Beyond Black: A Novel | 
pickAbout a medium who has dead people talking to her and she can talk to them. This is more a curse than a blessing especially when it is people from her childhood that shows up. And there‘s a lot of unanswered questions about her past, like who is her dad, what harrowing her mother‘s friend, why where there always men coming and going at her mum‘s.
I like Mantel, but haven‘t read much outside of the Cromwell books. This one was highly recommended on the Backlisted podcast, which has led me to some excellent stuff, so I have high hopes. Perfect subject for the season.
Lovely #litsybookmail thank you Cindy and Caroline 😘 they arrived after I‘d gone out yesterday and then I left my phone at my nieces last night and she‘s only just brought it back!
The books are great and I love all the goodies, beautiful book marks ❤️
Caroline - reviews just aren‘t the same without your comments 😁
pickBeyond Black is a brilliant portrayal of a damaged psychic, Allison, who has a grubby petty criminal as her spirit guide. She works the suburban circuits outside of London, in gatherings at what in the US would be strip malls along highways, hotels, and pubs. The world is permeable; the dead are restless and the living as well. She takes on an assistant/manager who hopes to make money from a tell all book and begins to tape conversations.
pickA wonderfully written book. Brilliant commentary on contemporary British suburbia and small-minded people. But, oh my goodness, the last two chapters are dark. Lots of trigger warnings about childhood abuse. The ending, however, is as happy as it can be.
This is my #booked2019 #RelatedToPodcast read. I listened to an interview about the book on CBC's Writers and Company. https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2178638241
pickThe Backlisted podcast led me to this. It‘s both remarkable and extraordinarily difficult to push through. Mantel is writing about the soullessness of suburbia through the life of a medium who really can speak with the dead, but not really in a way anyone wants to hear. People come to her for meaning so she has to come up with it. Mantel is powerful and will drag you through this so you can feel it. Finished earlier this month (#reviewbacklog)
pickA fun, dark read about the relationship between medium Alison and her no nonsense assistant Colette. The storytelling is evocative and atmospheric from the outset, there is a real sense of building suspense as we find out who these women truly are.
