20 Books of Summer (Winter) 2024

I've not been very active on this blog due to a number of reasons, so I'm hoping that this reading challenge hosted by Cathy @ 746 Books will provide a boost for my reading and reviewing.

The challenge will run from June 1st to September 1st, the winter months here in Australia.

Cathy claims to be the slackest of challenge hosts, suggesting that it is okay to aim for less than 20

A Bitter Remedy by Alis Hawkins Book Review

A Bitter Remedy is the first of a new mystery series from the author of the Teifi Valley Coroner series. While the latter is firmly set in Wales, the new series is set in Oxford with links to Wales through Jesus College and one of the main characters, Rhiannon (Non) Vaughan, one of a small number of female students allowed to attend lectures.

When a Jesus College undergraduate is murdered, Basil Rice, a College fellow, is asked to mitigate any scandal that could arise after the young man's guardian threatens to sue the College. Basil uncovers much about the student he didn't know and his task to keep things quiet becomes much harder when Non inserts herself into his investigation, causing havoc on more than one occasion with her actions.

Basil and Non are definitely a mismatched

New Release Challenge 2024 - My Sign Up Post

A new year and a new host!

This challenge got off to a late start and I'm even later signing up.

Hosted by: Davida @ The Chocolate Lady's Book Review Blog
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2024
Sign Up: Anytime
Aim: To read and review books released in 2024.
Twitter Hashtag: #2024NewReleaseChallenge

All the information can be found HERE

A Death in Venice by Verity Bright Book Review (Blog Tour)

Publication Date: 28 March 2024
Publisher: Bookouture
Format: Print, e-book and audio
Series: A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #17
Genre: Historical Mystery, Cosy Mystery

Synopsis

Stunning views across the Grand Canal and a hotel suite fit for royalty… Lady Eleanor Swift is having a jolly good time on her Italian vacation, until a gondola ride is cut murderously short!

1924. Lady Eleanor Swift has been on a grand tour around Italy for a month with her butler Clifford. Finally arriving in Venice, she’s thrilled to be attending the famous carnival: all that’s needed is the perfect bejewelled costume for her faithful bulldog, Gladstone. But on her first gondola ride to take in the sights, a passenger

The Shadow Network by Deborah Swift Book Review (Blog Tour)

Publication Date: 13th February 2024
Publisher: HQ Digital
Page Length: 376
Series: Secret Agent Series (but can be read as a stand-alone)
Genre: Historical Fiction / WW2

Synopsis

One woman must sacrifice everything to uncover the truth in this enthralling historical novel, inspired by the true World War Two campaign Radio Aspidistra…

England, 1942: Having fled Germany after her father was captured by the Nazis, Lilli Bergen is desperate to do something pro-active for the Allies. So when she’s approached by the Political Warfare Executive (PWE), Lilli jumps at the chance. She’s recruited as a

The Murder Game by Tom Hindle Book Review

Synopsis

One house. Nine guests. Endless motives for murder...

In the seaside town of Hamlet Wick, nine guests assemble for a New Year's Eve party to remember.

The owner of Hamlet Hall has organised a murder mystery evening with a 1920s twist, and everyone has their own part to play.

But the game has barely begun when one guest is found dead - killed by a fatal injury to the head.

With no phone signal and no way out of the house, the others are trapped with a killer in

The Christmas Cuckoo by Mary Jo Putney A Mini Audiobook Review

This is a lovely, heart-warming story. Just right for a quick, Christmas read!

Synopsis

Major Jack Howard, a weary veteran of the Peninsular Wars, has just returned to England and intends to return to an unwelcoming family home for Christmas. But when a pompous secretary gives him too many orders, Jack hops on the next stagecoach leaving

Spell the Month in Books: January

Spell the Month in Books is hosted by Jana @ Reviews from the Stacks.

The idea is simple: find a book title for each letter in the month's name, write a post and share the link on that month's link up page. There are optional challenges for each month. This month the theme is "new", to be interpereted anyway you want.

I'm going with titles added to my TBR and earmarked for

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2024

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. A topic is assigned to each Tuesday. For that topic you are encouraged to make a top ten list, putting your own spin on it, if needed. Upcoming topics and

Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge 2024 - My Sign Up Post

Hosted by: Carol @ Carol's Notebook

Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2024

Sign up: Ends March 15, 2024

Aim: To read any book that is from the mystery/suspense/thriller/crime genres. Any sub-genres are welcome as long as they incorporate one of these genres and books need to be at least 100 pages long.

Challenge Hashtag: #CloakDaggerChal

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2024 - My Sign Up Post

Hosted by: Marg @ The Intrepid Reader
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2025
Sign up: anytime during the year
Challenge hashtag: #histficreadingchallenge

All the details are available on the sign-up page.

There are six different reading

2024 European Reading Challenge - My Sign Up Post

Hosted by: Gilion @ Rose City Reader

Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2024, with until 31st January, 2025, to finish reviews and write a wrap-up post.

Aim: To read books set in European countries or books by European authors, any genre – fiction, nonfiction, novels, short stories, memoirs, travel guides, cookbooks, biography, poetry, etc. No two books