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<metadesc>Book review siteExpert, with books full book reviews from most walks of literary life; fiction, biographynon-fiction, crime, cookery and children's books & self-published books plus author interviews and & top tens.</metadesc><h1 id="mf-title">The Bookbag</h1>Hello from The Bookbag, a site featuring books from all the many walks of literary life - [[:Category:Fiction|fiction]], [[:Category:Biography|biography]], [[:Category:Crime|crime]], [[:Category:Cookery|cookery]] and anything else that takes our fancy. At Bookbag Towers the bookbag sits at the side of the desk. It's the bag we take to the library, the charity shop and the bookshop. Sometimes it holds the latest releases, but at other times there'll be old favourites, books for the children, books for the home. They're sometimes our own books or books from the local library. They're often books sent to us by publishers and we promise to tell you exactly what we think about them. You might not want to read through a full review, so we'll give you a quick review which summarises what we felt about the book and tells you whether or not we think you should buy or borrow it. There are also lots of [[:Category:Interviews|author interviews]], and all sorts of [[:Category:Lists|top tens]] - all of which you can find on our [[features]] page. If you're stuck for something to read, check out the [[Book Recommendations|recommendations]] page.

Reviews by readers from all the many walks of literary life. With author interviews, features and top tens. You'll be sure to find something you'll want to read here. Dig in! Find us on [[File:facebook.gif|link=https://www.facebook.com/TheBookbagCoUk|alt=Facebook]] [https://www.facebook.com/TheBookbagCoUk '''Facebook'''], [[File:twitter.gif|link=http://twitter.com/TheBookbag|alt=Follow us on Twitter]] [http://twitter.com/TheBookbag '''Twitter'''], [[File:instagram_classic_logo.png|link=https://www.instagram.com/thebookbag.co.uk/|alt=Follow us on Instagram]] [https://www.instagram.com/thebookbag.co.uk/ '''Instagram'''] and [[File:LinkedIn.png|link=https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-bookbag-1b12a264/|alt=LinkedIn]] There are currently '''{{PAGESINCATEGORY:Reviews}}''' [[:Category:Reviews|reviews ]] at TheBookbag.

==Reviews of the The Best New Books==

'''Read [[Forthcoming Publications|reviews of books about to be published]].{{Frontpage|class-"wikitable" cellpaddingauthor="15" <!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE--><!-- Lawrence -->Tom Percival|-title=The Wrong Shoes| stylerating="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|5[[image:1444940651.jpg|linkgenre=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1444940651/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] Confident Readers| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"| ===[[RoseWill's life is difficult, Interrupted by Patrice Lawrence]]=== [[image:4starin a multitude of ways.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Teens|Teens]]  Rose and her brother Rudder have recently escaped from cult-like fundamentalist Christian sect, He is bullied because he has 'the Pilgrimswrong shoes', along with their mother. While Mum works endless hours at agency cleaning jobs trying to keep he has the rent paid on their tiny flat, Rose and Rudder are trying to navigate the worldly world. Itwrong shoes because his dad can's not easy when everything is new t work and the rigid rules youdoesn've always lived by are suddenly missing. [[Roset have enough money for even the most basic of things like food, Interrupted by Patrice Lawrence|Full Review]]<!-- Kate Atkinson -->|and his dad can't work because he lost his job at the college, was working a cash-| style="width: 10%; verticalin-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:9780552772464hand job on a building site and had an accident.jpg|link=http://www Throw into that mix the fact that his mum and dad are separated, and Will's life seems bleak in every direction.amazon And yet, he still has a tiny amount of hope. He is good at art, and clings to the moments of joy when he is drawing, that feel like a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.co.uk/dp/0552772461/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | styleisbn="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"1398527122}}{{Frontpage|author=Sylvie Cathrall|title=A Letter to the Luminous Deep|rating=5|genre=[[Started Early, Took My Dog (Jackson Brodie) by Kate Atkinson]]==Science Fiction|summary=There are few greater joys than a book which lives up to a compelling premise. And this is one of them. [[image:5star.jpg|linkisbn=Category:0356522776}}{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:CrimeFrontpage|isbn=0008517061|Crime]]title=Death in a Lonely Place|author=Stig AbellI guess that most of us have made the odd impulse purchase but Tracy Waterhouse, security chief at the Merrion Centre in Leeds|rating=4|genre=Crime|summary= Former Metropolitan Police detective, Jake Johnson, blew most people's ideas of an impulse purchase out of the water one morninghas settled into his rustic life at Little Sky. Seeing There’s perhaps a known prostitute dragging a toddler through little uncertainty about the shopping mall whilst cursing at herfuture of his life with his vet girlfriend, Waterhouse followed the woman Livia and bought the girl for £3000. The difficulty her daughter Diana, as moving in together would mean a lot of a purchase like this is knowing what to do next compromise: does Jake give up his off-grid and Tracy's humdrum relaxing life is replaced to move in with one of stress, fear Livia or does Livia move to Little Sky despite her reservations about whether or not this is the future she wants for herself and an overwhelming love for four-year-old Courtney. [[Started Early, Took My Dog (Jackson Brodie) by Kate Atkinson|Full Review]]her daughter? For the moment they’re enjoying life in the present and putting the future on the back burner.}}<!-- Chloe Daykin -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=1786482126| styletitle="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"The Janus Stone (Dr Ruth Galloway)|author=Elly Griffiths[[image:0571349439.jpg|linkrating=http://www4.amazon.co.uk/dp/0571349439/ref5|genre=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] Crime| stylesummary="verticalBuilders were demolishing an old house in Norwich -align: top; textthe site was going to hold seventy-five 'luxury' apartments -align: left;"|===[[Fire Girl, Forest Boy by Chloe Daykin]]===when they discovered the bones of a child beneath a doorway. [[image:5starThere was no skull.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident Readers]] Maya has to escapeWas this a ritual killing or murder? Inevitably, Dr Ruth Galloway finds herself working with DCI Harry Nelson. She It's on the run in a country she difficult as Ruth knows, but Nelson doesn't know and has no idea who to trust. Raul , that she is escaping too - travelling back to pregnant with his home where child as a terrible tragedy happened, ready to stir up trouble. When their paths collide in the middle result of the jungle, the sparks begin to flyone night they spent together some three months ago. As modern world corruption meets the magic and legends of ancient times Her condition will be obvious before long, can Maya draw on her hidden light not least because Ruth is prone to find the way through to the truth? [[Fire Girl, Forest Boy by Chloe Daykin|Full Review]]sudden bouts of sickness.}}<!-- Angela Marsons -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=0008551324| styletitle="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"The Devil You Know (D S Max Craigie)|author=Neil Lancaster[[image:B07QPKB7N7.jpg|linkrating=http://www4.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QPKB7N7/ref5|genre=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] Crime| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[ChildIt's Play (D I Kim Stone) by Angela Marsons]]=== [[image:4starunusual for anyone from the Hardie family to approach the police. Neither side likes or has any respect for the other.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime|Crime]] ThereBut Davie Hardie is struggling in prison and he's prepared to tell the police where the body of a prologue missing person is buried and we know that we're dealing with someone who is very disturbedwas responsible for her death. The descriptions are horrifyingThis person, he promises, but worst of all is someone big and it will be worth the coldness of the killerpolice doing what he wants. [[Child's Play (D I Kim Stone) by Angela Marsons|Full Review]] <!-- Gregory -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical And what he wants is to be transferred to an open prison to serve the remainder of his sentence and to get an early parole date. Not much to ask, is it? The new Deputy Police Constable doesn't think so and she's even prepared to do the other thing that Hardie demanded -align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1526609169make certain that DS Max Craigie and anyone who works with him is kept well away from what's happening.jpg}}{{Frontpage|linkisbn=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1526609169/ref0008405026|title=A Stranger in the Family (Maeve Kerrigan 11)|author=nosim?tagJane Casey|rating=thebookbag-21]]5|genre=Crime| stylesummary="verticalIt's sixteen years since nine-align: top; textyear-align: left;"| ===[[I Hold Your Heart by Karen Gregory]]=== [[image:4old Rosalie Marshall disappeared from her bed one summer night.5star She was never found and the investigation ground to a halt.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Teens|Teens]]  Gemma has just started Now, her mother, Helena, and her A levels at school. Shefather are dead in their bed. Initially, it looks like a straightforward murder/suicide but there's a keen student and she has a good, close set something about the positioning of friends. Gemma loves country music the bodies that makes DS Maeve Kerrigan and in her spare time she enjoys writing and singing country songsboss DI Josh Derwent suspicious. She's pretty good at What looked as though it toowas going to be an open-and-shut case is now a complex double murder. Home life Kerrigan is busy - Gemmaconvinced that the explanation lies in Rosalie's brother Michael has a chance at a football career and the whole family, propelled by Gemmadisappearance: others (such as Derwent's rather over-invested dadboss, is supporting him with everything they've gotUna Burt) are less convinced. Gemma hasn't had a serious boyfriend yet, so when the handsome Aaron appears and an instant attraction fizzles between them, Gemma is keen to see where romance could lead... [[I Hold Your Heart by Karen Gregory}}{{Frontpage|Full Review]]isbn=0571379877<!-- Davis -->|title=The Kellerby Code|-author=Jonny Sweet| stylerating="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"3.5|[[image:0192749218.jpg|linkgenre=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0192749218/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] Crime| stylesummary="verticalEdward Jevons is a working-align: top; textclass young man, obsessed with his upper-align: left;"|===[[Whatclass friends, Robert and Stanza. Robert's a theatre director. He's That in Dog Years? by Ben Davis also self-obsessed, demanding, handsome and Julia Christians]]=== [[image:4entitled and uses Edward to run errands for him.5star Edward has been in love with Stanza since their university days - and he's drunkenly confided how he feels to Robert.jpg|link=Category Most men in Robert's position would stay away from Stanza or tell Edward that a relationship had begun between them but he's not like most men:{{{rating}Edward is left to stumble upon the two of them kissing in a dark passageway.}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident Readers{{Frontpage|Confident Readers]]author=Jo Callaghan|title=Leave No TraceGeorge and Gizmo have been together ever since George was born. Gizmo has always been |rating=4|genre=Crime|summary=When a fun, adventurous dog and man is found crucified on the top of a loyal friendhill in Nuneaton, but just recentlyDCS Kat Frank finds herself assigned to the case alongside her sidekick, George has noticed that hethe AI detective Lock. It's starting to slow down a littletheir first live case together, having previously been very successful with several cold cases. A visit to the vets leaves George worried that Gizmo might not be around for very much longerBut when there is a second body found crucified a few days later, Kat is suddenly struggling with a potential serial killer and so he begins to write Gizmo a bucket list, very high profile case that draws a lot of all the adventures that they can still have together in Gizmo's last daysunwanted attention to their AI Future Policing project. But are Will they his last days? And who will help George be able to stay calm when Gizmo is gone? [[What's That solve the case in Dog Yearstime, or will Kat find herself taken off the case and, potentially, out of a career? by Ben Davis and Julia Christians|Full Review]]isbn=139851120X}}<!-- Hlad -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=1399613073| styletitle="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"Moral Injuries|author=Christie Watson[[image:1529311446|rating=4.jpg5|linkgenre=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1529311446/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] Thrillers| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[The Long Flight Home by A L Hlad]]=== [[image:4Olivia, Laura and Anjali met on the first day of medical school and their friendship would keep them inseparable for a quarter of a century.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Historical Fiction|Historical Fiction]] September 1940 - as WWII rages on, bombs rain down on Britain, destroying the homes and lives of Olivia is ruthlessly ambitious, which is a people on the edgebonus when you aim to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. In Epping Forest, Susan Shepherd Laura is a perfectionist and her grandfather Bertie live together raising homing pigeons with the birds proving a comfort for Susan following trauma doctor. Anjali is the loss free spirit of her parents. These pigeons are more than just birds to Susan though – in each one, the group and especially in Duchess, she sees a distinct personality and forms becomes a close bondGP. Meanwhile, young pilot Ollie Evans leaves Maine When we first meet them they're at a drug and alcohol-fuelled party and it's going to head to Britain and join the Royal Air Forceend in tragedy. Working with We don't know who suffered the National Pigeon Service, he soon meets Susan and is tasked with airtragedy or the consequences. Twenty-dropping hundreds of homing pigeons into German-occupied France, where many five years later there will not survive. As the mission is planned, the bond between Ollie and Susan grows stronger, but when Ollie's plane is downed behind enemy lines, it may be Duchess who provides an unexpected lifeline and ensures eerily similar event that hope of a reunion for Susan and Ollie remains… [[The Long Flight Home by A L Hlad|Full Review]]will impact the three friends. This time, it's their teenage children who are involved.}}<!-- Peter Wohlleben -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=0241636604| styletitle=''widthThe Trading Game: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;''A Confession|author=Gary Stevenson[[image:1846045576|rating=4.jpg5|linkgenre=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1846045576/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | styleAutobiography|summary=If you were to bring up an image of a city banker in your mind, you''vertical-align: top; textre unlikely to think of someone like Gary Stevenson. A hoodie and jeans replaces the pin-align: left;''|===[[Walks In The Wild by Peter Wohlleben stripe suit and Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp (Translator)]]=== [[image:4starhis background is the East End, where he was familiar with violence, poverty and injustice.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Animals and Wildlife|Animals and Wildlife]], [[:Category:Politics and Society|Politics and Society]] ''An instruction manual for There was no posh public school on his CV - but he had been to the forest'' London School of Economics. Stevenson is how Wohlleben's publisher described the idea for this book, bright - extremely bright - and he has a facility with numbers which most of us can only envy. He also realised that's basically what it is – although right at the end the author says that it is not intended most rich people expect poor people to be stupid. It was his ability at what was, essentially, a reference book, but card game which got him an appetiserinternship with Citibank. Eventually, this turned into permanent employment as a trader. [[Walks In The Wild by Peter Wohlleben and Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp (Translator)|Full Review]]}}<!-- M T Edvardsson and Rachel Wilson-Boyles -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=1035021803| styletitle="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder|[[image:1529008123.jpgauthor=C L Miller|linkrating=http://www.amazon.co3.uk/dp/1529008123/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] 5| stylegenre="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"Crime|summary===[[A Nearly Normal Family by M T Edvardsson and Rachel Wilson-Boyles (translator)]]=== [[image:4It's twenty years since Freya Lockwood has been back to the English country village where she grew up. She's back now because of a request for help from her beloved aunt, Carole.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime|Crime]] Freya's former mentor and Carole's close friend, Arthur Crockleford, is dead and the circumstances seem suspicious, [[:Category:Thrillers|Thrillers]] We're going to hear this story through say the least. Arthur was the reason why Freya had not been back to the viewpoints of three different peoplevillage: Adam SandellArthur, his wifeshe feels, Ulrika and his daughter Stellalet her down badly. Adam's a pastor Even though they were in business together as antique hunters, she has not felt able to be near the Church of Sweden and Ulrika is a lawyerman or pursue the profession she loved. Stella is After the split, wellshe worked in a cafe, just difficult. You sense that she's always been difficult met and there have even been occasions when Ulrika has let slip that she wishes that Stella was more like married James (on the rebound from the love of her best friendlife, Amina Bešic - who was murdered) and Freya and no one has ever said that if they donJames have now divorced.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=AllTomorrowsFutureCover|title=All Tomorrow't think s Futures: Fictions that the other person is better. We first meet the family on Stella's 18th birthday Disrupt|author=Benjamin Greenaway and we get a sense of Adam's controlling nature. Permission has to be given for a glass of wine for Stella at the celebration meal. [[A Nearly Normal Family by M T Edvardsson and Rachel Wilson-Boyles (translatorStephen Oram (Editors)|Full Review]]rating=5|genre=Science Fiction<!-- Green -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:0192771566|summary=''Opening up new ways of thinking about the shape of things to come.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0192771566/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[The House of Light by Julia Green]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident Readers|Confident Readers]] Bonnie is growing up on a slightly strange island, living with her grandfather, scavenging for food, and rubbish that has washed up on the beach that she and her grandfather can use to make things. There is some sort of ban against anyone else landing on the island, and lots of suspicion around those who live there, including a great fear of anyone who gets sick. But when Bonnie is on the beach one day and discovers not only an intact boat, but a young boy cowering beneath, rather than turn him in to the authorities she takes him home and hides him, smuggling him boiled eggs and blankets in the shed whilst she tries to figure out what to do. [[The House of Light by Julia Green|Full Review]] <!-- Foster -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1471172236.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1471172236/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Check Mates by Stewart Foster]]=== [[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident Readers|Confident Readers]], [[:Category:Teens|Teens]] In many ways Felix is a typical boy in Year 7, enjoying playing games on his PS4 and hanging out with his friend Jake at the weekend. However Felix is struggling at school. He is not a problem child but he does have a problem. His ADHD makes it hard for him to concentrate, he keeps getting into trouble and his grades are slipping. When his Mum suggests that he spends more time with his grandfather Felix is horrified. Ever since Grandma died his Granddad has been grumpy and more eccentric than before. All he wants to do is sit in the dark and play chess. Felix knows that this will be extremely boring. But sometimes we learn valuable lessons where we least expect to and perhaps Granddad and Felix can help each other. [[Check Mates by Stewart Foster|Full Review]] <!-- Jane O'Connor -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:B07GLCDXZL.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GLCDXZL/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Needlemouse by Jane O'Connor]]=== [[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:General Fiction|General Fiction]], [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]] We first meet Sylvia Penton on her birthday and her boss, the Prof, is taking her out to lunch. This is her favourite day of the year, not because it's her birthday but because of the special time she gets to spend with the man she loves. He's told her that he and his wife are going to divorce - Martha is apparently having an affair - and Sylvia is convinced that the Prof will then declare his love and they can be together. She hasn't fully constructed 'together' in her own mind - she envisages it as romantic, but her imagination hasn't yet progressed to the sexual part of the relationship. There's time though - she's only been the prof's PA for fifteen years. [[Needlemouse by Jane O'Connor|Full Review]]<!-- Various-->|-| style=''width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;''|[[image:1529006031.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1529006031/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style=''vertical-align: top; text-align: left;''|===[[Return to Wonderland by Various Authors]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident Readers|Confident Readers]], [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] In following a young girl called Alice down the rabbit hole a few years ago, when the first book she was in [[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (150th Anniversary Edition) by Lewis Carroll and Anthony Browne|hit 150 years of age]], I found that I didn't really find too much favour with it. The wacky-for-the-sake-of-it did not gel, and I don't remember loving it more as a child. But I would suggest I am the perfect audience for this book. I had every chance to enjoy these short stories that come at the core from a tangent, that show the benefits of the oblique glance. I've always preferred coming to an author's output through their least obvious, allegedly throw-away pieces, and it's the same with franchises – I'd more likely go for Bree Tanner's short novella than the whole Twilight saga (although that remains just a hunch, for obvious reasons). For another thing, there was every reason to expect some kind of greatness here – with Carroll much loved by millions, surely pieces written with that love in mind could only provide for success after success? [[Return to Wonderland by Various Authors|Full Review]] <!-- Elphinstone -->|-| style=''width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;''|[[image:1471173666.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1471173666/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style=''vertical-align: top; text-align: left;''|===[[Rumblestar (The Unmapped Chronicles) by Abi Elphinstone]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident Readers|Confident Readers]] Rumblestar follows the haphazard adventures of the anxious 11-year-old Casper Tock who timetables his every movement, makes countless to do lists and is hounded by wealthy bullies with the absurdly humorous and appropriate names of Candida Cashmere Jumps and Leopold Splattercash. He stumbles across a magic portal by accident just like Lucy of Narnia fame, meets a feisty girl troubled by her past and is plunged into a perilous quest. In a kingdom where the dark mythological forces of Midnights threaten the weather Marvels (equated here to the miracle of nature) conjured by magical creatures, only unlikely heroes can battle against evil. [[Rumblestar (The Unmapped Chronicles]) by Abi Elphinstone|Full Review]] <!-- Filby -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1999683587.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1999683587/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"| ===[[The Evil Occupants of Easingdale Castle by Ray Filby]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Teens|Teens]] Jason likes chess. He's pretty good at it too - a level eight on his computer programme, with level ten being Grand Master level. He's also good at systems, having contributed to the relational database that has streamlined his school's administration. Jason's school, Easingdale Comprehensive, is very big on technology and its head, Mr Johnston, is keen to involve his pupils wherever they show promise. So Jason's friends have also helped out. Liz is great with hardware and helped with the school's card reader system. Becky has a flair for software and has recommended lots of curriculum-enhancing apps. And Bill is a talented programmer... [[The Evil Occupants of Easingdale Castle by Ray Filby|Full Review]]  <!-- Caz Frear -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:0062849883.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0062849883/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Stone Cold Heart by Caz Frear]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime|Crime]] DC Cat Kinsella is back at the Met after a secondment to the London Mayor's Office: the hours were good but the job was boring. She's grateful to be back with the old team - her partner DS Luigi Parnell, boss DCI Kate Steele and DC Rénee Akwa. She's still not prepared to say anything about the identity of her boyfriend: the knowledge that she's in a relationship with Aiden Doyle, the brother of a murder victim and moreover a murder with which her father might have had some involvement could finish her career. Kinsella and Parnell are called to the discovery of the body of a young woman: Naomi Lockhart was Australian, just twenty-two years old and her body was discovered by her flat mate, Kieran Drake, an ex-offender. [[Stone Cold Heart by Caz Frear|Full Review]] <!-- Koomson -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1472260376.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1472260376/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Tell Me Your Secret by Dorothy Koomson]]=== [[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Thrillers|Thrillers]] Despite Dorothy Koomson regularly being suggested as an author I might like, ie people who like this author also like Dorothy Koomson, I have never read her before. Having done so I can totally see why she's the bestselling author of fifteen books. [[Tell Me Your Secret by Dorothy Koomson|Full Review]] <!-- Jo Spain -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1787474372.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1787474372/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[The Boy Who Fell (Inspector Tom Reynolds) by Jo Spain]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime|Crime]] There were six friends: four men and two women. They're all about eighteen and they've known each other since they started school. Both girls - Hazel Brophy and Charlotte Burke - have been in relationships with one of the boys, but Charlotte was determined that it would not be sexual. Hazel's views were so dramatically opposite that you wondered how they could be friends. They were all partying in a derelict house when Luke Connelly was pushed to his death from a third floor window and Daniel Konaté Jones was charged with rape and murder. Daniel was loosely associated with the group but never felt himself one of them. He didn't come from a wealthy background, is of mixed race and openly gay. Targets don't come much easier than that, except for one thing. [[The Boy Who Fell (Inspector Tom Reynolds) by Jo Spain|Full Review]]<!-- Webb -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1916459900.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1916459900/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"| ===[[Disbelieved: Skin and Bone CSIs by Beth Webb]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Teens|Teens]]  Anelise - Annie - has been living with her cousin Joe and her aunt, an eminent forensic scientist, since her mum died and her naturalist father went abroad on a research trip. So she does wonder sometimes whether the minor premonitions she has - who's on the other end of the ringing phone, or at the door when there's a knock - are in her imagination. But to foresee a serious accident and then for it to actually happen? And the dreadful headaches. Something's going on. Luckily for Annie, Joe is convinced and also willing to help. So they start to investigate the accident... [[Disbelieved: Skin and Bone CSIs by Beth Webb|Full Review]] <!-- Mick Herron -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:147365744X.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/147365744X/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]''

I've heard it said that 'technology' is what happens after you're eighteen. Well, I must confess that there have been more than a few decades of technology in my lifetime. I've kept up reasonably well with what's advantageous to me but I'm left with the feeling that it's all getting away from me. Some of it is - frankly - quite frightening. Of course, I could research the possibilities and the probabilities and end up down rabbit holes without really understanding whether I'm reading someone who knows what they're talking about or the latest conspiracy theorist. I needed people I knew I could trust and who could deliver information in a way I could understand.}}{{Frontpage|author=Sunny Singh|title=Hotel Arcadia|rating=3.5| stylegenre="verticalThrillers |summary=The Hotel Arcadia is a luxury hotel in an unnamed city that has suddenly been violently taken over by a terrorist group. Hiding from the terrorists who are rampaging through, killing everyone on site, there is Sam, a wartime photographer and Abhi, the hotel manager. As Abhi continues to try to care remotely for the residents who are still alive in the hotel, he forms a bond with Sam who refuses to be cowed by events, and keeps on venturing out of her room to try to capture what's happened through her photography. Although they only ever talk over the phone, their friendship grows as Abhi tries to help her keep safe and they both wait to see if they will be rescued before they are discovered by the terrorists.|isbn=086154742X}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1529153298|title=The List of Suspicious Things|author=Jennie Godfrey|rating=5|genre=General Fiction|summary=It's 1979 and Margaret Thatcher is Prime Minister. (A woman? I mean, honestly...) She's not what's worrying Miv's family, though. Women have been disappearing. Well, they've been murdered, but to have 'disappeared' doesn't sound quite so frightening. Miv's upset because she's overheard that her father wants to move the family 'Down South'. When you're from Yorkshire, Down South is a frightening, foreign place, best avoided. For Miv, the move would mean leaving her best friend, Sharon, and she'll do anything to prevent that. She's not worried about the dangers or that her Mum's stopped talking -align: top; textto anyone.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1398524085|title=Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?|author=Nicci French|rating=5|genre=Crime|summary=Charlotte Salter was expected at her husband's fiftieth birthday party but never turned up. Her children, sons Niall, Paul and Ollie and her daughter, Etty. are all worried but - strangely -align: left;"her husband, Alec, is not. Shortly afterwards, Etty and Greg, find the body of Greg's father, Duncan Ackerley, in the river. It was an easy assumption for the police to make that Duncan had murdered Charlie and then committed suicide when he couldn't stand the guilt. The Salter children are not convinced but there's little else they can do but get on with their lives and wonder about what really happened.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1035906708|title=Diva|author=Daisy Goodwin|rating=4.5|genre=General Fiction|summary=[[Joe Country (Jackson Lamb 6) We tend to think of Maria Callas as Greek, but she was born to Greek parents in Manhattan, New York, in December 1923 and only moved to Athens when she was thirteen. Her original surname was Kalogeropoulos but her father changed it to 'Callas' to make it more manageable in the States. When she was back in Athens - supposedly so that she could get appropriate training for her voice - she was raised under the Nazi occupation by Mick Herron]]a mother who mercilessly exploited her and made no secret of her preference for her elder sister, Jackie.}}{{Frontpage|author=Christopher Edge|title=Black Hole Cinema Club|rating=4|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Lucas and his friends are all booked in for a movie marathon at their local cinema, a place that has the nickname of 'The Black Hole'. All big movie fans, they're looking forward to lots of exciting films, and many, many snacks! However, as the movie starts, they very quickly realise that something about this new film format is very different, and they are swept up into an adventure they couldn't even imagine. But as they lurch from one film genre to the next, can they figure out what on earth is going on? Will they ever get back to the cinema, and to their real lives?|isbn=1839942738}}{{Frontpage|author=Rachel Greenlaw|title=Compass and Blade|rating=3.5|genre=Teens|summary=''I can hear the song of the sea. The call of the deep, the answering beat in my heart.''

[[image:5starRosevear, a remote and partially forgotten island, survives on luring ships into the rocks and plundering the wrecks.jpgMira, like her mother before her, is one of the seven who swim out to survey the ruins – rescuing any survivors and any treasure that lies within. But when the Council Watch lays a trap to end the wrecking, they capture the island's leader and Mira's father. Desperate to save him from death, Mira makes a bargain with a wreck survivor who is as charming as he is secretive and with only coordinates to guide her, she sets off in search of a family secret that lies buried deep in the sea. With only nine days to unearth what might save her father, as her journey takes her from the watched streets of foreign islands to the heart of the smuggler's territory, Mira must be determined to stop at nothing to save the future of her home and the ones she holds most dear.|linkisbn=Category:0008664730}}{{Frontpage|author=James Sherwood Metts|title=Planet Storyland|rating=4.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary= Things have been a bit sticky for the Earthlings. AI and automation have been proceeding apace, often replacing jobs they're paid to do and other tasks that took time to accomplish. Just as they were beginning to get used to all this technological change and starting to think of other, new ways to spend time, along came an awful pandemic. Life was pretty much shut down and, along with it, all the many daily social interactions on which they depend so heavily.|isbn=1736128426}}{{Frontpage|author=Matthew Tree|title=We'll Never Know|rating=4.5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary= Timothy Wyndham wants nothing more than to be different from his father, a drunk and chronic underachiever whose dreams of being exceptional at any of his artistic passions all failed miserably and who had endless crises of self confidence. So Tim applied himself to his studies, cultivated his abilities rather than his daydreams and set himself high but achievable ambitions.|isbn= B0CVFXPGP8}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Thrillers{{Frontpage|author=A G Slatter|title=The Briar Book of the Dead|rating=5|genre=Fantasy|Thrillers]]summary='' There's a part of me that wants to keep this just to myself for however long I can. This secret magic of my own, all mine, at last. I just want to enjoy it for a while.''

IWithin a remote mountain pass, far away from the world, lies Silverton; a town under the protection of the Briar's, a family of witches who protect the town and the wider world from the Darklands. Though she has always wished for magic, Ellie Briar is the first non-witch to be born into her family for generations and as such since she was young, her training as a steward revolved around letters and administration rather than spells and potions. When her grandmother suddenly dies, Ellie's cousin Audra becomes the Briar Witch, the town's leader, and Ellie takes her place beside her. As challenges come her way left, right and centre, Ellie uncovers the rare ability to communicate with the dead, putting her at the heart of a maelstrom of chaos. Reeling from one family secret to another, Ellie must decide who to trust and determine what to do as the Briar witches' legacy, everything they have sacrificed to survive, is under threat.|isbn=1803364548}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1529900360|title=The Ghost Orchid|author=Jonathan Kellerman|rating=4|genre=Crime|summary=It hadn't been Lt Milo Sturgis'd like s fault that Alex Delaware had been badly injured but he felt responsible and even after Alex recovered, Sturgis was reluctant to say ask for his help on difficult cases. His assertions that there were only open-and-shut cases which didn't need the help of a psychologist only worked for a while. Finally, it was Robin, Delaware's partner, who nudged Milo into asking for help again. She knew that the involvement was something that all the old crew are man she loved needed. The next case did look simple, though. Two lovers were murdered in Slough House but the rate swimming pool of natural (or unnatural) wastage a remote property in Bel Air. He was the heir to an Italian shoe empire and she is such as married to have Health an extremely rich man and it's not the Italian. But which of them was the primary target?}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1529395224|title=Letting the Cat Out of the Bag: The Secret Life of a Vet|author=Sion Rowlands|rating=3.5|genre=Animals and Safety worriedWildlife|summary=Siôn Rowlands fell into veterinary science accidentally. Roderick HoHis father was a GP and Rowlands didn't want to follow in his footsteps, particularly when he considered the strain that being on-call put on his father's there thoughlife. When he was seventeen he took the opportunity of doing work experience with a family friend who was a vet and was convinced this was the job for him. Before long, narcissistic he was at Liverpool University. It hadn't - as everwith so many students - been his dream since he was a child. If anything, and sohe'd wanted to be a professional footballer.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=0861541774|title=A Nye of Pheasants|author=Steve Burrows|rating=4|genre=Crime|summary=DCI Domenic Jejeune's Louisa close friend and former colleague, Danny Maik, has taken a short holiday in Singapore to meet up with an old ally, GuyTrueman. SheMaik was involved in a street brawl - he would later maintain that he was facing a man armed with a knife - and he killed a Ghurka. Initially, he faced a charge of manslaughter but evidence came to light that suggested that he might have planned to murder the man. Now he could be facing the death penalty. Domenic Jejeune can do nothing to help as any interference from another police force could provoke a diplomatic incident and wouldn's getting over t help Danny at all.}}{{Frontpage|author=Alexander McCall Smith|title=The Perfect Passion Company|rating=4.5|genre=General Fiction|summary=The Perfect Passion Company is a dating agency in Edinburgh, run by Ness and operating as an alternative to all the online apps in providing a more personal, tailored service. Ness has asked her younger cousin Katie if she could come and look after the death business, as Ness is planning to take a trip to Canada to get away for a while. Katie is coming out of Min Harper a break up with a bad boyfriend, and so jumps at the chance to come home to Edinburgh. And so begins this new story from Alexander McCall Smith, bringing us to an Edinburgh we already love, thanks to 44 Scotland Street and the extent that sheIsabel Dalhousie novels, but with some new characters who quickly begin to charm. Katie has no experience in running a business, or in match-making, but Ness has full confidence in her abilities, and there's always her very helpful (and rather handsome) neighbour, William, to lend a hand…|isbn=1846976596}}{{Frontpage|isbn=0811771741|title=InstaKnits for Baby|author=Melissa Leapman|rating=4|genre=Crafts|summary=Melissa Leapman's not ''tooInstaKnits for Baby'' concerned when she gets gives us a phone call collection of knits from Clare Harpertoys to blankets. Some will be quick knits - others are of the 'long, cosy afternoons in front of the fire' variety. The projects are divided by the time they'll take to complete - less than five hours, five to ten hours, ten to twenty hours and more than twenty hours. All the projects are attractive, Minmodern and useable. I perhaps show my age when I wonder about 'social-media-worthy projects' but that's wifeme being picky.}}{{Frontpage|author=Dean Koontz|title=The Bad Weather Friend|rating=4.5|genre=Paranormal|summary=Benny is having a terrifically bad day. River Cartwright He loses his job, he loses his fiancee, and his house gets trashed. Oh, and someone has got death on delivered a really weird, disturbing coffin-sized object to his mind toohome, but in his case and it's possible that whoever or whatever was inside is the impending demise of thing that has trashed his beloved grandfather and former spookhouse! The thing is, Benny is the OBvery last person to deserve all this bad luck. Diana Taverner He is a nice person. A really nice person. So fortunately for Benny it turns out that the delivery to his house is a new friend, a bad weather friend called Spike, who has taken over been sent to help him since Benny is clearly under attack from Claude Whelan as First Desk at Regent Park nefarious forces for being a good person. Spike is going to take care of Benny, and will certainly take care of Benny's enemies, if he, Benny, and sheHarper (a waitress slash Private Investigator who finds herself roped into Benny's going wild adventure) can figure out who exactly they are.|isbn=1662500491}}{{Frontpage|author=Adam Stower|title=Murray and Bun|rating=4.5|genre=Confident Readers |summary=Murray is supposed to make changes: be a humble, tidy and friendly cat, one who is able to sleep and eat and eat and sleep and, well, whatever takes his fancy next of the first is a shocktwo. An argument with Emma Flyte sees But he's a bad magician's cat, so his favourite bun has been turned into a hyperactive sticky rabbit called Bun, and the head dog departing catflap they both use can chuck them out, not into the serviceregular back garden, but into a world of frightening adventure and whiffs. Meanwhile at Slough HouseThis time round it drops them into a Viking land, Catherine Standish where a troll hunter is buying booze againexpected – well, one much bigger than Murray was, to be honest, Jackson Lamb is offensive as ever but he's turned up and Shirley Dander and J K Coe do their best he'll have to remain unnoticeddo…|isbn=0008561249}}{{Frontpage|isbn=B0C47LV1PC|title=Fragility|author=Mosby Woods|rating=4|genre=Literary Fiction|summary= Can you make a ''Yo birthing person'' joke? And if you could, is the latter by saying nothingquestion should you make it? Or is the question if you did, would it land? The catch is that the answer for both could well be.... no. [[Joe Country (Jackson Lamb 6) by Mick Herron|Full Review]]

<!-- DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE -->''Fragility'' is set as the city of Portland, Oregon, cautiously begins to emerge from the restrictions imposed during the covid pandemic}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1529431735|title=The Winter Visitor|author=James Henry|rating=4|genre=Crime|}summary=It's February 1991 and Essex is bitingly cold, which made Bruce Hopkins' return all the more surprising. He'd been exiled on the Costa del Sol as a wanted drug smuggler for a decade. The return has come about because he's had a letter from his ex-wife, saying that she's ill and hasn't long to live. It's hard to feel any sympathy when Hopkins is abducted, stripped to his underwear and sent to a watery grave in the boot of a stolen Ford Sierra. Is it a warning from a Spanish gang or a problem closer to home?