Book Review | One Beats The Bush by Riall Nolan - The First in the Max Donovan Adventure Series

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One Beats The Bush is a well-paced action thriller that ticks multiple boxes; page-turning twists, fight scenes, a lot of crime and, more importantly, a main character you cannot help but love. Vietnam veteran Max Donovan is in Bangkok, and very hungover, when his friend “Fat” Freddie Fields is arrested in San Francisco for the murder of an Australian diplomat. He knows his old buddy would never hurt a fly, so he rushes back to the Bay Area to help. Suspecting Freddie is being framed, Donovan tries to rustle up some cash to bail him out, but only succeeds in getting into trouble with the local mob.  He’ll have to solve the case on his own. Unfortunately, the only clue he has suggest the answer lies in the jungle-covered mountains of Papua New Guinea. As he comes face-to-face with smugglers, hostile tribesmen, insurgents, and a web of corruption and deception, can Donovan achieve what is seemingly impossible? Nolan has managed to achieve a page-turning action thriller that doesn’t feel
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Book Review | Murder At The Summer Fete by Victoria Walters - A Cosy, Perfect Addition To The Series

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After reading and adoring Murder at the House on the Hill, the first in the Dedley End Mystery series, I so desperately needed to get my hands on the second book of the series. And I tell you now, it did not disappoint. 

Murder at the Summer Fete returns to Dedley End as Nancy and Jane prepare for the annual village fete. When Nancy manages to secure bestselling authors, Thomas Green, for the fete things finally begin to look positive for the bookshop and the village. That is until a body is found during the fete, in a style that mimics Thomas’ latest bestseller. Nancy, Jane and Jonathon must return to their detective ways to help solve the mystery before anyone else ends up dead. 

If you are looking for an easy to read, cosy and weirdly comforting murder mystery then look no further. Murder at the Summer Fete leads perfectly straight on from the first book in the series, letting us back into the life’s of Nancy and Jane. Although this is part of the Dedley End Mystery series, the book can be read as a stand-a-lone so don’t worry if you haven’t read the first (although I do very highly recommend as its fantastic!!) This book does mention parts of the story / plot from the first book, maybe a bit too much in my opinion, but it doesn’t take away from either stories. 

One of my favourite things about this book is the way its written. You can read chapter upon chapter without even realising and without great effort. And just to clarify I don’t mean that in a negative way. I love books that make you think and question everything all the time, but sometimes you need a book that seems effortless to read and keeps you captivated in a simple way without making you draw up mind maps to keep track of the plot. And Walters achieves that with her short chapters and easy to follow plot. Also the ‘will they won’t they’ vibe from Nancy and Jonathan is enough to keep anyone who loves a romance story gripped! I have all my fingers crossed that relationship continues to blossom. 

Walters must put so much thought and consideration into the way she ends her books because again this one ends in a great way to lead into the next book. It also seems we’re finally going to get an answer to the big question that plays out within both books. I am beyond excited to see what comes next! 

And quick side note, if anyone knows where I can find a bookshop like Dedley Endings Bookshop please let me know. I wanna visit so badly!!

A safe space for me to ramble on about the books I’ve read. Don’t expect high quality, news worthy reviews; I’m just a simple woman who needs somewhere to vent! This blog contains affiliated links.

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