Justinians’s daughters by Nigel Stewart

 I make no secret of the fact that I am a fan of Nigel’s work, but after reading this, perhaps I should describe myself as an acolyte. It is a breathtaking departure from his previous books, with a sweeping multi-generational narrative akin to a fever dream. It effortlessly segues from mystical to mundane to mirth to menacing and back again, keeping the reader on their toes & never quite sure what to believe. Are you intrigued yet?

I’ll try to give you an flavour of some of the features that make this such a stunning read, but you will have to read it for yourself to see what a truly magnificent book this is.

As in all books with a dark edge to them, the use of moments of levity make the shocks even more powerful. So, when we first meet Ben, a comedian heading to Wales to work on his material for his upcoming tour, there is humour in spades to lull you into a (false) sense of security. His internal monologue as he tries out one liners, local references & puns is so well written that you almost feel like you are watching a work in progress set at The Fringe. But, as he explores the area, enjoying going about unrecognised, he comes across an old airbase where he experiences strange feelings of belonging. One of the great things about the way the story is told is that the author teases the reader, you hold your breath expecting a dramatic moment, are left hanging as another joke appears, only to be blindsided minutes later. The arrival of Erin at his holiday home leads to just such a moment. All I wrote in my notes at one point was “Wait! What? OMG!” 

Ultimately this is a story of retribution and we learn the history of Erin’s bloodline in step with Ben. Each wrong is exposed, each heartbreak devastatingly described and these,together with the undercurrent of arcane knowledge which seems to pass from mother to daughter, creates an atmospheric read. Why has Erin sought Ben out & what does she want from him? Did the untimely deaths of those who caused pain to her forebears happen as she claims? Will you find yourself believing and approving one minute & being horrified the next? This book could shape up to be a true test of your moral compass! It is obviously well researched, creating a vividly authentic feel to the stories from the past which is sure to appeal to the historical fiction lovers out there. I found myself looking up some things to find out more- I’d never heard of Q-ships, have you? 

I took great delight in certain words and phrases; describing someone wearing a blue hat as looking like a “power-crazed hydrangea “ made me laugh out loud. I also enjoyed the nod to The Clash’s London’s Burning when Thomas is thinking of his family in wartime London. There is a poetic feel to much that he writes which makes it a joy to read. 

To say I loved this book is an understatement. Strong women, strong storyline, what’s not to love? Don’t miss out on reading this incredible book. 

It’s a well-deserved ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️and a huge 👍from me.

My thanks to @hyggebooktours for my copy and the chance to review this book 😁

The Temenos Remains by Heather Peck

 

The blurb

With his ex-wife receiving threatening phone calls, loose ends still flapping from his last big case and a ritual burial found in an archaeological dig; the last thing Greg Geldard needs is an East Coast flood and a cliff fall that reveals - what exactly?

Ritual burials are rare. Finding them – rarer still. When three turn up, Greg Geldard knows he has a problem.

The nature of the victims and historic attitudes complicate his investigation as he struggles to find the killer’s latest victim before it’s too late.

What I thought about The Temenos Remains

I have read all of the DCI Greg Geldard books to date so I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review The Temenos Remains. My very first official book review was for Glass Arrows, an earlier book featuring Greg, so I have an emotional connection to this series and I have loved seeing the characters and storylines grow in depth with each release. Although the book does make references to previous events and has returning characters, these would not prevent you from enjoying it as a stand-alone title. Actually,  I think that the threads that weave through the series add to the feeling of authenticity. Police procedurals can sometimes wrap things up a bit too neatly, rather than reflecting the unfinished or unpunished elements of police work. 

 Set in a gloriously described Norfolk backdrop, we meet Greg as he faces up to two problems; his ex-wife  calling to say she & her infant son have been threatened because of him and an unusual discovery at the site of an archaeological dig. As the blurb refers to multiple ritual burials, it may not surprise you that the body found is not an an ancient artefact but most definitely a relatively recent interment. This is not the only body that turns up during the course of the story so Greg and his team have their work cut out to identify the victims and track down a serial killer with a penchant for bizarre burials. 

There are a couple of things that really made this book stand out to me. The first relates to Greg Geldard, the man. After the end of his marriage to Isabelle, Greg began a relationship with Chris, a fellow detective. Needless to say, Chris is less than pleased to see Greg rush off to Isabelle’s aid and this causes friction in their lives outside of work. Will Greg be able to convince Chris that it’s her he wants to be with? It’s fascinating to see more of what makes him tick and how he tries to balance his sense of honour with the demands of his work and his new love. I also enjoyed Chris becoming a more central character I the story.

 The second is the use of Entr’actes between the regular chapters, giving the reader glimpses into the mind of the killer, each one gradually cranking up the feeling of tension as you follow the progress of the investigation. These were outstanding, so immersive that I found myself almost agreeing with his twisted world view…perhaps I should be worried?! 

As in her previous books, contemporary issues are explored. We meet Jeff Fellowes, a transfer from the Met who personifies endemic misogyny in the police force. The continuing themes relating to organised crime throw a spotlight on the sex trade and the lack of visibility for some women. This is a pacy, intelligent book which I devoured in two sittings and thoroughly enjoyed. 

As I said at the start of this review, neat endings are not always reflective of life and this book, like the others, has a cliffhanger that will leave you raring to read Greg Geldard No. 5! 

It’s a big 👍 from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for the opportunity to review this fab book & well done Heather for writing another winner 😁

About the author

Award-winning author Heather Peck has had a varied life.

As featured in the ‘Norfolk’ magazine and the Eastern Daily Press, “Norfolk farm disaster expert turns to crime writing” she has been both farmer and agricultural policy adviser. She bred sheep and alpacas, reared calves, broke ploughs, represented the UK in international negotiations, specialised in emergency response from Chernobyl to bird flu, managed controls over pesti- cides and GM crops, saw legislation through Parliament and got paid to eat Kit Kats while on secondment to Rowntree. She has also chaired an NHS Trust, worked on animal welfare, sailed a boat on the Broads, volunteered in Citizens Advice and the Witness Service and vaccinated humans against Covid.

Two golden threads have run through everything; her fascination with words and her Gran’s wise advice: ‘You can do anything if you try hard enough!’