It Began With A Lie had waited patiently in my kindle library for a while but I am so glad I finally got to reading it. I was completely gripped from the very beginning.
When we meet Becca, she is moving into her aunt’s old house (which she has inherited) in Redemption, Wisconsin, with her husband and sixteen-year-old stepdaughter, Chrissy. It’s a temporary move whilst her husband sorts out his business, then the plan is to sell the house and move back to New York to continue with the life they know and love.
Rarely in this life though do things go that smoothly to plan.
There is an underlying tension throughout this book from the very beginning and it made me feel uneasy as I read it. I found myself thinking about it during the day when I wasn’t reading it and couldn’t wait to see where the story might lead. Becca is a likeable character, but I did wonder why she put up with so much from her husband. He came across as controlling and undermining and I didn’t like him at all. His daughter wasn’t much better to start with. A typical teenage girl/stepmother relationship though it seemed. When she starts to sleepwalk though…. I found these scenes really creepy.
And what happened fifteen years previously that Becca has been unable to remember since?
This was such an intriguing story, full of tension and suspense. The characters are brilliantly written, and I love the supernatural aspects of the story. I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to stay in that house after the first unexplainable incident. Becca is a tough nut though. She must be with everything she goes through.
I enjoyed this book so much that I bought book two and started it straight away. I rarely do that.
** I purchased the Kindle edition of this book on 16th July 2019 **
I listened to book 1, The Thursday Murder Club, on Audible a few months ago and I really enjoyed it, but I think I enjoyed The Man Who Died Twice even more. It kept me guessing all the way through, providing more than one surprise along the way. It has the most wonderful cast of characters who you can’t help but love (for the most part). Joyce is my absolute favourite! I enjoyed her POV being told in the form of diary entries. I think this added something a little different and she amuses me, a lot! I love her.
This book ticks all the boxes for me as far as murder mysteries go. It has an intriguing plot, is full of suspense, and has awesome characters. There are sad times, but also plenty of humour. A highly entertaining read! I’m looking forward to book 3.
** Many thanks to my Bookstagram friends for the buddy read. I read the hardcover edition. **
I finished Good Girl, Bad Blood a little while ago now but this is the first chance I’ve had to write a review. I read this as a part of a buddy read with some of my Instagram friends. I was so looking forward to it as I loved A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, and I was not disappointed! I’m not sure if I loved it quite as much as AGGGTM, but it comes a very close second.
I love Pip and Ravi and I love how their relationship develops throughout this book.
I love how dedicated Pip is when it comes to helping her friends, even when it gets her in trouble with her parents. She’s such a brilliant character! In this book she is investigating a missing person rather than a murder, but her dedication to the case is equal to that of the first book.
As with book one, GGBB is full of twists and turns. It’s fast paced, suspenseful, and compelling. It has shocking moments, moving moments, and often funny moments. I highly recommend it to all! (But please read book one first if you haven’t already.)
I’m looking forward to reading book three, As Good As Dead.
If you’re looking to get your teeth in to a new crime thriller series, full of action, and clever plot lines, then look no further!
Mission Black is the first in a new series by Mick Williams and it is quite simply awesome!
I love Fr. Black. He’s a fabulous character and one I can’t wait to catch up with again in book 2. He’s ex-military turned priest which I find an interesting change of career for a start. He’s a charismatic character and obviously still has a certain appeal with the ladies. Maybe more so because he’s off limits, but he sounds quite easy on the eye too.
This book has two kickass female characters, Lyndsey, and Emmy.
Lyndsey is also ex-military but now devotes her time to Fr. Black’s church as his treasurer, amongst other things. As a church treasurer myself I could relate to her from a church finance perspective but that’s pretty much where our similarities end. Lol! I certainly wouldn’t argue with her. I love the professional relationship and friendship that they obviously share.
Emmy is a truly inspiring character. When Fr. Black finds himself working alongside Emmy it’s easy to see how she might test his faith. He’s true to his vows, but they do grow to be quite fond of each other within a short timeframe. They are thrown into a volatile and dangerous situation together but make a great team. I’d want them on my team. The banter between them is hilarious at times too. I hope to see more of Emmy in book 2.
The humour throughout this book is typical of Mick Williams’ writing and I love it!
I’m so excited that this is the first of a brand-new series. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
We Begin at the End grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I wish I could have read it cover to cover in one sitting. It’s one of those books I thought about often when I wasn’t reading it. It’s a heart-breaking story really. Duchess is a fascinating character. She has a foul mouth, is disrespectful of authority, and pretty much seems to hate the world and everyone in it, but she has dealt with a lot in her 13 years already so it’s kind of understandable and I couldn’t help but like her. She does her best to look after her younger brother Robin, as their mother has her struggles. She doesn’t always make the wisest decisions though and she very much ends up paying a high price for her mistakes. My heart truly went out to her towards to the end.
Local police officer, Walk, does his best to look out for the family. I really liked him. I liked his loyalty to Vincent even when the rest of the town was against him.
Vincent is an intriguing character. I didn’t know what to make of him at first. We don’t hear much from him really considering he is a central character, so it was hard to form an opinion of him.
I loved the children’s Granddad. I love how he seemed to just get Duchess and give her the space she needed despite her rudeness and apparent lack of appreciation considering she had never known the full story behind his relationship with their mother. I love how their relationship slowly developed and was devastated by what happened and what was to follow.
I had no idea which direction this story would go in, and I couldn’t wait to find out.
By the end I had experienced all the emotions.
It’s so brilliantly written. I highly recommend it to all.
We Begin at the End is the first book I’ve read by Chris Whitaker. I sincerely hope it won’t be my last. (I have added all his other titles to my wishlist.)
** According to Amazon I purchased this book on the 5th of November 2021 **
Thirty years ago, Vincent King became a killer.
Now, he’s been released from prison and is back in his hometown of Cape Haven, California. Not everyone is pleased to see him. Like Star Radley, his ex-girlfriend, and sister of the girl he killed.
Duchess Radley, Star’s thirteen-year-old daughter, is part-carer, part-protector to her younger brother, Robin – and to her deeply troubled mother. But in trying to protect Star, Duchess inadvertently sets off a chain of events that will have tragic consequences not only for her family, but also the whole town.
Murder, revenge, retribution.
How far can we run from the past, when the past seems doomed to repeat itself?
Storyhouse, Volume 1: A Blanket of Embers by Andy Kind is a brilliant collection of short stories! I enjoyed them all in one afternoon.
Each one is as unique, and entertaining, as the last.
Now, I’m never quite sure how to properly review a short story collection so, as I read each one, I made a note of my immediate thoughts.
Here are the ones that stood out the most for me….
Early Stages gave me goosebumps.
The Real Martha Morris is hilarious, at first, but has a shocking conclusion.
A Swift ‘Arf is very clever!
The Boy Who Could Be Anything had me laughing out loud although it probably shouldn’t have.
And I Still Do is thought provoking.
Footprints is another one that gave me goosebumps.
Strawberry Picking – Woah! This one gave me chills!!
I found Kuebiko quite poetic.
The Perplexity of the House on Malleus Road is so creepy!
On A Dream is yet another one that gave me goosebumps.
The Hardest Thing to See is another thought-provoking tale.
That Sunday I Went to Church is both hilarious and heart-warming.
Harry’s Pigeons melted my heart.
Aroma is particularly poignant. It costs nothing to be kind!
A Night in Hebden Bridge is both horrifying and hilarious.
The Sharpshooter is a powerful story to end on. Just wow!
Such clever writing! I can’t recommend this collection highly enough. I read it cover to cover in one sitting, but you could easily dip in and out as each one is short enough to be enjoyed on your tea/coffee break or whenever you fancy. I would happily buy this book for friends and family. I think it deserves to fly off the shelves!
I already own Andy Kind’s other books. I think I really need to bump them up my TBR list!
** Many thanks to Andy Kind for my ARC of this excellent short story collection. I’m honoured to have been the first person to have read it in full! **
Andy Kind presents a collection of short stories as a remedy for the time-strapped modern reader. Storyhouse Volume 1 offers a diverse array of tales through Dusk, into Night, and on to the Dawn – each representing different emotional landscapes. The tales are ‘pandemic babies,’ conceived through the intersection of lockdown monotony and persistent hopefulness.
A Blanket of Embers offers readers an escape into diverse minds and experiences, exploring the three R’s: redemption, resurrection, and reconciliation – while acknowledging the harsh realities of life where death, pride, and brokenness often prevail. The collection promises moments of pleasure, inviting readers to step into the world of compelling ‘What if?’ scenarios and poignant reflections on the human condition, while at times straying into the fantastical, the liminal, and the horrific.
In this, his first collection of short prose, Andy Kind displays both his depth of emotional nuance and his eye for the details hidden in the human psyche.
52 Weeks is a wonderful story. Having read 4 months: An introduction to 52 Weeks, which is hilarious, I was very much looking forward to catching up with the characters again.
It’s set in Stoke-on-Trent which I love. These people, as many often did at the time, met their spouses, and formed close friendships whilst working in the pot banks and these relationships have stood the test of time.
I loved Beryl immediately and my heart went out to her when she receives her terminal diagnosis. She is so determined not to let it dominate the rest of her life though. She will live each day, maintain as much normality as possible, and maybe try a few new things along the way. I love her acceptance of her son and her tolerance of her daughter who doesn’t cope very well with the news, understandably.
It seems so weird to say that a book about one lady’s battle with cancer is funny, but it really is. I read this at bedtime, and I had to stop myself from laughing out loud SO many times because my husband was already asleep next to me. Honestly, it’s just brilliant!
I LOVE Beryl’s husband, Len. He is hilarious! My favourite line of his being the one about him having no friends in Jamaica. LOL! I love that he tries to appreciate Beryl’s need to maintain a sense of normality, whilst also looking after her the best way he knows how.
I love Vera. She cracks me up!
I love that the group of friends are summoned when one of them has a new carpet or bathroom fitted. I can just imagine that’s how groups of friends used to be back in the day, in and out of each other’s houses all the time for cups of tea, and cake, and random chat. It’s a shame it’s not generally like that these days.
There are a few hospital scenes throughout the story where Beryl visits her consultant and there are references to her pain and other symptoms, but her illness is by no means the focus of this story.
Beryl is a special character who finds joy in everything, whether it be something she has never done before or just the small things that make her happy like coffee and cake with her friend of a morning whilst catching up on the gossip or sitting in front of the telly with her husband of an evening once she’s done the washing up after tea. Her love for her family and friends is palpable and her zest for life inspirational.
** Many thanks to Barry Lillie for my review copy **
52 Weeks: An uplifting story of survival.
When the twelve month life expectancy forecast comes as a bombshell, Beryl refuses to surrender to cancer’s ticking clock. She is determined to embrace each day and leave a record for those she’ll leave behind.
Supported by her family and best pal Vera, known for her eccentric approach to life, Beryl lives life to its fullest, finding humour in the mundane and happiness in the simplest of situations.
Everything, from a hen night to an out-of-date library ticket and a pregnant Bedlington terrier to being a life model, is a new adventure to be savoured. Yet it is befriending, Kate, who has the same prognosis, that becomes the most fulfilling. 52 Weeks is a heartwarming tale filled with moments of humour and flashes of heartache as Beryl discovers how love and friendship can make the act of living the most important part of every day.
Join Beryl’s journey today and be prepared to smile, laugh and perhaps even shed a tear.
This book was gifted to me from a lovely Bookstagram friend for my Birthday last year. It’s nothing like my usual kind of read and if I’m honest I wasn’t sure I was going to like it at first.
The main characters are 17-year-old American students, Whit and Summer. Whit has been born into a wealthy family and is in line to inherit a fortune. He struts around like he owns the school, and pretty much does. He’s a handsome lad and everyone bows down to him, but he’s not a particularly nice boy. And he is a boy, but with the confidence of a much more experienced man. I didn’t like him at all to begin with. His behaviour towards Summer is shocking, although I could kind of understand his animosity towards her mother. The bullying at the beginning made for uncomfortable reading at times. It takes ‘treat them mean, keep them keen’ to a whole new level!
The chemistry between them is obvious from the start though. However, I have no idea why Summer puts up with the way Whit treats her. I know they say some girls love a bad boy, but oh my days! She’s got her own past she’s battling to recover from, but she’s a beautiful girl who deserves so much better. Does she want better though!?
Their relationship soon becomes one of obsession and they can’t get enough of each other. (This is a very explicit book so it might not be for you if you’re offended by that kind of content.) Summer isn’t good enough for Whit though, according to his family. She isn’t marriage material, and they have his future mapped out for him, so she can only ever be a temporary plaything as far as they’re concerned. Whit has other plans though….
He grew on me eventually 😉
I found myself completely invested in their story!
** Many thanks to @mama_bookworm_ for my paperback copy. Hope you enjoy it. I see I sent it to you for your Birthday too! **
Whit Lancaster is the cold, heartless and devastatingly handsome bad boy at Lancaster Prep.
Beautiful Summer Savage has no time for Whit. But his intense gaze traps her under a spell. Fills her with a longing she doesn’t understand.
When Whit gets into trouble one night, Summer invites him in. Tends to his wounds. Lets her guard down, just for a moment . . .
Which is when Whit takes off in the dead of night. Taking her journal with him.
Now he holds all her darkest secrets, threatening to expose her to the entire school. So Summer strikes a deal with Whit.
A deal that leaves her at his mercy behind closed doors . . .
I have loved every single one of the Bunch Courtney Investigation books, so I was very much looking forward to reading Deadly Plot. I knew I was in for a treat, and I wasn’t wrong.
In this book a body is found buried in a local allotment and Rose ‘Bunch’ Courtney is hired to help with the investigations, alongside her many other duties and responsibilities.
Bunch is a fabulous character. She’s determined she will not become a typical housewife and to be honest I doubt she’d even find the time. She very much needs to be busy. She is still grieving and trying to accept her own limitations whilst doing everything she can to support the war effort and help solve this most recent murder. I love how curious and intuitive she is. She is an asset to the team.
I love the relationship she has with her family and her colleagues. I do find her quite amusing at times. Her dedication to everything she does is admirable, especially considering the potential risks to her own life.
I love the language throughout this book and the setting. Obviously, I wasn’t alive during the war, and I’ve never been to Sussex, but this book transported me to that time and place. I was immersed in the story. There is such a diverse and fascinating cast of characters. I loved it!
If you love a good murder mystery, historical fiction, and/or books set during the war then look no further. If you’re new to the series though, start with book one, Winter Downs.
**Many thanks to Jan Edwards for my advance kindle copy for review**
When the body of Nario Costa is dug up in Wyncombe’s Victory Gardens, Bunch Courtney’s investigations unearth far more than an escaped POW!
What at first appears to be a cold case takes a darker turn as she uncovers links far beyond her Sussex home — and the body count begins to rise!
Hi, I just wanted to make you all aware of these excellent books by Mick Williams….
I was lucky enough to have read very early copies of these quite some time ago and because I’m an idiot I neglected to write proper reviews for them at the time.
I can, however, confirm that I thoroughly enjoyed them both and very much recommend that you add them to your reading list.
I intend to re-read them at some point and update my review(s). Apologies to Mick for being so disorganised. Thank you so much for sending me ARCs. I do genuinely appreciate having the opportunity to read your books way in advance of the general public 🙂
Anyway, here are the details you need folks….
The Old Farts Club returns in the explosive sequel to the award-winning debut, Exodus.
A sniper’s bullet buzzes the ear of retired bomb disposal expert, John McIntyre, leaving his colleague dead in the street.
When McIntyre discovers the sniper was only the first part of a kill-team sent to stop their investigation into mysterious happenings in the North Sea, he calls in a favor from an old military friend, English, the latest recruit of The Old Farts Club.
While The Club heads overseas to help McIntyre, a purse snatching at home leads Dud’s wife, Evie, and her sister on a chase across the country to confront the thief – a journey that develops into an adventure more perilous and chilling at every turn.
But when the guys find themselves isolated in unchartered waters, and the girls realize the stakes are much higher than they expected, both will have to call on outside help if they are to have any chance of survival.
Will the mission closest to home turn out to be their most dangerous yet? Sarge and Numbers head to the sleepy town of Berding’s Pointe, Indiana, for the funeral of a friend and fellow veteran, only to find that everything has changed.
The once peaceful town is now gripped with fear and riddled with corruption. What starts as a protection racket escalates into full-blown violence. A sinister cult, preparing to make a huge sacrifice, is slowly taking over. The authorities don’t care, and the residents are helpless.
When the sacrifice looms closer and people go missing, the town needs an army. All they have is The Club.
Can Sarge and the rag-tag gang save their friends before the death toll rises and the entire town is taken?
The Old Farts Club returns in ‘Man Down’, the third book in the award-winning action thriller series.
For page-turning excitement, the comradery of military veterans, and epic fights of good vs evil, pick up Man Down and join The Club today!
New to the series?
Start here….
Jamaica: a Caribbean paradise fraught with unseen danger.
The Old Farts Club: a small group of mixed-age military veterans with various ‘skills’ who frequent a local fast food joint to swap stories and trade tales.
During a dream Jamaican vacation, Danny ‘Dud’ Wilkerson is devastated when, after a seemingly random accident, his wife Evie vanishes.
The Montego Bay police force insists on a seventy-two hour wait before anyone is officially considered missing. With concrete evidence of her disappearance, Dud can’t wait and, faced with a race against time to find his wife, calls on The Old Farts Club to join him in paradise to track her down.
About Mick Williams….
Mick Williams moved from Stoke-On-Trent, England to Kentucky, USA. Then, after almost a decade, he moved back. Then, after three years, he moved back again.
This time he’s staying.
In between reading, writing and listening to good music he still watches proper football and, for his sins, follows his local team, Port Vale. He does also still cheer for the Indianapolis Colts.
He was adopted by two cats, Crash and Thud, and resides with his patient wife (who is also tiring of moving!) in Kentucky.
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