February Book Round-Up

Here's what I've been reading in February. Books/ebooks marked * I've generously received via the Publisher directly or via Netgalley

*The Foundling by Stacey Halls - this is an atmospheric read which I devoured in a few sittings. The story is set in London in 1745. Bess, who is unmarried and with child has to leave her daughter Clara at London's Foundling Hospital. It breaks her heart to do so and she is determined to reclaim her. On her return six years later she finds her daughter has already been claimed, supposedly by her the very next day after leaving her there. Bess is determined to find out who took her daughter and why.

Meanwhile over on the posh side of London a young widow, who hasn't left the house since her husband died is persuaded by her friend, a doctor who works at the Foundling Hospital to take on a nursemaid to look after her young daughter. What follows is a richly drawn story of a mother's love and one which will do whatever it takes to claim what is hers. A stunning read. Absolutely loved it.

*Little Doubt - DI Kelly Porter #7 by Rachel Lynch - I just adore Kelly Porter! Little Doubt is not published until March so I'll share my review in my March Book Round-Up.

*Jack & Bet by Sarah Butler - I'm taking part in the blog tour for this gem of a book. Catch my review early next month. It's one of my fav books of 2020.

*Her Husband's Mistake by Sheila O'Flanagan - Again, I'm taking part in the blog tour in March. I'll share my review then. A brilliant read.

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St James - having loved The Broken Girls I jumped in and bought Simone's newest novel. It's absolutely fantastic. Super creepy and un-put-downable and I devoured it in a couple of days.

The rundown motel in Fell, upstate NY hasn't changed since 1982. Carly has come looking for answers. Her aunt was working at the motel when she disappeared without a trace leaving all her belongings including her car behind. 

The story is told from two points of view - Viv in 1982 and Carly in 2017. It's creepy and dark with twisty storylines. Viv was working the nightshift when strange things started happening such as the smell of cigarette smoke and shuffling feet to the doors of the rooms opening at random, the smell of perfume and the young boy on the walk way upstairs. She wants to find out who the woman is who tells her to "run". She decides to investigate why all the young women are being killed in Fell and unravel who the travelling salesman really is.

Carly meanwhile wants to find out what happened to her aunt. Her mum has recently died and she feels the time is right to find out what happened all these years ago.   She of course can look at the internet and spends time at the local archive searching through the old newspapers. She also takes on her aunt's old job at the motel! It's a really brilliant, twisty, creepy, eerie and unputdownable read with some twists I didn't see coming. I absolutely adored it (and another top read!)

*The Unreliable Death of Lady Grange by Sue Lawrence - oh I adored this richly drawn tale based on a true story. I'm taking part in the blog tour next month so I'll share my review then. Another book which makes my best of 2020!

Last October, I read *A Bit of A Stretch - The Diaries of a Prisoner by Chris Atkins (it was published this month) which I found absolutely fascinating. It is informative, eye-opening, compelling and funny. There's some fact weaved into the story which makes for shocking reading. We learn exactly what it's like to be a prisoner at HMP Wandsworth, one of the largest prisons in Europe.

Chris is sent to prison after being found guilty of taking part in a tax avoidance scheme to fund his film making and is sent down for 5 years. He tells it like it is - the appalling conditions that inmates live in, officers who couldn't care less, the lack of resources, the filth, the vermin and tells us about the prisoners with serious drug and mental health issues. 

He finds a way to be out of his cell which grants him privileges by becoming a Listener (they are trained by the Samaritans) listening to those who need a listening ear. He also makes some friends when he's inside (one of whom he now visits in prison). There are some laugh out loud moments and some highly entertaining episodes as well as a first hand look at what is going on right now in UK prisons. Would highly recommend.

In November 2019 I read the incredible *The Temple House Vanishing by Rachel Donohue which was suitably gothic, dark and intense (it was published this month also). It's nearing the 25th anniversary of when a pupil and a teacher disappeared without a trace from the elite Catholic Boarding School. A journo, with vague links to sixteen year old Louisa feels there's more mystery to unravel and seeks to research and write about the main players back then, including her best friend Victoria, now a high flyer in the City as well as former Head Girl, the flinty and obnoxious Helen.

Louisa was a scholarship girl who finds the rules and regulations difficult and she bonds almost instantly with gorgeous rich girl Victoria. They quickly become friends and spend most of their free time together. Victoria believes their dashing Art Teacher, Edward Lavelle is her destiny and she's head over heels in love and he with her. It's a tale of unrequited love and teenage angst set in the crumbling old school among the overgrown and rambling grounds. 

An exquisite debut with interesting characters, twisty storylines, secrets, lies, love, friendship and that twist which left me absolutely reeling. I absolutely adored it and so recommend (and yes, another top read!)

What have you been reading this month?