Hello, it’s so lovely to see you! Welcome to damppebbles and to day seven of #R3COMM3ND3D2023. How are we a week in already? Seven brilliant days of bookish folk and eighteen gorgeous books have featured so far this year. Have you added any to your TBR? Let me know! I *ahem* may have added one…or two….or more 😬
Joining me today is our first author of #R3COMM3ND3D2023 and a friend of #R3COMM3ND3D since pretty much the beginning, the fabulous Rachel Sargeant. Not only is Rachel a generous supporter of #R3C and damppebbles as a whole, she is also a talented author with a number of brilliant books to her name. Last year Rachel published Her Deadly Friend, the first in a new series under the pen name Rae Sargeant. I have Her Deadly Friend on my TBR and I cannot wait to read it! Rachel is also the author of The Perfect Neighbours, The Good Teacher and The Roommates as well. What a brilliant back catalogue! Make sure you check out all of Rachel’s books at the earliest opportunity.
So, what is #R3COMM3ND3D2023? It’s about sharing the book love. It’s a chance for authors, book bloggers, reviewers and bookstagrammers to shout about three (yes, *only* three) books they love. They can be written by any author, in any genre and published in any way (traditionally, indie press or self-published). But there is a catch. All three books must have been published in 2023. To make things interesting there are a couple of teeny, tiny rules; 1) the book must have FIRST been published in 2023 and 2) special editions and reissues do not count. See, it wasn’t too painful. I just like to keep you lovely people on your toes 😉
Let’s find out which three books Rachel has chosen…
Chasing the Dragon by Mark Wightman
Mark Wightman brings to life the melting pot of Singapore in 1940 with writing that stimulates all the senses. He’s also created a rounded, unique and engaging sleuth in Inspector Max Betancourt of the Marine Police and embroiled him in a multi-layered mystery. The book is even better than the first title in the series, which was shortlisted for a number of prestigious awards.
Rachel’s Review of Chasing the Dragon
Unsolved by Heather Critchlow
I have a soft spot for crime stories that feature sleuths who are journalists, and this is a great example of the sub-genre. Podcaster Cal Lovett is a likeable character with an intriguing backstory. The second timeline, from the viewpoint of teenager Layla before she disappeared, adds suspense. Author Heather Critchlow does a good job not only with this mystery but also with paving the way for a series.
Rachel’s Review of Unsolved
You Can Run by Trevor Wood
A face-paced rollicker of a read. A breath of fresh air. Some seriously bad guys put a village in lockdown, allowing no one to enter or leave. Their mission is to locate and capture fifteen-year-old Ruby. But they’ve underestimated Ruby and the stroppy, feisty and eccentric crew of villagers who vow to protect her.
Rachel’s Review of You Can Run
Thank you so much for your three picks, Rachel. They’re all going straight on the TBR!
About Her Deadly Friend by Rae Sargeant:
The Suspect
Bullied by Steph Lewis at school, then betrayed by her lover, Amy Ashby still seethes with fury. Despite the decades-old resentment, she’s on the hunt for a new man and a fresh start. This time for keeps.
The Stalker
When Steph and Amy are stalked by a figure from their shared past, danger threatens.
The Detective
Now Detective Inspector, Steph follows a tip-off to her old rival. After quarrels exploded beyond the playground and changed lives forever, she vowed never to see Amy again. But that was then.
The Deaths
Murder rocks the city. First one, then another. The body count reaches five, and all Steph’s leads point to Amy. But is Steph obsessed with a schoolgirl vendetta or closing in on a deadly killer?
Purchase Links: | amazon.co.uk | amazon.com | Waterstones | Foyles | Goodreads |
About Rachel Sargeant:
Rachel Sargeant is an author of suspense and crime fiction. Her titles are Her Deadly Friend (as Rae Sargeant), The Roommates, The Good Teacher, and The Perfect Neighbours. She loves reading and posts her reviews on her website. Born in Lincolnshire, she has also lived in Wales, London, Shropshire and Germany and is now based in Gloucestershire with her family. This year she has completed a PhD at the University of Birmingham.
Rachel’s Website and Social Media Links:
| Website | X (formerly Twitter) @RachelSargeant3 | Facebook |
#R3COMM3ND3D will only run for the month of November this year so places are very limited. If you would like to take part in #R3C this year (and I would LOVE you to!) then please get your three choices in ASAP. If I’m unable to fill all 30 dates then any posts scheduled for the end of November will be brought forward and I will close the series early (but I don’t want to do that, it sounds miserable! 😂). Here are two different versions of the form if you fancy taking part.
If you’re a book blogger, bookstagrammer, reviewer or an author and you have three books published this year which you want to shout about then please complete the following form (or click this link: https://forms.gle/d6HbMLZJjEtUSm8FA)
damppebbles.com 