The Resistance Bakery by Siobhan Curham

 

Description from Goodreads:

"Paris, 1943. The scent of fresh baguettes hangs in the air as Coralie unbolts the door to her bakery with trembling fingers. She must get out of the city. Hiding her precious leather recipe book inside her coat, she promises never to let the secret locations of the people she worked tirelessly to save fall into German hands…

Present day. Raven is unhappy about being shipped off to the other side of the country for the summer to stay with the mysterious French grandmother she barely knows. And discovering a tattered, leather-bound book with yellowed pages full of handwritten recipes and coded numbers, she is stunned.

Her grandmother has never baked for her. And she refuses to talk about Paris, or the past. Flipping through the book, a faded photograph of a laughing couple falls out. As Raven scans the writing on the back she can scarcely believe her eyes…

What really happened in that tiny French bakery all those years ago? And could this forgotten recipe book finally bring healing to a woman still haunted by wartime secrets? Or has Raven’s discovery shattered any chance of bonding with her grandmother, before her time runs out?"

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I have read a fair few historical fiction books covering this era but, I have to say, this is one of the best so far and I have read some really good ones.

This one covers two timelines; 1940's Paris and 1980's America and far from this being confusing, it is what makes this book so very good.  Both story lines are equally as good as each other - which doesn't happen often - and both are as riveting.  The characters of Coralie and Raven are just excellent however, so are all the other characters in this book.

I won't go into the ins and outs of the plot or story but will just say that it's excellent and one I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to be engrossed and isn't afraid to lose a few hours of your day.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts on this enthralling book.

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Check out other Siobhan Curham books I have reviewed:

The Paris Network [Audiobook]

The Storyteller of Auschwitz

Little Girls by Ronald Malfi

 

Description from Goodreads:

"When Laurie was a little girl, she was forbidden to enter the room at the top of the stairs. It was one of many rules imposed by her cold, distant father. Now, in a final act of desperation, her father has exorcised his demons. But when Laurie returns to claim the estate with her husband and ten-year-old daughter, it’s as if the past refuses to die. She feels it lurking in the broken moldings, sees it staring from an empty picture frame, hears it laughing in the moldy greenhouse deep in the woods…

At first, Laurie thinks she’s imagining things. But when she meets her daughter’s new playmate, Abigail, she can’t help but notice her uncanny resemblance to another little girl who used to live next door. Who died next door. With each passing day, Laurie’s uneasiness grows stronger, her thoughts more disturbing. Like her father, is she slowly losing her mind? Or is something truly unspeakable happening to those sweet little girls?"

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This is another book I have had on my to-be-read pile for too many years but I finally got around to reading it when I found myself having some time whilst relaxing on holiday.

I was really looking forward to an intense, creepy and scary story that would make me want to sleep with the light but, alas, this didn't give it to me.  It was just full of the same with nothing new unfortunately and it was way too descriptive for me resulting in some areas being skipped past.  It did pick up towards the end but, by that time, I wasn't that bothered.

Unfortunately, not for me but I'm sure it will appeal to many especially if some other reviews are to go by so don't take my word for it, give it a go.  Thanks to the author, Kensington Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Little Girls.

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My Husband's Past by Shari J. Ryan

 Description from Goodreads:

"My best friend disappeared twenty years ago. I thought she was dead. But today I’ve received a message that makes my heart stop. It says it’s from Izzy. And she’s blaming my new husband for her disappearance…

I stare at the email in horror. I’ve only just managed to put what happened to Izzy behind me. My life is so different now. I have two perfect children, and the perfect husband at last.

“I couldn’t just say nothing. You remember I was being stalked? My stalker is your husband. You're in danger. Run. ”

My blood turns to ice as I look up at my charming, caring husband. Is this some kind of joke? Griffin is kind, he's safe.

But as he smiles at me, the doubt starts to creep in. The way he always asks me about my childhood, pressing for information about my friends. The way he always wants to know where I am…

I thought my best friend was dead. I thought her stalker killed her.

If the email isn’t really from Izzy, then who sent it—and what do they want from my family? But if it is, am I living with the man I’ve feared for twenty years? And if he can’t hurt Izzy, will he settle for me instead—or worse, my children…?"

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I have read and enjoyed a few of Shari's books and have enjoyed them all but, oh my goodness, this is one twisty thriller that I devoured in quick time.

With excellent characters, an intriguing and engrossing plot with twists and turns aplenty that had me hooked from start to finish.  It's written at a good pace (although it dips a little in the middle) and in dual timelines which worked really well for the story and really helped to keep me in the dark and in suspense but when the reveal came, I was shocked ... I love it when that happens!!  The ending wasn't quite wrapped up as I would like and was left a bit open-ended but that didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of this book.

I have no hesitation in recommending this and must thank the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this riveting read.

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Check out my other reviews of Shari's books I have read:

The Homemaker [Audiobook]

The Stolen Twins

The Glovemaker's Daughter

Second Life by S J Watson

 Description from Goodreads:

"She loves her husband. She's obsessed by a stranger.

She's a devoted mother. She's prepared to lose everything.

She knows what she's doing. She's out of control.

She's innocent. She's guilty as sin.

She's living two lives. She might lose both . . ."

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I have had this book on my to-be-read pile for years and have only just got round to reading it having some time whilst I am relaxing on holiday.  Why did I leave it so long?  I have absolutely no idea!

This is a difficult book to review and, if you look at other reviews, you will understand why ... it seems to be a love it or hate it kind of book and I'm still not sure which camp I sit in!  It's a bit slow and I found myself skimming sections, the characters aren't particularly likeable and it doesn't really have the 'oomph' that I like when reading but the ending was ok.

Is this a "sensational psychological thriller"?  For me?  Unfortunately not but that's just me and we all like different things so read other reviews and give it a go, you never know, you might love it.

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Second Life.

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The Dog Park Detectives by Blake Mara

 Description from Goodreads:

"Murder is never just a walk in the park . . .

When friends Louise and Irina find a dead body in the local park whilst walking their dogs, they are soon drawn into the mystery of who murdered local entrepreneur Phil Creasey.

Phil used to be a member of their dog walking community – nicknamed The Pack – until the death of his cockapoo, and The Pack feel they owe it to Phil to investigate his death. With Louise and Irina leading the charge, they soon come up against local drug dealers, stolen cars and a disturbing incident of poisoned dog biscuits. Have The Pack bitten off more than they can chew, or can they follow their noses and solve the crime?"

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This was something of a change from what I usually read but no less enjoyable ... a little unbelievable but enjoyable nonetheless and I was entertained which is the whole point is it not?

There are a lot of characters both canine and human and this was a bit overwhelming and confusing at times but the story is intriguing and whilst it was a little slow in parts, it certainly made up for it towards the end when all the pieces fell together nicely.

This is a good cozy mystery and hopefully there is more to come.

Thanks to the author, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this canine story.

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