Book Review: Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer

Title: Nothing Ventured

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Publisher: Pan

Jeffrey Archer’s ‘Nothing Ventured’ marks the start of a brand new series featuring Detective Inspector William Warwick, who is a character written by author Harry Clifton in Archer’s Clifton Chronicles series.

The story opens with William Warwick wanting to join the Metropolitan Police force much to the dismay of his father Sir Julian Warwick QC, who hoped his son would join him in chambers and train to be a barrister. William doesn’t relent and is backed by his mother and his sister Grace.

Joining the London police force straight out of school, he quickly proves himself to his superiors and soon moves from being a patrol officer to fledgling detective for Scotland Yard’s Arts and Antiquities unit. There, he investigates forgeries, counterfeit antiquities, a missing Rembrandt, and a master art thief. 

Throughout the pages we see the character of William Warwick grow more endearing. He’s a well-bred youth full of intelligence and ambition. But we also find him naïve who’s got a lot to learn. Which he does while being surrounded by a distinctive cast of family and colleagues who have the best of intentions in their hearts for him. 

During investigating the theft of a priceless Rembrandt painting from the Fitzmolean Museum seven years ago, he meets Beth Rainsford, a research assistant at the gallery. He falls hopelessly in love with her and the feeling is mutual. However, Beth comes with her own baggage that she's terrified will come to light and strain their relationship. William, the gentleman that he is, rises to the occasion and helps Beth straighten things.

'Nothing Ventured' is wrought with twists, triumphs, and tragedy and Archer cranks it up further with an unexpected ending—a cliffhanger certain to create clamor for the next installment.

Jeffrey Archer, whose novels and short stories include the Clifton Chronicles, Kane and Abel and Cat O’ Nine Tales, has topped the bestseller lists around the world, with sales of over 275 million copies. He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries). A member of the House of Lords for over a quarter of a century, the author is married to Dame Mary Archer, and they have two sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Google

Cover Reveal: Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer

~ Cover Reveal ~

Title: Nothing Ventured

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Release Date: 5 September, 2019

Nothing Ventured is the incredible and thrilling novel by the master storyteller and bestselling author of the Clifton Chronicles and Kane and Abel, Jeffrey Archer.

This is not a detective story, this is a story about the making of a detective . . .

William Warwick has always wanted to be a detective, and decides, much to his father’s dismay, that rather than become a barrister like his father, Sir Julian Warwick QC, and his sister Grace, he will join London’s Metropolitan Police Force.

After graduating from university, William begins a career that will define his life: from his early months on the beat under the watchful eye of his first mentor, Constable Fred Yates, to his first high-stakes case as a fledgling detective in Scotland Yard’s arts and antiquities squad. Investigating the theft of a priceless Rembrandt painting from the Fitzmolean Museum, he meets Beth Rainsford, a research assistant at the gallery who he falls hopelessly in love with, even as Beth guards a secret of her own that she’s terrified will come to light.

While William follows the trail of the missing masterpiece, he comes up against suave art collector Miles Faulkner and his brilliant lawyer, Booth Watson QC, who are willing to bend the law to breaking point to stay one step ahead of William. Meanwhile, Miles Faulkner’s wife, Christina, befriends William, but whose side is she really on?

Jeffrey Archer, whose novels and short stories include the Clifton Chronicles, Kane and Abel and Cat O' Nine Tales, has topped the bestseller lists around the world, with sales of over 275 million copies. He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries). A member of the House of Lords for over a quarter of a century, the author is married to Dame Mary Archer, and they have two sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter.

Cover Reveal: Being Reshma by Reshma Qureshi and Tania Singh

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Being Reshma by Reshma Qureshi and Tania Singh

About the Book:

On 19 May 2014, as seventeen-year-old Reshma Qureshi left home for the examination centre, everything happened in a flash. The men rushed towards her. Grabbed her. Tugged at her hair. Poured acid on her face. Soon she started to burn like a living corpse. The acid ate through her skin and aimed for her bones, but it could not quell the fire in her heart.

It lifted Reshma from tragedy and suffering and propelled her to New York, where she made global headlines by becoming the first acid-attack survivor to walk the runway at the New York Fashion Week. Now an international anti-acid-sale activist, vlogger, model, and the face of Make Love Not Scars, Reshma works tirelessly towards empowering other acid-attack survivors like herself and has become a beacon of hope for millions.

Inspiring and life-affirming, Being Reshma is the extraordinary story of a young girl from the slums of Mumbai, who overcame insurmountable odds in an unjust world and dared to change it.

About the Authors:

Reshma Qureshi is an Indian model, vlogger, and anti-acid activist. She is also the face of Make Love Not Scars, an NGO that works towards rehabilitating and empowering acid-attack survivors.

Tania Singh is the CEO of Make Love Not Scars. She lives in New Delhi.

Praise for the Book

‘Reshma’s story of suffering and survival is also a wonderful triumph of the human spirit, highlighting this young woman’s remarkable determination to turn tragedy and despair into a powerful movement for change’—SIR RICHARD BRANSON

‘Reshma Qureshi’s strength and determination to reclaim her life, and, in doing so, to become a global beacon of hope is truly inspirational’—JOHN SWINNEY

‘Reshma's story is a must-read for everyone … There is much to learn from her inspirational life’—SACHIN TENDULKAR

‘Being Reshma is a powerful story of courage, perseverance and triumph … A significant achievement and a compelling read’—SHASHI THAROOR

‘A wake-up call to fix the abysmal state of medical care in India, and the deeply entrenched insensitivity, of hospitals, and even of celebrated doctors’—KAVITA KRISHNAN

‘A powerful memoir. Tragic, haunting and inspiring’—KESHAV SURI

Showcase: Sir V. S. Naipaul

A Tribute to Sir V. S. Naipaul

A showcase for Pan Macmillan

Paul Baggaley, Picador Publisher said: “It is with great sadness that all of us at Picador and Pan Macmillan have learned of the death of the great Nobel laureate Sir Vidia Naipaul. Sir Vidia is one of the towering literary figures of the last fifty years and it has been a privilege for Picador to be the publisher of his writing in the UK and Commonwealth territories, including India, where his writing is of course revered.


His writing has received the highest literary accolades and it was particularly pleasing to see him shortlisted recently for the Golden Man Booker. His work has remained continuously in print since he came to Picador, and we are delighted to continue to bring his important work to new readers. His unique voice and qualities will be sorely missed.”


In May this year Naipaul's tale of displacement across England, America and Africa, In a Free State, was revealed as one of the “Golden Five” Man Booker Prize-winning books which had “best stood the test of time”. It originally won the Booker Prize in 1971.


Last year his book A Bend in the River was chosen as one of Barack Obama’s favourite reads during the former US president’s time in the White House.


Pan Macmillan has been V. S. Naipaul's primary publisher over the past eighteen years and we are honoured to be able to continue his legacy by bringing his work to new readers around the world. 

Anthony Forbes Watson, Managing Director of Pan Macmillan, said: “Everyone at Pan Macmillan and at Picador in particular, is proud to publish Sir Vidia Naipaul, a great and controversial writer, and we are very sad to hear the news of his death.  I was given A Bend In The River almost forty years ago, took him on my travels through Africa and have read him ever since.  His voice will be much missed.”

Book Review: I Am Thunder by Muhammad Khan

Title: I Am Thunder

Author: Muhammad Khan

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Muhammad Khan’s ‘I Am Thunder’ is the story of Muzna, a Muslim teenager who is struggling to find her place in the world whilst trying to balance her religion, culture, and keeping her parents happy. She is a warm, vulnerable, complex character and her search for identity is a universal one.

As the story progresses we see how some unforeseen events force her to move to a new school in South London. There she meets the charismatic Arif Malik. She is surprised to realize that he is interested in her and chooses to ask her out despite interest in him from several other girls at school. A friendship builds between the two and Arif encourages Muzna to explore her freedom.

Muzna’s happiness, however, is short lived and her delight wavers when she discovers how Arif, influenced by his manipulative brother Jameel, has become angered by Western culture. He gradually lures her into a world of Muslim extremism. He tries to radicalize Muzna by telling her his anti-Western views. Muzna realizes she is getting into something dangerous but fears taking a stand could mean losing Arif.

Through his debut novel, Khan raises questions on some issues that are very relevant in today’s society. He talks of terrorism and Islamophobia via his 15-year-old protagonist. His writing also deals with issues relating to living in the West while having conservative, immigrant parents. It is evident that Khan draws on his experience or that of those whom he teaches to unpack many of the West’s perceptions of Islam.

To sum up, while reading this book, readers will be able to relate with Muzna on several levels and, without trying, learn.

A timely YA debut whose salience and poignancy will be appreciated on many levels.

Muhammad Khan is a maths teacher in a secondary school in Tooting and takes his inspiration from the children he teaches, as well as his own upbringing as a British-born Pakistani. He lives in South London and will be studying for a creative writing MA next year at Roehampton.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Goodreads.com

Book Review: Goodbye, Perfect by Sara Barnard

Title: Goodbye, Perfect
Author: Sara Barnard
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Sara Barnard’s ‘Goodbye, Perfect’ is the story of best friends Eden and Bonnie, two teenagers who are just days away from taking their GCSEs. While Eden is the ‘rebel,’ Bonnie is the ‘good’ girl and ‘Head Prefect’ who plays the flute, lives for exams, and is a model student. Poles apart, the two understand each other and are BFFs.

The story begins when one fine Saturday morning Bonnie runs away with her secret boyfriend, Jack, and the police arrives at Eden’s doorstep to question her. For the latter it’s a bit of a surprise as she discovers that the secret boyfriend is their music teacher, Mr Cohn. Eden suddenly finds herself facing the toughest situation of her life. Though she denies knowledge of her best friend’s whereabouts, it’s not true. Bonnie has been in touch with her through her texts. Eden’s dilemma only surmounts as she is sworn to secrecy and bound by loyalty to her friend. She knows she won’t betray her friend for Bonnie was the one who made Eden feel at home in a new school when she was placed with a new foster family. Until Bonnie, Eden hadn't had a proper friend. She wants to do right by her. But what is right — being silent or speaking up?

Sara Barnard tackles some serious issues in this novel and she does so with tremendous empathy. While Eden’s dilemmas are clearly visible, it is Bonnie whose problems don’t seem like much on the surface. Under pressure to be the perfect student, always achieving good grades, and never misbehaving — is it any wonder Bonnie finds her life stifling and falls for the one man who appears to understand her? There are multiple layers of intricate relationships and tensions throughout the story.

Barnard has beautifully captured the voice and experience of teenagers. The issues that she raises hit home with a silent thud. Readers will likely relate to Eden and Bonnie’s struggle to navigate the treacherous teen waters rife with unhealthy relationships, temptations, and self-doubt. It is definitely an amazing story about friendship, family, and loyalty. 

A realistic, worthwhile look at dating violence and unhealthy relationships in teenage years.  

Sara Barnard lives in Brighton and does all her best writing on trains. She loves books, book people and book things. She has been writing ever since she was too small to reach the 'on' switch on the family's Amstrad computer. She gets her love of words from her dad, who made sure she always had books to read and introduced her to the wonders of second-hand bookshops at a young age. 

Sara is trying to visit every country in Europe, and has managed to reach thirteen with her best friend. She has also lived in Canada and worked in India. An important voice in contemporary YA, she is the author of the bestselling, Zoella Book Club choice Beautiful Broken Things, and A Quiet Kind of Thunder.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Goodreads.com

Book Review: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Title: Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

A teenage magician, a rebel princess, a prince in hot pursuit, an unlikely love story, and lots of magic prove to be as thrilling as they sound. The best thing is, all this and much more form the backdrop for Tomi Adeyemi’s debut sensation, Children of Blood and Bone. It is the first installment of the Legacy of Orisha trilogy.

The story opens with Zélie, a 17-year-old girl who tries to keep her head above choppy waters even as she mourns not only her mother, but the birthright of magic now lost to her. She is a divîner — someone with latent magical abilities indicated by the distinctive white hair that sets them apart from the non-magical populace.

As the story progresses we learn about the history of Adeyemi’s fictional world. Orisha was once home to 12 Maji clans, each with a patron god or goddess and a signature magical ability that manifests in some members at age 13. The despot king, Saran, cut off access to magic and purged the Majis. Only the children were spared, but with a target on their heads.

Once while trying to raise money for the ever growing taxes, Zélie saves a girl from the king’s soldiers. The girl turns out to be Princess Amari, who is on the run from her father. She has stolen a scroll that can transform divîners into magic-wielding maji. The two girls flee along with Zélie’s brother, Tzain.

The scroll had vanished 11 years ago during the maji genocide. King Saran sends out his son Prince Inan, Amari’s elder brother, to retrieve the artifact. When the trio — Zélie, Amari, and Tzain — learn that the impending solstice offers the only chance of restoring magic, they race against time, and Inan, to obtain the final artifact needed for their ritual.

Over the course of the book we can see some allegiances shifting as the characters grow. Zélie learns to unlock the magic that has been lying latent all these years. Inan too comes face to face with the fact that he is what his father has always hated — magic.

Adeyemi writes beautifully. She has deftly portrayed the racial tensions and persecutions. However, the novel is too long and repetitive. The three POVs keep saying the same things without furthering the story much. But it can definitely be overlooked given the other good things. The book culminates in a cliffhanger ending, which is sure to leave readers anxiously waiting for the next installment.

A compelling story that is hard to put down.

Tomi Adeyemi is a Nigerian-American writer and creative writing coach based in San Diego, California. After graduating Harvard University with an honours degree in English literature, she studied West African mythology and culture in Salvador, Brazil. When not writing novels or watching Scandal, Tomi teaches and blogs about creative writing on her website, named one of the 101 best websites for writers by Writer’s Digest. Children of Blood and Bone is her debut novel.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in