Tag Archives: darkstroke
The Honest Lies by Elizabeth Lyvers
I had heard a great deal of chatter about The Honest Lies, Elizabeth Lyvers’ debut novel. Naturally, I wanted to read the book to form my own opinion and one thing I can tell you straight off: this does not read like a debut novel. The author tells the story in a most assured way. …
Tipping Point by Michelle Cook
I had had Tipping Point, the debut novel, by Michelle Cook in my To Be Read pile for a long time and had heard lots of good things about this novel. Eventually, I could bear it no longer and I shuffled my pile so that I could make up my own opinion. The Blurb Essie …
Messandrierre by Angela Wren
Sometimes it is not a good idea to read books by people you know and like, because it can result in disappointment. It was for this reason that I had not picked up any novels by Angela Wren previously. Mistake – big mistake! The Blurb Sacrificing his job in investigation following an incident in Paris, …
The Dark Chorus by Ashley Meggitt
Horror novels are not my natural ‘go to’ genre – but I do like a well written book. I had heard so many good things about The Dark Chorus by Ashley Meggitt that curiosity got the better of me and I decided to read it, to form my own opinion. I was not disappointed. The …
Inside Voices by Sarah Davis
Some first novels feel like debut works and when Inside Voices by Sarah Davis was recommended to me, I approached it on that basis. I did the author and the book a disservice. Throughout Inside Voices Davis makes her own voice as an author crystal clear. It is a triumph of a novel, not just …
The Stairwell by Dean Bryant
It is always exciting to discover a fine novelist whose work you haven’t read before, and Dean Bryant has certainly written an exciting debut novel. The Stairwell was recently published by darkstroke, an imprint of Crooked Cat Books. The Blurb Frightful visions. An unknown manipulator. A force from beyond reason. Brandon Chapman arrives home to …
An Interview with Kevin Carey
I am thrilled to have American author, Kevin Carey visit my blog today to talk about his writing journey and his new book, Murder in the Marsh, published by darkstroke. Thank you for your time, Kevin. Please tell my readers a little about yourself. I am the coordinator of creative writing at Salem State University …
The Cry of the Lake by Charlie Tyler
I recently read the new novel by Charlie Tyler, The Cry of the Lake. This is a debut novel and I had heard great things about it, so I was excited to read it. The novel is set in and around Oxford and the description of some parts of the area are a delight. The …
An Interview with Karla Forbes
What a pleasure it is to have fellow author Karla Forbes visit my blog today to discuss her writing journey. Karla’s new novel, Fallout, was published yesterday. Tell us about your interest in reading and writing. 1 Please tell my readers a little about yourself? I write under the pseudonym Karla Forbes and I recently …
An Interview with Penny Hampson
Author Penny Hampson is joining me today to talk about her new novel, The Unquiet Spirit, and her writing journey. Thank you for taking time out to chat to me today, Penny. Please tell my readers a little about yourself I came to writing rather late in life, having spent most of my adult years …
Val Penny's Book Reviews 
Recent Comments