The Other Wife - Claire McGowan

This is a real slow burner, that for the first 2/3rds seems to be really skittish leaping from one thing to another without really getting anywhere. It jumps between the two main protagonists, who know of, but don't know each other. Embezzlement, fraud and control being their controlling factors.

From the city, to rural snow covered (for the most part), Kent. Music rooms, to bleak cottages.

There are twists and turns a plenty, which are drawn together very well towards the end of the book.

Well worth a read, if you have some spare time.

#TheOtherWife #NetGalley

Rating: 3.8/5

Status: Completed

Release Date: 24th October 2019

The Whisper Man - Alex North

The Whisper Man, an invigorating read. The plot is so tightly wound, with each turn uncovering something new or an event tied to something else further on. So you need your wits about you. There is very little space in this book that doesn't have something going on in it. Even the school playground isn't safe.

The little gold circle on the front, is deserved. It isn't just there for decoration. The book really is as good as it states.

An easy 5  / 5

Status: Completed.

Knife - Jo Nesbo

The twelfth installment of the Harry Hole series. This is up there with the best of Hole's investigations. Being flipped upside down, the detective, becoming the suspect.

The death of one of the main character's in other stories. And Harry's wife of recent outings. Leads to a relapsing Hole being prime suspect.

OK enough of that.

This reads well, very well. I liked the blue edging on the pages. A nice little touch. The pages turned very easily. I know I go on about being drawn in. But, this has it. Easy to lose a couple of hours in.

Status: Completed

Rating: 4.75 / 5

Mindstar Rising - Peter F Hamilton (Audiobook)

OK, so I am a virgin. Well no more. This was my very first audio-book, and I managed to steer clear of the behemoth that is audible. At least for now anyway, to my rescue, my local library does audio books available for loan via an app.

Enough of that anyway, here's what I came here to do.

Mindstar Rising. I realise, that Hamilton at times can be very heavy, and hard to read. However, that to me is acceptable, due to the fact that his stories are compelling. I found myself listening more, and more often. At breaks at work, in the car (on my own only!) at various times during the day, when I should have been doing other things instead.

I think that shows dedication.

The narrator, well voices aren't really his thing. Most sounded like a bad impression of a West Indian, and I'm sure that all of the characters weren't all of the same ethnicity.

Apart from that small thing. It was well written, and on the most part well said.

Backdrop, was, from what I can remember was based on actual possibilities. If the polar ice caps were due to melt because of global warming. Peterborough, a coastal town.

Status: Completed.

Rating: 3.75

The Taking of annie thorne - CJ Tudor

Well, there is no easy way to put this. This, is one of the best books that I have read recently (last 12/18 months). Completed in two sittings, I lost the best part of a full day. As page after page kept turning. Engrossed in the story, like all greats, it pulls you in and refuses to let you go.

I can not recommend this book enough. It is an easy five stars.

Status: Completed.

Book Review: The Axeman's Jazz - Ray Celestin

OK, so we have the first book in the City Blues Quartet. I have recently reviewed book three.

So, based on a true crime that happened in New Orleans, over a period covering 1918/19.

There is a jazz montage of some of the most famous and well known names of the era. The 'mob' is ever present. Along with a whole host of both corrupt and normal policemen.

It covers the main protagonists, of the books, although they haven't as such met.

This reads as easily as other works, by this author.

I would give this book a strong 4.8 out of 5.

Status: Completed

Book Review: The Mobster's Lament - Ray Celestin

I'd like to say that I brought  this on it's merits. However, I stumbled over it quite by chance. That chance turned into a love affair. Jazz, the Mob and 40's New York. There's nothing not to like.

The pages turned very, very easily, slipping into the story, well lets just say I sort of fell. The character's developed with the plot. The original basis of it, got lost in the surroundings with such powerful people and the unforgiving back drop. Like the city itself, it left you in awe.

I could not recommend this book enough. It draws you in and keeps you there, often against your own will.

Status: Completed.