Review ~ A Whiff of Cyanide by Guy Fraser-Sampson

Urbane Publications

June 2017

Blurb...

The third volume of the bestselling Hampstead Murders sees the team become involved with a suspicious death at a crime writers' convention. Is this the result of a bitterly contested election for the Chair of the Crime Writers' Association or are even darker forces at work? 

Peter Collins, who is attending the convention as the author of a new book on poisoning in Golden Age fiction, worries that the key clue to unlock this puzzle may be buried within his own memories. A character called Miss Marple offers her advice, but how should the police receive this? 

Meanwhile an act of sudden, shocking violence and a dramatic revelation threaten tragic consequences.

My thoughts...

Returning to this series of Hampstead Murder mysteries, and this is now book number three, is rather like becoming reacquainted with group of cherished friends and from the very start of this latest novel there is a comfortable feel to the story which, even though it covers a rather dark subject, it is such a delight to read.

A Whiff of Cyanide is set, it would seem, in the rather murky world of literary malcontent and focuses on the petty jealousies of those authors who are attending a crime writer's convention and who feel that they are not getting the attention that their work deserves.

The mystery at the heart of the novel is complex and convoluted and there is a real sense of unease which starts to infiltrate almost from the beginning of the story. I especially like the pervading sense of nostalgia and that subtle hint of bygone days when police investigations were conducted with good manners and old fashioned sleuthing.

The author has most certainly created his own special literary niche with this wonderful collection of crime stories which seem to go from strength to strength. As with all series it is usually better to read from the beginning and I think this is especially important in this instance as to see the progression of the characters as they settle into their individuals roles is one of the unique strengths of the Hampstead Murders series. There is a real surprise in this book which I didn't see coming but which now adds a really interesting dynamic to a couple of relationships and I am sure that these will be expanded upon in future novels.

A Whiff of Cyanide is a strong story with a tantalising beginning, a complex middle and a satisfying conclusion and is written with all the fine attention to detail which is so beautifully reminiscent of the glorious age of crime writing.

About the Author

Guy Fraser Sampson is an established writer best known for his Mapp and Lucia novels which have been featured on BBC radio and optioned by BBC television. 

Follow on Twitter @GuyFSAuthor

Urbane Publications

  

My thanks to the author for sharing his book with me and also to Matthew at Urbane Publications for my review copy of A Whiff of Cyanide.

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Blog Tour ~ Death Knocks Twice by Robert Thorogood (Giveaway)

Jaffareadstoo is delighted to host today's last stop on the 

Death Knocks Twice Blog Tour

HQ
27th July 2017

A body has been found – but nobody can identify it. Who can they be, and why would someone murder them? Richard must solve the mystery before death knocks twice…

The island of Saint-Marie is once again disturbed by the sound of two gunshots coming from one of the farm buildings of the historic Beaumont plantation. DI Richard Poole arrives to find a dead body inside. Locked from the inside with no means of escape, the obvious conclusion would be suicide. However, two impossible bullet wounds, along with the discovery of the shower in the room being turned on after the victim was already dead, quickly turns the suspected suicide into a murder investigation. Suspicions turn towards the Beaumont family and with every member acting like they have something to hide, DI Poole must find the killer before he has a double murder investigation on his hands…

What did I think about it..

Death Knocks Twice is the third novel by this author, which is based on the popular TV series Death in Paradise, and this story returns with the all the characters we have grown to know and love.

Set on the idyllic Caribbean island of Saint-Marie, DI Richard Poole and his motley crew of detectives find that an investigation into the mysterious death of a stranger, who no-one seems to be able to identify, leaves them with more questions than it does answers. 

I think that what makes these books so joyous to read is that the characters come alive with all their little quirks and foibles. They constantly make me smile, particularly Richard's aversion to dress comfortably in the stifling Caribbean heat. However, it's not just about the quirkiness of the book's characters, it's also about a story which grabs your attention from the start. True, it's not an all guns blazing type of criminal investigation, there's no gratuitously placed gore and gloom, but what there is is a story which genuinely seems to love its setting and the mysteriousness its people. 

When I read this series of books I am gently reminded of the classic crime novels of times gone by, back to a time when good story telling allowed the plot and narrative to unfold effortlessly. Filled to the brim with characters who make their mark by their very eccentricities, and with a police investigation team whose crime solving ability is always neatly wrapped up, like a gift, when the story ends.

About the author

Robert Thorogood is an English screenwriter. He is best known as the creator of the BBC 1 Murder Mystery Series, Death in Paradise.

Twitter @robthor

Here's a fabulous chance to win a paperback copy of Death Knocks Twice in this UK only giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Huge thanks to Rebekah at Midas pr for my invitation to be part of this blog tour and for the opportunity to offer this giveaway prize to one lucky winner


Good Luck


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Review ~ Handcuffs,Truncheon and a Polyester Thong by Gina Kirkham

Urbane Publictaions
May 2017

What's it all about...

Meet Mavis Upton. 

As mummy to 7-year old Ella, surrogate to far too many pets and with a failed marriage under her belt, Mavis knows she needs to make some life-changing decisions. It's time to strike out into the world, to stand on her own two feet … to pursue a lifelong ambition to become a Police Officer. I mean, what could go wrong? 

Supported by her quirky, malapropism-suffering mum, Mavis throws herself headlong into a world of uncertainty, self-discovery, fearless escapades, laughter and extra-large knickers. And using her newly discovered investigative skills, she reluctantly embarks on a search to find her errant dad who was last seen years before, making off with her mum's much needed coupon for a fabulous foam cup bra all the way from America.

Follow Mavis as she tackles everything life can throw at her, and revel in Gina Kirkham's humorous, poignant and moving story of an everyday girl who one day followed a dream.

What did I think about it...

Well first off, I want to say that from the very start of the novel I laughed out loud so many times that I was only glad that I was reading the book comfortably at home and not on public transport, otherwise I think I would have been turfed off the bus. 

Meeting Mavis Upton is an absolute joy, she is feisty and funny, and filled with a tangible love for her job as a beat bobby based across the water from Liverpool. Coming late to the police service, Mavis is already a single mum to her seven year old daughter when she has an the idea to join the force. But life as a police constable is never going to be without its challenges, and although Mavis is ably assisted with child care by her mother, who, incidentally, made me smile every time she appeared on the page, juggling shift work is never going to be easy for a single mum.

Mavis seems to sail through her police training, not with incident, I may add, but it is once she is assigned to her police section that she really comes into her own. Compassionate, quirky and not always very politically correct, Mavis is one of those police officers who you would always wish to turn up whenever there was trouble.

To say more would be to spoil the effect of meeting Mavis for yourself , so I won't give anything more away, other than to heap praise on this debut author who has given us such a wonderful character, and who has brought Mavis' story to life with such gusto that I was truly sad when the book ended. I loved everything about the story, the banter and the camaraderie of a police section feels entirely realistic, which can only stem for the author's own experiences as a serving police officer. 

They say that you should always write about what you know and if the author's alter ego was anything like Mavis Upton then I'm, sure she was an absolute joy to work alongside.

Best Read With...Toasted crumpets with lashings of Lurpak...

About the Author

You can also read my earlier interview with Gina by clicking here

Find Gina on her website 

Follow on Twitter @GinaGeeJay #HandcuffsTruncheonandaPolyesterThong
#whereismavisuptonsthong

My thanks to the Author and also to Matthew at Urbane Publications for sharing a review copy of Handcuffs,Truncheon and a Polyester Thong with me.

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Review ~ Holding by Graham Norton (Audio)

Hodder&Stoughton
2016

A bit about the book..

The remote Irish village of Duneen has known little drama; and yet its inhabitants are troubled. Sergeant PJ Collins hasn't always been this overweight; mother of­ two Brid Riordan hasn't always been an alcoholic; and elegant Evelyn Ross hasn't always felt that her life was a total waste.

So when human remains are discovered on an old farm, suspected to be that of Tommy Burke - a former­ love of both Brid and Evelyn - the village's dark past begins to unravel. As the frustrated PJ struggles to solve a genuine case for the first time in his life, he unearths a community's worth of anger and resentments, secrets and regret.

My thoughts..

When offered the opportunity to listen to Graham Norton's debut novel, Holding which is narrated by the man himself, well, as a huge fan, I couldn't resist spending 7 or so hours in his congenial company.

The small Irish town of town of Duneen is, on the surface, rather a gentle place, and for the local police officer , PJ Collins,  the only excitement is perhaps where his next bite of breakfast is going to be coming from. However, as with all small towns what you see on the surface is not necessarily what you get, and when human bones are discovered on the edge of an old farm, well, the anticipation generated is beyond anything that PJ has ever experienced.

There is a very good mystery at the heart of the novel which is explored in sympathetic detail. And as the story progresses, and despite gentle hints of humour, there is genuine pathos and more than a hint towards a darker time in the town's history. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, particularly Brid and Evelyn, but I also had a whole bucket load of sympathy for the enigmatic Mrs Meany and longed to be sitting in the Garda House with PJ tucking into one of her sturdy Irish breakfasts.

What I loved about this story, and yes, I did love every word, was the subtle way the author teased the reader with sly innuendo and tantalising little snippets of gossip so that it became like sitting down in a cosy chair, with a plate piled high with scones and biscuits, and having a good old natter with your best friend.

Graham Norton narrates Holding with his inimitable charm and flair. It’s beautifully written, splendidly narrated and a real joy to listen to from start to finish and every minute of the 7 hours and 20 minutes of the audio file was, for me, time well spent. 


Without doubt, this is a commendable debut novel which I hope is the start of many more by this talented author.

Best read with....a hearty breakfast and maybe a glass or two of strong Irish stout but not necessarily at the same time..

About the Author

Graham Norton is one of the UK's best loved broadcasters. He presents The Graham Norton Show on BBC1, has a weekly show on BBC Radio 2, and writes a column for the Telegraph. He is the winner of eight BAFTA awards. Born in Dublin and raised in West Cork, Norton now lives in London. Holding is his first novel.

Website

Twitter @grahnort

My thanks to  Audible.co.uk for the opportunity to listen to Holding and also to Francesca at Midas PR for the invitation to review the book.

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Review ~ Hester and Harriet by Hilary Spiers

Allen & Unwin

3 March 2016

One good deed. Two gutsy widowed sisters. Seven days of mystery, mayhem and mortal danger…

There is something delightfully quirky about Hester and Harriet which makes you instantly fall for their charms, and almost before the first chapter is finished, this delightful duo of eccentric ladies make you smile at their wit and wry sense of humour. 

They seem to attract an odd assortment of waifs and strays that without Hester and Harriet's intervention would flounder. There's Finbar, the vagrant, who troubles them only for the occasional foodie treat, Ben, their rapscallion nephew, who underneath his teenage bravado has a heart of gold and rather a soft spot for his eccentric great-aunts. However, it is Daria and baby Milo, who they rescue from a freezing bus stop on Christmas Day who form the real focus of the story and Daria’s complex and convoluted reason for wishing to remain hidden makes for interesting reading.

I felt comfortable with the idea of the story from the beginning. I enjoyed Hester and Harriet’s interference in the lives of those around them, and the author has done a really fine job of making these two highly individual sisters appear 'eccentrically' normal. I liked their disregard for convention, their utter belief in everything they did, and the warmth and beauty of their genuine care for others. There is so much to enjoy, there are genuinely funny moments which make you laugh out loud and some really poignant episodes which tug away at the heartstrings. But throughout this adventure, Hester and Harriet's utter belief in the righteousness of their actions brings both humour and pathos to a delightful story.

I would hope that we haven’t seen the last of Hester and Harriet as I think that their unlikely adventures could form the basis of a very enjoyable series. If you like cosy crime,  this delightful duo will greatly appeal.

Best Read with….A bowl of fat olives, a platter of assorted cheeses and a large glass of rich, red Burgundy …

About the Author

Hilary Spiers has had a varied career – including law, speech therapy, teaching, youth work and the NHS. She has also been involved with the theatre as an actor, director and playwright, and her dramatic work has been performed in a number of theatres including Hampstead Theatre and Riverside Studios. Hilary has won several national short story competitions and had work broadcast on the radio. She lives in Stamford, Lincolnshire.

My thanks to Diana at Ruth Killick Publicity for my review copy of Hester and Harriet 

Hester and Harriet is available to buy online and from all good bookshops.

Amazon UK

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CHERRINGHAM - The Cosy Crime Series That Gives You a New Case Every Month‏...

I am delighted to bring to the blog

 Matthew Costello and Neil Richards

Co -authors of the Cherringham Mysteries

About the authors

Authors Neil Richards (based in the UK) and Matthew Costello (based in the US), have been writing together since the mid 90’s, creating content and working on projects for the BBC, Disney Channel, Sony, ABC, Eidos, Nintendo to name but a few. 

Their transatlantic collaboration has underpinned scores of TV drama scripts, computer games, radio shows, and - most recently - the successful crime fiction series Cherringham. Now into its second season of 12 novellas, Cherringham is popular around the world, having sold over 65,000 copies and has been adapted as a series of audiobooks in Germany. Neil and Matthew are both available for interview.

I'm thrilled that Matthew and Neil have taken time out of their busy schedules to answer a few of my questions...

Matthew and Neil welcome to both of you - it's a real treat to have your company...

*What can you tell us about Matt Costello and Neil Richards? How did you both meet and what made you decide to write in collaboration?

We met while mentoring at various media labs for BBC and other media companies worldwide. We enjoyed doing that together, and soon started, quite naturally, creating ideas for TV, shows, games, and books…all of which we went on to create and write.

*The Cherringham crime series is written as a series of episodic novellas, how do you determine who writes what, and how do you share ideas and construct the stories?

Initially, we focus on the crime…then slowly let details, twists, characters and settings emerge. Since we will be passing the story back and forth, we keep the outline pretty detailed, though sometimes…characters will surprise us. One of us will start, do the first few chapters, then pass to the other…and we each do an initial edit of the other’s work. And happily for our little village, the process has worked.

*Location is obviously very important to your writing. Have you visited any the places you describe so vividly?

Matt: We have! To start the series, we rented a cottage in a Cotswold location that must remain nameless. But staying there, one of us British, the other American, helped us replicate the dynamic between Jack, Sarah…and all the residents of Cherringham. And the locale itself suggested so many plot ideas!

Neil: I have family and friends living in the Cotswolds – and I lived there too for a while. So I feel very much at home in the area. Our Cherringham is very real to us – we have a map with all the pubs, restaurants, families… victims – and murderers!

*What is your perfect writing day and do either of you have any writing rituals?

Matt: A perfect day is one where the writing flows, moving me -- and then there is no better job. That day starts with a morning run, thinking of pages to come. It ends with those pages done…and with luck, even I am impressed. Then, onto cooking an amazing meal, and preparing the evening martini.

Neil: Like Matt it’s a day when the words just come easy and I lose myself in the world of the story. I try and get to my desk by 8.30 and will write through until late afternoon. I prefer my run at the end of the day – and I use it to think through story for the next day. Often I’ll come up with some edits – so I’ll hit my desk again to make the changes. Then – like Matt I’m the cook in this house – it’s getting dinner ready and enjoying that first gin and tonic… You can guess – I’m the English one!

*What do you hope readers will take away from the Cherringham crime series?

Primarily, a love of the characters. That they feel they know Jack and Sarah…and also the rest of our ‘cast’. Having done so many of these episodes, I have real feeling for all of them, and Cherringham itself seems so real as well! And lastly, we hope the reader feels we honored the traditions of the well-crafted and gripping mystery story.

*What's coming next?

Full length Cherringham Novels! With the first one out this summer and at least two more to follow. Neil and I are also working on a darker series of books…these will be anything but cozy! (But great fun, we hope!)

A COSY CRIME SERIES by MATTHEW COSTELLO & NEIL RICHARDS

    

Published monthly from 9th March 2015 by Bastei Entertainment, price £1.49 per eBook

Nothing ever happens in the small Cotswold village of Cherringham, making it the perfect place to retire to – or so ex-NYPD Detective Jack Brennan thought. But before long, local web designer and single mother Sarah Edwards had convinced him to help her investigate a suspicious suicide. Since then, he and Sarah have solved mysterious deaths, unlikely accidents and perplexing robberies. “Peace and quiet” never really suited Jack anyway…

Cherringham is an ongoing “cosy crime” eBook series, that launched in December 2013 and features unlikely sleuthing duo Sarah and Jack. Released in monthly episodes, it is written by award-winning game and TV writers UK-based Neil Richards and US-based Matthew Costello in a transatlantic collaboration – which mirrors that of Jack and Sarah. The new series, released from March 2015, launched with A Lesson in Murder, in which the two are asked to investigate the violent death of a popular teacher at Cherringham Girls School.

You will find A Lesson In Murder for sale on sale here  ( )kindle download £1.49

You will find A Bad Lie on sale here (kindle download £1.49)
You will find A Death in the Family on sale here (kindle download £1.49)

Huge thanks to Neil and Matthew for being such delightful guests 

My thanks to Sophie Goodfellow at ED public relations for her help with this interview.

and for introducing me to the Cherringham Mysteries.

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