The Prodigal Son is book five in the Shadow of the Raven series, which is one of my favourite historical fiction series. Although it can be read as a The Prodigal Son is book five in the Shadow of the Raven series, which is one of my favourite historical fiction series. Although it can be read as a standalone, it is an absolutely brilliant instalment when read as part of the series.
I was completely invested in Edward's life and the threats on his life from his evil Uncle Edmund had my heart racing and my blood boiling. Edmund wants what he thinks is rightfully his and only his nephew Edward stands in his way. I loved how Edmund ends up living with a bunch of outlaws in the forest, but there really is no honour among thieves and they all have their eyes on the loot.
The writing is exceptional as Chris Bishop brings Anglo Saxon England to life and I felt fully immersed in this dark and dangerous historical period. The threat from the Vikings once again hangs over Wessex but for Edward, the danger is much closer to home and he can't trust anyone.
Impeccably researched with facts and fiction intertwining to create a highly entertaining story, The Prodigal Son is an outstanding conclusion to a phenomenal series. I really cannot recommend the whole Shadow of the Raven series highly enough and if you just happen to have picked up and enjoyed The Prodigal Son, then you will love the rest of the series. ...more
After the jaw-dropping cliffhanger in the last Detective Kate Young book (A Life for a Life) I couldn't wait to get my hands on A Truth for a Truth anAfter the jaw-dropping cliffhanger in the last Detective Kate Young book (A Life for a Life) I couldn't wait to get my hands on A Truth for a Truth and it did not disappoint in the slightest. In fact, Carol Wyer has wowed me again and I absolutely loved every second of this excellent book.
Although A Truth for a Truth could be read as a standalone, as there are some short recaps of the previous books, you can only really appreciate the magnificence of the series if you read the books in order. I love the Detective Kate Young series and I'm already chomping at the bit for the next one as this book finishes on another jaw-dropping moment.
What a pickle Kate has got herself in after shooting her boss and what a moral dilemma - should she act like a criminal and hide the body or act like a DI and turn herself in? Not knowing who she can trust on the force, makes the decision easier for her and when she's tasked with heading the investigation into Superintendent Dickson's disappearance she can cover her tracks even further.
The main character of Kate Young is so well developed that I feel as if I know her and I was totally rooting for her to literally get away with murder. Throughout the series Kate has been on the verge of cracking up as she hears her dead husband Chris talking to her inside her head. Her mental health gets even worse when Dickson's voice takes over from Chris and members of her team start to notice when the conversations start taking place out loud.
Tense, gripping and enthralling, A Truth for a Truth is outstanding from start to finish. This series is getting better and better (and it was already brilliant to start with). Very highly recommended....more
Wowzers! What a book! I didn't just like it, I LOVED IT! I laughed (a lot), I cried (a little) and I enjoyed every single second aboard this hugely enWowzers! What a book! I didn't just like it, I LOVED IT! I laughed (a lot), I cried (a little) and I enjoyed every single second aboard this hugely entertaining emotional rollercoaster of a novel. Just like Daniel Maunz's outstanding debut novel, Questions of Perspective, Hyphenated Relations is a book that will stay with me long after turning the final page.
This is a character driven novel with family at its huge heart. The characters are an eclectic bunch and I loved all of them, even the sneaky, conniving ones. Sam is the main character and she is suffering from the most painful of emotions: grief. It seems as if a large part of Sam died when she lost her husband, although she escapes through her love of books (which made me love her even more).
Sam has distanced herself from her former father-in-law so it's quite a shock to her system when he comes back into her life in the funniest way. Humour is evident throughout the book, even though some serious subjects are touched upon and it very much reflects the ups and downs of real life.
I don't think I fully appreciated the wonderful front cover until I was partway through the book and saw the initials on the leaves of the tree. It makes me emotional just looking at it to write my review as it makes me grateful to think of the people who have touched my life in my own family tree.
This is one of those books that make you want to read it again as soon as you finish it. I'm already missing all of the characters and I want to re-experience their stories again; I'm sure I'll even laugh in the same places and maybe even find some humour I missed when I was rapidly devouring this wonderful book as if I had been starved of words for weeks.
Entertaining, emotional and humorous, Hyphenated Relations is an unforgettable novel that has reminded me that life may be short but it is precious. Don't let this wonderful book fly under your radar - Daniel Maunz is a true literary star and one of the best things about book blogging is being introduced to such amazing authors that I may not have otherwise discovered.
Very highly recommended - DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK (yes, I'm shouting from the rooftop, it's THAT good)!
Many thanks to Daniel Maunz for sending an ARC across the Atlantic; this is my honest and unbiased opinion....more
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