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Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm by Georgina Troy #Review #HollyhockFarmBook2

  Welcome back to the blog to Georgina Troy for another in her Hollyhock Farm series. Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm was published by Boldwood Books on November 7th and takes us back to beautiful Jersey.   Festival season has come to Hollyhock Farm… Since his sister Lettie took over their parents' farm on the beautiful island of Jersey at the start of the year, Zac Torel's life has changed completely. Zac loves Hollyhock Farm, and he's determined to help Lettie succeed, but when their insurance company refuses to pay for the restoration of one of their barns in time for winter, the clock is ticking for the Torrels to raise the money themselves. The siblings decide to host a wellness festival, but with the summer already well underway, they've got their work cut out to get everything ready before the season ends. Lettie recruits the help of Melody, a yoga teacher from Edinburgh. New to the island, Melody is determined to shake things up and make a success o

Payback by PC Bridgestock #Review

Today, I am delighted to be able to feature R C Bridgestock's latest crime novel, Payback
 
Charley Mann left Yorkshire for the Met and a fast-track career - but now she’s back, she’s in charge and the area’s first young, female DI.



Her hometown, the Yorkshire countryside, and her old friends all seem unchanged but appearances can be deceptive.



When a brutal murder is discovered, Charley is forced to question everything, and the interest of her ex - reporter Danny Ray - doesn’t make it easier.

My Thoughts

What a lovely surprise, to find out that this book is set around Marsden and Huddersfield- places I know well. I could absolutely recognise the landscape and the people as I read the story. This is the first outing for DI Charley Mann and I think she has great potential. At times, unpredictable, she is a credible character who certainly leads from the front.

    As a police procedural, this is a well crafted story with a realistic flavour. It feels believeable. With pacing which never lets up and some interesting characters to pepper the story, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. It is obvious that the authors have an in depth knowledge of life on a murder enquiry and it shone out of the novel. I am looking forward to any future returns to Peel Street, Huddersfield and dare I say it, a TV series would be fab as well!

In short: gritty police drama with the ring of truth. 

About the Authors



R.C. Bridgestock is the name that husband and wife co-authors Robert (Bob) and Carol Bridgestock write under. Between them they have nearly 50 years of police experience, offering an authentic edge to their stories. The writing duo created the character DI Jack Dylan, the ninth book of which was published by The Dome Press in 2019, along with their backlist.


Bob was a highly commended career detective of 30 years, retiring at the rank of Detective Superintendent. During his last three years, he took charge of 26 murders, 23 major incidents, over 50 suspicious deaths and numerous sexual assaults. He was also a trained hostage negotiator with suicide interventions, kidnap, terrorism and extortion. Bob was seconded to a protracted enquiry investigating alleged police corruption in another force. He worked on the Yorkshire Ripper and Sarah Harper murder, and received praise from Crown Court Judges and Chief Constables alike for outstanding work at all ranks, including winning the much-coveted Dennis Hoban Trophy.

As a police civilian supervisor, Carol also received a Chief Constable’s commendation for outstanding work.

The couple are the storyline consultants / police procedural on BAFTA-winning BBC1 police drama Happy Valley and series 3 of ITV’s Scott and Bailey, and are presently working with Scott Free Production scriptwriters on two commissioned TV drama series.

The couple pride themselves on being up-to-date on past and present day UK police procedures, and as a result, Bob is regularly sought by UK television, radio and national and local newspapers for comment on developing major crime incidents etc. They have also taken part in BBC Radio 4 (Steve) PUNT P.I.

Carol and Bob are also patrons and ambassadors for several charities.

You can follow the authors here: 

Twitter: @RCBridgestock 
Book link: Amazon UK 
Thanks to the authors and Emily Glenister of Dome Press for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

Follow the rest of the tour!




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