Hello everyone and welcome to this week’s quick catch-up on my reading! Yes, like last week, I am going to write about a couple of books that I have managed to finish during this enforced “imprisonment “ upstairs with Lovely Husband. I apologise for the brevity of these posts, but I am very tired from struggling down and back up the stairs all day!

My first book is Will Dean’s Wolf Pack, #05 Tuva Moodyson Mystery. Regulars will know that I have been really enjoying this series. Here is the blurb:

“When there’s a pack on the hunt, nobody’s safe

 

A closed community

Rose Farm is home to a group of survivalists, completely cut off from the outside world. Until now.

A missing person

A young woman goes missing within the perimeter of the farm compound. Can Tuva talk her way inside the tight-knit group to find her story?

A frantic search

As Tuva attempts to unmask the culprit, she gains unique access to the residents. But soon she finds herself in danger of the pack turning against her – will she make her way back to safety so she can expose the truth?

Will Dean’s most heart-pounding Tuva Moodyson thriller yet takes Tuva to her absolute limits in exposing a heinous crime, and in her own personal life. Can she, and will she, do the right thing?”

And this is my response on Goodreads:

Wolf Pack by Will Dean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a great read. In fact I read this latest Tuva Moodyson Mystery far quicker than the others. Somehow, it just flowed for me. As ever, the characters were intriguing and interesting, the plot had unexpected moments and twists, and the setting was well-written. As this was the fifth book, many people and places were very familiar, but the author’s writing has definitely become better and better throughout the series.

I hope there will be another book!

View all my reviews

---

My second book was pretty interesting and enjoyable too, although more of a three star!

The German Messenger by M J Hollows was one of those random choices from the Library’s ebook service. I am glad that I selected it because it was a quite different take on the Home Front in WWII from my point of view. This is the blurb:

“As the bombs fall, the race to save her son begins. Liverpool, 1940. Journalist Ruth Holt is struggling in the terror of the Blitz when her young son is suddenly snatched away in broad daylight. Soon after, the kidnappers’ demands arrive. They are working with the Nazis, and she has no choice but to co-operate, or the authorities will learn that she is harbouring secrets of her own. Ruth’s job gives her access to critical information, and if she does not share it with Britain’s enemies, her child will face the consequences. Desperate, she falsifies information, lying to everyone: her employers, her family and her lover. But as the demands increase, the knife edge she walks on grows increasingly thin. If she falls, she will never save her son.”

And this is m short review:

The German Messenger by M.J. Hollows
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I found the book interesting with a few flaws. The plot was set in the early weeks and months of WWII, in Liverpool. I had no idea that the area was so heavily bombed and, really, I should have known because Liverpool was a very important port and so was a target for German bombers. The best parts of the book were the excellent and evocative sections about the effects of the bombing raids on the people and buildings. How the whole feel of the area could change overnight with collapsed buildings and homeless people.

The writing of the main characters was less successful, to my mind. I found some aspects of their actions and personalities unreal and jarring. The plot was generally interesting enough to hold my attention. I did enjoy the book and may try more by this author in the future.

View all my reviews

---

I am managing to read a little each day. Quite difficult when sharing a bed all day with LH! Anyway, I am planning to post again next Wednesday, if all goes well.

Happy Reading to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

📚📕📚📕📚