An Evening With Renee Knight ("Disclaimer")

On Friday 20th May I was lucky enough to get tickets to attend a talk from Renee Knight about her recent psychological thriller "Disclaimer" at the Flamstead Book Festival, held in the beautiful church of St Leonards in the centre of the village of Flamstead, Hertfordshire.

Knight began the talk with a reading from her book. Here is the blurb from the back of the book for anyone who has yet to read it:

When an intriguing novel appears on Catherine's bedside table, she curls up and begins to read. But as she turns the pages, she is horrified to realise she is a key character, a main player. This story will reveal her darkest secret. A secret she thought no one else knew.....

This really is a gripping read with a clever twist and the back cover is littered with praise from Val McDermid, Lee Child and The New York Times.

Knight began by explaining where the concept for Disclaimer came from. "Disclaimer is my first published book but my actual first novel was about what happens when the son of a friend comes to live in a room in your house. I wanted to explore the idea of privacy and what it would be like to have a stranger who isn't really a stranger, living in your house. It was based on a real friend, so once finished, I sent it on to her to read. While awaiting her response, I began to think about how odd it must be to start reading a book and then realise it is actually about you.......And so came the premise for Disclaimer."

The theme of privacy intrigues Knight, particularly in our current world of social media and the way people can present a public persona which may differ hugely to the real persona; the way our privacy can so easily be invaded through our 24 7 culture, our addiction to apps and social media and how people can literally "invent" a personality online too. "I'm intrigued by the way we judge and assume things about people and situations when actually life is much more complex. I suppose I'm interested in the grey area!"

"What also appealed to me was the idea that when you are at home reading, you are in a very safe, comfortable, secure place, physically and emotionally, therefore finding out the book was about you and about your deepest, darkest secret, would immediately make you incredibly vulnerable and threatened - and this is what happens to Catherine."

Originally a BBC documentary maker, Knight began writing once all her children were at school and she realised she could not return to the kind of work she had been doing now she had a young family to fit around. "I didn't start to write with the idea of becoming published, it was more just to write, and I knew I would always write even if it was only for me." This was something she could do that fitted around the children and didn't take her away from the house, even though it was often frustrating to keep having to clear up all her research and paperwork every time the family wanted to sit down for a meal! Knight now has a "Shed"; she begins her day straight after taking her daughter to school. "It's essential to have a disciplined routine. I take my coffee and the crossword, then I have to write at least 1000 words a day, which can take anything from 2 hours to over 4 depending on how things are going."

She started with writing TV Scripts and secured an agent but "the real turning point for me was attending some Creative Writing Courses," Renee explains. "I did a course with City Lit which was really like a bit of group therapy! We had to read our work out aloud which I hadn't done since childhood! The beauty of being on a course is that actually it is a very safe way to expose yourself and the critical feedback is absolutely invaluable. It also gave me the confidence to write, a deadline and a momentum." Knight also completed a six month course with Faber and Faber which really accelerated her completion of Disclaimer as one of the demands of the course was to submit 10,000 words by the end. On completion, Knight approached her agent for some advice about submitting the manuscript and after working alongside an Editor - "the most lovely of experiences!" adds Knight - the book became published. "Although it was rejected at least ten times first - but if you want to write, you have to be able to cope with rejection sometimes. Just don't let it put you off."

While writing the book, it was the structure that possibly caused the most consideration rather than the plot. "That was easy to work out - the premise was straight forward and I knew everyone's story, their motive, what they were doing when and where, but what was tricky was balancing two timelines, two families and two narratives - one of which is written in third person and one in first." Initially it was Stephen who was written in third person but Knight soon swapped this around. "Stephen needs to be the hunter; he needs to be more frightening, the reader needs to feel trapped by him and almost claustrophobic. This is more easily managed through the first person." Interestingly it wasn't Stephen's character that was the hardest to write (without giving too much away to anyone who has not read the book, he is essentially the character threatening Catherine with revealing her secret) and in fact, Knight seemed particularly "fond" of him! Does this mean she has a hidden dark side? "Only on the page! I guess I see the same situation as everyone else but look at it differently....always asking what if.......! I think Stephen is so far removed from me and the person I am, it is easier to write about him. Funnily enough it was Nick - Catherine's son - who was the hardest character to write."

Knight has signed a two book deal but she does not feel under any particular pressure with her next project. "Perhaps if it was part of a series I would need to get the next book out more quickly but there isn't too much pressure at the moment - more of a looming deadline." Her second book is looking at the relationship between two characters so there is more detail and depth to consider as well as the basic plot and action of the story. "It's taken me a while to get fully stuck in to the book as I wanted to establish the characters firmly - although I know I will probably have to edit most of this out at a later stage so that's affected my progress in getting to the crux of the story. Also, although I have the plot worked out in reasonable detail, often things crop up or change as I am writing. For example, in Disclaimer I changed the ending when I was about half way through. If the overall plot is looser there's more room to change the outcome as new things present themselves."

Since the publication of "Disclaimer" in February and indeed over the last year or so, there has been a real boom in the popularity of psychological thrillers and "Grip Lit" novels with female protagonists. "I don't think I was influenced by other titles - in fact I hadn't read "Gone Girl" until after I'd finished writing which was a good thing as there are some similarities. I wasn't particularly thrown by the fact my novel is part of this prolific genre, nor did I feel any extra pressure from such a label." Knight sites her literary influences as Daphne du Maurier -"Rebecca is an absolutely fantastic book!"- Lionel Shriver, Graham Swift and she adores Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller. Knight also praised the Crime Writing Community for their amazing support and encouragement. "Actually, I am as influenced by TV as books," Knight commented. "I love watching creepy shows like Tales from the Unexpected and there was a particularly gripping show on in the 70s which I would curl up in front of every Friday night in the dark and watch all night long. I was never freaked out by anything and rarely frightened."

Perhaps more frightening is when you first share your book with friends and family. "You have to hope that they'll forget it's you once they start reading. I think the readers I was most apprehensive about were my children!" As well as taking on board feedback from friends, the whole editing process can't be rushed. For Knight, once her novel is finished, she follows the invaluable advice from her Faber and Faber course. "I left my manuscript for 2 weeks, then I read it in another form. I read it on Kindle and in print. Then rewrote, then did the whole process again. Space and distance are really important to help you get some perspective."

Once the book was finished and ready to go, there was great discussion about the title. "I'd initially thought of a very long winded title like Any resemblance to actual persons is... but clearly that wasn't going to help books fly off the shelf! The British publishers like Exposure but the American publishers favoured Disclaimer." A fascinating fact she then revealed is that no other language has a word  for "disclaimer". "The French edition is called Reveal and in Germany it is Dead Life. Perfect Life is also used on some European editions."

The film rights for Disclaimer have been optioned and Knight has written a screenplay. Her first version of this was rejected as it was too removed from the original book. "I tried to do a few things I couldn't do within the text version but they wanted it to be much closer." Knight is delighted about the prospect of a forthcoming film but also filled with trepidation as she really does want it to be a film people will enjoy. "There's always that debate about books of films isn't there, but when it's done well, it's a brilliant celebration of the author's work. I mean, isn't Emma Donoghue's Room just amazing? She wrote the screenplay and both the film and the book are totally breathtaking."

And who might play the leads in the film? "I've no idea - I'm rubbish at this sort of thing!" Knight laughs. "I'm not sure about Catherine - Stephen I probably have more stronger ideas about.....especially his cardigan!"

Thank you to Vikki Orvice who interviewed Renee Knight and is one of the main organisers of the Flamstead Book Festival. It was such an interesting evening and a real privilege to hear her speak - and get my book signed! Something to treasure! It was a really inspiring evening and fascinating to get an insight into the whole process of writing and publishing a book as well as the honour of meeting a real live author! I will definitely be looking out for next years festival. If you haven't already read the book then I highly recommend you get yourself a copy and enjoy the enthralling thriller.

For more recommendations and reviews, please follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK).

Please see below for my review of "Disclaimer".

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 Reasons Unknown" Michael Wood

Two murders. Twenty years. Now the killer is back for more…

Twenty years ago, 11 year old Jonathan Harkness witnesses the brutal, cold blooded murder of his parents, Miranda and Stefan, which rendered him catatonic. There were multiple leads and suspects as the couple were wealthy and powerful. Stefan was engaged in a controversial cancer research programme involving animal testing so they were not unused to death threats and had many enemies. With too many lines of inquiry and no real evidence, the case remained unsolved. Twenty years later Jonathan remains a shadow; a frail, fearful, thin young man still traumatised from his childhood experience.

Chapter One brings us back to modern day and we meet the fantastic DCI Matilda Darke. After a nine month absence, Matilda returns to work to find she is no longer head of MIT but instead given the Harkness case to solve; their family house is about to be demolished and it seems timely that the case is reviewed for a final time. She is immediately frustrated by this, seeing the fact she has been given a cold case quite insulting and annoyed that it appears she will have to prove herself all over again. We discover she has had time off for depression following the death of victim during her previous investigation, but more dramatically, she has also recently lost her husband. Matilda is an intriguing character as she is struggling with her own issues of grief and guilt. She is flawed which makes her more interesting and more appealing. I found her a very likeable and believable character and was rooting for her from the outset.

Jonathan is an equally well drawn character. He is clearly unable to "break free from that night when he had stood in the doorway of his parent's bedroom and seen the nightmare unfold before him." He has "grown up in the shadows". He looks like a "strong gust of wind would snap him in half". He trusts no one and his whole emotional development has been stunted by his parents and what happened - but "even when his parents were alive he didn't accept their love." Jonathan surrounds himself with crime fiction as he tries to leave his own troubles behind him and "dream of detectives rather than the horror that haunts his real life". He returns to watch the demolition of his family home, hoping for a chance to put the ghosts to rest, but really this proves only to be the beginning of a new nightmare. Is Jonathan as innocent and as weak as he appears? Is his crippling social awkwardness hiding the potential for psychopathic behaviour or is he really just a tragic victim who deserves our pity and sympathy? Wood ensures you are never truly sure until the final few pages!

Further twists and layers are added to the story. Jonathan has a brother, Matthew, who went missing for three days after the murder of his parents. As the story continues we learn more about Matthew and how he was always able to "get away with murder" being the favoured son of his parents. The description that "to their faces, he had the smile of an angel but behind their backs his halo slipped and the smile changed to a lethal sneer" is unnerving and menacing. What was his real involvement? Why are he and Jonathan estranged? Where is he now? Will he and Jonathan be reunited through the demolition of their family home? Can Matilda track down Matthew to answer her questions about the murder 20 years ago when he was 15?

And then another murder takes place. Whoever killed the Harkness couple is clearly determined that the case should remain unsolved.

DCI Ben Hales, Acting Head of MIT, is a great character. Ambitious, greedy, jealous of Matilda and married to the daughter of the Chief Constable he is desperate for promotion; bitter that his calculated (and unhappy) marriage has not opened any doors for him. The tension between him and Matilda is palpable and their strained relationship cleverly adds another layer of tension and suspense to the novel. For me, he was a character you could love to hate! How far is he prepared to go to undermine Matilda? What lengths will he go to make an arrest and solve the crime before her? How ethical is he and can he be trusted not to abuse his position?

My other favourite character was Jonathan's neighbour, Maun Barrington. She is creepy! Lonely and hiding her own dark past, she has developed an obsession with Jonathan and is clearly deluded about their relationship. She is so quietly threatening and menacing. She reminded me of Annie Wilkes in Stephen King's "Misery". She has some brilliant lines and some of her thoughts are really unsettling and sent shivers down my spine! What exactly is her role in everything? What is she really capable of harming Jonathan with her increasingly psychopathic behaviour?  Is she merely harmless or does her secret past present her as another possible suspect?

Wood is extremely good at giving a clear description of each character. They are easy to visualise and all vivid and realistic. He is also very good at creating intrigue with each character. For example, Matilda suffers from panic attacks and it is a while before the reason for these is revealed but her vulnerability suggests guilt, a buried past, an internal struggle which begs more questions from the reader. Conversations like "I'll screw up again.....I killed a child" also litter the pages with clues and suspense. Her back story has been meticulously worked out and Wood is able to reveal some of it in a controlled manner, adding further depth to the plot and indicating this could be the beginning of a successful series. Flawed but determined female detective leads are ever popular in crime fiction and in TV dramas at the moment and Matilda easily deserves recognition alongside these canny, shrewd women.

This book was a really enjoyable read.  I was caught up in the story instantly. I liked that each key character could be a suspect - each has a motive, each has a past. I was definitely kept guessing as I raced towards the ending. The title "For Reason's Unknown" is  a perfect choice as it really summarises the crux of the novel.

It is hard to accept that "For Reasons Unknown" is a debut novel. Wood's writing is accomplished, polished, confident and shows a secure ability to entrap the reader in a thrilling murder story. I am eager to read on and spend more time with Matilda Darke. I am looking forward to his second instalment, "Outside Looking In" which is available for preorder on Amazon at the moment for the bargain price of £1.99.




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"Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was" Sjon

This is a very short novel of 160 pages, organised into quite short chapters. The atmospheric front cover caught my eye and it seemed like something which would be a little different. I have not read any Icelandic literature before and the blurb claimed this was a "mesmerising and original" voice with an author who "did not waste a word." From a literary point of view, it sounded like a very interesting read.

The story is about Mani Steinn (Moonstone) who is 16 years old, living in Reykjavik in 1918; it tells of his fascination with films and the cinema, his survival of Spanish Flu and his love for Sola G. His is also engaged in homosexual activities which were strictly illegal at this time and if discovered, would result in a prison sentence or time in a mental asylum.

The writing is very good and there were some very effective passages. We are kept at a distance from Mani as he is only ever referred to as "the boy" and this distance is also felt by Mani himself who appears somewhat removed from his immediate surroundings. When Spanish Flu ravishes Reykjavik, the narrator says that "no matter how distressing the scenes, the boy remained impassive. Reykjavik has assumed a form that reflects his inner life." Mani is perhaps as much an observer of life as the reader. He amuses himself "by analysing the life around him with an acuity honed by watching some 500 films in which every glance, every movement, every expression and every pose is charged with meaning and clues to the subject's inner feelings and intentions, whether for good or evil.....All mankind's behaviour is an open book to him."

Spanish Flu dominates the novel. It is described in horrific detail; it's appearance, symptoms, development and then the effects on the population. It clearly has a devastating impact on everyone and kills a huge number of people - "an uncontrollable force unleashed".

There is also an interesting debate about the immorality of the cinema and how it "fosters perversion in its viewer." Dr Garibaldi, another important character in the book, links the rapid infection of Spanish Flu to the cinema as somewhere where many people gathered regularly in a confined space. It is then used to develop an argument to support the idea of the cinema being responsible for mental disorders. This also shows the attitudes to sexuality at the time as well.

This book is a snap shot of a specific period in time in a country's history seen from the perspective of someone treated as an outsider. The prose is controlled and carefully chosen, it's brevity effective in creating a melancholy atmosphere.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

"My Husband's Wife" Jane Corry

This book opens with a murder and then goes back in time by 15 years to introduce Lily, a 25 year old newly qualified lawyer, just back from her honeymoon with her new husband, artist Ed. The novel then continues with a story of secret, lies, revenge and murder told through the viewpoints of Lily and Carla - a young daughter from the neighbouring flat.

This opening section where the reader is presented with a situation then the story jumps back to another point in time, or another character's narrative, sets the precedent for the way the novel proceeds. Corry has a great talent for making a throwaway comment, dropping in a sudden clue, raising a half thought (or half answer!) and then leaving the reader dangling as she charges ahead with another part of the multilayered plot. This is such an effective technique and it totally ensured that I kept reading - rapidly! - all the way through the 528 pages of this debut thriller. The opening murder scene remains a mystery until almost the very last pages. The reader frequently thinks they may have solved the crime but then there will be another twist and you will find yourself having to re-evaluate all you thought about the characters.

The thing I enjoyed most about this novel was the creation of atmosphere and suspense. So many of the sentences have double meanings and I was never sure in which way I needed to interpret them. For example, in the first chapter, Lily announces "On my first day back from our honeymoon, I'm preparing to go to prison." Immediately the reader is full of questions. And even when these questions are answered, sometimes showing our worst conclusion to be way off line, Corry has still laid the foundations of a sense of foreboding, crime, danger, unfamiliarity. The mere repetition of "new" and all the new starts Lily is facing on her first day back - new job, new flat, new husband, new marriage - creates a sense of nervousness or unfamiliarity. Lily seems unsure of life and there is an implicit sense that things are not secure or strong - there is a definite sense that something will go wrong -that this marriage may be more fragile than Lily wants it to be. The description of "his taste of toothpaste that I haven't got used to", checking the lock on the door as "it's new to us both" and the sense of this couple entering new territory together raises real intrigue. Then Lily says "Two lies. Small white ones. Designed to make the other feel better. But that's how some lies start. Small. Well meaning. Until they get too big too handle." A fantastic opening. Already, the reader is posed for a story of lies and deceit.

Lily is a great character. I never quite knew how to feel about her. When she first meets the young Clara she says "It occurs to me that it would be very easy to take a child if the circumstances were favourable." And then later she comments, "How easy it would have been to let Ed choke to death. To pretend it was an accident." Corry is brilliant at these kind of statements and it means I never quite knew where I stood with Lily. Yes, she's a great lawyer, professional, diligent, seemingly ethical and honest yet......do we really know what she is capable of? She is also hiding a deep secret from her husband (and the reader!) and the mystery of her back story certainly left me wondering what she might have done or how she might be connected with the murder from the first page. For example, a couple of times she nearly "confesses" to Ed but reminds herself that if she does confess to whatever it is she is hiding, she will lose him forever. Is she guilty of something? What is so dreadful that she can't tell her husband? This is a book where you are empathetic and yet suspicious of the protagonist both at the same time!

Although Lily is really the main character, it is Carla who surely steals the show. Introduced as a solitary, odd, friendless 9 year old who craves attention from anyone as her mother frequently abandons her to spend time with her boyfriend, she then grows into a wonderfully manipulative, calculating, dedicated, vengeful young woman. Again, she is difficult to empathise with as she is at times quite unpleasant, even when the circumstances are pitiful. I found her captivating; a real study of the psychology of a young girl who isn't likeable, but is a product of circumstances of which you can be understanding and sympathetic, and how this affects the adult she becomes - how events from her childhood completely control her future.

I really wanted to see how the two story lines would become linked and what exactly would connect these two women. Part One ends with shattering revelations, lots of loose ends and many questions. There is a precarious sense of uncertainty and unease.

Part Two is 12 years later and Clara is now 23, returning to London from Italy. A clear agenda and purpose in mind. I liked Corry's way of listing "Sugar? Sellotape? Sharp implements? Crisps?" every time Lily enters a prison or police station. I felt so often that Corry was throwing me clues, or burying me deeper in secrets, and I never knew quite how to use the information I had been given. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something would happen leaving me unsure what to make of Lily and Clara yet again. This is shows real skill from the writer and an exceptional control over the structure and narrative. As Lily says "If....If.....If....." Who is telling the truth? Who has the biggest motive? Who is the better actress? Who can you trust?

This is a bit of a slow burner of a thriller if that's not too much of an oxymoron! There are cliffhangers, many moments of suspense and surprising revelations and the book moves at a reasonable pace, assisted with the alternating chapters from Lily and Clara. But there are several complex threads of story to follow. Each character has their own back story, motive and secret and all of these need resolution. The plots intertwine effectively but it is quite complex and these are fully developed characters with hidden depths.

I really wanted to finish reading this book because I just couldn't fill in all the blanks and I wanted to know what the truth behind the opening murder really was. I wanted to find out the truth behind the husband, the wife and the husband's wife. You will too. And you won't be disappointed by this intriguing novel of successive twists which span 15 years of secrets and revenge.

My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced review copy of this book.

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"These Shallow Graves" Jennifer Donnelly (YA)

I read Jennifer Donnelly's novel "A Gathering Light" over a decade ago and it made a real impression on me. I was delighted to receive an advanced copy of her latest novel "These Shallow Graves" from NetGalley and couldn't wait to lose myself in another historical story which I knew would captivate me with engaging characters and an intriguing storyline.

The opening is full of foreboding, mystery and atmosphere. Set in 1890 we meet our protagonist Josephine Montfort, a young girl from one of New York's most wealthy and respected families, in a graveyard digging up a grave. The narrator tells us: "There was no going back. Not to her old life of drawing rooms and dances. Not to Miss Sparkwell's School. Not to her friends or to Bram. It had all gone to far." This clearly shows the reader they are in for a story of adventure, crime and danger.

Josephine, or Jo as she likes to call herself, is a strong, confident, ambitious and intelligent character who wants more than marriage in her life. She wants to be a reporter and follow in the footsteps of Nellie Bly - a scandalous female reporter "who meddles in other people's business". "Need I remind you," chastises Jo's mother, "unlike Nellie Bly, who has no hope of marrying a decent man, you are a Montfort and Montfort's marry. Early and well. And that is all." The theme of marriage runs through the entire novel and the frustration that Jo feels about the confines of the society at this time and the limited role for women are repeatedly referred to. She wants to report stories about women who have no voice; for example, the women who are being exploited at the Fenton Textile Mill but her friend Trudy says to her "There's no one more unfortunate than we ourselves who are not engaged yet. We are spinsters. Pathetic nobodies, we can go nowhere on our own.....we are allowed no opinions." This won't particularly change once they are married, but this belief, that they really are unfortunate until married, that it is their only focus, goal and value, is reiterated by Donnelly and will interest all contemporary readers as they consider their current freedom and the opportunities that lie before them. Jo is so bound by convention and expectations that she struggles to breathe, feeling as restricted as her physical self which is bound tightly by her corset.

Then everything changes. Jo father is found dead. He appears to have shot himself by accident while cleaning his gun.

On a visit to the newsroom, Jo overhears Eddie Gallagher, a reporter, claiming Charles Montfort committed suicide. The gun was in his right hand, loaded. "Only a fool cleans a loaded gun and your father was no fool. It was suicide," he tells her when she chases him and demands an explanation of his wild claims. "Your uncle bribed the police captain and coroner and threatened to sue any paper that reported otherwise." Jo wants to uncover the truth, salvage her father's reputation, get to the bottom of something she just doesn't understand, but yet again she reminded by Eddie of her weak and fragile position as a woman. "Suicide is not only ugly but scandalous," Eddie patronises her, reminding that it carries difficult questions of why....money? women? mental health? And most importantly for Jo's future, "You'd be shunned. You need to be married to a Aldrich, Roosevelt or Livingston..." Once again, Jo's desires are abruptly curtailed by the fact that she is only seen destined for marriage and nothing else; she is dismissed and ignored. But the newsroom has made a huge impression on her. Riled by the memory that her mother told her that her name will only appear in the newspaper three times in her life (her birth, her marriage, her death - such a loaded observation and so effective in reflecting what a commodity women were at this time) Jo wishes that she could be the next Nellie Bly and see her name alongside the newspapers next front page headline. She is determined to find out the truth about her father's death and make sure the story is reported.

Jo returns and manages to get Eddie to let her tag along as a "new cub" and help him uncover the real story behind her father's death, which she refuses to accept as accidental or suicide. And so she is plunged into an underworld of crime- an eye opening introduction to a whole world that exists in the dark backstreets full of threatening and dangerous characters. Eddie tests Jo's resilience and strength, always expecting her to fail and return to her charmed, privileged life, but the more Jo learns about reporting, the more risks she takes-the more embroiled she becomes in solving the mystery of her father's death and the more time she spends with Eddie- the more vacuous, shallow and empty she finds her family and her time at home.

Donnelly has clearly researched the historical period in great detail and she is able to evoke a convincing and authentic setting. Using the scenery of the Wharf area and incorporating themes of slavery is hugely effective in creating more tension and drama as well as generating interesting historical detail. Her characters like the "Tailor" are exciting and well captured. Her novel has echoes of Dickens, Leon Garfield and Philip Pullman's "Ruby in the Smoke" series. The characters are all colourful, appealing, interesting and vivid. Josephine is a fantastic role model and strong female protagonist. Donnelly uses dialogue with great effect, making the story very alive and developing the characters personalities so they are well conceived and believable.

The chapters are very short which keep the novel moving at a good pace and each chapter ends with a cliffhanger. The writing is accessible and very readable. Donnelly is a gifted story teller. I found the huge contrast between Jo's wealthy family and home and the life of Eddie, his room, and then the criminal underworld very compelling. It made it a more exciting novel and also really highlighted the dilemma of Jo as she finds herself facing difficult questions and decisions. It emphasises the complexity of her choices between family and the truth, about risk and consequence, truth and pain, reputation, love and loss. This is a coming of age novel as much as a crime thriller. Jo's journey and her realisation of the impact her discoveries will have, the fact that it will change her life and the life of everyone around her forever, create tension and suspense. The resilience and growth of Jo as she uncovers secret after secret and faces the consequences, show her to be a brave, courageous and resilient young lady. The novel explores what it really means to take a stand, to make a change, to fight for freedom and justice.

This is a complex novel. A great crime thriller with all the features of a true detective book. It is full of converging plots, numerous twists and turns, secrets, revelations, adventure and edge of your seat moments of excitement and drama. The historical setting creates a dark and sinister atmosphere and the underlying themes of women, freedom and choice add a further interesting dimension. This book would be perfect for readers aged 13+.

I will leave you with the closing lines of the story, spoken to Josephine, which should resonate and inspire all readers, but particularly girls.

"You are set to write your own story now. Nothing is luckier than that."

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this novel in return for a fair review. For more recommendations and reviews follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK)

"A Library of Lemons" Jo Cotterill (YA Fiction)

Well you don't need to ask why I wanted to read this book! Of course, it was the word library in the title! The synopsis also really appealed. The story is about 10 year old Calypso whose mum has died a few years ago and her father, who is clearly emotionally struggling to cope with his grief, throws himself into writing his own book ("A History of the Lemon") leaving everything else to Calypso. As a passionate reader, she retreats into her own world of books and fiction. When she meets new girl Mae at school, the girls' shared love of reading and writing stories draws them together and shows Calypso a way to understand her world, feelings and family. It sounded right up my street.

I have not come across Jo Cotterill before but I have since learned she has written over 20 books for children which I am now looking forward to discovering. She describes this book as a story "about what it means to be human." It is a heart wrenching, moving, engrossing and exquisite book. I was totally taken with it and so loved spending time with Calypso and her painful struggle to realise the world around her; to gain the insight and "inner strength" to find happiness and rebuild a future for herself and her lost father.

The book opens with a series of very short, frank paragraphs where Cotterill effectively lets Calypso introduce herself through her own unwitting repetition of her dad's sayings. It is easy to build a picture of a lonely, isolated young girl who is full of questions she is unable to ask as "it's not the sort of thing I'd ask Dad and I can't ask Mum because she's dead." Her father seems to have embedded the idea that Calypso does not need friends  - "you should be your own best friend" and "you shouldn't need other people to make you happy." Although her teachers call her solitary, she tells us this is not a bad thing. You just need to have "inner strength'. Her dad is a firm believer in "inner strength". The sad innocence of Calypso's further comment that "it's not that he doesn't love me..." and "it's not that I don't like people. But I prefer books," speak volumes (excuse the pun!) and such subtle implications allow the reader to perceive a conflict within this ten year old even though she can't see it herself. There is a continued repetition of the words "inner strength" throughout the novel and they are powerfully used to explore the concept of friendship, parenting, happiness and love. It's also a bit of a mantra from both Dad and Calypso as they try to convince themselves they are fine, they are whole and they are happy. It's also used by the father as an excuse not to confront his emotions, mental state and more urgently, responsibilities towards Calypso. He is hidden away writing his book while Calypso finds the cupboards empty again and says silently "You didn't go shopping and you promised you would. You said Scout's Honour. And I'm trying so hard to find inner strength but I'm not sure where to look." This child is trying so fiercely to please her father; to cope, to follow in his example to not fail him. She is confused by the fact that she can't find her inner strength and what this might mean. This is a child desperately in need of a father. It is heart rendering but I did not find it sentimental. Using the perspective of a child and Calypso's blunt, honest, open voice saves the novel from becoming any kind of social services report or sob story. She's a thoughtful, reflective, very likeable and endearing child. This is a story about families, friendship and finding your inner strength.

New girl Mae then arrives at school. She is a warm, funny, articulate and imaginative child who immediately hits it off with Calypso. "I knew you were a kindred spirit," she tells Calypso who realises "we have become friends and I didn't even mean to." She didn't realise there were other people in the world who preferred the imaginary world to the real one.

Calypso begins to go to Mae's house - the first time she has really gone into another family. She watches the family interact together, fascinated and bemused. Mae's family row - Calypso's dad never argues, he just retreats and leaves her feeling like a "cloud, thundery and dark". She is perplexed by the way the arguments escalate and then diffuse or get forgotten as the family come back together. From watching Mae's family, from spending more time with them, Calypso begins to learn more about how a family should function and how humans relate and interact together. Following one particular incident, a crying Calypso finds herself being comforted by Mae's mum. She is "enveloped in warmth and security and strength and the tears stream even faster because it's almost like I'm borrowing a mother, something deep inside me bursts and my knees buckle but Mae's mum holds me up. Someone else is holding me up.....someone else is being strong for me. It's such a relief."

I loved the following contemplation from Calypso which comes later in the story:

"Maybe if you lock away the sadness for too long it all builds up. Like filling a tank. And one day the tank bursts and you have way more sadness than normal because it's all been stored away. Maybe it's important to let yourself be sad sometimes...to stop the tank filling up."

Calypso's pensive observations are naive and candid but simultaneously full of insight and revelation. I loved the way she began to interpret the world and her thoughts "exploded" and "collided" in her head; the "world slows down to settle into a new pattern."

There is a terribly powerful moment for Calypso where she finally realises what it means to have inner strength and why her dad is so sad and so frightened to love her. Her distinctive and strong voice tells us that "I think maybe you can be a family with just two people, one step at a time on our journey. But hopefully we're going the same way now." The final few pages repeat the words "lemon" and "yellow" for deliberate effect and to signify the journey both Calypso and her father have travelled. The final lines use the words "shine", "lemon," "glistening" and "light" which draw us back to her mother's painting and her father's writing but reinventing them in an image of optimism, hope and love.

There is much about the power of books and stories in this novel. Cotterill is clearly a passionate bibliomaniac and the references to other novels and the way the girls' enthuse about reading and talk about the fictional characters as if they are real, enhances Cotterill's own fictional characters, plot and atmosphere. The power of writing to heal (both adults and children), to say what can't be said aloud or face to face, to process, to confront and see clearly, is incredibly powerful. A strong case for the use writing therapy within mental health if ever there was one. I could not tear my eyes away from these passages, even when I had to feel around me for my discarded, already sodden, tissue.

I'm interested in how many children's books tackle the issue of grief, loneliness, solitude and mental illness at the moment. This is certainly a book which could be used to support children with difficult emotional lives. It would be a great read for any young adult as books are always a useful tool for empathy, curiosity and the start of a tricky conversation. There is a certain safety in exploring difficult feelings and ideas through the pages of fiction. But I would end by saying that above all this is a novel about a beautiful young girl and her empowering journey of self discovery. It is a book of warmth, friendship, love, hope and inner strength! I'll leave you with a final quote from Calypso:

"the strongest people are the ones who love others and let themselves be loved back. If you have inner strength but no one to love, what is it for?"

A 5* read.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in return for a fair and honest review.
For more recommendations and review follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK)

"Releasing my Jarred Dream!" YA author Camilla Chester

Through the silent, grey streets of Stanbridge he creeps, the Dream Thief who captures the joy of children's dreams and drains the colour from their lives. Until the day that 12-year-old Sade moves into town with her bright blonde curls and love of art.... She knows something is terribly wrong, but can she find out what it is before she loses everything she loves, including her own dreams? 

"Jarred Dreams" is an original and engaging story with elements of mystery and adventure; a story of dreams, memories, darkness and light by a new voice in children's fiction, Camilla Chester. The book was shortlisted for the National Literacy Trust New Author Prize 2015 and has been described by readers as "brilliant', "intriguing," "full of suspense," and "gripping."  It was published in April 2015 and will be officially launched on  Saturday 14th May in Harpenden. Please come along and say hello if you are in the area. Camilla will be signing books from 3-6 pm at The Oddfellows Arms, Harpenden AL5 2TG. There will be a real life board game about writing a book and a chance to dress up as the characters. Please come along and say hello!

Meet Camilla Chester. Mum, dog walker and children's author. Her debut YA novel was published on 28th April 2016 and is available via Amazon (Kindle and Paperback), Harpenden Books or direct from Camilla's website (http://www.camillachester.com). I met with her to learn more about her new life as a self published author and her inspiration for her part supernatural, part adventure and part magical story about the Dream Thief and 12 year old Sade.

Congratulations on the publication of your novel! How are you finding your new life as a writer? Can you tell me a little about your "journey"to this point?
Well, it's not really a "new" life! I've always been a writer - just now I'm a published writer! I've always wanted to write for the 8-11 year old market; I've experimented with other genres and age ranges but it's always this one that I feel most comfortable with and to which I keep reverting. I think it's a magical age as readers are beginning to move on to reading more independently and really embracing their own imagination and learning where the world of books can take them.

In about 2010 when we moved to Harpenden, I decided to take my writing seriously and properly dedicate some time and a more structured approach to see what I could achieve. I enrolled with the Open University for a Diploma in Creative Writing and Literacy course and spent two years focussing on honing my skills. The real benefit of this course was the networking opportunities and the chance to have your work continuously critiqued. My fellow students and I set up a Facebook page and regularly offered each other support and feedback. I also joined a local writing circle and SCWBI (an organisation for children's writers and illustrators) which has been amazing and invaluable.

"Jarred Dreams" came about from a conversation with my children. I am fascinated by dreams - ironically I am often writing to the soporific sound of my dog snoring at my feet! So, we were talking about a world without dreams, and out of our chat grew the concept for "Jarred Dreams". The book was initially a very linear tale focussing on the complete back story of the Dream Thief himself- much more sci fi with a scientific emphasis rather than magical.

The Dream Thief himself is a very dark character. Did that present any problems when writing for this age range?
He is dark! The descriptions of him are quite scary. That was how Sade came into existence. I needed a contrast and it had to be someone who was not frightened of anything, someone completely fearless, otherwise the story would never work. If Sade isn't scared, then the reader doesn't need to be scared - or as scared. I also made sure her chapters were longer and much more action packed. Although the narrative voice of the Dream Thief is more lyrical and slower than Sade's, it is much shorter so it's not overwhelming or distressing.

How did you go about getting published?
I entered a few competitions with various short stories which was great for getting a feel for how my writing might be received and then attended as many masterclasses, conferences and support groups as I could to get as much feedback as possible. When I was finally happy, through SCWBI, I organised a session with an agent and it was just amazing when they said they loved my manuscript! They also encouraged me to enter the National Literacy Trust New Author Prize Competition 2015 for which "Jarred Dreams" was shortlisted which was just amazing!

Of course, the journey to publication wasn't then that straightforward or easy, and I've actually ended up self publishing my novel, but it's been a great experience as well as a steep learning curve! There is so much more to being an author than just writing a book! I've learnt how to build a website, design a cover, produce and publish a book, arrange school visits, design marketing materials and now I'm learning about publicity and sales!

What's been the best thing that's happened to you since the book was released?
Walking in to the school playground and overhearing two students talking animatedly about my book! About my world! My characters! My creation! It's the best buzz ever!

What are your ambitions for the next 12 months?
I have only three ambitions in life. The first is to hold my book in my hand - tick! The second is to see my book in a bookshop that I don't know or I haven't arranged the order for and the third ambition is to see a stranger reading my book!

Thanks so much Camilla for meeting with me and telling me a bit more about your writing. I'm sure the book will be a huge success! See below for my review of "Jarred Dreams".

If you want to meet Camilla or hear more about her book, she is involved with Harpenden Library, and will be giving a few talks and visits in the near future. She is giving a talk and running a workshop at the St Albans Literary Festival on the 10th July and is also a judge for the Children's Writing Competition that's part of the festival. Her daughters have created a You Tube trailer for the book which can be found just by searching for Camilla Chester "Jarred Dreams". She also has a website: www.camillachester.com 

"JARRED DREAMS" CAMILLA CHESTER - REVIEWED BY BIBLIOMANIAC

The book opens with the chilling description of the Dream Thief. A creature with sickly yellow skin; deep set, hooded black eyes, a large hooked nose, a pointed chin, enlarged ears, gnarled feet and a melted skull. A hideous creature who prowls the streets of Stanbridge every night to "free the people from the torment of their dreams", to make them forget, to rob them of their joy and hope, to drain the world of colour. "To rid the world of dreams is his cause and there is nobody who has the power to stop him." He focusses into the tune of the dream, it will "beckon him to where a child must be having a vivid dream" and he'll catch it "before it changes to something mundane....he can enter at the tip of something and feel the energy of the child switch to one of fear." He stores the dreams in jars deep in his cellar. He fills the world with grey nothingness and mediocrity.

Twelve year old Sade arrives in Stanbridge with her father as it is near to the hospital where her mother lies in a coma, "sleeping". They visit her daily. Sade is brave, courageous, unafraid of anything. Immediately she is struck by the eeriness of the place; of the expressionless people that live here and don't engage. Something strange is going on and she refuses to become part of it. She wants to find out why the people and children are so odd, so forgetful, so subdued, so colourless and change it before both herself and her father end up succumbing to the same fate. Can she prevent the Dream Thief from his destructive agenda before he takes everything away from her?

This is a really unusual book which is a real fuse of several different genres. It is part ghost story, part thriller and mystery story, part supernatural and part magical. It has hints of dystopian novels and at times reminded me of Voldemort and his Death Eaters, Philip Pullman's "Northern Lights" trilogy, Frances Hardinge's novels, and possibly something more ancient like "Paradise Lost".

Although the opening sounds quite frightening, it is more ethereal than that and the Dream Thief's chapters are shorter so they do not become overwhelming. His chapters are alternated with those following Sade's narrative which is modern, contemporary and suitably contrasting. The Dream Thief's passages are aptly dreamlike and bewitching; a malevolent voice and ghostly predator. He is a menacing presence but only as unsettling as many other "dark forces" existing in current Young Adult fiction and Chester writes his voice in a more lyrical and surreal style which ensures it doesn't become too dark. Alternating the two voices also gives Chester a real opportunity to show her ability to create different voices and construct a more complex story structure which will pull the reader in and sweep them up in the journey alongside Sade.

Sade could be likened to other contemporary strong female protagonists like Catniss from "The Hunger Games". She shows a resilience and determination from the outset. She wants to go home to her old life, "one with colour and smiles and noises......she will make it happen." She meets Seb who is also able to see that something very strange is occurring in their town and is willing to help her solve the mystery. During an art lesson, they learn more of the town's history from Maggie Farrant, their art teacher, and with her information they begin their quest to seek out the Dream Thief.

Sade is a character full of hope and goodness. She herself is struggling to come to terms with her own grief and unhappiness but she is constantly described with colour and brightness. The Dream Thief identifies her as the "golden girl of light" who "emits such brightness and flair" when she's awake that he can't imagine the "vibrancy of her dreams". She is a girl who seeks out adventure and challenge. The Dream Thief is determined to capture her dreams. She is a real threat to him. He talks about her moving as if she is gliding and repeatedly comments on her dazzling, blonde hair which "bounces around her like a golden light...like a halo." Sade almost becomes something much more metaphorical. It feels as if there is something more saviour like and celestial about her and therefore there is a great sense of anticipation.

I enjoyed Chester's use of colour and her contrasting imagery between grey and brightness which was also echoed in more subtle references to winter and summer, death and rebirth. This book embraces lots of interesting themes like art, self expression, dreams, memories, hope and grief. On a deeper level, older readers might pick up on ideas about renewal, redemption and restoration. There are some interesting suggestions about the role of the subconscious and the way our mind reveals things to us.

It is ambitious for a debut novel to tackle such concepts but Chester does so effectively and actually the novel has a very positive and uplifting finale. Sade's energy and her strong belief in the "colour" of life ensures her spirit cannot be beaten and this is the final message of the book. Where the adults have failed, Sade triumphs and everyone can once again not only dream but also live in a world which is a kaleidoscope of colour. I would suggest this book is suitable for ages 10 upwards.

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