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A Womb With A View
Private investigator, Bob Blundell, is asked to undertake a seemingly routine surveillance operation at Featherstone Manor. Claudia Pennington believes her husband, Eugene, is having an affair, and she wants Bob to catch him in the act while she’s away in Africa.
But Eugene is not the only one up to no good. With his psychopathic nephew, Reuben, running amok in his own warped fantasy world, Chef’s heavily pregnant wife, Wassana, displaying episodes of feral behaviour and the baby appearing to talk inside her womb, and Eugene’s sister, Nancy, resentful of her brother because he inherited the manor, Bob finds much more than infidelity lying behind the drab stone walls of Featherstone Manor.
A Womb with a View is a chaotic, comic tale, underpinned by revenge, greed, and betrayal.
But Eugene is not the only one up to no good. With his psychopathic nephew, Reuben, running amok in his own warped fantasy world, Chef’s heavily pregnant wife, Wassana, displaying episodes of feral behaviour and the baby appearing to talk inside her womb, and Eugene’s sister, Nancy, resentful of her brother because he inherited the manor, Bob finds much more than infidelity lying behind the drab stone walls of Featherstone Manor.
A Womb with a View is a chaotic, comic tale, underpinned by revenge, greed, and betrayal.
Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2023
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About the author
Mark Tilbury
27 books279 followersMark lives in a small village in the lovely county of Cumbria, although his books are set in Oxfordshire where he was born and raised.
He's always had a keen interest in writing and after being widowed and raising his two daughters, Mark finally took the plunge and began self-publishing. Mark's writing has earned him the name #TwistedTilbury due to the dark and twisted nature of his books. He's published 12 thrillers, and his 13th novel, A Womb With A View, will be published Jan 19th 2023.
When he's not writing, Mark can be found playing guitar, reading and walking.
Did you know that you can follow authors on Amazon? If you hit the 'follow' button on my author page, you'll be kept updated of any price reductions and new publications.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Tilbury...
Thank you!
He's always had a keen interest in writing and after being widowed and raising his two daughters, Mark finally took the plunge and began self-publishing. Mark's writing has earned him the name #TwistedTilbury due to the dark and twisted nature of his books. He's published 12 thrillers, and his 13th novel, A Womb With A View, will be published Jan 19th 2023.
When he's not writing, Mark can be found playing guitar, reading and walking.
Did you know that you can follow authors on Amazon? If you hit the 'follow' button on my author page, you'll be kept updated of any price reductions and new publications.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Tilbury...
Thank you!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 22, 2023
4.5 stars.
This book had me laughing a lot. It is very different to the other books I’ve read by Mark Tilbury.
The characters completely make this story, a totally dysfunctional family. PI Bob had me in stitches with his dark thoughts about his mother in law, then there was the feral Wassana with her talking womb and the psychopath nephew. It seemed like almost everyone couldn’t be trusted.
There were of course some twists and turns along the way too. This was an engaging and funny read. Definitely recommend it. It’s not exactly a cosy mystery but it comes close with lots of humour added.
Thank you to the author for inviting me onto the blog tour and for the gifted ebook.
This book had me laughing a lot. It is very different to the other books I’ve read by Mark Tilbury.
The characters completely make this story, a totally dysfunctional family. PI Bob had me in stitches with his dark thoughts about his mother in law, then there was the feral Wassana with her talking womb and the psychopath nephew. It seemed like almost everyone couldn’t be trusted.
There were of course some twists and turns along the way too. This was an engaging and funny read. Definitely recommend it. It’s not exactly a cosy mystery but it comes close with lots of humour added.
Thank you to the author for inviting me onto the blog tour and for the gifted ebook.
January 18, 2023
Mark tilbury is the master of twisted crime and I always enjoy his books as the anticipation is almost worth as much as the book. He writes such horrific scenes and still makes you feel that he can tell a great story.
Bob Blundell is a new character and he always looks like he uses the old scout addage of always be prepared. The character felt that he was maybe a little rushed but that is the character and he really made you want to like him.
The back story was very interesting as Bob being a former police officer who was disillusioned after what had happened and left and set up his private investigation business. I think that this shows a very good idea as there are many real life examples that do this and I love the realistic approach that this author brings. Even if it is a common item were the PI is a former cop this felt unique.
I have to laugh even though it’s not that funny about the nature of him and his fantasies. It just had me laugh out loud as it just reminds me of some videos I watch about toxic mother in law’s and I just hit me as funny. Again it isn’t really funny as such but just makes you giggle with his dream or fantasy for his mother in law.
You can tell a great deal from a person by how they treat those who are not as well off as them or animals. We see the way Bob treats his dog and you can see that he is a good person and loves his family and his dog is part of that family. I like the fact that the story does feature animals as well since I love seeing what mischief they get up to or what their owned claims they do.
The story isn’t really like the others I have read from this author and it doesn’t have the twisted aspect that I usually expect. However that doesn’t take away any enjoyment from this book at all. In fact it enhanced what I already felt about this authors books and it shows how versatile he is. What a great thing to see as I love that none of his stories really resemble the others.
I am enjoying the humour that has been injected and the pop culture references. I also love the fact that they poke some fun at the kids of today vs the generations before. It is not the haha laugh out loud funny but it’s quite entertaining. It just seems very appropriate as it is something that always is coming out about each new generation. The when I was young type of comments.
The main female character Claudia is not what I would want to have either as a wife or a person that I was working for. She seems too distrusting and that would drive me nuts. The fact she doesn’t trust her husband and is using another person to get what she wants seems bad to me. Now she has cause but it still irks me.
Eugene I dislike from first meeting but I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s his attitude or what he is doing to his wife. Even if I don’t like her I still feel sorry for her.
Rose is probably my favourite character as she is just so weird and warped which is just the character I find most interesting. It has to make you laugh especially with what she did.
The master of the twisted stories has done it again but this time in a completely different fashion. He has went away from the ultra twisted stories which have capitvated me since the first book of his I read. This time he interjects humour into his book and doesn’t have near the penchant for death and destruction. It is great when you see an author put out something each time that you aren’t expecting well other than a great read.
For me it is a close race to of this book is my favourite or not. It probably comes in second but it was so enjoyable but wasn’t quite as dark as what I am used to.
The only one to really creep me out is Rueben who just reminds me too much of psychopaths and not sure whether it is his nature or whether the family dynamics is what caused his abberant behaviour.
Wassana is very strange and very feral. I don’t really know about her and she just seems out of place at Featherstone manner. She is married to the chef who is interesting and seems a little ptsd.
Bob Blundell is a new character and he always looks like he uses the old scout addage of always be prepared. The character felt that he was maybe a little rushed but that is the character and he really made you want to like him.
The back story was very interesting as Bob being a former police officer who was disillusioned after what had happened and left and set up his private investigation business. I think that this shows a very good idea as there are many real life examples that do this and I love the realistic approach that this author brings. Even if it is a common item were the PI is a former cop this felt unique.
I have to laugh even though it’s not that funny about the nature of him and his fantasies. It just had me laugh out loud as it just reminds me of some videos I watch about toxic mother in law’s and I just hit me as funny. Again it isn’t really funny as such but just makes you giggle with his dream or fantasy for his mother in law.
You can tell a great deal from a person by how they treat those who are not as well off as them or animals. We see the way Bob treats his dog and you can see that he is a good person and loves his family and his dog is part of that family. I like the fact that the story does feature animals as well since I love seeing what mischief they get up to or what their owned claims they do.
The story isn’t really like the others I have read from this author and it doesn’t have the twisted aspect that I usually expect. However that doesn’t take away any enjoyment from this book at all. In fact it enhanced what I already felt about this authors books and it shows how versatile he is. What a great thing to see as I love that none of his stories really resemble the others.
I am enjoying the humour that has been injected and the pop culture references. I also love the fact that they poke some fun at the kids of today vs the generations before. It is not the haha laugh out loud funny but it’s quite entertaining. It just seems very appropriate as it is something that always is coming out about each new generation. The when I was young type of comments.
The main female character Claudia is not what I would want to have either as a wife or a person that I was working for. She seems too distrusting and that would drive me nuts. The fact she doesn’t trust her husband and is using another person to get what she wants seems bad to me. Now she has cause but it still irks me.
Eugene I dislike from first meeting but I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s his attitude or what he is doing to his wife. Even if I don’t like her I still feel sorry for her.
Rose is probably my favourite character as she is just so weird and warped which is just the character I find most interesting. It has to make you laugh especially with what she did.
The master of the twisted stories has done it again but this time in a completely different fashion. He has went away from the ultra twisted stories which have capitvated me since the first book of his I read. This time he interjects humour into his book and doesn’t have near the penchant for death and destruction. It is great when you see an author put out something each time that you aren’t expecting well other than a great read.
For me it is a close race to of this book is my favourite or not. It probably comes in second but it was so enjoyable but wasn’t quite as dark as what I am used to.
The only one to really creep me out is Rueben who just reminds me too much of psychopaths and not sure whether it is his nature or whether the family dynamics is what caused his abberant behaviour.
Wassana is very strange and very feral. I don’t really know about her and she just seems out of place at Featherstone manner. She is married to the chef who is interesting and seems a little ptsd.
January 15, 2023
Featherstone Manor is a bit of a madhouse. There is the husband, adulterous Eugene whose girlfriend Rose is pushing him to divorce his wife Claudia. He has no idea Claudia is planning exactly the same thing and has contacted Bob Blundell, an ex-copper who was once mistaken for a deer, and who has spent the last fifteen years as a private detective while harbouring dark designs on his mother-in-law. In the west wing there is their nephew, fourteen-year-old Reuben, living in a fantasy world of spies and secret agents, together with his mother, Eugene’s unhinged sister Nancy. Father unknown (scandalous stuff) and Nancy prefers to keep to that secret to herself. The east wing is occupied by ex-navy chef Roland Polly who met his wife Wassana in Thailand and who prays her feral behaviour, learned when she spent a year as a small child being raised by a pack of stray dogs, will abate again once their first (and most likely only) child is born at Christmas. After the job is explained, basically to catch Eugene “at it” while Claudia is away, Bob arrives back, staying undercover with groundman Dennis and his housekeeper wife Jennifer, and sets up his transmitters, immediately losing a vital piece of equipment where it ends up in a very strange place indeed with hilarious results. Darker deeds and plots are afoot at the Manor and while Eugene harbours suspicions about Claudia, Reuben makes a plan to unmask Bob and the other mystery man who has taken root in his home. And so the mystery begins!
The comedy moments throughout are pitched perfectly, just the right amount and a great addition to the dark murderous plot that slowly transpires. Don’t let the title fool you - the meaning behind it becomes clear as the mayhem ensues. There are also just the right number of “normal” characters included, such as Dennis, Polly, Jennifer and Margaret to balance out all the ones who are simply barking mad. The characters are all great, particularly Polly’s feral wife and the psychopathic Reuben. And Bob course! I loved Bob’s murderous thoughts about his mother-in-law.
It’s a little departure from the author’s previous works, but once again beautifully written and dangerously easy to become completely engrossed in once started. The characters immediately spring to life and are amazingly easy to picture. Overall it’s a smashing story and bound to be a hit! 5*
The comedy moments throughout are pitched perfectly, just the right amount and a great addition to the dark murderous plot that slowly transpires. Don’t let the title fool you - the meaning behind it becomes clear as the mayhem ensues. There are also just the right number of “normal” characters included, such as Dennis, Polly, Jennifer and Margaret to balance out all the ones who are simply barking mad. The characters are all great, particularly Polly’s feral wife and the psychopathic Reuben. And Bob course! I loved Bob’s murderous thoughts about his mother-in-law.
It’s a little departure from the author’s previous works, but once again beautifully written and dangerously easy to become completely engrossed in once started. The characters immediately spring to life and are amazingly easy to picture. Overall it’s a smashing story and bound to be a hit! 5*
January 15, 2023
Mark Tilbury is a favourite author of mine, known for his dark, tense and emotionally compelling Psychological Thrillers. Since reading his cult classic The Abattoir Of Dreams I have read nearly all of his twelve books.
A Womb With A View is Mark's first comedy crime novel.
Crime comedy wouldn't my first choice to read, but I've been regularly surprised and impressed by some of my favourite Thriller writers when they've written comedy novels.
Featherstone Manor is the location for A Womb With A View, the stately home of Eugene and Claudia. Claudia suspects Eugene is having an affair and hires local Private Investigator Bob Blundell to try and gather the evidence.
There's a great ensemble cast of characters, as well as Eugene and wife Claudia, there's Eugene's sister Nancy and her teenage son Reuben, Bob Blundell, his wife and mother in law, Chef Polly, his pregnant wife Wassana and more. It would make a fantastic classic English theatre farce.
Claudia's suspicions and hiring Bob to investigate is just the starting point for a fun and fast plot with plenty going on and lots of unexpected plot lines.
The quality and variety of the humour really caught me by surprise. There's quirky character humour, farcical action comedy, sharp dialogue, one liners and some deftly delivered dark humour. Something to tickle everyone's fancy.
Special mention must go to 'Special Agent' Reuben, the teenager whose mission in life is informed by the Spy books and Covert Operations manuals he is obsessed with, like a teenage Chris Ryan with Ross Kemp's testosterone fuelled bad attitude.
The plot, humour and characters work brilliantly together to keep it moving along, there's always something happening with a laugh or a wince on almost every page.
If you like humour with your Crime, this book's for you. If you've loved any of Mark Tilbury's previous novels, this book's for you. If you are sceptical that an author known for some on the darkest psychological fiction can make you laugh out loud, this book is especially for you!
Definitely recommended.
Thanks to Mark Tilbury
A Womb With A View is published 19th January.
Available in paperbook and e-book, and included with kindle unlimited
A Womb With A View is Mark's first comedy crime novel.
Crime comedy wouldn't my first choice to read, but I've been regularly surprised and impressed by some of my favourite Thriller writers when they've written comedy novels.
Featherstone Manor is the location for A Womb With A View, the stately home of Eugene and Claudia. Claudia suspects Eugene is having an affair and hires local Private Investigator Bob Blundell to try and gather the evidence.
There's a great ensemble cast of characters, as well as Eugene and wife Claudia, there's Eugene's sister Nancy and her teenage son Reuben, Bob Blundell, his wife and mother in law, Chef Polly, his pregnant wife Wassana and more. It would make a fantastic classic English theatre farce.
Claudia's suspicions and hiring Bob to investigate is just the starting point for a fun and fast plot with plenty going on and lots of unexpected plot lines.
The quality and variety of the humour really caught me by surprise. There's quirky character humour, farcical action comedy, sharp dialogue, one liners and some deftly delivered dark humour. Something to tickle everyone's fancy.
Special mention must go to 'Special Agent' Reuben, the teenager whose mission in life is informed by the Spy books and Covert Operations manuals he is obsessed with, like a teenage Chris Ryan with Ross Kemp's testosterone fuelled bad attitude.
The plot, humour and characters work brilliantly together to keep it moving along, there's always something happening with a laugh or a wince on almost every page.
If you like humour with your Crime, this book's for you. If you've loved any of Mark Tilbury's previous novels, this book's for you. If you are sceptical that an author known for some on the darkest psychological fiction can make you laugh out loud, this book is especially for you!
Definitely recommended.
Thanks to Mark Tilbury
A Womb With A View is published 19th January.
Available in paperbook and e-book, and included with kindle unlimited
January 3, 2023
Well this book did make me titter. It's nice to see Mark Tilbury venturing away from the really dark side for a change, and allowing his natural flair for humour to take the lead. That's not to say that there aren't some of the author's trademark dastardly twists to this book, as there are, but it is dominated more by some of the madcap and certainly unexpected elements of a story that starts with a suspected affair and takes a very deadly turn.
In A Womb With A View we meet Bob Blundell, a former police officer turned Private Investigator. He has been hired to try and detect the infidelity of Eugene Pennington, to aid his wife, Claudia, in her plans for a rather humiliating, and expensive, divorce. It's fair to say that Bob is not the most accomplished of Detectives, in fact following this particular case, I think I'd call him blundering Bob. His appearance is immediately seen as suspicious by Eugene and Claudia's nephew, Reuben, a wannabe spy and soon to be a massive thorn in Bob's side. I quite liked both bob and Reuben. Bob because of his very believable desire to get aware from a troublesome mother-in-law and inept attempts to set up covert ops in a stable, and Reuben because of his flights of fancy and his unwitting interference in what is, eventually a very serious case.
In fact, it;s the characters who really make this book rather special. You have Bob and Reuben obviously, then unfaithful Eugene and his mistress Rose. Add into the mix, Eugene's sister and her new partner, Chef and his feral wife, Wassana ( and yes - I do mean feral), and little terrier, Mitzy who is besotted with Bob, and the scene is set for some very amusing and entertaining action. There are plots afoot, and its up to readers to see if they can guess the full why and wherefore of what is being planned. Some of it is out in the open - courtesy of Reuben and one of Bob's planted bugs - some of it less so, Mark Tilbury throwing in a good few twists to keep the mystery alive. Far from being able to prove adultery, it becomes a race against time to prevent a murder, or maybe more, and that leads to more than the odd bout of laughter as the plot it gradually revealed.
I don't want to say too much about the plot, or some of the more madcap moments of the novel as the fun is in reading them for yourself. I will say that if I ever needed another reason not to eat lobster, this book has probably provided it. And between Reuben and an expected but unconventional arrival on Christmas day, I'm also feeling glad not to have kids ...
Fun, fresh and entertaining, fans of the author, and even lovers of cosy crime, if you don't mind the odd infusion of swearing, will really get something out of this new style from Mr Tilbury. Less twisted and more tongue-in-cheek this time and it works.
In A Womb With A View we meet Bob Blundell, a former police officer turned Private Investigator. He has been hired to try and detect the infidelity of Eugene Pennington, to aid his wife, Claudia, in her plans for a rather humiliating, and expensive, divorce. It's fair to say that Bob is not the most accomplished of Detectives, in fact following this particular case, I think I'd call him blundering Bob. His appearance is immediately seen as suspicious by Eugene and Claudia's nephew, Reuben, a wannabe spy and soon to be a massive thorn in Bob's side. I quite liked both bob and Reuben. Bob because of his very believable desire to get aware from a troublesome mother-in-law and inept attempts to set up covert ops in a stable, and Reuben because of his flights of fancy and his unwitting interference in what is, eventually a very serious case.
In fact, it;s the characters who really make this book rather special. You have Bob and Reuben obviously, then unfaithful Eugene and his mistress Rose. Add into the mix, Eugene's sister and her new partner, Chef and his feral wife, Wassana ( and yes - I do mean feral), and little terrier, Mitzy who is besotted with Bob, and the scene is set for some very amusing and entertaining action. There are plots afoot, and its up to readers to see if they can guess the full why and wherefore of what is being planned. Some of it is out in the open - courtesy of Reuben and one of Bob's planted bugs - some of it less so, Mark Tilbury throwing in a good few twists to keep the mystery alive. Far from being able to prove adultery, it becomes a race against time to prevent a murder, or maybe more, and that leads to more than the odd bout of laughter as the plot it gradually revealed.
I don't want to say too much about the plot, or some of the more madcap moments of the novel as the fun is in reading them for yourself. I will say that if I ever needed another reason not to eat lobster, this book has probably provided it. And between Reuben and an expected but unconventional arrival on Christmas day, I'm also feeling glad not to have kids ...
Fun, fresh and entertaining, fans of the author, and even lovers of cosy crime, if you don't mind the odd infusion of swearing, will really get something out of this new style from Mr Tilbury. Less twisted and more tongue-in-cheek this time and it works.
January 2, 2023
Having read all of this author’s novels, his new one is quite different from his usually dark and twisted reads.
Bob’s services are called upon by Claudia who believes her husband is having an affair and wants proof. Claudia and her husband Eugene live in a big manor house along with his sister Nancy and nephew Reuben and none of them are overly likeable characters. In fact there is probably only Bob and a couple of other characters who come across as being quite normal! The live in Chef along with his pregnant wife Wassana are especially odd to say the least, more so Wassana whose behaviour has the poor Chef running himself ragged and not knowing what to think.
Revenge and greed are definitely what fuels this story. It was sad to see these individuals all having ulterior motives and being quite selfish in their actions. It goes to show how money certainly doesn’t make you likeable although you can be popular for all of the wrong reasons. I could actually see this being televised into a little mini series as whilst there are no real big surprises, the author has written an enjoyable and somewhat humorous read that will guarantee to keep his readers entertained.
A Womb with a View is an almost softer side to this author and one I enjoyed seeing. Whilst this isn’t a cozy mystery per se, I think anyone who enjoys that genre will certainly want to pick this book up and give it a go. If you love reading about a dysfunctional family of which you would love to see certain ones getting their comeuppance, I can highly recommend Mark Tilbury’s latest engaging page turner!
Bob’s services are called upon by Claudia who believes her husband is having an affair and wants proof. Claudia and her husband Eugene live in a big manor house along with his sister Nancy and nephew Reuben and none of them are overly likeable characters. In fact there is probably only Bob and a couple of other characters who come across as being quite normal! The live in Chef along with his pregnant wife Wassana are especially odd to say the least, more so Wassana whose behaviour has the poor Chef running himself ragged and not knowing what to think.
Revenge and greed are definitely what fuels this story. It was sad to see these individuals all having ulterior motives and being quite selfish in their actions. It goes to show how money certainly doesn’t make you likeable although you can be popular for all of the wrong reasons. I could actually see this being televised into a little mini series as whilst there are no real big surprises, the author has written an enjoyable and somewhat humorous read that will guarantee to keep his readers entertained.
A Womb with a View is an almost softer side to this author and one I enjoyed seeing. Whilst this isn’t a cozy mystery per se, I think anyone who enjoys that genre will certainly want to pick this book up and give it a go. If you love reading about a dysfunctional family of which you would love to see certain ones getting their comeuppance, I can highly recommend Mark Tilbury’s latest engaging page turner!
January 22, 2023
Claudia Pennington thought her husband Eugene was cheating on her so she hired private investigator Bob Blundell, to investigate while she was away in Africa. There was a rumour he had brought his mistress to the manor in the summer when she was away then. Bob agreed and turned up with a plan in place and his listening devices ready to put in place so he could stake the place out and stay on the estate to report to Claudia when she was back.
Nancy had moved her boyfriend in to live with her and Reuben. Reuben took an instant dislike to him and stayed in his room a lot more. He did listen at the door a lot and heard interesting things, like how to hypnotise people and the plot Nancy was coming up with for brother, Eugene, and Claudia for Christmas Day. He really wanted to tell Uncle Eugene but something stopped him from doing so, although he didn’t know what.
Then Chef started hearing funny noises in his flat but he didn’t know where they were coming from. Then Wassana shouted to him that she was scared as her tummy was making funny noises, like animal noises, she didn’t understand. Chef didn’t understand, then Wassana said she want no more babies, Chef was pleased, he couldn’t take no more. In the end, Chef called for an ambulance for her, the noises weren’t right.
This was a real laugh, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and there are laugh out loud moments in it. The characters you either like or hate, they all have their moments that make you choose. I can recommend this book as a crime comedy book, it is truly funny.
Nancy had moved her boyfriend in to live with her and Reuben. Reuben took an instant dislike to him and stayed in his room a lot more. He did listen at the door a lot and heard interesting things, like how to hypnotise people and the plot Nancy was coming up with for brother, Eugene, and Claudia for Christmas Day. He really wanted to tell Uncle Eugene but something stopped him from doing so, although he didn’t know what.
Then Chef started hearing funny noises in his flat but he didn’t know where they were coming from. Then Wassana shouted to him that she was scared as her tummy was making funny noises, like animal noises, she didn’t understand. Chef didn’t understand, then Wassana said she want no more babies, Chef was pleased, he couldn’t take no more. In the end, Chef called for an ambulance for her, the noises weren’t right.
This was a real laugh, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and there are laugh out loud moments in it. The characters you either like or hate, they all have their moments that make you choose. I can recommend this book as a crime comedy book, it is truly funny.
January 23, 2023
What a brilliant book! Twisted Tilbury has done it again, if you like Tom Sharpe you’ll love this one. Not at all like his usual psychological tales but just as good. Who knew Mr Tilbury had such comedic writing in his repertoire?
Set in & around Featherstone Manor, the story focuses on an extremely dysfunctional family & their staff. Adulterous Eugene who wants to leave his wife Claudia for his mistress Rose. His unhinged sister Nancy who resents Eugene with every fibre of her being as he inherited the manor. Claudia, who knows Eugene is up to something, hires a P.I. to obtain evidence for her longed for divorce. Poor Bob. Add in the mix, Chef Polly & his extremely pregnant wife Wassana, & Reuben, Nancy’s son. Reuben is hilarious & also thinks he’s a spy, encouraged by the literature Eugene buys him.
I know it’s a cliché, but I literally cried with laughter at points in this book, it’s so funny, my vivid imagination was having a field day. I haven’t mentioned all the characters, but they all have their own quirks & something to add.
This was a fantastic read & I would love some more like this Twisty. Not cosy crime but a cracking ‘lighter’ read. Highly recommended.
Set in & around Featherstone Manor, the story focuses on an extremely dysfunctional family & their staff. Adulterous Eugene who wants to leave his wife Claudia for his mistress Rose. His unhinged sister Nancy who resents Eugene with every fibre of her being as he inherited the manor. Claudia, who knows Eugene is up to something, hires a P.I. to obtain evidence for her longed for divorce. Poor Bob. Add in the mix, Chef Polly & his extremely pregnant wife Wassana, & Reuben, Nancy’s son. Reuben is hilarious & also thinks he’s a spy, encouraged by the literature Eugene buys him.
I know it’s a cliché, but I literally cried with laughter at points in this book, it’s so funny, my vivid imagination was having a field day. I haven’t mentioned all the characters, but they all have their own quirks & something to add.
This was a fantastic read & I would love some more like this Twisty. Not cosy crime but a cracking ‘lighter’ read. Highly recommended.
January 6, 2023
When I read a book by Mark Tilbury I know I am guaranteed a good read but also one with a difference. Each of his books is unique in some way they don't really fit in a box and that is a big plus for me because I do love something different.
Bob had to leave the police because of a back injury and is now a Private Investigator. He lives with his wife and mother in law. Claudia Pennington asked him to investigate her husband Eugene who she is certain is having an affair. The job will require him to live at Featherstone Manor for a short while pretending to be the long lost brother of the Caretaker. While he has reservations it does offer him the opportunity for a bit of peace from his demanding mother in law and the money on offer is too good to turn down.
What Bob doesn't realise is that he is going to be earning every penny as things at Featherstone Manor are far from normal.
This is a book that is full of intrigue but also a lot of fun I found myself smiling in many parts while turning page after page eager to find out what happens next.
The characters are all unique and many are eccentric and it all fits together so very well. Absolutely love Reuben a unique character but a realistic one living the life he does with spy books for company and sneaking around the house collecting 'treasures' he is the star of the book in my opinion. Closely followed by Wassana who had a very strange upbringing and now she is pregnant she is showing signs of feral behaviour. Nancy who bears a grudge against Eugene and their father. They all fit the story so perfectly.
Comedy, revenge, greed, secrecy, jealousy and betrayal all play a part in this absolutely gripping read that I loved reading so very much and is definitely worth 5 stars.
Thank you to the author: Mark Tilbury for the advance digital copy. This is my unbiased review.
Bob had to leave the police because of a back injury and is now a Private Investigator. He lives with his wife and mother in law. Claudia Pennington asked him to investigate her husband Eugene who she is certain is having an affair. The job will require him to live at Featherstone Manor for a short while pretending to be the long lost brother of the Caretaker. While he has reservations it does offer him the opportunity for a bit of peace from his demanding mother in law and the money on offer is too good to turn down.
What Bob doesn't realise is that he is going to be earning every penny as things at Featherstone Manor are far from normal.
This is a book that is full of intrigue but also a lot of fun I found myself smiling in many parts while turning page after page eager to find out what happens next.
The characters are all unique and many are eccentric and it all fits together so very well. Absolutely love Reuben a unique character but a realistic one living the life he does with spy books for company and sneaking around the house collecting 'treasures' he is the star of the book in my opinion. Closely followed by Wassana who had a very strange upbringing and now she is pregnant she is showing signs of feral behaviour. Nancy who bears a grudge against Eugene and their father. They all fit the story so perfectly.
Comedy, revenge, greed, secrecy, jealousy and betrayal all play a part in this absolutely gripping read that I loved reading so very much and is definitely worth 5 stars.
Thank you to the author: Mark Tilbury for the advance digital copy. This is my unbiased review.
January 17, 2023
What do you get when you take a cheating husband, a feral pregnant thai woman, a private detective harbouring increasingly dark thoughts about his mother in law, a teenager obsessed with spies, and an old Manor that is claimed to be haunted.
Quite a mad cap, funny, and engaging story as it turns out. This is a break away from Marks usual style of writing, but is no less brilliant for it.
Reuben, the teenager, obsessed with spying, and clearly a psychopath was a favourite, as was Wassana.
This is a study of family dynamics, trust and loyalty, as much as it is an old house and catching a cheating husband.
Reubens continuous refrains of why should I do as adults say, commonly heard across the land, jealousy at family inheritance issues and many other things that will be relatable.
A great read and one I think will do really well.
Quite a mad cap, funny, and engaging story as it turns out. This is a break away from Marks usual style of writing, but is no less brilliant for it.
Reuben, the teenager, obsessed with spying, and clearly a psychopath was a favourite, as was Wassana.
This is a study of family dynamics, trust and loyalty, as much as it is an old house and catching a cheating husband.
Reubens continuous refrains of why should I do as adults say, commonly heard across the land, jealousy at family inheritance issues and many other things that will be relatable.
A great read and one I think will do really well.
January 21, 2023
A brilliant read
Loved this book, a tad more lighthearted than my usual crime reads! I laughed out loud several times, the imagery and descriptions are brilliant.
I read this in a day as not only was it an easy read, I really wanted to find out what happened and who was successful!
Loved this book, a tad more lighthearted than my usual crime reads! I laughed out loud several times, the imagery and descriptions are brilliant.
I read this in a day as not only was it an easy read, I really wanted to find out what happened and who was successful!
January 29, 2023
Mark "Twisted" Tilbury is one of my favourite authors, his style is usually hard-hitting psychological crime fiction, this book, however, was more of a comedy. The story is set at Featherstone Manor and is laced with infidelity, madness, LSD, greed, revenge, coercion and a murder plot. I found myself chuckling out loud in some parts. Enjoyable.
January 1, 2023
Another amazing book from Mark Tilbury ! Slightly different but still twisted lol . An excellent read for everyone I couldn’t put it down just had to know what happened next and nothing was expected !!!
January 9, 2023
A very different book from this authors norm. This is an almost cozy crime, with a good sprinkling of humour, set largely in Fetherstone Manor, a house and estate belonging to the Pennington family. The star of the show for me was Reuben, a 12 year old boy who was very precocious for his age and who was always watching and listening to what is going on around him. But eventually he overhears something that he doesn’t know how to deal with.
Briefly, when Claudia suspects her husband Eugene of being unfaithful she hires PI Bob Blundell to bug their home to catch him in the act. Meanwhile Reuben, Eugene’s nephew, and trainee spy, is watching everything!
I actually enjoyed that this wasn’t the normal gore fest this author excels at - I’m finding I don’t enjoy that so much these days. This was decidedly lighter although don’t rest too much on your laurels. The main themes are revenge and money, always a good place to start. A completely dysfunctional family and it was hard to guess what was coming next. If you enjoy a not quite cozy read, humour and mystery with a feral pregnant women and a 12 year old star character, then give this a go. Enjoy! 4.5⭐️
Briefly, when Claudia suspects her husband Eugene of being unfaithful she hires PI Bob Blundell to bug their home to catch him in the act. Meanwhile Reuben, Eugene’s nephew, and trainee spy, is watching everything!
I actually enjoyed that this wasn’t the normal gore fest this author excels at - I’m finding I don’t enjoy that so much these days. This was decidedly lighter although don’t rest too much on your laurels. The main themes are revenge and money, always a good place to start. A completely dysfunctional family and it was hard to guess what was coming next. If you enjoy a not quite cozy read, humour and mystery with a feral pregnant women and a 12 year old star character, then give this a go. Enjoy! 4.5⭐️
January 10, 2023
Yet another wonderful tale from the master of twists.
The machinations of people never fail to astound and amaze. This tale is full of them, plus a touch of dark humour to add some herbs to the dish.
A feral pregnant woman, whose belly talks randomly, is a delight. The seemingly psychotic teenager with a mother to kill for, a private eye caught in the eye of the storm.... absolutely and wickedly, good fun!
Another triumph for Twisted Tilbury.
Oh and by the way Feelham is nearby so no wonder it is a bonkers tale.
The machinations of people never fail to astound and amaze. This tale is full of them, plus a touch of dark humour to add some herbs to the dish.
A feral pregnant woman, whose belly talks randomly, is a delight. The seemingly psychotic teenager with a mother to kill for, a private eye caught in the eye of the storm.... absolutely and wickedly, good fun!
Another triumph for Twisted Tilbury.
Oh and by the way Feelham is nearby so no wonder it is a bonkers tale.
January 31, 2023
Mark Tilbury is one of my all time favourite authors.. A Womb With A View is a complete turnaround to anything he has ever written before..Featherstone Manor sets the scene ..when Bob Blundell is asked to go undercover by Claudia Pennington who believes her husband is having an affair ...but there is so much more to this story .All the characters have you laughing away to yourself ..My five stars go to Bob ...so so funny ..
February 21, 2023
Magnificently Mad
Twisted Tilbury Strikes again .what a comically Great Story . Great Characters all with Their Great little Stories.. loved it
Twisted Tilbury Strikes again .what a comically Great Story . Great Characters all with Their Great little Stories.. loved it
Read
January 10, 2023This book is based at featherstone manor where Eugene and his wife Claudia live along with a few other family members including Reuben, Eugenes nephew.
Bob is an outsider that has been called in to spy on Eugene as he is having an affair….or is he?
What is the relationship like between family members?
What happens to Bob when he meets Reuben?
And what are the lobster noises?
I loved the parts of the story when Reuben was involved he is always up to something and is a real character who seems to want revenge.
A story of lies and deceit wrapped up with the twists of family life
Bob is an outsider that has been called in to spy on Eugene as he is having an affair….or is he?
What is the relationship like between family members?
What happens to Bob when he meets Reuben?
And what are the lobster noises?
I loved the parts of the story when Reuben was involved he is always up to something and is a real character who seems to want revenge.
A story of lies and deceit wrapped up with the twists of family life
December 16, 2022
Review to follow....
May 2, 2023
2.5 rounded upwards to 3 …
A decent read, a nice enjoyable story with quite a bit of characters. Something totally different compared to the author’s earlier works. It didn’t captivate me as much as previous books. I was hoping for something twisted again. Things were a bit too nice/ too soft I guess.
A decent read, a nice enjoyable story with quite a bit of characters. Something totally different compared to the author’s earlier works. It didn’t captivate me as much as previous books. I was hoping for something twisted again. Things were a bit too nice/ too soft I guess.
February 16, 2023
So this is one of the oddest, weirdest, strangest book I have read and I was all over it!
Hands up to the author, I do not want to know how he comes up with plots/what goes on his mind, but I’m grateful for it. It’s was also nice to see some comedy amongst the dark.
This is out tomorrow, I can’t begin to even describe the characters without risking spoilers, just add it to your TBR!
Hands up to the author, I do not want to know how he comes up with plots/what goes on his mind, but I’m grateful for it. It’s was also nice to see some comedy amongst the dark.
This is out tomorrow, I can’t begin to even describe the characters without risking spoilers, just add it to your TBR!
January 1, 2024
Not as good as I thought it would be I was expecting more thrill and maybe a few on the edge off your seat bits x
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