Category Archives: Book Reviews

BLOG TOUR – Blood Sentence by Keith Nixon – Review

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Blood Sentence by Keith Nixon!

Why not follow the follow the rest of the tour?

Here’s the blurb :-

Three bodies, one suspect. That suspect is you…

When the unidentified corpse of an apparent suicide victim is found hanging above a complex pattern of forty photographs of children, Detective Inspector Jonah Pennance of the Met’s specialist Sapphire Unit is brought in to investigate.

A post-mortem reveals the suicide was murder, and Pennance realises he knows the man. But as the body count rises, all the signs point to a care home in Kent – a place that Pennance is all too familiar with.

The problem is the only person connecting the victims is Pennance – and he has a solid motive for wanting them dead… Can Pennance prove his innocence?

Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride, and Peter James Blood Sentence is the first book in the explosive series featuring Detective Inspector Jonah Pennance.

Review

I’m a massive fan of Keith’s work so jumped at the chance to be part of the blog tour, I already had the book downloaded so was eager to get stuck in.

From the blurb I was already excited, a new series by Keith..what’s not to love? But the name Pennance.. that rung a bell. If you are a fan of Nixon’s work you’ll know Pennance had a small role in the author’s previous Solomon Gray series so I was great to see him get his own story!

I know what to expect from Keith so I’ve high expectations.. boy did he deliver! But the best thing was simply the feeling the book gave me, it felt familiar with the tie back to the authors previous work but also new and refreshing.

So you want to know about the plot. The book starts with the death of a man in strange circumstances and it soon becomes clear for DI Pennance there’s links to his past.. things he would rather forget.

His attention is drawn away as he’s pulled to Wales to assist in some enquires..the case has his name written all over it but Pennence doesn’t have a clue how he’s involved.

It’s kind of a whirlwind from then on as Pennence struggles to put the pieces together, investigating a death of an animal rights activist and how the hell it links back to him! He doesn’t even know the guy.

In Nixon’s style which I love, the author weaves the tale in such a masterful way that the truth only becomes clear when he wants it to and Penances’ world is turned upside down forever.

It’s not a typical police procedural tale, it’s a thriller, its personal, intense and gritty with some marvellous storytelling!  I almost feel bad I demolished this in a couple sittings but it’s a real page turner and sucks you in!

It’s a cracking 5/5 stars from me!

My thanks go to the author, the publisher and ZooloosBookTours for having me on the tour 😊

To find out more head to Amazon or Goodreads

About the author

Keith Nixon is the best-selling author of sixteen novels and one million words in print, including the Margate based Solomon Gray series of over 250,000 copies in circulation and reached no.1 on Amazon in the UK, US, Canada and Australia.

Keith lived near the gritty seaside town of Margate, where many of his novels are based, for 17 years before relocating to the edge of the Peak District with his family where he lives today. Keith works in a senior sales role within a high-tech industry and has regularly travelled all over the globe.

His novels are published by Gladius Press and Bastei Lubbe (German)

Follow Keith:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keithnixonauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keith_nixon/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/knntom

Website: keithnixon.co.uk

BLOG TOUR Princess No Knots by Deborah Dillon & Matt Richards

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Princess No Knots by Deborah Dillon, Illustrated by Matt Richards.

Here’s the blurb.

Princess No Knots LOVES her long golden hair as much as she LOVES her bath time, but she does NOT love having it brushed. When her flowing locks end up in knots, the King tells her they will have to be cut and takes away her crown. Enter a world of determination, sprinkled with a small dose of magic, to find out if the strong-willed Princess finds a way to get back her crown, keep her name and save the hair she so loves. A must read rhyming picture book for any parent who struggles with the dreaded ‘hair wash’ night! Available on amazon.co.uk.

Review

Princess No Knots is a lovely little book about a Princess who absolutely hates to have her hair brushed.

She must quickly learn how to deal with her emotions to make sure she doesn’t loose her crown.. a Princess must look the part after all.

I read this with my two little girls and they loved it, they were engaged from first page to last.

The story itself is easy to follow and is paced nicely to enable younger children to read this themselves.

I enjoyed the message of the book and it helped me start a talk with my kids on how sometimes you have to do things you may not like but it gets it on the right level so they can fully understand why.

When asked the girls really wanted to tell everyone how lovely the illustrations are, although Georgia fully believes they aren’t anywhere near as good as her drawings ha. I apologise to the wonderful illustrator Matt Richards for that comment! ha

Georgia loved the book so much she has read it by herself a few more times independently which was lovely to see.

Overall Princess No Knots is a colourful and engaging read to support younger children as they learn in life.

Abi & Georgia rated this 5/5 stars!!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon

My thanks go to the author and Rachel @rararesources for having me on the tour and for providing a copy of the book for the girls to read. They are more than excited to let some of their friends see this one 😊

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

Deborah Dillon’s love of books, poems and story telling stems from her Granddad Jim who always used to make up stories at bedtime when she was young. Every story would take her to crazy worlds of adventure and friendship, each story sprinkled with a tiny bit of determination.

Since having children of her own Deborah has continued this family tradition but rather than keeping all the stories in her head, she decided to write them down. As her children were growing up she was inspired to write about whatever obstacles or challenges they, or their friends, faced then overcame.

Deborah is a firm believer that something magical happens when you read a book together.

Social Media Links –

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/deborah.dillon.56/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/deborah.dillon.56

Twitter – https://twitter.com/DeborahDillon01

BLOG TOUR- A Night of Flames by Matthew Harffy! HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!!!

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Today is my turn on the blog tour for A Night of Flames by Matthew Harffy! It also happens to be the official publication day too!!!

If you follow my blog you’ll know Harffy is a firm favourite so to say I was eager to get to grips with this one was an understatement!

Here’s the blurb

In the wild lands of Norway, Hunlaf must quell a vicious slave uprising in Matthew Harffy’s new historical adventure.

A wild land. A lethal fanatic. A violent revolt.

Northumbria, AD 794. Those who rule the seas, rule the land. None know the truth of this more than the Vikings. To compete with the seafaring raiders, the king of Northumbria orders the construction of his own longships under the command of oath-sworn Norseman, Runolf.

When the Vikings attack again, the king sends cleric turned warrior, Hunlaf, on a mission to persuade the king of Rogaland into an alliance. But Hunlaf and Runolf have other plans; kin to seek out, old scores to settle, and a heretical tome to find in the wild lands of the Norse.

Their voyage takes them into the centre of a violent uprising. A slave has broken free of his captors and, with religious fervour, is leading his fanatical followers on a rampage – burning all in his path. Hunlaf must brave the Norse wilderness, and overcome deadly foes, to stop this madman. Can he prevent a night of flames and slaughter?

Review

Firstly I have to commended the author on creating a new series set away from his Serpent Sword series but at the same time offering subtle nods to his previous work. These litter eastereggs are there to find and really did put a smile on my face. I know the characters aren’t real but at the same time the investment you put into a story as the reader makes them real, so adding in these little extras triggers the memories and it’s great to see those adventures are still locked in my head 😊.

So we are back with Hunlaf, he’s firmly shed his monk robes for the touch of cold hard steel but that doesn’t mean he’s still not conflicted at times. Mainly because the warrior life has come easy to him and sometimes that doesn’t sit well with his soul. He’s about to be tested like never before.

Runolf wants to start building his boat to cross the sea to find out what has become of his family. Hunlaf has a desire more then most to join him after his kin was take in a previous Viking raid. Neither know how their loved ones fair so as you can imagine.. there’s a lot of nervous energy going around with them both eager to set sail.

After receiving the blessing of the King to build the boat and with orders to gain a truce with the Norse we see a few new faces join our band of heroes and at times tensions can run high but the call of the sea and the torment it can cause soon allows bonds to grow.. which will make future events even harder to swallow. The journey across the sea will be completed but comes at a price.

When eventually they arrive on Norse lands all is not well. A slave has revolted and is causing havoc. If Runolf and Hunlaf ever want to see peace and their kin again they must fight a new threat.. and this threat is a little bit crazy to say the least.

We learn early on that death will show it’s face so while I was kind of prepared it really didn’t help lessen the shock when events unfolded.

What happens next is beyond belief and is the best 10 – 15 chapters I’ve ever read in my life…the grizzly horror.. the bloodshed.. the pain.. it’s beautiful in it’s madness as Hunlaf tries to make it out of this one alive.. but nothing is certain, but.. Anything is possible.

If it’s even possible I think Harffy gets better and better which each offering and as this is still a relatively new series for the author it’s given him the ability to explore things a little more than with his established characters I feel.. he really let his creative juices flow on this one.

I always like to comment on writing style, chapter length etc but on this one I simple can’t.. I was so engrossed I just didn’t take that in.. I just ploughed through this one with a desire to learn the outcome.. We know Hunlaf makes it through this adventure as he’s the one recounting the tale to us but the rest is not known and there’s so much at stake… I really didn’t want to see loose anyone but it wouldn’t be a Harffy book without a few tears.

It’s a 5* from me without a shadow of a doubt.

It’s unreal how haunting amazing this book is.. how is it even possible to write something so disturbingly beautiful! There’s so many emotions that pass through you as you read this one and it’s something that will really stay with you.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

My thanks go to the publishers for gifting me a copy of the book for review! This one was on pre-order too but it’s always exciting to get to read in advance in order to jump on a wonderful blog tour!

Why not follow the tour??

About the author

Matthew Harffy grew up in Northumberland where the rugged terrain, ruined castles and rocky coastline had a huge impact on him. He now lives in Wiltshire, England, with his wife and their two daughters.

Follow Matthew

Twitter: @MatthewHarffy

Website: www.matthewharffy.com

Follow Aries

Twitter: @AriesFiction

Facebook: Aries Fiction

Website: http://www.headofzeus.com

BLOG TOUR – Son of Mercia by MJ Porter

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Son of Mercia by MJ Porter!

Here’s the blurb

Tamworth, Mercia AD825.

The once-mighty kingdom of Mercia is in perilous danger.

Their King, Beornwulf lies dead and years of bitter in-fighting between the nobles, and cross border wars have left Mercia exposed to her enemies.

King Ecgberht of Wessex senses now is the time for his warriors to strike and exact his long-awaited bloody revenge on Mercia.

King Wiglaf, has claimed his right to rule Mercia, but can he unite a disparate Kingdom against the might of Wessex who are braying for blood and land?

Can King Wiglaf keep the dragons at bay or is Mercia doomed to disappear beneath the wings of the Wessex wyvern?

Can anyone save Mercia from destruction?

Review

I’m a fan of MJ Porter but being prolific with the releases I find it hard to keep up ha! I jumped at the chance to get onboard with this new series early!

The story follows young Icel whose past is shadowed in mystery.. his mother unfortunately died and he’s never known who his farther is so he’s been raised by his uncle Cenfrith. Icel has trained in the arts of healing but there’s something in him just waiting to come out.

King Ecgberht is looking to expand his reach and senses weakness in Mercia. He’s right I guess as King Wiglaf seems to disappear but why? And have we been given the full story?

When King Ecgberht descends Icel is forced to flee to safety with his uncle and his friend Edwin. Along the way Icel learns a little of past events but only what his uncle allows. Will he ever learn the full truth?

What happens next was the most amazing few chapters I’ve ever read! I can’t spoil it but Cenfrith is an amazing character who supports Icel and keeps him safe. When the opportunity comes for Icel to save Mercia he sets out to find King Wiglaf.

The tension mounts and battle commences.. it’s time for Icel to learn more about himself than he ever thought possible.

Son of Mercia is a real coming of age tale for Icel as he learns what kind of man he’s destined to be… although there’s certainly more to come.

I can’t give this anything less than 5*. The plot was astonishingly gripping. I’ve struggled the past few months to devote time to reading but I was hooked as soon as I picked this one up and it’s helped me fall back in love with books again.

What a cracking read! I look forward to more!

My thanks go to MJ Porter, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing a copy of this ebook in return for my honest review and Rachel from http://www.rachelsrandomresources.com  for having me on the blog tour!

This a certainly a book I want on my shelf so will be ordering a paperback asap!

To find out more why not follow the blog tour? or head to Goodreads or Amazon!

Author Bio –

MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. Raised in the shadow of a building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant that the author’s writing destiny was set.

Social Media Links – https://twitter.com/coloursofunison

https://www.instagram.com/m_j_porter/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163404.M_J_Porter

Dad – Forever with me

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As a few of you may have heard I unfortunately lost my dad on the 13th January after a battle with cancer.

There are no words to really describe how I feel but I wanted to share a few words publicly that I previously shared on my private & public social media. Without his influence I wouldn’t be who I am today and there likely wouldn’t be a David’s Book Blurg. I appreciate all of the lovely messages and support over the last month or so and I’ll be back to reading/reviewing asap!

One thing my dad loved more than anything was reading… just look what I found when I went to tidy his house!

Why are these special you might ask. Well over the last 3 years or so my dad and me bonded over books, we were never the closest but a love of books Is something we shared.

Towards the end he was reading a book a day!

These books are signed, giving as a gift from me. These will live on my forever shelf as a reminder of not only him but the shared joy they brought us and the connection they helped make.

There’s so many authors out there who helped us bond… sometimes you might not realise just how much your writing can affect an individual’s life

We said goodbye to a great man and celebrated his life, friends and family together, on Friday 11th Feb, here are some words I wanted to share but wouldn’t have been able to say on the day as it would be too difficult.

I always thought he was a hard man.. he didn’t shed tears, he wasn’t the kind to say “I love you” and I didn’t understand why. Now I’m a dad myself I understand.. he was a man of his generation, a man of few words. he held that side back as the man wasn’t one to show emotions.

He may not have said the words but his actions did… the weekly trips to visit grandma and grandad.. walks to Newbiggin and Sandy Bay.. I struggle to remember a weekend we didn’t do something as kids.

Even thinking back I understand a lot of the choices he made for me growing up.. like not allowing me to go to my grandads funeral.. it’s not that he didn’t care about how I felt.. that was the exact reason he didn’t want me there.. he was protecting me the only way he knew how.

Sitting here thinking.. we are more alike than I ever thought and that’s why we didn’t understand each other.. too bloody stubborn to listen.

I’ll always love that he understood one thing.. my commitment to my own children.. he always wanted me to put them first even if he needed help, and even though he didn’t say the words his eyes, smile and involvement with them growing up speaks volumes and the fact they wanted to be with me at the funeral shows just what he meant to them.

Over the past few years we bonded due to a love of reading and I’m so glad we had something. He might not be here but that will remain with me.

He fought and made me proud, I can’t imagine the pain he suffered. Rest easy.

The girls miss you.. I miss you.

Forever.

D.

BLOG TOUR – Monster Max and the Marmalade Ghost  by Robin Bennett, with illustrations by Tom Tinn-Disbury

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Monster Max and the Marmalade Ghost  by Robin Bennett, with illustrations by Tom Tinn-Disbury.

Here’s the blurb

Max and Peregrine are volunteering at an old people’s home, when strange things start to happen: one resident is walking on the ceiling; one is riding their wheelchair through walls; and Reggie says his marmalade is haunted (although no one listens). Can Max and his friends work out what’s happening to protect his family and the local community? Things aren’t looking good – the Marmalade Ghost is turning into a gloopy Godzilla, Max falls out with his (joint) best friend, and then, just when it can’t get any worse, someone kidnaps Max’s cat, Frankenstein… will they meet a sticky end?

Time to ‘Protect and Do Good Stuff!’

Why not follow the tour?

Review

Monster Max and the Marmalade Ghost is a fun little tale which my two 7 year olds really enjoyed reading. Max has a very cool secret.. he can turn into Monster Max and use the powers gained to do good assisted by his faithful friend Peregrine! Which is exactly what they set out to do when it appears the marmalade in the old people’s home seems to be haunted!

The style of writing is easy to read with kids and the illustrations break up the tale nicely to allow the kids time to absorb the story without overloading them. The page count too helps, it’s a god length being over 100 pages but I broke it down and read the story over 3 nights, each nights the girls eager to see what would happen next.

There’s lots of humour added to give the kids a little laugh too, burps a plenty 😊

When asked what the girls enjoyed it was a resounding success for Max’s monster transformation! And they loved the illustrations.

It’s a fun little kids mystery adventure and my two loved following Max’s journey!

It’s 5/5 Stars from my two!!

To find our more head to Goodreads, Firefly Press or Amazon.

My thanks go to the author, Firefly Press for allowing me to review an ARC as part of the blog tour arranged by the wonderful Rachel @ Rachel’s Random Resources –@rararesources!

A copy has already been bought too.. The girls loved it!

Author Bio –

When Robin grew up he thought he wanted to be a cavalry officer until everyone else realised that putting him in charge of a tank was a very bad idea. He then became an assistant gravedigger in London. After that he had a career frantically starting business- es (everything from dog-sitting to cigars, tuition to translation)… until finally settling down to write improbable stories to keep his children from killing each other on long car journeys.

Social Media Links –

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

BLOG TOUR! Hustle by Owen Mullen

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Hustle by Owen Mullen, book 3 in The Glass Family series.

Here’s the blurb

If you mess with the Glass family, don’t expect to live to tell the tale…

What was meant to be a straightforward jewellery heist goes horribly wrong, and the thieves are forced to take a hostage to make their escape. But when they discover their prisoner is the infamous Nina Glass – one of the bosses of the most dangerous criminal dynasty in London – they soon realise they have made a terrible mistake.

Greed wins out over good sense and the gang decide to make the best of a bad situation. They send Luke Glass a ransom note. But messing with London’s top crime dynasty is a serious error. Now Luke must track down the gang who abducted his sister before they carry out their brutal threats.

The Glass family have other problems. The crooked cop they have on their payroll – DCI Oliver Stanford – makes an unwelcome discovery. The insider they had all presumed dead, may in fact have survived, and still be feeding information to the police. 

Under attack from all sides, and desperate to save his sister, Luke has the reputation and survival of the crime dynasty in his hands – is this the end of the Glass family?

Three people can keep a secret – if two of them are dead…

Review

First things first, you don’t need to have read the first 2 books in the series to be able to follow this one. What I love about Owen’s work is how he easily slips in key info to remind readers of past events which is just the right amount for a new reader to be able to follow.. but at the same time I do recommend reading the rest of the series…it’s bloody good!

We are back with the Glass family and a new threat is about to hit the family hard.

During what should have been a straightforward robbery a hostage is taken.. that hostage is Nina Glass. The robbers didn’t know that at first but now they do they have a choice…and they decide its time to have a bit of fun with the Glass family..

They must be crazy as Luke Glass isn’t a man to cross but Luke might have his work cut out for him on this one… he doesn’t know who these people are.. or where they are.

Luke uses all his contacts to find Nina, even risking his inside man within the police force but will it be enough.

What I really enjoyed with this one was the development of Nina. She’s a tough cookie but we see deeper into her personality, more than we ever have before. Simply no other word for it than WOW!

With each instalment of the Glass family the tale goes deeper, darker and grittier than previous and it’s seriously too good not to read and love!

I also love how Owen manages to pack so much into his tales. Not only does Luke have to save his sister but there’s some wannabes looking for a piece of the action they feel belongs to them.. Should the family give ground or stand up to these fools.. again.. no one messes with Luke Glass. No one messes with the family.

Another 5* from Owen…I’m not sure how he manages to do it but he clearly knows the recipe for a good gangland thriller.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

My thanks go to Owen Mullen, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing a copy of this ebook in return for my honest review and Rachel from http://www.rachelsrandomresources.com for having me on the blog tour! I had the book pre-ordered from day one and look forward to having a paperback join my collection soon.

With book 4 in the series on the way I’m a very have man.

Author Bio –

Owen Mullen is a highly regarded crime author who splits his time between Scotland and the island of Crete. In his earlier life he lived in London and worked as a musician and session singer. He has now written seven books and his first gangland thriller for Boldwood, Family was published in January 2021.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OwenMullenBooks

Twitter https://twitter.com/OwenMullen6

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/owenmullen6/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/OwenMullenNewsletter

Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/owen-mullen

David’s Book Blurg 2021 wrap up!

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As we approach the new year David’s Book Blurg would like to share a little wrap up of 2021 including a sneak peak for what’s to come in in 2022!

My Top Ten Reads of 2021!

I’ve had the chance to read some brilliant books over the year. Here’s the top ten! I’ve linked back to my reviews but note I’ve 4 to write!! Tardy I know! I’ll update the links for those 3 asap! If anyone would like to watch the twins while I write just let me know ha.

For Lord and Land – Matthew Harffy

The Accused – Owen Mullen

Her Secret War – Pam Lecky – Review to follow

Gods of Rome – Gordon Doherty & Simon Turney

Assassins – Rob Sinclair

The Bear of Britain – Steven A McKay

Empires of Bronze – The Shadow of Troy – Gordon Doherty

Perfect Little Lies – S A Tameez – Review to follow

Medusa’s Shame – Robert Southworth – Review to follow

Reliquary – Prue Batten – Review to follow

2022 – What’s next?

I’m really looking forward to 2022! there’s so many good authors out there offering jems.. here’s just a couple I’ve already jumped on to review early next year!

12 Months 12 Books

I noticed a little trend on Twitter where your friends pick 12 books to read over the next 12 months. I love the idea of this. There’s so much choice out there and I’m terrible at knowing what to pick up next so thanks to some fellow book lovers here’s some of the books for me to look forward to!

I hope 2021 has been kind to everyone and that 2022 will be an even better year.

Do reach out and let me know what you think of my book choices!!

Until 2022 folks! have a good one!

The House in the Marsh by Steven A McKay – Review

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Today I’m reviewing The House in the Marsh by Steven A Mckay, The House In the Marsh is a medieval Christmas mystery with a ghostly twist and is a novella in The Forest Lord series.

Here’s the blurb,

For generations, stories have been told about the ruined old house in the marsh outside Wakefield. Stories of hidden treasure, sinister night-time cries, and ghostly figures doomed to haunt the lonely estate for all eternity as punishment for some terrible crime.
This Christmas, it seems the old tales might just turn out to be true…

England, AD 1330
John Little, a bailiff living in Yorkshire, has little interest in ghost stories, having seen enough horrors among the living to bother much about the dead. The strange accounts from his fellow villagers have everyone talking though, and it’s not long before he’s asked to accompany a group of curious locals on nocturnal visits to the house in the marsh.
There are more worrying concerns in northern England however, as autumn gives way to winter and rumours of rogue bailiffs attacking, and even murdering people in their own homes, begin to circulate.
Along with his friends – ill-tempered Will Scaflock and the renowned friar, Robert Stafford – John is drawn inexorably into a dangerous adventure that will leave yet more people dead and only add to the eerie legends which will pass into English folklore for centuries to come.
Can John and his companions uncover the truth about the house in the marsh and its terrible secrets? And will they be able to forever exorcise the ghost haunting Wakefield, or will this Christmas be anything but merry?

Reviews

We are back with Tuck, Will Scarlet and Little John for another gripping mystery.

The tale starts with a bailiff out to collect fines in the name of the king, the issue is this isn’t a real bailiff and his form of justice goes a step too far.

The news of the fake bailiff takes a while to circulate so before it reaches our heroes we find John, Tuck and Will intrigued with a reported haunting in an old Manor in the Marshes close to Wakefield. There’s even stories of treasure about. But is there any truth in the legend?

As the fake Bailiff edges closer to Wakefield Little John and the gang take notice. They are a little older but no less deadly. If the fake bailiff wants to dole out some harsh justice they are in for a nasty shock… to make matters worse there’s reports of this fake bailiff in numerous placed which wouldn’t be humanly possible..

Development wise I think Will stole the show, he’s still as sharp as ever but has a new family to watch over… he’s not going to let anyone harm his family.. not after last time!

The plot develops at a steady pace and both mysteries come to some surprising ends.

I love these Novellas and they are fast becoming a Christmas tradition for me to cosy up with a nice bottle of ale.

After being with these characters for so long I feel like I know them..I’m comfortable with them.. the relationships are naturally built and the flow and writing style is effortless brilliant you can’t help but get cosy and demolish this one.. it would be impossible not to.  When I pick up a book by Steven A. McKay I just know I’m going to love it and once again we’ve been given a cracking read perfect for Christmas Eve night!

5/5 Stars

To find out more head to Amazon or Goodreads.

BLOG TOUR – The Custard Corpses by MJ Porter

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Today I’m taking part in the blog tour for The Custard Corpses, the 1st book in The Erdington Mysteries series by M J Porter.

As a fan of the author I jumped at the chance to be on the blog tour, no review copy needed.. I had this one already 😊

Keep reading for the chance to win a copy of the book too!!

Here’s the blurb

A delicious 1940s mystery.

Birmingham, England, 1943.


While the whine of the air raid sirens might no longer be rousing him from bed every night, a two-decade-old unsolved murder case will ensure that Chief Inspector Mason of Erdington Police Station is about to suffer more sleepless nights.

Young Robert McFarlane’s body was found outside the local church hall on 30th September 1923. But, his cause of death was drowning, and he’d been missing for three days before his body was found. No one was ever arrested for the crime. No answers could ever be given to the grieving family. The unsolved case has haunted Mason ever since.

But, the chance discovery of another victim, with worrying parallels, sets Mason, and his constable, O’Rourke, on a journey that will take them back over twenty-five years, the chance to finally solve the case, while all around them the uncertainty of war continues, impossible to ignore.

Review

MJ Porter is a master of style and wit. Porter manages to perfectly add her edge to a wonderful historical mystery.

Set during the war the people are suffering..suffering shortages, suffering grief..suffering fear…but that’s not all.

A body is found with striking similarities to a case back in 1923. Is this a 2nd chance to catch the killer?

The Custard Corpses is a well crafted tale showing the constraints of the time and shows gritty determination law enforcement would have needed at the time to solve crimes with little evidence.

Chief Inspector Sam Mason is on the case and must painstakingly look to the past to find clues.

The characters feel real, the relationships natural and the flow prefect.

As the case develops the plot thickens and takes a disturbing direction.. could there be more victims?

I’m a big fan of police procedural stories but this has MJ Porter’s style infused, which just kicks it up a notch and makes it unlike anything I’ve ever read before.

I’d certainly describe the book as delicious.. You’ll get hooked into the dark world and you’ll devour this tale in no time!

Grab a cup of tea and get stuck into this 5* read!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon

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Author Bio – I’m an author of historical fiction (Early English, Vikings and the British Isles as a whole before the Norman Conquest) and fantasy (Viking age/dragon-themed). I’ve recently written a relatively modern mystery novel set in 1943. I was born in the old Mercian kingdom at some point since 1066. Raised in the shadow of a strange little building, told from a very young age that it housed the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia and that our garden was littered with old pieces of pottery from a long-ago battle, it’s little wonder that my curiosity in Early England ran riot. I can only blame my parents!

I write A LOT. You’ve been warned!

Find me at http://www.mjporterauthor.com and @coloursofunison on twitter.

Social Media Links – https://twitter.com/coloursofunison

https://www.instagram.com/m_j_porter/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163404.M_J_Porter

Giveaway to Win 2 x copies of The Custard Corpses (Open INT)

For a chance to win head to http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494455/?

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.