Roberta Reads

Drama and Danger by J.T. Williams My rating: 5 of 5 stars J. T. Williams is new to me, but I love children’s crime stories, and the cover looked like a lot of fun, so I leapt right in. I enjoyed every minute of reading this book. I loved the two main characters, Lizzie and Belle, and the friendship that springs up between them. They are resilient, persistent, and kind. I love that they are based on real people. I also loved the Sancho family dynamics, it was so much fun to read about all Lizzie’s siblings. The plot was excellent too, the girls gradually unravel the mystery, as they find out more and more about what is going on in the world around them. I was kept interested on every page. The setting of London in 1777 comes across very clearly, and made me feel like I was really there. The illustrations by Simone Douglas are lovely, and really bring the story (even more) to life. Overall, this was a wonderful adventure, in a world that feels very real. I hi...

Murder Before Evensong by Richard Coles My rating: 3 of 5 stars I love cozy crime, so I picked up Murder Before Evensong. I thought it would make a change from my usual cozy crimes, which it did. I enjoyed this book, which is set in 1988 (something that is not mentioned in the blurb). The pace is slow and gentle, which made a nice break from my previous book. I enjoyed reading about all the procedures that Daniel carries out in the church, and getting to know the various characters in the village. The solution to the murders was interesting and unexpected (and rather sad). The only thing I found a little frustrating, was that there were virtually no clues, and I didn’t know the characters well enough, to have a go at solving the mystery myself. I prefer murder mysteries where I feel like I have some idea of who did it (even if I’m wrong!). I feel like the series may improve with later books, as we now know the characters better. Overall, this was a ...

Murder En Suite by Kate P. Adams My rating: 4 of 5 stars I’ve been enjoying Kate P Adams’ books for a while now, and I’m a big fan of the Charleton House Mysteries series. I therefore jumped at the chance to read Murder En Suite, the first in her new Joyce and Ginger Mysteries series. This book was a lot of fun. I enjoyed seeing Joyce, and her new friend Ginger, turning their hands to mystery solving. Their interactions are always entertaining, they have a fine line in banter, but equally are there to support each other. The plot is another great one - Ginger’s friend offers them a free stay in his newly refurbished hotel, and no sooner do they check in, than they stumble across a dead body! It was a joy to see them putting their wits to work, and with a plethora of excellent suspects, I didn’t guess who the culprit was before the ending. Overall, this was a fun cozy crime, with great characters and an interesting plot. I’m looking forward to my next...

Give Up The Ghost by Angie Fox My rating: 5 of 5 stars The southern ghost hunter series is a long-standing favourite of mine, so I was very excited to read Give Up the Ghost, the 11th book. I was not disappointed! This time around, the trouble is caused when an item is removed from the time capsule that could reveal scandal for many of the residents of Sugarland. It doesn’t take long for things to turn nasty, and Verity ends up helping an unexpected person! I really love this series, it’s always such a joy to come back to a collection of characters that I enjoy so much. As always, the story is full of humour, as well as a cracking murder mystery plot. Frankie really winds up Verity in this one, and it’s hilarious (and involves cute animals). I really enjoyed finding out a bit more about Virginia Wydell and her history, it definitely adds context to the way she behaves. Oh, and there’s a development on the Frankie front too (all I can say without spoi...

The Clockwork Queen by Peter Bunzl My rating: 4 of 5 stars I’ve really enjoyed everything that Peter Bunzl has written, so I jumped on the chance to read an advance copy of The Clockwork Queen. I really enjoyed this story, which is set in Russia during the reign of Catherine the Great. Sophie is a great character, who copes with several misfortunes and wins through in the end (with the help of some friends). This was a quick and easy read, with a fun and imaginative story. I also liked the Author’s note at the end, which gives some factual background for the story. The illustrations throughout are lovely, and really add to the atmosphere of the book. Overall, this story is a fun way to while away an hour or so. I recommend it, and all of Peter Bunzl’s other books too. TW: death of mother of main character, though it’s not focussed on. View all my reviews

The Blackthorn Branch by Elen Caldecott My rating: 5 of 5 stars Elen Caldecott is a new author for me. I had seen the cover image of The Blackthorn Branch shared on Twitter, and it sounded really interesting. I definitely don’t regret reading it! The Blackthorn Branch is one of those books where you’re immediately sucked into and immersed in the story. Somehow, I cared about the characters right from the first page. I really liked the way that Cassie and Siân interacted. They didn’t always agree, but they’re always there to support and help one another. They are the ones who are determined to take action, who figure out what’s going on, and in the end, with a little help from their father, save the day. Overall, this was a compelling adventure that kept me turning the pages. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

A Girl Called Justice: The Spy at the Window by Elly Griffiths My rating: 4 of 5 stars I have enjoyed the previous books in this series (though I’ve accidentally missed one!), so I naturally grabbed the chance to read A Girl Called Justice: The Spy at the Window. Justice and her friends are all getting a little older and starting to grow up. This book also feels a little more serious, as it takes place at the start of the Second World War. This time, the mystery revolves around Justice’s father, who goes missing after visiting her. There are a number of other strange happenings, and Justice and her friends are soon embroiled in another plot! I really enjoyed spending more time with this great group of characters - as well as a few new ones. The plot was fun and the ending satisfying. Overall, this was another quick and enjoyable adventure with Justice and her friends. I’m looking forward to reading the next one! I was given a free copy of this book, ...

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks by Emily Kenny My rating: 4 of 5 stars Emily Kenny is a new author for me, but I loved the cover and the title, so I gave it a go. I really enjoyed this book. Alice is a great character, and one that it’s easy to empathise with. There are also a whole host of other characters, animals and humans, who all feel very real. I really liked the setting of the boarding school by the sea too. There were lots of little bits of description that really brought the locations to life, without distracting from the pace of the story. I found the gradual discovery of Alice’s abilities was very well done, and they’re ones I would have loved to have at her age! I thought she was very courageous trying to solve the mystery, often on her own. The illustrations and other artwork are just lovely too. I especially love the images at the start of each chapter. Overall, this was a really fun adventure. I’m hoping there will be a se...

The Colour of Hope by Ross MacKenzie My rating: 5 of 5 stars I loved this book. It captured my imagination right from the first page, and kept it right until the very end. I love the world building, and the idea of colour being removed. Colour is something that is so intrinsic to most of our lives, it’s hard to imagine life without it. I loved the way magic is a part of the world. The characters are great, so believable and relatable. I especially love Hope, Darroch, and of course Oliver! I also loved the plot, it carried me along, and I just didn’t want to stop reading. It’s so fabulously well written. The only thing I didn’t like was one of the central characters died. It was absolutely necessary for the story, but more upsetting than I prefer. But the rest is so brilliant, it totally makes up for it. Overall, this was a wonderful and magical adventure, and one of my favourite books this year. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are m...

The Summer Fair by Heidi Swain My rating: 5 of 5 stars Heidi Swain has become a treasured favourite author. This was such an enjoyable and relaxing read. I loved returning to Nightingale Square, and seeing some of my favourite characters again, as well as getting to know some new ones. I really liked the music theme that ran all through this book, and the way that Eli and Beth both worked out ways to let it back into their lives how they wanted. I really liked Beth she’s been through a lot, but although she’s obviously still grieving, she’s still a kind and compassionate person, and hasn’t become bitter. Overall, this book was a joy to read, a lovely combination of romance and character development. I highly recommend it. TW: grief is a part of this story, but it’s in no way an unhappy story. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews