Monthly Archives: January 2022

The Boy Who Drew Auschwitz by Thomas Geve – an remarkable and essential book. The unimaginable made real from a child’s perspective

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The Boy Who Drew Auschwitz by Thomas Geve is one of the most extraordinary books I have ever read. Geve’s ability to  observe and recall the details of his experience  is remarkable: the day to day existence, the instances of humanity and kindness amongst unimaginable darkness, the ability of the young to live in the present and endure… But words weren’t enough for Geve and so  he drew many moments and the strength of his illustrations lie in their simplicity.

It’s all there, in The Boy Who Drew Auschwitz: words, illustrations, the sum of 22 months in this boy’s life and should be required reading in every educational establishment.

Geve was transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau at the age of 13. He was selected on arrival to go right, as whips cracked over the confused terror stricken families. So he went right to where the able bodied men stood. His mother was not selected to go right but to … Thomas marched away with the men, five abreast – to live – for now. Then the ‘prick of a thousand pins’ as the six numbers were tattoed on his arm. They added up to 13. Lucky or unlucky?

Geve had to fend for himself in the men’s camp of Auschwitz 1, surviving for 22 months in the unimaginaable world of 3 Nazi concntration and death camps. He was liberated on 11 April 1945 from Buchenwald.

But this youngster’s work was not finished on liberaton. He made over 80 drawings capturing day to day life inside the camps which, combined with his written testimony, bear witness to the lives of those deemed sub-human by this monstrous regime. But the extraordinary fact is that the humanity of these young people survived within them, they were invincible. as they continued day to day, staying in the present.

As he says on page 199 –  the adults were concerned with the past, their losses, and the future and their fears, but for the young the present was what was of concern though they were strangers from different cultures grouped together, with their different norms, and backgrounds. For instance, as Geve recalls, his  thrice weekly 1-5 ounce stick of margaring was sparingly spread on what bread there was. For the Russian country boys it was gulped down, on its own.

For Greek boys hitting was a game, for Thomas hitting signified  anger. But he played their game of Klepsiklepsi. A playmate was blindfolded, slapped. Then the blindfold removed and all others did their best to look guilty as the victim tried to guess who had actually hit them. He remembers a Jewish boy from Belgium who had never made a bed,  his mother had always brushed his hair. Geve helped him with the bed in the morning, but questions if he was right to do so, because perhaps hthe lad would have become independent more quickly. But would Auschwitz have allowed him the time to learn? Geve remarks. Suddenly one is back in what resembles Dante’s inferno. Thomas worked – bricklaying was his mechanism. Thomas survived

Read it, remember it, as anti-semitism rises in the UK.

The Boy Who Drew Auschwitz by Thomas Geve pb £8.99  Also in ebook and audio

CARIADS’ CHOICE: JANUARY 2022 BOOK REVIEWS

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Rosemary Noble’s The Bluebird Brooch, reviewed by Jane Cable

Very seldom does a book or a film make me cry, but this beautiful multi-generational love story made me so invested in the characters it did bring me to tears.

Laura has been dumped by her boyfriend so her life is in a state of flux when she hears she has inherited a house from a great aunt she didn’t know she had. Even more surprising is the fact her grandmother Peggy is still alive, albeit trapped in a silent post-stroke world in a nursing home. But Peggy has plenty of spirit and her world is brought back to life by Laura’s presence.

Together they trace family history, and Noble skilfully weaves the narratives of the women of the past with those of the present until the story is complete. Or is it? Perhaps there is one final secret that needs to be revealed before both Laura and Peggy can find happiness and peace.

 

Ella Gyland’s The Helsingør Sewing Club, reviewed by Natalie Normann

One of the most incredible stories from WW2 is how the majority of Danish Jews were saved, right under the noses of the Gestapo and SS. Ordinary Danes risked everything to rescue friends, neighbours and total strangers to safety in Sweden.

In The Helsingør Sewing Club, this story comes to life when Cecilie Lund finds something in her late grandmother’s flat. It leads her to a meeting with a man who knew her grandmother in 1943, and she discovers just how brave she was.

Ella Gyland writes with warmth and respect, but doesn’t hide the realities of just how dangerous and risky it was. The story is beautifully written, with no sentimentality or exaggerations, giving the events even more of an impact. It’s so moving and painful to read at times, but it’s also impossible not to keep reading!

The research is phenomenal, and I can only imagine the work! I love the characters and how their story is told. It’s sad and brutal, but also hopeful and an inspiration for how everyone can make a difference.

 

Jane Cable’s The Forgotten Maid, reviewed by Jessie Cahalin

Set in Cornwall in the Regency era and 2015, we move from Thérèse’s world to Anna’s: Thérèse is a French maid and Anna is employed to set up a glamping sight. Both protagonists are warm characters suffering a sense of loss and longing. Cable artfully weaves in the link between the past and the present and tangles the reader in the mystery of this time shift novel. I was hooked from the first chapter when Thérèse’s spirit is left fluttering in the novel, waiting to be discovered. The ethereal quality in Cable’s writing is both haunting and believable. Clever twists and turn in the plot kept me captivated, and I adored the emotional parallel between the two characters. Poetic, accomplished writing – another triumph for Jane Cable.

 

Clare Mackintosh’s Hostage, reviewed by Jill Barry

You can save hundreds of lives, or the one that matters most. That’s the dilemma facing flight attendant Mina when she’s 35,000 feet high in the sky on the inaugural non-stop flight from Heathrow to Sydney. The story unfolds on the ground, focussing on Mina’s husband and their young daughter, as well as in the air, with brief chapters introducing certain passengers by their seat numbers. The planet Earth’s future is the theme of Clare Mackintosh’s stunning novel in which eco-warriors on board are banding together in order to hijack the Boeing 777 aeroplane and force those in power to take action before it’s too late. Deep-seated fears and the tangled emotions of Mina and her police officer husband are revealed against a background of high tension while the hours slip by and the aircraft’s fuel supply diminishes. Maybe best not to read this one if planning a long-haul flight!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Books To Read In 2022

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We have been sent more wonderful books. Here is a selection to get stuck into.

Wild At Once by Vivianne Crowley. Perfect for spiritual people who want to unleash the wild magic within them. Out March 10. 

What secret power is hiding within you?

There is an untamed wildness within each of us. Once found and nurtured, this wild power can lead to true and boundless freedom, creativity and purpose, and discovery of your deepest inner wisdom.

Witch, high priestess, doctor of psychology: Vivianne Crowley has been given many labels over the years. Wild Once is the extraordinary and inspiring tale of a life lived magically, of adventures into the unknown and of finding spiritual nourishment through reconnection with the natural world. It shows what can happen when you have the courage to step into the unexplainable and live untamed.

It is also an evocative, intricate account of a hidden world, a rich tour of modern magical practices, from meditation to manifestation, shamanism to spellwork. Magic is waiting to be discovered. It is here, just beneath the surface, if only you know where to look…

We all have wild magic within us; this book will inspire you to find it.

One For Sorrow by Helen Fields. Perfect for thriller fans: this a clever and riveting book. Out in March.

One for sorrow, two for joy
Edinburgh is gripped by the greatest terror it has ever known. A lone bomber is targeting victims across the city and no one is safe.

Three for a girl, four for a boy
DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach face death every day – and not just the deaths of the people being taken hostage by the killer.

Five for silver, six for gold
When it becomes clear that with every tip-off they are walking into a trap designed to kill them too, Ava and Luc know that finding the truth could mean paying the ultimate price.

Seven for a secret never to be told…
But with the threat – and body count – rising daily, and no clue as to who’s behind it, neither Ava nor Luc know whether they will live long enough to tell the tale…
A Spoonful of Murder by J.M Hall. Perfect for fans of fun and  cosy crime. Out March 17th.

Every Thursday, three retired school teachers have their ‘coffee o’clock’ sessions at the Thirsk Garden Centre café.

But one fateful week, as they are catching up with a slice of cake, they bump into their ex-colleague, Topsy.

By the next Thursday, Topsy’s dead.

The last thing Liz, Thelma and Pat imagined was that they would become involved in a murder.

But they know there’s more to Topsy’s death than meets the eye – and it’s down to them to prove it…

Sit down with a cup of tea and this perfectly witty, page-turning cosy crime novel. Fans of Agatha Christie, Death in Paradise and Midsomer Murders will be hooked from the very first page.

Sorry isn’t Good Enough by Jane Bailey. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers. This was a huge hit at Frost, an intelligent and pacy read that leaves you wanting more. Out February 7th.

‘The trouble is, we don’t recognise every danger when we see it. And that’s how Mr Man manages to creep into our lives.’

It is 1966, and things are changing in the close-knit Napier Road. Stephanie is 9 years old, and she has plans:

1. Get Jesus to heal her wonky foot
2. Escape her spiteful friend Dawn
3. Persuade her mum to love her

But everything changes when Stephanie strikes up a relationship with Mr Man, who always seems pleased to see her. When Dawn goes missing in the woods during the World Cup final, no one appears to know what happened to her – but more than one of them is lying.

May 1997, and Stephanie has spent her life trying to bury the events of that terrible summer. When a man starts following her on the train home from London, she realises the dark truth of what happened may have finally caught up with her.

The Royal Game by Anne O’Brien. Perfect for fans of historical fiction. This is a glorious and compelling read.

England, 1444. Three women challenge the course of history…

King Henry VI’s grip on the crown hangs by a thread as the Wars of the Roses starts to tear England apart. And from the ashes of war, the House of Paston begins its rise to power.

Led by three visionary women, the Pastons are a family from humble peasant beginnings who rely upon cunning, raw ambition, and good fortune in order to survive.

Their ability to plot and scheme sees them overcome imprisonment, violence and betrayal, to eventually secure for their family a castle and a place at the heart of the Yorkist Court. But success breeds jealousy and brings them dangerous enemies…

An inspirational story of courage and resilience, The Royal Game, charts the rise of three remarkable women from obscurity to the very heart of Court politics and intrigue.

Her Last Request by Mari Hannah. This is another stunner from Mari Hannah, she is at the top of her game.

Some victims leave clues to their killers…

A Hidden Clue

A victim leaves a note for the SIO who will investigate her death. This not what DCI Kate Daniels expects to find concealed at a crime scene.

A Desperate Plea

The note contains a last request: ‘Find Aaron’. But is Kate searching for a potential second victim, or a killer?

The Countdown is on…

Following the clues, Kate becomes the obsession of her adversary who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will she find Aaron before he does? Emily and Daisy by Paul Yates. A lovely and thoroughly enjoyable time slip novel.

This is a love story. A love story with a difference that lives across time and space and explores the ways in which the accidents of love can combine in the forging of a life.

Rural Devon, World War II. In her last year of school and living above the family shop, Daisy studies for her exams and keeps her journal. After he paints a watercolour portrait of her, she falls for James, a young army captain.

Paris, the end of the twentieth century. Emily lives comfortably with her father, having just left university and unsure of what comes next. Upon discovering Daisy’s portrait, she becomes enchanted by the young woman who seems to have inexplicably disappeared from her uncle’s life.

Campiston house in rural Sussex connects the two women. In her teens Emily spends her Summer vacations with her great uncle, but he never speaks of Daisy. Later, James wills the house to Emily who pursues the mystery of Daisy’s disappearance.

Their lives may have different trajectories, but something resonates with Emily as she delves deeper into the traces of Daisy’s world. Each revelation demands that Emily see herself and her world in new ways.

The Goodbye Coast by Joe Ide. An old-school novel with a new twist. Lots of fun.

The seductive and relentless figure of Raymond Chandler’s detective, Philip Marlowe, is vividly re-imagined in present-day Los Angeles. Here is a city of scheming Malibu actresses, ruthless gang members, virulent inequality, and washed-out police. Acclaimed and award-winning novelist Joe Ide imagines a Marlowe very much of our time: he’s a quiet, lonely, and remarkably capable and confident private detective, though he lives beneath the shadow of his father, a once-decorated LAPD homicide detective, famous throughout the city, who’s given in to drink after the death of Marlowe’s mother.

Marlowe, against his better judgement, accepts two missing person cases, the first a daughter of a faded, tyrannical Hollywood starlet, and the second, a British child stolen from his mother by his father. At the center of The Goodbye Coast is Marlowe’s troubled and confounding relationship with his father, a son who despises yet respects his dad, and a dad who’s unable to hide his bitter disappointment with his grown boy.

Steeped in the richly detailed ethnic neighborhoods of modern LA, Ide’s The Goodbye Coast is a bold recreation that is viciously funny, ingeniously plotted, and surprisingly tender.

In Defence of Witches by Mona Chollet. A well-researched and timely novel. Essential reading.

A source of terror, a misogynistic image of woman inherited from the trials and the pyres of the great early modern witch hunts – in In Defence of Witches the witch is recast as a powerful role model to women today: an emblem of power, free to exist beyond the narrow limits society imposes on women.

Whether selling grimoires on Etsy, posting photos of their crystal-adorned altar on Instagram, or gathering to cast spells on Donald Trump, witches are everywhere. But who exactly were the forebears of these modern witches? Who was historically accused of witchcraft, often meeting violent ends? What types of women have been censored, eliminated, repressed, over the centuries?

Mona Chollet takes three archetypes from historic witch hunts, and examines how far women today have the same charges levelled against them: independent women; women who choose not to have children; and women who reject the idea that to age is a terrible thing. Finally, Chollet argues that by considering the lives of those who dared to live differently, we can learn more about the richness of roles available, just how many different things a woman can choose to be.

Available here.

 

Alex Bannard, Frost’s Wellbeing and Wellness Editor, tells us of her meno journey

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I am a yoga teacher & a mindfulness coach, a single mum to 2 beautiful kids, I run my own business and I am navigating myself through the menopause. Believe me, there have been times when I would have preferred to walk Hadrian’s Wall in bare feet. 

But it is a journey which might help others as they navigate their own, so, let us begin at  the beginning: 10 year’s ago, I was diagnosed with severe agitated depression, a diagnosis arrived at, or so I believe, because my youngest daughter was just a baby, we were living in Germany and around the same time, to top it all off, I underwent major lung surgery. Knowing what I know now, I believe this may have been the peri-menopause.

Although I had practiced yoga only intermittently at this stressful time it is actually when my passion for yoga & mindfulness grew deep and solid. Yoga helped me heal from the surgery while Mindfulness helped to get things on an even keel. I was so impressed with the help they gave me I was inspired to qualify to teach them to others & have been doing that ever since.

Fast forward through a couple of international relocations & divorce to the beginning of the pandemic, and I found I was not myself – again (but worse). I was flying off the handle at the drop of a hat, struggled with terrible brain fog & couldn’t remember anything. I felt anxious all the time & had panic attacks on the dog walk. My thoughts were dark, unhelpful, sometimes suicidal. I was utterly miserable.

It was only  when I thought of my age  that I began to wonder if these symptoms could be menopause related. As the light dawned my training & daily practice started to come into their own. 

I used mindfulness to stop my panic attacks & chose not to believe the unhelpful thoughts. I was unapologetic about carving out some time daily to practice meditation, yoga & gratitude, and spend time in nature.

Over time things improved.

I did lots of research, I invested time, money & energy on my own self-development, studying the science behind what I teach, completing further training & courses & much more to improve my knowledge, understanding & deepen my own spiritual journey.

At first the shifts were subtle, but on reflection I look back at some quite profound transformations. In less than 2 years I can honestly say I have never felt better. I feel like I am in love with life again & thriving & there was a time when I never thought that would be possible.

And this has inspired me to support more women in this life-changing transition. After all, I believe that I broke into pieces to let the light in – as Rumi sums up perfectly.

I am grateful for the journey, everything I have learnt, how I have changed & where we are as a family now.

Now, had you asked me 18 months ago I doubt I would have said that, the response might have been unprintable! But if I can do it, anyone can.

I hope you’ll join me over the next few weeks as I share some of my meno journey with you & I hope it inspires you to embrace some of these simple practices so you can create your best life for the rest of your life.

If you would like to find out more about creating your own self-care practices check out Alex’s FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfulnessyoga4selfcare

Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexbannard/

Incorporate short yoga sequences & meditations as part of your self-care toolkit with guided practices on Alex’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQlKZJ7MeyYc6lqkv6seISw

For more info check out www.alexbannard.com

Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for almost a decade, not just in the UK but also around the world. Having used her training & knowledge to navigate her own menopausal journey & create a life in which she is thriving, Alex is devoted in supporting other’s in this life changing transition.

Oooh, murder at a Literary Festival … Joffe’s book of the week, West Country Murder by Derek Thompson sounds a good ‘un

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Joffe’s  book of the week is WEST COUNTRY MURDER, the gripping and atmospheric new mystery from bestselling author Derek Thompson — out now for just 99p | 99c.

A literary festival. A dead body. No fingerprints . . .

A man is found dead in his car. The only clue is a book signed by local author Juliette Kimani, who is in town for the Wiltshire Literary Festival. If only the writer wasn’t denying ever having met the man . . .

Detective Craig Wild discovers that the victim was using a fake name. What did he have to hide?

If he can find the man’s real identity he might just crack this case.  But first he must deal with some very dangerous people.

CLICK HERE TO BUY WEST COUNTRY MURDER BY DEREK THOMPSON FOR JUST 99P | 99C.

You can watch a teaser trailer for the book HERE, and listen to a fascinating five-minute interview with Derek Thompson HERE

OUT NOW — ONLY 99P | 99C

GET THREE ADDICTIVE CRIME THRILLERS IN ONE INCREDIBLE-VALUE BOX SET. Detective Helen Carter Books 1 – 3  by Jodie Lawrance

“A genuine page turner.” Bestselling author Alex Gray

                                                                     

Another great setting:  An Antique Murder by Norman Russell

TThe Irving retirement home for actors in their twilight years is never short of drama.  Not least when legendary thespian Sir Frank Taylor is discovered dead in his bloodstained bed. A Nazi dagger plunged deep in his chest. The residents at the Irving are now living in perpetual fear. Who will be next?

OUT NOW — 99P | 99C

Last Resort by Dan Latus

‘You’re the best man for it, Jake.’

How often has Jake Ord heard that line? This time it’s his old boss Sir Giles Henderson asking him to babysit a Russian fugitive, of all things. But the Russians are always one step ahead.

And they’re closing in . . .

For more books on offer from Joffe: here

The Lighthouse by Fran Dorricott Book Review

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A lighthouse, six old friends and secrets…what could possibly go wrong? The Lighthouse is a book that promises creepy trapped spooky drama and my, thanks to Fran Dorrocott’s fantastic writing, does it deliver.  Tense in atmosphere and deep in characterisation, The Lighthouse draws you in beautifully and then offers surprises at every turn. I really loved the characters, even when I didn’t.

Set in Scotland, in a creepy, isolated island, this books has six friends from uni meet up but they get more than they bargained for when they go to The Lighthouse. This book gives you everything you want in a thriller and holds you to the very last page. Anyone who loves Fran Dorricott knows she is a master of suspense and one of the top writers to watch out for. Just brilliant. 

 

No one expected them to go there. The question is: will any of them leave?

Six friends travel to a remote island north of the Scottish Highlands for an old school reunion. They’ve rented The Lighthouse – a stunning, now abandoned building that was once notorious for deaths at sea.

On the first evening, someone goes missing. The group search all through the night to no avail. But when the five remaining friends return to the lighthouse early the next morning, they are shocked to find James inside. He’s looks terrified – but won’t say a word about where he’s been.

The party vow to put the strange night behind them and enjoy the rest of their stay, but when more unexplained things begin to occur, tensions escalate. It’s clear James knows something, but nothing will persuade him to give up the secrets of the island. Is he protecting his friends from a terrible truth, or leading them into more danger?

A chilling, gripping and powerfully atmospheric suspense novel with a gothic edge, perfect for fans of The Hunting Party and The Sanatorium.

The Lighthouse is available here.

One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner Book Review

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Any regular readers of Frost will know that I love Lisa Gardner. She is one of my favourite writers. I was unbelievably excited when book two in her new Frankie Elkin series arrived. Don’t let that put you off if you haven’t read the first one though, this works as a stand alone. I also loved the growth of Frankie in this book and I was left excited for what she would do next.

It is hard to think what is not in this book: it has everything you want in a crime thriller, and then a whole lot more stuff you didn’t even know you did. When a young man disappears into the woods on his stag do he leaves behind a trail of grief and guilt. He leaves no traces behind, so where did he go? It is up to ex-alcoholic Frankie Elkin to find him, with a group that includes his friends from his stag do, and his grieving father. What’s happens next grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go.

My biggest hope is that the Frankie Elkin series gets made into a TV series sometime soon. It’s what we all deserve.

one step too far by Lisa Gardner book review

If he never left the woods, where did he go?

A young man disappears during a stag weekend in the woods. Years later, he’s still missing.

But his friends who were with him that day are still searching for him. Still hunting for answers.

They hike deep into the wilderness.

With them is missing person specialist Frankie Elkin.

What they don’t know is that they are putting their own lives in terrifying danger, and may not come back alive . . .

One Step Too Far is available here.

Ripple Effect by N.A. Cooper Book Review

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I love a good psychological suspense with an interesting and complex female character, so all of my wishes came true when I read Ripple Effect. It is a taut psychological thriller, written so brilliantly that not one word is wasted. I read it in one day, each page turn bringing more excitement.

N.A. Cooper is a new voice in psychological fiction and they are certainly one to watch. Ripple Effect is a masterclass in writing and oh-so-perfect in many ways. It takes some tough subjects and handles them with grace. Every character is so well-rounded and written without judgement. Despite her mistakes, it is impossible not to love, and root for, the character of Erin. N.A. Cooper does not hide from any of their characters flaws. Overflowing with intelligence and perfect pace: Ripple Effect is a must read.

A long-ago illicit relationship continues to upend lives in this taut psychological suspense novel . . .

Fifteen years ago, teenage Erin had an affair with her teacher that led to tragedy and changed Erin’s life. Today, she’s a married woman who keeps to herself and stays close to home, still scarred by the experience.

When she’s attacked while running in the park, Erin doesn’t tell her husband—but she does confide in Nick, the man who came to her rescue. Then letters start to arrive, making references to her past and leaving her even more unnerved. When a neighbour reports that someone’s been watching her house, Erin’s world starts to crumble.

Erin has worked hard to distance herself from her past. But her life may be in mortal danger, and as she’s plunged back into trauma, she might finally learn the truth about what really happened all those years ago . . .

Ripple Effect is available here.