The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson . Review

When I first saw the new edition of this book I fell in love with the pretty cover instantly and as I began reading it , it just got better!

The story is about Anna , a girl from very noble stock in Russia who has to move to England after tragedy befalls her family. Making the journey to England with a large helpful book full of tips and many hopes and dreams this young lady is set to work in a very fine house where she will be a maid. If you are a fan of Downton Abbey then you will like the comradery between the below stairs staff  in the book and the complications of the lives of those who live upstairs . As Anna has more nobility in her then they realise even her uniform cannot hide her breeding that shines through in her manners and beauty. 

This was a feel good story , Anna is a gorgeous character to read about in every way but there has to be a horrible character in every story and this one has that too creating tension and unease. I even stayed up late to finish this as I wanted to see if there would be a happy ending . Gorgeous book ! Go add this to your TBR list now. 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading 

This book has already been published and is available from Lovereading4kids and all other good booksellers

Below please find a link to this book. 

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/11142/The-Secret-Countess-by-Eva-Ibbotson.html

Mystery In White by J. Jefferson Fargeon. Review

On a snowy wintery evening a snowdrift stops a train from going any further on its journey.  Some of the passengers on the train decide to leave it and try to get to get to another station that is not too far away ,but after getting lost they come across a big old house that they decide would be the best place to stay the night. What was exceptionally unusual about the house was the fact that fires were lit and food prepared but nowhere in the entire house was there a living soul. Finding this very odd these weary travellers need somewhere to rest comfortably until the snow stops so they decide to stay and hope that if the owners come back they will understand the predicament they found themselves in. 

This had all the makings of a great mystery. First you have weather conditions closing people off from getting help, a train journey at night with strangers, a big old house that has a lot of mystery and eeriness about it and a gathering of people that don't know who to trust in their group. I really enjoyed this book, it contained many of the elements I like in a mystery ,the right amount of danger and questions to be answered . 

If you liked Murder On The Orient Express and The Haunting Of Hill House then you may enjoy this book too. 

In My Mailbox

Review Book : 

The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman

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Books

Christmas Ever After by Sarah Morgan

The Turning Point by Freya North

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Riley's Personal sized dashboard and dividers

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Murder On The Last Frontier By Cathy Pagau . Review

Book 1 in the Charlotte Brody Mystery Series

When Suffragette and journalist Charlotte Brody Leaves England for Alaska where her  brother who is a doctor lives ,with the aim of writing about what life is like in this completely different part of the world for those that live there , she never expects a murder very quickly after she arrives . What makes it worse is that her brother knew the victim. The victim, a local prostitute, known well by all in the community could have been killed by anyone as plenty of people could have reason to hate her , this leaves  Charlotte very curious as to who would do such a thing so she takes it upon herself to do right by the victim and get justice for her . 

I loved this book! From the setting to Charlottes character and the twists and turns it really had me gripped. I am already eager to get my hands on the next book in the series ! I think this is going to be another series I will definitely have to follow!

I received this book through Netgalley.

This book is being published by Kensington Books in November 2015.

Below please find links to this book and author .

Book

 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Frontier-Charlotte-Brody-Mystery/dp/1496700546

Cathy

http://cathypegau.com/

Agatha Raisin And The Haunted House By M.C Beaton . Review

As it is October I thought it was fitting to read a book with a little bit of creepiness in it but that would also make me smile. Who does not love a book that will leave them with a big grin on their face and a shiver down their back !

Agatha is a wickedly funny character with an acid tongue and laid back look on life teemed with a good dose of nosiness which makes her perfect at trying to be an amateur detective in the small village of Caraley where everyone knows everyone else's business and life is never dull.

Agatha is in love , it's a new expierence and she is not altogether comfortable with it esp as the man himself is married but as she is not one to follow conventional rules in any matter of her life she ignores the fact and carries on regardless. Smoking , ready meals , and cursing are what keeps Agatha in top form and as a neighbour is apparently being haunted this proves too exciting to sit at home twiddling her thumbs when she could instead be investigating and bring a man along . 

With twists and turns galore , laugh out loud moments and honest to goodness snorts from me I loved this book and Agatha who can do no wrong in my eyes. 

I want this lady as my best friend ! 

Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/278557.Agatha_Raisin_and_the_Haunted_House

M.C Beaton

http://www.mcbeaton.com/us//

Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone Illustrated Edition.

Here comes gushing! You've been warned! Read on at your own risk ;0)

I think most people who were a fan of the Harry Potter series were excited when they first heard that Bloomsbury we're going to publish an illustrated edition of this much loved book. I know I was counting down the days until the first week of October when I finally got my very own copy. I had scanned the internet hoping for images from inside the book for months but they were few and far between so by the time  I got the book I was ecstatic. (Don't you just love that unique excitement that a new edition of a favourite book can cause) 

I went to the bookshop where I had ordered it and after having a lovely chat with the sales assistant about the series and our mutual love of it , off I went with my new book. As soon as I could,  I sat down with this glorious book and took in every single illustration inside it. From the bright and cheerful outer covers to the dark and almost sinister looking inside papers showing Hogwarts in a mixture of greys ,this is a thing of beauty. 

I flicked throughout the book stopping at each new illustration and admiring the care that went into creating this glorious edition and I loved it.

 Have you ever wanted to hug a book..... this was my moment for wanting to do just that. Would I recommend it? Yes , without a doubt ! Well done to Jim Kay on bringing the characters and setting to life and J.K Rowling for creating this magical world in the first place. The story has stayed with me since I was a teenager and now in my 30's I love it just as much if now more.