Point Zero

Point Zero

By Seichō Matsumot

Translated By:-Louise Heal Kawai

Genre:-Crime Fiction/Translated Fiction

Pages:-288

Publisher:-Bitter Lemon Press

Blurb:-Tokyo, 1958. Teiko marries Kenichi Uhara, ten years her senior an advertising man recommended by a go-between. After a four-day honeymoon, Kenichi vanishes. Teiko travels to the coastal and snow-bound city of Kanazawa, where Kenichi was last seen, to investigate his disappearance. When Kenichi's brother comes to help her, he is murdered, poisoned in his hotel room.

 Soon, Teiko discovers that her husband's disappearance is tied up with the so-called "pan-pan girls", women who worked as prostitutes catering to American GIs after the war. Now, ten years later, as the country is recovering, there are those who are willing to take extreme measures to hide the past.

"A master crime writer...Seichō Matsumoto's thrillers dissect Japanese society,"-The New York Times Book Review.

• A triumph by Seicho Matsumoto, the master of Japanese mystery writing. A beautifully written crime novel that takes on the taboo of Japanese prostitution catering to GIs during the American post-war occupation
• First published in Japanese in 1959, the novel abandoned the template of  closed-room mysteries so popular in pre-war Japan to embrace social criticism
• In a radical departure from tradition, the novel has a female protagonist, a housewife seeking to find her missing husband. Respectful of the proprieties expected of a Japanese woman of the time, but stubborn, intrepid and a naturally intuitive sleuth.

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview @randomthingstours

Instagram:-@randomthingstours @paulalearmouth #PointZero

X(Twitter):-@quietmoonwave17 @bitterlemonpub @RandomTTours @mamof9

My Review:-Teiko wants to find a husband.....Tokyo 1958, Teiko marries Kenichi Uhara. Even though Kenichi is ten years older than Teiko, he's an advertising man, recommended by an intermediary a match maker. Four days after their honeymoon Kenichi goes missing. Kenichi was last seen in the city of Kanazawa. Teiko needs to find her husband and decides to travel to Kanazawa. Kenichi knows it's not going to be as easy as she thought, no one at his workplace or in the town has any idea what has happened to Kanazawa. Teiko must become the investigator with some help from a policeman and he brother-in-law. The only problem is more people turn up dead including her brother-in-law. It's not long that she finds it has something to do with 'pan pan girls'. Will she find out what's happened before it's to late. I wasn't sure what to expect in this book but I'm glad I decided to read it, a few twists and turns I didn't expect.

Apokeri Bay

Apokeri Bay

By Jackie Watson

Genre:-Popular Fiction/Travel/Family Saga/Contemporary Fiction

Pages:-320

Blurb:-Escape to Greece with an irresistible page-turner of love, friendship, hope and heart-wrenching decisions.

 Five days tucked away on Lefkada. Time enough for Anna Jenkinson to determine her future. And then return home. But when this feisty young woman unexpectedly falls in love with the quaint village of Apokeri, she seizes the chance to start again. Away from her friends, former lover, and a critical father.

 However, paradise isn't always what it seems. And Anna unwittingly becomes embroiled in a host of other people's plans - including a matchmaking cafe owner, a laid-back bike rental employee and a man desperate to escape island life. 

 Over a sun-drenched summer, Anna negotiates her way through a village full of complex characters, hidden agendas, family sagas and destructive secrets. And when she inadvertently triggers a series of life-changing events for some residents, Anna must decide how far will she go to protect her new life.

 Apokeri Bay is the first in a trilogy and charts a woman's emotional journey of self-discovery, resilience, and forgiveness. With twists and turns, it will appeal to readers of women's contemporary fiction and anyone wanting a Greek island escape.

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview @randomthingstours 

Instagram:-@jackiewatsonwrites @randomthingstours @paulalearmouth #ApokeriBay

X(Twitter):-@jackiewatsonwrites @RandomTTours @mamof9 #ApokeriBay

My Review:-This is Book One of two in 'Apokeri Bay Series'.  This is a well wrote book that will transport you to a beautiful village of Apokeri Bay. The way Jackie describes the village, characters and the island made you feel like you have been yourself and you can still picture it when you close your eyes. Because of Jackie's writing style it is a easy read and I felt like I've become friends with Anna, especially with being a Geordie myself.  Even though Anna was only here in Apokeri Bay to try and sort her life out, it becomes more than that, she falls in love with everything about the place. Even though it's a beautiful place it does hide many secrets. With twists and turns along the way, will Anna still want to stay? I can't wait to read more from Jackie Wilson

Death On The High Seas

Death On The High Seas

By Anna Legat

Genre:-Cozy Mystery

Pages:-267

Blurb:-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Miss Marple meets Midsomer Murders!'

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A wholly engaging whodunnit...fun and entertaining'

 Maggie and Sam take a break from the murder and mayhem of Bishops Well and embark on a relaxing mid-winter cruise across the northern seas. The brochure promises smooth sailing, good food and dazzling entertaining. Sam is hoping to sprinkle the mix with romance. But nothing goes to plan.

 Maggie runs into an old lover, the mesmerising Benedict Rawbotham, who goes out of his way to sweep her off her feet. Sam is left seething with jealousy.

 A mayday signal sent by a fishing boat forces the cruise liner off course. But there is something fishy about the rescued crew and Maggie insists that two young women have died on that boat. Alas, no one believes her Soon one of the alleged fishermen is also dead and so is one of the cruise passengers. Cordelia Conti Lang. nicknamed the Bitcoin Queen, with links to London's criminal underworld, is found in her cabin, stabbed to death. In pursuit of the killer. Maggie hurtles from one disaster to another and Sam begins to fear for her life. Has he taken her on a cruise to help?

 BOOK FOUR IN A GRIPPING WHODUNNIT SERIES BRISTLING WITH GOOD HUMOUR, FOR FANS OF FAITH MARTIN, MERRYN ALLINGHAM'S FLORA STEELE MYSTERIES, THE BELINDA PENSHURST NOVELS AND JOY ELLIS.

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview @rachelsrandomresources

Instagram:-@rachelsrandomresources @paulalearmouth 

X(Twitter):-@LegatWriter @mamof9

My Review:-This is Book Two in 'The Shires Mysteries' series. We get to meet Maggie and Sam, they are friends, neighbours and partners in business. Maggie  and Sam decide to take a break and relax on a mid-winter cruise across the northern seas. Once on the cruise things don't go to plan for Sam, Sam is hoping that there might be a relationship between Maggie and himself once away from everything and they are relaxing. But then Maggie bumps into her old lover Benedict Rawbotham, which leaves Sam jealous.

 The cruise ship get's a mayday from a fishing boat in trouble, the cruise must change direction and head for the fishing boat. It's not long before things aren't adding up and Maggie starts to notice small things at first, only problem is no one believes her, they tell her she's seeing ghosts. After a person is killed and another is missing, Maggie knows the killer must be on board the ship. Will Sam be able to keep Maggie safe as well as help find the killer? This will keep you guesting.

Artificial Wisdom-Read Along. Q10

Artificial Wisdom - Read Along

By Thomas R. Weaver

Q10:-Chapter 53. If you could stay in a manufactured paradise or go back to your authentic life, what would you do?

A:-I think we all dream of paradise even if it was manufactured, but unless I could either have my friends and family with me or I'm able to go back and be in contact with them, I don't think I could 

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview @lovebookstours

Instagram:-@tom_weaver @lovebookstours @paulalearmouth #LBTCrew

X(Twitter):-@tom_weaver @KellyALacey @lovebookstours@mamof9 #LBTCrew

Facebook:-@lovebookstours @PaulaLearmouth 

Artificial Wisdom-Read Along. Q9

Artificial Wisdom - Read Along

By Thomas R. Weaver

Q9:-Chapter 41. How do you feel about this world where physical books are no longer produced, but projected as if they are still real?

A:-A few years ago I would of thought differently but because of how easy it is to read a book whenever and wherever you like, and having spent a few days and weeks in hospital it was lovely to be able to find a book I wanted and reading it without having to take a pile of books with me

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview @lovebookstours

Instagram:-@tom_weaver @lovebookstours @paulalearmouth #LBTCrew

X(Twitter):-@tom_weaver @KellyALacey @lovebookstours@mamof9 #LBTCrew

Facebook:-@lovebookstours @PaulaLearmouth

Artificial Wisdom-Read Along. Q8

Artificial Wisdom - Read Along

By Thomas R. Weaver

Q8:-Chapter 38. Do you think an AI could be trusted to create military tech?

A:-Things go wrong when humans create military tech, so trusting Al is a No

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview @lovebookstours

Instagram:-@tom_weaver @lovebookstours @paulalearmouth #LBTCrew

X(Twitter):-@tom_weaver @KellyALacey @lovebookstours@mamof9 #LBTCrew

Facebook:-@lovebookstours @PaulaLearmouth

My Sister's Baby

My Sister's Baby

By Louise Guy

Genre:-Women's Psychological Fiction

Pages:-348

Publisher:-Boldwood Books

Blurb:-Your sister once saved your life... Would you repay her with the child she's always dreamed of?

 Liv and Toni were once inseparable. While their parents focused on Mandy, their little sister with special needs, the two older sisters leaned on each other for love, support and security. When they were in their teens, and Liv needed a lifesaving operation, Toni didn't hesitate to do whatever it took to help her. Since then, their lives have gone in different directions. They live in different cities and rarely see each other. But now it's Toni who needs help from Liv. Because she's desperate for a baby... When Liv finds herself in a situation where she could help Toni fulfil her dream, she wants more than anything to say yes. But Liv is keeping a dark secret. And she can't help but wonder-is giving a baby to her sister the right thing to do... or will it destroy their family forever?

 A gripping emotional page turner with a heart-wrenching twist that readers won't see coming. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Kate Hewitt and Emma Robinson

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview @rachelsrandomresources 

Instagram:-@rachelsrandomresources @paulalearmouth

X(Twitter):-@BoldwoodBooks @mamof9

My Review:-The family have been through a lot, but they've always stuck together and got through it. Three sisters, Liv, Toni and the youngest Mandy. When the parents looked after Mandy, who has special needs, Liv and Toni had each other and were really close, so close that when Liv needed a lifesaving operations, Toni was there no matter what it took she would do it. Since then they have went different ways, hardly seeing each other and moving away from each other. But when Toni needed Liv she was there for her, the only problem was what was coming next... Toni has always wanted a baby, but after many miscarriages and no baby she was going to ask her sister to have a baby for her. But was it really going to be that simple?

 This book is filled with emotion, secrets, and plenty of twists and turns, including some you won't expect.