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The Case of the Christie Conspiracy by Kelly Oliver #Review #TheDetectionClubBook1

    Today we have the first in a new historical cozy crime series, The Detection Club. The Case of the Christie Conspiracy by Kelly Oliver   is published today by Boldwood Books .   Agatha Christie is about to embark on a new, gripping murder case. But this time, she’s not the author – she’s a suspect… 1926 – Christie is a darling of the literary circuit and the most desired guest in London’s glittering social scene. She can often be found at meetings of the Detection Club – where mystery writers come together to share ideas, swap secrets and drink copiously. But then a fellow author's initiation ceremony takes a gruesome turn, and one of the group ends up dead. Now, Agatha is no longer just the creator of great mystery plots – she’s a player in one. And when Agatha disappears the day after the murder, she’s widely assumed to be guilty. Only Eliza Baker, assistant to the Club’s enigmatic secretary, Dorothy Sayers, is interested in investigating the case. But i...

Friends with Benefits by Lisa Swift #Review

I am so happy to feature Lisa Swift's ltest romcom, Friends with Benefits, which was published by Hera on 3rd February.  

Could Mr Right-Now actually be Mr Right?

Lexie Whittle thought she had life all sewn up, with a gorgeous husband, a beautiful home, and an utterly delightful teenage stepson. Until husband Daryl announced he was leaving to work overseas… and everything changed.

A year later, Daryl and Lexie’s marriage is practically over. Lexie is fighting to stay on top of the bills, juggling her job at the Blue Parrot 1940s cafe in Leyholme with being mum and dad to Connor in Daryl’s absence.

The only thing keeping her sane is the support she gets from Connor’s godfather: Theo Blake, Daryl’s former business partner. Theo might be a jack-the-lad, drifting from one woman to another, but Lexie knows she and Connor can always depend on him in times of need.

After one too many glasses of wine leads to them falling into bed together, Lexie and Theo begin a friends-with-benefits relationship. It starts as just sex, but it doesn’t take long for deeper feelings to develop.

But when Daryl returns, Lexie is faced with some difficult decisions. Will she be forced to choose between her love for Theo and the boy she sees as a son?


 My Thoughts

There are some amusing moments in this romcom, usually centred around the teenagers in this story and their interaction with the 'grown-ups'. However, I also found that despite its feelgood, heart-warning moments, there are also some more serious aspects and darker themes. Grief and loss feature throughout. You see how this affects three generations and consider just what makes a family.

    Throughout the story, you see the effects of not being honest about how you feel and you get to see different characters trying to work through some difficult relationships. None are more mature or truthful than the youngest one, Connor, who more often than not acts in the more open and honest way. You get to consider how adults' behaviour can impact on their children and how they behave can cause ripple effects through the entire family. This is an entertaining read with a solid centre.

In short:  light and shade in this entertaining read.  


About the Author


Lisa Swift grew up in rural West Yorkshire in the UK, right in the heart of Brontë country… and she’s still there. After graduating from Durham University with a degree in English Literature, she dallied with living in cities including London, Nottingham and Cambridge, but eventually came back with her own romantic hero in tow to her beloved Dales, where she first started telling stories about heroines with flaws and the men who love them.

Lisa also writes romantic comedies under the pen name Mary Jayne Baker.

You can follow Lisa here: 

 

Twitter   |  Website   |   Facebook

Book links: Amazon UK  |  Apple  |  Kobo

Thanks to Lisa Swift, Hera Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources  for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

                                                          Follow the rest of the tour!
 
 

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