Book Review - I Am Dust by Louise Beech - Blog Tour

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Amazon UK

Title: I Am Dust

Author: Louise Beech

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Random Things Blog Tours

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication Date: 16th February 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

A haunted theatre
A murdered actress
Three cursed teenagers
A secret that devastates them all…

The Dean Wilson Theatre is believed to be haunted by a long-dead actress, singing her last song, waiting for her final cue, looking for her killer…

Now Dust, the iconic musical, is returning after twenty years. But who will be brave enough to take on the role of ghostly goddess Esme Black, last played by Morgan Miller, who was murdered in her dressing room?

Theatre usher Chloe Dee is caught up in the spectacle. As the new actors arrive, including an unexpected face from her past, everything changes. Are the eerie sounds and sightings backstage real or just her imagination? Is someone playing games?

Is the role of Esme Black cursed? Could witchcraft be at the heart of the tragedy? And are dark deeds from Chloe’s past about to catch up with her?
Not all the drama takes place onstage. Sometimes murder, magic, obsession and the biggest of betrayals are real life. When you’re in the theatre shadows, you see everything.

And Chloe has been watching…

Incredibly creepy, bewitching, and oddly compulsive to read. 

Typically I'm very sceptical when it comes to supernatural beings, and the occult, and also being a scaredy cat, I will do my best to avoid it. But yet the way Louise Beech described everything I could have almost turned into a believer. 

At least it all made sense, and I was determined to know just who killed Morgan Miller all those years ago.  Everything to do with young Chloe, Jess and Ryan and the dangerous "game" they were playing when they were 16.   And then there is the present day story line with Chloe at the heart of it, and she is key to just about everything that happens. 

I was drawn to this book due to the mention of musical theatre which is a passion of mine, but perhaps reading this on the day when the West End went dark due to the dreaded real world virus, may not have been my smartest mood, as I was continually aware while reading that this may be the last time I see any sort of musical for a long while. Which is rather scary in itself but I am grateful for the various song lyrics that were included, and the mentions to other shows. 

In fact some of the other shows that were in the theatre that Chloe is an usher in, sounded downright bizarre, but in the current climate if they were real I'd be first in line to get my theatre fix. 

This is only the second book I've read from the author, and it is another incredibly accomplished story. and while I was reading, I was completely transported to the settings being described. It is very easy to follow the various time lines, and I did in time start to feel the creepier elements were rather normal.

This is a story that kept me guessing throughout,  I had absolutely no idea how it would all resolve itself and I feel the ending was rather fitting.  

I have no idea why I have left it so long since I last read a book from this author, and it is something I need to fix eventually.   I Am Dust has bewitched me, affected my ability to sleep, and really got under my skin.  Always to my mind signs of a very impressive book. 

Thank you to Anne Cater from Random Things Blog Tours for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Last Stage by Louise Voss

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Amazon UK

Title: The Last Stage

Author: Louise Voss

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication Date: 9th June 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

A violent and horrific incident forces a young woman to go into hiding, at the peak of her career as lead singer of an indie pop band. Years later, strange things start to happen and it becomes clear that some know who she is…

At the peak of her career as lead singer of a legendary 1980s indie band, Meredith Vincent was driven off the international stage by a horrific incident. Now living a quiet existence in a cottage on the grounds of an old stately home, she has put her past behind her and come to terms with her new life.

When a body is found in the manicured gardens of her home, and a series of inexplicable and unsettling events begins to occur, it becomes clear that someone is watching, someone who knows who she is … Someone who wants vengeance.

And this is only the beginning…

A dark, riveting and chilling psychological thriller, The Last Stage is also a study of secrets and obsessions, where innocent acts can have the most terrifying consequences.

I went into reading this book with no expectations,  no real idea what was likely to happen, just knew the title was staring at me on my bookshelf and that I should read it.  It's also the first book I've read by this author, but on the basis of this, probably won't be the last. 

The book starts with a snippet of a rather frightening incident from the past, before we pick up the present day action with Meredith.   She used to be a lead singer of a popular indie band, but now 30 years works in a gift shop of a country house, in the middle of nowhere.  No one knows why she suddenly left the band or where she is now. 

And then a few rather unsettling incidents things start to ramp up, but just who is behind everything.  Well even with being able to see things from various focal points including the police and the key points of Meredith's past - I still didn't put everything together until it was revealed. 

Was completely blindsided by it and that is something I relish in a book. It took a while for the story to really ramp up but I was enjoying from the early pages,  I found The Last Stage really got under my skin, and I was wondering about what was happening when I wasn't reading it. 

I don't want to say much more as I think its best discovered for yourself, but I suspect fans of this author will definitely love the book, and if like me you are new to her, then you will have picked a fabulous story to start with.   It was a lovely writing style and really drew me into the story. 

Thank you to Karen Sullivan from Orenda Books for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Palm Beach, Finland by Antti Tuomainen - Blog Tour

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Amazon UK

Title: Palm Beach, Finland

Author: Antti Tuomainen

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication Date: 18th October 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Sex, lies and ill-fitting swimwear … Sun Protection Factor 100

Jan Nyman, the ace detective of the covert operations unit of the National Central Police, is sent to a sleepy seaside town to investigate a mysterious death. Nyman arrives in the town dominated by a bizarre holiday village – the ‘hottest beach in Finland’. The suspect: Olivia Koski, who has only recently returned to her old hometown. The mission: find out what happened, by any means necessary.
With a nod to Fargo, and dark noir, Palm Beach, Finland is both a page-turning thriller and a black comedy about lust for money, fleeing dreams and people struggling at turning points in their lives – chasing their fantasies regardless of reason.

I really had no idea what to make of this, other than it kept me interested and entertained me throughout. 

This was the first book I have read from this author, and he certainly had an interesting way of putting things. This is quite fast paced and the focus of each chapter is a different character, so it does take a bit of time to get to know all the different people involved.

From the start as readers we know who did it and the motivation, but what kept me reading was seeing just how many different people had a vested interest in working it out, and just how many different potential motives there were.  At times it was almost farcical. 

I enjoyed reading about all the various characters, we have Olivia, whose house had the dead man in it, the under cover police man Jan, a pair of bumbling friends who dream of getting out of the town to bigger and better things.  There is a man who is related to the dead man who I didn't really get to grips with but he had some a unique perspective on life. 

And then there was Leivo, the owner of Palm Beach, Finland who was arguably my favourite - listening to him describe his big plans for he new beach resort, that is going to be the biggest thing in Europe if not the world was frankly hilarious. He had fabulous ideas, big big plans, and at times seemed completely deluded, but it was incredibly amusing. 

There was practically a comedy of errors in this story, as all the characters were flawed in various ways and all very capable of making mistakes, and poor decisions, it was just some were more critical than others. 

Being a fan of anything featuring a holiday destination, and not having read anything before set in Finland are what attracted me at first to the book - but its not nor was it ever going to be a gentle chick lit summer read, but neither is it a heavy thriller with a huge body count.  If I was asked to describe it I would say its comic crime - not sure if that is a thing but its funny and had me smiling in places, and there were certainly criminals! 

I would certainly recommend it to those who prefer slightly lighter crime stories, those after a laugh, or just anyone wanting something slightly different to read. 

Thank you to Orenda Books for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Please follow along with the rest of this amazing blog tour for Palm Beach Finland

Guest Book Review - Lucy V Hay reviews Rupture by Ragnar Jonasson - Bookish World Cup - Iceland

Today I am handing over to the lovely Lucy V Hay, who has reviewed a book set in Iceland.

Growing up near Exmoor in Devon, I feel like I have an affinity with the wilds of Iceland, even though I've never been there (yet!). So, I’ll be leading the football charge for Rachel’s world cup series today with Iceland’s finest, Ragnar Jonasson and RUPTURE.

Taking in a missing child; the murder of a politician's son; a town in quarantine AND a mysterious poisoning dating back fifty years, RUPTURE is one of those rare beasts: a convoluted plot that never once becomes complicated or unwieldy. Taking his cue from greats like Agatha Christie, Jonasson weaves a story that is full of intrigue, keeping us on our toes throughout, bringing us towards a satisfying denouement that is full of juicy - not to mention tragic - revelations. 

I loved the story world here, especially the abandoned fjord. It’s such a creepy and visual setting that really stays in your mind. What's more, the characters really come to life on the page: everyone feels three dimensional and authentic, so even the (potential) bad guys' motivations are understandable, even if we don't condone them. 

This is a uniquely Iceland Noir look at 'classic' crime fiction and by jiminy it works for me. This was my first outing in the Ari Thor series, but it certainly won't be my last!

Thank you to Lucy V Hay for reviewing Rupture.  If you like the sound of it be sure to purchase it from Amazon UK

BIO: Lucy V. Hay is a novelist, script editor and blogger who helps writers via her Bang2write consultancy. Her crime novel with Orenda Books, THE OTHER TWIN debuted in 2017 and featured in The Sun and Sunday Express Newspapers, plus Heatworld and Closer Magazine. Her YA novel, PROOF POSITIVE, came out on May 28^th with Littwitz Press. Check out all her books, HERE. 

Follow Lucy on Twitter

Book Review - In Her Wake by Amanda Jennings - Rachel Reads Randomly Book #86

Amazon UK

Title: In Her Wake

Author: Amanda Jennings

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication Date: 10th February 2016

Rating: 3 Stars

A perfect life … until she discovered it wasn’t her own

A tragic family event reveals devastating news that rips apart Bella’s comfortable existence. Embarking on a personal journey to uncover the truth, she faces a series of traumatic discoveries that take her to the ruggedly beautiful Cornish coast, where hidden truths, past betrayals and a 25-year-old mystery threaten not just her identity, but also her life. Chilling, complex and profoundly moving, In Her Wake is a gripping psychological thriller that questions the nature of family – and reminds us that sometimes the most shocking crimes are committed closest to home.

I can see why this book has had so many good reviews, it is a very different story, written by a clearly talented author.  However it may just be because I read it in such small sections as either the book did't take over my life, oor just as I had no time, but I just didn't connect how I would have liked to with the story. 

For the most part I am confused by elements of the story and although I can kind of believe that this could happen in real life, to the extremes of all the characters, just niggled at me.  I can't really explain it here, as to do so would give you inklings as to what would be coming up in the book that just isn't fair. 

Suffice to say that Bella's had a hard time, and it leads to her going to Cornwall where she makes a shocking discovery and the book goes on from there. 

Due to assorted flash backs, and random memory flashes I was often confused about just what I was reading. In fact bewilderment is probably how I felt for sections of this book. 

Although the rest of the time, when I knew what was going on I thought it was a very good book. I really did feel sorry for Bella, and some of the other characters, and the chapters that gave the key other perspective were some of my favourites in the book. Always good to have the useful background, and it did make me understand some of the decisions that had been made. 

In Her Wake is a very good book, but I think its one I should have read when I could have reading in longer sections, and thus got to grips with story a lot quicker. 

Thanks to everyone for the overwhelming majority decision on this weeks vote. I really do have weird reactions to some of these psychological thrillers, some I read in 1 sitting ignoring the outside world, and others I just seem to struggle with. So the question is will you be going to give me a 4th in this genres in 4 weeks to read? (I wrote this days before I randomised for this week, so no idea at this stage what the choices are!). 

Book Review - The Mountain In My Shoe by Louise Beech - Rachel Reads Randomly Book #69

Amazon UK

Title: The Mountain In My Shoe

Author: Louise Beech

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Purchaed

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication Date: 23rd July 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

A missing boy. A missing book. A missing husband. A woman who must find them all to find herself. On the night Bernadette finally has the courage to tell her domineering husband that she’s leaving, he doesn’t come home. Neither does Conor, the little boy she’s befriended for the past five years. Also missing is his lifebook, the only thing that holds the answers. With the help of Conor’s foster mum, Bernadette must face her own past, her husband’s secrets and a future she never dared imagine in order to find them all. Exquisitely written and deeply touching, The Mountain in My Shoe is both a gripping psychological thriller and a powerful and emotive examination of the meaning of family … and just how far we’re willing to go for the people we love

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book, which makes my enjoyment of it all the more surprising. I had been slightly apprehensive at first as I have met plenty of people that rave about this author, this publisher, this book, but yet perhaps because it didn't have the sort of cover I tend to go for, I was slightly unsure. 

Yet it didn't take long for me to realise I was reading something special. The writing is beautiful and at times the story was really emotional. At other times, the story , well OK I did predict some of the key elements, but yet there was so much story still after what I had guessed was revealed that it kept me guessing until the end. 

This is the story of Bernadette and Connor.  Bernadette is intending to leave her controlling husband, but yet the night she intends to tell him is isn't home at his routine time. Bernadette also can't find the lifebook belonging to Connor, on that same day. Then Anne, Connor's foster mum rings and suddenly there are far more important things in the world to Bernadette than leaving Richard. 

What fascinated me and drew me in initially were the entries from Connor's lifebook. It really tugged on my heartstrings, while giving a fantastic insight into Connor's early years. As well as being a useful book for Connor to have, it also gives readers vital background information as to why Connor is the way he is. 

We discover as the story progresses just what Bernadette's marriage was like, and how seeing Connor every other Saturday were the high points in her life.  There are some rather unusual friendships in this book, but they all work, and the characters all felt so real to me. 

There was always something happening to move the story forwards, and I loved the pacing of the whole novel. It went from me getting to grips with the book in 20 page stints throughout the day, to me reading the last 100 plus pages in one sitting not really caring about what else I was meant to be doing. 

The Mountain in My Shoe is beautifully written, and is completely compulsive reading. 

Thank you to everyone that voted for this book this week. It was a very close contest, but I can see why I hear nothing but good things about it - because its deserved.  So can you top it this week, I would love to know what I'll be reviewing this time next week. 

Guest Post - Chickens in the Snow by Steph Broadribb - #CuteChristmas

For the past few years I’ve kept chickens. Ex-battery farmed chickens to be precise – poor little creatures who spend their short lives in cages without ever seeing real daylight or feeling the earth beneath their feet. At 18 months old they’re deemed no longer commercially viable, and that’s the point when fantastic charities like The British Hen Welfare Trust are able to liberate as many hens as they can find homes for. That’s where folks like me come in. We collect our hens and take them home to introduce them to the real world.

There’s nothing quite like watching them take their first steps onto grass. Correction, there’s one thing like it – and that’s watching them take their first steps onto snow! 

It’s fascinating watching them. They just don’t know how to walk on snow – some tentatively stretch out their toes and slowly push them through the strange white stuff. Others make a run for it, flapping their wings and squawking as they go. But however they do it, the result is always cute! They peck at the snow, trying to work out what it is and whether they can eat it – a chicken is often thinking about whether it can eat any new thing they encounter! But mostly they have fun in it. 

It’s a joy to watch these hens frolic in the snow – they race around the garden, they plunder the wild bird feeding station to see if they can steal some of their food, and they dig up the snow to hunt for worms. The cutest thing is that they’ve befriended a robin who always appears when the chickens are let out of their run into the garden, and likes to ‘help’ them find worms!

For most people the robin is the enduring image of a bird at Christmas – their picture is on cards and decorations after all – but for me I always think of chickens in the snow, and those first steps they take into ‘the white stuff’ that show their characters and zest for life. 

Their reactions remind me that everybody is different, and everyone reacts differently to new and unfamiliar situations. It’s something I keep in mind when I’m writing and creating new characters. 

And as for my series characters, well, Dakota – the nine-year-old daughter of my main protagonist, bounty hunter single mom Lori Anderson – has lived in Florida all her life, so she’s never experienced snow. I wonder how she’d react? 

Thank you so much for taking part in my #CuteChristmas. I was loving reading about how chickens take their first tentative steps onto the snow!

About the Author

Steph Broadribb is an alumni of the MA Creative Writing at City University London, and trained as a bounty hunter in California. As her alter ego – Crime Thriller Girl – she blogs about crime fiction at www.crimethrillergirl.com. She lives in Buckinghamshire surrounded by horses, cows and chickens. DEEP DOWN DEAD is her debut novel. 

Lori Anderson book 1 – DEEP DOWN DEAD – is out now in eBook and will be published on 5th January 2017 in paperback (from Orenda Books). Here’s the blurb: Lori Anderson is as tough as they come. Keeping her career as a Florida bounty hunter separate from her role as single mother to nine-year-old Dakota, who suffers from leukaemia. But when the hospital bills rack up, she has no choice but to take a job that will make her a fast buck. And that’s when things go wrong. The fugitive she’s chasing is JT, Lori’s former mentor – the man who taught her all she knows … the man who knows the secrets of her murky past.

You can buy DEEP DOWN DEAD from Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deep-Down-Dead-Lori-Anderson-ebook/dp/B01F3F4480 

Follow Steph on Twitter @CrimeThrillGirl
And check out her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CrimeThrillerGirl/