The Gloaming by Kirsty Logan

Book Review

"To stay in the gloaming is to hold off the night. But if the night never comes, then neither can the day."

The Gloaming was released in the UK on 19th April 2018. It is written by Kirsty Logan and published by Harvill Secker.

This is another entry into the growing trend of 'grown-up fairy tales,' like Eowyn Ivey's The Snow Child and Claire Fuller's Swimming Lessons. I like this genre but it can be dangerous, bordering on the cutesy if you're not careful. However, Kirsty Logan manages to walk the line quite well and The Gloaming is an immersive read that's a bit different from anything else out there at the moment.

Resort to Murder by TP Fielden

Book Review

"...she was no stranger to death..."

Resort to Murder (A Miss Dimont Mystery, Book 2) is written by TP Fielden and published by HQ.

I reviewed the first in the Miss Dimont Mystery series a few months back and, while I didn't love it, there were elements I enjoyed and I thought I'd give the next one a chance. However, I'm afraid Resort to Murder has proved that this crime series is not for me.

When the Serpent Bites by Nesly Clerge

Book Review

"Frederick Starks's need gnawed at him like a painful, roving itch."

When The Serpent Bites (The Starks Trilogy Book 1) was written by Nesly Clerge and published by IngramSpark.

When the Serpent Bites has some strong elements and it's a fairly fresh concept, at least in my reading. However, I failed to connect with the main character of Starks, I found a lot of his actions and motivations at first predictable then, once it seems like he's going to see the light, he acts in an unbelievable way. It's clearly set up so that over the trilogy Starks is going to have some major personal insights, but it seems to stall in this first one of the series.

Tangerine by Christine Mangan

Book Review

"And there she was: my past, made corporeal."

Tangerine was released in the UK on 22nd March 2018. It is written by Christine Mangan and published by Little Brown.

A lot of people have compared Tangerine to a Hitchcock film, and it definitely has the slow-burning suspense and underlying threat throughout that Hitckcock was famous for, plus the 1950s setting. However, it lacks something that makes Hitchcock the genius he was. There aren't that many surprises, and the ones that are in there are fairly obvious. But, this is a slow burning, atmospheric book that's an ideal beach or lazy day read, just the right amount of suspense without being too exhausting.

The Craftsman by Sharon Bolton

Book Review

"...to be a woman of Pendle is both a blessing and a curse."

The Craftsman is released in the UK today, 3rd May 2018. It is written by Sharon Bolton and published by Trapeze.

I can tell I enjoyed The Craftsman because when I went back through my Kindle I found that I hadn't made any notes. Usually if I'm going to be reviewing a book I'll make a couple of notes or highlight parts to quote, but I was so into this book that I didn't break to note anything down.

It does mean that I don't have any notes to work from so this review may be a bit of a ramble!

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Book Review

"What happens to a town that doesn't grow? It dies."

Beartown will be released in paperback in the UK on 3rd May 2018. It is written by Fredrik Backman and published by Michael Joseph.

Although I did enjoy Beartown (also called The Scandal in the US), and I think there is some excellent writing and character studies, I didn't rate it as the five star masterpiece that everyone else seems to think it is. It's got a great setting and background but sometimes I felt it didn't really know what it was, it veered between thriller, coming of age and sports fiction, which isn't a problem, but there were elements  I felt didn't gel.

Paper Ghosts by Julia Heaberlin

Book Review

"...there is this terrible, wonderful novel in every human being."

Paper Ghosts will be published in the UK on 19th April 2018. It is written by Julia Heaberlin and published by Michael Joseph.

I was really excited to read Julia Heaberlin's new book as I loved Black-Eyed Susans. Paper Ghosts is both recognisably Heaberlin and also very different. It's not like anything I've ever read, it's a road trip, character exploration and serial killer thriller whirlwind, one which I enjoyed.