A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh

February 29, 2024

A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintoch

Reality TV is all the rage, and there is a new one set in North Wales. But this one has a nasty twist: instead of being a survival show as advertised, the producer plans to expose each contestant's most shameful secret. It comes as a complete shock to the seven contestants, and after the first show airs, one contestant slips away into the Welsh mountain in the middle of the night, unable to face what may be coming for him. DC Ffion Morgan is assigned to the missing persons case, but that turns out to be the least of her problems.

This is the second book in the DC Ffion Morgan series, and we get to revisit many of the characters from the first book (The Last Party). There are many games at play here, not just the reality show, and everyone involved has their own agenda. The plot moves along at a good pace and kept me turning the pages. I hope Mackintosh is planning another book in the series, since I look forward to watching Ffion and Leo's relationship developing. And for all my dog-loving friends who used to call me wanting to know if the dog is okay at the end of the book (any dog, in any book), not to worry: Dave the dog is still with Ffion at the end of the book. (At the moment, I have a sweet but needy senior golden retriever foster dog who sheds constantly, so I can relate to Ffion's struggles with Dave.)

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

North Wales

I Promise It Won't Always Hurt Like This by Clare Mackintosh

February 13, 2024

I Promise It Won't Always Hurt Like This by Clare Mackintosh

Clare Mackintosh's moving meditation on grief following the death of her son Alex at five weeks old (Alex would be 18 today). Her writing is so wrenching and intimate at times that I had to put the book down and come back to it later. One such moment: when she talks about her son's funeral and how his coffin was so tiny that her husband carried it in his arms. While this is a book for those dealing with grief (and who isn't), it is also for anyone wanting help/be there for those who are suffering through loss.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh

September 17, 2022

The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh

It's New Year's Day, and almost everyone in the small Welsh town of Cwm Coed has turned out for the traditional lake plunge. There was a massive New Year's Eve party the night before at the exclusive lake community called The Shore, and some people are hungover while others are still drunk. But the annual event is abruptly cancelled when a body is found floating offshore. Since the border between England and Wales runs right down the center of the lake, a detective from each side is assigned to the case. It seems like everyone in the community has something to hide or someone to protect, as well as a reason to want the victim dead.

This was a very good modern mystery. There was a twist in the middle that I did not see coming. Quite honestly, the murder victim was a thoroughly reprehensible person and needed killing. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys contemporary mysteries.

Lake country in Wales (not the lake in the book, which is fictitious)

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC.