"The book starts off with heart pounding action, as Nancy and her friend Helen are caught out on the lake in a thunderstorm. Will they reach the shore through the blowing winds and treacherous waves? Luckily, a young gal, Laura, hears Nancy's cries for help and rescues the two. After introductions are made, Laura rather cryptically responds that she may need Nancy's help someday soon. What mystery will find Nancy tracking down clues?

Another sound mystery in the series. Love how each chapter ends on a suspenseful note. Predictable but fun."

"
This is the second novel in the series of which ex-soldier, ex-police officer and newly wealthy ex-private detective Jackson Brodie is the chief protagonist. Just as in the first book in the series, Case Histories, the story is told from the point of view of a number of different characters, whose lives intersect with and whose actions directly and indirectly affect each other.

A recurrent image in the novel is that of Matryoshka dolls � the Russian dolls which fit inside each other. The image is particularly appropriate to describe the way in which the various strands of the plot come together and like Matryoska dolls, Atkinson's characters are intricate and colourful.

The mystery is really not the point of this novel, although there is a final twist which was satisfying, if not a huge surprise. What I enjoyed most are the language and the characters. Atkinson gives her characters individual and very quirky voices and uses internal monologues to great effect. Atkinson’s prose is clean and crisp. She also uses humour particularly well and there are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments.

I love the fact that Atkinson does not write straightforward crime novels, even though the plot centres on traditional crime fiction themes. If Atkinson writes to a formula, then it is her own formula, not a set of rules for mystery writers. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series. Jackson Brodie is a most attractive character and it will be a while before I tire of either him or of Atkinson’s style.

Another fun buddy read with my friend Jemidar.
"

"What a great book and a complete surprise to me as it was my first by this author. I have made a note to try her Ruth Galloway series as soon as possible!

The Stranger Diaries is a contemporary mystery with a Gothic flavour. There's a book within the book, old houses with creepy passageways, a deserted building with lights that flash from the windows at night and even a self proclaimed witch. What more do you need for the spookiness factor?

And then there is the murder mystery, actually murders because there are several plus a few near misses. The story is told by Clare Cassidy, her daughter Georgia and D.S. Harbinder Kaur. Clare is an English teacher and would be author who is responsible for the diaries of the title and a lot of the other things that happen. Harbinder is a superb character with a very dry wit and a rather critical approach to life. Her unspoken asides to herself are hilarious.

Add to all this a number of other well written characters and a cleverly woven story which keeps you guessing right to the end. So many possible murderers and I never even considered the right one! Altogether a really excellent book.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book."

"AWESOME BOOK!!!!!
The text messages inspired me.. so.. here I am, trying a little text faces to express how I feel. :)

When i just started reading it, I was like this ------> :-O

>> OMG!!!! She is so like me in panic mode.
I totally connect with Poppy Wyatt!!
She lost her ring!! The Ring!!!! Her boyfriend's family heirloom.
They are getting married soon and she has to meet her in laws sans the ring!!
The horror!!!!!
What to do??
OMG OMG OMG!!!!!

Then as I read on.. i found myself doing this when Poppy lost her phone and picked up one from the bin -----> :-D

>> OMG!!!! So funny!!!!!!!
I love this Sam already! :)

When I read about Magnus, the man Poppy is supposed to be married and his parents, I feel this -----> >:-|

>> OMG!!!! You got to be kidding me, Poppy!!!
Really?

When I read about the text exchanges between Sam and Poppy.. I feel this ---> :P

>> Awwww!!!! That is so sweet and so funny.

When I read about Magnus and his family again, I feel this ----> \('0')/

>> Really!!! Seriously!!!!

The wood scene, I go ----> <3

>> Why wouldn't you??

When Poppy was mad with Sam... I go -----> :(

>> *sigh* Sad!!!

When Poppy talks to Wanda and Magnus, I feel ----> >:( and :'(

>> Magnus... How could you??

When Poppy read her message from Sam while Magnus is over at her place ----> T_T

>> NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

When Poppy took a picture of her and forward to Sam and Sam's reaction afterwards----> T_T and <
/ 3

>> Oh God!!! No!!!!! *cue glasses break to many pieces music*

Poppy confronting Magnus ----> :'( and :)

>> Go, Poppy! Go!!!!

The text messages ----> <3 <3 <3 <3

>> Awwwww!!!!!!! How could you not?? *wipes tears*

The ending ----> :) and <3 <3 <3 <3 * 100

>> BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely take my breath away!!!

The end.
XOXOXOXO
"