Author Susan Hill throws numerous characters at you right from the start in "The Various Haunts of Men" and it takes some time for the reader to sort them out in your mind. In addition, there is 'The Tape', which is full of confessions that don't seem to be related to the story at all.
As you settle in to the book you discover that a woman has gone missing. DS Freya Graffham, new to the local police force, is given the task of locating her. Shortly thereafter a young woman, whom we readers have met earlier, also goes missing. Is her disappearance related to her having gone to one of the 'complementary healers'? Or is it tied to the other missing woman?
As DS Graffham settles in to her new community she meets many of the characters we had been introduced to earlier including DCI Simon Serrailler and his sister Dr. Deerbon. Both have minor roles to play in the story as it enfolds.
As DS Graffham proceeds with her investigation, ably helped by DC Nathan Coates, the reader gets to discover the personality of the many characters in the story. It isn't until well toward the end of the story that we discover the cause of the disappearance of the women. The climax of the story is a complete surprise to the reader. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next one by author Susan Hill.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
A Rich Full Life
"The English are dying too much." is an observation made by the Florence chief of police.
The narrator of this story is an ex-pat American living in Florence. He writes letters home to a friend describing the situation in 1855 Florence. Robert Booth tells of the first victim, a young woman both men had known in Boston. At the murder scene he meets Robert Browning, the famous poet. Together they launch their own investigation because they think that the police of Florence are incompetent.
Unfortunately, their amateur investigation seems to become undone when each suspect is killed in their turn.
I found that author Michael Dibdin's story was very wordy. This might be because he was trying to write in the Victorian style. I also must admit, that this was not a book I enjoyed to any great extend.
The narrator of this story is an ex-pat American living in Florence. He writes letters home to a friend describing the situation in 1855 Florence. Robert Booth tells of the first victim, a young woman both men had known in Boston. At the murder scene he meets Robert Browning, the famous poet. Together they launch their own investigation because they think that the police of Florence are incompetent.
Unfortunately, their amateur investigation seems to become undone when each suspect is killed in their turn.
I found that author Michael Dibdin's story was very wordy. This might be because he was trying to write in the Victorian style. I also must admit, that this was not a book I enjoyed to any great extend.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The Road to Jerusalem
"The Road to Jerusalem" is the first book in a trilogy by author Jan Guillou.
Arn Magnusson is a typical five year old. He scampers about after his older brother, but one day that would lead to a bit of bravado and a fall. A fall that knocked the life out of him. His mother and father prayed to St. Bernard that if Arn's life would be spared he would be given up to the work of God. His life was spared and as a result Arn was sent to an abbey.
There he learned the words of God and the joys of learning. He also learned how to forge horseshoes and look after an abatoir, prepare foods and ensure that the place stayed healthy. His learning also included sword play and the accurate use of a bow and arrow.
By his mid-teens he was sent back into the base world. He was very naive of the ways of those who didn't live the holy life, but he soon learned them. He became involved in fights that would lead to the possible crowning of a new king. He also learned that women existed to be loved by men.
Unfortunately these new things that he learned were regarded as sins by the church and that in turn would create troubles for him with the church. At that point the author leaves us hanging in anticipation of the next book in this trilogy, and I am looking forward to reading it.
Arn Magnusson is a typical five year old. He scampers about after his older brother, but one day that would lead to a bit of bravado and a fall. A fall that knocked the life out of him. His mother and father prayed to St. Bernard that if Arn's life would be spared he would be given up to the work of God. His life was spared and as a result Arn was sent to an abbey.
There he learned the words of God and the joys of learning. He also learned how to forge horseshoes and look after an abatoir, prepare foods and ensure that the place stayed healthy. His learning also included sword play and the accurate use of a bow and arrow.
By his mid-teens he was sent back into the base world. He was very naive of the ways of those who didn't live the holy life, but he soon learned them. He became involved in fights that would lead to the possible crowning of a new king. He also learned that women existed to be loved by men.
Unfortunately these new things that he learned were regarded as sins by the church and that in turn would create troubles for him with the church. At that point the author leaves us hanging in anticipation of the next book in this trilogy, and I am looking forward to reading it.
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Keeper of Lost Causes
When I looked at the chapter listing of this thriller I wondered about the chapter titles; why were the ones at the beginning alternatively listed 2002, 2007?
The book starts out describing a woman being held in a prison and the reader grasps something of what is to come. Then the author, Jussi Adler-Olsen introduces a detective - Carl Morck who has been involved in a shooting incident where one of his partners was killed and another paralysed. Morck, himself was wounded in the temple and likely saved from death when one of his partners crashed on top of him. He is now returned to duty, but not back to the homicide squad. He is given Department Q, which is to look into cold cases. He is not given any help other than a janitor cum servant, Hafez el-Assad.
The next chapter takes us back to 2002 and we meet Merete Lynnegard, an up and coming member of Parliament. She has a younger brother who she is taking care of. Uffe and their family were involved in a car accident several years earlier in which their parents were killed and Uffe suffered a serious brain injury.
Adler-Olsen then begins to tie the two stories together. Merete has gone missing having disappeared from a ferry while taking her brother on a holiday to Berlin in 2002. This case is one of the cases that appears amongst the files of Department Q. Carl and Hafez begin to research it together, slowly finding clues that had been missed in the earlier investigations.
If you enjoyed "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" series, then you undoubtedly will enjoy "The Keeper of Lost Causes". This was a book I was unable to put down!
The book starts out describing a woman being held in a prison and the reader grasps something of what is to come. Then the author, Jussi Adler-Olsen introduces a detective - Carl Morck who has been involved in a shooting incident where one of his partners was killed and another paralysed. Morck, himself was wounded in the temple and likely saved from death when one of his partners crashed on top of him. He is now returned to duty, but not back to the homicide squad. He is given Department Q, which is to look into cold cases. He is not given any help other than a janitor cum servant, Hafez el-Assad.
The next chapter takes us back to 2002 and we meet Merete Lynnegard, an up and coming member of Parliament. She has a younger brother who she is taking care of. Uffe and their family were involved in a car accident several years earlier in which their parents were killed and Uffe suffered a serious brain injury.
Adler-Olsen then begins to tie the two stories together. Merete has gone missing having disappeared from a ferry while taking her brother on a holiday to Berlin in 2002. This case is one of the cases that appears amongst the files of Department Q. Carl and Hafez begin to research it together, slowly finding clues that had been missed in the earlier investigations.
If you enjoyed "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" series, then you undoubtedly will enjoy "The Keeper of Lost Causes". This was a book I was unable to put down!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
A Bitter Truth
Bess Crawford has just come home from France on leave. It is a rainy, cold evening in London as she returns to her flat. Just outside her residence she bumps into a young woman who is shivering from the cold. She invites the young woman, Lydia, into her home to get warm. This chance meeting will set in motion the latest thriller that Bess is to become involved in.
Lydia has been struck across the face by her husband and she has run away to London. She reluctantly decides to return home, but only if Bess will accompany her. When the two arrive at Lydia's home they discover that a dinner is going to be held in memory of Lydia's brother-in-law who died as a result of wounds on the Western Front. That evening one of the men, in a bit of a drunken stupor, questions Lydia's husband about a possible love child in France. That man is to die shortly thereafter, murdered; by someone at the house?
Bess returns to her work in France having been asked by Lydia to search for the love child. Little does she know that she will soon be back in England furthering the inquiry into the death of another man whose death might be related to the first.
Author Charles Todd twists the plot every which way before all is revealed near the end of the book. A good read, quite enjoyable.
Lydia has been struck across the face by her husband and she has run away to London. She reluctantly decides to return home, but only if Bess will accompany her. When the two arrive at Lydia's home they discover that a dinner is going to be held in memory of Lydia's brother-in-law who died as a result of wounds on the Western Front. That evening one of the men, in a bit of a drunken stupor, questions Lydia's husband about a possible love child in France. That man is to die shortly thereafter, murdered; by someone at the house?
Bess returns to her work in France having been asked by Lydia to search for the love child. Little does she know that she will soon be back in England furthering the inquiry into the death of another man whose death might be related to the first.
Author Charles Todd twists the plot every which way before all is revealed near the end of the book. A good read, quite enjoyable.
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Last Kashmiri Rose
Commander Joe Sandilands has been sent to India to talk to the police there. He hates the heat and is hoping to get back to England as soon as possible. Unfortunately his trip home is delayed when the governor of Bengal province asks for his assistance. The governor's niece is the one who has specially requested his help. Her friend has been found brutally murdered in her bath, but it has been made to look like a suicide; her wrists have been slashed.
When Sandilands gets to Panikhat he discovers that four other women have died in suspicious circumstances. Each of their deaths occurred in March. As Sandilands investigates further he is able to piece together evidence that points to the possibility that each of their deaths is not an accident. Could they possibly be tied together?
Author Barbara Cleverly manages to keep the reader quite involved throughout this thriller.
When Sandilands gets to Panikhat he discovers that four other women have died in suspicious circumstances. Each of their deaths occurred in March. As Sandilands investigates further he is able to piece together evidence that points to the possibility that each of their deaths is not an accident. Could they possibly be tied together?
Author Barbara Cleverly manages to keep the reader quite involved throughout this thriller.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
The Singhing Detective
Jaswinder Singh had grown up in a Sikh family on the east side of London. His family had been welcomed into the area, and his parents were great friends with a woman across the street. Although his mother and the other lady had difficulties understanding each other due to their particular accents, they got on well. Jazz was always welcome in the lady's home as a lad. He became a Detective Sergeant with The Met.
Unfortunately an incident early on in his career led to a breakdown. Once he was recovered he spent five years in Manchester. Now he has been requested back in the Met; back to Ilford Police Station where he had operated out of before. Unfortunately for Jazz, memories amongst some of his former colleagues were not good ones, so he was assigned his own team; a team of two rookies.
A few days after his return his mother's friend is found dead in her home. When Jazz goes to investigate he discovers that her death is not due to old age, but is in fact a murder and that the murder occurred not in her own home, but next door, which turns out was a cannabis factory. For Jazz, the investigation is personal now. Jazz and his two rookie Detective Constables set in motion a gang war without realising it. It will have more ramifications than Jazz could ever expect.
Author M. C. Dutton has done an excellent job in keeping the reader guessing right up to the last pages of the book. An excellent read.
Unfortunately an incident early on in his career led to a breakdown. Once he was recovered he spent five years in Manchester. Now he has been requested back in the Met; back to Ilford Police Station where he had operated out of before. Unfortunately for Jazz, memories amongst some of his former colleagues were not good ones, so he was assigned his own team; a team of two rookies.
A few days after his return his mother's friend is found dead in her home. When Jazz goes to investigate he discovers that her death is not due to old age, but is in fact a murder and that the murder occurred not in her own home, but next door, which turns out was a cannabis factory. For Jazz, the investigation is personal now. Jazz and his two rookie Detective Constables set in motion a gang war without realising it. It will have more ramifications than Jazz could ever expect.
Author M. C. Dutton has done an excellent job in keeping the reader guessing right up to the last pages of the book. An excellent read.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The Stolen Voice
Gil Cunningham has been called away from Glasgow to investigate cases of young men who have gone missing. The young men are choristers, singers whose voices are greatly valued. In addition to that, a priest has gone missing. Naturally, Gil has brought along his young wife, Alys. Her quick mind helps him decipher some of the clues whenever they are presented to him.
At this time a young man mysteriously returns to a family after being away for 30 years. The Drummond family head welcomes back young Davie, but everyone else wonders why he has only aged a few years while he was away. Davie had also been a chorister when he disappeared. The only answer seems to be that the Devil himself could have taken Davie and returned him. For a small imp-like character with wings has been seen in the area. Because Gil is busy investigating the disappearance of the priest, Alys is left to figure out this mystery.
It isn't long after Gil begins his investigation that a body is found in a pit used for tanning hides. It is the body of the priest and an arrow is found lodged in the priest's neck. Now he has a murder on his hands; it isn't a case of the Devil taking the priest.
Author Pat McIntosh is very good at leaving the reader to wonder how Gil and Alys will solve these mysteries, right up to the last pages. A good read.
At this time a young man mysteriously returns to a family after being away for 30 years. The Drummond family head welcomes back young Davie, but everyone else wonders why he has only aged a few years while he was away. Davie had also been a chorister when he disappeared. The only answer seems to be that the Devil himself could have taken Davie and returned him. For a small imp-like character with wings has been seen in the area. Because Gil is busy investigating the disappearance of the priest, Alys is left to figure out this mystery.
It isn't long after Gil begins his investigation that a body is found in a pit used for tanning hides. It is the body of the priest and an arrow is found lodged in the priest's neck. Now he has a murder on his hands; it isn't a case of the Devil taking the priest.
Author Pat McIntosh is very good at leaving the reader to wonder how Gil and Alys will solve these mysteries, right up to the last pages. A good read.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
An Impartial Witness
Bess Crawford is now nursing on the Western Front and is bringing soldiers home to England for convalescence. One is an airman who was badly burned in a crash. He is looking forward to seeing his wife, and has held onto a photo of her.
When Bess arrives in London she sees a young woman in tears talking to an officer. The officer walks coldly away from her. Bess realises that the young woman is the wife of the airman. She wonders why she would be in tears knowing that her husband was coming home.
It is only later back in France, that Bess finds out that the woman has been murdered and Scotland Yard is asking for information which might shed some light on her death. She writes to Scotland Yard with her information and soon finds herself dragged into a murder mystery; one that includes a sister that hated the dead woman. The dead woman was about three months pregnant, the child couldn't have been her husband's. When the husband was told about this by his sister, he committed suicide. Later another officer is murdered and an attempt is made on the lives of two friends of the murdered woman.
Author Charles Todd points the reader in the direction of three possible culprits, but it is only at the end of the book that we discover who the true murderer is. A good quick read.
When Bess arrives in London she sees a young woman in tears talking to an officer. The officer walks coldly away from her. Bess realises that the young woman is the wife of the airman. She wonders why she would be in tears knowing that her husband was coming home.
It is only later back in France, that Bess finds out that the woman has been murdered and Scotland Yard is asking for information which might shed some light on her death. She writes to Scotland Yard with her information and soon finds herself dragged into a murder mystery; one that includes a sister that hated the dead woman. The dead woman was about three months pregnant, the child couldn't have been her husband's. When the husband was told about this by his sister, he committed suicide. Later another officer is murdered and an attempt is made on the lives of two friends of the murdered woman.
Author Charles Todd points the reader in the direction of three possible culprits, but it is only at the end of the book that we discover who the true murderer is. A good quick read.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Land of Painted Caves
In "Land of Painted Caves", author Jean Auel has taken Ayla, Jondalar, Jonayla and their three horses and Wolf to what is modern day France. This story is the sixth in the series that started with "The Clan of the Cave Bear". The last ice age still grips the earth in its cold embrace, but there are warm places; places rich with plants and animals. Enough to feed the growing population of new humans.
Ayla seems destined to become a leader of the people. One who retains and passes on knowledge. With that in mind she is taken by another leader on a tour of the caves in the area. She is shown the paintings and carvings within that by this time have already been in place for time immemorial. It is all part of her training.
Throughout the story Auel tells what life would have been like back then, of the gatherings the people would have had during the summer times. And, although Auel tells a fine story I do find her to be very wordy. This is something I have found about her writing ever since her first novel, "The Clan of the Cave Bear" was published. For those who enjoy a good historical novel, each of the series is well worth reading as long as you don't mind getting bogged down in the wordiness.
Ayla seems destined to become a leader of the people. One who retains and passes on knowledge. With that in mind she is taken by another leader on a tour of the caves in the area. She is shown the paintings and carvings within that by this time have already been in place for time immemorial. It is all part of her training.
Throughout the story Auel tells what life would have been like back then, of the gatherings the people would have had during the summer times. And, although Auel tells a fine story I do find her to be very wordy. This is something I have found about her writing ever since her first novel, "The Clan of the Cave Bear" was published. For those who enjoy a good historical novel, each of the series is well worth reading as long as you don't mind getting bogged down in the wordiness.
Monday, February 6, 2012
A Duty to the Dead
It is 1916 and Nurse Bess Crawford is on an hospital ship in the Mediterranean when an explosion tosses her from her deck chair and breaks her arm. She is fortunate to survive the sinking of the ship, and returns to England where she must see to the last wishes of a dying soldier she had cared for. She must pass on an enigmatic message to the brother of the soldier.
Little does she know that this message will lead to a quest to discover a murderer and to release a man falsely accused of murder who is a prisoner in an asylum. While delivering her message to the family, she discovers that things just aren't as they seem with the family. The prisoner (who is a half brother of the dead soldier) is brought home because he is thought to be dying of pneumonia. She nurses him back to health and in doing so learns a bit about him.
Shortly after returning to London she discovers the prisoner in her flat. He persuades her that he may not be mad, so Bess sets out to discover the truth. Their search will lead both of them into danger before the truth is ultimately found.
A great thriller by author Charles Todd.
Little does she know that this message will lead to a quest to discover a murderer and to release a man falsely accused of murder who is a prisoner in an asylum. While delivering her message to the family, she discovers that things just aren't as they seem with the family. The prisoner (who is a half brother of the dead soldier) is brought home because he is thought to be dying of pneumonia. She nurses him back to health and in doing so learns a bit about him.
Shortly after returning to London she discovers the prisoner in her flat. He persuades her that he may not be mad, so Bess sets out to discover the truth. Their search will lead both of them into danger before the truth is ultimately found.
A great thriller by author Charles Todd.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Twelve Drummers Drumming
It is a lovely day in the English village of Thornford. Newly appointed vicar Tom Christmas and his young daughter are enjoying the May Fayre. Father Christmas, as he is affectionately known, came to this small village because the former vicar has disappeared. Part of the entertainment for the May Fayre are to be a set of 12 Japanese drums, one of which is quite huge. While Miranda is showing her father the artistic, photographic styled quilts on display, an argument ensues amongst some of the drummers about the drums. One is discovered to have been slashed. Stuffed inside it is discovered the body of a young woman.
From there, the mystery becomes more entangled. When a grave is opened for the young woman's interment a body is discovered and it turns out to be the body of the missing vicar! This sleepy little English village isn't so sleepy as once supposed. Due to the police being busy with the investigation of the murder the theft of a computer and camera are set aside for the time being. However, Tom thinks that the computer and camera could hold key clues as to whom the murderer is; especially when it is realised that the photographer and the murdered young woman look the same from behind!
This is the first novel of author C. C. Benison I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am going to look for other works of his.
From there, the mystery becomes more entangled. When a grave is opened for the young woman's interment a body is discovered and it turns out to be the body of the missing vicar! This sleepy little English village isn't so sleepy as once supposed. Due to the police being busy with the investigation of the murder the theft of a computer and camera are set aside for the time being. However, Tom thinks that the computer and camera could hold key clues as to whom the murderer is; especially when it is realised that the photographer and the murdered young woman look the same from behind!
This is the first novel of author C. C. Benison I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am going to look for other works of his.
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