A fun murder mystery when a scavenger hunt goes wrong. Julia is strong woman, determined to be taken seriously in her profession and not be married ofA fun murder mystery when a scavenger hunt goes wrong. Julia is strong woman, determined to be taken seriously in her profession and not be married off on her mother's whim. There are plenty of suspects, many of them her friends which makes her more fixated on solving the crime: her friends simply can't be guilty! While avoiding her parents attempts at matchmaking, she turns her focus to the crime, but is a little distracted by the handsome and helpful Inspector Gibbs. A nice, cosy look at the developing role of women in society and how their options had begun to change. The series looks interesting....more
In Squire's Hazard, we catch up with Dickon De Bohun, the future Lord of Meonbridge, as he completes his training at Steyning Castle. Despite not haviIn Squire's Hazard, we catch up with Dickon De Bohun, the future Lord of Meonbridge, as he completes his training at Steyning Castle. Despite not having a traditional upbringing for life as a squire - and subsequent Lord - Dickon has mastered many elements of the training regime with aplomb, talented both on and off a horse. He's a likeable young man and considered to be doing well until the truth of his birth becomes known by a fellow student who considers Dickon to be unworthy of such a noble position at the castle. Edwin de Courtenay's jealous revenge begins with minor pranks to make Dickon look foolish and irresponsible, but soon his actions escalate into more dangerous territory.
Back at Meonbridge, his former playmate, Libby, is counting down the days until Dickon's return for the Christmas holiday. She's hopeful of more than friendship, but as she is effectively Dickon's grandmother's maidservant, anything more is simply wishful thinking. Yet, it's obvious, upon his return, that Dickon has feelings for Libby too. Someone has to be the 'grown-up' here, and Dickon steps up to put some distance between them, although such a move seems a threat to their friendship.
Poor Dickon, troubled at the castle by Edwin the bully, and troubled at home in not wanting to upset Libby, but also knowing and accepting his duty as the future Lord. It's fascinating to see these themes of bullying and young love in historical fiction, and only brings home the concept that little has changed over the centuries; the emotional and hormonal rites of passage continue. Back then, Dickon didn't want to tell on Edwin and accepted the consequences of his appalling pranks with the strength of someone older than his years, but would the truth come out? Would Dickon be absolved of blame? As for Libby, would she forgive him for spurning her? It's an emotional time for the young squire, and yet the pressure upon him to succeed is only going to intensify.
Dickon's life changes dramatically towards the end of this book, bestowing upon him greater responsibility. Be thankful, readers, that as much is not expected of fifteen-year-olds today as was expected and demanded of Dickon. That said, he is proving to be up to the challenge. He may have been considered to be of low birth since only his father was of nobility, but Dickon has qualities that neither breeding nor privilege can guarantee in a person. He's honest, reliable, has a sense of duty and care, and he can see how hard those around him have to work to keep the estate going. In having someone like Dickon as the main protagonist, Squire's Hazard tells us of life in those times from a variety of viewpoints. He, by virtue of his birth and upbringing, crosses the boundaries to reveal how people, whether rich or poor, lived in those times. A fascinating subplot involving Libby's family becomes integral to Dickon's story, and highlights the other divide, that of how very different were the expectations of sons and daughters, men and women. The author excels at adding details to draw the reader into the era, without feeling bogged down by description or fact.
My visit to Meonbridge ends with a hankering for more, and yes, I keep asking myself why I haven't read books one and two yet, too! I've convinced myself that I'll read them before the next one is out as that'll give me an excuse to re-read books three to five as well....more
It's back to France I go, this time to Antibes (Juan-les-Pins) with grandmother Gabriella (Gabby) and granddaughter, Elodie Jacques. Gabby has receiveIt's back to France I go, this time to Antibes (Juan-les-Pins) with grandmother Gabriella (Gabby) and granddaughter, Elodie Jacques. Gabby has received a letter and now wants to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her hometown of Juan-les-Pins, a place she left (under a cloud) over 40 years ago. Elodie has been raised by Gabby ever since he mother Harriet left the family some 20 years to remarry and settle in Australia. Elodie has long since given up on a relationship with her mother and sees Gabby as more than fulfilling that role. She is also stuck in a rut professionally, not achieving the goals she expected of herself, and as for romance... well, that's a non-starter too. Consequently, spending the holidays in sunny France seems like the perfect solution; besides, she has always been curious about her grandmother's history, why she left France and never returned.
For Gabby, her hometown has changed a lot but there are glimpses of her former life that evoke plenty of memories for her, not all of them good. She also needs to reveal some news to Elodie, news that might drastically change her life and her future imminently and forever.
The setting, as expected, is glorious; the characters are real and their reactions relatable, but it is the secrets that Gabby has to share with Elodie that delight, allowing the reader to wonder how such news might affect them. The author takes us on a fantastic journey delving into Gabby's past and her reason for leaving France while also offering us a taste of how their lives might change in the weeks that follow. New friendships and loves leave us hoping for a happy ending, although we know there are obstacles yet to be overcome as a family reunion becomes part of the equation.
This is a relatively quick read but one that transports us to another life, Christmas in the sun, with new friends and hopes to inspire and encourage both Gabby and Elodie to take the next steps. I'd like to think there will be a sequel featuring more about these characters and not forgetting the mystery of Collette's bicycle and the antiquities shop ;) ...more
Dead Winner begins with an interesting title and goes on to deliver a plot that totally lives up to such intrigue. Rory is a hard-working, honest-as-tDead Winner begins with an interesting title and goes on to deliver a plot that totally lives up to such intrigue. Rory is a hard-working, honest-as-the-day-is long estate lawyer with a penchant for gaming where his alter ego � a genuine keyboard warrior - is fearless, powerful and decisive. His everyday life is mundane but he’s successful in his field, well-liked, if a little naïve. So when Tom & Monica, old friends from college, � and I use the term friends loosely � seek him out to handle their affairs after a humongous lottery win that they insist on keeping secret for now � he can’t turn them down. In fact, he’s flattered they came to him whilst also trying to hide his long-term crush on Monica. Besides, it’ll mean bringing a lot of business to his firm, something that won’t harm his career in the slightest. He doesn’t see that they’re taking advantage of him; friends wouldn’t do that, and anyway he can manage their affairs like the competent lawyer he is� until Tom is found dead and the lottery ticket has vanished.
Monica, aka the grieving widow, looks to Rory for support� and he can’t believe his luck when their “relationship� takes an altogether surprising turn. Their new goal is to find that ticket all while Tom’s business partners are happy to see his death recorded as suicide, since that’ll keep the police at bay. Well, for a while at least, until Rory uncovers details that bring their business into disrepute, tarnish Tom’s reputation and bring him into direct contact with gangsters and killers.
Will they find that ticket? Can it all be worked out without any more “incidents�? To know for sure you’ll need to read the book. Expect drama, high stakes, plenty of tension and an awful lot of empathy for Rory as he does everything he can, plus more, to fulfil his promise to handle his friend’s affairs.
Dead Winner is jam-packed with great twists that had me second guessing everything for a while , although the penny did drop for me long before the end. Even so, the fast paced nature of the story and wanting to see how events panned out held my attention right to a very satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended, and a new author for me to follow. ...more
This is a wonderful story, and while it can easily be read as a standalone book, I really want to read the first in the series too, just to catch up wThis is a wonderful story, and while it can easily be read as a standalone book, I really want to read the first in the series too, just to catch up with the early years of Ella Bancroft. As a Midlander, I revel in books set in my neck of the woods, and those using the local dialect hold a special place on my bookshelf. Clearly, I wasn’t around during the period of this story but references to places I’m familiar with - like the Rag Market � take me back so effectively to my hometown. Now, the story ...well, where to begin? It’s jam-packed with drama and yet is so full of heart and warmth that you can’t help but be drawn in. Ella and Ivy are co-owners of the hat shop Ivella, yet theirs is a trying relationship. Once rivals, they’ve now joined forces and their business has grown exponentially. It’s mainly down to Ella’s creativity, since Ivy’s designs are still stuck in bygone times, but nonetheless the two of them are enjoying a boom in business, and Ella is fast becoming known as the only place to buy a hat. Trouble is, this creates a little friction, and Ivy is a tad jealous. Ella manages to ignore the curt responses from Ivy and is hugely generous towards the older woman. Such is Ella’s character that she treats others well, but even she has noticed a change in Ivy, and when others in their workforce voice similar concerns, Ella seeks out advice to help Ivy. What follows is a heart-warming yet tragic foray into Ivy’s degenerating health as dementia sets in and causes her to forget things and get very frustrated with herself and others. The outcome is heartbreaking and so beautifully and sensitively handled by the author. With all this on her plate (increased fame, rampant sales, and caring for Ivy) you might think romance would take a back seat. After all, Ella has suffered her fair share of loss already, and fear of being hurt again has prevented her from risking her heart. The romance subplot fully respects her fears and concerns yet sweetly blossoms towards the inevitable. Ella is apprehensive about moving on, and her visits to a “medium� to get permission from her dearly departed love to do so brings her back into contact with an old face, someone who bears Ella a grudge like no other. The desire for revenge is strong and action is imminent to threaten Ella’s livelihood.
It was so refreshing to read about women succeeding in their own businesses during those years when they were often treated like second-class citizens. I loved the mash-up of conflicts facing Ella, and how she handled them. There’s a lot of tension in the revenge subplot in particular and that had me racing through the book to see how it unfolded. However, I did feel that specific storyline fell a bit flat in its resolution and was a little too perfect an outcome. Nonetheless, I was totally pulled into Ella’s world, and once I’ve caught up with the first book in the series I hope there will be more to discover about The Hat Girl :) ...more
Mom's Perfect Boyfriend by Crystal Hemmingway is told through a series of emails, texts, letters and journal entries, all of which make it a well-paceMom's Perfect Boyfriend by Crystal Hemmingway is told through a series of emails, texts, letters and journal entries, all of which make it a well-paced read. The format evokes a sense of fun (verging on the ridiculous at times) as the relationship between the mother and daughter characters develop (or should that be unravel?) It takes an unusual look at romance and the effects a new “relationship� has on a family. That said, the mother-daughter bond is relatable, as are the sibling showdowns. Dysfunctional families are really only normal after all, although the degree of disfunctionality is debatable � and unique to each family. A fun read overall. ...more
Really enjoyed this. Funny, yet thought-provoking. A slow starter but well worth the wait.
Tom will admit he’s always been an old-school romantic, creaReally enjoyed this. Funny, yet thought-provoking. A slow starter but well worth the wait.
Tom will admit he’s always been an old-school romantic, creating mixed tapes for his friends and those he has a crush on (Beth), and the pandemic gave him the perfect opportunity to revert to type and enjoy his own company while imagining how those he cares for (Beth) might react to his tapes. Thing is, once lockdown eases, he’s still in that mindset, not ready to go dating again, especially since his heart really wasn’t in it during his last relationship with Larissa.
His best friend Marcus moves away, Tom loses his job, and it’s understandable for him to retreat into his shell, continuing his own personal lockdown. It takes a seemingly friendly intervention by his remaining buddies and sister to get him “back out there�, and he agrees to go on ten blinds dates that Adam, Allison and sister Sarah set up for him. I say a seemingly friendly intervention because it transpires that someone may have an ulterior motive for steering him away from what could be his perfect partner (Beth). Uh-oh!
The dates are eventful, to the point of going viral � and not in a good way for Tom. After each one, he spills all to ex Larissa in the park, where no matter what, he always seems to find her there watching the ducks. (Curiouser and curiouser)
Tom enjoys the dates to a certain extent, but he still has thoughts of Beth, with whom he has blown his chances spectacularly when she shared her feelings with him and he� choked, a reaction she took to be a rejection. Consequently, you can understand why he constantly chides himself for wasting that opportunity, and tries to make the best of things.
While the dates aren’t all successful, Tom has his moment, but it’s short-lived and you might almost think inevitable since you know how he feels about Beth. Things take an awkward turn and not in Tom’s favour; suffice to say the saying “good guys come last� seems fitting to describe him. Is he doomed to be alone forever?
Blind Dates is an amusing yet poignant story told from Tom’s perspective as he navigates the dating market while still holding a light for someone out of his reach. It shows how the pandemic affects him, and how the world has changed as a result. Tom is a likeable man, a tad geeky with his mixed tapes obsession, but an overall nice guy.
Thanks to the author and Hera Books for my copy. ...more
A great start to a new series with interesting characters, family conflicts to be resolved, nosy neighbours and a solid mystery. There's scope for furA great start to a new series with interesting characters, family conflicts to be resolved, nosy neighbours and a solid mystery. There's scope for further development of the main characters - Holly & Crystal - as well as plenty of drama in the unique alpine setting of Hanmer Springs....more
How can a story be so entertaining and yet challenging and powerful? I don’t know the answer, but I do know that with One Last Dream for December, Lot How can a story be so entertaining and yet challenging and powerful? I don’t know the answer, but I do know that with One Last Dream for December, Lottie Cardew has created just that. Let me explain myself: starting with entertaining (which is why most readers pick up a work of fiction). The village of Pebblestow is charming, its resident warm and welcoming (Blodwyn, I’m talking about you), all of which should put Esme at ease when she finds herself living and working at Percival’s toy shop. Yet it’s not that simple. Why? That, you’ll have to wait and read for yourself. The shop is quintessentially old-fashioned and traditional, and the workshop below stairs where Mr Percival used to craft his toys is a veritable treasure trove of finished and unfinished toys. With Mr Percival now ill and unable to continue making toys, there’s a sense of trepidation that the end is nigh for the toyshop. With Esme believing her time there is only temporary, that foreboding only gets stronger. However, there are those (Esme’s uncle & Mr Percival) who see something else in Esme’s future, and an end to her nomadic lifestyle. They know � and they convinced me too � that Esme belongs in Pebblestow. It’s just a matter of persuading Esme now. Cue Seth and his daughter Tamika. Having lived through some traumatic times, Seth is also new to Pebblestow, having moved there to allow his daughter to see her grandparents more often. He is as lost as Esme, and their paths seem inevitably entwined � if only Esme can accept she fits in in Pebblestow. Their friendship is thorny at first, and you start to wonder if there will be a happy ending, but persevere as the delights and magic of Christmas are on hand to make dreams come true. If seeing how that romance develops is not enough for you, then there are some lovely subplots with Blodwyn and a young man, Piotr, which will warm your heart too.
I’ll admit to finding the start to this story somewhat challenging in that I didn’t take to Esme at first, and I found her to be quite negative about everything. Of course, as I saw her character develop, I understood her better, and that’s what made this such a powerful read for me. The author didn’t instantly label Esme as neurodivergent, she showed how Esme viewed the world and her place in it. It all began to make sense when I saw things from her perspective. As someone who has been pigeon-holed since birth, this approach really made me think and reflect. Sometimes it’s too easy to label an individual; it’s much better all round to try to understand them.
A beautiful story on so many levels, and I’m convinced Mr Percival is related to Santa as well ;) ...more
A fun cosy mystery with likeable characters (excluding Miriyam!) and an original plot with the visiting vlogger who causes trouble wherever he goes. AA fun cosy mystery with likeable characters (excluding Miriyam!) and an original plot with the visiting vlogger who causes trouble wherever he goes. Ali Sweet, MC, is building up her business despite her family who seem to think she's making a mistake. Determined to prove them wrong she throws herself into her bakery so when there's a murder on her premises she has to prove her innocence. With a new employee who mixes up ingredients, two men vying for her attention, and a rival in the bakery business, she has her hands full even without the investigation going on. On top of that, there's news about her father who left the family many years ago. Is it any wonder she jumps to the wrong conclusion now and then? I didn't read book one in this series but I enjoyed this one and will read more about the beachfront bakery. ...more
Christmas means different things to different people, and to some it means absolutely nothing at all. Holly verges on the “let’s get it over and done Christmas means different things to different people, and to some it means absolutely nothing at all. Holly verges on the “let’s get it over and done with� side, while Farid is bemused by the whole thing. So you’d think Christmas would be a non-event when Holly moves into the cabin next door to escape the madness of the festivities. Farid, however, really wants to fit in having made his home in Scotland, and everyone � but everyone else � is preparing to celebrate in style. His curiosity forces Holly to take part in carol-singing, cake-making, and even present-buying � things she has not expected to do this year. In fact, she plans on working through the holidays ...but there is something charismatic and engaging about Farid’s curiosity than even she cannot ignore.
Farid is such a sweet guy, and Holly definitely bears the prickles of the plant after which she’s named at first. Seeing them come together is enchanting, but surely it can only be temporary? I’ll admit to worrying about Farid falling head over heels in love with Holly, his chats with his family prove exactly how deep he has fallen, all while Holly is working on her next project. The uncertainty of their relationship status kept me reading on, willing a happy ending for Farid and a chance for Holly to reflect and start over with fewer misgivings about love.
A Festive Surprise tells of a heart-warming romance that, at first sight, seems short-lived. Yet the strength of their feelings suggests that this is no “holiday romance�, and the Christmas backdrop provides the necessary magic to enthral and captivate the reader while working its charm on Farid and Holly. The outcome is a surprise that neither expected, and possibly the greatest gift of all. ...more
Imagine the impossible, that you've never heard of Paris. Well, then, you're in the right place for the author's depiction of The City of Light is delImagine the impossible, that you've never heard of Paris. Well, then, you're in the right place for the author's depiction of The City of Light is delightful, captivating and also balanced. As with most cities, Paris has its lesser known arrondissements, the places tourists don't see and probably don't even believe exist. So, taking a young man from the very poorest (financially speaking) part of the city and matching him up with an heiress whose knowledge of Paris revolves around The Ritz is quite the paradox. Ren (Irena), raised by her grandmother, is until recently engaged to marry the son of another wealthy family. That their forthcoming marriage will also seal a lucrative business deal is neither here nor there ;) Until that relationship falls apart and Ren can't face the public glare nor the wrath of her grandmother. She decides to extend her visit to Paris and promises to stay under the radar, which for a social media star will not be easy. Quite literally running into Sacha and spending time in his world is the perfect solution. Who would ever expect to find her so far away from The Ritz? Sacha is refreshingly unassuming, he cares not for material wealth or the trappings of fame that accompany Ren. It's very easy to like Sacha, but it's harder to warm to Ren who is a victim of her privileged upbringing ...and it shows! Ren quickly learns that hanging out with Sacha and his family and friends is very different to her own relationships, and the fact that her grandmother does not approve only seems to spur her on. But a fake relationship? Eek - at this point I start to worry. Meddling with people's feelings is a dangerous path, even when they both insist they know what they're doing. Because, of course, the laws of romance state otherwise. While this is not really a Christmas story, it does take place during the run-up to the festive season, so it's pretty normal to expect there to be some magic in the air. Isn't it? There are many scenes in which Ren and Sacha convince themselves that nothing can come of their relationship, maybe too many scenes of that kind (the lady doth protest too much, comes to mind) but the inevitable cannot be ignored forever. Fate has spoken, and the more time they spend together, the better we understand them, and well, when you know, you know ... <3
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Stunned to find herself redundant, Lily concludes that maybe those plans she and husband, Ben, have been making for years might now just come true. ThStunned to find herself redundant, Lily concludes that maybe those plans she and husband, Ben, have been making for years might now just come true. Their son is off to university, so what is stopping them from following their dream and moving to France? One thing: Ben. He doesn't want to go, thinks the time is not right - but that's what he's been saying for years now. Lily realises that maybe he never intended to follow through on what is essentially her dream since she was a young girl. She's forced to acknowledge that he always had a reason to prevaricate, and he's not even willing to talk about it now. Cue the red wine and a drunken foray onto the internet, browsing all those wonderful places that will never now be hers, be theirs. Or so she thinks, until the next morning, replete with hangover, an email informs her of a purchase she made the previous evening. Lily has bought a farmhouse in France. Surely, Ben will see now that it's meant to be, that fate has stepped in to guide them across the channel to a new life. Or maybe not?
Lily is stumped - there's a house literally with her name on it (or potentially on the deeds in a few weeks) and still Ben won't budge. She can't possibly let this chance escape her, can she? Mais, non! And so, off to France she goes, alone, nervous yet excited, probably still reeling from the shock that has numbed her emotions temporarily.
What awaits her is daunting, amusing, sweet, scary and hugely entertaining. From a squirrel infestation to an overly-romantic mayor, some nightmare "expats" (I can say that as one myself - and I can vouch for the flat-earthers too!) Lily does find great friends, warm-hearted people who welcome her with gusto, but there's something missing. While she convinces herself that she can do this alone - or even with a new partner - she cannot quite shrug off her marital status. Unfortunately, Ben doesn't seem to want to be with her as much as she wants to be with him - or so she believes.
I love how this played out in the end, and I particularly enjoyed seeing Lily grow into herself as a stronger, more self-assured woman. It became clear that whatever happened, she would survive... but I admit to having my fingers crossed for a happy ending.
Thank you Netgalley & Boldwood books for my copy. ...more
I must admit to not having read the first book in the Martha Miller series, but even so, Daggers at the Country Fair more than stands up for itself anI must admit to not having read the first book in the Martha Miller series, but even so, Daggers at the Country Fair more than stands up for itself and can easily be read on its own merit.
Martha Miller, Luke Walker - the vicar, her sister Ruby and friends from her village, have been invited to visit Winteringham for the country fair, where Martha's reputation as a crime solver precedes her. As such, she is the guest of honour and is asked to perform the opening ceremony.
It's all perfectly lovely until Martha's little dog sits down, refuses to move, and barks and growls at something odd behind one of the tents. Keen to see what's troubling her pet, Martha ventures to look what's happened. Finding a young woman, stabbed to death, is not something she ever expected to find, and subsequently learning that the young woman - Helen Kennedy - is the niece of the village vicar, who just happens to be Luke's best friend...and their host.
While Martha feels it's not her place to get involved in the case, Luke and Ruby convince her to at least ask some questions of the young woman's family and friends. The answers Martha gets to her investigation raise doubts in her mind that not everyone is telling the whole truth, and digging deeper only causes her to worry about the repercussions of her discovery. Alongside this concern, Martha is also trying to underplay her attraction to Luke. She, as a married woman (whose husband has left her) cannot get involved with the vicar. This emotional conflict reminds the reader how different those years were for women, and Martha is visibly struggling with the need to stand on her own two feet while society still prevents women from being so blatantly independent. The plight of young Helen Kennedy also highlights how society treated young women in her situation back then, and how so little was done to support them.
The mystery is intriguing with plenty of suspects, and I particularly enjoyed the big reveal when Martha eliminates one suspect after the other until the inevitable killer is trapped, unable to deny their involvement.
This is a perfect cosy mystery with vibes of Grantchester and a nod to the limited role of women in those post-war years. With great twist, a forbidden romance, and a quintessential village fayre, what's not to love?
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books publishers for my copy of the book...more
Following on from The Landlord of Hummingbird House, this book focuses on Betty's story and covers both the late 1960s and present day. As a new brideFollowing on from The Landlord of Hummingbird House, this book focuses on Betty's story and covers both the late 1960s and present day. As a new bride, Betty and husband William purchase Hummingbird House for their first home, not quite sure what they'll do with all those extra rooms to start with, but they plan to enjoy redecorating before settling into family life.
Betty is definitely a naive young woman but is happy to give up her job and stay home in the hopes of being a good wife, and, someday, a mother. She throws herself into doing up the place but soon feels lonely being at home all day on her own while William goes to work. But she says nothing, and ploughs her energy into refurbishing the basement. Eventually, it's finished, and by now they've decided to rent it out - their first tenants being Sandra and her boyfriend Robert. This couple breathe fresh air into the building and into Betty's life, and she and Sandra strike up a lovely friendship that enables Betty to share her innermost thoughts for probably the first time in her life. Seeing Betty grow and learn from Sandra is delightful, and even in the hardest and saddest of times their friendship remains solid - which is more than can be said with Betty's other relationships.
Running in tandem with Betty's early years at Hummingbird House is the present day story with Betty now as an 82-year-old landlord. This story recaps on events from book one but develops the relationships of the tenants further - with Betty and with each other.
While decades apart, the two stories show that many of the same issues still exist albeit with differing repercussions. As the wise elder of the house, Betty looks on at the fragility of some of her tenants, and can't resist making things happen :) The whole book is made wonderful by its leading lady, her fabulous tenants and friends, poignant and heart-warming (also heart-breaking) stories, and oodles of emotional baggage that needs a delicate touch to portray so effectively. Overall, it is undeniably believable, honest and engaging. Book three is already on my radar! ...more
The cover of this book really drew me in, and the author did a fabulous job in recreating the 1920s, both in setting and societal expectations. The maThe cover of this book really drew me in, and the author did a fabulous job in recreating the 1920s, both in setting and societal expectations. The main characters - Roy, Victoria, and Urbane - are three people you wouldn't imagine ever joining forces. With such diverse backgrounds, the unifying factor is the hustle. Each, in their own way, is skilled at separating fools from their money, and as a combined force, their success should only improve. And yet, their lifestyle is a daily struggle, moving on constantly, never setting down roots, and always but always looking over their shoulders. When it looks like a con might backfire badly, Roy has had enough. As the Idea Man, he reckons he has the perfect job for them, one which will reap the rewards they dream of and allow them to enjoy the high life of their victims for a while. But is going back to the place where his ex-wife and children still live such a good idea? And can he really expect to keep that fact from Urb and Vic? As their plan develops, there are side hustles to keep them going, and when one of these ends badly for Victoria, it brings the cops into the neighbourhood. Can they pull it off in time?
The story blends intrigue and romance, and a class divide that accentuates the haves from the have-nots. There are so many villains; when the cons are the good guys you know it's a fun read. From corrupt police to pretentious elitists, and a tribalist "union" - there's an innocent woman killed, a slimeball killer to be unveiled, and a con to perfect. Tension, excitement, mystery, and with the cons being such likeable characters, it's not hard to stay invested in the story. This is a long book but the fun, risky and diverse ways of making money kept my interest. The arrival of a new cop - Willie Doyle -in the district, untainted by corruption, heightens the risks the cons must take, and it brings them closer together. I wanted them to succeed and to bring down the elitist establishment who'd had things their own way for too long.
The only downside - if it can be called such -is that I was so caught up in the cons' lives that I forgot all about the details revealed in the prologue and so seeing those points referenced at the end came out of the blue. Nonetheless, those points are interesting in their own right and prove the research the author did to create such an evocative setting....more
What's not to love about The Spanish Cove? The setting is stunning - well, initially maybe the access to the house is a little difficult, but when theWhat's not to love about The Spanish Cove? The setting is stunning - well, initially maybe the access to the house is a little difficult, but when the solution is to travel into the cove by boat, then wow, that's pretty cool (when the sea is calm, of course). This book brings the area alive and Casa Palmito is a place where you can be free of those everyday pressures and be at one with the ocean and the beach. Conflict comes in the form of dealing with the past and getting on with the future, which selling the house - something not everyone is happy about. With interesting characters, a family secret (who was the mystery woman), plenty of romance, and new friendships to be made, this book offers escapism with a difference - and I'm not just talking turtles ;) The main character, Marina, arrives almost under duress, not wanting to return to the place that held such bad memories for her, yet over time everything she thought she knew about her past is turned on its head. For her, and others (MatÃ, primarily) this supposedly last trip to sell the house becomes something much more important, confirming the old adage that if you love the job you do, you'll never work a day in your life. A story about reflection and coming to terms with your past but with an eye on the future and proof that happiness can be found when and where you least expect it. ...more
When Janet Jackson decides to convert the "garage/annexe" into a B&B, she does so without any of the usual research most people would do, and she has When Janet Jackson decides to convert the "garage/annexe" into a B&B, she does so without any of the usual research most people would do, and she has no idea what awaits her. She soon learns it's much more work than painting a few walls, and adding some matching cushions, rugs and knick-knacks. Her first guest opens her eyes to everything she has overlooked, and from that point on she is playing catch-up to find out what running a B&B is all about. Daughter Chloe helps out with building a website and online profile for the B&B and ... whoosh, the bookings take off. Janet has to squeeze the cleaning of the room between changeovers with her job at the dentist's. There are never enough hours in the day, but somehow she manages to pull it off. The diary aspect of this story means that there's quite a lot of repetition as she struggles to get everything ready. For me, this slows the pace down considerably as it seems like a never-ending loop of client-clean-client-clean. That said, the clients are diverse and each one teaches Janet another lesson about her growing business. I really grew to like Janet when her awful neighbour, Laura, objects to her running the B&B and reports her to the council. Fortunately, Sharon at the council (my favourite character by a country mile) takes it all in her stride and guides Janet through the minefield of planning rights and permissions. Janet's sister, Maureen (Mitzi), adds a humorous touch with her poetry nights out and her steady stream of men friends. Her laissez-faire attitude rubs off on Janet and she finally puts her divorce behind her and has some fun - in between cleaning, of course. Overall, it's a fun read, and watching Janet grow into her new role is amusing, sometimes sad, occasionally repetitive (but that's just life) but always engaging....more
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