March reading round up...

Summary Justice by John Fairfax
'The last time Tess de Vere saw William Benson she was a law student on work experience. He was a twenty-one year old, led from the dock of the Old Bailey to begin a life sentence for murder. He'd said he was innocent. She'd believed him.

Sixteen years later Tess overhears a couple of hacks mocking a newcomer to the London Bar, a no-hoper with a murder conviction, running his own show from an old fishmonger's in Spitalfields. That night she walks back into Benson's life. He's an outcast. The government wants to shut him down and no solicitor will instruct him. But he's subsidised by a mystery benefactor and a desperate woman has turned to him for help: Sarah Collingstone, mother of a child with special needs, accused of slaying her wealthy lover. It's a hopeless case and the murder trial, Benson's first, starts in four days. The evidence is overwhelming but like Benson long ago, she swears she's innocent. Tess joins the defence team, determined to help Benson survive.'

See my full review here. 4/5

One by Sarah Crossan

'Grace and Tippi are twins – conjoined twins.

And their lives are about to change.

No longer able to afford homeschooling, they must venture into the world – a world of stares, sneers and cruelty. Will they find more than that at school? Can they find real friends? And what about love?

But what neither Grace or Tippi realises is that a heart-wrenching decision lies ahead. A decision that could tear them apart. One that will change their lives even more than they ever imagined…'

This was a beautiful book about sisters and identity and the bond between Tippi and Grace, both trying to find their place whist dealing with being very different. I'll admit it I cried, the end of the book is quite heartbreaking. Interestingly this book is written in free prose, something I've never experienced before but it worked so well and the story just seemed to flow so naturally. I'm not really a fan of YA but I loved this book and it gave me an insight into something I don't really know anything about. 4/5

He Said/ She Said by Erin Kelly
'In the hushed aftermath of a total eclipse, Laura witnesses a brutal attack.
She and her boyfriend Kit call the police, and in that moment, it is not only the victim's life that is changed forever.

Fifteen years on, Laura and Kit live in fear.
And while Laura knows she was right to speak out, the events that follow have taught her that you can never see the whole picture: something - and someone - is always in the dark...'

See my full review here. 4/5

The White Road by Sarah Lotz
'Desperate to attract subscribers to his fledgling website, 'Journey to the Dark Side', ex-adrenalin junkie and slacker Simon Newman hires someone to guide him through the notorious Cwm Pot caves, so that he can film the journey and put it on the internet. With a tragic history, Cwm Pot has been off-limits for decades, and unfortunately for Simon, the guide he's hired is as unpredictable and dangerous as the watery caverns that lurk beneath the earth. After a brutal struggle for survival, Simon barely escapes with his life, but predictably, the gruesome footage he managed to collect down in the earth's bowels goes viral. Ignoring the warning signs of mental trauma, and eager to capitalize on his new internet fame, Simon latches onto another escapade that has that magic click-bait mix of danger and death - a trip to Everest. But up above 8000 feet, in the infamous Death Zone, he'll need more than his dubious morals and wits to guide him, especially when he uncovers the truth behind a decade-old tragedy - a truth that means he might not be coming back alive. A truth that will change him - and anyone who views the footage he captures - forever.'
I am a huge fan of Lotz previous two books and was lucky enough to receive an arc copy to review in advance of the release date. Full review coming soon but needless to say I loved it! 4/5

How it Works: The Cat by Jason Hazeley

'This delightful book is the latest in the series of Ladybird books which have been specially planned to help grown-ups with the world about them.
The large clear script, the careful choice of words, the frequent repetition and the thoughtful matching of text with pictures all enable grown-ups to think they have taught themselves to cope. Featuring original Ladybird artwork alongside brilliantly funny, brand new text. '

This was a really fun little book that had me laughing out loud. I grew up with the Ladybird books so this was a nice shot of nostalgia, and as a cat owner (or more accurately slave) I found this very relateable. 4/5

Glitterbomb Vol.1: Red Carpet by Jim Zub & Djibril Morissette Phan

'Farrah Durante is a middle-aged actress hunting for her next gig in an industry where youth trumps experience. Her frustrations become an emotional lure for something horrifying out beyond the water...something ready to exact revenge on the shallow celebrity-obsessed culture that's lead her astray.  Jim Zub and newcomer Djibril Morissette-Phan tear into the heart of Hollywood in Glitterbomb, a dramatic horror story about fame and failure. 

The entertainment industry feeds on our insecurities, desires, and fears. You can't toy with those kinds of primal emotions without them biting back... '
This is a quite graphic horror story set in Hollywood that is different from any comic I've read. I love the dark and creepy artwork and enjoy the dark humour running through this. At the centre is a woman who is struggling to make ends meet and jaded, she has a lot of depth and gives the story a lot of heart. There are also interesting essays at the end of each issue about the reality of working in Hollywood. The first arc was left on a kind of cliff hanger so I'm looking forward to this starting up again later in the year. 4/5

[This has got to be one of my best reading months in terms of ratings- all four star reads!]