Book review - The Rich by Rachel Lynch

 Detailed...

My review does not contain spoilers…

I’ve not read a novel by Rachel Lynch before but having spotted this standalone (her others are linked ones) I thought I would give it a go – especially with ‘murder’ being on the menu!

From the off it was clear that this novel was of a high standard of English – which works well to reflect the ‘rich’ people that a lot of the book is about. Confession – some words I hadn’t ever heard of, but I was able to read them in context so not to interrupt the flow of my reading whilst feeling my intelligence levels rising!

There are many characters to remember here and there were a couple of occasions early on when I found myself getting a tad confused – the same happened with a few early events as well. Once I got going further though, I was fine. The getting going though was an interesting one as I seemed to take ages to clear the 30% mark on Kindle! I was enjoying the book, reading for sustained periods so it wasn’t that…it’s just a longer read (confirmed by the estimated time on Kindle) so my 99p was definitely good value!

In terms of characters, there were only a couple that I was rooting for…most were not to my taste (in terms of how I would feel about them in real life) and the main character, Alex – the only perspective to be shown in first person – was one of them. I just couldn’t take to her! I won’t go into why (no spoilers here), but my opinion changed as I read on…

Whilst the other characters are generally shown by third person narrative, there’s an occasional foray into omniscient. Plus, you often have to work out WHO each chapter is based on due to the lack of headings. Again, once I got going, and knew who each character was, I didn’t find this an issue and really liked this concept.

I did find there to be a couple of ‘voices’ that I wondered why they were included at the time, however, I can see that for all the events to come together, they were needed to show the story as happening rather than it being revealed another way as ‘on the nose’ exposition. I genuinely think it’s the MOST character ‘voices’ I have ever read, and I think the use of third person works well to keep it to a narrative rather than trying to have each as first person and their own, individual, way of being presented. That said, each character IS unique with what happens in the story and their own backstory. Lynch has clearly meticulously plotted this and done her research throughout for several factors.

It would be dishonest to say that I kept going with this until finished because I didn’t…I paused to read another book (that I zoomed through in a few days) and then resumed this…why I am putting this in my review? Well, because my pause WAS A GOOD THING… I think it’s a bit like a TV show that you can’t stream and have to wait for the next episode…pausing this book made me want to get back to it. I knew where I had left it, and it gave me thinking time to ponder over the detailed plot. Besides, I needed to read the other book for other reasons!

When I resumed The Rich, I took a couple of days to finish it. Overall, it took me just over a week with different lengths of reading time each time. When I neared the end, there was no way I was stopping, and I read and read until done.

Caught out by who I thought was guilty and marvelling in Lynch’s hidden gem of a reveal…that had been there to see if I had wondered hard enough (at one point I HAD meekly wondered, then dismissed the thought and gone back to my main suspect). Therefore, this is a book that – at the end – I now love even more than when reading!

It would be most unlike me to not mention the cover so I will simply say: I didn’t get drawn to this by the pool (shock, horror) but rather the words all over it! However, having finished the book I am now smiling at the choice of cover…but you will have to read it yourself to see why!

So, who will enjoy this? Anyone who loves some humour (as there are some splashes of this amongst the champagne) alongside a detailed story where lives are interwoven, and a murder occurs coupled with a sub plot and the two other words on the cover – Sex and Lies!

ARC Book review - The Ice Retreat by Ruth Kelly

Perfection!

Since reading (and loving) The Villa by Ruth Kelly, I’ve always waited with anticipation and excitement for new releases from her.

As you may have seen, from my belated review a couple of weeks ago, I thoroughly enjoyed The Escape too. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to read The Ice Retreat (with thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan) ahead of its November release, I jumped at the chance.

 

My review does not contain spoilers…

 

To start with, I want to say that I honestly think this is one of those books that you could read in a day if you had nothing else you needed to do. In fact, if I’d found myself on a beach etc, I think I could’ve read it in a long sitting as The Ice Retreat is a novel that pulls you in, puts its icy grip on you and you know you won’t take a breath/be able to breathe properly (or defrosted from the frozen state it puts you in) until you know WHO. WHAT. WHY. WHEN. WHERE…?

Now that I’m defrosted, and my breathing has returned to normal (although I think an early night is needed as I stayed up to finish it last night…) I am able to type this and say that I have nothing but praise for it.

I loved reading it.

I loved every part of it.

Knowing where/how Kelly drew her inspiration for, for The Villa and The Escape makes me wonder where this comes from. I am yet to read an article or ask her about the origins of this, but I am VERY intrigued. Her imagination is totally unique, special even.

This book and all its concepts are so original. Like an onion, there is layer after layer and when you think you have worked something out/know where things might be heading, off it goes again, freezing your brain further.

In my case, I was frozen solid as I did not get ANYTHING right! I fell for every red herring. If it were maths, in this case my two plus two equalled five. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Here's what particularly stood out to me:

·       Setting – it’s perfect. Intriguing, creepy, mysterious. Yet, the juxtaposition of the beauty of it works so well. If you are a visual reader and can picture as you’re reading, you’ll know what I mean.

·       Characters – well developed, all individual. I was rooting for so many of them too! In places, it certainly pulled on my heartstrings…

·       Plot – action packed. It doesn’t really let up for a moment, or lull you into any sense of relief as you constantly have the fear of what might be coming.

Yep, the big three. Setting. Characters. Plot. Kelly has, in my opinion, a piece of perfection here.

 

Often, when I write a review, I think about if a book would make a good film or TV series. I don’t always include my thoughts about this in my reviews, but here it feels relevant to.

I truly think that this would make for an enthralling series. There’s enough drama to fill a series in that you would be wanting to binge watch the lot! Therefore, it would also make a good film, I guess. I think a tad of CGI might be needed here and there (I won’t explain – I said no spoilers) but, when that’s done well, it’s effective.

So…here’s me hoping that one day I get to watch this on a screen of some sorts, unchanged as it really is perfect as it is!

I can see this book reaching the heights of the retreat itself when this book launches in November.

Oh…and if you are wondering (as I tend to mention this quite a lot)…YES, I LOVE THE COVER!!

                                                             

I would like to thank Ruth and her PR manager, Chloe, for their help when the Kindle transfer wasn’t working on NetGalley (it is now btw). Also, without Chloe’s advertising tweet about The Ice Retreat being on NetGalley, then her and Ruth’s help, I also wouldn’t have known about NetGalley. I am really enjoying reading and reviewing! Thank you both 😊

Book review - Under Her Roof by A.A Chaudhuri

 Astonishing! 

                   – I am only just picking my jaw up from the floor a few weeks later!

Knowing how much I enjoyed The Final Party (also by Chaudhuri) I paid for my Kindle copy of Under Her Roof with excited anticipation before its release. Then, as you may have seen, I was lucky enough to be invited to the book launch in London. There, I purchased the paperback.

So, when I started reading, I had a choice…Kindle or book?

Initially, I started with the book, but I was so hooked so quickly that I didn’t want to spoil the copy that Alex had signed (complete with a thoughtful message) so I swapped to my Kindle.

Normally a well-thumbed book is a good sign, but having had such a great evening at the launch, meeting the delightful Alex and her cheerful agent (Annette) this paperback is one to keep safe. Now that I have finished the novel, knowing how special this book is, I have the want to keep it even safer because the pages contain one of the most mind-blowing stories you will ever read (I just got goose bumps typing that…I think I am STILL in disbelief).

I read this story at every opportunity that I had. Despite a busy week, I finished within a week of starting and rate if five stars. Here is why…

 

My review does not contain spoilers:

The premise of the story is that a rich lady who lives in Hampstead (an area that Chaudhuri knows well) takes in a lodger and each withhold secrets from each other.

It’s the secrets and the way that they weave through this tale that makes it initially so compelling. There are so many mini cliffhangers and pieces of information that are expertly held back from the reader that you have to read on to find more likely alongside trying to work out your own theories – don’t expect to be right though! I only worked out one thing and that was much, much further into the book before a reveal was made. I take that as a win for Chaudhuri how she hid things so well, and a failure for my detective skills.

I didn’t mind my detective skills failing though because it made the reveals that are presented such shocks! I also came up with a red herring that no one (at the time I mentioned it to Chaudhuri) else had mentioned – I can’t say what, I said no spoilers. I really thought I was onto something…nope!

Other elements that make this compelling include the claustrophobic nature in how this is presented. Like a spider, with a fly stuck in its web, Chaudhuri weaves her imagination carefully across the story and pulls you in so that you end up feeling empathy for the characters for the claustrophobic web of their lives/the setting – both past and present. I am not always a fan of TV shows or books where only a minimal number of locations are used, but here it works so well. This is likely due to the dual character chapters alongside the mystery voice sections (more on that in a moment) and the THEN/NOW timeframe. Furthermore, there are lighter moments within the novel that provide the juxtaposition needed to allow you to breathe - but only occasionally!

So…the mystery voice, well I am ALL for this! I love a story where you don’t know who is addressing you and Chaudhuri has written it so well addressing one of the main characters directly but in a way that it makes you feel like YOU are being spoken to. I always think such inclusions are more effective when italics are used and that is what Chaudhuri has done. For me, it’s like the italic presentation provides a chill down the spine…

I also want to take time to praise the style in which this is written. It’s beautifully descriptive where it needs to be (I could picture it all so clearly in my head) and there are some unique word choices that fit so well…again, no spoilers. I also think the balance of dialogue, inner thoughts and action are well matched. As a writer (and a teacher) I elected to pause, re-read and marvel over some of the vocabulary and clauses used. This really is quite special, yet it feels like it came naturally from Chaudhuri as nothing feels false or contrived. It literally feels real is what I am trying to say!

Characterisation throughout is strong and distinctive so that you remember who they are (there’s nothing worse than a novel where you get muddled with characters (IMO) and this does not happen here) throughout and I even feel like the names Chaudhuri has chosen suit the characters too!

I also really like the inclusion of emails and text messages and it helps the reader to be immersed in the action – plus it feels appropriate as it is a current piece, and it would feel odd not to have them.

Overall, I was fully invested and believed in the backstories that are presented. I cannot go into too much detail here but needless to say that they are mind-blowing when you get to the crux of everything. A few weeks on, I am only just picking up my jaw from the floor!

This book has been called a psychological thriller…will it mess with your mind? Yes! But it does it in all the right ways whilst containing other elements that make it not just psychological but more like a variety tin of sweets with many wonderful flavours to enjoy and thoughts that will stay with you after reading as, underneath the shiny wrappers, there are some very thought-provoking elements. The research that Chaudhuri has put in (for several elements of the story) and the sensitivity towards a couple of things in particular is to be commended.

This story is one of a kind. 

It’s so clever. 

It’s so deceiving and so expertly plotted that you will be scratching your head for weeks after wondering why/how you missed things. 

Plus – I BET this becomes one of the few books you elect to read for a second time because, I for one, know it’s gone on my ‘must read again’ pile!

So, if you haven’t read it for the first time yet…what are you waiting for?

 

As a total aside – I just want to say how lovely Alex is. From my first interactions with her when I reviewed The Final Party, to attending the book launch, I honestly have been so impressed with how sweet and humble she is. This was VERY evident in the support shown for her at the launch.

I know that, due to the smaller nature of her publishers, every purchase of this book, every review and promotion of this novel means a lot to Alex. I truly hope that further success comes her way as she really deserves it – and I wouldn’t say this if I didn’t mean it.

You get back what you give out it this life and Alex really is something special – both as a person and a writer…

You can get yourself a copy of the book or Kindle version at Amazon and in stores:

 Under Her Roof: A gripping, twisty thriller that you won't be able to put down eBook : Chaudhuri, A. A.: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book review - The Hotel Maid by Michelle Dunne

 Dark, disturbing and different...

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my eARC of this book - my review does not contain spoilers.

This story was MUCH darker than I expected and the different perspectives that it is told from were effective and very well written, adding to the dark conclusion that the tale builds to. The child perspective, in particular, is told so well and with such accuracy. I also thought that Dunne's use of imagery and inference were perfect - not telling you but showing you, allowing you to discover as you read and making sense of things for yourself.

What I DID expect in this book was for a maid to discover things about people in a hotel (based on the front cover) and what I DIDN'T expect what the layers that the intertwined stories would take on! Wow! I was impressed. There were twists and turns a plenty. I have rated this four stars as I did get confused a couple of times and I also thought that this book should come with trigger warnings for some of its content...if they were there, I missed them.

However, overall I recommend it. I enjoyed it and got WAY more than I thought I was getting in reading it. I read this novel quickly because I was invested in knowing what would happen/what had happened (to make things tie together). Plus, this is one of those books that makes you think and will stay with you. 

#TheHotelMaid #NetGalley

Book review - The Escape by Ruth Kelly

 Unique!

When Ruth Kelly released The Escape (having pre-ordered my copy) I was so eager to read it. I didn't take long to read it and was soon giving my reader feedback to her. Due to the blog tour, at the time, I decided to delay my review. The other day I realised I hadn't put it up - when I thought I had! 

So, here it is...better late than never!

This review DOES NOT contain spoilers. 

Having thoroughly enjoyed Kelly's debut novel (The Villa) I had high expectations for this and they were met and, in places, exceeded. Why only in places you ask? Because The Escape is SOOOO different to The Villa so they cannot be directly compared. Both are great in their own ways and it was great to see variety from her.

To summarise a few key things, I think, will help you understand why you should get a copy if you haven't yet. 

* Setting/descriptions - the authenticity of where The Escape is set - in France - is great! Kelly's experience of the country shines through and it was like being there reading it.

* Characters - each character is shown realistically, they are distinctive, well written and believable. I took to both female leads and understood both of their plights/wanted them to be Ok.

* Atmosphere - a large percentage of it feels creepy and I was all for this! At times, it even became claustrophobic and I noticed I was holding my breath, reading faster and faster at one point! I can't say which/why as I said no spoilers!

* Uniqueness - I can honestly say that I have never read a book like this! More below...

Overall, I found this book enjoyable and think Kelly's style makes for comfortable reading that flows. I'm sure you know what I mean - the books that plod along and are hard to take to are never my favourite. This is the total opposite. I was hooked from the get-go and wanted to keep reading to discover more...

Throughout, I was wondering what was happening/what was going to happen and I couldn't have been more WRONG! Eventually I had a few ideas, and started to join some dots, but not the enormity of everything with the clever twists thrown in.

This book was far from what I expected - and in a good way! Plus, the title is very clever - I will say no more! These were the points that I mentioned to Ruth Kelly after reading. Her response to my initial 'it wasn't what I expected' was that she wrote this one differently - not having such a clear plan. I commend this and know myself that whilst some stories need careful plotting, others work well having developed through a pantser.

After reading, I saw this article on Twitter (X, whatever you call it) and it's well worth a read but AFTER you have read the book.

Ruth Kelly: My close shave with death in the French countryside - Culturefly

Now, I am looking forward to Kelly's next book - The Ice Retreat - which I have been lucky enough to read an ARC of via NetGalley and is out in November.

 

Book review - The Flight by Heather J. Fitt

 A speedy and scrumptious read!

I downloaded this book as part of a 99p Kindle offer a couple of months ago drawn in by (yes, you guessed it if you've read my other reviews) everything about the cover! At the time, I'd also downloaded some others that were on offer. Not every book I read makes it to my blog, may I add!

Anyway, last month I went to book event (a launch, see blog for details) and I didn't realise that the author of this book - Heather J. Fitt- was there until after. We have since connected on Twitter/X -  whatever you refer to it as! Afterwards, I bumped The Flight up my reading queue with Heather having made a really good impression on me.

Here is my review - it does NOT contain spoilers...

I don't think I have ever described a book as scrumptious before...so let me justify why I have now. I started reading this on Sunday night (it's now Wednesday) and my Kindle flashed up a low battery warning of 10%. Disappointed, I charged my Kindle. 

ASIDE - I use the Kindle app, on my tablet, for other purposes so didn't opt to pick up reading from there.

I resumed my reading on Sunday night, picking up from Chapter 2 and read ALL THE WAY to Chapter 20 because I was hooked, needing more - finding it like good food - scrumptious, making me want more!

Having read for half an hour longer than I should've done, I had to put it down. Then, yesterday I found myself longing to get back to it! When I settled down in the evening to read, I read from Chapter 20 to 'The End.' 

Yes, it's a short read - with Kindle predicting a short reading time...but it wouldn't be short overall if you only read a couple of chapters a day etc. This WASN'T an option for me! I simply HAD to finish it...and here's why: IT'S GREAT! 

FIVE STARS from me! 

Here's why...

Firstly, I took to the main character (Melissa) quickly and could understand her actions/reasoning throughout. I also thought her young son was adorable and the inclusion of him really added something for me - I thought the parts of dialogue from him were very realistic and that the author had written this character very well.

Then, there were some unlikeable characters and I think that this can be a good thing in a book as I found myself invested in the safety (and innocence) of the likeable ones and, in contrast, caring less about the others.

The setting - on a plane - is always going to get a big tick from me as, not only do I love a locked room style mystery, but I also love planes! The description of everything from the airport, and the processes, to the flight were flawless and I could really picture myself there. If you love planes and a sealed crime scene, this book is for you too! Fitt's attention to detail is to be commended and I am already looking forward to reading The Boat Trip by her as I am sure her descriptions/setting will shine through there too.

Next, I want to praise the chapter headings. It was right to included multiple perspectives that, whilst being third person narration, also contain omniscient elements. It was also VERY right to include a mystery voice - something that I have always loved and included in my final piece when I completed my MA. The mystery voice here is witty and a great addition. I did NOT guess who this person is, and I am glad that I didn't.

However, I did guess something else but only about a page or so before it was revealed...so, overall Fitt had me fooled! And fool me quite a bit, she did! There are so many twists (another big tick from me) and a red herring that I totally fell for. Plus, a final twist that saw me finish the book with a smile on my face. A genius ending, in fact! So again, if you love trying to work out what's happening but also love a twist, proving you wrong - this is the book for you!

I have already, verbally, recommended it to people. Here I am now, genuinely, recommending it to you!

Book review - After The Storm by G.D. Wright (ARC)

 An emotional one...

After The Storm is the debut novel G.D. Wright and - just like the waves on the front cover - his tale arrives with force. 

There is a Content Warning before you start reading and if you are distressed easily, it's probably best to check these themes - although reading them does give spoilers. However, the cover itself prepares you for one of those themes and shows that this is a dark read.

The author states where he lives by the sea as his writing inspiration and I can see (no pun intended) how looking out on such a landscape would allow your mind to wander as - being a writer myself - I see stories in everything, everywhere!

The story opens with a Prologue, Before the Storm, and delivers the first shock of the novel. Throughout, chapters go from how a days/how many hours before (the storm)/during it then to after the storm in hours, then in days. Ending with an epilogue that I was really not expecting!

Multiple characters are shown with different ones heading up the chapters where all perspectives being told through third person narration, giving the reader an overview of how they are feeling from the outside.

Description is used effectively throughout along with convincing dialogue (you can tell the author is both a family man an ex-police officer) and I think Wright has played to his strengths. Occasionally, there is a touch of humour too.

Overall, it's a dark tale with a few surprises along the way and many a pull on the heartstrings showing how life can change so quickly and unexpectedly.

I enjoyed the unexpected turns that this took and know that it's a book that I will think about after reading.

I have given a four-star rating as I initially felt the different characters needed to be more distinctive and I would like to see presentation features used for the police reports and text messages - although the inclusion of these were a good inclusion to add to certain elements of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and AVON (a division of HarperCollinsPublishers) for my electronic ARC. This title will be released on 1st August this year but you can pre-order a copy for just 99p on Kindle currently at Amazon:

After the Storm: the best new debut crime drama novel of 2024, perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Gillian McAllister, Ann Cleeves and Broadchurch, Happy Valley and The Bay eBook : Wright, G. D.: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store