Search results for ‘a death in the valley’
Thank you to publishers Austin Macauley for my copy of this book. I was particularly interested when they got in touch with this book as it is a crime thriller based in the valleys of Wales, which is where I am from. Keep reading to see what I thought of it….
Description:
Told from the perspective of Gareth, an honest loyal retired solicitor, this is a mystery in the best tradition with twists and turns that keep you turning pages until the end. John Gruffydd takes you with Gareth, asking; is anyone as they first seem? Who can he trust? Can he trust his own instincts? Showing great understanding of police and legal processes, Gruffydd also shows such insight into human nature that you will start to look into your own heart to question, if it were me, what would I do?
My Thoughts:
I was intrigued by the blurb of this book, especially when it said :
“…..you will start to look into your own heart to question, if it were me, what would I do?” – I was watching out for the parts that made me consider what I would do…
The story follows Gareth, a retired solicitor as he is asked to take on another case as it involves people he knew and worked with. The story is mainly based in Pentreglo, where within the first chapter I was gripped by the characters and the wonder of what is going on here!?
The book does a great job of making you wonder who do you trust? and do you really know people? There were multiple characters within the book who could bring out different emotions within me as the reader – compassion, anger, sadness and laughter. The plot of this book takes us from a little Welsh village to Cardiff and then Spain. There were twists that I didn’t see coming and I was left guessing right until the end who was the untrustworthy one! This is just the kind of book that I love, one where you can tell the Author has experience of the tale he writes, I suspect that Gruffydd has done some legal work in his time. He kept us suspended until the end, but gave us enough storyline and information so that we can consider every character and are they really as they come across. I totally see what the Author means when he wrote:
‘is anyone as they seem?‘ – I have to say I did suspect the ‘criminal’, but then I considered everyone, so I cannot claim to have guessed the twist!
I love John Gruffydd’s style of writing, he writes so eloquently but he adds in real comedy within his characters. I found his main character Gareth so funny, even though ‘Gareth’ wasn’t trying to be funny, I think he seemed to me to be a grumpy older man who thinks a lot! He did make me laugh! I haven’t read a thriller that has made me laugh before, so I really applaud Gruffydd for this and I would certainly read more of his work just based on his writing style.
“….she had commented that they were arriving in dribs and drabs. That was enough to set me off, and pedantic as ever, I had demanded to know whether we were a drib or a drab”
Another part of this book and Author that I loved was I could tell his nationality so openly and obviously (to me), as he scattered in Welsh colloquial language. This was so nice. If you don’t understand Welsh, don’t worry, it is obvious what he means. However if you are Welsh I really recommend this book.
“You come here with your posh voice and fancy manners treating me as if I’m twp”
I really enjoyed this book, it was full of suspense, quick witted humour and a lovely dose of Welsh-ness! I absolutely recommend it.
The generous Author and publishers at Austin MaCauley have let me host a giveaway whereby I can offer 5 paperback copies of this book. I am going to giveaway 3 from my rafflecopter giveaway and 2 from my Twitter account. If you think this book sounds good, enter my giveaways and wish yourself luck. I’d love to hear the winners thoughts on the book. Good luck readers!
Links:
Competition now closed, the winners are Donna @choconwaffles, Florence, Dawn @3obriens Rhonda @rhondareads Liz @Cvr_2_Cvr . Congratulations, I hope you all enjoy the book. I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Do you like the sound of this book? Have you read any books based in Wales or in your home town? Do you think you will pick this book up? Let me know your thoughts.
Tags: a death in the valley, amanda cp, Austin Macauley, book based in wales, book review, bookbloggers, chocolatepages, giveaway, john gruffydd, thriller, TWP
TOP TEN TUESDAY.
This weekly feature is hosted and originated from Broke and Bookish. I don’t usually participate, but as I have a little more time this month, I decided to write a post for this week. If you visit Broke and Bookish, you will see all the other topics for Top Ten Tuesdays. Today’s topic is……
Books Set Outside of America.
So, Books Set Outside USA. It is true, a lot of books are based in America, so this will be an interesting topic to find some books based in other countries. I look forward to getting some good recommendations from other bookbloggers on this topic. Please link your posts in the comments, so I can read yours too. ♥
I have read all of the books I am recommending, and you can read my reviews from the links below.
I will begin with a few based in my own country – U.K.
England
1. Death by Dangerous.
This is one of my favourite books EVER! It is so gripping and page turning. It is a crime thriller based in England, which made it even better for me, because the legal system is the same in the book as where I live. (Not the case in American books). MY REVIEW!
2. A Strangers House
This book is set in Cambridge. Its a tale of suspense, a little romance and a certain way to make you wary if you have ever decided to try house sitting! MY REVIEW!
Wales
3. A Death in the Valley
Wales is where I grew up,so I was excited to read this book. It is a book of twists, turns and mystery. I loved it, and you can see why here with MY REVIEW.
Scotland
4. The Sheep, The Haggis, The Sister in Law and The Drunken Trip to Glasgow.
Ok, so I was drawn to this one because of the weird title, but also because it was based in Scotland (where I live now). It is a short story and every part of the title has an inclusion in the book. It is a really strange read, but one I did enjoy. See why here in MY REVIEW.
One for the Caribbean (And a bit in the U.K).
5. Coffee tea the Caribbean and Me.
Caroline James is one of my favourite Authors. This book has a prequel ‘Coffee, Tea, The Gypsy and Me’. However, ‘Caribbean and Me’ can be read as a stand alone or after the first one. The scenes in the Caribbean are so idyllic and made me want to go on holiday the whole time I was reading it. Caroline starts this book with the strap line:
“The Time to be Happy is Now”
I loved it, you can see why in MY REVIEW.
Japan.
Japan Guide…less, Emails from Japan by Nicole D’Arcangelo
This book is based on the Author’s travels in Japan while she was teaching there. It is written in a series of emails and journal entries, which I liked as you could read short bits at a time or longer if you had more time. I loved hearing about the different ways of life, the food, the habits, what they consider to be polite….and rude. It is a really interesting book. You can read MY REVIEW here.
Canada.
7. Anne of Green Gables.
This is my favourite book ever, and surprisingly, I have no review for it! I do have an Anne of Green Gable Christmas haul, which you can see HERE. Anne Shirley is an orphan girl, adopted by a brother and sister who live in Avonlea in Canada. Anne is so optimistic, inspiring and funny. This is a book I recommend to everyone.
Australia.
8. Her Australian Summer
This is a cute little novella based in Australia. It is a lovely summer read, short, sweet and enjoyable. You can read MY REVIEW
General Travel Around the World.
9. Blue Sun Yellow Sky – based on travel
I found this book to be truly inspirational. The main character Aubrey is going blind, but decides to travel the world in the 6 weeks while she still has some sight. We read about her travels in China, India, Rome, Paris amongst many other places. One of my favourite quotes is:
“Just because you can’t see the stage, doesn’t mean you can’t dance on it!”
This book has a safe place in my heart as it is brilliantly written, allows the reader to see the world through Aubrey’s eyes and imagination, and is inspiring. Here is MY REVIEW.
Italy
10. The Sunshine and Biscotti Club
This is a perfect summer read, where a group of friends are in Italy for the summer to revamp a Baking School Hotel. The book includes all things I love; friends, food and the sunshine. You can read MY REVIEW here.
So, there are my ten recommendations for books set outside of the USA. I hope you like the sound of them. If you have any good recommendations of books set outside America, or if you participated in this weeks Top Ten Tuesday, then let me know in the comments below.
Tags: bookbloggers, Books outside USA, British Books, chocolatepages, top ten tuesday, TTT
So, hopefully you all read my top ten books of 2015, if not then you can catch up HERE!
After writing that post, I got thinking about all the great books I have to read this year. I already have a huge pile of books waiting to be read. Between the books I bought myself, ones I have won in competitions and ones I have kindly been sent by publishers and Authors. I have a good mix of both paperbacks and ebooks that I already own, actually I am totally spoilt for choice.
Here is a list of the ones I am most excited to read, books that I already own. I will review each of them after I have read them, so if you are interested in reading my reviews be sure to follow my blog by email or wordpress or follow me on Twitter.
So here goes, my top ten books that I own and I am most excited to read.
BOOKS I’M GOING TO READ NEXT!
A STRANGERS HOUSE BY CLARE CHASE – GOODREADS LINK
I have been waiting for the the release of this book for a while, I read Clare Chase’s first book ‘You Think You Know Me’, and loved it. So, I was excited to hear that she had another one on the way. Now I have it here to read and I am quite confident that it is going to be fantastic.
This book has been sent to me by the Author and it looks really exciting and intriguing to me.
“Waterkill” Weaves Nanoscience and Cult Religious Terrorism into a Major Threat to Western Civilization
Probably a different read to what I am used to, but that is part of the wonder of being a bookblogger. There are always new and wonderful books to read.
I have read the prequel to this book ‘Tremor’, which was brilliant, so I am looking forward to reading the next in the series. The Author has kindly sent me a copy and after reading Tremor, I am keen to see what happens next to the characters.
THE SW19 CLUB BY NICOLA MAY – GOODREADS LINK
I got this book myself. When I read what this book was about, I felt that it drew me in, and it became a MUST READ! I am hesitant and excited at the same to read this as I think it will be an emotional but helpful (?) read.
THE GIRL WITH NO PAST BY KATHRYN CROFT – GOODREADS LINK
I chose this book myself as it looks exciting and thrilling. (I was lucky to win a competition whereby I could choose a book to be sent to me from Amazon). I love a good page turning psychological thriller. I have high hopes for this one. I haven’t read anything from this Author before.
I chose this myself and with great thanks to Netgalley I was able to have it sent to my kindle. ( I ♥ Netgalley). I have read one other book by this Author, which was Twitter Girl. I really enjoyed that book, in fact it was mentioned in my top ten books of 2015, so I’m sure this one will be really good too.
OUT OF DARKNESS BY KATY HOGAN – GOODREADS LINK
I was kindly sent a copy of this book by the Author, with a beautifully scented candle. The back of the book says:
“A person is like a candle, he said. ‘The wick is the body, the flame is the soul, bringing light into the world”. – I think it will be an uplifting and beautiful read.
THE DEATH OF ANYONE BY D J SWYKERT – GOODREADS LINK
I do love a good thriller, and this just sounds like such an exciting page turner! The Author sent me a copy of this, I haven’t read anything else by this Author, I am hoping it will be fantastic.
CINDER BY MARISA MAYER – GOODREADS
Well, I was lucky enough to win this book from my lovely bookblogger friend Kat from PERKS OF BEING A BOOK NERD. Go visit her blog, she is fantastic. I haven’t read this yet, and I know it has been out for a while and there has been fab things said about it, so I am really looking forward to reading it. Thanks Kat. 😉
A DEATH IN THE VALLEY BY JOHN GRUFFYTH – GOODREADS LINK
I am honoured to receive a pre publication copy of this book. It is not to be released until March. I am excited to read this because its crime thriller, but also because it is based in Wales where I grew up.
So there are the ten books that I am excited to read next. They are not in any particular order as I think they all sound fantastic.
Have you read any of these books? which one should I start with? Its a tough choice, but I know whichever I read I will enjoy!
Tags: amanda cp, best books, bookblogger, chocolatepages, thriller, top books to read, top ten books i want to read, top ten books of 2016
ChocolatePages 