I Am Dust 

by Louise Beech

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was very lucky to be given an ARC of this book for the purpose of review. This book is one of those rare gems that show up when you least expect it. Louise Beech created a magically haunting book, with complex characters and a story line that captured me from the start. I Am Dust does not neatly fit into any one genre, it has elements of paranormal, thriller, coming of age, romance and psychological. The book does feature some sensitive topics and, I believe, there should be a trigger warning that self harm is mentioned.
The story follows a young theater usher who dreams of being  a playwright. Chloe has been obsessed with the world of theater ever since she rehearsed and performed in a summer school play. Back then, she had a best friend. Back then, she did something... Back then...
Now, some fifteen years later, she vaguely remembers that summer. Little does she know that her whole life is about the turned upside down when a favourite play comes back to town. Bit by bit, Chloe recalls what happened that summer. Will remembering and reconnecting with an old love turn out how she dreams?


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Witch Dust by Marily Messik - A TBC Review

Witch Dust 

by Marilyn Messik

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a ARC for the purpose of review, many thanks to the author and TBC.
I reserve 5* for those books that have the "special something" and this book is well deserving of the full 5 stars! Marilyn Messik has a unique writing style, each character has its own tone and the book was a delight from start to finish!
Serenissima (or Sandra as she defiantly insists) is our much put upon protagonist. She grew up in the shadows of her parents limelight, the marvellous Adam Adamovitch and the lovely Ophelia. Even as child, Sandra tries to have a most normal life, something that can be difficult to achieve when your parents are world renowned magicians. Now an adult, with her own flat, career and relationships, Sandra finds herself reluctantly drawn into one of her parents spats, though this one seems to be far more serious than any in the past. Her mother drops the news of a whole new family branch on to Sandra and this is where the fun really begins. Of course, Sandra has known her entire life that her mother was somewhat different, but now that she meets the rest of her long lost family, she has to admit that it is not just her mother who has strange talents and afflictions. Sandra is called upon to save a family she never knew existed, to bring order to chaos and somehow fix her parent's marriage.
The author gives each of her characters distinct personas, from delightfully snarky to eccentrically rude to absentmindedly brilliant.. each and every one of the cast is special and comes to life. If you are looking for a fun, fast read that will have you chuckle out loud, this is a must read. I was delighted to find that Serenissima and all the others will be back for another installment.

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The Fire Child - A Netgalley Review

The Fire Child 

by S.K. Tremayne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Rachel follows David to live in the beautiful family estate in Cornwall, she feels she has everything she could wish for. Her life is about to change though and she will uncover some dark and disturbing family secrets. Her stepson Jamie displays some worrying behaviour and she will have to do whatever she can to protect the child.
A twisting plot keeps the reader guessing and intrigued. This is a unique mix of (almost) paranormal mystery, historical fiction and thriller. The author goes to great lengths to describe the scenes and the reader is transported to the untamed country that is Cornwall.

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The Night Stalker 

by Robert Bryndza

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DCI Erika Foster returns for a second case. This book works very well as a stand alone. Just over a year has gone by since her last case and this time she is not only up against an unusually hot British summer but also a new killer. When three men are found, brutally murdered in a similar fashion, Erika is racing against the clock to make sure there is no other victim. Will she outrun the killer? Will she succeed and not also sacrifice her career and all she has worked for? The reader is taken on another cat and mouse game by Robert Bryndza. He manages to cement DCI Foster as a firm favourite, a strong female character in a male dominated world.
The plot hurtles along and the reader is captured and swept away. Robert Bryndza has found a perfect formula for new crime and thriller protagonist. Anyone who enjoys a fast, well thought out and clever crime story will love this installment of the DCI Foster series.

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Nina Is Not OK - A Netgalley Review

Nina is Not OK 

by Shappi Khorsandi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nina is not OK is Shappi Khorsandi's debut novel. This author arrives on the scene with a bang! We meet 17 year old Nina on the possibly worst night of her young life. We experience from Nina's point of view how one fateful evening can impact your life.
Shappi Khorsandi tackles serious topics such as consent and addiction with sensitivity, kindness, compassion and a big portion of humour. Nina is not ok is a raw and honest story of coming of age, growing and growing up.
The book brings to mind the struggles young women in this day and age face, the prejudices that still exist and how social media amplifies misgivings and mistakes.
Nina is a complex character, the author did a great job developing the many layers and facets of our protagonist. The story moves along at a nice pace and we meet Nina's besties and a host of supporting cast along the way. Definitely a recommended book for young adults.

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All That Is Buried - A TBC review

All That Is Buried 

by Robert Scragg

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received an ARC of this book for review.
"All that is buried" is book 3 of Robert Scragg's Porter and Styles series. The book works as a stand alone and numerous references and flashbacks to the previous books give some context and background for the dynamics the characters display.

When little Libby goes missing at a funfair, the team is faced with a harrowing investigation. After months, nothing has led them closer to solving the crime. Libby remains missing and, additionally, the investigation uncovers 9 more murdered children. Will Porter and Styles unravel the mystery? Will Libby's parents find a happily ever after? Twists and turns throughout will keep the reader guessing.

I have never read a book quite like this. At times, I got very confused and lost the thread as so many story lines are opened and run parallel. Some of the discoveries have absolutely nothing to do with the original crime, they kind of pop up, setting the scene for another book more than adding anything to the story line of this one. The author does manage to pull the strands together in the end, but I am sorry to say, it did not convince me. The sheer amount of side stories were just a bit overwhelming for me.This being the 3rd installment means that some back story is required, however I felt at times that the amount of flashbacks was a little more than necessary. There are some cliches in this book that left me feeling a bit uneasy, such as the "Eastern European" drug lord, the "good" Western European, description of accents etc. The characters are well developed and work well together. The reader gets a very good understanding of each of the main players and "who they are". Little bits of personal life flesh them out and make them personable. This book is definitely one for those who enjoy a multi layered plot evolving.

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Lost Girl - A TBC Review

Lost Girl

by Holly Kammier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the first book by Holly Kammier I have read. Readers have to keep in mind, that this is a Young Adult mystery novel and, as such, some older readers may find the format is not as expected. I enjoyed the book and felt it was an intriguing mix between mystery and romance.
Shelby Day is a 21 years old hopeful in the fast paced world of journalism. Her aspirations to make it big in the world of investigative journalism drive her actions. When a double murder of two young women happen in the sleepy little town she interns in, Shelby finds herself more than just professionally interested. Her investigation soon leads to her being targeted by the brutal killer herself.
This book is very clearly written to appeal to a younger audience, the characters are well developed and show complexity and relatable struggles of their own. This is not only a mystery story but also one that touches on personal growth and realtionships between the characters.
The author clearly researched the characteristics a young heroine would display in the 21st century and I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author did not opt for the "obvious choice" when it comes to solving the mystery. It is well worth a read if you are looking for a quick, fun book.