Best of August 2022

It might be summer but my best of August books are all dark and chilling with so many great murder mysteries and psychological thrillers out this month.

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson (18 August 2022)

I was dreading the Cunningham family reunion even before the first murder. Before the storm stranded us at the mountain resort. The thing is, us Cunninghams don't really get along. We've only got one thing in common: we've all killed someone. When they find the first body in the snow, it's clear that only a Cunningham could have committed the crime - and it's up to me to prove it. There are plenty of killers in my family. But only one murderer . . .

In my opinion: ★★★★★
An easy 5-stars from me. Thanks to the frank prologue you know exactly what you're getting with this book - no sex scenes, no supernatural forces, the criminal will be someone mentioned early in the story and the pages were deaths happen are helpfully listed for those "just here for the gory details." I really enjoyed the author's conversational style of writing as main character Ernest a "reliable, not competent" narrator. For example, each member of the family has a few chapters of the story dedicated to them but Ernest's wife's section is simply one page saying "I don't want to talk about it". So as you can see it's funny too - and throughout from start to finish not just odd bits - although having since found out that the author is a stand-up comedian this was probably pretty much guaranteed. Such great colourful and intriguing cast too, perhaps best summarised by Sofia's family bingo cards with squares such as "Marcelo shouts at waiter" and "Ernest ruins something". And of course the fact that they've all killed someone - the back stories of which are cleverly weaved in among the modern day events. Absolutely loved this and will definitely be seeking out more by this author.

A Cornish Recipe for Murder by Fiona Leitch (18 August 2022)

When popular TV baking contest ‘The Best of British Baking Roadshow’ rolls into town and sets up camp in the grounds of Boskern House, a historic stately home near Penstowan, former police officer Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker finds herself competing to represent Cornwall in the grand final. And when a body is found in the grounds of the house, Jodie is drawn into another high-stakes case along with local DCI Nathan Withers. Can Jodie expose the culprit? Or will the murderer become the real showstopper?

In my opinion: ★★★★★
I love this fun series and particularly enjoyed this one with the added fun of a reality TV baking show and drag queen. The murder mystery aspect is always a bit ridiculous but that's part of its charm as a fun, light-hearted read that doesn't take itself too seriously. For me its all about the characters and not the murder anyway as I absolutely love Jodie, Daisy and Nana, and the dynamics between the generations of Parker women.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney (18 August 2022)

Daisy Darker’s family were as dark as dark can be, when one of them died all of them lied and pretended not to see...
Daisy Darker is arriving at her grandmother’s house for her eightieth birthday. It is Halloween and the crumbling Cornish house perches upon its own tiny private island. The Darker family haven’t all been in the same place for over a decade, and when the tide comes in they’ll be cut off from the rest of the world for eight hours. When the tide goes back out, nothing will ever be the same again, because one of them is a killer . . .

In my opinion: ★★★★
I loved this eccentric story all the way through. And, Nana herself was totally bonkers with 80 clocks in her hallway, a clocking in machine for family and guests and a sweet tooth serving roast dinners with hot chocolate gravy and popping candy potatoes. The rest of the Darker family, however, were totally unlikeable as depicted by Nana's will and the customised chairs she has for each. Son Frank is left her clocks so he might be less selfish with his time, whilst his ex-wide Nancy's chair "looks good, but makes people feel uncomfortable" and middle daughter Lily is described as a "selfish, spoilt, entitled witch". I also loved the rhyme about the family with lines crossed out each hour as another person met their end. But, the big reveal spoilt what otherwise would've been a 5-stars - I like reality within my fiction. 

My Other Husband by Dorothy Koomson (18 August 2022)

Cleo Forsum is a bestselling novelist turned scriptwriter whose TV series, 'The Baking Detective' is a huge success. But now she has decided to walk away from it all - including divorcing her husband, Wallace - before her past secrets catch up with her. As Cleo drafts the final ever episodes of the series, people she knows start getting hurt. And it's soon clear that someone is trying to frame her for murder. She thinks she knows why, but Cleo can't tell the police or prove her innocence. Because then she'd have to confess about her other husband...

In my opinion: ★★★★
This was an intense story of obsession with some very complex characters and multi-layered plot. I was totally gripped throughout the reading wondering why main character and successful author Cleo was dismantling her seemingly perfect life - aside from the fact that people in her life seemed to be dying in the same manner as her murder mystery books that is. This was one timeline with her student days and 'other husband' the second. I was a little disappointed by the end however and the big reveal. I mean I didn't guess the perpetrator but that's because in my opinion it was a slightly odd and far fetched choice. As always a good read from this brilliant author but a slightly disappointing plot.

The It Girl by Ruth Ware (3 August 2022)

To Hannah, April had it all. Confidence, money, brains, friends, good looks. Pushed together as roommates, soon they became best friends and Hannah is swept away in a lifestyle she'd only ever dreamed of. But someone didn't like popular April. Someone hated her - hated her enough to kill her. Ten years later, Hannah has tried to move on with her life. Happily married and expecting her first child, what Hannah doesn't need is someone digging up the past. But will re-opening the past help Hannah finally put April to rest - or will it reveal secrets that should have died with her?

In my opinion: ★★★★
I'm going to keep this brief. I'm a massive Ruth Ware fan loving the originality of her plots, fast pace and intense, creepy atmospheres or environments that she manages to create. Perhaps a deliberate change in direction but sadly those elements were slightly lacking here and I just didn’t feel the all-consuming grip I usually do with her books. On the plus side it was still difficult to guess who-dunnit because of the clever suspicions and doubt cast on each and every one of the characters at some point. Hence I struggled a bit with my rating before eventually settling on 4 stars - it was my least favourite book by one of my all-time favourite authors and whilst I was a bit underwhelmed my expectations were exceptionally high.