The Dilemmas of Work Women - Fumio Yamamoto

 

Description

The classic Japanese bestseller published in English for the very first time - a darkly funny and relatable book portraying the lives of five women

'Witty, wise and thought-provoking' Cecelia Ahern
'Crackles and pops with humour, empathy and intelligence' Lisa Owens, author of Not Working
'So brilliantly written that I kept trying to memorise sentences in order to repeat them to people later' Roxy Dunn, author of As Young as This

Izumi needs to get a job.
Haruka needs to stop talking about how she once had cancer.
Katō needs to get through a shift at the convenience store without being harassed.
Mito needs to break up with her boyfriend - or marry him.
Sumie just needs somewhere to live.

In this classic Japanese bestseller, published in English twenty-five years after it took Japan by storm, the lives of five ordinary women are depicted with irresistible humour and searing emotional insight.

Review

A collection of short stories. The title of the book is the title of one of the stories.

If you've previously read Japanese fiction about magical cats and coffee shops, then this is a completely different level of fiction. A glimpse into lives of real women in Japan, albeit 25 years ago. However, in my opinion this could have been written today. The only thing I noticed was the absence of continued reference to technology, particularly mobile phones and social media.

The stories are brilliantly written (and translated). It felt like you were looking at life rather than reading a story. Each woman revealing her flaws and strengths, but not in a stylised way. In the last story the narrator is a man, which threw me as the other stories are narrated by a woman. It took me a minute to get that straight in my head.

I'm not the biggest fan of short stories, but these all felt a lot longer and so enjoyable. There was a depth achieved which is difficult to find when reading a smaller number of words. Whilst not neatly sewn up they all made me think about what came next.

There is also some insight into the author by the translator at the end of the book.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review. The book is published in the UK on 3 July 2025.

No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done - Sophie Hannah

 

Description

The twistiest murder mystery you are ever likely to read?

A story about a family that does the unthinkable in order to save the life of one of its beloved members?

Both? Or something else altogether?

You'll have to read until the very last word in order to find out…

You think it will never happen to you: the ring of the bell, the policeman on the doorstep. What he says traps you in a nightmare that starts with the words, 'I'm afraid…'

Sally Lambert is also afraid, and desperate enough to consider the unthinkable. Is it really, definitely, impossible to escape from this horror? Maybe not. There's always something you can do, right?

Of course, no one would ever do this particular something – except the Lamberts, who might have to.

No one has ever gone this far. Until Sally decides that the Lamberts will…

'An incident involving a dog in a small village escalates to an all-out conflict, turning neighbour against neighbour, and culminating in murder. But who did it? Who was it done to? You'll have to read to the final line to find out! Hugely entertaining and infectiously funny, this joyous adventure is one of Sophie Hannah's very best books. A delight from start to finish.' Alex Michaelides, bestselling author of The Silent Patient.

'The twist is perfection. I think it's just about the cleverest thing I have ever read.' Gillian McAllister, bestselling author of Wrong Place, Wrong Time

'IT. IS. BRILLIANT...it's funny, clever & audacious! I bloody loved it!' Jennie Godfrey, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things

'No one writes twisted, suspenseful novels quite like Sophie Hannah' Liane Moriarty, bestselling author of Big Little Lies.

Review

I was really looking forward to reading this book having read a previous book by the author. I was also drawn in by the unusual title. It is an unusual read, but unfortunately not a book I could get invested in. I've also found it difficult to review.

At first I thought it was a YA novel with the characters dialogue, particularly the main narrator sounding naive.   I nearly didn't finish the book after the first 10%. I found it hard going. Although there was action, it also included a lot of scene setting and back story that I didn't find relevant (at the time!).

The book centres around a policeman visiting the house, and informing the owner Sally that they have had a report of an incident involving her dog. Having been a dog owner, I still found the overly descriptive love for the dog (and houses) too over the top. I think if you are not an animal person, then you won't be the audience for this book. A lot of the writing is about dogs, and how much the owner loves her dog.

As the author was granted permission by the Agatha Christie estate to write new novels, it is clearly an indication of her being excellent at her craft. When I got to the last 10% of the book it finally gripped me! I realised how clever it was, and I could see Agatha Christie comparisons. Unfortunately it was too late to give a higher rating to the book overall.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars.  My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review. This book is published on 19 June 2025.

The Silver Ladies Seize The Day - Judy Leigh

 

Description

A BRAND NEW feel-good read from MILLION COPY BESTSELLER Judy Leigh, perfect for fans of Dawn French and Caroline James! ✨

You’re never too old to fall in love…again!

Cecily Hamilton is months away from her ninety-second birthday. She’s lived life to the full, choosing work over romance, friendship over love. And now she has a host of silver-haired friends living nearby, ready to fill her time with picnic lunches, prosecco and cheer!

Cecily thought she was content. She thought her cup was full…

But when the granddaughter of Cecily’s first and only love arrives on her doorstep, claiming that her grandfather, Eddie, is still in love with Cecily after all these years, Cecily wonders if there might be room for a little romance after all. Especially since, one by one, her friends keep falling head over heels for old flames and new.

Can the oldest silver lady of the bunch really hope for her own second chance at love? Is it finally time for Cecily to seize the day?

Review

I've read a few of Judy Leigh's books and enjoyed them, this was no exception. I wish I had realised this was a sequel though, as I felt I didn't really get the full measure of all the characters. At the beginning of the book there is a recap of who is who, but it was too lengthy for me to take in. I read on and just went with the flow.

Cecily is nearly 92 and she's a retired teacher who had her heart broken 70 years ago. It was this story that made me want to read the book, but it is only a small part of the story. As the title implies the Silver Ladies seize the day and each of the ladies in the group have their own road they have travelled. They have decisions to make as to whether they stay on that road, or go along another one.

I loved the character of Cecily and she is the one I felt I got to know the most. As the book flips between each of the silver ladies I was a little disappointed when we left Cecily, although she did have a part in each of the others stories too.

A nice gentle read. It's not all roses around the door in the village though, there are a few nasty encounters. A well written observation of life and all that goes with it and some hope and encouragement that life is still for living as we age. 

My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review. I am giving this book 3 out of 5 stars.

This Is Not A Game - Kelly Mullen

 

Description

Two unlikely detectives. A killer cocktail of suspects.

A Gibson martini garnished with three silverskin onions is 77-year-old Mimi’s favourite cocktail. It is best served with a crossword puzzle, not as an apéritif at Jane Ireland's extravagant auction party.

But given Mimi has been blackmailed into attending Jane's event, at a grand old mansion on Mackinac Island (Michigan’s answer to The Hamptons), there are worse drinks she could spend an evening sinking.

Thankfully for her, she's roped her granddaughter, Addie – who is escaping the heartache caused by her manipulative ex-fiancé – into accompanying her. While Addie spots celebrities and socialites in the manor's labyrinth of dark rooms and Mimi wonders how to confess the real reason for her presence at the soiree, a scream pierces the air.

Jane is dead.

And when a second body turns up, Mimi and Addie soon become the unlikeliest of sleuths in a race to narrow down the suspects.

In a house that contains as many secrets as the people within it, it’s going to take more than a Gibson to survive the night…

Review

The book is set on Mackinac Island in a Grand old Mansion with it's own drawbridge. Resident Mimi is attending an auction there as part of a blackmail note she receives. Not wanting to go alone she invites her Grand Daughter Addie from the mainland to go with her. Addie has her own issues to contend with after breaking up with her fiancé who was also the co-author of a successful online murder game she wrote.

Despite the title, the story did feel more like a game to me. I couldn't really take it seriously especially as at every turn of events Addie was comparing it to the game she co-wrote. She and Mimi take upon themselves to be the detectives after no one can gain access to the mansion due to the weather. 

There were parts where I was really drawn into the drama and was enjoying reading the book. Overall it felt a little repetitive for me. Some of the dialogue was very stilted, more like a murder mystery party than a real life drama. The characters didn't feel real and although it was set in present day it seemed more like the 1920s.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars.

My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review. This book is published on 24 May 2025.

Mrs Spy - M. J. Robotham

 

Description

Get ready for a pulse-pounding, laugh-out-loud ride through 1960s London as Maggie Flynn, unexpected MI5 operative and single mum, unravels the intelligence agency's most treacherous secrets.

***

Maggie Flynn isn’t your typical 1960s mum.

She’s a spy, a covert operative for MI5, stalking London’s streets in myriad disguises.

Widowed and balancing her clandestine career with raising a very angsty teenage daughter, Maggie finds comfort and purpose in her profession – providing a connection to her late husband, whose own covert past only surfaced after his death.

But Maggie’s world spins out of control when a chance encounter with a mysterious Russian agent triggers a chilling revelation: he knew her husband. And what’s worse, the agent suspects someone on home soil betrayed him.

As Maggie searches for answers, she’ll question everyone – and everything – she thought she could trust. In the dangerous world of espionage, can she outsmart those determined to keep her silenced?

Review

Not what I expected from the title.

Set in the 1960s Maggie Flynn is Mrs Spy. She is widowed and has a daughter and errant mother living with her. She's no Jane Bond and is far from glamourous in her role as a watcher. Something a middle aged woman is suited to, as no one gives her a second glance, especially in her many wigs. 

She's fairly content with her lot apart from a nasty bunion causing her grief. Then she has to mind a Russian agent with whom she has an interesting conversation, which leads her to believe her husband was much more than a watcher himself.

I loved the social history aspects of this book. From Maggie trying to obtain Beatles tickets for her daughter to her taking her shopping on the Kings Road. It all seemed fairly low key and pedestrian when the plot took a bit of a sinister turn and my interest was piqued. There were some truly nail biting parts that followed and I would have liked more of those. 

Maggie is a strong character and that shows through from her transition from a watcher to actually spying. 

However, I didn't find this book laugh out loud as the blurb suggests. There were amusing scenes of domesticity with her daughter and mother and some very true to life observations of a middle aged lady's ailments.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review. The book is published on 15 May 2025.

The Second Chance Book Club - Stephanie Butland

I'm on the Blog Tour for this wonderful book today.

Description

Dear Ms Blythe

We are dealing with an estate of which you may be a beneficiary. Please send any documents in your possession that relate to your birth and adoption.

September is at her wits' end. There's never enough money to support her boyfriend and herself. September has nothing to look forward to.

Then the letter comes. September has inherited a house from a great-aunt she never knew she had. It would make sense to sell it. But when sees the place - the orange gate, the garden, the tree, the bumblebee door knocker - she doesn't want to let it go. Not yet. Then the members of the book club arrive, and she begins to discover the story of the family she didn't know. And to make new friends.

September feels safe here. But money alone can't bring contentment. September is just at the start of a journey full of surprises, shocks – and opportunities, if she's brave enough . . .

Review

As soon as I began to read this book I knew I already loved it!

We meet September as she is struggling to make ends meet and her boyfriend is not helping financially or being supportive. She receives a letter that looks like it may be a demand of some sort, so she is not keen to open it. When she does open it, she is informed she may have inherited a house from a relative she never knew. In fact she never knew she had any relatives. 

After her inheritance is confirmed September goes to visit the house which was owned by her Aunt Lucia, and to say she is overwhelmed is an understatement. Her boyfriend is keen to sell and get a new place together. September decides to move into the house and finds all sorts of things within it, including a book club.

The story flip flops between present day and back when Aunt Lucia was alive. We learn a little more quickly than September some secrets and I was itching for her to find them out. 

There is so much within the pages of this book including love, hate, anger, prejudice, adoption, women's rights and deception. The characters were all brought to life so vividly. To say too much would give spoilers, but I will say that I was so pleased that there was an Epilogue. I feel I can let everyone go knowing what happens, although this book will stay with me for a long time.

At the end of the book is a list of all the books referred to, so no need to make a list!

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Headline Books for providing me with a copy of the book to review and inviting me onto the Blog Tour today.

The Cat Who Saved the Library - Sosuke Natsukawa

 

Description

The must-have sequel to Sosuke Natsukawa's bestselling The Cat Who Saved Books – an uplifting tale from Japan about a talking cat, a book-loving girl and the power of books to make a difference in the world.

Nanami sees nothing wrong with a library and cat combination. But a talking cat is a whole other story.

Nanami Kosaki loves reading. The local library is a home from home and books have become her best friends. When Nanami notices books disappearing from the library shelves, she’s particularly curious about a suspicious man in a grey suit whose furtive behaviour doesn’t feel right. Should she follow him to see what he’s up to?

When a talking tabby cat called Tiger appears to warn her about how dangerous that would be, together they’re brave enough to follow the frightening trail to find out where all the books have gone. Will Nanami and Tiger overcome the challenges of the adventure ahead?

Warm, wonderful and wise, The Cat Who Saved the Library is also a powerful lesson never to underestimate the value of great literature, and a reminder always to think for ourselves, no matter what our charismatic leaders might say.

Translated from Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai

Review

A follow up to The Cat Who Saved Books. It is a standalone book, so you can read it and enjoy, even if you didn't read the previous book.

Nanami realises that books are disappearing from her local library, but she seems to be the only one that notices. As of course it is a library and books will be on loan, but she knows they have been gone for much longer. Then she notices a grey man who is always hanging about in the library racks. Time for the cat to appear and help her save the books.

I was reminded of Fahrenheit 451, albeit fleetingly, as the story traces Nanami on a mission to save the books from another world to which they are being taken. It also charts her discoveries about life and people and her own seeming fragility.

Apart from the cat there is also another character from the first book that appears which was a nice touch. Overall I am not sure I enjoyed it as much as the first book. There was a lot of detail about the other world and it certainly stretched the imagination.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.