The Pantomime Murders (Miss Clara Vale Mysteries #2) by Fiona Veitch Smith

 

💥💥 Due to be published 28-Nov-2023 💥💥

Description from Goodreads:

"Someone is killing fairy godmothers in Cinderella... Can Miss Clara Vale crack the case before the clock strikes twelve?

1929, December: Snow is falling, and Miss Clara Vale is wrapped up against the cold as she braves the icy streets of Newcastle in her latest investigation.

When a young actress from the touring pantomime of Cinderella arrives at her door, Clara isn't sure what to make of her request. Sybil Langford, the legendary fairy godmother in their production, has mysteriously vanished. Could Clara help track her down?

But a few days into Clara's search, Sybil's body is pulled from an icy river, and Clara finds herself in the middle of yet another murder mystery.

With scheming stepsisters waiting in the wings, handsome princes who aren't all they seem, and clues as elusive as glass slippers, Clara will need every one of her scientific skills to catch the killer...

And when Sybil's replacement meets her own tragic end, Clara is in a race against time before the murderer sends a third cast member to their unhappily ever after..."

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After having listened to the audiobook of the first in this series and absolutely loving it, I just had to get my grubby little mitts on the second one and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest.  If you haven't read or listened to the first one, don't worry, this can easily be read as a standalone but I would recommend it.

Set in December 1929, the story follows Clara as she continues to get used to major changes in her life having inherited a detective agency from her late uncle.  Having already become embroiled and helped to solve a couple of murders, she now finds herself with two more cases to solve; a spate of thefts occurring at a department store and the disappearance of the fairy godmother from the Cinderella pantomime cast.

Both cases provide a host of characters from all different walks of life and bring with them a snapshot into the social norms and conditions of the time which is enlightening.  Clara is a strong and independent woman which is a challenge in 1920's Britain where women are mostly seen as feckless and only good for marriage and having children - Clara is most definitely not in that group and she is not afraid to challenge this perception sometimes to her peril.

With a great plot and sub plot, written at a good pace and with excellent characters - I can't wait to see how Clara and her new assistant Bella, work together on future cases.  This is a really good cozy murder mystery which is perfect for people who prefer a more genteel read rather than the in-your-face all violence and action of other murder mystery books.

Thank you to the author, Embla Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this latest outing from Miss Clara Vale.

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Read my review of the audiobook of Clara Vale's first outing:

The Party Season by SJI Holliday [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Imogen Church and Simon Mattacks🎙🎙🎙

 Description from Goodreads:

"It's the most deadly time of the year...

 

The festive season is in full swing - parties, mistletoe and Christmas crackers abound.

 

In a hotel bar, a woman approaches you. Her party dress glitters with sequins.  

 

What you don't know is that your life is now in her hands - and now that you've met, there's only one thing that will determine whether you live or die.

 

Are you a good person? Are you really? . . ."

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This is a book that is easy to listen to but I admit I found some of the narration of Imogen Church as the party girl grated with me somewhat ... it was just a little OTT and annoyed me somewhat however, the story and plot was intriguing enough for me to continue listening and I'm pleased I did as the ending was great.

Rather than being an all-out thriller, I found this more a character-driven story that was a little slow at times.  We find out pretty early on who the killer is so this removes some of the suspense with most of the intrigue being why she was doing what she was doing.

Overall, this is an ok story but not the thriller with twists and turns I was expecting but thank you to the author, Hodder & Stoughton Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of The Party Season.

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The First 48 Hours by Simon Kernick

Synopsis from Goodreads:

"THE FIRST 48 HOURS ARE CRITICAL ... AND THE CLOCK IS TICKING

A COP NEEDS TO CRACK A DEADLY CASE

He's a detective hunting cold-blooded killers, but does he know more than he admits?

A MOTHER HAS TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER

She's a lawyer who must defend a murderer - but how far will she go to protect her only child?

A COUPLE WILL COMMIT THE PERFECT CRIME

They have a foolproof plan but will they get away with the money...and their lives?

THREE STORIES. TWO DAYS. DOES ONE SECRET CONNECT THEM ALL?

THE FIRST 48 HOURS...MAY ALSO BE THEIR LAST."

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Simon Kernick is one of my favourite authors and I have never been disappointed with anything written by him ... would this be the first time?  Absolutely not!!!  The First 48 Hours is another tense and enthralling read that I was totally hooked by from the first page.

Once again, I was treated to an excellent, gritty and gripping plot filled with twists, turns and tension that had me reading way into the night with anticipation as to how it was all going to end.  The pacing of the story is perfect with each chapter moving the story on at speed.

As I have come to expect from Mr Kernick's work, the characters, whilst not all particularly likeable, are well developed, each with their own unique personalities and motivations which brought them to life and made it all the easier to invest in them and their fates.  

With its relentless pace, well-developed characters, and clever plot twists this is, in my opinion, a must-read for any fan of the crime thriller genre and I must give a huge thanks to the author, Headline and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The First 48 Hours.

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Other books by Simon Kernick I have read and reviewed:

Good Cop Bad Cop

Kill A Stranger

The Bone Field

The Hanged Man (The Bone Field #2)

Die Alone (The Bone Field #3)

We Can See You

Flytrap

The Debt

One By One: Before, During and After

The Final Minute

Stay Alive

 

My Daughter's Husband by Daniel Hurst [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Harrie Dobby, Adam Sims, Tamsin Kennard 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"My daughter is getting married to the man of her dreams. But will she pay for it with her life?

My beautiful daughter Ellie walks down the aisle in her full-length lace dress, beaming with happiness. As she exchanges her vows with Kyle , who looks devastatingly handsome in his smart black suit, I hope this time will be different…

As confetti settles on the shoulders of the happy couple, I reassure myself that Kyle Beaumont is a charming, successful businessman. He’s so different to her ex-boyfriend – the man who tried to hurt my Ellie.

Except, only days after the ceremony, I discover a letter that makes my heart flip when I realise what my son-in-law is hiding. Ellie’s past is about to catch up with her, and I am certain my daughter is in danger.

But I’m her mother, and I’ll stop at nothing to protect her…"

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"My Daughter's Husband" is a captivating story covering the difficult balance between trust, secrets and the hidden dangers that can disrupt seemingly idyllic lives. The story centres around newlyweds, Ellie and Kyle, whose promising future becomes shrouded in uncertainty as a dark secret threatens to dismantle the happiness they've just begun to forge.

The story kicks off with the happy occasion of Ellie and Kyle's wedding, a day filled with hope and love. Dawn is the proud mother who is eager to see her daughter embark on this new chapter in her life, however, all is not what it seems and things quickly start to unravel after Dawn makes a discovery and as she unravels the truth, it becomes a race against time to save her daughter from a looming threat.  However, unbeknownst to them, an even bigger threat from their past is just around the corner which will put both their lives in danger.

This book is full of suspense and tension with the narrators doing an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and is highly recommended to people who enjoy this genre.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of My Daughter's Husband.

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Check out my reviews of other books by Daniel Hurst:

The Holiday Home

The Couple in the Cabin

Her Husband's Mistake

 

Husband and Wife by K.L. Slater

Description from Goodreads:

"We promised to keep each other’s secrets. Until they found the body…

The Wife:

My husband and I are fighting for our lives in hospital after a terrible car accident. But despite my pain, all I can think about is what our families will find behind our front door. The scarf that has been all over the news, belonging to a dead young woman with honey-coloured hair. I have to speak to the police before my husband can…

The Husband:

I’m drifting in and out of consciousness, but when I hear my wife talking to the police, accusing me of the murder of an innocent woman, a cold fear grips me. I know I’ve got a temper. That I’ve not always been faithful. Will they think I killed her?

I think of my wife’s jealous streak, of the lies she’s told our loved ones. But if I tell the whole truth, they’ll look into her past. And that will destroy me, too…

Two people fighting for their lives. Two people with secrets to hide. Who will you believe?"

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I have read a number of K.L. Slater's previous books so couldn't wait to dive into this and I wasn't disappointed.

The story revolves around the tumultuous marriage of Parker and Luna, who seem to have it all but are hiding dark secrets. When an unexpected event shakes their lives, they find themselves trapped in a web of deception and betrayal.

It was engaging, easy to follow and compelling.  The pacing was good, the mystery was intriguing with some excellent but unexpected twists and turns and with a cast of interesting characters, not all of them being particularly likeable.

'Husband and Wife' delves into themes of trust, betrayal and the consequences of hiding the truth. It forces you to question the nature of relationships and the lengths to which people are willing to go to protect their secrets.

This is a riveting psychological thriller that doesn't disappoint and if you are a fan of this genre, I recommend giving this book a read.

Thank you to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this compelling book.

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Other books by K.L. Slater I have read and reviewed:

The Girlfriend

The Narrator

The Girls Left Behind by Emily Gunnis [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Clare Corbett 🎙🎙🎙

 Description from Goodreads:

"Dear Daisy, I miss you so much. I'm sorry I broke my promise to never be separated from you. I have never given up the search for you. Your loving sister, Holly

Superintendent Jo Hamilton remembers the night all too well. Forty years ago, when she was a young constable, she was called to a domestic disturbance. Hours later, two girls, Holly and Daisy, are left behind, the only survivors of the fire started by their dad which killed him and their mother.

Against her own instincts, Jo had to leave the girls at Morley House children's home, a Victorian building teetering on the edge of Saltdean Cliffs in Sussex. She'd tried to keep track of them but found out the sisters were separated, little Daisy adopted and Holly, the elder one, getting into trouble until one day she disappeared, never to be seen again - around the same time as another of the girls in the home fell to her death on Saltdean Cliffs, assumed a suicide. But no one ever looked too closely into the goings on at Morley.

Now, as Jo is days from retirement, the bones of a female are discovered near Saltdean. Jo must return to the past and re-open the two cases fumbled years before, little realising the investigation will lead her closer to home than she could have ever imagined..."

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I hadn't experienced Emily Gunnis' work before, but after listening to 'The Girls Left Behind,' I won't make that mistake again. This novel had me thoroughly engrossed and I became deeply invested in the lives of its characters from start to finish.

Set in Saltdean, Sussex, the story follows Superintendent Jo Hamilton, who is just days away from her retirement. When a young girl's body is discovered buried, it raises questions about a case that has haunted her for decades. Jo is a relatable character and it's impossible not to empathise with her journey through guilt and the weight of responsibility for events that transpired on a fateful night many years ago.

The narrative seamlessly switches between the past and Jo's present-day investigation. Emily Gunnis skillfully unravels both past and present mysteries, which kept me guessing about how they were interconnected until the very end. And what a conclusion it delivers!

'The Girls Left Behind' goes beyond the typical police procedural; it's a captivating mystery with a haunting and emotionally charged storyline. The narration by Clare Corbett is excellent and she truly brings the characters to life and made this a book I didn't want to stop listening to.  

Many thanks to the author, Headline and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts on this excellent book.

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