#20ReadsofSummer2019 -update

What have I been up to?

Well, I’ve been away on holiday and read three books towards my #20BooksofSummer challenge.

Challenge – Update

If I have already written a review then the title will link you to that for all the information. Otherwise I will put a short comment.

1. When She Vanishes by Claire Douglas

2. Bold Lies by Rachel Lynch

3. The Last Widow by Karin Slaughter

4. Murderland by Pamela Murray

5. Burnt Island by Kate Rhodes

6. Death of an Angel by Derek Farrell

7. Ice Cold Heart by P J Tracy

8. Murder Unearthed by Amanda Waller

9. The Chain by Adrian McKinty

10. The Last Stage by Louise Voss

11. Absolute Proof by Peter James

And now I can add the following –

12. The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder by Sarah J. Harris – this book sounded intriguing and I requested it through NetGalley but as I didn’t hear for a while I thought I wasn’t going to get a copy so I bought it for my kindle. Then I got my request accepted! I don’t mind buying an eCopy or a paperback of a book even if I have had it via NetGalley.

This is a story of a boy, Jasper, who believes he has committed murder. He has Prosopagnosia more commonly known as face-blindness and Autism which means, for Jasper, that he has to recognise people by their clothes, not always reliable, and their voices. People’s voices are colours, things are colours and it is through his painting and his notebooks that he tries to explain what happened.

13. The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton by Ansty Harris – a NetGalley eBook.

The story of Grace, once a musician, she makes instruments – violins, violas and cellos- in her London shop. She has a relationship with David, who is married, their clandestine relationship has been going on for a number of years. It is on a weekend with David in Paris that he saves the life of a woman on the Metro. It goes viral, he’s a hero! Now starts a chain of events that turn Graces world upside down.

Not my usual crime fiction preference but I do like to ‘mix it up’ occasionally and something about this book just seemed to draw me.

14. The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths – a NetGalley eBook.

Back to crime fiction but with a rather spooky twist for my third holiday read. I’ll simply give you the blurb for this one!

A dark story has been brought to terrifying life. Can the ending be rewritten in time?

This is what the police know: English teacher Clare Cassidy’s friend Ella has just been murdered. Clare and Ella had recently fallen out. Found beside the body was a line from The Stranger, a story by the Gothic writer Clare teaches, and the murder scene is identical to one of the deaths in the story.

This is what Clare knows: No one else was aware of her fight with Ella. Few others have even read The Stranger. Someone has wormed their way into her life and her work. They know her darkest secrets. And they don’t mean well.

This is what the killer knows: Who will be next to die.

I noticed you can get this e-Book for just £1.99 at the moment.

I will post my thoughts on the above books in the coming week.

Not doing too badly then!

Well I’m amazed that I’ve managed this many books so far and am currently reading my fifteenth book! With pretty much still a month to go I think I might just manage the full twenty! Having only set the original target as ten this year I’m feeling pretty chuffed to have already reached and surpassed that.

So book 15?

Yes! I returned from holiday to this lovely looking book post, compliments of the Publisher – Malcolm Down Ltd – for which, many thanks. More about the book soon in the meantime here’s a picture…

I’m on the #LoveBooksTours Blog Tour for An Elegant Solution by Anne Atkins this month so you will be able to read my thoughts then.

What about the holiday?

Oh, yes! Thanks for asking, It was a wonderful holiday.

Firstly to Verona where we saw a wonderful production of La Traviata. We were there for four glorious and very hot days! Giving us enough of an excuse to not only explore but to sit, drink something refreshing and watch the world go by. It’s a beautiful city full of history with lot’s to see and do.

Then a week here on Lake Garda. Wonderful weather. Just a couple of trips as this was to be our relaxation after Verona. Chilling out on the balcony, out and about having drinks, great food and some delicious gelato – over which you pour an espresso coffee to become the amazing Affogato. Met some lovely people also on holiday and made very welcome by the wonderful Italians we met.