Lady Beatrice is shocked and distraught at the death of her husband in a car crash. But she is more upset by the unyielding questions from the police officer Richard Fitzwilliam.
An Early Death is a prequel set before the events of the Right Royal Cozy Investigation series. I have previously reviewed the three books in the series: Spruced Up For Murder, For Richer For Deader, and Not Mushroom For Death.
Readers of the series will be aware of the antagonistic relationship between Bea and Richard but this takes us right back to their first meeting.The author clearly states that this should be read as a prequel and not alone. I think this would be enjoyable enough on its own but benefits from us knowing what happens in the future.
The focus of this book is more on Richard and his personal life which was refreshing to see his perspective. He has had a series of promotions but this has put his marriage at risk. He isn’t really a people person so interviewing witnesses in not his forte. There was humour and also a wonderful self awareness of his own flaws which made him much more easy to like.
Lady Bea has a lesser role in this book and Simon and Perry are mentioned but not greatly developed as characters. It is fascinating to see how they were in the past and contrast this with the characters we know from the present day series. I love the fictional royals and the warmth with which the whole series has been written.
An Early Death is a great prequel which really sets up the series by adding extra detail.
An Early Death
BREAKING NEWS Mystery Woman was in the Earl of Rossex’s car when it crashed
Reports are coming in that an unidentified woman was in the car that killed James Wilshire (24), the Earl of Rossex, when it crashed in Fenshire late on Tuesday evening and died from her injuries later in hospital. The police have not named the woman, but sources at Francis Court, where the earl lived with his wife Lady Beatrice (21) claim the dead woman was the wife of a member of staff.
The impertinence of the man! Who does this Detective Sergeant Richard Fitzwilliam think he is asking personal questions about the state of her marriage and insinuating that James was having an affair with the estate manager’s wife? Of course he wasn’t! She knew her husband and he wouldn’t do that to her. But what was James doing back in Fenshire on that fateful night when he’d told her he would be London? And why was Gill Sterling in the car with him when they barely knew each other? Unless, of course, she didn’t know her husband as well as she thought she did…
PLEASE NOTE: This is a prequel in the A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series and is not intended to be read as a standalone.
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Author Bio –
Hello. I’m Helen Golden and I write British contemporary cozy whodunnits with a hint of humour. I live in small village in Lincolnshire in the UK with my husband, my step-daughter, her two cats, our two dogs, sometimes my step-son, and our tortoise.
I used to work in senior management, but after my recent job came to a natural end I had the opportunity to follow my dreams and start writing. It’s very early in my life as an author, but so far I’m loving it.
It’s crazy busy at our house, so when I’m writing I retreat to our caravan (an impulsive lockdown purchase) which is mostly parked on our drive. When I really need total peace and quiet, I take it to a lovely site about 15 minutes away and hide there until my family runs out of food or clean clothes
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Hannah is happy running after her fifteen year old twins. But when they go on holiday with her ex for the summer she finds herself at a loose end and agrees to take part in a sponsored run for charity. Her only hope of success is personal trainer Gabe but can she run from her feelings for him…?
Love On The Run is a light hearted, fun and wonderfully warm romance set in the UK.
Hannah’s journey is perhaps a little predictable but this did not stop my enjoyment at all. She is a dedicated single mum whose main focus in on her kids. To my mind, there is a serious message about staying true to yourself and ensuring that being a parent does not result in a loss of self (not easy, as every other parent will know!)
I really loved this book and could completely relate to Hannah. I was one of those kids who was useless at PE and had asthma so running was never on my radar. Hannah goes on a journey of self-discovery as she looks at her fitness as well as her personal life. Ten years ago I was a single mum and felt that I had lost my identity so I could understand Hannah’s perspective.
Learning to run can be tough. I took up running in lockdown and never thought I would manage 5k but now it is easy! Hannah is utterly unprepared for the physical exertion required, and her first attempt is very amusing. However she is determined to persevere and I admired her ambition. Meanwhile her heart is also racing due to her attraction to Gabe. Viewing both perspectives, I was eager for them to find happiness together.
There is also a gentle side to the humour as emotions come to the fore. Hannah and Gabe are both struggling with overcoming their fears of a new relationship. However the most poignant part is Hannah’s Aunt Dorothy mourning for her late husband which really pulled at my heart.
Love On The Run is a lovely warm novel about new chances and love.
Love On the Run
With her ex and her kids away, a woman takes up running and meets a new man – but can they make it to the finish line?
Ten years after their divorce, this is the first time Hannah’s ex-husband has had the kids for more than a weekend. Her calendar is gloriously blank, ready to be filled with some self-care time.
That is until Hannah’s BFFs push her to join a charity race for which she’ll need to start training – after all, she’s not doing anything else.
And her mum nags her to have Aunt Dorothy over for a visit.
So much for me-time…
However, Hannah’s not in tip-top shape, and running is a challenge to say the least. Maybe Gabe, the nice-looking personal trainer, can help with that? The more Hannah struggles, the more determined she becomes. But then Hannah is tripped up when she finds out Gabe has ashocking secret. Does this mean he’ll be out of the running for a place in her heart?
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Author Bio –
Suzie Tullett is an author of contemporary humorous fiction and romantic comedy. She has a Masters Degree in Television & Radio Scriptwriting and worked as a scriptwriter before becoming a full-time novelist. When she’s not busy creating her own literary masterpieces, she usually has her head in someone else’s.
Suzie lives in a little Irish cottage by the sea, along with her husband and two Greek rescue dogs.
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Last year I noticed that the latest food craze were pasta crisps. I even found some gluten free vegan ones on holiday. But my attempt to make them in the oven was not a total sucess. The flavour was good but the texture wasn’t quite right.
Last month I decided to have another go and made pasta crisps in the air fryer! I am now totally addicted to them and make them every week!
Ingredients
75g uncooked pasta
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon Italian herbs (or 1 pinch each of oregano, basil, sage)
a pinch of chilli flakes if you fancy it (or a generous shake if you likethe heat!)
Method
Cook the pasta according to the instructions then drain.
Mix the oil and herbs together then add the cooked pasta and stir until fully combined.
Cook in the air fryer for 5 minutes then open and shake. Cook for a further 5 minutes.
Allow to cool before eating. Try not to eat them all at once!
I really want to try some different flavour combinations but I love this one so much that I don’t want to mess with perfection!
A newborn baby is found abandoned in the snow on the same night that a coach driver is found murdered. Special Constable Jane Bell is concerned about the baby’s mother’s welfare but her own personal situation is proving to be more urgent as her daughter’s boyfriend is linked to the murder…
Murder Against The Odds is the third book in the Warwick and Bell series (I have read and reviewed the second book Murder Across The Lines). There are references to earlier events but it is not necessary to have read the previous books to understand the plot or characters.
Jane and Steph are great lead characters. Both are hard working, feisty, and loyal. But they rubbed each other up the wrong way in the first book so their interactions are fraught with tension. Their cases appear to be completely separate but due to a personal link the women are forced to interact. The book blurb mentions a link between the abandoned baby and the murder but this connection isn’t made until two thirds of the way through the book.
Jane is incredibly anxious about her daughter Norah’s new relationship. She relies on Steph to keep her up to date when Joe is mentioned in connection with the murder. Jane also has another personal item taking her attention: her young friend Thea is involved in a protest. But the lead protester is controlling and dismissive when another young woman goes missing.
The majority of the book deals with personal issues of the police officer which bend back towards the case at various points. Steph is having flashbacks about Cal and the past, whilst Jane hears some shocking truths about her late husband that creates personal turmoil. Both women act and react in an authentic way and I liked them both despite their flaws.
Murder Against The Odds is an engaging detective thriller due to the strong lead characters.
MURDER AGAINST THE ODDS by Janice Frost
”Hard-hitting and realistic-feeling story. Frightening. Really enjoyed it.” Aileen
A TOTALLY GRIPPING CRIME MYSTERY FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR JANICE FROST.
The early hours of a freezing January night. Special Constable Jane Bell is at the end of a busy late shift when she’s called out to investigate strange noises in a local park. She finds a wailing new-born baby girl dumped in a plastic storage box.
That same night Detective Steph Warwick attends the murder of coach driver Bernie Gore, whose battered body is found in a narrow alleyway.
The last thing Jane wants is to lock horns with Steph Warwick once again. Then vital evidence emerges linking Bernie Gore’s murder to the abandoned baby. And Jane has no choice but to alert the sharp-tongued detective inspector.
If they are to solve Bernie’s murder and track down Baby Elsa’s mother, the two women must bury the hatchet and learn to work together.
Matters become even more complicated when a prime suspect emerges — with close links to Jane’s family.
This unputdownable mystery full of twists is the perfect read for fans of: Angela Marsons, Joy Ellis, Ruth Rendell, Helen H. Durrant, Rachel McLean and Michael Hambling.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT JANICE FROST:
“This book has opened my eyes . . . I feel like I have lived in a bubble living in the mountains in a small town.” Chelsea A.
“Well-written, twists and turns aplenty and with a credible cast of characters but with a vicious, intense and emotional storyline.” Ruth G.
“A decent follow-up with the return and growth of several characters.” Donna B.
MEET THE DETECTIVES
SPC Jane Bell is forty-five, a widow of three years following the premature death of her husband, Sam. She has two grown-up children, Patrick and Norah, who are pursuing careers in London. After Sam’s death, Jane makes some changes to her life. She downsizes from their large family home in the country to a cottage in Lincoln.
DI Stephanie Warwick is thirty-five. She left school at eighteen and worked in a bank before joining the police force. She is haunted by her ex-boyfriend, Cal. He attempted to kill her twelve years ago, and murdered her best friend.
JANICE FROST
Janice was born and grew up in West Lothian, Scotland. After completing an English degree at St Andrew’s University, she moved to London where she lived for ten years doing an assortment of jobs. Her passions are reading, writing and walking in Scotland and the Lake District. She lives in Lincolnshire with her husband and two sons.
BOOKS BY JANICE FROST
DS MERRY & DI NEAL SERIES
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DEAD SECRET
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DARK SECRET
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HER HUSBAND’S SECRET
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THEIR FATAL SECRETS
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DIRTY SECRETS
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MURDEROUS SECRETS
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THE COMPLETE MERRY & NEAL MYSTERIES BOX SET
WARWICK & BELL SERIES
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MURDER AMONG FRIENDS
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MURDER ACROSS THE LINES
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STANDALONES
FOLLOW JANICE ON
1952, Clara Newton’s orphanage is the victim of a campaign of upsetting incidents: stolen bikes, broken windows, and other little attacks. Has Clara made an enemy and are the children in danger?
The Children Left Behind is the 4th book to feature Clare Newton and her children’s home. I have not read the previous books but I feel it would be beneficial to read the books in order due to the mentions of previous inhabitants and relationships.
An important thread throughout the book is the on-off relationship between Clara and Ivor. He proposes but she isn’t ready. Clara feels that she has a vocation and a duty towards the children in her care. She isn’t ready to conform to the norms of the time and become simply a housewife. The author mentions in her note at the end that she has kept Clara and Ivor’s relationship hanging. She admits that some people find Clara a bit irritating and this is what I felt. Clara and Ivor should have just sat down and talked about how to continue the children’s home and worked out how to compromise!
There is plenty of mystery as Clara muses on who could be responsibile for the incidents at the orphanage. She contemplates her own circumstances and responsibilities as well as the safety of those she loves. There are several suspects who could have been upset for various reasons and I was kept guessing until the true culprit was revealed.
I enjoyed the use of real events to underpin the fictional narrative. In particular, the death of the King which was relatable due to the recent death of our own Queen, and the experience of the air crash at Farnborough which is local to me.
The Children Left Behind is an emotional historical book.
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Book: The Children Left Behind (prev. An Orphan’s Hope)
Author: Lizzie Page
Pub Day: March 3rd 2023
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About the Book:
England, 1951. In the aftermath of World War Two, Clara’s orphanage is all these children have left. Can she keep them safe and help them to heal? A heart-warming and emotional story of love and loss.
Clara Newton has dedicated her life to taking care of orphans who have nobody in the world but her. From affectionate Gladys, who desperately misses her older brothers, to traumatised Florrie who longs for her father and refuses to eat, Clara loves each of the children like they are her own.
But even though she has opened her heart to so many little ones, when brown-eyed war hero Ivor asks her to marry him, Clara is afraid to take a chance on love. Would married life prevent her from dedicating herself completely to her orphans?
Clara is soon distracted from the troubles of her heart when her beloved orphanage comes under attack. Someone throws stones through the window, and a threatening message is chalked near the door. Why would anyone want to frighten innocent children? And as the attacks get worse, can Clara keep the orphans safe?
Desperate to protect the little ones in her care, Clara takes the children on a day out. Away from the orphanage, Clara hopes that she and the children will be able to put their worries behind them. But when a terrible accident happens, will they all make it out alive? And will it be too late for Clara to tell Ivor how she really feels?
An utterly tear-jerking, heart-warming and unforgettable historical novel, set in the aftermath of World War Two. Perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours, Diney Costeloe and The Orphan Sisters.
(PREVIOUSLY TITLED: An Orphan’s Hope)
Author Bio
Lizzie Page loves reading ALL the books, and she’s always loved reading the adventures of women in the past so it seemed natural to her to write historical fiction.
Lizzie lives with her family by the sea in South East England. And with her dog. How did she forget her dog? She enjoys traveling and lived in Japan for several years. Lizzie has had lots of different jobs from waitressing and teaching to admin and bingo-calling – but being a writer is her absolute favourite.
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