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emma_therabbithole's reviews
106 reviews
Tick Tock by Simon Mayo
3.75
An enjoyable read that kept me interested throughout. It didn’t quite deliver for me in terms of keeping me absolutely gripped, but I did develop an attachment to the characters and cared about their story.
The King's Witches by Kate Foster
4.5
I love historical fiction, and as I still haven’t read The Maiden, I wasn’t missing out on reading this!
Told from the point of view of three women, Princess Anna of Denmark who enters a handfasting contract with King James VI. Her lady in waiting, Kirsten, and Jura, a young Scottish woman who has inherited knowledge of herbalism from her mother.
Based on the North Berwick Witch Trials, it focuses on a period of history which must have been a terrifying time to be a woman. I read completely gripped from the very start. Kate Foster is my new must-read author!
The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes
4.0
Another enjoyable listen from Marian Keyes! Helen Walsh has always intrigued me, and so I really enjoyed delving into her character. A fun, easy listen but with an edge, as I’m becoming used to with Marian Keyes’ books!
The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
4.5
Despite loving the film Practical Magic, I’ve never actually read a book by Alice Hoffman - slightly shamefaced, as I absolutely loved this.
Young Ivy Jacob finds herself pregnant and runs away to The Community, where her daughter is raised.
Mia rebels against the strict rules and falls in love with the magic of reading….
It’s a book that I thought I had the measure of, and then it went somewhere entirely leftfield!
A book about women, their struggles against the patriarchy, about agency and autonomy. The parallels in the book between what is happening now in parts of America with the overturning of Roe vs Wade and the treatment of women throughout history and in the present in The Community are evident and made me shudder.
A story that engaged me from the off, with brilliant strong, female characters and a book that I am pretty sure I could read again and see things I missed the first read round.
Young Ivy Jacob finds herself pregnant and runs away to The Community, where her daughter is raised.
Mia rebels against the strict rules and falls in love with the magic of reading….
It’s a book that I thought I had the measure of, and then it went somewhere entirely leftfield!
A book about women, their struggles against the patriarchy, about agency and autonomy. The parallels in the book between what is happening now in parts of America with the overturning of Roe vs Wade and the treatment of women throughout history and in the present in The Community are evident and made me shudder.
A story that engaged me from the off, with brilliant strong, female characters and a book that I am pretty sure I could read again and see things I missed the first read round.
The Ugly Truth by L.C. North
5.0
Brilliant. Fast paced, multi media style narrative focused on the disappearance of celebrity Melanie Lange. It’s often an uncomfortable read in terms of media intrusion and the toxicity of social media, but it’s thought provoking and highlights issues that are relevant to the celeb focused society we’re a part of. Zoomed through this, it’s wonderfully moreish and had me up way in to the wee hours!
The Well of Saint Nobody by Neil Jordan
4.25
An unusual read that was not what I was expecting at all!!
Tara, an Irish piano teacher, accepts a position for the housekeeper to William, an aging pianist whose illness prevents him from playing as he used to. But they’ve met before, and William doesn’t remember.
I don’t want to say anything that spoils it, but this is beautifully written Irish fiction. A touch of folklore (ish…..you’ll see what I mean!) and a sublime use of language.
Tara, an Irish piano teacher, accepts a position for the housekeeper to William, an aging pianist whose illness prevents him from playing as he used to. But they’ve met before, and William doesn’t remember.
I don’t want to say anything that spoils it, but this is beautifully written Irish fiction. A touch of folklore (ish…..you’ll see what I mean!) and a sublime use of language.
The House of Fever by Polly Crosby
4.25
A really enjoyable historical fiction turned mystery centred around the unsettling Hedone House. A home for those suffering with tuberculosis, Agnes at first thinks her new marriage to its doctor will lead to her mother’s cure, along with happiness for herself. But things are not quite as they seem. I raced through this, an unusual summer holiday read - easy to read but with depth and completely at odds with summer with its gothic undertones, but highly recommended nonetheless!
Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein
4.0
I have to admit that I wasn't sure about this when I started it, and if it weren't a book club book I'm not sure how much I would have stuck with it - however, I'm pleased that I did! Thanks to my disorganised approach to life, I gave myself 24 hours to read this, and so switched between the paperback and audio versions.
It's a heartbreaking read about families living in the barracks in Trinidad in the 1940s. It's often a tough read, racism, classism, violence and trauma are prominent throughout. But it's eye opening and a story that did get beneath my skin, although it is definitely not an easy read in any sense of the word.
Events begin with the disappearance of Mr Changoor, a local, wealthy man. His wife, Marlee makes an unrefusable offer to Hans to act as a watchman to protect her in his absence. Set on using the money to create a better life for his wife, Shweta and son Krishna, he accepts. Surrounding the present day is the crushing trauma of the past from all involved which colours events as they unroll.
Excellent literary historical fiction.
It's a heartbreaking read about families living in the barracks in Trinidad in the 1940s. It's often a tough read, racism, classism, violence and trauma are prominent throughout. But it's eye opening and a story that did get beneath my skin, although it is definitely not an easy read in any sense of the word.
Events begin with the disappearance of Mr Changoor, a local, wealthy man. His wife, Marlee makes an unrefusable offer to Hans to act as a watchman to protect her in his absence. Set on using the money to create a better life for his wife, Shweta and son Krishna, he accepts. Surrounding the present day is the crushing trauma of the past from all involved which colours events as they unroll.
Excellent literary historical fiction.
Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
4.0
Crime mystery writer Eleanor Dash is on a book tour in Italy when she herself becomes part of a murder mystery. With the group assembled having a checkered, interweaving past, as various attempts are made to murder members of the group. A vibrant blend of mystery, romance and comedy which equals a thoroughly entertaining read.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
5.0
I thought that at the age of 40 I was beyond crushes on fictional characters, but it seems not!
I loved everything about The Ministry of Time. The characters, the concept, the genre hopping plot that kept things constantly interesting on the best possible way. I’m a sucker for time travel tales anyway, but this basically parcelled up everything I like and sent it straight to my doorstep.
I’m now grieving its end and have spent the afternoon trying to find out if there’ll be more!!
I loved everything about The Ministry of Time. The characters, the concept, the genre hopping plot that kept things constantly interesting on the best possible way. I’m a sucker for time travel tales anyway, but this basically parcelled up everything I like and sent it straight to my doorstep.
I’m now grieving its end and have spent the afternoon trying to find out if there’ll be more!!