en-US Fri, 02 May 2025 03:40:49 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review7536320975 Fri, 02 May 2025 03:40:49 -0700 /review/show/7536320975 Tripfiction gave 4 stars to The Artist (Hardcover) by Lucy Steeds
bookshelves: books-set-in-france
Novel set in PROVENCE



It is 1920. Somewhere near Avignon lives an ageing artist called Tartuffe. Taking care of all his needs is his niece Ettie. Together they forge a simple life, her care of him allows him to paint. Every now and then his gallerist pops down from Paris to pick up his latest creation.

Tartuffe is a curmudgeonly man in his sixties, who has little time for social graces. He depends greatly on his niece, yet his attachment to her is careless and controlling, underpinned by his deep-seated fear that one day she will find her wings and leave. He will be abandoned, and, for him, history for him will repeat � his sister left their joint home for pastures new and returned in a coffin. Despite Tartuffe’s vile and capricious behaviour towards her, Ettie feels somehow bound to him.

Joseph arrives in their lives, a young English journalist with an arts background and he is on a mission to write an article or two about the great and famous artist, who lives secluded from life. He makes absolutely no headway with this behemoth of a man. Whilst he tries every ruse he can think of in order to cajole him to co-operate, he finds himself falling for Ettie but will she reciprocate?

Ettie, he discovers, has a yearning to create her own art but is knocked back by both Tartuffe and his gallerist. Women still did not have representation in the art world but Ettie by hook or by crook is determined to find her way. The visit of some familiar art collectors � “hunters of pleasure, gatherers of inspiration� � drop by to meet the man himself and after their visit, Ettie’s life is not quite the same.

This is a novel of art and food, and of art connoisseurship, posing the adroit question: why does one painter excel and garner the attention of buyers, whilst another painter, with equal talent, remains undiscovered? The novel entertainingly has a few sly twists and turns and is a very readable and evocative novel. ]]> Review7515082957 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:38:41 -0700 /review/show/7515082957 Tripfiction gave 4 stars to Death Deserved (Alexander Blix & Emma Ramm, #1) by Jørn Lier Horst
bookshelves: books-set-in-scandinavia
Suspense in OSLO



So far there are 5 novels in the Blix and Ramm series and this is the very first outing for police officer Alexander Blix and blogger/reporter Emma Ramm. I have read a couple in the series, so it has been really rather nice to see the first steps as the two start working together on cases. Each novel can be read as a standalone.

The novel opens with the traumatic event that has plagued Alexander Blix for the past couple of decades.

Then, in present day 2018, a former long-distance runner, Sonja Nordstrøm, just turned 50, is publishing her controversial autobiography. She is due to appear on a morning TV show. The taxi arrives to bring her to the studio, but she fails to appear. Emma Ramm is already on the case as it passes into police hands.

We are also introduced to Blix’s daughter who comes to play a significant role later in the series � currently she is appearing in a reality TV show, about which Blix has significant doubts. We gain a glimpse into their relationship which develops as the series moves on.

Clues relating to Nordstrøm’s disappearance begin to turn up but for the investigation team, it is a real struggle to align the various elements. It then becomes apparent that there may be a rather unusual serial killer active in the city�.

The writing duo work so well together, the story is told engagingly and seamlessly in short chapters, with a good sense of pace. A really promising start to the series (and I should know, I have read a couple further down the line and have found them to be extremely readable!). ]]> Review7515045954 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:21:12 -0700 /review/show/7515045954 Tripfiction gave 4 stars to The Lollipop Man (Hardcover) by Daniel Sellers
bookshelves: novels-set-in-uk
Disturbing thriller set very firmly in W YORKSHIRE.



The Lollipop Man is a brutal and sinister thriller set in West Yorkshire. It also, perhaps strangely, has the feel of a cozy crime novel. This is possibly because two of the main characters solving the mystery are not police but members of the community. In the mid 1980s four children in fictitious Toller Bridge were kidnapped off the streets. Three girls were never seen again, the fourth � a boy � escaped (or was released?) almost immediately. Around two weeks after they disappeared, an item of clothing from each girl was left for the police to find, and small shrines were discovered on the local moors. The perpetrator was nicknamed The Lollipop Man because, disguised as a school crossing volunteer, he was seen leading the second child hand in hand across the street to the van into which he bundled her.

Fast forward to 1994, and The Lollipop Man appears to strike again. Another little girl is kidnapped and the same routine of an item of clothing and a shrine follows. Two citizens take it upon themselves to help the police (though I’m not certain the police would call it help�). They are the boy who survived the 1994 kidnapping and an erstwhile journalist turned local TV presenter. They both have history with the 1994 events (the boy obviously, the presenter because she covered the story at the time and was not proud of what she wrote). They discover connections and clues they follow, clues that lead them � via circuitous routes � to the location where they believe the kidnapper is living. The police are always one step behind them� Given the location (the moors of West Yorkshire) the similarities to the crimes of Myra Hindley and Ian Brady (just over the Lancashire border) are hard to ignore.

The climax is frightening and macabre, and not for the faint hearted.

The Lollipop Man is very firmly set in West Yorkshire, an area a little to the south of where TripFiction is based. It feels quite close to home� It is also the location for the real crime exploits of the Yorkshire Ripper and, as remarked above, just over the border from the Moors Murders. An area with history� ]]> Review7515019613 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:09:04 -0700 /review/show/7515019613 Tripfiction gave 3 stars to Grace of the Empire State: A breathtaking historical novel of courage, love and sacrifice high above Manhattan (Paperback) by Gemma Tizzard
bookshelves: books-set-in-new-york
Novel set around the building of the Empire State Building, NEW YORK 1930



1930 New York and the Depression is in full swing. People are scrabbling around for food and jobs and life for most is hard. Nevertheless “The city was bustling, as always, fully of people, cars street-cars, bright colours and a cacophony of different languages�, contrasted with “Families on the streets, men desperate for work, children in rags, women going through the trash looking for food�. It has always been a city of contrast and contradiction.

The O’Connell family � Mum and several off-spring � is holding it all together because Grace and Patrick are bringing in some money. Grace is a dancer at Dominic’s, whilst her twin brother is working on the construction of the Empire State Building in Midtown on 34th Street and 5th Avenue. The skeletal structure of the building is growing ever upwards as the workers risk life and limb to complete the 102 storey building. On the very same day that Dominic’s is shut down unexpectedly for good, Patrick has a construction accident and comes home with a broken arm. With no income from the two young people, the family will be destitute and out on the street in no time, especially as rents are about to go up. How will they care for younger, ailing sister Connie? How will they put food on the table?

If Patrick isn’t able to work, his small team on the site will all be unceremoniously booted off the ‘steel�. Grace rises to the challenge and resolves to take his place, and so a meet-up with his men is arranged. Before anyone can register what is happening, she is scaling a fire escape in her Spanish heeled shoes, clambering up to the 4th floor of the adjacent building. Quite the female version of spider man, it turns out, but she clearly had to do something spectacular to prove that she is up to the job.

It is, of course, hard to keep up the pretence as she doubles for her brother: the men around her won’t look too closely, she hopes, as they will see what they expect to see. But Bergmann (oh oh, stereotyping the bad German) will have to be put in his place if she is going to maintain her disguise. Threats lurk everywhere, and one worker suggests that Patrick (Grace, of course, in actuality) is perhaps a “cross-dresser� (oh dear, that term didn’t come into proper use until the later 20th Century).

The author states in the Author’s Notes that she did a lot of research into the building of the Empire State, and she does create a great sense of the danger, as the steel girders swing and shift at towering heights. But I don’t feel she quite got the sense of the time, because descriptions were all a little superficial and fleeting. Grace, of course, is a plucky and fit young woman, who, against all kinds of odds, cleaves her way through the story. It was, however, refreshing to read about a bold and fearless heroine set in New York rather than the more usual backdrop of a gruelling mining community or factory nightmare.

I also so wanted to discover that this story was based on true events, but the author explains (in the Author’s Note) that she was fired by the question: “Where were the women?� The construction did not, according to her research, involve any women (but that’s not really a surprise, is it?).

The publishers could do the author a real favour and drop the ghastly AI designed book cover and find something better. ]]> Review7508994220 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 04:58:08 -0700 /review/show/7508994220 Tripfiction gave 4 stars to Inborn (Kindle Edition) by Thomas Enger
bookshelves: books-set-in-scandinavia
Novel set in a fictional village in NORWAY


Inborn is based on the author's YA book Killerinstinkt re-written with an adult audience in mind.

This novel is set in the fictional small Norwegian village of Fredheim.  The local high school becomes a murder scene and 17 year old Even is thought to be the perpetrator. Innocent until proven guilty is a moot point, Social Media does its thing, haranguing, hypothesising and passing judgement. Even takes it upon himself to get to the truth and the story moves smoothly between the crime and the courtroom at Even's trial.

This a story of procedure that examines the crime, the aftermath and the attitude of the local community, with secrets aplenty. It is a well put together story that resonates in the current political and social climate. Thomas Enger is always a good read and he crafts interesting stories, often from unusual perspectives. ]]> Review7508703150 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 01:07:52 -0700 /review/show/7508703150 Tripfiction gave 4 stars to Yeonnam-dong's Smiley Laundromat (Kindle Edition) by Kim Jiyun
bookshelves: books-set-in-south-korea
Heart-warming novel set in Yeonnam-dong, SEOUL



Yeonnam-Dong’s Smiley Laundromat is a debut novel for Korean writer Kim Jiyun and translated by Shanna Tan. It is an endearing story that delves into the quiet yet profound lives of ordinary individuals in Seoul’s Yeonnam-dong neighbourhood. As the 24-hour self-service laundromat becomes a sanctuary for locals facing various personal challenges, a forgotten olive-green diary left on a table serves as a catalyst, which encourages customers to share their innermost thoughts and receive comfort from anonymous entries.

Essentially five stories interwoven into one, the narrative introduces a diverse cast, including Old Jang, a retired pharmacist living alone with his Jindo dog; Mira, a mother grappling with postnatal depression and the quest for employment; and Daeju, Old Jang’s son, a plastic surgeon struggling with familial and financial pressures. Each character’s personal struggles intertwine through the shared diary, highlighting themes of loneliness, community, resilience and the profound impact of community support.

Jiyun’s storytelling style is almost childish in nature but both poignant and uplifting at the same time, offering a moving reflection on the power of empathy and community. The laundromat, with its warm yellow lights and inviting atmosphere, serves as a microcosm where individuals cleanse not only their clothes but also their emotional burdens. The shared diary becomes a vessel for anonymous connection, demonstrating that even in an increasingly digital world, simple acts of kindness and understanding can forge meaningful bonds.

One of Kim Jiyun’s strengths lies in her ability to create multi-dimensional characters. The lyrical yet straightforward prose allows readers to immerse themselves fully in the world she has created. Her attention to detail brings Yeonnam-dong to life, painting vivid pictures of the bustling streets and the tranquil moments within the laundromat. Her ability to blend humour with poignant reflections makes the novel a joy to read and the heartening ending was enough to ensure it was a bestseller in Korea. ]]> Review7508684181 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:48:24 -0700 /review/show/7508684181 Tripfiction gave 4 stars to When We Were Killers (Kindle Edition) by C.F. Barrington
bookshelves: books-set-in-scotland
Dark Academia set in ST ANDREWS



Finn Nethercott is enrolled in an MA in Bible Studies and Early Christian Culture and commences his studies in 1992. He soon garners the nickname ‘Preacher� but as he freely admits, he doesn’t have a religious bone in his body, even though his father was a parish priest in Sussex. His attraction to the course stems from his interest in the more ancient worlds, the trees, the stone circles, the sense of delving into the past � wide open spaces are when he feels most religious. At age 14 he lost every member of his immediate family in the Lake District, removed from everything familiar, propelled into a new life up in Scotland.

As he settles into life at University, he is drawn into an established group of students who share a common love for the ancient cultures of Scotland � Celtic, Druidic, Animist and more� which, of course, seems like a perfect fit for Finn. The ethos of the group dovetails with his interests and he is a ripe candidate for a kind of familial connection, given his traumatic loss just four or five years ago.

Social encounters ensue around fires in remote rugged landscapes. Soon he becomes a member of the Clan, gatherings laced with concoctions made � amongst other things � from a variety of fungi, a vehicle, the members hope, of better engaging with the folkloric pasts, the myths, legends, and a great way to conjure up an animated history. If only they could determine, for example, what the Berserkers � Viking shock troops who worked themselves into a frenzy � took to foment their delirious state when they arrived in Scotland all those centuries ago. Perhaps it was ergot (a precursor to LSD, a fungus that infects barley and rye). Perhaps a quantity of mead and henbane? Perhaps it was something utterly different.They long to establish ways of engaging with the spiritual ethos of ancestors within an ancient environment.

The Clan is a secretive organisation, formed under the tight leadership of Magnus, who requires members to ink an emblem of allegiance. As the term moves from Martinmas to Candlemas, things start to spiral out of control (the clue is in the title).

The author has done a singularly good job of maintaining tension throughout, all the while dancing with the devil, darkness and the venality of human nature.

A great addition to the genre of dark academia, with an evocative backdrop of the University and the surrounding area.

I wonder if Prince William will read this novel given he studied at St Andrews? ]]> Review7505982760 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 05:07:46 -0700 /review/show/7505982760 Tripfiction gave 4 stars to The Sixpenny Orphan (Kindle Edition) by Glenda Young
bookshelves: novels-set-in-uk
A novel of hardship set early 20th Century RYHOPE, Sunderland



As the novel opens, Poppy and Rose, aged 10 and 9 respectively, are orphans under the 'care' of Nellie Harper. They live in her brother's barn in the mining village of Ryhope. The young girls are not cherished by this calculating and cruel woman, they are, however, of use to her - they wake her, so that she can carry out her job of "knocker-upper" (that is, waking the miners who are due to go on shift by rapping on their windows). They have to alternate their days of school attendance, as they only have one pair of shoes between them. They are under-nourished paupers and permanently hungry.

Unbeknownst to the girls, Nellie has put an advertisement in the Sunderland Echo. She is selling them, and a taker is a man of means, but he imposes a vicious condition: he will spin a coin to determine which of the siblings he will take. He will not take both and it is Rose who accompanies the stranger, leaving her sister behind, forlorn, bereft and alone.

Down the line, Poppy is married with bairns and can only assume that Rose has died, as there has been no contact for many a year. And then a letter arrives....

The author has conjured up a sense of time and place, creating a heartfelt story of the era that exposes the terrible hardships for many members of society. ]]> Review7505745264 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 02:43:42 -0700 /review/show/7505745264 Tripfiction gave 3 stars to The Convenience Store by the Sea (Kindle Edition) by Sonoko Machida
bookshelves: books-set-in-japan
Interwoven stories set in MOJIKO



“Tenderness� is a convenience store chain that operates only on Kyūshū. Their motto: ‘Caring For People, Caring ForInterwoven stories set in Mojiko, KITAKYUSHU You�. This is how care in the community is executed, everyone living in and around The Golden Villa Tenderness on Ōsakamachi Avenue in Mojiko are furnished both practically and emotionally to seek succour at this “konbini� (say the word out loud and you will understand how the concept of ‘convenience� store has been assimilated into the Japanese language).

The short novel opens with women seeking the attention of Mr Shiba, who clearly relishes the adoring crowd. It’s a little too sexualised, perhaps, for the main tenet of the evolving stories, slightly creepy, if I am honest, so it’s not an ideal prelude for the rest of the book.

Soon, however, the author gets into her stride and the story develops into another feel-good set of stories set in Japan, providing a warm, fuzzy feel of comfort. Each story segues into the next, building up a sense of community and the individuals involved. There is a good appreciation of food as the locals come to feast on dishes that are readily available.

The novel is engagingly translated by Bruno Navasky and it is very easy and quick to read. Generally I would say that it isn’t quite up there with some of the other exquisite Japanese texts, penned by Michiko Aoyama, Hisashi Kashiwai or Satoshi Yagisawa, for example. It is certainly evocative of Japan, both in place and manners, but, at times, the overall story feels just a touch rudderless. ]]> Review7505715616 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 02:18:05 -0700 /review/show/7505715616 Tripfiction gave 4 stars to Witchcraft for Wayward Girls (Hardcover) by Grady Hendrix
bookshelves: books-set-in-usa
A story of pregnancy in 1970 FLORIDA



Wellwood House in St Augustine, Florida was a Maternity Home � one of many across the United States. Unmarried teenage pregnancy was considered a disgrace, abortion was still not a possibility in 1970, and parents sent their daughters there to be ‘looked after� during pregnancy, give birth, and then offer up the babies up for adoption. They could then return home as if nothing had happened. Often their time away was explained to friends and neighbours by saying they had been caring for an ill aunt in a faraway city (or some such).

Neva was driven many miles across several states to be dropped off at Wellwood House by her father. That was the last time her real name was used � in the Home she was named Fern. She, and the other twelve girls there had aliases. As their babies were born they all signed the birth certificate as ‘Jane Doe�. It was a hard, disciplined, but not necessarily cruel, existence. Nourishment for their babies was important, and the food was adequate if not appetising. Their weight was controlled so they stayed healthy. But the girls felt alone and frightened. Rumours of the horrors of childbirth abounded.

A travelling library visited the Home every two weeks, an event the girls looked forward to. On one such visit the librarian, Miss Parcoe, gave Fern a book about witchcraft. The girls conjured up a spell to rid one of their number of morning sickness, and it worked by transferring the sickness to a member of staff. The consequences were serious. The girls got deeper and deeper into the magic as the weeks went by. You pay for your use of witchcraft, normally with your blood� You enter a pact with the devil which it is extremely dangerous to try and break. The climax of the book is a series of horrendous events.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is an extremely thought provoking read. The witchcraft element is more than interesting but, for me, what stood out is the difference in attitude and behaviour towards pregnant teenagers from back then to now. When the girls from Wellwood House went to hospital to have their babies delivered they were treated very much as sub-citizens by the medical staff. The book describes (in quite some detail) the process of childbirth and the horrors that the girls went through � all alone and far from family and friends � before they gave up their babies for adoption. This behaviour really only changed with the 1973 Wade v Roe case which opened the door to much greater access to legal abortions. ]]>