Best of October 2022

It's October and time for the Christmas offerings from some of my favourite authors including Heidi Swain and Sarah Bennett's Mermaid's Point series.

A Christmas Celebration by Heidi Swain (13 October 2022)

When Paige turns up unannounced at Wynthorpe Hall, she only planning to stay for a short time, but is quickly pulled into local life. One night she stumbles across an isolated cottage and meets Albert, its elderly and rather grumpy owner. She quickly realises there’s more to Albert than meets the eye and the same can be said for the other man she can’t seem to help running into, handsome but brooding Brodie. All three of them have a secret and a desire to hide away from the world, but with Christmas on the horizon, is that really the best way to celebrate the season?

In my opinion: ★★★★★
Really magical to be back at Wynthorpe Hall for another 'Christmas Celebration'. I loved new character Albert and his multi-generational friendship with Paige but was slightly disappointed that so many of the hall's residents were on holiday. I'd been really looking forward to catching up with these much loved characters. All-in-all though another charming story from one of my favourite authors full of friendship, romance, community spirit and festive fun. 

How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent (12 October 2022)

Have you ever walked home at night, keys in hand, ready to throw a punch in self-defence? That’s how it all started. The killing spree, I mean. I sort of tripped into this role… Literally. The first one was following me. That guy from the nightclub who wouldn’t leave me alone. I pushed him, he stumbled, and fell onto his own broken wine bottle. Oops. It was such a waste of a good house white. But now I can’t seem to stop and nor do I want to… I’ve got a taste for revenge and quite frankly, I’m killing it.

In my opinion: ★★★★
What to say about this book..... I loved the tongue in cheek humour, the satirical look at the Chelsea lifestyle, and the witty narrative. And, thank goodness it had that to somewhat balance out the pretty descriptive and gruesome murder accounts and continuous theme of rape and sexual exploitation. So an unusual combination - as disturbing as it was funny - but brilliantly done and very entertaining.