The Path to the Sea

By Liz Fenwick

I won a signed paperback copy of The Path to the Sea a while ago now and it has been waiting patiently on my bookshelf. I am so glad I finally got to reading it.

This story takes place between the 3^rd and 6^th August and flits between 2018 and 1962. Set in the family home of Boskenna, on the Cornish coast, it is told from the perspectives of the three main characters, three generations of women. Joan is the eldest, mother to Diana and Grandmother to Lottie.

Diana and Lottie have returned to Boskenna as Joan is seriously ill and is not expected to live for much longer.

I found this an emotional and tense read from the beginning. I knew there were secrets to be discovered and I was as eager as Diana and Lottie to find out the truth. It was heart-wrenching seeing how Joan was spending her last days in turmoil though. There was obviously something serious weighing on her mind. No-one should have to die in so much pain, physical or emotional.

I had no clue as to where the story might lead and found myself swept along in the mystery.

I really enjoyed Joan’s chapters back in 1962. I could easily imagine the glamour of the parties she regularly hosted. The elegant gowns, the well thought out menus, the flowing alcohol, the music…. I never would have imagined how much of a deeper role she played at that time though and how that role would change her life forever.

Diana was a difficult character to like as an adult, although I did understand her. I empathised with her need for answers at the same time as facing the grief of losing her mother. A mother she feels like she hasn’t really known for so long.

Lottie is a likeable character. I warmed to her straight away and loved the relationship she shares with her grandmother and gramps. I enjoyed the relationships between the mothers and daughters which have been far from easy. They are fractured relationships which need mending, which will never be easy when secrets have been kept for so many years.

I loved the mystery, suspense, and the palpable emotion throughout this book. I felt completely invested in the story and the characters telling it. I very much recommend.

buy your copy….

happy reading!

Flesh and Blood (A DI Amy Winter Thriller Book 4)

by Caroline Mitchell 

Flesh and Blood is another excellent book in the DI Amy Winter series. It is book 4 but it can easily be read as a standalone, although I do recommend the entire series.

In Flesh and Blood, the death of a colleague takes Amy, and her team, to Clacton. The apparent suicide sends shock waves of grief throughout the team and questions are raised. This soon sparks an investigation into other suicides in seaside towns. Nothing seems to connect the victims, but something doesn’t sit right with them. It’s soon obvious that there is much more to these incidents than meets the eye and nothing could prepare them for what they find out as their investigation progresses.

This is a hard-hitting storyline which is even more horrifying as these things do happen in the real world. There are some brilliant characters throughout this book who really bring this story to life. They really made me think about the awful things some people go through and how lucky we are to live in a safe, secure, and happy environment.

Amy is an excellent character. I love how real she is. I always like that we get to know a little more about the ‘main’ characters, who feature throughout a series, as their stories progress. I’m excited to find out what happens next in her life, especially given that ending!

I always enjoy a police procedural and Caroline Mitchell knows exactly what she’s talking about being a former police detective.

This is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and emotional read which kept me glued to my kindle. I loved it and will highly recommend to anyone who will listen.

**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via Netgalley**

buy now!

happy reading!

Her Almost Perfect Husband  by Mary Rensten  The author of the No. 1 bestseller Letters from Malta. Emma Raven thought she knew everything there was to know about Andrew, her clever, ambitious, good-looking husband. They had been happily married for twenty-six years; they had even been at school together: Bernie Silver ‒ Andrew’s friend from university […]

Her Almost Perfect Husband by Mary Rensten @MaryRensten — Bowen’s Book Publicity

The Mystery of the Squashed Self

By Trisha Lewis

The Mystery of the Squashed Self is nothing like the books I usually read. I read very little non-fiction to be honest, although I really should read more, and I have never read a ‘self-help’ book. I have enjoyed this one though.

This book’s target audience is female business owners who might be struggling with self-doubt, but I think a lot of people would relate to at least one of the cases featured in this book, business owner or not.

Trisha Lewis writes in such a humorous and light-hearted way, but with serious and sound advice. I found it a pleasure to read and often amusing. It is a thought-provoking read also, and one which I think will be helpful to many.

This book could easily be read in one sitting or dipped in and out of. It is an excellent book to keep for future reference also, for when you might need that little bit of reassurance again. 

**Many thanks to the author and to Kelly @ LoveBooksTours for my review copy of The Mystery of the Squashed Self**

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The Frequency of Us

by Keith Stuart 

Kindle Edition

The Frequency of Us is another amazing story by Keith Stuart. It is going to be a difficult one to review though as I could happily talk about it for ages, but I don’t want to give too much away.

Having read, and loved, A Boy Made of Blocks and Days of Wonder I was very much looking forward to reading this book. All three books are completely unique, but they all have at least one thing in common; they are so beautifully written and completely captivating.

When we first meet Laura, she isn’t in a good place, but we don’t really know why. She starts a job as a community carer and is given the task of assessing 87-year-old, Will. Will isn’t particularly welcoming, but Laura sticks with him all the same, despite not feeling overly confident in her own abilities. There is something about him she can’t quite put her finger on, and he seems to find something familiar about her too, but they had never met until now. It soon becomes apparent that there is more to Will’s story than meets the eye. Laura makes it her mission to find out the truth in the hope of bringing him some peace. His sadness, confusion, and frustration are heart-wrenching but are his memories even real or just a symptom of dementia. Laura has only days to decide on, and write, her report before social services take over his case.

What seems like a simple, but heartfelt and emotional story of an old man and his carer, who is trying her best to prove he is capable of living alone in his own home, soon becomes much, much more.

I was totally swept up in their story and their fight to find the truth before it was too late, and I was as desperate as Laura to connect all the dots and to try to understand how everything and everyone was connected. This is so intelligently written, and such a genius idea for a novel. It’s like nothing I have ever read before and I am sure it will stay with me for a long time to come.

This book is full of complex characters who all add depth to the story. There is a powerful love story at the core of this novel, but it is so much more than that. So much more than I could have ever imagined. I absolutely loved it from the first page to the last. I highly recommend!

**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via Netgalley**

buy now

ICYMI

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2016/10/05/a-boy-made-of-blocks-by-keith-stuart-review-keefstuart/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/05/27/days-of-wonder-by-keith-stuart-keefstuart-bookreview/

happy reading 🙂

Cuthbert’s Way: A DCI Ryan Mystery (The DCI Ryan Mysteries Book 17) 

by LJ Ross  

Kindle Edition

Cuthbert’s Way has been on my TBR list for far too long, for one reason and another, but it was well worth the wait! It’s no secret that I am a massive fan of LJ Ross and her DCI Ryan books, and I have absolutely loved book 17 of this awesome series.

I know I’ve probably said this in previous reviews, but I love that I feel like I personally know some of the characters throughout this series. Each new book is like catching up with old friends. I find these books such a comfort to read, and always difficult to put down. I’ve had a few late nights recently!

In Cuthbert’s Way Ryan, and the team, find themselves investigating mysterious thefts. When the investigation leads them down a dangerous path, putting those closest to Ryan at risk, he faces his most terrifying race against time yet. His distress was palpable, and I could feel his panic rising. My heart was beating so fast, and I don’t think I took a breath for pages! Brilliant writing as always.

Character led but with an excellent plot there is nothing not to like about this book.

As well as the action and the police procedural side of things, which is so skilfully written, I love the personal aspect of these stories. I have loved seeing the relationships which have developed. I do talk to my husband about these characters as if I know them. He is used to me now and knows exactly who I mean even though he hasn’t read the books himself.

Each of these books could be read as a standalone, but I have read them in order from the start as I prefer to do so.

I highly recommend this book, and all of the series! I am very much looking forward to book 18.

buy your copy now….

happy reading!

Hi, and welcome to my Flashback Friday feature 🙂

On the first Friday of each month I like to have a little look back at the books I was reading during the same month in previous years, since starting my blog.

Please do join in, I’d love to see your posts 🙂

Here are my reviews from April 2020, plus a link to previous April FBFs….

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/04/03/flashbackfriday-april-2020-with-grahnort-iona_grey-gillianpoucher-tanyabullock15-kimthebookworm-morgenwriteruk-jancoledwards/

happy reading 🙂

The One: Now a major Netflix series! 

by John Marrs 

Paperback – 4 May 2017

WOW! What a book!

John Marrs has been on my radar for quite a while, but with one commitment and another I hadn’t got around to reading any of his books until now. As soon as I saw that The One had started on Netflix, I knew I had to read the book first before I allow myself to watch the series. I finished it this afternoon and I have LOVED it! I think it’s an excellent and unique concept for a book.

Imagine you could be matched with ‘the one’ by your DNA. Would you want to know who you were destined to be with? Even if you were already in a committed and loving relationship? I personally would be devastated if I found out that my husband was meant to be with someone other than me and left me based on a DNA swab.

I can understand how curiosity gets the better of some people though.

The characters in this book are fascinating. I love that each chapter is told from their differing experiences with matchyourdna . com. The characters couldn’t be any more different to each other, but they all have one thing in common. Their pursuit of happiness is far from plain sailing. Not all of them deserve a happily ever after either! Oh, my, there are some shocking scenes throughout this story.

The chapters are short and sharp and often end with a cliffhanger which means this book is extremely difficult to put down. I could have happily read it in one sitting if I could get away with not doing anything else.

I can fully understand how this book ended up as a series and I can’t wait to watch it now!

John Marrs’ other books will be going straight on my TBR list also.

buy your copy….

happy reading!

Renegade (A Ryker Returns Thriller Book 1)

by Rob Sinclair  

Renegade is another excellent read by Rob Sinclair. If you haven’t read any of his books yet, then you really should give them a go. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them as much as I do.

James Ryker is one of my favourite fictional characters and I have thoroughly enjoyed catching up with him again in Renegade.

Ryker is working alone now and finds himself in more danger than ever. Having to be more cautious than he has needed to be in the past now that he doesn’t have a secret organisation backing him up, but he’s still as determined as ever to find the answers he’s looking for.

When his ex-colleague, and friend, Moreno disappears his investigations become more personal. He’ll stop at nothing to find her.

This book is so full of action, it pretty much never slows down from the first page to the last. I’m quite exhausted just reading it! Goodness knows how Ryker must feel! I wasn’t quite sure what was going on at times, and I was totally invested in following Ryker on his mission to find the truth. There are some shocking twists along the way too. It certainly kept me on the edge of my seat and left me wanting to know where Ryker will go next and what he might find himself involved in.

**Many thanks to Rob Sinclair for my review copy**

OUT TODAY!

He’s back and better than ever.

James Ryker, a veteran intelligence agent now freelancer, working for the secretive Joint Intelligence agency on an op-by-op basis, finds himself embroiled in a complicated mission that will test him to his limit.

When a simple surveillance mission goes awry and the key target is kidnapped in broad daylight in a busy London square, Ryker knows he has his work cut out.

Ryker is tasked with figuring out what went wrong. But when his good friend Sam Moreno disappears without a trace, the mission becomes more personal than he could have imagined.

Torn between toeing the government line, and finding the answers he needs, Ryker realises there’s only one way to find those responsible and to punish them… His way.

James Ryker Returns in Renegade. 

What readers are saying:

“Action-packed, fast-paced, thrilling with many plot twists.”

“This book is a wonderful read and is one you won’t want to put down”

“To say the book is action-packed is an understatement – it is full of the stuff.”

“Lots of action and subterfuge and the characters play off each other”

“Action-packed and incredibly thrilling.”

“A real page-turner.”

“Love this series. It’s fast and furious and the action never stops.”

This fast-paced, explosive thriller is the perfect follow-on for readers for the massive bestselling original Ryker series, but can also be read as the start of a thrilling new espionage series.  It will appeal to fans of books like the globe-trotting thriller I Am Pilgrim, as well as to fans of authors like Lee Child, Mark Dawson, L.T. Ryan and David Baldacci.

BUY NOW!

happy reading!

http://bowensbookpublicity.com/2021/03/27/out-now-final-clearance-shopping-can-be-murder-by-mick-williams-mickwilliamsau2/