Book Review: ‘The Girl with the Louding Voice’ by Abi Dare

Today I share my reviews of ‘The Girl With the Louding Voice’ by Abi Dare, published by Sceptre on 5 March 2020. MY REVIEW Initially difficult to get into, because of the broken / pidgin English of the first person narrator Adunni, this story becomes compelling, tragic, and horrific. A 14 year old girl fromContinue reading “Book Review: ‘The Girl with the Louding Voice’ by Abi Dare”

Book Review: Local Killer by Paul Trembling – crime fiction published by Resolute Books

Today I’m pleased to be sharing with you my review of crime novel ‘Local Killer‘ by Paul Trembling. This tale of Alison, Crime Scene Investigator on the trail of a psychopathic killer whom nobody else even knows exists, is compelling. I’ve read Paul Trembling before in this genre, and know how good he is, withContinue reading “Book Review: Local Killer by Paul Trembling – crime fiction published by Resolute Books”

Book Review: ‘How the Irish Saved Civilization’ by Thomas Cahill

How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill has the subtitle: ‘The Untold Story of Ireland’s Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe.’ I loved the title of this book and was led to read it after I visited Tintagel; the Roman remains and exhibition at St Albans; andContinue reading “Book Review: ‘How the Irish Saved Civilization’ by Thomas Cahill”

Book Reviews: ‘A Great Deal of Ingenuity’ by Ruth Leigh, published by Resolute Books 16 July 2023

Today I am pleased to share with you my review of the new book by Ruth Leigh, A Great Deal of Ingenuity. I first wrote about Ruth’s book in my blog post here. BLURB The pages of Pride and Prejudice sparkle with household names. Proud Darcyand prejudiced Elizabeth, book-loving Mr Bennet, the snobbish Bingley sisters,predatoryContinue reading “Book Reviews: ‘A Great Deal of Ingenuity’ by Ruth Leigh, published by Resolute Books 16 July 2023”

Book Review: Jane Austen the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly, and introducing a new upcoming series of Jane Austen Short Stories by Ruth Leigh

Today I offer my review of a provocative book for Jane Austen fans. Jane Austen the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly is published by Vintage. I also introduce you to a new book of Jane Austen short stories, coming soon. As a keen reader of Jane Austen’s novels I was intrigued to read Helena Kelly’sContinue reading “Book Review: Jane Austen the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly, and introducing a new upcoming series of Jane Austen Short Stories by Ruth Leigh”

Book Review: ‘A Walk in the Woods’ by Bill Bryson

Today I review Bill Bryson‘s very entertaining account of his attempt at walking the entire Appalachian Trail alongside Katz, an ill-prepared friend, who becomes the highlight of the book. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is published by Black Swan with beautiful line drawings by David Cook – though as I read IContinue reading “Book Review: ‘A Walk in the Woods’ by Bill Bryson”

Book Review: ‘A History of Women in Medicine’ by Sinead Spearing

A History of Women in Medicine: Cunning Women, Physicians, Witches by Sinead Spearing is published by Pen & Sword. I was fascinated to read this book, as I have myself for some time been considering writing a nonfiction book on the subject of the Anglo-Saxon ‘cunning-woman’. Sinead Spearing is “a psychological historian specialising in theContinue reading “Book Review: ‘A History of Women in Medicine’ by Sinead Spearing”

Book Review: ‘Wheel of Fortune’ by CF Dunn, the first in ‘The Tarnished Crown’ historical fiction series

Today I am delighted to be taking part in the blog tour to launch a fantastic new historical fiction series, set during the turbulent times of The Wars of the Roses (as they became known in later centuries). Wheel of Fortune by CF Dunn will be released by Resolute Books on 20 May 2023. IContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Wheel of Fortune’ by CF Dunn, the first in ‘The Tarnished Crown’ historical fiction series”

Book Review: ‘The Little Stranger’ by Sarah Waters

It’s not often I come across a novel so strong that it reaches out into my thoughts and life while I’m reading it so that I can’t wait to get back to it. Sarah Waters, however, is one novelist who does indeed write stories like this. In The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, the centralContinue reading “Book Review: ‘The Little Stranger’ by Sarah Waters”

Book Review: ‘Murder Before Evensong’ by Revd. Richard Coles

I knew I had to read this novel as I have so enjoyed listening to The Reverend Richard Coles on the BBC Radio 4 programme Saturday Live and seeing him on his many TV appearances. I also follow him on Twitter and find his tweets very amusing. So I was expecting great things of this,Continue reading “Book Review: ‘Murder Before Evensong’ by Revd. Richard Coles”