Archive | June 2023

The World Outside My Window by Clare Swatman

Jun7

Care & Compassion

The World Outside My Window by Clare Swatman is a simply marvellous contemporary novel that I just could not put down.

The lead character is outgoing until her life changes in an instance (at the book’s start). The reader witnesses the change overnight as her world shrinks, confidence is shattered and agoraphobia kicks in. She is a likable leading lady and easy to empathise with as Clare Swatman writes part of the novel in the first person, enabling us to understand her fears.

Necessity forces the lead to face her fears. New neighbours show care and compassion, providing love and support that is beautiful to see.

Having lost sight of herself, we delight as the lead begins to discover herself again.

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The Fall by Shari Low & Ross King

Jun7

Roots

The Fall by Shari Low and Ross King is a contemporary thriller suspense and the final book in the Hollywood Thriller series. I had not read the previous books and found this could be read as a stand-alone. However, I would recommend reading the previous books first as I did get a little confused at times.

The novel is mainly set in Hollywood where it is glitz and glamour, truth and lies, dog eat dog. There are those who use their power to corrupt – and seemingly get away with it. It takes bravery and tenacity to stand up, investigate and seek to right the wrongs.

Life in Hollywood, in the spotlight can be challenging. We see the desire of characters to return to their roots.

The reality of Hollywood is that it is not real. It is all for show. “None of it is real and you don’t need it to be happy.” Fame and fortune will ultimately never satisfy as you are only as big as your last hit.

Grief threatens to sink. “It hurt just to breathe, just to exist.” There is the longing for things to be just as they were. The pain of grief cuts like a knife.

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The Homemaker by Shari J Ryan

Jun6

Real Or Imagined?

The Homemaker by Shari J Ryan is an absolutely gripping contemporary psychological thriller that I just could not put down. Right from the start Shari J Ryan drew me in, as I questioned what was happening.

The action is written in the third person from alternating points of view and different time periods. The reader gets inside some of the characters heads as we learn their motivations.

Suburbia – friendly, community minded, safe – No! Behind the chintzy curtains, the neighbours hide and watch. There are many secrets. Monsters and angels both wear smiles – truth and lies – read the book and decide who can be trusted.

There is the theme of real or imagined? Do we believe what our memories tell us? Or is the what is real spoken by others? Trauma shuts down minds as reality and imagination blur.

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Seat 97 by Tony Bassett

Jun6

Exciting & Gripping

Seat 97 by Tony Bassett is a marvellous contemporary murder thriller that captured my attention from the start.

Tony Bassett has cleverly constructed and well executed a complex plotline that intrigues the reader from the start.

All the characters are well drawn with likable leading ones and some very menacing criminals.

The story is set in London. The reader travels from posh mansions to the seedy, violent underworld of the belly of London criminals. We witness ruthless gangland bosses, grieving widows and the relentless search for the truth.

A newspaper reported teams up with the local police as he gains access and knowledge in places they fail to. Between them, they are determined to crack the case, solve the murders and see justice served.

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