My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Book Cover Image
Crime Fiction

My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite: Sharp, Provoking Crime Fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Category: Crime Fiction

Synopsis:

“You can’t sit on the fence forever.”

Zorede takes the role of older sister seriously. She protects Ayoola. Takes the blame when she gets in trouble. And – quite literally – cleans up the bodies. Ayoola has now killed three of her boyfriends, and, although she pleads self-defence, Zorede is not convinced.

So when Ayoola starts dating the doctor Zorede is in love with, it’s finally time for her to pick a side. With family loyalty stretched to the limit, Zorede questions whether she should continue to defend her little sister – no matter what. Continue reading My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite: Sharp, Provoking Crime Fiction

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External link to 5 Spooky Books by Women to Read this Halloween
Magazine Articles

5 Spooky Books by Women to Read this Halloween

The City Girl Magazine aims to connect, inspire and empower women living in cities across the UK and abroad. I write about books for the magazine (what else!?!) and thought I would share this Halloween-inspired post on my blog too. Please do take a look! https://citygirlnetwork.com/citygirlmagazine/5-spooky-books-by-women-to-read-this-halloween Continue reading 5 Spooky Books by Women to Read this Halloween

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oscar wilde the picture of dorian gray book cover image
Classics

Archive Nostalgia: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

As Halloween creeps ever closer, I have dug up my spookiest book review from the archival crypt…

Dorian Gray is a beautiful, striking young man – the darling of London society. When a friend paints his uncannily lifelike portrait, Dorian is struck by a moment of vanity and fear. In terror of age and degradation, he strikes a bargain that will allow him to remain in youthful beauty forever. Only the cherished portrait will bear the marks of age, excess and sin.  Continue reading Archive Nostalgia: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

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The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie Book Cover Image
Classics, Crime Fiction, Mystery/Adventure

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie: The Mother of All Plot Twists!

Rating: 5 stars

Category: Crime Fiction, Classics, Mystery/Adventure

Synopsis: Shortly after confessing to a close friend that she is being blackmailed, Mrs Ferrars is found dead: the police conclude it was suicide. The case takes a much darker turn when that same friend is found murdered in his own study.

An unassuming newcomer to the village seems the last person the police will call upon for help. He spends his days fondly tending a vegetable patch. However, this newcomer is not your average hobbyist gardener, but a retired detective going by the name of Hercule Poirot… Continue reading The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie: The Mother of All Plot Twists!

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Better World Books Logo
Blogging

Better World Books: The Ethical Online Bookshop and Affiliate Network

If you’ve been on Miscellany Pages recently, you’ll have noticed that I’ve switched my affiliate network from Amazon to Better World Books. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Amazon – I’ve always found it to provide good deals and quick service – but I decided to support a smaller company.

Not that Better World Books is particularly small. They have over 8 million books and ship worldwide for free! I stumbled across them through a quick online search for ‘ethical affiliate networks’ and knew straight away this was the company I wanted to promote. Continue reading Better World Books: The Ethical Online Bookshop and Affiliate Network

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The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins Book Cover Image
Classics, Crime Fiction, Mystery/Adventure

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins: Clever, Tightly Plotted Mystery

Rating: 3 stars

Category: Crime Fiction, Classics, Mystery/Adventure

Synopsis: A diamond is stolen from one of the most sacred shrines in India. A young lady receives an extravagant birthday present in the will of her deceased Uncle. A London philanthropist is attacked in what seems to be a case of mistaken identity.

Connecting all of these events is the superstition surrounding the diamond: that it will leave a trail of blood in the lives of all those in possession of it. As inexplicable events plague the family holding the mysterious heirloom, Franklin Blake seeks to record witness testimonies and find a rational cause for the occurrences.

The family and their connections each contribute their version of events, but suspicions are rife and nobody knows who to trust. Not even the reader… Continue reading The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins: Clever, Tightly Plotted Mystery

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Brighton Rock by Graham Greene Book Cover Image
Crime Fiction, Thrillers

Archive Nostalgia: Brighton Rock by Graham Greene

Rating: 4 stars

Category: Thriller, Crime Fiction

Synopsis: The novel is set in 1930s Brighton, where the holiday amusements sit in stark contrast to a sinister gang underworld. Central to our view of this underworld is Pinkie, a boy of only 17 who orchestrates the killing of rival gang informer Fred.

Little does he know that Fred had befriended the uncompromisingly righteous Ada, who is determined to see justice done. As he commits increasingly violent acts to protect himself and his fragile status, Pinkie is left spiralling further into a state of amorality and despair. Continue reading Archive Nostalgia: Brighton Rock by Graham Greene

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