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Churchminster #4
Dirty Tricks
"Sex in the City" or Sex in the Country? Saffron loves the London party and fashion scenes. So she's extra nervous about abandoning it all for six months in the country to Write Her Novel. Of course, she'll miss gorgeous boyfriend Tom but at least his supermodel twin brother will be there to keep her company. So when does keeping her company cross the line? Harriet has swapped her country life for a London career and a part time job at a community centre desperately in need of saving. Here she meets Zack ...but what secrets lurk behind those sexy blue eyes of his? New lives, new temptations. Have both girls bitten off more than they can chew?
555 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
15 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Jo Carnegie
8 books65 followersJo Carnegie lives in London and Cardiff. She spent her early career as a fledgling reporter on Bedfordshire’s Biggleswade Chronicle before working at more! and Glamour magazine, and most recently as deputy-editor of heat.
Jo has interviewed stars from George Clooney, Justin Timberlake and Will Smith to Posh and Becks and Kylie Minogue. She now writes features for heat and is the author of the Churchminster series which began with Country Pursuits.
Jo has interviewed stars from George Clooney, Justin Timberlake and Will Smith to Posh and Becks and Kylie Minogue. She now writes features for heat and is the author of the Churchminster series which began with Country Pursuits.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 5, 2012
This is my first book by Jo Carnegie but it won't be my last. I had before reading this being put off books set in the countryside but then I downloaded a sample of dirty tricks for my kindle app and really liked it so decided to try the whole book and I'm really pleased I did. This book had a great mix of Characters and I found it to be a very funny but heartfelt book.
My favourite character was Harriet because although she grew up in upper class surroundings that didn't stop her volunteering for a community centre in a rough part of town. I think Harriet volunteering here let the reader see she was warm and kind and wanting to give something back despite her upbringing.. My only niggles with the book was at times I found Saffron to have a negative attitude towards her relationship with Tom and I didn't always agree with things she got up to. This book was action packed most of the way but a bit slow towards the end but I highly recommend it.
My favourite character was Harriet because although she grew up in upper class surroundings that didn't stop her volunteering for a community centre in a rough part of town. I think Harriet volunteering here let the reader see she was warm and kind and wanting to give something back despite her upbringing.. My only niggles with the book was at times I found Saffron to have a negative attitude towards her relationship with Tom and I didn't always agree with things she got up to. This book was action packed most of the way but a bit slow towards the end but I highly recommend it.
November 7, 2017
I absolutely love this author, as I always know that when a read one of Jo's books, I know that I'm in for a treat. Pure indulgence on so many levels, it's got everything.
I loved getting to know all of the different characters and there own individual stories which you get to discover as you progress through the book.
If you haven't read a her books before, then I highly recommend that you do.
I loved getting to know all of the different characters and there own individual stories which you get to discover as you progress through the book.
If you haven't read a her books before, then I highly recommend that you do.
August 10, 2024
This was another book that has been on my shelves for so long simply because of the length of it. However I found myself flying through it. I couldn't put it down. I did feel a bit disappointed with the ending though - it didn't really seem to fit or make sense. Otherwise a great book by this author!
January 14, 2021
Slightly raunchy and entertaining chick lit. Has the feel good factor to lift us out if Covid blues.
June 13, 2021
When we first met Babs in book 1 I had no idea I'd love her this much 😭😭
September 28, 2019
Fun, frivolous, full of content, relatively fast-paced and with some lovely characters.
Light and fuzzy - easy escapism.
Light and fuzzy - easy escapism.
October 30, 2015
Well, well, well...it seems Jo Carnegie is the new Jackie Collins. Wow, talk about a `bonk-buster' of a book. I have read all of Jo's books and enjoyed them all. This latest one was the best yet in my opinion. Her previous books introduce us to all different people living in the village and I must say that each book gives you another look into the lives of the villagers.
Although the books are set in and around the people that live or have lived in Churchminster you could read each one on their own and it wouldn't make any difference. I like having a bit of background on all the various people we have seen in previous books especially when they pop up again in the current one.
This latest release takes us into the lives of Harriet and Saffy. Harriett is quite happy living in London, but with her mother having disappeared off to do charity work on the other side of the world, she realises she is missing something. Her mad idea of volunteering for a charity becomes a reality and before long she is signed up to help out at the Gatsby Community Centre.
The Community Centre introduces us to Zack the very sexy but mysterious man who runs the place, and Win the loud and lovable lady that everybody seems to go to for help. Win is a fabulous character and I could almost picture her in my head chatting to Harriet. Zack was also interesting although it took me longer to work out why he didn't come across as well, however by the end of the book it all made sense.
Saffy meanwhile is set up in the country in her Mum's house and is writing her first book. She is determined to make a go of it, but didn't bank on Tom's supermodel twin brother Rex popping up and becoming a temporary resident in the village. Zack and Tom may be twins and be identical in looks but as men they are polar opposites. Saffy finds herself drawn in to Rex and his world and before long her relationship with Tom is on rocky ground.
As ever the other village characters pop up and one on my absolute favourites is Harriet's Dad Sir Ambrose. He made me laugh at his antics while Harriet's mother was out of the country. We also see fleeting glimpses of Jed, Benedict and Caro as well as Clementine.
As usual Jo Carnegie has done a cracking job of bringing to life these weird and wonderful people of Churchminster. The book was so easy to read and had a brilliant ending that wrapped up things nicely. Don't get me wrong this is not a book that is challenging, but myself personally, I don't read `chick lit' books for the challenge. In particular the one thing that stood out a mile for me with this book is the amount of sex in it! Now I love a good bonk buster with Jackie Collins being a favourite, but was shocked to see the change in JC's books. I don't recall Jo Carnegie writing like that before, although she certainly pulled the hat out of the bag with this book. In my eyes the perfect beach read, forget reality and get your teeth stuck into this glamorous, funny and trashy novel. Perfect!!!
Although the books are set in and around the people that live or have lived in Churchminster you could read each one on their own and it wouldn't make any difference. I like having a bit of background on all the various people we have seen in previous books especially when they pop up again in the current one.
This latest release takes us into the lives of Harriet and Saffy. Harriett is quite happy living in London, but with her mother having disappeared off to do charity work on the other side of the world, she realises she is missing something. Her mad idea of volunteering for a charity becomes a reality and before long she is signed up to help out at the Gatsby Community Centre.
The Community Centre introduces us to Zack the very sexy but mysterious man who runs the place, and Win the loud and lovable lady that everybody seems to go to for help. Win is a fabulous character and I could almost picture her in my head chatting to Harriet. Zack was also interesting although it took me longer to work out why he didn't come across as well, however by the end of the book it all made sense.
Saffy meanwhile is set up in the country in her Mum's house and is writing her first book. She is determined to make a go of it, but didn't bank on Tom's supermodel twin brother Rex popping up and becoming a temporary resident in the village. Zack and Tom may be twins and be identical in looks but as men they are polar opposites. Saffy finds herself drawn in to Rex and his world and before long her relationship with Tom is on rocky ground.
As ever the other village characters pop up and one on my absolute favourites is Harriet's Dad Sir Ambrose. He made me laugh at his antics while Harriet's mother was out of the country. We also see fleeting glimpses of Jed, Benedict and Caro as well as Clementine.
As usual Jo Carnegie has done a cracking job of bringing to life these weird and wonderful people of Churchminster. The book was so easy to read and had a brilliant ending that wrapped up things nicely. Don't get me wrong this is not a book that is challenging, but myself personally, I don't read `chick lit' books for the challenge. In particular the one thing that stood out a mile for me with this book is the amount of sex in it! Now I love a good bonk buster with Jackie Collins being a favourite, but was shocked to see the change in JC's books. I don't recall Jo Carnegie writing like that before, although she certainly pulled the hat out of the bag with this book. In my eyes the perfect beach read, forget reality and get your teeth stuck into this glamorous, funny and trashy novel. Perfect!!!
September 4, 2016
Im really into my Kindle at the minute and getting a bit bored of all the cheap indy stuff ive been reading, so I decided to try a good old fashioned trashy girly bestseller and `Dirty Tricks' didnt let me down!!
Saffron (the author, do you think?) leaves nice guy Tom behind to write her sexy novel in the country, but ends up sleeping with his hotter brother whos sort of in rehab, while Harriet does the opposite and swaps country life for the big city - and a romance with an ex-con. The books looks at them both as they sweat over what to do, and I really didnt expect it to turn out the way it did. I raced through the last half of this yesterday afternoon. I just couldnt put it down once it got going.
Brilliant "bonkbusting" chick lit - just what I needed!
Saffron (the author, do you think?) leaves nice guy Tom behind to write her sexy novel in the country, but ends up sleeping with his hotter brother whos sort of in rehab, while Harriet does the opposite and swaps country life for the big city - and a romance with an ex-con. The books looks at them both as they sweat over what to do, and I really didnt expect it to turn out the way it did. I raced through the last half of this yesterday afternoon. I just couldnt put it down once it got going.
Brilliant "bonkbusting" chick lit - just what I needed!
March 13, 2016
Loved this one, the storylines were great. Noce to see H happy with her new boyfriend, Zack.
Win comes across as a real character.
Didn't really like Saffron's personaility in this book - poor Tom, and she is so mean to her mum, Babs, who has taken her in to her home after they had been separated for so long.
Liked Ambrose and Clementine in this one - wonder how the new puppy will go, and will Ambrose's wife- Harriet's mum cope with the gokart track going over her precious flower beds when she returns from her African sabatical. Ha ha.
Have already started to read Horse Play - the last in the series, will be a little put out, once I have read the last book in the series - will def miss reading about them all.
Hope Jo writes some more in this series.
Win comes across as a real character.
Didn't really like Saffron's personaility in this book - poor Tom, and she is so mean to her mum, Babs, who has taken her in to her home after they had been separated for so long.
Liked Ambrose and Clementine in this one - wonder how the new puppy will go, and will Ambrose's wife- Harriet's mum cope with the gokart track going over her precious flower beds when she returns from her African sabatical. Ha ha.
Have already started to read Horse Play - the last in the series, will be a little put out, once I have read the last book in the series - will def miss reading about them all.
Hope Jo writes some more in this series.
May 12, 2016
I thought it was a nice easy read. The storyline wasn't as good as the rest in the Churchminster series I don't think, but I'm not knocking it. It was still a feel good book for me and I liked the way the characters seem to connect with the reader somehow. One thing I will knock, however, is the number of typos. I think I found at least one in each chapter! Never mind, ey
October 24, 2013
A woman moves to the country for six months in order to write a book, but misses her boyfriend and ends up meeting his supermodel twin brother.
The plot is pretty trashy, but the story is engaging and entertaining.
Not a great book - more of a guilty pleasure (like too many chocolates).
The plot is pretty trashy, but the story is engaging and entertaining.
Not a great book - more of a guilty pleasure (like too many chocolates).
April 19, 2015
Back to being based in Churchminster, just as I like it. I got a little disheartened reading the second book when it was based in London. If any book can transport me to an idyllic village full of naughty goings on, then I love it.
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March 30, 2011My daughter Zoe went to school with Jo
June 14, 2011
I liked this book, it was easy to get into and easy to follow, I have
never been able to get into Jo’s previous books; I think this has to be
the best book yet. I would definitely recommend.
never been able to get into Jo’s previous books; I think this has to be
the best book yet. I would definitely recommend.
August 5, 2011
Would have had 3 stars if hadn't descended into farce.
March 19, 2012
Nowhere near a good as previous, too much sex, and not enough of the village and funnyness.
July 5, 2012
Easy, lovely read!..
September 24, 2012
Very easy read - typical chick lit holiday reading - recommend for a bit of fun!
February 3, 2021
Shelf of guilty pleasures novel.
March 19, 2014
It was good in parts ... I found myself skipping bits though ... No idea why the book has its title because there werent any dirty tricks
May 12, 2016
Really enjoyed this. A good read. Good mixture of characters & range of ages & all brought together.
February 21, 2015
Was gooD. Would recommend to others
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews