Audiobook Review - Faithless in Death

I'm in two minds about when to share this write-up. Now in March or to hold fire and share in May as I'm wondering about making May a crime/thriller/mystery reading and reviewing month. But if/when I share this, I wanted you guys to read my write-up on this. I have thoughts. 

... Sod it! Let me upload this now! You guys know I'm not the word;d's best planner for this kinda stuff. Let me get info out of the way so you know what this is about! 

Title And Author: Faithless In Death by JD Robb

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Physical, eBook or Audiobook: Audiobook

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Audiobook gifted by UK publisher in exchange for honest review/reaction

Length: 400 Pages or 13 Hours 26 Minutes

In this, the 52nd book in the In Death series (yep. 52nd! FIFTY TWO BOOKS IN THIS SERIES SO FAR! That's two books a year since the first, Naked in Death, was first published in 1995!), Lt Eve Dallas is enjoying a lovely Spring morning when she gets a call. There's been a murder is mid-21st century New York. An artist has been found, her head bashed in by her own hammer. But as Eve and her team look into the murder, what looks like a lover's quarrel on the surface turns much darker as they discover their prime suspect is a member of Natural Order, a religious order that, the more Eve looks, the more she sees that this is a cult with ties to white supremacy, misogyny, racism, sexism, homophobia and religious fanaticism. 

But how far is Eve and her team willing to go to bring Natural Order down and where does the murder of a lesbian artist fit in? Does it go all the way to the top?

Book Review - The Duke And I

I can almost sense what you all are thinking in this, my first romance read of February 2020. You're all thinking "He's only read this because of the Netflix series". And yes, I did. I still haven't watched it, but I have been wanting to read this before I do. So, I asked for it for Christmas, not thinking I would get it. But a Book Blogger Secret Santa got me a copy so, thank you! Now, let me get the info up then we can talk. 

But, before I do, the lovely Connie from Connie Reads is doing a month long readathon of the Bridgerton series and other series written by Julia Quinn. You can read all about it here or, if on Twitter, check out the hashtag #Quinnalong!

Title And Author: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Publisher: Piatkus
Physical, eBook or Audiobook: Physical
Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted via Bookish Secret Santa
Length: 352 Pages

Daphne Bridgerton is looking for a husband in 1800s London. After two seasons, her chances are looking slim. Her brother's old school friend, Simon Bassett (aka the new Duke of Hastings) has no intention of marrying but, returning to England after his father's death, he finds himself the target of many marriage-minded society mothers, desperate for him to marry their daughters. 

The two decide on a plan: they will pretend to form an attachment. This will deflect attentions away from Simon and yet bring attention onto her, making Daphne the belle of London society. But, of course, where does pretending stop and reality begin...

Self-Isolation Audiobook - Naked In Death

• Title And Author: Naked In Death by J.D. Robb
• Publisher: Piatkus
• Physical, eBook or Audiobook: eBook & Audiobook
• Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: eProof Gifted by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and Audiobook borrowed from Scribd
• Length: 401 Pages or 10 Hours 17 Minutes

Ok, I am going to admit it. I’ve been aware of this series for a little while now, but never really acted on whether I should read it or not because it’s a long running series. And I mean, Long! It recently released the 50 (!) instalment - Golden In Death - and has no plans on stopping. The 51st - Shadows In Death - will be published this coming September. Plus, there are novellas within this series as well so VERY OVERWHELMING. 

But been intrigued to try this so when I saw it was available for review to celebrate Golden In Death’s release on NetGalley, I snapped up a copy and, due to self-isolation, manage to grab my hands on an audiobook edition and listen to it while playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons (why do I get the feeling you’re judging me right now?)

It’s 2058 New York and the world has changed. Technology, the law, crimes. But for Detective Eve Dallas, she knows that murder is still murder. 

When a professional sex worker (and granddaughter to Conservative Congressman) is violently murdered, Eve is put on the case as this could be the start of a serial killer. As more sex workers get murdered, her bosses and people in power want a result. Fast. Shame that the lead suspect in Eve’s investigation is one of the most wealthiest and influential men on the planet - Roarke - and that they both seem to have growing attraction to each other…

GoodRead - The Snow Globe

When Clara from Piatkus asked if I fancied reading a Christmasy read a few months back, I said yes. I always like Christmas so the idea of reading something to get me in the spirit seemed liked fun.

And of course, I forgot about it till a few weeks ago when three Sheila Roberts's books appeared in my letterbox. Nine Lives of Christmas, On Strike for Christmas and The Snow Globe. And while Nine Lives of Christmas should have been my natural reading material (I really like cats - have you not noticed?), something about this story caught my attention and I decided to give this a read.

When Kiley buys a snow globe from an antique dealer, she only barely believes the story that comes with it. The story that the snow globe is passed from generation to generation, somehow always landing in the hands of those who need its magic And with the drama of her ex dating her sister, Kiley needs all the magic she can get to survive this Christmas.

But when something very unexpected happens that turns her into a believer of the story, she passes the snow globe to her two friends, Allison and Suzanne. But maybe the snow globe has some magic for both of them two...

I am going say this from the word go, this is a light, fluffy and fun Christmas read. Perfect for reading once all the presents are open, the dinner is eaten, the Queen Speech is over and you want a moment to unwind. It's a hot-chocolate kinda read - and we all need them once in a while.

Yes, it does read like a Christmas movie you see in the afternoons on Channel 5 or Christmas 24 so, at times, it does feel a bit cardboard cutout for characters and some of the situations do seem a tad extreme, but I think this is a sweet little story for those wanting to enjoy the season and believe in magic.

This won't be for everyone, but it came at the right time for me. I hope, if I can find time, to read another Sheila Roberts before Christmas is upon us...