Tag: Blog Tour

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: The Silence in Between by Josie Ferguson

Published June 20th, 2024 by Doubleday UK
Historical Fiction, Domestic Fiction, War Story, Political Fiction

Welcome to my review for this poignant, courageous and unforgettable debut. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Blog Tours the invitation to take part in the blog tour and to Doubleday for the sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES DEBUT PRIZE 2024

The gripping historical debut about a family separated by the Berlin wall – perfect for fans of All the Light We Cannot See, In Memoriam and Alone in Berlin

‘A tautly plotted, deeply involving novel that packs a real emotional punch … I can’t recommend this novel highly enough’ Laura Barnett, author of The Versions of Us
_____

Imagine waking up and a wall has divided your city in two. Imagine that on the other side is your child…

Lisette is in hospital with her baby boy. The doctors tell her to go home and get some rest, that he’ll be fine.

When she awakes, everything has changed. Because overnight, on 13 August 1961, the border between East and West Berlin has closed, slicing the city – and the world – in two.

Lisette is trapped in the east, while her newborn baby is unreachable in the west. With the streets in chaos and armed guards ordered to shoot anyone who tries to cross, her situation is desperate.

Lisette’s teenage daughter, Elly, has always struggled to understand the distance between herself and her mother. Both have lived for music, but while Elly hears notes surrounding every person she meets, for her mother – once a talented pianist – the music has gone silent.

Perhaps Elly can do something to bridge the gap between them. What begins as the flicker of an idea turns into a daring plan to escape East Berlin, find her baby brother, and bring him home….

Based on true stories, The Silence in Between is a page-turning, emotional epic that will stay with you long after you finish reading.

********

MY REVIEW:

“Evil demanded little of me – it merely asked me to remain silent, to do nothing. And I complied.” 

Imagine waking up one morning to discover there is a wall separating your city. You are on one side, and your sick baby is in hospital on the other side. You can’t reach him because guards patrol the wall day and night and shoot anyone who tries to cross. That is the heartbreaking reality facing Lisette when she wakes up on August 13th, 1961 to find the Berlin Wall now completely separates east and west Berlin. She is in the east, whilst her sick baby boy is in hospital in the west. What would you do? If you’re Lisette’s daughter, Ely, then you start concocting a plan to cross the border and rescue your little brother. But can she succeed where so many others have failed?

Powerful, poignant, haunting, courageous, and mesmerising, The Silence in Between is an extraordinary debut. Having the opportunity to read breathtaking books that feel like a watershed moment, such as this one, is one of the biggest privileges of being a book blogger. A story of family, love, loss, fear and hope, the story is set across dual timelines: the end of World War II and the months following the construction of the Berlin Wall. Exquisitely written and rich with historic detail, this is a book you live, not simply read. The fact that all of the things that happen on these pages are taken from real moments in history makes it all the more moving, compelling and terrifying. It is a master-class in bringing history to life, Josie Ferguson’s meticulous research immerses you in the story completely and I tried to soak in every word as the story washed over me. 

“Like so many, I chose to be ignorant of the events that were unfolding. I was like a small girl plugging my ears with my finger tips and singing loudly to drown out the voices of truth. I was present, yet stupidly unaware.”

It is a challenge to write about a significant period in history and Ms. Ferguson decided to write about two of them, but she excels. There is an overwhelming sense of malevolence and an undercurrent of fear hints at danger lurking in every corner in both timelines.  There’s feelings of isolation as you don’t know who you can trust or who might betray you, and we see how circumstances can lead ordinary people to do desperate and despicable things to survive. It was hard to read at times, especially when addressing the brutality German women were subjected to by the Russians in the aftermath of World War II. But while she writes with honesty, it is never graphic or gruesome, only showing us what is needed to understand the characters. Unbearably human and heart-rending, it explores the worst of humanity but also gives us a glimpse of hope; that this too shall pass and better times will come. 

“Everyone’s songs will change for ever with today’s news, and though I know it’s only my imagination that creates the sound of their music, I still find the cacophony of their panic deafening.”

Ms. Ferguson explores a variety of themes in this book. The three most recurring themes are trauma, mother/daughter relationships, and music. These allowed us to forge a very real connection with the characters despite them living in extraordinary times. The mother/daughter bond is explored most obviously through Lisette and Ely, who narrate the story. They have always had a difficult and distant relationship that Ely struggled to understand. And while they seem very different on the surface, they are actually quite alike and are both strong, determined and gutsy women who will go to great lengths for those they love. The two also share a love of music, which is a topic woven through every facet of the story. Lisette used to play piano while Ely hears music personal to everyone she meets. This was a beautiful addition to the story and I was fascinated by the idea that we all carry our own theme tune that tells people more about us than words ever could. Sadly this shared love only tears them apart even more as Lisette has stopped playing the piano for reasons unknown and doesn’t like Ely to talk about her gift. The reasons for all of this are revealed slowly, as secrets in Lisette’s past are revealed and we explore the curse of generational trauma. 

Atmospheric, emotional, tense, and unflinching, The Silence in Between is an unmissable and unforgettable debut that I can’t recommend highly enough. This will be in my top books of the year and is a contender for my overall favourite book of 2024. Josie Ferguson is a talent to watch and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Born in Sweden to a family of writers and readers, Josie Ferguson moved to Scotland when she was two. She returned to Sweden in her twenties, where she completed a vocational degree in Clinical Psychology (MSc). Upon graduating, she moved to London to pursue a career in publishing, something she had dreamed about since delving into fictional worlds as a child, hidden under the duvet with a torch.

She later moved to Asia in search of an adventure and a bit more sun and currently works as a freelance book editor in Singapore, where she lives with her husband and two young children. While training to become a clinical psychologist, Josie learned about the complexity of human nature, something she explores as a writer. She believes books about the past can change the future and she aspires to write as many as possible. The Silence in Between is her debut.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshoop.org* | Amazon*
*These links are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024

BLOG TOUR: Murder Ballad by Lucy Ribchester

Published June 20th, 2024 by Black & White Publishing
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Historical Mystery, Historical Romance, Alternative History

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this hauting and alluring lullaby of historical fiction. Thank you to Black & White Publishing for the invitation to take part and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘A beautiful sensory overload . . . I didn’t want it to end.’ – Kirstin Innes, bestselling author of Scabby Queen

Three women. A deadly score to settle.

EDINBURGH, 1791. Isobel Duguid and her friend, the famous castrato Clessidro, are stars of the Edinburgh Musical Society. Despite her cavalier attitude towards holding a tune, Clessidro’s friendship and her own shocking murder ballads keep Isobel on stage and enjoying an opulent lifestyle in Auld Reekie.

Yet one night a note arrives from the mysterious Mrs Abercorn, regarding Isobel’s most notorious song, The Fiddler’s Wrath. It’s the tale of a prima donna who died of heartbreak after her husband committed murder and
was sent to the gallows. Isobel is intrigued.

But Mrs Abercorn’s curiosity is far more than a fickle interest and the truth is more complicated than anyone could have imagined. As Isobel recounts rising through the social classes, her role in this ill-fated tune is brought to light, awakening the chilling retribution of a once buried secret.

A story of betrayal, mystery, and the secrets some would die to protect. Perfect for fans of Patrick Süskind Perfume and Kate Foster’s The Maiden.

********

MY REVIEW:

“Come all false-hearted women and your jealous husbands near, 
For in my song about a foul murder you shall hear.”

Edinburgh, 1791. Isobel Duguid, is famous for singing macabre murder ballads. She and her friend, Clessidro, are stars of the Edinburgh Musical Society and in high demand. One evening, Isobel receives a note from the mysterious Mrs. Abercorn, saying that her husband, Percy, is  creating a collection of Scotland’s finest ballads and would like to include Isobels’s most notorious ballad, The Fiddler’s Wrath. Isobel is intrigued by their interest in the tale of a prima donna who died of heartbreak following her husband committing murder and being sent to the gallows. But when the full story of Mrs. Abercorn’s curiosity is revealed, it brings long-buried secrets to light. 

Murder Ballad is a gloriously gothic, bloody and alluring serenade. A tale of friendship, love, secrets, betrayal and murder that I got lost in. With dark, atmospheric prose Lucy Ribchester crafted a gorgeous lullaby that transported me to the cobbled streets of 18th-Century Auld Reekie as she tells a tale rich with the fascinating history of Edinburgh, its theatres and the ballads themselves. She makes the music of its time leap from the pages and the audiobook was a treat for the ears as the narrator sang the ballads, immersing me completely in this melodic world. But there is a danger here, too, as peril lurks in the shadows and murder is scattered throughout the story. 

“We are the hidden architects, the secret sulphurous sounds that weave their way into your thoughts. We build morals, climb into your bones through your ears and hand you your history and yet you will never know our names.”

The plot is convoluted and labyrinthine, a cleverly choreographed trail of music, secrets and death strewn through the streets of Edinburgh that is filled with fascinating and vivid characters. It is a journey that spans the  entirety of Isobel’s career, starting with her humble  beginnings as an orange seller and following as she recounts her rise to fame and the origin of the famous ballad that is woven intricately into every facet of this tale. It kept me guessing and I was on tenterhooks as I searched the story for clues and tried to predict where this curious tale would lead. But I was unprepared for the shocking truths that were finally revealed as the full picture emerged.

Evocative, original and surprising, Murder Ballad is a haunting piece of historical fiction that is not to be missed. 

Rating: 🎭🎭🎭🎭

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

I was born in Edinburgh and have a first-class degree in English from the University of St Andrews. After gaining a Masters in Shakespeare Studies from Kings College London, I worked in various jobs, and lived in Spain for a short while, before settling in Edinburgh and beginning to write full time.

I’ve been awarded a Scottish Book Trust New Writers’ Award (2013), a Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship (2016) and a Creative Scotland Open Project Award (2017). My short stories have been shortlisted for the Costa Short Story Award (2014) and Manchester Fiction Prize (2016) and broadcast on BBC Radio 4 (2018). The Hourglass Factory was also longlisted for the Historical Writers Association Debut Crown (2015).

As a tutor and workshop leader, I’ve worked in schools, prisons and community groups. My particular area of interest is developing the confidence and skills of emerging readers and writers.

I also write contemporary thrillers under the name Elle Connel. Down by the Water, and You Can Stay are both published by Wildfire.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG TOUR: The Taken Child by Maria Frankland

Published June 25th, 2024 by Bookouture
Thriller, Psychological Thriller

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this dark, twisty and unpredictable thriller. Thank you to Bookouture for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

As I race towards the lake, Toby’s life unfolds before me, from the day he entered this world to his first day at school. Please let me find him. I’ll do anything. But my sweet little boy is nowhere to be seen.

It kills me that the only way I can spend proper time with my son Toby is by helping out at his school camp. I sit under the emerald green pine trees and Toby’s little face lights up as he runs past me, joining the other chattering, happy children around us. Then I see my ex, David, glaring at me and my heart sinks. He may have full custody, but he’d love nothing more than for me to disappear. Forever.

As the excitement of the first day at this isolated camp dies down, I cherish the long goodnight hug I get to give to my beautiful little boy. I’d do anything to get Toby back.

********

MY REVIEW:

A school residential turns into a nightmare in this suspenseful, gripping and forbidding thriller. It jumps straight into the action with a chilling prologue that hints at what’s to come: someone is dead and one of the children, Toby, is missing. But how did a school trip go so wrong? Moving between narrators and timelines, Maria Frankland skillfully tells the story. And it’s one hell of a bumpy ride filled with secrets, lies, jealousy, animosity and suspicion. She also knows how to keep her readers guessing, giving little away and keeping her cards close to the vest as we try to guess who is the murderer in their midst and who is their victim? And what about Toby? Will he be found safe? Pacy, unpredictable and filled with red herrings, she keeps us guessing; pulling the rug from under me with another twist every time I thought I had things figured out. It was addictive and I was so desperate for answers that I devoured the book in two sittings. But one of the most intriguing aspects of the book were the sentences in bold italics at the end of every chapter. The author of these dark, menacing, and moving sentences is a mystery, adding to the tension as I tried to guess not only who wrote them, but also who they were written to. 

Frankland has filled the pages with a varied and compelling cast of characters. Their histories are complicated, intricate and hostile, leading to an atmosphere ripe with bitterness and tension. Each of the women who narrate the story were flawed and complex characters that might not always be likeable, but nevertheless had some quality that made me root for them at times. David was another story. He gave me the ick from the start and seemed to always be at the centre of conflicts. They were all potential suspects and victims and I could imagine any one of them killing for one reason or another. I loved this uncertainty as it added to the tension and kept me on the edge of my seat until the last pages. 

Riveting, twisty and unpredictable, this is a must-read for any thriller lover.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Maria Frankland has a dubious internet search history and a very worried mother-in-law. However, neither of these things can stop her writing gripping psychological thrillers in which you’ll never find a happy-ever-after.

Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.

Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon*
*This is an affiliate link

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2023

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: The Fascination by Essie Fox

Published June 6th, 2024 by Orenda
Gothic Ficiton, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Historical Thriller

Welcome to my stop on the paperback blog tour for The Fascination. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part and to Orenda for the proof copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The estranged grandson of a wealthy collector of human curiosities becomes fascinated with teenaged twin sisters, leading them into a web of dark obsessions. A dazzlingly dark gothic novel from the bestselling author of The Somnambulist.
 
‘Makes skilful use of the tropes of Victorian gothic fiction… a story of society’s outsiders seeking acceptance and redemption’ Sunday Times
 
‘An inventive slice of gothic fiction, big-hearted and full of strangeness’ The Times
 
‘A dazzling kaleidoscope of darkness and light’ Laura Purcell
 
‘A magical, macabre masterpiece’ A.J. West
 
‘Brimming with Victorian wonders!’ Sean Lusk
 
________________________________
 
Victorian England. A world of rural fairgrounds and glamorous London theatres. A world of dark secrets and deadly obsessions…
 
Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly Lovell are identical in every way, except that Tilly hasn’t grown a single inch since she was five. Coerced into promoting their father’s quack elixir as they tour the country fairgrounds, at the age of fifteen the girls are sold to a mysterious Italian known as ‘Captain’.
 
Theo is an orphan, raised by his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a man who has a dark interest in anatomical freaks and other curiosities … particularly the human kind. Resenting his grandson for his mother’s death in childbirth, when Seabrook remarries and a new heir is produced, Theo is forced to leave home without a penny to his name.
 
Theo finds employment in Dr Summerwell’s Museum of Anatomy in London, and here he meets Captain and his theatrical ‘family’ of performers, freaks and outcasts.
 
But it is Theo’s fascination with Tilly and Keziah that will lead all of them into a web of deceits, exposing the darkest secrets and threatening everything they know…
 
Exploring universal themes of love and loss, the power of redemption and what it means to be unique, The Fascination is an evocative, glittering and bewitching gothic novel that brings alive Victorian London – and darkness and deception that lies beneath…
 
________________________________
 
‘Fascinating and immersive’ Anna Mazzola
 
‘It had me spellbound’ Louisa Treger
 
‘A wonderful, captivating carnival of a novel’ Elizabeth Fremantle
 
‘Essie Fox’s best novel to date – weaves terrors with triumphs, heartache with hope’ Culturefly
 
‘A scintillating cabinet of curiosities’ Foreword Reviews
 
‘A cast of characters Dickens would be proud of’ Frances Quinn
 
‘Rich, dark and heady … a glorious gothic carnival’ Kate Griffin

********

MY REVIEW:

“A narrow ray of sunlight shafts through the door and draws his eye towards the jar that, till that moment, had been concealed in veils of shadow. The skin of what it holds is white and luminous, like pearls…he notices the place where the shoulder blades should be, and where…
Is that a pair of wings? But if they’re wings, is this a fairy? A real-life fairy in a bottle? 
The fascination has begun…”

The Fascination is a deliciously dark slice of Victiorian gothic about life’s outsiders and oddities. A story about the so-called-freaks who would be put on display and stared at for an entry fee. But this book takes that familiar trope and twists it into something that is unexpected. This is a story of trauma, grief, obsession, secrets, redemption and the search for acceptance. A story that we can all relate to that is told by those so often not given a voice. 

Atmospheric, beguiling and intoxicating, I loved the vibe of this story from the beginning. I’m an immediate fan after this first time reading a book by Essie Fox and can’t wait to explore her back catalogue and read any future releases. Beautifully written and meticulously researched, she has crafted a world filled to the brim with intricate details and marvels from the Victorian era. This created an immediate sense of trust between me and the author, leaving me completely hooked and in the palm of her hand as she took me on a journey into the world of curiosities. And the story she tells is one that is complex, layered, and intricately woven, filled with luscious enchantments and unsettling horrors. It is a tale of the best and worst of human nature that will tug at your heart strings, make you rage, and give you hope. And that ending! Omg. Talk about pulling the rug out from under me! Bravo, Ms. Fox. Bravo.

Leaping from the pages of this book is a cast of eclectic characters who are all richly drawn, compelling and memorable. You will love some and loathe others, but every one of them will pull you in. The spotlight inevitably shines on brilliant narrators Keziah and Theo, but the background characters are also given their time to shine, creating some of the most memorable moments of the book. I also loved that every character, however small, has their own captivating story, and enjoyed following their triumphs and trials as the author slowly intertwines them to craft a skillfully woven novel of stories within stories that is mesmerising. 

Hypnotic, heady, mysterious, and original, The Fascination is a gorgeously gothic tale you will lose yourself in. One of my favourite books so far this year, I can’t recommend it highly enough. 

Rating: ✭✭✭✭.5

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Essie Fox was born and raised in rural Herefordshire, which inspires much of her writing. 

After studying English Literature at Sheffield University, she moved to London where she worked for the Telegraph Sunday Magazine, then the book publishers George Allen & Unwin – before becoming self-employed in the world of art and design. 

Always an avid reader, Essie now spends her time writing historical gothic novels. Her debut, The Somnambulist, was shortlisted for the National Book Awards, and featured on Channel 4’s TV Book Club. The Last Days of Leda Grey, set in the early years of silent film, was selected as The Times Historical Book of the Month. Her latest novel, The Fascination is based in Victorian country fairgrounds, the glamour of the London theatres, and an Oxford Street museum full of morbid curiosities.  

Essie is also the creator of the popular blog: The Virtual Victorian. She has lectured on this era at the V&A, and the National Gallery in London.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These links are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.
 

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Toxic by Helga Flatland

Published May 23rd, 2024 by Orenda
Literary Fiction, Mystery, Humour, Translated Fiction

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Toxic, the atmsohperic and unsettling new novel from Helga Flatland. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part and to Orenda for the gifted proof in exchange for an honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Shamed schoolteacher, Mathilde, moves to a dairy farm in the Norwegian countryside for an ‘easier life’, but she’s soon up to her old tricks … upending and unsettling the lives of two reclusive farmers.  Exquisitely written, razor-sharp and simmering with an unexpected tension, Toxic marks the return of one of Norway’s finest writers…
 
‘Flatland has the gift that I most often covet in the work of other writers: the ability to make everyday events compelling … how the quietest existence can brim with urgency and drama’ Ann Morgan
 
‘Helga Flatland writes with elegance and subtle humour’ Daily Express
 
‘The author has been dubbed the Norwegian Anne Tyler and for good reason’ Good Housekeeping
 
––––––––––––––
 
When Mathilde is forced to leave her teaching job in Oslo after her relationship with eighteen-year-old Jacob is exposed, she flees to the countryside for a more authentic life.
 
Her new home is a quiet cottage on the outskirts of a dairy farm run by Andres and Johs, whose hobbies include playing the fiddle and telling folktales – many of them about female rebellion and disobedience, and seeking justice, whatever it takes.
 
But beneath the apparently friendly and peaceful pastoral surface of life on the farm, something darker and more sinister starts to vibrate and, with Mathilde’s arrival, cracks start appearing … everywhere.

********

MY REVIEW:

Atmospheric, intense, surprising and seductive, I flew through this book in just a few hours. Exquisitely and elegantly told, Helga Flatland merges folklore of female rebellion and defiance with a story of obsession and toxic love to create a novel that feels both relatable and original. Set at the start of Covid, Flatland transports us to that time of uncertainty and fear. A time where we cleaned packages, scrubbed surfaces, and saw every other person as a potential threat from the invisible peril that loomed. It was the ideal setting for this story, adding to its surreal and dreamlike vibe that drifted alongside the fizzing tension and frenzied longing. 

The story is told by Mathilde and Johs, two very different people who are strangers when the story begins. Both are emotionally scarred, flawed and compelling, but it is Mathilde whose story gripped me most to start with. Mathilde is a secondary school teacher in Oslo when she begins a passionate relationship with 18-year-old Jakub, who is one of her students. It is never clear if she is a reliable narrator and there are signs she may live in a fantasy world from the start as she tells us Jakub was the one to pursue her and she was powerless to resist. We soon see signs of obsession as she is consumed by him then refuses to let go after he abruptly ends their affair. She’s so far gone that she sees nothing wrong with the power imbalance between them even after her boss points it out and is filled with  indignation when she’s dismissed from her job.  

 I wanted to shake her! But, we’ve all had relationships where the other person is like heroin to us and we can’t get enough, so, inappropriate as it was, I wondered if maybe that is what this was. 

Now in disgrace, Mathilde decides she needs a fresh start and rents a cottage on a dairy farm run by Johs and his brother, Andres. At first, it was the flashbacks to Johs family history that gripped me most in his thread, slowly unveiling how their strange and damaged dynamic was created by restrictive traditions and tales of folklore. But, we soon discover how troubled Johs really is as he develops his own unhealthy fixation. Meanwhile, Mathilde has her sights set on another inappropriate paramour. A noxious storm was brewing and I was transfixed as I tried to predict how this would end. But you could have bet me millions of pounds and I would have never guessed. Ms. Flatland plays a blinder, ending with an unexpected, strange, and ambiguous twist that left me with a deep sense of unease. 

A beautiful but unsettling novel that lingers long after reading, Toxic has put Helga Flatland firmly on my autobuy list. Highly recommended. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Helga Flatland is one of Norway’s most awarded and widely read authors. Born in Telemark, Norway, in 1984, she made her literary debut in 2010 with the novel Stay If You Can, Leave If You Must, for which she was awarded the Tarjei Vesaas’ First Book Prize. She has written four novels and a children’s book and has won several other literary awards. Her fifth novel, A Modern Family, was published to wide acclaim in Norway in August 2017, and was a number-one bestseller. The rights have subsequently been sold across Europe and the novel has sold more than 100,000 copies. A Modern Family marked Helga’s first English publication when it was released in 2019, achieving exceptional critical acclaim and sales, and leading to Helga being dubbed the ‘Norwegian Anne Tyler’. One Last Time is her second book to be translated into English (by Rosie Hedger), and published in 2021.

********

MEET THE TRANSLATOR:

Matt Bagguley grew up in the UK Midlands before moving to Oslo in 2001. Originally a musician and designer, he now works as a full-time translator of Norwegian to English and has translated a range of titles within publishing and film, including Joachim Trier’s Oscar-nominated comedy-drama The Worst Person in the World, Simon Stranger’s historical novel Keep Saying Their Names, and Nora Dåsnes’s graphic novel Cross My Heart and Never Lie, which recently won the Stonewall Book Award.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Amazon* | Waterstones* |Bookshop.org*
*These links are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out these reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.
 

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG TOUR: The Cuckoo by Camilla Läckberg

Published May 23rd, 2024 by Hemlock Press
Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Police Procedural, Crime Series

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this dark, tense and unflinching scandi noir. Thank you to Libby at Harper Fiction for the invitation to take part and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Detective Patrik Hedström and Erica Falck are back, in an irresistible Scandi crime thriller for fans of Jo Nesbo and Lars Kepler.

A community torn apart

As a heavy mist rolls into the Swedish coastal town of Fjällbacka, shocking violence shakes the small community to its core. Rolf Stenklo, a famous photographer, is found murdered in his gallery. Two days later, a brutal tragedy on a private island leaves the prestigious Bauer family devastated.

A town full of secrets

With his boss acting strangely, Detective Patrik Hedström is left to lead the investigation. Tensions rise threatening cracks in the team of officers at Tanumshede police station and pressure mounts as the press demand answers.

A reckoning in blood

In pursuit of inspiration for her next true-crime book, Patrik’s wife Erica Falck leaves behind their three children and travels to Stockholm to research the unsolved decades-old murder of a figure from Rolf’s past. As Erica searches for the truth, she realizes that her mystery is connected to Patrik’s case. These threads from the past are woven into the present and old sins leave behind long shadows.

********

MY REVIEW:

The Swedish Coastal town of Fjällbacka is rocked to its core by the murder of Rolf Stenklo, the famous photographer. They are still reeling when just two days later another brutal tragedy shakes them further when three members of the prestigious Bauer family are found slain on a private island. Patrik Hedström is called in to head up the investigations and under pressure to get answers quickly. Meanwhile, Patrik’s wife. Erica, has found inspiration for her next true-crime book and is investigating the decades-old murder of someone from Rolf’s past. As she digs further it becomes clear that the two cases are connected and the past comes back to haunt those who hoped their secrets were buried forever. 

The Cuckoo is the eleventh book in the Patrik Hedström and Erica Falck series, but it was my introduction to both the series and its author, Camilla Läckberg. I am a big fan of Scandi Noir so I have no idea how I’ve gone so long without reading this author. Dark, sinister, tense and filled with shocking twists, this kept me on the edge of my seat. Told from multiple points of view, it moved seamlessly between dual timelines to reveal an intricately woven story of secrets, murder and revenge. This isn’t a book for the faint of heart. There are some brutal and grisly crime scenes, though it is never graphic. Läckberg addresses timely topics, featuring a transgender woman and her unsolved murder in the past thread. This was handled sensitively but honestly and it felt like she’d done a lot of research to get things right. While I enjoyed both threads of the story, I’ll admit the past thread was the one I found most compelling. I was captivated by Lola and her daughter, Petite, and desperate to know what happened to them. In the present, I became more invested as the kill count increased and it became obvious someone was out for revenge. But why? And who could it be? I loved that I found this so hard to predict, with the last third being particularly twisty and surprising. And that ending! I’m still reeling. 

Patrik Hedström and Erica Falck are great protagonists and I liked that Erica was a writer rather than another police officer, giving an added intrigue to the story. They are likeable, relatable and easy to root for, though I’ll admit to having a particular affinity with Erica thanks to our love of true crime. There is a large cast of characters who are all richly drawn and fascinating, but it took me a little time to get them straight. That being said, it wasn’t a problem reading this as a standalone as Läckberg succinctly catches the reader up on any relevant information. 

Suspenseful, ominous and unflinching, this fast-paced scandi noir is a must for anyone who enjoys a dark thriller. I will definitely be reading more from Ms. Läckberg.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Camilla Läckberg is one of the world’s most popular crime authors. She debuted in 2003 with The Ice Princess and has since published another ten novels in the popular Fjällbacka Series. With her new suspense series about entrepreneur Faye Adelheim Camilla took yet another step in her authorship. Today her books have sold more than 35 million copies and can be read in over 60 countries. She has also written short stories, novellas, children’s fiction, movie scripts and song lyrics.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These links are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Her Last Goodbye (Detective Gina Harte 15) by Carla Kovach

Published May 17th, 2024 by Bookouture
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Crime Series

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this dark and ominous thriller. Thank you to Bookouture for the invitation to take part and the eBook ARC.

********

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Her small hands tremble and tears run down her cheeks. Shivering in the dark, damp storeroom, the little girl clutches her favourite toy dog. She cries out for help, but nobody answers. Her mother went missing last night and, as dawn breaks, there is still no sign of her.

Four-year-old Cleo shakes with fear as she tells the police that her mother, Darcie, was taken by a man on their way home last night. Darcie told Cleo to run and hide, and the last thing she saw was Darcie being pushed into the back of a car.

When police look into Darcie’s life, they discover a drunken argument with her best friend hours before she went missing, a dark figure seen loitering near where Cleo was found, and a recent assault allegation against a customer at Darcie’s work.

It seems like everyone around the young mother was keeping secrets, but Darcie had a dark secret of her own – one she hasn’t dared tell a soul.

Did Darcie’s deadly past finally catch up with her? And will she find the strength to fight for her life and keep her promise to return for her beloved daughter?

If you enjoy reading Angela Marsons, J M Dalgliesh and Mark Edwards then you’ll absolutely love this addictive page-turner.

********

MY REVIEW:

“Tik, tick, tick. The clock is ticking and when eleven comes, we’ll take a lovely trip down memory lane.”

Four-year-old Cleo is found clutching her favourite toy dog in the barn of the B&B. Shaking, the little girl tells police that a man took her mother, Darcie, as they were on their way home last night. Detective Gina Harte and her team are called in to investigate and quickly begin to uncover clues that point to everyone around her keeping secrets. Not only that, but Darcie is hiding a dark secret of her own that may have come back to haunt her. The clock is ticking. Can Gina and her team unravel the clues and find Darcie before time runs out?

Her Last Goodbye is the 15th book in the Detective Gina Harte Series, and it’s another ominous, tense and gripping thriller. I inhaled this book, hooked once more by the skillful pen of Carla Kovach. My love of this series and author is no secret. Ms. Kovach books are an auto-read for me, and she can always be relied upon to deliver a fast paced story that I can’t put down. She is skilled at crafting dark, morally complex storylines and characters that show both the best and worst of humankind. Her multilayered plots never fail to put your emotions through the wringer, and her characters are all brilliantly written and compelling. And her villains. They never fail to unnerve me, but this time she really sent chills down my spine with the lengths this person went to in stalking their victims. I’ll be looking closely at my ceiling from now on!

One of my favourite things about a book series is revisiting much-loved and familiar characters. It was great to be back with Gina and her team, and I appreciated that Ms. Kovach gave them a break in their private life after the intense goings on in the last book. Gina is a brilliant protagonist. Feisty, determined, and with a strong sense of justice, I love how she fights for those unable to fight for themselves. It is nice to see her past torment her less as time goes on, and I appreciate the realistic but sensitive representation of domestic abuse and trauma that is shown through Gina and other characters in this series. As a survivor it is empowering to see books like this that help us to feel seen and raise awareness and understanding of things such as coercive control. All that aside, I am still rooting for Gina to find her happy-ever-after with a certain someone. Please make it happen Carla!

Dark, suspenseful and pacy, this page-turner is a must for any thriller-lover.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Carla Kovach is a USA Today bestselling author from the UK and is published by Bookouture, Sphere, Boekerij and Virtualo. Her DI Gina Harte series has been translated into Dutch, German and Polish.

As well as novels, she has also written stage and screenplays.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers that are taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: The Theatre of Glass and Shadows by Anne Corlett

Published May 23rd, 2024 by Black & White Publishing
Historical Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Contemporary Fantasy, Science Fiction Alternative History

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this glittering and mesmerising novel. Thank you to Tracy at Compuslive Readers Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Flora at Black & White Publishing for the gifted proof copies of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

‘Marvellous’ Bridget Collins, The Sunday Times bestselling author of The Binding

Sometimes the greatest spectacle hides the darkest secrets . . .

In an alternate London, the city’s Theatre District is a walled area south of the river where an immersive production – the Show – has been running for centuries, growing ever bigger, more sprawling and lavish. The Show is open to anyone who can afford a ticket but the District itself is a closed world; even the police have no jurisdiction within its walls.

Juliet’s mother died when she was a baby. Brought up by her emotionally distant father and even more distant stepmother, she has never felt wanted. It’s only when her father passes away that Juliet – now nineteen – learns her birth was registered in the District. Desperate to belong somewhere at last, she travels to London where she hopes to unearth the truth about her identity, her mother’s death and her father’s years of silence – and claim her birthright.

But in the District, there is only one central truth: the Show must go on. And in a world where illusions abound, and powerful men control the narrative, Juliet has no idea of just how far some will go to ensure certain stories are never told . . .

For fans of The Miniaturist and The Doll Factory, The Theatre of Glass and Shadows is a place where nothing is as it seems.

‘Original and captivating’ Karen Coles, author of The Asylum

********

MY REVIEW:

“There are all sorts of stories – well, fragments of stories really – about some people being let in in some way. That the Show is just the tip of the iceberg, with the real mysteries hidden below the surface…”

Luminous, breathtaking, and beguiling, The Theatre of Shadows is a mesmerising story that I never wanted to end. Set in an alternative London, the story follows 19-year-old Juliet who is searching for answers following her father’s death. She grew up feeling unwanted and unloved, raised by her distant father and stepmother after her mother’s death when she was just a baby. Her father refused to talk about her mother, leaving their past shrouded in secrets that seem destined to remain hidden. But when two detectives turn up asking questions, Juliet is determined to uncover the truth about her mother and her past. After discovering that her birth was registered in the Theatre District, she travels to London hoping to finally uncover the truth. But the Theatre District is a place of stories and illusion, where the only truth is ‘the Show must go on’. And, as Juliet is about to discover, there are some who will do anything to make sure that happens…

“As she crossed the river, the feeling of almost and so close was like electricity, sparking through her. This was every Christmas, every birthday, every magical thing that only happened to other people, all rolled together, and she could hardly breathe with the press of it inside her.”

Take a bow, Anne Corlett. A lush dreamscape, this was one of the best books I’ve read this year. It has that perfect combination of lyrical, poetic prose and page-turning momentum that you rarely find. There is also a quiet intensity to the story that tells you there is something sinister bubbling beneath the surface, of dark secrets hidden alongside the fairytales and fantasies told in the Theatre District. Ms. Corlett is a masterful storyteller and dreamweaver, expertly spinning together the gossamer threads of this intricately woven tale and the storytelling is so pitch-perfect that it actually unfolds like a piece of theatre that I could see in vivid technicolour. I loved the darkly mysterious aspect of this story and how I didn’t see some of the twists coming before they pulled the rug from under me. I was captivated, held in Corlett’s thrall from beginning to end as I devoured this glorious tale. 

“The whole place was a dense, multi-layered tapestry… The various loops wove together to create a complex narrative, with a few main strands running through it all.”

At the heart of this book are two things: Juliet, and the Theatre District. Juliet is a flawed but realistic heroine who I was rooting for at every step. Her story is so heartrending that you can’t help but want her to find happiness and a place to belong after always feeling on the outside of her own family. But, while Juliet and the other characters are richly drawn and compelling, it is the Theatre District that feels like the star of the show. Cloaked in mystery, myth and secrets, the Theatre District is a glamorous tableau where hopes and dreams come true and magic and stories are embedded into every crevice. It is like a character in its own right, and Corlett made it come alive with spellbinding imagery that made me want to live inside this magical place she had created. The secretive nature of the real identity of its cast, its inner workings and the Show itself, along with the black masquerade mask that they require everyone to wear, adds to the enigmatic atmosphere that pervades it. There is a magnetism that is impossible to resist and from the moment she arrives, Juliet feels like she has finally found her home. Like her, I was enchanted by this unusual but also desperate to unlock the secrets it was hiding. This is a story ripe for an adaptation and I can imagine watching it over the festive period surrounded by the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree. So, I’m going to need someone to make it ASAP.

Glittering, soulful, haunting and evocative, this magnificent novel is one you won’t forget and I can’t recommend it highly enough. 

Rating: 🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Anne is originally from the north-east, but somehow slid down the map and finished up in a small village near Bath, where she lives with her partner and three sons. She has an MA in English Language and Linguistics from Edinburgh University, and an MSt in Linguistics from Oxford University. During her postgraduate studies, she worked as an etymologist and proofreader for a dictionary, carrying out research at the Bodleian Library.

Armed with her linguistics-related degrees and work experience, Anne took the somewhat illogical next step and became a criminal lawyer. In 2011, after several years spent working in the London courts and police stations, Anne remembered that she’d actually planned to be a writer, and commenced work on her first novel.  This was slightly unfortunate timing, given that she was right in the middle of relocating to Somerset with her family, who seemed to feel that a little less novel-writing and a little more packing might be warranted.  They probably had a point.

Over the next couple of years Anne fitted writing work around her day job as a solicitor. Her writing has appeared in various newspapers, magazines and anthologies, and has won various awards.

In 2016, The Space Between the Stars was published by Pan Macmillan in the UK and Random House in the US. She wrote most of this novel while studying for a Creative Writing MA at Bath Spa University. Her second novel, The Theatre of Glass and Shadows, will be published in May 2024 by Bonnier.

Anne enjoys working with other writers, through editing, mentoring and teaching. For more information about her services, please get in touch using the contact form.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Thirty Days of Darkness by Jenny Lund Masden

Published May 9th, 2024 by Orenda Books
Crime Fiction, Mystery, Hardboiled, Translated Fiction

Today I’m resharing my review for this darkly atmospheric thriller as part of the paperback blog tour. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part and Orenda Books for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

********

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A snobbish Danish literary author is challenged to write a crime novel in thirty days, travelling to a small village in Iceland for inspiration, and then a body appears … an atmospheric, darkly funny, twisty debut thriller, first in an addictive new series.

‘An original and thoroughly enjoyable treat’ Guardian

‘Dark and sharp … A lot of fun’ Val McDermid

‘Witty, dark, meta, ingenious and hugely compelling. I LOVED the Icelandic setting and satirical observations’ Will Dean
 
‘Hilariously scathing. Satirises genre fiction while creating a first-class example of it, full of suspects, red herrings and twists … wit and originality make it a joy to read’ Mark Sanderson, The Times CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH
 
**Winner of the Harald Mogensen Prize for Best Danish Crime Novel**
**Shortlisted for the Glass Key Award**
 
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Copenhagen author Hannah is the darling of the literary community and her novels have achieved massive critical acclaim. But nobody actually reads them, and frustrated by writer’s block, Hannah has the feeling that she’s doing something wrong.
 
When she expresses her contempt for genre fiction, Hanna is publicly challenged to write a crime novel in thirty days. Scared that she will lose face, she accepts, and her editor sends her to Húsafjöður – a quiet, tight-knit village in Iceland, filled with colourful local characters – for inspiration.

But two days after her arrival, the body of a fisherman’s young son is pulled from the water … and what begins as a search for plot material quickly turns into a messy and dangerous investigation that threatens to uncover secrets that put everything at risk … including Hannah…
 
Atmospheric, dramatic and full of nerve-jangling twists and turns, Thirty Days of Darkness is a darkly funny, unsettling debut Nordic Noir thriller that marks the start of a breath-taking new series.

********

MY REVIEW:

“Hannah looks up, suddenly struck by the thought that she isn’t sure if reality is serving as a blueprint for her novel, or whether her novel may end up predicting reality.” 

Hannah takes her writing seriously. The sweetheart of the literary world, she agonises over every word and is dismissive of genre fiction. At a book fair she declares that genre fiction is so easy, anyone could write a book in thirty days, which she is then challenged to do by another author. Afraid to lose face, Hanmah accepts the challenge and soon finds herself on her way to a remote, tight-knitvillage in Iceland, where she will write her thriller. Two days after her arrival the discovery of a body in the water provides Hannah with the perfect plot material. But things soon spiral out of control and she finds herself immersed in a dangerous and chaotic investigation that puts her, and others, at risk.

“At the end of the day, it’s not the dead we’re interested in. It’s ourselves. The death of another forces the bereaved to reflect on their own lives. Through death, we can put everything into perspective, look at the details of one’s own life anew. And ponder in what way death may eventually come for us. “

Darkly atmospheric, twisty, original and filled with black humour, , Thirty Days of Darkness is a riveting debut that keeps you guessing from start to finish. I’m always excited about a new book from Orenda, but when I read the synopsis for this one I was even more intrigued. I loved the idea of taking some of the criticisms of genre fiction and challenging them by having a character who shares those negative ideas and daring her to prove it’s as easy as they think. I think it’s a difficult plot to pull off as it risks being cliche or a caricature of itself, but Jenny Lund Masden accomplishes it with finesse, crafting a story that is well written, compelling and has the reader on the edge of their seat. Told in short, choppy chapters that help keep the story feeling fresh, there’s an element of satire as Hannah scathingly bashes genre fiction in a book that is an outstanding illustration of why she’s so wrong. 

“She looks down at her nails, flexes her fingers, as if they contain some unknown mystery. Which they do, in a way. They translate her thoughts into words, bring her soul into the world, materialise it.”

I love a flawed character so I was thrilled that Hannah isn’t your typical charming protagonist. Snarky, difficult, snobby, and not particularly likeable, she nonetheless has something about her that makes you want to keep reading, if only to see her fall flat on her face or be proven wrong. It was interesting to watch her journey of self-reflection during her time in Iceland and found her much more likeable by the end. But I was glad she never fully lost her spiky edge. Another thing I enjoyed is watching Hannah spar with her nemesis, fellow author Jorn, who is the one who set her the challenge. But I was never quite sure what to make of him and couldn’t decide if the bad feeling I got from him was genuine or had been coloured by Hannah’s opinions. 

“Don’t stick your nose too deep into all this. This town has secrets that are best left alone.”

I think small towns make for a great book setting, and I loved the ominous atmosphere of this one. It’s a very secretive place and from the start Hannah is warned not to dig too deep, adding to the impending sense of danger and foreboding that crackles on every page. The residents are a colourful bunch of characters, many of whom match the strange vibe of the village and add to the menacing atmosphere. But is this because they know something, or just a case of a small town closing ranks against an outsider? I had mixed feelings but loved that this, along with the author’s brilliant writing, made it impossible for me to feel like I’d actually figured out who the antagonist was right up until the big reveal that left my jaw on the floor.

Unsettling, mysterious and suspenseful, Thirty Days of Darkness is a must-have addition to the TBR of all thriller lovers. 

Rating:  ✮✮✮✮✰

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Jenny Lund Madsen is one of Denmark’s most acclaimed scriptwriters (including the international hits Rita and Follow the Money) and is known as an advocate for better representation for sexual and ethnic minorities in Danish TV and film. She recently made her debut as a playwright with the critically acclaimed Audition (Aarhus Teater) and her debut literary thriller, Thirty Days of Darkness, first in an addictive new series, won the Harald Mogensen Prize for Best Danish Crime Novel of the year and was shortlisted for the coveted Glass Key Award. She lives in Denmark with her young family.

********

MEET THE TRANSLATOR:

Megan Turney is originally from the West Midlands, and after having spent several years working back and forth between the UK and the Hardanger region of Norway, she is now based in Edinburgh, working as a commercial and literary translator and editor. She was the recipient of the National Centre for Writing’s 2019 Emerging Translator Mentorship in Norwegian, and is a published science fiction critic. She holds an MA (Hons) in Scandinavian Studies and English Literature from the University of Edinburgh, as well as an MA in Translation and Interpreting Studies from the University of Manchester.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the tour.

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG TOUR: His Last Wife by Ruhi Choudhary

Published April 25th, 2024 by Bookouture
Mystery, Thriller, Drama, Psychological Thriller

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this sinister and unpredictable thriller. Thanks to Bookourture for the invitation to take part and the eBook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

********

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

“Do not go in there, Anna. Never go in there.” The words ring in my head as I pick the lock to the only room in the house that the man I love tells me I’m not allowed to enter. Trembling as I step inside, I’m about to finally find out what happened to his last wife…

Everyone thinks my life is bliss. The love of my life, Cary, and I live in our dream home and we have a beautiful little girl, Harper. I may not have given birth to her, but I’m her mommy now. But there’s one thing we never talk about…

Cary’s wife before me, Presley, was perfect in every way. But she went missing a long time ago. Cary was distraught when he told me how she was abducted from her car, leaving behind a pool of blood. No one saw a thing.

The neighbors are always gossiping about Presley. I try to ignore them, but one day I hear something that makes my stomach flip. Presley was abducted from her home. The home I now live in. Cary lied to me about the car. But why?

As I search our beautiful home for answers, I stumble across Presley’s diary. My heart thunders in my chest as I discover the truth: Cary had something to do with his wife’s disappearance. And I’m terrified I might be next.

But Cary doesn’t know that I have a secret too. He doesn’t know how far I’ve gone to get this perfect life, and how much further I’ll go to keep it…

An unbelievably gripping psychological thriller, His Last Wife will have you flipping the pages until you reach the final, breathtaking twist. Fans of Don’t Let Her Stay, The Housemaid and The Perfect Marriage won’t be able to put this jaw-dropping read down!

********

MY REVIEW:

Anna and Cary are living in their dream home in an affluent neighbourhood with a beautiful daughter, Harper. Anna may not have given birth to Harper, but she adores the angelic little girl and is her mother in every sense of the word. But there is one fly in the ointment of their happiness: Cary’s first wife, Presley. Presley was perfect, and Anna is struggling with living in her shadow. But when she discovers that Cary lied to her about Presley’s disappearance, Anna begins to wonder if he’s all that he appears to be. She searches their room for answers and stumbles across Presley’s diary, which contains worrying accusations against the man she loves. Could he have played a part in his wife’s disappearance? And can Anna uncover the truth without revealing her own secrets?

Forbidding, ominous and suspenseful, this edge-of-your-seat thriller was like a layer cake; filled with a multitude of twists, turns, red herrings, and revelations that kept coming right until the last page. Cleverly choreographed, intricate, and convoluted, Ruhi Choudhary held me in a vice grip as she shattered my predictions with each unforeseen twist. There’s secrets, lies, toxic relationships, and – possibly – murder; all taking place behind the doors of an affluent neighbourhood where appearances are everything. There’s constant drama, a very real sense of danger that permeates the pages, and so many twists that I felt dizzy. I needed answers!

Chaoudhary has created a cast of varied, compelling, and realistic characters who you can imagine living in a neighbourhood like Rosedale. I felt like I’d stepped into a darker version of the Real Housewives with all of the catty backstabbing, drama and displays of grandeur. Anna was the perfect fish out of water and it was easy to root for her as I think we can all relate to that feeling, but knowing she was hiding something did make me wonder if she was a reliable narrator. Presley might not appear on the pages until her diary, but Choudhary perfectly captures that sense of her shadow being cast over everything and she feels like a constant presence. Also perfectly captured is Cary. Choudhary has expertly written this charming man who love-bombs Anna before slowly revealing his true self. He was all-too recognisable and I was screaming at Anna to run away but understood the pull to remain that she felt because of Harper. But the character I found most chilling was ‘The Watcher’; an unknown person who is watching Anna and Cary and seems to have malevolent intentions. I had so many theories about who this person could be – most of them wrong. 

Sinister, tense and unpredictable, this is a must for the TBR of every thriller-lover.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

TW: Domestic abuse, emotional abuse, sexual assault

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Ruhi Choudhary discovered her passion for writing when she was seven years old and wrote her first Star Trek episode. Being a fan of the dark and twisted, she found her calling in crime thrillers.

She likes to write stories that make you a little uncomfortable and characters that you struggle to make up your mind about but stay with you.

She lives in Toronto and spends her days training to be a scientist and wishing it rained more often!

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.