Full Sun by Iain Kelly BLOG TOUR #FullSun @IainK_Writing @RandomTTours #MyLifeInBooks

 

Cal Jackson has just been released from prison. Now all he wants is a quiet life.

But when his sister marries into the family of corrupt businessman Francis McArthur, Cal finds himself caught in the middle of an ongoing war between his new family and the police.

When a childhood friend, the mysterious and enchanting Elise Moreau, disappears, Cal’s got his work cut out to find her and discover what links her to McArthur.

And that’s before the first dead body turns up.

As a heat wave grips Glasgow’s mean streets and vibrant night life, Cal is reluctantly forced to act, before he finds himself either back in prison, or buried in the ground.

Full Sun by Iain Kelly was published on 28 November 2024 by The Book Guild. As part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour I am delighted to welcome the author here today. He's talking about the books that are special to him in My Life In Books. 

My Life in Books - Iain Kelly 

I am delighted to be feature for this guest post on the Random Things Through My Letterbox blog. 

Being asked to think about the books that have inspired me and left an impression has been a rewarding task, a chance to reflect on my own reading and writing journey so far and to think about where it might take me in the future. 

I have also cheated a little, as I soon realised there are so many books that have left a mark on my life in one way or another, that it was difficult to narrow it down to only ten – so for each featured book, I’ve listed other similar books that very nearly made the list.

SMALL GODS by TERRY PRATCHETT

My high school English teacher was in some ways responsible for my love of reading, or at least from graduating from children’s book to more grown-up reading. It was Mr Stewart who encouraged us to enter the Discworld of Terry Pratchett, and Small Gods was the first one in the series that I read. While the genre of Fantasy is not one I choose often, the satire, humour and the all-to-human relatability of the characters and situations in these books always made them a treat to read – and taught me that no matter what the genre or scenario, it’s all about character when it comes to writing. The publication of a new Pratchett each year was always a highlight – and is sadly missed since his untimely passing.

Other early reading books that are embedded in my memory from early years: Peace At Last – Jill Murphy; The Secret Seven – Enid Blyton

CASINO ROYALE by IAN FLEMING

There are many reasons I love James Bond – from watching the early films on TV with my Dad, to early memories of being old enough to see the films at the cinema. I came to the original books later on. Although they have dated a little – and are quite different to the films - they still have the mix of exotic locations, tension, action and sex, villains and glamour. And at the centre of it all, the most fascinating charismatic, enigmatic heroes that literature has ever seen – and still going strong almost 70 years later.

TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY by JOHN LE CARRE

Following on from Fleming’s Bond, I have always enjoyed spy stories – both real and fictional. There’s something about the mix of danger, lies, betrayal and double crossing that lends itself to great literature. le Carre is the master of it, blending the literary and the thrilling and grounded in a real-world weariness. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is my favourite, with George Smiley hunting a mole in the British Secret Service. Honourable mention to Len Deighton and more recently Mick Herron’s Slow Horses series – which adds a layer of black humour to the mix.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO by ALEXANDRE DUMAS

I’ve picked this one from all the Classics I’ve read with loads of honourable mentions for the likes of Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Three Musketeers. Monte Cristo stands out for me as a masterful work of epic plotting, with adventure, romance, revenge and thrills, and one that rewards every time it’s read. 

THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES by AGATHA CHRISTIE

Cosy crime has only one master, often replicated but never beaten. This is the first novel to feature the Belgian detective Poirot and sets up a lot of the elements that recur throughout the 40 novels that follow. – and have been imitated by authors ever since. And again – the films and especially the UK television series which followed were a big favourite. Another honourable mention to Georges Simenon (the Belgian writer) and his 75 Maigret novels, that are more literary, but equally engaging.

DOHERTY by WILLIAM MCILLVANEY

Scottish crime fiction, or Tartan Noir as it has come to be known, has obviously been a huge influence on my reading and writing, and my recent novel Full Sun fits into that rich history. William McIllvaney is credited with kickstarting the genre with his Laidlaw trilogy, which are fantastic – but my favourite of his books is Doherty – the story of a working-class boy growing up in a mining community – gritty, real and powerful, it stays with you long after the book is finished.

THE WASP FACTORY by IAIN BANKS

Iain Banks is my favourite modern Scottish writer. I was fortunate enough (as part of  my day job as a television editor) to edit the final television interview with Kirsty Wark, which he gave weeks before his untimely passing. He faced his terminal cancer with the same wit, bravery and style that pervades his books. The Wasp Factory was his first novel, but everyone of his books was fascinating – and what drew me to them especially was the representation of everyday Scottish urban life that wasn’t represented anywhere else.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS by ERNEST HEMINGWAY

American literature was something I studied at university as part of my English degree, and that introduced me to the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck and others. The one who had the most impact on me was Hemingway, and particularly For Whom The Bell Tolls. Having re-read it recently, it’s remarkable that the first half of the book feels quite slow-paced and plodding – but the reward comes in the second half, which is the most beautiful and heart-breaking story. He may not be to everyone’s taste – both as a man and as a writer, and some of his other work can be testing, but the distinctive style with which he writes is something that has always fascinated me.

AMERICAN TABLIOD by JAMES ELLROY

Another divisive American author that I love is James Ellroy. Never has a writer revelled in the grubby, foul-mouthed, sex-obsessed criminal underworld of American history. American Tabloid is Ellroy’s retelling of the assassination of JFK, mixing real world figures and facts with speculative fiction in a dizzying display of story-telling. Like Hemingway, Ellroy’s sparse, abrupt style will not be to everyone’s taste, but I find it compelling. Special mention to Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy, which does a similar job in the court of Henry VIII, and she too has her own unique style.

SAY NOTHING by PATRICK REDDEN KEEFE

I wanted to include a representative book from the true crime or investigative journalism genres. There were a few contenders – The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright, and All The President’s Men by Woodward and Bernstein – but I settled on Redden Keefe’s tale of The Troubles in Ireland. The meticulous research, spun into a compelling story and made all the more powerful because it actually happened. Sometimes stories of real-life struggles and survival are better than fiction.

Iain Kelly lives in Scotland, UK. 

His latest book 'Full Sun' was released in November 2024, published by The Book Guild Ltd.

He is married with two children and works in the media industry as a television editor. 

When he is not creating stories through sound and vision, he is writing them. 

'A Justified State,' published in 2018, was his first novel. It was followed by a sequel, 'State Of Denial' in September 2019 and 'State Of War' in 2020, which concluded 'The State' trilogy. 

In 2022, he partnered with The Book Guild to publish the mystery/coming-of-age saga, 'The Barra Boy', followed by the historical thriller 'All We Cannot Leave Behind in 2024.

www.iainkellywriting.com

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The Greek House by Dinah Jefferies #TheGreekHouse @DinahJefferies @HarperCollinsUK @HarperFiction @fictionpubteam #BookReview

 

Can one house hold a lifetime of secrets?

Corfu, 1930

The moment Thirza Caruthers sets foot on Corfu, memories flood back: the scent of jasmine, the green shutters of her family’s home ― and her brother Billy’s tragic disappearance years before.

Returning to the Greek house, high above clear blue waters, Thirza tries to escape by immersing herself in painting ― and a passionate affair.

But as webs of love, envy, and betrayal tighten around the family, buried secrets surface.

Is it finally time to uncover the truth about Billy’s vanishing?

The Greek House by Dinah Jefferies is published on 24 April 2025 by HarperCollins. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review. 

Everyone who knows me and has followed my social media accounts for some time will be aware of my love of Corfu.  It is an island that I fell in love with well over twenty years ago and make a point of returning to every year. It is not just a holiday destination, it feels like a second home. The culture and the history is vast and I'm always learning something new about this wonderful place. 

When I found out that Dinah Jefferies' latest novel was set on Corfu, I knew that was one for me. Sadly, I didn't get to read this one whilst in Corfu, but the glorious sunshine and blue skies of Lanzarote almost made up for that! 

This is historical fiction at its best. Jefferies has created a family drama that spans decades and takes in the recent history of Corfu at the same time. 

In 1923, Corfu is invaded by Italian troops. There is carnage in the capital city and young Billy Caruthers goes missing. His family have lived on Corfu for some time, alternating between their home in the countryside and a place in the city. Billy's mother, Dulcie has taken an interest in refugee children housed in Corfu and it is whilst she checks on these children that Billy disappears. Dulcie is distraught and blames her drunk sister and her sixteen year old daughter Thirza. They leave the island.

In 1930, Thirza returns to Corfu. She intends to renovate their old house in the hope that her mother will also return. Billy's disappearance has had a profound effect on the family. Her parents are no longer together, her father has remained on Corfu and is now happy in a relationship with another woman. 

There's a romance running through this novel, as well as the serious family drama. Thirza becomes involved with an Italian man living locally. It's a form of self discovery for her and is written so well by this clever author. 

Old secrets and mysteries are also disturbed and there are some unexpected and serious, dark issues dealt with as the plot progresses. 

I found this to be the perfect book to read as I lay on my sunbed in the sunshine, recovering from quite a serious illness. I was transported to a place that I love. The characters were well imagined and the setting is stunning. Recommended by me. 

Dinah Jefferies began her career with The Separation, followed by the No.1 Sunday Times and Richard and Judy bestseller, The Tea-Planter’s Wife. 

Born in Malaysia, she moved to England at the age of nine. 

In 1985, a family tragedy changed everything, and she now draws on the experience of loss in her writing, infusing love, loss and danger with the beauty of her locations. 

She is published in 29 languages in over 30 countries and lives close to her family in Gloucestershire.

www.dinahjefferies.com

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Whatever It Takes by Rachel Abbott BLOG TOUR #WhateverItTakes @RachelAbbott @RandomTTours #Giveaway #Win #Prize #Competition

 

He played by the rules – until the only rule that mattered was survival.

Recovering from a gunshot wound that nearly cost him his life, DCI Tom Douglas isn’t focused on himself – his concern is for his brother Jack, who seems to have vanished without a trace. Jack’s past is as dangerous as it is complicated. Years ago, he faked his own death to escape an organised crime group, and ever since, he’s been living in the shadows, always one step ahead of those who want to hunt him down.

Now, Tom’s worst fears are coming true. Has Jack’s past finally caught up with him? And what does that mean for his family?Tom has to find them, but the answers he seeks are hidden in a brutal underworld - one more threatening than anything Tom has faced before.

With time running out and his own life on the line, Tom must decide how far he’s willing to go and how much he’s prepared to sacrifice, knowing it will mean crossing a line he swore he never would.

But there is another player in this game – one who will stop at nothing to find the answers she seeks. And if Tom makes the wrong move, he, and everyone he loves, will lose.

He’s spent his life chasing criminals. But to save his family, he might have to become one.

Whatever It Takes by Rachel Abbott was published on 11 March 2025. As part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour I am delighted to have two proof copies to give away. Entry is simple, just fill out the competition widget in this blog post. UK entries only please.

GOOD LUCK!

Two proof copies of Whatever It Takes by Rachel Abbott

Rachel Abbott is the bestselling author of the Tom Douglas series of books, which have sold over 5 million copies in the English language and have been translated into over 20 languages.

Whatever it Takes is the 12th thriller in this series, and Rachel Abbott has released four novels in the Stephanie King series with Headline under the Wildfire imprint. The first in the series - And So It Begins - was listed as one of The Times best crime novels of the year.

Born and raised in Manchester, Abbott founded her own interactive media company in the 1980s before retiring in 2005. She then moved to Italy where she wrote her first novel, Only the Innocent, which she went on to publish via Kindle Direct Publishing, topping their chart for 4 weeks.

A true self-publishing pioneer, Abbott now lives in Alderney in the Channel Islands.

www.rachel-abbott.com

Son by Johana Gustawsson & Thomas Enger #Son @JoGustawsson @EngerThomas @OrendaBooks #NordicNoir BLOG TOUR

 

Everyone here is lying…

Expert on body language and memory, and consultant to the Oslo Police, psychologist Kari Voss sleepwalks through her days, and, by night, continues the devastating search for her young son, who disappeared on his birthday, seven years earlier.
 
Still grieving for her dead husband, and trying to pull together the pieces of her life, she is thrust into a shocking local investigation, when two teenage girls are violently murdered in a family summer home in the nearby village of Son.
 
When a friend of the victims is charged with the barbaric killings, it seems the case is closed, but Kari is not convinced. Using her skills and working on instinct, she conducts her own enquiries, leading her to multiple suspects, including people who knew the dead girls well…
 
With the help of Chief Constable Ramona Norum, she discovers that no one – including the victims – are what they seem. And that there is a dark secret at the heart of Son village that could have implications not just for her own son's disappearance, but Kari's own life, too…
 
For fans of Harlan Coben, Lars Kepler, Jo Nesbo and Jorn Lier Horst … and The Mentalist

Son by Johana Gustawsson and Thomas Enger is published in hardback by Orenda Books on 27 March 2025. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this Blog Tour 

Individually, Johana Gustawsson and Thomas Enger are two of the best crime fiction authors currently writing. When I heard that they were writing a book together, I was intrigued. I wondered how two authors with their own original styles could weave together a story that was both realistic and enjoyable to read. As I closed the book after that totally unexpected end paragraph, I came to the conclusion that here we have two outstanding writers and when brought together to write they truly are magnificent. 

We are introduced to Kari Voss. Kari is a body language and memory expert and works closely with the Oslo police force. She also has some weighty life baggage of her own. Seven years ago her young son, Vetle, disappeared, it was his birthday and he's not been seen since. Kari also grieves for her dead husband. 

Kari is contacted to help with the investigation into a brutal double murder. Two teenage girls are found in a summer house with their throats slit. This case opens up so many wounds for Kari, the victims and the person arrested for the murder were all friends of her son Vetle. Kari knows them and their families well and despite her professionalism on the case, she becomes really emotionally involved. It is not long before many dark long-held secrets are exposed in this small town, sending shockwaves through the community and raising questions about many things, and many people. 

Son is seamlessly written, it is woven together expertly with characters who are perfectly created in a setting that adds so much to the tension and depth of the murder mystery. Every single character fits perfectly into the narrative, some of them are incredibly flawed, some of them are totally unreliable, but each one of them fits perfectly into the plot line.  

This really is a writing match made in heaven. Both of these authors are incredibly talented in their own right, but bring them together and the results are explosive. This is almost pitch perfect crime fiction, written with heart, multi layered and emotionally challenging. A fabulous beginning to a new series. 

Known as the Queen of French Noir, Johana Gustawsson is one of France's most highly
regarded, award-winning crime writers, recipient of the prestigious Cultura Ligue de l`Imaginaire Award for her gothic mystery Yule Island. 

Number-one bestselling books include Block 46, Keeper, Blood Song and her historical thriller, The Bleeding. 

Johana lives in Sweden with her family. 

A former journalist, Thomas Enger is the number-one bestselling author of the Henning Juul series and, with co-author Jørn Lier Horst, the international bestselling Blix & Ramm series, and one of the biggest proponents of the Nordic Noir genre. 

He lives in Oslo. 

Rights to Johana and Thomas’ books have been sold to a combined fifty countries and, for the first time, two crime writers, from two different countries, writing in two different languages, have joined forces to create an original series together.

The Weekenders by David F Ross #TheWeekenders @dfr10 @OrendaBooks #BookReview

 

The deaths of a series of young Eastern European women in Glasgow leads to a stately home in the Scottish countryside, and back to the Second World War, where a group of young soldiers made their own, shocking rules… Saltire Prize shortlisted author David F. Ross returns with an extraordinary, dark mystery – first in a new series.

Glasgow, 1966: Stevie 'Minto' Milloy, former star footballer-turned-rookie reporter, finds himself trailing the story of a young Eastern European student whose body has been found on remote moorland outside the city. How did she get there from her hostel at the Sovereign Grace Mission, and why does Stevie find obstacles at every turn?

Italy, 1943: As the Allies fight Mussolini's troops, a group of young soldiers are separated from their platoon, and Glaswegian Jamesie Campbell, his newfound friend Michael McTavish at his side, finds himself free to make his own rules…

Glasgow, 1969: Courtroom sketch artist Donald 'Doodle' Malpas is shocked to discover that his new case involves the murder of a teenage Lithuanian girl he knows from the Sovereign Grace Mission. Why hasn't the girl's death been reported? And why is a young police constable suddenly so keen to join the mission?

No one seems willing to join the dots between the two cases, and how they link to Raskine House, the stately home in the Scottish countryside with a dark history and even darker present – the venue for the debauched parties held there by the rich and powerful of the city who call themselves 'The Weekenders'.

Painting a picture of a 1960s Glasgow in the throes of a permissive society, pulled apart by religion, corruption, and a murderous Bible John stalking the streets, The Weekenders is a snapshot of an era of turmoil – and a terrifying insight into the mind of a ruthless criminal…

The Weekenders by David F Ross was published by Orenda Books on 27 February 2025. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review. 

One of my all time favourite novels is There's Only One Danny Garvey by David F Ross, published in 20202. Danny Garvey was told in four voices, during one era. Ross is so skilled at creating different and unique voices for his novel. In The Weekenders, we have two main narrators - Stevie 'Minto ' Molloy and Donald 'Doodle' Malpass, and the story is set in three, very separate, time scales.  There's Stevie's story from 1966, as he finds his way as a new sports journalist after his successful football playing career is cut tragically short. Doodle tells his story in 1969, again in Glasgow. Doodle is a courtroom sketch artist and is troubled by the news of the murder of a Lithuanian girl. 
The third part of the novel, and possibly the darkest and most graphic is set in during the war, in Italy in 1943, we are introduced to Jamsie Campbell and Michael McTavish, a couple of characters whose presence is felt throughout the story. 

This is raw and violent and dark and straight to the point. Ross does not protect his readers from the realities of the Glasgow that is depicted within the plot. Coarse, strong language, mixed up with corruption and murder and the despicable behaviours displayed by those in power are to be found on every page of this truth filled, captivating and shocking story. 

The characters are all flawed, yet there are some of them who the reader cannot fail to grow fond of, despite some of the things that they do, and say. 

As he always does. David F Ross has intricately explored community and relationships within. There's a poignancy about the story, despite the starkness and violence. These are real people, their issues have shaped them, and those around them. It's wonderfully written and highly recommended by me. 

David F. Ross was born in Glasgow in 1964 and has lived in Kilmarnock for over 30
years. 

He is a graduate of the Mackintosh School of Architecture at Glasgow School of Art, an architect by day, and a hilarious social-media commentator, author and enabler by night. 

His debut novel The Last Days of Disco was shortlisted for the Authors Club Best First Novel Award, and optioned for the stage by the Scottish National Theatre. 

All five of his novels have achieved notable critical acclaim and There’s Only One Danny Garvey, published in 2021 by Orenda Books, was shortlisted for the prestigious Saltire Society Prize for Scottish Fiction Book of the Year. 

David lives in Ayrshire. 

www.davidfross.co.uk

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The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani #TheMidnightKing @TariqAshkanani @ViperBooks #BookReview

 

'This is a work of fiction. This is not a confession.'

Lucas Cole is a bestselling writer. He is also a father, a widower, and a beloved celebrity in his small town. He is an unassuming man ­- tall, thin and quietly friendly. Lucas Cole is also a serial killer.

Nathan Cole has known the truth about his father since he was ten years old. Too terrified to go to the police, he ran away from home as soon as he was able, carrying the guilt of leaving his sister behind. But when Lucas is found dead in a dingy motel room, Nathan returns to his childhood home for the first time in seventeen years. It's there he finds The Midnight King, his father's final unpublished manuscript, a fictionalised account of his hideous crimes, hidden in a box of trinkets taken from his victims. Trinkets that include a ribbon belonging to a missing eight-year-old girl who disappeared only days before his father's death.

Now, Nathan must deal with the consequences of keeping his father's secret. But it may not be as simple as finding a lost child. For The Midnight King holds Nathan's secrets as well as Lucas's, and he is not the only one searching for the truth...

Full of unexpected twists and heartrending turns, The Midnight King is a gripping thriller perfect for fans of Chris Whitaker, S.A. Cosby and Ian Rankin.

The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani is published on 10 April 2025 by Viper. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review. 

Very very dark, quite shocking and really intelligently written. This is how I like my crime fiction, and Tariq Ashkanani certainly delivers with The Midnight King. It's the sort of book that hooks the reader from the opening scenes, and then doesn't let go until the final pages. A twisted serial killer story that is up there alongside the best. 

This is a two pronged story line, with two main narrators, but one evil, devilish killer at the heart of it. Nathan Cole ran away from home many years ago. He was escaping the deeds of his father. Nathan knew exactly what Lucas Cole was. To outsiders, Lucas appeared to be quite the local celebrity- a quiet man, but a friendly man who also happened to be a best selling author of crime fiction. Nathan knows that Lucas is a serial killer. 

Nathan has returned for the first time in many years. His father has been found dead in a motel room, and Nathan has discovered a box in his father's home. This box contains unimaginable horrors; souvenirs from Lucas' crimes and also, a manuscript.  This manuscript is nothing like Lucas' other work, it is claimed that it's fiction, but Nathan knows that it details everything terrible that his father did before he died. 

Isaac Holloway is a private investigator. He's been hired by the parents of missing girl Chloe. Nathan and Isaae were childhood friends but have not had any contact for many years. Both Isaac and Nathan are sure that Chloe is the final victim of Lucas, but she hasn't been found yet. Both of them are desperate to find her, desperate to know that she is still alive. 

The Midnight King is a complex and multi layered story that is beautifully written, with the Nashville setting becoming such an integral part of the plot line that I don't think it would work anywhere else.

Shocks, twists and totally unexpected reveals all go towards making this one a totally gripping read. Highly recommended by me. 

Tariq Ashkanani is a solicitor and co-host of the writing podcast Page One. 

His debut novel, Welcome to Cooper, won the Bloody Scotland Debut Award 2022, as well as being shortlisted for both the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger and Capital Crime Fingerprint Award. 

His second novel, Follow Me to the Edge, was published in 2022. 

His upcoming novel, The Midnight King, will be published by Viper in 2025. 

He lives in Edinburgh with his wife and two sons.

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