THE WESTERN FRONT, JULY 1918. Gregor Reinhardt is a young lieutenant in a stormtrooper battalion on the Western Front when one of his subordinates is accused of murdering a group of officers, and then subsequently trying to take his own life. Not wanting to believe his friend could have done what he is accused of, Reinhardt begins to investigate. He starts to uncover the outline of a conspiracy at the heart of the German army, a conspiracy aimed at ending the war on the terms of those who have a vested interest in a future for Germany that resembles her past.

The investigation takes him from the devastated front lines of the war, to the rarefied heights of Berlin society, and into the hospitals that treat those men who have been shattered by the stress and strain of the war. Along the way, Reinhardt comes to an awakening of the man he might be. A man freed of dogma, whose eyes have been painfully opened to the corruption and callousness all around him. A man to whom calls to duty, to devotion to the Fatherland and to the Kaiser, ring increasingly hollow…

My Thoughts:

This is a bit of a different read for me, I choose it because I always like to read something a bit different as you never know if you will enjoy it or not. I was pleasantly surprised that I did enjoy it. It is quite heavy going but in a fast paced kind of way. I do enjoy books set in the past and to find out what happened on the Western Front in 1918. It was a real eye opener and I discovered after reading this, that I hardly knew much about The Western Front but after reading this book I feel as though I have gained a great more deal of knowledge. The way Luke the author writes, you can almost imagine you are there in the trenches with all the men, smelling the gun powder and everything else. It is captivating and I went on a rollercoaster of emotions reading it, but I am glad I did as I feel as though I have learnt a great deal and I hope it helps other people learn things that they might not of known before. Such a great story too. I would be intrigued to read the other books in this series now too.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Seven friends. One killer. You can run, but you can’t hide…

The Boxing Day hike is meant to bring their nature group together.
Emily, the sister who never lets her hearing loss hold her back.
Lauren, the sister who always feels a step behind.
Morna, who doesn’t get on with Lauren.
Ben, whose feelings for Emily border on obsession.
Dan, the quiet newcomer to the group.
Kai, who isn’t just on the hike to enjoy the wildlife.
And Alec, the one who knows all their secrets.

As the sun sets, a gunshot rings out on the nature reserve.
One of the seven is dead. And one of their number killed them…

My Thoughts:

This was such a great read, it has everything you could want from a thriller. It is captivating and engaging but also tense and dramatic with plenty of twists that you could never even imagine. I loved the idea of the story line and it really brought the story to life. Lots of characters but who is the one hiding the secret? It’s a well thought out plot line with red herrings galore but the story is so good and the ending I didn’t believe. I feel like I want to re-read this story again in case I missed anything the first time.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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I promised her I’d protect him… and I’ll do anything to keep him safe. 

Five years ago, my sister Rachel left her baby boy on my doorstep. A little bundle wrapped in blankets.

I loved him. I cared for him. I called him Noah and raised him as my own.

Rachel was full of secrets, and the truth about Noah was one we shared. A secret just between sisters.

Now, my sister is dead. The police say it was an accident… But I’m convinced that’s a lie.

I owe it to Rachel to uncover the truth… Even if I risk losing the family I’ve fought so hard for.

My Thoughts:

I think Karen writes a brilliant psychological thriller, her stories are always packed full of intrigued and twists and turns. There are some great characters with believable and relatable lives, the plot is paced well, it captivates you so you want to keep reading on. I liked the sound of the plot too. Karen’s writing gives you that level of intrigue that you just want to read a bit more. You wonder what is going to happen but the twists that happen in the book will leave you on the edge of your seat, when the first big twist came, I didn’t really know what the outcome was going to be. But it was very good, and kept me engaged till the end. I look forward to Karen’s next book. They are just brilliant.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? Do you often find yourself seeking approval from others? Is beating yourself up getting you down?

Then this book can help you.

With thought-provoking advice, a step-by-step action plan and a simple method to challenge your inner critic, You Are Enough will help you embrace your flaws and celebrate your unique awesomeness. Let go of the myth of perfection, finally stop comparing yourself to others, and learn how to be happy with all that you are.

My Thoughts:

This is a bit of a different kind of read for me, but one I wanted to read as it really did help me. This book is all about embracing your flaws and to be happy being you, which I have struggled with for a long time. It is broken down into three sections with different parts in those chapters. I suggest getting a notebook which I did and when a chapter asks you questions, you can write down your answers to come back to later, this really helped me. It is all about helping to shift your mind set and thinking more positively about yourself, and I have to say this book has taught me a lot and also helped me feel more positive about who I am. I hope this book helps other people too. I can re-read it as many times as I like and I truly think it will help me in the future if I ever need it again. I am so glad I have read it and I like that at the back of the book there are more reading suggestions.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Twelve clues. Twelve keys. Twelve days of Christmas.
But who will survive until Twelfth Night?

Lily Armitage never intended to return to Endgame House – the grand family home where her mother died twenty-one Christmases ago. Until she receives a letter from her aunt, asking her to return to take part in an annual tradition: the Christmas Game. The challenge? Solve twelve clues, to find twelve keys. The prize? The deeds to the manor house.

Lily has no desire to win the house. But her aunt makes one more promise: The clues will also reveal who really killed Lily’s mother all those years ago.

So, for the twelve days of Christmas, Lily must stay at Endgame House with her estranged cousins and unravel the riddles that hold the key not just to the family home, but to its darkest secrets. However, it soon becomes clear that her cousins all have their own reasons for wanting to win the house – and not all of them are playing fair.

As a snowstorm cuts them off from the village, the game turns deadly. Soon Lily realises that she is no longer fighting for an inheritance, but for her life.

This Christmas is to die for . . . Let the game begin

My Thoughts:

I love a good murder mystery so was keen to see what this book was all about. It is a little like Agatha Christie and shares some similarities. For me I enjoyed it, it was predictable and a little slow but I was intrigued with how the story line would pan out whilst being a game. Even if you don’t solve the clues, it was still a nice story to follow along to, it is a story with a murder mystery and alongside it is other content for people who want to solve the clues. I think it is a fun book with a predictable ending.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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The coastline of Cumbria stretches for almost two hundred miles from Morecambe Bay to the Solway Firth and passes through the beautiful Lake District National Park. The Cumbria and Lake District Coast provides suggestions for places to visit along the coast, including picturesque harbours, stately homes, museums and seaside resorts. Readers will also discover less well-known sights such as medieval buildings, lighthouses and stone circles. The Lancashire shores of Morecambe Bay and the Scottish shores of the Solway Firth are included too.

For those interested in the history of the coast, there is an introduction to the role of coastal trade through the centuries. Topics include the Roman coastal defences that once extended to Maryport beyond Hadrian’s Wall, how mining contributed to the growth of ports such as Barrow, Millom and Workington, and the canals that linked ports at Lancaster, Ulverston and Carlisle to the shore.

For wildlife enthusiasts, the book highlights the many nature reserves that dot the shoreline and the varied habitats that are found, such as sand dunes, lowland raised mires and spectacular sea cliffs. There are also tips on watching waterbirds, for which Morecambe Bay and the Solway Firth are famed, and on where to see seals and tidal bores such as the Arnside Bore.

With stunning colour photographs, The Cumbria and Lake District Coast is a must-read for travellers and local residents alike. It will also be of interest to walkers along the England Coast Path, a fabulous new long-distance trail which is due to be completed shortly.

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to read this book after going to the Lake District recently and loving it, I wanted to learn more about this stunning place and this was the perfect book to do that with. It is a very interesting and engaging read, where you can learn so much from, it is filled with lots of information about different things. The parts that really interested me the most was learning about all the different wildlife and birds. It gives a detailed look at things ranging from the different estuary’s and water safety to a bit about the history to the different wildlife and birds, I feel as though there is a bit for everyone in here. The pictures are great and really makes me want to go back now, now I have a bit more knowledge up my sleeve about this beautiful and breathtaking place. This book is such a handy guide to keep with you when you are out and about.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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London, 1903. Two women are hanged in Holloway Prison for killing babies. More than thirty years later, Josephine Tey sets out to write a novel about Amelia Sach and Annie Walters, the notorious Finchley baby farmers. Meanwhile, her friend, Inspector Archie Penrose is investigating the sadistic murder of a young seamstress, found dead in the Motley sisters’ studio, amid preparations for a star-studded charity gala. The girl’s death seems to be the result of a long-standing domestic feud, but Archie is unconvinced; and when a second young woman is involved in an horrific accident soon afterwards, the search begins for a vicious killer who will stop at nothing to keep the past where it belongs.

My Thoughts:

This is book three in the Josephine Tey series, and the second book I have read by Nicola. I found it an ok read. Some parts I felt were a bit too gruesome for my liking Nicola has done her research extremely well and it is shown through out the pages. Between all the history there is the mystery and all the people that make up this story. I guessed the murderer very early on which was a bit of a disappointment for me, and I feel as though some parts of the book were pointless and didn’t need to be added. It was just like a filler. The actual main story was good and what it was about interested me though.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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It can be hard keeping secrets in a tight-knit neighbourhood.

In a tranquil, leafy suburb of ordinary streets – one where everyone is polite and friendly – an anonymous note has been left at some of the houses.

‘I’m so sorry. My son has been getting into people’s houses. He’s broken into yours.‘

Who is this boy, and what might he have uncovered? As whispers start to circulate, suspicion mounts.

And when a missing local woman is found murdered, the tension reaches breaking point. Who killed her? Who knows more than they’re telling? And how far will all these very nice people go to protect their secrets?

Maybe you don’t know your neighbour as well as you thought you did . . .

My Thoughts:

I found with this book that I raced through the beginning but didn’t really like the ending, it could of been such a great ending but it was not. The idea of the story intrigued me, a kid breaking into houses, but who is the boy and what has he seen? especially when a local woman is found dead, is the boy the missing part of this puzzle? secrets, lies and betrayals all play their part in this whodunit read. The neighbours are all suspicious but who was the culprit? I didn’t feel as though I gelled with any of the characters, I just felt suspicious of them all. An interesting story but the ending was not what I was expecting.

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It is 1981. Glasgow is dying and good families must grift to survive. Agnes Bain has always expected more from life, dreaming of greater things. But Agnes is abandoned by her philandering husband, and as she descends deeper into drink, the children try their best to save her, yet one by one they must abandon her to save themselves. It is her son Shuggie who holds out hope the longest. Shuggie is different, he is clearly no’ right. But Shuggie believes that if he tries his hardest, he can be normal like the other boys and help his mother escape this hopeless place.

My Thoughts:

This book got a lot of hype when it came out, so I thought I would give it a read and be honest in my own opinion. Unfortunately it was not for me, I just didn’t connect with any of the characters and felt the story was slow and just not the one for me. There were parts that were really difficult to read and I felt as though I couldn’t finish reading the book as it felt as though it was just too much for me. I hate giving up on books but this one I couldn’t bring myself to finish. That is why you should never read about the hype of a book as it may not be for everyone. This is just my opinion.

A Josephine Tey Mystery

December 1938: Storm Clouds hover once again over Europe.

Writer Josephine Tey and Detective Chief Inspector Archie Penrose gather with their friends for a Cornish Christmas, but two strange and brutal deaths on St Michael’s Mount – and the unexpected arrival of a world-famous film star, in need of sanctuary – interrupt the festivities. Cut off by the sea and a relentless blizzard, can Josephine and Archie prevent the murderer from striking again?

My Thoughts:

This is my first book by Nicola, and this book is book nine in the Josephine Tey series so I have a lot of catching up to do. I think Nicola did a great job about writing about that era and as a crime point of view too. I liked that it is set in Cornwall and I have been to St Michael’s Mount before so it made it more exciting for me knowing a place. I would say it is a light read, a group of friends are stuck on St Michael’s Mount at Christmas because of bad weather, then there are two deaths, can Josephine and Detective Chief Inspector Archie work out who the killer is before there are any more murders. I found It was an ok read, but this type of plot has been done so many times and they can become a little boring but I will be reading Nicola’s other books to see what they are like.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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