I managed to read fourteen books in November with a few deserving the full five stars and plenty of others coming close. You can find a complete list of all the books I’ve read so far this year here, with links to my reviews. If we’re not already friends on Goodreads, send me a friend request or follow my reviews.
First up is Miss Marley by Vanessa Lafaye, a prequel to one of my favourite books, A Christmas Carol. Published by HQ Stories, the book was completed by Vanessa’s friend and fellow author, Rebecca Mascull after Vanessa’s untimely death earlier this year. I described it as charming and heart-warming. You can read my full review here. It would make the perfect Christmas gift.
Next it’s historical novel, The Price of Compassion by A. B. Michaels, the fourth in the author’s ‘The Golden City’ series (the Golden City in this case being San Francisco). Set just after the earthquake that devastated that city in 1906, it’s a cleverly constructed and suspenseful historical crime mystery. Read more about why I enjoyed the book here.
I’m staying with historical crime mysteries for my next pick but this time one set in medieval times – The Monastery Murders (Stanton & Barling #2) by E. M. Powell. I described it as ‘a well-crafted, engaging historical mystery with plenty of twists and turns’. You can read my full review here.
A change now, to nonfiction and Song of Praise for a Flower by Fengxian Chu and Charlene Chu. Subtitled ‘One Woman’s Journey through China’s Tumultuous 20th Century’, the book tells the remarkable story of Fengxian Chu. Full of drama and, at times, unutterably sad, I nevertheless found it inspiring and uplifting. Read my full review here.
Finally, I’m back to historical crime with None So Blind by Alis Hawkins, the first in a new series, ‘The Teifi Valley Coroner’, set in the west Wales countryside of the 1800s. Published by The Dome Press, I described None So Blind as ‘atmospheric, compelling and suspenseful’. I was thrilled to learn from the author that the second book in the series is already completed and a third is under way. Read my full review here to find out why I was hooked and can’t wait for the next book.
First up is crime mystery The Last Thread by Ray Britain. I praised the book for its meticulous attention to the detail of police procedure – no surprise give the author is a former Senior Investigating Officer. This gives the reader the feeling they are almost part of the investigation team. Read my full review 
Next up is historical novel, False Lights by K. J. Whittaker, published by Head of Zeus, which imagines a world in which Wellington was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and England occupied by the victorious French. Alongside this intriguing premise is an engaging romantic story line. Find out more about what I enjoyed about the book 
Another historical novel now – The Black Prince by Adam Roberts, published by Unbound on 4th October 2018. Based on unpublished material by literary giant, Anthony Burgess, it tells the story of Edward the Black Prince in a singularly inventive way using a range of narrative techniques. I described it as ‘full of verve and wit, crammed with vivid period detail’. Read my full review 
This year marks one hundred years since women (although not all women) won the right to vote. Published by Retreat West Books, The Word for Freedom is a collection of 24 short stories from both established and emerging authors in celebration of this anniversary. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the stories which I found imaginative and thought-provoking. You can read my full review 
Lastly, I come to my favourite of the books I read in October – historical thriller Paris in the Dark by Robert Olen Butler. Published by No Exit Press on 25th October 2018, the book is set in World War 1 Paris and involves a race against time as journalist and undercover agent Christopher Marlowe ‘Kit’ Cobb attempts to discover who is behind a series of bombings in Paris. As I commented in my 
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