Book Synopsis:

Best-selling author, Rob Ashman, is back with a serial killer thriller you don’t want to miss.

Alex Jarrod is a war veteran. When a flesh-eating parasite destroys his face, he returns from Afghanistan with a head full of nightmares. His world crumbles around him until he realises there is work to be done. Another war to fight.

DI Rosalind Kray has her hopes pinned on becoming the new DCI after tracking down another serial killer, but those in charge have other ideas.

After a small-time crook is killed in a hit and run and a serial burglar is brutally murdered, Kray suspects a vigilante is at work. But her bosses disregard her theory – until they discover a third victim.

Once again Kray finds herself on the trail of a serial killer but this one is different. This one lives in his own private war zone.

With her bosses on her heels, Kray has her work cut out and the body count is rising.

But he’s not going to stop until the mission is complete … and Kray’s not going to stop until she finds him.

Suspended Retribution is available in ebook now for the bargain price of £1.99, purchase your copy here.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of Rob’s books so was very excited to read Suspended Retribution his latest book.  This book was quite a thought provoking one for me and the first time I’ve actually felt sympathy with one of Rob’s killers.

The story is told from the point of view of Jarrod and DI Kray as she tries to find out who’s responsible for the crimes.  Interspersed within the story are flashbacks of Jarrod’s time in Afghanistan and all that he experienced which makes it easier for the reader to sympathize with him.

Once again the story doesn’t just follow the crime story but also includes some of the personal lives of the detectives involved.  This gives the reader the chance to get to know the characters better and means that they care more about what happens to them in the book.  I was especially involved in DI Keats story as I’ve always liked her and wanted her to do well.  J could almost feel her frustration when her superiors wouldn’t listen to them and wished I was able to stand up for her.

This is a very fast paced, gripping book that is very hard to put down.  The plot unfolds quickly with something new always happenning or being discovered.  Jarrod’s army experience adds a different twist to the story which I found quite fascinating.

I have read all of Rob’s books and am pleased to say that, in my opinion, they just get better and better.  I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from him in future.

Huge thanks to Bloodhound books for my copy of this book and to Sarah Hardy for inviting me onto the blog tour.  If you like fast past, thrillers with an unusual twist then you’ll love this book.

 

About The Author:

Rob is married to Karen with two grown up daughters. He is originally from South Wales and after moving around with work settled in North Lincolnshire where he’s spent the last twenty-two years.
Like all good welsh valley boys Rob worked for the National Coal Board after leaving school at sixteen and went to University at the tender age of twenty-three when the pit closures began to bite. Since then he’s worked in a variety of manufacturing and consulting roles both in the UK and abroad.
It took Rob twenty-four years to write his first book. He only became serious about writing it when his dad got cancer. It was an aggressive illness and Rob gave up work for three months to look after him and his mum. Writing Those That Remain became his coping mechanism. After he wrote the book his family encouraged him to continue, so not being one for half measures, Rob got himself made redundant, went self-employed so he could devote more time to writing and four years later the Mechanic Trilogy is the result.
Rob has published Those That Remain, In Your Name and Pay the Penance with Bloodhound Books and has since written Faceless, This Little Piggy and Suspended Retribution which will also be published by Bloodhound.
When he is not writing, Rob is a frustrated chef with a liking for beer and prosecco, and is known for occasional outbreaks of dancing.

Book Synopsis:

While staying in a Dorset cottage, Hugh Mullion finds a mysterious key down the side of an antique chair. No one can say how long the key has been there or what it opens.
Hugh’s search for answers will unlock the secrets of the troubled life of a talented artist, destined to be hailed a neglected genius fifty years too late. And no secret is darker than that of The Amber Maze, from whose malign influence he never escaped.

The trail takes Hugh from Edwardian Oxfordshire to 1960s Camden Town, where the ghosts of the past are finally laid to rest.

Delicately crafted noir fiction at its best.

The Amber Maze is available in ebook and paperback now.  You can purchase a copy of both here.

My Review:

The Amber Maze is an unusual and intriguing thriller about hidden secrets.

I’ve always liked the idea of finding some historic item and trying to solve the mystery of it, so that side of the book really appealed to me.  The mystery side of the story is quite fast paced with lots of interesting clues found that kept me interested.  The discovery of the key leads Hugh on a fascinating journey into long held family secrets, some of which took me by surprise.  The discovery of new clues sometimes seemed a little convenient but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book at all.

Hugh was a very interesting main character whose determination to find out the mystery behind the key, borders on obsession at times.  I couldn’t quite understand his fascination with the key at times and wondered why he was so interested in it.

The maze part of the story was very interesting and I loved the descriptions of Hugh going through the clues and piecing together the information to solve the mystery.

Thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Christopher Bowden lives in south London. His five previous novels are The Red House, The Blue Book, The Yellow Room, The Green Door and The Purple Shadow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Synopsis:

You need to know who your husband really was…

When Paula Gadd’s husband of almost thirty years dies, just days away from the seventh anniversary of their son, Christopher’s death, her world falls apart. Grieving and bereft, she is stunned when a young woman approaches her at the funeral service, and slips something into her pocket. A note suggesting that Paula’s husband was not all that he seemed…
When the two women eventually meet, a series of revelations challenges everything Paula thought they knew, and it becomes immediately clear that both women’s lives are in very real danger.
Both a dark, twisty slice of domestic noir and taut, explosive psychological thriller, After He Died is also a chilling reminder that the people we trust the most can harbour the deadliest secrets…

After He Dies is available in ebook now and paperback on the 20th September.  You can purchase or pre-order your copy here.

My Review:

After He Dies is a dark, atmospheric book that was just a fantastic read.

The author is very good at creating dark, unsettling stories that play on the readers mind.  I found the story very intriguing as I wondered how on earth Paula hadn’t known about her husband’s other life.  I was soon reading faster and faster as I was drawn into Thomas’s seedy world, wondering how the story would play out.  There were some parts of this world which were a bit unsettling and therefore might not be to everyone’s taste.

Paula was a very interesting character.  She seems very strong and determined sometimes but fragile the next.  I felt quite sorry for her finding out the truth about both her beloved husband and the death of her son but at the same time I was wondering if she was everything that she seemed? Surely she must have known about her husband and what he was up to?  Clara, on the other hand was a very firery, confident character who was absolutely determined to get justice for her brother.  I had to admire her determination but wondered again about her motives and if she was all that she seemed.  The unlikely friendship she forms with Paula shouldn’t have worked but it does and I was glad they had each other.

A special mention is needed for Thomas’s brother Joe who is a fantastic, warm, caring character that I really enjoyed reading about.  The relationship he has with Paula was lovely and led to some of the most heart warming bits of the book.

This isn’t a fast paced book, instead there is an underlying sense of unease and a feeling that something is going to happen.  The tension gradually increases as things become more and more complicated and the truth about Thomas is gradually revealed.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Karen from Orenda Books for my copy of this book.  If you like tension filled, unsettling domestic noir you’ll love this book.

 

About The Author:

Michael Malone is a prize-winning poet and author who was born and brought up in the heart of Burns’ country, in Ayr. He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. His career as a poet has also included a (very) brief stint as the Poet-In-Residence for an adult gift shop. Blood Tears, his bestselling debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize (judge: Alex Gray) from the Scottish Association of Writers. Other published work includes: Carnegie’s Call (a non-fiction work about successful modern-day Scots); A Taste for Malice; The Guillotine Choice; Beyond the Rageand The Bad Samaritan. His psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie, was a number one bestseller on AU/UK ebook charts, and House of Spines soon followed suit. Michael is a regular reviewer for the hugely popular crime fiction website http://www.crimesquad.com. A former Regional Sales Manager (Faber & Faber) he has also worked as an IFA and a bookseller.
Follow Michael on Twitter @michaelJmalone1

Book Synopsis:

An explosive debut thriller about one woman’s search for revenge – and the dangerous chain of events she sets in motion…

‘Hugely engrossing – a dark delight.’ Catherine Ryan Howard

Caroline Atkinson is powerless and angry. She has lost more than most – her marriage, her reputation, even her children. Then one day, she receives an unusual delivery: lost luggage belonging to the very man who is responsible, her estranged husband Jack.

In a leather holdall, Caroline unearths a dark secret, one that finally confirms her worst suspicions. Jack has kept a detailed diary of all his affairs; every name, every meeting, every lie is recorded. He even marks the women out of ten.

Caroline decides it’s time to even the score. She will make this man pay, even if it means risking everything…

Perfect Ten is available to buy now in ebook and in paper on the 4th April 2019.  You can purchase or pre-order your copy here.

My Review:

Ooh I do love a good revenge story! I think it’s because I probably wouldn’t have the nerve to do anything in real life, so it’s great to be able to read about such scenarios instead.

Caroline was a very interesting character whose side I wasn’t sure I was on at times.  Yes I felt for her with all the things her husband had said about her and put her through.  However there were times when Caroline’s wild and erratic behaviour made me wonder if there wasn’t a grain of truth in what Jack said, though it was never enough to make me want to stray onto his side.  Caroline is definitely hell set on getting revenge and I was glued to the pages wondering what she would do next.  There were some moments when I wondered what she was thinking as I thought she’d gone too far but others where I was cheering her on.

The twist at the end was completely unexpected and brilliantly done.  It managed to change what I thought about everything in the book and had me scrambling back through the pages to try to figure out whether I should have realised earlier.

This is the first debut novel and I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from her.  If you like tension filled, gripping revenge stories then you’ll love this book.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Kirsty from Corvus Books for my copy of this book.

 

About The Author:

Jacqueline Ward’s debut psychological thriller, Perfect Ten, will be published by Corvus Atlantic Books in September 2018. Jacqueline writes stories about strong women and their lives and loves, exploring the real life emotions of revenge, obsession, rage, trust, guilt and joy.
She is represented by Judith Murray at Green & Heaton. For more information about Jacqueline and her work go to http://www.jacquelineward.co.uk

Jacqueline is also the author of the DS Jan Pearce crime fiction series Random Acts of Unkindness, Playlist for a Paper Angel and What I Left Behind, and SmartYellowTM, in the pen name of J A Christy.

Book Synopsis:

The heart-breaking and unforgettable new novel from Nikola Scott about two women born decades apart caught up in dark secrets. Perfect for readers of Dinah Jefferies and Kate Morton.

August 1939

At peaceful Summerhill, orphaned Maddy hides from the world and the rumours of war. Then her adored sister Georgina returns from a long trip with a new friend, the handsome Victor. Maddy fears that Victor is not all he seems, but she has no idea just what kind of danger has come into their lives…

Today

Chloe is newly pregnant. This should be a joyful time, but she is fearful for the future, despite her husband’s devotion. When chance takes her to Summerhill, she’s drawn into the mystery of what happened there decades before. And the past reaches out to touch her in ways that could change everything…

The Summer Of Secrets is available in ebook and paperback now.  You can purchase a copy of bothhere.

My Review:

I absolutely loved Nikola’s first book so I’ve been waiting impatiently to read more from her and I was definitely not disappointed.

The author drew me in straight away with the beautiful description of Summerville and an idyllic summer spent there.  I found myself sighing in happiness at the thought of childhood summers spent the same way.  The two sisters were wonderful characters that I warmed to instantly, really enjoying the relationship they have with one another.  The staff at the house are a lovely caring bunch too and I liked how much they care for the sisters.

The present day story line revolves around Chloe and her budding relationship with Maddy.  Chloe wasn’t a character I liked straight away as I didn’t like how she let Alistair push her around like she did.  However as the book goes on and the story develops I grew quite fond of her.  It was lovely to see her come out of her shell and gain confidence.

This is the perfect book to lose yourself in for a few hours.  The story isn’t particularly fast paced but there is always something happening to keep the readers interest.  I soon found myself completely absorbed in the book and the lives of the sisters both past and present.  I found I couldn’t wait for the kids to go to bed so I could read a bit more of the book.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Becky Hunter from Headline for my copy of this book.  If you like dual timeline mysteries that you can get lost in then you’ll love this book.

 

About The Author:

Nikola Scott was born and raised in Germany and studied at university there. Having been obsessed with books from a young age, Nikola moved to New York City after her Master’s degree to begin her first job in book publishing, a career in which she could fully indulge her love of fiction!

She spent ten years working in publishing in New York and then in London, editing other people’s books, before she decided to take the leap into becoming a full-time writer herself.

She now lives in Frankfurt with her husband and two sons.

MY MOTHER’S SHADOW was published in 2017 to wonderful reviews. Her new novel SUMMER OF SECRETS is out now.

Please visit http://www.nikolascott.com for more information, or find Nikola on Instagram @nikolascottauthor, Twitter @nikola_scott and Facebook/NikolaScottAuthor.

Book Synopsis:

Hunter by name – Hunter by nature: DI Hunter Wilson will not rest until his friend’s death is avenged.

DI Hunter Wilson is called to the scene of a murder. He is shocked to find the victim is his friend and colleague, George Reinbold.

Who would want to harm the quiet, old man? Why was a book worth £23,000 delivered to him that morning? Why is the security in George’s home so intense?

Hunter must investigate his friend’s past as well as the present to identify George’s killer.

When a new supply of cocaine from Peru floods HMP Edinburgh and the city, the courier leads Hunter to a criminal gang, but Hunter requires the help of his nemesis, the former Chief Constable, Sir Peter Myerscough, and local gangster, Ian Thomson, to make his case.

Hunter’s perseverance and patience are put to the test time after time in this taut crime thriller.

Hunter’s Revenge is the second in Val Penny’s gripping crime series featuring DI Hunter Wilson.

Hunter’s Revenge is available to buy in ebook and paperback now.  You can purchase your copy of both here.

My Review:

Hunter’s Revenge is a gripping crime novel, from a great new author.  Although this is the second book in the series I felt that it could be read as stand alone as everything you need to know is explained.

Firstly I loved the close knit detective team.  The descriptions of their interactions together were lovely to read about and it was truly lovely to see how much they cared about each other.   They all have their own problems at home to deal with but come together so well to solve the case as a well oiled machine.

I did like the main character Hunter.  He seemed like a very competent detective who was willing to work with anyone, even his enemies, in order to solve the case.  He seemed a bit of a cop with a heart as his obvious emotions at finding out who the victim was were quite touching to read about and I liked how he seemed to respect his colleagues.

This was a tension and drama filled crime book that was a very intriguing read.  There were lots of twists and turns in the story that were quite surprising at times and left me wondering who the murder was, which definetly kept me on my toes.

This is the first book by this author I have read and I will definitely be going back and reading the first book in this series.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour.

About The Author:

Val Penny is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and two cats. She has a Law degree from Edinburgh University and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, lawyer, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer. However she has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballet dancer or owning a candy store. Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories and novels. Her first crime novel, ‘Hunter’s Chase’ set in Edinburgh, Scotland was published by Crooked Cat Books on 02.02.2018. The sequel, ‘Hunter’s Revenge’ will be published on 09.09.2018.

Social Media Links – @valeriepenny
http://www.authorvalpenny.com
http://www.facebook.com/valerie.penny.739

Book Synopsis:

Be careful what you wish for…

Long ago, Andrew made a childhood wish, and kept it in a silver box. When it finally comes true, he wishes he hadn’t…
Long ago, Ben made a promise and he had a dream: to travel to Africa to volunteer at a lion reserve. When he finally makes it, it isn’t for the reasons he imagined…
Ben and Andrew keep meeting in unexpected places, and the intense relationship that develops seems to be guided by fate. Or is it?
What if the very thing that draws them together is tainted by past secrets that threaten everything?
A dark, consuming drama that shifts from Zimbabwe to England, and then back into the past, The Lion Tamer Who Lost is also a devastatingly beautiful love story, with a tragic heart…

The Lion Tamer Who Lost is available in ebook now and in paperback on the 20th September.  You can purchase or pre-order your copy here.

My Review:

Louise Beech is one of my favourite authors and I was so excited to read her latest book, though a little nervous.  Surely she couldn’t write another book as great as Maria In The Moon? Yes, yes she could!

The thing I love most about Louise’s stories is her ability to draw the reader into the story and make them care about the characters.  I really liked Ben and soon started feeling very protective of him, especially when I learnt more about his father and his history.  I wished I was able to stand up for him at times and help guide him through the problems he finds himself faced with.

The setting of Zimbabwe is beautifully described and I felt like I could really imagine it in my mind.  The descriptions of the animals and the beautiful sunrises have left a lasting impression on me and I would definitely like to go visit some day.  I’ve actually been lucky enough to visit a lion sanctuary in South Africa so the scenes describing Ben’s time there brought back some very happy memories and sent me digging through my photos.

The story is told from two points of view.  One thread tells of Ben’s life in the present day fulfilling a life long wish to work at a lion sanctuary.  The reader is aware quite early on that something bad happenned in Ben’s past and that he has come to work at the lion sanctuary in order to escape it.  The other thread goes back through Ben’s past and tells the story of Ben’s relationship with Andrew.  Slowly the story unravels and the reader becomes aware of what happened and  I defy anyone not to be deeply moved.

This is Louise’s fourth book and I can’t wait to read more from her.  If you like beautiful, emotional stories you’ll love this book.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Karen from Orenda Publishers for my copy of the book.

 

About The Author:

Louise Beech knew from being small that she wanted to write, to create, to make magic. She remembers sitting in her father’s cross-legged lap while he tried to show her his guitar’s chords. His music sheets fascinated her – such strange language that translated into music. Her mother taught languages, French and English, so her fluency fired Louise’s passion for words.

Louise’s short stories have won the Glass Woman Prize, the Eric Hoffer Award for Prose, and the Aesthetica Creative Works competition, as well as shortlisting twice for the Bridport Prize and being published in a variety of UK magazines. Her first play, Afloat, was performed at Hull Truck Theatre in 2012. She also wrote a ten-year newspaper column for the Hull Daily Mail about being a parent. Her debut novel, How to be Brave, was a Guardian Readers’ pick for 2015. The Sunday Mirror called Maria in the Moon quirky, darkly comic, original and heartfelt.

When she was fifteen Louise bet her mother ten pounds she’d be published by the time she was thirty. She missed this deadline by two months. Her mother is still waiting for the money.

Link to her website – http://louisebeech.co.uk/

Book Synopsis:

When the body of a young mother is found washed up on the banks of the Mataura River, a small rural community is rocked by her tragic suicide. But all is not what it seems.

Sam Shephard, sole-charge police constable in Mataura, soon discovers the death was no suicide and has to face the realisation that there is a killer in town. To complicate the situation, the murdered woman was the wife of her former lover. When Sam finds herself on the list of suspects and suspended from duty, she must cast aside her personal feelings and take matters into her own hands.
To find the murderer … and clear her name.
A taut, atmospheric and page-turning thriller, Overkillmarks the start of an unputdownable and unforgettable series from one of New Zealand’s finest crime writers.

Overkill is available now in ebook and paperback now.  You can purchase a copy of both here.

My Review:

I recently discovered that I love dark crime thrillers so I was very excited to be given the chance to read a book described as New Zealand noir.

The reader is thrown straight into the story, and the action, with possibly one of the most violent openings I have read.  You could almost feel the poor victims fear as she struggles against her intruder. As a mother myself i could imagine her anxiety about wanting to keep her child safe and my heart waswin mouth as I read.  Iwas immediately intrigued wondering who would want to attack this woman and why.

Sam is a fantastic main character that I absolutely loved.  Despite being suspended she just refuses to give in and continues to investigate the case on her own.  Her strength, loyalty and drive to get justice was great to read about and I found myself really admiring her.  I didn’t however like her boss who seemed to jump to conclusions and want to dismiss herhvery quickly.  I’d have loved to have given him a piece of my mind!

This is a very fast paced book that left me feeling quite breathless at times as I found myself reading faster and faster desperately wanting to find out what would happen.  There are lots of twists and false leads that kept me guessing until the end.  The small town setting was brilliantly described and helped add to the tension in the book as people talk, opinions are voiced and sides chosen.  This leads to quite a claustrophobic atmosphere which is almost palpable and helps add to the tension as no one knows what to believe.

This is unbelievably the author’s debut book and I am very excited to read more from her in the future.  If you like clever, atmospheric crime thrillers then you’ll love this book.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and Karen from Orenda Publishers for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Vanda Symon (born 1969) is a crime writer, TV presenter and radio host from Dunedin, New Zealand, and the chair of the Otago Southland branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors. The Sam Shephard series has hit number one on the New Zealand bestseller list, and also been shortlisted for the Ngaio Marsh Award for best crime novel. She currently lives in Dunedin, with her husband and two sons.

 

Sunderland, 1942

With the war showing no sign of abating, Helen is thriving in her role as shipyard manager. But at home the return of her father brings a shocking discovery that tears her family apart.

Gloria is shouldering the burden of a terrible secret. If the truth comes out there could be dire consequences, and it will take all her resolve to resist the pressure around her.

Meanwhile Rosie is throwing herself into her work, taking on as many shifts as she can. Anything to keep her mind off the fact that she hasn’t heard from her sweetheart in months…

With life in the shipyards tougher than ever, will the strength of their friendship see them through to victory?

Victory For The ShipYard Girls is available now in kindle and paperback.  You can purchase your copy of both here.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of The ShipYard Girls series so I was very excited to read an early copy of Victory For The ShipYard Girls, the fifth book in the series.

This book starts off pretty much where the last one finished, with the reader being thrown straight back into the story.  The style of the book is written as if the reader is actually there watching all the action unfold firsthand.  This made me feel much more involved in the story as if I was one of the girls and I felt like I knew the characters personally so I cared about what happened to them.  I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens.

I loved all of the ShipYard Girls and enjoyed reading their interactions with each other.  The warmth, compassion and support they show each other in these difficult times was heartwarming to read about.  I can only imagine how hard it must have been to have loved ones fighting and not knowing what was happening.  The girls attitude to the hardships they find themselves facing was great to read about too and I was very impressed with the way they just carried on.

There is a lot of action or drama in the book with something always happenning to one or more of the girls which keeps the readers interest and ensures the book is hard to put down.  The fact that the book is set in the second world war adds tension to the story as you get the feeling that anything could happen at any time, and often does.

The story is brilliantly paced and seemed believable with the author never over dramatising events which I really liked.  The additions to the characters story were really well done and I can’t wait for the next story especially as this one ends on a cliffhanger!

Huge thanks to Rachel Kennedy from Arrow Publishing for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour.  If you like historical sagas filled with strong woman and brilliant friendships then you’ll love this book.

About The Author:

Nancy Revell is the Sunday Times bestseller author of The Shipyard Girls series, which is set in the north-east of England during World War Two.
Nancy is the pen name of Amanda Revell Walton, a former journalist who worked for all the national newspapers, providing them with hard-hitting news stories and in-depth features. She also wrote amazing and inspirational true life stories for just about every woman’s magazine in the country.
When she first started writing The Shipyard Girls series, Nancy relocated back to her hometown of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, along with her husband, Paul, and their English Bull Mastiff, Rosie. They now live just a short walk away from the beautiful award-winning beaches of Roker and Seaburn, within a mile of where the books are set.
The Shipyard Girls is particularly close to Nancy’s heart as she comes from a long line of shipbuilders, who were well known in the area.

Book Synopsis:

The year is 1968 and the world is changing forever. During the month of May, students are rioting and workers are striking across the globe, civil rights are being fought and died for, nuclear bombs are being tested, there are major conflicts on every continent, and war is raging in Vietnam. Against this volatile background, three women strive to keep everything together.

Rose must keep her dignity and compassion as a West Indian nurse in East London. Amalia must keep hoping that her son can escape their seedy life in Lisbon. And Mrs Johnson in Washington DC must keep writing to her son in Vietnam. She has no-one else to talk to. Three different women, three different countries, but all striving to survive – a courageous attitude that everybody can relate to.

Although Sleeping Through War is a work of fiction, this somewhat hidden history attempts to humanise a few weeks in time that were so stuffed with monumental events that it’s easy to forget the people involved. The author was a child in 1968 and lived in London and Lisbon during the 1960s. She met women like these and didn’t want their voices to go unheard into the future. Readers of both history and literary fiction will enjoy this emotionally-vivid work that weaves fiction into fact.

Sleeping Through War is available now in ebook and paperback.  You can purchase your copy of both here.

My Review:

Sleeping Through War is a very interesting book showing life in 1968 from three different points of view.  The period of time is brilliantly evoked with descriptions of the blatant racism and ill feelings towards the migrants that came to England to help with job shortages following the war.  It also shows the poverty some of the population lived in and the things they did in order to survive.

It is impossible not to feel for all three characters in the book who are all going through a difficult time.  I can’t imagine what they must have been feeling and going through.  It must be so hard to have a child away at war and have not heard from them for a while.  I can imagine your mind must go into overdrive imaging what must have happened and not being able to do anything.  Rose’s experiences in the nursing home were shocking to read about and must have been hard to deal with on a daily basis.  The restraint she has to use not to answer back and carry on was incredible and I admired her for continuing working.  Finally Amalia’s life in Lisbon and her desperation to escape her life there was heartbreaking to read about.  If I was in her situation I’d be doing everything possible to get my kids out of that situation too.

I did find this book a little hard to get into as it’s quite slow starting but as I got to know the characters and more about their lives I became engrossed in the book as I wanted to find out more about their lives and to find out what happens to them.  The historical events in this book and some of the people mentioned in it are real which was very interesting to read about.  I definetly enjoyed learning more about this time and the great changes that took place in it.

This is the author’s debut novel and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.  If you like great his fiction with some unforgettable characters then you’ll love this book.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour.

 

About The Author:

British-born of Portuguese parents, Jackie Carreira is a writer, musician and co-founder of QuirkHouse Theatre. After travelling the world as a professional musician, she hung up her bass and picked up a pen. She’s been writing ever since and twice been a winner of the Kenneth Branagh Award for New Drama. Jackie has a first-class degree in Creative Writing and was a part-time bookseller for 10 years.