ShortBookandScribes March 2025 Reads, Book Post and Stats

Happy April! I feel like this may be a really short wrap up post as my reading has taken a bit of a hit this month. I started and abandoned three review books that I just couldn’t get along with but my Morland Dynasty reading has continued apace (I am obsessed!). So this month I’ve only finished six books but I’ve enjoyed them all.

In terms of viewing, I’ve really enjoyed Protection this month (love a bent cop drama!). I watched one episode of Towards Zero, based on the Agatha Christie novel, but had to give up on that. Ten Pound Poms is back though and I do enjoy that.

Here are those six books:

The Wartime Nursery by Lizzie Page

I love anything this author writes. This book is the second in a loose trilogy and follows a mother and daughter as they are evacuated separately during WWII. Emmeline, the mother, decides to set up a much-needed wartime nursery.

 

The Princeling by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Brilliant third instalment which picks up not too long after book two and follows the fortunes of the Morlands through the second half of the sixteenth century. This era was less turbulent politically than in the previous two books but the reign of Elizabeth I still had its ups and downs.

 

The Oak Apple by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Book four in the Morland Dynasty series is quite harrowing in places. Some of the action takes place during the English Civil War and the effects are felt back at Morland Place.

 

Scenes from a Tragedy by Carole Hailey

A plane flies into a mountain in the Lake District, killing both pilots. Was it an accident or deliberate? Great structure and a gripping story.

 

For Reasons Unknown by Michael Wood

The first in the DCI Matilda Darke series set in Sheffield. Matilda returns to work after some traumatic events in her home and work life and is tasked with solving a cold case. I enjoyed this one.

 

The Eights by Joanna Miller (review to follow)

The story of four women who become some of Oxford University’s first women students in 1920. Beautifully written and very emotive, being set so soon after WWI.

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Book post received this month with thanks to the named publishers:

Not much book post came my way this month but these two made it to my reviews pile:

     

Killer Instinct by Nicola Williams (sent by Hamish Hamilton)

The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis (sent by Hutchinson Heinneman)

 

and I bought these two:

Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd (look at those edges and endpapers!)

Women of War by Louise Morrish

That was going to be it but yesterday I went to High Peak Bookstore and bought another seven 😬 It’s a brilliant book store filled with brand new books at reduced prices.

Marking Time, Confusion, Casting Off and All Change by Elizabeth Jane Howard. Yes, book one, The Light Years is missing because they didn’t have it but I can get a copy and it will complete that lovely image that the spines make.

Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher. I first read this almost thirty years ago and have very fond memories of it. It’s huge but satisfying.

Beneath the Skin by Caroline England. I always enjoy this author’s psychological thrillers but haven’t read this one.

The Uncommon Life of Albert Warner in Six Days by Juliet Conlin. I like books that follow a character through their life so this sounds like my kind of thing.

 

Finally, my Storygraph stats for March:

Not that short a wrap up after all 😀