The Family Holiday opening line: The photographs in Charlie's smart, glossy brochure seemed to have been taken in high summer. My blurb: Daphne was the glue that held their family together. But Charlie knows he has to do something to bring his children closer. Not knowing just how much effect a family holiday will have, … Continue reading The Family Holiday, Elizabeth Noble

Knife opening lines: A ragged dress was hanging from one branch of a rotting pine tree. It put the old man in mind of a song from his youth, about a dress on a washing line. My blurb: Harry cannot get it together. He and Rakel are no longer living together and he is firmly … Continue reading Knife: Harry Hole 12, Jo Nesbo

There are 20 essential ingredients in Ottolenghi Flavour, some of which are easy for us to get here. And others not so much. For an experienced cook, one would be able to swap these out with ease. Thankfully the recipe book gives detailed descriptions of each ingredient which is extremely helpful. Flavour-forward, vegetable-based recipes are … Continue reading Ottolenghi Flavour, Yotam Ottolenghi & Ixta Belfrage

The Russian opening line: I checked the street in both directions in front of an upscale coffee house called Flat Bread and Butter on Amsterdam Avenue near 140th Street. My blurb: Michael Bennett has multiple issues he is trying to deal with. There is his upcoming wedding and he needs to write his vows. Then … Continue reading The Russian, James Patterson & James O. Born

Serpentine opening lines: My best friend, a seasoned homicide detective, is a master of discontent. Some say Milo Sturgis enjoys the cold comfort of a sour mood. My blurb: Money really can buy you anything. And for Ellie Barker that means a dedicated detective. She wants someone to look into the murder of her mother and … Continue reading Serpentine, Jonathan Kellerman

Before She Disappeared opening lines: The water feels like a cold caress against my face. I kick deeper down into the gloom, my long hair trailing behind me like a dark eel. My blurb: Frankie Elkin learnt very young that alcohol could make her disappear. She could become someone new, and not the person she … Continue reading Before She Disappeared, Lisa Gardner

NYPD Red 6 opening lines: It took Bobby a week to decide where to park. It had to be close to the wedding, but not too close. My blurb: Erin Easton is an influencer. One who has got used to the high life and the big money. So when she gets abducted at her wedding … Continue reading NYPD Red 6, James Patterson & Marshall Karp

Completing the family of solution-based cookbooks. Jamie Oliver is back with new achievable, exciting and tasty recipes in 7 Ways. These recipes really are easy ideas for every day of the week. Jamie's done his homework and looked at the top ingredients people in the UK buy week in, week out. We're talking about those … Continue reading 7 Ways | Easy Ideas For Every Day Of The Week

The End of Her opening line: The snow has fallen heavily, relentlessly, for two days now, and shows no signs of letting up. My blurb: Erica has always liked the good life. And in order to live it, she needs money. And not money that she has had to work for. Patrick is back on … Continue reading The End of Her, Shari Lapena

Invisible Girl opening lines: I duck down and pull my hoodie close around my face. Ahead of me the girl with red hair is picking up speed; she knows she's being followed. My blurb: Saffyre is broken, and Roan is meant to fix her. But for all his skills as a child psychiatrist, he never … Continue reading Invisible Girl, Lisa Jewell | Book Review

Private Moscow opening lines: "Remember dunker training at Pendleton?" There was a smile pinned to Karl Parker's face, but his eyes made a liar of his mouth. My blurb: Jack Morgan is a Marine through and through. And despite no longer serving his country, he will always be a patriot. So it makes no sense … Continue reading Private Moscow, James Patterson & Adam Hamdy

Dear Child opening lines: Student, 23, missing in Munich. Munich (LR) - The Munich police are searching for clues relating to the whereabouts of Lena Beck, 23, from Munich-Haidhausen. My blurb: Four thousand nine hundred and ninety-three days. That is how long Lena Beck has been missing before her parents get a phone call. They are told … Continue reading Dear Child, Romy Hausmann

We often do meze platters for starters when we have guests over for a meal. The idea of a recipe book to inspire me with snacks, small plates and street food from the Middle East, really grabbed my attention. But before I even paged through the book I gave it to my mom. I wanted … Continue reading Meze, Sally Butcher | Book Review

The Searcher opening lines: When Cal comes out of the house, the rooks have got hold of something. Six of them are clustered on the back lawn, amid the long wet grass and the yellow-flowered weeds, jabbing and hopping. My blurb: Cal is a retired policeman who has left big city America to settle in … Continue reading The Searcher, Tana French | Book Review

Marauder opening lines: Captain Omar Rahal tracked the small boat racing across the placid waters of the narrow strait. It was approaching his California-bound oil tanker from dead ahead, and far too quickly to be a fishing boat. My blurb: Captain Juan Cabrillo and his team are out testing their new ship. The Oregon is … Continue reading Marauder, Clive Cussler | Oregon Files #15

Deadly Cross opening line: Devon Monroe tore his eyes off the two dead bodies in the powder-blue Bentley convertible, top down, idling not twenty yards away, and glanced at his best friend. My blurb: The Vice President wants to know every step of the investigation being taken into his ex-wife's death. And Alex Cross is … Continue reading Deadly Cross, James Patterson

Out Of An African Kitchen is a quirky anthology of recipes, reminiscences, anecdotes and stories from a bush kitchen set high up on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, overlooking the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Written in memory of Steve and for Anna, the book is written in honour of the chefs at Angama … Continue reading Out Of An African Kitchen | Recipes And Stories