Author: Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Other People’s Houses by Clare Mackintosh

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

It was a joy to be reunited with to be reunited with Ffion and Leo for the third of the books from Clare Mackintosh in the DCI Ffion Morgan series. And, this third one was just as good as I was expecting it to be, in fact maybe even better.

‘Other People’s Houses’ was a fantastic study of character, as well as being a great murder mystery/police procedural story. Each chapter is told from a different viewpoint, changing between Ffion and her case, Leo and his case, and Leo’s ex-wife and her attempts to find her position with the residents of a rather posh area of town, The Hill. Their experiences and stories all become entwined as two seemingly unrelated cases – a murder and set of break-ins – soon reveal that they have more in common than it first appears.

I find the books of Clare Mackintosh to be compulsive reading; I could not put this down, as I was not just intrigued by all the mystery surrounding the events in the book, but I was also keen to see how the relationships between characters would develop. There is, of course, Leo and Ffion, who we have followed through the previous two books. But now there is another dynamic with Leo’s ex-wife thrown more into the mix, also with how she interacts with all those who live on The Hill, and that interesting look at almost how ‘the other half live’. And, maybe, we should be careful what we wish for, or who we look up to.

No spoilers, as always, with a book that has something that needs to be revealed or has a twist. But this book had me on the edge of my seat as we got closer to the conclusion of the story. I had to just keep reading until I knew where we were going with the story.

I did not solve this one before the characters, but I worked out a couple of clues as we went, although not enough to reach the full solution – and I am okay with that. I do not read these books to try and actively solve them; if I spot some clues, then I am happy.

I really hope this is not the last we hear of Ffion and Leo; I think there is one more story in there for these two as their lives have changed from the first book to now.

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

‘How to Solve Your Own Murder’ must be one of the best titles for a book that I have ever heard of. And, it is the perfect title for this book, too. My IRL book club had this as a title we could pick, but it lost out to another choice. However, I decided that I would give it a go anyway. I knew this would be a book that would make for a good buddy read, too, because – let’s be honest – we all want to discuss ideas when it comes to crime and thriller fiction.

I thought this book was great. Its title and cover suit it perfectly, and it reminded me of traditional cosy crime – which was exactly what I needed it to be. There are all the usual ingredients of that very genre: an old house, an eccentric family member (or two), a village of colourful characters, and plenty of secrets. It was just wonderful, and such a tribute to that traditional cosy crime story ,but brought bang up to date.

After sixty years, a prediction from a fortune teller comes true and Frances Adams is found murdered at her home in the countryside. She has managed to avoid such a fate for all that time, but finally the prediction has caught up with her. Her great-niece Annie takes it upon herself to try and solve her great-aunt’s murder, and everything that led to such a tragic outcome. I mean, she does also have her inheritance at stake, as the last great act of Frances Adams is to leave a will offering her millions to whoever it is that can solve her murder.

This leads to a rather fun crime caper as we follow Annie and the colourful cast of characters from the village, past and present, in trying to be the first to solve the crime.

I enjoyed the dual timeline as we read some of Frances’ notes on the events of the past that may have led to the events of the present. I understand that some readers found this a little confusing, possibly because we start in the past, but I did not find that as I read it. In fact, it all added to the story for me, because you felt you were really getting all the clues as Annie did.

I think if you are a fan of the TV show ‘Midsomer Murders’, or have read the books of Richard Osman or Anthony Horowitz, then you will probably be a fan of the first of the Castle Knoll Files. I will definitely be reading the second book, just with the usual caveat: so many books, so little time.

The Secret Collector by Abigail Johnson

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Sometimes you find a book that will keep you up beyond your bedtime, and ‘The Secret Collector’ is one of those books. I stayed up well past my bedtime, as I had to know what was in store for Kian and Alfred – and I really hoped that it would be the ending that they both deserved.

This is a brilliant book, like a hug in a book. And, it was a book that created great male characters, with great voices, both young and old, that you would happily befriend if you had the chance.

Alfred is a widower, who lives alone and has become isolated from friends and family as he deals with the grief of losing his dear, Ida. His purpose has become collecting, all sorts of things, whether thay have use to him or not, they appear to give him purpose. Kian, has become a little lost in the system at 17 and has made some choices that have led him down the wrong path, although one of those decisions leads him to meet Alfred. And, so begins an unlikely relationship between the pair – that eventually leads them to make some significant changes to their life and turns them around.

This is a book full of warmth and humour – but also a book that had me crying, quite some ugly tears at points because these two characters just warm your heart and you want the best for them from begining to end. I loved the story that was told and thought the story wrapped up beautifully at the end.

This debut novel from Abigail Johnson is a five star read and it is one that I absolutely cannot wait to share this book with lots of other readers because it is a joy that will bring a smile to the faces of so many readers.

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I was gifted this book a little while ago by Tandem Collective UK; it was about the time that ‘Leave the World Behind’ had come to Netflix. However, I had not managed to read it or watch it, so this was a book that I had promised myself I would read this year, so I have.

I have a strange liking for ‘dystopian’ fiction; I am not sure why, as it is not something that I have ever read until recently, and now I am fascinated by it. Especially those novels where we do not know the whole story about why the situation is quite like it is. Although, I am not sure that this book fits into one clear genre – I think it could seem slightly different to every reader.

Two families are forced together over the weekend; one family has rented a house to escape the pressures of the city and have a break. However, a knock on the door brings visitors to disrupt their escape: the owners of the house, who have left the city as there appears to be a blackout. But that is all we really know…

This book is incredibly clever because, from the moment The Scotts appear on the doorstep, you feel the suffocation of these two families being forced together. But, at the same time, you also feel the isolation both families are feeling, despite having people around them. This is an impressive thing for an author to create and shows some talent in Alam’s writing. Alongside this, it is a White American family renting from a successful Black American family – leading to discussions about attitudes towards race and racism, as we see these families interact with each other and the events that unfold.

We never really know what has happened to create the situation, other than that there is a blackout and all the fear that comes with that. We know that nature appears to be behaving in weird and peculiar ways, which causes suspicions in the minds of our characters. Yet we see how different people react in different ways – and we see the impact of whatever is going on to our characters, how some will try to help but others will try to flee.

Overall, this is a fascinating read, one that I should probably have picked up sooner (is that not always the way?,) but it is definitely one that I am glad I have read now, and will encourage others to read, even if this is not their usual genre. After all, we should all read outside our comfort zones.

The Guest by Emma Cline

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I was a big fan of ‘The Girls’ by Emma Cline, so when I saw that ‘The Guest’ was out in paperback, I had to pick up a copy. But, of course, that copy has sat on the tbr for quite some time, and as I am a mood reader and have decided that it is certainly time that I started shifting a lot of these books, this one caught my eye.

Emma Cline, writes excellent atmospheric novels that you quickly realise you are not going to be able to put down. With this book, you are meeting Alex, a 22-year-old, who has a habit of becoming ‘the guest’ in the life of a number of men, often wealthy. Alex is a sex worker, stranded on Long Island as she awaits the day she believes that her older boyfriend will welcome her back. In survival mode, and attempting to escape her past, she meets a number of characters along the way who she uses to help her pass the time until she is certain her life will return to the one that she is hoping for. Yet there is a path of destruction in her wake, as she can never seem to just have a successful and fulfilling interaction with those that she meets.

Alongside all this, there is the ending; an ending which is left completely to the imagination of the reader. I am pretty sure that everyone will read the ending differently – and interpret it in the way that fits the narrative that they have read. At the moment of reading, I was unsure about the ending; I was not sure if I appreciated it for what it was there to do. However, on reflection, I have an idea about this ending. Which, of course, I can not share here, as this is a spoiler-free platform.

I enjoyed this book, I found it compulsive reading and had devoured it within 24 hours. I will be recommending it to those who like an atmospheric piece of contemporary fiction, with the odd hint of mystery. I am intrigued to see what Emma Cline brings us next.

The Household by Stacey Halls

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have been waiting very patiently for ‘The Household’ by Stacey Halls to come out in paperback – mainly because I was hoping that the paperback cover would be more in keeping with the covers for all her other titles – and I am pleased to report that it is!

I found ‘The Household’ a fascinating read, because it is based on something that I had no knowledge of but now I am really keen to find out more about. We meet the ‘girls’ of Urania Cottage in Shepherd’s Bush, London – they are all women who have fallen on hard times for any number of reasons, but they are all characters that can be ‘redeemed’ and sent to the colonies to start a new life. This was a real place, a real home for fallen women, a project of Charles Dickens and Angela Burdett-Coutts, who saw this as their chance to save the women from the path they have chosen.

Each of these women is a brilliant woman in their own right, and they each have a story which you become easily invested in. They may have fallen on hard times or potentially made some poor choices, but this should not be all they are recognised for, as they each have a story to tell – or someone that they love that they are keen to help ensure that they better themselves for. It draws attention to what someone could do in a time of desperation and how small the ‘underworld’ of Victorian London really was. And, as this side of Victorian society is something that I find absolutely fascinating, this book was a great read, especially as it put women at the centre of the historical narrative, which, as we all know, is where they should be, but many are having to fight to ensure that is where they are. And, it recognises each of them as a real person, and not as an outcast from society.

Mystery also weaves its way through this story as we find out about the mysterious Richard Dunn and his relationship with Angela Burdett-Coutts; why does he stalk her? Alongside the mysterious past of each of the young ladies that we meet and Martha’s efforts to find her sister Emily, this keeps you reading, alongside the love of the characters.

Some may not think this is a pacy read, but I was absolutely hooked as I read it, because I was fascinated by the history and the characters. As well as the writing being beautiful and engaging, which also kept me turning the pages and finding out more about the women of this story.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I am not sure that Kristin Hannah can write a bad book – or if she has I am yet to find it. I decided that it was time I read another Kristin Hannah earlier this month, so I picked up ‘The Great Alone’ as that was the one that was sitting on my Kindle and being a little neglected.

‘The Great Alone’ is another brilliant study of character with another fantastically strong female lead. This is a story set in Alaska as the Allbright family move there for a new start in the 1970s, after inheriting a homestead. We follow the family as they set up their life in this extreme state of America. We follow Leni as she spends her teenage years establishing her life in this unpredictable landscape and dealing with her tumultuous home life. Her father is dealing with the PTSD of having been a POW in Vietnam and has returned as a different man, and one who is not a role model. Her mother loves him, but at what cost and, for Leni, this is a difficult life, but her friendship with Martin helps her through. Until, one day, their lives change forever…

I do not want to give too much of the story away, because this is a book that I think you have to read to really appreciate. But it does what Kristin Hannah does best and makes you really feel for the characters and their experiences. It brings the landscape and the setting in, making it as much a part of the story as the characters that we meet. Having been lucky enough to visit Alaska, I can really understand how that landscape has such a profound effect on those who choose to make their home there. I also always find that you can’t put these books down, as you need to know how the lives of the characters will play out – and you know you might shed some tears along the way.

Really interestingly, this is also semi-autobiographical, and there are some notes in the back of the book about the inspiration for this novel. Which, I think, also brings more to the book once you have finished it, and gives us all a little more to think about.

So, I think it is fair to say that I will be reading more of Kristin Hannah’s books, which I think I have probably said before, and it is such a delight that I have so many of her backlist to catch up on. I am not sure that this replaces ‘The Four Winds‘ in my affections, as that was the first time I discovered the novels of Kristin Hannah, but it is up there. So, I guess I have to bump ‘The Women’ up the tbr pile, as it has been sitting there for quite some time – so, look out for that blog post, hopefully coming soon.

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have had the beautiful hardback edition of ‘The Life Impossible’ on my shelf for a little while. I was lucky enough to order a signed copy from an independent bookshop that I would love to visit – Read, Holmfirth.

This book was beautiful, I love how Matt Haig can often weave the fantastical into a contemporary setting and still keep it as a story that you can ground yourself in an element of reality. This is a story about Grace Winters, a former maths teacher, who shares her story with an ex-pupil who contacts her for advice and maybe a little support. However, the story Grace has to share is probably not the story anyone was expecting, but it is a story of hope, joy, grief, love and life. And it is all set in the rather beautiful-sounding setting of Ibiza. (Which is now much nearer the top of my travel wishlist than it was before – but I think probably the old town rather than the party island).

Grace is left a house in Ibiza by a friend that she has not spoken to in years, but it is a moment that changes the whole course of Grace’s life. It allows Grace to find out more about herself than she could ever have imagined, and allows her to see something in her life which she may never have seen before and may even help her create a brighter future.

I could not put this book down, as I needed to find out what was going to happen. What was so special that Grace was sent to Ibiza? What is it that she is going to find out? And, how may it change how Grace sees the world around her?

I really liked the idea that the story Grace shared was a story that supported someone else who needed some help. It really taught the power of being kind and sharing stories; that, at moments, they can be the most important thing that someone needs. And, sometimes, that kindness and support comes from the most unusual places, but it can make all the difference in the world to someone.

Oh, and, of course, there is the fact that age should never stop you from being able to make the most of life, and make a change. At any time ‘The Life Impossible’ could, in fact, be ‘The Life Possible’ – and we all have to do our best not to lose sight of that, and all the wonderful things we could do that could make all the difference, even for the smallest of moments.

Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I had been waiting quite some time to be able to read ‘Leave No Trace’ by Jo Callaghan, as I was a big fan of ‘In the Blink of an Eye‘, which I read towards the end of last year. I wanted to find out more DCS Kat Franks and her team, and where in Warwickshire the next book would be set.

This was just as engaging as the last book. This time, there is a serial killer who appears to be targeting men in the local area of Nuneaton. DCS Franks and her team are in a race against time to try and bring the killer to justice before they strike again. Working alongside Locke, again, we follow their investigation and we consider the question, who is the better detective – human or AI? And there is quite an interesting moment with DNA, where a machine may not have the reaction that a person would, and does this lead to an important clue being missed? Yet there is another brilliant moment where AI can do something that a human would never be able to do and it does, again, raise questions about the pros and cons of AI.

I did have an idea who did it, but at the same moment as DCS Franks and her team. So, I do not think that is a bad thing as it meant that I had followed the same clues and come to the same conclusions as the experts, so as an armchair detective I will take that. There are, of course, some chilling moments, especially the chapters told from the perspective of the murderer, but this is a police procedural book, so we are following them as they solve the crime. And, fantastically. at the end of the book we are left with a bit of a ‘cliffhanger’ as we see where the next story may take us.

Returning to this book was like rejoining a group of friends and becoming in invested in the next stage of their story. Each one of them has a tale that you are a little invested in and feel you are checking in with them all, making sure that they are all OK, and things are working out with them all. There are also some tense moments that will keep you reading, as you have to know how things are going to turn out.

So, yet again, I am left ready to read the next book, and I can’t wait to see where the next case will take us, and how DCS Franks and her team are doing.

Hold Back the Night by Jessica Moor

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Wow, this book could be my book of the year. ‘Hold Back the Night’ by Jessica Moor was picked as the March read for The Book Taster Book Club and I was really intrigued by the premise of the book, but I was not expecting how blown away I was by the absolutely stunning story.

‘Hold Back the Night’ is about Annie, a nurse in a psychiatric hospital in the late fifties and sixties, a landlady to those who nobody else wants to help during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, and an elderly woman during the Covid epidemic, who is forced to reflect on her life and her actions. Particularly those actions of her time in the psychiatric hospital, especially when a ghost of her past reappears in her life in the 1980s. I do not think I can do this story justice, but what I can say is that this book and the characters that you meet will stay with you for a long time after you have finished the final page.

There is a study of isolation, loneliness and freedom throughout the book. The male patients in the psychiatric hospital have been isolated from society for a number of reasons, but one reason is their sexuality and the fear they experience as they are treated for this. The men who come to stay with Annie are all HIV-positive and have been isolated by the rest of the world because of this, and they live in fear of death. And, finally, Covid isolates Annie, and she experiences the isolation and fear that the men she met in the past must have faced every day – this, as well as the loss of her friend Rita, forces Annie into this reflective mood and brings us the story of her past.

But, it also lets us think about love and what that really means. And why have people not been allowed to love in the way that they want to? Who has the right to have an opinion on love in any form? I think Annie was really rather liberal for the times that she lived in, but, at the start, she has a fear hovering over her that prevents her from making as much of a difference as she could, unlike her friend Rita. She takes the 1980s as her chance to seek redemption for her past, but also, we see that she accepts people for who they really are. And, at the end, we see her celebrate love.

‘To all the ghosts we failed to see’ is the dedication at the start of the book and I hope that this book does remind people of those ghosts, brings them back to our living memory and never lets us forget them. I would encourage everybody to read this book, because it is both a wonderful story and an education – and you will finish the book angry with the past and hopeful for the future. Thank you, Jessica Moor, for bringing this book to us all.