Book Review: The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Warren Adams

Last Updated: 11 May 2021

AD* | Can you name the first detective novel ever published? For years, many believed it to be Wilkie Collins’  The Moonstone, published in 1868. Others speculated it might be Émile Gaboriau’s first Monsieur Lecoq novel, L’Affaire Lerouge. Actually, the first modern detective novel predates both of these by several years - Charles Warren Adams’ The Notting Hill Mystery, originally published as an eight-part serial in Once A Week magazine in 1862 under the pseudonym Charles Felix, then as a single-volume novel in 1863 by Bradbury & Evans, is considered to truly be the first.

The Notting Hill Mystery begins in London, where the wife of the sinister Baron R__ dies after drinking from a bottle of acid, apparently while sleepwalking in her husband’s home laboratory. It looks like an accident until insurance investigator Ralph Henderson learns that Baron R__ took out numerous life insurance policies on his wife. As Henderson investigates the case, he discovers not one, but three murders. Presented as Henderson’s evidential findings - diary entries, family letters, chemical analysis reports, interviews with witnesses, along with a crime scene map - the novel displays innovative techniques that would not become common features of detective fiction until the 1920s.

Blog Tour: Baby Girl box set by Elle Klass

Baby Girl series box set by Elle Klass 

Tour hosted by Ashley's Addictive Book Promotions 

Box set release date: July 13th, 2015 

Find it on Amazon (paid link; commission earned)

Book Review: Clariel by Garth Nix

Last Updated: 09 May 2021

AD* | Sixteen-year-old Clariel is not adjusting well to her new life in the city of Belisaere, the capital of the Old Kingdom. She misses roaming freely within the forests of Estwael, and she feels trapped within the stone city walls. And in Belisaere she is forced to follow the plans, plots and demands of everyone, from her parents to her maid, to the sinister Guildmaster Kilp. Clariel can see her freedom slipping away. It seems too that the city itself is descending into chaos, as the ancient rules binding Abhorsen, King and Clayr appear to be disintegrating.

With the discovery of a dangerous Free Magic creature loose in the city, Clariel is given the chance both to prove her worth and make her escape. But events spin rapidly out of control. Clariel finds herself more trapped than ever until help comes from an unlikely source. But the help comes at a terrible cost. Clariel must question the motivations and secret hearts of everyone around her - and it is herself she must question most of all.

Interview: Henry Maybury

Henry Maybury is a singer/songwriter who travels around the UK visiting schools and prisons to share his music and educational story. He says his aim in life is to help others through music and the Lost Days campaign, which he set up to help those struggling with addiction.

This week Henry took time out of his schedule to chat to me about his music and the campaign.

Review: Snapfish Summer Gifts

Recently I was lucky enough to be invited to review some of the lovely products from Snapfish.co.uk. I decided to go with the theme of summer for my gifts, seeing as we're in the middle of a heatwave and the holidays are just around the corner!