#BibliomaniacsBookShelf: My Week in Books 2nd Oct 2017

BIBLIOMANIAC'S BOOKSHELF

2nd October 2017

I'm a bit late in posting my weekly round up as I was away in Morecambe at the Crime Festival this weekend! It was good fun and the highlight has got to have been getting to hang out with the No Exit authors Leigh Russell, Howard Linskey and Luke McCallin who were all appearing on panels. Another huge moment was meeting Lilja Siguroardottir whose novel Snare was available on early release, so not only was I able to get an early copy, I now also own the first UK edition of Snare that Lilja signed! She had not even seen the UK edition of her book until Saturday so there we shared a mutual moment of bibliomania and some serious stroking of book covers! There were lots of great panels and I enjoyed hearing Elly Griffiths and William Shaw talking about the influence of the sea in their novels as well as listening to Sarah Ward who was on a panel about female protagonists. Here's a few pics!

If you read one book this week make it

SNOW SISTERS 

by Carol Lovekin 

I totally fell in love with this book. It's a story about sisters, about snow, about the past, about families, mothers and daughters. It's also about a big house with a past and about ghosts. The writing is beautiful, poetic and compelling. The author completely immerses you in a world of secrets, and haunted lives; I loved the blend of gothic elements that create threat, tension and atmosphere alongside the lyrical storytelling. It's magical. Click on the link for my full review. 

https://bibliomaniacuk.blogspot.com/2017/09/snowsisters-carollovekin-blogtour-review.html

THE STOLEN MARRIAGE 

Diane Chamberlain

I find it hard to resist a Diane Chamberlain as much like Jodi Picoult, her novels guarantee a page turner that will both tackle a social issue as well as introducing you to well crafted and empathetic characters. The Stolen Marriage is a great example of exactly this. 

Set in 1944 in Hickory, we are immediately placed within the social context of the novel and have a very clear introduction to the ethics, beliefs and motivations of the characters. Throughout the novel, Chamberlain's historical setting is very clearly established and the sense of time, place and social context very convincingly conveyed. We also see the protagonist, Tess, immediately thrust into a situation which changes the course of her life. There is no doubt that the reader will be hooked from chapter one, already caught up in the emotional dilemmas of Tess and already rooting for her as she faces the challenges of moving to a new place, with a new husband- who she barely knows and wasn't the man she expected to be marrying- and the prospect of becoming a mother. I liked that the story kicked off straight away with several issues which were going to create controversy within the community and conflict for the protagonist and her family. The backdrop of the outbreak of polio brought into a more personal context with Tess' relationship with her fiancé. 

As I mentioned, the novel deals with a polio epidemic and Chamberlain succeeds in showing the impact of this illness on people, families and communities in a way which evokes an emotive responses but also informs readers about a moment in history that they may not have been aware of. In some ways the medical element of the story is used not only to create awareness, drama and tension, but also to provide plenty of scenarios for her characters where they can be faced with difficult choices, moments of fear, grief, and heartbreak. And for some, like Tess, it also allows her to see what she is really capable of and how she can grow, develop and change as a person under such exceptional circumstances. 

There is a complex love triangle which adds some depth to the characters, creating more moral dilemmas and emotional turmoil. There are some intimate friendships between Tessa and the girls she grew up with that help to guide and nurture Tess on her emotional, physical and professional journey. All in all this book ticks a lot of boxes. It's a satisfying historical drama, with plenty of tension and drama. It's full of three dimensional characters and it has a solid plot and story arc. 

Chamberlain writes a good story. I like her books and I liked The Stolen Marriage. For those who like this sort of family drama and coming of age type novel which is also set in an interesting moment in history then you will love this book. Great for relaxing with on an autumnal afternoon! 

The Stolen Marriage will be published on 5th October 2017 by MacMillan. 

THE SNOWMAN

Jo Nesbo

It's a long time since I've read a Jo Nesbo - I think I binged on them when they first appeared and then had to have a little break, but I was pleased to get the chance to reread this in preparation for the forthcoming film of the book which is due out on 12th October. 

I have read The Snowman before  - a long time ago - and the minute I started to reread it, I could remember almost every scene, so vivid was its impact all those years ago when I first read it. The opening scenes are harrowing, disturbing, chilling and down right scary. I can't wait to see how they translate to screen. Oh, actually, I think I can. 

For those of you that are not familiar with the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo, then prepare yourself for a great ride. There is a huge series of books featuring detective Harry Hole and he is great main character; flawed, not always likeable, full of issues and sometimes not following the rules but a character that you can't help liking and rooting for. In this novel, Harry Hole and his team have been sent in to investigate a murder where a boy reports that his mother has gone missing. As they continue their investigation, Hole realises that several wives and mothers have gone missing over the years and suddenly he is faced with capturing a serial killer. 

What's brilliant in this story is the use of snowmen. There are so many moments when a snowman appears to become real, to be watching, to be so intensely sinister and evil that I really did find myself gripping hold of the pages and too scared to look out of my windows - even though there isn't even any snow out there at the moment! How can something that usually represents something so innocent and reminiscent of childhood games, be made to represent something so dangerous and frightening?! 

The crimes are gory and violent, the investigation is grim and not without blood or stomach turning discoveries. The novel is well paced, presenting a great story that has a sense of urgency and speed but there is also enough time to get to know more about Harry and for Nesbo to develop Hole's relationships with his colleagues. This is a good, solid and satisfying police procedural with a dramatic denouement that had me hanging on the edge of seat both times I read it! 

Jo Nesbo is a fantastic crime writer. Page after page he creates scene after scene of drama, tension, suspense and an uncomfortable, ominous sense of threat and foreboding. Harry Hole is suitably flawed and suitably full of baggage to make him a great central character and a great police officer. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the writing and forgotten how compelling and terrifying this book was! I'm sure the film will be a huge success, but, as every bibliomaniac will tell you, you should always read the book first! 

The Snowman has been re-published by Vintage as a film tie in edition. 

MOONLIGHT OVER MANHATTAN

Sarah Morgan

Sometimes you need a book that will do exactly what is says on the front cover. Sometimes you need a book that will whisk you away, let you leave your own life behind for a bit and indulge in a story about love, happiness and Christmas. Sarah Morgan's book does just that. Moonlight In Manhattan is full of fun, drama, heartache, friendship and plenty of love! 

Meet Harriet, a very likeable, genuine, good natured girl who is trying to change her 'goody two shoes' image by setting herself challenges. She has a twin sister but as her twin, and her best friends, are all beginning to settle down in couples, Harriet wants to feel more confident, perhaps become a little more reckless and perhaps take a little bit more control over her life. The reader immediately forms a strong bond with Harriet and is rooting for her throughout the novel. 

Harriet is a dog walker and though her job she comes into contact with Ethan, a short tempered Doctor who appears dismissive of Harriet and the dogs she looks after. I guess the relationship between a gruff, distant man and a kind, generous girl has been entrancing for us since Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice and I'm sure the readers will join me in watching this couple work out how they feel about each other and what they have to change, consider, confront and accept before seeing whether their destiny is together or not. Morgan weaves this storyline well, with plenty of obstacles and moments of drama to keep us guessing. 

This novel has all the ingredients for a perfect Christmas read. It has all the ups and downs of characters as they have to go on their journeys of self discovery. It has characters you can easily picture and get to know - particularly if like me this is your first Sarah Morgan novel so you haven't met them in previous books - and lots of great interaction between them shown through realistic, punchy dialogue. It's light, it's entertaining, it has twists and turns as the characters weave their way towards happiness and Christmas. It has romance. 

Moonlight in Manhattan is a heartwarming, easy read that will make the prefect accompaniment to mug of hot chocolate and a mince pie as we head towards winter. It's a relaxing read, set in a great location and will make a great stocking filler for anyone who loves popular fiction, romance and a feel good christmas read. 

Moonlight in Manhattan is published by HQ on 5th October 2017.

THE OTHER LIFE OF CHARLOTTE EVANS 
by Louisa George 

Sticking with light, easy reads, I also read The Other Life of Charlotte Evans of which I had been kindly sent an advanced copy by the publisher. 

I say light, but actually this novel deals with issues of serious health scares, adoption, heritage, pregnancy and marriage, so it isn't really light in that respect but the style of writing means it very much fits in with the genre of popular fiction. George maintains a sense of humour and a sense of hope and love throughout the novel which means that it never becomes depressing or oppressive. 

We meet Charlotte just as she is about to walk down the aisle with her gorgeous man and everything looks suitably rosy. She has everything going for her. But then, one unexpected visit to the doctor changes all of this. Suddenly she is propelled into a future that looks very different from the one she imagined and nothing is certain. As Charlotte struggles to come to terms with the medical implications of her situation, she also has to come to terms with the emotional fall out. Charlotte is adopted and now, when it hasn't ever mattered before, her genetic history is important. So she sets off to discover her birth mother which in turn forces her to confront a whole host of other issues. 

This is a novel about families, about love, about secrets and about being honest. It's about finding out who and what you are. There's a lot about friendship, trust and loyalty in the novel and George's presentation of the dynamics between Charlotte and her mother and her best friend are very authentic and convincingly portrayed. 

Ultimately it is a heartwarming story, but there are a few moments of heartbreak along the way. This is definitely a book for fans of popular fiction. 

The Other Life of Charlotte Evans was published by HQ Digital on the 9th September 

EVENT

Don't miss out on tickets to my Christmas Book event on the 29th November with Susi Holliday, Sue Moorcroft, Jules Wake and Chloe Mayer. It's going to be awesome and a perfect way chance to get some early Christmas shopping done!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christmas-books-tickets-37867386372