A Few Books on My Recommended Reading List: December 2023
Once again, I’ve been putting off writing reviews of books that I’ve loved. But thankfully, I take notes as I read, which makes the retrospective review writing much easier. As you’ve guessed, below is a list of my recommended mystery reads and a short review of my thoughts. Without further ado, let’s get on with the reviews.
A Few Books on My Recommended Reading List: July 2023
So, I have a confession to make. Since September 2022, I’ve been putting off writing reviews of books that I’ve loved. But thankfully, I take notes as I read, which makes the retrospective review writing much easier. Because I’m an author, writing reviews can be a little difficult. In light of this difficulty, I only allow myself to review a book that I loved and/or would read again. As you’ve guessed, below is a list of my recommended reads, along with a short review of my thoughts. Without further ado, let’s get on with the reviews.
009, My Favourite Mystery and Thriller Novels of 2021
In this episode of the Book Nerd Podcast, I’m going to discuss my favourite mystery and thriller novels that I read in 2021. I what you’re thinking, “it’s been a while since the end of 2021,” but hear me out. I wanted to put a bit of distance between the end of 2021 and my reading because I wanted to discuss the books that stood out to me the most. From memory, I read close to fifty books in 2021. Actually, I’ve checked, and it was 49 books read.
007, A Giant Female Amateur Sleuths Book Haul
As you can guess by the spoiler-y title, I will share with you an embarrassingly long and overdue female amateur sleuth book haul. On a surprising note, I have managed to stop myself from reading these books. As always, I will endeavour to be as spoiler-free as possible.
005, A Giant Crime, Mystery, and Thriller Book Haul
As you can guess by the spoiler-y title I’m going to discuss the crime, mystery, and thriller books that I purchased over the last six months of 2019. Yes, some of these books have been sitting in a pile on the floor in my office for eighteen months. What can I say? I’m a chronic procrastinator.
A Very Chatty Thriller Novel Book Haul
So, way back at the end of April, I decided I wanted to start filming a regular thriller novel book haul on my YouTube Channel every month. I aimed to share them here on this blog, because I’m a bit of a bibliophile and a game nerd, as you can see by the wall of bookshelves behind me in the video. In my defence, the books and games aren’t all mine. My husband, Roland also has a bit of a book problem – he’s a book nerd and a game nerd. Actually, he came with the games and some of them are super cool, but I digress.
Setting the Scene in a Novel and Book Shopping at Foyles in London | BTS Vlog #3
In this episode of a Day in the Life of a Writer Vlog, I discuss my struggles with a scene setting in my novel Immunity, then Roland and I did a bit of book shopping at Foyles in London.
The Babylon Idol by Scott Mariani | A Spoiler Free Book Review
I’m back, and I’m doing another retrospective book review. Yes, classic me. At some point, I need to start taking notes as I read books. Because that’s the sensible thing to do. This new level of organisation would also mean that I don’t have to go back a re-read a book so I can write a review. However, my inner bibliophile doesn’t see an actual problem with this. In this blog post, I discuss why I loved The Babylon Idol by Scott Mariani and my biggest pet peeve in thriller novels.
The Cleaner by Mark Dawson | A Spoiler Free Book Review
This is another one of those classic cases where I’ve read a book and thought, I must review this book for my Thriller Novel Nerd Blog. Alas, several months later, I’m now getting around to writing the review for The Cleaner by Mark Dawson. The reason I wanted to write this review was twofold. First, I loved it. The book was unexpected deep, sad, and emotional. Second, the book was written by a successful self-published author. It’s my intention to review both sides of the publishing world, traditional and self-published or indie authors. Well, the best of both worlds.
The Atlantis Plague | A Spoiler Free Book Review
t seems that old habits just won’t die. I finished reading The Atlantis Plague by A. G. Riddle on 10 July 2017. And, I’m glad to announce that I’ve finally got around to writing a review for it. This time I did manage to write down a few notes before I went on to read the next book in my current reading list. As always, I’ve tried to keep this book as spoiler free as possible because, let’s face it, most people hate spoilers. I must confess I do love a good spoiler for several reasons; the first being, I hate surprises. And the second, it adds a little suspense for me. Enough of that, let’s get started with the review.
About the Podcast
My Books
A Body is on the Lawn, and a Killer is on the Loose
When Will Thatcher doesn’t show up for work, James Lalonde must attend afternoon tea at the Carmichael Estate. The pleasant gathering ends abruptly when a body is discovered on the front lawn with strange markings on its neck, and a priceless Van Gogh is missing from the wall.
Can James figure out who the thief and murderer are before he or Alistair is next?
A Murdered Judge. A Dark Secret Silenced.
Rookie reporter James Lalonde finally gets his first story – a simple interview with soon-to-be magistrate Albert Harrington. But when he arrives, he finds blood, an empty safe, and no body. With Detective Khan suspecting him of murder, James must clear his name and solve the case before losing his story.
£2.49
A Lavish Wedding. One Dead Bride. A Tangled Web of Deception.
James Lalonde thought being a groomsman at his ex-girlfriend’s wedding would be the most awkward part of his weekend. He was wrong. After the bride’s body is found floating in the château lake, he becomes the prime suspect, and awkward becomes deadly.
Can James clear his name before the killer strikes again?
£3.99
Excalibur is Missing. A Killer is on the Loose. One Reporter is Determined to Uncover the Truth.
When James Lalonde’s girlfriend leaves him, he’s forced to cover her story about the local museum’s latest acquisition—the legendary sword Excalibur. But when he arrives, Excalibur is missing and there’s a dead body at the crime scene. Can James clear his name and find the real killer?
£2.49 £0.00
A Murdered Professor. A Priceless Manuscript Stolen.
James Lalonde’s university reunion takes a deadly turn when a hooded figure murders a professor and steals a priceless mediaeval manuscript, moments after James discovers a secret code within its pages.
With his passport confiscated and everyone hiding secrets, can James find the killer before they strike again?
£3.99
One Locked Room. A Dead Body. Five Suspects
It’s the opening of Clovervale Hall, an exquisite bed-and-breakfast in England. James Lalonde has an all-expenses-paid trip. But there’s one thing he didn’t count on—a killer roaming the halls. Soon, James discovers everyone has secrets worth killing for.
Can James solve the murder before the bodies start to pile up?
£2.49
Follow Me on Goodreads
