October Round Up

 Well, here we are again! Another monthly roundup of books I've read. I keep this blog going. Sometimes I'm not sure why. Blogging seems to have gone out the window. It's all about reels and videos and stuff nowadays, isn't it. Don't think anybody wants to read reviews. Or maybe it's just my reviews nobody wants to read! I don't blog about every book I read like I used to, it can be a bit random. Nevertheless, I carry on because it's in my nature to do so. Never give up. Never surrender!

First up this month was Syd Moores The Great Deception. Syd Moore is a local author and she visits my local bookshop. And I love it that she remembers me! Since I see myself as an instantly forgettable sort of person, it does do my self-esteem good. This is the second book in a trilogy about the Nazis's obsession with the occult.  The first one was called The Grand Illusion and I blogged about it here.

https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-grand-illusion-syd-moore.html

I've also blogged about the second book here

https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-great-deception-syd-moore.html

This month seems to have been a good month for Library books. (I've read 4 so far!) The trouble is when I reserve a book and go in and collect it I usually find something else that takes my fancy. But I reserved this one of Holly Seddon's the moment I saw the publication date. I love her books and this latest called 59 Minutes is quite something. The premise is and I'm hopefully offering no spoilers, if you had just 59 minutes until a nuclear bomb impacted, what would you do with that time? But the incredible thing was that a couple of weeks ago she came to my local bookshop! I couldn't believe my eyes. So I went to the event and I was sitting there minding my own business waiting for it to start when another author, Fiona Cummins, came in recognised me (perhaps I'm not as forgettable as I thought!), sat at my table and we chatted. Fiona and Holly are friends. Then Holly Seddon and Kit Conway came in, made my table their base so there I was sitting surrounded by three incredible writers! It was fascinating to hear Holly talk about the book and her writing processes.

Eden, The Final Solution by Pascal Bouquillard was a book that I won in a Librarything giveaway. And I really enjoyed it. It's a dystopian novel It was very thought-provoking and I blogged about it here.

https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/10/eden-final-solution-pascal-bouquillard.html

Amanda James and The Midnight Bookshop kept popping into my Instagram feed and I popped in a. request for it at my library. It's a good book for book lovers. Full of magic. And if like me books are your salvation then you'll understand this story which suggests how healing and consoling books can be. 

One of those books that I picked up from the library without any real intent but I suppose because  Ozzy Osbourne has been in the news lately it resonated with me. I have to say I did enjoy it. I think there has been previous autobiographies of his but this one seems to focus on his later years and all his health issues. It's as frank and candid and as irreverent as Ozzy was. I enjoyed reading it. It's called Last Rites. It suggests he knew he didn't have long left.

And yet another Library book – When Gavin Met Stacey – by, not surprisingly, James Corden and Ruth Jones. I think you have to be a Gavin and Stacey fan to enjoy this book. But if you are, you've probably heard some of the anecdotes before. But it didn't really distract from the enjoyment of the book. Which really is two friends chatting in print about this journey they've been on.

Just finished this one and I've yet to blog about it. It's the final part of the Merit Hunters series by L.G.Jenkins. Having read all the others I just had to read this one. And I was invited by the author to sign up to a little group of people who enjoy the books.  Lydia sent me an advance reading copy. It was an e-book which I loathe. But when you really want to read something and you can't wait for the book to be published you have to take yourself out of your comfort zone! My eyes don't enjoy reading. And I can't do it at night so I could only read it in daylight which took me much longer than usual. No photo until I receive my signed copy. I will be blogging about it in the next few days. So watch this space!😂

Eden The Final Solution - Pascal Bouquillard

 The most chilling dystopian fictions are those that offer us a timeline that is not so far removed from our own. A timeline that we can see in the distance approaching ominously. When you add to that a main character called Winston and some supporting characters called Julia, Emmanuel, O Brien and Catherine (does the ‘C’ or ‘K’ matter?) the reader is catapulted into an Orwellian frame of mind. Oh, and much of the narrative takes place in 2084. Homage to Cormac McCarthy and maybe Philip K Dick too sneak into the plot of Pascal Bouquillard’s mesmerizing novel. But most chilling of all, once you are immersed fully into the fiction, is ‘The Final Solution’ which is surely there to echo the Nazi euphemism for genocide. I apologize if that may be construed as a spoiler. It won’t be for many, but I appreciate that perhaps younger readers may not be familiar with the ‘Final Solution’.

Good dystopian fiction takes a current reality or realities and pushes them forward to  boundaries or beyond. But to work there must be a logic to the pushing of these boundaries. Is there a logic in Eden? I should say so. And how!

A common theme in the world of dystopia is some kind of dictator, some all-powerful, all-knowing individual, whose obsessions carry them over the brink of normalcy. Here it is an unendearing character, Nucleus, who is running the show. He names his children, Christ, and Electra J! That gives you plenty to conjure with!

We can see how issues such as genetic modification, our enslavement  to wealth, our embracing of recreational substances can create an apocalypse of sorts. And something that the novel suggested to me was that you take everything to extremes and ask the question whether there’s any redemption or way back from the devastation. I won’t go down the spoiler route to enlighten you, you need to read the book for yourself!

This appears to be a first novel. But it doesn’t read like one. It reads like an experienced author comfortable in his writing skin. It’s a powerful, muscular almost, narrative that draws the reader willingly along. Whilst much of it is dark, and I’ve mentioned chilling before, there are some lighter moments. I loved the writers use of Pear and Androgene instead of Apple and Android! And there are some passages that could’ve come straight out of Henry Miller. 

None of us know what is ahead. We can hazard a guess. We can almost see the way. some things are headed. When you get old like I am, there’s a fear for the younger generations. The technological age may well be our downfall, if it isn’t already. That and money…….

If you enjoy dystopian fiction. If you revere Orwell and other writers of his ilk.And if you philosophize about what lies ahead for this planet, and for mankind then this book is perfect for you.

My thanks to the author for an inscribed copy via Library thing.

The Great Deception - Syd Moore

 

 

Did you know that the British invaded Iceland during World War II? No, I didn’t. And I still wouldn’t if it hadn’t been for Syd Moore’s latest book, The Grand Deception. I think we owe a huge debt to authors like Syd who bring to our wider consciousness events that we know little or nothing about yet have some significant impact on the passage of history.

 

The Grand Deception is the second part of a trilogy, Section W, which looks at how British Intelligence attempted to thwart the course of the war by exploiting the Third Reich’s obsession with the occult. 

 

Syd Moore doesn’t just do research, she lives it, breathes it and experiences it and as such allows her readers an enriching experience that is the essence of good historical fiction. She’s also happy to share the fruits of her labours with her readers. If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of her talks, then I urge you to do so. Because you learn so much, in an entertaining way, and it does so much to enhance your reading of her books.

 

The Grand Deception is set in Iceland where Daphne Devine has the task of locating a clairvoyant who is suspected of collaborating with the Nazis. The essence and magic of Iceland is palpably created, and the sense of magic, superstition and folklore imbibe their way fully into the narrative so that the country becomes another character almost.

But as well as being a work of historical fiction, it’s also a thriller. Syd Moore skilfully creates a seamless fusion between the historical facts and the creativity of fiction. Daphne and those who associate with her find themselves in some perilous situations. There are secrets to be uncovered if Daphne can overcome the threats from those who seek to outwit and outrun her. All her efforts are hampered by the need to survive in an, often, hostile environment. There are some twists, the impact of one will depend on you having read the first book in the series The Grand Illusion for full effect. There is some sadness and there are some breath holding moments. But I’ve never been Queen of the Spoilers and I’m not about to start yet! And the closing pages of the book make it clear that the story is far from over. 

 

Daphne is an interesting character. Having read the previous book, I was curious to see how she developed. There’s something harder, more ruthless, slightly less compassionate about her in this story. Which I guess would happen to somebody who’s been thrust into life as an undercover operative in the middle of WWII! She remains feisty and self-analytical. I am keen to see what happens to her next. There are a couple of other recurring characters, but they don’t play such a big part. We see the Icelandic characters through Daphne’s eyes, that element of incomprehensibility when two cultures collide and both sides are making the effort to understand the other. I particularly liked the character of Anna; there was something enigmatic about her. 

 

So, if you’re a fan of historical fiction, if you enjoy a good thriller, if you like war stories, if you’re into spiritualism and the occult, if you like your female characters strong then this is the book for you. Bring on Book Three!

The Water That May Come – Amy Lilwall

A writer new to me, always an exciting prospect and I quickly found myself completely engrossed in this book. It’s very pertinent in terms of global warming and the environmental crisis that our country, and indeed the world, faces. Here the threat is from the rising seas that threaten to flood the country. So, in a sense it is a dystopian novel, but it’s not so far removed from our current reality. And that makes it quite a chilling read in many respects. The characters, as diverse as they are, all needing to make plans for an exodus from the UK as they fear that most of it will soon be underwater. And I found myself wondering what I would do if faced with this situation, this environmental catastrophe.

 

The writing is tight and assured with a narrative that flows as imposingly as the flooding it predicts. The characters are well defined, believable and relatable. Their mix gives the story a balance that broadens its appeal. These characters find themselves in situations that would be thought provoking and challenging even without the added provocation of a Biblical type of deluge!

 

Escape seems the only option, and many seek to flee to Europe but immigration poses its issues, as well we know, so a new law is passed, The Intimacy Law. I don’t want to go down the spoiler route but creatively and imaginatively this was genius, I thought! Morally disturbing though.

 

Amy Lilwall writes with astute compassion, yet she doesn’t flinch from the harsher aspects of life. I enjoyed the way the book encouraged me to think and ponder. There were several unanswered questions and room for the reader to allow their own imaginations into play. The dynamic between all the characters, with their quirks and personalities, their motivations and the quest for survival render the fiction a fascinating exercise in literary people watching.

 

I found the conclusion a tad anti-climactic if I’m honest. That may be because I didn’t really want the book to end! Or because it also made me confront some uncomfortable truths about our world and our environment?

My thanks to Isabelle Kenyon and Fly on the Wall Press for a gifted copy.

September Round Up

A leaner month, this month, because I’ve only managed six books. No particular reason, just the way it’s panned out. However, four of them have been Library books which I find very pleasing. There was a time when I was getting numerous books from publishers to review that I found it hard to fit in Library books. But because I don’t get quite so many now, it does mean I can use my Library more. Another reason I’m using my Library more is because I have just got so many books, I’ve had to consciously curb my book buying. That sounds sacrilege, doesn’t it? But I’m getting old and when I finally pop my clogs, somebody’s got to clear all these books out and find somewhere for them. I feel it’s irresponsible for me to keep adding to them. So, a lot of books that I might previously have bought, I am reserving at the Library. I’m also glad that authors do benefit from my borrowing. I know that the Public Lending Right scheme provides direct payment to authors for each loan and I’m sure there must be a host of other benefits to for both author and publisher so I don’t feel quite so bad about doing it. But I’m wittering on so without further ado let’s get to the roundup.

 

A friend of mine mentioned that she'd found a Dawn French book at a charity shop and she was really enjoying it. It reminded me that somewhere on my TBR shelves I had a Dawn French book that’s been languishing there for years. I used to belong to a website community called Read It Swap It. Basically, you offered up your superfluous books and swapped them with one of the other members for one of their superfluous books. And that was how I came about this Dawn French book. It’s called According to Yes. I found it to be an engaging story about British Rosie quitting the UK for a job as a nanny to a somewhat privileged American family. Rosie challenges the regime of the house somewhat and there is a rather unlikely premise that I’m unwilling to divulge because it would be a spoiler yet it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the book as much it could possibly have done. The book had an easy narrative flow to it, and I quite liked Rosie as a character. Plus, there was something satisfying about relieving my TBR shelf of one of its probably oldest residents.

 

Next up is a library book – R.F.Kuang’s Katabasis. I was delighted to snaffle a copy of this so soon after publication, although I had put in my request a while back. I think I may even have got a pristine unread copy. I just can’t make up my mind about this author. I read Babel and Yellowface. I enjoyed them both although I thought Babel was perhaps over long. I think Yellowface suffered from a lot of social media hype and whilst I enjoyed its savage satire, I’m not sure it lived up to the hype. Katabasis though is hell to read! Pun Intended. It’s complex and ambitious. Pure fantasy. Yet it offers some thoughts about the world of academia. How the pursuit of the mind and intellectual activities take precedence over the health of the body. It’s also a love story. But probably not anything along the lines of Mills and Boon. It’s a complex plot, an intelligent one. I would say though that the main female character, Alice Law, did get on my nerves a bit. Am I allowed to say that? Well, I have. So there.

 

My third book this month was that unusual thing nowadays a book from a publisher and a place upon a block tour! I was disproportionately over the moon. The book in  question is Appointment in Paris by Jane Thynne.I wrote about it on my blog.

 

https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/09/appointment-in-paris-jane-thynne.html

 

Another Library book which I was really interested to read. Ova Ceren’s debut novel The Book of Heartbreak. I think at one point many years ago over she may have been a blogger like myself. I think she moved on to becoming an ‘influencer’ on TikTok and Instagram. But whilst most bloggers and influencers stay on their social media sidelines Ova has only gone and written a book! It’s supposedly a young adult book but I’m an old adult and I really enjoyed it. I was really impressed. It’s well written with a lovely flow to the narrative. It’s well plotted, exciting with a satisfying conclusion. I think many a young adult will really enjoy reading this fantasy story. It’s pitched just right.

 

Probably because of my long recovery from Covid, I haven’t attended as many bookshop events as I did last year. But I’ve had a run lately and I spent the most enjoyable evening listening to Jo Wood. Jo is probably the highest profile celebrity who’s been to the bookshop. But she was an absolute delight. So down to earth and genuine. And she’s written a novel. I haven’t read it yet it’s sitting there patiently waiting for me, but I was so interested in everything Jo had to say that I found her autobiography in the library and I read that. My goodness what a life she’s led. And I feel even more privileged to have chatted with her and had my photo taken with her. I know it's become something of a cliché now for anybody with any claims to fame to write a memoir or an autobiography, I’ve read some that are dire, but this isn’t one of them. It’s really engaging and entertaining.

I read Nydia Hetherington‘s A Girl Made of Air and was completely captivated by it. It contains one of my favorite names for a character of all time – Serendipity Wilson! I wrote about the book on my blog.

 https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2020/09/a-girl-made-of-air-nydia-hetherington.html

So I was delighted to find a copy of her next book, Sycorax, sitting on the Library shelf, begging me to take it out on loan. I obliged willingly. Sycorax is the witch in Shakespeare’s the Tempest, never seen, but described as a witch in the mother of Caliban. Nydia Hetherington has created a wonderful fictional tale of Sycorax from her origins right through to the birth of her son, Caliban. It’s a richly imagined tale, encompassing issues, such as living with chronic pain, isolation, and being an outcast as well as weaving a wondrous story of a lesser character.

  

Appointment in Paris – Jane Thynne

 

My introduction to Jane Thynne was via her two dystopian novels, Widowland and Queen High, under the name C.J.Carey. Both stories had mind blowing premises; the former saw the UK having submitted to Germany and the latter, a sequel, where Wallis Simpson is the reigning monarch! Both stories make for thought provoking reads. 

So, I jumped at the chance to read Appointment in Paris which appears to be a second story featuring Harry Fox and Stella Fry, the first being Midnight in Vienna.

 

Whilst a distinctly different genre there were recognisable elements of style and narrative that I had come to enjoy and admire from Thynne/Carey’s work.  Appointment in Paris is an espionage thriller set in those dramatic days before the outbreak of WWII. Set in both the UK and France the catalyst for the story’s evolution is Trent Park, a stately home once owned by Siegfried Sassoon’s cousin, Philip Sassoon. After Sasson’s death the house was requisitioned by the government to house captured Germans and extract information from them via ‘listeners’.

 

Everything is thrust into disarray when the body of a Luftwaffe officer is found in the grounds and on that same day one of the ‘listeners’ goes missing.  Fears that they could expose the entire operation ignite a desperate search to find them ensues. MI5 step in to engage the services of Harry Fox and pair him up with his previous associate, Stella Fry. 

 

What follows is a work of historical fiction, diligently researched, an authentic atmosphere palpably created and populated with believable characters which moves along at a steady pace. It is not a white-knuckle thriller but it is very much a thriller. Something I admired was how subtle and underplayed some of the events, were creating a sense of unease and impending danger that seemed all the more thrilling for not being thrust obviously in the readers’ path. Something of a mystery story, too, as identities and motives are unfurled. I had to chuckle in some places for as I came to a realisation or conclusion it was often echoed by Harry, and I ended up thinking that he and I would make a good team! 

 

The relationship between Stella and Harry is adroitly depicted. There’s an element of will they, won’t they, but there’s no, shall we say, exclusivity!

 

Something else I found quite delightful was the inclusion of real-life characters. And I am loathe to identify them here because I would see that as a spoiler. It was something else that reminded me of the C.J. Carey books, where Wallace Simpson is Queen of England.

 

The conclusion is satisfying yet there is a sense of an unresolved connection between Fox and Fry so it paves the way potentially for more from Harry and Stella. I hope so. In the mean time I shall seek out a copy of Midnight in Vienna.

 

My thanks to Emily Patience and Quercus Books for a gifted copy and spot upon the blog tour. 

 

 

August Round Up

 Here we are again, another month and I still continue with this round up even though I'm pretty sure I'm the only person who reads it! Never mind. It exists as a diary of my monthly reading. My fears that my age was slowing down my reading were unfounded. I'm back to my average eight books a month total with a decent variety of genre.

First up was a birthday gift. Amy Jeffs' Saints. I've read her previous two books and thoroughly enjoyed therm. I won't say I didn't enjoy this, but I felt it lacked the impact that the other two had on me. It was interesting enough and as usual Amy's research is impeccable but I felt it was lacklustre  compared to the first two.

Next, in a real genre switch, was Amy Lilwall with The Water That May Come. I say genre switch because I read somewhere that this is categorised as cli-fi. Yes, you read that correctly. It's short for climate fiction, I guess. I found it to be an utterly compelling and riveting read until perhaps the latter stage is when I felt it fell off a bit. It was sent to me by the brilliant Isabelle Kenyon from Fly on the Wall Press. It's not published till October so I'm sitting on my review until then. 

William Shaw is one of those authors whose books I will always read. The Red Shore is billed as an Eden Driscoll mystery which suggests it might be the start of a new series. I've no problem with that. I've enjoyed all of William Shaw's detectives, Breen and Tozer, Alexandra Cupidi and the stand alone novels. All crime stories, all well plotted with flawed yet endearing characters. Stories that keep you guessing right till the end. Keep 'em coming, William.

I was waiting to collect a Library book that I'd reserved. And I wasn't the only person that had reserved it so I wanted to make sure I wasn't in the middle of a lengthy tome when I picked it up and I could begin it straight away. I had this book by Susanna Clarke sitting on my shelf. It suggested from the blurb that it's a Christmassy tale, but I didn't mind that. I've loved both of Susanna Clarke's books. In fact, Piranesi is on my forever shelf, it's so wonderful. This didn't disappoint. Quirky, magical, enchanting, it tells of Merowdis who can talk to trees and animals. It has the feel of an allegorical tale and I've a feeling this is going to go on my forever shelf too. (My forever shelf is those books that have such an impact on me. I want to read them again before I die).

And here's the library book I was waiting for! Sophie Haydock's Madame Matisse. I loved The Flames so I was really excited to see what she'd come up with next. Again it's art themed. I reviewed it on my blog here.

https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/08/madame-matisse-sophie-haydock.html

I read a Robert Harris book when I was the fortunate recipient of the entire long list for the Walter Scott historical fiction prize in 2023, Act of Oblivion. I enjoyed the book and I gave it to my yoga teacher who is a Harris fan and she reciprocated by giving me her copy of Pompeii. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very engrossing. I like the way it was seen through the eyes of four different characters and I think I engaged most with the young engineer, Marcus Attilius. Harris always makes his books believable. The research is incredible. And I learned a lot about aqueducts.

Next up, another Library book, Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I was very excited to read this as I loved her previous two books. And this was wonderful. I wrote about it on my blog.

https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2025/08/atmosphere-taylor-jenkins-reid.html

Finally, this month a book from the good folks at HQ stories Phoenicia Rogerson's Aphrodite. There was a whole spate of Greek myth influenced fiction a while back and I thought maybe the infatuation with mythology had ended. But it certainly hasn't. This was joyous. A quirky, witty romp through the lives and loves of mortals and gods with Aphrodite as the main character. I suppose I may find it irreverent but I didn't. I just love the audacity of the goddess of love! Girl Power, heck yeah!