Here's what I've been reading in October. And yes, I'm still behind on my Goodreads challenge, oh well! *copies from the Publisher via Netgalley/direct from the Publisher.
*Blood Rites (DI Kelly Porter #6) by Rachel Lynch - A young woman is found naked and mute at an ancient stone circle by a local man and his family. While DI Kelly Porter and the Team look into it the girl disappears and the case unfortunately is put on the backburner.
We also watch Kelly's personal life develop with the loveable Johnny, excitement about their forthcoming sailing trip, her new relationship with her dad, developing a relationship with Johnny's daughter while still missing her mum and being estranged from her sister. She's also receiving disturbing letters from someone evil whom she put away on a previous case - she doesn't know how they know so much about the case she's investigating now...
Kelly and the Team are investigating the murder of a local woman and as they delve further it seems that the death is linked to Pagan rituals and witchcraft with the murderer having left a specific mark on her body. There is another death which seems to be connected (it's totally grisly - I was having nightmares about it!) and a tragic accident involving someone close to Johnny.
It's an absolutely brilliant read which I totally devoured in a couple of sittings. Roll on the next one.
We also watch Kelly's personal life develop with the loveable Johnny, excitement about their forthcoming sailing trip, her new relationship with her dad, developing a relationship with Johnny's daughter while still missing her mum and being estranged from her sister. She's also receiving disturbing letters from someone evil whom she put away on a previous case - she doesn't know how they know so much about the case she's investigating now...
Kelly and the Team are investigating the murder of a local woman and as they delve further it seems that the death is linked to Pagan rituals and witchcraft with the murderer having left a specific mark on her body. There is another death which seems to be connected (it's totally grisly - I was having nightmares about it!) and a tragic accident involving someone close to Johnny.
It's an absolutely brilliant read which I totally devoured in a couple of sittings. Roll on the next one.
Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid - this is a quick read. Carrie find out that her husband is having an affair with David's wife and feels it's in his interest to know about it, thinking they can support each other.
What follows is a conversation in letter form in which they open up to each other and they actually also meet in person! I loved the very unexpected twist! Would recommend.
What follows is a conversation in letter form in which they open up to each other and they actually also meet in person! I loved the very unexpected twist! Would recommend.
*Broken Souls (DI Lottie Parker #7) by Patricia Gibney - Cara Dunne, a jilted bride is found hanged wearing her wedding dress. Later that day, bride-to-be, Fiona Heffernan seems to have jumped to her death from the roof of the nursing home where she worked leaving behind her young daughter, Lily. Lily, the love of her life whom she'd never have left...
DI Lottie Parker and the Team need to find out if these woman have committed suicide and why, and if not, who murdered them and why. They also need to find Lily. Her father, Fiona's ex is breathing down their neck along with Lottie's pain of a boss..
Boyd seems to be hiding something and it's worrying Lottie. He says he's fine but she knows better. It's niggling her and she won't rest until she finds out. She's got the usual ups-and-downs with the kids, her mother and half brother - who seems intent on worming his way into their lives which displeases her a lot.
The race is on to find the killer and there are some surprising twists and turns along the way with other storylines weaved in which come clearer as you read on. As ever, a brilliant story. There is something left hanging however which will hopefully become clearer in the next book.
DI Lottie Parker and the Team need to find out if these woman have committed suicide and why, and if not, who murdered them and why. They also need to find Lily. Her father, Fiona's ex is breathing down their neck along with Lottie's pain of a boss..
Boyd seems to be hiding something and it's worrying Lottie. He says he's fine but she knows better. It's niggling her and she won't rest until she finds out. She's got the usual ups-and-downs with the kids, her mother and half brother - who seems intent on worming his way into their lives which displeases her a lot.
The race is on to find the killer and there are some surprising twists and turns along the way with other storylines weaved in which come clearer as you read on. As ever, a brilliant story. There is something left hanging however which will hopefully become clearer in the next book.
Talk to Me by Roseanne Beck - I came across this easy reading novel quite by accident on Amazon. Austin's car accident has ruined his life. He's had to give up the job he loves and the home he's restoring. He moves away from his friends and all that he knows.
Laura is missing her brother Steven who killed himself. They were best friends as well as business partners. She ends up meeting Austin when over visiting her aunt as he's her next door neighbour. They become buddies and she finds out he's got a special gift which enables her to hear from Steven on the other side...
She thinks its safer for all concerned if they remain friends although there's definite sparks flying. I loved watching their romance blossom. A funny and heartwarming read which I really enjoyed.
Laura is missing her brother Steven who killed himself. They were best friends as well as business partners. She ends up meeting Austin when over visiting her aunt as he's her next door neighbour. They become buddies and she finds out he's got a special gift which enables her to hear from Steven on the other side...
She thinks its safer for all concerned if they remain friends although there's definite sparks flying. I loved watching their romance blossom. A funny and heartwarming read which I really enjoyed.
Inside Broadmoor by Jonathan Levi & Emma French - I found this book fascinating (I also watched the TV programme a while back about Broadmoor). It opened as an asylum for the criminally insane in 1863 and has housed some famous patients including Peter Sutcliffe, Jack the Ripper, Charles Bronson and Ronnie Kray.
The story isn't really about them but touches more on the history of Broadmoor, interviews with the staff and patients, an overview of the admissions procedure and the wards and what it's like to be a patient there as well as thoughts about leaving the old building behind for the new build next door. An interesting read.
The story isn't really about them but touches more on the history of Broadmoor, interviews with the staff and patients, an overview of the admissions procedure and the wards and what it's like to be a patient there as well as thoughts about leaving the old building behind for the new build next door. An interesting read.
*Eden Interrupted by Beverley Harvey - I did find it nice to be back in Eden Hill having loved Seeking Eden which I read in November '17.
90s rock star, Ben Wilde and his wife Lisa return from honeymoon and their romantic bubble bursts when they have to babysit her mother after she has an accident. Ben also finds out he's going on tour again and is worried about how Lisa will take this.
Lisa befriends her neighbour Rosemary, who seems really down to earth and whose husband, Nigel works away a lot. It's her that visits Nigel's mum who has dementia and we find she really cares about her, a lot more than her son does! They also have a little daughter, Iris.
Divorced mum, Chloe takes over the coffee shop and her son Jake forms a friendship with a local girl who has a very attractive single dad! New to Eden Hill, but not the series, are Jan and Martin Bevan who are going through life changes. Martin seems to have a lot of time for Jake, which helps to keep him on the straight and narrow.
I loved how all the stories intertwine and it was always just one more chapter! The book reads so easily and I was totally engrossed in their lives! So recommend.
My Friend Anna by Rachel DeLoache Williams - I found the story of con artist, Anna Delvey absolutely fascinating and read the book in a couple of days. Vanity Fair photo editor, Rachel DeLoache Williams's new friend Anna is a wealthy German Heiress and is fun to be around. She's also very generous paying for Rachel to enjoy dinners at Le Coucou, drinks at 11 Howard Library Bar and regular workout sessions with a celeb Personal Trainer.
Anna proposes an all-expenses paid trip to Marrakech staying at the 5* La Mamounia Hotel. They have a fabulously luxurious trip and things start to go wrong when Anna's credit card fails and Rachel finds herself footing the bill for the luxury stay... you can feel the tension and worry on Rachel's part!
Back in New York Anna has still not paid her back and Rachel discovers that Anna has left unpaid bills wherever she goes... I felt Rachel left things drag on too long before she takes matters into her own hands and approach the authorities. It's a fabulous read, which left me open mouthed at times but which I couldn't put down.
*The Prison Doctor by Dr Amanda Brown - I found this a fascinating and interesting read. Dr Amanda Brown left a cosy set up as a local GP in a practice she set up to work firstly at a Young Offenders' Institution, then Wormwood Scrubs and then to HMP Bronzefield, a prison for women where she currently works.
We hear about the people she treats, the violence, drugs, suicides, attempted suicides, self-harm etc. The real people with their very real stories. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments which are interspersed with sadness as well as hope. She's an absolute inspiration and I loved reading her story. Would recommend.
*A Bit of a Stretch - The Diaries of a Prisoner by Chris Atkins - this book isn't published until next year so I'll share my review then. I will however say I found it absolutely fascinating, interesting, funny in bits, scary, eye-opening and well worth a read.
What have you been reading this month?
90s rock star, Ben Wilde and his wife Lisa return from honeymoon and their romantic bubble bursts when they have to babysit her mother after she has an accident. Ben also finds out he's going on tour again and is worried about how Lisa will take this.
Lisa befriends her neighbour Rosemary, who seems really down to earth and whose husband, Nigel works away a lot. It's her that visits Nigel's mum who has dementia and we find she really cares about her, a lot more than her son does! They also have a little daughter, Iris.
Divorced mum, Chloe takes over the coffee shop and her son Jake forms a friendship with a local girl who has a very attractive single dad! New to Eden Hill, but not the series, are Jan and Martin Bevan who are going through life changes. Martin seems to have a lot of time for Jake, which helps to keep him on the straight and narrow.
I loved how all the stories intertwine and it was always just one more chapter! The book reads so easily and I was totally engrossed in their lives! So recommend.
My Friend Anna by Rachel DeLoache Williams - I found the story of con artist, Anna Delvey absolutely fascinating and read the book in a couple of days. Vanity Fair photo editor, Rachel DeLoache Williams's new friend Anna is a wealthy German Heiress and is fun to be around. She's also very generous paying for Rachel to enjoy dinners at Le Coucou, drinks at 11 Howard Library Bar and regular workout sessions with a celeb Personal Trainer.
Anna proposes an all-expenses paid trip to Marrakech staying at the 5* La Mamounia Hotel. They have a fabulously luxurious trip and things start to go wrong when Anna's credit card fails and Rachel finds herself footing the bill for the luxury stay... you can feel the tension and worry on Rachel's part!
Back in New York Anna has still not paid her back and Rachel discovers that Anna has left unpaid bills wherever she goes... I felt Rachel left things drag on too long before she takes matters into her own hands and approach the authorities. It's a fabulous read, which left me open mouthed at times but which I couldn't put down.
*The Prison Doctor by Dr Amanda Brown - I found this a fascinating and interesting read. Dr Amanda Brown left a cosy set up as a local GP in a practice she set up to work firstly at a Young Offenders' Institution, then Wormwood Scrubs and then to HMP Bronzefield, a prison for women where she currently works.
We hear about the people she treats, the violence, drugs, suicides, attempted suicides, self-harm etc. The real people with their very real stories. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments which are interspersed with sadness as well as hope. She's an absolute inspiration and I loved reading her story. Would recommend.
*A Bit of a Stretch - The Diaries of a Prisoner by Chris Atkins - this book isn't published until next year so I'll share my review then. I will however say I found it absolutely fascinating, interesting, funny in bits, scary, eye-opening and well worth a read.
What have you been reading this month?
