I much preferred The Thursday Murder Club series. This new series ,for me at least, lacked the warmth and likability in the characters that the other I much preferred The Thursday Murder Club series. This new series ,for me at least, lacked the warmth and likability in the characters that the other series had in abundance....more
The story line of this was quite good, however I listened to this on audible and thought the narrator did a very poor job in trying to create any kindThe story line of this was quite good, however I listened to this on audible and thought the narrator did a very poor job in trying to create any kind of tension or make the characters stand out. So, probably a book I should have read,rather than listened to !...more
Another exciting tale with Poe and Tilly! I really like this detective series, it’s just a bit different, this one did have an rather implausible endiAnother exciting tale with Poe and Tilly! I really like this detective series, it’s just a bit different, this one did have an rather implausible ending, but I can happily forgive the author for that :-)...more
This was a pleasant enough story, but to me nothing like as good as the first and second in the series. A pity really, but this story just seemed a biThis was a pleasant enough story, but to me nothing like as good as the first and second in the series. A pity really, but this story just seemed a bit boring in places, Poppy & Ganesha didn’t feature in it as much as I would have liked....more
I really enjoyed the fifth novel in this series, I think L.J.Ross has improved quite a bit since her first novel. The characters come very much to lifI really enjoyed the fifth novel in this series, I think L.J.Ross has improved quite a bit since her first novel. The characters come very much to life ( though Ryan still strikes me as a bit too good to be true ! ) The Hacker returns, and McKenzie’s life is on the line.. plenty of action, tension and strong women !...more
I am not at all sure about this book, my first by Joy Ellis. This book sums up a lot about what I don’t like in contemporary crime fiction, we have thI am not at all sure about this book, my first by Joy Ellis. This book sums up a lot about what I don’t like in contemporary crime fiction, we have the inevitable troubled/disturbed Detective, in this story not a particulalry likeable one ! Then what appears to be the most common theme these days, child abuse. This is slowly but surely going to be turning me away from these kind of books! The book itself was well written and did have a couple of well rounded characters, but it also left quite a few unanswered questions....more
I loved the first two books in this series and was really looking forward to the third. Vaseem Khan can certainly write well and at times his turn of I loved the first two books in this series and was really looking forward to the third. Vaseem Khan can certainly write well and at times his turn of phase makes you want to laugh out loud. Sadly for me though this one was let down slightly by it’s flimsy plot, such a pity. I also found there was an overload of info on Bollywood of which I was not convinced enchanced the book in any way. Rangwalla was given a rather odd case to “solve� and Poppy was quite active in this third novel. I can’t put my finger on it, but this book just did not quite deliver on the fun, magic and charm of the first two for me. ...more
I loved this book ! I have read the author's previous two novels both of which are WW2 spy novels and I really enjoyed them. This one goes in an entirI loved this book ! I have read the author's previous two novels both of which are WW2 spy novels and I really enjoyed them. This one goes in an entirely different direction, being a modern day crime novel set in the area I was born, Gateshead. I have never read a novel where the places are so familiar to me, it was fascinating , it almost made me feel I was in the story ! The novel introduces Detective Sam Snow, a young policeman who takes his responsibilities seriously and doesn't suffer fools gladly. He is very likeable! Olivia Clavel completes this unlikely but very entertaining team. Sam is tasked to solve a murder inquiry which starts off looking like a fairly straightforward case, but turns into anything but ! I hate to give away any of the plot in a review, suffice to say it is a clever, well paced thriller which kept my attention til the end ! I feel there is something for everyone in this new crime series and I am certainly looking forward to the next book. For lovers of British crime novels and ones especially set in the North East it is a must read !...more
Well, I finally got around to reading Angela Marsons, my GR friend Fred recommended her novels to me ages ago ! I enjoyed the story, in the early partWell, I finally got around to reading Angela Marsons, my GR friend Fred recommended her novels to me ages ago ! I enjoyed the story, in the early part of the book I did not take to Kim Stone, she seemed too hard to me, but by the end she grows on you, even her brashness ! The story paints a grim picture of the Birmingham area ( Black Country) and indeed of a desperately sad section of society where they rule themselves. I liked Bryant and his calm attitude. The story unfolded well and kept my interest til the end, though the wrapping up of the story did strike me as a bit rushed. My only gripe was that I did not think it added anything to the book to include some of the regional dialect. This may work in an audio book but not for the written word I feel....more
4.5* A very enjoyable , rather traditional whodunit. This is a book within a book and I was not sure how it would work, I need not have worried, it wo4.5* A very enjoyable , rather traditional whodunit. This is a book within a book and I was not sure how it would work, I need not have worried, it worked very well and did not cause any confusion, however I am not sure what it would be like if I had been listening to it ! One of the murder mysteries main character is so like Poirot I found I could “see� him whilst reading, it is certainly a homage to Agatha Christie. Horowitz is undoubtably a very clever writer, who can weave wonderful stories around a variety of characters. The reason I have not given it 5 * was I found a couple of rather irritating errors which should have been found by a good editor, ironic given that one of the leading characters of the main story was a renowned editor :-)...more
I was utterly sickened at an unexpected, very explicit section in the prologue of this book, and I was seriously tempted to stop reading,why on earth I was utterly sickened at an unexpected, very explicit section in the prologue of this book, and I was seriously tempted to stop reading,why on earth the author thought this was justified is beyond me! However, not one to give up on a book easily I took a short break from it and continued. I still can’t decide if that was a good move or not. I would give too much away of the plot if I raised all issues I have with it, suffice to say, the subject of sexual child abuse is not a topic to be taken lightly and I find nothing in my heart that can excuse it. I think it is a great pity, as a subject such as this can be handled in a far more sensitive way. The plotting of this book however is undoubtedly fast paced and by and large the writing is good, hence the 3 stars, my heart wanted to give it 1* ....more
The DCI Ryan #2 is a great follow up story to the first, entitled Holy Island. I think LJ Ross is a talented writer who creates well rounded characterThe DCI Ryan #2 is a great follow up story to the first, entitled Holy Island. I think LJ Ross is a talented writer who creates well rounded characters, both good and bad and plenty of tension in her stories. I am not usually drawn to Detective series, but I confess that as I grew up in the North East of England my heart still resides there, and this series transports me back to so many familiar locations. As a teenager I enjoyed many school hiking trips around the area of Hadrian's Wall, and feel it is time I had a trip back there before too long ! I read somewhere that this novel could be read as a stand alone, however in my view it is better to read Holy Island first, otherwise all the references found in this one, Sycamore Gap would be puzzling to the reader. This book is fast paced with lots of elements to keep the reader guessing, I know I will certainly be reading the next one....more
This is the second time I have read this book, the first time I read it must be more than twenty years ago and certainly before e books came on the scThis is the second time I have read this book, the first time I read it must be more than twenty years ago and certainly before e books came on the scene. I have been to Venice since and I think that is what captured me with this book in the first place, a fabulous and intriguing setting. I did find the early part of the book a little slow, and perhaps it is even a bit dated now, but I do so like Commissario Guido Brunetti ! A murder mystery and entertaining read. ...more
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