My Best Reads of 2015

Hello all,

What a busy year this has been! However, though I haven't posted, I have still been reading.

I would like to share with you fifteen best books I read in 2015.

Thanks to all of the amazing authors, illustrators, editors, publicists and fellow bloggers. Wishing you all a wonderful 2016

Love,

Tiff

My Best 15

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig & Chris Mould

Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin

Demon Road by Derek Landy

Crow Mountain by Lucy Inglis

A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale

An Untamed State By Roxane Gay

Letters To the Lost by Iona Gray

Everything, Everything By Nicola Yoon

Neverhome By Laird Hunt

My True Love Gave to Me Edited by Stephanie Perkins

Bomb By Sarah Mussi

Mockingbird By Kathryn Erskine 

The Girl on the Train By Paula Hawkins 

Pugs of the Frozen North by Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre

Blog Tour: The Secret Life and Curious Death of Miss Jean Milne

The Secret Life and Curious Death of Miss Jean Milne

By Andrew Nicoll

Published July 17 2015 by B&W

I read this historical crime novel as part of a blog tour organised by B&W publishing.

Miss. Jean Milne is a spinster of independent means living alone at Elmgrove, a large detached house in the small coastal town of Broughty Ferry.

Concerns are raised with the local police when Miss. Milne is not seen. Her post is uncollected and her laundry cannot be delivered. 

Upon entering Elmgrove, the body of Miss. Milne is discovered. She had been tied up, bludgeoned and her body covered with a sheet.

The novel follows the subsequent police investigation - from the scene of the crime, through to witness statements and identity parades. 

It is discovered Miss. Milne led rather an exciting, racy life and enjoyed flirtation with young men. Scandalous!

Reports filter through the town of a stranger with a blonde moustache seen near Elmgrove. Is this her killer?

Based upon true events, I found this novel to be an enjoyable mystery, paced extremely well full of detail and description. I was surprised at the identity of the murderer, will you be?

Many thanks

to the publisher for sending a copy in return for an honest review.

Blogger Tour Review of Another Heartbeat in the House

Another Heartbeat in the House

By Kate Beaufoy

Published Transworld July 2 2015

I am very excited to be taking part in my first blog tour and am honoured to have been asked to review Another Heartbeat in the House.

The book begins with us meeting Edie Chadwick and Ian Fleming -yes, THE Ian 007 Fleming! Ian has a cameo role but Edie is the real star. London publisher, dog lover, heartbroken over a friend's betrayal. Escape comes in the form of an invitation to close up an old house in Ireland, in preparation for its sale.

It's just what Edie needs to keep her busy and give her a change of scenery so accompanied with her new canine companion Milo, she dons a headscarf, rolls her sleeves up and sets to work cataloguing and clearing the old house.

When Edie discovered an old manuscript, the booklover inside cannot help but read it, and falls under the spell of Eliza Drury - independent, strong willed mistress of Jameson St. Leger, member of Ireland's aristocracy.Oh, and friend of William Thackeray, and his inspiration for Becky Sharp - one of my favourite females in literature!!!

What started out being a light, intelligent read expanded in depth creating a tragic yet affirming story with wonderfully believable characterisation and immensely enjoyable natural dialogue. There wasn't a character there who didn't add to the story and the author's evocative and educational descriptions of Ireland had me fascinated. Another Heartbeat is one of my best reads of the year and has made me want to reread Vanity Fair as soon as I can!

Lettice & Victoria

Lettice & Victoria by Susanna Johnston

Published December 15, 2013 Arcadia Books

Lettice & Victoria was an unexpected surprise and a stonking good read. Reminiscent of days of Brideshead and the Mitfords, this book has the most delicious array of characters - I love Victoria with her chain smoking and knitting needles and Harold and Archie are a scream! 

Lettice & Victoria is a novel of family life and circumstance. Sharp and witty it really is a dream.

Thank you Susanna and Arcadia Books, Lettice & Victoria is a welcome addition to my bookshelves.