A Cold War Spy Hunt by a Crummy Army Newspaper

Thank goodness! A new and utterly wonderful book from novelist Tim Topps!

A Cold War Spy Hunt by a Crummy Army Newspaper tells the story of how Tim Topps, a recently commissioned officer (but one who does not feel in the slightest bit military-minded) is assigned to a laid-back army base in Shropshire, two years after the end of World War 2. Most of the people assigned to the base are "coming down" from the five years of the previous war.

But now a very different type of war was beginning to become noticeable, even at Tim's base. For this was the era when the Cold War began to become evident.

However, all Tim knew was that he was to perform the duties of an officer at the huge base, including being in charge of the stores, but what he might not have expected was that he would also have another duty dumped on him, that of serving as the editor of a "crummy army newspaper" that is "published" at the base every week.

Tim's remit as editor is to not only lick the weekly paper into some sort of shape, but to expand the paper, too.

However, all is not as it seems. For the true role that Tim is to serve  as the editor of the publication is to turn it into a tool (to "weaponise" it, to use a modern term) in order to trap a Communist sleeper agent who, MI5 is convinced) has managed to plant himself within the civilian staff of the base. 

In the meantime Tim manages -contrary to the rules- to fall deeply and madly in love with a very pretty and charming young ATS -who is also very good at her job- which merely adds to the general Mayhem of the situation as it develops and trundles along on its troublesome way.

Tim and his ATS assistant take their time but manage to narrow down the suspects not to a civilian worker but to an officer.

But is all it seems?

Is there a sleeper? If so, who is it? And who is working under him?

What is the connection with Southern France?

This book is an exciting romp, with some touching romance too, it must be mentioned, through the early days of the Cold War and is another must read book from Tim Topps.

This novel is available via the That's Books and Entertainment Amazon-powered bookshop to be found to the right hand side of this review. It will make an excellent Christmas gift. But may I suggest you order express delivery if you need it to fill a space in a Christmas stocking?

It is published by Matador in paperback at a very reasonable £8.99. 

(Incidentally your reviewer has a message for Tim Topps. When my father spent several years working as a civilian at COD Donnington in the early to mid-1960s, it was still just as laid-back as ever. And still is to this day, if stories are to be believed.)

The Devil Returns Twice as Deadly

The Devil Returns Twice as Deadly is a historic novel by Fred Smith.

It tells the tale of Robert Williams who is a County Bailiff.

He sees what he believes to be a chance to earn some extra, easy money.

But he could have had no understanding of the breathtaking and dangerous series of events that this engenders.

There's a ferryman who seems to have a problem, but what problem, exactly? Who, or rather, what was he? Man or something else?

Also there is a violent. troubled and bothersome landowner, a magistrate who is nursing a grievance that is ages old and what of Mary, the love of Robert's life? Has he inadvertently brought danger of an untimely end to her and even her entire family?

Can he save Mary and her family? Can he save himself?

This book is an ideal Christmas gift for anyone who likes a rip roaring adventurous novel, set in the olden days.

It is published in hardback by the Book Guild at £12.99.

It is, of course, available via the That's Books and Entertainment bookshop which is to be found to the right hand side of this review.

The Arabian Alchemist

The Arabian Alchemist is a fascinating new book by Edda Livingston.

It offers an intriguing look into the life of the body of people known as the Illuminati.

In it we read the account of a student search and discovery of a "Hidden Master".

We read how the narator, Gullvei, meets Michel Nizan, through mutual friends.

She, Gullvei, when she meets the magician and alchemist, is completely enthralled by him.

Their rapport is immediate and strong.

The reader is taken on a journey of discovery as Gullvei learns all that she can from her teacher.

The book is esoteric and one for followers of this path of knowledge.

It is published by The Book Guild and costs £9.99.

Wrack

Wrack is a novel by James Bradley.

It tells the story of David Norfolk who is an archaeologist who has the task of searching for the wreck of a Portuguese ship that is thought to have sunk 400 years ago off the coast of New South Wales, Australia.

If he were to find this ship it would lead to the complete rewriting of the history of the discovery of Australia.

But what happens is that instead of the prize he seeks, Norfolk discovers the remains of a man who had been murdered half a century earlier.

There is an elderly hermit who is living in a nearby shack. The man is dying and he seems to know something about the identity of the dead man. And tantalisingly points to a possible link between the corpse and the shipwreck that Norfolk is searching for.

The elderly man beings to reveal secrets from his own life, a life that was blighted by rivalry, passion abd betrayal.

But does he really know anything about the sunken ship and the story of the murder that took place all those years ago?

Will he reveal what he knows to Norfolk before it is too late?

This is a compelling and exciting story that is written by a master storyteller who is an excellent and highly skilled researcher.

The book will make an idea Christmas present for those who like adventure stories and is available through the That's Books and Entertainment bookshop, which is to be found to the righthand side of this review.

It is published in paperback by Faber and Faber at £7.99.

Unicorn Power A Princess who can't dance

It's the middle of the night. Eliza is sleeping. Yet her twin sister Darcy wakes her up. Why? Because a princess called Jemima is in trouble and needs their help!

All at once Eliza is awake and the twins are putting on their pretty pink wellington boots, saddle up their flying unicorn and dash off to the rescue!

The princess is in the expert help of Darcy and Eliza. She has been invited to attend a special ball, yet she doesn't know how to dance the waltz! Every time she has tried, she has fallen over.

Thankfully, the girls love to give dancing lessons at midnight and with the magical assistance of their unicorn called Blossom, they think they should be able to turn their princess friend into a spectacular, sparkling dancer.

And, after a few false starts, they soon have her dancing like a champion dancer.

This book, written by Andrea Miller, is not only charmingly written, it is also charmingly illustrated throughout.

It is an ideal Christmas present for little girls who like pink wellingtons, dancing, unicorns and helping princesses out.

It is published in hardback at £8.99 by The Book Guild and is available via the That's Books and Entertainment bookshop ,which you will find to the righthand side of this book review.

My Hair Curls

My Hair Curls is a wonderful and charming book by Sheryl Richards and vibrantly illustrated by Noushka Galley.

It tells the story of Angeline who is an ordinary, but remarkably special, little girl of a third generation family of African-Caribbean heritage. She lives with her mum and dad and her little brother, George.

Angeline tells her own story in a charming way, using very simple, yet very powerful words to describe the differences and the similarities- of not only her hair, but the hair of her friends.

There are also 18 beautiful butterflies for you and your child to discover which are hidden -in full view!- throughout the book.

There are also interactive elements within the book which mean that the book will become highly personalised to the very lucky owner of this book.

This isn't one of those well-meaning yet potentially very annoying books that promote diversity in a tedious and dull way. This is a book that celebrates diversity in a bright, breezy and effective fashion.

Sheryl is not only a very talented writer, she is also a mother and her understanding of what children want and like is reflected in this "must buy" book which will make an ideal Christmas gift for any child (probably best for girls, though) no matter what their cultural identity.

It's ideal for reading together (remember to look out for the butterflies!) and costs £6.99 in paperback from Matador.

You can buy it through the That's Books and Entertainment bookshop, which you will find to the righthand side of this review.

Just a Little Scratch

Just a Little Scratch, subtitled "Anesthesia a straightforward guide to what it is"  is a new book by Dr David Raitt.

The thought of a forthcoming operation can be unsettling, but now these concerns and fears can be allayed by this new and highly informative book by near-40 year veteran anaesthetist Dr Raitt.

Before the advent of anesthesia surgery was brutal and carried out as quickly as possible before the patient died of shock, due to the excruciating pain of having a broken bone set, an operation performed or a diseased limb cut off.

This was all changed, however, with the discovery and development of various types of anaesthesia.

Dr Raitt's guide to anaesthesia givers the reader a brief overview of the history and the development of the branch of medical science known as anaesthesia and modern, cutting edge techniques.

It takes the reader through how it works, what the anesthetist does during the operation, what the best anaesthetics are and much more, besides.

Dr Raitt had taken a look at the available books on anaesthesia and had realised that the available books on the subject were either all so filled with advanced medical jargon and terminology, or conversely, were so basic that thy were of very limited use.

Dr Raitt wanted to write a book that was suitable for everyone, but would be of special interest to patients and their families, before an operation was performed.

Dr Rait -who trained as an anesthetist whilst he was serving in the RAF- and who then spent near 30 years as a consultant anaesthetist in the city of Leicester, was fully aware of how daunting an operation could be, so wanted to provide a book that was as comforting as it was informative.

It is written in a very approachable style. Apparently this is the first informative guide that Dr Raitt has written. As this is the case it is to be hoped that this will be the first of many such books that he will write.

Before I picked up this book, I would have doubted that a book on anesthesia would have been enthralling, but this slim, but highly informative book, is enthralling and utterly engrossing.

Although Dr Raitt has intended this book to be for the layman it is my opinion that this book will make an ideal Christmas present for anyone who is either already a medical student, or is in pre-med classes at college or university.

It will also be of valuable assistance to nurses and healthcare assistants, hospital chaplains and other people who work with patients who are about to undergo an operation.

Hospitals really should consider buying this book by the case for staff and patients to read. It really is that good.

It's published by Matador at an incredibly modest £8.99 it is an ideal Christmas stocking filler for everyone from the first year medical student to someone about to undergo a surgical procedure.

You can buy it from the That's Books and Entertainment bookshop, you'll find it to the right hand side of this book review.