NYGATE’S SECOND SPY THRILLER, ROMPS UP THE HONOURS LIST, THANKS TO RECENT DEVELOMENTS

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Like most electrical products, especially computers, there’s the old adage that they are obsolete, the day they leave the factory. Such is the pace of innovation and technological development. The same can be said of literature, especially for the authors of political thrillers. When they dream up a plotline for a story, and finally get their book published, unless you write about dead cert, such as East versus West, your fairly confident that in nine months to a year after you started the journey, the two will still be old foes. The same can be said of the Middle East. But when this month’s author wrote her current book, little did she probably realise that the main subjects. Would be headline news, thus making a creative plotline, more believable, while also following the old line, that life imitates art. The book is Honour Among Spies, by Merle Nygate and published by Bedford Square Publishers (www.bedfordsquarepublishers.co.uk) in April.

Eli Amiram is the Mossad Head of Station at the Israeli Embassy, in London. A man with a checkered history and the scars to prove it, he walks a fine line grappling with the political turbulence at home and trying to keep his job. His daily routine is currently occupied by a spate of stabbings of Israeli tourists across England, as well internal politics at the embassy surrounding the appointment of his new deputy. Mean on the international stage, desperate to tip the scales in the espionage game, he concocts a a plan to deliver tampered drones into the hands of the Russians. But in doing so, he has to exploit his wife Gal’s job as psychologist. helping Ukrainian refugees. The result is a clash between his moral compass and the mission. As the stakes escalate, Eli finds himself and his team racing to foil a terrorist plot that will unleash chaos on the world stage.

As I said at the start, seven months ago, this book would have been a run of the mill spy thriller, trotting out the same old material harvested from a well-worn path. But now, its politically red hot, with antisemitism on the rise in the UK, and across the world, following the events of 27th October.  If you loved the 2023 BBC drama The Diplomat starring Sophie Rundle, set in Barcelona or the Netflix version starring Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, set the US Embassy, in London. Then you’ll love Honour Among Spies, because the story is heavily littered with Eli’s day to day mundane staff meetings, which helps to keep it grounded and real, away from the realms of Mission Impossible and the Bourne Series.

As well as that its nice to see the view from another foreign perspective, instead of the usual US, UK and Russian slants. Mossad are a big player in the espionage world, and up there with the KGB, CIA. While having the reputation of one of the leading spy organisations on the planet.

Merle Nygate

This is English Author. Screenwriter, script editor, and screenwriting lecturer, Merle Nygate’s ( www.merlenygate.com ) sixth book and second spy thriller in the Eli Amiram series, the previous one was The Righteous Spy (2018), her previous books, all psychological thrillers in the Darkbridge series were  Mother care (2015), Be My Friend (2014), Short season (2014), Snap (2014).

I liked the book, but not having read the first one, I was starting from behind the metaphorical eight ball at times, with the back story. But overall, it’s a good solid read, which is made even more interesting with the current political climate.  So, pop into your local book shop or order a copy online, and join another of large field of fictional spies, juggling, saving the world with domestic issues too.

Reviewed by Adrian Murphy

This book review is part of Random Things Blog Tour. To see what the other reviewers thought, visit their sites listed below. Then, if you get a copy, comeback and tell us what you thought. We’d really appreciate the feedback.

KEEBLE WEAVES A FREE FLOWING TALE OF MODERN POLITICS AND HISTORY.

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It’s always interesting to see, when watching ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, a popular TV programme which discovers the family history behind well-known TV personalities, how many of the celebrities have links to ancestors who are sometimes famous themselves or have interesting stories. During Covid, I was
tempted to research my own family tree. Using a website, after quizzing my parents (it was disappointing how little they could remember), I staunchly made my way through birth, death and marriage certificates and censuses. Nothing too exciting in
my family tree, the expected list of coalminers, labourers, farmhands and domestics. The only thing which tickled my interest was a penchant for using the mother’s maiden name as a middle name for the first son. Made us sound rather grand at
least.


In this month’s review, ‘Freeborn Girls’ by Sally Keeble, published by Eleanor Press, in February, an American intern, Stephanie, comes to England with the plan of researching into English story of the distant ancestor who travelled to America during the English Civil War. The book jumps between this period and modern-day London, where MP Frances Quilter is fighting fires on multiple fronts. Frances is distracted from affairs of state by affairs of the heart: a racy new love affair and the demands of her ailing lover. When trouble hits her south London constituency, she fatally misjudges the public mood and
disaster looms. Stephanie has arrived as an intern for her but has her own agenda, to track down the truth about her ancestor, Elizabeth, who was torn from her farming life and transported to America during the English civil war. What becomes of Elizabeth, can Frances salvage her career or her love life and how does Stephanie
fit in?


This book follows a couple of distinct threads. We hear Frances’ present-day story, interspersed with looking back at Elizabeth’s story. Each story was gripping and could have easily been expanded on and stood alone. My favourite was Elizabeth’s story which combined history, politics, accusations of witchcraft, and desperation with an element of adventure. Elizabeth was a likeable heroine. Frances’ story gave
great insights into the workings and failings in government, the behind-the-scenes machinations and the difficulties in remaining true to one’s own ideals and ethics.

Sally Keeble (Amazon UK)

This English author and former MP Sally Keeble’s (https://www.sallykeeblebooks.com/), second novel, after her 2023 debut ‘She,You,I’. She’s also written one previous work of non-fiction, in 1995, titled ‘Conceiving Your baby: How Medicine Can help’. She spent her early years in the USA, Switzerland and Australia, returning to the UK after working as a journalist in South Africa. After serving as an MP in the UK, she worked in international development and travelled widely, especially in Asia and
Africa. Now she splits her time between Northampton and Suffolk.


I personally felt that the counterpart story would have been better told from Stephanie’s viewpoint. As the back blurb asks, I wasn’t sure how Stephanie fitted in! Whilst I found Frances’ story interesting, it often felt like a different book. Seeing both stories unravel through Stephanie’s eyes might have made them feel more linked. I never really got how Frances was fighting for her freedom. The people in the flats,
fighting for their homes would have had more parallels to Elizabeth in my opinion.

I did enjoy reading this book and would recommend it to those friends interested in both history and politics.

Reviewed by : Georgina Murphy

This review is part of a Random Things Blog Tour, to see what the other reviewers thought, visit their blogs listed below. Then, if you get a copy, come back and tell us what you thought. We’d really appreciate the feedback.

MURPHY DELIVERS AN HONEST AND LIVELY DEBUT

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There are times when you pick up a book and wonder if the author is using a nom de plume, especially when the little voice in your head is yelling at you, “that’s not real, surely. Who christens their kid that?”  But quirky is good, it allows one to stand out, gives you a conversation starter, for life. Also, think of the Johnny cash song, “A Boy Called Sue”, or in my case I think about some of the names we give our animals. We’ve just got a cat with half it’s tail missing, as a result of an accident. So, my wife called it Jaffa, I’d have gone with Stumpy… Sometimes our pets must think “oh, sweet, Jesus, who did I piss off in another life”. The native American’s named their young after the first thing they saw after the birth. This book is written by a man with surnames for his christian and surname. When I saw this, I concluded that my parents would have called me O’Shea Murphy, because logically he’s been christened with his mum’s maiden name. but in my case, it would’ve sounded worse than being called Sue. In this writer’s case, its sounds perfectly normal, after the first couple of seconds. This month’s first book review is ‘An Honest Living’ by Dwyer Murphy and published by No Exit Press on 1st February ( www.bedfordsquarepublishers.co.uk/no-exit/ ).

After quitting a prestigious Manhattan law firm, on a whim. A restless lawyer must try to survive as an odd-job litigator, on the cruel streets of the big apple. When Anna Reddick turns up at his apartment with ten grand in cash, asking him to prove her husband is trying to sell valuable first editions, belonging to her family, it turns out to be an easy case. That is until the real Anna Reddick, an enigmatic novelist, comes to him. He realises he is out of his depth, especially when her husband takes his own life. He is thus drawn into a series of deceptions involving, Joeseph Conrad novels, unscrupulous booksellers, and seedy real estate developers.

If you love gritty noir-esque gumshoe books, things like the Mike Hammer, or the Spenser series. Even the old Bogart type flicks. Then this book is right up you street. I got with the main character from the first page, despite quickly realising that Dwyer Murphy had made himself the main character. Again, with a name like that you sound your going to sound like a law firm, or a bogart character.

The book is short at a smidge over two hundred pages, but if you love read books with detailed descriptions of the uptown gin joints, and downtown dives in New York, then get ready to filly your boots. Murphy’s writing is so detailed, I went to sleep with the honking of taxi cabs. While there is a plethora of intriguing, and fully fledged characters all through the book too.

Dwyer Murphy

This is American author Dwyer Murphy (@dwyermurphy) debut novel. His second book ‘The Stolen Coast’ is due out later this year. His day job is Editor-Chief of CrimeReads (www.crimereads.com) The Literary hubs crime vertical. He previously practiced law in New York, and editor the Columbia law Review.

So, if you are looking for a gritty, but funny thriller set in the rarely seen world of bookselling, then Murphy’s Debut is one to head for. Then maybe follow up with his second book.

Reviewed by : Adrian Murphy

This book is part of a Random Things Blog Tour, to see what the other reviewers thought of it, visit their blogs listed below. Then, if you get a copy, comeback and tell us what you thought, we’d love the feedback.

HANNAH’S ROCK SOLID, TWISTY THRILLER, WILL HAVE YOU SETTLED IN TO THE VERY END

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There was a huge outpouring of anger and grief last year, when a mindless yob cut down a beautiful
tree which had stood next to Hadrian’s Wall for many years, in an act of vandalism. The sycamore
which grew adjacent to the wall near Crag Lough was the subject of many photographs and had won
Tree of the Year in 2016. This competition is organised by the Woodland Trust. Residents of the
countries which make up the UK are encouraged to nominate their favourite tree and one of those is
subsequently selected as the overall UK winner. The Sycamore Gap was one of those iconic vistas
that we all hope to see. Maybe I passed it when I visited Hadrian’s Wall on a school trip eons ago,
when we were both saplings – LOL?


Anyway, Hadrian’s Wall was on my mind when the Chief Inspector Kate Daniels series was suggested
to me. The books are set in Northumbria, Kate being a youthful version of Vera, the well-known
titular heroine, of the televised novels of Ann Cleeves. Mari Hannah’s second book, Settled Blood (published 2012 by Pan Books www.panmacmillan.com ),
begins with the body of a young woman being found at the base of Hadrian’s Wall. Cover illustration
aside, the premise of this was enough to fire my enthusiasm.


It doesn’t take Detective Chief Inspector Kate Daniels long to realise that the woman’s death is no
ordinary homicide. She was thrown from a great height and was probably alive when she hit the
ground. Then a local businessman reports his daughter missing. Has Daniels found the identity of her
victim or is the killer playing a sickening game?


This is the second book in the Kate Daniels series. I wanted to start with this book but found a lot of
references to what had happened in the first book, The Murder Wall. Generally, I’m one of those
people who prefers to read books where there’s an ongoing history in order, so I admit I purchased
the first book and enjoyed that before restarting this. I’m not saying you couldn’t read them as
standalone novels; this was just my preference (but also AN POST, the Irish postal service held up the delivery of first and third books for almost twelve weeks, forcing us to miss the tour).


It was no hardship to read two books to review one as I thoroughly enjoyed both. This is a
procedural police detective novel, so the cast of characters, setting and the way police work is carried
out are familiar to both fictional and true crime readers. Kate Daniels is an interesting and rounded
character with her fair share of family, relationship, colleague, and boss issues to work through, but
she seems very real. She has human reactions to situations without making the reader feel she is
paranoid or clinically depressed or thinks she is superior to everyone around her.
The cast of supporting characters are a little predictable, the loyal sergeant with marital problems,
the junior detectives snapping at her heels and the difficult boss, but all are engaging and rounded
enough to promise deeper involvement in future stories. No fictional detective seems to have a
straightforward love life and Kate’s is no exception, adding another dilemma for her to juggle in her
professional life.

Mari Hannah (The Word)

Mari Hannah ( www.marihannah.com/ ) , is an English crime fiction writer who has written 14 books to date, with her 15th, The Longest Goodbye, due out this month. As well as the DCI Kate Daniels series, she has written the Stone & Oliver series, and Ryan & O’Neil series. Before becoming a writer, she was a probation officer, but an assault while on duty prompted a career change. she now lives in Northumberland with her partner a former homicide detective,


The plot of This Settled Blood is pacy and wonderfully twisty. It kept my interest, with me staying up
late to finish it as I had to see what happened. I’m now looking forward to reading books three and
four after a short hiatus. I’m looking forward to what Katy did next. Will it be another serial killer?
Between Mari Hannah and Ann Cleeves, Northumbria is looking like a dangerous place!

Reviewed by Georgina Murphy

This book review was supposed part of a Compulsive Readers Blog Tour. But owing to Brexit and An Post customs irregularities, it was delayed. For that we are sorry to Tracy, Mari, and the team at Pan.

HOLLINS’S BOOK IS A FAR CRY, BOTH IN DISTANCE AND THE DIVERSE VARIETY OF CASES. FROM THAT OF JAMES HERRIOT’S. BUT BOTH ARE EQUALLY UNPUTDOWNABLE.

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I was interested in this month’s book , both because of its veterinary subject and its location. As
regular readers of The Library Door blogs will know, I am a veterinary nurse and I was initially
inspired to go into the veterinary profession because of the James’s Herriot stories. I read the
books , watched the 1975 film , starring Simon Ward and Sir Anthony Hopkins no less, and was
obsessed by the 1978 TV series. Several years ago , I got to visit Alf Wright (the real James’
Herriot) premises which are now a museum featuring many of the props from the series.
So why the location? Well I studied very little geography at school, but of course I have a
recognition of the Falklands in relation to the images from the 1982 invasion and war. l do
remember being taught about Tristan da Cunha in geography class so I was excited to make its
reacquaintance in this book. My geography knowledge being what it is , however, I was
convinced that this was where native people had their homes built on stilts, so I was in for a
surprise and an education., by this months book, which is The Vet at the End Of the Earth by Jonathan Hollins, published by Duckworth Books ( http://www.duckworthbooks.co.uk ) in October.


This book is a memoir by Jonathon Hollins, who was the resident vet in the remote British
Overseas Territories of the Falklands, St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. His role
encompassed the complexities of caring for the world’s oldest living land animal, MoD mascots,
relocating herds or reindeer, pursuing mystery creatures and invasive micro- organisms and
rescuing animals, all based in extraordinary landscapes from subtropical cloud forests to
volcanic cliff faces.


This was an interesting and thought provoking read, not only improving my geography but also
educating me on the flora and fauna, the struggles and ingenuity of the human population, along
with varied role of the resident vet. Jonathan seemed to approach the myriad problems he faced
in the same stoic and determined manner in which the locals approach life. I found his
explanations of step by step problem solving interesting and could only admire the tact and
diplomacy he seemed to utilise in dealing with colleagues, locals and bureaucrats alike. The joy
he experienced in visiting and living in these remote environments shone through the pages. A
great bit of armchair adventuring.

Jonathan Hollins

This is English author and vet, Jonathan Hollins ( http://www.jonathanhollins.co.uk ) first book. Originally from the south of England, Jonathan trained at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and has been a working vet for four decades. Since the mid-2000s, he has spent long periods as a senior vet in the British Overseas Territories of the South Atlantic and has a home on St Helena. He has written for the UK national press and presented documentary features for BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4.

As the book is broken into different stories and with beautiful photographs, you could read it in
its entirety or dip in and out. Some are sad but most have happy endings, or at least the
satisfaction of a well reasoned and considered opinion.

There were some memorable characters within the varied stories in the book, not all of them
human, but the most engaging was Jonathon Hollins himself. I’d recommend this to any animal
lover or budding anthropologist who facies a walk on the wild side.

Reviewed by Georgina Murphy (RVN)

This book review is part of a Random Things Blog Tour, to see what the other reviewers thought, visit their blogs listed below. Then, if you get a copy, comeback and tell us what you thought. We’d really appreciate the feedback.

SOLE, MIXES MYTHOLGY AND FANTASY WITH THE THRILLER GENRE, TO SUMMON UP AN ENGROSSING DEBUT.

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I’ve never actually been to the Philippines, even though my first cousin is married to a native, and is building a holiday home on Cebu, one of the larger islands in this amazing archipelago. Speaking of Archipelagos, did you know The Philippines is the second largest in the world, consisting of 7,000 islands. The largest is the Malay Archipelago, of which the Philippines is part of, it has 17,000 islands in total (they include Malaysia, Singapore, East Timor, and Papa New Guinea). So, if you didn’t realise that, you will when you see the title of this month’s first book review, It’s “A Crime In The Land of 7000 Islands” by Zephaniah Sole, and published by Black Spring Press (www.blackspringpressgroup.com ) in May.

Its 2015 and in Portland, Oregon, FBI Special Agent Ikigai Johnson, is trying to bring a case against a local teacher, who has been abusing children in detention. During their investigation, her team discover evidence the abuser has visited the Philippines and abused kids there. Now she has to travel there and find these victims, so she can get their testimony, to use as evidence against the accused. But this won’t be a quick weekend in Manila with a bit of touristy stuff on the side. It will take a couple of months to find the kids, so she must leave her 11 year old daughter, Junior, with her ex-husband. But Junior will only allow her to go, if Ikigai promises to tell her the full story on her return, thus the story of Ikigai’s adventure is related to her daughter in the format of a fantastical adventure, featuring warriors and mythical creatures. Will Ikigai succeed in bringing the abuser to justice, what adventures await her is this amazing land…

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you’ll have noticed, we’ve been on a bit of a hiatus over the past couple of months. Well, we’re back, and what a way to do it. When this book arrived in the post, I was delighted to see it was a thriller, but when I got into it, I was bowled over by Sole’s ingenuity in finding a great new way to make an already intriguing story more engrossing. Now maybe others have done this sort of thing, but this is my first-time reading a thriller, told this way, and it was brilliant.

The storytelling is both serious and amusing, I spent a good bit of my journey through this book trying to identify what was described. For example, an early mobile phone or satellite phone is described as a Garuda (a bird like deity associated with Vishnu, a Hindu god) , with blue glowing eyes, which can send texts and emails. Planes are described as Great Cranes of the West or East, while in one instance a turtle represents some sort of seagoing vessel. Ikigai’s story is also mirrored in her daughter’s life back home, as Junior tries to discover what dark secrets her mysterious new friend Lily has, a girl she was once accused of bullying. But this again, all ads to the books engrossing quality.

This is American author, and FBI agent, Zephaniah Sole’s ( @ZephaniahSole ) debut. He is a Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing Author Fellow, as well as an alum of VONA (Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation) and Tin House Publishing. His stories have appeared in Epiphany, Gargoyle Magazine, Collateral Journal, and Vestal Review, among other publications. A graduate of New York University, he’s also been a filmmaker, and a public-school teacher. Born in Brooklyn, he now lives in the Pacific Northwest.

I was confused initially, because on the cover it clearly states it’s an ‘Ikigai Johnson Thriller’, trouble is it’s the only one at this stage. Then add to the fact that in the (no spoiler alert needed) opening pages you realise our heroine has been missing for a few years now. However, she recanted a number of stories to Junior beforehand. Like me, after reading this one, you will eagerly await the others if they are told in the same format. If not, we’ll be sorely disappointed.

So, summon your Garuda and order a copy online or just nip down to your local bookshop and pick up the first in what could be an amazing series of books, describing run of the mill thrillers and police procedurals in a fascinating and refreshing format.

Reviewed by: Adrian Murphy

This book review is part of a Random Things Blog Tour, to see what the other reviewers thought visit their blogs listed below. Then, if you get a copy, comeback and tell us what you thought. We’d really appreciate the feedback.

YOU AND YOUR KIDS WON’T BE SHORT CHANGED BY WILLAMSON’S SIXTH OFFERING

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I’ve often said on this blog, that writing reviews for blog tours can at times be a bit of a lucky dip. Sometimes you get the title and a bit of a blurb, this time I got the title and probably skipped the blurb, hence when the book arrived in the post, I was surprised to see that this fifty-three-year-old male, without any kids, was going to be reading a children’s book. Not that I or any of us for that matter are averse to crossing genres. Look at Harry Potter, I don’t think Ms Rowling could ever of imagined, while peering out of the coffee shop window, in the midst of writing the first draft, that so many adults would take to her creation. But as the old adage goes, we were all kids once, and sometimes you just want to lose yourself in a bit of non-challenging fun. This months book review is The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams by Victoria Williamson and published by Tiny Tree ( www.matthewjamespublishing.com ) in May.

In the mysterious village of Witchetty Hollow, eleven-year-old Florizel, is the first person to encounter the curious visitors who’ve come to open a Daydream Deli and a Sack Baby factory. At first the residents of Witchetty Hollow are delighted, because the cost of renting a real child is so expensive. Soon though the daydreams turn sour, the deli’s products are very expensive, and then the residents who start trading in their worldly goods in the newly open pawnshop, begin to disappear. Shortly afterward Storkhouse Services, who rent out the real children, start repossessing them when the parents can’t pay the rent. Can Florizel and Sack-boy Burbel, stop the daydream thieves, before its too late to save the Hollow?

Its often amazed me that not more people get into writing childrens books, because, when you weigh it up against the serious leading bestselling authors of adult fiction, you don’t have to worry too much about facts and inaccuracies. There is none, it’s all your imagination and more freedom you give it, the better the story. The only people who are going to pull you up on inaccuracies are your ardent young readers, or at least their parents. But even they may forgive you and laugh out loud at the ludicrously over the top place names and characters. Most must ask themselves as they read it to their kids, what the hell is this person smoking. This story by Victoria is no exception, I did find myself smirking and having the odd giggle at the Sack baby’s, the alphabet and mathematics taught in Florizels school.

But overall, what see here a nice little story in which is wrapped a serious message for kids about the dangers of having too much of a good thing, and being careful what you wish for. Which is what all kids need to be taught, before the social media monster gets its hooks into them.

Victoria Williamson (thatboycantteach)

This Scottish author Victoria Williamson’s ( www.strangelymagical.com ) sixth book, the others are The Haunting Scent of Poppies (2022), The War of The Wind (2022), Hag Storm (2021), The Boy With the Butterfly Mind (2019), The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle (2018). She grew up in Northern Glasgow and started writing adventure stories at a youing age. These days her stories are inspired by the voices and characters of kids she has met around the world in her work as a teacher. Her job had taken her to such places as Cameroon, China, Malawi and the UK.

So, if you are looking for a little light reading for yourself or an engaging bedtime read to enjoy with your kids, you could do no better than starting with this and moving onto Miss Williamson’s other titles.

Reviewed by: Adrian Murphy

This book review is part of a blog tour organised by www.writereads.com

THE VERDICT IS A RESOUNDING YES, FOR AN INTRIGUING AND BANG UPTO DATE THRILLER

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If you are easily offended, then don’t be. The title of this months second book review Bastard Verdict by James McCrone and self published in April 2023. Refers to an usual aspect of the Scottish legal system, where the jury can deliver
one of three verdicts: guilty; not guilty; or not proven. This is something I’d not come across before,
but a brief internet search brought up an excellent piece on the History Workshop website by Valerie
Wallace and Tommy Boyd ( http://www.historyworkshop.org.uk/law-crime-rights/not-proven-and-building-a-better-britain/ ) . Not proven is given when the jury feels it cannot find the defendant
guilty or innocent based on the evidence proffered. The not proven verdict is seen as an acquittal in
the same way as not guilty, This change began in the 17 th century when juries were able to return
‘special’ verdicts on whether factual evidence had been proven or not and refer the verdict to the
judge to decide. Now the term is taken to mean that there was a failure to prove guilt rather than
facts. The Phrase ‘Bastard verdict’ was first used by Walter Scott in relation to the murder case
against Madaleine Smith, who was accused of poisoning her lover. However, despite widespread
public opinion of her guilt, the jury felt that the evidence was mainly circumstantial and returned a
verdict of not proven.


James McCrone’s book is bang up to date in the post Brexit era. A second referendum into Scottish
Independence looms and elections specialist Imogen Trader is asked to look into the 2014
referendum. She uncovers a trail of criminal self-dealing, cover-ups, and murder. None but a very
few know the truth. And those few need it to stay hidden at all costs.


This is the third book featuring FBI agent Imogen Trader, but the first I’ve had the pleasure of
reading. Initially I found the book to be quite dense with a host of characters being introduced the
story as well as detailed facts and figures regarding the politics and logistics of running the first
referendum. Personally, I found it a little dry but then realised that the background information was
necessary for understanding the complexities of the plot and keeping up with the twists and turns
later on. I’m sure the plot and the information would be a conspiracy theorists dream.


Imogen Trader is an interesting and well drawn heroine, and while her past was referenced where is
affected her current decisions and actions, this book worked well as a standalone novel. Generally,
the characters were all believable and you got a real sense of menace from the ‘bad ‘guys. My
favourite character was Alan Wilson, the engaging criminal with gang links. I felt I’d enjoy reading
another novel based on his exploits.

James McCrone

This is American author James McCrone’s fourth book ( http://www.jamesmccrone.com ), the others are Faithless Elector ( 2016 ), Dark Network ( 2017), and Emergency Powers ( 2020). His short stories have appeared Rock and a Hard Place; Retreats From Oblivion, and an anthology of short stories Low Down Dirty Vote, Vol.2 & 3. He lives in South Philadelphia with his wife and kids.


This novel reminded me of books I’ve read by Dan Browne and Robbert Goddard. Similarly, these
have individuals embroiled in shady dealings with criminal and other organisations, whilst trying to
save the day (or the world). In these books too, the heroine is always beautiful and accomplished,
which sometimes prompts an eyeroll. Most women, I think, prefer our heroines with few flaws.
I enjoyed this book, despite the slow start. Once the story got going it was a real adrenaline rush and
I couldn’t wait to see how everything worked out.


So, the verdict of this juror is definitely guilty: of creating an intriguing and topical thriller.

Reviewed by Georgina Murphy

This book review is part of a Random Things blog tour, to see what the other reviewers thought, visit their blogs listed below. Then, if you get a copy, comeback and tell us what you thought. We’d really appreciate the feedback.

WOHLLEBEN REACHES NEW HEIGHTS, WITH A POWERFUL INSIGHT INTO THE LIVES OF TREES

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If you look out your window now or go outside and move around your neighbourhood in the next couple of days, there is one outstanding feature that you will see, but most probably take for granted… Stumped? Well, there’s around 60,000 varieties of them globally, the largest concentration of these native varieties can be found in Columbia, Indonesia, and Brazil. In Ireland the most common native tree is now the Ash, followed by the Oak, Rowan, Birch, and Willow. While in the UK, the most common types of trees are the Common Ash (European Ash), the Aspen, Silver Birch, Sessile Oak, and the Sweet Chestnut. But as with most natural things on this planet, human habitation is influencing the trees, and so this month’s first book review looks at how trees can turn the tide and be an enormous ally in our attempt the save not only the human race, but the planet too. The book is The Power of Trees – How Ancient Forests Can Save Us If We Let Them, by Peter Wohlleben and published by Greystone Books (www.greystonebooks.com) on the 20th April.

Trees don’t need humans, but we need trees, to survive. Despite our best effort to destroy the planet via climate change, trees will return, just as they have after ice ages, catastrophic fires, storms and deforestation. In this follow up to his Sunday Times bestseller, The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter dismisses the tokenism of tree planting. Just as he compared forest trees to ‘families’ and suburban trees as ‘Street Urchins’, in this book he uses similarly powerful metaphors to equate tree planting to battery farming, while also ecstatically describing their determination to survive, and seedlings as ‘stalwart tree Children’. He also describes how trees pass on knowledge and how they survive climate change too. While lambasting governments and large corporations, who plant trees, just for logging purposes and exploitation. The Power of Trees is a heartfelt letter to the forest and a passionate argument for protecting nature’s boundless diversity, not only for the trees, but also us.

I found the book interesting, although not a cover to cover read, but more like a small coffee table read. Something you can dip in and out of over a couple of days. The descriptions of how trees have mouths in their leaves which help take in water, while their ability to read the atmosphere and adapt to drought conditions, were some of the many fascinating parts of the book. So was the story of how peas, like Pavlov’s dog, could be taught to turn to the direction of a puff of wind, when it is aimed at them in the dark, had me marvelling at mother nature, and plants in general. As I said at the start, we may take these living, breathing organisms for granted, but as Peter reveals they are far more than just slow moving oversized plants, that provide shade in the summer and can be a plaything to clamber around, in your youth.

Peter Wohlleben

This is German author and forester Peter Wohlleben’s (www.peterwohllebenbooks.com) Tenth book. The others, which are aimed at young and old are, What’s Wild Outside Your Door (2023), Forest Walking – Discovering the Trees and Woodlands of North America (2022), The Heartbeat of Trees (2021), Do You Know Where the Animals Live? (2021), Peter and the Tree Children (2020), Can You Hear the Trees Talking (2019), The Secret Network of Nature (2017), The Inner Life of Animals (2016), The Hidden Life of Trees (2015). Peter’s books are worldwide bestsellers, he lives in Wershofen, in Germany. Where he manages an ecologically conscious forest and runs an academy for education and advocacy.

After reading this book and looking over its predecessors, I realised what I was reading was the work of Germany’s answer to Sir David Attenborough. Although, being interested in plants, trees, and botany, he’s more like David Bellamy. These books are a fascinating read and if you’ve previously read Bryson’s A Walk in The Woods, then maybe read Wohlleben’s Forest Walking. I’ll definitely be looking to give his books for younger readers to my nephews and nieces.

So, walk down to your local bookshop, even swing by on your vine or bicycle and reserve a copy. Otherwise go online and download a copy, may be even listen to them on audio, while out walking in your neighbourhood. Then prepare to discover the delights of trees and nature with this enlightening and amazing author.

Reviewed by Adrian Murphy

This book review is part of a Random Things Blog Tour. To see what the other reviewers thought, visit their blogs listed below. Then, if you get a copy, comeback and tell us what you thought. We’d really appreciate the feedback.

TOWNSEND’S DEBUT, MAKES ME WARY OF FOREIGN PRACTICES AND BUILDERS, NOT JUST SPANISH

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What did you achieve during Lockdown? Most of us spent the year or so prevaricating and putting
off useful projects, while we ate vast quantities of banana bread and binged on Netflix. Not so
Richard Townsend, the author of this months first book review, who took the opportunity to weave together nearly half a century of observations gathered as an Englishman who married into an eccentric family in a left-behind corner of Spain and
create his first novel, Spanish Practices published by Chiselbury Publishing ( http://www.chiselbury.co.uk ) in November 2022.


The book is a kind of what we would describe in an English setting as an ‘aga drama’ We meet a
large number of the family, including Rico’s (as Richard is called) in laws and wider circle of cousins,
friends, and neighbours. We follow the fortunes and misfortunes of the family winery, plus the
romantic and personal histories of the large cast of characters. Initially an outsider, Rico is drawn
ever deeper into the family mire, as well as facing with his wife, Marina, his own fraught
relationships with neighbours, local planning laws and the busy body ‘Authorities’


The story of Richard’s house purchase and ongoing renovations, with the obstructions, costs and
frustrations in abundance, is told with humour. Recently I was watching ‘Cheap European Homes’
where an Irish TV crew take potential buyers around tumble down properties in Spain, Portugal and
France, with a view to moving there, that and the contents of this novel would make me wary of
attempting to deal with planning applications, builders and potential neighbourly disputes for sure!


I was also by Richard’s comments about the Spanish and walking for
pleasure, when he tries to hike with his English visitor, about a walking holiday in Spain I went on
many years ago. Our hosts were Geordies who had relocated to Spain and set up a walking and
cookery holiday business, which is a story in itself. For example, they’d learned Spanish, but the
wrong Spanish for their new home area. Everyone thought they were crazy turning a ruin into an
hotel in the mountains. They told us the locals couldn’t get their heads around hiking, ‘but why
when you can drive?!’ However with a steady stream of foreign tourists hiking, doing photography
courses and learning to cook authentic and locally sourced Spanish food, the place boomed.

Richard Townsend

This is English author Richard Townsend’s debut novel. He is a linguist and historian by training, who ended up as a self-employed adviser to private companies, on their financial and other affairs. He lives with his Spanish wife and their family, dividing their time between London and Spain.


This book gives a great insight into the social history of Spain during periods of immense change, like
joining the European union, the economic boom and bust, Brexit and even the start of Covid. The
characters are wonderfully brought to life on the page. I expect many an Irish person will appreciate
the difficulties of dealing with the ‘mammy’ who likes to be the first with the news, to manage that
news where it relates to her own family, and feels her family are superior in every way obviously!


Whilst there’s no major excitements or dramatic events, this is an excellent introduction to Spanish
culture and cuisine from a sympathetic observer.

Reviewed by Georgina Murphy

This book review is part of a Random Things Blog Tour, to see what the others thought, visit their blogs listed below. Then, if you get a copy, comeback and tell us what you thought, we’d really appreciate the feedback.