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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=Mario PuzoTom Percival|title=Six Graves to MunichThe Wrong Shoes|rating=45|genre=General FictionConfident Readers|summary=In the dying days Will's life is difficult, in a multitude of ways. He is bullied because he has 'the Second World War Michael Roganwrong shoes', an American Intelligence officer was captured he has the wrong shoes because his dad can't work and tortured by a group doesn't have enough money for even the most basic of seven menthings like food, most of whom were senior Gestapo officers trying to obtain and his dad can't work because he lost his job at the secrets which Rogan could give themcollege, was working a cash-in-hand job on a building site and had an accident. His wife was Throw into that mix the fact that his mum and dad are separated, and Will's life seems bleak in another room and every direction. And yet, he could hear her screamsstill has a tiny amount of hope. Ten years laterHe is good at art, and clings to the moments of joy when he had recovered from the appalling injuries he suffered he made up his mind is drawing, that he would avenge the death of his wife feel like a light at the hands end of the seven men. It's no easy task as he doesn't even know who they area long, dark tunnel.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>184916276X</amazonuk>1398527122
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Kishwar DesaiSylvie Cathrall|title=Witness A Letter to the NightLuminous Deep|rating=2.5|genre=General Science Fiction|summary=The There are few greater joys than a book opens on a disturbing dream sequence (or is it a memory?) that sets which lives up the murder which is to be at the centre of this book. Durga, a young girl living in Julundur, is instructed by a mysterious male character to return to the house from which she has just fled, the house in which her whole family lies dead- poisoned, stabbed and partly scorchedcompelling premise. There Durga And this is tied up, having been attacked and rapedone of them.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1905636857</amazonuk>0356522776
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Michael Ridpath0008517061|title=Where the Shadows Lie (Fire and Ice)Death in a Lonely Place|author=Stig Abell
|rating=4
|genre=Crime
|summary=Magnus Jonson was in some difficulty in BostonFormer Metropolitan Police detective, Jake Johnson, has settled into his rustic life at Little Sky. He'd overheard another detective getting himself involved in something illegal and when he reported this he found that even There’s perhaps a little uncertainty about the good guys weren't terribly fond future of him – his life with his vet girlfriend, Livia and the others her daughter Diana, as moving in together would prefer to see him dead before the case came to trial. The solution was simple but unusualmean a lot of compromise: Jonson was born in Iceland although he'd mostly grown does Jake give up his off-grid and relaxing life to move in Boston with Livia or does Livia move to Little Sky despite her reservations about whether or not this is the future she wants for herself and her daughter? For the police moment they’re enjoying life in Iceland wanted someone to give them some help in beefing up their murder squad. Jonson disappeared from Boston, telling no one where he was going the present and resurfaced in Iceland. Simple? Noputting the future on the back burner.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848873972</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Douglas Rushkoff1786482126|title=Life Inc: How the World Became a Corporation and How to Take it BackThe Janus Stone (Dr Ruth Galloway)|author=Elly Griffiths|rating=34.5|genre=Politics and SocietyCrime|summary=The author Builders were demolishing an old house in Norwich - the site was going to hold seventy-five 'luxury' apartments - when they discovered the bones of this book a child beneath a doorway. There was mugged outside his apartment one Christmas Eveno skull. He posted Was this a note online to warn his neighbours to be extra carefulritual killing or murder? Inevitably, Dr Ruth Galloway finds herself working with DCI Harry Nelson. It's difficult as Ruth knows, but Nelson doesn't, and was promptly berated for doing something so public that could potentially damage property values in she is pregnant with his local area. This is child as a thought-provoking snippet, and if result of the whole book was like thisone night they spent together some three months ago. Her condition will be obvious before long, I'm sure I would have been grippednot least because Ruth is prone to sudden bouts of sickness.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099516691</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Lane0008551324|title=England 'Til I Die - A celebration of England's amazing supportersThe Devil You Know (D S Max Craigie)|author=Neil Lancaster|rating=34.5|genre=SportCrime|summary=To start with, an admissionIt's unusual for anyone from the Hardie family to approach the police. I am an English fan of football, but I am not a fan of England’s football squadNeither side likes or has any respect for the other. Hardly ever would I prefer But Davie Hardie is struggling in prison and he's prepared to see tell the Three Lions triumphant. I never got into police where the habit, partly because I never saw the singularly English habit body of supporting the underdog as making any sensea missing person is buried and who was responsible for her death. Plus you'll never get me standing up This person, he promises, is someone big and singing that awful tune before it will be worth the matchpolice doing what he wants. But here are testimonies from twenty or so people who see things completely differently And what he wants is to be transferred to an open prison to me.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906796505</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=John Farndon|title=Do You Think You're Clever?: The Oxbridge Questions|rating=3.5|genre=Popular Science|summary=My history serve the remainder of interviews with Oxbridge colleges forms a very short dialoguehis sentence and to get an early parole date. Me, Not much to university admissions representativeask, ''You don’t actually do media studies per se, do youis it?'' He, The new Deputy Police Constable doesn't think so and she'No – our graduates run s even prepared to do the media.'' Had I got a lot further, other thing that Hardie demanded - make certain that DS Max Craigie and sat in front of a potential tutor, I would have faced a question designed to baffle, provoke, bewilder – or to inspire a flight of intuitive intelligence. Thus anyone who works with him is the media-running wheat separated kept well away from the media-consuming chaff. And thus is this book given its basis – sixty of the more remarkable questions, answered as our erudite author might have wished to answer themwhat's happening. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>184831132X</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Melanie Welsh0008405026|title=Mistress of A Stranger in the StormFamily (Maeve Kerrigan 11)|author=Jane Casey
|rating=5
|genre=Confident ReadersCrime|summary=Verity Gallant is the oldest child in It's sixteen years since nine-year-old Rosalie Marshall disappeared from her familybed one summer night. She's rather plain was never found and awkward, feels the investigation ground to a bit like a social outcast at schoolhalt. Now, and stumbles along at home too where her beautifulmother, blondeHelena, sweet little sister Poppy is obviously the favourite. One day Verity discovers a mysterious stranger and her father are dead in the library reading a strange booktheir bed. He runs away when he sees herInitially, taking it looks like a straightforward murder/suicide but there's something about the book with him, but Verity chases after him, following him down to positioning of the shore where he gets into a boat ready to row awaybodies that makes DS Maeve Kerrigan and her boss DI Josh Derwent suspicious. He gives the book What looked as though it was going to her when she challenges him, along with be an open-and-shut case is now a mysterious round objectcomplex double murder. This seemingly innocuous event brings about huge changes Kerrigan is convinced that the explanation lies in VerityRosalie's life. Having been ignorant about her familydisappearance: others (such as Derwent's history she begins to research about the gentry, with the help of her friendsboss, and discovers skills and strengths that she never knew she hadUna Burt) are less convinced. Just in time too, for as the mysterious stranger tells her, the storm is coming...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0385617666</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Nicola Cornick0571379877|title=Confessions of a DuchessThe Kellerby Code|author=Jonny Sweet|rating=3.5|genre=Historical FictionCrime|summary=Dowager Duchess Laura Cole has come to the village of Fortune’s Folly to live Edward Jevons is a quiet life as a widow working-class young man, obsessed with her young daughterhis upper-class friends, Robert and Stanza. But when the village squire decides to invoke the Dames’ Tax, Robert's a law requiring every unmarried woman to give up half her wealth to him, the town becomes a hotbed of men searching for heiresses now desperate to marrytheatre director. Joining the men is Dexter AnstrutherHe's also self-obsessed, demanding, sent handsome and entitled and uses Edward to secure a rich wife and carry out a murder inquiry on behalf of Lord Liverpoolrun errands for him. The last thing Laura Edward has been in love with Stanza since their university days - and Dexter expect is he's drunkenly confided how he feels to see each other again after their steamy encounter four years agoRobert. But their passion for each other 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: Edward is reawakened and looks set left to ruin stumble upon the two of them bothkissing in a dark passageway.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0778303802</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Chioma OkerekeJo Callaghan|title=Bitter LeafLeave No Trace
|rating=4
|genre=General FictionCrime|summary=Jericho, (who's female by the way), When a man is a beautiful young woman. She's curious about found crucified on the outside world so like many before her, she's taken the brave step top of sampling life a hill in a bigNuneaton, bustling city. She returns DCS Kat Frank finds herself assigned to the case alongside her home village with some rather pretentious airs ... and a rich suitor in towsidekick, the AI detective Lock. By sheer coincidence JerichoIt's mother had attended an interview in her past at her daughter's new boyfriend's family hometheir first live case together, having previously been very successful with several cold cases. A veritable mansion But when there is a second body found crucified a few days later, Kat is suddenly struggling with ' ... sweeping rooms a potential serial killer and a very high profile case that took longer than draws a river lot of unwanted attention to crosstheir AI Future Policing project.' What a lovely way of describingluxury Will they be able to solve the case in an essentially poor area of Africa. Everyone thinks time, or will Kat find herself taken off the next natural step is marriage case and babies but is it, potentially, out of a career?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1844086275</amazonuk>139851120X
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Peter Beaumont1399613073|title=The Secret Life of War: Journeys Through Modern Conflict Moral Injuries|author=Christie Watson|rating=4.5|genre=Politics and SocietyThrillers|summary=Peter Beaumont is Olivia, Laura and Anjali met on the Foreign Affairs editor at The Observerfirst day of medical school and their friendship would keep them inseparable for a quarter of a century. He joined the paper in 1989 and has spent much of the intervening time dealing with the kind of 'foreign affairs' that Olivia is ruthlessly ambitious, which is better described as 'war reporting'a bonus when you aim to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. 'The Secret Life of War' Laura is a distillation perfectionist and a trauma doctor. Anjali is the free spirit of his years in the fieldgroup and she becomes a GP. It is When we first meet them they're at a book illdrug and alcohol-served by both its title fuelled party and its cover, except maybe insofar as both might serve to sneak it onto the bookshelves of those who really need 's going to read it, but probably wouldnend in tragedy. We don't choose to do so were know who suffered the tragedy or the consequences. Twenty-five years later there will be an eerily similar event that will impact the three friends. This time, it more accurately wrapped's their teenage children who are involved.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099520982</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Mira Grant0241636604|title=FeedThe Trading Game: A Confession|author=Gary Stevenson|rating=4.5|genre=Science FictionAutobiography|summary=In 2014 If you were to bring up an image of a city banker in your mind, you're unlikely to think of someone like Gary Stevenson. A hoodie and jeans replaces the common cold pin-stripe suit and his background is the East End, where he was curedfamiliar with violence, poverty and injustice. So There was cancer. But in their wake something terrible came – the two viruses used no posh public school on his CV - but he had been to cure the ailments combined to form London School of Economics. Stevenson is bright - extremely bright - and he has a terrifying plague facility with numbers which most of us can only envy. He also realised that turned humans and large animals into the living deadmost rich people expect poor people to be stupid. Now It was his ability at what's left of the human race lives every day was, essentially, a card game which got him an internship with the fear that the virus they hold dormant in their bodies could go into amplification, causing them to turnCitibank. People stay indoors Eventually, stop meeting in crowds, and conduct most of their lives onlinethis turned into permanent employment as a trader. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>184149898X</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Sarah Rees Brennan1035021803|title=The DemonAntique Hunter's CovenantGuide to Murder|author=C L Miller|rating=43.5|genre=TeensCrime|summary=A few weeks after the events of [[The DemonIt's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan|The Demontwenty years since Freya Lockwood has been back to the English country village where she grew up. She's Lexicon]] and Mae is finally ungroundedback now because of a request for help from her beloved aunt, Carole. Determined to get on with Freya'normal' life s former mentor and forget the magic sheCarole's lost since brothers Nick close friend, Arthur Crockleford, is dead and Alan Ryves leftthe circumstances seem suspicious, Mae is only interested in hitting to say the town and meeting up with Sebleast. Nice Arthur was the reason why Freya had not been back to the village: Arthur, normal Sebshe feels, let her down badly.Then Mae learns her brother Jamie Even though they were in business together as antique hunters, she has been secretly meeting up with Gerald, not felt able to be near the new leader of man or pursue the Obsidian Circleprofession she loved. Afraid that Jamie is getting involved After the split, she worked in dangerous thingsa cafe, Mae does met and married James (on the only thing she can rebound from the love of her life, who was murdered) and Freya and calls AlanJames have now divorced.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847382908</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Gary YoungeAllTomorrowsFutureCover|title=Who Are We - And Should It Matter in the 21st Century?All Tomorrow's Futures: Fictions that Disrupt|author=Benjamin Greenaway and Stephen Oram (Editors)
|rating=5
|genre=AutobiographyScience Fiction|summary=Journalist Gary Younge’s book draws heavily on his articles for the Guardian newspaper, as he mentions in his acknowledgements, but it isn’t just a collection of his journalism. Who Are We? is partly a memoir and partly a thoughtful and incisive exploration ''Opening up new ways of thinking about the politics and political impact shape of identity, including race, gender, language groups, religion, sexuality in various countries around the worldthings to come. He sets out to explore 'To what extent can our various identities be mobilized to accentuate our universal humanity as opposed to separating us off into various, antagonistic camps?'|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0670917036</amazonuk>}}
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Liz KesslerSunny Singh|title=Philippa Fisher and the Stone Fairy's PromiseHotel Arcadia|rating=43.5|genre=Confident ReadersThrillers |summary=In 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 third book of this enchanting series Liz Kessler manages 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 show both care remotely for the delights and residents who are still alive in the sorrows of friendship: hotel, he forms a topic which is eternally popular bond with young (Sam who refuses to be cowed by events, and not so young) readers. Philippa has travelled with keeps on venturing out of her father and mother room to Ravenleigh try to spend New Year with capture what's happened through her new friend Robynphotography. But she has Although they only just arrived when disaster strikes. Daisyever talk over the phone, her other best friend and fairy godsister (like a fairy godmother but the same age their friendship grows as you), realises Philippa's mother is in danger, and Abhi tries to help. But in order to do so she has her keep safe and they both wait to break a lot of rules, and a series of catastrophes means Philippa ends up with Daisy in ATC (Above The Clouds), a sector of the fairy world. And see if they will be rescued before they are discovered by the other fairies don't realise who she is ..terrorists. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1842559966</amazonuk>086154742X
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jane Smiley1529153298|title=Nobody's HorseThe List of Suspicious Things|author=Jennie Godfrey
|rating=5
|genre=Confident ReadersGeneral Fiction|summary=Abby lives on her familyIt's farm in California1979 and Margaret Thatcher is Prime Minister. They specialise in taking horses and ponies which are not at their peak and bringing them on so that they can be sold at a profit(A woman? I mean, honestly... ) AbbyShe's not what's father is determined that she wonworrying Miv't get attached to any of the horsess family, though. Women have been disappearing. Well, because that only increases the pain when they inevitably go've been murdered, but two are going to make an impact on her that she could not have expected'disappeared' doesn't sound quite so frightening. The first is a foal whose dam dies when heMiv's a matter of weeks old and he takes Abbyupset because she's heart. The second has overheard that her father wants to move the opposite effect because every time that Abby rides him hefamily 'Down South's determined to buck her off. SheWhen you's frightened of him and it's re from Yorkshire, Down South is a tribute to Abby that the worst she calls him is Grumpy Georgefrightening, foreign place, best avoided.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0571253547</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Neil Gaiman|title=Instructions|rating=4|genre= For Sharing|summary=Go through Miv, the mysterious doormove would mean leaving her best friend, mind the impSharon, trust the wolves and answer the ferrymanshe'll do anything to prevent that. She's question carefully. Neil Gaiman takes us on a tour of a fantasy land with a series of instructions for surviving not worried about the adventure. Youdangers or that her Mum'll discover wonders beyond your wildest dreams, and return home safely, a little older and a little wisers stopped talking - to anyone.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408808641</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Don Boyd1398524085|title=Margot's SecretsHas Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?|author=Nicci French
|rating=5
|genre=General FictionCrime|summary=Margot is a psychologist who specialises in sexual disorders and obsessionsCharlotte Salter was expected at her husband's fiftieth birthday party but never turned up. She lives Her children, sons Niall, Paul and Ollie and works for herself in Barcelona amongst the exher daughter, Etty. are all worried but - strangely -pat communityher husband, and although she only has a dozen or so clients at any one timeAlec, spends much of her week living at her officeis not. Her clientsShortly afterwards, both male Etty and femaleGreg, find the body of Greg's father, Duncan Ackerley, are bewildering and fascinating in equal portions, and the description of river. It was an easy assumption for the therapy sessions police to make fascinating 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 revealing readingwonder about what really happened.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0955405149</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Barbara Mitchelhill1035906708|title=Damian Drooth, Supersleuth: Football ForgeryDiva|author=Daisy Goodwin
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident ReadersGeneral Fiction|summary=Getting We tend to the end think of a storyMaria Callas as Greek, but she was born to Greek parents in Manhattan, even one which really grips youNew York, can be hard work if you have in December 1923 and only just learned moved to read independently or are at the younger end of the confident readers rangeAthens when she was thirteen. But Her original surname was Kalogeropoulos but her father changed it to 'Callas'Damian Drooth, Supersleuth: Football Forgery'' is 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 a slim book (60 pages), with lots of pictures, mother who mercilessly exploited her and a decent-sized font. And it is a proper book, too, with an engaging main character, lots made no secret of action and a fascinating mysteryher preference for her elder sister, so satisfaction is guaranteedJackie.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849390355</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Gill SchierhoutChristopher Edge|title=The Shape of HimBlack Hole Cinema Club
|rating=4
|genre=Historical FictionConfident Readers|summary=The story is told Lucas and his friends are all booked in for a movie marathon at their local cinema, a place that has the first person by Sara Highbury. Shenickname of 'The Black Hole's running a small business in an efficient but rather detached fashion. SheAll big movie fans, they's all washed up. She starts re looking forward to recount her earlierlots of exciting films, and many, happier life when it meant something to her. many snacks! And However, as the reader soon discovers movie starts, they very quickly realise that a diamond digger called Herbert was - and still something about this new film format is - the love of her life. And here Schierhout gives us a taster of the hard very different, and dirty work digging for stones (theyare swept up into an adventure they couldn're never called diamonds by the workers apparently)t even imagine. The danger and precarious nature of But as they lurch from one film genre to the work next, can they figure out what on earth is laid bare. going on? But Herbert seemed Will they ever get back to the cinema, and to be a natural. Whytheir real lives?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099535777</amazonuk>1839942738
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{{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=Anne-Marie VukelicJames Sherwood Metts|title=Far Above RubiesPlanet Storyland|rating=34.5|genre=Historical FictionConfident Readers|summary=Shy Catherine Hogarth first meets Charles Dickens at her parents' house when he hilariously comes in through the window to dance Things have been a jig before bit sticky for the assembled guestsEarthlings. AI and automation have been proceeding apace, before leaving often replacing jobs they're paid to do and then entering again via the front doorother tasks that took time to accomplish. Employed by her father GeorgeJust as they were beginning to get used to all this technological change and starting to think of other, the editor of the Evening Chroniclenew ways to spend time, as a reporter along came an awful pandemic. Life was pretty much shut down and sketch writer, Charles is at the start of his writing career and soon becomes a regular visitor to along with it, all the Hogarth householdmany daily social interactions on which they depend so heavily. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0709090536</amazonuk>1736128426
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Chris BarnardoMatthew Tree|title=Dadcando: Build, Make, Do ... the Best Way to Spend Quality Time with Your KidsWe'll Never Know|rating=4.5|genre=CraftsLiterary Fiction|summary=The ideas in this book originated as Timothy Wyndham wants nothing more than to be different from his father, a [http://www.dadcando.co.uk/ website] that Chris Barnardo set up for divorced drunk and separated fathers to help them spend quality time with their children Now he's written a book that although aimed chronic underachiever whose dreams of being exceptional at single fathers is equally as useful for married dads, any of his artistic passions all failed miserably and mums too or grandparents or carers to inspire crafty ideas who had endless crises of things self confidence. So Tim applied himself to make with kidshis studies, cultivated his abilities rather than his daydreams and set himself high but achievable ambitions.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0852652011</amazonuk>B0CVFXPGP8
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Julia WilliamsA G Slatter|title=The Bridesmaid PactBriar Book of the Dead
|rating=5
|genre=Women's FictionFantasy|summary=I recently read [[Last Christmas by Julia Williams]] and enjoyed it so much '' There's a part of me that I was determined wants to read more by keep this fabulous authorjust to myself for however long I can. The opportunity presented itself in the shape This secret magic of 'The Bridesmaid Pact'my own, a truly wonderful book that not only met but also exceeded all my expectationsmine, at last. In fact it was so good that I read the last 200 pages in just one day, totally ignoring my family whilst doing sowant to enjoy it for a while. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847560873</amazonuk>}}''
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=John Grisham1529900360|title=Ford CountyThe Ghost Orchid|author=Jonathan Kellerman
|rating=4
|genre=Short StoriesCrime|summary=When I think of John Grisham I tend It hadn't been Lt Milo Sturgis's fault that Alex Delaware had been badly injured but he felt responsible and even after Alex recovered, Sturgis was reluctant to think firstly ask for his help on difficult cases. His assertions that there were only open-and-shut cases which didn't need the help of lawyersa psychologist only worked for a while. WellFinally, actuallyit was Robin, I think of Tom Cruise first to be honestDelaware's partner, and then who nudged Milo into asking for help again. She knew that the involvement was something that the whole lawyer thingman she loved needed. I expect surprising twists and longThe next case did look simple, detailed plotsthough. This collection, however, is Two lovers were murdered in the swimming pool of a book of short stories so has to work differentlyremote property in Bel Air. There isn't room within a short story for a lengthy, twisting plot, He was the heir to an Italian shoe empire and so Grisham has she is married to rely on other skills to make them work. My feeling was that some do an extremely rich man and some donit'ts not the Italian. Set in America's Deep South all the stories revolve around a rather mixed bag But which of characters from Ford County, with them was the ever-present lawyers but also gamblers, murderers, con artists, drunks and scoundrels.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099545780</amazonuk>primary target?
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Elizabeth Chadwick1529395224|title=To Defy A King|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=#Set in Letting the traumatic and violent period leading up to the Magna Carta, Chadwick concentrates on Cat Out of the fortunes of two extended families. Bag: The Marshals, close to the throne for their expertise, political and military might, and the Bigods, who are directly related to King John, through their half brother Longespee, son Secret Life of the family matriarch, and John’s father. Banished from Court, and forced to leave her son there, Ida marries Roger and founds a strong patriarchal dynasty. However, tension is never far from boiling point, with the two half brothers tolerating each other at best, loathing each other more often than not, due to their opposing natures.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847442366</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewVet|author=Kimberly Greene|title=My Life on TVSion Rowlands
|rating=3.5
|genre=TeensAnimals and Wildlife|summary=Sam’s sister, Danni, is a pop star and her mother is Danni’s managerSiôn Rowlands fell into veterinary science accidentally. Dad died before Sam His father was borna GP and Rowlands didn't want to follow in his footsteps, so between particularly when he considered the three of them strain that being on-call put on his father's life is quite fraught, particularly as they’re . When he was seventeen he took the subject opportunity of doing work experience with a reality show which is planned to run family friend who was a vet and was convinced this was the job for three yearshim. If they manage the full three years the house they live in will belong to their motherBefore long, but it all looks to be in jeopardy when Danni decides that she can’t take the pop star life any longer and she’s going to hang up her microphonehe was at Liverpool University. Sam’s scared that this will mean they have to leave the house and go back to the days when they had to struggle to pay the rentIt hadn't - as with so many students - been his dream since he was a child. There might If anything, he'd wanted to be a way round it though – what if she was to become a TV star and the reality show could continue?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1409508293</amazonuk>professional footballer.
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Grant Gillespie0861541774|title=The Cuckoo BoyA Nye of Pheasants|author=Steve Burrows
|rating=4
|genre=Crime
|summary=DCI Domenic Jejeune's close friend and former colleague, Danny Maik, has taken a short holiday in Singapore to meet up with an old ally, Guy Trueman. Maik 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't help Danny at all.
}}
{{Frontpage
|author=Alexander McCall Smith
|title=The Perfect Passion Company
|rating=4.5
|genre=General Fiction
|summary=The reader Perfect Passion Company is introduced to twenty-something married couple Sandra a dating agency in Edinburgh, run by Ness and Kenneth. And yes, they suit their names. They are operating as an average couple with an average intellect leading average lives. They are also desperate alternative to become all the online apps in providing a family unitmore personal, tailored service. Sandra, right from Ness has asked her younger cousin Katie if she could come and look after the word gobusiness, appears as Ness is planning to take a trip to Canada to be get away for a woman living on her nerveswhile. A smooth-running domestic life Katie is top coming out of her agenda ... no matter whata break up with a bad boyfriend, and so jumps at the chance to come home to Edinburgh. And in that regardso begins this new story from Alexander McCall Smith, bringing us to an Edinburgh we already love, she is insular thanks to 44 Scotland Street and narrow-minded. So it didn't come as a surprise when I read between the linesIsabel Dalhousie novels, but with some new characters who quickly begin to charm. She wants Katie has no experience in running a baby business, or in match-making, but not the mess that comes with it. JamesNess has full confidence in her abilities, and there's always her very helpful (and rather handsome) neighbour, William, to lend a tiny baby is brought into this brittle home. hand…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0955460948</amazonuk>1846976596
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Steven Carroll0811771741|title=The Art of the Engine DriverInstaKnits for Baby|author=Melissa Leapman
|rating=4
|genre=General FictionCrafts|summary=Carroll has chosen Melissa Leapman's ''InstaKnits for Baby'' gives us a bygone era collection of knits from toys 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 1950s 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, modern and useable. I perhaps show my age when I wonder about 'social-media-worthy projects' but that's me being picky.}}{{Frontpage|author=Dean Koontz|title=The Bad Weather Friend|rating=4.5|genre=Paranormal|summary=Benny is having a terrifically bad day. He loses his job, he loses his fiancee, and also his house gets trashed. Oh, and someone has delivered a bygone but much treasured mode of transportreally weird, disturbing coffin-sized object to his home, whether and it's Australia possible that whoever or whatever was inside is the thing that has trashed his house! The thing is, Benny is the UKvery last person to deserve all this bad luck. He is a nice person. A really nice person. Immediately I'm drawn in 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 been sent to the storyhelp him since Benny is clearly under attack from nefarious forces for being a good person. Both the title Spike is going to take care of Benny, and will certainly take care of Benny's enemies, if he, Benny, and bookHarper (a waitress slash Private Investigator who finds herself roped into Benny's front cover wild adventure) can figure out who exactly they are arresting .|isbn=1662500491}}{{Frontpage|author=Adam Stower|title=Murray and originalBun|rating=4. The novel centres on 5|genre=Confident Readers |summary=Murray is supposed to be a humble, tidy and friendly cat, one evening in this suburban neighbourhood when all its residents are invited who is able to a celebration partysleep and eat and eat and sleep and, well, whatever takes his fancy next of the two. Carroll see-saws But he's a bad magician's cat, so his favourite bun has been turned into a hyperactive sticky rabbit called Bun, and the catflap they both use can chuck them out, not into the regular back garden, but into a world of frightening adventure and forth as he shares the individual lives with uswhiffs. It This time round it drops them into a Viking land, where a troll hunter is an engaging style.expected – well, one much bigger than Murray was, to be honest, but he's turned up and he'll have to do…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099537273</amazonuk>0008561249
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Lisa SandersB0C47LV1PC|title=Diagnosis: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Medical MysteriesFragility|author=Mosby Woods
|rating=4
|genre=Literary Fiction
|summary=As Can you make a ''Yo birthing person'' joke? And if you could, is the bull goes from paddock to stall in question should you make it? Or is the searing heat of the farmquestion if you did, he feels strangely disembodied - and yet all he feels would it land? The catch is his body: his huge bulk; that the angles at which he must hold up his heavy head to see what he needs to see; the strange latency that fills himanswer for both could well be... He watches the skittish grey horse, transfixed and yet repulsed by its grace and fluidity. He observes his captors, the girl and boy siblings and their father, and he allows their goadings to gradually wake him from stuporous apathyno. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0224089978</amazonuk>}}
}}
{{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?