Book Review | The Janus Stone (Dr Ruth Galloway #2) by Elly Griffiths

After the terrifying events a few months ago on the saltmarshes, Dr Ruth Galloway is enjoying her pregnancy and her work when she is called to a medieval site. The constructos are building new flats over the area, but want archaeologists to dig it up first. Then, a skeleton of a young child is found – missing its head. Another murder is here…

The second novel in the Dr Ruth Galloway Series, The Janus Stone was exciting, but also really rather confusing, not something you often see in cosy crime.

I really love the idea of the Ruth Galloway series. The first book, The Crossing Places was one of my favourite books for the plot, but I just could not stand the author. The novels are incredibly close-minded, including pretty much fatphobia and xenophobia on every single page. The reason I decided to pick up the next one is, simply, because I love the idea of an archaeologist getting involved in crime, and I also love unsolved murders getting solved, and this is probably, sadly, the only book series out there that does that.

Book Review | Enchantress of Numbers by Jennifer Chiaverini

Ada, the only legitimate child of the poet Lord Byron, was destined for fame before she was born. Chiaverini explores Ada’s life, from birth, her introduction into London society, and her exciting friendship with renowned inventor Charles Babbage.

I didn’t know much about Ada Lovelace before I read this book, and whilst I know that a lot of this was fiction, I do feel like I know her a lot better. Jennifer Chiaverini has brought this wonderful woman to life completely vividly.

I’ll admit that the first 100-or-so pages were a little dull, considering the fact they either didn’t have Ada in it, or she was a baby. The only thing that kept me reading was Chiaverini’s wondrous prose – it was like music being played in my mind with every word I read.

Book Review | The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle

Sherlock Holmes is roused from drug-induced depression by a beautiful young woman. Her name is Mary Morstan and every year since the mysterious disappearance of her father she has received a lustrous pearl. Now her anonymous benefactor has requested a meeting and she wants Holmes and Watson to accompany her.

I can’t believe that I’m a crime writer and it’s taken me so long to read some Arthur Conan Doyle! I think I was put off because it’s Victorian and I thought it’d be full of long, hard-to-understand sentences, boring dialogue, and Holmes just sitting around all day (*cough*Dupin*cough*). But NO!

Author Interview | Fiona Shaw

Hey everyone! Today I am delighted to be interviewing Fiona Shaw, who wrote the wonderful novel Outwalkers. You can read my spoiler-free review here!

Outwalkers follows a gang of children in near-future Britain as they try to escape capture and enter Scotland where they will be safe. In a post-Brexit UK, this book is, I feel, important for anyone to read. 

Book Review | Outwalkers by Fiona Shaw

I am delighted to be sharing this book review working alongside with David Fickling Books for the Outwalkers Brexit Book Tour. This timely dystopian novel looks at borders, freedom, and loyalty. You can read my full (unbiased, as always) review below.

I was gifted this book by the publisher in exchange for a review. As always, all opinions are my own.

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Book Review | The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie

Mrs Ascher in Andover; Betty Barnard in Bexhill; Mr Carmichael Clarke in Churston; a serial killer is on the loose. He’s sending letters to one Hercule Poirot, but even one of the world’s best sleuths is struggling to catch him. The only link is the alphabet – can Poirot catch him before he gets to Z?

I initially picked this book up because the BBC adapted The ABC Murders into a three-part series and I wanted to read it before I saw it! It wasn’t quite like the other Christie’s I’ve read – I’m normally completely entrapped, but this one took a lot longer to grab my attention.

Top 6 Books I Read In 2018!

As it is the last day of the year, I thought I would share my top 6 books of 2018! Not all of these came out in 2018, but they were the favourites of the 103 (!!!) books I read. I’ll be doing a 2018 reading wrap-up tomorrow, because there’s still time to read for the rest of the day!

Is it just me that thinks this year has been ridiculously long?! Thank goodness I made a 2018 Favourites shelf on Goodreads, otherwise I would not be able to do this list at all… Anyway, speaking of that, these books are just in the order I read them!

The Icelandic Christmas Eve Book Giving Tradition | blogmas day 24

I would love to visit Iceland. It’s such a beautiful country, and not only that but it publishes more books per person than any other country in the world. Doesn’t it sound like heaven?

The written word is bound up in oral storytelling, and, like many cultures, the Icelanders told a lot of stories – it’s where we get a lot of Norse mythology from! So it’s really no surprise that Icelanders read a lot. Fun fact: apparently one in 10 Icelanders will publish a book!

Book Review | Listen to the Moon by Michael Morpurgo

1915. War with Germany has been raging, but the Isles of Scilly are largely unaffected. That is, until a girl washes up on the shore of one of the islands, and rumours about her begin to circulate. A stunning story about love, justice, community, surprisingly poignant for the modern day.

Michael Morpurgo, if you didn’t know, is one of my absolutely favourite authors, and this wonderful book of his definitely did not disappoint.

Book Review & Blog Avalanche | Paper Avalanche by Lisa Williamson

I was so excited to be contacted by the publisher of Lisa Williamson’s newest YA book to read and review a copy and join in with their Blog Avalanche to celebrate the release! 

This is the first Lisa Williamson book I’ve read, and I absolutely loved it. Without further ado, let’s get into the review…