The Dartmoor Bookworm

Three women. Three different stages of life. United by one thing: the chance to start again. 'Uplifting, emotional and brimming with warmth and humour' – Cathy Bramley When Elizabeth's husband dies, leaving her with crippling debt, the only person she can turn to is her friend, Jo. Soon Jo has called in her daughter, Lucy, to help save Elizabeth from bankruptcy. Leaving her old life behind, Lucy is determined to make the most of her fresh start. As life slowly begins to return to normal, these three women, thrown together by circumstance, become fast friends. But then Jo's world is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news. In search of solace, Jo and Elizabeth find themselves enjoying midnight dips in the freezing Irish Sea. Here they can laugh, cry and wash away all their fears. As well as conjure a fundraising plan for the local hospice that will bring the whole community together... From bestselling Irish writer Faith Hogan, The Ladies' Midnight Sw...

I was sent a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review. OMG! I haven't read a psychological thriller like this for some time.  This is on a totally different level to The Family Upstairs, and so much better. What can I say without giving the story away.  It's about 13 year old Elissa who is a bright young girl, living with her mother.  They go away for a weekend chess tournament that Elissa is playing in and whilst Elissa goes to return something to the car she is abducted. When she comes around she is in the cellar of "The Gingerbread House', chained up and in the dark.  Her captor visits her but so does Elijah, a 12 year old boy who doesn't want Elissa to leave. He sees her as his new friend. Elissa realises that she isn't the first girl who has been brought here and the story follows the time after Elissa's disappearance. The story is brilliantly written, even when you think you've sussed it out, there's a twist a...

 I was sent a pre publication copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review. I loved this book, really loved it. I read it over two evenings whilst on holiday and i couldn't put it down. Arden Hall has recently come out of an abusive relationship and even though she has a son (not the abusive partner's) she is now living alone and trying to rebuild her life. Whilst visiting a friend in hospital a chance encounter with an ex lover makes Arden reminisce over her previous relationship with him. The book jumps from past to present, and even though I struggle with this usually, it was really easy to follow in this book. As Arden lives in the present, visiting her ex lover in hospital, she also looks back at their relationship whilst she was at university. The descriptions of the time are very good and took me back to my university days, the music, the clothes and the films. Even though I'm not a great movie buff and I haven't seen all the film...