Reviews – The travels of Mary Loosemore

No Friend To This House – Natalie Haynes Medea‘s story, from a female’s perspective. Not just Jason and the Argonauts, but the origins of the Golden Fleece and family life after the death of Medea’s two sons. Excellent listening on the audiobook, with author Natalie Haynes doing the reading. Recommended. Author page: No Friend To This House – Natalie Haynes

Murder in Purple and Gold – Lindsey Davis Flavia Albia investigates the murder of a promising young charioteer and we learn about Roman chariot racing: the teams, the fame and the fans. Parallels with Formula 1 and Premier League Football, right down to the celebrity girlfriends. Author page: Murder in Purple and Gold – Lindsey Davis

Foster – Claire Keegan Loved it. A slimmer tale than Small Things Like These, but one that wraps around your heart in the same way. Publisher page: Foster – Claire Keegan

The Disappearance of Emily Marr – Louise Candlish A love affair. A tragic traffic accident. Trial by social media and press persecution. Two lost women sharing their stories over a summer on the Île de Ré. Author page: The Disappearance of Emily Marr – Louise Candlish

The Dead of Winter – S. J. Parris Three novellas providing insights into Bruno’s early years as a Dominican Friar in Naples, and three men who shaped his learning. Still slow going, although the third story least so. Author page: The Dead of Winter – S. J. Parris

Sacrilege – S. J. Parris Slow going with this third novel in S. J. Parris’ Giordano Bruno series. Our Elizabethan theologian-philosopher-sleuth is off to Canterbury to clear the name of his unrequited love Sophia who’s been accused of murdering her husband, a Canterbury big wig. Once there he encounters political intrigue, Huguenot refugees, dead children, chatty apothecaries, ancient wisdom, and the underground cult of St Thomas Becket. Author’s page: Sacrilege – S. J. Parris

The Hallmarked Man – Robert Galbraith The Strike and Ellacott Detective Agency are asked to investigate the identity of a body in the cellar vault of a masonic silverware shop in central London. It’s a cold case, and as Cormoran and Robin delve into the details there are four potential victims. Alongside the investigation we’ve got All The Relationships – Robin and Ryan, Robin and her family, Cormoran and various London Rich Women, Cormoran and his estranged father, Cormoran and the press,…

I’ve read a few rave reviews of this novel about Lambert Simnel, the first pretender to Henry VII’s precarious place on the throne, and I really wanted to enjoy it more than I did – it’s such a fantastic story. I think you may need to be an English Literature person to enjoy the first … Continue reading "The Pretender – Jo Harkin"

A new series from Elly Griffiths – and this time it’s a time travelling Detective! Brilliant!! The blurbs do not lie – a total page turner, Ali Dawson is another strong female protagonist surrounded by a varied and interesting supporting cast, you can sense a series-long story arc in the making. Author page: The Frozen … Continue reading "The Frozen People – Elly Griffiths"

Bear. Julian. Gordon. Three different names. Three different lives. Loved it. Author page: The Names – Florence Knapp

Bo is an old man living alone in his home in the far north of Sweden with his beloved dog Sixten. We see the regular visits from his care team and his son, occasional visits from his granddaughter and neighbours, a visit to his wife in a dementia home and join the funeral of a lifetime … Continue reading "When The Cranes Fly South – Lisa Ridzén (Translated by Alice Menzies)"

Giordano Bruno travels to Prague, home to the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, in search of Dr John Dee and finds instead a murdered alchemist and more mysteries to solve. A slow start, but a good read once the plot picked up the pace. Publisher page: Alchemy – S. J. Parris

The third (last?) instalment of Pat Barker’s retelling of the Trojan Wars from the perspective of the Women of Troy… and now Greece too as this time we follow healer Ritsa and priestess-prophetess Cassandra, captives following the fall of Troy, and Queen Clytemnestra of Mycenae waiting for the return of her husband Agamemnon 10 years … Continue reading "The Voyage Home – Pat Barker"