#Review By Lou of The Old Girls’ Chateau Escape By Kate Galley @KateGalley1 @BoldwoodBooks @rararesources #BlogTour #TheOldGirlsChateauEscape

The Old Girls’ Chateau Escape
By Kate Galley

The Old Girls’ Chateau Escape is heartwarming with friendship of women of a certain age having an adventures and some intriguing escapades. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour to review. Find out more in the blurb and my review below…

Blurb

Two old friends. One unexpected adventure!

When, at the age of 71, Gina Knight’s husband of four decades left her unexpectedly, she thought her life over. Until she met Dorothy Reed – a woman so full of the joie de vivre you’d think she was 21, not nearly 90. Gina would do anything for Dorothy. So when Dorothy suggests she take on the role of companion for one of Dorothy’s old friends, Gina sees no reason to say no.

Meredith Harper is a successful writer, living in Provence, and needs help looking after her husband, whose health is deteriorating. But when Gina arrives at the grand chateau, it becomes clear that Dorothy has not given Gina the full story. Because Meredith is also writing her memoirs, and Dorothy wants to know the contents before anyone else. So much so, she’s sent Gina to spy.

But what secrets is Meredith keeping? And will Gina be able to find out the truth before her cover’s blown?

Review

The Old Girls’ series is adventurous fun that’s set in France. There’s a sweet friendship between Gina and Dorothy. Dorothy, especially, has a desire to live life to the full, like she is her younger self and is keen to bring Gina along with her in this “ride”.

Meredith, a famous writer has secrets to be uncovered about her past. Amongst this main thread of storyline, there’s a rather cantankerous chef and a thief.

I am younger than who the series is probably aimed at, but it is entertaining and uplifting to read about people who are older than I am and still living life well as is the case in this book. It holds some hope.

So, whatever age and stage you are in life, The Old Girls’ Escape to the Chateau is entertaining and great to sit back, relax and join them on their French adventure and escapades.

Buy Links

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#Review of The Burning Stones By Antti Tuomainen @antti_tuomainen @OrendaBooks #ScandiNoir #Thriller #readingcommunity #bookrecommendation #bookstoread

The Burning Stones
By Antti Tuomainen
Translated By David Hackston

After very much enjoying the quirkiness of The Rabbit Factor Trilogy, which drew me into a different type of Scandi-Noir I hadn’t seen before and enjoyed a little more than the traditional bleakness of it, I jumped at the chance to review The Burning Stones, thanks to Orenda Books for gifting me a copy.
Set in a sauna, you may never see a spa treatment in the same light again…
Find below the blurb and my review as well as buy links.

Blurb

Saunas, love and a ladleful of murder…

A cold-blooded killer strikes at the hottest moment: the new head of a sauna-stove company is murdered … in the sauna. Who has turned up the temperature and burned him to death?

The evidence points in the direction of Anni Korpinen – top salesperson and the victim’s successor at Steam Devil.

And as if hitting middle-age, being in a marriage that has lost its purpose, and struggling with work weren’t enough, Anni realizes that she must be quicker than both the police and the murderer to uncover who is behind it all – before it’s too late…

From the international bestselling author of The Man Who Died and The Rabbit Factor, comes a darkly funny, delightfully tense new thriller that showcases humanity at its most bare – in middle age, suspected of murder and, of course, in a sauna…

Review

I was pleased to see that Antti Tuomainen hasn’t deviated from the quirkiness. He used to write darker material pre-Rabbit Factor, but I feel he has really found his niche in taking Scandi-Noir and turning what you think you know about it on its head.

Anni works at the Sauna, Steam Devil. It’s a great name, I reckon. Anni is out to clear her name. The CEO has been murdered. It seems there’s definitely potential weapons we, now rather ironically think of as tools for wellbeing in a sauna…
Aside from that, Anni is quite a normal person, with her marriage in a bit of a rut with her Formula 1 loving husband. She could be the successor, so presents with motive, but so could anyone and all the staff upped their game when retirement was announced, but if she didn’t commit murder, then who did?

Weaving domestic life with a murder mystery is done rather well in The Burning Stones, with added dark humour. This is what Antti Tuomainen creates rather well, making it so easy to get hooked in. It really works so well and changes everything in this genre.

The Burning Stones is great for anyone wanting light relief, but still some dark mystery to solve, whether you’ve read this author previous or not and for those who like The Rabbit Factor.

Whether you’re a fan of Scandi-Noir or not, Antti Tuomainen may just change your mind or add to your reading of this genre.

Buy Links:

Orenda Books Waterstones Amazon

*please note I am not affiliated to any selling site.

#Review by Lou of An Almost A Perfect Summer By Jill Mansell @JillMansell @headlinepg @RandomTTours #AnAlmostPerfectSummer #BookRecommendation

An Almost A Perfect Summer
By Jill Mansell

Jill Mansell’s books create the right atmosphere, warmth and some great humour. Almost A Perfect Summer is her latest stand-alone book. Find out more in the blurb and what I thought about it in my review below:

The heartwarming, brand-new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Jill Mansell*

Nick is the most intriguing man Nella has met in a while. He’s a 9 in the looks department (no one gets a 10), he makes her laugh, and he keeps her company when she ends up in A&E. But they live hundreds of miles apart.

Then Nella loses her job. There’s a perfect role on offer at a Cotswolds holiday retreat. The catch is that her boss would be Nick. And that makes Nick the one man she can’t risk falling in love with.

While Nella struggles with her feelings, a Hollywood star has found a haven at the retreat. Lizzie’s sworn off people – especially men – until her friendly new neighbours entice her out of her shell. Maybe she needs a flirtation – with gorgeous Nick, perhaps? Not with taciturn local Matthew, though, who definitely isn’t a member of her fan club.

Then an astonishing secret revealed changes everything . . .
The scene is set for a fabulous new novel full of friendship, warmth and romance.

Review

First page read and hooked in! Nella has a rather unfortunate time of things. She is in the Cotswolds and lands herself in hospital, where she meets Nick. Things look up, he’s quite the caring type as he ensures she makes it safely back to Manchester, but she receives the bad news that she’s lost her job. Things then look up when Nick takes real interest and gives her a concierge job within his luxury holiday home complex.
Nella’s life is a bit like the game unfortunately/fortunately playing out in someone’s life and it’s written brilliantly. She’s easy to be captivated by and want something fabulous to happen for her.

Lizzie is another main character in the plot who crosses paths with Nick. She’s sworn off men and is needing somewhere to write a book. She’s an intriguing character.
A few others enter the scene who it’s also fascinating to find out how their lives develop. There’s so much to discover.

An Almost A Perfect Summer is full of friendship, romance and intrigue that captivates until the end.

An Almost A Perfect Summer is beautifully written with each page drawing you in deeper into the zen of reading.

Buy Links:

Waterstones WH Smith

#Spotlight on World Premier “We Will Hear The Angels” written by Nicholas Bone, co-directed by Nicholas Bone and Marisa Zanotti begins @fruitmarket #Edinburgh by #AwardWinning @magnetic_north_theatre @magnorththeatre #Theatre #Music #Play #Stage

Magnetic North brings the World Premiere of We Will Hear the Angels written by Nicholas Bone, co-directed by Nicholas Bone and Marisa Zanotti to Edinburgh’s Fruitmarket. This is a culmination event of Magnetic North’s 25th anniversary programme.
It runs between 24th January – 6th February 2025 at Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh

You can book tickets here: www.fruitmarket.com

Discover more below. I am doing a spotlight due to being now unable to review because I am unwell with the lurgy and do not want to pass it onto the audience or cast members. Storm Eowyn this January has also affected train travel. Meantime, take a moment to have a look at some fantastic photos by Jassy Earl and some information of what it’s all about. It truly sounds a fantastic night out of drama and music in a wonderfully supportive venue in Edinburgh. It does have a nice run of dates between now and 6th February for you to catch it.
Discover more about Magnetic North below and another opportunity to how to book your tickets to their latest production: We Will Hear The Angels as you scroll below…

We Will hear the Angels explores universal connection of melancholy, loneliness and music.

The performance uses music, words and movement to explore the strange power of sad music to uplift us. It features an eclectic mix of music performed live by a cast of five performers; Apphia Campbell, Greg Sinclair, Marie-Gabrielle Koumenda, Caitlin Forbes and Nicholas Bone.

We Will Hear The Angels takes its title from Chekhov’s play Uncle Vanya. It explores the loneliness of heartbreak through four characters who find themselves telling their stories to the enigmatic Lou. What becomes of the broken-hearted? They find healing through the sublime power of music. The performance features songs by Hank Williams, Moondog and Orange Juice among others…

Magnetic North’s Artistic Director Nicholas Bone said:
“Songs about loneliness and longing – from Purcell’s When I am Laid in Earth to Al Green’s Tired of Being Alone – are so ubiquitous and popular that they must answer some need we have to acknowledge and understand unhappiness. Working with a hugely talented cast and creative team on a development process that began in 2020, we have explored the relationship between music and melancholy through a whole range of inspirations. Starting with characters from stories by Chekhov and Katherine Mansfield and drawing on the set-up of Hitchcock’s Rear Window.

“We presented an earlier version of the work as part of a residency at the Fruitmarket in 2023, and I’m really delighted to be back in the beautifully atmospheric Warehouse to present the full premiere of the show.”

We Will Hear The Angels is the culmination of Magnetic North’s season of events to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary. Also part of the programme is a screening of Pass The Spoon, the company’s legendary collaboration with composer David Fennessy and artist David Shrigley on 18 December at 7pm, and Aberdeen by David Fennessy on 2 February 2025 at 6:30pm.

**Tickets for We Will Hear The Angels are available at www.fruitmarket.co.uk**

About Magnetic North

Magnetic North is led by Artistic Director Nicholas Bone and Producer Anna Hodgart, and combines developing and producing live theatre with innovative multi-artform artist development. Magnetic North collaborate with playwrights, composers, choreographers, visual artists, performers and other artists to create a wide range of work including plays, music-theatre, installations, online events and films. Their comprehensive artist development strand has supported over 350 independent artists to continue developing. Founded in 1999, Magnetic North celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Further information at www.magneticnorth.org.uk

#Spotlight on World Premier “We Will Hear The Angels” written by Nicholas Bone, co-directed by Nicholas Bone and Marisa Zanotti begins @fruitmarket #Edinburgh by #AwardWinning @magnetic_north_theatre @magnorththeatre #Theatre #Music #Play #Stage

You can book tickets here: www.fruitmarket.com

We Will hear the Angels explores universal connection of melancholy, loneliness and music.

**Tickets for We Will Hear The Angels are available at www.fruitmarket.co.uk**

About Magnetic North

#Review of The Bookseller By Tim Sullivan @TimJRSullivan @HoZ_Books #TheBookseller #DSCross #BlogTour

The Bookseller

By Tim Sullivan

The Bookseller is the latest DS Cross series. I have been hooked on these for quite some time. If you haven’t started, I highly recommend them. Once started, each one is like meeting an old friend in feel. They are that pleasing to keep joining DS Cross in his life and crime solving.
You can read them in any order. If you liked Ludwig or Grace on TV/books, this is a bookish thriller series that you’ll like too. Discover more about The Bookseller in the blurb and review below… a bit later than planned due to being busy with work matters.

Blurb

SOMEONE’S ABOUT TO TURN THEIR LAST PAGE…

‘One of the most iconic British fictional detectives of the 21st century.’ DAILY MAIL
‘These are must-read detective novels.’ MARK BILLINGHAM
‘One of my favourite detectives.’ ELLY GRIFFITHS

THE SETTING
The body of a bookseller is discovered, lying in a pool of blood in his Bristol bookshop. Police have one question: how did the man meet such a violent, murderous end in this peaceful place?

THE CONFLICT
DS Cross’s ability to dismiss red herrings is challenged by a worrying development in his personal life. Hopelessly distracted, he needs to rely on those around him in a way he has never been comfortable doing before.

THE MURDER PLOT
It may be a quiet profession, but it’s full of passionate, ambitious characters who know the value of a rare book. Their extensive reading means they also know how to get away with murder.

But is that enough to fool the tenacious DS George Cross?

Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Peter James and Joy Ellis, this is the seventh book in the bestselling series, which can be read in any order.

Review

Raymond, DS. George Cross’s dad has some health news to break to him. What’s striking is how DS. Cross reacts to it, with questions, minus some of the perhaps more expected emotion and the balance tipped far more towards the matter of fact of the situation.
For those who don’t know, DS. Cross is on the autism spectrum. The characterisation can totally be captured within the writing, giving you a real feel for DS Cross.

Ed Squire is meanwhile worried about his dad’s whereabouts. Little does he know that he went back from a day in London to Bristol after a satisfying day, all to find something amiss in the bookshop, “Squire’s Rare Books”…

The window into the world of antique books is fascinating, coupled together with a crime, creates a deep world to explore full of mystery and intrigue.

As the investigation into the murder gets deeper, there are increasing suspicions and some shady characters about and complex relationships, emotive issues to delve into that keep readers gripped and guessing.

The end twists are seriously not ones I was expecting and were brilliantly executed.

I am now looking forward to seeing what comes next by Tim Sullivan. This is a series I highly recommend.