Category: Books

Classic Victorian and Edwardian Ghost Stories edited by Rex Collings (Review #56)

Classic Victorian and Edwardian Ghost Stories edited by Rex Collins

Blurb

This is a book to be read by a blazing fire on a winter’s night, with the curtains drawn close and the doors securely locked. The unquiet souls of the dead, both as fictional creations and as ‘real’ apparitions, roam the pages of this haunting new selection of ghost stories by Rex Collings.

Review

I chose this book as one of my October spooky reads but I must admit I didn’t read it until after Halloween. I always love a good Victorian ghost story so I was really excited to read this book. Thankfully, it did not disappoint. 

I’m not entirely sure about the first few stories of this book because they didn’t really feature any ghosts and hardly felt like ghost stories to me. In fact I’m still trying to understand why The Story of Mary Ancel by Thackeray was even included in the book because it didn’t include a ghost and couldn’t even be considered as eerie in my opinion.

This book contains one of my all time favourite little ghost stories and that is The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde. I’ve read this short story many times but I was quite happy to read it again in this book. My other favourites were the stories by Charles Dickens who never disappoints. The Haunted Doll’s House by Montague Rhodes I found rather creepy and I’m not sure I will ever look at my doll’s house in the same way again. The Tapestried Chamber was also rather creepy and I’m not sure I ever want to sleep in a room with tapestries on the walls after reading this short story. 

I really found this book to be quite a mixed bag of stories but all of them I either liked or thoroughly enjoyed. I’m not a huge fan of horror so this was the perfect book for me. Give me a good classic ghost story and I am happy and this book had loads. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and give it 4 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

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If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Hauntings by Neil Oliver (Review #55)

Hauntings: A Book of Ghosts and Where to Find Them Across 25 Eerie British Locations by Neil Oliver

Blurb

For longer than recorded history there have been tales of spirits and of places where our hackles rise and our skin turns cold.Bestselling historian Neil Oliver travels the British Isles on a deliciously spine-chilling tour that spans several centuries and explores more than 20 sites – castles, vicarages and towers, lonely shorelines and forgotten battlefields – to unpick their stories..Oliver invokes his family’s history alongside that of kings and queens past as he probes why our emotions and senses are heightened in certain locations where the separation between dimensions seems gossamer thin. Our landscape is riven with these places, creaking from the weight of the secrets they hold, the echoes of tragedy and dark deeds . From Inverness to Devon, Co Dublin to Norfolk, Hauntings casts an enjoyably eerie glow with stories that, told generation after generation, are inextricable from place – and considers why they matter.

Review

I was quite excited about this book but wow what a surprise I had when I read it. This sadly is my most disappointing book of the year and I’m quite surprised I actually finished it because quite frankly the man is an over opinionated bottom and that is the polite version. 

My first problem with this book is the fact that it has very little ghosts in it. Each chapter briefly mentions a haunting and by briefly I mean maybe a paragraph or two, the rest of the chapter is history and Oliver’s opinions or about how he is grieving for his dad. The best chapter and most informative about the hauntings was the one on Glamis castle. I really enjoyed that chapter and it made me do further research into the castle and its hauntings. 

The second problem I had was Oliver’s opinions that personally he should have kept to himself. His opinions on people who use antidepressants were definitely uncalled for and the fact he didn’t mention it just once but kept bringing it up was even worse. I really didn’t feel like it was his place to judge. I can understand how he was trying to explain certain feelings and possible sightings of ghosts by environment and the individual people but it was not a balanced argument and overly critical. 

My final issue was the fact that Oliver clearly has some guilt regarding his father and is not grieving well so he used the book to help. When deciding to read a book about haunted places in the British Isles I was really not expecting to have this thrown at me every chapter and really didn’t see the link. Overall, I was not happy with this book and think it is wrongly titled, I give this book 2 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Neil Oliver is a Scottish archaeologist, historian, broadcaster and writer who has become widely known as the presenter of BBC television’s series A History of Scotland and Coast.

His first fiction novel, Master of Shadows, is published by Orion in September 2015.

He lives in Stirling with his wife and three children.

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If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

WWW Wednesday: 20/12/2023

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

The rules are answer the questions below and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you will read next?

Hello!

I hope everyone is having a good week so far. I have just returned from playing for my second Carol Service this year. I do love a Carol service and I love playing carols. I’m really starting to feel festive. My festive reads has also helped.

What I am Currently Reading

I have literally only just started this so I don’t know what to make of it yet. Fingers crossed it will be good.

What I have Recently Finished Reading

I finished both of these books this week and really enjoyed both of them. I read The Nutcracker every year as my Christmas tradition but I always try to get a different translation and this one did not disappoint and I flew through the book in two sittings.

What I Think I will Read Next

I’m not sure what I will next but I am looking forward to my reading plans in 2024 which will make quite a difference to my TBR pile I hope.

Please drop me a comment with your WWW Wednesday and I will head over for a visit.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick (Review #54)

Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick

Blurb

A village of secrets

It’s December 1952, and a dead stranger has been found lodged up the chimney of Holly House in the remote town of Elderby. Is he a simple thief, or a would-be killer? Either way, he wasn’t on anyone’s Christmas wish list.

A mystery that can’t be solved  

Inspector Frank Grasby is ordered to investigate. The victim of some unfortunate misunderstandings, he hopes this case will help clear his name. But as is often the way for Grasby, things most certainly don’t go according to plan.

A Christmas to remember 

Soon blizzards hit the North York Moors, cutting off the village from help, and the local doctor’s husband is found murdered. Grasby begins to realise that everyone in Elderby is hiding something – and if he can’t uncover the truth soon, the whole country will pay a dreadful price…

Review

This is my first Denzil Meyrick book and I must admit it was the cover that first attracted me to this book. This is my first festive read of the season and I was not disappointed. There wasn’t as much Christmas as I was expecting in this book but that didn’t detract from the story. 

The thing I loved about this book was the hilarious characters that were in it. Inspector Frank Grasby was a laugh a minute. He definitely has a bit of a chip on his shoulder and he can be quite a prat at times but his heart is in the right place. He has also had quite a few disasters in his career and his latest one has landed him in some hot water that has left him investigating farm thefts in Elderby. However, things soon start to get interesting when people start getting murdered. 

The story was a little bit predictable but still highly enjoyable. The setting in a sleepy village in the 1950’s with rationing still in place was perfect and of course once everyone was snowed in it really added to the atmosphere. Grasby soon begins to realise that everyone is Elderby has a secret they want to keep hidden. 

I loved how this book is written as Grasby’s memoirs because it makes you as the reader privy to all his internal musings and thoughts even the ridiculous ones. I really enjoyed the humour in this book and it made the book a light and fast paced murder mystery. I will definitely read more books by Meyrick soon. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Denzil Meyrick was educated in Argyll, then after studying politics, joined Strathclyde Police, serving in Glasgow. After being injured and developing back problems, he entered the business world, and has operated in many diverse roles, including director of a large engineering company and distillery manager, as well as owning a number of his own companies, such as a public bar and sales and marketing company. D.A. Meyrick has also worked as a freelance journalist in both print and on radio. His first novel, Whisky from Small Glasses, was published by Ringwood in 2012.

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If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Goodreads Monday: 18/12/2023

Goodreads Monday is now hosted by Budget Tales Book Club.  All you have to do is show off a book from your TBR that you’re looking forward to reading.

Hello!

I hope everyone has had a good start to the week today. I have had the day off so I had a lovely morning reading then went to a National Trust property to enjoy some Christmas decorations.

My chosen book to feature off my Goodreads TBR this week is another one that has sat on my TBR for way too long.

Sarah Perry’s award-winning novel, set at the end of the nineteenth century and inspired by true events.

Moving between Essex and London, myth and modernity, Cora Seaborne’s spirited search for the Essex Serpent encourages all around her to test their allegiance to faith or reason in an age of rapid scientific advancement. At the same time, the novel explores the boundaries of love and friendship and the allegiances that we have to one another. The depth of feeling that the inhabitants of Aldwinter share are matched by their city counterparts as they strive to find the courage to express and understand their deepest desires, and strongest fears.

Please drop me a link with your Goodreads Monday and I will head over for a visit. 

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

The Weekly Brief

Hello!

I hope everyone has had a nice weekend so far. Mine has been rather busy which has meant very little reading but I still keep trying to fit a few minutes in here and there.

Blog Posts

Currently Reading

I’ve been hooked on this book since I started it. There are some very funny characters within this book.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Hetty Dorval by Ethel Wilson (Review #53)

Hetty Dorval by Ethel Wilson

Blurb

This first novel, written in 1947 by one of Canada’s most distinguished novelists, is a quiet, subtle, morally complex book about a young girl’s growth from innocence to maturity. Hetty Dorval seems to have behaved unconventionally, indeed immorally (‘a very ugly story has followed her from Shanghai to Vancouver’). But is Frankie’s adult perception of Hetty to be preferred to that of her childish innocence when she first met her? 

Review

For such a short book there was a lot of detail packed into this book and I am not talking about the characters. This is Wilson’s first novella and for me you can see this in the characters but not in the setting. 

Although the book is named Hetty Dorval the main character is Frankie Burnaby who we first meet as a twelve year old girl living in the village Lytton in Canada. The book is told from Frankie’s point of view and we get a blend of her childhood perceptions and her adult thoughts. However, instead of Frankie telling us her life history we actually get only her encounters with Hetty. 

Hetty is a complex character who has led a far from blameless life and is very selfish. However, when Frankie meets Hetty as a child she sees only a wonderful woman who enchants her but as she gets older her perceptions of Hetty change and we see this change happening through the book. 

This book is definitely a coming of age story but for me the biggest star is the descriptions. The descriptions of where Frankie lives in Lytton and her weekly ride from her lodging to her parents’ farm at the weekend is picturesque and the detail is amazing. You can imagine you are on that ride with Frankie. In fact the descriptions all the way through this book are amazing and make the book a joy to read. For me the characters were a bit thin and lacked substance and I really didn’t like Hetty but the scenery saved this book for me and so I give it 3 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

Foyles | Waterstones

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Ethel Davis Wilson was a Canadian writer of short stories and novels.

Born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, she moved to England in 1890 following the death of her mother. In 1898, after the death of her father, she was taken to live with her maternal grandmother in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received her teacher’s certificate in 1907, and for thirteen years taught in Vancouver elementary schools. 

In 1921 she married Wallace Wilson, President of the Canadian Medical Association and professor of medical ethics at the University of British Columbia.

Wilson is well known as one of the first Canadian writers to truly capture the beauty of British Colombia. She wrote often of places in BC that were important to her and was able to detail the ruggedness and magic of the landscape. 

The Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, British Columbia’s top fiction award, was created in 1985, commemorating Wilson’s achievements.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths (Review #52)

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths

Blurb

Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway uncovers the bones of a Victorian murderess while a baby snatcher threatens modern-day Norfolk in this exciting new entry in a beloved series.

Every year a ceremony is held in Norwich for the bodies in the paupers’ graves: the Service for the Outcast Dead. Ruth has a particular interest in this year’s proceedings. Her recent dig at Norwich Castle turned up the body of the notorious Mother Hook, who was hanged in 1867 for the murder of five children. Now Ruth is the reluctant star of the TV series Women Who Kill, working alongside the program’s alluring history expert, Professor Frank Barker.

DCI Harry Nelson is immersed in the case of three children found dead in their home. He is sure that the mother is responsible. Then another child is abducted and a kidnapper dubbed the Childminder claims responsibility. Are there two murderers afoot, or is the Childminder behind all the deaths? The team must race to find out-and the stakes couldn’t be any higher when another child goes missing.

Review

It was so good to be reading a Ruth Galloway book again. These books are definitely my comfort reads and during the busy month of December it was the perfect read for me. 

Every book in this series I just think the books get better and better but one thing lets this book down for me and that was the lack of my favourite character, Cathbad. Yes he was there on the phone and then there in person about half way through the book but he just wasn’t there enough like he usually is. However, I did love Thing his dog appearing more in this book. I think Cathbad is wonderful, he is eccentric, kind, other worldly and above all an old soul who loves everyone. The book just didn’t feel complete without his presence and of course his purple cloak. 

Ruth is her usual chaotic self in this book, trying to juggle work and be a good mom to Kate. Being a single mom is hard but Ruth manages so well and I think Griffiths portrays the struggle of a working single mom brilliantly with Ruth. I also loved seeing Kate’s character starting to appear in this book. She is no longer a baby but a toddler who is starting to know her own mind. I am also with Ruth, why can’t people call Kate by her name and not change it to another form of Kate. 

There were some difficult storylines in this book but I thought the parallel of finding the remains of Mother Hook a woman dating from the Victorian times and the present day child abductor worked brilliantly. I also enjoyed Ruth’s involvement with both cases. 

I really enjoyed this book and it nearly got a full 5 dragons but I missed Cathbad too much! This book gets a big 4 dragons out of 5. 

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WHSmith

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Elly Griffiths was born in London and began her career in publishing, she then turned to writing full time. In 2016 she won the CWA Dagger in the Library for her work. Griffiths lives in Brighton with her family.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

WWW Wednesday: 13/12/2023

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

The rules are answer the questions below and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you will read next?

Hello!

I hope everyone is having a good week so far. We are still trying to get ready for Christmas and it is so nice seeing the decorations go up around the house.

What I am Currently Reading

I’m mainly focusing on Murder at Holly House at the moment because I want a nice festive read.

What I have Recently Finished Reading

Absolutely loved reading about Dr Galloway’s adventures again.

What I Think I will Read Next

As usual I’m not sure what I will read next but it might be one of these books or it might be a more festive read.

Please drop me a comment with your WWW Wednesday and I will head over for a visit.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Under a Greek Sun by Mandy Baggot (Review #51)

Under a Greek Sun by Mandy Baggot 

Blurb

Her job as a counsellor has been as taxing as it has been rewarding, and she can’t wait for some downtime on the Greek island of Corfu with best-friend, Gabby. But between Eve’s brother, Ben, unexpectedly joining and Gabby’s job at the animal rescue centre keeping her busy, Eve might have to start mucking in…

When Gianni arrives in the village of Episkepsi, it’s like a model has stepped straight off the pages of Vogue Italia… with an uptight personality to match. He may be super-sexy but there are obvious chips on those broad shoulders.

As Eve and Gianni get to know each other and both start to lean into the Greek customs and avrio mentality, an initial attraction starts to turn into something more. But with so much family drama in both their lives, neither of them were looking for a holiday romance…

Review

This is my first book by Mandy Baggot and will definitely not be my last. I read this book whilst on the island of sunny Kos and think this really helped set the atmosphere. 

As with a lot of these type of books, some of the scenes and characters verge on the ridiculous but as I was reading this book on a relaxing holiday with plenty of cocktails I was happy to accept the ridiculous. I also thoroughly enjoyed Baggot’s beautiful descriptions of sunny Corfu. It really made me feel like I was there in Corfu but thankfully not experiencing the mosquitos! 

Eve is the main character of this book and I will be honest at times I thought she was great and at times she drove me crazy. I understood that she had trauma in her life and struggled to trust but sometimes her reactions especially the main one to Gianni just made no sense. Eve really needs to get her life back on track but the past and worrying for others has held her back. During this book you slowly start to see her mindset change and her realisation she needs to move forward with her life take place. 

Gianni is the other main character in this book and he also has his troubles. His troubles have only just recently hit him and they have turned his life upside down. He now finds himself in Corfu trying to find out the answers he desperately seeks. 

My all time favourite parts of this book are the scenes in the animal shelter. The animals in this book all have interesting characters and they are all loved and well cared for by Gabby. Seeing Gabby’s relationship and love for the animals was a lovely bonus in the book and a nice break from the romantic scenes. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book and it made a lovely read during my holiday. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

Foyles | Waterstones | WHSmith

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer represented by Tanera Simons of The Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency.

Mandy is best-known for her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies featuring strong heroines, gorgeous heroes and always that happy-ever-after!

The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance, her novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy’s books have so far been translated into Bulgarian, Czech, German, Hungarian and Italian.

Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, wine, cheese, Netflix, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Most recently, Mandy took part in BBC1’s Ready Steady Cook with Greek celebrity chef, Akis Petretzikis.

Mandy is a member of the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two children.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you