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9 of the Best Crime Fiction + Psychological Thriller Books

SCPivot — Mon, 18 May 2020 16:08:51 +0000

I’m an avid reader – always has been – and for sheer indulgent pleasure my go-to genre is crime fiction and especially psychological thrillers. Today, I’m going to share with you my 9 all-time favorites.

And if there’s anything better than reading a book myself, it’s the luxury of having the book read to me. I’ve been a member of Audible for many years now and I wouldn’t be without it. Audiobooks are ideal for making use of time spent commuting, doing housework or at the gym, and they’re great for road-trips too. I have listened to the audiobook version of every one of the books I’m going to recommend to you today and I believe the narration to have made each of them a superior experience. If you’re undecided, it’s worth bearing in mind that Audible offers a free 30-day trial. You can cancel anytime, and anything you download is yours to keep forever. So, you have nothing to lose and I’m sure you’ll soon be hooked, like me, if you try any of books I’m going to share with you today.

So, here we go with 9 crime fiction and psychological thriller audiobooks that I have absolutely L-O-V-E-D…

The Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware

“When Harriet Westaway receives an unexpected letter telling her she’s inherited a substantial bequest from her Cornish grandmother, it seems like the answer to her prayers. She owes money to a loan shark, and the threats are getting increasingly aggressive: she needs to get her hands on some cash fast.
There’s just one problem – Hal’s real grandparents died more than 20 years ago. The letter has been sent to the wrong person. But Hal knows that the cold-reading techniques she’s honed as a seaside fortune-teller could help her con her way to getting the money. If anyone has the skills to turn up at a stranger’s funeral and claim a bequest they’re not entitled to, it’s her.
Hal makes a choice that will change her life forever. But once she embarks on her deception, there is no going back. She must keep going or risk losing everything, even her life….”

The Child
by Fiona Barton

“When a paragraph in an evening newspaper reveals a decades-old tragedy, most readers barely give it a glance. But for three strangers, it’s impossible to ignore.

For one woman it’s a reminder of the worst thing that ever happened to her.

For another it’s the dangerous possibility that her darkest secret is about to be discovered.

And for a third, a journalist, it’s the first clue in a hunt to uncover the truth.

The Child’s story will be told.”

The Girl on the Train
by Paula Hawkins

“What would you do if you caught a glimpse of something you weren’t supposed to see? Would you come forward? Would you let yourself get sucked into the mystery?

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar. Now they’ll see – she’s much more than just the girl on the train…”

The Woman in Cabin 10
by Ruth Ware

“This was meant to be the perfect trip. The northern lights. A press launch on a luxury cruise ship. A chance for travel journalist Lo Blackwood to recover from a traumatic break-in that has left her on the verge of collapse and to work out what she wants from her relationship.
Except things don’t go as planned. Woken in the night by screams, Lo rushes to her window to see a body thrown overboard from the next-door cabin. But the records show that no one ever checked in to that cabin, and no passengers are missing from the boat.
Exhausted, emotional and increasingly desperate, Lo has to face the fact that her sleep problems might be driving her mad, or she is trapped on a boat with a murderer – and she is the sole witness…”

The Couple Next Door
by Shari Lapena

“People are capable of almost anything.

Fast-paced and addictive, The Couple Next Door announces a major new talent in thriller writing.

You never know what’s happening on the other side of the wall.

Your neighbour told you that she didn’t want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn’t stand her crying.

Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you live only next door. You’ll have the baby monitor, and you’ll take it in turns to go back every half hour.

Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realised. She’s gone.

You’ve never had to call the police before. But now they’re in your home, and who knows what they’ll find there.

What would you be capable of when pushed past your limit?”

In a Cottage in a Wood
by Cass Green

“Her dream home will become her worst nightmare…
A strange encounter.
Neve comes across a troubled woman called Isabelle on Waterloo Bridge late one night. Isabelle forces a parcel into Neve’s hands and jumps to her death in the icy Thames below.
An unexpected gift.
Two weeks later, as Neve’s wreck of a life in London collapses, an unexpected lifeline falls into her lap – a charming cottage in Cornwall left to her by Isabelle, the woman on the bridge. The solution to all her problems.
A twisted secret.
But when Neve arrives, alone in the dark woods late one night, she finds a sinister-looking bungalow with bars across its windows. And her dream home quickly becomes her worst nightmare – a house hiding a twisted secret that will change her life forever…”

Big Little Lies
by Liane Moriarty

“Pirriwee Public is a beautiful little beachside primary school where children are taught that ‘sharing is caring’. So how has the annual School Trivia Night ended in full-blown riot? Sirens are wailing. People are screaming. The principal is mortified.
And one parent is dead.
Was it a murder, a tragic accident, or just good parents gone bad? As the parents at Pirriwee Public are about to discover, sometimes it’s the little lies that turn out to be the most lethal. Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, school-yard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.”

Sleep
by C.L. Taylor

“All Anna wants is to be able to sleep. But crushing insomnia, terrifying night terrors and memories of that terrible night are making it impossible. If only she didn’t feel so guilty…
To escape her past, Anna takes a job at a hotel on the remote Scottish island of Rum, but when seven guests join her, what started as a retreat from the world turns into a deadly nightmare.
Each of the guests has a secret, but one of them is lying – about who they are and why they’re on the island. There’s a murderer staying in the Bay View hotel. And they’ve set their sights on Anna.
Seven strangers. Seven secrets. One deadly lie.
Someone’s going to sleep and never wake up…”

In a Dark, Dark Wood
by Ruth Ware

“Someone’s getting married. Someone’s getting murdered.
Nora hasn’t seen Clare for ten years. Not since Nora walked out of school one day and never went back.
There was a dark, dark house.
Until, out of the blue, an invitation to Clare’s hen do arrives. Is this a chance for Nora to finally put her past behind her?
And in the dark, dark house, there was a dark, dark room.
But something goes wrong. Very wrong.
And in the dark, dark room… Some things can’t stay secret forever.”

The post 9 of the Best Crime Fiction + Psychological Thriller Books appeared first on Sparkle Confidential.

Our Favorite Cooperative Board Games

SCPivot — Sat, 16 May 2020 13:33:48 +0000

For the last few years, we have been trying to watch less television. I thought it would be difficult, especially during the winter months, but it was surprisingly easy. As soon as we started to replace our viewing time with other activities such as board games, puzzles, jigsaws and audiobooks, the television became instantly less appealing and we hardly watch it at all now!

As a family, we have always enjoyed board games, but it was 4 years ago when we tried our first cooperative board game. ‘Cooperative’ simply refers to a game in which all players work together towards a common goal, so you all win (or lose) together. This ethic suits our family really well as we sometimes struggle not to help each other out!

The cooperative aspect really promotes communication too as it is obviously necessary to discuss how to best coordinate your efforts. On that note, we always make sure each player has a chance to express their opinion, to avoid one or two more assertive players dominating the game. It’s only respectful after all and, played in this way, these games can really boost the confidence of quieter players.

I’m really pleased that we discovered cooperative board games and today I’d like to share with you (in no particular order because their ranking varies with my mood!) our top 8 games in this genre so far:

1. Pandemic

The co-operative board game that we tried first was Pandemic, which came highly recommended by a friend and self-confessed ‘board game geek’.

In Pandemic, the players are on a mission to curtail the spread of four virulent diseases which have broken out all over the world, whilst simultaneously researching cures for each of them.

We cannot recommend Pandemic more! Since our very first game, we have been pretty addicted and even between games we will often discuss the strategies that we want to try when we next play.

2. Flash Point

The next cooperative board game that we added to our collection was Flash Point, in which players take on the roles of a team of firefighters trying to control the spread of a building fire and rescue the victims before the building collapses.

Flash Point is very accessible for all levels and even includes two sets of rules, allowing both a basic and an expert version of the game to be played, the latter of which allows variations on game difficulty from novice to heroic. The game also includes a double-sided board with a different building plan on each side, each presenting different challenges to keep the game fresh and exciting.

3. Robinson Crusoe

The theme of Robinson Crusoe must be the best you could ever imagine and you really do feel as though you are shipwreck survivors trapped on a island, totally immersed in the adventure.

However, I will warn you that this game is extremely challenging! We have only ever won it once… but somehow that doesn’t matter. Win or lose, it is an awesome game in every way and when (or if) you finally do win – wow, will you feel like you’ve conquered the world?!

4. Arkham Horror: The Card Game

This is a ‘Living Card Game’ set amid a backdrop of Lovecraftian monsters and madness, and you are investigators working to unravel arcane mysteries and conspiracies.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game can be played as a series of standalone adventures, but the game’s adventures are designed as parts of larger campaigns. Each of the adventures will carry you deeper into mystery, bringing up as many questions as answers, and the choices that you make in one adventure will have consequences later on in your campaign.

It really is a fantastic game, quite unlike anything I had played before, and I defy you not to get hooked! (With so many expansion packs available, it can be a pricey addiction though…)

5. Commissioned

Commissioned is a biblically themed game in which players work cooperatively in order to spread the growth of the church throughout the world.

The concept is pretty much the reverse of Pandemic, since you are trying to spread the growth of the church as opposed to curtailing the spread of disease.

6. T.I.M.E. Stories

T.I.M.E. Stories will see you and your team time traveling and working cooperatively to solve a mystery in a different era. If you can’t complete the adventure in time – and I’ll guarantee that you won’t! – you’ll be sent back to the start of the mission for another attempt.
Bear in mind that, once solved, this game cannot be replayed. However, a number of expansions are available and every one we have played has been truly excellent.

7. This War of Mine

This War of Mine is an absolutely fantastic game and it’s one of our favorites, but it’s not for everyone! You play as a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged and conflict-ridden city. You will endure many hardships that test the essence of humanity – struggling with lack of food, medicine and the constant danger from snipers and hostile scavengers.
It’s a perfect cooperative game for 2 people who are prepared to make some difficult and often harrowing decisions together. It’s a gruelling game that you are unlikely to win and you will most likely leave the experience as an emotionally damaged shadow of your former self… and yet still we love it and would wholeheartedly recommend it! Replay-ability is excellent as the story changes every time you play. Incidentally, I also bought the Nintendo Switch version of this game, but we prefer the board game by far.

8. Dead of Winter

In Dead of Winter you play as a small, weakened colony of survivors in a world where most of humanity is either dead or diseased, flesh-craving monsters.

Dead of Winter is a meta-cooperative psychological survival game. This means players are working together toward one common victory condition – but for each individual player to achieve victory, he must also complete his personal secret objective. This secret objective could relate to a psychological tick that’s fairly harmless to most others in the colony, a dangerous obsession that could put the main objective at risk, a desire for sabotage of the main mission, or (worst of all) vengeance against the colony!

It’s a story-centric game about surviving through a harsh winter in an apocalyptic world. The survivors are all dealing with their own psychological imperatives, but must still find a way to work together to fight off outside threats, resolve crises, find food and supplies and keep the colony’s morale up. Dead of Winter has players making frequent, difficult, heavily- thematic, wildly-varying decisions that often have them deciding between what is best for the colony and what is best for themselves.

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The Best Banana Bread Recipe (Ever.)

SCPivot — Mon, 04 May 2020 15:13:07 +0000

Who doesn’t love banana bread? With its irresistible hot-from-the-oven aroma, it’s a firm family favorite in our house. Whenever I see ripe bananas in the fruit bowl, their spots call out for me to make banana bread.

Banana bread is a really versatile melt-in-the-mouth treat. It goes well served with a cup of tea when friends visit, as a weekend brunch, a decadent breakfast served with a bowl of milky coffee, or as a simple dessert. And I’ve discovered it also makes a great gift!

[icon name=”hand-o-down” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] The Recipe [icon name=”hand-o-down” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]

Ingredients

75g dried apricots – the squidgy ones that come ready to eat
75g sultanas
1 lemon
100g unsalted butter, soft but not melted
125g caster sugar
2 large eggs
3 large ripe bananas (It’s important that the bananas are really ripe – not just yellow, but generously freckled with brown spots.)
200g self-raising flour

Method

Preheat the oven to 170°C / 150°C fan / 325°F / gas mark 3. Have ready a loaf tin measuring about 13cm x 23cm x 7cm. Either line the tin with baking parchment, or grease the tin and line the base.
Chop the apricots so that the pieces are roughly the same size as the sultanas.
Grate the zest of the lemon.
Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl, until well blended, smooth and creamy. You may simply use a wooden spoon, or use a stand mixer (fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment) on high speed for about 2 minutes.
Break in an egg and beat it into the mixture completely, then repeat for the second egg.
Add the dried fruit and lemon zest.
Mash the bananas well with a fork, or slice the bananas into large pieces and place in the bowl of your stand mixer, gradually increasing from low to medium-high speed until you have mashed banana. Add the mashed banana to the mixing bowl and stir well.
Sift the flour into the bowl and carefully fold this into the mixture with a large metal spoon, or use your stand mixer on low speed. Either way, make sure you don’t leave any ‘pockets’ of flour.
Scrape the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and gently level the top with the back of the spoon.
Put the tin into the oven and bake for about an hour – but check it after 50 minutes. It is ready when you can insert a knife into the middle and it comes out completely clean.
Leave the cake in its tin on a wire rack to cool for about 15 minutes, then turn it out of the tin and peel off the baking parchment.

Storage

The banana bread is delicious to eat when it’s still just a little bit warm, but it can be stored in a tin and will remain moist for a couple of days.

Variations

This banana bread also tastes great with added chopped walnuts and/or chocolate chips. (I actually prefer it with both.) Try adding 1 cup of either, or both, to the banana bread batter.

[icon name=”hand-o-down” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Get the Kit [icon name=”hand-o-down” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]

A stand mixer certainly isn’t essential but it’ll make baking a whole lot easier. The KitchenAid Stand Mixer is my hands-down favorite, for its features as well as its looks!

This 1-pound loaf tin is a perfect size for this recipe. The baking surface is uncoated and it’s made from heavy-weight aluminized steel for superior heat conduction and even baking.

I never would have thought it possible to feel so strongly about mixing bowls but these bowls really do tick every box. They are made of stainless steel and feature a pour spout, a non-slip base and a rubber handle that makes them comfortable to hold.

This wire cooling rack is particularly sturdy. It is made from stainless steel and is such good quality that it is sure to last you a lifetime.

The post The Best Banana Bread Recipe (Ever.) appeared first on Sparkle Confidential.

Must-Have Products to Help Your Family in the war against Coronavirus

SCPivot — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 17:29:00 +0000

As the world battles the coronavirus, #stayhomesavelives becomes the new normal. Earlier this month, my best friend was diagnosed with COVID-19. Luckily her symptoms were relatively mild. She was able to stay at home, in isolation, and she recovered completely within a couple of weeks. It made me consider the products I would like to have at home if I were in a similar situation, just in case they might ease the symptoms a little. (No promises peeps – I have no medical training.) I’ve also included my other lockdown essentials and the products I’m relying on to help keep my home germ-free.

This infrared forehead thermometer gives a fast and accurate reading for babies, children and adults.

Your smartphone is probably the one item you touch most over the course of a day, meaning it is likely harboring a fair few germs! Simply pop it in this sanitizing case and let ultraviolet lights kill the bacteria whilst your phone is charging.

Salt pipes are clinically proven to ease breathing, helping with sinus problems, allergies, the common cold, hay fever and congestion.

Low humidity can cause or worsen a dry cough. This humidifier adds moisture to the air, making breathing easier.

When lockdown prevents you being with loved ones, use the Facebook Portal TV to video call with them – on the largest screen in your home.

Olbas Oil is an effective decongestant. The natural vapours relieve blocked noses.

Anti-bacterial and anti-virus surface spray cleaner and disinfectant.

This alcohol-free hand sanitizer kills 99.99% bacteria and, as an added bonus, this one offers 24-hour protection too.

Keeping active is also really important and I’m grateful for my Nintendo Switch fitness games for providing me with a fun way to exercise indoors. As a family, we love cooperative board games and right now one of our favorites, Pandemic, is particularly apt! We’re really enjoying the extra time to play board games, do some jigsaw puzzles and spend time in the garden, playing backyard games, working in our vegetable patch or simply reading. (Right now, I’m enjoying Longbourn by Jo Baker.)

The post Must-Have Products to Help Your Family in the war against Coronavirus appeared first on Sparkle Confidential.