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Caterer Fran Eve creates culinary delights for a murder mystery birthday party. But weeks later the pretend victim is actually dead due to poison. Adam, the son of the birthday party host, is worried that his mum will be accused of murder. He calls on Fran based on a chance encounter on the night of the party. Can the pair find the killer?

Death In Disguise is a cosy murder mystery and the beginning of a new series to feature Adam and Mrs Eve.

One of the party guests is murdered shortly afterwards and Fran agrees to help find out who could be responsible. I suspended my disbelief a little and got on with enjoying the developing investigation.

Fran and Adam make an interesting team. They are an unusual pair and very down to earth. There is humour in their dialogue as well as some situations they end up in (like trapped in a shed and a knowledge of lock picking). I especially liked Adam’s quirky revelations and how Fran reacts to them.

There is little violence and no graphic descriptions of the murder which we only learn about after it has happened. Fran and Adam focus their investigation on the other guests and it soon becomes clear that there are a host of suspects and motives that could have led to Becky’s death.

Death in Disguise is a very enjoyable murder mystery and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I have previously reviewed a range of other books by Emma Davies, from psychological dramas to romantic sagas:  My Husband’s Lie, The Little Shop on Silver Linings Street, The Beekeeper’s Cottage, The House at Hope Corner and Christmas at the Little Cottage on the Hill.

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Book: Death in Disguise 

Author: Emma Davies

Pub Day: Feb 9th 2022

Buy Link: https://geni.us/B09KWVBVRFsocial

About the Book: 

Francesca Eve thought she was prepared for anything at the events she caters for in her pretty little Shropshire village. Missing canapes? No problem. Burnt brownies? A piece of cake… But a dead body? Now that’s a recipe for disaster.

Francesca is nervous about catering her first ever murder mystery party, but it’s clear from the clink of champagne flutes and piles of empty plates that the evening is a roaring success. The guests look spectacular in their disguises, whispering and giggling as they try to identify who killed beautiful young Becky. But days later the game takes a sinister turn when Becky is found poisoned, and all the signs point to the culprit being a party guest.

From the woman having an affair to the guest hiding her true identity, everyone had a secret – and it turns out that Becky knew them all. As Fran finds herself centre-stage in a real-life murder mystery, the finger of suspicion points at each guest in turn. And Fran starts to wonder, were any of these secrets dangerous enough to kill for?

Then the body of a second guest is found, and it becomes clear a deranged killer is going off-script. It seems anyone who was involved in the game that night is in their sights, even Fran. Can she unmask the murderer before the final curtain falls?

A page-turning cozy mystery packed with twists. If you love Clare Chase, M.C. Beaton and The Thursday Murder Club you’ll absolutely adore this unputdownable whodunnit.

Author Bio

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: ‘I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.’ Well the job in the design studio didn’t work out but she’s now a forty something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time, and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband, three children, and two guinea pigs in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life. It’s a county she adores, her love of its beautiful people and landscapes providing endless inspiration for her books, and in fact the only thing that would make Shropshire more idyllic is if it were by the sea.

Pop over to her website www.emmadaviesauthor.com where, amongst other things, you can read about her passion for Pringles and singing loudly in the car. You can also wave to her on twitter @EmDaviesAuthor or find her on Facebook (a little too often than is good for her).

Social Media

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Website: www.emmadaviesauthor.com

1935 Faith and her sister Hope are separated from their parents and brother just as they embark on a journey to what they hope will be a more proseperous life in California. They are rescued by a white family but skin colour keeps them segregated and tarnishes the relationship. In the present day, Zoe is adjusting to divorced life whilst preparing for an exhibition. She spots a photo of two girls from the 1930s and one looks just like her…

The Dust Bowl Orphans is a dual timeline novel set in America in the 1930s and present day. Our knowledge of the past timeline give us insights into the present day revelations.

This isn’t an easy book to read or enjoy. The relentless racism and segregation of the 1930s is ugly and repulsive. To think this was acceptable is disgraceful and difficult to imagine for a modern audience. Yet it is so realistic and vivid so I love how the girls’ voices shine through this book and reflects the horror of their experience.

The youth and vulnerability of Faith and Hope make the readers instantly sympathise with their predicament. The callous racism they endure is heartbreaking which contrasts with the continued and more insidious racism that Zoe face in the present day. Zoe’s tragic personal past really broke my heart and I felt such anger, almost hatred, towards her vile husband.

The Dust Bowl Orphans is a wonderfully evocative book about the African American experience in the 1930s, with implied political comment about racism today. I have previously reviewed The Girl At The Back of The Bus by Suzette D. Harrison.

Author Bio:

Suzette D. Harrison, a native Californian and the middle of three daughters, grew up in a home where reading was required, not requested. Her literary “career” began in junior high school with the publishing of her poetry. While Suzette pays homage to Alex Haley, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison as legends who inspired her creativity, it was Dr. Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that unleashed her writing. The award-winning author of Taffy is a wife and mother of two teens, and she holds a culinary degree in pastry and baking. Mrs. Harrison is currently cooking up her next novel…in between batches of cupcakes.

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Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B09MFSDSJLsocial

A baby kidnapped and a race against time. A detective duo with personal issues from their last case. Rival gangs with a personal vendetta against one of the detectives…

Kidnap is the sequel to Safe although it would work as a stand alone novel (however Safe was excellent so I’d recommend reading it!) There are mentions of events in the previous book and the plot picks up where it left off.

Toby and Petra need to put their recent past behind them to investigate the kidnapping of a young child. But the case takes a nasty turn when the boy’s body is discovered alongside a murder victim linked to gang crime. The plot strands begin to interweave…

This book didn’t have the wow factor of the last book but still managed to shock and was a gripping read. The plot balance was more geared towards the detective side although we did also see the perspective of the gangs which increased the tension as we anticipate their next moves.

The emotion attached to the kidnapping of a child is high and will instantly resonate with the fears of readers, replciating every parent’s nightmare. The characters all felt very realistic to me and the writing brought them to life effectively.

Kidnap was an entertaining crime novel and I will be looking out for the next book in the series.

KIDNAP BY JANE ADAMS BLURB

Detective Toby Clarke’s day does not begin well. He is to investigate the kidnapping of a missing toddler, Joshua Banks — the latest in a string of cases.

Toddlers are going missing. In their place, a note that warns what will happen if they call the police along with a number to call. The number is for a previously targeted family.

Toby ropes in Detective Petra Merrow to help investigate, but it’s not going to be easy. None of the families are willing to talk.

Then the case turns sideways — little Joshua Banks is found murdered. Will another innocent life be lost?

Meanwhile, Petra is living in fear of retribution from the Perrins crime family, and the villainous Kyle Sykes, who would like nothing more than to see her dead.

Petra and Toby are in a race against time to solve the case — and bring a killer to justice.

Perfect for fans of C.L. Taylor, D.E. White, Clair McGowen, Rachel Abbott, Helen H. Durrant, Patricia Gibney, Sally Spencer and Mark Billingham.

WHAT READERS SAY ABOUT THE MERROW & CLARKE SERIES:

“A well written and cleverly plotted read with a fast-paced storyline, unique viewpoint and interesting characters.” Donna B.

“Action-packed.” Amanda H.

“Lauren is a terrific character, brave, smart and very adult for her age . . . it’s hard to put the book down, I loved it. Highly recommended!” Hannelore C.

“Gripping.” Vikkie W.

“How strange it must be to be the teenage daughter of a crime boss. Knowing your every move is watched. Your only position is that of a useful commodity and if you stop being useful your father will kill you. All you can do is to learn as much as possible and keep your head down, even to the point of agreeing to marry an older man when told. This story is about what happens when she says no — emphatically. Read it in one sitting.” Aileen G.

ALSO BY JANE ADAMS

MERROW & CLARKE

Book 1: SAFE

          2: KIDNAP

RINA MARTIN MYSTERY SERIES

Book 1: MURDER ON SEA

          2: MURDER ON THE CLIFF

          3: MURDER ON THE BOAT

          4: MURDER ON THE BEACH

          5: MURDER AT THE COUNTRY HOUSE

          6: MURDER AT THE PUB

DETECTIVE MIKE CROFT SERIES

Book 1: THE GREENWAY

          2: THE SECRETS

          3: THEIR FINAL MOMENTS

          4: THE LIAR

DETECTIVE RAY FLOWERS SERIES

Book 1: THE APOTHECARY’S DAUGHTER

          2: THE UNWILLING SON

          3: THE DROWNING MEN

          4: THE SISTER’S TWIN

DETECTIVE ROZLYN PRIEST

Book 1: BURY ME DEEP

STANDALONES

THE OTHER WOMAN

THE WOMAN IN THE PAINTING

THEN SHE WAS DEAD

JANE ADAMS

Jane Adams is the author of more than thirty published crime novels. The first, The Greenway, was nominated for both the Authors’ Club award and the CWA John Creasey for best debut novel.

Jane is constantly amazed at where life has taken her. Writing had never been on her ‘possible careers’ list, but she says once stories take root in your brain, they just have to be told – and she feels very fortunate that people want to read them.

In addition to writing, Jane teaches creative writing, read and mentor for The Literary Consultancy, and is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow and FRSA.

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June lives in a quiet street with her teenaged children. She has a strained relationship with her ex but is generally happy. Until a new neighbour arrives, destroying the peace of the street. Things get even worse when another neighbour is murdered and June feels threatened in her own home…

The Perfect Home is a psychological thriller with a strong domestic edge. June’s comfortable life is crushed when Steve moves into the street. He has cars everywhere and music blaring out. She is worried that her daughter seems entranced by him. Meanwhile she fears her son is smoking cannabis and her ex husband is trying to get access to the house.

I felt so angry with June’s children for repeatedly taking their father’s side and acting selfishly. As someone who suffers with noisy neighbours, I was wholeheatedly outraged on her behalf as Steve sweeps in and takes over the road. The book is written from June’s first person perspective which is another reason why it is so easy to identify with her.

Events take a sinister turn as strange things start happening to June’s house and a neighbour is murdered. The plot itself is a little predictable but it was fun to see how the author lets events unfold. I did guess how the strands would merge together for the conclusion but this did not spoil my enjoyment of the book.

The Perfect Home is a enjoyable and sinister psychological thriller and the domestic side makes the characters and situations relevant and relatable.

Buy Links

Amazon UK  – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Home-gripping-psychological-heart-stopping-ebook/dp/B09QT37GYK

Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Home-gripping-psychological-heart-stopping-ebook/dp/B09QT37GYK

The Perfect Home book blurb

It’s a beautiful place to live. Or die.

June is very happy in her home. It’s where she raised her two kids – now college age – and every room is filled with memories, some beautiful, some painful. She loves the garden she has worked so hard to create. She likes her neighbours in this pleasant, leafy suburb.

But lately, something has changed.

There’s the new guy across the street. He seems rough, possibly criminal. And he’s been taking a definite interest in June’s rebellious daughter, Cathy.

And there’s June’s son, Sam. He’s always been open and friendly but recently he’s been sullen and secretive.

Even more disturbing, June’s cheating ex-husband suddenly seems to be everywhere. It’s almost as if he’s stalking her.

Then, when someone she knows is murdered, June begins to understand that all these different things are connected. And as she investigates further, she realises that she herself is in terrible danger.

Because someone out there wants June gone. Permanently.

Author Bio

Kevin is a Guidance Counselor by day and a psychological thriller author during his off hours. He puts an original slant on some common experiences and creates engaging stories with a personal twist. Kevin lives in Dublin, Ireland with three great kids, a frenetic Westie, Alfie, and a wife who makes him laugh, which is really all he could ask for.

Kevin writes psychological thrillers. The Perfect Home will be his second novel published with Inkubator Books.

1943 Inger Bredahl discovers her employer is involved with resistance against the German occupiers and is determined to help free her country. 2018 Cecilie Lund is dealing with grief at the end of her marriage and the death of her grandmother when she discovers a hidden jewellery box and wartime diary.

The Helsingør Sewing Club is a dual timeline historical novel set in the recent past and WW2 in Denmark. I knew little about Denmark’s situation during the war so found this book very interesting especially as the plot derives from true stories.

Most of the book is set in the 1940s but some is in the present day. Some chapters use the first person narrative of Inger while others show her friends and family using the third person perspective.

Inger is brave and resilient, aware of her own limitations. I found the whole range of characters to be very human and easy to relate to, including the German soldier Oskar who does his duty but is worried about his family back home. In the present day, Cecilie is trying to find her own inner strength to deal with her losses.

The Danes are struggling to exist under occupation but the danger of the Nazis’ brutality lurks before becoming explicit. The Jews are warned about their impending removal to camps and their communities help to protect the majority of them. The descriptions of the reality of life under occupation were well researched and vivid.

The Helsingør Sewing Club is a very enjoyable historical and dual timeline novel.

The Helsingør Sewing Club

Inspired by the incredible true story of how the people of Denmark saved their Jewish neighbours during WW2

Helsingør, Denmark, 1943

In the midst of the German occupation during World War Two, Inger Bredahl joins the underground resistance and risks her life to save members of Denmark’s Jewish community and help them escape to Sweden.

Copenhagen, 2018

Inger’s granddaughter, Cecilie Lund, is mourning her death when a mysterious discovery while cleaning out Inger’s flat leads past and present to intersect. As long-held secrets finally see the light of day, Cecilie learns the story of her grandmother’s courage and bravery, and of the power of friendship, love, and standing for what’s right…even when you have everything to lose.

An inspiring tale of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community.

Purchase Link – amzn.to/3nv7jR6

Author Bio – Originally from Denmark, I have lived in London for many years, surrounded by my family, cats, books and the Scandinavian hygge I try to create everywhere I go. As a linguist I love playing with words and language, and I am addicted to story-telling. I also believe strongly in social responsibility and sustainable living.

Social Media Links –

Twitter: Ella/Henriette Gyland, @henrigyland

Website: https://henriettegyland.wordpress.com/