Left on the Shelf

Amazon CA

About the Author

Adam Holcombe daylights as a programmer and moonlights as an author. After spending years toying with the idea of writing, he decided to fully commit and work toward releasing his first novel. Then Gam Gam got in the way, and his first novel became his first novella. The novel will come later. When he's not locked in a cold basement, typing away, he can be found hanging out with his wife, his dog, and his tortoise or playing D&D or board games with friends.

You can also find Adam at:

Bounty Ink Press

The Library Girls of the East End

(media courtesy of The Write Reads)

(author photo courtesy of Bounty Ink Press)

(all opinions are my own)

Wednesday, 20 August 2025

Wedding Bells for the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride - #bookreview #blogtour

The small congregation smiled and clapped as Reverend Kennings concluded the wedding service in St Mark's Church in Silvertown.

Joe, smart in his army uniform, didn't need telling twice to kiss his new wife, Mavis...

The Blurb

The library girls are determined to keep their community’s spirits high.

With their beloved library damaged by bombing, they’ve found a temporary home in the local school, but they long to return to the place they love.

Mavis’s wedding should be a time of joy, but beneath the celebrations, she carries a secret. Determined to stay strong, she refuses to dampen the happiness of those around her.

Jane is finally stepping into the life she deserves. After years of self-doubt, she is beginning to find her confidence and – with the support of her two best friends – perhaps even an opportunity she never thought possible.

And for Cordelia, hope is also on the horizon. As the war winds down, her partner Robert may finally return from Africa. For the first time in a long time she is looking forward to a future filled with love and joy. But dare she dream of more wedding bells?

My Review

This delightful book starts and ends with a wedding. What could be lovelier?

I have enjoyed this series and have read each book. I will post links to my reviews of those that I have reviewed at the bottom of this review.

The author has kept up the standard of writing, place, and plot in every single book. This one is no exception.

The book begins with the marriage of Mavis and Joe. It's a happy occasion for all, but her friends and colleagues, Cordelia and Jane, can sense that something is not quite right. It is not long before Mavis reveals her secret to her friends, who are always there to support her.

The author has done another fantastic job in bringing London's East End during wartime to life. I grew up hearing many stories from my mother about the war. She was a child when the war began, and she spent the majority of it in the East End of London. I love reading books set in this time and place, as the setting already feels so familiar to me.

The three women who feature in this book are fabulous. They are plucky, strong, and determined, and they deal with the difficulties that the war throws at them with fortitude. They are each very individual, but they have in common their strength and resilience. By this fifth book, I feel as though I know them personally and could pop into the library and have a chat and a cup of tea.

This is the fifth and final book in the Library Girls series. I have enjoyed reading each and every one of them. It has been such a pleasure to spend time with Cordelia, Mavis and Jane. I shall miss them, but I am now looking forward to what Ms. McBride will be bringing us next.

Links to my other reviews

Hard Times for the East End Library Girls

Book Details

ISBN: 978 1836333029

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Formats: e-book, audio, hardback and paperback

No. of Pages: 304 (paperback)

Series: Book 5 in the Library Girls series

Purchase Links

About the Author

Patricia McBride is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books as well as numerous articles. She loves undertaking the research for her books, helped by stories told to her by her Cockney mother and grandparents who lived in the East End. Patricia lives in Cambridge with her husband.

You can also find Patricia at:

Facebook

Author Newsletter

(ARC and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

Monday, 18 August 2025

The Players - Act 1: All the World's a Stage by Amy Sparkes - Q&A #blogtour #authorinterview

I couldn't be more thrilled than I am to be welcoming author, Amy Sparks onto the blog today.

Amy kindly agreed to answer some questions about her new book, The Players - Act 1: All the World's a Stage.

The Blurb

How far would you go to save what you truly love?

England, 1715.When society doesn’t understand you, and your family is out of the picture, a strolling theatre company could be your perfect home…

Ambitious lead actor Thomas is determined to reach Drury Lane and prove to his father that he is not a failure.Fierce Caroline has a traumatic past and is determined to protect the company which saved her.

Kind-hearted Annie just wants to look after her found family.So, when their heartbroken manager Robert is injured and decides to fold the struggling company, the players are resolved to change his mind, whatever the cost. Unfortunately for them, the odds are stacked against them. They’ve lost their stage, they still haven’t got a skull for Hamlet, and flamboyant ex-member Piero is hunting them down, with a spot of revenge on his mind...Is it time for the final bow?

The Players Act 1: All The World’s A Stage gives voice to the forgotten strolling players of the 18th century in this fun, uplifting, and page-turning read.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Energetic, accessible historical fiction

Working-class characters

Found family

Comedy and tragedy

Shakespeare

LGBTQ+

Neurodiversity

Mental health issues

Multiple POV

Heart and hope

The Interview

Q Welcome to the blog Amy. Can I start by asking you What was the inspiration for this story?

A Ideas can start in different ways. Often when I write, characters appear first. Sometimes it’s a theme, occasionally a title, sometimes the concept. My children enjoy drama, so I’ve spent a lot of time watching shows and being around a stage. This is perhaps why it was the concept of The Players which dropped into my head first – all the fun you could have with a motley troupe of players who were always on the move. There would always be variety, new experiences, new places, new characters. It had a lot of potential.

After the initial ‘zing’ of an idea, I like to ponder the different directions it could go in. I think about the tone that I like, the themes I enjoy exploring, and the type of characters who interest me and I’d want to spend time with. All of these things feed into developing the idea.

Q What are the key themes in the story?

A The tagline offers the main thematic question: How far would you go to save what you truly love? I think this is a fascinating question – and one that we personally may not know the answer to until we find ourselves in a situation that truly poses it. At what point do moral principles rein in desire? At what point does desire override morality? What would you be willing to sacrifice to get what you want? And how much do you really love something or someone, when push comes to shove? All of these questions twist in and around the narrative, explored through the different characters’ perspectives and problems, as they attempt to discover their own answers.

Alongside this main thematic question, there are general themes of love, sacrifice, friendship, grief, self-awareness, resilience, forgiveness, courage and hope, as well as an exploration of the importance of the arts, and the relationship between comedy and tragedy.

Q The Players Act 1 is your adult debut novel. Why did you decide to write historical fiction?

A I’ve always enjoyed reading historical fiction. When I was 12 years old my mum gave me a copy of Philippa Gregory’s Meridan (part of the Wideacre trilogy). I was utterly smitten and became absorbed in historical fiction and epic family sagas. As well as reading, history was an important part of my early life – from exploring ancient castles and graveyards to visiting archaeological digs as a child to studying History at A-level. I am still fascinated by historical sites, architecture and the way people thought, behaved and lived in the past. It was only a matter of time before I started writing about it.

The process of world-building is very fun, which is why I also enjoy creating magical and fantastical worlds. There is something lovely about escaping the real world for a while and absorbing yourself in another time and place.

Q How did you research the historical aspects?

A I started by reading books on strolling players and theatre to help shape the idea. I wanted to include women in the troupe, so I knew it would be after Shakespeare’s time. A lot of research I found was concerned with established companies and theatres, and there is very little documented about the small, more informal companies who existed, barely scraping a living. They were here and they mattered, but they mostly just disappeared out of knowledge and memory as time passed. However, understanding the way more established companies worked gave me pointers for how they went about their business, and I loved the freedom that came with creating a troupe that had to be a little more creative with their methods, surviving hand-to-mouth.

As well as reading books, I watched videos, scoured the internet, contacted historians and studied old maps to find out what I could about working classes, 18th century theatre and wider society in 1715. The majority of the story takes place in Devon, where I live. It’s a beautiful part of the world and I visited Bampton several times, studying architecture, researching the layout and combining that with anecdotal evidence, maps and local history sites. I shifted some buildings around mentally, added a few, altered the building dates here and there, and elongated the road a little, but it was wonderful to use it as a launchpad. I also visited Andover for a sense of the place, again studying architecture and the town’s history. Visiting these two key locations helped establish the place firmly in my mind and I hope that comes across in the world-building.

Q Why did you decide to write with multiple POV?

A I decided that rather than featuring major historical events, the series would instead focus on local setting, the world of theatre and character. I love the fact that fundamentally, people are the same now as they always have been, and as they will continue to be. To me, that’s what really brings historical fiction alive – that connection. So it was important to have a deep dive into the minds of the characters, really understanding their longings, their fears, their flaws, their humanity. Using multiple points of view allowed me to explore that more fully, and go deeper into different interpretations and answers to the thematic question.

Q Which character are you most like?

A I think there is a little bit of me in almost every character, but that nugget goes off and spins in a different direction, grows, mutates, finds their own voice, and becomes a new character. There is probably most similarity between me and Thomas because we share a similar outlook on life. He’s passionate about his art, very optimistic, and determined to see the bright side and encourage those around him. He will look for ways to make the impossible possible. He also has the tendency to hurtle around somewhat chaotically from one thing to the next, and Caroline’s frustration of, “For Heaven’s sake! Didn’t that man ever stand still?” definitely has echoes of my mother’s voice.

It can feel oddly intrusive to bestow modern terms upon historical characters – even imagined ones – but I understand Thomas to have ADHD, like me, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Neurodiversity has always been around and although the players wouldn’t understand it as such, it’s been wonderful to explore it authentically in historical fiction with a neurodiverse main character.

Q There is a lot of humour in the story. Why did you choose to write with this tone?

A There are many reasons why this felt the right tone to use. My voice naturally brings an element of comedy, so it felt an authentic way to write this story, especially one which examines the concept of comedy and tragedy.

Humour and neurodiversity are similar in the sense that they have both always existed but we don’t see much in historical fiction. People had a good laugh, and needed to, just as we do today. By using a lighter tone and including comedy, I’m hoping to help break down the assumption that historical fiction needs to be deadly serious all the time.

Humour is a great way of dealing with difficult issues, making it easier and more bearable to examine those areas which challenge us. It can also help make fiction accessible to readers, and I’d love to see more readers embracing stories, worlds and characters from the past. It’s my hope that including the humour in this story brings a warmth and connection, helping you feel like you are hanging out with a group of friends, sitting around the campfire together by night and travelling along the road beside them by day.

Thank you so much Amy. That was fascinating and it's been my pleasure to have you on the blog today.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 1068327919

Publisher: Sword and Fiddle Publishing

Formats: e-book and paperback

No. of Pages: 326 (paperback)

Series: Book 1 of The Players Series

Purchase Link

About the Author

Amy was born in Eastbourne, England, where the sea and South Downs encouraged her love of the outdoors and nurtured her wildness. Her childhood was filled with folk music, caravans and imagination, and she was always dreaming up stories and characters – usually when she was meant to be doing something else.

She enjoys stories that explore both comedy and tragedy. She is a New York Times bestselling author and her work includes THE HOUSE AT THE EDGE OF MAGIC series, and the picture books for BBC’s THE REPAIR SHOP. THE PLAYERS is her debut novel for adults.

Amy now lives in Devon with her husband and six children. When she isn’t writing, Amy enjoys drinking tea, climbing trees and playing the piano, although disappointingly she is yet to master doing all three at once.

You can also find Amy at:

(media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

Friday, 15 August 2025

10 Ten New Releases in September 2025

There are few things I find more exciting than putting together a 'new release' post, as there are so many great books to look forward to.

Here are just ten that have caught my eye.

The Boy with the Jade by Charles Bush

A young aristocrat's quest for identity amid love, loss, and betrayal in 18th-century China

In the opulent world of 18th-century China, where wealth and power reign supreme, The Boy with the Jade unveils the poignant tale of Baoyu, heir to the illustrious Jia family. Born with a jade pendant in his mouth—a symbol of his destiny—Baoyu's life is one of luxury laced with darkness.

Amidst his family's splendor, Baoyu navigates complex relationships. He shares a deep, intellectual connection with his cousin Daiyu and engages in intense liaisons with Amber, his main maid. Yet, these bonds are marred by mistreatment, deception, and overwhelming societal pressures.

Baoyu's life spirals after a severe beating from his father, Amber's death, and Daiyu's illness. His spirit breaks, plunging him into despair and leading to the loss of his jade pendant. Fate deals another blow when he's duped into marrying Baochai on the day Daiyu dies. Seeking enlightenment, Baoyu turns to Taoist and Buddhist philosophies, finding guidance from mystical mentors who help him reclaim his jade and hope.

With expectations to excel at the Imperial Examination and continue his lineage, Baoyu is trapped by tradition. Craving freedom, he makes a bold escape, embarking on a transformative journey.

The Vanishing Act by Jo Jakeman

Life as a missing person is absolute murder...

When artist Eloise Ford hears that human remains found in an abandoned mine are believed to be those of long-missing teenager Elizabeth King, the shock sends her reeling.

It can't be true. Eloise knows this for a fact because... she is Elizabeth King.

Now, her carefully curated life in Cornwall is falling apart. Her husband is acting strangely, her children aren't speaking to her and she can't sell a painting for love nor money. But much more worrying are the signs that someone knows exactly who she is... and why she had to vanish thirty years ago.

Eloise needs answers. Is her son's ex-girlfriend just plain annoying... or does she know something? Will the detection skills of the online 'Truth Seekers' group prove more than amateurish? What's the real story behind those village newcomers?

And just how far would she go to keep her family, her friends, and her fraudulent life, safe?

The Great Western Railway Girls Do Their Bit by Jane Lark

1940 - As the Nazi invaders race across Europe, the women of the Great Western Railway works pull together like never before.

Catherine wrestles with self-pity after a machine-shop accident. With her fiancé and brothers on the front lines in France, she must find a new way to fight on the home front.

At her side are her steadfast GWR friends, among them Maggie, facing the loss of her father and family home, and Lily, desperate for news of her childhood sweetheart. All are determined to keep morale high and do their bit to win the war.

Amid blackout nights and rationed days, as the war creeps closer to home, these resilient women forge deeper bonds of sisterhood, confronting heartache and embracing joy. Standing up and volunteering to do even more, when hundreds of thousands of exhausted and wounded troops are rescued from Dunkirk and arrive in Dover. Britain’s ships and small boats saved them, now the trains must move them to safety and the women need to help to keep them alive...

An inspiring story of friendship, courage and women’s strength on the home front.

The Teacher Evacuees by Rose Warner

Canadian-born teacher Victoria McKaye takes up a new position at a London school, but soon finds herself coordinating its evacuation to a Norfolk village along with standoffish spinster Beatrice and quiet young Nell. Victoria has to adapt to life in the countryside, petty politics and local busybodies.

When she meets attractive naval officer Louis Grainger, romance blossoms. Victoria is drawn into a clandestine world and told that she is helping the British government, but after she catches Louis covertly meeting a suspicious stranger in nearby woods, she fears the worst – a traitor in their midst.

It’s a race against time for Victoria to discover the truth and keep the village – and the country – safe from invasion.

The Memoirs of Andre Trocme by Andre Trocme

André Trocmé is famous for his role in saving thousands of Jews from the Nazis as pastor of the village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, France, a story celebrated in literature and film. But who was the man behind the legend, and the how did he become an international hero and uncompromising advocate of nonviolence resistance? Appearing in English for the first time, his private memoirs give a colorful and honest account of a person determined to stay true to his faith and convictions, who despite his quirks was ready to stand his ground when world history came knocking.

Written for his children in the 1950s and first published in French in 2020, these memoirs trace André Trocmé’s extraordinary life: a bourgeois childhood; teenage years as a World War I refugee; studies abroad in New York City, where he met his future wife, Magda, and tutored the Rockefeller children; military service in Algeria, which cemented his pacifist stance; postings as a pastor in depressed areas of France; resisting fascism and hiding Jews in Le Chambon; a brief imprisonment and a stint underground; and globetrotting leadership in the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. Trocmé also reveals the impact of personal tragedies: the untimely death of his mother in a car accident for which his father was responsible and, years later, his teenage son’s suicide.

This detailed first-person account from an eyewitness to pivotal moments in history will be of interest not just to scholars of the Holocaust, World War II, and domestic resistance to fascism, but also to those seeking to follow their conscience and the teachings of their faith in trying times.

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand

Secrets, rumours, and dangerous liaisons - at an elite New England boarding school, they come with the territory.

It's move-in day at Tiffin Academy and amidst the happy chaos of friends reuniting, selfies uploading, and cars unloading, shocking news arrives: America Today just ranked Tiffin the number two boarding school in the country. It's a seventeen-spot jump - was there a typo? The dorms are dingy, the sports teams always come last and Tiffin students are known for being more social than academic. But the campus is exquisite, class sizes are small, and the dining hall is run by a New York chef. And they do have lots of fun . . .

But as the rarefied air of Tiffin is suffused with self-congratulation, scandalous bulletins begin to appear on phones across campus, thanks to a new app called Zip Zap, and nobody is safe. From Davi Banerjee, queen bee and international influencer, to Simone Bergeron, the young new history teacher; to Charley Hicks, a transfer student who seems determined not to fit in, it seems everyone has something to hide.

As the year unfolds, bonds are forged and broken, secrets are shared and exposed, and the lives of Tiffin's students and staff are changed forever.

Clues to You by Claire Huston

One murder mystery weekend. Two rival sleuths.

They’re looking for answers. But will they find love?

Kate Brannon is delighted to be attending her first murder mystery weekend in a movie-worthy Victorian manor house. Still getting over being dumped, cracking the case would be a welcome boost to her flagging confidence. And the prize money wouldn’t hurt either.

But Kate’s dreams of victory become a nightmare with the arrival of Max Ravenscroft. Smart, enigmatic and annoyingly handsome, Max is Kate’s sleuthing nemesis.

When she and Max are forced to work together, Kate despairs. But, as the investigation brings them closer, she finds being his partner in solving crime isn’t all bad.

With growing suspicions that the game is rigged against them, can Kate and Max beat the odds to find the killer? And, as their partnership deepens, can they find romance too?

Paperback Preorder Link

The Children of the Roses by Warren Adler

Meet Josh and Evie Rose, heirs to the notorious legacy of Barbara and Jonathan. In The Children of the Roses, Adler delivers a darkly comic, razor-sharp sequel about love, family, and the havoc we inherit.

Josh’s marriage to Victoria seems destined to avoid the mistakes of the past. But when a harmless prank involving missing Milky Ways at their son’s elite private school spirals into all-out war, everything changes. Josh and Victoria find themselves caught in a whirlwind of emotional chaos, fueled by a depraved headmaster, hidden affairs, and a meddling mother-in-law with a vendetta against men.

Meanwhile, Josh’s sister Evie, ever loyal and always ready with a comforting meal, tries to hold the family together. As tensions rise, even the children, Michael and Emily, plot their own desperate plan to keep their family from falling apart.

Witty, biting, and unforgettable, The Children of the Roses explores how the ghosts of the past haunt the present and how even the most perfect facades can shatter in an instant.

A Taste of Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan

The Sugar and Spice bakery sparkles with holiday spirit as Jacob serves up more mouthwatering festive treats, and Christmas spirit Lara tries to sprinkle her magic over those finding the time of year difficult.

Ollie is at his wits’ end. A debt from years ago comes back to haunt him just as he and his girlfriend are buying their dream home.

Rose is dejected as her college sweetheart has dumped her now they’re in their final year. She’s not looking forward to Christmas alone, nor her twenty-first birthday on Christmas Eve.

Sacha has recently moved to Winstanton following the failure of his business. He’s too embarrassed to confide in his family, but can he find the friendship he so desperately needs and begin to trust again?

Diana tries to find her new normal after the unexpected death of her husband earlier this year. All her plans for retirement have been thrown out the window and she feels lost. She needs a renewed sense of purpose and to find her place in the world.

Can Lara provide the answer to a joy-filled Christmas?

A story of hope, love, friendship, community, and of course, Christmas spirit.

The Irish Midwife by Seána Tinley

Peggy Cassidy is a milly, working in the Belfast linen mills to just about get by. But Peggy also has another job - a secret one. She works as a handywoman - an illegal midwife, tending to the women of her community in their time of need.

When Peggy is offered the chance to leave Belfast to receive formal midwifery training in Dublin, it sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.

But amongst her middle-class colleagues, Peggy must keep the truth about her past secret at all times. If the realities of her life in Belfast are revealed, she could lose everything she has worked for.

And when she meets a well-to-do doctor down in Dublin, she must make a decision: should she protect her family and her history? Or can she let herself fall in love?

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Thursday, 14 August 2025

The Tour at School (Because You're the New Kid!) by Katie Clapham and Nadia Shireen - #bookreview

When you show a New Person around, it's called giving them The Tour...

***

The Blurb

The hilarious and heartfelt debut picture book from Katie Clapham, illustrated by Nadia Shireen - creator of the bestselling, highly acclaimed Grimwood series and Barbara Throws a Wobbler - will help kids feel better about those first-day-at-school nerves, as well as encouraging all children to create a safe and welcoming space for others.

Because, really, starting school can be scary. And being a New Kid in a new school can also be very scary. Luckily, this book will help soothe first-day nerves, make kids feel excited about the challenge and also show children how to be the PERFECT Tour Guide and make any New Kid feel right at home. And did we mention this book is very funny? Because it really is.

So, come along and join THE TOUR with Katie Clapham and Nadia Shireen. First stop? The toilets. Because they're great for singing in. (And also for weeing.) And don't forget to show them the library and its one MILLION books (remember to use your quiet mouse voice!), the playground (where you can play Worldwide Hairdressers!) and ... the EMERGENCY MEET UP PLACE (just in case anyone gets lost). But REMEMBER, sometimes when you're a New Kid it can all be ... a bit too much. And that's when the New Kid doesn't need you to be a tour guide anymore, they need you to be ... a friend.

My Review

This is a delightful picture book, aimed at those about to start school or nursery, and also for those who may just be the tour guide themselves.

I liked this book very much, and I haven't come across another like it. I could well imagine sharing this with my children when they were young. The first day of school/nursery can be an anxious time for little ones, and I think sharing this book with an adult beforehand may well help with easing those anxieties and perhaps would give rise to a conversation about the specifics of a child's fears.

However, I think this would work equally well in a reception school classroom. Teachers could use this to help children become responsible tour guides.

I also loved the humour in this book. Our young tour guide in this book shows the new child where the toilets are, informing them that it is a great place for singing, the soap smells like strawberries and finally, a good place for "weeing." I laughed when that was used as the final bit of information.

The whole book is filled with amusing facts such as that, and culminates in a friendship forming between the two.

A lovely little book that has been nicely illustrated and will have great appeal for young children.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 1529505740

Publisher: Walker Books

Formats: Hardback

No. of Pages: 40

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org

About the Author

Katie Clapham is the co-owner of independent bookshop Storytellers, Inc. with her mum. Picked by The Bookseller as a rising star, Katie was also named Best Young Bookseller at the British Book Awards. Katie is the author of acclaimed teen comedy Three Girls (UCLan, 2022), and The Missing Bookshop (Stripes, 2019). She lives by the sea with her husband, daughter and dog, where she writes the popular Substack newsletter, Receipt from the Bookshop, as well as working in the bookshop.

You can also find Katie at:

About the Illustrator

Nadia Shireen has been making picture books since 2010, when her debut Good Little Wolf burst onto the scene and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Since then, she’s written and illustrated many more picture books including Barbara Throws a Wobbler, Billy and the Beast and Geoffrey Gets the Jitters. In 2017, The Bumblebear was distributed to over 700,000 children as part of Booktrust's Time To Read campaign. Her anarchic series for older readers, Grimwood, was a World Book Day title in 2022 and has taken the playgrounds of the nation by storm. Nadia has won the UKLA book prize twice, though she has lost loads of others (she still enjoys being nominated though.) She co-presents a podcast about children’s books called The Island Of Brilliant with writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

You can also find Nadia at:

Facebook

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

(Book and media courtesy of the publisher)

(author photo courtesy of her instagram page)

(all opinions are my own)

Wednesday, 13 August 2025

The Herb Knot by Jane Loftus - #bookreview #blogtour

1346, Crecy, France

The branches folded over them, crackling like a dog biting on chicken bones. Raphael and his mother wriggled beneath low shrubs and coils of fern...

The Blurb

The Hundred Years' War comes to life in this spellbinding tale of love, betrayal and conspiracy …

A quest born on the battlefield will change a young boy’s destiny…

Rafi Dubois is five years old when his mother is murdered after the Battle of Crecy in 1346. Alone and lost, Rafi is given a token by the dying Englishman who tried to save his mother’s life: a half-broken family seal which he urges Rafi to return one day to Winchester.

Years later, when Rafi saves a wealthy merchant’s wife from a brutal robbery, he is rewarded with the chance to travel to England, taking the seal with him.

But when he reaches Winchester, Rafi finds himself in a turbulent world full of long-held allegiances, secrets and treachery. His path is fraught with danger and with powerful enemies working against him, Rafi falls in love with Edith, a market apothecary. But in doing so, Rafi unleashes a deadly chain of events which threatens to overwhelm them both…

The Herb Knot is a sweeping and passionate novel set in one of the most tumultuous times in English history, from a powerful new voice.

My Review

A book which is largely set in 14th Century Winchester, along with a great plot - what could be better?

This was a hugely enjoyable historical fiction book, which begins with five-year-old, Rafi Dubois, witnessing the death of his mother and younger brother by an Englishman on the battlefield of Crecy. When he witnesses the same man strike down one of his fighting allies, the dying Englishman gives Rafi part of a seal, requesting he return it to his father.

This occurrence is what propels the entire plot. Rafi knows that if he can find the murderer of this Englishman, he will equally discover the man who killed his mother and obtain retribution. This is the reason why Rafi travels to Winchester.

I liked Rafi very much. He is a brave, yet naive, young man who sets off on his errand. As the novel progresses, we observe how Rafi matures and becomes a little more worldly wise. However, he never strays from the essence of his character. He is trustworthy and loyal throughout.

Ms. Loftus has done an equally good job with her portrayal of the more minor characters. Each of them were fully developed and utterly believable. In the author's note at the end of the book, she explains which of the characters existed in history and which were based on her imagination.

The author has clearly researched the time and place in which the book is set thoroughly. I felt completely immersed in 14th century Winchester. I am fortunate enough to have visited there on a few occasions, and her descriptions all felt very authentic.

I enjoyed how she concluded the book, and it left me feeling very satisfied. There was a nice little twist at the end which I hadn't expected, and which finished off Rafi's story perfectly.

Anyone who enjoys medieval historical fiction will enjoy this book, especially if you like to have a little mystery thrown in. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 0008755270

Publisher: HQ Digital/Harper Collins

Formats: e-book, audio and paperback

No. of Pages: 336 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org

About the Author

Jane Loftus gained a degree in 16th Century European and British history from Surrey before taking a postgraduate degree in modern political history. As a lone parent, she worked in Winchester Waterstones before returning to IT once her son was older.

Hugely passionate about the Middle Ages, she drew inspiration for this novel from the medieval layout of Winchester which has been painstakingly documented.

Jane is originally from London but has lived in Winchester for over twenty years. When not writing, she is usually out walking or watching costume dramas on Netflix - the more medieval the better. She also plays far too many rpgs.

You can also find X at:

Author Website

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

(ARC and media courtesy of The Coffee Pot Book Club)

(all opinions are my own)

Tuesday, 12 August 2025

The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook by Tessa Barrie - #bookreview #blogtour

Edna Fowler scurried across the sweeping gravel drive and up the wide stone steps to the solid oak front door of Didsbrook Manor. It was slightly ajar, and when she banged the gothic cast iron knocker against it, it groaned open...

The Blurb

The remote village of Didsbrook is thrown into turmoil after its best-known resident, the former actress turned best-selling novelist Jocelyn Robertshaw, is found dead under mysterious circumstances.

Villagers are appalled to learn that the charismatic Jocelyn died from Hemlock poisoning. Police claim she shot and ate a quail that had ingested hemlock. A theory disputed by all who knew her well. The animal-loving Jocelyn would never kill anything, but due to the lack of forensic evidence, police rule death by misadventure.

Jocelyn’s young protégée, Lucy Fothergill, determined to discover the truth about what happened to her mentor, discovers a hidden stash of Jocelyn’s notebooks, revealing jaw-dropping secrets from Jocelyn’s past. The impression Jocelyn gave the world that she lived a near-perfect life was an Academy Award-winning performance.

Believing the events from Jocelyn’s past may have led to her death forty-eight years later, Lucy begins to piece together the clues that lead to the truth.

The sleepy village of Didsbrook is about to wake up!

My Review

This novel contained so many wonderful characters. I enjoyed becoming acquainted with them all.

The book opens with the discovery of the body of Jocelyn Robertshaw, a former actress, writer, and philanthropist to the village of Didsbrook. She is well loved and respected by her friends and the villagers. When the police declare her death a suicide, her friends refuse to believe it.

Lucy, the young protegee of Joc, as she's referred to throughout the book, sets out to find evidence that this was not a suicide but murder. Lucy was a likable character. She is young, genuine, and at times a little naive about the world.

It is a dialogue-led book, and I could very well imagine this book being on stage. The author used the conversation between the characters to move the story along perfectly.

There were times when the book was a little predictable, but this did not detract from my enjoyment of it. That said, I did not work out who had committed the crime until the reveal, and sometimes, predictability can be a good thing.

I enjoyed the humour that the author sprinkled throughout the novel. It made for a fun and entertaining book to read. It is a nice cosy crime novel which lovers of the genre will enjoy.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 1036920968

Publisher: My Alter Ego and Me Press

Formats: e-book and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages: 305 (paperback)

Purchase Links