Review: Safe and Sound by Philippa East

Title: Safe and Sound

Author: Philippa East

Publisher: HQ (HarperCollins UK imprint)

Publishing: 18th February 2021

Rating: 2/5

Book synopsis: Home can be the most dangerous place…

In a small London bedsit, a radio is playing. A small dining table is set for three, and curled up on the sofa is a body…
 
Jenn is the one who discovers the woman, along with the bailiffs. All indications suggest that the tenant – Sarah Jones – was pretty, charismatic and full of life.

So how is it possible that her body has lain undiscovered for ten whole months?

I found this to be a slow book and one I didn't really get on well with  or enjoy - although I finished it to see what the outcome was...the book isn't one that took me on a journey. The main character, Jennifer has her own issues and from the start...I'll be honest - she irritated me. She isn't a character that I felt empathy for as I found the story and how it unfolds to be bitty and self centred and it felt as if Jennifer was making a big deal out of nothing most of the time due to her own issues...which is more than likely one of the points of the book...but it just didn't sit well with me. A few points in the book surprised me because if they'd been real-life, I would have expected to see proper boundaries and implications because of certain actions which Jennifer had undertaken.

I think this isn't a comfortable read as it deals with mental health issues and also doesn't give the reader enough answers in a short space of time. I felt there was a lot left unknown at first, to try and build the suspense but it didn't work, and for me the book felt very one sided and not realistic that an outsider would go to such lengths and undercover details that the police hadn't managed to bring to light. I could see this playing out at the cinema, but as a book it didn't manage to capture my imagination.

I wanted to like this book, but it wasn't for me.

Source - I received a digital copy in return for an honest review

Review: Lock the Doors by Vincent Ralph

 

Title: Lock the Doors

Author: Vincent Ralph

Publisher: Penguin paperback & ebook

Publishing: February 4th 2021

386 pages

Rating: 5 out of 5 

From the reverse of the book:

Home sweet home. Tom's family think they have moved into their dream home. His mum and new stepdad couldn't be happier - but Tom starts to notice strange messages on the walls, and traces of locks on the bedroom doors. On the outside.

The previous owners have moved round the corner and they seem like the perfect family. Convinced there is a secret to uncover, Tom befriends their daughter, Amy, at school, only to find himself falling for her instead.  The more twists and turns Tom's investigation takes, the more determined he is to find the truth behind those locked doors.

I've been reading a lot of mysteries and crime books lately (not blogged though) and when a request came through for this I nearly passed on it - I'm so pleased I gave it a read.  I couldn't put this down, and read it in two sittings!  The mixture of characters and storyline along with the intrigue and plot twists kept me wanting to turn each and every page.  

This is mainly based around young adults viewpoints and characters working together and then two family circles which have very different dynamics. I found the characters believable and enjoyed watching lives and stories unfold as Tom finds out more about the house and those around him.  For me, the best books are those that take you on the journey with the characters seamlessly, and this book certainly did that.  I couldn't see where the plot was going until the third section of the book, and by that time I was completely engrossed in the lives of the characters, what they had experienced and the baggage that came with them that was being unpacked with every turn of the page.

Lock the Doors addresses some very hard topics and does it well. I don't want to give any spoilers as the book wouldn't be the same if I told you about each of the characters and their lives - this is certainly one you need to read for yourself - I think everyone can relate to vulnerability and going through high school, acceptance, maturity, morality...the list would be a long one for all the elements this book encompasses. This is a thought provoking book and might make a good candidate for a book club to discuss on the variety of subjects it brings up.

Source - I received a review copy from the publisher to review this title.

Review: The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Title: The Hazel Wood
Author: Melissa Albert
ISBN: 978-0-151-38866-3
Publisher: Penguin

Rating: 4/5

Think you're too old for fairy tales? Think again!

It's been a while since I blogged - life got in the way, although I have been reading....this one is worth a blog post!

This is Alice's story, a girl with the most phenomenal bad luck who tries to stay one step ahead...until her grandmother whom she's never met dies, and her mother is stolen away.

I couldn't put this book down! I found Alice to be a fiesty, spirited character, and I adore Finch her friend, who comes across as a sweet loyal fan boy in spite of his families wealth and obvious relationship neglect. I don't want to ruin the storyline, but this had me wondering where on earth the author was going and then realising that it was all as it was meant to be....although maybe my thought that Alice and Finch might be more than friends could have gone somewhere....I also felt that some actions should have consequences, but that everything worked out as best it could...

This was an absorbing read - I enjoy Andrew Lang's fairy stories, along with Grimm's Fairy Tales. I think Melissa Albert has managed to bring her own spin on fairy telling to life just as enjoyably.

Footnote; this particular book found its way into my hands thanks to the Open Access service of our local library - like a kid in a sweet shop!

Review: Resurrection Bay by Emma Viskic

Title: Resurrection Bay
Author: Emma Viskic
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Published: 24th August 2017
ISBN: 978-1782273622

Rating 3.5/5

This is a debut crime novel by an Australian author.

The main character is Caleb Zelic, his main characteristic is that he has hearing difficulties, which put an interesting dynamic on the story.  When Caleb's best friend is murdered and Caleb is literally left holding the body, Caleb starts his quest to find who killed his friend with the aid of his business partner, Frankie, together they run a security and investigative business.

I found this to be an easy to follow and quick read.  The story line doesn't give much away and the ending is not one I saw coming...the suspense was fairly well built throughout the book, but I felt it wasn't woven enough..  There weren't really that many suspects for Caleb's friends murder, but it still is a kick in the teeth when the sting in the tail comes (I really don't want to give the ending away...) For that reason alone I think its worth a read, and an author to keep tabs on.

Overall for a crime novel, it isn't that gritty or dark.  It does give you insight of the characters throughout the book but I didn't really feel characters had much substance.  I enjoyed the different stance on the sometimes seemingly shy and awkward investigator as Caleb tries to hide his disability which sometimes isn't helpful in finding the murderer.  

Book synopsis:

Caleb Zelic, profoundly deaf since early childhood, has always lived on the outside – watching, picking up telltale signs people hide in a smile, a cough, a kiss. When a childhood friend is murdered, a sense of guilt and a determination to prove his own innocence sends Caleb on a hunt for the killer. But he can’t do it alone. Caleb and his troubled friend Frankie, an ex-cop, start with one clue: Scott, the last word the murder victim texted to Caleb. But Scott is always one step ahead.

This gripping, original and fast-paced crime thriller is set between a big city and a small coastal town, Resurrection Bay, where Caleb is forced to confront painful memories. Caleb is a memorable protagonist who refuses to let his deafness limit his opportunities, or his participation in the investigation. But does his persistence border on stubbornness? And at what cost? As he delves deeper into the investigation Caleb uncovers unwelcome truths about his murdered friend – and himself.

Source - Many thanks to the publishers, a copy was received in return for an honest review

Winter's Child by Angela McAllister, illustrated by Graheme Baker-Smith

Title: Winter’s Child

Author: Angela McAllister

Illustrator: Grahame Baker-Smith

ISBN: 978 184 877 5459

Publisher: Templar

Published: 1^st October 2013

RRP: £12.99

Rating: 5/5

The cover on Winter’s Child gives you an insight into just how much detail has gone into the book and its illustrations.  We absolutely loved FArTHER which was also illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith.

I really wish you could bottle the reactions which were visible on our youngest's face as he turned each page in anticipation of the next magical delight.  Our youngest was in awe of the illustrations in this book.  The quality and detail of the illustrations had him exclaiming in delight before he’d started to read…which also had him more involved in the story as this visual feast continued.

As an adult watching my child reading this out loud to me – it was the first time he’d shown excitement to this level in reading and it’s lovely to see and I hope this encourages him to keep on reading as he does struggle as times.  The only downside (which is why this missed out on a merit rating) is because on one page although the colours used are absolutely gorgeous and do convey the night time scene in which it takes place, I found it difficult to see the black lettering on the blue background, which is a shame, and the only point at which I had difficulty at the book – this didn’t stop our youngest though, so maybe it was just my tired old eyes!!

Overall I highly recommend this book.  It would make a superb gift.  It is about a child who matures through the season whilst still playing but doing his best for his elderly Nana.  It tells of friendships and hardships.  On a visual level the illustrations will take your breath away.  They really must be seen.  So much work must have gone into each and every page.  The typescript used at the beginning of each part is eye catching.  This is a book that would be cherished and poured over time after time, and earns it place alongside FaRTHER as a timeless book for the beautiful illustrations and story.

Source: A copy of Winter's Child was recieved in return for an honest review.

Review: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Title: Hysteria

Author: Megan Miranda

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Published: Feb 2013

ISBN: 978-1408834848

Rating: 4.5/5

I’ve seen both the US and the UK book covers for this, and prefer by far the UK one, I just don’t see anything interesting in a girl in a dress holding up a picture frame..the UK one is more attention grabbing imo.

Where do I start with this?  What seems to be an open-shut case of a girl stabbing her boyfriend progresses into far more in Hysteria when Mallory is sent to Monroe Prep boarding school; something or someone is following her.  Can she remember that night or will she end up going insane?  Mallory can’t remember what happened the night she stabbed Brian, so along with the building suspense, Mallory is also trying to remember.

Mallory goes to the same school her father attended decades before and recognises Reid from her father’s alumni meetings.  I watched as Mallory tried to integrate into a society who already knew her history and what she’d done.  Colleen is a faithful friend, and is so girly!

My favourite character in this is Reid; who shows his vulnerability at his father’s funeral and he is the main support for Mallory when she’s at Monroe Prep, as he doesn’t give up on her regardless what his peers think of her.

This story tilts so many times, and each time it made sense and seemed very realistic and spine chilling.  I didn’t guess the extent of the story which is masterfully told, although some part of this had me wanting to shake Mallory to her senses and remember her past clearly.

Book synopsis:

Mallory's life is falling apart. Her boyfriend was stabbed. He bled to death in her kitchen. Mallory was the one who stabbed him. But she can't remember what happened that night. She only remembers the fear . . . When Mallory's parents send her away to a boarding school, she thinks she can escape the gossip and the threats. But someone, or something, has followed her. There's the hand that touches her shoulder when she's drifting off to sleep. A voice whispering her name. And everyone knows what happened. So when a pupil is found dead, Mallory's name is on their lips. Her past can be forgotten but it's never gone. Can Mallory live with that?

Source – Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley, an ecopy was received in return for an honest review.

Review and Giveaway of Shadow of Time by Jen Minkman

Welcome to the next stop on Shadow of Time's blog tour.  Enter to win your own paper back copy (UK) or ebook (worldwide) after the review

Title: Shadow of Time

Author: Jen Minkman

Publisher: Indie

Published: January 2013

ISBN: 978 1480242234

Rating: 3/5

The font used on the title is what first drew my attention to this book, as well as the colours used.

Hannah is retreating to her mums holiday hideaway where her brother Ben stays.  On the way she fills up for petrol and stumbles across a mysterious, drop dead gorgeous guy – who happens to be around the same age as her brother.  Hannah’s personality had me in stitches as she came across as a bumbling teenager when she first meets him and then analyses every thing she says and did, so funny!  It isn’t until Ben brings his childhood friend, Josh round, that she realises it was Josh she met at the petrol station.

Josh isn’t all he says he is – and sometimes its frustrating to read as he tries to distance himself from Hannah for an unknown reason, which we find out as the story progresses.  

I did work out a few things before Hannah did, such as the true friendship between Ben and Josh.  The tension and thrill of the storyline and the unknown threat to Hannah kept the story a page turner, as Hannah (and us) are left in the dark for a while until Josh slowly starts to share his story with her, and Hannah realises the implications of her nightmares and dreams.

I think this is a fairly well thought out book.  The only thing I wasn’t too keen on was how easy it was to defeat their common enemy after all the history that had gone before, it just seemed a bit too convenient for me.

I adored the backdrop for this and the heritage and history that went into making the storyline, which felt authentic.  I can’t help but wonder who would play these characters if it made it to film – I see it as a cross between Dancing with Wolves and The Time Travellers Wife.

Book synopsis:

All Hannah needs is a nice and quiet vacation after her first year of teaching French at a high school. She joins her brother Ben for the summer in their mom’s log cabin in Arizona. There, she meets Josh again, Ben’s childhood friend from the Navajo reservation. The little boy from the rez has grown up fast, and Hannah can’t help but feeling more for him than just friendship.

But fate apparently has something else in store for her. And it’s not peace and quiet. Night after night, Hannah is plagued by strange nightmares about the past of Navajo Nation and terrifying shadows chasing her. They seem to come closer – and why is Josh always present in her dreams?

Sometimes, the past has a way of catching up with you.

Source – Many thanks to Jen, a copy was received for an honest review.

Jen is giving away two copies of the Shadow of Time, just fill in the appropriate Rafflecopter form and a winner will be chosen at random.  One is a physical copy – open to UK residents, and the other is open to everyone else worldwide in ebook format.

a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway