A brand new year and it is shaping up a lot like the last, lockdowns and restrictions coming and going constantly and time flying by before I have the chance to blink. We have already had 3 family birthdays to celebrate and it all makes life so hectic. I hope you all had a fantastic break and got some relaxing reading time in over the holidays.

To start off the new year I have had to replace my keyboard after an unfortunate incident with a glass of milk, and I have to say that I really do not love the new keyboard… I think it needs to meet with a glass of milk of its own. So bear with me as I try to type through the temperamental space bar and sticky keys.

In the first two months of 2021 we have seen 83 reviews recorded of 53 books by 43 authors… what a lot of 3s, I like it. So let’s break it down a bit

My Best Friend’s Murder by Polly Phillips is a brand new Simon & Schuster release which attracted 7 reviews in the first two months of the year.

Shelleyrae @Book’d Out closes her review with: “I admired Phillips subtle, and not so subtle twists, in the plot, and though I wasn’t so enamoured with an element of the ending, it’s a minor flaw in what is otherwise a well told tale. My Best Friend’s Murder is an absorbing read and an accomplished debut.”

Veronica @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf says: My Best Friend’s Murder is a cleverly-plotted narrative that astutely explores the complexity of toxic friendships, manipulation and revenge.

My Best Friend’s Murder was also reviewed by Cloggie Downunder, Cass Moriarty, Brenda Telford, Tracey (Carpe Librum) and Amanda @ Mrs B’s Book Reviews.

 

Sargasso is a 2021 HQ Fiction release by Kathy George reviewed five times. Gothic fiction is a favourite of mine and I hadn’t heard much about this book but after reading the reviews I definitely have to add itto the TBR.

Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out says: “George develops an extraordinary atmosphere that blurs the line between what may be real and what may be imagined. The initial impression of Sargasso is one of light and strength, but slowly, particularly in the present timeline, the atmosphere of the house becomes oppressive and sinister. Rather than protect Hannah, it seems to trap her in a space between waking and sleeping.
The influence of novels such as Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Rebecca are obvious in terms of both plot and character but I think George provides her own modern Australian twist. Sargasso is an enthralling, haunting, gothic tale.

Reveiws were also posted on Goodreads by Helen, Brenda and Jennifer, and Amanda @ Mrs B’s Book Reviews.

 

It seems that the most reveiwed books were all read by the most prolific reviewers, or so it seems….
Crackenback was featured 4 times for this round-up by 4 of the reviewers mentioned for both of the books above.

Amanda @ Mrs B’s Book Reviews published an interview with author Lee Christine and you can learn more about both the author and the book at A Tea Break with Mrs B: Lee Christine.

Reviews were also posted by Brenda and Helen on Goodreads and Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out.

 

Shiver by Allie Reynolds attracted 4 reviews, after it was published Hachette Australia in January.

Jo @ Booklover Book Reviews says: “Shiver‘s isolated setting is evocatively depicted; Reynold’s professional snowboarding experience and respect for the ever-present dangers of weather and terrain shine from the pages. Even more chilling though are some of the personalities at play.”

Theresa Smith Writes opens her review with: “I was captured by this novel right from the opening passage and I daresay, if I’d been on holidays and not having to get up to go to work the next day, I would have pulled an all-nighter and read from start to finish in one go, no small feat with a 400-page book. As it was, I still raced through it in only two nights, quite a rarity for me during the working week. The story is told in alternate chapters, the present day and then ten years previous, both from Milla’s perspective. In the past sections we are privy to all of the backstory up until the point where a set of tragic events occur that form the focus of the present-day sections. The format makes for a gripping read, short chapters with cliff-hanger endings – the very definition of a page turner. And then there’s the foreshadowing and doubt cast onto the various characters throughout different points in the story. The author has crafted this novel to perfection.”

Shiver is also reviewed on Goodreads by Carolyn and by Ashleigh Meikle – The Book Muse.

Closing the round-up this time is The Last Truehart by Darry Fraser and Shelter by Katherine Jinks both with 3 reviews.

 

 

Shelter sounds like quite a confronting read, dealing with domestic violence and it’s long term effects. This isn’t going to be one for the faint-hearted or those triggered by domestic violence themes. It was reviewed on Goodreads by Brenda and Jackie, also by Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out.

 

 

The Last Truehart featured in the last round-up and is back with 3 reviews, by Helen at Goodreads, Claire Louisa Holderness and Veronica @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf.

Veronica  @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf says: Darry Fraser effortlessly weaves historical events throughout including lively debates around women’s votes and talk of the coming federation of Australia. The Last Truehart is filled with treachery, murder, family secrets, hidden riches, a dying man’s confession and a touch of romance making it a must read for historical fiction fans.”

 

 

 

That’s probably enough for today but there are so many other great crime novels reviewed and if you want to check out all of the crime novels that have been reviewed you can head to the AWW Books Reviewed page and search by Genre. It will put all of the reviews at your fingertips.

We would love to hear about the great crime reads you have enjoyed recently, and I’m off to see what else I can catch up on so that I can get some reading done.

Have a great evening and a reading filled weekend.