Tag: Scotland

The Coffinmaker’s Garden By Stuart MacBride

The Coffinmaker’s Garden By Stuart MacBride

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A village on the edge…
As a massive storm batters the Scottish coast, Gordon Smith’s home is falling into the North Sea. But the crumbling headland has revealed what he’s got buried in his garden: human remains.

A house full of secrets…
With the storm still raging, it’s too dangerous to retrieve the bodies and waves are devouring the evidence. Which means no one knows how many people Smith’s already killed and how many more he’ll kill if he can’t be found and stopped.

An investigator with nothing to lose…
The media are baying for blood, the top brass are after a scapegoat, and ex-Detective Inspector Ash Henderson is done playing nice. He’s got a killer to catch, and God help anyone who gets in his way.

My Thoughts:

I like reading a book by Stuart MacBride, I find them gritty and engaging. This story is about a house that is full of secrets but it is in danger of falling of a cliff, can the detectives retrieve all the evidence before it is too late? It was not my favourite of Stuart’s books but it was still good none of the less. The character’s were all believable and well rounded. I love how it is set in Scotland and Stuart has written the local dialogue into, so you get more of a feel for the place. A story that will have you on a knife edge.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to lovereading for sending me a copy, check out their website:

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/

Get your copy here:

The Back Up Plan By Elsie McArthur

The Back Up Plan By Elsie McArthur

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That’s the question for thirty-something Marsaili McKenzie. Ten years after fleeing her tiny coastal village for dreams of fame and fortune in the big city, she finds herself on the brink of an existential crisis. Far from being the star actress she once imagined, she’s still working as a barmaid in a Glasgow theatre while all around her, her friends and family are getting engaged, pregnant or promoted.

It’s all she can do to keep her head above water. But as a new year approaches, she resolves to give her acting dreams one last shot. That is, until a couple of unexpected distractions arrive on the scene.

Will Hunter is undeniably handsome, as well as being aloof, socially awkward, posh and in the middle of a nasty divorce. And to make things even more complicated, he’s also her new boss.

Local boy made good, soap star Euan Campbell, is the epitome of a charismatic leading man. His easy-going charm soon sweeps Marsaili off her feet, but is there more to him than meets the eye?

To top it all off, Marsaili finds herself inexplicably drawn back to the simple, rural life she used to loathe. Can she finally figure out which dreams are worth pursuing, and would it really be so bad to resort to her back up career after all?

My Thoughts:

This was a really good debut novel, about a girl called Marsaili who is a struggling actress. We see behind the scenes of the acting world and how it can change a person. I love that this book is set in Scotland as I have always wanted to go there. Elsie is very descriptive with her writing and makes you feel like you are there. I love all the names of people too, it is more interesting hearing more unique names than just the usual names. All Marsaili wants to do is become an actress, on the way she finds love, romance and a great bunch of characters. I look forward to the next book.

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

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

paperback

The Endless Beach By Jenny Colgan

The Endless Beach By Jenny Colgan

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jenny colgan

On the quayside next to the Endless Beach sits the Summer Seaside Kitchen. It’s a haven for tourists and locals alike, who all come to eat the freshest local produce on the island and catch up with the gossip. Flora, who runs the cafe, feels safe and content – unless she thinks too hard about her relationship with Joel, her gorgeous but emotionally (and physically) distant boyfriend.

While Flora is in turmoil about her relationship. her best friend Lorna is pining after the local doctor. Saif came to the island as a refugee, having lost all of his family. But he’s about to get some shocking news which will change everything for him.

As cold winter nights shift to long summer days, can Flora find her happy-ever-after with Joel?

My Thoughts:

Doesn’t the cover make you want to dive right in? Well it does for me as I am a huge Jenny Colgan fan. If you haven’t read any of her books I would strongly recommend them with a big mug of tea and a biscuit or two. This story is all about life on Mure it follows on from the seaside kitchen where we first meet all the wonderful residents that live there. The characters make you feel as though your part of the community and shows you that no matter what your going through they will always pull together to help you. The added bonus is when you finish the book and there are some cracking recipes to test out yourself.

Get your copy here:

Kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Endless-Beach-Sunday-bestselling-author-ebook

paperback

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Endless-Beach-Sunday-bestselling-author

The Little Shop of Happy Ever After By Jenny Colgan

The Little Shop of Happy Ever After By Jenny Colgan

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jenny colgan

Given a back-room computer job when the beloved Birmingham library she works in turns into a downsized retail complex, Nina misses her old role terribly – dealing with people, greeting her regulars, making sure everyone gets the right books for their needs.

Then a new business nobody else wants catches her eye: owning a tiny little bookshop bus up in the Scottish highlands. No computers. Shortages. Out all hours in the freezing cold; driving with a tiny stock of books… not to mention how the little community is going to take to her, particularly when she stalls the bus on a level crossing…

My Thoughts:

I bought this book as I am a big fan of Jenny Colgan and I also wanted to add it to my collection. I did find it hard to get into the story but once I did I loved it. The way Jenny writes is brilliant, she adds so much description and depth that you almost feel as though you are there amongst these fantastic characters. I loved Nina the main character, she seems to be able to pick a book for someone and know that they will like it. Lovely little story, I look forward to her next book.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click  on the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Shop-Happy-Ever-After-Jenny-Colgan