Book Review: The Man on the Roof by Michael Stephenson

Shady Lake Lane seems just like your average suburbia lane, with the usual neighbours such as the “young” couple, the “all together” family, the “odd” couple, etc. The children in the lane spend just as much time together as the adults. These families are all friends, doing everything together, just like in a daily soap opera. Life is pretentiously perfect until Zach is found hanging.

Murder, lies, secrets and a nosy old man creates doubts and distrust in this road, leaving everyone suspecting each other.

As the case unfolds, we, as the reader, discover their secrets and start realising the truth until the last page.

Do we ever really know our neighbours?  

What lurks behind closed doors?

 

Being a crime novel fan, I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it but couldn’t get there, so, loved finally finding out at the end. Crime readers will enjoy this book, reading page after page as the clues and lies are slowly revealed.

The only disappointment of this book was that I sometimes lost track of who I was reading about as chapters were written in the first person. However, it didn’t stop me from wanting to keep reading to find out who the murderer was. It would have been easier to read as well as a paperback copy.

As I write this blog, I am still wondering who the man on the roof is. Let me know once you have read it, if you have any idea.

Michael Stephenson entertains the reader in a gripping, sinister way. But don’t just take my word for it, buy yourself a copy and get sucked into Shady Lake Lane’s thrilling secrets and lies!

To pre-order your copy, please click on this link: The Man on the Roof

Follow Michael on Twitter: @filmbooksbball 

Happy Hunting!

Book Review: The Night Alphabet by David Donachie

 

A,B,C,D…….you know your alphabet but you have never known it like this. I returned to the life of the short story with this book, The Night Alphabet, written by a fellow insomniac.

For those of you who don’t suffer from nights of sleeplessness, this book will invite you into the imagination of a writer trapped in the dark.

Journey into an interesting gap in a house wall, catch an out of this world sandwich thief and experience life if angels lived among us. These short stories keep you riveted, wandering what more outlandish stories fill the other pages.

From A to Z, journey with the author, David, the insomniac as you meet monsters, float on clouds and see the face under the bed. When I read this book, the first thing that came to mind was the oddness of Roald Dahl.
 
David Donachie intrigues us with the wanderings of his mind as he shows the wonderment of the alphabet through story. This is his first published work of fiction and I have to say it's a great start! This is the perfect gift for someone who likes to read something different and/or unusual. And yes, a great gift for a fellow insomniac who needs something outlandish to fill the lonely night hours.

The Night Alphabet is an easy to read book and short enough even to entertain the “lazy” reader. This book has a few spelling errors but I wouldn’t let that discourage you to read it. Any reader will find this book oddly entertaining, possibly creepy yet making you read until the end.

To describe this book further will reveal too much so I encourage you to grab yourself a copy, turn on the dim bedside lamp, climb under the blankets and re-learn the alphabet in a different way.

To get your copy and find out more about David, please visit his website:

David Donachie 

Book Review: Longtails: The Storm of the Springs by Jaysen Headley

I finally found the time to sit and write this book review and the great thing about this book is that I don’t even know where to start. So let’s start at the beginning…..

Close your eyes and imagine mice dressed from head to toe in special colours wandering the streets where humans used to roam. Mice protecting the streets of civilisation from other animals like slenders.

 

Now, meet Del….

Del is an ordinary mouse, just like you and me (well, we’re humans but stay with me!), who loves spending his time lazing around reading comics left behind by us humans. His family has disowned him, making him leave to face the world on his own with nothing but his comics and the scarf his Mother made him.

Del thinks life can’t get any better until one fatal night when instinct takes over, making him get involved in a situation that changes his life.

Enter the Longtails!

Del’s interfering instinct crosses the path of the Longtails, special mice with special powers.

Before Del knows it, he embarks on a journey of discovery, adventure and friendship. Fighting scenes, magical powers and animal pirates help Del discover that he is not just any ordinary, boring mouse.

Del is not just lazy, no good Del but a Trelock!

Read Longtails:The Storm of the Springs by Jaysen Headley to find out more.

This book is great for all young animal lovers. Give them the opportunity to get lost in a world where  humans are extinct and animals roam our streets and live in our houses.

I enjoyed the constant action, banter between friends and foes, and the character development of all the animals in this book. 

The author Jaysen Headley has a written a novel which I recommend for ages from 10 and up. His interesting animals and creative words can encourage children to use their imagination as animals have taken over our human world and changed it to suit their needs and wants.

However, there is quite a lot of superhero and book references which could distract the reader slightly if he/she does not know their superheroes and children’s books but the action will keep them satisfied and turning the pages.

This book is the first one of a series and I look forward to the many adventures of our dear friend Del!

To purchase your copy and/or learn more about the world of 

THE LONGTAILS, 

please visit: The Longtails Saga