Helen Matthews, author of the brilliant new psychological suspense The Girl in the Van shows the importance of settings in a novel and explains why you can take the girl out of Wales, but you can’t take Wales out of the girl I was born in Cardiff and stayed there until I went to university … More The Girl in the Van: the Welsh Connection
Never Have I Ever was one of my favourite reads last year (perhaps ever) so I was so excited to read this one. It’s every mother’s worst nightmare.‘If you ever want to see your baby again, GO HOME.Tell no one.Do not call the police.Do not call your husband.Be at your house by 5:15 PM.Or he’s … More Book review: Mother May I? by Joshilyn Jackson
This author was new to me but the premise had me intrigued, so I couldn’t wait to dive in. 30% of murders in the US go unsolved.Becca Garner hopes her lover’s is one of them.Because she found him.He bequeathed her a million dollars.She’s married.And so is he. It’s clear from the first page that Becca … More Book review: The Murderess by Ivan Jenson
If you follow this blog, you’ll know I’m a fan of locked-room style murder mysteries – and the Cornish setting for this one made it a must-read. Thirteen guests. One killer. No escape. On an island on the coast of Cornwall, cut off from the mainland by the tides for most of the day, thirteen … More Book review: The Invitation by AM Castle
I’ve loved all Rachel Abbott’s books so was very excited to read this. What an irresistible concept – a group of friends brought back to a house in Cornwall where a murder was committed a year ago, to find out whodunnit – and who must pay. We were all there that day. Now one of … More Book review: The Murder Game by Rachel Abbott
I love a psychological thriller involving entangled relationships and when I saw that this one was set in Bristol where I grew up, I couldn’t wait to get started! Gemma, an 18 year-old student with her life ahead of her, has disappeared and is soon found to have been murdered. As the story unfolds, it’s … More Book review: Love You Gone by Louise Mullins
I’m always drawn to stories that feature a dysfunctional group of people in a claustrophobic setting so this one set in a sect-like wellness retreat appealed to me straight away. Description You come to Soul Shrink to be healed. You don’t expect to die. Two years ago, Fran’s sister Jenna disappeared on a wellness retreat … More Book review: Her Last holiday by CL Taylor
A beautiful setting always adds to my enjoyment of a book, especially during lockdown when reading’s been the only way to travel. The remote south pacific island in this story is so vividly described you feel you’re there by the white sand, coconut palms, tropical jungle and coral reef. However, be warned! This place is … More Book review: The Castaways by Lucy Clarke
I’ve read one other book by Lauren North (The Perfect Betrayal) and love the way she writes so I came to this with high expectations. Jenna is a hospital doctor with two lovely children – and a stalker. Every time she leaves the house she knows he’s there. Disturbing gifts are left on her doorstep, … More Book review: One Step Behind by Lauren North
As I’ve probably said many times on this blog, I love reading (and writing) stories about houses that harbour dark secrets, so I was immediately drawn to this one. Recently widowed Freya is desperate to find a new home for herself and five year-old daughter Skye so when an elderly man she meets in a … More Book review: The Apartment by KL Slater
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