Changes

<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, books for the home. They're sometimes our own books or books from the local library. They're often & self-published 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 plus author [[:Category:Interviews|interviews]], and all sorts of [[:Category:Lists|& top tens]] - all of which you can find on our [[Features]] page.</metadesc>

There are currently '''{{PAGESINCATEGORY: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' reviews at TheBookbagll want to read here.Dig in!

Want to find out more Find us on [[File:facebook.gif|link=https://www.facebook.com/TheBookbagCoUk|alt=Facebook]] [https://www.facebook.com/TheBookbagCoUk '''Facebook'''], [[About UsFile:twitter.gif|link=http://twitter.com/TheBookbag|about alt=Follow uson 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]]?

==New There are currently '''{{PAGESINCATEGORY: Reviews==}}'''For new reviews by genre [[:Category:New Reviews|click herereviews]]at TheBookbag.'''

'''For new features Want to find out more [[FeaturesAbout Us|click hereabout us]].'''? __NOTOC__

{{newreview|author=Nigel McCrery|title=Core of Evil|ratingThe Best New Books=4|genre=Crime|summary=Violet Chambers becomes Daisy Wilson through an aromatic cup of tea, flavoured with Christmas roses.

'"There are all kinds of horrible things in the Christmas rose," she said, watching to see whether Daisy could still hear her. "Helleborin and hellebrin are both like digitalis, which I've also used before, but there's saporin and protoanemonin as wellRead [[:Category:New Reviews|new reviews by category]]. It's a very nasty cocktail."''<br>

And now Daisy has met her rather sticky - and graphically effluent - end, and Violet has become Daisy, Daisy sets her sights on a new town, a new identity and, most importantly, a new victim. Daisy has problems with her memory - the identities go back so far that sometimes she can barely remember who is she is now, let alone all the whos she's been before, and most certainly not ''Read [[:Category:Features|the who with whom she beganlatest features]]. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847243843</amazonuk>}}'''

{{newreview|author=John Van der Kiste|title=Jonathan Wild: Conman and Cutpurse|rating=4|genre=History|summary=Born towards the end of the seventeenth century Jonathan Wild was to become the eighteenth century's most famous criminal, plying his trade in a rather curious fashion. He was born in Wolverhampton of parents described as ''mean but honest''. It seems likely that he first travelled to London as the servant Read [[Forthcoming Publications|reviews of a lawyer where he was eventually to settle, leaving his wife and child books about to fend for themselves. It was whilst serving a term of imprisonment in Wood Street Compter that he mixed with the cream of London's criminal underclass and learned the rudiments of his tradebe published]].|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848682190</amazonuk>}}  {{newreviewFrontpage|author=K M GrantSylvie Cathrall|title=Paradise Red (Perfect Fire Trilogy)A Letter to the Luminous Deep

|genre=TeensScience Fiction|summary=We There are back in the south of France for the third and final time. In one corner, the 'French', with King Louis and his henchmen rampaging through, warring in the name of peace. In another corner, the local people, struggling in the harsh environment and none too pleased few greater joys than a book which lives up to see their corner of the world the location for religious wars, with the Cathar ''heretics'' also presenta compelling premise. The lines are drawn, in a realistically convoluted way, and And this book will see one of our heroes cross is one such line, just as other people make their own momentous decisions. It will take all the narrative skills of the land itself to get the story across to usthem.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847247075</amazonuk>0356522776

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Camilla Noli0008517061|title=The Mother's TaleDeath in a Lonely Place|author=Stig Abell

|genre=Women's FictionCrime|summary=''It is early eveningFormer Metropolitan Police detective, Jake Johnson, has settled into his rustic life at Little Sky. I am suckling my infant son… We are picture perfect. Madonna and child''.  No doubt There’s perhaps a little uncertainty about it: a new mother totally smitten the future of his life with his vet girlfriend, Livia and her son. Zach is adorable. Quiet. Undemanding. A happydaughter Diana, generally relaxed, child. Gorgeous.  But Zach isn't her firstas moving in together would mean a lot of compromise: does Jake give up his off-born. First there was Cassie. A child who entered the world screaming grid and has since learned exactly what power she can wring relaxing life to move in with such lungs. Not yet two years old, Cassie adores Livia or does Livia move to Little Sky despite her father, but even him reservations about whether or not this is the future she manipulates. wants for herself and her daughter? Her mother she terrorisesFor the moment they’re enjoying life in the present and putting the future on the back burner.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1409101584</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=AQA 633361786482126|title=More Brilliant AnswersThe Janus Stone (Dr Ruth Galloway)|author=Elly Griffiths|rating=4.5|genre=TriviaCrime|summary=If youBuilders were demolishing an old house in Norwich - the site was going to hold seventy-five 've got luxury' apartments - when they discovered the bones of a question you can text those nice people at AQA 63336 and they'll do their best to provide you with child beneath a prompt and accurate answerdoorway. Over the last five years they've answered some twenty million questions and each autumn they publish There was no skull. Was this a book ritual killing or murder? Inevitably, Dr Ruth Galloway finds herself working with the best and most interesting of the year's answersDCI Harry Nelson. ThereIt's difficult as Ruth knows, but Nelson doesn't, that she is pregnant with his child as a result of the one night they spent together some fun three months ago. Her condition will be obvious before long, not least because Ruth is prone to be had in this year's booksudden bouts of sickness.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846683262</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Patrick O'Brien0008551324|title=The Devil You Are The First Kid On MarsKnow (D S Max Craigie)|author=Neil Lancaster

|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=It 's unusual for anyone from the Hardie family to approach the police. Neither side likes or has any respect for the other. But Davie Hardie is struggling in prison and he's prepared to tell the police where the body of a sci-fi future of no danger whatsoevermissing person is buried and who was responsible for her death. This person, with no technological breakdownhe promises, is someone big and no fatal meteor strike, but that of course it will be worth the police doing what he wants. And what he wants is only to be expected for this markettransferred to an open prison to serve the remainder of his sentence and to get an early parole date. I say Not much to ask, is it more ? The new Deputy Police Constable doesn't think so and she's even prepared to highlight how do the other thing that Hardie demanded - make certain that DS Max Craigie and anyone who works with him is kept well away from what's happening.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=0008405026|title=A Stranger in the book has been illustratedFamily (Maeve Kerrigan 11)|author=Jane Casey|rating=5|genre=Crime|summary=It's sixteen years since nine-year-old Rosalie Marshall disappeared from her bed one summer night. Digital airbrush techniques She was never found and more have taken the antiseptic sheen off the whole experienceinvestigation ground to a halt. Now, her mother, Helena, but have still allowed for a great detail and her father are dead in the machinerytheir bed. Initially, and also it looks like a lovely warmth in straightforward murder/suicide but there's something about the face positioning of the lad webodies that makes DS Maeve Kerrigan and her boss DI Josh Derwent suspicious. What looked as though it was going to be an open-and-shut case is now a complex double murder. Kerrigan is convinced that the explanation lies in Rosalie's disappearance: others (such as Derwent're empathising withs boss, Una Burt) are less convinced.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0399246347</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Mary Naylus0571379877|title=The DresskeeperKellerby Code|author=Jonny Sweet|rating=43.5|genre=Confident ReadersCrime|summary=Things are pretty grim for Picky. She Edward Jevons is thirteen years olda working-class young man, being bullied at schoolobsessed with his upper-class friends, Robert and has to spend her weekends helping her single, working mum to take care of her little brother and her senile grandmotherStanza. Robert's a theatre director. One evening, at her GranHe's housealso self-obsessed, demanding, she goes up into the attic handsome and entitled and tries on an old dress that she finds inside an old chestuses Edward to run errands for him. The dress turns out to be magic, and she suddenly finds herself back Edward has been in 17th Century London, struggling love with a strange man who is calling her Stanza since their university days - and he'Amelia' and is trying s drunkenly confided how he feels to kill herRobert. Picky ends up embroiled Most men in AmeliaRobert's position would stay away from Stanza or tell Edward that a relationship had begun between them but he's 17th century life as she tries not like most men: Edward is left to find out stumble upon the truth two of who is attempting to murder her, at the same time as trying to avoid arousing suspicion with her strange behaviour whenever she returns to the present daythem kissing in a dark passageway.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0956122280</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=John Abbott Nez Jo Callaghan|title=Cromwell Dixon's Sky-CycleLeave No Trace

|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=Meet Cromwell DixonWhen a man is found crucified on the top of a hill in Nuneaton, DCS Kat Frank finds herself assigned to the case alongside her sidekick, the AI detective Lock. HeIt's a real tinkerertheir first live case together, forever in a barn or somewhere building something manically unusualhaving previously been very successful with several cold cases. Luckily - although his long-suffering mother may disagree But when there is a second body found crucified a few days later, Kat is suddenly struggling with a potential serial killer and a very high profile case that word - he's around at the birth draws a lot of powered flightunwanted attention to their AI Future Policing project. Will his plans for they be able to solve the case in time, or will Kat find herself taken off the case and, potentially, out of a pedalled air machine workcareer?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0399250417</amazonuk>139851120X

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Sue Moorcroft1399613073|title=Starting OverMoral Injuries|author=Christie Watson|rating=4.5|genre=Women's FictionThrillers|summary=The story opens when Tess bumps her old reliable car into Olivia, Laura and Anjali met on the first day of medical school and their friendship would keep them inseparable for a quarter of a breakdown truckcentury. That's rather convenient Olivia is ruthlessly ambitious, since she isn't hurt, and the guy driving it which is able a bonus when you aim to tow her to his garage, be a cardiothoracic surgeon. Laura is a perfectionist and then give her a lift to her new hometrauma doctor. Naturally, since this Anjali is the free spirit of the group and she becomes a GP. When we first meet them they'chickre at a drug and alcohol-lit' genre, Tess fuelled party and the truck-driver, who goes by the unlikely name of Ratty (an abbreviation of his surname) feel mutual antipathy of the sort thatit's clearly going to lead, sooner end in tragedy. We don't know who suffered the tragedy or the consequences. Twenty-five years laterthere will be an eerily similar event that will impact the three friends. This time, to strong attractionit's their teenage children who are involved.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906931224</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Mary Beard0241636604|title=It's The Trading Game: A Don's LifeConfession|author=Gary Stevenson|rating=4.5|genre=LifestyleAutobiography|summary=Professor Mary Beard, feisty Cambridge classics don, keeps If you were to bring up an eye open for architectural detail wherever she goes. Even on holiday, she notices the changing urban landscape and records interesting parallels with ancient cities in her sparky blog. She is engaged image of a city banker in writing a detailed history of Pompeii and suddenly realisesyour mind, whilst perambulating the backstreets you're unlikely to think of the Mexican city of Oaxacan, that this is exactly what Pompeii must have been someone likeGary Stevenson. She observes A hoodie and jeans replaces the low rise shops, dirt tracks across dusty streets pin-stripe suit and his background is the close juxtaposition of rich and poor. Impressive portals of grand residential properties tower above humble workshopsEast End, where he was familiar with violence, poverty and this prompts her into imaginative reconstructioninjustice. In her blog, from which this intriguing book is culled, she tells us about just how Oaxacan encourages her There was no posh public school on his CV - but he had been to ponder again the curious cart ruts London School of PompeiiEconomics. She even finds walls splashed Stevenson is bright - extremely bright - and he has a facility with political slogans numbers which most of us can only envy. He also realised that are just like Roman ''dipinti''most rich people expect poor people to be stupid. Indeed It was his ability at what was, here in Mexicoessentially, the local library displays a card game which got him an edifying message in Spanish which originates in Cicero's speech in his Pro Archiainternship with Citibank. Eventually, ''Science and letters are the nourishment of youth and the diversion of old agethis turned into permanent employment as a trader.''|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846682517</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Kate Tremayne1035021803|title=The Loveday ConspiracyAntique Hunter's Guide to Murder|author=C L Miller|rating=43.5|genre=Historical FictionCrime|summary=Trevowan Manor It's twenty years since Freya Lockwood has been back to the home of the Loveday family for generationsEnglish country village where she grew up. It will still be owned by a Loveday but St John Loveday lost the house on the throw She's back now because of a dice before killing himself – and now his cousin Tristan has the houserequest for help from her beloved aunt, Carole. St JohnFreya's former mentor and Carole's twinclose friend, AdamArthur Crockleford, vows that he will punish is dead and the circumstances seem suspicious, to say the man responsibleleast. Amelia has Arthur was the reason why Freya had not been forced from Trevowan and is now living back to the village: Arthur, she feels, let her down badly. Even though they were in a cottage with business together as antique hunters, she has not felt able to be near the man or pursue the other dispossessed womenprofession she loved. As if this wasn't enough of After the split, she worked in a problemcafe, her son met and married James (on the rebound from the love of her first marriagelife, Richard, has become even more than wayward who was murdered) and Freya and Amelia is forced to make a difficult choiceJames have now divorced.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755347676</amazonuk>

{{newreview|author=Julian Barnes|title=Staring at the Sun|rating=4|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=JeanI've heard it said that 'technology' is what happens after you's first Incident involved Uncle Lesliere eighteen. Well, hyacinths and golf teesI must confess that there have been more than a few decades of technology in my lifetime. It I've kept up reasonably well with what's perhaps best forgotten, advantageous to me but Jean doesnI'm left with the feeling that it't forgets all getting away from me. Uncle Leslie figures large in her life Some of it is - frankly - mostly on the golf quite frightening. Of course - until , I could research the War comes possibilities and he runs away to America. He's replaced by Tommy Prosser, a grounded pilot who once saw the sun rise twice in one day probabilities and excites as many questions in Jean as he ever answers. Tommy is replaced by Michael, a policeman, whom Jean eventually marries. He doesnend up down rabbit holes without really understanding whether I't know why minks are excessively tenacious of life and he doesnm reading someone who knows what they't much care. But Jean doesre talking about or the latest conspiracy theorist. She cares much less for the Dutch cap that Michael sent her off to obtain before the wedding I needed people I knew I could trust and much less again for their rather disastrous adventures who could deliver information in the bedrooma way I could understand. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099540096</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Alexandra BruceSunny Singh|title=2012: Science or SuperstitionHotel Arcadia

|genre=Popular ScienceThrillers |summary=The fuss about 2012 Hotel Arcadia is a luxury hotel in an unnamed city that has not started just recentlysuddenly 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. The first book As Abhi continues to try to feature care remotely for the residents who are still alive in the story was from hotel, he forms a Yale professorbond 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, in 1966though. Women have been disappearing. WeWell, they've also had prog rock bands named after Popol Vuhbeen 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 Maya creation mythfamily 'Down South'. When you're from Yorkshire, Down South is a frightening, foreign place, best avoided. But as For Miv, the crunch date of December 21stmove would mean leaving her best friend, Sharon, 2012 - and she'll do anything to prevent that. She's not worried about the winter solstice dangers or that year her Mum's stopped talking - nears, itto 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 becoming a very big story indeedfiftieth birthday party but never turned up. Even though it sounds absurd Her children, sons Niall, Paul and Ollie and her daughter, Etty. are all worried but - strangely - her husband, Alec, is not. Shortly afterwards, Etty and Greg, find the end body of a 5Greg's father, Duncan Ackerley,125-year long cycle of in the Maya calendar, which started on August 13th, 3114BCE - or river. It was judged an easy assumption for the police to start make that Duncan had murdered Charlie and then, committed suicide when they came across this concept a couple of thousand years into that period. Surely they he couldn't predict stand the future from their guilt. The Salter children are not convinced but there'primitive' state s little else they can do but get on with such accuracy?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1934708283</amazonuk>their lives and wonder about what really happened.

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jeff Kinney1035906708|title=Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog DaysDiva|author=Daisy Goodwin

|genre=Confident ReadersGeneral Fiction|summary=It is a truth universally acknowledged that school summer holidays are 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 enjoyable if you want moved to enjoy summerAthens when she was thirteen. Greg here doesnHer original surname was Kalogeropoulos but her father changed it to 'Callas't want to notice make it, and would prefer to spend his days curtains drawn, face glued to late night TV or a computer game, hand either clicking away at a controller or shovelling more manageable in snacksthe States. The last thing he needs, then, is his 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 mother, on a ''family togetherness'' trip, who mercilessly exploited her and on a budgetmade no secret of her preference for her elder sister, with bad ideas of what Greg should be doing insteadJackie.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141327650</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Rick YanceyChristopher Edge|title=The Monstrumologist: The Terror BeneathBlack Hole Cinema Club

|summary=In late 19th century AmericaLucas and his friends are all booked in for a movie marathon at their local cinema, young Will Henry a place that has been the apprentice nickname of the stern'The Black Hole'. All big movie fans, forbidding Dr Warthrop since the death they're looking forward to lots of his parentsexciting films, and many, many snacks! However, who were also employed by as the doctormovie 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. The twelve year old boy has seen many things in his service But as they lurch from one film genre to the monstrumologist - a specialist in monsters - but nothing next, can prepare him for they figure out what on earth is going on? Will they ever get back to the fateful day when an elderly grave robber brings the doctor the twin corpses of a young girl cinema, and the headless creature with fangs in his chest who had tried to feast on her.their real lives?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>184738546X</amazonuk>1839942738

{{newreview|author=Stella Whitelaw|title=Midsummer Madness|rating=4|genre=WomenRosevear, a remote and partially forgotten island, survives on luring ships into the rocks and plundering the wrecks. Mira, 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 Fiction|summary=Youleader and Mira'll like Sophie Greshams father. She wanted Desperate to be an actress but suffers save him from paralysing stage fright death, Mira makes a bargain with a wreck survivor who is as charming as he is secretive and when the side effects became too much for with only coordinates to guide her , she worked behind the scenes. She's sets off in search of a very good prompt despite the fact family secret that you need to wrap up very warmly to survive lies buried deep in the prompt corner she loves sea. With only nine days to unearth what might save her father, as her journey takes her job and most from the watched streets of foreign islands to the cast in heart of the theatre company. Itsmuggler's a bit of a shock though when she realises that the guest producer from New York is Joe Harrisonterritory, the man she helped out when he had Mira must be determined to stop at nothing to eat save the future of her home and nowhere to sleep. Sophie was a little softer in those days – in the meantime ones she's had to develop a protective shellholds most dear.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0709089147</amazonuk>0008664730

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Bonnie GreerJames Sherwood Metts|title=Obama MusicPlanet Storyland|rating=34.5|genre=HistoryConfident Readers|summary=This is an interesting read, but unless I'm missing something, the focus of the book seems Things have been a little difficult to grasp. It's best if I start with bit sticky for the author's intentions as set out in her PrologueEarthlings. It is a mixture of tales of her own life growing up on the South Side, she writes, interspersed with stories AI and observations about Obamaautomation have been proceeding apace, linking it with the music, musicians often replacing jobs they're paid to do and music scene, past and present, including hip hop, country, classical, and rock'n'rollother tasks that took time to accomplish. All of these, she notes, Just as they were heard on the President's Inauguration Day. To them she adds the blues, gospel, soul beginning to get used to all this technological change and jazz starting to think of the South Sideother, when the people began to build the great institutions and great solidarity that enabled him new ways to become the most powerful man on the planet.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906558248</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=P J Parrish|title=Dead of Winter|rating=4|genre=Crime|summary=Loon Lakespend time, Michigan is picture-postcard pretty – along came an idyll that sits serenely and snugly in the midst of a pine-peppered winter wonderlandawful pandemic. Louis Kincaid needs a little serenity in his life Life was pretty much shut down and on arrival in Loon Lake he feels almost as if he has come home. Life has not been easy for Kincaid. A troubled, unhappy child of mixed race, passed around various institutions and foster homesalong with it, Louis figures that if he is going to put some integrity back into all the world, he will need to wear a badge to do itmany daily social interactions on which they depend so heavily.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847391346</amazonuk>1736128426

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Russell Celyn JonesMatthew Tree|title=The Ninth Wave (New Stories from the Mabinogion) We'll Never Know

|summary=Pwyll rules a medieval-style fiefdom in a post-climate change Wales. Life is Timothy Wyndham wants nothing more than to be different in many ways - there's from his father, a new-but-old social order built on feudalism drunk and chronic underachiever whose dreams of being exceptional at any of his artistic passions all failed miserably and horsepower is the main means who had endless crises of transportself confidence. But in many ways it's much the same - people still fight one anotherSo Tim applied himself to his studies, towns still have sink estates, rich boys still have too much time on their hands cultivated his abilities rather than his daydreams and precious little meaning in their livesset himself high but achievable ambitions. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1854115146</amazonuk>B0CVFXPGP8

Within 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}}{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Owen Sheers1529900360|title=White Ravens (New Stories from the Mabinogion)The Ghost Orchid|author=Jonathan Kellerman|rating=4.5|genre=Literary FictionCrime|summary=In the old taleIt hadn't been Lt Milo Sturgis's fault that Alex Delaware had been badly injured but he felt responsible and even after Alex recovered, Branwen is the sister of Bendigeidfran Sturgis was reluctant to ask for his help on difficult cases. His assertions that there were only open-and- shut cases which didn't need the giant King help of Britaina psychologist only worked for a while. She marries the King of Ireland Finally, it was Robin, Delaware's partner, who doesn't treat her wellnudged Milo into asking for help again. She manages to send Bendigeidfran a message via a tamed starling and war and killings ensueknew that the involvement was something that the man she loved needed. In this new tale, a young girl has just walked away from her brothers who The next case did look simple, though. Two lovers were murdered in the wake swimming pool of a remote property in Bel Air. He was the devastating foot heir to an Italian shoe empire and mouth outbreak, are despoiling their heritage by rustling and illegally slaughtering sheep. She meets she is married to an old extremely rich man who tells her a story involving and it's not the superstitions about the ravens in Italian. But which of them was the Tower of London, propaganda work during World War II, and an equally doomed love affair. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1854115030</amazonuk>primary target?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jennifer Bohnet1529395224|title=Follow Your StarLetting the Cat Out of the Bag: The Secret Life of a Vet|author=Sion Rowlands

|genre=Women's FictionAnimals and Wildlife|summary=It's three years since Nanette Weston left MonacoSiôn Rowlands fell into veterinary science accidentally. SheHis father was a GP and Rowlands didn'd been engaged t want to a Formula 1 racing driver and had lived follow in his footsteps, particularly when he considered the strain that being on-call put on his father's life . When he was seventeen he took the opportunity of the wealthy but doing work experience with a family friend who was a serious car accident had ended all that. The accident could have killed her fiancé vet and she lost her driving licence because of was convinced this was the alcohol she'd consumedjob for him. Her slow recovery Before long, he was hindered by the end of her engagement but sheat Liverpool University. It hadn's found some contentment in being t - as with so many students - been his dream since he was a nanny to two young childrenchild. When her friend and employerIf anything, Vanessa, remarries and takes an extended honeymoon in the Amazon Nanette is asked he'd wanted to take the children back to Monaco where their father livesbe a professional footballer.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709089090</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=J R Stephenson0861541774|title=Crooked JusticeA Nye of Pheasants|author=Steve Burrows|rating=2.54|genre=General FictionCrime|summary=Meet Barry Johns. You'll see him coming - he's five hundred pounds if heDCI Domenic Jejeune's close friend and former colleague, Danny Maik, has taken a short holiday in Singapore to meet up with an ounceold ally, Guy Trueman. Just don't ever lend him money Maik was involved in a street brawl - he won't pay it back. A businessman would later maintain that he was facing a man armed with a share of knife - and he killed a nightclub on CyprusGhurka. Initially, he goes there for faced a customary break, and finds his sort-charge of moll-type sort-of girlfriend has been installed as manslaughter but evidence came to light that suggested that he might have planned to murder the bar dancerman. He manages to tread both on Now he could be facing the toes of his local colleague and some Greek rivalsdeath penalty. And when Domenic Jejeune can do nothing to help as any interference from another police force could provoke a rival in London chases him up for thousands of pounds owed he decides to pack up diplomatic incident and shut up. Itwouldn's a big stone that hides him, but he leaves a very awkward trail for everyone wanting to upturn it and get their revenget help Danny at all.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0955855713</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Stephen BakerAlexander McCall Smith|title=They've Got Your NumberThe Perfect Passion Company

|genre=Popular ScienceGeneral Fiction|summary=If you are The Perfect Passion Company is a dating agency in the slightest bit paranoidEdinburgh, worry that ''Big Brother'' is always watching or like run by Ness and operating as an alternative to believe that you are not all the online apps in providing a numbermore personal, but a free man (or woman), then this may not be tailored service. Ness has asked her younger cousin Katie if she could come and look after the book for youbusiness, as it will do nothing Ness is planning to take a trip to dispel any Canada to get away for a while. Katie is coming out of those worries. Ifa break up with a bad boyfriend, on and so jumps at the other handchance to come home to Edinburgh. And so begins this new story from Alexander McCall Smith, you think 'the mathematical modelling of humanity' sounds like one of the sexiest things everbringing us to an Edinburgh we already love, thanks to 44 Scotland Street and are chomping at the bit Isabel Dalhousie novels, but with some new characters who quickly begin to learn more about itcharm. Katie has no experience in running a business, then you might well be interested or in what Business Week journalist Baker match-making, but Ness has full confidence in her abilities, and there's always her very helpful (and rather handsome) neighbour, William, to say.lend a hand…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099507021</amazonuk>1846976596

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Rebecca Tope0811771741|title=Fear in the CotswoldsInstaKnits for Baby|author=Melissa Leapman

|genre=CrimeCrafts|summary=Thea Osborne is a house sitter by profession. When people go away she moves into their homes and looks after their animals and the property. This time itMelissa Leapman's winter and she's spending 'InstaKnits for Baby'' gives us a month in the Cotswold village collection of Hampnettknits from toys to blankets. It wouldn't Some will be a job for all quick knits - others are of us but Thea delights in getting to know the local people and the area. In the past she's also been involved with the police long, cosy afternoons in solving various cases but it looks as though that might have come to an end as front of the relationship she had with DS Phil Hollis has crumbledfire' variety. For The projects are divided by the first time Thea feels like an outsider – and a foolish one they'll take to complete - when she finds footsteps in the snow which lead less than five hours, five to ten hours, ten to a body in a nearby fieldtwenty hours and more than twenty hours. When the police finally arrive All the body has disappeared projects are attractive, modern and the police obviously useable. I perhaps show my age when I wonder if sheabout 'social-media-worthy projects' but that's imagined it allme being picky.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0749007478</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Tad TulejaDean Koontz|title=A Dictionary of Foreign Words and PhrasesThe Bad Weather Friend|rating=34.5|genre=Home and FamilyParanormal|summary=Take Benny is having a terrifically bad day. He loses his job, he loses his fiancee, and his house gets trashed. Oh, and someone has delivered a look at the cover design of this bookreally weird, disturbing coffin-sized object to his home, and youit'd be mistaken for thinking s possible that whoever or whatever was inside is the thing that has trashed his house! The thing is, Benny is the very last person to deserve all this was bad luck. He is a trivia compendium nice person. A really nice person. So fortunately for all those foreign words Benny it turns out that have taken part in our English language the delivery to his house is a new friend, a bad weather friend called Spike, who has been sent to help him since whenever they crossed over Benny is clearly under attack from their original homesnefarious forces for being a good person. But the title Spike is definitely honestgoing to take care of Benny, for this is a dictionary book firstand will certainly take care of Benny's enemies, if he, for referenceBenny, and Harper (a browser for the trivia buff secondwaitress slash Private Investigator who finds herself roped into Benny's wild adventure) can figure out who exactly they are.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0709089562</amazonuk>1662500491

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Anne RiceAdam Stower|title=Angel TimeMurray and Bun|rating=24.5|genre=General FictionConfident Readers |summary=Toby O'Dare Murray is an extremely efficient hit man with supposed to be a passion for musichumble, history tidy and playing friendly cat, one who is able to sleep and eat and eat and sleep and, well, whatever takes his beloved lutefancy next of the two. He But he's also something of a lost soul having bad magician's cat, so his favourite bun has been turned his into a hyperactive sticky rabbit called Bun, and the catflap they both use can chuck them out, not into the regular back on God many years agogarden, but into a world of frightening adventure and whiffs. One day while on This time round it drops them into a Viking land, where a 'job' he troll hunter is visited by an Angel who offers him a chance at redemption. Toby agrees expected – well, one much bigger than Murray was, to become the Angelbe honest, but he's human instrument turned up and help save lives rather than take them. He is sent on an assignment he'll have to help a Jewish couple accused of murder in 13th Century England.do…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0701178140</amazonuk>0008561249

{{newreview|author=Ian Mortimer|title=1415: Henry V's Year 'Fragility'' is set as the city of Glory|rating=5|genre=History|summary=The medieval, in fact time-honouredPortland, view of King Henry V as one of England's greatest heroes was propagated though not originated by ShakespeareOregon, and again more recently cautiously begins to some extent by Olivier's portrayal in film. At least one historian has called him ''emerge from the restrictions imposed during the greatest man that ever ruled England''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0224079921</amazonuk>covid pandemic

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Deborah Gregory1529431735|title=Dancing With The Dead|rating=3|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=I wanted to read ''Dancing with the Dead'', because I'm interested in family history. The blurb on the back of the book also mentioned Gill – our heroine of the piece – was moving from Bristol (my current home) to Lincolnshire (where I was born and brought up). I felt with all these links, the novel could not fail to interest me – but this was not the case.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1904529305</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewWinter Visitor|author=Miss Read|title=Christmas at Thrush GreenJames Henry

|genre=Women's FictionCrime|summary=Set in the rural village of Thrush GreenIt's February 1991 and Essex is bitingly cold, this book is which made Bruce Hopkins' return all the latest in a series surrounding familiar charactersmore surprising. There is He'd been exiled on the feisty Ella Bembridge, who is finally having to admit that old age is creeping up Costa del Sol as her eyesight failsa wanted drug smuggler for a decade. Friends such as Dimity and Charles Henstock are concerned The return has come about herbecause he's had a letter from his ex-wife, but saying that she refuses 's ill and hasn't long to accept any helplive. Albert Piggott has decided it It's time hard to feel any sympathy when Hopkins is abducted, stripped to retire now that his wife, Nelly, is a successful cafe owner underwear and can afford sent to take care a watery grave in the boot of him! And relative newcomer Phil Hurst and her husband are arranging the local nativity play, despite a number of set-backsstolen Ford Sierra. Will everything be in place for Christmas? And will independent Ella make Is it a warning from a Spanish gang or a decision about her futureproblem closer to home?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1409101592</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Matt Alex Bell and DaveTim McDonagh|title=Yuck's Robotic BottomThe Glorious Race of Magical Beasts

|summary=It's concerned me for Eli is a while that it's relatively easy to pick up early readers for girls busy lad – princesses, magic soft toysby day an apprentice in the wondrous library we start by visiting with him, mermaids and pets abound – but there's in the evening a much smaller choice for boys. It's important too with early readers that helper at the content is ''interesting'' dessert cafe his gran owns and reading becomes more than just something which you ''have'' to do at school and moves into being funruns. Matt and Dave have found the answer in Yuck.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847382991</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=John E Smelcer|title=The Great Death|rating=4|genre=General Fiction|summary='As Western Europeans settled Alaska, they brought Eli lives with them diseases against which the indigenous people had no natural immunity. At the beginning of the twentieth centuryhis lovely gran, fully two thirds of all Alaska natives perished from too – for there is a pandemic of measles, smallpox, and influenzageneration missing in the family. No community was spared. In most cases A few short years ago, half of a villageEli's population died within a week. In some cases, there parents were no survivors. It was both lost to the end of an ancient way of life. Natives still refer titular race, a globe-trotting adventure where all entrants have to navigate the dreadful period as world in the Great Death.'|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1842709194</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Maxine Barry|title=River Deep|rating=3.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Two young women both have company of a love of the Thamesmagical beast. Melisande Ray's beloved hotel, This has made the Ray of Sunshine is on the river bank. It's here that guests come who want race anathema to be pampered and looked after in the way that only the best hotels can do well, pair – but when Wendell James checks in a bad incident at the eatery leads to the hotel it's not pampering he's looking for. He's buying a piece of land not far confession from gran, Eli knows his only hope is to dare to enter what he most hates, with the sole aim the Ray prize of Sunshine and he's sussing out magic at the competition. There's something personal in there too end – if his new hotel means that the Ray of Sunshine goes under then that would be an added bonus. There's just a slight doubt in his mind when a red-haired maid catches only thing to possibly save his eyegran.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0709088930</amazonuk>0571382231