Thought Corridor

 Thou Savage Woman Female Killers in Early Modern Britain  by Blessin Adams I love true crime stories, real and fictional and this non fiction deals with a time period I didn't know much about at all. It is an interesting book and Adams recounts tales of women who I had never heard of before, so it was very new to me. Blessin Adams has clearly done a lot of research for this book and the result is a captivating read. They explore these women's lives in detail and paints them in a different light. As another reviewer has stated parts of the book were a bit gory but I really liked it and it's to be expected given the subject matter. It's written in a really engaging way and I'd recommend it if you like true crime. I will be sure to read other books by this author too  Thanks to the author, the publisher, and to Netgalley for this ARC. 

 The Diary of Derek Drummond The Story of My Cursed Life  by Katelyn Emilia Novak This book is atmospheric and gothic and I really enjoyed it. We follow Derek in his cursed immortal life as he navigates the changing time periods. Living forever might sound great to some but this book might make you reconsider. It deals with loss and shows Derek's loneliness in and yet there is lightness and love there too. It is a very well written book and I really connected with Derek and I loved following him through the different eras. It is a nice twist on the romantasy genre. If you like gothic romances then I'd recommend this one. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and to Netgalley for this ARC.  3 stars 3 stars 3 stars 3 stars 3 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle This book was a fun read. The premise was very interesting and I had no clue where it would go at times, the author plays with several genre conventions and the result is a well paced novel that kept me invested. It is a little outlandish and unbelievable at times but that does add to it as it was fun read for me personally. Roxie is such a good character with just the right amount of sass and it's a funny book at times while still having more thoughtful moments. If you like crime novels with added romance then I'd recommend this one. Thanks to the author, to the publishers, and to Netgalley for this ARC. 

 Blackbeard's Lost Head by Barrett Schmanska I must admit the title was what attracted me to this story. I'm familiar with Blackbeard and had heard the legend that after he was killed, his decapitated head was hung on the riverbank in Virginia before it disappeared.  This story focuses on a former FBI agent who has heard legends about where Blackbeard's severed head is to be found and sets out to discover clues, to find it's location and solve the mystery of what happened to it and where it's been since it was last seen in the 1920's., The setting is largely based around Native American tribes and their land and this was a subject I had read very little about so it was interesting to read a story that had that as a backdrop and had a Native American character as the protagonist. I really liked the characters of Hugh and Dodge, their partnership worked really well. Overall this was an enjoyable mystery. Many thanks to the publishers, the author, and to Netgalley ...

 A Fatal Love by Louisa Treger I was vaguely aware of Ruth Ellis. I'd listened to a podcast about her case some years ago but didn't know much. This book is a fiction based on that case.  I liked the characterization and the book is really well written and paints a complex and largely sympathetic portrait of Ruth. The author does look at her relationship with the racing car driver Bradley and shows how tempestuous and abusive that relationship was. It is a really good read and very detailed in it's depictions of the abuse. If you like true crime then I would recommend this book, as though it is fictionalised it is based on evidence and its clear the author has done their research. Thank you to the publishers, the author, and to Netgalley as always for this ARC.  

 The Weight of Angels by John Boyne As a huge fan of Oscar Wilde's works I knew I had to read this book. Boyne's book is a sweeping story with an imagined 'what if' at it's core. It is on the longer side but the writing is beautiful and it flows really well. Keeping this review spoiler free I enjoyed the interactions between Wilde and certain characters like Nancy and Albert and there were other interactions with historical figures that made Wilde harder to like and I think it's in this that Boyne's writing shines. He paints us a portrait of Wilde who is contrary and interesting. He is at times infuriating and endearing. The writing is very moving and emotive, you feel swept along with the drama. As another reviewer has stated the characters with all their flaws and foibles feel deeply real and human and it's hard not to be moved. If you like historical novels where the author takes a creative look at a life that might have been lived in different circum...