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Holy Island
Holy Island | L. J. Ross
39 posts | 25 read | 19 to read
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review
TrishB
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Pickpick

New detective series for me. Liked it enough to continue for now. But why does every story have an instant romance now, in the middle of a murder investigation 🤷‍♀️ is that realistic? Grumpy old woman alert!!

squirrelbrain 🤣🤣🤣 2mo
Ruthiella Totally agree. I often find the private life of the detectives distracting in crime series (as well as cliched). 2mo
PatriciaU I like this series well enough but am a bit tired of the repetitive nature of the plots involving danger to Anna or other female members of the team. The audio versions are nicely narrated. 2mo
See All 7 Comments
LiteraryinPA That irks me too! 2mo
DGRachel I think there are a lot of us grumpy women when it comes to this! I DNFd at least one procedural this year for ridiculous private lives of the detectives nonsense. 😂 2mo
TrishB @PatriciaU that was definitely the vibe! 2mo
TrishB @Ruthiella @LiteraryinPA @DGRachel so glad I‘m not the only one 😁 2mo
68 likes7 comments
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Tove_Reads
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I finally started this series. @Andrew65 has been telling me many times that this is a series I should read, so here I am.

TrishB I keep meaning to start this too! Will await your review. 12mo
Andrew65 @TrishB A good series, with some great characters in, and does a good job of capturing the flavour of the area. 12mo
Andrew65 Let‘s hope you enjoy it now. 😬 12mo
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Tove_Reads @andrew65 If I don‘t I might never trust you again 😆 12mo
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads 🥸 You haven‘t seen me 🤪 12mo
PatriciaU The audiobooks in this series are excellent! 12mo
28 likes6 comments
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Tove_Reads
Holy Island | L. J. Ross
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Getting Kindle Unlimited for 3 months, and going all in. I have chosen the series I‘ll devour. This‘ll get me through winter 🥶 ❄️ I think I need to read 64 books in total to finish these series 😁

jenniferw88 Love Holy Island, but I haven't got any further in the series yet 😂 The Angel's Mark is on my TBR, too! 12mo
Tove_Reads @jenniferw88 Awesome! I have never read a single one, but @andrew65 says they‘re great, so will finally start reading the series. The Angel‘s Mark sounds really good! Should start reading these books early next week (edited) 12mo
26 likes2 comments
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JillR
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Pickpick

Being a tourist and buying a book based in your holiday destination from the National Trust shop 🙋‍♀️. Fell for the cover of this one, along with my giddiness in a gift shop, and that I‘d fallen for Lindisfarne in the spring sunshine the day before. A solid police-procedural/mystery that I was pleasantly surprised I found impossible to put down.

TrishB This has been on my kindle for ages! 2y
JillR @trishb I don‘t tend to read this sort of book often, and the author was an unknown, so was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it! 2y
40 likes2 comments
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twinkletoes74
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Pickpick

Book one in the DCI Ryan series.

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kspenmoll
Holy Island | L. J. Ross
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- Holy Island by L.J.Ross
-Jane Haddam- author of Gregor Demarkian series
- The Harder They Come
- Hootie and the Blowfish
- Hello(Adele)
#manicmonday #letterH

CBee Adele ♥️ 2y
37 likes1 stack add1 comment
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jenniferw88
Holy Island | L. J. Ross
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 📚🙌🏻 2y
37 likes1 comment
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andrew61
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Panpan

I know this is a really popular series so I won't dwell on my negatives. Having visited lindisfarne last year I was looking forward to this crime novel in such a setting but the broad chest, rippling muscles, + hypnotic eyes of DCI Ryan quickly became annoying as the plot got sillier + sillier. There is so much more I could say but as Ryan + Dr Anna Taylor walk hand in hand into the next mystery, their passion aflame I don't think I will join them

andrew61 Apologies to all fans of this series, im sure it is just me . 2y
Tove_Reads Interesting! @Andrew65 loves this series 2y
Lindy Rippling muscles and hypnotic eyes signal a DNF for me. 😂 2y
Andrew65 It took me a few to get into this series, and was helped by the locations which are in areas I lived in at one time. @Tove_Reads 2y
andrew61 @Andrew65 Certainly great locations Andrew. Maybe if I am in the mood I'll give book 2 a try, it is often not the first book that establishes a series and the author will throw everything in the book then settle down. 2y
39 likes5 comments
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jenniferw88
Holy Island | L. J. Ross
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Pickpick

5 ⭐ and a new series!

#2015 #192025 @Librarybelle
#Northumberland #ukroadtrip
#setduringaholiday (winter solstice/Christmas) #pop22 @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @Cortg @Kalalalatja @Laughterhp @Megabooks @KarenUK @squirrelbrain @RaeLovesToRead

Raising awareness to this series to both @Andrew65 (if you haven't read them yet), and @sprainedbrain as there's lots of pagan stuff - book #2 continues the theme as it's set during the summer solstice.

jenniferw88 ⬆️ Although I'm not sure how the author is going to work in the other sabbats/esbats/other pagan stuff after book 2. Definitely one series to keep reading! #witchy 2y
TrishB Sounds good 👍🏻 2y
jenniferw88 @TrishB I think you'd enjoy it 2y
See All 9 Comments
Librarybelle Sounds interesting! 2y
jenniferw88 Looking at @Andrew65 's comments on @Itchyfeetreader 's review of the book, I think the pagan stuff must disappear @sprainedbrain . It definitely helps knowing a bit about paganism! 2y
sprainedbrain This does sound interesting! Though, kind of a bummer that the paganism disappears. 😉 2y
Andrew65 I love this series, although the paganism disappears after the first few. The series though only gets better. @jenniferw88 @Sprainedbrain 2y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 is always raving about how good these are, so I guess I‘ll have to start buying these books, since my library doesn‘t have them. 2y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads if you are on Kindle Unllimited or are able to take a free trial of Kindle Unlimited, here you can get them for free. I‘m sure you‘ll enjoy them. Its one series (I am up to date on). 2y
60 likes9 comments
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danni0075
Pickpick

Good short read. A little over romanticized for my liking but enjoyed it none the less.

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led567
Holy Island | L. J. Ross
Panpan

Alarm bells rang at the start when DCI Ryan told a coastguard what the weather was going to do: the coastguard disagreed, but Ryan was right. So much in this book would just never happen, and while I like some escapism this was silly (one thing would definitely get him sacked). The plot, DCI‘s back story, and most scenes are like a teenager‘s first foray into creative writing, with murder mystery ‘must haves‘ being ticked off in due order.

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led567

I‘m going to finish this because I might as well and I‘m curious to know if it can get any worse, but it‘s complete tripe and I‘m really disappointed. I‘m from that part of the world and wanted a series set there to be a decent read, but this is full of nonsense.

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Ms.Story
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Mehso-so

It was okay but a lot of the characters didn‘t come “alive” for me. I‘m not sure if I‘ll continue the series. They are free on Kindle, which is good if you‘d like to give it a go. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

WildQuibble I was listening to the audiobooks via borrowbox, but bailed during book three. 5y
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Itchyfeetreader
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Mehso-so

I wanted to love this, I love a good police procedural and this one is set in one of my most favourite places. For the first half of the story I was really enjoying, well paced. Good character development interesting crime but then it all got a bit ... out there and then weirder and worded. I‘ll probably give another in the series ago but not sure I would recommend this one !

Andrew65 These get better after the first 2 or 3 where the weird disappears. I‘ve really enjoyed the books from this point. 5y
Itchyfeetreader @andrew65 thanks exactly what I wanted to hear. there was so much promise in this one but then... I shall give another one a go for sure ! 5y
Andrew65 @Itchyfeetreader Thankfully they get rid of that weird storyline after the first 2 or 3. Then become really good police procedural. I love the central group of characters and have read them all. 5y
eraderneely I was just there last month. Amazing to think it was only a few short weeks ago! 5y
50 likes4 comments
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WildQuibble
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Pickpick

Finished off this one yesterday. I wouldn‘t call it five stars, but it‘s not so-so either. A decent police procedural marred by insta-love and a few eyebrow-raising decisions. Helped along by the solid narration for the audiobook IMO.

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WildQuibble
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#Audiobooking this one while I work. Would have had it finished yesterday, but I spent five hours catching up on news podcasts instead 😅

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WildQuibble
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My shop‘s been busy over the weekend, so I should be able to make some real headway on my #borrowbox audiobooks while I work.

#audiobooking

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WildQuibble
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#audiobooking this one while I work. Might get a good chunk done since I‘m also doing a post run and taking the train to my writing group later.

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Andrew65
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Finished my first country for the #ReadingEurope2020 challenge. Like all good tours this started from home in the U.K. Not the tagged book as not in the database (this is an earlier book in the series). Borderlands was a great entry in one of my favourite, but lesser known series set in north-east of England. Great characters and great plots. This one starts with the death of a woman during a night time army firing exercise. How did she get there?

Librarybelle Great start! 5y
Andrew65 👆and who was responsible for her death? Amongst this we also have a victim from the Afghanistan War and a hate group targeting anyone non ayran. Roll up DCI Ryan and his team to solve these complex situations. This one is mainly set in Northumbria and Tyne and Wear in England, but does take them across the border into Scotland too. Every good Tour has to take in Scotland doesn‘t it? (edited) 5y
Andrew65 @Librarybelle Thanks. Good to be off and running. 😊 5y
See All 20 Comments
ljuliel Andrew, if you‘re still on here , this reminds me. I wanted to ask someone who lived over there , I see the Cotswolds area mentioned a lot in books. Would that be a rich area or vacation area or a country village type setting ? 5y
Andrew65 @ljuliel Very much a rural and mainly country village area and very popular tourist area. It is a lovely area but housing would generally be expensive in those country villages. One of my favourite places in the Cotswolds is Tewkesbury, and especially the Abbey. Also find a lot of old houses in the area. This article and the picture sums it up well. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotswolds But be careful a lot of murder mystery books are set 5y
Andrew65 @ljuliel in those villages. Including Agatha Raisin Series by M C Beaton. So effectively yes to all your questions quite a rich area, vacation area and mainly country villages and towns. 5y
ljuliel Thank you. It‘s hard to know what different areas of the UK are like if you‘ve never been there. The books you mentioned were one of the ones I‘ve seen it mentioned in. It seems that a lot of books mention the area. Do you know if that‘s where Bill Bryson lives ? Thanks for the article. 🙂 (edited) 5y
EadieB @Andrew65 Did you see anything about Beaton‘s death? I saw something but didn‘t get a chance to read it. 5y
rwmg @ljuliel Oh that's too bad. I've got the Agatha Raisin prequel on my virtual TBR shelf. I'll have to read it in memoriam 5y
ljuliel @rwmg I‘ve started book one a couple of times but haven‘t gotten far in it. I‘ll have to give it another go. Yes, it was sad. She was pretty elderly. In her mid 80s I think. 5y
inthegreensandblues Sounds good, I'm starting to get really into detective stories. Will add the first in this series to my TBR (just what I need, another series! 😂)🙏 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB Oh no didn‘t see that 😢 No more Hamish MacBeth! Let alone Agatha. Thanks for letting me know. So sad! Lost Inspector Montalbano and Hamish within a few months of each other. But leaves a great legacy. @ljuliel @rwmg (edited) 5y
Andrew65 @ljuliel According to Wikipedia Bill Bryson lives in Hampshire which is further south, near the South Coast. Portsmouth is in Hampshire. We do a lot of travelling in U.K. so antine you want some information about an area let me know. 5y
Andrew65 @inthegreensandblues They are good quick reads, but I know what you mean about new series. 😳 But this has become one of my favourites, especially for the characters. 5y
ljuliel Andrew, did you ever read this book, about these 2 silly guys who started out at the southernmost point of the UK 🇬🇧, to bike to the northernmost tip ? ( problem is, they started with no bikes, and NO CLOTHES ! ). It‘s such a cute book and very funny. 5y
ljuliel I like reading travel books about the UK, so I can at least learn a little bit about it. 5y
Andrew65 @ljuliel I think it takes a few books to get into the Agatha series, but once you do they are enjoyable quick reads. Agatha isn‘t the most likeable of characters but gets herself into some situations that are quite laughable. I‘ve read all but one that is published. They are good as audiobooks if read by Penelope Keith. It was her that really got me into the series. 5y
Andrew65 @ljuliel No, never even heard of it. Some lovely areas in the U.K. 5y
ljuliel Thanks. I‘ll keep an eye peeled. 5y
81 likes20 comments
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Andrew65
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The second book I‘ve been reading today that is part of a series which I don‘t think is known well enough and isn‘t in the database so tagged with an earlier book in the series. This is part of the DCI Ryan Mysteries series and is Book 14. Having read all the previous 13 I can strongly recommend it, being set in the North-East of England and has great central characters.

This series definitely needs greater publicity and is on Kindle Unlimited.

BarbaraBB So happy you‘re joining! And with a good one, it seems. 5y
Andrew65 @BarbaraBB Just over halfway and enjoying it so far. Been in England and across the border into Scotland so far. 5y
Librarybelle Sounds like a good choice! 5y
Andrew65 @Librarybelle I love this series! 5y
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PatriciaU
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Pickpick

This year, I stumbled on this series by LJ Ross featuring DCI Max Ryan of the Northumberland CID. Holy Island is the first in the series and introduces a very engaging cast of characters. I‘ve listened to most of the series and thoroughly enjoyed them. Just found a new one that is a pre-quel to Holy Island that features a dramatic reading using a cast of actors including Kevin Whately from the Inspector Lewis TV series.

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Oblomov26
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Bailedbailed

What did I miss? It has been a long time since I bailed from a novel. A handsome hero with slabs of muscle despite the fact he admits he drink a bottle of red a night and has not exercised in months (that diet does not have the same effect for me), a demure intelligent but beautiful specialist who cannot help falling for him despite the fact he treats her terribly. A mystery and a location which did not grip and I lost the will to continue.

sprainedbrain I love this review🤣 5y
LeahBergen Ditto that diet‘s effect on me! 😂 5y
37 likes2 comments
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Andrew65
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Didn‘t enjoy this one as much as others in the series for the main murder, but interesting events that were taking place across this one in he personal / professional life of Jack, & how Ryan went that extra mile for him. When I am in trouble I want DCI Ryan in my corner. These books though are quick & enjoyable reads, and I think the personal stuff of the characters is often the strength of the books. Posted on series book 1 as not in database.

Andrew65 #24B4Monday #SummerEndsReadathon Totally recommend this series. (edited) 5y
Andrew65 Top of the picture is Penshaw Monument near Sunderland. When driving up the A1 you always know you have arrived back in the North-East when you spot Penshaw! 5y
Itchyfeetreader @Andrew65 absolutely - it‘s always the deep breath@that says we are nearly there ! 5y
69 likes3 comments
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Andrew65
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Starting to listen to the latest book in the excellent DCI Ryan Series, unbelievably Book 13. I really enjoy these short and fast paced books. A great lead character and great supporting characters. Strongly recommended. Posted on book 1 in the series as not in database.

#24B4Monday 27 hrs 22 mins
#SummersEndReadathon 1532 Pages / 4000

TrishB These always come up for kindle offers, I‘ve never been tempted before your post! 5y
Andrew65 @TrishB Always very enjoyable light reads, and love the way they take in key locations in the North East. Helped by the fact I lived in the North East for 14 years. Lived the Keegan years in the North East which was such a special time, especially as Keegan was my boyhood hero (along with David Gower). (edited) 5y
TrishB I loved Kevin- cried my eyes out when he left Liverpool! But then we got Kenny 😁 5y
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Andrew65 @TrishB Two of the best, if not the best, of their generation. A great move to get Kenny after Kevin. 5y
Crazeedi I have not read this series, it's a really good one? 5y
Andrew65 @Crazeedi I enjoy it a lot, pacy with great characters. Gets even better from about the fourth one. 5y
Andrew65 @MicheleinPhilly Hope you enjoy it. 👍 5y
MicheleinPhilly I need another series like I need a hole in the head but 🤷🏻‍♀️... 5y
Andrew65 @MicheleinPhilly 😂 Think I can relate to this, but do like this series. 5y
TrishB @MicheleinPhilly @Andrew65 apparently I can download the first one for free on amazon prime reading! Have you ever used that? Is it like a library thing? 5y
Andrew65 @TrishB I have done a free trial of Prime and also Kindle Unlimited, Read as many books as I could during he trial before cancelling. Think that is how I read the majority of this series. @MicheleinPhilly (edited) 5y
TrishB 👍🏻I‘ll look into it, I didn‘t want to be tied into having to read certain things in a timescale as I just wouldn‘t want to read them! 5y
Andrew65 @TrishB From memory you can have them as long as you want. With Kindle Unlimited you can have a maximum of 10 books out. From memory you can have 1 month free as a trial. Kindle Unlimited has a lot more books than Prime. If you keep a look out occasionally you get 3 month free trials. On one occasion had 3 months for a Q9. Has allowed me to have a free trial on more than one occasion. (edited) 5y
Clwojick 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 5y
BeansPage Woohoo look at you go!!!! 💪🌟👏 5y
Andrew65 @TheReadingMermaid Finish on a strong day. Still got 7 1/2 hours to go, then all my attention will be on #SummersEndReadathon @Clwojick (edited) 5y
72 likes18 comments
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Andrew65
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Pickpick

The Infirmary is Book 11 in the DCI Ryan Series, but is actually the prequel to the first book in the series (the tagged book as this isn‘t in the database). This is really an excellent book & actually a great place to start this wonderful series which I can‘t recommend highly enough. DCI Ryan is a great character and has a superb Foyle in Frank Phillips - a great combination. Book 1 follows immediately on from this book. No qualms just read this!

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Andrew65
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Pickpick

Having to put this review under the 1st book in series as not in the catalogue. Yet again found this one to be a winner, 10th book in the DCI Ryan series. Great plot, characters linked to a back story. Quite short books so move along at pace. Good twist at the end of the story. Good small community feel came through and what happens when there is a murder. Love this detective series from this self published author, recommended.

Tove_Reads Need to read these as well! 6y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads They are good quick reads, and read most during a free trial of Kindle Unlimited. 6y
121 likes2 comments
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Andrew65
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Started reading book 10 in the DCI Ryan series, as on the border of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear this weekend and these books are all set in Northumberland. A very enjoyable detective series, love the characters, by this self published author. Tagged the first book as this book isn‘t in the database. Do recommend them.

Crazeedi Looks like a series I'd enjoy, love the setting! 6y
Andrew65 @Crazeedi You would, they are all set at different tourist locations in Northumbria (North East of England), e.g. High Force, Holy Island, Cragside, Seahouses, Faroe Islands. 6y
Crazeedi @Andrew65 I really enjoy reading books set in these places in England and Scotland 6y
99 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Andrew65
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Starting a new detective series with this book, hopefully it will be good as I own the first 5 in the series! 😂 This one looks as though it is set in Northumbria and around Holy Island. This will form letter H in my #LitsyAtoZ

Melissa_J Looking forward to your thoughts on this one Andrew. 6y
Andrew65 @Melissa_J Yes i‘ve bern intrigued by these for a while, will let you know what I think. 6y
LeahBergen I‘ve had this “Litsy stacked” for ages. I‘m looking forward to your opinion! 6y
Andrew65 @LeahBergen @Melissa_J About a fifth of the way in and enjoying it so far, will keep you updated. 6y
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CatAndKindle
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Justice was often black and white but there were so many shades of grey in between.

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CatAndKindle
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They all prayed, whether they believed in a God or not.

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CatAndKindle
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Jealousy came in many forms, Ryan decided, and every one of them was ugly.

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CatAndKindle
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she was free to tell or not tell whoever she liked about her past.

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CatAndKindle
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The words were easy but he knew that believing them was much harder.

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CatAndKindle
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For a holy island, there was little that was sacred on it.

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Kirsty2
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Pickpick

Time to start this! Been looking forward to it for ages!

Kirsty2 Finished! Loved it! 7y
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jenniferw88
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A selection of my Kindle books with #dusk on the cover #Junebookhugs @RealLifeReading

RealLifeReading Pretty! 7y
drokka I had to do a double-take on the Buried in Cornwall, because I initially read it as Bernard Cornwell and couldn't remember the title of the book the design goes with. 7y
jenniferw88 @drokka 😂 easily done! 7y
LeahBergen @drokka I did the same! 😄 7y
drokka @LeahBergen I'm so glad I'm not alone in these things. 😁 7y
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ScorpioBookDreams
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I'm reading 5 books at the moment but 2 are on #serialreader, 1 is an audiobook and 1 is #hpchapteraday. From top to bottom, the books are Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Holy Island, Shrill, War and Peace, and Robinson Crusoe. #firstlineofcurrentread #aprilbookshowers

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ScorpioBookDreams
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This book is set only half an hour from my home. It's the first in a series of crime thrillers set around the north east. #setinmycity #readjanuary

slhbooks Lots of good blurbs in the description! Sounds like another for the TBR stack📚📚📚 8y
ScorpioBookDreams @slhbooks my mum enjoyed it but is refusing to visit Holy Island again as she's too scared! 😂😂 8y
LeahBergen This sounds good (I've always wanted to travel there!). 8y
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