As a book blogger I am very privileged to receive a wide variety of books from various sources. In my reviews I never allocate a star rating as I always hope my words are persuasive enough for any prospective reader and in most cases it’s fairly clear how I feel about a book.
On both AmazonUK and Goodreads a star rating is a requirement when posting a review so I thought I would share a few of my recent 5* reads with you all…just in case you needed a final push to purchase a great book before the weekend!!
Mussolini’s Island by Sarah Day
Published by Tinder Press (23rd February 2017)
Based on the true story of the persecution of gay and bisexual men in fascist Italy, MUSSOLINI’S ISLAND is a powerful exploration of sexuality and desire, and of the desperate acts committed when individuals fight for their lives and their rights.
Francesco has a memory of his father from early childhood; a night when everything for his family changed. Since then, he has vowed to live by his missing father’s words. Non mollare. Never give up.
When Francesco is arrested with a group of young men and sent to the island of San Domino, he knows someone has reported them to the fascist police. Locked in spartan dormitories alongside lovers, friends and enemies, resentment and suspicion between the prisoners grows each day.
Elena, a young island girl, is drawn to Francesco, even as her family try to keep her away from him. When she discovers the truth about the prisoners, the fine line between love and hate pulls her towards an act that can only have terrible consequences for all.
Purchase Link ~ Mussolini’s Island
Six Stories by Matt Wesolowski
Published by Orenda Books (15th March 2017)
A chilling unpredictable and startling thriller, Six Stories is also a classic murder mystery with a modern twist, and a devastating ending.
1997. Scarclaw Fell. The body of teenager Tom Jeffries is found at an outward bound centre. Verdict? Misadventure. But not everyone is convinced.
And the truth of what happened in the beautiful but eerie fell is locked in the memories of the tight-knit group of friends who took that fateful trip, and the flimsy testimony of those living nearby.
2017. Enter elusive investigative journalist Scott King, whose podcast examinations of complicated cases have rivalled the success of Serial, with his concealed identity making him a cult internet figure.
In a series of six interviews, King attempts to work out how the dynamics of a group of idle teenagers conspired with the sinister legends surrounding the fell to result in Jeffries’ mysterious death.
Purchase Link ~ Six Stories
Let The Dead Speak by Jane Casey
Published by Harper Collins (9th March 2017)
In the chilling new crime novel from award-winning author Jane Casey, Detective Maeve Kerrigan and the murder squad must navigate a web of lies to discover the truth…
A House Full of Secrets
A Life Full of Lies
A murder without a body
Eighteen-year-old Chloe Emery returns to her West London home one day to find the house covered in blood and Kate, her mother, gone. There may not be a body, but everything else points to murder.
A girl too scared to talk
Maeve Kerrigan is young, ambitious and determined to prove she’s up to her new role as detective sergeant. She suspects Chloe is holding something back, but best friend Bethany Norris won’t let Maeve get close. What exactly is Bethany protecting Chloe from?
A detective with everything to prove
As the team dig deeper into the residents of Valerian Road, no one is above suspicion. All Maeve needs is one person to talk, but that’s not going to happen. Because even in a case of murder, some secrets are too terrible to share
Purchase Link ~ Let The Dead Speak
The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti
Published by Tinder Press (6th April 2017)
Both a coming-of-age novel and a tale of redemption and revenge, The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley explores what it means to be a hero, and the cost we pay to protect the people we love most
After years spent living on the run, Samuel Hawley moves with his teenage daughter, Loo, to Olympus, Massachusetts. There, in his late wife’s hometown, Hawley finds work as a fisherman, while Loo struggles to fit in at school and grows curious about her mother’s mysterious death.
Haunting them both are twelve scars Hawley carries on his body, from twelve bullets in his criminal past; a past that eventually spills over into his daughter’s present
Purchase Link ~ The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley
The Idea of You by Amanda Prowse
Published by Lake Union (21st March 2017)
Heart-wrenching and poignant, this latest work by bestselling author Amanda Prowse asks the questions: What does it mean to be a mother in today’s hectic world? And what if it’s asking too much to want it all?
‘A Loving Husband
A Perfect Marriage
A Family Incomplete…’
With her fortieth birthday approaching, Lucy Carpenter dares to hope that she finally has it all: a wonderful new husband, Jonah, a successful career and the chance of a precious baby of her own. Life couldn’t be more perfect.
But the reality of becoming parents proves much harder than Lucy and Jonah imagined after they suffer multiple miscarriages. Jonah’s love and support is unquestioning, but as Lucy struggles with work and her own failing dreams, the strain on their marriage increases. And when Jonah’s teenage daughter comes to live with them, Lucy is confronted with the truth of what love and motherhood really mean. Suddenly it feels like Lucy is close to losing everything.
This moving and poignant story poses the question of what it means to be a mother in today’s hectic world, and whether it really is asking too much
Purchase Link ~ The Idea Of You
So there you have it!!
These are all my own personal, voluntary and honest opinions and what I love in a book may not appeal to others but I’m sure you’ll find at least one book here that will catch your eye.
Please come back and let me know what you think!!
PS…I have some more amazing reads in my TBR pile so don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter so as not to miss any.
I’m just about finished with Samuel Hawley, it’s been very readable and her writing is fantastic! I jumped in recently with book 3 in Jane caseys series which I loved and am continuing on so I’m really looking forward to getting to Let the Dead Speak!!
I just loved Hannah Tinti’s style as well Renee….quite a different book from what I’m used to reading so thoroughly enjoyed it. I had never read Jane Casey and wow….I have no idea why not!!!!