by Charles Finch
This is the first book in a serious about a British man of privilege who is also an amateur sleuth in 1865.
The story starts with the man being asked to help investigate the death of a young serving girl, who was a former employee of the man's neighbour and good friend. The man takes on an investigation much to the chagrin of Scotland Yard.
The death has been set up to look as a suicide, but how could the girl write a suicide note when she was illiterate? It turns out the girl was having relationships with several men in addition to her fiance. They and several other men living in the house are also suspects. The girl is killed with a very rare and expensive poison so that would seem to narrow the suspects. Then a second death, the death of a Member of Parliament occurs in th same house and things get even more complicated.
The amateur detective is finally able to work with the blessing of the "Yard", when he agrees to let them take the credit, if he does solve the murders.
The book is a very genteel mystery, much in keeping with the time in which it took place. The author does a great job of describing the privileged lives of the wealthy and the conditions of the working class and the poor. The story was entertaining and kept you guessing until the end.
Monday, 2 January 2012
The Dovekeepers
by Alice Hoffman
This is the story of the lives of several women who were living in the Masada fortress prior to and at the time the Romans put the fortress under seige. It is the story of how love for a man can make women's lives very difficult and lead to tragic consequences. It is also a story about how women want to fulfill their desires for their lives. The book also described the relationships, friendships and conpetition between the women.
We all know the story of the Masada and that the story will not end well... The author does a wonderful job of portraying what life would be like in that time and in describing the religious faith of the people, their superstitions and biases. It was an interesting but sad read. It was interesting how people kept praying to god to get their wishes granted and their salvation, believing they were chosen and protected by god, what about the other people.... they also thought they were under gods favour too -- so misguided!
This is the story of the lives of several women who were living in the Masada fortress prior to and at the time the Romans put the fortress under seige. It is the story of how love for a man can make women's lives very difficult and lead to tragic consequences. It is also a story about how women want to fulfill their desires for their lives. The book also described the relationships, friendships and conpetition between the women.
We all know the story of the Masada and that the story will not end well... The author does a wonderful job of portraying what life would be like in that time and in describing the religious faith of the people, their superstitions and biases. It was an interesting but sad read. It was interesting how people kept praying to god to get their wishes granted and their salvation, believing they were chosen and protected by god, what about the other people.... they also thought they were under gods favour too -- so misguided!
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Plain Kate
by Erin Bow
This is a young adult book that I heard about when CBC interviewed its B.C. author. The story sounded interesting so I picked up a copy. The book was well written but I was shocked by the violence in the book-- people fear witches and burn them at the stake. A little girl is attacked and her hair is cut off and they try to cut off her ear. The main character is set on fire by someone who is afraid of her. I would really be careful about recommending this book for a young person.
The girl agrees to sell her soul to a witch/magician. In return, her cat get's the ability to talk. The cat ends up being quite an amusing aspect of the book.
I thought the story was okay but I felt it dragged on a bit until the conclusion. I think the story could have been edited down a bit.
This is a young adult book that I heard about when CBC interviewed its B.C. author. The story sounded interesting so I picked up a copy. The book was well written but I was shocked by the violence in the book-- people fear witches and burn them at the stake. A little girl is attacked and her hair is cut off and they try to cut off her ear. The main character is set on fire by someone who is afraid of her. I would really be careful about recommending this book for a young person.
The girl agrees to sell her soul to a witch/magician. In return, her cat get's the ability to talk. The cat ends up being quite an amusing aspect of the book.
I thought the story was okay but I felt it dragged on a bit until the conclusion. I think the story could have been edited down a bit.
Black Diamond
by Martin Walker
This is the story of Bruno, a police officer in the town of Saint Denis in the Dordognne region of France. This book attracted me because I have travelled in this area of France and really loved it.
The book was interesting because I had visited the area and could visualize or was familiar with some of the places he mentions in the book. However, the book was also a well written mystery story. It portrayed life in a small provincial town and the small town politics that occur. The story involves a number of attacks on vietnames and chinese establishments in the area. Are the towns getting caught up in inter gang rivalries? Plus, is someone interfering with truffle shipments -- this threatens the reputation for truffles that the region is so proud of. It was a quaint but entertaining story.
This is the story of Bruno, a police officer in the town of Saint Denis in the Dordognne region of France. This book attracted me because I have travelled in this area of France and really loved it.
The book was interesting because I had visited the area and could visualize or was familiar with some of the places he mentions in the book. However, the book was also a well written mystery story. It portrayed life in a small provincial town and the small town politics that occur. The story involves a number of attacks on vietnames and chinese establishments in the area. Are the towns getting caught up in inter gang rivalries? Plus, is someone interfering with truffle shipments -- this threatens the reputation for truffles that the region is so proud of. It was a quaint but entertaining story.
The Coroner's Lunch
by Colin Cotterill
This is the first book about a 70+ year old coroner in Laos, who becomes an amateur sleuth. The story is quite funny. The book makes fun of the communist government and officials in Laos. The coroner has a two helpers, a young nurse who longs to be his apprentice and a young boy who has Downs Syndrome. He also has a croney he consults with.
The story describes how he goes from being a bored, reluctant coroner who longs to retire but who keeps getting reminded that in a communist country there is no retirement. It shows how he works his way around the administration, avoiding what he doesn't want to to and getting what he wants in the end.
It was an entertaining read, very interesting because of the exotic local. I would certainly read other books in this series.
This is the first book about a 70+ year old coroner in Laos, who becomes an amateur sleuth. The story is quite funny. The book makes fun of the communist government and officials in Laos. The coroner has a two helpers, a young nurse who longs to be his apprentice and a young boy who has Downs Syndrome. He also has a croney he consults with.
The story describes how he goes from being a bored, reluctant coroner who longs to retire but who keeps getting reminded that in a communist country there is no retirement. It shows how he works his way around the administration, avoiding what he doesn't want to to and getting what he wants in the end.
It was an entertaining read, very interesting because of the exotic local. I would certainly read other books in this series.
Friday, 23 December 2011
Death Comes to Pemberley
by P.D. James
This is the latest book by the famous mystery author. It is a departure from her normal stories. It is written as a mystery sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. This could be a risky step, taking on a work by another famous author. However, James has done a wonderful job of capturing the language of Austen, the characters from the original book, and weaving a mystery tale out of the original story. I thought she did a wonderful job a representing life in England in Austen's time and reflecting the class consciousness of the characters. She brought in enough information from the original story but no too much and then she went on to embelish the tale. Interestingly, she has made Lizzie a little less angelic than Austen portrays her.
I was curious about the book and wondered if James would be able to pull it off and I would say she did a very admirable job!
This is the latest book by the famous mystery author. It is a departure from her normal stories. It is written as a mystery sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. This could be a risky step, taking on a work by another famous author. However, James has done a wonderful job of capturing the language of Austen, the characters from the original book, and weaving a mystery tale out of the original story. I thought she did a wonderful job a representing life in England in Austen's time and reflecting the class consciousness of the characters. She brought in enough information from the original story but no too much and then she went on to embelish the tale. Interestingly, she has made Lizzie a little less angelic than Austen portrays her.
I was curious about the book and wondered if James would be able to pull it off and I would say she did a very admirable job!
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Paris Vendetta
by Steve Berry
I bought this book thinking it was a mystery but it was really more of an action/thriller like the Da Vinci code and written in a similar style.
The story involves an ex-U.S. Justice Department agent who has settled for life as a bookseller in Copenhagen. He finds his life interrupted by a young American who breaks into his store followed by some people intent on killing him. The young man is a friend of the booksellers friend and sponsor so he sets off with the young man to the home of their joint friend. They find out that the Dane has killed two intruders, one of whom had killed his son.
The story then develops with two different people who are trying to track down the location of what they believe is a treasure left by Napoleon for his son. They are trying to decipher clues in coded text to determine the location of the stash. One of the people is a corsican whose family was wronged by Napoleon the other is an unscrupulous collector. The two people while they are competing to find the treasure are also developing a plot to distabilize the world and profit from the consequences. There are also conspiracy theorists involved in the story and double-crosses.
Of course, the Americans save the day, coming in to France and taking over the case to stop/interfere with terrorist attacks. This was an okay read but it is not my cup of tea, I like books that are more mysteries with analysis of clues and character rather than "shoot-em"/'blow-em-up" action.
I'm glad I bought this book on the discount table, wouldn't have wanted to pay full price for it!
I bought this book thinking it was a mystery but it was really more of an action/thriller like the Da Vinci code and written in a similar style.
The story involves an ex-U.S. Justice Department agent who has settled for life as a bookseller in Copenhagen. He finds his life interrupted by a young American who breaks into his store followed by some people intent on killing him. The young man is a friend of the booksellers friend and sponsor so he sets off with the young man to the home of their joint friend. They find out that the Dane has killed two intruders, one of whom had killed his son.
The story then develops with two different people who are trying to track down the location of what they believe is a treasure left by Napoleon for his son. They are trying to decipher clues in coded text to determine the location of the stash. One of the people is a corsican whose family was wronged by Napoleon the other is an unscrupulous collector. The two people while they are competing to find the treasure are also developing a plot to distabilize the world and profit from the consequences. There are also conspiracy theorists involved in the story and double-crosses.
Of course, the Americans save the day, coming in to France and taking over the case to stop/interfere with terrorist attacks. This was an okay read but it is not my cup of tea, I like books that are more mysteries with analysis of clues and character rather than "shoot-em"/'blow-em-up" action.
I'm glad I bought this book on the discount table, wouldn't have wanted to pay full price for it!
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