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Reviews for November 2019 Theme - WORLD HELLO DAY
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I live in the U.S. This is set in Ireland
The Final Silence - Stuart Neville
Belfast Novels Book #4
4★
I was very hopeful at the start for this book to get a 4.5 or 5 star rating...but after the murder it began to loose momentum. I became very disillusioned with the police investigative team as they refused to listen to reason having already made up their minds. To make matters worse Jack Lennon had already been tried and found guilty by most of his co-workers for previously killing a fellow police officer that was trying to kill him. I just didn't get how they came to that conclusion. Stuart Neville has portrayed his characters to fit very well into the environment of Belfast and the unrest of this beautiful little island that was present at the time that this story took place. Overall, it was a good solid thriller in spite of a few loose ends at the conclusion. I believe that there is going to hope for Jack and his little daughter reflected in future books.
Mod
Not Quite Nice – Celia Imrie – 3.5***
In her debut novel, Imrie has given us a sort of “coming of old age” story featuring a group of British expats living in a small town on the French Riviera. I thought it was an enjoyable, fast novel. Perfect for a vacation read. The bad guys get what’s coming to them, and everyone learns a lesson or two. It’s not exactly a happily-ever-after ending, but it gives me hope for the future of these characters. There are two more books in the series (thus far), and I look forward to reading them.
LINK to my review
I live in the USA, and this book was written by Ha Jin, who was born in Liaoning, China.
A Free Life, by Ha Jin, 3 Stars
Ha Jin writes of the experience of Chinese people who have immigrated to the USA. Although the book is lengthy - 660 pages - and not fast moving, it does give a very good look at the trials and obstacles faced by immigrants. I found it very enlightening, opening the reader's eyes to many things that hamper an immigrant's success in the USA. It was interesting, and the writing is quite well done, especially for someone whose primary language was not English. The only downside was the length of the novel.
I had already decided to read 2 books per month that are specifically chosen for international locations, or authors who were not born in the USA, so I was pleased this topic was chosen. The book gets high marks for enlightening the reader.
Mod
The Ravenmaster – Christopher Skaife – 3***
Subtitle: My Life With the Ravens at the Tower of London. This memoir details Skaife’s career path to what has become his life’s work: the Ravenmaster at the Tower of London. His dedication to his position as Ravenmaster is evident, as is his great love for the birds. But there were times when I felt the book dragged as he overwhelmed me with scientific detail. Final verdict: interesting but not gripping.
LINK to my review
4 StarsThe Trauma Cleaner
An Australian author and a book set in Australia.
This book was an impulse choice, as I thought "trauma cleaner" sounded very interesting. And it was, but the book is much, much deeper than the physical act of cleaning up after a trauma. Sandra Pankhurst has had a lot of trauma in her own life, and in this book you see her treat others with the compassion that was so lacking in her own situation.
Mod
I Always Loved You – Robin Oliveira – 3***
The subtitle – A Story of Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas – is all the synopsis anyone needs. This immediately drew my attention as I love art, the Impressionists in particular, and I love reading historical fiction about artists. I had previously been content to merely gaze with astonishment and admiration at the works of art they created. But while I appreciate now having learned all the details of their complicated relationships, and while these period elements added color to the story, the book failed to really move me.
LINK to my review
This one is set in England
The Secret of Cold Hill - Peter James
5★★★★★
Cold Hill House has been demolished to make way for a new housing estate. Luxury-living at its best with high specification gadgets all thrown in – part-exchange available for the right buyers. The first two families move in, and as soon as they do, the unearthly residents of Cold Hill begin to make themselves known. Nobody who moves into Cold Hill reaches their fortieth birthday, and the old couple that have just arrived . . . let’s just say their days are numbered.
Peter James could write an instruction manual for installing toilets and I would eagerly read every single word of it. I've read all of the Roy Grace books that he has written thus far and always eagerly await the next one...I'm almost positive that his Cold Hill series is going to be the same. The Roy Grace series and the Cold Hill books are a universe apart in subject matter but both are absolutely fantastic. Roy Grace fans be aware that there is also a big difference in the subject matter...Roy Grace is mystery & suspense genre...Cold Hill is terror at it's very, very best. Read The House on Cold Hill first so that you will have a clue what is happening here...as if we really do. Please, Mr. James...write more of this series and please do it sooner rather than later.
Still in England
The Stopped Heart - Julie Myerson
3★
It was a very good story...well written and well told... however the constant switching from past to present was a bit annoying. It would have been easier and a smoother transition to have stated that it was "past" or "present" at the start of that section. Oh well...no one asked for my input:) I love supernatural, physiological suspense stories and this one was building to a stunning conclusion...but then it was like the door closed and someone said "That's all folks." We never found out what actually happened to the villain or what the future was to hold for the couple or the family in the past. That was disappointing and it lost the book half a star. Still very worth the reading time.
I've been to Australia
Picnic At Hanging Rock - Joan Lindsay
4★
It was a cloudless summer day in the year 1900. Everyone at Appleyard College for Young Ladies agreed it was just right for a picnic at Hanging Rock. After lunch, a group of three girls climbed into the blaze of the afternoon sun, pressing on through the scrub into the shadows of the secluded volcanic outcropping. Farther, higher, until at last they disappeared. They never returned.
It could best be described as a sinister tale, laced with touches of the supernatural. The biggest mystery is... is it fiction or is it fact? There are arguments for both sides, but the author leaves the final theory to the reader to decide for themselves. I personally believe that it is entirely possible that parts of the events were based in fact but over time had been exaggerated allowing it to gain momentum for the side of reality in the retelling of the story. There is no exact answer and therefore... the book becomes an exercise in frustration. I do recommend it for those who love to read a real mystery. On a side note...the story is on DVD which I really perfected to the book.
Mod
Uncommon Criminals – Ally Carter – 2.5**
Katarina Bishop is back with her crew of teen-aged thieves. This time they are after the Cleopatra emerald, despite legend that it carries a curse. There are a lot of twists and turns in this plot, and more than one intricate theft taking place. Not to mention cons and contra-cons. It's a fast read, and I like a lead female who is smart, determined and generally self-sufficient. But I didn't think it was as good as the first book, Heist Society. Still, I see the appeal for the target YA audience.
LINK to my review
Set in Poland, Russia, and the USA.
4 Stars
According to the book blurb, this is a fascinating historical novel about a battle-haunted English journalist and a Russian female bomber pilot who join forces to track the Huntress, a Nazi war criminal gone to ground in America.
I loved it from the first page, and it held my interest throughout. Although it is a Nazi era book, it is more suspenseful and different than most other books of this subject. The novel deals more with the characters fighting the war, and less with the Jewish victims. The characters are easy to follow, and the suspense holds through to the end. I highly recommend it.
Mod
Quentins – Maeve Binchy – 3.5***
I came late to the Binchy fan club, but better late than never. I really like her style of every-day drama – the kinds of ups and downs we all experience in life. Many of her books feature the same ensemble cast of characters, but they don’t have to be read in any particular order. This book starts with Ella Brady and her lover Don Richardson, but quickly encompasses Brenda and Patrick who run the upscale restaurant Quentins and all the many patrons and trades people who support it. Reading a Binchy novel is a bit like visiting with old friends.
My full review HERE
South Africa
4 Stars
A favorite aunt brought me a large bag of books, and this was one of them. I was reluctant to read it as I felt it was not my "type" of book, but when I finally gave in, I became completely involved.
According to Amazon: Frances Irvine, left destitute in the wake of her father’s sudden death, has been forced to abandon her life of wealth and privilege in London and emigrate to the Southern Cape of Africa. 1880 South Africa is a country torn apart by greed. In this remote and inhospitable land she becomes entangled with two very different men—one driven by ambition, the other by his ideals. Only when the rumor of an epidemic takes her into the dark heart of the diamond mines does Frances see her road to happiness.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, filled with descriptions of South Africa during a drought. The characters, while not always likable, were always easy to relate to. Vivid descriptions of spiders found in this area were unsettling, but in counter balance was the meerkat (in the house!), the zebra, and the kudus. It was a beautifully descriptive journey into South Africa, and I recommend it.
I spend a lot of time in England
The Craftsman - Sharon J. Bolton
5★
Florence Lovelady's career was made when she convicted coffin-maker Larry Grassbrook of a series of child murders 30 years ago in a small village in Lancashire. Like something out of a nightmare, the victims were buried alive. Florence was able to solve the mystery and get a confession out of Larry before more children were murdered…and he spent the rest of his life in prison. But now, decades later, he's dead, and events from the past start to repeat themselves. Is someone copying the original murders? Or did she get it wrong all those years ago? When her own son goes missing under similar circumstances, the case not only gets reopened... it gets personal.
Assistant Commissioner Florence “Flossie” Lovelady, tells her story from two points of view… the present…the 1990s… and the past…the 1960s. We first meet her as she is attending a funeral where apparently people hated the dead guy. This already creates an immediate curiosity for the reader. The book starts out as a creepy, but still straight-forward crime mystery with plenty of suspects. As the story progresses, we are slowly transported to a slightly supernatural environment. Since I love supernatural stories, I was intrigued and hoped that the author will continue to explore this area in her writing. If you are not a fan of the supernatural, don’t worry…the book is not of this genre. You will get a coven of witches with real powers…and whether they are trying to help the case or undermine the investigation, you’ll have to decide for yourself. I loved the book and found it just slightly creepy. I also loved the twists and turns that the book offered, especially towards the end. Sharon Bolton has a great way with words and knows how to insert you in that dark atmosphere where you forget about time, about eating or sleeping until you finish the very last page. This is a standalone novel and not a part of the Lacey Flint series.
Mod
The Curse of the Pharaohs – Elizabeth Peters – 2.5**
Book two in the Amelia Peabody series, featuring the intrepid Victorian lady Egyptologist. I read the first book in the series a few years back and was not a fan. Much of what irritated me in the first book happened again. But … I’m beginning to see the humor and satire in Peters’ style. I’m starting to appreciate Peabody’s manner and her relationships with the other characters. This is a strong, independent-minded, intelligent woman who does not suffer fools gladly.
My full review HERE
I seem to be stuck in England. Anyone serving tea?A Torrid Piece of Murder - C.F. Roe
Dr. jean Montrose series Book #5
3★
Failing to determine the cause of death when the body of a young choir singer is discovered at the local church, Dr. Jean Montrose suspects foul play and calls upon Inspector Douglas Niven to help seek out the truth
The book is short but the characters are good and they are all believable. Seems that this series is not very popular in the U.S...I don't know about other countries. My library spent almost three months trying to find it and they finally bought it somewhere used. I didn't find the story very exciting to have been about a murder. The best I can say for it was that it was readable.
EgyptThe Alexander Cipher - Will Adams
Daniel Knox series Book #1
3★
Workers in Alexandria are excavating for a new building when they discover the ruins of an old tomb, and all work crashes to a halt. According to federal law in Egypt, all discoveries must be properly cataloged by archaeologists and this tomb has unusual relics and representations, apparently contemporary with Alexander the Great. Daniel Knox's first love is history and archaeology, specifically on Alexander the Great. When he pisses off a local mobster on the coast of Egypt, he heads to Alexandria to an archaeology colleague's apartment to hide out for a while. He learns his friend is getting to participate on the dig for this newly discovered tomb. Sneaking in with his friend, Daniel sees signs that the find is far bigger than anyone realizes and might hold clues to finally unraveling one of the world's greatest mysteries: Where is Alexander the Great buried?
The book was interesting but it lacked the suspense factor that would have made it an outstanding book. I liked the character of Daniel Konx and I believe he will develop over time...but the majority of the characters were just a little too much on the unrealistic side in their reactions. Fans of the thriller genre with an interest in Egyptology and Alexander The Great will find that there is a great deal to like here...but those of us that seek more action and adventure in our books will find they are bogged down in too many subplots and historical facts.
T
I'm in England...againMagpie Murders - Anthony Horowitz
4.5★
When editor Susan Ryeland is given the manuscript of Alan Conway’s latest novel, she has no reason to think it will be much different from any of his others. After working with the bestselling crime writer for years, she’s intimately familiar with his detective, Atticus Pünd, who solves mysteries disturbing sleepy English villages. An homage to queens of classic British crime such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Alan’s traditional formula has proved hugely successful. So successful that Susan must continue to put up with his troubling behavior if she wants to keep her job. Conway’s latest tale has Atticus Pünd investigating a murder at Pye Hall, a local manor house. Yes, there are dead bodies and a host of intriguing suspects, but the more Susan reads, the more she’s convinced that there is another story hidden in the pages of the manuscript: one of real-life jealousy, greed, ruthless ambition, and murder.
If Anthony Horowitz collected royalties for this book by the pound he could retire a rich man and never have to write another word:) This story is written in layers. When you peal one away another appears. When Elizabeth Blakiston is found dead at the bottom of a staircase and the doors are all locked from the inside...we have the first layer of our murder. Sir Magnus Pye provides the second layer...beheaded with a sword that usually hangs on the wall of the manor. But wait...they are only a part of a murder mystery manuscript with the last chapter missing. We soon find that the entire fictional murder mystery is filled with a mind-boggling variety of games whose solutions cast new light on all murders both fictional and nonfictional. A wildly inventive plot worthy of Agatha Christie fans.
The book takes place in Iraq, Iran and Sweden. Unpaved Road: An Iranian Girl's Real Life Story of Struggle, Deception and Breaking the Rules by Niki Bahara
3 stars
This book was not what I thought it was going to be. The author description states that she lives in Los Angeles. I am always interested in learning more about why immigrants come to the United States but this isn't at all what this book is about. So just a word of warning, this is more about her relationship with her ex husband and not very much about the Iranian lifestyle and why people need to leave. If you go into it knowing this I think you will enjoy it a lot more.
Mod
After You – Jojo Moyes – 3***
A sequel to her runaway hit Me Before You, this brings the reader up to date on Louisa and her efforts to heal from the events in the earlier novel. I can’t say much more because that would spoil the first book. There are no easy, straightforward answers for Louisa, Sam or Lily. Or, for that matter the supporting characters. While the scenarios these characters are dealing with are not situations I have personally dealt with, their emotions ARE familiar to me. I did think that the plot got a little too complicated. Still, this was a very enjoyable sequel to the first book and I’m glad to have read it.
My full review HERE
Mod
Before I Die – Candy Chang – 3.5***
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Chang noticed the many abandoned, boarded up homes in New Orleans. One such house was in her neighborhood – a daily reminder of damage, devastation, shattered hopes and despair. She was inspired to do something and got permission from the owner and the city to create a piece of public art. Her project brought her neighborhood together as people wrote, read, and discussed the responses, and drew national and international attention. This book chronicles the efforts of people in 40+ countries on six continents to create similar works of art.
My full review HERE
Mod
Love And Ghost Letters – Chantal Acevedo – 3.5*** rounded UP
Acevedo gives us a wonderful exploration of Cuba from 1933 to 1969. Over the course of the novel Acevedo explores love in its many forms: passionate, within marriage or outside of it, as a teenager, during old age, parental and among friends. The upheaval within the relationships is contrasted nicely against the revolutions and political changes in the country during this time frame.
My full review HERE
Back in England. maybe I should just move there:)Dead At First Sight - Peter James
Roy Grace series Book #15
5★
A man waits at London Airport for Ingrid Ostermann, the love of his life, to arrive. Across the Atlantic, a retired NYPD cop waits in a bar in Florida’s Key West for his first date with the lady who is, without question, his soulmate. The two men are about to discover they’ve been scammed out of almost every penny they have—and that neither woman exists. Meanwhile, a wealthy divorcée plunges, in suspicious circumstances, from an apartment block in Munich. In the same week, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is called to investigate the suicide of a woman in Brighton, that is clearly not what it seems. As his investigations continue, a handsome Brighton motivational speaker comes forward. He’d discovered his identity is being used to scam 11 different women, online. Roy Grace realizes he is looking at the tip of an iceberg. A global empire built on clever, cruel internet scams and the murder of anyone who threatens to expose them.
There is just something about Peter James' writing and his books and characters that I just can't get enough of. I said once that he could write instruction manuals for installing toilets and I would eagerly read every single word. The story addresses a subject that is very much in today's forefront with the advances in cyber abilities and social media...the ever present SCAMMER! You read these different ways that these people were taken advantage of and ask yourself, "what is wrong with these folks? How could they fall for this? I would never get involved with an on-line romance and send thousands and thousands of dollars to someone whose picture is even fake"...but under the right circumstances...you just might. Great job Mr. James. Roy Grace at his very best.
South Africa 
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
5 stars
Trevor Noah is very straight forward about growing up in South Africa and having a white Father and a black Mother. The Book has some stories that are hard to read because of the sensitive subjects but needed to be told. You can also feel his humor throughout the book.
Coming from a mixed race family, I can see and feel so much of this highly recommend book.
SouthWestZippy wrote: "South Africa Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
5 stars
Trevor Noah is very straight fo..."
Love Trevor and I loved this book. Glad you enjoyed it.
Germany, Poland, AustriaBorn Survivors by Wendy Holden
5 stars
This is a difficult book to read as most of the book is page after page of the horror that was the Holocaust. The book follows the stories of three women who were pregnant during the Holocaust, had their babies in internment camps and survived. The abuse is horrific, but yet something we need to know existed. I thought the way the book was laid out going back and forth between the three women was a bit confusing but at the end I needed a whole box of tissues when we find out what happened to the women and their families after their ordeal.
Mod
Summer At Little Beach Street Bakery – Jenny Colgan – 3***
Book two in the Little Beach Street Bakery series, this is an enjoyable chick-lit romance with food. There’s the usual drama one expects from new-adult relationships, life choices, career moves, etc. Wonderful cast of supporting characters. It’s a fun, fast, light read. Perfect for a vacation read, or anytime you want something entertaining.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Prisoner Of Heaven – Carlos Ruiz Zafón – 3***
Book three in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. Oh, I love Zafón’s writing! The book is very atmospheric; I can feel the chill of a wintery wind, smell the candlewax and dust, practically taste the delicacies offered at 7 Portes restaurant. There are twists and turns and changes in timeline that confuse, obfuscate, tease the reader and illuminate the plot.
My full review HERE
Grab a Book & Play Booktivity!
Books mentioned in this topic
The Prisoner of Heaven (other topics)Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery (other topics)
Born Survivors (other topics)
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (other topics)
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (other topics)
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Our November theme:
Nov 21, World Hello Day - Read a book set in a country other than your own or written by an author from a country other than your own
The theme was suggested by Jaret.
Be sure to let us know how your book fits the theme if it's not evident from the book title / description.
Enjoy!
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