First book of June finished, read half of it in May.

This is Robert Peston‘s debut as a writer, and it is a book full of political intrigue, as Gil tries to find out the story behind his sister‘s death and whether this was an accident or was contrived for political reasons.

24 books finished during May, with 9053 pages read.

Good to get through a number of Denzil Meyrick books during May, but only 1 #AuthorAMonth book. I prefer crime fiction to crime non-fiction. @Soubhiville

15 #SeriesLove2023 Books @TheSpineView

However didn‘t get to any Chunksters, but did I read 2 non-fiction books.

1 The tagged book which was published in 1843.

2. If I like a series the more books there are in it the better it is for me. I do like big series. I love many of David Baldacci‘s series but they are too short.

3. Quite a few recently. Some because the author has died, E.g the Inspector Banks Series by Peter Robinson, others where they have ended, E.g the Shetland Series by Ann Cleeves.

#WondrousWednesdsy @Eggs Thanks for the tag ❤️

I‘m taking part in #14Books14Weeks2023 @TheHeartlandBookFairy
@DieAReader
These are my 14 book choices.

A slowe reading day for me on day 4 of #20in4 as we were travelling but did manage to read 181 pages of the Whistleblower in 3 hrs 32 mins of reading.

Books Finished:
Skeleton Key - 352 Pages - Fri 26th
The No Show - 413 Pages - Sat 27th
Jeremiah‘s Bell - 433 Pages - Sat 27th
Trouble in the Village - 304 Pages - Sun 28th
For Any Other Truth - 432 Pages - Sun 28th

Final Totals
5 books Read ✅
1542 Pages ✅
25 hrs 3 mins ✅

Finishing off #20in4 Readathon, by reading the whistleblower.
A nice bit of political intrigue.

Book 9 in the DCI Daley series set in the remote west coast of Scotland, but this book also takes in Ireland just across the water. Another excellent read in this series that starts off with a plane flying below radar and crashing at Kinloch with 2 dead people on and no sign of anyone else. Also involves a kidnapping, terrorism and a sad loss to the series. #SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView

5th book finished for #20in4. 1 goal met ✅

End of day 3 of the #20in4 Readathon. Finished 2 books yesterday, reading 546 pages and read for 9 hrs 16 mins (making a total of 5 books, 1361 pages and 21 hrs 31 mins).

Books Finished:
Skeleton Key - 352 Pages - Fri 26th
The No Show - 413 Pages - Sat 27th
Jeremiah‘s Bell - 433 Pages - Sat 27th
Trouble in the Village - 304 Pages - Sun 28th
For Any Other Truth - 432 Pages - Sun 28th

Progressed this excellent series about Village Life by Rebecca Shaw (The Tales of Turnham Malpas). Certainly a lot happens in this village with some really interesting characters in this one. Following events in the previous book Peter‘s marriage seems in crisis and he goes walkabout, also interesting developments for Don and Vera, as well as the Jones family being in crisis and a strange night time attack.

#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView

End of day 2 of the #20in4 Readathon. Finished 2 books yesterday, reading 368 pages and read for 6 hrs 11 mins (making a total of 3 books, 815 pages and 12 hrs 15 mins).

Books Finished:
Skeleton Key - 352 Pages - Fri 26th
The No Show - 413 Pages - Sat 27th
Jeremiah‘s Bell - 433 Pages - Sat 27th

Another excellent outing in the DCI Daley series. This book seeing him return to work following the heart issues. Such a complex case that involves events in the past that it possibly wasn‘t the time to return. As the book progresses it becomes clearer what the back story is but still sone great twists towards the end. #SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView

I do recommend this series.

3rd book finished for the #20in4 Readathon.

This was a low pick for me, and I didn‘t feel it had the same pull and attraction as her previous books, although if you have read and enjoyed her previous books I would still recommend it. It had a very good upbeat and positive ending to the story.

2nd book finished during the #20in4 Readathon

End of day 1 of the #20in4 Readathon. Finished 1 book yesterday, reading 447 pages and read for 6 hrs 4 mins.

I finished Skeleton Key and made some good progress on the other two.

Book Finished:
Skeleton Key - 352 Pages - Fri 26th

Another excellent outing for Alex Rider, teenager spy, in this the third book in the YA series. Always fast moving and excellent adventures. Have become addicted to Alex‘s adventures. #SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView

First book finished for #20in4 Readathon

#Cuba #ReadingtheAmericas2023 @LibraryBelle @BarbaraBB

This is my provisional reading list for the #20in4 Readathon, had already started 2 of them before the Readathon.

Ideally I‘d like to finish 5 books and read 1500 pages over the four days.

4 of them will be #SeriesLove2023 books. @TheSpineView

These maps show the location of the picture for the May #20in4 Readathon @rockpools

Unbelievably Friday sees the start of the end of May #20in4 Readathon, where has May gone!

All welcome to join, either aim to read for 20 hours over the four days, read 20 chapters or set your own goal. A very fun, informal and relaxed Readathon.

To join before Friday just post either the books you are aiming to read and / or your goal(s).

Look forward to seeing all the books we will be getting to.

We have now reached the end of the #BackListReadathon, and really pleased to have finished four books for it during the week, as it was an insanely and intensely bust week with wall to wall meetings and issues to sort.

1 standalone, and books 5, 6 and 7 from the truly excellent DCI Daley Series, set on the remote West Coast of Scotland.

Thanks for hosting this wonderful event in the Litsy Calendar @Clwojick and @TheAromaOfBooks. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Managed to fit one more book in before the end of #BacklistReadathon. This one is book 7 in the series, and was one of my favourites. Some good twists, and plenty of personal action for DCI Daley. Left on a bit of a cliff hanger for Daley, so itching to get to the next one. As excellently written as ever, and thoroughly recommend the series. #SeriesLove2023 @The SpineView.

Thanks for hosting @Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks ❤️

Another excellent outing for DCI Daley and his team, with this, book 7 in this excellent series. In this one three bodies are found that date back many years to the reign of the Midweek Murderer, which Daley was involved with earlier in his career, and almost cost him his job. Can Daley find the solution to the murderer this time round?
#BacklistReadathon @Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks
#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView

This was book 5 in the DCI Daley Series, and Daley is still struggling following the death of a lover and DS Scott is still on the wagon, and goes out of the way to help his ultimate boss. Focuses on a death that has its roots back during the war. As always a very enjoyable read.
#BackListReadathon @TheAromaOfBooks @ Clwojick
#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView

This was an okay read, but with focusing on gangland didn‘t enjoy it as much as his excellent DCI Daley series.
#BacklistReadathon @TheAromaOfBooks @Clwojick

I love the Cotton Malone books and this one didn‘t disappoint. This one covered the assassination of Martin Luther King, and I feel I learnt a lot more about MLK in this book.

Some interesting theories presented in this book, and as usual Steve Berry wraps it in a great thriller story, with plenty of action. This covers Cotton‘s first mission so this also added interest.

I do recommend this series. @Bluebird @EadieB

Overall this was a pick for me although much of the book was quite depressing, but gave me a better feel for the gun culture in the US. It was written 30 years ago but so much still seems relevant today, and most probably things have only got a lot worse over the past 30 years.

This is available to freely download if you are a member of Audible.

#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

An excellent Readathon, helped that I was away from Wi-Fi and Internet for some of the 9 days.

All told I finished 9 books and read 3127 pages.

Read 1 #AuthorAMonth book, 4 #SeriesLove2023 books, and 3 #ARCs

Thanks to all those that played along, apologies for delayed responses to posts this time due to the Wi-Fi/internet situation.

@Soubhiville @TheSpineView

Next week in #BacklistReadathon I‘ll be focusing on catching up with the DCI Daley Series by Denzil Meyrick. These are set on the remote west coast of Scotland and are excellent reads. @Clwojick @TheAromaOfBooks

#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView

A definite feel good book. A light engaging read which was just what I needed. An interesting story with some good characters, and all about relationships I enjoyed the narrator but she might annoy some. If part of Audible this is free to download. Book 1 in a series. #SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView

#MagnificentMay

Saturday sees the start of May‘s 9 day Choose Your Own Goals Readathon, #MagnificentMay

All welcome to join this fun & informal Readathon that you can tailor to your own life circumstances by setting your own goals, whatever they may be. To join simply share your goals & if you choose books in advance what you will be aiming to read.

I will have very limited access to electricity & Wi-Fi this weekend so a;ologies if a delay to replying to posts.

My first book for May and a good book to start off with. This was like being away on Holiday, and loved the story and all the characters. Very much about dealing with grief and coming back to life following the death of a close friend. Surprising twist at the end of the book. Also a mystery at the heart of the book.

Another author to read more of.

Here‘s my April Reading Record :

29 books finished (which includes three short stories or novellas)
10,463 Pages Read
11 #SeriesLove2023 books @TheSpineView
6 #AuthorAMonth Books @Soubhiville
13 #ARCApril books
11 #Audiobooks
2 #Chunksters
Only 1 #OffMyShelves 😣

This was a very light, entertaining and delightful read. Merry‘s sister has just married her best friend, and the only person Merry has ever loved. So when given the chance to spend three months in a French Castle, she jumps at the chance. Only problem is the ‘best man‘ also turns out to be staying there, and to say she dislikes him is putting it mildly.

This feels a very big book. A young girl has a fall and ends in a coma. Who could have caused this and why? This is a book with multiple layers and so many twists, it‘s very much like peeling the layers off an onion. Told from multiple points of views, which I feel helps the storyline. This had me hooked from the beginning and loved the story telling of it. So many surprises along the way, and oh so many secrets! Definitely recommended!

Not my favourite Agatha Christie. A great premise to start the book off, a woman is sitting on a train when another train passes them and she sees a woman being murdered on that train. However, no sign of a body anywhere afterwards. Cue Miss Marple!

4th book finished for #20in4
#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView

An enjoyable book telling the t story of Aria who is travelling France into her little campervan, and is trying to come to terms with the death of her partner. Fun escapades along the way and a good group of characters who are trying 5o help bring her back to life.

3rd book finished for #20in4

Been on a real role with the #20in4 Readathon this weekend.

Now finished 5 books (1 was a short story), and 3 book in the last two days.

Day 1 : 293 pages, 5 hrs 40 mins, 1 book finished
Day 2 : 568 pages, 8 hrs 47mins, 2 books finished
Day 3 : 599pages, 8 hrs 46mins, 2 books finished

Photo shows books finished on day 2 and 3.
#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView
#ArcApril

Not a great gothic fan, but I did really enjoy this book which tells the tale of the three women in Victor Frankenstein‘s life. Interesting to see the story from their perspective. If you enjoy the Frankenstein story I would definitely recommend this book.
Also excellent as an audiobook.
This is a Listen Now book for Net Galley, worth checking elsewhere.

2nd book finished for #20in4.
#ARCApril

Only a short story, but the first book finished for #20in4

Not usually a great fan of short stories but I did enjoy this one, telling the story of a couple following them being bombed out of their house at Christmas during the Second World War. Very different to the Molly Murphy series!

Free to download if a member of Audible or Prime.

I started off the #20in4 Readathon by listening to this book, about the three women in Victor Frankenstein‘s life. It‘s also an Earphones Award Winner. Interesting and intriguing read, seeing the story from different perspectives.

Read 293 pages on the first day, reading for 5 hrs 40 mins.

My reading choices for #20in4. All 4 of them being ARCs for #ARCApril

Would like to finish all of them ideally, but would be happy with finishing 3 of them.

Getting to 20 hours would be good.

This Friday sees the start of the April #20in4 Readathon. All welcome to join, wether you have taken part previously or not.

This is a very relaxed informal Readathon, where the aim is to either read 20 hours, or 20 chapters in the 4 days. Or alternatively you can set your own target, even if it‘s not to set a target other than to read 🤣

A good way to give a boost to your end of April reading and your beginning of May reading.

A very enjoyable #BacklistReadathon this month. I managed to get 5 books read, although one was a short story. Now totally caught up on all the books this month‘s #AuthorAMonth author Ruth Ware has written. I call that a success.

Thanks to @Clwojick and @TheAromaofBooks for hosting this great monthly Readathon, now to think about plans for May!

Thanks also to @Soubhiville for hosting the #AuthorAMonth, without it not sure I‘d have got to these.

This was an Amazon Original short story. Quite an intriguing but depressive short story. At 31 pages it was really too short to say it was really enjoyable. Would have liked more depth to the story. Got this free as part on my Prime Subscription.

7th book finished for #AuthorAMonth and that is where I need to leave it for this month as I have now finished all her books.

5th book finished for #BacklistReadathon

Overall this was a good story, but progressed so slowly through much of the book before eventually an explosive end. Not my favourite Ruth Ware book but many elements of it were still enjoyable.

Sixth book finished for April‘s #AuthorAMonth, fourth book for #BacklistReadathon

@Clwojick @TheAromaOfBooks @Soubhiville

Hoping to squeeze one more #AuthorAMonth and #BackListReadathon book in before the end of the day. 🤞

@Clwojick @TheAromaOfBooks @Soubhiville

My fifth #AuthorAMonth book for April and 3rd book for #BacklistReadathon completed.

This was an enjoyable book with some good twists, although a bit longer than it needed to be as it told the back story and current events. It did build up some good pace and tension in the second half of the book.

@Soubhiville @Clwojick @TheAromaOfBooks

This is the seventh book in the Detective Karen Hart series but this book can easily be read as a standalone, without spoiling the enjoyment of the book. The books are set in Lincoln which gives a nice backdrop to the series.

#ARCApril #SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView

Started my third book for #BacklistReadthon and my Fifth for April‘s #AuthorAMonth.

@Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks @Soubhiville

Overall I enjoyed this book but it still felt a pale comparison compared to the first three in the series. It had quite a complex plot with many characters, & felt some information was held back which would have helped decide who the killer was. Also felt a lack of developing storylines for the main characters, & for me this was the biggest miss.

That said though it was still an enjoyable read, but just not to the high standard of the others.

Finished my 2nd book for #BacklistReadathon and 4th for #AuthorAMonth for April.

This was a really good read, kept up good pace and built up good tension. Liked the way time was spent focusing on the resolution to the story too. Definitely would recommend this one. The full audiobook for this is available on YouTube for anyone interested. https://youtu.be/F3mWTb4ma90

@Clwojick @TheAromaOfBooks @Soubhiville

Finished my first book of #BacklistReadthon and my third for #AuthorAMonth for April.

This was the most enjoyable of the books I have read by Ruth Ware, and worked really well as an audiobook. Quite a long read but tells the story of a woman who pretends to be a descendant of a family in order to get an inheritance. Turns into quite a family saga, with many twists and developments along the way.

@Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks @@Soubhiville