Friday Face Off : The House at Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning
25 October 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, book-blog, Books, Friday Face off, Karen Marie Moning, reading, The House at Watch Hill
Today I’m returning to the Friday Face Off, originally created by Books by Proxy). I’ve missed these for the past few months and so would like to get back to comparing covers (and hopefully I will be updating this page with a new banner. This is an opportunity to look at a book of your choice and shine the spotlight on the covers. Of course this only works for those books that have alternative covers (although sometimes I use this to look at a series of books to choose a favourite). . So, if you have a book that has alternative covers, highlight them and choose your favourite. If you’re taking part it would be great if you leave a link so I can take a look at what you’ve chosen.
This week I’ve chosen another book that is on my shelf waiting to be read. The House at Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning. I’m looking forward to picking this one up soon. Only two covers, take a look:
My favourite this week:
Have you read this book already? What did you think and which is your favourite?
Join me next week in highlighting one of your reads with different covers.
Review: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
24 October 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None, Book Reviews, Books, Mystery, Review
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Loved It, especially the reveal
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie is a book that I’ve wanted to read for some time. I bought, a few years ago, a copy of a paperback version and I think I also might have had a kindle version but when I saw this on Netgalley, well, firstly, I knew that it would give me the push I needed to pick it up and secondly, I was fascinated about this collector’s edition and the way the ending is revealed.
So, if you’re not familiar with And Then There Were None its a closed room mystery that takes place on an island where a number of guests have been invited for a mystery weekend. One by one the guests begin to die and it soon becomes apparent that a murderer is amongst the party.
I had such a good time with this.
Having read Christie before I had an idea of what to expect with the style. The writing is very easy to get along with. The style is, I suppose, dated, I think the original was probably written in the 1940s and the characters, the dialogue and the set up is reflective of that but I loved it.
As mentioned, we have a number of characters that arrive at Soldier Island to be met by the housekeeper and butler. Only ten people in total. The island is completely cut off from the mainland and stormy weather makes it impossible for the inhabitants to leave once the murders begin.
In each room is an old nursery rhyme and on the dining room table are ten pottery soldier statues – which slowly but surely disappear in line with the murders.
None of the characters know each other (apart from the butler and housekeeper who are man and wife).
Quite early in the story an ominous and intimidating record is played to the guests in which they are all accused of murder. This of course causes immediate outrage and much stomping about followed by loud declarations of innocence. Within fairly short order we have our first victim. To begin with the guests think this may have been a suicide and although they all still feel uncomfortable and wish to leave the island they don’t at this point have any other fears – until the next body appears – two dead bodies in such a short period, even though they don’t immediately stand out as murder, it’s a bit of a coincidence. And then the third body turns up and it becomes clear to all that their lives are in danger.
So, much searching of the island and the house ensues. Some of the party have taken to solitary confinement and reflection, almost with a resigned feeling of the inevitable. Of course, the island is small and practically barren with no hidey holes. Likewise the house is a modern structure, clean lines and also very little room for evasion.
What I really liked about this.
The pacing is great. There’s always something going on.
The mystery. I’m pretty certain I’ve seen an adaptation of this but if I have I still didn’t guess the ending correctly. To be fair my impatience got the better of me. I started trying to work things out methodically and, not blowing my own trumpet, I thought I’d made quite a good job of coming up with the answer – but – well, firstly I was wrong, secondly there is a rather large clue which I’d completely overlooked and thirdly, there’s an element to the solution that I was totally closed off to. Plus, as I mentioned, my impatience got the better of me and I was so excited to read the ending I just went for the first person that I thought sounded feasible. Perhaps if I’d have taken long and reasoned things through – well, I don’t know.
The characters, I don’t think any of them are particularly easy to like – which isn’t to say I strongly disliked any of them. But, they’re all keeping secrets and some of them are definitely guilty and guilt ridden. I don’t think you’re supposed to love them to be honest which is just as well because the body count rises very quickly.
I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this. If you like a fast paced murder mystery, short, snappy and full of intrigue then you need to give it a shot. The clues are all there, my only advice, don’t be like me and rush into your conclusion.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 very entertaining stars
Review: Magic by Sarah Pinborough
23 October 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Beauty, Blood, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Magic, Poison, Rapunzel, Review, Sarah Pinborough
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Pinborough, such a great storyteller
I love a good fairytale, but sometimes better still a good fairytale reimagined. If this is something you enjoy then I can’t recommend Pinborough enough. She has a wicked sense of humour, she turns everything on it’s head and I love the way she writes. Magic has been recently released as the first in the Tales from the Kingdom series. I’ve already read Poison, Charm and Beauty and loved them. I nearly had a conniption when I saw on Netgalley two new titles Magic and Blood. Magic is, as I understand it (although, ahem, I have been known to be wrong) being marketed as the first in the series, followed by the aforementioned three and then another new book, Blood, being the fifth instalment.
So, Magic is a retelling that predominantly focuses on Rapunzel but also captures so many other elements of stories that I’ve loved over the years. Aladdin plays a role, and believe me when I say he’s the furthest thing from the Disney imagined version than you’ll believe. Pinborough captures so many different elements and gives them all her own unique twist, I was filled with a lovely sense of nostalgia whilst reading at the same time as being dumbfounded at the creativity on display that takes all my ideas of tropes and characters and stamps them into the earth, followed by a quick dusting off of the hands and a hearty harrumph – take that you fairytale stereotypes. I mean literally, I loved this. I confess that I am a fan of the author and maybe I’m predisposed to like her work, I don’t know, but this book picked me up just when I needed it.
In fact the other three books are also available and as I no longer have copies (having given by beautiful hard copies to some scoundrel to read (and we all know how that goes) I’m tempted to request the others so I have the full set again, that way I could enjoy myself quite spectacularly reading all five in almost back to back fashion – is that greedy though?
As I said, this is Rapunzel’s tale. Rapunzel is a beautiful, sheltered, young woman who lives in a tower with her Aunt Gretel (we all know the tale of Hansel and Gretel and the gingerbread house – well, be patient). Anyway, Gretel is a witch, she makes charms or curses that are usually woven into spindles and she has many spinning wheels already imbued with such magic. Gretel has hidden herself away from the world, she’s raised Rapunzel to mistrust other folk, especially men. There’s no such thing as true love and men simply can’t be trusted (feels like a little play on Miss Havisham and Estella). Except, Gretel is becoming curious about the outside world and when she is given a book, by a friend, about love and romance, she finds herself longing to meet her very own Prince Charming.
Meanwhile, we have a King, he’s exploring the kingdoms (mainly sowing his wild oats) before he takes up his position of authority. He bumps into a young man who tells him of a beautiful maiden trapped in a tower by a cruel witch and he immediately imagines himself as the dashing hero rushing to rescue her. The young man who told him the story has his own motives, a room full of magic spindles seems too good to resist.
I think I’ve already told you too much of the plot so I’ll stop there. Pick these up and enjoy them for yourselves.
What I loved.
The writing. It’s clever and well plotted. The stories are written with Pinborough’s wicked sense of humour and it comes across so well. There’s a determined tongue in cheek poking of fun at everything you may have come to expect from such tales and it ultimately comes together in a perfect package.
I really enjoy the way the author turns the characters around. We have Aladdin, we even have a genie and a lamp, but they’re so unexpectedly different. I won’t say more.
All of the books are set within the Kingdoms and this is another reason why I’m tempted to read all of them in order, why deny myself such fun after all. They’re all connected in small ways so I highly recommend picking up all five and reading them all in order.
I can’t add too much more, well, other than the fact that these books are so easy to read and are good stories packed with humour and a little bit of sizzling sexiness. And, the cherry on top – this is ultimately a story of true love.
This book was the pick-me-up that I didn’t know I needed.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating
5 of 5 intoxicatingly delicious stars
Can’t Wait Wednesday: At the Bottom of the Garden by Camilla Bruce
23 October 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: At the Bottom of the Garden, Camilla Bruce, Can't Wait Wedesday, Wishful Ending
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is: At the Bottom of the Garden by Camilla Bruce. Here’s the cover and description:
A dark gothic adult fairytale with a murderous aunt, witches and a vengeful housekeeper.
Clara Woods is a killer. At the bottom of the garden is a flowerbed, long overgrown, where her late husband rests in peace – or so she always thought. Until the girls arrived.
Lily and Violet are her adolescent nieces, recently orphaned and in urgent need of care. Raising teenagers is certainly not what Clara had envisioned for herself, but her funds are drying up and the girls come with a hefty sum attached.
There is only one both girls are untrained witches, with newly heightened powers which they inherited from their mother when she died. Lily can literally see how people feel and knows when they lie. And young Violet can see the dead man at the bottom of the garden. She can see all the dead, and call them back.
Soon Clara is surrounded by apparitions, and at war with the gifted girls in her care. The latter have become a liability – and know far more than they should. There is a war waging in this house, and only one side can win…
Expected publication : January 2025
Review: Cold Snap by Lindy Ryan
22 October 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Cold Snap, fiction, Horror, Lindy Ryan
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Not Sure About This One
Having just read and thoroughly enjoyed Bless Your Heart by this author I couldn’t resist requesting a copy of Cold Snap. Before I start on my thoughts this is a novella and I hadn’t realised that at the time, they rarely work for me as I prefer something I can really sink into. That being said I don’t think this particular story would necessarily benefit by being longer. It’s overwhelming bleak and there’s no let up from the despair so I think the shorter length and ability to complete in one sitting works in it’s favour.
The story starts with an introduction to Christine and her son Billy. Two weeks ago Christine’s husband Derek fell from a ladder, whilst stringing Christmas lights, dying instantly. As you may imagine the mood is terribly depressing and the holidays are fast approaching. Before he died, Derek booked a holiday cabin for the vacation and his wife has decided to still go on this winter break in keeping with her husband’s original intent.
Immediately the atmosphere is very moody. Billy barely speaks, Christine is riddled with guilt and constantly replays her husband’s fall in her head and the whole adventure seems ill set. Things steadily go from bad to worse. The cabin is freezing cold and a bit shabby. The two have no appetite to make things any better and Christine, as well as suffering from some sort of blackouts starts to see a huge beast at the edge of the woods.
Okay, to be honest, my headspace is definitely not right for this book. Having suffered loss myself last year I hadn’t realised just how dark and depressing this was going to be and it simply wasn’t for me. I’m more about upbeat, cosy and light at the moment. That being said, I still love a bit of horror and mystery but this one felt to raw. So bear that in mind.
This is well written without doubt and having read the author previously I think I was prepared for her particular blend of bloodiness. The atmosphere is tense. The two main characters are constantly on edge and the whole affair feels desperately cold. Ryan can certainly set a scene and create palpable tension.
The characters. Well, it’s difficult to like them but that’s understandable. They’re going through perhaps the most awful trauma they’ve ever experienced and instead of bringing them together it’s actually forcing them apart. Christine is suffering guilt, she thinks her son blames her and would prefer that it had been her who fell and witnessing her husband’s fall from a position of seeing everything and yet being unable to help has affected her mentally. She’s not coping well to be honest. Neither is Billy although, and in spite of his almost non verbal communication, he’s probably coping better than his mom.
So, I think the writing is great, the atmosphere and tension you could cut with a knife and the dynamic between the two is taught enough to snap at any moment. Then things go crazy.
My issues with this. As I mentioned above, I’m not in the right reading mood for such sadness. I want something that’s going to lift me and this isn’t that thing – I can see this might work for others – just not for me at this particular point. I didn’t feel the sort of love or affection from Christine towards Billy that I would expect – but – and this is a big BUT – I’ve never experienced what she has and clearly it’s affecting her in so many ways. She’s driven all the way up to a cabin in the woods without bringing any real supplies. She doesn’t stop on the way even to let her son eat, she hasn’t considered the fact that stores will close early or there’s a storm as well as a holiday approaching. But, yes, I get that she’s not functioning at the moment – but it just added another layer of sadness for me.
What is also missing from this for me is, apart from the sadness, there are no other emotions really evident. Christine actually witnesses something that, to me, should have hit her like a ton of bricks, but it didn’t.
Also, I’m just going to warn you that there is a pet involved in this story – and it doesn’t end well at all. I mean in fairness, there’s another death which is also a bit nasty.
Finally, I simply didn’t understand the ending. There I said it. I feel like a raging dunce but I hold my hands up – what was going on?? This is probably just me. Be warned.
I don’t really want to be overly negative and I certainly wouldn’t discourage others from picking up. It just didn’t work for me. I will certainly have no hesitation picking up anything by this author.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 2.5 of 5 stars rounded to 3
Books and travelling with Lynn 