📖 Hist Fic Saturday ~ The Wrecking Storm by Michael Ward

On Hist Fic Saturday

Let's go back to....London, 1641

Sharpe Books
April 2021
Thomas Tallant #2

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

1641.

London.

The poisonous dispute pushing King Charles and Parliament towards Civil War is reaching the point of no return.

Law and order in the city are collapsing as Puritan radicals demand more concessions from the King. Bishops and lords are attacked in the streets as the Apprentice Boys run amok. Criminal gangs use the disorder to mask their activities while the people of London lock their doors and pray for deliverance.

No one is immune from the contagion. Two Jesuit priests are discovered in hiding and brutally executed - and soon the family of spice merchant Thomas Tallant is drawn into the spiral of violence. Tallant's home is ransacked, his warehouse raided and his sister seized by kidnappers

Thomas struggles to discover who is responsible, aided by the enigmatic Elizabeth Seymour, a devotee of science, maths and tobacco in equal measure. Together they enter a murky world of court politics, street violence, secret codes and poisoned letters, and confront a vicious gang leader who will stop at nothing to satisfy his greed.

Can Elizabeth use her skills to unpick the mass of contradictory evidence before the Tallants are ruined – both as a business and a family?

And as the fight for London between King and Parliament hurtles to its dramatic conclusion, can the Tallants survive the personal and political maelstrom?

📖 My thoughts..

In The Wrecking Storm we meet again with Thomas Tallant, and his companion, Elizabeth Seymour, as they try to make sense of the political dissent, and civil unrest, which is affecting London, and which will go on to have such devastating consequences for the country as a whole.

The year is 1641, law and order are a thing of the past, and as dangerous riots break out throughout the city the Tallant family are fighting their own particular battle. With their spice warehouse, and family home, the target for marauders, and trouble makers, the Tallants must do everything they can to protect themselves but finding out who is responsible for the attacks leaves them vulnerable to further danger.The mystery at the heart of the story adds extra excitement and keeps the momentum cranked up to high. 

The author writes well and certainly does a great deal of research in order to bring the seventeenth century world alive in the imagination. With fine attention to historical detail, The Wrecking Storm is every bit as good as the first book in the series and is quite possibly rather darker with more of a hint of danger. There is the chance to get to know some of the characters better, Thomas seems much stronger and more of his own man, and I especially enjoy reading of pipe smoking, Elizabeth Seymour, who could fill a book all on her own.

There is much to discover about the political turmoil in this momentous year before the outbreak of the English Civil War and the author does a great job of keeping the mystery of the plot concerning the Tallants running alongside what was going on during the Long Parliament. The only bit which I remember from history lessons at school was that on discovering that five key parliamentarians had fled the Commons was that King Charles I said "I see the birds have flown" so I was please to see this little gem tucked away in the narrative.

Whilst it is possible to read this second book as a standalone, I do think it would be helpful to read Rags of Time first as it introduces the main characters who feature so strongly in this continuation.  I am sure that we shall meet again with the Tallants as the country forges ahead with a war which will separate fathers from sons, and brothers from brothers, in the English Civil War.

About the Author

Writing has been central to Mike Ward’s professional life. On graduating from university he became a journalist, working in newspapers and for the BBC. He then went into journalism education, teaching and researching journalism practice before becoming head of the UK’s prestigious Journalism School at UCLan. For the last eight years he has run his own content creation company.

Twitter @mikewardmedia #TheWreckingStorm

Book Review ~ Our Fathers by Rebecca Wait

Riverrun
January 2021

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

When Tom was eight years old, his father took a shotgun and shot his family: his wife, his son and baby daughter, before turning the gun on himself. Only Tom survived.

He left his tiny, shocked community on the island of Litta and the strained silence of his Uncle Malcolm’s house while still a young boy.

Twenty years have passed and now he needs answers - from his uncle, who should have known. From his neighbours, who think his father a decent man who ‘just snapped’. From the memories that haunt the wild landscape of the Hebrides.

My thoughts..

After an absence of twenty years, Tommy Baird returns to the remote Hebridean island of Litta the place, where until he was eight years old, he called home. However, after a horrific family tragedy, of which Tommy was the sole survivor, his life suddenly became one of bewilderment, heartbreak and unresolved grief.

Returning to the island, Tommy must face the demons of his past but getting away from the events of twenty years ago is harder than he could ever have imagined. Memories lie deep and there are still so many unresolved issues that Tommy is drowning in a sea of sorrow but there is no-one out there who can throw him a life belt. The islanders try their best to welcome Tommy home but none of them really know just how damaged Tommy is by the events of his childhood.

Our Fathers is a beautifully written character driven novel in which grief and loss sit against a backdrop of deeply hidden violence. The added complication of living in a community where everyone knows each other makes the claustrophobic nature of the island all the more convincing. The isolation of Litta, with its many moods and nuances, is as much a character in the story as are those who make the island their home, but with the spirit of Litta in his heart Tommy needs to shed the burden of grief he carries in order to have any chance of  happiness.

Our Fathers is an emotional and deeply affecting story about one man's search for resolution in place where the truth has been so deeply buried, within the landscape of personal survival, that it may never be found. A absolute hidden gem of a story, and one that will stay with me for a long time.

About the Author

Rebecca Wait grew up in the Oxfordshire countryside and studied English at Oxford University, graduating with a first in 2010. She has previously written two novels,The Followers and The View on the Way Down. She lives in London. 

Twitter @ #OurFathers

@riverrunbooks

@QuercusBooks

📖 Book Review ~ The Girl Knows Nothing by K T Cavan

 

Asp Indie Books
June 2021

My thanks to Vine House Distribution for my copy of this book

Clemency flies to Argentina to help handsome and ruthless secret agent Hal Linklater track down three fugitive Nazis. But as their quest takes them from the tango bars of Buenos Aires to the wind-swept plains of Patagonia, Hal keeps Clemency in ignorance of the real reason why these three men matter so much. He says the less she knows, the safer she is. But as the hunters become the hunted, would knowing the truth help save her life? Or plunge her into greater danger?

Sequel to ‘What About the Girl?’ which introduced Clemency White, a cypher clerk in the Foreign Office who ends up as one of MI6’s top agents. With 60s glamour, exotic locations, plenty of action and a strong female lead, they mix the excitement of the Connery Bond era with a feminine sensibility. The series is on-topic for 2021, with the same 1960s settings and themes of women’s place in society as The Marvellous Mrs Maisel and The Queen’s Gambit. 

The third title, Come Spy with Me, will be published later in the summer of 2021.

📖 My thoughts..

My introduction to Clemency White came in the first book in the series when she is working as an innocent cypher clerk in the foreign office who, inadvertently, gets drawn into an espionage ring which is operating out of London. Realising her worth as someone who can easily merge into the background, Clemency is a valuable asset and in this second book in the series, she is sent out to Argentina to help Hal Linklater, one of the top British agents, who has been charged with the task of tracking down three fugitive Nazis who have, so far, escaped justice in the aftermath of the Second World War. 

The Girl Knows Nothing pretty much starts where the second book finished with Clemency not really having much of a chance to draw breath before she is whisked away, once more, into a dangerous world of murky politics and clandestine operations. Clemency is very much the odd one out in this male dominated world and is so easily dismissed as a mere female  but, of course, that is where her absolute strength lies. The author brings this vividly to life as she describes Clemency's tenacious personality and her ability to outwit the men as they play their own very dangerous games. 

The Argentinian world of secrets, and lies, adds an interesting dimension to the story, making the place, very much an integral part of this complicated plot. The story races along and Clemency White, once again, proves just what an asset she is to the world of espionage, she's quick, clever and her ability to keep one step ahead of the game is just what is needed to succeed.

The Girl Knows Nothing is an exciting continuation of this series which brings to life the dangerous world of espionage and the deadly secrets of international politics.

About the Author

There’s something of a mystery to the author whose own work in intelligence and security means they have to remain in the shadows of a pseudonym.

Twitter #KTCavan

@vinehousedist

📖 Book Review ~ Cold Case in Nuala by Harriet Steel

 

Independently Published
May 2021
Inspector de Silva #10

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

It’s January 1940 and the day of Nuala’s famous motor rally. Excitement is at full throttle, but matters take a dark turn when that same evening, human remains are found buried in a lonely corner of a local tea plantation.

Inspector de Silva has a cold case to solve. Add a playboy racing driver, a missing Bugatti and a family scandal hushed up years ago into the mix and he has plenty to think about. You can be sure that whatever happened in the past, now de Silva’s in the driving seat, you’re in for a gripping ride.

📖 My Thoughts..

It's always such a treat to curl up in my favourite chair and escape to the languid days of 1940s Ceylon in company with Inspector de Silva as he goes about cracking another complex crime case in the beautiful hill town of Nuala. When a set of human bones are found well hidden on a remote tea plantation the intrepid Inspector has a difficult job in trying to discover just who was buried in this remote spot. The Inspector is determined to leave no clue unanswered but in this perplexing cold case mystery he finds that there are an abundance of twists and turns, and quite possibly, more questions than there are answers.

In Cold Case in Nuala there are some interesting, and rather complex characters, who the Inspector investigates with his own brand of steely determination and even though the Inspector always seems to find his culprit, the investigation which takes de Silva to the conclusion of the case is always filled with a strong sense of righteous satisfaction of a case well solved. In setting the books during the last, heady years of colonialism there is so much to enjoy in this series of cosy crime mysteries and each one brings something different to the table whilst keeping the continuity and vibrancy of what has gone before in past stories. I thoroughly enjoy being whisked away to Nuala as not only is there a fascinating sense of stepping back in time but the author does a great job of bringing to life both the unique character of the area, along with the idiosyncrasies of its inhabitants.

Cold Case in Nuala is now the tenth book in the series and whilst it is perfectly possible to read as a standalone mystery, for the sheer pleasure of getting to know Inspector de Silva, his lovely wife, Jane, and all the other long standing characters, I suggest that you start at the very beginning and escape to the colourful world of Nuala which is so vividly recreated in these lovely stories.

About the Author

Harriet Steel wrote four historical novels before turning to crime with the Inspector de Silva mysteries, inspired by time spent in Sri Lanka (the former Ceylon)). Her work has also appeared in national newspapers and magazines. Visit her blog to sign up to her monthly newsletter for news of new releases and great offers, Blog 

She’s married with two daughters and lives in Surrey. When she’s not writing, she likes reading, long walks and visiting art galleries and museums.

Twitter @harrietsteel1

Facebook page: Harriet Steel Author

 Website

Blog 

Amazon UK

📖Blog Tour ~ You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

Viking Books
22 July 2021

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of the book
and the invitation to be part of the blog tour.

12 SUMMERS AGO: Poppy and Alex meet. They hate each other, and are pretty confident they'll never speak again.

11 SUMMERS AGO: They're forced to share a ride home from college and by the end of it a friendship is formed. And a pact: every year, one vacation together.

10 SUMMERS AGO: Alex discovers his fear of flying on the way to Vancouver.

Poppy holds his hand the whole way.

7 SUMMERS AGO: They get far too drunk and narrowly avoid getting matching tattoos in New Orleans.

2 SUMMERS AGO: It all goes wrong.

THIS SUMMER: Poppy asks Alex to join her on one last trip. A trip that will determine the rest of their lives.

📖 My thoughts..

Emily Henry captures the essence of the ideal summer read with this story of two best friends, once so close, who seem to have lost their way and in a last ditch attempt to save their friendship Poppy invites Alex to share one last holiday together.

With a friendship that spans years, Poppy and Alex know pretty much everything they need to know about each other but that doesn't stop them from hurting each other and as their combined stories takes us on their shared holidays, from present to past, so we begin to learn more about them as people. I liked them both, Poppy is quirky and fun, whilst Alex is a bit nerdy and serious, and yet is the perfect match for Poppy, the trouble is they need to discover their true feelings and find their emotional connection before it is lost forever.

Emily Henry writes this type of immersive friends, to enemies, to lovers genre really well and as usual brings a quirky sense of fun, interesting drama and a will they, won't they romance to the story. In this difficult time when we are just seeing the light at the end of this long, lockdown tunnel any book which brings a sense of summer fun, hope, and romance is to be welcomed and You and Me on Vacation is right up there with the best of the summer reading genre.

About the Author

Emily Henry studied creative writing at Hope College and the New York Center for Art & Media Studies, and now spends most of her time in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the part of Kentucky just beneath it. 

Twitter @VikingBooks #YouandMeOnVacation #EmilyHenry

Instagram @emilyhenrywrites

📖 Book Review ~The Last Daughter by Nicola Cornick

HQ
8 July 2021

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

Ever since her sister disappeared eleven years ago, Serena Warren has been running from a ghost, haunted by what she can’t remember about that night.

When Caitlin’s body is discovered, Serena returns to her grandfather’s house, nestled beside the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall in Oxfordshire, determined to uncover the truth. But in returning to the place of her childhood summers, Serena stands poised at the brink of a startling discovery – one that will tie her family to a centuries-old secret…

Taking readers from the present day to the Wars of the Roses in the 1400s, and with an enthralling mystery at its heart, The Last Daughter is a spellbinding novel about family secrets, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Victoria Hislop and Kate Morton.

📖 My thoughts..

When her sister's body is found Serena Warren returns to the Oxfordshire area where she and Caitlin spent many happy summers at the home of their grandfather. However, Serena has scant memory of what happened eleven years ago on the night Caitlin disappeared and hopes that by returning to the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall she will awaken the memories she has buried for so long.

By linking the story to events long past we move cleverly back to the time when Minster Lovell Hall was the home of Francis Lovell and his wife Anne Fitzhugh, both characters from history who were caught up in the momentous years of the Wars of the Roses when, in the aftermath of Bosworth, the Yorkists sympathisers were hunted and punished by the new king, Henry VII.

There's a wonderful sense of atmosphere throughout the novel which brings to life both the upset and sorrow in the present day as Serena confronts her hidden memories about the disappearance of Caitlin, whilst, with a strong sense of time and place, the last few years of the Plantagenets starts to come vividly to life. By cleverly combining myth, legend, folklore and documented history an intriguing story of what might have happened to the young princes in the tower starts to emerge. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of The Mistletoe Bride into the story which combines a touch of the supernatural with the intriguing sense of history.

The Last Daughter is a fascinating timeslip novel by a talented author who continues to shine in this genre and whose clever stories never fail to entertain.

About the Author

International bestselling author Nicola Cornick writes dual-time historical mysteries that draw on her love for genealogy and local history. She studied History at London and Oxford and worked in academia for a number of years before becoming a full time author.

Website

Twitter @NicolaCornick

@HQStories

☼ Summer Picnic with Jaffareadstoo ~ Anne Goodwin

☼ Jaffareadstoo is delighted to welcome you all to our Summer Picnic ☼

 Summertime is here 

☼ I'm delighted to welcome author Anne Goodwin to our Summer picnic ☼

☼Welcome, Anne. What favourite foods are you bringing to our summer picnic?

I’d like dainty canapés and fresh fruit salad. However, as I’ve got a fridge full of gloopy porridge, soggy pasta and burnt cake – delicacies I needed for my new novel –– I might need to bring that instead. I hate wasting food.

☼What would you like to drink? We have white wine spritzers, locally brewed beer, traditional Pimms, sparkling elderflower cordial, or a thermos of tea or coffee?

Elderflower cordial, thanks. Anything to take away the taste of strong tea with milk and sugar already added, as the patients were served in my fictional asylum.

☼Where shall we sit, by the pool, in the garden, in the countryside or somewhere hot?

Definitely countryside, whatever the weather.

☼Do we have a wicker hamper, tablecloth and cutlery, or is everything in a supermarket carrier bag?

I’d love the wicker hamper but, having arrived on foot, I’ve carried everything in my rucksack.

☼Do you have favourite place to have a summer picnic?

We’re in Derbyshire, having walked through a wood and uphill from Hathersage village. It’s actually the setting that inspired Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.

☼Which of your literary heroes (alive or dead) are joining us on the picnic today?

It has to be Charlotte so we can argue about the relative qualities of the moorland here in the Peak District versus in her Yorkshire stomping ground. (Did you notice we’re already on first-name terms?) I’d also gently reprimand her for her madwoman-in-the-attic stereotype and discuss the various representations of mental illness in novels, including mine. (Maybe I could persuade her to read it and write a blurb for the back of the book? Might shift a few copies.)

☼Which summer read are you bringing with you today?

Jane Eyre. It’s wonderful to read it in the setting that inspired it. Right now, we’re sitting on the grass by the archway that’s all that remains of the church where she almost married Edward Rochester. (See image)

☼What is your earliest summer memory?

When I was three or four my dad bought our first family tent. Actually, the tent was too small for our family of seven, but he took three of us children to Scotland for the weekend. We didn’t have the luxuries campers take for granted these days but, as the youngest, I was allowed a sleeping mat. I don’t think my big sister has ever recovered from the injustice, but I’ve loved Scotland ever since.

☼Do you have a summer music playlist? And if so will you share with us a favourite song or piece of music that makes you feel happy?

I love choral singing, although I’m not very good at it. During the pandemic, with large gatherings cancelled, I’ve been singing online with the wonderful Self-Isolation Choir. Although we can’t hear each other during rehearsals, we record our voices and some clever sound technicians blend them into something beautiful. This haunting piece, Quanta Qualia, which we learnt last summer, has become our anthem and one of those voices is mine:

☼Do you find that your reading tastes differ between winter and summer?

Not really, although I prefer the climate in the pages to match the weather outdoors.

☼Do you find it easier to write in the summer months or during the winter?

Much easier in winter because the garden is so demanding in summer.

☼What can you tell us about your current book or WIP?

Matilda Windsor Is Coming Home, published in May by small independent press, Inspired Quill, is about a brother and sister separated for fifty years and the idealistic young social worker who tries to reunite them. It draws on my previous profession as a clinical psychologist in a long-stay psychiatric hospital. To quote some early readers, this is Zeitgeist literary fiction: the book raises profound questions about rights, attitudes to mental health and what it means to be 'home.' Although addressing a tough topic, it’s a character-driven page-turner, a poignant, compelling and brilliantly authentic portrayal of asylum life, with a plucky protagonist you won’t easily forget.

Matilda Windsor Is Coming Home by Anne Goodwin

In the dying days of the old asylums, three paths intersect.

Henry was only a boy when he waved goodbye to his glamorous grown-up sister; approaching sixty, his life is still on hold as he awaits her return.

As a high-society hostess renowned for her recitals, Matty’s burden weighs heavily upon her, but she bears it with fortitude and grace.

Janice, a young social worker, wants to set the world to rights, but she needs to tackle challenges closer to home.

A brother and sister separated by decades of deceit. Will truth prevail over bigotry, or will the buried secret keep family apart?

In this, her third novel, Anne Goodwin has drawn on the language and landscapes of her native Cumbria and on the culture of long-stay psychiatric hospitals where she began her clinical psychology career.

Anne, where can we follow you on social media?

Website: annegoodwin.weebly.com

Twitter @Annecdotist.

Link tree https://linktr.ee/annecdotist

YouTube: Anne Goodwin’s YouTube channel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Annecdotist

Thank you for sharing your summer picnic with us today.

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#SummerPicnicWithJaffareadstoo

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