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

by Lisa Timoney 

My review

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**

Pre-order now!

OUT 19TH JANUARY 2023

I.C.Y.M.I

Happy reading! 🙂

Hi, and welcome to my Flashback Friday feature!

On the first Friday of each month I like to look back at what I was reading during the same month in previous years, since starting my blog in 2015.

Please do join in if you have the time. I’d love to see your posts 🙂

Here are my reviews from January 2022 + a link to previous January FBFs….

(If you’d like to read the reviews just click on the book covers)

Happy reading in 2023!

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

by Jane Isaac

My review

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!!

Brilliant!

I highly recommend!

Treat yourself

Happy reading! 🙂

Will you be joining in with the Goodreads challenge in 2023? I’m going for 70 again, although I only managed 64 in 2022. Wish me luck!

Happy reading! 🙂

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 comic Complete 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.

Find out more at:

www.kickstarter.com/projects/cleric20/battlesmages-dont-clean-their-teeth

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.

When the body of Laura Jarman is discovered crammed inside a steamer trunk and dumped on a Brighton railway station platform, her wealthy industrialist family is shouting for answers, but their reluctance to co-operate with the investigation arouses suspicion. Shortly after, a second body – Laura’s flatmate Kitty – is discovered in similar circumstances. What links Laura and Kitty to the private gentlemen’s parties held in a country house on the edge of sleepy Wyncombe village, and what is Laura’s family so desperate to conceal? Bunch Courtney and DCI William Wright find themselves racing along a convoluted trail through munitions factories and London clubs to a final shocking end.

In Cases of Murder (A Bunch Courtney Investigation Book 4)

by Jan Edwards

In Cases of Murder is an excellent addition to the Bunch Courtney series. Honestly, if you haven’t read these books yet, you don’t realise what you’re missing out on!

Rose (Bunch) Courtney is a brilliant character. She does make me smile. However, this book is tinged with sadness given how poorly her mother is. This aspect of the story showed a softer side to Bunch as she’s a ‘tough old bird’, given the pressures of being a single woman, working with the police, in what was still very much a man’s world during the war.

This book finds Bunch and Wright investigating the brutal murders of two women. There are no particularly gory details though which makes these books suitable for all murder mystery lovers, in my opinion. It’s full of suspense with brilliant characters and ticks all the boxes for me.

I find the fact that it’s set during the war fascinating. I know this author does a LOT of research and I love reading books set in this era. I love the language especially. I was instantly transported to that time and place, despite not being old enough to remember those times of course.

I love the obvious, and often subtle, differences in police investigations between now and then. So much has advanced in such a short time. I do love reading how things were done in ‘the olden days.’

I was completely absorbed in this story. It kept me up way past my bedtime on more than one occasion. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

All the stars for me!

**Many thanks to Jan Edwards for my review copy**

Treat yourself

I.C.Y.M.I

Happy reading! 🙂

Hi, and welcome to my Flashback Friday feature 🙂

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

Please do join in, if you have the time!

Here are my reviews from December 2021 (clicking the cover image will take you to my review) + a link to previous December FBFs –

Have you read any of the above?

When the body of Laura Jarman is discovered crammed inside a steamer trunk and dumped on a Brighton railway station platform, her wealthy industrialist family is shouting for answers, but their reluctance to co-operate with the investigation arouses suspicion. Shortly after, a second body – Laura’s flatmate Kitty – is discovered in similar circumstances. What links Laura and Kitty to the private gentlemen’s parties held in a country house on the edge of sleepy Wyncombe village, and what is Laura’s family so desperate to conceal? Bunch Courtney and DCI William Wright find themselves racing along a convoluted trail through munitions factories and London clubs to a final shocking end.

In Cases of Murder (A Bunch Courtney Investigation Book 4)

by Jan Edwards

OUT NOW!

For your chance to win one of 5 digital copies of ‘In Cases of Murder’ see our GIVEAWAY posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

Darkness lies at the heart of this family…

In 1959 Milly starts her new life as a housemaid at Rutherford House, working for the aristocratic Rutherford-Percy clan. Entranced by her new mistress, Vivienne, she becomes deeply embroiled in the household and the keeper of dark secrets the family conceals beneath the mansion’s grand exterior.

In the present day, Christie is working as a psychiatric nurse when she meets troubled patient Lillian Percy, Vivienne’s granddaughter and heiress to Rutherford House. They soon bond over the loss of their mothers
– Lillian’s died when she was a child; Christie’s mysteriously disappeared over twenty years ago – and Christie finds herself increasingly fascinated by
Lillian’s family and their imposing ancestral home.

As Christie learns more about the Rutherford-Percys, she finds a shocking clue that could help her uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?

The Shadows of Rutherford House

by CE Rose

my review

Wow, this is a story and a half!

CE Rose is the pen name of Caroline England and I have loved every book I’ve read of hers, so far, including The Shadows of Rutherford House.

There are quite a few characters to keep track of throughout this book which did make me wonder, at first, how they could possibly be linked. I was easily hooked and couldn’t wait to see where the story would lead.

I love that the story is told from the perspective of different people in different decades, from Milly in 1959 and Christie in the present day. I really enjoy books where each chapter is a different character. I think it adds to the suspense and builds tension. I found this book very difficult to put down at night. I was reading way past my bedtime!

If you love a well written mystery, which is full of intriguing characters with fascinating stories to tell, then you will love this book. This is a very character rich novel, and I could happily chat about them all day. I really don’t want to spoil it for anyone though. You’ll just have to buy it and find out for yourself. If you’re anything like me it will keep you guessing until it’s jaw dropping conclusion.

An easy five stars for me!

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

treat yourself!

Follow, like, and share the book love with these awesome book bloggers –

happy reading! 🙂

A Common Woman

by Mary Rensten

Directed by Margie Barbour

Kings Head Theatre Club, Upper Street, Islington

Sunday 18th and Monday 19th December at 7.00pm.

Rehearsed Reading with Lindsey Coulson, James Barriscale, Grace Coulson-Harris, and Frankie Golding.

Revival of original production to commemorate 40 years since Embrace the Base at Greenham Common.

*Followed by a 30-minute Q&A about the Greenham Common Peace Camp*

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE –

https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/a-common-woman

Follow on social media –

Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086533173940

Twitter – https://twitter.com/a_commonwoman

Instagram – @a_commonwomanplay

The Kings Head theatre, and the area around the theatre, feature in ‘Her Almost Perfect Husband’, a novel by Mary Rensten.

Copies of the book will be on sale at the theatre on the 18th and 19th of December.

Can’t make the play? Buy your copy of ‘Her Almost Perfect Husband’ here –

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Almost-Perfect-Husband-Mary-Rensten-ebook/dp/B08V4LCQ2V/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2UQZ9AEMRQDOR&keywords=almost+perfect+husband&qid=1669224543&sprefix=almost+perfect+husband%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-4