Susie Vereker - Paris Imperfect
Having had two unsuccessful marriages, Clio now lives in Paris with younger boyfriend Philippe, who has distinct ideas of how to mould her into shape as his partner. Clio feels middle age looming, and is worried that her current relationship might founder, so she's trying to save money from her job as a tour guide. She also worries that her son Alex will prefer to spend his holidays from boarding school with his father and his new wife and gorgeous baby daughter. But suddenly Clio's life is turned upside down by Canadian tourist Joe, who joins one of her private tours of France. He's a bluff, outdoors type who doesn't hide his attraction to her. But Clio has other matters on her mind and doesn't want further distractions. The characters feel real and rounded, and the reader can't help but root for the heroine as she makes mistakes, tries to uphold her own values while she attempts to sort out her career, family and love life. I enjoyed this novel very much.
Susan Lewis - Hiding in Plain Sight
One of Susan Lewis's trademark suspense novels, this time about a woman who returns from the dead to contact her family after almost thirty years. Former detective Andee is enjoying a summer renovating a house in France with her partner when her sister Penny returns from the dead, having disappeared at the age of fourteen. But it's not the tender reunion her family had dreamt of. Dark secrets and revelations abound, and difficult questions must be asked. Why did Penny return at this moment, and why is it that she doesn't seem to really want to connect with them again? Who is the mysterious young man who approaches Andee's mother? In addition, Andee is also concerned that her relationship with her new partner may not survive their time apart while she remains in England trying to deal with the emotion that her sister has stirred up. A tense and emotional read, keeping the reader involved until resolution is reached.
Steve Robinson - In the Blood
This is one of a series of novels featuring American genealogist Jefferson Tate. Tate's client has hired him to discover the truth behind the disappearance of members of his family in late eighteenth century Cornwall. He braves his fear of flying to travel to England to fulfil his task. But it seems that someone is desperate to keep him from the truth, and is prepared to kill to do so. Glimpses of the story he's researching show as flashbacks in the novel, tantalising revelations for the reader. The Cornish landscape and local characters all combine to give the novel colour and authenticity. Well-written in an attractive style, this book keeps us on the edge of our seats and turning pages right to the very end. A thoroughly good read.