Gin and Phonics: My journey through middle-class motherhood by Clara Batten

Clara Batten is well-known for her videos on Tik Tok and has amassed quite a following. Fans of her content will definitely recognise the style of her writing in this, her debut book, as she explores how it is possible to bring up children in this modern word while trying to achieve her own ambition of becoming an actress.

I admit that before reading this book (well listening to the audiobook), I had never heard of Clara Batten but being a fan of Gill Sims’ Why Mummy… series, this looked right up my street. This is one of those books where I feel the audiobook works really well due to it being read by the author herself. Clara comes across as very likeable and self-deprecating and, as a result, makes the book very readable (or listenable!).

The anecdotes are genuinely funny and are very relatable and I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions.

If you are looking for a mood booster, then this book could be the one for you!

Shared Remains by Rachel Lynch

When the body of a local undertaker is found at the bottom of a Cumbrian quarry, Detective Kelly Porter is summoned to investigate. The quarry is on land belonging to two brothers, Arthur and Samuel, and their fractured relationship is not helping Kelly in trying to discover what happened. To complicate matters even further, Kelly’s elderly friend, Mary, has recently become a resident at a care home run by Arthur’s wife and the detective has concerns about her welfare.

In this, the twelfth book in the series, Kelly encounters one of her most complicated cases so far. What starts as a suspected suicide soon turns into something much bigger as she uncovers crimes dating back many years. There is a lot going on and it is testament to Rachel Lynch’s writing that a complicated plot is easy to follow.

One of the strengths of this series is the relationship between Kelly and the other characters, whether it be with her father, Ted, or her colleague, Kate. The addition of another character, Mary, is very welcome and I loved reading how these two women, divided by age, have struck up a friendship that becomes integral to the case. I hope that we see more of Mary as it was good to read a book containing a strong elderly character.

Rachel Lynch always manages to balance the amount of time we read about Kelly’s personal life compared to her time spent at work. After twelve books, we are invested in what is happening to Kelly outside of work and the author always manages to keep this fresh.

This is a series that I am still loving and hope it goes on for a long time to come.

With thanks to Canelo and Net Galley for my copy.

The Coffin in the Wall by M J Lee

When the disfigured body of a teenage boy is found in the historic city of Chester, DI Emma Christie fears that this won’t be the last. She is found to be right when another boy is found with the same disfigurement, both having links to the drugs trade. Is this a case of rival gangs waging war or is there something much more sinister at play? Emma has a race against time to find out what is happening before more young boys lose their lives.

This is the first in a brand new series from the author of the D I Ridpath and Jayne Sinclair series and on the strength of The Coffin in the Wall, it promises to be just as successful. In Chester, the author has chosen a perfect setting – a beautiful, historic city, near enough to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester to provide an ideal link to the organised crime that features.

I really like the lead character and am already looking forward to seeing how she develops in future books. I could empathise as we see her trying to balance her work life with her difficult home life, her father suffering from dementia. We already see in The Coffin in the Wall how her father’s condition impacts on her work life and it will be interesting to see how this continues.

The plot is a really good one with a good range of characters and it kept me gripped until the end. There was a satisfying conclusion which has definitely whetted my appetite for the next book, Death on the Dee. This looks like being another successful series for M J Lee.

**PROMO BLITZ** The Mystery of Yew Tree House by Lesley Thomson

EIGHTY YEARS OF SECRETS.

1940.

At Yew Tree House, recently widowed Adelaide Stride is raising her two daughters alone–but it’s not just the threat of German invasion that keeps her up at night. She is surrounded byenemiesposingas allies and, while war rages, she grows sure that something terrible is about to happen.

A BODY THAT REVEALS THEM ALL.

2023.

Soon after Stella Darnell begins her holiday at Yew Tree House, a skeleton is found in a pillbox at the bottom of the garden. The bullet hole in the skull tells her that the person was murdered. This triggers the unravelling of a mystery eighty years in the making. Stella will learn that Adelaide was right to worry–the fighting might have been happening abroad, but the true enemy was always much closer to home…

A unique take on the traditional murder mystery from critically acclaimed author, LesleyThomson, for fans of Elly Griffiths, Val McDermid and Mari Hannah.

Purchase Link: https://geni.us/TMOYTHRRRAuthor

Lesley Thomson grew up in west London. Her first novel, A Kind of Vanishing, won the People’s Book Prize in 2010. Her second novel, The Detective’s Daughter, was a #1 bestseller and the resulting series has sold over 800,000 copies. Lesley divides her time between Sussex and Gloucestershire. She lives with her partner and her dog.

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The Gathering by C J Tudor

Detective Barbara Atkins is summoned to Deadhart, Alaska, when the body of a teenage boy is found with his throat ripped out. The case is eerily reminiscent of another murder twenty-five years ago and local residents believe they know who is responsible: a member of the nearby vampyr colony who have recently returned to the area after the previous murder. Barbara soon realises that there are flaws in the evidence and wonders if the colony is, in fact, responsible or whether there is another killer lurking in Deadhart.

While books about vampires are not my novels of choice, I have loved all of C J Tudor’s previous books so decided to give it a go – I was not disappointed! I found that this was not just a typical vampire novel but more a tale of the prejudice exuded by a small town, in this case, Deadhart in Alaska. This is very much a town where everyone knows everyone else and outsiders are not welcomed, whether they be from the colony or an out-of-town detective.

After the murder, I could fully understand why the residents of Deadhart were keen to cull the colony but I was not expecting to feel so much sympathy for the vampires. By explaining the backstory of one of the key characters, C J Tudor managed to elicit compassion towards an otherwise terrifying vampire – something I was not expecting to feel. She has also successfully managed to show how, blood drinking aside, the lives of those in the colony and the townsfolk of Deadhart are not that different.

Although there is the vampire element, there is also a great whodunnit as the detective tries to find out exactly what happened to the murdered boy. The investigation builds slowly until we reach a satisfying and shocking conclusion.

C J Tudor has done it again – another captivating read!

With thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Net Galley.

Cluedle – The Case of the Dumpleton Diamond by Hartigan Browne

You are now a member of the Hartigan Browne Detective Agency, Browne being arguably Britain’s greatest detective. His success in previous cases has led to him being overworked and in need of some assistance – this is where you come in. Dave the dog has been pup-napped and it is up to you to find out why and who the culprit is. This is the first of many puzzles that will, hopefully, lead you to the discovery of the Dumpleton Diamond.

Although this has been published by Macmillan Children’s Books, it is most definitely not just for children. The puzzles are challenging enough for adults to get enjoyment from with clues to help younger children if they get a bit stuck. There is a good range of puzzles, from codes to logic problems, picture puzzles to anagrams so that there is something here for everyone.

The story that runs through the book is a good one and kept me engaged throughout – this is one of those books where you keep telling yourself, ‘one more page…’ until you have finished it in a couple of sittings!

If you are looking for a slightly different read, one that will get the old grey matter working, then this is the book for you. Great fun for all the family, I am pleased to see that there is already a second book in the pipeline!

With thanks to Macmillan Children’s Books and Net Galley for my copy.

**COVER REVEAL** The Second Life of Jonathan Sendel by Jeffrey Ashkin

I am pleased to be able to share with you the cover for the rather intriguing The Second Life of Jonathan Sendel by Jeffrey Ashkin.

Best-selling author, Jonthan Sendel has been murdered. Now, his clone must solve the mystery.


In the near future when someone is murdered, a clone of the victim can be commissioned to help police solve the crime. This process is costly, tedious and not always successful. Memory lapses, mental implosions, and rouge clones are not uncommon. It’s risky, but Jonathan has the money, the fans, and the means, and so his clone must navigate a treacherous labyrinth of secrets to reclaim the life stolen from him and put his murderer behind bars.

Before his untimely death, Jonathan was stuck in a rut. His marriage was failing, writer’s block had his Jim Starlight series at a deadend, and his affair with a college student was about to go public. When his charred remains are found inside his remote cabin it’s clear that the murderer is someone in his inner circle.

His clone only has a matter of days to unravel the mystery before he loses the vast fortune he spent his entire life, the first one, building. As he uncovers his previous life’s transgressions, the people he trusted most may have some unsavory opinions about clones. Jonathan must take his investigation into his own hands to have a chance at life.

The Second Life of Jonathan Sendel is a twist-filled murder mystery, that examines the life of a beloved celebrity tarnished by scandal and the painful process of coming to terms with one’s own demons.

With thanks to Ink Smith Publishing and Love Books Tours.

Monthly Round Up – March 2024

Happy Easter! A varied set of books were read in March!

Books I Have Read

Dig Two Graves by Helen H Durrant

In this, the first of a new series, we meet Hedley Sharpe, a detective of the old school. When two bodies are found near each other only days apart, Sharpe is convinced that there is a link to a notorious criminal. When a connection is made to another case he is investigating, he realises that this is a bigger story than he originally thought.

Gin and Phonics by Clara Batten

Despite being oblivious to the author’s Tik Tok fame, this looked like my sort of book. A hilarious look at motherhood and her determination to become an actress, I loved this light-hearted audiobook. Fans of Gill Sims will find this really enjoyable.

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

When Annie is summoned to meet her great-aunt Frances, she was not expecting to find her dead. Discovering that Frances knew that one day she would be murdered, Annie sets out to investigate, putting her own life in danger in the process. Taking the features of a classic whodunnit but with a more modern twist, this is a great read and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

Cluedle: The Case of the Dumpleton Diamond by Hartigan Browne

Although this is a children’s book, puzzle-loving adults will love it! Told in several linked mysteries, readers have to solve problems and puzzles in order to progress to the next chapter. A really fun book with just the right level of challenge that makes this a great read for the whole family.

Books I Have Acquired

Can you work out Cluedunnit? For mystery fans, a brand new puzzle book for code-cracking families and skilful young super sleuths.

Team up with world famous private investigator Hartigan Browne and crack the curious case of the Dumpleton Diamond by solving 50 fun brain-busting puzzles.

A funny and intriguing mystery story sets the scene in the village of Dumpleton where detectives need to discover:

– Who pup-napped Dave the dog?
– What is important about The Flying Goat?
– How the Dumpleton Diamond went missing?
– Why a missing key can unlock this case?

Packed full of codes to crack, evidence to evaluate, clues to unravel and maps to navigate, Cluedle – The Case of the Dumpleton Diamond is puzzling fun for the whole family.

She must solve the ultimate riddle…

DI Jan Talantire is called to a cottage in Ilfracombe, where the female occupant is found dead, impaled with a crucifix. The woman, who had been renting the house for a few months, is well known locally. Documents found at her house indicate her name is Ruth Lyle. The name means nothing to the young PC who found her, but DI Talantire knows that this cannot be true.

Fifty years earlier, sixteen-year-old Ruth Lyle was murdered – stabbed by a crucifix, in exactly the same location. It is impossible for this to be the same woman, and yet all the records are a match.

With a brutal killer at large, DI Talantire must work quickly to solve the most complicated case of her career: how can a woman die twice?

How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

Frances Adams always knew she’d be murdered ever since it was predicted by a fortune teller in 1965. Determined to prevent it from happening, she spends her life compiling files on everyone close to her, digging up any dirt she can uncover. Everyone thinks she is mad until, nearly sixty years later, her body is discovered in suspicious circumstances. Annie, her great-niece, has been summoned to the English village of Castle Knoll by Frances, only to find her dead on her arrival. Determined to find her killer, Annie uncovers long-forgotten secrets that not only provide possible motives but also put her own life in danger.

The book’s blurb instantly intrigued me and I was delighted to discover, upon reading, that this was exactly my sort of book. Told from two perspectives, we meet, in the first, Annie, who is slightly perplexed as to why she would be asked to go to meet her great-aunt Frances at her stately house in Castle Knoll. Annie is an outsider, thrust into a village where everyone knows everyone else, and now she is having to treat all the people she encounters with suspicion as she knows that any one of them could be the killer. I liked Annie and admired her tenacity, continuing with her investigation even when she knows that many of the people she meets are desperate for her to fail.

The story is also told through the diaries of Frances, who details events from the 1960s, after the fortune teller predicts her demise. These chapters were enjoyable and I liked discovering her early life and the events that made her the way she was prior to her death. Although we never actually meet Frances as an older woman, it is testament to Kristen Perrin’s writing that we develop a fully-rounded picture of her and understand how she was not the odd woman many thought she was.

The plot is strong and will appeal to fans of classic whodunnits as we meet a plethora of shady characters, each with their own potential motive for wanting Frances dead. I was happy with the way the story played out, even if I didn’t manage to name the perpetrtor!

It looks like this is the first book in a new series and after thoroughly enjoying How to Solve Your Own Murder, I will be looking forward to reading the next.

With thanks to Quercus Books and Net Galley.