totallytales's Reviews (1.9k)

I love love loved it!
Christmas groundhog day with high jinx, hilarity & a HOT hot tub scene ... what more could you want?

It's stolen the top spot for favorite Kelk novel & that bar was high but she really does keep getting better & better!

Jasper is an extraordinary boy. His neighbour has been murdered, he know's because he did it... didn't he? he remembers a knife and blood but he can't remember what actually happened. He is determined to remember but it's not as simple as it sounds because he sees sounds as colour (synaesthesia) and he can't recognise faces (prosopagnosia).

This novel is a fascinating insight into a seeing world of technicolour is a wonderment, Jasper identifies everything from peoples voices, ticking clocks and days of the week in colour. Harris' incredible descriptions of this really bring it to life for the reader; among my favourites are 'marmalade orange with pithy yellow spikes' for the sound of a car engine being turned on. I was turning pages long into the night trying to figure out the clues and they were gradually revealed by Jasper himself or to him by his dad, the neighbours and the police. There were a few twists I didn't see coming and the ending is perfect. This is a debut not to be missed, reminiscent of Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time If you are looking for something original, intriguing and colourful - this is perfect for you!

Plot: Matt gets home to find a dead woman in his bed. He has no idea who she is but he knows she definitely isn't his fiance. She has been kidnapped and if he wants a chance of seeing her again he must get rid of this body and kill a stranger. How far would you go to save the one you love?

Expertly plotted as soon as thought I knew what was going on Kernick blew my theories out of the water & the last twist left me with a big smirk, a very satisfying ending.

People: The characters are strong & distinctive but entirely untrustworthy! Brimming with secrets & lies Kernick keeps you on your toes trying to work out who is telling the truth, who isn't, and what the hell is really going on!

DCI Cameron Doyle deserves a special mention here for being the most likable character in by a long shot, I do hope this isn't the last we see of him.

Pace: It's a fast-paced novel with cliffhangers at the end of short chapters making it impossible to put down. My only advice would make sure you hold on for the ride!

Pick up if you enjoy: Tim Weaver, M J Arlidge, or Linwood Barclay novels.

Plot: This novel is about those small but life-changing moments that only come when we pause to let the light in. It is three people learning to make connections & finding joy in living life off the leash.
Funny & full of heart, you know that feeling you get after the first few chapters that you have picked up a book you are going to absolutely adore? ...this was that kind of book for me! The writing style is authentic & poignant.

"I know you have a beautiful soul under all that pomp and bluster, but others might not be so generous. Don't burn all your bridges..."

People: Centering around three characters George, Lizzie & Dan on the same timeline we follow them & their journeys. My opinions of them changed throughout but they each have their own unique personalities & you can't help but feel for them all.

I particularly loved grumpy old man George, some of the things he said had me giggling.

Their only connection is their dogs and what a fabulous bunch of canines they all are!

Pace: This is a medium-paced read, with an ideal mix of laughter & tears (definitely have some tissues handy!). Life isn't perfect, it's messy & complicated but with small acts of kindness, there is always hope - a sentiment that is captured perfectly in this compelling debut, you won't want to miss.

Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Doubleday Books & Anne Cater for sending me this title. All opinions are my own.