Mini Reviews autumn

The Favour by Nicci French

 

1398509582Synopsis: “A good deed
Can turn deadly…
 
When Liam unexpectedly turns up in Jude’s life after ten years of no contact, asking her for a favour, she just can’t say no. He was her first love, and even though she is now a successful doctor and about to get married, he will always be someone special to her.
But after she does the favour, she is contacted by the police, informing her that Liam has been found dead, and suddenly she is caught up in a murder investigation.
 
And she realises this one decision could cost her everything – even her life…  “

My Review

Having really enjoyed House of Correction a few years ago, I was really keen to read this book as it sounded really good. Why would you do a favour for a someone you haven’t seen for ten years? I liked Jude in the beginning, although I thought she was rather foolish doing the favour as it sounded really dodgy. As she gets more involved with the aftermath the story became more addictive and I wanted to find out what it was all about. There were so many strange and suspicious characters in this book, it was hard to keep them all in my head, but fortunately it didn’t really matter. The plot was like watching car crash TV, when you can’t stop watching even though it’s uncomfortable. Jude made so many really silly decisions over and over again, but I had to find out how it was going to end!

 

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The Mapmaker’s Daughter by Clare Marchant

the-mapmaker-s-daughter-6Synopsis: “Could a rediscovered map show her the way? 

Present day: When thirty-six-year-old Robyn Willoughby discovers an exquisite yet blood-stained Tudor map in her father’s antique map shop, desperate for a distraction from her problems, she decides to investigate. But as Robyn delves into the mystery, she finds herself caught up in a centuries-old secret – one that will change her life forever. 


1569: Forced to flee Holland to escape persecution, twenty-year-old Freida Ortelius uses her map-making skills to start anew in London. Soon her rare talent catches the eye of Queen Elizabeth, who demands Freida’s help in fighting the Spanish threat. Freida must now embark on a deadly mission, the consequences of which will echo down the ages… “

My Review

I loved Clare Marchant two previous books The Secrets of Saffron Hall and The Queen’s Spy and was very excited when I saw she had a new dual timeline mystery out. I loved the setting of the 1500s and learnt so much about the persecution of the Huguenots in Holland and of their flight to London. I was fascinated by Frieda’s map making skills as I knew nothing at all about this craft, especially during this period. I loved being caught up in the court of Queen Elizabeth I, thoroughly enjoying all the descriptions of the clothing and the way people behaved around the Queen. I also enjoyed the mystery of the map in 2022. However I must admit that I found both main characters rather annoying. This hasn’t put me off the author at all, because I love all the historical details in her books and love being transported to another time.