Rainbow Readers

The Wrong Sister

by Claire Douglas

Tasha lives with her husband Aaron and her two children in their hometown near Bristol. She works part time as a dental receptionist. Their house is nothing special - comfortable, cosy and close to their mothers.  Alice lives an exotic lifestyle travelling the world with her husband. They are both successful in their careers, Alice a high flying scientist. They are working on a tech app combining biometric testing with a toothbrush which could be revolutionary.  With an amazing home and an apartment in Venice, flash cars and expensive quality clothes, they are living the dream.

Realising that Tasha and Aaron could do with a break, Alice generously offers them the use of her Venice apartment for a week while she and Kyle look after the children. Although Tasha doesn’t know Kyle well, she trusts her sister and takes her up on the offer. The Venice apartment is a luxurious world that Aaron and Tasha can only dream of. Tasha can’t help herself from ‘borrowing’ some of her sister’s clothes and accessories, pretending she is rich and glamorous as she walks around Venice. But something strange is happening.  They appear to be being followed and a chase through the streets takes Aaron and Tasha into dangerous territory. They don’t know what is going on but they are frightened. And then after just a couple of days, the telephone call comes. There has been an incident in their home.  Intruders have broken in, Alice is intensive care and tragically Kyle is dead.

There follows the story of the police investigation into why the attack happened and who were the perpetrators. Nobody knows why.  Nobody knows who, but as the investigation proceeds, secrets begin to be revealed showing that we can never truly know someone fully.  Not only that, a note arrives for Tasha with the terrifying message: ‘ It was supposed to be you.’

Each chapter is told by a different narrator which I really liked as they revealed more about each character. There are so many secrets being kept, so many twists and turns that I had no idea who had carried out the attack and why, until it was revealed at the end. Alice has many secrets. Is Aaron leading a secret life? There is tension between the two grandmothers -Viv and Jeanette, but why?  Jeanette is grieving for a long lost daughter and has removed herself from the family somewhat. Viv will do anything to help her son Aaron and his wife Tasha but there is something not quite right and a hostility or wariness occurs between the two mothers.

Family dynamics play a huge part in this storyline and are revealed slowly as the story progresses. Piecing together the truth leads to some lightbulb moments, though in my case, most of them were incorrect! I had no idea how the story would resolve itself but was hooked from the moment I read the first page as I desperately wanted to know.

The Wrong Sister is a book that pulls you in straight away and keeps you guessing. Although there are quite a few characters, I didn’t find it confusing and I liked that the chapters swapped narrators to show different viewpoints and to reveal more of what each character was hiding from the others. I’ve been careful not to reveal any of the secrets or the storyline as I don’t want to spoil your enjoyment, but suffice to say that the end was quite shocking and definitely showed that there was far more going on in Tasha and Alice’s lives, as well as Viv and Jeanette’s than we were first led to believe.

If you want a book that has complex relationships between  characters, suspense, unexpected twists, sinister scary aspects and an unexpected ending, then this might just be the book for you.  I hope you like it!

The River Home

by Hannah Richell

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Rachel is a new author to me and was a book selection for the book club that I am in. I had no idea what it was about so began reading with an open mind.  I was not disappointed.

The Sorrell girls: Eve, Lucy and Margot grew up in a ramshackle home on the banks of the River Avon in Somerset.  Their parents Kit and Ted had fallen in love with the house ‘Windfalls,’ on their first viewing and felt it was the perfect home to bring up their new family. With its lush gardens and apple orchards, set by the river and in such peaceful surroundings, it also felt idyllic and a perfect haven for two creative minds to flourish.

Ted had once been an esteemed playwright. His first play was a huge success but the pressures following that success had caused a seemingly endless bout of writer’s block. As the family grew he became the main parent and ran the household. His partner Kit (they never married) had been happy to bask in his success but when the success ended, she turned to writing herself and produced a huge best seller which was the start of a long and well received series of books. As she became more well known, the pressure to create a follow up grew and Kit immersed herself totally into her writing world, basing herself in a little summer house on the edge of the river. Finding motherhood difficult, she escaped into her writing world, leaving Ted to manage everything else.  Over the years, Ted felt ignored and belittled and chose to find solace elsewhere. Comfort was found not far away with Sibella, a widowed potter who lived across the river.

The three girls are all very different and interesting characters in their own right. Each has a secret, secrets that have caused the girls to split and go their separate ways. Eve, the eldest, is responsible and dependable.  Lucy is gregarious and an optimist.  Margot has a huge secret which has caused a seemingly unfixable rift in the family.

The story takes place over one week but is seen through the eyes of each separate character, allowing us to delve into the past to find out what is being hidden.  Lucy has sent a message to her family. She wants to get married at her childhood home – within a week! She has an important announcement to reveal at the wedding. Her dream is to have the family reconciled for a last minute, casual and relaxed wedding. Eve becomes fully involved and takes over the planning but Margot is struggling with her emotions. She does not want to return to the house she fled from at the age of 16. She left under a dark cloud and hoped never to return. Her mother and her sisters can’t forgive her for what she has done because they don’t understand and Margot does not want them to find out. But then she receives a note from Lucy saying ‘I need you.’ It is a note she cannot ignore.

Each member approaches the wedding with trepidation. Each of them has a secret and these secrets are bubbling to the surface when they all meet in preparation for the wedding. Simmering resentments threaten to tear the family apart and their relationships get more complicated as they start to slowly reveal their hidden pasts.

This book had me emotionally invested from the start.  I wanted everything to be resolved and for the family to accept the past and move on. As the story evolves, we get a greater understanding of why each character has acted in the way they have and to be honest, I had sympathy for them all. Circumstances beyond their control caused the family to break up and resentments were formed. Their relationships are complicated and there is potential that the wedding will break them permanently.

Can the damage of the past be healed? Can Kit forgive Margot for the dreadful thing she did and the heartache she caused? Will the sisters be reunited once the truth is revealed and would the sisters actually be brave enough to reveal the whole truth for the first time? It is a story that will keep you guessing from start to finish as their raw pain is slowly revealed and the healing process can begin.

Described as heart wrenching, beautiful and life affirming, I found the story to be a reminder that each of us needs to be acknowledged in some way and that life should be loved and lived because we never know what is around the corner.

The river has kept its secret for a long time, as well as the memories of the terrible night that tore the family apart, but can it ultimately bring them all back together again?

Read and enjoy.

Hopeful Hearts at the Cornish Cove

by Kim Nash

I’ve been reading some pretty deep books recently and got stuck in World War 2 stories so I picked up this book for something a little more light hearted, modern and completely different. It is the first in a series of books that introduce us to some of the characters who live in the Cornish Cove – a beautiful area of sandy beaches, sunshine and waves lapping on the shore.

It is written in the first person and centres on Meredith, a slightly more mature character than the usual, which was a refreshing change. Approaching 50, Meredith is not in the best of places. Divorced, unsettled and with a difficult relationship with her mum, she is ready for a change. After a tipsy night out and an unwise decision to do some online shopping, Meredith finds she has not only  made a reckless bid on a lighthouse but has won too! The description says the lighthouse needs some work but that doesn’t put her off. Packing all her belongings into the removal van she arrives to find the reality of the situation is somewhat different to what she had expected. It is completely uninhabitable: filthy dirty, smelly and broken down! Her beautiful and expensive furniture does not fit through the front door and would certainly not be transportable up the many flights of iron stairs - something she hadn't thought of.  And on top of that, she has already met some of the locals who were not as welcoming as she might have imagined -  a frosty reception from a man walking a dog on the beach and a clash with another in the car park.  It does not bode well!

Luckily, not all the locals are the same and she is rescued from her predicament by sisters Gemma (who runs the bakery) and Lucy (who runs the Bed and Breakfast.) Having provided her with a room for a few nights, friendship and encouragement, Meredith gets on with transforming the run down lighthouse into what she hopes will become her home.

Along the way we are introduced to various characters: nasty Dilys who runs the community shop and seems to want to drive Meredith away, fabulous Violet and her dog Gladys and the rather delightful sounding Clem!  Vi, currently confined to her home and unable to walk Gladys, reminds Meredith of her beloved Nanna who brought her up after her mother abandoned her.  Hearing that Gladys may have to be rehomed, kind hearted Meredith offers her services as a dog walker and an intergenerational friendship quickly grows.  Cheeky, potty mouthed Vi had me chuckling with her comments and the growing friendship and relationship that develops between them was incredibly heart warming and shows that friends can come in many ages.

Clem is not only the local handyman but also turns out to be the grumpy geezer from the carpark! However, he is happy to help Meredith transform the lighthouse and works wonders. Their bad start is forgotten and their friendship grows, but could it become more? Meredith is obviously attracted to him and the feelings seem mutual but various events and secrets threaten to ruin any possibility of romance. And then there is Russell, the estate agent that was economical with the truth and who seems to have taken a shine to Meredith but are his intentions entirely honourable or is there something else at play here?

This is a lovely, gentle read with interesting and likeable main characters. Watching Meredith change as her confidence grows, the blossoming relationships between all the characters and the hidden back stories being revealed is engaging, interesting and rewarding. Even the unlikeable characters have their secrets which go some way to explaining their actions. It is above all a story of friendships and community and having the strength and courage to start over from scratch. The descriptions of the sea views will transport you to Cornwall and help you to relax and feel good after a tough day at work. I could hear the waves lapping on the shoreline, see the boats bobbing on the sea and feel the warmth from the sun shining down onto the lighthouse balcony, In my mind I can picture it all and as this is the first in a series of books about the Cornish Cove, I can look forward to revisiting it soon and discovering more about other characters who live there.

Have a read yourself to find out if Meredith has made the biggest mistake of her life or if it could become the best decision she has ever made.

The Wartime book Club

by Kate Thompson

Those of you who read my book choices regularly will know that this one is from my favourite book genre: the Home Front in World War 2. Based on real events, this book introduces us to the difficulties of daily life on the island of Jersey after the Occupation and acts of resistance that were occurring at the time.

The Channel Islands suffered greatly in World War 2.  Declared as indefensible by Churchill, a chaotic evacuation ensued, but many islanders were either interned or left behind to survive as best they could once the Nazis arrived in June 1940. They were effectively cut off from Britain.  Daily life changed immediately with the introduction of German laws. Fishing was forbidden, radios were confiscated, all mail was censored and life became increasingly hard. Islanders were not permitted to meet together in groups and hundreds died of starvation and disease due to the lack of food and available medicines. The number of German soldiers was vast in comparison to the local populace and people lived in fear as retribution for minor misdemeanours was severe. Life became intolerable for many.

The story centres on two friends Grace la Motee the local librarian and Beatrice Gold a local post worker and events that took place from 1943.  They have known each other for years, they are best friends and Bea is dating Grace’s brother Jimmy. Grace is a quiet steadfast hard worker, dedicated to her job. When the story begins, she is working as acting chief Librarian due to her boss being taken to an internment camp. She is a bookworm. She loves all books and wants to ensure that they are available to her fellow Islanders despite the war but her life is now dominated by curfews, rationing and restrictions, which include her beloved books.  The Nazis banned many books in the library and ordered their immediate removal. (An added bonus is that some of these books are detailed at the beginning of each chapter with information on why they were banned which I found really interesting.)

Grace recognises the importance of books and how they can help people escape from the fear and drudgery of their lives and in particular those who were in hiding. She secretly hides many of the banned books in a locked cupboard, hoping that once the war is over, they can be rightfully returned to the library book shelves for all to enjoy.  Although a quiet law abiding citizen, Grace starts to deliver books to people living in unusual circumstances, changing the book covers to something more innocent in case she is stopped and searched. She also, with the necessary permission from the authorities, sets up a book club in the library where she reads excerpts from permitted books (there is a Nazi guard in attendance) for the Islanders to enjoy and discuss. It is a way of coming together as a community and drawing strength from each other.

And then there is Bea- the complete opposite to Grace. She is fiery and impulsive, hot headed but caring, and she will stop at nothing to upset the Nazi’s and provide some resistance to the laws that now govern her country. After a great loss in her life she is fuelled even more by her anger to do whatever she can. This leads her to intercepting and reading mail meant for the German authorities and discovering that some of the Islanders are sending messages denouncing their neighbours for having hidden rations, radios or for harbouring fugitives.  Intercepting, delaying or refusing to deliver the mail are serious actions and could result in severe consequences if she is caught. Her anger and rage caused by a variety of events in her life, including her sister Nancy being seen to collaborate with the enemy, fuel her actions.

This story is full of small and large acts of courage. It details the way different Islanders do their bit during the Occupation to help and support others, how they raised morale, dealt with hunger and pushed to keep the community together. It is a book about friendship and is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It is about how even tiny acts of bravery can make a huge difference and ultimately, it is a book about sacrifice.

As you can probably guess, I loved it! It is fast paced. There are lots of characters but the two main characters, Grace and Bea, I immediately liked despite their obvious differences. Theirs is a true friendship that endures through enormous difficulties.

Although this is a fictional story, at the back of the book is a load of information about the true events that took place including examples of some of the letters intercepted at the time. I have seen some of them during a visit to the Museum there and found them incredibly shocking. I couldn’t imagine informing on my neighbours but I also can’t imagine living under the Nazi regime so I cannot really judge. Events at the time were divisive – collaborators were dealt with severely – but at the time, everyone probably did what they needed to survive and I am in no position to judge them for their actions. Indeed, I had sympathy with some including the German soldiers! That surprised me, but after reading some of their letters home and their longing for peace and family, I realised that many of the young soldiers were in exactly the same position – they didn’t want to be there, they didn’t want to fight and they were lonely and suffering too.

Kate Thompson is an award winning journalist and novelist who is passionate about capturing the untold stories of wartime social history. To me she succeeds completely in this book. I couldn’t put it down as I was desperate to find out what happened to Bea, Grace and the Wartime book club. It seems that despite the deprivations, the library in Jersey remained as the beating heart of the community with more books borrowed than in peacetime.  And as there were no deliveries of new books, the Islanders themselves donated their precious possessions to share the love of stories with those around them and to provide an escape from reality for those in desperate need.

A fabulous read, full of information, twists, turns, danger, love, compassion, friendship and so much more.

A Patchwork Family

by Cathy Bramley

Gina’s rented cottage is in the grounds of a charming Victorian home called The Evergreens where three slightly eccentric elderly people reside: Bing, Violet and Daphne.  They love Gina, they love the children she looks after and they have all become one big unusual family. But then tragedy strikes and Gina’s new family is in danger of being evicted. With plans to extend her business now on hold and in danger of losing her own home as well, it is time for Gina to stop avoiding conflict and make a stand. It is the only chance of helping her dear friends, keeping her business and remaining in the village that she has come to love.

A chance unusual encounter with a stranger brings both joy and concern. Is Dexter helping Gina or causing more problems? If Gina doesn’t win the battle, she will be homeless within months just when her business plans are coming to fruition.  And not only that, her lovely friends will be split and moved on too, but where would they go?

As we read through the story, we find out more about Gina’s past, present and potential future and you do end up rooting for her. With a gentle romance, friendships and general life, the book also covers some very serious issues such as bereavement and how it affects people in different ways, the legalities and life of a childminder, loneliness and how easily a hard-won reputation can be damaged. Gina faces all these trials and her strength and determination grows until she finally believes she might just pull it off!

There are quite a number of characters in this book but I did find them quite easy to keep tabs on and the action all takes place over a few months with a lovely Christmassy feel towards the end. There is humour, sadness, happiness and a whole gamut of other emotions, as we follow Gina and her patchwork family through the events captured and we learn a great deal about each of them and their relationships to others as the story develops.

This is a lovely gentle story despite some of the subject matter.  Described as full of warmth and humour, wise and funny, it really does prove that ‘Love, friendship and family come in all different shapes and sizes..’

Have a read and see for yourself.

Enjoy!

The Asylum

by Karen Coles

This story can be a tough read as we discover the different methods used in asylums at this time on vulnerable women, the effects that the various treatments had and the dismal prognosis for a cure and eventual release. It is a tragic place and the women’s suffering is tough to read.

One day, a new young and ambitious doctor arrives at the asylum eager to try out new treatments such as hypnosis, which he believes may help ‘cure’ some of the patients. He chooses Maud as an ideal candidate and slowly he gains her trust and willingness to try this new technique. It is through this hypnosis, that we the readers, finally begin to learn more about Maud/Mary’s past and how she came to be incarcerated. We learn that she loves botany and drawing and Dr Diamond (as Maud calls him) allows her a pencil and notebook which has to remain hidden from the other doctors and medical staff for fear of it being taken away.  As we travel deeper into Maud’s past, we learn that her parents and brothers tragically died an untimely death leaving her alone with no means of support. She seeks refuge at the nearby Banville household where she hopes to work hard but be safe, but sadly for Maud, this is not the case.

As the story progressed, I found I was desperate to find out what had happened to Maud to cause her to be admitted to the asylum and I was rooting for her and Dr Dimmond to secure her release. The slow reveal is tantalising to the reader, encouraging our sympathies to lie with Maud as we witness her memories and the details of her past life coming together. How does she survive such brutal treatment? Was she wrongfully incarcerated?  Will she ever be released? Readers will discover all this for themselves and will hopefully be rooting for Maud from the moment her true background is revealed.  Dr Dimmond believes that if Maud can confront the traumas from her past, she has hope for a future to look forward to, for Maud, the slow revelation and return of her memory inspires a deep need for revenge. When the good doctor finds himself in battle with the bad doctor, there is tension – who will win and what will happen to Maud?

I’ve not read many Gothic mysteries before, so this style of writing with its dark and depressing gloomy atmosphere was relatively new to me but it did make everything seem more realistic, distressing and desperate, with the eventual reason for Maud’s incarceration proving to be particularly heart breaking.

A dark read with lots of information on the horrendous treatment of women during the 18th and 19th centuries and the incredible beliefs and mistreatment of those suffering from poor mental health at the time.  Well worth a read if you are looking for something a little bit different.

Keep the Home Fires Burning

A Woman’s War

A Woman’s Courage

By Simon Block

And then just recently, much to my delight,  I came across the three books above whilst scrolling through the UWI (Unofficial Women's Institute Facebook page.) Written by S Block, the creator and writer of Home Fires, they take us through what would have happened had the series been allowed to continue. I’ve just read them all one after the other without a break, such was my eagerness to find out what had happened to the women of Great Paxford WI and whether their menfolk survived the war.  Block has followed the storylines immediately following the aircraft crash at the end of series 2 and tied up all those loose ends - rather satisfactorily in my opinion.

The plane crash was to change the lives of all the villagers.  Pat Simms and her abusive husband Bob lost their home and moved in with Joyce the formidable ex chair of the WI.  Pat longs to escape her hideous marriage but will her Polish lover Marek survive the war and come back for her or is she stuck forever in her nightmare existence?  Frances Barden, the current Chair of Great Paxford WI, has just lost her husband and gained a child she knew nothing about. Will she accept the child knowing he was the outcome of her husband’s illicit affair?  Teresa Lucas has married a dashing pilot and is playing the role of a devoted wife  and mother to be, but what will happen when her husband’s attractive female friend comes to live with them?  Laura Campbell, still recovering from her affair with an older man and the scandal it caused, is grieving for her father and contemplating training to be a doctor, but will she be able to?  Is it the right thing for her to do or is she just following the wishes of her dying father? Steph Farrow has acted in haste and must live with the consequences for the rest of her life. But can she? Prim Alison Scotlock is causing a stir with her new friendship – a black man from Liverpool – which shocks the small village and Sarah Collingborne is finally learning to be the Vicar’s wife she never wanted to be, when her husband is taken prisoner.

Each character has their own fascinating story, forever interlinked with the other members of the Women’s Institute. They are always there to support and encourage each other, to do what they can to get through difficult times and to be there for one another through good times and the bad.

I am happy now that I know the outcome for each of these wonderful ladies and many of the other characters that appear throughout the series. The abrupt ending to the TV series was a shock since it finished on such a huge and dramatic event, but at the time, the writer was certain another series would be commissioned.  With these books, he has managed to complete the story lines so that we,  the readers and viewers, can be happy that there are no stones unturned and no story left untold.

These books are a delightful read. As a WI member myself, I can relate to many of the characteristics demonstrated by the various characters and I can understand the link between them. There is a whole gamut of emotions to go through when reading their stories but ultimately, to me, the final chapters provide a satisfactory ending.  Re runs of the TV series are still being shown and DVDs are available if you want to refresh your memory of the storylines before the books begin but equally the books can be read just as they are. It’s such a shame that the TV channel did not complete the series especially when it was so popular, but at least now we can find out what happened to the women of Great Paxford and how the village evolved through the rest of the war.

If you like stories about strong women, friendships and WW2, then you should enjoy this series of books. 

First to Die

by James Patterson

She is told of a brutal murder that has taken place.  David and Melanie Brandt have just got married and have been murdered in their hotel bedroom.  It is brutal. There are no obvious clues. Their wedding rings are missing.  And the bride’s body has been defiled. ( Here I will place a warning – some of the scenes are very graphic and quite unpleasant to read. If you find this kind of subject matter difficult then please avoid this book.) Hit with the brutality of this murder, a young couple struck down on what should have been the happiest day of their lives whilst also dealing with her doctor’s diagnosis, Lindsay is struggling.  She bumps into Cindy Thomas, a reporter from the San Francisco Chronicle who has just been promoted to working on the crime desk and is caught at a vulnerable moment. Cindy has somehow managed to blag her way not only into the hotel, but close enough for her to actually see the murder victims and she seizes her chance when she meets Lindsay to hand over her business card.

With so little to go on and a new partner to work with, Lindsay turns to her friend Claire Washburn, a medical examiner for support. As the story progresses they join forces with reporter Cindy and form the Women’s Murder Club discussing their ideas and theories in their desire to find the sadistic killer. They are later joined by Jill Bernhardt an assistant DA.  They are a crime solving group but also a great support network to each other, becoming closer as they discuss and try to solve the murders.

A second couple, Michael and Becky De George disappear on their honeymoon and are later found murdered.  Again, the woman’s body has been defiled and humiliated. A third couple, James and Kathy are killed during their wedding reception. The murders become known as ‘The Honeymoon Murders’ and are believed to be connected but how? Why are their wedding rings missing?  Are they trophies for the killer? How are the couples chosen?  And just who is the Bride and Groom killer?

Lindsay is tough and determined but struggling as so few clues have been left.

In time, we learn that there are links to a well-known author, a huge public figure. If they target him, they run a huge risk of humiliating the entire force.  He is known to treat his partners badly but he has strong alibis.

This is a fast-paced book.  Written mostly from Lindsay’s point of view, but with sections written by the killer, it has lots of short chapters which is apparently a trademark of Patterson. It keeps the reader hooked and wanting to discover more. As such I found this a quick read.  It was also quick as there were so many twists and turns, I was desperate to discover the truth behind the murders and how they would be resolved. And I had absolutely no idea!

Along the way, we learn more about Lindsay’s character, her growing attraction to her new partner Chris Raleigh and the strong bond between the four main female characters. This makes her character more believable and relatable.

The ending when it comes is a shocker! One of the tag lines is ‘Everything they thought they knew turned on its head,’ and that is certainly what happened to me, one of those Wow moments when I physically gasped at what was happening. That doesn’t happen often.

If you like thrillers, crime dramas and can cope with graphic descriptions of a sexual nature, then you will probably enjoy this book. It keeps you guessing right to the end, but the ending when it comes is sudden and explosive!

Enjoy but don't have nightmares!

The Lighthouse Witches

by CJ Cooke

Since then, mysterious events have occurred – children disappearing and returning months later with no memory of where they have been or what happened to them, and with mysterious numbers branded on their bodies. But have the local children really returned or are they wildlings – sinister beings that take on the characteristics and appearance of the missing children? Who are they?  What do they want? And can they be eradicated before their evil takes over? (Liv soon discovers that this can only be done by the parent taking their child/wildling to the forest, tying them to the burned witch trees and stabbing them).

Liv has her own problems and worries to deal with and doesn’t believe in such nonsense – she is here to do a job and work out her future.  But then Sapphie, her eldest daughter, disappears. After an argument with her mother, Sapphie has run away, aiming to teach her mother a lesson. One minute she is hiding out in a deserted cabin, the next she is gone and whilst out looking for her, Liv suffers the devastating disappearance of Clover, her youngest daughter too. What has happened to them? Where have they gone? Why is she being punished so cruelly?

There is only Luna left and when we meet her much later in life, with no knowledge of what happened to her mother or her sisters, we find out that she has a vague memory of being tied to a tree in the forest, by her mother.  Tiny fragments of her previous life return but we are never quite sure what has happened or if she is remembering correctly and Luna hasn’t seen her mother or two sisters since. Luna doesn’t understand what has happened in the missing part of her life, but then, out of the blue, she gets news that her sister Clover has been found! Twenty years have passed, but miraculously the authorities are convinced it is her. Arriving at the hospital to meet her now adult sister, Luna is confronted with a young girl. She has the same face, the same mannerisms and the same smile as her missing sister, but terrifyingly, she is also the same age Clover was when she disappeared!

So what did happen all those years ago? How has her sister not aged in the past twenty years? What happened to Liv and Sapphie? And why does Luna herself, have strange numbers branded on the back of her leg?

I’ve found this quite a creepy book in parts but totally fascinating too. The setting of the dark deserted lighthouse, the crashing waves and tales of witchcraft are very atmospheric – capturing the darkness of the remote island and the history of witchcraft that was prevalent at the time, causing hysteria in small communities.

There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you on edge, so maybe not a book to be reading in the dead of night! It’s an interesting concept and not one I had read about before and I had no idea of the ending until it happened, so I didn’t find the storyline predictable at all.

This was another of my telephone library box finds and not one I would normally choose, but I was fascinated by it and the fact that I have completed it quite quickly is testament to how much I enjoyed it.

So if you are looking for something a bit different, a bit sinister and a bit scary, this one might be for you!