February 2023 in Books

As you’ll see, I’m already behind on my aim of reading one book a week, but, on the upside, I have plenty of time to catch up!

Books Bought

Ummm… Haul incoming!

I took my niece and nephew out for the day last Saturday and accidentally bought 7 books! In my defence, not a single one of the novels cost me more than £2. In fact, the Theatre of Marvels hardback by Lianne Dillsworth only cost me £1, the Witchfinders paperback by Malcolm Gaskill was £1.50 and the other hardback novels were £2 each. The Butterflies book cost me £2.50 (and was found by my nephew), while I paid full price for the other two books. Yes, most of my haul was charity shop bargains and mostly from The Charity Bookshop in Craven Arms. I then went to Machynlleth on Monday and bought Chris Hadfield’s An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth for £1 from another charity shop!

I think my first read of March will be Theatre of Marvels by Lianne Dillsworth. Described by author Jennifer Saint as “A fascinating, empowering story of a young woman’s search for identity and justice in Victorian London, a world which Lianne Dillsworth evokes so richly”. The paperback version was released on 2nd March in the UK, so the hardback was definitely a bargain at £1. I think it’s the perfect book to start the month with.

Books Read

The Darlings of the Asylum by Noel O’Reilly
(Published by HQ)

“I must pull myself together. I had to find Dr Rastrick and demand my immediate release. My stomach knotted at the prospect, but I knew I was perfectly sane and that he must see reason.

In 1886, a respectable young woman must acquire a husband. But Violet Pring does not want to marry. She longs to be a professional artist and live on her own terms.

When her scheming mother secures a desirable marriage proposal from an eligible Brighton gentleman for her, Violet protests. Her family believes she is deranged and deluded, so she is locked away in Hillwood Grange Lunatic Asylum against her will.

In her new cage, Violet faces an even greater challenge: she must escape the clutches of a sinister and formidable doctor and set herself free.”

I must admit that it was the wonderful cover and sprayed edges of the special edition from Goldsboro Books which originally attracted me to this book. I mean, just look how beautiful it is! Obviously, the description also piqued my interest and so it was my first read of February.

The tension builds from the start, especially between Violet and her mother. I found myself feeling angry on Violet’s behalf and despising the villains of the piece. I raced my way through the book, through the unexpected twists and turns and was enthralled with it all.

As The Darlings of the Asylum was such a compelling read, I’ll certainly be picking up Noel’s debut novel, Wrecker.

The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews
(Published by Raven Books)

“Norfolk, 1643. With civil war tearing England apart, reluctant soldier Thomas Treadwater is summoned home by his sister, who accuses a new servant of improper conduct with their widowed father. By the time Thomas returns home, his father is insensible, felled by a stroke, and their new servant is in prison, facing charges of witchcraft.

Thomas prides himself on being a rational, modern man, but as he unravels the mystery of what has happened, he uncovers not a tale of superstition but something dark and ancient, linked to a shipwreck years before.

Something has awoken, and now it will not rest.”

The story drew me in from the very start. The Leviathan is beautifully written and takes the reader straight into the tense atmosphere of the story.

Whilst I enjoyed this unsettling and darkly atmospheric tale for the most part, there was a shift from historical fiction to the supernatural and mythology around halfway through the book which I didn’t enjoy so much. I did, however, like the appearance of real-life seventeenth-century poet John Milton as Thomas’ mentor.

The ending of a book is always important and, sadly, the ending of The Leviathan just didn’t do it for me. I was underwhelmed and disappointed and thought it fell flat.

Killing Jericho by William Hussey (courtesy of NetGalley)
(Published by Zaffre)
Due for release on 27th April 2023

“When the fair comes to town, a killer’s game begins…

Scott Jericho thought he’d worked his last case. Fresh out of jail, the disgraced former detective is forced to seek refuge with the fairground family he once rejected.

Then a series of bizarre murders comes to light – deaths that echo a century-old fairground legend. The police can’t connect the victims. But Jericho knows how the legend goes; that more murders are certain to follow.

As Jericho unpicks the deadly mystery, a terrifying question haunts him. As a direct descendant of one of the victims in the legend, is Jericho next on the killer’s list?”

Wow! What can I say about Killing Jericho? It is my FAVOURITE book of the year, so far, and I raced through it, captivated, not wanting to put it down!

Scott Jericho is crime fiction’s first-ever gay Traveller detective. Fresh out of prison, with anger and addiction issues, he fills that clichéd, flawed detective stereotype well but with the added interest of his fairground Traveller background.

Killing Jericho certainly kept me on my toes. With the twists and turns, it had me suspecting a variety of the characters of being the killer. As with all good murder mysteries, this one is a little bit gruesome and, perhaps, not for the faint-hearted. It’s a must-read for any crime fiction lover!

My only problem is that this book isn’t even out yet and I already want to jump into further forays with Scott Jericho.

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I would like to end this post with a tribute to the wonderful author Christopher Fowler who has sadly died. Christopher was the author of the Bryant & May books, one of my favourite mystery series featuring one of my favourite characters – the adorable Arthur Bryant and his boiled sweets. If you enjoy Golden Age detective books or mysteries, then please check out the Bryant & May books, you won’t be disappointed.