“THE BUTTERFLY COLLECTOR” Tea Cooper

“The Butterfly Collector”  Tea Cooper

Tea Cooper has the reader turning the pages with impatience as the characters evolve, from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.. A surprise of a butterfly costume is sent to Verity Binks, a news correspondent, for a masquerade ball in 1922.. How is it connected to the discovery of a previously unknown butterfly in the 19th century and a missing baby?

Verity’s research into the family of the woman who first saw that butterfly, Theodora Breckenridge,  leads her to an unexpected personal connection.. and also reveals the history of the Treadwell Foundation which appears to help ‘disgraced young women’ and their babies. A powerful story, with the horror of attitudes of a different era and the unexpected connections over fifty years… beautifully written as always by Tea Cooper.

Many thanks to Better Reading and the publisher Harper Collins for providing a copy of the book to review.

"HALIFAX" Transgression Roger Simpson

Having been a fan of the television series, I was interested in reading this, the first novel about Halifax, written by the screen writer, Roger Simpson. Would it have the same intensity and depth of the series…

It’s certainly not disappointing .. though with incredibly cruel murders. Were they all from the same perpetrator? Why impale the art collector on one of his collections? Also how could one of the main suspects still have the love of a gentle woman? Have they got the wrong man?  

A pattern seems to be forming, but Jane Halifax can’t quite determine a link nor a reason. Is this psychopath trying to impress her or even Inspector Eric Ringer, with whom she has a history.

It’s so hard to accept that such evil exists. Is it payback? If so, why and to whom? 

Clues seem to evaporate  as soon as discovered. It’s one heck of a story, with so many twists and turns. Definitely a page turner...

I look forward to the next novel.

Thanks to Better Reading and the publisher for an advance copy to review.

* The You Tube interview with the author, Roger Simpson, was also quite interesting.

"GEMINI FALLS" Sean Wilson

 

GEMINI FALLS       Sean Wilson

If ever there was a novel that kept the reader wondering and interested in a time long gone, it has to be Gemini Falls..wonderfully crafted by Sean Wilson. He completely immerses you in the era of the 1930 Great Depression.

Morris, 13, a passionate would be astronomer and his older sister, Lottie, accompanied their detective father, Jude, to his home town..where he'd been sent to investigate a murder. With polio rampant in the city, he felt his children would be safer in the country.  They would also meet family for the first time.

A young girl's body was found in puzzling circumstances..Morris is led by his 'new' cousin, Flo, who proclaims that they and Sam, the Mayor's son, should do their own investigation. Town folk are convinced that the 'down and outers' in the nearby squalid camp are to blame. The three children are soon convinced that they have found the perpetrator, but that was to change a few times...with perhaps the most unlikely murderer finally being identified.

An intriguing story, not easily forgotten.

Thanks to Better Reading and Affirm Press for an Advance Reading Copy to review.

"THE ONLY CHILD" Kayte Nunn

 

 

 

 "The Only Child" Kayte Nunn

This has to be one of the most powerful, horrifying and yet intriguing stories that I have read in a long time. It is almost unbelievable, but sadly, a true depiction of how ‘fallen women’ and indeed, some very young girls, were discarded by society and often by their own families. Though set in the US, it could be in one of many countries …

The prologue is heartbreaking as a newborn infant is buried, just another child of a disgraced young mother… Those who survived were adopted out to ‘proper’ families..

“Fairmile”, which had once been a home for single mothers, was in the process of being restored as a boutique hotel, when not only an elderly nun’s death seemed suspicious, but a tiny skeleton was found in the grounds.

Frankie, the daughter of the woman restoring the hotel and a soon to be Deputy Sheriff, comes to reconcile with her teenage daughter, Izzy and gets sidetracked by the above discoveries. 

This is not only a story of families, history, challenges, but a story you can’t put down…

Better Reading kindly supplied me an advanced reading copy to review.

#BRPreview

@betterreading

 

"THE CAST AWAYS OF HAREWOOD HALL" by Karen Herbert

The Cast Aways of Harewood Hall

Karen Herbert

At first, I found the extensive detail re characters somewhat overwhelming … It felt as if the author wanted to reveal all in a hurry, before getting in to the story. However, once I read more and it all came together, I did feel empathetic towards not only the residents but also the staff. 

Having had family in both retirement villages and aged care, I found myself smiling and sighing as it seemed so familiar. Can’t say I expected the residents of the basement.  

Fiona and Josh stand out.. as caring for all and I certainly recognised Joyce, there always seems to be one in a community.

Ms Herbert brings life to all, the staff, the residents and the wonderful cat called Harley and dog, Bobby. It leaves the reader wondering what next.. a great read, when will the sequel appear?

Thanks to Better Reading for providing a copy for review. 

Publisher is Fremantle Press.

THREADS OF AWAKENING: Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo

 

Threads of Awakening: An American Woman’s Journey into Tibet’s Sacred Textile Art.. is not just written, rather it has been crafted by Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo..

This is not a book that you can settle down to read over a day or so. The detail in it is considerable, the author has crafted her memoirs beautifully, from her first impression and her desire to learn how to create “thanka” Tibetan textile art or tanka/thangka, to

her ongoing study of this wonderful ‘textile language’. 

The wonderful illustrations, especially of the appliqués and traditions, invite the reader into a world of patience, and attention to detail, while the respect of the religious practices that are the foundation of the thangkas, binds all. I loved the intricacies of the thangkas, especially the lotus flowers.

Many thanks to Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo for such a colourful and inspirational experience. Thanks also for admitting that she has enough fabric to last several lifetimes… I feel a lot better when looking at my stash now.

I can see myself revisiting this book time and time again..

I received an advance copy of this book to review thanks to LibraryThing.

" A HOME LIKE OURS " by Fiona Lowe

 

I felt so much for Helen and the situation she found herself in, including moments of terror.... sleeping in a car isn't the safest place to be, however her strength and determination was well portrayed. She never expected to find herself in such circumstances, but surely this small town would be her safe place.

 

She is so different to that of unmarried Mum, Jade, whom I wanted to shake and hug at the same time. She put her faith in someone  totally undeserving, rather than in herself.

I wondered what Tara’s connection would be.. she seemed an unlikely addition at first, with a husband who was more interested in cricket than her. At first she seemed barely tolerant of her new neighbour, Fiza, a refugee, as she was so absorbed in her own problems, with their business and home.

I expected it would be Helen who first reached out to include Fiza, though in some ways, it was the reverse. 

Strangely enough, it was a community garden that united this mixed lot, along with the aid of the gentle man, Bob and the very understanding Lachie…

Fiona Lowe depicts small town people and problems so very well..  letting the reader get to know the inhabitants of Boolanga.

Thanks go to Better Reading who kindly supplied a copy of Fiona Lowe’s “ A Home Like Ours “ for review.