Electric Light (Blair Dubh Trilogy 3) by Heather Atkinson - two residents of Blair Dubh are murdered and then a third commits suicide. A sniper is stalking the village determined to rid it of evil.
Craig Donaldson finds himself in Blair Dubh again hunting down a murderer. He is happy Freya and his son are safe in Glasgow. When Freya hears Craig may be in danger she insists on helping out guiding the rescue team through the forest which she knows well having played there as a child. She learns of a secret which has been kept from her for all these years by the rest of the villagers. This is the third part of a trilogy.
Poison Bay by Belinda Pollard* - if you only read one book this year make it this fast paced adventure! I simply loved it. A group of school friends get together 10 years after they last met to go on a hike through the wilderness in New Zealand. All have secrets and are tied to a tragedy which happened over 10 years ago. I loved the characters, the vivid descriptions of the trek and scenery. You actually feel like you are there! Lots of twists and turns and a great storyline.
A Way from Heart to Heart by Helena Fairfax - the story follows top model Kate and her son George after the death of her photographer husband in Afghanistan. Stuart is a friend of Paul's who she's never really got on with who gives her a shoulder to cry on. He takes his godson out every month on a trip to bond with him and get to know him. Kate and Stuart become more friendly - he is a Editor at a City newspaper. He goes with Kate to the countryside with a bunch of disadvantaged teens and writes their stories for his paper. You are on the edge of your seat wondering if Kate will take the plunge and try again at love. A tale of sadness, loss, friendship, family and love. I loved it!
Snowing in Bali by Kathryn Bonella - a fascinating account of drug trafficking and dealing. Kathryn's first book Hotel K is also worth a read. She talked with the biggest players in Bali's drug world. She tells us about their wealth, power, big houses, partying, surfing and total extravagance. All the highs and the lows of them or their mules getting busted and finding themselves either spending life in prison or on death row.
The Life I left Behind by Colette McBeth* - Six years ago Melody Pieterson was attacked and left for dead. Her friend and neighbour was found guilty and sent to Prison. She becomes a recluse being unable to go out unless with Sam her fiancee, her friend Patrick or her Personal Trainer is with her. Her neighbour David is released from prison and a murder takes place. The body (Eve's) is found in exactly the same place Melody was found and the same jewellery item was left at the scene. The first suspect is her old neighbour. The story is told from three women's viewpoint - Melody's, Eve (who is now a ghost) and DI Victoria Rutter. I found it a great read with lots of twists and turns and had decided who the murderer was before it became apparent it was someone else! Would recommend.
Late Fragments Everything I want to tell you (about this magnificent life) by Kate Gross - this is one of the saddest but uplifting books I've ever read. Kate finds out she has terminal colon cancer. This book is for "her knights" - her 5 year old twins. It maps out her childhood, university life, travelling, meeting the love of her life Billy, working in Government for two PMs and then being CEO of an international charity called the African Governance Initiative (which provides support and advice to post conflict African states) the joys of life, the wonders and the sadness of not being there to see her boys grow up.
She also wrote a blog called the nuisance (what she called her terminal cancer). Kate died on Christmas Day 2014 ten minutes before her boys awoke to open their Christmas stockings.
What have you been reading this month?
*complimentary copies from NetGalley
