It started off amazing, got very dull and dragged on, and ended pretty well too. Overall a decent read.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is a beautifully written murder mystery, brimming with nostalgic detail and lyrical, well chosen prose. The storyline sweeps effortlessly between two time lines as it twists and turns towards its highly emotional climax. Heartily recommend.

I received an ecopy of A Little Bird Told Me. Knowing how much work probably went into this book I am loathe to be negative but I cannot say that I enjoyed this book. The characters were pretty one dimensional and I really couldn't get worked up about the plot. It was a pleasant read and no more.

Great book, really enjoyed it. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Marianne Holmes for the copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

An excellent story as to the twists and turns of family life and what happens when it all goes wrong... Thoroughly enjoyed this and couldn't put it down.

I was not sure what this was really about until the last two chapters and the epilogue. The writing makes it deliberately obscure, trying to tantalise, then slides off into the future or the past with no real link. There were lots of character faults; Kit had no personality of his own, and Ray was unrealistically evil. I found it dificult to keep track of the minor characters, many of whom were irrelevant (I had to look up who they were every time they were mentioned). Annoying things: I don't think Robyn's scar would hurt and need cream on it twenty years later, and what happened in the end with Michelle?
This had the bones of a good plot and the writing is not terrible, but there are so many faults with this, I think the editors should have treated it as a first draft and done a lot of work on it before publishing.

This is such a great book. I loved the story, a mystery, family secrets, a town that can't forget, all set in the 70's and 80's. The pace and the twist is just right.
Really look forward to another one by this author.

I thought some of the language and description was wonderful and very evocative. I read the book quickly, it drew me in. However, it was the story I struggled with. The concept of jumping back and forward in time is not a new one and worked fairly well here. However I think aspects were just too complicated. At the start the book was quite unclear and many elements took too long to resolve. The twists and turns were a bit overdone and there are still bits I didn’t fully understand. I did enjoy reading the book but not sure I’d rush to recommend.

I think this is a book that lost it's way a bit. The premise for the story was good and there are moments of description that are really well done and evoke the long hot summer days of 1976. Halfway through the flasback and forth becomes tedious and the characters are not well drawn enough that you care what happens to them and they don't come to life on the page.The ending with the discovery in the shed was just far fetched and unbeliveable. A shame, with better editing and tighter plotting could have been really good.

This book got off to a great start, and I enjoyed the two time periods. I thought the author could've given it more of a period feel though, to make it clear whether we were in 1976 or 1988, maybe mentioning music of the time, new items, particular food?
The pace was far too slow and I nearly gave up, though it was good enough for me to keep reading, as I did want to find out what had happened in the past.
I struggled to feel much empathy with Robyn or Kit, it didn't ring true that they came back in 1988, why not move on with your life?
I wouldn't recommend anyone to read this, sadly, there's just too many better books out there.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

a strange little book that is written with each chapter either being the past or the present..with hints of something happening....and as you progress through the story little titbits are released that keep you hooked until all is revealed in the final chapters...

a believeable storyline and the characters are very well written...gonna keep an eye out for more of this authors work

I really appreciate NetGalley and Agora Books allowing me to read an early digital galley of this debut novel.

I try to be open-minded and read all genres, all stories, but unfortunately I just couldn't work with this book. The author was trying to keep too many things a secret for later "big reveals" and "shocking twists" that the first half of the book didn't make a lot of sense for me.

Author Marianne Holmes offers us multiple mysteries in two timelines as the devastating summer of Robyn's and Kit's youth catches up to them years later. What happened to their mother? Who exactly is the man in the cowboy hat? What specifically has urged Robyn to return home (dragging her brother along) after so long? These questions are supposed to keep you reading to discover their answers. For me, it chafed that all I could feel was confusion instead of curiosity.

It was an okay novel, plotting was good, pacing was slow. I'd definitely pick up Marianne Holmes again when she makes a sophomore effort, and perhaps I'll find her a bit more engaging.

What a debut!

I really struggled with the beginning of this book though and there were times that I very nearly set it aside for something else. I'm glad that I persevered though this won't be a favourite of mine.
I found myself becoming more and more frustrated with Robyn but had to keep reminding myself that she was just a child and to give her a chance.

Unfortunately, I found this book to be boring and although I persevered, I actually gave up half way through.
Even after reading 50% of the book, I still had no real idea what was going on - what had happened to the mother, why Robyn had gone back, why she was apparently living with Kit...it seemed too long winded and I was forever waiting for the book to get to the point of what was actually going on.

Not a recommendation for me I'm afraid.

I was gripped enough to finish this book, but I didn't enjoy it and felt like it was a chore. It was repetitive, and while we'll written the story did not do anything for me.

Although I felt I knew where this book was heading Holmes kept the questions coming, making this a must-read to the end.
As they continued to unfold, the sequence of events seemed a little far-fetched to me until I remembered they were governed very much by the emotions and actions of a ten-year old child. Bearing this in mind the story-line was more believable and I very much wanted to discover both what had happened and what was subsequently still to take place.
This has elements of mystery and intrigue interwoven with frustration and fear, making it a compelling read. However, I really felt the prologue was unnecessary - the opening of Chapter one is strong enough.

In the summer of ‘76, Robyn and Kit are carefree youngsters spending their days with friends. However a decision that their mother takes to help a young mum changes the way the locals view them, and a stranger bearing gifts is following Robyn. 12 years later and we know something big happened, Robyn and Kit, having left the small town they grew up in are back and Robyn wants answers. A Little Bird Told Me is beautifully written and whilst slow in parts I feel it’s worth persevering because the ending is incredibly though out and quite satisfying when you get there.

I’m afraid this book did not hold my attention and I was unable to finish it.
It seemed to be rambling on so that I couldn’t fall in love with it and find the motivation to complete it.

Marianne Holmes has written a fascinating, mind bending, roller coaster of a story! I could not put down A Little Bird Told Me, and read it in 2 days. Siblings Kit and Robyn return to the town that holds all their family secrets, and all of their demons. This is a multi-layered story, with twists and turns all the way to the epilogue. As soon as you think you've figured something out, the story bends once again. I highly recommend this debut novel...read it on a rainy day, with a blanket...and a flashlight...and lock the door and windows.

A Little Bird Told Me

Robyn is 9 years old in the summer of 1976 living with her brother, Kit, mum, Jemima, and stepfather, Matthew. There are sepia toned, idyllic summer 70s moments, like when the family unit is eating India food in the garden ordained with scarves. Or when the kids are simply forced outside for a day of playing with their friends. But those moments are punctuate by something darker, a secret of blood, lies, and violence catching up with them.
.
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Sounds interesting, right? I thought so too, but the setup of the story took so long, I stopped caring about what the conflict was truly about.

The story unfolds in alternating chapters, the summer of 1976 and when Robyn and Kit return back to their home town in 1988 seeking answers. Well, Robyn is seeking answers, Kit is kind of just there. He becomes a teacher in town, and has allegedly been strong armed into coming back to keep Robyn safe, or to simply pass judgement, it’s hard to tell. But what answer is Robyn seeking? You find out early that it has something to do with their mother, but truly it takes the entire book to piece together what happened. Unfortunately, not in a page turning way, more in an annoying get to the point, why I am I still reading this book sort of way?

We’re also introduced to several characters in 1976 who have absolutely no presence in 1988. We don’t even really find out what happened to them or what happened in between that summer of ‘76 and the return in ‘88. I never felt that connected to any of the characters, and any seemed incongruous across the two time periods.

I was also disappointed by the resolution of the book. It felt rushed and incomplete. Many of the subplots felt unnecessary, particularly in the face of lackluster resolutions.

Overall, this book was just not for me.