Seeking Eden @BevHarvey_ @urbanebooks #bookreview

About Seeking Eden

'50 is the new 30 - haven't you heard?' Or so says Ben Wilde's record producer on the eve of his comeback. If only Ben could win back ex-girlfriend, Kate, he'd be a happy man. But married Kate has moved on, and moved out - to Eden Hill, a quiet housing estate in the suburbs. Lonely and homesick for London, can Kate resist ego-maniac Ben's advances and save her own flagging marriage? Streets away, Kate's new friend Lisa, a Chihuahua toting ex-WAG, is primed for a fresh start - until her footballer ex-husband is found dead and she is vilified in the gutter press. But Kate, Lisa and Ben aren't the only ones having a midlife crisis; local shop owner Martin dreams of escaping his dutiful marriage, and develops an unhealthy obsession with Lisa and her friends in Eden Hill. Alongside a colourful cast of friends and family, Kate, Lisa, Ben and Martin are living proof that older does not always mean wiser because in Eden Hill, there's temptation around every corner.

My review of Seeking Eden

Seeking Eden was such a joy to read. I loved the premise of this book. That of being able to gain an insight into the lives of the neighbours who live in Eden Hills, an upper class housing estate. It was a fascinating and enjoyable read.

The novel begins when Kate and Neil move from their inner city London home to Eden Hills. They want a fresh start, a quieter life, but can this really happen? I was hooked from the very beginning, and instantly felt as if I knew both Kate and Neil, they were like old friends. I really warmed to them and wanted to know how they would get on once they moved to their new home on the Eden Hills 'estate'.

The surprise for me was that I also got to follow the lives of other characters who lived in Eden Hills, all of whom were as equally interesting as Kate and Neil. All with their own unique story to tell. Martin owns the carpet shop in the area and is married to Jan. He is the typical 'midlife crisis' and I loved this character. Another equally engaging character is that of Lisa, ex WAG, now divorced, who is living her life once again. She truly amazed me in her generosity of spirit and toughness.

The plot is delightful, weaving together all of these different stories under one common theme, that of approaching your fifties and trying to work out what life is all about. All of the characters are trying to find their place in the world, forming relationships and friendships both old and new. As the book description states, growing 'older does not always mean wiser,' and these wonderful characters make a fair few mistakes, that make for an absorbing and interesting read.

Seeking Eden tackles some serious issues, of which I don't want to write about as they would be spoilers. I just mention this as the book is incredibly deep at times, it made me think about my own life. I really began to care for all of these characters and wanted the absolute best for them. I really felt that I got to know them, and all of their secrets.

Seeking Eden is a hugely enjoyable and easy book to read, I flew through the pages. It is lighthearted in places and incredibly thought provoking in others. What I loved most about it though was the fact that it featured middle aged adults falling in love, dealing with messy relationships and life changing decisions. This was hugely refreshing. I look forward to reading more books by Beverley Harvey.

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy.

Seeking Eden published by Urbane Publications on 6 July 2017 can be found on Amazon here.

About the author

For almost thirty years Beverley Harvey has worked in the communications industry, initially in advertising in a variety of support roles, and later in PR where she trained in a London agency before becoming a freelance consultant in 2001. Beverley (Bev to her friends) recently swapped PR campaigns for plot lines and completed her first novel; she continues to supply words for businesses across a number of sectors. When not writing - or reading, Bev enjoys listening to rock and indie music, cooking, baking, and keeping fit. An animal lover (her heart belongs to doggies) she is inspired by nature, art and life's daily trials and tribulations. Born in Yorkshire, and raised in South London, Beverley now lives in Kent with her partner.

The Speech by Andrew Smith #bookreview

About The Speech

His words threatened rivers of blood...and they fought him with hope... April 20th, 1968: Enoch Powell, MP for Wolverhampton South West, gives a speech that shakes a community and Britain to its very core. Words that provoke, that divide ... that profoundly affect the lives of those they touch. Mrs. Georgina Verington-Delaunay is an administrator working in the Conservative riding office of Enoch Powell. Frank and Christine are art students inadvertently caught in an undercurrent of intolerance. Nelson and his Aunt Irene are Jamaican immigrants striving to make a life for themselves in a turbulent atmosphere. In the shadow of Powell's speech, a violent crime brings these disparate characters together as they struggle to find their places in the swiftly changing society of 1960s Britain. Set against a background of subversive music, radical fashions, and profound change in moral values, they attempt against all odds to bring a fair conclusion to an unjust investigation. As they work together against murky elements of self-interest and bigotry, they're forced to confront their own consciences and prejudices, and the reader is taken on a compelling journey into the beating heart of a community in turmoil.

My review of The Speech

I'll start this review by saying that The Speech is not my usual reading genre, that of politically themed stories, but due to what is happening in the world at the moment, and the fact that this book was recommended to me, I thought I would give it a try, and I am so very glad that I did.

The Speech explores the life of Enoch Powell while living inWolverhampton during the 1960s, a decade before my time. The book is a wonderful mix of fiction and reality, which beautifully blends together to  create this entertaining, yet educational and informative read.

Although, The Speech, is predominantly about Enoch Powell, it is really a story of three tales. We have the story of Nelson, who lives with his Aunt, who is wrongly accused of murder. I liked this character immensely, and felt great sadness for what he had to go through in order to protest his innocence. We also meet Frank, a photography student who is young and naïve and who 'helps' Enoch in his conspiracy to frame Nelson. To be honest, it was Nelson's plight and story that most intrigued me, and I found what happened to him just as relevant today, with current issues of Brexit and immigration dominating the headlines. We then also have the ten day time fame that the novel is set within, leading up to the infamous Rivers of Blood Speech and the novel's ultimate conclusion. This was a very clever narrative device, as I found myself whizzing through the pages in my urge to find out what happened to all of the characters. I needed to know!

This novel so eloquently highlights the issues of racism, bigotry and hatred. It is an emotional and insightful read, that grips you throughout Enoch Powell's political journey and subsequent fall from grace. Whether you like Powell or not, is, I feel, irrelevant, as what is of importance are the issues within the book, those of racism and being 'different' and the individual stories that unfold. So, do not be put off by the political angle in this book, or the fact that it is based upon a real life politician. While reading, I found it difficult to separate what was fact and what was fiction, but for me this didn't matter. It is not a biography, it is a work of fiction based upon fact. It is an enjoyable and immensely thought provoking read.

The Speech is published by Urbane Publications and is available to buy from Amazon here.

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a review copy.
 

About the author

Andrew Smith’s first novel, Edith’s War, won a gold medal at the Independent Publishers’ Book Awards, U.S.A. His short fiction has been included in the Journey Prize Anthology and shortlisted for the CBC Literary Awards. His travel writing has garnered a Western Magazine Award. He has published two non-fiction books: Strangers in the Garden, the secret lives of our favorite flowers and Highlights, an illustrated history of cannabis (co-author). Smith’s next novel, The Speech, has been published in October, 2016 by Urbane Publications, U.K.

Reunited by Daniel Gothard #bookreview

About Reunited

1992, and Ben Tallis is coming to terms with the recent death of his father. His ability to cope isn't helped by the fact he's secretly in love with one of his best friends. At least keeping a daily journal helps him make sense of events, and he believes it's the perfect preparation for his plan to one day become a successful journalist. 2012 and Ben has achieved his career ambition - he's a highly respected journalist and is engaged to a hardworking and ambitious lawyer. But this seemingly 'perfect' relationship is fraught with problems. Ben mentions in passing to his editor he has received an invitation to a 20 year school reunion but doesn't want to go. His editor however smells a great feature article and insists Ben returns home, faces his past - including his secret teenage yearning - and writes a feature on how much we change, and yet in so many ways stay the same. As Ben reluctantly re-engages with his past he soon comes to realise that we can never run from the truth...or who we truly are.

My review of Reunited

 

I am so glad that I finally got round to reading and, now reviewing Reunited, as this book has been on my TBR list for some time. All I can say is that it was well worth the wait, as this book is fantastic. It is an enjoyable read about finding out who you really are by exploring your past. In this case, we follow Ben, a journalist, who writes for an online magazine, and I thoroughly enjoyed his journey.

 

Reunited begins by us meeting the present day Ben in 2012, who after mentioning to his editor that he has been invited to a twenty year school reunion, is told that he needs to go and cover the story.  At first Ben is reluctant to go, and to write about the now adults who were his school friends, but, in the end he does what his editor asks and plans to write his own unique  story. The driving force being that he hopes to see his old friend and unrequited teenage love, Catrina.

 

The entire school reunion angle really intrigued me. What would I do if I was invited to a school reunion? Would I go? Well, probably not. But the idea of attending such a reunion fascinated me, and I read with great interest as Ben planned for the big day and how he dealt with buried feelings about his past, all dredged up because he was having to face what had happened to him over twenty years ago.  What was most telling was his relationship with his girlfriend, Kate. Although they had been together for some time, it was very obvious that they had problems, including long working hours and I felt that unresolved issues from Ben's past were stopping him from living fully in the present.

 

That brings me nicely on to the journal  entries, that date back to 1992, not long after Ben's dad died. These passages were well written and I believed that I was reading the thoughts and feelings of a teenage boy. My heart went out to him, a young man who was having to deal with the death of his father and all of the changes that were taking place around him. These passages were both funny and sad, but the author managed to get the mix just right, and enabled me to work out why the present day Ben acted in the way he did, it all made perfect sense to me.

 

This is a funny book, and one that is embedded in bittersweet nostalgia. It is also  a much deeper read than the cover would suggest. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to come face to face with your old school friends, and the bullies, then you will enjoy this book. It is an insightful read into what makes us who we are. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Reunited is published by Urbane Publications and is available to buy from Amazon here 

 

 

About the author

 

 

Daniel Gothard lives in Oxford with his wife and three children. He has a CertHE and MA in creative writing. He has previously had three novels published and appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies in the UK and abroad. His novel - 'Friendship and Afterwards' - was nominated for The People's Book Prize. His previous novel was the bestselling romcom 'Simon says'. Daniel is also an Arts Correspondent for After Nyne magazine.

Imperfection by Ray Clark

About Imperfection

Imperfection is a new crime series featuring D.I. Stewart Gardener and D. S. Sean Reilly, and set in the West Yorkshire city of Leeds. A haunting message scrawled on the dressing room wall of a theatre: the scene of a murder. It had been written using the blood from the victim, previously drained in a separate location. At the autopsy, D.I. Gardener and D.S. Reilly are shown a riddle carved into the chest of the corpse, informing them there would be more. Their efforts to find out why are continually blocked by a wall of contradiction, with little in the way of evidence to support their cause. Steered back to the scene of the crime and a disused prop room, Gardener and his trusted sergeant find another puzzle. The murderer, it seems, is playing games. It soon becomes clear to Gardener and Reilly that to find the killer they need to solve the clues, and to do that, they must tunnel their way into the past, where the streets were paved with gold, and to a man who had terrified people before either of them had even been born...

My review of Imperfection

Imperfection is a crime novel, but like no other I have ever read before. This book fuses together the genre of crime writing with that of superstitious tales and the unnatural. There was an almost Sherlock Holmes feel to this book, as I worked alongside the police to find out what was behind the killer's motives.  It is a very unique novel, and I loved it. I did have to stretch the boundaries of reality a little while reading, and accept that the author had used much artistic licence in the descriptions of police procedures, but once I did, and fully embraced this new type of genre, I found it a highly engaging read.

Imperfection is set in Leeds and I guessed around the early 2000s, with the clues that we were given with regards to the timeframe. This helped to give a slightly nostalgic feel to the novel. The book opens when an aging actor, Leonard White, is found murdered at the Grand Theatre. His body has been drained of all blood and a cryptic clue/message has been painted using his blood onto his dressing room wall. From this moment on, the police are out to find out who the murderer is. The real joy of this book is that from very early on we are in on who the murderer is, and we are able to read passages were he describes his life. So we get the viewpoints of both the police and the killer. Therefore, I wanted to find out why he was killing, just as much as the police did.

This book is very well written, it has a natural flow to the writing and we follow the story with ease. Coupled with this are descriptive and interesting characters. The two police officers who are following the case are D.I. Stewart Gardener and D. S. Sean Reilly. They work well as a team and I found them hugely likeable. Gardener lives with his father and son, and we learn that he has lived in Leeds all of his life, as everyone seems to know him from being a little boy. Reilly on the other hand is an Irishman, an outsider, and it took me a little longer to get to know him, but by the end of the book, I had a lot of respect for him. This novel also has some interesting supporting characters. For instance, I loved the character of Fittle, who had worked at the Theatre for the past thirty years and practically lived in a small cupboard drinking tea and eating biscuits. He added a much needed sense of humour to proceedings in what was quite a dark and disturbing book.

Imperfection is the story of a serial killer. A killer who is sadistic and caries out grotesque murders, of which the aftermath is described in some detail. But the brutality and amount of planning that the murderer does is pivotal to the plot. We need to despise him and everything that he stands for, without question, and I did.

As I mentioned earlier, this is not your run of the mill crime drama and serial killer book. The police procedures seem to be from a time long ago and their way of solving crimes is most definitely 'off beat'. This is shown by the fact that the police do not think about using the internet to check the quotes that are from the killer. Instead they go to experts and find the answers in books. Although I did find this a little strange, and did shout at one point that they should simply Google the answer, at the same time I found this quality endearing. It very much felt like good old fashioned detective work, but with a likeable twist.

Imperfection is a very ambitious book that blurs genres and somehow withstands the boundaries of time. It is a hugely refreshing read and I now need to go back and read the first book in the series. If you want to read a crime novel with a twist, and one that is highly unique, then I thoroughly recommend Imperfection. I really enjoyed it.

With thanks to Urbane Publications and NetGalley for a review copy.

Imperfection, published on Match 30 by Urbane Publications, can be found on Amazon here.

About the author

 The British Fantasy Society published the Ray Clark's first work in 1995, a 3000 word essay on fellow writer, Graham Masterton. In 1996, a chance meeting in a London docklands hotel at a BFS Convention with Matt Williams (and Graham Masterton - himself later in the same evening) eventually led to Ray's first big break: the 1998 publication of Manitou Man: The World of Graham Masterton, nominated for both the World and British Fantasy Awards. Success followed with a number of short stories in various magazines between 1998 and 2003. 2007 saw the author's first collection of short stories under the title of The Lord of Misrule and Other Stories, released by an American publisher. The following year, the self-publication of a stand-alone horror novel, Calix, a terrifying psychological, rollercoaster ride into the unknown using the Salem Witch Trials as its backdrop. In 2009: Ray's short story, Promises To Keep made the final shortlist for the best short story award from The Tom Howard Foundation. The publication of Misrule 2: The Next Generation soon followed. In 2010: the short story, Purple Rain was published in the American quarterly publication, Carpe Articulum: A Twist in the Taste was also published in a collection by The English Heritage, entitled, Whitby Abbey: Pure Inspiration (available at Amazon and most leading retailers). 2012: The Priest's Hole, a horror novel published by Damnation Books in the U.S. Available as a paperback and a variety of electronic versions. In 2012: Canadian publisher, Double Dragon Press, re-released Calix with new artwork, both electronically and in paperback. In 2013: Canadian Publisher, Double Dragon published A Devil's Dozen, a collection of short horror stories. 2014: a new crossover novel entitled Seven Secrets from U.S. Publisher, Damnation Books. 2015: a second short story collection entitled, A Detective's Dozen, from Canadian publisher, Double Dragon. 2016: the first in the author's IMP crime series set in Leeds featuring Detectives Gardener and Reilly, entitled Impurity, from U.S. Publisher, Caliburn Press. 2017: The second in the IMP series, Imperfection, will be published by Urbane Publications in the spring of 2017

Marching on Together by PJ Whiteley

About Marching on Together

It is August 2014. Six Leeds United supporters set off for a short break in Bruges. Two brothers Allan and Johnny Collins - the former a successful businessman, the latter just out of prison - are visiting great-grandad's grave on the Western Front, at the time of the centenary of the start of the Great War. They're joined by Johnny's mates, Craig and Terry; the tomboy Petra; and the out-of-sorts Yvonne, who failed to persuade estranged husband Tony to accompany her. For all the political events, historic and current, that surround them, they find it difficult to avoid discussion of the wildly eccentric new owner of their beloved football club as it languishes in the second tier of English football. He has sold the best striker and banned the Number 17 shirt as being 'unlucky'. Meanwhile other obsessions, secrets and ambitions lie within their hearts. Can Johnny find love again, or a job? Will Terry make it as a photographer? Is Allan's business as successful as it appears to be? What is the family secret behind the antique silver locket that Yvonne keeps in her handbag? And can she finally accept the result of the 1975 European Cup Final, and begin to move on with her life?

 My review of Marching on Together

I'll start by saying that I do not watch, nor love anything to do with football, so, on paper, this should not be a book that I would enjoy... But... I loved this book. So don't let the idea of reading a 'football themed' book put you off. Marching on Together is more than the Leeds United theme, it really is so much more than football. It's about family, friendship, loyalty and an epic journey to France! I probably did miss many of the football related references, but you know, that's okay. It didn't distract me from the enjoyment of this book one little bit.

Marching on Together is a gentle and cathartic read. It is a book to be read slowly, so that you fully embrace the many characters in the book and what they are going through. This is also a book that is incredibly difficult to review, without giving any of plot away. So, I will focus on what I enjoyed about this book, rather than the plot.

The book worked for me because it is a tale of six individual characters, six individual stories, that although are separate, are also connected through the running theme and love of football, friendship and family. It is their stories that we follow, all unique, all touching, and all completely absorbing. So, while reading Marching on Together I experienced what they were thinking and feeling. This is also a huge feat to pull off for any author, as every character had their own distinctive voice. Not once did  I become confused as to whom was speaking to me. More importantly I actually felt like I was on the journey with them, that I was part of their group, that I was their friend. I was included.

The journey, both in the literal and literary sense, is a right of passage for each and everyone of them, and they all change because of it. It is also very hard for me to pick a favourite, for me to identify with solely one of these fabulous characters, but If I had to chose it would be Johnny and Petra. Johnny I felt immense empathy towards, a man who gets out of prison and is just trying to do his absolute best. I admired him greatly. Petra was also a hugely likeable character, a woman in a male dominated world who has a strong voice and presence.

Marching on Together is really a book about friendships, old and new, and that anything can be accomplished by marching on together. I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it for those who wish to read a more gentle style of book that focusses on human nature, conversation and how we all interact with each other. I look forward to reading more books by this author. 

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley who provided me with an Advanced Reader Copy.

Marching on Together, published by Urbane Publications on February 23, can be found on Amazon here.

About the author

PJ Whiteley, who writes non-fiction as Philip Whiteley, is an experienced author, principally about management. He has written extensively about how low wages are bad for business, as part of a bid to try to convince economists that society consists of people. PJ Whiteley's boyhood ambition was to represent Yorkshire Cricket Club. He gave up playing as an amateur a few years ago when facing the quicker bowlers became a bit too tricky, but still plays five-a-side football. He works from home full time as an author and is married to a sex therapist, so things could have turned out worse.

Electric Souk by Rose McGinty

About Electric Souk

Rose McGinty has written a powerful debut novel that crackles with energy and shimmers with lyricism, shedding light on a world that is half hidden.’ SOPHIE DUFFY, author of Bright Stars

‘An enthralling novel; beguiling characters that leap off the page and a beautifully conjured world. Exquisite writing infused with a creeping tension held me spellbound.’ JANE ELMOR, author of My Vintage Summer

‘With its unique blend of exuberance and menace, Electric Souk is a journey and an adventure’ ISABEL COSTELLO, The Literary Sofa

Humanity blisters in this haunting, lyrical thriller about trust and treachery. Ireland's gone bust, and with it Aisling Finn's life. She flees austerity for adventure in the desert. But the Arabia she finds is not that of her dreams. Everyone is chasing a fast buck, a fast woman and another G&T. Expats and locals alike prickle with paranoia.

Debonair fixer, Brian Rothmann, charms Aisling with champagne brunches and nights at Bedouin camps. But is Brian a hero or a desperate expat prepared to go to any lengths to get what he wants? Is this Aisling? Or is he using her as bait? Her only hope is Hisham, a local activist. But where do his loyalties lie?

Aisling faces severe peril when the sleazy expat and blood-lusting desert worlds collide, as the Arab Spring erupts. She has to ask, whom can she trust? Can she even trust herself?

My Review of Electric Souk

Oh my word! Where do I start? Other than by saying that I loved this book. It has everything. I'm not even sure what genre this book fits into is as it is part adventure story/part thriller/part romance/part spy novel/part epic journey...I could go on. . It is like no other book I have ever read and I was captivated from the very first page.

Electric Souk tells the tale of Aisling Finn, a thirty something Irish woman, who flees Dublin after a failed relationship to seek a brighter and more happier future in the Gulf desert working for the Health Board. However, life in the desert is far from easy, and although she does get her fair share of adventure, she gets far more than she bargained for.

This novel is told from Aisling's point of view and we see, hear and taste what she does. I could taste the red desert sand, smell the mint tea and hear the buzzing of the crowds at the Souk at nigh time. Rose McGinty has managed to capture the fragrance, intensity and the emotions of the desert and the lifestyle which may of us will never know.

We meet many colourful characters along the way. The first is Angie, the bubbly scouser who is in nurse training and who takes Aisling under her wing in this strange new country. Her Liverpudlian accent flew from the pages and I found myself smiling, remembering the voices of my old home. She is a strong female character, and this book is full of them. We have Laila, who becomes Aisling's Sister as well as her interpreter. She is feisty, intelligent, beautiful and quick witted. In contrast we have Mozah, a manipulative woman who is only out for her own ends. It is Aisling though, who had my attention.  The story is told from her point of view and I felt her vulnerability as well as growing strength. Although this book is about deception and learning who you can rust, it is also about Aisling's journey of self discovery.

This book is full of twists and turns. I was gripped until the very end, wanting to find out the many truths. Aisling is in a foreign country, she does not speak the language, nor does she fully understand the rituals and customs, and it is to others that she must turn to feel safe and be protected. But the big question that is raised is who can she trust? As a reader I had my doubts about those characters who seemed trustworthy. I too, just like Aisling, felt a creeping sense of doubt and building paranoia. We meet Mr Brian Rothmann, who is brought in to work on the project. Can Aishling trust him? Is he all who he seems? From the very first moment I met him, I did not like him and was wary of him throughout the novel. We also meet Hisham, Laila's brother, an activist, a polar opposite to Brian, a gentleman, and from the moment he appeared, I both trussed and liked him.

 

Electric Souk fully immerses you in the Arabic world. We go on trips to the mall for coffee and trinkets. We drink whisky from jam jars and stay up until 3 am in the morning. It really is a different lifestyle and one which is evoked beautifully on the page. It is very obvious that the author has spent time in the desert, and is aware of the lifestyle and customs, as she writes with such ease and knowledge.

 

I highly recommend Electric Souk as a book to escape the ordinary world. You will be gripped, shocked and thoroughly entertained. The language is poetic and the pages crackle with intensity. It really is a stunning debut novel.

 

Electric Souk is published on March 23 by Urbane Publications. You can find the book on Amazon here.

With thanks to the author and publisher who gave me an Advanced Reader Copy for review purposes.

 

About the author

Rose McGinty was born with itchy feet, which she has yet to decide is a blessing or a curse. Certainly, surviving Hurricane Sandy, an earthquake, a spider bite, jumping 192 metres off the Sky Tower in Auckland, and nearly being arrested for inadvertently smuggling a rocket in Vietnam, make her wonder about locking up her passport. But then, it was her adventures in the Middle East that gave her the itchy fingers to write. Rose lives in Kent, where as well as enjoying writing short stories, flash fiction and poetry, she also paints. She works in community health services and has worked overseas in Ireland, Canada, Sweden and the Middle East. She completed the Faber Academy Writing a Novel course, under the guidance of Richard Skinner, in 2015. Electric Souk is her debut novel and Rose says of her story, 'The parts of the story that are true, I probably wish were not; while the parts that are not, I probably wish were true.'

Two Dogs at the One Dog Inn and Other Stories by David John Griffin

About Two Dogs at the One Dog Inn

Dogs are reported for their constant barking ...and so begins one of the strangest stories you will ever read. Audrey Ackerman, sent to visit the dogs at a 17th century coach house, is unsettled by paranormal sightings. Stella Bridgeport - manager at The Animal Welfare Union - communicates with Audrey via emails. And those Stella receives are as startling as they are incredible: descriptions of extraordinary events concerning a science fiction writer's journal; giant swans; bizarre android receptionist; a ghost dog. Insanity or fantasy? Fact or fiction? The only given is, it all starts and ends with two dogs at The One Dog Inn...and other stories: 12 short stories with aspects of the macabre, the surreal or the strangeness of magical realism to entertain and delight you.

My review of Two Dogs at the One Dog Inn

After reading the wonderful short story collection, 'Sweet Home', by Carys Bray,  I made a promise to myself to read more short story collections. Therefore, when the opportunity arose for me to read and review, Two Dogs at the One Dog Inn and Other Stories, I jumped at the chance. This novella and short story collection was an absolute treat to read.

Two Dogs at the One Dog Inn, takes up around 40 percent of the entire book. This story focusses upon two women, two friends,  Audrey and Stella. Stella runs the local animal rescue centre and Audrey works there. The two women have been friends for a long rime. We learn of their relationship and the events surrounding the tale of the two dogs at the One Dog Inn, via a series of email conversations. I liked the fact that I learned about these two women in such an interesting way, as reading their personal thoughts from a first parson perspective really helped to make them seem more 'real' and what they had to say seemed more credible.

So Stella and Audrey have an argument prior to the book's beginning. We learn of this at the beginning of the story. Audrey is upset because Stella did not believe her account of what happened at the One Dog Inn, when she was called there to investigate a report of loud, barking dogs. As Audrey begins to tell Stella of what she saw while at the Inn, we learn what she saw at the same time, and it is up to us, the reader, to choose whether to believe her or not.  Stella obviously does  not believe her,  and why would she? She suggests that Audrey is suffering from stress, ear infections, anything but what she is suggesting.

I of course believed every word, as this is fiction  so I had to go with it and embrace the supernatural, abnormal and fantastical goings on. We read of secret tunnels, hounds and robots, it is obvious that the author had a lot of fun writing this novel and this sense of enthusiasm rubbed off on me, as I found myself being immersed into this very different world and thoroughly enjoyed this fantastical quirky, tale of the paranormal.

The remaining book is made up of 12 short stories, each of differing lengths, but all equally fascinating. One in particular stood out to me, Return to the Sea, a melancholy tale about lost love, the past and the future. What all of these stories share in common, is that they offer something a little different, an alternative view of the world that that is quite refreshing.

Two Dogs at the One Dog Inn and Other Stories is a refreshing, quirky and enjoyable read. If you are looking for something that is a little different, that is well written by a talented storyteller, then this is the book for you.

Two Dogs at the One Dog Inn and Other Stories is published on the 26 Jan by Urbane Publications. It is available to buy from Amazon here.

With thanks to the publoisher for a review copy.

About the author

David John Griffin is a writer, graphic designer and app designer, and lives in a small town by the Thames in Kent, UK with his wife Susan and two dogs called Bullseye and Jimbo. He is currently working on the first draft of a third novel. His first novel published by Urbane Publications in October 2015 is called The Unusual Possession of Alastair Stubb. The second is a literary/psychological novel, entitled Infinite Rooms. His novella and collection of short stories called Two Dogs At The One Dog Inn And Other Stories will be published in January 2017 by Urbane Publications. One of his short stories was shortlisted for The HG Wells Short Story competition 2012 and published in an anthology.

Legacy of the Lynx by Clio Gray @cliogray @urbanepub

About the Legacy of the Lynx

Award winning writer Clio Gray has written a thrilling adventure story, steeped in historical fact and legend, that will keep readers gripped to the very last page.

1798. Three people, two brutal murders, and a single promise...

Golo Eck is searching for the fabled lost library of The Lynx, Europe’s first scientific society, founded in 1603. Fergus, his friend and fellow adventurer, is on the trail of the legend in Ireland when he becomes embroiled in the uprising of the United Irish against English rule. His only hope of escape is Greta, a courageous messenger for the United Irish cause. Following the bloody battles of New Ross and Vinegar Hill, Fergus is missing, and Greta is on the run.

Golo meanwhile suspects other forces are on the trail of the Lynx, and he heads to Holland in pursuit. When Golo’s ship founders and he disappears, his ward Ruan is left to fend for himself, a stranger in a strange land.

Can Ruan pursue the trail to the lost library? Will Golo and Fergus be found? Can Greta escape Ireland with her very life? And will the truth of the Legacy of the Lynx finally be revealed?

My review of Legacy of the Lynx

 

The Legacy of the Lynx is a beautiful, historical, adventure story that I absolutely loved. I'll admit and tell you that I was drawn to the book, firstly by its beautiful cover, but then, when I read what the book was about, I knew that I had to read it.

Clio Gray is an experienced writer with many books under her belt, but this is the first book that I have read by her. The story is about Golo Eck's quest for the lost library of The Lynx,  that was founded in the early 1600s, Finding this lost library is the key to a more peaceful, democratic and less violent world. Golo truly believes that the Lynx can save mankind. As he is advancing in years, he knows that time is running out, and that together with his fiends, Fergus and Ruan, they will be able to find the Lynx in time.

At the beginning of the book all three characters leave the highlands of Scotland to begin their journeys. Golo and Ruan head to Holland on a boat, while Fergus heads to Ireland. This is when the adventure truly begins.  Fergus finds himself in Ireland during the uprising of the United Irish against the English and has the fight of his life on his hands, to both keep alive and to find the part of the Lynx that is buried in Ireland. From the moment I was introduced to Fergus, I loved him. He is a man who cares for his frend Golo, who is a father figure to him, and who, although only tolerates Ruan, wants the absolute best for him. He is a man with honour and integrity, but also weaknesses, and I found that I wanted him to succeed and to be happy.

Ruan and Golo head to Holland but are quickly separated, leaving Ruan alone and having to search for the Lynx by himself. Although I did not like Ruan at the beginning of the book, I thought him to be spoilt and quite frankly nasty, he most definitely grew on me during the course of the book, and I think that this was the way it was meant to be. He grows into a young man during the book and we grow with him. His journey, I felt, was the most difficult of all, and just like with Fergus, I wanted him to succeed.

I must also quickly mention Greta, as the book is not entirely dominated by men, there are a few feisty women in this book, and Greta is one of them. She helps Fergus through the treacherous Irish streets as his guide. She is a strong, opinionated and likeable character, and I warned to her instantly. I can still hear her dulcet Irish tones in my head.

If you are anything like me, and feel slightly put off when the word 'history' is mentioned in a novel, then please don't be. My historical knowledge is awful, and I found this book to be hugely entertaining without knowing anything around the events that were unfurling during the late 1700s in Ireland. This book is all about the characters, what they learn during their journey. It is a story about adventure and discovery, but for me, I wanted to know what would happen to the characters and if they eventually found their beloved library of the Lynx.

Legacy of the Lynx is a delicious slow burner of a book. The dialogue is intricate and cannot be rushed. You really do need to sit and give yourself a few hours of undivided attention while you read this book. Having  said that, the author packs in an awful lot of action, with alternating scenes between Holland and Ireland, so that you do not become confused as to what journey you are following.

The Legacy of the Lynx is a hugely enjoyable read. If you love your historical novels (or even if you don't), love grand adventure stories, murder mysteries and intelligent writing, in a book that is different from the norm, then you will love this book.

With thanks to Urbane Publications and NetGalley for a review copy. Legacy of the Lynx was published on November 24th by Urbane Publications.

About the Author

Clio was born in Yorkshire, spent her later childhood in Devon before returning to Yorkshire to go to university. For the last twenty five years she has lived in the Scottish Highlands where she intends to remain. She eschewed the usual route of marriage, mortgage, children, and instead spent her working life in libraries, filling her home with books and sharing that home with dogs. She began writing for personal amusement in the late nineties, then began entering short story competitions, getting short listed and then winning, which led directly to a publication deal with Headline. Her latest book, The Anatomist's Dream, was nominated for the Man Booker 2015 and long listed for the Bailey's Prize in 2016. 'Surprisingly,' Gray says, 'The Anatomist's Dream - although my eighth published novel - was amongst the first few stabs I made at writing a book. Pretty appalling in its first incarnation (not that I thought it at the time!) it was only when I brushed the dust off it a few years ago that I realised there really was something interesting and unusual at its core that I could now, as a more experienced writer, work with. The moral being: don't give up. The more you write, the more self-critical you become and the better your writing will be because of it.' Clio has always been encouraging towards emergent writers, and founded HISSAC (The Highlands and Islands Short Story Association) in 2004 precisely to further that aim, providing feedback on short listed stories and mentoring first time novelists, not a few of whom have gone on to be published themselves. 'It's been a great privilege to work with aspiring writers, to see them develop and flourish,' Gray says. 'There can never be too many books in the world, and the better the books the better place the world will be.'