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<metadesc>Book review siteExpert, with books full book reviews from the many most walks of literary life - ; fiction, biography, crime, cookery and anything else that takes our fancy. There are also lots of author interviews and top tens.</metadesc>Hello from The Bookbag, a book review site, featuring books from all the many walks of literary life non- [[: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. Itchildren's the bag we take to the library and the bookshop. Sometimes it holds the latest releases, but at other times there'll be old favourites, books for the children, & self-published 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|plus 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.</metadesc>
'''Read [[Forthcoming Publications|reviews of books about to be published]].{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Sarah BakewellTom Percival|title=How to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer The Wrong Shoes
|rating=5
|genre=BiographyConfident Readers|summary=Will's life is difficult, in a multitude of ways. He is bullied because he has 'Chance … really the way wrong shoes', he has the wrong shoes because his dad can't work and doesn't have enough money for even the most basic of things happenlike food,and his dad can' wrote Howard Beckt work because he lost his job at the college, the Chicago School sociologistwas working a cash-in-hand job on a building site and had an accident. I visit Bookbag Towers with few preconceived ideas about Throw into that mix the next book for reviewfact that his mum and dad are separated, and Will's life seems bleak in every direction. I'll allow myself to fall for a quirky title or appealing coverAnd yet, despite only he still has a smattering tiny amount of interest in the subject matterhope. Just occasionally this wayHe is good at art, I stumble on a golden nugget so fascinating and well-written clings to the moments of joy when he is drawing, that I realise how lucky I am to be feel like a light at the end of a reviewerlong, dark tunnel. I'm so pleased to have chanced upon this inviting biography of Montaigne by Sarah Bakewell!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0701178922</amazonuk>1398527122
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=David Conway and Melanie WilliamsonSylvie Cathrall|title=The Great Nursery Rhyme DisasterA Letter to the Luminous Deep|rating=45|genre=For SharingScience Fiction|summary=Little Miss Muffet is fed up of being constantly scared by There are few greater joys than a spider, so she ups sticks and heads for a different page of the book, which lives up to see if the characters of another nursery rhyme will let her join ina compelling premise. She tries And this is one rhyme after another, but things never quite work to planof them. Will she find a nursery rhyme that suits her to a T?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0340945087</amazonuk>0356522776
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Alistair Duncan0008517061|title=The Norwood Author - Arthur Conan Doyle and the Norwood Years (1891 - 1894)Death in a Lonely Place|author=Stig Abell
|rating=4
|genre=BiographyCrime|summary=At the age of 32 Dr Arthur Conan Doyle moved from London to a house in South NorwoodFormer Metropolitan Police detective, Jake Johnson, has settled into his rustic life at that time part of Surrey, in June 1891Little Sky. It found him at There’s perhaps a little uncertainty about the stage when he was torn between pursuing a career as an eye specialist and trying to make a living through future of his writing, after he had sold a few stories to magazines. Shortly before the move, he had been confined to bed for three weeks life with influenzahis vet girlfriend, Livia and while recovering from what had briefly threatened to be a fatal illness (or so he believed)her daughter Diana, he took the decision to abandon medicine as moving in favour together would mean a lot of becoming a fullcompromise: does Jake give up his off-time author. A few Sherlock Holmes stories had been published, but the man grid and relaxing life to move in with the deerstalker and pipe had yet Livia or does Livia move to make an impact on Little Sky despite her reservations about whether or not this is the reading public, future she wants for herself and his creator could not yet call himself an established writer. her daughter? Nevertheless, within For the moment they’re enjoying life in the next few years he present and putting the future on the fictional detective were to become household namesback burner.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1904312691</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jean Ure1786482126|title=Ice LollyThe Janus Stone (Dr Ruth Galloway)|author=Elly Griffiths
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident ReadersCrime|summary=It's Builders were demolishing an old house in Norwich - the funeral. Laurel - Lolly site was going to those that love her hold seventy- is concentrating very hard and trying desperately to turn into an ice lolly. Ice lollies are frozen, you see, and they donfive 't feel so much. They canluxury't miss people apartments - mothers - who are gone and people who are still around can't hurt themwhen they discovered the bones of a child beneath a doorway. There was no skull. A frozen heart is Was this a sad thingritual killing or murder? Inevitably, but itDr Ruth Galloway finds herself working with DCI Harry Nelson. It's a safe thing. Auntie Ellen difficult as Ruth knows, but Nelson doesn't like the music at the service, that she thinks it's inappropriate. It isn't even is pregnant with his child as a hymnresult of the one night they spent together some three months ago. But it was one Her condition will be obvious before long, not least because Ruth is prone to sudden bouts of Laurel's mother's favourites, and Laurel think it's just perfect. Specialsickness. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007281730</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=John Wilcox0008551324|title=The Shangani Patrol|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=This is the latest in the adventures of Simon Fonthill, a cross between a Victorian James Bond and Indianna Jones. Although one of a series, it stands alone as a novel. It's steeped in the history Devil You Know (and there's a lot of itD S Max Craigie) of the late 19th century when Queen Victoria 'ruled the world.'|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755345614</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Philip Womack|title=The LiberatorsNeil Lancaster
|rating=4.5
|genre=TeensCrime|summary=Ivo's parents have gone off on a South American expedition. As itIt's unusual for anyone from the school holidays, Ivo is off Hardie family to London to stay with some glamorous relativesapproach the police. Aunt Lydia is a socialite and art expert who arranges exhibitions and parties Neither side likes or has any respect for the great and the goodother. Uncle Jago But Davie Hardie is struggling in finance prison and there isn't much about wheeling and dealing that he doesn't know. They're fond s prepared to tell the police where the body of Ivo a missing person is buried and the kind of guardians who are likely to practise some benign neglectwas responsible for her death. This person, he promises, so is someone big and it will be worth the police doing what he wants. And what Ivo he wants is really looking forward to about be transferred to an open prison to serve the remainder of his stay sentence and to get an early parole date. Not much to ask, is freedom it? The new Deputy Police Constable doesn't think so and she's even prepared to do the other thing that Hardie demanded - he intends to explore London make certain that DS Max Craigie and enjoy everything it has to offeranyone who works with him is kept well away from what's happening. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0747595526</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Emily Gravett0008405026|title=Blue ChameleonA Stranger in the Family (Maeve Kerrigan 11)|author=Jane Casey
|rating=5
|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=The chameleon is feeling blue because heIt's lonely, so he goes sixteen years since nine-year-old Rosalie Marshall disappeared from her bed one summer night. She was never found and visits the investigation ground to a yellow bananahalt. Now, pink cockatooher mother, swirly snailHelena, brown bootand her father are dead in their bed. Initially, it looks like a straightforward murder/suicide but there's something about the positioning of the bodies that makes DS Maeve Kerrigan and so onher boss DI Josh Derwent suspicious. Each time, not only does he change his colour What looked as though it was going to match be an open-and-shut case is now a complex double murder. Kerrigan is convinced that the object or animalexplanation lies in Rosalie's disappearance: others (such as Derwent's boss, but he also contorts himself into a shape that matches themUna Burt) are less convinced.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0230704247</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Inga Moore0571379877|title=Six Dinner Sid - A Highland AdventureThe Kellerby Code|author=Jonny Sweet
|rating=3.5
|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=Sid the cat has six owners in six different housesEdward Jevons is a working-class young man, obsessed with his upper-class friends, Robert and he munches his way through six dinners Stanza. Robert's a daytheatre director. This big ol He' greedyguts s also self-obsessed, demanding, handsome and entitled and uses Edward to run errands for him. Edward has a great life, but then one day his owners all decide they want been in love with Stanza since their university days - and he's drunkenly confided how he feels to go on holidayRobert. They consider putting him Most men in Robert's position would stay away from Stanza or tell Edward that a cattery, relationship had begun between them but they have strange rules he's not like one meal per cat, not six. They give it some thought, and eventually decide most men: Edward is left to all go on holiday together, taking Sid with stumble upon the two of themkissing in a dark passageway.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340988940</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jaclyn DolamoreJo Callaghan|title=Magic Under GlassLeave No Trace
|rating=4
|genre=TeensCrime|summary=Namira When a man is found crucified on the top of a trouser girl - a music hall performerhill in Nuneaton, DCS Kat Frank finds herself assigned to the case alongside her sidekick, the AI detective Lock. In Lorinar, she It's regarded as their first live case together, having previously been very successful with several cold cases. But when there is a faintly risque curiosity but at home in Tiansher it wasn't like this. Performers like her mother were feted and respected and Namira grew up in second body found crucified a palace. In Lorianarfew days later, she lives in poverty, performing for drunken fools who don't understand her art. And then Kat is suddenly, she's freed from the seedy music hall by Hollin Parry, struggling with a wealthy man potential serial killer and a member very high profile case that draws a lot of Lorinar's Sorcerer Councilunwanted attention to their AI Future Policing project. Parry has an automaton Will they be able to solve the case in time, a curiosity that plays or will Kat find herself taken off the pianocase and, and he wants Namira's unique voice to accompany it. potentially, out of a career?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408802120</amazonuk>139851120X
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Michael Foreman1399613073|title=Why The Animals Came To TownMoral Injuries|author=Christie Watson|rating=34.5|genre=For SharingThrillers|summary=A young boy looks out Olivia, Laura and Anjali met on the first day of his bedroom window medical school and sees their friendship would keep them inseparable for a parade quarter of animals walking up his streeta century. They've come Olivia is ruthlessly ambitious, which is a bonus when you aim to show him be a cardiothoracic surgeon. Laura is a perfectionist and a trauma doctor. Anjali is the free spirit of the deserts group and ice caps, she becomes a GP. When we first meet them they're at a drug and alcohol-fuelled party and it's going to warn him of end in tragedy. We don't know who suffered the tragedy or the importance of taking care of Earthconsequences. Without Twenty-five years later there will be an eerily similar event that will impact the animalsthree friends. This time, he realises the world would be a much more desolate placeit's their teenage children who are involved.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1406318019</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Gaby Morgan (editor)0241636604|title=In My Sky at TwilightThe Trading Game: A Confession|author=Gary Stevenson|rating=4.5|genre=TeensAutobiography|summary=Off the back If you were to bring up an image of the success of Stephenie Meyer's [[Twilight by Stephenie Meyer|Twilight]] series there has been a boom city banker in vampire novels aimed at teenagersyour mind, you're unlikely to think of someone like Gary Stevenson. In My Sky at Twilight A hoodie and jeans replaces the pin-stripe suit and his background is perhaps one of the most unusual books East End, where he was familiar with violence, poverty and injustice. There was no posh public school on his CV - but he had been to come out the London School of this craze as it Economics. Stevenson is bright - extremely bright - and he has a collection facility with numbers which most of love poetry aimed us can only envy. He also realised that most rich people expect poor people to be stupid. It was his ability at teenage fans of the serieswhat was, essentially, a card game which got him an internship with Citibank. Eventually, this turned into permanent employment as a trader.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0230745865</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=John Burdett1035021803|title=The Godfather of KathmanduAntique Hunter's Guide to Murder|author=C L Miller|rating=43.5
|genre=Crime
|summary=Sonchai Jitpleecheep is half 'farang' the son of a brothel madam and an American GI, but itIt's the latter rather than the former which is likely twenty years since Freya Lockwood has been back to hold up his promotion in the Thai police force, English country village where heshe grew up. She's back now because of a detectiverequest for help from her beloved aunt, Carole. HeFreya's former mentor and Carole's also the part owner of a brothel where his motherclose friend, NongArthur Crockleford, is dead and the madam in chargecircumstances seem suspicious, to say the least. It's no problem for his bossArthur was the reason why Freya had not been back to the village: Arthur, Colonel Vikornshe feels, who has a few illegal interests of his ownlet her down badly. He's currently Even though they were in competition with business together as antique hunters, she has not felt able to be near the man or pursue the head of profession she loved. After the armysplit, General Zinnashe worked in a cafe, to see who can raise met and married James (on the rebound from the finance for a forty million dollar shipment love of heroin which Sonchai's Kathmandu-based guru has for saleher life, who was murdered) and Freya and James have now divorced.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0593055462</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Gary BlackwoodAllTomorrowsFutureCover|title=The Great RaceAll Tomorrow's Futures: The Amazing Round-The-World Auto Race Of 1908Fictions that Disrupt|author=Benjamin Greenaway and Stephen Oram (Editors)
|rating=5
|genre=Children's Non-Science Fiction|summary=In 1908, Henry Ford's Model T hadn't yet brought cars to the masses. The pioneers Opening up new ways of thinking about the world shape of automobiles were experimenting and discovering just what the car could do, by driving right round the world. Except they didn't want things to be pioneerscome. One of the competitors, Antonio Scarfoglio, put it so perfectly when he said 'We had set out to perpetuate an act of splendid folly, not to open up a new way for men. We wished to be madmen, not pioneers.' Isn't that about the best quote you've ever read?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0810994895</amazonuk>}}
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|rating=3.5
|genre=Confident ReadersThrillers |summary=Cass The Hotel Arcadia is not having the best of time when it comes to secretsa luxury hotel in an unnamed city that has suddenly been violently taken over by a terrorist group. It's all very well being involved in Hiding from the terrorists who are rampaging through, killing everyone on site, there is Sam, a top-secret societywartime photographer and Abhi, designed the hotel manager. As Abhi continues to try to keep care remotely for the secret of residents who are still alive in the most secretive secret everhotel, he forms a bond with Sam who refuses to be cowed by events, but those pesky people called adults are keeping things from and keeps on venturing out of her as well - namely, room to try to capture what's happened through her very originsphotography. Can Max-Ernest and she wade through Although they only ever talk over the phone, their junk store base friendship grows as Abhi tries to help her keep safe and find the box she was delivered in? Can they survive the mysterious clown school both wait to see if they end up visiting? And can will be rescued before they keep a mystical tuning fork from falling into are discovered by the wrong hands?terrorists.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1409506312</amazonuk>086154742X
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Russell Kirkpatrick1529153298|title=Beyond the Wall The List of Time (Broken Man)Suspicious Things|author=Jennie Godfrey|rating=45|genre=FantasyGeneral Fiction|summary=It's 1979 and Margaret Thatcher is Prime Minister. (A couple of aspects have summed up Russell Kirkpatrickwoman? I mean, honestly...) She's not what's worrying Miv'Broken Man'' trilogy for me so fars family, though. There has Women have been a fascinating story with some wonderful character building that has made it highly enjoyabledisappearing. There have also Well, they've been some of the most detailed maps I murdered, but to have ever seen in a fantasy series, offering more variation than I've seen in maps before and actually adding detail disappeared' doesn't sound quite so frightening. Miv's upset because she's overheard that her father wants to some parts of move the storyfamily 'Down South'. When you're from Yorkshire, not merely acting as Down South is a guidefrightening, foreign place, best avoided. I was expecting more of For Miv, the same from the final partmove would mean leaving her best friend, Sharon, and she'll do anything to prevent that. She'Beyond s not worried about the Wall of Timedangers or that her Mum'' and very much looking forward s stopped talking - to itanyone.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841496715</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Hosp1398524085|title=Among ThievesHas Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?|author=Nicci French|rating=45
|genre=Crime
|summary=In 1990Charlotte 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 - her husband, Alec, some valuable paintings were stolen from is not. Shortly afterwards, Etty and Greg, find the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum in Boston body of Greg's father, Duncan Ackerley, in the United Statesriver. The It was an easy assumption for the police investigation failed to find them make that Duncan had murdered Charlie and many felt they were lost foreverthen committed suicide when he couldn't stand the guilt. But soon the paintings and their whereabouts would be impacting on many people The Salter children are not convinced but there's lives…|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0230707238</amazonuk>little else they can do but get on with their lives and wonder about what really happened.
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Shields1035906708|title=Reality Hunger: A ManifestoDiva|author=Daisy Goodwin|rating=4.5|genre=Politics and SocietyGeneral Fiction|summary='The Novel is Dead' is not really what a novelist wants 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 read first on picking up a new book – Athens when she was thirteen. Her original surname was Kalogeropoulos but I persevered with Shieldsher father changed it to ' manifesto and ICallas'm glad I didto make it more manageable in the States. This is a thoughtWhen she was back in Athens -provoking wakesupposedly so that she could get appropriate training for her voice -up call that any artistshe was raised under the Nazi occupation by a mother who mercilessly exploited her and made no secret of her preference for her elder sister, writer or book-lover will enjoyJackie.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>024114499X</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Ian Rankin and Werther Dell'Edera Christopher Edge|title=Dark EntriesBlack Hole Cinema Club
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Humphrey the hamster is worried. Everywhere he turns Lucas and his little pink ears he hears noises about friends are all booked in for a movie marathon at their local cinema, a place that has the school being closednickname of 'The Black Hole'. How can he survive without all his adoring All big movie fans in room 26, they're looking forward to lots of exciting films, and what is life like for a classroom pet without a classroom? many, many snacks! LuckilyHowever, as the movie starts, they very quickly realise that something about this new film format is only 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 summer holiday he next, can they figure out what on earth is misunderstandinggoing on? Will they ever get back to the cinema, and what do you know - he will soon be meeting familiar faces, not at school, but at summer camp.to their real lives?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0571250904</amazonuk>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.''
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Chinua AchebeJames Sherwood Metts|title=The Education of a British-Protected ChildPlanet Storyland
|rating=4.5
|genre=AutobiographyConfident Readers|summary=This book is Things have been a collection of autobiographical essays by Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe, whose best known work is bit sticky for the novel Things Fall Apart, published in 1958Earthlings. Topics covered include Nigerian, Biafran AI and Igbo history and cultureautomation have been proceeding apace, African literature often replacing jobs they're paid to do and the legacy of colonialism in his country and the rest of Africaother tasks that took time to accomplish. Some of the essays are taken from guest lectures at universities around the world and conference papers, and others are written for Just as they were beginning to get used to all this book, particularly many of the more personal pieces about Achebe's family.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846142598</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Norman Russell|title=The Calton Papers|rating=3.5|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=Philip Garamond had had an abiding interest in botany since his teens technological change and when we first meet him he's on his way starting to Sotheby's intent on making a bid for the Calton Papers. Sir George Calton's papers include an unpublished account think of Darwin's explorations on the Beagleother, some letters and a geographical survey of the British Isles. Garamond's ambition had always been new ways to own a botanical garden on Madeiraspend time, but he lacked the funds along came an awful pandemic. Life was pretty much shut down and , along with it, all the Calton Papers seemed to be as close as he would get to owning something specialmany daily social interactions on which they depend so heavily.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0709089546</amazonuk>1736128426
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie Matthew Tree|title=Legacy and Spellbound (Wicked)We'll Never Know
|rating=4.5
|genre=TeensLiterary Fiction|summary=Holly Cathers has returnedTimothy Wyndham wants nothing more than to be different from his father, a drunk and this time, she's more powerful than ever. The war between the House chronic underachiever whose dreams of being exceptional at any of Cahors witches his artistic passions all failed miserably and House who had endless crises of Deveraux warlocks still rages onself confidence. So Tim applied himself to his studies, cultivated his abilities rather than his daydreams and only one side will eventually triumphset himself high but achievable ambitions.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>184738689X</amazonuk>B0CVFXPGP8
}}
{{Frontpage
|author=A G Slatter
|title=The Briar Book of the Dead
|rating=5
|genre=Fantasy
|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.''
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Chris Wormell1529900360|title=One Smart Fish|rating=5|genre=For Sharing|summary=Many, many, many years ago, the ocean was full of amazing fish. The most amazing fish was a boring-looking silver fish, who was smarter than all the others. He played chess (against himself), drew pictures and performed plays. One day, he decided to see what life was like on land, so he invented feet and went for a walk. Yep, you've guessed it: it's a picture book about evolution.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0224083546</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewGhost Orchid|author=Stevie Davies|title=Into SuezJonathan Kellerman|rating=4.5|genre=Historical FictionCrime|summary=We are introduced to the main characters Ailsa and Joe Roberts It hadn't been Lt Milo Sturgis's fault that Alex Delaware had been badly injured but he felt responsible and their young daughtereven after Alex recovered, NiaSturgis was reluctant to ask for his help on difficult cases. Joe is a downHis assertions that there were only open-toand-earth Welshman whoshut cases which didn's been posted to Egypt with t need the RAFhelp of a psychologist only worked for a while. They are making a new and exciting life Finally, it was Robin, Delaware's partner, who nudged Milo into asking for themselves amidst help again. She knew that the heat and poverty of involvement was something that the Middle Eastman she loved needed. Ailsa is EnglishThe next case did look simple, rather headstrong and cleverthough. Her parents said she'd 'Two lovers were murdered in the brain swimming pool of a boyremote property in Bel Air.' There are two strands He was the heir to the novel which interweave throughout: the 1950s which see the early an Italian shoe empire and she is married life of Joe to an extremely rich man and Ailsa and then thereit's not the post-invasion Italian. But which of Iraq period when them was the grown-up Nia returns to Egypt to lay some ghosts, as it were.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906998000</amazonuk>primary target?
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Norah Vincent1529395224|title=Voluntary MadnessLetting the Cat Out of the Bag: My Year Lost and Found in the Loony BinThe Secret Life of a Vet|author=Sion Rowlands
|rating=3.5
|genre=LifestyleAnimals and Wildlife|summary=Siôn Rowlands fell into veterinary science accidentally. His father was a GP and Rowlands didn''Voluntary Madness'' is journalist Norah Vincent's account of her visits t want to three mental health facilities follow in America. The first is an urbanhis footsteps, public hospital particularly when he considered the strain that houses mainly homeless, psychotic patients, many of whom are addicted to drugsbeing on-call put on his father's life. In this hospital, When he was seventeen he took the doctors are overworked opportunity of doing work experience with a family friend who was a vet and jaded and medication is always was convinced this was the answerjob for him. Soon Before long, the author finds that her latent depression (which led her to do the book in the first place) is returninghe was at Liverpool University. The process of being institutionalised breaks her sense of self It hadn't - as with so many students -worth down astonishingly fastbeen his dream since he was a child. Indeed If anything, she suggests that it is the lack of autonomy in institutional life, even for those patients who voluntarily commit themselves, that makes it so hard for them he'd wanted to rebuild independent lives when they finally leave the institutionbe a professional footballer.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099513439</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Neal Shusterman0861541774|title=EverwildA Nye of Pheasants|author=Steve Burrows|rating=54|genre=Confident ReadersCrime|summary=Neal Shusterman continues his part zany adventureDCI Domenic Jejeune's close friend and former colleague, part philosophical enquiryDanny Maik, and part cominghas taken a short holiday in Singapore to meet up with an old ally, Guy Trueman. Maik was involved in a street brawl -of-age story he would later maintain that began he was facing a man armed with Everlost in this followa knife -up that is perhaps even better than its predecessorand he killed a Ghurka. Everlost is Initially, he faced a kind charge of limbo and home manslaughter but evidence came to children - Afterlights - who light that suggested that he might have died, but somehow missed planned to murder the tunnel and man. Now he could be facing the light - wherever and whatever the light actually isdeath penalty. Adults never make it there, but significant or much-loved objects and buildings sometimes Domenic Jejeune can do. Mary Hightower, for instance, is so-called because she took up residence in New York in the Twin Towers. Mary thinks Everlost is nothing to help as any interference from another police force could provoke a wonderful place diplomatic incident and she "saves" the Afterlights she finds by giving them repetitive but addictive tasks to fill eternitywouldn't help Danny at all. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847387322</amazonuk>
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|rating=4.5
|genre=CrimeGeneral Fiction|summary=Jamie MeldonThe Perfect Passion Company is a dating agency in Edinburgh, ex-criminal-defence attorney, now run by Ness and operating as an alternative to all the online apps in private practiceproviding a more personal, leaves his office very late one nighttailored service. He's met by Ness has asked her younger cousin Katie if she could come and look after the FBI. Very shortly afterwards Jamie Meldon business, as Ness is dead in planning to take a trip to Canada to get away for a dumpsterwhile. Mace Perry Katie is working coming outof a break up with a bad boyfriend, trying and so jumps at the chance to stay fitcome home to Edinburgh. And so begins this new story from Alexander McCall Smith, trying bringing us to stay sanean Edinburgh we already love, trying thanks to stay alive long enough 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie novels, but with some new characters who quickly begin to get out jail in a couple of days' timecharm. Perry was Katie has no experience in running a cop. Underbusiness, or in match-covermaking, but Ness has full confidence in her abilities, maverick and darn good at there's always her job. Until she ended up stoned on methvery helpful (and rather handsome) neighbour, busted for robberyWilliam, convicted and sent down.to lend a hand…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0230706134</amazonuk>1846976596
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Baldwin0811771741|title=The Kingmaker's Sisters: Six Powerful Women in the Wars of the RosesInstaKnits for Baby|author=Melissa Leapman
|rating=4
|genre=BiographyCrafts|summary=Due Melissa Leapman's ''InstaKnits for Baby'' gives us a collection of knits from toys to blankets. Some will be quick knits - others are of the small amount 'long, cosy afternoons in front of surviving personal sourcesthe fire' variety. The projects are divided by the time they'll take to complete - less than five hours, any book which purports five to be a biography of a 15-century subject is almost inevitably going ten hours, ten to be twenty hours and more a 'life and times' than a lifetwenty hours. In All the case of women who were sisters projects are attractive, modern and useable. I perhaps show my age when I wonder about 'social-media-worthy projects' but not sovereigns or consorts themselves, the lack of data will be even more acutethat's me being picky.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0750950765</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Fred VargasDean Koontz|title=The Chalk Circle ManBad Weather Friend
|rating=4.5
|genre=CrimeParanormal|summary=Meet Jean-Baptiste AdamsbergBenny is having a terrifically bad day. An unlikely police commissaireHe loses his job, he's an acquired taste for loses his fiancee, and his colleagueshouse gets trashed. ShortOh, ungainlyand someone has delivered a really weird, seemingly thinking about the most obtuse things in disturbing coffin-sized object to his pursuit of the truthhome, and endlessly doodlingit's possible that whoever or whatever was inside is the thing that has trashed his house! The thing is, but beneath Benny is the very last person to deserve all this bad luck. He is a nice person. A really nice person. So fortunately for Benny it turns out that the delivery to his deathly slow speech and unexpected diversions into his childhood comes house is a new friend, a surprisingly perceptive ability bad weather friend called Spike, who has been sent to find the culprit in whatever crime he help him since Benny is clearly under attack from nefarious forces for being a good person. Spike is forced going to solvetake care of Benny, and will certainly take care of Benny's enemies, if he, Benny, and Harper (a waitress slash Private Investigator who finds herself roped into Benny's wild adventure) can figure out who exactly they are.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099488973</amazonuk>1662500491
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jean Reidy and Genevieve LeloupAdam Stower|title=Too Purply!Murray and Bun
|rating=4.5
|genre=For SharingConfident Readers |summary=It's time for schoolMurray is supposed to be a humble, but the young girl tidy and her tortoise don't want friendly cat, one who is able to wear any sleep and eat and eat and sleep and, well, whatever takes his fancy next of their clothesthe two. They But he's a bad magician're too purplys cat, too tickly, too puckery, too pricklyso his favourite bun has been turned into a hyperactive sticky rabbit called Bun, and so on. You get the idea. Adjectives abound in this fun getting dressed book.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408803151</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Rachel Isadora|title=The Twelve Dancing Princesses|rating=3|genre=For Sharing|summary=Bookbag recently loved Rachel Isadora's take on [[The Night Before Christmas by Rachel Isadora and Clement Clarke Moore|The Night Before Christmas]]catflap they both use can chuck them out, which put not into the classic Christmas poem in an African settingregular back garden, but into a world of frightening adventure and whiffs. This time roundit drops them into a Viking land, where a troll hunter is expected – well, one much bigger than Murray was, she has turned her eye to the Grimmsbe honest, but he' s turned up and he'The Twelve Dancing Princesses'.ll have to do…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0142414506</amazonuk>0008561249
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Gemma MalleyB0C47LV1PC|title=The Returners|rating=5|genre=Teens|summary='Ducks are cool. Whatever happens, whatever gets thrown at them, they just carry on, their little legs paddling. Unfazed. They always look like they're smiling.' Will almost wishes he could be a duck. He has precious little to smile about. Sitting watching those ducks go about their business so blithely by the pond, he can't help but remember his mother who committed suicide there some years ago, when Will was just a tiny lad. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408800918</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFragility|author=Alex Milway|title=Mousebeard's Revenge (Mousehunter Trilogy)Mosby Woods
|rating=4
|genre=Confident ReadersLiterary Fiction|summary=If Can you started this trilogy way back when, make a ''Yo birthing person'' joke? And if you would probably never expect the piratecould, Mousebeard, and is the hero and heroine, Emiline and Scratcher, to be working together. But they are - so deep question should you make it? Or is the world of Old Town in intrigue, subterfuge and wicked plans, that they need to combine forces - and get other returning characters back on hand and on their side - to counter Mousebeard's enemies once and for all. Only, one great thing has changed. Yesquestion if you did, that's right. Mousebeard has had a shave...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0571245102</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Chris Mullin|title=A Very British Coup|rating=5|genre=General Fiction|summary=No one had anticipated that Labour would win the election, not least because the party leader was Harry Perkins, a former steel worker. His manifesto included promises to remove all American bases from British soil, public control of finance and the dismantling of media empires. There were a few other things too – but they'll do for starters. it land? The establishment – to a man – was appalled. Press barons, media stars, bishops and civil service mandarins knew catch is that, the answer for the good of the country (not themselves, ''of course'') something had to be done and ''obviously'' the end would justify whatever means they had to take to achieve their aims. Harry Perkins had to both could well be removed from office.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846687403</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Orson Scott Card|title=Ender in Exile|rating=3.5|genre=Science Fiction|summary='Ender in Exile' is the most recently published in the series set in the universe of 'Ender's Game', a long standing and one of the best known series of science-fiction by Orson Scott Card. It's been defined as an 'interquel', fitting chronologically between 'Ender's Game' and the 'Speaker for the Dead', the first two (and probably the best two) novels in the sequence. Technically speaking, 'Ender in Exile' actually fits in-between the last chapters of 'Ender's Game' and describes in more detail events outlined in the resolving sections of 'Ender's Game'. Confusingly for the uninitiated, 'Ender in Exile' is also a sequel to the 'Shadow of the Giant', a parallel sub-series from the universe of the 'Ender's Game'no. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841492272</amazonuk>}}
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Angela McAllister and Alex T Smith1529431735|title=My Mum Has X-Ray VisionThe Winter Visitor|author=James Henry
|rating=4
|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=Milo suspects his mum has x-ray visionIt's February 1991 and Essex is bitingly cold, which made Bruce Hopkins' return all the more surprising. She can see through He'd been exiled on the ceiling downstairs when Costa del Sol as a wanted drug smuggler for a decade. The return has come about because he's jumping on her bedhad a letter from his ex-wife, saying that she's ill and hasn't long to live. She can see through the outside wall when he It's making potions hard to feel any sympathy when Hopkins is abducted, stripped to his underwear and sent to a watery grave in the garden in her saucepansboot of a stolen Ford Sierra. Is she really it a warning from a Spanish gang or a superheroproblem closer to home? Milo puts her to the test...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1407105388</amazonuk>}}