Month March 2024

Westport by James Comey @HoZ_Books #netgalley #crime #mystery #murder #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of Westport by James Comey. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it was one I enjoyed. I will be looking out for more.

My thanks to Head of Zeus for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

She’s the lawyer. But now she’s the one on trial.

A red canoe sits abandoned on Seymour Rock, right where the Saugatuck River meets Long Island Sound. The elegantly dressed corpse of a woman lies inside…

Nora Carleton left New York to become lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, where her life has become slower, more predictable. That is until her colleague and friend, Helen, is brutally murdered – and she becomes the prime suspect.

In the months leading up to Helen’s death, she and Nora were investigating someone within the company who was using insider information to undercut Saugatuck’s investments. Nora knows this is somehow linked to Helen’s murder – if only she can see how.

Calling in old colleagues from the US Attorney’s office, Mafia investigator Benny Dugan and attorney Carmen Garcia, Nora must find evidence to prove her innocence – or risk being put behind bars herself…

MY REVIEW

This book took me a few chapters to get into, but once in I was addicted. the body of a woman found in a canoe and all the evidence points to the perpetrator as being Nora Carleton. She didn’t do it, others around her don’t think she did but the police are looking at her as being the number one suspect.

Nora lives with her daughter and mother, she has joined a hedge fund company called Saugatuck Associates. She was friends with the victim, Helen, and Nora was aware that there was an investigation being run by Helen. Nora found Helen a nice woman, got on well and were friends.

Nora has friends in the best places, and she calls on them to help her. Benny works for the US attorney’s office and Carmen is an attorney. The three of them start to dig and delve into Saugatuck and the hierarchy that runs the show.

Saugatuck is an interesting company that the author has created and it adds an interesting twist. Truth and transparency are something the company preaches and expects its employees to do the same. Some do, some think they do and some don’t. Working out which falls into which category makes for some interesting reading. As they look into Helen they discover she was running a personal investigation and she has discovered many secrets.

It took me a while to get to grips initially, I think that was because I wasn’t sure where the story was going, to be honest though, if I had read the synopsis it would have helped! Also, I couldn’t quite get a feel for the story or the characters, however, after a few chapters things started to happen and my interest was definitely piqued. I should also mention this is a follow-on from a previous book!

This is a murder mystery and one the author has added twists and red herrings to many times. It keeps you on your toes. There are also some light-hearted moments and this helps to alleviate some of the tension for Nora. There are several characters for the author and reader to deal with, but actually, these are used really well. Brought up when needed for questioning or being referred to, this means these additional characters are always in context rather than popping up randomly.

The main characters are memorable and some have some unique traits, these worked well in the storyline and also gave some of that light-heartedness I mentioned.

This is a complex book as I sit now and write my review, but at the time it had a wonderful flow and I didn’t feel out of my depth. One for those who like crime, murder and mystery stories and one I would happily recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Mrs Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford @MichaelJBooks #NetGalley #contemporaryfiction #romance #food #baking #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review of Mrs Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford. This is a charming story that encompasses Mrs Quinn’s love of baking and a chance for her to do something exciting.

My huge thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for accepting my request to read this copy via NetGalley.

A huge-hearted, redemptive coming-of-old-age tale, a love story, and an ode to good food

Nothing could be more out of character, but after fifty-nine years of marriage, as her husband Bernard’s health declines, and her friends’ lives become focused on their grandchildren—which Jenny never had—Jenny decides she wants a little something for herself. So she secretly applies to be a contestant on the prime-time TV show Britain Bakes.

Whisked into an unfamiliar world of cameras and timed challenges, Jenny delights in a new-found independence. But that independence, and the stress of the competition, starts to unearth memories buried decades ago. Chocolate teacakes remind her of a furtive errand involving a wedding ring; sugared doughnuts call up a stranger’s kind act; a simple cottage loaf brings back the moment her life changed forever.

With her baking star rising, Jenny struggles to keep a lid on that first secret—a long-concealed deceit that threatens to shatter the very foundations of her marriage. It’s the only time in six decades that she’s kept something from Bernard. By putting herself in the limelight, has Jenny created a recipe for disaster?

MY REVIEW

This thoroughly enjoyable story gets your tastebuds tingling as you read it. Jenny Quin is 77 and decides that she wants to enter a TV baking show, she has watched it and finally wants to enter. She does this unbeknownst to her husband Bernard. so begins a secret that reveals more about her than she would have believed possible.

Jenny has always baked and the recipes she uses have been handed down over the generations, from an uncle’s favourite bake to an aunt’s or granny’s favourite pudding. They are all there in Jeeny’s book and each one comes with a memory.

As Jenny bakes the stories from her past are gradually revealed. While Jenny thinks of herself as just being Jenny, her family considers her a fabulous baker. Jenny’s decision to sign up for the show is so that she can say she has done something significant.

The story is a nice comfortable one with mentions of cakes, bakes, puds and tarts. Each one brings a memory and this is how you gradually get to know Jenny and her life before meeting Bernard. When she joins the show she meets other bakers and friendships are made. Gradually she comes out of her shell and it is lovely to read.

The story ambles away at a nice pace and there are some wonderful moments in it. There is a secret that comes out that does get resolved, for me that finished a little too quickly and I would have liked to have had a little more information and more story about this.

This is a charming story and one of family, friendship, memories and secrets. A good one for those who like a story with a heart and about a woman having the courage to do something that is unlike her. I liked this one a lot and I would happily recommend it.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

A Short History of Flowers by Advolly Richmond #horticulture #gardens #flowers #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of A Short History of FLowers by Advolly Richmond. This is a stunning book and a proper little treasure trove of interesting stories.

I received a copy of this via the Amazon Vine program and my review is my own.

Garden and social historian Advolly Richmond (of  Gardener’s World ) unravels the surprising histories of 60 flowers that shape our gardens.

Have you ever wondered where your favourite garden flowers came from? Where their names derived? Or why some cultivars go in and out of favor? Every flower in your herbaceous border has a story, and in this book Advolly Richmond takes you on a tour of the most intriguing, surprising and enriching ones.

Tales of exploration, everlasting love and bravery bring these beautiful flowers to life. Advolly has dug down to uncover the royalty, scholars, pioneers and a smuggler or two that have all played a part in discovering and cultivating some of our favourite species. From the lavish and exotic bougainvillea, found by an 18th century female botanist in disguise to the humble but majestic snowdrop casting a spell and causing a frenzy. These plants have played pivotal roles in our societies, from boom to bust economies, promises of riches, and making fashion statements. These unassuming blooms hold treasure troves of stories.  

With specially commissioned artworks from award-winning botanical illustrator Sarah Jane Humphrey, which sumptuously bring each flower to life – this is a beautiful compendium for every garden lover.

MY REVIEW

This is an absolutely gorgeous book about flowers, their origins and how some of them became a staple plant in our gardens. I love my garden and there are some plants I remember from my childhood that my Mum would grow and others that would only be seen in specialist gardens. Now, plants are more accessible and there is even more choice and variety with hybrids and new designs.

The author is a well-known face on the TV show Gardeners World and she has chosen some of the ones that have a story behind them, it could be a love story or a lonely expedition, but it is a story of how they became a favourite in our gardens.

This is a gorgeous book and one that has stunning illustrations of the flowers, the illustrations are the sort you would find in older horticultural books rather than the showy photographs that we now have. There are also black line illustrations scattered throughout that correspond to a story or tell about a naturalist.

I adore this book and it is one you can sit and read cover to cover, or just flick through. It is a treasure trove of facts, stories and trivia and is one for fans of horticulture, gardening and flowers. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen @TransworldBooks #science #apocalypse #nonfiction #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen. This is a fascinating and very accessible non-fiction book that I adored.

My huge thanks to Transworld Publishers for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

There is only one scenario other than an asteroid strike that could end the world as we know it in a matter of hours: nuclear war. And it could start in as little as 26 minutes and 40 seconds from now…

The first rule of nuclear war is that there are no rules.

Until now, no one outside official circles has known exactly what would happen if a rogue state launched a nuclear missile at the Pentagon. Second by second and minute by minute, these are the real-life protocols that choreograph the end of civilization as we know it.

If a single nuclear missile is launched, it could provoke dozens in return. Frantic calls over secure lines work to confirm the worst as armoured helicopters are scrambled outside. Decisions that affect hundreds of millions of lives need to be made within six minutes, based on partial information, in the knowledge that once launched, nothing is capable of halting the destruction.

Because the plans for General Nuclear War are among the most classified secrets held by the United States government, this book takes the reader up to the razor’s edge of what can legally be known. Based on dozens of new interviews with military and civilian experts who have built the weapons, been privy to the response plans, and taken responsibility for crucial decisions, this is the only account of what a nuclear exchange would look like.

Nuclear War is at once a compulsive non-fiction thriller and a powerful argument that we must rid ourselves of these world-ending weapons for ever.

MY REVIEW

This is a book that I wish I could say was a science fiction or a fantasy, dystopian genre, but it isn’t it is a nonfiction and it is brilliant if terrifying reading.

The author uses her knowledge and experience from her previous books to bring a scenario we all hope will never happen. What if a nuclear weapon was launched and what would happen? Because she uses an almost fictional approach it is so easy to follow and this is something that makes this factual book so readable to the point that it felt as if I was reading a fictional thriller.

The book gives various points of information about the basics of a nuclear weapon, the tests that have been done, and the various types of weapons that various other countries have got. There is a piece toward the end of the book that suggests that some countries have almost copied in a “follow the leader” way and that if a third world war was a nuclear one, then the fourth one would be fought with sticks and stones, this is a quote from Einstein.

The author takes the reader through the various stages of an attack, how long a missile would take, what defences could be used, what the US responses would be and how the various protocols that are in place would potentially work… or not!

The main part of this book goes through a minute-by-minute account of what would happen, from the US and other countries. Another scary point that is made is that the US President would have to make decisions within 6 minutes. It would take just under half an hour from launch to destruction. What can you do in less than half an hour?

Obviously, once a nuclear attack has happened it is not just strategic sites that are affected, it is the billions of people around the world that are caught amid this end-of-world scenario. Many will not be aware as they will be instantly incinerated, but others will have the terrible lingering aftermath of illness, disease and survival.

While this is in some ways quite a horrific book to read, it is, nevertheless so addictive and mindblowing. It is such an easy non-fiction book to read and understand, there is some science stuff as you would expect but the majority is manageable for a non-science-headed person like me!
It is a fabulous book and one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e 24th March 2024) #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 2 Comments

Hello and welcome to my weekly update of books I have read.

I did have a wander around the garden to see what’s growing. Quite a few bits are opening and I love the colours that are starting to emerge.

Here are the books I read…

Crow Moon by Suzy Aspley – this is a brilliantly eerie modern gothic thriller that I adored. I got this as a pre-order months ago and am so glad I got it and read it straight away. A full review to follow soon.

Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan – this is the 2nd book in this series and it is as good as the 1st book, In the Blink of an Eye. The unlikely team of Kat & Lock are investigating an active case and have different approaches as you will know if you read the previous book. It makes for interesting and addictive reading. Full review as part of the Blog Tour.

Mrs Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford – this is a charming and mouthwatering story of Mrs Quinn, aged 77 who decides to enter a TV cookery show. A mix of warmth, love, romance and secrets as the recipes and memories are explored. Full review soon.

There we have it, another week done and this time next week we will be in another month!

Have a great week and a Happy Easter

Love Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Kellerby Code by Jonny Sweet @FaberBooks #fiction #mystery #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of The Kellerby Code by Jonny Sweet. This is a book that took me a while to get into, but there was something about it that kept me reading. I am glad it did!

My huge thanks to Fabre Books for my e-copy via NetGalley.

Edward is living in a world he can’t afford and to which he doesn’t belong. To camouflage himself, he has catered to his friends’ needs: fetching dry cleaning, sorting flowers for premieres. It’s a noble effort, really – anything to keep his best pals Robert and Stanza happy. In return, his proximity to them might sponge the shame of his birth and violent past cleanly away.

But the chink in his armour is his painfully unrequited love for Stanza. When he realises Stanza and Robert are an item, Edward is pushed too far. His little acts of kindness take a sinister turn, giving way to the unspeakable brutality Edward fears is at his core.

Are there limits to what he will do for his friends? Are there limits to what he will do to them?

MY REVIEW

This is a book that took me quite a while to get into. I didn’t seem to be able to get my head around it and did re-read the synopsis a couple of times. I almost did think about giving up on it, but something told me to hang on and try for a bit longer. I am glad I did. It took me a couple of days to read around 30%, but then one day to read the rest!!!

The story is that of Edward, as the synopsis suggests he is living in a world he cannot afford. If you think of The Talented Mr. Ripley or Saltburn, then you will be on the right track. Edward is a tutor and has very rich friends, one is Stanza who he is a little bit fixated with. The other friend is Robert, Stanza’s boyfriend, this didn’t sit well with Edward, but things are what they are.

Edward is one of those guys who will do anything for his friends, to the point where they actually use him like a doormat. But, while he comes across as being affable not everyone likes him that much. Some are wary that others find him annoying and others creepy. Each to their own I suppose.

The beginning of the story is a slower plod along in the life of Edward, what he does, his conversations, what he thinks, who he sees and the like. But it is a way of getting to know him and the circle he mixes with.

As the story then deepens it becomes a bit more shady, well not dodgy shady but more, nervy I suppose. The sense of things going dark and not being completely above board starts to emerge, little whisps at the beginning, of things being not said but not unsaid. Sorry, it seems I am getting very random and abstract here! But this is how I feel about the story as I write this review and don’t want to give things away.

My the end of the story, (yeah I am jumping forward) I found myself wondering how on earth Edward ended up as he did. Talk about shocking! The transformation from the Edward of before to the one at the end was gradual and it was also quite cleverly done. It gave it a psychological edge as things seem to ravel and unravel and circumstances change. This is a book that I think will be a hit with some but not all, a Marmite book if you like.

I liked this one, if I could have speeded the first 30% up it would have been good, but then would I have understood Ed2ward as well? Probably not.

A mix of genres for this one, some mystery and psychological aspects especially manipulation, a contemporary fiction that is character-led and one that I would happily recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Drawn to the Garden by Caroline Quentin #nature #garden #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Drawn to the Garden by Caroline Quentin. This is a fabulous book that the author has illustrated and shared her love of the garden.

I received this book for review from Amazon Vine.

Find solace in your outdoor space in this delightful horticultural journey with actress Caroline Quentin , as she draws on her life-long passion for gardening.

Through the pages of this gift book, Caroline shows how much joy she gets from spending time in her garden, whether it be grappling with the best way to grow plants and vegetables, or raising seeds in her potting shed. Though she now has a large following on her Instagram account, @CQGardens , her attitude to gardening is the same as it has always been – expertise helps but is not essential. Gardening should be fun and enjoyable , filled with the simple pleasures of planning, planting, harvesting and cooking . It is also a meditative and restorative pastime , and a great way to lift your spirits .

Written in a  warm and engaging way that reflects her personality , Caroline tells stories of growing chillies from seed in her greenhouse, berating the thieving blackbirds in her fruit cage, and swimming in her pond singing to dragon flies and flag irises. Over the years, she has come to realise that gardening, just like life, is a series of happy accidents, unplanned successes, and baffling and frustrating failures.

Illustrated by Caroline herself, this gorgeous book mixes personal stories of her life and experiences in the garden, with practical tips, recipes for food and drink, and even the occasional favourite poem. As she likes to misquote Dorothy ‘ Take to horticulture, it’s cheaper than a shrink ’.

192 pages, Hardcover

MY REVIEW

This is a fabulous book full of all things nature and being in the garden, growing things, recipes and also illustrated by the author.

This is a book that you can pick up and flick through or read from cover to cover. I did initially flick through but soon found myself stopping and reading through. The author brings her love of the garden through the pages with anecdotes, little tales and a lot of humour as she tries to win a losing battle with bugs, birds and other critters that like to throw a spanner in the works.

Being a gardener myself who grows fruit, veg and flowers there is also something new to learn or discover different ways of doing things. This book does not tell you how you should garden but it is one that just tells how one person does it and she tells of wins and failures.

Being in the garden is great, it feels very accomplishing when things grow and you can harvest things and eat them straight away. Taking time to stop and smell the roses, and other flowers is always relaxing. Sitting with this book has made me realize how much I have missed being out in the garden over the wet winter months and I am looking forward to getting back out there again.

This book is something that would make a wonderful gift or keeping for yourself. I adored this and it will be read outside in the sunshine with a mug of coffee and the birds singing in the background. I would recommend it for those who love being outside, have an interest in growing things or want an insight into the life and thoughts of the author.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home by Sarah Hope #NetGalley @boldwoodbooks #romance #romcom #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of A Fresh Start at Waggin Tails Dogs’ Home by Sarah Hope. This is a wonderful story and the 3rd in the series but it reads well as a stand-alone.

My huge thanks to Boldwood Books for accepting my request to review this title via NetGalley.

There’s no place like home… Although dog trainer Sally is relatively new to Wagging Tails, the team she works with have quickly become her family and the dogs her friends.

But when Andy, the one that got away, turns up for a brief respite from the city, she is at a crossroads. As tempting as a life with him is, she loves her home of West Par, and anyway, she has responsibilities here.

Number one on that list is ensuring the dogs’ home stays in business. A developer has been sniffing around wanting to buy the land, and the team is worried.

Sally will do anything to save her home and her friends’ livelihoods but the lure of reuniting with her lost love is strong. Is there a way for her to have both?

MY REVIEW

This is the 3rd book in the series and, as is often the case, the first one I have read. This is one of those books that has a wonderful feel and I have read other series that give that same sense of community.

The story is set around Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home, a rescue centre for pouches who are lost, found or needing some care. I will say the author obviously loves her doggy cast and she has definitely done her research into how this type of establishment is run. As a dog owner and dog lover this is impressive and also adds to the overall importance of the message behind the story.

The fields alongside the Dogs’ Home have been bought and Flora, the owner of the Dogs’ Home, is being pressured into selling up. Flora has run this home for many years and remembers all the dogs that have passed through her gates and gone on to be re-homed. Selling up is not an option for her.

Sally is one of those who work with Flora and she left her very different career to do what she loves and works with the dogs to train them and their owners. Let’s be honest here, it is often the owners that need training, our dog Billy has spent years training us so that we know when he is asking for a treat, to be let out or wants you to chase him around the garden because he has just pinched a sock! But on a serious note, the author does have some points to make about training.

Sally, sorry I got a little sidetracked… she has been working at the home and loves her life. A blast from her past suddenly comes back into the picture and she is in turmoil about it. She also has some news from home that rocks her.

The story ambles along at a wonderful pace, bringing in characters and other threads. All the time the author shows a sense of family and friendship. It is a story and a series that many fans of romance, rom-com and contemporary fiction will enjoy. It is light-hearted but with some serious things as well. Gorgeous story and one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e 17th March 2024) #booklove #booknews #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Hello and welcome to my weekly round-up of books I have read. It has been a slower week as far as the reading goes, with only two books but they were both very, very good ones.

I have ventured down the garden, only to see what’s what as it’s still too wet to do anything much. I did find that my Magnolia Stellata has flowered. I bought this one last year to replace the one that a certain someone accidentally hit with the trimmer! He shall remain nameless!!! I have to say it is looking gorgeous, so he who shall remain nameless is only slightly forgiven 🙂 Anf there are loads more buds to open as well.

The books I read were both non-fiction and very, very different.

Nuclear War A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen – I got this one from NetGalley and it intrigued me. It is a non-fiction book that almost reads like a fictional thriller as the author gives a minute-by-minute account of what would happen if a rogue nation were to launch a nuclear missile. It is riveting and also quite scary. Full review to follow.

A Short Story of Flowers by Advolly Richmond – this is a stunning hardback book I got from Amazon Vine, the author looks at the origins of some of our staple English garden plants, their history, anecdotes and stories about them. Gorgeously illustrated and fascinating reading. Full review to follow.

I did say they were very different, one about death and one about life!

All the very best for the week ahead,

Take Care

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Prima Facie by Suzie Miller @penguinrandom #NetGalley #play #contemporaryfiction #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Prima Facie by Suzie Miller. This is a brilliant book based on a play by Jodie Comer and is set in the law courts. It is a story that has a very important message to impart.

Prima Facie – based on the first impression; accepted as correct until proven otherwise.

My huge thanks to Random House UK for accepting my request to read this via NetGalley.

Based on the award-winning play starring Jodie Comer

‘This is not life. This is law.’

Tessa Ensler is a brilliant barrister who’s forged her career in criminal defence through sheer determination. Since her days at Cambridge, she’s carefully disguised her working class roots in a male-dominated world where who you know is just as important as what you know. Driven by her belief in the right to a fair trial and a taste for victory, there’s nothing Tessa loves more than the thrill of getting her clients acquitted. It seems like Tessa has it made when she is approached for a new job and nominated for the most prestigious award in her field. But when a date with a charismatic colleague goes horribly wrong, Tessa finds that the rules she’s always played by might not protect her, forcing her to question everything she’s ever believed in . . .

MY REVIEW

This story has been based on a play by Jodie Comer and is a brilliantly addictive thriller. Tessa has worked hard to get to where she is in criminal defence. She is not a public school graduate, or following in her family’s footsteps like some of her colleagues have.

She is invested in the truth of the law, which she believes in wholeheartedly. She does come across as very uncompromising in this as she sifts through all the evidence to discover any chink in the opposition’s cases. She is good and she has a point to prove, that she is as good as the rest of them and she can walk in the male-dominated halls of power.

The story is told from Tessa’s point of view and this means it gives an additional insight into how she works how she plans her questions and what she looks for when cross-examining. I found this interesting and it gave a brilliant insight into how the law system works.

It is when Tessa needs to rely on the system she believes in, she discovers what it is like to be sat on the opposite side. The story is told in a now-and-then format, it gives a brief history of Tessa’s home life and also her journey through law school and also when she gains her position in the chamber.

This is a well-paced story and while the first half of the book is getting to know Tessa, her family and friends, the second half becomes more of a thriller. It does have a psychological feel to it, I think this is due to the tactics that are used in the courts and how things turn when it is Tessa in the dock.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and I will say there are some triggers but these are done within the context of the story. This is one for those who like a thriller and fictional stories of life in London within the judicial system. It was a book that started well and then just kept me hooked right through to the end. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx