It has been a great delight to snuggle up with a good mystery. Recently reading some non fiction, (which really isn’t my metier), it’s good not wantinIt has been a great delight to snuggle up with a good mystery. Recently reading some non fiction, (which really isn’t my metier), it’s good not wanting to put a book down (some clever sleuths will discover to which novels I refer). Fellowes has written a deliciously Christie-like novel, with plot twists and red herrings galore: snap those garter straps, this is the early 1920s. And we’re in for a rollicking good adventure....more
What a fantastic premise; after all, who hasn’t at one stage in their working life, wanted to get rid of the boss (or perhaps their supervisor). Mr. HWhat a fantastic premise; after all, who hasn’t at one stage in their working life, wanted to get rid of the boss (or perhaps their supervisor). Mr. Holmes has the formula, and initially I was captivated by his use of word-play, puns and other clever scenarios to teach the students of “The McMasters guide to homicide: volume one: murder your employer”, and the efficient and effective ways to ‘delete’ one’s bête noir. In a working class environment. Naturally. However, ‘tis damning with faint praise. On every page there are clever allusions, occlusions, and witty repartee that simply exhausts The Reader. At least this one....more
Madame Ariadne (aka Prudence Ryland), psychic to the well-heeled San Franciscan has had to hastily close shop to escape the opprobrium associated withMadame Ariadne (aka Prudence Ryland), psychic to the well-heeled San Franciscan has had to hastily close shop to escape the opprobrium associated with the untimely death of the recipient of her last reading, the wealthy but slightly unhinged Thomas Tapson. Once relocated in Burning Cove, South California, she has re-invented herself as a research librarian in an academic library specialising in the paranormal. Until, she awakes in a swanky hotel room wearing a blood-splattered wedding dress, lying next to a very dead Gilbert Dover, heir to the Dover Industries and fortune. Prudence and Gilbert are not unacquainted. Given the circumstances Prudence realises she has to negotiate around the police, and employ Luther Pell, an agent on the wrong/right side of the law. And by doing so, meets Jack Wingate, Pell’s investigator, he of chiselled jawline, strong, lean, but scarred both physically and emotionally. Trying to prove Prudence’s innocence leads both she and Jack into danger and further enmeshed in the diabolical Dover family. As usual Quick has provided a quick (sorry, I couldn’t resist), largely satisfying read; although I did wonder given its period setting, women would have been saying “yeah” and “nope”....more
Mallon’s latest is an imaginative tour-de-force; a fictionalised biography of the life, career and death of Dick Kallman, a ‘B’ grade television perforMallon’s latest is an imaginative tour-de-force; a fictionalised biography of the life, career and death of Dick Kallman, a ‘B’ grade television performer and occasional theatre actor/singer, whose ambition overwhelmed his limited talent and personality.
“… on Dick Kallman ambition stuck out like a cowlick or horn, fatal to an audience’s complete belief in almost any character he was playing.”
Mallon’s genius is to interweave real people from the 1950s and 60s into the narrative, bringing a sense of verisimilitude and wonder. (I googled some of the ‘names’ I wasn’t familiar with, and sure enough, they were there). Not only does the author immerse The Reader into the world of semi-celebrity, but throws in a murder as well; what more could you ask for?...more
Another entertaining romp with the members of The Thursday Murder Club. For new readers, I’d recommend starting with the first in the series where relAnother entertaining romp with the members of The Thursday Murder Club. For new readers, I’d recommend starting with the first in the series where relationships are established....more
Dear Bella, I hope you don’t mind my informality? After all, we’ve never met, although we do have one thing in common: you are the author of the book IDear Bella, I hope you don’t mind my informality? After all, we’ve never met, although we do have one thing in common: you are the author of the book I’ve just put down and removed my bookmark (at page 223 of 354). I will not be re-inserting said bookmark. I loved the premise of your novel, and you have talent as a novelist. I’ll give you a couple of examples I particularly enjoyed. “The other guy had a sizeable belly on him, and back hair, which I refuse to accept is attractive to anyone in the modern age. You don’t get points for keeping yourself warm.”
“…. and Gavin, the sweetly camp guy who wore cardigans more than he should, and that is being kind because the correct amount is never.” (I love my cardies….)
However, Bella, nothing excuses the over-abundance of WORDS in your novel; I felt I was drowning in them. Where was your editor? Did you have one? The novel would have been more successful, and shorter, if someone had taken the blue pencil to your draft. I’m not giving up on you, and will look out for your next effort. Sincerely yours, Alistair...more
2.5 stars A baby is abandoned in the middle of a London winter in 1850. The girl who will become Lily Mortimer is saved by a young policeman who delive2.5 stars A baby is abandoned in the middle of a London winter in 1850. The girl who will become Lily Mortimer is saved by a young policeman who delivers the child to a Foundling Hospital. As is the custom, infants are farmed out to families (for a small recompense) for six years, then returned to the Hospital. At Rookery Farm, Lily finds love and acceptance which makes the compulsory return even more unwelcome, where she earns the sobriquet Miss Disobedience from the sadistic Nurse Maud. From the first pages The Reader is aware that Lily has committed a murder for which she knows she will hang. The narrative moves between Lily now, working in a wig emporium, and her time at the Foundling Hospital. These changes in time are not always as smoothly executed as one might expect from Tremain. Further, the voice of the young Lily sounds too mature for a child of seven or eight. Altogether, this, in my opinion, is not one of Tremain’s finest - although a friend who likes to give a score out of ten gave this a thumbs-up 8.86 rating....more