Book reviews

Authors are readers too. Avid readers.

We also know what it’s like to write a book, so I only post reviews for books I finish. If a book’s not for me, I stop reading and move on.

At all times I aim to be constructive and fair, but it’s only my opinion. I no longer give ratings or stars, except on Amazon, Bookbub and Goodreads.

My tastes are almost exclusively crime fiction, though I venture beyond murders from time to time.

I hope the reviews will help you discover new authors and novels to enjoy.

Married Lies by Chris Collet

24th February 2021. I’ve enjoyed all the Tom Mariner books so far, but this one is my favourite. Maybe it’s because his relationship issues are not so prominent in this ...
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Till the Old Men Die by Janet Dawson

23rd February 2021. This is a deep, involving and complex story that deals with past injustices alongside a current murder. When a history professor is killed in a car park, ...
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Networking for Writers by Lizzie Chantree

23rd February 2021. While there are plenty of books out there that deal with all aspects of marketing a book and using social media as a writer, it’s great to ...
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A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie

17th February 2021. Under the cover of a children’s nursery rhyme a killer is bumping people in the Fortescue house. The dysfunctional family, ably looked after by the efficient Miss ...
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See Them Run by Marion Todd

16th February 2021. I enjoy finding new authors to read in a crowded crime market where there are more detectives with traumas than you can shake a stick at. Many ...
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Murder of the Bride by Faith Martin

11th February 2021. Having read and enjoyed the first two novels in the Hillary Greene series, I was looking forward to another entertaining murder investigation. I wasn’t disappointed. It begins ...
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The Darkest Evening by Ann Cleeves

11th February 2021. Like so many readers, I love Vera Stanhope. She’s distinctive, original, fascinating and about as unique a detective as you could meet. All of which makes her ...
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The Long Call by Ann Cleeves

10th February 2021. If you like your crime fiction gritty, violent and with plenty of action, you might find this a little slow. But if you enjoy gentle, beautifully crafted, ...
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They Do it with Mirrors by Agatha Christie

10th February 2021. I’m working my way through the Miss Marple series and thoroughly enjoying myself. All the stories so far have been smoothly written in a direct style that ...
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The Appeal by Janice Hallett

26th January 2021. The premise is simple. You, the reader, are challenged to review the evidence and solve a murder. Someone has already been convicted and is serving time, but ...
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The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffiths

25th January 2021. DI Edgar Stephens starts his day with the discovery of two parts of a woman’s body, stuffed into cases. The third part is delivered to his office ...
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Over her Dead Body by AB Morgan

18th January 2021. Can you imagine waking up one day to discover you’re dead? Your bank account’s closed because you’ve been certified dead, but no one bothered to tell you ...
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An Unfamiliar Murder by Jane Isaac

11th January 2021. Imagine coming home after a hard day at work and finding the body of a stranger, murdered in your home. You wouldn’t think it could get much ...
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Secret Crimes by Michael Hambling

11th January 2021. This is fast becoming one of my favourite crime series. DCI Sophie Allen is a terrific character. Smart, gutsy and charismatic, she’s a world away from the ...
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The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

10th January 2021. Anyone who follows my reviews will know I like trying something different and new authors, though in this case I’m well aware of Richard Osman from his ...
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A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie

3rd January 2021. I’m thoroughly enjoying the Miss Marple series in the order they were written. Alongside the deft characterisation, wry social comments, ingenious plots and Agatha’s Christie’s effortless writing ...
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Kindred Crimes by Janet Dawson

30th December 2020. This is the first novel in the Jeri Howard private investigator series, set in California. Like many of its contemporaries, the story’s told by Jeri in a ...
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The Country Inn Mystery by Faith Martin

30th December 2020. I’m not a big fan of the traditional cosy mystery set in a small rural village, but the writing and character of Jenny Starling captured my imagination ...
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