Tag Archives: fiction

February 3, 2021 · 5:23 am

Deity by Matt Wesolowski – a review BLOG TOUR

Deity is the latest in the six stories series by Matt Wesolowski. I have devoured all of these books so was very excited to be invited onto the blog tour of his latest.

Pop superstar Zach Crystal is the mysterious singer at the centre of the newest Six Stories podcast hosted by internet sensation Scott King. Zach died in a fire at his mansion. Since then there have been numerous allegations made against the recluse. Was he really an abusive monster like his critics say or was he the caring charity worker his fans believe? It is down to Scott to try and find out the truth.

This was another gripping story that I thoroughly enjoyed. As with all of the series, this book is split into 6 podcast episodes, for each one a different person is interviewed. Interspersed throughout is an interview that was recorded with Zach just before he died. I really like this style of storytelling, it is short and to the point and you know that at every episode you get a certain closure whilst still having the cliff hanger to keep you reading.

The story was interesting and kept me turning the pages (well pressing the next page button on the kindle) This is a disturbing read, with parallels undoubtedly being drawn with some real life scandals that have come to light, yet it is more than that. With interesting characters littered throughout we are drawn into a web of folklore and legend, that all spins around the Zach Crystal story.

It is hard to review these books without giving much away, but if you like punchy thrillers with elements of the supernatural then I would definitely recommend them.

To find out what others thought of the book find out by visiting the other stops on the tour.

1 Comment

Filed under book review

Tagged as , , , , , ,

March 13, 2019 · 6:57 pm

Clarissa’s Warning by Isobel Blackthorn – a review

As regular readers will know I’m not normally a fan of a supernatural novel, preferring a sensible conclusion to my mysteries. However I don’t mind a ghost story, if it’s clearly labelled as such therefore when I received an email from the lovely Rachel I was intrigued.

Clarissa’s Warning begins with lottery winner Claire travelling to Fuerteventura  where she has bought a run-down old house that she wants to restore to its former beauty. Despite the warnings from her psychic Aunt Clarissa that someone is going to harm her, she refuses to be persuaded against her dream. However when Clarissa arrives she soon realises that things are not all what they seem. She begins to doubt herself, especially when not only are local builders refusing to work on the project but weird and scary things start happening around the site. Claire befriends the local café owner and is determined to complete her project despite there clearly being someone or something wanting to stop her.

This was a fun and easy read. It’s not particularly a scary book, and there is nothing that will make you jump. However there is an underlying menace throughout the story that gradually builds up as the tale progresses and Claire becomes in more and more danger.  Whilst the characters themselves are not that memorable if I’m honest, I did enjoy reading about them and I liked Claire’s interaction with some of the local people and the builders. You got a sense of how isolating it would be to move to a strange country all on your own and try to complete a project like this.

Within the novel I especially liked the way the story mixed up descriptions of the island with some history and some supernatural events yet kept things grounded with the detailed paragraphs about the restoration work. By the end you felt as invested in wanting it all to work as Claire did.

All in all this was an easy and enjoyable story that almost needs a category of its own of ‘Cosy Ghost Stories to read by the fire on a cold winters night’ Even if the story doesn’t make you jump the descriptions of the Island will certainly warm you up!

Purchase Link – viewbook.at/ClarissaWarning

Author Bio –  Isobel Blackthorn is a prolific novelist of brilliant, original fiction across a range of genres, including dark psychological thrillers, gripping mystery novels, captivating travel fiction, and hilarious dark satire. Isobel holds a PhD in Western Esotericism and carries a lifelong passion for the Canary Islands, Spain. A Londoner originally, Isobel currently lives near Melbourne, Australia, with her little white cat.

Social Media Links – https://www.facebook.com/Lovesick.Isobel.Blackthorn/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5768657.Isobel_Blackthorn

@IBlackthorn

 

1 Comment

Filed under book review, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , ,

September 24, 2018 · 7:38 am

The Lion Tamer Who Lost by Louise Beech – a review BLOG TOUR

thumbnail_Lion Tamer front cover finalWow, is the only word I can really think of to describe how this felt when I finished it. This is a story that grabbed me from the beginning and literally didn’t let me go until the end. I read The Lion Tamer Who Lost on a recent trip to Copenhagen and it certainly got me some rather concerned looks at times as it was hard not to be outwardly emotional whilst reading.

The Lion Tamer Who Lost is the second novel I have read by Louise Beech after Maria in the Moon and I have to say this I think this is even better than the first (which is good going as I loved the first one too, read my review here)

Ben is in Zimbabwee after the breakup of a relationship. He is fulfilling his childhood dream to go and work at a lion sanctuary. Andrew is a writer who is hoping for his big break. Their paths cross and events unfold that mean neither of them will ever be the same.

This was a truly fantastic read. Described as a love story, a phrase that would normally put me off a book, it is that but so much more. The story is told from both the characters viewpoints. It almost starts in the middle before going both backwards and forwards. Yet what could be a complicated structure is an absolutely flawless read which I suspect is testament to the quality of the writing.

The two main characters are both very intriguing. For the first half of the book I kept swinging between sympathy and irritation with them both, yet as the story weaved it’s way to the conclusion I was so deeply invested in the characters that I wanted nothing but a happy ending. Therefore as the twists kept getting more shocking the story just got more emotional.

There is a great sense of place within the novel. The descriptions of Zimbabwee and especially those of the sunrises that Ben enjoys are so vivid you almost feel like you are about to open the door onto a lion.

Louise Beech is a fabulous writer and her novels are definitely ones that will stay with you for long after you have finished them. Whilst this is certainly not a standard murder mystery and so not my usual fare I think this novel could quite possibly be my favourite book of the year.

The Lion Tamer Who Lost is available now.

1 Comment

Filed under book review

Tagged as , , , ,