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It Never Rains by Tony Bassett

Nov2

Well Constructed

It Never Rains by Tony Bassett is an engrossing contemporary crime thriller that I just could not put down. It is part of the Detectives Roy & Roscoe series which I love.

The setting is in the Midlands, around Warwick and Stratford. As a Black Country girl, I was familiar with some of the places and was thrilled to see that Bewdley, where I live, was mentioned – it doesn’t normally crop up in novels. I am very familiar with the location of Worcester and knew exactly where the author was talking about.

Tony Bassett has constructed a marvellous plotline. It was well thought out and executed. I was totally gripped from the start.

As the book starts, the reader is on the ‘side’ of the pipe and slippers brigade.

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Victory For The Sewing Factory Girls by Posy Lovell

Nov1

Camaraderie

Victory For The Sewing Factory Girls by Posy Lovell is a marvellous historical novel and one that I just could not put down. I absolutely loved it.

The novel is set at Clydebank, Scotland in 1916. It surrounds the munitions factory. We see how everyone does what they can for the war effort. It is a dangerous environment with the risk of explosions and the girls turning yellow and damaging their health. Health and safety is unheard of, but the factory owner listens to the concerns of the women.

With the menfolk away at war, the women step into their shoes. “The men have gone… and it’s up to the women to keep things going.” The women have a camaraderie as they help and support each other where they can. The gap between the classes is bridged as the factory owner’s daughter rubs shoulders with the women on the factory floor, helping where she can.

There is no welfare state. It is up to the women to organize relief for themselves.

Football is in its’ infancy. The women in the factory relax and enjoy kicking a ball around. Factories all over the country decide to organize themselves and play each other. This brings the communities together. The town offers support, uniting people.

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Rodasauri The Dinosaur’s Trip To London by Lainey Dee

Oct31

Christmas Traditions

Rodasauri The Dinosaur’s Trip To London by Lainey Dee is a charming book for the under fives. It is perfect for any time of year but especially at Christmas as this is the setting for the book.

Young children can marvel as Rodasuri meets Father Christmas. We see that life is for giving, and that one good turn deserves another.

The lights of London shine brightly in houses, shops and on London landmarks. There is festive food too.

Each page is beautifully illustrated by Chrissie Yeomans and provides a starting point for discussions with our children. There are tiny details in each picture that you may miss if you do not study the pictures closely.

The book has a message of caring, sharing and kindness.

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Beyond The Smiles by Minnie Lewis

Oct7

Uniquely Constructed

Beyond The Smiles by Minnie Lewis is a compelling contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The novel is cleverly constructed. Much of the tale is seen through lead character Laura’s eyes but we also have the same action seen through the eyes of others. We see the various motivations as we realise that sometimes trust is misplaced.

Families are complex. We cannot choose them. Some members are kind and caring, others are manipulative and evil. They protect certain members whilst casting out others.

The love of money is a dreadful master. It ensures that people do unscrupulous deeds in the pursuit of it.

The past intrudes on the present as a character inherits from a father who was unknown. A whole can of worms opens up.

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