The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennett

 

Description

The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it's not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it's everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Ten years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation, when their own daughters' story lines intersect?

Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins.

Review

I'd heard great things about this book - and for once they were all true.

I'm not sure my review can do this book justice. I loved it so much. I alternated between reading slowly and savouring every word, not wanting it to end; and then reading faster to find out what was going to happen next.

The book begins with the twin sisters in the 1960s living in a backwater town in southern America. But they always knew they wanted more than the small town existence and decide to runaway together. What follows is an epic saga of both theirs and their families journey through to the 1990s.

Once the twins go their separate ways the book begins to follow each of them and also flips back and forth through time to show what happened to them previously. The same then begins to happen for their offspring. 

The writing is just brilliant, the words flow from the page. With the right amount of descriptive phrasing the author places you centre of the action. When one of the characters drops a wine bottle in shock, I was there right beside them in shock also.

As well as racial prejudices the book covers domestic abuse, trans issues and all the baggage that comes as part and parcel of those subjects. Because these things happened to the people in the book and the people they loved I felt that it all flowed perfectly together. The book made me sad at times for both the loss of identity and the need to fit in one way or another for so many of the people in the book.  

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. This book was from my own bookshelf.

Love You Bad - Louise Mullins

 

Description

Kerensa lives a life of privilege few could imagine. Loving husband. Luxury home. Financial security. But in the attic of their sea view mansion is a secret waiting to be discovered, threatening to destroy their perfect marriage.

When their daughter's au pair uncovers Dominic's carefully constructed illusion, one lie at a time, it ends in murder. But whose?

A twisty page-turning psychological thriller perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware, and Louise Candlish. Yet will equally appeal to readers of romantic suspense by authors such as Kendra Elliot, Mary Burton, Melinda Leigh, and Willow Rose.

Review

Trigger warning for violence and strong/sexual language.

I actually read this book in one sitting, as once I started I couldn't put it down.

The story is told alternatively from the perspective of Domonic and Kerensa in five parts. The action also flips between the past and the present with each successive part bringing the past nearer to the present. 

It's certainly a very dark and disturbing tale.  I was trying to piece together some of what had happened in the past, second guessing what I thought had happened. However, short chapters meant it was moving so fast I just had to keep reading. When things finally began to come to a head I only hoped it was all going to turn out ok, but it wasn't to be and the book went off again with a new twist. 

Atmospheric writing and believable characters mean it's a little bit like car crash tv. You can't believe what you are reading, but you can't stop either.  It's difficult to say more without ruining the plot of the book. 

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Zooloo's booktours for the invite to the Book Tour and for the ARC of the book for review.

Author

Louise Mullins writes full-time using the experience she gained in a prior life working in the field of forensic mental health, working with offenders and survivors of serious crimes.

 

To keep up to date with her latest releases, visit her website: www.louisemullinsauthor.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as: @mullinsauthor. 

Follow her at:
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Website : www.louisemullinsauthor.com

Mrs March - Virginia Feito

 

Description

Shirley Jackson meets Ottessa Moshfegh meets My Sister the Serial Killer in a brilliantly unsettling and darkly funny debut novel full of suspense and paranoia

George March’s latest novel is a smash hit. None could be prouder than Mrs. March, his dutiful wife, who revels in his accolades and relishes the lifestyle and status his success brings.

A creature of routine and decorum, Mrs. March lives an exquisitely controlled existence on the Upper East Side. Every morning begins the same way, with a visit to her favourite patisserie to buy a loaf of
olive bread, but her latest trip proves to be her last when she suffers an indignity from which she may never recover: an assumption by the shopkeeper that the protagonist in George March’s new book –
a pathetic sex worker, more a figure of derision than desire – is based on Mrs. March.

One casual remark robs Mrs. March not only of her beloved olive bread but of the belief that she knew everything about her husband – and herself – sending her on an increasingly paranoid journey, one
that starts within the pages of a book but may very well uncover both a killer and the long-buried secrets of Mrs. March’s past.

A razor-sharp exploration of the fragility of identity and the smothering weight of expectations, Mrs. March heralds the arrival of a wicked and wonderful new voice.

Review

I didn't find this book as funny as My Sister the Serial Killer as referenced by the publisher. For me it was a very long drawn out book, which I found distressing and depressing in the main.

I was drawn into this book by the mention of New York and Mrs March living on the Upper East side. What I didn't expect was her life to be more like the 1950s than I suppose 2020's. There is a mention of a microwave otherwise I'm not sure I would have known it wasn't the 1950s. 

Mrs March (and she is called that all through the book - even when she is a child) is very hung up on social etiquette. Doing, saying, living the right way, it was just exhausting to read about it. There is a glimmer of humour in all of this until you realise that she has serious mental health issues.

I only kept reading as there was an allusion to uncovering a murderer, and I thought maybe I had the wrong end of the stick so to speak. This part of the book did grip me more than the beginning, but if you want a light hearted read, this won't be the book for you.

The writing in this book is undoubtedly very good and you can place yourself in the character of Mrs March very easily. Too easily in fact. I just became a little saddened by the whole tale.

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

Masterpiece - Janet Pywell

 

I'm delighted to be on the Blog Tour today for #MASTERPIECE

Description

NOT EVERYONE GETS A CHANCE AT A FORTUNE. BUT SHE'S ONLY ONE BURGLARY AWAY…

Photographer, artist and art forger Mikky dos Santos has had a tough life and now she’s about to steal the world’s most famous stolen painting – Vermeer’s The Concert – worth $200 million.

When Mikky’s flatmate is commissioned to paint one of the world’s most famous divas her life begins to spiral into chaos. An evil investigative journalist and a dangerous businessman are on the hunt to uncover Mikky’s darkest secrets and threaten her detailed plans.

The race is on.

This breathtaking protagonist is exhilarating and has attitude, yet underlying it all, a longing for human connection that makes you love her despite her own best efforts to push you away.

There are rich glimpses into European cities, a savvy feel for the international art world and an electrifying female sleuth who blasts into your life with explosive excitement. This thrilling page-turner will shock you with the stunning twist at the end.

Set in London (England), Mallorca (Spain) and Dresden (Germany) – this international crime thriller will leave you on the edge of your seat until the twist at the very end.

You will be instantly hooked!

Review

I do love a strong female lead in a book, and Mikky is certainly that.

When we first meet Mikky she is concerned about an elderly neighbour and quickly scales a fence to break in and get her help. Hardly the actions of an art thief, but we gain a sense of her values. Yet whilst she waits for the glazier Mikky snoops around her neighbours house, looking for what she knows is hanging there somewhere.

Her flatmate Javier is an artist and has been commissioned by a famous Opera Diva to paint her portrait. Mikky somewhat reluctantly accompanies him to Dresden for the initial meeting with the diva. How is this going to fit with Mikky being an art thief I began to wonder. 

I have a passing interest in art and the details in the book of art and art forgery were really interesting to read. The painting by Vermeer really was stolen in 1990 too and the author has imagined what could have followed. I loved the cat mouse games Mikky played with her different pursuers and certainly didn't see a couple of the twists coming. 

From about 60% into the book until the end was very fast paced and a real page turner. I wanted closure on how this was all going to work out in the end.

I found the character of Mikky likeable and believable. What I think is unusual about the book is the self talk we get from Mikky. At times I felt it wasn't always needed, but it is a slightly different approach to giving a voice to a character. 

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Random Things Tours for the invite to the tour and to the author for an ecopy of the book to review.

About the Author

Author Janet Pywell's storytelling is as mesmerizing and complex as her characters.

In her international crime thriller series - art forger, artist and photographer Mikky dos Santos is a uniquely lovable female: a tough, tattooed, yet vulnerable heroine who will steal your heart.

Each book is a stand-alone exciting action-adventure novel, set in three uniquely different countries/ locations.

These books are a must-read for devotees of complex female sleuths - an emotional female James Bond.

Janet has a background in travel and tourism and she writes using her knowledge of foreign places gained from living abroad and travelling extensively.

She draws on all her experiences of people and places to create exciting crime thrillers with great characters and all the plot twists and turns any reader could ask for.

Janet honed her writing skills by studying for a Masters degree at Queen's University, Belfast - one of the Russell Group of universities.

Janet researches meticulously and often takes courses in subjects to ensure that her facts are detailed and accurate and it is this attention to detail that makes her novels so readable, authentic and thrilling.

Subscribe to newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/janetpywell
Blog & website: https://janetpywellauthor.wordpress.com/

The C Word - An anthology of murder, mystery, death & destruction

 

Great to be on the book tour today for this book today especially as 100% of all royalties from The C Word will be donated to NHS Together Charities.

Description

So, what do writers do during Lockdown? They create murder, mystery, death and destruction of course!

The C Word is a collection of short stories collated during the COVID-19 pandemic to raise money for NHS Charities Together. A plethora of wonderful stories created by a wide variety of writers, each with their own unique style. Some you will know already and some we’ve yet to introduce you to. However, we’re sure you’ll want to hear from each and every one of them again as we leave 2020 behind us.

With contributions from Steve Mosby, Sophie Hannah, Elly Griffiths, Sarah Hilary, Rob Scragg, Trevor Wood and many more.

Review

A great collection of short stories and certainly written for our times.

Some of these stories were a little too dark for my usual reading tastes, but as they were short I stuck with them. There could also be some subject triggers for some people. I pleasantly surprised on more than one occasion, with a subtle twist, what you think you might be reading about can change in an instant.

One of my favourite stories (although spooky) was set in a supermarket during the lockdown period of the covid pandemic. The understanding of the circumstances which the staff would have found themselves in was brilliantly done and made for a great setting for the story.

There is certainly a mix of styles and themes in this book, You never know exactly what is coming next. Definitely a book you can dip in and out of or as a break from your usual read. 

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Zooloo's booktours for the invite to the tour and and the ARC to review.

Remember 100% of all royalties from The C Word will be donated to NHS Together Charities.
Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Word-some-lockdown-been-murder-ebook/dp/B08RRW8K6P/

Death and Croissants - Ian Moore

 

I'm so pleased to be on the blog tour today.

Description

THE FIRST NOVEL IN THE ENTHRALLING FOLLET VALLEY SERIES, BY TV/RADIO REGULAR IAN MOORE

Richard is a middle-aged Englishman who runs a B&B in the fictional Val de Follet in the Loire Valley. Nothing ever happens to Richard, and really that’s the way he likes it.

One day, however, one of his older guests disappears, leaving behind a bloody handprint on the wallpaper. Another guest, the exotic Valérie, persuades a reluctant Richard to join her in investigating the disappearance.

Richard remains a dazed passenger in the case until things become really serious and someone murders Ava Gardner, one of his beloved hens... and you don’t mess with a fellow’s hens!

Unputdownable mystery set in rural France, by TV/radio regular and bestselling author Ian Moore – perfect for fans of Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club

Review

It was great to see more mature characters in a book and taking on the world including the mafia.

Richard is a cross between Victor Meldrew and Basil Fawlty. If you don't know who either of those characters are then this is probably not going to be a book for you, as you might not understand a lot of the humour. If you are a certain age then all the references make perfect sense.

The storyline starts simply enough - a bloody handprint is discovered at Richard's B&B and the owner has disappeared. What follows is somewhat akin to a British farce play in fact the late Brian Rix would have been perfect in an adaption of the book . There is a mystery and it hooked me in as I tried to fathom it all out. But like Richard, who stumbles his way through the proceedings, I was a little lost most of the time and read on regardless.

A fun read and brilliantly written. This is the first book in a series.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Random Things Tours for a copy of the book to review.

Author biography

Ian Moore is a leading stand-up comedian, known for his sharp, entertaining punditry. A TV/radio regular, he stars in Dave’s satirical TV show Unspun and Channel 5’s topical comedy Big Mouths. He is also the author of two memoirs on life in France. À la Mod and C’est Modnifique. Ian lives in the Loire and commutes back to the UK every week. In his spare time, he makes mean chutneys and jams.

Elle's A-Z of Love - Claire Huston

 

Blurb

Haileybrook, a beautiful village in the peaceful Cotswolds countryside, is most people’s idea of heaven on earth. 

Born and raised in this small slice of paradise, Elle Bea can’t wait to leave.

It should be easy, but every time she packs her bags for exotic adventures, old loves and loyalties pull her back. 

Will Elle be forced to forget her dreams of far-flung places and epic romance, or can she grab one last chance to have it all? 

An uplifting, romantic story about friends, family and the relationships that make a place a home.

Review

This is the second novel by Claire that I've read. Although a very different feel from her first book it was equally as enjoyable. You can read my review of Claire's first Book "Art and Soul" here.

The course of true love never did run smooth, came to my mind when I read this book.

It will come as no surprise (as this is billed as a romantic novel) that Elle forms a relationship in this book. What was surprising is that we went on quite a journey with Elle before she finds the one. Along the way we follow Elle and her the unrequited love one, her friend maybe become boyfriend one and the cute guy one she bumps into. So we are left guessing, is this finally going to be the guy? Or is Elle destined to be on her own.

Elle was a little too weak willed for my liking and about 70% into the book I actually shouted at her "not again"!. I'll leave you to read the book to find out why, but she did seem to get on a repeat pattern in her life. With the flashbacks to her early life and her suffering some bullying, in one way it was understandable. That said when she finally did grow a backbone I was rooting for her all the way and could have given her a round of applause. With totally believable characters and events this was a lovely read. I was truly invested in Elle hence my shouting lol!

I'm giving this book four out of five stars. My thanks to the author for the ebook to review.

About the Author

Claire Huston lives in Warwickshire, UK, with her husband and two children. She writes uplifting modern love stories about characters who are meant for each other but need a little help to realise it.

A keen amateur baker, she enjoys making cakes, biscuits and brownies almost as much as eating them. You can find recipes for all the cakes mentioned in Art and Soul, her first novel, at clairehuston.co.uk along with over 100 other recipes. This is also where she talks about and reviews books.

Social Media Links

You can also find Claire on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads and Pinterest: https://linktr.ee/clairehuston_author