#Bookvent #Day6 My Top Reads of 2018

Day six in my series showcasing my top reads of 2018, following the innovative idea of #bookvent from Jen Lucas of Jen Med’s Book Reviews.

My sixth book is a one of a kind stunner. A massively creative work of fiction that kept me engrossed for days, it is like a traditional Agatha Christie/ golden age grand house murder mystery on acid.

Inventive, original, enjoyable, it is all the more surprising that this is in fact a debut novel. The intricate plotting alone is superb.

Which book is behind door number 6?

Somebody’s going to be murdered at the ball tonight. It won’t appear to be a murder and so the murderer won’t be caught. Rectify that injustice and I’ll show you the way out.’

It is meant to be a celebration but it ends in tragedy. As fireworks explode overhead, Evelyn Hardcastle, the young and beautiful daughter of the house, is killed.

But Evelyn will not die just once. Until Aiden – one of the guests summoned to Blackheath for the party – can solve her murder, the day will repeat itself, over and over again. Every time ending with the fateful pistol shot.

The only way to break this cycle is to identify the killer. But each time the day begins again, Aiden wakes in the body of a different guest. And someone is determined to prevent him ever escaping Blackheath…

This is a highly original and inventive book with a puzzle centre that would defy the most assiduous jigsaw player. The clues are all there in each character, but the body jumping and time hopping adds an extra layer of complexity.

Brilliantly plotted and with fantastic characterisation, this book will sweep you up and carry you along as it explores the mystery of what happens to Evelyn Hardcastle and why. Nothing is obvious; clues are dropped like breadcrumbs and just when Bishop thinks he is getting somewhere, his character will slip into another body.

Though complex and layered, this is a fabulous and highly engrossing book that is so well written you delight when Bishop manages to make something significant happen and just wish you had thought of the idea.

You can read my review here

Buy the book: Amazon Waterstones