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Library Loans: October 2017

Each month I do a little post to share with you some of the best titles I have borrowed from my local library service. Here's what I loved in October

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths





Ruth Galloway uncovers the bones of what might be a notorious Victorian child murdress and a baby snatcher known as "The Childminder" threatens modern-day Norfolk in the latest irresistible mystery from Elly Griffiths.

Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway uncovers the bones of a Victorian murderess while a baby snatcher threatens modern-day Norfolk in this exciting new entry in a beloved series.
Every year a ceremony is held in Norwich for the bodies in the paupers' graves: the Service for the Outcast Dead. Ruth has a particular interest in this year's proceedings. Her recent dig at Norwich Castle turned up the body of the notorious Mother Hook, who was hanged in 1867 for the murder of five children. Now Ruth is the reluctant star of the TV series Women Who Kill, working alongside the program's alluring history expert, Professor Frank Barker.

DCI Harry Nelson is immersed in the case of three children found dead in their home. He is sure that the mother is responsible. Then another child is abducted and a kidnapper dubbed the Childminder claims responsibility. Are there two murderers afoot, or is the Childminder behind all the deaths? The team must race to find out-and the stakes couldn't be any higher when another child goes missing.


I'm continuing to power through this series. I'm loving the Norfolk setting and I love Ruth as a character flaws and all. I won't say much about what happens because of spoilers but needless to say I am very much looking to finish the rest of the series.

The Empty Grave by Jonathan Stroud





After the dramatic events of The Creeping Shadow, the Lockwood team (plus Quill Kipps) deserve some well-earned rest.

So naturally they break into the Fittes Mausoleum, on a perilous mission to discover the truth about London's top ghost-hunting agency, and its sinister leader.

What they discover will change everything.

But there's little time to ponder. A near-miss at a haunted fairground is only the start - as the Fittes agency closes in on the team, an epic struggle commences.

With the help of some unexpected, and rather ghostly, allies, Lockwood & Co must battle their greatest enemy yet, as they move ever closer to the moment when the earth-shattering secret of 'the problem' will finally be revealed.


Jonathan Stroud once again delivers a rousing adventure full of danger, laughs, twists, and frights. The revelations will send readers back to Book 1 to start the series all over again.


Another series which I got to catch up on. I loved it and I'm sad that its over. Another one I can't say much about for fear of spoilers but if you have already started it and not got as far as this one yet do it as it is ace. If you've not started the series do it. Do it now before the TV series hits the screens.

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson



Twelve-year-old Astrid has always done everything with her best friend Nicole. So when Astrid signs up for roller derby camp, she assumes Nicole will too. But Nicole signs up for dance camp with a new friend instead, and so begins the toughest summer of Astrid's life. There are bumps and bruises as Astrid learns who she is without Nicole...and what it takes to be a strong, tough roller girl.

This gorgeous graphic novel was my favourite read of the month. I am a roller derby fan and love how awesome the players are and how accepting the sport is embracing all kinds of people are all shapes and sizes and this book really encaptures that which is a perfect message to spread to its target audience. I want to buy multiple copies and give them to everyone for Christmas.

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