TITLE: GRAVE DOUBTS
AUTHOR: MEG CABOT
Pages: 202
Date: 31/05/2008
Grade: 4
Details: no. 5 The Mediator/YF
Library
The summer holidays are over and Suze is actually happy to go back to school.
After one delicious kiss, Jesse, the ghost she loves, seems to have lost all interest in her. But her joy at being back at school only lasts until assembly when she discovers that Paul Slater has enrolled in her school.
Paul, a mediator like her, is able to do things she can't, and is also the boy who through his actions has been causing her to have nightmares for weeks.
Torn between her love for Jesse and curiosity about what Paul might be able to teach her, Suze better get ready for a few surprises.
Once again a fun read. I'm developing quite a taste for Youth Fiction.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
PARALLEL LIES
TITLE: PARALLEL LIES
AUTHOR: STELLA DUFFY
Pages 250
Date: 31/05/2008
Grade: DNF
Library
The premise of this book sounded interesting enough.
Three people are living together; a major female movie star, a star (male) in a TV sitcom and the movie star's P.A., a female and the narrator.
As far as the world is concerned the two actors are a couple, but in reality the relationships between the three are more complicated. And even while they conspire to keep their real lives a secret from the world, they also keep secrets from each other.
Like I said, could be interesting, except that I didn't like the writing and strongly disliked the voice of the narrator. And so I gave up after about 50 pages. Life is just too short.
AUTHOR: STELLA DUFFY
Pages 250
Date: 31/05/2008
Grade: DNF
Library
The premise of this book sounded interesting enough.
Three people are living together; a major female movie star, a star (male) in a TV sitcom and the movie star's P.A., a female and the narrator.
As far as the world is concerned the two actors are a couple, but in reality the relationships between the three are more complicated. And even while they conspire to keep their real lives a secret from the world, they also keep secrets from each other.
Like I said, could be interesting, except that I didn't like the writing and strongly disliked the voice of the narrator. And so I gave up after about 50 pages. Life is just too short.
Friday, May 30, 2008
THE ALCHEMYST
TITLE: THE ALCHEMYST
AUTHOR: MICHAEL SCOTT
Pages: 369
Date: 29/05/2008
Grade: 5-
Details: no. 1 The Secrets of Nicholas Flamel
Library
Nicholas Flamel was born in 1330 in Paris and is still seen as the greatest alchemyst of his day. Officially he died in 1418, but his tomb is empty. All this is historical fact.
Legend has it that he learned the secret of immortality.
When the book starts Nicholas is running a bookshop in 21st century San Francisco with his wife, Perenell, working in a coffee shop across the road.
When Flamel is attacked by Dr. John Dee, the latter succeeds in getting away with most of "the Codex", the book that contains the secret of immortality as well as nearly all the information John Dee needs to destroy the world as we know it.
Present at the time of the attack are Sophie and Josh Newman, 15 year old twins.
Twins who, according to the Codex are destined to safe or completely destroy the world.
Now their world is turned upside down; everything Sophie and Josh considered myth, fairytale and impossible turns out to be real and happening. Thrown together with Flemel and his allies, they have only a month to learn what others learn during lifetimes. They find themselves landed in a true legend only they can bring to a good ending.
Scott has taken virtually every legend and myth known to man and turned it into a fascinating, fantastical and riveting story. I can't wait for the next one.
AUTHOR: MICHAEL SCOTT
Pages: 369
Date: 29/05/2008
Grade: 5-
Details: no. 1 The Secrets of Nicholas Flamel
Library
Nicholas Flamel was born in 1330 in Paris and is still seen as the greatest alchemyst of his day. Officially he died in 1418, but his tomb is empty. All this is historical fact.
Legend has it that he learned the secret of immortality.
When the book starts Nicholas is running a bookshop in 21st century San Francisco with his wife, Perenell, working in a coffee shop across the road.
When Flamel is attacked by Dr. John Dee, the latter succeeds in getting away with most of "the Codex", the book that contains the secret of immortality as well as nearly all the information John Dee needs to destroy the world as we know it.
Present at the time of the attack are Sophie and Josh Newman, 15 year old twins.
Twins who, according to the Codex are destined to safe or completely destroy the world.
Now their world is turned upside down; everything Sophie and Josh considered myth, fairytale and impossible turns out to be real and happening. Thrown together with Flemel and his allies, they have only a month to learn what others learn during lifetimes. They find themselves landed in a true legend only they can bring to a good ending.
Scott has taken virtually every legend and myth known to man and turned it into a fascinating, fantastical and riveting story. I can't wait for the next one.
YOUNG BLOOD
TITLE: YOUNG BLOOD
AUTHOR: MEG CABOT
Pages: 216
Date: 27/05/2008
Grade: 4
Details: no. 4 The mediator
Library
It's the summer holidays and Suze has taken a job as a child minder in a local hotel. The boy she is mostly minding hates going outside, until Suze discovers that this is because he "can see dead people". Once she explains why this is and what to do, Jack is a changed child, and Suze's problems should be over, except that they've barely started.
Her step-father and -brother stumble on and old grave in the garden and next thing she knows a 150 year old female ghost is threatening her. And the Jesse, the ghost she's in love with and the "owner" of the grave disappears.
Also there's Paul, Jack's older brother, who wants to go out with her, but somehow doesn't seem right to Suze.
In order to sort it all out, Suze has to take extreme measures, so extreme that she might not survive them.
Fun again, if a bit heavier then the previous ones.
AUTHOR: MEG CABOT
Pages: 216
Date: 27/05/2008
Grade: 4
Details: no. 4 The mediator
Library
It's the summer holidays and Suze has taken a job as a child minder in a local hotel. The boy she is mostly minding hates going outside, until Suze discovers that this is because he "can see dead people". Once she explains why this is and what to do, Jack is a changed child, and Suze's problems should be over, except that they've barely started.
Her step-father and -brother stumble on and old grave in the garden and next thing she knows a 150 year old female ghost is threatening her. And the Jesse, the ghost she's in love with and the "owner" of the grave disappears.
Also there's Paul, Jack's older brother, who wants to go out with her, but somehow doesn't seem right to Suze.
In order to sort it all out, Suze has to take extreme measures, so extreme that she might not survive them.
Fun again, if a bit heavier then the previous ones.
NIGHT TRAIN TO LISBON
TITLE: NIGHT TRAIN TO LISBON
AUTHOR: PAUL MERCIER
Pages: 436
Date: 26/05/2008
Grade: 5
Library
I had to think long and hard before deciding how to mark this book. But in the end it had to be a 5, since it is one of those exceptional books unlike any other book I've ever read; because a book that compels me to mark pages with 9 sticky notes (see the quotes later) has to be special.
Having said that, this book was anything but a fast read, and who-ever proof read the book ought to be shot. And although my German is far too limited to know exactly how and why the translation went wrong, I couldn't help feeling that the translator had a struggle with this book at times, and in some instances lost the struggle.
The story centers around Raimund Gregorius, a scholar and teacher of classic languages who has led a predictable and uneventful life for 30 years.
Then one morning, on his way to teach his classes in Bern, he meets a Portuguese woman who intrigues him. Later on the same day he discovers a book written by a Portuguese aristocrat, Amadue de Prado, in a book shop.
Next thing he knows he amazes both himself and his students by walking out of his classroom during a class.
Not knowing any Portuguese he still starts translating the book and is so fascinated by De Prado's thoughts that he feels compelled to take the night train to Lisbon to find out more about the author.
His journey of discovery leads to him meeting fascinating people and an insight in to De Prado, Portugal and the rebellion against dictator Salazar. It also leads him to insights into himself and a re-assessment of his life.
In the end I was left wondering how many similarities there really were between the two men, and in how far the whole journey was set off by a developing neurological problem (one of the similarities).
This is a book that will stay with me for quite a while. In fact, I dreamt about it last night.
Quotes:
"But those who do not observe the impulses of their own minds must of necessity be unhappy."
"To be able to part from something (...) you had to confront it in a way that created internal distance."
"There were people who read and there were the others. Whether you were a reader or a non-reader - it was quickly noted. There was no greater distinction between people."
"It's an unrecognized form of stupidity (...), you have to forget the cosmic meaninglessness of all our acts to be able to be vain and that's a glaring form of stupidity."
"So, the fear of death might be described as the fear of not being able to become whom one had planned to be."
"Prado had asked himself (...) if the soul was a place of facts or whether the alleged facts were only the deceptive shadows of stories we tell ourselves, about others and about ourselves."
"Only an aneurysm. It can burst any minute, any minute, how should I live with this time bomb in my brain."
"Often it was others who complained that somebody was no longer himself. Perhaps this is what it really meant: He's no longer as we would like him to be?"
"Life is not what we live; it is what we imagine living."
AUTHOR: PAUL MERCIER
Pages: 436
Date: 26/05/2008
Grade: 5
Library
I had to think long and hard before deciding how to mark this book. But in the end it had to be a 5, since it is one of those exceptional books unlike any other book I've ever read; because a book that compels me to mark pages with 9 sticky notes (see the quotes later) has to be special.
Having said that, this book was anything but a fast read, and who-ever proof read the book ought to be shot. And although my German is far too limited to know exactly how and why the translation went wrong, I couldn't help feeling that the translator had a struggle with this book at times, and in some instances lost the struggle.
The story centers around Raimund Gregorius, a scholar and teacher of classic languages who has led a predictable and uneventful life for 30 years.
Then one morning, on his way to teach his classes in Bern, he meets a Portuguese woman who intrigues him. Later on the same day he discovers a book written by a Portuguese aristocrat, Amadue de Prado, in a book shop.
Next thing he knows he amazes both himself and his students by walking out of his classroom during a class.
Not knowing any Portuguese he still starts translating the book and is so fascinated by De Prado's thoughts that he feels compelled to take the night train to Lisbon to find out more about the author.
His journey of discovery leads to him meeting fascinating people and an insight in to De Prado, Portugal and the rebellion against dictator Salazar. It also leads him to insights into himself and a re-assessment of his life.
In the end I was left wondering how many similarities there really were between the two men, and in how far the whole journey was set off by a developing neurological problem (one of the similarities).
This is a book that will stay with me for quite a while. In fact, I dreamt about it last night.
Quotes:
"But those who do not observe the impulses of their own minds must of necessity be unhappy."
"To be able to part from something (...) you had to confront it in a way that created internal distance."
"There were people who read and there were the others. Whether you were a reader or a non-reader - it was quickly noted. There was no greater distinction between people."
"It's an unrecognized form of stupidity (...), you have to forget the cosmic meaninglessness of all our acts to be able to be vain and that's a glaring form of stupidity."
"So, the fear of death might be described as the fear of not being able to become whom one had planned to be."
"Prado had asked himself (...) if the soul was a place of facts or whether the alleged facts were only the deceptive shadows of stories we tell ourselves, about others and about ourselves."
"Only an aneurysm. It can burst any minute, any minute, how should I live with this time bomb in my brain."
"Often it was others who complained that somebody was no longer himself. Perhaps this is what it really meant: He's no longer as we would like him to be?"
"Life is not what we live; it is what we imagine living."
Friday, May 23, 2008
THE 6TH TARGET
TITLE: THE 6TH TARGET
AUTHOR: JAMES PATTERSON
Pages: 434
Date: 22/05/2008
Grade: 4+
Details: no. 6 Women's Murder Club Series
Own
There is an awful lot happening in this book.
First a man starts shooting on a packed San Francisco ferry killing several people and wounding Claire Washburn, one of the members of the Murder Club.
When Lindsay starts the investigation she doesn't know whether or not Cindy will survive. Soon though, the case changes from a manhunt into a fight to get him convicted.
Then a young girl is kidnapped with her nanny. The latter is soon found, killed, but there's no sign of the girl and no word from the kidnappers.
There is also someone on a murderous spree in Cindy's, another member of the club, building. And all the while, Lindsay's private life is in turmoil.
As usual a roller coaster of a story, fun to read and fast.
AUTHOR: JAMES PATTERSON
Pages: 434
Date: 22/05/2008
Grade: 4+
Details: no. 6 Women's Murder Club Series
Own
There is an awful lot happening in this book.
First a man starts shooting on a packed San Francisco ferry killing several people and wounding Claire Washburn, one of the members of the Murder Club.
When Lindsay starts the investigation she doesn't know whether or not Cindy will survive. Soon though, the case changes from a manhunt into a fight to get him convicted.
Then a young girl is kidnapped with her nanny. The latter is soon found, killed, but there's no sign of the girl and no word from the kidnappers.
There is also someone on a murderous spree in Cindy's, another member of the club, building. And all the while, Lindsay's private life is in turmoil.
As usual a roller coaster of a story, fun to read and fast.
GONE FOR GOOD
TITLE: GONE FOR GOOD
AUTHOR: HARLAN COBEN
Date: 21/05/2008
Grade: 4.5
Details: Audio/ 6 Cd's/ 7 hours
Narrator: Tim Machin
11 years ago, Will Klein's ex-girlfriend was murdered and his brother Ken, the main suspect, went on the run.
Over those 11 years Will has slowly rebuild his life, but suddenly everything gets upset again.
Shorty before she dies, Will's mother reveals that Ken is still alive, and shortly afterwards his new partner, Sheila disappears only for the FBI to turn up on Ken's doorstep looking for her.
Next thing Will knows he's caught between the FBI and the Mafia, both looking for his brother and to Will for answers. Answers he doesn't have but becomes very determined to find. even if it means he has to question everything he believed to be true.
A great thriller with twist upon twist, with quite a few characters surprising me during the course of the book, and a wonderful listening experience.
AUTHOR: HARLAN COBEN
Date: 21/05/2008
Grade: 4.5
Details: Audio/ 6 Cd's/ 7 hours
Narrator: Tim Machin
11 years ago, Will Klein's ex-girlfriend was murdered and his brother Ken, the main suspect, went on the run.
Over those 11 years Will has slowly rebuild his life, but suddenly everything gets upset again.
Shorty before she dies, Will's mother reveals that Ken is still alive, and shortly afterwards his new partner, Sheila disappears only for the FBI to turn up on Ken's doorstep looking for her.
Next thing Will knows he's caught between the FBI and the Mafia, both looking for his brother and to Will for answers. Answers he doesn't have but becomes very determined to find. even if it means he has to question everything he believed to be true.
A great thriller with twist upon twist, with quite a few characters surprising me during the course of the book, and a wonderful listening experience.
MEAN SPIRITS
TITLE: MEAN SPIRITS
AUTHOR: MEG CABOT
Pages: 206
Date: 20/05/2008
Grade: 4
Details: no. 3 The Mediator Series
Library
Gina, Suzie's friend from New York is over for a visit. But what should have been a week of sun and fun soon turns sour when the ghosts of four high school students who have recently died turn up, looking for revenge.
It is a fellow student of Suzie's who was involved in the fatal crash, and soon Suzie is having to safe his life.
But do the ghosts actually have a reason to want Michael dead, and what sort of danger is Suzie in herself, and from whom exactly?
This series continues to be great fun, and I'm sure I'll have the next one out of the library soon.
AUTHOR: MEG CABOT
Pages: 206
Date: 20/05/2008
Grade: 4
Details: no. 3 The Mediator Series
Library
Gina, Suzie's friend from New York is over for a visit. But what should have been a week of sun and fun soon turns sour when the ghosts of four high school students who have recently died turn up, looking for revenge.
It is a fellow student of Suzie's who was involved in the fatal crash, and soon Suzie is having to safe his life.
But do the ghosts actually have a reason to want Michael dead, and what sort of danger is Suzie in herself, and from whom exactly?
This series continues to be great fun, and I'm sure I'll have the next one out of the library soon.
THE FIERY CROSS
TITLE: THE FIERY CROSS
AUTHOR: DIANA GABALDON
Pages: 979
Date: 20/05/2008
Grade: 5
Details: no. 5 Outlander Series
Own
Claire, Brianna and Roger are still in America in the 1770's, building a life with Jamie on Fraser's Ridge in North Carolina, where life is far from easy. Especially for those out of their time, with full knowledge of what is to come.
With the war of Independence only a few years away and unrest already causing fighting, life gets increasingly dangerous, and not all get through it without pain or loss.
New enemies join old ones, new mysteries and revelations surface and light is thrown on some old ones.
Far to much happens in this book to give a summary here. What makes it so special is that Gabaldon provides, again, a great and fascinating history lesson without making it feel like one.
And a visit with Jamie and Claire always lifts my spirits.
AUTHOR: DIANA GABALDON
Pages: 979
Date: 20/05/2008
Grade: 5
Details: no. 5 Outlander Series
Own
Claire, Brianna and Roger are still in America in the 1770's, building a life with Jamie on Fraser's Ridge in North Carolina, where life is far from easy. Especially for those out of their time, with full knowledge of what is to come.
With the war of Independence only a few years away and unrest already causing fighting, life gets increasingly dangerous, and not all get through it without pain or loss.
New enemies join old ones, new mysteries and revelations surface and light is thrown on some old ones.
Far to much happens in this book to give a summary here. What makes it so special is that Gabaldon provides, again, a great and fascinating history lesson without making it feel like one.
And a visit with Jamie and Claire always lifts my spirits.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
HIGH STAKES
TITLE: HIGH STAKES
AUTHOR: MEG CABOT
Pages:200
Date: 17/03/2008
Grade: 4
Details: no. 2 The Mediator Series
Library
Suze is still adjusting to life in California, although she has to admit there are quite a few upsides to her new circumstances.
And when Tad, the cutest boy in town shows an interest in her, things are certainly looking great.
Except of course for the ghosts that keep on complicating her life. When a screaming ghost wakes Suze up with a rather cryptic request, she deduces that she's supposed to take a close look at a local powerful and possibly very dangerous business man. Two problems with that though; the business man may or may not be a vampire, and he happens to be Tad's father.
Lots of fun, mayhem and crazy situations again, with a good dose of teenage angst. A light read, and therefore just the thing to read while I'm also reading THE FIERY CROSS.
AUTHOR: MEG CABOT
Pages:200
Date: 17/03/2008
Grade: 4
Details: no. 2 The Mediator Series
Library
Suze is still adjusting to life in California, although she has to admit there are quite a few upsides to her new circumstances.
And when Tad, the cutest boy in town shows an interest in her, things are certainly looking great.
Except of course for the ghosts that keep on complicating her life. When a screaming ghost wakes Suze up with a rather cryptic request, she deduces that she's supposed to take a close look at a local powerful and possibly very dangerous business man. Two problems with that though; the business man may or may not be a vampire, and he happens to be Tad's father.
Lots of fun, mayhem and crazy situations again, with a good dose of teenage angst. A light read, and therefore just the thing to read while I'm also reading THE FIERY CROSS.
THE SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY MURDERS
TITLE: THE SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY MURDERS
AUTHOR: RUTH DUDLEY EDWARDS
Date: 13/05/2008
Grade: 4.5
Details: Audio/6 Cd's/6 hrs 37mins
Narrator: Bill Wallis
Library
Robert Amiss is still working for the civil service when he's send on a temporary placement. As he moves from Whitehall to a suburban office, he also substitutes grand scale bureaucracy for back office politics. His new place of employment is the end station for those with nowhere to go in their careers; an office filled with pettiness and practical jokes.
But then, on Valentine's day, it all takes a turn for the worse when poisoned chocolates claim several victims and Robert finds himself in the middle of another murder investigation lead by James Milton.
Another good mystery and hilarious look at bureaucracy at it's worst.
I had the murderer picked about half way through, although I'm not sure on what grounds, and it didn't lessen my listening pleasure.
AUTHOR: RUTH DUDLEY EDWARDS
Date: 13/05/2008
Grade: 4.5
Details: Audio/6 Cd's/6 hrs 37mins
Narrator: Bill Wallis
Library
Robert Amiss is still working for the civil service when he's send on a temporary placement. As he moves from Whitehall to a suburban office, he also substitutes grand scale bureaucracy for back office politics. His new place of employment is the end station for those with nowhere to go in their careers; an office filled with pettiness and practical jokes.
But then, on Valentine's day, it all takes a turn for the worse when poisoned chocolates claim several victims and Robert finds himself in the middle of another murder investigation lead by James Milton.
Another good mystery and hilarious look at bureaucracy at it's worst.
I had the murderer picked about half way through, although I'm not sure on what grounds, and it didn't lessen my listening pleasure.
LOVE YOU TO DEATH
TITLE: LOVE YOU TO DEATH
AUTHOR: MEG CABOT
Pages: 199
Date: 10/05/2008
Grade: 4+
Details: no. 1 The Mediator Series
J.F.
Library
Susannah Simon would have been a normal 16 year old teenager if it wasn't for the fact that she can see ghosts and communicate with them. She's a mediator, her job being to sent lingering spirits on to where ever it is they're supposed to be going after they die.
Now, because her mother is remarrying Andy, she has to move from New York to California, where to her shock she has to live in a very old house and attend a very old school. And the older the buildings, the more ghosts that will be lingering there.
And sure enough, immediately upon arriving in her new room, she finds she's sharing it with a very handsome ghost named Jesse.
And in school she's confronted with the ghost of a girl who recently killed herself. A very angry, crazy and dangerous ghost who has to be stopped before she ends up killing others.
But, California also brings her something she's never had before, namely allies. She's no longer alone and ghosts or no ghosts life might just turn out a lot nicer then Suze every thought possible.
A light and fast read, but great fun and I will definitely read the rest of them.
AUTHOR: MEG CABOT
Pages: 199
Date: 10/05/2008
Grade: 4+
Details: no. 1 The Mediator Series
J.F.
Library
Susannah Simon would have been a normal 16 year old teenager if it wasn't for the fact that she can see ghosts and communicate with them. She's a mediator, her job being to sent lingering spirits on to where ever it is they're supposed to be going after they die.
Now, because her mother is remarrying Andy, she has to move from New York to California, where to her shock she has to live in a very old house and attend a very old school. And the older the buildings, the more ghosts that will be lingering there.
And sure enough, immediately upon arriving in her new room, she finds she's sharing it with a very handsome ghost named Jesse.
And in school she's confronted with the ghost of a girl who recently killed herself. A very angry, crazy and dangerous ghost who has to be stopped before she ends up killing others.
But, California also brings her something she's never had before, namely allies. She's no longer alone and ghosts or no ghosts life might just turn out a lot nicer then Suze every thought possible.
A light and fast read, but great fun and I will definitely read the rest of them.
Friday, May 9, 2008
CORRIDORS OF DEATH
TITLE: CORRIDORS OF DEATH
AUTHOR: RUTH DUDLEY EDWARDS
Date: 09/05/2008
Grade: 4.5
Details: no. 1 Robert Amiss Mystery
Audio/6 Cd's/6 hrs & 33 mins
Narrator: Bill Wallis
Library
After a high level meeting, Sir Nicholas Clark, a senior government civil servant, is murdered.
At first, Detective Superintendent James Milton of Scotland Yard is mystified as to why anybody would want to murder him
Robert Amiss is a junior civil servant, who decides to assist Milton in his enquiries by providing inside information, and between the two of them they soon discover that a lot of people had good reasons to dislike, if not hate, Sir Nicholas.
As more deaths follow, it is Robert Amiss who finds the answer to the question who did it, even if why events unfolded the way the day seems destined to remain a mystery.
Good story, good mystery and good narration; what more could I ask for.
AUTHOR: RUTH DUDLEY EDWARDS
Date: 09/05/2008
Grade: 4.5
Details: no. 1 Robert Amiss Mystery
Audio/6 Cd's/6 hrs & 33 mins
Narrator: Bill Wallis
Library
After a high level meeting, Sir Nicholas Clark, a senior government civil servant, is murdered.
At first, Detective Superintendent James Milton of Scotland Yard is mystified as to why anybody would want to murder him
Robert Amiss is a junior civil servant, who decides to assist Milton in his enquiries by providing inside information, and between the two of them they soon discover that a lot of people had good reasons to dislike, if not hate, Sir Nicholas.
As more deaths follow, it is Robert Amiss who finds the answer to the question who did it, even if why events unfolded the way the day seems destined to remain a mystery.
Good story, good mystery and good narration; what more could I ask for.
ECHO PARK
TITLE: ECHO PARK
AUTHOR: MICHAEL CONNELLY
Pages: 392
Date: 09/05/2008
Grade: 5
Details: no. 12 Harry Bosch Mystery
Own
A much needed return to the world of Harry Bosch after I neglected him for far too long.
Back in 1993, Harry Bosch worked the case of a missing woman who was never found, dead or alive, and for 13 years the case has been haunting him.
Now, a man is arrested with the cut up remains of two women in his car. To avoid the death sentence he decides to admit to all his crimes, one of those being Harry's old case.
This should be good news, however, Bosch doesn't buy it. Something feels very wrong, and as events unfold, that feeling only gets stronger.
A classic Harry Bosch mystery and as such a fast and very intelligent read.
AUTHOR: MICHAEL CONNELLY
Pages: 392
Date: 09/05/2008
Grade: 5
Details: no. 12 Harry Bosch Mystery
Own
A much needed return to the world of Harry Bosch after I neglected him for far too long.
Back in 1993, Harry Bosch worked the case of a missing woman who was never found, dead or alive, and for 13 years the case has been haunting him.
Now, a man is arrested with the cut up remains of two women in his car. To avoid the death sentence he decides to admit to all his crimes, one of those being Harry's old case.
This should be good news, however, Bosch doesn't buy it. Something feels very wrong, and as events unfold, that feeling only gets stronger.
A classic Harry Bosch mystery and as such a fast and very intelligent read.
THE SILVER SWAN
TITLE: THE SILVER SWAN
AUTHOR: BENJAMIN BLACK
Pages: 345
Date: 07/05/2008
Grade: 4
Details: no 2 Quirke Mystery
Library
This was a strange one, because in this book Quirke is determined not to try to solve the mystery of a woman found naked and dead in the sea. The post mortem he conducts against the wishes of the woman's husband reveals that she didn't drown but was injected with something. However, he doesn't reveal this and a verdict of accidental death is given.
However, Phoebe, Quirke's daughter gets caught up with one of the players in the drama and events move on to more deaths, despite Quirke's best efforts and in the end it is Inspector Hackett who solves the mysteries, and not Quirke.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It was definitely an intriguing story, but very dark with a lot of under currents and soul searching.
AUTHOR: BENJAMIN BLACK
Pages: 345
Date: 07/05/2008
Grade: 4
Details: no 2 Quirke Mystery
Library
This was a strange one, because in this book Quirke is determined not to try to solve the mystery of a woman found naked and dead in the sea. The post mortem he conducts against the wishes of the woman's husband reveals that she didn't drown but was injected with something. However, he doesn't reveal this and a verdict of accidental death is given.
However, Phoebe, Quirke's daughter gets caught up with one of the players in the drama and events move on to more deaths, despite Quirke's best efforts and in the end it is Inspector Hackett who solves the mysteries, and not Quirke.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It was definitely an intriguing story, but very dark with a lot of under currents and soul searching.
INDIGO DYING
TITLE: INDIGO DYING
AUTHOR: SUSAN WITTIG ALBERT
Pages: 264
Date: 05/05/2008
Grade: 4.5
Details: no. 11 China Bayles Mystery
Own
China and Ruby travel to the tiny town of Indigo, Texas, for a fair and a colour dying workshop. Indigo is in the process of reviving itself when Casey Ford decides to sell the mining rights, effectively signing Indigo's death-warrant. But, before he can sign the necessary paperwork, Casey dies as a result of a gunshot wound.
With the whole town having a reason to want Casey dead, there is no shortage of suspects. And a further murder proves that some people will do anything to keep their secrets.
A mystery that lived up to expectations. A well-plotted mystery, with just enough additional information to keep me interested and the story flowing.
AUTHOR: SUSAN WITTIG ALBERT
Pages: 264
Date: 05/05/2008
Grade: 4.5
Details: no. 11 China Bayles Mystery
Own
China and Ruby travel to the tiny town of Indigo, Texas, for a fair and a colour dying workshop. Indigo is in the process of reviving itself when Casey Ford decides to sell the mining rights, effectively signing Indigo's death-warrant. But, before he can sign the necessary paperwork, Casey dies as a result of a gunshot wound.
With the whole town having a reason to want Casey dead, there is no shortage of suspects. And a further murder proves that some people will do anything to keep their secrets.
A mystery that lived up to expectations. A well-plotted mystery, with just enough additional information to keep me interested and the story flowing.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
TERUG NAAR DE KUST
TITLE: TERUG NAAR DE KUST (RETURN TO THE COAST)
AUTHOR: SASKIA NOORT
Pages: 244
Date: 03/05/2008
Grade: 3.4
Own
Maria is a single mother with two children who has recently separated from the father of her youngest child and ended a third pregnancy.
Now her life descends into turmoil as someone starts threatening her through letters and sinister jokes.
Afraid for the safety of herself and her children, Maria flees to the house near the sea where she grew up and where her sister Ans still lives.
However, this move does not bring the hoped for safety as her stalker seems to know exactly where she is. As the people around her think Maria is going crazy, the danger continues to grow.
This book didn't really work for me, and once I figured out the supposedly "surprise" ending half way through the story, I skimmed through the rest of the book.
AUTHOR: SASKIA NOORT
Pages: 244
Date: 03/05/2008
Grade: 3.4
Own
Maria is a single mother with two children who has recently separated from the father of her youngest child and ended a third pregnancy.
Now her life descends into turmoil as someone starts threatening her through letters and sinister jokes.
Afraid for the safety of herself and her children, Maria flees to the house near the sea where she grew up and where her sister Ans still lives.
However, this move does not bring the hoped for safety as her stalker seems to know exactly where she is. As the people around her think Maria is going crazy, the danger continues to grow.
This book didn't really work for me, and once I figured out the supposedly "surprise" ending half way through the story, I skimmed through the rest of the book.
AGATHA RAISIN AND THE WALKERS OF DEMBLEY
TITLE: AGATHA RAISIN AND THE WALKERS OF DEMBLEY
AUTHOR: M.C. BEATON
Date: 02/05/2008
Grade: 4
Details: no. 4 Agatha Raisin Mystery
Audio/4 Cd's/ 4 hours & 41 mins
Narrator: Penelope Keith
Agatha returns home to her cottage in Carsley after spending six gruelling months working in London, and within days is asked to look into the murder of Jessica Tartinck. Jessica was a political activist with a knack for rubbing people up the wrong way, presently using her local rambling group to antagonize local landowners.
Agatha views the investigation as a great opportunity to get closer to her neighbour, James Lacey, who appears less then thrilled about her return. And soon the two of them have infiltrated the rambling group, where everybody appears to have a motive for the murder.
Not a great mystery, and I had the solution before the investigators. The redeeming feature for me however was the excellent narration by Keith.
AUTHOR: M.C. BEATON
Date: 02/05/2008
Grade: 4
Details: no. 4 Agatha Raisin Mystery
Audio/4 Cd's/ 4 hours & 41 mins
Narrator: Penelope Keith
Agatha returns home to her cottage in Carsley after spending six gruelling months working in London, and within days is asked to look into the murder of Jessica Tartinck. Jessica was a political activist with a knack for rubbing people up the wrong way, presently using her local rambling group to antagonize local landowners.
Agatha views the investigation as a great opportunity to get closer to her neighbour, James Lacey, who appears less then thrilled about her return. And soon the two of them have infiltrated the rambling group, where everybody appears to have a motive for the murder.
Not a great mystery, and I had the solution before the investigators. The redeeming feature for me however was the excellent narration by Keith.
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