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Mystery at Maplemead Castle by Kitty French (Chapelwick #2)

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Synopsis: Maplemead Castle is crawling with ghosts, and the new owners need them gone. When Melody Bittersweet and the Girls’ Ghostbusting Agency arrive on scene, they quickly identify the troublemakers swinging from the chandeliers… literally.

A century ago, stunning trapeze artist Britannia Lovell plunged to her death, and has done every night since. But did she really just fall, or was there something more to her demise?

Forced to work with Leo Dark, her scoundrel ex, and infuriating, irresistible reporter Fletcher Gunn, Melody’s investigative powers are under strain (i.e. lost in a pink mist of lust and confusion). She needs her team on top form, but best friend Marina’s cake pipeline goes AWOL, assistant Artie’s distracted by a giant sausage roll, and the pug is scared witless by a lion.

Somewhere, hidden in the castle, is a heart-breaking secret, but what will it take to find it? And is there a chance it could set Britannia free, or is she doomed to repeat her last fateful act forever?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I am absolutely besotted with this trio and would happily read on and on! I read the first instalment and absolutely loved it so was thrilled to be able to move straight onto book 2. Melody sees dead people (literally) and has decided to move away from the family business (both her mother and Gran see dead people too) and has set up her very own ghost busting agency. Now don’t get me wrong I know that this sounds ridiculous and I for one would (previous to the first book) be rolling my eyes. I couldn’t have been more wrong and instead have fallen hook line and sinker for these wonderful characters.

Melody’s agency consist of Marina, the fiery Sicilian, the shy but wonderfully direct Artie as well as Lestat the one eared pug! They find themselves called to Maplemead Castle as it appears to be crawling with ghosts. The new owners call them in and within the first ten minutes at the castle all sorts has happened including the appearance of trapeze artist Britannia Lovell who has been dead for a century and a very funny incident with a dead ringmaster and his lion. It sounds barmy, and it IS barmy but it also an enticingly funny read that will leave the majority laughing out loud.

The addition of Melody’s ex-boyfriend Leo as well as reported Fletcher Gunn (also Melody’s enemy as well as secret desire) makes the story a whole lot more interesting and get Melody and the team into a whole heap of ridiculous and unsavoury situations. I wish we had seen more of Melodys Mum and Gran who are both a rule unto themselves and are exceptional characters who I love.

The one liners, the crazy situations and the skills from this author have created another stonkingly good book. I am totally girl fanning over Kitty French and am absolutely delighted to have read this series, I am just crossing my fingers and hoping the next one is just as good. If you wan’t something different that will cheer you up no end, make you laugh, and keep you utterly entertained from the very first to the very last page, then look no further!

BLOG TOUR: Her Last Breath by Robert Bryndza (Erika Foster #4)

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Synopsis: When the tortured body of a young woman is found in a dumpster, her eyes swollen shut and her clothes soaked with blood, Detective Erika Foster is one of the first at the crime scene. The trouble is, this time, it’s not her case.

While she fights to secure her place on the investigation team, Erika can’t help but get involved and quickly finds a link to the unsolved murder of a woman four months earlier. Dumped in a similar location, both women have identical wounds – a fatal incision to their femoral artery.

Stalking his victims online, the killer is preying on young pretty women using a fake identity. How will Erika catch a murderer who doesn’t seem to exist?

Then another girl is abducted while waiting for a date. Erika and her team must get to her before she becomes another dead victim, and, come face to face with a terrifyingly sadistic individual.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Continue reading “BLOG TOUR: Her Last Breath by Robert Bryndza (Erika Foster #4)”

Blog Tour: A Wedding In Italy by Tilly Tennant

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Synopsis: Kate is living the dream with her gorgeous boyfriend Alessandro in his native city, but the reality is sometimes a little less romantic than she’d hoped. Every day in her new home is a fight against leaking pipes, her cantankerous landlord and her less-than-perfect grasp of the Italian lingo.

All around her there is talk of weddings, but when a secret from her past is thrust out into the open, Kate must fight to prove to Alessandro’s Mamma – and the rest of his formidable family – that she truly is Italian marriage material.

With the women in Alessandro’s life on a mission to break them apart, the cracks begin to show and Kate starts to question if Alessandro really is the man of her dreams. Can love and the city of romance conquer all, or is that just a fairy-tale?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I was SO thrilled there was another Tilly Tennant book out but almost passed out in excitement when I realised this was a follow up to ‘Rome Is Where The Heart Is’. I dived right in and instantly fell in love all over again with the characters. Kate is now living the dream in Rome and her boyfriend Alessandro is there to support her all the way. However, it’s pretty clear that things haven’t quite gone as swimmingly as she had hoped and it isn’t long before you start to see Kate’s normally positive outlook start to diminish.

Kate was hoping that her dressmaking business would have taken off, however somehow she mas managed to get lumbered making dresses for her Landlords wife for less than she is meant to. On top of that she still hasn’t grasped the Italian language enough, she has a hard time trying to please all of the family and to top it all off she now has worries about some of the non family female members that seem to spend a lot of time with Alessandro.

Although things aren’t quite what she thought you cannot help but fall in love with Kate, she is so sunny and upbeat and there is an inate kindness about her. What adds to the story are Alessandro’s family who all have their own ways but undoubtedly make the story line so much richer. Lucetta (Alessandro’s sister) get’s married which means not only does Kate get to experience an Italian family wedding first hand, but she gets to meet Alessandro’s extended family too. We also in this latest story get to meet up with Jamie who was instrumental in book 1 and I was so pleased to see him back, albeit not for long!

This story was SO enjoyable because in true style Tilly takes you into the heart of the Conti family and you almost feel part of the furniture. Kate and Alessandro along with the family make for such a warm and inviting book that I hope we get to see them again as they are SO much fun.

Ashes to Ashes by Paul Finch (Mark Heckenburg #6)

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Synopsis: John Sagan is a forgettable man. You could pass him in the street and not realise he’s there. But then, that’s why he’s so dangerous.

A torturer for hire, Sagan has terrorised – and mutilated – countless victims. And now he’s on the move. DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg must chase the trail, even when it leads him to his hometown of Bradburn – a place he never thought he’d set foot in again.

But Sagan isn’t the only problem. Bradburn is being terrorised by a lone killer who burns his victims to death. And with the victims chosen at random, no-one knows who will be next. Least of all Heck…

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: At last Heck is back, or if you want to be specific Detective Mark Heckenburg is back. I am up to date with this series and was looking forward to this, the sixth in the series. Heck is back in London and it seems he is on the trail of a torturer for hire who goes by the name John Sagan. However, before long Heck has to chase the tail which leads him up North to his home town of Bradburn. The interesting thread here was Heck’s family, or lack of it, should I say! It certainly added another dimension to the story which made me all the more intrigued.

As usual Heck is as insubordinate as he can get away with and constantly goes with his own rules and subsequently irritates all his superiors. Thankfully it’s one of his traits that make him all the more likeable. Once set up in Bradburn, we are introduced to his uncle as well as a former school friend. Slowly the elements of his personal life are revealed giving the reader an insight into how he ended up as a copper in London. With regards to the psychotic Sagan they are chasing, it seems he has become a ghost, however what he does throw into their path are some high ranking members of a couple of Northern Gangs. This in turn leads to the other thread to the story which is where it all began, with a killer whose choice of weapons is a flamethrower who has been nicknamed ‘The Incinerator’.

Be prepared for plenty of graphic, gory and violent scenes all which made me cringe, which in turn made the book that shade darker than usual. This certainly isn’t a book for the faint-hearted, but that sort of stuff never fazes me too much it just puts a slightly different spin on the story for me. The story line itself wasn’t my favourite of this series but the personal elements certainly made it more interesting. As usual Paul Finch skills as an author leave you wanting more and sure enough by the time I had finished I was already wondering when the next book would be out. Another cracking read but not my favourite in the series!

Raw Wounds by Matt Hilton (Grey and Po #3)

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Synopsis: Tess Grey and Nicolas Po Villere return to Louisiana to confront Po’s tormented past. Ex-con Nicolas Po Villere has no love for the mother who abandoned him as a child. Yet when she asks to see him on her deathbed, he returns home to Louisiana with his partner Tess Grey to try to reconcile their troubled past.

But Po is not prepared for the news his mother gives him: that he is not the last of the Villere family line. He has a younger sister, Emilia, whom he’s never met. But Emilia is missing, and Tess and Po must track her down before it s too late. Tess and Po aren’t the only ones looking for Emilia. As they are to discover, Emilia has disappeared for a very good reason and if Po has any chance of finding her alive, he must join forces with his most hated enemy in order to prevent his little sister becoming the next victim of a deranged, cannibalistic killer.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I absolutely love the characters in these books and although the two lead characters are Tess Grey and Nicholas ‘Po’ Villere I have to say that Po is the start of the show. In addition their friend Pinky is an absolute corker of a character and he has to feature in this series on as permanent a basis as the main two characters. I think part of my attraction to these characters is that they are original and reading about them and the way they talk and their background is so refreshing. Po is an ex-con and Tess is an ex-cop and somehow they just make a perfect team. Not only are they a team they are also partners. Thankfully not in that ‘romance gets in the way of a good story’ kinda’ way!

Po receives a phone call from his estranged mother who is on her deathbed but is reluctant to disclose what she needs to see him about. With a bounty on Po’s head if he returns to the area, he of course…returns to the area. Alongside him is Tess and Pinky. What he didn’t account for was the revelation that he has a sister Emilia he has never met before. Unfortunately she also happens to be missing. What ensures is an absolutely brilliant and captivating story line which sees Po Tess and Pinky all fighting against more than one group for the safe retrieval of Emilia.

I was totally and utterly absorbed in the story and it caught me from the very first chapter. Full of villains you love to loathe as well as plenty of action. I have grown to love this series and think this is the best one so far. It reveals a lot more on Po’s history and cements both his and Tess relationship as well as the strong bond he and his friend Pinky have. I think having read this 3rd book I need a friend like Pinky in my life!

There are a number of ‘bad guys’ featuring but the way that Cleary was written literally had me shivering. The last quarter of the book is packed full of action and I read the last part of the book in one sitting. I had read for so long I didn’t realise my room was in complete darkness as I hadn’t moved. An outstanding read and a series that is original and fresh feeling, I absolutely loved it and cannot WAIT for the next book in the series.

THE LITTLE TEASHOP OF LOST AND FOUND BY TRISHA ASHLEY

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Synopsis: Alice Rose is a foundling, discovered on the Yorkshire moors above Haworth as a baby. Adopted but then later rejected again by a horrid step-mother, Alice struggles to find a place where she belongs. Only baking – the scent of cinnamon and citrus and the feel of butter and flour between her fingers – brings a comforting sense of home.

So it seems natural that when she finally decides to return to Haworth, Alice turns to baking again, taking over a run-down little teashop and working to set up an afternoon tea emporium.

Luckily she soon makes friends – including a Grecian god-like neighbour – who help her both set up home and try to solve the mystery of who she is. There are one or two last twists in the dark fairytale of Alice’s life to come . . . but can she find her happily ever after?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: So this was my first Trisha Ashley book and I was really looking forward to getting stuck in, especially with the extremely enticing cover. The book starts and we are introduced to Alice Ross who is a redhead who seemingly flits from one end of the country to another. Just 6 chapters in and we had already covered a nearly 20 year time span. I have to be honest and admit that I was struggling with it a bit and found myself feeling little connection with the character. However, thankfully it seems the author did this to give the reader a really condensed version of Alice’s life in preparation for what comes next. From this point on the story flowed beautifully and by the halfway mark I knew I would complete the rest in just one sitting!

So once we skip past the beginning of Alice’s life we catch up with her as she is grieving for many things in her life. She decides to make an impulse move and buys a run down cafe near Haworth. With just her Beetle and a few items she makes the journey down there with the view to starting afresh and possibly getting some answers about the place in which she was born. Initially I have to be honest and say that I thought this book would be solely focused on Alice and her Teashop (hence the title). However, although the Teashop plays a huge part in the story it’s not actually the main focus and this gave it a much more original feel. Sadly these types of stories are being replicated by many authors and sometimes there is such a thing as too much.

What makes this story so enjoyable was the discovery and subsequent quest to find out about where Alice was born and what the area would tell about where her life started. For me the absolute stars of this story were the very unconventional characters of Tilda and Nell. Two Yorshire ladies who are actually well known for how rude they are. They brought a brilliant sparkle to the story and made it so much more refreshing to read about some characters that brought something new to the table. In addition Alice meets the Gidding’s family who are such a joy to read about as well as other locals who make more fleeting appearances such as Jack the Handyman as well as Alice’s long term friend Lola.

I think that had I given up after those first 6 chapters I would never have discovered such a great author so I am pleased I persevered. The story was a joy to read and although some would peg it firmly in the ‘romance’ category I think there is a lot more to this that just hearts and flowers. Another great author to add to my never ending list of people I need to continue to read.

The Skeletons of Scarborough House by Kitty French (Chapelwick Mysteries #1)

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Synopsis: Welcome to Chapelwick, a leafy English town in the hills of Shropshire, where chocolate fudge cake comes served with a side of murder.

Scarborough House is haunted, and it’s not doing much for Donovan Scarborough’s investment portfolio. No one wants to buy a place with levitating crockery, or (the wrong kind of) rhythmic pounding throughout the night.

Luckily, Melody “I-See-Dead-People” Bittersweet has just launched her own ghostbusting agency with best friend Marina, geeky, keen Arthur, and a one-eared pug called Lestat. They’re quick to take the case, even if it has already sort of (definitely) been given to Leo Dark, Melody’s rakish, despicable ex.

Melody soon discovers the resident phantoms are three brothers, one who was murdered at twenty, while the others lived to old age. But did the family exile the right person, or did the true killer get away with it?

Donovan Scarborough doesn’t care who solves the case. Whoever gets rid of the ghosts gets paid.

Can Melody and her new crew untangle the mystery, and bring the brothers peace, before Leo? Or will his distracting sexiness and Melody’s bonkers family cause the agency to fall at its first hurdle?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

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The Escape by C L Taylor

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Synopsis: When a stranger asks Jo Blackmore for a lift she says yes, then swiftly wishes she hadn’t.

The stranger knows Jo’s name, she knows her husband Max and she’s got a glove belonging to Jo’s two year old daughter Elise.

What begins with a subtle threat swiftly turns into a nightmare as the police, social services and even Jo’s own husband turn against her.

No one believes that Elise is in danger. But Jo knows there’s only one way to keep her child safe – RUN.

Kat’s Rating: 4.5/5

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The Girl Who Came Back by Susan Lewis

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Synopsis: When Jules Bright hears a knock on the door, the last person she expects to find is a detective bringing her the news she’s feared for the last three years.

Amelia Quentin is being released from prison.

Jules’s life is very different now to the one she’d known before Amelia shattered it completely. Knowing the girl is coming back she needs to decide what to do. Friends and family gather round, fearing for Jules’s safety. They know that justice was never served; every one of them wants to make the Quentin girl pay.

The question is, what will Jules do; and which of them – her or Amelia – has the most to fear?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I have been reading Susan Lewis for years and my very first review on Amazon nearly 10 years ago was one of her books. I always enjoy them but every now and then one comes along that I struggle with and sadly this was one of them. In the beginning we see glimpses of Amelia and instantly it becomes apparent she is no ordinary child and if that continues she may well become a very disturbed individual. Jules then becomes the main focus of the story and we see her struggle to come to terms with the news she has just been told. Amelia Quentin will be released from prison following an event that had far reaching consequences for her family.

As the story continues we see both present and past explored but it was done in an easy to read way. There are many elements to this book that maybe wont sit right with some people (subject matter for a start wont be everybody’s cup of tea), however the story flowed well and was easy to get into. However, there were one or two issues within the book I just felt had no added value, as well as the fact that certain elements within the story didn’t seem authentic and to be honest this spoiled things a little for me.

I continued reading and finished the book, and although I enjoyed it there were too many things I didn’t like or had niggles with so felt that the fairest rating would be the middle of the road. I certainly hope her next book is just as enthralling as the numerous others of hers I have read.

From The Shadows by Neil White (Dan Grant Trilogy #1)

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Synopsis: He hides in the shadows, watching, waiting, until the time is right . . .

Mary Kendricks, a smart, pretty, twenty-four-year-old teacher, has been brutally murdered and Robert Carter is accused of killing her.

When defence lawyer, Dan Grant inherits Carter’s case only weeks before the trial starts, everyone expects him just to babysit it, but Dan’s not that kind of lawyer. He’ll follow the evidence – wherever it takes him.

But as Dan and his investigator Jayne Brett look into the case, they discover that there is more to it than meets the eye. In order to do their jobs they need to push the limits of the system, even if it means putting themselves in danger.

Together they will get to the truth – whatever the cost . . .

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have always enjoyed previous Neil White books and it’s always exciting to see a new series so I was looking forward to this latest release. However, if you would have asked me when I was at the 25% mark what I thought I would have given it a 3/5 at a push. Thankfully the book picked up pace and by the end started to tick all the boxes so eventually I ended up rating it a 4/5. Surprisingly though I actually dithered over the rating of this due to a number of things that seemed a little sluggish. The book is definitely a slow starter and to be totally truthful it took me until the halfway mark to actually like one of the main characters Dan who is a defence lawyer working a new case. Jayne Brett who is the other main character was a whole other ball game and she ticked every box as far as characters go.

The story line centres around a new Murder Case that lands on Dan’s lap. Initially, I felt that it took some time to build up the case and for the reader to feel like you are the grip of things. Thankfully once past that sluggish start, everything picks up in pace and it seemed mush more like the usual type of books Neil White writes. Robert Carter is due to stand trial for Murder and Dan having only 2 weeks to prepare for the case decides to do his own sort of investigation yo allow him to get up to speed.

It soon becomes clear that this is not a simple cut and dried case of ‘he did it, put him to trial’. Dan along with Jayne’s help start to uncover a whole bunch of issue which throw the question out as to whether Carter is guilty or not. It made a change to see a lawyer in the driving seat as opposed to a copper. What makes an interesting thread to this story is Jayne and her past. She is one of Dan’s ex clients who murdered somebody and it made her character even more intriguing. After the disappointingly slow start that last part of the book more than made up for it with danger literally knocking at Dan and Jayne’s door. By the time I had finished I realised that I actually wanted to read more and was pleased that White decided to do a new series and one which I think will prove extremely popular.