Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Old Largo and Lundin Links - Highly Recommended
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Book Reviews
The Girl of His Dreams by Donna Leon
Donna Leon's books pull no punches when describing Italian public life and how difficult it is to get beyond the institutionalisd lethargy and corruption. Having read nearly all of them, I feel that I almost know Venice intimately.
The Burning Girl by Mark Billington
This is a very dark book. The only redeeming feature is that there is a certain amount of black humour in it. I have now read all of the series featuring Tom Thorne, apart from the last one.
Friday Nights by Joanna Trollope
Another aga saga by Joanna Trollope. Still very readable. This one reminded me of Maeve Binchy's style. More about a group of people thrown together, rather than the dynamics of family life.
Donna Leon's books pull no punches when describing Italian public life and how difficult it is to get beyond the institutionalisd lethargy and corruption. Having read nearly all of them, I feel that I almost know Venice intimately.
The Burning Girl by Mark Billington
This is a very dark book. The only redeeming feature is that there is a certain amount of black humour in it. I have now read all of the series featuring Tom Thorne, apart from the last one.
Friday Nights by Joanna Trollope
Another aga saga by Joanna Trollope. Still very readable. This one reminded me of Maeve Binchy's style. More about a group of people thrown together, rather than the dynamics of family life.
Sunday, 18 May 2008
Book Review
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse
This was a good read, but not sure I really like novels that jump back and forward in time. I just get into one strand of the book, then get transported back to a different time with different characters. Found the whole book a bit fey for my taste, but nevertheless quite enjoyable.
Peviously read Labyrinth.
Voices by Arnaldur Indridason
Not sure why I enjoy these rather gloomy crime novels by the Icelandic author Arnaldur Indridason, but I do. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Good plot, good characterisation. Get the impression that the long dark Icelandic Winters affects everything and everyone in Iceland.
This was a good read, but not sure I really like novels that jump back and forward in time. I just get into one strand of the book, then get transported back to a different time with different characters. Found the whole book a bit fey for my taste, but nevertheless quite enjoyable.
Peviously read Labyrinth.
Voices by Arnaldur Indridason
Not sure why I enjoy these rather gloomy crime novels by the Icelandic author Arnaldur Indridason, but I do. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Good plot, good characterisation. Get the impression that the long dark Icelandic Winters affects everything and everyone in Iceland.
Thursday, 1 May 2008
May Birdwatch
Robin 1
Wood pigeon 4
Dunnock 2
Blue tit 1
House sparrow 2
Starling 2
Chaffinch - male 1
Blackbird - male 2
Crow 1
There are also swallows swooping overhead, hoovering up the insects. Starlings are nesting in the eaves, and busy flying backwards and forwards with food. If I go up into the loft I can hear the baby starlings cheeping - feed me, feed me, feed me.!
Book Reviews
Grief Encounters by Stuart Pawson
I always enjoy reading a Stuart Pawson crime novel. He has a light touch and his sense of humour appeals to me. His creation DI Charlie Priest is a likeable character.
The Secret Hangman by Peter Lovesey
Peter Lovesey is another author that I enjoy. The Peter Diamond novels are set in Bath, a city I know quite well, which always helps. This book was quite grizzly, with a serial hangman leaving bodies in well known tourist attractions in the city. I thought the plot was a little over contrived.
Wood pigeon 4
Dunnock 2
Blue tit 1
House sparrow 2
Starling 2
Chaffinch - male 1
Blackbird - male 2
Crow 1
There are also swallows swooping overhead, hoovering up the insects. Starlings are nesting in the eaves, and busy flying backwards and forwards with food. If I go up into the loft I can hear the baby starlings cheeping - feed me, feed me, feed me.!
Book Reviews
Grief Encounters by Stuart Pawson
I always enjoy reading a Stuart Pawson crime novel. He has a light touch and his sense of humour appeals to me. His creation DI Charlie Priest is a likeable character.
The Secret Hangman by Peter Lovesey
Peter Lovesey is another author that I enjoy. The Peter Diamond novels are set in Bath, a city I know quite well, which always helps. This book was quite grizzly, with a serial hangman leaving bodies in well known tourist attractions in the city. I thought the plot was a little over contrived.
Friday, 4 April 2008
Book Review
Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs
As a rule I don't like American novels, or perhaps I should put that another way, I don't like novels set in America, I prefer novels set in Britain or Ireland, because I have some idea of the setting. However, there are a few exceptions and one is the author Kathy Reichs. I have read all her books right from the first one - Deja Dead. I enjoyed the early Patricia Cornwell novels, but haven't enjoyed the later ones so much, and now prefer Kathy Reichs as a writer and her heroine Tempe Brennan. Although the subject matter can be grisly and there is plenty of forensic detail, she doesn't glory in it and treats the subjects of the pathology with due reverence. This latest one Bones to Ashes is excellent. It is set in Acadia the name given to a French-speaking former colonial territory in Northeastern North America that included parts of Eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and modern-day New England.
As a rule I don't like American novels, or perhaps I should put that another way, I don't like novels set in America, I prefer novels set in Britain or Ireland, because I have some idea of the setting. However, there are a few exceptions and one is the author Kathy Reichs. I have read all her books right from the first one - Deja Dead. I enjoyed the early Patricia Cornwell novels, but haven't enjoyed the later ones so much, and now prefer Kathy Reichs as a writer and her heroine Tempe Brennan. Although the subject matter can be grisly and there is plenty of forensic detail, she doesn't glory in it and treats the subjects of the pathology with due reverence. This latest one Bones to Ashes is excellent. It is set in Acadia the name given to a French-speaking former colonial territory in Northeastern North America that included parts of Eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and modern-day New England.
Monday, 31 March 2008
Book Review
The Draining Lake by Arnaldur Indridason
Excellent novel set in Iceland. A body is found in the bed of a lake and the investigation focuses on the Cold War period when Iceland was strategically important. Unusual plot and well-developed characters. Reminded me of Herman Mankell's books which I also enjoyed.
********
Excellent novel set in Iceland. A body is found in the bed of a lake and the investigation focuses on the Cold War period when Iceland was strategically important. Unusual plot and well-developed characters. Reminded me of Herman Mankell's books which I also enjoyed.
********
Thursday, 20 March 2008
Book Review
Buried by Mark Billington
I'm gradually getting up to date with Mark Billinton's novels. This one was a hostage situation, which I'm not too keen on, because the end is usually rather predictable - hostage is released. However, this one did have one or two twists and turns and was extremely well written. Characters of DI Tom Thorne and the police team involved are well developed in this series. Thought the ending in this one was a bit contrived though.
*******
I'm gradually getting up to date with Mark Billinton's novels. This one was a hostage situation, which I'm not too keen on, because the end is usually rather predictable - hostage is released. However, this one did have one or two twists and turns and was extremely well written. Characters of DI Tom Thorne and the police team involved are well developed in this series. Thought the ending in this one was a bit contrived though.
*******
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Book Reviews
A Poisoned Mind by Natasha Cooper
This is in the series about the lawyer Trish Maguire. Very good. Explores the idea that lawyers may have to defend clients that they disapprove of -in this case a multinational company. I thought this was going to be a campaigning novel against big business, but all is not what it seems and there are several twists in the tale.
*******
I Saw You by Julie Parsons
This is a sequel to the novel Mary, Mary. Set in Ireland it is a gripping and disturbing novel, exploring retribution, guilt and love. It has a very scary end.
********
This is in the series about the lawyer Trish Maguire. Very good. Explores the idea that lawyers may have to defend clients that they disapprove of -in this case a multinational company. I thought this was going to be a campaigning novel against big business, but all is not what it seems and there are several twists in the tale.
*******
I Saw You by Julie Parsons
This is a sequel to the novel Mary, Mary. Set in Ireland it is a gripping and disturbing novel, exploring retribution, guilt and love. It has a very scary end.
********
Monday, 25 February 2008
Book Review
The Price of Darkness by Graham Hurley
I've started to look forward to a new Graham Hurley novel and this one didn't disappoint. This is the eighth book featuring D/I Joe Faraday and D/C Paul Winter and over the series the characters have been well developed. The novels are set in Portsmouth, and that cities heartbeat is well described - its naval history, its football team, its rivalry with Southampton. Like the Rebus novels, they bring in some topical subjects. Peerages for sale and defunct company pension schemes in this one. All in all an excellent series. Look forward to the next one.
********
I've started to look forward to a new Graham Hurley novel and this one didn't disappoint. This is the eighth book featuring D/I Joe Faraday and D/C Paul Winter and over the series the characters have been well developed. The novels are set in Portsmouth, and that cities heartbeat is well described - its naval history, its football team, its rivalry with Southampton. Like the Rebus novels, they bring in some topical subjects. Peerages for sale and defunct company pension schemes in this one. All in all an excellent series. Look forward to the next one.
********
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Ruined Houses and Salt-panning
Ruined house in field next to disused railway track 
Ruined house at the top of the beach
About half a mile East of Lower Largo village at a site named as Viewforth on the map, there are some ruined houses on either side of the disused railway track. At one time they would have been known locally as 'The Pans' and the people who first lived in them during the second half of the 18th Century were engaged in salt-panning. Sea-water was collected in pans and then a fire set beneath the pans so that the water evaporated to leave the salt, which at that time was a prescious commodity for preserving meat and fish. It was dependent on a local supply of coal and whilst the main coalfields were in the West of Fife , there were small mines in the Largo area. There were several salt-pans along the Fife Coast. There are substantial remains at St Monans a few miles East of Largo.
Houses at the top of the beach in 1947
Although the salt-panning had long since ceased, the houses continued to be occupied for some time. By 1951 they had almost completely disappeared into the sea
Saturday, 16 February 2008
Book Reviews
Fathers and Sins by Jo Bannister
I usually enjoy Jo Bannister's books. Particularly enjoyed the series featuring the private eye Brodie Farrell. However, this one although an easy read was unsatisfactory somehow. Seemed to start off as a psychological thriller, but then turned into a detective story. I think it fell between two stools.
Score - 5 out of 10.
A Disguise for Death by Susan Kelly.
Enjoyed this very much. Features Superintendant Gregory Summers in a complex case involving an ex-IRA cell which had been infiltrated by Special Branch. Not unlike some of the cases that have come to light recently. The ending wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I think my ending might have been more plausible.
Score - 7 out of 10
I usually enjoy Jo Bannister's books. Particularly enjoyed the series featuring the private eye Brodie Farrell. However, this one although an easy read was unsatisfactory somehow. Seemed to start off as a psychological thriller, but then turned into a detective story. I think it fell between two stools.
Score - 5 out of 10.
A Disguise for Death by Susan Kelly.
Enjoyed this very much. Features Superintendant Gregory Summers in a complex case involving an ex-IRA cell which had been infiltrated by Special Branch. Not unlike some of the cases that have come to light recently. The ending wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I think my ending might have been more plausible.
Score - 7 out of 10
Friday, 8 February 2008
Book Review
Lazybones by Mark Billingham
Probably the best word to describe a Mark Billinham novel is gritty. They feature DI Tom Thorne and are set in London which is quite unusual, (Morse - Oxford, Rebus - Edinburgh). I am sure that there must be others, particularly amongst novels set in Victorian times, but the only other detective working in London that comes readily to mind is Sherlock Holmes. This is the third novel in the series that I have read, and I have enjoyed them all. Although in the last few chapters I began to suspect what was going to happen, he builds up the tension very well and the end is terrifying.
Particularly enjoyed the previous Mark Billingham novel that I read - Lifeless. In that one Thone goes undercover amongst the down and outs in London to try to find out who is killing ex-servicemen. It describes what life is like for the homeless in London very well.
********
Previously read in the series
Scaredy cat
Lifeless
Probably the best word to describe a Mark Billinham novel is gritty. They feature DI Tom Thorne and are set in London which is quite unusual, (Morse - Oxford, Rebus - Edinburgh). I am sure that there must be others, particularly amongst novels set in Victorian times, but the only other detective working in London that comes readily to mind is Sherlock Holmes. This is the third novel in the series that I have read, and I have enjoyed them all. Although in the last few chapters I began to suspect what was going to happen, he builds up the tension very well and the end is terrifying.
Particularly enjoyed the previous Mark Billingham novel that I read - Lifeless. In that one Thone goes undercover amongst the down and outs in London to try to find out who is killing ex-servicemen. It describes what life is like for the homeless in London very well.
********
Previously read in the series
Scaredy cat
Lifeless
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Book Review
Clean Cut by Lynda La Plante
I never got into reading Lynda La Plante's Trial and Retribution, although I did watch the series on television, however, this is the 3rd book that I've read in the series featuring DCI Ann Travis and DCI James Langton. Excellent, if somewhat gruesome at times. Fast moving but complicated plot, and complicated relationship between the two DCIs. There's a cunning twist at the end.
Score 8 out of 10
Previously read in this series
Above Suspician
The Red Dahlia
I never got into reading Lynda La Plante's Trial and Retribution, although I did watch the series on television, however, this is the 3rd book that I've read in the series featuring DCI Ann Travis and DCI James Langton. Excellent, if somewhat gruesome at times. Fast moving but complicated plot, and complicated relationship between the two DCIs. There's a cunning twist at the end.
Score 8 out of 10
Previously read in this series
Above Suspician
The Red Dahlia
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Book Review
The House Sitter by Peter Lovesey
I have read several of this series by Peter Lovesey featuring his detective Peter Diamond. I found them rather mixed but thought this was one of the better ones and enjoyed it very much. They are usually set in Bath, but this one was partly set on the South Coast, and involved not only another force but special branch as well. I think it benefited from these other elements.
Score 7 out of 10
I have read several of this series by Peter Lovesey featuring his detective Peter Diamond. I found them rather mixed but thought this was one of the better ones and enjoyed it very much. They are usually set in Bath, but this one was partly set on the South Coast, and involved not only another force but special branch as well. I think it benefited from these other elements.
Score 7 out of 10
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Book Review
Jumping the Cracks by Victoria Blake
This is the fourth novel in this series featuring Sam Falconer, private eye and former judo champion. Set in Oxford and London, I've enjoyed them all. Quite unusual. Sam is an interesting heroine, who has her own demons, but manages to work through them and solve the crime as well.
Score 8 out of 10
Previously read in this series.
Bloodless Shadow
Cutting Blades
Skin and Blister
This is the fourth novel in this series featuring Sam Falconer, private eye and former judo champion. Set in Oxford and London, I've enjoyed them all. Quite unusual. Sam is an interesting heroine, who has her own demons, but manages to work through them and solve the crime as well.
Score 8 out of 10
Previously read in this series.
Bloodless Shadow
Cutting Blades
Skin and Blister
Sunday, 13 January 2008
A pantomime and a book
Mother Goose
Friday was a night out for the team that I work with. After at an Italian pre-theatre supper at the excellent Pane e Vino in Hunter Street Kirkcaldy, we adjourned to the Adam Smith Theatre for the pantomime. This particular night was for adults only and it was a full house. As a child I was not keen on pantos. I always wished they'd get on with the story, instead of all that mucking about. However, I quite enjoyed this. The local jokes. The lapses into the vernacular. The excellent young dance troupe. It was a moral tale. Money and beauty do not make for happiness. In the end good triumphs over evil.
Very frosty night so drove home through Coaltown and East Wemyss, rather than the dreaded Standing Stanes Road. A fox crossed in front of the car in East Wemyss.
The Officer's Daghter by Zina Rohan
I thought I should start writing short reviews of the books that I've enjoyed. If I've read a book that I've enjoyed I look for more by the same author. Trouble is I can't always remember which one I've read. If I've reviewed them in the blog I'll be able to look back to the ones I've already read.
This is not the kind of book I usually read, but it was recommended to me at the Library in Lundin Links. I thoroughly enjoyed The Officer's Daghter, particularly the early part of the book, when the heroine Marta is transported to a logging camp, then cotton fields in Russia (one of Stalin's great ideas!), and then on to a British field hospital in Iran. I thought the strength of the book was the way it conveyed the fact that in wartime, people are taken over by the tide of events and have no choice in the matter. I didn't think that the love-triangle which develops between Marta, a Polish soldier and an Iranian doctor worked so well (but perhaps I'm just not into romantic fiction) and in the end I thought the book rather petered out.
Score 8 out of 10
Friday was a night out for the team that I work with. After at an Italian pre-theatre supper at the excellent Pane e Vino in Hunter Street Kirkcaldy, we adjourned to the Adam Smith Theatre for the pantomime. This particular night was for adults only and it was a full house. As a child I was not keen on pantos. I always wished they'd get on with the story, instead of all that mucking about. However, I quite enjoyed this. The local jokes. The lapses into the vernacular. The excellent young dance troupe. It was a moral tale. Money and beauty do not make for happiness. In the end good triumphs over evil.
Very frosty night so drove home through Coaltown and East Wemyss, rather than the dreaded Standing Stanes Road. A fox crossed in front of the car in East Wemyss.
The Officer's Daghter by Zina Rohan
I thought I should start writing short reviews of the books that I've enjoyed. If I've read a book that I've enjoyed I look for more by the same author. Trouble is I can't always remember which one I've read. If I've reviewed them in the blog I'll be able to look back to the ones I've already read.
This is not the kind of book I usually read, but it was recommended to me at the Library in Lundin Links. I thoroughly enjoyed The Officer's Daghter, particularly the early part of the book, when the heroine Marta is transported to a logging camp, then cotton fields in Russia (one of Stalin's great ideas!), and then on to a British field hospital in Iran. I thought the strength of the book was the way it conveyed the fact that in wartime, people are taken over by the tide of events and have no choice in the matter. I didn't think that the love-triangle which develops between Marta, a Polish soldier and an Iranian doctor worked so well (but perhaps I'm just not into romantic fiction) and in the end I thought the book rather petered out.
Score 8 out of 10
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