On the one hand, anecdote-driven celebrity fluff. But on the other, Barrowman recognises that there are few visible role models for gay men in committOn the one hand, anecdote-driven celebrity fluff. But on the other, Barrowman recognises that there are few visible role models for gay men in committed relationships, and is prepared to play his part by talking about aspects of his marriage amongst the anecdotes....more
Commander Vimes of the City Watch goes on holiday and gets fitted up for a murder.
Always entertaining, Pratchett is actually a master at tackling realCommander Vimes of the City Watch goes on holiday and gets fitted up for a murder.
Always entertaining, Pratchett is actually a master at tackling real issues; in this case people-trafficking, "human" rights and sentience. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - and Pratchett spotlights the consequences of turning a blind eye.
Vimes is a great character and in Snuff we see more of his family life with Lady Sybil and poo-obsessed Young Sam, as well as learning more back story about his role as the hero of Koom Valley. I also love his homicidal manservant Willikins....more
It's been a while since I hung out with Reacher and I had a good time.
The formula is familiar - Reacher comes across a dodgy situation in a small towIt's been a while since I hung out with Reacher and I had a good time.
The formula is familiar - Reacher comes across a dodgy situation in a small town and fights for truth, justice and the American way. This time it's a trio of brothers and their son who run the local trucking company, pretty much holding the local farmers to ransom by leaving crops to rot in the fields if anyone goes against them. Locals suspect something more sinister could be going on, but daren't step out of line.
Reacher's justice is swift and brutal. He uncovers the truth, and then goes on his American way. Simples....more
WWI as told from the POV of a 19 year-old soldier, based on Remarque's own wartime experiences.
Narrator Paul is German but he could equally be BritishWWI as told from the POV of a 19 year-old soldier, based on Remarque's own wartime experiences.
Narrator Paul is German but he could equally be British, French, Canadian etc. Like any man in the trenches, his existence is all about survival but he starts to wonder what will become of him if he does survive the war:
I am young, I am twenty years of age; but I know nothing of life except despair, death, fear and the completely mindless superficiality with an abyss of suffering. I see people being driven against one another, and silently, uncomprehendingly, foolishly, obediently and innocently killing one another. I see the best brains in the world inventing weapons and words to make the whole process that much more sophisticated and long-lasting. And watching this with me are all my contemporaries, here and on the other side, all over the world - my whole generation is experiencing this with me. What would our fathers do if one day we rose up and confronted them, and called them to account? What do they expect from us when a time comes in which there is no more war? For years our occupation has been killing - that was the first experience we had. Our knowledge of life is limited to death. What will happen afterwards? And what can possibly become of us?
Incredibly powerful and moving. A true classic....more
In the eighth in the Scotland St series, Angus & Domenica are to be married, and narcissist Bruce returns to Edinburgh.
As ever, an enjoyable and gentlIn the eighth in the Scotland St series, Angus & Domenica are to be married, and narcissist Bruce returns to Edinburgh.
As ever, an enjoyable and gently escapist read. The best bits for me involve the long-suffering Bertie, and kind coffee bar owner Big Lou, as well as the misadventures of Angus' gold-toothed dog, Cyril....more
On her 5th wedding anniversary, Amy disappears from her home, leaving behind a crime scene that doesn't quite add up and her husband Nick soon becomesOn her 5th wedding anniversary, Amy disappears from her home, leaving behind a crime scene that doesn't quite add up and her husband Nick soon becomes the prime suspect.
After a slow start I was soon gripped by Gone Girl. The ending isn't neat and pretty like most thrillers, it's messy and open-ended like real life....more
This is a charming book with plenty of flaws that I was happy to overlook whilst reading, as I got caught up in the story and the wonderful turn of phThis is a charming book with plenty of flaws that I was happy to overlook whilst reading, as I got caught up in the story and the wonderful turn of phrase.
The flaws mainly came to me afterwards; the most glaring is how little we come to know Mrs Ali.
A standalone thriller that doesn't show the polish of Deaver's later works.
Teenager Megan is kidnapped by her psychiatrist, who fakes that she's run A standalone thriller that doesn't show the polish of Deaver's later works.
Teenager Megan is kidnapped by her psychiatrist, who fakes that she's run away from home. The book centres on the chess-like moves of the perpetrator in trying to keep ahead of her doubting parents.
The plotting is decent but most of the characters are thinly drawn....more
The third volume of memoirs from Paul O'Grady is just as enjoyable as the first. The only disappointment is the tacked-on ending, which sort of brings The third volume of memoirs from Paul O'Grady is just as enjoyable as the first. The only disappointment is the tacked-on ending, which sort of brings his story up to date, skipping over too many years. A fourth volume is definitely required! ...more
Fascinating and eloquent, Millar lays bare his career to date, and pulls no punches about his choice to start doping and the battles that followed theFascinating and eloquent, Millar lays bare his career to date, and pulls no punches about his choice to start doping and the battles that followed the Cofidis scandal and his arrest by French police. He is now the most outspoken anti-doping campaigner within the pro peloton, and my respect for him has doubled after reading his memoir....more
The aftermath of a shocking murder from a different viewpoint: that of a small town solicitor who, by happenstance, ends up defending the apparently iThe aftermath of a shocking murder from a different viewpoint: that of a small town solicitor who, by happenstance, ends up defending the apparently indefensible. Leo Curtice's life is changed forever by the case and he becomes the target of a hate campaign.
I enjoyed Lelic's previous work Rupture but despite the fascinating premise this didn't quite work for me. The frequent changes of narrator were dislocating as it often took a few sentences to work out whose viewpoint we were hearing. I also found it hard to believe that Curtice would receive such vitriol for doing his job, but perhaps this is a reflection of the tabloid times we live in and the thirst for simplistic good or evil classifications....more
I'm a regular cyclist and occasional randonneur but my limit is 100km. London-Edinburgh-London is a 1400km ultra-marathon, organiLEL of an adventure!
I'm a regular cyclist and occasional randonneur but my limit is 100km. London-Edinburgh-London is a 1400km ultra-marathon, organised every 4 years by Audax UK, Britain's long-distance cycling association....more
Not bad, easy read. Would be happy to spend more time with the characters, although Didi's attitude change at the end didn't ring true.Not bad, easy read. Would be happy to spend more time with the characters, although Didi's attitude change at the end didn't ring true....more
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