The Art of Betrayal: A Kate Hamilton Mystery by Connie Berry ~ Cosy #Murder #Mystery @conniecberry @crookedlanebks
Author: Connie Berry
Published: June 2021 by Crooked Lane Books
Category: Cosy Murder Mystery, Police Procedural, Book Review
Spring is a magical time in England–bluebells massing along the woodland paths, primrose and wild thyme dotting the meadows. Antiques dealer Kate Hamilton is spending the month of May in the Suffolk village of Long Barston, enjoying precious time with Detective Inspector Tom Mallory. While attending the May Fair, the annual pageant based on a well-known Anglo-Saxon folktale, a body turns up in the middle of the festivities.
I was a little concerned when asked if I’d like to review The Art of Betrayal as it’s the third book in a series. Thankfully, it works perfectly well as a standalone with enough background information woven through the narrative that I didn’t feel at a loss at any stage.
#ThrowbackThursday ~ Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter ~ #Psychological #Thriller How Well do You Know Those Closest to You.
Pieces of Her is a dual timeline psychological thriller, set in the present day and the mid 80s. Each chapter’s heading is clear so the reader knows the exact sequence as the narrative weaves from one period to the other, exploring the mother/daughter relationship along the way.
My Thoughts
Three years ago thirty-one year old Andrea (Andy) left New York and returned home to help nurse her mother Laura, after a breast cancer diagnosis. Andy has no drive or ambition and no meaningful personal relationships to speak of. Her mother has made her life so agreeable that Andy doesn’t know how to begin to take control herself.
#WordlessWednesday ~ Latest Book Haul #Books #Reading
Megacity (Operation Galton Book 3) by @TerryTyler4 #Dystopian #TuesdayBookBlog
Author: Terry Tyler
Kindle Edition
Category: Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic, Book Review
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The UK’s new megacities: contented citizens relieved of the burden of home ownership, living in eco-friendly communities. Total surveillance has all but wiped out criminal activity, and biometric sensor implants detect illness even before symptoms are apparent.
That’s the hype. Scratch the surface, and darker stories emerge.
First there was hope, then came the wasteland, and out of those the megacities grew. A good proportion of the population have been lured into thinking it’s the way to go…but not everyone was taken in. There were those who still chose to live off grid in self sufficient developments scattered across the countryside.
#SilentSunday ~ A Lovely Walk by the Canal #Photography
John Eyre: A Tale of Darkness and Shadow by @MimiMatthewsEsq #HistFic #Gothic #RBRT
Author: Mimi Matthews
Due for publication on 20th July by Perfectley Proper Press
Category: Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Gothic, Romance, Book Review
Yorkshire, 1843. When disgraced former schoolmaster John Eyre arrives at Thornfield Hall to take up a position as tutor to two peculiar young boys, he enters a world unlike any he’s ever known. Darkness abounds, punctuated by odd bumps in the night, strange creatures on the moor, and a sinister silver mist that never seems to dissipate. And at the center of it all, John’s new employer—a widow as alluring as she is mysterious.
John Eyre is quite a different offering from from Mimi Matthews. In a very good way. It’s a gothic and paranormal retelling of Jane Eyre, with genders reversed and another classic tale thrown into the mix. The broodingly dark atmosphere of evil and menace is palpable.
#ThrowbackThursday ~ The Haunting of Hattie Hastings (Parts 1, 2 & 3) by Audrey Davis ~ Mini #BookReviews #GhostStory
A serialised novel, The Haunting of Hattie Hastings tells the story of Hattie who is happily married to Gary. They have a teenage son Johnny who sometimes tries Hattie’s patience, as teenagers tend to do. Cat, Hattie’s best friend since primary school, has thankfully ditched her controlling husband and is much happier. Her brother Jack is in a strong relationship with his partner, Ben. Hattie’s mother Rachel is an elegant lady with a few gentlemen friends who is about to face a frightening battle.
The Trawlerman: A DS Alexandra Cupidi Mystery by William Shaw @william1shaw #CrimeDrama #TuesdayBookBlog
Author: William Shaw
Published: May 2021 by riverrun
Category: Crime, Murder/Mystery, Drama, Book Review
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A double murder.
An elaborate scam.
An unlikely killer.
The naked corpses of Aylmer and Mary Younis are discovered in their home. The only clues are a note written in blood and an eerie report of two spectral figures departing the crime scene. Officer Jill Ferriter is charged with investigating the murders while her colleague Alex Cupidi is on leave, recovering from post-traumatic stress.
DS Alex Cupidi, suffering from metal and emotional burnout, is in counselling for PTSD. She experiences bad dreams and premonitions that something bad is about to happen. She is under strict orders to stay clear of any sort of active police work. Her life revolves around work and her daughter Zoë. Their relationship is challenging most of the time and Zoë is often out so, combined with the two, Alex is finding it very difficult to fill in the time.
Almost #SilentSunday ~ A Different Take on the Lake #NaturePhotography
We went for a walk round Ellesmere lake the other day and, although it was warm and quite bright, the sky didn’t have much colour. I had a little play with the Ps camera app to give a more dramatic appearance.
The befores and afters…
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