The Book Of Beginnings by Sally Page

 

                                              

Paperback:  384 pages      

Genre:  Contemporary Literary Fiction,                                          

Publisher: Harper Collins 2023

Source: Tywyn Public Library

First Sentence: Sometimes a heartbeat is all the time it takes to reach a decision.

Review Quote: ‘Filled with compassion and insight … a true ode to friendship’ HAZEL PRIOR

Favourite Quote: “A place for everything and everything in its place.”

Main Characters: Jo, Ruth and Malcolm

Setting:  England.

My Opinion: 

Sally Page has recently published her third novel 'The Secrets of Flowers'. As this title is already on my Wishlist I decided to read her two previous novels first, as her writing was recommended to me. So glad as I have throughly enjoyed them both and am now looking forward to reading her most recent.  

'The Book of Beginnings' is predominantly about friendship and how much contentment one can gain from those we surround ourselves with, both family and friends. The protagonists Jo, Ruth and Malcolm form a friendship which initially seems so unlikely. They all have stories to tell that transform each others lives and make them firm friends. The story is written with compassion, strong characters and some fascinating insights into some of the residents of Highgate Cemetery.

Sally Page's writing is original and I highly recommend her writing to all readers. This latest novel is such a heart warming read. 

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

From the author of the phenomenal bestseller The Keeper of Stories, comes the next uplifting story of how the most unexpected friendships are forged in the most unlikely of places . . .

Jo Sorsby knows she is hiding from her past when she steps in to look after her uncle’s stationery shop. Glimpsing the lives of her customers between the warm wooden shelves, as they scribble notes with fountain pens and browse colourful notebooks, distracts her from the life she has left behind.

Yet far from home, Jo feels adrift . . .

When she meets Ruth, a vicar running from a secret, and Malcolm, a septuagenarian struggling to write his first book, she realises that she isn’t alone.

It’s the beginning of a friendship that can transform Jo’s life . . . if only she can let them in.

Previous Review:  The Keeper of Stories

Author Profile: 

Courtesy of Author Website

After studying history at university, Sally moved to London to work in advertising. In her spare time she studied floristry at night school and eventually opened her own flower shop. Sally came to appreciate that flower shops offer a unique window into people’s stories and she began to photograph and write about this floral life in a series of non-fiction books. Later, she continued her interest in writing when she founded her fountain pen company, Plooms.co.uk.

In her debut novel, The Keeper of Stories, Sally combines her love of history and writing with her abiding interest in the stories people have to tell. Sally now lives in Dorset. Her eldest daughter, Alex, is studying to be a doctor and her younger daughter is the author, Libby Page. Both are keen wild swimmers.

Photograph, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Page.    Author's Official Website.   Instagram Profile  Twitter Profile

Facebook - SallyPageAuthor.   Goodreads Profile

Nothing to See Here by Susan Lewis

                                             

Ebook:   506 pages Kindle Edition

Genre:  Fiction, Crime, Thriller, 

Publisher:  HarperCollins (21 Nov. 2024)

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentences: Cristy Ward was engrossed in her task and not giving a moment's thought to how she looked or was being perceived.

Review Quote: 'Gripping. All through the book I had it in my head who I thought the killer was and was completely shocked to find out the truth. Absolutely amazing.' Reader Review

My Opinion: 

It was twenty-five years ago that I first read a novel by Susan Lewis and I have continued to read her writing from time to time over the years. She is a prolific author, who writes across a broad range of genre, crime, thrillers, suspense and family drama. Last year I read  A Sicilian Affair which I found captivating and I promised myself to read more of her novels.

With 'Nothing To See Here' the author has written a bumper thriller of just over 500 pages!  A cold case, an apparently unsolvable crime is at the centre of the story. Cristy Ward has decided to feature this particular case in her next True Crime Podcast. The Kellon Case Murders is particularly mysterious as sixteen years previously the police appeared to have solved the case. Then suddenly without explanation it was cited that there was not enough evidence to pursue the case against the husband. Will fresh eyes be able to unravel this complicated story?

I loved this such a C21 idea to create story around a podcast theme and it works well. One feels that Cristy, Connor and the team could feature in more novels if the author feels so inclined. With great character portrayal and so many twists and turns that will keep you guessing, this is recommended for any thriller fans that enjoy a substantial read.

Thanks to Net Galley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Previous Review:   A Sicilian Affair by Susan Lewis

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Christy Ward is the lead producer of Hindsight, a true crime podcast, and she has stumbled across an unresolved triple murder case that will make the perfect next feature.

Sixteen years ago, the police were convinced that they had found their killer. But the case was unexpectedly shut down, it never went to trial and their main suspect walked free.

Will Christy and her team be able to solve the case, or will they be silenced too…

Author Profile:         

                                                                                                         

                                                                         

                                       Courtesy of Official Author Website 

I was born in 1956, in Bristol.  My father was a Welsh miner, a poet, an engineer and a thinker.  My mother was one of 13 children who, at 20, persuaded my father to spend his bonus on an engagement ring instead of a motorbike.  We were a normal, happy, nuclear family, living in a spanking new council house on the outskirts of town – my mother’s pride and joy.  But we were going to do better, my mother had made up her mind about that.  My father, an unabashed communist, was writing a book, I was signed up for ballet, elocution, piano and eventually a private boarding school, and my brother, (the real great love of my mother’s life) was going to succeed at everything he set his mind to.

The rest of this fascinating biography can be read on the authors Official Author Website

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Official Author Website  Twitter Profile.   Instagram Profile.    Facebook Profile

Amazon Profile.   Goodreads Profile