I鈥檝e read this series to get to this particular book. I鈥檓 originally from Rhymney, the main setting for this book, and it was posted and the FB page fI鈥檝e read this series to get to this particular book. I鈥檓 originally from Rhymney, the main setting for this book, and it was posted and the FB page for the village. I found the descriptions very apt and it was 0leasing to picture the locations as they were being referred to. I have visited the Bent Iron in both its guises and can confirm its remote location. I was one of the first to attend the new school, although at that point it was still Rhymney Comprehensive.
On to the narrative, I found the story very gripping and it was interesting to view how a team from Cardiff would view Valleys policing, I don鈥檛 think it would be far off the mark I loved the use of the logo, and was ahead of the police at that point. As always it was interesting to see how the story would conclude.
The author makes some good points around patriotism and how this affects the Welsh, the valleys. I鈥檓 not certain it goes as far as it does, but as with many works of fiction it just takes a point and moves one step further. There is one more book in this series remaining, I do hope that there will be others to follow....more
decided to read this after watching the film. At first I wasn鈥檛 enamoured with the writing, but I soon got used to it. When the film mentions that evedecided to read this after watching the film. At first I wasn鈥檛 enamoured with the writing, but I soon got used to it. When the film mentions that events are changed etc, then they really have changed and dramatic emphasis is used. The memoir is well worth reading if not seeing the film. I particularly enjoyed the writing that wasn鈥檛 about the penguin, showing the authors experiences whilst in South America.
A quick read and one that will stay with me for a while....more
This was a very compelling read, although at first I wondered if it was for me. The premise of the story is around a group of gardening activists who This was a very compelling read, although at first I wondered if it was for me. The premise of the story is around a group of gardening activists who use spare bits of land (a loose term) to grow crops. What happens to this group when courted by a billionaire. It all goes a bit nuts, and plenty of points to consider, but all in all a good read. The ending leaves many questions but it was well thought out and executed.
This is a new to me author and one that I will look out for in future....more
A read that had magical realism at its centre. It would seem the main aim was to show how people live with the knowledge of the date of their passing.A read that had magical realism at its centre. It would seem the main aim was to show how people live with the knowledge of the date of their passing. Although apart from one of the Gold children it didn鈥檛 really seem to affect them. The one sibling I felt made a really stupid decision, but I suppose it all comes down to a belief in the unknown.
I wasn鈥檛 fussed on the ending, but I suppose some people will appreciate it more, different strokes and all that....more
Read on a recommendation from a library FB page. It was indeed fast moving, and short chapters added to the swiftness. There were a few twists to the Read on a recommendation from a library FB page. It was indeed fast moving, and short chapters added to the swiftness. There were a few twists to the plot, though at times I felt they were introduced from nowhere. The themes were recent developments and believable.
I did check beforehand if this was part of a series, and I think it is a follow up, but it never showed as such. Previous plot was used liberally throughout, on reflection maybe too much given away....more
An absolute corker of a book in this series, and I would say the best yet. The first day back after maternity leave is a hectic one for Jemima (maybe An absolute corker of a book in this series, and I would say the best yet. The first day back after maternity leave is a hectic one for Jemima (maybe too hectic), as she鈥檚 given a high profile case. The plot develops nicely, and the twist is a little unexpected.
Plenty of historical issues used throughout the plot, was there a nod to 鈥榩romising young man鈥� atonement point. Some questions around Matilda鈥檚 brothers, but otherwise a satisfying ending....more
A collection of crime stories linked (sometimes tenuously) to Wales. As with any anthology there will be differences in style, story development etc. A collection of crime stories linked (sometimes tenuously) to Wales. As with any anthology there will be differences in style, story development etc. There were some that I enjoyed more than others. In particular I smiled when the dialogue was authentic and reflected the nuances of Welsh people speaking....more
A very warm, uplifting, life affirming story. As with many of Mike Gayle鈥檚 books a situation is taken and expanded upon. I think the character of ConnA very warm, uplifting, life affirming story. As with many of Mike Gayle鈥檚 books a situation is taken and expanded upon. I think the character of Connor is well written, it highlights his view of the World and the challenges that produces. I enjoy the two hander format of the story, it always helps to get the dual perspective.
Overall I liked the book, and read many of the authors early works, but at times I found the story a bit too sweet, so maybe not so many Gayle books in the future....more
Another light cosy mystery. A cast of characters that all have motive, at one point I did think it would end like a mystery by a well known author on Another light cosy mystery. A cast of characters that all have motive, at one point I did think it would end like a mystery by a well known author on a different mode of transport. I particularly enjoyed the reveal, very original, very true to what I think would happen in real life....more
This was a book club choice, and would be my second preferred option of the selection. Having said that I鈥檓 glad I was given the opportunity to read iThis was a book club choice, and would be my second preferred option of the selection. Having said that I鈥檓 glad I was given the opportunity to read it.
The narrative is straightforward but harrowing. Having read the Author鈥檚 notes and Acknowledgments I have no doubt of the veracity of it all. Based around three women who are thrown together in to the Vietnam War, it shows their support and friendship for each other throughout the following years. Focussing on Frankie in particular it tells her story of combat and the challenges of returning home. At times a challenging read, but always holding the readers attention.
As I was reading it I realised this was the type of novel I enjoyed as a teen, ficus on one character through hardship and pain. This novel deserves all it plaudits....more
gripping thriller. This book is longer than the previous instalments of the series, and I think it benefited the story. The procedural aspect of the ngripping thriller. This book is longer than the previous instalments of the series, and I think it benefited the story. The procedural aspect of the narrative was well constructed and we鈥檒l establish character traits were well used.
The author pulls no punches in the crimes committed, and descriptions of them. It鈥檚 not the most gory I鈥檝e read but very detailed. The little bits dropped in from the past are great at making it possible to read as a standalone, and also for reminding readers of the whole series about the backstory.
I鈥檝e had a few niggles in the past about aspects of these books, but they weren鈥檛 present this time (although Jemima does mention something at some point in this book), at least not so prominent. I鈥檒l be reading the next in the series soon....more
This was never a book I would have chosen, it was a book club pick. I am amazed at how much I enjoyed it. Not a romance as I thought, but What a ride!
This was never a book I would have chosen, it was a book club pick. I am amazed at how much I enjoyed it. Not a romance as I thought, but a crafted work that has so much more. Enjoyed the prose of the first half, revelled in the few days written in the second. Left with so many questions...more
An interesting mystery/thriller told as a two handed between the main characters Greg and Joanne. I found at the start (annoyingly) that the crossoverAn interesting mystery/thriller told as a two handed between the main characters Greg and Joanne. I found at the start (annoyingly) that the crossover between them duplicated much of the narrative. I also found the drip feeding, or repetitive lack of it, a strain. I didn鈥檛 really like any character in the book, but I could picture Malcolm very well.
It was interesting to read about Covid and it鈥檚 impact on a small village.
A read to pass the time, and I know I would have enjoyed this book at some point in the past....more
Although a genre that im used to, this was a very different narrative and style than I would normally read. Maybe because of its unfamiliarity I enjoyAlthough a genre that im used to, this was a very different narrative and style than I would normally read. Maybe because of its unfamiliarity I enjoyed it all the more. There is a deliberate attempt (with success) to be the unreliable narrator. It is difficult to see where the story is going and then that moment of realisation. I鈥檝e been known to criticise books for having so many coincidences, but in this instance I think it works. What I can鈥檛 see is how that particular person took the next bed?!
I鈥檓 now going to look up the author on YouTube, and look forward to the further translations of their work....more
An interesting book that looks at LGBTQ+ issues against a backdrop of religious fervour. The lengths they went to in order to 鈥榗ure鈥� the person. I enjAn interesting book that looks at LGBTQ+ issues against a backdrop of religious fervour. The lengths they went to in order to 鈥榗ure鈥� the person. I enjoyed the narrative in the 鈥榬eal鈥� world, especially the descriptions of shops and people in the town. I didn鈥檛 really get the fantastical story, may have been an allegorical parallel....more
Enjoying this series, there is still some too obvious coincidences, but much less than the last book. It was good to have some historical context to HEnjoying this series, there is still some too obvious coincidences, but much less than the last book. It was good to have some historical context to Huxley and Broadbent, I wonder if this will be explored in further volumes.
One loose end around the death of a character, and a tenuous link for the books title, but otherwise very satisfying. Looking forward to the next instalment....more
Second book in the series and it didn鈥檛 disappoint. The character of the Professor has settled down, whilst still keeping the characteristics. The stoSecond book in the series and it didn鈥檛 disappoint. The character of the Professor has settled down, whilst still keeping the characteristics. The story is gripping with the added twist of toxic plants, which I find fascinating.
I wanted to like this book more than I did, it took me over half the book before I settled in. At first it may have just been the style of writing, swI wanted to like this book more than I did, it took me over half the book before I settled in. At first it may have just been the style of writing, switching between first and third (?) person, but it was more than that. Sentences were heavily described,
Apart from that concerns over some activities Chris did that I鈥檓 sure is frowned on now, but no warning how this may not be in the best interests of the animals. The end of chapter glimpses into his publicized mental health issues that didn鈥檛 look to give further info or context.
The third instalment of The Marlow Murder Club, and in my opinion the best. The main characters of Judith, Suzie, and Becks are now firmly establishedThe third instalment of The Marlow Murder Club, and in my opinion the best. The main characters of Judith, Suzie, and Becks are now firmly established and their quirks help make the story enjoyable and funny....more
A typical Booker nomination/winner. It鈥檚 well written and describes character thought, space travel, physical issues with weightlessness beautifully. A typical Booker nomination/winner. It鈥檚 well written and describes character thought, space travel, physical issues with weightlessness beautifully. A little too slow for me....more
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