The Storyteller of Casablanca (by Fiona Valpy)

The story is twofold. Zoe in 2010, moves to Casablanca with her husband and baby daughter, Grace because of her husband’s job. She can feel her marriage flatlining and her life is crumbling. Then she finds a box hidden under a floorboard of the old house they have rented, which contains the journal of a young girl Josie ..

The Paris Library (by Janet Skeslien Charles)

Once again I find myself transported back to World War II, this time in Paris. The last read was Simon Scarrow’s Blackout in wartime Berlin. Strange as I am not consciously picking wartime novels based on fact! The Paris Library is founded on the contribution the American Library in Paris made to the lives of…

The Midnight Library (by Matt Haig)

The Midnight Library is a celebration of the imagination. Guaranteed to lift any thoughts of depression! A novel full of inspiration, warmth, philosophy and even quantum mechanics. Its breadth is amazing, awe-inspiring, and magical A story to reread when you are depressed or need a new direction. Yes, can you guess I liked it enormously?…

The Fine Art of Invisible Detection (by Robert Goddard)

It is very satisfying to rediscover an author. It is like greeting an old friend. I have read many of Goddard’s early books and thoroughly enjoyed reading them so I looked forward to the latest story. Has he matured like a good wine? Certainly, he has moved with the times and one of his themes…

Agent Running in the Field (by John le Carré)

Nat is put out to pasture in a local London spy centre (The Haven – a complete misnomer) by his “friends” in Head Office much to his chagrin. Spies, like author John le Carré, refuse to grow old gracefully! This is John le Carré at the top of his game. Nat has many connections, friends…

The Thursday Murder Club (by Richard Osman)

This is the Richard Osman of Pointless (and other TV quizzes and Chat shows) so you can expect an off-beat novel! You will not be disappointed – there are plenty of pithy observations, and tangential quips which are off the wall in typical Osman style. His characters, primarily located at a top-end care complex, offer…

The Truants (by Kate Weinberg)

Lorna once asked: “What is it about an unsolved mystery that captures us so that makes us lean forward looking for an answer?” At the heart of this mystery is Agatha Christie. There are references to her and her novels throughout the story. I am not familiar with Agatha Christie novels! Does she have heroes…