ljwrites85's review
4.0
So I’ve travelled back in time to 1965 for the latest in the Ruby Baker series! This time Ruby is asked to investigate the death of a girl called Rita Stonehill, who everyone thinks committed suicide by throwing herself into the path of a horse. But as Ruby digs further into the case, a prize winning race horse gets stolen, is there more to Rita’s death than she first believed?
This is the third in the series but can be easily read as a stand-alone but I’d recommend reading the first two for those people who want a better understanding of the characters and overall story arcs.
I really enjoyed the setting of the racecourse and the whole racing scene, it was so realistically done with great attention to detail, especially the opening scenes of the book, I could almost picture myself there in the crowd.
Ruby is the same headstrong, modern girl who has problems keeping her nose out of trouble that I loved from the first novel. She’s facing a few personal changes in this book. Firstly, her friend Mary is announces she’s going to get married, her and daughter Summer are about to move out of their little flat. Secondly, her relationship with reporter Kenny seems to be hotting up and add to that she hears from her mother for the first time in years! There’s a little surprise at the end that I can’t wait to see how Ruby deals with it in the next book!
Also I gave my name to one of the characters, keep your eyes peeled for girl by the name Lorna!
Before I Left is a thrilling whodunnit which combines historical details with a puzzling mystery that will keep you gripped from the first page.
This is the third in the series but can be easily read as a stand-alone but I’d recommend reading the first two for those people who want a better understanding of the characters and overall story arcs.
I really enjoyed the setting of the racecourse and the whole racing scene, it was so realistically done with great attention to detail, especially the opening scenes of the book, I could almost picture myself there in the crowd.
Ruby is the same headstrong, modern girl who has problems keeping her nose out of trouble that I loved from the first novel. She’s facing a few personal changes in this book. Firstly, her friend Mary is announces she’s going to get married, her and daughter Summer are about to move out of their little flat. Secondly, her relationship with reporter Kenny seems to be hotting up and add to that she hears from her mother for the first time in years! There’s a little surprise at the end that I can’t wait to see how Ruby deals with it in the next book!
Also I gave my name to one of the characters, keep your eyes peeled for girl by the name Lorna!
Before I Left is a thrilling whodunnit which combines historical details with a puzzling mystery that will keep you gripped from the first page.
nietzschesghost's review
4.0
'Before I Trust You' is the third book in the Ruby Baker series, and although the mystery was a thoroughly entertaining one, I found that I was lacking some vital background information about the characters. This is probably due to the fact that I haven't had the pleasure of reading the previous two. With all of that in mind, I don't feel it worked satisfactorily and would advise potential readers to begin at the start.
In particular, I wanted to know more about Ruby and Mary and their dynamic. Their friendship warms the cockles of my heart as they can both be relied upon to be there when the other needs them. Set in the 1960s Brighton, this is an atmospheric novel with an authentic classic crime feel to it which I loved. I have to say that the story very much reminded me of the suffragette Emily Davison who died after throwing herself in front of the King's horse at Epsom in 1913. Perhaps this is some sort of homage to her and the achievements of the movement. Those who appreciate clean stories should enjoy this as it has minimal violence, swearing, sex and gore. Engaging from first page to last, this is a great read.
Many thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
In particular, I wanted to know more about Ruby and Mary and their dynamic. Their friendship warms the cockles of my heart as they can both be relied upon to be there when the other needs them. Set in the 1960s Brighton, this is an atmospheric novel with an authentic classic crime feel to it which I loved. I have to say that the story very much reminded me of the suffragette Emily Davison who died after throwing herself in front of the King's horse at Epsom in 1913. Perhaps this is some sort of homage to her and the achievements of the movement. Those who appreciate clean stories should enjoy this as it has minimal violence, swearing, sex and gore. Engaging from first page to last, this is a great read.
Many thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
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