Norwich. It is a fantastic day out - all three of mine had a great time there last year and there are enough activities to keep a whole range of ages entertained in the brilliant outdoor obstacle courses, imaginative play areas and boat trips. These books are the magical fairy stories of the imps that live in Bewilderwood and many of my friends children have also read them either before or after a visit to the actual setting.

Hopefully there is something there for everyone! Enjoy your Easter break wherever you are!

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat follow me on Twitter @KatherineSunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or subscribe by email for future notifications.

"In Too Deep" Samantha Hayes

This really is a compelling psychological novel full of drama and suspense. I read a lot of it in the car travelling on our holiday and wasn't sure whether my queasy sense of anxiety was due to my husband's driving or the book! I also got severely reprimanded for nearly causing a few accidents with my sudden gasps and exclamations! I dare you not to do the same once you start reading this unputdownable thriller!

Gina, the protagonist, is unable to move forward with her life following her husband's sudden disappearance six months ago. Rick went out one Saturday morning with nothing but enough change to buy a newspaper and never returned. A couple of years ago Gina lost her son Jacob in a car accident and now, with her family is half it's original size, the thought of having lost Rick is almost too much for her to bear. She is consumed with guilt, blame and confusion as she frantically obsesses over his last minutes in the house and spends all her time searching for answers and explanations as the police investigation dries up and the calls from the family liaison officer dwindle. Her 18 year old daughter Hannah has returned for the Easter break from her first year at University. She is frustrated by her mother's emotional fragility and feels burdened by her. However she is also burdened with her own guilt and secrets which she wants to keep hidden from her mum. She is clearly hoping that by returning home she will escape the problems she is has tried to leave at University.

The novel then alternates between Hannah and Gina's narratives. Hayes has effectively created two different characters with distinct voices and their own plot. Both characters are likeable and easy to identify with. Both are equally intriguing as they reveal half finished thoughts, half finished pieces of information and allude to events preceding Rick's disappearance dropping a few clues and cliffhangers which imply that actually both of them are trying to keep something hidden and both of them may know more about Rick's disappearance than they are letting on. I loved Gina's line "the whole story sat precariously between my lips. One little spit and it would be out." We are left hanging, wondering whether she is going to spit it out or whether we are going to have to continue with our guess work. The way the story lines finally begin to converge and interact with each other is well executed; it shows Hayes expert control of the different threads of the plot and how accomplished she is as a writer. Her structure and pace creates a very exciting read full of well timed twists and revelations.

Gina and Hannah are both unreliable narrators. As the plot develops it becomes clear that both of them are capable of deception. Gina is so emotionally vulnerable it also leaves her open to exploitation and delusion. Neither can be fully trusted. I liked the fact that the story was set at a hotel. It created further suspense as Gina and Hannah were away from the security of their own home, possibly forced to see things more objectively but more importantly they were more exposed, more vulnerable and more susceptible to the influence and power of Susan, the hotel owner and manager.

And Susan is another very successful character. She reminded me of Ms Danvers from "Rebecca" - probably reinforced with the country house location. Susan appears kind, sympathetic, friendly and innocent but there's something about her which is slightly unconvincing - it's just impossible to quite put your finger on it!

I liked the voice of Paula, Gina's therapist. She was able to present calm, focussed observations and statements of sound advice which consequently gave Hayes the opportunity to reveal more information about Gina in a convincing manner rather than things becoming contrived or cliched.

I was amazed that by 94% I still was trying to guess the outcome and was literally gripped until the very last page. Hayes' handling of the final denouement was absolutely exceptional and very expertly done. The ending was completely stunning and I had to read the last paragraph three times I was so shocked! The finale was so dramatic and chilling, so full of surprise and shock that it really did take my breath away. I was rendered speechless.

This is a very readable, gripping thriller that completely fulfils the criteria for a psychological drama. It is well developed, well crafted, urgent, easy to visualise, vivid with tangible and realistic characters. It skilfully builds tension and I really did love the ending.

I am delighted to see that Hayes has quite a few more titles published and have already noted that "You Belong to Me" and "Before You Die" are in stock at my local library. I have previously read "Until You are Mine" and rated it 4/5 stars. I am going to rate this novel 5/5 stars. Yes, I am reading it on holiday but it gripped me, it entertained me, it intrigued me and kept me awake until midnight I was so caught up in the action. I think this is a memorable, clever book with a good cast of characters and I think Hayes delivers the perfect psychological thriller.

If you are a fan of "Grip Lit" and like authors like Sophie Hannah, C L Taylor, S J Watson, Linda Huber and Elizabeth Hayes, you will love this book!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an opportunity to read this book prior to publication in return for a fair and honest review.

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat, follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or subscribe for email notifications of future posts.

"The Missing" C L Taylor

This novel carries the sub heading "the gripping psychological thriller that's got everyone talking" and it certainly has! I was so disappointed to miss out on an ARC of this and it has been such a very very long wait until publication day - made more intense by being completely inundated with rave reviews from the whole of Twitter and a barrage of press releases / tweets from the publisher and author taunting me almost hourly with tantalising excerpts! My expectations were taken to such a level I began to worry that I might be disappointed!

Of course I wasn't! I had promised myself that I would read this in as close to one sitting as I could but actually this wasn't in any way a challenge. I devoured the book and found it quite addictive.

For those few of you still to read this, I don't want to give too much away. The premise of the novel is that Claire's teenage son has gone missing six months ago. Claire, her husband Mark and Billy's older brother Jake all have secrets to hide and all had altercations with Billy just before he was last seen alive. The family desperately clings together by fine threads as the toll of not knowing and the continuous search for answers exhausts them all; keeping them under tremendous pressure. Claire is also acutely aware of the noticeable withdrawal of Jake's live in girlfriend Kira, who had escaped her own troubled childhood to seek refuge in their once "happy" family home. Kira actively avoids spending time in the presence of Claire or Mark and visibly flinches when physically approached. What has made her so wary of them? What does she know? What does she think they did to Billy? Is Jake's drinking out of control? What further secrets are being kept from Claire? Claire becomes more and more suspicious and paranoid; especially as she realises that nothing she knew before Billy's disappearance was true.

It's not only Billy that is missing. Claire suffers from "fugues"; short periods of blackouts from which she awakes confused, disorientated and without any memory of the preceding events or how she ends up where she does.What scares her the most is the horrific scenarios she finds herself in on waking - real life nightmares from which she has no way of knowing what harm she has caused or what damage she has inflicted to innocent bystanders or people in her path.

This is a gripping story. Claire is a captivating narrator. The reader feels great empathy for her role as a grieving mother and yet is also aware that she could be potentially responsible for Billy's disappearance; the violence and terror that result from her fugue's show her capable of harm. C L Taylor litters her storyline with conflicting information, details which incriminate each character and show all of them to be flawed in a way that generates immense tension. However she does this with great control and command so the reader is not overly confused or caught up in an impossible entanglement of unnecessary sub plots and red herrings. The plot remains believable and the family realistic even as their unlikeable sides are disclosed. Claire is an unreliable narrator but we still relate to her, understanding her paranoid anxiety and her increasing panic as she no longer knows who to believe or if she can even trust herself. The writing is so fluid and well paced that the story races along and it is impossible to find a convenient place to tear yourself away. There are cliffhangers and snap shots of Whatsapp conversations with which we are constantly teased and this also reflects Taylor's flawless plot structure. It is also a realistic portrayal of teenagers and I liked that as the story develops, revelations about the character of Billy himself is not always that likeable. Again, Claire's view has been tainted, she's been deluded and played and needs to confront this in order to find the answers she so desperately seeks.

I thought the psychological aspect of the mental condition of "fugues" - or these prolonged periods of amnesia - was a really interesting component. It was very effective in creating more drama and further depth to the plot and character. It really challenged the reader and ensured we are kept guessing right up to the last minute. We are never sure who to trust.

I have to agree with @cleo_bannister and @jocatrobertson that this is Taylor's best book yet. This novel felt more polished and more fluent than her previous titles. The characters were more developed, it was more intriguing and the main narrative voice was more complex. It was full of topical issues. It is as visual as her other novels but somehow more memorable.

I have read "The Lie" and "The Accident" which I rated 3/5 stars and 4/5 stars respectively, but I think "The Missing" will have to be a 5/5 rating. I read it quickly, I was intrigued, I was kept guessing to the end, I liked the characters, I found it believable, I was entertained and it was well written. What more can anyone ask from an author?! If you haven't read it (or Taylor's other books) I highly recommend it - don't miss out on the book everyone really is talking / blogging / tweeting about! And personally I can't wait until the next novel from this great thriller writer!

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