I certainly enjoy Janice Hallett's style of writing. It is always entertaining. If you've read any of her previous books you'll know not to expect a lI certainly enjoy Janice Hallett's style of writing. It is always entertaining. If you've read any of her previous books you'll know not to expect a linear timeline with simple prose. The Examiner takes this style to its farthest degree with texts, messaging and group messaging alongside reports made by members of the art group, tutors, support staff and examiners all coming into play.
We are introduced to the story by the examiner explaining that the course work for a small group mixed media Masters degree is enclosed along with the fears that some harm has to come to one of the students. What follows is a generally linear story about the group, their origins, their coursework and the interaction between all of them.
It sounds complicated but I'm very easily distracted and I had no problem working out what was going on. My advice - just go with it and it'll all become completely clear very quickly.
The story is based on fact but that's all I can say or it'll give the game away. Authors constantly amaze me with their inspiration for stories like this. The characters are real characters - certainly Jem stands out as being particularly nosey and irritating, Patrick is a typical people pleaser, Ludya is constantly distracted by her home life and poor Gela (short for Angela) seems like she's trying to knit fog in her attempt to get her small group to work cohesively.
All I will say apart from having enjoyed it immensely and only getting a little list near the end, is that the plot and characters aren't at all what they seem - this becomes apparent very quickly. It is fast paced, clever, funny and thought provoking.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Serpent's Tail/Viper/Profile Books for the advance review copy....more
My first Lucy Foley and I was not disappointed. The Midnight Feast will make a cracking holiday read (or any other time come to that) for sure.
The4.5
My first Lucy Foley and I was not disappointed. The Midnight Feast will make a cracking holiday read (or any other time come to that) for sure.
The story centres around The Manor, a holistic retreat for rich clientele who "fit the profile" designated by the owner, Francesca Meadows, who has transformed her old family home into a new age hotel for the discerning few.
There are various other significant players- Owen, Francesca's husband; Eddie, local boy and trainee barman and Bella, one of the guests. All have their own secrets that would be devastating to their plans if they were to be found out. Francesca is determined that nothing will mar her opening weekend and that includes local myth that The Birds will seek revenge on any who are found guilty of any crime. The Birds are the law in Tome.
The story is told from several points of view but it never gets confusing. The back and forth into different timelines is equally well handled. I'm notorious for losing my way in books but this story gripped me all the way through. I read it in two sittings.
The reason for the half point deduction is that there were just one or two tiny bits at the end which were a little too fantastical for me but apart from that it was a great story which took off in the second half and I found it impossible to put down until I'd finished it.
Excellent. Highly recommended.
Thankyou to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the advance review copy....more
Another great twisty crime thriller from Jo Spain.
The action is split into two timelines - 2014 when our protagonist, Dani, is studying at St EdmundsAnother great twisty crime thriller from Jo Spain.
The action is split into two timelines - 2014 when our protagonist, Dani, is studying at St Edmunds. She is young and in love with Theo, a brilliant medical student. However Theo has walked out early one morning and disappeared. Dani's time at uni becomes a nightmare as she tries to find Theo while chasing down leads of where he may have gone and why.
We jump forward to 2024 where Dani is now a detective for the Garda Siochana, investigating the college she was a student at. The medical science research facility for which St Edmunds is famous is under scrutiny following concerns raised over their testing of a saviour drug that could stop or even reverse the effects of Alzheimer's.
Dani is torn between wanting the drug to work because her mother has been suffering the effects of Alzheimer's for 10 years but also because she suspects that St Edmunds aren't just covering up dodgy research but also that it has something to do with Theo's disappearance.
As usual Jo Spain manages to throw us several curveballs along the twisty way to the end of this book. I'm afraid that it missed out on full marks because there were times when it felt like we were going slowly around in circles. However if you like a slow burn it'll be right up your street. The end itself is at breakneck speed with a twist or two right at the finish.
Altogether a really good book that I'd highly recommend. The subject matter of dementia runs throughout the book and its not an easy read in that respect but dementia of all types touches so many lives and, as we've seen in the past, Big Pharma is not above massaging figures and results to earn the big bucks.
Thankyou so much to Quercus Books and Netgalley for pre-approval of the advance review copy. Delighted to receive it....more