Category: reviews

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: The Darkness All Around Us – Megan Boley

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A scientist on the run—accompanied by her quippy teenage sidekick and a punk rock Indiana Jones—fights for survival in a dark dystopian world while battling to destroy a nefarious company before it unleashes a nightmare army.

Perfect for fans of Resident Evil + Zombieland!

When Stella’s hideout is overrun by a horde of creatures straight out of a zombie movie, she must survive the surrounding war zone and outwit a murderous gang as she fights to rescue her kidnapped friend before he falls victim to the company’s deadly experiments.

But the evils of her past are hunting her down. And time is running out. She must decide how far she’s willing to go to save her friend and stop the company before it spreads its war to the rest of the world—even if it means teaming up with the very people who want her dead.
And time is running out. The company’s plans are nearly complete…

The first installment in a duology of science fiction thrillers, this gripping post-apocalyptic dystopian book is perfect for fans of The Walking Dead, Resident Evil, Zombieland, Aeon Flux, Mad Max, and The Last of Us.

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Megan Boley is a dystopian and urban fantasy author (and, alas, a former redhead). Her stories are full of ragtag teams, strong women, grumpy but lovable men, and some steamy romance to
keep things nice and interesting.

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My thoughts: Stella is just trying to survive the zombie apocalypse, that the company she used to work for started. When a teenage boy called Quentin crashes her hideout, and like a puppy, she feels the need to adopt him and try to keep him out of trouble. She’s not the only one!

Teaming up with a few other survivors, she aims to find her friend Silas and then the way out of what used to be New York, and America, into Canada. But things don’t go quite to plan.

Stella’s smart, she knows her former employer’s systems, and now she’s helping to hack in and bring it down from the inside. Maybe even save some lives if the drug that turns people into cannibals is no longer available.

It took me a little while to get into this, but I loved Quentin, he’s like the naughty little brother I (thankfully) don’t have. The other characters all add something to the team, and they’re a quirky bunch.

Book two coming soon….

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: The Dinner Party – Nina Manning

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The perfect date…

To celebrate their wedding anniversary, Lily Leonard books a table at the exclusive restaurant of Hector Bolson-Woods renowned celebrity chef. It should be the perfect evening for Lily and husband,
Stig, but not even a perfect menu can heal the cracks in their marriage.
So when Hector invites them to dine with him privately, Lily is thrilled. Surely this will please Stig?

Hector is charming and attentive – everything Stig is not – and she finds herself more and more drawn to the enigmatic Hector.

A nightmare invitation…

After the dinner, Stig makes it clear the entire evening was a mistake, something he never wants to repeat again. Hurt and confused, Lily’s certain Stig is hiding something from her. Something linked to
Hector…she just doesn’t know what.
And then another dinner invitation from Hector arrives. This time with a proposal neither Lily or Stig can refuse…

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Nina Manning studied psychology and was a restaurant-owner and private chef (including to members of the royal family). She is the founder and host of Sniffing The Pages, a book review podcast.

The Daughter in Law is her debut psychological thriller and since then Nina has gone on to write 9 more books including: The Guilty Wife published in March 2020, The House Mate published
in October 2020.The Bridesmaid published May 2021 and Queen Bee in January 2022.

She has also written two ‘mum-lit’ fiction books: The 3 am shattered mums’ club and the 6 pm frazzled mums’ club. Her tenth book, Her Last Summer, another thriller, was published in May 2024.
In 2024 Nina signed with Hodder and Stoughton and her first destination thriller will be released in June 2025

Nina currently lives in The Highlands in Scotland with her family. When she is not writing she can be found romping in the forest with her dog and three children.

Facebook Twitter: @ninamanninguk
Instagram: ninamanningauthor
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My thoughts: Lily and Stig have been married for 5 years but she barely knows anything about him (hello, huge red flag, don’t marry someone like this!) and she can’t understand why he’s so angry about their anniversary dinner.

Cooked for by a celebrity chef at the chef’s table, what a dream. And then the chef invites them to a dinner party at his home. Lily is thrilled. He also donates a very generous amount of money to the charity she works for. Why can’t Stig just be happy for her?

But things start to get a bit strange. There’s a woman Lily has never heard of sending messages to her husband, Hector offers to set up a new charity for Lily to run, then invites her to his remote French chateau, where it appears to be just the two of them  and some terrified employees.

Stig is trying to keep his secrets, but the memories of his teenage years, the bullying he endured, and the messy relationship with his mother and step-father weigh on him. Can he tell Lily or will this just make things worse? He might lose her if he’s not careful.

Hector is not who he seems and he and Stig have a long and complicated history. Lily is in danger as Hector’s grip on his sanity starts to slip.

As with a lot of books with a central couple – Lily and Stig’s main issue is the lack of communication. Stig wants to start a family, Lily’s still on the Pill, because she doesn’t feel she really knows her husband. Stig needs to open up and be honest with her, a lot of what happens to them could easily be avoided. Thank goodness Lily’s best friend is a Google whizz and helps Lily out with some facts about Hector before Lily throws her life away. But honestly couples therapy should be their next stop!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: Murder in Covent Garden – Anita Davison

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Nobody should be in the market… for murder!

Even though its famous opera house has shuttered its doors for the war, Covent Garden remains one of the most exciting, bustling areas of London. It’s where Hannah Merrill and Aunt Violet have their
bookshop and, in spite of the recent spate of burglaries in the area, it’s generally thought to be a good neighbourhood.

So Hannah is surprised when she sees a fellow shopkeeper – a jeweller named Jacob Cornelis – having a heated argument with a stranger. Especially when the next day Cornelis is found dead in his shop, apparently the victim of another burglary.
But what shocks Hannah more is when she meets the policeman supposedly there to investigate the crime. Because he is none other than the man who Hannah saw arguing with Cornelis the day before.

Hannah knows it’s up to her and Violet to investigate. But they don’t know they’re about to uncover a secret underworld of theft, murder and blackmail. And they must act fast, before the Covent Garden Killer strikes again…

A gripping and unputdownable Golden Age cozy crime mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Helena Dixon and Verity Bright.

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Anita was brought up in London, a city with a history that has always fascinated her and influenced her first attempts at writing. Her first three novels featured a 17th Century West Country family on
the losing side of the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Other previous work includes an Edwardian Cosy Mystery series featuring amateur sleuth, Flora Maguire set in early 20th Century London and Cheltenham. Anita’s most recent work is the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mysteries set in WWI from Boldwood Books.

Twitter: @AnitaSDavison
Instagram: @anitadavison3740

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My thoughts: Aunt Violet is a little preoccupied as her one great love is in town, and there’s also Aiden to think about, so Hannah involves Archie and Penny, the bookshop’s staff, in this caper.

Determined to solve both the spate of burglaries and the murder of the jeweller Mr Cornelis, she goes undercover to try to find out who is selling on stolen goods, and almost meets her maker in an upmarket Gentleman’s club that hides plenty of secrets.

It’s another fun WW1 set adventure as a senior police officer is implemented and Aiden has set his own traps to catch the crooks. Hannah wants to help the Cornelis family, but discovers more than she bargained for and the spectre of the war looms closer when Aiden’s newest DC is conscripted and sent to the front.

Hannah’s relationship with Darius comes under strain as she feels he will want her to give up investigating when they’re married and her mother is driving her a little mad with wedding planning as though nothing has changed.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: The Crime Writer – Diane Jeffrey

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2019. Leona Walsh, a 34-year-old wife and mother vanishes on a bitterly cold afternoon while out jogging on the edge of Exmoor. It’s a mystery which captures public interest and ignites wild
speculation. The police have a prime suspect: Leona’s husband, Matthew, a renowned crime writer.
He can plot the perfect crime. But is he capable of committing the perfect murder?
Despite extensive searches, the police find no trace of Leona and her disappearance remains shrouded in mystery. As public interest dwindles, Matthew returns to raising their two daughters, aware the cloud of suspicion is never far away.

2024. Some human bones are discovered in a garden. Could they be Leona’s remains? And if so, is there enough evidence to find out what really happened five years ago?
Journalist Gabriela Conti covered the news story back in 2019. The police may have stopped watching Matthew, but Gabriella hasn’t forgotten him. And she is determined this case will define her career… even if that means getting close to a murderer.

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Diane Jeffrey is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author.
She grew up in North Devon and Northern Ireland. She now lives in Lyon, France, with her husband and their three children, Labrador and cat.
Diane has written six psychological thrillers, all published by HQ /HarperCollins.
THE GUILTY MOTHER, Diane’s third book, was a USA Today bestseller and her fourth novel, THE SILENT FRIEND, was a Karin Slaughter Killer Reads pick for ASDA. Her fifth psychological thriller, THE COUPLE AT CAUSEWAY COTTAGE, won the 2023 International Thriller Writers award for the best ebook original novel.
THE OBVIOUS SUSPECT is Diane’s seventh psychological thriller.
Diane is an English teacher. When she’s not working or writing, she likes swimming, running and reading. She loves chocolate, beer and holidays.
Above all, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Author website: http://www.dianejeffrey.com
Readers can also follow Diane on Instagram and
Twitter @dianefjeffrey

or on Facebook.com/dianejeffreyauthor

Giveaway to Win your choice of Diane Jeffery’s previous paperback releases (Open INT)
Prize choice is between The Other Couple, The Couple at Causeway Cottage, The Silent Friend, The Guilty Mother, He Will Find You or Those Who Lie.

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My thoughts: Talk about a book full of twists and turns. A woman disappears while out jogging, did she drown in the reservoir as her dropped bag is found there? What about the single trainer found quite some distance away?

The police are baffled, her husband seems to be in the clear, although as a cop turned crime writer he knows all about crime scenes and how to make a body disappear. But he was at home with their children when she vanished. Wasn’t he?

A few years later a body is found buried in the garden of the mother-in-law’s old house. Now the spotlight turns back to the family and the husband has some questions to answer.

Gabi is the journalist who has followed this story from the start, and she’s determined that she’s going to crack the case. Matthew must be involved, there’s no way a stranger buried his wife in his mother’s garden, that’s too weird. But if he buried her, did he kill her too?

The twists keep coming, and keep you guessing, like Gabi, I was suspicious of everything, but Matthew seems so earnest and truthful. Could he really have killed his wife and staged the scene so perfectly?

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box
below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be
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Book Blitz: You Know the Drill – Dr. Bill

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Welcome to my life. The life of a reluctant dentist. This book charts the course of a nervous student dealing with people from all walks of life, from exploding angry abscesses to exploding angry people, both in and out of the chair.

When I was a wet-behind-the-ears school sixth former, it seemed like a really good idea to go to university and study the teeth, gums and mouth. I’m still trying to work out why I thought that was a good idea.

The definition of a dentist mentions competencies in biomedical knowledge, surgical dexterity, and critical thinking. What it fails to include is being an unpaid therapist, getting splattered in pus,
coaxing nutters out from under the dental chair, having the police storm your surgery, and dealing with patients who think a crown is something you put on your head, then try and sue you when you
say otherwise.

Written as a form of therapy – to offload on paper – this book gives a frank account of life both in and out of the surgery. So, take a seat in the waiting room and I’ll see you shortly in Chapter One…

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Dr Bill is a reluctant dentist who lives with his kind partner and a neurotic cat. This is his first book.
There may be another. This depends on whether Dr Bill’s patients are gracious sweethearts who give him nothing to write about, or cantankerous bastards who provide the fodder for written revenge!

My thoughts: I am not entirely fond of going to the dentist, I’ve got a very nice dentist and my teeth are in good condition so I don’t need any fillings or telling off, but something about that chair sets me on edge!

This is a very funny collection of Dr Bill’s experiences as both a dental student and in practice. His patients are a mix of complete and utter lunatics, at least the ones he’s shared here, I imagine the more normal ones aren’t interesting enough. They flirt, scream, threaten, storm out, almost get arrested and generally cause havoc, all while the dentist and his nurse attempt to provide at least the very basics of dental care to these charming individuals.

After a career in the trenches of the NHS, Dr Bill has a go at teaching new dentists and then moves to private patients, as the NHS system is a total joke, and dentists just don’t make enough to live on.

Luckily there are also even more insane, entitled patients there too, and plenty to keep us readers entertained. Expect to see copies in waiting rooms everywhere!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: Murder at Merivale Manor – Ella Strike

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A cosy dinner party, a playful game… and a very real murder.

London, 1923

Kitty Goring seems to have it all—lavish nights at London’s finest clubs, elegant soirées, and a parade of charming bachelors vying for her hand. But despite the glamour, Kitty longs for something a little more… thrilling.

In a bid for excitement (and to avoid her mother’s constant reminders that she really ought to be searching for a husband), Kitty dreams up the perfect diversion. A playful mock robbery at her
family’s grand estate, Merivale Manor. It’s all meant to be fun—until one of the guests turns up very much dead.

With a real killer on the loose in quaint little Hampstead Village, Kitty’s keen instincts kick in. Forget matchmaking—Kitty’s determined to unmask the culprit before anyone else falls victim. With a sharp wit and a flair for mischief, she dives headfirst into the investigation. But getting to the truth won’t be easy, especially with the brooding Detective Inspector Henry Burton underestimating her at every turn.

Murder, mystery, and a dash of romance—Kitty’s got her hands full in this charming whodunit!

Murder at Merivale Manor is the delightful first book in the Kitty Goring Investigates historical cosy mystery series.

Author’s note:
London in the 1920s is a glamorous and exciting city, but danger and death are never too far behind.
Join Kitty Goring and her group of Bright Young Things in the adventure of a lifetime, as they race to catch a killer who lurks amongst them.
Each book in this series is a cosy period mystery that features our plucky heroine, aided in her investigations by a gang of eccentric and lovable characters.

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Ella Strike, cat lover and author of historical cosy mysteries, lives in London with her husband and twins. When she’s not penning murder mysteries or drinking copious amounts of Earl Grey, you can
find her with her nose buried in a book or listening to true crime podcasts as she cooks.
Her stories are a mix of history, a dash of intrigue, and a whole lot of cosy, old-world charm.

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My thoughts: Yay! Another historical crime series with a smart and intrepid female lead, I love these.

I really liked Kitty. She’s got great instincts for crime solving, although the game of “burglary” was a bit silly. I know it’s the sort of thing the 20s Bright Young Things did, as well as drinking an absurd amount, but surely she should have guessed it wouldn’t end well!

Not only does she find the killer, the jewellery thief and a couple of car thieves, she thoroughly annoys the Scotland Yard detective sent to investigate, thereby guaranteeing they’ll be bickering over crime scenes forever more. She also rescues an abandoned pup, her new sidekick, Scottie.

With her playboy brother and neurotic mother, Kitty’s got plenty of reasons to take up crime solving as a hobby, hopefully it’ll stop her mum from trying to marry her off every five minutes!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: The Shadow on the Bridge – Clare Marchant

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‘You must forever watch your back,’ I spoke the words clearly, though he could not hear me. ‘Come what may, I shall avenge my brother’s death.’’

Now: When Sarah’s summoned by her godmother to remote Norfolk, she doesn’t want to go.
Crossing the bridges where the two rivers meet, said to be haunted by the ghost of a little boy, a large Tudor house looms in front of her. And Sarah’s instantly reminded her of the summer when she
last visited. The summer she would like to forget. Which left her unable to ever move forward… Can a person ever recover from the loss of a sibling?

1571: Anne Howard, newly-made countess of Arundel, has also lost a sibling. And been dragged from the relative safety of her home in remote Norfolk to London, by her overbearing, manipulative, new
father-in-law Thomas Howard; the very person she suspects of killing her beloved only brother. The Howards have greater secrets than this though. Secrets that will lead Anne to a tragedy that will echo
down the ages…

When Sarah finds a mysterious book of poems in a hidden chamber of her godmother’s house, she is drawn into Anne’s story. Perhaps the mystery will take her mind off her own loss? But – as the flood waters begin to rise under the bridges – is Sarah laying ghosts to rest, or bringing truths to the surface that should stay beneath?

A completely haunting, gripping historical novel, perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, and Diane Setterfield’s Once Upon a River.

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Growing up in Surrey, Clare always dreamed of being a writer. Instead, after gaining a degree in history and an MA in women’s studies she accidentally fell into a career in IT. After spending many years as a project manager in London, she moved to Norfolk for a quieter life and trained as a  professional jeweller. Now, finally writing full-time, she lives with her husband and the youngest two of her six children.

Facebook: @claremarchantauthor
Twitter: @claremarchant1
Instagram: @claremarchantauthor
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My thoughts: The Howards were an incredibly well connected Tudor court family, through the Boleyns they were cousins to Elizabeth I, through the Seymours, linked to her brother Edward VI, three of the cousins had been married to Henry VIII. But they never seemed to be happy with their lot. The Duke of Norfolk, this particular Howard, schemed to take the throne, marry his other cousin Mary Queen of Scots and crown himself king. Not that it worked out.

In this dual narrative story, that’s because of his furious daughter-in-law, who had also been his stepdaughter for a while (honestly, this probably caused some consternation but was pretty typical of the Howard/Seymour/Boleyns) who blames him entirely for the death of her younger brother, in an attempt to seize the family estate. So she spies on him, uncovers his plot and gives cleverly concealed proof to Elizabeth I’s spymaster, Walsingham.

In the present Sarah is cleaning out her godmother’s sprawling Norfolk home and finds a mysterious book of poetry, the poems seem to carry secret messages. When she finds the remains of a rocking horse hidden in the attic, she pieces together the story of George and Anne’s revenge for his tragic murder.

At the same time she must come to terms with her own long held grief and confront the accident that happened the last time she visited her godmother’s home. Unfortunately her ghastly parents pop by for a visit, opening old wounds, but perhaps it’s time to let go of that resentment and pain…

Cleverly written, weaving the lives of the two women around each other, the grief and pain that both Sarah and Anne carry driving them to see their lives in new light and honour their siblings in very different ways.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: Where the Light is Hottest – Catherine Yardley

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Natasha Jones has everything – a successful acting career, an Oscar, a wonderful husband and beautiful kids. But what does she have to go through to get there?

From humble beginnings in a small town, Natasha’s path to stardom is paved with setbacks, heartaches and moments of doubt.
In the glittering world of fame and fortune, where dreams are spun from starlight and ambition fuels the relentless pursuit of success, one woman’s journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Beneath the facade of glamour lies a story of unwavering determination and unyielding courage.

Where the Light is the Hottest is a gripping tale of ambition, perseverance and the enduring power of hope. Through Natasha’s journey, we are reminded that the road to success is rarely smooth, but
for those who dare to chase their dreams, the rewards are beyond measure.

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Catherine Yardley is the author of Ember and Where The Light is Hottest. She’s also
the editor-in-chief of Frost Magazine and a freelance writer who’s featured in The Bookseller, Mslexia, Metro, Huffpost, Writing Magazine and Writers’ and Artists’ amongst others. She lives in London with her husband and children.

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Giveaway to Win a Paperback copy of Where The Light is Hottest by Catherine Yardley (UK Only)

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My thoughts: I can’t say I particularly liked Natasha, the protagonist of this book about an actor’s rise to fame via RADA and small parts in plays and on TV, to Oscar winner and successful founder of a woman led production company.

She’s a bit too charmed and at times her life looks a little too easy to be completely won over by her. She marries a handsome lawyer, they have two children, her career isn’t too badly affected. There are some deeply unpleasant moments, on set with co-stars, off set with sleazy producers, but compared to some of the stories that have come out of #MeToo and similar campaigns, Natasha is one of the lucky ones.

I just didn’t find her very likeable as a character, she just didn’t click for me. However I did enjoy the book, I liked her friend who is very aware of the privileged life she enjoys, and always picks up the bill, trying to balance her family wealth with kindness. I liked Natasha’s husband, he seemed like a genuinely nice man.

Maybe it’s because I have some friends who followed the same path as Natasha but weren’t so lucky. Not because they’re not talented, but just because there are hundreds of talented bright young things pouring out of drama schools every year, and auditioning for the same roles. I don’t know.

Maybe she just wasn’t the character whose story I found most interesting, her friend Scarlet definitely struggled more and yet, wasn’t always the loyal and die hard that Natasha wanted her to be – as changeable as humans often are.

Anyway, I don’t want anyone to think this wasn’t a good read, I found it interesting and the relationships were my favourite bit, how even as you become very successful, it’s the people that matter, the ones who’ve been with you all along.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

**Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The
winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by
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reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal
data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with
third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway
organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will
delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.**

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Blog Tour: A Village Theatre Murder – Katie Gayle

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There’s nothing quite like a night at the theatre. But Julia Bird is expecting a night of sweeping drama, not an onstage murder!

At the end of Berrywick’s amateur theatre’s latest production, a shot rings out amongst the rapturous applause. But when Julia Bird peeks through the curtain, she sees lead actor Graham is lying still on the stage, his co-actor Oscar looking down at his prop gun in shock. She knows that Graham has been murdered, but with nearly everyone in the village helping with the play, anyone could have tampered with the props. And why was a beloved family man the target?

Graham’s wife Jane collapses in a puddle of tears as Oscar is comforted and led away from the stage. But days later when Julia spots prim and proper Jane kissing Oscar, she wonders if the grieving widow’s tears were fake. Graham served Jane divorce papers the day of the tragedy – was he killed before he could spill the beans on his wife’s affair, and sully her perfect reputation?

Meanwhile, the aptly named director, Roger Grave, wants the show to go on. The play is up for a local award, and this might just be Roger’s big break. But when failed actor Hector is not assigned the lead role he assumed he’d get, the mood among the cast quickly turns sour. Could Hector have killed Graham out of jealously for the leading role, Julia wonders?

Then another member of the crew is found dead and Julia discovers there’s a dark secret at the heart of Berrywick’s local theatre society. But who would kill to protect it? Can Julia find the murderer before it’s curtains for another victim?

A totally gripping, charming cosy mystery set in the English countryside. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will absolutely love the Julia Bird Mysteries.

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Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both made their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats. 

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My thoughts: I love this series, it just gets more enjoyable with every book. And of course I love Jake the labrador and his new feline housemate (even if Jake’s not so sure!)

This time murder during an am dram production written by librarian Tabitha, has Julia investigating her neighbours once more. She was involved behind the scenes and when she discovers that the actor who pulled the trigger has a long history with the dead man’s wife, well, she’s pretty sure she’s on the right track. Not that Hayley, her police detective friend agrees. She asks Julia to please, stay out of it, as she’s on the suspect list herself.

Sean’s son has also come to stay, which requires a few adjustments to the way they’ve been doing things. He’s struggling and needs some support and kindness. As does Sean, who has a somewhat strained relationship with his boy.

Julia’s investigation starts to get in the way of her voluntary work at the charity shop too, if she’s not careful people are going to get really fed up with her!

And of course, it almost ends in Julia getting into further trouble, as the real murderer has his sights on her – her digging has caught their attention and now she’s the one who might wind up dead!

Although I won’t ever move to a village as crime packed as this one, I do enjoy my visits.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: The Legend of Mildred Wells – Michael Clark

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Formerly The Patience of a Dead Man trilogy

Newly remastered, re-edited, reworked, unabridged, and released as one volume
Perfect for new readers, and old fans will love the new content.

After a bitter and costly divorce, construction handyman Tim Russell buys a farmhouse in the country. Aiming to renovate and re-sell, Tim’s plans take a turn when he discovers the house is haunted by a fractured family whose ancient problems outweigh his own.
Tim sees a soaking-wet ghost boy and his mother, who is often seen chasing him around the house and property. Someone leaves Tim clues and burning candles, but who? Footsteps and wailing can happen anytime and anywhere. Tim, it seems, has been invited to the chaos.
Pressed into duty, Tim soon realizes he’s made a mistake. He’s been tricked and has started a war with a scorned dead woman, a woman whose middle name is Vengeance. Leaving is not an option.


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Michael Clark is the author of Hell on High and The Patience of a Dead Man trilogy. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Josi, and dog, Bubba, and takes long walks in the woods daily, thinking of new ways to scare you.

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My thoughts: I don’t believe in ghosts, never have but my mum reckons that when we moved into my childhood home (I was 6) she felt a distinct presence, that of the old lady who’d previously lived there, and it was only after she decided we were going to look after her house, after my mum reassured her (yes, out loud) that we would take care of it, that she left.

However, Mildred Wells is something altogether less friendly than this presence my mum felt. Instead she, and her family, are deeply unwelcoming. They act out a series of scenes from their lives on the farm that terrify Tim and his girlfriend Holly.

Mildred is angry, violent and driven by a deep seated rage. According to the local stories she killed her son and herself after her husband Thomas died during training for the American Civil War.

Both Thomas and son Elmer appear to Tim too, they seem to be seeking a resolution to their time trapped on Earth, and through the diaries the last home owner left, Holly maps out the events that the trio seem doomed to repeat.

Divided into three sections, first Tim and Holly’s experiences, then Mildred’s story, before returning to Tim and Holly, as they, and Mildred, try to find an end to this cycle of horror, this is a well researched and well written book. It’s gripping and chilling, Mildred’s rage is something else. But when you read the middle section, you will understand her a bit better, the things she saw and went through growing up are pretty dire.

That final section, where she returns, but now just wants to be with her family, leading her to do something desperate but ultimately redeemable, is slightly different, she’s both more sympathetic but more monstrous at the same time.

Both Tim and Holly are changed by their experience at Mildred’s hands, and yet somehow, they haven’t been driven completely mad. The shocking things the returned Mildred does, the number of deaths she leaves in her wake is crazy, but all she truly wants is be done and at peace. If she communicated this better, a lot could be avoided!

Sinister and dark, this isn’t a book to read just before bed, especially if you leave near the woods!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.