The Strange Book of Jacob Boyce by Tom Gillespie @tom_gillespie @VineLeavesPress @lovebooksgroup

I'm republishing my review from July today, as part of the Book Blitz.

Description

A spiralling obsession. A missing wife. A terrifying secret. Will he find her before it’s too late?

When Dr Jacob Boyce’s wife goes missing, the police put it down to a simple marital dispute. Jacob, however, fears something darker. Following her trail to Spain, he becomes convinced that Ella’s disappearance is tied to a mysterious painting whose hidden geometric and numerical riddles he’s been obsessively trying to solve for months. Obscure, hallucinogenic clues, and bizarre, larger-than-life characters, guide an increasingly unhinged Jacob through a nightmarish Spanish landscape to an art forger’s studio in Madrid, where he comes face-to-face with a centuries-old horror, and the terrifying, mind-bending, truth about his wife.

Review

I doubt you have read a book quite like this before. The title says it all really it is a "strange book" and it's all about Jacob Boyce. I admit to having to re read the first few pages of the book as I thought I had misread them. As the book went on I began to realise that this could be a regular occurrence if I wasn't careful and just decided to go with the "strangeness".

Jacob is obsessed with a painting and it's hidden meaning, and for me this had echoes of the Di Vinci code. It's well known that paintings possess hidden meanings through the objects placed in them and I do love it when someone explains a painting for you. So, I fell hook line and sinker for this aspect of the plot including the mathematics. There is a mention of Napiers Bones which I remember from school - there my maths knowledge ended but it didn't spoil the enjoyment of the book. 

The book has three parts, two of which are set in Glasgow which I've visited and I certainly felt a sense of place, especially the underground and the art gallery (although it's not named). The middle part of the book is set in Spain and whilst I haven't been to either of the places Jacob goes to I still got that sense of knowing the places. 

The last part of the book sees Jacob engage in what I would politely say is earthy language, so if you are easily offended this may not be the book for you. Brilliantly written this is a tale which won't be for everyone, but if you like intrigue, mystery and disappearing down the rabbit hole then this will be for you.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Kelly at Love Books Tours for sending me the ARC to review. 

About the Author

Tom Gillespie grew up in a small town just outside Glasgow. After completing a Masters in English at Glasgow University, he spent the next ten years pursuing a musical career as a singer/songwriter, playing, recording and touring the UK and Europe with his band. He now lives in Bath with his wife, daughter and hyper-neurotic cat, where he works at the university as an English lecturer. Tom writes long and short stories. His stories have appeared in many magazines, journals and e-zines. He is co-author of Glass Work Humans-an anthology of stories and poems, published by Valley Press. Visit Tom at tom-gillespie.com

Buy Link

https://amzn.to/2zspp0N

The Mersey Estuary - Kevin Sene

 

Description

Stretching for around thirty miles to the coast, the Mersey Estuary is perhaps best known for Liverpool s spectacular waterfront and the Mersey Ferry. But there are many other hidden gems along its shores, including waterside parks, sandy beaches and poignant reminders of the days of steamships and sail.

The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide provides suggestions for places to visit along the estuary, from its upper reaches in Warrington to where it meets the sea at New Brighton and the Sefton Coast. Along the way, the book calls in at Widnes, Runcorn, Ellesmere Port, Port Sunlight, Birkenhead, Liverpool and Formby Point, and includes an interesting mix of walks and cycling routes, ranging from a couple of hours to a full day out. Readers will also discover some less well-known sights, including lighthouses, a castle, medieval buildings, and a transporter bridge, one of only eight left in the world.

For those interested in the history, environment and wildlife of the estuary, there is also an introduction to its nature reserves, geology, canals and bird life. Other topics include the development of the Port of Liverpool, including its famous Liver Birds, and how the estuary has been cleaned up in recent decades so that even salmon have returned. There are also tips on birdwatching and photography and on where to see seals and the Mersey s little-known tidal bore.

With stunning colour photographs, The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide is a must-read for travellers to the area and local residents alike.

Review

I love Liverpool and have visited several times for work and pleasure, often going to and from Birkenhead. When walking around Liverpool I always use the Radio City Tower as my identifier of where I am, as you can see it from most places. But I would love to go further afield, but where and how?

This is where this book comes in as an invaluable guide to not only Liverpool but the surrounding area too. The book contains walking and cycling routes with a guide to what events are on each year and the time to visit. 

Over the years I have been told by colleagues that the Wirral has the most wonderful scenery and wildlife, but again, if you are not a local how do you find it? Well this guide has it all covered. With what wildlife you can see and photos to help you identify them too. 

The book is so full of the most beautiful photography from scenes, buildings, wildlife and even murmurations. It's a joy just to browse through and look at the photographs, some bringing back memories for me. Especially so at the moment, with not being able to go far, I feel like I've had a day out with this book. 

There's also information on the maritime history of the area and of course the legendary Liver Birds. Together with further reading outlined either in the form of another book or online resources. If you love the Mersey area or want to know more about it,  then this is the book for you. I can definitely see some trips being planned to see in person the wonderful places in this guide. 

I'm giving this book a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars. I just can't tell you enough how much I've enjoyed it. My thanks to Random Things Tours and Matador Books for a copy of the book to review.

KEVIN SENE is a scientist and writer with an extensive knowledge of the maritime history, wildlife and environment of the estuary, and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Now based in Edinburgh, he is a regular visitor to the area having lived in Warrington for many years, and also posts articles on the Mersey Estuary, Cumbria and beyond at https://www.meteowriter.com.

BLOODSTOCK / SIMON ELLICE SERIES Blog Tour - Rod Humphris

I'm thrilled to be on the Blog Tour today for the Simon Ellice Series of books.

This review is going to cover all four books in the series. Bloodstock the latest release is out now. I'm going to start with the previous book in the series.

Description

Highly charged, action packed and intelligent, Go Fast is set in the vivid, exotic location of Morocco and is the first novel in the Simon Ellice series. On moonless nights Si runs hash from Morocco to Spain in his go-fast boat but soon discovers he's caught up in a tangle of illegal power and hidden love.

Review

I love a good action film, but when it comes to the book I've been let down by Bond and Bourne. Just couldn't get into them. Not this time though, Simon Ellice is my new hero. OK so he's technically not a good guy, as he's a drug smuggler, but I'd have him on my team any day.

We meet Simon and his beloved boat Nottambulo, which is super fast - the reference of the title of the book. I don't know anything about boats but thanks to the author's skilful story telling and the hints dropped here and there about boats, by the time I got near the end I knew exactly what he was talking about. So when the plot focussed on a manoeuvre I just knew what Simon was doing with the boat. 

I also liked that the book has strong female characters in Sam - the one woman army, and also Soumy his help. Soumy's has strengths not so obvious as those Sam displays, but nevertheless she is also a force to be reckoned with. 

Although it's a lengthy book I raced through it as I really wanted to find out how this was going to end. I also just loved reading about Simon - he's smart, self assured, takes everything in his stride and yet caring too. I've never read a book in which a criminal recovers a body so his family could bury him.

There is a lot of violence - as you might expect, but only in as far as those in the way get dispatched! What made the book for me was the way Simon second guessed his opponents moves, just genius.

Description

After what feels like a lifetime of mayhem, Simon Ellice returns to the Hampshire village where he grew up. He enjoys the solace and tranquillity of rural life, working on a farm and getting to know the lively locals, but suddenly Si walks right into a deadly mystery. Old friends are going missing and then turning up dead. Someone from the City is spreading their evil tentacles and Si dives into London's underworld to uncover a conspiracy of poisoning, murder and pagan ritual that threatens those closest to him. Written with Humphris' razor-sharp style, this is Simon Ellice's darkest and most challenging adventure yet, touching on themes of sacrifice and objectification, that threaten the very foundations of our civilised world.

Review

I got a feeling from the first book that Si reminded me of a character, and it was stronger in this book - it's Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps. They both share that innate ability to tackle anything in any situation and come out of it the other side in a reasonably intact state. Just like Buchan the writing is so atmospheric and gives a sense of action without detailing every single punch.

I loved this book just as much as the first one, but maybe because it was set in England I had an easier time picturing the places in London and the environs Si resides in this time.

Si now works (albeit loosely) for Whitehall now and so he has a few resources at his disposal that he previously didn't have, not that he's gone completely over to the other side! He still gets involved in some dealings that the shirt and tie brigade would rather he didn't. 

Young female aristos in London are developing drug habits, going missing and then turning up dead - but why? Is there a pattern to it? Si is asked to look into what's going on by an old friend who's concerned. What follows is a fantastic plot. It's hard not to give away spoilers, but I will say that when I finished it I kept thinking about it. Flashes came into my mind of "oh! that's why" and "of course, that was because of..." etc So many isolated threads coming together in my mind at last.

This is a lengthy book at 502 pages and it takes a good plot for me to invest that amount of time in a book.  Sometimes I might think that the book could be edited down, but in this instance I have to say every single page of it was worthwhile and needed.

I'm giving these books 5 out of 5 stars. 

There are two other books in the series, although they are more of a novella, each being considerably shorter than the two previous books I have reviewed.

Dead Ground  In the mountains and passes of Nuristan, British forces hunt the Taliban. Trouble is coming, that is certain. Only Lieutenant Simon Ellice, with a clarity born of grief and anger, can see what must be done. Dead Ground is a story of the impossibility of the task assigned to British soldiers in Afghanistan. A tale of the heroism, loyalty and individual responsibility in the chaos of war.

Review -  This is a prequel, we get to find out about Si's army career and is set in the Afghanistan war. It reads like a first hand real life experience with a lot of army slang for authenticity. There is a glossary at the back of the book - which I was very grateful for. Another book from this author that has a strong female character as one of the army officers. 

Starlight Jamaica. Simon Ellice goes on a cocktail charged dally in Port Antonio. He brushes shoulders with the cloudy-eyed, over-sexed and deeply tranquillised Hollywood set. They become enamoured with him, and Si thus becomes embroiled when the ostensibly ostentatious wealth entices the exuberantly poor. Opportunistic thieves Stanley and Jason rattle Si's cage and go further than he was expecting. The question is, why?

Review - This book has mentions of Soumy who we met in Go Fast. This novella reads like it's set in the 1920s and with few mentions of technology I did wonder at first if it was. Si plays more of a Columbo role in this plot, although he is also ready with his armed combat skills at the first sign of trouble.

Both of these shorter books have wonderful black and white illustrations, some taking full pages. All four books have the most beautiful covers and are a joy to hold while reading.

My thanks to the author and publisher Rat's Tales for copies of the beautiful books for review and to Random Things Tours.

AUTHOR Rod Humphris is the author of a number of acclaimed thrillers. He is the happiest and most productive when travelling about in his battered old truck with a canoe in top and a dog in the back. He currently lives in Bath. Rod Humphris is the winner of N. N. Light Best Fiction Award 2016

Tales from the Cafe: Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Description

In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time . . .

From the author of Before the Coffee Gets Cold comes Tales from the Cafe, a story of four new customers each of whom is hoping to take advantage of Cafe Funiculi Funicula's time-travelling offer.

Among some faces that will be familiar to readers of Toshikazu Kawaguchi's previous novel, we will be introduced to:

The man who goes back to see his best friend who died 22 years ago
The son who was unable to attend his own mother’s funeral
The man who travelled to see the girl who he could not marry
The old detective who never gave his wife that gift . . .

This beautiful, simple tale tells the story of people who must face up to their past, in order to move on with their lives. Kawaguchi once again invites the reader to ask themselves: what would you change if you could travel back in time?

Review

This is a follow on from the first book Before The Coffee Gets Cold which I previously reviewed.

The premise of the book is exactly the same as the first book, but this time we get to meet new people who want to travel back in time. We also get to know more about some of the characters from the first book too.

There is someone who wants to go forward into the future this time - it's trickier as you have to know that the person has visited the cafe and know when they are going to visit in the future - you could miss them by seconds!

I did love this book but because they have to repeat the rules of the time travel it got a little monotonous and of course I could remember what they were from reading the first book. As this book is a little shorter than the last one, there are fewer words and a lot of them repeated. I guess this also serves the purpose of making it a standalone book.  Around half way through there was a story that I became more engaged with and I was hooked into the book once again.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

Plant Magic - Dr Greg J. Kenicer @thebotanics @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

Description

An informative and entertaining look at why plants have been used in magic and what that tells us about people and plants in a post-magic world.

With chapters on subjects as diverse as Witchcraft, Curses and Blessings, Divination, the Plants of Faery, Hallucinogens, Divine Plants in the Christian and Pagan traditions and a Plant Bestiary, Greg Kenicer’s book is an erudite and informative look at how and why various plants have had a role in Europe’s supernatural and magical traditions.

Individual entries look at particular plants combining botanical analysis with historical examples and anecdote to explain exactly why each plant came to be used in this way. Considerations of dangers and actual efficacy cast light on how modern science is now re-examining the uses of many of the plants and how the evolution of the plants themselves has been influenced by our use of them.

Whether Foxglove or Mandrake, Hawthorn or Aspen, Rowan or Oak, St. John’s Wort or Bird Cherry, Plant Magic  shines a bright and fascinating new light on dozens of familiar plants.

Review

The cover of this book is absolutely beautiful and there are also some lovely illustrations of plants within its pages. Although the electronic copy of the book is obviously still factual, I think you miss out on the atmosphere the hardback would provide you with. A book to be dipped in and out of when you have a moment rather to sit and read through. There are so many interesting facts and things I had never heard of.

One of the sections that interested me most was the Doctrine of Signatures which dates back to the Ancient Egyptians. This is using a plant that looked like an organ or the condition that needed treating. Nature's way of guiding you to using the correct plant!

There is also referencing to literature and myths and legends in which plants feature. If you are interested in mythology you will find many links to the Gods through the plants featured providing a good cross over of knowledge. The book sets out an explanation of how it is organised and the parameters (and disclaimer) of it's contents. It's meant as an historical look at magic, not to be used as a book of modern day charms!

My thanks to Love Book Tours for the ARC of this book for review. 

Dr. Greg J Kenicer is the author of Plant Magic.  He is also a botanist and a lecturer at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. He is an expert in the evolution and diversity of peas and beans but the fantastical relationship between plants and people is where his heart really lies.

Buy Link 

rbgeshop.org

Come Again - Robert Webb

 

Description

Can you fall in love for the first time twice? A recently widowed women is about to find out when she wakes up and finds herself eighteen again in this "compelling" story of second chances (Mail On Sunday).

Kate’s husband Luke – the man she loved from the moment she met him twenty-eight years ago – died suddenly. Since then she has pushed away her friends, lost her job and everything is starting to fall apart.

One day, she wakes up in the wrong room and in the wrong body. She is eighteen again but remembers everything. This is her college room in 1992. This is the first day of Freshers' Week. And this was the day she first met Luke.

But he is not the man that she lost: he’s still a boy – the annoying nineteen-year-old English student she first met. Kate knows how he died and that he’s already ill. If they can fall in love again she might just be able to save him. She’s going to try to do everything exactly the same…

Review

I wasn't sure I was reading the right book when I began this story. It takes a while to get to the premise that is outlined in the description of the book. I stuck with it because it's a little like time travel, which I love the idea of.

When I got to the part where Kate is in 1992 I didn't really like it, something about it just didn't read right and I am not sure what. At this point in the book I actually wanted to get back to how the story had started out which was more of an espionage/IT plot.

Once we got back to the present day things at first didn't really improve, until there was a great scene as part of the espionage angle. I did really like this part as it was an unusual concept, just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book.

I'm giving this book 2 out of 5 stars. My thanks to my local library and borrowbox for a copy to read.

Cows Can't Jump - Philip Bowne

I'm so pleased to be on the Blog Tour today for this book.

Description

17-year-old Billy has just left school with no A levels and he's desperate to escape middle England. As a grave-digger, he’s working the ultimate dead-end job. Billy’s home life isn’t any better. In the evenings, he observes his dysfunctional family: his Grandad’s engaged to a woman half his age, his xenophobic Dad’s become obsessed with boxing, and he suspects his deeply religious Mum is having an affair. 

All the while, celebrities are dropping like flies and Britain is waiting for the EU referendum. Everything is changing, and Billy hates it.

Meeting Eva, though, changes everything. She’s Swiss, passionate about Russian literature, Gary Numan, windfarms and chai tea, and Billy gambles everything for a chance to be with her.

When things start to go wrong, Billy’s journey across Europe involves hitch-hiking with truckers, walking with refugees, and an encounter with suicidal cows. But the further he goes, the harder it is to be sure what he’s chasing – and what he’s running from.

Review

I've really enjoyed reading this book, it certainly kept me entertained and wondering what on earth would happen next.

We meet Billy as he is wondering what to do now he's left school. His Mum finds him a job through the Church and she sends him off to the local cemetery. Where it turns out he's going to be a grave digger! It's here we learn how naïve and unworldly Billy really is and this led me to I fear for him from this point on and throughout the whole book. 

Billy gets another job and meets Eva. They have a whirlwind romance and eventually she returns home to Switzerland. As can happen with long distance relationships it's not going too well and Billy wants to join her in Switzerland. With no money and no job that's not going to be easy though.

Whilst Billy is naïve (he borrows and looses 3k!) he's very resourceful and through one means or another he scrapes enough together to set out for Switzerland. Although when he gets there the lovely Eva (not so sure she is that lovely in my eyes) has gone to Slovenia and asks him to meet her there. This is when Billy's education (and mine) really begins as he makes his way across Europe. 

It's this part of the book that had me gripped. Who was he going to meet next, what was going to become of him? It all reads so true to life, that I wonder if the author hasn't experienced at least some of these same life events. Meanwhile back at home his Grandad is engaged to a woman half his age, his Father is obsessed with boxing and his Mum is having an affair!

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. Brilliantly written with fantastic humour. I feel like I've been on a journey (in more ways than one) with Billy and it was great one too. My thanks to the author and Random Tours for a copy of the book for review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Instagram @ philipbowne Twitter @chumpybloke https://philipbowne.com/

Philip Bowne lives in London and works as a writer for The Wombles, a children’s entertainment brand.  Like his protagonist, Billy, Phil attended a failing and severely under-resourced school in Bicester, Oxfordshire. However, unlike Billy, Phil ended up studying English Literature and Creative Writing at university. While studying, Phil published short stories in literary magazines and anthologies in the UK, US, Canada and Germany. After graduating, Phil spent time in Europe and the US, working and volunteering in various roles and settings: repairing boats at Lake Como, housekeeping at a mountain lodge in California and working with charity Care4Calais in the former Calais ‘jungle’ refugee camp. Cows Can’t Jump is Phil’s debut novel, which he worked on while managing a bar in London. As well as a writer for The Wombles, Phil also works on a number of independent writing projects, including a musical set in 1970’s Soho and a sitcom set in a failing leisure centre.