Books

Pick your next beach book with our reviews of summer holiday reading from local authors.

Perfect Bound
By Lindsay Nicholson
Published 18 July

Lindsay Nicholson will be a familiar name to readers of magazines such as Good Housekeeping and Prima. In this memoir, she describes how, as a hugely successful magazine editor and director, who had already suffered terrible tragedy in her life, with the death of both her husband and daughter, a car crash led to her life unravelling. With incredible candour, Lindsay describes how in one terrible year she lost her marriage, her home, her job, and was even arrested. In a deep depression, she put into practice the advice her own magazines offered and began to have hope again. A compelling read that will offer inspiration to anyone who has found themselves at their lowest.

Lindsay lives in Berkhamsted on the banks of the Grand Union Canal, and this is her second memoir. Her first, entitled Living On The Seabed, was published in 2005.

Price to Pay
By Dave Sivers

Crime fiction writer Dave has done it again, with another cracking tale in his popular Archer and Baines series. As always, Dave’s latest book is a page turner, as DCI Lizzie Archer, based in the Aylesbury Vale, finds herself threatened by local criminals and is unhappy to see an old flame come back into her life. And it gets worse as a murder sees herself and her husband come under suspicion. Luckily for her, Dan Baines is determined to help his friend and colleague – but time is running out…

Dave Sivers lives in Pitstone and is a founder of the annual BeaconLit festival of books and writing. Dave’s other series follows DI Nathan Quarrel.

Beautiful Poison
By Michelle Briddock

A real treat for anyone who enjoys a gothic, creepy vibe! When Bennett goes to work at the spooky Knightchurch manor, she discovers she’s not the only young woman employed by the mysterious Silvaro family. And there’s a compelling attraction between her and the son, Ezra – though he haunts her nightmares too. Will strong-willed Bennett discover what’s really happening at the manor – and can she survive it? Note that this erotic thriller has adult themes.

Michelle Briddock is a mum of three who lives in Tring. She is currently writing her third novel Crystal Cove, which was put on hold last year after her mum died from oesophageal cancer. All proceeds from this third book will go to Cancer Research.

The Short Life of Amy Ridley
By Christopher Baker

We loved Christopher’s last novel – The Girl Who Sewed Parachutes – so had high hopes for this one – and weren’t disappointed.

Catherine Holmes has a great life – she has her dream job as Professor of Astronomy at Cambridge, and is married with twin girls. But when her research unveils something shocking about the universe, it also threatens to reveal a dark secret from her past that could threaten her perfect life.

This clever story entwines teenage angst with academic discovery and is a real page-turner, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader enthralled.

Christopher turned his passion for photographing objects deep in space into an art business. He lives in Berkhamsted with his wife. He has two sons and five grandchildren, and enjoys mountain biking in the Chilterns.

Hetty Backstage
By Lowri Madoc

Our young book reviewer Zoe Clark-Monks writes: Hetty Backstage is a book about a young girl whose parents are actors; one day while she is in the theatre watching her father in a technical and dress rehearsal, she goes on her own adventures around the theatre. Hetty Backstage perfectly captures the essence of children’s curiosity, while also sharing a moral message of how bravery can help yourself and others. It is a great, fun read for children and I would definitely recommend it.

Lowri Madoc grew up around the entertainment business with two actor parents – Ruth (of Hi-de-Hi fame) and Philip, who appeared in TV shows from Dr Who to the Avengers. He spoke nine languages, which undoubtedly came in handy when he memorably appeared as a German U-Boat Commander in Dad’s Army. Lowri lived in Gibraltar for 22 years and now lives in Tring.