This Week in Books (22nd February, 2023)

Hosted by Lipsy Lost and Found, my Wednesday post gives you a taste of what I’m reading this week. A similar meme is run by Taking on a World of Words.

| LAST BOOK I FINISHED READING |

At The Mercury Theatre in London’s West End, rumours are circulating of a curse.

It is said that the lead actress Lilith has made a pact with Melpomene, the tragic muse of Greek mythology, to become the greatest actress to ever grace the stage. Suspicious of Lilith, the jealous wife of the theatre owner sends dresser Jenny to spy on her, and desperate for the money to help her family, Jenny agrees.

What Jenny finds is a woman as astonishing in her performance as she is provocative in nature. On stage, it’s as though Lilith is possessed by the characters she plays, yet off stage she is as tragic as the Muse who inspires her, and Jenny, sorry for her, befriends the troubled actress. But when strange events begin to take place around the theatre, Jenny wonders if the rumours are true, and fears that when the Muse comes calling for payment, the cost will be too high.

[I started this on Friday but a three day migraine messed everything up so I didn’t finish it until yesterday. A book of two halves for me, in a way. I felt the first part needed a bit more oomph but the second half is fabulous. Really enjoyed it!]

| THE BOOK I’M CURRENTLY READING |

Welcome to Eldey, an island with deadly secrets.

Mona is a carefree artist, staying at The Cloister to work on her illustrations.

Beth is the harried mother of a toddler, on the remote Welsh island for a weekend escape with her family.

Charlotte wanted a romantic getaway with her husband, not a trip with his troubled teenage stepdaughter.

One of them is a serial killer who poisoned three of her friends at her eleventh birthday party.

When one of the hotel guests is found dead, it becomes clear to Mallory Dawson – the night manager of the boutique island hotel and former police detective – that The Birthday Girl is among them.

Three guests who fit the profile, but which of them would risk everything to kill again?

[Three day migraine means I fell behind in the ARC department again so back to it. I love Sarah Ward and I picked this one up without having a clue what it’s about. Turns out it’s another kind of locked room mystery, and you may have noticed we haven’t exactly been getting along lately. But I’m loving this one! Should have it finished before lunch.]

| WHAT I’M (PROBABLY) READING NEXT |

On a locked ward in the world’s highest-security prison hospital for the criminally insane, a nurse has been murdered and her newborn baby kidnapped. A ransom must be paid, and the clock is ticking.

Forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine is renowned for her ability to get inside the mind of a murderer. Now she must go deep undercover among the most deranged and dangerous men on earth, and use her unique skills to find the baby – before it’s too late.

She has five days to catch the killer.

But with the walls of The Institution closing in on her, will her sanity last that long?

[Sounds like another locked room mystery, doesn’t it? I can’t seem to get out of this loop 😂. But it’s Helen Fields so I’m feeling very confident I’ll enjoy this one.]

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There you have it. Your weekly sneak peek at what I’m reading. What are you reading this week? Do let me know in the comments and I wish you lots of happy reading! xx