Best of 3 Christmas Novels

With mistletoe, mine pies, nativities, snow, Christmas fairs and decorations galore - get into the festive spirit with a good Christmas story. Here's the low down on my top picks these season. 

1. Christmas at Rachel's Pudding Pantry by Caroline Roberts

Well worth a read - this one certainly got me in the Christmas spirit. This had all the ingredients for a perfect romcom eligible bachelor, countryside village setting, close-knit family and friends, entrepreneurial spirit and cute animals/children. However, this had more breadth than your typical sugar-coated romance. It was heart-warming but also real, embracing the ups and downs of life including illness, grief, single parenting, British farming and starting up a small business. Essentially this was the story of the Swinton family - four generations of warm, strong women working together to make a success of their new business and keep their beloved farm.

Find out more at carolinerobertswriter.blogspot.com

2. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Karen Clarke

My favourite of the three - a festive feel-good story set in a quaint French village with a strong female entrepreneurial character running her own business whilst trying not to fall in love. What I loved most about this book was it's relatability. Whilst thankfully I've never been caught by a really cute guy doing a koala-dance complete with koala noise whilst dressed in a koala onesie, I can't be the only one who can totally relate to those type of cringenly embarrassing situations. I love Karen Clarke's style of writing - witty and modern but also refreshingly PG, describing connections and spine-tingling kisses rather than x-rated sex scenes. 

Find out more at www.karenclarkewriter.com.

3. A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley

A heart-warming romance set at Christmas. I fell in love with the Cornish seaside village of Porthmellow with its cosy cafes, welcoming pub, village traditions and bracing seascape. The sense of community spirit as all the locals got involved in the Solstice celebrations and annual Boxing Day swim was really inspiring and heart-warming. It was a bonus to be treated to not one but two budding romances, with both sisters falling for a hot, single local. The book starts with Scarlett gate-crashing the pub's Christmas Day Lunch for the Lonely after a family history gift revealed her Dad wasn't actually her real Dad. 

Find out more at phillipa-ashley.com

PREVIEW - Hold Your Tongue by Deborah Masson

I'm delighted to share my review of 'Hold Your Tongue' by Deborah Masson. This is not for the squeamish but it's really rather good - a great debut from an exciting new author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Random House UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Released: 20 November 2019 (ebook) and 26 December 2019 (paperback)

The blurb 
A brutal murder. A young woman’s body is discovered with horrifying injuries, a recent newspaper cutting pinned to her clothing.

A detective with everything to prove. This is her only chance to redeem herself.

A serial killer with nothing to lose. He’s waited years, and his reign of terror has only just begun . . .

In my opinion 
I was intrigued by the title, description and cover of Deborah Masson's debut novel but immediately thought I'd made a big mistake as this is quite violent and unnervingly descriptive from the very first page, making it quite uncomfortable reading in places. I'm not sure why it shocked me as the clue is very much in the title " Hold Your Tongue" referring to the serial killer removing his victims' tongues whilst they were still alive. Anyway I took a deep breath and carried on and am so glad I did as it turned out to be really rather good. 

I really enjoyed the style of writing which is short, snappy and to the point. It's really easy reading with the fairly short chapters continually tempting you to just read one more, particularly as the story starts quickening to its explosive ending. The narrative is principally the voice of the lead investigative detective, DI Eve Hunter, but interspersed with the odd chapter or section by the killer and other members of Eve's team which kept things varied and grabbed attention.

Following the police investigation is definitely my favourite style of crime writing as it provides a fascinating insight into police work. I always feel like I am a member of the team examining the evidence, looking for clues and trying to solve the crime alongside the characters. The best thing by far about this novel, however, was my total inability to guess the identity of the killer, due almost entirely to the author's clever misdirection throughout.

What's more Deborah Masson has a unique gift for characterisation. The four main characters, the police officers, are all flawed but still relatable and on the whole likeable. And, it's these flaws which make for such a captivating dynamic between the characters as they resent, distrust, dislike, compete and grieve with each other whilst trying to work together as a united front. Again it's the author's talent and incredible writing that enables you to put yourself in every character's shoes, understanding why they are and act the way they do - even the mentally disturbed killer.

A nice touch was that the book didn't end with the big reveal, instead it continued briefly exploring the aftermath of the case. We saw how the four main characters were coping and working towards putting their past and strained relationships behind them in order to move on as a supportive close-knit team.

Not for the squeamish but I really recommend this - a great debut from an exciting new author. I would've given it five stars except for the gruesomeness of the tongue scenes.

The author

Follow @deborah_masson on Twitter.

REVIEW - Christmas at Rachel's Pudding Pantry by Caroline Roberts

I'm delighted to share my review of the new novel in the Pudding Pantry series by Caroline Roberts. Well worth a read with all the ingredients for a perfect festive romcom. This one will certainly get you in the Christmas spirit.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Harper Collins UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Released: 31 October 2019

The blurb
The first snow is falling over Primrose Farm, the mince pies are warming, and Rachel can’t wait to share a kiss under the mistletoe with her gorgeous new flame, Tom. If only it was all comfort and joy.....but the arrival of Tom’s ex brings an unwelcome chill to the farm. And despite Master Baker Mum Jill’s valiant efforts, the new pudding pantry business is feeling the pinch.With a spoonful of festive spirit, a cupful of goodwill with friends, and her messy, wonderful family by her side, can Rachel make this a Christmas to remember?

In my opinion

Well worth a read with the inclusion of festive recipes providing a nice extra touch too. And, for me the book itself had all the ingredients for a perfect romcom:

·         Budding romance

·         Countryside village setting

·         Close-knit family

·         Cosy friendships

·         Entrepreneurial spirit

·         Cute animals and children

·         Christmas cheer

Yes like most chicklit it follows a tried and tested ‘recipe’ but it’s a formula that works and is one I love. However, this had more breadth than your typical sugar-coated romance. It was heart-warming but also real, embracing the ups and downs of life including illness, grief, single parenting, British farming and starting up a small business.

Essentially this was the story of the Swinton family - four generations of warm, strong women working together to make a success of their new business and keep their beloved farm. I loved the lead character, Rachel, a hard-working, driven, independent, kind, family-orientated young woman. Although I did find it hard to believe that Rachel was 24 – I mean being a young single mum is likely to make you grow up quickly but still the most mature, sensible 24 year old I’ve ever come across.

Five-year old Maisy, Rachel’s daughter, was obviously adorable too, providing many of the comedic moments. The best of these was undoubtedly the school nativity play where the farm’s overgrown lamb, Petie, played a supporting role alongside shepherd Maisy. Cue Petie lunging for a mouthful of hay, toppling Baby Jesus out of the crib, before leaping into the audience and galloping up and down only to poo on the floor on his way out.

As Christmas titles go this one was actually very festive, unlike many. It had Christmas puddings, the infamous nativity, snow storms, Christmas fairs and decorations galore. Although to be fair it also had fireworks and bonfires as it covered the run-up to Christmas too - so a real seasonal delight.

Seemingly this is the second novel in the Pudding Pantry series, with hints of a third to come. But, don’t let that put you off as it works perfectly well as a standalone too. All in all a great read which will certainly get you in the festive spirit (and make your mouth water will all the mentions of scrumptious sounding puddings).

The author

Follow @_caroroberts on Twitter or find out more on the author's own website.

REVIEW - Rewrite the Stars by Emma Heatherington

I'm delighted to share my review of the latest novel by Emma Heatherington. This book explores the concept of fate and whether you can actually rewrite the stars. A concept I loved but for me whilst this had all the perfect ingredients for a great story overall I liked it rather than loved it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Harper Collins UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Released: 17 October 2019

The blurb 
From the moment they meet one December day there’s something between Charlotte Taylor and her brother’s best friend, Tom Farley. But Tom’s already taken and Charlie has to let him go. It’s another five years before their paths cross again only a secret from the past forces Charlie to make a choice. She promises herself she’ll never look back. The years pass and Charlie moves on with her life but she can never forget Tom. He’s always there whispering ‘What if?’. Can Charlie leave the life she has built for one last chance with Tom? Or is the one that got away not really the one at all?

In my opinion
This book is so much more than just a romance. Firstly, the author delivered a deeper exploration of love and relationships than your average romance novel. But, more significantly, it was really thought-provoking exploring a number of other themes and ideas alongside the romantic story line.

I absolutely loved the whole concept of this book regularly considering the idea of fate and destiny myself. There was a similarity with the film “Sliding Doors”, exploring the different paths that a woman's life might have taken depending on her reaction to one momentous event. For the record I believe in destiny and that everything happens for a reason. Although author Emma Heatherington says it better saying: “No matter how we try and shape it, fate will always make sure we end up exactly where we are meant to be.”

Love Interest #1 Tom is main character Charlotte’s first crush and soul mate. Five years later they bump into each other again on the same night that she meets Jack, Love Interest #2, for the first time. But, their reunion is short lived as a family tragedy forces them apart yet again. Charlotte then goes onto marry Jack but can’t stop wondering ‘what if’ with regards to Tom. Unfortunately it did mean though that the story was a bit repetitive at times as the main character continued to brood over her past, present and future.

Similarly, I was also captivated by the idea of life not turning out as we planned. As children we dream of being astronauts or doctors or whatever we want, we truly believe we can be anything we want. Which of course we can but the reality is that we often find ourselves on a different path for whatever reason. Like Charlotte who dreamed of being a singer songwriter but ended up as a teacher enjoying singing songs to a delighted audience of primary school children instead.

Lastly, deeper topics of mental health and family ties were explored. For me though, whilst I understood and emphasized with Charlotte’s brother’s mental health issues, the same couldn’t be said for my feelings towards the main character herself. Charlotte has a gorgeous, kind husband who adores her, idyllic country living in a beautiful cottage, a supportive circle of family and friends, and a rewarding career as a teacher – yet she is miserable. I understand that mental health doesn’t work like that and is extremely complex and uncontrollable but to me Charlotte just came across as a bit whiney and ungrateful rather than truly in a dark place like her brother. As such I couldn’t really connect with her.

And, because of that I just liked this novel rather than loved it. It had all the ingredients for a great story yet for me there was something slightly missing.

The author
Follow @emmalou13 on Twitter to find out more.

REVIEW - A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley

I love a heart-warming romance set in a charming village location and especially one set at Christmas. As such I was really excited to be given the opportunity to NetGalley and publisher Avon Books UK to read Phillips Ashley's new novel before publication.

Released: 31 October 2019

The blurb 
Christmas in Cornwall is just around the corner but after last Christmas revealed a shocking family secret, Scarlett’s hardly feeling merry and bright. All she wants this Christmas is to know who her real father is. So Scarlett heads to the little Cornish town of Porthmellow, where she believes the truth of her birth is hidden. She just didn’t bargain on being drawn into the Christmas festival preparations – or meeting Jude Penberth, whose charm threatens to complicate life further. Everything will come to a head at Porthmellow’s Christmas Festival … But can Scarlett have the perfect Christmas this year, or are there more surprises on the way?

In my opinion
As I said I love a heart-warming romance set in a charming village location and even more so one set at Christmas. And, this was exactly that. Like sisters Scarlett and Ellie I too fell in love with the Cornish seaside village of Porthmellow with its cosy cafes, welcoming pub, village traditions and bracing seascape. The sense of community spirit as all the locals got involved in the Solstice celebrations and annual Boxing Day swim was really inspiring and heart-warming. The characters were also all extremely likeable, from main characters Ellie and Scarlett to supporting villagers such as the Carman's. 

It was a bonus to be treated to not one but two budding romances, with both sisters falling for a hot, single local. However, this was also a slight negative for me as having two lead characters, along with a third person narrative, meant that it wasn't really anyone's story. As such, whilst I liked all the characters, I didn't really connect with any of them to any great extent.

The book started extremely dramatically and promisingly with Scarlett gate-crashing the pub's Christmas Day Lunch for the Lonely after a family history gift revealed her Dad wasn't actually her real Dad and her mum doggedly refused to comment. However, unfortunately this also set the scene for the rest of the book as her mum continued to remain silent, and continued and continued for chapter after chapter. As such the story was a bit slow and drawn out in places.

That said regarding the identity of Scarlett's father there were plenty of hidden twists along the way, and his eventual identity was completely unexpected, if a little far-fetched. However, after such a long build-up and such devastating effect on the family, surprisingly it was all over and done with in a matter of pages concentrating too much on the reveal rather than the back story. Similarly there were lots of other intriguing themes that were introduced, such as Aaron's post-traumatic stress, Auntie Joan's hedonistic lifestyle and Judge's jolting fiancee, but these were never really explored. I would have loved to have heard more on each of these.

Overall, this was an easy, enjoyable read but just not a must-read in my opinion. Because it was set over the course of a year it was sufficiently festive for a Christmas book but not so much that it couldn't be enjoyed at any time of the year. I believe this is the second of author Phillipa Ashley's novels to be set in Porthmellow, with some of the original characters making cameo appearances, but it

The author
Follow @PhillipaAshley on Twitter or find out more at phillipa-ashley.com

PREVIEW: Three hours by Rosamund Lupton

I'm delighted to share my preview of the forthcoming thriller by Rosamund Lupton. In a word.....wow! This book was unlike anything I've read. It was truly mind blowing and really got under my skin. I would urge anyone and everyone to read it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Penguin Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: January 2020 

The blurb

Three hours to save the people you love.

From the Sunday Times bestselling author, Rosamund Lupton, comes an electrifying, pulse-racing new novel that takes us deep into the heart of what it means to be human.

Three hours is 180 minutes or 10,800 seconds. It is a morning's lessons, a dress rehearsal of Macbeth, a snowy trek through the woods. It is an eternity waiting for news. Or a countdown to something terrible. It is 180 minutes to discover who you will die for and what men will kill for.

In rural Somerset in the middle of a blizzard, the unthinkable happens: a school is under siege. From the wounded headmaster in the library, unable to help his trapped pupils and staff, to teenage Hannah in love for the first time, to the parents gathering desperate for news, to the 16 year old Syrian refugee trying to rescue his little brother, to the police psychologist who must identify the gunmen, to the students taking refuge in the school theatre, all experience the most intense hours of their lives, where evil and terror are met by courage, love and redemption.

In my opinion
First, I must first apologise, however, as it's actually quite hard to talk about this book without spoiling it by giving anything away. Anyway it wasn't just the story - of a school under siege by gunmen - that affected me but the clever telling of that story. Throughout there were references to real-life atrocities such as school shootings in America and other topics that we're familiar with from the news. Parts were narrated as text message extracts or newspaper headlines and parts from the perspective of the police investigation. And, I think it was these things that made it horrifyingly realistic. It invaded my consciousness in much the same way as a real rolling news story would - in that I couldn't stop thinking about the children and their families and my own loved ones until it was over. 

Author Rosamund Lupton somehow manages to write in a way that is both beautifully deep and emotional and yet at the same time thrillingly fast-paced and tense. She tackles a variety of difficult subjects with compassion and sensitivity including mental health, diversity, politics and relationships. Whilst each chapter focuses on a different time segment counting down from the first gun shot to the nail-biting conclusion three hours later. 

The story is told through the perspectives of a large cast of characters, each with their own stories which shape their behaviours and response to trauma, but all providing a fascinating and unique insight into the human psyche. Side by side are good and bad, brave and withdrawn, socially confident and awkward, those who've already faced adversity and those who haven't, and police, victims and perpetrators. For example, at one point you have the joyous relief of parents who hear their children have been evacuated to safety playing out in front of the anxious heart-broken families of those who don't yet know the fate of their children.

I liked this more than I can put into words. It was totally addictive - one where you're torn between enjoying it so much you never want it to end and being so gripped that you can't stop yourself from racing through the pages. A must read.

The author

Follow Rosamund Lupton on Twitter https://twitter.com/rosamundlupton or find out more at www.rosamundlupton.com.

Books vs E-books

I love my tablet and use it every single day. I also love books but by books I mean 'real' books aka paper books and as such have avoided e-books for the last x years since their launch. However, when NetGalley offered me the chance to e-read one of my favourite authors (Karen Clarke in case you're interested) pre-release I finally succumbed and downloaded my first e-book. So, am I now a convert?

The thing I struggled most with was not being able to gauge my progress. This is especially true with a print book towards the end, when the pages are getting fewer and fewer I want to keep reading until the big reveal in a psychological thriller or the happy every after in a romance. But, with the e-book I couldn't work out if I had time to read until the end, or even another chapter, as I had no idea how much was left. Was I nearer the beginning or end and how many pages even were there?

One of my favourite places to read is in the bath - a nice long soak in a hot bubble bath with a good book. But, that just doesn't work with an e-reader. It's too risky; I was worried about dropping it in the water in which case with a book it's simply annoying but with an electronic device it's game over. It's also impossible; wet fingers and scrolling just doesn't really work. 

Because of this, it meant that I started reading a paper book (in the bath) alongside the e-book (when not in the bath). For me though having more than one book on the go diminishes my enjoyment of both, with two stories and two sets of characters I just couldn't fully focus on either. So, whilst fans of e-books argue that e-reading is more flexible because you can carry around an entire library or books, if you so wanted, on one little device - the point is that I just don't want to. I'm strictly a one-book-at-a-time girl.

Similarly, fans argue that not only are e-books easier to carry around but they also take up less space in your house. True, but I like looking at my books. I want to display them, they are an integral part of who I am and what I like. My books aren't just for reading but are an interior design feature, decorating the walls of my house. Many of my books are treasured possessions, my favourite being an old edition of "Five Children and It" that won in a school writing competition. Others have been gifted to me by family or friends, perhaps with a meaningful inscription inside the front cover.

E-books just don't make good presents; you can't see them, they never really belong to you and often you can't even keep them as they expire or can't be transferred when you get a new device. If I love a book I either want to keep it to reread or share it with as many people as possible whether that's passing it onto a friend or family member or donating it charity for a stranger to enjoy, When I first started commuting into London my brother was quick to make sure that I understood that people don't like talking on the train (especially to strangers) so he was gobsmacked when one day I got chatting to somebody on the train about the book they were reading only for them to give me said book at the end of our journey.

I'm notoriously bad at charging things up so inevitably my reading kept being rudely interrupted by the low battery warning and on one occasion even cut short when I completely ran out of charge. Books, however, don't rely on battery power, chargers or WI-FI - they never disappoint but are like a faithful friend ready and waiting whenever you are.

This also leads me onto to my most powerful (get it power-ful - sorry but I couldn't resist) objection to e-readers. I spend so much of my time these days staring at a screen whether on a computer at work, on my tablet at home, on my mobile phone or even just controlling my heating with smart technology - that for me reading a good fashioned paper book is a chance to do something that doesn't involve screen time. Whilst I can lose myself in a book for hours, my eyes frequently tired when e-reading. And, we all know that doctors and sleep scientists recommend complete avoidance of screen time before bed (again another favourite time of mine to read).

As well as not wanting to be on-screen, I didn't actually even like e-reading. Despite really wanting to read and enjoying the book, I still found it really difficult to focus and stop myself scrolling and skim reading as I do online. With a paper book I read deeply, focusing on every little detail, committing it to memory and building an emotional as well as physical connection to the story and characters. I am totally immersed, I can feel the book in my hand as I turn the pages, I can smell the paper and I can see the words permanently imprinted on the page.

I also missed all the subtle nuances you get with a print book. With print, I love uniqueness of every book, knowing that the authors and publishers have carefully selected fonts and formatting to complement the story. For example, the book I'm currently reading, set in a bookshop, has used a beautiful old-fashioned shop sign style graphic for chapter headings. Another included scenic photographs as page fillers bringing the scenery and locations being described to life.

To be fair, my e-experience wasn't all bad. I did enjoy the immediacy; the fact that I could download a new book and start reading it within seconds - no need to visit a shop or wait for a book to be delivered. Although that said I love a bookshop; shelves and shelves of colourful covers catching my eye leading me to stumble across a novel or author that I otherwise would never have discovered.

As in this case, e-reading also offers access to writing that I otherwise might not be able to read; from pre-releases to short stories or independent, self-published authors. Of course, e-books are also considerably cheaper than their print counterparts. But, I would argue that you get what you pay for and for me paper books are worth every penny.

So, no I'm not a convert - although I wouldn't be as resistant to e-books in the future as I have been to date. But, e-books or print it really doesn't matter - the important thing is that we continue to love reading however we do so.


  

I'll Be Home for Christmas - Karen Clarke

I'm delighted to share my preview of the forthcoming Christmas romcom by Karen Clarke. I'm a sucker for a feel-good story set in a quaint village with a strong female entrepreneurial character running her own business whilst trying not to fall in love - and this didn't disappoint. I loved it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and author Karen Clarke for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 14 October 2019 

The blurb

Nina Bailey has come to stay at her Aunt Dolly’s cosy café to nurse her broken heart. She is determined to get through Christmas with no tinsel, no fuss – and definitely no flirting. So when she arrives and meets infuriatingly handsome Ryan Sadler, with his gorgeous forest-green eyes, she is not best pleased. And when Nina overhears him making fun of her, she is furious. (There might have been an incident with a koala onesie and a spilled bottle of milk, but that really wasn’t her fault!) So despite the spark between them, and the fact that he can whip up a fabulous dinner faster than she can say Michelin star, romance and Christmas are off the menu this year.

Can Nina resist the magic of Christmas - and stick to her no-romance rule?

My review

The awkward second read....having recently read and absolutely loved The Beachside Sweet Shop I was keen to read another by this author but it's always with some trepidation  - will it be as good or was it just a one off? I needn't have worried - I loved this one too.

Firstly, lets get the obvious out of the way - yes it's a Christmas book and yes its September but that doesn't matter. Yes this story was set at Christmas and had the usual references to snow, mince pies, and tinsel but unlike some it was a subtle undertone which means that whilst it would undoubtedly be a great read in the run-up to the festive season, really getting you in the mood, it is basically just a funny feel-good story totally enjoyable at any time of the year.

Romance is definitely the last thing on Nina's mind when she arrives to stay at her Aunt Dolly's cosy cafe in a picturesque French village after calling off her wedding - instead she needs to work out what she's going to do with her life. But, Ryan, her cousin's infuriatingly annoying but handsome best friend, is also hiding out at Dolly's.

What I loved most about this book was it's relatability. Whilst thankfully I've never been caught by a really cute guy doing a koala-dance complete with koala noise whilst dressed in a koala onesie, I can't be the only one who can totally relate to those type of cringenly embarrassing situations. It wasn't just the humour though that I could relate but also Nina's predicament of wanting a job she loves but not knowing what that is.

As well as a strong entrepreneurial female lead character, this book had all my other favourite ingredients necessary for a good romcom. There was the super hot, really nice single guy with a complicated past and a charming village setting providing a whole host of great support characters such as Mathilde the mafia granny and Delphine the cat.

Once again I loved Karen Clarke's style of writing - witty and modern but also refreshingly PG, describing connections and spine-tingling kisses rather than x-rated sex scenes. She has a knack of describing things and characters, without being overly explicit, so that you can easily imagine (and fall in love with) them yourself. In fact so much so that I wanted to be in this book - to visit the cafe, date Ryan and be friends with Nina.

My only criticism (if you can call it that) is it that for me it couldn't quite rival The Beachside Sweet Shop, which unsurprisingly is about running a successful and innovative village sweet shop - whilst getting over a heartbreak. This one was similar but as I'm a sucker for a story about female characters running entrepreneurial village businesses I would have loved more about Nina's House Whispering business idea which sadly took a bit of backseat to the romcom in this one.

Never mind, I loved it all the same and it has totally cemented Karen Clarke as one of new favourite authors.


The author
Follow Karen Clarke on Twitter @karenclarke123 or find out more at www.karenclarkewriter.com.

Best of 4 Child Abduction Novels

Bizarrely I seem to have read a lot of books about missing children recently.

I think it's a coincidence and not some unconscious preference but nevertheless it’s a strange realisation to think that in the last few weeks I’ve read four novels about children being kidnapped. I guess (or hope) child abduction is a common theme in psychological thrillers so I’m going to forego the personal psychoanalysis and give you the low down on these books instead.

1. Little Sister by Isabel Ashdown

A twisted world of family secrets and sibling rivalry. After sixteen years apart sisters Jessica and Emily are reunited. But, when baby Daisy disappears while in Jess's care, was Emily right to trust her sister after everything that happened before? Written in my favourite style where the chapters alternate between the two sisters, this book had me gripped from start to finish. My only criticism was that I like books where everyone gets what they deserve which didn't quite happen here.

Find out more at isabelashdown.com

2. Now You See Her by Heidi Perks

My favourite of the four - I absolutely loved this one. Charlotte is looking after her best friend’s daughter and now she's missing. Devastated, Harriet can no longer bear to see Charlotte. But, someone is hiding the truth about what really happened to Alice. I loved Charlotte, the author beautifully depicted her character and the unimaginable emotions of losing someone else's child. I raced through it, desperate to discover the truth, which meant that it was over all too soon unfortunately.

Find out more at www.heidiperksauthor.co.uk

3. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

Your neighbour told you that she didn't want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. You only live next door, you'll have the baby monitor but now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realised. She's gone. Now the police are in your home, and who knows what they'll find there. There's no denyinh this is a page-turner, ending chapters with new relevations that continually cast doubt about who was behind it all. That said there's so much going on that it all becomes a bit too unrealistic and frantic at times. 

Find out more at sharilapena.com

4. Lies Between Us by Ronnie Turner

Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. Firstly, I just didn't get it, by the end I was no less confused than at the start - I wasn't sure who was who and who'd done what. It's the stories of three very different people who all have something in common, though none of them know it. Again the chapters alternate between the three characters; one of whom is a young but very odd child who's narrative left me thoroughly disturbed and consequently dreading his turn.

Find out more at www.ronnieturner.wordpress.com