New arrivals
Pleasing Mr Pepys by Deborah Swift (ebook)
Deb Willet is desperate to escape her domineering aunt and takes a position as companion to Elisabeth Pepys, Samuel’s wife. Deb believes it will give her the respectability and freedom she craves – but it proves far more complicated than she could ever have imagined.
London is still in ruins from the Great Fire. Although Charles II has been restored to the throne, there is the prospect of war with the Dutch – the world’s great sea power of the era. In the midst of this tumult strides Samuel Pepys, diarist and man of note.
Pepys’ influence in Restoration London means that the Dutch are keen to get their hands on his secrets – even if that means murder, espionage and blackmail to get them. Deb is soon caught up in a web of deception and double-dealing. And with Mr Pepys’ attentions turned towards her, there’s a lot more than treason at stake…
Selling other people’s secrets is a dangerous game.
The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey by Rachel Joyce (ebook)
When Queenie Hennessy discovers that Harold Fry is walking the length of England to save her, and all she has to do is wait, she is shocked. Her note to him had explained she was dying from cancer. How can she wait?
A new volunteer at the hospice suggests that Queenie should write again; only this time she must tell Harold the truth. Composing this new message, the volunteer promises, will ensure Queenie hangs on. It will also atone for the secrets of the past. As the volunteer points out, ‘It isn’t Harold who is saving you. It is you, saving Harold Fry.’
This is that letter. A letter that was never sent.
Told in simple, emotionally-honest prose, with a mischievous bite, this is a novel about the journey we all must take to learn who we are; it is about loving and letting go. And most of all it is about finding joy in unexpected places and at times we least expect.
Queenie thought her first letter would be the end of the story. She was wrong. It was just the beginning…
On What Cathy Read Next last week
Blog posts
Monday – I shared my five favourite books I read in August and the results of my 20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge.
Wednesday – WWW Wednesday is the opportunity to share what I’ve just finished reading, what I’m reading now and what I’ll be reading next.
Thursday – I published the reading list I’ve put together based on authors appearing at this year’s Henley Literary Festival and details of the events I’ll be attending. I also shared my review of Karen Maitland’s latest medieval thriller, A Gathering of Ghosts.
Saturday – I joined the blog tour for Sleeping Through War by Jackie Carreira, sharing my review. For those of you who like to start your Christmas shopping early, have book loving friends or family with birthdays soon or simply feel the desire to treat yourself, I also published my interview with Melissa, owner of online shop Literary Book Gifts. The post contains details of a 20% discount code you can use for any purchases.
On What Cathy Read Next this week
Currently reading
Planned posts
- Book Review: Six Stories by Matt Wesolowski
- Book Review: The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason
- Buchan of the Month: Introducing Castle Gay by John Buchan
- Blog Tour/Book Review: The Angel’s Mark by S. W. Perry
- Book Review: Money Power Love by Joss Sheldon
- Book Review: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton
