Really good read - Rated 
I loved this book - a heroine who is human, and an entertaining mystery. Good for a winters evening in front of the fire. I've ordered book 2 in the series straight away.
If you like this may be worth looking at the Ellie Quicke Mysteries by Veronica Heeley too.
Stunningly Good - Rated 
i was put off reading this book by it's village setting, thinking it might be a bit "nice". However, the book mannages to be dark and exciting and often stomach churningly gory. At the same time, the mood is kept light by Josie's fabulous out look on life and there are many laugh out loud moments. It's the life-like characters that bring this novel alive. i almost feel like I've met them. Great to have our main character on weight watchers, with arthritis, rather than a dollybird, but she is still sexy and sassy and has a heart of gold. This is a must read!
Judith Cutler has a definite winner in Josie Welford - Rated
As the widow of one of Britain=s most notorious criminal, Josie Welford seeks a new life as the licensee of the local pub in the village of Kings Duncombe in the West Country. Josie is looking forward to turning the pub into one of the best restaurants in the county, but there is much to do, as the pub is pretty run down and populated by just a few locals.
Initially she settles in well, she takes on a couple of local girl=s as bar maids, makes friends we Sue the local vicar, and orders her food locally. Then out of the blue appears Inspector Nick Thomas, the man who was responsible for putting her husband in jail. He says he is not with the police but Josie is suspicious of just exactly what he is doing in the area.
Pursuing her intention of turning the pub into a gourmet restaurant Josie makes a decision that puts someone=s nose out of joint and suddenly she is the victim of some unpleasant events. Slowly she becomes aware that her friendly neighbours are friendly no more; and when her bar staff are warned off, she sees her hopes of a new life as a successful restauranteur disappearing over the horizon.
But Josie is a feisty character sets out in investigate not only the person behind the persecution of her, but the whereabouts of the local vet who seems to have mysteriously disappeared.
Judith Cutler has a definite winner in Josie Welford and I look forward to reading more of her.
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Lizzie Hayes
where the truth lies - Rated
This is a dizzyingly accomplished thriller. Holmes writes with a slick panache and fluidity that many crime writers can only dream of, and his prose has a scythe-sharp wit that could slash flesh. The dialogue is full of spontaneity, wisecracks and sardonic observations, much like the best of Elmore Leonard, and his characters are convincing and fully formed. His heroine is a sassy, independent, bright female journalist trying to uncover the secrets of a past murder which may have involved one or both of a pair of now estranged entertainers, Vince Collins and Lanny Morris. The garish glitz of the seventies is vividly evoked, with the insincerity and plasticity of LA stimulating involuntary shudders and guffaws.Much of the heroine's quest involves delving into the lives of Collins and Morris in their heyday of the 50s and 60s, and the evocation of showbiz in those days - the glamour, the hypocricy, the groupies - is utterly compelling. Intriguing, entertaining, and hugely beguiling, this is a must for any crime fan.
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