The Felons' Ball - Polly Stewart

I always have a good look at the cover of my next read. What clues can you glean from the cover of The Felons' Ball - the new novel from Polly Stewart. The play on the family's name and the cuffs...?

The book opens with the annual birthday party for Trey, head of the family. Tonight‘s party is a catalyst, bringing up secrets that were not meant to ever be uncovered again. Some characters want that, but others don’t.

And at the center of all, it is the Macready family. Dad, Mom and their three adult daughters. Each daughter has a voice in the narrative and as a reader we are privy to their, thoughts and actions.

The supporting characters are many and all of them are also keeping secrets. Slowly, but surely, answers start to come in. But what is that going to cost everyone?

Stewart does a fabulous job of melding the crimes and the family. I didn’t manage to find the right person in the who dunnit. (which I always appreciate!)

The Felons' Ball was the first book I've read of Stewart.  I would happily read her next book. See for yourself - read an excerpt of the Felons' Ball.

The Woman in Suite 11 - Ruth Ware

 I’ve read and enjoyed all of Ruth Ware’s books. Her latest is The Woman in Suite 11. This book is a follow up to The Woman in Cabin 10 with character Lo Blacklock. If you have read Cabin, you’re all set. If you’ve not read Cabin, you’ll have to make a choice as you would find out all the answers from 10 in this book. Sorry, I hope that makes sense!

Lo has all of the of the things she wanted - husband, kids, and home.  It’s time to go back to work. When she receives an invitation to cover the opening of a new hotel, she jumps at the opportunity. And is shocked when her past catches up to her present…

There’s a lot going on in the suspense filled plot and a mystery to be solved. There are a lot of twists and turns and I had to be on my toes. The direction of who, when and where changes quite often. There were a few things that I just thought were awkward. Not sure why Mom and her ankle were even in the book. Nobody goes to see her.

This one is not one of my favourite Ware books, but I do like the author's work so I will happily pick up her next book.

Writing Mr. Wrong - Kelley Armstrong

If Kelley Armstrong's name is on the cover - then I'm reading it! I enjoyed last summer's rom-com - Finding Mr. Write. I knew I would enjoy Writing Mr. Wrong this summer.

Debut author Gemma runs into her past when she agrees to be interviewed on a local talk show. The host (and others) have read her book and....well, Gemma might have based her male character on Mason Moretti. Mason was Gemma's crush in high school and .....

I loved the characters, the premise, the truths and the writing. It's cute and funny as well. Building a relationship is hard work and I think Armstrong did a great job in truly depicting the goals and the path to get get it right. Take note that there steamy scenes.

 Writing Mr. Wrong is perfect for hot summer reading!

Don't Let Him In - Lisa Jewell

I always like to stop and take a good look at a cover before turning the first pages. Lisa Jewell's new novel - Don't Let Him In - had me curious. About halfway it struck me! Very clever!

And it's not just the cover that is clever. The plot is wonderfully byzantine. I am going to be purposefully obtuse and hope that I don't give anything away! There are three players who have who have something in common...

The narratives change rapidly. The reader has all of that information but the characters are limited in what they know. I had more than a few words for one of the players.

Jewell kept me up turning pages. I just had to know what happens. 

You must add Don't Let Him In to your beach bag! See for yourself - read an excerpt. 

  

So Far Gone -- Jess Walter

I had many people telling that I would love Jess Walther's new book - So Far Gone. So - I picked up an audio version and settled in to listen.

Rhys Kinnick has gone off the grid. But when his grandchildren are in danger....there's no question. He's going to save them. And can he save himself?

Honestly, I bounced between laughing and crying. There are many truths in Rhys’s beliefs, his history, his actions and reactions and more. He’s forced to step into his past with a second look. What about the future? He’s just such a wonderful lead character. And the supporting cast was just as well drawn.

Now, there’s a lot of light hearted situations and dialogue. But things get darker as you get closer to the end of the book. It was really late when I got to that section.. And I couldn’t stop listening. There’s much food for thought in So Far Gone.

Edoardo Ballerini was the narrator and he did a fantastic job of it. I find that sometimes I become more immersed in a tale. This was the case with So Far Gone. Ballerini captures the actions, the thoughts, dangers and more with his voice. He has created voices for all of the characters that suit and it's easy to know who is speaking. His his voice is clear and easy to understand. A wonderful presentation of a wonderful novel.

Hear for yourself - listen to an audio clip.

The East End Girls - Jean Fullerton - Blog Tour!

Don't you love coming across the first book in a new series that you just know you're going to enjoy it? I did! The East End Girls is Jean Fullerton's new book. It's set in 1942 East London, Britain.

I really enjoy WW2 historical fiction. But it's not all fiction. Our lead character is Effie Weston. She is one of a number of women who are learning how to launch a Barrage Balloon. I did not know about the Balloons before this book - it was fascinating.

I quite like Effie as a lead character - she's intelligent and determined to support the war effort. There's a good number of supporting players as well. I mostly enjoyed them. But...there is always a bad apple. It will be easy to find them. And of course - a romance!

The settings are well described and easy to imagine. The mind sets, the shortages, the mores, and the attitudes of the citizens are very well written. The realties are there.

I really enjoyed The East End Girls. I'll be looking for the second book! Check what other bloggers thought below.

Born and bred in East London, Jean was a District Nurse by trade working throughout East

London. She has published twenty-three sagas, including the popular World War Two Ration Book series, which, like all her books, is set in East London. Jean has also written her autobiography A Child of the East End , about growing up in post-war Stepney and Wapping. She is currently working on first book of her new four book WW2 series.

The Friendship Fling - Georgia Stone

It’s very hot in my part of the country right now. And author Georgia Stone turns up the heat even higher with her new book, The Friendship Fling! This book is most definitely a beach read!

Ava is a barista in a coffee shop. She doesn’t really love her job. Her love life is a series of one night stands. And then Finn walks into the café. He’s in London for six months on a work contract. And Ava can’t stand him. He talks too much, he’s upbeat and he’s got a list of things he wants to do before he leaves the country.

I really enjoyed the back-and-forth of this pair. Each of them have chapters, but it is Ava that drives the tale. The supporting characters are well drawn and have their parts to play.

Now you might think that you know what’s going to happen in this book. And you might be right, but you’ll enjoy the journey to get there! Beach reading for sure!