Belvedor and the Four Corners by Ashleigh Bello

 

In the Four Corners, in the land of Olleb-Yelfra everyone is born a slave. The only way out is to enter Free Fall Day when you reach the age of 18. This is exactly what Arianna Belvedor plans to do. She's an accomplished fighter but, as you would expect, fate throws a massive spanner in the works. The only option is for Ari and her new found friends (one from each of the other three corners) to escape... 

There is a lot good with this story. World building and character development both work well for a YA novel. The idea that magic has been banished from the land and that Ari and co. will be the ones to bring it back has been done many times before but the story telling is enough to make it feel fresh. I guess the idea of Free Fall day will make it reminiscent of Hunger Games (never read those though so I could be wrong) but hey, give the people what they want. 

As book 1in a series BatFC did enough to make me feel I will be picking up the next volume when it comes out

3.8/5*

Thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto this tour and please, if you can, have a look at the blog posts from the other reviewers below

 

Thoughts on animal cruelty in fiction

 So, I finished reading a book last night and while I enjoyed it for the most part there was also a point where I almost walked away from it (it was only just over 200 pages so I stuck it out).

The issue I had with it was the harm done to two dogs. One was a loyal dog who was trying to protect his owner - this one was smashed in the snout with a crowbar (but had no sign of injury the next morning) and also had it's tail hacked off for no real reason other than to prove the villain of the piece was a sadistic bastard. The other was an old dog encountered again by the villain in an otherwise empty house - this one had it's throat slit and the body dumped in the front garden.

And this got me thinking, why is it that characters go through all kinds of misery, harm, pain and torturous death in fiction all the time and it doesn't bother me one little but as soon as animals start getting hurt I find a problem with it. 

Anything goes in fiction but leave the animals alone

The Greatest Beer Run Ever by John "Chick" Donohue and JT Molloy

The tag-line for this biographical tale reads 'A Crazy Adventure In A Crazy War'. Trust me, Crazy doesn't even come close! 

One night in a bar in Inwood, NYC ex marine John "Chick" Donohue is chatting with the bartender while the beer is flowing. They get onto how good it would be to deliver a beer to friends. The only problem is that the friends are in Vietnam... and there's a war on! 

Obviously Chick thinks 'what a great idea' and agrees to the 'mission'. The bartender gives him a list of names and with a backpack full of beer he is off. 

There are many scrapes and adventures as Chick works his way to 'Nam and there is a good amount of humour in his escapades but that is well balanced by the serious side and questions of why the troops were there anyway. 

I'll admit that I don't know much about the Vietnam War so this was kinda like a history book too and, as someone who loves history, this added an extra element to the story. 

Chick's indomitable spirit and Scallywag ways make for a great read. I would recommend this

 3.9/5*and a raised glass

Thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto this tour and to Monoray for providing the review copy. Please, if you can find time, have a look at the reviews by the other bloggers on this tour (above) 

The Lockdown Diary of Tom Cooper by Spencer Brown

 

Well now, this was a bit of a surprise. I wasn't sure how I would feel about a book about Lockdown having spent 4 months at home myself but it turns out it was just the book I needed. 

Tom Cooper is a single father of two who, due to the Corona virus Lockdown has to work from school, home educate his children and generally cope with all life has to throw at him. The zoom meeting fiascos alone will resonate with many but when you chuck in competitive NHS supporting with the neighbours, getting accused of stockpiling while shopping when he is only trying to help others and, well, the list goes on... the author has produced a book that should be on all book shelves. 

At times cringe worthy and hilariously uncomfortable this also has it's sweet moments. 

A winner all the way and the book you didn't know you needed. 

4.7/5*

Thanks, as always, to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the Blogtour for this book and please, if you can, have a look at the posts by the other bloggers who have taken part. 

Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson - early thoughts

 It doesn't seem like 10 years since I got my grubby claws on an arc copy of Way of Kings, the first in Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archives but I guess it must be. And now the much anticipated 4th enormous volume, Rhythm of War, is out. I was fortunate enough to be offered a sample of the first 100 or so pages last week for review so, obviously, I snapped it up.

 So, here we go. RoW starts, as all volumes have so far, with the prologue which gives another point of view telling of the events that kicked this whole thing off. This time it is Navani we follow on the night of Gavilar's murder... and a very interesting POV it is too! Nope, no spoilers here, sorry. 

 Then we move on to the story proper. Unlike previous volumes which carried straight on from the last (more or less) RoW kicks off around a year after the events of Oathbringer but there's not a lot of time for catching up. Straight from the off we are into the action with Kaladin and his Windrunners battling a host of Fused. I would say this is what Sanderson does best, the big epic battle scenes but to be honest that's only a part of it. His world building is off the chart, his character development up there with the best of the best. And it's not just the big part characters - even lesser players in this tale feel like they deserve to be there. 

And then... The SkyBarge. Just WOW!! That's all I can say really (y'know, the whole 'no spoilers here' thing). 

 I know the majority of Sanderson's work ties into his Cosmere and there were moments here that reminded me of his Mistborn series. It's going to be interesting to see see how the whole thing develops over the years. 

 But anyway, back to the book. The sample I recieved is only a small part of RoW but there is so much there that when I get home tomorrow and start on the book proper I'm going to start right from page 1 and experience all this awesomeness again. 

 Once again Mr Sanderson you have knocked it out of the park - and then some

Thank you to Gollancz and Will O'Mullane for the sample chapters and the invitation to join this Blogtour. Please visit the other bloggers (below) to see what they thought

 

The Beach Party Mystery by Peter Bartram

 

It's the Swinging Sixties and Brighton is getting ready for a massive beach party with one of the biggest names in rock set to headline. Our intrepid hero, newspaper hack Colin Crampton is covering the story as putting one too many noses out of joint has seen him moved to the paper's Entertainment section. 

Before too long though he's up to his ears in trouble and mystery solving - and a cracking story unfolds. 

I will admit here and now that my taste in crime fiction is usually a bit more 'modern day' than this but something about this book intrigued me. The feel of the story was spot on, the 60s vibe resonating through the pages and the lack of tech really made a refreshing change. There was a good level of humour alongside the action and the sleuthing and although it did seem a tad silly at times I enjoyed it. I will certainly be looking out for more in this series. 

3.8/5* A good read

Thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto this tour and please, if you can, have a look at the other posts by the bloggers below

Bury Them Deep by James Oswald

 

There's something big going down in Edinburgh, it's 'need to know' and, as if that's not enough, a civilian member of staff at the Edinburgh nick has gone missing.

Obviously Tony McLean is, as usual, up to his neck in it, getting a strip torn off him by his superiors and, well... just being Tony really. 

As usual for this series there is a weird vibe to the story but not as supernatural as some and it did catch me out a few times which is always appreciated. 

So, yeah, I enjoyed this as much as I have all the McLean series. Oswald has built up a good set and I will be looking out for the next when it comes out next year. 

Highly recommended 4.3/5*

 During the early part of this year, as you know, the country went into Lockdown due to this bloody virus and because of this I had to Shield for just over 4 months due to health issues. During this time I got through a lot of books (and I mean A LOT! - well, I was stuck at home the sun was shining and I had a lawn chair - What's a Wyrm to do 😉). It was in the early days of Shielding I discovered the Tony McLean books and James Oswald's other crime fiction and I have devoured them all. Books have the power to take you away from the day to day world and even if the places you visit in books are grim at times that escape is sometimes just what you need to get by. Oswald's books (among others) were what I needed when I needed them so James, if you're reading this, I tip my hat to you Sir and say thank you 

Number 10

 

Being a 16 year old girl isn't always easy. When you are the daughter of the Prime Minister things are even tougher. 

When Gray is photographed drunk outside a nightclub she is grounded and her security detail is changed to a much tougher one who are immune to her attempts to get around them. Things get worse when she accidentally overhears a seemingly Russian led plot to kill her and her mother (the PM don't forget). 

With no proof nobody will believe her so Gray enlists her best friend and the son of the Leader of the Opposition. Maybe between the three of them they can save the day... 

Number 10 is a novel aimed at teenage readers but the story is engaging enough that it will appeal to older readers too (I'm 53 and thoroughly enjoyed it). The idea of having the PM's daughter as lead character and working (and falling for) the son of the opposition leader works really well and did leave me thinking maybe if we left things to the kids we'd maybe be better off. 

So yeah, good storytelling, good characters and a pace that doesn't let up makes Number 10 a cracking read. I'll certainly be looking for more from C J Daughtery

Number 10 was published on 10th November 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838237410

https://youtu.be/5jJdx-vhmsc

Bloodstock by Rod Humphris

 

Welcome to the final day of the Blogtour for Rod Humphris' Bloodstock, the latest in his Simon Ellice series. This series (so far) consists of two novellas and two full size novels (more on that later) 

Simon Ellice is coming home, back to the village where he grew up. He's all for the peace and tranquility of country life but in no time at all old friends are going missing and turning up dead and it's time for Si to do what he does best - mayhem. Hitting London's underworld he uncovers lots of nastiness and a threat that may be bigger than anything he's faced before. 

So, who is Simon Ellice? He's been a soldier (Dead Ground), drug smuggler (Go Fast) and the kind of guy who just attracts trouble and the ladies in equal measure (Starlight). This may seem a predictable choice but this series feels like a movie dream casting for Jason Statham. Ellice is not a bad person but, equally, he's no angel either and I think that's what really makes this series work. 

Must say also, the production quality on these books is top notch. They are a pleasure to hold (very tactile covers) and the illustrations add to the story well. Hats off to Rats Tails for that. 

Thanks, as always, to Anne Cater and Random Things for inviting me onto the tour and Rats Tails for providing the review copies. Please, if you can, have a look at the posts by the other bloggers on this tour. 

Bloodstock can be read as a stand-alone story but when a series is as good as this, really, why would you? 

4/5*

After Sundown edited by Mark Morris

 

Well, here we are, the nights are drawing in and the time is just right for curling up with a decent collection of Horror Short Stories. And (in my opinion) this collection from Flame Tree Press, edited by Mark Morris is just the thing. 

There are stories from established names here and from lesser known authors too but the quality of the stories and the scares is high across the board. I have had a copy for a while and spread the reading out at a rate of 1 or 2 a week which, in my opinion, benefits the collection as it allows each story time to settle with the reader rather than run into each other. 

It doesn't seem fair to single out stories in such a high quality field but I will anyway. The ones that stood out for me were 

Butterfly Island by C J Tudor (I have a butterfly phobia so flesh eating butterflies 🦋 😲🦋) 

Branch Line by Paul Finch (proper scary) 

We All Come Home by Simon Bestwick (this one had me pleading with the main character all the way through 'please don't go there/do that etc) 

All in all a job well done by Mr Morris and his authors and, as it makes a nice change to have a collection like this with no stories that fall flat or feel out of place... 

4.5/5* Looking forward to more collections from this editor and publisher

Thanks, as always, to Anne Cater for inviting me onto this blogtour, Netgalley and Flame Tree Press for providing the review copy and please have a look at the posts by the other bloggers on this tour

The Saints of Salvation by Peter F Hamilton

 

Well, here we are at what seems to be the end for humanity in the final part of PFH's mammoth Salvation series. The alien Olyx are on their mission to subjugate every species in the universe for their God and for The End Of All Times. 

But, they have picked on humanity without considering what we all know from the movies - humanity always fights back, has average people that step up to become hero types that thrive when all seems impossible, and always win in the end. Maybe one day they'll spot Earth and just sneak by and pretend they haven't noticed us. 

But, back to the book in hand. This is PFH doing what he does best. While the tomes in this series aren't as big as his previous ones there is still plenty to go at. What does it for me though and what makes him more accessible as an author is that the science doesn't take the reader away from the story. And there is a hell of a lot of mind bending science here. I admit a lot of it is outside my understanding apart from on a basic level but the story and the characters more than make up for that. PFH manages to meld the two aspects just right which is why I am always eager to get my hands on any new book by him. 

So, if you haven't started this series yet then don't even try starting with this one - you will be lost and also, you'll be missing out on the two excellent volumes before. And if you have and are just starting Saints, enjoy the ride my friends, this is one hell of a book

5/5* a perfect blend of story, action and MASSIVE science 

Thanks to Bethan at Pan MacMillan for inviting me onto the tour and for supplying the review copy. Please, if you can, have a look at the other reviews by the bloggers on this tour (below) - we all really appreciate it 😉

The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn by Tyler Whitesides

 

When it comes to Fantasy Fiction I think it's a fair bet to say everybody loves a rogue. Well, get ready to meet your new favourite rogue, Ruse Artiste Extraordinare Ardor Benn. 

Along with his companion Raek Benn has been rusing, conning and conniving around The Great Chain but his next challenge is going to be the greatest Ruse of all time and an enormous payout but he's going to need a team. 

This, the first in the Kingdom of Grit series is equal parts Ocean's 11 and Mission Impossible with added magic and... Dragons!! The world and its' associated faiths are really well drawn and the story flows from scam to scam effortlessly while keeping the reader guessing as Whitesides pulls the rug out from under our feet once again. 

And as for the magic system - ingenious! That's all I'm going to say on the subject. I'll leave the fun of learning about it to you 😉

The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn is a huge book and there are two more to follow but fear not! You have no longer to wait than early November for book 2

⬇️⬇️⬇️

and December for book 3

4.5/5* and I'm going straight into book 2 now. See you on the other side 

Blood Red Roses and Driftnet by Lin Anderson

 Well now, this is going to be a review of two halves  guess. I picked up Blood Red Roses (a novella) because one of the later books in the series was on offer for 99p and I'd snapped it up as I like my crime fiction both Scottish and Noir and this ticked both boxes.

 Blood Red Roses is a prequel novella to the Rhona Macleod series which, as you would expect, introduces us to Rhona, a forensic scientist, her life and her team. The story has a bride to be murdered on her hen night and although a fairly short story there is plenty going on. I was really engaged with the story and the characters and enjoyed it so much I downloaded the 1st in the series - Driftnet ...

 Oh, dear!

 Driftnet was, to be totally honest, pretty terrible. The story was promising enough - Rhona is called out to a murder scene in the early hours where the victim (brutally slain) bears an uncanny resemblance to Rhona herself. Could this be the son she gave up for adoption seventeen years ago? He even has the same birthmark so - well, you'd think so wouldn't you.

 Someone is grooming and killing young men for sexual excitement/gratification and it's up to Rhona and team to get to the bottom of it.

 So, the problems I had with this are many I'm afraid. First up, the murder victim (SPOILER WARNING) looks like Rhona, has the same birthmark in the same place as the son she gave up but isn't her son. Its JUST A COINCIDENCE (and one that isn't really resolved). Next up is the next potential victim - who is the son of a politician who is on the crest of a wave. Said politician is also an ex partner of Rhona, and the father of the child she gave up for adoption - what a coincidence eh!

 And then there is Rhona's love life. Her partner is a musician and after a disagreement goes off to Paris. Rhona then falls for a computer whizz working for the police and who just might be a little dodgy or is he just doing his job?

 I could go on but I won't. I'll just say that this was, in my opinion, a terrible book that could have been much better.

 And that brings me to a problem. Through reading the prequel novella which was written later it's obvious that the author has improved massively but am I prepared to slog through the series waiting for the point when the writing level rises. Unfortunately I don't think I am. Which is a shame but there you go

Blood Red Roses 4/5*

Driftnet 1.5/5*

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow

 

 The year is 1893 and witches and witch raft are no more. Salem is burnt to the ground and now women are fighting for the vote and to throw off the shackles of servitude.

 But what if witchcraft could be brought back and combined with the the suffragist movement? Three estranged sisters must reunite, settle their differences and, together champion and fight for the rights of women. 

 That's the general premise of this, the second novel from Alix E Harrow but it is very much more than that. It doesn't just focus on women's rights, there is an lgbtq+ angle as well and all put together with beautiful writing (which is pretty much what I was expecting after The Ten Thousand Doors of January - and if you haven't read that yet, well... what are you waiting for)

4/5*

 Hats off to whoever did the cover art too, it's gorgeous.

 Many thanks to Orbit for providing the review copy 

Sword in the Storm by David Gemmell

Sword in the Sword is the first of the late David Gemmell's Rigante series. I don't know why it's taken me so long to get round to reading these books as I read Legend many, many years ago and loved it. Anyway, I digress... 

This is the story of Connavar of The Rigante, a troubled young man who was born in the same storm that his father died in. I found this to be a very 'busy' book as there was a lot to set up for later volumes. The story covers Connavar's growth from young boy to warrior and the threat to his tribe and the other tribes around them from the Stone People. What did make a refreshing change was the character of Conn himself. No perfect hero this, not by a long chalk. He's not always likeable as a person but this makes him more believable. 

The setting of the book feels very much like England from the time of the Romans, Celts and the likes which always appealed to me as a young lad studying history at school so extra kudos to Gemmell for that. 

The story carries on in Midnight Falcon (below) and I will be reviewing that soon. 

Thanks as always to Anne Cater for inviting me onto this tour and reintroducing me again to the master of fantasy. And please, if you get the chance, have a look at the reviews by the other bloggers on this tour

 

The Trouble With Peace by Joe Abercrombie

 

 

 Welcome to my spot on the Blogtour for Joe Abercrombie's latest. I'll start by saying that, due to late arrival of the book (this troublesome time means the postal service is stretched to say the least) I haven't quite reached the end so my review is on what I have read so far.

  War is a nasty business but what happens when the fighting stops? That is exactly the situation we have here. The fighting is over (for now) but in this lull the battles of the general people come to the fore. Businesses will rise and fall, people will rise to the top and sink to the bottom while some struggle just to stay where they are. . . and the war is still on the horizon.

 What has really impressed me with Abercrombie's latest series is the way the world has moved on to an industrial phase. No more Middle Ages here (well, not much). As someone who spent a lot of his career on the industrial shop floor I can vouch for the realistic feel of the factories, the unions and the workers. It would be no stretch to say a lot of the characters in this industrial landscape wouldn't be out of place in a Dickens novel.

 And, as I said, war is still on the horizon so I'd better get back to the book. A full and updated review will be posted when I'm done. 

 Thanks to Patricia Deveer for inviting me onto this tour. Please try and find time to look at some of the reviews by the excellent bloggers on the tour. 

 

Misfits by Hunter Shea

 

Welcome to my spot on the Blogtour for Hunter Shea's 'Misfits' 

Local urban legends - seems most places have them and, well, don't you just love 'em eh? 😉 

In this instance said Urban Legend is the Melonheads, savage creatures that live in the woods near Dracula Drive - but nobody in their right mind goes anywhere near Dracula Drive...

The story starts in the late 70s when a young lad gets a bike for Christmas and his brother convinces him to come for a ride with him to. . . yeah, you guessed right. Once there big brother slashes little brothers tyres (the reasons become clear very quickly) but little brother legs it and big brother pays heavily. 

The story then moves to 1993, the birth of Grunge and our main protagonists a bunch of stoners/outcasts who may (or maybe not) be the Misfits of the title. Here a 'bad thing' happens to one of the gang and they decide it's time to fight back. 

Misfits is, in my opinion, just what the horror genre has been waiting for (yeah, I'm bored with zombies). This is horror that is visceral at times but well written, reminiscent I guess of the stuff published when the likes of King, Koontz, Hutson and the likes were at their peak. If anything I feel it's closest to early King with the gang feeling a bit like a slightly older version of IT's Losers Club. The nastiness is just that, people die and are maimed in horrible ways but it's not gore for gore's sake. 

What also stands out here is the way the author has really nailed the Grunge era - excellent writing all round. 

So yeah, Misfits really hit all the buttons for me. I like my horror 'Old Skool' and Shea really delivers. Highly recommended 

Thanks, as always, to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the tour, to Flame Tree Press for providing me with a review copy and please, if you can find time, have a look at the reviews by the other bloggers on the tour

Orfeia by Joanne M Harris

 

Welcome to my spot on the Blogtour for the new novella from Joanne M Harris's new novella 'Orfeia' 

I want to start by saying what an absolutely glorious book this is, even before reading it. It's just a lovely looking and feeling thing, a real pleasure to own. 

Anyhoo, to the story - Fay Orr is grieving after the death (suicide) of her daughter and the fact that she wasn't there to help her. Fay is basically going through the motions in her life and it seems the only time she feels alive is when she is 'night running'. On one of these runs she chats ends up chatting to a bunch of homeless people who may be more than they seem. They show Fay an 'alternate' London, London Beyond, (I'll admit, l'm a sucker for Other London) and while she thinks she sees Daisy. 

Is there a way to bring Daisy back to life, back to the real world? You'll just have to read and see for yourself, I'm not going to spoil it for you. 

The writing here is wonderful and the artwork too. A book that will touch your soul 5/5*

Thanks to Anne Cater, as always, for inviting me onto this tour, to Gollancz for providing the review copy and please, if you can, have a read of the reviews by the other bloggers on the tour

Nothin' But A Good Time by Justin Quirk

Welcome to Day 5 of the Blogtour for Justin Quirk's look at 'the spectacular rise and fall of Glam Metal' 

Glam was the big sound of the 80s. The sound, the performers and (especially) the hair were huge. This book takes a year by year look at where Glam came from, why it vanished and 'why nobody admits to being a Glam Rocker anymore'. The anecdotes are brilliant (like when Slash was an errand boy for Motley Crűe - he lasted one day and nicked  $100 from them into the bargain). As for where it went - well, it's no secret that Grunge came along and sucked all the fun out of Rock. 

It feels like the author has a real feel for the era and I can certainly say that this book took me back to my youth and 'the good old days' 

Highly recommended 4/5*

 

Thanks, as always, to Anne Cater for inviting me onto this blog tour, Unbound for providing the review copy and please, if you can, have a look at the posts by the other reviewers. 

Northern Wrath by Thilde Kold Holt

In the far North War is coming. The Christians are coming to convert the Norse - whatever it takes. Lives will be forged in the flames of battle... and, in Thilde Kold Holdt, a new name joins the ranks of great Storytellers.

I'll be the first to admit I have a passion for Norse stories and Viking tradition so as soon as I heard of this book I was after a copy. And it turned out much better than I hoped (and I had high hopes to start with). I love a story that takes you from wherever you are and transports you to the author's setting and this worked well here. Imagine, if you will, the far Northern lands, snow on the ground, cold winds blowing, a frost that bites. Now, when you are sat in the garden reading on a blazing hot day but you sense the cold rather than the heat - that is the mark of a good author.

And a good author is an understatement when it comes to Holdt. She writes from experience, having been a crew member on a Viking ship her knowledge comes through in her writing.

The world Thilde Kold Holdt has created is one I believed in and enjoyed spending time in, her characters feel real and I am very much looking forward to the next volume in The Hanged God trilogy - I can only see this saga getting better.

What surprised me (even though I knew already) is that this is a first time author - nobody should expect to be this good first time out. There are a lot of quality authors in the genre right now and with this debut it's time to make an extra space at the top table.

Northern Wrath - so good I read it twice 5/5*

It's only August but I can't see anything beating this so I'm naming Northern Wrath as The BlogCave's Debut Of The Year 2020 

The Last To Know by Jo Furniss

 

A family’s past pursues them like a shadow in this riveting and emotional novel of psychological suspense by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of All the Little Children.

American journalist Rose Kynaston has just relocated to the childhood home of her husband, Dylan, in the English village of his youth. There’s a lot for Rose to get used to in Hurtwood. Like the family’s crumbling mansion, inhabited by Dylan’s reclusive mother, and the treacherous hill it sits upon, a place of both sinister folklore and present dangers.

Then there are the unwelcoming villagers, who only whisper the name Kynaston—like some dreadful secret, a curse. Everyone knows what happened at Hurtwood House twenty years ago. Everyone except Rose. And now that Dylan is back, so are rumors about his past.

When an archaeological dig unearths human remains on the hill, local police sergeant Ellie Trevelyan vows to solve a cold case that has cast a chill over Hurtwood for decades.

As Ellie works to separate rumor from fact, Rose must fight to clear the name of the man she loves. But how can Rose keep her family safe if she is the last to know the truth?

So, English village ✔️ Family returning to set up home in husband's ancestral home ✔️ Mystery and rumours about husband's family past✔️ Secrets unearthed ✔️

Yes, this book was just the kind of read I like. I don't know why stories set in this kind of location pull me in but there often seems a more 'community' feel to the supporting cast - and that was very much the case here. Does hubby have a secret in his past? Does gossip and rumour grow until falsehoods are believed as truth?

For me the story flowed well, with the two different view points, Rose - the wife struggling to settle in, and Ellie - the local police officer investigating human remains found at a nearby dig. How it all comes together makes for a good, enjoyable read.

Recommended 4/5*

Thanks to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for inviting me to review this book

Family Business by Mark Eklid

 Welcome to the final day of the Blogtour for Mark Eklid's second novel, Family Business.

Family Business is the story of Graham, a librarian and history buff and his wife Janet. When Graham loses his job things look bad for them but then they meet Andreas - the previously unknown result of a drunken night in Graham's student days.

Or is he???

Turning up at just the right time Andreas offers Graham a job with his haulage company and somewhere to live and things just get more dodgy for them from there on in.

I thoroughly enjoyed this crime novel from Sheffield born Author Mark. It hits the perfect spot between cozy and dark with an ending that caught me out. I had read Mark's previous Novel, Sunbeam, after finding out he was a local lad and doing an event at my nearby library*. That was a very good and well written tale - this is even better.

Highly recommended 4/5 stars

*thanks to Covid this event hasn't happened yet so I have only met Mark online and the fact I know him online does not affect this review at all.

 
Thanks, as always, to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the tour and to Netgalley for providing a copy to review.

This may be the final day of the Blogtour but that means there are plenty of other reviews before mine for you to look at, so please do if you get a moment, thank you.