“The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman
I was suspicious of this book, as I am of any book “written” by a celebrity. But I found myself pleasantly surprised. Osman offers something perfectly crafted to appeal to anyone who has enjoyed a cosy Sunday afternoon detective show.
“Murder In Midwinter: Ten Classic Crime Stories for Christmas” (Various Authors)
A pleasant afternoon read, perfect for curling up with on a cold winter day. But your enjoyment will depend on how much you can bear each author.
“Sticks and Stones” by Jo Jakeman
Jo Jakeman’s debut, Sticks and Stones, was about facing the truth about your life and how you free yourself from the shackles that hold you down. Now her second book is about the next steps: trying to create something new in the shadow of your past.
"Big Sky" by Kate Atkinson
I tend to find that when an author has an ongoing character they come back to with some of their books but not all – as Atkinson does with Jackson Brodie – I enjoy those ones less. And it’s true that I’ve enjoyed her non-Brodie books more than her Brodie ones. But I this this was my favourite of the Jackson Brodie books, mainly because the way she uses him as a link between elements of the story, rather than the protagonist. This story isn’t about him. He’s simply part of it.