More of what I've been reading
Including my favourite of the year so far
Hello and welcome to Making Crime Pay! I’m Nicki Thornton - I’m an author. I share my creative journey here and what I am learning along the way. I pass on my love of books by sharing what I am reading and review them so you can enjoy them too. I visit schools and other places to encourage a love of reading and help writing be more fun!
My latest novel is The Floating Witch Mystery, about three determined children, an eccentric witch and the world’s best magical detective who will stop at nothing to save everything they love. If you would like to hear me read the opening chapter you can head here.
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Nicki
The Thieves Gambit - Kayvion Lewis
Rosalyn Quest is forced to join a cut-throat competition among elite thieves in this high-octane thriller already picked up to be made into a film that I predict will be insanely popular!
I loved the well-dawn cast of international thieves who not only have to pull-off amazing heists, but have to do it ahead of everyone else. To win, Rosalyn must outwit all of her backstabbing competitors, including her childhood nemesis. And not fall for the handsome, charming boy. And learn when to trust and when she can only trust herself.
It’s a brilliant premise. I love Ros’s inner journey about how much you can trust other people if you are part of an elite family competing to get work for the best criminal theft jobs around.
As a reader and as a writer, there is so much to admire about this book. But for me, I think what I most appreciated was the plotting. Being someone who loves a complex plot, I feel the skill of plotting is over-looked and seldom mentioned in reviews. But plotting is hard. Plotting so well that readers don’t even question it, is an incredible skill, particularly if your plotting is ambitious, like this one.
What’s astonishing is that Kayvion Lewis not only plots out a great story arc for her main character, but there are several heists in the story and each is worked out meticulously so the reader is right on the inside. We not only know in advance the details of the near-impossible task ahead, but for each of them Ros also counter plots how each can go wrong – and who will emerge the victor in each task.
Honestly I am in awe. Each one could have made an entire book on its own.
And because we know in advance what is supposed to happen, it makes for full reader engagement when we see and appreciate the reveals of how each does not go according to plan. This makes the twists incredibly satisfying.
I am devoting this month’s reviews to children’s books to support the Booktrust initiative to raise money to get books into the hands of disadvantaged children.
But The Thieves Gambit has also been a Radio Two BookClub pick, proving children’s novels really can be enjoyed by anyone! Truly brilliant - definitely one of those books I really wish I had written myself!
Spellcasters – Crystal Sung
This is the start of a new series for young readers. As a writer I have never attempted writing for young readers as I think it must be so tricky to get that balance perfect of drama, character and original writing in such a short word count.
But this is an impeccable blend of original adventure, magic and friendship pitched perfectly for newly independent readers.
Jenny’s first day at a new school could not go any worse when a massive sink hole opens up and she comes face to face with an evil spirit with a warning of danger to come.
Luckily she makes new school friends and they share the secrets that the crack opening in the town has somehow allowed them to discover new magical powers. But can they learn to control these new powers and work together in time to defeat the monster and save their town?
This is a fun, pacey and thrilling fantasy tale with plenty of magic and friendship. I loved how the four girls weave their different cultural heritage and discover they each have unique family links and can call on their ancestors to channel mystical powers – but only if they work together.
Spellcasters is a blend of urban fantasy with a relatable setting and warm and well-drawn characters and an engaging multi-cultural cast who represent the strong community values underpinning this immersive and clever story.
Simply yet excitingly told this is absolutely perfect for today’s young readers to fall in love with.
The Spirit Snatcher – Cat Gray
When Pip moves home he discovers his parents’ antique shop is right in the heart of an unusual community . . . of monsters.
When his parents are struck down in a supernatural attack Pip learns how truly dangerous his new neighbourhood is. But who is the being with the deadly ability to suck out life spirit that even the local monsters fear?
This is a perfectly magical, mystical investigation, fun and thrilling in equal measure from Cat Gray, with a heart of spookiness and danger. I do also love that I have found a new fellow author who is a fan of magical crime!
Pip’s search for the culprit is hampered in that accusing monsters means he must play detective while also avoiding becoming lunch, as the neighbourhood includes ghouls, werewolves and vampires.
The monsters hiding in the real world in Elbow Lane works as a brilliantly effective and imaginative way of giving a new twist on having a closed circle of suspects. Pip and his new friend Fliss and her dog Splodge, make an excellent detective trio as they embark on their perilous quest to restore the spirits of those under supernatural attack.
A spooky twisty and imaginative mystery that keeps the reader guessing.
Thanks for reading!
If you’d like one of these books, or want to see more of my reviews - or buy any of my books, I am supporting people buying them through Bookshop.org as in February ten per cent of sales will go to Booktrust in a brilliant initiative.
