Geraldine

In the novel Geraldine by John Mead, Inspector Matthew Merry and Sergeant Julie Lukula are tasked with investigating the death of Geraldine Driver, whose body has been found on the banks of the River Thames.

As Metropolitan Police detectives they are, of course, used to dealing with the results of crimes, such as violence and murder.

But what type of crime was was this murder? Was it a hate crime linked to a spate of other hate crimes?

However, Inspector Merry is not convinced. He believes that the crime against Geraldine Driver might well have been a hate filled crime, but he isn't convinced that it's linked to the other hate crimes.

But there's a shock at the autopsy, as it soon becomes apparent that things might not be what they at first appeared to be.

Who was Geraldine Driver? Who might have wanted Geraldine Driver dead? And the manner of his death was shocking and extremely brutal indeed and was obviously filled with a searing level of hatred that was diabolical in its intensity.

The case is complicated, with links to other incidents. Merry, Lukula and their colleagues are all dedicated professionals. But can they bring the perpetrators to justice?

This is a very well written police procedural murder mystery and if you give this as a Christmas present this year don't expect to see the recipient for a while as the action will grip them from the first page onward.

It's published by the Book Guild at £8.99.

Despite the Darkness

Despite the Darkness In his debut novel David Maughan Brown takes a look back to the dark days of the South African Apartheid regime. Times which he lived through himself. 

It's 1985, a State of Emergency has been declared in South Africa as the country is becoming more and more ungovernable.

Cameron Beaumont is a history lecturer who, in common with many people like him at the time, was under constant surveillance by the South African security services. He is also subjected to death threats because some people just didn't like his views.

His is undergoing something of an existential crisis. What should he do? Keep his head down and do nothing? Or continue to play his part in the anti-apartheid movement? But if he does continue in the struggle, what could he do to protect his beloved wife Jules and their children?

And those death threats? They are not merely empty gestures and they are, in fact, just the very start of  what might happen.

But what would happen if he was pushed beyond his limits? What would he do to protect or avenge his loved one?

This is a very thought provoking novel and recreates the terrible days of Apartheid.

It's published by Matador at £9.99.   

The Ring's List

The Ring's List is a new mystery novel from new author Jade Nicole-Bracken.

The protagonist, Steven M. Johns spent the entirety of the 1980s in jail. Unfortunately he had been convicted of a murder that he had not committed.

Rather than ignoring what had happened to him, Johns decides to set out on the path, after his successful appeal, to find out who had really committed the murder and to seek some measure of revenge on them for putting him in jail for a decade for a crime he didn't commit.

A fellow inmate gives him a list of people who might have been involved in the murder. And, after his release from jail, he seeks out the helped of his cherished Uncle Reg, Johns sets out to seek out those who framed him.

The search takes in a variety of locations including the Home Counties of England and all the way to the Gulf Coast of Florida.

However he finds himself enmeshed in a world of large scale money laundering and mortgage fraud.

He doesn't allow this to deter him, and he continues on his mission to trace and track down those who he believes were responsible for framing him for murder.

But the deeper he searches the more he realises that his investigations are throwing up some very worrying facts and that he risks causing damage to other people.

And who, exactly, can he really trust? But blood is thicker than water. It is, isn't it?

This book is published by Matador at £9.75 and will make a great Christmas present for the mystery fan in your life.
 

Girl Without a Face

Girl Without a Face is a posthumously published novel from established author Nasser Hashmil.

Laura Danes, a happy, perfectly normal, happy young lady who had dreams and ambitions to become a successful filmmaker. And she was talented and dedicated enough to be able to pull this off.

That was until one night outside a lonely railway station she was subjected to an attack from a gang who, when they chose to throw acid in her face, destroying her looks and, apparently, destroying her future.

Three months later and Laura is facing a number of severe issues such as trying to make sense of what had happened to her and why it had happened. Why had she been targeted by the gang?

Of course, Laura has the full support of her mother, but Laura doesn't see any cause for joy in her life. Not with the pain, her ruined features and her wrecked future.

But then the unthinkable happens. Jake, a member of the gang who attacked her, reaches out to Laura and pleads for her forgiveness.

When Jake contacts her, this sets off a spark within Laura. As a filmmaker, shouldn't she want to learn more about the gang culture where Jake and others like him, come from?

Laura again starts to become interested in her life. She learns that perhaps she should start taking risks again, and prove to people that a dreadful event shouldn't, ideally, have the power to influence or control the rest of your life.

This book is a triumphant novel that has several important messages for young adults. It will make you cry, it will make you smile, but it will also make you think.

It's a wonderful tribute to the writing prowess of Nasser Hashmi and his widow, Shabina, who made sure that it was published.

It was long listed for the Peggy Chapman-Andrews award and the Bath Novel Prize, 2017.

It's published by Matador at £9.99.

Gold Dust: How to Become a More Effective Coach, Quickly

Gold Dust: How To Become A More Effective Coach, Quickly was released on November 28th and is now a #1 Best Seller on Amazon in the UK. It was co-authored by David and Keith Mayer.

This book is dedicated to Dick Bate. The footballing circle lost a pioneer, a maverick and one of the finest coach educators the World has seen when Dick passed away in April 2018.

In dedication to Dick's memory, 10% of proceeds from this book will be donated to The Giles’ Trust, the brain tumour fund within the University Hospital Birmingham Charity.

Gold Dust talks about the importance of connection, and how you can maximise the connections you build.

It's chock full of golden nuggets and absolute gems of information, knowledge and sports coaching wisdom.

You'll learn how to build on relationships, gain and maintain motivation with your athletes, how you can be a highly effective coach, and how you can communicate effectively.

It shares stories and experiences from people at the top of their game in the respective sports and gives you clear insights of what you can do to be even better at coaching than you already are.

A lot of people talk about sports from a technical and tactical standpoint, but they are only a tiny part of coaching.

The best coaches across all sports generally get success because of their ability to connect and relate to their athletes.

They are able to enhance the learning environment for athletes, make athletes feel better about what it is they do, and in turn optimise the athletes performances, regardless of their age.

To purchase this best-selling book while supporting an amazing cause, please click the Amazon link below at £14.99 in paperback or £4.99 for Kindle.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1709301805.

Here are just some of the 100% positive reviews on Amazon:-

Antgodfrey:-

"I can't emphasize just how important and powerful this book is and the effect it can have on any coach in any sport. Myself being from a football background, I couldn't help to think as I was ploughing through this book and in my opinion that there has got to be more within coaching qualifications on the relationship building between the coach and athlete, finding out the different ways of peeling the layers back in truly finding who the person is behind the athlete in order for us coaches to nurture, develop and guide in the most effective to meet their needs. The book is refreshing and has many pages that has you constantly thinking about yourself as a coach and how can i do things better going forward and having an even more meaningful relationship with my players. A very well put together book with some extracts that absolutely hit the sweet spot in the pursuit of finding excellence. Sport, business, parenting and good humility skills/lessons.....This book is for you! 5*"

Amazon Customer:-

"Absolutely fantastic book. A must read for any coach. I coach both boxing and football, and this book gives me a great insight on how to develop my coaching practice. Credit to the father and son authors."

In the opinion of That's Books, this book will make an excellent Christmas gift for the sports coaches in your life. 

We also feel that this book is a "must buy" for every school and college with a sports department and for every sports club, both amateur and professional. 

How to Live Your Life

How to Live Your Life is subtitled Guidance from Georgie.

It is written by Julie Lewis and her co-author, in spirit, Georgie.

It brings to readers a wide ranging variety of topics. It covers what happens when people die and return to spirit, where they go, how to live life in spirit, how we transition from a physical state to a spiritual one, what life in spirit is, what happens before you return to Earth.

How to make the best of your opportunities on Earth, why it's vital you speak up for yourself, how to enjoy yourself whilst you are here.

The book also reminds you of how to embrace what's available to you, how to recognise what your aims are and how to achieve them, the importance of learning, what technology is and some concerns about it.

How to achieve what you need to achieve, how to embrace the world and what it has to offer, including how to recognise this, too.

It's an interesting book that is published by Matador at £9.99.

Pickle & LIly

Pickle & Lily is a wonderful collection of superbly illustrated stories about a delightful and very lovable black and white cat called Pickle and Lily, who is a bouncy ball of energy in the shape of a Welsh Terrier puppy.

Pickle finds himself in many, many different scrapes and adventures with an amazing array of characters, from Rufus (his arch enemy!) a fierce tabby cat, a giant rabbit and a pair of very friendly Airedale Terriers.

It's written by Annie Stewart and illustrated by Michael Avery.

Although aimed at children, the stories will also be firm hits with adults, too.

Oh, yes! There are appearances by a variety of humans including the owners of Pickles, Patsy and Peter Purrkins, plus The Partridges, Mrs Chattergood and more.

This is a must have Christmas gift and will be a great read together book for children, parents and grandparents.

It's published by the Book Guild at £8.99.