Review: The Bone Keeper by Luca Veste

I can honestly say that I loved every word of this book! I received a copy to read and review via Netgalley. I was so excited to be able to read this early as I’ve been waiting for it for a while. I’ve only discovered Luca Veste earlier in the year and read his first novel so far but I loved that and as this is not part of the series I knew that I could read it without missing anything out.

Keep the lights on.

Remember to breathe.

This thriller will grip you like no other.

He’ll slice your flesh,

Your bones he’ll keep.

The Bone Keeper’s coming,

And he’ll make you weep.

This is based upon Louise Henderson who is all too familiar with the song from her childhood, where the woods are a place to be feared, now a detective she’s having to enter the woods and face her fears.

I couldn’t read this quick enough! I was convinced that I knew exactly what was going on and I was wrong!! This book kept throwing in twists and turns right up until the end....

Definitely a MUST READ

After the Fire by Henning Mankell

I enjoyed this book, the story is based around Fredrik who is a retired doctor living alone on an island. He wakes up to find his house on fire and he's the prime suspect. 

It's a great little story that covers loneliness, and relationships between family and friends, making you think about how much you really know people. I really warmed to Fredrik and the way the book has been written was really well done. 

It's not particularly fast paced but still a good read with other characters brilliantly described throughout. 

Review: Harry's Game by Gerald Seymour

I've just finished this book... and all I can think about is how have I not read this book sooner?? The edition I have is a 40th Anniversary edition and I can honestly say I'd never even heard of it before. 

This book was first published in 1975 and it is still a brilliant read today, the thriller covers the troubles in Northern Ireland and portrays it excellently. It is easy to get into and I found myself unable to put it down wanting to read more. 

It features Harry who is placed in Belfast at the prime minister's request to find the man that shot a local MP in London. It follows the story of Harry and his progress at trying to locate the man, as well the the story of the man who carried out the shooting as well as the politics and difficulties faced by all at that time. 

If you haven't read this book I would really recommend it as it truely is brilliant, as I've already said I'm just disappointed that I haven't read it sooner.

Review: Two Kinds of Truth by Michael Connelly

I was lucky to get an advanced copy of the book via netgalley and I'm glad that I did. Now I know that the Harry Bosch series has been around for a long time and I have read some of them but I haven't read them all, it's been a long time since I read the last one but that didn't make any difference. Sometimes if a book is part of a series and I haven't read the others it can put me off but in this it didn't make any difference that I wasn't up to date. 

I started the book and found myself straight into it alongside Harry who is currently working cold cases, using an old jail cell as his office. He is visited by his former colleagues to inform him of new evidence in a 30 year old case which means that he locked up the wrong man... or did he? Tie both his current cold case, his former case and then add in a live double murder case and it means one thing.... it's a bloody brilliant read! 

Fast paced and the way each of the cases being worked are merged it really is brilliant, I needed to keep reading and find out what was going to happen, I love the way that you get to know and care about what's happening very quickly. It was written very clearly... sometimes in books with multiple cases it can be a bit confusing but this was easy to follow.

I don't want to give away any spoilers but just recommend that if you love a good book... even if you've never heard of Harry Bosch before then give it a read. The official release date is 31st October 2017 so put the date in you diary. 

Review: For Your Own Protection, Paul Pilkington

I have just finished reading an early copy of this book which I received through netgalley. And I can honestly say that I'm glad I did.

I loved how fast paced it was, and I just wanted to carry on reading as I needed to know what happened next. The plot of the story isn't all easy to work out from the very start at the beginning and it builds as the book progresses which I liked about it as it kept me in suspense. 

It tells the story of Matt who is a bank worker that has been taking a year out of work and teaching ex-offenders at a college class, it extends to those closest to him like his ex Beth and son Charlie as well as people that are just work colleagues as well as bringing in people he has never met..... sounds boring but I don't want to give too much away... honestly it is an excellent read. It is written just brilliantly and it all fits together perfectly for the end which still contained a couple of surprises!

The official release date is 28th September so keep your eyes peeled!

Review: Just what kind of mother are you?

The blurb:

No family is perfect.

A husband, three children and a full-time job, so many plates to keep spinning.

No wonder you forgot you were supposed to be looking after your friend's daughter.

But no one has seen her since yesterday. 

And she's not the first to go missing from your small town.

So who's hiding something?

Review:

I found this book to be a real page turner, it's fast paced and I couldn't wait to read more. It was written so well that as each chapter ended I just wanted to continue reading, and I found myself deeply immersed in it within the first few pages.

I instantly liked the main character Lisa and really felt for her. As the story unfolds I found myself willing that things worked out for her, although it is a serious book there are some humorous parts and I did laugh out loud at Lisa in the supermarket. I loved how the author created the characters in a way that you got to know them but not in so much detail that it detracted from the storyline.

The story is well written and I didn't see the ending coming which is always good as I find that I often have it worked out partway through the first few chapters! Definitely worth reading as it's a unique story which you can't even begin to imagine. I can't wait to read the next book by Paula Daly

My New Favourite Podcast

I absolutely love this podcast, I've only recently discovered it and started on episode 38. I'm genuinely disappointed that I've only just found it but will definitely be trying to catch up on the previous episodes.

I discovered Luca Veste earlier on this year when I went to an evening with Luca Veste, Mark Billingham and Christopher Brookmyre at Waterstones in Liverpool. Luca is a naturally funny guy so when I saw the podcast link I thought I'd give it a try.

What a treat, having never heard of Steve Cavanagh (sorry Steve) I was pleased to hear that he's also got a great sense of humour and Steve & Luca bounce off each other despite being separated by the Irish Sea!

The podcast is a great mix of Luca & Steve having general chit chat and lots of laughing, information about upcoming events, new releases for the week, reviews of books from reviewers and interviews with authors as well as giving you the lowdown on the latest book charts. I really wish my journey to work took longer so I could listen to more, as currently it's the only time I have to listen to it! It does however require lots of concentration on my driving as at times I am crying laughing! 

It really is brilliant and well worth a listen, search for it on your podcasting app and trust me you won't be disappointed.

You can follow them on twitter @twocrimewriters

And like them on Facebook here -  you can also buy a Two Crime Writers and a Microphone T-shirt too!!! 

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine - Review

I received a copy of this book as a giveaway from Goodreads, and I'm really pleased that I did. 

It tells the story of Eleanor who is an eccentric but loveable character, she leads a very simple, routine led life that is very lonely and requires a lot of vodka! This changes for the better but in getting to that better place she needs to face the past. I must admit that I very quickly figured out what the background story was.... BUT there was a little twist in the very last chapter that I hadn't seen coming until I was reading it!

It is well written and I quickly found myself engrossed in the story and Eleanor's world and couldn't wait to pick the book up again to read more. I loved the other characters featured in the book especially Raymond who is a true gent and his mother who sounds adorable. It's one of those books where I wish there would be a sequel as I'd love to find out what happens next.... fingers crossed!

Review - Finding Gobi

I work at Tesco (it's not a secret) and had seen the 'Finding Gobi' book on the shelves in store, I considered buying it but a lovely colleague had already got it and said I could read her copy.... I'm so glad that she did....... WOW!

So I after reading the book I must admit that I was slightly concerned.... The book was based upon a true story which had been widespread across the media last year and I genuinely have no recollection of hearing about it... its very unique so I'm sure I'd remember if I had, I'm disappointed that I hadn't heard about it at the time as its most definitely a story that I would have followed.

Finding Gobi is based on a true story of a little dog finding an ultra marathon runner during a race and then the marathon runner finding the dog.

I couldn't put this book down, I had no idea of the background to this book but from partway through the first chapter I knew it was a story that I couldn't wait to find out the ending to and I had to read it over two nights as sadly I had to go to work in between reading and it was all that I thought about for days after, I loved the way it was written and loved that there was so much love between the author and the gorgeous Gobi. It also showed the difference between the cultures and the laws about transporting animals between different countries. 

I don't want to giveaway any more spoilers but must say it's well worth reading even if you did see coverage of the story in the media as it is a brilliantly written book and I'm convinced that it will also make a great film at some point in the near future too.

An evening with Mark Billingham, Luca Veste and Christopher Brookmyre

Earlier in the year I attended an evening with Mark Billingham, Luca Veste and Christopher Brookmyre at Waterstones in Liverpool One.

I'd never been to a book event before so didn't really know what to expect, arriving late after getting lost and driving through the bus station (I'm not a fan of driving in Liverpool), the authors had made a start on their talks. 

I soon settled in and thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment from the three fabulous authors, who are really down to earth, and genuinely funny - it was far from the 'serious' evening I was expecting. We had some great laughs and got an insight into how the authors write their brilliant books. 

The authors kindly did a book signing afterwards so I am now a proud owner of three more signed books - I was a very happy Hayley!!

Wow!!!

Wow!! 

I seriously didn't realise that I had neglected my blog for so long!! 2012 was my last post??? I feel so bad :(

I've done lots of reading over the past few years, read some brilliant books and discovered some great new authors. I have been busy in real life but would really like to get back blogging again about my love of reading. 

I may not have as much time for as many posts as I previously used to do but will definitely make time to keep this updated with some of my favourite reads and anything else book related that I discover on the way!