Review: Finding Love at the Christmas Market

Finding Love at the Christmas Market by Jo Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Connie is a divorced single mother of a college-age son. She delivers sub-standard meals on wheels for her employer to the residents of a care home for the elderly, supplemented by her home baking. She has been dating half-heartedly but has been conned out of her life savings by a man who ghosted her. Then one of the residents signs her up to online dating and Connie has been messaging a man called Heinrich who lives in Germany.

When her son announces that he is spending Christmas with his new girlfriend and her family skiing, Connie agrees to drive the care home residents to Germany to scatter the ashes of one of their friends at a Christmas market, they suggest combining the trip with a visit to meet Heinrich.

This book was a slow burn for me. I requested an ARC when I was in a festive mood but then didn't really engage with the interfering old people and found Connie to be a rather unbelievable 41 year old woman, too naïve and keeping a checklist of admirable qualities in a date just because her son told her to! But once the group reached Germany and the charming Christmas market the book began to pick up pace.

Overall, I did enjoy reading this but I would definitely place this in the Hallmark Christmas movie category. No-one ends up alone or unhappy, everything is resolved with a little bit of Christmas cheer. Recommended to read while sitting in front of a log fire, eating mince pies and drinking hot chocolate. If that sounds like your worst nightmare I would suggest avoiding this book.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Review: A Wedding in the Country

A Wedding in the Country by Katie Fforde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Warning - this book is set in the 1960s.

Lizzie is a sheltered Home Counties middle-class girl who comes to London in 1963 to attend Cookery School in her mother's fervent hopes that she then be able to catch Mr Right (eg a man in a well-paid job). If you have ever seen the start of the film Thoroughly Modern Millie, the start of this book is very similar as Lizzie gets a radical new asymmetric hair cut and dolly bird clothes (strange that Lizzie thinks that being a Dolly Bird is glamorous!). At first Lizzie is living with her aunt Gina in up-market Chelsea but when that falls through she ends up sharing a dilapidated house in Belgravia with two of her class mates, a small dog and an actor.

See the swinging sixties through the eyes of a young woman as she leaves home for the first time. Can she forge a life for herself in London, gasp and get a job, or will her mother get her engaged and married off in no time?

Setting this book in the 1960s works well for Katie Fforde's brand of heroine, because they are always artistic (Lizzie is a genius with a sewing machine and she has a talent for arranging flowers), and slightly innocent, ie married at a young age or only ever had one serious boyfriend, ill-at-ease with men, and this works well in the context of a sheltered girl from the Home Counties being introduced to wicked London. There are dinner parties and country house parties and beatniks and aristocratic gels just doing the Season don't you know!

This was lovely, just what I expect from Kate Fforde and I practically read it in one sitting. Two minor niggles. One is a bit spoilery (view spoiler)[running away? Really? (hide spoiler)] and the other is that I'm not sure the title is right. Otherwise, sublime.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Ride the Tide

Ride the Tide by Julie Ann Walker
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF at 39%.

OMG, how can I have read nearly half a book and all I can remember is angst about some woman trying to lose her virginity to a special forces operative with more angst than a teenage girl.

There's a fine line to tread with spec-ops romances. The men have to be tough and sexy and maybe a bit mysterious, the women have to be 'special': clever, feisty, talented, or something else. There has to be danger, high octane action, tension and crackling chemistry between the hero and heroine. Maybe it's me, maybe its because I started reading this book four months ago but honestly I didn't get any of the above.

As a personal aside, as a 50-something year old woman, the idea that a woman worries about losing her virginity and makes a big deal of it seems (frankly) pathetic. You either care or you don't. I honestly don't think anyone else is the slightest bit bothered or would even notice.

Overall, if I'm 39% into a book and I have no clue as to the plot, the bad guys, and I don't have the feels for the hero and heroine then I'm going to pass.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: When a Rogue Meets His Match

When a Rogue Meets His Match by Elizabeth Hoyt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Gideon is the Duke of Windermere's fixer and bully boy, born in the slums of St Giles he has done whatever he has to in order to claw his way out of the gutter. Now, he's ready to quit but the Duke has one last request, and the reward is beyond Gideon's wildest dreams, the hand in marriage of the Duke's niece Messalina.

The Duke of Windermere is vicious and conniving but he has blackmailed Messalina into accepting Gideon's hand by threatening to force her younger sister into marriage instead. Then Gideon offers her a compromise, a marriage in name only unless she chooses otherwise.

This is an enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, opposites attract kind of romance. Gideon may be a commoner and have done some very questionable things in his lifetime, but he has a heart as big as a house and is determined to help others. Messalina may be a kind and gentle aristocrat but she has never thought about the plight of the poor.

After their marriage Gideon finds he has agreed to perform a task which will alienate Messalina forever, he also has to cope with multiple attacks on him and Messalina are they coincidence or the work of the Duke? Or even Messalina's two brothers?

I enjoyed this novel, as I do most of Elizabeth Hoyt's books. The characters are believable, engaging and the dialogue is sharp and snappy. I had two small niggles. Firstly, I felt I had read the plot before (I honestly thought it was an Elizabeth Hoyt book as well) and therefore the identity of the person behind the attacks was not in the least bit a surprise to me. Secondly, I thought the intimate scenes were a bit rinse and repeat and therefore a bit boring. Finally, a personal foible, I loathe the words quim and cunny and I wish they could be expunged from all historical romances!

As always, I focus more on the negatives than the positives. Gideon was a dark, dangerous, yet vulnerable hero. Messalina was a kind, family-orientated woman who is willing to see the truth when her eyes are opened. There are cute moppets, ridiculously cute dogs, irritating siblings and scheming uncles. All the perfect ingredients for a rip-roaring historical romance.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: A Crown in Time

A Crown in Time by Jennifer Macaire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the far future time travel has been perfected, but it is only for the wealthy elite, except when a visitor from the future has altered the timeline, then they send in a convicted criminal, a 'Corrector' to restore the timeline.

Isobel is serving life in prison, being used as a human egg donor, for a heinous crime. Then she is offered a one way trip to 1270. A time-travelling historian accidentally discussed the child crusades in front of a hot-headed young noble, although personally insignificant his descendants should have eventually ruled France but by overhearing a conversation not meant for his ears Jean de Bourbon-Dampierre was aset on a course which would lead to his death fighting the Infidels in Tunis.

Isobel's mission is clear, get Jean to return to his home in France safely and thereby save the crown of France. If she achieves her mission she cna live out the rest of her life in the past. Fail and she will be erased from time.

Isobel has received some training, mainly through the Tempus University's Corrector's Handbook, unfortunately it turns out to be full of plain wrong or unhelpful advice such as try to stay indoors at night and avoid taverns and rowdy gatherings.

I'm a sucker for a time-travel novel and I was intrigued by a novel focused on the time of the Crusades, just before the Inquisition had taken hold of France when society had very different views about sex and nudity. I found it all fascinating. As a keen reader of these novels however, I was not surprised at the plot twist (if I can call it that), but that did not detract from my enjoyment. I really enjoyed the way in which Jennifer Macaire brought to life the difference between an intellectual knowledge of the fate of historical figures and knowing those individuals personally and being affected by their deaths.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and I will be looking for Ms Macaire's back-catalogue to read more.

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Review: In Pursuit of Happiness

In Pursuit of Happiness by Freya Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jo Campbell is leading a very safe life in her beloved Derry. Presently living with her mother and six-year old sister while her father is working in Dubai, she co-owns a bar with her brother Noah but dreams of one day being a famous writer. She hasn't even dated since she came back from her job as a holiday rep in Spain a few years ago.

Safe, but maybe a bit boring? Definitely in a rut.

Then two things happen to shake up Jo's life. Her neighbour's grandson Lorcan comes to visit from England and her BFF, who happens to own the local bookshop, sends Jo's manuscript to a famous author who is about to visit the bookshop for a book reading. Suddenly Jo is faced with some very real and exciting opportunities, but does she have the courage to take them? And are they mutually exclusive?

I've been in a bit of a slump with the cozy British romances recently so I started this book with trepidation, and I have to admit it didn't grab me at first. But soon the novelty (for me) of a contemporary romance set in Northern Ireland and the engaging characters won me over. I believe this is the second book in a series but it could definitely be read as a stand-alone.

Cute, charming, funny and choc full of lovable characters without trying too hard this was just the book to lift me out of my reading slump and make me feel good.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: A Remedy In Time

A Remedy In Time by Jennifer Macaire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Robin Johnson is a scientist who has made a study of typhoid. The year is 3377, the world is very different and is being ravaged by a deadly variety of typhoid which is 100% fatal. When time-travelling scientists believe the strain has somehow been brought forward from the last Ice Age Robin is hand-picked to be sent back 12,000 years to bring back samples that might help to create a vaccine.

But things rapidly go downhill. Robin's companion, the survival specialist dies almost as soon as they arrive in the past, apparently killed by the implant designed to dissolve any evidence of the future, an implant which was not supposed to trigger until after they had returned to the present. When Robin reviews her companion's backpack, she is surprised by what he has (and hasn't) brought with him but she soon discovers that he was not what he seemed to be. Now she must fend for herself until she is rescued, fighting off Sabre-toothed Tigers, Mammoths and other extinct creatures.

I see that Jennifer Macaire has written several other time travel novels, I'm not sure whether this is a spin-off series or a continuation of an existing series, but it was easy to read as a stand-alone novel. I liked that Robin had all the accoutrements of her modern life in the Ice Age, her medbot and her floating screen.

Can Robin survive long enough to gather the data to create a vaccine?

I liked the cover art, reminded me of Jodi Taylor's books, so when I saw the endorsement from Jodi I had to request an ARC, good job because I bloody loved this, I don't want to spoil the story by giving away anything more, suffice to say the Ice Age bores me to tears and dinosaurs the same, yet this was poignant, dramatic, intriguing and yet (despite the subject matter) totally believable.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: A Surprise Christmas Wedding

A Surprise Christmas Wedding by Phillipa Ashley
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF at 55%.

Lottie was devastated when her fiancé Connor broke off their engagement, especially when her beloved sister is diagnosed with cancer. One year later and she has a new job as events manager at Firholme, a newly restored country estate. She is thrilled when she is asked to arrange a wedding at short notice, it will be a chance to showcase the beautiful house at Christmas. But she is devastated to discover that the groom is non-other than her ex. His mother is ill and they want to arrange a surprise wedding before they return to Australia.

Lottie is drawn to the new, rather reclusive, Firholme estate manager Jay who lives in the estate cottage next door to her, but Jay has issues of his own.

This just felt so slow for me. I kept picking it up, reading a few chapters and putting it down. Eventually I decided if I had read over half and it hadn’t grabbed my attention, it was time to give up. Not even curiosity about Connor’s dodgy behaviour is enough to keep me reading.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Hell's Spells

Hell's Spells by Devon Monk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Welcome to Ordinary, the small town where gods and goddesses come to vacation.

Delaney Reed is the police chief of Ordinary, she removes the gods’ powers from them when they come to the town to live like normal people.

In this book, Delaney is dealing with a demon queen, who likes to masquerade as a pink unicorn, a demon trying to force her to break a contract, and a series of mysterious thefts. Oh, and Death (aka Than) has a common cold. Also Ryder, her boyfriend, is avoiding her. Did I mention the Dragon pig?

This series is quirky and funny and just gets better. Apparently this is the start of a new series arc - I can’t wait.

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Review: A Deception at Thornecrest

A Deception at Thornecrest by Ashley Weaver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amory and Miles Ames are living at their country estate, Thornecrest, in Kent awaiting the birth of their first child. Then a young woman arrives claiming that she is married to Milo and a series of events are put in train, leading to two deaths in the village centred around the village fete.

I do enjoy these mysteries. Having read all of Agatha Christie's novels (I think) I can see the influence, the gathering together of all suspects at an event, the multiple motives, the finale where all the suspects are brought together once more. More than anything however, I enjoy that whilst I couldn't see which of the (very) likeable characters was the murderer, the denouement was very satisfying.



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Review: Shame the Devil

Shame the Devil by Rosalind James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jennifer Cardello got pregnant at 15. Now, eighteen years later, she is the property manager for former NFL quarterback Blake Orbison's Wild Horse resort, now that the resort is finished Blake doesn't need her anymore. Blake is a good guy, he's offered Jennifer jobs elsewhere or to set her up with some of his former teammates who need a personal organiser, to help her think through her options he offers her a holiday in Yellowstone Snow Lodge with her boyfriend, but Jennifer chooses to take her daughter Dyma instead.

Harlan Kristiansen is an NFL wide receiver. He's spending time with Owen, one of his younger teammates, rather than with his family or friends in the run-up to the Superbowl after flubbing a catch which means his team is sitting out this year's game.

Harlan and Owen, Jennifer and Dyma are all staying at the lodge when their paths cross, practically literally, whilst skiing. There's an instant attraction between Jennifer and Harlan and between Dyma and Owen, but motherhood and caution and all that good stuff could get in the way.

This was such a satisfying romance: plenty of angst and drama, lots of steamy scenes (phew were they steamy! As Alan Bennett would say, I had to go and make some scones), mother and daughter tension, real-life versus NFL fantasy, chasing your dreams, learning to listen to your heart all the good stuff. I honestly can say I would happily read a novel featuring any of the side characters from this book: Owen; Dyma; any of Harlan's sisters.

I can't articulate how this series differs from her New Zealand Ever After series other than to say it feels grittier. Both series feature some fundamental life-changing events and yet for some reason this series feels bleaker, as though their lives are somehow darker. Maybe it's because the townsfolk are less kind?

Anyway all I know is that I got a banner notification on my iPhone at just gone midnight on Friday that the book had been delivered to my Kindle and I just had to start reading immediately.

Loved it.

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Review: Midnight Smoke

Midnight Smoke by Helen Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series just gets better and better!

Supe detective DC Emma Bellamy is called to reports of a suicidal vampire on top of the London Eye, then to reports of werewolves holding a bus full of humans hostage on Westminster Bridge. Both turn out to be diversions from the robbery of the Supernaturals' Bank (think Gringotts Bank) in which a number of humans and supernaturals were killed. After a disastrous day of chasing leads and getting nowhere, Emma takes a decision that will change things forever.

I think this book progresses many of the previous story arcs, except perhaps how she became a phoenix, although even that has some slight progress and the opportunity for something to be uncovered in the next book, it even signals the start of a new spin-off series.

Loved it.

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Review: Rescue Me

Rescue Me by Sarra Manning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Margot is a 36 year old, plus-sized fashion designer who lives in fashionable North London. Will is a former investment banker, burnt out, and working in his family's floristry business in North London.

After Margot is rejected by both her boyfriend and her cat she decides she is more of a dog person anyway and wants to rehome a rescue dog, something small and fluffy that she can fit into a Louis Vuitton dog bag (okay I totally made up the Louis Vuitton bit, but you get the picture). She has very clear ideas about the sort of dog she wants, the way in which the dog will fit into her life and how things will change for the better, you know lots of fun walks and dog-friendly pub lunches not so much late-night wee walks in the pouring rain and poo-bags (speaking as a dog owner).

Will has spent the last year in therapy and is desperate to break free, he feels he has made great progress in reconnecting with his family, okay he hasn't got any friends or any thoughts of a significant other (or even a date), but baby steps. In fact, Will thinks that offering to spend time with rescue dogs, maybe even take one home for a day or two could be the first steps towards engaging with others.

Margot and Will end up co-pawrenting (yes they went there) a shy female Staffy called Blossom. They are different in almost every conceivable way, apart from their devotion to Blossom. At first handover days are more akin to divorced parents exchanging children, but gradually they become closer, they could even be friends.

I don't know how Sarra Manning did this, she took frankly unlikeable individuals and slowly over the course of the book turned them into loveable characters. This book clearly shows the difference between our imagination and reality when it comes to dog owning, and makes you love Blossom anyway.

If you like gentle romances, annoying families, interfering friends and soppy dogs then I think you'll love this as much as I did.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: How To Fail at Flirting

How To Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After her abusive relationship with a fellow academic ended three years ago Dr Naya Turner has retreated into her shell, choosing to concentrate on her career as a professor specialising in maths education for English-language learners. Then her two BFFs write a crazy To-Do list for her and she ends up chatting to a handsome stranger in a bar.

Naya and Jake embark upon a relationship while he is visiting Chicago for a friend's wedding, but then it turns out that he may have an influence on Naya's future career, can she take a chance on love?

I felt that this was three different books jammed together and it didn't always work for me.

The first book was the nerdy academic has a one-night stand, humorous romance, complete with embarrassing drunkenness. It was okay but I have a low tolerance for the 'Oh, Miss Jones you are beautiful when you take off that cardigan' genre.

The second book was more rounded. The romance with a stranger who turns out to be your boss type of thing. One where the characters have ex-wives and protective friends and serious jobs. I liked this book.

The third book is where the ex-boyfriend was abusive and has come back to work in the same faculty, sending her creepy texts and threatening her. These novels have to be really well done if they don't come across as if the ex is a villain from a silent movie.

Overall, while I enjoyed the romance I didn't feel the three storylines flowed together seamlessly.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: ROCK SOLID Bonus Scenes

ROCK SOLID Bonus Scenes by Karina Bliss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three little snippets from the ROCK SOLID series, outtakes if you will, free from Karina Bliss.

Zander meets Elizabeth's family.

The band spend Christmas in LA at Zander's home.

Lily gets pre-wedding jitters.



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Review: In The Beginning

In The Beginning by Karina Bliss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Free 17 page novella from Karina Bliss showing that scene between Stormy and Zander, but more importantly foreshadowing Luther's novel which is coming in 2021.

Loved it.

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Review: Redemption

Redemption by Karina Bliss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you haven't read any of the previous books in this series, a brief recap. Zander was the lead singer and front man for one of the world's greatest rock bands, twice. Then his decision to lip-sync at a concert to raise funds for military veterans, to conceal the fact that his voice was failing, caused him to become rock's most loathed man and practically bankrupting himself as a result. While all this was going on, Zander engaged Elizabeth, a military historian, to write a warts-and-all biography of him. When that crashed and burned Elizabeth turned it around and wrote a best-selling memoir called In Bed With A Rock God, somewhere in the middle the egotistical singer and the academic fell in love.

But real life isn't all Happily Ever After, Zander is terrified that Elizabeth will realise that he isn't a very nice person and spends his days reading what he calls relationshit books to try and improve, although TBH most of them end up thrown on the floor in disgust. Meanwhile Elizabeth is thousands of miles away on a book tour, oh, and Zander seems to have picked up a stalker.

I love this series. I laughed (especially at Luther's dry witticism), I cried (view spoiler)[there's a funeral (hide spoiler)], there were steamy scenes and cute moppets, and a deranged stalker lest I forget. And who wouldn't want a rock god belting out Hallelujah in the shower?

And guess what? Luther, the ex-special forces bodyguard is getting his own book soon. I can't wait.

I am extremely grateful to Karina Bliss for giving me a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

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Review: Six Furlongs

Six Furlongs by Mark Hayden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Tom Morton and Conrad Clarke team up to investigate the grisly murder of a mage which inevitably brings them into conflict with the magickal world.

I have to be honest I love this series but I am starting to lose track of all the characters, especially since Conrad seems to acquire a new partner in every book. Mark Hayden has foregone the list of characters at the front of this book, something I usually overlook, but this time I could have done with its assistance, especially when some characters seem to have three or four names!

This book is written predominantly from the alternate viewpoints of Conrad and Tom, I get that they are the two key characters but I also couldn't really tell their voices apart which made reading confusing. Also, despite the myriad goings-on this felt like a filler book, one that sets the scene for the upcoming battle. Enjoyable but ultimately leaving me feeling wanting.

I definitely feel I need to reread this series in preparation for the next book!

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Review: A Dangerous Engagement: Glamour and murder in Prohibition New York

A Dangerous Engagement: Glamour and murder in Prohibition New York by Ashley Weaver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amory and Miles travel to New York for a wedding and get thrust into a world of intrigue, suspicion, bootleggers and illicit nightclubs.

Staying with the bride-to-be and her father at his swanky mansion Amory detects a lot of uneasiness. Her friend Tabitha seems uneasy about the upcoming wedding, Tabitha is worried about her father, one of the groomsmen is rumoured to be socialising with gangsters (and worse). Drawn into things against her will Amory soon finds herself playing detective again when one of the wedding party is gunned down on the steps of the mansion.

This series is growing on me, initially I thought the identity of the murderers were pretty obvious but they have become less obvious as the series progresses. I also enjoy the slow reveal of Amory and Miles' marriage as they progress from distrust and division towards something closer, I like that they no longer seem to reset to distrust at the start of every book.

I can't wait to read the next chapter of their relationship.

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Review: Once Upon a Winter Wedding

Once Upon a Winter Wedding by Jeannie Watt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In a bizarre plot twist Kara Gilroy and her fiance want to get married in a hurry but are posted overseas so rope in Kara's big brother Brant and best friend Stevie to arrange everything. As a sidebar, if you can't even spare the time to plan your own wedding then are you actually invested in the marriage?

Anyhoo, Stevie and Brant are polar opposites. Years ago Brant ripped Stevie a new one for leading Kara astray, something that hurt Stevie very badly because she was only trying to distract Kara from the pain of her parents' deaths. Forced to grow up too fast, Brant is a driven career man, even working on his annual leave. By contrast, Stevie doesn't have a full-time job, preferring to volunteer here and there.

Can these enemies stop fighting long enough to plan Kara's dream wedding?

I loved the premise, aside from the idea that neither one of a couple can be bothered to take any interest in planning their own wedding, but this just didn't have any heat or tension to pique my interest. It was pleasant enough but the steamiest it got was a brief kiss and handhold. Sadly there seemed to be more interest in setting up other books for Stevie's sisters than creating any dramatic tension.

I received a free copy of this book by the publisher Tule in return for an honest review.

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Review: Write Before Christmas

Write Before Christmas by Julie Hammerle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dani is a divorcee, former teacher, desperately looking for a new job/career to support her and her 19 year old daughter.

Matt is a fantasy writer whose series has been made into a hit TV show (think G.R.R Martin and Game of Thrones), but he seems to have a bad case of writer's block and his personal assistant has shipped him off to a holiday rental house/mansion to meet his Christmas deadline for the third and final book in the series.

Worlds collide when Matt's assistant hires Dani to be Matt's private chef and housekeeper, the added bonus, she has no idea who he is ... other than the stranger she kissed one night while out walking her dog!

Matt is fighting the TV producers who want him to write dragons in the third book and the last thing he needs is a distracting woman making his bed and cooking him delectable treats. But suddenly the words seem to flow more freely, is Dani his muse?

I really enjoyed this, but I can't put my finger on why TBH because there wasn't really any major drama, even the tension seemed muted. Maybe it's a facet of the protagonists being over 40 that they don't go for all the hand-wringing angst of the 20-somethings. Anyway, it was a charming read with likable and genuine-sounding characters. Perfect feel-good holiday romance without the saccharine.

I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: An Act of Villainy

An Act of Villainy by Ashley Weaver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Our detective duo Amory and Miles are drawn into another murder investigation.

One of Amory and Miles' friends, the investor Gerard Holloway, is directing a new play in London's West End and invites them to watch the dress rehearsal. The leading lady, Flora Bell, who turns out to be Gerard's mistress, is receiving threatening, albeit vague, letters but before Amory can persuade her to contact the police she is brutally murdered on the stage while the cast and friends are attending a first night after party.

Amory and Miles investigate with the consent of their favourite detective but it seems as though everyone had a motive. Could it be her understudy Dahlia? Or the lover and co-star she spurned for Gerard? Or Gerard's wife? Or Gerard himself? Or even her ne'er do well brother Freddie? Or the villain in the play?

I have to say this ended in a way I did not see coming. Arguably no-one could have predicted the motive for the murder from the clues, and yet it didn't feel like a con on the reader. As with many readers I would like to better understand Milo's behaviour, but I think we have seen a small glimpse into his heart - only the next book will tell.

If you like Colombo and Poirot and 1930s British aristocracy then I think you will love this series.

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Review: Pansies

Pansies by Alexis Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alfie returns to his home town of South Shields (North of England) for his best friends' wedding. An investment banker, big, muscled and tattooed he looks the typical alpha Northern male, but he's also gay, something that his working class father is having trouble dealing with.

Overwhelmed by the contrast between his glamorous, superficial, wealthy life in London and the grittiness of his home town Alfie leaves the wedding and goes into a typical pub, only to see a delicate man wearing a pink jumper and hipster glasses with pink tips to his hair drinking a glass of rose wine. What starts off as a one-night stand turns strange when Alfie's lover turns out to be a boy he mercilessly bullied at school. He might have bullied Fen back then, but at least Fen knows who he is and is comfortable with himself whereas Alfie has no idea how to reconcile being gay with his inner voice and his ingrained beliefs.

In fact, this book is all about reconciliation for Alfie. Reconciling his career in the South with his home in the North, his relationships with his family and friends, being gay with his instincts, what he likes with what he thinks he should like.

I loved Alfie and I loved Fen, I loved their tentative relationship which is very much two steps forward and one step back, I loved everything about this romance.

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