December Books

Here's what I've been reading in December:

Shelter by Sarah Franklin* - I absolutely loved this book! It's set in WW2 in the Forest of Dean, Coventry and London. Connie leaves Coventry behind, a city girl whose heart is broken. 

She becomes a Lumberjill in the Women's Timber Corps and finds herself partnered up with Seppe, an Italian Prisoner of War. They slowly become friends and he's there that day when she needs him the most. They all rally round for Connie - Amos (who she's billeted with) and neighbours Frank and Joyce.

She finds that something is missing from her life and goes back to the city leaving behind something really precious which makes her whole. A beautiful story which I loved.

Cold Christmas by Alastair Gunn* - I didn't realise that this book was fourth in a series (I've since started at the beginning!). I loved this fast paced read with the huge twist I didn't see coming. With great characters and storylines I raced through the book. 

DCI Antonia Hawkins and her team are on the hunt for a killer who is targeting men and killing them. The bodies of three men were found in an abandoned flat, naked from the waist up and confusingly they can't find a cause of death.

Antonia's personal life has taken a nosedive, all her and DI Mike Maguire seem to do is argue. Will their wedding ever take place?

They are unable to find a connection between the men and think drugs is the key. They find out there is a link to a church called Cold Christmas, which faces the wrong way and has links to the paranormal and satanic rituals. The story has an explosive twist which I didn't see coming and I'm still thinking about it long since finishing the book.

The Advent Killer by Alastair Gunn* - this is the first book in the DCI Antonia Hawkins series.  Antonia is leading her first murder investigation and is joined by ex-partner Mike Maguire. 

Three weeks before Christmas a woman drowns in her bathtub at 1.00am in the morning. The next week at the same time a woman is beaten to death. The following week there is another victim and the race is on to find out who is killing these women and why...

I did guess about half way through who the killer was but not why. I loved this fast paced read which I couldn't put down.

That Girl by Kate Kerrigan* - I'm taking part in the blog tour for this fabulous read. So will include my review in my January roundup.

The Confession by Jo Spain* - Again, I'm taking part in the January blog tour for this amazing read so I'll include it in my January roundup.

Russian Roulette - A Mirabelle Bevan Mystery by Sara Sheridan - oh how I love the Mirabelle Bevan series. 

In this outing Superintendent Alan McGregor asks Mirabelle and sidekick Vesta to do some investigating of their own. He's not allowed to lead the case as the victim is his old schoolfriend's wife. She's got no known enemies or conflicts in her life so they don't have much to go on.

Mirabelle finds herself undercover as a chambermaid in The Grand Hotel investigating call girls and high stake gambling dens. The story is beautifully drawn and you can almost imagine you are there with Mirabelle. As ever a fabulous tale and I can't wait for the next instalment!

What have you been reading this month?

*copy from netgalley