#Extract #CoverReveal #ThePerfectGirlfriend #KarenHamilton

Look out look out, 

this is going to be one of the must read thrillers of 2018!!

Not out until March 2018, here's a sneak peak of the brand new cover for

THE PERFECT GIRLFRIEND by KAREN HAMILTON! 

Karen Hamilton's THE PERFECT GIRLFRIEND is a frightening depiction of unbridled obsession, where love and pure hatred grapple on a knife edge. The perfect new psychological thriller for fans of The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl.

Juliette loves Nate.

She will follow him anywhere. She's even become a flight

attendant for his airline, so she can keep a closer eye on him.

They are meant to be.

The fact that Nate broke up with her six months ago means nothing.

Because Juliette has a plan to win him back.

She is the perfect girlfriend.

And she'll make sure no one stops her from

getting exactly what she wants.

True love hurts, but Juliette knows it's worth all the pain...


AND WHAT DOES BIBLIOMANIAC THINK?

I was thrilled to receive a super advance copy of this from the publishers - here's a little extract from my review which will be coming in full nearer publication time! 

This is a deliciously dark, slow burner of a novel which gradually unveils the lengths the narrator  is prepared to go to in order to win back boyfriend Nate who broke up with her six months ago.  She has a plan. She has time. She has considered all eventualities. She will win him back and have the perfect boyfriend and the perfect life which is all that she, the perfect girlfriend, deserves. 

This novel is a bold piece of fiction relying on a protagonist who is unlikeable, relentless in her pursuit of her goal, fuelled by revenge and bitterness and yet with a voice that grabs you, holds you and doesn’t set you down again until you have survived the journey to the last page. Juliette is a captivating character whose observations, comments, unfailing self belief and sharp one liners make her a narrator that the reader develops a strong relationship with despite her screwed up motives and terrible behaviour. 

I was hooked from the first moment the story took flight and despite a nauseating travel sickness that hung over every page as the true direction of the passengers was revealed, it was an exhilarating ride! Despite the fear, danger and moments of horror, I wouldn’t hesitate to jump on the next flight as long as Hamilton was in the pilot’s seat.

Grab this book, fasten your seat belt and prepare for take off. You don’t need to know your destination or route. Trust Hamilton and trust me, this is a book that you are going to want to read and a ride that will take you days to recover from.

And if you can not wait until March to read this excellent, chilling and compelling thriller, then here's an extract to tempt you even more! Click on the link below!

EXTRACT


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

Bibliomaniac's Book Shelf: My Week in Books -10th Sept 2017

MY WEEK IN BOOKS! 

10th Sept 2017 

Welcome to my weekly round up all with the latest news from my bookshelves!

IF YOU ONLY HAVE TIME FOR ONE BOOK ...

THE DOLL HOUSE by PHOEBE MORGAN

You never know who’s watching…

Corinne’s life might look perfect on the outside, but after three failed IVF attempts it’s her last chance to have a baby. And when she finds a tiny part of a doll house outside her flat, it feels as if it’s a sign.

But as more pieces begin to turn up, Corinne realises that they are far too familiar. Someone knows about the miniature rocking horse and the little doll with its red velvet dress. Someone has been inside her house…

How does the stranger know so much about her life? How long have they been watching? And what are they waiting for…?

You'll have to wait until the 22nd Sept to read my review of this but The Doll House is published on 14th September and I would highly recommend that you preorder it or pop it on your wish list! Gripping, fast paced and chilling storyline, this is a great psychological thriller for the Autumn. 

OTHER BOOKS I HAVE READ THIS WEEK:

THE BREAK by MARIAN KEYES

Ah, who doesn't love a Marian Keyes? It's been years since I read one of her books and over the summer I felt like having a little rest from crime and thrillers with a novel I knew would make me laugh, brighten my day with lots of colourful characters and also give me a story full of heart. My thanks to the publisher for an advance copy via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

"Amy and Hugh are psyched to share a thrilling new phase of their marriage: a six month sabbatical where they explore separate timelines in order to reconnect in and even more loving and loyal partnership. Yeah, and all you suckers with your linear, monogamous marriages should feel embarrassed. No need to pity Amy. Instead you should envy her." 

Of course, this isn't what Amy actually posts on Facebook when her husband announces he wants to take a six month break from their marriage (and children) and travel the world, but it sums up her sense of humour, fear of judgement from her peer group and confusion about what is happening to her and how she will ever get through it. 

At 400 pages this is a whopper of a book but Keyes' lively, colloquial, humorous and witty prose means it is in no way a chore; in fact the pages fly by as you become caught up in the freneticity of her life, the chaos of her extended family and the emotional situations she finds herself in as she  supports her daughters through their own challenges and life changing moments. 

I'd love to hear this as an audio book - or a film. Amy's comments and internal thoughts are so well captured and you can't help but be drawn to her character. The beginning of the novel allows Amy to reflect on her marriage and chat about her mixed feelings as her husband prepares to leave. 

"He wants to self actualize." 

"Self actualize?" Petra is so scornful that I think I'd better drop that line.

Despite the fact that this is a lighthearted read with plenty to entertain and enjoy, Keyes does raise some interesting themes. Her musings on Amy's marriage, the kind of woman she has become during her marriage to Hugh (no longer self reliant and now just someone defined by her relationship and marital status) and the emotional journey she finds herself travelling along in his absence is thoughtfully developed. There were some great passages about 'personal growth' and general observations about women, mothers and wives. 

In the second half of the book there are some very emotive themes which are handled with equal thoughtfulness, insightfulness and sensitivity. There are also references to topical issues like social media showing Keyes' understanding of the modern day pressures on young women and parents. The relationships between Amy and her daughters is beautifully articulated and again raises issues about single parenting and absent parents. 

You know what you are going to get with a Marian Keyes book and The Break gives you everything you could wish for. It's entertaining, amusing, sharp, insightful and a great read. It is also full of wisdom and shrewd comments about happiness, fulfilment and love. I recommend! 

 Thanks so much to the publisher for an advance copy of the novel via NetGalley. 

The Break is published by Michael Joseph on 7th Sept 2017.

COPY CAT by ALEX LAKE 

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

I read After Anna a while ago and really enjoyed the story because the ending caught me out and I thought it was a well executed thriller which laid out all the clues, you just had to be looking in the right place. I couldn't wait to read Copy Cat as I was hoping for the same sort of sinister twist where the danger is much closer than you think. I got it. 

Social Media is currently providing authors with a wealth of ideas of sinister possibilities and threatening situations and Copy Cat opens with a Facebook friend request from someone our protagonist Sarah, has not seen for over a decade. And they are not really a friend, just someone they knew at school. So we have seen this before and our mind might leap to some conclusions about the direction of the novel, but bear with because it's not what you think. And it gets a lot worse. 

This isn't just someone sending you notifications on Facebook and trying to drag up a past you need to forget, this is much, much worse. What if someone has set up a Facebook account in your name, that looks like it's yours and includes photos of things you have just done that day with comments you may have just made even though you took no photos and told no one your thoughts? That's right. Terrifying. 

In the past people used tools like spears, guns, weapons and physical strength to destroy someone. Now they use Facebook, twitter, text messages and email. As the eerie, anonymous voice that appears every now and again slotted in between the chapters of Sarah's storyline, explains: the tools have changed but the end game is the same. Destruction. And the more intelligent, cunning, premeditated the perpetrator is, the more danger you face. 

From here on in, things get worse for Sarah. Her friends start receiving emails, texts, messages and updates from her that she knows she didn't send. Messages that land her in trouble and start to destroy every bit of her family's life - and no one believes that she didn't send them. 

I settled into this story straight away. I liked the tone, the narrative voice, the sinister and creepy voice which I couldn't identify and could not guess their true identity which made the ending doubly dramatic and shocking. There's a sense of foreboding and atmosphere of threat throughout the whole novel and it is a great psychological thriller. I enjoyed it! 

Copy Cat was published by Harper Collins on the 5th September 2017.

BLOG TOURS

MARIA IN THE MOON by LOUISE BEECH 

One of my favourites of 2017 this is the story of Catherine who volunteers on the Flood Line Crisis phone lines following the floods in Hull. While working with the victims of the flood, Catherine is also haunted by nightmares and the fact that she has missing memories from her childhood. As the truth gradually reveals itself, Catherine has to confront her past, her family and all she thought she knew. A powerful story and beautifully written. You can read my review & book club questions here.

DEATH WISH by LINDA HUBER

Always a fan of Linda Huber I was delighted to be involved in the Blog Tour for her latest novel Death Wish. It is a thriller which explores families and the impact and consequences of the behaviour of parents as well as exploring some challenging issues about death, illness and grief. 

You can read my review here.

DEATH IN DULWICH by ALICE CASTLE

A great read  - a traditional murder mystery set in contemporary London with a great cast of characters and a very likeable protagonist. Recommend! You can read my review here.

WRITING DIVERSE CHARACTERS by LUCY V HAY

This is a non fiction book which is essential for any author or screenwriter providing invaluable tips, ideas and suggestions for writing diverse characters. You can read my review on the Blog Tour here.

Quite a busy week for the beginning of September but I hope there are a few books here that catch your eye! Hope you've all had a great week and have found lots to read! You can always let me know what you've been reading in the comments below!

AND, FINALLY, IN OTHER BOOKISH NEWS.....

I have another very exciting announcement! This week I started a new job - I am now working at No Exit Press part time!

This is my first ever job in publishing but it has been a dream since I was a teenager and began my love affair with books. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a lovely team of people and can't wait to get fully involved with all their current authors and new titles. 

I am still going to be reading, reviewing and blogging as Bibliomaniac and reading, reviewing blogging and supporting authors, publishers and fellow bloggers as usual but some of you may now be meeting me in a slightly different capacity as well!

An enormous thanks to all the authors, publishers, bloggers and anyone who has liked, tweeted, shared or enjoyed my reviews since I started in January 2016. I am over the moon that it has lead to such an incredible opportunity which I am very excited about! 

And with this as my weekend reading, I'm sure I'm going to love every minute of my new adventure! 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/back-to-the-books-tickets-35451725064

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

#DeathInDulwich #AliceCastle #BlogTour

DEATH IN DULWICH 

by ALICE CASTLE

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

What is it all about?

Thirty-something single mum, Beth Haldane, has her hands full - with a bouncy young son, a haughty cat, a fringe with a mind of its own, and bills to pay. She loves her little home in plush London suburb Dulwich, but life here doesn't come cheap.

She is thrilled to land the post of archivist at top local school, Wyatt's, though she secretly fears she's not up to the job. But even Beth couldn't have imagined how badly things could go, until she discovers a hideous crime and finds herself prime suspect.

Setting out to clear her name, Beth encounters a cast of characters who will follow her through the London Murder Mystery series, proving along the way that the nicest places can hide the nastiest secrets.

What did I think?

 This book was a very enjoyable read with a great mixture of mystery and humour. I enjoyed the modern day setting and the location of the novel and I really enjoyed the main character Beth. It's extremely easy to read and a great book for the winter evenings that will soon be approaching! 

This is a perfect cozy crime novel. It has all the conventions and traits that the reader wants from a cozy crime novel but with added appeal that it is set in contemporary London. Beth is a single parent trying to keep up with the pressures and expectations of her peer group, loving her life in Dulwich but constantly feeling the strains of financially keeping up - or appearing to keep up - with the lifestyle enjoyed by most of the residents there. The pace of the novel is racy enough for us to enjoy the building suspense and tension surrounding the murder, but also gentle enough to enjoy the reflections and digressions about single parenting, motherhood and the life of a thirty something woman. 

The opening was very entertaining and, as with most of the book, reveals the humourous tone of the author's writing. 

"'Fark!' the woman shouted, suddenly, catching sight of the spreading pool of blood and skittering sideways with the trolley. There was a clatter of china and the cigarette fell from her lip, coming to rest about a metre from Dr Jenkins' inert foot. It said a lot for the dinner lady's respect for the dead that she didn't immediately pick it up and pop it back into place."

Beth, who has the very unfortunate experience of discovering the dead body of Dr Jenkins as she arrives for work at the prestigious school, then finds herself in the frame for the murder. Beth is no sleuth but finds herself trying to solve the mystery as quickly as she can before she is framed for the crime herself. Beth's character is so likeable and feels very authentic as she finds herself suddenly sitting in police interviews trying to answer questions that seem to be leading her further and further into a corner. As she sets out to clear her name she gets to know the rest of the members of the school community, a cast of characters who are all colourful, well portrayed and dutifully crafted to distract us, surprise us, entertain us and create plenty of suspense. 

This book works because it is full of all the great 'what ifs' that make it compelling to the reader. What if you had just landed the perfect new job but on your way to your office you find a dead body? What if all you are trying to do was be a good parent to your son and now this is jeopardised? What if  you are suddenly thrown into the role of amateur sleuth? What if you are operating in a school which prides itself on its spotless image and wants to ensure that their reputation and their history is preserved even at the cost of the investigation?

"It was all very well to try and keep things in-house; [Beth] understood the school's need to keep a lid on wild speculations and accusations that could damage its reputation and, heaven forfend, make it less desirable in parents' eyes. But this was murder." 

Castle's creation of Beth as an amateur sleuth is very well executed and she is a very likeable character. As with all well written protagonists, she faces plenty of dilemmas and difficult choices as she adapts to her new role. Beth's dilemma is whether she should do as the school wish and keep things contained and 'sanitised' or whether she should follow her own instinct which is to involve the police and stop the killer who is roaming at large within their own community. She also has the added complications and responsibilities of parenting Ben and the lonely feeling that she is different from the other parents in her peer group as she has to fulfil both roles as mum and dad, be both on the sidelines at football and pushing the swing in the playground. Through Beth, Castle also has a chance to capture some observations about modern day parenting, particularly in the affluent area of Dulwich, including some witty remarks about "4x4s backing perilously down the street" looking like a "camel train swaying into ungainly reverse" and the irrational fear of the knock on impact of the children's late night might lead to reduced school performance, failing entrance exams and a life as a dustman rather than a hedge fund manager! 

All in all, this is an enjoyable read. Easy to pick up, easy to read, plenty to engage with, fun characters who are easy to imagine, well written dialogue and a very real sense of time and place. I recommend it! And as it is part one, I look forward to reading the next instalment on the London Murder Mysteries! 

If you would like to buy a copy of the book then here are the links: 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Dulwich-London-Murder-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B071WSGCQ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504018484&sr=8-1&keywords=death+in+dulwich

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Dulwich-London-Murder-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B071WSGCQ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504018484&sr=8-1&keywords=death+in+dulwich

ALICE CASTLE

Alice Castle had a long career as a feature writer on national newspapers including the Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph before becoming a novelist. After a day writing about her prime suspects, she loves nothing better than curling up with a murder mystery at night. Alice grew up in south London and, after a brief stint in Brussels (where her first novel, Hot Chocolate, is set) she is back where she belongs, dreaming up more adventures for her heroine, amateur detective and single mum Beth Haldane. She is married with two children, two stepchildren and two cats, and writes about parenting on her mummy blog, DD’s Diary www.dulwichdivorcee.com. Her latest book, Death in Dulwich, is being published in September 2017 by Crooked Cat Books

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

#MariaInTheMoon #LouiseBeech #BlogTour

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

Watch out. This book is going to be huge; it's going to be loved by anyone who picks it up, it's one to savour and one that will not easily be forgotten. Maria in the Moon is already receiving huge accolade and praise from early reviewers and it is all deserved. If you haven't read a Louise Beech novel before then make time to settle down and read this one!

Maria in the Moon is the story of Catherine Maria, 32 years old and although usually one for remembering everything, can not remember her ninth year. She suffers from insomnia and is plagued by nightmares when she does sleep. What happened when she was nine? Why can't she remember? And why did her Nanny Eve stop calling her Catherine Maria?

Living in Hull just after the 2007 floods, Catherine decides to volunteer on the phone lines for a flood charity and it is here, by listening to the stories of others, that her own story comes back to haunt her.

This novel is a rollercoaster of emotions and hard to categorise or sum up neatly. It made me smile, laugh, cry and think. I was caught up in the storyline, the characters, the relationships and the backdrop of a real event but I was also mesmerised by the writing style and the powerful prose. Louise Beech has written about "That Day" and the devastation the 2007 flood caused in Hull but she has also written a  about love, grief, trauma, memories and how a shocking revelations can open metaphorical floodgates and cause devastation within a family. 

It's clear that Beech cares about Hull, about the people and the crisis they faced in 2007 as the effects of the flood are depicted with care and detail. Her use of dialogue and reported comments, the conversations she creates all around the characters captures the impact that the flood had on the community. But I think what was interesting is how Beech uses this environmental crisis as a catalyst to explore the subsequent emotional crisis faced by individuals. The floodgates are opened - literally and psychologically and there is no going back. Just as Hull is broken, destroyed, vulnerable and in need of some serious TLC, so to are the characters we meet in this novel. Catherine, our protagonist, volunteers on the phone lines at a Flood Crisis and yet the calls she receives are not just about practicalities and finances, they are about how lives have been changed because of the flood -relationships, revelations, secrets exposed and those who suffer from isolation and loneliness. This leads us seamlessly into the emergence of Catherine's painful and shocking memory and then it is her turn to attempt to come to terms with her past, the terrifying truth and the sudden knowledge that changes everything. 

Beech has a lovely turn of phrase. She captures the nuances of her characters so cleverly with the inclusion of odd throwaway details that reveal real insight and impressive observational skills- both of human behaviour and human emotions. She is also careful about what she doesn't include as much as what she does. This book is about what is not said as much as what is said and this is echoed through the phone calls at the crisis centre with the use of silence, the pauses, the waiting. 

I really loved Catherine. She was funny, sharp, witty, said all the things I wish I could but despite how she might appear, and how she tried to portray herself, she is actually full of love and kindness. I liked the mix of wry humour, the punchy phrases and conversations against the bleakness, the ominous sense of threat and the sadness. The family dynamics are also well evoked and the relationships within Catherine's family so truly portrayed that it is powerful novel. It is impossible not to feel moved by Catherine's relationship with Nanny Eve - that is written with true love. And the final section is so harrowing and painful that you will need tissues at the ready. But despite the huge emotional impact of the novel, Beech's lightness of touch and her use of humour make it an easy read and one that is immediately compelling. Also her ending lines in the penultimate chapter are incredibly heartwarming and  full of hope. 

There is so much I could write about in this review. I loved the exploration of memories and dreams, the imagery, use of water as a metaphor and the descriptions. I loved that it was about Hull's collective memory as well as personal and individual memory. I loved the use of repetition, motifs and key phrases, oh - and names - I haven't even had time to talk about how poignant I found the repetition of names, people's choice of names and the significance of how and who we want to be known. This book is actually very complex and multilayered in a way that is not obvious but the fact that the prose is so absorbing and captivating shows that this author has a real gift for language. 

As I mentioned at the beginning of my review, the reaction from readers is already incredible and they are one hundred percent right in their praise, admiration and affection for this book. I now join them. Outstanding. 

Maria in the Moon is published by Orenda Books on 30th September 2017. 

BIBLIOMANIAC'S BOOK CLUB: QUESTIONS

I think this book would be great for a Book Club read. Here's some questions to get your conversation started - if you need any help that is! 

1. If you were to work at Flood Crisis, what name would you choose to be known by and why? Do any of you have a nick name or a name you are known by within your close family? How do you feel about it? 

2. What insights or messages do you think the author is sharing about families? What values do you think the author feels are important in a family?

3. At the end of the book there is a note explaining that Carrie Martin wrote a song after hearing Louise talk about Maria in the Moon. Listen to the song. Have a chat about the song, it's connection to the book and the relationship between the music and the novel.

4. Music and memories are often very deeply connected. What nursery rhymes, family favourite songs or personal choices would you choose as a soundtrack for your life or immediately connect you with a specific memory?

5. Catherine volunteers for two telephone help lines. What does she claim are her motivations for doing this? What are her actual motivations? What about the other volunteers there? 

6. What did you think about the representation of mothers in the novel?

7. What do you think happens next for Catherine? Will she continue with another job volunteering at a crisis centre or will she move on to something new? 

8. How authentic did you feel the phone calls taken by Flood Line were? What about the responses from the listeners? How good was Catherine at her job?

9. Did you like Catherine Maria? Which characters did you sympathise / like / dislike the most?

10. What challenges do you think the author faced when trying to write about a town affected by flood? How well does she meet these challenges?

LOUISE BEECH 

Louise Beech is an exceptional literary talent, whose debut novel How To Be Brave was a Guardian Readers’ Choice for 2015. The sequel, The Mountain in My Shoe was shortlisted for Not the Booker Prize. Both books have been number one on Kindle, Audible and Kobo in USA/UK/AU. She regularly writes travel pieces for the Hull Daily Mail, where she was a columnist for ten years. Her short fiction has won the Glass Woman Prize, the Eric Hoffer Award for Prose, and the Aesthetica Creative Works competition, as well as shortlisting for the Bridport Prize twice and being published in a variety of UK magazines. Louise lives with her husband and children on the outskirts of Hull – the UK’s 2017 City of Culture – and loves her job as a Front of House Usher at Hull Truck Theatre, where her first play was performed in 2012. She is also part of the Mums’ Army on Lizzie and Carl’s BBC Radio Humberside Breakfast Show.

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