The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings broods, if you get my meeting – there’s an ambience which pervades. A good book, exploring obsession, loss and longing, and set against the North Cornish coastline which I know well.

The Davenports, with their fast cars and fabulous clothes are living as many would wish in a perfect house overlooking the sea. But they are watched from a distance through her bins, by Tamsyn… If only, she thinks.

In spite of the sun – it broods as I have said. A compelling read.

The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings. pub by HQ HB £12.99. ebook £5.99 audio £12.99

Another from HQ:

Turn a Blind Eye by Vicky Newham

A twisted killer has a deadly riddle for DI Maya Rahman to solve – this is the first in a series set in East London.

A headmistress is found strangled in her school, she is the victim of a brutal and ritualistic act of violence. The only clue, an ancient Buddhist precept written on a scrap of paper.  A page turner… But not a cosy crime read.

Turn a Blind Eye by Vicky Newham HB £12.99 ebook £5.99 Audio £12.99

The Girl in the Green Dress by Cath Staincliffe

I had the pleasure of reading a bit of Cath’s first novel years ago now, when Maggie, one of her group members asked my opinion. Great, I said then. And she is.

One June evening teenager Allie Kennaway heads off to her school’s end of year prom. She doesn’t arrive home again. Could it be because of her transgender identity? Love, hate on many levels. Clever clever…

The Girl in the Green Dress by Cath Staincliffe. pub Constable £7.99 pb. And as an ebook.

The Memory Shop by Ella Griffin will uplift you after immersing yourself in crime. It’s all about love, family and the joy of making new memories. And you know, it is joyous. Nora escapes from London and heads for her home in Dublin where she hears that her grandmother’s home is being sold with all her belongings. As she unlocks her grandmother’s past, she starts to let go on her own. Great stuff.

The Memory Shop by Ella Griffin. pub Orion paperback and eBook. £7.99.