DI Sarah Quinn has a missing person case on her hands. A note has been
delivered to the police indicating that Olivia Kent has been abducted.
When a copy of the note is shown to Olivia's mother, she indicates that
the note is in Olivia's handwriting. Quinn is unaware that Olivia's
best friend is Caroline King, her old journalist nemesis.
Shortly
after the investigation begins, another note with a picture of Olivia in a wire noose arrives, as does Caroline King, the journalist friend,
hellbent on getting as much information to the media as possible. Quinn
has other ideas. She questions the head of the school where Olivia
teaches and is left feeling suspicious. During a media briefing
information comes in of a fire and a body at the site.
Only the body
is a survivor, and the survivor is Olivia Kent. Unfortunately, due to
smoke inhalation she is in a coma. Quinn's team turns up two Persons of
Interest. One is the head of Olivia's school, while the other is a
governor of the school. Journalist King has some information, which she
is not sharing with Quinn; the story is more important to her.
Olivia
refuses to talk to anyone when she regains consciousness. It is at
this point that author Maureen Carter throws a spanner in the works
putting the reader on edge until the totally unexpected climax.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Conqueror
In "Conqueror", Conn Iggulden completes the story of the Mongol hordes of Genghis Khan.
The grandsons of the famous Mongol leader struggle amongst themselves to rule the area once claimed by Genghis. To avoid conflict, Batu retreats to the forests of Russia. Guyuk is a fierce ruler and within a short time he is dead. His cousin Mongke is chosen as the next khan. Mongke discovers that there is hard work to ruling a vast empire. He assigns his brother Hulegu the task of ruling what would become Persia. His scholarly brother, Kublai, is given the task of expanding the empire to the east.
Kublai's task is the most difficult because he has to fight against millions. In so doing he learns to be a fighter and brilliant commander. Unfortunately it is very costly to fight such a war, and Mongke marches to find out what has happened. He leaves his youngest brother Arik-Boke in charge of the capital.
While on campaign Mongke dies. By tradition, the Mongols are to gather in Karakoram to name a new khan. Kublai refuses to attend because he feels that he has unfinished business in the east. He doesn't realise that his decision will lead to civil war amongst the Mongols. Arik-Boke declares himself khan, while Kublai does the same. Kublai realises that he must return to Karakoram to claim his rightful place.
Iggulden tells a powerful story of how Kublai Khan became the ruler of the largest empire in the world. For history buffs and those who love a good historical novel, this is a great read.
The grandsons of the famous Mongol leader struggle amongst themselves to rule the area once claimed by Genghis. To avoid conflict, Batu retreats to the forests of Russia. Guyuk is a fierce ruler and within a short time he is dead. His cousin Mongke is chosen as the next khan. Mongke discovers that there is hard work to ruling a vast empire. He assigns his brother Hulegu the task of ruling what would become Persia. His scholarly brother, Kublai, is given the task of expanding the empire to the east.
Kublai's task is the most difficult because he has to fight against millions. In so doing he learns to be a fighter and brilliant commander. Unfortunately it is very costly to fight such a war, and Mongke marches to find out what has happened. He leaves his youngest brother Arik-Boke in charge of the capital.
While on campaign Mongke dies. By tradition, the Mongols are to gather in Karakoram to name a new khan. Kublai refuses to attend because he feels that he has unfinished business in the east. He doesn't realise that his decision will lead to civil war amongst the Mongols. Arik-Boke declares himself khan, while Kublai does the same. Kublai realises that he must return to Karakoram to claim his rightful place.
Iggulden tells a powerful story of how Kublai Khan became the ruler of the largest empire in the world. For history buffs and those who love a good historical novel, this is a great read.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Dead Image
England, 1874 and goods are transported either by canal barge or
trains. When a canal barge explodes for no reason, Scotland Yard
Sergeant Earnest Best is assigned the task of determining the cause and
identifying the young lad and young woman who died in he explosion.
Were Fenians behind the explosion?
An autopsy determines that the young woman had been stabbed. Constable Smith, who has been assigned to work alongside Sergeant Best, with the aid of his mother, who takes in laundry, determine that the young woman was working class, but not hard labour.
A barmaid is reported missing. But that was too early; however not if she was kept in a cool place Best's Chief Inspector suggests. Best investigates an ice house, however the body of the barmaid turns up shortly after. When a young woman comes to Best about her younger sister being missing, he thinks he might be on the right track, but the young woman continually provides him with mixed messages, so Best is angered and confused.
The lead suspect turns up dead while Best searches for him and Constable Smith discovers that the missing woman had 'been spoken for' and he now knows by whom. However, author Joan Lock throws a twist at the reader when Best discovers a new potential identity for the female victim and Smith discovers that the paramour is missing as well!
An autopsy determines that the young woman had been stabbed. Constable Smith, who has been assigned to work alongside Sergeant Best, with the aid of his mother, who takes in laundry, determine that the young woman was working class, but not hard labour.
A barmaid is reported missing. But that was too early; however not if she was kept in a cool place Best's Chief Inspector suggests. Best investigates an ice house, however the body of the barmaid turns up shortly after. When a young woman comes to Best about her younger sister being missing, he thinks he might be on the right track, but the young woman continually provides him with mixed messages, so Best is angered and confused.
The lead suspect turns up dead while Best searches for him and Constable Smith discovers that the missing woman had 'been spoken for' and he now knows by whom. However, author Joan Lock throws a twist at the reader when Best discovers a new potential identity for the female victim and Smith discovers that the paramour is missing as well!
Monday, June 18, 2012
The Hanging Shed
Author Gordon Ferris had me right from the get go with this murder mystery.
Post-war Glasgow, and journalist Douglas Brodie has returned to help a friend in need. His friend, one he had presumed dead, was badly burned inside a bomber that had been shot down. Now he sits in prison, found guilty of killing a young boy.
When Brodie meets Hugh Donovan's advocate, Sam Campbell, he discovers that the evidence points to the guilt of Donovan. However, Brodie was a police officer before the war and he finds that the evidence doesn't fully ring true.
And thus begins Brodie's search for the truth. He will encounter cops whose brutal methods obtain confessions from innocent people and people who don't want to be involved. Things turn into a holy mess when two thugs he had had an earlier encounter with toss him off a ferry. Connecting the dots, the finger is pointed at a priest who knew he would be on that ferry. Is that priest in cahoots with the local drug baron?
What Brodie turns up for answers surprises him and Sam. In order to get more he has to enter the drug baron's lair. But what he finds isn't sufficient.
About two-thirds of the way through the story, author Ferris gives the reader a sudden twist, taking the reader in a totally new direction. Like the reader, Brodie and Campbell can't resist. Things take a turn for the worse when Sam goes missing. The author builds the suspense to a point where it is almost too much to take in!
Post-war Glasgow, and journalist Douglas Brodie has returned to help a friend in need. His friend, one he had presumed dead, was badly burned inside a bomber that had been shot down. Now he sits in prison, found guilty of killing a young boy.
When Brodie meets Hugh Donovan's advocate, Sam Campbell, he discovers that the evidence points to the guilt of Donovan. However, Brodie was a police officer before the war and he finds that the evidence doesn't fully ring true.
And thus begins Brodie's search for the truth. He will encounter cops whose brutal methods obtain confessions from innocent people and people who don't want to be involved. Things turn into a holy mess when two thugs he had had an earlier encounter with toss him off a ferry. Connecting the dots, the finger is pointed at a priest who knew he would be on that ferry. Is that priest in cahoots with the local drug baron?
What Brodie turns up for answers surprises him and Sam. In order to get more he has to enter the drug baron's lair. But what he finds isn't sufficient.
About two-thirds of the way through the story, author Ferris gives the reader a sudden twist, taking the reader in a totally new direction. Like the reader, Brodie and Campbell can't resist. Things take a turn for the worse when Sam goes missing. The author builds the suspense to a point where it is almost too much to take in!
Friday, June 15, 2012
The Ring of Death
DCI Monika Poniatowski has been handed her second murder case and a new
DS who haas just returned from sick leave. DS Cousins had been
declared mentally unfit for work following the death of his wife.
Monika was unsure whether he was one of the old boys club who didn't
want a female DCI. He allays her fears when he uses his contacts to
find out that the victim was a Para involved in "Bloody Sunday".
A real monkey wrench is thrown at her team when a man from 'the' ministry tells her to keep him abreast of the investigation. A second similar murder makes the investigating team wonder if there are any connections. Poniatowski sets one of her team to spying on the spy, but here hands are seemingly tied when her boss is forced to follow the orders of the ministry.
Could the IRA be involved? After all, it is the time of The Troubles in Ireland. When Monika and her team investigate that lead they find themselves in a quandary. Later two more men are murdered, and their bodies left on the local football pitch. What does it all mean?
Author Sally Spencer gives the reader a shocking, unexpected and totally surprising conclusion to this excellent murder mystery.
A real monkey wrench is thrown at her team when a man from 'the' ministry tells her to keep him abreast of the investigation. A second similar murder makes the investigating team wonder if there are any connections. Poniatowski sets one of her team to spying on the spy, but here hands are seemingly tied when her boss is forced to follow the orders of the ministry.
Could the IRA be involved? After all, it is the time of The Troubles in Ireland. When Monika and her team investigate that lead they find themselves in a quandary. Later two more men are murdered, and their bodies left on the local football pitch. What does it all mean?
Author Sally Spencer gives the reader a shocking, unexpected and totally surprising conclusion to this excellent murder mystery.
Water For Elephants
Jacob Jankowski is an elderly man, in a care home, when the circus comes to town. One of the other men living in the home mentions that he had carried water for elephants, and Jacob argues with him because he had worked for a circus.
Author Sara Gruen then takes us through Jacob's story with the circus through flashbacks as he waits with the rest of the residents to go to the circus. Jacob meets a variety of characters in the circus including Marlena, wife of one of the managers of the circus. He finds himself falling in love with her. This creates problems for both of them.
When Rosie, an elephant, joins the circus a new twist is thrown into the story. Jacob earns the respect of the various members of the circus with time, but also the animosity of August, husband of Marlena. The climax of the story is very surprising as is the sub-climax.
This is a well written story. A very good read that I am sure you will enjoy.
Author Sara Gruen then takes us through Jacob's story with the circus through flashbacks as he waits with the rest of the residents to go to the circus. Jacob meets a variety of characters in the circus including Marlena, wife of one of the managers of the circus. He finds himself falling in love with her. This creates problems for both of them.
When Rosie, an elephant, joins the circus a new twist is thrown into the story. Jacob earns the respect of the various members of the circus with time, but also the animosity of August, husband of Marlena. The climax of the story is very surprising as is the sub-climax.
This is a well written story. A very good read that I am sure you will enjoy.
Monday, June 11, 2012
War and Peace
I finally took it upon myself to read Tolstoy's huge novel
that is set in early 19th century Russia. It took some time to get the
central characters in my mind, however, once I did I began to
thoroughly enjoy the stories of the various families Tolstoy introduces
the reader to.
War and Peace is not just about the Napoleonic Wars between Austria, Russia and England on the one side and France on the other. It also looks at the war and peace that exist within families. Not only do countries at war have truces, so do family members. Tolstoy looks at the human condition and human frailties in this gigantic novel. Love, loss, anger, treachery, tragedy, death and pain make up integral parts of this story.
If you are not one who enjoys historical novels, this is not a book for you. If you don't have the patience for a long read, this is not the book for you. Tolstoy has a tendency to ramble off on tangents at times. His concluding chapters are a series of rambling thoughts about theories behind history and the causes of historical events. Unfortunately this detracts from the overall story line. On the other hand, if you enjoy both reading, history and historical novels you will enjoy this novel.
War and Peace is not just about the Napoleonic Wars between Austria, Russia and England on the one side and France on the other. It also looks at the war and peace that exist within families. Not only do countries at war have truces, so do family members. Tolstoy looks at the human condition and human frailties in this gigantic novel. Love, loss, anger, treachery, tragedy, death and pain make up integral parts of this story.
If you are not one who enjoys historical novels, this is not a book for you. If you don't have the patience for a long read, this is not the book for you. Tolstoy has a tendency to ramble off on tangents at times. His concluding chapters are a series of rambling thoughts about theories behind history and the causes of historical events. Unfortunately this detracts from the overall story line. On the other hand, if you enjoy both reading, history and historical novels you will enjoy this novel.
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