Category: Books

Natasha Solomons’ Cleopatra is a rich reimagining of one of history’s most mysterious figures. I really loved the glimpses into the life and time of Cleopatra and the royal court around her as well as the powerful Roman figure she encounters along the way. Refreshingly, Solomons portrays her not as a caricature of seduction and power, but …

If you’re already a fan of the Raven and Fisher series, you’re in for a treat with The Death of Shame. And if you’re not, this is a brilliant place to start. Once again we’re right back in 19th-century Edinburgh, full of dark alleyways, fog, hidden corners and a whole lot of secrets. This one feels …

Kate Foster’s new novel ‘The Mourning Necklace’ was an excellent way to start my February reading.  Set in 1724, we follow Maggie Dickson, a woman who has been hanged for the murder of her newborn baby. We are plunged into the action from the outset as Maggie awakens in her coffin within the opening pages …

Tracy Chevalier’s The Glassmaker is a beautifully crafted story about the power of art, the fluidity of time and the ache of an unfulfilled love. It had me hooked from the prologue, which was so beautifully written that I immediately gushed about it to everyone who would listen.  Time doesn’t move as expected in this novel. …

Ferdia Lennon’s Glorious Exploits caught me off guard, which rarely happens.  What starts as a story about two friends trying to survive the humdrum in war-torn Syracuse, quickly becomes a journey that feels epic in nature. Despite only being 288 pages long, the novel is crammed full of sharp humor, brutal honesty and a deep love for storytelling.  …

A haunting and evocative exploration of sisterhood intertwined with the power and mystery of the sea. The Sirens weaves together differing perspectives and timelines, slowly unraveling the threads of each story with a captivating sense of inevitability. Some aspects of the plot surprised me and kept me engaged; however, I would say that the pacing …

Pat Barker’s latest novel, *The Voyage Home*, is a compelling continuation of her acclaimed “Women of Troy” series. This third novel is focused on the character of Cassandra, the Trojan prophetess cursed to never be believed, and her maid Ritsa as they are taken away from Troy by the victorious Greeks. The novel explores themes …

‘The Pull of the Stars’ by Emma Donoghue is set in 1918 as the end of the First World War is in sight. Although it does deal with many aspects of the war – the trauma of the front lines as well as the tragedies suffered on the home front – the novel is primarily focused …