#FionaFord #TheSparkGirls #Q&A

It is my great pleasure to welcome Fiona Ford on to my blog today for an interview! Thanks so much to Fiona for coming along - but before we get on with the q&a, here's a bit of blurb about her book!

Spring 1940. Kitty Williams has suffered more than her fair share of tragedy but rather than wallowing, she's more determined than ever to do her part in the battle against Hitler. Stepping up her own war effort, Kitty leaves her home town of Coventry and joins the Auxiliary Territorial Service (Women's Army - ATS) where she finds new friends in Di, Peggy and Mary but also new obstacles to overcome in both her professional and personal lives.

Packed full of wartime adventure, romance, heartbreak and friendship, The Spark Girls is a gripping and poignant saga perfect for fans of Ellie Dean, Daisy Styles and Maggie Ford

FIONA FORD: AUTHOR Q & A

Thank you so much Fiona for coming along today. Can I start by asking you about your reading? Your twitter header uses the quote from Hemingway “There is no friend as loyal as a book”. Which 3 books have been your most loyal friends? 

That is a tough one! I have many books I like to revisit where getting back into them is as comfortable as chatting with an old friend and picking straight up where you left off.

I would say Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes is my top choice – brilliant mix of humour and pathos, and Marian’s voice itself is like being with an old friend.

Little Women – Louisa May Alcott. Probably a cliché but the relationships between the March girls never fail to provide comfort during particularly difficult times.

Back Home – Michelle Magorian. I loved this book as a child and adore it just as much now. The tale of Rusty the evacuee returning to the UK after she was shipped to the USA at the start of the war and the challenges she faced as she adjusted to her old life is so poignant and probably got me started with my fascination of WW2.

Which 3 books would you recommend to your most loyal friends?

Lisa Hall – Between you and Me. Lisa’s books seriously mess with your mind in a really good way that will have you questioning the way you read that book for days.

Victoria Hislop – The Island is such a beautiful heart-wrenching novel, it’s a nourishing holiday read.

Anna Freeman – The Fair Fight is a brilliant historical novel with guts, chutzpah and a fab use of the Bristol dialect. An extremely good and loyal friend introduced me to it and so I would have to repay the favour and pass this onto another loyal pal.

 “The Spark Girls” is set in WW2. Can you recommend one historical novel that you have found inspirational in the sense that it captured the era, setting and society of that time convincingly?

I’ve read a lot of historical novels for research and pleasure but Kate Thompson’s, Secrets of the Singer Girls completely blew me away. Kate’s characterisation is so warm, the writing witty and observational and she has a wonderful knack of drawing you in right from page one. The thing about historical novels is we often see people depicted with completely different sets of values and it can put people off the genre because they think they won’t be able to relate to the characters – Kate’s writing changes all of that.

 “The Spark Girls” is set in the wartime – not an easy time for people, and not an easy time for your characters. Why do you think novels set in the past have such an appeal to readers today?

I’ve been asked this a lot lately and I think that part of the appeal is the world is just a little bit cruddy now and the past gives us quite a bit of comfort. In short, we as humans have survived an awful lot – two world wars most recently for example. I think the fact we can read stories set in these challenging times and know that everything worked out in the end proves there is hope for us all, no matter how dire circumstances seem to be.

 I read that your interest in the Second World War grew from looking at photos with your grandfather and hearing about his wartime experiences. What was it about his experiences that interested you so much?

My grandfather was a wonderful man with a fantastic gift for storytelling. Although he told me a lot of stories, his face would light up and he would become particularly animated when we pored over photos from his navy days. There were so many stories, from missing his ship and having to play catch-up at ports around the world (a common occurrence surprisingly) to Vera Lynn who sang as his ship set sail from England.  His enthusiasm was infectious and I adored nothing more than listening to his tales and seeing the joy on his face as he told me with forthright honesty what life was like in the navy during WW2.

 Was it something he told you about that particularly inspired the plot for “The Spark Girls”? How much of him or what he shared with you made it in to the novel?

Although Kitty’s story is set in the army rather than the navy which is where my grandfather served, the one thing I’ve included that was important to Granddad was the camaraderie he experienced.  He had so many photos and stories of his shipmates that I think it was those relationships that made it easier being away from his wife and baby son (my father) while serving his country. I’ve also used his name as one of the important characters in the novel as a way of honouring those happy times we shared – Joe.

You have worked as a journalist for many years before publishing your debut novel. How easy has the transition from non fiction writer to fiction writer been? Has your experience of writing about the real lives and real dramas of women helped inform your fiction writing?

It has been a huge help. Interviewing so many different people over the years has given me the gift of seeing how people cope when obstacles are thrown their way. I feel very lucky I’ve had a huge range of emotional, funny and downright silly stories to fall back on from people that were kind enough to share those precious moments of their lives with me.

 “The Spark Girls” is the first instalment of a series. Was this a conscious decision from the beginning and if so how did it affect your planning and writing process?

Yes! It was always the plan to write another, and fingers crossed there will be more. I knew from all the research I had done that the lives of those that served as drivers in the army was perfect for storytelling. With women facing danger, ferrying secrets to Winston Churchill one day or delivering goods and lorries across the country another, all the while at risk of being hijacked by the enemy. These women were so courageous and full of life I knew that these stories had all the ingredients for a series.

Are you working on the next book at the moment? Can you tell us anything about it?  

I have literally just finished the sequel to The Spark Girl. It’s called The Spark Girl’s Promise and tells the story of Peggy who we meet in book one. Peggy starts off as a quiet, shy girl but with all the danger and adventures she has to face as the bombs fall in 1941 she finds strength and courage she never knew she had to cope with some very challenging surprises.

And finally, what book can you recommend that might “spark” up my summer holiday reading?! Or can you recommend one novel that one of the characters in your novel might be reading  / want to read if they were living in 2017?

If you’re new to historical fiction or don’t think it’s for you then try The Bomb Girls by Daisy Styles. Packed with feisty women, a terrific storyline and punchy dialogue, she’s given the saga market a welcome shake-up and it’s perfect for lying on a beach wishing these cracking female characters were here to enjoy that cheeky cocktail with you as the sun beats down in 2017.

Thank you so much for answering my questions and for your interesting answers - and great book recommendations! It's been a real pleasure to chat with you and I wish you all the best with the publication of The Spark Girls! 

The Spark Girls was published by Orion in June 2017.

FIONA FORD

I have spent the last fifteen years working as a journalist and now spend my days crafting fiction having created The Spark Girl , a series of wartime sagas, published by Orion and the Pug Like Percy novels, published by HQ.  As a little girl all I ever wanted to do was write books and lose myself in a world of characters and stories. Amazingly, my dream has finally come true! 

@Fionajourno

http://www.fionaford.co.uk/home

For more recommendations and reviews follow me on Twitter @KatherineSunde3 or via my blog bibliomaniacuk.blogspot.co.uk or website bibliomaniacuk.co.uk

#BibliomaniacsBookshelves #SummerReading 19th August

Bibliomaniac's Bookshelves: Summer Reading Round Up

19th August 2017

And so the holidays continue and so too, my mini reviews! Here's what has been going on in the book world of Bibliomaniac!

99 RED BALLOONS by ELISABETH CARPENTER 

*My thanks to the publisher from whom I received this book via NetGalley in return for an unbiased and honest review*

This book came with some impressive reviews from authors who I admire and whose books I devour so I was intrigued to read this new thriller. 

The novel starts with a child being abducted. It's not violent or shocking abduction under cover of darkness - it's more chilling than that. It's premeditated and calculated as the child is coerced by an adult at school pick up. This is not a new or unexpected set up for a crime thriller novel but it is one that sent shivers down my spine and immediately put me on edge. I am forever telling my children not to go off with anyone - and it's not the cliched image of a stranger that I warn them about, it's the person claiming to know them, throwing a few details about me or them into conversation, or claiming that I'm waiting around the corner or running five minutes late, so reading this was like reading my worst nightmare. There was no way I could put this book down once I had started it. 

The story continues with several narrative viewpoints including the child who has been abducted. These chapters were well handled as using the child's point of view and the fact that she is unaware of what is really happening to her ensured that the description wasn't too emotionally overwhelming. The reader was able to interpret the child's naive observations and although recognise the seriousness and danger of the situation, perhaps kept one step removed from it which considering the subject matter, was something I was grateful for. 

Multiple narratives also allows the author to explore the situation from various points of view which is always a great device to create tension and drama. Carpenter uses this device to great effect when it quickly becomes clear that each character has something to hide. I like a book where the reader has to begin to see through what the characters are saying and look for hints, clues and revelations that will help to solve the mystery. 

Initially I thought this novel would be relatively straightforward and the hook of a missing child was enough for me - I was actually gripped by the storyline following the abductors and watching them as they cover their tracks and try to disappear which surprised me but reflects the author's talent for characterisation. However, this book is actually multilayered and complex as a second storyline about  another missing girl is introduced and from here on things become full of suspense, excitement and are woven together in way that is impressively accomplished for a debut author! 

99 Red Balloons is published by 24th August 2017 by Avon.

THE WORD IS MURDER by ANTHONY HOROWTIZ 

*My thanks to the publisher from whom I received this book via NetGalley in return for an unbiased and honest review*

I heard Anthony Horowitz talking at Crime Fest in May and have been desperate to read this ever since! Horowitz has a magnetic personality, he is very charismatic and a fantastic speaker - and with this new fiction novel, he is the actual narrator (as himself, the real live Horowitz) so it is no surprise - just a huge relief - that his writing reflects his personality and presence. It really is like listening to him tell the story as if he were reading it just to you. I would love to hear this as an audio book recorded by Horowitz - it would be great fun! 

The Word is Murder has an unusual premise. Horowitz, already working away on novels and scripts which he is contracted to do, is approached by an ex-detective, Hawthorne, who is now consulting on a murder case and would like Horowitz to accompany him and record it all in a book. And so begins an unusual, sometimes strained, slightly mismatched relationship which ultimately results in a partnership that is rather special and very entertaining. 

Horowitz is a highly accomplished author and his writing is immediately engaging and very commercial. It's easy to relax into the story -although it might take a short while to get used to what is going on! The book starts with Diane Cowper entering a funeral parlour and arranging her funeral. Six hours later and she is dead. There is a slight digression as Horowitz recounts where he is in his career and all his achievements but there is an underlying sense of self depreciation throughout so it is charming rather than egocentric. 

Anyway, the main reason this story is so appealing is because as Horowitz says, usually the hardest part of writing a murder story is thinking up the plot, but he doesn't need to do that here! Instead the intrigue comes from whether Horowitz and Hawthorne can actually solve the murder and secondly, how will Horowitz overcome all the challenges this writing project brings. There are some highly entertaining scenes - one involving Spielberg and the mysterious music playing from inside Ms Cowper's coffin at her funeral. There are also numerous passages that will amuse any crime fiction fan as Horowtiz muses on Hawthorne, the process of writing, selling his idea to his agent and subtle (or perhaps not so subtle!) references to other crime partnerships and legends in detective fiction. 

Hawthorne is a captivating character - a great contrast to Horowitz and as astute and intelligent as Sherlock himself, yet direct, blunt and humourless which leads to several altercations and perhaps more drama, tension and excitement for the reader. It is difficult to tell whether you are reading fact or fiction, whether you are reading about real people or imagined characters, but all I know is that I couldn't put it down. Although the book starts in a slightly more unusual way and mixes up observations on being a writer, reflecting on the reader's expectations and the author's back catalogue alongside the discovery of a dead body, as it progresses it becomes more traditional in its execution. There is urgency, twists, revelations, complications, red herrings and a dramatic grand finale! The relationships and dynamics between all the characters are very well crafted and the whole book is exceptionally well executed. 

The Word is Murder is an appreciation of the crime fiction genre and all the greatest crime fiction writers. It's a homage to our favourite detectives and our favourite side kicks.  The Word is Murder follows the conventions of the thriller genre but it also feels new and original. I found this book refreshing, incredibly readable and actually, the word I want to use is delightful!

The Word is Murder is published by Century on the 24th August 2017. 

THE PLEASURE OF READING by ANTONIA FRASER 

This week I read an interesting blog post from @Pamreader called 7 Tips To Improve Your Reading Experience . I'm always interested in advice and suggestions for readers and always nosy about how people read and about people's reading habits. I think my reading experience is pretty sorted (1. Do it all the time whatever else is going on around you & 2. Read anything, everything, this, that and the other) but after reading Pam's article I followed two bits of her advice! The first was to look up this book she recommended and the second was to download it as a free sample first to see if it was my cup of tea or not. 

So I can't really claim to review this book as I have only read the sample but it does look good! Antonia Fraser has complied chapters from 43 writers all talking about their reading experiences, how their reading has changed over time and which books have influenced them. There are chapters from Margaret Atwood, Melvyn Bragg, Carol Ann Duffy, Ruth Rendell and Sue Townsend to name a few. I think this would be a book I would enjoy dipping in and out of and would probably lead to me buying another hoard of books I have missed or forgotten about! I'm going to add it to my Christmas list as it would make a great gift for any book lover. 

And don't forget to check out Pam's post if you want some sound suggestions about how to challenge your reading or get more out the time you spend reading! 

The Pleasure of Reading by Antonia Fraser was published by Bloomsbury in 2015. 

BLOG TOUR

The Queen of New Beginnings 

I was thrilled to be on the Blog Tour for Therese Loreskar's new book The Queen of New Beginnings  as I was a big fan of her first novel, The Queen of Blogging. Loreskar's books are perfect summer reads - quick, fast paced, full of dialogue, written in diary like form and full of humour, entertainment, chaos and disasters as Kajsa tries to negotiate her way through her haphazard life with three children. A mixture of Bridget Jones and Miranda, I enjoyed this and the little bit of escapism and romance it brought with it! 

Read my full review here.

THE JOINED UP WRITING PODCAST

As if it wasn't bad enough that you have to read my reviews and look at photos of all my latest books, this week you could hear me raving about books too! I was absolutely thrilled (and a quite a bit nervous!!) to be invited on to The Joined Up Writing Podcast to talk about one of my recent reads for their regular feature "BookBlogger's Corner". I hope you'll have a listen and I highly recommend subscribing to the podcast as well as it features some great interviews  - and each episode has a different book blogger reviewing their latest favourite read!

You can listen to the podcast here: 

https://joinedupwritingpodcast.wordpress.com/2017/08/15/emotion-thesaurus-author-angela-ackerman-joined-up58/

For more recommendations and reviews follow me on Twitter @KatherineSunde3 or via my blog bibliomaniacuk.blogspot.co.uk or website bibliomaniacuk.co.uk 

#TheQueenofNewBeginnings #ThereseLoreskar

Kajsa lives in a large house in Stockholm along with her three children and their dog. Since coming clean about lying on her popular blog she no longer has any work. Not only that but she has kicked her husband out because of his sex addiction. 

While her husband is in rehab trying to fix his little problem, Kajsa's mother in law is thrown out of her retirement home and comes to live with her daughter in law.

Then Kajsa receives an unexpected offer to move to a fashionable part of London. But having to look after her mother in law makes life complicated.  

Can Kajsa rid herself of her baggage and make a fresh start with her children in England? 

This laugh-out-loud comedy looks at the daily struggles we all face with our families and asks if starting again is ever really possible. 

I really enjoyed the first book in this series called The Queen of Blogging - particularly as a blogger but actually it will appeal to anyone who uses social media! I found it very amusing and you can read my full review here. I was delighted to find out Loreskar had written another novel and couldn't wait to get back and see what mischief Kajsa had got up to now! Thanks so much to Sarah Hardy and the publisher for an advance copy of this novel in return for an honest and unbiased review.

This is a very lightweight, easy read that reminds me of a kind of cross between Miranda and Bridget Jones - Kajsa is sarcastic, funny, chaotic and hapless! But this novel isn't silly or slapstick, it's just about the life of an overwrought mother who seems to get herself into larger and larger scrapes and continuously misjudging situations or somehow making them more painfully cringeworthy.

The novel opens with Kajsa on the phone while the dog eats her wallet and the children run wildly around her, interrupting her, wiping noses on her sleeve, using up all the kitchen roll and then eventually causing her to drop her phone on the floor so the battery rolls out. We've all been there. And to be honest, it's no wonder Kajsa only ever gets half the gist of what anyone is saying to her!

Loreskar's writing is very witty. It is well observed. I could hear the voices of each character - particularly the mother in law who despite her flaws, actually becomes one of the most likeable characters at the end. There is a lot of dialogue which is very well presented through email, text and disjointed conversations. The novel is a bit like a diary form, sections often headed up with the time and this also creates a great pace and a sense of urgency - or panic! It also keeps the tone informal and helps the reader form a relationship with Kajsa.

There are a lot of lists used by Kajsa which are hilarious but also mean the reader rips through the pages as the writing is stripped back so it is almost like a stage monologue at a times. Often her list starts off as a series of observations or explanations about a character's situation or a way of thinking through her current dilemma but then they often wander off into her random thoughts. I liked this way of showing the character and again, it mimics Kajsa's frenetic life.

1. And here I'm sitting.
2. On a Saturday evening.
3. Alone, apart from three sleeping children and a snoring dog snuggled up in my lap. 
4. Who was it that reordered the universe?
5. And made me single?

There is also an element of fantasy as Kajsa arrives in London and meets the very handsome Brad. The reader does have to stretch their imagination a little bit with some of the things that happen to Kajsa but then why not? This is a fun story, a story that is heartwarming and seeks happy endings. It is like watching a good movie on a Friday night and as the reader is rooting for Kajsa all the way along anyway, we're not going to begrudge her anything!

The characters all learn, grow and develop through the story and there are some serious elements to the plot but generally this is read that will make you smile, nod in agreement, snort in recognition of some of the events or relationships and leave you feeling like you have had a well deserved dose of good fun which is definitely something the doctor ordered!

A refreshing burst of fun and a quick, enjoyable, humorous read!

The Queen of New Beginnings is published by Bombshell Books on 10th August 2017.

Don't forget to follow the rest of the Blog Tour and catch up with any stops you've missed!

THERESE LORESKAR 

Therese Loreskär started her writing career in 2010 and self-published her first novel which quickly sold out. In 2014 she signed up to a publishing house and her novel "The Queen of Blogging” was released. People referred to the book as a modern “Bridget Jones” and couldn’t get enough of the main character, Kajsa. The next book “The Queen of Blogging 2” was released shortly after and also received lots of praise!

Therese has since published 4 bestselling children’s books, “The Queen of Blogging 1 & 2” have also been recorded and launched as audiobooks in addition to paperbacks in Sweden. Her biggest dream is to have “The Queen of Blogging series” made into films, and she secretly keeps a list in an old drawer of presumptive actors that would do the characters in her books justice.

Therese lives in the countryside along the west coast of Sweden. She has a rather big and busy household, with (one) husband, two children, one deaf cat, five hamsters and a grandmother. When she’s not busy making up stories and writing silly things, she enjoys the nature, people, history, redecorating the house without asking anyone for permission, and all other kinds of creativity.

For more recommendations and reviews follow me on Twitter @KatherineSunde3 or via my blog bibliomaniacuk.blogspot.co.uk or website bibliomaniacuk.co.uk 

#Yesterday #FeliciaYap #Review

*My thanks to the publisher from whom I received this book in return for an unbiased and honest review*

So this seems to be one of the most talked about books of not only yesterday but also today, tomorrow and undoubtedly every day for many months to come - and not because we're Monos or Duos and only retain details of the last 24 or 48 hours, but because Felicia Yap has written a high concept, highly engaging novel which challenges and engages the reader from the first page until the last. It's not a book you're going to forget in a hurry!

How would it feel if you could only remember the last 24 hours? Welcome to a parallel dystopian world Yap has created where there are only two types of people - those that remember yesterday, and those who remember the day before as well. Each morning you start the day by reading your diary entry to tell yourself the facts about who you are and what you do. But what about when the police arrive at your front door because a dead body has been found? And what if the police claim it is the body of your husband's mistress. And that they think she was killed two days ago? A day now lost to your memory and the only way you can tell what you were doing is by reading your diary......

Not only is the premise of this novel -where people have no memory once they reach adulthood- fascinating in its own right, a big enough hook in itself perhaps, this is also a murder story! What makes this book stand out from other crime thrillers is that the police, and the characters, are all so unreliable - they have their official iDiary's with the 'facts' of their days recorded but how can they really solve such a mystery if they repeatedly lose their memories, thoughts, conclusions and discoveries? Without clear memories then there is too much potential for secrets, lies and hidden pasts. It's a great idea for a novel and one that is going to capture the imagination of any reader.

Yesterday opens with a prologue which seems to talk directly to the reader with the use of the second person and "You". The voice is punchy, direct, challenging and establishes tension, a sense of unhappiness and pending threat. It was a great way of throwing the reader into the story with an anonymous voice who raises numerous questions for the reader. Speaking so directly to the reader also forces them to take note and sit up straight as they feel involved and it's clear this is a book that is going to make the reader work as hard as the characters to figure out the truth.

There are multiple narrative voices in the novel which alternate through the book. Each voice is very distinctive and each section is clearly labelled with a time, date and the character's name which means the reader is never confused or lost - something that could happen so easily in a book where the protagonists can never remember what is happening to them. But on the other hand, there is a lot to absorb and follow.

In between some of the chapters are extracts taken from one of the character's own novel, Government Policy, Legal Documents, newspapers and various quotes. I enjoyed these  - or perhaps admired is a better word for it! These extracts help to establish Yap's world more clearly and inform the reader of some of the more mechanical or practical details about this society. They also reveal more about some of the characters and the pressures and dynamics between them. Of course, what it also reveals is the depth of Yap's planning, research and imagination! Yap is obviously highly intelligent and therefore even though on the surface this is a murder story which has to be solved in 24 hours before all involved forget what they have discovered, this is actually a very sophisticated novel that raises many issues like truth, control, manipulation and power. And I think Yap has enjoyed creating a whole bunch of legal policy, a whole fictional novel and a whole host of other documents to convey her world to the reader.

Yap creates a vivid image of Cambridge and her characters are three dimensional and complicated; she has a very strong voice and can create scenes and moments effectively and efficiently. I liked the repetition of the word 'fact' which challenges the reader to think about what a fact is, what happens when someone else is telling you the facts and whether we are defined by facts or by feelings. Claire's emotional and mental state of mind is controlled by the facts she has learned and they are the only thing she has to guide her through her days. I also liked that the husband, Mark, always summed up his decisions or thought process by listing 4 options. But there wasn't much else to like about him really!!!

Sophia's diary is a real breath of fresh air and her chapters are full of energy, vigour and emotion. She's a great contrast to the rest of the cast and Yap handles the tension, suspense and suspicion over this character with excellent control and exposition. It also shows off Yap's range of writing and skill as an author. It also injects pace and drama.

There are echoes of The Handmaid's Tale, 1984 and Noughts and Crosses in Yesterday but it still feels like Yap has something new to say and combining the concept of memory loss and a divided society with a murder mystery balances some serious questions with a gripping crime plot.

This book discusses the issues of power, truth, control, marriage, equality, normality and how we can become imprisoned by what we are told to believe about ourselves. It makes the reader think about what we record about ourselves, what facts define us, what we can't change and how we respond to all of this.

It is an impressive debut and Yap is clearly a very talented writer with a vivid imagination. This is a multi layered, complex and clever story which has been meticulously planned so that the overall effect is polished, fluent and completely believable.

As I said, no one will forget Yesterday.

Yesterday was published on 10th August 2017 by Wildfire.

For more recommendations and reviews follow me on Twitter @KatherineSunde3 or via my blog bibliomaniacuk.blogspot.co.uk or website bibliomaniacuk.co.uk

#RichardAndJudy #Autumn2017 #AmReading

The Richard and Judy Autumn Reads have been announced and wow, what a list! I have read four of the titles and gave three of them 5 star ratings and one of them 4 stars so I think this is a truly excellent selection too pick your next read from - I'm just glad I don't have to pick an overall winner!!

Here are my reviews in case you want to see my thoughts when I read the books earlier in the year......

There is definitely great depth to this novel, it is ultimately a very gripping read about memory, fault, blame, guilt, trust and betrayal. 

This complex novel includes four different narratives and also shifts between past and present day as the reader learns about the events from the point of view of each member of the family. It is about betrayal, love, families and guilt and raises plenty of challenging points as well as just being an exciting read. It is compelling and if you enjoyed The Good Girl you are in for another treat! 

Read my full review of The Betrayals Here

With echoes of Agatha Christie this is a delicious crime novel set in 1939 and vividly brought to life with beautiful writing and great characters. 

Obviously I don't have favourites and would never want to show bias, but, theoretically if I did, then this might be my top pick from this selection! And I would definitely recommend that you start with it! This novel is so absorbing, immersive, well written and compelling you will be totally swept up in it for the whole duration of the cruise on which the story is all about. 

I also chose this for my Bibliomaniac's Book Club so don't forget to look that up if you want further ideas.....!

Read my review of A Dangerous Crossing Here

This is a engrossing novel with which I became entranced by from the first page. The characters are compelling, beautiful, mysterious and disturbing. It is a mesmerising tale of a family who are bound by love, by hatred, by desperation, by secrets, by obsession. It is a story that haunts you while you are reading and then haunts you for days after. I want to read it again. And again.

There was a slight marmite reaction to this book in the blogging world but I adored it. It is eerie, unsettling, disturbing and at times very difficult to read but it is incredibly well written and the characters are just so well crafted it is well worth giving it a go. There is a dual timeline and the two stories are very cleverly weaved together. The characters are truly fascinating and there is a hint of the gothic about the tale as well as a coming of age theme and also the exploration of a dysfunctional family. Impressive.

Read my full review of The Roanoke Girls Here

I really enjoyed this read and was hugely impressed by the author's writing. Land's has managed to construct a very disturbing and complex character with a voice that will send chills down your spine long after you've finished the last line. There is something deliciously dark and truly thrilling about this novel. Read it. If you dare.

Need I say any more? This is an outstanding read with a chilling premise. Highly original and gripping reading. If you are brave enough, you will absolutely love it! A fantastic thriller! 

Bibliomaniac's Review of Good Me Bad Me

For more recommendations and reviews follow me on Twitter @KatherineSunde3 or via my blog bibliomaniacuk.blogspot.co.uk or website bibliomaniacuk.co.uk

Eventbrite link to buy Tickets

#CrimeFictionRoundUp #AmListening #ReviewersRecommendations

CRIME FICTION ROUND UP

What's being recommended this week?

I've been listening to the Phil William's show on Radio 5 Live because last night Arifa Akbar and Barry Forshaw were discussing their latest recommendations..... And they came up with some fascinating reads! 

I now have an even longer TBR list! Some of the books they mentioned were already on my list, some I had heard of and some I had to order on Amazon as soon as they started talking about them! There's a great mix of classic crime, crime out this year and one or two still to come in the Autumn. 

If you missed the show you can listen here (the bookish chat is about 2hrs 18min into the show) or have a look below at a few highlights from the show and the books which are now on my TBR list after hearing Phil, Arifa and Barry talk about them! 

What do you think? Would you recommend? Will you be adding to your TBR pile?

The links below will take you to Goodreads to find out more! 

Elmet

A Talent for Murder

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

You Don't Know Me

Gaudy Night

Men Without Women

The Dry

The Girl Who Takes An Eye For An Eye

Two Kinds of Truth

One of Barry's top recommendations was Dodgers by Bill Beverly. I have read this and highly recommend this - I met Bill at Crime Fest and he is a really lovely, interesting person and this good definitely deserves all the awards and accolade it has received!

Dodgers

Happy Reading! 

For more recommendations and reviews follow me on Twitter @KatherineSunde3 or via my website bibliomaniacuk.co.uk 

#BibliomaniacsBookShelves #SummerReading

When everything is gone, and the future abandoned, what remains for us?

This is a story about Anna, abandoned in a world that has been ravaged by a virus which has killed all the grown ups. Left looking after her brother, scavenging for food, water and survival, she sets off on a journey desperately seeking someone that will have a cure.

It feels strange to say I enjoyed this novel which is so full of terrifying events and graphic descriptions of a world that is rotting but I did. Anna is quite an extraordinary book; a dystopian novel set in the not too far future in a world without grown ups. 

The opening rips the reader out the security of their armchair and throws them headlong into a scene that is more terrifying than any horror film I have seen. The imagery and chilling atmosphere is highly effective and despite the horror, it is compelling reading and stunning writing. We are pulled into a mysterious setting of "crackling neon lights", dimly lit corridors and bodies strewn in unnatural positions indicating painful, reluctant deaths. 

We then move forward four years and meet Anna, our young protagonist, and to an equally frightening scene as she is chased by a dog. It's a bit relentless but the detailed description means the story is very easy to visualise. The reader uses the clues, hints and reactions of Anna to try and determine what is happening to her and what kind of society she is having to operate within. There are plenty of ominous statements like "Cold things had disappeared with the Grown-ups" and a huge sense of foreboding and hopelessness. 

The story is told through Anna's point of view but I did find the flashbacks to Anna's moments with her mother just before she died powerful and poignant. The extracts from her mother's notebook with instructions telling the children how they can try to survive once she is dead were particularly moving. The writing itself for these sections was very practical and yet evoked a sense of desperation. They reflected the full impact of the outbreak of the virus on the world. Anna clings to these pages like a Bible, a litany and the only way she has of connecting with her mother. It's heartbreaking to think of a mother's last words to her children being about how to 'live in the dark' and her knowledge that she was deserting them to a world that was crumbling around them is conveyed well.

Once Anna has set off on her journey the pace picks up and with more characters, more drama, more interaction and more dangerous situations emerging; the novel becomes more action driven. Essentially though, for me this book was about the characters. I was fascinated by Anna's mother and was liked how her presence, influence and own back story was weaved in and out of the present moment. All the key characters were well crafted and easy to picture and hear speaking. 

The high quality prose is sustained throughout the whole book. It is always lyrical and full of captivating imagery despite the bleak, dystopian setting. There is a often a weighty sense of silence and darkness and it is quite an oppressive read in places. But Ammaniti's polished, accomplished writing is exquisite and always eloquent. I enjoyed this novel. It was a challenging read but a rewarding one. 

Anna was published by Canongate on 3rd August 2017



A retired couple, Gerry and Stella Gilmore, fly from their home in Scotland to Amsterdam for a long weekend. A holiday to refresh the senses, to do some sightseeing and generally to take stock of what remains of their lives. Their relationship seems safe, easy, familiar – but over the course of the four days we discover the deep uncertainties which exist between them.


MacLaverty is a fantastic writer who is able to capture the human condition and the internal struggles of a person with a deft and accomplished hand. His writing is exquisite and eloquent, lyrical and memorable. It is understated yet full of resonance and the simple thoughts, observations and comments by the characters actually are powerful and moving. His observations about the interactions between people capture each nuance, the things unsaid or the things which trigger a thought process and each is caught and handled with a subtle and deft touch. I especially enjoyed his dialogue between Gerry and Stella and often reread their short, candid responses to each other that reflected a lifetime together, a lifetime of routine, living so closely together and love. 

There isn't much I want to say about this novel - not because there isn't anything to say, quite the contrary, but this is novel that is slow, subtle, mesmerising and to be savoured. It takes place over four days as Gerry and Stella take a break in Amsterdam and at first recounts the minutia of their days but gradually, through a variety of incidents that occur while they are exploring the city, set them both individually on a journey of self analysis. More and more is revealed about the complexities of their marriage. More and more is revealed about them, their aspirations, regrets, fears and how they are haunted by past events or past expectations. 

Midwinter Break is not for readers looking for a plot twist, a shocking reveal or a sentimental journey. It is for readers that like a story that seems like a simple retelling of a trip away but actually raises emotional, thought provoking questions for the characters and actually tells a story that is much more profound than it first appears. It is for lovers of language, effortless prose, well structured, elegant characterisation and for those who like to dawdle, consider and feel.

Midwinter Break was published by Vintage Digital on 3rd August 2017. 





This story is based on a premise that will send a chill through any parent's bones. Your baby's wrist gets broken... how did it happen and who is to blame? There is plenty of tension and heartache in this novel as the pain, remorse and guilt felt by each parent, Richard and Sally, and Richard's teenage daughter from a previous marriage, gradually intensifies as the reader tries to work out who to believe and who to trust. It seems everyone could be culpable which not only makes for a dramatic storyline but also a narrative which constantly challenges the reader's judgements.

I enjoyed the concept and thought it was a brave and highly emotive topic to pick - definitely one of those "what if" scenarios which appeals to that rather vicarious nature we have as humans. I also enjoyed the fact that the novel looks at how people behave under immense pressure, how fragile a family unit can be and how people living under the same roof can actually be so out of touch with each other. There is a lot about the overwhelming love a parent has for their child and the impact of a new baby on a marriage - and a step child.

I thought Barnard captured Sally's exhaustion, her dilemmas and guilt about parenthood and her feeling of inadequacy in comparison to her husband's ex wife well and she was a character who was easy to feel sympathy for. I thought Martha's character (the step daughter) was also well depicted; caught on the cusp of adulthood trying to work out peer groups, popularity, love as well as negotiating the dangers of social media. However, I disliked Richard - I think this was the author's intention, as there didn't feel he had much to redeem himself with! But it is always good to have an emotional reaction to a character whether it was intended or not - this in itself shows the writer's skill and craft! It was good to have three characters to follow and the sub plots and different narratives were drawn together well to ensure a dramatic conclusion.

As this is an honest review I'm afraid I do have to be honest.... unfortunately for me, there were a few things that I felt were perhaps a bit cliched and might have been more interesting had they been left out, but that is only my opinion and I wouldn't want to deter anyone else from picking this book up.

I can see that Hush Little Baby will provoke interesting conversations over a cuppa, a bottle of wine and in a book club. It's a solid psychological thriller and a chilling example of domestic noir.

Hush Little Baby is published by Ebury Press on 10th August 2017.



From The Shadows is the perfect title for this new crime series as it is all about what lurks in the shadows and believe me, you won't be turning any lights off ever again once you've read this book - just as you will never get into bed again without checking underneath it first! 

This book has some truly terrifying scenes in it! I loved the anonymous voice that was so deeply threatening and chilled me in the same way the TV series The Fall had with a character who lurks, follows, stalks, sneaks through your stuff, living in the shadows of your life and your home. Shudder. The author had evoked these scenes so effectively that it was like watching an 18 rated movie and the attention to detail meant it was impossible not to visualise what was happening or feel a tingle all down your spine every time this narrative voice intruded into the story. 

But this is not just a murder mystery story, this is a legal thriller and White introduces us to his new protagonist Dan Grant, a defence lawyer. Dan Grant has inherited a case at the last minute and the reader realises very early on that Dan is a lawyer who will stop at nothing and he will follow the evidence to wherever it may lead him and whatever the risk. I don't read a lot of legal thrillers about lawyers and court cases so to me, this character felt refreshing and suitably maverick while still feeing believable. I liked him.

His investigator,  Jayne is also an original character - she's not what you would expect, she is scruffy, downbeat and with a shocking backstory but she is full of grit and very committed to her work. They made a good pairing and from the outset White has established an intriguing plot, set of characters and raised plenty of questions to keep the reader turning the page. 

This is a very readable, enjoyable legal thriller. There is a lot of information at the beginning and a lot of information about the murder, Jayne's past, Dan's colleagues, the defendant and a whole host of conflicting motives and evidence which the reader has to take on board but this also prepares the reader for the fast paced, gripping story that develops. For fans of this genre it will not disappoint!

From The Shadows is published by Bonnier Zaffre on 10th August 2017. 



"If you want to discover Paris, it's better to sit on one of the city's benches. From there you can study several million people trying to find their place in life." 

This is what Mancebo does, sits outside his shop watching the world everyday - "unconsciously registering everything that goes on in the street." Then one evening, in the wind and rain, a woman appears in the shop - in passages that reminded me of Rapunzel, Snow White and some disney  / dahl mash up fairy tale - and asks him to spy on her husband. Why pay a detective when Mancebo sits opposite the building in which her husband frequents, watching everything that goes on? Why pay a detective when Mancebo would be the last person anyone would ever suspect of spying? He says yes. Why not? 

Then there's Helena, sitting in a cafe and as a joke, or out of boredom, she finds herself engaging in a exchange with a strange man who is furtively seeking out someone for some kind of purpose that appears very mysterious. She doesn't really believe he'll fall for her claim that she is the person he has been sent to meet and it really starts out as a game to see how long she can play along with him but it's amazing how convincing she can be based on such a limited conversation! Before she knows it, she finds herself accompanying him to an office building, being given her own office space and paid money to forward emails that are all written in code. 

I was intrigued by this set up, and I was taken with these characters and what was going on immediately!  I enjoyed the gentle, humorous lilt of the author's writing as she described the characters, their internal thoughts, relationships and decisions. And I enjoyed the setting which was wonderfully evoked. 

It is told in alternating points of view and alternating story lines which weave themselves together as the story line evolves. It did take me a while to acclimatise to the different voices as the narrative switches quite sharply but as one is in third person and one first, one male and one female, there is enough to differentiate the voices. After initially settling in to the story with Mancebo so easily perhaps I was a little jolted by the introduction of the second thread but with a little more perseverance and concentration, I was caught up in the story once more.

I think the thing I enjoyed the most though was the writing style. The prose is understated but simultaneously arresting and evocative, if that is possible!  Rostland is able to convey the sights, smell, touch and sounds of the city, the characters, their environments, the situations they find themselves in with a deft hand and I found it a real treat to read such well crafted prose. There were a few lines that really stood out and really showed some nice observations about the characters. 

Waiting for Monsieur Bellivier will be enjoyed by readers who enjoy literary fiction and is published by Orion on 10th August 2017.



So one day you pack your bag, get on a plane and go to New York. New York, new start. New York, new start. Say it enough and it might happen, but how easy is it to run away from your problems and grief and start somewhere new? 

Not that easy, especially when you are Caitlin and you've never done anything like this before. But then she meets Jake and feels like suddenly there might be a reason to stay after all. He even wants to take her away to the Lake to meet his family. So why not? I mean, it does sound like something out of a horror movie but Caitlin tells him this and quizzes him on whether she is his final victim. He claims this is not the case in his quiet, withdrawn but seemingly harmless manner. .......

This isn't a horror movie and Caitlin isn't Jake's final victim - well, that's not strictly true..... but the fate awaiting Caitlin isn't anything like the fate she feared. It's a lot lot worse. 

I enjoyed this story and I enjoyed Caitlin's character. She appears strong and savvy but actually is broken and vulnerable. She yearns for the peace, solace and space that the commune Jake has brought her to by the lake appears to offer. She is even willing to take part in some therapy and confront some of the issues that are haunting her night and day. But as the days continue, it becomes clear that actually Caitlin is not safe here and it is not going to be 'fine'. 

The author has really exploited the idea of control, sleep, nightmares, waking dreams, fugues and psychosis here. I knew that I couldn't quite trust what was going on and I had suspicions about what might be going on but I was entranced by the spell binding power of the writing in the same way that the members of the commune are caught up in the power of their leaders. The use of flashback, memories and mantras to emphasise Caitlin's fragile state of mind, and her familiarity with mental health, are cleverly interwoven into the story so that the reader feels they are losing a grip on their sanity as much as Caitlin is. 

This is a quick read, thankfully, as it is pretty intense and I think reading in one go meant I was really immersed in the mind of Caitlin. I thought this book raised a lot of questions about therapy, healing, what is real, what is perceived to be real and how we try to find ourselves when we are lost. 

It's a menacing tale and the author has created a novel full of suspense, tension, with tautly controlled moments of anxiety, fear and threat. A chilling read and also a thought provoking one.

The Room by the Lake is published on 10th August 2017 by Head of Zeus. 


For more recommendations and reviews follow me on Twitter @KatherineSunde3 or via my website bibliomaniacuk.co.uk