May 2024 Reads

May was a great month for reading for me, although I didn’t manage any audiobooks. A two-week holiday gave me plenty of opportunity to read and this was added to by an enforced three-day digital detox (we were without internet access for three full days at the start of our holiday). The month had quite a mixture of genres as I took the opportunity to mix review books with some recently published ones.

May began with one of those recently published books, Nosy Neighbours by Freya Sampson. Dorothy is just one of the residents of a Victorian villa converted to flats, she’s also the longest-serving resident. The other residents think of her as a busybody. When eviction notices are served Dorothy refuses to accept the inevitable. This is a story about community, secrets and forgiveness.

I had very high hopes for The Unforgettable Loretta, Darling by Katherine Blake. Set in the glamorous world of 1950s Hollywood I had hoped for an exposé of the seamier side of the industry as we followed a young woman from the north of England. The style made the story easy to get involved in as Margaret recreated herself as Loretta and followed her dream of becoming a make-up artist. In the end, I was disappointed that it was more of a “chasing a dream” story than a true exposé.

Nightwatching from Tracy Sierra is one of those novels that has taken off through word-of-mouth and I can fully understand why. You are gripped from the very first line in this chilling tale of a mother and her two young children who realise there is an intruder in their home. The setting, an old house, late at night, in a snowstorm, is atmospheric and you can feel the panic as the mother tries desperately to protect her children.

I’ve loved Clare Pooley’s previous two novels so jumped at the chance to review How To Age Disgracefully. I’m pleased to say it was just as good as the previous books. Members of a senior citizens club decide to fight the council against closure. The lead character, Daphne, has all the skills of a retired spy, supported by a host of eccentric characters.

The Suspect by Rob Rinder is the sequel to The Trial and features many of the same characters. The author has tapped into the public’s obsession with celebrities by having the host of a morning TV show die on air and the TV chef accused of her murder. Lots of secrets and an indication that the public image of a celebrity doesn’t always match up with reality.

I’m not sure what initially drew me to One Of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon but I’m so glad I read this powerful reminder about the injustice of racism. A young black family moves to an affluent all-black suburb of LA, hoping that this will offer a safe environment for their children to grow. The mother becomes concerned when she realises that the other residents aren’t as concerned about black issues as she is. I loved the slightly dystopian feel of the story.

Another book that didn’t immediately shout to me was You Are Here by David Nicholls, but what a wonderful, life-affirming read it was. Strangers Marnie and Michael, both broken by failed romances, are persuaded by a mutual friend to go on a walking holiday. An unlikely friendship blossoms and it is obvious there is a spark between the pair, leading to a tentative romance.

Beth Morrey’s previous two novels have focused on community and have been uplifting. In Lucky Day the central character takes control of her own destiny when her bad day keeps getting worse. She simply walks out of work and decides she’s not going to be patronised any longer. Some hilarious situations arise because of her honesty and assertiveness.

Fans of the Cyrus Haven series from Michael Robotham will be pleased with the fourth installment in the series, Storm Child. We delve further into Evie’s traumatic past as Cyrus helps the police investigation into the drowning of migrants off the English coast. Memories begin to resurface as it looks like there are links between Evie’s trafficking experience and the recent tragedy.

Back in April when I read The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up by Laura Pearson I knew it wouldn’t be long before I read more by this author. The Last List Of Mabel Beaumont was an easy place to start as it was already on my TBR pile. Mabel realises how isolated and lonely she is when her husband of sixty-two years dies suddenly. Childless, and of a generation that finds it difficult to accept help, she sets out to answer the mystery note her husband left. Being open to new experiences leads to friendship and a new lease on life.

I love the Nosey Parker cozy crime series from Fiona Leitch so was very pleased to review the latest book, The Cornish Campsite Murder. Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker can’t help but get involved in the murder investigation of the lead singer of an old rock band. Following an acrimonious split, the rest of the group are top of the suspect list, but they all have solid alibis. As Jodi and her fiancé dig deeper, the alibis begin to crumble.

On my Florida holiday, I was lucky to pick up a copy of One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware ahead of the UK publication date. A cross between Love Island and Survivor, contestants for a reality TV show are stranded on a tropical island with few supplies. Hostilities quickly arise and you begin to question if it is going to be survival of the fittest.

My final book of the month was The Dead Friend Project by Joanna Wallace. This murder mystery was hilarious. If you’ve seen Motherland or read any of the “Why Mummy…” books then you’ll have an idea of the humour. I was totally gripped as Beth tried to figure out who was responsible for her friend’s death. Lots of misdirection to keep you guessing and a comical scene featuring a labrador.

Publication dates to watch out for are:-

One Of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon will be published on 13/6/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Unforgettable Loretta, Darling by Katherine Blake will be published on 20/6/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

How To Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley will be published on 20/6/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Suspect by Rob Rinder will be published on 20/6/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Lucky Day by Beth Morrey will be published on 20/6/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Storm Child by Michael Robotham will be published on 26/6/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Cornish Campsite Murder by Fiona Leitch will be published on 28/6/24 in ebook format and on 4/7/24 in paperback.

The Dead Friend Project by Joanna Wallace will be published on 11/7/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware will be published in the UK on 18/7/24 in hardback, ebook and audio format.