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!

Fifty Fifty - Steve Cavanagh

I just finished Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh. I really enjoyed it and was quite happy to read another book featuring lawyer Eddie Flynn and his supporting crew - Fifty Fifty. 

Neat fact - Cavanagh  is a lawyer himself. He is now a full time writer - and his books benefit from his 'insider' knowledge. 

 

The premise of this case is another great idea. Two sisters each call 911, reporting that their father has been killed - by their sister! Which one is telling the truth? Who is a killer? Well, we readers are privy to what "She" has done...and it's downright scary! 

I really liked the 'behind' machinations of the trial. If you like twists and turns, you'll find them in Fifty Fifty. It's a page turner!

Note that you can read these as stand alones. 

Nightshade - Michael Connelly

I had heard that Michael Connelly had a new book out -  Nightshade. What I had missed was that this was the first book in a new series!

I was reticent to jump up and down until I had a few chapters under my belt. After that, I was on board. 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell has been moved back to policing Catalina Island. It's beautiful but he's capable of so much more. When a body is found in the harbor he goes to work. But he's told to let the mainland detectives in charge and to stay out of it. Yeah, you know what happens right? He can't stop...

Connelly has done an excellent job in creating a lead that you can't help but be behind. The plotting kept me engaged from first page to last. The supporting cast are well drawn. The set is well drawn and actual places are included.

Just a winner all round! I'll be waiting for book number 2.

Marble Hall Murders - Anthony Horowitz

A new book from Anthony Horowitz is such a treat. I think he is such a talented author. His new book, Marble Hall Murders is so very clever!

Marble Hall Murders gives us a book inside a book again. Editor Susan Ryeland returns as well. She’s out of work so she’s agreed to work with Eliot, a new author on Pund’s Last Case. After a reading, she’s found similarities and deliberate clues to a death in Eliot’s family. Was it an accident or a murder…?

I dove into the book and honestly forgot that I was lost in the manuscript. Scrambling out, I was still in a fictitious tale. I adored the fictional Detective Pund. He reminded me of Hercule Poitou in his methodology and mannerisms.

For those of you that are like me and try to solve the mystery before the final pages - I wasn’t able to do it. There’s twists, turns, red herrings, and more it kept me guessing till the last pages. Absolutely recommended for those who love 'old school' mysteries, where the answers are in deduction, not DNA.

Whistle - Linwood Barclay

I’ve read everything that Linwood Barclay has written. And I thought I knew what I would find - some excellent thrillers and mystery suspense. But…I’d also heard that Whistle was a new direction from Barclay. It was indeed!

“A cursed toy train.  A desperate mother.  An evil with a one track mind…..”

Annie is a great lead character.  Barclay gives the reader more info than Annie has about the trains, ensuring I couldn’t put the book down. There are other characters who figure it out and those who already know. I was surprised by some of their fates.

The choice to use toy trains as the ‘evil thing’ was excellent. Because because who would think of them as being dangerous. What kid doesn't have a set?  And the inspiration? Barclay has a large train set up in his home...

I really enjoyed this one and I’m hoping that Barclay continues to explore other ideas like this one.

Stephen King gave Whistle this blurb -“Terrific“. And on the flip-side, I really enjoyed the nod given to King by Linwood.

Death at a Highland Wedding - Kelley Armstrong

Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth entry in Kelley Armstrong's Rip Through Time series.

I have enjoyed every book that Kelley has written. Her female leads are always intelligent women that don’t back down. That’s certainly the case with modern day detective Mallory Atkinson. I say modern day because she has slipped back in 150 years into the past in the Scottish Highlands. She now helps an undertaker and a detective with cases.

It’s a great premise!  Everything has to change if she’s going to stay….or go…. Speech, the attitudes, the roles and the rules of women, dressing, and so much more.

In this book Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie travel to a Highlands castle that’s surrounded by wilderness. A perfect setting for a murder, don't you think? It’s feels a bit like a Christie book. The answer for who dunit changes many times on the way to the final answer. I loved every page.

The mystery is excellent but that’s only half of it for this reader. The ‘yes, no, maybe so’ from some of the players will have you wondering. I’m always eager to see what’s going on with the players.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - some books are better for me if I listen to them. That’s the case with this series. The narrator is Kate Handford and she did a fantastic job of presenting Armstrong's work. I appreciate the continuity with having the same narrator for each entry of this series. Her voice is clear, easy to understand and easy on the years. She's created many identifiable voices that let the listener who is speaking. A Scottish accent is needed for many of the characters and an inner American one for Mallory. The accent often changes within conversations and Handford keeps up with that. There's lots of scenes and situations that are dangerous, emotional etc. and Hanford captures the tone of the plot with her voice. An excellent reading of a really great book. An easy five stars.

Death at a Highland Wedding - Kelley Armstrong

Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth entry in Kelley Armstrong's Rip Through Time series.

I have enjoyed every book that Kelley has written. Her female leads are always intelligent women that don’t back down. That’s certainly the case with modern day detective Mallory Atkinson. I say modern day because she has slipped back in 150 years into the past in the Scottish Highlands. She now helps an undertaker and a detective with cases.

It’s a great premise!  Everything has to change if she’s going to stay….or go…. Speech, the attitudes, the roles and the rules of women, dressing, and so much more.

In this book Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie travel to a Highlands castle that’s surrounded by wilderness. A perfect setting for a murder, don't you think? It’s feels a bit like a Christie book. The answer for who dunit changes many times on the way to the final answer. I loved every page.

The mystery is excellent but that’s only half of it for this reader. The ‘yes, no, maybe so’ from some of the players will have you wondering. I’m always eager to see what’s going on with the players.

An easy five stars.

The Man Made of Smoke - Alex North

The cover of Alex North’s newest book - The Man Made of Smoke - promises a dark tale.

As a child, Dan witnessed a serial killer. It has stayed with him all these years. He’s now a criminal profiler. When his father dies, Dan heads back to the small island that he grew up on. He’s sure there are secrets and memories and more that he needs to uncover to finally have answers. 

There are most definitely some dark spaces in this book! Alex North has written yet another story that will have you turning on the lights after the sun goes down - and making sure the locks are on…

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Some books are better in audio format for me. This was definitely the case with The Man Made of Smoke. The narrator was Shane Zaza. He has such a rich and velvety tone to his voice. It’s low and he never has to raise it. The listener is drawn into the story. Those tones are very effective in describing the crimes and the perpetrator.

Another great listen from Alex North! And a great performance from Shane Zaza. 

Parents Weekend - A Novel by Alex Finlay

Parents Weekend is the new book from Alex Finlay. I've read and enjoyed his previous titles and I knew I was going to enjoy Parents Weekend.

Why? Well...first is the lead character - FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller. She's brilliant and is always a step ahead. I really enjoy how she finds the next steps. 

The plot is a good one - five college kids are missing - and one is already dead. And another reason to hunker down - the book is told from multiple view points - and it's hard to put the book down. And of course some are lying, leaving out pieces of their accounts and more... Piecing everything in time is Keller's goal.

Alex Finlay keeps the suspense up on every page. Parents Weekend reads like a movie. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Parents Weekend.

The Mystery of the Crooked Man - Tom Spencer

The Mystery of the Crooked Man, is from Tom Spencer.

From the publisher: "Meet Agatha Dorn, cantankerous archivist, grammar pedant, gin afficionado and murder mystery addict. When she discovers a lost manuscript by Gladden Green, the Empress of Golden Age detective fiction, Agatha's life takes an unexpected twist. She becomes an overnight sensation, basking in the limelight of literary stardom.

But Agatha's newfound fame takes a nosedive when the 'rediscovered' novel is exposed as a hoax. And when her ex-lover turns up dead, with a scrap of the manuscript by her side, Agatha suspects foul play.

Cancelled, ostracized and severely ticked off, Agatha turns detective to uncover the sinister truth that connects the murder and the fraudulent manuscript. But can she stay sober long enough to catch the murderer, or will Agatha become a whodunnit herself?"

The narrator was Claire Warrillow and she did a great job of 'playing' Agatha. Warrillow's voice has a low tone that draws the listener in. She has created the perfect voice for Agatha - distaining and conveying her haughtiness. I enjoyed her machinations, but never bonded with her. She is a great personality for an anti protagonist. And her snarky comments are darkly funny.

I also found the descriptions of finding the manuscripts and how to look after them.

I liked Spencer's work, but didn't love it. I found myself putting it up and down too many times.

Detective Aunty - Uzma Jalaluddin

I adore Uzma Jalaluddin's books! I was so excited to hear that Detective Aunty is the first book in a new series! 

Kausar Khan is still mourning her husband's death when she receives a call from her adult daughter. Sana has been arrested for murder and she needs her mother to take care of her daughters. Kausar leaves as speedy as she can. And this is the introduction to our new amateur detective. She's very clever - watching all and asking the right questions. 

And of course, her focus is her daughter - but she's also doesn't really know her granddaughters. I loved the interactions of the women in the neighborhood, the niceties, the traditions and more. And on a side note - I need to try some real chi teas.

The plot is excellent. There's a twist that surprised me - which is a good thing!

This was such a satisfying read. An excellent blending of the mystery and the personal. I will be watching for the next entry. There are a few questions that will be answered in the next book I'm sure.

My Friends: A Novel By Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors. I've been really excited to read his new book - My Friends.

Art and friendship are at the core of My Friends. The story starts at an art sale in current day. A painting of a pier is one of the most famous paintings in all of the world. There’s more to see on that pier - if you can. The paths of the artist that created that painting and a young woman who also wants to be an artist cross…

The past and the present are used to tell the story. There’s 25 years between then and now.

I love Backman’s characters. Three fourteen year old boys are spending the summer school holidays on the pier. It’s safer than a lot of their homes. The dialogue amongst them would sound not kind to those that don’t know them. But it’s the way they talk to each other and it’s perfect.

Flipping to the other narrative, we travel with Louisa and one of those teenagers that’s grown up now.

I couldn’t put the book down. I couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know what happened then and what’s going to happen now. I ached reading their situations, but also laughed along with them. Backman excels in creating characters that are just a step out of cadence with the rest of the world. Those that you want to save. 

The different descriptions of art were quite interesting and had me seeing things from a different perspective.

Simply brilliant.

Deep Time - Susan Sizer Bogue

Deep Time is Susan Sizer Bogue's debut novel. And isn't that a beautiful cover? 

What you'll find inside is a story "for adventurous fiction lovers. This debut novel tells the story of a young geologist working with ancient rocks who finds herself in present mortal danger when Mount St. Helens erupts with catastrophic power.

After an inspiring trip to the Grand Canyon, Lauren Brown falls in love with geology—so much so that she convinces her husband, Kenny, to follow her from Philadelphia to East Texas, where she enters a male-dominated graduate program at Texas Polytechnic. Lauren thrives on the adventure geology affords her—studying undersea volcanoes, shepherding clueless undergraduates in a remote national park, and climbing canyons in Oregon to collect rock samples—but at home, things are deteriorating. After separating from her straying husband, she becomes best friends with Chris, an honorable male colleague who helps her fend off a predatory professor.

When Mount St. Helens awakens, geologists from all over the world flock to Washington. Lauren is determined to be part of the action and witness an erupting volcano. The dream event of a lifetime is at hand. On a Saturday in May, she and Kenny, with whom she has reconciled, convene with Chris to stake out Mount St. Helens.

The first day, the mountain remains annoyingly quiet. The next day, it erupts with catastrophic power—and irreversibly upends Lauren’s life."

"SUSAN SIZER BOGUE is a lawyer-turned-writer who has published many humorous essays and written the script for the musical “The Christmas of the Phonograph Records.” This is her first novel. She lives in the Denver, Colorado, area. Find her online at susansizerbogue.com, Instagram, and Facebook"

Photo credit - Palo Alto Headshots 

A Wedding for the Home Front Girls - Susanna Bavin

A Bookworm's World is happy to be a stop on today's tour.

A Wedding For the Home Front Girls is the 4th entry in Susanna Bavin's wonderful series - The Home Front Girls.

The series is set in 1941 Manchester, during WWII.

Opening up the latest book in the series is like sitting down with old friends and getting caught up.

The setting is written so well. The danger, the loss, the moments of joy and the camaraderie. Everyone is doing their part to win the war. Women have taken on jobs that no one could have imagined. They’re stalwart and determined to play their part. Life goes despite the war. And actually, the number of weddings has increased!

The core group of characters moves and changes throughout the books, but there’s threads that tie it all together. I really enjoy this group of friends. The details of life is just as interesting. What can you substitute? What can you do without? Keep calm. And carry on.

I’m very much looking forward to the next in this series. Can’t wait to see what’s going on with the girls!

"Susanna Bavin writes stories with strong female characters, set in times when women needed determination and vision to make their mark. She has written 4 standalone sagas and a WW2 trilogy, The Home Front Girls. She also writes as Polly Heron (The Surplus Girls 1920s saga series) and Maisie Thomas (The Railway Girls WW2 saga series, and The Wartime Hotel WW2 saga series).Susanna Bavin writes stories with strong female characters, set in times when women needed determination and vision to make their mark. She has written 4 standalone sagas and a WW2 trilogy, The Home Front Girls. She also writes as Polly Heron (The Surplus Girls 1920s saga series) and Maisie Thomas (The Railway Girls WW2 saga series, and The Wartime Hotel WW2 saga series)."

Check out what other readers have to say!

Murder at Gulls Nest: A Novel By Jess Kidd

I've enjoyed Jess Kidd's previous books and knew I was in for a treat with this latest - Murder at Gulls Nest.

The story is set in 1954 in a hotel called  the Gulls Nest, on the seaside.

Our protagonist is Nora. She has left behind her life as a nun. Why? Well, she has not heard from Frieda, her friend and pen pal, for a long time. Nora is determined to find where she has gone. This was a novel idea I thought. I wondered how she would fare in her search, after being behind cloistered walls for so many years. 

The setting gives Nora a place to start, as many of the residents are long term. There's a mixed bunch, and she decides to hold back her own life story. Except that Inspector Rideout, the local constabulary, has already sussed that out. I like the banter between them. 

It is so much fun as a reader to try and solve the case before the last pages are turned. I didn't- which was great! Kidd has given us a wonderful cosy mystery - all the bits are there - with a little more. I am looking forward to the second book in this new series.

I've often said that some stories are better for me when I listen them. That was the case for me with Murder at Gulls Nest. The narrator was Siobhan McSweeney. She has a wonderful voice and easily captures the tone and tenor of Kidd's plot. She provides believable voices for all the characters. She is easy to understand, but was a bit too quick for me. I just turned the play speed down to 9.0 and things were great. Hear for yourselves - listen to an audio excerpt. 

Serial Killer - Kate Posey - Spotlight

It's time to start creating your summer reading list! Here's one that sounds intriguing...  Serial Killer by Kate Posey  Just released!

What's it about? From Berkely Books:

"What would you do if you thought your coworker was getting away with murder—literally?

Dolores dela Cruz has been dying to spot one in the wild, and he fits the mold perfectly: strangler gloves, calculated charm, dashing good looks that give a leg up in any field . . . including fields of unmarked graves.

The new office temp is definitely a serial killer.

Jake Ripper finds a welcome distraction in his combative and enigmatic new coworker. He hasn’t come across anyone as interesting as Dolores in a long time. But when mere curiosity evolves into a darkly romantic flirtation, Jake can’t help but wonder if, finally, he’s found someone who really sees him, skeletons in the closet and all.

Until Dolores asks Jake’s help to dispose of a body . . .

A morbidly funny and emotionally resonant novel about the ways life—and love—can sneak up on us (no matter how much pepper spray we carry)."

Author Bio: Kate Posey is an up-and-coming voice in contemporary suspense and romance, known for her ability to balance tension and humor in delightfully twisted ways. Her background in film writing and a love for darkly funny characters has shaped her unique storytelling style.

The Staircase in the Woods - Chuck Wendig

The Staircase in the Woods is Chuck Wendig's new novel.

Have any of you heard about stairs in forests? Stairs that aren’t meant to be there? I have read some, but I went digging a little bit further this time. And then I opened Wendig’s book. Take a second to just stop and have a look at the cover….

Five high school kids go to party out in the forest. 5 went in and four came out. One minute he was there and next he was gone….. and so were the stairs. They’re adults now and reluctantly gather for this 20th anniversary of his disappearance - back where it started. In the forest…

The five personalities are quite different from each other. Wendig has done a great job creating each of them. He portrays the good, the bad and the ugly of each one of them. Wendig’s imagining of what’s behind the door is downright scary. Very.

Summary? Lean on Me meets Stranger Things. See for yourself. Read an excerpt of The Staircase in the Woods.

Heartwood - Amity Gaige

Heartwood is Amity Gaige's new novel.

I love to peruse a book’s cover before I open it up and start reading. The cover for Heartwood was wonderful. The woman and the forestry intertwined. And it’s a harbinger of what we’ll find inside.

Valerie is hiking solo when she realizes she’s off the track. And despite her knowledge, she’s made things worse. Beverly is the State Game Warden at the heart of the search. And then there’s Lena, a senior in a retirement community. She is searching as well - but from her computer. I think Beverly intrigued me the most.She has fought to have her place.

I loved the descriptions of the forests, the plants, the trees, and the beauty of it. But on the flip side, it’s just as dangerous as it is beautiful.

The book’s narrative rotates through the three women. We’re privy to their memories, the triumphs, their losses, and what they see in their futures. Maybe. Gaige keeps the suspense high alongside.

 I find some stories better for me in an audio format. That is true with Heartwood. I appreciate the five narrators. Each have created a voice that matches their character. It makes it quite easy to know who is speaking. Everyone spoke clearly and was easy on the ears. All have captured and presented the author's work with their reading. Kudos to all.