Wendy Cartmell

Father Colin McAvoy, a Scottish Jesuit priest, is the principal of the newly formed Matteo Academy. With fifty students, the majority fee paying, he looks forward to being able to offer places to another fifty students whose parents are unable to pay. One of the academy’s students, 17-year-old Philip Grant, dresses like Oscar Wilde and hasn’t troubled to define his sexual orientation. Irreverent and rebellious, he’s researching the private lives of the faculty for a video mashup. Philip’s enough of a handful, but then Auxiliary Bishop Matthew Ehrlich arrives at the school to tell Colin that he has a new pupil for him. The son of a local lawyer and psychologist, Graham Dennison has been accused of trying to kill his mother. And then one of the boys is found dead from a possible drugs overdose.

This is an intriguing novel, with a wonderful cast of characters. Sarah Markham comes across as a strong lead character and with her friend, Jesuit Priest Colin McAvoy they attempt to unravel the mystery of the murder of a young pupil at McAvoy’s school. This book could best be described as an Agatha Christie type murder mystery. It is intelligent in its plot and themes and brilliantly worked out. A Circumstance of Blood is not one of those thrilling, page turning reads, but is something more. Skilfully written, it gets under your skin and won’t let go. A thoroughly satisfying read. I do hope there is a sequel?

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Click the book cover to go the Amazon page.

Dr Maria Martinez is out of prison and on the run. Her mission? To get back to the safety of her family. Little does she know that this might be the most dangerous place of all…

I read and enjoyed The Spider in the Room, now retitled, and enjoyed that. But this one, not so much. I felt the attempts at tension were at times desperate and I didn’t like the switch in times between before capture and after capture as at times I wanted to shout, ‘enough already we know she’s been captured’. Having said that, the plot, once it got going was great with twists and turns and Maria was, as before, sharply drawn with regard to her struggling with her Asperger’s.

I realise I’m flying against the other reviews on this one, but can only give my own honest opinion. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Click the cover to go to the Amazon book page.

If you’re looking for a highly entertaining read, then No Easy Way Out is definitely a book for you. Johnny Silver, an Israeli army-trained mercenary, has retired to St Jude in the Caribbean and runs a beach bar with his pregnant Chechnyan wife Anna. Forced out of retirement by an unscrupulous DEA agent, Johnny must take on the task of releasing Maria, the daughter of Emanuel Estavez, a pillar of the community, who runs a chain of Mexican restaurants in the States.

The author’s military knowledge shines through, but does not overshadow the adventure of a band of brothers, comrades in arms, who know each other well. It is essentially an updated spaghetti western, with the good guys bowling in to save a small town from the baddies. But Johnny Silver isn’t a cliché. I thought his character was well drawn. He has a straight forward, no nonsense military way of thinking, but also has a heart. The story had a multi-layered plot, with lovely cameo parts – Chico was a particular favourite of mine – and a twist at the end. Essentially this is a rattling good read. Don’t over think it – just enjoy it!

I was given a copy of this novel via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.