Goodreads Ireland discussion

Not a mystery, but an enjoyable book of short stories Syrian Brides
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Outsider
I enjoyed it. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

American Dirt - so far....amazing! Fast-paced, strong female.

the Happier Dead

I have just finished reading The Retreat and can thoroughly recommend it. As the hero is a young knight of 16, it is categorised as YA, but I waved that age behind 40 years ago and any adult with an interest in history and/or the character development of one thrown into the horrors of battle will thoroughly enjoy this book. It is excellently written, the pace never lets up, with something unexpected on every page, right to the final line. A young boy eager for the heroism of the Crusades soon sees the other side and learns to question the class barriers and assumptions of his upbringing. A very powerful story.

I enjoyed Final Verdict
I rate it 4 stars and recommend it to those who like legal mysteries.
My review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

just finished On the Beach by Nevil Shute. A bit dated but strangely apt in these strange times. I gave it a 3.

My review of an entertaining legal mystery with a touch of humor.
The Confession
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I've just finished the first of the Spellslinger books by Sebastien de Castell Spellslinger and I highly recommend it. The writing is so tight, not a word wasted and you are given the facts you need, when you need them, with no unnecessary fluff. The term page-turner is often used, but I genuinely couldn't put this book down, there's a gripping cliff-hanger on every page. Great characters, none there just as filling. They each have a believable raison d'etre. I've been reading some excellent authors of late (A. Lee Martinez, Conor kostick, Peter Jones) but Sebastien de Castell is out on his own.

Hi there. What sort of shelf names do you have for books that are maybe not meant / or easy to read from start to finish. I have two on the go at the moment...think I would prefer to keep them aside and dip in and out when I want to.....maybe a 'dip in and out' shelf? ☺

abandoned.. just that

Just finished our buddy read for the month, Sins of the Fathers by Ruth Rendell and loved it. Come join the discussion.

Another excellent legal mystery in Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez series Judgment Day
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished my 2nd Lucy Foley suspense novel. I loved The Hunting Party, but felt her new one, The Guest List, was so similar in setting and characters, that I was dulled and bored by it. Need to look at my list and find a new one!

just finished City of Girls by Elisabeth Gilbert. it's not my usual thing and was a little disappointed. Gave it a 3.

It appears to be a 'marmite' book with equal good and bad reviews. i leaned towards the latter.
I feel she could have done more with the NY setup she created and, other than the main narrator, most characters were under-used.

S

I enjoyed Code Name Madeleine: A Sufi Spy in Nazi-Occupied Paris
My review, 3.5 stars rounded up https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

mockingjay

Reading now: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? Very, very enlightening.

My 3.5 star review(rounded down) of Heroes and Villains of the British Empire: Their Lives and Legends
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Another enjoyable legal mystery in the Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez series. Perfect Alibi
My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Not a thriller, but if you are a fan of iconic Steve McQueen films, including Bullitt, here is a fun read 1001 Steve McQueen Facts: The Rides, Roles and Realities of the King of Cool
My review, 3.5 stars rounded down https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished Felony Murder Rule by Sheldon Siegel
If you like like legal mysteries, try this series. My 4 star review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Am reading The Cow Book by John Connell, very down to earth and graphic, shows the reality of farming life in Ireland, not for the fainthearted though. Suspect that it wouldn't be for everyone.

A U.K. police procedural. The Darkest Evening
I enjoyed it, 3.5 stars rounded up. My review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review of First trial
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It is a free story if you follow the author, through his website.

I am about halfway through one of my new favorite novels, History of the Rain, by Niall Williams. His writing is so beautiful, with some humor, and draws you into another place and time. Listening to it on audio. The female narrator should get an award for this read.

Finished book 9 in Mike Daley/ Rosie Fernandez legal series, Serve and Protect
My 4 star review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Historical fiction about witch trials in England, 1645-48
The Witchfinder's Sister
It is depressing, but realistic and informative. My 4 star review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Hot Shot
I enjoyed it. This is book 10 in the series and I have enjoyed all of the prevoius books.
My 4 star review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read an excellent book, Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
I rated 4.5 stars rounded up. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thomas wrote: "I read an excellent book, Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
I rated 4.5 stars rounded up. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

Thomas, I just finished this book in past month and....I LOVED THIS BOOK!

I am just finishing Wine Girl by Victoria James. Good memoir on audio especially because the author is reading it. 'Wine Girl' was what misogynistic men referred to Victoria James, the world's youngest sommelier at age 21. It took James about 5 years to write this memoir about her family life, her restaurant life, and her passion and learning about wine.

I'm midway through The Wimbledon Poisoner by Nigel Williams and enjoying it immensely, very funny and well-written.
The Wimbledon Poisoner

Finished. Thirty-Three Teeth
My 4 star review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I've just finished The Wimbledon Poisoner and loved every minute, really enjoyable and laugh out loud funny, and it kept me guessing throughout. I reviewed it here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates - so well written, historical, and so enlightening, in a way that doesn't necessarily make you cringe (although we should) with our white privilege.

just finished 'In a field of Blue' by Gemma Liviero. Sadly I could only give it a single star.
There is a good story hidden in here but the style of narration and multiple changes of pov kept me at a distance as a reader.
There was some strange words used that should have been caught in any edit. Just untidy in parts.

Colleen Chi-Girl wrote: "We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates - so well written, historical, and so enlightening, in a way that doesn't necessarily make you cringe (although we should) with our white privilege."

There no such thing as "white privilege."

Thomas wrote: "My review of an entertaining legal mystery with a touch of humor.
The Confession
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thomas, it sounds really interesting. Just added it to my list. Thank you.

Colleen

Interesting comment, Alicia. I think if your people were Black, you would feel differently. I won't give you a history lesson, but in the USA, it has always been the case since slavery. It doesn't mean the Irish and Italians and other immigrants, didn't also suffer from poverty and horrific conditions. The difference is that White people could blend in with other White people and eventually "blended in".

Certainly, can't say that or claim that if you were Black or any person of color. These people of color have always been "less than", treated as "less than" along with women, less educated/poor/impoverished people. But if I'm missing something, please educate me.

CE

Alicia wrote: "Colleen Chi-Girl wrote: "We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates - so well written, historical, and so enlightening, in a way that doesn't necessarily make you cringe (although we should) ..."

There no such thing as "white privilege."

My 5 star review of Voyage of Mercy: The USS Jamestown, the Irish Famine, and the Remarkable Story of America's First Humanitarian Mission
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I strongly recommend this book.

I read 21 Immortals: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang Murders by Rozlan Mohd Noor
I rated it 3.5 stars rounded down. It is a police procedural set in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A mystery/thriller, set in Shetland, Scotland. I enjoyed it. My 4 star review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Historical fiction at its best. Warriors of the Storm by Bernard Cornwell
My 4 star review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review of an entertaining mystery set in the hip hop/rap music world, The Darkest Hearts
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

i have just finished The Stolen Village by Des Ekin.
it purports to tell the story of the 1631 attack by Barbary pirates on the town of Baltimore in West Cork and the aftermath of slavery.

unfortunately as there is no direct records of what happened to the 107 people taken the author relies on contemporary accounts by others taken by pirates.
this is interesting in itself abd he does provide a flavour of the times.

My interest in the topic sprang from a family connection to Sherkin Island, opposite Baltimore. My fathers people still live there.

overall it is an interesting read. a bit muddled at times but well researched.
He does tend to a touch of sensationalism at times with 'celebrity' name dropping and there are some very stretched links in thw summations.

but it was enjoyable

S

Stephen wrote: "i have just finished The Stolen Village by Des Ekin.
it purports to tell the story of the 1631 attack by Barbary pirates on the town of Baltimore in West Cork and the aftermath of slavery.

unfortu..."

I read this book about 12 years ago. Growing up in West Cork, we heard about "The Sack of Baltimore". This book filled a large gap in my knowledge of the period. I recall it was an interesting read, especially the part where he tries to explain what happened to the people.

Patrick wrote: "Stephen wrote: "i have just finished The Stolen Village by Des Ekin.
it purports to tell the story of the 1631 attack by Barbary pirates on the town of Baltimore in West Cork and the aftermath of s..."

We used to go fishing in the Eastern Hole, where the pirates moored. Even in the late 70's the locals used to say it was an unlucky place. Caught a few mackerel, though.
My father's family comes from Sherkin and we have O'Driscoll cousins. I did appreciate the author's final comments about the latest invasion of Baltimore being tourists and holiday home owners. After all the strife it was lost anyway to 'blow-ins" lol.

S

I read this a few years back and found it an illuminating account. Isn't it amazing that these pirates ranged so far and wide? There are some fascinating connections created between places as far flung as Iceland and Africa, and, of course, Baltimore.

Finished The Dreamer
It is book 11 in the legal mystery series and I recommend the series.
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...