Funkelnde Antiquitäten
digital publishers
Author: Danielle Collins
ISBN: 978-3-98998-807-1
Original title: Lights out at the Lighthouse

With plenty of atmosphere, clever humour and a touch of romance, this volume offers everything a cosy crime fan could wish for – and leaves you hungry for more investigations with Henrietta!

It’s fun to read how the two amateur detectives fight their way through the confusion of the case without ever losing their sense of humour.

Volume 3 picks up seamlessly where its predecessors left off, but delivers an even denser atmosphere… Anyone who loves cosy crime will felt entirely at home here once again.

In the third instalment of the Henrietta Hewitt series, the charming amateur detective once again delights me with her wit, intuition and an extra dose of cosiness. Cosy crime as I love it – atmospheric, entertaining and with heart!

Zauberhafte Sunday
Author: Alethea Kontis
Selfpublished
ISBN: 978-1942541684
Original title: Enchanted

Verschwundene Antiquitäten
digital publishers
Author: Danielle Collins
ISBN: 978-3-98998-806-4
Original title: Break-ins and Bloodshed

Henrietta is a heroine after my own heart – smart, curious and with a good sense of humour… everything you could want from a cosy crime novel: an idyllic setting (a quirky antique shop), lovable characters (+ cats) and a criminal case that stirs up more than just a little dust. Perfect for an afternoon with tea, a blanket and a good old whodunnit!

I really liked the first volume because of the cosy small-town atmosphere and the charming, slightly quirky characters – and this comes across really well in this instalment too … An atmospheric cosy crime novel with a lovely setting, an entertaining case and an amateur detective you can’t help but like …

… a fascinating novel that transports readers into a world full of mystery, history and suspense. Danielle Collins masterfully creates an atmosphere that is both mysterious and inviting. … Overall, ‘Verschwundene Antiquitäten’ is a successful cosy crime novel that impresses with its charming atmosphere and clever plot. A must-read for fans of the genre!

Die Toten von West Ham
digital publishers
Author: Mike Hollow 
ISBN: 978-3-98998-691-6
Original title: The Blitz Detektive

The novel captivates with its successful world-building and authentic atmosphere. The gloomy mood of war is vividly described without overshadowing the actual crime plot. The writing style is fluid and compelling, making the book a real page-turner. Although I don’t usually read many crime novels with a war background, this novel quickly drew me in.

Helga Köller’s translation is very appealing; I started reading the English original and find the German version much more literary …

I really liked the atmospheric opening and found the two investigators likeable. … An atmospheric crime novel set in bombed-out London …

Tödliche Antiquitäten
digital publishers
Author: Danielle Collins
ISBN: 978-3-98998-805-7
Original title: Heirlooms and Homicide

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves cosy crime novels featuring small shops!

The blurb alone piqued my interest in this new cosy crime series… However, as the atmosphere and style are appealing, it’s worth keeping an eye on this series for now.

Engel wider Willen
Author: Alethea Kontis
Selfpublished
Original title: For Angels to fly

Schweige für immer
digital publishers
Author: Rachel Amphlett
ISBN: 978-3-98998-117-1
Original title: One to watch

This is the third book in the Kay Hunter series, and I have become a big fan of both the protagonist and Amphlett as an author. I highly recommend starting at the beginning of the series, as all three books are extremely entertaining and Amphlett has a unique ability to not only develop an interesting premise for each book, but also to perfectly balance Kay’s personal and professional life, providing a well-rounded reading experience. This is a solid series, and this book has been my favourite so far. Fabulous storylines with twists and turns that keep it interesting.

I really like the author’s writing style. It’s fluid and straightforward, so I was able to read the book without interruption. The atmosphere Amphlett creates draws the reader deep into the story.

Excellent, as always. I read the book in one sitting and have to say I liked it even better than the first two. I can highly recommend this novel to anyone interested in thrillers. A fluid writing style, relatable characters and an interesting and exciting story with a surprising ending.

Töte sie alle
Author: Rachel Amphlett
digital publishers
ISBN: 978-3-98998-115-7
Original title: Want to live

As always, the writing style was very pleasant and it was easy to imagine the situations.

Personally, I found the second book about Detective Kay Hunter even better than the first. Exciting from start to finish. Good twists and a surprising turn of events just before the end of the book.

I really liked the writing style and the short chapters kept the pace going. I found it thoroughly exciting.

The Watchers – Sie sehen dich
Festa Verlag
Motion picture starring Dakota Fanning
Author: A.M. Shine
ISBN 10: 3986761527
ISBN 13: 978-3986761523
Original title: The Watchers

I loved reading for years. After taking a break, I tried many times to rediscover the thrill of reading. But I didn’t enjoy any books and regularly skipped whole pages just to get to the point. The characters were inauthentic, the world was incomprehensible, and the dialogue sounded like something no one would ever say. All the great authors disappointed me over the years. BUT this book has given me back the joy of reading. I devoured it in two days without skipping a single word. I finally felt something again.

The author takes us to the cold forests of Ireland. The prologue started with a little shocker, which I found fitting and made me want to read on.

As I found it really exciting, I had an entertaining time reading it and would probably have read it in one go if it hadn’t been a buddy read.

Lass sie nicht sterben
digital publishers
Author: Rachel Amphlett
ISBN: 978-3-98778-964-9
Original title: Scared to death

Fluid writing style. The tension is maintained from beginning to end. The characters are well developed. It is easy to understand their actions and emotions.

The clear and fluid writing style with short chapters allows you to fly through the book and really draws you in. The plot is also incredibly fast-paced.

The chapters are a comfortable length and the book reads smoothly.

Die wilde Lady und der Gentleman
digital publishers
Author: Alyssa Clarke
ISBN 13: 978-3987784224
Original title: Ruin me, if you Dare

The novel reads smoothly and you find yourself hoping that they will finally get together.

As you read, you can feel the tension and the suppressed, tingling passion between them.

The writing style is pleasantly fluid.

The author’s writing style is pleasantly fluid, lively, captivating and compelling. The pages flew by far too quickly. I could have read on forever and am grateful for the entertaining hours of reading.

Der Einhornjäger
Author: Alethea Kontis
Selfpublished
Original title: The Unicorn Hunter: A Tale of Arilland

Heartbreaking. Magical. Enchanting. And with a lot of depth. An interlude fairy tale (set between the castle and the seven mountains) that captivates you from beginning to end! Highly recommended!

Die Mädchen ohne Namen
Festa Verlag
Author: Serena Burdick
ISBN 10: 3986761101
ISBN 13: 978-3986761103
Original title: The Girls with No Names

Serena Burdick tells the story of girls and women who, through no fault of their own, fall into the clutches of the law or the church and are subjected to abuse and exploitation in a very authentic way. She lets the protagonists tell their stories themselves in a constant alternation. This makes the novel entertaining and easy to read despite its dark subject matter.

The author has a very pleasant writing style and it is clear that she cares deeply about the fate of these women.

Festa Verlag always has real gems in its catalogue, and with this novel I knew right away that there was a serious story behind it. There are no ghosts or fantasy elements. Sometimes it is real-life circumstances that are truly horrific.

Despite the disturbing subject matter, I really enjoyed reading the book. It was finally a real pleasure to read, not boring for a second, and I always looked forward to reading more… I found it incredibly inspiring how strong the girls were in the face of all their setbacks and misfortunes and how they never gave up… And it was the first book in a long time that made me cry at the end. It’s beautiful and terrible at the same time… A really great novel that also invites further research.

Overall, it was a powerful, well-researched novel that draws attention to a shocking topic that has been swept under the carpet and not taken seriously, despite its sensitivity.

Not only because it is particularly well written and entertaining, but because it is important.

The author tells the story sensitively but unsparingly. She definitely creates a feeling of anger in the reader. At times, I just wanted to slam the book shut… Despite the difficult subject matter, the book is easy to read. Nevertheless, you should set aside enough time for it.

Die widerwillige Braut des Earls (The Secret Ladies‘ Club 2)
digital publishers
Author: Alyssa Clarke
ISBN 13: 978-3987784132
Original title: Marry me if you dare

This is the second volume in the Secret Ladies Club series by author Alyssa Clarke, who has written a humorous and captivatingly passionate Regency romance.

It is very enjoyable to read and the writing style is fluid, making it difficult to put down until you have finished.

The author’s fluid writing style allows her to portray the story very well. I was able to empathise with the characters and had an enjoyable read.

The book is well written and flows nicely.

Im Bann des Dukes (The Secret Ladies‘ Club 1)
digital publishers
Author: Alyssa Clarke
ISBN 13: 978-3987784101
Original title: Love me if you dare

I can wholeheartedly recommend this book. It has everything you could want in a novel: plenty of humour, sizzling eroticism and suspense.

A great story for hours of enjoyable reading, I read it in one sitting and was completely enchanted.

The writing style is humorous, the characters are people with personality and their own ideas. The plot is entertaining and full of surprises. Very entertaining.

Zodius – Ein Sturm zieht auf
Author: Lisa Renee Jones
LYX
ISBN 10: 3802588428
ISBN 13: 978-3802588426
Original title: Zodius

There are interesting protagonists, a strong storyline and a passionate love story that is told in a gripping and exciting way! The erotic scenes are described in detail and with feeling, but they don’t drift off too much. … For me, it was an exciting read …

Killing Bono – Mein Leben im Schatten des Superstars
Author: Neil McCormick
Verlag Neues Leben
ISBN 10: 3355017973
ISBN 13: 978-3355017978
Original title: Killing Bono

Neil McCormick writes in a funny and interesting way, drawing on his extensive knowledge of the band and the young Bono.

The book is great and thoroughly entertaining. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting because it’s so funny. I highly recommend it.

One of my favourite books on the history of music! The book is autobiographical: Neil McCormick went to school with Bono, both formed school bands, but somehow McCormick’s ‘career’ is a story of failures, bad luck and mishaps, while U2’s goes straight to the top… What did he do wrong?! An absolutely likeable loser story, because McCormick takes his lot with humour and black wit. Very readable!

The book is a delight. Funny, informative, exciting, touching. Everything a good book needs. I can highly recommend it. I’m surprised there aren’t any other good reviews yet. McCormick is an incredibly good and talented writer. 100% recommended! And it’s not just for U2 fans. Anyone who plays in a band and wants to make it should read it. Simply awesome!