Bare by Lorna Tucker BLOG TOUR #Bare @always_leyt @Octopus_Books @RandomTTours #BookReview

 

The inspirational true story of one woman's fight to survive on the streets of London

I, Lorna Tucker, have lived a life that most you can't even begin to imagine...

'You need to read this book' MICK JAGGER

'Unflinching and unforgettable' VOGUE

'An essential read showcasing the resilience of the human spirit' JUANO DIAZ

I have lived in London's piss-soaked streets, I have lived with the sweet embrace of heroin, I have lived when I should have died.

I have lied, I have thieved, I have stripped, I have tricked, I have loved, I have fallen, I have survived.

I could be your daughter, your mother, your lover - I could be you.

Come to hell and back with me.

AN EYE-OPENING, PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF FEMALE HOMELESSNESS, FROM ONE OF BRITAIN'S MOST EXCITING FILM-MAKERS

Bare by Lorna Tucker was published in hardback on 20 March 2025 by Brazen / Octopus Books. My thanks to the publishers who sent my copy as part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour 

The slim hardback edition of Bare by Lorna Tucker that I read has less than two hundred pages. However, it is certainly not a quick read, nor is it an easy read, or even a fulfilling read. It is stark, it is grim, it doesn't hold back. Tucker does not spare her reader. She does not use flowery language in the hope of disguising what she has done, how she has lived. She is honest, open and just so eye-opening. I finished the book wondering how on earth anyone who had experienced the things that she has could ever make something of themselves.  She has though. She is now a much acclaimed film maker, she has a husband and children, a home and a life. For many many months, she didn't have any of those things. She didn't even have hope. 

The book begins in the mid-1980s on a 'generic pebble-dashed housing estate, Watford). This opening tells the reader just how ordinary Lorna's life was . Her parents were working class, they'd been through tough times but the family, on the whole, were pretty average. 

Lorna's experiences are not average. Drink, drugs, violence, sexual predators, truancy, shop lifting, sleeping on the street, lice, filth, hunger, police cells. This is what made up Lorna's existence for the majority of her story. It is not pleasant, there are times when I wanted to put the book down and sanitise my hands, it's grubby and hard hitting. 

Lorna Tucker shows a huge amount of bravery in her words. She shows courage and determination. She shows a vulnerability that is heart breaking and she shows a rawness that is inspiring. 

Truly haunting, this is a book that I will remember for a very long time. 

Lorna Tucker is an artist, writer and filmmaker, who has secured her place as one of the most exciting documentary directors working today, known for tackling big social themes with humour, ease and grace.

Her first feature documentary, Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist, was an Official Selection at Sundance 2018. Her subsequent documentaries include: Amá, about the sterilisation abuse of Native American women over the past 60 years; Someone's Daughter, Someone's Son, chronicling stories of homelessness in the UK; and Call Me Kate, about the inner life of screen legend Katharine Hepburn.

She was named one of the biggest breakout female filmmakers by Harper's Bazaar and Elle in 2018, and one of Creative England's CE50 the following year.

She has written articles for British Vogue and the guardian and her first solo art exhibition will open at Saatchi Gallery in Spring 2026. Bare is her first book.

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Other People's Houses by Clare Mackintosh #OtherPeoplesHouses @claremackint0sh @BooksSphere #DCFionMorgan #BookReview

 

Even on the most desirable street, there's a dark side . . .

The Hill is the kind of place everyone wants to live: luxurious, exclusive and safe. But now someone is breaking and entering these Cheshire homes one by one, and DS Leo Brady suspects the burglar is looking for something, or someone, in particular.

Over the border in Wales, DC Ffion Morgan recovers the body of an estate agent from the lake. There's no love lost between Ffion and estate agents, but who hated this one enough to want her dead - and why?

As their cases collide, Ffion and Leo discover people will pay a high price to keep their secrets behind closed doors . . .

Other People's Houses by Clare Mackintosh was published on 27 February 2025 by Sphere. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review. 

I am a massive Clare Mackintosh fan. I love her stand-alone psychological thrillers, she's the absolute queen of the killer twist. Other People's Houses is the third book in her DC Morgan series and has been a highly anticipated read in this house! 

I honestly believe that this series gets better with each book. DC Ffion Morgan is a fabulous character, she's flawed, she often makes decisions that are questionable, she has a complicated home life and is embarking on a complicated personal relationship with DS Leo Brady too. However, despite this, she's a fabulous police officer. Always determined to find justice for the victims involved and will doggedly work hard until questions are answered. 

Leo Brady is working on a case that involves breaking and entering properties on an exclusive housing development called The Hill. Across the border in Wales, Ffion has just answered a call  and recovered the body of a female from a lake. Whilst these two cases seem totally unrelated at first look, the connections are soon picked up on. 

What follows is a complex, cleverly written, sometimes really funny and always authentic, police procedural novel, with a difference. The two cases, in two police boundaries and investigated by two police teams are both compelling, with twists uncovered along the way.  I really enjoyed the insight into how the rich and wealthy live, in the scenes involving The Hill, and cringed as Leo's ex-wife Allie tried her very best to worm her way into that group of people. It makes for uncomfortable reading at times! 

Another superbly plotted novel from Clare Mackintosh, with characters who are perfectly created and have such depth. Recommended by me. 

Clare Mackintosh is a police officer turned crime writer, and the multi-award-winning
author of seven Sunday Times bestselling novels. 

Translated into forty languages, her books have sold more than two million copies worldwide and have spent a combined total of sixty-eight weeks in the Sunday Times bestseller chart. 

Clare lives in North Wales with her husband and their three children.

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Scenes From A Tragedy by Carole Hailey #ScenesFromATragedy @CaroleAHailey @CorvusBooks #BookReview

 

If you hurt me, I'll hurt you. Not right away of course, because where's the fun in that?

When an empty passenger plane mysteriously crashes in the Lake District, journalist Carly Atherton is determined to get to the truth of what happened - the love of her life was one of the two pilots on board.

But when she contacts the family of the other pilot, the conflicting memories of his wife and his sister draw her into a story far darker than she could possibly have imagined.

As Carly delves into the dynamics of a seemingly ordinary family, she realises that the bonds that shape us can also tear us apart - and that sometimes there are monsters living among us, hiding in plain sight...

Scenes From A Tragedy by Carole Hailey was published on 6 March 2025 by Corvus. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review. 

In February 2023 I read and reviewed Hailey's debut novel; The Silence Project. I adored it and recommended it to anyone that would listen to me. I'd wanted to get Scenes From A Tragedy read prior to publication but I became unwell over the New Year and was admitted to hospital.  So, instead, the book came to Lanzarote with me a couple of weeks ago and I read it as I lay in the beautiful sunshine, under the gorgeous blue skies. It's quite ironic that we were staying just under the island's flight path, with planes coming and going all day as I read about the plane crash that is central to the story! 

Carly Atherton is on a mission. She's a journalist and is determined to find out just how and why an empty passenger plane crashed into a mountain in the Lake District. The two pilots on board were both killed. One of the pilots; Luke, was Carly's ex boyfriend. They had a long and colourful history. Carly is also interested in looking into how many of these empty flights take place every year. It seems that airlines are forced to take them to ensure that they can keep their flight space. It all seems wasteful to Carly.

It becomes clear that it was pilot Danny Taylor who caused the crash. It appears that he aimed the plane straight at the mountain. Post accident investigations show that there was no attempt to stop the crash.

Carly begins to contact Danny's family. His wife Grace is at first loathe to speak, but Carly finds a willing participant in his sister Izzy, and then later on, Grace contacts her and tells her side of the story. 

Cleverly structured, with an intriguing and unique narrative style, this novel is totally and utterly compelling. Although she's only written the two novels, Carole Hailey is most certainly one of my favourite authors. Her ability to create characters, especially female characters is stunning. Izzy is probably the most dislikable, yet perfectly formed character that I've come across for many years. 

Captivating and compulsive, with hints of the darkest humour. This is a novel to savour and to enjoy. It is richly detailed and quite extraordinary. Highly recommended by me. 

Carole Hailey completed the six-month Guardian/UEA novel-writing course with
Bernardine Evaristo, who imbued Carole with such a love for writing fiction that she abandoned her career in law to study first an MA, then a PHD in Creative Writing. 

Carole was a recipient of a Desmond Elliott Prize Residency from the National Centre for Writing and her debut novel, The Silence Project, was shortlisted for the Royal Society of Literature Christopher Bland Prize. 

She lives in Wales with her husband and two rescue dogs.

Instagram: @carolehaileyx

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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!

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