My recent reads - 3

I am currently trying to catch up on reviews featuring books I've read over the last few months (some a bit further back than that). So yes, use of the word ‘recent’ may be a little misleading!


The Bad Place by M.K. Hill

[Review copy]
An excellent start to a new series by M.K. Hill. It was a welcome change to meet a female 'middle-aged' protagonist in a police procedural. DI Sasha Dawson is juggling a demanding family life (interfering mother, stroppy teenagers and depressed husband - known as living in the 'sandwich generation'!) with a hectic career and workload. The plot explores a kidnapping twenty years ago, with questions remaining about what happened to the five teenagers who eventually escaped to safety from 'The Bad Place' - and why the sixth ended up dead. This is linked to the present-day kidnapping of a teenage girl, the author expertly weaving the two stories together while also revealing details of the teenagers (now adults) involved. Looking forward to the next book in the series and seeing how the character of DI Dawson develops.



After the End by Clare Mackintosh

[Review copy]
I read this several months ago and never wrote a review. I am fascinated by the 'sliding doors' concept - the 'what ifs' of life, which path to choose ... and how great it would be if you knew all of the outcomes before making any decisions. But sadly life can't be like that. After the End does give that opportunity to readers though - following the lives of Max and Pip after they have to make a tough decision regarding their young son's health, looking at the outcome of both main options. This book explores the heartbreaking decisions that so many people have to make about themselves or family members - guided by their instinct, love and grief along with often-conflicting medical science. The narrative is split between Max, Pip and the doctor involved in their son's care, filling the pages with their thoughts and emotions. When the parents can't make a decision, it's left to the courts to decide. The thought-provoking book made me cry, but it also gave me hope. It is very different from Clare Mackintosh's other books so far, proving her versatility as an author.


Cruel Acts by Jane Casey
The Cutting Place by Jane Casey

[Review copies]
I am reviewing Cruel Acts and The Cutting Place together; while these are two very different books in terms of plot, they still feature the same characters that I know and love! I am a huge fan of Jane Casey's Maeve Kerrigan series, following the sparky relationship between Maeve and Derwent, but hadn't managed to catch up on the latest books - until now.
Cruel Acts investigates the conviction of Leo Stone for the murder of two young women and whether he is now responsible for the murder of a third after his release. The Cutting Place covers important contemporary issues, such as white male privilege and domestic violence.
Jane Casey's books are brutal and witty (the dialogue drives the plot), honest and raw. She handles dark themes with sensitivity and care while leading her readers on a twisty path. The Cutting Place, in particular, focuses as much on the main characters' lives as the case they are trying to investigate, with a few shocking scenes and further revelations. Other characters, such as Maeve and Derwent's colleague Georgia Shaw, are also now being thrust more into the limelight.



The Wailing Woman by Maria Lewis

(Review copy]
A welcome change of genre for me as I was struggling to choose my next crime read. This Romeo-and-Juliet 'urban fantasy' novel features (mainly) banshees, witches and werewolves, with romance, magic, mystery and a touch of action thriller. I read this quickly, enjoying the chance to immerse myself in another world - great escapism at the present time. I haven't read any of the author's previous books, but believe that these feature some of the same characters. This book begins in Australia and ends in London, England. As well as a coming-of-age novel, this read as a 'me too' book, with potentially dangerous women who have been dominated for centuries finally finding their voices - literally, in one case. Great fun.

That's all for now! 

Back soon with some more recommended reads. 

Keep safe and well, everyone!

Dead Simple - Quick Reads

Dead Simple
(one of 6 Galaxy Quick Reads books for 2017)
Published by Orion Books (2 February 2017)
ISBN: 978-1409169123

Publisher's description

A woman reports a crime to the police, with unexpected results

The grieving widow who finds that she's about to lose more than just her husband

When a man attempts the perfect murder, it's not quite as easy as he thinks

Two men in prison play a deadly game of Scrabble

A young woman tries to trick an old man and gets more than she bargained for

Sometimes crimes are solved in ways you can't explain

A murderer about to be hanged finds that's not the worst thing that can happen

You never know who's going to turn up at your door

Original stories from Mark Billingham, Clare Mackintosh, James Oswald, Jane Casey, Angela Marsons, Harry Bingham, Antonia Hodgson and CL Taylor - specially written for Quick Reads.

My verdict
Quick Reads are an ideal purchase if you love reading but struggle to fit it into your day. And Dead Simple is the perfect choice if you're a fan of crime fiction and psychological thrillers.

Not only is the book itself small, but there are eight fantastic short stories inside, so you can dip in and out of the book to suit your reading time. I loved these twisty tales - all are unique and there's something to appeal to everyone.

Dead Simple is also a great introduction to six top crime writers and certainly left me wanting to check out their novels. It's good fun, with plenty of darkness and humour. And it only costs you £1!!!

About Galaxy Quick Reads

The Reading Agency's six new Galaxy® Quick Reads titles are specifically designed to be easy to read, and are shorter and easier to tackle for adults who are less confident in their reading skills. The accessible, bite-size format means they’re also perfect for people who want a light, easy read to pick up for their commute or to fit into a busy day.

According to the National Literary Trust in 2012, one in six adults in the UK struggles with reading, while one in three doesn't read for pleasure. Sponsored by Galaxy® and run by The Reading Agency, the annual Quick Reads campaign aims to inspire more people to read more often by producing six short books each year, made available for just £1 from most major booksellers or loaned from libraries. 

For more information on Quick Reads and this year's books, visit here. And follow Quick Reads of Twitter - @Quick_Reads

AUTHOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT - Clare Mackintosh

I am delighted that CLARE MACKINTOSH is joining me on my blog today. Clare's debut novel - I Let You Go - was published in paperback on 7 May 2015 by Little Brown.  

So Clare, what inspired you to write a book in the first place?
I always wanted to write a book, but it took some time before I knew what type of book I wanted to write. Initially I wrote a romantic comedy, but I think I always knew I needed to write something grittier; more issues-based. The catalyst for I Let You Go was a real-life hit-and-run that killed a child in Oxford, many years ago. I Let You Go isn't that family's stories, but it tackles some of the issues an unsolved case throws up - both for the police and for the individuals involved.

Where do your ideas come from?
I'm never short of ideas! I like to write about 'what if?' questions: what if someone killed a child and just drove off? What if you realised your daughter had been switched at birth? What if someone was watching you every day? I kick them around for a bit to see if there's enough to explore to make a whole book, or if the idea is more suited for a short story. Newspaper and magazine articles are fantastic for sparking ideas - truth is definitely stranger than fiction.

Have your personal experiences influenced your writing? And if so, how?
Very much so. My son died when he was five weeks old, and my grief for him defines everything I do. My writing is very emotional, and when I write about loss - as I do in I Let You Go - I hope that my first-hand experiences make these authentic passages. Aside from that, the 12 years I spent in the police service brought me into contact with so many types of people and situations: it was phenomenal grounding for a writer.

Describe your writing style in 10 words or less?
Emotional, tense and hard-hitting with a few unexpected twists!

Do you have any strange writing habits?
A few, although they seem quite normal to me! I often write with my eyes shut, if I'm working on certain scenes. They might be particularly emotional ones, or anything very visual, like two characters physically fighting. I shut my eyes and watch the scene play out in my head, like a film, and just let my fingers type what I’m seeing inside. Actually, that does sound strange… but it’s incredibly natural, and those scenes are always very easy to write.

Do you plot out the whole book before you start or just start writing and see where it leads you?
I’m a plotter. If I don’t plan then it’s incredibly hard work and takes a very long time. That’s not to say that the plan doesn’t change, but I do like to know where all the twists and turns and reveals are going to come.

What do you consider to be the hardest part of your writing?
The first draft. I know lots of authors like that bit, but I find it hard going. Right now I'm about 55,000 words into my next book and I can already see so much wrong with it. I'm desperate to finish this draft so I can start fixing it. Editing is hard work but I find it really satisfying; like carving something out of stone and slowly watching it take shape.

Do you read? If so, who are your favourite authors?
I read widely and across all genres. I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Haynes and Sophie Hannah, both of whom plot so brilliantly, but recently I've read some amazing non-crime books, including Touch by Claire North and The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman. I don't have a favourite author, although looking at my bookshelves I have an awful lot of Jilly Cooper books! I think that's as much about nostalgia as anything - I'm not very good at getting rid of books.

How has your life changed since becoming a published author?
Beyond all measure. Writing books is my day job, although I still do some journalism, and even when it's hard I absolutely love it. Since my book came out, it's been incredibly exciting and rather hard to focus on my next book, which I must do!

Congratulations on being chosen as a Richard and Judy Book Club summer read. I Let You Go has the best OMG moment I have read. Were you expecting it to have so much impact on the readers when you wrote the book (and in particular that twist)? 
Thank you! It's a tremendous honour to be chosen as a R&J read, and I’m still pinching myself. Both Richard and Judy have said some really lovely things about I Let You Go, particularly about ‘The Twist’, which I confess I’m really proud of. It was structurally quite a complicated thing to pull off, but I knew that – if it worked – it would make for a fantastic story. I was lucky to have a great editor and together we made sure it was as tight as possible. I LOVE hearing the reaction from readers when they reach the twist – it’s honestly the best thing ever.

If you were writing a book about your life, what would be the title?
Clare Mackintosh: from crime-fighter to crime-writer

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Keep going. Dull, I know, but so important. It doesn't happen overnight. I'm also a firm believer in networking, which is so often looked upon as a dirty word. Every opportunity I've ever had has come about as a result of personal connection, not a job application, cold call or straightforward submission. Call it socialising instead, if that's more palatable, but DO IT! Get out and meet people; chat to agents on Twitter; go to book launches. Never do anything with an agenda, but you'll find opportunities simply arise - it's the way people work.

And lastly, why should people read I Let You Go?
I’d love people to read my book because it’s my debut, and because I’m hugely proud of it. If you enjoy psychological thrillers and you can handle some emotional punch, I think you’ll enjoy I Let You Go. As for the twist… well, let me know what you think!

About Clare Mackintosh

Clare Mackintosh is an author, feature writer and columnist. She has written for the Guardian, Sainsbury's Magazine, the Daily Mail and many other national publications, and is columnist for Cotswold Life and Writing Magazine.

Clare spent 12 years in the police force, working on CID, in custody and as a public order commander, and has drawn on her experiences for her debut psychological thriller I Let You Go. She is currently writing her second novel.

Find Clare Mackintosh on her official Facebook page and follow Clare on Twitter - @claremackint0sh


I Let You Go
Published by Little Brown in paperback (7 May 2015)

Synopsis:
A tragic accident. It all happened so quickly. She couldn't have prevented it. Could she?
In a split second, Jenna Gray's world is shattered. Her only hope of moving on is to walk away from everything she knows to start afresh. Desperate to escape her past, Jenna moves to a remote cottage on the Welsh coast, but she is haunted by her fears, her grief and her memories of the cruel November night that changed her life forever.
DI Ray Stevens is tasked with seeking justice for a mother who is living every parent's worst nightmare. Determined to get to the bottom of the case, it begins to consume him as he puts both his professional and personal life on the line.
As Ray and his team seek to uncover the truth, Jenna, slowly, begins to glimpse the potential for happiness in her future. But her past is about to catch up with her, and the consequences will be devastating...

My verdict
'Wow - what a roller coaster read. If you haven't already read I let You Go, what are you waiting for… BUY IT NOW!'

Read my full review of I Let You Go here

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

I Let You Go

By Clare Mackintosh

Published by Little Brown (6 November 2014; paperback on 7 May 2015)

ISBN: 978-0751554168

Goodreads description

A tragic accident. It all happened so quickly. She couldn't have prevented it. Could she?
In a split second, Jenna Gray's world is shattered. Her only hope of moving on is to walk away from everything she knows to start afresh. Desperate to escape her past, Jenna moves to a remote cottage on the Welsh coast, but she is haunted by her fears, her grief and her memories of the cruel November night that changed her life forever.
DI Ray Stevens is tasked with seeking justice for a mother who is living every parent's worst nightmare. Determined to get to the bottom of the case, it begins to consume him as he puts both his professional and personal life on the line.
As Ray and his team seek to uncover the truth, Jenna, slowly, begins to glimpse the potential for happiness in her future. But her past is about to catch up with her, and the consequences will be devastating...

My verdict

Wow, what a rollercoaster read.

The book starts as a combination of police procedure and the start of a 'chick lit'-style romance. A child is run over and the distraught single mother, who is overcome with grief, runs away to remote Wales.

But then the whole story shifted. I can't remember ever doing this while reading a novel, but I actually had to flick (or click) back to the beginning to check I hadn't missed something - maybe there had been a sign of what was to come. But I found nothing - this is an incredibly cleverly written story.

From that moment on, I was glued to the book and couldn't put it down. There were so many twists and turns that I felt exhausted. Certainly a book to remember.

If you haven't already read I let You Go, what are you waiting for… BUY IT NOW!