Category: Books

The Lie Maker by Linwood Barclay

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I was kindly gifted a copy of Linwood Barclay’s ‘The Lie Maker’ by HQ Stories.

Wow, there are so many books in the world that, as I was reading this, I thought this was the first time that I had read Linwood Barclay – however, I was mistaken. In fact, five years ago I had read one of his books, and I admit that maybe I should remember all the novels that I have enjoyed, but I think, for me, this actually means this is evidence of a good author, as I do not feel I was reading a book that I had read before, but something completely fresh.

‘The Lie Maker’ was an absolutely fantastic read. In fact, I devoured it in two days; this was a book that the phrase ‘I cannot put it down’ was created for. I shut myself away just so that I could get the book finished.

A friend messaged me to tell me that ‘He [Linwood Barclay] is an absolute master’ – and she was not wrong. This was such a clever idea for a book; our main character is offered a job writing the background stories for people who go into witness protection, but – as you can imagine – this is not going to be a job that is smooth sailing…if it is a job at all. Now, that is as much as I can say for the moment because, as a thriller/crime novel, there will be no spoilers here.

But what I can say is that this book is well crafted and has you guessing from start to finish, I think maybe a couple of the reveals may not come as a total shock, but they are all so cleverly woven into the story that you are not at all disappointed. I definitely did not have the solutions in my head before we got to the end. The characterisation of all the characters was fantastic, too, making the story very believable as a piece of fiction.

I think it is fair to say that I have been reminded that I am a fan of Linwood Barclay, and I will be looking for his books in the bookshops and the libraries. And, as he is an author that counts Stephen King amongst his fans, you know you must be a reading an author who deserves the title of ‘an absolute master’.

One-Armed Jack: Uncovering the real Jack the Ripper by Sarah Bax Horton

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I was kindly gifted a copy of ‘One-Armed Jack: Uncovering the real Jack the Ripper’ by Sarah Bax Horton, by the lovely Tandem Collective UK.

As someone who has a passion for history and loves a good mystery, this was a great book to have the chance to be on a readalong for. We have to all admit that we have probably heard of the crimes of Jack the Ripper, and there have been so many who have tried to work out exactly who this infamous character was (as the name ‘Jack the Ripper’ was penned by the media of the day). And the case has, of course, been hitting the headlines again in recent years as we look at reframing history to remove the sensationalisation of the crimes, while ensuring that the women are remembered for the real people they were, and not just as the victims of this figure. Hallie Rubenhold’s book ‘The Five’ starts this very important conversation, reframing that historical narrative to bring ‘her-story’ and not just ‘his-story’ to the world.

But I digress; let us return to ‘One-Armed Jack’. This book was an absolutely fascinating read, bringing us not just the history of ‘Jack the Ripper’, but also ensuring that the canonical five (just as Rubenhold did) have their story shared too (as well as others who may also have been the victim of Jack the Ripper when you look at the actions of such a serial killer).

I do not want to give spoilers to this true crime book as, realistically, it is still a thrilling read that brings us evidence that allows her to prove why exactly she (and others) believe that Hyam Hyams could well have been the man we know as ‘Jack the Ripper’. I found all this work and evidence incredibly interesting, and I can see exactly why this man may well have been in the frame. And, maybe just the lack of expertise in policing at the time – as we all know that things have to develop and improve – may have been the reason why he was never really discovered in Victorian England.

I find the study of Hyam Hyams as a figure intriguing in this book, and it becomes very thought-provoking when the experiences of his past are used as evidence as to why he may have committed such terrible crimes. Yet he would not have been the only person (sadly) in Victorian London who may have had such an experience. As his life goes on, you see that some of those of experiences would not be to unique to him – so, really, why do some chose one path and others a different one? It is easy to see why people have such a keen interest in true crime and those who commit it – but what this book does so well is to not glamourise it, which we know some media outlets have been accused of previously.

This book is one that I will definitely be encouraging people to read if they have an interest in this piece of history – the social history, as well as the particular story of Jack the Ripper. I think a clear case is made – with evidence – that Hyam Hyams could well have been the man that evaded the authorities for so long. However, it is clear that we will never really know; there is no way that anyone can tell us for certain – so maybe we will always have to have an open mind, and there may well be others who decide to investigate another figure.

But, for now, ‘One-Armed Jack’ is a book you should read if you’re looking for a well-researched and clearly laid out case that could potentially identify ‘Jack the Ripper’.

The Night of the Flood by Zoe Somerville

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I am ashamed to say that ‘The Night of the Flood’ has been on my tbr pile for well over a year. This was a book I picked up after the 2022 ‘Tasting Notes Live’ event where I heard Zoe Somerville speak. I finally picked it up in August from ‘The Unread Shelf Project’ prompt of ‘Immerse’, as I felt this book would be a rather atmospheric read that would transport me back to the Norfolk of the early 1950s.

This book was inspired by the real floods which hit the Norfolk coastline in 1953 – and they become the setting for a fantastic slow-burn thriller. However, the thing that really drew me into this story was the backdrop of the Cold War. It was so interesting that this was a book about civilians (rather than a pure spy story) during the time and how much of an influence this unknown quantity of what was happening actually created such an atmosphere of fear and paranoia. It is always in the background of this story, haunting the characters and making Jack such an enigma of a character (I am still not sure if I warmed to him or not as I read this story). This is, of course, combined with the hangover from the Second World War – the idea that life is precious and can be sadly cut short – emphasised, again, by the tragedy of the floods.

There is also a great study of the taboos of British society at the time. And that some of these taboos, combined with the fear generated by the Cold War, were adding to the anxiety felt by many as they attempted to live their lives – the way they were expected to, even if it was not the way they truly wanted to.

I became truly hooked on this book once I was immersed amongst its pages. I found the characters and their experiences fascinating – against such a historic background. Zoe Somerville creates so much atmosphere with her writing that you can almost imagine being there and really witnessing what is taking place, which made it a perfect choice to the prompt of ‘Immerse’.

I will definitely be looking out for ‘The Marsh House’ and adding that to my tbr pile.

Playing Under the Piano by Hugh Bonneville

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I saw a review on a book-related app which stated that this book was ‘too actory’. I have to admit that this made me giggle, as I am not sure what you would expect from the memoir of a British actor.

However, I did not find anything about this book a negative reading experience. In fact, I agree with the quote on the front from Celia Imrie (another National Treasure) that this book is ‘deliciously witty’. It is, in fact, an absolute joy to read, especially for anyone who has an interest in British theatre, TV and film, and those who have graced each of these areas.

Hugh takes us through his journey to becoming an actor, from his childhood to his life on the stage and his time in some of our nation’s favourites, such as Downton Abbey. He shares stories from his family as well as from his professional experience and, at moments, I found myself crying (rather awkard, as at one moment I was reading this book on the train on the way to work) as he shares the loss of his mother, brother and father. Hugh Bonneville writes with such charm, passion and emotion that this memoir is very difficult to put down.

I am not sure it is possible to fangirl as you read a book, but I loved reading about his encounters with some of my favourite actors such as Dame Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Iain Glen (to name but a few). And, as someone who enjoys seeing as many Royal Shakespeare Company productions as possible, Hugh Bonneville’s time with this company was something that I found particularly interesting.

If you have an interest in British theatre, actors, films (and a little bit of TV), and what really happens behind the scenes, then this is the book for you. It may be ‘actory’, but that is exactly what you need it to be – and it is a gem of a memoir that I will return to read little snippets of, because there are so many delightful anecdotes amongst its pages.

The Retreat by Sarah Pearse

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

The thriller fascination just seems to be carrying on this summer. I was lucky enough to be gifted ‘The Retreat’ as a birthday gift from a fantastic friend, so I picked it up pretty quick.

I had an interesting conversation with someone who suggested that the previous book, ‘The Sanitorium’, was a little far-fetched as a thriller, with some actions from the characters being questionable and probably thrown in to add more to the story. Now, I cannot comment as I have not read that book, but it was a surprise to me as I felt that this was not the case with ‘The Retreat’.

‘The Retreat’ reminded me of the classic crime stories of the locked room. A destination, rather claustrophobic, with a set number of characters, but murders are being committed (or very suspicious accidents). Sometimes, it seems that these crimes should be simple to solve but, of course, they always seem to be the most complex.

This is a very atmospheric novel – and the island is as much a character of this book as the people are. There is also a current and an historic crime that become part of the investigation, which adds another dimension to the story.

There may be a couple of actions by Elin Warner that some may consider questionable, but also I feel that they fit into the personality of the character that has been created. And do any of us know what someone may do in some situations.

I would be interested to read ‘The Sanitorium’, as the concept intrigues me and I wonder if the author’s writing has been honed – but, let us be honest, both books have been a big hit, so as we always say, one of the joys of books is that we all have different opinions and thoughts about them.

Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Since discovering the books of Gillian McAllister at the Tasting Notes Live Event of 2022, I have become a huge fan. So, when there was the chance to hear her speak again with Steve Cavanagh, I jumped at the chance (and, this time, actually took the chance to meet her as I had a book to be signed – I have to confess, I had not read any before the Tasting Notes Live event).

Gillian has brought us another fantastic thriller in ‘Just Another Missing Person’. I could not put this book down. Gillian creates twisty thrillers that really tap into human relationships – especially those of the family. The big question in this novel is ‘how far would you go for your child?’ – and this question is a constant theme throughout the book from start to finish, for every single character that we encounter. And that is a great thing about Gillian’s books; she always asks and tackles questions that thread throughout the story, and allows you to understand some of the actions of the characters, even if you do not agree with them.

The main twist in this book is one that will make you gasp (probably), but I would highly recommend you read the acknowledgements to bring even more to that very twist, and make you appreciate it even more. Although, let’s be honest, all the twists are pretty fantastic.

One joy for me is that I still have some of Gillian McAllister’s backlist to catch up on (and there is one on my shelf), but one sadness for me is that we have to wait until next year for another book.

And a little additional comment, I think Steve Cavanagh and Gillian McAllister being in conversation with each other about their books and their writing processes has been one of the highlights of the summer for me. (It has also added to my book wishlist, as they mentioned titles that they enjoyed, too.)

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Do you read graphic novels? I often wish that I read more of them, as they are such a joy and there is such a range of them out there, it does seem a waste to not pick up more. Although one of my favourite reads was ‘When Stars are Scattered‘, also co-authored by Victoria Jamieson.

A very lovely bookstagram buddy gave me a copy of ‘Roller Girl’ and what an absolute beauty this book is. This is a book that so many should read who sometimes are not sure about their place in the world. (And I cannot promise you won’t want to consider donning your roller skates or roller blades after reading this).

Astrid is twelve years old and is used to doing everything with her best friend Nicole, even enduring her mum’s attempts to educate her and get her interested in culture. However, when she thinks she has found her thing in Roller Derby Camp, she assumes that Nicole will be willing to do exactly the same thing as she always seems to have done. Astrid has to learn to forge her own path and deal with the changing experience of growing up.

This is such a charming and heartwarming read and the illustrations are beautiful. I would love this to be on the shelves of so many young people as they navigate growing up and the path of self-discovery – there is something for everyone, as the story of Astrid and Nicole will be the story of so many.

Victoria Jamieson seems to know how to write stories that will support young people but also educate them in some of those tricky topics of the world. This is a book that I will be recommending, especially to some younger reluctant readers – I think this could be a gateway book to get them to read (along with ‘When Stars are Scattered’, of course).

Kill for Me Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I was lucky enough to hear Steve Cavanagh and Gillian McAllister talk about their latest books at my local Waterstones recently. So, of course, that means I have to start reading them (and pause for a moment on shopping my shelves).

‘Kill for Me Kill for You’ is a standalone novel from the pen of Steve Cavanagh (do not worry, Eddie Flynn is returning), inspired by the novel ‘Strangers on a Train’ (yes, I have ordered a copy of that book too). It is a page-turning thriller full of twists and turns, and quite some suspense. It is a study of what may lead someone to agree to kill another person – and if an agreement means that someone can actually go through the act.

It is always hard to review thrillers, as there are no spoilers here – however, this book is simply brilliant. I could not put it down; I read past my bedtime and chores were definitely left undone as I needed to know what was going to happen next. Especially each time something new was revealed that you may not have been expecting.

It is a very well-constructed narrative, with the clever use of timelines and characters’ narratives building all the thrilling tension.

Steve Cavanagh is a particularly talented thriller writer, and I cannot wait to read more of the Eddie Flynn books.

The Love of my Life by Rosie Walsh

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Honest post, I was not a huge fan of ‘The Man Who Didn’t Call’, which I know is a slightly unpopular opinion. But, as I always say, one of the great things about books is that we all like different things and form opinions that spark great discussions – and that is, of course, why book clubs are such a fantastic thing, too.

‘The Love of my Life’ has been picked as ‘The Book Taster’ book club pick for this month. And, to begin with, I was not sure if I would enjoy it based on the previous book; however, I was hooked from the moment I picked it up. This book was brilliant and very readable. I would consider it a mysterious and dramatic read, rather than a thriller (although some may see it is a domestic thriller) but, however you wish to categorise it, I could not stop reading it.

Emma and Leo appear to have a rather wonderful life; they have had some struggles (Emma’s ill health needs a bit of a TW here) but overall, things are good. Until Leo starts to realise that maybe he does not know as much about his wife Emma as he thinks. However, as Leo starts to jump to conclusions from his investigations, the truth is not quite what he expected.

There are a number of twists and turns along the way that make this story compusively readable. I am so glad that I did not judge this on the previous book, as for me this was so much better – a well-constructed drama from start to finish.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have seen books by Emily Henry all over the place and, as I am trying to shop my shelves, I thought it was probably time that I picked up ‘Beach Read’ as it has been on my shelf for quite some time. If I am honest, I had been put off reading this book, as ‘romance’ is not my usual choice of book. And something that made me laugh and really think as I read this book is the way it discusses the slightly snobby attitude people hold towards romance novels versus the idea of women’s literature – I mean, why are romance novels frowned upon as being a piece of good literature? It is not really a question I can answer (and as I have heard authors say, it is a real skill to write a good romance novel, just as it is to write any novel).

‘Beach Read’ is actually a very clever book – which tackles a number of key issues. Not just the will-they-won’t-they that is established between the main characters. It really looks at family relationships and their impact on individuals, the work that authors have to really go to to write their novels and the impact that secrets and lies can have on people. There is also an interesting investiagtion into cults as part of the storyline, which will make sense if you read the book – but we all know I do not like to reveal spoilers.

I enjoyed reading this book – it was a well-constructed story that was so much more than its cover and possible genre label suggests (I know we do not judge books by their cover – but I also do not read blurbs, I select books on my gut feeling about it). I can see why there are so many who really love the books of Emily Henry as they are great escapism. However, for me, they are not something that I would continue to rush to read again; I mean, let’s be honest, there are so many books and so little time. This does not mean I am saying never, I could well read another but for me, currently, I am glad that I have tried an Emily Henry book, I can understand the love for them, but it is just not my usual genre and not going to become an auto-read for me.