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.

Hingston’s Box

by Decima Blake 

My review

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**

Treat yourself

Happy reading! 🙂

Powerful poems for positive thinking!

This collection of 50 poems will inspire confidence and courage, help children to overcome worries and spread kindness.

Beautifully illustrated, it is filled with poems for children to read alone or enjoy with the whole family.

With themes of friendship, self-belief, embracing change and celebrating people’s differences, it’s the perfect gift book for children to treasure.

From poet, Daniel Thompson, author of Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers.

Being you: Poems of positivity

by Daniel Thompson (Author) 

Julia Murray (Illustrator)

My review

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**

Pre-order now – OUT 2nd March 2023 – https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Being-you-positivity-Daniel-Thompson/dp/0008581339/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=being+you+daniel+thompson&qid=1674480992&sprefix=being+you+dani%2Caps%2C403&sr=8-1

Happy reading! 🙂

Happy Publication Day, Mark Tilbury!

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 

by Mark Tilbury 

My review

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**

Treat yourself

OUT NOW!

Follow, Like, and share the book love with these awesome book bloggers….

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

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?