Caren Gray’s family has been on the Belle Vie plantation for years; first as slaves, and then as workers. One morning Caren finds a woman dead, and it turns into a current and historical mystery. I didn’t find the characters, the setting, or even the mystery all that engaging, though the resolution was good. I suspect it is a good crime novel, and that I’m just not that into them.
Month: February 2017
Doctor Thorne
Based on an Anthony Trollope novel, adapted by Downton Abbey’s creator Julian Fellowes, Dr Thorne is a bright, sweet, romantic period drama. The scenery and costumes are beautiful, the happiest of endings is never in doubt and it is a lovely experience all round.
Lyrebird Hill by Anna Romer
I was easily drawn into this story full of family secrets – I just had to keep reading to find out all the answers. The dual story lines worked well together and included a few twists along the way.
Holding by Graham Norton
Holding isn’t what I would have expected from Graham Norton. It’s not exactly Colm Tóibín, but it is a charming, tender and thoughtful story of a mystery in a sleepy, rural, Irish town. Quietly amusing with endearing characters and a great setting, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
At the water’s edge by Sara Gruen
This story was not as I expected, I thought it was going to be a war story – but the war does not play a huge role in the story which was a disappointment as I do love a good war story. What I did enjoy about the story was the change in Maddie over the course of the story, she became so much more than a socialite, going from party to party and only thinking of herself. This made the story worth reading.
Charlie and the war against the grannies by Alan Brough
What do you do when a Grandma fires rooster brand chilli sauce at your face? You go to war.
Charlie wants a paper round. He has a number of very good reasons to get a paper round, among them being he will get to ride his bike more. What does he need to do to get his paper round? He need to go to war, he just doesn’t realise it yet.
Charlie and his best friend Hils star in this unusual and often eccentric tale about what it is like to go to war against one of the most beloved groups in the community – people’s Grandmas.
Interspersed with fun facts and very cheeky dialogue, this book has great appeal. Want to know how to say ‘fart’ in ten different languages? Read this book! Want to know what a secret language would sound like using only things you find in a public restroom? Read this book!
Will Charlie win the war? Will he get his much-wanted paper round? Read this book!
Alan Brough is probably best known for his TV role on ABCs Spicks and Specks, this is his first book, and a very good one it is too.
The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel
What a wonderful read this hidden little treasure of a book is. Not only does this detail the strength of these women, it documents how smart they were despite the times determining their destiny to a large degree. They were conditioned to support their men in their space quests and largely take a back seat to their accomplishments and fame, however, this book really individualises these amazing women, their daily lives, and how they coped with the stress, loss, danger and least of all the unrelenting press of the day! It was difficult to have a favourite; they were all amazing and admirable women in their own right.
Sorcerer to the crown by Zen Cho
Sorcerer to the Crown is a lush, vibrant, imaginative and thoroughly delightful tale. Zacharias Wythe is the Sorcerer Royal in Regency London. As a freed, African slave, he is not well liked and has much to worry him when he meets Prunella Gentleman, who, full of magical ability when it was suppressed in women, turns his, and everyone else’s, world inside out. Engaging characters, a clever plot and just the right amount of humour and romance, I really loved this book.
The Midas legacy by Andy McDermott
You know what to expect from an Andy McDermott book and the action in this book did not disappoint, although there was a little less then in previous novels. Maybe it is the Macy effect?
Once again Eddie and Nina survive being chased and shot at numerous times (I would of stopped the first time I was in danger in book one!). This is pure escapism.
The Gustav sonata by Rose Tremain
Gustav is a young boy, growing up in Switzerland after WWII, his father having died, his mother cold towards him. A Jewish boys starts at Gustav’s kindergarten, and they become close friends. The book is beautifully written; quiet and pensive. It’s about the impact of the war on Switzerland as a neutral country, and about the nature of friendship and love.
rrlreads 