Book Review: Sometimes People Die by Simon Stephenson
The year is 1999. Returning to practice after a suspension for stealing opioids, a young Scottish doctor takes the only job he can find: a post as a senior house officer in the struggling east London hospital of St Luke’s.
Amid the maelstrom of sick patients, over-worked staff and underfunded wards a darker secret soon declares itself: too many patients are dying.
Which of the medical professionals our protagonist has encountered is behind the murders? And can our unnamed narrator’s version of the events be trusted?
*****
It’s the 1990s. Our narrator has a new job as as a senior house officer at an East London hospital after a suspension for stealing opioids.
When suspicious and unexplained deaths start to plague the hospital, who is responsible? Can we even trust our main character?
I’d not read any of Simon Stephenson’s previous books so I didn’t know what to expect. The premise however intrigued me so I was eager to get started.
I have to admit, it did take me a couple of chapters to settle into this novel as I got to know the main protagonist. Once this had happened though, I found I couldn’t put the novel down as I became completely invested in this story.
by 
Book Review: The Santa Killer by Ross Greenwood
I am so pleased to be welcoming Ross Greenwood back to Novel Kicks. He’s here with the blog tour for his novel, The Santa Killer.
The Santa Killer is coming to town…
One night less than two weeks before Christmas, a single mother is violently assaulted. It’s a brutal crime at the time of year when there should be goodwill to all. When DI Barton begins his investigation, he’s surprised to find the victim is a woman with nothing to hide and no reason for anyone to hurt her.
A few days later, the mother of the woman attacked rings the police station. Her granddaughter has drawn a shocking picture. It seems she was looking out of the window when her mother was attacked. And when her grandmother asks the young girl who the person with the weapon is, she whispers two words.
Bad Santa.
The rumours start spreading, and none of the city’s women feel safe – which one of them will be next?
He’s got a list. It’s quite precise. It won’t matter even if you’re nice.
*****
A woman is violently attacked two weeks before Christmas. When DI Barton and his team begin to investigate, there seems to be no motive for the attack.
The daughter of the victim produces a drawing whilst whispering two words ‘Bad Santa.’
Can they find the Santa Killer before he attacks the next person on his list?
I have become such a fan of the DI Barton series that I couldn’t wait to get started on the latest book, The Santa Killer.
As with previous novels, it didn’t take long for me to be completely enthralled in this story. Ross has a great skill in getting you completely invested in the plot quickly and before you know it, it’s the early hours of the morning and you realise you’ve read the whole book in one session.
I love DI Barton. He is one of my favourite fictional detectives. In a lot of ways, he is uncomplicated. He’s simply a family man who is struggling with the commitment to his job whilst balancing family life, something a lot of us can relate to. He also has a great, strong team around him and there isn’t one of them I don’t like.
by Book Extract: Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses by Eliza J. Scott
I am so happy to be welcoming Eliza J. Scott back to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her novel, Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses.
No matter how hard you fight it, love will always find a way…
Ever since she was a little girl, dance teacher Anoushka Cartwright has dreamed of opening her own dance studio near her home on her beloved North Yorkshire Moors. And when she gets the chance to do just that she can hardly believe her luck!
Life is sweet. Or it would be if it wasn’t for her relationship with Damon which has been growing increasingly toxic, much to her family’s concern. Critical of her dreams he can’t understand why she won’t move to the city of York and live with him. He refuses to accept their relationship is floundering until the day Anoushka breaks up with him.
Popular indie/folk singer, Gabe Dublin, hails from Southern Ireland. He’s been head-over-heels in love with Anoushka ever since he first set eyes on her at a wedding two years earlier. She’s the reason he keeps returning to the area, staying with his friends, Lady Caroline Hammondely and her husband Sim, at Danskelfe Castle. Gabe and Anoushka have become good friends, but she’s always made it clear they could never be anything more, which is tearing Gabe’s heart in two. He knows he won’t be able to love anyone else the way he loves Anoushka.
Her family and friends can see how perfect they are for each other but Anoushka is adamant, after her experience with Damon, she has no room for a man in her life. She makes a pact with herself to focus all of her attention on her dance school. And she intends to keep it. The only thing is, it’s not as easy as it seems.
When an unexpected situation throws them together, Anoushka’s feelings are exposed for the world to see. The question is, will she act on them or will she stay true to her promise to herself?
Join Anoushka and Gabe – and all the other Life on the Moors Characters – for the latest heartwarming visit to the characterful village of Lytell Stangdale in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors.
*****
Eliza has shared an extract with us today. Grab that coffee and a comfortable chair and enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Here’s an extract from Chapter Seven where Anoushka Cartwright bumps into Gabe Dublin and his bouncy Labrador while walking on Great Stangdale Moor.
In the distance, Anoushka spotted a lone walker heading towards her, a black Labrador trotting along jauntily beside him. Her heart gave a sudden lilt. She’d recognise those broad shoulders and that easy lope anywhere: Gabe Dublin.
Before long, he was standing in front of her. ‘Well, hello there, Noushka. It’s good to see you again, though aren’t you heading in the wrong direction?’ He flashed his trademark smile. ‘Thought you were headed over to Middleton,’ he said as Bob pulled on his lead, eager to get to her.
‘Change of plan,’ she said, smiling back, bending to fuss Bob whose tail was wagging so hard you could beat eggs with it.
Ah, sure.’ Gabe nodded, his smile faltering as his eyes ran over her face, taking in the tell-tale signs she’d been crying. ‘And are you okay?’ he asked softly.
She nodded. ‘I’m fine, thanks.’ She didn’t feel ready to tell him about Damon. ‘Just fancied some fresh air, I’ve got a few things I need to straighten out in my mind.’
by Book Review: The Lost Notebook by Louise Douglas
I am so pleased to be welcoming Louise Douglas back to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her latest novel, The Lost Notebook.
A notebook full of secrets, two untimely deaths – something sinister is stirring in the perfect seaside town of Morranez…
It’s summer and holidaymakers are flocking to the idyllic Brittany coast. But when first an old traveller woman dies in suspicious circumstances, and then a campaign of hate seemingly drives another victim to take his own life, events take a very dark turn.
Mila Shepherd has come to France to look after her niece, Ani, following the accident in which both Ani’s parents were lost at sea. Mila has moved into their family holiday home, as well as taken her sister Sophie’s place in an agency which specialises in tracking down missing people, until new recruit Carter Jackson starts.
It’s clear that malevolent forces are at work in Morranez, but the local police are choosing to look the other way. Only Mila and Carter can uncover the truth about what’s really going on in this beautiful, but mysterious place before anyone else suffers. But someone is desperate to protect a terrible truth, at any cost…
*****
It’s summer in Morranez on the Brittany coast but for Mila, the anniversary of her sisters death casts a deep shadow.
There to look after her orphaned niece, Mila is counting the days until she can be back in England. However, when there are two mysterious deaths, Mila is desperate to reveal the truth… but at what cost?
I loved Louise’s previous novel, The Room in the Attic so I was very eager to read the The Lost Notebook.
The cover is beautiful.
This book pulled me in from page one. The mystery and puzzles immediately make it hard to put this book down once I’d begun.
Mila is an interesting character. She’s guarded and a little broken due to her sister’s death. Saying that, she comes through for the people she loves when it counts.
by Book News: Series Three of Sky Arts Book Club
Series Three of Sky Arts Book Club to start on 7th September 2022.
If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know I love a good book discussion and what better way to do that than a book club.
Following the Summer Reads Special in July, the third series of Sky Art Book Club returns tomorrow (7th September 2022.) It’s a four episode series and will run throughout September.
Presented by Elizabeth Day, Andi Oliver and literary podcaster and YouTuber, Simon Savidge, the series will feature different themes and guests each episode.
Andi Oliver is pleased to be back. She says,
“I am so thrilled to be back with my fantastic cohorts the brilliant and inspiring Elizabeth Day and the countries best read human Simon Savidge. I take such pure joy in this unadulterated celebration and exploration of books. This season is joyful, thought provoking and completely compelling and I can’t wait to share it with everyone’.
Elizabeth Day is also looking forward to the new series.
by Book Club
