Finding Belle by Reeta Chakrabarti

                                                

Ebook:   368 pages      

Genre:   Fiction                                    

Publisher: Harper Collins, 8th May 2025

Source: NetGalley

First Sentences: The voices down below began as a distant rumble, like a drum roll of approaching thunder. Mama's voice grew louder and louder and then hit a peak that was shrill and sharp, letting out a stream of curses and insults.

Review Quote: ‘A moving tale of love, loss and identity… a compelling novel about family secrets and the search for belonging’Woman’s Weekly

My Opinion: 

Finding Belle is the debut novel from the BBC journalist Reeta Chakrabarti. It is the scrutinisation of a mixed culture marriage over many decades.

The main protagonist is Mivvi the daughter of Belle, who is Indian but was raised in Kenya and her father Fairfax who is British. It is an emotional story that unfolds as this dysfunctional family cope with Belle's mental health issues, her husband's narcissism and the racism that the family are subjected to.

Though it did give me a lot to think about to be absolutely honest I found this story terribly depressing. Be careful that you are not feeling depressed yourself if and when you choose to read. 

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

Goodreads Précis: 

Mivvi has two parents. But… sometimes she only has one. Or the other. And sometimes she has none.

Belle and Fairfax have a tempestuous marriage. Wed after a whirlwind romance in Belle’s hometown of Mombasa, they returned to England as man and wife, little anticipating the culture shock Belle would face. Alienated from her peers, far from relatives and friends who would have grounded her, and with a husband who couldn’t – wouldn’t – face her crisis, Belle gradually untethers from the world.

Years later, their only daughter Mivvi must decode her mother’s illnesses and her father’s infidelities, through adolescence and into adulthood, as she tries to shape a future of her own, while uncovering what’s been hidden from her.

Atmospheric and intriguing, this is a powerful story of mothers and daughters, betrayal and madness and a child who must forge her own identity.

Author Profile:                

                                                                                        

                                                          Courtesy of Amazon Profile

Reeta Chakrabarti is a journalist and broadcaster, and presents the news for the BBC. She has also reported extensively for the BBC in the UK and abroad. She was born in London and brought up in Birmingham; she lived in Kolkata, India, as a teenager where she attended Calcutta International School, and then returned to the UK for university. Her degree was in English and French. She began working for the BBC in 1992 and has been there in a variety of roles for over 30 years. She has always been a keen reader, and was previously a judge for the 2021 David Cohen Prize for Literature; chair of the 2021 Costa Book of the Year; and in 2023 chair of the BBC National Short Story Award. She was also a judge for the 2023 Laurel Prize for poetry, and is a trustee of the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association. She lives in London with her husband, and has three children. Finding Belle is her debut novel.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Profile.   Twitter Profile

The Lighthouse Keeper of Anglesey by Carline Young (Welcome to Anglesey Series Bk 4)

                                          

Ebook:  320 pages      

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance                                            

Publisher: 2 May 2025 by Storm Publishing

Source:  NetGalley - My Kindle

First Sentence: Lloyd Evans sat alone on the smooth-pebbled beach and gazed out towards the horizon, far beyond the lighthouse.

Review Quote: ‘‘Sweeps the reader away... you will cheer for our main character and love the description of her life in Anglesey... I read it in one sitting.’ Reader Review,

My Opinion: 

Caroline Young writes heart-warming stories about ordinary people and their everyday lives on the beautiful island of Anglesey. Living not very far from here and having visited, it is lovely to be able to visualise the locations that the author describes so well.

In the 4th book of the series 'Welcome to Anglesey' the storyline centres around the main female character Seren. Seren has returned to her roots on the island, leaving behind the stresses and problems of her life in London. She is slowly building a new and better life for herself and her young daughter, but it does not come without its trials and tribulations.

As the author herself says 'Life is often far from easy, but we need to remember what we all share rather than focusing on our differences.' Recommend this gentle story which reminds the reader that to be happy in life we need to feel loved, safe and to love others.

Thanks to Storm Publishing, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review 'The Lighthouse Keeper of Anglesey' 

Previous Review:  Coming Home to the Windmill by the Sea

Précis Courtesy of NetGalley:

A moving story of love, second chances and family from the Amazon bestselling author of The Forgotten Farmhouse by the Sea.

When single mother Seren Evans returns to the Welsh island of Anglesey with her five-year-old daughter Enya, she hopes to finally escape her troubled past in London. Moving into a cottage near the iconic Black Point lighthouse where she spent her early childhood, Seren reunites with her estranged father Lloyd and begins to piece together the mystery of why her mother suddenly abandoned them decades ago.

As Seren adapts to island life and takes a job at a local art gallery, she finds unexpected romance with Jamie, a Scottish journalist seeking solace from his own tragic history. But with the shadows of her past threatening to catch up with her, and with long-buried family secrets coming to light, can Seren find the peaceful life she’s always dreamed of?

Set against the wild beauty of the Welsh coast, this emotional novel explores family secrets, the power of community, and how love can light the way home through life’s darkest storms. Fans of Susanne O’Leary, Amanda Prowse and Sheila O’Flanagan will be swept away by The Lighthouse Keeper of Anglesey.

Author Profile:                    

Caroline Young has always written stories and found inspiration in the world around her, be it a bustling city or a windswept beach. She has worked for many years as a writer of non-fiction books for children, which allows for few adjectives or creative expression, so she keeps these things for her fiction. As the mother of three grown-up daughters, she now has the time to focus on her own writing, and tell the stories she wants to tell. Caroline has a degree in English from Cambridge University where she was exposed to wonderful writers from every age, and she aims to relate just some of their ideas and language to her life and writing. Caroline's idea of paradise is a bright day with a bracing wind and the sea, waiting for her to dive into it (even in January!). She hopes to write stories that the reader can lose themselves in, which take them somewhere different and fill them with joy in the beauty of the natural world, and all the amazing people in it.

            

Amazon Author Page.     Goodreads Profile.   Caroline Young - Storm Publishing

Photos and Biographical information Courtesy of the above links.

A Good Mother by Michelle Dunne

 

                                                 

Ebook:   338 pages      

Genre:  Thriller, Mystery, Fiction                                    

Publisher: Storm Publishing  29th April 2025

Source: NetGalley

First Sentence: The lights from the rescue boats danced across the black water, each sweep bringing Jen Blake closer to the moment her world would end.

Review Quote:  ‘A riveting thriller.’ Reader Review, 

My Opinion: 

Michelle Dunne is an author I discovered thanks to NetGalley and this is the second novel of hers that I have read. 'A Good Mother' is a hard hitting domestic thriller which covers some difficult topics including domestic abuse and bullying carried out by some despicable characters.

Jen Blake and Lia Higgins have known each other for years and were once very close. Their children are still best friends having grown up together, but suddenly it seems something has come between them. Tragedy occurs and as the narrative progresses the tension and anxiety grow.

This is not an easy read but a worthwhile one.  Especially if it does nothing more than make you realise we should make time to listen to the ones we love. With thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author.

Previous Review:    The Hotel Maid

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Two mothers. Two daughters. One devastating truth.

Alex Blake was terrified of water, had been since she nearly drowned at age five. So when police find her body in the river and rule it a suicide, her mother Jen knows they’re wrong. But no one will listen to a grieving mother.

The police dismiss her. Her husband thinks she’s in denial. Even their neighbours, the Higgins family, urge her to accept the truth and move on. But something isn’t right. Why was Alex messaging Lia Higgins, Jen’s former best friend, the day she died? And why is Lia now so desperate to shut down Jen’s questions?

The more Jen digs into the perfect family next door, the more she realises Alex was keeping secrets. Dangerous ones. Someone knows what really happened to her daughter. And they’re determined to keep Jen from uncovering the truth.

A breathtaking, stay-up-all-night emotional page-turner about motherhood, friendship and betrayal. Perfect for fans of K.L. Slater, Lisa Jewell and Nicola Sanders.

Author Profile:                

                                         

                                        Courtesy of Goodreads Profile

Michelle Dunne was born in Cork, Ireland, she writes crime and thriller novels. 

This month,  August 2024 The Hotel Maid, will be released as part of a two book contract with Storm Publishing. This follows June Calloway, a maid who finds the body of a murdered woman in her hotel room, just as a child is reported missing on hotel grounds. 

Michelle also wrote While Nobody is Watching and The Invisible, a series of thrillers following former soldier and UN Peacekeeper Lindsey Ryan as she tries to adapt to her new life in the clutches of PTSD. The series is currently in development for television and is inspired by Michelle’s own experiences as an infantry soldier and United Nations Peacekeeper.

Michelle is organiser and programmer of the Spike Island Literary Festival – a crime-themed festival set in Ireland's very own Alcatraz! 

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Goodreads Profile.   Twitter Profile.   Amazon Author Profile

Girl in a Red Silk Sari by Sharon Maas

                                                       

Ebook:  373 pages in Kindle Edition     

Genre: Fiction                                           

Publisher: Storm Publishing  April 28th 2025

Source: NetGalley

First Sentences: Madras, 1997, Asha  'Come,girl'  Mrs Pandain's voice was a command, her grasp on Asha's wrist that of an eagle's talon securing its prey. Tight fingers dug into her skin. Claws that pinched.

Review Quote: ‘Poignant, evocative, beautiful yet shocking and intelligently and sensitively written. It is all-absorbing, gripping and emotionally charged—an absolute must-read.” Reader Review,

Setting: India

My Opinion: 

It was only after finishing this novel that I discovered it was not the debut I had thought! In fact this author has a sizeable back catalogue and 'Girl in a Red Silk Sari' was originally published in 2001 as 'The Lost Daughter of India' and has been republished a number of times since then as well.

A disturbing story  about the ugly side of India. Asha's story is one that needs to be told as sadly even in today's world children are still being sold into prostitution. However in the nearly 25 years since the author first researched child prostitution in Mumbai, though still existing, it has been reduced to a tiny fraction of its previous levels. The author visited the streets of Kamathipura back in 2000 when researching her writing and it is the disturbing horrors of child prostitution in India that she brings alive in this novel.

Highly recommended, well worth reading even if it is rather harrowing to do so.

With thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Sharon Maas the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Madras, India. Caroline steps off the plane into the searing heat, senseless with worry. So much has changed since her first visit. This time, a piece of her heart is missing. This time, she is here to find her daughter…

Caroline Mitchell has never truly made peace with her past—and the circumstances that led to her separation from her beloved child. And when thirteen-year-old Asha vanishes without a trace, she faces every parent’s worst nightmare.

Desperate to find her, Caroline returns to India determined to do whatever it takes. The search will mean reconnecting with her estranged husband Kamal, and burying the memories of everything that happened between them. It will lead to the darkest corners of Mumbai’s infamous red-light district—a world of shadows, secrets, and unspeakable horrors. There, she discovers her precious daughter has been caught in a trafficking ring that preys on vulnerable children.

As Caroline navigates the labyrinthine streets and corrupt systems of Mumbai, she must find the strength to become the mother she has always wanted to be. Her mission will test her in ways she could never have imagined—but can she reach Asha in time, and save her from a terrifying fate? And if so, will she finally be able to heal the wounds of the past.

Perfect for readers of Jhumpa Lahiri, Julia Gregson and Lucinda Riley, this unforgettable novel will open your eyes and break your heart.

Author Profile:                

                                                                                                                             

                                                             Courtesy of Goodreads Profile

Sharon Maas was born in Georgetown, Guyana in 1951, and a sense of adventure has followed her around the world. In 1971 she spent a year backpacking around South America, followed by a few months with pioneering friends in the Guyana rainforest, followed by an overland trip to India, followed by a year in a Hindu Ashram.

She settled in Germany where she married, studied, worked, and raised children. 

Officially retired, she continues to write from her new home in Ireland.

Her first novel was published by HarperCollins in 1999, followed by two more in 2001 and 2002. At present, she has 10 published works with the digital publisher Bookouture.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Author - Official Website.   Goodreads Profile.   Amazon Author Page   Instagram Profile

The Greek House by Dinah Jefferies

                                        

Ebook:   427 pages in Kindle Edition     

Genre: Historical Fiction                                           

Publisher:  Harper Collins April 24th 2025

Source: NetGalley

First Sentences: Dulcie narrowed her eyes at the bright light streaming in through half-open curtains, then glanced at her bedside clock. Still early, but the familiar tightness in her chest and the sense of foreboding were already there.

Review Quote: ‘I was totally absorbed by this page-turning tale of love, loss and heartbreak in a troubled period of Corfu’s history. The island is beautifully evoked, the characters gloriously alive and passionate'Rachel Hore

Setting: Corfu

My Opinion: 

Dinah Jefferies has been a favourite author of mine, since 2014 when her debut novel 'The Separation'. was published. Over the years she has transported me with her vivid descriptive prose to some wonderful locations, some which I have been lucky enough to visit and other places I now wish to see for myself. 

The Greek House is set on the beautiful island of Corfu, somewhere I have been fortunate enough to visit. With this story full of mystery and drama Dinah Jefferies in her inevitable style brings the history of the island alive. It is set in a turbulent time in Corfu's history, 1923. The Caruthers family, Piers, Dulcie, Thirza and Billy suffer a devastating event when Mussolini invades the island. The impact of this event and its effect on the various family members makes for a compelling read.

Once again Dinah Jefferies has written a very satisfying read. Highly recommended for fans of the author, historical fiction readers and armchair travellers.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Links to Previous Reviews:

 The Separation.  The Missing Sister. The Sapphire Widow. Daughters of War #1  The Tuscan Contessa Daughters of War#2 The Hidden Palace  Night Train to Marrakech: Daughters of War #3

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Can one house hold a lifetime of secrets?

Corfu, 1930

The moment Thirza Caruthers sets foot on Corfu, memories flood the scent of jasmine, the green shutters of her family’s home — and her brother Billy’s tragic disappearance years before.

Returning to the Greek house, high above clear blue waters, Thirza tries to escape by immersing herself in painting — and a passionate affair.

But as webs of love, envy, and betrayal tighten around the family, buried secrets surface.

Is it finally time to uncover the truth about Billy’s vanishing?

Author Profile:                

                                          

                                               Courtesy of Twitter Profile

Dinah was born in Malaysia and moved to England at the age of nine.

As a teenager she missed the heat of Malaysia, which left her with a kind of restlessness that led to quite an unusual life. She studied Fashion Design and went to live in Tuscany where she worked as an au-pair for an Italian countess. There was even a time when Dinah lived with a rock band in a ‘hippie’ commune in Suffolk.

Although Dinah and her husband spent five wonderful years living in a small 16th Century village in Northern Andalusia, she's happy to say they now live close to her family in Gloucestershire along with two crazy Maine Coon cats.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Goodreads Author Profile  Twitter Profile  Dinah Jefferies - Official Website

Amazon Author Page

None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

 

                                           

Audible: 10hrs 30m  390 pages  

Genre: Mystery,Thriller, Audiobook, Contemporary Psychological Thriller,                                              

Publisher: August 8, 2023 by Simon & Schuster Audio

Source: Audible Membership

Literary awards

British Book Award for Crime and Thriller and for Audiobook: Fiction (2024), Audie Award Nominee for Audio Drama and Thriller/Suspense (2024), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Mystery/Thriller (2023), Book of the Month Book of the Year Award Nominee (2023), Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Nominee for (shortlist) (2024)

First Sentences: Stumbling from the cool of the air-conditioned hotel foyer into the steamy white heat of the night does nothing to sober him up.

Review Quote: 'Shocking and creepy and glorious' Nicola Walker-Actress

My Opinion: I have been a fan of Lisa Jewell's writing for a number of years now, having previously read at least seven of her novels. 'None Of This Is True' was a new departure for me as I 'listened' on Audible. I did enjoy the experience, especially as this disturbing story with so many dysfunctional characters was partly read by an actress I love, Nicola Walker.

The protagonists Alix Summer and Josie Fair first meet on their Birthday which happens to not only be on the same day but the same year 'Birthday Twins.' Alix has her own podcast and intrigued by Josie she agrees to feature her in one when Josie presents the idea to her. Little did she realise at the time just how much this decision would impact her life in such a disturbing way.

A contemporary psychological thriller that will have you hooked, listen or read if you enjoy this genre.

Links to Previous Reviews:  Then She Was Gone  Watching You  The House We Grew Up In. The Family Upstairs  The Night She Disappeared  The Family Remains

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summers crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins.

A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.

Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realise that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life—and into her home.

But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family’s lives under mortal threat.

Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?

Author Profile:

Lisa Jewell is an internationally bestselling author of successful  novels, including, Then She Was Gone, I Found You, The Girls in the Garden, and The House We Grew Up In. Her debut novel in 1998 Ralph’s Party, was an instant bestseller. In total, her novels have sold over 2 million copies across the English speaking world. Her work has also been translated into sixteen languages. Lisa lives in London with her husband and their two daughters.

For more biographical information check out her Goodreads Profile


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

Amazon Author Page    Lisa Jewell - Official Facebook Page     Wikipedia - Lisa Jewell

Twitter Profile    Goodreads Author Profile

Don't Believe A Word by Susan Lewis

                                              

Ebook:   480 pages 

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction,  Adult Fiction, Mystery 

Publisher:  HarperCollins (10 April 2025)

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentences: "And you found this, where' Christy asked, looking up from the pages she'd just spent the past few minutes reading, pages that had taken her briefly to another world where clearly something wasn't right. She already wanted to know more.

Review Quote: ‘Drips with tension and suspicion.  Mind games, mystery and mayhem.’ Reader Review 

My Opinion: 

It is over 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. 

'Don't Believe A Word' sees the return of podcasters from Nothing to See Here, Christy and Connor and their team with another mystery for 'Hindsight' their podcast. This time the company has been approached by Sadie, a young woman who believes they may have the ingenuity to investigate who she really is!

Once again great character portrayal from Susan Lewis and a substantial read that will certainly keep you guessing. I am delighted that the author decided to feature these characters in a second novel and was also pleased to learn that a third story in the series Never Look Back is due to be published towards the end of this year.  The two novels published so far definitely stand alone however reading the series enhances the understanding of the relationships of the many characters.  Highly recommended to anyone that enjoys a good mystery.

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

Previous Review:  A Sicilian Affair.  Nothing to See Here

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

They raised me. Nurtured me. And lied about everything.

Sadie’s childhood has always been shrouded in mystery.

But there are three things she knows.

She was raised by two aunts.

She never knew her parents.

She is convinced she was stolen.

Cristy Ward, podcast host, is gripped by Sadie’s story. It’s perfect for her next true-crime investigation. Yet Sadie's aunt claims it’s all a fantasy.

As the evidence begins to stack up, and the lies fall apart, they all could be in a lot more danger than they thought…

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