My Review (5 stars out of 5) Detective Inspector Walter Watts tries not to let emotions get in the way of his job, but the murder of a young girl lands him with some difficult decisions. Moved to a temporary post with the Porthaven Council, Watts finds himself facing off against some obstinate characters, including…
The Upstanding Writer
I’ve written elsewhere about my habit of standing up to write, but it’s always useful to reconsider ways of working to see if they’re still effective. For the last ten years my day job has been in occupational therapy, a role which involves a bit of driving and a bit of desk work. Long-standing back…
‘Thames Valley Tales’ by Tim Walker
My Review (4 stars out of 5) (Audiobook) This collection of nine short stories is inspired by the author’s experience of living in Thames Valley towns, mixing modern-day themes with tales and legends from the area between London and the heart of rural England. As with all short story collections, there are those which stand…
‘Not Dead Yet’ by Peter James
My Review (5 stars out of 5) When American pop icon Gaia Lafayette is set to star in a movie to be shot in her hometown of Brighton, Roy Grace is put in charge of her security. Meanwhile, a vicious gangster is released from prison and a headless torso is found on a chicken farm.…
‘Forever Young’ by Hayley Mills
My Review (4 stars out of 5) (Audiobook) Actress Hayley Mills recounts her journey from an untroubled childhood in post-war Britain, to worldwide fame as a child actor. Coming from a well-known theatrical family (John Mills, Juliette Mills etc), she got to know a host of famous actors, writers and directors, including Walt Disney, Bryan…
‘Go Not Gently’ by Cath Staincliffe
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Private investigator Sal Kilkenny must manage childcare and domestic chores while checking up on an errant wife and snooping around a nursing home. When a man suspects his wife of playing away, he asks Sal to find out where she goes. Meanwhile, an elderly woman worried about her…
‘The Way of All Flesh’ by Ambrose Parry
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Edinburgh, 1847. Medical student Will Raven begins an apprenticeship to the renowned Dr Simpson where he meets housemaid Sarah Fisher – who also has an interest in medicine. Though the two initially don’t hit it off, they share a concern about a series of gruesome deaths in the…
‘Divided Empire’ by Brian Kitchen
My Review (4 stars out of 5) Britain, 391 AD. While the powers-that-be in Rome vie for control of the empire, Flavius Vitulasius and his pal, Siward, are engaged on a confidential mission – an important document, the ‘Pagan Concord’, could rip Britain apart leading to civil war between the Christians and Pagans. Teaming up…
‘The Summer House’ by Keri Beevis
My Review (3 stars out of 5) Following their grandmother’s sudden death, twins Lana and Ollie are back at the old woman’s house. But the place brings back bad memories. The murder of the siblings’ older sister Camille occurred in the summer house. While Lana identified the killer, it was her brother who discovered the…
‘Dead Man’s Grip’ by Peter James
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Detective Superintendent Roy Grace takes on a seemingly straightforward case following a road traffic incident involving three vehicles and a bicycle. But the dead person – the cyclist – turns out to be the offspring of a notorious Mafia family, and they want vengeance. When the driver of…
Colin Garrow 