An Elle Quicke Mystery. Wonderful “cosy” murder, where Elle, a widow, uses her spare time and ability to draw communicate with just about anyone, to help solve a murder or two. Easy reading, and good characterisation.
Clutch of Phantoms: by Clare Layton [also writes as Natasha Cooper] 2002 Saturday, Feb 28 2009
Books Fiction 8:40 pm
Interesting story of an elderly woman released from prison after 20 odd years for the murder of her husband and his lover.
Reading in Bed: Sue Gee (2007) Saturday, Feb 28 2009
Books Fiction 8:36 pm
I love this book. This has been such a good read. Sue’s writing is uncomplicated and comfortable, and her characters are so convincing that I was sad to farewell them when I came to the end of the book. I am sure this book would appeal to young and older women, reading of friendships/intimacy/books/and the comfort and challenges all these bring to our lives, I especially enjoyed reading a story told in the main through the eyes of woman in their mature years. There is a lot of writing out there about the loves and lives of the younger woman, even to the point that some”characters” are in their mid 30’s and their self talk is about being old!! It was nice to read of characters who have actually had a life, someone who is 25 or even 30 hasnt really even got started - like the proliferation of biography’s by people in their 20’s all because they were in some music band, or sports team, or on a television show.
Anyway the praise on the back of Sue Gee’s book by various newspapers is not exaggerated. Great read, good characterisation, and familiar story.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Careless in Red by Elizabeth George Saturday, Feb 28 2009
Books Fiction 8:27 pm
This was passed to me by a fellow bookaholic while touring through Europe because I had run out of reading material. Another Inspector Lynley mystery, but he is not the main investigator. It was an interesting read, a bit dark but I think that is because of its setting ( a coastal landscape). Not one of my favourite reads, but it is nice to know EG is still publishing because I like her writing.
The Various Haunts of Men/The Risk of Darkness – Susan Hill Sunday, Nov 2 2008
Books Fiction crime fiction, Susan Hill 6:42 pm
The Various Haunts of Men is a damn good warning to us all to be wary of alternative therapies. I will not go into detail here, suffice to say we should do our homework first and discuss any ailments minor or otherwise, with a General Practioner first. Great writing as usual, and my all time test for a good book is fast page turning, and Ms Hill had me doing this. To read a book and feel a chill down the spine at the same time as a character is really good writing. Also set in England, in a cathedral town, with very ‘real’ characters who are easy to adopt. What shocked me was that one of the good characters gets killed, I was absolutely gobb-smacked and wondered if I need continue reading (and this is from a person who always reads to the bitter end) so “nice” author had a sting in the tale!
Such as the sting was though, I got over it and decided lightening only strikes once – and read The Risk of Darkness. Another great read, suspense, tension, good characters, pace etc etc and this one involves children so for those readers who get a bit sqirmish – be warned. But once I got past the whole ‘missing child’ thing, I had placed my faith in DCI Simon Serrailler and was on my way. Lightening does strike more than once, another character from the previous book was written off. How Ms Hill has the heart to take out these people I do not know – will I read another Hill book involving Serrailler knowing she could chop another down like the others, – Yep. I couldnt help but read on, and Serrailler and his sister are not just run of the mill characters Hill uses like puppets to tell a story – I just hope she doesnt go for ’Cat’ next, Simon’s sister??
I rate both these books 5 stars out of 5.
River of Darkness (Rennie Airth) Sunday, Nov 2 2008
Books Fiction crime fiction, Rennie Airth 6:17 pm
The story is set in the 1920’s and what makes it interesting is that it is post WW1 so the reader is given glimpses of post war living in England, as well as the impact of post traumatic syndrome (which would not have been heard of back then but from this far in the future easy to recognise). The story follows an investigation into the brutal deaths of a wealthy rural family, led by Inspector John Madden, a WW1 veteran. The crime scene, community, and characters were all well written and believable. It was a good whodunnit story. My only misgiving was the romance which although was written well, tended to become a bit tedious for me because I just wanted to get on with the story, so I thought a lot of the relationship details between Madden and one of the other key characters took over the story too much.
Immediately following this book, I read ‘The Blood Dimmed Tide’, also by Rennie Airth. Set in the 1930’s John Madden has since married his lover from the first book and retired from the Police Force. A bit chilling this story because it involves the death of a child, and Im not keen on these type of stories but I persevered. Madden is asked to assist the murder investigation because of his local knowledge and with his usual strong quiet personality, we are taken again for a tour of history in terms of pre WW2 and its impact on the rural community.
Another good story, it had me turn the pages all the way to the end of the book. However, I have to get off my chest one irritation and that is Madden’s wife. She seems to constantly treating this tough guy that has been through WW1 and a police officer for ever, like he is a child and it drove me to distraction. Throughout the book there is dialogue between the wife and police, some of whom are Madden’s excolleagues, to be gentle with him, to leave him alone, back off or else they will have her deal with, and it was totally contradictory to the character of Madden who is supposed to be a man’s man, and has faced every atrocity on this earth. I know we are supposed to suspend judgment/belief etc when reading fiction but there is a child missing, dead etc and possibility of others if the perp is not caught, what person would say “stop, I dont want you involved” if you knew they were more than capable & intelligent to hunt the criminal down. And what police would (even back in the 1930’s) put up with a female like her when there is a murder to solve or murderer to catch? So again, I felt this darn female kept popping her oar in things distracting me from the crime and making Madden out to be a right wet pratt. If this character could take a back seat, maybe have her remain in the kitchen or wrapping a wound, then the story would for me be marvellous, but shes a distracting front seater so I was stuck with her. Good writing, ditch the broad.
I would rate these books 2 out of 5.
Carnage on the Committee (Ruth Dudley Edwards) Sunday, Nov 2 2008
Books Fiction crime fiction satire, England, Ruth Dudley Edwards 5:38 pm
I have read so much since May 2008 but have not updated my blog. However, standing out in my memory are the books written by Ruth Dudley Edwards. ‘Carnage on the Committee’ and ‘Matricide at St Martha’s’ are great reads during any period in your life when you are sick to the back teeth of political correctness and political games - of which I am sure even the most saintly character suffers from. While these are light crime/mystery reads in that the reader will not be traumatised or squint with revulsion from detailed descriptions of blood splatters, macabre lacerated cadavers and such, there is still a couple of murders to puzzle through. These two books are set in England, and Ms Dudley Edwards does herself proud with the creation of her character ‘Jack’ who appears in both these books. Jack is actually a very formidable personality who with military precision gets things rolling while flying in the face of all the political correct madness. While the author introduces the reader to the hallowed halls of academia, she also has a wonderful subtle way of touching on some of the ’state of the nation’ issues that most western countries have been enduring – of which the vast amount of members of parliament are yet to realise that we have all had a skin full of their games and only look to them for entertainment rather than leadership - If you like political satire, a whodunnit, with humour, and some intelligent discourse then Ms Dudley Edwards will deliver.
I rate both these books 5 out of 5.
Raven Black – Ann Cleeves Sunday, May 11 2008
Books Fiction Ann Cleeves, shetlands 10:34 pm
Crime scene (murder) set in the shetlands. Very limited setting, but clearly this is an example of a true writer, in that she can bring such a bleak dull place with minimal characters, alive. Another writer who does not waste words, easy to read, but this story involves the death of a young female teenager, so be warned if you are the parent of one of these species - Ann’s writing brings alive our worse fears.
My reading enjoyment for this book was 4 out of 5.
The Chinese Girl (John Baker) Sunday, May 11 2008
Books Fiction Chinese Girl, John Baker 10:27 pm
There is a quote from the ‘Times” that John Baker is “One of Britain’s most talented comtemporary crime writers’” I picked up a couple of his books because I came across his blog/website which I found very interesting because he posts some of his draft writing, not to mention some wonderful quotes from a variety of people (not just authors), links to interviews with other authors, political commentary, his views basically of the world he lives in. Its as if there is an opportunity to sit in a cafe with an intersting person for a change, who doesnt want to just talke about the obvious weather conditions.
Anyway John’s writing is refreshing in that he uses plain language, simple punctuated style of writing which keeps the book moving forward without realising it. Theres no time for boredom, or “what is the author trying to say” moments. What I thought was a good example of a good writer is that in this particular book, the story starts with letters from a female to a female friend, and I kept thinking how well Baker had managed to come through with the female voice without it sounding like a male trying to impersonate a female.
I rate my reading experience of this book as 3 and half stars out of five. Bearing in mind 5 stars goes to my absolute favourite crime writers (PD James, Colin Dexter, Ian Rankin) who have a totally different style of writing and story.
