House of the Hanged

A story set just after the First World War and then sixteen years later just before the beginning of the second. It is about a ‘retired’ spy who is in his late 30s and how he deals with assassins trying to murder him for activities that occurred in 1919. At the same time there are various 'love' interests for the protagonist and a relationship with his goddaughter that may develop that way. The action for most of the book happens in the South of France whilst he is hosting lavish luncheons, laborious dinners, bathing parties and scavenger hunts for an extended group of ‘friends’. But who are his enemies and is someone close to him a betrayer? It should have been gripping but unfortunately, for me, the writing was ‘disjointed’ and the characters not engaging enough. It was just about interesting enough to finish but then the ending was odd and very unsatisfying. 

Divided in Death

I have spent a fair amount of time reading this series of books (this is number 18) but very little time reflecting on them - hence no previous blog entries. They're not books for reflecting on really but they are very good crime genre 'quick reads' with enough depth to satisfy. Nora Robb has a good understanding of the human condition. This one was not the best of this series so far but very readable as always. I enjoyed the back story more than the murder tale this time, and the tensions between Eve and Roarke were well drawn and realistic. It was overlong but with a denouement that was clever and satisfying.

A Judgement in Stone

A Judgement in Stone by Ruth Rendell is, I think, one of her best books even though we know right at the start who has been murdered and by whom. That doesn’t matter – what does matter is why - and in the telling of this story Rendell generates almost unbearable tension and creates a gripping ‘page turner’. The gradual unfolding of the chain of events that led to the tragedy in the opening pages is masterful with its insights into human nature and the consequences of every character’s actions.

Sharp Objects

An exceptional debut novel. Dark, compelling, macabre, sad, and very well written. The story revolves around Camille, a ‘cub’ reporter who returns to her family home to cover the story of the murder of two children in the town. As she talks to various members of the local population she is also reliving her own childhood and finally begins to analyse and face its horrors. This is a story of mother and daughter relationships at there most destructive and the consequences through the generations.

Beneath the Skin

This ‘author’ is apparently a husband and wife team writing together. I’m not sure how they organize this, but for me, this book is not as successful as their other novels. The story is told in the first person by three women who are hunted down by a serial killer – how then is it possible for them to relate their stories?  This is meant to be a psychological thriller – I remained decidedly ‘unthrilled’ and was irritated by the plot and the way it was constructed. There was no opportunity to warm to any of the characters and the ending was, to my mind, unsatisfying. 

Testament of Youth

This is a long book that repays every effort that is put into reading it. Vera Brittain’s true story is bold, touching, tragic and extraordinary. The story pivots around her experiences in the First World War, contrasting the time before with what came after as she recounts lives that were lost and those, including her own, that were changed so profoundly forever. It is a love story, a political story, a passionate story, a story of loss and a story that needs to be retold to as many people as possible about the futility of conflict.

Back Again

This blog needs resurrecting and reviews should follow shortly!

You're Next

A very good thriller. If you enjoy a fast paced plot and convincing characterization give this a go – I have already ordered another title by this author.

Mike was abandoned by his father when he was 4 years old and spends his childhood in foster care. He beats the odds and builds a good life for himself and his wife and child, but is never able to trace his birth family. Life is good, and then suddenly he is the target of some extremely ruthless people out to destroy him and his family. These people have killed and the police appear to be in on ‘it’ too. Why? We find out in the end and for me the conclusion was pretty satisfying.

Sleepwalking

A short but powerful and well written novel with a surprising amount of depth for just over 200 pages. Susan’s relationship with her father has damaged her life and she only begins to come to terms with his treatment of her and her sisters after his suicide. This ‘tragedy’ happens while she is pregnant with her first child and as she is ‘sleepwalking’ through life. Susan’s relationships with her birth family, her husband, with her unborn child and with her lover (she embarks on a love affair while she is pregnant) are explored. Other pivotal characters include Queenie, her father’s abusive mother and a ghostly child, a little boy who is haunting her. 

Room

What a very good book this is. There are many reviews out there and most are full of praise for this novel. It is an extraordinary story that is told in the voice of Jack, a precocious but also unworldly five year old whose development has been shaped from being locked in a small room with his mother for the first five years of his life. She was kidnapped before Jack's birth and kept as a prisoner by a man with motives of the worst kind. The book is, of course, quite horrifying, but also ultimately uplifting as Jack and his mother discover how to live with their situation and their pasts.  It’s a story I will remember for a long time.

Chess

I read Chess following a recommendation from Jackie over at Farm Lane Books Blog. She is a great reviewer and I have tried a lot of her suggestion: book blogs are great way to find and enjoy new titles. Chess is a novella and a probably not something I would usually pick up but what a little gem it is. It is the story of an encounter between a morose and reclusive world chess champion and a stranger, who meet aboard an ocean liner and engage in a chess tournament at the behest of the narrator of the tale. The stranger has a past which has allowed him to play the game at a level to match the champion and the main part of the story is the revelation of his history to the narrator. The book is a powerful and moving commentary on the strength of the human spirit and mind and is a beautifully written observation..

Midnight Fugue

A new Reginald Hill is always a treat and Midnight Fugue is no exception. Dalziel and Pascoe feature again and their relationship takes on a new twist. This story takes place over 24 hours and the mystery is thoroughly entertaining and absorbing. The book is shorter than recent novels but this suits the timeframe of the story. Corruption is rife and the interplay between the characters is cleverly done.  

Katherine

Another re-read of a book I first came across over 20 years ago. This is a fictional interpretation written by Anya Seton, of Katherine Swynford’s story as mistress and then wife of John O’Gaunt. In my opinion Seton is an underrated writer of fiction and as well as being well written this book appears to be based on very thorough research and many sources are cited. Katherine’s story is fascinating and as well as being a direct ancestor to the Tudors and therefore the current royals she was also sister-in-law to Geoffrey Chaucer. Some artistic license and a considerable amount of 'romanticising' has been employed in the writing however, and it is worth reading Alison Weirs biography of Katherine to redress this. But if you enjoy good writing, interesting and memorable characters and historical fiction give this story a go – it is well worth it.

The Birth of Venus

I really enjoyed Sarah Dunant’s Mapping the Edge (review here) and went on to read The Birth of Venus with great expectations. It didn’t disappoint although, for me, the thriller genre always has the edge.

This story evokes 15th century Florence wonderfully well, with the uncertainty and horror of life there appearing to be admirably researched. Alessandra, the central character, is a teenage girl growing up in the city. She is very bright and artistically talented and is born into a wealthy family but there are few opportunities for women in these times. Her merchant father brings a young painter of frescos into the family home and she becomes fascinated by him and his artistic ability. But who is he, and what is he doing during his nightime ‘walks’? 

Alessandra marries an older man, (a ‘friend’ of her hated brother), in haste to gain the freedom she desires, but, as Florence is taken over by Savonrola, the ‘Mad Monk’and becomes a city full of people to be feared she discovers family secrets and lies that have consequences for her for the rest of her life.

I learned a great deal reading this novel and would recommend it to any one who appreciates good writing, characters that remain in your head – Alessandra is wonderful – and historical interest.

The Handmaids Tale

I recently reread The Handmaids Tale after around 20 years and was just as impressed this time as I was then. Margaret Atwood is a suberb writer and this book set in a future where infertility is threatening the survival of the human race is wonderfully imagined. It is a very dark tale with a gripping storyline and believable characters. The story is many layered questioning the way we live our lives and commenting on power, gender, rebellion, sexuality, friendship and betrayal (really these are just a few of the themes that run through this book). It is a horrifying account of ‘what could happen’ and is definitely a 5 star read.

The Moving Finger

I have always had a soft spot for Agatha Christie, ever since 'devouring' most of her books in my teens. This remains one of my favourite stories - I'm not sure why - it could be the ugly duckling love story that lurks amongst the murder and mayhem. It is far from her best mystery but somehow the main characters are (for me anyway) very ‘real’. The back story is a lovely little romance and there is one chapter near the end that is nothing to do with the crime but is extremely appealing (if a little cliched!). The denouement is as satisfying as usual and I like this book a lot.

D is for Deadbeat

My favourite genre is crime/mystery/thriller and I love the alphabet series by Sue Grafton. The characters appeal and Kinsey Millhone (the 30 something PI and solver of crimes) is a feisty single woman with strong morals, a sense of humour and a penchant for trouble. I enjoy the predictability of her lifestyle and the details of the lives of those closest to her. The series is now 21 books strong so if you enjoy her you have a lot to look forward to. I had somehow missed D so when I saw it recently in a second hand bookshop it was a must. Her later books have become more complex, but going back to one near the beginning was very refreshing. Good story, brilliant characters and a satisfying ending – what more can you ask. I can’t wait to read book 22 – and there should still be 4 more to go!

Trouble

 

Trouble was a charity shop buy. I haven’t read his parents novels (Joanathan and Faye Kellerman) but had read a reasonable review somewhere of this story. Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. The writing style was too terse for my taste and I didn’t engage with the characters at all. I did get to the end but found this as unsatisfying as the rest of the book.

Next

I have enjoyed a number of Michaels Crichton’s thrillers although not enough to buy them new (this was another charity shop purchase) but, sadly, this book was a bit of a let down. The author was obviously passionate about his subject – the unethical use of genetic material by large corporations and the patenting of individual genes – but this novel was unfocused with characters I had little interest in. The plot began to seem non-existent and about two thirds of the way I had had enough. I did skip read to the end but couldn’t really tell you what happened.

The Behaviour of Moths

I loved this book. It is the story of two sisters who have been apart for all their adult lives. One sister has stayed reclusively (autistically?) in the family mansion to continue her father’s ‘work’ studying the habits of moths and the other returns after 47 years. Why did she leave? The book concentrates on how these two lived together as children and young women and how their relationships with their parents ‘worked’. It looks at their differing views on events in those childhoods and through their lives; how these have affected them and how their personalities and characters affect their memories and views on events. The family is a little creepy and very dysfunctional. The main outcome after the 47 years is quite easy to guess but this didn’t distract from the story for me and there are plenty of surprises – I loved the details about moths too.