Activist Xander Wallace and his straitlaced father do not have an easy relationship. Jim’s views on race, immigration, gender, sexuality and even Millennials alienate his son no matter how hard Xander tries to find common ground. Toss in Jim’s second marriage ten months after Xander’s mother died and it’s a volatile cocktail. How, against this backdrop, will Xander ever dare to bare his soul and reveal his greatest secret?
The Wallace House of Pain tells Xander’s story. Xander is dealing with the loss of his mother and craving the love and acceptance of his father who re-married within a year and never mentions the wife he lost.
This novelette is set over several evenings where Xander takes a different friend to his father’s for dinner. His step-mum always playing the dutiful wife, and always seemingly interested in getting to know her guests. Xander is trying to connect with his father though. A father who isn’t overly accepting of those who aren’t his kind of ‘normal’.
My heart went out to Xander. He feels like he’s been unable to grieve properly for his mother and he is convinced his father won’t accept him for who he really is. Something we all know many, many young people go through every day. As a parent of two adult children, who I love unconditionally, I think it’s desperately sad that so many others deal with trying to live a lie for fear of being made to feel they’re somehow less worthy of love and acceptance.
This book sends out a powerful message to all.
I think many will be comforted by it and I’m sure many will learn from it.
**Many thanks to S.M. Stevens for my review copy**
Since investigating the disappearance of fifteen-year-old twin boys, Hingston – a young, talented Detective Sergeant, has been tormented by night terrors. On waking, he remembers a vast, golden meadow that glows with warmth and carries the sound of rapid footfalls and trouser legs pushing through grasses. A curly haired boy runs tirelessly through the meadow. The promise of adventure is lost when the sickening ache of death seeps into Hingston’s bones. Feeling suffocated and tortured, melodic chimes calm him and his panic subsides.Signed off and leaving the office, a key inexplicably falls from Hingston’s investigation file. Intrigued, he takes it with him, escaping London for Dartmouth where his investigative race begins. Stalked by a challenging elderly woman and hindered by his boss, his determination to solve the case draws him into the supernatural world that connects a murderous past to the present.
I’d like to start with an apology to the author for taking so long to read and review Hingston’s Box. I was gifted a paperback copy a LONG time ago and cannot believe it’s taken me until now to read it. I am so sorry, but better late than never as they say. I always get there eventually!
Anyway, what an unusual and fascinating take on a murder mystery. I have thoroughly enjoyed joining DS Hingston on his mission to solve the case of missing local teenagers. Despite being signed off work with stress induced night terrors he can’t shake the feeling that there is more to this case than meets the eye. Finding himself in the possession of a random solitary key, which inexplicably falls from his files as he leaves the office, he escapes to Dartmouth in search of rest. However, he can’t rest as he realises there are too many similarities between this case and one from many years ago. People from the past are determined to send him messages to help guide him to the truth.
Hingston is an instantly likeable character. I enjoyed spending time with him. I could feel his frustration with his superiors as they try to hinder his progress, although I could understand they are only trying to look after his wellbeing.
I love a good mystery and this one is made even more interesting by the intriguing supernatural aspect. I loved it and very much recommend!
I have purchased the kindle edition of ‘Smoke and Mispers’ and very much look forward to catching up with Hingston again, sometime soon.
**Many thanks to Decima Blake for my review copy of Hingston’s Box**
Being You is the most beautifully inspiring, beautifully illustrated, collection of poems for children.
This is the perfect book for reading aloud to your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Confident readers will also enjoy reading it to themselves. It’s the perfect collection for them to lose themselves in or to dip in and out of whenever they need a little comfort and reassurance.
Each poem offers young people the best advice for a happy, healthy relationship with themselves and the world they’re growing up in. In fact, there are lessons throughout this book for us all, no matter how old we are.
Positive thoughts for a positive life.
I read the kindle edition of this book, which was lovely, but I recommend you purchase the hardcover edition if you can as I imagine it must be stunning and the best way to fully appreciate the illustrations as well as the words.
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my ARC via NetGalley**
Private investigator, Bob Blundell, is asked to undertake a seemingly routine surveillance operation at Featherstone Manor. Claudia Pennington believes her husband, Eugene, is having an affair, and she wants Bob to catch him in the act while she’s away in Africa.
But Eugene is not the only one up to no good. With his psychopathic nephew, Reuben, running amok in his own warped fantasy world, Chef’s heavily pregnant wife, Wassana, displaying episodes of feral behaviour and the baby appearing to talk inside her womb, and Eugene’s sister, Nancy, resentful of her brother because he inherited the manor, Bob finds much more than infidelity lying behind the drab stone walls of Featherstone Manor.
A Womb with a View is a chaotic, comic tale, underpinned by revenge, greed, and betrayal.
A Womb With A View is a bit different to Mark Tilbury’s other books in that it is a little less dark. It is equally gripping though and written to the standard expected from Mark Tilbury. He knows how to write characters you will quickly become invested in. The stories they must tell always keep me turning the pages. This book was no exception.
A Womb With A View begins with Lady of the Manor, Claudia, contacting PI Bob Blundell in the hope of hiring him to find proof of her husband’s infidelity. He isn’t keen but can’t afford to turn down the income, so he agrees, with his wife, that it’s worth a look.
Nothing could prepare him for what he will encounter.
This book is full of the most fascinating characters.
I liked Bob immediately. His wife, not so much, but she does seem to have a lot on her plate with her mother. I can’t say I blamed Bob for thinking this job might give him a bit of respite if nothing else.
Claudia and her husband, Eugene, seem to live very separate lives. She is determined to catch him in the act and take him to the cleaners.
Eugene came across as quite pathetic and needy to me. Seemingly happy to blame his behaviour on his wife rather than man up and be honest.
Whilst Bobs sets about finding the evidence his client needs, Reuben, Eugene’s nephew, makes his job as difficult as possible. He’s a strange child. Not one you would easily take to, I don’t think. Not surprising though when you get to know his mother a bit more. She’s a nasty piece of work.
Talk about a dysfunctional family!
There is so much going on in this story and at times it’s a bit bonkers, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Greed, drama, deceit….. I couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out. I never would have guessed in a million years! Just brilliant!
I love how it has Mark Tilbruy’s trademark hint of the supernatural too. I highly recommend!
**Many thanks to Mark Tilbury for my ARC**
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Author Bio:
Mark lives in a small village in the lovely county of Cumbria, although his books are set in Oxfordshire where he was born and raised.
He’s always had a keen interest in writing and after being widowed and raising his two daughters, Mark finally took the plunge and began self-publishing. Mark’s writing has earned him the name #TwistedTilbury due to the dark and twisted nature of his books. He’s published 12 books to date, and his 13th, A Womb With A View, will be published 19th Jan 2023
When he’s not writing, Mark can be found playing guitar, reading and walking.
You can run from a lie, but you can’t hide from the truth…
Bonnie has been running from her tragic past for far too long. Now, years after the events that changed her life for ever, the time has come to face it. Her search for answers takes her to the idyllic town of Hamblin, where she is determined to start over.
Alice’s perfect life is slipping through her fingers. Drowning in debt, she struggles on, working long days alongside her daughter Laura, ever more desperate to hold on to what little remains.
Laura had her future as an artist snatched from her when she had to return home to care for her sickly father. Whilst she tries hard to be content with her life, each day her resentment grows.
When their worlds collide, Laura and Bonnie form an instant bond. But as they grow closer, Alice begins to grow suspicious of Bonnie’s intentions. Why is she so interested in Alice’s daughter? And what devastating truth is she hiding?
Her Mother’s Lies is a captivating read. One I enjoyed immensely.
I liked Laura immediately. Her mother, Alice, took slightly longer to grow on me. I could understand her as a mother struggling with her only daughter growing up and becoming independent though, and as the worried wife of a husband with serious health problems. She does have a lot to deal with. I could understand Laura becoming slightly exasperated with her too.
Bonnie intrigued me as soon as I met her.
I loved the friendship she quickly developed with Laura. I don’t think age has anything to do with who you can be friends with, so I did wonder why Alice was so bothered about them clicking. They do have a lot in common after all. She came across as a jealous mother which, again, I could understand to a certain degree. She wanted Laura to want to spend more time with her instead. Laura is in her twenties though, so I think it’s quite natural for her not to want to spend all her spare time with her mother. Especially as they already live and work together.
When I realised the direction this story was taking I became even more invested in these characters.
This story is so light-hearted at times but heart-wrenching at others. It’s so full of raw emotion, but also fun. It made me smile a lot and laugh out loud at times. It also made me cry. It’s so beautifully written. I very much recommend to all.
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my ARC via NetGalley**
Even the littlest lies can have the biggest consequences…
On the night of her mother’s wake, only one thing brings Ruby comfort; the knowledge that her mother’s killer is safely behind bars. But guilt is eating away at fragile younger sister Sophie, who brought their mother’s killer into their lives.
This is why Ruby is glad that Sophie is with her supportive boyfriend Ewan, despite Ruby’s doubts about him. He’s been Sophie’s rock, not only taking care of her, but her little kids, too. So what if he doesn’t like talking about his past?
But when news of another woman’s murder spreads through their town like wildfire, Ruby is shocked to find herself with reason to suspect Ewan of the crime. And with one good lie driving a wedge between the sisters, it’s hard for Ruby to get Sophie to see what she sees. Ewan is keeping dangerous secrets. But he’s not the only person close to home who has something shocking to hide…
A gripping and unputdownable thriller that will keep you reading into the early hours of the morning.
One Good Lie is a brilliant psychological thriller. It’s quite a chilling read. One which made me wonder about everyone at one point or another.
The story centres around sisters, Ruby and Sophie, whose mother has recently been murdered. Sophie is a more fragile character and Ruby worries about her but takes comfort in the support she receives from her boyfriend, Ewan. He’s a comforting presence and is good with Sophie’s small children too.
However, on the night of their mother’s wake another woman is found murdered. It’s difficult to shake the feeling that the two murders may well be connected. Their mother’s murderer is behind bars though so none of it makes any sense.
I found myself becoming very suspicious of Ewan, especially when he begins to try to drive a wedge between the sisters. I found Sophie’s willingness to believe Ewan over her sister quite believable and my heart went out to Ruby. These situations can be so frustrating for those on the outside and this certainly added more tension to the story.
I also found myself becoming suspicious of certain other characters, but I don’t really know why. Just an underlying feeling I had as the story progressed. I couldn’t wait to find out how it was all going to pan out. I could never have imagined the turn the story was going to take!!
I have something a little bit different for you today….
A new book is launching which is a collaboration between young new Letchworth artist India Nobel and Hitchin sci-fi author Matt Adcock. The two met when India’s mother Liz painted the cover for Matt’s debut novel Complete Darkness which has topped sales charts and was picked as one of Den of Geek’s books of the year.
Now Matt has written a fun cyber-story called Battlemages Don’t Clean Their Teeth, it is based on a much-loved children’s book Pirates Don’t Clean Their Teeth and tells tale of Cleric20, a lowlife but loveable Battlemage who sets off on a highly adventurous assassination mission in London2.
Bryan Talbot, comic artist of Batman, Judge Dredd, Sandman & Luther Arkwright said:
“Be sure to buy Battlemages Don’t Clean Their Teeth, not only to support this fledgling artist but also to make lots of money by selling this future collector’s edition after India Noble becomes a world-famous anime star!”
Published by Burton Mayers Books, this is a tale of futuristic daring-do featuring characters from Matt Adcock’s novel and comicComplete Darkness. It is a book designed to encourage interactive thought and play and be neurodivergent friendly. The main characters are left black and white so readers can colour their outfits – colouring has been shown to help mental well-being… Which was important to India as she wanted it to be enjoyable and fun for all – and for autism not to be a barrier to having an element of ownership of the story.
Artist mother and daughter team Liz and India Noble created the visuals to go with Matt’s words. India is just 16 and autistic – she’s very excited to have the chance to show her art to the world.
If readers take pictures of their colouring, Matt will upload their designs to an online gallery too – to inspire others.
The project is currently in Kickstarter funding mode until 06 Jan ’23, people are backing the campaign to bag an advance copy and one of the options allows backers to get a manga style portrait of themselves drawn by India too.
Danny Pearson, comic book writer and author of over 40 books for children and young adults said:
“Battlemages Don’t Clean Their Teeth – A fantastically surreal read that feels like it could easily inhabit the pages of 2000AD. Cyberpunks, a world not too far away from our own with delightfully wicked words, and imagery, that marry together perfectly… it’s all here. Be sure to pick up a copy and support a very talented collection of humans.”
The book has been endorsed by US cyberpunk podcast L0wL1F3 who said:
“A delightful tale of contract killing and proper dental care. For children of all ages!”
There will be a launch event in Hitchin bookshop ‘Next Page Books’ on 04 Feb ’23 where the winner of the pre-release colouring competition will be announced and cyber-goodie bags will be given to the first 20 customers to turn up.
Be sure to find and follow @CompleteDarknessNovel on Facebook for more details.
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