Review: Ice Blue

Ice Blue by Emma Jameson
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

A modern story about Scotland Yard, one of my favourite topics. We start off with an extremely gruesome murder of one of the "elite". The story draws lines between the upper and lower crust of society to the point in some cases as mockery.

The characters of Scotland Yard are very likeable and that is what gives this story its strength.

The main players that I refer to are, Anthony Hetheridge, the 9th Baron of Wellegrave, and Chief Superintendent at Scotland Yard. DS Kate Wakefield is a young detective and DS paul Bhar is also on their team.

This would be considered a cosy mystery and if so I found it delightful. A very good read.



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Review: The Golden Son

The Golden Son by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wonderful story and wonderful writing. This is the story of Anil, the son of a fairly well to do family in India who wants to become a doctor. He achieves an internship in Dallas in the US leaving behind everything he knows and his parents, three brothers and his sister.

I love stories that teach us things about the customs and ways of people in other countries. Anil returns to the bosom of his family as often as he can and it occurred to me that the first generation from anywhere must lead double lives. They have left behind everything they know and must learn everything in to their adopted lands in order to get along and blend in.

An excellent read.

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Review: Fool Me Once

Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great novel by Harlan Coben. I always have a feeling of coming home when I read one of his novels or even a feeling of talking to a good friend. I like how it just gets right into the story. The characters, if not always loveable, are always understandable.

In this story, Maya is an ex army helicopter pilot who is now a flight teacher. She has a two year old daughter and her husband was murdered two weeks ago. Her sister had also been murdered a few months previously.

Maya takes us on a roller coaster of suspense as she tries to discover the reason for her sister's murder.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

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Review: My Name is Lucy Barton

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lucy Barton is a writer. Her story starts as a "sort of" journal that she started as she was confined to the hospital for nine weeks due to a complicated surgery. During that time she receives a visit from her estranged mother and they were able to make a peace with each other.

Her story is very emotional making you actually believe that Elizabeth Strout must have herself endured poverty and abuse. The relationships of life are examined; parents, siblings, relatives, husbands, children and friends. The writing is a gentle matter of fact.

There was always a "thing", her words, in her background. Was it abuse? The reader is left to accept that theory or puzzle further.

The ending may have been a bit of a letdown, but then again, whose lives end on big highs.

A thoroughly engrossing read.

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Review: Lilac Girls

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book IMO should be on everyone's compulsory reading list. Its an incredible first book for this author and it brought to life the events of Ravensbruck prison for women and the holocost. I had never heard of Caroline Ferriday and all her good works, but just saying good works is putting it far too mildly. She worked tirelessly it seems, during her whole life to help anyone and everyone.

The story is based on two Polish sisters, one a doctor, a German female doctor and an American socialite. But it is much more than that and I can only say "read this book".

As an aside, the term lilac girls meaning, I believe, is meant to mean that it blooms only after a very hard winter.



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Review: The Body in the Library

The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Another Miss Marple mystery. Two young girls have been murdered and Miss Marple just seems to know who the murderer is and the motive. In the end she had everything just pat. It was really a bit too pat for my liking.
An enjoyable read.


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Nora Webster by Colm Toibin

Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this book but just couldn't get into it.

A widow in Ireland with four children is getting back on her feet. The story was good but it began to feel like a long ramble and the characters just were not interesting.

In many ways though I did think that it was very true as to what life would be for a widow as young as Nora.



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Review: Spare Change

Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ethan Allen was a boy that was so unwanted by his parents that his mother couldn't even bother giving him a proper name and called him the name of a furniture store. She fancied herself a singer and spent most of her life planning on leaving for New York to start a stage career.

Her marriage was extremely rocky and she had a roving eye. This would be her undoing.

Ethan Allen saw and endured much more than a child should ever have to. Between fights, plans for trips to New York and affairs, this story will tug at your heart. The characters are well drawn and likeable for the most part.

Even though the story was somewhat predictable, it was interesting and thoughtful.

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