Here's what I've been reading in May. If a book is marked * I very kindly received it direct from the publisher or via netgalley for review/blog tour.
Tomb with a View by Peter Ross - I always liked visiting graveyards as a child until my sister told me I was weird! It was nice to delve into this book which shares the author's and many other's stories. It's absolutely fascinating. We learn about famous people and normal people's resting places and those who care for the graveyards and tend to the graves. The author takes us all over the world, including to Northern Ireland and The Troubles and I felt at time it was a history lesson, but in a good way! Highly recommend.
*Out in the Cold by Stuart Johnstone - Sergeant Don Colyear finds himself sent away to Highland town, Stratharder after an incident down in Glasgow. He's not happy at being sent away but decides to make the best of it, keeping his head down and getting on with it.
It seems that his new Commander doesn't want him there either and the crimes committed are pretty routine and mundane. He's teamed up with a sparky young Constable who is eager to learn from him. He stumbles on something big which the Commander and others are eager to keep under wraps.
His "gut feeling", unusual stomach cramps which have helped him out in the past help to uncover the connection to the missing girls and the murder of the local groundsman. A story full of secrets, lies and mystery in a local town setting. I really enjoyed it and hope it's the start of a series.
*Dead Ground - Poe & Bradshaw Thriller by M W Craven - oh how excited was I to receive the latest Tilly and Poe via the publisher from netgalley. I devoured it in 2 sittings. Absolutely brilliant. I'm taking part in the blog tour in early June so catch my review then. Just loved it, so good.
*The Actuality by Paul Braddon - Evie is a near perfect bioengineered human. She lives with her husband in luxury apartment in the sky with it's own lush roof garden which is tended to by Daniels, her husband's servant. Her kind are banned and as her owner never registered her she's kept hidden.
When her existence is revealed and things take a tragic turn she has to suddenly leave all that she's known for the last 40 years and go outside - where poverty is rife, there's danger on every corner and Britain is battling pollution and crime. It's a scary and terrifying time. Daniels is with her on the first leg of her journey - her dream is to reach Austria. The story takes us through London, Cambridge and Paris and is truly un-put-down-able. There is a twist near the end I didn't see coming! Highly recommend - it's a cracking read.
*Saving the Day by Katie Fforde - Quick Reads celebrated their 15th Anniversary on Thursday and I was very kindly gifted one of the books. Allie is bored with her job at the supermarket, her colleagues who seem to know what's best for her and her lazy boyfriend Ryan.
One day when walking past her favourite cafe on the way home to her dad she sees an advert for an Assistant. She's only able to stack shelves and they want someone who can cook. She speaks with her friendly neighbour who teaches her how to make some basic recipes. There's also a handsome waiter in the cafe who's taken her eye... In turn, she saves the day when the cafe gets into financial trouble. I absolutely loved this short tale. Would recommend.
*The Lost Girls by Heather Young - I absolutely adored this story which is set in two timelines. It doesn't publish until November so I'll share my review then.
*Above and Beyond by Saskia Swann & Nicola Stow - I absolutely loved Saskia's story about life as a Private Flight Attendant on rich people's jets. I'm taking part in the blog tour next week so I'll share my review then. It's fabulous! Highly recommend.
Awaiting publication:
*The Beauty of Impossible Things by Rachel Donohue - Having loved The Temple House Vanishing I was delighted to read Rachel's new book. Natasha is looking back at that summer, the one she turned fifteen and everything changed. She and her beautiful and bohemian mother, Elizabeth live in a crumbling house by the sea and keep themselves to themselves mainly away from the idle gossip of the inhabitants of the small seaside town.
Natasha has a gift, she can predict things which are going to happen and has disturbing dreams. She sees the strange lights above the ridge about the same time loner Lewis does. Visitors flock to town to see them anxious not to miss out. Mr Bowen, this summer's lodger seems smitten by her mother something Natasha's isn't happy about as it's always been the two of them against the world.She has a premonition which, despite warning those involved about it comes true and the town has to deal with the aftermath. I thought the story was beautifully written and kept me interested throughout. Would recommend.
*Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth MacNeal - I was totally drawn into this magical story from the very first page. It's set in 1866 and Nell lives in little costal village with her much loved brother and her drunken father. She works at the flower farm and lives by the sea. She's shunned by the villagers due to her unusual birthmark.
Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders arrives in the village and she's curious to see the acts. She's spotted by Jasper who does a deal with her father and she becomes their Leopard Girl flying through the stars. As her fame grows Jasper is jealous of it. She finds kinship and love with his younger brother, sensitive Toby who is always in the background despite his childhood dreams of co-running a circus with his brother.
Jasper wants the show to get big too quickly and borrows money from a dodgy moneylender who will stop at nothing if he's not paid on time. As things go wrong Nell hopes she and Toby will stay strong... With a bittersweet ending I'm still thinking of now.. I absolutely loved the story and it's characters. So highly recommend.
*Twisted Lies DI Kim Stone Book #14 by Angela Marsons - I can't believe this is book #14! An absolutely stellar series which keeps getting better and better. DI Kim Stone and DS Bryant are joined by journo Tracy Frost for a day of shadowing, much to Kim's disgust. One of their calls is to the family of a woman murdered by her husband. They are hoping for a conviction this time but don't hold out much hope. Tracey who is always looking out for a story thinks there is much more to this.
A man tortured beyond belief is found in a disused warehouse and Kim and the Team are instantly on the case. When they go to tell his wife she doesn't seem that upset. Her sister takes charge which seems alien to Kim. 24hrs later the family have gone.A second body is found and the Team find something out which seems to link the two cases. It's not long however before another body is found, again brutally tortured. The race is on to find the killer before it's too late..... It's great to catch up with Stacy, Penn and Barney too! Kim and Frost also seem to find more even ground and Kim truly believes she's done a good job. It's fast paced, twisty and very grisly with a few secrets intertwined. Highly recommend as always!
*Devorgilla Days by Katheen Hart - I absolutely devoured this gem of a read in two sittings. Kathleen (aka @PoshPedlar on instagram) decided to change her life after suffering breast cancer and associated illnesses which forced her to learn to walk again. I am in awe at what she went through and came out the other side.
While recuperating she spotted a little cottage for sale in Wigtown, the Scottish Book Town. On a whim and with a feeling of deja vu she drove miles to see it and bought it the very same day! It did need some love and tender care but very soon she has it the way she wants it and names it Devorgilla.
While still having health issues (she has the same rare illness as my dad!) she throws herself into village life and the book is peppered with anecdotes, some of which made me laugh out loud!
She goes swimming to keep her grounded and alive, even though the locals thinks she's nuts, throws herself into various clubs including a bee keeping course. I also loved the sound of The Wigtown Emporium which sells a range of treasures. It's an uplifting and heartwarming read which I really, really enjoyed.
What have you been reading this month?
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