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, & 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>

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==}}'''Read [[:Category:New Reviews|new reviews by genre]]at TheBookbag.'''

'''Read Want to find out more [[FeaturesAbout Us|new featuresabout us]].'''? __NOTOC__{{newreview|author=Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham |title=Cloud Tea Monkeys|rating=4|genre=For Sharing|summary=Tashi and her mother live below a tea plantation in India. Usually Tashi goes along with her mum, and whilst mum picks tea leaves with the other women, Tashi sits under a tree and plays with a group of monkeys, sharing her fruit with them, allowing them to groom her and playing with the little baby monkeys. One morning, Tashi's mum is too poorly to go to work, so Tashi struggles with the big tea basket herself. The plantation owner derides her, saying she is too little to pick the tea, and Tashi is worried about how she and her mother will cope with no money to get her mum a doctor, or to buy food. She shares her worries with her monkey friends and somehow, at the end of the day, Tashi's basket is full of beautiful, fresh, fragrant tea leaves that are a very rare type of tea called 'Cloud Tea'.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1406300926</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=Alice Taylor|title=To School Through The Fields|ratingBest New Books=3.5|genre=Autobiography|summary=To School Through the Fields is the memoir of a farmer’s daughter who grew up in rural County Cork in the 1940s (though the book never mentions the date of when it is set). Taylor makes it clear at the beginning that she is writing a nostalgic look back at the era of her childhood, before the 'changing winds of time' and then presents a series of anecdotes about her parents, her family and some of the other characters who lived in her village.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0863224210</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=Anne Cassidy|title=Guilt Trip|rating=4'''Read [[:Category:New Reviews|genre=Teens|summary=Two years ago, Ali and her friends saved Daniel Feeny from committing suicidenew reviews by category]]. They became local heroes and were looked up to as good examples of modern day teenagers. Ali was on her way to Cambridge, Stephen about to start his own business, Jackson getting ready to be reunited with his brother in Brighton where he'd also study history, and Hannah joining her mother's hairdressing business. '<br>

Then something dreadful happened. Five weeks later, Daniel was dead, and '''Read [[:Category:Features|the gang of friends who had been adjusting to life as heroes were responsiblelatest features]].|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1407110705</amazonuk>}}'''

'''Read [[Forthcoming Publications|reviews of books about to be published]].{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Elizabeth ChandlerSylvie Cathrall|title=Dark Secrets: Legacy of Lies and Don't TellA Letter to the Luminous Deep

|genre=TeensScience Fiction|summary=After years without seeing There are few greater joys than a book which lives up to a compelling premise. And this is one of them.|isbn= 0356522776}}{{Frontpage|isbn=0008517061|title=Death in a Lonely Place|author=Stig Abell|rating=4|genre=Crime|summary= Former Metropolitan Police detective, Jake Johnson, has settled into his rustic life at Little Sky. There’s perhaps a little uncertainty about the future of his life with his vet girlfriend, Livia and her grandmotherdaughter Diana, Megan receives an invitation as moving in together would mean a lot of compromise: does Jake give up his off- grid and relaxing life to move in with Livia or perhaps a summons - does Livia move to visit Little Sky despite her reservations about whether or not this is the future she wants for herself and her daughter? For the moment they’re enjoying life in the present and putting the future on the back burner.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1786482126|title=The Janus Stone (Dr Ruth Galloway)|author=Elly Griffiths|rating=4.5|genre=Crime|summary=Builders were demolishing an old lady at her house in Norwich - the town site was going to hold seventy-five 'luxury' apartments - when they discovered the bones of Wisteriaa child beneath a doorway. There was no skull. Reluctantly Was this a ritual killing or murder? Inevitably, she goes there to please her motherDr Ruth Galloway finds herself working with DCI Harry Nelson. It's difficult as Ruth knows, but finds out that despite the invitation, her grandmother Nelson doesn't seem happy to see her, and neither does her cute but sullen cousin Matt, who's currently living therethat she is pregnant with his child as a result of the one night they spent together some three months ago. More worryingly, the house seems strangely familiar Her condition will be obvious before long, not least because she's seen it many times in her dreamsRuth is prone to sudden bouts of sickness...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847388728</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Catherine Aird0008551324|title=Past TenseThe Devil You Know (D S Max Craigie)|author=Neil Lancaster|rating=34.5

|summary=Jan Wakefield was surprised It's unusual for anyone from the Hardie family to find herself arranging approach the refreshments police. Neither side likes or has any respect for mourners after the other. But Davie Hardie is struggling in prison and he's prepared to tell the police where the body of a funeral, not least because she had never met the deceased missing person is buried and who was unaware that responsible for her husband was death. This person, he promises, is someone big and it will be worth the next of kinpolice doing what he wants. He was working in South America And what he wants is to be transferred to an open prison to serve the remainder of his sentence and not expected home for some timeto get an early parole date. Josephine Short had obviously been a feisty character though. Not much to ask, is it? Despite being unmarried The new Deputy Police Constable doesn't think so and she had had a child (at a time when this would have been frowned upon) 's even prepared to do the other thing that Hardie demanded - make certain that DS Max Craigie and amassed a considerable fortune. Her grandson Joe was flying home anyone who works with him is kept well away from Lasserta for the funeralwhat's happening.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0749007648</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=N K Jemisin0008405026|title=The Hundred-Thousand Kingdoms A Stranger in the Family (Inheritance TrilogyMaeve Kerrigan 11)|author=Jane Casey

|genre=FantasyCrime|summary=A month after her motherIt's death, outcast Yeine Darr is summoned by sixteen years since nine-year-old Rosalie Marshall disappeared from her grandfather, king of bed one summer night. She was never found and the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, investigation ground to come to the palace of Skya halt. There named one of his three heirs Now, along with her feuding cousinsmother, she quickly realizes that without allies she will surely lose Helena, and her father are dead in their bed. Initially, it looks like a straightforward murder/suicide but there's something about the contest for positioning of the thronebodies that makes DS Maeve Kerrigan and her boss DI Josh Derwent suspicious. Thus begins What looked as though it was going to be an epic quest to find her motheropen-and-shut case is now a complex double murder. Kerrigan is convinced that the explanation lies in Rosalie's disappearance: others (such as Derwent's murdererboss, save her own life, and fulfil a destiny she never knew she hadUna Burt) are less convinced.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841498173</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Conway and Dubravka Kolanovic0571379877|title=The Secret To Teddy's HappinessKellerby Code|author=Jonny Sweet

|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=When the toys discover an oldEdward Jevons is a working-class young man, bedraggled teddy bearobsessed with his upper-class friends, they rack their brains to find Robert and Stanza. Robert's a way to mend his broken hearttheatre director. He's also self-obsessed, demanding, handsome and entitled and uses Edward to make run errands for him smile again. The velvet rabbit who knows everything offers Edward has been in love with Stanza since their university days - and he's drunkenly confided how he feels to Robert. 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 left to stumble upon the two of them kissing in a dark passageway.}}{{Frontpage|author=Jo Callaghan|title=Leave No Trace|rating=4|genre=Crime|summary=When a man is found crucified on the secret top of Teddya hill in Nuneaton, DCS Kat Frank finds herself assigned to the case alongside her sidekick, the AI detective Lock. It's happinesstheir first live case together, but he wants them having previously been very successful with several cold cases. 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 draws a lot of unwanted attention to their AI Future Policing project. Will they be able to do him solve the case in time, or will Kat find herself taken off the case and, potentially, out of a favour first.career?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1862337624</amazonuk>139851120X

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Martin Kornberger 1399613073|title=Brand SocietyMoral Injuries|author=Christie Watson

|genre=Business and FinanceThrillers|summary=Brand Society is fundamentally not a business management book. This might come as some surprise given the title. Management booksOlivia, at least Laura and Anjali met on the ''how to'' management books, tend to be simple first day of medical school and easy to follow. But, I suspect Kornberger their friendship would agree, that's what limits their use. They are over-simplified to the point keep them inseparable for a quarter of uselessnessa century. Rather Olivia is ruthlessly ambitious, Brand Society takes an holistic approach which is a bonus when you aim to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. Laura is a perfectionist and a trauma doctor. Anjali is the subject free spirit of the prevailing nature of brands in todaygroup and she becomes a GP. When we first meet them they's world (re at least the Western world). He suggests that todaya drug and alcohol-fuelled party and it's brands exist without a prevailing theory going to understand them end in tragedy. We don't know who suffered the tragedy or make sense of themthe consequences. So what Kornberger does, after first looking at how brands transform management and organizations, is present a brand Twenty-centred conceptual map for thinking about things like politicsfive years later there will be an eerily similar event that will impact the three friends. This time, ethics and aestheticsit's their teenage children who are involved.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0521726905</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Philip Ball0241636604|title=The Music InstinctTrading Game: How Music Works and Why We Can't Do without it A Confession|author=Gary Stevenson|rating=4.5|genre=Popular ScienceAutobiography|summary=If you were to bring up an image of a city banker in your mind, you'We need re unlikely to talk about musicthink of someone like Gary Stevenson. A hoodie and jeans replaces the pin-stripe suit and his background is the East End, where he was familiar with violence, poverty and injustice. There was no posh public school on his CV - but it he had been to the London School of Economics. Stevenson is hardbright - extremely bright - and he has a facility with numbers which most of us can only envy. Very few He also realised that most rich people can do itexpect poor people to be stupid.' So says Philip Ball after 400 pages of talking about music It was his ability at what was, essentially, a card game which got him an internship with Citibank. Very few readers who make it that far will disagree with his conclusion Eventually, but most will have gained some enlightenment about how music works and why we enjoy itthis turned into permanent employment as a trader.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847920888</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Phil Daniels1035021803|title=Phil Daniels: Class ActorThe Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder|author=C L Miller|rating=43.5|genre=AutobiographyCrime|summary=If we were asked It's twenty years since Freya Lockwood has been back to nominate the archetypal Cockney actor on large or small screen over English country village where she grew up. She's back now because of a request for help from her beloved aunt, Carole. Freya's former mentor and Carole's close friend, Arthur Crockleford, is dead and the last twenty years or socircumstances seem suspicious, Phil Daniels would undoubtedly come high on to say the least. Arthur was the reason why Freya had not been back to the listvillage: Arthur, she feels, let her down badly. Born Even though they were in Islington business together as antique hunters, she has not felt able to be near the man or pursue the profession she loved. After the split, she worked in 1958 a cafe, met and raised in Kings Crossmarried James (on the rebound from the love of her life, he who was a graduate of the Anna Scher Theatre in the 1970smurdered) and Freya and James have now divorced.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847376207</amazonuk>

{{newreview|author=Sam Enthoven|title=Crawlers|rating=4|genre=Teens|summary=Why are the men I've heard it said that want to take over the world using evil alien beings always so stupid? Steadman 'technology' is stupidwhat happens after you're eighteen. Ever since the Great Fire Well, I must confess that there have been more than a few decades of London trapped her technology in an underground dungeon in 1666, my lifetime. I've kept up reasonably well with what's advantageous to me but I'm left with the Queen has been neutralisedfeeling that it's all getting away from me. Some of it is - frankly - quite frightening. Even then Of course, I could research the great possibilities and the powerful couldnprobabilities and end up down rabbit holes without really understanding whether I't quite bring themselves to kill her. She had too much potential. But m reading someone who knows what they did have 're talking about or the sense to keep her safely locked away. But now Steadman thinks he knows betterlatest conspiracy theorist. He thinks he can rule the world through the Queen I needed people I knew I could trust and he's set her who could deliver information in a test. If she passes, he will set her freeway I could understand. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0552558702</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Scott WesterfeldSunny Singh|title=PrettiesHotel Arcadia|rating=43.5|genre=TeensThrillers |summary=In the The Hotel Arcadia is a luxury hotel in an unnamed city of that has suddenly been violently taken over by a terrorist group. Hiding from the futureterrorists who are rampaging through, killing everyone on site, there is Sam, a wartime photographer and Abhi, all the adults are prettyhotel manager. They've had mental and physical surgery As Abhi continues to try to care remotely for the residents who are still alive in the hotel, he forms a bond with Sam who refuses to make them calmbe cowed by events, placid and perfectly aesthetic human beingskeeps on venturing out of her room to try to capture what's happened through her photography. If Although they have any trouble as young adults it is only ever talk over the problem of what to wear at partiesphone, or how their friendship grows as Abhi tries to get rid of their hangovers when help her keep safe and they wake up at 5pm. Unfortunately, one of these bright young things is our heroine, Tally, one of the few people in the world both wait to have learnt how damnably horrid and sapping see if they will be rescued before they are discovered by the life of Riley can beterrorists.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847389074</amazonuk>086154742X

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Suzanne Bugler1529153298|title=This Perfect WorldThe List of Suspicious Things|author=Jennie Godfrey

|genre=Women's General Fiction|summary=Laura Hamley sees herself as a fortunate It's 1979 and Margaret Thatcher is Prime Minister. (A woman? I mean, honestly. ..) She has a successful husband's not what's worrying Miv's family, two beautiful childrenthough. Women have been disappearing. Well, a big house in a good neighbourhoodthey've been murdered, and a coterie of friends who fall nicely into the category of people like usbut to have 'disappeared' doesn't sound quite so frightening. She Miv's upset because she's always beautifully turned out, and overheard that her position in father wants to move the social pecking order family 'Down South'. When you're from Yorkshire, Down South is never less than higha frightening, foreign place, best avoided. For Miv, the move would mean leaving her best friend, Sharon, and she'll do anything to prevent that. She simply shrugs off 's not worried about the occasional moments of dissatisfaction dangers or that her Mum's stopped talking - what on Earth could she have to complain about? And then Mrs Partridge makes an unwelcome phone callanyone... |amazonuk=<amazonuk>023074401X</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jill Newton1398524085|title=Crash Bang Donkey!Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?|author=Nicci French|rating=35|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=Farmer Gruff spends all his time chasing the crows from his cornCharlotte Salter was expected at her husband's fiftieth birthday party but never turned up. Eventually he needs to sleep Her children, sons Niall, Paul and Ollie and her daughter, so Etty. are all the animals tiptoe aroundworried but - strangely - her husband, Alec, making no noise whatsoeveris not. What Shortly afterwards, Etty and Greg, find the body of Greg's this coming over father, Duncan Ackerley, in the hill with a crash and a bang? Oh no! river. It's a donkey with a drum. How's Farmer Gruff going was an easy assumption for the police to get his sleep? If make that Duncan had murdered Charlie and then committed suicide when he cancouldn't sleep, howstand the guilt. The Salter children are not convinced but there's he ever going to be able to keep the crows from his corn?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1862337209</amazonuk>little else they can do but get on with their lives and wonder about what really happened.

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Olga Grushin1035906708|title=The Concert TicketDiva|author=Daisy Goodwin

|summary=We tend to think of Maria Callas as Greek, but she was born to Greek parents in Manhattan, New York, in December 1923 and only moved to Athens when she was thirteen. Her original surname was Kalogeropoulos but her father changed it to 'Callas'The Concert Ticket'' follows 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 lives of Nazi occupation by a family in Soviet Russia mother who have grown desperately distant from one anothermercilessly exploited her and made no secret of her preference for her elder sister, Jackie. Sergei}}{{Frontpage|author=Christopher Edge|title=Black Hole Cinema Club|rating=4|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Lucas and his friends are all booked in for a movie marathon at their local cinema, the father, is a frustrated musician who longs to play place that has the pre-revolutionary masterpieces nickname of composers like Igor Selinsky but is forced 'The Black Hole'. All big movie fans, they're looking forward to play the kind lots of patriotic ditties he despises. His schoolteacher wifeexciting films, and many, Annamany snacks! However, longs for his loveas the movie starts, but they very quickly realise that something about this new film format is never quite able very different, and they are swept up into an adventure they couldn't even imagine. But as they lurch from one film genre to get his attention with her shy gestures. Their shiftless sonthe next, Alexander, has quietly given up can they figure out what on earth is going on? Will they ever get back to school and spends his days hanging around the parkcinema, consorting with undesirables. Also living in and to their house is Anna's silent, elderly mother.real lives?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0670918482</amazonuk>1839942738

{{newreview|author=Aatish Taseer|title=The Temple-Goers|rating=3|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=Aatish Taseer is probably best known for his journalismRosevear, a remote and partially forgotten island, publishing regularly in survives on luring ships into the rocks and plundering the Indian presswrecks. Mira, in Prospectlike her mother before her, is one of the seven who swim out to survey the ruins – rescuing any survivors and any treasure that lies within. But when the Council Watch lays a trap to end the wrecking, they capture the island's leader and perhaps most prolifically in Time magazineMira's father. He has won acclaim for his memoir: Stranger Desperate to History in which save him from death, Mira makes a bargain with a wreck survivor who is as charming as heis secretive and with only coordinates to guide her, raised by his Indian Sikh mothershe sets off in search of a family secret that lies buried deep in the sea. With only nine days to unearth what might save her father, traces his absent Muslim father across as her journey takes her from the watched streets of foreign islands to the border in Pakistan – and also for his translations heart of the short stories smuggler's territory, Mira must be determined to stop at nothing to save the future of Saadat Hasan Mantoher home and the ones she holds most dear.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0670918504</amazonuk>0008664730

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Kate SaundersJames Sherwood Metts|title=BeswitchedPlanet Storyland

|summary=Flora is furious at being sent away to boarding school, even one which is very progressive with luxurious facilities and school rock bands. Her parents need to sell her grandmother's house in Italy and build Things have been a granny flat at home, and Flora is resentful at having her life turned upside down bit sticky for a grumpy, unpleasant old womanthe Earthlings. On the trainAI and automation have been proceeding apace, she falls asleep often replacing jobs they're paid to do and wakes up other tasks that took time to find herself in another eraaccomplish. Trendy 21st century Flora is horrified Just as they were beginning to find herself in a hideous pinafore dress with a childish haircut get used to all this technological change and no make up. What has happened starting to think of other, new ways to her Ipodspend time, mobile phone along came an awful pandemic. Life was pretty much shut down and brand new laptop?, along with it, all the many daily social interactions on which they depend so heavily.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1407108972</amazonuk>1736128426

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Julie CohenMatthew Tree|title=Nina Jones and the Temple of GloomWe'll Never Know

|genre=Women's Literary Fiction|summary=A sign of a good book, for me, often relates to how easily I can put it down. And then how much I want to pick it back up again. Nina Jones was a particular challenge for me as after reading it for an hour whilst my toddler napped I kept my thumb in the page whilst getting her out of bed, snuck her downstairs still saving my page, put on Cbeebies, and then sat next to her on the sofa to carry on reading for at least another hour, if not a little bit Timothy Wyndham wants nothing more than that. I then kept it in the kitchen so I could sneak a few more pages in between stirring the spaghetti. And then once my daughter was in bed I went on to absently ignore my poorbe different from his father, tired, over-worked husband (who got bored a drunk and went for a bath) so that I could read on to the end chronic underachiever whose dreams of the story. I found myself mentally yelling being exceptional at a fictional character (I hope it was mentally any of his artistic passions all failed miserably and I wasn't actually shouting out loudwho had endless crises of self confidence...we have very thin walls)So Tim applied himself to his studies, I swooned over the hero, sniggered often cultivated his abilities rather than his daydreams and I even cried a little bit tooset himself high but achievable ambitions. So, a book that induces such family neglect and an emotional roller coaster of emotions is definitely a good read!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0755341414</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=Ken Bruen1529900360|title=The GuardsGhost Orchid|author=Jonathan Kellerman

|summary=A woman makes an unlikely choice by asking Jack Taylor 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 investigate the apparent suicide of her teenage daughter in Galway. Jack is ex Irish police (Garda) but also a known alcoholic with nothing much else in ask for his lifehelp on difficult cases. His approach to investigation is haphazard assertions that there were only open-and- he doesnshut cases which didn't really have need the help of a psychologist only worked for a method beyond asking direct questions andwhile. Finally, if necessaryit was Robin, using his fistsDelaware's partner, who nudged Milo into asking for help again. Predictably, there is more to She knew that the involvement was something that the suicide man she loved needed. The next case than first meets did look simple, though. Two lovers were murdered in the eye and Jack, aided by his unsavoury friend, Sutton, uncover some very disturbing secrets and levels swimming pool of corruption within a remote property in Bel Air. He was the city. ''The Guards'' heir to an Italian shoe empire and she is not your conventional crime thriller; married to an extremely rich man and it's darker and has a grim realismnot the Italian.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0863224105</amazonuk> But which of them was the primary target?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Elizabeth Speller1529395224|title=Letting the Cat Out of the Bag: The Return Secret Life of Captain John Emmetta Vet|author=Sion Rowlands|rating=43.5|genre=General FictionAnimals and Wildlife|summary=Laurence Bartram has survived Siôn Rowlands fell into veterinary science accidentally. His father was a GP and Rowlands didn't want to follow in his footsteps, particularly when he considered the war, but strain that being on-call put on his father's life has changed dramatically. When he was seventeen he took the opportunity of doing work experience with a family friend who was a vet and was convinced this was the job for him. It will never be the same againBefore long, he was at Liverpool University. Ithadn's almost t - as if he doesn't recognize himself. Domestic life is now nonwith so many students -existent and been his dream since he has no-one to please but himselfwas a child. He is unsettled and edgy. War has obviously left its mark. He retreats graciously and wonders what If anything, he'll do with the rest of his lifed wanted to be a professional footballer. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1844086070</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Salman Rushdie0861541774|title=Imaginary Homelands: Essays and Criticisms 1981 - 1991A Nye of Pheasants|author=Steve Burrows|rating=3.54|genre=Politics and SocietyCrime|summary=We read some authors because we know weDCI Domenic Jejeune're going s close friend and former colleague, Danny Maik, has taken a short holiday in Singapore to enjoy themmeet 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. OthersInitially, we feel somehow obliged he faced a charge of manslaughter but evidence came to light that suggested that he might have planned to readmurder the man. If we consider ourselves ''readers'', and certainly if we have any pretensions (I use Now he could be facing the word advisedly) death penalty. Domenic Jejeune can do nothing to being ''well-readhelp as any interference from another police force could provoke a diplomatic incident and wouldn'', then there are some books and more particularly some authors with whom we are required to become familiart help Danny at all.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099542250</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Neel MukherjeeAlexander McCall Smith|title=A Life ApartThe Perfect Passion Company

|genre=Literary General Fiction|summary=Ritwik Ghosh grows up The Perfect Passion Company is a dating agency in India in the 1970'sEdinburgh, one of two children of run by Ness and operating as an abusive mother. In alternative to all the 1990'sonline apps in providing a more personal, finally escaping tailored service. Ness has asked her younger cousin Katie if she could come and look after the country after her deathbusiness, he comes as Ness is planning to England take a trip to study Canada to get away for a while. Katie is coming out of a break up with a bad boyfriend, and so jumps at Oxford, then moves the chance to come home to LondonEdinburgh. There And so begins this new story from Alexander McCall Smith, he looks after 86 year old Anne Cameron in exchange for free accommodationbringing us to an Edinburgh we already love, while looking for workthanks to 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie novels, and for sexual encounters but with other mensome new characters who quickly begin to charm. He also writes Katie has no experience in running a novel business, or in match- the extended story of Miss Gilbymaking, a character but Ness has full confidence in Rabindranath Tagoreher abilities, and there's novel Ghare Baire. Miss Gilby becomes English teacher always her very helpful (and rather handsome) neighbour, William, to Bimala, the wife of lend a minor official in 1900's Bengal just before the Partition of the province.hand…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>184901101X</amazonuk>1846976596

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Mark Sperring and Leo Timmers0811771741|title=GreenInstaKnits for Baby|author=Melissa Leapman

|genre=For SharingCrafts|summary=Clive loves wearing green. ItMelissa Leapman's all he ever wears''InstaKnits for Baby'' gives us a collection of knits from toys to blankets. He thinks he looks mighty snazzy Some will be quick knits - others are of the 'long, but his big sister (boo! hiss!) takes every opportunity cosy afternoons in front of the fire' variety. The projects are divided by the time they'll take to call him a cabbagecomplete - less than five hours, mossfive to ten hours, a sprout or a toadten to twenty hours and more than twenty hours. Clive keeps wearing his green clothes All the projects are attractive, certain modern and useable. I perhaps show my age when I wonder about 'social-media-worthy projects' but that he'll have the last laugh and get one over on his sisters me being picky.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845394534</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Ian Whybrow and Lynne ChapmanDean Koontz|title=Stinky! Or How The Beautiful Smelly Warthog Found A Bad Weather Friend|rating=34.5|genre=For SharingParanormal|summary=Stinky the warthog lives in Benny is having a neighbourhood with the Crocodile familyterrifically bad day. He loses his job, he loses his fiancee, the Monkey family and the Littlebird familyhis house gets trashed. One by one they invite Stinky round to play with their children Oh, but his foul odour and the flies buzzing around him cause all manner of problems. Will he be able to find someone has delivered a friend? ...Wellreally weird, yesdisturbing coffin-sized object to his home, and it says so in 's possible that whoever or whatever was inside is the title.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1862337594</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Josephine Wilkinson|title=thing that has trashed his house! The Early Loves of Anne Boleyn|rating=3.5|genre=History|summary=Before her marriage to King Henry VIIIthing is, Anne Boleyn had already been courted by three suitors, any of whom might have become her husband - and possibly saved her from her eventual end on Benny is the scaffoldvery last person to deserve all this bad luck. The first was her Irish cousin James Butler, later Earl of Ormond, whom she was at one time intended to marry in order to settle He is a family dispute over the title and estates of the Earldom of Ormondnice person. A really nice person. After their marriage negotiations came So fortunately for Benny it turns out that the delivery to an end in the face of legal obstacleshis house is a new friend, she became betrothed to Henry Percya bad weather friend called Spike, heir who has been sent to the Duke of Northumberland. With a little help him since Benny is clearly under attack from the scheming Cardinal Wolsey, the Duke, who had little time nefarious forces for his son, insisted that any idea of marriage between them should be dismissed forthwithbeing a good person. Soon after this the poet Thomas Wyatt became enamoured Spike is going to take care of Benny, and will certainly take care of herBenny's enemies, if he, but by this time there was fierce competition from his sovereignBenny, and her destiny was sealedHarper (a waitress slash Private Investigator who finds herself roped into Benny's wild adventure) can figure out who exactly they are.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1848684304</amazonuk>1662500491

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Scott WesterfeldAdam Stower|title=UgliesMurray and Bun

|genre=TeensConfident Readers |summary="This city Murray is supposed to be a paradisehumble, Tally. It feeds youtidy and friendly cat, one who is able to sleep and eat and eat and sleep and, educates youwell, keeps you safewhatever takes his fancy next of the two. It makes you pretty." And thatBut he's meant literally. As soon as theya bad magician're sixteen years olds cat, ugly people like Tally are completely rebuilt - no more freckles, dull eyes, rough skin, or ideas about biting their fingernails, and made so his favourite bun has been turned into a pretty. It's scientifichyperactive sticky rabbit called Bun, and obviously of benefitthe catflap they both use can chuck them out, considering not into the partiesregular back garden, status but into a world of frightening adventure and love afforded to prettieswhiffs. But is This time round it essential? When her best friend drops them into a Viking land, where a troll hunter is prettified Tally finds a new friendexpected – well, Shayone much bigger than Murray was, who has secrets to share in the few weeks before the operation theybe honest, but he's turned up and he're due ll have to have on the same day. Secrets of another place, another way, and of people staying forever ugly - through choice.do…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847389066</amazonuk>0008561249

{{newreview|author=Preston Rutt and Ben Redlich|title=Tortoise vs. Hare - The Rematch!|rating=5|genre=For Sharing|summary=Harry 'The Hurricane' Hare has been licking his wounds since Fragility'Steady' Eddie Tortoise beat him in is set as the famous race. It's time for a rematchcity of Portland, and Harry's been training hard. Eddie couldn't possibly win againOregon, could he?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845394186</amazonuk>cautiously begins to emerge from the restrictions imposed during the covid pandemic

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jo Nesbo1529431735|title=Doctor Proctor's Fart PowderThe Winter Visitor|author=James Henry

|genre=Confident ReadersCrime|summary=LisaIt's best friend has moved away. The neighbourhood bullies, Truls February 1991 and Trym TraneEssex is bitingly cold, are causing havoc. Her dad is getting ready for Norwaywhich made Bruce Hopkins's Independence Day celebrationsreturn all the more surprising. Oh, and there He's an anaconda d been exiled on the loose in the sewersCosta del Sol as a wanted drug smuggler for a decade. Then Nilly moves into her street, and the two of them meet Doctor Proctor and discover his amazing fart powder.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847386539</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Nicole Dryburgh|title=Talk to the Hand|rating=4|genre=Teens|summary=We first met Nicole Dryburgh in her book '' The Way I See Itreturn has come about because he'', which she wrote at eighteen, and which detailed her battles with cancer and the loss of her sight. We loved the warts-ands had a letter from his ex-all picture of her life that she gave us thenwife, and so we were really pleased to see saying that she's written a second bookill and hasn't long to live. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340996978</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Ian Mathie|title=The Man of Passage|rating=3.5|genre=Autobiography|summary=Ian Mathie It's association with Africa began hard to feel any sympathy when Hopkins is abducted, stripped to his father was posted underwear and sent to what was then Northern Rhodesia when Mathie was just four years old. School was a watery grave in a convent and was run by German and Italian nuns and for a while he was the only white child amongst boot of a couple of hundred Africansstolen Ford Sierra. Even when he was joined by others he was still part of an ethnic minority although he didn't realise Is it! He was taught in the local language and grew up with the local children. It was his a warning from a Spanish gang or a problem closer to home and was to be the centre of his life for decades to come.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0955312418</amazonuk>?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=K A S QuinnAlex Bell and Tim McDonagh|title=The Queen Must Die (Chronicles Glorious Race of the Tempus) Magical Beasts

|summary=In this historical time-travelling extravaganza, Katie Berger-Jones-Burg (I know, it's Eli is a mouthful, but stay with me) is busy lad – by day an apprentice in the daughter of Mimi, an ex-girl band member who has been married three times, so far, hence Katie's hyphenated name. Katie has come home from school to find that Mimi has gone off wondrous library we start by visiting with another man, Dr Fishberghim, and as she begins to stress about in the potential new addition to her surname she crawls into her hidey-hole space beneath her bed to escape for evening a little while. Here she keeps her diary and her stash of books, helper at the dessert cafe his gran owns and she curls up to read her latest book, a compilation of letters from Princess Alice, Queen Victoria's youngest daughterruns. She starts to feel a bit sleepyEli lives with his lovely gran, but too – for there is suddenly startled awake by a flash of lightgeneration missing in the family. She finds herself in Victorian EnglandA few short years ago, underneath a sofa and staring into the eyes of Princess Alice, who is just as startled as she is.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848873700</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Robert Williams|title=Luke and Jon|rating=5|genre=General Fiction|summary=LukeEli's mum died in a car accident a while ago and since then his father has let things go. The house has been repossessed and they are forced to move parents were both lost to the titular race, a new town. The new place is falling down globe- it's trotting adventure where all they can afford after entrants have to navigate the debts were paid. Neither Luke nor his father are really that bothered - what can a house be when there's no mum to fill it with her brightness and vivacity and love? The bottle of whisky that has begun to live world in his father's hand though - that's a worry for Luke; that makes him feel rather sick inside. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0571249639</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Melanie Rose|title=Coming Home|rating=4.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=We meet the narrator company of this story drinking coffee from a thermos in a lay-by, on a cold grey day. All her worldly possessions are travelling with her in her car, including her catmagical beast. She This has clearly made some momentous decision, and is on her way the race anathema to somewhere new. I assumed that as story unfolded, I'd learn more about her and where she was going.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847561063</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=P C Cast|title=Divine by Choice (Goddess of Partholon)|rating=3|genre=Fantasy|summary=A few months after the Formorian war, Shannon Parker is living pair – but when a bad incident at the high life. Hailed as Goddess Incarnate, married eatery leads to a man (wellconfession from gran, centaur) who was born Eli knows his only hope is to dare to love herenter what he most hates, carrying her first child, the next daughter of Epona and royally spoiled with amazing jewels and clothes, life really can't get much better.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0778303586</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Stephanie Tillotson|title=Cut on the Bias|rating=4.5|genre=Short Stories|summary=If ''Cut on sole aim the Bias'' is in your local bookshop, you will surely be won over by prize of magic at the feisty cover. Stories about women and their clothes are about identity, so what better start to a set of short stories than a fashion statement cover featuring end – the bags in which said clothes arrive home?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906784132</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Nick Hornby|title=Juliet, Naked|rating=5|genre=General Fiction|summary=A clever, comic delight, pitch-perfect, astutely observed, particularly insightful, must-read. Crumbs. Whatever else is there only thing to say about Nick Hornby's latest book that isn't already plastered on this newly-published paperback edition? I can only report that ''Juliet,'' ''Naked'' bowled me over with yet another Hornby strikepossibly save his gran.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0141020644</amazonuk>0571382231