Oooh, murder at a Literary Festival … Joffe’s book of the week, West Country Murder by Derek Thompson sounds a good ‘un

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Joffe’s  book of the week is WEST COUNTRY MURDER, the gripping and atmospheric new mystery from bestselling author Derek Thompson — out now for just 99p | 99c.

A literary festival. A dead body. No fingerprints . . .

A man is found dead in his car. The only clue is a book signed by local author Juliette Kimani, who is in town for the Wiltshire Literary Festival. If only the writer wasn’t denying ever having met the man . . .

Detective Craig Wild discovers that the victim was using a fake name. What did he have to hide?

If he can find the man’s real identity he might just crack this case.  But first he must deal with some very dangerous people.

CLICK HERE TO BUY WEST COUNTRY MURDER BY DEREK THOMPSON FOR JUST 99P | 99C.

You can watch a teaser trailer for the book HERE, and listen to a fascinating five-minute interview with Derek Thompson HERE

OUT NOW — ONLY 99P | 99C

GET THREE ADDICTIVE CRIME THRILLERS IN ONE INCREDIBLE-VALUE BOX SET. Detective Helen Carter Books 1 – 3  by Jodie Lawrance

“A genuine page turner.” Bestselling author Alex Gray

                                                                     

Another great setting:  An Antique Murder by Norman Russell

TThe Irving retirement home for actors in their twilight years is never short of drama.  Not least when legendary thespian Sir Frank Taylor is discovered dead in his bloodstained bed. A Nazi dagger plunged deep in his chest. The residents at the Irving are now living in perpetual fear. Who will be next?

OUT NOW — 99P | 99C

Last Resort by Dan Latus

‘You’re the best man for it, Jake.’

How often has Jake Ord heard that line? This time it’s his old boss Sir Giles Henderson asking him to babysit a Russian fugitive, of all things. But the Russians are always one step ahead.

And they’re closing in . . .

For more books on offer from Joffe: here

The Lighthouse by Fran Dorricott Book Review

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A lighthouse, six old friends and secrets…what could possibly go wrong? The Lighthouse is a book that promises creepy trapped spooky drama and my, thanks to Fran Dorrocott’s fantastic writing, does it deliver.  Tense in atmosphere and deep in characterisation, The Lighthouse draws you in beautifully and then offers surprises at every turn. I really loved the characters, even when I didn’t.

Set in Scotland, in a creepy, isolated island, this books has six friends from uni meet up but they get more than they bargained for when they go to The Lighthouse. This book gives you everything you want in a thriller and holds you to the very last page. Anyone who loves Fran Dorricott knows she is a master of suspense and one of the top writers to watch out for. Just brilliant. 

 

No one expected them to go there. The question is: will any of them leave?

Six friends travel to a remote island north of the Scottish Highlands for an old school reunion. They’ve rented The Lighthouse – a stunning, now abandoned building that was once notorious for deaths at sea.

On the first evening, someone goes missing. The group search all through the night to no avail. But when the five remaining friends return to the lighthouse early the next morning, they are shocked to find James inside. He’s looks terrified – but won’t say a word about where he’s been.

The party vow to put the strange night behind them and enjoy the rest of their stay, but when more unexplained things begin to occur, tensions escalate. It’s clear James knows something, but nothing will persuade him to give up the secrets of the island. Is he protecting his friends from a terrible truth, or leading them into more danger?

A chilling, gripping and powerfully atmospheric suspense novel with a gothic edge, perfect for fans of The Hunting Party and The Sanatorium.

The Lighthouse is available here.

One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner Book Review

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Any regular readers of Frost will know that I love Lisa Gardner. She is one of my favourite writers. I was unbelievably excited when book two in her new Frankie Elkin series arrived. Don’t let that put you off if you haven’t read the first one though, this works as a stand alone. I also loved the growth of Frankie in this book and I was left excited for what she would do next.

It is hard to think what is not in this book: it has everything you want in a crime thriller, and then a whole lot more stuff you didn’t even know you did. When a young man disappears into the woods on his stag do he leaves behind a trail of grief and guilt. He leaves no traces behind, so where did he go? It is up to ex-alcoholic Frankie Elkin to find him, with a group that includes his friends from his stag do, and his grieving father. What’s happens next grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go.

My biggest hope is that the Frankie Elkin series gets made into a TV series sometime soon. It’s what we all deserve.

one step too far by Lisa Gardner book review

If he never left the woods, where did he go?

A young man disappears during a stag weekend in the woods. Years later, he’s still missing.

But his friends who were with him that day are still searching for him. Still hunting for answers.

They hike deep into the wilderness.

With them is missing person specialist Frankie Elkin.

What they don’t know is that they are putting their own lives in terrifying danger, and may not come back alive . . .

One Step Too Far is available here.

Ripple Effect by N.A. Cooper Book Review

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I love a good psychological suspense with an interesting and complex female character, so all of my wishes came true when I read Ripple Effect. It is a taut psychological thriller, written so brilliantly that not one word is wasted. I read it in one day, each page turn bringing more excitement.

N.A. Cooper is a new voice in psychological fiction and they are certainly one to watch. Ripple Effect is a masterclass in writing and oh-so-perfect in many ways. It takes some tough subjects and handles them with grace. Every character is so well-rounded and written without judgement. Despite her mistakes, it is impossible not to love, and root for, the character of Erin. N.A. Cooper does not hide from any of their characters flaws. Overflowing with intelligence and perfect pace: Ripple Effect is a must read.

A long-ago illicit relationship continues to upend lives in this taut psychological suspense novel . . .

Fifteen years ago, teenage Erin had an affair with her teacher that led to tragedy and changed Erin’s life. Today, she’s a married woman who keeps to herself and stays close to home, still scarred by the experience.

When she’s attacked while running in the park, Erin doesn’t tell her husband—but she does confide in Nick, the man who came to her rescue. Then letters start to arrive, making references to her past and leaving her even more unnerved. When a neighbour reports that someone’s been watching her house, Erin’s world starts to crumble.

Erin has worked hard to distance herself from her past. But her life may be in mortal danger, and as she’s plunged back into trauma, she might finally learn the truth about what really happened all those years ago . . .

Ripple Effect is available here.

SUNDAY SCENE: PENNY HAMPSON ON HER FAVOURITE SCENE FROM A PLETHORA OF PHANTOMS

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One of the perks of being a writer is being able to put one’s characters in dangerous situations and coming up with believable ways in which they can extricate themselves. A favourite example of mine occurs in my book, A Plethora of Phantoms, because it marks the point where my main character starts to become the man he wants to be.

Aristocrat Freddie Lanyon is not your typical hero; he’s reserved, doesn’t enjoy being the centre of attention, and is head over heels in love with Bath antique dealer Marcus. Sadly, Freddie thinks he’s blown his chance for love because he’s too timid about coming out. Marcus has gone missing, so, urged by Marcus’ distraught sister, Freddie stays the night with her in Marcus’ flat above the antique shop. Unfortunately, a quiet night’s sleep is not what Freddie gets.

Woken in the early hours by the sounds of a violent scuffle in the street outside, Freddie spies Marcus being assaulted by two thugs as they attempt to gain entry to the shop below. Freddie telephones the police for assistance and is instructed to remain where he is, but this is an instruction that Freddie chooses to ignore – it would be a pretty dull story if our hero did nothing at all.

Tiptoeing swiftly down to the first-floor kitchen and pausing only to pick up something heavy – a sharpening steel – Freddie carried on towards the ground floor entrance of the flat. The bolts slid back silently. The sound of muffled voices told him that the street door had been breached and the intruders were attempting to gain entry to the shop.

            “Hurry up!” A harsh voice ordered.

            There was a groan. Freddie knew it was Marcus. Anger rose in his chest.

            “Key in the bloody number or I’ll hammer you again and you wouldn’t want me to spoil that pretty face of yours, would you?”

            Another voice chipped in, “You’d have thought he’d had enough when we smashed his fingers. Must be something really special in that safe of yours, eh, Spender?”

            Freddie took a deep breath. Now was not the time to hesitate. He had to take them by surprise.

            Clutching the steel in one hand Freddie flung the door open and charged forward with a roar, but instead of aiming high he went low, landing a heavy blow across the legs of the assailant who had Marcus in a stranglehold. The guy screamed as his limbs buckled and he crumpled into a heap on the floor, freeing Marcus. Freddie leapt on to the thug’s back, determined to keep him immobile until the police arrived, and watched as Marcus slid to his knees making choking sounds. Bracing himself for an attack from the assailant’s accomplice, Freddie looked up to see this guy staring open-mouthed with terror, not at him, but at something behind him.

            The crook’s mouth opened and closed but there was no sound as he slowly backed away.

            If Freddie didn’t know better, he’d have sworn that this ugly customer had seen something awful, not just a bloke in pyjama bottoms wielding a steel.

I loved turning Freddie into an action hero. Seeing Marcus being threatened with violence galvanises him into doing something out of character to save the day, although he does have a little supernatural assistance – this is a ghost story, after all.

I had great fun with Freddie, especially in this scene where he changes from being a quiet man to action hero.

 

To discover more about my action-filled romance stories visit my website: https://pennyhampson.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

NEW TWO BEES PURE HONEY The purest ethically sourced honey from all corners of the globe

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All corners of the world? Yep, from Mexico to Zambia to Australia

NEW Two Bees is a range of  pure honeys from all corners of the globe. The Two Bees honey experts go to the ends of the earth (quite literally) to track down top-notch local farmers and beekeepers and work with them to deliver delicious, and varied, 100% pure single-source, luscious, natural honey. No blends. No additives. No residues. No nonsense.  And they even go to the love of my life, Western Australia, so I had to try this particular honey. But more of that later. Let’s here more about Two Bees. 

Two Bees support smaller businesses, local farmers and the countries the honey comes from, by only transporting when in season, and by sustainable, eco-friendly methods.  The range includes:

Mexican Yucatan Pure Honey

A smooth, amber honey straight from the Mayan beekeepers of the Yucatan Peninsula. Here, the bees enjoy a gloriously lush habitat, foraging on the blossoms of Dzidzilche, Tzalam, Kanchunub and other exotic flowers.  I tried it. It is smooth, with a lingering taste as I looked down at the crumbs of my honey drenched scones. 

Mexican Orange Blossom Pure Honey

These bees have been feeding on the aromatic blossoms of Mexican orange tree plantations. This fragrant honey has an intoxicating, deep and satisfying soft, citrus aroma followed by a rich orange flavour and long-lasting floral accents. Believe me, it tastes as good as the scent. 

Western Australian Pure Honey

In this fertile habitat, bees forage on the native plants of Jarrah, Marri, and Banksia. The result is a unique, complex honey with a full-bodied earthiness, a subtle touch of malt, and a warm caramel sweetness. Oh my word, it took me back, right back to my favourite area, the big tree country around the best place in the world, after Yorkshire,  Margaret River. It is truly wonderful wonderful honey. 

Eastern Australian Pure Honey

The flowering eucalyptus trees of Eastern Australia are a true bee paradise. The resulting honey has a soft, rich sweetness of the blossoms, an elusive hint of menthol and an earthy depth.  It does indeed. 

Zambian Lowlands Pure Honey

Here, in this remote and diverse habitat, the bees forage all day long on tropical blossoms. The result is a rich, complex, dark honey with a strong, robust taste. A taste that lingered, and with it, somehow, echoes of its habitat. 

Zambian Mountain Pure Honey

Sourced in a unique habitat high up in the remote mountain forests of Zambia, this exceptional honey has huge notes of mountain blossoms. Silky-smooth in the mouth, it has a rich amber colour and intense floral accents. It is smooth, as smooth as Mexican Yucatan Honey. 

Frost Magazine is a supporter of ethical ‘anything’, so we were enormously relieved that we loved  Two Bees Honey as  this is a company which is  serious about honey and ethical, planet-friendly bee welfare. The Frost Magazine team also nurture bees in their own gardens  and have bee friendly areas with thistles and wild flowers,. Sadly we don’t have hives. This, however,  is  clearly no longer a problem, because we know where we can buy superior ethical honey – such great news. 

But talking about hives. Two Bees tell us they always source direct from the beekeeper, helping the economy and environment at the same time. They also take responsibility for the brand’s impact; Two Bees honey arrives by sea and is jarred in the UK. Production is seasonally led and new varieties will be added when the Two Bees honey experts – with over 40 years of experience – set out on their honey-sourcing adventures.

Two Bees Honey, RRP £5.99 for 250g, is available from twobees.buzz

A 6 pack assortment box is also available from twobees.buzz and amazon.co.uk, RRP £35.94

@twobeesbuzz #twobeesbuzz

Natalie Jayne Peeke reminds us of the horror that was the Holocaust

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The rail entry to Auschwitz taken by editor Margaret Graham in 2015

 

Today , 27th January, marks Holocaust Memorial Day, on which we  remember the horror that was the Holocaust. On this day I would like to tell you all about a man call Frank Foley.

Major Francis (Frank) Edward Foley was born on 24 November 1884 in my hometown of Highbridge, Somerset.

But who was he and why is he a hero ? Well he was a British Secret Intelligence Service officer. And as a passport control officer for the British embassy in Berlin, Foley helped over ten thousand Jewish individuals flee from Nazi Germany. 

At the 1961 trial of former ranking Nazi Adolf Eichmann, Frank Foley was described as a “Scarlet Pimpernel” for the way he risked his own life to save Jews threatened with death by the Nazis. This courage was sustained day after day despite the fact he had no diplomatic immunity and could be discovered and arrested at any time, Foley would bend the rules when stamping passports and issuing visas, to allow Jews to escape to Britain or Palestine, which at the time was controlled by the British.

Occasionally he went even further and went to internment camps himself in order to get Jews out, hiding them in his home, and helping them obtain forged passports. One Jewish aid worker estimated that he saved “tens of thousands” of people from the ravages of the Holocaust.

I can not imagine the amount of courage it must have taken him to do this time and time again under the Nazis noses.

Frank Foley is a national treasure, his story is taught at the school that my children attend and they are blown away with how many people he saved, as am I. He is a inspiration to us all. Highbridge remembers him and this is evident by a main road in the town called Frank Foley Parkway and having a beautiful statue of Foley stamping a passport whilst being embraced by a child.

We will never forget the Holocaust and may we never forget heroes like Frank Foley November 1884 – May 1958. May he rest in peace. 

JANE CABLE REVIEWS TWO FABULOUS MODERN CLASSICS

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The Lido by Libby Page

I had just one question when I finished The Lido – why on earth hadn’t I read it before? Telling the story of 86 year old Rosemary and 26 year old Kate’s campaign to save their local lido it is a novel that will stay with me for a very long time, and days after finishing it I still have the most terrible book hangover.

As an author, I am asking myself why, trying to analyse and unpick it. But the fact is, it comes down to the characters; real, flawed and completely beguiling. I genuinely felt as though I knew them personally, and that is a rare writing gift indeed.

Truth be told, I didn’t instantly gel with the book. I wasn’t sure about the way it was written (third person present tense) but as the story unfolded I very quickly ceased to notice. I was pulled into the vividly and quirkily portrayed Brixton world, and if I was tugged out of the narrative at all it was to appreciate how clever the descriptions were, and how they helped to move the story along.

The Lido is fundamentally a story of a friendship between two very different women. Kate, a journalist, young, lost and struggling to find her feet in a new city, and Rosemary who initially comes over as the strongest of people, but of course there are chinks in her armour too. Their relationship is forged by their desire to save the local lido that means so much to both of them but it also looks back to Rosemary’s own love story with her late husband George, and maybe even forwards to a romance for Kate too.

Surrounded by a brilliant cast of supporting characters – including an urban fox – Rosemary and Kate pull together in what seems to be a hopeless battle against the developers. And at the end of the day, this is one of those wonderful books where the journey is more important than the outcome. But of course, to say what the outcome is would be cheating. Dive into The Lido and read it yourself.

 

A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe

What a stunning book. Although it was only published this week it is destined to become a modern classic too. What drew me to is initially was because it starts at Aberfan, and which cast a long shadow for any child growing up in South Wales in the 1960s and 70s, and because it wasn’t screaming any particular genre at me. It intrigued me and I wanted to dive in.

William Lavery is a newly qualified embalmer who volunteers his skills to help in the immediate aftermath of Aberfan. It is a part of disaster recovery we rarely consider and the flavour of the book is quickly revealed as it focuses just a little on the mechanics and a great deal on the emotions. You learn just enough of the nuts and bolts to be drawn into William’s world but perhaps it isn’t for the over-squeamish.

William’s is not a world shaped only by the terrible nightmares and flashbacks born from his experiences working on those children’s bodies and we soon learn his past holds its own mysteries and traumas. Piece by piece they are cleverly revealed, building William into one of the most fascinating fictional characters I have come across in recent years, always on a knife edge between genuine happiness and self-destruction.

It is a remarkable debut, full of clever intricacies and memorable characters, but never so over worked that William’s story is not centre stage. I hesitate to use the phrase ‘must read’, but I think losing yourself in this book would be time well spent.