Skip to main content

Blog Tour: The Ghost of Villa Winter by Isobel Blackthorn

 


SYNOPSIS

English psychic Clarissa Wilkinson is holidaying in the Canary Islands. Hoping to have an adventure, she boards a tour bus bound for Villa Winter, a secret Nazi base on the idyllic island of Fuerteventura.

Instead, she discovers a body in a chest and finds herself teamed up with hapless crime writer Richard Parry. What unfolds is an edge of seat mystery brimming with intrigue, as they try to unravel the clues together, and find the killer.

Setting rich with a colourful cast of characters, The Ghost of Villa Winter is a delightfully gripping read with plenty of twists and turns that will appeal to all good mystery lovers.

REVIEW

From the very beginning it feels as though Blackthorn takes you on this mysterious journey right from the word 'go'. From when we first are able to read about the interior of Villa Winter, to the spine-tingling feeling that a murderer is on the loose and they could be very close, maybe a little too close.

I think the best way to describe Villa Winter is a mix between Cluedo with Death in Paradise and for some reason, even though I have not been a great fan of either of these pieces of now pop culture, Blackthorn's writing made me want to read on. And without a doubt I am here for it. 

The thing I love most about this book is the ordinary nature of signing up to a guide tour, only to then be thrown into this great mystery and the dilemma of trying to figure out who the real culprit might be. Which I must tell you, if you get to the end, I'm not sure that many people are able to figure out exactly before it is revealed the true intentions. Even I was guessing till the very end and it was deeply shocking to realise what was really going on. I think that it made it harder to guess when everyone began pointing fingers to another person and no one really trusting one another. Everything it seemed, was open to some form of interpretation by someone else in the group. Showing that really, in the case of danger, what is truly important to some people, is to save themselves from the horrors that they are having to face and bringing it back to the concept of what it would mean to survive.

Even though there were chilling moments to this tale, Blackthorn was able to move the plot with great ease. It didn't seem forced and it made the story far more enjoyable to read. I read it in a day! Even I am impressed! I think that this is a great read for those who like mystery, but also, like myself, those who like to just escape to somewhere else (especially at this moment in time) and are open to a new genres they haven't tried yet.

RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Isobel Blackthorn is a prolific novelist of unique and engaging fiction. She writes across a range of genres, including gripping mysteries and dark psychological thrillers.

Isobel won the Finalist Award in the Readers' Favourite Book Awards 2020 for her novel A Prison in the Sun. Her short story 'Nothing to Declare' was shortlisted for the Ada Cambridge Prose Prize 2019. Isobel won a Raven Award in 2019 for her dark thriller A Legacy of Old Gran Parks. The Cabin Sessions was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award 2018 and the Ditmar Awards 2018.

Isobel holds a PhD in Western Esotericism from the University of Western Sydney for her ground-breaking study of the texts of Theosophist Alice A. Bailey. Her engagement with Alice Bailey's life and works has culminated in the biographical novel The Unlikely Occultist and the full biography Alice A. Bailey: Life and Legacy.

Isobel carries a lifelong passion for the Canary Islands, Spain, her former home. Four of her novels are set on the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. These standalone novels are setting rich and fall into the broad nature of travel fiction.

Isobel has led a rich and interesting life and her stories are as diverse as her experiences, the highs and lows, and the dramas. A life-long campaigner for social justice, Isobel has written, protested and leant her weight to a range of issues including asylum seekers and family violence. A Londoner originally, Isobel currently lives in rural Victoria, Australia.

BUY LINKS

Amazon: The Ghost Of Villa Winter (Canary Islands Mysteries Book 4) eBook: Blackthorn, Isobel: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

FOLLOW THE BLOG TOUR




Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Meteorite Deceit

Yes! It's that time. I have read my very first Dan Brown book. Amazing. I think i have came away thinking more about what is happening in the world than any other. Fantastic! This is truly what i would say is a masterpiece, every detail refined to perfection. I believe that i have learnt so much, and it has made me think on how oblivious i am to the world and what type of scandals go on behind our backs. Genre: Techno-Thriller, Conspiracy Publisher: Corgi Year Of Publish: 2001 Pages: 592 Deception is in the air, can you feel it?    But of course as ever the criticisms will be involved within this review. Although today i'm in quite a good mood, so that would probably make the rating higher than intended. Beware! I have decided that i'm going to start it off with how much success that this author has already without me saying anything. First of all, he has two film adaptations based upon his work and he is having another based upon his fourth book 'Inferno...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sunburn by Darren Dash

This is the cover of the recently published book "Sunburn" by Darren Dash (yes, it actually does feature a character getting burnt), which was published earlier than expected on the 1st May. This truly seems like a momentous event. This author has probably influenced my reading patterns the most, since I first picked up a book just for leisure. He is truly an inspirational guy. The cover itself is very sinister. The mix of reds and oranges as well as the sun connotes that the sun plays an antagonising role in the story. Maybe even a factor to all of the characters downfall. The simplicity makes it very intriguing as well as making it feel very uncomforting. Simple but well executed. This demonic masterpiece does not fail to disappoint even the most biggest of horror fans. Set in a perfect setting, the characters are strong, that even the smallest mistake they make can be very vexing. It focuses on three characters: Dominic; Curran and Martini. Who despite...
1 comment
Read more

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

For something new this year I have decided that it would be different to try out something new on the blog. Every week from now on I am going to find a word that I find to be interesting. So for this week the word is: denouement - the resolution of a mystery. Publisher: Corgi Books Pages: 593 Year it was Published: 2004 Places: Paris, London, England, Roslin Original Language: American English So do you remember when I showed you my TBR pile of Dan Brown books? I am sure that you are thinking where they have all got to! Well the reason because of this is I wanted a change for a little while and I have loads of other books to get through - as well as the obvious blog tour and interview! Unfortunately there won't be a relentless amount of Dan Brown reviews for the time being, after this one. I have only just started The Lost Symbol and there are plenty other reviews that are for other books. Plot Summary  For the Robert Langdon series second instalm...
Post a Comment
Read more

Slated Trilogy by Teri Terry

“It is one thing to ask questions; what do you do with the answers?” This is one of the most mind-boggling quotes that I have ever come across. It sums the whole trilogy in one sentence and leaves you gasping for so much more. The fact that the series is also based in the genre of being a thriller/dystopian, also gives an atmosphere for mystery and excitement. Leaving you with more answers than you ever thought possible, to those impossible questions. I must be honest, the last book I read was last year - but don't let that fool you! When I first read the beginning chapter of the start of the whole trilogy, back in 2012, it has never happened for any book, that has somehow let me become so hungry for the next instalment. (Apart from worshipping Darren Shan's books, as a Shanster!) So your probably wondering what it is actually about! Don't worry, I'll tell you all gladly - trust me, I don't mind!  Publisher: Orchard Books Year of Publish: May 3rd ...
Post a Comment
Read more

SEPTEMBER TBR!

Another month ended and school is slowly creeping back on us. Well, so much for the holidays! I have to admit that when it comes to this time in the year i get so depressed. Not only the fact of school dawning once again, but the fact there will be no more lie ins! Tough luck! But it is also because i won't have as much time to talk to you guys (mental cry). Meaning being able to keep up to daily reading... Wah wah! So what have I just received in my box of goodies for this month?... Well, it has to be the entire series of Dan Brown 's  Robert Langdon, as well as other novels written by him. Including Deception Point  and Digital Fortress. Yay! Pages and pages of new books to read!! I must admit that I may have already started Deception Point  before letting you guys know what is happening. Total betrayal I know... Yeah, so in effect it is only 5 out of the six books received are actually TBR. But never mind. Seriously, who could pass on an incredible bestseller-...
Post a Comment
Read more