The Child

I very much enjoyed The Child by Fiona Barton which is set in England.  The remains of an infant are found on a building site of a new housing development.  Police and journalist, Kate, believe there may be a connection with the disappearance of a baby from a hospital decades ago.  We see the story develop from the different perspectives of the main characters in their own chapters.  Angela, whose baby was abducted; Kate, the journalist who pursues the story; Emma, a young woman with a mysterious past; Jude, Emma's mother, who seemed blind to Emma's pain.  It's takes a long time to realise the truth as the reader follows the investigation.  Recommended. 41/2/5

Lost for Words

I enjoyed Lost for Words by Stephanie Butland which is mainly set in a second-hand book shop - and don't we all love book shops!  Loveday Cardew works in a bookshop, the ideal job for her as she prefers books to people.  She is the narrator and we soon discover she has a mysterious past.  Part of that past is told in flashbacks.  In the present Loveday finds a book near a bus stop and puts a card in the window of the book shop saying it's been found.  The result is inevitable and life-changing for Loveday.  Her boss is a great character who had taken Loveday under his wing.  It's a lovely story. Recommended. 4/5

Little Fires Everywhere

I very much enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng which is set in Cleveland in the 1990s.  A single mother, Mia, and her teenage daughter, Pearl, move in to a rental property owned by the Richardson family.  They are the "perfect" family living in the "perfect" home - mother, father, two teenage sons, two teenage daughters.  The families become enmeshed in each other's lives.  Mia and Pearl have never stayed long wherever they've lived but seem more "settled" this time.  However, without intending to, they stir things up for this "perfect" family.  Highly recommended. 41/2/5

The Woman in the Window

I very much enjoyed The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn which is set New York.  Anna, an agoraphobic and alcoholic, lives alone in her New York home.  She has not left her home for months.  She spies on her neighbours, watching them through her telephoto lens.  A new family moves in across a park from her - man, woman and teenage son.  Shortly after Anna witnesses, or thinks she witnesses the murder of the woman.  The police get involved.  This is a suspenseful story with many twists, a "page turner".  Highly recommended. 41/2/5

Our House

I enjoyed Our House by Louise Candlish which is set not far from London. Fi Lawson returns to her house to find a removalist truck outside and a couple she's never met moving in to her house.  All her furniture and effects are no longer in her house.  She struggles to make sense of what's going on.  Her story is told in the form of a podcast transcript.  Fi's husband, Bram, is nowhere to be found.  Her young sons are staying at Bram's mother's house.  Bram's story is told in the form of a Word document which chronicles the events leading up to removalists outside their house.  A really intriguing story.  4/5

July Book Club

It's almost a week since our July Book Club which wasn't far from my place.  There were only a couple missing this month.  One is cruising in the Baltic and another had overseas visitors.  So it was a good turnout.  Lots to talk about (including books we'd read).  Thanks to our host we had a delicious supper and we've got some fabulous new books.  I've grabbed some good ones.  You can't wait to dive in to them, then disappointing when you run out.  

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper

I enjoyed The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick which is set in England.  Arthur is recently widowed and misses his wife, Miriam.  He has a strict routine and keeps himself busy so he doesn't have too much to time to dwell on his circumstances.  It is the first anniversary of Miriam's death and Arthur decides to clean out her wardrobe.  He discovers a gold bracelet hidden in a shoe.  Arthur has never seen Miriam wear this bracelet in their 40 year marriage.  The bracelet has a number of charms on it including a tiger, elephant, book and heart.  Arthur is curious to discover the story behind each of the charms and in doing so, he learns more about Miriam's life before Arthur.  He meets new people, does new things and sees new places.  This is a sweet story. 4/5