Month: August 2021

The Rabbits

By: Sophie Overett ISBN: 978-1-76104-093-1 Vintage Books (2021) “The Rabbits” is a family drama with a light dusting of magic realism. It’s not going to appeal to every reader, but for the right audience it’s got a lot to offer. The Rabbit family (and no, they’re not actual animals – that’s their surname) is in … Continue reading The Rabbits →

Twenty Years Later

By: Charlie Donlea ISBN: 978-1-76089-486-3 Bantam (2021) “Twenty Years Later” is a great thriller, including a killer twist that I didn’t see coming. In New York City, just shy of the twentieth anniversary of the attacks, a victim of the Twin Towers has just been identified. Sniffing a timely story, television reporter Avery Mason heads … Continue reading Twenty Years Later →

The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer

By: Ilsa Evans ISBN: 978-1-8672-1402-1 HQ Fiction (2021) I really enjoyed this novel. It’s full of heart and humanity, and manages the remarkable balancing act of being both very funny and taking the issue of domestic violence very seriously. Avery Conifer is four years old and deeply loved by the diverse members of her family. … Continue reading The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer →

Sticks and Stones

By: Ilsa Evans ISBN: 978-1-405-03992-5 “Sticks and Stones” was an extremely difficult novel to read, because from the first pages there is a dreadful sense that something awful is going to happen. This impression is compounded by Evans’ vivid depiction of an abusive relationship. The two combine to create a very confronting novel, which is … Continue reading Sticks and Stones →

Forgive and Forget

By: Stephanie Harte ISBN: 9781800246041 Aria Fiction (2021) “Forgive and Forget” is a crime novel with an interesting plot, undermined by clumsy writing that never fully engaged me. Alfie Watson is an unpleasant and violent gangster. Gemma has recently given birth to his son, Luca. Fearing that Gemma will disappear with Luca, Alfie has them, … Continue reading Forgive and Forget →