Review: Creature Comforts by Trisha Ashley

Izzy has broken off her engagement to her feckless fiancée Kieran and returned to her childhood home – the sleepy village of Halfhidden.

She soon realizes that life in the village is anything but peaceful – for one thing she’s living with her mad aunt Debo and her pack of dogs, and for another, Izzy has a lot of unanswered questions.

When she was a teenager, Izzy was involved in a terrible accident, involving various inhabitants of Halfhidden. As she sets out to discover what actually happened on the night of the accident, she realizes that her painful past is actually standing in the way of her future happiness. So when a handsome stranger comes to Halfhidden will she let love back into her life?

Another compelling story by Trisha Ashley that, once started,is difficult to put down. It had me drawn in immediately to the life, past and present, of heroine Izzy, her family and friends. There is mystery, romance, a touch of the supernatural, and, of course, the creatures of the title. 

When we first meet Izzy, she is returning to England after spending some time in India working for a charity. She is looking forward to a life with fiancé Kieran, but soon realises that he is perhaps not the man of her dreams after all.  Izzy's real dreams are, in fact, a big part of the unfolding story as she tries to piece together an event that happened in her teenage years, and that changed her life completely.  Returning to her childhood home (the wonderfully named Halfhidden), where she lives with zany Aunt Demo and meets up again with friends Lulu and Cam, helps her eventually solve the mystery. As you might expect, romance blossoms along the way as well. 

For a sleepy little Lancashire village, there is a lot going on in Halfhidden. We meet a host of really strong characters, not all of whom are pleasant and friendly. People and locations from some of Trisha's previous books crop up as well, which is a nice touch.

This book is definitely one to add to any holiday suitcase. I would have dearly loved a couple of days to devote to reading this tale without distractions such as work. Well done Trisha!