Hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found my Wednesday post gives you a taste of what I am reading this week. A similar meme is run by Taking on a World of Words
I am currently reading The Beautiful Dead by the very talented Belinda Bauer.
To read the synopsis and an excerpt see yesterday’s post.
I have recently finished my third Beryl Bainbridge book this year, in case you can’t tell I’m pretty keen on her take on life – this latest book was Sweet William which is being re-published by Open Road Media on 29 November 2016.
Blurb
When dull professor Gerald leaves London for the United States, his fiancée, Ann, is a bit afraid and sad to see him go—never has he looked so handsome and masculine as when he’s about to board the plane. But a few days later at a religious service, Ann is beckoned to sit next to a stranger with yellow curls and a nose like a prizefighter’s. Her heart inexplicably begins to race; she feels like she has the flu. This stranger, William McClusky, tells Ann in his Scottish accent that he is a playwright who will be interviewed on TV the very next day. Furthermore, he promises to have a television dropped by her house so she can watch him! From this first bizarre seduction, Ann is infatuated, and in the days following, William begins to take over her life.
In the throes of the affair, Ann gives up her BBC job, helps a friend get an abortion, encourages adultery, and writes a break-up letter to her fiancé. Her engagement to Gerald had been rushed, after all, and was designed to serve her mother’s desires more than her own. With William, on the other hand, everything feels different. But is this new man really who he says he is? Is he a genius or a fraud, a compassionate soul or a cheater? Perhaps William is simply a means by which Ann can play out her dangerous fantasies and finally take part in the swinging sixties. Only one thing is certain: Now that she’s with him, there’s no turning back.
An ironic investigation into the art of self-deception and the repercussions of sexual freedom, this blend of black comedy and social satire showcases the wit of award-winning author Beryl Bainbridge, and affirms her status as a mainstay in twentieth-century British literature. NetGalley
Next up I am in for a real treat with the latest from one of the greatest of crime writers; Out of Bounds by Val McDermid
Blurb
‘There were a lot of things that ran in families, but murder wasn’t one of them . . .’
When a teenage joyrider crashes a stolen car, a routine DNA test could be the key to unlocking the mystery of a twenty-year-old murder inquiry. Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie is an expert at solving the unsolvable. With each cold case closed, justice is served. So, finding the answer should be straightforward, but it’s as twisted as the DNA helix itself.
Meanwhile, Karen finds herself irresistibly drawn to another case, one that she has no business investigating. And as she pieces together decades-old evidence, Karen discovers the most dangerous kind of secrets. Secrets that someone is willing to kill for . . . NetGalley
So that’s my week sorted – What are you reading this week? Do share your links and thoughts in the comments box below.
All the books sound great. Out of Bounds has a really promising synopsis so I hope that it will be a goodread for you. Happy reading and do enjoy your Wednesday 🙂
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Thank you so much Diana – I hope your reading week is good too 🙂
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I’m also reading The And Beautiful Dead at the moment! Then hopefully this week will read Small Great Things by Jodie Picoult Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough and See me Not by Janelle Brook Harris xx
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Great choices – the only one of those I don’t have is See Me Not 😉
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I think my favourite Beryl Bainbridge book is The Bottle Factory Outing, maybe because it was the first one of hers I read.
I look forward to your review on Belinda Bauer’s The Beautiful Dead. I’ve read a couple of her novels and been impressed.
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That may be why Harriet Said remains my favourite – I have The Bottle Factory Outing on my TBR so I’ll be reading that one soon! I’ve enjoyed each and every one of Belinda Bauer’s books and The Beautiful Dead has started well.
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I love Sweet William – it’s so dreadful (well, William is!) and so funny at the same time.
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Sweet William was anything but – like you I enjoyed the blackness laced with humour
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What a great reading week you’re having, Cleo! A Bauer, and then a McDermid! I’ll be really interested in your take on both of them. The Bainbridge sounds intriguing, too. It’s got quite an interesting premise, I think. Yes, much to entice this time!
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It is a very good reading week this time around!
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I really need to read Beryl Bainbridge and more Val McDermid. They both sound great books.
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I haven’t read anywhere enough of Val McDermid’s books lately so I’m really looking forward to this one, a real treat. Beryl Bainbridge is great too, my ‘old’ author of the year find for 2016.
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Out of Bounds sounds great! I’ve been meaning to discover some more crime novels. Hope you enjoy!
Happy Reading 🙂
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Thank you so much – I’m in safe hands with Val McDermid 🙂
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I’m hoping to get The Beautiful Dead read soon but have A Man With One Of Those Faces by Ciamh McDonnell next on my list. A great list Cleo and I look forward to reading your reviews.
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Caimh’s book is great so enjoy!
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I don’t know why I have not yet read Beryl Bainbridge, but I think that’s about to change. Everything about Sweet William is calling to me…so it’s definitely going on my list.
Out of Bounds looks very tempting, too….enjoy!
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Sounds like you got some good’uns there. I have Sweet William to get to soon, but the Bauer is in the New Year.
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I had the Bauer for 2017 too but then realised it was being published this month so I had an excuse to bump it up the list.
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I just got The Beautiful Dead from net galley but was questioning whether I should’ve requested it after reading reviews saying how graphically gory it is. Have you started it yet? I have Out of Bounds on my library wait list
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I have started reading it and the opening was a bit on the gory side but it’s so very good!
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Thanks, I may give it a try I’m just not feeling in the mood for gory:)
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I’m a Bainbridge fan myself as well! Glad you enjoy her work. I haven’t heard of Sweet William but she always seems to have more books than I realized. Happy reading!
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Nice to see you still reading away like a trouper, kiddo. 🙂 I do love your updates from the real Jersey as opposed to the one where, for my considerable sins, I live.
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Haha I’m glad you enjoy the updates from my little but very ‘real’ island 🙂
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All thezs books sound so very interesting. I’m off to look them up!
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