BOOK REVIEW - The Wine-Dark Sea by Victoria Hislop

 

THE WINE-DARK SEA - VICTORIA HISLOP 

 

 WHAT THE PUBLISHER SAYS:

Beloved, bestselling author Victoria Hislop explores the turbulence of the post-war era in Greece in this unforgettable and riveting new novel that will delight those fans who cherish The Island and The Figurine.

During three years of brutal civil war in Greece, thousands of children were caught in the chaos that swept across the country. Huge numbers were orphaned, many found themselves imprisoned alongside their mothers and others were left to fend for themselves. The Wine-Dark Sea follows the travails of a mother, searching for both a daughter who has been kidnapped and taken behind the Iron Curtain and a boy who, unbeknown to her, has been sold into adoption.

It's time to discover why 10 million readers worldwide love Victoria

'Glorious Greek setting and rich historical detail' Woman & Home
'She brings Greek history to compelling life' The Sunday Times
'Fascinating and moving ... Hislop writes unforgettably' The Times

 Expected publication September 24, 2026

 

MY REVIEW:

I’m a long-time fan of Victoria Hislop’s novels and enjoy the way she explores history through complex personal stories. However, I’m more commonly found reading (shorter!) literary fiction, and historical fiction – and/or books over six hundred pages long – do not appear often in my TBR pile. Hislop’s novels are an exception, and I particularly enjoy them as a holiday read when I have more time to get to grips with a longer story.

Her books usually grab me from the very beginning, and although I found The Wine-Dark Sea ultimately compelling, I did find it a little harder than usual to become immersed at the start. And as with any book of length there were a few times when the plot felt a little loose etc, but nothing to spoil the overall enjoyment of the journey.

The novel is set mainly in Greece, and follows the period after WWII and the fate of families torn apart by the civil war. Hislop’s love of Greece always shines through in her work, the sense of place is vivid and palpable, her characters are memorable, and her research is extensive and meticulous. She rarely tackles easy subjects, and her books continuously examine the courage, strength and resilience needed in dark times. The Wine-Dark Sea is no exception, and this is an emotional read which follows the fortunes of Fotini, detained in a prison camp with other women from her village, as she and others struggle to find their families again after they are released. 

It is a story of endurance, loss, and great sadness, but also hope. Lovers of carefully crafted historical fiction – and long-time VH fans – will not be disappointed!

(Many thanks to Headline for my review copy)

 

 

 

Book Review - Dwell by Rue Baldry

 

 

Out June 2026 - pre-order here! 

Book Review – Rose & Renzo by Carolyn O'Brien

 

 ROSE & RENZO by CAROLYN O'BRIEN

My Review:

Rose & Renzo is a captivating page-turner which drew me in from the very first chapter. This is historical fiction at its best, with gorgeous writing, a vivid sense of place, taut plotting, a compelling love story and relatable characters. 

As well as portraying Rose and Renzo’s passionate relationship, Carolyn O’Brien’s second novel also explores the liberating power of art and evocatively depicts everyday life in working class Manchester in the 1930s – including the fight against the ugly rise of fascism. 

A beautifully written and totally absorbing read.  (Thanks to Northodox Press for the ARC.)

 

The Blurb:

Manchester 1936

Fascism looms in Europe, and Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts are on the rise.

After the death of their father, two sisters arrive in Manchester's vibrant 'Little Italy': creative misfit, Rose, and her much older sister, Ivy. Fearing Rose's impulsiveness, Ivy seeks to control Rose, forcing her to give up her cherished place at art school.

Frustrated and desperate to pursue her passion, Rose meets Renzo, a painter arrived from Europe. Their connection is instant and powerful. Yet as their feelings deepen, Renzo's past in Mussolini's Italy remains a mystery.

As Blackshirts march across the city, Rose is drawn to the fight against fascism, even as she's compelled to face the devastating question: just which side is Renzo on?

You can pre-order a copy here 

Book Review – Paper Sisters by Rachel Canwell

 

 

 

 PAPER SISTERS by RACHEL CANWELL

My Review:

I read this immersive novel in one sitting. Haunting, well-paced, and beautifully written, Paper Sisters follows the story of three women at the start of WWI whose lives are anchored by ghosts and mired in the isolation of the Lincolnshire Fens. A brave, dark, unflinching tale of love and war, grief and hope.

The Blurb

Lincolnshire, 1914. As the First World War approaches, three women are living, trapped between the unforgiving marsh, the wide, relentless river, and the isolation of the fen.

Their lives are held fast by profound grief, haunted by the spectres of the past. Trapped by the looming presence and eerie stillness of a hospital that has never admitted a single patient.  

Eleanor longs to escape. To make a life with the man she loves, leaving her sister, and all her ghosts behind. Clara's marriage is crumbling and violent and she yearns for peace and security for both herself and her innocent children. Meanwhile, Lily, a formidable force of will, stands resolute against the relentless tide of change. She will stop at nothing, no matter the devastating cost, to ensure that life, and her family, remain frozen in an unyielding embrace of the past.

The author, Rachel Canwell, grew up with the story of this forgotten hospital. Isolated, stocked weekly and cleaned daily but never admitting a single patient. The hospital was real, tended by her family for over sixty years and set against the ethereal beauty and loneliness of the Fens, is the inspiration for her novel.

You can buy a copy here 

 

 

 

Great Event at Pickering Book Tree for The Blue of You!

 

I had a lovely evening at Pickering Book Tree the other week, reading from The Blue of You and chatting with the wonderful Clare Almond about all things writerly. Thanks also to Andrew and Steph, and to the stoic audience who came out despite the torrential rain and high winds!

Hopefully I'll see some of you at my next event at Marsden Library on January 29th - in the meanwhile, have a wonderful Christmas!  
 

Advance Reviews for The Blue of You

Thanks to everyone currently reading and reviewing the advance copies of The Blue of You. It's a scary moment when a book first leaves the nest and I am always grateful for everyone's kind words – it makes it all worthwhile!

 

 

OUT OCTOBER 23rd - YOU CAN PRE-ORDER here

 

I have a new book on the way!

 

Can you ever paint over the past?

 
Every Christmas Eve, Janey Shaw is reminded of the tragic death of her schoolfriend, Alice, and the untidy ending of her relationship with Rory Brook, her first love. When Janey leaves London to return to her hometown on the north-east coast of England, the ghosts of her unresolved past lie in wait.

There, Janey meets a coble fisherman, Tom Inglewood, and admires his ambitions to preserve the traditional way of life in their community and to stop second home owners from painting over the town’s heritage. Can she start to build a new life and finally paint over her own past? Or will she have to confront her ghosts as Christmas draws closer?

 ******

Look out for my author events nearer the time - the first will be at Marsden Library on Thursday 6th November! 

The Blue of You 

is out on 

October 23rd 2025 

from Northodox Press

PRE-ORDER HERE!

Review of The Broken River by Chris Hammer

 

My Review:

I don’t read a lot of crime/noir fiction, but I’ve reviewed a couple of Chris Hammer’s novels and really enjoyed them. The Broken River didn’t disappoint - Hammer’s writing is always vivid with a great sense of place. He effortlessly evokes the sheer vastness of Australia and the way the landscape shapes lives. The plot and characters are engaging and the twists keep you on your toes. 

What the publisher says:

BURIED GOLD, OLD BONES.
WHAT SECRETS LURK IN THE DEPTHS?

A masterclass of small-town mystery and jaw-dropping twists from Chris Hammer, the international bestselling author of Scrublands, The Times Crime Book of the Year 2023 Dead Man's Creek and Crime Book of the Month for January 2024, Cover the Bones.

A body has been discovered on the riverbanks of The Valley, a remote community in the hills of New South Wales. The gold mine at the heart of The Valley was once the lifeblood of this region, but it has been flooded for decades. Over the years, many have tried and failed to bring it back to life. Now, most believe the mine is barren.

The victim is Wolfgang Burnside, deputy mayor - a champion of change or local schemer, depending on who you ask. He had been working on plans to take the Valley off-grid with hydro-power using the lake surrounding the abandoned mine. Until he was poisoned, his body dumped in the river for all to see.

Detectives Nell Buchanan and Ivan Lucic are dispatched to investigate. The warning is clear - there are secrets lurking in the depths of this Valley, secrets worth more than their weight in gold. What price will this town have to pay to ensure that they never see the light of day?

An epic, atmospheric mystery spanning generations set against a luscious backdrop and the twisting veins of gold that lurk beneath.

Praise for Chris Hammer:

'A masterful, stunning thriller. A twisting mystery epic in scale yet intricate in detail. Irresistible.' Chris Whitaker

'Epic. Shakespearean in depth and range' The Times

'Fierce, gripping and spine-chilling.' Daily Mail

'My favourite Australian detective is Nell Buchanan.' - Ann Cleeves

'Hammer is a great writer - a leader in Australian noir' Michael Connelly

'Shimmers . . . A tortured tale of blood and loss' Val McDermid

'Stunning - a page-turner which stays long in the memory' Sunday Times

 

OUT 17th JULY 2025 FROM WILDFIRE -  Available HERE

 

Thanks to Caitlin Raynor @bookywookydooda for the review copy

Review: Grace of the Empire State by Gemma Tizzard

 

Grace of the Empire State 

Gemma Tizzard

 

The Blurb:

 
A daring young woman takes her brother's place to risk her life in New York City. A breathtaking historical novel full of heart and hope, family and friendship, and the sacrifices we make for love...



As the Great Depression bites, show dancer Grace's Irish immigrant family can't afford the rising rents, nor the medicine that her little sister urgently needs. When her twin brother is injured and can no longer work on the construction of the half-built Empire State Building, Grace steps up - literally. She trades her dancing shoes for worker boots, braving deadly metal work hundreds of feet in the sky.



But survival isn't guaranteed. Failure could mean not only losing her job, but also her life, and the livelihood of her family and team. 

Sparks fly across the great metal beams, as a terrible accident and a split-second decision leaves Grace re-evaluating everything that she thought she knew about herself…
 

My Review:

 
When I was asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing Grace of the Empire State, I was immediately seduced by the blurb and the advance reviews. A 1930s New York setting – tick. A bold, brave, heroic female central character thrown into a dangerous and precarious world – tick. An edge-of-the-seat page-turner – tick. All underpinned by an exploration of the enduring force of family connections, the strength of friendships, and a touch of heartwarming romance. 

It promised everything required to enhance a couple of cold January afternoons. And it certainly didn’t disappoint. I was immediately captivated and read it in three sittings. 

There is a strong and evocative sense of place in Gemma Tizzard’s writing, and the fast-paced and terrifying construction environment is skilfully described. I was up there with Grace, hundreds of vertiginous feet above the street, dizzy and reeling. 

Tizzard is also a writer who creates effortlessly authentic dialogue and believable, relatable characters. Grace is both courageous and resilient when faced with her family’s seemingly insurmountable problems, and we find ourselves rooting for her from the start as she makes numerous sacrifices, proving herself to be a true heroine. We are also treated to an entire supporting cast, all equally compelling. Every character in the book, however minor, is painted with the same deft strokes by Tizzard. I came to care about each and every one of them as they struggled to carve out their lives in the Great Depression.

I thoroughly enjoyed Grace of the Empire State – a great debut! Many thanks to Alara and Headline for the ARC and for inviting me to be a part of the blog tour.

Published by Headline Review (28 Jan. 2025)

You can buy a copy here

About the Author:

 
Gemma Tizzard is from Berkshire, and currently lives in Southampton, where she works as a marketing manager by day, and writes historical fiction by evening. She can most often be found scribbling notes from research books about her latest obsession, or plastering the walls with Post-It notes. Whenever she's not working, she can be found reading, or planning her next travel adventure. She has a degree in American Studies and a particular interest in untold women's stories throughout the twentieth century. GRACE OF THE EMPIRE STATE is her debut novel, available in January 2025, with a second, set in Boston in 1942, due in 2026. 

Gemma also writes rom-coms, and was longlisted for the Comedy Women in Print (CWIP) Unpublished Novel Prize in both 2021 and 2022.

Other Reviews:

 

'A page-turning debut...that reminds us that women have been quietly saving the day since the dawn of time' New York Times bestselling author Kristin Harmel



'A wonderful story of courage, sacrifice, resilience and love. Heart-warming, romantic and at times utterly nerve-wracking, I loved every minute of it!' Anita Frank

'

A thrilling, heartbreaking story about the power of family, friendship and women struggling to survive in a man's world. A must-read for historical fiction fans' Annie Lyons




Something Very Human by Hannah Retallick

 

SOMETHING VERY HUMAN

The debut short story collection from award-winning author, Hannah Retallick

THE BLURB

This collection takes the reader on a journey through life, from the innocence of young voices to the reflections of those seeking meaning as they look back at the paths they've taken.

Each story captures the very essence of being human. The characters tackle everyday challenges, face inner struggles, navigate familial relationships and friendships, fall in love and out of love, process grief, and reflect on the beautiful fragility of it all.

MY REVIEW

The stories in Something Very Human are both intimate and universal, shaped by the author’s sharply focussed eye and impeccable ear for dialogue, and anchored by a strong sense of place and vivid characters. Hannah Retallick’s writing is assured, and she is not afraid to experiment with form and language – this is a collection which feels as crisp and sharp as a green apple.

Retallick’s stories are imbued with a wealth of experiences and emotions – exploring friendships, love, loss and longing, and the eternal search for connection. But there is humour and hope at their heart, and this warmth shines through. Our lives may be woven from what appears to be fragile thread, but this is a writer who understands the real resilience of the human heart; she knows that “however many times you’ve been let down and however drenched you become, there are always reasons to sing.” A truly accomplished debut collection.

(Something Very Human is out on 7th November 2024 from Bridge House Publishing. You can order a copy here or from Waterstones and local bookshops.)

Great Review of Each of Us a Petal in Yorkshire Life Magazine!

 

Thanks to Yorkshire Life magazine for this great review of Each of Us a Petal in the August edition!