Month May 2022

Faces We Love Shanghai @realfaceswelove @Lovebookstours #FacesWeLoveTour #nonfiction #photography #Shanghai #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Faces We Love Shanghai by Authors and Curators – Derek Muhs & Marisa Tarin.

This is a gorgeous non-fiction book and I was fortunate to receive a hardback copy. The book is a series of portraits capturing the people of Shanghai in their everyday lives.

My huge thanks to Kelly at Love Book Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of this beautiful book.

Go beyond the glitz, glamour, and bustle of one of the most populated cities on the planet and discover the real heartbeat and soul of Shanghai—its people.

Through this collection of 100 mostly full-colour photographs captured by a team of passionate artists and photographers, Faces We Love Shanghai takes you on a journey through the city’s narrow alleyways and secluded backstreets. Each photograph reveals an untold story, showcasing the beauty and joy behind the everyday moments and people that are often overlooked.

Also featured in the book are photographs of a community working together as a team, supporting one another in a time of tremendous stress and anxiety, as COVID-19 swept the globe and the world pointed its finger at China. In a world divided, this stunning photography book cuts through the language barriers and cultural divide to bring you a work of pure craftsmanship—a collection that shows the true beauty of capturing people as they really are.

Highlighting the raw and honest moments of life in Shanghai that are at times heartbreaking and hopeful, serendipitous and authentic, Faces We Love Shanghai is a love letter to a city visited by many but truly seen by few. 

MY REVIEW

A PICTURE TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS…

This is a gorgeous book to sit and look through. It is a snapshot of people in Shanghai. If you are a fan of people watching, photography, composition and gorgeous natural-looking portraits then you are going to love this book.

I have been looking at this book over the past couple of three weeks. I did initially go through each picture when it first arrived, but then I have taken the time to stop and look at each one. Each picture is lovely, whether it is a photo of a young or old person, one looking at the camera or not, whether dressed up in finery or work clothing, the photos are a snapsh0ot of the people who live and work in a very populous city.

Each photograph has a short snappy caption for example – ” ‘ella, ‘ella” or “safe” I did like the captions “I got ya” and “Got more sunlight now” and I adored the photographs that went with them. In fact, I thought every picture was a lovely one, some I obviously liked more than others, but there isn’t a single one I didn’t like. Sometimes the simple caption actually made the picture more poignant.

This is a gorgeous and stunning book, it is one I will continue to look through. Looking through the images actually gives me a positive vibe. So well laid out, with a mix of black and white as well as colour. Different styles and angles. All in all a wonderful book giving a glimpse into the lives and people of Shanghai. It is a book I would definitely recommend.

SOME OF THE GORGEOUS IMAGES FROM THE BOOK…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Derek Muhs is an entrepreneur and has been investing in real estate, health care and media. Derek was a producer on two award-winning documentaries and then founded Human Touch Media. As a world traveller and 25-year volunteer, he enjoys capturing the stories of everyday people through visual storytelling. In 2022 he launched Faces We Love, a private collection of photographs capturing one of his favourite cities in the world, Shanghai. Human Touch Media projects have been featured on Netflix, along with international film and photography festivals including TriBeCa.

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My Week In Books (w/e 29th May 2022) #booklove #bookupdates #dayout #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I have had a really good week this past week. The weather has been great and I decided it was time to re-start my National Trust Membership. One of my favourite NT places to visit is Godolphin House and Garden. The house itself isn’t always open, but it is the gardens I go there for. I haven’t been for well over 2 years so it was great to return and see how things had changed. It isn’t one of the larger properties and this is why I love it so much. A great place to stop and unwind. listen to the birds, have a picnic and read a book, which is exactly what I did. A lot of the more formal grass areas have been rewilded and it has made such a difference to the insects I was able to see, many moths and butterflies were flittering and tumbling around. I was also quite engrossed in watching a hole in part of the old stone wall where a blue tit was flitting in and out feeding its chicks. I did try to get photos but it was so fast!

Here are a few pics and then I’ll get onto the books I have read…

NT – Goldolphin House – 28th May 2022

Each of this week’s books was an amazing one to read. Similar and yet very different, secrets, lies and dilemmas. The final book I had been looking at for over a couple of weeks, it is a non-fiction book. All the books are for upcoming blog tours over the next few weeks.

Airside by James Swallow – crime, suspense and thriller based in an airport. An addictive and mysterious story and one that puts the main protagonist in a dilemma. Definitely recommended.

The Mirror Man by Lars Kepler – is a brilliant book, brutal and shocking at times but completely addictive. A one-sitting read.

Chemical Cocktail by Fiona Erskine – a brilliant and addictive mystery story, secrets, time is of the element and fast-paced. Loved it.

The Gin Sisters’ Promise by Faith Hogan – I love this author’s books and this one is a gorgeous read. Family secrets, anger, but with the hope to maybe start again. Definitely recommended.

Faces We Love – Shanghai by Derek Muhs & Marisa Tarin – is a gorgeous book of portrait photos taken in the city of Shanghai, amazing to look through and each one tells its own story. Definitely recommended.

There we have it, another week done and dusted and also another month has gone by.

Have a fabulous week ahead,

Happy Reading

Yvonne xx

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The Orphanage Girls by Mary Wood @Authormary @RandomTTours @panmacmillan #saga #historicalfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 24 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Orphanage Girls by Mary Wood. I have read and always loved this author’s books and also the books she writes under Maggie Mason.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my wonderful PB copy of the book from the publisher – Pan Macmillan.

Children deserve a family to call their own.

Ruth dares to dream of another life – far away from the horrors within the walls of Bethnal Green’s infamous orphanage. Luckily she has her friends, Amy and Ellen – but she can’t keep them safe, and the suffering is only getting worse. Surely there must be a way out of here?

But when Ruth breaks free from the shackles of confinement and sets out into East London, hoping to make a new life for herself, she finds that, for a girl with nowhere to turn, life can be just as tough on the outside.

Bett keeps order in this unruly part of the East End – and takes Ruth under her wing alongside orphanage escapee Robbie. But it is Rebekah, a kindly woman, who offers Ruth and Robbie a home – something neither has ever known. Yet even these two stalwart women cannot protect them when the police learn of an orphan on the run. It is then that Ruth must do everything in her power to hide.

Her life – and those of the friends she left behind at the orphanage – depends on it.

MY REVIEW


I have read and enjoyed several books by this author and I know I am going to be on a heart-warming and heart-breaking journey. This book was definitely that.

The author gets straight to it with this story of Ruth Faith. An orphan in Bethnal Green’s Orphanage. It should be a place of security but not so in this case. Set in the early 1900s the author relates how orphans were treated by the staff, how they are seen to be the lowest of the low and are abused, tortured and sometimes worse!

The one thing that gives Ruth hope is that she is almost at an age to leave the home for good. She can then find work and a place to live for her fellow friends at the orphanage. However, Ruth needs to survive to stand any chance of starting a new life.

The author has once again created a story that is heartbreaking but also one that is full of hope. SHe does write some amazing sagas and I think this one is one of the tougher ones as far as the content is concerned. I am aware of the history of orphanages and how life was almost too much for its innocent residents. The author has captured the main fears, challenges, difficulties and so much more as she tells the story of Ruth and her friends.

This isn’t just about Ruth, although she is the main focus. There are several other characters such as Robbie, Hettie, Horacio, Rebekah, Bett and many more. As this is set in London, the author brings in the Cockney pride and the sense of looking out for each other. It gives some of the characters a real boost instead of feeling alone and out on a limb.

This is a fabulous read, yes it does have some tough moments but the author also brings so many other things into her story. There are social expectations, a sense of family, and community spirit but also racism, abuse, corruption and other awful things. I will say though, that the author doesn’t linger too much or over-describe things, enough to make you aware.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, sagas and stories that revolve around small close-knit communities then this is a book for you. If you have read any of this author’s previous books and enjoyed them, then you know you are getting to enjoy this one as well. It is a book I would definitely recommend. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in Maidstone, Kent, in 1945, the thirteenth child of fifteen children, Mary’s family settled in Leicestershire after the war ended.


Mary married young and now, after 54 years of happy marriage, four children, 12 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, Mary and her husband live in Blackpool, United Kingdom during the summer and Spain during the winter – a place that Mary calls, ‘her writing retreat’.


After many jobs from cleaning to catering, all chosen to fit in with bringing up her family, and boost the family money-pot, Mary ended her 9 – 5 working days as a Probation Service Officer, a job that showed her another side to life, and which influences her writing, bringing a realism and grittiness to her novels
Mary first put pen to paper, in 1989, but it wasn’t until 2010 that she finally found some success by self-publishing on kindle.


Being spotted by an editor at Pan Macmillan in 2013, finally saw Mary reach her publishing dream.
When not writing, Mary enjoys family time, reading, eating out, and gardening.

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Fallout by Edie Baylis @ ediebaylis @Rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #boldwoodbloggers #crime #thriller #NetGalley #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review today for Fallout by Edie Baylis. This is a fabulous book and the second book in the Allegiance series. The first book, Takeover was a brilliant story and this second book is just as good.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of the book.

If you want to check out my review of TAKEOVER click HERE

Fallout…
Secrets. Lies. Revenge.

With the odds stacked against her, Samantha Reynold is determined to prove she’s tough enough to be the boss. But when a secret from the past threatens to ruin Sam’s reputation, she suddenly feels very alone in this dark new world. There’s only one man she can turn to – rival club owner, Sebastian Stoker.

Seb knows first-hand how secrets and lies can tear a family apart. He wants to protect Sam at all costs, but siding with her could threaten his own position as head of the Stoker family and risk accusations of betrayal.

With loyalties divided and two families at war – the fallout could be deadly.
Purchase Link – HERE

MY REVIEW

This is the second book in the series, the first book Takeover was brilliant and it saw Samantha Reynold taking over her father’s business. This second book continues the story as Sam and rival club owner, Seb work together to deal with what’s coming.

This book could be read as a stand-alone, but in all seriousness, I would consider reading the Takeover first as it introduces the characters and deals with things that make it easier to understand them. That being said the author does a great job of filling in the basics.

As Sam is still coming to terms with being adopted she has the support of Sam Stoker. Although they didn’t immediately trust each other, they have realised that they can not only work together but trust each other. Being rival club owners work for them, but not necessarily for those who work for them. Family’s can be tricky things and when they feel that things could be a danger or threaten them things get tricky. How can they convince their respective families and close family friends that this is all going to work out?

The author has once again provided a fabulous story that hit the grounds running. Working the suspicious natures of those around Sam and Serb has been wonderfully done. It adds tension and gives the overall feel of the story a good pace. Sam still feels as if she has to prove herself, which is difficult for a woman to do at the best of times. But, in this more male-dominated world she has to prove not only how tough she can be but also that she is resilient. Seb, well he is a fabulous character and is the rock that Sam needs. But, as much as she needs him he needs her as well. They make a great team.

This is a dangerous world that the author has created for her characters. The baddies are great as well as obviously the goodies! The author brings a sense of mistrust and intrigue that helps fuel the pace of the story, it kept me on my toes and eagerly turning the pages. The title Fallout is brilliant as for me it sums up this story very well.

If you are looking for a crime thriller story that has a strong gangland element to it then you really need this series on your shelf. Brilliant story, fabulous characters and an addictive read. It is one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Edie Baylis is a successful self-published author of dark gritty thrillers with violent background settings. She lives in Worcestershire, has a history of owning daft cars and several motorbikes and is licensed to run a pub. She has signed a five-book deal with Boldwood.

Social Media Links – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – Newsletter

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A Most Private Bank by Andreas F Clenow @clenow @cameronpmtweets @RandomTTours #thriller #finance #crime #coverlove #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for A Most Private Bank by Andreas Clenow. This is a thrilling read that mixes the world of finance, banking, organised crime and so, so much more.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my fabulous PB copy of this book from the publisher – Equilateral Publishing

I love the cover of this book, it’s a bit noirish, classic crime, gang-related, and just looks fabulous for the story inside.

“In this world, you either become a shark, or you become lunch.”
– Jim Dixon

A decade after Jim Dixon’s fall from grace, after the events that burnt his career on Wall Street, his past is catching up to him. Zurich had been the perfect place for a fresh start, a place where he could be a big fish in a small pond. The secretive world of Swiss high finance, a world of deception, greed, and excess, where everyone lies for one or another reason, provided the perfect cover. Until she showed up.

Meeting the socialite daughter of his former client was just a courtesy, nothing more. Another spoiled princess looking for VIP tickets to the opera, or a private shopping session at Louis Vuitton. So he thought. But Christina Rosenbaum was not the typical second-generation heiress. This was the meeting that would set it all in motion.

Caught between unscrupulous bankers, hedge fund managers, organized crime, state actors, and law enforcement, Jim is left with no choice. One way or another, it will be over before the end of the week. This week would see careers destroyed, lives lost, and fortunes made. 

MY REVIEW

This is quite a tense and intensive foray into the world of Swiss banking and how the system works. I am not familiar with the world of multi-million/billion-pound world of investments, corporations, banking and the like. So when I pick up a financial thriller I am always a little dubious as to how much jargon there will be, and of course, if it disrupts the flow of the story. I am glad to say that this was not the case for this book, enough jargon but not too much to be overbearing.

Jim Dixon is approached by a wealthy heiress, Christine Rosenbaum who wants to buy a bank. Before reading this book I had never considered that banks are something that could be purchased as such. Takeovers I am aware of, but not the buying or selling of a bank! The story is one that follows some very interesting routes through the finance of Swiss banks and some of the rules and laws that must be followed. While these are important to a novel like this the author doesn’t linger too much on them.

What the author does concentrate on is the thriller aspect of the story, it is a nicely twisted one and it kept me on my toes. Like many people, I do have suspicions when it comes to fictional books about bankers, wealthy businessmen and very wealthy individuals. It makes for interesting reading when there is suspicion and doubt in a novel and there is plenty of that in this book.

This book also brings in more. criminal gangs, police and some very dodgy characters indeed. These are all brilliantly worked into the novel and while some are dangerous not all of them are unlikeable. Even in the ruthless world of money, there are still apparently some things that still mean something and so there is still some trust and respect.

The one thing that makes this stand out is the way the author details the cars, the outfits and the watches. It is not something I expected, but the way this is done is really very good, while a certain car may look good and appear to be the car of a star, it isn’t all that. The same goes for the clothing and especially the watches. This made the more important characters stand out rather than just being one of the wealthy. There is a certain mindset that the author uses, that there is the American way and then there is the Swiss way, again not something I was aware of but certainly makes some interesting reading.

I really enjoyed this book, it is a tense and intense thriller, but one that has a great flow and pace to it. Many unexpected turns and nothing is as it first appears. This is a book that I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ANDREAS F. CLENOW Andreas Clenow is a Swedish Swiss author, asset manager and
an entrepreneur based in Zurich, where he oversees investment strategies of a nine-figure
portfolio.
After running his own IT firm in Sweden, he founded his first hedge fund in 2006 in
quantitative finance and moved to Zurich. Since he has been part of a number of hedge
funds and ventures, he is serving on the board of directors of multiple companies.
Over the years, Andreas has authored three international best-sellers on finance, each
hitting the number one slot on their respective Amazon top lists, and he is translated into
eight languages.
A Most Private Bank is published by Equilateral Publishing and is available in paperback
(£11.25) and ebook (£4.50) at all good bookshops and online retailers. Find out more at
http://www.clenow.com

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My Week In Books (w/e 22nd May 2022) #booklove #inthegarden #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 8 Comments

Hello and welcome to my weekly book wrap-up. It’s been a lovely week out in the garden. Loads of flowers are opening and my roses have so many buds on them that are starting to open and they smell amazing!

Here are a few other flowers that have opened, check out the very odd-shaped lupins 🙂

Now the weather is nicer which means I am spending a little more time outside. I do take my book with me but I do get a bit sidetracked!

The Orphanage Girls by Mary Wood. I love this author’s books and this one was a tough read as it does deal with some awful events in a 1920s orphanage. One for fans of historical fiction and sagas, a fabulous book and also a heartwarming story.

Sweet Love & Country Roads by Camilla Isley. This is a fabulous read and was a lighter story, fun and entertaining. I do like this author’s books and this one was fabulous.

Fallout by Edie Bayliss. Another brilliant story in the series continues from where the first book Takeover finished. Gangland, crime, thriller and fabulous read.

Marriage Unarranged by Ritu Bhathal. I really liked this book, and it was great to read about a different culture. This was a story that showed family, tradition and how things are changing. I need to read more by this author.

There we have it.

Another week done and dusted,

Have a fabulous week ahead,

All the best

Yvonne xx

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A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin @HarperFiction #histfic #regency #romance #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review for The Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin. This is a brilliant read for those who like a good Regency period romance. If you are a fan of “Bridgerton”, a recent NetFlix period drama, then you are going to really enjoy this book.

My huge thanks to Harper Fiction for my e-copy that I requested to read and review via NetGalley.

The season is about to begin—and there’s not a minute to lose.

Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. This is 1818 after all, and only men have the privilege of seeking their own riches.

With only twelve weeks until the bailiffs call, launching herself into London society is the only avenue open to her, and Kitty must use every ounce of cunning and ingenuity she possesses to climb the ranks.

The only one to see through her plans is the worldly Lord Radcliffe and he is determined to thwart her at any cost, especially when it comes to his own brother falling for her charms.

Can Kitty secure a fortune and save her sisters from poverty? There is not a day to lose and no one—not even a lord—will stand in her way…

MY REVIEW

Set in 1818 England, Kitty Talbot has one thing on her mind. THat is snagging herself a rich husband. Now, before you think she is a money-grabbing wench, she is doing this out of duty and for the benefit of her sisters. However, can she fit into the Ton and society without looking out of place?

This is a book that I really enjoyed, it has all the glamour and societal expectations but it is one full of learning curves for Kitty. Coming to London she is well out of her league, she knows what she wants but she doesn’t revolve around the high society echelons. You cannot just walk up to a Countess. Lord or Lady, you have to be properly introduced. This is a problem for Kitty as she hasn’t any connections, well she does have the connections of her Aunt, but they could be, well dubious!

This is a fun read and one that I really enjoyed, there are reasons for Kitty’s actions and when she catches the eye of a certain young, some to be rich, the gentleman then she thinks all she has to do is convince him and his family of her respectability. One problem, he has an older brother!

I did like Kitty, she is a feisty young woman who is determined, to say the least. The downside to her is that she doesn’t have the ‘breeding’ for what she is to embark on. But, to be fair she learns to hold her own. there are some wonderful battles she has to deal with and her ‘breeding’ does stand her in good stead for the most part.

The storyline at times reminded me a little of Pride and Prejudice as well as the TV series Bridgerton ( I have only watched the 1st one!). It felt like a mix of history with the excitement of a modern story but in costume. This is a fun read, but it also does highlight society of the time. It does have the feel of a Young Adult story at times.

Enjoyable, fun, and fast-paced story that I really enjoyed and I would happily recommend.


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The Game by Scott Kershaw @HQstories #NetGalley #mystery #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for The Game by Scott Kershaw. The cover and the snappy synopsis definitely caught my eye when I requested it.

My huge thanks to HQ for granting my request to review this book via NetGalley.

The rules are simple. To save their life, you have to play.

[text message]

DEAR PLAYER,

THE PERSON YOU LOVE MOST IS IN DANGER.

TO SAVE THEM, YOU MUST PLAY THE GAME.

THE RULES ARE: THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE WINNER.

IF YOU LOSE, YOUR LOVED ONE WILL DIE.

ALL PLAYERS ENTER ALONE.

DO NOT SHARE THIS MESSAGE. DO NOT SEEK HELP.

WELCOME TO THE GAME.

YOU’VE JUST STARTED PLAYING.

[end of message]

MY REVIEW

I have to admit it was the cover that first caught my eye with this book. Snappy title, simple graphic and the line – The rules are simple. To save their life, you have to play.

This is a mystery thriller, that does have a crime element to it, but it is more about the mystery of The Game. What is The Game, who runs it, why is this being done and what would you do to keep those you love safe and alive!

There are 5 players in this game, they are unconnected, they are oblivious to each other and they have travelled from the US, France and Uk to meet up so they can learn more about The Game. The consequences are not as clear cut as I originally thought they might be. There was a curiosity to both stories but I was never fully aware of what was occurring until further into the story. The author does pace this story so well, it is one where some players are on a time limit, and this increases the tension of the story.

There is a lot more to this story than the synopsis gives away. The suspense of wondering if any of the players will do something stupid or brave is an ever[present one.

The players are normal people, with normal lives. Because they have been drawn from different countries it makes any connection unlikely. I liked how the author introduced each player and then kept referring back to things in the past. I soon found that I got to know who was who especially when they do meet up to actually continue The Game.

This is intriguing, I liked the time element and the mystery that was underlying all the way through. It is a thriller and I really enjoyed the story. The characters are not all likeable, but this is down to how the author portrays them. I look forward to reading more by this author and I would happily recommend this book.

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The Island by Adrian McKinty #NetGalley #PublicationDay #thriller #action @orionbooks #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for The Island by Adrian McKinty. This is one of those books that crosses many genres so I do think it will appeal to a great many readers.

My huge thanks to Orion Books who accepted my request to read and review this book via NetGalley.

IT WAS JUST SUPPOSED TO BE A FAMILY VACATION.

A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT CHANGED EVERYTHING.

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE CAPABLE OF UNTIL THEY COME FOR YOUR FAMILY.

After moving from a small country town to Seattle, Heather Baxter marries Tom, a widowed doctor with a young son and teenage daughter. A working vacation overseas seems like the perfect way to bring the new family together, but once they’re deep in the Australian outback, the jet-lagged and exhausted kids are so over their new mom.

When they discover remote Dutch Island, off-limits to outside visitors, the family talks their way onto the ferry, taking a chance on an adventure far from the reach of iPhones and Instagram.

But as soon as they set foot on the island, which is run by a tightly knit clan of locals, everything feels wrong. Then a shocking accident propels the Baxters from an unsettling situation into an absolute nightmare.

When Heather and the kids are separated from Tom, they are forced to escape alone, seconds ahead of their pursuers.

Now it’s up to Heather to save herself and the kids, even though they don’t trust her, the harsh bushland is filled with danger, and the locals want her dead.

Heather has been underestimated her entire life, but she knows that only she can bring her family home again and become the mother the children desperately need, even if it means doing the unthinkable to keep them all alive.

SOON TO BE A HULU ORIGINAL SERIES 

MY REVIEW

It was the cover of this book that caught my eye, I am not going to point out exactly what it was. This is one for those of you who like an intense thriller story and it is one I really enjoyed.

Tom Baxter, his wife Heather and his two children from a previous marriage are hoping to spend some time together. Tom is a Doctor and is in Australia as a keynote speaker. Having the rest of the family join him means they can get some time together as a family.

This family is disjointed, Tom is a busy man and while he does spend time with his children it isn’t enough. Heather isn’t really accepted by the children and there are reasons for that. The children are not a barrel of laughs either, but again there are reasons.

To stop any squabbling Tom and Heather take the children out for a drive in the hope that they will see some of the country’s animals. Taking a trip to an island should be a chance for the children to get photos and also get some good tales, a chance for some family bonding maybe! They didn’t bargain for what they encountered on the island though.

This is a fabulous read and one that I really found myself drawn into. The setting of the Australian Outback is brilliant and having an island makes this an even better scene.

The characters are a mixed bag, they whine, they argue, they try their best and then they have their world turned upside down, and for some of them, this isn’t the first time that they will have to deal with some tough stuff.

I really like the way the author has used the character’s personalities, traits and nuances. This is a great way of keeping the reader on the hoof and I was never quite sure who was really what they appeared. They all have something to hide and some do it better than others, but eventually, things do become clear.

The story is one that I enjoyed, the basic bones of it are about a family that is getting through life but not really doing together. It is a snapshot of an American family that has found themselves in a situation that they never would have imagined themselves in. This is one of those stories that you can imagine a film being made of, and I am not sure that I would actually want to watch it (I don’t do creepy, horror style movies) but I have to say the book was brilliantly done.

From a slower start and getting to know the characters this book gradually built up the pace, it became more intense and it was one of those that had me frantically flipping pages. I thought this was brilliant and it is one I would definitely recommend. 

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Codename Edelweiss by Justin Kerr-Smiley #JustinKerrSmiley @RandomTTours @UnicornPubGroup #action #histfic #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to share my review today for Codename Edelweiss by Justin Kerr-Smiley. This is a brilliant book and is one for those who like a cracking action, adventure and mystery thriller story.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my PB copy of the book via the Publisher – Unicorn Publishing Group

In 1976, Argentina is governed by a military junta bankrolled by former Nazis. It is the anniversary of a mysterious village fire in the jungle. The lone survivor, a Guaraní boy, is now a Jesuit priest. A Jewish journalist, Ariel Guzman, interviews him at his mission. The man claims Adolf Hitler escaped from Berlin with Eva Braun and made a secret camp near the Iguaçu Falls. The Führer ordered the village’s destruction, but the priest refuses to say why. He mentions the codename Edelweiss and will only reveal the person’s identity if he dies.
Argentina’s most powerful man is billionaire and Waffen-SS veteran Tiago Hecht. He is searching for Edelweiss so that he can establish a Fourth Reich. Hecht now has confirmation Hitler’s son is alive. But so does the Mossad and they have sent an agent to eliminate him. The only sanctuary for ‘Edelweiss’ is at the Vatican, but time is running out.
The hunt is on… 

MY REVIEW

When I first saw this book I knew it was one I wanted to read, there have been many conspiracies and theories following the death of Hitler. Did he really die? Did he get out of Germany? I do love a good conspiracy book and this one sounded right up my street.

The author has taken the concept that Hitler and Eva Braun did indeed survive and made a voyage to start a new life in South America. Many made this journey some for survival and some to escape any repercussions. Many stories have circulated over the years and there is something about a conspiracy that intrigues me.

The story is one that sounds plausible and one that I found extremely addictive. From a journalist taking a statement from a priest to discovering the whereabouts of a secret camp, the political, religious and moral aspects are covered. Set over several years from WWII to the 1970s the story fills in an action-packed adventure style read.

As the synopsis suggests. this book takes in various organisations, including Mossad, the Vatican and a newspaper. Politics are also woven into this as you would expect as well. The author has created a story that flows so well between the many characters and locations. It is one that is taken through scenarios that have implications for the world and for those immediately involved. While the story is about the search for Hitler’s son, the author also includes life in Argentina in the 70s, the political stage.

I found this book to be very well-paced and the tension was amazing not everything turned out as I thought it might. I did like the way the author finished this story, it answered questions raised and felt right in some ways.

This is one for those who enjoy a proper action and adventure style read with conspiracies, secrets, and mysteries that need to be revealed. A fabulous book to read and one that I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Justin Kerr-Smiley was born in 1965 and educated at Newcastle University.
As a journalist, he has reported from the Balkans, Northern Ireland, the West
Bank and South America. He has also written for the Guardian, The Times
and The Spectator. He is the author of two previous novels, including Under
The Sun. He lives in London

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