Hello and a very warm welcome to damppebbles. It’s Tuesday which means it’s time for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday post. I’ve decided to take part in That Artsy Reader Girl’s Top Ten Tuesday meme to mix things up a little here at damppebbles. Add a little bit of variety to our bookish weeks.

The meme was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish but has lived with Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl since January 2018. It was created to encompass a love of books, of lists and to bring readers together. If you would also like to take part then you’re very welcome: the more, the merrier. Just make sure you link back to Jana’s post every week. If you don’t have a blog, then no problem, just add your list to the comments below.

This week’s theme is Books for Armchair Travellers (Submitted by Laurie C @ Bay State Reader’s Advisory). I tend to read a lot of crime fiction based in other countries so this should be a breeze (she says not fully believing it herself!). Let’s see how it goes…

---

1. We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
This is the first book that sprung to mind when I saw this week’s theme. It starts on an island off the coast of South Carolina (I think, anyway!) and then jumps to Steve’s perspective in the New Forest, England. Then I’m sure they end up somewhere in South East Asia….? No, I’m not 100% sure where they go in truth, but the cover says ‘a race around the world’ and that’s good enough for me 🤭

---

2. The Afterparty by Ruth Kelly
The couple in this book move to Amsterdam so the husband can set up his dream restaurant. Leaving his wife alone and lonely. So when a friend from the past turns up on their doorstep, reconnecting and reliving their youth seems the natural thing to. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

---

3. Wake by Shelley Burr
Australian-based PI-driven brilliance! There was always going to be an Aussie book by an Aussie writer on this list. Still my favourite location and will probably remain so.

---

4. The Palazzo by Kayte Nunn
Friends and family gather at the foothills of the Italian Alps to celebrate a significant birthday/ But they all have a deadly secret…

---

5. The Night I Killed Him by Gill Perdue
Set in Dún Laoghaire, a coastal town in County Dublin, Ireland. An influencer’s life is crumbling around the edges whilst she presents perfection on screen. There are secrets a-plenty. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!

---

6. The Contest by Karen Hamilton
A luxurious travel company specialising in once in a lifetime trips offers its most important customers the opportunity to attend ‘The Great Escape’, a money-can’t-buy experience. This year’s trip is trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It doesn’t end well.

---

7. The Gathering by C.J. Tudor
Alaska. I’m sure it’s lovely normally. I wouldn’t recommend going anywhere near it if this book is involved. There be vampyrs!

---

8. The Penthouse by Catherine Cooper
Set around the disappearance of a pop star in a girl band, the segments set in the past take the reader to a number of exotic locations. I seem to recall Paris being one of them. Barcelona could be another (I have such a poor memory!). The big reunion show they’re working towards is definitely in Las Vegas. And that picture of the titular penthouse on the cover? It’s London, apparently 😬🤦‍♀️

---

9. Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
Fancy a trip to a small, remote Scottish island? Then this is the book for you! Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll notice something quite striking as soon as Grady arrives on the island. Shame Grady doesn’t notice it himself, really…

---

10. They Had It Coming by Nikki Smith
Bali. A dream holiday destination for some. Not for me though after reading what happens to four friends. Might be more to do with the people, than the place though…

---

It would seem that rather than trying to encourage people to try out these destinations, I’m putting a grand effort into deterring you from ever even contemplating setting foot there again. I’m sure the places in these books are wonderful, fascinating, welcoming places. It just that in the books (⬆️⬆️⬆️ these books) , people tend to die. Sometimes quite horrifically. But I guess that’s the beauty of the armchair traveller. You get the feel and the vibe of the place without the danger the characters encounter. Taddah! Have you read any of these books? Are you taking part in Top Ten Tuesday this week? Let me know in the comments.

So there we have it! If you fancy joining in next week then head on over to That Artsy Reader Girl’s blog to find out what the next theme is!