The Little Theatre by the Sea by Rosanna Ley

Reading a new book by Rosanna Ley is like revisting old friends, because within minutes you feel warm, comfortable and completely relaxed. I'm not normally a fan of contemporary fiction but I make an exception for Rosanna Ley and to be fair she often includes references to the past in her books. In her latest novel The Little Theatre in question is a faded and dilapidated building full of charm and secrets. Faye having completed a degree in interior design but lost a boyfriend is wondering what to do with herself when she is contacted by old friend Charlotte. Charlotte and Faye had travelled through Italy and Sardinia in their twenties and Charlotte had settled in Sardinia and married Fabio a local hotelier. Charlotte invites Faye to come and house sit and to give some advise to her friends Marisa and Alessandro who have inherited the theatre and wish to restore it. 

Faye is rather taken with the idea, though she is quick to point out her lack of experience. Arriving in Sardinia, Faye is soon enchanted by the Little Theatre, the town and the local people not to mention the arrogant but very handsome Alessandro Rinaldi. However it soon becomes apparent that the theatre is in fact a source of discontent amongst the local people. Many are worried about an outsider being involved in the restoration, others are worried that the character will be lost. There is bad blood between the Rinaldis and the Volti family and in fact some even dispute the Rinaldi's ownership of the theatre. Faye is soon wondering what she has let herself in for. The narrative is also interspersed with the stories of Molly and Ade; Faye's parents who are navigating retirement and each other in beautiful West Dorset. 

A wonderful read full of the sights, sounds and experiences of the sultry island of Sardinia. Rosanna Ley is a delight. Perfect for fans of Dinah Jeffries and Victoria Hislop. 

Thanks so much to Imogen at Midas PR for a copy. 

Published by Quercus in hardback 9th March 2017.

The Chalk Pit by Elly Griffiths Blog Tour

I am delighted to be part of the blog tour for The Chalk Pit by Elly Griffiths the latest in the Ruth Galloway series of mysteries. I actually cannot believe that this is the ninth book in the series. It seems like no time since I started reading about Ruth and Nelson and Cathbad and all the other wonderful characters that people these novels. I can confirm that you can read any of the series as a stand alone since I choose Elly's last book The Woman in Blue for my book club a few months ago and I sneakily didn't tell them that it was part of a series. However it did lead to a number of new Elly Griffiths fans. In the latest instalment of the series a mysterious sinkhole appears on one of the main roads out of Norwich and Ruth has discovered human bones in one of the many underground tunnels beneath the city. The bones however turn out to be not part of a medieval burial but much more recent so DI Nelson is soon involved. Judy is investigating the disappearances of local homeless people and an academic at Ruth's university is talking about secret underground societies so what is the connecting thread? Then a local woman goes missing and a mystery becomes a manhunt. As usual it takes a group effort to unravel. The thing that makes the Ruth Galloway mysteries so appealing is that as well as an intriguing and involving plot the characters are so wonderful that you really want to know what they will do next. Their private lives are as detailed, as interesting and as messy as anything they investigate and it really is a joy to spend time with them. Elly Griffiths is one of my favourite writers and other writers love her too. Val McDermid and Kate Mosse are both big fans. Elly weaves superstition and local knowledge into her fiction so if you are a fan of James Oswald then you will enjoy her work. You could read The Chalk Pit as a stand alone novel but I can assure you that once you discover the world of Ruth Galloway and DI Nelson you will want to read the whole series.

The Chalk Pit is out in hardback and e-book now from Quercus. Thanks to Olivia Mead for inviting me to take part in the blog tour. The Reading Agency in England are currently running a Discover Elly Griffiths Challenge through local libraries and Elly herself is currently touring the UK to promote her new book.

The Blog Tour Continues for another few stops, details below.

Coffin Road by Peter May

I am a huge fan of Peter May having devoured The Lewis Trilogy last year in just a few days. Coffin Road is a stand alone novel that sees the author return to the Hebrides. I love anything set in Scotland especially the Highlands and Islands so I was sold on this book within seconds and I love the fact that the name reminds me of another great Scottish novel Iain Banks' The Crow Road. The book opens with a man stumbling around a beach having been apparently washed ashore. He has no memory of how he got there or even of who he is. The first part of the novel sees our mystery man trying to figure out what on earth is going on as he fakes knowing neighbours, friends and even lovers and the reader is right there with him. I found myself flying through the pages desperate to know, what next?
The other major characters in the novel are a rebellious Edinburgh teenager desperate to find out what happened to her father and a seasick detective determined to unravel it all.
I can't say too much about the plot as it will spoil any potential readers enjoyment all I will say is that this is the perfect introduction to May if you haven't read him before and if like me you've only read The Lewis Trilogy then go now immediately and buy this book, you won't be disappointed.
This was one of the first books I choose when I was asked to pick my favourites for a radio interview I did recently in my capacity as a bookseller. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Perfect for fans of James Oswald, S K Tremayne and Elly Griffiths.

The Redemption of Alexander Seaton by Shona Maclean

The Redemption of Alexander Seaton is the first in a four part series by Scottish writer Shona /S.G. Maclean. Set in Banff in Scotland in 1626. Alexander is a failed minister now a schoolteacher of morose character. His two truest friends are the doctor and the music master.When a man is found dead in suspicious circumstances, murder is suspected and Alexander's friend the music teacher a rival in love to the murdered man is arrested. Tasked with helping the investigation Alexander is determined to prove his friend innocent.
This is a wonderfully written tale from a master storyteller. The setting and characters are so vivid and intense I felt utterly immersed and sad to leave them all behind. This is a series I will certainly continue and cherish.
If you like S J Deas, Robin Blake or Antonia Hodgson this book is for you.

Here is an interview the author did with Shots e-zine which will give you some insight into her research and an explanation for the mid series name change.



http://www.shotsmag.co.uk/interview_view.aspx?interview_id=237

The Somnambulist and The Psychic Thief by Lisa Tuttle

The Somnambulist and The Psychic Thief is the first in a new series from prolific author Lisa Tuttle. Following a break from her previous employer; Miss X at The Psychical Society, Miss Lane is in need of accommodation and employment when a notice in a newsagent window catches her eye: "Consulting Detective Requires Assistant" Miss Lane soon finds herself working with Jasper Jesperson and together they investigate strange occurrences in Victorian London. Soon they are asked for help by Miss X herself when a number of well known psychic mediums go missing. A fantastic first instalment to what I hope will be a long running series. While there is a subtle nod to Holmes and Watson, Jesperson and Lane are very much their own characters. Miss Lane is a delight; independent, resourceful and free thinking and Jesperson and his mother are fantastically drawn. This is the first book I've read by Lisa Tuttle but it certainly won't be the last. Lisa is a favourite of Neil Gaiman and George R.R. Martin and she deserves a wider audience so here's hoping that this series gives that to her.

Thank you very much to Olivia Mead for sending me a copy of this book for review it is available now from Jo Fletcher Books. 

Florence Grace by Tracy Rees

Florence Grace’ is the second Novel by Tracy Rees following the very successful Amy Snow. Set in Cornwall and London in the 1850s, this is a beautifully written book perfect for fans of Daphne du Maurier and Kate Morton. The story centres around Grace, orphaned at a young age she discovers her connection to a wealthy but notorious London family. She leaves her poor life in Cornwall behind, saying goodbye to her beloved moors she travels to a family she has never known and does her best to adjust her speech and her manners. However it is only with her cousins Turlington and Sanderson that she finds joy and companionship. Florence Grace is a wonderful page turning novel, gripping, emotional and unputdownable. I was utterly enthralled. Tracy Rees is a fantastic storyteller. The character of Florence was vivid and sparkling and the settings were beautifully crafted. A definite 5 star read.  Thanks to LoveReading and Quercus publishers for a copy of this book.

The Saffron Trail by Rosanna Ley

This is the story of two women who for different reasons feel a connection to Morocco. Nell is grieving for her mother who died suddenly, in strange circumstances and Amy is a photographer; determined to remain aloof and independent. They meet at a cookery course in Marrakech. For Nell the course was a gift from her husband, a chance to explore Moroccan cuisine which has always held a fascination for her and to understand more about her Mother who had grown saffron on her farm in Cornwall. For Amy the trip is work she is illustrating a cookery book and organising an event showcasing the links between Britain and Morocco, but the trip is also a chance to find out more about her cousin Glenn, her Great Aunt Lillian's only child ,who went missing as a young man and the only clue to his whereabouts is a faded postcard with a Moroccan stamp. The two women instantly hit it off and begin to explore the city and its culture. The trip also gives both of them a chance to think about the next step in their lives. Nell is unsure about selling her Mother's farmhouse and Amy is not sure about her relationship with her boss. Interweaving the two central characters stories are the stories of Glenn in Morocco in the 1970s and Great Aunt Lillian looking back over her life. Rosanna Ley creates wonderful characters and writes beautifully about family, relationships, friendship and love. Perfect for fans of Rachel Hore and Kate Morton.

This review originally appeared on the review website of The Bookseller, We Love This Book see the original review HERE

Last Dance in Havana by Rosanna Ley Blog Tour Guest Post

I am delighted to be involved in the blog tour for Rosanna's newest novel Last Dance in Havana. Rosanna is an author I very much enjoy reading, she captures historical periods and exotic locations perfectly but most of all she creates wonderful, believable characters.

I asked Rosanna to tell me about some of her favourite literary destinations.



Rosanna Ley's Five Favourite Locations in Books

Italy – stunning and sensual – is my favourite country. (I’m writing about Sardinia at the moment and

loving it). Anthony Capella set his delightful novel The Food of Love in Trastevere, Rome. I fell in love

with the down town area of Trastevere the first time I visited the city. It’s bohemian, arty and

irresistable. It also sells the best pizzas in Rome.

Mary Anning had a talent for finding fossils in Lyme Regis in the early nineteenth century. Tracy

Chevalier brings Mary’s story alive in Remarkable Creatures and the Jurassic Coast is another

character in Chevalier’s novel - ancient, mysterious, and yielding historical treasures. I’ve written

about West Dorset many times and find the coastline inspirational. I live here! Lucky me...

I discovered another historical setting, 18 th century Bristol, when researching for Last Dance of

Havana. Philippa Gregory’s A Respectable Trade explores the devastating consequences of the slave

trade that existed there, through the eyes of well born Frances and her Yoruban slave Mehuru. I

chose Bristol as a setting for Last Dance because of its connection with the slave trade; my

contemporary characters live in houses very similar to those of the rich merchants in Gregory’s

novel. These days, Bristol, with its waterways and history is a vibrant and eclectic city.

What writer could resist the ‘cemetery of lost books’ and the sweeping story of Shadow of the Wind

by Carlos Ruiz Zafon set in Barcelona? I loved it. Barcelona is a city that you can’t forget and I

enjoyed researching the place for Bay of Secrets.

Finally, I’ve got to slip in Last Dance in Havana. Cuba is a fascinating location. The people are warm

and friendly and the weather and the music are hot. The history is turbulent, the crumbling colonial

buildings in Havana are picturesque and the beaches are to die for. What’s not to love..?

Last Dance in Havana is published by Quercus and available now.


Thank you so much to Rosanna and to Quercus and MidasPR for a copy of the book and a chance to be involved in the blog tour. I hope this inspires your reading and travel choices.
You can read my review of Rosanna's previous book The Villa HERE

The Missing One by Lucy Atkins

After her mother's death Kali McKenzie is desperate to know more about her mother's life before she came to England and lived a seemingly dull and quiet life in the countryside. Kali feels that her Dad is either unwilling or unable to tell her more so having discovered some postcards in her mother's studio all sent on the same day each year and all with the same message "thinking of you" Kali sets off with her toddler son Finn to Canada to find the mysterious Susanah Gillespie who has sent the postcards. Arriving to an isolated island with no internet or phone service Kali is unable to contact her family and as the past is slowly revealed she realises that she and Finn are in grave danger. This is the kind of "women's fiction" I love, though I hate labelling and pigeon holing authors I realise as a bookseller and as a blogger that it helps readers to find the kind of books that they like. Lucy Atkins is part of a growing and exciting trend of female authors who have inherited the mantle of Daphne du Maurier and are dealing in domestic drama where character, storytelling and atmosphere are heightened. This is a thrilling and intriguing tale from debut novelist Lucy Atkins which will enthrall and delight fans of Emily Barr, Lucy Clarke, Erin Kelly and Julia Crouch.

Out now in paperback and e-book from Quercus

In the Postbox

I have received some great new fiction to review to add to the teetering TBR pile I already have. This has led  me to do a bit of a clear out so I have given some books (Not review copies) away, I hope to do a blog giveaway soon. I simply won't be able to review all the books I have been sent in time for their release dates. In fact I have books that were released in April, May and June still to review so I apologise for my slowness. Instead I will be doing a round up of summer reads and the best of this years books so far, which will have to be enough for now and I will just continue to keep making my way through the many many books I have awaiting review. In fact I may even ask some guest reviewers to make a contribution, so let me know if you would be interested in doing that.

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