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We have ended up with a two-way tie in the poll but we had a three-way tie until yesterday, so I decided, rather than run another poll to break the tie, we would just go with all three.

So, we have three titles to read as a group in April. You may read one, two or all - your choice. The books are:

(6 votes)

(6 votes)

(5 votes)

Please leave a comment below if you intend to read any of these books during April/May.

Also, use this thread to discuss the book.

Participants


Death on Demand
Carol
Lesley
S.K. Fischer
Darkpool
Kathleen
Meryl
Ciska

The Chimes
Erica
Lesley??
Kathleen
Ciska

The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Kathleen
Ciska

I'll read Death on Demand

I'll read The Chimes

Definitely Death on Demand

Maybe The Chimes but with 28 reserves on it ...!

I will read Death on Demand. Tried Narrow Road for 3rd time but ....
Also half way through Girl on Train. A great read.

I'll read Death on Demand too, and then maybe look at one of the others depending on how things go...

S.K.Fischer wrote: "I will read Death on Demand. Tried Narrow Road for 3rd time but ....
Also half way through Girl on Train. A great read."

I really liked The Girl on the Train. Had interesting characters and twists in it. Whose is the true story? Is each person telling the true story as they saw it or are they all being creative?

Has anyone read the earlier Ihaka books? I see Death on Demand is the 4th and wonder if you benefit from reading previous three.

Ella's Gran wrote: "Has anyone read the earlier Ihaka books? I see Death on Demand is the 4th and wonder if you benefit from reading previous three."

I've read Old School Tie but don't remember it well. I'd remember if it was poorly done though.

I'm intending to read Girl on the Train at some point. I actually want to read most of the nominated books.

Wow! Bought 'Death on Demand' on Kindle (Amazon) for over US $15. Hope it's worth it. Don't have much choice always living in non English speaking countries. Kindle easier to travel with than a suitcase full of books.

S.K.Fischer wrote: "Wow! Bought 'Death on Demand' on Kindle (Amazon) for over US $15. Hope it's worth it. Don't have much choice always living in non English speaking countries. Kindle easier to travel with than a sui..."

I think that's really off when a publisher/author price the Kindle/digital version the same as or close to print. I won't pay that on principle. It cost less to manufacture a digital version and the reader can do a lot less with it. Kindle for example you can't lend to a friend (not in NZ anyway), can't swap or sell second hand ... On principle I won't buy the print either, so if I am not able to get it from the library I don't read it.

I'm lucky though, as unlike yourself, I am able to make that choice.

Kathleen wrote: "Put my name on all 3 tentatively please Lesley. But they are dependent on the library and The Narrow Road is taking a long time to get any nearer...."

All done. :)

Just purchased a copy of the The Chimes from my local bookstore...love the cover design. Figure she's a kiwi so good to support local talent and my awesome local bookstore.

Totally agree with your stance re: price of e-books. My sister has a kobo and has noticed that the price of e-books has increased over the last couple of years; they used to be much cheaper than print books but now there is far less difference. There is no justification for it, no shipping or overhead costs at all.

I'll read Death on Demand. Just starting the Ihaka Trilogy now so will post again for those people wondering if there's value in reading the first 3 beforehand.

Meryl wrote: "I'll read Death on Demand. Just starting the Ihaka Trilogy now so will post again for those people wondering if there's value in reading the first 3 beforehand."

Good to have you joining us Meryl. I'll be interested to see if you think it is best to read the trilogy first or not. If so I'll get it for Easter weekend.

I'll try and read them all

I am picking up the Ihaka trilogy and Death on Demand from the library tomorrow. All ready for the Easter break, although I've got a few essential chores to fit in as well!

You don't need to read the earlier Ihaka books to enjoy DEATH ON DEMAND. Ihaka isn't even the main character in the first two books, although he became the most memorable one for readers, so started taking over the series in GUERILLA SEASON (the third book).

DEATH ON DEMAND occurs many years after the earlier trilogy, and there's enough in there to let you know about his past and why he has ended up where he's ended up at the start of the book.

Great book by the way.

Awesome, thanks for that info Craig.

Yes, thanks very much Craig. I think I'll just head straight into Death on Demand then.

Kathleen wrote: "Forgot to say, I love the cover art
"

Yes! Simple & effective!

Good to hear you enjoyed Kathleen. Will be a May read for me.

Kathleen wrote: "Read Death on Demand yesterday - really enjoyed it, though I wasn't sure until page 29. Before that I was channeling my mother, who I couldn't recommend it to - depressing prologue ..."

I agree with you Kathleen. I begun it yesterday and it took for ever to read through the prologue - or so it seemed. I also went into cringe mode regarding the swearing and colourful turn of phrases used, but then I had a thought. It is written in what has become typical kiwi vernacular, which is what the Americans complain about in p.d.r.'s books, so I mustn't be like that too. I'm NOT complaining - just cringing.:):)

For all that, I am continuing on, liking the story so far. Because I can only read print comfortably during daylight hours, I have just reached chapter 5 (page 83) and feel the story is really getting going now.

I really like Paul Thomas, but even I felt that prologue to DEATH ON DEMAND was a little convoluted. However it is a really good read overall (and FALLOUT may be even better). I wondered if the reason DEATH ON DEMAND read a little like that is that it was based on some earlier serialisations Paul had done for a newspaper year before - they were pulled together then expanded and a novel grew out of that...

Anyway, for those interested, you can read more about the behind-the-scenes of DEATH ON DEMAND and why Paul Thomas brought Ihaka back after 15 years, in this feature in the NZ Listener (Listener articles are usually behind a paywall, but this one is open so anyone can read it free online):

just started Death on Demand on audiobook while driving New Plymouth to Wellington yesterday. I see what you all mean about the interminable prologue! 50 min worth. narrator is Australian which jarred at first, but got mostly used to, with just the occasional reminder when he mispronounced "Tamaki" or overdid the kiwi accent. Enjoying the familiar place names :-)

I'm nearly finished. It's good. By about a quarter of the way through each time Ihaka was speaking I kept getting flashes of Tem Morrison. Did some investigation and found there was a TV movie made based on the book with him as Ihaka. Does anyone remember it?

Ella's Gran wrote: "I'm nearly finished. It's good. By about a quarter of the way through each time Ihaka was speaking I kept getting flashes of Tem Morrison. Did some investigation and found there was a TV movie made..."

Yeah, it was called Ihaka: Blunt Instrument, and I think Paul Thomas helped with the script, but then as happens a lot in screen storytelling, a lot of other people put their oar in and the eventual telemovie didn't really resemble his books in much of a way.

I actually chatted to him about that a bit in some of our interviews...

I'm about 100pages into The Chimes. From reading the blurb on the back of the book I thought the fantasy world sounded intriguing enough that I'd give it a try (seeing as I'm not a fantasy reader at all usually!) But so far I'm disappointed. I feel like the writing is so vague...as though the writer hasn't created the world in her mind fully before starting the novel. Hoping it'll start to pick up soon, I've heard it takes a awhile to get into.

Craig wrote: "Ella's Gran wrote: "I'm nearly finished. It's good. By about a quarter of the way through each time Ihaka was speaking I kept getting flashes of Tem Morrison. Did some investigation and found there..."

So I'm wondering if that's why I'm not recalling any details about the film - did I like it for example. I really can't remember other than this vague image of Tem Morrison in connection with the word Ihaka.

I've finished Death on Demand and have to say once past the prologue and becoming inured to the copious swearing (to a point) I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I liked the way Paul Thomas developed the characters and storyline by using them to tell the story. As a reader you quickly comes to learn who the main characters are along with detail of their past and present lives. I liked that it was set in New Zealand and that Ihaka kept returning to the Wairarapa to re-group - a semi-rural setting close to my heart.

It wasn't necessary to have read the first three books since there was enough background provided to set the scene for this book. However, I will probably read them and the next, Fallout, because I did enjoy this book. 4 stars from me.

How's everyone else going with our three group reads? I see Erica was a 100 pages in and a little disappointed in The Chimes. Any improvement Erica?

Anyone tried/trying The Narrow Road to the Deep North?

And how are those going who were in the throes of or planning to read Death on Demand?
Thanks for the extra background gen and interview with Paul Thomas Craig. Very interesting to hear how he felt about the TV Movie. You see that happen a lot with books to films, although just occasionally the movie will lift an otherwise so-so book.

Ella's Gran wrote: "How's everyone else going with our three group reads? I see Erica was a 100 pages in and a little disappointed in The Chimes. Any improvement Erica?
"

I just got Death on Demand from the library yesterday. Will probably start in a couple of days.

I finally finished The Chimes on Monday. It got slightly more interesting in the second half...but not much. I gave it 2*
I read the Narrow Road to the Deep North in March....now that's a good book! Not a nice topic though but well written.

OMG you girls are so spoilt with NZ literature and easy access to libraries. So far I am loving Paul Thomas and Death on Demand. Absolutely absorbed the prologue. After writing for the North American market and the UK it is such a pleasure to relax with this book. Always getting sidetracked with other books. I will update my opinion when I finish.

I'm not sure I really want to read The Narrow Road. The subject matter I find a bit daunting having seen my Nana and Mum grieve for a son/brother and nephew/cousin who both died on the railroad. From what I've read about it and various reviews it appears to be fairly graphic.

I started last night. I'm also reading Emma but the small font on my old Collins edition is too tiring to read at night)

The prologue was a little choppy but didn't bother me. A gripping read so far!

Kathleen wrote: "Ella's Gran wrote: "How's everyone else going with our three group reads? ..."

I can see neither The Chimes nor The Narrow Road to the Deep North are going to arriv..."

Hi Kath. Did the same for my 3rd try on the story. Still didn't gel. May give it another try for May. Can anything beat Ihaka?

Just darn determined and don't have a lot of options i.e. I own it; I read it. Is there something you're not telling me?

S.K.Fischer wrote: "Just darn determined and don't have a lot of options i.e. I own it; I read it. Is there something you're not telling me?"

Ha! I remember living overseas & being so desparate for something in English that I would read the backs of cereal packets in the supermarkets!

If it's any consolation SK I'm on my 4th attempt at Emma - & enjoying it this time! I've never managed to complete it before!

LOL! Starburst!
Planning to go to the Ataturk monument on the 25th. Always two sides to every story. Won't be able to read any of the information, but I will soak in the atmosphere.

S.K.Fischer wrote: "LOL! Starburst!
Planning to go to the Ataturk monument on the 25th. Always two sides to every story. Won't be able to read any of the information, but I will soak in the atmosphere."

Wow, what an amazing experience that will be!

We are going to the Dawn Parade in our town.

Popped into the school library this afternoon to admire their beautiful ANZAC display, and came away with a copy of "The Chimes", so I shall be getting stuck into that over the weekend. The librarian recommended another book to me which she thought might make an interesting counterpoint to The Chimes for us to read, but of course I wrote the name and author down on a piece of paper and left it on my desk. All I can remember is that is was a single word title, and the author was Max someone!!!

Darkpool (protesting GR censorship) wrote: "Popped into the school library this afternoon to admire their beautiful ANZAC display, and came away with a copy of "The Chimes", so I shall be getting stuck into that over the weekend. The librari..."

Well, reading Chimes this weekend won't be the only thing you'll be doing then, uh Darkpool? You'll be scouring GR for authors named Max who wrote a book with a one word title!! :):)

Darkpool do you think it was
Lexicon by Max Barry

YES!!!!!!!

E.G., you saved my weekend! Genius!

YAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!

Finished DoD last night. In spite of the use of my least favourite word in the English language & a few too many characters, I enjoyed it. Fast paced & Thomas has the Kiwi vernacular down perfectly. I may see if I can get his other books!

Hmm, well 4 weeks later I am up to pg 72 of The Chimes. Not that I'm finding it hard going, I've just had a lot of distractions. I'm finding it very interesting - given the context it is one of the few times where I think writing in the present tense makes sense, and I'm enjoying the way that words from the language of music (eg "presto") permeate the language of the story. Must get a wriggle on and read the rest before the school librarians start leaving me rude notes!

Just finished the Narrow Road to the Deep North,tried to write review and scrubbed it as the book has totally drained me. Good luck Kath.