Release Date: 26/02/15
Publisher: Ebury Press
SYNOPSIS:
Nyx is back, alongside the bel dame sisterhood of assassins. Although the centuries-long war is over, civil unrest is rife, and the fate of one kidnapped politician could be the catalyst for a bloody regime change. With aliens in the sky and a hint of revolution in the air, Nyx and her team of mutant shape-shifters, torturers and bio-tech magicians have a new mission: save a life to save a country.
REVIEW:
Ah, a cracking crime novel featuring old friends, new mystery and of course a crime that keeps you guessing throughout set for the festive period. It has some solid twists and when added to her identifiable writing style really keeps you going throughout. Add to this great prose and of course cracking dialogue and all round you’ll be a more than happy reader. However please be aware that this is the 39th book in the series, so whilst you can read it without having read the others, you’ll really be missing a treat.
Release Date: 14/08/14
Publisher: Ebury Press
SYNOPSIS:
Everybody loves a ghost story...The heir to Axton House and his companion are delighted to find themselves living in one. With it come nightmares, a secret society and a curse. A ghost may soon be the least of their worries. Part ghost story, part cerebral mystery, this is a dazzling and wholly original supernatural adventure.
REVIEW:
This is a book that I’ve had on the back burner for quite a while and whilst I’ve been reading away like a demon, its one that whilst I liked the idea, I always felt that I had something better to sit down with so it just stayed pretty much where it was in the TBR pile.
Finally I’ve managed to make my way through to it and upon starting, thought that my initial retisense to start was fully justified as I had a bit of trouble picking up the prose and getting into it. That however was until after a few chapters when I found that I couldn’t put it down. I loved the quirky characters, the twists that the author threw at you and when added to some cracking dialogue that kept you fed alongside some top notch “factual” pieces to back up the information all round generates a book that was a sheer joy to read. I’ll have to make sure that I don’t make this mistake again.
Release Date: 12/02/15
Publisher: Ebury Press
SYNOPSIS:
A remote solar system A fragile galactic alliance An interstellar war is on the brink of eruption...When the Lightship Impulse is attacked without provocation, Lt. Peter Cochrane, son of the Grand Admiral, is sent to investigate. His first deep space mission, this isn't what Peter has spent three years in training for. Surrounded by strangers and following secret orders, is he willing to do what it takes to keep the alliance together? Even mutiny? Book one in The Lightship Chronicles, a groundbreaking new action-adventure space opera from Dave Bara.
REVIEW:
OK, I’m going to get right to the point here. I wasn’t a huge fan of this novel. There, I’ve said it. The characters felt pretty much just 2d with a book feeling much like something in the vein of a title that’s more old school than anything new or innovative with the whole concept of the tale being revealed pretty early on.
It got to me that I wasn’t going to get something new and whilst at times, nostalgia can be a good thing, when it feels like its something that you’ve not only seen time and again but done better in other incarnations then its perhaps time to borrow rather than spend your money on the book.
All round, whilst there were some cool idea’s within, I felt a more than a little cheated, losing a good chunk of reading time, however if you want something that harks back to the days of old Sci-Fi then this could be the book for you.
Release Date: 13/11/14
Publisher: Ebury
SYNOPSIS:
The Vril are here. The war for humanity has begun. The Germans have lost control of their most deadly discovery. The alien Vril have awakened and are scouring the Earth for ancient relics. From the Hollywood lights of LA to the bloody devastation of Stalingrad, Major Guy Pentecross and the team at Station Z must uncover the mystery and stop the Vril and Nazis alike. Failure will mean the end of life as we know it.
REVIEW:
If you’re after a series that has something different to a lot of books out there, then you really need to try Justin Richards Never War with its alternate world Science Fiction concepts that has not only cracking characters but also top notch prose alongside dialogue.
Here in the second outing the reader is treated to a tale that not only keeps the reader glued but also feels like it has influences of Gerry Anderson within the pages. Back this up with a story arc that doesn’t let up for a moment which when added to an author that understands how to deliver a careful mix of high octane action alongside cooler scenes to let the reader get their breath back all round gives you a book that is as rewarding as the original.
Release Date: 07/08/14
Publisher: Ebury Press
SYNOPSIS:
If you like eating delicious, balanced meals but can't cook/won't cook/don't have any time to cook, then this is the book for you. All you need is a large mug and a microwave, a handful of ingredients and a spoon. Forget retro microwaving of the 90s, these are bang-up-to-date, imaginative recipes for busy people. Every meal time is covered with 80 recipes, so whether you're a student on a budget, stuck at the office and starving, or just can't be bothered to dirty a saucepan and preheat the oven, you'll find an idea to satisfy every hungry moment and all your flavour cravings.
REVIEW:
There are plenty of times you’ve got some leftovers and not enough to make a huge meal, so rather than throw them away in a time when we all know the price of food, you try to be inventive to find ways to make the best of what you have.
Whilst this isn’t a full banquet type of book, its one that helps use those left over scraps and gives you something hot with just a few minutes work. It’s tasty, its very simple to follow and all round, in my opinion would be a good book to give to students or those looking to help extend a few ingredients.
All round a solid book, one that provides some sweet treats as well as savoury meals and something that will help you make the most of what you have.
Release Date: 16/09/10
Publisher: Ebury Press
SYNOPSIS:
In this delicious collection of recipes, Madhur Jaffrey shows us that Indian food need not be complicated or involve hours in the kitchen. Take a few well chosen spices and readily available ingredients, and in a few easy steps you can make a delicious prawn curry from Goa; succulent chicken baked in an almond and onion sauce; hearty Sri Lankan beef with coconut milk; a creamy potato and pea curry; tasty swiss chard stir fried with ginger and garlic; and a spicy dip with beans (canned of course), cumin, chillies and lime. With over 175 clear, accessible and simple recipes, this mouthwatering cookbook is as beautifully written as her bestselling Ultimate Curry Bible, and is fully illustrated throughout with gorgeous colour photography. Whether you are cooking curry for the first time or have plenty of culinary experience and are looking for quick and easy recipe ideas, Madhur Jaffrey brings you all the tastes of India with the minimum of work.
REVIEW:
Whilst a takeout on a Friday or Saturday night always feels like a great idea, the worrying thing for many people is the saturated fats and extra calories that whilst tasting nice, doesn’t do your waistline any favours. For many Brits, a Curry is the take away of choice and for me, I love the idea of being able to make my own knowing the exact quantities of the ingredients which when blended with quality key products create something that not only taste’s great but in some cases ready in minutes, hitting that spot quite easy.
Within this book by Madhur is a whole host of recipes for every taste and budget, easily explained, with wonderful step by step guide to creating your own Indian feast that can not only be created for a takeout style mean but also for something a little special for friends and family visiting. Add to this great colour photos that bring the recipes to life and all round my mouth was salivating at the combos.
Release Date: 12/09/13
Publisher: P D Viner
SYNOPSIS:
Something very bad happened to Dani Lancing. Twenty years later, her father is still trying to get her to talk. Her best-friend has become a detective, the last hope of all the lost girls. And her mother is about to become a killer. A hauntingly original debut that will stay with you long after the last page.
REVIEW:
A strange yet captivating tale of murder and how it effects those closest to the crime. Its definitely something unusual, has some solid twists but when you look at the boom , it’s the characters that make this book not only heartbreaking but something entirely different to a lot of the crime books out there.
Add to this solid storytelling, some wonderful twists and of course tightly woven prose all round helps this book achieve its goal to give you something unique. Great stuff.
Release Date: 17/10/13
Publisher: Ebury Press
SYNOPSIS:
How far would you go for love? Callie McFay is about to cross worlds and time...Fairwick used to be populated by all manner of magical creatures but when a cabal of witches forced the closure of the last door to Fairie, the townsfolk had to choose sides. Now it is up to Callie to find a way back. Her quest will take her far from home - to a 17th Century Scotland where the demon she once fell in love with is still very much a man...
REVIEW:
Ok the third book in the series and to be honest, not having read the others I was more than a little apprehensive about starting, after all I’d miss out some of the in series references alongside getting to judge how the characters had grown over the series.
That said however I soon found myself eagerly drawn into this inventive world by Carol. I loved the way she brought the historical time period to life, added her own touch of mysticism and then blended it altogether with a cracking lead character that I could not only associate with but one that I wanted to achieve her own goals. Its wonderfully written, almost cinematic in its own right and to be honest if the first two are this good, I’m really going to have to go back and make the time to sit down with them.
All round great fun and a book that I was more than pleased I read especially when you get to see some wonderful turns of phrase from an author who clearly loves what she’s doing. Great stuff.
Release Date: 04/07/13
Publisher: Ebury Press
SYNOPSIS:
He meets women. He gains their trust. He kills them. That's all Maeve Kerrigan knows about the man she is hunting. Three women have been strangled in their homes by the same sadistic killer. With no sign of a break-in, every indication shows that they let in their attacker. But the evidence is pointing at a shocking suspect: DCI Josh Derwent, Maeve's colleague. Maeve refuses to believe he could be involved, but how well does she really know her partner? After all, this is hardly the first time Derwent's been accused of murder...
REVIEW:
I love a story that tends to get away from the normal PC (please pardon the pun) point of view and get back to a certain amount of the old school boys in blue who rather than being sensitive and sweet, believe in saying what they think whilst solving the crime. That’s what you get in this title and whilst it’s part of the Maeve Kerrigan series it’s a book that centres mainly around the cracking DI Josh Derwent (who for me is someone akin to Gene Hunt.)
The prose is sharp, there’s some solid twists and whilst this is more of an emotional title its one that will deliver the reader a story that they can not only sink their teeth into but one that they can sit back and enjoy as the tale unfurls. All round a solid book and one that I had a lot of fun with.
Release Date: 28/07/13
Publisher: Ebury Press
SYNOPSIS:
The rich play by their own rules. Former New York City homicide detective Karin Schaeffer should be enjoying a family holiday in Sardinia. But she and her husband, Mac, arrive on the island to find their children and nanny missing. Is the kidnapping connected to Mac's last case: investigating the infidelities of billionaire Godfrey Millerhausen? And, if so, just how far will the he go to protect their secrets? A Karin Schaeffer Novel
REVIEW:
I tend to read quite a lot of crime and recently Katia Lief has been an author that I like to dip into when I want a crime story that has solid pace, some wonderful characters and of course a case that’s going to be tough to crack, so when I received this title I really couldn’t wait to see what she’d have in store for Karin’s latest outing.
What I received that whilst a good story, felt a little bit flat as it seemed to be dealing more with the emotional context rather than developing the plot and whilst this is a key part to the book, I felt that the plot suffered for this slowing the pace to a crawl in places. All round, I will be sticking with Katia however for me, this book isn’t her best to date.
Release Date: 20/06/13
Publisher:
SYNOPSIS:
Plymouth 1570 Drake's ship, The Swan, sets sail for the New World with a crew of pirates hell-bent on Spanish treasure. Among them is Will Doonan seeking both his fortune and revenge for the loss of his brother. But unbeknown to all, young Ellyn Cooksley has stowed away. And her presence aboard ship will prove to be more tempting to Will than gold ...
REVIEW:
OK, you’re looking for something specific, you want high sea’s action, a story of love and romance and mix it all up in Elizabethan England? Well that’s where this cracking title from Jenny Barden comes to the fore in this debut a long time in the making and to be honest the time that has been taken to polish it really does go to show the depth of not only research but love of the craft has gone into this book.
The history is believable with an almost miasma of the stench of the time attached. Its cleverly sculpted, grasps the reader deep into bossom of the title and really does give the reader a magical read that not only will thrill and enthral but makes the reader want to keep on reading long into the night. A great read.
Release Date: 30/05/13
Publisher: Ebury Press
SYNOPSIS:
Sir Owain Lancaster is either a madman or a monster...And Sebastian Becker's role in Bedlam as special investigator for the Master of Lunacy is to determine which is true. Sir Owain's sanity has been in question ever since a disastrous Amazonian adventure killed his family and colleagues. However, when two local children are found brutally slain, Lancaster claims that the same dark forces that devastated his expedition have followed him home...
REVIEW:
If you love a crime novel that is set in Victorian times that delves into the mind of not only the criminal but the insane then you really have to try this novel by Stephen Gallagher. The mystery works wonderfully, the principle character is not only one that is delightfully complex but has a more than intruging history and when added to a top notch prose, great pace all round makes this something wonderful.
Finally throw into the mix a wonderful sense of history, an authenticity that really gives the reader the feeling of treading the streets along with the characters alongside a great supporting cast all round makes this something wonderful. Great.
Release Date: 11/04/13
Publisher: Ebury Press
SYNOPSIS:
The fourth book in the Science of Discworld series, and this time around dealing with The Really Big Questions, Terry Pratchett's brilliant new Discworld story. Judgement Day is annotated with very big footnotes (the interleaving chapters) by mathematician Ian Stewart and biologist Jack Cohen, to bring you a mind-mangling combination of fiction, cutting-edge science and philosophy. Marjorie Daw is a librarian, and takes her job - and indeed the truth of words - very seriously. She doesn't know it, but her world and ours - Roundworld - is in big trouble. On Discworld, a colossal row is brewing. The Wizards of Unseen University feel responsible for Roundworld (as one would for a pet gerbil). After all, they brought it into existence by bungling an experiment in Quantum ThaumoDynamics. But legal action is being brought against them by Omnians, who say that the Wizards' god-like actions make a mockery of their noble religion. As the finest legal brains in Discworld (a zombie and a priest) gird their loins to do battle - and when the Great Big Thing in the High Energy Magic Laboratory is switched on - Marjorie Daw finds herself thrown across the multiverse and right in the middle of the whole explosive affair. As God, the Universe and, frankly, Everything Else is investigated by the trio, you can expect world-bearing elephants, quantum gravity in the Escher-verse, evolutionary design, eternal inflation, dark matter, disbelief systems - and an in-depth study of how to invent a better mousetrap.
REVIEW:
The Discworld is a series that has captured the minds of millions of readers around the world and with the sciences have taken a back seat to magic, the reader is treated to the explanation of how things function in “Round World” as opposed to the obvious answers that the Disc presents.
Here in this title, the reader gets the treat as Marjorie Daw, Librarian of Round World, finds herself bang in the middle of a religious and philosophical debate and has to make sense of it all. It’s cleverly done, it has humour and makes sense of a lot of sense as the cunning brains of Science and Philosophy to the fore. A fun read and whilst you don’t have to have read the others to sit back and enjoy, it does help get a fuller flavour.
Release Date: 31/01/13
SYNOPSIS:
If he can't have you no one will...
Darcy was just trying to be friendly to the new boy in the office. But it's gone horribly wrong. At first it was just unwanted invitations but now Joe is sending her abusive emails, calling her late at night, unwilling to take no for an answer.
And every step, Darcy takes to distance herself from him is just adding fuel to Joe's obsession. And now he knows where she lives...
REVIEW:
Writing can, at times be as subtle as a brick when hard combat is meshed with the battlefield, yet when you read a crime novel, you sometimes want that manipulative whisper that penetrates deep into the readers subconscious so much so that when aspects of the plot are revealed fully you end up wondering why you didn’t spot it before.
In this new title by Katia, it is perhaps her best to date with some wonderful subterfuge, some great writerly sleight of hand and when blended with solid prose as well as great story arc really keeps you glued until the last page it is turned. Add to this some wonderfully realistic characters that the reader wants to spend time around which when blended with some great dialogue really adds up to one solid crime title that will haunt your mind for some time to come. Great stuff.
Release Date: 06/12/12
SYNOPSIS:
It was my friend, Bram Stoker, who told me of the legend of the Wanderer a man who made a bargain with the devil himself, trading his soul for forbidden knowledge and eternal life.
Once I would have dismissed such tales as mere fancy but I knew what I had seen. And there is no mind so open as that of desperate man.
A dark Gothic Victorian thriller, The Kingdom of Bones unfolds in a twilight world of music halls, boxing booths, and travelling theatrical shows; and pits a formidable Pinkerton detective against a man who fears more than justice.
REVIEW:
I love books that not only fulfil what I’m looking for but forge their own path delivering something unexpected. What Stephen produces for the reader is a book of mystery, of intrigue and of course brought together with murder, mayhem and the authors own unique voice.
Add to this a great overall arc with a good few twists, some wonderful prose and when blended with a writing style that just keeps you glued, all round makes this a book that you will just love and a great item to ask for at this time of year when murder may be foremost on your own mind. LOL
Release Date: 11/10/12
SYNOPSIS:
They call him the Ghost Hero. Chau Chun is a renowned artist and controversial painter. And rumours of new work by him has the media in a frenzy - and sees Lydia Chin and Bill Smith hired to follow the whispers to their source. They soon discover that Chau has been officially dead for over twenty years, killed in the Tianamen Square uprising. Are Lydia and Bill really chasing a ghost?
REVIEW:
Unlike other thrillers out there, this tale is one that works more on the mental side of things and whilst a lot of people prefer the huge action sequences something that makes an author stand out is how they manage to engage a reader when what are thought of as key elements for any genre are removed.
Whilst the action is a little light within, it’s the characters that really shine for me within the authors writing, I can vividly imagine them, I’d like to go for a drink with some and when added to the multifaceted attributes that each has really makes this a story to make you sit up and listen to. Add to this crisp, sharp prose, a wonderful sense of pace and of course some magical sleight of hand all go together with a couple of twists to really deliver a cracking novel. Great stuff.
Release Date: 04/10/12
SYNOPSIS:
Matvay looked inside and saw something so horrible, so gruesome ...it startled even the veteran crime investigator. "There's a body in here," he said. "Another homicide!" From the first whiff of the pungent smell coming from the garbage can, the Las Vegas cops knew what they were dealing with. Someone was dead and the witchcraft books at the scene suggested they had died in a deeply sinister way. "Witch" is the disturbing true story of how and why a sweet-natured girl called Brookey Lee West become one of America's most notorious female killers.
REVIEW:
As a fan of true crime, I was quite pleased to be receiving this book as it was about Brookey Lee West, a woman guilty of matricide. The book was well written and whilst, it does, in my opinion delve too much into the backgrounds of all connected rather than keeping to the meat of the story, overall the subject matter was fascinating.
However on a personal note I felt that the title was misleading as the only real reference to witchcraft were the books found in the storage locker where the container with the body was kept. Other points that I found a little disturbing included the authors narration of the “fantasy tapes” to the doctor which I found vulgar with the author seeming to lose professionalism at this point.
All in the book is quite a long story without any real outcome as West never admitted her guilt to her mother’s murder and whilst other crimes were alluded to, only one was covered within this title. To sum up, if you like true crime this could very well be a book for you as she’s new to the scene so there’s no other material about her out there, however if you want something that looks at all angles with a writer who investigates other allegations then this may not be for you.
Release Date: 16/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
900 A.D. A time of turmoil. A kingdom in dispute. An unlikely hero...Edward, son of Alfred the Great, has inherited the Kingdom of Wessex and achieved a precarious set of alliances through marriage and military conquest. But the alliance is uneasy and the kingdom of Mercia has more reason than most to fear the might of Wessex. Their Lord is elderly and perhaps mortally sick, and his wife fears that she does not have the power to withstand hostile takeover. She also knows too well what her neighbour is capable of - after all, King Edward is her brother. The chance to rescue St Oswald's bones, beloved patron saint, to consecrate her new church and unite the people behind her, is too good an opportunity to miss. But they are rumoured to be buried a long way north - outside Lincoln, deep in hostile territory. Her secretary, Wulfgar, groomed for the priesthood since he was a boy in the elegant cloisters of Winchester cathedral but a naive in the ways of the wider world - is surprised to be sent on this mission. It will prove an incredibly dangerous journey, requiring resources and courage Wulfgar did not know he had, and support from surprising allies along the way including a maverick priest and a Viking adventuress whose loyalties are far from clear...
REVIEW:
Historical Fiction has a different flavour depending upon the time period. Here in this title we take a trip back to the 10th Century as the reader embarks on a young monk’s quest to obtain St Oswald’s Bones for the consecration of a church as he proves that smarts and adaptation are the way to go over brawn. It’s a new type of tale and for me it was wonderfully executed with the lead character being not only personable but one that you want to succeed.
Add to this solid prose, moments of high danger alongside a myriad of outstanding supporting characters and all in it’s a tale that will appeal to a great many readers. Finally add to the mix solid prose, great pace and an author who has pulled out all the stops and this could well be the start of a cracking new series.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Over 200 stunning archive photographs, most of which have never been published before, illustrate this mesmerising guide to Victorian London seen through the eyes of Charles Dickens. Setting Dickens against the city that was the backdrop and inspiration for his work, it takes the reader on a memorable and haunting journey, discovering the places and subjects which stimulated his imagination. Here are captivating photographs of famous landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey, alongside coaching inns, the Thames before the Embankment was built, the construction of the Metropolitan Underground Line, the docklands that studded the river and the many villages that make up London today. Authoritatively written and beautifully illustrated, this book will appeal to anyone who loves this beguiling city and wants to explore it as it was in Dickens' day.
REVIEW:
Whilst preparing to start my own Steampunk title, I wanted to get a fuller flavour of the Victorian age, so that I could borrow scenes as well as have a whole host of supporting cast members that would not only stand out but bring the full flavour to the reader. What this book of photographs set around Dickens’s London does, is give you that with bags of information to spare. Its lovingly written, authorative and when added to the myriad of photo’s within generates what feels like a voyeurs view to a bygone time.
For me, Alex’s title is one that was not only thoroughly enjoyable but one that with the buildings and various trades represented will allow me to bring the whole thing to live and when added with the sheer variety within, will allow many people to find ways to interest their young reader in history. A great piece all in and definitely one I’ll be reading a few more times.
Release Date: 12/04/12
SYNOPSIS:
Remember when you were a kid, and you used to go round to a friend's house to see if they were playing? Well, as adults we're not supposed to do that. Which is a shame...because Dave Gorman likes playing. He really likes games. So he knocked on the biggest door you could ever imagine - the internet - and asked 76,000 people if they fancied a game. This is the story of what happened next. Dave was up for anything and gamely played them at whatever they chose. He played some classics - Monopoly, Scrabble, dominoes and cribbage. He played many games he'd never heard of before - Khet, Kubb, Tikal or Smite anyone? He played board games and physical games. He's thrown sticks, balls, frisbees and darts. He's rolled dice and he's drawn cards. From Liverpool to Hampstead and from Croydon to Nottingham, Dave travelled the length and breadth of Britain meeting strangers in strange places - their homes, at work, in the back rooms of pubs - and getting some hardcore game action. From casual players to serious game geeks, from the rank amateur to the world champion, he discovered a nation of gamers more than happy to welcome him into their midst. He's travelled all around the country and met all sorts of people - and it turns out us Brits are a competitive bunch! And it seems that playing games can teach you a lot about what makes the British tick. Of course, Dave hasn't been keeping score. Much.
REVIEW:
Game playing in any other format other than the electronic media seems to be a dying art form and for those who are of a certain age, you’ll remember the fun of hoping to the god of board games that you had all the pieces together so that you could play or even just games of fun like darts, snooker etc.
Dave Gorman, a comedian that I’d heard of but not actually seen, challenged the world to a contest of games and wrote this book based around the events. From the weird and the wonderful Khet (basically Laser Chess) to snooker, Monopoly and Scrabble to Smite it’s a story of one man’s journey into the madness and competitiveness. All in, this book was great fun to read and Dave is a natural storyteller as he brings it all together in this often funny and interesting title as he takes you on perhaps one of the weirdest journeys to date. A must for people of all ages.
