REVIEW: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I didn't realise until afterwards that this was a young adult mystery but I loved it anyway. So, here's my review of the latest novel by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

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

Expected: 3 September 2020

The blurb 

Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why--or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch--and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes.

Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a con-woman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

The review

Not that I realised it at the time but The Inheritance Games is actually a Young Adult mystery book - which is kind of embarrassing I'm not sure I really understood it all. However, in my defence the main reveal was glaringly obvious from the off and actually I think certain things were left unresolved for book two as apparently it's the first in a planned series.  It also didn't matter because for me this was all about the game rather than result - and I loved the game.

I also loved getting to know all the characters and like everyone in the book couldn't help being drawn to the Hawthorn boys. Their characterisation was impressive, each with their own unique voice and way of moving, dressing and speaking, which come across clearly but subtly in the narrative. First, there's Nash, who's seemingly uninterested in Avery, not tortured enough for him to rescue. 

Then, there's ambitious, arrogant Grayson who distrusts Avery intensely and sensation-seeker Jameson who could be using using Avery just to win. And, finally geeky young Alexander (Xander) who is actually the smartest of them all. Avery herself was strong, smart and independent - and I was fascinated by them all. Personally I would've liked more of Nan though as she seemed like the canniest of them all.

Overall, a really fun read with characters you want to get to know, puzzles you want to solve, and a billionaires mansion setting that you wish you could live in. I was hooked from the very beginning. 

The author

US author Jennifer Lynn Barnes has written several acclaimed young adult novels. She also has advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science. Follow her @jenlynnbarnes on Twitter or visit www.jenniferlynnbarnes.com to find out more.

REVIEW: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

My one word review of the first novel by TV's Richard Osman - FUN. I loved this light-hearted comedic type murder mystery with its cast of quirky lovable OAPs.

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

Expected: 3 September 2020

The blurb

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved killings.

But when a local property developer shows up dead, 'The Thursday Murder Club' find themselves in the middle of their first live case.

The four friends, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron, might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer, before it's too late.

The review
This quirky, quintessentially British, crime novel was so much fun - just what many of us need right now.

Richard Osman has a unique writing style, which took a bit of getting used to particularly as some chapters are written in the third person and some from the point of view of Joyce, one of the Thursday Murder Club's member and residents of the retirement village. But, his unusual rambling style fitted the theme perfectly, particularly Joyce's chapters, reflecting the chatty, scatty manner in which elderly people often muse. This extract, from Joyce, sums up what I'm trying to say perfectly:"It is called the Jigsaw Room,  by the way,  because this is where the bigger jigsaw are completed,  on a gently sloping wooden table in the centre of the room. When I first walked in, there was a 2,000-piecer of Whitstable harbour,  missing a letterbox of a sky.  I once went to Whitstable, just for the day, but I couldn't really see what the fuss was all about. Once you've done the oysters, there's no real shopping to speak of.  Anyway...."  

Madcap yes but Osman manages to perfectly balance the mystery with the everyday preoccupations of his elderly characters, their opinions of each other and descriptions of daily life in the retirement village daily life. Whilst not something serious murder mystery fans will probably like, I thought the other elements provided a really nice touch and made sense as murders don't typically take place in a vacuum, after all. It does mean, however, that there's a lot going on and the plot becomes quite complex with lots of intertwining stories, some which are actually relevant to the murder and others more to individual characters (everyone has a story to tell after all).

There was probably one too many strands to the story line so it didn’t always flow smoothly, was a little too convoluted and confusing at times, and somewhat far-fetched. But, I did like the way the author didn't force a tenuous link between all the different strands, even though it meant I wasn't keen on all of the motives in the end.

Osman says he based the story on a visit to a retirement home and some of the characters he meet there. However, he dreamed them up it really is the diverse characters that make this book - nothing else matters. I love stories featuring young at heart older people and felt real affection for the eccentric crew of amateur detectives. And, that's really part of the charm, the way the characters show that just because they are all old and rightfully worried about their mortality, they are also living very much in the here and now. They use all their charm and wile to gain any advantage they can to try and solve the murder. As Elizabeth aptly says: "Imagine if we only ever did what we were supposed to?"

When reprimanded by the police, Elizabeth also says: "You might try to explain to the CPS that four people in their seventies and eighties have failed to report digging up a body....With what evidence, other than the inadmissible confession you've taken from us this evening? And with four suspects, all of whom are quite happy to go to court, smile happily and pretend to mistake the judge for their granddaughter."

Despite being a light-hearted comedic type murder mystery, because of the age of the main characters it does also touch on some pretty serious subjects including medical issues, physical decline, loneliness, grief and loss. But, once again Osman manages to juggle the two seamlessly and with respect.

Not without its issues, but take it as it's meant (not too seriously) and you've got yourself a fun, entertaining, and eccentric mystery which makes for a wonderful break from the dark and grisly nature of much of this genre. I, for one, am looking forward to the next in this crime series and seeing what Joyce and the gang get up to next.

The author

Richard Osman is a British television producer and presenter. The Thursday Murder Club is his first (and best) novel so far. Follow @richardosman on Twitter to find out more.

REVIEW: After the Silence by Louise O'Neill

A twisty page-turner of deadly secrets, I'm pleased to review this new novel by Irish author Louise O'Neill. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 3 September 2020

The blurb 
Nessa Crowley's murderer has been protected by silence for ten years. Until a team of documentary makers decide to find out the truth.

On the day of Henry and Keelin Kinsella's wild party at their big house a violent storm engulfed the island of Inisrun, cutting it off from the mainland. When morning broke Nessa Crowley's lifeless body lay in the garden, her last breath silenced by the music and the thunder.

The killer couldn't have escaped Inisrun, but on-one was charged with the murder. The mystery that surrounded the death of Nessa remained hidden. But the islanders knew who to blame for the crime that changed them forever.

Ten years later a documentary crew arrives, there to lift the lid off the Kinsella's carefully constructed lives, determined to find evidence that will prove Henry's guilt and Keelin's complicity in the murder of beautiful Nessa.

The review

Although this is being marketed as a murder mystery, it's really more of a psychological thriller focused on psychological domestic abuse. But, I enjoyed the storyline and would definitely recommend it to people who love human interest and character stories. In Keelin Kinsella, the author has written a brilliantly complex female character. It's similar to another book I've read recently (The Storm by Amanda Jennings) where the wife is not necessarily as much of a victim as at first seems and sometimes there is more to a story or toxic relationship than meets the eye. 

It was a difficult read, however. The timeline is all over the place and lacks any chapter headings to help. Also set on an Irish island, this was peppered with Irish words and phrases that I didn't know such as "mo stoirin" (my darling apparently) and grinds (private tuition). I got used but it just made it a bit awkward and harder reading.

The author
Irish writer, Louise O'Neill's first two novels were aimed at the “young adult” demographic, but widely read by not-so-young adults. Recent books focus on the toxic aspects of relationships, as does this one. Follow @oneilllo on Twitter to find out more.

REVIEW: The Little Cottage in Lantern Square by Helen Rolfe

A heart-warming tale of friendship, romance and community spirit. The Little Cottage in Lantern Square is Helen Rolfe's four Lantern Square novellas collected together for the first time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Orion Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 20 August 2020

The blurb 
Hannah went from high flyer in the city to business owner and has never looked back. In the cosy Cotswold village of Butterbury she runs Tied up with String, sending handmade gifts and care packages across the miles, as well as delivering them to people she thinks need them the most.

But when her ex best-friend Georgia turns up and wants in on the action, will Hannah be willing to forgive and forget? With her business in jeopardy she needs to maintain the reputation she's established, and discover who she can trust...

Meanwhile, a mysterious care package lands on her own doorstep at Lantern Cottage. Who is trying to win her heart - and will she ever be willing to give it away?

The review
This was my favourite type of book - a heart-warming tale of friendship, romance and community spirit. I loved the village setting with its cast of colourful characters especially nosy neighbour Mrs Ledbetter. I also love a story about setting up or running a small business - in this involving bespoke gift boxes (or care packages) themed around the recipients favourite things.

It was originally four novellas, brought together for the first time. This meant the collected story took place over the course of the year so was totally realistic in terms of the romantic developments.

But, this was more about friendship than romance anyway and I particularly enjoyed the intergenerational friendship of Hannah and the residents of Butterbury Lodge, the village's care home. 

Lovely, heart-warming escapsim but a nice read rather than must read.

The author
Helen Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and community. Characters often face challenges and must fight to overcome them, but above all, Helen's stories always have a happy ending. Follow @hjrolfe on Twitter or visit www.helenjrolfe.com to find out more.