One of those books where the story is so far fetched you have to go with it. A tale where Red tries to lay claim to her fortune. Despite convoluted plOne of those books where the story is so far fetched you have to go with it. A tale where Red tries to lay claim to her fortune. Despite convoluted plots and far too many characters I just had to continue to find out what happens. Set in Georgian England between, London, Devon and Cornwall, this novel featuring fortune telling I found gripping and the more I read, the more I realised Red became an unreliable narrator. Towards the end with so many twists, especially twists within twists I started to question everything. The best scenes involved Red at a London Fair and the author certainly gives a flavour of the place and time. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to have more and you can't do better then that....more
Jenna is a young girl who because of a medical condition needs a new heart. The author skips the trials and tribulations of the wait for a donor, JennJenna is a young girl who because of a medical condition needs a new heart. The author skips the trials and tribulations of the wait for a donor, Jenna gets on fairly quickly. Jensen introduces the medical concept of donor organs having memory and influence the recipient. This occurs to Jenna who discovers her donor is Callie and her death is a mystery, Of course she becomes a one woman investigator and I found myself tutting at some very unlikely situations. In fact about two thirds through I felt the plot dragging as various red herrings were given to the reader. Thankfully Jensen rescued the situation by giving a genuinely gripping ending, although the epilogue was fairly standard.
Merged review:
Jenna is a young girl who because of a medical condition needs a new heart. The author skips the trials and tribulations of the wait for a donor, Jenna gets on fairly quickly. Jensen introduces the medical concept of donor organs having memory and influence the recipient. This occurs to Jenna who discovers her donor is Callie and her death is a mystery, Of course she becomes a one woman investigator and I found myself tutting at some very unlikely situations. In fact about two thirds through I felt the plot dragging as various red herrings were given to the reader. Thankfully Jensen rescued the situation by giving a genuinely gripping ending, although the epilogue was fairly standard....more
Set in the latter stages of the second world war we follow an RAF squadron on a series of linked missions. There is an espionage narrative featuring aSet in the latter stages of the second world war we follow an RAF squadron on a series of linked missions. There is an espionage narrative featuring a character Stahl who is involved in the SS and through him we fallow a decently written character arc. There are plenty of dog fights and in the end just too many but the author portrays an air of constant danger and death could be around any corner. Far too much technical details about aircraft and how they fly and drop bombs, for the lay man like me and these like the Mosquito aircraft themselves would whoosh straight over my head....more
A thriller told from a few perspectives. All fantastic characters created by the author even if they aren't likable. I am looking at Francesca here. WA thriller told from a few perspectives. All fantastic characters created by the author even if they aren't likable. I am looking at Francesca here. What makes this book particularly gripping is that Foley tells us early on there is a body, a fire and we go back and forth in time as we discover who the body might be or the cause of the fire. We also get a journal which is written 15 years earlier and the events then will impact on the characters at the Manor now, a grand opening of an exclusive resort in the English countryside. A book I realised made important comments above the have and have nots. There is a hint of the supernatural concerning birds which to me wasn't very convincing. However the final part of the book I found extremely engaging and it surprised me in the most part how the important loose endings were tied up....more
A convoluted tale of murder, a stolen painting and a kidnapped cat. Yes this had its fun moments as Bernie our burglar and second hand book dealer is A convoluted tale of murder, a stolen painting and a kidnapped cat. Yes this had its fun moments as Bernie our burglar and second hand book dealer is in the frame for murder. But the ending left me gasping for air. Somehow in true Agatha Christie style all the suspects are gathered together in one room where Bernie reveals the killer in such a convoluted way I became lost in what was going on. Thank goodness Block gives us some great characters to fall back on....more
An original idea around the locked room mystery trope. A murder is committed on a grid locked motorway. Because of stuff Furniss brings into the plot,An original idea around the locked room mystery trope. A murder is committed on a grid locked motorway. Because of stuff Furniss brings into the plot, retired police woman Belinda (Billy) Kidd is in this traffic jam and cannot summon support to help her in the investigation. We get to see a plethora of characters who may have done the deed. At times you have suspend belief in order to move the plot along but it is engaging and fast paced. The book does have a feel of something from the golden age of crime fiction but it is up to date and thank goodness the author doesn't rely of no battery power to stop mobiles from working. Overall a well planned thought out novel....more
John Cook is a first world war veteran and a Sussex farmer. He is asked to form an auxiliary group of men to fight any German troops if they invade thJohn Cook is a first world war veteran and a Sussex farmer. He is asked to form an auxiliary group of men to fight any German troops if they invade the south coast of England. Somehow he ends up tying to find the bad guys who are kidnapping child evacuees for a child abuse ring. Why he doesn't involve the police went over my head and then he dispatches the bad guys, usually by twisting their heads off. Yet no one in authority seems to notice. This book is graphic and you do have to suspend belief at times. Having said that, Ronson captures the tension of the time as no one knew then if and when the German invasion would arrive. The ending is fast paced and well done which leaves scope for more....more
My second DCI Darke book and it was better than the first I read simply because Wood shows us more of her. He also gives her the most gruesome crime scMy second DCI Darke book and it was better than the first I read simply because Wood shows us more of her. He also gives her the most gruesome crime scene to investigate. The story involves a family wedding with victims, possible suspects and red herrings. A page turner of a book with the thread of a missing child running through it, which looks like it will continue. The only disappointment, the author creates a likeable rogue of a character that I was engaged with only for this character to be killed off by the author. I suppose that Wood has the right to do this. Afterall he wrote the book....more
The fourth instalment of the Burglar series and once more Bernie after a burglary has to clear his name of murder. Written to a formula but still engaThe fourth instalment of the Burglar series and once more Bernie after a burglary has to clear his name of murder. Written to a formula but still engaging as you wonder how Bernie will clear his name and finger the real culprit. A book that doesn't take itself seriously. Read it for what it is- enjoyment....more
Through Jamesina Ross and her Lodger, Magnusson takes an interesting look at the Clearances that took place in Scotland in the 18th. century. This is aThrough Jamesina Ross and her Lodger, Magnusson takes an interesting look at the Clearances that took place in Scotland in the 18th. century. This is a character driven book rather than plot and it comes across character is what the author is better at writing. She manages to bring in real events and people into the narrative, including events that happened to her own ancestors. It is a well researched book but lacks something in terms of tension or jeopardy and there's no real fear shown by the people about to be forcibly moved. However she takes an interesting look at memory loss....more
A collection of monologues for male and female actors but mostly for females. Like a collection of poetry some monologues work better than others, butA collection of monologues for male and female actors but mostly for females. Like a collection of poetry some monologues work better than others, but I probably would get more out of it seeing them performed. At times it did feel like I was reading poetry and this collection is certainly worth a read....more
Set during the Cousins' War we follow a minor aristocratic family (the Pastons) up to 1484. At the heart of the novel is the determination of MargaretSet during the Cousins' War we follow a minor aristocratic family (the Pastons) up to 1484. At the heart of the novel is the determination of Margaret Paston to bring back the once family home Caister Castle back into the fold. Apart from this there isn't much plot, but what O'Brien gives us is a host of memorable characters. There is a common theme of no matter how much they try the women in the story have no real power in a male dominated time in history. It makes a change to take a look at this time in English history other than through the Royal Court, this is very much on the periphery of the book, although one character is the cousin of Edward IV's wife Elizabeth Woodville. Although at times the book is a bit repetitive on the whole this is well written, that keeps the reader interested....more
A crime journalist buys a house without telling her husband, it's a house where a family disappeared from 10 years previously and she wants to find ouA crime journalist buys a house without telling her husband, it's a house where a family disappeared from 10 years previously and she wants to find out the circumstances. This is one of the scenarios in the book I had to suspend belief with as our protagonist, Naomi goes sniffing around the village of Nightbrook. I couldn't help thinking of the film the Wicker Man as Naomi encounters a very creepy Lloyd and a host of unhelpful characters including a vicar who could have fallen out of a Agatha Christie novel. About three quarters through I wondered where the book was going and then in true Mitchell style we get a load of twists, a couple of which were truly mind blowing. Thank goodness....more
One thing I couldn't stop thinking about in this book is how Bella becomes the 'Frankenstein' monster by having her baby's brain put into her body, hoOne thing I couldn't stop thinking about in this book is how Bella becomes the 'Frankenstein' monster by having her baby's brain put into her body, how was this done? This enables the author to focus on how Bella learns things and how quickly she does it. There are certain similarities and nods to Frankenstein especially of a book within a book makes the reader question what is true. POV could change as the narrative progressed but at times could be confusing. Part way through the book lost its way and became boring. At least the ending picked things up and I would question are the large number of footnotes needed....more
When you read a series out of order you notice how much various characters have changed over time and indeed Robinson's writing style. This police procWhen you read a series out of order you notice how much various characters have changed over time and indeed Robinson's writing style. This police procedural is a slow burner mirroring how long solving a crime can take. Banks is given help from an anti terrorist division headed by 'Dirty Burgess.' the first time we come across this character and unlikeable. However he is quite a bit different in later novels. It's as age mellows him. As for plot it was okay but what I find a lot different to the later books, was the music references are there but not as much as in other books. Another good Banks novel I have ticked off....more
The third book in the series and Bernie Rhodenbarr has given up crime to concentrate on his book store. But money is tight so Bernie steals a rare KipThe third book in the series and Bernie Rhodenbarr has given up crime to concentrate on his book store. But money is tight so Bernie steals a rare Kipling book. Things go wrong and Bertie is accused of murder. From here the novel follows a similar pattern of the first 2 books as Bernie burgles to prove is innocence. The dialogue is brilliant but the explanation of who did the murder rambled on a bit. On to the next instalment....more
This could be confusing at times with so many characters inhabiting many different earths which are merging with each other. But Tchaikovsky comes up This could be confusing at times with so many characters inhabiting many different earths which are merging with each other. But Tchaikovsky comes up with some fantastic ideas. I especially liked humans living inside a giant trilobite and between chapters giving alternate trees of evolution which leads to different species dominant because of their brain size. However the book is about 100 pages too long and at one time I thought the book was coming to a natural conclusion only for Tchaikovsky to ramble on some more and towards the end the book became a chore....more
I have read a number of books that take inspiration from the Fred and Rosemary West cases in the UK and this is another one. I kept thinking the authoI have read a number of books that take inspiration from the Fred and Rosemary West cases in the UK and this is another one. I kept thinking the author better give me the reader something different. Yes she pulls this off my giving us Amy Winter a DI who has past connections to the crimes investigated. You have to suspend belief in that Winter doesn't divulge this information but it does make the plot more interesting. Certainly a page turner as we follow Amy as she investigates what is thrown in front of her. However there is a massive reveal involving Amy's older sister which felt that came it out of nowhere and was too cosy and convenient. I am trying to not let this spoil my enjoyment of quite an enjoyable crime thriller....more
Another in the Giordano Bruno series where Bruno the spy is sent by Elizabeth's court to discover what has happened to alchemist, John Dee. Set in the Another in the Giordano Bruno series where Bruno the spy is sent by Elizabeth's court to discover what has happened to alchemist, John Dee. Set in the main in Prague Parris gives us a sense of the city from the crowded streets to the squalor. You can almost smell the filth. It was hard to keep track of some of the characters as the story at times got a bit convoluted although it was always engaging....more
A Murder mystery with a slight hint of the supernatural. The two main characters are brought together, former Crimean nurse, Gemma Tate and detective iA Murder mystery with a slight hint of the supernatural. The two main characters are brought together, former Crimean nurse, Gemma Tate and detective inspector Sebastian Bell when Bell starts to investigate a gruesome murder of a well to do young woman found dead in Highgate Cemetery with a pig's heart placed on the body. The book has a light tone to it but due to the nature of the crimes committed in this early Victorian novel it certainly isn't a cosy crime read. The author keeps the plot engaging as the two main protagonists move through the story. The first of the series is entertaining enough to want be at least try the second instalment, although as a character Gemma seemed a little too sure of herself, especially how she reacted to the circumstances se found herself in as a single woman in that period of English history...more
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