The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths

I have had this book for some time and had almost started it a few time, however the other day, it just appealed so I settled down with it.

The ‘heroine’ Dr Ruth Galloway, is a forensic archaeologist, who lives in a small cottage on the edge of the salt marches in Norfolk, a bleak desolate place. D.C.I. Harry Nelson asks her for some advice on a case he is working as some bones have been recovered and he needs her help in dating them. There was a case some years before when a young girl went missing which has haunted Harry and he wants to know if these bones could be hers.

These bones are over two thousand years old, but mark the beginning of their ‘partnership.’ Ruth I found to be so normal, nearing 40 a bit over weight out of condition, living alone with her 2 cats. She has insecurities broken relationships in her past a good friend who lives nearby with whom she has the occasional girl’s night in, a very normal well rounded character.

As Harry confides in her that he is haunted by the missing girl and has been receiving anonymous letters about it for some time, they begin to get closer and Ruth is drawn into the investigation when another young girl disappears.

I found it exciting yet believable, I could identify and understand what was going on, when it becomes apparent that Ruth is in danger it all steps up a notch and some long buried secrets come out into the open.

I did try to guess ‘who done it’ but in the end I was wrong! I then decided to check out the next book in the series and was delighted to find it ready and waiting on my kindle. I know what I am doing this afternoon.

Bootleggers Daughter by Margaret Maron

I saw a review of this series of books set in North Carolina, and I was instantly attracted to it, so I sourced the first few in the series.

This is the first book, and the main character is Deborah Knott, an attorney in Coleen County. An unconventional lady, daughter of the county’s biggest producer of moonshine – or so the rumours go! She is unmarried and a working woman, not at all as she was supposed to turn out and so an on going source of contention between her and her father.

Deborah is approached in this book, by the daughter of a friend of hers, to help her discover the truth behind the murder of her mother which happened when she was only 3 months old. Reluctantly Deborah agrees to try and do what she can, at the same time as she decides to apply for the position of District Judge for the County, to try and take some of the power away from the ‘good old boys’ of the area.

This is a gentle story (in the sense of not loads of blood and guts) of the investigation, and the truths that begin to be uncovered. While at the same time she has to engage in the rituals of going for public office, and all that it entails.

I found this to be an enjoyable read, it was interesting as apart from the story as such, there was a peek into small town living in that part of the world, which was so atmospheric.

If you are a fan of murder/mystery book, and enjoy a gentler take on it, and set in a small town in the South, do give it a go. I did, and now I have another new series to delve into, plus she has another series going, which I am about to investigate also.

Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

I had not heard of Faith Hunter till I read in C E Murphy’s  News Letter that she had written with Faith Hunter a novella combining her Joanne Walker, Shaman-from the Walker Papers Series, with Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock, skinwalker. They are both to work together on a ‘case’, in Slim Pickings. This incited me to have a peek at the books of Faith Hunter, as I am a huge fan of C E Murphy.

The first book in the Jane Yellowrock series, Skinwalker was soon ordered and I have read it almost in one sitting, as I enjoyed it so much. It is so exciting to discover a new series (book 2 will be started today and book 3 is winging it’s way to me!)

Jane is a skinwalker, as far as she knows, as she was found wandering at around 12 years of age, with no speech or manners, nothing to indicate where she had come from or from whom. She can however change into any creature, and this gives her the extra edge needed in her job – vampire hunter. She has no memories of her early years, but when she is ‘the beast’ she sometimes feels she is on the edge of a memory, and she really wants to know what and who she is. It is very exciting when near the end of the book, she slowly begins to get more memories.

This novel concerns a job she has taken on in New Orleans for Katherine, one of the oldest  vampires in the area and owner of a bordello. There is a rogue vampire on the loose and they want him caught and disposed of as he is bringing too much attention to the Vampires in the city. The time the novel is set in, vampires are in the open, as are witches (Jane’s best friend is an Earth Witch), but their place in society is still new and uncertain, so they really cannot have a rogue kill both vampires and humans.

We learn about the vampire society, and how it works, the different Houses in New Orleans. She befriends the usual gorgeous guy, but it is nice to have one around, however, Rick is a little more complex than she at first thinks. Jane also strikes up relationships with some of the human servants of the vampires as she begins to gather information to help her to hunt.

I found the characters in this book to be immediately interesting and I wanted to know more about them. I was enthralled when Jane ‘changed’ and the constant battle raged with her and ‘the beast’, and despite a few red herrings I did not guess the outcome. 

I really enjoyed this novel, and I am going straight to book 2, and I shall certainly have a look at her other series. If you have read and loved the novels by C E Murphy, you will love this. If you like the supernatural, vampires, witches, shape shifters, you will love this.

For Better, For Murder by Lisa Bork

Book 1 in the Broken Vows Mystery Series

I decided to buy this book when I read about it in the author's Goodreads page. I do like a nice uncomplicated easy to read, really nice book from time to time, kind of cleansing after blood and guts, or vampires and other supernatural beings.

So when I woke up at 3.35 this morning, and unable to go to sleep, finished the book I was reading (vampire) then, as I was still awake and not at all sleepy, I went in search of something appealing, and came across this book. I settled with a coffee, wrapped up as it was pretty chilly, and started.

I so enjoyed this book, from page 1 I knew I would enjoy the writing, it was easy and just flowed, and as the story unfolded, I was just hooked. I finished the book in the one sitting, and felt upset when it ended! 

The story was set in a small town in USA, Finger Lakes, the main characters are Jolene and Ray. Jolene runs a car sales business dealing with top end, exotic cars; and Ray her not quite ex-husband who is a Deputy. There follows murder, entwined with a maybe love story and possible bankruptcy, mixed with a needy, confused relative, and crossed wires, all adding up to an exciting, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable book.

I immediately went to Amazon to look at book 2 in the series, and to my utter delight discovered I had bought it too! So now that I have located it, and am about to settle down to read it, but I’ll just check to see if book 3 is out yet!!

Illicit Magic by Camilla Chafer

 This is the 1^st in the Stella Mayweather series.

Stella has lived a life in and out of foster homes, as she lost he parents at a young age. This lack of any kind of a settled life continued as she worked as a temp in various offices, until the night she realised she was being followed as she walked home from work in London.

Stella hadn’t given it much thought, but she was aware she felt there was something a little strange about her, odd incidents had happened throughout her life, like when she was annoyed at a work colleague and thought how good it would be if a book case fell on him, and it did!

However, finding herself in the quiet streets with a gang all dressed alike and in black and faces covered and obviously after her, made her a little worried. They were crying out to her they wanted to ‘burn the witch,’ and after a near miss, she manages to get back to her bedsit, where she keeps the lights off but turns her TV on to hear the latest story about women being caught, tortured then burn alive as witches, by the ‘Brotherhood.’ 

Shortly afterwards she hears a pounding on her door, and a voice asking for Stella, the person says her name is Etoile, Stella refuses to let her in, but looking out her spyhole sees her disappear and then she reappears in her flat!!

Etoile explains ‘they’ have been watching her and they need to leave now so she can get her somewhere safe. As the sinister gang have arrived they have to do a quick escape, and then they are boarding a plane for New York. Stella is somewhat shell-shocked and confused, by the events of the last few hours, but as she has nothing holding her in London, and she is very aware that the gang are out to kill her, she is content to go along with Etoile.

They arrive at a very expensive home in New York, where she is introduced to her history, which is that she is the daughter of 2 witches, and so is one also. She is to meet with the Council of Witches so they can decide how to proceed, to decide her future safety.

This is the basis of the story, there are threats, and attacks, and of course we learn more about Stella’s background, her powers, who can and who can’t be trusted. There were twists and turns, as you would expect, but all great fun.

I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy read, it was fast, and there was even romance there. I have already bought the 2^nd book on Kindle, as I found I really wanted to know how she does after the ending of book 1.

Madeleine Wickham AKA Sophie Kinsella Swimming Pool Sunday

Madeleine Wickham : Swimming Pool Sunday (Sophie Kinsella)

While I enjoyed this book, I felt a little cheated when I found it is a re-issued book. It was not obvious to me, but when I was reading about costs of houses and similar, I was a bit taken aback, then looked closely and find it was published in 1997, then re printed this year.

That aside, it was a pleasant book which I did enjoy reading. There were no surprises, as the story was very straight forward; Louise and Barnaby live in a small village, they have 2 daughters, but there are problems  in their marriage and they have split. A couple in the village have a swimming pool and every year they open their garden and pool to the village for an entrance fee for charity. This year there is a terrible ‘accident’, and the bulk of the book is how this is dealt with by the parents, the village, the owners of the house with the pool, and the lawyers.

It does make you think, and the book is a light read so the dilemma is also fairly lightweight, but it does show up how these situations can affect all parties involved and can create even more distress. It also leaves a nasty taste as it shows the way we are all so ready to sue other people, and how you really need to think hard and investigate your liability if you are going to host any sort of gathering. What happens if there is an ‘accident’. Does your insurance cover it? Pretty frightening to think of how easy this kind of incident can occur. 

Dark Wear by Tabitca Cope

For those of us who waited impatiently for this the second book in the Dark Trilogy, it was worth the relatively short wait!

I so enjoyed catching up with the “gang again.” It’s a lovely feeling when they are all familiar to you, and you are eager to find out what  has happened and what is about to happen (well it’s a book so there has to be something about to happen!)

The story is a good one, and it builds slowly and firmly towards an explosive ending. You will not be disappointed, between witches, the Fifth Reich, Big Animals and even bigger “creatures.” I was frightened, I laughed out loud and I did have a wee cry during this book. I do not hesitate to recommend it, there is something in it for everyone.   A Darned good Yarn!