​Richard Pryce is an smooth-tongued barrister who has made a fortune out of divorces - and a lot of enemies in the process. He lives in a modern, architecturally designed house on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
 
Or rather he used to ...
 
When he is found murdered, the police confront the most baffling of mysteries: who was the visitor who came to Pryce's house moments before he died and while he was still on the phone?
 
“You shouldn’t be here. It’s too late…” were his last recorded words but what exactly did he mean?
 
Why did his killer paint a three-digit number on the wall before leaving the crime scene? And why was he bludgeoned to death with an expensive bottle of wine when he didn't drink alcohol?
 
The police are forced to hand the case to Private Investigator Daniel Hawthorne, who takes it on with characteristic relish.
 
But Hawthorne himself has secrets to hide and as our reluctant narrator becomes ever more embroiled in the case he realises that these are secrets that need to be exposed - even if it puts his own life in danger ...

​Anthony Horowitz is back with another instalment in the series featuring Daniel Hawthorne, and yet again he doesn’t disappoint. Returning with the unique format of Anthony himself partnering up with Hawthorne as he solves the crime, The Sentence is Death keeps you hooked from the first page to the last.
While it’s part of a series, it’s perfectly possible to read The Sentence is Death without reading The Word is Murder first, but in my opinion, to get the most from the story it’s best to read them in sequence, especially to better understand Hawthorne’s character and his relationship with Anthony.
As was the case last time, I really enjoyed how the story is told from Horowitz’s perspective and I found it fascinating learning little things about the filming of Foyle’s war and the writing process. I felt that Horowitz’s voice really came through on the page and I thoroughly enjoyed the humour that came with that.
I found myself riveted throughout, with the most suspenseful scenes leaving me wide eyed and never wanting to put the book down. I must say, it took a lot of self-control when it came to times where I had to stop reading, and on a few occasions I was actually tempted to just stay on the train so I could keep going!
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of reading this and didn’t want it to end, but when I did finish it, the ending was really satisfying and I most certainly didn’t guess the solution, in fact I wasn’t even close!
Overall, I'm giving The Sentence is Death 5 out of 5 and firmly placing it on my Five Star Favourites Shelf. It’s thrilling, enthralling and masterfully written. I can’t recommend it more highly. Get yourself a copy as soon as possible!!
​

​Anthony Horowitz is the author of the bestselling teen spy series, Alex Rider, and is responsible for creating and writing some of the UK's most loved and successful TV series, including Midsomer Murders and Foyle's War.
 
He has also written two highly acclaimed Sherlock Holmes novels, The House of Silk and Moriarty; and his stand-alone novel, Magpie Murders, was a Top Five Sunday Times bestseller.
 
He is on the board of the Old Vic Theatre, and was awarded an OBE for his services to literature in January 2014.

​Investigative reporter Ross Hunter nearly didn’t answer the phone call that would change his life – and possibly the world – for ever.
 
‘I’d just like to assure you I’m not a nutcase, Mr Hunter. My name is Dr Harry F. Cook. I know this is going to sound strange, but I’ve recently been given absolute proof of God’s existence – and I’ve been advised there is a writer, a respected journalist called Ross Hunter, who could help me to get taken seriously.’
 
What would it take to prove the existence of God? And what would be the consequences?
 
This question and its answer lie at the heart of Absolute Proof, an international thriller from bestselling author Peter James.
 
The false faith of a billionaire evangelist, the life’s work of a famous atheist, and the credibility of each of the world’s major religions are all under threat. If Ross Hunter can survive long enough to present the evidence . . .

I first heard about Absolute Proof when I watched an episode of Pointless featuring Peter James and Martina Cole and heard James talking about how the book came about. Ever since then, I’ve been desperate to read it and when I finally got my hands on a copy I was delighted! With the Pointless episode, the book’s synopsis and absolutely stunning cover, I had really high hopes for Absolute Proof but even so, it exceeded all of my expectations!
The plot is exciting and action packed while at the same time really thought provoking, no matter which angle you’re coming at it from.
James writes with a skill that draws you into this absorbing thriller right from the start and doesn’t let you go. From this book alone, it’s easy to see why Peter James is best seller!
For me it was a very different experience to the books from James’ Roy Grace series that I’ve read, but as a standalone, it’s meant to be different and that’s not to say it wasn’t just as good. In fact, I think purely based on how much I enjoyed reading it, it just tips the balance towards being better!
Overall, I’m giving Absolute Proof 5 out of 5 and adding it to my five-star favourites shelf! It’s tense, perfectly paced and totally riveting. I loved it!

​

​​Peter James is a UK No. 1 bestselling author, best known for writing crime and thriller novels, and the creator of the much-loved Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. With a total of 13 Sunday Times No. 1s under his belt, he has achieved global book sales of over 19 million copies to date and has been translated into 37 languages.
Synonymous with plot-twisting page-turners, Peter has garnered an army of loyal fans throughout his storytelling career – which also included stints writing for TV and producing films. He has won over 40 awards for his work, including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award, Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger and a BAFTA nomination for The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons for which he was an Executive Producer. Many of Peter’s novels have been adapted for film, TV and stage.
His new book Absolute Proof – a stand-alone thriller – was published by Pan Macmillan on 4th October 2018.
Visit Peter James on YouTube: www.peterjames.com/youtube

Just a quick note before I start this review, today is my two year blogiversary! By complete coincidence, I scheduled this review for today, not realising that it was the two year anniversary of my blog. When I checked what I'd posted last year to commemorate it, I realised I'd reviewed a sampler for Nadiya's cookbook Nadiya's British Food Adventure on my Blogiversary last year! So it seems very fitting to have my review for Nadiya's latest cookbook today!
Since I didn't remember in time that the anniversary was today, I don't have a giveaway lined up this year, but I'm going to try to organise one very soon just as a little thank you to anyone who reads my blog, or follows me on Twitter or Instagram etc. because I'm really grateful for the support. I've made so many new friends over the past two years and I couldn't have wished for anything better.
Finally I just wanted to give a little shoutout to Nikola over at Breathing Through Pages (I hope you don't mind!) for always sharing and commenting on my posts and including me in your happy weekend posts on Twitter, it always makes me smile and feel involved :) So thank you :) (He writes brilliant reviews so go take a look! Click the link above)
That 'quick note' turned into a not so quick note, so I should probably get on with the review now!!

I thought the instructions for this were brilliant, there were additional step by step photos provided which were really clear and easy to follow. I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out! It's not as beautiful as Nadiya's but it tasted delicious!

Next was the Purple Velvet Cake. 

This book was provided free in exchange for an honest review.
The above is an affiliate link.
​

This is the OFFICIAL cookbook, featuring the beautiful, simple and must-try recipes from her upcoming BBC TV series NADIYA'S FAMILY FAVOURITES.
Nadiya shares the food she loves to cook and eat with her family and friends, offering fast, easy and delicious new recipes for every kind of day.
This cookbook shows you how to create the perfect dishes to complement the moments we all love, from days out with friends to big get-togethers and lazy weekends at home, as well as simple and satisfying solutions for busy weeknights and speedy showstoppers for impromptu guests.
Nadiya's new classics from this weeks episode. . .
· FRUIT SALAD FATTOUSH. Nadiya's breakfast twist on Fattoush, a Middle Eastern salad. Fresh, frozen and dried fruits adorned in crumbled, crispy cinnamon tortilla chips.
· GINGER RICE WITH SPICED CHICKPEAS. Basmati rice steeped in fresh ginger and finished in lots of butter, piled high with spiced chickpeas.
· AVOCADO PASTA WITH PEAS AND MINT. A quick and easy mid-week delight. Creamy avocado, fresh mint, peas and red chilli.
· CARROT CAKE PAKORAS WITH A CREAM CHEESE DIP. Imagine a carrot cake, with spices, nuts and raisins, but deep fried, hot and dusted with icing sugar, served with a cool sweet cream dip . . .
With over 100 easy and rewarding recipes, Nadiya's family favourites will soon become yours too.
This is the cookbook you'll reach for time and time again for those memorable moments. You'll find quick meal solutions, food to lift the spirits, fuel for hungry bellies and feasts for friends.
Let Nadiya's recipes fill your home with memories, just as they do hers.

After winning 2015's Great British Bake Off, Nadiya Hussain has gone on to capture the hearts of the nation. A columnist for The Times and a regular reporter for The One Show, Nadiya has also presented two of her own BBC cookery series to great acclaim with Nadiya's British Food Adventure reaching over 3 million viewers. Her next cookery series will air on BBC2 in summer 2018, accompanied by her brand new TV tie-in cookbook.
Born in Luton to British Bangladeshi parents, Nadiya now lives in Milton Keynes with her husband, Abdal, and their three children.
Her previous cookery titles include Nadiya's Kitchen and Nadiya's British Food Adventure.

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Sticks and Stones by Jo Jakeman! Thanks so much to Mia for organising the tour.
Don't forget to check out the rest of the stops!

First things first I just have to warn you, I really, really loved reading Sticks and Stones, so much so that the word 'loved' features in this review 7 times, so you'll have to forgive me if I start to sound repetitive! I'm absolutely obsessed with this book and all I could think about when I wasn't reading it, was getting back to it and reading more. It's such a fantastically written and gripping read that if you manage to put it down (trust me, it's very difficult to do) you just can't help thinking about it constantly.
I loved the writing style. I found it really addictive and I loved the way the story progressed. I guessed one or two small details but for me this book wasn't about twists, it was the characters and relationships that made it what it was.
I became so invested in the characters and what was happening to them that I could've kept reading about them forever. They were so developed and interesting and really compelling.
Sticks and Stones feels like a fresh take on a psychological thriller and I loved the way Jakeman did it. I had so many feelings while reading it, from breathlessness to shock, to amusement, but what I really loved was that I was kept on the edge of my seat the whole way through.
All I can say about this book is read it, read it, read it! I really loved every single aspect of it.
Overall, I'm giving Sticks and Stones 5 out of 5 and adding it to my five-star favourites shelf! It's a fresh and addictive read and an outstanding debut. If you only read one book in 2018, make it Sticks and Stones.

​You can't choose your family. Or can you?
 
Meet the Bensons. They're an ordinary couple. They wash their car, mow their lawn and pass the time of day with their neighbours. And they have a beautiful little girl called Daisy.
 
There's just one problem.
 
SHE'S NOT THEIRS.
 
D. S. Nathan Cody is about to face his darkest and most terrifying case yet . . .

​My goodness, what a read this was! I'm struggling to find enough words to describe how much I enjoyed it!
Don't Make a Sound is the third book in the DS Nathan Cody series and while I haven't read any of the others, that will be changing very soon. It works perfectly well as a standalone, but I wanted to know more about Cody's past, so if you want to dive into this series, I think it will be even more enjoyable to start from the first book.
The plot is brilliantly written and really chilling. It was so tense I could hardly breathe and I think at some points, I may have actually stopped breathing! It had me completely hooked and I couldn't put it down, yet at the same time, I almost didn't want it to end, although I wasn't expecting the ending at all and my shock definitely took over the sadness that the book was finished!
Don't Make a Sound was a combination of everything I love in this genre, not only was it addictive and gripping, it also had funny parts, with the banter between Nathan and his colleagues. David Jackson really is a master at what he does.
Overall, I'm giving Don't Make a Sound 5 out of 5. It's chilling, addictive and brilliantly written. I can't wait to read more by David Jackson!

​David Jackson is the bestselling author of Cry Baby. His debut novel, Pariah, was Highly Commended in the Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger Awards. He lives on the Wirral peninsula with his wife and two daughters. Follow David @Author_Dave.