A Game of Lies - Clare Mackintosh

Clare Mackintosh brings her take on reality game shows in her latest book - A Game of Lies. This is the second book in a series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone.

Seven people are the chosen ones that will be vying for a prize of 100,000 pounds that will go to the last one standing. What they're expecting are physical challenges - but what they get is something completely different. The name of the game is 'Exposed' - and it's life changing...

Mackintosh takes us back to a small village in Wales - the setting of the first book. The village is on the dividing line between England and Wales and jurisdiction is sometimes murky. Two investigators are tasked with the case - local copper DC Ffion Morgan and English based DC Leo Brady. I was thrilled to see this pair of coppers again. There's a connection between the two, but neither feels like they can act on their personal feelings. I like the detailed lives Mackintosh has give the two lead characters. The supporting cast is just as interesting. And the contestants? An interesting bunch for sure. And who else is needed? Dave the dog of course. 

 

The setting is well described and I could easily imagine the hills, the water, the forest, the village and the game site.

Now - the crime. There are a lot of choices for the final whodunit. It wasn't easy to suss out the culprit or the method. Twists and turns in the narrative make it even more difficult. 

I quite this liked this latest! Hopefully Mackintosh has a third book in the works. See for yourself - read an excerpt of A Game of Lies. 

The Last Word - Elly Griffiths

Elly Griffiths is one of my favorite authors. And though I'll never stop missing the Ruth Galloway books, I have found some new favorites. You can meet some of them in Elly Griffiths' new book - The Last Word.

DS Harbinder Kaur from The Postscript Murders is back - but in a supporting role this time around. Instead we're with the two owners of the K and F Detective Agency - eight four year old Edwin and Natalka, who also runs a carer business. Oh, and her boyfriend Benedict steps in when needed as well. Amateur sleuths? Yes - but they're very clever and dogged in their search for answers and results. Griffiths has created a set of new players that I really, really like. I must admit to having a favorite already with Edwin. As readers, we are privy to their inner dialogue and that really rounds out the characters. 

The case itself is a murder. Or a possible murder. It's hard to say. So that's where the sleuthing starts. But Benedict sees a possible connection to something he's found. And the answers may be found at a creative writing weekend. There are many, many choices for the whodunit. I must admit to losing track as to who was who at times. But, there are updated clue lists as the investigation progresses that help.

Everything is tied up nicely be the end of the book. But the door is open for more of this crew - and I'll be watching for the next book. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Last Word.

The publisher's blurb "Perfect for fans of Richard Osman and the Thursday Murder Club is spot on."  

Everyone Is Watching - Heather Gudenkauf

Game shows have evolved from the days of Bob Barker and guessing prices to 'games' that you couldn't imagine! Heather Gudenkauf has set her latest book - Everyone is Watching - in a 'game' that will keep you turning pages 'til the wee hours. 

The prize is ten million dollars. But - there are only five players. Does that make it easier to win? Or tougher? Oh, and the competition is being streamed in real time around the world.

I like the way Gudenkauf set the book up. We meet the players in their present with flashbacks to their pasts. As you read, you'll have your suspicions about every player - and the staff.

Each event is not at what was expected by the players - or this reader! But is it really so far from reality? What will someone do for a chance at ten million dollars? The tension, suspense and action doesn't let up until the threads are all tied up in the last pages.

I can see Everyone is Watching as a movie. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Everyone is Watching.

The Night in Question - Susan Fletcher

I have no idea if anyone has coined a name for the genre of  'older amateur sleuths solving mysteries and pulling at your heartstrings at the same time. Not a cosy, but a heartfelt story running alongside of the body. Let me know if you have! Until then, I'll go with my long winded one. Oh - and I am really enjoying this style of storytelling.

The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher is a perfect five star example. 

Florrie Butterfield is eighty seven years old and now calls an assisted living facility home. When a serious event happens on the grounds of Babbington Hall, Florrie decides to investigate on her own - with the help of her friend Stanhope. Fletcher does a great job of eking out the clues of the mystery bits. I loved the both of them. There is a large cadre of supporting players - each with something to add to Florrie's investigation. She gives her older characters true voices - they're older, but shouldn't be dismissed.

Remember that other bit I mentioned? The heartstrings? Florrie has lived a wonderful life - loving, travelling, living instead watching and yes, not everything was perfect, but still, a rich life. I loved her outlook. Chapters about those past years are interspersed within the current day search for answers. I have to say - the past had me in tears more than once. 

The Night in Question is a thoughtful book, a slow burner that was such a joy to read. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Night in Question. 

The Home Front Girls - Susanna Bavin

A Bookworm's World is a stop on today's blog tour for The Home Front Girls - the first book in Susanna Bavin's planned trilogy.

If you enjoy WWII historical fiction, you're  going to want to add The Home Front Girls to your 'to read' list!

I was hooked in the first chapter. Sally and her bestie, Deborah, work for the Food Office making sure that shop keepers are following the rules for ration books. But the latest 'sting' has repercussions for both Sally and the store clerk, Betty.  

I thought Bavin's settings were wonderfully described. The book is set in 1940  Manchester, England. Bavin and her family  lived in Manchester for many years and that personal view really works in creating a setting.

Her characters are also wonderfully created. It's very easy to have a favorite, one you'd like to know in real life. And those you wouldn't! Keep your eyes open for Mrs. Lockwood! And who else you ask? Well, I think a budding romance adds a lot this book as well! 

I really enjoy this time frame. The 'Keep Calm and Carry On' attitude, the looking out for your neighbours, the social mores, and family. There are lots of hard choices to be made - and duty to follow.

And Bavin has included all of that and more. I'll be watching for the second book - Courage for the Home Front Girls coming out May 2004.

"Susanna lives in Llandudno in North Wales with her husband and their rescue cats, but her writing is inspired by her Mancunian roots. She has written stories ever since she was a child and always wanted to be a published author. Susanna enjoys reading, walking and gardening and she loves living by the sea. She also writes as Maisie Thomas, for The Railway Girls series, and as Polly Heron, for The Surplus Girls series." You can connect with Susanna on her webpage or on Facebook and sign up for her newsletter.

Close to Death - Anthony Horowitz

Anthony Horowitz is one of my favorite authors. I've been eagerly waiting for the fifth entry his Hawthorne and Horowitz series. It's here - Close to Death! 

I can't recommend this series enough. It's clever in so many ways. The protagonist is the enigmatic Hawthorne, let go from the police force and now working as a P.I. Hawthorne is such a great character - a brilliant detective, but somewhat lacking in personal skills. I quite like him. And playing Watson to his Holmes? Anthony Horowitz. Uh huh - Horowitz has written himself in as a character in the series! He plays himself, writing about Hawthorne's cases. The relationship between the two is quite interesting...

In this latest, the publisher is after a new book in a short time. Hawthorne currently has no case on the go. Well, not anything he's going to share with Horowitz. So....a past case is going to be used. But its already been solved, so Horowitz have to use the case notes that Hawthorn provides. But (yes there is another But) - Horowitz can't help himself. He decides to track down and interview anyone that was involved - after Hawthorne warns him not to.

What's so great about this series you ask? An actual author playing a character in his series. I just think what the writing process would entail. The enigmatic Hawthorne. With each entry, we learn more about him. I hope we've not heard the last of this pair. The clues and the case. Horowitz is so very, very clever. As I read, I try to keep a lookout for anomalies, lies, seemingly innocuous comments and actions and more. And I'm quite happy to say that I've not solved one yet! I really appreciate Horowitz's intricate and devious plotting. 

I highly recommend this series!  Fingers crossed for number six! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Close to Death

Daughter of Mine - Megan Miranda

Daughter of Mine is Megan Miranda's new novel.

Hazel Sharp hasn't been back to Mirror Lake for almost a decade. There are just too many memories there - especially the disappearance of her mother. Why didn't she take Hazel with her? It's the death of her father that brings her back to the family home in Mirror Lake. Old disagreements and resentments rear there ugly heads as Hazel and her two brothers argue over the will. And other secrets are exposed as the water level in the lake drops...My answer for whodunit changed frequently.

Daughter of Mine is a bit of a slow burn in the beginning as the scene is set, the characters introduced and the crux of the matter is exposed. Family matters, old hurts, actions, secrets, and more keep the narrative moving forward. I thought Miranda did a great job of drawing the relationships between all the players. The headers of each chapter lists the days without rain - and the level of the lake keeps dropping.

I chose to listen to Daughter of Mine. The narrator was Inés del Castillo. I've enjoyed other books she's read. Her voice matched the mental image I had created for Hazel. She provides many other voices, including men's, that are believable. The speed is good. She enunciates well and her voice is pleasant to listen to. She interprets Miranda's work and uses her voice to capture the emotions and action of the book.  A good performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt for Daughter of Mine.  Runtime is 10 hours and 20 minutes.