Sweet little Annie was twelve years old when she began doubting her identity. She and her family were living in New York and had been since she was onSweet little Annie was twelve years old when she began doubting her identity. She and her family were living in New York and had been since she was only a baby, but the discovery of fragmented information, which she overheard as her mother was unwilling to share anything about their past, caused her heartache and the knowledge that she didn’t fit in. She was twenty when she finally went back to Prague, telling her sister Clara, but not her mother or father as she was sure they would forbid her to go.
Annie had been communicating with Fisher in Prague, who was a support person for missing children from the war years. Their letter writing had been going on for almost two years and finally Annie would get to meet him. She would go to Theresienstadt concentration camp where she’d been born and where she’d escaped with her life when she was around one year old. Annie would also try to find out what her birth name was, and who her birth parents were…
Annie’s beloved mother, Amelia, had suffered a stroke. Now in her nineties, Annie and Clara were terrified they’d lose her, but Annie also realized she needed the answers she’d shelved all those years ago. When she and Fisher decided to head back to Prague, she wasn’t sure what to expect. But she wondered – would she find her birth father?
The Prison Child (previously published as The Other Blue Sky) is the 2nd in Last Words series by Shari J. Ryan and it’s an excellent follow on from The Girl with the Diary. I thoroughly enjoyed Annie’s story and am looking forward to The Soldier's Letters, #3 in the series, and Charlie’s story. I must say, the butterfly on the cover has great significance. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Sweet little Annie was twelve years old when she began doubting her identity. She and her family were living in New York and had been since she was only a baby, but the discovery of fragmented information, which she overheard as her mother was unwilling to share anything about their past, caused her heartache and the knowledge that she didn’t fit in. She was twenty when she finally went back to Prague, telling her sister Clara, but not her mother or father as she was sure they would forbid her to go.
Annie had been communicating with Fisher in Prague, who was a support person for missing children from the war years. Their letter writing had been going on for almost two years and finally Annie would get to meet him. She would go to Theresienstadt concentration camp where she’d been born and where she’d escaped with her life when she was around one year old. Annie would also try to find out what her birth name was, and who her birth parents were…
Annie’s beloved mother, Amelia, had suffered a stroke. Now in her nineties, Annie and Clara were terrified they’d lose her, but Annie also realized she needed the answers she’d shelved all those years ago. When she and Fisher decided to head back to Prague, she wasn’t sure what to expect. But she wondered – would she find her birth father?
The Prison Child (previously published as The Other Blue Sky) is the 2nd in Last Words series by Shari J. Ryan and it’s an excellent follow on from The Girl with the Diary. I thoroughly enjoyed Annie’s story and am looking forward to The Soldier's Letters, #3 in the series, and Charlie’s story. I must say, the butterfly on the cover has great significance. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
It was 1944 and Juliette was back in Paris, preparing to foil a dreadful plot by Nazi followers and traitors, alongside Captain Daniel Diaz, while in It was 1944 and Juliette was back in Paris, preparing to foil a dreadful plot by Nazi followers and traitors, alongside Captain Daniel Diaz, while in London her fellow resistance members, Suzanne, Marianne and Christine, prepared to foil a similar plot. It would undoubtedly be highly dangerous, but they were all prepared. It was knowing who they could trust as the high-ups had been infiltrated by the worst imaginable. Clever, talented, these men would inevitably make mistakes, and they'd be waiting.
When Juliette learned her mother and two beloved children, eight year old Nicholas and six year old Natalie, had been spirited away from their safe house in England, she just knew who was to blame, and that they'd be brought to Paris. It was designed to make her vulnerable - which of course she was - but she vowed she would rescue them as well as help stop the dreadful plot. She couldn't bear to see her beloved France back in the hands of the Nazis...
Paris at First Light is the 2nd in the WW2 Resistance series by Amanda Lees and I loved it. First in the series, The Silence Before Dawn, was exceptional and this one is no different. The grit and determination of all the resistence members, but particularly Juliette, Suzanne, Marianne and Christine, gave the story its strength, and even when down, they would never give up. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
It was 1944 and Juliette was back in Paris, preparing to foil a dreadful plot by Nazi followers and traitors, alongside Captain Daniel Diaz, while in London her fellow resistance members, Suzanne, Marianne and Christine, prepared to foil a similar plot. It would undoubtedly be highly dangerous, but they were all prepared. It was knowing who they could trust as the high-ups had been infiltrated by the worst imaginable. Clever, talented, these men would inevitably make mistakes, and they'd be waiting.
When Juliette learned her mother and two beloved children, eight year old Nicholas and six year old Natalie, had been spirited away from their safe house in England, she just knew who was to blame, and that they'd be brought to Paris. It was designed to make her vulnerable - which of course she was - but she vowed she would rescue them as well as help stop the dreadful plot. She couldn't bear to see her beloved France back in the hands of the Nazis...
Paris at First Light is the 2nd in the WW2 Resistance series by Amanda Lees and I loved it. First in the series, The Silence Before Dawn, was exceptional and this one is no different. The grit and determination of all the resistence members, but particularly Juliette, Suzanne, Marianne and Christine, gave the story its strength, and even when down, they would never give up. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Nonno was the one to rescue the young man from the sea. He and his grandson Alto nursed him back to health in their small home, his burns and damaged Nonno was the one to rescue the young man from the sea. He and his grandson Alto nursed him back to health in their small home, his burns and damaged head taking the longest to heal. And when he woke, he had no idea where he was, or who he was. He took the name of Roberto, Nonno’s grandson who’d died in the war but who Nonno believed had returned to them. It was kinder that way. And Roberto helped Alto and Nonno as much as he could around the small olive property. It was 1945 in Puglia, Italy and the war had finally ended. The allies were helping in the area, when Roberto was recognized…
In present day England, Susannah was missing her father desperately. Frank had died six months prior, and now, working in her antique shop, Cobwebs, she felt disconnected. When a good friend offered to look after Cobwebs while Susi took a break, she decided to go to Italy where her father had wanted to go before he died. There was a postcard from the area and Susi decided to investigate the mystery surrounding the card and a letter she’d found in her grandmother Elsie’s belongings. Arriving in the small Italian village of Puglia, she was transformed. A beautiful, peaceful place with the ocean so close, Susi could feel her heart settle. But could she find out about the mystery surrounding her family and the past?
A Postcard from Italy by Angela Petch is a beguiling, well-written historical novel set in the latter war years and beyond, plus the current day. I loved the historical aspect of the novel, and once Susi went to Puglia the story melded beautifully. Spectacular countryside, friendly Italians, delicious food – this is my first by this author and I’ll be looking for more. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Nonno was the one to rescue the young man from the sea. He and his grandson Alto nursed him back to health in their small home, his burns and damaged head taking the longest to heal. And when he woke, he had no idea where he was, or who he was. He took the name of Roberto, Nonno’s grandson who’d died in the war but who Nonno believed had returned to them. It was kinder that way. And Roberto helped Alto and Nonno as much as he could around the small olive property. It was 1945 in Puglia, Italy and the war had finally ended. The allies were helping in the area, when Roberto was recognized…
In present day England, Susannah was missing her father desperately. Frank had died six months prior, and now, working in her antique shop, Cobwebs, she felt disconnected. When a good friend offered to look after Cobwebs while Susi took a break, she decided to go to Italy where her father had wanted to go before he died. There was a postcard from the area and Susi decided to investigate the mystery surrounding the card and a letter she’d found in her grandmother Elsie’s belongings. Arriving in the small Italian village of Puglia, she was transformed. A beautiful, peaceful place with the ocean so close, Susi could feel her heart settle. But could she find out about the mystery surrounding her family and the past?
A Postcard from Italy by Angela Petch is a beguiling, well-written historical novel set in the latter war years and beyond, plus the current day. I loved the historical aspect of the novel, and once Susi went to Puglia the story melded beautifully. Spectacular countryside, friendly Italians, delicious food – this is my first by this author and I’ll be looking for more. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Detective Kim Stone was at the scene of a house fire with her partner, Bryant, after they’d been called to the house. The unexpected still had power tDetective Kim Stone was at the scene of a house fire with her partner, Bryant, after they’d been called to the house. The unexpected still had power to shock police officers and finding the family – mother, father, boy and girl – all dead in the upstairs bedrooms was a dreadful shock. But worse was seeing the gun still in the hands of the wife and mother. Had Helen Daynes killed her husband and children? Contacting the older, married twins – Zach and Rachel – and their partners, their distress was awful to see.
With Kim and her team working on that case, the call from Woody was something Kim had never expected. A psychopath whom Kim had put away in prison years before, had escaped. Kim had caught him before he’d killed the two little girls he’d taken, and she knew he wanted his revenge on her. Putting a witness protection officer by Kim’s side was something she didn’t want, but it was worse because she couldn’t find the psychopath – another team was on that. Everyone knew Kim was in danger. As first one, then another child was taken, still Kim was refused access. She worked the Daynes case, determined to find the answers they needed. But what would happen to the little ones who’d been taken? Would he kill them, or save them until he had Kim?
Six Graves is the 16th in the DI Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons and oh my gosh! What an incredible ride! With plenty of action, electric pace and chills galore, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author continues to write with a fresh pen, giving her readers a new scenario each time – this would almost be the best yet in this series! I certainly hope she doesn’t stop any time soon! Highly recommended (but start at the beginning!)
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
At the end of the war, Charlie was released from prison after only twelve months, when his sentence had been ten years. Charlie Crane was a Nazi, raisAt the end of the war, Charlie was released from prison after only twelve months, when his sentence had been ten years. Charlie Crane was a Nazi, raised through the Hitler’s Youth school from twelve years of age. But Charlie’s heart wasn’t hard, it wasn’t aimed at killing. And Charlie had vowed to do all he could to save others when war hadn’t long begun. Rescuing Amelia had put him in prison, and when he was released, he declared to anyone who would listen that he’d find Amelia, if it was the last thing he did.
In New York with his best and childhood friend, Claude and Claude's wife Juliette, all three of them worked their way forward and when Claude and Juliette moved to Connecticut, Charlie went through some dark times. But finding a gallery with Amelia’s paintings inside, brought him back, and working in the gallery felt like home. Many years later, when he received a phone call from Emma, Amelia’s granddaughter, Charlie had hope once again. But was he to learn he was too late? The letters he’d written to Amelia over the years – would they remain unread?
The Soldier’s Letters is the 3rd in the Last Words trilogy by Shari J. Ryan and once again it was a poignant, heartbreaking story. There was quite a bit of repetition from the previous books, but hearing Charlie’s side of the story was good. The Soldier’s Letters concludes an excellent trilogy which I thorough enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending. My advice is to read them in order though.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
At the end of the war, Charlie was released from prison after only twelve months, when his sentence had been ten years. Charlie Crane was a Nazi, raised through the Hitler’s Youth school from twelve years of age. But Charlie’s heart wasn’t hard, it wasn’t aimed at killing. And Charlie had vowed to do all he could to save others when war hadn’t long begun. Rescuing Amelia had put him in prison, and when he was released, he declared to anyone who would listen that he’d find Amelia, if it was the last thing he did.
In New York with his best and childhood friend, Claude and Claude's wife Juliette, all three of them worked their way forward and when Claude and Juliette moved to Connecticut, Charlie went through some dark times. But finding a gallery with Amelia’s paintings inside, brought him back, and working in the gallery felt like home. Many years later, when he received a phone call from Emma, Amelia’s granddaughter, Charlie had hope once again. But was he to learn he was too late? The letters he’d written to Amelia over the years – would they remain unread?
The Soldier’s Letters is the 3rd in the Last Words trilogy by Shari J. Ryan and once again it was a poignant, heartbreaking story. There was quite a bit of repetition from the previous books, but hearing Charlie’s side of the story was good. The Soldier’s Letters concludes an excellent trilogy which I thorough enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending. My advice is to read them in order though.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Returning from a run early one morning, Detective Mackenzie Price of the Lakemore Police Department was puzzled to see the boot of her car was slightlReturning from a run early one morning, Detective Mackenzie Price of the Lakemore Police Department was puzzled to see the boot of her car was slightly open. But when she couldn’t close it, her horror at what was inside made her stumble back. Ringing her partner, Detective Nick Blackwood, he was soon at her home, along with members of the force. Sophie Fields had gone missing twelve months prior, and her fiancé was a colleague at the police department. The horror included a personal message for Mack.
When another body was discovered after being missing for a couple of days, it was a person who bullied Mack at school – and included another personal message for Mack. What was going on? Was the killer obsessed with Mack, with keeping her safe? Nick and Mack, along with other team members, combed the areas for clues, finally finding a connection. But when direction led to people in high places of Lakemore, once again Mack and her team were bamboozled. And what was happening in nearby Tombstone?
The Lost Bones is the 5th in the Detective Mackenzie Price series by Ruhi Choudhary and it was breathtakingly brilliant. Her best yet in my opinion! Mackenzie is a great character and she and Nick work well together. The tension was high, the pages turned themselves – I’m keen for #6 already. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Returning from a run early one morning, Detective Mackenzie Price of the Lakemore Police Department was puzzled to see the boot of her car was slightly open. But when she couldn’t close it, her horror at what was inside made her stumble back. Ringing her partner, Detective Nick Blackwood, he was soon at her home, along with members of the force. Sophie Fields had gone missing twelve months prior, and her fiancé was a colleague at the police department. The horror included a personal message for Mack.
When another body was discovered after being missing for a couple of days, it was a person who bullied Mack at school – and included another personal message for Mack. What was going on? Was the killer obsessed with Mack, with keeping her safe? Nick and Mack, along with other team members, combed the areas for clues, finally finding a connection. But when direction led to people in high places of Lakemore, once again Mack and her team were bamboozled. And what was happening in nearby Tombstone?
The Lost Bones is the 5th in the Detective Mackenzie Price series by Ruhi Choudhary and it was breathtakingly brilliant. Her best yet in my opinion! Mackenzie is a great character and she and Nick work well together. The tension was high, the pages turned themselves – I’m keen for #6 already. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
When Betsy Edwards was enticed away from the Red Dragon pub by an elegant American, Emmy Court, who declared Betsy had psychic abilities and she wanteWhen Betsy Edwards was enticed away from the Red Dragon pub by an elegant American, Emmy Court, who declared Betsy had psychic abilities and she wanted her tested, Betsy was excited. Working at the Sacred Grove New Age centre was all she'd dreamed about; meeting all the people involved made Betsy feel important. But when the director went missing from Sacred Grove, and Betsy saw where he was in a dream, she was horrified when it was true, and he was dead.
With two previous missing women connected to the Sacred Grove centre, Constable Evan Evans was suspicious. His superiors attended the centre, interviewing all staff while Evans kept in the background. But he knew something wasn't right about the place, and he also knew Betsy was in danger. Betsy declared she could look after herself but could she? Would Evans discover who the culprit was before it was too late?
Evans to Betsy is the 6th in the Constable Evans series by Rhys Bowen and I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I have the previous books. Just a lowly constable is Evan Evans, but he is very smart, solving the cases ahead of his superiors (much to their disgust) Fun and entertaining, I can highly recommend this series to fans of the genre!...more
Seventeen year old Kim Stone had just been sacked from her latest job when she was confronted by something that made her angry. Furious in fact. And iSeventeen year old Kim Stone had just been sacked from her latest job when she was confronted by something that made her angry. Furious in fact. And in that situation, Kim decided on her future...
A short story by Angela Marsons, One Hour shows us Kim's life as a teenager and the reason she joined the police force. I love this series, and I'm looking forward to the latest, Guilty Mothers, very soon....more
Four strangers boarded the flight for St Lucia but when they landed nine hours later, they were best of friends. Bernadette, in her fifties and 3.5★s
Four strangers boarded the flight for St Lucia but when they landed nine hours later, they were best of friends. Bernadette, in her fifties and finally divorced from her controlling, abusive husband; Hayley, a young wife desperate to become pregnant, on a holiday to mend an almost broken marriage; Dev, a young man who'd had a one night fling with a woman he was chasing to St Lucia; and Tadgh, member of an Irish band with his brother and best friend, heading to his wedding in St Lucia.
The four talked and discussed, sharing parts of their lives that they'd not shared with even their closest family or friends. Bernadette and Hayley found a quiet spot where truths were bared while Dev started the book he'd wanted to write. When Hayley persuaded Tadgh to tell her what was wrong, she did her best to help. What would happen when the plane landed and their lives came off hold once again? There was trouble ahead, but could there be happiness as well?
One Last Day of Summer is my first by Shari Low and it was light hearted and enjoyable. The four main characters played their parts well and I felt equal parts frustrated with them and their situations, and supported them in what they were going through. Bernadette was my favourite character :) Recommended....more
Constable Evan Evans rushed to the cottage which was burning to the ground in Llanfair, a cottage which had been recently purchased by Englishers. TheConstable Evan Evans rushed to the cottage which was burning to the ground in Llanfair, a cottage which had been recently purchased by Englishers. The note on the gate was ominous - "leave, you're not wanted here" - Evan suspected arson, which was confirmed by Watkins and an obnoxious investigator named Potter. But it was when Madame Yvette, the new owner of the French restaurant in the village, called Evan late one night, also with a threatening note, that Evan knew they'd have to find the answers before it was too late.
And when Madame Yvette's restaurant burnt down with her barely escaping with her life, and a body was discovered in the rubble, suspicions rose in both Evan and Watkins' minds. Would they discover who the arsonist was? And was it anything to do with the local drug scene that the higher ups were looking into?
Evan and Elle is the 4th in the fun and entertaining Constable Evans series by Rhys Bowen and I enjoyed it very much. Light hearted, Evan is a good character, determined to see the best in (most) people. The Welsh countryside sounds divine - I would love to see it. I'm looking forward to #5 already. Recommended....more
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