Book Synopsis:

Molly Gray wears her Head Maid badge proudly for every shift at the Regency Grand Hotel: plumping pillows, sweeping up secrets, silently restoring rooms to a state of perfection. But the hotel’s reputation is sullied when a guest – a famous mystery writer – drops very dead on the tearoom floor.

As suspicion swirls in the hotel corridors, it’s clear there’s grime lurking beneath the gilt. And Molly knows that she alone holds the key to the mystery. But unlocking it means thinking about the past, about a dusty old house, and everything else she’s tidied away in her memory.

Because Molly knew the dead guest once upon a time – and she knows his secrets too . . .

My Review:

The Mystery Guest was a compelling, absorbing and heartwarming read which I really enjoyed.

Firstly I really loved Molly and enjoyed following her throughout the book. She’s such a sweet person who seems to really care about those closest to her. She calls things as she sees them which made her seem very endearing to me and often made me wish I could just reach into the book and give her a huge hug. We find out more about her childhood in this book and I found it heartbreaking to discover how she was treated when she was younger. It made me glad that she’s found herself a good place in the hotel with friends who get her and seemed to really care for her.

I thought the mystery side of the story was well done and I enjoyed watching everything unfold. The story is told in two timelines one sent in the present day following the murder investigation and the other flashing back to Molly’s childhood. It was very intriguing watching things unfold and watching the two timelines slowly reveal some secrets as the story continues. There were a lot of surprising twists that I wasn’t expecting and I honestly didn’t guess who the murderer was until just before it was revealed which I really loved. I was actually completely convinced it was another person so I thought it was clever that the author kept me guessing. 

Overall I adored this book and really hope this isn’t the last we see of Molly. I felt it was a bit of a slow burn as it took a while for the mystery to get going but I didn’t mind as I was having so much fun hanging out with Molly. I listened to this on audiobook and though the narrator did a great job telling the story, I particularly liked the different voices she was able to do for each characters. I found this book very gripping and I often found myself paused as I listened as I was so absorbed in the story. The ending was brilliant and I closed the book very sad to leave Molly behind. 

Huge thanks to Indie Thinking for my physical copy of this book, as well as Libro and Harper Collins for providing me with ALC of this book. If you like a cosy, absorbing mystery with a lovable thought slightly flawed main character then I highly recommend this book.

About The Author:

Nita Prose is the author of THE MAID, which has sold more than 1 million copies worldwide and was published in over forty countries. A #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller and a Good Morning America Book Club pick, THE MAID won the Ned Kelly Award for International Crime Fiction and was an Edgar Award finalist. Her second novel, THE MYSTERY GUEST, publishes in November 2023 in North America (January 2024 in the UK). Prose lives in Toronto, Canada, in a house that is moderately clean.

Good morning everyone and happy Friday. It’s the weekend finally whoop!

I was lucky enough to receive these fabulous looking books from @gallicbooks this week:

❤️Edith Holler by Edward Carey

💚 Clara Reads Proust by Stéphane Carlier

💙 The Tumbling Girl by Bridget Walsh

💜 The Innocents by Bridget Walsh

I’m a huge fan of Edward Carey and absolutely loved his last book Little so I actually squealed when I received a copy of Edith Holler. It sounds amazing and I love that it has more wonderful illustrations in it.

I’ve heard great things about Bridget Walsh’s books and, as I’m fascinated by the Victorian era, I can’t wait to read these soon. They are set in the Victorian music halls which I haven’t read much about before which is always exciting.

Clara Reads Proust is set in a French village and I always enjoy books set on different countries. I’ve been hearing great things gs from my fellow book friends so I’m very intrigued.

Huge thanks to Gallic for sending me these it’s really appreciated.

Edith Holler by Edward Carey

Edward Carey’s witty and entrancing story of a young woman trapped in a ramshackle English playhouse – and the mysterious figure who threatens its very survival.Norwich, 1901. Edith Holler spends her days among the eccentric denizens of the Holler Theatre, warned by her domineering father that the playhouse will literally tumble down if she should ever leave.

Fascinated by tales of the city she knows only from afar, young Edith decides to write a play of her own about Mawther Meg, a monstrous figure said to have used the blood of countless children to make the local delicacy, Beetle Spread. But when her father suddenly announces his engagement to a peculiar woman named Margaret Unthank, Edith scrambles to protect her father, the theatre, and her play – the one thing that’s truly hers – from the newcomer’s sinister designs. 

Teeming with unforgettable characters and illuminated by Carey’s trademark illustrations, Edith Holler is a surprisingly modern fable of one young woman’s struggle to escape her family’s control and craft her own creative destiny.

Clara Reads Proust by Stéphane Carlier

A tender and witty coming-of-age story about the power of literature to inspire new beginnings, peppered with a cast of quirky characters and a unique heroine.

Clara is a hairdresser at Cindy Coiffure, a sleepy French salon with an identity crisis. Her relationship is fizzling out. Her tanoholic boss Madame Habib worships Jacques Chirac and talks longingly of her days in Paris. The highlight of the week was when the dishy technician came to repair the display cabinet. And now Madame Lévy-Leroyer wants to go blonde. Clara can’t help but wonder if there’s more to life . . . 

Everything changes when a customer leaves behind the first volume of In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. As Clara reads, she discovers a whole new world, leading her to strike up an unexpected friendship. And slowly but surely, she will work out who she wants to be.

The Tumbling Girl by Bridget Walsh

1876, Victorian London. Minnie Ward, a feisty scriptwriter for the Variety Palace Music Hall, is devastated when her best friend is found brutally murdered. She enlists the help of private detective Albert Easterbrook to help her find justice. 

Together they navigate London, from its high-class clubs to its murky underbelly. But as the bodies pile up, they must rely on one another if they’re going to track down the killer – and make it out alive . . .

The first in a sharp, witty series of Victorian mystery novels, The Tumbling Girl is sure to delight fans of Sarah Waters, Elizabeth Macneal, and Miss Scarlet and the Duke.

The Innocents by Bridget Walsh

In the hotly anticipated follow-up to The Tumbling Girl, Minnie and Albert take on a new crime-solving quest in the world of a Victorian music hall.

The Variety Palace Music Hall is in trouble, due in no small part to a gruesome spate of murders that unfolded around it a few months previously. 

Between writing, managing the music hall and trying to dissuade her boss from installing a water tank in the building, Minnie Ward has her hands full. Her complicated relationship with detective Albert Easterbrook doesn’t even bear thinking about. 

But when a new string of murders tears through London, Minnie and Albert are thrown together once more. Strangely, the crimes seem to link back to a tragedy that took place fourteen years ago, leaving 183 children dead. 

And given that the incident touched so many people’s lives, everyone is a suspect . . .

Eek I’m so excited to have received a copy of this fabulous book today. I was such a huge fan of The Maiden so I can’t wait to read The King’s Witches very soon.

Huge thanks to the lovely Chloe from Pan Macmillan and for sending. I’m very excited to read it!

Out 6thJune 2024

Book Synopsis:

The King’s Witches by Kate Foster is a gripping and beautiful historical novel, giving an unforgettable voice to the women at the heart of the real-life witch trials in sixteenth-century Scotland.

Women whisper secrets to each other; it is how we survive.

1589 Princess Anne of Denmark is betrothed to King James VI of Scotland – a royal union designed to forever unite the two countries. But first, she must pass the trial period: one year of marriage in which she must prove herself worthy of being Scotland’s new Queen. If the King and the Scottish royal court in Edinburgh find her wanting, she faces permanent exile to a convent. Determined to fulfil her duties to King and country, Anne resolves to be the perfect royal bride. Until she meets Lord Henry.

By her side is Kirsten Sorenson, her loyal and pious lady’s maid. But whilst tending to Anne’s every need, she has her own secret motives for the royal marriage to be a success . . .

Meanwhile, in North Berwick, a young housemaid by the name of Jura is dreaming of a new life. She practises the healing charms taught to her by her mother, and when she realises she is no longer safe under her master’s roof, she escapes to Edinburgh. But it isn’t long before she finds herself caught up in the witchcraft mania that has gripped not just the capital but the new queen . . .

Will Anne, Kirsten and Jura be able to save each other and, in doing so, save themselves?

About The Author:

Kate Foster has been a national newspaper journalist for over twenty years and is the Health Editor for the Scottish Daily Mail.

She won the Bloody Scotland Pitch Perfect 2020 prize for new writers for her debut novel The Maiden, which she wrote on a Curtis Brown Creative six-month novel writing course. The Maiden was published in April 2023.

She lives near Edinburgh with her two children.

Good morning everyone I was tagged by the lovely @nothing.beats.a.good.book to tell a tale through thriller book tiles.

Here’s what I came up with:

EVERYONE ON THIS TRAIN IS A SUSPECT so I’m going to
LEAVE NO TRACE,
LISTEN FOR THE LIE,
watch EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE
Suppress THE FURY
Until you are in THE INSTITUTION

I’ve tagged a few people on Instagram who might want to take part but, as always, no pressure.

I’m working today which is always fun, especially as there’s some great books being published today. I’m also hoping that some of the book post I’ve been waiting on will arrive today though it’s bound to come when I’m off. I’ve then got a busy evening ferrying kids to different clubs before hopefully getting to read some more of my book. I’m currently reading Maud Horton’s Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook and I’m absolutely loving it so far.

Do you read thrillers? Who’s your favourite thriller writer?

Book Synopsis:

It begins with a troubling encounter on a flight to Venice. She is a Roman aristocrat and art dealer on the search for undervalued paintings and he a mysterious tour guide. She is invited to cosmopolitan parties by Venetian social and art glitterati. Mr. Silvera, a guide whose erudition and distinction are in sharp contrast with his beat-up suitcase and stain-spotted raincoat, drags his shabby tourists from monument to monument. Their passion will last three days, long enough to be exposed to unscrupulous art dealers and other scammers, passing off worthless paintings as part of a famous collection. Silvera seems to know every language and all secrets. But who is he really? Around them, the canals and lagoons of Venice, a city which becomes a character in the novel in its own right.

My Review:

The Lover Of No Fixed Abode is a quirky, entertaining love story that I really enjoyed. 

Firstly I absolutely loved the author’s vivid descriptions of Venice which made me feel like I was actually there experiencing everything alongside the characters. It’s one of the places that is top of my wish list to visit so I loved learning more about the city, the beautiful parts that the tourists might see and the back water places frequented only by the locals that were perhaps a little more run down. It was especially interesting to learn a little more about the underbelly of the art world through the characters and see how art fraud is carried out. It’m even more determined to visit Venice soon.

The characters where very interesting creations that I enjoyed following throughout the book. I liked how the author’s don’t reveal much about the characters at the beginning and instead we learn more about them slowly as the book continues which I though was very interesting. It made the character’s seem much more intriguing and I liked slowly unravelling the mystery surrounding them as the book continues. It was especially interesting to see how they interact in the social occasions they attend together and how others perceive them as a couple. 

I thought the book had a great pace to it and there always seemed to be something intriguing happening to keep me reading. There is lots of humour in the story, along with healthy dose of sarcasm at times which made me laugh and made the story very entertaining at times. The conclusion was quite surprising which I always love. This is the first book by these authors and I’d definitely be interested to read more from them in the future.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me on the blog tour and to the publishers for my copy of this book.

About The Authors:

Carlo Fruttero (1926-2012) (photo) and Franco Lucentini (1920-2002) are legendary authors in Europe, known aspioneers of the modern crime genre. The Lover of No Fixed Abode, their most successful novel, is one of six works of fiction they wrote together. It was published in 1986 in Italian and never before available in English. In 2025 Bitter Lemon will be publishing Runaway Horses, their murder mystery set in Siena during the Palio, the city’s colourful annual horse-race.

Gregory Dowling grew up in Bristol and read English Literature at Christ Church, Oxford. Gregory lives in Venice. He is a celebrated translator from Italian, a novelist (The Four Horsemen and Ascension, both set in Venice) and a local university professor.

Book Synopsis:

It would be the journey of a lifetime . . .

‘Women can be heroes, too’. When twenty-year-old nursing student, Frances “Frankie” McGrath, hears these unexpected words, it is a revelation. Raised on California’s idyllic Coronado Island and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing, being a good girl. But in 1965 the world is changing, and she suddenly imagines a different path for her life. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she impulsively joins the Army Nurses Corps and follows his path.

As green and inexperienced as the young men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war, as well as the unexpected trauma of coming home to a changed America. Frankie will also discover the true value of female friendship and the heartbreak that love can cause.

My Review:

The Women is powerful, absorbing and thought provoking read that will be staying with me for a long time. 

Firstly I must admit to not knowing much about the Vietnam war so I found it fascinating to learn what it was like to serve over there. It must have been a very intense experience with medical staff having to deal with horrific injuries in very difficult situations, often without appropriate equipment. My heart was in my mouth as I watched Frankie and her friends deal with all the casualties often while under attack. It was very interesting to learn that the people posted over there also tried to help the local population by offering medical help that they wouldn’t have otherwise be able to access.

The story follows Frankie both during her experiences in Vietnam and when she returned home to California. I did prefer the scenes set in Vietnam but Frankie’s experience when she returned home were absolutely shocking to read about. I can’t believe that people treated Vietnam veterans that way and that there was almost no support available for them, especially for the women who served. My heart broke for Frankie as I watched her struggling with her reality whilst battling the nightmares from her experiences. It made me so angry to realise this was probably what a lot of Vietnam veterans experienced at the time.

I absolutely loved the friendship that blossoms between Frankie, Ethel and Babs which was so heartwarming to read about. It was so lovely to see them grow gradually closer and see them support each other through the toughest moments they could experience. I really liked that they stay friends and continue to be present for each other in the important moments of there lives. 

Overall, as you can probably tell, I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending it to everyone. The book had a great pace to it and there was always something happening to keep my attention. I read this book over a weekend which is no easy feat with three children but I just couldn’t put it down! I feel this is a book that everyone should read not only because it describes an important moment in history but it also lays bare the experiences of war that can last long after the fighting has finished.

Huge thanks to the lovely Chloe from Pan Macmillan for my copy of this book. 

About The Author:

Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels. Her newest novel, The Women, about the nurses who served in the Vietnam war, will be released on February 6, 2024.

The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore’s bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.

In 2018, The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.

In 2015, The Nightingale became an international blockbuster and was Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People’s Choice award for best fiction in the same year. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week.

The Nightingale is currently in pre-production at Tri Star. Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke.

A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.

http://www.kristinhannah.com

Good morning everyone today one Two For Tuesday I’m featuring two fabulous books by Helen Russell.

I absolutely loved The Year Of Loving Danishly as it was absolutely fascinating learning more about life in a different country. I’m therefore very intrigued to read her new book, How To Raise A Viking, as I’m very intrigued to see how parenting differs in Denmark. I’m wondering if I’ll pick up a few tips on how to change my own parenting.

Huge thanks to @indie_thinking and @4thestatebooks for my copy of How To Raise A Viking.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go?

The Year Of Living Danishly by Helen Russell

Given the opportunity of a new life in rural Jutland, Helen Russell discovered a startling statistic: Denmark, land of long dark winters, cured herring, Lego and pastries, was the happiest place on earth.

Keen to know their secrets, Helen gave herself a year to uncover the formula for Danish happiness.

From childcare, education, food and interior design to SAD and taxes, The Year of Living Danishly records a funny, poignant journey, showing us what the Danes get right, what they get wrong, and how we might all live a little more Danishly ourselves.

In this new edition, six years on Helen reveals how her life and family have changed, and explores how Denmark, too – or. her understanding of it – has shifted. It’s a messy and flawed place, she concludes – but can still be a model for a better way of living.

How To Raise A Viking by Helen Russell

What do Vikings know about raising children? Turns out, quite a lot…

After a decade of living in Denmark and raising a family there, Helen Russell noticed that Nordic children are different. They eat differently. They learn differently. They run, jump and climb out in nature for hours a day, even though the weather is terrible and it’s dark October to March. And then they grow up to be some of the happiest adults on the planet. Her question was: how?

In How to Raise a Viking, Russell takes a deep dive into the parenting culture of Denmark and the other Nordic nations, from parental leave policies to school structure, screen time, and the surprising customs that lead to happy, well-adjusted humans. This fascinating peek behind the cultural curtain allows readers a glimpse of another world, where babies sleep outside in their prams up to -20°C and pre-schoolers wield axes.

Refreshingly funny and unfailingly optimistic about the new generation of humans growing up in the world right now, this is a heart-warming love letter to Russell’s adopted homeland and proof that we could all use a bit more Viking in our lives.

About The Author:

Helen Russell is a British journalist and internationally bestselling author of The Year of Living Danishly, Leap Year, Gone Viking, The Atlas of Happiness and How To Be Sad – the key to a happier life.

Formerly the editor of MarieClaire.co.uk, Helen has worked as a Scandinavia correspondent for the Guardian, as well as writing a longstanding column for the Telegraph. She now lives in Denmark and writes for titles including The Observer, Stylist, Metro, Grazia and The Independent.

Good morning everyone I hope you had a great weekend. I’m back with another reading update for you today.

❤️Last: The Philosophy Of Love by Rebecca Ryan

I’m a huge fan of this author and absolutely loved this book, giving it 5 stars. It was such a fun, relatable and just hilarious read that I was sad to finish as I didn’t want to leave the fabulous characters behind. You can read my full review on my blog.

🧡Now: Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook &
One Love by Matt Cain

I’ve been looking forward to reading these two books so I’m excited to finally read them. I’m a couple of chapters into both and I’m enjoying them so far.

I’m also listening to The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose which I’m absolutely loving so far. The narrator is brilliant and I love the different voices she does for the different characters.

💛Next: The Fury by Alex Michaelides &
The Secrets Of Blythswood Square by Sara Sheridan

I’m then hoping to read two more books that I’m very excited to read. I’ve been a huge fan of both these author’s previous books so I’m very intrigued to read these!

I’ve got a day off today and I’m going to the Spa which I’m very excited about. It was a Christmas present from my mum and husband so I’m looking forward to a relaxing day. I’m going with my mum and I’ve already checked it’s ok for me to bring my book 🤣

What are you currently reading?

Good morning everyone and happy Sunday. I hope you’re having a great weekend so far. Here are some of the fabulous looking books that I’ve added to my tbr pile this week:

💛Token by Beverly Kendall
💙 When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein
❤️Grow Where They Fall by Michael Donkor
🤍 Error Of Judgement by Chris Mullin
💙The In Crowd by Charlotte Vassell
❤️ Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
🤍Listen To The Lie by Amy Tintera
💙The Grand Illusion by Syd Moore
❤️The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden
🤍Three Burials by Anders Lustgarten

Huge thanks to all the publishers for sending these to me, it’s really appreciated.

We had a great time celebrating Burns Night yesterday and teaching the kids a little about their Scottish heritage. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my youngest’s face when Stu started doing the traditional Burns poem. I’m working at the book shop today which is always fun, while the kids are going to cinema, birthday parties and the eldest to the golf range.

Have you read any of these? Any I should bump up my list?

Book Synopsis:

What is love? Is it something spiritual or wholly physical? Can our feelings be explained and quantified? Or are we all actually two halves of a whole?

Ask Alice and Luke and you’d receive vastly different answers.

Despite her world having been recently dismantled by a messy break-up, Alice would tell you that love is the most important – albeit ineffable – human experiences. But when she once again crosses paths with her old school nemesis, Luke, he challenges this. Luke is a scientist and he’s certain love can be measured and explained – just like everything else.

So the two decide to make a bet: they’ll each venture back into dating and if one of them falls in love, Alice wins, if not, then Luke does.

But can anyone win when you’re playing with emotions?

My Review:

The Philosophy Of Love is another heartwarming, hilarious and relatable read from one of my favourite authors.

Firstly I absolutely loved Alice and enjoyed following her throughout the book. She’s such a lovely, relatable character that I found myself warming to her instantly, wanting to keep reading as I cared about what would happen to her next. Her family were wonderful creations and I loved the way they rallied around to support her, making her get out of the house to experience their interests with them. Her aunt Moira in particular was a very colourful character whose many outlandish sayings often had me laughing out loud and made me wish I had an Aunt Moira in my life.

The book is divided into 6 parts each dedicated to a different man that Alice tries to date to win her bet with Luke. Every date is a chance for Alice to find herself and to discover what she doesn’t like about a man. Some of her experiences had me laughing out loud while others had a poignant edge to them as we discover how much past dating experiences have affected Alice. It was great to see Alice slowly rediscover herself and grow in confidence as the book continues.

Overall I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read more from this author in future. There are some surprisingly serious subjects mentioned in this book which took me by surprise but which I think would make this book a great book club read as there would be lots to discuss. I loved watching the different relationships develop and it was fun seeing what would happen with Luke and Alice who I had quickly grown fond of. The ending was brilliant and I closed the book very sad to leave the wonderful characters behind. 

Huge thanks to Sara-Jade for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book. Having really loved this author’s first book I was a tad nervous to read more from her as I didn’t think I could possibly like another book as much but I was wrong as I absolutely loved this one too!

About The Author:

Rebecca Ryan lives in Bradford with her three young children. Although she always loved writing, it hadn’t really occurred to her that she could do it professionally. She recently left her job as a teacher to pursue writing full-time. She enjoys walking in the countryside and takeaways (if that counts as a hobby).