Books 2022

Date with Death

From local author Julia Chapman:

Samson, an outcast from the Met Police and his hometown of Brunscliffe in the Yorkshire Dales returns home after a decade, looking to lie low and not antagonise the locals he grew up with. Delilah is a young entrepreneur running the Dales Dating Agency who knew Samson of old, and rents him her spare office for his Dales Detective Agency.

Mystery and humour abound in these cosy crime novels, with well written characters and some really nice twists.

And where in the Dales is the mysterious Brunscliffe? It could be any number of Yorkshire villages...

This book is very engaging and would appeal to fans of Richard Osman and Robert Thorogood; and if you enjoy this book about the Dales Detective, there's a whole series to get your teeth into!

Slow Horses

Spooks are supposed to be stealthy ... but those who make a noisy mess of their careers end up in Slough House.

Once high fliers, they're now slow horses, condemned to a life of pushing paper as punishment for crimes of drugs and drunkenness, lechery and failure, politics and betrayal. In drab and mildewed offices, these highly trained spies moan and squabble, stare at the walls, and dream of better days - not one of them joined the Intelligence Service to be a slow horse, and the one thing they have in common is their desire to be back in the action. So when a young man is kidnapped and held hostage, his beheading scheduled for live broadcast on the net, the slow horses aren't going to just sit quietly and watch.

Thrilling, intriguing and very realistic...this dramatic book shows that not everyone is brilliant at their chosen career; but sometimes they really are and have just caught an unlucky break. Will there be redemption?

The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair ~Natasha Hastings

This is a beautiful, captivating book about a magical frost fair and the lasting power of friendship. When a family tragedy turns Thomasina's world upside down, she is drawn to a mysterious conjuror and the enchanted frost fair. But soon she is in danger of losing everything she holds dear. Can the friends solve the magical mysteries that surround them?

An amazing debut, providing intrigue, adventure and charm. Perfect for Christmas and curling up on the sofa with a cup of something warming - I was totally hooked!

A Killing in November by Simon Mason

Ryan Wilkins grew up on a trailer park, a member of what many people would call the criminal classes. As a young Detective Inspector, he's lost none of his disgust with privileged elites - or his objectionable manners. But he notices things; they stick to his eyes.

His professional partner, DI Ray Wilkins, of affluent Nigerian-London heritage, is an impeccably groomed, smooth-talking graduate of Balliol College, Oxford. You wouldn't think they would get on. They don't.

A Killing in November introduces an unlikely duo from different sides of the tracks in Oxford in a deftly plotted murder story full of dangerous turns, troubled pasts and unconventional detective work.

This is a great read - full of drama, with twists and turns, in parts it's funny, in others horrifying!

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa

Rintaro Natsuki spent many happy hours reading in his grandfather's bookshop. After the death of Grandfather, his beloved shop appears doomed to close. Rintaro is approached by Tiger, a talking tabby cat who needs a book lover to accompany him on a mission. During the resulting three magical adventures the pair attempt to save books from people who have imprisoned, mistreated and betrayed them.

This is a charming story about the amazing power of books. A tale of courage and friendship it would be a great choice for a book club and is a thought provoking read for book lovers everywhere. I loved it!

FIREBORN ~ Twelve and the Frozen Forest by Aisling Fowler

Twelve has given up her name to train in the art of fighting monsters, and she won't choose a new one until she has earned it. But when her friend is taken, Twelve teams up with Dog, a stone guardian, and two fellow Huntlings on a rescue mission to restore the Hunting Lodge.

A gripping book for 9-12 year olds, Fireborn mixes magical and mystical adventure with lessons in courage, friendship, loyalty and good judgement.

The book is fast paced, imaginative and will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Remember - Constant vigilance! (Read the book to find out more).

Essex Dogs by Dan Jones

Some men fight for glory. Others fight for coin. The Essex Dogs? They fight for each other.

6 years in to the 100 years war, and King Edward is landing an army on the beaches of Normandy to liberate his subjects from the rule of the pretender Philippe. The Essex Dogs are a band of fighters within the army who fight for each other and try to stay alive.

Written from the viewpoint of the men of war rather than the chronicled knights and lords, this fast moving account is raw, gritty and true to the harsh realities of a war campaign. Dan Jones pitches it perfectly, removing any belief that medieval war was full of honour, chivalry and glory - it's blood, gore and stench.

This book is compelling, and perfect for those who enjoy un-romanticised historical fiction. At times I couldn't read fast enough to keep up with the pace of the story - absolutely brilliant.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

This series has taken the book world by storm...and how could it not! A great cast of characters all so familiar to anyone who has grandparents, older aunts and uncles. They are loveable, relatable and charming.

Set in a retirement village, four amateur septuagenarian sleuths meet weekly to investigate unsolved murders over a glass of wine. However, unfortunate goings-on lead the group to uncover a real and ongoing mystery and lend their support to the local constabulary.

Both books are full of relatable people, places and written very sympathetically. A real cosy crime but certainly not lacking in very carefully crafted word-smithing.

Watch out for the very poignant ending to The Man Who Died Twice.