When They Met Again - Leslie Gould

Adam Slaybaugh is instantly attracted to Joanna Grebel when they meet on the way to a wedding. But Joanna is wary of Adam's interest, and fears he is like her unpredictable and impulsive father. She doesn't believe in love at first sight, and as a reader of classic romances, she knows she wants her true love to be based on friendship first. When she meets Jacob though, her attraction to him is instant. But their relationship is turbulent and rocky. 

Then Adam returns to her home town... 

I really like Leslie Gould's writing. She creates a lovely environment for her characters. I loved the decades-long friendship circle of Becky, Lu, Elaine and Rhoda. I REALLY love the beautiful relationship between Becky and her husband Ike - not to mention the story of how they met! Joanna's connection with her grandmother Lu is very sweet and not at all in a saccharine way. 

I enjoyed reading about the developing friendship circle which Joanna is part of. 

I almost cheered for Rhoda when she stood up to her overbearing son's demands at last, and when she realised how much her granddaughter Joanna means to her. It was good too to see the character development of Joanna's distant Mamm.

I could've shaken Joanna a few times though. For someone so kind and perceptive, her reaction to the discovery about her letter-writer seems overly strong. As does her determination to continue to be 'miffed' about it. I honestly couldn't understand that AT ALL.

A good read, overall. I've docked it a star because the ending felt abrupt. I liked the last letter, and would have liked to have a bit more of a rounded conclusion. I felt a bit short-changed with just the final scene on the stairs.

I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.

The Winter Killer - Alex Pine

This is the second DI James Walker book which I was lent by a friend, and once again I found myself immersed in a chilly winter murder mystery in Cumbria. 

The author is adept at creating a complex cast of very different characters and making sure the reader has to concentrate to keep up! I like the DI, and the little bits of detail about his family. It makes a truly refreshing change to have a lead character whose home life is happy and doesn't dominate the story, and who doesn't have some awful trauma going on in his past or present. Thank you, thank you, Alex Pine!

I also like James' sidekick DC Jessica Abbott, and it's she who has the unfortunate experience in the opening chapter of being a guest at a wedding when Rachel, the maid of honour, disappears and is later found dead.

There are plenty of potential suspects, not least Rachel's mysterious Italian boyfriend, a previous ex who's sure Rachel deliberately ruined his political ambitions, and the unpleasant best friend of the groom. I'm pleased to report however that there are quite a few quiet twists in this story.

An excellent read for those who enjoy a well-told, well-plotted and page-turning mystery. I've just bought two more of the books in the series! 

PS: As a footnote, it may be obvious that I've not read this series in order, but this hasn't spoiled my enjoyment of the stories in any way. Both of the novels I've so far read have been fully self-contained and haven't relied on previous books plot points within their own stories.