‘Dangerous Deception at Honeychurch Hall’ by Hannah Dennison.

Published by Constable,
1 November 2018.
ISBN: 978-1-4721-2849-2

As expected, the latest in Dennison’s cosy, country mysteries series, is a delight from start to finish. Kat Stanford is an antique dealer, she has had her own television show so is well known, and respected. She is back in her own town and life for her is going well. Not only with work, but she has a few admirers, one (Piers), with whom she shares a mutual attraction. But then things take a downward turn.  A large load of rubbish is found, having been fly-tipped in the beautiful English village. There is evidence that Kat is the culprit, as Kat’s pink box containing doughnuts, is found among the litter. (Kat is known to like doughnuts). News of this offence, for which Kate is innocent, reaches the National Press, threatening her reputation and career.

Then in walks the beautiful, stylish and gorgeous, Cassandra Borden-Forbes, also an antique dealer, and with her eyes on Piers. Things now go from bad to worse when there is a mysterious death in the village and evidence points to Kat being behind it. She was the last person to be seen visiting the deceased.

Her luck and happiness nose-dive even further when another catastrophic death is uncovered. Kat now knows it is down to her to find out if a murderer is at large, one with a grudge against her? In that case could she be the next victim?

Dennison plots extremely well, but her strength and page-turning quality lies in her talent to draw highly colourful, but believable characters, as well as the detail of the buildings and the scenic countryside in the village where the story takes place.  The local PC, Shawn, is rotund and blushes when he speaks to Kat. Kat’s mother lives in an antique house needing lots of renovations. She keeps her cash in a box in the attic and refuses to use a mobile phone. She employs a Romany horse man to help in her stables, a man who has spent time in and out of prison, but the mother will hear not a word against him. Furthermore, the mother has a secret sweetheart, and has kept his identity secret.  

I just love the complete frivolity of escapism in Dennison’s writing, however the plot is tight and kept me guessing.

Perfect for fans of MC Beaton, or cosy-crime, or simply if you want to bury your nose in another world and escape Winter.

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Reviewer: Linda Regan
www.Lindareganonline.co.uk   

Hannah Dennison writes The Vicky Hill Mysteries and the Honeychurch Hall Mysteries (Constable Crime/Little Brown), both set in the wilds of the Devonshire countryside. British born, Hannah has been an obituary reporter, antique dealer, private jet flight attendant and Hollywood story analyst. Hannah has served on numerous judging committees for Mystery Writers of America and is currently serving on the MWA Board. She is a passionate supporter of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and the National Trust. She enjoys all country pursuits, movies, theater and seriously good chocolate.

www.hannahdennison.com

Linda Regan is the author of six police procedural crime novels. She is also an actress. She holds a Masters degree in critical writing and journalism, and writes a regular column, including book reviews, for three magazines. She also presents the book-club spot on BBC Radio Kent. She is an avid reader and welcomes the chance to read new writers. 

  To read a review of Linda's most recent book
Sisterhoods
click on the title. 

www.lindareganonline.co.uk

‘After He Died’ by Michael J Malone

Published by Orenda Books,
30 September 2018.
ISBN: 978--191237433-5 (PB)

This dark domestic noir thriller explores the idea that the people closest to us can hide dark secrets and are not necessarily who we think they are.

Paula Gadd lives a luxurious lifestyle in Glasgow until her husband of almost thirty years dies suddenly. Thomas was a successful business man but at the funeral a young woman, Cara, slips a note into Paula’s pocket suggesting that her husband was not all that he seemed. The death of her husband so close to the anniversary of the death of their only son doubles the anguish Paula feels. Cara, on the opposite side of the social scale, has her own grief to deal with after the recent death of her brother. When the two women meet up they realise their stories are entwined. They begin to explore who Thomas really was and as a result become embroiled in a dangerous cat and mouse game.

The two main characters are very credible and likeable. As the book progresses Paula goes through the various stages of grief and the reader empathises with her pain without being depressed. Michael J Malone has portrayed this beautifully and managed to get the balance just right between a wife struggling with a sudden death and a strong character who needs to know what the hell is going on, who she was married to for all these years and whether her entire life is a lie.

A well-paced, excellent read.

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Reviewer Christine Hammacott

Michael J Malone was born and brought up in the heart of Burns' country, just a stone's throw from the great man's cottage in Ayr. Well, a stone thrown by a catapult, maybe. He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. Blood Tears, his debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize (judge:Alex Gray) from the Scottish Association of Writers and when it was published he added a "J" to his name to differentiate it from the work of his talented U.S. namesake. He can be found on twitter - @michaelJmalone1

Christine Hammacott lives near Southampton and runs her own design consultancy. She started her career working in publishing as a book designer and now creates covers for indie-authors. She writes page-turning fiction that deals with the psychological effects of crime. Her debut novel The Taste of Ash was published in 2015.

 To read a review of A Taste of Ash Click on the title

website: www.christinehammacott.com

twitter: /ChrisHammacott

Facebook: /christinehammacott.author

‘Long Road to Mercy’ by David Baldacci

Published by Macmillan,
15 November 2018.
ISBN: 978-1-509-87433-0 (HB)

Female F.B.I. Agent Atlee Pine (6ft tall and solid muscle) is called to the bottom of the Grand Canyon where the body of a mule has been discovered, and its rider a Benjamin Priest has gone missing. A strange carving on the corpse makes it even more puzzling.

On contacting Benjamin's brother Edward, Atlee finds that a photo of Benjamin does not match the description of him given by the Rangers working in the Grand Canyon alongside him. Who is posing as Benjamin, why, and where are they both?

Back in her office, Atlee becomes further intrigued when she has the distinct feeling she is being warned off the case, especially when she receives a phone call from a senior member of the F.B.I. telling her to watch her back. She becomes suspicious that the Bureau is keeping an eye on her, when her secretary warns her that her computer has probably been hacked.

Events then take a nasty turn when an attempt is made on her life, leading her to believe that her own government is behind the disturbing happenings. She is told in no uncertain terms to leave the investigations and to take a break away for a while.

Determined to get to the bottom of the disappearances, Atlee together with her secretary Carol decide to “go rogue”.  Surreptitious investigations lead them to believe the answer lies back in the Grand Canyon and being an experienced walker Atlee sets out on a long hike to follow her hunch. As experienced as she is, she needs to draw on all her strengths for the trek.

What she expects to find is likely to bring down the government and lead to world chaos. Who can she trust to help her expose the people behind such a horrendous plot and prevent what could lead to mass destruction?

To add to her problems, at the same time Atlee is trying to discover what happened to her twin sister Mercy in 1989. A man came into their bedroom when they were six years old, assaulted them both and took Mercy away. Atlee wants to know what became of her, a body was never found, and she needs closure one way or another. Can she find the answers?

I look forward to reading more of the exploits of David Baldacci's new very capable heroine.  Recommended especially for those who like an interesting plot and are intrigued by the deceptions capable of those in power and how it is possible to hoodwink the general public.

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Reviewer:  Tricia Chappell

David Baldacci.  A lifelong Virginian, David was born in Richmond in 1960. He received his Bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law for nine years in Washington, D.C. He has published 22 books. While David is involved in several philanthropic organizations, his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s ‘Wish You Well foundation.’ Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family literacy in the United States by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs. In 2010 the Foundation partnered with Feeding America to launch a program to address the connection between literacy, poverty and hunger. Through Feeding Body & Mind, nearly 1 million new and used books have been collected and distributed through area food banks. David explains, “With this program, people go home with food, which they need to live, as well as with books, which they need to change their lives.”

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.