The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce

The Music Shop
By Rachel Joyce
Published by Transworld (13 July 2017)

Publisher's description

1988. Frank owns a music shop. It is jam-packed with records of every speed, size and genre. Classical, jazz, punk – as long as it’s vinyl he sells it. Day after day Frank finds his customers the music they need. 

Then into his life walks Ilse Brauchmann.

Ilse asks Frank to teach her about music. His instinct is to turn and run. And yet he is drawn to this strangely still, mysterious woman with her pea-green coat and her eyes as black as vinyl. But Ilse is not what she seems. And Frank has old wounds that threaten to re-open and a past he will never leave behind ... 

My verdict
The Music Shop is a heartwarming character-driven novel with rhythmic writing, descriptive prose and gentle humour. It's a quirky and nostalgic easy read and should appeal to most people.

Set in the late 1980s, it prompted me to reminisce about the music and culture of my teenage years. This was a great time of change, with the housing boom and property development, and within music itself, with the rise of shiny CDs and synthetic pop bands. Yet Frank, the key character in The Music Shop, doesn't like change. Instead, he loves his old vinyls and the other small high street shops. He has a gift for choosing music to suit his customers' needs, yet he ignores his own.

The Music Shop has a love story at its heart, but not just between Frank and the mysterious Ilse. It's about loving yourself, your community and the changing world. This is a book about dealing with change, whether it's sticking to your principles or accepting that the world is moving on around you - and that you'll be lost if you don't take the plunge yourself.

The ending is a bit 'cheesy' and maybe a little rushed. But overall, this relaxing read provides much food for thought.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher (through Lovereading).

The Fireman by Joe Hill

The Fireman
By Joe Hill
Published by Gollancz
Paperback - 19 January 2017

Publisher's description
Nobody knew where the virus came from. FOX News said it had been set loose by ISIS, using spores that had been invented by the Russians in the 1980s. MSNBC said sources indicated it might've been created by engineers at Halliburton and stolen by culty Christian types fixated on the Book of Revelation. CNN reported both sides. And while every TV station debated the cause, the world burnt.  Pregnant school nurse, HARPER GRAYSON, has seen lots of people burn on TV, but the first person she saw burn for real was in the playground behind her school. But when she realises she has become infected, she is determined to find a way to survive - at least long enough to see her child born. No matter what is left of the world for them to live in.

My verdict
Joe Hill is certainly a talented writer with plenty of imagination - not surprising when you realise his father is Stephen King.

The Fireman features great writing, sharp dialogue and a complex page-turning plot. A powerful fungal infection, causing people to burst into flames, is devastating the world. At the heart of the story is Harper Grayson, a pregnant nurse who is now infected and wants to keep living for the sake of her unborn child.

The book is a mix of horror, action, science fiction, dystopian thriller, mystery and romance, with more than a hint of zombie fiction (although the infected retain their sense of self). The author has put ordinary people in an extraordinary situation - and you, as the reader, see how they survive, cope and pull together as the world burns around them.

At 765 pages, The Fireman isn't a quick read - and it's also heavy in your hands. I did feel that there was some 'overwriting' here, slowing down the pace at times - some of the background narrative and irrelevant conversations could have been cut. I guessed certain twists too, although this didn't detract from my enjoyment.

Overall though, the book is emotionally charged, action-packed and filled with depth. There are many themes running through it, including hope, acceptance, fear, shame, love and a sense of belonging. Highly enjoyable - just make sure you give yourself plenty of reading time for this epic journey.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through Lovereading.

The Wolf Road by Beth Lewis

The Wolf Road
By Beth Lewis
Published by The Borough Press (23 March 2017)
ISBN: 978-0008145484

Publisher's description

Trapper was my family even though I didn’t know a sure thing about him… Trapper was the kind a’ family you choose for yourself, the kind that gets closer’n blood.

He was what I chose and I chose wrong.

Lost in the harsh forest as a child, Elka was taken in and raised by the man she calls Trapper, the solitary hunter who taught her all she knows. So when Elka sees the Wanted poster in town, her simple existence is shattered. Her Trapper – Kreagar Hallet – is wanted for murder. Even worse, Magistrate Lyon is hot on his trail, and she wants to talk to Elka.

As winter sets in, Elka flees into the vast wilderness, determined to find her real parents. But Lyon is never far behind, and she’s not the only one following Elka’s every move. Soon Elka must confront the darkest memories of her past- and end Trapper’s killing spree for good.

My verdict
The Wolf Road totally 'wowed' me, and not many books do that. It's intelligent and unique and filled with raw emotion.

Set in a post-apocalyptic Canada, after what seems to be a nuclear war, it's about a girl's epic journey searching for her parents, who abandoned her as a young child. While this is a dystopian novel, it also has a 'Western' feel to it and reads as a thriller in places too, with a mystery at its heart. Definitely a 'cross-genre' book.

The story is narrated in the first person, through the eyes of Elka - in her own language, her own voice, all of her thoughts, feelings and emotions spilling onto the page. A man (Trapper) rescued her after her grandmother died. He taught her how to hunt and survive in the harsh climate and stark surroundings, yet he never became a father to her, remaining distant and aloof over the years. When she discovers something terrible about him, she runs away, realising that maybe Trapper, and their life together, wasn't what it seemed.

The Wolf Road is about Elka discovering who she is and what she believes in and trying to make sense of her past and present. It's very dark, although there are some lighter moments. The writing is beautiful, with highly vivid descriptions of the wilds. This is a fight for survival in a place where food is scarce and danger lurks around each corner.

The Wolf Road is a book that will linger with you for days after finishing it - simply stunning!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through Lovereading.

The Woman Who Ran by Sam Baker

The Woman Who Ran
By Sam Baker
Published by Harper Collins (28 January 2016)
ISBN: 978-0007464357

Publisher's description

When someone is under your skin, there is only so far you can run…

She can run.

But can she hide?

Helen Graham is a new arrival in a tiny Yorkshire village, renting dilapidated Wildfell Hall. The villagers are intensely curious – what makes her so jumpy and

why is she so evasive?

Their interest is Helen’s worst nightmare. Looking over her shoulder every day, she tries to piece together her past before it can catch up with her.

With everything she knows in fragments, from her marriage to her career as a war photographer, how can she work out who to trust and what to believe?

Most days she can barely remember who she is…

My verdict
The Woman Who Ran is a psychological thriller about a woman in hiding, following an apartment fire in Paris. The book kept me intrigued until the final pages, as I wondered what or who she was running away from - and why.

Helen Graham can't remember why she was in that burning apartment, and runs off to a Yorkshire village to try to regain her memories of that night. She attempts to stay off the local radar, but the villagers are intrigued about this mysterious woman living in the dilapidated Wildfell Hall. Retired journalist Gil is drawn to Helen and begins to investigate her background. He soon discovers that she's an award-winning news photographer, who was married to a well-known British war journalist who died in the apartment fire. But why is she now in hiding?

The plot moves along at a reasonable pace, as Gil stumbles upon a story of trauma, passion and deception and Helen recovers her memories. You can tell this book is written by a journalist, as the main journalist character is a NICE guy, rather than being portrayed as ruthless and immoral (as in so many other books). I can see this book appealing to fans of other popular psychological thrillers, such as The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through Lovereading in exchange for an honest review.

The 3rd Woman by Jonathan Freedland

The 3rd Woman
By Jonathan Freedland
Published by Harper Collins (2 July 2015)
ISBN: 978-0007413683

Publisher's description
SHE CAN'T SAVE HER SISTER Journalist Madison Webb is obsessed with exposing lies and corruption. But she never thought she would be investigating her own sister's murder.

SHE CAN'T TRUST THE POLICE Madison refuses to accept the official line that Abigail's death was an isolated crime. She uncovers evidence that suggests that Abi was the third victim in a series of killings that's been hushed up as part of a major conspiracy.

SHE CAN EXPOSE THE TRUTH In a United Staes that has yielded to the People's Republic of China, corruption is rife - the government dictates what the 'truth' is. With her life on the line, Madison must give up the story, or face the consequences…

My verdict
The 3rd Woman is the first novel that Jonathan Freedland has written under his own name - his previous five novels were written under the pseudonym Sam Bourne. I really enjoyed all of the Sam Bourne books, so I wasn't surprised to discover that The 3rd Woman is another brilliant fast-paced intelligent thriller.

I was hooked from the prologue, which describes the last few living moments of a young woman in Los Angeles. This woman turns out to be Abigail Webb, the younger sister of journalist Madison 'Maddy' Webb. The police maintain that Abigail died of an accidental heroin dose, but Maddy insists that her sister's death was completely out of character. Her investigations reveal that her sister could be the 3rd victim of a serial killer, as another two women have died in very similar circumstances.

The 3rd Woman is filled with suspense and intrigue, with short snappy chapters that keep the book moving at a fast pace. I thought that the underlying political background was fascinating. Imagine that the USA is no longer a top world power, now dependent on Chinese finances; corruption is rife, the Chinese control the ports and smog fills the air.

I was intrigued right until the last page. As Maddy continues her investigations, she realises that she is being watched, leading to a deadly cat and mouse game. She is feisty and determined, but her vulnerable side emerges when it becomes clear that those closest to her may be in danger too. As the police struggle to find answers, Maddy wonders whether a major conspiracy could be at work.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through Lovereading in exchange for an honest review.

A Mother's Story by Amanda Prowse

A Mother's Story
By Amanda Prowse
Published by Head of Zeus (26 February 2015)
ISBN: 978-1781856581

Publisher's description
Jessica's wedding was like a fairytale. She looked radiant in a dress strewn with crystals. Her Dad conquered his nerves and made a tearful speech. And her gorgeous husband Matthew declared himself the luckiest man alive. Together, Jessica and Matthew feel like they can take on the world. But when their beautiful baby girl is born, Jessica is gripped with panic and fear. She can't tell anyone how she feels. Even when her life starts to spiral out of control…

This is her story. A mother's story.

My verdict
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. A Mother's Story triggered so many of my emotions as I read - I laughed, I cried, I felt angry, I felt sad ...

The book's prologue pulled me in straight away, as Jessica enters into her new 'home', clearly distraught, scared and broken by recent events. The rest of the book carefully weaves together two parallel stories. There's Jessica and Matthew in past, getting married, setting up home and planning their future together. Then there's Jessica writing in her present day diary (starting after the prologue), which spans nearly three years.

Jessica and Matthew seem so normal - no different to any other couple about to become parents for the first time. Yet when their baby is born, after a difficult labour and birth, Jessica struggles to cope. She refuses to ask for help, and Matthew and her family believe that she just needs to pull herself out of her 'baby blues'.

A Mother's Story is written beautifully. While it's a fictional account, the underlying issue of post-natal depression is a serious one for many women, and Amanda Prowse has tackled it with great sensitivity. I read the last couple of chapters hiding from my family, so they didn't see the tears running down my cheeks. This was one of the most moving books I have read for some time - maybe because it tackles such a 'real' issue and has such 'normal' characters.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through the Lovereading Review Panel in exchange for an honest review.

Only We Know by Karen Perry

Only We Know
By Karen Perry
Published by Michael Joseph (4 June 2015)
ISBN: 978-0718179601

Publisher's description
In 1982, an idyllic summer is shattered when three children play a game that ends in tragedy.

Now, thirty years later, Nick, Luke and Katie remain bound together by the truth of what happened that day.

But some secrets won't stay buried.

And when Luke vanishes and the threatening messages begin, it becomes clear someone else knows the truth - and is intent on justice, no matter what the cost...

My verdict
Only We Know grabbed my attention straight away with its first chapter, which describes a tragedy involving three children - brothers Luke and Nick and their friend Katie - playing by a river in Kenya.

For 30 years, these three people are the only ones who know the truth about what happened that fateful day. And as the story progresses, this secret is gradually revealed, with devastating consequences.

The book is an easy read and moves at a fast pace. It kept me absorbed all the way through, as the author teases the reader along with little snippets of information. The book is narrated mainly by Katie and Nick, giving their thoughts of events in the present and memories of the past.

Just when I thought I had the big secret sussed, there was yet another twist (although I did guess one of these). I enjoyed the descriptions of Africa and found most of the characters very likeable and believable.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley and through the Lovereading Reviewer Panel in exchange for an honest review.

The Sudden Departure of the Frasers by Louise Candlish

The Sudden Departure of the Frasers
By Louise Candlish
Published by Michael Joseph (7 May 2015)
ISBN: 978-1405919845

Publisher's description
They were the life and soul of the street. So why did they disappear overnight?

Joe and Christy Davenport's dreams come true when they buy their perfect house on sought-after Lime Park Road. And they happily overlook the fact that the previous owners seem to have fled overnight.

But once moved in, Christy witnesses strange behaviour from her new neighbours. One of whom is Doug Whalen, reclusive, unkempt and aggressive. And the more Christy's attempts at friendship are met with silence, the more she's convinced the only way to discover the truth about Lime Park Road is by unpicking the shocking story of her predecessors, Jeremy Fraser and his glamorous wife Amber.

My verdict
The Sudden Departure of the Frasers is a story about secrets in suburbia. The quest for the perfect home. Life with twitching curtains. A place where everyone knows, or tries to know, each other's business.

The book focuses on two women - Christy and Amber. Christy and her husband Joe have just moved into their 'forever' home in Lime Park Road, a highly sought-after location, but they find that the neighbours don't want to know them. Something obviously happened there, and Christy is desperate to discover what it was. Amber and her husband Jeremy lived in the house before them, but left in a hurry and no one knows where they are. So what is the secret that all the neighbours are determined to hide?

The book alternates between Amber and Christy's stories, building up to the final reveal. I found myself comparing these two women, their husbands and their lives. It is cleverly written, because the other characters - especially the mysterious Joe - come across very differently, depending on whether you are reading Christy or Amber's chapters.

Overall, The Sudden Departure of the Frasers is an enjoyable read that keeps you guessing to the end. However, it's a slow burner, so not for people who are expecting a fast-paced psychological thriller. And the secret wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, which was a slight disappointment after all the build up.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and also through the Lovereading Reviewer Panel in exchange for an honest review.

Cut Out by Fergus McNeill

Cut Out
By Fergus McNeill
Published by Hodder & Stoughton (23 April 2015)
ISBN: 978-1444739749

Publisher's description
Nigel never meant for it to happen. At first, he just wanted to be Matt's friend. But when he discovers he can hear what is going on in the flat below him, his fascination with his new neighbour drifts into obsession.

Rearranging his furniture to recreate the layout of the rooms downstairs. Buying the same clothes, going through his post, his things. Becoming Matt without him ever knowing.

And it would have been all right, if Matt hadn't brought the girl home.

When things spiral out of control, Detective Inspector Harland has to unravel the disturbing truth. But there's far more to the case than meets the eye...

My verdict
Cut Out is a clever mix of psychological thriller and police procedural. This is the first DI Harland novel that I have read, but is the third in the series. It was easy to read as a standalone, although I now plan to read the first two books.

The book is cleverly organised into sections - three months earlier, one month ago and two weeks ago interspersed with the present - which makes it very easy to follow and a pleasure to read.

The past, and build up to the present, focuses on Nigel and his fixation with his neighbour Matt, whose girlfriend Laura has vanished. Nigel wants to be Matt - he moves his furniture around to match Matt's flat, buys new clothes (just like Matt's) and breaks into Matt's flat to spy on him.

The other sections of the book - the present - focus on DI Harland and his team, who are searching for missing Laura. There's also the murder of a local drug dealer that needs to be resolved, although DI Harland has been taken off the case to investigate Laura's disappearance. Could the cases be linked?

Cut Out is a brilliant novel. It's well written and fast paced, with various twists and turns. I read it in one sitting, which for me is the sign of a great book. I really liked the characters (even Nigel - I actually started to feel sorry for him, which is ridiculous as he was clearly insane!) and found the stalking plot to be a fascinating read.

I received a copy from the publisher through the Lovereading Reviewer Panel in exchange for an honest review. http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/14096/Cut-Out-by-Fergus-McNeill.html