Roberta Reads

  Review: 4 stars I really enjoyed this previous book in this series (Death Among the Diamonds), so I was keen to get my hands on Death by a Cornish Cove. Cressida, Ruby, and Dotty attend a fancy dress ball in Cornwall, where one of the guests drops dead. Naturally, they investigate! This book was very enjoyable to read. There’s a good balance between the fun elements, and the mystery. I loved spending more time with Cressida and Ruby, and the way that Ruby often assists the investigation.  The plot was great, with plenty of suspects, and a confusion of clues. It all came together neatly at the end, and I hadn’t guessed the murderer before the big reveal.  If you’re looking for a fun and exciting historical cosy crime, this one’s a pippin. I look forward to the next book in the series. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Book Description: A seaside party at a Cornish mansion with plenty of fizz, what could be more perfect? But something fishy is afoot...

One Enchanted Evening by Katie Fforde My rating: 4 of 5 stars I’ve been a fan of Katie Fforde’s books since I started reading romance in my late teens. So I got my hands on One Enchanted Evening asap! This story is set in the 1960s, and follows Meg, the third of the friends first introduced in A Wedding in the Country. This book would work really well as a standalone, but I have enjoyed reading them in order. I loved the setting of this story. The Nightingale Woods is enchanting, if rather run down, and I loved exploring it and the grounds through Meg’s eyes. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I really liked Meg, who is a quiet character in general, but stands up for herself when necessary. I wasn’t sure about Justin to start with, he was very rude and patronising, but by the end of the story we get to see his true character. I loved the fact that as well as the romance(s), the story is full of friendships. Overall, this was a lovely gentle roma...

Dragonracers by Peter Bunzl My rating: 4 of 5 stars I’ve enjoyed many of Peter Bunzl’s previous books, and I enjoy stories about dragons, so Dragonracers was a no brainier for me. I really loved Kitty and her absolute determination to fly, though I can understand why her father is so reluctant to allow how to participate in such a dangerous (at that time) activity as a child. I liked that she and Harris didn’t lose their kindness towards others in their ambition to win the race. The plot was a lot of fun, with Kitty and Harris trying to keep the dragon secret as she grows so rapidly! And the race was exciting to read. I loved the author’s note at the end, which described the real London to Manchester air race. Overall, this was a wonderful adventure that was huge fun to read. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

A Terrible Village Poisoning by Hannah Hendy My rating: 4 of 5 stars I really enjoyed the previous two books in this series (The Dinner Lady Detectives and An Unfortunate Christmas Murder), so I was keen to get my hands on A Terrible Village Poisoning. This time around, Margery, Clementine, and friends are not in their familiar surroundings, but on holiday in another village. Naturally, people start dropping dead, and they can’t resist poking their noses in. I loved revisiting these characters, they are so much fun. I really like the relationship that Margery and Clementine have, they understand each other well and care very much. The plot is particularly fun this time - there’s a lot of confusing things going on in this village, and it takes a while to start making sense. It was very enjoyable trying to figure out the solution as more clues were revealed! Overall, this was a fun mystery, with a collection of characters that never fail to make me lau...

Review: 5 out of 5 stars I was so excited to read the first book in Jessica Redland’s new series. I loved the Hedgehog Hollow series (not to mention all her other books), so the start of a new series is definitely something to celebrate! The characters were great. I loved Barney. He’s such a lovely man, who works hard and cares about people. I also really like Amber, and the way she’s there for her sister (among other people). And of course I enjoyed seeing some cameos from Hedgehog Hollow characters too! I love the setting. Like Amber, I feel at home on farms (one side of my family has a number of farmers), so Bumblebee Barn felt like home immediately. I adore the bumblebee watercolour at the top of each chapter, and the cover is beautiful too. The plot was a lovely one. Jessica Redland writes really well, and has a great way of conveying the characters emotions, and making it easy to connect with them. The story was absorbing and kept my attention (something I’ve been finding difficu...

Murder at the Charity Ball by Helena Dixon My rating: 5 of 5 stars I love the Miss Underhay books, they’re one of my favourite cosy crime series. So I couldn’t wait to get my copy of Murder at the Charity Ball, the 11th volume. Once again, Kitty just happens to be at an event when a dead body is found - this time by her father. I loved the mystery plot, it kept me guessing right until the end. There were plenty of suspicious characters it could have been! It was lovely to return to this favourite group of characters, and to see the fulfilment of a certain happy event! Kitty and Matt now work well together, along with Inspector Greville, and others. I’m pleased to see Bertie still being mischievous, though thankfully starting to calm down a little. And I absolutely loved the way that Alice saved the day. Overall, this was another excellent story in a great series, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. Although this book would read well ...

Libby and the Highland Heist by Jo Clarke My rating: 4 of 5 stars I selected this book because the cover looked fun, and the blurb sounded interesting. I’ve not read the previous book in the series (Libby and the Parisian Puzzle). However, that didn’t prevent my enjoyment of this story, though I think if you’re going to read the whole series, it would work best read from the beginning. I really liked Connie and Libby, they are both feisty and find ways to solve mysteries in spite of the fact that they’re at school. Their friendship is a very important part of the story. The plot was fun, with thefts and cons, and the children were very inventive in their efforts to bring the wrongdoers to justice. Overall, this was a fun mystery, with a great friendship at its centre. I look forward to reading more stories by Jo Clarke. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

The Secret of Angel Cove - 4 stars: I read Winter at Cliff’s End Cottage last year, and loved it so much that I have since read many of Sheila Norton’s back catalogue. And so I jumped on the chance to review The Secret of Angel Cove. What a lovely story. I loved meeting Joy and Sara, and all the other more minor characters. I loved reading about the friendship that the two of them strike up, when they’re both at a time of big change in their lives. I really enjoy reading stories about friendship between people of different ages, because we don’t just make friends with people our own age in real life. I loved the setting too. The Smugglers’ Cottages at Angel Cove sound like such a beautiful place to live.  I enjoyed the flashbacks to Philip and Chrissie’s story too, and all the conversations at the historical society. I don’t know what else to say really, apart from how happy reading this book made me feel. I really loved reading about characters of lots of different ages. Overall, ...

A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones My rating: 5 of 5 stars Darynda Jones is one of the only two authors where I buy their books without even reading the blurb (Gail Carriger is the other). So I was very excited to get my hands on the third, and final, book in the Sunshine series, A Hard Day for a Hangover. I loved this book so much. I love this collection of characters, and the quirky town they live in. I especially love Sunshine and Auri, and their relationship. I was pleased to read the developments in Sun and Levi’s relationship (can’t say more because spoilers!). The plot was (as always) a brilliant one that kept me turning the pages. It’s really such a wonderful blend of the cases Sunshine is trying to solve (and Auri too, for that matter), and the personal stories too. And of course it’s full of fun banter and the chapter headings that we all love! Overall, this was everything you’d expect from a Darynda Jones book, a page-turning plot,...

  Review -  5 stars: This is my first book by Eliza J. Scott. I loved the cover, so snowy and two dogs! Having read A Cosy Christmas with the Village Vet, I’ll definitely be checking out the other books in the series. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was full of seasonal cheer, and the warmth of community. Not to mention lots of lovely dogs!  I loved the setting in Yorkshire, and the snow made it feel very wintery and Christmassy. I loved the village of Lytell Stangdale, and the sense of people supporting one another. The romance was great too, and the way Nick and Brogan met, and then re-met, was definitely entertaining. They’re both great characters, well written and realistic. I very quickly empathised with both of them. Overall, this was a lovely romance, full of Christmassy cheer and community feeling. Perfect to curl up with on a cold winter evening. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Blurb: It’s the most magical time of the year! Will Br...