The Undoing of Violet Claybourne - Emily Critchley

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is Emily Critchley's new novel.

I always look at the cover of a book before I turn the first pages. I really liked this cover, it has a distinct Gothic feel to it. The images and the colours and tones used beckoned to me.

The first part is set in 1938. Gillian Larking attends a girl's boarding school in England. Gillian is quite lonely and unhappy at the school. She’s unsure when the new girl, Violet Claybourne, is to be her roommate. Violet is a bit different, but the two end up quite happy together. Gillian is thrilled to be asked to spend the Christmas holidays with Violet's family. She can’t wait to meet her mother, father and two sisters.

And this is where the good stuff starts. A crumbling manor, an atmosphere that is confusing, and a family that’s not as Gillian had imagined. Still though, she’d be very happy to be part of the family.

Emily Greeley does a fantastic job with what came next. Her plotting is excellent! Lots of twists and turns. And her characters? Oh my gosh, I can’t even….! And just when I thought we were finished we’re brought into current day and that was such a surprise turn as well! Kudos to you Emily Critchley!

This is my first read of Emily Critchley, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Murder at the Loch - Dee MacDonald - Blog tour!

Murder at the Loch is the newly released and second entry in Dee MacDonald's "Ally McKinley Mystery series". I have read the first book (Murder in the Scottish Highlands) and really enjoyed it. 

Dee MacDonald gives us a a wonderful lead character with Ally.  She’s recently retired, but she’s full of vim and vigor. She moved herself to a small village in the Scottish Highlands, took a chance and turned a historical building into a cosy B&B. She’s made friends, has customers, got a dog and met the local veterinarian - who is just about her age. Oh, and did I mention that there’s a large castle and an Earl?

Abby is by nature curious, and that has served her well since she arrived at the village of Locharran! The supporting players are mix of personalities and bring much to the stories.

The setting is ready and the main character is ready. What else do we need? A great mystery is the answer to that question - and we have a great one from MacDonald. Almost every resident is a suspect. I enjoyed Abby‘s investigation, throwing in my two cents. I guessed the whodunit in the last chapters and the journey there was really great! This was a perfect curl up for a rainy reading day. I'll be looking for the next book!

Aged 18, Dee arrived in London from Scotland and typed her way round the West End for a couple of years before joining BOAC (forerunner of British Airways) in Passenger Services for 2 years and then as a stewardess for 8 years. She has worked in Market Research, Sales and at the Thames TV Studios when they had the franchise.

Dee has since relocated to Cornwall, where she spent 10 years running B&Bs, and only began writing when she was over 70! Married twice, she has one son and two grandsons. 

You can connect with Dee on Facebook and on Twitter. Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Dee MacDonald here. And ... see what other readers thought about Murder at the Loch!

  

The Lost and the Found - Kevin Fagan

I usually read fiction, but I've found myself becoming more and more interested in non fiction. What is happening, changing, challenging and so much more. What can we do? What is needed?

Kevin Fagan has been boots down for the last twenty plus years, covering homelessness and all that comes with that. He has spent extensive time on the street as a reporter and himself as a young man.

The subtitle says it all - "A True Story of Homelessness, Found Family and Second Chances". We meet Rita and Tyson and are privy to the life stories of these two unhoused people. And yes, drugs do seem to be inexorably tied to being homeless.

Does anyone get out of that life? You'll have to read or listen to the book to find that answer. And all the questions, ideas and strategies that arise with this narrative. See the person. 

Fagan's writing is excellent. I chose to listen to The Lost and the Found. The narrator was Sean Patrick Hopkins and he did a fantastic job of presenting Fagan's work. His voice is easy on the ears and he speaks clearly. His voice moves with the narrative and he captures the tone of the book as it unfold. Hear for yourself - listen to a excerpt of the Lost and the Found.   7.5 hours

Famous Last Words - Gillian McAllister

Gillian McAllister's new book is "Famous Last Words".

I always take a good look at the cover of a book before I start to read or listen. The words here lean to the right and feel rushed. Maybe an on the run tale? When you’re turning the last few pages, you’ll see how clever that title is.

Camilla’s maternity leave is up and she’s heading back for work today. She’s more than a little upset that her husband has gone off to work without saying goodbye or have a great first day. Or anything. But when she walks through to her office, the police are there to take her to a building where…her husband has taken three people hostage. Camilla doesn’t know what to say or do. Her husband couldn’t do something like this…Or could he?

This was such a great opener, I was so curious! There’s a great twist right after this introduction. The narrative moves from past and present. We’re privy to Camilla‘s thoughts and another character who was at the kidnapping. Love, hope and grief are explored with a keen eye. Very believable and well written. But for me, that slowed down the initial movement and action I had thought this book and plot would be using. But, I was still curious and needed to know what would happen in the end. This is most definite a character driven tale. 

I chose to listen to Famous Last Words. The narrator was Emilia Fox and she did a great job with interpreting and presenting McAllister's work. Her voice is low with a undertone of velvet that's pleasant to listen to. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. She has captured the emotions of the characters with her voice. A good performance.

Something in the Walls - Daisy Pearce

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Daisy Pearce's new book is Something in  the Walls.

You might be wondering why I included such a large picture of the cover. Well, I wanted to make sure that you could see what’s behind the lath. Did you see the eye? Creepy!

Mina is a newly graduated child psychologist. What she needs to finish her degree, is hours. She thinks she’s found the perfect situation. She gets her hours, the family will benefit from it and Sam, a journalist, will get a great story. They head for a remote village in Britain. Mina will be staying with the family.

Alice is a 13 girl who believes she’s being haunted by a witch. And it doesn’t take Mina long to realize things aren’t as they should be. Oh my gosh, the characters gave me the shivers more than once. The villagers all seem to  believe the same thing. 

Pearce’s prose are just fantastic. She slowly and carefully builds a tale that is hard put down. And just wait for the final chapter…

I chose to listen to Something in the Walls. The narrator was Ana Clements and she did a fantastic job. She provided voices for each character and I built mental images of them using those. She enunciated well and is easy to understand. Her presentation of Pierce’s work was so good, using her voice quiet, loud, menacing, fearful and so much more. And for me, one that I didn’t want to be listening to at night with my creaky floors. You never know...

The publisher compares Something in the Walls to The Haunting of Hill House. I agree.

The Quiet Librarian - Allen Eskens

Allen Eskens is hands down one of my favourite authors. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of his latest - The Quiet Librarian.

Hana works as a librarian and she keeps to herself. She dresses to hide, always with a sweater. When a police detective shows up and asks to speak to her, she knows that her past has finally caught up with the here and now. Someone knows who she is and what she's done.

Eskens interviewed survivors of the Bosnian War of 1990 who came to Minnesota as refugees. Their stories are woven into Eskens' fictional characters as well as time and place. 

Eskens excels at storytelling. The concept, the setting, the history and ... Hana. The mystery was so well drawn - I was truly on the edge of my chair. The book is told in now and then chapters, guaranteed to keep up for 'just another' chapter. And no word of a lie, I had to put the book down many times as the danger overwhelmed me. I wanted a certain ending for Hana. Did I get one? You'll have to find out yourself. A brilliant read! 

Cold as Hell -Kelley Armstrong

I aways get excited when I see that Kelley Armstrong has a new book out. Especially when it's a Haven's Rock novel! The third entry, Cold as Hell, has just arrived. And I feel like I’m settling down with old friends. What’s happening?!

Haven’s Rock is a hidden village up in the Yukon, for those who don’t want to live in a regular town…or can’t. 

 Armstrong has given her lead characters rich personal lives that are always moving forward. I am just as curious about their personal lives as I am in the newest mystery. Detective Casey and her husband Sheriff Dalton are the law in Haven's Rock. 

The book is told from Casey’s point of view. The reader is privy to her thoughts and investigative skills. There's been a horrific murder and it looks to be one of the residents that is the culprit. But who? Armstrong's mysteries are not easy to solve. And a blizzard is not going to make things any easier.

I find that some stories are even better in a audio format. That's the case for this title for me. The narrator was Thérèse Plummer and she did a great job. The voice matched the mental image I'd created for Casey. She has an interesting undertone to her voice that works. She's pleasant on the ears and enunciates well. Voices have been created for other characters including males that are believable and recognizable.  Plummer captured and presented the story very well!

10 hours and 6 minutes

Cold as Hell - Kelley Armstrong

I aways get excited when I see that Kelley Armstrong has a new book out. Especially when it's a Haven's Rock novel! The third entry, Cold as Hell, has just arrived. And I feel like I’m settling down with old friends. What’s happening?!

Haven’s Rock is a hidden village up in the Yukon, for those who don’t want to live in a regular town…or can’t. There's been a horrific murder and it looks to be one of the residents that is the culprit. But who?

Armstrong has given her lead characters rich personal lives that always moving forward.  I am just as curious about their personal lives as I am in regards to the newest mystery. Detective Casey and her husband Sheriff Dalton are the law in Haven's Rock. 

The book is told from Casey’s point of view. I really like her voice and especially her investigative skills. The reader is privy to her thoughts. Armstrong's mysteries are not easy to solve. And a blizzard is not going to make things any easier.

Another excellent read from Kelley Armstrong. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Cold as Hell.

PS. I would start with the previous series, the Rockton books with the first one - City of the Lost.