The Thorn of Truth

 

If you enjoyed Sue Russell's The Healing Knife, you'll love this. It's a stand alone book while following on from the Healing Knife in that we find out more about Rachel, Michael and Jasper.

A gentle easy read about barrister Anna Milburn who finds herself wrestling with her conscience - whether to defend a local businessman suspected of being a drug dealer when he is arrested for murdering a policeman. It becomes more and more personal and Anna is worried sick about it putting her only daughter in danger.

The characters are interesting. I enjoyed reading about Anna's work colleagues, especially her clerk of chambers, Janet.

I'm giving it 4 stars.

The Art Fiasco

I love Fiona Veitch Smith's Poppy Denby series and eagerly read her latest novel The Art Fiasco. 

It is set about three years after Poppy's adventures in The Cairo Brief. Poppy is on annual leave, back home in the Newcastle area for her father's 60th birthday. While there she gets involved in famous artist Agnes Robson's art exhibition. But it is far from straightforward. Agnes has a hidden past and local rumour has it that she murdered her art teacher as a youngster and then fled to Paris. Agnes' past has come back to haunt her and before Poppy knows where she is, she is up to her eyes in Agnes' murder investigation.

I very much enjoyed this gentle whodunnit which reminded me of Agatha Christie's writing. The back story is intriguing and the plot engaging. It kept me turning the pages. It was fun to 'meet' the delightful characters of Poppy's friends and colleagues again: Rollo and Yasmin, Delilah, Aunt Dot and Grace, among others.

The ending was reminiscent of Hercule Poirot with the murderer being induced to confess to a select group how and why the murder had been committed. For me, that part was a little weak with unexplained threads but it didn't spoil the book for me.

I have given The Art Fiasco 4* and hope Poppy goes on to have more adventures. I do enjoy Fiona Veitch Smith's books.

Lion Hudson sent me a paperback copy of the book for the purposes of writing an unbiased review.

The Healing Knife

Ms Rachel Keyte is an up and coming cardiothoracic surgeon. 100% focused on her career, she is intent on saving lives, though her bedside manner needs a little work.

When Rachel's senior colleague has a bicycle accident, she is asked to cover an urgent operation on a young teenage boy. What should have been fairly routine open heart surgery turns into tragedy and the boy dies in ITU. His obsessive mother loses her mind with grief and blames Rachel for his death. The mother vows to make Rachel physically feel the pain she is going through.

Various unpleasant things happen to Rachel that she suspects are due to the grieving, demented mother. In the end she is forced to move to another hospital for her own safety. Except she isn't safe....

The obsessive mother is determined to have her revenge on Rachel and finally succeeds.

Will Rachel's physical wounds heal well enough for her to continue her surgical career? What about her mental and emotional scars? As Rachel's past finally catches up with her, will she be able to face it? And will she ever be able to forgive?

I couldn't put this book down from the opening sentence to the final word. It is intriguing and satisfying. Being a medical secretary I particularly enjoyed the occasional jargon that was dropped in here and there.

I'm awarding 4* to this Christian fiction novel and will look out for more of Sue Russell's books.

Devices and Desires

This is my favourite PD James' book to date.

There is a mass murderer on the loose in Norfolk, nicknamed 'The Whistler' because of his eerie whistling as he strangles his victims and stuffs their mouths with their hair.

Local police are stumped and East Anglian women are not safe to be out alone at night.

We are introduced to an intriguing set of very different characters living in a remote corner of this rural county. The nuclear power station overshadows everything and casts its own atmosphere through the story.

Adam Dalgliesh is on leave from the Met police and, while not actively involved in the case, does play his part.

All sorts of secrets are unearthed within this quiet community as the police hunt for the murderer. But then one night it becomes chillingly apparent that there is more than one killer on the loose....

I found it hard to put this book down and loved the different threads of characters' lives and secrets running through it. I'm happy to award it 5*.

It Started with a Tweet

I borrowed this from my local library a couple of months ago; I was looking for something I'd not read before and was attracted by the title. I enjoyed it so much that when I spotted it in a bookshop recently, I squeaked with excitement and bought it.

Each chapter is headed with, 'Time since last Internet usage:  '.  Initially the time is in seconds but as the book goes on this changes.

It opens with social media addict Daisy on a hen do. She comes across as fun, overworked and shallow, living her busy London life through her social media accounts. Until she accidentally sends a very personal and inappropriate tweet from her work Twitter account. She gets the retweets and likes she's been craving... along with a deluge of unwanted attention and the prompt termination of her employment in a social media marketing agency.

At this point her older sister swoops in and carries her off to North Yorkshire for a social media detox which involves tossing both their mobile phones down a well.

During her detox, Daisy rediscovers the satisfaction of being present, of living life here and now rather than through her phone. She realises she doesn't have to tweet and Instagram every single mundane moment of her day: who cares what she's eating for breakfast?

This is a funny book with plenty of laugh out loud moments. Though lighthearted it's not frivolous: it makes the reader re-evaluate how we use social media and how easy it is to get addicted to our smartphones.

It's a brilliant read and I'm happy to award it 5*.

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

I do enjoy PD James' writing; it's like a cross between Colin Dexter's Morse and Agatha Christie - win, win.

This is the story of Cordelia Gray, the junior partner of a private detective agency. It is her first case since her senior partner's death and she has to rely on her wits and instinct as well as everything Bernie had taught her.

Sir Ronald Callender asks Cordelia to investigate the apparent suicide of his son Mark. (This is the days before the internet and it made me realise afresh how time-consuming it was to look up information without having Google and Bing at our fingertips.)

Cordelia slowly pieces together the last days and hours of Mark's life, refusing to be put off by lies and threats.

As per usual for me, I did not anticipate the end of the story at all. Lots of plot twists to keep me turning the pages. I even stayed up till the early hours one night as I couldn't bear to leave the book unfinished. Even when Cordelia discovers the whole story about Mark's death and the case appears to be closed, there is more to come....

I am happy to award this book 4*.

A Ration Book Christmas

I'm always fascinated to read about WWII and the 'spirit of the Blitz'. This was an enjoyable book featuring main character feisty teenager Jo Brogan.

Jo was evacuated to the country with her young brother. She blamed her sister Mattie for being sent away, thinking Mattie had told Mum about Jo kissing Tommy Sweete. The Sweetes were local petty criminals.

When Jo stops receiving letters from Tommy, she runs away back to London with her young brother. She has to find out why he has stopped writing.

But Tommy thinks she has stopped writing to him and there is a lot of misunderstanding and emotion before things get sorted between them.

Meanwhile, Tommy with his brother and brother's mates sign up to rescue bombed out victims from crumbling buildings. Chiefly so that his brother can look out for valuables to steal. And Jo signs up for ambulance duty.

There is also an interesting plotline around Jo's married older sisters: Mattie is heavily pregnant and there is mystery surrounding her absent husband. Cathy is trying to keep quiet about her husband being in prison for helping Nazi spies.

It was a pleasant read though felt a little predictable in places. I've awarded it 3*.

The Yorkshire Pudding Club

If you've ever read and enjoyed The Fat Ladies Club, you'll like Milly Johnson's fictional The Yorkshire Pudding Club.

The three main characters are: quiet but determined Helen, career-woman Janey and emotionally-complicated Elizabeth. They are best friends who all fall unexpectedly pregnant within days of each other.

Since they are all in their late thirties, one might assume they'd be delighted. But it's not as simple as that.

Helen is desperate for a baby but is worried about her husband who seems less than pleased. Stuck in an unhappy and abusive marriage, how can Helen protect herself and her baby?

Janey's husband is ecstatic - if slightly burdened by guilt - that he is going to become a father. But for Janey, this pregnancy has come at a bad time since she is up for her dream promotion. She doesn't want to spoil her husband's delight in the baby but is unable to share in it.

Elizabeth is consumed with fear that she won't be able to love her baby since she knows so little about love herself after an unhappy childhood. She is determined to push everyone away and remain fiercely independent. Until the return of an old friend who somehow manages to slip through some of her barriers.

In different ways, all three women find themselves empowered by their pregnancies. As their boobs and bumps get bigger, so does their confidence in who they are as women.

I loved this book which is both funny and sad, sensitively touching on some difficult issues without being overshadowed by them. It's a great read and I'm happy to award it 4*.

She was the Quiet One

Another fabulous thriller from Michele Campbell. This was one of those books where I got immersed in its world and its characters seemed real. I wanted justice to be done and didn't want the murderer to get away with it.

The lives of twins Rose and Bel and teacher couple Heath and Sarah become entwined when the girls arrive at Odell, an exclusive boarding school.

Rose is the quiet twin who abides by the rules and gets frustrated and angry with her sister who is - shall we say - rather less law-abiding.

Bel falls in with the noxious privileged rich kids straightaway which leads her directly into one nasty prank after another.

Heath and Sarah are their dorm parents, with Heath caring for Bel who is struggling to come to terms with their mother's recent death. Sarah takes on Rose and encourages her to keep an eye on her troubled twin, though this leads to nothing but trouble for Rose.

Heath and Sarah appear to have a perfect loving marriage with two adorable young children and a dog. Heath is ambitious and has his eyes fixed on becoming headmaster. Sarah longs for Heath to believe in himself and succeed. But ugly rumours going around the school could scupper their happy life and future dreams.

As per usual, this book kept me guessing:  initially, who was going to be the murder victim? And then, who's the murderer? First I thought it this character, then that. Lots of tension. Right at the end, there was an unexpected twist I didn't see coming.

If this was made into a television drama or film, there'd be lots of dramatic music, build-up and psychological tension. A real nail-biting plot.

Michele Campbell has become one of my favourite authors, alongside John Grisham and Lee Child. I'm delighted to award this book 5*.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

I'm a fan of the DVD so was excited to read the book. It's a fun account of a number of retired people who decide against going to a 'home' in the UK but choose to go to a hotel in India instead.

There's a real mix of characters, all with different stories, including a retired BBC career woman, a middle class couple who are very well-travelled, a randy elderly man, and a working class pensioner from the East End who has been mugged.

The one thing they all have in common is the loneliness of old age. Some hide it better than others, but it's ever present.

Thrown together at the Marigold Hotel, they form a tight knit community where they are free to be themselves.

Hinduism is mentioned from time-to-time but not in a way that is uncomfortable or intrusive to the story line.

I'm glad I saw the film before reading the book (I pretty-much always prefer book over film).

It was an enjoyable read and I'm happy to award it 4*.

Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas

I loved Adam Kay's first book This is Going to Hurt and found it literally laugh out loud funny so I couldn't wait to get my hands on his second book.

Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas is also full of funny stories. There were lots of delightful accounts of the eye-watering things people do to themselves before ending up in A&E; guaranteed to make you wince.

Adam Kay explains medical terms as he goes along so that neither the jargon nor the explanation get in the way of the story.

I absolutely loved his first book but in this book it felt like he'd really found his feet and was comfortable to be a little more vulnerable. As though he was sharing more of himself. I liked that. There is one particular, quite harrowing, reminder that doctors are very human and often have to face horrendous things in order to save their patients.

For me, there is a certain amount of nostalgia in reading Adam Kay's books. I worked as an NHS medical secretary for more than a decade and enjoyed being part of the team. It felt an honour when junior doctors took a few minutes to relax in my office and share their triumphs and woes and stresses.

The NHS is extremely demanding and it was usual for many medical secretaries, like the junior doctors and nurses, to put in a tonne of extra hours every week in order to keep things ticking over. We ENT secretaries frequently worked bank holidays and Saturdays, and 10-12 hour days were the norm. While I wouldn't want to go back to such a heavy workload, I have very fond memories of my time in the NHS and am thankful to Adam Kay for reminding me of the 'good old days'.

I've given this book 5*.

A Mind to Murder

This is the first PD James novel I've read, and I really enjoyed it. The style of this particular book reminded me of Agatha Christie - who is one of my favourite authors.

There has been a murder in the medical records room of the Steen Clinic in London. It seems clear to the police that the culprit must be someone who works at the clinic or possibly a patient.

The murder victim is Miss Bolam, the clinic's abrasive and unpopular admin officer. In some ways, it seems unsurprising that she is the victim although people are not usually murdered simply for being unpleasant....

I was happy with the twists and turns, learning more about the different characters and possible motives for murder. I never have much of a clue whodunnit and this case was no different, but I enjoyed following the plot and was (as per usual for me) surprised at the end by both the murderer and the motive.

I'm looking forward to reading more PD James from the library and am happy to award this book 4*

The L-Shaped Room

I loved The Indian in the Cupboard series by Lynne Reid Banks when I was young so was pleased when I spotted her debut novel The L-Shaped Room at the library.

It follows the story of Jane Graham, a pregnant single woman in her late twenties when there was a lot of stigma around single mums in Britain. When her dad kicks her out, she moves into a bug-ridden bedsit at the top of a house in a poor part of London.

Initially, Jane is determined to keep herself to herself but fellow lodgers Toby and John have other ideas. They offer genuine friendship to Jane and, in time, she learns to value their support.

The book pursues Jane throughout her nine months of pregnancy and beyond: ups and downs in her personal and work life, battling stigma and loss, while also finding life can be okay, even sometimes good, regardless of circumstances.

I found Jane herself quite a fascinating character. She is strong-willed and determined but also vulnerable. At times she berates herself for not being enough or feels guilty and has doubts; she is very human and, therefore, relatable.

There is quite a darkish feel of reality to the book but I enjoyed reading it and can happily recommend it. I have awarded it 4*.

A Time of Green

I love Eleanor Watkins' books and this was no exception. It's the fascinating story of twelve-year-old Juniper and her great-grandma June.

June has recently been diagnosed with dementia and Juniper is determined to learn her great-grandma's childhood stories before it's too late.

As a young child, June was one of many evacuees sent out of London during the bombing in WWII. She found herself on a farm in Wales. At first, she hated it: the mud, the cold, the animals, an outside privy, and a family who were all strangers to her.

A Time of Green is the delightful account of how June settles down and finds her feet on the farm. She especially enjoys the cold mud of winter being exchanged for the vibrant greens of spring. June has some exciting adventures. She and the family work alongside German POWs and Land Girls, and there is all excitement when the American GIs arrive in the village, not to mention an escaped POW....

I really enjoyed this Young Adult book and am happy to award it 4*.

It's Always the Husband

I don't think I've ever read a girlie whodunnit/psychological thriller before but, having discovered It's Always the Husband I'm keen to find more in this genre. Particularly if they are written by Michele Campbell.

The book follows the lives of three university/college students: Aubrey, Jenny and Kate.

Aubrey comes from a poor family and feels she always has to work extra-hard to succeed. She is thrilled to be accepted by Jenny and Kate, both of whom have a higher social standing than her. Aubrey idolises Kate, who introduces her to partying with alcohol and drugs.

Jenny is well-off, sensible and ambitious. She is jealous of Aubrey's relationship with Kate; Jenny is always the one to come to Aubrey's rescue when the partying goes awry. Yet Aubrey clings to Kate being her very best friend and seems to take Jenny for granted.

Kate is the spoiled, rich, party girl who feels unloved and unwanted by her father and stepmother(s). She appears fun-loving and reckless but has a deeper, darker side to her.

The storyline kept me gripped. I tried to guess the victim and the murderer from the first page but completely failed on both counts. There are lots of twists and turns. I found it hard to put this book down.

I'm very happy to award it 5*.

Molly and the Cat Cafe

Molly is a cat and this book is written from her perspective. I'm not a cat person but I enjoyed reading this charming story. (It even gave me confidence to stroke a strange cat and understand that when they arch their backs against your hand, it means they're responding in a good way.)

Molly loves her elderly owner Margery and they live a happy, uncomplicated life together. But it is short-lived. Margery declines into dementia and is moved into a home, leaving Molly alone.

Margery's son arranges for Molly to be taken in by a friend who owns three cat-unfriendly dogs. Eventually Molly has enough of being neglected by the dogs' owner and bullied by the dogs and runs away.

Bedraggled and half-starved, Molly eventually finds Debbie who is a newly-divorced mother trying hard to make ends meet by running a rather run-down cafe. Life is hard; Debbie's teenage daughter Sophie is angry and unsociable and appears to hate Molly.

Outside the cafe, is an embittered old woman who is determined to make life even more difficult for Debbie and Sophie by getting the cafe closed down. But she reckons without Molly, who is an astute feline with a strong sense of justice.

Molly is a lovable and - oddly believable - furry main character. I couldn't help rooting for her in all her adventures. Several times she took me by surprise.

I enjoyed this book and am happy to award it 4*.

Red Cabbage Blue

I was avidly waiting for this third book in the Dr Mike Lewis series written by Annie Try - and I wasn't disappointed. I loved it and think it may be my favourite of the series.

Adelle is a fascinating young woman who, out of a fun challenge in her teens, will now only eat blue food, wear blue clothes and dyes her hair blue. She even wears blue make-up.

Her latest in a series of psychologists is Mike, but he is different. He sees Adelle the person rather than Adelle the client. I particularly enjoyed him politely shutting her somewhat controlling mother out of the room at their very first session. One way to win over the client!

I found it interesting to be a 'fly on the wall' in their therapy sessions. As Adelle gained in confidence with Mike, the reader learns more about her, why she has made the decisions she's made and how things hidden in her past have helped shape the person she is today.

There are twists and turns in the plot that kept me hooked. Just when I thought 'aha, I've got it', there was another twist I hadn't foreseen.

Intertwined with Adelle's story is Mike's personal life. I found myself muttering at the book as I was reading, desperately wanting him and his wife to make a go of it after a period of separation.

Red Cabbage Blue is a book where the reader can't help but care about the characters, wanting things to work out, looking for a happy - or at least a positive - ending. I have to say it kept me hooked up until the very last page.

I loved this book and unreservedly give it a 5* rating.