Tag Archive | Boldwood Books

The Nurse by Valerie Keogh

Aug1

Totally Immersive

The Nurse by Valerie Keogh is an absolutely marvellous contemporary psychological thriller that I just could not put down.

Valerie Keogh is a fantastic author who draws you into the world of The Nurse with her words. Whilst of questionable motives, the lead character is likable, realistic and elicits feelings of sympathy from the reader. I could recognize myself in her as a child, suffering at the hands of the school bully. We feel shock and horror at the event that left her alone at aged just sixteen.

The leading lady is a blend of vulnerable yet strong; empathetic and downright evil. She seems to have second sight into the character of people but at the crucial moment, it lets her down.

We see the devastation that loss leaves – a character is frozen in time; another sees his daughter everywhere he looks.

Our responses to characters are guided by Valerie Keogh’s marvellous pen. I found it surprising when I did a complete u-turn in my response to a character!

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A Fond Farewell To The Tobacco Girls by Lizzie Lane

Jul30

Rebuilding

A Fond Farewell For The Tobacco Girls by Lizzie Lane is a marvellous historical novel and the sixth book in The Tobacco Girls series. It can be read as a stand-alone.

The action is set in 1945 as the second world war in Europe has ended but the war in Japan continues until August. We follow lives trying to adjust to peacetime.

War had robbed so many of so much. Men returned, a shadow of their former selves, sometimes with limbs missing, sometimes with altered minds. Some men focused on what they had lost and not what remained. It would take the purity of a child to remind them.

Old soldiers from World War I help to rehabilitate young soldiers from World War II as they bond over a mutual love of flowers. We learn the importance of poppies.

Family is important. Sometimes family is not blood related but heart related.

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The Crying Cave Killings by Wes Markin

Jul27

Exciting & All Consuming

The Crying Cave Killings by Wes Markin is another fabulous crime suspense and the third book in The Yorkshire Murders series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the previous books first for maximum enjoyment.

I enjoyed being reunited with familiar faces who were once more relentless in their search for the truth.

The line between good and evil is blurred as a ‘good’ character is tormented by a terrible past event. The guilt over the choice made, and the path taken, continues to eat away.

There is the theme of identity. Some hide who they really are through shame of what others might think. There are some tragic decisions taken.

Family is important. Sometime we choose our family, at other times we are born into it. True family will always protect the vulnerable.

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A Killing At Smugglers Cove by Michelle Salter

Jul12

Capturing The 20’s Atmosphere

A Killing At Smugglers Cove by Michelle Salter is an entertaining historical cosy crime novel. It is part of An Iris Woodmore Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The action takes place in 1923 at Dawlish on the south Devon coast. The light-hearted tone is reminiscent of Miss Marple as the amateur super sleuthing kicks in.

World War I is over but still some secrets remain as people are forbidden to talk of wartime exploits due to the official secrets act. It does not stop Iris Woodmore trying to sniff out a story!

As remains are found in Smugglers Cove and then another body turns up, the residents wonder if they could be linked. The local police seem to be decidedly lacking in their investigations as Iris Woodmore decides to dig deeper.

The roaring twenties are in full swing. There is a gaiety at times as people try to put the war behind them.

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